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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Hidden History of American Democracy
Thom Hartmann
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
1333 Broadway, Suite 1000, Oakland CA, 94612
www.bkconnection.com
9781523004386, $19.95, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-History-American-Democracy-Rediscovering/dp/152300438X
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Hidden History of American Democracy: Rediscovering Humanity's Ancient Way
of Living", Thom Hartmann provides his readers with a succinct, powerful, sweeping history and analysis of American
democracy, and shows how democracy is the one form of governance most likely to produce peace and happiness among
people.
With the violent exception of the Civil War, American democracy resisted the pressure to disintegrate into factionalism for
nearly two centuries, and now, with the currently deepening and increasingly hostile polarization of the American people
our very system of democratic elections is at stake.
So how do we save our democracy?
"The Hidden History of American Democracy: Rediscovering Humanity's Ancient Way of Living" offers a clear call to
action and a set of solutions with road maps for both individuals and communities to follow in order to create a safer, more
just society, more equitable, more civil, and more prosperous economy.
Critique: Given the current threat to American Democracy from domestic fascists and their present control of roughly 1/3
of the general American public through deliberate and consistent campaigns of misinformation, disinformation,
propaganda, and lies, as well as a recently failed campaign to overthrow a freely and fairly elected presidential election,
"The Hidden History of American Democracy: Rediscovering Humanity's Ancient Way of Living" by Thom Hartmann
should be a core addition to highschool, community, college, and university library 21st Century American Political
Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of Political Science students, academia, political activists, and non-specialist general readers alarmed by what is currently happening in our
country that "The Hidden History of American Democracy: Rediscovering Humanity's Ancient Way of Living" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Thom Hartmann (https://www.thomhartmann.com) is a four time winner of the Project Censored Award, a
New York Times bestselling author of over thirty books, and America's #1 progressive talk radio show host for more than
a decade. His show is carried on SiriusXM and radio stations nationwide and simulcast on Free Speech TV.
When the Subject Is Rape: A Guide for Male Partners, Friends & Family Members
Alan W. McEvoy, PhD
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.squareonepublishers.com
9780757005220, $17.95, PB, 168pp
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-the-subject-is-rape-alan-w-mcevoy-phd/1143047970
Synopsis: Rape is a type of sexual assault involving sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual penetration carried out
against a person without their consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or
against a person who is incapable of giving valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, has an
intellectual disability, or is below the legal age of consent. The term rape is sometimes used interchangeably with the term
sexual assault. (Wikipedia)
Rape is, unfortunately, an all-too-common violent crime usually perpetrated against women. For victims, the process of
sharing information about an assault with loves ones or reporting the crime to the police can be harrowing, embarrassing,
and painful. The responses of others can greatly affect the way a rape survivor copes. Often the men who are closest to
rape survivors (intimate partners, friends, and family members) are simply unprepared to offer the right assistance. The
wrong word or action may trigger an unexpected reaction.
Expertly written by Alan W. McEvoy, "When the Subject Is Rape: A Guide for Male Partners, Friends & Family
Members" is designed specifically to illustrate the role men can play as allies in a woman's recovery from rape.
"When the Subject Is Rape" carefully examines the many aspects of rape. It looks at both the short- and long-term
emotional and psychological impacts rape can have on a woman, what she can expect during the prosecution of her rapist,
and strategies that can help her to recover from the assault. It also discusses how the men in her life should communicate
with her and address her needs throughout her recovery, and describes how they should conduct themselves to avoid
unintentionally causing her more pain. Furthermore, it explains how to identify changes in behavior that may signal an
undisclosed rape.
Even if a rape goes unreported, both the emotional consequences and the need for support throughout the recovery process
will still be present.
Rape is not an easy subject to discuss. Sexual violence can radically alter the course of a woman's life. By understanding
the trauma associated with rape and other forms of sexual assault, men can play an important part in a woman's healing
process. "When the Subject Is Rape" provides information that can help men to create a climate of support for the
empowerment of women who are on the path to recovery.
Critique: Most rapes and sexual assaults against women go unreported, or are reported years after the event (such as was the
case with respect to men like Bill Cosby). But whether reported or unreported, women need the emotional support of their
family members and friends -- including the men in their lives be they husbands, boyfriends, brothers, fathers, or uncles.
Rape and sexual assault is to be found in every community, and on every campus, so every community library, every
college/university library, and every counseling center needs to have a copy of "When the Subject Is Rape: A Guide for
Male Partners, Friends & Family Members" in their collection for the benefit of their patrons and students. It should be
noted for personal reading lists that "When the Subject Is Rape: A Guide for Male Partners, Friends & Family Members" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.49).
Editorial Note: Alan W. McEvoy earned his doctorate in sociology from Western Michigan University. He is an emeritus
professor at Northern Michigan University, where he served as head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. He
is the author or co-author of numerous works on rape, child abuse, intimate partner violence, toxic romantic relationships,
youth suicide, and bullying. He has served as an expert witness in litigation involving violence in schools.
(https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/alan-w-mcevoy-phd)
Nature at Your Door
Sara A. Gagne
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811772266, $29.95, PB, 280pp
https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Your-Door-Connecting-Landscape/dp/0811772268
Synopsis: As humans, we are an integral part of the ecosystem where we live. With the publication of "Nature at Your
Door: Connecting with the Wild and Green in the Urban and Suburban Landscape" by Sara A. Gagne we learn that what
we do in our yards matters just as much as the way our local parks and nature preserves are managed.
An author and professor of landscape ecology, Sara focuses on the ecological importance of our day-to-day activities and
spaces we are most familiar with and can most influence. With cutting-edge science, anecdotal experiences, and practical
recommendations, Sara brings the message of how people and nature are vitally connected in the urban and suburban
landscape.
Each chapter is dedicated to a particular space -- beginning with the yard, moving onto the street, the park, the greenway,
the neighborhood, and the town/city. Sara tells stories of the latest ecological research, interwoven with her own
experiences studying animals, to show readers how they affect nature and how nature in wilder, greener spaces affect us in
both positive and negative ways. Sidebars feature practical steps readers can take to deepen their connections with
nature.
Based on Sara's fifteen years of research and teaching in urban ecology, the wide variety of places and topics covered in
"Nature at Your Door: Connecting with the Wild and Green in the Urban and Suburban Landscape" adds a fresh
perspective to urban nature writing and appeals to those who want to take action to make the places they live greener,
healthier, and more biodiverse for themselves, the wildlife, and the earth.
Critique: Illustrated throughout with full color photography, and informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion
of Sidebars, twenty pages of Notes, and a seventeen page Index, "Nature at Your Door: Connecting with the Wild and
Green in the Urban and Suburban Landscape" is an informed and informative as it it is useful and inspiring. Holding a
special relevance for readers with an interest in wildlife ecology, plant biology, and human geography, "Nature at Your
Door: Connecting with the Wild and Green in the Urban and Suburban Landscape" is unique and highly recommended for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Nature/Ecology collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists. It should be noted for students, academia, environmental activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest
in the subject that "Nature at Your Door: Connecting with the Wild and Green in the Urban and Suburban Landscape" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $28.45).
Editorial Note: Dr. Sara Gagne (https://geoearth.charlotte.edu/people/sara-gagne) is an Associate Professor of Landscape
Ecology in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina Charlotte. She has trained
with the best ecologists in the world and published scientific articles in high-impact journals such as Ambio and Bio
Science. She's done research on coyotes and carabid beetles and is a member of an interdisciplinary department of physical
and social scientists.
Who Will Accompany You?
Meg Stafford
River Grove Books
c/o Greenleaf Book Group Press
www.greenleafbookgroup.com
9781632994905, $15.95, PB, 220pp
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Will-Accompany-You-Stafford/dp/1632994909
Synopsis: Award-winning memoirist Meg Stafford has an adventurous spirit, and with the publication of "Who Will
Accompany You?: My Mother-Daughter Journeys Far from Home and Close to the Heart" she takes us all along for the
ride.
When her daughters venture into terra incognita (one of them meditating in the Himalayas and the other negotiating with
the Colombian military) Meg Stafford decides to go too. In the process, she reflects on her own lifetime of wanderlust and
what it means for a parent to love and to let go. Generous, insightful, and deeply funny, Meg Stafford is the ideal tour guide
for 'a journey as big as the world and as intimate as the human heart'.
Critique: Showcasing her impressive storytelling skills that fully engage and entertain her readers, "Who Will Accompany
You?" will have a very special appeal and value for readers with an interest in parenting girls -- and teenage/young adult
girls at that! Blending elements of the memoir, with a travelogue, and illustrative parenting anecdotes, "Who Will
Accompany You?" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library
collections. It should be noted that "Who Will Accompany You?" is also available from River Grove Books in a digital
book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Meg Stafford is a writer who loves exploration of all kinds. Her 2011 memoir, Topic of Cancer, won six
literary awards (including being named "Best First Book" by the IBPA's Benjamin Franklin Awards) for its engrossing and
hilarious portrayal of surviving and thriving after a life-altering diagnosis of breast cancer. For 25 years she has been
observing how small, remarkable moments enrich our lives in her monthly newspaper column, "A Moment's Notice." As a
social worker in private practice, she's been helping others negotiate the terrain of relationships and connections for over
35 years.
Broken
Fred M. Kray
https://fredmkray.com
Live Oak Press
9798987213810, $26.95 Hardcover/$17.95 Paper/$7.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Suspicious-Alydar-Racings-Golden/dp/B0C2SBZ6YQ
Broken: The Suspicious Death of Alydar and the End of Horse Racing's Golden Age should be in any library strong in
horse racing stories and history.
It's the true story of champion stallion Alydar's mysterious injury and demise, assuming the tone and trappings of a crime
investigation while delving deeper into the horse racing world and history of the 1990s. Perhaps the most intriguing part of
this survey is that its author is an animal law attorney who approaches the subject not from the usual standpoint of
participants in the horse racing community, but as a lawyer who weaves together court proceedings, evidence, and
interviews with over twenty eyewitnesses. This testimony and these insights piece together the truth of an event which
tainted the horse racing world forever.
The true crime story reads with the passion and immediacy of a dramatic novel, featuring the ability to draw readers from
outside the true crime genre: "A cool Lexington night. Calumet's stallion barn. The night watchman in charge of protecting
almost $50 million worth of Calumet's horses is gone, let go six months earlier. Now one man, Cowboy Kipp, is
responsible for making the rounds of the entire 762-acre farm, leaving five of Calumet Farm's most valuable horses
(Alydar, Affirmed, Secreto, Mogambo, and Capote) alone for up to an hour each night."
Fred M. Kray's approach lends captivating tension to the facts that evolve as the mystery unfolds. This should even attract
mystery genre readers with a sense of exploration and discovery that is compelling. Personalities, both equine and human,
are also profiled in the course of an investigation which remains vivid throughout.
The fact-focused nature of this event, Kray's emphasis on the legal proceedings and investigative probe into the horse
racing world, and the progressive discoveries that emerge all make Broken a top recommendation not just for true crime
collections or libraries looking for exposes about the horse racing world, but for mystery readers and legal thriller
audiences looking for a rollicking good read that puts Dick Francis to shame.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
The Art of Libromancy
Josh Cook
Biblioasis
www.biblioasis.com
9781771965415, $18.95, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Libromancy-Selling-Reading-Twenty-first/dp/177196541X
Synopsis: With Amazon's growing power in both book selling and publishing, considering where and how we get our
books is more important now than ever - especially to authors, publishers, and dedicated bibliophiles.
The simple act of putting a book in a reader's hands (what booksellers call hand-selling) becomes a catalyst for an
exploration of the moral, financial, and political pressures all independent bookstores face.
From the relationship between bookselling and white supremacy, to censorship and the spread of misinformation, to the
consolidation of the publishing industry, with the publication of "The Art of Libromancy: On Selling Books and Reading
Books in the Twenty-first Century" veteran bookseller and writer Josh Cook turns a generous yet critical eye to an industry
at the heart of American culture, sharing tips and techniques for becoming a better reader and, of course, recommending
great books along the way.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, deftly organized, and impressively presented, "The Art of Libromancy: On Selling
Books and Reading Books in the Twenty-first Century" is as informed and informative, as it is inherently fascinating
commentary on the independent bookstore owner/seller in a publishing industry increasingly dominated by the big book
bookstore chains and the internet based booksellers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble).
In the author's words: "If books are important to you because you're a reader or a writer, then how books are sold should be
important to you as well. If it matters to you that your vegetables are organic, your clothes made without child labor, your
beer brewed without a culture of misogyny, then it should matter how books are made and sold to you."
While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), "The Art of Libromancy: On Selling Books and Reading
Books in the Twenty-first Century" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community,
college, and university library Writing/Publishing collections and supplemental Contemporary Media Studies curriculum
studies lists.
Editorial Note: Josh Cook (https://www.portersquarebooks.com/josh-cook) is a bookseller and co-owner at Porter Square
Books in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he has worked since 2004. He is also author of the critically acclaimed
postmodern detective novel An Exaggerated Murder and his fiction, criticism, and poetry have appeared in numerous
leading literary publications.
The Author's Walk
Judith Briles
Mile High Press
http://www.milehighpress.com
9781885331007, $20.00, PB, 130pp
https://www.amazon.com/Authors-Walk-Finding-Publishing-Success/dp/1885331002
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Author's Walk: Finding and Using Your Voice to Create Publishing Success"
author and book marketing expert Dr. Judith Briles offers beginning and established writers with a roadmap to writing that
next book. Comprised from cover to cover with sage, practical, DIY advice, this small by enormously informative volume
is invaluable for any writer wanting to become a published author.
As as experienced and successfully published author, Judith would advise that if you are contemplating or already engaged
in writing your first book, then give a careful reading to what she has to say in "The Author's Walk: Finding and Using
Your Voice to Create Publishing Success" -- and don't hesitate to take notes and turn to it again and again for both
instruction and inspiration.
Critique: Of special note are the illustrative personal anecdotes, useful insights and practical advice comprising "The
Author's Walk: Finding and Using Your Voice to Create Publishing Success". This is essential reading for all aspiring
authors about finding their own personal style and workable approach to getting profitably published -- while taking sefl
care of your mental, emotional, and creative well-being. Simply stated, "The Author's Walk: Finding and Using Your
Voice to Create Publishing Success", while also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99) is a significant,
essential, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library
Writing/Publishing collections and personal reading lists.
Editorial Note: Dr. Judith Briles is (also known as throughout the publishing industry as The Book Shepherd) is the author
of 43 books including The Author's Walk, How to Avoid Book Publishing Blunders, her memoir When God Says NO, and
historical fiction, The Secret Journey. You can subscribe to her informative Tuesday and Saturday blogs on her website:
https://thebookshepherd.com
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Sea Change: An Atlas of Islands in a Rising Ocean
Christina Gerhardt
University of California Press
111 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94607
www.ucpress.edu
9780520304826, $34.95, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Change-Atlas-Islands-Rising/dp/0520304829
Synopsis: Because of the Climate Change driven sea level rises, atlases are having to be redrawn as islands are
disappearing. What does an island see when the sea rises?
With the publication of "Sea Change: An Atlas of Islands in a Rising Ocean" Professor Christina Gerhardt deftly weaves
together essays, maps, art, and poetry to show us (and make even the more reluctant of us see) what is happening to island
nations in a warming world.
Low-lying islands are least responsible for global warming, but they are suffering the brunt of it.
"Sea Change" is transportive atlas reorients our vantage point to place islands at the center of the story, highlighting
Indigenous and Black voices and the work of communities taking action for local and global climate justice.
At once serious and playful, well-researched and lavishly designed, "Sea Change" is a stunning exploration of the climate
and our world's coastlines. A compendium of immersive storytelling, scientific expertise, and rallying cries from island
populations that shout with hope -- We are not drowning! We are fighting!, "Sea Change" is an atlas will galvanize readers
in the fight against climate change and the choices we all face.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a an Introduction (Of Oceans and Islands), a seven
page Glossary, a five page Map Citations, and a fifteen page bibliography of Works Cited, "Sea Change: An Atlas of
Islands in a Rising Ocean" is exceptionally well written, organized and presented, making it a timely, critically important,
and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library
Contemporary Environmentalism collections and supplemental Environmental Issues curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Christina Gerhardt (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Gerhardt) is Associate Professor at the
University of Hawai'i at M?noa, Senior Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, and former Barron Professor of
Environment and the Humanities at Princeton University. Her environmental journalism has been published by Grist.org,
The Nation, The Progressive, and the Washington Monthly.
Minescapes: Reclaiming Minnesota's Mined Lands
Pete Kero
Minnesota Historical Society Press
345 Kellogg Boulevard, West, St. Paul, MN 55102-1906
www.mnhs.org/mhspress
9781681342245, $24.95, PB, 238pp
https://www.amazon.com/Minescapes-Reclaiming-Minnesotas-Mined-Lands/dp/1681342243
Synopsis: The Mesabi Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota conjures dramatic visuals of open pit mines and ore piles,
enormous earthmoving equipment, and once-booming towns with aging architecture. But now many of these towns are
busy with tourists. There are biking and ATV trails, forests and lakes. And yes, continued mining.
Over the decades, people have approached the iron lands with differing perspectives. Early miners opened the Mesabi
Range to extract its ore, but key players also upheld conservation principles by setting aside lower-quality rock for use by
later generations with better technology.
Nature found its way into the cracks and crevices of these rock piles, and within fifty years, groves of aspen and other
successional plants had transformed the red rock into vibrant green. As early as the 1950s, residents were repurposing
minelands by building ski jumps and cultivating grouse-friendly habitat. These impulses were codified in the 1980 Mine
Reclamation Rules, which specified how mining companies should care for the land both during and after extraction.
In the early 2000s, the Laurentian Vision Project brought together landscape architects, engineers, and residents to dream
up possibilities for the landscape -- and then to make those dreams real by building bridges, creating wildlife sanctuaries,
and opening former minelands for fishing and mountain biking.
Critique: With the publication of "Minescapes: Reclaiming Minnesota's Mined Lands", environmental engineer Pete Kero
deftly explores the record that is written on Minnesota's mined lands -- and the value systems of each generation that
created, touched, and lived among these landscapes. His narratives reveal ways in which the mining industry and Iron
Range residents coexist and support each other today, just as they have for more than a century. A seminal work of
environmentally significant research and scholarship, "Minescapes: Reclaiming Minnesota's Mined Lands" is a critically
important and informative contribution to personal, professional, community, college, and university library
Environmental Engineering, Environmental Economics, and Natural Resource Development/Extraction collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "Minescapes: Reclaiming
Minnesota's Mined Lands" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Pete Kero (https://www.barr.com/Employees/pete-kero) is an environmental engineer practicing at Barr
Engineering Company in Hibbing, Minnesota. For more than twenty-five years, he has consulted with public agencies,
mining companies, and communities who are reclaiming and repurposing the mining landscape of the Midwest. He is
active with the coordinating committee for the Laurentian Vision Partnership and publicly speaks at mining and
reclamation conferences around the country. Kero's grandfathers were miners, and he understands the economic promise of
mining to families and communities. At the same time, having lived more than four decades within the mined landscape,
he understands the social, political, legal, and technical difficulties associated with reclaiming and reusing these lands.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Safe Movement for All Spines
Gwen Miller
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704-2607
www.northatlanticbooks.com
9781623177980, $25.95, PB, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Movement-All-Spines-Conditions/dp/1623177987
Synopsis: With the publication of "Safe Movement for All Spines: A Guide to Spinal Anatomy and How to Work with 21
Spine and Hip Conditions", Gwen Miller provides an essential guide for all movement therapists and teachers working
with clients and patients with spinal movement and pain issues.
With ready-made exercises and easy adaptations, yoga instructors, pilates teachers, and fitness instructors will learn: How
to distinguish among different common spinal pathologies and mechanical dysfunctions--plus appropriate interventions
and adjustments for each; All about osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, hypermobility syndromes, and more; Guidelines for
appropriate movement and injury prevention; How to work safely and effectively with both pre- and post-surgical clients;
Targeted programs for specific back-pain issues.
Critique: Nicely illustrated, exceptionally well organized and presented, "Safe Movement for All Spines: A Guide to
Spinal Anatomy and How to Work with 21 Spine and Hip Conditions" is fully accessible and easy to understand by
professional and non-professional readers alike. The lessons and practices comprising "Safe Movement for All Spines" are
especially appropriate to share with clients wanting to practice them at home or in the studio. While also readily available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99), "Safe Movement for All Spines" is unreservedly recommended for personal,
professional, community, medical clinic, college, and university library Physical Exercise/Rehabilitation, Pain
Management, and Osteoporosis collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Gwen Miller (www.gwenmillerstudio.com) is the owner of Gwen Miller Studio, an integrated clinical
movement and manual therapy system and studio. Miller is an experienced continuing education provider through Pilates
Method Alliance - NACPT, American Council on Exercise, International Association of Yoga Therapists, and Yoga
Alliance. She has developed, written, and taught dozens of continuing education workshops and courses on a variety of
health and fitness topics, including scoliosis, spinal pathologies, balance and stabilization training, osteoporosis, interval
training, and more. With 20 years' education and experience teaching movement, Miller enjoys mentoring teachers and
developing community among movement professionals.
The Education Shelf
Building Executive Function and Motivation in the Middle Grades
Susanne Croasdaile
https://www.croasdaile.org
Cast, Inc.
https://www.cast.org
9781943085002, $27.00, PB, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Building-Executive-Function-Motivation-Middle/dp/1943085005
Synopsis: With the publication of "Building Executive Function and Motivation in the Middle Grades: A Universal Design
for Learning Approach" and using real-life examples, Susanne Croasdaile shows educators how to integrate Universal
Design for Learning (UDL) to transform the learning experience for their students. She provides a roadmap for anyone
who seeks practical, research-based strategies to help their students survive and thrive to become expert learners in the
middle grades.
In an easy-to-follow, 8-step process, this instructive guide offers numerous strategies that will enhance instruction and
support student social and emotional competency. By highlighting practices related to students' executive function and
sustained effort, "Building Executive Function and Motivation in the Middle Grades" is will prove to be an enduringly
useful and highly valued addition to the toolkit of every classroom teacher, coach, and administrator.
Critique: Impressively informative, exceptionally well written, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and
presentation, "Building Executive Function and Motivation in the Middle Grades: A Universal Design for Learning
Approach" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, school district, college, and university
library Teacher Education, Educational Psychology, and Behavioral Science collections. Ideal for in-service workshop
curriculums it should be noted that "Building Executive Function and Motivation in the Middle Grades: A Universal
Design for Learning Approach" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.49).
Editorial Note: Susanne Croasdaile, PhD, has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, professional developer,
program specialist, systems change consultant, and associate director of curriculum and instructions for public schools in
Virginia and Louisiana. With more than 25 years of experience in K-12, higher education, and educational research and
evaluation, she uses a range of roles to support school-based faculty members as reflective practitioners and to lift their
voices to the larger education community.
The American History Shelf
The New Civil Rights Movement Reader
Traci Parker, editor
Marcia Walker-McWilliams, editor
University of Massachusetts Press
https://www.umasspress.com
9781625346896, $36.95, PB, 600pp
https://www.amazon.com/New-Civil-Rights-Movement-Reader/dp/1625346891
Synopsis: In the United States, the fight to secure full civil rights for African American people has endured for centuries.
The movement has included many voices, among them, working people, charismatic activists, musicians and artists, the
LGBTQIA community, veterans, suburbanites, and elected officials.
Moving from the labor struggles of the 1930s to the sit-ins and boycotts of midcentury, and the Black Lives Matter protests
of today, "The New Civil Rights Movement Reader: Resistance, Resilience, and Justice" is an expansive volume that
brings together first-person accounts, political documents and speeches, and historical photographs from each region of the
country.
Designed for use in college and university courses and also engaging for the non-specialist general reader, "The New Civil
Rights Movement Reader" is new compilation is the most diverse, most inclusive, and most comprehensive resource
available for teaching and learning about the civil rights movement.
With chronological and geographical depth, "The New Civil Rights Movement Reader" directly addresses a range of key
topics, including youth activism, regional and local freedom struggles, voting rights, economic inequality, gender,
sexuality, and culture, and the movement's global
Critique: Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by academicians Traci Parker and Marcia Walker-McWilliams, "The
New Civil Rights Movement Reader: Resistance, Resilience, and Justice" is an impressive, high value, and unreservedly
recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library American History and Race
Relations collections, as well as supplemental African-American History curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for
students, academia, historian, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The
New Civil Rights Movement Reader: Resistance, Resilience, and Justice" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $30.99).
Editorial Note #1: Traci Parker (https://traciparker.com) is associate professor of Afro-American studies at the University
of Massachusetts Amherst and author of Department Stores and the Black Freedom Movement: Workers, Consumers, and
Civil Rights from the 1930s to the 1980s.
Editorial Note #2: Marcia Walker-McWilliams ((https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciaphd)) is executive director of the
Black Metropolis Research Consortium and author of Reverend Addie Wyatt: Faith and the Fight for Labor, Gender, and
Racial Equality.
Settling Ohio: First Peoples and Beyond
Timothy G. Anderson, editor
Brian Schoen, editor
Ohio University Press
215 Columbus Road, Suite 101, Athens, OH 45701
www.ohioswallow.com
9780821425268, $55.00, HC, 292pp
https://www.amazon.com/Settling-Ohio-Peoples-Approaches-Midwestern/dp/0821425269
Synopsis: The Ohio Valley possesses some of the most resource-rich terrain in the world. Its settlement by humans was
thus consequential not only for shaping the geographic and cultural landscape of the region but also for forming the United
States and impacting the future of world history.
Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by academicians and historians Timothy G. Anderson and Brian Schoen, "Settling
Ohio: First Peoples and Beyond", begins with an overview of the first people who inhabited the region, who built
civilizations that moved massive amounts of earth and left an archaeological record that drew the interest of subsequent
settlers and continues to intrigue scholars. It highlights how, in the eighteenth century, Native Americans who migrated
from the East and North interacted with Europeans to develop impressive trading networks and how they navigated
complicated wars and sought to preserve national identities in the face of violent attempts to remove them from their
lands.
The contributors to "Settling Ohio" situates the traditional story of Ohio settlement, including the Northwest Ordinance,
the dealings of the Ohio Company of Associates, and early road building, into a far richer story of contested spaces,
competing visions of nationhood, and complicated relations with Indian peoples. By so doing, they provide valuable new
insights into how chaotic and contingent early national politics and frontier development truly were.
Chapters highlighting the role of apple-growing culture, education, African American settlers, and the diverse migration
flows into Ohio from the East and Europe further demonstrate the complex multiethnic composition of Ohio's early
settlements and the tensions that resulted.
A final theme of "Settling Ohio" is the desirability of working to recover the often-forgotten history of non-White peoples
displaced by the processes of settler colonialism that has been, until recently, undervalued in the scholarship.
Critique: With its twelve chapters deftly organized into three major sections (First Nation; American Foundations;
Alternate Histories), and featuring a sixteen page Appendix, a six page listing of the contributors and their credentials, and
a nine page Index, "Settling Ohio: First Peoples and Beyond" is an impressive work of seminal scholarship and an
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library American History collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject that "Settling Ohio: First Peoples and Beyond" is also available in a paperback edition
(9780821425275, $28.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.65).
Editorial Note #1: Timothy G. Anderson (https://www.ohio.edu/cas/anderst1) is an historical geographer and is an
Associate Professor of Geography at Ohio University.
Editorial Note #2: Brian Schoen (https://www.ohio.edu/cas/schoen) is the chair of the Department of History and the
James Richard Hamilton/Baker & Hostetler Distinguished Professor of Teaching in the Humanities at Ohio University. He
is the author of The Fragile Fabric of Union: Cotton, Federal Politics, and the Global Origins of the Civil War and has
co-edited three other collections.
To the Last Extremity
Mark Maloy
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611216431, $16.95, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Extremity-Charleston-1776-1782-Revolutionary/dp/1611216435
Synopsis: June 1776: Just a month before America declared its independence from Great Britain, a British fleet of
warships and thousands of British soldiers appeared off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. After a day-long battle,
the most powerful navy in the world was bloodily repulsed by the Americans.
In the spring of 1779, a British force brazenly marched from Savannah to Charleston and tested the city's defenses before
falling back. Finally, in the spring of 1780, a large British force returned to Charleston and laid siege to the city. The result
was the worst American defeat of the Revolutionary War for the Americans, which cost them the city and an entire army of
nearly 6,000 men. The citizens and soldiers suffered more than two years of occupation and imprisonment.
However, the siege of Charleston also marked the beginning of the end of the war. The fall of Charleston initiated a series
of events that resulted in the American victory at Yorktown and the successful independence of the colonies.
South Carolina's historic port city is one of the most beautiful and historic in the United States. Numerous sites,
battlefields, and buildings from this period still exist. In "To the Last Extremity: The Battles for Charleston, 1776-1782",
historian Mark Maloy not only recounts the Revolutionary War history of Charleston, but takes you to the places where
these events occurred.
Through it all, brave patriots were willing to defend the city and their liberty "to the last extremity."
Critique: Armchair historians and students of the American Revolution will enjoy "To the Last Extremity: The Battles for
Charleston, 1776-1782", a true story outnumbered patriots forcing back the most powerful navy in the world at that time --
and where soldiers of the American Revolution bravely defended the city in 1779 and 1780, and where thousands suffered
under occupation. While highly recommended for school and community library American Revolution History collections,
it should be noted for personal reading lists that "To the Last Extremity: The Battles for Charleston, 1776-1782" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Mark Maloy (https://www.battlefields.org/contributors/mark-maloy) is an historian and currently works for
the National Park Service in Virginia. He holds an undergraduate degree in History from the College of William and Mary
and a graduate degree in History from George Mason University. He has worked at numerous public historic sites and
archaeological digs for the past fifteen years. He is also a Revolutionary War reenactor.
A Maritime History of the American Revolutionary War
Theodore Corbett
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781399040419, $34.95, HC, 280pp
https://www.amazon.com/Maritime-History-American-Revolutionary-Atlantic-Wide/dp/1399040413
Synopsis: While many books have been written on the naval history of the Revolution, "A Maritime History of the
American Revolutionary War: An Atlantic-Wide Conflict over Independence and Empire" by independent scholar
Theodore Corbett is one of the first to treat it in its entirety as an Atlantic-wide conflict.
While its geographical scope is vast, this seminal study features overlooked aspects of the war in which sloops and barges
fought, actions which proved to be as decisive as the familiar ship of the line confrontations.
This is also history from the bottom up, emphasizing the role of the crew as much the not always heroic officers.
From naval perspective the rebellious colonies did not gain a military victory, though Benjamin Franklin was able to
secure their independence at the peace table in Europe. The final chapter of "A Maritime History of the American
Revolutionary War" is on the Royal Navy's evacuation of white and black loyalists.
Critique: A original, meticulous, detailed, documented, and fascinating historical study, "A Maritime History of the
American Revolutionary War: An Atlantic-Wide Conflict over Independence and Empire" is informatively enhanced for
the reader with the inclusion of a section of b/w plates, thirty-eight pages of Notes, and a four page Index. A work of
throughly impressive scholarship that is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, (and also available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99), "A Maritime History of the American Revolutionary War: An Atlantic-Wide
Conflict" is highly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library
American Revolutionary History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Theodore Corbett (https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Theodore-Corbett/a/4970) is a scholar of the
American Revolutionary War, an interest which grew during a career in teaching at several universities. He has published
the award-winning No Turning Point, The Saratoga Campaign in Perspective and two community studies of the war,
Revolutionary New Castle and Revolutionary Chestertown. For this maritime history, he has done research at the Caird
Library, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, Archives Centre, The Maritime Museum of Liverpool and the New York
Historical Society as a Gilder Lehrman Fellow.
The Schlager Anthology of Hispanic America
Edited by Aaron E. Sanchez
Schlager Group Inc.
https://www.schlagergroup.com
9781935306849, $285.00 print/$260.00 ebook
https://www.schlagergroup.com/9781935306849/the-schlager-anthology-of-hispanic-america/
Libraries interested in acquiring a definitive reference to primary resource materials in Hispanic American history will find
The Schlager Anthology of Hispanic America: A Student's Guide to Essential Primary Sources an essential acquisition.
This book contains two volumes and chapters that move from pre-contact 1100s America to modern times, and is the sixth
volume in the "Schlager Anthologies for Students" series.
Its focus is on exploring and exposing materials "from often-marginalized communities and voices that are frequently
ignored in other anthologies and historical accounts." Each chapter provides an introductory history before delving into the
source materials and references of overviews of primary source material documents (articles, writings, websites) and their
place in Hispanic history. The abridgements of their contents and bibliographic connections allow researchers from high
school to college and general-interest audiences to pursue more of the history on their own.
The 150 documents and accompanying commentary are accented by more than 100 photographs and illustrations that add
colorful visuals of art and vintage embellishment to the articles and overviews. Glossaries, chapter questions for student
consideration, and roundups of associated documents and themes both enhance and enlarge the subjects profiled in this
wide-reaching anthology of social, political, historical, and even literary works.
One might anticipate that the depth of this coverage would impart a scholarly tone over a lively discourse, but one of the
strengths of this collection is its surprising ability to remain informative, authoritative, yet thoroughly engrossing and
relevant to everyday readers.
With over six hundred pages packed with essential and rare references, The Schlager Anthology of Hispanic America: A
Student's Guide to Essential Primary Sources should not only be considered a foundation reference for any library
interested in Hispanic topics and history, but a resource for broadening and expanding the subjects, nature, and focuses of
Latino challenges and concerns throughout American literature, history, and society.
Its essential and rare opportunities for discussions and enlightenment also make The Schlager Anthology of Hispanic
America: A Student's Guide to Essential Primary Sources a strong recommendation for discussion groups interested in
pursing a range of Hispanic history topics. The questions at each chapter's end encourage debate: "Badillo states, 'Workfare
was anathema to Democrats, but not to me.' How does this reflect his own personal and political journey? Does it also
reflect the political journey of other Latinx people? Explain."
The World History Shelf
Enmity and Violence in Early Modern Europe
Stuart Carroll
Cambridge University Press
One Liberty Plaza, Fl. 20, New York, NY 10006
www.cambridge.org
9781009287326, $39.99, HC, 490pp
https://www.amazon.com/Enmity-Violence-Early-Modern-Europe/dp/100928732X
Synopsis: "Enmity and Violence in Early Modern Europe" is an original study in which Professor Stuart Carroll transforms
our understanding of Europe between 1500 and 1800 by exploring how ordinary people felt about their enemies and the
violence it engendered. Enmity, a state or feeling of mutual opposition or hostility, became a major social problem during
the transition to modernity.
"Enmity and Violence in Early Modern Europe" examines how people used the law, and how they characterized their
enmities and expressed their sense of justice or injustice.
Through the examples of early modern Italy, Germany, France and England, we see when and why everyday animosities
escalated and the attempts of the state to control and even exploit the violence that ensued.
Professor Carroll also examines the communal and religious pressures for peace, and how notions of good neighbourliness
and civil order finally worked to underpin trust in the state. Ultimately, enmity is not a relic of the past; it remains one of
the greatest challenges to contemporary liberal democracy.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of numerous Figures, Maps, Tables, an informative
Introduction and Conclusion, a five page Select Bibliography, and a twelve page Index, "Enmity and Violence in Early
Modern Europe" is a seminal work of meticulous scholarship and solidly recommended addition to personal, community,
college, and university library European History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted
for students, academia, historians, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Italian, German, English and
French history that "Enmity and Violence in Early Modern Europe" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$37.99).
Editorial Note: Stuart Carroll (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Carroll) is Professor of Early Modern History at the
University of York. He is one of the editors of the Cambridge World History of Violence (2020). His other publications
include Blood and Violence in Early Modern France (2006) and Martyrs and Murderers: the Guise Family and the Making
of Europe, which won the J. Russell Major prize of the American Historical Association in 2011. He has also been
awarded the Sixteenth Century Society's Nancy Lyman Roelker Prize an unprecedented four times.
The Queen's Frog Prince
David Lee
Chronos Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781803411644, $23.95, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Queens-Frog-Prince-Courtship-Elizabeth/dp/1803411643
Synopsis: Between the years 1579 and 1581, a courtship between Elizabeth I of England and Francois, Duke of Anjou took
place. Though this courtship is often dismissed as a political tactic on Elizabeth's part to create an Anglo-French alliance
during the Wars of Religion, with the publication of "The Queen's Frog Prince: The Courtship of Elizabeth I and the Duke
of Anjou" Irish historian Davie Leed presents an alternative interpretation.
In his history of Elizabeth I and the Duke of Anjou, Lee pores over some of the surviving love letters exchanged between
Elizabeth and Anjou, whom Elizabeth affectionately nicknamed "my frog." Lee suggests that although the courtship suited
Elizabeth I politically, it also blossomed into something much more complex, an affectionate bond, and that to understand
Elizabeth I as a woman, she must first be seen for who she was beneath all the vainglory and iconography.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of illustrations, a 'Dramatis Personae', fourteen pages of
Notes, and a five page Bibliography, "The Queen's Frog Prince: The Courtship of Elizabeth I and the Duke of Anjou" is
exceptionally 'reader friendly' in both organization and presentation. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$22.75) for the personal reading lists of students, academia, historians, and non-specialist general readers with an interest
in the subject, "The Queen's Frog Prince" will prove to be a welcome pic for community and academic library British
Royal History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: David Lee is an Irish historian, who specialises in women's history. He first became interested in the
Tudors as a teenager. David's interest in Tudor history, particularly Tudor women's history, attracted him so much that he
found himself embarking on a path towards a career in the historical profession. David earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
history from Maynooth University in 2019 and recently, a Master's Degree specializing in nineteenth-century women
landowners and heiresses. He is currently also writing a joint biography of William and Robert Cecil. He has contributed
two articles on Queen Anne Boleyn.com and has appeared on podcasts with Natalie Grueninger of the Talking Tudors
podcast series. He also writes monthly articles for Tudor Life magazine.
The Granddaughters of Edward III
Kathryn Warner
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781526779250, $42.95, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Granddaughters-Edward-III-Kathryn-Warner/dp/1526779250
Synopsis: Edward III (13 November 1312 - 21 June 1377) may best known to history for his restoration of English kingly
authority after the disastrous and mysterious fall of his father, Edward II, and eventual demise of his mother, Queen
Isabella. It was Edward III who arguably put England on the map as a military might. This show of power and strength was
not simply through developments in government, success in warfare or the establishment of the Order of the Garter, which
fused ideals of chivalry and national identity to form camaraderie between king and peerage. The expansion of England as
a formidable European powerhouse was also achieved through the traditional lines of political marriages, particularly those
of the king of England's own granddaughters.
"The Granddaughters of Edward III" by academician and historian Kathryn Warner is a joint biography of nine of those
women who lived between 1355 and 1440, and their dramatic, turbulent lives. One was queen of Portugal and was the
mother of the Illustrious Generation; one married into the family of her parents' deadly enemies and became queen of
Castile; one became pregnant by the king of England's half-brother while married to someone else, and her third husband
was imprisoned for marrying her without permission; one was widowed at about 24 when her husband was summarily
beheaded by a mob, and some years later bore an illegitimate daughter to an earl; one saw her marriage annulled so that her
husband could marry a Bohemian lady-in-waiting; one was born illegitimate, had sixteen children, and was the
grandmother of two kings of England.
Critique: Informatively enriched for the reader with the inclusion of a section of black/white illustrations, three pages of
Family Trees genealogies, a one page listing of Abbreviations, forty pages of Notes, a ten page Bibliography, and a five
page Index, "The Granddaughters of Edward III" is an extraordinary history of the life, times, and importance of nine
women during and after the reign of Edward III. A thorough work of meticulous and painstaking scholarship, "The
Granddaughters of Edward III" will appeal to both academia and the general public with an interest in British Royal
History/Biographies. While fully recommended for community, college, and university library English Royal History and
Women's Biography collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, historians, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Granddaughters of Edward III" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Kathryn Warner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathryn_Warner) holds a BA and an MA with Distinction
in medieval history and literature from the University of Manchester, and is the author of biographies about Edward II and
his queen Isabella. Kathryn has had work published in the English Historical Review, has given a paper at the International
Medieval Congress, and appeared in a BBC documentary. She runs a popular blog on Edward II and is an expert on
Edward II, Isabelle of Castille and Richard II.
Roman Special Forces and Special Ops
Simon Elliott
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781399090926, $34.95, HC, 176pp
https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Special-Forces-Ops-Speculatores/dp/1399090925
Synopsis: There is an ever expanding library of studies about the Roman army and the mighty legions that conquered their
empire and then defended it for centuries against all comers. But little has been written about the men and units employed
when something more subtle than the march of legions into pitched battle was required. "Roman Special Forces and
Special Ops: Speculatores, Exploratores, Protectores and Areani in the Service of Rome" by archaeologist and historian
Simon Elliott is the only published study that is dedicated to Roman special ops and the role of the Speculatores,
Exploratores, Protectores and Areani.
An expert when it comes to Roman military history, in "Roman Special Forces and Special Ops" Simon Elliott reveals the
kinds of special operations conducted by the Romans: tactical scouting ahead of the legions, covert strategic
reconnaissance in neighboring states, espionage, assassination or abduction of dissidents and enemies, counter-insurgency,
and close protection of Roman officials and commanders.
While such missions were frequently executed by ad-hoc units or individuals detailed for that specific mission, "Roman
Special Forces and Special Ops" goes on to reveal the evidence for the aforementioned specialist units -- concluding with
an analysis of the extent to which these various forces corresponded to a modern conception of Special Forces.
These men were the eyes and ears of the Empire, the deadly tip of the Roman sword.
Critique: An impressively well written, eloquent, and detailed historical account, "Roman Special Forces and Special Ops:
Speculatores, Exploratores, Protectores and Areani in the Service of Rome" by Roman history expert Simon Elliott is a
seminal, ground-breaking, impressively detailed, well documented, and truly exceptional work of meticulous and original
scholarship that is enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an informative Introduction and Conclusion, and
Appendix (Enemies of the Roman Republic and Empire), a section of photographic images, a ten page Reference and
Bibliography list, and a three page Index. Of immense interest and value to academia and the non-specialist reader alike,
"Roman Special Forces and Special Ops" is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for community, college, and
university library Roman Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that
"Roman Special Forces and Special Ops" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Dr Simon Elliott (http://www.simonelliott20.com) is an archaeologist, historian and broadcaster. He has
written numerous books on themes related to the classical world and military history, and frequently appears on broadcast
media as a presenter and expert. Amongst others, his books published by Casemate Publishers include Ancient Greeks at
War (2021), Old Testament Warriors (2021) and Romans at War (2020). He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the
University of Kent, Trustee of the Council for British Archaeology, Ambassador for Museum of London Archaeology,
President of the Society of Ancients, and Guide Lecturer for Andante Travels and Hidden History Travel.
Edward I's Granddaughters
Louise Wyatt
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781399006705, $30.95, HC, 176pp
https://www.amazon.com/Edward-Granddaughters-Murder-Power-Plantagenets/dp/1399006703
Synopsis: Edward I and his offspring, especially Edward II, are not shrouded by the mists of time. While Edward I's two
sons and daughter by his second marriage are lesser known, especially the eldest, Thomas Plantagenet of Brotherton. He
made no particular impression on history, despite being Earl of Norfolk and Earl Marshal, but Thomas did father three
children.
Of these, only one is usually remembered: Margaret of Norfolk. Indomitable, defiant, respected and fiercely intelligent, she
defied her cousin Edward III more than once and outlived most of her family. Her brother Edward of Norfolk died young
but her sister, Alice of Norfolk, survived childhood. But not for long.
In 1338, by the time she was fourteen, Alice was married to Sir Edward Montagu, younger brother of the famous earl of
Salisbury, William Montagu and Bishop of Ely, Simon Montagu. Edward was a warrior knight at Crecy, involved in the
wars with Scotland, loyal to his brother and his king. The marriage produced five children within a decade, but by 1350
Edward Montagu was showing his dark side and was part of the knightly criminal gangs that terrorized local areas. One
day in June 1351, Alice of Norfolk paid the price.
Despite being a Plantagenet, daughter of an earl, granddaughter, niece and cousin to kings, Alice of Norfolk has mostly
been forgotten. Even looking at contemporary records, Alice hardly features apart from land and property dealings with her
husband. A dusty reference to the unfortunate circumstances of her death marks the end of her life and one which will
more than likely remain a mystery.
Critique: Edward I (17/18 June 1239 - 7 July 1307), also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was
King of England from 1272 to 1307. Concurrently, he was Lord of Ireland, and from 1254 to 1306, he ruled Gascony as
Duke of Aquitaine in his capacity as a vassal of the French king. (Wikipedia)
A brilliant and informative history that rescues from an undeserved obscurity the lives and times of King Edward's
grandchildren, "Edward I's Granddaughters: Murder, Power and Plantagenets" by Louise Wyatt is an extraordinary and
inherently fascinating study that is a particularly and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, college, and university library British Royal History/Biography collections. It should be noted for the personal
reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in British Royalty that "Edward I's
Granddaughters: Murder, Power and Plantagenets" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Louise Wyatt (https://www.facebook.com/WyattAuthor) has loved history since discovering Dunster Castle
in Somerset aged six years old. Reading and writing as soon as school started, Louise has published three local history
books between 2017 and 2018 and more recently, A History of Nursing. A registered nurse and author, medieval history is
a particular passion, with nursing history from antiquity onwards coming a close second.
James II & VII: Britain's Last Catholic King
Laura Brennan
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781399012584, $42.95, HC, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/James-II-VII-Britains-Catholic/dp/1399012584
Synopsis: James II & VII (14 October 1633 O.S. - 16 September 1701) was not born to be a king. As the Duke of York he
grew up in a Britain divided by civil wars and witnessed big events in British history including the Battle of Edgehill
(1642).
After the execution of his father Charles I at the hands of the Parliamentarians, James soldiered in Europe until his brother,
Charles II was restored to the crowns of Britain.
Under his brother's reign, James converted to Catholicism and subsequently became the heart of several political storms
until 1681.
Upon inheriting the throne from his brother Charles II, in 1685, James struggled to balance his personal faith and the
evolving politics of the time, upsetting courtiers, his parliament and his subjects eventually leading to the Glorious
Revolution and him losing his throne in 1688.
With the publication of "James II & VII: Britain's Last Catholic King", journalist and historian Laura Brennan examines
the politics and events of James' life, both before and during his reign, to explain why he was unable to maintain the
thrones of Britain, as well as the last few years of his life in exile, how he tried to regain the throne and his sad death.
Often overlooked as just a king who ruled for less than four years, James II & VII was an accidental but key historical
figure in the shaping of British history. The events at the end of his reign were the first steps in creating a better
constitution and democratic Britain.
Critique: Deftly organized into two main sections (The Duke of York: 1633-1685) and James II & VII & The Exile years:
1685-1701), and informative enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a four page Bibliography and a six page Index,
"James II & VII: Britain's Last Catholic King" is an impressive work of original and definitive historical research and an
especially welcome addition to personal, professional, community, college and university library British Royal
History/Biography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "James II & VII: Britain's Last Catholic King" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Laura Brennan (https://laurabrennan.godaddysites.com/about-us) initially trained to become a journalist at
Bournemouth University before gaining a BA Hons. degree in History from London Metropolitan University in 2005.
While working at BBC Outside Broadcasts, she studied part time to gain her MA in History at Queen Mary University of
London 2007 to 2009.
Julius Caesar's Civil War
Julian Romane
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781399089425, $49.95, HC, 328pp
https://www.amazon.com/Julius-Caesars-Civil-War-Strategies/dp/1399089420
Synopsis: With the publication of "Julius Caesar's Civil War: Tactics, Strategies and Logistics" historian Julian Romane
examines the campaigns of Julius Caesar throughout the civil wars that followed his famous crossing of the Rubicon,
through to the defeat of the final Pompeian diehards at the battle of Munda. "Julius Caesar's Civil War" analyzes Caesar's
generalship in the widest sense, with a strong emphasis on the logistical and financial effort required to put his legions in
the field and keep them equipped, fed and paid. The attention given to this important but often-neglected aspect sets this
detailed and documented account apart from many others.
"Julius Caesar's Civil War: Tactics, Strategies and Logistics" addresses the nature of late Republican Roman armies,
describing their organization, tactics and equipment. The fact that such armies were employed both by and against Caesar
only emphasizes the role of generalship in the outcome. This is followed by a detailed account of the strategic maneuvers
in Caesar's epochal duel with Pompey the Great and the resultant battles at Dyrrhachium and Pharsalus. The final
campaigns to mop up opposition in Spain and Africa are studied in equal detail to give a complete picture of Caesar's
command performance in these history-shaping events.
Critique: A seminal work of outstanding historical scholarship, "Julius Caesar's Civil War: Tactics, Strategies and
Logistics" is chronologically organized into six major sections (Italy; War in Spain; War against Pompey; War in the East;
War in Africa; The Second Spanish War). This impressive study is further enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of
nine Appendices, a ten page Bibliography, and a four page Index. While also available for students, academia, and
non-specialist general readers in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.49), "Julius Caesar's Civil War: Tactics, Strategies and
Logistics" is a valued and recommended addition for community and academic library Ancient Roman Military History
collections and supplemental curriculum Julius Caesar studies lists.
Editorial Note: Julian Romane (www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Julian-Romane/a/2586) has a BA from Beloit College
Wisconsin and an MA from the University of Colorado. He has been fascinated with ancient/early medieval military
history for half a century. He has published articles in several journals and is the editor and/or' translator of several books
on historical and political subjects. His first monograph, "Byzantium Triumphant", was published by Pen & Sword in
2015.
Sextus Julius Frontinus and the Roman Empire
John D. Grainger
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781399051224, $49.95, HC, 264pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sextus-Julius-Frontinus-Roman-Empire/dp/1399051229
Synopsis: Sextus Iulius Frontinus (c. 40 - 103 AD) is best known as author of the military handbook Strategems but, in
addition to writing this and other works (now lost), he also had a varied and surprisingly influential career in military and
civil posts around the Roman Empire.
Frontinus loyally served at least six emperors, often acting as a trusted counselor, and even deputized for Trajan while he
was busy in Germany and elsewhere. He was possibly the longest-serving governor of Britain (five years), where he
completed the subjugation of Wales and established the frontier in northern England at the Ribble-Tees line. He founded
several legionary fortresses, including those that later became the towns of York, Chester and Caerleon. He also served on
the Rhine, in Spain and Asia and in the civil sphere reformed the water supply of Rome.
With the publication of "Sextus Julius Frontinus and the Roman Empire: Author of Stratagems, Advisor to Emperors,
Governor of Britain, Pacifier of Wales", historian John Grainger has written the first full biography of Frontinus.
Reconstructing his life to the fullest extent permitted by the sources, he favorably re-evaluates his importance, particularly
in Britain (at the expense of the better-known Agricola. Froninus' career, the author concludes, is one of the most varied
and significant of any that can be reconsructed for any Roman who did not become Emperor.
Critique: A solid work of meticulous and documented research, "Sextus Julius Frontinus and the Roman Empire: Author
of Stratagems, Advisor to Emperors, Governor of Britain, Pacifier of Wales" is an extraordinary, seminal, and deftly
written contribution personal, professional, community, and academic library Roman Empire History/Biography
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Of special note for students, academia, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "Sextus Julius Frontinus and the Roman Empire: Author of Stratagems, Advisor
to Emperors, Governor of Britain, Pacifier of Wales" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: John D Grainger is an historian with a particular interest in Classical Roman and Hellenistic Greek history.
His many previous works include the following for Pen & Sword: Hellenistic and Roman Naval Wars (2011); The Wars of
the Maccabees (2012); Roman Conquests: Egypt and Judaea (2013); a three-part history of the Seleukid Empire (2014-16),
King's and Kingship in the Hellenistic World 350-30 BC (2017), Antipater's Dynasty (2018), Ancient Dynasties (2019),
The Roman Imperial Succession (March 2020) and The Galatians (August 2020).
(https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/John-D-Grainger/a/1657)
Fighting Emperors of Byzantium
John Carr
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781783831166, $39.95, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Emperors-Byzantium-John-Carr/dp/1783831162
Synopsis: The Eastern Roman or 'Byzantine' Empire had to fight for survival throughout its long history so military ability
was a prime requisite for a successful Emperor. With the publicaton of "Fighting Emperors of Byzantium", journalist and
historian John Carr concentrates on the personal and military histories of the more capable war fighters to occupy the
imperial throne at Constantinople. They include men like it's founder Constantine I, Julian, Theodosius, Justinian,
Heraclius, Leo I, Leo III, Basil I, Basil II (the Bulgar-slayer), Romanus IV Diogenes, Isaac Angelus, and Constantine
XI.
Byzantium's emperors, and the military establishment they created and maintained, can be credited with preserving Rome's
cultural legacy and, from the seventh century, forming a bulwark of Christendom against aggressive Islamic expansion. For
this the empire's military organization had to be of a high order, a continuation of Roman discipline and skill adapted to
new methods of warfare. Thus was the Empire, under the leadership of its fighting emperors, able to endure for almost a
thousand years after the fall of Rome.
Critique: Informative, fascinating, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Fighting Emperors of Byzantium"
will be of special interest and value to students of Roman History in general, and the history of Byzantium in particular.
Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of one page bibliography of Sources and Further Reading, a one page listing of
Notes & References, a two page listing of Byzantine Emperors 313-1453, and a seven page Index, "Fighting Emperors of
Byzantium" is a welcome and recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Roman/Byzantine
Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "Fighting Emperors of
Byzantium" is also available from Pen & Sword Books in a paperback edition (9781399024839, $32.95) and in a digital
book format (Kindle, $22.99).
Editorial Note: John Carr (https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/John-Carr/a/1941) has enjoyed a career as a journalist,
correspondent and broadcaster (The Times, Wall Street Journal Europe, Vatican Radio), mainly in the Mediterranean and
particularly Greece, where he now resides.
The Knights Templar at War 1120-1312
Paul Hill
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781473874923, $32.95, HC, 264pp
https://www.amazon.com/Knights-Templar-War-1120-1312/dp/1473874920
Synopsis: There are many books about the Knights Templar, the medieval military order which played a key role in the
crusades against the Muslims in the Holy Land, the Iberian peninsula and elsewhere in Europe. But what is seldom
explored is the military context in which they operated, and that is why, with the publication of "The Knights Templar at
War 1120-1312" by historian Paul Hill's the emphasis in this study is on how this military order prosecuted its wars.
The order was founded as a response to attacks on pilgrims in the Holy Land, and it was involved in countless battles and
sieges, always at the forefront of crusading warfare. "The Knights Templar at War 1120-1312" is absorbing study
examines why they were such an important aspect of medieval warfare on the frontiers of Christendom for nearly two
hundred years.
"The Knights Templar at War 1120-1312" shows how they were funded and supplied, how they organized their forces on
campaign and on the battlefield and the strategies and tactics they employed in the various theaters of warfare in which
they fought. Templar leadership, command and control are examined, and sections cover their battles and campaigns,
fortifications and castles.
Critique: Originally published in March 2018 in a hard cover edition, Pen & Sword Books now offers "The Knights
Templar at War 1120-1312" in both a paperback edition (9781399030885, $28.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$11.95). Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of photographs, illustrations, maps, and tables, also featured is a ten
page Bibliography and a twelve page Index. An enduringly valued, unique, and informative study on one of the most
influential of religious military orders, "The Knights Templar at War 1120-1312" will have immense appeal for scholars
and non-professional readers alike and is an essential part of any personal, professional, community, or academic library
Mediaeval Warfare History collection and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Paul Hill (https://historicalwriters.org/writer/paul-hill), formerly curator of Kingston Upon Thames
Museum in Surrey, is well known as a lecturer, author and expert on Anglo-Saxon and Norman history and military
archaeology, and he has written several books on these subjects, among them The Age of Athelstan: Britain's Forgotten
History, The Viking Wars of Alfred the Great and The Anglo-Saxons at War 800-1066.
The Civil War Shelf
Without Concealment, Without Compromise
Jill L. Newmark
Southern Illinois University Press
www.siupress.com
9780809339044, $29.95, PB, 312pp
https://www.amazon.com/Without-Concealment-Compromise-Courageous-Surgeons/dp/0809339048
Synopsis: Of some twelve thousand Union Civil War surgeons, only fourteen were Black men.
With the publication of "Without Concealment, Without Compromise: The Courageous Lives of Black Civil War
Surgeons" historian Jill Newmark provides the first-ever comprehensive exploration of their lives and service. Newmark's
outstanding research uncovers stories hidden for more than 150 years, illuminating the unique experiences of proud,
patriotic men who fought racism and discrimination to attend medical school and serve with the U.S. military. Their efforts
and actions influenced societal change and forged new pathways for African Americans.
The individual biographies featured in "Without Concealment, Without Compromise: The Courageous Lives of Black
Civil War Surgeons" highlight Alexander T. Augusta, who challenged discriminatory laws; William P. Powell Jr., who
pursued a military pension for twenty-five years; Anderson R. Abbott, a friend of Elizabeth Keckley's; John van Surly
DeGrasse, the only Black surgeon to serve on the battlefield; John H. Rapier Jr., an international traveler; Richard H.
Greene, the only Black surgeon known to have served in the Navy; Willis R. Revels, a preacher; Benjamin A. Boseman, a
politician and postmaster; and Charles B. Purvis, who taught at Howard University. Information was limited for five other
men, all of whom broke educational barriers by attending medical schools in the United States: Cortlandt Van Rensselaer
Creed, William B. Ellis, Alpheus W. Tucker, Joseph Dennis Harris, and Charles H. Taylor.
"Without Concealment, Without Compromise: The Courageous Lives of Black Civil War Surgeons" presents all available
information about the surgeons' early lives, influences, education, Civil War service, and post-war experiences. Many of
the stories overlap, as did the lives of the men. Each man, through his service as a surgeon during the war and his lifelong
activism for freedom, justice, and equality, became a catalyst of change and a symbol of an emancipated future.
Critique: A unique, informative, and invaluable contribution to personal, professional, community, college, and university
library American Civil War History/Biography collections, "Without Concealment, Without Compromise: The
Courageous Lives of Black Civil War Surgeons" is enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a number of illustrations,
as well as thirty-four pages of Notes, a fourteen page Bibliography, a two page Index of Regiments, and a twelve page
Index. "Without Concealment, Without Compromise: The Courageous Lives of Black Civil War Surgeons" is especially
recommended for supplemental American Civil War and 19th Century African American History curriculum studies
lists.
Editorial Note: Jill L. Newmark (www.blackcivilwarsurgeons.com) is an independent historian, as well as a former curator
and exhibition specialist at the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Her exhibits include "Binding
Wounds, Pushing Boundaries: African Americans in Civil War Medicine," "Within These Walls: Contraband Hospital and
the African Americans Who Served There," and "Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons."
She has published articles in Prologue and Traces, as well as online in Circulating Now and www.blackpast.org
Detour to Disaster
Noel Carpenter
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611216714, $19.95, PB, 216pp
https://www.amazon.com/Detour-Disaster-Demonstration-Unraveling-Tennessee/dp/1611216710
Synopsis: In October of 1864, Confederate General John Bell Hood set out through Alabama on what would be the final
campaign of the Army of Tennessee. One event in particular, overlooked and misunderstood for generations, portended
what was to follow and is the subject of Noel Carpenter's new American Civil War history -- "Detour to Disaster: General
John Bell Hood's "Slight Demonstration" at Decatur and the Unravelling of the Tennessee Campaign".
A simply fascinating, meticulously detailed, and expertly documented account, "Detour to Disaster" is the first book-length
study of the weighty decision to march to Decatur and the combat that followed there. Carpenter also investigated the
circumstances surrounding these matters and how they overwhelmed the controversial young army commander and
potentially doomed his daring invasion.
Critique: An impressively informative and exceptionally insightful history, "Detour to Disaster: General John Bell Hood's
"Slight Demonstration" at Decatur and the Unraveling of the Tennessee Campaign" by American Civil War historian
should be required reading for American Civil War history buffs interested in the Western Theater, and especially the
doomed Tennessee Campaign. A fascinating and impressively well organized and presented study, "Detour to Disaster" is
an especially recommended and worthwhile pick for personal, community, and academic library American Civil War
history collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "Detour to Disaster" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.49).
Editorial Note: As a boy growing up in Decatur in the 1920s, author Noel Carpenter played on the sites described in
"Detour to Disaster". After graduating from the University of Alabama and earning a master's degree from the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carpenter spent 30 years as a command pilot and Air Force officer. Later in life he
combined a lifelong interest in Civil War history with his military experience and examined the episode that had unfolded
in his hometown more than a century earlier. He spent 12 years researching and writing his account.
The Science Shelf
Inside Science: Revolution in Biology and Its Impact
Benjamin Lewin
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury NY 11797-2924
www.cshlpress.com
9781621825012, $29.50, HC, 340pp
https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Science-Revolution-Biology-Impact/dp/1621825019
Synopsis: Looking behind widely held beliefs about the myth of the scientific enterprise, with the publication of "Inside
Science: Revolution in Biology and Its Impact", Benjamin Lewin provides a rare examination of how science really
functions.
Drawing on his 25 years of experience as the founding editor of Cell, the worlds leading journal in biology, Lewin
questions the dogma that scientific papers describe how research was actually done, describes the distortions caused by
pressure to publish, and considers the effects of changes in the way science is communicated as we move ever further into
the digital era.
The view that science protects itself by identifying and excluding work that is not reproducible is rigorously examined, as
is the prevalence of fraud in science. Furthermore, Lewin argues that the move from research done in small teams to the
much larger scale of big science has the potential to change the nature of science itself. He asks if science can continue in
its present form or if new methods of evaluation will be needed for science to function in the future.
Lewin brings these general principles to life by considering the history of the genetics revolution, from the discovery of the
double helical structure of DNA to the sequencing of the human genome and the possibilities of gene editing today.
The history of science shows us that each period of progress in science relied on dogmas that often advanced but
sometimes retarded progress, and that views of reality often changed suddenly and dramatically. One example is the
current critical reassessment of epigenetics that is raising the possibility that there may be factors in inheritance extraneous
to DNA.
"Inside Science: Revolution in Biology and Its Impact" concludes by asking if the reductionist manifesto that has
dominated biology for the past half century can continue to hold, and revisits the much-debated question: What is
science?
Critique: Fascinating, informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Inside Science: Revolution in Biology and Its
Impact" is an extraordinary study that will have immense appeal to academia and the scientific community. Exceptionally
well written, organized and presented, "Inside Science: Revolution in Biology and Its Impact" is further informatively
enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a five page Glossary, thirty pages of Notes & References, a two page listing
of Illustration Sources, and a sixteen page Index. "Inside Science: Revolution in Biology and Its Impact" is especially and
unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Biology & History of
Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Benjamin Lewin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Lewin) obtained his undergraduate and graduate
degrees from the University of Cambridge, England. He became the first Editor of Nature New Biology in 1971, and then
worked at the National Cancer Institute from 1972 to 1973. He founded Cell journal in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1974
and remained Editor of Cell until 1999. Cell became the top-ranked journal in the life sciences. Dr. Lewin is also the
author of the best-selling Genes textbook and a series of books on wine.
The Parenting Shelf
UNPLUGGED!
Oreste J. DAversa, CPC
Cutting Edge Technology Publishing
http://cuttingedgetechnologypublishing.com
9781952294204, $14.97, PB, 130pp
https://www.amazon.com/UNPLUGGED-Practical-Managing-Teenage-Digital/dp/1952294207
Synopsis: Are you a parent, guardian, or educator concerned about the growing impact of digital technology and social
media on the well-being of teenagers? Then you need to give a careful reading to "UNPLUGGED! A Practical Guide to
Managing Teenage Stress in the Digital Age" by Oreste DAversa.
This is an empowering resource that offers a comprehensive toolkit for helping teenagers navigate the challenges of the
modern world while fostering emotional wellness, healthy habits, and resilience.
Simply stated, "UNPLUGGED! A Practical Guide to Managing Teenage Stress in the Digital Age" is an indispensable and
practical resource for teenagers, parents, and educators seeking effective strategies to navigate the challenges of the
modern world. Packed with proven techniques, practical advice, and empowering insights, "UNPLUGGED" equips
teenagers with the tools they need to promote emotional wellness, achieve healthy habits, and build resilience in the digital
age -- to unplug from the digital world and embrace a balanced and fulfilling life amidst the real world complexities of
modern life.
Critique: Timely, realistic, informative, insightful, effective, inspiring, "UNPLUGGED! A Practical Guide to Managing
Teenage Stress in the Digital Age" is impressively reader friendly in commentary, organization and presentation. While
available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99), "UNPLUGGED!" is a critically important and
unreservedly recommended addition to family, middle school, highschool, and community library Social Media/Digital
Technology and Adolescence/Young Adult Mental Health collections.
Editorial Note: Oreste J. DAversa, (http://orestedaversa.com) is a Certified Professional Coach, Life Coach, Career/Job Search Coach, and College Major Coach. The owner of Metropolitan Small Business Coaching LLC as a Business Coach, Consultant, and Trainer, he is also an Adjunct Faculty member as a University Lecturer at CUNY - Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. He is an Inter-Faith (All-Faiths) Minister and appears on podcasts, radio, and television discussing his expertise in business-related and personal growth subjects.
Raising Good Humans Every Day
Hunter Clarke-Fields, MSAE
New Harbinger Press
5674 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com
9781648481420, $18.95, PB, 216pp
https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Good-Humans-Every-Day/dp/1648481426
Synopsis: As a parent, it's the little things you do each and every day that can help your kids grow up to be kind, confident,
and conscientious human beings. But if you're like many parents, you are probably feeling overwhelmed by the daily rush
of getting to school on time, helping your kid finish their homework, planning meals, and all the seemingly endless tasks
that pile up and steal the fun out of just being with your child. That's why you need quick, effective tools to stay present
and manage emotions -- both your child's and your own!
With the publication of "Raising Good Humans Every Day: 50 Simple Ways to Press Pause, Stay Present, and Connect
with Your Kids", Hunter Clarke-Fields provides a "go-to" daily guide that offers 50 simple ways to press pause, stop
reacting, and start parenting with intention. You will also find mindfulness skills for calming your own stress when
difficult emotions arise; and tips for cultivating respectful communication, effective conflict resolution, and reflective
listening.
Most importantly, by following these daily techniques, you'll learn to break the unhelpful patterns and ingrained reactions
that reflect the generational habits shaped by your parents, so you can respond to your children in more skillful ways.
As a busy parents you will discover: Self-compassion practices for those days when you feel like a "terrible parent";
Breathing and meditation exercises for calming emotions in the moment; Tips for "unhooking" from negative thoughts and
self-criticism; Mindfulness skills for staying present with your kids.
You will also learn how to develop a "teaching mindset" when faced with difficult behavior, and find tons of creative and
playful activities to increase cooperation in your child. Being a parent is a lot of work, but it can also be joyful and fun. But
this daily guide can help you create and enjoy those little moments!
Critique: A compact (5 x 0.48 x 7 inches, 5.6 ounces) little volume that is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and
presentation, "Raising Good Humans Every Day: 50 Simple Ways to Press Pause, Stay Present, and Connect with Your
Kids" is a combination self-help instruction guide and practical 'how to' parenting manual that is especially recommended
reading for anyone new to parenthood -- and has considerable and applicable ideas for even the more experienced parent or
caregiver. Inspired and inspiring, "Raising Good Humans Every Day" is unreservedly recommended pick for personal,
professional, and community library Parenting collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Raising Good
Humans Every Day" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Hunter Clarke-Fields (https://mindfulmamamentor.com) is the creator of Mindful Parenting course and the host of
the Mindful Mama podcast. She coaches parents on how to cultivate mindfulness in their daily lives and cooperation in
their families. Hunter has more than twenty years of experience in meditation practices, and has taught thousands
worldwide.
The Cookbook Shelf
Taste of Home Cool Kitchen Cookbook
Taste of Home, editor
Trusted Media Brands
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
9781621459293, $19.99, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Home-Cool-Kitchen-Cookbook/dp/1621459292
Synopsis: "The Cool Kitchen Cookbook" from Taste of Home lets you set satisfying, crowd-pleasing meals on the table
without breaking a sweat. Summer salads make the most of the fresh bounty of seasonal vegetables. No-bake cookies and
cheesecakes, homemade ice cream and frozen desserts satisfy the sweet tooth. When you do turn on the stovetop,
ultra-quick recipes and one-pot dishes keep the heat to a minimum. Refreshing smoothies, shakes and summer drinks let
you kick back and enjoy when it's time to relax.
There's even a chapter on backyard grilling -- right where the heat belongs in the summer! At-a-Glance icons, expert tips
from our Test Kitchen pros, serving suggestions and more.
"The Cool Kitchen Cookbook" features 392 Recipes that take the heat out of summer cooking. Leave comforting stews and
cozy suppers for the colder months. At-a-Glance Icons. Look for handy icons that spotlight which recipes are
freezer-friendly, take advantage of the air fryer, Instant Pot, or slow cooker, or are done in record time. Recipes for today's
convenient gadgets. Slow cookers, air fryers, Instant Pots and other appliances these ultra-helpful devices let you create
full meals any night of the week and still keep your kitchen cool. Dozens of Tips & Hints. Expert advice from the pros in
the Taste of Home Test Kitchen keep you on track and guarantee the recipes deliver -- the first time and every time after.
Complete Nutrition Facts and Diabetic Exchanges. Nutrition information with every recipe help you plan meals that make
sense for your family.
Critique: An especially recommended compendium of 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes in light of our Climate Change driven
and rapidly increasing heat waves, "Taste of Home Cool Kitchen Cookbook: When temperatures soar, serve 392
crowd-pleasing favorites without turning on your oven!" is not just for preparing meals in the heat of summer, but all year
rounnd whenever the temperature rises.
From Veggie Brown Rice Wraps, Microwave Rice Pilaf, and Air-Fryer Pizza Puffs, to Ice Cream Balls, Blueberry Cream
Pops; and Watermelon Fruit Pizza, "The Cool Kitchen Cookbook" will prove a welcome addition to personal,
professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "The Cool Kitchen Cookbook" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: For more than 25 years, Taste of Home has been one of the world's most popular cooking publications.
Through the pages of the flagship magazine, popular cookbooks and online community, Taste of Home offers a friendly
exchange of family-favorite recipes, cooking tips and personal stories from genuine home cooks. Because professional
food staff test and evaluate every recipe in the Taste of Home Test Kitchen, readers are guaranteed success every time.
(https://www.tasteofhome.com)
Taste of Home Cook it Quick
Taste of Home, editor
Trusted Media Brands
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
9781621459316, $19.99, PB, 448pp
https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Home-Cook-Quick-All-time/dp/1621459314
Synopsis: Today's family cooks know how to set a homemade meal on the table even on their busiest nights. Now with the
publication of "Taste of Home Cook it Quick: All-time family classics in 10, 20 & 30 Minutes" they are sharing their
time-saving snacks, entrees, sides and desserts with you in this invaluable culinary collection.
Just choose the menu that fits your schedule. Ten minutes to dinner? Turn to the "10-Minute Mains" area for dozens of
ultra-easy ideas. Want to eat in a half-hour? Flip to the "30-Minutes" section and you'll find more than 50 favorites to
choose from. What could be easier or faster?
Comprised of 488 Recipes, with "Taste of Home Cook it Quick" anyone can make every recipe with confidence, knowing
that each was tested and approved by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen.
Of special note are: 3 At-A-Glance icons (Save when you stock your freezer with pre-made meals.); The "Freeze It" icon
(showing you which recipes freeze best -- storage and reheating direction included); A "5-Ingredient" icon (to save time
and money); and an "Eat Smart" icon (for when you want healthy foods that come together quick); Nutrition Facts (every
recipe offers a complete set of nutrition facts).
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout with full color photos of finished dishes, "Taste of Home Cook it Quick:
All-time family classics in 10, 20 & 30 Minutes" is particularly ideal as a low-budget menu resource for time-stressed,
time-limited family cooks wanting to serve palate-pleasing, appetite-satisfying, and on the table in 30 minutes or less
meals. While a popular pick for personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections, it should be
noted that "Taste of Home Cook it Quick" is also readily available in a Spiral Bound edition (9781617658334, $24.99) and
in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Taste of Home (https://www.tasteofhome.com) is the leading multi-platform producer of information on
food, cooking and entertaining, serving home cooks engaging media that capture the joy and comfort received from food
made with love. Taste of Home magazine has a circulation of 2.25 million, 4.6 million newsletter subscribers, and
publishes Simple & Delicious magazine six times a year; top-selling bookazines, newsstand specials, and popular
cookbooks. The Taste of Home brand reaches 27.3 million people every month.
Fix-It and Forget-It Everyday Instant Pot Favorites
Hope Comerford
Good Books
www.goodbooks.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781680998610, $19.99, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fix-Forget-Everyday-Instant-Favorites/dp/1680998617
Synopsis: Featuring recipes of 100 dinners, sides and desserts, "Fix-It and Forget-It Everyday Instant Pot Favorites" by
Hope Comerford is the perfect culinary resource to answer that eternal question -- "What's for dinner?"
This is a beautifully illustrated compendium of DIY recipes that are easy to prepare, don't require a lot of hard-to-find
ingredients, and will appeal to the whole family.
In addition to great recipes, you'll also find tips on how to set up and use your Instant Pot, how to know when your food is
perfectly done, and more. As to the recipes, the range from: Beef with Broccoli; Mediterranean Lentil Soup; Tender Tasty
Ribs; and Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole; to Salsa Lime Chicken; Lasagna the Instant Pot Way; Family Favorite Chicken
Fajita Soup; Barbecued Brisket; and Cilantro Lime Rice.
Of special note are the recipes for scrumptious desserts ranging from Lemon Pudding Cake to Cookies & Cream
Cheesecake.
Critique: A cornucopia of palate-pleasing, appetite-satisfying, kitchen cook friendly recipes that will turn the most novice
of cooks into truly seasoned family chefs, "Fix-It and Forget-It Everyday Instant Pot Favorites: 100 Dinners, Sides &
Desserts" will prove to be an immediately welcome and enduringly prized addition to personal, professional, family, and
community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Fix-It and Forget-It Everyday Instant Pot Favorites: 100
Dinners, Sides & Desserts" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Hope Comerford is the food blogger behind A Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Adventures and is the author of
The Gluten-Free Slow Cooker and editor or author of several Fix-It and Forget-It books including Fix-It and Forget-It
Freezer to Instant Pot, Fix-It and Forget-It Instant Pot Light & Healthy Cookbook, and the Welcome Home Cookbook
series. There is a listing of her books at: https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/hope-comerford/1972708
Jeremy Pang's School of Wok: Simple Family Feasts
Jeremy Pang
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9780600637776, $26.99, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Jeremy-Pangs-School-Wok-Simple/dp/0600637778
Synopsis: Bringing together the best Asian flavors from across the continent, "Jeremy Pang's School of Wok: Simple
Family Feasts" makes Asian cooking quick and accessible so you can spend less time fussing over dinner and more time
together.
Each individual dish comprising "Jeremy Pang's School of Wok: Simple Family Feasts" can be enjoyed on its own for a
simple supper or grouped together for larger feasts with something for everyone to enjoy. Family cooks will learn how to
group dishes together with rice and noodles and other accompaniments as per traditional Asian cuisine.
Most of the 80 recipes showcased in "Jeremy Pang's School of Wok: Simple Family Feasts" utilize the 'wok clock'
technique, where the ingredients are laid out in a clock formation in the order they will be cooked for complete simplicity.
You will also find handy feast planners with the order and cooking times of each dish to make life as easy as possible.
Fast, fresh and flavorsome, Simple Family Feasts will help you discover exciting family favorites that you will return to
again and again.
Critique: The recipes reflect Chines, Thai, Singaporean, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indonesian, Pinoy, Korean, and Japanese
cuisines. Of special note is the section on Desserts. Gorgeously and profusely illustrated with full page, full color
photographs of finished dishes, "Jeremy Pang's School of Wok: Simple Family Feasts" is an extraordinary and truly
'kitchen cook friendly' compendium of wonderful Asian dishes that are guaranteed to be palate pleasing, appetite
satisfying, and truly memorable! While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99), "Jeremy Pang's School of
Wok: Simple Family Feasts" is a strongly recommended pick for personal, professional, and community library Asian Wok
Cuisine cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Jeremy Pang (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Pang) won both Rising Young Star and Best Specialist
Cookery School at the British Cookery School Awards 2015. Since then, his recipes and work have been featured in a wide
variety of publications including: The Guardian, Independent, The Sunday Times, Delicious & BBC Good Food. Along
with regular appearances on UK TV shows including: Channel 4's Sunday Brunch and ITV's Ainsley's Food We Love and
Nadiya's Family Favourites. Jeremy's refreshing laid-back, straightforward approach has helped him build an ever-growing
and thriving specialist cookery school in London called School of Wok. He can be followed on:
Instagram.com/jeremypang_official; Twitter.com/ChefJeremyPang; Twitter.com/schoolofwok;
Instagram.com/schoolofwok; YouTube.com/SchoolofWok
House & Garden: A Year in the Kitchen
Blanche Vaughan
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784728953, $49.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/House-Garden-Year-Kitchen-Seasonal/dp/1784728950
Synopsis: "House & Garden A Year in the Kitchen: Seasonal recipes for everyday pleasure" by Blanche Yaughan is the
first cookbook from Conde Nast's premier UK lifestyle magazine, House & Garden, and features contributions from an
array of well-known chefs and a wealth of gorgeous, aspirational, and culinary imagery.
A culinary compendium of more than 150 elegantly simple recipes, "A Year in the Kitchen" showcases thoroughly 'kitchen
cook friendly recipes that range from Chard, Spinach and Egg Gratin; Braised Summer Peas; Squash and Cavolo Flan;
Apple and Blueberry Cobbler; and Warming Madagascan Curry; to Lemon Risotto, Chocolate Rye Tart; Brown Irish Soda
Bread; and Pecan Stuffing.
Critique: Presented seasonally (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) and brilliantly illustrated with full color culinary
photography throughout, "House & Garden A Year in the Kitchen: Seasonal recipes for everyday pleasure" will prove to be
a welcome, kitchen cook friend, and iconic addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook
collections. It should be noted that "House & Garden A Year in the Kitchen: Seasonal recipes for everyday pleasure" is
also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.99).
Editorial Note: Blanche Vaughan (https://blanchevaughan.com) is the Food Editor at House & Garden, as well as a food
writer and chef who worked at the River Cafe, Moro and St John. She has written for the Guardian and published four
books with Weidenfeld & Nicolson including One Pot and Egg and Itsu: The Cookbook.
Beach Eats
The Editors of Coastal Living
IPG Publishing & Licensing
c/o Independent Publishers Group
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.ipgbook.com
9781957317243, $30.00, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Beach-Eats-Favorite-Surfside-Occasion/dp/1957317248
Synopsis: The beach is a gathering place for vacationers, an inspired place to call home for locals, and a magical spot for
dreamers who live far from sea breezes and ocean waves. Likewise, seaside homes and sandy beaches are idyllic places for
families and friends to come together to celebrate both the everyday and the special occasions few and far between.
"Beach Eats: Favorite Surfside Recipes for Every Occasion" is visually stunning cookbook with some 100 recipes for
dishes that reflects the locales where people gather to share a drink, a meal, or a little something sweet by the shore --
Cabana Bar, Beachside Grill, Seafood Shack, Roadside Stand, Boardwalk Bakery, and Ice Cream Cart.
The recipes comprising "Beach Eats" include tropical thirst-quenchers like a Candied Kumquat Manhattan and a
Ginger-Lime Daiquiri to enjoy with savory Crab Rangoon or creamy Macadamia-Coconut Dip. Grill up Hoisin Burgers
with Pickled Vegetables or a White Pizza with Clams and Bacon. Cool off with Hawaiian Shaved Ice or tasty
Avocado-Lime Paletas.
Critique: A colorful and welcome compendium of thoroughly 'user friendly' recipes for palate-pleasing, appetite satisfying,
and just plain fun eating, "Beach Eats: Favorite Surfside Recipes for Every Occasion" truly lives up to its title and is
especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: For over 20 years Coastal Living has provided readers with the best seaside spots to shop, dine, explore,
and unwind. Diverse brand loyalists agree: "coastal" is a state of mind. From inspiring design and decorating to gorgeous,
blissful getaways and fresh-from-the-sea meals for entertaining, Coastal Living offers its audience an escape to the good
life -- to be enjoyed barefoot, of course. (https://www.southernliving.com/author/coastal-living)
The Grazing Table
Natalie Thomson
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9780600637967, $24.99, HC, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Grazing-Table-Create-Beautiful-Platters/dp/0600637964
Synopsis: Grazing boards are a wonderful, sociable way to share a meal with family or a party with friends. With
surprisingly little effort, with Mantalie Thomson's "The Grazing Table: How to Create Beautiful Butter Boards, Food
Platters & More" you can easily create eye-catching and delicious spreads for sweet and savory lovers alike.
Whether it's a midweek meal or a big celebration, there's a grazing board for every occasion thanks to "The Grazing Table"
which features butter boards, charcuterie, cheeseboards, antipasti, mezze, fruit platters, dessert boards and more, Indeed,
"The Grazing Table" is an impressive compendium of inspiring ideas for building your own grazing boards at home and
includes more than 60 simple recipes for making some of the elements from scratch.
"The Grazing Table" covers Dairy, Fruit & Vegetables platters (including Whipped salted butter board, Cheesy tear &
share bread wreath and Rainbow fruit platter); Fish & Seafood arrays (including Seafood platter, Build-your-own poke
bowl and Fish tacos); Poultry layouts (including Crispy chicken butter board, Chipotle chicken nachos and Cobb salad);
Meat boards (including Luxury picnic, Classic charcuterie and Burger boards); and Treat platters (including Pancake
platter, Mini doughnuts and an Ice cream station).
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout with full page, full color photos, "The Grazing Table: How to Create Beautiful
Butter Boards, Food Platters & More" is a very special, quite unique, culinarily inspiring, and extraordinary addition to
personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "The Grazing Table" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Natalie Thompson (Nataliethomsonfood.com) has been styling and recipe writing since 2012 after
completing a diploma in food and wine from Leiths Cookery School in London. In that time, she has successfully built a
broad client base and has worked with UK magazines, publishers, advertisers and film companies. She writes recipes for
cookbooks and magazines. She can be followed on: Instagram.com/nataliethomsonfood and on
Twitter.com/nataliejmt1
Campfire Cooking
Jakob Nusbaum
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781510774902, $24.99, HC, 184pp
https://www.amazon.com/Campfire-Cooking-Mouthwatering-Skillet-Recipes/dp/1510774904
Synopsis: With the publication of "Campfire Cooking: Mouthwatering Skillet, Dutch Oven, and Skewer Recipes", chef
Jakob Nusbaum showcases 50 mouth-watering recipes to enjoy around the campfire!
Sharing a meal around a campfire is one of life's purest pleasures. Whether you've come back to camp after a long day of
hiking or you're stepping out onto the patio to sit around the fire pit, there's something special about the smell of smoke,
the stories, the laughter, and the sound of food sizzling over the open flames.
The recipes comprising "Campfire Cooking" will take your campfire experiences up another level with incredible food and
invaluable advice. Of special note are tips on how to split firewood safely, suggestions for choosing equipment, and advice
for getting your fire going and keeping it hot.
From Cowboy toast with Cheddar, blue cheese, red onions & barbecue sauce; Grilled trout with herbs & lemon; Pizza on a
stick with pepperoni, mozzarella & red onions; and Juicy barbecued spareribs with grilled coleslaw; to Chili con carne;
French toast with blackberries & maple syrup; Baked apples with cinnamon, raisins, brown sugar, nuts & whipped cream;
Hot chocolate with whipped cream, cognac & grilled marshmallows, "Campfire Cooking" has breakfast, lunch, dinner,
snacks, desserts, and hot drinks covered.
Critique: Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout with full color, full page photos of finished dishes, "Campfire
Cooking: Mouthwatering Skillet, Dutch Oven, and Skewer Recipes" is an ideal culinary resource for out-of-doors cooking
that will result in truly memorable outdoor dining augmenting the joy and adventure of camping. While a superbly
qualified addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted for campers
that "Campfire Cooking" is also available in an easily portable digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Currently residing in Denmark, Jakob Nusbaum worked for twelve years as art director in an advertising
agency, but embers and pots won over office life, and since 2016 he has been an outdoor chef full time.
The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood
John Ash, author
Ashley Lima, photographer
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
www.abramsbooks.com
9781951836870, $40.00, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Hog-Island-Book-Fish-Seafood/dp/1951836871
Synopsis: Featuring favorites from the kitchens of Hog Island Oyster Bars and other talented chefs who have embraced the
company's sustainability ethos, "The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood: Culinary Treasures from Our Waters" from
restaurateur, cookbook author, and two-time James Beard Award winner John Ash is an authoritative compendium that
showcases more than 250 dishes drawn from cuisines around the world, including regional favorites like San Francisco
cioppino, Southern crawfsh etouffee, and New England clam chowder.
Presenting a wide variety of cooking methods (such as steaming, roasting, grilling, pan-frying, curing) along with
illustrated techniques like shucking oysters, opening clams, and ?lleting ?sh, "The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood" is
a comprehensive cookbook that will guide you through all the basics of seafood preparation. And the extensive list of
sauces, butters, and seasonings will help you turn your choice of seafood into a stellar dish.
Simply stated, "The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood" is the next best thing to taking a master class taught by John Ash,
an award-winning chef who shows amateur, family, and professional cooks how to bring culinary gifts from the water to
the table at their peak of perfection.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout with full color photography by Ashley Lima, "The Hog Island Book of Fish &
Seafood: Culinary Treasures from Our Waters" is a culinary joy to browse through -- one inspiring recipes after another.
This large format (8.3 x 1.5 x 10.3 inches, 3.3 pounds) hardcover edition from Harry N. Abrams publishing is a very
special resource for planning memorable menus and will prove to be an immediately and enduringly popular addition to
personal, professional, family, and community library Fish & Seafood cookbook collections. It should be noted that "The
Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note #1: John Ash (https://chefjohnash.com) is a restaurateur, cookbook author, and two-time James Beard
Award winner. He previously cohosted the Good Food Hour radio show on KSRO for 35 years, and he has hosted two
shows on the Food Network. Ash regularly contributes to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and has written for magazines
such as Fine Cooking and Eating Well. In 2014, Ash was honored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium as the Sustainable
Seafood Educator of the Year.
Editorial Note #2: Ashley Lima (https://www.ashleylima.com/about) is an art director and professional photographer based
in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Roast Figs, Sugar Snow: food to warm the soul
Diana Henry, author
Aster
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781783255764, $29.99, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Roast-Figs-Sugar-Snow-Food/dp/1783255765
Synopsis: From multi-award-winning food columnist and cookbook author, Diana Henry, comes a new edition of "Roast
Figs, Sugar Snow: food to warm the soul" -- a hidden gem at the heart of her repertoire of irresistible cold-weather recipes
that celebrate the unique pleasures of autumn and winter, and in this new edition, featuring seven new recipes and a
foreword by Nigel Slater.
The recipes comprising "Roast Figs, Sugar Snow" celebrates not only the ingredients of the winter these showcased dishes
including the pumpkins and pomegranates, chestnuts and soft, sweet spices associated with the cold-weather season.
Now revisited, revised, and refreshed nearly 20 years after its first publication, "Roast Figs, Sugar Snow: food to warm the
soul" continues to feature recipes personally gathered from Diana's travels to Scandinavia, the French and Italian Alps,
Scotland, Ireland, and New England.
Ranging from Pumpkin Tarts with Spinach and Gorgonzola; Vermont Baked Beans; Roast Pork with Black Pudding,
Apple and Mustard Sauce; Melting Leg of Lamb with Juniper; and Snow Biscuits; to Skier's Chocolate with Bugnes; Roast
Figs and Plums in Vodka with Cardamom Cream; Crimson leaf, black lentil, roasted grape and walnut salad; Beetroot and
blackberry soup with walnut relish; Ham and haddie pie -- and more! Of special note is Diana's evocative writing about
both place and food.
Critique: A very special culinary compendium of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly, "Roast Figs,
Sugar Snow: food to warm the soul" is a choice and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, and
community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Roast Figs, Sugar Snow: food to warm the soul" is also
available in a paperback edition (9781845335243, $20.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Diana Henry (https://www.splendidtable.org/bio/diana-henry) is food columnist for The Sunday Telegraph
and contributes to numerous other publications, including the Daily Telegraph and House and Garden. Her book Crazy
Water, Pickled Lemons was short listed for the prestigious Glenfiddich awards and in 2007 she won "Cookery Writer of
the Year" at the Guild of Food Writers Awards.
Chetna's Indian Feasts
Chetna Makan
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Publishing
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9780600637677, $32.99
https://www.amazon.com/Chetnas-Indian-Feasts-Everyday-entertaining/dp/0600637670
Chetna's Indian Feasts: Everyday Meals & Easy Entertaining comes from a participant in The Great British Bake Off and
features Indian-inspired dishes that are varied, appealing, and easy to reproduce at home. While other Indian cookbooks
hold some of these same attractions, what sets Chetna's Indian Feasts apart from others is a focus on fast dishes that are not
only easy to put together, but different from many of the classic Indian fare to be found in competing cookbooks. Full-page
color photos illustrate such dishes as Dal with Mango, Garlic Chilli Corn (suitable for the barbecue), or Red Chilli Pulao
with Chicken. This take-off on traditional Indian fare is highly recommended for enthusiasts of Indian food seeking
something satisfyingly different.
Flavor Kitchen
Crystelle Pereira
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Books
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781914239793, $29.99
https://www.amazon.com/Flavor-Kitchen-Creative-Recipes-Sharing/dp/1914239792
Flavor Kitchen: Vibrant Recipes With Creative Twists features original creations not to be found in other cookbooks.
Perhaps this is because Crystelle Pereira's Portuguese-Goan roots and travels encouraged her to meld new flavors. She
developed these different combinations as she traveled the world. Full-page color photos accompany this British Bake-Off
cook's original dishes, such as Spicy Korean-inspired Smashed Potatoes or Slow-Roasted Harissa Carrots. From small
plates and dips to desserts and main dishes, Pereira's unique creations are powerfully appealing and highly recommended
for cooks seeking flavor combinations not to be found elsewhere.
The Healthy Back Kitchen
Griffin R. Baum, MD
America's Test Kitchen
21 Drydock Avenue, Suite 210E, Boston, MA 02210
www.americastestkitchen.com
9781954210653, $29.99
https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Back-Kitchen-SimplerHow-Managing/dp/1954210655
The Healthy Back Kitchen: Move Easier, Cook Simpler is all about mitigating the effects of back pain from common
kitchen movements such as bending, lifting, and preparing foods. Worst of all is the standing required in cooking. Dr.
Griffin R. Baum, a neurosurgeon in New York, is an avid cook who here offers new cooking methods to protect the back
and address the common motions of cooking that set off pain. He advocates a simpler way of moving in the kitchen and
includes over two hundred color photo-enhanced recipes designed to avoid prolonged standing. Tricks that make cooking
easier include taking breaks mid-cooking, prepping ahead, buying already-trimmed veggies, and other simple routines for
avoiding the usual long-standing backache-causing kitchen routines, making The Healthy Back Kitchen highly
recommended for health and cookbook collections alike.
The Library Science Shelf
Information Literacy and the Digitalization of the Workplace
Gunilla Widen, editor
Jose Teixeira, editor
Facet Publishing
www.facetpublishing.co.uk
9781783305797, $126.95, HC, 222pp
https://www.amazon.com/Information-Literacy-Digitalization-Workplace-Gunilla/dp/1783305797
Synopsis: Digitalization has had an overwhelming impact on the workplace in recent years, making it more associable,
editable, interactive, programmable, traceable, communicable and distributable. But this change comes with substantial
changes to ways of working.
New technologies almost always translate into new work processes, work arrangements, collaborative engagements and
thus disrupt the information environment and consolidate equilibra at work. With the publication of "Information Literacy
and the Digitalization of the Workplace", co-editors Gunilla Widen and Jose Teixeira aims to bring forward the role of
workplace information literacy as a key condition for successful digitalization or digital transformation in today's
workplace.
Featuring contributions from leading scholars, "Information Literacy and the Digitalization of the Workplace" examines
the multifaceted role of workplace information literacy in organizational operations and its role in the digitalization
process, taking into account the role and perspectives of employer and employee.
Critique: Comprised of seminal and ground-breaking contributions from a roster of experience experts in the field of
information science and the technology of information, "Information Literacy and the Digitalization of the Workplace" is
exceptionally well organized and presented, making it an essential and core addition to personal, professional, community,
corporate, college, and university library Information & Library Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists. It should be noted for students, academia, librarians, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject
that "Information Literacy and the Digitalization of the Workplace" is also readily available in a paperback edition
(9781783305810, $17.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $54.49).
Editorial Note #1: Gunilla Widen is Professor of Information Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and
Economics, bo Akademi University where she researches in the areas of information behaviour, information literacy, and
knowledge management.
Editorial Note #2: Jose Teixeira works at the Department of Information Systems at bo Akademi. His main research
interests include open-source software, open-hardware, open-competition, open-innovation, and platform ecosystems.
The General Fiction Shelf
Mending What Is Broken
Robert McKean
Livingston Press
University of West Alabama, Station 22, Livingston, AL 35470
https://livingstonpress.uwa.edu
9781604893410, $21.95, PB, 338pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mending-What-Broken-Robert-McKean/dp/1604893419
Synopsis: At mid-life, Peter Sanguedolce has learned that having a big heart and good intentions are not enough. Divorced
(again), he's slowly losing everything he cares about, including his family's sewer pipe business and, possibly, shared
custody of his young daughter, Jeannette.
His ex-wife, Avis, and her new husband, Elliot, are poised to remove Jeanette from Peter's unraveling life.
Then Peter begins to pay closer attention to everything: a comment from Jeannette, Elliot's odd behavior toward her, and
Avis's determination to send their daughter away to boarding school.
In the midst of the search for a new school, Peter is drawn into a foolhardy plan to reconnect his elderly former neighbor
and friend, Jacob, with his estranged daughter, whom Peter had, in his youth, admired from afar. But just when everything
could spin out of control, Peter focuses on his daughter above all else, and once again sets out on a journey, this time to
protect Jeanette.
"Mending What Is Broken" is a bittersweet story about the families we make and that we lose, about working class towns
and fading dreams -- and creating second chances in life.
Critique: Original, exceptional, memorable, "Mending What Is Broken" showcases author Robert McKean's genuine flair
as a novelist for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that fully engages his readers from first page to last.
Skillfully written and an inherently interested read, "Mending What Is Broken" is especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary General Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Robert McKean (https://www.robmckean.com) is the author of the short story collection "I'll Be Here For
You: Diary of a Town" which was awarded first-prize in the Tartts First Fiction competition (Livingston Press). His novel
"The Catalog of Crooked Thoughts" was awarded first-prize in the Methodist University Longleaf Press Novel Contest.
The novel was also named a Finalist for the 2018 Eric Hoffer Award. Recipient of a Massachusetts Artist's Grant for his
fiction, McKean has had six stories nominated for Pushcart Prizes and one story for Best of the Net. He has also published
extensively in journals such as The Kenyon Review, The Chicago Review, and others.
Maribelle's Shadow
Susannah Marren
Beaufort Books
535 Flatbush Avenue, PMB 287, Brooklyn, NY 11225
www.beaufortbooks.com
9780825310294, $16.95 PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Maribelles-Shadow-Susannah-Marren/dp/0825310296
Synopsis: As the editorial director of Palm Beach Confidential, Maribelle Walker knows what lurks beneath the glittering
facade of the moneyed elite on Florida's most glamorous coast. Or does she?
When her adored and impressive husband, Samuel, dies suddenly, the secrets and lies between Maribelle and her sisters
rise to the surface. Compounding the anguish, the authenticity of their socially ambitious mother and lavish lifestyle of
mansions, privilege and couture clothes is thrown into doubt.
As their carefully constructed image unravels, each sister realizes she must fend for herself. The pathway out is steep and
worth any risk. Until the winner takes all.
Critique: A carefully crafted, original, inherently riveting, and impressively compelling tale of deception and family
loyalty, "Maribelle's Shadow" by author Susannah Marren is a riveting read that will be of immense interest to fans of
contemporary women's fiction. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary
General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Maribelle's Shadow" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.49).
Editorial Note: Susannah Marren (http://www.susanshapirobarash.com) is the author of Between the Tides, A Palm Beach
Wife and A Palm Beach Scandal and the pseudonym for Susan Shapiro Barash, who has written over a dozen nonfiction
books, including Tripping the Prom Queen, Toxic Friends, You're Grounded Forever, But First Let's Go Shopping, and A
Passion for More. For over twenty years she has taught gender studies at Marymount Manhattan College and has guest
taught creative nonfiction at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. Presently she is teaching at the Westport
Writers Workshop.
Famous in a Small Town
Viola Shipman
Graydon House
http://graydonhousebooks.com
c/o HarperCollins
https://www.harpercollins.com
9781525805073, $30.00, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Famous-Small-Town-Viola-Shipman/dp/152580507X
Synopsis: For most of her eighty years, Mary Jackson has endured the steady invasion of tourists, influencers and real
estate developers who have discovered the lakeside charm of Good Hart, Michigan, waiting patiently for the arrival of a
stranger she's believed since childhood would one day carry on her legacy -- the Very Cherry General Store.
Like generations of Jackson women before her, Cherry Mary, as she's known locally, runs the community hub that is part
post office, part bakery and part sandwich shop. She had almost given up hope that the mysterious prediction she'd been
told as a girl would come true and the store would have to pass to a man!
Becky Thatcher came to Good Hart with her ride-or-die BFF to forget that she's just turned forty with nothing to show for
it. Ending up at the general store with Mary is admittedly not the beach vacation she expected, but the more the feisty
octogenarian talks about destiny, the stronger Becky's memories of her own childhood holidays become, and the strange
visions over the lake she was never sure were real.
As Becky works under Mary's wing for the summer and finds she fits into this quirky community of locals, she starts to
believe that destiny could be real, and that it might have something very special in mind for Becky!
Critique: An original and fun read from cover to cover, "Famous in a Small Town" by the literary talented novelist Viola
Shipman is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Women's Fiction collections.
It should be noted for the personal reading lists of Women's Friendship fiction fans that "Famous in a Small Town" is also
readily available in a paperback edition (9781525804854, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Wade Rouse (https://waderouse.com) writes fiction under his grandma's name, Viola Shipman, to honor the
woman whose heirlooms inspire his writing. He lives in Michigan and California, and hosts Wine & Words with Wade, A
Literary Happy Hour, every Thursday.
The Second Ending
Michelle Hoffman
Ballantine Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
www.randomhouse.com
9780593599136, $18.00, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Second-Ending-Novel-Michelle-Hoffman/dp/0593599136
Synopsis: Prudence Childs was once the most famous kindergartner on the planet. After teaching herself to play piano at
age three, she performed at the White House, appeared on talk shows, and inspired a generation to take up lessons. But as
adolescence closed in, Prudence realized that she was being exploited and pushed into fame by her cruel grandmother, so
she ran away. Broke and alone, she took a job writing commercial jingles, which earned her a fortune but left her creatively
adrift.
Now forty-eight, with her daughters away at school, Prudence agrees to compete on a wildly popular dueling pianos TV
show to reconnect with her inner artist. Unfortunately, her new spotlight captures the attention of her terrible ex-husband,
Bobby, who uses the opportunity to blackmail her over a long-buried secret. If she doesn't win, she won't just be a musical
failure; she'll also be bankrupt and exposed in front of millions.
Her on-air rival, virtuoso Alexei Petrov, a young internet sensation with a massive audience and a dreamy Russian accent,
has problems of his own. His demanding parents made him a technically flawless pianist but left him without friends,
hobbies, or any kind of life outside his music.
As they prepare to face off onstage, the retired prodigy and the exhausted wunderkind realize that the competition is their
chance to prove to their bad exes, tyrannical family members, and, most important, themselves that it's never too late to
write a new ending.
Critique: A beautifully crafted, original, novel and a terrifically entertaining read from cover to cover, "The Second
Ending" by author Michelle Hoffman is unique, compelling, and memorable. A prized and welcome addition to
community library Contemporary General Fiction collections and available for personal reading lists in a digital book
format (Kindle, $9.99), "The Second Ending" is the stuff of which Hallmark Channel Movies are made!
Editorial Note: Michelle Hoffman is a former arts and entertainment writer for The Arizona Republic. She began formal
piano lessons at the age of five and now lives in Arizona with her husband, two spoiled Shih Tzus, and a very large
piano.
Any Other City
Hazel Jane Plante
https://www.hazeljaneplante.com
Arsenal Pulp Press
www.arsenalpulp.com
9781551529110, $19.95, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Other-City-Hazel-Jane-Plante/dp/1551529114
Synopsis: "Any Other City" by novelist Hazel Jane Plante is a two-sided fictional memoir of Tracy St. Cyr, who helms the
beloved indie rock band Static Saints.
Side A is a snapshot of her life from 1993, when Tracy arrives in a labyrinthine city as a fledgling artist and unexpectedly
falls in with a clutch of trans women, including the iconoclastic visual artist Sadie Tang.
Side B finds Tracy, now a semi-famous musician, in the same strange city in 2019, healing from a traumatic event through
songwriting, queer kinship, and sexual pleasure.
While writing her memoir, Tracy perceives how the past reverberates into the present, how a body is a time machine, how
there's power in refusing to dust the past with powdered sugar, and how seedlings begin to slowly grow in empty spaces
after things have been broken open.
Motifs recur like musical phrases, and traces of what used to be there peek through, like a palimpsest. "Any Other City" is
a novel about friendship and other forms of love, traveling in a body across decades, and transmuting trauma through art
making and queer sex -- a love letter to trans femmes and to art itself.
Critique: Eloquent, complex, fascinating, original, deftly crafted, and a compelling, compulsive, page turner of a read from
start to finish, Hazel Jane Plante's novel, "Any Other City" will prove a welcome pick for personal, community, and
academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction and LGBTQ Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Any Other City" is also available from Arsenal Pulp Press in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.49).
Editorial Note: Hazel Jane Plante (https://www.hazeljaneplante.com) is a librarian, cat photographer, and writer. Her debut
novel Little Blue Encyclopedia (for Vivian) (Metonymy Press, 2019) won a Lambda Literary Award and was a finalist for
a Publishing Triangle Award. She releases music under the name lo-fi lioness and helms the podcast t4t, which is about
writing while trans.
Graceland
Nancy Crochiere
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063288430, $18.99, PB, 400pp
https://www.amazon.com/Graceland-Novel-Nancy-Crochiere/dp/0063288435
Synopsis: Hope Robinson can't seem to please anyone lately, especially not her mother, the flamboyant soap star Olivia
Grant. Olivia loves Elvis more than Jesus and, convinced she's dying, insists on a final visit to Graceland. Unfortunately,
that's the one place Hope can't take her. Hope fled Memphis years ago with a shameful secret and a vow never to
return.
Olivia, though, doesn't understand the word no. Instead, she wrangles Hope's pink-haired daughter, Dylan, to drive her to
Memphis by promising to reveal the mystery of her long-lost father. Hope must stop them before they expose the truth and
all hell breaks loose.
As the women race from Boston to Memphis, encountering jealous soap actors, free-range ferrets, and a trio of
Elvis-impersonating frat boys, everyone's secrets begin to unravel. In order to become the family they long to be, Hope,
Olivia, and Dylan must face hard truths about themselves and one another on the bumpy road to acceptance, forgiveness,
and ultimately, grace.
Critique: Original, fun and funny, "Graceland" by novelist Nancy Crochiere is a compulsive page turner of a read from
start to finish. Clever and engaging, featuring a wealth of memorably interest characters, and more unexpected plot twists
and turns than a Disney Land roller coaster, "Graceland" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for
community library Contemporary Women's Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Graceland" is also currently available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).
Editorial Note: Nancy Crochiere (https://www.nancycrochiere.com) chronicled the ups and downs of family life (including
her obsession with George Clooney) in her humorous newspaper column, "The Mother Load". Her essays have appeared in
the Boston Globe and Writer's Digest, and on WBUR's Cognoscenti blog. In her free time, she acts as an extra in feature
films and TV shows.
Lump
Nathan Whitlock
Rare Machines
c/o The Dundurn Group
www.dundurn.com
9781459751286, $18.99, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Lump-Nathan-Whitlock/dp/1459751280
Synopsis: Cat's career has stalled, her marriage has gone flat, and being a stay-at-home mom for two young kids has
become a grind. When she finds out, all within a few days, that she is pregnant, that a lump in her breast is the worst thing
it could be, and that her husband has done something unforgivably repulsive, she responds by running away from her
marriage and her life. A life that, on the outside, looks like middle-class success.
Her actions send waves of chaos through the lives of multiple characters, including a struggling house cleaner, a rich and
charismatic yoga guru, and even an ailing dog.
Lump is a dark comedy about marriage, motherhood, privilege, and power.
Critique: A deftly crafted, entertaining, original, and memorable novel, "Lump" by Nathan Whitlock will have a special
and particular appeal to fans of satirical fiction at its very best. With a wry approach to family life and a lampooning
tragical comedy from beginning to end, "Lump" is unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary
General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Lump" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Nathan Whitlock (https://www.nathanwhitlock.ca) is the author of the novels A Week of This and
Congratulations On Everything. His work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, The Walrus, The Globe and
Mail, Best Canadian Essays, and elsewhere.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
Half-Life of a Stolen Sister
Rachel Cantor
Soho Press
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
www.sohopress.com
9781641294645, $27.00, HC, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Half-Life-Stolen-Sister-Rachel-Cantor/dp/1641294647
Synopsis: How did the Bronte sisters (Emily, Charlotte, and Anne) write literary the landmarks Jane Eyre, Wuthering
Heights, and Agnes Grey? What in their lives and circumstances, in the choices they made, and in their close but complex
relationships with one another made such greatness possible?
In her new novel, "Half-Life of a Stolen Sister", author Rachel Cantor melds biographical fact with unruly invention to
illuminate the siblings' genius, their bonds of love and duty, periods of furious creativity, and the ongoing tolls of illness,
isolation, and loss.
As this biographical novel tells the story of the Brontes, "Half-Life of a Stolen Sister" perpetually transforms and renews
its own style and methods, sometimes hewing close to the facts of the Bronte lives as we know them (or think we know
them), and at others radically reimagining the siblings, moving them into new time periods and possibilities.
Chapter by chapter, "Half-Life of a Stolen Sister" brings together diaries, letters, home movies, television and radio
interviews, deathbed monologues, and fragments from the sprawling invented worlds of the siblings' childhood. As it does
so, a kaleidoscopic portrait emerges, giving us with startling intensity and invention new ways of seeing (and reading!) the
sisters who would create some of the supreme works of literature of all time.
Critique: Original and deftly crafted, "Half-Life of a Stolen Sister" by Rachel Cantor is a fun and entertaining work of
fiction that is true to historical facts. The result is an unreserved recommendation as a high value pick for personal,
community, and academic library Biographical Fiction collections. It should be noted fans of the Brontes and their classic
novels that "Half-Life of a Stolen Sister" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Rachel Cantor (https://www.rachelcantor.com) is also the author of the novels "Good on Paper" and "A
Highly Unlikely Scenario". Her stories have been published in The Paris Review, One Story, Ninth Letter, Kenyon
Review, New England Review, and elsewhere, and she has written about fiction for National Public Radio, The Guardian,
Publishers Weekly, and other publications.
Queen of Exiles
Vanessa Riley
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9780063270992, $32.00, HC, 448pp
https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Exiles-Novel-Vanessa-Riley/dp/0063270994
Synopsis: Marie-Louise Christophe was the wife and then widow of Henry I, who ruled over the newly liberated Kingdom
of Hayti in the wake of the brutal Haitian Revolution.
In 1810 Louise is crowned queen as her husband begins his reign over the first and only free Black nation in the Western
Hemisphere. But despite their newfound freedom, Haitians still struggle under mountains of debt to France and
indifference from former allies in Britain and the new United States. Louise desperately tries to steer the country's political
course as King Henry descends into a mire of mental illness.
In 1820, King Henry is overthrown and dies by his own hand. Louise and her daughters manage to flee to Europe with
their smuggled jewels. In exile, the resilient Louise redefines her role, recovering the fortune that Henry had lost and
establishing herself as an equal to the kings of European nations.
With newspapers and gossip tracking their every movement, Louise and her daughters tour Europe like other royals,
complete with glittering balls and princes with marriage proposals. As they find their footing (and acceptance) they
discover more about themselves, their Blackness, and the opportunities they can grasp in a European and male-dominated
world.
Critique: Queen Marie Louise Coidavid (1778 - 11 March 1851) was the Queen of the Kingdom of Haiti 1811-20 as the
spouse of Henri Christophe. A work of deftly crafted fiction, but based on historical realities and personalities, "Queen of
Exiles" by Vanessa Riley showcases a remarkable Black woman -- a canny and bold survivor who chooses the fire and
ideals of political struggle, and then is forced to rebuild her life on her own terms, but is forever a queen! Fascinating,
engaging, entertaining, memorable, "Queen of Exiles" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library
biographical fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Queen of Exiles" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798212692274,
$57.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Novelist Vanessa Riley (https://vanessariley.com) also holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering and a
master's in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University. She also earned BS and MS in
mechanical engineering from Penn State University.
The Paris Deception
Bryn Turnbull
Mira Books
www.mirabooks.com
c/o HarperCollins
https://www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9780778307662, $28.99, HC, 448pp
https://www.amazon.com/Paris-Deception-Novel-Bryn-Turnbull/dp/0778307662
Synopsis: Sophie Dix fled Stuttgart with her brother as the Nazi regime gained power in Germany. Now, with her brother
gone and her adopted home city of Paris conquered by the Reich, Sophie reluctantly accepts a position restoring damaged
art at the Jeu de Paume museum under the supervision of the ERR -- a Nazi art commission using the museum as a
repository for art they've looted from Jewish families.
Fabienne Brandt was a rising star in the Parisian bohemian arts movement until the Nazis put a stop to so-called
"degenerate" modern art. Still mourning the loss of her firebrand husband, she's resolved to muddle her way through the
occupation in whatever way she can -- until Sophie, her estranged sister-in-law, arrives at her door with a stolen painting in
hand.
Soon the two women embark upon a plan to save Paris's "degenerates", working beneath the noses of Germany's top art
connoisseurs to replace the paintings in the Jeu de Paume with skillful forgeries -- but how long can Sophie and Fabienne
sustain their masterful illusion?
Critique: Fascinating, entertaining, original, deftly crafted with meticulous attention to historical detail, "The Paris
Deception" by Bryn Turnbull will have immense appeal to readers with an interest in World War II themed
suspense/thriller fiction and Women's Friendship novels. While unreservedly recommended for community library
Historical Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Paris Deception" is also available in a
paperback edition (9780778333418, $18.99), in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99), and as a complete and unabridged
audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9780778333418, $41.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Bryn Turnbull (https://www.brynturnbull.com) is also the author of The Woman Before Wallis. With a
master of letters in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews, a master of professional communication from
Toronto Metropolitan University and a bachelor's degree in English literature from McGill University, Bryn focuses on
finding stories of women lost within the cracks of the historical record.
The Literary Fiction Shelf
Suleiman's Ring
Sherif Meleka, author
Raymond Stock, translator
Hoopoe Books
www.hoopoebooks.com
c/o American University in Cairo Press
200 Park Avenue, Suite 1700, New York, NY 10166
www.aucpress.com
9781649032058, $49.95, HC, 308pp
https://www.amazon.com/Suleimans-Ring-Novel-Hoopoe-Fiction/dp/1649032056
Synopsis: In Alexandria, Egypt, and on the eve of the 1952 Free Officers revolution, Dawud (who is a struggling
musician), is summoned with his best friend Sheikh Hassanein to a meeting with Lt. Col. Gamal Abdel Nasser, who seeks
their help as he mobilizes for the revolution.
Dawud lends Nasser an enchanted silver ring for its powers to bring good luck. The revolution succeeds but Dawud soon
grows estranged from his friend Hassanein, who has joined the Muslim Brotherhood, after he suggests that Dawud leave
Egypt since as a Jew he is no longer welcome.
When Hassanein is arrested, however, destiny draws Dawud into a complex web of sexual intrigue and betrayal that
threatens to upend his already precarious existence.
Set against the backdrop of the simmering political tensions of mid-twentieth-century Egypt and the Arab-Israeli wars,
Sherif Meleka's story of fate and fortune transports us to another time and place while peeling back the curtain on events
that still haunt the country to this day.
Can one man or a mere ring alter the events of one's life and the history of a country? Combining elements of magical
realism with momentous history, Suleiman's Ring poses these questions and more in a gripping tale of friendship, identity,
and the fate of a nation.
Critique: Impressively translated into English for an American readership by Raymond Stock, "Suleiman's Ring" by Sherif
Meleka will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in contemporary Jewish/Islamic fiction. Original,
carefully crafted, memorable, "Suleiman's Ring" is a prized and recommended addition to community, college, and
university library Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Suleiman's Ring" is also
readily available in a paperback edition (9781649032041, $18.57, www.amazon.com) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$17.64).
Editorial Note #1: Sherif Meleka was born in 1958 into a Coptic Christian family in Alexandria, Egypt. A trained medical
doctor, he emigrated to the United States in 1984. He is the author of numerous novels, poetry and short story collections
in Arabic. Suleiman's Ring is his English-language debut. He currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Editorial Note #2: Raymond Stock is senior instructor of Arabic at Louisiana State University with a PhD in Near Eastern
Languages and Civilizations from the University of Pennsylvania (2008). A former resident of Cairo (1990-2010), he has
translated seven books and many short stories by Naguib Mahfouz (1911-2006), including Before the Throne, Khufu's
Wisdom, The Coffeehouse (all AUC Press).
Cocktail
Lisa Alward
https://www.lisaalward.com
Biblioasis
www.biblioasis.com
9781771965620, $16.95, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cocktail-Lisa-Alward/dp/1771965622
Synopsis: With the publication of "Cocktails", Canadian author Lisa Alward shares her carefully crated short stories about:
A girl receives a bedtime visit from a drunken party guest, who will haunt her fantasies for years. A young mother
discovers underneath the wallpaper a striking portrait that awakens inconvenient desires. A divorced man distracts himself
from the mess he's made by flirting with a stranger.
These intimate, immersive short stories explore life's watershed moments, in which seemingly insignificant details (a pot
of hyacinths, a freshly painted yellow wall) and the most chance of encounters come to exert a tidal pull.
Set in the swinging sixties and each decade since, the stories comprising "Cocktail" reveals the schism between the lives
we build up around us and our deepest hidden selves.
Critique: Comprised of exception works of literary and emotional precision, "Cocktails" showcases author Lisa Alward's
genuine and imaginative flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that is as engaging as it is memorable.
While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community, college, and university library Contemporary
Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Cocktails" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: The stories by Canadian author Lisa Alward (https://www.lisaalward.com) have won The Fiddlehead Prize
and the Peter Hinchcliffe Short Fiction Award and have appeared in Best Canadian Stories as well as The Journey Prize
Stories. She worked for several years in literary publishing in Toronto.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
Adam's Emporium
Sarah Swatridge
Linford Romance Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444851168, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 264pp
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/adams-emporium-sarah-swatridge/1143546941
Synopsis: Ester Sharp once dreamed of becoming a doctor or dressmaker. But then her husband spent her small fortune
and died young, leaving her penniless and pregnant. Now she lives in the slums, providing for her beloved daughter Polly
by taking in mending and running errands. One such task is visiting Adam Boniface, the handsome pawnbroker, on behalf
of her poor but proud neighbors. The two enjoy each other's company, and a warm relationship of mutual respect develops.
But then a valuable gift gone missing sees Ester arrested on suspicion of theft!
Critique: An original and impressively well crafted novel that will have a special resonance with readers interested in true
romance stories where there are seemingly insurmountable odds against a happy ending, this large print paperback edition
"Adam's Emporium" by novelist Sarah Swatridge from the Linford Romance Library series is especially recommended for
personal reading lists and community library Romance Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: The stories by Sarah Swatridge (https://sarahswatridge.co.uk) have a romantic element, but she's also had
stories published which deal with coming to terms with a miscarriage, depression, bullying in the workplace, adult literacy.
As a novelist, she aims to pull at her reader's emotions, ideally to make them laugh and cry -- but leaving them feeling
good at the end.
Flirting with Fire Mass
Jane Porter
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
www.penguin.com
9780593438428, $8.99, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Flirting-Fire-Jane-Porter/dp/0593438426
Synopsis: Forty-nine-year-old Margot Hughes has lived and breathed theater for the past twenty-five years. After a
devastating breakup with her playwright fiance, she now wants nothing to do with the industry. She has sworn off New
York, theater, actors -- all of it.
She returns to her hometown on California's central coast and takes a job in real estate, where she manages significant
investment properties. But Margot is suddenly thrown back into the theater world when Sally, her friend and boss, who had
been restoring and funding Cambria's historic theater, has a heart attack. Before she knows it, Margot is tapped to take over
the troubled summer production of Barefoot in the Park.
But the play is no walk in the park because the leads and director have all quit, and Margot struggles to find new actors --
until Max Russo arrives.
Forty-five-year-old Max is a former soap opera star turned rugged cowboy on TV's most popular western series. Max has a
huge following and is the perfect hero to step up and save the play, provided Margot stars opposite him.
Although adamant she would never return to theater, Margot enjoys the long hours of rehearsal with a professional like
Max, who is charming, witty, and passionate. But when the curtains close, can Margot allow herself to fall for Max when
he represents everything she left behind?
Critique: Another gem of a women's friendship and contemporary romance novel by a master of the genre, "Flirting With
Fire" by Jane Porter is a fun read from cover to cover and especially recommended for the personal reading lists of her
legions of dedicated fans. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99), "Flirting With Fire" is an
especially recommended pick for community library Contemporary Romance collections.
Editorial Note: Jane Porter (www.janeporter.com) is the author of more than 75 romance and women's fiction titles. She
has been a finalist for the prestigious RITA award six times, with her Tule Publishing novella, Take Me, Cowboy, winning
the Novella Category July 2014. Today, Jane has over 15 million copies in print, including her wildly popular Flirting with
Forty, a novel picked by Redbook Magazine as it's Red Hot Summer Read in 2006 before being turned into a Lifetime
movie in 2008 starring Heather Locklear. In 2021 two of Jane's Taming of the Sheenan romances were turned into original
movies for the Great American Family Network. Jane holds an MA in Writing from the University of San Francisco.
Must Love Flowers
Debbie Macomber
Ballantine Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
www.randomhouse.com
Random House Audio Books
9780593600559, $28.00, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Must-Love-Flowers-Debbie-Macomber/dp/059360055X
Synopsis: Joan Sample is not living the life she expected. Now a widow and an empty-nester, she has become by her own
admission something of a recluse. But after another birthday spent alone, she is finally inclined to listen to her sister, who
has been begging Joan to re-engage with the world. With Emmie's support, Joan gathers the courage to take some
long-awaited steps: hiring someone to tame her overgrown garden, joining a grief support group, and even renting out a
room to a local college student. Before long Joan is starting to feel a little like herself again.
Across town, Maggie Herbert works mornings as a barista, tending to impatient customers before rushing to afternoon
nursing classes. She lives with her alcoholic father, ducking his temperamental outbursts and struggling to pay the
household bills. But her circumstances brighten when she finds a room for rent in Joan's home. In the unexpected warmth
of her new situation, Maggie finds a glimmer of hope for a better life. But will Maggie's budding attraction to one of her
favorite customers ruin the harmony she's only recently found with Joan?
Meanwhile, what is Joan to make of the mysterious landscaper who's been revitalizing her garden -- a man who seems to
harbor a past loss of his own?
As Maggie and Joan confront difficult life choices, they draw strength from this new friendship in surprising ways --
discovering in the process that "found family" is often the very best kind.
Critique: As a novelist, Debbie Macomber has a genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that has
made her one of the most popular authors working today. "Must Love Flowers" is her newest work and a 'must' for the
growing legions of her fans. While unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Romance and
Women's Domestic Life collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Must Love Flowers" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99). Librarians should also be aware that "Must Love Flowers" is also
available for their collections in a large print paperback edition (Random House Large Print (9780593743744, $30.00,
400pp) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Random House Audio, 9780593740071, $40.00, CD).
There's No Coming Back from This
Ann Garvin
Lake Union Publishing
https://amazonpublishing.amazon.com/lake-union-publishing.html
Brilliance Audio
https://audiobookstore.com/publishers/brilliance-audio
9781542033596, $16.99, PB, 303pp
https://www.amazon.com/Theres-No-Coming-Back-This/dp/1542033594
Synopsis: It seems lately that Poppy Lively is invisible to everyone but the IRS.
After her accountant absconded with her life savings, newly bankrupt Poppy is on the verge of losing her home when an
old flame, now a hotshot producer, gives her a surprising way out: a job in costumes on a Hollywood film set.
It's a bold move to pack her bags, keep secrets from her daughter, and head to Los Angeles, but Poppy's a capable person --
and how hard can a job in wardrobe be? It's not like she has a choice; her life couldn't get any worse. Even so, this
midwesterner has a lot to learn about the fast and loose world of movie stars, iconic costumes, and back-lot intrigue.
As a single mom, she's rarely had time for watching movies, she doesn't sew, and she doesn't know a thing about dressing
the biggest names in the business. Floundering and overlooked, Poppy has one ally: Allen Carol, an ill-tempered movie
star taken with Poppy's unfiltered candor and general indifference to stardom.
When Poppy stumbles upon corruption, she relies on everyone underestimating her to discover who's at the center of it, a
revelation that shakes her belief in humanity. What she thought was a way to secure a future for her daughter becomes a
spotlight illuminating the facts: Poppy is out of her league among the divas of Tinseltown.
Poppy must decide whether to keep her mouth shut, as she's always done, or with the help of a scruffy dog, show the
moviemakers that they need her unglamorous ways, whether the superstars like it or not.
Critique: As a novelist, author Ann Garvin has an impressive and genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling
style that will keep readers with an interest in romantic comedy simply riveting from first page to last. A fun read and the
stuff of which Hallmark movies are made, "There's No Coming Back from This" is an exceptional and unreservedly
recommended pick for community library collections. It should be noted that "There's No Coming Back from This" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio,
9781713616313, $19.99, MP3-CD)
Editorial Note: Ann Garvin (www.anngarvin.net) is the author of five funny and sad novels about people who do too
much, in a world that asks too much from them. Ann teaches in the low-residency master of fine arts program at Drexel
University. She is also the founder of the Tall Poppy Writers and is dedicated to helping authors find readers and vice
versa.
Summer in the Spotlight
Liz Johnson
Fleming H. Revell Company
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.revellbooks.com
9780800744625, $29.99, HC, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Spotlight-Prince-Edward-Island/dp/0800744624
Synopsis: Kelsey Ahern has performed at the Victoria Playhouse on Prince Edward Island every summer since she was
seven. But when a hurricane destroys the building, it's not just her memories that are in jeopardy. Her future as a teacher
and drama coach are too. She teams up with Levi Ross, the facilities director at the high school, to produce a benefit show
to raise money to rebuild the theater. He has a reputation for being able to fix anything, and Kelsey is sure there's more to
the quiet man than meets the eye.
For his part, Levi has admired Kelsey for years, but he can't seem to find the words to tell her. When a popular weatherman
arrives in town to cover the aftermath of the hurricane and takes an interest in Kelsey and her show, Levi realizes that the
time has come to speak up -- or lose the heart of the woman he longs for.
Critique: The final book in the 'Prince Edward Island Shores' series by Liz Johnson, "Summer in the Spotlight" will have a
very special appeal to readers with an interest in wholesome contemporary Christian romance novels. The stuff of which
Hallmark movies are made, "Summer in the Spotlight" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for
community library Contemporary Romance collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of Liz Johnson
fans that "Summer in the Spotlight" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9780800737399, $16.99) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Liz Johnson (www.lizjohnsonbooks.com) is the author of more than a dozen novels, including Beyond the
Tides and The Last Way Home, as well as the Georgia Coast Romance and Prince Edward Island Dreams series.
Kiss the Girl
Zoraida Cordova
Hyperion Avenue
c/o Disney Books
https://books.disney.com
9781368053365, $15.99, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Girl-Meant-Zoraida-C%C3%B3rdova/dp/136805336X
Synopsis: Ariel del Mar is one of the most famous singers in the world. She and her sisters (together, known as the band
Siren Seven) have been a pop culture phenomenon since they were kids. On stage, wearing her iconic red wig and sequined
costumes, staring out at a sea of fans, is where she shines. Anyone would think she's the girl who has everything.
But lately, she wants more. Siren Seven is wrapping up their farewell tour, and Ariel can't wait to spend the summer just
living a normal life -- part of a world she's only ever seen from the outside. But her father, the head of Atlantica Records,
has other plans: begin her breakout solo career immediately, starting with a splashy announcement on a morning talk
show.
The night before, Ariel and her sisters sneak out of their Manhattan penthouse for a night of incognito fun at a rock concert
in Brooklyn. It's there that Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes, dreamy lead singer of an up-and-coming band. Unaware of
her true identity, Eric spontaneously invites her on the road for the summer. And for the first time in her life, Ariel
disobeys her father -- and goes with him.
Caught between the world she longs for and the one she's left behind, can Ariel follow her dreams, fall in love, and,
somehow, find her own voice?
Critique: Deftly blending elements of comedy, coming of age, and romance, author Zoralda Cordova once again
demonstrates her natural flair for originality and the kind of narrative driven storytelling skills that keep her readers
fascinated and engaged from first page to last. A thoroughly fun, wholesome, memorable, and uplifting read, "Kiss the
Girl" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library collections. It
should be noted that "Kiss the Girl" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Zoraida Cordova (www.ZoraidaCordova.com) is the author of more than two dozen novels and short
stories, including the Brooklyn Brujas series, Star Wars: The High Republic: Convergence, and The Inheritance of
Orquidea Divina. In addition to writing novels, she serves on the board of We Need Diverse Books, and is the co-editor of
the bestselling anthology Vampires Never Get Old, as well as the co-host of the writing podcast, Deadline City. She writes
romance novels as Zoey Castile.
Finding Us
Tracie Peterson
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764237423, $29.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Pictures-Heart-Tracie-Peterson/dp/076423742X
Synopsis: While taking photographs at an exposition in Seattle in 1909, Camera Girl Eleanor Bennett snaps an image of a
woman in widow's clothes with deep sorrow etched in her expression and a young infant in her arms.
Eleanor longs to study botany at the University of Washington and soon becomes fast friends with botanist Bill Reed, but
she can't stop thinking about the widow in the photograph. She is stunned to learn Bill recognizes the woman as the
sister-in-law he believed lost in a shipwreck.
As Eleanor and Bill hunt for Amelia Reed to reunite her with her grief-stricken husband, they must stand together to face
the danger that follows and learn to trust that God will direct their paths.
Critique: Of particular interest to readers with an affinity for American Historical Romance novels from a Christian
perspective, "Finding Us" showcases author Tracie Peterson's impressive and narrative driven storytelling skills. Original,
entertaining, and with a good many unexpected plot twists and turns, "Finding Us" is a highly recommended pick for
personal reading lists and community library Romance collections. It should be noted that "Finding Us" from Bethany
House Publishers is also available in a paperback edition (9780764237416, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Editorial Note: Tracie Peterson (www.traciepeterson.com) is the author of more than 100 novels, both historical and
contemporary. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement
Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series.
The Roommate Pact
Allison Ashley
Mira Books
www.mirabooks.com
c/o HarperCollins
https://www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9780778334248 $18.99 pbk / $10.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Roommate-Pact-Novel-Allison-Ashley/dp/0778334244
Synopsis: The proposition is simple: if ER nurse Claire Harper and her roommate, firefighter Graham Scott, are still single
by the time they're forty, they'll take the proverbial plunge together -- as friends with benefits.
Maybe it's the wine, but in the moment, Claire figures the pact is a safe-enough deal, considering she hasn't had much luck
in love and he's in no rush to settle down. Like, at all. Besides, there's no way she could ever really fall for Graham and his
thrill-seeking ways. Not after what happened to her father.
Just as things begin to heat up way before the proposed deadline, Graham's injured in a serious rock climbing accident --
and he needs Claire's help to heal. She'll do whatever it takes to nurse him back to health -- even if it means moving in to
Graham's bed and putting up with his little dog, who hates her.
But with this no-strings arrangement taking a complicated turn, keeping "for now" from turning into "forever" isn't as easy
as they'd planned!
Critique: The stuff of which Hallmark Movie Channel romance comedy/dramas are made, "The Roommate Pact" by
novelist Allison Ashley is a fun and funny read from cover to cover. While a choice and original contribution to
community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The
Roommate Pact" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio
book (Blackstone Audio, 9798212657846, $41.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Allison Ashley (https://authorallisonashley.wordpress.com) is a music-loving, coffee-drinking mom of two
who loves love stories. She is also an oncology pharmacist and spends her days focused on helping patients through one of
the hardest things life can throw at them. Her escape has always been books (specifically books about happiness, love, and
laughter) and it was inevitable that she'd eventually write her own. She promises to always write stories with deep
romance, intense connection, and humor -- but most of all, that coveted happy ever after!
Letters of Comfort
Wanda & Brunstetter
Barbour Publishing
1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
www.barbourbooks.com
9781636094878, $16.99, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Comfort-Friendship-2/dp/1636094872
Synopsis: Doretta Schwartz used to be so happy and passed her positive attitude along to friends in several letters she
wrote each month. But that all changed the day she learned of her fiance's death and a heavy weight of depression fell upon
her. Feeling empty, she puts away her letter writing and won't even respond to calls from friends.
William's twin brother, Warren, is also grieving his loss, while at the same time, trying to be supportive to his parents and
Doretta. Doretta responds to Warren's friendship, but is he just becoming a replacement for the once-in-a-lifetime love she
lost?
Critique: "Letters of Comfort" is the second book in author Wanda Brunstetter's outstanding new series 'The Friendship
Letters'. This latest of her deftly crafted and fully entertaining Amish wholesome romance novels "Letters of Comfort" is
very highly recommended and of particular interest for Amish & Mennonite fiction enthusiasts. It should be noted for the
growing legions of Wanda E. Brunstetter fans that "Letters of Comfort" fans that "Letters of Comfort" is also available for
personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99). Librarians should note that there is also a large print edition
of "Letters of Comfort" (Thorndike Press Large Print, 9798885792530, $35.99, Library Binding).
Editorial Note: Wanda Brunstetter (www.WandaBrunstetter.com) is an award-winning romance novelist who has led
millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 100 books with more than 12 million
copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today,
Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her
work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.
And Then There Was You
Nancy Naigle
Griffin
c/o St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/stmartinspress
9781250794178, $18.00, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Then-There-Was-You-Chestnut/dp/125079417X
Synopsis: Reeling after falling prey to a Romeo con-artist who just waltzed away with the better part of her belongings,
Natalie Maynard works closely with the detective assigned to her case, only the few leads have led nowhere.
Detective Randy Fellowes can't promise Natalie restitution, but he's determined to find the culprit and serve up justice.
Married to his work, he's caught off guard when Natalie has his thoughts wandering to more than the case.
Natalie soon seeks refuge in the one thing she still owns -- an old fishing cabin in the mountains of Chestnut Ridge. She
quickly falls in love with the town and the eccentric people who are teaching her so much about the area and its
heritage.
Through these people, and the determination of Detective Fellowes, she rediscovers her courage, self, and a reason to risk
love again.
Critique: A deftly crafted contemporary romance novel that will have a special appeal to fans of the 'happy ever after' style
of clean and wholesome romance stories, "And Then There Was You" launches novelist Nancy Naigle's new 'Chestnut
Ridge' romance series. The kind of story that Hallmark Channel movies are made (literally!), "And Then There Was You"
is a particularly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance Fiction
collections. It should be noted that "And Then There Was You" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$11.99).
Editorial Note: Nancy Naigle (https://nancynaigle.allauthor.com) writes small-town love stories with a whole lot of heart.
Several of her published novels have been made into Hallmark movies, and most recently The Shell Collector was adapted
as the first Fox original movie to stream on Fox Nation.
The Western Fiction Shelf
Adios, Bandido
E. Jefferson Clay
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444850246, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 234pp
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/adios-bandido-e-jefferson-clay/1136785767
Synopsis: In "Aidos, Bandido" by Jefferson Clay, both Brazos and Benedict are still searching for Bo Rangle, the outlaw
who'd killed most of their comrades in the war and stolen a fortune in gold. But the West is a big place, and Rangle could
be anywhere. Then they chance upon the best lead they've had in months. The only trouble is that Race Sackett, the man
who can take them right to their quarry, is behind bars and facing the noose. There's only one thing to do - bust out the
outlaw and force him to lead them to Rangle's lair!
Critique: The third volume in author E. Jefferson Clay's western series starring two unlikely and seemingly mismatched
partners in a quest for vengeance and looted gold from the Civil War, this large print paperback edition of "Aidos
Bandido" from the Linford Western Library series is a 'must' for the dedicated fans of Brazos and Benedict. A fun read
from cover to cover, "Aidos Bandido" is especially recommended for community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: E. Jefferson Clay (https://www.fantasticfiction.com/c/e-jefferson-clay) is one of the many pseudonyms for
legendary Australian author, comic book writer and illustrator, Paul Wheelahan.
The Man With No Past
Pete B. Jenkins
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444850345, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 246pp
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-man-with-no-past-pete-b-jenkins/1136785768
Synopsis: In the wilds of Arizona, a man wakes up with a nasty head wound and amnesia. Unaware of who or where he is,
all he has to go on is the name inscribed in a bible, found in the saddlebags of a lame horse grazing nearby: Zachariah
Thompson. Believing this to be him, Zach carries on his way, eventually collapsing and being found unconscious by Jeff
Fawcett and his daughter Emily, who nurse him back to health. When their ranch is attacked by Apaches, Jeff is killed,
leaving Zach and Emily to flee for their lives. But Zach begins to question his identity when he is mistaken for a notorious
outlaw.
Critique: Original, entertaining, memorable, "The Man With No Past" by western novelist Pete B. Jenkins is a riveting read
from cover to cover and this large print paperback edition (part of the 'Linford Western Library' series) will prove to be a
welcome addition to both the personal reading lists of dedicated western buffs and community library Western Fiction
collections.
Editorial Note: There is a lengthy listing of the western and other novels of Pete B. Jenkins at
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10911451.Pete_B_Jenkins
Gun Law At Lost Bucket
Colin Bainbridge
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444850109, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 228pp
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gun-law-at-lost-bucket-colin-bainbridge/1136775910
Synopsis: A quiet life is the only thing Dane Cleadon wants, but it seems he can't escape his past reputation as a gunfighter
and town-tamer. When he is called out by young Tim Ryland, he does his best to avoid trouble, but to no avail. After
Ryland dies accidentally by his own gun, his father, local rancher Cass Ryland, wants revenge. Hoping to avert further
bloodshed, Cleadon leaves town, accompanied by his friend Cayuse. They are pursued by Ryland and his gang into the
hills, where they stumble upon a ghost town by the name of Lost Bucket. And things just keep getting more and more
dangerous!
Critique: A riveting and fun read with more unexpected plot twists and turns than an Oklahoma tornado, this large print
paperback edition of author Colin Bainbridge's "Gun Law At Lost Bucket" from the 'Linford Western Library' series is a
'must' for any and all dedicated western fans, and a very highly recommended pick for community library Western Fiction
collections.
Editorial Note: For fans of western novelist Colin Bainbridge, it should be noted that there is an extensive listing of his
books at https://www.fictiondb.com/author/colin-bainbridge~72205.htm
Greenville Raiders
Alex Frew
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444850222, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 252pp
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/greenville-raiders-alex-frew/1136785789
Synopsis: While Sheriff Flint is out of town, bandits strike Greenville Bank. Only they have come at the wrong time and
do not get the haul they expected, instead leaving behind a trail of destruction. On Flint's return, he is faced with a deadly
situation. When a beautiful woman and her elderly father get involved, Flint thinks at first that they are a liability,
especially when he discovers that he has to lead a posse into the dangerous borderlands between Greenville and Mexico.
And then, to make matters even more complicated (and dangerous!) his deputy becomes embroiled in a fight to save a gold
consignment on its way to town.
Critique: The stuff of which movies were made with the likes of John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Randolph Scott, and Jimmy
Stewart, "Greenville Raiders" by Alex Frew, this large print paperback edition is a compulsive page turner of a read from
cover to cover and guaranteed welcome addition to the personal reading lists of western fans and community library
Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: An extensive listing of the western novels by Alex Frew is readily available at
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/8103933.Alex_Frew
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Read to Death at the Lakeside Library
Holy Danvers
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Dreamscape Media
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781639103317, $29.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Read-Death-Lakeside-Library-Mystery/dp/1639103317
Synopsis: Summer is in full swing as tourists flock back to the Northwoods and travel to Lofty Pines, Wisconsin. For Rain
Wilmot, owner of the Lakeside Library, this is the perfect opportunity to bring back her mother's summer book club. But
the summer sun starts to really heat up when one of the club's members, Lily Redlin, is found dead in her own home not
long after the first meeting.
Alongside her sidekick and neighbor Julia Reynolds and the charming Jace Lowe, Rain discovers that the murder is
seemingly inspired by the book the club recently discussed Agatha Christie's classic mystery novel Sparkling Cyanide. But
who would kill Lily, and more importantly, why?
The deeper Rain dives into the story, the more confusing and complicated the plot becomes. Was Lily murdered to cover
up a tragic accident that occurred years ago involving an old classmate? Or were the rumors true -- did Lily really possess a
priceless original Laura Ingles Wilder manuscript and someone killed her for it? And what about the mysterious letter Lily
received just before her death from a supposed long-lost relative? Was it a hoax?
With a long list of suspects and motives, Rain realizes that all leads come back to people involved in the book club. Rain
and her friends take a page from Agatha Christie's book by hosting a reenactment of the club's first meeting to flush out the
killer. Will Rain's plan succeed -- or will this librarian's book be checked out for good?
Critique: Amateur female sleuth and friend trying to solve a too close to home murder mystery, "Read to Death at the
Lakeside Library" has all the elements of a great cozy mystery. An original and fun read from cover to cover, The third in
author Holly Danvers' 'Lakeside Library Mystery' series, "Read to Death at the Lakeside Library" is especially and
unreservedly recommended as a welcome and popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should
be noted for the personal reading lists of the growing legions of Holly Danvers fans that "Read to Death at the Lakeside
Library" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book
(Dreamscape Media, 9781666642797, $22.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Holly Danvers grew up devouring every mystery novel on the shelf of her local library. A successful and
accomplished author in her own right now, she maintains a website at https://www.authorhollyquinn.com
The Body in the Back Garden
Mark Waddell
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639104406, $29.99, HC, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Body-Back-Garden-Crescent-Mystery/dp/1639104402
Synopsis: Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island, is the last place out-of-work investigative journalist Luke
Tremblay ever wanted to see again. He used to spend summers here, until his family learned that he was gay and rejected
him. Now, following his aunt's sudden death, he's inherited her entire estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques
shop she ran for forty years in Crescent Cove. Luke plans to sell everything and head back to Toronto as soon as he can --
but Crescent Cove isn't done with him just yet.
When a stranger starts making wild claims about Luke's aunt, Luke sends him packing. The next morning, though, Luke
discovers that the stranger has returned, and now he's lying dead in the back garden. To make matters worse, the officer
leading the investigation is a handsome Mountie with a chip on his shoulder who seems convinced that Luke is the culprit.
If he wants to prove his innocence and leave this town once and for all, Luke will have to use all his skills as a journalist to
investigate the colorful locals while coming to terms with his own painful past.
There are secrets buried in Crescent Cove, and the more Luke digs, the more he fears they might change the town
forever.
Critique: The first novel launching author Mark Wadell's new 'Crescent Cover Mystery' series, "The Body in the Back
Garden" will hold a special appeal to readers with an interest in LGBTQ amateur sleuths trying to clear themselves of as a
murder suspect. An original, exceptionally well written and simply fun read from first page to last, "The Body in the Back
Garden" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.
It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated 'whodunnit' mystery buffs that "The Body in the Back Garden"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Mark Waddell (https://markwaddellbooks.com) is a recovering academic with a PhD in the history of
science, medicine, and technology from Johns Hopkins University. After publishing two books and grading countless
student essays, he left the exciting life of a humanities professor in search of greener pastures. He now lives on Vancouver
Island with his husband and their two dogs and spends most of his time writing stories about murderous Canadians.
A Clue in the Crumbs
Lucy Burdette
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Dreamscape Media
9781639104307, $28.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Clue-Crumbs-West-Critic-Mystery/dp/1639104305
Synopsis: Food critic Hayley Snow and her pal Miss Gloria are overjoyed to welcome Violet and Bettina Booth, aka the
Scottish Scone Sisters, to Key West. The sisters will host The UK Bakes! -- Key West Edition. But the same day they
arrive, the bed-and-breakfast the sisters are staying in gets torched.
The contest begins the next morning featuring three local bakers. One is the inn owner's wife, Rayna, who is not only the
most talented chef of the group but now a person of interest in the fire. The next night, a dogwalker discovers a body near
the bed-and-breakfast. The victim appears to be Rayna's husband, and the murder weapon points directly to the Scottish
Scone Sisters.
But the show must go on. In between filming sessions, the three elderly ladies and Hayley must search for clues to the
brutal murder in order to find out who wants to force them out of the kitchen. But as they draw closer to the answer, the
threats from a murderer grow closer too. Are they now in danger of getting baked off?
Critique: An amateur female sleuth and friends, a puzzling murder mystery, a wealth of unexpected plot twists and turns,
and featuring everything else a dedicated cozy mystery fan could want, "A Clue in the Crumbs" is that newest and highly
recommended addition to the highly popular 'Key West Food Critic Mystery' series by novelist Lucy Burdette. While a
welcome pick for community library Mystery/Suspense & Cozy Mystery collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "A Clue in the Crumbs" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete an
unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media, 9781666642780, $22.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Lucy Burdette (https://lucyburdette.com) is the author of twenty-two mysteries, Her books and stories have
been short-listed for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. She is also a past president of Sisters in Crime and currently
serving as president of the Friends of the Key West Library.
Fire Scars
John B. Wright
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166, Reno, NV, 89557-0166
www.unpress.nevada.edu
9781647790967, $22.00, PB, 360pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Scars-John-B-Wright/dp/1647790964
Synopsis: Matt Solberg is charged with discovering who is lighting fires in the forests that surround Missoula, Montana. A
geographer with a deep personal need to bring people out of danger, Matt leads a search and rescue team whose job is to
head directly into the mouth of hell, hiking into blazing backcountry to find missing residents. Matt and his team not only
rely on their hard-won knowledge of Montana's wild landscape, but also on Matt's mentor, Dr. Bill Knight, a fire ecologist
who understands the burning beast better than anyone.
When a suspicious fire destroys the mansion of a movie star, Matt must hike in to find his missing daughter and save her
from the chaos. Then fires begin to explode everywhere as climate change drives temperatures over 100 degrees and rain
refuses to fall, threatening thousands of homes.
Who is setting these fires? Is it the Montana Tree Monkeys, an eco-radical group determined to scare off the newcomers?
Or is it a retired smokejumper with an axe to grind about the encroaching mansions? Could it be Paladin, a shadowy figure
leaving strange clues around the state? It's Matt's mission to find answers to these questions during a summer of heat,
smoke, and unimaginable loss.
Critique: All the more impressive when realizing that his environmental mystery, "Fire Scars", is John B. Wright's debut as
a novelist, his ability to deftly weave together elements of a compelling drama with accurate and intriguing elements of fire
science, "Fire Scars" reveals the physical and psychological wounds that we inevitably will acquire experiencing the
realities of our lives -- and yet, the power we have to overcome them given time, courage, and character. Original,
entertaining, memorable, "Fire Scars" will prove a welcome pick for personal reading lists and community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted that "Fire Scars" is also available from the University of
Nevada Press in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: John B. Wright is a geographer, conservationist, and author. He earned his PhD in geography from
UC-Berkeley. His work focuses on lessening the collisions between culture and nature.
(https://unpress.nevada.edu/9781647790967/fire-scars)
Golden Age Bibliomysteries
Otto Penzler, editor
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
c/o W.W. Norton (distribution)
https://wwnorton.com
9781613164204, $27.95, HC, 480pp
https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Age-Bibliomysteries-Otto-Penzler/dp/1613164203
Synopsis: Of crime fiction's many sub-genres, none is so reflexive and so intriguing as the "bibliomystery" -- stories that
involve crimes set, somehow, in the world of books.
For example, in Vincent Starrett's "A Volume of Poe," a bookseller is murdered; in Ellery Queen's "The Adventure of the
Three R's," the detective tracks the disappearance of a local Missouri author; and a killer stalks the stacks of the New York
Public Library in Robert L. Blochman's "Death Walks in Marble Halls."
With fourteen tales of bibliophilic transgression from the Golden Age of the mystery genre (the decades between the two
World Wars), "Golden Age Bibliomysteries" is a uniquely specialized volume that presents stories guaranteed to entertain,
featuring work from well-remembered authors such as Cornell Woolrich and Anthony Boucher and from those that are
lesser-known today, such as Carolyn Wells and James Gould Cozzens.
Critique: With the publication of "Golden Age Bibliomysteries", Edgar Award-winning anthologist, editor, bookseller, and
mystery scholar Otto Penzler has focused extensively on the history of the bibliomystery, and his expertise shines in this
thoroughly enjoyable collection, not only in the selection of stories he has compiled and edited, but also in the informative
and illuminating introductions that accompany each individual story. Bringing to the attention of a new general of mystery
buffs some truly 'time lost treasures', "Golden Age Bibliomysteries" is a praiseworthy and absolutely recommended pick
for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of the legions of
amateur sleuth and traditional detective fans that "Golden Age Bibliomysteries" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781613164211, $17.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.49).
Editorial Note: Otto Penzler (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Penzler) is the creator of American Mystery Classics. He
is also the founder of The Mysterious Press (1975); MysteriousPress.com (2011), an electronic-book publishing company;
and New York City's Mysterious Bookshop (1979). He has won a Raven, the Ellery Queen Award, two Edgars (for the
Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection, 1977, and The Lineup, 2010), and lifetime achievement awards from NoirCon and
The Strand Magazine. He has edited more than 70 anthologies and written extensively about mystery fiction.
The Birthday Murder
Lange Lewis
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
c/o W.W. Norton (distribution)
https://wwnorton.com
9781613164310, $25.95, HC, 264pp
https://www.amazon.com/Birthday-Murder-Lange-Lewis/dp/1613164319
Synopsis: A successful writer and a B-movie director seem like the perfect match in the Hollywood hills, and with him
working to produce her novel for an upcoming film, the pair's recent marriage isn't the only way that they're connected. But
when the husband is found murdered on the wife's birthday, using a method of poisoning that was described in one of her
books, Victoria suddenly becomes the main suspect as her new happy life comes crashing down around her.
The case appears straightforward from the outside, but the LAPD investigator on the scene finds the truth to be anything
but. Though all the signs point to Victoria, there's no motive to be found. Now, to solve the mystery of this 'whodunnit', he
will have to dig beneath the veneer of the household and reveal its inner workings, and to understand the deadly drama that
unfolded just beneath the surface.
Critique: A time lost treasure now reprinted for the first time in over half a century, "The Birthday Murder" by the late
novelist Lange Lewis is a beautifully written and psychologically astute Golden Age mystery set in old Los Angeles.
Especially recommended for readers with an interest in traditional police procedural detective mysteries featuring amateur
sleuths teaming up with professional investigators, "The Birthday Murder" is a fun read from cover to cover. While highly
recommended for personal and community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that "The Birthday
Murder" is also available in a paperback edition (9781613164327, $15.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$11.99).
Editorial Note: Lange Lewis was the pseudonym of Los Angeles-based writer Jane Lewis Brandt (1915-2003). She also
wrote as Jane Beynon and under her own name.
A Troubling Tail
Laurie Cass
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin/Random House
https://www.penguin.com
9780593547427, $8.99, PB, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Troubling-Tail-Bookmobile-Cat-Mystery/dp/059354742X
Synopsis: The charming town of Chilson, Michigan, is beautiful in the spring, and the bookmobile is delivering great reads
far and wide on one of the first warm days of the year. But a chill sweeps through when they discover that one of their
favorite patrons, the owner of Henika's Candy Emporium, has been found murdered. Although Minnie can't understand
who could have had a motive to murder such a kind man, she decides that the sticky problem isn't hers to solve.
However, when rumors start flying around town and the police have no leads, Minnie decides to throw her investigative
hat into the ring. The more Minnie investigates, the less certain she is that the victim's past is as wholesome as his
reputation. But Minnie has plenty of experience unearthing inconvenient truths, and she and Eddie won't rest until they
determine how the victim met his bitter end.
Critique: A master of the cozy mystery genre, "Laurie Cass" has a published a new 'Bookmobile Cat Mystery' for her
legions of fans. "A Troubling Tail" features all the elements of a cozy animal murder mystery to be (hopefully!) solved by
an amateur female sleuth and friends. A carefully crafted and thoroughly fun read, "A Troubling Tail" is also available for
personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99) and enthusiastically recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Laurie Cass (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/laurie-cass) grew up in Michigan and graduated from
college in the 80's with a (mostly unused) degree in geology. She turned to writing in the late nineties. After a number of
years in management, she felt the need to move on and took a job with fewer responsibilities. A month later, she was dead
bored and began to consider writing as a way to wake up her brain. She started reading a lot of books on writing and
happened across a particular sentence: "What's it going to be, reasons or results?"
The phrase practically stuck her in the eye. She printed it out, framed it, and put it next to her computer. "Reasons or
results?" At the end of her life, was she going to have a pile of reasons for not having done anything? Or was she going to
sit down and write a book? Once she started looking at it that way, the decision was easy. A short 13 years later, her first
book was published. She also write the PTA Mysteries under the name Laura Alden.
A Deadly Dedication
Margaret Loudon
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin/Random House
https://www.penguin.com
9780593547175, $8.99, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Dedication-Open-Book-Mysteries/dp/0593547179
Synopsis: Penelope Parish thought she'd turned the page on her amateur sleuthing days but when the owner of Upper
Chumley-on-Stokes' proposed first high-end gourmet shop is poisoned, the American novelist starts to wonder if she and
her quaint British town are in for another rewrite.
It turns out that not everyone was a fan of Simeon Foster's farm-sourced charcuterie and imported pastries -- in fact, many
of the locals were outraged by the potential new competition.
With a full menu of suspects on her hands, this just might be Penelope's toughest case yet. Luckily, her friends at the Open
Book are there to help with every twist of the poisoned pen.
Critique: Another carefully crafted and thoroughly entertaining cozy 'whodunnit' mystery featuring an amateur female
sleuth and friends, "A Deadly Dedication" is the latest addition to novelist Margaret Loudon's 'The Open Book Mystery'
series. With a special interest to fans of cozy mysteries set in the literary community and local bookstore, "A Deadly
Dedication" is a riveting read from cover to cover and a welcome pick for personal reading lists and community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that "A Deadly Dedication" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Margaret Loudon is author of the Farmer's Daughter Mysteries, the Cranberry Cove Mysteries, and the
Gourmet De-Lite Mysteries, written under the name Peg Cochran. She also wrote the Sweet Nothings Lingerie Mysteries
under the name Meg London.
Honey Drop Dead
Laura Childs
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin/Random House
https://www.penguin.com
9780593200957, $28.00, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Honey-Drop-Dead-Shop-Mystery/dp/0593200950
Synopsis: Theodosia's Honey Bee Tea was an elegant affair set in Charleston's new Petigru Park amid newly planted native
grasses and a community beekeeping project. But when a phony beekeeper shows up and sprays toxic smoke at the guests,
the party erupts in chaos. Worse yet, a shot rings out and Osgood Claxton III, candidate for state legislature, falls to the
ground -- dead.
Holly Burns, the gallery owner who asked Theodosia to cater the tea, is understandably heartbroken. A man is dead, her
guests are angry and injured, and the paintings that were on display are left in tatters. When the police don't seem to have a
clue, when old-line politicos don't want questions asked, Holly begs Theodosia to run a shadow investigation and help
restore her gallery's good name.
Between hosting a Wind in the Willows Tea and a Glam Girl Tea, Theodosia questions everyone that had a bone to pick
with Claxton. This includes Booker, an angry outsider artist; Lamar Lucket, Claxton's political opponent; and Mignon
Merriweather, the dead man's soon-to-be ex-wife. But the investigation becomes a political hot potato following a second
murder, the revelation of a messy affair, a chase through a swamp, and a vandalized shop.
Critique: Amateur female sleuthing, murder mystery solving, "Honey Drop Dead" by esteemed novelist Laura Childs has
every thing a cozy mystery fan could want. A fun read from cover to cover, "Honey Drop Dead" will prove to be an
immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists for all dedicated cozy mystery readers that "Honey Drop Dead" is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Laura Childs (https://www.facebook.com/laurachildsauthor) is the author of the Tea Shop Mysteries,
Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own
marketing firm and authored several screenplays. Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller.
Hot Pot Murder
Jennifer J. Chow
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin/Random House
https://www.penguin.com
9780593336557, $8.99, PB, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Pot-Murder-Night-Market/dp/0593336550
Synopsis: Yale and Celine Yee's food stall business is going so well that the two cousins have been invited to join an
exclusive dinner with the local restaurant owners association. The members gather together for a relaxing hot pot feast --
until Jeffery Vue, president of the group, receives a literal shock to his system and dies.
Everyone at the meal is a suspect, but the authorities are homing in on family friend Ai Ho, owner of the restaurant where
Jeffery was killed -- and Yale's dad is a close second on their list!
Yale and Celine must step up to the plate and investigate the dinner attendees: the association's ambitious VP, a familiar
frenemy, a ramen king, a snacks shopkeeper, and a second-generation restaurateur. It's up to the detecting duo to figure out
what really happened before their friends and family have to close their businesses for good.
Critique: The sequel of "Death by Bubble Tea" in author Jennifer J. Chow's 'L.A. Night Market' mystery series, "Hot Pot
Murder" continues to showcase her impressive storytelling talents and her genuine flair for originality and ability to create
memorable characters and a plot involving more plot twists and turns than a Disney Land roller coaster. Of special note is
that this culinary cozy mystery also features recipes! While highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense
collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery fans that "Hot Pot Murder" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Jennifer J. Chow (https://jenniferjchow.com) is the Lefty Award-nominated author of the Sassy Cat
Mysteries and the L.A. Night Market Mysteries. The first in the Sassy Cat series, Mimi Lee Gets A Clue, was selected as
an Overdrive Recommended Read; a PopSugar Best Summer Beach Read; and one of BuzzFeed's Top 5 Books by AAPI
authors. She currently serves as vice president on the national board of Sisters in Crime and is an active member of Crime
Writers of Color and Mystery Writers of America.
Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Defiance
Brian Freeman
G. P. Putnam's Sons
c/o Penguin Group
www.penguin.com
9780593419885, $29.00, HC, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Ludlums-Bourne-Defiance-Jason/dp/059341988X
Synopsis: From the glacial waters of Alaska to a sexy nightclub in the Bahamas, Treadstone agents are being hunted down
and murdered. Someone high up in the U.S. government will stop at nothing to cover up a secret Treadstone mission from
the past known as Defiance.
With a team of killers hot on his trail, Jason Bourne chases the mystery of Defiance around the world. But as he closes in
on the shocking truth, Bourne realizes that one man holds the key - his archenemy, the assassin known as Lennon. The
Russian hitman has been at the heart of Defiance from the very beginning, and his next target will put Bourne (and the
woman he loves) in the cross-hairs.
As Bourne races to stop the ruthless conspiracy behind Defiance, he must come face to face with Lennon one last time --
and the stage is set for a final violent showdown.
Critique: Keeping full faith and allegiance to the Jason Bourne novels originally created by the literary storytelling talents
of the late Robert Ludlum, this new addition to the Jason Bourne series, "Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Defiance" by the
impressively accomplished novelist Brian Freeman is an especially appealing and entertaining novel that can be
unreservedly recommended for the legions of Robert Ludlum (and Jason Bourne) dedicated fans. A fun read with all
manner of unexpected plot twists and turns, "Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Defiance" is an ideal and enduringly popular
pick for community library Espionage, Terrorism, and Political Thriller collections. It should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Defiance" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note #1: Brian Freeman (https://bfreemanbooks.com) is the author of more than twenty thrillers, including the
Jonathan Stride series and three previous Jason Bourne novels, Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Evolution, Robert Ludlum's
The Bourne Treachery, and Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Sacrifice. His stand-alone novel The Deep, Deep Snow was an
Edgar Award finalist and New York Times bestseller, and his novel Spilled Blood won the ITW Thriller Award for Best
Hardcover Novel.
Editorial Note #2: Robert Ludlum (May 25, 1927 - March 12, 2001) was the author of twenty-seven novels, each one a
New York Times bestseller. There are more than 225 million of his books in print, and they have been translated into
thirty-two languages. He is the author of The Scarlatti Inheritance, The Chancellor Manuscript, and the Jason Bourne
series--The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum--among others.
Scaredy Cat
Sofie Ryan
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
www.penguin.com
9780593201992, $8.99, PB, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Scaredy-Cat-Second-Chance-Mystery/dp/059320199X
Synopsis: After a long, cold, and snowy winter, it seems as though spring may be arriving early in Maine. Sarah Grayson is
busy at her store, Second Chance, and she's looking forward to an afternoon break from the hustle and bustle, tagging
along to the North Harbor Spring House Tour with her friend Detective Michelle Andrews.
But it turns out one of the houses has a haunted history, and when a ghost hunter is found dead on the premises, Sarah
knows the best way to uncover the killer and to solve the mystery is by investigating the not-so-dearly departed. With help
from Elvis and Charlotte's Angels, the crew of senior citizen private detectives who work out of the store, she'll close the
case on this creepy crime.
Critique: Cozy mystery writing at its very best, "Scaredy Cat" by Sofie Ryan is and original, deftly crafted, and just plain
fun read for the fans of the genre. While also available for the personal reading lists of dedicated 'whodunnit' fans in a
digital book format (Kindle, $8.99), the mass market paperback edition is a highly recommended pick for community
library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Sofie Ryan (https://sofiekelly.com) is the author of the Second Chance Cat Mysteries. She also writes the
New York Times Magical Cats Mysteries under the name Sofie Kelly.
A Questionable Character
Lorna Barrett
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
www.penguin.com
9780593549414, $28.00, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Questionable-Character-Booktown-Mystery/dp/0593549414
Synopsis: It's a busy summer in Booktown. Contractor Jim Stark is in great demand: he's overseeing a number of projects,
including Angelica Miles's newly constructed building on Main Street, finishing up the new brew pub, and gutting a stone
mansion off Main Street that Angelica bought to be the world headquarters for Nigela Ricita Associates. It will house
office space where her marketing staff and the rest of the NR Associates clerical personnel will work.
Tricia Miles and Angelica arrive at the mansion before their workday to see how the construction is going. They find the
place unlocked and Stark's right-hand man, Sanjay Arya, having been bludgeoned to death. The loss of the contractor's top
man threatens all the projects in the works, which would effectively ruin the expensive marketing plan that the Chamber of
Commerce has been working. Is Jim a suspect? (He'd be stupid to kill the person he depends on to keep the projects
going.) But Stark also thinks his wife, who was very chummy with Sanjay, might have been cheating on him with the
second-in-command, making him a likely suspect.
Once again Tricia finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, but can she find the killer before he or she has the
chance to bring the hammer down?
Critique: If you like memorable murder mysteries being solved by female amateur sleuths and cozy animal mysteries, then
put "A Questionable Character" by cozy mystery novelist Lorna Barrett at the top of your reading list. While also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), "A Questionable Character" will prove to be an immediately welcome and
enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Lorna Barrett (https://lornabarrett.com) is the author of the Booktown Mystery series. She is a
multi-published, Agatha-nominated author who penned the Jeff Resnick Mysteries, as well as the acclaimed Victoria
Square Mystery series -- and has many short stories and novellas to her name (and pseudonyms).
Saving Myles
Carol Vonderau
Oceanview Publishing
1620 Main Street, Suite 11, Sarasota, FL 34236
www.oceanviewpub.com
9781608095582, $27.95, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Myles-Carl-Vonderau/dp/1608095584
Synopsis: Wade, a respected banker in La Jolla, CA, and his estranged wife, Fiona, make the unbearable decision to send
their teenage son, Myles, away to an expensive treatment center after a streak of harmful behavior. After a year of
treatment, Myles comes home, seemingly rehabilitated. But soon, he sneaks off to Tijuana to buy drugs -- and is
kidnapped.
When the ransom call comes, Fiona is frantic and accepts help from Andre, the Quebecois whose charity Fiona runs. Wade
is wary of Andre's reputation and the bank he owns, but seeing no other way to secure a kidnap negotiator or the ransom,
he swallows his doubts to get his son home.
In order to get the ransom money, Wade makes a deal with Andre -- he'll work for Andre's bank in exchange for the cash.
But as Wade races to rescue Myles before his kidnappers lose their patience, he realizes he's wrapped up in more crime
than just a kidnapping -- he's now indebted to a cartel.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from first page to last, "Saving Myles" by Carl Vonderau is
crime thriller fiction at its very best. Especially recommended for readers with an interest in novels featuring an amateur
sleuth, criminal cartels, and more plot twists and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster, "Saving Myles" will prove an
immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Saving Myles" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49).
Editorial Note: Carl Vonderau (https://carlvonderau.com) is a former banker and anti-money laundering specialist turned
crime fiction writer. A graduate of Stanford University, Carl has lived and worked in Latin America, Canada, and North
Africa. His debut thriller, Murderabilia, won the Best Debut Mystery award from Left Coast Crime and the San Diego
Book award for Best Mystery.
Maeve Fly
C. J. Leede
Tor Nightfire
c/o Tor/Forge Books
www.tor-forge.com
9781250857859, $26.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Maeve-Fly-CJ-Leede/dp/1250857856
Synopsis: By day, Maeve Fly works at the happiest place in the world as every child's favorite ice princess. But by the neon
night glow of the Sunset Strip, Maeve haunts the dive bars with a drink in one hand and a book in the other -- imitating her
misanthropic literary heroes.
But when Gideon Green (her best friend's brother) moves to town, he awakens something dangerous within her, and the
world she knows suddenly shifts beneath her feet.
Untethered, Maeve ditches her discontented act and tries on a new persona. A bolder, bloodier one, inspired by the pages
of American Psycho -- and its Maeve's turn with the knife.
Critique: All the more impressive when considering that "Maeve Fly" is author C. J. Leede's debut as a novelist, this
original, deftly crafted, and hauntingly memorable suspense thriller of a read is both (as accurately described by others) a
'blood-soaked love letter to Los Angeles and a gleeful send-up to iconic horror villain"s. While an appropriate pick for
community library Mystery/Suspense and Crime/Horror collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists for
fans of satirical fiction, crime novels, and psychological thrillers that "Maeve Fly" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: CJ Leede (https://us.macmillan.com/author/cjleede) is a horror writer who has an MFA in Creative Writing
from Columbia University, and a BA from NYU's Gallatin School, where she studied Mythology and the Middle Ages. In
addition to "Maeve Fly", CJ has two more horror novels scheduled for publishing from Tor Nightfire.
Robert B. Parker's Bad Influence
Alison Gaylin
G. P. Putnam's Sons
c/o Penguin Group
www.penguin.com
9780593540527, $29.00, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Parkers-Influence-Sunny-Randall/dp/0593540522
Synopsis: Sunny Randall's newest client, Blake, seems to have it all: he is an Instagram influencer, with all the perks the
lifestyle entails -- a beautiful girlfriend, wealth, and adoring fans.
But one of those fans has turned ugly, and Sunny is brought on board by Blake's manager, Bethany, to protect him and to
uncover who is out to kill him. In doing so, she investigates a glamorous world rife with lies and schemes -- and ties to a
dangerous criminal scene.
When Bethany goes missing and the threats against Blake escalate, Sunny realizes that in order to solve this case, she has
to find out exactly who Blake and Bethany are, behind the Instagram filters.
But while digging into their pasts, she is also forced to confront her own, as old friends (and ex-husbands) reappear. With a
combination of old-school crime-solving skills and modern internet savvy, Sunny must stop at nothing to catch a
killer.
Critique: Another superbly crafted suspense thriller of a read by the gifted novelist Alison Gaylin, "Robert P. Parker's Bad
Influence" is a fun read that will of special interest to fans of Private Eye murder mysteries. While very highly
recommended, especially for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Robert P. Parker's Bad Influence" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) and
as a complete and unabridged audio book (Random House Audio, 9780593672303, $35.00, CD).
Editorial Note: Alison Gaylin (https://www.alisongaylin.com) is an author whose novels have won the Edgar and Shamus
awards. Her work has been published in numerous countries and has been nominated for numerous awards, including the
Macavity, Anthony, ITW Thriller and Strand Book Award.
Urgent Matters
Paula Rodriguez, author
Sarah Moses, translator
Pushkin Vertigo
c/o Pushkin Press
www.pushkinpress.com
9781782278153, $14.95, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Urgent-Matters-Pushkin-Vertigo-RODRIGUEZ/dp/178227815X
Synopsis: A train crashes in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, leaving forty-three fatalities, two of which have not been
identified. A prayer card of Saint Expeditus, the patron saint of urgent matters, flutters above the wreckage.
Hugo, a criminal on the run for murder, is on the train. He seizes his chance to sneak out of the wreckage unsuspected,
abandoning his possessions (and, he hopes, his identity) among bodies mangled beyond recognition.
As the police descend on the scene, only grizzled Detective Dominguez sees a link between the crash and his murder case.
Soon, he's on Hugo's tail. But he hasn't banked on everything from the media to his mother-in-law getting in the way.
Critique: An impressively crafted and original suspense thriller, and a compulsive page turner of a read from start to finish,
"Urgent Matters" by Argentinian novelist Paula Rodriguez is ably translated into English for an American readership by
Sarah Moses. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99), "Urgent Matters" is
an unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and academic library Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, and
International Mystery Suspense/Thriller collections.
Editorial Note #1: Paula Rodriguez (https://pushkinpress.com/our-authors/paula-rodriguez) is a journalist, editor,
co-founder, writer, comedian, ghostwriter, and feminist activist. She has worked for twenty-five years in magazine
editorial. Urgent Matters is her first novel.
Editorial Note #2: Sarah Moses (https://www.attlc-ltac.org/en/translator/sarah-moses-en) is a writer and translator of
French and Spanish. She co-translated Sos una sola persona by Stuart Ross and Die, My Love by Ariana Harwicz, which
was longlisted for the International Booker Prize, among other awards. Her translation of Agustina Bazterrica's Tender Is
the Flesh was originated by Pushkin Press in 2020. Sarah divides her time between Buenos Aires and Toronto.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Ravening Deep
Tim Pratt
Aconyte Books
https://aconytebooks.com
c/o Simon & Schuster
https://www.simonandschuster.com
9781839082412, $16.95, PB, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Ravening-Deep-Arkham-Horror-Novel/dp/1839082410
Synopsis: When dissolute fisherman Abel Davenport discovers an ancient temple in the deep ocean, he comes under the
influence of a long dead god. In his attempts to restore the god's cult, Davenport unleashes a plague of twisted
doppelgangers on Arkham.
Horrified by the consequences, Davenport realizes that he alone cannot stop the monsters from resurrecting the Ancient
One. Sometimes the only way to end one cult is to start another... Teaming up with redeemed cultist Diana Stanley and
notorious thief Ruby Standish is the first step.
The second is convincing Carl Sanford, the powerful leader of Arkham's Silver Twilight Lodge, to join their cause.
Together they might be the only hope of averting a cataclysmic eldritch invasion.
Critique: Original and fascinating, "The Ravening Deep" by talented and award winning novelist Tim Pratt is an Arkham
horror novel published by Aconyte Books. It is the type of Ancient Lost Gods themed horror story that fully measures up to
the kind of tale that would be published in the Golden Age of science fiction & fantasy pulp magazines. While also
available for the personal reading lists of dedicated action/adventure fantasy fans in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95),
it is a highly recommended pick for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections.
Editorial Note: Tim Pratt (http://www.timpratt.org) is a Hugo Award-winning SF and fantasy author, and finalist for the
World Fantasy, Sturgeon, Stoker, Mythopoeic, and Nebula Awards, among others. He is the author of over twenty novels,
and scores of short stories. Since 2001 he has worked for Locus, the magazine of the science fiction and fantasy field,
where he currently serves as senior editor.
Dreams of Fire
Davide Mana
Aconyte Books
https://aconytebooks.com
c/o Simon & Schuster
https://www.simonandschuster.com
9781839082436, $16.95, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Fire-Descent-Legends-Novel/dp/1839082437
Synopsis: Soldier. Dreamer. Exile. Dragon hybrid Vaerix has already lived an age in Terrinoth and seen more than their
fair share of horror and hatred. Cast out for their strange ability to dream, Vaerix wanders the world in search of
connection.
When an expedition to the volcanic Molten Heath offers Vaerix the chance to confront those who wronged them, they
cannot resist the temptation. But there is more at stake than treasure and truth. There are powers here beyond
comprehension, and everyone has their own game to play. The future of Terrinoth will be written in blood and flame.
Critique: A 'Descent: Legends of the Dark' novel and of special and particular appeal to readers with an interest in the
Sword & Sorcery fantasy genre, "Dreams of Fire" by Davide Mana is a carefully crafted, original, and thoroughly fun read
from cover to cover. While also available for personal reading list in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95), "Dreams of
Fire" is a fantasy action/adventure novel that will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to Fantasy
Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Davide Mana was born and raised in Turin, Italy, with brief stints in London, Bonn and Urbino, where he
studied paleontology and geology. He currently lives in the wine hills of southern Piedmont, where he is a writer, translator
and game designer. In his spare time, he cooks and listens to music, photographs the local feral cats, and collects old
books. He also co-hosts a podcast about horror movies, called Paura & Delirio.
Mystic Pursuit: The Inner Realm
Erik Daniel Boudreau
https://edbbooks.com
Cosmic Egg Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781803410340, $18.95, PB, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mystic-Pursuit-Inner-Realm-Novel/dp/1803410345
Synopsis: It was a world like our own, in an age lost to time. For millennia, humans co-existed peacefully with three
distinct orders of sentient beings, the mystics, each helping to maintain universal balance by governing either life, matter or
spiritual energy. Overseeing this grand orchestration was one solitary being, belonging to a sacred lineage all its own, the
Voduss Grei -- the Gray Mystics.
Spurred by a premonition of the world's end at the hands of a rebellious human from a small seaside village, Noryssin, the
last of the Gray Mystics, saw the village destroyed. The events from that night set off thirty years of chaos and discord
among all beings. Lakos, one of the few human survivors from the tragedy, emerged with the singular goal of exacting
revenge against not only the Voduss Grei but also all mystics.
Caught amid the conflict was Thayliss, a human who had spent the past three decades living among the Ohlinn, or
spirit-mystics, as one of their own. Finding his once-peaceful life destroyed, and the only family he has ever known ripped
from his grasp, Thayliss must try to stop Lakos from his plot to control all mystic orders and assume the throne of the
Voduss Grei.
Critique: Original, carefully crafted, and a fun read from start to finish, "Mystic Pursuit" is the first volume in what
promises to be an epic fantasy series author Erick Daniel Boudreau called 'The Inner Realm'. Leaving his readers looking
eagerly toward the next title in this series, fantasy novelist Boudreau has a genuine mastery of the genre and "Mystic
Pursuit" is an extraordinary and highly recommended pick for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated fantasy fans that "Mystic Pursuit" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.49).
Editorial Note: Erik loves the challenge of creating a story and trying to bring it to life. From suspense/thrillers and epic
fantasy to screenplays and even health/medical publications, he enjoys delving into a wide variety of different worlds. He
lives just outside Vancouver, British Columbia, with his wife and daughter.
Baen Books
www.baen.com
https://www.amazon.com/Weltall-File-Gordian-Division/dp/1982192658
David Weber and Jacob Holo's The Weltall File (9781982192655, $28.00) is a Gordian Division novel of murder, political
struggle, and investigation that juxtaposes death threats with detectives that struggle to solve a mystery and unfold who is
actually telling the truth. As the conspiracy threatens to explode, Isaac Cho and Susan Cantrell find their partnership and
own lives challenged by an impossible timeline and confrontations.
https://www.amazon.com/Live-Free-Troy-Rising-Book/dp/1439133328
John Ringo's Live Free or Die (9781082192709, $18.00) is an action-packed first contact story that tells of the unexpected
grip of the Horvath that follow the peaceful alien traders, the Glatun. As the world struggles to understand these invaders
and their disparate special interests, a hero is required to put the pieces of the puzzle together ... one able to confront alien
and human special interests alike. That would be Tyler Vernon. And his own special interests come into play in a
dangerous game that readers will find thoroughly action-packed, engrossing, and filled with satisfying twists and
turns.
The Poetry Shelf
I Love My People
Kim Singleton
Broadleaf Books
510 Marquette Avenue N, Minneapolis, MN 55402
www.broadleafbooks.com
9781506486710, $15.99, HC, 96pp
https://www.amazon.com/Love-My-People-Kim-Singleton/dp/1506486711
Synopsis: With the publication of "I Love My People", Kim Singleton recounts with rhythmic prowess the beauty and
legacy of Black people who are "too many to name, from the corners of obscurity, to the highest of fame".
"I Love My People" is a poetic tribute to African American history-makers and culture-shakers, coupled with nostalgic
photography and vibrant, playful illustrations. With the power of her verse Kim Singleton invites us into call-and-response
and brings a refreshing cadence to the page that captures every decade of Black joy in all its resilient, diverse, and excellent
splendor.
With her poetry, Kim Singleton shines a light on virtually every facet of Black community life, and unapologetically
declares her people good -- from the street corner to the White House and everything in between.
Critique: As memorable as it is inspiring, "I Love My People" is a compelling and inherently uplifting body of work that
would grace any and all personal, professional, community, college, and university African American poetry collections. It
should be noted that "I Love My People" is also available to students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in Black Poetry and History in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Kimberly Singleton (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3269261/bio) is a filmmaker, writer, and poet. She
earned a BS from Howard University and an MBA from NYU, Stern School of Business, forging a twenty-year career in
media. Singleton's love for the arts led her to study at Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center, Gotham Writers
Workshop, and African Voices Writers Workshop. Singleton is the executive producer and host of the online program
Consider It Blacklit, winner of the Public Media Award of Excellence in 2018 and 2019.
The Business Shelf
Power to the Middle
Bill Schaninger, author
Bryan Hancock, author
Emily Field, author
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
http://hbr.org/books
9781647824853, $32.00, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Middle-Managers-Hold-Future/dp/1647824850
Synopsis: "Middle manager" is a descriptive term from a bygone industrial era in which managers functioned like cogs in a
vast bureaucratic machine. In recent decades, midlevel managers became a favorite target for the chopping block --
underappreciated, often considered a superfluous layer of the organization.
Not only does this outdated perspective need to change, but the future demands it.
With the publication of "Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work", McKinsey thought
leaders Bill Schaninger, Bryan Hancock, and Emily Field call for a profound reimagining of managers and their roles. They
explain how middle managers are uniquely positioned close to the ground but with a crucial connection to company
strategy, enabling them to guide their organizations through periods of rapid and complex change, as well as to help shape
the new world of work.
The authors compellingly illustrate this deep shift in the workplace, showing how: Managers are the key to winning the
war for talent, which requires strong people skills to attract and retain the best talent; Managers must shift from merely
enforcing rules to challenging them, serving as critical stopgaps for rules that are ineffective or obsolete; Crucially, good
managers must not be promoted out of their jobs. Instead, their title and compensation should reflect their high value and
allow them to advance within their roles.
With rich stories and cutting-edge research, "Power to the Middle" offers a new model for companies to radically alter the
way they hire, train, and reward their midlevel managers their most valuable asset.
Critique: Simply stated, "Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work" is essential reading
for anyone aspiring to become, or who are already employed in a company's middle management position. Impressively
comprehensive, exceptionally informative, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Power to the
Middle" must be considered an essential, core addition to personal, professional, community, corporate, college, and
university library Business Management collection and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that
"Power to the Middle" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note #1: Bill Schaninger (https://sardertv.com/author/bill-schaninger) is a senior partner emeritus in McKinsey's
Philadelphia office. He is an international speaker, author, and adviser to senior leaders and government officials on the
topics of talent, culture, values, and the broad impact of "how you run the place" on performance.
Editorial Note #2: Bryan Hancock (https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/bryan-hancock) is a partner in McKinsey's
Washington, DC, office and one of the global leaders of McKinsey's talent work. Through his research and client service,
he has focused on connecting workers to opportunities, building their skills, and improving their day-to-day experience on
the job.
Editorial Note #3: Emily Field (www.mckinsey.com) is a partner in McKinsey's Seattle office. She advises organizations
globally across industries to deliver on their performance goals and people aspirations, with the role of the middle manager
front and center.
The Agile Organization
Linda Holbeche
Kogan Page Inc.
8 W 38th Street, Ste 902, New York, NY 10018
www.koganpage.com
9781398608689, $131.00, HC, 416pp
https://www.amazon.com/Agile-Organization-Innovative-Resilient-Business/dp/1398608688
Synopsis: With helpful checklists, tips and advice, this newly updated and expanded third edition of "The Agile
Organization: How to Build an Engaged, Innovative and Resilient Business" by Linda Holbeche is a practical blueprint to
building both agility and resilience at individual, team and organizational levels.
"The Agile Organization" aptly covers how to design agile organizations as well as how to implement agile models into
existing organizations and people practices. There is guidance on how agility can be applied to talent management, flexible
working patterns and the importance of mobilizing and energizing employees for change.
This new third edition contains new material on agile mindsets and enterprise agile planning, alongside how hybrid forms
of working can enhance resilience. There is also extended material on how inclusion and wellbeing initiatives can support
individual resilience and innovation to improve performance across the organization. Case studies include ING, the
University of California, Berkeley, the UK National Health Service (NHS) and SNC-Lavalin's Atkins business. This book
is an essential read for HR and OD specialists, senior leaders and managers who want transform their organization and
build an agile business.
Critique: Of special relevance to readers with an interest in Corporate Organizational Learning, Business Management,
Mentoring & Coaching, "The Agile Organization: How to Build an Engaged, Innovative and Resilient Business" is an
ideal choice as a DIY or formal curriculum studies lists in the fields of Business & Finance. While recommended as a core
addition to personal, professional, community, corporate, college and university library collections and supplemental MBA
curriculum lists, it should be noted that "The Agile Organization" is also readily available in a paperback edition
(9781398608665, $35.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $34.19).
Editorial Note: Dr Linda Holbeche is Co-Director of the Holbeche Partnership, Adjunct Professor at Imperial College
London Business School, UK, and Visiting Professor at four other UK universities. She acts as consultant on OD, HR,
Strategy and Leadership. She is Fellow of Roffey Park and the Institute of Employment Studies and was previously
Director of Research and Policy at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Director of
Leadership and Consultancy at the Work Foundation. In 2021 she was named as one of the Most Influential HR Thinkers
by HR Magazine and is the co-author of Organization Development, also published by Kogan Page.
(https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/profiles/staff/linda-holbeche)
The Business Analysis Handbook, second edition
Helen Winter
Kogan Page Inc.
8 W 38th Street, Ste 902, New York, NY 10018
www.koganpage.com
9781398610149, $159.00, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Business-Analysis-Handbook-Techniques-Outcomes/dp/1398610143
Synopsis: Business analysis helps organizations to develop an informed understanding of the solutions they need to drive
effective change. In the age of digital transformation, the role is more important than ever. Written by business analyst
expert, Helen Winter and now available in a significantly updated and expanded second edition, "The Business Analysis
Handbook: Techniques to Deliver Better Business Outcomes" provides practical advice on both the skills and the
nitty-gritty activities of the profession and outlines tools and techniques with guidelines on how and when to apply
them.
This new second edition of "The Business Analysis Handbook" from Kogan Page offers increased guidance on remote
working and different career pathways in business analysis. Readers will also benefit from a new chapter on how to build
the business analysis function effectively in an organization, supported by skills matrix examples, training strategies and
tips on career development. It also features examples of hot topics such as agile, sustainability and digital
transformation.
"The Business Analysis Handbook" is an indispensable guide for business analysts looking to upgrade their skills set and
careers. It will also be invaluable for business leaders seeking to harness the value of the business analysis function within
their organizations.
Critique: Comprehensive, up-to-date, and indispensable as a core business management curriculum textbook or the basis
of a corporate in-service training program, "The Business Analysis Handbook: Techniques to Deliver Better Business
Outcomes" is an extraordinary, seminal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, corporate, and
academic library Business Analysis/Management/Planning collections and MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be
noted for corporate executives, MBA students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject
that "The Business Analysis Handbook: Techniques to Deliver Better Business Outcomes" is also available in a paperback
edition (9781398610125, $41.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $33.59).
Editorial Note: Helen Winter (https://www.businessbullet.co.uk/author/helen) has over 20 years' business analysis
experience, having worked as a consultant on large-scale transformation programmes within the financial services,
regulation, insurance and utilities sectors. She is an active volunteer for IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis)
and the founder of Business Bullet, an online magazine promoting business analysis and providing guidance for
professionals. She is based in Wolverhampton, the UK.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Discovering Moths
John Himmelman
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811772112, $24.95, PB, 296pp
https://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Moths-Nighttime-Backyard-American/dp/081177211X
Synopsis: Lepidopterology is a branch of entomology concerning the scientific study of moths and the three super-families
of butterflies. Someone who studies in this field is a lepidopterist.
With the publication of "Discovering Moths: Nighttime Jewels in Your Own Backyard, Eastern North American Species",
and featuring a lively, accessible prose, author John Himmelman explains the intricacy of moths' life cycle, their
importance in nature, and how just a tiny handful of the many moth species are truly pests to humans.
"Discovering Moths" also tells the reader how to attract moths with lights and bait, when and where to observe them, and
how best to photograph these tiny subjects. Entertaining personal anecdotes and short profiles of some of the country's
foremost moth-ers add human interest.
This new second edition of "Discovering Moths" from Stackpole Books includes updates, photos and information while
focusing on moths populated in states east of the Mississippi.
Critique: Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, of by John Himmelman's "Discovering Moths: Nighttime
Jewels in Your Own Backyard, Eastern North American Species" with its focus on Eastern North America specifies,
includes a six page Glossary, a two page Bibliography, and a seventeen page Index. While illustrated throughout with
black/white illustrations, there is also a section of full color photos of moths. "Discover Moths" is a welcome and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Entomology collections
and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, lepidopterists, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "Discovering Moths" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$17.99).
Editorial Note: John Himmelman (www.johnhimmelman.com) is an author/illustrator of over eighty books for children
and books (for grown up kids) on various nature topics. He graduated from School of Visual Arts in 1981, with his first
book, Talester the Lizard, published later that year. He is a naturalist and author of Cricket Radio, Tuning In the
Night-Singing Insects, and Guide to the Night-Singing Insects of the Northeast (Stackpole). He lectures on a variety of
natural history topics and leads trips in search of exciting flora and fauna.
Cougars on the Cliff
Maurie Hornocker
The Lyons Press
www.lyonspress.com
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
www.globepequot.com
9781493073290, $29.95, HC, 328pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cougars-Cliff-Pioneering-Understand-Mythical/dp/149307329X
Synopsis: Maurice Hornocker is recognized worldwide as the first scientist to unravel the secrets of America's most
enigmatic predator -- the mountain lion. A story of redemption, "Cougars on the Cliff: One Man's Pioneering Quest to
Understand the Mythical Mountain Lion" is a memoir about the never-before-told adventures, challenges, and
controversies surrounding Hornocker's groundbreaking study of cougars in the remote reaches of the Idaho Primitive
Area.
North America's biggest cat was once killed for bounty dollars, slaughtered with impunity and driven toward extinction.
But today's cat of intrigue, despite our lingering fears and misconceptions, has returned to much of its native range in the
western United States and gained respect as a predator integral and necessary to wild ecosystems. This turnaround was
triggered by one man: Maurice Hornocker. Cougars on the Cliff recounts the early years of his research (1964-1973) when
he tracked lions following a dog's nose and footprints in the snow -- and before telemetry was available.
Hornocker was first to learn that mountain lions living in stable populations limit their own numbers through territoriality
and a concept he called "mutual avoidance." This insight flew in the face of long-held beliefs that cougars were prolific
and wanton killers that needed to be controlled as vermin. Thanks to Hornocker's work, today cougars can be found
throughout the West and have even started to reclaim their place in New England.
Critique: Enhanced with the inclusion of a section of color plates, "Cougars on the Cliff: One Man's Pioneering Quest to
Understand the Mythical Mountain Lion" showcases the amazing life and achievements of Maurice Hornocker in a
detailed and inherently fascinating memoir (written with the assistance of David Johnson) that will have immense appeal
to those interested in wildlife in general, mountain lions in particular. While highly recommended for personal,
professional, community, and academic library American Biography/Memoir and American Wildlife collections, it should
be noted for that "Cougars on the Cliff: One Man's Pioneering Quest to Understand the Mythical Mountain Lion" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.49).
Editorial Note: Maurice Hornocker, PhD, is a wildlife biologist best known for advancing our knowledge of the elusive
mountain lion's behavior and ecology. During his fifty-five years of research in Idaho, New Mexico, and Yellowstone
National Park, he published numerous scientific papers about cougars and edited books that include "Cougar: Ecology &
Conservation," "Yellowstone Cougars" (which was the recipient of a 2020 The Wildlife Society Publication Award), and
"Desert Puma" (which was the recipient of the 2002 The Wildlife Society Book of the Year Award). His writing, research,
and mountain lion photographs have appeared in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian, and National
Wildlife. (https://upcolorado.com/university-press-of-colorado/itemlist/tag/Maurice%20G%20Hornocker)
The Journalism Shelf
Provoking the Press
Kevin M. Lerner
University of Missouri Press
113 Heinkel Bldg., 201 S. 7th Street, Columbia, MO 65211
https://upress.missouri.edu
9780826221865, $51.15, HC, 290pp
https://www.amazon.com/Provoking-Press-Confidence-Journalism-Perspective/dp/0826221866
Synopsis: At the beginning of the 1970s, broadcast news and a few newspapers such as The New York Times wielded
national influence in shaping public discourse, to a degree never before enjoyed by the news media. At the same time,
however, attacks from political conservatives such as Vice President Spiro Agnew began to erode public trust in news
institutions, even as a new breed of college-educated reporters were hitting their stride.
This new wave of journalists, doing their best to cover the roiling culture wars of the day, grew increasingly frustrated by
the limitations of traditional notions of objectivity in news writing and began to push back against convention, turning their
eyes on the press itself.
Two of these new journalists (a Pulitzer Prize winning, Harvard-educated New York Times reporter named J. Anthony
Lukas, and a former Newsweek media writer named Richard Pollak), founded a journalism review called (MORE) in
1971, with its pilot issue appearing the same month that the Times began publishing the Pentagon Papers.
(MORE) covered the press with a critical attitude that blended seriousness and satire -- part New York Review of Books,
part underground press. In the eight years that it published, (MORE) brought together nearly every important American
journalist of the 1970s, either as a writer, a subject of its critical eye, or as a participant in its series of raucous "A.J.
Liebling Counter-Conventions" (meetings named after the outspoken press critic) the first of which convened in 1974.
In issue after issue the magazine considered and questioned the mainstream press's coverage of explosive stories of the
decade, including the Watergate scandal; the "seven dirty words" obscenity trial; the debate over a reporter's constitutional
privilege; the rise of public broadcasting; the struggle for women and minorities to find a voice in mainstream newsrooms;
and the U.S. debut of press baron Rupert Murdoch.
With the publication of "Provoking the Press: (MORE) Magazine and the Crisis of Confidence in American Journalism",
author and professor of journalism Kevin Lerner explores the power of criticism to reform and guide the institutions of the
press and, in turn, influence public discourse.
Critique: A timely and valued contribution to our current political and culture polarization and increasing attacks on
journalism and journalists by those with an extremist agenda or a criminal enterprise such as currently exemplified by
Donald A. Trump and his continuing attempts to overthrow a freely and fairly elected American government, "Provoking
the Press" should be considered essential reading by all aspiring and active journalists whether in print, digital, or
broadcast medias. While available for personal reading lists in a paperback edition (9780826222886, $26.00) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $24.70), "Provoking the Press" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community,
college, and university library History of American Journalism collections and supplemental curriculum Censorship &
Politics studies lists.
Editorial Note: Kevin M. Lerner (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=gJ-kc4sAAAAJ) is an Assistant Professor of
Journalism at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and edits the Journal of Magazine Media.
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Cinematic Storytelling
Jennifer Van Sijll
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781932907056, $30.95, PB, 257pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cinematic-Storytelling-Powerful-Conventions-Filmmaker/dp/193290705X
Synopsis: What the film industry's most successful writers and directors have in common is that each of them have
mastered the cinematic storytelling conventions specific to the medium. With the publication of "Cinematic Storytelling:
The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know", professional screenwriter Jennifer Van Sijll
covers (as relates to cinematic storytelling) the role and responsibilities of the screenwriter and the director. She then goes
on to cover such cinematic storytelling facets as space/screen direction, frame composition, writing within the frame,
editing, and timing.
Critique: Expertly organized, presented, and illustrated with instructive and illustrative black/white illustrations
throughout, "Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know" is a
comprehensive course of instruction and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, film
school, and academic library Cinematic Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted
for film school students, aspiring screenwriters, and novice directors that "Cinematic Storytelling" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Jennifer Van Sijll (https://ces.sdsu.edu/jennifer-van-sijll) is a scriptwriter, instructor, consultant, and
speaker based out of Los Angeles. She is a master teacher having taught at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State
University as well as internationally. She is also an accomplished scriptwriter who most recently scripted the independent
film, Ballerina: A One Woman Show which won multiple international awards as well as the Hollywood Independent Film
Festival Awards, and the Gold Award at the International Independent Film Awards.
Jennifer has scripted nearly 100 documentaries for clients like China Central Television, the Computer History Museum
and independent producers. She has written for shows like China Insight, the 4th most popular show in mainland China
with viewership of nearly 1 billion. She has an MFA from USC's School of Cinematic Arts. A prolific speaker having
delivered presentations on Cinematic Storytelling to Pixar, Nestle, Google, China Central TV (CCTV) as well as at the Los
Angeles Screenwriters Expo, her seminars have been featured on TV, radio and two documentaries.
Lena Horne: The M-G-M Years
Stephen Bourne
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887712376, $32.00, HC, 120pp
https://www.amazon.com/Lena-Horne-M-G-M-Years-Hollywoods/dp/B0CBSKYD18
Synopsis: "With the publication of "Lena Horne: The M-G-M Years", cinema historian Stephen Burne begins in 1942
when Lena Horne became the first black actress and movie star to sign a long-term contract with M-G-M, one of
Hollywood's top studios. M-G-M then transformed Lena into a movie goddess after initial uncertainties of how to employ
her talents on screen at a time when African Americans were greatly discriminated against with whole chains of movie
theaters in the South refusing to run any films with black actors in a too prominent a role.
Critique: Succinct, fascinating, detailed, and featuring a section of b/w historic photos, "Lena Horne: The M-G-M Years"
is a 'must' for the legions of Lena Horne fans, for Hollywood cinema historians, and anyone with an interest in the
evolution of black actors in the 20th Century movie business. While a very strongly recommended pick for community and
academic library Theatre/Cinema/History and African American Biography collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Lena Horne: The M-G-M Years" is also readily available from BearManor Media in a digital book format
(Kindle, $32.00).
Editorial Note: Stephen Bourne (https://stephenbourne.co.uk/books) is a writer, film and social historian specializing in
black heritage and gay culture. He graduated from the London College of Printing with a bachelor's degree in film and
television in 1988, and in 2006 received a Master of Philosophy degree at De Montfort University for his dissertation on
the subject of the representation of gay men in British television drama. In 2017 he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship
by London South Bank University for his contribution to diversity.
Doctor Who Trivia Quiz and Random Facts: 2005-2017
M. A. Cassata
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887712178, $28.00, HC, 76pp
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Trivia-Quiz-Random-Facts/dp/B0C9SBNVM1
Synopsis: As a Doctor Who fans, do you know which Doctor ate fish Fingers and custard? What the final works of the
tenth Doctor said before his regeneration? How many years the Doctor vowed to guard Missy in The Vault?
With the publication of "Doctor Who Trivia Quiz and Random Facts: 2005-2017" and its focus on the Tenth, Eleventh,
and Twelfth Doctors in one of the most enduring science fiction television series in history, Doctor Who expert M. A.
Cassata poses 300 questions and answers -- plus many random fun Doctor Who show facts from 2005-2017. Many of these
fun facts are as fascinating as they are informative.
Critique: Ideal for Doctor Who themed trivia contests, a 'must' for the legions of Doctor Who fans, and focuses specifically
on the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors, their companions and their adventures, it should be noted that "Doctor Who
Trivia Quiz and Random Facts: 2005-2017" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9798887712161, $18.99) and
in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.00).
Editorial Note: M.A. Cassata (https://www.macassata.com) is the author of Timeless TV Quiz & Random Facts:'60s
to'80s, Pop 'n' Rock Trivia Quiz: '60s to'80s, The Superheroes Movies Trivia Quiz Book and other
entertainment/celebrity-themed tribute books including, The Elton John Scrapbook, Starman: A Tribute to Bowie, The
Cher Scrapbook and The Essential Jim Carrey.
Hamilton and Me: An Actor's Journal
Giles Terera
Theatre Communications Group
520 Eighth Avenue, 24th floor, New York, NY 10018-4156
http://www.tcg.org/publications
9781636701073, $17.95, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Me-Journal-Giles-Terera/dp/1636701078
Synopsis: With the publication of "Hamilton and Me: An Actor's Journal", Giles Terera provides the reader with a unique,
behind-the-scenes account of preparing for, rehearsing and performing in one of the most important theatrical phenomena
of our time.
When Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical Hamilton opened in London's West End in December 2017, it was
as huge a hit as it had been in its original production off and on Broadway. Lauded by critics and audiences alike, the show
would go on to win a record-equaling seven Olivier Awards -- including Best Actor in a Musical for Giles Terera, and his
portrayal of Aaron Burr.
For Terera, though, his journey as Burr had begun more than a year earlier, with his first audition in New York, and
continuing through extensive research and preparation, intense rehearsals, previews, and finally opening night itself.
Throughout this time he kept a journal, recording his experiences of the production and the process of creating his
award-winning performance. This book, "Hamilton and Me", is that journal.
"Hamilton and Me" is also deeply personal, as Terera reflects on experiences from his life that he drew on to shape his
acclaimed portrayal.
Critique: Illustrated with photographs and featuring an exclusive foreword by Lin-Manuel Miranda, "Hamilton and Me: An
Actor's Journal" is essential reading for the still growing legions of fans of the musical play Hamilton as it offers fresh,
first-hand, personal insights into the music and characters comprising Hamilton. Especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, community and academic library American Theatre collections, "Hamilton and
Me: An Actor's Journal" is also available in digital book format (Kindle, $13.49) for aspiring and current performers,
theatre students, and Hamilton enthusiasts.
Editorial Note: Appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honors for services
to theatre, Giles Terera (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Terera) is an award-winning actor, musician, and writer. He
trained at Mountview Theatre School and has worked consistently at venues such as the National Theatre, The Royal
Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare's Globe. He is best known for originating the role of Aaron Burr in the London
production of the award-winning musical Hamilton, for which he won the 2018 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a
Musical.
Surviving Squid Game
Suk-Young Kim
Applause Books
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
www.globepequot.com
9781493072729, $28.95, PB, 216pp
https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Squid-Game-K-Drama-Streaming/dp/1493072722
Synopsis: South Korea has fully stepped onto the global stage in stunning strides. From the Oscar-winning film Parasite to
the pop juggernaut known as BTS, South Korean popular culture has taken the world by storm. This new South Korean
wave has influenced global tastes in drama, music, fashion, and can even be seen in the beauty industry's obsession with
South Korean skincare products -- South Korea is everywhere.
At the top of this list of greatest hits is Squid Game, a genre-bending Netflix series that has ignited social media platforms
and inspired armies of devoted fans around the world.
The seeds for a deep collaborative relationship between Netflix and K-drama had been sown long before the phenomenal
success of Squid Game, but what particular social conditions allowed for this show to speak viscerally to global audiences
today as the most-watched drama in ninety countries?
With the publication of "Surviving Squid Game: A Guide to K-Drama, Netflix, and Global Streaming Wars", Professor
Suk-Young Kim (a scholar of South Korean pop culture) throws back the curtain to reveal the multiple factors accounting
for the global dominance of K-culture. It investigates the origins, manifestations, and future prospects for this cultural
trailblazer, making it essential reading for both content creators and fans of South Korean culture across all media.
Critique: Nicely illustrated, impressively informative, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Surviving
Squid Game: A Guide to K-Drama, Netflix, and Global Streaming Wars" is essential reading for the legions of Squid
Game fans. While available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.99), "Surviving Squid Game" is
an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community and academic library Television Game Show History
collections and supplemental South Korean Popular Culture curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Suk-Young Kim is Professor of Theater and Performance Studies at UCLA. A specialist of Korean popular
culture, her comments are regularly featured on CNN, NPR, Billboard and other major media outlets. Her books include
DMZ Crossing: Performing Emotional Citizenship Along the Korean Border and K-Pop Live: Fans, Idols, and Multimedia
Performance. (https://www.tft.ucla.edu/blog/2016/07/25/suk-young-kim)
The Wasp Woman
Lona Bailey
Independently Published
9798398985986, $12.99, PB, 119pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wasp-Woman-Career-Murder-Hollywoods/dp/B0C9SLF2QV
Synopsis: Susan Cabot was a popular B-list movie actress in the 1940s-1950s whose grisly slaying perhaps gained her
more notoriety than her on-screen and on-stage accomplishments.
With the publication of "The Wasp Woman: The Life, Career, and Murder of Hollywood's Susan Cabot", film historian
Lona Bailey reveals that Susan had a significant acting career ultimately cheapened by the media circus surrounding her
death.
The role for which Susan was most recognized was "Wasp Woman, Janice Starlin," the president of a cosmetics
corporation who experiments with a youth serum made from the extract of wasps that proves to have deadly side effects,
not unlike the experimental injections that contributed to her own real-life slaughter in 1986 at the hands of her son,
Tim.
Susan was essentially tried and convicted of her own murder due to the overbearing mother narrative purported by Tim's
defense attorney team and the media. This well researched biography broadens the narrative of Susan Cabot in detailing
her legacy from a fresh perspective beyond the coils of her last years and brutal murder.
Critique: Informative, fascinating, succinct, detailed, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Wasp
Woman: The Life, Career, and Murder of Hollywood's Susan Cabot" is an informative biography that will be of particular
and special interest to dedicated fans of the 1940 & 1950s B-movies. While highly recommended for personal,
professional, community, college, and university library 20th Century Cinematic History/Biography collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that "The Wasp Woman: The Life, Career, and Murder of
Hollywood's Susan Cabot" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) for the personal reading lists of
students, academia, film historians, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
Editorial Note: Dr. Lona Bailey (https://www.lonabaileywrites.com) is a Golden Age of Hollywood researcher and writer
of "Uncredited: The Life and Career of Actress Virginia Gregg," "Voice of Villainy: The Betty Lou Gerson Story," "Mrs.
Radio: The Cathy Lewis Story," and "The Wasp Woman: The Life, Career, and Brutal Murder of Hollywood's Susan
Cabot." As a PhD and former therapist, Lona is passionate about telling the untold stories of women who perhaps weren't
finished using their own voices during their earthly journeys. Lona's biographic works offer a balanced perspective on the
multidimensional elements involved in feministic legacy-maintenance with particular interest in the preservation efforts of
the Golden Age of Hollywood. Lona was a finalist in the International Book Awards for 2023.
The Genealogy Shelf
The People of Perth and Kinross, 1800-1850
David Dobson
Clearfield Company
c/o Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260, Baltimore, MD 21211
www.genealogical.com
9780806359359, $25.00, PB, 150pp
https://www.amazon.com/People-Perth-Kinross-1800-1850/dp/0806359358
Synopsis: With the publication of "The People of Perth and Kinross, 1800-1850", David Dobson identifies people resident
in the adjacent counties of Perthshire and Kinross-shire, Scotland, as well as people abroad who originated there, between
1800 and 1850.
The two counties now form a unitary administrative unit, known as Perth and Kinross, centered on the city of Perth. The
information found in this volume is derived from a wide range of archival sources such as court records, contemporary
newspapers and journals, monumental inscriptions, and other documents. The entries connect emigrants, their
destinations--especially in North America, the West Indies, and Australasia--with their kin who remained in Scotland.
Following is one such entry: "ANDERSON, ALEXANDER, born 1772, a labourer from Fortingall, with his wife Isobel
born 1776, son John born 1798, daughter Ann born 1800, daughter Christian born 1802, and daughter Isabel born 1804,
emigrated aboard the Clarendon of Hull bound for Prince Edward Island in August 1808. [NSARM]
[TNA.CO226.23]"
The period covered in "The People of Perth and Kinross, 1800-1850" was one of rapid change in Scottish society brought
about by the agricultural revolution and Industrial revolution, The former led to the formation of larger farms causing the
surplus rural population to drift to the rapidly expanding factory towns.
For example, in Perthshire the land-loom weavers who produced textiles in their home were replaced by textile mills, in
towns like Stanley. The population of the city of Perth grew by 19,000 between 1755 and 1821, while that of Blairgowrie
increased almost tenfold in the same period.
Genealogists possessing ancestors from this era are encouraged to consult the Statistical Report of Scotland (the O.S.A.)
compiled between 1791 and 1799; and the New Statistical Report, researched between 1832 and 1845, to put their
ancestors into historical context. Both sources are available on the website of the National Library of Scotland.
Critique: An invaluable and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic
library Genealogy reference collections, "The People of Perth and Kinross, 1800-1850" is impressively well organized,
detailed and presented.
Critique: David Dobson (https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/David_Dobson) is a recognized authority on the Scottish
origins of American colonists. His list of publications exceeds 100 books. Many focus on connections between Scots who
went abroad and their motherland. In addition to the immigrants themselves, he has also prepared books on the ships,
shipmasters, merchants, whalers, and mariners involved in maritime trades. He has also compiled a large number of books
designed to help researchers identify people who lived in Scotland in the 1600s and 1700s. He uses many sources that
supplement more commonly-used parochial records and testaments providing a broader picture of those living there at the
time many emigrants boarded ships to the American colonies.
The Art Shelf
The Art of Fantasy
S. Elizabeth
Francis Lincoln
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780711279957, $30.00, HC, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Fantasy-visual-sourcebook-Margins/dp/0711279950
Synopsis: Throughout history, artists have explored imaginary worlds and fantastical creatures for centuries, expressing the
unreal and impossible, the mystical and mythical, via the medium of paint.
But what draws them to the imaginary, the uncharted and the unknown? Is it merely an escape from reality? Or are they
seeking a greater understanding of the human experience, or perhaps the very meaning of life itself? With myriad styles
and methods of expression, what links artists through the ages? And how have these visual flights of fancy and
imagination changed over the course of time?
"The Art of Fantasy: A Visual Sourcebook of All That is Unreal" by S. Elisabeth is a visual sourcebook of all that is
fantastical, ranging from fine art to illustration, and from surrealists and symbolists. to the creatives working in undefined
territories. While the artists in our history books (such as Blake, Goya, Dali, Magritte, Ernst) first brought fantasy art to the
galleries, it was the twentieth century artists who brought it to the masses.
It is in "The Art of Fantasy" from the British publishing company of Francis Lincoln, that, for the first time, they are united
and equally weighted, presenting a mesmerising and thoughtful curation of the best fantasy artwork out there.
Critique: Profusely illustrated with museum quality, full color artwork, "The Art of Fantasy: A Visual Sourcebook of All
That is Unreal" is an impressively informative, and truly inspiring collection that is specifically and unreserved
recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Art History collections and supplemental Pop
Culture Art curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for dedicated fans of myth, magic, fantasy and art history, that "The
Art of Fantasy" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: S. Elizabeth (aka Mlle Ghoul) is a Florida-based writer specialising in art, the macabre and the
supernatural. She is a staff writer at Haute Macabre and has written for Coilhouse, Dirge and the blog Death & the Maiden.
S. Elizabeth was also the co-creator of The Occult Activity Book (vol 1 and 2) and runs two successful blogs: Ghoul Next
Door (ghoulnextdoor.tumblr.com) and These Unquiet Things (www.unquietthings.com).
The History of Western Art
Janetta Rebold Benton
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500296653, $16.95, PB, 176pp
https://www.amazon.com/History-Western-Art-Essentials/dp/0500296650
Synopsis: Acknowledging how architecture, painting, sculpture, and the decorative arts reflect the culture and society of
their time, "The History of Western Art" by Professor Janetta Rebold Benton is latest addition to the Art Essentials series
and invites the reader to experience and appreciate the entirety of Western art from prehistory to today.
Focusing on the history in art history, each of "The History of Western Art" is comprised of twelve chapters, opening with
a question to ponder, and followed by a summary of the major historical developments of the period, touching on social
structure, political organization, migration, race, beliefs, scientific advances, and customs.
An exploration of these themes in the visual arts reveals how art and architecture from the Great Pyramids and Hagia
Sophia, as well as pieces by artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Andy Goldsworthy, Guerrilla Girls, and Faith Ringgold
simultaneously shape, reflect, and document the culture of the time and place they were created. A secondary focus
explores the constantly evolving aesthetic preferences that swing between naturalism and abstraction, with each era and
style either rebelling against the previous or seeking to improve it.
Richly illustrated with 117 color illustrations, "The History of Western Art" is an introductory survey by expert art
historian and museum lecturer who offers a succinct and engaging introduction to some of the most important works of
architecture, sculpture, and painting in the Western tradition, reinterpreted for a twenty-first-century audience.
Critique: A brilliant course of instruction for academic and non-specialist general readers to the legacy and diversity of
Western Art, "The History of Western Art" by art history professor Janetta Rebold Benton is impressively informative,
exceptionally well written, very nicely organized, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in presentation. This edition of "The
History of Western Art" from Thames & Hudson is particularly and especially recommended for personal, professional,
community, college, and university library Art History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Janetta Rebold Benton (http://janettareboldbenton.com) is the Distinguished Professor of Art History at
Pace University, New York, and the author of several books and articles on art including How to Understand Art in the Art
Essentials series. She is the recipient of two Fulbright Scholar Awards as visiting professor to China and Russia,
respectively, and lectures at the Smithsonian Institution, 92nd Street Y, and previously at the Metropolitan Museum of
Art.
Drawing Digital
Lisa Bardot
Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780760385326, $24.99, PB, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Digital-complete-guide-learning/dp/0760385327
Synopsis: With the publication of "Drawing Digital: The complete guide for learning to draw & paint on your iPad", artist
and teacher Lisa Bardot, (the expert behind @Bardot Brush), introduces the art of digital drawing. Using your tablet and
Procreate, or another favorite drawing app, you can leave behind your pencil and paper and make art anywhere and at any
time.
Lisa gets you started with a range of easy-to-follow projects, including: A still life; A snake plant; Cacti in the desert;
Flowers; A dog; A school of fish; Self-portraits; Characters; City scenes -- and so much more!
Accompanying each project are complete step-by-step instructions and Lisa Bardot's signature, vibrant artwork. "Drawing
Digitally" also includes: Tips for finding creative inspiration; Information on tools; App basics; How to draw and paint
lines and shapes; Instructions for layering, duplicating, exporting, and more; and A review that promises to help you draw
anything.
Critique: As an accomplished artist, Lisa Bardot works in Procreate; however, her instructions comprising "Drawing
Digital: The complete guide for learning to draw & paint on your iPad" apply to any digital drawing app, so you can use
whatever you have on hand. The projects, tips, and techniques offer the ideal starting point if you're a beginner to digital
drawing, but if you're an expert, you are still certain to learn plenty from Lisa's expert advice, Exceptionally well written
with an accompanying wealth of full color images and illustrations, "Drawing Digital" is an ideal DIY instructional guide
and manual. While a highly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, college, and university library
Design, Illustration, and Graphics collections, and supplemental Digital Art curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that
"Drawing Digital" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Lisa Bardot (https://bardotbrush.com/about-lisa-bardot) is an illustration artist, a teacher, and an all-around
creative person based in California. With the iPad and Procreate as her tools of choice, she creates educational tutorials,
industry-leading digital brushes, and art-making resources to help beginners and experienced artists alike find joy in
creating. Her educational videos about drawing and illustration have been viewed millions of times, and she receives high
praise for her thorough, concise, and fun teaching style. Additionally, she runs the Making Art Everyday artistic prompt
challenge, followed by thousands of participants worldwide. Check out more of Lisa's work on Instagram at @lisabardot,
@bardotbrush, or on the Bardot Brush YouTube channel.
The Perspective Drawing Guide
Spencer Nugent
Rocky Nook
1010 B Street, Ste 350, San Rafael, CA 94901
https://rockynook.com
9781681989037, $24.95, PB, 168pp
https://www.amazon.com/Perspective-Drawing-Guide-Spencer-Nugent/dp/1681989034
Synopsis: Perspective drawing is the foundation for creating art that pops off the page. With the publication of "The
Perspective Drawing Guide: Simple Techniques for Mastering Every Angle" by designer and teacher Spencer Nugent
presents the ultimate DIY guide to helping aspiring artists seeking to understand and develop techniques to draw
confidently using the power of perspective.
While mastering perspective can take years, "The Perspective Drawing Guide" will provide understanding of why things
look the way they do and how to draw them accurately and confidently.
In "The Perspective Drawing Guide", Nugent takes a fundamental approach and provides detailed tips, tricks, and
techniques that will enable aspiring artists to draw more confidently by breaking down objects into easier to draw shapes,
showing the mechanics of perspective, and demonstrating how to make drawings presentation ready.
"The Perspective Drawing Guide" is guide is perfect for beginning artists looking to develop their perspective drawing
abilities or even seasoned artists wanting to sharpen their skills.
Critique: This large format (8.5 x 0.5 x 11 inches, 1.3 pounds) paperback edition of "The Perspective Drawing Guide:
Simple Techniques for Mastering Every Angle" is exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, making it
an ideal DIY instructional reference and guide. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99), "The
Perspective Drawing Guide" is a high value addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university
Pencil/Pen/Ink Drawing collections, as well as a supplemental textbook for art class, art school curriculum studies
lists.
Editorial Note: Spencer Nugent (https://advdes.org/spencer-nugent) is the founder of Sketch-A-Day.com and has been
providing free, high-quality online design sketching tutorial content and on-site sketch workshops since 2008. He has
created an extensive online network and following within the Industrial Design community and continues to connect with
students and design professionals via his online properties. With his daily YouTube streams, he continues to share his
passion for creating and drawing on "Sketch-A-Day LIVE" as well as the sketch-a-day Instagram and TikTok. Spencer was
awarded the Industrial Design Society of America's individual achievement award for his consistent work and passion
related to industrial design education related to producing online educational content.
Painting Cats
Terry Runyan
Leaping Hare Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780711285347, $20.00, PB, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Painting-Cats-Curious-free-spirited-watercolors/dp/0711285349
Synopsis: Perfect for cat loving watercolor artists of all skill levels from the absolute beginner to the more experienced,
with the publication of "Painting Cats: Curious, Mindful & Free-spirited Watercolors". Artist Terry Runyan teaches you
how to go from blob of paint to a beautiful portrait of your fluffy friends.
Drawing on art therapy techniques that emphasize fun and freedom in creativity over technical perfection, Runyan guides
you step by step through the process of adding details to loosely painted shapes to create your own unique and distinct
cats!
"Painting Cats" is joyful and instructional DIY guide brimming with inspiring watercolor artwork and encouragement. It
includes: Playing and experiment with watercolour, exploring the ways in which the medium invites us to be present in the
moment; Finding projects, tips, and techniques to help you develop your painting, creating a myriad of beautiful portraits
along the way; Exploring the art of storytelling with cats; Enjoying the scientifically proven mental-health benefits of
making art
Critique: "Painting Cats: Curious, Mindful & Free-spirited Watercolors" is exceptionally 'user friendly' for watercolor
artists of all skill levels to embrace techniques and lessons in creative mindfulness. Profusely illustrated throughout and
while a very highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and art school Watercolor Painting
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that "Painting Cats" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Terry Runyan (www.terryrunyan.com) is a visual artist and creative encourager. After a long career as an
in-house illustrator for Hallmark, Terry now runs her own business, creating art and videos, and leading classes at
Skillshare to help others explore their creativity. She loves painting cats, cats on heads, big hair, and encouraging
imperfectly perfect watercolour. She lives in Leawood, Kansas with her two creative cats, Tucker and Riley. You can learn
more about Terry and her work on: Instagram: @terryrunyan, YouTube: Terry Runyan, Facebook: @terryrunyancreative,
and the Daily Creating Group on Facebook: @dailycreating
Draw Kawaii Style
Ilaria Ranauro
Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9780760382448, $19.99, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Draw-Kawaii-Style-Step-Step/dp/0760382441
Synopsis: With the publication of "Draw Kawaii Style: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide for Drawing Super-Cute
Creatures, Whimsical People, and Fun Little Things - 62 Lessons: Basics, Characters, Special Effects", artist and online art
teacher Ilaria Ranauro (aka Ilariapops) shares her approach to creating kawaii art, starting with the fundamentals, then
illustrating how to create a wide variety of characters by following her easy step-by-step tutorials.
Kawaii Essentials. The first seven lessons teach solid drawing techniques that demonstrate how to draw kawaii characters
from the ground up and will help you build the skills you need to create the characters of your dreams.
Kawaii Characters, Step by Step. Through step-by-step tutorials, from rough sketch to finish, discover the drawing process
for 55 characters (animals, people, food, and objects) including an alpaca and a panda, a superhero and a snowman, a
ramen noodle bowl and a watermelon slice, and a teapot and a rainbow, each presented in a different pose.
Critique: Exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, whether you are just beginning to draw, or trying
your hand at drawing Japanese style kawaii for the first time, or looking for ideas and guidance for bringing your own
characters to life, "Draw Kawaii Style: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide for Drawing Super-Cute Creatures, Whimsical
People, and Fun Little Things - 62 Lessons: Basics, Characters, Special Effects" by Ilaria Ranauro is the essential DIY
instructional guide, 'how to' manual, and visual reference. While recommended as a very special addition to personal,
professional, community, and art school collections, it should be noted tht "Draw Kawaii Style' is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Kawaii illustrator Ilaria Ranauro (https://ilariaranauro.com) sells stickers, washi tape, prints, and other
products adorned with her fun images on her popular Etsy shop. She also teaches a class on how to create kawaii
characters on Domestika and has illustrated children's books for Penguin Random House Mexico. A native of Italy, Ilaria
is based in Berlin. To see more of her work follow her at @ilariapops on Instagram, Etsy, and YouTube.
The Beginner's Guide to Decorating Pottery
Emily Reinhardt
Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9780760381397, $24.99, PB, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Decorating-Pottery-Introduction/dp/0760381399
Synopsis: With an emphasis on learning new skills, having fun, and embracing imperfection, "The Beginner's Guide to
Decorating Pottery: An Introduction to Glazes, Patterns, Inlay, Luster, and Dimensional Designs" supports your creative
process as you explore:
1. Basic information on working with clays as well as materials used for decorating.
2. Tutorials on color theory, combining form and function, and the importance of keeping a sketchbook.
3. Beginner-friendly projects that show how to apply surface-design techniques to simple pieces such as coasters, a
cheeseboard, a wall hanging, plates, tumblers, vases, planters, and more.
Throughout "The Beginner's Guide to Decorating Pottery", skill-building is front and center, with tips and tricks to help
you crack the code and make pieces you're proud of. Gallery work from some of today's top ceramics artists is sure to
inspire potters of all levels. What will you make first?
For beginners and those returning to ceramics, the Essential Ceramics Skills series from Quarry Books offer the
fundamentals along with fresh, contemporary, and simple projects that build skills progressively.
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout with color photographs, "The Beginner's Guide to Decorating Pottery: An
Introduction to Glazes, Patterns, Inlay, Luster, and Dimensional Designs" is an ideal DIY combination of instructional
guide and 'how to' manual, providing thoroughly 'user friendly step-by-step instructions that will turn the most novice of
potters into seasoned experts. Fun and informative, "The Beginner's Gujide to Decorating Pottery" is specifically
recommended for community and art school Pottery Making collections. This ideal 'how-to' guide and manual is also
easily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Emily Reinhardt (https://www.theobjectenthusiast.com/pages/about) is a ceramic artist and designer whose
work focuses on beautiful, functional ceramic objects for the home. In her studio in the Crossroads Arts district of Kansas
City, Missouri, Emily designs and builds by hand a variety of one-of-a-kind objects, including plates, vases, wall hangings,
tumblers, mugs, goblets, and trays. Her modern, unfussy aesthetic features perfectly imperfect shapes and stunning surface
design techniques, such as striking glazes, touches of gold luster, bold patterns, texture, and raised effects. Emily founded
The Object Enthusiast in 2011 and continues to grow a loyal community of customers and students, teaching classes online
through Skillshare as well as in-person at her studio. She is also the co-founder of her shop, Duet, and of The Ekru Project,
an art gallery and curatorial project, both of which share space with her Crossroads studio. Emily lives in Kansas City,
Missouri. You can see more of her work using @theobjectenthusiast on Instagram, Facebook, and Skillshare.
The Biography Shelf
Sacajawea: Mystery, Myth, and Legend
Candy Moulton
South Dakota Historical Society Press
900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SC 57501-2217
https://www.sdhspress.com
9781941813386, $14.95, PB, 216pp
https://www.amazon.com/sacajawea-mystery-legend-Candy-Moulton/dp/B0C7S9NLX5
Synopsis: Many myths, mysteries, and legends surround Sacajawea (May c. 1788 - December 20, 1812 or April 9, 1884).
She is one of the very few Native American women whose name and singular significance have not been lost to the
historical record of American history. Without Sacajawea's knowledge and assistance, the Corps of Discovery venture
(better known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition) to explore the furthest reaches of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase could
very well have failed.
Critique: Featuring a section of black/white historical images, eighteen pages of Notes, a six page Bibliography, and an
eleven page Index, and published by the South Dakota Historical Society Press, "Sacajawea: Mystery, Myth, and Legend"
by Candy Moulton is a compact but definitive combination of biography and history that is especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal, community, college, and university library Native American Biography and American History
collections and curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Candy Moulton (https://candymoulton.com) is the co-owner of Wood Mountain Productions, has written
fifteen Western history books, co-edited a collection of short fiction and an encyclopedia and written, produced, and been a
reenactor in several documentary films.
King John's Right Hand Lady
Sharon Bennett Connolly
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781526756060, $49.95, HC, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/King-Johns-Right-Hand-Lady/dp/1526756064
Synopsis: In a time when it was the men who fought the wars and the women were to stay home, the Lady Nicholaa de la
Haye (born c. 1150; d. 1230) held Lincoln Castle against all-comers. Not once, but three times, earning herself the ironic
praise that she acted 'manfully'.
Nicholaa gained prominence in the First Baron's War, the civil war that followed the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215.
Although recently widowed, and in her 60s, in 1217 Nicholaa endured a siege that lasted over three months, resisting the
English rebel barons and their French allies. The siege ended in the battle known as the Lincoln Fair, when 70-year-old
William Marshal, the Greatest Knight in Christendom, spurred on by the chivalrous need to rescue a lady in distress, came
to Nicholaa's aid.
Nicholaa de la Haye was a staunch supporter of King John, remaining loyal to the very end, even after most of his knights
and barons had deserted him. A truly remarkable lady, Nicholaa was also the first woman to be appointed sheriff in her
own right. It was her strength and tenacity that saved England at one of the lowest points in its history.
Critique: With the publication of "King John's Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye", academician and
historian Sharon Bennett Connolly eloquently and with great attention to historical detail, demonstrates that the Lady
Nicholaa de la Haye is one woman in English history whose story needs to be told. Featuring a section of full color photos,
three Appendices (The 1215 Magna Carta; Enforcers of Manga Cart - The Twenty-Five; The Charter of the Forest 1217),
eighteen pages of Notes, a ten page Bibliography, and a four page Index, "King John's Right Hand Lady: The Story of
Nicholaa de la Haye" is readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.49) and will prove
an enduringly valued and highly prized addition to community, college, and university library Women's History/Biography
collections and supplemental curriculum British Royal Biography studies lists.
Editorial Note: Sharon Bennett Connolly has been fascinated by history her whole life. A Fellow of the Royal Historical
Society, Sharon has studied history academically and just for fun - and even worked as a tour guide at historical sites.
Sharon writes her own blog, www.historytheinterestingbits.com, researching and writing about the stories that have always
fascinated, concentrating on medieval women. Her latest book, Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the
Warenne Earls of Surrey, released in May 2021, is her fourth non-fiction book. It tells the story of the Warenne earls over
300 years and 8 generations. She is also the author of Heroines of the Medieval World, Silk and the Sword: The Women of
the Norman Conquest and Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England. Sharon regularly
gives talks on women's history; she is a feature writer for All About History magazine and her TV work includes
Australian Television's 'Who Do You Think You Are?' (https://historytheinterestingbits.com/about)
An Atomic Love Story
Shirley Streshinsky, author
Patricia Klaus, author
Turner Publishing Company
200 - 4th Avenue North, Suite 950, Ashville, TN 37219
https://turnerbookstore.com
9781618580191, $27.95, HC, 400pp
https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Love-Story-Shirley-Streshinsky/dp/1618580191
Synopsis: Julius Robert Oppenheimer (April 22, 1904 - February 18, 1967) was an American theoretical physicist and
director of the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II. He is often credited as the "father of the atomic bomb" for his
role in organizing the Manhattan Project, the research and development undertaking that created the first nuclear weapons.
(Wikipedia)
Set against a dramatic backdrop of war, spies, and nuclear bombs, with the publication of "An Atomic Love Story: The
Extraordinary Women in Robert Oppenheimer's Life" co-authors Shirley Streshinsky and Patricia Klaus reveal a vivid new
view of a tumultuous era and one of its most important figures.
In the early decades of the 20th century, three highly ambitious women found their way to the West Coast, where each was
destined to collide with the young Robert Oppenheimer, the enigmatic physicist whose work in creating the atomic bomb
would forever impact modern history.
His first and most intense love was for Jean Tatlock, though he married the tempestuous Kitty Harrison (both were
members of the Communist Party) and was rumored to have had a scandalous affair with the brilliant Ruth Sherman
Tolman, ten years his senior and the wife of another celebrated physicist. Although each were connected through their
relationship to Oppenheimer, their experiences reflect important changes in the lives of American women in the 20th
century: the conflict between career and marriage; the need for a woman to define herself independently; experimentation
with sexuality; and the growth of career opportunities.
Critique: "An Atomic Love Story: The Extraordinary Women in Robert Oppenheimer's Life" is eloquent, detailed,
documented, and draws upon a rich collection of firsthand accounts. The result is an intimate, informative, and simply
fascinating portrait of shared tragedies, betrayals, and romances on the part of an gifted man and three bold women --
revealing how they pushed to the very forefront of social and cultural changes in a dangerous and volatile era. Enhanced
for the reader with photos, a bibliography, footnotes, and an index, "An Atomic Love Story" is highly recommended for
personal, community, and academic library American Biography, World War II History, and Nuclear Weapons
Development collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "An Atomic Love Story" is also
readily available from the Turner Publishing Company in a paperback edition (9798887980058, $17.99) and in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: Shirley Streshinsky is the author of three works of nonfiction and four historical novels. As a journalist
and travel essayist, she has written extensively for Redbook, Glamour, Preservation, American Heritage, The American
Scholar, and Conde Nast Traveler and has been featured on NPR. She is the recipient of the Society of Magazine Writers'
Award for Excellence and the National Council for the Advancement of Education Writing Award.
Editorial Note #2: Patricia Klaus received her PhD in Modern British History from Stanford where she specialized in
women's studies, the history of marriage, and the study of war and literature. She has taught at Yale, Stanford, and the
University of Virginia and has published scholarly papers on the subject of women.
Gwen John
Alicia Foster
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500025574, $39.95, HC, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Gwen-John-Life-London-Paris/dp/0500025576
Synopsis: Gwendolen Mary John (22 June 1876 - 18 September 1939) was one of the most significant British artists of the
early to mid-twentieth century, active in both Paris and London, and featured inthe highly influential avant-garde Armory
Show in New York in 1913. Demolishing the myth of the recluse, this sustained critical biography of a much-loved artist
locates her firmly in the art worlds of London and Paris, where she chose to live and work.
Deftly written by Alicia Foster, (who is a critically praised art historian and authority on the artist), Gwen John is based on
original research, and examines John's importance in the context of twentieth-century art. While tracing the development
of her work and its significance, the biography also explores John's relationships both personal and artistic, including her
friendship with Rainer Maria Rilke and her romance with sculptor Auguste Rodin.
John, who was born in Wales, spent the latter part of the nineteenth century in London and then moved to Paris where she
remained for the rest of her life. She was a contemporary of Paul Cezanne, Marie Laurencin, Paula Modersohn-Becker, and
Edouard Vuillard. The book brings these two fascinating cities and John's milieu to life and introduces readers to
lesser-known artists whose lives and works have slipped into obscurity. Both a study of an artist whose importance and
recognition continues to grow, and of the artistic world of Europe in the early twentieth century, this book provides a
compelling portrait for anyone interested in the life and work of a key figure in the history of art.
Critique: Featuring 92 color and 30 black-and-white illustrations, fourteen pages of Notes, a one page Select Bibliography,
and a five page Index, 92 color and 30 black-and-white illustrations by art historian and biographer Alicia Foster "Gwen
John: Art and Life in London and Paris" is the first critical, illustrated, and comprehensive biography of the life and
accomplishments of the influential female artist Gwen John. An impressively engaging, informatively detailed, and
expertly documented portrait of her life, her work, and her relationships, "Gwen John: Art and Life in London and Paris" is
a significant and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, art school, college, and university
library Women Artist Biography collections and supplemental Art History curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Alicia Foster (https://artuk.org/discover/profile/alicia-foster) is an art historian, curator, and novelist. Her
publications include Tate Women Artists, Tate British Artists: Gwen John, Nina Hamnett, and a novel entitled Warpaint.
She has also curated exhibitions and written the catalog for Radical Women: Jessica Dismorr and Her
Contemporaries.
Floor Sample: A Creative Memoir
Julia Cameron
St. Martin's Essentials
c/o St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250883957, $23.00, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Floor-Sample-Creative-Julia-Cameron/dp/1250883954
Synopsis: Julia Cameron has transformed the creative lives of millions, showing them that creativity is their uniquely
human birthright.
With the publication of "Floor Sample: A Creative Memoir" Julia tells the story behind her artistic life -- detailing her
years in New York, her time as a writer for Rolling Stone, her turbulent marriage to Martin Scorsese, and her painful
struggle with alcohol -- which ultimately led her to recovery and the methods that would form the backbone of her book,
"The Artist's Way" (which has been translated into forty languages and sold over five million copies to date).
The life Julia shares in her memoir is tempestuous, flitting restlessly across the country, falling in and out of love,
wrestling with alcohol and mental health, but through all of it, always, her art was a fixed point and north star. Featuring a
brand new prologue from the author, "Floor Sample" is honest and unapologetic, a glimpse into the heart and mind behind
"The Artist's Way".
Critique: Original published in hardcover in May 2006, "Floor Sample: A Creative Memoir" is now newly published by St.
Martin's Essentials in a paperback edition and in a digital book format ($12.99). Eloquent, fascinating, candid, informative,
"Floor Sample" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists as well as community and academic
library Contemporary American Women's Biography/Memoir collections.
Editorial Note: Julia Cameron (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Cameron) is credited with starting a movement in 1992
that has brought creativity into the mainstream conversation -- in the arts, in business, and in everyday life. She is the
author of more than forty books, fiction and nonfiction; a poet, songwriter, filmmaker and playwright. Commonly referred
to as "The Godmother" or "High Priestess" of creativity, her tools are based in practice, not theory, and she considers
herself "the floor sample of her own toolkit."
My Father's War: A True Story of Nazism and Treason
Bjorn Westlie, author
Dean Krouk, translator
University of Wisconsin Press
728 State Street, Suite 443, Madison, WI 53706-1418
www.uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299343248, $19.95, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/My-Fathers-War-Nazism-Treason/dp/0299343243
Synopsis: "My Father's War: A True Story of Nazism and Treason" is simultaneously a history of the Nazi occupation of
Norway in World War II and a son's sincere attempt to understand the silences, motivations, and experiences of an
estranged father.
Carefully researched and deftly combining family memoir and historical retelling, Bjorn Westlie uncovers his father's
actions as a volunteer soldier for the Waffen-SS, the military wing of the infamous Schutzstaffel (SS), in the invasion of
the Soviet Union. Balancing his role as both son and critical investigator, Westlie unflinchingly interrogates his father's
fascist convictions, which speak to the appeal Hitler's ideology held for a small, disgraced segment of Norway's
mid-century population.
A story of collaboration, tragedy, and treason, "My Father's War" reveals the little-known history of Norway's
frontkjempere (front fighters), the atrocities the Waffen-SS committed against Ukrainian Jews, and the complex legacies of
ethno-nationalism in Norway.
Critique: Ably translated into English for an American readership (and providing an insightful introduction), Dean Krouk
makes available "My Father's War: A True Story of Nazism and Treason", author and biographer Bjorn Westlie's story of
his father's activities as a member of the Waffen-SS is sober, reflective, candid, informative, and provides the reader with a
factual, informatively detailed, and well written account of the attraction of fascism in a world at war -- and its personal
costs and consequences for the families and the post-war lives of war crime committing members of the Waffen-SS. A
unique and exceptional contribution to the growing library of World War II Histories and Biographies, "My Father's War:
A True Story of Nazism and Treason" is particularly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional,
community, and academic curriculum WWII studies lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "My Father's
War: A True Story of Nazism and Treason" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.95).
Editorial Note #1: Bjorn Westlie (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bj%C3%B8rn_Westlie), who has worked as a journalist
and historian, is the author of Oppgjor i skyggen av Holocaust (Reckoning in the Shadow of the Holocaust) and four other
books.
Editorial Note #2: Dean Krouk (https://gns.wisc.edu/staff/krouk-dean), is an Associate Professor of Scandinavian studies
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also the author of two books, including The Making of an Antifascist:
Nordahl Grieg between the World Wars.
The American Doctor
Savatore J. Forcina, MD
Gaudium Publishing
c/o Histria Books
www.histriabooks.com
9781592112098, $29.99, HC, 276pp
https://www.amazon.com/American-Doctor-Salvatore-J-Forcina/dp/1592112099
Synopsis: Born in Italy during World War II, Salvatore Forcina was a young boy who survived all odds by living through
his young childhood without any real or proper shelter. Like many Italians during this time, a month after turning eight
years old his parents migrated to Argentina, a developing country at the time rich with natural resources and hope for a
more stable life.
Sent away to live with Redemptorist priests for seven long years as the only available option to study, this young boy
struggled emotionally and psychologically with no social outlets and little emotional development. But Salvatore's dream
to study medicine and help people propelled him to carry on and continue his education, eventually being educated and
living on three different continents, each with a new language to learn and master.
Despite his meager beginnings which provided no social and little educational opportunity and despite the many years and
setbacks it took him to accomplish this, his goal was ultimately accomplished because of his sheer determination. "The
American Doctor" true-life story is motivating, uplifting and based on what genuine love of family can provide to
someone.
Critique: An inherently fascinating and impressively well written memoir, "The American Doctor" is one of those
exceptional life-story memoirs that are ultimately inspiring and truly memorable. An interesting and unusual life lived out
in interesting and unusual times, "The American Doctor" is a highly recommended pick for community/academic library
Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The American
Doctor" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Dr. Salvatore J. Forcina (http://salvatoreforcina.com) was born in Scauri, Italy in 1941. This was the time
of World War II and the war and its aftermath presented locals with few options other than to flee their homes and later,
ultimately their country. At eight years old he moved to Azul, Argentina where he attended Jovenado, a sleepaway school
for boys run by Redemptorist priests. Salvatore's dream to study medicine and help people propelled him to carry on and
continue his education, eventually being educated and living on three different continents, each with a new language to
learn and master.
But She Looks Fine: From Illness to Activism
Olivia Goodreau
Gaudium Publishing
c/o Histria Books
www.histriabooks.com
9781592112104, $24.99, HC, 146pp
https://www.amazon.com/But-She-Looks-Fine-Activism/dp/1592112102
Synopsis: With the publication of "But She Looks Fine: From Illness to Activism", Olivia Goodreau tells is the intensely
personal story of how she turned the physical challenges and emotional hardships she had faced since she was a little girl
into an engaged life of advocacy for others.
So many young people are faced with life-changing hardships ranging from illness and disease to loss and calamity. What
Olivia Goodreau discovers through her journey with chronic Lyme Disease, and what she has been sharing with the world,
is that inside of every predicament is also a possibility.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "But She Looks Fine: From Illness to Activism" is an exceptionally well written,
impressively candid, organized and presented memoir that will have a very special appeal and relevance for readers having
to deal with the life-impacting and altering effects of a physical or emotional affliction of their own. An ideal pick for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Social Activist & Medical Professional Biography/Memoir
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "But She Looks Fine: From Illness to Activism" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Olivia Goodreau (https://butshelooksfinebook.com) is the founder of the LivLyme Foundation and inventor
of the free global app, TickTracker. Olivia founded the LivLyme Foundation in 2017 when she was 12 years old, to raise
money for children who cannot afford their Lyme medication and doctors' visits and to fund research to find a cure for
Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Olivia hopes the LivLyme Foundation will positively impact those that suffer from all
tick-borne diseases. As the inventor of TickTracker, she is striving to educate the public and keep people safe while
creating a database for research.
Driving Home Naked
Melinda G. McCall, DVM
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9781647425173, $17.95, PB, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Driving-Home-Naked-Misadventures-Veterinarian/dp/1647425174
Synopsis: Have you ever driven home from work wearing nothing but a pair of rubber boots? For Dr. Melinda McCall, a
large animal veterinarian in rural Virginia, she is living the dream. Caring for cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, llamas, and the
occasional alpaca, unusual mishaps and mind-blowing adventures abound. Getting caught driving home naked after a
tough day at work is just another day at the office for Dr. Melinda.
With the publication of her memoir, "Driving Home Naked: And Other Misadventures of a Country Veterinarian", the
reader will enjoy traveling along in Melinda's vet truck as this fearless veterinarian confronts every obstacle that crosses
her path while building a thriving veterinary practice with an all-female foundation.
Melinda's life has included prevailing through a fractured skull, back surgery, rare zoonotic diseases, and other extreme
challenges. With stubbornness and grit, she surpasses the expectations of adversaries, including her own father, to become
the owner of a successful veterinary business and mother of an inquisitive, spirited young daughter.
Offering a firsthand glimpse into the fascinating world of veterinary medicine, "Driving Home Naked" is a smart, riveting,
and heartfelt memoir that will captivate animal lovers and inspire people to follow their dreams on any scale.
Critique: An absolutely fascinating, exceptionally well written, and fully entertaining true life veterinarian memoir that will
have a very special appeal to fans of the James Harriot stories of his adventures as a veterinarian, "Driving Home Naked:
And Other Misadventures of a Country Veterinarian" by Melinda G. McCall is an especially and unreservedly
recommended addition to community and academic library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Driving Home Naked" is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Melinda G. McCall (https://www.drmelindaauthor.com/about) owns a large animal mobile veterinary
service in central Virginia. She and her all-female staff specialize in beef and dairy cattle herds, swine, small ruminant
animals, and camelids. Dr. Melinda earned a BS in Biology from Queens University and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. A woman in a male-dominated field, she has mastered the ability
to do the work she loves while educating and inspiring others through her expertise, passion, and grit. Dr. Melinda is
passionate about agricultural education.
David Bowie: Rainbowman 1967-1980
Jerome Soligny
Monoray
c/o Octopus Publishing
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781800960633, $39.99 HC, $14.99 Kindle, 704pp
https://www.amazon.com/David-Bowie-Rainbowman-Jerome-Soligny/dp/1800960638
The only prerequisite for enjoying David Bowie: Rainbowman 1967-1980 is a prior interest in the musician's life and an
ability to absorb a meticulously-done biographical sketch which contains well over six hundred pages of research and
extensive interviews with those involved in Bowie's life.
Fans will find this new biography to be one of the most vibrant, revealing coverages of Bowie's life and art in print,
reviewing his music and influences with a dedicated hand to detail that includes in-depth revelations by contemporaries
such as Mick Ronson and other notable musical artists.
The depth of examination and insights contributes an authoritative understanding of Bowie's works that is both
wide-ranging and essential to any serious understanding of his artistry, making David Bowie: Rainbowman 1967-1980 a
top recommendation for any collection looking for an exhaustive, revealing coverage of his music and the milieu in which
it was born.
The Architecture Shelf
Environmental Activism by Design
Coleman Coker, author
Sarah Gamble, author
Applied Research & Design
c/o ORO Editions
31 Commerical Blvd., Suite F, Novato, CA 94949
www.oroeditions.com
9781954081796, $35.00, PB, 200pp
https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Activism-Design-Coleman-Coker/dp/1954081790
Synopsis: "Environmental Activism by Design" is a monograph by architects and educators Coleman Coker and Sarah
Gamble. They seek to challenges designers to actively engage the environmental crisis through their work, while
articulating an optimistic, tangible means to pursue community good and environmental justice through design activism
and engagement.
"Environmental Activism by Design" advocates that in addition to greener buildings, cheaper housing, and technological
fixes, in this era of Climate Change and its challenges, architects must rethink pedagogy and praxis so that every single
architecture graduate can define equity and transform the profession.
"Environmental Activism by Design" centers on the award-winning Gulf Coast DesignLab at the University of Texas,
which works directly with clients and stakeholders to produce spaces for the public to learn and researchers to undertake
their environmental work. "Environmental Activism by Design" asks environmentally aware architects and designers to
challenge themselves, as agents of social equity, environmental justice, and climate action, to pursue operative practices
and transformation rather than mere keywords and consensus.
Critique: This large format (7.75 x 0.75 x 9.75 inches, 1.83 pounds) hardcover edition of "Environmental Activism by
Design" is expertly illustrated with numerous full color illustrations and features an informative three page Foreword (An
Architecture of Sentient Beings), a ten page Introduction, a fourteen page Conclusion, and three page Afterword (Why Do
We Do What We Do?). "Environmental Activism by Design" is an inherently fascinating, insightful, thoughtful and
thought-provoking read and an especially recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and
university library Sustainability/Green Design collections and supplemental Architectural Criticism curriculum studies
lists.
Editorial Note #1: Coleman Coker (https://soa.utexas.edu/faculty/coleman-coker) is the Professor of Practice at the
University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture and director of the Gulf Coast DesignLab there. He is also a Loeb
Fellow in Advanced Environmental Studies at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a Rome Prize recipient
from the American Academy in Rome. Coker is an Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) 2019
Architectural Education Award Winner for his community-outreach work with the Gulf Coast DesignLab. He is past
director of the Memphis Center of Architecture, a design program focused on urban ecologies through the art of
building.
Editorial Note #2: Sarah Gamble (https://dcp.ufl.edu/faculties/sarah-gamble) is an Assistant Professor at the University of
Florida School of Architecture, following teaching at the University of Texas at Austin from 2011 to 2018. Gamble's
academic research focuses on context and how the design process is catalyzed by the surrounding environment and
designers' understanding of it. Gamble previously served as Architect for the Texas Historical Commission's Main Street
Program, Principal at GO collaborative, and Architect at the Austin Community Design and Development Center.
Oak-Framed Buildings
Rupert Newman
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946616, $35.00, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Oak-Framed-Buildings-Rupert-Newman/dp/1784946613
Synopsis: When it comes to architecture, it is well known that oak-framed projects stand the test of time. The longevity of
the mighty oak trees that grow for centuries is echoed in oak-framed buildings
Now in a newly updated edition from The GMC Group, "Oak-Framed Buildings" by Rupert Newman is the 'go-to' resource
for carpenters, builders, aspiring DIYers, and anyone who appreciates beautiful, durable, and environmentally friendly
structures.
Revised and fully up-to-date. "Oak-Framed Buildings" has been substantially revised to bring it completely up-to-date and
in compliance with current building technology and standards. It combines traditional building techniques with modern
materials and installation methods, resulting in solid buildings with a high standard of energy efficiency.
"Oak-Framed Buildings" covers: Practical information about the history of timber framing; The structural qualities of oak;
How-to get started; Techniques of timber-frame construction; Designing frames; Making and raising frames; The building
envelope; Finishing details -- and much more!
Critique: Informatively enhanced with the inclusion of 180 stunning full-color photographs of structures in various stages
of construction and some 90 three-dimensional illustrations, "Oak-Framed Buildings" is an effective melding of
centuries-old techniques with 21st century environmental and energy-saving standards -- an essential resource for
professional and non-professionals alike. Exceptionally well written, impressively organized, and thoroughly 'user friendly'
in presentation, this newly updated and expanded edition of "Oak-Framed Buildings" is especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Architectural Studies collections and
supplemental curriculum reading lists.
Editorial Note: Rupert Newman has been actively involved in carpentry since the age of 12. He has a degree in Naval
Architecture and has worked as a shipwright, but is now the owner of a company employing a number of highly skilled
craftsmen and apprentices, building modern structures with green oak in the traditional way.
The Egyptology Shelf
The Oldest Book in the World
Bill Manley
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500252321, $39.95, HC, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Oldest-Book-World-Philosophy-Pyramids/dp/0500252327
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Oldest Book in the World: Philosophy in the Age of the Pyramids", archaeologist
and Egyptologist Bill Manley offers a new translation of a philosophical and practical advice classic of the ancient world,
'The Teaching of Ptahhatp', written in Egypt four thousand years ago and still relevant for modern readers today.
Bill Manley renders into approachable modern English for the first time the oldest surviving statement of philosophy from
the ancient world: the thirty-seven teachings and twelve conclusions of The Teaching of Ptahhatp, -- who was the vizier, or
chief minister, to the Old Kingdom pharaoh Izezi (2390-2350 BCE). Manley's expert commentary elucidates Ptahhatp's
profound yet practical philosophy, which covers such topics as ambition, fame, confrontation, sex, and wisdom, and offers
a unique window onto ancient Egyptian life and society.
The Teaching of Ptahhatp ought to begin the list of the world's classics of philosophy, yet it has been largely forgotten
since its rediscovery in the nineteenth century. Manley's new translation corrects this oversight, making accessible for the
first time the Old Kingdom vizier Ptahhatp's concise, helpful insights into the human condition.
New translations of two further texts ('The Dialogue Between a Man and His Soul', in which a man asks himself, "What is
the point of living?," and 'Why Things Happen', the oldest surviving account of creation from anywhere in the world),
demonstrate how Ptahhatp's philosophy was founded in ancient Egyptian beliefs about truth and reality.
Manley also introduces the vizier and the world within which he operated, as well as the significance of the "oldest book of
the world," preserved in a scroll now known as the Papyrus Prisse in the Bibliotheque Nationale de France. Together these
works by Ptahhatp provide a new perspective on the Pyramid Age and overturn traditional stereotypes about the origins of
Western philosophy.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader with 74 B/W and 25 full color illustrations, an eight page Bibliography, eight pages of
Notes, and an eight page Index, "The Oldest Book in the World: Philosophy in the Age of the Pyramids" is an
extraordinary and exemplary work of seminal scholarship and a core addition to personal, professional, community,
college, and university library Egyptology collections and supplemental History of Philosophy curriculum studies
lists.
Editorial Note: Bill Manley (https://learnforpleasure.com/tutors/bill-manley) has been working with archaeological
projects in Egypt for three decades. He taught the ancient Egyptian and Coptic languages for more than thirty years at the
Universities of London, Glasgow, and Liverpool, and was senior curator for ancient Egypt at National Museums Scotland.
His books include Egyptian Art in the World of Art series and Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners.
The Military Shelf
The Winter War 1939-40
Philip Jowett
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636242385, $28.95, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Winter-War-1939-40-Casemate-Illustrated/dp/1636242383
Synopsis: When the Soviet Union invaded Finland in late 1939, what transpired was a true "David and Goliath" conflict.
When Finland refused a number of Soviet demands, including the ceding of substantial border territories ostensibly to
enable the Soviets to protect Leningrad, the Soviets responded by launching an invasion. The invasion involved a large
Soviet army, with several thousand tanks, and a large air force.
But to the world's surprise the Finnish Army (many of them reservists without proper uniforms and limited ammunition)
and Air Force battled overwhelming odds, and managed to resist Russian attacks for over two months, inflicting serious
losses.
Geography played its part as much of the Finnish-Soviet border was impassable, meaning that Soviet numerical superiority
was of less import. Operating in the winter, with temperatures ranging as low as -43F, the Finns' determined resistance
won them international reputation.
Although hostilities finally ended in a peace treaty that saw Finland cede 9% of its territory, Soviet losses had been heavy,
and Finland retained its sovereignty.
Critique: "The Winter War 1939-40" by Philip Jowett is a fully illustrated text that covers all the forces involved and all
stages of what is now known to military historians as the Winter War. A part of the simply outstanding Casemate
Illustrated series, "The Winter War 1939-40" is an invaluable and highly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, and acdemic library 20th Century European Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists. It should be noted for students, academia, historians, and military history buffs that "The Winter War 1939-40" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.95).
Editorial Note: Philip Jowett (https://www.usni.org/people/philip-jowett) has been interested in military history from an
early age, published many books over the last twenty-five years, specializing in the armies of Asia in the first half of the
twentieth century, the Russo-Japanese War, and the armies of the Second World War.
The First Bridge Too Far
Mark Saliger
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636243757, $24.95, PB, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/First-Bridge-Too-Far-Primosole/dp/1636243754
Synopsis: Originally published by Casemate in August 2018, and now released in a paperback edition, the World War II
conflict known as the Battle of Primosole Bridge is brought to life in Mark Saliger's "The First Bridge Too Far: The Battle
of Primosole Bridge 1943", a well-researched narrative solely dedicated to one of the bloodiest and hardest fought battles
for British airborne troops of World War Two.
Primosole Bridge in Sicily (13-16 July 1943) provided the stage for the first instance of opposing elite paratroopers
parachuting into battle and then fighting each other in a see-saw battle raging under the blazing Mediterranean sky. It's a
story of courage and determination. A story of legendary military units and their commanders. A story that now, on the eve
of its 75th Anniversary, finally needs to be told.
The British paratroopers of the famed Parachute Regiment's 1st Parachute Brigade, known as the 'Red Devils,' fought their
equally esteemed German paratrooper opponents, known as the 'Green Devils,' in a battle of attrition central to the entire
success of the Allies' first invasion of Hitler's Fortress Europe. These two sets of elite Devils fought each other to a
standstill in Hellish conditions.
The paratroopers found themselves cut off behind enemy lines with dwindling ammunition and ever-growing enemy forces
encircling. Their courage and determination in standing up to overwhelming odds allowed the ground forces to arrive and
capture the bridge in the nick of time before it was destroyed.
The hard-won experience gained by the 1st Parachute Brigade was again tested only a year later at the Battle of Arnhem,
the battle christened "a bridge too far." It was in fact an almost identical battle, but on a larger scale, to the ferocious fight
that the British paratroopers had faced only months previously.
The Battle of Arnhem is well documented. The Battle of Primosole Bridge, which provided the foundations for the men
and planning for the legendary events at Arnhem, is virtually unheard of and needs to be told at last in order to honor the
sacrifice of the Britain's unsung war heroes.
Critique: Also available for in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99), with the publication of "The First Bridge Too Far:
The Battle of Primosole Bridge 1943", author and veteran Mark Saliger rescues from an undeserved obscurity the World
War II story that will prove to be an enduringly appreciated acquisition for the personal reading lists of World War II
military history buffs, as well as professional, community, college, and university library World War II history collections
and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Mark Saliger served in the 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment for over six years including tours of duty
in global theatres of operations such as Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan where he experienced combat situations on
a regular basis. He has experienced first-hand both the planning of operations and then being part of those same operations
behind enemy lines and is uniquely qualified to paint a soldier's eye view of the battle.
Retreat through the Rhone Valley
Jorg Staiger, author
Matthais Strohn, editor
Linden Lyons, translator
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636242309, $32.95, HC, 168pp
https://www.amazon.com/Retreat-through-Rhone-Valley-August-September/dp/1636242308
Synopsis: The Dragoon offensive in August 1944 was preceded by bombings and sabotage that hit hard at the German
forces located in the South of France -- damaging communications, railroads and bridges. The landings were then
overwhelmingly successful, despite localized German resistance.
The following morning a German force the size of around four infantry battalions was able to launch a counterattack, but
by the end of the day von Schwerin ordered a retreat under cover of night. What ensued was a race to retreat to the
Burgundian Gate, or Belfort Gap, before they were cut off by the advancing Allied troops.
The Allies had all the means for a successful pursuit, while most of the German troops, with the notable exception of the
11th Panzer Division, were largely incapable of undertaking an orderly retreat. Some units, including the LXII Corps
headquarters, were surrounded and captured.
With the publication of "Retreat through the Rhone Valley: Defensive battles of the Nineteenth Army, August-September
1944", Jorg Staiger, recounts the German retreat and explains how the 19th Army sacrificed divisions to enable its retreat
through the Rhone Valley.
Critique: Ably written by Jorg Staiger, deftly edited by Matthais Strohn, occasionally illustrated with line drawn maps, and
professionally translated into English by Linden Lyons, "Retreat through the Rhone Valley: Defensive battles of the
Nineteenth Army, August-September 1944" is an eyewitness German account of the German army's retreat following the
Allied Dragoon landings of World War II. Also available for personal reading lists of students, academia, military buffs in
a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) "Retreat through the Rhone Valley" a singular and key addition to community,
college, and university library World War II History/Biography/Memoir collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists.
Editorial Note #1: There is a listing of military histories by German author Jorg Staiger on the www.Bookshop.org website
at https://bookshop.org/contributors/jorg-staiger
Editorial Note #2: Matthias Strohn (https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/research/hri/fellows/strohn) is head of historical
analysis at the Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research and the British Army's strategic think tank, visiting
professor of military studies at the University of Buckingham, and a member of the academic faculty at the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst. He holds a commission in the German Army and is a member of the military attache reserve. He was
awarded the highest German military decoration, the 'Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in Gold,' and has published widely on
20th-century German and European military history. He has authored and edited over 20 books and numerous articles.
Editorial Note #3: Linden Lyons holds a master's degree in history from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He
studied German at the University of Freiburg and librarianship at the University of Canberra. He is the translator of several
titles in the Die Wehrmacht im Kampf series, most recently Counter-Strike Operations, Normandy, and Rome to the Po
River.
Headhunter
Peter C. Svoboda
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781636243214, $24.95, PB, 228pp
https://www.amazon.com/Headhunter-Their-Fight-Diyala-Valley/dp/1636243215
Synopsis: Selected in 2005 by the Army to be the first airborne reconnaissance squadron, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry
Regiment, better known as 5-73 CAV, was formed from 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The members
of the squadron were hand-selected by the squadron command team, Lieutenant Colonel Poppas and Command Sergeant
Major Edgar. With just more than 400 paratroopers, they were half the size of a full-strength battalion and the smallest unit
in the Panther Brigade.
The squadron deployed to eastern Diyala in August, 2006. Despite their size, they were tasked with an enormous mission
and were given the largest area of operations within the brigade. Appropriately for a unit known by the call sign of its CO -
Headhunter - 5-73 would go on to pursue various terrorist factions including Al Qaeda in Iraq. They got results, and 5-73
was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for launching the Turki Bowl campaign from November 2006 to January 2007
against insurgent groups in Diyala Province. However the toll would be heavy -- the squadron lost twenty-two paratroopers
during the deployment.
With the publication of "Headhunter: 5-73 CAV and Their Fight for Iraq's Diyala River Valley", military historian Peter C.
Svoboda provides a unique account of the war against Al Qaed in Iraq.
This is also a soldier's story, told by those very paratroopers who gallantly fought to tame Diyala. Based on dozens of
interviews conducted by the author, the narrative describes the danger of combat, the loss of comrades and the struggles of
returning from a deployment. The voice of the families left behind are also included, describing the challenges they faced,
including the ultimate challenge -- grappling with the death of a loved one.
This military history of the war in Iraq explores the human dimensions of loss and struggle and illustrates the sacrifices our
service members and their loved ones make.
Critique: Originally published in hardcover in October 2020, "Headhunter: 5-73 CAV and Their Fight for Iraq's Diyala
River Valley", (and featuring an informative Foreword by Lt. General William B. Caldwell (Ret.), former commander,
82nd Airborne Division ) by Peter C. Svoboda is now available for personal reading lists and community/academic library
21st Century American Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists in a paperback edition
(9781636243214, $24.95), in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book
(Blackstone Audio, 9798200153589, $39.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Peter C. Svoboda (https://petercsvoboda.com) divides his time between writing and working as a healthcare
emergency management planner. He was previously a firefighter for twenty-five years. He volunteers as a museum docent
at the National Museum of the United States Army. Pete Svoboda's dad is the reason he wrote Headhunter. He was
inspired by his dad's World War II service in the airborne forces along with a desire to tell the story of this current
generation of paratroopers.
Storm Clouds Over the Pacific, 1931-1941
Peter Harmsen
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781636243016, $24.95, PB, 234pp
https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Clouds-Over-Pacific-1931-1941/dp/1636243010
Synopsis: 'War in the Far East' is a trilogy of books by Peter Harmsen and comprise a general history of the war against
Japan. Unlike other histories this three volume series expands the narrative beginning long before Pearl Harbor and
encompasses a much wider group of actors to produce the most complete narrative yet written and the first truly
international treatment of the epic conflict.
Author and military historian Peter Harmsen uses his impressive ability to weave together complex events into an
entertaining and revealing narrative, including facets of the war that may be unknown to many readers of WWII history,
such as the war in Subarctic conditions on the Aleutians, or the mass starvations that cost the lives of millions in China,
Indochina, and India, and offering a range of perspectives to reflect what war was like both at the top and at the bottom,
from the Oval Office to the blistering sands of Peleliu.
"Storm Clouds Over the Pacific: 1931-1941" begins the story long before Pearl Harbor, showing how the war can only be
understood if ancient hatreds and long-standing geopolitics are taken into account. Peter Harmsen demonstrates how Japan
and China's ancient enmity grew in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries leading to increased tensions in the
1930s which exploded into conflict in 1937.
The battles of Shanghai and Nanjing were followed by the battle of Taierzhuang in 1938, China's only major victory. A
war of attrition continued up to 1941, the year when Japan made the momentous decision for all-out war; the infamous
attack on Pearl Harbor catapulted the United States into the war, and the Japanese also overran British and Dutch
territories throughout the western Pacific.
Critique: Originally published in December 2018 and now newly available from Casemate Publishers in a paperback
edition (9781636243016, $24.95), in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book
from Blackstone Audio (9798200842094, $41.99), "Storm Clouds Over the Pacific, 1931-1941" is enhanced for the reader
with the inclusion of a fourteen page Bibliography, thirty pages of Notes, and an eleven page Index. Exceptionally well
written for both academia and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in World War II history, "Storm Clouds
Over the Pacific, 1931-1941" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal reading lists and
community/academic library collections.
Editorial Note: Peter Harmsen, PhD, is the author of "Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze" and "Nanjing 1937:
Battle for a Doomed City", as well as the War in the Far East trilogy. He studied history at National Taiwan University and
has been a foreign correspondent in East Asia for more than two decades. He has focused mainly on the Chinese-speaking
societies but has reported from nearly every corner of the region, including Mongolia and North Korea. His books have
been translated into Chinese, Danish and Romanian.
The Interior Design Shelf
How to Redecorate, second edition
Joa Studholme, author
Charlotte Cosby, author
Farrow & Ball, author
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784728991, $44.99, HC, 268pp
https://www.amazon.com/Farrow-Ball-How-Redecorate-Transform/dp/1784728993
Synopsis: Now in an updated and expanded second edition, "How to Redecorate: Transform Your Home with Paint &
Paper" by co-authors Joa Studholme and Charlotte Cosby (as well as the firm of Farrow & Ball) brings the invaluable
advice from the first edition right up to date in line with current trends, including catering for the home-working age. This
new addition of "How to Redecorate" reflects the seismic shift in the way we decorate our homes that has taken place over
the last decade, showcasing a wide range of living spaces, featuring everything from compact city apartments to roomier
country residences.
Packed from cover to cover with stylish and easy-to-follow decorating advice, "How to Redecorate" answers common
questions, including which white to use with which color, how to select a neutral group and what exactly are the three
different ways to decorate? Accompanied by a wealth of inspirational new images, the book also features an expanded
section on color names and inspirations, as well as guidance on how to create a beautiful working space within the
home.
With more than 80% new material, this new edition of "How to Redecorate" takes decorating to a whole new level,
demystifying the process with ease and equipping you to transform your home.
Critique: Formally titled "Farrow & Ball: How to Decorate" (October 2020), this new and impressively expanded/updated
edition of "How to Redecorate" is an ideal instructional guide, how-to manual, and inspirational resource for home owners
and professional interior designers wanting to update and improve the appearance and style of a home. Profusely illustrated
throughout with full color photography, "How to Redecorate" is exceptionally well written, impressively organized, and
thoroughly 'user friendly' in presentation. While strongly recommended for personal, professional, community, and
academic library Interior Design collections, it should be noted that the large format hard cover edition of "How to
Redecorate" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.99).
Editorial Note #1: Joa Studholme Having joined Farrow & Ball more than 25 years ago, Joa Studholme has amassed a vast
wealth of experience. From developing new colors to consulting on design projects, Joa works with the paints and papers
every day on both residential and commercial projects and chooses colors for more than 4,500 rooms a year.
(https://www.farrow-ball.com/en-us/colour-consultancy/meet-joa-studholme)
Editorial Note #2: Charlotte Cosby is the head of creative and has been working with Farrow & Ball for the past sixteen
years. Charlotte began her career in finance, but she soon realized that her heart was in the creative world and she moved to
Farrow & Ball in 2006. She has full responsibility for creative direction, including product development, brand identity,
photography, showroom design and much more.
Editorial Note #3: Paint pioneers John Farrow and Richard Ball founded their company in 1946. They met while working
at a local clay pit and later went on to build their first factory in Dorset, southern England, where the company is still
based. Farrow & Ball is now one of the world's leading home decorating brands, manufacturing decorative paint and
wallpaper that transform homes around the globe. Farrow & Ball (https://www.farrow-ball.com/en-us) distributes its paints
and papers to 70 countries worldwide, and there are more than 50 Farrow & Ball showrooms in the UK, Europe and North
America, as well as over 1,500 independent retailers who support the brand.
Uncommon Kitchens
Sophie Donelson
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
www.abramsbooks.com
9781419762314, $40.00, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Kitchens-Revolutionary-Approach-Popular/dp/1419762311
Synopsis: The past few years (especially having been house-bound during the Covid years) have made us all want to
rethink our living spaces, particularly our kitchens. Our inner voices are saying, "You spend a lot of time in this room.
Shouldn't it feel more like you?"
Now at least your kitchen can.
With the publication of "Uncommon Kitchens: A Revolutionary Approach to the Most Popular Room in the House",
interior designer and former editor in chief of House Beautiful, Sophie Donelson, revolutionizes traditional kitchen design
with a bevy of inventive ideas for makeovers both large and small.
The kitchen is designed unlike any other room in the house, but that doesn't mean you have to be hemmed in by tradition.
Donelson takes a rule-breaking approach, mixing and layering styles, colors, furnishings, and layouts to make even
well-trodden kitchens vividly fresh. Drawing on advice and up-to-the-minute projects from designers such as Frances
Merrill, Jaqui Seerman, Victoria Sass, and many more, each personality-filled chapter is packed with liberating designs
that will change your thinking about the tried-and-true kitchen.
Learn from the DIY community, Instagrammers, and design experts like Nate McBride, Justina Blakeney, and Athena
Calderone. Be inspired by innovators such as MK Quinlan and James Coviello. Packed from cover to cover with
indispensable tips to help you revolutionize your kitchen, "Uncommon Kitchens" is an ideal browsers' compendium of
imaginative new spaces that will make you a quick Kitchen remodeling DIY expert in your own right.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout with inspiring full color photography, "Uncommon Kitchens: A Revolutionary
Approach to the Most Popular Room in the House" is as informative and inspiring as it is impressively 'reader friendly' in
commentary, organization, and presentation. This large format (8.3 x 1.2 x 10.25 inches, 2.75 pounds) hardcover edition is
a highly recommended and solid pick for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Interior Design
& Home Decoration collections. It should be noted that "Uncommon Kitchens" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Sophie Donelson (sophiedonelson.com) served as editor in chief of House Beautiful and is currently a
marketing strategist and sought-after consultant. Donelson is a favorite (and repeat) speaker for the annual Future of Home
Conference, and is an advisor to high-profile brands such as Curbed, VRBO, Business of Home, and Mitchell Gold. She
makes regular guest appearances as a design expert on Good Morning America, Today,and Open House.
The Photography Shelf
Oceano: An Elegy for the Earth
David Ulrich
George F Thompson Publishing
c/o Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781938086922, $45.00, HC, 156pp
https://www.amazon.com/Oceano-Elegy-Earth-David-Ulrich/dp/1938086929
Synopsis: Climate change is the great existential reality of our time. How we approach this crisis will affect life on Earth
for present and future generations. In spite of our collective ideals, irreversible damage to the environment is imminent and
represents urgent local and global concern. Through artfully rendered photographs of an acutely endangered landscape,
With the publication of "Oceano: An Elegy for the Earth", photographer David Ulrich visually explores the deep paradox
between the devout, powerful presence of nature and environmental loss and damage.
Extending eighteen miles along Central California's famed coastline and divided into both a natural preserve and a state
vehicular recreation area, the Oceano Dune complex has long fascinated photographers such as Ansel Adams and Edward
and Brett Weston. The ephemeral, ever-changing landscape here expresses a sublime order and reflects many correlations
between land and the dynamics of human society. Using metaphors that inspire hope and explore impermanence and
darkness contrasted with the purity of suffusing light, Ulrich's photographs have been likened to Mark Rothko's "silence
and solitude" that express the resonance and subtle dimensions of consciousness.
The coastal environment of the Oceano Dunes is tempered by multiple threats such as incessant motorized activity, the
toxicity of surrounding industrial-scale agriculture, and some of the worst air quality in the nation. Thus, for the book's
sequence of images, the photographer employs the literary form of an elegy, an extended reflection and lamentation on
Earth during the early twenty-first century.
An elegy refers to a poetic reflection of sorrow and love, often for a transient, mortal entity. As Ulrich writes: "Sorrow and
love for Earth, indeed. No better articulation exists for my regard for our dying planet and common mother."
Critique: This large format (10.2 x 1 x 7.9 inches, 2.85 pounds) hardcover volume of "Oceano: An Elegy for the Earth" by
David Ulrich is published by George F. Thompson Publishing and distributed by Casemate/IPM. An impressive and
compelling compendium of un-captioned, full page photos (four in full color, the rest in black/white), "Oceano: An Elegy
for Earth" is a particularly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library
collections -- and will be of special interest to students of photography and climate change driven environmental
impacts.
Editorial Note: David Ulrich (https://creativeguide.com) is an active photographer and writer whose work has been
published in numerous books and journals, including Aperture, MANOA, Parabola, and Sierra Club publications. Ulrich's
photographs have been exhibited internationally in more than seventy-five one-person and group exhibitions in museums,
galleries, and universities. He is currently a professor and co-director of Pacific New Media Foundation in Honolulu,
Hawai'i.
The Interior Landscape
Guy Tai
Rocky Nook
1010 B Street, Ste 350, San Rafael, CA 94901
https://rockynook.com
9781681988917, $40.00, HC, 264pp
https://www.amazon.com/Interior-Landscape-Reflections-Creativity-Photography/dp/1681988917
Synopsis: Photographer, teacher, and author Guy Tal has been photographing the landscape for more than 30 years, and in
that time he has also been consistently contributing to the literature of photography, writing not about the technical aspects
of the photograph (the gear, the exposure details, the "secrets to getting a great shot") but about the deeper topics of visual
expression, creativity, art, and life.
Building on the legacy of his previous books "More Than a Rock" and "Another Day Not Wasted", as well as his work as a
regular contributor to LensWork and On Landscape magazines, With the publication of "The Interior Landscape: The
Landscape on Both Sides of the Camera: Reflections on Art, Creativity, Expression, and a Life in Photography", Guy
offers a collection of more than 60 brief essays, and illustrated throughout with Guy's stunning photography.
Of special note is Guy discussion of: Creativity and expression as the most significant aspects of making art; The
controversial and tenuous relationship between photography (by design a medium for objective representation) and art (by
definition the subjective expressions of the imagination of artists); How he has formed a relationship with, and found
meaning in, the natural landscape, and how he expresses these meanings in his photographs; Lessons learned from more
than three decades of practicing expressive landscape photography.
Critique: An inherently fascinating, thoughtful and thought-provoking read that will be of particular value to photography
students, professional photographers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in art appreciation, "The Interior
Landscape: The Landscape on Both Sides of the Camera: Reflections on Art, Creativity, Expression, and a Life in
Photography" is an ideal pick for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Contemporary
Photography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "The Interior Landscape" is also
readily available in digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Guy Tal (https://guytal.com) is a lifelong learner and explorer whose interest in art, science, and philosophy
converged with his intense love of wild places, which he expresses through his photography and writing. He is a public
speaker, educator, and frequent contributor to several photographic publications. Guy's first book, "More Than A Rock",
was published by Rocky Nook in 2015.
Park Place: Out West
David Heberlein
George F Thompson Publishing
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781938086946, $40.00, HC, 112pp
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Place-West-David-Heberlein/dp/1938086945
Synopsis: The National Park Service was established by an act of Congress in 1916 to "preserve unimpaired the natural
and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and
future generations." This directive to protect wilderness yet provide accessibility to it without somehow compromising the
integrity of the natural resources seems to be a self-fulfilling contradiction and an arena for conflicting priorities.
With the publication of "Park Place: Out West", photographer David Heberlein explores the tension between access and
enjoyment and preservation of America's public lands.
From 1992 to 2019, he traveled throughout the American West and visited thirty-five national parks, monuments, and
recreation areas. His stunning photographs, made in the course of his many journeys, document the human presence within
the national parks and monuments of the American West. They allude to human influence both through the marks we make
on the land (whether temporary or permanent) and through the presence of visitors who appear in numerous shapes and
sizes performing a variety of familiar sightseeing activities.
These shifting scenarios provide compelling photographic documentation of the multiple roles that national parks and
monuments play and the ongoing need to balance the human impact on nature with the preservation of wild places.
"Park Place: Out West" is comprised of sixty-four tritone photographs by David Heberlein along with an introductory
essay by the photographer and an informative afterword.
Critique: Especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library
American Photography collections, this large format (12.25 x 0.52 x 10 inches, 2.4 pounds) hard cover edition of "Park
Place: Out West" from George F. Thompson Publishing will prove to be a welcome addition to a longstanding tradition of
artists, writers -- as well as amateur and professional photographers heading out West to see and explore and interpret
America's national treasures.
Editorial Note: David Heberlein (https://www.davidheberlein.com) retired as professor emeritus from the University of
Wisconsin System at River Falls. His teaching career spanned thirty years and upwards of a thousand photography
students.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Thing: Inside the Struggle for Animal Personhood
Sam & Cynthia Machado, authors
Steven M. Wise, author
Island Press
2000 M St NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20036
www.islandpress.org
9781642830859, $30.00, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Thing-Inside-Struggle-Animal-Personhood/dp/1642830852
Synopsis: Happy has lived at the Bronx Zoo for most of her 48 years, and for more than a decade has remained largely
isolated and lonely. Like all elephants, Happy has a complex mind and a deep social, intellectual, and emotional life; she
desires to make choices and has a sense of self-recognition. But like all nonhuman animals, Happy is considered a thing in
the eye of the law, with no fundamental rights. Due to a series of groundbreaking legal cases, however, this is beginning to
change - and Happy's liberation is at the forefront. A vibrant and personal graphic novel, "Thing: Inside the Struggle for
Animal Personhood" traces this moving story and makes the legal and scientific case for animal personhood.
Led by lawyer Steven M. Wise and aided by some of the world's most respected animal behavior and cognition scientists,
the Nonhuman Rights Project has filed cases on behalf of nonhuman animals like Happy since 2013. Through this work,
they have forced courts to consider the evidence of their clients' cognitive abilities and their legal arguments for
personhood, opening the door for similar cases worldwide.
In "Thing", comic artists Sam Machado and Cynthia Sousa Machado bring together Wise's groundbreaking work and their
powerful illustrations in the first graphic nonfiction book about the animal personhood movement. Beginning with Happy's
story and the central ideas behind animal rights, Thing then turns to the scientists that are revolutionizing our
understanding of the minds of nonhuman animals such as great apes, elephants, dolphins, and whales. As we learn more
about these creatures' inner lives and autonomy, the need for the greater protections provided by legal rights becomes ever
more urgent.
With cases like Happy's growing in number and spanning from Argentina to India, nations around the world are beginning
to recognize the rights of animals. Combining legal and social history, innovative science, and illustrated storytelling,
"Thing" presents a visionary new way of relating to the nonhuman world.
Critique: Presented in a graphic novel illustrated storytelling format and style, "Thing: Inside the Struggle for Animal
Personhood" is a fun, informative, educative, and thought-provoking read that will be of particular and special interest
those with concerns regarding Animal Rights, Animal Behavior/Communications. While this unique and inherently
fascinating story is available in a digital book format (Kindle, $28.50), "Thing: Inside the Struggle for Animal Personhood"
is an exceptionally recommended pick for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Animal
Rights collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Cynthia Sousa Machado and Sam Machado are the-husband-and-wife team behind the cartoons "I Got
This" and "If I Don't Get Pants." Their work together involves identity, politics and social justice issues. Their editorial
cartoons have been found in the Guardian, The New Republic and Redbook. Their webcomic Cyberbunk is on LINE
Webtoon. (https://www.booksandbooks.com/event/in-person-an-evening-with-cynthia-sam-machado
Editorial Note #2: Steven M. Wise (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_M._Wise) is founder and president of the
Nonhuman Rights Project. He has practiced animal protection law for 30 years throughout the US and is the author of four
books: Rattling the Cage: Toward Legal Rights for Animals; Drawing the Line: Science and the Case for Animal Rights;
Though the Heavens May Fall: The Landmark Trial That Led to the End of Human Slavery; and An American Trilogy:
Death, Slavery, and Dominion Along the Banks of the Cape Fear River. Wise has taught Animal Rights Law at Harvard,
Stanford, and seven other law schools.
Cartoonshow
Derek M. Ballard
Oni Press
www.onipress.com
9781637152188, $21.99, HC, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cartoonshow-Derek-M-Ballard/dp/1637152183
Synopsis: With the publication of "Cartoonshow" from Oni Press, cartoonist and animator Derek M. Ballard has made a
singluar and original contribution to modern American family comics.
It's not his fault that being a single parent in America is kind of a nightmare.
Derek is a solo parent raising three kids in the American South, while trying to make art. Told in a series of free-flowing
and often hilarious comic essays, "Cartoonshow" gets to the heart of the struggle to be a creative person in a society that
doesn't value anything other than how much it can grind out of you.
But Covid, poverty, the failing social safety net, predatory lenders, and literal acts of God can't stop our hero!
Critique: American family life satire at its very best, "Cartoonshow" is presented in a kind of simple drawing, cartoon
driven, graphic novel style of storytelling and is a funny, unique, and unreservedly recommended pick for personal and
community library American Humor and Graphic Novel collections. It should be noted that "Cartoonshow" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.89).
Editorial Note: There is an informative intervew of Derek Ballard on the CLW Artist Guild website at
http://www.cartoonistsleague.org/derek-m-ballard
The Audiobook Shelf
The Library of Broken Worlds
Alaya Dawn Johnson, author
JD Jackson, narrator
Bahni Turpin, narrator
Brilliance Audio
9798400148101, $24.99, MP3-CD (17 Hours 39 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Library-Broken-Worlds-Alaya-Johnson/dp/B0C58Q7JGL
Synopsis: In the winding underground tunnels of the Library, the great peacekeeper of the three systems, a heinous secret
lies buried -- and Freida is the only one who can uncover it. As the daughter of a Library god, Freida has spent her whole
life exploring the Library's ever-changing tunnels and communing with the gods. Her unparalleled access makes her
unique -- and dangerous.
When Freida meets Joshua, a Tierran boy desperate to save his people, and Nergui, a disciple from a persecuted religious
minority, Freida is compelled to help them. But in order to do so, she will have to venture deeper into the Library than she
has ever known. There she will discover the atrocities of the past, the truth of her origins, and the impossibility of her
future.
With the world at the brink of war, Freida embarks on a journey to fulfill her destiny, one that pits her against an ancient
war god. Her mission is straightforward: Destroy the god before he can rain hellfire upon thousands of innocent lives -- if
he doesn't destroy her first.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a riveting fantasy adventure, "The Library of Broken Worlds" by Alaya Dawn
Johnson is now available as a complete and unabridged audio book that is impressively narrated by the vocal acting skills
of JD Jackson and Bahni Turpin. Of special and particular interest to dedicated fantasy fans, this Brilliance Audio edition
will prove to be an immediately welcome and enduringly popular pick for both personal and community library Science
Fiction & Fantasy audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Alaya Dawn Johnson (https://alayadawnjohnson.com) is also the author of The Summer Prince (which
received three starred reviews, was longlisted for the National Book Award, and was named a 2013 Kirkus Reviews Best
Book of the Year) and Love Is the Drug (the 2014 Nebula Award winner for best young adult novel). Her short stories
have appeared in many magazines and anthologies, most notably the title story in The Memory Librarian, in collaboration
with Janelle Monae. She lives in Mexico.
Editorial Note #2: JD Jackson {https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JD_Jackson_(actor)} is an American audiobook narrator,
actor, and theater professor. For his audiobook narrations he has won 26 Earphone Awards and 1 Audie Award. In 2020,
AudioFile named him a Golden Voice Narrator. In 2022, Booklist named him a Voice of Choice Narrator.
Editorial Note #3: Bahni Turpin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahni_Turpin) is an American audiobook narrator and
stage and screen actor based out of Los Angeles. She has won 9 Audie Awards, including Audiobook of the Year for
Children of Blood and Bone; 14 Earphone Awards; and 2 Odyssey Awards. Turpin has also earned a place on AudioFile
magazine's list of Golden Voice Narrators, and in 2016, she was named Audible's Narrator of the Year. In 2018, Audible
inducted her into the Narrator Hall of Fame.
Death Message
Damien Boyd, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Brilliance Audio
9798400132629, $19.99, MP3-CD (8 Hours 40 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Message-Nick-Dixon-Crime/dp/B0BNQCG28C
Synopsis: A routine missing person enquiry takes a grisly turn when a young couple drag a box containing human remains
out of a Somerset river. The victim was a surveillance expert investigating an exaggerated injury claim -- a murder with an
obvious motive, until a police officer is implicated and suspended.
Still brooding after his recent brush with police Professional Standards, Detective Chief Inspector Nick Dixon is on
extended leave, helping his pregnant fiancee, Detective Sergeant Jane Winter, fight for her place on the major investigation
team.
Convinced that the death of an art student is connected, Dixon returns to duty, and when graffiti depicting the murders
starts to appear, the race is on to find the artist and the murderer. But, why the paintings? Could an infamous street artist be
involved?
With colleagues questioning his every move, Dixon must stop a sadistic killer before another life is taken. Then a second
art student is reported missing...
Critique: The thirteen volume in author Damien Boyd's 'DI Nixon Crime' series, "Death Message" is brought to life in a
true 'theatre of the mind' experience by the narrative storytelling talents and expertise of vocal actor Simon Mattacks.
Complete and unabridged, this audio book edition of "Death Message" from Brilliance Audio will have a special appeal to
fans of police procedural crime novels and murder mysteries -- and is unreservedly recommended for personal and
community library Mystery/Suspense audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Damien Boyd (https://www.damienboyd.com) is a solicitor by training and draws on his extensive
experience of criminal law, along with a spell in the Crown Prosecution Service, to write fast-paced crime thrillers
featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon.
Editorial Note #2: Simon Mattacks (https://www.simonmattacks.com) has been a prominent voiceover expert doing
adverts, cartoons, corporate videos, and video games for more than 30 years.
A Thousand Recipes for Revenge
Beth Cato, author
Elizabeth Knowelden, narrator
Brilliance Audio
9798400110535, $19.99, MP3-CD (13 Hours 33 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Recipes-Revenge-Beth-Cato/dp/B0BCQ419CN
Synopsis: Adamantine "Ada" Garland has an empathic connection to food and wine, a magical perception of aromas,
flavors, and ingredients. Invaluable property of the royal court, Ada was in service to the Five Gods and to the
Gods-ordained rulers of Verdania -- until she had enough of injustice and bloodshed and deserted, seeking to chart her own
destiny. When mysterious assassins ferret her out after sixteen years in hiding, Ada, now a rogue Chef, and her beloved
Grand-mere run for their lives, only to find themselves on a path toward an unexpected ally.
A foreign princess in a strange court, Solenn unknowingly shares more with Ada than an epicurean gift. They share blood.
With her newfound magical perception, she becomes aware of a plot to kill her fiance, the prince. It's part of a ploy by
adversarial forces in the rival country of Albion to sow conflict, and Solenn is set up to take the blame.
As Ada's and Solenn's paths converge, a mother and her long-lost daughter reunite toward a common goal, and against a
shadowy enemy from Ada's past who is out for revenge. But what sacrifices must be made? What hope is there when
powerful Gods pick sides in a war simmering to eruption?
Critique: The complete and unabridged audio book edition of an original story that will have a special appeal for historical
and sword/sorcery fantasy fans, Beth Cato's "A Thousand Recipes for Revenge" novel is brought vividly to life by the
narrative storytelling performance of voice actor Elizabeth Knowelden. A solidly entertaining tale of magic and danger, "A
Thousand Recipes for Revenge" is a fun and recommended pick for the personal collections of dedicated fantasy fans and
for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy audio book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Beth Cato (www.bethcato.com) is the author of the Clockwork Dagger series and the Blood of Earth
trilogy. Her short stories and poetry can be found in hundreds of publications, including Fantasy Magazine, Escape Pod,
Uncanny Magazine, and the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. Beth hails from Hanford, California, but currently
writes and bakes cookies in a lair west of Phoenix, Arizona, that she shares with her husband, son, and two feline
overlords.
Editorial Note #2: Elizabeth Knowelden (https://www.elizabethknowelden.com/about) is an actress, singer, director and
creative artist who trained in London at the Webber Douglas Academy.
A Killer's Game
Isabella Maldonado, author
Almarie Guerra, narrator
Feodor Chin, narrator
Brilliance Audio
9781978699908, $19.99, MP3-CD (11 Hours 17 Minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/Killers-Game-Daniela-Vega/dp/1978699905
Synopsis: FBI agent and former military codebreaker Daniela "Dani" Vega witnesses a murder on a Manhattan sidewalk.
The victim is chief of staff for a powerful New York senator. The assassin turned informant is Gustavo Toro. His code: hit
the target and don't ask questions.
When Dani suspects a complex conspiracy, the only way to take down the mastermind is from the inside, forcing her to
partner with Toro. Together they must infiltrate the inner circle at a remote facility. -- Except it's a trap. For all of
them.
Locked in a subterranean labyrinth and held captive by an unseen host, Dani, Toro, and others must fight for their lives.
Now Dani must stay undercover, unravel a bizarre conspiracy, and survive lethal puzzles. But will Toro be friend or foe?
Because in this killer's game, everything is real: the paranoia, the desperation, and the body count. And only one person
can make it out alive.
Critique: This complete and unabridged audio book edition of Isabella Maldonado's suspense thriller "A Killer's Game" is
virtually brought to life by the truly exceptional narrative storytelling skills of Almarie Guerra and Feodor Chin -- making
it an unreservedly recommended pick for both personal and community library Mystery/Suspense audio book
collections.
Editorial Note #1: Isabella Maldonado (www.isabellamaldonado.com) wore a gun and badge in real life before turning to
crime writing. A graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and the first Latina to attain the rank of captain in the
Fairfax County Police Department just outside DC, she retired as the commander of special investigations and forensics.
During more than two decades on the force, her assignments included hostage negotiator, department spokesperson, and
district station commander. She uses her law enforcement background to bring a realistic edge to her writing, which
includes the popular FBI Special Agent Nina Guerrera series (optioned by Netflix for a feature film starring Jennifer
Lopez) and the Detective Veranda Cruz series.
Editorial Note #2: Almarie Guerra (https://almarieguerra.com) is fully bilingual (English and Spanish) and fluent in basic
French. Almarie is also part of an LA/NY based improv group, The Story Pirates.
Editorial Note #3: Feodor Chin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feodor_Chin) is an LA-based actor, writer, and comedian
from San Francisco, CA. As an actor, he was classically trained at UCLA, the American Conservatory Theater.
The Library CD Shelf
Let All Who Will
Chris Pierce
https://www.chrispierce.com
Calabama Recordings
$TBA
Los Angeles singer/songwriter Chris Pierce dares to create country music about the harsh realities of being black in
America, including the hardships of discrimination, injustice, and the increased risk of being murdered. Pierces' newest
album is Let All Who Will, a music CD of original compositions that shine a light on the specter of racial violence, and
emphasize that justice and compassion are the only hope for America as a nation. Most songs are co-created by Chris
Pierce; other co-creators include Sam Hollander, Mark Malone, Sunny War, Kaveh Rastegar, Siddhartha Khosla, and
Adrianne Gonzalez ("Drive" is written solely by Ric Ocasek). One of the most standout songs is the unforgettable "Tulsa
Town" about the notorious Tulsa, Oklahoma race massacre of 1921, during which white rioters conducted a systematic
pogrom of murder and destruction against black people. Let All Who Will is soulful, deeply principled, and worthy of the
highest recommendation for country music connoisseurs and public library music CD collections. The tracks are Batten
Down the Hatches, 45 Jukebox, Overdue, Meet Me at the Bottom, Tulsa Town, Mr. McMartin, American Silence
(Revisited), Sidney Poitier, Time Bomb, Home, Magic and Light, Get Yourself Right, We Can Always Come Back To
This, Drive, and Ain't No Better Time.
High Hopes
Kane Kalas
Centerpoint Records
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1JGGH9V
High Hopes is the debut album of Kane Kalas, a classically trained crooner. Named after the timeless Sinatra song, High
Hopes features 18 original arrangements of beloved songs from the American Standards genre. Over fifty musicians were
commissioned for the orchestra and chorus; High Hopes does not use any computer-generated instrumentation. High
Hopes is a silky smooth dulcet performance, highly recommended for personal and public library collections, and also
makes an excellent gift. The tracks are Take Me Out to the Ballgame, All of Me, I've Never Been in Love Before, On the
Way to Cape May, Luck Be a Lady, French Foreign Legion, This Is the Moment, Guys and Dolls, On the Street Where
You Live, High Hopes, You Make Me Feel So Young, If Ever I Would Leave You, The Way You Look Tonight, Fugue
for Tinhorns, Eagles' Victory Song, Edelweiss, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and Goodnight My Someone.
Putumayo Presents Bossa Nova
Putumayo
https://www.putumayo.com
$14.98 CD / $9.95 digital
https://www.putumayo.com/bossa-nova-cd
Putumayo Presents Bossa Nova is a music CD with download card of song selections chosen to evoke the beautiful and
romantic beaches of Brazil. The songs are each performed by different, up-and-coming music artists, who add their own
flair to the Portuguese lyrics. Putumayo Presents Bossa Nova is perfect for getting into the spirit of a carefree and joyous
summer, and treat for connoisseurs of Brazilian musical styles. Highly recommended, especially for world music
collections. The tracks are Blue Bossa, Quando Falas Coracao, Ondas, Canto das Tres Racas, Provas de Amor, Manha de
Carnaval, Meu Mundo e Hoje, Danca da Dolidao, Te Esperei, and Comeca com S.
Compass
Will Clements
willclemmusic.ca
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $TBA digital
https://willclements.bandcamp.com/album/compass
Compass is the third album by jazz vocalist Will Clements. He composed the majority of the album's songs, and performs
them with support from Alvin Brendan on guitar, Miles Black on piano and keyboards, Jodi Proznick on bass, Todd
Steward on drums, and more. The songs' themes include the journey to maturity, love from a queer perspective, and
vibrance of Montreal itself. Compass is a standout contribution to modern jazz, highly recommended. The tracks are On a
Clear Day, Trails (feat. Allison Au on saxophone), Compass, Your Eyes (feat. Rachel Therrien on trumpet and flugelhorn),
Seaglider, Walkin' with Cool Style (feat. Atley King on vibraphone), Montreal, Interlude, Back to Black
(Winehouse/Ronson), and Lookout.
A Moment in Time
Olivia Maisel
www.oliviamaisel.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $7.92 MP3
https://oliviamaisel.hearnow.com/a-moment-in-time
Montreal-based vocalist Olivia Maisel presents her debut album A Moment in Time, a beautiful selection of classic songs
from the Great American Songbook that collectively embody the story of her journey. Her dulcet vocals are accompanied
by Thelonius Garcia on piano, Luc Herrmann on guitar, Alex Le Blanc on upright bass, John Buck on drums, and for
specific tracks, Noemy Braun on cello and Sergiu Popa on accordion. A moment in time is a passionate, sparkling, and
wondrous performance, distinguishing Olivia Maisel as a rising talent, and highly recommended especially for jazz
connoisseurs. The tracks are Crazy He Calls Me, My Foolish Heart, The Nearness of You, Send in the Clowns, Easy to
Love, Embraceable You, Que Reste-t-il De Nos Amours?, and Last Time for Love.
A Life Well Lived
Daryl Mosley
www.darylmosley.com
Pinecastle Records
www.pinecastlemusic.com
$14.99 CD
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Well-Lived-Daryl-Mosley/dp/B0C4Q6JSQJ
https://music.apple.com/us/album/a-life-well-lived/1688747002
A Life Well Lived is the third solo album by award-winning bluegrass country music performer Daryl Mosley. The songs
cherish the foundational values of faith, family, and the joys of simple living. Thoughtful and heartwarming, A Life Well
Lived is highly recommended especially for fans of bluegrass and gospel-inspired music. The tracks are A Life Well Lived,
Back When We Were Boys, Walking Man, Big God, Mayberry State of Mind, Working Man's Prayer, We Need More of
That, The Bible in the Drawer, Nobody But Her, Hillbilly Graham, and Thankful.
New Beginning
Nic Vardanega
nicvardanega.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $7.92 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/New-Beginning-Nic-Vardanega/dp/B0C4XHPFYS
Guitarist and composer Nic Vardanega, whose award nominations include "Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year",
presents his third original album New Beginning. All compositions are original works by Nic Vardanega, and performed as
a trio with Nic on guitar, Ben Allison on bass, and Allan Mednard on drums. The jazz songs of New Beginning are
dedicated to the dawn of a post-pandemic world and the birth of Nic's first child. New Beginning is captivating,
inspirational, uplifting, and highly recommended. The tracks are New Beginning, Cardenas, Side Effects, Looking Back,
Inner Episode, Glass Moon, Summers, and M's Lullaby.
Spirit of 3, Spirit of 4
Jon Menges
Menges Music
www.mengesmusic.com
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C87K44LH
Jazz musician and Jon Menges and his talented associates present Spirit of 3, Spirit of 4, a music album that showcases
two ensembles - one a trio (Jon Menges on trumpet and flugelhorn, Pete McCann on guitar, and Evan Gregor on bass) and
one a quartet (Jon Menges on trumpet and flugelhorn, Nathan Childers on tenor and soprano sax, Joe Fitzgerald on bass,
and Robert Weiss). All songs are Jon Menges' original compositions. An extraordinary showcase of different jazz
traditions, drawn from a wide variety of inspirations, Spirit of 3, Spirit of 4 is a choice pick for stimulating creativity and
highly recommended for both personal and public library collections. The tracks are (Spirit of 3 Trio) Anchor in the Path,
Stairs, Tree of Hope, Angelynne, Turning Point, Walk Into My Heart, (Spirit of 4 Quartet) Coqui, Focus, Heartbreak, Mina
Buta, The Spirit Within, and Somethin.
The Library DVD Shelf
The Lost King
Starring Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan
IFC Flims
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$27.97 DVD
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-King-Sally-Hawkins/dp/B0BWPPQHJY
The Lost King is a movie based on the true story of the extraordinary archaeological discovery of the remains of King
Richard III, presumed scattered and lost over 500 years ago. Amateur historian Philippa Langley led the effort to solve the
mystery of the missing king. The academic establishment was skeptical of her research, yet she persevered against the
pushback of Britain's most prominent historians. Starring two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins as Langley, The Lost
King is an extraordinarily captivating saga about one of the most controversial rulers in English history. Highly
recommended! 108 min.
The Judicial Studies Shelf
Justice at Trial
James J. Brosnahan
Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.rowman.com
9781538174432, $36.00, HC, 286pp
https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Trial-Courtroom-Battles-Groundbreaking/dp/153817443X
Synopsis: With the publication of "Justice at Trial: Courtroom Battles and Groundbreaking Cases", readers can follow trial
lawyer James J. Brosnahan's career through the demanding, often controversial, and suspenseful world of jury trials,
tension-filled appeals and the different worlds of courtrooms, jail cells, corporate boardrooms, and law firms.
Each of the cases in the nineteen chapters were selected from a total of his 150 jury trials to reflect issues of current
importance, including refugees on the Mexican border, gargantuan gender battles inside one of the largest corporations in
the world, sexual taboos on national television, accusations of terrorism, government agents who cheat, innocent prisoners
in our jails, the constitutional right to speak and print the truth, bringing law to a war zone, poverty and murder on Native
American Reservations, current problems of hunger in America, and more.
Critique: A combination of trial lawyer memoir and the contemporary justice system, "Justice at Trial: Courtroom Battles
and Groundbreaking Cases" is an extraordinary, informative, insightful, professional, and personal story of life in the law.
While very highly recommended, especially for community, college, and university library Contemporary American
Biography/Memoir collections and supplemental Judicial Studies curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for law
students, academia, political law reform advocates, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Justice at Trial" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $34.00).
Editorial Note: As a federal prosecutor and a defense lawyer, James J. Brosnahan has tried 150 jury trials and is a member
of the California Trial Lawyer's Hall of Fame. He was a senior partner at Morrison Foerster, a preeminent thousand-lawyer
international law firm based in San Francisco. For 46 years he has lectured internationally for the National Institute of Trial
Advocacy (NITA). He has authored articles for the American Constitutional Blog, Law 360, The California Historical
Society, The Daily Journal (California's legal paper), the New York Times, Bloomberg Law, and the Los Angeles Times.
He has also appeared many times on national radio and television where he has been interviewed by ABC, CNN, Fox
News, Larry King, National Public Radio, and PBS. (https://www.mofo.com/people/james-brosnahan)
Justice for Sale
Gary Stein
The Lyons Press
www.lyonspress.com
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
www.globepequot.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781493072569, $35.00, HC, 448pp
https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Sale-Crooked-Federal-Gotham/dp/1493072560
Synopsis: Martin T. Manton was a corrupt federal appeals court judge in New York who was convicted in 1939 and sent to
prison.
At the time, this was a hugely important story: Manton was considered the highest-ranking judge in the United States after
the nine Justices of the Supreme Court, and was nearly appointed to that august body in 1922. Yet his story has never been
told in book-length form before, and never with the benefit of such exhaustive research.
More than just a biography, with the publication of "Justice for Sale: Graft, Greed, and a Crooked Federal Judge in 1930s
Gotham", attorney Gary Stein examines Manton's misconduct in the context of the culture of corruption and organized
crime that permeated New York City in the first part of the twentieth century. Dozens of others (prominent business
executives, leading Wall Street lawyers, accountants, bankers, fixers, con men, another federal judge) participated in
Manton's crimes.
"Justice for Sale" profiles these unscrupulous and often colorful characters as well. It wasn't until Manhattan D.A. and
future presidential candidate Thomas Dewey's successful pursuit of Manton, a federal grand jury investigation, and a
sensational prosecution and trial in federal court that shocked the nation that Manton and his corrupt schemes were finally
brought down.
Critique: Given the growing contemporary awareness of corruption and surreptitious bribery of two Supreme Court
justices, and the rapidly growing suspensions of the judicial system given the pressing and divisive political/social/cultural
divides of today, "Justice for Sale: Graft, Greed, and a Crooked Federal Judge in 1930s Gotham" is a definitively
researched, expertly written, impressively informative account of how a major American judicial figure became corrupt
and how he was brought to a justice he could not buy his way out of in a similar time to what we see happening in various
elements of the justice system today. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional,
community, college, university, and law school Judicial History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it
should be noted for law students, academia, judicial reform activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in
the subject that "Justice for Sale" is also available in a digital book formatl (Kindle, $24.99) and as a complete and
unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798212378475, $31.95, CD).
Editorial Note: Gary Stein has been a practicing lawyer in New York for 35 years since graduating from NYU School of
Law. For nearly nine years, he was a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan and served as Chief of
Appeals of that Office, appearing regularly before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that Manton once headed. He is
now a lawyer in private practice in New York City. Gary has published numerous articles and book reviews on law and
legal history in, among other publications, the Washington Post, Just Security, Morning Consult, the Jewish Review of
Books, Constitutional Commentary, the NYU Law Review, the NYU Journal of Legislation & Public Policy, the New
York Law Journal, and the Business Crimes Bulletin. He has twice received the Burton Award for Distinguished Legal
Writing.
The Political Science Shelf
Baby Ninth Amendments
Anthony B. Sanders
University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
www.press.umich.edu
9780472076154, $49.95, HC, 214pp
https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Ninth-Amendments-Americans-Unenumerated/dp/0472076159
Synopsis: Listing every right that a constitution should protect is difficult. American constitution drafters often list a few
famous rights such as freedom of speech, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and free exercise of
religion, plus a handful of others. But there are an infinite number of rights a constitution could protect. However many
rights are put in a constitution, others are going to be left out.
So what is a constitution drafter to do? Luckily, early in American history a few drafters found an easier way: an "etcetera
clause". It states that there are other rights beyond those specifically listed.
The most famous etcetera clause is the Ninth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states: "The enumeration in the
Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
Yet scholars are divided on whether the Ninth Amendment itself actually does protect unenumerated rights, and the
Supreme Court has almost entirely ignored it. Regardless of what the Ninth Amendment means, however, things are much
clearer when it comes to state constitutions. Two-thirds of state constitutions have equivalent provisions, or "Baby Ninth
Amendments," worded similarly to the Ninth Amendment.
With the publication of "Baby Ninth Amendments: How Americans Embraced Unenumerated Rights and Why It Matters",
Anthony B. Sanders tells the story of how the "Baby Ninths" came to be, what they mean, and what they tell us about
unenumerated rights more generally.
Unlike the controversy surrounding the Ninth Amendment, the meaning of the Baby Ninths is straightforward: they protect
individual rights that are not otherwise enumerated. They are an "etcetera, etcetera" at the end of a bill of rights. Sanders
eloquently argues that state judges should do their duty and live up to their own constitutions to protect the rights "retained
by the people" that these "etcetera clauses" are designed to guarantee. The fact that Americans have adopted these
provisions so many times in so many states demonstrates that unenumerated rights are not only protected by state
constitutions, but that they are popular.
Unenumerated rights are not a weird exception to American constitutional law. They are at the center of it. We should start
treating constitutions accordingly.
Critique: Skillfully addressing an otherwise obscure or neglected part of the American Constitution, "Baby Ninth
Amendments: How Americans Embraced Unenumerated Rights and Why It Matters" is also features a twelve page
Appendix (Baby Ninth Amendments in State Constitutions), thirty pages of Notes, and an eight page Index. Exceptionally
well organized and presented, "Baby Ninth Amendments" is an invaluable, timely, and unreservedly recommended
addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Political Science collections and
supplemental Constitutional Law curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for law students, academia, members of the
Judiciary, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Baby Ninth
Amendments" is also available in a paperback edition (9780472056156, $24.95).
Editorial Note: Anthony B. Sanders (https://ij.org/staff/asanders) is the Director of the Center for Judicial Engagement at
the Institute for Justice. He has written articles on state constitutional law, unenumerated rights, judicial review, and other
subjects for law journals across the country. Anthony has litigated in various state courts in cases involving state
constitutional protections, as well as in federal courts on matters such as economic liberty, free speech, administrative law,
and fines and fees abuse.
The Literary Studies Shelf
The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Graphic Literature
Kelcey Ervick, editor
Tom Hart, editor
Rose Metal Pres
PO Box 1956, Brookline, MA 02446
https://rosemetalpress.com
9781941628294,$24.95, 296pp
https://www.amazon.com/Metal-Press-Field-Graphic-Literature/dp/194162829X
Synopsis: The fourth volume in the immensely popular Field Guide series and collabortively compiled and co-edited by
Tom Hart and Kelcey Ervick, "The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Graphic Literature: Artists and Writers on Creating
Graphic Narratives, Poetry Comics, and Literary Collage" gives readers unprecedented insight into the techniques of 28 of
today's most innovative creators of poetry comics, graphic narratives, and image-text hybrids.
With original craft essays, corresponding exercises, and full-color examples of their work, each contributor offers
reflection and instruction informed by their own methods and processes. From mark-making and page composition to
deeper renderings of place, character, and voice, this much-needed guide to the field illuminates and demystifies the
process of creating image+text work.
Co-editors Kelcey Ervick and Tom Hart also provide a historical introduction that links today's graphic literature to visual
storytelling of the past and helpful pedagogical resources to round out the volume. "The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to
Graphic Literature" is a book for writers who want to make graphic narratives and literary collage, illustrators and comics
artists exploring new approaches to storytelling, teachers encouraging their students to work with image and text, and
anyone curious about what one contributor calls "comics magic."
"The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Graphic Literature" features contributions by: Justine Mara Andersen, Oliver Baez
Bendorf, Leonie Brialey, Thi Bui, Sharon Lee De La Cruz, David Dodd, Lee, Arwen Donahue, Trinidad Escobar, Naoko
Fujimoto, Marnie Galloway, Lauren Haldeman, Tom Hart, Mira Jacob, Keith Knight, Aidan Koch, Matt Madden, Mita
Mahato, Deborah A. Miranda, Josh Neufeld, Dustin Parsons, Zeke Pena, Nick Francis Potter, Kristen Radtke, Scott
Roberts, Alexander Rothman, Eleni Sikelianos, Bianca Stone, and Lawrence Sutin.
Critique: Exceptionally well organized and presented, "The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Graphic Literature: Artists
and Writers on Creating Graphic Narratives, Poetry Comics, and Literary Collage" will be of particular interest to readers
studying the art of the essay, literary criticism, and graphic art storytelling. "The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Graphic
Literature" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university
library Graphic Literary Studies collections and supplemental Visual Arts curriculum lists.
Editorial Note #1: Kelcey Ervick (https://kelceyervick.com) is the author of the graphic memoir, The Keeper (Avery,
2022). Her previous award- winning books are The Bitter Life of Bozena Nemcova, a text and image biographical collage,
and two works of fiction, Liliane's Balcony (Rose Metal Press, 2013) and For Sale by Owner (Kore Press, 2011). Her
comics have been published widely, including in The Washington Post, The Believer, and Lit Hub, and two featured
comics series of hers have appeared in The Rumpus. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati and is a professor
of English at Indiana University South Bend, where she teaches creative writing, comics, and literary collage.
Editorial Note: Tom Hart (https://www.tomhart.net) is the author/artist of The New York Times #1 bestselling graphic
memoir Rosalie Lightning (St. Martin's Press, 2016) and of The Art of the Graphic Memoir (St. Martin's Griffin, 2018). He
is the executive director of The Sequential Artists Workshop, an organization and school for comics and graphic novels in
Gainesville, Florida, which also offers extensive online courses. Before founding SAW, Tom was a core instructor at the
School of Visual Arts in New York City for 10 years.
The Native American Studies Shelf
God is Red: A Native View of Religion, new edition
Vine Deloria Jr.
Fulcrum Publishing
3970 Youngfield Street, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033
www.fulcrumbooks.com
9781682753149, $25.95, PB, 360 pp
https://www.amazon.com/God-Red-Native-View-Religion/dp/168275314X
Synopsis: Originally published in 1973, Vine Deloria, Jr.'s "God Is Red" remains the seminal work on Native American
religious views, asking the reader to think about our species and our ultimate fate in novel ways. Celebrating five decades
of publication with this new edition, Deloria's classic work reminds us to understand "that we are a part of nature, not a
transcendent species with no responsibilities to the natural world."
Given the social, cultural, economic, and political issues facing Native Americans today, it is time once again to listen to
Vine Deloria, Jr.'s powerful voice, informing us about a spiritual life that is independent of Western religion and that
reveres the interconnectedness of all living things.
This new edition of "God Is Red: A Native View Of Religion" includes critical essays engaging with the original material
by well-known Indigenous thinkers that include Philip Deloria, Suzan Shown Harjo, Daniel Wildcat, and David E.
Wilkins. Inside, "God Is Read" covers a wide variety of topics including: the problem of creation, the origin of religion, the
certainty of death, and the complexities of human personality.
Critique: Timely and timeless, this new edition of "God Is Red: A Native View Of Religion" from Fulcrum Publishing
(2023) is an essential and core addition to personal, community, college, and university library Native American
Sociology, Religion, Philosophy, and Religion collections, as well as supplemental Native American History curriculum
studies lists.. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, political activists, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "God Is Red" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.24).
Editorial Note: Vine Deloria Jr. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vine_Deloria_Jr.) was named by TIME magazine as one of
the greatest religious thinkers of the twentieth century. He was a leading Native American scholar whose research,
writings, and teachings on history, law, religion, and political science have not only changed the face of Indian country, but
stand to influence future generations of Native and non-Native Americans alike. He has authored many acclaimed books,
including Evolution, Creationism, and Other Modern Myths; Red Earth, White Lies; God is Red; Spirit and Reason; and
Custer Died for Your Sins. Vine Deloria Jr. passed away on November 13, 2005.
The Music Shelf
British Invasion '64 - The Year That Changed Rock & Roll Forever
Gene Popa
BearManor Media
www.bearmanormedia.com
9798887712192, $35.00, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/British-Invasion-64-Changed-Forever/dp/B0C9G7QHDK
Synopsis: The first weeks of the year 1964 were cold, gray, and somber, as America was reeling from the tragic death of its
vibrant young President. But then something began piercing through the desolate haze: a sound, both new, yet also echoing
the thrilling, unbridled energy of early Rock and Roll -- it was an energy that had been almost utterly tamed in recent
years.
Up to this time, British bands had been wholly unsuccessful at gaining a lasting foothold in American Rock and Roll. But
suddenly, all of that changed forever as four young men led an army across the ocean, and from that moment on, nothing
would ever be the same again.
The British Invasion was more than just The Beatles -- it was The Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones, The Animals,
Peter and Gordon, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Dusty Springfield, The Zombies, The Kinks, and so many others. And 1964
was more than just a year -- it was the gateway to vast changes in music and culture. And the British Invasion was the
soundtrack to it all!
Critique: Informative, insightful, nostalgic, "British Invasion '64: The Year That Changed Rock & Roll Forever" the
English bands and their take on the Baby Boomer phenomena of Rock 'n Roll, was seminal, ground-breaking, and a major
influence on American popular culture. Featuring a section of black/white historical photo images, A 1964 U.S.
Discography, and an Index, "British Invasion '64" will prove a welcome and informative pick for personal, professional,
community, college, and university library 20th Century American Music History and Popular Culture collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, American music historians, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "British Invasion '64" is also available in a paperback
edition (9798887712185, $25.00).
The Gospel of The Hold Steady
Michael Hann, author
The Hold Steady, author
Akashic Books
232 Third Street, #A115, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.akashicbooks.com
9781636140957, $40.00, HC, 206pp
https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Hold-Steady-Resurrection-Really/dp/1636140955
Synopsis: On January 22, 2003, four men stepped onto a stage in Brooklyn and did something no one else was doing at
that time, in that place. They played rock 'n' roll: old-fashioned rock 'n' roll with skyscraping riffs and sloppy solos, topped
with extraordinary lyrics about an out-of-focus America, blurred by pills and powders, of crime and fear and desperation
and redemption.
Twenty years later, The Hold Steady are one of America's most beloved rock bands, famed for live shows that turn
unbelievers into converts, and for a catalog filled with some of the most exciting yet poetic music of the twenty-first
century. To mark those twenty years, The Hold Steady tell their full story with the publication of "The Gospel of The Hold
Steady: How a Resurrection Really Feels".
An oral history, based on interviews with everyone who has played in the band, and those who have worked with them
over the course of their career, "The Gospel of the Hold Steady" addresses all the triumphs and setbacks of The Hold
Steady's career in the band's own words, ranging from high times, to near deaths, and from the brink of splitting, to their
current renaissance.
"The Gospel of The Hold Steady" is completed by essays about America's greatest bar band by writers Rob Sheffield,
Laura Barton, Isaac Fitzgerald, and Michael Hann, as well as the thoughts and memories of "The Unified Scene" -- the fans
who have helped define the band's identity over the years.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of more than 200 photographs and images, "The Gospel of the Hold
Steady: How a Resurrection Really Feels" is a singularly informative and fascinating history that will be of special and
particular interest for the legions of The Hold Steady fans -- and anyone else who 'understands that the magic of rock 'n'
roll happens on a stage in a small room, with voices raised from the crowd'. While also available for personal reading lists
in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media,
9781666644586, $22.99, CD), "The Gospel of the Hold Steady: How a Resurrection Really Feels" is especially and
unreservedly recommended for personal, community, college, and university library Contemporary American Music
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Michael Hann is a writer and editor based in London, who contributes to the Guardian, the Financial
Times, the Economist, the Spectator, the Quietus, and Uncut. He was formerly the film and music editor at the Guardian.
He is the author of Denim and Leather: The Rise and Fall of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
Editorial Note #2: The Hold Steady is comprised of Craig Finn, Tad Kubler, Galen Polivka, Bobby Drake, Franz Nicolay,
and Steve Selvidge. Since forming in Brooklyn in 2003, they have released eight studio albums, most recently Open Door
Policy in 2021. Their debut album, The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me, was named one of the 100 best albums of this
century by Rolling Stone.
I'm Into Something Good
Harvey Lisberg
https://harveylisberg.com
Omnibus Press
www.omnibuspress.com
c/o Independent Publishers Group (distribution)
www.ipgbook.com
9781913172886, $28.99, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Im-Into-Something-Good-Managing/dp/1913172880
Synopsis: When 22-year-old accountant Harvey Lisberg heard the Beatles' 'Please Please Me', he had an epiphany: he
could be Manchester's answer to Brian Epstein. He had a musical ear, a knack for numbers and a gambler's instinct for
taking a punt. Within a year he had taken local group, Herman's Hermits, to number one with 'I'm Into Something Good'.
Soon, Hermania was a global phenomenon. Harvey had found his vocation.
"I'm Into Something Good: My Life Managing 10cc, Herman's Hermits and Many More!" is an uproarious, frank and
moving autobiography in which he reveals the excesses of life on the road with Herman's Hermits; the frustration of
championing unknowns Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber; the highs and lows of managing the brilliant 10cc; the utter
madness of looking after snooker bad boys Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins and Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White and much, much
more.
Many other artists benefitted from Harvey's guidance during this time, including Tony Christie, Barclay James Harvest,
Sad Cafe and the Chameleons. "I'm Into Something Good" is his account of a life that started in Salford and ended up in
Palm Springs; a life in which he traveled the world, met heroes and villains, fulfilled his dreams, and spent a fortune on
good living, family and friends.
Critique: Personal, informative, fascinating, candid, revealing, memorable, and exceptionally well written, organized and
presented, "I'm Into Something Good: My Life Managing 10cc, Herman's Hermits and Many More!" will have a very
special appeal to readers with an interest in 20th Century Rock Bands in general, and Herman's Hermits in particular.
While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Rock History, Biography, and
Memoir collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "I'm Into Something Good" is also readily available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Harvey Lisberg (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Lisberg) is a British talent manager who found
success guiding the music careers of 10cc, Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Herman's Hermits among others. As well
as his work in the music industry, Lisberg managed many prominent sports people including the legendary snooker player
Jimmy White.
Going Back to T-Town
Carmen Fields
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
www.oupress.com
9780806191843, $26.95, HC, 225pp
https://www.amazon.com/Going-Back-T-Town-Territory-Greenwood/dp/0806191848
Synopsis: There was a time when countless young people in the Midwest, South, and Southwest went to dances and stage
shows to hear a territory band play. Territory bands traveled from town to town, performing jazz and swing music, and
Tulsa-based musician Ernie Fields (1904-1997) led one of the best.
With the publication of "Going Back to T-Town: The Ernie Fields Territory Big Band ", Ernie's daughter, Carmen Fields,
tells a story of success, disappointment, and perseverance extending from the early jazz era to the 1960s. This biography is
an enlightening account of how this talented musician and businessman navigated the hurdles of racial segregation during
the Jim Crow era.
Because few territory bands made recordings, their contributions to the development of jazz music are often overlooked.
Fortunately, Ernie Fields not only recorded music but also loved telling stories. He shared his "tales from the road" with his
daughter, a well-known Boston journalist, and his son, Ernie Fields Jr., who has carried on his legacy as a successful
musician and music contractor. As much as possible, Carmen Fields tells her father's story in his own voice: how he
weathered the ups and downs of the music industry and maintained his optimism even while he faced entrenched racial
prejudice and threats of violence.
After traveling with his band all over the United States, Fields eventually caught the attention of renowned music producer
John Hammond. In 1939, Hammond arranged for recording sessions and bookings that included performances in the
famed Apollo Theater in New York. Ernie finally scored a top-ten hit in 1959 with his rock-and-roll rendition of "In the
Mood." At a time when most other territory bands had faded, the Ernie Fields Orchestra continued to perform.
A devoted husband and family man, Ernie Fields also respected and appreciated his fellow musicians. This biography also
includes a "Roll Call" of his organization's members, based on notes he kept about them. Going Back to T-Town is a
priceless source of information for historians of American popular music and African American history.
Critique: Fascinating, original, detailed, informative, well written, memorable, "Going Back to T-Town: The Ernie Fields
Territory Big Band " will have immense value for readers with an interest in the history of American Jazz, the Big Band
Era, and raise from an underserved obscurity a part of America's 20th Century Music History. While especially and
unreservedly recommended for personal, community, college, and university library American Biography collections and
supplemental American Music History curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that "Going Back to T-Town" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.49) as well.
Editorial Note: Carmen Fields is an Emmy Award-winning broadcast news journalist who currently produces and hosts the
public affairs program Higher Ground on WHDH-TV, Boston. She co-anchored WGBH's Ten O'Clock News from 1987 to
1991 and wrote the script for the American Experience documentary "Goin' Back to T-Town" (1993).
The Needlecraft Shelf
100 Essential Knitting Stitches
Susie Johns
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946661, $24.99, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/100-Essential-Knitting-Stitches/dp/1784946664
Synopsis: With the publication of "100 Essential Knitting Stitches", needlecraft expert Suzie Johns has created a handy
directory of 100 need-to-know knitting stitches to refresh or expand on the reader's needlework skills.
Organized into five main sections, the 100 stitches lend themselves to a variety of different uses including: Simple stitches
provide the foundation of knitted fabrics; Colorwork designs brighten up your project; Textured stitches and lacy patterns
add interest to your work; Delicate edges and trims finish things off nicely.
Each stitch is rated for difficulty and is laid out with a decorative stitched sample and clear instructions and of special note
is the opening section covering essential knowledge on tools and materials and getting started.
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout in full color, "100 Essential Knitting Stitches" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in
organization and presentation, making it especially useful for the novice beginner and of impressive value to even the more
experienced knitter. "100 Essential Knitting Stitches" will prove to be of enduring usefulness and a prized pick for
personal, professional, and community library Knitting instructional reference collections.
Editorial Note: Currently residing in London, England, Susie Johns is an artist and designer who has written dozens of
craft books, including Circus Embroidery, Knitted Woodland Creatures, How to Embroider, Fat Quarter: Bags & Purses
and Fat Quarter: Vintage. Her patterns and designs appear regularly in consumer craft magazines in the UK, such as Let's
Knit, Sew and Let's Get Crafting, and she has written numerous patterns for suppliers such as DMC. She has also
demonstrated various crafts on television.
Cute Crocheted Food
Emma Varnam
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946609, $26.99, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cute-Crocheted-Food-Crochet-Designs/dp/1784946605
Synopsis: With the publication of "Cute Crocheted Food: 24 Tasty Crochet Designs", crocheting expert Emma Varnam
show ow to make use of the Japanese amigurumi technique to sculpt robust shapes with yarn, every piece of food becomes
a cute and whimsical character.
For health food fans there is an array of wholesome fruit and vegetables, while those who like to indulge can recreate a
variety of sweet treats and fast food snacks. Perfect for stimulating children's imaginary play, these little foodie friends will
be at home in any play kitchen, cafe or restaurant.
"Cute Crocheted Food" features: 24 fun and quirky amigurumi food projects suitable for beginners to crochet; Playful and
colorful illustration influenced by Japanese-style kawaii cuteness, Hello Kitty and bubble tea menus; All crochet
techniques fully explained and illustrated with step-by-step drawings; Using up small amounts of leftover yarn.
Critique: With profusely and effectively illustrated step-by-step directions for each project, "Cute Crocheted Food: 24
Tasty Crochet Designs" is ideal for crocheting small gifts and stocking fillers. Exceptionally well organized and thoroughly
'user friendly' in presentation, "Cute Crocheted Food: 24 Tasty Crochet Designs" is an especially recommended pick for
personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.
Editorial Note: Emma Varnam (https://emmavarnam.co.uk) has a special talent for creating unique characters in crochet
that make people smile. As well as writing a number of popular crochet books, all published by GMC Publications -
Crocheted Succulents, Crocheted Houseplants, Cute Crocheted Animals, Cute Crocheted Wild Animals, Cute Crocheted
Woodland Creatures, How to Crochet, Granny Squares Home and Granny Squares Weekend - she has had a number of
successful collaborations with the celebrated knitwear designer Debbie Bliss. Emma regularly shares her design inspiration
on her award-winning knitting and crochet blog.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Racism and Structural Sin
Conor M. Kelly
The Liturgical Press
2950 Saint John's Road, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
www.litpress.org
9780814667835, $16.95, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Racism-Structural-Sin-Confronting-Injustice/dp/081466783X
Synopsis: As a people of faith inspired by the belief that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God,
Catholics have a responsibility to be champions for racial justice.
With the publication of "Racism and Structural Sin: Confronting Injustice with the Eyes of Faith", theologian and
academician Conor M. Kelly invites his readers to not only confront racism on a personal level but also to examine the root
causes and perpetuated structures of this sin.
Grounded in church teaching and pastoral practice, "Racism and Structural Sin" is a timely resource for Catholics
(especially White Catholics) looking to wrestle with the challenges of race in the United States today through the eyes of
their faith.
Critique: Given the current rise in racism violence by white supremacists and the rollback of governmental anti-racism
policies driven by the political polarization of of the American public, "Racism and Structural Sin: Confronting Injustice
with the Eyes of Faith" is especially recommended for personal, community, church, seminary, college, and university
library Christian Social Issues collections. It should be noted for seminary students, racial justice advocates, clergy, and all
members of the Catholic community that "Racism and Structural Sin: Confronting Injustice with the Eyes of Faith" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49).
Editorial Note: Conor M. Kelly (https://www.marquette.edu/theology/directory/conor-kelly.php) is an associate professor
in the department of theology at Marquette University. He completed his theological training at the University of Notre
Dame (BA and MTS) and Boston College (PhD). His research and teaching examine the implications of Catholic ethics for
ordinary life. He and his family are parishioners at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
Shaping the Past to Define the Present
Gregory E. Sterling
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
4035 Park East Court SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
www.eerdmans.com
9780802848734, $44.00, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Past-Define-Present-Historiography/dp/0802848737
Synopsis: Historiography is the study of the methods of historians in developing history as an academic discipline, and by
extension is any body of historical work on a particular subject. The historiography of a specific topic covers how
historians have studied that topic by using particular sources, techniques, and theoretical approaches. Scholars discuss
historiography by topic and different approaches and genres, such as political history and social history. Beginning in the
nineteenth century, with the development of academic history, there developed a body of historiographic literature.
(Wikipedia)
"Shaping the Past to Define the Present: Luke-Acts and Apologetic Historiography" is comprised of both new and revised
essays by the esteemed New Testament scholar Gregory E. Sterling on Jewish and early Christian historiography. A sequel
to his seminal work, Historiography and Self-Definition, this volume expands on Sterling's reading of Luke-Acts in the
context of contemporary Jewish and Greek historiography.
These systematically arranged essays comprise Professor Sterling's new and revised contributions to the field of biblical
studies, exploring: The genre of apologetic historiography exemplified by Josephus and Eusebius; The context of
Josephus's work within a larger tradition of Eastern historiography; The initial composition and circulation of Luke and
Acts; The relationship of Luke-Acts to the Septuagint; The interpretation of the Diaspora in Luke-Acts; The structure of
salvation history as it is manifested in Luke-Acts; Socratic influences on Luke's portrayal of Jesus's death; The early
Jerusalem Christian community as depicted in Acts compared with other Hellenized Eastern traditions such as Egyptian
priests and Indian sages; The establishment of Christianity's "socially respectability" as a guiding purpose in
Luke-Acts.
Engaging with current critical frameworks, Professor Sterling offers his readers a comprehensive analysis of early
Christian self-definition through Judeo-Christian historiography.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a thirty page Bibliography, a six page Index of
Authors, a four page Index of Subjects, and a six page Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Sources, "Shaping the Past to
Define the Present: Luke-Acts and Apologetic Historiography" is a masterpiece of Biblical scholarship, as well as a highly
acclaimed and recommended addition to personal, professional, community, seminary, college, and university library New
Testament Criticism & Historiography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of seminary students, academia, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "Shaping the Past to Define the Present: Luke-Acts and Apologetic Historiography" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $29.83).
Editorial Note: Gregory E. Sterling (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Sterling) is the Rev. Henry L. Slack Dean and
the Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School. A specialist in Hellenistic Judaism and early
Christianity, he is also the author or co-editor of eight books and more than 100 articles in learned journals or scholarly
collections. Sterling also serves on the editorial boards of multiple book series and preeminent journals within the field of
Judaism and early Christianity. He is perhaps best known for his monograph Historiography and Self-Definition (Brill,
1992; Society of Biblical Literature, 2006).
There's Beauty in Your Brokenness
Brittany Maher, author
Cassandra Speer, author
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
www.thomasnelson.com
9781400231195, $19.99, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Theres-Beauty-Your-Brokenness-Unburdened/dp/1400231191
Synopsis: No matter how much we strive or work, it can still seem like it's never enough. But that's okay! Our "enough"
ultimately has nothing to do with our actions. Our identity as Christian women is found in God -- and Brittany Maher and
Cassandra Speer don't toss that phrase around lightly. As the 90 devotions comprising "There's Beauty in Your
Brokenness: 90 Devotions to Surrender Striving, Live Unburdened, and Find Your Worth in Christ" collectively reveal,
realizing your inestimable value in God alone is a life-altering, soul-anchoring truth that will change everything about your
life -- how you feel about yourself, how you spend your time, and how you treat others.
As you walk through the pages of this beautiful devotional, Brittany and Cassandra will kindly guide you back to what God
intended for your life, showing you through Scripture, meditations, and reflective questions how sin corrupted God's plan,
how Christ redeemed it, and how we can live securely in that redemption today.
Each entry speaks the truth that you are: Safe, seen, and loved; Already enough because of your value in Christ; Part of a
community of women who understand your longing for soul renewal; Whole and complete in Christ, even when you feel
fragile or overwhelmed.
In a world filled with countless counterfeit identities, it's easy to get caught up chasing the wrong things. These devotions
feel like sitting down to coffee with a close friend and sharing both the hard and good of what it means to be a woman
following Christ, learning together how to grow and rest in the peace and security Jesus offers. These vulnerable
invitations for reflection will help you confidently live out your true worth secure in His promises for you.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "There's Beauty in Your Brokenness: 90 Devotions to Surrender Striving, Live
Unburdened, and Find Your Worth in Christ" is unreservedly recommended reading for all female members of the
Christian community regardless of age or denominational affiliation. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
"There's Beauty in Your Brokenness: 90 Devotions to Surrender Striving, Live Unburdened, and Find Your Worth in
Christ" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note #1: Brittany Maher is compelled by love to empower women to simplify their identity based on one thing
alone: Jesus. She is the founder of Her True Worth, a large and growing online community
(https://hertrueworth.com/home) designed to liberate an entire generation of faith-filled women with the freedom found in
discovering their true worth in Christ. She is also an evangelist with a burning heart for the broken and the lost. She and
her husband Ryan invest most of their time in equipping and empowering God's people for digital evangelism across the
globe. They believe in the importance of using every tool they can to help bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
Brittany is resides in Michigan with her husband, Ryan, and their daughter, Ariana.
Editorial Note #2: Cassandra Speer (https://cassandraspeer.com) is a popular Christian blogger whose heart is driven by
the desire to see women discover the depth of God's love in a superficial world through the power of His Word. She is vice
president of Her True Worth, a ministry created to encourage wounded and wandering women to find their identity and
validation in Christ alone. Cassandra is passionate about sharing her faith and tackling the raw and messy moments of life
with a little bit of humor -- and a whole lot of Jesus! She is also the proud wife of an Air Force veteran. Cassandra and her
husband are planted in Oklahoma City where they live with their three children.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
The Sacred Earth: Jewish Perspectives on Our Planet
Rabbi Andrue J. Kahn, editor
CCAR Press
355 Lexington Avenue, 8th floor, New York, NY 10017
www.ccarpress.org
9780881233858, $23.95, PB, 376pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Earth-Jewish-Perspectives-Planet/dp/0881233854
Synopsis: The Torah begins by setting forth the heavens and the Earth as God's creation, impelling humanity to steward
our planet for its own sake and for its ability to nurture our lives. Yet the human-Divine-environment relationship seems to
be in perpetual crisis.
Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Rabbi Andrue J. Kahn, "The Sacred Earth: Jewish Perspectives on Our
Planet", provides a contemporary Jewish response to the looming threat of climate change, the widespread desire for
experiential spirituality rooted in nature, and the continually changing relationship between humanity, nature, technology,
and the Divine.
The leading thinkers contributing to this collection refl ect on human vulnerability in the face of forces of nature, examine
conceptions of our place in cosmology, and grapple with environmental destruction. Ultimately, with hope, they creatively
explore ways to redeem this sacred Earth.
Critique: "The Sacred Earth: Jewish Perspectives on Our Planet" is comprised of 37 eloquent, informative, insightful,
thoughtful and thought-provoking articles. Also included a thirteen page listing of the contributors and their credentials.
Exceptionally well organized and presented in five major sections (Theology; Jewish Texts; Encountering the Divine;
Sacred Time; Contemporary Responses), "The Sacred Earth: Jewish Perspectives on Our Planet" is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, synagogue, college, and university library
Judaic Theology collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "The Sacred Earth: Jewish
Perspectives on Our Planet" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Rabbi Andrue J. Kahn (https://www.rabbiandruekahn.com) is a Brooklyn-based Reform rabbi crafting
new ways to connect with Torah as a guide to meaningful, spiritual living. His Torah guides him, and others, towards lives
of justice, connectedness, and meaning based in engaging ancient traditions to enrich our contemporary world.
Koren Lev Ladaat Humash: Bemidbar
Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn, author
Rabbi Zvi Grumer, author
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, translator
Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.
PO Box 8531, New Milford, CT 06776-8531
www.korenpub.com
9789657766293, $29.95, HC, 532pp
https://www.amazon.com/Koren-Lev-Ladaat-Humash-Bemidbar/dp/965776629X
Synopsis: A Humash is a Torah in printed and book bound form (i.e. codex) as opposed to a Sefer Torah, which is a scroll.
The word comes from the Hebrew word for five, amesh. A more formal term is amishah umshei Torah, "five fifths of
Torah". It is also known by the Latinised Greek term Pentateuch in common printed editions. (Wikipedia).
Newly published by Koren Publishers in a Hebrew/English edition, "Koren Lev Ladaat Humash: Bemidbar" is a seminal
and groundbreaking new Humash for young adults, featuring all-new commentary by Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn and Rabbi
Zvi Grumet. Geared to connection, reflection, and learning, the text is accompanied by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks'
translation along with selected excerpts from the classical commentators ably translated into English, along with pointed
questions to aid understanding, connection to the text, and skill building.
Critique: As with standard Hebrew texts, this large format volume of sacred Jewish writings goes from right to left.
Exceptionally well organized and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in presentation with The Hebrew text on the left page and the
English translation on the right hand page, "Koren Lev Ladaat Humash: Bemidbar" is an ideal textbook for personal,
community, synagogue, college, and university library Torah Studies collections and supplemental Judaic Studies
curriculum lists.
Editorial Note #1: Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shlomo_Einhorn) is an Orthodox rabbi and Dean
of School at Yeshivat Yavneh (Yavneh Hebrew Academy) in Los Angeles. He is also a lecturer, educator, and author.
Editorial Note #2: Rabbi Zvi Grumer (https://torahinmotion.org/profile/rabbi-zvi-grumet) is a master teacher, creative
educational thinker, and innovative Tanakh scholar whose teaching for more than three decades has inspired students and
communities in the US and Israel and throughout the English-speaking world. He engages his listeners in a close reading
of the Biblical text, bringing its characters alive and bringing out the compelling nature of the Biblical message.
Editorial Note #3: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (https://www.rabbisacks.org) is an international religious leader,
philosopher, award-winning author, and respected moral voice. He was awarded the 2016 Templeton Prize in recognition
of his "exceptional contributions to affirming life's spiritual dimension." Described by the King of Great Britain as "a light
unto this nation" and by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as "an intellectual giant", Rabbi Sacks was a frequent
and sought-after contributor to radio, television, and the press both in Britain and around the world.
The Computer Shelf
MySQL Crash Course
Rick Silva
No Starch Press
www.nostarch.com
9781718503007, $49.99, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/MySQL-Crash-Course-Hands-Introduction/dp/1718503008
Synopsis: With the publication of "MySQL Crash Course: A Hands-on Introduction to Database Development", Rick Silva
provides a fast-paced, no-nonsense introduction to relational database development. A combination instructional reference
and DIY 'how-to' manual, "MySQL Crash Course" packed from cover to cover with practical examples and expert advice
that will have you up and running quickly.
With "MySQL Crash Course", you will learn the basics of SQL, how to create a database, craft SQL queries to extract
data, and work with events,procedures, and functions. You will also see how to add constraints to tables to enforce rules
about permitted data and useindexes to accelerate data retrieval. You can even explore how to call MySQL from PHP,
Python, and Java.
Three final projects will show you how to build a weather database from scratch, use triggers to prevent errors in
anelection database, and use views to protect sensitive data in a salary database.
"MySQL Crash Course" is especially relevant for anyone with an interest in: Query database tables for specific
information, order the results, comment SQL code, and deal with null values; Defining table columns to hold strings,
integers, and dates, and determine what data types to use; Joining multiple database tables as well as use temporary tables,
common table expressions, derived tables, and subqueries; Adding, changing, and removing data from tables, creating
views based on specific queries, writing reusable stored routines, and the automating and scheduling of events.
Critique: An ideal and unreservedly recommended quick-start resource for database developers of MySQL-based data
storage systems, and also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99), "MySQL Crash Course: A Hands-on
Introduction to Database Development" a core addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university
library MySQL computer science collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Rick Silva is a software developer with decades of database experience. Silva has worked at Harvard
Business School, Zipcar, and various financial services companies.
The Fashion Shelf
Kids of Cosplay
Thurstan Redding
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500026175, $50.00, HC, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Cosplay-Thurstan-Redding/dp/0500026173
Synopsis: Cosplay, a portmanteau of "costume play", is an activity and performance art in which participants called
cosplayers wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character. Cosplayers often interact to create a
subculture, and a broader use of the term "cosplay" applies to any costumed role-playing in venues apart from the stage.
Any entity that lends itself to dramatic interpretation may be taken up as a subject. Favorite sources include anime,
cartoons, comic books, manga, television series, rock music performances, and video games. The term is composed of the
two aforementioned counterparts -- costume and role play.
Cosplay grew out of the practice of fan costuming at science fiction conventions, beginning with Morojo's
"futuristicostumes" created for the 1st World Science Fiction Convention held in New York City in 1939. The Japanese
term "cosplay" was coined in 1984. A rapid growth in the number of people cosplaying as a hobby since the 1990s has
made the phenomenon a significant aspect of popular culture in Japan, as well as in other parts of East Asia and in the
Western world. Cosplay events are common features of fan conventions, and today there are many dedicated conventions
and competitions, as well as social networks, websites, and other forms of media centered on cosplay activities. Cosplay is
very popular among all genders, and it is not unusual to see crossplay, also referred to as gender-bending. (Wikipedia)
A powerful expression of individuality and diversity, cosplay has become global phenomenon that allows anyone to
become a hero for a day.
After attending a cosplay convention in 2017, photographer Thurstan Redding became captivated by cosplay as a subject
matter and embarked on a three-year photographic project to portray cosplay in a way it had never been seen before.
Brought to life through the presentation of seventy cosplayers in unassuming locations, "Kids of Cosplay" highlights how
creativity can thrive in the most mundane realities: Spider-Man is illuminated by the open fridge in a kitchen, three Alices
wait at a bus stop in a desolate Wonderland, a Resistance Pilot plays dead on the gravel driveway of a suburban housing
complex.
Supplemented by commentary from the cosplayers themselves, together with behind-the-scenes pages from Thurstan's
personal diary, Kids of Cosplay "celebrates the unique community spirit that exists within this charming (and, the more
you look, surprisingly moving) parallel universe of glorious, generous pageantry" (Vogue).
A foreword by fashion powerhouse Katie Grand; an essay by writer and performer Tom Rasmussen, who discusses the
social and cultural context of cosplay; and an illuminating interview with Redding by noted fashion writer Sara McAlpine
complete "Kids of Cosplay".
Sometimes, you only have to scratch the surface of our reality to reveal the fantasy that lies beneath.
Critique: Published by Thames & Hudson in a large format (10.2 x 0.7 x 11.4 inches, 2.34 pounds) hardcover edition and
featuring 128 full page, color photo illustrations, "Kids of Cosplay" is an inherently fun, informative, and fascinating
presentation showcasing imaginative examples of the phenomena that has become known as cosplay. "Kids of Cosplay" is
a unique and very special pick for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Contemporary Pop
Culture & Fashion collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Thurstan Redding (https://www.thurstanredding.com) is a Hong Kong-born, French-raised British
photographer and director based in London. His work explores the intersections between identity politics, subcultural
movements, and classical photography. He has contributed to i-D, M: Le Magazine du Monde, British Vogue, T: The New
York Times Style Magazine, Arena Homme +, Document Journal, Love, the Wall Street Journal, Re-Edition, and Replica.
His commercial clients include Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, and Burberry.
The Humor Shelf
People's Park Cartoon Chronicles
Carol Denney
Regent Press
2747 Regent St., Berkeley, CA 94705
www.regentpress.net
9781587906565, $18.00, PB, 32pp
https://www.amazon.com/Peoples-Park-CartoonChronicles-Carol-Denney/dp/1587906562
Synopsis: With the publication of "People's Park Cartoon Chronicles", Carol Denny presented a color collection of
cartoons created for and about People's Park highlighting its history, gardens, cast of characters, and its strangely comedic
50-plus year struggle against the University of California's efforts to convert it into sports courts, housing, anything but
what it is; a community-built, user-developed garden that played a role in stopping the Vietnam War.
The subjects covered with great humor and originality include People's Park's history, People's Park's inherent comedy,
People's Park's struggle against the recent effort to develop it into 17 stories of high-end housing, the political players
dedicated to ending its 50-plus years of providing music, poetry, community gardens, a community stage and dance space
for everyone, the puns, the punchlines, the parody, the bone-crunching court battles and the avian audience that observes it
all from above.
Critique: Local political satire at its very best, "People's Park Cartoon Chronicles" by accomplished cartoonist Carol Denny
is a fun and thought-provoking read from cover to cover. Available in a large format paperback edition (11 x 0.08 x 8.5
inches), "People's Park Cartoon Chronicles" is unabashedly recommended for personal, community, college, and university
library Contemporary American Humor collections.
Editorial Note: Carol Denney (http://www.caroldenney.com) started the satirical Pepper Spray Times thirty years ago to
help highlight local and national political issues and worked several years as a songwriter and cast member of TwitWit
Radio for KPFA in Berkeley. She became a cartoonist after Donald Trump's election in 2016, chronicling the
overwhelming humor in local and national events working for the Bay Guardian, the Berkeley Daily Planet, and the
Berkeley Times. The People's Park Cartoon Chronicles is a collection first shown at the Canessa Gallery in San
Francisco.
The LGBT Studies Shelf
Castro To Christopher
Nicholas Balir, photographer
Jim Farber, introduction
PowerHouse Books
32 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
https://powerhousebooks.com
9781648230349, $44.99, HC, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Castro-Christopher-Streets-America-19791986/dp/1648230342
Synopsis: Between 1979 and 1986 (after Stonewall and before the darkest days of the AIDS epidemic) there was a period
of exuberant and burgeoning gay life in places even then known as "gay paradises". While there were others, the best
known were San Francisco's Castro District, New York's Christopher Street and Fire Island, and Provincetown,
Massachusetts.
The joy (and pathos) of these tragically lost worlds is beautifully and vibrantly documented in "Castro to Christopher: Gay
Streets of America 1979-1986" collection of compelling portraits and street scenes photographed by Nicholas Blair.
As a teenager lured to San Francisco from New York (via hitchhiking to Buenos Aires) Blair lived in a hippie-style arts
commune just across town from the Castro. With a Leica rangefinder camera loaned to him by a childhood friend, Blair
began honing his craft as a photographer amidst the explosion of LGBTQ life that was rapidly eclipsing the hippies as the
most visible (and photographable) counter-culture movement of the day.
Blair's revealing, evocative, and celebratory photos are a window into the outburst of pent-up celebration and
(occasionally) riotous ebullience of theretofore closeted persons who had suddenly felt the door of tolerance opening a
crack, and who were now leaning in, hard, to live life openly as their true and genuine selves.
Perhaps most ironic, viewed from today's perspective of intersectionality, is how extensively, especially in the San
Francisco images, the "hippie" background dovetails with, for example, the vibrant flamboyance of many of those in the
Pride Parades. How many degrees of separation are there, really, between Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters and The Sisters of
Perpetual Indulgence?
If the specter of AIDS were not hanging over these photographs, it would be as if they were showing us a parallel universe
where full equality under law for LGBTQ people could have come so much sooner. As they stand, these historic images
are time capsules of a few places in America, where, for the very first time, and for a very short while, it was okay to be
gay.
Critique: Of special interest to the gay community, "Castro to Christopher: Gay Streets of America 1979-1986" is a large
format (10.4 x 0.8 x 8.8 inches, 1.01 pounds) hardcover volume of black/white photographs by accomplished photographer
Nicholas Blair. With an informative Introduction by Jim Farber, "Castro to Christopher: Gay Streets of America
1979-1986" is a fascinating pictorial history of the pre-AIDs gay culture and an unreservedly recommended pick for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Lifestyle and Gay Culture photography and history
collections.
Editorial Note #1: Nicholas Blair dropped out of high school in 1974 and left his native New York City to hitchhike
through Latin America. Eventually landing in San Francisco a year later, he helped found The Modern Lovers arts
commune and Ancient Currents Gallery, both dedicated to cultural exploration. In 1981, he received his MFA in
photography from the San Francisco Art Institute under the tutelage of renowned photographer and teacher Henry "Hank"
Wessel.
Blair has worked internationally as a photographer and cinematographer for organizations including CARE and the United
Nations. His filmmaking projects include the documentary America's Culture of Crash about the rural American sport of
demolition derby, and Our Holocaust Vacation, a journey through Poland with his mother and family, revisiting her
Holocaust experiences there.
He has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York Foundation for the Arts, and Jerome
Foundation. His photographs are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, International Center of
Photography, Brooklyn Museum, and Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris.
Editorial Note #2: Jim Farber is a regular contributor to the New York Times, the Guardian, and numerous other
publications. For 25 years he was the chief music critic of the New York Daily News and has been writing about culture
since the 1970s. He is a three-time winner of the ASCAP Foundation's Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Award for music
criticism and is an adjunct professor at NYU.
The Wine/Spirits Shelf
Southern Cocktails
The Editors of Coastal Living
IPG Publishing & Licensing
c/o Independent Publishers Group
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.ipgbook.com
9781957317212, $30.00, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Beach-Eats-Favorite-Surfside-Occasion/dp/1957317248
Synopsis: From the Sazerac and Mint Julep to the Bushwacker and Yellowhammer, "Southern Cocktails: Storied Sips,
Snacks, and Barkeep Tips" will enable even the most novice of beach party givers to mix up the very best from the South's
taverns, taprooms, cantinas, and cocktail lounges, be they elegant establishments, rowdy dives, eclectic watering holes, or
bustling urban drinking destinations.
With incredible flip factor, "Southern Cocktails" features scenic snapshots of regional bars, iconic Southern locales, and
thirst-quenching cocktails that beg for five o'clock to come sooner. Also featured are the origin and key ingredients of a
host of famous bar standards like New Orleans' Ramos Gin Fizz, Vieux Carre, and Brandy Milk Punch, Louisville's
Seelbach, or Savannah's Chatham Artillery Punch, along with recipes for the many spirited mixes of today's burgeoning
craft cocktail movement.
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with gorgeous color photography, "Southern Cocktails: Storied
Sips, Snacks, and Barkeep Tips" is a cocktail lover's delight to simple page through, one delicious mixed drink after
another. Simply stated, "Southern Cocktails" will be a prized addition to personal, professional, community, and academic
library Mixed Drink recipe book collections.
Editorial Note: For over 20 years Coastal Living has provided its readers with the best seaside spots to shop, dine, explore,
and unwind. Coastal Living offers its audience an escape to the good life with their magazine and their books.
(https://www.southernliving.com/author/coastal-living)
The Travel Shelf
Soul of Amsterdam
Benoit Zante
Jonglez Publishing
https://jonglezpublishing.com
9782361954666, $14.95, PB, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Amsterdam-guide-exceptional-experiences/dp/2361954664
Synopsis: With the publication of "Soul of Amsterdam: A guide to 30 exceptional experiences" by journalist Benoit Zane,
the on-site visitor and armchair traveler can sneak into the Westerpark community gardens, taste the best appeltaart in the
Jordaan district, sleep amid the canals, eat herring at the water's edge, go bargain hunting at Europe's largest flea market,
enjoy craft beer in the shadow of a windmill, take a dip in the Amstel, or put down your bags in a green oasis, and more!
This is a beautifully illustrated guide showcasing the multiple facets of Amrsterday -- a capital at the heart of Europe that
(in the author's words) is capable of reinventing itself and surprising us.
"Soul of Amsterday" is part of the 'Soul of' series is a new approach to travelling that's all about wandering around, chance
encounters, and unforgettable experiences. Guidebooks that unlock the hidden doors of a city, find its pulse and delve into
every last nook and cranny to uncover its soul. Every guide in the "Soul of" collection includes: The 30 best experiences a
city has to offer; Interviews with those who give the city its spirit; Original illustrations that capture the city's soul
Critique: Lovely, informative, exceptional, 'user friendly' in both organization and presentation, "Soul of Amsterdam: A
guide to 30 exceptional experiences" will prove to be a welcome and enduringly appreciated addition to personal,
professional, community, and academic library European Travel Guide collections -- and a 'must have' travel guide for
business or recreational visitors to the unique and ancient city of Amsterdam.
Editorial Note: Benoit Zante (https://muckrack.com/benoit-zante) is a journalist and trend-spotter, who explores his
adopted city of Amsterdam at length in order to discover the multiple facets of this capital, at the heart of Europe, that is
capable of reinventing itself by surprising us.
Secret Dolomites
Andrea Rizzato
Jonglez Publishing
https://jonglezpublishing.com
9782361956240, $21.95, PB, 496pp
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Dolomites-guides-Andrea-Rizzato/dp/2361956241
Synopsis: What are dolomites?
A dolomite is a rock that defies the laws of gravity, petrified bishops, dwarfs, gnomes and an elephant, caves, ravines and
mysterious portals, breathtaking views of the highest rock walls of the range, a forgotten and enchanting forest, lost
bivouacs on high, secluded plateaus, solitary hermitages, stone books in an open-air library, the trails of Mesolithic
hunters, a glacier between blood-red rock walls and another with a bewitching turquoise gaze, via ferratas to travel along in
solitude, unknown and unnamed summits on topographic maps, fabled spirits of the air!
They are magnificent formations that can be found in ephemeral lakes, in mountain meadows, in rocky labyrinths hidden
behind rock walls, in ancient mining villages and abandoned hamlets, in the prison of the Turks in the Dolomites, in a
proglacial lake.
Critique: "Secret Dolomites" by Andrea Rizzato is part of the Jonglez Publishing 'Secret Guides' series. Profusely
illustrated throughout in full color, "Secret Dolomites" is the ideal and informative itinerary travel guide resource for the
truly adventurous who hold a special interest in this often breath-taking geological phenomena. Compact and thoroughly
'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Secret Dolomites" is especially and unreservedly recommended for
personal, professional, community, and academic library Travel Guide collections.
Editorial Note: With 30 years of experience in the Alpine region, Andrea Rizzato is the author of numerous hiking and
ski-mountaineering guides, and also contributes to the main magazines specialising in outdoor activities. Having mostly
travelled and photographed the less known and less used routes, he prefers the wilder parts of the mountains that offer a
sense of communion with nature. He is also an academic member of GISM, the Italian Association of Mountain Writers.
The author is himself a guide on the routes described in this book.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Pagan Portals: The Norns: Weavers of Fate and Magick
Irisanya Moon
https://www.irisanyamoon.com
Moon Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781789049107, $12.95, PB, 112pp
https://www.amazon.com/Pagan-Portals-Norns-Weavers-Magick/dp/1789049105
Synopsis: The Norns are the deities in Norse mythology who are responsible for shaping the course of human
destinies.
With the publication of "The Norns: Weavers of Fate and Magick", Irisanya Moon introduces the ones who weave,
measure, and cut at the base of the World Tree. With Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld, we travel across time and meet ourselves
as part of fate. In this meeting, we will join the Norns, weavers of destiny, and encounter the wyrd.
Critique: An invaluable and succinctly informative introduction to Norse mythology, "Pagan Portals: The Norns: Weavers
of Fate and Magick" is a brilliant and informative read from cover to cover. A welcome addition to personal, professional,
community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies and Norse Mythology collections, it should be noted for that
"Pagan Portals: The Norns: Weavers of Fate and Magick" is also available from Moon Books in a digital book format
(Kindle, $6.49).
Editorial Note: Irisanya Moon (https://www.irisanyamoon.com) is an author, witch, international teacher, poet, and
Reclaiming initiate who has practiced magick for 20+ years. She has written several books: Pagan Portals (Reclaiming
Witchcraft - 2020, Aphrodite - 2020, Iris - 2021, Norns - 2023); Earth Spirit (Honoring the Wild - 2023, Gaia - 2023); and
Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Health & Well-being - 2020. Plus, she has written essays, articles, poems, and
blogs for Witches & Pagans, Pagan Dawn Coreopsis Journal, Moon Books, Revelore Press, Llewellyn, Epona Muse
Publishing, and others.
Pagan Portals: Planetary Magic
Rebecca Beattie
https://www.rebeccabeattie.co.uk
Moon Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781803411767, $12.95, PB, 152pp
https://www.amazon.com/Pagan-Portals-Planetary-friendly-introduction/dp/1803411767
Synopsis: At the core of modern pagan witchcraft is a knowledge system concerning traditions of nature, connection, and
embodiment to the astrological planets. Throughout magical history, practitioners of magic have looked to the planets for
inspiration and magical help.
From the earliest beginnings of written magical texts (known as the Grimoires) magical systems were based on the seven
planetary powers that were visible in the night sky. The Grimoires were then studied by practitioners of folk-magic (called
the Cunning Folk) and by influential groups from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, as well as practitioners of
Modern witchcraft.
Pagan Portals: Planetary Magic is an accessible and practical introduction to pre-modern planetary magic. It details with
each of the planets, what its magical qualities are, and how to work practical magic with each.
Critique: Featuring numerous b/w illustrations, and offering a 'user friendly' introduction to creating modern magic with
the seven planetary energies, "Pagan Portals: Planetary Magic" by Rebecca Beattie is an extraordinary and highly
recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies, Paganism,
Astrology, and Magick collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "Pagan Portals:
Planetary Magic" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.49).
Editorial Note: Rebecca Beattie (www.rebeccabeattie.co.uk) has a PhD in Creative Writing and has previously written two
novels, a book of short stories, and her first Moon Books title Pagan Portals: Nature Mystics. Rebecca has been a regular
teacher at Treadwell's Books in Bloomsbury for many years.
A New Science of the Afterlife
Daniel Drasin
Park Street Press
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781644116814, $16.99, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/New-Science-Afterlife-Space-Consciousness/dp/1644116812
Synopsis: Sharing his more than thirty years of research into the afterlife and paranormal phenomena, with the publication
of "A New Science of the Afterlife: Space, Time, and the Consciousness Code", Daniel Drasin shows that the continuity of
human consciousness beyond the physical body and after death constitutes a legitimate area of scientific inquiry and that it
can be objectively demonstrated.
Drasin begins by revealing how our belief in materialism (through its effects on our social norms, taboos, and even
language) has deeply constrained our civilization's understanding of the nature of space, time, life, death, and
consciousness. However, as Drasin explains, our deeply ingrained cultural habits tied to materialism have begun to
change.
Drasin explores 15 promising post-materialist scientific investigations currently underway, focusing in depth on three
examples that offer the most objectively irrefutable evidence for the survival of consciousness, including electronic audio
and visual communications from the other side, the groundbreaking five-year Scole Experiment in physical mediumship,
and the profoundly evidential reincarnation case of James Leininger.
Looking at how language frames our perceptions about life and death, Drazin also presents thought experiments and
simple exercises to help us see through materialist ideology and perceive a broader landscape of reality. He provides a
succinct account of the experience of transition to the "next life" and explores what the afterlife is made of, where it's
located, how it works, and what it's for.
Finally, Drasin shows how, by thinking and speaking about death and the survival of consciousness in new ways, we can
facilitate a clearer, more relaxed, comfortable, and rational conversation about what awaits us all sooner or later on the
other side of life.
Critique: An original and seminal study that will have immense interest to readers focusing on New Age Channeling,
Reincarnation, and the 'Sociology of Death', "A New Science of the Afterlife: Space, Time, and the Consciousness Code"
is an extraordinary, ground-breaking, inherently fascinating, and genuinely thought-provoking read. While an unreservedly
recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and academic library Metaphysical Studies
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that "A New Science of the Afterlife" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Daniel Drasin (https://www.dandrasin.com) is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and has been a
photographer and media producer for more than six decades. Since the early 1990s, as featured in his documentary Calling
Earth, Drasin has been actively investigating the field of afterlife communication through traditional mental and physical
mediumship as well as modern electronics.
On Her Silver Rays
Frances Billinghurst
Moon Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781803411491, $23.95, PB, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Her-Silver-Rays-Guide-Magic/dp/180341149X
Synopsis: The moon and Wiccan witchcraft go hand in hand. Lady Lunar has long been both a guide and a companion, a
sign by which we mark time, all the while she gently aids us in our explorations into the self and magical workings. She is
a reflection of not only the sun's light but also the endless cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. The ebbing and flowing
energy of the moon influences our thoughts and emotions.
Many people believe that this energy can also bring change and enhance our own lives, through knowing when and how to
use it. "On Her Silver Rays: A Guide to the Moon, Myth and Magick" by Wiccan author Frances Billinghurst is a
collection of science, myth, poetry, and ritual. It will guide you through working with the different phases of the moon in
order to gain a better sense of wellbeing.
You will discover how best to harness the lunar energies for healing and emotional strength, as well as physical and mental
wellness. Deepen your connection with Lady Lunar through making your own 'moon water', prayer beads, incense and
anointing oils. Through the keeping of a lunar diary, you will learn how to effectively manifest and release with the endless
changing energies of the moon.
With "On Her Silver Rays: A Guide to the Moon, Myth and Magick" you will learn how to create your own unique moon
names regardless of where you live. When you are ready to take your moon magick deeper, this instructive guide will take
you through the differing astrological signs, cosmic events, including Blue and Black Moons, as well as working with both
solar and lunar eclipses, and even how to make your own Kamea of the Moon.
More than just another book about working with the moon, "On Her Silver Rays: A Guide to the Moon, Myth and Magick"
is an informative guide to developing a deep ultimate connection with our night time companion.
Critique: "On Her Silver Rays: A Guide to the Moon, Myth and Magick" is a metaphysical volume of folklore, poetry,
science, myth, and rituals. It is written in a way that makes it accessible for readers of all levels. Providing information
from philosophers, ancient astronomers, and modern scientists, 'On Her Silver Rays' is an invaluable reference book
covering a diverse range of fields such as astronomy, astrology, mythology, healing, and divination. Additional, "On Her
Silver Rays" has a comprehensive list (and description) of the lunar gods and goddesses, explaining the importance of this
heavenly body to the esoteric practices of modern pagans and witches. While also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $10.99), "On Her Silver Rays: A Guide to the Moon, Myth and Magick" is recommended as an essential, core
addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Wiccan and Metaphysical Studies collections and
studies lists.
Editorial Note: Frances Billinghurst (https://francesbillinghurst.blogspot.com) set herself the task of writing a book to
honour the moon, and she should be proud of what she has achieved.
Phoenixes & Angels
Carmen Turner-Schott, MSW, LISW
https://carmenturnerschott.com
O-Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781803410807, $23.95, PB, 290pp
https://www.amazon.com/Phoenixes-Angels-Mastering-Twelfth-Astrological/dp/1803410809
Synopsis: With the publication of "Phoenixes and Angels: Mastering the Eighth and Twelfth Astrological Houses", author
and astrologer Carmen Turner-Schott gives practical advice and tips on how to implement self-care strategies to overcome
challenges and help the reader gain greater self-awareness.
"Phoenixes and Angels" will benefit astrology students, seasoned astrologers, beginners in the craft, and those who want to
learn how to counsel individuals with eighth and twelfth house planets.
The eighth house is the most powerful house in astrology. It rules death, regeneration, rebirth, healing, transformation,
sexuality, behind-the-scenes energy, power, and secrets. All the energy of Scorpio and Pluto brings a heightened awareness
of the deep things in life from which most people hide. Eighth house people share similar life experiences. "Phoenixes and
Angels" highlights actual stories from eighth house people, which can help those interested in learning more about
themselves and helping others.
The twelfth house is the most spiritual and mystical house in astrology. It rules cosmic consciousness, oneness with God,
compassion, service to others, psychic abilities, imagination, sleep, dreaming, addiction, secrets, and much more. All the
energy of Neptune and Pisces brings a heightened awareness of the spiritual world and the divine. Twelfth house people
share similar life experiences. "Phoenixes and Angels" highlights actual stories from twelfth house people, too, which can
help those interested in learning more about themselves and helping others.
Critique: A valued and informative contribution to personal, professional, community, and academic library
Astrology/Metaphysics collections, "Phoenixes and Angels: Mastering the Eighth and Twelfth Astrological Houses" is a
seminal and unreservedly recommended acquisition selection.
Editorial Note: Carmen Turner-Schott (https://carmenturnerschott.com) is a practicing licensed clinical social worker,
astrologer, writer, and teacher with a national and international clientele. She has worked with victims of trauma for over
25 years. Since 2010 she has managed several Facebook Astrology groups which have over 50K members from all over
the world.
The Self-Help Shelf
Stay Sane in an Insane World
Greg Harden
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781665092418, $25.99, HC, 198pp
https://www.amazon.com/Stay-Sane-Insane-World-Controllables/dp/1665092416
Synopsis: Simply stated -- Greg Harden changes lives. This is why hundreds of world-class athletes, doctors, lawyers,
teachers, business leaders, college students, and professionals from all walks of life have come to him for advice and
direction -- including 7-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady, 23-time Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps,
Heisman Trophy winners Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson, CEOs of major companies, and championship
coaching staffs from all over the world.
Harden teaches his students how to practice, train, and rehearse to give 100 percent, 100 percent of the time, and
challenges them by asking: If you don't believe in yourself, why should I believe in you?
Champions aren't born. They're built. Greg Harden spent over 30 years building them at the University of Michigan,
including 400 future professional athletes, 50 NFL first-round draft picks, and 120 Olympians from over 20 countries. He
gained national recognition when 60 Minutes Sports profiled him as "Michigan's Secret Weapon."
Now, with the publication of "Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive", Greg Harden
is reaching out to help anyone who wants to live their best life by offering powerful and practical advice.
His readers will learn to: Stop being afraid of being afraid; Control the controllables; Commit, improve, and maintain;
Become the world's greatest expert on themself; Practice self-love and self-acceptance.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, impressively timely, effectively organized and thoroughly 'user friendly' in
presentation, "Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive" by Greg Harden is an ideal,
effective, inspirational, and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Stay Sane in an Insane World" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $8.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781665088619, $31.95,
MP3-CD).
Editorial Note: Greg Harden (https://gregharden.com) is a life coach, motivational speaker and executive consultant who is
best known for his work with 7-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady, Heisman Trophy winner and Super
Bowl MVP Desmond Howard, and 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps.
The Wisconsin Shelf
The Wisconsin Farm They Built: Tales of Family & Fortitude
Corey A. Geiger
The History Press
c/o Arcadia Publishing
420 Wando Park Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
www.arcadiapublishing.com
9781467152747, $23.99, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wisconsin-Farm-They-Built-Fortitude/dp/1467152749
Synopsis: Corey Geiger is an international agricultural journalist and pairs his rural roots and lively storytelling talents to
capture six generations of life in America's Dairyland in "The Wisconsin Farm They Built: Tales of Family &
Fortitude".
After his mother Anna was killed by a train, Elmer Pritzl was thrown into adulthood at the tender age of sixteen. A clever
and crafty fellow, Elmer quickly found work at the local foundry. Promoted to foreman by age eighteen, he began
supervising men double and even triple his age during the depths of the Great Depression.
However, that professional career track ended abruptly five years later when Elmer fell in love with a farmer's daughter,
Julia Burich. Six months after their wedding, Julia's father passed away, and with no living male relatives left in her life,
Julia's mother, Anna Burich, asked, "Elmer, will you run my farm?" So, Elmer, born a city boy, transformed his life and
began a love affair with a Wisconsin family farm.
Critique: A quintessential memorial tribute to the Wisconsin family farm, "Wisconsin Farm They Built, The: Tales of
Family & Fortitude" features an informative Forward by Wisconsin historian and storyteller Jerry Apps, a two page listing
of 'A Basic Family Tree of Those Mentioned in the Book', and a six page Bibliography. Fascinating, informative, inspiring,
"Wisconsin Farm They Built, The: Tales of Family & Fortitude" is the extraordinary, unique, exceptional, and informative
history of a family farm -- as well as an unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, college, and university
library Wisconsin History and Mid-West American Agricultural History collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists.
Editorial Note: Corey Geiger (www.coreygeiger.com) is also the author of "On a Wisconsin Family Farm: Historic Tales
of Character, Community and Culture" . In 1995, this University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate joined the Hoard's
Dairyman editorial team. In 2013, Geiger was tapped as the publication's fifth lead editor. Geiger was elected the
sixty-fifth president of Holstein Association USA and serves on the board of directors for the World Dairy Expo. He
remains true to his farming roots, managing and owning a portion of his six-generation family farm that serves as the
epicenter for "The Wisconsin Farm They Built: Tales of Family & Fortitude".
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
www.midwestbookreview.com
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