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The Bookwatch

Volume 1, Number 2 November 2006 Home | BW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Martial Arts Shelf Education Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Travel Shelf
Science Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Self-Help Shelf
American History Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Photography Shelf
Civil War Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Theatre/Cinema Shelf
Women's Studies Shelf Terrorism Studies Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Environmental Studies Shelf Parenting Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf
Military Shelf Music Shelf Fiction Shelf
Political Science Shelf World History Shelf Homeowner Shelf
Media Studies Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Literary Shelf Hunting/Fishing Shelf Biography Shelf
Humor Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf International Studies Shelf
Native American Shelf Judicial Studies Shelf Psychology Shelf
Business Shelf Gaming Shelf Computer Shelf
Architecture Shelf Art Shelf Mathematics Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Showreel.01
Bjoern Bartholdy
Daab
7 E. 14 St. Suite 17-Z, New York NY 10003
3937718958 $59.95 www.daab-online.com

College-level holdings strong in either art or audiovisual media representations shouldn't miss SHOWREEL.01: 53 PROJECTS ON AUDIOVISUAL DESIGN. It covers everything from commercials and TV to music videos and short artistic film productions, showcasing unique audiovisual works from the last several years and pairing pages of full-color stills from these works with interviews with their makers. Showreel hosts about 50 projects yearly, and covers projects on a world-wide scale: industry pros, in particular, will want to use it to see the latest talents and trends.

The Shooter's Guide to Classic Firearms
Guns & Ammo
Stoeger Publishing Company
17503 Indian Head Hwy Suite 200, Accokeet, MD 20607-2501
0883173271 $24.95 www.stoegerpublishing.com

From the editors of Guns & Ammo Magazine comes an authoritative guide to historic and modern firearms in THE SHOOTER'S GUIDE TO CLASSIC FIREARMS, which offers a ‘classic test' series to consider the history, technology and operation of selected world firearms. From performance specs and capabilities to history and design, color photos pair with excellent articles and history.

Animate Earth
Stephan Harding
Chelsea Green
Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001
1933392290 $25.00 www.chelseagreen.com

Author Stephen Harding's doctorate in ecology from Oxford and his interest in holistic science creates a satisfying blend of modern science and new age ideas, so add in a dose of history of how older ideas of an ‘animate earth' can be explained through a blend of modern science and spirituality and you have a powerful set if ideas indeed. GAIA theory, scientific insights and a focus on a living earth make for wonderful, revealing reading in his new book. "Animate Earth" is very strongly recommended for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in science and metaphysics.

Cross Country
Robert Sullivan
Bloomsbury USA
175 5th Avenue Suite 300, New York, NY 10010
1582345279 $24.95 www.bloomsburyusa.com

CROSS COUNTRY: 15 YEARS AND 90,000 MILES ON THE ROADS AND INTERSTATES OF AMERICA is a travelogue like none other, providing a jolly story of a family car trip across America from Oregon to New York – and reflecting on history and culture along the way. From a similar venture by beat author Kerouac to the expeditions of Lewis and Clark, this memoir melds past and present and provides a vivid blend of the author's experiences and his reflections on others who've made the trip. A spicy, involving and highly recommended story evolves.

Living an Uncommon Life
John St. Augustine
Hampton Roads Publishing
1125 Stoney Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
1571745262 $19.95 www.hrpub.com

At the lowest point in his life the John St. Augustine began a walk across the country, embark on some thousand miles from northern Michigan to Chicago and back, which allowed him to reinvent himself and embark on a new career in radio. Best known for his ‘power thoughts' vignettes, "Living an Uncommon Life" covers more than his experiences and awakening: it includes patterns form other exceptional personalities he's met along the way, and reveals how these personalities uncovered strength from adversity. "Living an Uncommon Life" is an inherently engaging, unusually candid, and occasionally inspiring, and highly recommended read!

Andean Textile Traditions
Margaret Young-Sanchez & Fronia Simpton, Eds
University of Texas Press
Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
0914738526 $29.95 www.utexaspress.com

The Frederick and Jan Mayer Center for Pre-Columbian and Spanish Colonial Art at the Denver Art Museum sponsors an annual symposia – and if you can't actually attend it, "Andean Textile Traditions" is the second best option. College-level students will here find essays on Andean textiles, culled from the 2001 symposium, paired with color reproduction examples form the exhibition, and including cultural and art analysis which shouldn't be missed by any student of Latin culture and art studies.


The Martial Arts Shelf

Advancing In Tae Kwon Do
Richard Chun
YMAA Publications
4354 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA 02131
159439072X $29.95 www.ymaa.com 1-800-669-8892

Richard Chun is a 9th Dan, making him one of the highest ranked masters of Taekwondo anywhere in the world. With "Advancing In Tae Kwon Do", Chun draws upon his more than fifty years of experience and expertise to introduce martial arts students to the history, philosophy, and meditation underpinnings of Taw Kwon Do, then goes on to provide profusely illustrated instructions on Tae Kwon Do hand and foot techniques, sparring techniques, self-defense techniques, breaking techniques, the nine Black Belt forms required for promotion by the World Taekwondo Federation and internationally sanctioned Taekwondo competitions, as well as the rules and regulations of the World Taekwondo Federation – including sparring and Poomsae (form) competitions. Authoritative, comprehensive, superbly organized, and thoroughly ‘user friendly', "Advancing In Tae Kwon Do" is a core addition to any and all personal or professional martial arts instructional reference collections.

Secrets Of Pankraton
Jim Arvanitis
Paladin Press
Gunbarrel Tech Center, 7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
SKU# PANKDVD $89.95 www.paladin-press.com 1-800-392-2400

Pankraton is a stand-up fighting style that involves punishing locks and ground skills combined into a brutal (and potentially lethal) martial art. "Secrets Of Pankration" features Jim Arvanitis demonstrating a series of ‘ano' (or standing) arsenal of punches, kicks, elbow strikes, shoots, takedowns, clinching techniques, throws, and sweeps. Considered by many to be the ‘father' of Modern Pankraton, Arvantis goes on to demonstrate ‘kato' or ground fighting skills that include pins, holds, chokes, submission locks, and defenses against a mounted striker. "Secrets Of Pankraton concludes with Arvantis putting ‘ano' and ‘kato' together and provides step-by-step instruction on performing counter throws and holds, gaining top position from the bottom, maintaining top control, and executing compound attacks compelling a rapid submission on the part of an opponent. With a 350 minute running time, "Secrets of Pankraton" is a strongly recommended and full color DVD that should be a part of the instructional reference collection of all dedicated martial arts students.


The Education Shelf

Writing Put To The Test
Amy Benjamin
Eye On Education
6 Depot Way West, Suite 106, Larchmont, NY 10538
1596670266 29.95 www.eyeoneducation.com 888-299-5350

Award-winning English teacher Amy Benjamin presents Writing Put To The Test: Teaching for the High Stakes Essay, a guide for especially educators teaching students in grades 4 to 12 how to succeed at on-demand essay writing. Writing Put to the Test is not a step-by-step lesson plan per se; instead, it focuses upon the core principles and techniques students need to master - from various rhetorical models such as narration, description, and cause and effect to testing one's own grammar for complete sentences and other standard formal English semantical necessities. Above all, Writing Put To The Test delineates and offers recommendations for meticulously instructing students in the standard formal English - the "prestige dialect" - used in academics and commerce that is vital to career success, without denigrating the informal dialects of English that have their own place in daily home life. Enthusiastically recommended for English teachers of all settings and experience levels, from professional classroom instructors to home schoolers and volunteers for literacy programs.

Corwin Press
2455 Teller Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
www.corwinpress.com

Instructors will find these two guides important keys to successful teaching. Pearl Gold Solomon's THE MATH WE NEED TO KNOW AND DO IN GRADES PRE-K-5 (1412917204, $32.95) appears in its second updated edition to cover the ideas, skills, and requirements of math for these grades. From charts on embedded concepts paired with grade levels to adequately developing concepts critical for understanding and analysis, teachers learn much about how math is taught, perceived, and directed. Eleanor Renee Rodriguez and James Bellanca's WHAT IS IT ABOUT ME YOU CAN'T TEACH? AN INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE FOR THE URBAN EDUCATOR (1412937647) blends classroom expectations and standards with research-based practices to show teachers how to delivery high-quality education in any environment. The focus here is on urban students, developing strategies that help students take responsibility and control of the learning process. Chapters present four basic comprehension strategies and pair these ideas with tactics for success.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave. #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85252
www.poisonedpenpress.com

Frederick Ramsay's IMPULSE (1590582837, $24.95) presents murder mystery writer Frank Smith as a protagonist, whose goal is to attend his 50th class reunion even under the shadow of the mysterious disappearance of his wife and the pursuit of an officer convinced he's a murderer. As if this wasn't enough, Frank faces another, older mystery at his reunion – and the reunion of classmates leads to some dangerous encounters and newfound truths. The blended streams of mystery plots make for complex – and exciting – twists and turns. Vicki Delany's BURDEN OF MEMORY (1590582667, $24.95) presents Elaine, a successful novelist who has failed in the uncertain world of a screenwriter's career and is now interviewing for a job in a remote rural area with an elderly rich woman who needs a writer to help her with her memoirs. It's not until she's hired that Elaine discovers the writer before her died a mysterious death: a death she too may be facing because of her position. It's refreshing to see a sleuth story based around a character who doesn't professionally sleuth. Michael Bowen's PUTTING LIPSTICK ON A PIG (159058287X, $24.95) tells of a cold-hearted lawyer whose sudden accidental death doesn't disturb anyone – even his fellow attorney – until facts about it seem to coincide with the perils facing a court reporter tied to Wisconsin's Hmong community. Could it be local politics which killed him – and would those ongoing issues present trouble for Sue and her people? Add in deer season and a host of sharpshooters and you have a splendid mystery replete with twists, turns and new ideas.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Israel and Settler Society
Lorenzo Veracini
Pluto Press
c/o University of Minnesota Press
111 Third Avenue South, Suite 290, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2520
0745325009 $25.95 www.upress.umn.edu www.plutobooks.com

The struggle between Israel and Palestinians isn't unique, and here Lorenzo Veracini argues that an understanding of the foundations of colonialist thought is necessary to understand the methods, concerns and results of Israel, a settler society like so many others. Other colonial regimes are examined in the course of Veracini's analysis of the dynamics of colonist thought, which refutes popular myths of the origins of Israeli-Palestinian disputes.

KTAV
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
www.ktav.com

Mordecai Paldiel's CHURCHES AND THE HOLOCAUST: UNHOLY TEACHING, GOOD SAMARITANS AND RECONCILIATION (088125908X, $39.50) focuses on the traditional Christian ‘teaching of contempt' that held Jews deserved to be punished because they rejected Jesus and his new religion. Chapters examine the origins of the idea, how it led to Christian discrimination processes against Jews, and how it evolved over the ages. Mordecai Paldiel is director of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Institute in Israel and here documents the stories of some three hundred Christian clerics who worked against this basic teaching. Dan Vogel's MARK TWAIN'S JEWS (0881259160, $22.95) charts Twain's anti-Semitic tendencies, gathering his writings, autobiographical works, and major statement about anti-Semitism in 1899 to analyze the controversies underlying the truth about Twain's attitudes. Analysis of his writings and of the scholars who produced critical insights of them make for a new, invaluable survey seeking to consider nearly every mention of ‘Jew' in Mark Twain's literature. An important study for any interested in Twain's Jewish sentiments.


The Travel Shelf

Afoot & Afield Reno-Tahoe
Mike White
Wilderness Press
1200 - 5th Street, Berkley, CA 94710-1306
0899973337 $19.95 www.wildernesspress.com 1-800-443-7227

Informatively written by Reno local Mike White, Afoot & Afield Reno-Tahoe: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide is a satisfyingly in-depth outdoor hiking guide to the Reno-Tahoe region on the Nevada-California border. Intended for both visitors and residents, Afoot & Afield Reno-Tahoe covers general safety and practical guidelines for hikers plus in-depth examinations of more than 175 mountain hiking and mountain biking trips in the region. Routes vary in length from less than a mile to an 18-mile point-to-point challenge. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this top-quality guide for hikers of all skill and experience levels looking forward to enjoying the Reno-Tahoe wilderness.

Walt Disney World Trivia Book: Volume 2
Louis A. Mongello
The Intrepid Traveler
PO Box 531, Bransford, CT 06405
1887140638 $14.95 www.intrepidtraveler.com 203-488-5341

Written by Louis M. Mongello, The Walt Disney World Trivia Book: More Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind The Magic is an all-new, unofficial multiple choice trivia book. Half the book is devoted to hundreds of multiple choice questions; the other half answers each question at length with fascinating tidbits about the history and operation of Walt Disney World. Enumerated questions and answers are in separate sections for easy self-quizzing. "You'll find what on top of the hot air balloon at the center of 'Dumbo the Flying Elephant'? - Perched atop the balloon is none other than Dumbo's friend, Timothy J. Mouse, who helped Dumbo discover the ability to fly using his oversized ears." Black-and-white photographs, "Did You Know?" bars, and an index round out this amusing means to while away time in the car while driving to Disney World.


The Science Shelf

Snake Venoms and Envenomations
Jean-Philippe Chippaux
Krieger Publishing Company
PO Box 9542, Melbourne, FL 32902-9542
1575242729 $58.50 www.krieger-publishing.com 321-724-9542

Written by scientist and snake venom expert Jean-Philippe Chippaux, Snake Venoms and Envenomations is an advanced scientific reference and resource concerning snake venoms, written especially for students, medical experts and field professionals. Chapters cover the zoology of snakes, venom toxicology, antidotes and immunotherapy for treating venoms, and the treatment and prevention of envenomations from first aid to advanced medical therapies. Snakebite is a very real public health problem, especially in specific tropical countries, yet snake venom is also a valuable biomedical substance. Snake Venoms and Envenomations provides an explicit reference of biochemistry, toxicology, and serpentine behavior and is a stand-out compilation of expertise in its field.

The Intelligibility of Nature
Peter Dear
University of Chicago Press
1427 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637-2954
0226139484 $27.50 www.press.uchicago.edu

The Intelligibility of Nature: How Science Makes Sense of the World focuses on science's role as applied knowledge, which moves from theory to applications in daily life, and provides a history of the ongoing conflicts between theory development and applications. Historical references are used to examine how the differing processes of knowing and doing come together – or not – and document key episodes from Darwin to Einstein. The Intelligibility of Nature is especially recommended for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in nature and science.

Ether
Joe Milutis
University of Minnesota Press
111 Third Avenue South, #290, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2520
0816646449 $29.95 www.upress.umn.edu

ETHER: THE NOTHING THAT CONNECTS EVERYTHING explores the early history and ideas of ether, moving from Newton and early scientists whose ideas bordered on and sometimes influenced the occult to modern scientists and non-scientists. Here the ideas of electricity are woven with alchemical lore in a presentation that surveys the ether to ideas of space travel, film, and even computers. Ether, surprisingly, has some three hundred years of influence: chapters here consider religious influence, paradigms of belief, and scientific borders alike.

The Living Energy Universe
Gary Schwartz, Ph.D. & Linda G. Russek, Ph.D.
Hampton Roads Publishing
1125 Stony Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
157174455X $16.95 www.hrpub.com

Are science and spirituality always to be at odds with each other, offering up very different paradigms of belief? Not if you consider the premise of The Living Energy Universe: A Fundamental Discovery That Transforms Science and Medicine. From how electrons carry information which affects perception to the implications of memory, the idea of a ‘universal memory' bank of data, and its influence on the universe, here's a coverage which ties up all loose ends. Informative, superbly presented, and thoroughly reader friendly, "The Living Energy Universe" is an ideal addition to academic and community library Science Studies collections and supplemental reading lists.

Not Even Wrong
Peter Woit
Basic Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
0465092756 $26.95 www.basicbooks.com

Peter Woit is a noted lecturer in mathematics, and his Not Even Wrong: The Failure of String Theory and the Search for Unity in Physical Law thus offers up a physics discourse with a math foundation backing it. String theory, argues Woit, is not even good science: chapters provide a history of the theory and its development, Its high profile and many controversies within the scientific community, and wider-reaching conflicts in theoretical science fostered by the presence of the theory itself. Fascinating reading and a recommended acquisition for academic and community library Science & Mathematics collections.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Shadow of the Bear
Brian Payton
Bloomsbury
175 5th Avenue Suite 300, New York, NY 10010
1596911980 $25.95 www.bloomsburyusa.com

Bears have had many, many books written about them and have been long celebrated: so why the need for yet another? Brian Payton here travels the world in search of the eight remaining bear species, from Asia and Canada to South America. His blend of natural history and travelogue examines human interactions with and beliefs about bears at all levels of society, offering up a warm interaction of bear and human encounters. "Shadow of the Bear" is especially recommended for school and community library Pets & Wildlife collections.

The Wolves of Minnesota
Edited by L. David Mech
Voyageur Press
123 North Second Street, PO Box 338, Stillwater, MN 55082
0896585093 $16.95 www.voyageurpress.com

Edited by renowned wolf expert L. David Mech, The Wolves of Minnesota: Howl in the Heartland collects the expertise of individuals who have devoted themselves to studying Minnesota wolves, and presents the amazing true story of the wild Minnesota wolf's remarkable comeback. Gorgeous full-color photography on almost every page enhances this collection of essays that range from a summary of the wolf's life cycle and predator/prey habits to an in-depth discussion of managing the conflict between livestock owners who suffer from wolf depredations, wildlife supporters who have strong beliefs against allowing the killing of wolves, and government wolf control and compensation programs meant to chart an equitable middle ground. Enthusiastically recommended for wolf lovers everywhere.


The Self-Help Shelf

All You Need is Hart
Helene Rothchild, MS, MS, MFT
Robert D. Reed Publishers
PO Box 1992, Bandon Oregon 97411
1931741727 $14.95 www.rdrpublishers.com 541-347-9882

Written by Helene Rothchild, MS, MS, MFT, All You Need is Hart: Create Love, Joy, and Abundance - Now! is an empowering self-help book that guides the reader through a process of Holistic And Rapid Transformation. Grounded in basic principles such as "our minds are like magnets and therefore we attract what we are thinking" and "what people say or do is about them and not you. You are okay no matter what people say or do!", the HART process is a compassionate, self-esteem building, consciousness-raising philosophy to improving one's mental, physical, and spiritual life. Sample exercises for the reader to perform or write answers to help reinforce the positive lessons and transformational tools presented in this upbeat and insightful resource.


The American History Shelf

Urbanizing America
Ivan D. Steen
Krieger Publishing
Box 9542, Melbourne, FL 32902-9542
157524165X $19.50 www.krieger-publishing.com

URBANIZING AMERICA: THE DEVELOPMENT OF CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES FROM THE FIRST EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS T0 1920 is a recommended pick for college-level students of urban studies. It provides a chronological and easy approach fo the founding and growth of U.S. cities, surveying economic, social and political influences and using primary source materials to back a survey of the growth of the urban nation. Keys on understanding changes in political climate and their effect on changing urban structure are particularly revealing.

Remembrances of Times Past
Marta Hiatt
Northern Star Press
PO Box 399, 375 Redondo, Long Beach, CA 90814-1620
0962092932 $15.95 www.remember20thcentury.com 562-434-8776

Written by Marta Hiatt and illustrated with a wealth of vintage black-and-white photographs, Remembrances of The Past: Stories and Photos Recalling Life in the 20th Century is a journey of nostalgia touching upon the highlights of modern American History. Vignettes of what American life used to be like and the events that forever transformed it - from the civil rights boycott that began with Rosa Parks' refusal to be discriminated against, to breakthrough advances in germ warfare, to the revelation that women's orgasms came from clitoral rather than vaginal stimulation, to the inception of the Internet. Organized by theme rather than chronologically, the snippets of revelation about how daily American life used to be are often driven home with firsthand testimonies of ordinary people who lived in those times. A virtual American History museum in book form.

A Handbook To Appalachia
Edited by Grace Toney Edwards, Joann Aust Asbury, & Ricky L. Cox
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
1572334592 $19.95 www.utpress.org 1-800-621-2736

Edited by the team of Grace Toney Edwards (directs the Appalachian Regional Studies Center at Radford University), Joann Aust Asbury (teaches in the English department and assists with the Highland Summer Conference for the Appalachian Regional Studies Center at Radford University), and Ricky L. Cox (teaches Appalachian folklore in the English department at Radford University), A Handbook To Appalachia: An Introduction to the Region is an anthology of essays by learned academics offering overviews of the history and majesty of the Appalachian region. Directed toward a general audience, the essays discuss "Peoples of Appalachia: Cultural Diversity within the Mountain Region", "The Economy of Appalachia", "Health Care in Appalachia", "Education in Appalachia", "The Politics of Change in Appalachia", and much more. Extensively researched, illustrated with a handful of black-and-white photographs, and enhanced with numerous suggestions for further reading A Handbook To Appalachia is enthusiastically recommended for any scholar or lay person seeking a relatively brief yet comprehensive survey of the region, whether for collegiate interdisciplinary studies or simple curiosity.

The Rosenwald Schools of the American South
Mary S. Hoffschwelle
University Press of Florida
15 NW 15th Street, Gainsville, FL 32611-2079
0813029570 $39.95 www.upf.com 352-392-1351

Written by Mary S. Hoffschwelle (professor of history at Middle Tennessee State University), The Rosenwald Schools of the American South is the true story of a partnership to build model schools for black children during the Jim Crow era in the South, with positive repercussions lasting to the present day. The Rosenwald Project, which began with Booker T. Washington and received the backing of the Tuskegee Institute and Sears, Roebuck & Co. president Julius Rosenwald, created more than 5,300 schools and auxiliary buildings from 1912 to 1932 in 15 Southern states. Scores of these schools remain today, as they were designed for maximum efficiency, space for learning, and serving as a cultural and social center of African American communities; ironically, their existence helped set high standards for white schools. The Rosenwald Schools of the American South meticulously examines all aspects of the Rosenwald Schools, including their contributions to architecture, community, education, and their role in formalizing a state education program that would one day include black children. A detailed and scholarly study, especially recommended for American History reference shelves as well as public and college libraries.


The Christian Studies Shelf

First Corinthians
Raymond F. Collins, edited by Daniel J. Harrington S.J.
Liturgical Press
PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
0814659705 $39.95 www.litpress.org 320-363-2227

Written by biblical scholar Raymond F. Collins and edited by Daniel J. Harrington S.J., First Corinthians is seventh in the Sacra Pagina series of fresh translations and modern expositions of the books of the New Testament. In addition to the translated text itself, First Corinthians is packed cover to cover with methodological perspectives, background information, interpretations, sources for reference and further study, and much more. Written for intermediate to advanced bible studies students, and a singularly valuable tool for professionals, clergy, and religious educators, First Corinthians is as highly recommended for its depth and exacting scrutiny of source material as the rest of the Sacra Pagina series.

Like a Drop in the Ocean
Edited by W. Bader
New City Press
202 Cardinal Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
1565482425 14.95 www.newcitypress.com

Edited by W. Bader, Like a Drop in the Ocean: 99 Sayings by Mother Teresa is an anthology of spiritual insights and quotations by Gonxha Agnes Bojaxhiu, commonly known as Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Her sense of humor, humility, balance, serenity, and love for Jesus Christ, a love she seeks to share with all, flow through the pages of this inspirational collection. A sample of Mother Teresa's soulful quotes: "Prayer gives us a pure heart, and a pure heart is able to look at God", "When you laugh, I am able to hear the music of your smile" and "For me, Jesus is my God, my spouse, my life, my only love, my all-in-all, my One-and-all. I love him with all my heart, with my entire being."

The New Jerusalem
G. K. Chesterton
Roman Catholic Books
PO Box 2286, Fort Collins, CO 80522
1929291426 $29.95 www.booksforcatholics.com

The New Jerusalem reprints G. K. Chesterton's classic travelogue in which he sought to better understand the Middle East in the years following World War I. Nearly three decades before the creation of the State of Israel, Chesterton observed the Christians, Jews, and Muslims of Palestine; his unvarnished conclusions are presented at face value, without any allowances for political correctness or other modern contrivances. In addition to his blunt assessments and judgments are also a wonder of firsthand description and depiction of ordinary people surviving day-to-day life, and evidence of seekers searching the holy land for revelation, and extended philosophical speculation concerning the ancient histories destinies of races and faiths of people. Though limited by Chesterton's individual perspective and opinions, The New Jerusalem is an invaluable addition to collective understanding concerning Palestine and how it was viewed by individuals and religious organizations nearly a century ago.


The Photography Shelf

A Camera on the Banks
M. Brook Taylor
Goose Lane
330 - 500 Beaverbrook court, Fredericton, NB Canada E3B 5X4
0864924410 $19.95 www.gooselane.com

Written by history professor M. Brook Taylor, A Camera on the Banks: Frederick William Wallace and the Fisherman of Nova Scotia presents the rare black-and-white photographs of Nova Scotia's fishing schooners, as taken by photojournalist Frederick William Wallace between 1911 and 1916, during the close of the age of unassisted sail. Taylor chronicles the true story of fishery, the individuals who dedicated themselves to it, and the photojournalist who exquisitely captures it just as it was on the cusp of a radical transformation. A Camera on the Banks is recommended as a smoothly narrated, superbly preserved fragment of Nova Scotia nautical history captured through the medium of photography..

River of Colour
Raghubir Singh
Phaidon Press
180 Varick St., 14th Flr, New York NY 10014
0714846023 $49.95 www.phaidon.com

Raghubir Singh was born in India and began his photography career in 1965 – but until this collection, very few of his works reached audiences outside the country. RIVER OF COLOUR: THE INDIA OF RAGHUBIR SINGH uses a wide-angle panoramic layout which will prove a shelving challenge to most art library collections – but a delight to any who seek fine display materials. It's the only retrospective of Singh's works and by choosing an elongated, oversized display format, the color photos of Indian topics come to life and nearly spring off the page. RIVER OF COLOUR is recommended not just for art photography libraries, but for any collection strong on India history or culture.

Aperture Foundation
547 West 27th St., 4th Flr, New York NY 10001
www.aperture.org

LOLA ALVAREZ BRAVO by Elizabeth Ferrer (1931788944, $50.00) has been published to coincide with an exhibition on view at the Aperture Gallery from September to November, but stands well on its own as an outstanding selection of images from Mexico's first woman photographer. It's the first major review of her work in over a decade, and provides a gathering of images essential to any modern art photo library – or to any holding with an emphasis on Mexican culture. Louise Downie edits DON'T KISS ME: THE ART OF CLAUDE CAHUN AND MARCEL MOORE (1597110256, $45.00), pairing essays with a survey of a photographer whose self-portraits seemed unique at the time. Cahun and Moore were a couple who lived and worked together for over forty years: DON'T KISS ME holds the examination of seven international authors who examine their lives, art, and performance activities in light of the Surrealist movement of their times.

Conversations With Contemporary Photographers
Joan Fontcuberto, et al.
Umbrage Editions
515 Canal Street, #4, New York, NY 10013
1884167489 $29.00 www.umbragebooks.com

"Conversations With Contemporary Photographers" is a compilation of nine simply fascinating conversations on and about photography in terms of its effect on aesthetics, culture, history, theory, and so much more. "Conversations With Contemporary Photographers" features conversations between American photographers Alex Webb and Max Kozloff; and between Phillip Lorca di Corcia and Nan Richardson; Spanish photographers Javier Vallhonrat and Santiago Olma; Brazil's Miguel Rio Branco and Portugal's Tereza Siza; America's Duane Michals and Italy's Enrica Vigano; Australia's Max Pam and Mexico's Pablo Ortiz Monasterio; French photographers Bernard Plassu and Juan Manual Bonet; Spain's John Foncuberta and Austria's Cristina Zeklich. A core addition for personal, professional, and academic library Photography reference collections and supplemental reading lists, "Conversations With Contemporary Photographers" is a unique anthology of expert and insightful commentary – as well as deeply engaging and recommended reading for all photography enthusiasts, amateur or professional.


The Civil War Shelf

The Untold Story of Shiloh
Timothy B. Smith
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
1572334665 $34.00 www.utpress.org 1-800-621-2736

Written by Timothy B. Smith, a staff member at the Shiloh National Military Park, The Untold Story of Shiloh: The Battle and the Battlefield is a meticulous appraisal of history's understanding of the battle of Shiloh during the American Civil War. Seeking to fill in the gaps in chronicles of what actually took place, The Untold Story of Shiloh goes beyond the two days of battle, presenting a collection of essays - some previously published, some not - evaluating topics ranging from Shiloh's historiography, the myths created about the battle, and the mindsets established after the battle, to the stories behind memorializations of the battle after it had taken place, including Shiloh's cemetery, monument, and military park. A scholarly and serious-minded close evaluation written by and for serious Civil War historians and scholars.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Horses and the Mystical Path
Adele von Rust McCormick, Ph.D., et.al.
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
1577315561 $14.95 www.newworldlibrary.com

On a trip to Scotland the family psychotherapist team of Adele, Deborah and Thomas McCormick investigated early Celtic mysticism and discovered elements of this mysticism that aided in their work using horses as therapeutic aids. Spirituality blends with practical applications in HORSES AND THE MYSTICAL PATH: THE CELTIC WAY OF EXPANDING THE HUMAN SOUL, drawing important connections between horse psyche and mystic elements.

New Page Books
P.O. Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
www.newpagebooks.com

Jeff Belanger's OUR HAUNTED LIVES: TRUE LIFE GHOST ENCOUNTERS (1564148564 $14.99) results from interviews with dozens of witnesses to supernatural phenomena, providing a fine collection of testimonies of experience from those who have seen and sometimes communicated with ghosts. From famous ghosts to ghosts on the job, OUR HAUNTED LIVES will intrigue and interest any interested in the supernatural experience: reality, not tales. Joshua P. Warren's PET GHOSTS: ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE (1564148882, $14.99) includes not only the author's own experiences with his dog, but interviews animal experts and provides tools and techniques for finding and recording a pet's spirit. If humans can have ghosts – why not pets? PET GHOSTS survey theory and provide insights on encounters. Jason Miller's PROTECTION & PERSONAL MAGICK (1564148793, $14.99) covers a different kind of topic: how to understand magical attacks and how to use reversal magic to prevent and defend against them. From appeasing angry spirits to performing daily banishings and using amulets effectively, practicing witches need this guide to ongoing protection from negative forces.

Bear/Healing Arts/Inner Traditions
One Park St., Rochester, VT 05767
www.InnerTraditions.com

Tobias Churton's THE MAGUS OF FREEMASONRY: THE MYSTERIOUS LIFE OF ELIAS ASHMOLE (1594771227, $16.95) tells of the first person to record a personal account of initiation into Freemasonry. His writings examine the symbolism, history and origins of Freemasonry within the Masonic trades and are essential for any who would understand the discipline. Martin Lings' SHAKESPEARE'S WINDOW INTO THE SOUL: THE MYSTICAL WISDOM IN SHAKESPEARE'S CHARACTERS (1594771200, $14.95) uses the plays of Shakespeare to display their underlying visionary works and concepts. His later, more mature plays form Hamlet to The Tempest are analyzed with attention to uncovering passages which reveal aspects of the divine. Philippe Walter's CHRISTIANITY: THE ORIGINS OF A PAGAN RELIGION (1594770964, $16.95) studies the Christian mythology which became so accepted in medieval Europe, drawing unusual connections between this and pagan beliefs. The conclusion: very little of this mythology comes from the Bible, and more of it holds roots in pagan rituals and beliefs. Colin Wilson's ATLANTIS AND THE KINGDOM OF THE NEANDERTHALS (1591430593, $20.00) presents evidence of a widespread Neanderthal civilization as the origin of ancient knowledge. New archaeological discoveries suggest a far older civilization on the planet and not only proves the existence of Atlantis, but Neanderthal involvement. Biff Mithoeffer teaches Yin Toga in Costa Rica and across the U.S.: his YIN TOGA KIT: PRACTICE OF QUIET POWER ($24.95) packs a cd with 14 color cards and a book, essentially presenting his entire course in a fine package. The cd demonstrates the fourteen postures used in Yin Yoga and explains the benefits of each, with posture cards illustrating poses for different degrees of flexibility and the book providing reinforcement. The cd also provides a guided routine narrated by Mithoeffer, with each pose on a different track for easy access. Mike Booth works with Carol McKnight in THE AURA-SOMA SOURCEBOOK: COLOR THERAPY FOR THE SOUL (1594770778, $19.95), which uses bottles of dual-covered liquids that blend oils with plant extracts and stones to interact with individual auras for optimum balance of body and spirit. The history, physical and spiritual effects of such therapy is provided in a complete survey of when and how to use it. Kam Thye Chow and Emily Mood's THAI YOGA THERAPY FOR YOUR BODY TYPE: AN AYURVEDIC TRADITION (0892811846, $19.95) provides a bodywork therapy which guides readers through a series of yoga postures, accompanied by palming and thumbing along the body's energy lines and pressure points. This combined therapy helps balance the body and boost the immune system and is a discipline receiving increased attention in the Western world. Kam Thye Chow is the founder and director of the Lotus Palm School in Montreal and joins with an Ayurvedic educator to fully cover not just the technique, but the accompanying diet and lifestyle tips that should be included.

Andean Awakening
Jorge Luis Delgado & MaryAnn Male
Council Oak Books Ltd.
2105 East 15th Street, Suite B, Tulsa, OK 74104
1571781935 $17.95 www.counciloakbooks.com 1-800-247-8850

"Andean Awakening: An Inca Guide To Mystical Peru" by Jorge Luis Delgado a modern descendent of the ancient Incas) presents (with the assistance of MaryAnn Male) an illustrated guidebook to Peru's mystical and spiritual Incan heritage. This ‘spiritual tour guide' takes the reader to the most powerfully spiritual places in Peru including Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, and most especially, the legendary Inca doorway of Aramu Muru. A welcome, illustrated, and highly recommended addition to Metaphysical Studies reference collections in general, and Peruvian Studies reading lists in particular, "Andean Awakening" is enhanced with the history, culture, mythos and magic of the old Incan empire, inspiring places and enduring legacies left by the ‘Children of the Sun' that are still accessible to visitors today.

The Witch in the Waiting Room
Robert S. Bobrow, MD
Thunder's Mouth Press
245 W. 17th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10011
1560258144 $15.95 www.thundersmouthpress.com

The author, Robert S. Bobrow, has practiced general medicine for over thirty years and has also published many articles, so The Witch in the Waiting Room: A Physician Investigates Paranormal Phenomena in Medicine comes not from a new age outsider but from a respected physician who uses case studies and analysis from respected medical journals to investigate evidence of the paranormal in medical diagnosis. A fine blend of traditional and alternative analysis results, The Witch in the Waiting Room is fascinating and highly recommended reading.

The Astrology of Great Sex
Myrna Lamb
Hampton Roads Publishing
1125 Stony Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
1571745092 $16.95 www.hrpub.com

Sexual treatises usually focus on physiology and physical aspects, so it's quite unusual to find a survey which focuses on the astrological elements of attraction and sex, but "The Astrology of Great Sex" fills the information gap in providing astrologer's sun-by-sun analysis of which partnerships are really complementary. A welcome and recommended contribution to Metaphysical Studies collections, readers will learn the basics of sexual turnoffs and turn-ons with an astrological focus in chapters that cover dating, attraction, and sun signs.

Parapolitics
Kenn Thomas
Adventures Unlimited Press
PO Box 74, Kempton, IL 60946
193188255X $20.00 www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com 1-815-253-6390

Conspiracy expert Kenn Thomas presents Parapolitics: Conspiracy In Contemporary America, an anthology of his writings originally published outside his usual magazine "Steamshovel Press", plus assorted gatherings from his web site and lectures. Chapters probe possible hidden machinations behind key events from the Kennedy assassination to election 2000 to conspiracy questions about the September 11th attacks, to valuable advice for using the Freedom of Information Act to glean vital data from national archives. A hard-hitting anthology that stresses the importance of keeping a skeptical mind and holding trust in abeyance unless thoroughly earned. Above all, Parapolitics indicts the "parapolitical" underground of the secret elites who engineer war and worse for the sake of their own personal gain. Though some of Thomas' theories may appear extraordinarily far-reaching at best, his sense of citizen's distrust and determination is more valuable than ever in today's increasingly chaotic and lie-filled world.

This Is All
Aidan Chambers
Harry N. Abrams Inc.
115 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
0810970600 $19.95 www.hnaboooks.com

Award-winning author Aiden Chambers presents This Is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn, a unique work of fiction in that it is not told in the traditional narrative style of a novel; instead, its story is rendered as a "pillow book" or collection of notes recording poems, emotions, daily impressions, letters, stories, ideas, and descriptions, compiling the life of a pregnant nineteen-year-old girl who wishes to preserve and pass on her memories to her unborn child. This Is All ranges the gamut of experience, from early friendships and thoughts on classical literature to simple amusements, teenage love, and the heady pleasures of sex. A verbose, descriptive, and often intimate portrait of all the good and bad in a soon-to-be mother's life.

Physical Abusers And Sex Offenders
Scott Allen Johnson
CRC Press
c/o Taylor & Francis Group
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
0849372593 $89.95 www.crcpress.com 1-800-272-7737

"Physical Abusers And Sex Offenders: Forensic And Clinical Strategies" by licensed psychologist, counselor and forensic expert Scott Allen Johnson is a comprehensive treatise on the pathology of physical abuse and sexual predators. Drawing from his professional experience with more than 850 state cases and an extensive private practice, Johnson reveals the pervasive nature of coercion and abuse in terms of its psychological impact, emotional stresses, and sexual manifestations ranging from name-calling to rape and homicide. Enhanced for students, academicians, and professionals, "Physical Abusers And Sex Offenders" is enhanced with previously unpublished case studies; addresses specific interview and interrogation issues with respect to assessment and treatment; detailed descriptions of the cycle of abuse, types of abuse, types of offenders and potential offenders; and demonstrates how to most appropriately and effectively collect criminal histories, victim statements, and police reports prior to interviewing the abuser. Detailed, knowledgeable, informed and informative, "Physical Abusers And Sex Offenders" is an essential, core addition to professional and university level forensics, sexual abuse, criminal justice, and psychological deviance reference collections and reading lists.

Life On Other Planets
Emanuel Swedenborg
Swedenborg Foundation Publishers
320 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380
0877853207 $10.95 www.swedenborg.com

Written by visionary Emanuel Swedenborg and Translated by Cambridge scholar John Chadwick, Life On Other Planets is a metaphysical text originally published in 1758, recounting the author's otherworldly travels and conversations with spirits from Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Venus, and the moon. Of particular interest is Swedenborg's assessment of "The Reasons Why the Lord Chose to Be Born in Our World and Not in Another". Written in point-by-point paragraph style, Life On Other Planets weighs Swedenborg's transcendental experiences and his deep and abiding Christian faith in equal measure, and is as deeply spiritual as it is far reaching.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

Cast Out
Robin Bernstein, editor
University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
0472069330, $22.95 www.press.umich.edu 1-734-764-4388

Compiled and edited by academician Robin Bernstein (who teaches in the Program of Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality at Harvard University), "Cast Out" is a collection drawn from memoirs and interviews by twenty-two leading performers, playwrights, technicians, producers, critics, educators, and influential spectators of theatre over the past half-century. The focus is on the experience and perception of homosexuality in life theatre with the expert and personal contributions of Edward Albee, Kate Bornstein, Richard Bracho, Bree Coven, Terry Galloway, Cherry Jones, Lisa Kron, Craig Lucas, Tim Miller, Cherrie Moraga, Jim Provenzano, Peggy Shaw, George C. Wolfe and so many others. The result is an impressive and seminal contribution to the art, creativity, and social changes of American theatre over the past five decades with respect to the gay community. "Cast Out" is a welcome and impressive contribution to Gay Studies, Theatre History, and America Popular Culture Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Conversations with God: The Making of the Movie
Monty Joynes & Neale Donald Walsch
Hampton Roads Publishing
1125 Stony Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
1571744991 $26.95 www.hrpub.com

At age 48 author Neale Donald Walsch was depressed, destitute, and frustrated with his life: he wrote an angry letter to God – and received a channeled answer. Thus began a series of ‘conversations'; with God – and eventually a movie – which follow Walsch's move from being poor and homeless to becoming a spiritual messenger. This follows not the book but the movie, providing details on its evolution from pre-production and location sets to filmmaker interviews and interactions. A fascinating spiritual and film review results with plenty of insights in both fields, "Conversations with God" is highly recommended reading and a welcome contribution to film school reference collections.

"Evil" Arabs in American Popular Film
Tim Jon Semmerling
University of Texas Press
Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
0292713428 $22.95 www.utexaspress.com

The ‘evil' Arab figure has long been a popular Hollywood icon: how long is documented in ‘EVIL ARABS IN AMERICAN POPULAR FILM: ORIENTALIST FEAR, which surveys how the stereotype evolved and how it reflects real conflicts between U.S. and Middle Eastern cultures and perceptions. Chapters use analysis of six selected films, from The Exorcist to South Park, to consider their topics, Arab myths, and how underlying tensions encourage Americans to project the idea of evil on Arab personas. An intriguing survey not just for movie-goers, but also recommended for film students interested in the cinema and cultural representation; particularly at the college level of discussion and analysis.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Cut Loose
Nan Bauer-Maglin, editor
Rutgers University Press
100 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8099
0813538475 $21.95 http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu 1-800-446-9323

Deftly edited by Nan Bauer-Maglin, Cut Loose: (Mostly) Older Women Talk About the End of (Mostly) Long-Term Relationships is an anthology of testimonies from women who experienced the end of a long-lasting relationship. Some felt abandoned, others confused, and yet all came to realize they were set free; sometimes the end of a long-term relationship spelled sexual, mental, or emotional liberation. Women in both heterosexual and same-sex relationships speak out, and the essays themselves are categorized into personal narratives, practical perspectives on the psychological, sociological, economic, sexual, and medical aspect of being left; and the shared experience of subgroups of women such as single women, widows, or abandoned daughters. A true-life glimpse into personal experience and the lasting lessons that can be drawn from it.

Food is Love
Katherine J. Parkin
University of Pennsylvania Press
3905 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4011
0812239296 $47.50 www.upenn.edu/pennpress

Written by Katherine J. Parkin, Food is Love: Advertising and Gender Roles in Modern America is a scholarly examination of the American cultural precept that women should express love by serving food to their families (regardless of the actual amount of work involved in its preparation). In particular, the concept that women could use food preparation to give themselves sexual allure, make their marriage happy, and improve their family's social standings and prospects became the favored revolving theme of advertisers. Food advertisements at once both celebrated women's homemaking talents, and threatened women's insecurities to coerce the female demographic to buy the right products - their products. Heavily researched, with extensive notes and an index, Food is Love is a singularly revealing insight into this consumptive and surprisingly constant dimension of the American female and cultural psyche.


The Terrorism Studies Shelf

Terrorism 101
Leon Newton, Ph. D.
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd. - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
1598006118 $85.00 www.outskirtspress.com 1-888-OP-BOOKS

Written by Leon Newton Ph. D. (Professor of Political Science at Jackson State University), Terrorism 110: A Library Reference & Selected Annotated Bibliography is a solid reference, written for scholars, field professionals, and lay readers alike. Drawing upon history, research, and a wealth of documentation, chapters illuminate the true nature of the terrorist group Al Qaeda, why the root causes of terrorism cannot be explained simply, the relationship between terrorism and the media, the ramifications of terrorism in today's modern age, and much more. A massive, 150-page bibliography is as valuable as the main text, which draws succinct and well-reasoned conclusions where it can and states plainly when there is too little evidence to be certain. Enthusiastically recommended as an informed and informative study text to dispel common myths about terrorism such as the belief that poverty causes it, or that all terrorists are insane.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Estate Planning Simplified
Daniel Sitarz
Nova Publishing Company
1103 West College Street, Carbondale, IL 622901
1892949105 $34.95 www.novapublishing.com

Written by attorney-at-law Daniel Sitarz, Estate Planning Simplified is a no-nonsense guide for lay readers to preparing a complete and comprehensive estate plan, with details of estate planning laws in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Chapters address why an estate plan is necessary, how to select, prepare for and sign a will, preparing and changing a living trust, preparing a designation of primary physician, organ donation form, or quitclaim deed, and much more. The easy-to-follow language and fill-in-the-blank forms simplify the process as much as possible, and the accompanying CD with adobe acrobat reader allows the user to quickly print out any of the forms. A singularly useful tool whether one undertakes an estate plan alone or simply needs help getting the basic details prepared before talking to a lawyer who bills by the hour.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Fresh Water
Alison Swan
Michigan State Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Manly Miles Building, Suite 25, East Lansing, MI 48823-5202
0870137891 $26.95 www.msupress.msu.edu

Edited by award-winning environmentalist Alison Swan, Fresh Water: Women Writing on the Great Lakes is an anthology of brief yet contemplative reflections upon the Great Lakes, all written by women. The essays are contemplative rather than scholarly in nature, dwelling upon emotion, history, the beauty of the Lakes and the need to preserve them. A deeply moving compilation filled with passion and respect for the spiritual bounty of nature.


The Parenting Shelf

The Encyclopedia of Infant and Toddler Activities
Kathy Charner, Maureen Murphy, and Charlie Clark, editors
Gryphon House
10726 Tucker Street, Beltsville, MD 20705
087659013X $19.95 www.ghbooks.com

Edited by Kathy Charner, Maureen Murphy, and Charlie Clark, The Encyclopedia of Infant and Toddler Activities: For Children Birth to 3 is a compilation of activities written by teachers, for teachers, yet also useful as a tool for parents looking to spend quality educational time with their young children. Activities range from fine and gross motor practice, to fingerplays and rhymes, to fun with science, language and literacy enhancement, social-emotional training, and much more. Some activities require inexpensive materials; each lists the age group (Infants, younger toddlers, infants and toddlers, or older toddlers) appropriate for the activity, followed by straightforward step-by-step instructions. A superb resource especially for teachers, daycare providers, and babysitters. A sample activity is Eye Follow-Ups for infants; the materials are any bright-colored objects, and the steps are "1. Place a brightly colored object, such as a yellow block, in front of an infant's eyes. 2. Slowly move it to the left, then to the right, to let the infant's eyes follow it. Do it for only a few seconds."


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

The Ten Commandments of Typography
Paul Felton
Merrell Publishers
49 W. 24th Street, New York, NY 10010
1858943558 $22.95 www.merrellpublishers.com

Following the Biblical commandments (which could possibly offend the very religious) is a text outlining the basic foundation rules of typographic usage, starting with ‘In the Beginning God created type' and juxtaposing examples of different type throughout. The religious and type theme blends throughout in a series of lively examples of rules and options, making "The Ten commandments of Typography" a unique, unusual, and enthusiastically recommended contribution to personal, professional, and academic library reference collections.

F&W Publications
4700 East Galbriath Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.fwpublications.com

The second edition of Linda N. Edelstein, Ph.D.'s WRITER'S GUIDE TO CHARACTER TRAITS (1582973903, $16.99) provides over 400 reference lists of character traits from a range of behaviors, paired with tips on how to incorporate these traits into a plot and build upon it. This is a psychology primer paired with a writer's guide: a unique approach which takes common psychology, explains it for a lay writer's community, then melds it into plot development basics. The 2nd updated edition of Alijandra Mogilner and Tayopa Mogilner's CHILDREN'S WRITER'S WORD BOOK (1582974136, $16.99) is all about choosing the right words and approach for the right age range. Lists of specific words introduced into seven key reading levels provide a thesaurus with synonyms, guidelines for sentence length and themes, and a reading level-geared reference on popular topics. If you're a children's writer, you can't be without this guide to choosing the right words and subjects for the right age range.


The Military Shelf

Osprey Publishing
443 Park Avenue South #806, New York, NY 10016
www.ospreypublishing.com

New additions to Osprey's military history titles are specific, detailed, and perfect additions for collections which go beyond the general interest level. Stuart Reid's THE SCOTTISH JACOBITE ARMY 1945-46 (1846030730, $17.95) tells of an uprising which has been colored and embellished throughout history – but this treatment foregoes some of the color in favor of concrete facts, using the work of historians and modern source references to change the myths and reveal the underlying truths about the event. Pier Paolo Battistelli's ROMMEL'S AFRIKA KORPS: TOBRUK TO EL ALAMEIN (1841769010, $23.95) covers the changing organizational and approaches of German troops in North Africa from their first deployment on the continent to the end of the battle of El Amamein, which affected the outcome of the Western Desert. Charts and maps outline positions, forces, and engagements with close attention to details which changed outcomes. Gordon L. Rottman's US AIRBORNE UNITS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATER 1942-44 (1841769207, $23.95) presents the first of three titles to examine the US airborne divisions of the second world war. The history, makeup and engagements of these early forces would change the outcome of the war. Steven J. Zaloga's REMAGEN 1945: ENDGAME AGAINST THE THIRD REICH (1846030188, $18.95) tells of the aftermath of the Battle of the Bulge, surveying the final battle, its outcome and strategies, and how it influenced the overall defeat of Germans in the West. All are outstanding coverages in-depth military holdings will welcome.


The Music Shelf

Adventures of a Cello
Carlos Prieto
University of Texas Press
Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
0292713223 $24.95 www.utexaspress.com

In 1720 the elderly violin maker Stradivari made a masterpiece: it was known as the ‘Red Stradivari', but it wasn't a violin – it was a cello. Under its new name, the Piatti, it left Italy on a tour, to eventually become the author's key to success. Here is the history of Piatti, from its creation through its different owners. Cello players and classical music enthusiasts will relish this affectionate survey.

Pretty Good Years
Jay S. Jacobs
Hal Leonard
Box 13819, Milwaukee, WI 53213
1423400224 $19.95 www.halleonard.com

PRETTY GOOD YEARS: A BIOGRAPHY OF TORI AMOS provides a satisfying biography of a rock n roll gal who has a wide audience of fans and relatively few other biographical coverages to her name. From her achievement as the youngest child ever to be admitted to a world-renowned music school to her feminist roots, ability to question even counter-culture norms, and her varied musical compositions and directions, PRETTY GOOD YEARS is more than just a survey of Amos' life: it's a detailed look at her times and her trend-setting ways.

Santorella Publications, Ltd.
13 Pleasant Avenue, Danvers, MA 01923
www.santorellapublication.com 1-877-600-0049

Santorella Publications is one of the premier publishers of music instruction books and manuals. Their latest titles range from violins and fiddles, to the electric guitar, jazz guitar, the piano, and even the mandolin. Of special note is their new instruction manual for children, "The Big Books of Children's Songs for Little Guitar Pickers" (TS104, $17.95) offering 177 pages of traditional songs from Hot Cross Buns to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, each number being specifically designed for absolute beginners in thoroughly 'kid friendly' arrangements. For a more sophisticated student of the bass guitar there is the four part series by Rod Goelz that includes "Basses Loaded: Primer - Quickstart Bass" (TS370, $14.95); "Basses Loaded: Volume 1 - Essential Tools" (TS371, $14.95); "Bases Loaded: Volume 2 - Rock Edition" (TS372, $14.95); and "Basses Loaded: Volume 3 - Blues Edition" (TS373, $14.95). Each of the "Basses Loaded" instruction books is accompanied by a CD that includes standard notation and TAB. For the Jazz Guitar enthusiast there is "Jazz: Learn To Improvement" (TS296, $14.95) and "Jazz: 101 Licks, Riffs & Turnarounds" (TS297, $16.95). CDs are included with these two manuals as well. A series of instructionals for the violin includes "The Magic of Appalachian Fiddling: Violin" (TS364, $9.95); "The Magic of Appalachian Fiddling: Piano Accompaniment" (TS365, $12.95); "The Magic of Irish Fiddling: Violin" (TS62, $9.95); "The Magic of Irish Fiddling: Piano Accompaniment" (TS363, $12.95); "The Magic of Light Classical Fiddling: Violin" (TS360, $9.95); and "The Magic of Light Classical Fiddling: Piano Accompaniment" (TS361, $12.95). For the piano student/performer there is J. Latulippe and Sonny Doss' "Lets Play Jazz...and More" (TS288, $14.95) which is deliberately and successfully designed to be appropriate for beginners of all ages. For children wanting to play the mandolin there is "Easy Tunes for Little Mandolin Pickers" (TS357, $9.95). Santorella music books are ideal for self-taught musicians, tutoring students in particular instruments, and serving as sheet music resources for both solo and group performances. Anyone engaged in learning or seeking to improve their performance with a musical instrument should visit the Santorella website at www.santorellapublication.com for a complete listing of their hundreds of highly recommended instructional titles.


The Fiction Shelf

The Bedroom Secrets of The Master Chefs
Irvine Welsh
W.W. Norton
500 – 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10110
0393064530 $24.95 www.wwnorton.com

Danny Skinner is a womanizing drinker and restaurant inspector in the UK who becomes convinced his lost father was a chief – possibly one of the master chefs – and embarks on a survey of likely chef prospects to locate his father. His journey will take him across the UK into America, surveying chefs' history, habits, and work. This is a work of superbly written fiction, "The Bedroom Secrets of The Master Chefs" and especially recommended for readers with an interest in high drama against the background of the food world who will find it of truly exceptional interest.


The Political Science Shelf

The Republican War on Science
Chris Mooney
Basic Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
0465046762 $14.95 www.basicbooks.com

If the title of The Republican War on Science sounds familiar, it's because this was a New York Times best-selling expose – and appears here in a newly revised, updated edition. Chapters document the right wing attack on science, governmental lack of interest in the process of scientific inquiry and investigation, and the evolution and rise of ‘pseudoscience'. This new and expanded edition is updated with the latest news on the topic and is especially recommended as an invaluable contribution to the contemporary national dialogue for the general public, as well as for inclusion into both academic and community library Political Science collections.

Corporate Crooks
Greg Farrell
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Dr., Amherst, NY 14228-2197
1591024552 $25.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

CORPORATE CROOKS: HOW ROGUE EXECUTIVES RIPPED OFF AMERICANS … AND CONGRESS HELPED THEM DO IT isn't just another book about Enron: it considers the rise of corporate scandals as a whole, pinpointing an atmosphere of greed condoned by Congress itself. This doesn't come from a common citizen, either: author Greg Farrell is an investigative journalist for USA today and explains the links between Congressional actions and laws and the current conditions which condone and reward corporate wrong-doing. Eye-opening and timely reading given today's political climate and newspaper headlines.

The People's Machine
Joe Mathews
Public Affairs
250 W 57th St. #1321, New York NY 10107
1586482726 $26.95 www.publicaffairsbooks.com

THE PEOPLE'S MACHINE: ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER AND THE RISE OF BLOCKBUSTER DEMOCRACY could have been featured in our Politics section but is reviewed here for its far-reaching interest to general biography readers as well. Author Joe Mathews is the reporter who covered Schwarzenegger for the Los Angeles Times, so he's well steeped in the background of a famous actor who became the governor of the nation's largest state. But this covers more than his rise to power: it surveys his political struggles within the system and the new type of system he made from his celebrity image and contacts. An excellent blend of in-depth analysis and biographical information results.

Artistic Citizenship
Mary Schmidt Campbell & Randy Martin, Eds.
Routledge
270 Madison, New York, NY 10016
0415978661 $24.95 www.routledge-ny.com

ARTISTIC CITIZENSHIP: A PUBLIC VOICE FOR THE ARTS is for arts educators and professionals who want to know how to participate in civic life. Essays come from the Tisch School of Arts, from artists and scholars who explore how art and the everyday world interact, and the meaning of art in public places and everyday lives. From the unique, relatively modern idea of the individual artist apart from community to the uses of satire, this embraces all kinds of concepts and ideas. ARTISTIC CITIZENSHIP is particularly recommended for art school faculty, students, and community artists wanting to influence local, state and even national governmental agencies to support the arts.

ABC-CLIO
Box 1911,Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com

The two-volume set ‘About State Government' edited by Margaret R. Ferguson for ABC-Clio provides excellent analysis and reference to the evolution and branches of state government offices, making it the perfect item of choice for a high school or college-level collection. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT (1851097716) and THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT (1851097619, $95.00) each provide plenty of background history relating to the legislative, election, appropriations and budgeting, and interactions of different offices, surveying interactions with the federal government, other agencies, and providing assessments of special challenges faced by different states. Strongly recommended for academic and community library Political Science collections, both volumes are essential references with articles thoroughly covering political issues and organization.


The World History Shelf

The Classical World
Robin Lane Fox
Basic Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
0465024963 $35.00 www.basicbooks.com

THE CLASSICAL WORLD: AN EPIC HISTORY FROM HOMER TO HADRIAN comes from a classical historian specialist who traces history from Homer to the reign of Hadrian, revealing wars, peace, the rise and fall of empires, and the heros and tyrants who reigned during the times. His survey of two of these great regimes focuses well on war, women and children, and lasting effects of great civilizations. THE CLASSICAL WORLD is an informative and thoroughly recommended and "reader friendly" addition to both school and community libraries.

Ireland: A Reference Guide
John P. McCarthy
Facts on File
132 W. 31st St., New York NY 10001
0816053782 $85.00 www.factsonfile.com

IRELAND: A REFERENCE GUIDE FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO THE PRESENT joins others in the ‘European Nations' series to provide a historical survey of the political and social changes of a nation and its key players. Both high school and college-level audiences will appreciate the A-Z dictionary reference which details battles, politics, peoples and evens essential to understanding Irish history.


The Homeowner Shelf

Passive Solar House
James Kachadorian
Chelsea Green
Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001
1933392037 $40.00 www.chelseagreen.com

If this book's title sounds familiar, it's because it's a revised, expanded edition of a popular survey of the author's patented Solar Slab heat exchanger, which offers a technique for builders to produce houses that virtually heat themselves. THE PASSIVE SOLAR HOUSE: COMPLETE GUIDE TO HEATING AND COOLING YOUR HOME expands upon the prior edition, adding more knowledge gathered from some thirty years of data gathering from existing, successful solar houses. THE PASSIVE SOLAR HOUSE is a welcome and "user friendly" guide recommended to homeowners who are seeking to reduce the expenses of heating and cooling regardless of the age or condition of their houses.


The Media Studies Shelf

Drawn to Television
M. Keith Booker
Praeger
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
0275990192 $44.95 www.praeger.com

Drawn to Television: Prime-Time Animation from The Flintstones to Family Guy joins others in Praeger's ‘Television Collection' series, suitable for college-level media studies collections. The history of prime-time animation from Flintstones to modern times examines not only individual shows and their evolution and influences, but the changing nature of childhood and the social and political influences of children's programming as a whole. From the technical specifications of how animated children's programming differs from others to how it's used to impart social commentary, this guide is key for university level Media Studies programs.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Sex in the System
Cecilia Tan, Editor
Thunder's Mouth Press
245 W. 17th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10011
1560258519 $15.95 www.thundersmouth.com

SEX IN THE SYSTEM: STORIES OF EROTIC FUTURES, TECHNOLOGICAL STIMULATION AND THE SENSUAL LIFE OF MACHINES provides short fiction revolving around technology and sex, offering erotic science works by Elspeth Potter, Paul DiFilippo, Gavan Grant and others. The stories are futuristic and of great interest to science fiction enthusiasts – but they also hold appeal beyond the usual genre representations and general-interest fiction readers will find them equally engaging and thought-provoking.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Yellow Fever
James I. Dickerson
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
1591023998 $25.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

Yellow fever is an unlikely health threat to a modern American – so why a new history on it? James Dickerson makes a case for the fact that yellow fever could indeed emerge anew as a health threat – and his history, culling facts from historical archives, describes its ravages, its eradication, and the threat of its return as a biological warfare agent and a possible side effect of global warming. "Yellow Fever" is a powerful call to action as well as an informed and informative health history of a nearly forgotten plague.

Pharmaceutical Products Press
c/o Haworth Press
10 Alice St., Binghamton, NY 13904
www.HaworthPress.com

Jack E. Fincham, Ph.D., RPH's TAKING YOUR MEDICINE: A GUIDE TO MEDICATION REGIMENS AND COMPLIANCE FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS (078902859X, $17.95) focuses on taking medicines, offering tips and ideas for patients and family members alike. One would think this wouldn't warrant an entire book – but there's a lot to consider on the topic; from how to choose a pharmacist and what they need to know about your health to dangerous drug interactions. An excellent consumer resource. John S. Haller Jr.'s THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN HOMEOPATHY: THE ACADEMIC YEARS, 1820-1935 (0789026600, $39.95) considers the state of medicine in the early 19th century, its evolution, and its growing acceptance of Hahnemann's theories of homeopathy. Changing relationships between traditional medicine and homeopathy and tensions between academic and domestic circles are revealed in chapters that survey all kinds of influences.


The Literary Shelf

How To Read A Shakespeare Play
David Bevington
Blackwell Publishing
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020
1405113952 $54.95 www.blackwellpublishing.com

Written by professional Shakespearean play editor David Bevington (professor emeritus, University of Chicago), How To Read A Shakespeare Play is a guide to experiencing Shakespeare's classic works with an open, inquisitive, and receptive mind. Chapters especially focus upon the nuances of six of Shakespeare's most famous plays: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Henry IV Part I, Hamlet, King Lear, and The Tempest. A scholarly introduction to fresh perspectives on Shakespeare's genius in playing to his strengths in different genres, observing that Shakespeare practiced upon romantic comedies first before transitioning to the more emotionally demanding tragedies. Highly recommended especially for literature students and professors.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Steelhead Float Fishing
Jim Butler
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
1571883223 $19.95 www.amatobooks.com

Float fishing is the preferred method for steelhead on the feeder streams and tributaries of the Great Lakes during the fall and spring steelhead fishing seasons. Steelhead expert Jim Butler provides a complete ‘how to' introduction for novice anglers in "Steelhead Float Fishing" that includes the history of float fishing, the aquatic behaviors of steelhead, ‘reading' water, the various float fishing techniques and strategies, natural and artificial baits, float reels and how to cast them, building balsa floats, and a great deal more. A complete instruction manual, "Steelhead Float Fishing" is ‘must' reading for anyone setting out in either the spring or the fall to fish for steelhead in Great Lakes country!


The Biography Shelf

Garden Of Hope
Maryanne Raphael & Lennox Raphael
Hopewell Publications
PO Box 11, Titusville, NJ 08560-0011
1933435089 $15.95 www.hopepubs.com

"Garden Of Hope: Autobiography Of A Marriage" is the true life story of a romantic, international, interracial marriage that lasted for ten years during the turbulent 1960s and ultimately ended in an harmonious divorce. Maryanne Raphael (who is white) and her husband Lennox (who is black) traveled over four continents, produced a son whom they named , and continued after their amicable divorce to remain friends linked together down the years by their mutual respect, a shared love for their child, and a respect for the positive aspects of their lives. Written with candor, this unusual and unique joint memoir is inspiring, engaging, and confidently recommended reading.

God Of The Hinge
Elizabeth Pool & Eleanor West
Harbor House Books
111 - 10th Street, August, GA 30901
1891799320 $16.95 1-706-738-0354 www.harbourhousebooks.com

"God Of The Hinge: Sojourns In Cloud Cuckoo Land" is the autobiography and memoir of Eleanor West, a woman who has participated in a host of preservation efforts, foundations, special projects and creative endeavors that ranged from organizing the address for preserving wilderness on barrier islands to appearing as a key speaker at the Marshlands Conference in 1968. Eleanor West wrote, narrated and co-produced the film ‘Search for Ecological Balance' and conveyed Ossabaw island to the State of Georgia, thereby making Ossabaw Island the first Heritage Preserve property under Georgia's Heritage Trust Program. She also has served on numbers boards of directors for such philanthropic enterprises as the Frank Settlement, the Boys Republic, the Roeper School for Gifted Children, and Michigan's Brookside School Cranbrook. She has served as Chair for the American Red Cross Nurses Aides and the Detroit Chapter of Planned Parenthood. Her many awards for distinguished service include the Michigan Academy of Arts and Sciences' Gold Medal for her contribution to the arts. Very highly recommended reading and a welcome addition to school and community library American Biography collections, "God Of The Hinge" is a remarkable and inspiring memoir of a remarkable and inspiring life of service.


The Humor Shelf

Another Stereotype Bites the Dust
Darrin Bell
Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC
4520 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111
0740760416 $10.95 www.andrewsmcmeel.com www.candorville.com

Another Stereotype Bites the Dust is the second collection of Candorville comic strips by award-winning cartoonist Darrin Bell. Set in the inner city, Another Stereotype Bites the Dust follows the educated yet underachieving African-American writer Lemont Brown and his friends, an assertive Mexican-American woman and a mooching, rapper who still lives with his mother. The Candorville strip does not shy from edgy dialogue or equal jabs at modern social problems, governmental failings, and excessive political correctness. In one strip, Lemont Brown tries to vote and is told "Well that explains why you haven't received your absentee ballot, Mr. Brawn. You're on the felon list. Felons aren't allowed to vote in Candorville." "Brown! Not Brawn! Brown!" "Thank you for turning yourself in, Mr. Brawn." A wickedly funny, "must-read" humor book showcasing the talent, insight, and biting criticisms of a rising star among cartoonists.

Four More Wars!!!
Mike Luckovich
ECW Press
2120 Queen Street East, Suite 200, Toronto, Canada, M4E 1E2
Independent Publishers Group (distributor)
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
1550227378 $16.95 1-416-694-3348 www.ecwpress.com

Four More Wars!!! is a collection of political cartoons by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich. These simple black-and-white sketches, most of them single-panel, exquisitely capture governmental foibles and follies with unforgettable twisted wit. Collecting cartoons that appeared in newspapers from 2001 to 2006, Four More Wars!!! is especially critical of governmental mistakes in handling the Iraq War - one attributes the words "The Almighty's guiding me" to President George W. Bush while an onlooker comments, "God's lousy at postwar planning" - but also touch upon ethics violations at home, nominations of questionable candidates, and there are even a few private sketches Luckovich drew of White House personnel. A vivacious albeit bitingly critical collection of the most mock-worthy moments in new millennium American politics.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Having Men for Dinner
Nicole Wilkinson Duran
The Pilgrim Press
700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
0829817107 $18.00 www.thepilgimspress.com

Written by Nicole Wilkinson Duran (part-time pastor at Trinity United Presbyterian Church), Having Men for Dinner: Biblical Women's Deadly Banquets is a scholarly examination of biblical stories of women who kill - in particular, women who kill through the use of serving food and drink, or providing hospitality and comfort to lower the guard of their enemies. Having Men for Dinner covers topics as dark and gritty as the Old Testament stories themselves, such as ruthless revenge for rape victims, the threat of war and genocide, and cold-blooded slaying. A feminist scrutiny of the metaphors present in the biblical tales, and how they speak both to the generations of history and to the modern era, distinguishes the meticulous tone of Having Men for Dinner; study questions to stimulate further discussion round out this excellent supplement for private, group or instructional biblical studies.

The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture
Shane Hipps
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
0310262747 $18.99 www.zondervan.com

THE HIDDEN POWER OF ELECTRONIC CULTURE: HOW MEDIA SHAPES FAITH, THE GOSPEL AND CHURCH is essential reading for any believer who wants to understand how gospel is presented through media filters. From questions of the neutrality issue in media analysis to cultural opportunities the church has missed and how the church can take advantage of cultural trends, THE HIDDEN POWER OF ELECTRONIC CULTURE addresses the needs, concerns and future of a dynamic church structure.


The International Studies Shelf

China and the Taiwan Issue
Gabe T. Wang
University Press of America
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
0761834354 $34.95 www.univpress.com www.amazon.com 301-459-3366

Written by Gabe T. Wang (Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology at William Paterson University), China and the Taiwan Issue: Impending War at Taiwan Strait is a critical examination of the modern political realities confronted by China, Taiwan, and the United States. The tensions between China and the independent Taiwan remain a persistent threat of instability in the region; China and the Taiwan Issue examines historical, cultural, and practical factors surrounding the issue and offers recommendations for peaceful solutions to potential conflict. Especially recommended reading for students of political science and foreign relations with China and Taiwan.

Culture, Conflict, and Mediation in the Asian Pacific
Bruce E. Barnes
University Press of America
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
0761834451 $29.00 www.univpress.com 1-800-462-6420

Written by Bruce E. Barnes (Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution at the Matsunaga Institute for Peace), Culture, Conflict, and Mediation in the Asian Pacific is an advanced study in the art, skill, and invaluable practice of negotiating solutions to problematic situations between people, businesses, and governments. Culture, Conflict, and Mediation in the Asian Pacific specifically examines what can be learned from conflict resolution scenarios seen in the nations of China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand, from ancient processes to newly evolving "ADR" techniques. Chapters focus upon the practices of each nation in turn, and over thirty case studies robustly illuminate the points and suggestions that can be learned for global application. An advanced reference and resource especially recommended for study and reference by aspiring and professional mediators, whether in law, social work, or other fields.


The Native American Shelf

American Indian Rhetorics of Survivance
Edited by Ernest Stromberg
University of Pittsburgh Press
Eureka Building, fifth floor, 3400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburg, PA 15260
0822959259 $24.95 www.upress.pitt.edu 412-383-2493

Edited by Ernest Stromberg (associate professor in the Department of English, Communication and Journalism at California State University), American Indian Rhetorics Survivance: Word Medicine, Word Magic is an anthology of scholarly essays by learned authors discussing the rhetorical techniques and strategies of Native Americans in general terms. From ways in which Native Americans revised and transformed Western rhetorical concepts, to critical study of groundbreaking discourse between Native Americans and European colonists, to linguistic issues affecting Native American oratory, American Indian Rhetorics of Survivance explores the nuances of multicultural speechmaking in depth. Specific communication discussed include Red Jacket's rhetoric, Leonard Peltier's prison writings, the cultural translation of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and Custer's death, and much more. A welcome addition to college library and Native American studies shelves.


The Judicial Studies Shelf

Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court, 11th edition
Attorney Ralph Warner
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
1413304907 $29.99 www.nolo.com

Written by Attorney Ralph Warner, Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court is the updated eleventh edition of an absolutely indispensable guide for anyone involved as a plaintiff or defendant in a small claims court case. Chapters walk the reader through how to write a demand letter, file and serve papers, prepare evidence, secure appropriate witnesses, figure out damages, mediate a settlement, collect money after winning a case, and much more. Written expressly for lay readers, Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court is as straightforward and easy-to-understand as a legal guide can be, and the eleventh edition now includes the most current procedures in the small claims courts in all states and Washington D.C., as well as practical advice from judges who have seen everything. An absolute "must-have" legal reference, particularly for home and business owners.


The Psychology Shelf

Longing For Paradise
Mario Jacoby
Inner City Books
PO Box 1271, Station Q, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4T 2P4
1894574176 $30.00 www.amazon.com

Written by Mario Jacoby, a senior Jungian analyst based in Zurich, Longing For Paradise: Psychological Perspectives on an Archetype is a psychological treatise concerning the concept of Paradise. From the role that the idea of Paradise plays in the psychological qualities of the mother-infant bond and child development, to a close analysis of the Biblical tale of Paradise and the Fall, to links between the Jungian individuation process and the legends and myths of Paradise espoused by various cultures, Longing for Paradise deeply scrutinizes the complex interplay of human belief and thought processes. Numerous case studies offer concrete examples of the abstract mental concepts and complexes discussed in this scholarly text for any engaged in intermediate to advanced psychology studies.


The Business Shelf

Getting to Scale
Jill Bamburg
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery St. Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
1576754162 $14.95 www.bkconnection.com

Do socially conscious, values-driven businesses have to stay small or sell out? Jill Bamburg says no: she's interviewed over thirty growth-oriented entrepreneurs to examine how issues such as ownership and control and access to capital have fostered socially responsible business practices which also foster growth. Chapters provide lessons and insights on how businesses can both have positive impacts and become bigger and more effective.


The Gaming Shelf

Cardoza Publishing
Box 1500 Cooper Station, New York NY 10276
www.cardozapub.com

Most poker guides focus on how to play – but Arnold Snyder's THE POKER TOURNAMENT FORMULA (1580422039 $19.95) is geared to the poker tournament in particular, and imparts winning new strategies based on the gambling legend author's own secrets for winning and beating tournament odds. From anticipating ‘crunch time' and playing position to making rebuys and recognizing dangers, THE POKER TOURNAMENT FORMULA is a winning pick for any serious player. Lyle Berman and Marvin Karlin's I'M ALL IN: HIGH STAKES, BIG BUSINESS AND THE BIRTH OF THE WORLD POKER TOUR (1580421768, $24.95) comes from a high-stakes poker maverick and businessman and tells how he revolutionized and changed the game. His memoir covers the World Poker Tour, provides many insider's observations and tips, and pairs the story of his life in the gambling world with secrets of successful business plays. Gamblers will relish it.


The Computer Shelf

Charles River/Thomson
25 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210
www.charlesriver.com

Arron Ferguson's CREATING CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN JAVA (1584504668, $49.95) offers a fast yet detailed introduction to CMS, which offers an open source for customizing a data system. Web developers and software developers – Java in particular – will find this an excellent book which moves beyond the basics into the more advanced Web programmer's world, though an understanding of XML or CSS isn't necessary to use it. Topics are geared to real-world situations and needs and thus programmers will find plenty of solid application examples here. Jamil Azher's GLOBAL OUTSOURCING WITH MICROSOFT VISUAL STUDIO 2005 TEAM SYSTEM (1584504455, $49.95) tells how to manage outsourced projects using Visual Studio 2005, which engages developers, project managers and team leads alike. GLOBAL OUTSOURCING takes it examples from the real world also: it examines typical outsource management issues, applications, and problem-solving in a fine technical overview programmers will relish. Paul Schuytema's GAME DESIGN: A PRACTICAL APPROACH (1584504714, $44.95) is for new game designers as well as serious gamers who want to create their own. From beginning concepts that build a foundation of routines and knowledge to more advanced documentation on delivery systems, application, and using enhanced shareware (included), designers will find everything needed at all levels of the process, under one cover.

O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy N., Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.oreilly.com

Eddie Tapp's PHOTOSHOP WORKFLOW SETUPS (0596101686, $29.99) offers all the basics on how to customize Photoshop for digital photography, using its powerful features to not only manipulate photo quality, but to customize the program itself. From creating keyboard shortcuts and menus to work smarter to managing workflow with Adobe Bridge and understanding Photoshop's palettes, the emphasis on streamlining Photoshop's many options will please photographers who have seen multitudes of books on using the program, but little on how to use it more efficiently. Alex Martelli's PYTHON IN A NUTSHELL: A DESKTOP QUICK REFERENCE (0596100469, $39.99) offers Python programmers one-stop reference shopping for any quick consultation. Project details blend a quick tutorial on syntax and explanations of Python programming basics with coverage of exceptions, modules, strings and more for all Python's built-ins and key functions. A fine quick reference which should be on every Python programmer's desk. Lucas Carlson & Leonard Richardson's RUBY COOKBOOK: RECIPES FOR OBJECT-ORIENTED SCRIPTING (0596523696, $49.99) provides Ruby users with a weighty, powerful web programming guide covering both basic and advanced functions. Beginners to intermediate Ruby users receive a reference which covers everything from Rails web applications to tips on Excel spreadsheets, bulk file renames, using Bayesian filters, PDF files and much more. It comes from a professional Ruby programmer who specializes in Rails web development and a user who has created and maintained libraries in many languages, and is packed with reference insights. Steven Pritchard, et.al.'s LPI LINUX CERTIFICATION IN A NUTSHELL: A DESKTOP QUICK REFERENCE (0596005288, $59.99) appears in its second updated edition to provide Linux students with everything needed to pass the Linux Professional institute exams. From installation, management and customization to networking and troubleshooting, LPI LINUX CERTIFICATION serves two purposes: as a student's guide to key points required for certification, and as a quick desktop reference for working Linux professionals.


The Architecture Shelf

Liquid Stone
Jean-Louis Cohen & G. Martin Moeller, Jr., Eds
Princeton Architectural Press
37 East 7th Street, New York NY 10003
1568985703 $65.00 www.papress.com

LIQUID STONE: NEW ARCHITECTURE IN CONCRETE doesn't just come from architects or artists: it includes engineers and scholars alongside those working in the medium to explore the changing nature of concrete from both aesthetic and technical perspectives. Chapters use over thirty buildings by leading concrete architects as foundations for descriptions, photos and discussion. From the characteristics of space to structural links, LIQUID STONE offers plenty of insights on concrete production, design, and art.

W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com 1-800-233-4830

Ely Jacques Kahn was a 20th century architect of commercial buildings: you'll most readily recognize his works and signature style in the city of New York – or in Jewel Stern & John A. Stuart's Ely Jacques Kahn, Architect (0393731146 $60.00), which provides a study of his work – the first to see print. Kahn's buildings are keys to understanding New York's skyline: his body of work is featured here in a pairing of black and white images with in-depth architectural and biographical notes, making this a definitive guide. Ursula L. and Martin Benad's TROMPE L'OEIL GRISAILLE, ARCHITECTURE AND DRAPERY (0393731944 $24.95) provides artists with a hands-on manual of techniques for rendering tromp l'oeil painting in grisaille and monochrome palettes, using classic works to display both black and white and color results. From architecture on facades to interiors and figurative sculpture and drapery, this handbook is a ‘must' for any artist seeking inspiration.


The Art Shelf

Basquiat
Marc Mayer, Editor
Merrell
49 W. 24th St., 8th Flr, New York NY 10010
1858943612 $29.95 www.merrellpublishers.com

Jean-Michel Basquiat was born in 1960 in New York and never reached age 30, but his short and controversial career created a distinct and influential style in modern art and here is celebrated in BASQUIAT, a full-color display of his graffiti-inspired street art. From religious symbolism to inner city influences, BASQUIAT gathers and examines all the works of his eight-year career under one cover in a retrospective important for any modern art library collection.


The Mathematics Shelf

Math Dictionary
Eula Ewing Monroe
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church Street, Honesdale, PE 18431
1590784138 $19.95 www.boydsmillpress.com

Math Dictionary: The Easy, Simple, Fun Guide To Help Math Phobics Become Math Lovers by Eula Ewing Monroe (teaches mathematics education at Brigham Young University) is a straightforward reference to basic mathematical terms for readers of all ages and backgrounds, from junior high and high school students to adults in need of a quick refresher. From "average" (including mean, median and mode) to "partial products algorithm" to "zero-dimensional" and much more, the terms cover general arithmetic, geometry, algebra, graphing, probability, statistics, and much more. Advanced mathematical terms such as those used in calculus are not covered. Each definition is spelled out in plain terms, often with simple diagrams to illustrate, eliminating any confusion. Amusing "Did You Know?" quips spice up Math Dictionary with amusing anecdotes such as how the number "googol" (ten to the hundredth power) got its name. Enthusiastically recommended for junior high and high school libraries.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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