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California Bookwatch

Volume 2, Number 10 October 2007 Home | CALBW Index

Table of Contents

Donovan's Picks Writing/Publishing Shelf Photography Shelf
Computer Shelf Business Shelf Education Shelf
Sports Shelf Gaming Shelf Architecture Shelf
Woodworking Shelf Native American Shelf World History Shelf
International Studies Shelf Science Shelf Library Science Shelf
Money/Finance Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Nautical Shelf Music Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Cookbook Shelf
Crafts Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Military Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Journalism Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Self-Help Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Fashion Shelf    


Donovan's Picks

A Crack in the Earth
Haim Watzman
Farrar Straus Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York NY 10003
0374130582, $23.00 www.fsgbooks.com

The Jordan Rift Valley has been not only a geologic oddity, but the subject of a fierce debate over its boarders and has for a quarter of a century been part of the life and writings of author Haim Watzman, an Israeli journalist. A CRACK IN THE EARTH here follows his two-week journey up the valley, encountering geologists and peoples whose life and work in the area have led them to call it 'home'. Geography, science, and cultural insights permeate a fine blend of travelogue and introduction to the Rift Valley's politics and scenarios.

Through the Eyes of the Condor
Robert B. Haas
National Geographic Books
1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-4688
9781426201325, $50.00 www.ngs.org

General-interest public lending libraries will appreciate this oversized volume packed with photos sweeping Latin America's landscapes. It comes from a renowned aerial photographer who provides over a hundred images representing his years of travel to fourteen Latin American countries. His photos celebrate towns, people, cultures and geography alike, providing double-page, panoramic photo spreads unparalleled elsewhere. Any collection with any interest in Latin American geography and culture or geographic photography needs this amazing, stunning collection.

The Accidental Fundraiser
Julie M. Still
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781573872638, $29.50 www.infotoday.com

Many nonprofits need funding yet can't afford the expense of a full-time hired fundraiser, so The Accidental Fundraiser is an excellent guide for any on a budget. It covers the basics of setting goals, assigning fundraising duties, finding money, forming partnerships and more, offering up a practical, tested set of ideas for a multifaceted fundraiser project. Perfect for any collection catering to nonprofit and volunteer efforts, and for any general-interest lending collection.

Advanced Terrain Modelling
Richard Windrow
Osprey Publishing
400 Hahn Road, Westminster, MD 21157
9781841769752, $29.95 www.ospreypublishing.com

Advanced Terrain Modelling provides a survey of the ideas and techniques for creating miniature landscapes and comes from an author whose works are displayed in British and European museums alike. His descriptions of materials and layout tips can be applied to all kinds of model layout, both military and civilian in subject, and pairs close-up color photos with the author's descriptions of how he built each landscape, and the special challenges involved. An intriguing survey, this would be a perfect addition to any collection appealing to hobbyists.

Oriental Rugs: The Secrets Revealed
Mark Blackburn
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764326417, $39.95 www.schifferbooks.com

Buying an Oriental rug is often a complicated process, so it's refreshing to find a guide which not only answers typical consumer questions on value and make, but which discusses contemporary rugs from across the Orient, from Tibet and China to Afghanistan and Iran. History blends with consumer tips on how to select and care for such a rug, offering plenty of insights from a leading dealer in Oriental rugs. Packed with color photo examples, ORIENTAL RUGS: THE SECRETS REVEALED is a 'must' for any consumer lending library.

Consider the Source
James F. Broderick and Darren W. Miller
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9780910965774, $24.95 www.infotoday.com

Where can you get the news you need, and how can you keep up with it? A professor of journalism and a working reporter combine forces to produce a critical A-Z guide to the best and worse news information sites on the web, offering 100 critical reviews paired with a 5-star rating system. From learning the motives and bias behind different sites to considering alternative sites and news press and how they operate differently from mainstream media, CONSIDER THE SOURCE: A CRITICAL GUIDE TO 100 PROMINENT NEWS AND INFORMATION SITES ON THE WEB is a pick for both college-level collections strong in media studies and general-interest lending libraries alike.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

2008 Writer's Market, 87th Edition
Robert Lee Brewer
Writer's Digest Books/F&W Publications
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
9781582974972, $49.99 www.fwpublications.com

Over 5 million copies have been sold of the annually-updated Writer's Market, but one of the key reasons why this reference mainstay requires annual acquisition and updating is that information on the publishing industry changes so rapidly and there are many authors out there who need the latest details on how to sell what they write. Any general interest lending library thus needs the very latest: this lists over 3,500 listings for book publishers, consumer magazines, trade journals, literary agents and more. It's been completely revised and updated to include over 600 new listings and is a 'must' for any reference library.

Inventing English: A Portable History of the Language
Seth Lerer
Columbia University Press
9780231137942, $24.95 www.columbia/edu/cu/cup

Why is there such a difference between English spelling and pronunciation, and how did grammar rules develop? INVENTING ENGLISH is an engaging survey considering all the oddities of English: it not only covers these oddities but places them in rare American historical perspective, adding background to a survey where others would focus on linguistics alone. High school, college and public library holdings alike will find it a lively historical survey of how people discovered and developed new forms of expression bundled into the English language we know and use today.


The Photography Shelf

Photoshop CS3 Photographer's Handbook
Brad Hinkel and Steve Laskevitch
Rocky Nook
26 West Mission St #3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-24320
9781933952116, $35.95 www.rockynook.com

PHOTOSHOP CS3 PHOTOGRAPHER'S HANDBOOK: AN EASY WORKFLOW makes it easy to learn the latest edition of Photoshop, a huge program which offers up all kinds of options for tweaking photos. Elements of the logical workflow are covered in an easy survey based on step-by-step projects that lead to advanced Photoshop techniques. The idea is to develop and learn a logical workflow to editing images, from organizing them to editing wit effects. Photographers thus receive a process, rather than a manual covering tools and functions alone, making this a perfect pick for both computer and photography libraries strong in Photoshop teaching.

Mastering Photoshop CS3 for Print Design and Production
Ted LoCascio
Sybex/John Wiley
111 River Street, 4th Floor, Hoboken, NJ 07030
0470114576, $50.00 www.sybex.com

Design professionals seeking a clear Photoshop guide learn how to take introductory skills in the program to the next level with Mastering Photoshop CS3 for Print Design and Production. All the latest, new features of CS3 are presented by a Photoshop expert who covers everything from selecting brushes to manipulate specific image areas to combining image layers for more effective graphics results. Any who have either an older version of Photoshop under their belt or who want more applied skills will appreciate the author's professional expertise in graphic design, which translates well to a guide for any Photoshop would-be professional.

Amherst Media
Box 586, Buffalo, NY 14226
www.amherstmedia.com

Bill Hurter's Portrait Photographer's Handbook (9781584282075, $34.95) tells how to develop the best strategies for portrait lighting and photography, offering tips on everything from equipment and posing to lighting and digital retouching. Packed with color photos and step-by-step techniques, PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER'S HANDBOOK is a winning collection of method that work. Michelle Perkins' PROFESSIONAL PORTRAIT POSING: TECHNIQUES AND IMAGES FROM MASTER PHOTOGRAPHERS (9871584282112, $34.95) tells how to produce a superior portrait through more effective posing to minimize problem areas. Chapters use tips from industry leaders to reveal secrets of successful photo shoots, making this a solid reference for not only amateur photographers but to collections catering to neo-professionals, as well. Both books are packed with color examples and winning strategies.


The Computer Shelf

Simply Javascript
Kevin Yank & Cameron Adams
Sitepoint
424 Smith Street, Collingwood, VIC Australia 3066
0980285801, $39.95 www.sitepoint.com

Any computer library or general-interest collection strong in Javascript needs SIMPLY JAVASCRIPT: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO LEARN JAVASCRIPT FROM SCRATCH. Color examples accompany a step-by-step introduction to Java programming which teaches how to use JavaScript to solve real-world problems, track user events, and even design animations. From using Jax and the DOM to blending Java into an existing website, SIMPLY JAVASCRIPT is packed with plenty of easy details perfect for newcomers.

Build It Once
Sarah Goodwin Thiel
Scarecrow Press Inc.
4501 Forbes Boulevard #200, Lanham, MD 20706
081085225X, $35.00 www.scarecrowpress.com

Online exhibitions vary immensely but good web design and easily-navigated displays are keys to their success, so art and computer collections alike need BUILD IT ONCE: A BASIC PRIMER FOR THE CREATION OF ONLINE EXHIBITIONS to make it all happen successfully. From building a reliable, easily modified exhibition format to using both art and computer experience to enhance the user experience, this is the item of choice for any seeking a specific guide to producing online exhibitions.

Mastering Perl
Brian D. Foy
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
0596527241, $39.99 www.oreilly.com

MASTERING PERL is third in O'Reilly's series of Perl tutorials and is a top pick for collections strong in computer programming in general and Perl in particular. This is more than a collection of shortcuts and 'tricks': it covers the basics of using advanced expressions, avoiding common programming problems, fixing code without editing the original source, and more, and offers Perl users the tools for getting the most out of the software and troubleshooting when it doesn't work right. An excellent survey and a top pick for any Perl reference collection.

Enterprise Ajax
David Johnson, Alexei White, Andrew Charland
Prentice Hall
501 Boylston #900, Boston, MA 02116
0132242060, $39.99 www.prenhallprofessional.com

College-level computer holdings strong on Ajax or web programming guides need ENTERPRISE AJAX: STRATEGIES FOR BUILDING HIGH PERFORMANCE WEB APPLICATIONS. It covers advanced Ajax topics, so it's not for the beginner that will please any already versed in Ajax who want to skip the basics. From implementing Model-View-Controller in the browser to overcoming security risks and optimizing Ajax functions, this is the item of choice for any collection moving beyond introductory texts.

Mastering AutoCad 2008 and AutoCad LT 2008
George Omura
Sybex
c/o Wiley
111 River Street, 4th Floor, Hoboken, NJ 07030
047013738X, $49.99 www.sybex.com

MASTERING AUTOCAD is a very popular reference for any engineer using Autocad, and its complete update for 2008 keeps it high on the list of 'must have' references on the topic, packing in tutorials to build new skills for beginners while offering veterans explanations of the program's latest, advanced features. From developing AutoCad drawings and using dynamic blocks to presenting 3D models and making spiral forms with new tools, MASTERING AUTOCAD 2008 AND AUTOCAD LT 2008 is quite simply a 'must' for any comprehensive collection.


The Business Shelf

Get There Early
Bob Johansen
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery St, Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
9781576754405, $27.95 www.bkconnection.com

GET THERE EARLY: SENSING THE FUTURE TO COMPETE IN THE PRESENT provides a survey of techniques developed by the Institute for the Future, which has been refining such ideas for nearly forty years. It develops the Institute's three-step Foresight to Insight to Action cycle that allows readers to understand and navigate the world of dilemmas and problems, using simulation gaming and real-world problems to encourage innovative thinking and strategies. An excellent account, GET THERE EARLY is perfect for business collections appealing to business and community leaders.

Encyclopedia of American Business
W. Davis Folsom
Facts on File Inc.
132 West 31st Street, New York NY 10001
0816046433, $95.00 www.factsonfile.com

Either high school or college-level collections will find important ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN BUSINESS, an easy introductory guide to business jargon that explains business concepts and language in a manner accessible for nonspecialists and general readers. Five key areas of business are covered, from accounting and banking to finance, marketing and management: each include entries covering definitions, business examples from the real world, customary actions and business standards, and a reference for further reading.

Surrounded by Geniuses
Dr. Alan S. Gregerman
Sourcebooks Inc.
Box 4410, Naperville, IL 60567-4410
140220910X, $16.95 www.sourcebooks.com

Both business libraries and college-level collections strong in leadership books will welcome SURROUNDED BY GENIUSES: UNLOCKING THE BRILLIANCE IN YOURSELF, YOUR COLLEAGUES AND YOUR ORGANIZATION. It advocates learning about the 'hidden genius' person in us all and using both individual and collective 'genius' to strengthen an organization and deliver more effective products and resources to its customers. Chapters show how to uncover, unlock and apply this genius and use insights from various genres both historical and psychological to back up ideas with examples from real-world experiences. Businesses seeking new approaches will find it enlightening.

Ad Land: A Global History of Advertising
Mark Tungate
Kogan Page
525 South 4th Street, #241, Philadelphia, PA 19147
0749448377, $39.95 www.kogan-page.co.uk

AD LAND is the first book to explore the development of advertising from an international perspective rather than the usual regional, domestic focus. As such it is a recommended pick for any college-level business library strong in advertising and marketing history: it considers the origins and trends of modern advertising, providing a history of past ad approaches and their evolution into modern ad innovations. Interviews with dozens of the leading names in advertising accompany this excellent report.

Coming Attractions?
Philip E. Meza
Stanford University Press
1450 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304
0804756600 www.sup.org

COMING ATTRACTIONS? HOLLYWOOD, HIGH TECH AND THE FUTURE OF ENTERTAINMENT instructs media and tech companies to understand convergence, showing how Hollywood and technology can benefit from each other's focus to bolster both the entertainment industry as a whole and high tech interests. Chapters discuss the switch to digital and web formats and how this represents huge potential market opportunities for both entities, exploring the history and development of different systems of entertainment delivery and their competitive options. California libraries both business and public will find COMING ATTRACTIONS an outstanding, specific survey key to understanding long-standing issues, conflicts, and relationships between entertainment, high tech and media industries alike.

Speechless
Bruce Barry
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery Street Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
9781576753972, $27.95 www.bkcurrents.com

SPEECHLESS: THE EROSION OF FREE EXPRESSION IN THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE is a top pick for college-level business libraries, addressing issues of freedom of speech from legal, managerial and ethical perspectives and examining how the legal system affects employee speech rights and employer workplace management alike. From office politics and political correctness to protection for expression and how and why free speech works, SPEECHLESS is a key acquisition not just for business holdings, but for libraries strong in American politics and civil rights issues.

Buzz: How to Create It and Win With It
Edward I. Koch and Christy Heady
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019
0814474624, $21.95 www.amacombooks.org

In the late 1970s Mayor Edward Koch changed himself from an unknown political underdog with little money or family connections to one of the nation's most famous mayors, serving for three terms and helping the struggling New York City from some of its most significant problems. BUZZ reveals the secrets of his leadership success and tells how he built a career from virtually nothing offering plenty of tested tips that allow both politicians and business owners to do the same. From perfecting leadership skills to handling conflicts and publicizing successes, BUZZ: HOW TO CREATE IT AND WIN WITH IT is packed with tested insights recommended for both political and business collections.

Energy Zappers
Shuan Blakeney and Wallace Henley
BakerBooks
Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
0801068010, $14.99 www.bakerbooks.com

While ENERGY ZAPPERS: DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO DRAIN YOU DRY could have easily been featured in our 'Spirituality' section, it's reviewed here for its wider-ranging importance to all kinds of leaders who would learn how to turn stressful relationships to more effective paths. The authors are pastors at two of America's largest churches so their approach is Christian in origin, but their practical, real-world tips on how to turn draining relationships into energy-charged ones makes for important reading, bringing this to the attention of not just spiritual collections and those catering to church leaders, but to any business holding.

Riches in Niches
Susan Friedmann, CSP
Career Press
Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
1564149307, $21.99 www.careerpress.com

RICHES IN NICHES: HOW TO MAKE IT BIG IN A SMALL MARKET examines all the influences which separate small thinkers from service professionals who may have identical skills but bigger vision, and deserves ongoing recommendation as a key acquisition to any business library catering to service professionals. From how to become a noted expert in a given field to using a formula developed by the author to locate the right professional niche, RICHES IN NICHES is an excellent guide to standing out from the crowd.

Smarter, Faster, Better
Karlin Sloan with Lindsey Pollack
Jossey-Bass
989 Market Street, San Francisco CA 94103
0787982687, $24.95 www.josseybass.com

SMARTER, FASTER, BETTER: STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE, ENDURING, AND FULFILLED LEADERSHIP comes from a top executive coach who offers leaders a range of strategies and tips on becoming faster, better leaders. From growing the bottom line and handling beliefs which create angst in lower levels to self-assessments of style and leadership teams, SMARTER, FASTER, BETTER supplements recommendations with real-world case history examples to cement the applied theories within, making it a fine business library pick.

The Net Worth Workout
Susan Feitelberg
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019-7420
0814474748, $14.95 www.amacombooks.org

If your investments are sluggish or you're a general interest library seeking a wide-ranging personal finance guide that won't age quickly, THE NET WORTH WORKOUT is for you. It tells how to build financial strength through a blend of diversity and cutting out the 'junk' investments which drag down a portfolio, and tells how to use existing financial options to strengthen a position. The focus allows for a powerful investment tool that embraces the ideas of the portfolio as a whole, analyzing its individual components and their contribution capacity.

Partnership HR
Irving H. Buchen
Davies-Black Publishing
1055 Joaquin Road, 2nd Floor, Mountain View, CA 94043
9780891062141, $32.95 www.daviesblack.com

PARTNERSHIP HR: NEW NORMS FOR EFFECTIVE RECRUITMENT, PERFORMANCE, AND TRAINING OF TODAY'S WORKFORCE documents new ways for HR work which come not form the traditional monopoly of HR, but from the contributions of many leaders, managers, and employees who forge new alliances to build a more resilient, innovative workforce structure. College-level collections strong in business management in general and HR concepts in particular will welcome the addition of this serious survey of applied HR innovations.

Rocketeers
Michael Belfiore
Smithsonian Books
c/o HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022-5299
9780061149023, $26.95 www.harpercollins.com

ROCKETEERS: HOW A VISIONARY BAND OF BUSINESS LEADERS, ENGINEERS, AND PILOT IS BOLDLY PRIVATIZING SPACE tells of how personal aircraft designers are entering the previously-government-dominated world of commercial space ventures, beginning in 2004 with designer Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne. From individual investor plans to produce the first commercial space station/hotel to efforts of small-time rocket launchers, ROCKETEERS charts the relatively new emergence and rise of a new, privatized space industry and makes for exciting reading indeed, recommended for both college-level business libraries and general-interest lending collections alike.

The Clean Tech Revolution
Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder
Collins
c/o HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022-5299
9780060896232, $26.95 www.harpercollins.com

THE CLEAN TECH REVOLUTION: THE NEXT BIG GROWTH AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY tells of how the clean tech industry is moving into becoming a moneymaking enterprise for businesses, and comes from authors who identify the major forces which have influenced the development of these changes. Eight major clean-tech sectors, from solar energy and wind power to green buildings and mobile applications, are surveyed as the authors consider both the history and economic opportunities inherent in clean tech approaches. A recommended pick for business and public lending libraries alike.


The Education Shelf

Differentiating Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities, 2nd Edition
William N. Bender
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412954464, $34.95 www.corwinpress.com

Both general and special education teachers and college-level collections catering to them will find essential the second edition of Differentiating Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities. This offers standards-based teaching techniques that incorporate the latest brain research studies, and offer new information on universal design strategies for the classroom. From teaching tips to reflective teaching and exercises, DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION holds plenty of tested, tried applications suitable for both specialty teaching and the general classroom alike.

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

Susan Archibald Marcus' THE HUNGRY BRAIN: THE NUTRITION/COGNITION CONNECTION (0976342634, $24.95) outlines the nutrition/cognition connection in schools, covering everything from obesity and malnutrition to food allergies, biochemical imbalances, and how 'smart' choices in education and nutrition make for important teaching influences. Eric Jensen's INTRODUCTION TO BRAIN-COMPATIBLE LEARNING, 2ND EDITION (9781412954181, $21.95) has been completely revised and updated to reflect the key features of brain-based teaching and the latest research on how the brain learns. From differences between boy and girl brains and which different activities can help each learn to information on teaching links to such brain functions, this is a 'must' for practicing teachers and education libraries alike. Charles M. Jaksec III's TOWARD SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL CRISIS INTERVENTION: 9 KEY ISSUES (9781412948883, $22.95) comes from a longtime school social worker and crisis intervention team member who uses this experience to address nine topics readers can use to manage crises. Case history examples come from his background in intervention and pair vignettes with tips for action: perfect for teacher and educator administrator alike. Leslie Minton's WHAT IF YOUR ABCS WERE YOUR 123S? BUILDING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN LITERACY AND NUMERACY (9781412936484, $27.95) is perfect for teachers of elementary-level mathematics, drawing important connections between literacy and numeracy to show how literacy teaching can easily translate to math instruction. Elementary-level teachers and college-level education collections will find a blend of real-world teaching examples with strategies and instructional approaches designed to illustrate and build upon fundamental math concepts, helping students not only learn math but the logic behind it. Eileen Depka's DESIGNING ASSESSMENT FOR MATHEMATICS (9781412952750, $34.95) offers a series of checklists, exercises, and teacher-made and tested tests for enhancing student math understanding through rubrics. From strategies to increase cognitive processing abilities to providing students with tailored experiences to reinforce learning, DESIGNING ASSESSMENT FOR MATHEMATICS is a solid pick for any education collection. Pearl Gold Solomon's THE MATH WE NEED TO KNOW AND DO IN GRADES 6-9: CONCEPTS, SKILLS, STANDARDS AND ASSESSMENTS (9781412917261, $39.95) appears in its second updated edition to provide a new edition of a standards-based math resource for planning instruction and assessment programs. From ideas for working with web sites and on calculators to activities, common barriers to learning, and developmental transitions, THE MATH WE NEED TO KNOW AND DO is a winning strategy acquisition education collections must have. Laurie Materna's JUMP START THE ADULT LEARNER: HOW TO ENGAGE AND MOTIVATE ADULTS USING BRAIN-COMPATIBLE STRATEGIES (9781412952941, $34.95) is an excellent guide for any teaching adults, especially ESR teachers. The strategies presented here offer the latest research on adult learning styles, memories, and how the brain absorbs and best retains information. Through this understand educators learn how to improve learning potentials in adults. Sally Berman's PERFORMANCE-BASED LEARNING: ALIGNING EXPERIENTIAL TASKS AND ASSESSMENT TO INCREASE LEARNING (9781412953108) provides excellent examples of lessons for classroom applications and appears here in its second, updated edition to apply the basic model of performance-based learning to different grade levels and special needs alike. Modifications here are expanded discussions of cooperative learning teams, a new section on designing effective performance-based learning activities, and chapters of lesson plans. Elizabeth Marquez and Paul Westbrook's TEACHING MONEY APPLICATIONS TO MAKE MATHEMATICS MEANINGFUL (9781412941396, $29.95) will reach grades 7-12 but is also recommended even into adult and ESL applications. It uses material from daily life to blend instructional strategies in math with real-world money concerns. The resulting chapters discuss everything from credit cards and stocks to mortgages and buying a car, offering rare applications of math to real-world concerns. All are outstanding additions for any professional teaching library.


The Sports Shelf

Rock Your Body
Jamie King
Rodale Press
733 Third Avenue, New York NY 10017
1594865663, $19.95 www.rodale.com 1-800-527-8200

Jamie King is a hot choreographer who has worked with rock and pop stars and collaborated with Madonna, directing her musical video Sorry and her Confessions world tour. Here he's integrated dance moves into an exciting program that targets and tones all muscle groups, increasing strength and promoting weight loss. With its range of cardio workouts, it can't be beat and is accompanied by a DVD for maximum impact and easy use. Any young exerciser or library catering to modern dance workout patrons needs this.


The Gaming Shelf

The Great Mahjong Book
Jelte Rep
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
0804837198, $19.95 www.tuttlepublishing.com

Fans of Mahjong as well as absolute beginners will find THE GREAT MAHJONG BOOK an excellent survey covering all the basics of how to begin and improve upon a play. It's one of the most popular games in the world, so readers receive an excellent historical overview of its development as well as a practical 'how to play' guide, making this suitable for any lending library strong in games


The Architecture Shelf

House on a Budget
Duo Dickinson, AIA
Taunton Press
Box 5507, Newton CT 06470-5507
1561589233, $21.95 www.taunton.com

HOUSE ON A BUDGET: MAKING SMART CHOICES TO BUILD THE HOME YOU WANT is now in paperback, retitled from The House You Build, and comes from an architect who offers his background and advice on creating a custom home on a budget. There's a gap between production housing and high-priced custom homes, and HOUSE ON A BUDGET fills this gap, offering the pleasures of a custom home with the tips from an architect on working with unconventional sites and the latest custom fixtures and additions. It's a 'must' for any library strong in homeowner's and builder's guides.


The Woodworking Shelf

The Woodturner's FAQ Book
Fred Holder
Linden Publishing
2006 S. Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9780941936941, $19.95 www.lindenpub.com

Beginning woodturners receive an excellent survey covering all the basics of woodturning, from what type of lathe to buy and tools needed to accessories and which woods to use. The question/answer format provides a satisfyingly quick reference for newcomers and those seeking an at-a-glance reference. THE WOODTURNER'S FAQ BOOK is a pick not just for general-interest libraries catering to homeowners, but to any crafter's collection.


The Native American Shelf

Native American Placenames of the United States
William Bright
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
0806135980, $29.95 www.oupress.com 1-800-627-7377

New in paperback is a college-level reference that is perfect for any serious Native American library: a survey that is the most important place names guide in print. American Indian words define North America: this reference blends history and linguistics with insights from Native speakers across the country, creating a scholarly 'bible' of reference detail key to any comprehensive Native American collection and now very affordable in its new paperback format.


The World History Shelf

The Unnatural History of the Sea
Gallum Roberts
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 300, Washington DC 20009
1597261025, $28.00 www.islandpress.com

The sea hosts an amazing array of animals, yet is relatively empty compared to oceans of the past. Scientist Gallum Roberts reveals a history of the sea and charts the disappearance of this marine life in an expose perfect for either college-level libraries strong in marine science or general-interest collections with patrons who enjoy science. This history reveals the roots of a fishing industry that began in the 11th century in medieval Europe, considering how the history of commercial fishing has coincided with the changes of sea life. Firsthand experiences of early explorers, pirates, fisherman and travelers alike are paired with black and white illustrations peppered throughout to trace the demise of marine life in a colorful, lively historical survey.

Lost History
Michael Hamilton Morgan
National Geographic
1145 17th Street NW, Washington DC 20036-4688
9781426200922, $26.00 www.ngs.org

LOST HISTORY: THE ENDURING LEGACY OF MUSLIM SCIENTISTS, THINKERS, AND ARTISTS comes from a diplomat who provides a reasoned view of Muslim culture to counter the current negative focus on terrorism and war. It seeks to return positive Islam's contributions to world attention, examining its major cultural, artistic and scientific contributions over the centuries and showing how early Muslim breakthroughs in science, culture and business helped build the European Renaissance and other movements right up to modern digital times. A 'must' for any college-level collection strong in Islamic history and
culture or world history in general.

Evidence Explained
Elizabeth Shown Mills
Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road #260, Baltimore, MD 21211
9780806317816, $49.95 www.genealogicalpublishingco.com

Elizabeth Mills is a historical writer with decades of research experience in public and private records, so her EVIDENCE EXPLAINED: CITING HISTORY SOURCES FROM ARTIFACTS TO CYBERSPACE discusses the various forms taken by old records, how they are translated into modern technological realms from websites to DVDs, and how they are stored and accessed. While such records and source materials offer evidence of a type they may not be true: researchers thus need to 'consider the source' of the digital information they are relying upon, and EVIDENCE EXPLAINS offers an in-depth survey of these details and methods for evaluating record credibility and the sources of evidence conflicts. Both genealogical collections and college-level libraries strong in either library science or research need this survey.


The International Studies Shelf

Five Germanys I Have Known
Fritz Stern
Farrar Straus Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York NY 10003
0374530866, $15.00 www.fsgbooks.com

How could a civilized nation be responsible for one of the greatest horrors in human history? FIVE GERMANYS I HAVE KNOWN seeks to answer this question, blending history with personal memoir and presenting a celebrated scholar's insights on his life in Germany and in the U.S. In blending in personal anecdote rather than simply providing a historical overview, a good deal of personal insight and German cultural exploration is provided, making this suitable not only for college-level and high school collections discussing issues of international policy, German history or ethics, but for any interested in German issues.


The Science Shelf

Endless Universe: Beyond the Big Bang
Paul J. Steinhardt and Neil Turok
Doubleday
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780385509640, $24.95 www.doubleday.com

ENDLESS UNIVERSE offers a reasoned explanation contrasting the theory of the Big Bang, arguing that space and time which popular is seen as having jumped into being in a fireball actually is part of a cycle of huge collisions between our universe and a parallel world. This isn't just theory: developments in astronomy, physics and superstring theory support their 'cyclic universe' theory which refutes the Big Bang as the beginning of time and offers college-level science students and lay science readers alike an exciting new set of concepts.

An Ocean of Air
Gabrielle Walker
Harcourt
15 East 26th Street, New York NY 10010
9780151011247, $25.00 www.harcourtbooks.com

Gabrielle Walker has a doctorate degree in chemistry, so AN OCEAN OF AIR: WHY THE WIND BLOWS AND OTHER MYSTERIES OF THE ATMOSPHERE comes from an expert who tailors her knowledge to the general public. This makes for a special recommendation for general-interest libraries catering to an audience which likes science presented in a lively, intriguing fashion. Chapters blend history and intriguing facts about the people who uncovered the secrets of weather and the atmosphere with hard science, making for a most accessible, even fun survey perfect for the non-college amateur science reader.

DNA
Frank H. Stephenson
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591024828, $26.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

DNA: HOW THE BIOTECH REVOLUTION IS CHANGING THE WAY WE FIGHT DISEASE comes from a biochemist and lab researcher who tells how scientists are using biotech to battle disease. While DNA could have been featured in our 'Health' section, it's reviewed here for its wider importance to not only health but science libraries, as well as general public lending libraries where patrons hold an interest in science and health new advancements. It's a primer on biotechnology for lay readers and assumes no prior scientific or health knowledge to prove quite accessible and surprisingly lively.


The Library Science Shelf

Copyright in Cyberspace 2
Gretchen McCord Hoffmann
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street Suite 2004, New York NY 10038-4512
1555705170, $75.00 www.neal-schuman.com

Librarians and college-level collections catering to them will find the seasoned reference COPYRIGHT IN CYBERSPACE 2: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR LIBRARIANS to be of utmost importance in understanding the legal and technical ramifications of cyberspace information and reference requirements. Chapters are designed to help librarians and teaching professionals stay within the copyright law while continuing to make resources available to patrons and students, and survey typical challenges, basic public domain and copyright laws, and fair use issues, making for an excellent survey of a difficult reference challenge.

Technology and Copyright Law, 2nd Edition
Arlene Bielefield and Lawrence Cheesman
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street Suite 2004, New York NY 10038-4512
1555705707, $65.00 www.neal-schuman.com

TECHNOLOGY AND COPYRIGHT LAW: A GUIDEBOOK FOR THE LIBRARY, RESEARCH AND TEACHING PROFESSIONS appears in its second updated edition to provide this audience with a clear course of understanding of fair use in both education and information technology worlds. Chapters focus on legal definitions, applications, and typical challenges with strong emphasis on analysis scenarios and concluding with questions and answers at the end of each chapter. Highly recommended for personal, professional, academic, and community libraries.

Government Documents Librarianship
Lisa A. Ennis
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781573872706, $49.50 www.infotoday.com

College-level libraries strong in library studies will find GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS LIBRARIANSHIP an essential acquisition: it's the first to break down the areas of specialty of government documents librarianship, providing chapters that focus on areas of specialty, both federal libraries and non-depository libraries with government document collections, and the skills, training and management of librarians working with such documents. It will prove a key addition to any serious librarian's reference collection.


The Money/Finance Shelf

The New Bankruptcy: Will it Work for You?
Attorney Stephen Elias
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
1413306330, $21.95 www.nolo.com

The second edition of THE NEW BANKRUPTCY: WILL IT WORK FOR YOU is a key acquisition for any public or school library specializing in personal legal aids. It covers the newly re-done bankruptcy laws that have been in place for a year now, offering insights on how the trends stemming from these new laws have been affecting both individuals and businesses considering bankruptcy. From explanations of the new rules to how they apply in the real world, this is a reference certain to receive repeat consultation.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

A City Upon a Hill
Larry Whitham
HarperOne
353 Sacramento Street Suite 500, San Francisco CA 94111
9780060854270, $24.95 www.harperone.com

The sermon has shaped America's religious foundations and has always served as points of debate, so A CITY UPON A HILL: HOW THE SERMON CHANGED THE COURSE OF AMERICAN HISTORY examines not just religious history but an intrinsic part of American culture. History's most powerful sermons are examined in a survey that reveals how they are linked to important events in American history. By using the sermon as a foundation for analysis, A CITY UPON A HILL reveals the political, philosophical and military changes affecting both church and state, making it a top for both spirituality and historical libraries alike.

The Underlying Religion
Martin Lings and Clinton Minnaar, Editors
World Wisdom
1501 E. Hillside Dr., Bloomington IN 47401
9781933316437, $24.95 www.worldwisdom.com

Twenty-five essays by fourteen leading authors of the 'traditionalist' school of comparative religious thought are provided in Martin Lings' last book on Perennial Philosophy, and makes this a top pick for any comprehensive spirituality library. Its essays reflect the foundations of perennialist thought and is intended as a basic introduction to the philosophy and spirituality of the movement: as such it's a powerful foundation pick for any serious discussion of the topic.

A Muslim View of Christianity
Mahmoud Ayoub
Orbis Books
PO Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
9781570756900, $25.00 www.maryknoll.org www.orbisbooks.com

Irfan A. Omar edits an outstanding collection of essays highly recommended for Muslim and Christian spiritual collections alike: they serve as a bridge between the two religions and represent the reflections and insights of a highly regarded scholar in Christian-Muslim dialogue. These are essays previously published by Ayoub and gathered conveniently from a range of sources under one cover, offering studies which vary from analysis of the roots Quar'anic thought to modern religious applications. Students who would better understand either religion or the dialogue between the two must have these writings, which represent both the foundations of intercultural communications and the essentials of spiritual communication between religious perspectives.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Holy Hunches
Bruce Main
Baker Books
Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
9780801068034, $13.99 www.bakerbooks.com

Is God trying to reach you? HOLY HUNCHES: RESPONDING TO THE PROMPTINGS OF GOD comes from the director of an inner city youth ministry and shows how intuitive hunches ultimately nudge us towards spiritual paths. Such hunches can be either life-changing or small pointers to the proper path: choices matter, and Bruce Main here reveals how these choices can lead to a greater understanding of God and community alike.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Vibrant Life
Donna Thomson
Sentient Publications
1113 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80302
1591810469, $14.95 www.sentientpublications.com

THE VIBRANT LIFE: SIMPLE MEDITATIONS TO USE YOUR ENERGY EFFECTIVELY offers up a manual of practical meditations to help understand and conserve energy. Learn how to set boundaries, prevent energy drain in difficult relationships, and work with negative thought patterns through a simple set of exercises perfect for new age libraries; particularly those who would use specific, applied meditative techniques to life scenarios.

Healing Rage
Ruth King, MA
Gotham Books
345 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9781592403141, $22.00 www.penguin.com

Ruth King, MA, is a life coach who has devoted much of her life work to understanding the power and purposes of rage: HEALING RAGE: WOMEN MAKING INNER PEACE POSSIBLE thus reflects her entire life's work and focus in teaching women how to confront personal rage and turn it into a tool for positive change. Chapters discuss the distraction disguises of rage, body and mind awareness, and more, making this a recommended pick not only for new age collections, but for any general-interest collection strong in self-help and psychology.


The Nautical Shelf

A Guide to Planning and Cruising The Great Circle Route Around the Eastern USA, 2nd Edition
G. Bickley Remmey Jr.
Paradise Cay Publications
Box 29, Arcata, CA 95518-0029
0939837684, $24.95 www.paracay.com

A Guide to Planning and Cruising The Great Circle Route Around the Eastern USA is an excellent pick for any serious nautical library, offering here the second edition of a voyage the author refers to as the 'longest one-way inland cruise possible in the U.S.' Details of his 5 years of planning and 18 weeks of journeying provide specifics on marinas, approaches, towns, and more, making it a fine choice for any nautical library seeking in-depth and specific local guides.


The Music Shelf

Roadwork
Tom Wright with Susan VanHecke
Hal Leonard
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York NY 10010
1423413008, $29.95 www.halleonard.com

In 1967, barely out of his teens, Tom Wright found himself at the center of the British Invasion period, touring with such notable groups as the Who, Rolling Stones, Eagles and more: ROADWORK: ROCK & ROLL TURNED INSIDE OUT follows his life and influence on the rock world as a while, and is a 'must have' for any serious library of rock and roll music history. For two decades Wright captured the rock scene with his camera: ROADWORK pairs his black and white shots with a memoir which is insightful, thrilling reading.

Get Chugging: How to Play Rhythm Harmonica
Ben Hewlett & Paul Lennon
Mel Bay Publications Inc.
#4 Industrial Drive, Pacific, MO 63069-3611
0786632836, $17.95 www.melbay.com

Any who would learn how to play harmonica can't miss GET CHUGGING: it's a powerful book/cd set which teaches the basics of rhythm harmonica, demonstrating how the 'chugs' are written musically, and how to play them. Libraries strong in beginner's guides to popular instruments in general and harmonica in particular will find the pairing of music book and cd to be a powerful package and a popular lend.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Martingale & Company
20205 144th Ave NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
www.martingale-pub.com

Joe Hesch and Frankie Seme's POSTERIZE IT! SHOOT, ENLARGE, PRINT & SEW (9781564777454, $19.95) tells how to turn a photo into a poster. Five step-by-step creative projects show how to use existing 'posterizing' features on an inkjet printer, then how to blend such into collages, scrapbooks, quilts and more. From windowpane quilts to caring for photo-enhanced quilt products, this is a 'must' for any who would combine the power of a digital camera with that of the needle. Alison Jeppson Hyde's WRAPPED IN COMFORT: KNITTED LACE SHAWLS (978158477515, $24.95) offers 12 knitted shawl and scarf projects packed with color and unusual, appealing shapes to appeal to both beginners and experienced knitters alike. Add makers' stories and you have a winning survey indeed. All will find places in both personal libraries and needlework lending collections alike.

American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3200
www.AmericanQuilter.com

Sharon Schamber and Cristy Fincher's PIECE BY PIECE: MACHINE APPLIQUE (9781574329230, $24.95) offers applique artists three different methods for creating an applique quilt. All patterns needed to put together such a piece are included, along with plenty of color photos, easy step-by-step directions, and tips on joining blocks. Quilters interested in creating a unique machine applique piece will relish it. Jean Biddick's BLENDED QUILT BACKGROUNDS: CREATE SECONDARY PATTERNS (9781574329292, $24.95) offers a different look for traditional block patterns: one which adds modern interest by manipulating patterns and colors. Secondary designs appear as floating blocks which reshape to become new designs: BLENDED QUILT BACKGROUNDS offers ten introductory project examples with easy cutting charts, tips for newcomers to machines, and more. Both books will appeal to any quilter or collections catering to them.

Chic Knits for Young Chicks
Sarah Paulin
Lark
c/o Sterling Publishing
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
1579909973, $9.95 www.sterlingpub.com

Lovely knitting projects for teens written by a teen could also have been featured in our 'Children's Bookwatch' issue but it'd have been a shame to limit this book's audience to young adults alone. It's a fine gathering of funky knitting projects from shrugs to bags and provides a range of projects any knitter will love. Many knitting books offer projects that are traditional, so a wide audience will appreciate the attention to style and new materials presented in CHIC KNITS. From hand warmers to purses and scarves, it's an excellent contemporary collection.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

The Marketplace Guide to Oak Furniture, 2nd Edition
Peter S. Blundell
Collector Books
Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
157432523X, $29.95 www.collectorbooks.com

The buying and selling of oak furniture has been given relatively brief note in collector's guides, so any dealing in oak furniture in particular needs The Marketplace Guide to Oak Furniture, now updated to its second edition, packs in color photos along with the latest values and furniture-maker history. It's an excellent, basic reference for any dealing in oak furniture, and for libraries catering to such specialty collector audiences.


The Cookbook Shelf

The Heritage of Southern Cooking
Camille Glenn
Black Dog & Leventhal
151 West 19th Street, New York NY 10011
1579122639, $17.95 1-800-722-7202

Camille Green's tour of Southern cuisine covers regional and heirloom dishes and pairs lovely color photos with many regional specialties unseen elsewhere. From a Shady Lane Salad to Roast Pheasant with Apples and Chestnuts, HERITAGE OF SOUTHERN COOKING is packed with a range of dishes to make it a special pick for any general-interest lending library seeking colorful regional American fare.

Trim & Terrific Freezer Friendly Meals
Holly Clegg
Running Press
125 South 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
0762425970, $19.95 www.runningpress.com

Why spend every night cooking when all you have to do is cook up a bunch of dishes one day and freeze them for the week? Busy cooks will appreciate FREEZER FRIENDLY MEALS, which is featured as a hardcover with spiral binding for easy lay-flat following and recipes and details which offer both variations on themes and insights into what freezes well, what doesn't, and how to make the most of a freezer recipe. The focus on quick, healthy meals made in advance addresses all concerns of the modern food fan and offers plenty of innovations, from Chicken and Artichokes to Marinated Pork Tenderloin and Crabmeat Au Gratin. General-interest libraries strong in cookbooks for working patrons will find this a winner.

Gluten-Free Quick & Easy
Carol Fenster, Ph.D.
Avery
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
345 Hudson Street, New York NY
9781583332788, $18.95 www.penguin.com

Gluten-free cooking is typically seen as time-consuming, but not GLUTEN-FREE QUICK & EASY: FROM PREP TO PLATE WITHOUT THE FUSS 200 RECIPES FOR PEOPLE WITH FOOD SENSITIVITIES. Here are a host of shortcuts and tips from the author's own experiences, showing how to minimize ingredients and effort without compromising on meal flavor and appeal. Over 200 recipes have no color photo embellishment but the easy dishes don't need them.

A Pig in Provence
Georgeanne Brennan
Chronicle Books
680 2nd Street, San Francisco CA 94107
081185213X, $24.95 www.chroniclebooks.com

A PIG IN PROVENCE: GOOD FOOD AND SIMPLE PLEASURES IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE tells of a habitual France vacationer who decides to buy a small farmhouse deep in the backcountry. Thirty years later she tells the story of her life in Provence: a story that revolves around seasonal change, culinary specialties, and fun stories of the foodways and culture of the region. Any fan of Provence or French culinary traditions will find this gentle story revealing and appealing, and libraries catering to Francophiles will also find it a popular lend.


The Crafts Shelf

Picture This!
Jo Rigg
New Holland
c/o Sterling Publishing
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016-8810
1845373359, $24.95 www.newhollandpublishers.com

Hanging colorful art on the walls doesn't have to mean an expensive purchase: easy craft techniques and low-cost materials can easily produce individual wall art, and PICTURE THIS! IDEAS TO CREATE UNIQUE WALL ART tells how to use everything from gift wrap mounted in beech wood picture frames to 'cutlery art' produced by patterns in light-sensitive paper. A wonderful set of unique artistic ideas makes this a fine choice for both crafter and home and garden public lending libraries.

Lifelines: Creating Memory Art to Chronicle Your Personal Connections
Carol Wingert & Tena Sprenger
North Light Books
c/o F&W Publications
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
9781581808865, $22.99 www.fwpublications.com

LIFELINES is packed with concepts for memory art products which honor friends, family and personal interests, and shows how to produce mixed-media collages blending a scrapbook approach with pop art and ephemera effects. Collections strong in crafts projects will find this a very popular lend, appealing to patrons who want to produce high-quality keepsake editions of their memories for families and friends.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry, 3rd Edition
Cedric Tutt, Judith Deeprose and David Crossley, Editors
Blackwell Publishing
Box 570, Ames, IA 50010-0570
9780905214870, $149.99 www.BlackwellVet.com

College-level libraries catering to veterinary students as well as practitioners will find the BSAVA MANUAL OF CANINE AND FELINE DENTISTRY to be an excellent survey revised and revamped under a new editorial team to provide an even more valuable reference. The focus here is exclusively cats and dogs, allowing for a better, reorganized central focus which offers both anatomy and discussion of dental health and operator safety. Color photos throughout an chapters dedicated to conditions which occur in cats or dogs makes for an outstanding reference.

Bodyspeak: Dog Training With Body Language
Su Harvey
TFH Publications
One TFH Plaza, 3rd and Neptune Avenues, Neptune City NJ 07753
9780793806065, $17.95 www.tfh.com

Trainer Su Harvey's training methods use body language rapport to delivery basic and intermediate instructions, and her manual accompanies these tips for teaching commands with photos to illustrate the proper body language to direct them. Both puppies and adult dogs can learn body language training, and BODYSPEAK is a top pick for any general-interest public library catering to patrons who own pets.


The Military Shelf

Men of Fire
Jack Hurst
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Publishing Group
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
0465031846, $27.95 www.basicbooks.com

MEN OF FIRE: GRANT, FORREST, AND THE CAMPAIGN THAT DECIDED THE CIVIL WAR details the two-week campaign Grant led against four flawed Confederate generals, documenting how this battle changed the course of the Civil War and the career of two major military leaders. From defensive mindsets and strategies to moment-by-moment encounters, MEN OF FIRE is a top pick for any military collection, especially those strong in Civil War history and biography.

Road from Ar Ramadi
Camilo Mejia
New Press
38 Greene Street, New York NY 10013
9781595580528, $24.95 www.newpress.com

Author Camilo Mejia is one of the first publicly known conscientious objectors of the Iraq war and faced jail when he applied for a discharge from the National Guard for this reason after five months experiencing frontline combat in Iraq. His story of his case, jail time, and his conviction in a military trial adds new dimensions of realization in a title important for both military and general-interest libraries.

Guadalcanal: A Pictorial Tribute
Eric Hammel
Zenith Press
c/o MBI Publishing
380 Jackson Street Suite 200, Saint Paul, MN 55101-3885
0760331480, $34.95 www.mbipublishing.com

The six-month Guadalcanal campaign was the longest operation the U.S. Marines faced in the pacific, and many books have been written by participants and reporters alike. GUADALCANAL: THE U.S. MARINES IN WORLD WAR II is a pictorial tribute: this means a collection of unusual vintage photos, many of which have never before seen print paired with critically acclaimed military historian Eric Hammel's expert analysis. This unique combination makes for a choice pick not just for military libraries but for general-interest holdings which would make at least one such visual tribute accessible to the public eye rather than specialty examination alone.

Information Warfare
E. Leigh Armistead, Editor
Potomac Books Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781597970587, $24.00 www.potomacbooksinc.com

Joining others in the 'Issues in 21st Century Warfare' series is INFORMATION WARFARE: SEPARATING HYPE FROM REALITY, which explores and analyses Information Operations systems and realities today. From elements of national power affected by hype versus reality to technology's role in interacting physically and cognitively with IO processes, INFORMATION WARFARE is a top pick for any collection strong in either military or national security issues.


The Audiobook Shelf

Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com 1-800-854-7859

Alex Kava's WHITEWASH (1423306465, $36.95) tells of Sabrina, a top scientist at a company which has made a breakthrough discovery on alternative fuel, and Jason, eager to prove himself as a young congressional chief of staff. Sandra Burr and Mel Foster join experienced narrative forces to bring to life the action-packed story of corporate corruption and greed which makes WHITEWASH a vivid, outstanding listen. Jonathan Tropper's HOW TO TALK TO A WIDOWER (1423328428, $34.95) receives Eric Rubin's fine film, stage and TV skills which translate well to his ability to present a moving story in that of young widower Doug Parker, handling family pressures in the midst of grief and finding all the family conflicts nearly too much to handle. Stephen Hunter's HAVANA (142333373X, $38.95) receives a warm narration by William Dufries as it tells of 1950s Cuba, Havana culture, and the changes brought about to an island paradise when a young Fidel Castro comes into power. Cody McFadyen's THE FACE OF DEATH (1423338790, $39.95) receives Joyce Bean's experienced, dramatic touch as it tells of a special agent tracking down a killer who breaks all the rules a killer revealed by a sixteen year old who has been stalked all her life. John Lescroart's HARD EVIDENCE (1423323025, $38.95) receives veteran David Colacci's warm and evocative voice as it tells of assistant D.A. Dismas Hardy, who founds himself a prosecutor in a famous San Francisco murder trial. A twist of events places him on the wrong side of the case. Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer's AGNES AND THE HITMAN (1423336496, $36.95) receives an excellent narration by veteran Sandra Burr as it tells of a food writer and a hitman who become mixed up in a Southern mob wedding, a missing necklace, and a hilarious series of events. Nancy Horan's LOVING FRANK (1423332865, $38.95) also benefits from veteran narrator Joyce Bean's evocative reading as it tells of one Mamah Cheney's clandestine love affair with Frank Lloyd Wright, which takes the form here of a gripping historical novel. Fast action and romance keep the story line vivid and involving. Eric Jerome Dickey's WALKING WITH ENEMIES (1423338480, $36.95) receives Dion Graham's veteran acting skills as it tells of an international hit man who finds his past returns to threaten his present when someone takes out a hit on the hit man expert himself. Robert K. Tanenbaum's MALICE (1423340965, $38.95) receives actor Mel Foster's smooth and expert narrative style as it returns the Karp family and D.A. Butch Karp to action. A recovery from an assassination attempt which nearly killed Butch doesn't stop him from becoming involved in new trouble when terrorism strikes. Patricia Gaffney's MAD DASH (1423330056, $36.95) receives Laural Merlington's excellent and seasoned performance abilities as it tells of an abandoned puppy which begins a fight and threatens a marriage of over twenty years. Karin Slaughter's BEYOND REACH (1423333225, $38.95) benefits from veteran Joyce Bean's experienced voice as it tells of a small town murder and a troubled woman cop who finds it brings her back into a world of bigotry and danger. Mark Gimenez's THE ABDUCTION (142334457X, $36.95) receives Buck Schirner's warm and evocative voice as it tells of Ben, who lives along in the New Mexico wilderness and battles memories of Vietnam with alcohol, until his niece's kidnapping shakes his world. Jonathan King's ACTS OF NATURE (1423329961, $29.95) receives Mel Foster's acting talents, again, as it documents one Max Freeman, who lives in a secluded shack in the Florida Everglades and enjoys the isolation until a hurricane changes his world and challenges him to survive. Mariah Stewart's LAST BREATH (1423319125, $34.95) enjoys veteran Laurel Merlington's professional acting capabilities which brings to life the story of a renowned archaeologist, Dr. Daria McGowan, who discovers important pieces in an upcoming exhibition are missing from a university museum. Her involvement with FBI agent Connor Shields leads to the discovery of an enemy and a mystery spanning oceans and worlds apart. Linda Howard's UP CLOSE AND DANGEROUS (142331011X, $36.95) receives Texan stage actor Natalie Ross's smooth and fine style as it tells of a plane crash, a struggle for survival in the wilderness, and the discovery of a dangerous killer's intentions. Dean Koontz's WHISPERS (1423339037, $40.95) enjoys William DuFris's seasoned experience as a narrator and audiobook producer in London as it tells of one Hilary Thomas, hunted by a dangerous figure who can't be stopped even by death. Hilary has killed him once, but he keeps returning in this ghostly saga of supernatural danger. All are top audio picks which stand out from the crowd for any collection or listener seeking quality productions.

The Prince
Niccolo Machiavelli
Highbridge Audio
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
1598870815, $19.95 www.penguin.com

THE PRINCE first appeared in 1517 to offer unparalleled insights into statecraft: using the model of one Cesare Borgia, a ruthless prince, Machiavelli revealed some of the most basic human emotions of corruption and leadership's capabilities. Modern, busy listeners who would absorb the message unabridged will appreciate this classic's appearance on three CDs, translated by George Bull and read with great effectiveness by Fritz Weaver, whose stage and screen credits lend to a powerful production highly recommended for any audio library including the classics.

Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr
Nancy Isenberg
Penguin Audio
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9780143142287, $39.95 www.penguin.com

Actor and author Scott Brick provides an excellent and powerful narration to the biography of a Revolutionary War patriot who should have received as much acclaim as his contemporary Jefferson. He was a feminist before the word was invented, and a politician and legislator who promoted decency and solidarity to a chaotic world. His background as a lawyer and speaker would help change his world, even though Alexander Hamilton thwarted his career and spread lies about his life and politics. 18th century American history comes to life in a unique blend of history and biography perfect for audio libraries featuring nonfiction history.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Baen Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
www.baen.com

Eric Flint and Dave Freer's PYRAMID POWER (1416521305, $24.00) tells of a pyramidal device sent by the Kirin to dominate Earth, which sits in the middle of Chicago no longer growing, but ominously present. The Krin pyramid's powers involve a parallel dimension, the efforts of a resourceful maintenance man, Greek legends, and lost time travelers in this swift and stunning array of changing action and scenes which will keep even the most seasoned science fiction fan on his toes. Lois McMaster Bujold'S Miles, Mutants and Microbes: a Vorkosigan Saga (1418521410, $18.00) is especially recommended for fans of Bujold's complex Vorkosigan world who may have missed some of her individual books. It's two complete novels and a short novel under one cover: the Nebula award-winning FALLING FREE, DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY, and LABYRINTH: together they present some of the best highlights of her military drama and world. Christopher Anvil's THE TROUBLE WITH HUMANS (1416521429, $15.00) is edited by Eric Flint and tells of aliens who take over Earth before the humans know they're there and others who find Earth's weather a big problem. Invasion scenarios are quirky, fun, and offer up insights into human oddities which are satisfying reflections on the human psyche as well as Earth's special challenges. These titles are top picks for any serious science fiction library.

Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com

Stories edited by Dean Wesley Smith with Paula M. Block in STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS 10 (1416544380, $15.00) make for an outstanding set of entwined visions expanding on the TV and movie series themes. From Ambassador Sarek's meeting of his future wife to T'Pol's pursuit of a human composer after she's captivated by his music, these stories are just a few of the fast-paced dramas divided into chapters for each Star Trek scenario, from the original show to Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and beyond. Dave Galanter, et.al.'s STAR TREK CORPS OF ENGINEERS: GRAND DESIGNS (1416544895, $16.00) tells of the voyages of the U.S.S. da Vinci, whose mission is to solve the problems of the galaxy not just technical problems, but personal and interplanetary as well. Engineers in this Star Trek scenario must also find a way to work with their Klingon counterparts in a dangerous rescue attempt in this involving and unusual spin on Star Trek's worlds.

Pyr
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
www.pyrsf.com

Jack Dann's THE MAN WHO MELTED (9781591024873, $15.00) tells of a telepathic tidal wave of insanity which has swept across Earth and created the Great Scream and of one artist Raymond, tired to hiding from possible psychic danger who is on a search for his lost wife, claimed by the Screamers. It's only through his dangerous telepathic link with them that he might find new worlds away from the madness in this engrossing classic novel long considered a genre classic. Mike Resnick's IVORY: A LEGEND OF PAST AND FUTURE (9781591025467, $15.00) is set in the year 6303, when Earth has been stripped of life and most people have left for the stars. It's in this world that one Duncan receives an unusual visitor the last of the Maasai who has an unusual request: to find the tusks of the lost Kilimanjaro Elephant. He won't say why he wants them but he'll pay anything and Rojas finds himself on a treasure hunt to find what has been lost for 3,000 years as a result. Both are solid picks any definitive science fiction section needs, promising lasting patron interest.

The Aremac Project
Gerald M. Weinberg
Dorset House Publishing
353 West 12th Street, New York NY 10014
9780932633705, $23.95 www.dorsethouse.com

Grad students Roger Fixman and Tess Myers have developed the software to take pictures of a person's memory a discovery which enables the U.S. government and its enemies to employ a new, deadly form of interrogation. It's just what FBI agents Capitol and Duke need as they attempt to identify a terrorist group bombing landmarks in Chicago but when they hire Roger and Tess to help, a murderer enters the picture and again The Aremac holds some dangerous keys to identification, making Roger and Tess the targets of numerous groups with special interest. It's hard to easily peg this fast-paced plot: science fiction, romance, and mystery readers alike will be attracted to a techno-thriller with fast action and powerful characterization. Public lending libraries will find it a popular pick.

The Guild of Xenolinguists
Sheila Finch
Golden Gryphon Press
3002 Perkins Road, Urbana, IL 61802
1930846487, $24.95 www.goldengryphon.com

In most science fiction novels the challenges and impossibilities of inter-species communication is overcome by the presence of a 'universal translator' or just not mentioned. So, its intriguing to see a novel based around communication challenges and presents a story surrounding the Guild of Xenolinguists, which helps sentient species overcome cross-communication challenges. A Guildmember is trained for years in both linguistics and culture and these short stories center around Guild challenges and achievements, offering up detailed and complex story lines perfect for any serious science fiction collection seeking a blend of strong plot and technological insight.


The Journalism Shelf

We're All Journalists Now
Scott Gant
Free Press
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9780743299268, $26.00 www.simonsays.com

College-level collections strong in either journalism and news history or social issues need WE'RE ALL JOURNALISTS NOW: THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE PRESS AND RESHAPING OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNET AGE. It charts the unprecedented rise of blogging and different forms of both reporting and readership, surveys how traditional venues from TV to newspapers are struggling to achieve both identity and validity in the wake of these non-traditional journalist efforts, and considers both social and legal challenges to free speech and writing. The author is an attorney and constitutional scholar: this combined experience lends to a powerful assessment of changes in how information is disseminated and processed.


The Social Issues Shelf

Grounded Globalism
James L. Peacock
University of Georgia Press
330 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30602-4901
0820328685, $26.95 www.ugapress.org

GROUNDED GLOBALISM: HOW THE U.S. SOUTH EMBRACES THE WORLD is a pick for college-level libraries strong in either Southern history and culture or world history. It charts how the South and its peoples and businesses are 'going global', how it's been affected by demographic and economic changes, and how globalism has affected the southern sense of self. GROUNDED GLOBALISM comes from an anthropologist but crosses genres in examining history, religion, ecology and other influences on southern cultural evolution.

Challenging China
Sharon Horn and Stacy Mosher, Editors
New Press
38 Greene Street, New York, NY 10013
1595581324, $29.95 www.thenewpress.com

Any who would understand life in modern China needs CHALLENGING CHINA: STRUGGLE AND HOPE IN AN ERA OF CHANGE: it gathers the writings of Chinese reporters, activists, and poets alike, using their personal stories, memoirs and insights to explore the lives and culture of the peoples of modern China. These writings delve into everyday affairs from the monthly budget of a migrant farmer's family to HIV in a small Chinese town. As such, the unique struggles of the everyday Chinese person, both urban and rural, is documented here as nowhere else: in a unique coverage perfect for both college-level collections strong in Asian culture and general-interest public libraries alike.


The Self-Help Shelf

What Smart Couples Know
Patricia Covalt, Ph.D.
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019-7420
0814409210, $19.95 www.amacombooks.org

WHAT SMART COUPLES KNOW: THE SECRET TO A HAPPY RELATIONSHIP tells how to use emotional intelligence to guarantee success in relationships. The ability to understand and transmit emotions is key to a successful relationship, and the author's nearly-30 years of clinical work with such couples lends to a program to help develop skills to turn individuals into satisfying partners. An interactive style offers up specific techniques and exercises for personal development.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

The Best of the Brain from Scientific American
Floyd E. Bloom, MD, Editor
Dana Press
900 15th Street, NW, Washington DC 20005
1932594221, $25.00 www.dana.org

Both high school and college health libraries and general-interest public lending libraries will relish The Best of the Brain from Scientific American: Mind, Matter, and Tomorrow's Brain. It provides over twenty of the most revealing articles written by lading neuroscientists and science writers covering three key areas in brain research: behavior and cognition, diseases and interactions between body and brain, and man-machine possibilities and treatments. The result is an outstanding survey of the latest brain research findings, suitable for consumers and healthcare students alike.

The End of Memory
Miroslav Volf
William B. Eerdmans
2140 Oak Industrial Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
0802829899, $22.00 www.eerdmans.com

Is it possible to forget atrocities, and should one really forgive abusers? How does memory interact with social injunctions that past wrongs never be forgotten? THE END OF MEMORY: REMEMBERING RIGHTLY IN A VIOLENT WORLD will appeal to many different collections; from health and psychology holdings to social issues and history collections at the college level. These libraries will find both controversial and insightful discussions that delve into both the origins of violent memories and their purposes and the conflicts over whether to keep them alive for future generations or in the background to allow healing.

Exposed
Mark Schapiro
Chelsea Green Publishing
Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781933392158, $22.95 www.chelseagreen.com

EXPOSED: THE TOXIC CHEMISTRY OF EVERYDAY PRODUCTS AND WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR AMERICAN POWER considers not just a local or even a national issue, but one which could result in a global economic power shift with long-reaching repercussions for U.S. business and consumers alike. Specifically, new demands by the European Union upon corporations for stricter environmental regulations have resulted in product improvements and new guidelines in turn affecting a new economic model which is, unexpectedly, financially rewarding. Both business and health libraries at either the college or public lending levels will find EXPOSED considers the accompanying shift of power which has occurred as a result, exploring recent changes in the EU and showing how the U.S. will lose its commercial supremacy and competitive advantage unless it follows suit with products safer for both the environment and human use. EXPOSED is an eye-opening expose.

Changing the Course of Autism
Bryan Jepson, MD with Jane Johnson
Sentient Publications
1113 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80302
9781591810612, $18.95 www.sentientpublications.com

Twenty years ago autism was rare: today it's prevalent, making CHANGING THE COURSE OF AUTISM: A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH FOR PARENTS AND PHYSICIANS even more essential to any public or college-level health collection. This book challenges many conventional beliefs about autism's origins and diagnosis, and suggests it has roots in the environment. Chapters cover nutritional and disease models of autism and offer important medical insights on autism's many influences. It's a key autism survey any serious health collection needs; particularly those catering to parents.

Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis
Loren M. Fishman, MD & Eric L. Small
Demos
386 Park Avenue South #301, New York NY 10016
1932603174, $21.95 www.demosmedpub.com

Low-impact yoga is the perfect exercise for those living with multiple sclerosis, making YOGA AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: A JOURNEY TO HEALTH AND HEALING a key acquisition for any suffering from MS, and for libraries catering to the general public. Here the specifics of beginning yoga are tailored to the special needs and medical concerns of MS, with chapters modifying poses for the physically challenged and pairing photos and descriptions of each pose with explanations of effects, advantages and contraindications. YOGA AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS is a fine self-help workbook.


The Fashion Shelf

Icons of Fashion: The 20th Century
Gerda Buxbaum, Editor
Prestel
900 Broadway #603, New York NY 10003
3791333127, $19.95 www.prestel.com

Any public lending library or college-level collection strong in introductions to fashion history will find ICONS OF FASHION an excellent starting point for understanding the evolution of modern fashion. 20th century history blends with insights on how fashion trends developed and were affected by social change, with chapters considering changing styles, from the simple little black dress to the leather jacket. Packed with color photo examples, it's an excellent starting point for any new to fashion history.


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

Diane C. Donovan, Editor & Senior Reviewer
12424 Mill Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
phone: 1-707-795-4629
e-mail: donovan@sonic.net


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