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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 21, Number 5 May 2011 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Cookbook Shelf Fiction Shelf
Memoir Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Parenting Shelf Criminology Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Civil War Shelf Music Shelf
Hobby Shelf Education Shelf Science Shelf
Interior Design Shelf Hunting/Fishing Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Photography Shelf Homeowner's Shelf Crafts Shelf
Business Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Computer Shelf
Poetry Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Sports Shelf
Writing/Publishing Shelf Automotive Shelf Travel Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Self-Help Shelf Philosophy Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Biography Shelf Gardening Shelf
Military Shelf American History Shelf World History Shelf
Women's Studies Shelf Art Shelf Architecture Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Economics Shelf Political Science Shelf
Library CD Shelf Library DVD Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Environmental Studies Self Buddhist Studies Shelf
Library Science Shelf Mathematics Shelf Fashion Shelf
International Studies Shelf Holocaust Studies Shelf Psychology Shelf
Literary Self Nautical Shelf Archaeology Shelf
Terrorism Studies Self Judaic Studies Shelf Native American Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

How I Would Help the World
Helen Keller
Swedenborg Foundation Press
320 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380
9780877853367, $11.95, www.swedenborg.com

Denied of many of her senses and simple speech, Helen Keller placed her life towards helping the world in her own way. "How I Would Help the World" looks at the essay put forth by the famed individual who overcame blindness, deafness, and a lack of normal speech. Through her own writings, she became an icon for the rights of the disabled and women. A hundred years later, her work is placed under a modern eye as Ray Silverman offers an introduction and reflection on her work. "How I Would Help The World" is a fine read, a solid addition to any history collection focusing on human rights.

The National Security Enterprise
Roger Z. George & Harvey Rishikof
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781589016989, $32.95, www.press.georgetown.edu

Protecting the homeland is something controversial as we are stuck between security and liberty. "The National Security Enterprise: Navigating the Labyrinth" is a collection of essays and thought on the crisis America faces finding its level of security. Topics discussed the amount of military presence, the role of the CIA, polices, international forces, politics, law, and much more. "The National Security Enterprise" is a thoughtful study of the complex problem of defending the nation, making for a very scholarly and recommended read.

Tsunami Warning and Preparedness
National Research Council
PO Box 741500, Atlanta, GA 30374-1500
9780309137539, $64.00, www.national-academies.org

The devastation in Japan reminds us that no coastal city is safe from nature's wrath. "Tsunami Warning and Preparedness: An Assessment of the U. S. Tsunami Program and the Nation's Preparedness Efforts" looks at the functions that the U.S. has in its threatened areas to deal with a tsunami should it occur. "Tsunami Warning and Preparedness" examines risk, possible outcomes if a tsunami struck, the damage that could be caused and the measures in place to reduce it. Scholarly and insightful, the National Research Council provides a wise and comprehensive assessment of America's tsunami response plan, making "Tsunami Warning and Preparedness" an excellent resource through and through.

Damn You, Autocorrect!
Jillian Madison
Hyperion Books
77 West 66th Street
New York, NY 10023-6298
9781401310677, $13.99, www.hyperionbooks.com

Any owner of a modern or smart cell phone will find much to laugh at in DAMN YOU, AUTOCORRECT! AWESOMELY EMBARRASSING TEXT MESSAGES YOU DIDN'T MEAN TO SEND. It comes from a popular blog of the same name created by the author and gathers examples of botched 'autocorrect' features that create often embarrassing test messages. Any familiar with cell phones will find this simply hilarious!

The Zombie Autopsies
Steven C. Schlozman, MD
Grand Central Publishing
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780446564663, $19.99, www.hachettebookgroup.com

Readers who love science and zombies will find this a fascinating work that documents the infection known as Zombiism. From a replica of a recently discovered handwritten diary from a vanished zombie expert who was sent to a remote island to perform autopsies on zombie corpses to the demise of team members to Zombiism, this blends tongue-in-cheek humor with realistic medical 'findings' perfect for any collection seeing interest in zombie possibilities and theories.

My Fair Wedding
David Tutera
Gallery Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781439195390, $25.00, www.simonandschuster.com

MY FAIR WEDDING: FINDING YOUR VISION THROUGH HIS REVISIONS comes from a celebrity wedding planner and star of the reality series My Fair Wedding, and shares the author's secrets for creating an outstanding wedding on any budget. The idea is for the bride to have a vision - then be open to revising it. Photos from wedding featured on the show accompany chapters packed with tips on everything from dresses and floral arrangements to the ceremony itself. Any general-interest lending library will find this a winning pick!

Inconceivable
Carolyn & Sean Savage
HarperOne
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062004635, $26.99, www.harperone.com

INCONCEIVABLE: A MEDICAL MISTAKE, THE BABY WE COULDN'T KEEP, AND OUR CHOICE TO DELIVER THE ULTIMATE GIFT documents a medical nightmare: a couple whose last choice to overcome infertility becomes a nightmare when the clinic transfers the wrong embryo. Their choices: terminate the pregnancy, sue for custody, or deliver the child and hand it over to his genetic parents. Their choice - to deliver the child and hand it over with no strings attached - is documented in this outstanding survey permeated with spiritual insights. Spirituality collections in particular - but really any general-interest library - will find this moving.

Diary of a Social Detective
Jeffrey E. Jessum
AAPC Publishing
PO Box 23173, Shawnee Mission, KS 66283-0173
9781934575710, $34.95, www.aapcpublishing.net

When one is having problems with their social life, the why is not always obvious. "Diary of a Social Detective: Real-Life Tales of Mystery, Intrigue, and Interpersonal Adventure" is a collection of real world stories from Jeffrey E. Jessum as he focuses on these social mysteries, and helps people realize where the problems in their interpersonal relations truly lie. With solid advice for dealing with life's conflicts and more, "Diary of a Social Detective" is a wise read that blends wisdom and psychology, highly recommended.

The Quotable Edison
Michele Wehrwein Albion
University Press of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813035598, $24.95, www.upf.com

Thomas Edison was a brilliant man, and while controversy has been called for his inventive knowledge, his wit and slyness as a business man and thinker cannot be questioned. "The Quotable Edison" is a collection of quotes from Edison on countless subjects who brought his intellect to the scientific field and made major advances and changes in the many ways we live our lives today. A celebrity of his day, his sharp tongue resonates strongly. "The Quotable Edison" is a must for anyone who enjoys reading about one of the sharpest minds in history.

Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us!
Ralph Nader
Seven Stories
140 Watts Street, New York, NY 10013
9781583229231, $17.95, www.sevenstories.com

To take on the corporations that are trying to consume America, the little guy needs some titans in their corner. "Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us!" blends fiction with a hope for future as consumer advocate and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader uses a bit of novel to tell of what it's going to take to face down the corporations that want to crush America under its heel for their own power. "Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us!" is a fascinating look into what America's hope just may be.

Memories for My Grandchild
Lena Tabori
Welcome Books
6 West 18th Street, Suite 4B, New York, NY 10011
9781599620961, $22.50, www.welcomebooks.com

Passing on wisdom to the next generation can be hard when they might not absorb the most of it. "Memories for My Grandchild: A Grandmother's Keepsake Journal" is a work book aimed at grandmothers who want to present their grandchildren with a journal of theirs to be read in the present or the future for many years to come. Designed to help share moments that are hard to share otherwise, "Memories for My Grandchild" is a finely recommended pick.


The Cookbook Shelf

150 Projects To Get You Into the Culinary Arts
Mark William Allison
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
9780764146718, $21.99, www.barronseduc.com

Cooking beyond a microwave or following instructions on the box can be a bit daunting, but for the ambitious, there's a lot of fun and good food to be had. "150 Projects to Get You Into The Culinary Arts" is a cookbook from Mark William Allison who aims to those who want to take the next step in their road to chefdom, with short and to the point exercises to learning the finer details of cooking, knowing how to blend the ingredients and why chocolate and bacon don't play well together too often. "150 Projects to Get You Into the Culinary Arts" is a thoughtful delve into the world of cooking for anyone with more ambition than a TV dinner.

More Recipes Worth Sharing
Favorite Recipes Press
2451 Atrium Way, Nashville, TN 37214
9780871975492, $24.95, www.frpbooks.com

Good cooking gets around. "More Recipes Worth Sharing: A Second Helping of Recipes and Stories from America's Most-Loved Community Cookbooks" is a collection of recipes of varying complexity, with a bit of something for everyone. Recipes layout required ingredients, with easy to follow directions, and credit which community can be credited with the recipe in particular. From cakes to chowders to salads, steaks, vegetarian dishes, and more, "More Recipes Worth Sharing" is an excellent resource for anyone trying to expand their recipe collection with a comprehensive volume full of general recipes.

Backyard Bounty
Linda Gilkeson
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island
British Columbia, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865716841, $24.95, www.newsociety.com

The backyard can be used for more than recreation. "Backyard Bounty: The Complete Guide to Year-Round Organic Gardening in the Pacific Northwest" discusses the agricultural opportunities that dwell in the bountiful climate of the Pacific Northwest in North America. All around the year, the wise gardener can have something growing and with wisdom, they can make the most of it all. Organics, fertilizers, tending to crops, and more, "Backyard Bounty" is a thoughtful and remarkably useful read that should be at hand for any aspiring gardener.

Everyday Grilling
Sur La Table
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 65106-2109
9781449400583, $15.00, www.andrewmcmeel.com

Grilling shouldn't be saved for special occasions, it's a versatile enough method to be used year road. "Everyday Grilling: 50 Recipes from Appetizers to Desserts" is a guide for grilling enthusiasts as Sur La Table presents countless recipes and tips to making a grilled dish into something truly special, with dishes for both herbivores and carnivores, with different types of burgers, steaks, veggie dishes, and even something a bit sweet. A fine advocacy of the many uses of the grill, "Everyday Grilling" is a strongly recommended pick for anyone with a grill and a love of cooking.

Slow Cooker Revolution
America's Test Kitchen
17 Station St., Brookline, MA 02445
1933615699, $26.95, www.americastestkitchen.com

Slow Cooker Revolution: One Test Kitchen, 30 Slow Cookers, 200 Amazing Recipes provides a powerful key to slow cooking and a series of tested dishes that explain the difference between superior slow cooker results and ordinary fare. Learn how to obtain bold flavors from a slow cooker in a title which packs in color photos and keys to smart shopping and why each recipe works. Every page is packed with details key to understanding culinary success! Very highly recommended: a 'must' that goes far, far beyond your usual slow cooker recipe guide!

Rawlicious
Peter and Beryn Daniel
North Atlantic Books
2256 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley CA 94704
9781556439650, $19.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

RAWLICIOUS: DELICIOUS RAW RECIPES FOR RADIANT HEALTH provides a powerful pick from raw food chefs who prove that live food can be fun and delicious as well as politically correct. Color photos pair with delicious recipes and how-to advice to cover all the basics of stocking and cooking a raw kitchen, with recipes including both innovations and variations on traditional fare. From a Basil Pesto with macadamia nuts and pumpkin seeds to Wild Mushroom Soup and Simple Buckwheat Cereal, this is a fine pick for any culinary collection!

Venturesome Vegan Cooking
J.M. Hirsch and Michelle Hirsch
Agate Publishing
c/o Surrey Books
1328 Greenleaf St., Evanston, IL 60202
9781572841147, $19.95, www.agatepublishing.com

Venturesome Vegan Cooking: Bold Flavors for Plant-Based Meals comes from a mother-son team who provide over 150 vegan recipes that incorporate vegan traditions from around the world. From spanakoptia from Greece to pastas from Italy and classic pad thai from Thailand, these dishes pack in flavor, authentic tastes, and vegan culinary guidelines for maximum effect.

The Mitsitam Cafe Cookbook
Richard Hetzler
Fulcrum Books
4690 Table Mtn Drive #100, Golden CO 80403
9781555917470, $22.95, www.fulcrumbooks.com

The Mitsitam Cafe Cookbook gathers Native American traditional recipes from the Smithsonian National Museum, offering recipes that draw on a range of culinary traditions from five Native cultures in the Americas. Ninety recipes are adapted here for home cooks and while some require access to unusual ingredients to be found locally in the wild - such as Fiddlehead Fern Salad or Smoked Trout and Dandelion Green Salad - most (such as Potato and Pinto Bean Enchiladas) can be easily duplicated simply with access to a good market. Any culinary library - and all Native American collections - will find this unusual and appealing.

Meat: A Benign Extravagance
Simon Fairlie
Chelsea Green
Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603583244, $24.95, www.chelseagreen.com

Meat: A Benign Extravagance reveals the truths behind the popular vegetarian idea that vegetarianism is better for health and the environment, considering the debate over farming animals and providing research that favors small-scale, holistic, integrated farming systems that include free-range livestock as the answer to debates over meat and health. This book caused environmental activist and veganist George Monbiot to change his support for veganism: any interested in the debate will want this controversial title in their collection!

Gluten-Free on a Shoestring
Nicole Hunn
DaCapo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738214238, $19.00, www.dacapopress.com

Gluten-Free on a Shoestring packs in over a hundred recipes for eating well, cheaply, and without gluten in a diet. Any who are on such a diet well know that gluten-free prepared foods cost a fortune, so this title offers a satisfying alternative to families seeking budget-minded gluten-free fare. From locating best values to meal planning and stocking a gluten-free pantry, this provides a range of foods from 'scratch' that can fit any budget. Highly recommended!

Bite Me
Julie Albert & Lisa Gnat
Kyle Books
c/o National Book Network
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781906868444, $24.95

Good cooking doesn't have to be nice. "Bite Me: A Stomach-Satisfying, Visually Gratifying, Fresh-Mouthed Cookbook" is a cookbook with an edge, as sisters Julie Albert & Lisa Gnat come at readers with a certain fresh spin on life and everything else as they offer their best recipes and advice for cooking, snarking the whole way through. Presented in full color with easy to follow instructions, the recipes are wide and varied, from more vegetable driven soups to the old school classic barbeque chicken wings. "Bite Me" is a unique cookbook that brings more flavor than just the food it's telling you how to cook.

Our Best Bites
Sara Wells & Kate Jones
Shadow Mountain
PO Box 30178, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0178
9781606419311, $25.99, www.ourbestbites.com

Good cooking doesn't have to be a multiple hour long endeavor. "Our Best Bites" is a collection of recipes from two Mormon mothers, Sara Wells & Kate Jones as they offer a wide variety of recipes and cooking advice for making the most of one's cooking situation. Drawn from their popular blog, the book is presented in full color with very easy to follow directions to make the most out of one's resources. For anyone looking for a versatile cookbook with some wisdom to go with the recipes, "Our Best Bites" is a fine collection that would do well in any mother's cooking library.

French Fries
Zac Williams
Gibbs Smith
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
9781423607441, $16.99, 9781432607441

The french fry has become a favorite wherever it is served. "French Fries" is a guide to the many twists that one can do with the french fry, turning the potato - among other base ingredients - into just the first break in a culinary creation. From the simplest of french fries to chili cheese fries, to chocolate dipping sauces and other more traditional pursuits, "French Fries" is a strongly recommended pick for anyone who has a love for some cut potatoes and seasoning.

The RV Centennial Cookbook
Evada Cooper
Texas State Technical College
3801 Campus Dr., Wavo, TX 76705
9781934302880, $19.95, www.publishing.tstc.edu

Out and about, one doesn't have the time or resources or complexity, but there is still a way for good home cooking. "The RV Centennial Cookbook: Celebrating 100 Years of RVing" is a simple and to the point cookbook detailing how make simple yet hearty dishes that can be made in or around an RV. Along with tips for more successful RVing, games to play within, and much more, "The RV Centennial Cookbook" is a fine read for anyone trying to get the most out of their RV experience.

Breakfast, Lunch, Tea
Rose Bakery
Phaidon
180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014
9780714844657, $29.95, www.phaidon.com

Simple times of day call for simple yet delectable meals. "Breakfast, Lunch, Tea" is a cookbook from the Rose Bakery as they present many recipes that are designed for the beginning middle, and any time of the day. With plenty of recipes, appeasing the eyes as well as both the sweet and savory taste buds, as well as photos showing the heart and drive of those at the Rose Bakery, "Breakfast, Lunch, Tea" is an excellent pick for anyone who wants some simple yet delectable baking.

Squash & Zucchini
Elisbeth Bangert
Schiffer
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764337796, $19.99

Two families within the many types of fruit have plenty to offer those who are daring. "Squash & Zucchini: Pumpkin, Butternut, Musk, Hokkaido, & Zucchini" is a collection of recipes that blend the squash & zucchini fruit families with many different things to unlock and present new flavors for those who are searching them down and want to make the most of them. "Squash & Zucchini" is presented in full color and comes with no shortage of ideas that are both vegetarian and not-so vegetarian, highly recommended.

Maple Sugar
Tim Herd
Storey Publishing
210 Mass Moca Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781603427357, $12.95, www.storey.com

Maple syrup is more than just a waffle or pancake topping. "Maple Sugar: From Sap to Syrup, the History, Lore, and How-To Behind This Sweet Treat" traces the story behind maple syrup which plays a big role in the confectionery industry in Canada and the Northeastern United States. Discussing everything form the trees that are legally allowed to be tapped for syrup, to its production in private and industrial avenues, and much more, it proves to be an everything you need or want to know about this sweet. With additional recipes to take your maple syrup further than the breakfast table, "Maple Sugar" is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth tuned to maple.


The Fiction Shelf

Hold On to the Sun
Michal Gorvin
The Feminist Press
365 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5406, New York, NY 10016
9781558616738, $16.95, www.feministpress.org

Israel has faced a turbulent better part of a century since its creation following World War II. "Hold On to the Sun" is a collection of writing from Michal Gorvin, one of the most celebrated writers in contemporary Israel, who writes from the heart of those who are struggling with Israel and the role of the Jewish people in the world after the Holocaust. Filled with fiction and essays, "Hold On to the Sun" is an excellent and scholarly assortment that would do well in both short fiction and Judaic studies collections.

Genghis Khan Volume II
Sam Djang
New Horizon
15425 Nordhoff Street, Suite A, North Hills, CA 91343
9780984618729, $29.95, www.worldkhan.com

The story of Genghis Khan are what legends are truly made of. "Genghis Khan: The World Conqueror Volume II" is the second volume of Sam Djang's historical epic novel of the life and times of the man who gained the fear of the people on two continents, earning himself a Chinese dynasty, a uniter of clans, and a permanent space in the time of history. Djang uses extensive research to craft a dramatic, yet historically accurate story of a tribesman who became a conqueror. "Genghis Khan: The World Conqueror" is a riveting and fast paced read that should prove quite hard to put down.

Hangman's Noose
Ben Bridges
Ulverscroft Large Print
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
9781842627808, $23.99

Bounty hunting is no easy job. "Hangman's Noose" tells the story of hired gun Carter O'Brien, as he sets his cross-hairs on the outlaw Timberlake brothers. But his search of the dollar isn't one that isn't going to come bloodlessly, as well as plenty of other peril along the way. An old school western tale filled with femme fatales, gunfights, and escaping certain death, "Hangman's Noose" is another fine entry into Dales and Ulverscroft's large print western collection, very highly recommended.

The View from Garden City
Carolyn Baugh
Forge
c/o Tor/Forge Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9780765321831, $14.99, www.tor-forge.com

The destiny of women is different, yet all the same between cultures. "The View from Garden City" is an autobiographical memoir from Carolyn Baugh as she uses her own experiences to tell the story of a young college student traveling to Cairo and the lessons she learns about life and tradition in the culture, painting a picture of modern Egypt and the drive of the people. "The View from Garden City" is a thoughtful read with plenty to consider, highly recommended.

A Trial in Summer
Ann L. McLaughlin
John Daniel & Company
c/o Daniel & Daniel Publishers
PO Box 2790, McKinleyville, CA 95519
9781564745064, $14.95, www.danielpublishing.com

Idealism and honesty don't seem to last long when faced with adulthood. "A Trial in Summer" is the story of Lorie Bronson, coping with life and its pressures as she pursues photography but finds herself drawn in by the judicial career of her father and a labor conflict. Telling the story of 1930s into the 1940s in San Francisco, "A Trial in Summer" is a coming of age novel that blends themes of justice and reality all quite well. Also from John Daniel & Company press is "Shadows of a Down East Summer" (9781564744975, $14.95), a mystery from Lea Wait following two young women who in the debut of their lives in the late nineteenth century find their artistic endeavors quickly corrupted by the cruelty of murder.

Beloved of the Fallen
Savannah Kline
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley, CA 94703
9781569758472, $14.95, www.ulyssespress.com

The power of love is one that can do more than provide wonderful feelings - it can destroy your life. "Beloved of the Fallen" tells the story of Kira Castlemaine, an attorney faced with the grief of losing her father and finding quite the spin of love to make up for her grief. But the darker truth cannot be hidden in the haze of romance forever, as author Savannah Kline masterfully blends romance and intrigue to tell a fascinating story. "Beloved of the Fallen" is a fulfilling read that will be hard to put down.

Justice
Jay Lillie
Ivy House
5122 Bur Oak Circle, Raleigh, NC 27612
9781571975065, $15.00

Justice is something not so easy to find sometimes. "Justice" blends the many levels of justice together into a unique novel, as a homicide detective finds himself embroiled in the judicial field on the many levels that are above him, from the lawmakers to the deciders, to the Supreme court itself. Insightful and riveting reading, "Justice" is a fine novel that won't be easy to put down for fans of legal thrillers, murder mysteries, and more.

A Crooked Number
Nathan Jorgenson
Flat Rock Publishing
c/o Green Leaf
PO Box 91869, Austin, TX 78709
9780974637037, $16.95, www.nathanjorgenson.com

As you go through life, you never know when something special will happen. "A Crooked Number" is a unique perspective on human life from Nathan Jorgenson, as he tells the story of dental student Grant Thorson as he finds love when he least expects, learns a lot of lessons fast, and finds his baseball aspirations have a lot more to give him than a sore arm and a good time. "A Crooked Number" is a fun literary read that many a reader will relish.

Conquest
Jack Ludlow
Allison and Bubsy
c/o International Publishers Marketing
PO BOx 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9780749008802, $16.95, www.allisonandbubsy.com

From rags to riches by way of the sword. "Conquest" tells the story of the de Hauteville brothers as they pursue something greater, as the former peasants are now relied on by the pope to defend Christendom, but as their family grows in power, threats continue to come from not only the outside, but within as well. A riveting story of medieval history, intrigue, and politics, "Conquest" is a fine read that will be loved by any politically-driven historical fiction reader.

Bathsheba
Jill Eileen Smith
Revell
c/o Baker
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
9780800733223, $14.99, www.revellbooks.com

Far from love, it's easy to try to accept it from other places. "Bathsheba" is the third entry in the wives of King David Series, as Jill Eileen Smith presents a work of Biblical fiction as Bathsheba, a woman separated from her husband due to wars, finds that the approaches of King David may be too much for her to resist. A read of faith, history, and passion, "Bathsheba" is a fun, enticing, and fascinating read of historical fiction, very highly recommended.

A Billion Reasons Why
Kristin Billerbeck
Thomas Nelson
7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
9781595547910, $14.99, www.thomasnelson.com

Life doesn't like presenting straight answers. "A Billion Reasons Why" is the dilemma of Kate McKenna, a girl who has everything she could want. But when an Ex reappears in her life and offering everything she has and more, she finds her heart split as her loyalties rip her in tow directions. With a bit of faith, "A Billion Reasons Why" is a fascinating read of Christian romance that will keep readers reading til the very end.

A Man's Heart
Lori Copeland
Zondervan
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310289852, $13.99, www.zondervan.com

When life seems like too much to handle, God may be the only one to help one through it all. "A Man's Heart" tells the story of Jules, a woman who left love behind twice and now finds her world crushing down on her as she tries to manage a failing farm while caring for children left behind by her close friend. With no where left to turn to for hope, the light of God may be the only thing to save her from going mad. "A Man's Heart" is a riveting read that shouldn't be overlooked.


The Memoir Shelf

Deaf in DC
Madan Vashista
Gallaudet University Press
800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695
9781563684814, $29.95, www.gupress.gallaudet.edu

Deafness is an interesting condition, as you can perform as well as anyone else, but that one missing aspect- hearing, can prove damning. "Deaf in DC" is a memoir from Madan Vasishta, a man whose first memoir allowed him a scholarship at Gallaudet University, one of the most famous Deaf universities in the world. Showing a picture of the differences in being deaf in India and America and the discrimination that he still faces as a man with a PhD for not only his deafness but the color of his skin, "Deaf in DC" is a fascinating memoir for any memoir or Deaf studies collection.

The Interpreter's Journal
Benjawan Poomsan Becker
Paiboon Publishing
1442A Walnut Street
PO Box #256, Berkeley, CA 94709
9781887521994, $17.00, www.paiboonpublishing.com

In the information age, communication is king. "The Interpreter's Journal" is a memoir from Benjawan Poomsan Becker, a professional interpreter versed in Thai, Lao, and English. Discussing the importance of translation in today's world, the cultural barriers throughout our world and how they are overcome, her story comes out honest and to the point, as she tells a thoughtful story of coping with being new to the United States and the details of her career. "The Interpreter's Journal" is a unique memoir about a career that is vital to our country, but rarely gets the attention it deserves.

This River
James Brown
Counterpoint
1919 Fifth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781582437217, $14.95, www.counterpointpress.com

When drugs dominate your life, it's hard to shake free from constant gloom. "This River" is the second memoir from James Brown, whose previous memoir was on trying to shake his addiction. This time around, he tells his story of the difficulty of sobriety, his weaknesses, and the drive to improve oneself to become a better person and role model to be a better father. "This River" is a moving and honest read, highly recommended.

Help Me to a Getaway
Knute Skinner
Salmon Poetry
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781907056291, $26.95, www.salmonpoetry.com

What makes a remote island retreat appealing? "Help Me to a Getaway" is a memoir from poet Knute Skinner who despite continued success, chose to live the rest of his days in the remote Canary islands, seeing much of Europe along the way. Telling the story of his two year journey, he describes what he holds as a Europe that has passed on and what has changed. "Help Me to a Getaway" is an excellent read for those who want to get into the mind and understand the travels of a devoted poet.

Bull Canyon
Lin Pardey
Paradise Cay
PO Box 29, Arcata, CA 95518
9781929214679, $24.95, www.paracay.com

Challenge isn't a bad thing, as Lin Pardey and her husband Larry live off the adventure of it. "Bull Canyon: A Boatbuilder, a Writer, and Other Wildlife" is a combination book of true adventure and memoir as they find their home in an abandoned stone cottage with little in the way of luxury, but gave them what they wanted, a place to build a boat and live a simpler and more rustic life. But no place is a one hundred percent paradise. "Bull Canyon" is a riveting memoir of the path less taken for life.

Whitey from Farm Kid to Flying Tiger to Attorney
Wayne G. Johnson
Langdon Street Press
212 3rd Avenue North, Suite 290, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781936183890, $18.95, www.langdonstreetpress.com

From nothing can come greatness. "Whitey from Farm Kid to Flying Tiger to Attorney" tells the story of Wayne G. Johnson, as he shares his story of coming from one of over a dozen kids to veteran to successful attorney. With a wide array of stories that touch on the many aspects of his life, farm life, law life, and war life, "White from Farm Kid to Flying Tiger to Attorney" is a moving read of personal success, highly recommended.

36 Letters
Joan Sohn
The Jewish Publication Society
210 Arch Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
9780827609266, $18.00, www.jewishpub.org

To know your ancestors story is to better understand them. "36 Letters: One Family's Story" is a study from Joan Sohn of her grandparents letters to one another, telling a story of coming to America and fleeing Russia as Jews. Painting a very driven and personal picture of a time long past, "36 Letters: One Family's Story" is a riveting study of family history of the challenges faced by immigrants in the nineteenth century.

The Source of All Things
Tracy Ross
Free Press
c/o Simon of Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781439172971, $26.00, www.simonandschuster.com

Parental abuse is most horrifying due to the ultimate betrayal. "The Source of All Things" is a memoir from Tracy Ross as she reflects on her stepfather, who outwardly seemed to be the perfect father figure in her life, but in secret, abuse occurred and left Tracy taking years to truly understand it and try to put her life together after it all. A moving read of recovery, confrontation, and trying to comprehend forgiveness, "The Source of All Things" is a moving read and reminder that all tragedy is temporary.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Historical Jesus
Anthony Le Donne
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2140 Oak Industrial Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802865267, $12.00, www.eerdmans.com

Regardless of their faiths, many historians agree there was a man named Jesus in Israel two thousand years ago. "Historical Jesus: What Can We Know and How Can We Know It?" discusses Jesus in history, trying to gain a better image of Jesus the man, and perhaps in the process gain a greater understanding in faith and history. Anthony Le Donne seeks to find the real story of Jesus's relationship with his mother, his ministry, and how he rebelled against the temples that held much of the religious power of their era. "Historical Jesus" is a fascinating read that looks at Jesus through both the eyes of faith and the eyes of history.

In the Spirit of St. Francis & The Sultan
George Dardess & Marvin L. Krier Mich
Orbis Books
Price Bldg, Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545
9781570759079, $20.00, www.orbisbooks.com

Faith is not a competition, so why does much of the world treat it as such? "In the Spirit of St. Francis & The Sultan: Catholics and Muslims Working Together for the Common Good" looks at both history and the modern day, and encourages a union of faith and states that enmity between the faiths is something that should be squashed rather than embraced like it seems to be so strongly today. Looking at this historical event as George Dardess & Marvin L. Krier Mich, offering comparisons and differences between the faiths but ultimately speaking on that the goal of these two faiths has one purpose which should be embraced - a better world for mankind. With a strong message, "In the Spirit of St. Francis & The Sultan" is a scholarly read that shouldn't be overlooked in any modern theological discussion, and for community and college religion collections.

In the Whirlpool
Reid L. Neilson
The Arthur H. Clark Company
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780870623905 $29.95 www.ahclark.com 1-800-842-9286

In the Whirlpool: The Pre-Manifesto Letters of President Wilford Woodruff to the William Atkin Family, 1885-1890 collects the never-before-published correspondence of Wilford Woodruff, who became president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1887 - a time when Utah was approaching statehood, and the American government took increasingly aggressive action against the polygamy practiced by the Mormons. Woodruff was one of those forced into hiding; he received sanctuary from William and Rachel Atkin, among others, in the 1880s. Woodruff's letters reveal a human being at a quandary - on the one hand, he felt that he and his fellow believers were being divested of the right to practice an aspect of their religion, yet at the same time he knew that American society could not accept polygamy. In the Whirlpool reveals his thoughts and reasoning, which were ultimately destined to culminate in his 1890 Manifesto that officially prohibited polygamy among the faithful. An extraordinary glimpse into the mind of a man at a crossroads, In the Whirlpool is highly recommended especially for religious studies shelves.

Inspiration for a Lifetime
Allen Klein
Viva Editions
c/o Cleis Press
2246 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781573444293, $14.95, www.vivaeditions.com

A little light lets your pursuits of life shine all the brighter. "Inspiration for a Lifetime: Words of Wisdom, Delight, and Possibility" is a motivational spiritual read from Allen Klein as he shares with readers a wide array of quotes for finding that smile in life that will carry us forward. Taking from a wide array of sources with varying levels of prestige from Jerry Seinfeld to Oscar Wilde, "Inspiration for a Lifetime" is a wise read that will humor as it enlightens.

Taoist Shaman
Mantak Chia & Kris Deva North
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions Bear & Company
PO Box 388, Rochester, VT 05767
9781594773655, $16.95, www.destinybooks.com

A shaman is a wise man with certain connections to the nature of the world. "Taoist Shamans: Practices from the Wheel of Life" discusses the Taoist Shamanistic philosophy and the spiritual and philosophical lessons it can teach those willing to learn. Drawing on the expertise of teachers o the philosophy Mantak Chia and Kris Deva North, they discuss meditations and the principles of Taoist Shamanism. "Taoist Shamans" is well worth considering for students of eastern philosophy and spirituality.

The Spirit of Servant-Leadership
Shann Ray Ferch & Larry C. Spears, editor
Paulist Press
997 Macarthur Blvd., Mahwah, NJ 07430
9780809105946, $24.95, www.paulistpress.com

Leadership can shine through, even in servitude. "The Spirit of Servant-Leadership" is a collection of thoughts on the concept of leading as a servant in spirituality and with faith. With spiritual musings from many thoughtful writers, they address spirituality and growth as people. For those seeking a scholarly discussion of spirituality, servitude, and leadership in and everything it entails, "The Spirit of Servant-Leadership" is a thoughtful read that belongs in any community or college library spirituality collection.

The Atheist's Primer
Malcolm Murray
Broadview Press
1 Yonge Street, Suite 1900, Toronto, ON M5E 1E5
9781551119625, $32.95, www.broadviewpress.com

Atheism is a faith spurned by logic, and in debate, it can be easy to fall into fallacy. "The Atheist's Primer" is a discussion and critique of the common arguments levied at the modern atheist, as Malcolm Murray discusses many concepts of faith, and how they pertain to religion's common side topics, such as morality and law. A thoughtful discussion of philosophy and faith put forth by Malcolm Murray, a professor of philosophy at the University of Prince Edward Island, "The Atheist's Primer" is a must for those who want to understand atheism and modern religion.

Naked Spirituality
Brian D. McLaren
HarperOne
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780061854019, $25.99, www.harperone.com

NAKED SPIRITUALITY: A LIFE WITH GOD IN 12 SIMPLE WORDS considers how the lack of a simple spirituality undermines the transformative process God is calling for. Religious thus become tools to maintain status quo and not vehicles for change. To combat this tendency Brian McLaren provides a four-step framework for understanding the spiritual life, offering keys to spiritual practices tied to each stage. Any Christian will find this an important guide to stripping away barriers to personal spiritual growth.


The Christian Studies Shelf

The Cause Within You
Matthew Barnett with George Barba
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414348469, $24.99, www.tyndale.com

The Cause Within You: Finding the One Great Thing You Were Created to Do in This World explains how God created each of us for something amazing - and how to find out what that amazing duty is. Readers are encouraged to use gifts and abilities to make a mark on the world in a title from the son of a well-known megachurch pastor who discovered his cause when he relinquished his dreams and began to really listen to God's plan for his life. Spirituality collections will value this survey!

Christian Mystics
Matthew Fox
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781577319528, $16.95, www.newworldlibrary.com

CHRISTIAN MYSTICS: 365 READINGS AND MEDITATIONS tells how traditional Western educational systems have neglected mysticism since the 16th century, offering instead an academic approach to religion and the soul. This collects a variety of quotes from Christianity's greatest mystics over the past two thousand years, exploring and celebrating the mystical path of Christianity over the last two thousand years and offering commentary on these revelations. Christian collections will find this inspirational and unusual.

Embraced by the Spirit
Charles R. Swindoll
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310327547, $18.99, www.zondervan.com

EMBRACED BY THE SPIRIT: THE UNTOLD BLESSINGS OF INTIMACY WITH GOD offers keys to developing a more dynamic relationship with the living God and comes from an author convinced we overlook many dimensions of the Holy Spirit. From knowing instances when a believer is really led by the Spirit to why such spirituality matters in the modern world, EMBRACED BY THE SPIRIT holds many keys to greater understanding and is a pick for any Christian collection.

Why Stay Catholic?
Michael Leach
Loyola Press
3441 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
9780829435375, $14.95, www.loyolapress.com

With all the controversy surrounding the church, it's easier than ever to walk away from Catholicism. "Why Stay Catholic?: Unexpected Answers to a Life-Changing Question" is a discussion of modern Catholicism aimed at those ready to surrender their faith, whether to convert another or to abandon faith completely. Michael Leach hopes to answer the questions that many Catholics ask when their faith are in doubt, encouraging readers to remember what is good about faith and what they may not have known. "Why Stay Catholic?" is a wise read that any with waning faith and spirituality should strongly consider.

Recovering The Real Lost Gospel
Darrell L. Bock
B&H Publishing Group
127 Ninth Avenue, North, Nashville, TN 37234-0164
9780805464658, $16.99, www.bhacademic.com

There's a certain optimism that has been lost in faith in recent years. "Recovering the Real Lost Gospel: Reclaiming the Gospel as Good News" is a Christian study from Darrell Bock, as he tries to encourage readers to use their faith as a positive force in their life, stating that instead of looking for lost gospels for the answers, to look closer at the gospel found within the Bible and remember what it brings. "Recovering the Real Lost Gospel" carries a strong message and has plenty of wisdom to help readers better appreciate the Holy Bible.

Business for the Common Good
Kenman L. Wong & Scott B. Rae
IVP
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
9780830828166, $18.00, www.ivpress.com

Success in business makes it all too easy to give into greed, one of the seven deadly sins. "Business for the Common Good: A Christian Vision for the Marketplace" is a guide for combining Christian ideals with successful business and making it so these ideals can co-exist well. With the combined expertise of professor of business ethics Kenman Wong and professor of Christian ethics Scott Rae, the two come together to offer fine wisdom on how to succeed and not sacrifice one's soul to do it. For any ambitious business person who holds their faith strong as well, "Business for the Common Good" is a wise read, very highly recommended.

Handle with Prayer
Charles Stanley
David C. Cook
4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
9780781404464, $16.99, www.davidccook.com

A bit of prayer can help Christians find their place and drive in life. "Handle with Prayer: Unwrap the Source of God's Strength for Living" is a guide to prayer and using it as a source of power and inspiration for one's life. Charles Stanley advises readers to pursue prayer with a certain authority, finding God's answers, and pushing forward when it seems no one is responding to you. "Handle with Prayer" is a thoughtful read that shouldn't be overlooked by Christians looking to make their prayers more meaningful.

When God Steps In, Miracles Happen
Neale Donald Walsch
Hampton Roads
c/o Red Wheel, Weiser, Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9781571746535, $16.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

God's touch isn't plain for the world to see, but it can still be felt. "When God Steps In, Miracles Happen" is a work of memoir as Neale Donald Walsch brings readers a compilation of regular people who have felt God's presence in their lives, changing them for good, and leaving them more faithful than ever. With a simple, yet powerful message that God is with us and his miracles happen everyday, "When God Steps In, Miracles Happen" is an inspirational read for anyone who feels they need assurance that God is still with them.

How to Get Past Disappointment
Michelle McKinney Hammond
Harvest House
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736937863, $11.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Life is full of disappointments and not letting them crush your spirit is key. "How to Get Past Disappointment: Finding Hope" is an inspirational guide with a Christian backing, as Michelle McKinney Hammond provides a simple thought and inspiration to readers to help them face the unfortunate events in life and look to God to look past them and live life to its fullest. With simple and spiritual wisdom, "How to Get Past Disappointment" is a very highly recommended read, not to be overlooked by those looking for faith-driven self-help books.

Grace Abounds
Edith Prendergast
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
9781594712593, $12.95, www.avemariapress.com

Faith doesn't stay with you without tending to it. "Grace Abounds: A Call to Awaken and Renew Your Faith" is a spiritual guide for those who want to restore their faith in Christ and remember his role in their life, as it is weakened through the course of every day life where sin is everywhere. "Grace Abounds" is a touching read that readers for those who want to remember why they are Christians.

Archangels 101
Doreen Virtue
Hay House
PO Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
9781401926380, $15.95

The blessings of the angel can grant the strength one needs in the most trying of times. "Archangels 101" is a spiritual Christian guide for readers, who want to channel and seek blessings of the archangels, outlining the many angels of the faith, their domains, and their legends. For those with an interest in the archangels out of curiosity or for faith, "Archangels 101" is a thoughtful, educational, and faithful read. "Archangels 101" is a fine read, not to be missed.


The Social Issues Shelf

Family Politics
Scott Yenor
Baylor Press
One Bear Place, #97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363
9781602583054, $39.95, www.baylorpress.com

Where do politics reside in the modern American home life? "Family Politics: The Idea of Marriage in Modern Political Thought" analyzes society and politics side by side. Investigating the writing and thoughts of both past thinkers like Locke and Rousseau to modern views on the family and the natural state of things. With much history and study, Scott Yenor, a professor of political science at Boise, discusses much and offers extensive research. "Family Politics" is a worthy addition to community and college library social issues collections.

The Devil's Milk
John Tully
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th Street, Suite 6W, New York, NY 10001
9781583672310, $24.95, www.monthlyreview.org

Rubber, an endlessly useful material, is one with quite the nasty history. "The Devil's Milk: A Social History of Rubber" is a look at this sad history of rubber, which has called torment and trouble for the working class everywhere it has been needed throughout history. Exploitation of workers, slavery, war, and more, the material has been a cornerstone of the industrial revolution, representing both its successes and its tragedies. "The Devil's Milk" is a fascinating yet not often heard history of rubber.

Kinderculture, third edition
Shirley R. Steinberg, Editor
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344898, $35.00, www.westviewpress.com

The third updated edition of KINDERCULTURE: THE CORPORATE CONSTRUCTION OF CHILDHOOD provides essays from contributors in the fields of cultural studies and education who analyze the influence of corporate marketing to the under-18 market. Seven new chapters to this edition complement extensive updates and new analysis with examples of modern youth marketing keys, from the popularity of vampire literature to cyberspace endeavors. Gay youth, McDonald's youth marketing programs, and more receive close analysis in this powerful presentation.

Revolutions and Revolutionary Movements, fourth edition
James DeFronzo
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344805, $46.00, www.westviewpress.com

The fourth updated edition of Revolutions and Revolutionary Movements covers modern political struggles and provides a cross section of the significant revolutions of the 20th and 21st centuries. It's been revised and updated with a focus on Islamic fundamentalism and revolutionary movements and also adds a new chapter on Latin American democratic movements, covering the basic history and struggles of each and providing an analytical framework for present and future consideration. Maps have also been revised for this edition, making this a top pick!

The Rules According to JWOWW
Jeni JWOWW Farley with Sheryl Berk
William Morrow
c/o HarperCollins
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022
9780062075390, $19.99, www.harpercollins.com

The Rules According to JWOWW: Shore-Tested Secrets on landing a Mint Guy, Staying Fresh to Death, and Kicking the Competition to the Curb comes from one of the stars of MTV's reality show Jersey Shore, and provides a fine account of a modern girl's dating guide. It's funny, hard-hitting, and shares what Jenni has learned about men, sex and standing up for yourself, and it recounts her experiences on Jersey Shore as well as her rules of dating and social interactions. Lively and sassy, it's a pick for any general lending library.

The Fear
Peter Godwin
Little, Brown
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780316051736, $26.99, www.hachettebookgroup.com

THE FEAR: ROBERT MUGABE AND THE MARTYRDOM OF ZIMBABWE comes from a seasoned journalist who has covered wars, fought in wars as a soldier, and encountered a different world when he returned to his homeland of Zimbabwe. He arrived in 2008 when the country's dictator for thirty years finally lost an election: the resulting campaign of terror involved Godwin as one of the few observers to witness the period of fear and terror. Any social issues or political history collection will find this absorbing.

Queer (In)Justice
Joey L. Mogul, Andrea J. Ritchie, Kay Whitlock
Beacon Press
25 Beacon St., Boston MA 02108-2892
9780807051160, $27.95, www.beacon.org

Queer (In)Justice: The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States comes from an attorney, an activist and a writer who join forces here to confront and challenge ways in which queer life is criminalized and punished. From the unlawful policing of sex and gender nonconformity to American justice systems and the queer community's experience, this is packed with accounts and insights key to any college-level legal or LGBT collection.


The Parenting Shelf

Thriving in the 21st Century
Barbara Frank
Cardamom Publishers
PO Box 2146, Janesville, WI 53547
www.thrivinginthe21stcentury.com
9780974218175, $13.95, www.amazon.com

The burden of the future will shuffled onto future generations. "Thriving in the 21st Century: Preparing Our Children for the New Economic Reality" is a guide aimed at parents on how to educate their children to succeed in tomorrow's world where it will be harder than ever to succeed. Stating the seven skills that will most be needed to succeed in the coming years, advising how to encourage your children to pick the right career path for them, the reality of the necessity of college, "Thriving in the 21st Century" is a wise pick for any parent who wants to equip their children with a bit of financial common sense for the coming years.


The Criminology Shelf

In Cold Pursuit
Paul Echols & Christine Byers
New Horizons Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931
9780882823485, $24.95

The hunt for a serial killer is a race against time, because eventually more lives will be lost. "In Cold Pursuit: My Hunt for Timothy Krajcir - the Notorious Serial Killer" follows the case of a truly vile individual who systematically killed nine women throughout the Midwest, and his rampage seemed never ending. A rookie cop dared to be the one to eventually bring the monster down, and "In Cold Pursuit" tells the story of good police work and the eventual triumph of justice.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Unforgettable
Paul McComas
Walkabout Publishing
PO Box 151, Kansasville, WI 53139
9781456566401, $29.99, www.walkaboutpublishing.com

Science fiction and fantasy earns people a certain fun fear, that what you never expect may be lurking around that corner. "Unforgettable: Harrowing Futures, Horrors, & Dark Humor" is a collection of short fiction from Paul McComas as he shares story of the unknown and what lurks around us and how our curiosity leads us to things we never expected. Going on a wide spectrum that includes everything from the traditional zombies and vampires to the more off kilter voodoo, to the speculative nature of the deep future. "Unforgettable" is an excellent collection that shouldn't be overlooked.

Wadmalaw
Bart Bare
Canterbury House Publishing
225 Ira Harmon Road, Vilas, NC 28692
9780982905401, $16.95, www.canterburyhousepublishing.com

It can be rough to enjoy a new home when the supernatural wants to crush you. "Wadmalaw" follows Liv and Autis Oakley as they cope with the crushing reality that their new Wadmalaw Island home is haunted by malignant spirits. They soon find however, that running is not an option as something else will follow them no matter where they go. "Wadmalaw" is a fun and riveting work of the paranormal, highly recommended.


The Civil War Shelf

Defeating Lee
Lawrence A. Kreiser, Jr
Indiana University Press
601 North Morton Street
Bloomington, IN 47404-3797
9780253356161 $34.95 www.iupress.indiana.edu

Defeating Lee: A History of the Second Corps Army of the Potomac is an in-depth account of the Second Corps of the Union Army. Their involvement in the American Civil War included storming the Bloody Lane at Antietam, breaking Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg; blocking the Confederate retreat at Appomattox; and much more. They paid a high price for their service; 40,000 of the 100,000 men in the Second Corps were killed, wounded, or captured during the course of the war, the highest numerical losses of any Federal corps. The only previous in-depth history of the Second Corps was written in 1887 by former staff officer Francis Walker; Defeating Lee takes a modern, analytical approach to understanding the unit's history from its creation to the efforts of its veterans. A handful of black-and-white photographs as well as extensive appendices and notes round out this excellent contribution to Civil War history shelves.

The Irish General: Thomas Francis Meagher
Paul R. Wylie
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806141855 $19.95 www.oupress.com

Independent researcher and retired attorney Paul R. Wylie presents The Irish General: Thomas Francis Meagher, an in-depth biography of loyal Irishman, Civil War general, and frontier governor Thomas Francis Meagher. At his best, he has been lauded for his greatness; at his worst, he has been categorized as a hopeless drunkard. The Irish General follows Meagher from his childhood, to his involvement in the Irish revolution of 1848, exile to Tasmania, journey to New York, work as the editor of the "Irish News", and more. Meagher served on the side of the Union during the Civil War, and earned the rank of brigadier general; he was in charge of the legendary Irish Brigade during the Seven Days Battles, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. Meagher's years as acting governor of Montana Territory are obscured by conflicting claims about the militia he formed against attacking American Indians, and the mystery of his death; The Irish General strives to distinguish fact from fabrication, and present a convincing case for its conclusions. The result is an excellent addition to public and college library American biography shelves.

Yours for the Union
John W. Chase, author
John S. Collier & Bonnie B. Collier, editors
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue, University
Box L, Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823223046 $24.00 www.fordhampress.com

Yours for the Union: The Civil War Letters of John W. Chase First Massachusetts Light Artillery compiles the correspondence of Civil War soldier John Chase's testimony of his duty to the Army of the Potomac. Chase was a widower with four young children to support; he enlisted as a private, and his writing reflects the daily travails of a solider who marched through mud, risked his life in battle, and struggled for food, clothing and rations. Although Chase was loyal to the Union, his writings reflect his negative opinion of abolitionists and abolitionist politicians. A handful of vintage black-and-white photographs enhance this invaluable and absorbing primary testimony of the Civil War from an ordinary volunteer's point of view.

Kansas's War: The Civil War in Documents
Pearl T. Ponce
Ohio University Press
The Ridges, Building 19, Athens, OH 45701
9780821419366 $18.65 www.ohioswallow.com

Kansas's War: The Civil War in Documents is an anthology of primary testimonies and documents revealing the impact of the American Civil War in the state of Kansas. Situated between the North and the South, Kansas had been the center of violent strife sprung from ideological clashes and had earned the nickname "Bleeding Kansas" long before the outbreak of war. The documents reproduced in Kansas's War give an in-depth picture of the struggle for power within Kansas, border security efforts, and racial tensions, especially in the context of the state's large African American and the American Indians' claim to nearly one-fifth of Kansas' land. The viewpoints of politicians, soldiers, ordinary citizens and more is preserved in this indispensable addition to college library Civil War history shelves.

Blood Shed in This War
Michael A. Peake
Indiana Historical Society Press
450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
9780871952691, $34.95, www.indianahistory.org

A pharmacist with a good hand for art, Adolph Metzner rose through the military ranks all while capturing the spirit of war on paper. "Blood Shed in this War: Civil War Illustrations by Captain Adolph Metzner, 32nd Indiana" follows the history of Metzner who fought with the forces of Indiana. A pharmacist by trade, he used his time in the war, not only to fight, but use his art to capture the faces of war to show the emotion that was on both sides of it. "Blood Shed in this War" is a fascinating read of one man capturing the spirit of a country divided.


The Music Shelf

The Book of Audacity
Carla Schroder
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
9781593272708, $34.95, www.nostarch.com

Audacity packs a load of power into something you pay nothing for. "The Book of Audacity: Record, Edit, Mix, and Master with the Free Audio Editor" is a guide to getting the most out of your zero dollar payment, using the open source project. Audacity can be used to record voice and performance, mix tracks, create higher quality audio, sound effects, ringtones, digitize old music, and much more. "The Book of Audacity" provides a much needed how-to and instructional manual that will be worth the money you didn't spend on the program itself.

Rockin'
Andrew Shaylor
Merrell Publishers
38 High Avenue, 4th floor, Nyack, New York 10960
9781858945286, $50.00, www.merrellpublishers.com

There was more to rockabilly than some good time music. "Rockin': The Rockabilly Scene" looks at the rockabilly counterculture that still lives on today, with a nod to the styles and vehicles of the 1950s. Photographer Andew Shaylor looks at how the style still lives on today, packed cover to cover with full color photos emphasizing the styles and people who have turned this upbeat, simple, and unique music to be the theme of their lives. With a bit of memoir of Shaylor's travels for these photos exposing the culture that lies beneath, "Rockin'" is a fun and very highly recommended pick for coffee table book collections.

Battlestar Galactica
Bear McCreary
Hal Leonard Corporation
PO Box 13819, Milwaukee, WI 53213
9781617803673, $16.99, www.halleonard.com

Battlestar Galactica provides a fine piano solo book offering the complete piano chords to Apocalypse, Elegy, Pegasus, Prelude to War and more. All the major music of the TV series is included along with the bonus of simplified versions of Roslin and Adama and Wander My Friends, making for an outstanding collection of piano pieces perfect for any production or musician seeking to feature the classic Battlestar Galactica music.


The Hobby Shelf

The Big Book of Lionel
Robert Schleicher
Voyageur Press
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780760340264, $29.99, www.voyageurpress.com

For many adults, the wonders of the model railroad never truly faded. "The Big Book of Lionel" is a complete and comprehensive guide to those who call themselves fans of the Lionel company's work with model railroads and wants to better expand their own models. Looking at the production process of the trains, countless track plans for many set ups, maintenance tips, emulating classic railroads and much more, "The Big Book of Lionel" is presented in full color and proves to be a must have for model railroad keepers.


The Education Shelf

Reading Poetry in the Middle Grades
Paul B. Janeczko
Heinemann
361 Hanover Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801-3912
9780325027104, $27.50, www.heinemann.com

Understanding poetry is a good practice in understanding literature. "Reading Poetry in the Middle Grades" is an educational guide from Paul Janeczko as he seeks to give teachers the tools they need to use poetry as a learning for their students. With a focus on twenty different poems, both contemporary and classic in design, Janeczko will show how teachers can use it as a vehicle for metaphor, literary criticism, drive for their own writing, and more. "Reading Poetry in the Middle Grades" is an excellent resource and a must for any teacher who loves poetry and wants to attempt to share that love with their class.

Teaching Mathematics in Early Childhood
Sally Moomaw
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781598571196, $39.95, www.brookespublishing.com

There's no such as thing as starting too early with Mathematics. "Teaching Mathematics in Early Childhood" is a guide to giving young and ambitious learners a leg up on the normal mathematics curriculum aimed at young children. For teachers and parents alike, Sally Moomaw is an expert on Early Childhood Education. Her ideas and thoughts also touch on helping students who are learning English as a second language, have disabilities, and more. With a focus on pre-K and Kindergarten, "Teaching Mathematics in Early Childhood" is a strong pick for any educator who wants to push mathematics without losing their young students.

Create Success!
Kadhir Rajagopal
ASCD
1703 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416611134, $24.95, www.ascd.org

The cities make it all easy to lose kids to the forces outside the classroom. "Create Success!: Unlocking the Potential of Urban Students" is an educational guide from Kadhir Rajagopal, presenting a model of education that is focused on the interests and concerns of urban students. Calling his model 'CREATE', the project emphasizes greater participation from teachers, parents, and other important adults in their lives. Stating his model has seen much success, he believes it can be applied on a wider front and lead to a better tomorrow in our cities. "Create Success!" is a fine addition to community library education collections and for any resource seeking teacher.

Retooling the Humanities
Daniel Coleman & Smaro Kamboureli, editor
The University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E1
9780888645418, $49.95, www.uap.ualberta.ca

Profit is a fine motivator, but it should never be the only motivator. "Retooling the Humanities: The Culture of Research in Canadian Universities" looks at what is propelling researches in Canadian universities today, hoping to bring Canada into the debate on the purpose of secondary education and its institution. An assortment of essays for those who want to see a better tomorrow for Canada's colleges and universities. Discussing everything ranging from bureaucracy to public relations and much more, "Retooling the Humanities" is a scholarly discussion on the future of Canada's research and education.

Celebrate Nature!
Angela Schmidt Fishbaugh
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781605540344, $29.95, www.redleafpress.org

The outdoors provide plenty of fun no matter the weather. "Celebrate Nature!: Activities for Every Season" is a guide for parents and teachers who want to inspire the love of the outdoors in their children and students. Designed for use with every season, "Celebrate Nature!" walks readers through the year with activities ranging from theatre to crafts to simple discovery and play. "Celebrate Nature!" is a wise resource that anyone who wants to work nature into the lives of children should read.

The Floating Teacher
Elizabeth Randall
Maupin House
2416 NW 71st Place, Gainesville, FL 32653
9781934338940, $14.95, www.maupinhouse.com

With only a cart or perhaps only a briefcase, the plight of the floating teacher is one with coping with no place to call your own. "The Floating Teacher: A Guide to Surviving and Thriving" is a guide for those teachers who have been tasked with coping with this system where they move to the class instead of the class moving to them. Drawing on her own veteran experience, she advises teachers in finding their own way to succeed with these conditions. "The Floating Teacher" should be considered by any educator who isn't blessed with a classroom of their own.

Thinking About Schools
Eleanor Blair Hilty, editor
Westview Press
c/o Perseus
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344904, $55.00, www.westviewpress.com

Why are schools still vital to our world? "Thinking About Schools: A Foundations of Education Reader" is a collection of essays discussing the importance of scholarship and education on the value of the educational foundation in the modern world. With plenty of thinkers offering their input, editor Eleanor Blair Hilty presents a must read, written in plain English, guide to understanding the modern educational system. "Thinking About Schools" is a vital addition to any educational studies collection in community and college libraries.

1,296 ACT Practice Questions, second edition
Melissa Hendrix
Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780375429705, $19.99, www.princetonreview.com

The second updated edition of 1,296 ACT Practice Questions provides students with all the keys needed to successful take the ACT exam. Three full-length practice ACTs, drills with hundreds of practice questions, and detailed explanations to aid in understanding accompany a fine survey based on real test questions. Students anticipating the ACT will find this a fine winner.

CISSP Practice Exams
Shon Harris, CISSP
McGraw-Hill
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10121-2298
0071701397, $39.99, www.mhprofessiona.com

All ten CISSP domains, from access control and cryptography to business recovery, application security and information security, are covered in this fine guide to the IT security test, written by an IT security expert. Hundreds of practice exam questions are based on the latest release of the CISSP exam, with explanations accompanying answers to aid in comprehension. A 'must' for any CISSP exam taker and reference collections catering to them.

NCLEX-RN: Strategies, Practice and Review 2011-2012
Barbara J. Irwin and Judith A. Burckhardt
Kaplan Publishing
1 Liberty Plaza, New York NY 10006
9781607148777, $34.99, www.kaplanpublishing.com

NCLEX-RN: Strategies, Practice and Review provides the latest assessment of the exam from the creator of the top NCLEX-RN course, pairing over 600 exam-style questions and detailed answer explanations with an online course and free access to Kaplan's online exam question bank. An accompanying CD-ROM includes detailed performance analysis and practice test answers for both Windows and Mac, teaching the basics of how to obtain a higher score on the exam. A fine reference for any planning on taking and passing the test!

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

Michael Fullan's THE MORAL IMPERATIVE REALIZED (9781412996105, $19.95) provides a short primer on moral leadership and how to put change into practice at all levels of an institution. His survey tells how to develop 'moral leadership' to guide school leaders and the entire system, with chapters covering such issues as realizing a moral purpose, understanding interactions between school and district structures, and working within different systems to achieve moral unity. A top pick! Patty J. Horn and Kristin Metler-Armijo's TOOLKIT FOR MENTOR PRACTICE (9781412976510, $40.95) covers all the tools a mentor needs to support and train new teachers. It offers a set of diagnostic tools along with analysis of how teachers interact with students, design lessons, analyze student results, and more, offering illustrations of how veterans have used the tools with new teachers for maximum benefit. Margarita Espino Calderon and Liliana Minaya-Rowe's PREVENTING LONG-TERM ELS: TRANSFORMING SCHOOLS TO MEET CORE STANDARDS (9781412974165, $28.95) offers 10 keys to keep English learners stay on track with academic English throughout their school years. Research-based tools for improving instruction and measuring learning progress lends to a collection of case studies, assessment tools and more. Rich Allen and Cindy Rickert's HIGH-FIVE TEACHING K-5 (9781412981125, $33.95) tells how to change a classroom into a vivid learning environment for all students, covering the five principles of high-five teaching, sample lesson plans in all the disciplines, and case studies on how to create real learning environments for all. Highly recommended! Also tops is John Delandtsheer's MAKING ALL KINDS SMARTER: STRATEGIES THAT HELP ALL STUDENTS REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL (9781412989039, $26.95). It brings the author's 40 years of experience as a teacher and gifted education specialist to a resource that explains how teachers can raise the bar for all students. Strategies for differentiating instruction within the general classroom are explored in a fine survey designed to build critical thinking skills. Its tested strategies make for a powerful presentation key to any educator's library.


The Science Shelf

Quantitative Understanding of Biosystems
Thomas M. Nordlund
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781420089721 $89.95 www.crcpress.com

Thomas M. Nordlund (associate professor in the Department of Physics, University of Alabama at Birmingham) presents Quantitative Understanding of Biosystems: An Introduction to Biophysics, a superb pedagogical textbook about the behavior and properties of the microscopic structures that form the essential building blocks of living systems. Chapters cover the biological physics of macromolecules, subcellular structures, and whole cells, as well as interactions with light. Full-color illustrations aid the student in their understanding of how to use mathematical tools (graphing, calculus, simple differential equations, diagrammatic analysis, and more) to better grasp, analyze, and project solutions to problems involving the quantitative characterization of biosystems. An accompanying CD-ROM offers "active" versions of Excel graphs and diagrams listed in the text, and links to mathematical, biological, and biochemical source data. Quantitative Understanding of Biosystems lives up to its title and is an excellent college text or self-instruction manual for advanced biophysics science students, although a solid grasp of basic calculus is presupposed.

Arc Hydro Groundwater
Gil Strassberg, Norman L. Jones, David R. Maidment
ESRI Press
380 New York St., Redlands, CA 92373-8100
9781589481985, $64.95, www.amazon.com

There are bounds of untapped resources just below us all. "Arc Hydro Groundwater: GIS for Hydrogeology" looks at how geographic information systems(GIS) can be used to find groundwater systems with the ArcGIS software. Designed for use by geologists for extensive study sing technology, Strassberg and his collaborators come together to put forth a highly useful resource for troubleshooting and using the programs to their fullest. From 3D representation to simulating times, estimating volume, and much more, "Arc Hydro Groundwater" is a textbook resource designed for geologists and will serve quite well in community and college library science, geology, and technical collections.

Roadside Geology of Missouri
Charles G. Spencer
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
9780878425730, $20.00, www.mountain-press.com

You don't have to travel that far in Missouri to find a bit of geological history. "Roadside Geology of Missouri" discussing the geological history surrounding Missouri, of how this study of nearly a billion and half years of natural history can be done by pulling up to the side of the road. From ancient events to more recent earthquakes, "Roadside Geology of Missouri" will prove to be a fascinating read for anyone with a strong interest in Earth Science living in the Missouri area.

The Handy Science Answer Book
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
c/o Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578593217, $21.95

Science can prove quite daunting for those with an unquenchable curiosity. "The Handy Science Answer Book" is presented in a question and answer style, divided by topic throughout. With plenty of fascinating facts all throughout, over two thousand questions are discussed with subjects ranging from the tragic like the science behind the Irish potato famine to more charming topics such as a cat's whiskers. Endlessly fascinating and entertaining, "The Handy Science Answer Book" is an excellent addition to any science collection.

Ocean Acidification
National Academies Press
500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
030915359X, $32.00, www.national-academies.org

Ocean Acidification: A National Strategy to meet the Challenges of a Changing Ocean provides science and technology collections with a fine survey of ocean preservation. From scientific assessments of the effects of ocean acidification on seawater chemistry and marine ecosystems to biodiversity and threshold management, this packs in an outstanding reference suitable for any college-level science or nature collection.

Artech House
685 Canton St. Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com

Priyanka Aggerwal, et.al.'s MEMS-BASED INTEGRATED NAVIGATION (1608070433, $149.00) is a solid pick for any electrical engineering library, and covers the basics of using MEMS sensors in navigation systems. It shows how to add and remove inertial sensors and how to integrate them, using examples from field tests and assessment of errors and applications to reveal how MEMS-based navigation works in entire systems. College-level electrical engineering libraries will consider this a 'must have'. Also recommended for this audience is Dan E. Angelescu's HIGHLY INTEGRATED MICROFLUIDICS DESIGN (1596939796, $109.00), a survey of recent developments in microfluidics focusing on the integration of microfluidic systems. It's a guide to designing systems that are integrated and scalable and covers fabrication, simulation tools, and the pros and cons of different approaches to microfluidics. College-level reference collections and professionals working in the field will find this an essential, technical reference.


The Interior Design Shelf

101 Things I Hate About Your House
James Swan
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S. W. 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
9780757315671, $18.95, www.hcibooks.com

Some people are more infuriated by bad design decisions than others. "101 Things I Hate About Your House" is an interior design guide from James Swam, famed interior designer who has made two decades of a career on being paid to make homes and houses look like the special places they should be. Looking at the mistakes and poor decisions in placement many people make from massive disorganization to covering windows, he presents his ideas with simple yet blunt wisdom that encourages readers to improve their lives by making the place they spend most of their time all the better. "101 Things I Hate About Your House" is a strongly recommended pick for any who want to enhance the status of their home.

Welcome Home
Rebecca DiLiberto
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
9780811877336, $14.95, www.chroniclebooks.com

Little superstitions and rituals are fun, regardless if you believe in them or not. "Welcome Home: Make Your House a Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy Place to Live" a book filled with little tips and tricks in the pursuit of home making, both practical and spiritual throughout. Intriguing and fascinating reading for those who have a special place for life's little oddities, "Welcome Home" is a fun read, not to be overlooked.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

The Complete Guide to Surfcasting
Joe Cermele
Burford Books
101 East State St., #301, Ithaca, NY 14850
9781580801676, $19.95, www.burfordbooks.com

The bounty of the beaches is as rich as anywhere else, and there are tips and tricks to making the most of it. "The Complete Guide to Surfcasting: Tackle, Techniques, Species, Locations, and More" is a guide to those who want to embrace the discipline of surfcasting, with plenty of detail. On choosing the right equipment - lures, baits, rods, and more, working around the rocks of the beach, the fish to catch and throw back, finding hotspots, and more, "The Complete Guide to Surfcasting" is a resource that no one going to the beach with their rod in hand should overlook.


The Needlecraft Shelf

2 Piece Patchwork
Sandy Petsche
Landauer Press
3100 101st St. Ste A, Urbandale, IA 50322
9781935726036, $24.95, www.landauercorp.com

Ease of use doesn't have to limit imagination. "2 Piece Patchwork" is a guide for those who want to get into quilting yet may not be ready for complex patterns. Breaking down quilts into the simplicity of triangles and squares, Sandy Petsche equips readers well in getting to master their needle to make something special. Presented in full color, "2 Piece Patchwork" is a fine and educational read for any needlework novice.

The Great American Kid's Afghan
Knitter's Magazine
XRX, Inc.
PO Box 965, Sioux Falls, SD 57101-0965
9781933064239, $12.95, www.xrx-inc.com

A little bit of color does much to add a lot of life. "The Great American Kid's Afghan" is a guide to making an afghan any kid will love as well as afghans easy enough for young would be needleworkers to help construct on their own. Plainly illustrated and easy to follow instructions will help many readers make their own decorative and colorful afghans. "The Great American Kid's Afghan" is a fine addition to any needlecraft collection, especially those with a nod for children.

Cut the Scraps!
Joan Ford
Taunton Press
63 South Main St Box 5507, Newtown, CT 06470-5507
9781600853333, $24.95, www.taunton.com

Scraptherapy's Cut the Scraps!: 7 Steps to Quilting Your Way Through Your Stash provides some twenty projects quilters can use to clear clutter and use fabric stashes more effectively. The author here provides a logical method for organization and using leftover scraps, showing how to create a stash that gets utilized. From organizing bins by value or type of collection to selecting themes for projects, this covers all the basics.

Jump-Start Your Quilting
House of White Birches
DRG
306 East Parr Road, Berne, IN 46711-1138
9781592173143, $24.95, www.drgnetwork.com

Jump-Start Your Quilting has the dual benefit of a hardcover with spine lettering and lay-flat binding, that makes it the perfect pick for quilters who would learn how to use precut fabrics in projects. Over forty projects begin with precut fabric while the quilts offered vary from traditional to modern designs and variations on common themes. Patterns are written in a range of skill levels from beginner through intermediate, with step-by-step instruction accompanying color photos and full-page patterns. A top pick for any home quilter!

The Great American Kid's Afghan
Knitter's Magazine/Elaine Rowley, Editor
XRX Books
PO Box 1525, Sioux Falls, SD 57101
9781933064239, $12.95, www.knittinguniverse.com

The Great American Kid's Afghan offers a fresh take on classics for kids and reknits and restyles them for beginning and experienced knitters alike. The squares offer basics and focus on kid-friendly, bright colors. Clearly illustrated techniques for cables, entrelac, fairisle and more makes this a top pick especially recommended for beginners seeking to knit afghans for kids.

C&T Publishing
Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549
www.ctpub.com

Laura Wasilowski's FANCIFUL STITCHES COLORFUL QUILTS (9781607050209, $19.95) packs in eleven fun projects to make a range of whimsical houses with full-size templates. Patterns pair with color photos of applique projects that can be embroidered by hand, with construction and stitch plans making each project a snap. Highly recommended for any interested in adding color and intrigue to a quilting project. Christine E. Barnes' THE QUILTER'S COLOR CLUB: SECRETS OF VALUE, TEMPERATURE & SPECIAL EFFECTS (9781607050094, $27.95) provides twelve hands-on exercises and eight projects to show how color choices can bring a quilt to life. From using 'magic' fabrics that give quilts depth to starting a swap club for fabrics and quilter experimentation, this packs in new ideas. THE QUILTER'S COLOR CLUB teaches a practical approach for using color to bring quilts to life and advocates starting a Quilter's Color Club for swapping fabrics and experimenting together. Eight projects accompany twelve hands-on exercises in this top pick for quilters at all levels of achievement.

Martingale & Company
19021 - 120th Ave #102, Bothell, WA 98011
www.martingale-pub.com

SEW DECORATIVE: QUICK AND EASY HOME ACCENTS FROM SEW NEWS (9781804680258, $22.99) offers home crafters a fine set of over twenty projects that can be adapted for any decor. From pillows and place mats to pot holders and lampshades, this offers projects for beginner to advanced sewer, with patterns, techniques, and full color throughout. Jenny Wilding Cardon's RESEW: TURN THRIFT-STORE FINDS INTO FABULOUS DESIGNS (9781604680270, $24.99) tells how to turn common thrift-store items into stylish original designs. From a sheet skirt or a sweater scarf to a fabric purse, this shows color photos of beginning item, finished product, and covers all the steps in between. Rose Hughes' EXPLORING EMBELLISHMENTS: MORE ARTFUL QUILTS WITH FAST-PIECE APPLIQUE (9781564779892, $26.99) is a fine collection for any quilting library, offering six new projects that take the Fast-Piece Applique design to a new level. Learn techniques for integrating felt, paper, beads, buttons and fabric to embellish fine quilts, and learn how to see nature as a source for designs in this winning survey!


The Photography Shelf

English Ruins
Jeremy Musson
Merrell Publishers
38 High Avenue, 4th floor, Nyack, New York 10960
60 Cycle Media (publicity)
38 High Ave #1 Nyack, NY 10960
9781858945439, $50.00, www.merrellpublishers.com

England's history is long and ancient, and its remnants are there to see for anyone who seeks them. "English Ruins" is a blend of photography, history, and travel, as Jeremy Musson and photographer Paul Barker guide readers through the remnants of England's history that are spread throughout its countryside. Musson discusses the abandoned abbeys, castles, industrial ruins and much more, discussing their purpose in their prime and what has become of them. With a certain plea calling for a restoration movement, "English Ruins" is a wondrous full color photography book for anyone with a love of history and architecture.

Mastering Digital SLR Photography, third edition
David D. Busch
Course Technology
20 Channel Center St., Boston MA 02210
143545832X, $39.99, www.courseptr.com

Mastering Digital SLR Photography provides a comprehensive survey of digital SLR cameras, offering a strong guide for novices and neo-professionals alike. Chapters explore techniques specific to digital SLR photography, presenting six new chapters and updated coverage on all techniques and the latest technology from HDTV and WiFi links to GPS tagging and iPad applications. Color photos throughout accompany details on making the most of a digital SLR camera.

Developing Animals
Matthew Brower
University of Minnesota Press
111 Third Avenue South, Suite 290
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780816654796, $25.00, www.unm.edu

Photography may be the grandfather of conservation. "Developing Animals: Wildlife and Early American Photography" traces the relationship between early conservation and the rise of photography. Matthew Brower tells a story of how the advancement of photography led to the waning of the practice of taxidermy, allowing those with a curiosity in wildlife to do so with photographs instead. Stating that photography is an excellent tool for studying animals and is essential for ultimate understanding, "Developing Animals" is a choice pick for nature collections as well as photography collections.

Forever Green
Dave Pepler, author
Lien Botha, photography
Human & Rousseau
c/o International Publishers Marketing
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9780798150941, $39.95, www.humanrousseau.com

Plants throughout our history have proved endlessly useful and quite beautiful have been with us since the start of human existence. "Forever Green Plants in the Dream Time" is a collection of twenty five essays from by Dave Pepler, as he writes on his thoughts on the world's many varieties of flowers, their place in nature. Designed as both as a full color floral coffee table book as well as a tip book for those who keep flowers, "Forever Green Plants in the Dream Time" is an excellent pick.


The Homeowner's Shelf

Estimating Home Building Costs, revised edition
W. P. Jackson
Craftsman
6058 Corte del Cedro
PO Box 6500, Carlsbad, CA 92018
9781572182059, $38.00, www.amazon.com

To build one's own home gives supreme control of their dreams, but it can be quite pricey. "Estimating Home Building Costs" is the revised edition of Craftsman's previous volume of study, designed to give construction planners wisdom and tips on providing the most accurate possible quote in a business where being too far off the mark can lead to unhappy customers and greater problems outside of that. From the costs of clearing the site to pricing the wide array of components needing, setting a comfortable overhead and much more, "Estimating Home Building Costs" is a strongly recommended resource for any construction manager whose guesswork might decide if a job is profitable or not.


The Crafts Shelf

500 Silver Jewelry Designs
Lark Crafts
c/o Sterling Publishing
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016-8810
9781600596315, $24.95, www.sterlingpublishing.com

Silver offers a subtle, more subdued appearance to its gaudier cousin gold. "500 Silver Jewelry Designs: The Powerful Allure of a Precious Metal" is a guide for those who seek to work with silver to create creative and beautiful designs of their own creation. With plenty of inspiration to draw from, the people at Lark crafts present hundreds of full color photographs to take ideas from to seek what fits them, whether they are seeking to buy or create their own accessories. "500 Silver Jewelry Designs" is a sage read for jewelry lovers, highly recommended.

Easy Beading
BeadStyle Magazine
Kalmbach Publishing
21027 Crossroads Circle
PO Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
9780871164209, $29.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

Beads are a quick way to add some style to the simplest jewelry. "Easy Beading: Fast. Fashionable. Fun.: Vol 7" is a guide from the people behind BeadStyle magazine for those who want to get into using beads to adding a bit of color and substance to their pursuits in their lives. With plenty of practical advice on finding good materials, working them in, and plenty of alternative solutions, "Easy Beading" is a must for do it yourself fashion types, highly recommended.

Magical Candle Crafting
Ember Grant
Llewellyn Worldwide
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989
9780738721354, $16.95, www.llewellyn.com

A little bit of magic is reachable for anyone. "Magical Candle Crafting: Create Your Own Candles for Spells & Rituals" is a guide to bit of mysticism and spirituality to spin their own candles. Outlining how to craft candles for many intents, Ember Grant gives readers a practical guide on crafting their own scented candles, with wise advice even for those who don't subscribe to the realism of the rituals. "Magical Candle Crafting" is a top pick for those who want a bit more flavor with their light.

Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
www.kalmbachbooks.com

Beaders often say peyote is their favorite beading stitch - and any who would blend the peyote stitch into their jewelry or needlework projects will find Bead & Button Magazine's STITCH WORKSHOP: PEYOTE STITCH (9780871164230, $17.95) a fine introduction. From a short history of peyote stitch to nearly thirty beaded projects using the stitch from flowers to necklaces, bracelets and hoop earrings, this packs in an outstanding survey perfect for newcomers to either jewelry-making in general or the peyote stitch in particular. Paulette Baron, Amy Katz and Sherry Serafini's BEADING ACROSS AMERICA: JEWELRY INSPIRATIONS FROM COAST TO COAST (9780871164001, $21.95) provides an outstanding survey covering stitches, supplies, and projects from selected beaders across America. From preparing and embroidering pendants to making selected projects, this introduces new and diverse beading styles at all skill levels and is a top pick for any jewelry maker. Aimee Carpenter's ENDLESS SPARKLE: 12 CRYSTAL COMPONENTS UNLIMITED JEWELRY DESIGN (9780871164223, $19.95) provides new ways to stitch with crystals and belongs in any jewelry making collection. Chapters teach, then build upon, foundation skills and provide keys to fifteen finished jewelry projects using crystals as their foundation. The second updated edition of MODEL RAILROADING IN SMALL SPACES by Mat Chibbaro (9780890247723, $21.95) offers model railroaders a step-by-step guide to building several small-scale layouts. From how the layouts can be part of an end table or other piece of furniture to designing layouts with folded legs, this is packed with many clues to creating scaled-down models suitable for small displays.


The Business Shelf

Give Smart
Thomas J. Tierney & Joel L. Fleishman
Public Affairs Books
250 West 57th Street, Suite 1321, New York, NY 10107
9781586488956, $23.99, www.publicaffairsbooks.com

Money alone doesn't solve everything. "Give Smart: Philanthropy That Gets Results" is a guide for business leaders and those with money who want to make the world a better place using some of their success to do so. But simply throwing money to charity isn't enough, Thomas J. Tierney & Joel L. Fleishman advise readers that using a bit of business sense can make philanthropy that much more effective. Advising business people to consider their beliefs, evaluating success, and much more, "Give Smart" takes good business sense and uses it for the greater good, highly recommended.

Your Brain and Business
Srinivasan S. Pillay
FT Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780137064441, $34.99, www.ftpress.com

We aren't that far departed from our ancestors who wondered at the pretty glow of fire, how are we suppose to cope with the complex nuances of business? "Your Brain and Business: The Neuroscience of Great Leaders" looks into the science behind good leadership as Srinivasan S. Pillay presents a study of the brain when it comes to being a good leader. With some remarkable ideas, Pillay delves into the psychology and presents many things to think about - quite literally - in pushing oneself to become a better leader in today's business world. An insightful and scholarly study, "Your Brain and Business" is an excellent pick, very highly recommended.

Transport Logistics
Issa Baluch
Ivy House Publishing Group
5122 Bur Oak Circle, Raleigh, NC 27612
9781571975089, $50.00, www.ivyhousebooks.com

The move of goods across long distances has been the catalyst for modern industrialized society. "Transport Logistics" discusses the formation of transportation systems internationally. Focusing on eleven countries form many countries across the planet, Issa Baluch & Charles Edwards trace the history of transport in commerce back to the wheel and how it has proven to be a driving force in business from the earliest days forward. The countries studied are as varied as many African nations trying to construct a modern economy to the established countries such as Canada. "Transport Logistics" is an insightful and useful study, not to be overlooked.

Seeing Red Cars
Laura Goodrich
Berrett-Koehler
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781605097275, $18.95, www.bk-life.com

What you see is what you get, and sometimes you just need to see better. "Seeing Red Cars: Driving Yourself, Your Team, and Your Organization to a Positive Future" is a business guide that focuses on the power of focus and positive thinking, as Laura Goodrich tells readers about the power of focus, and how subconsciously, our focus all too often is focused on the negative and we end up with negative results. Teaching readers on how to use their focus to push themselves and their company to the positive and using such thoughts well, "Seeing Red Cars" is a powerful read that definitely shouldn't be overlooked for those who want to understand that mind wins over matter, even in business.

Rip Off Your Necktie and Dance
Leen Zevenbergen
Global Professional Publishing
c/o Stylus Publishing
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9781906403690, $25.00, www.amazon.com

It's easy to follow the rules so well you become restrained by them. "Rip Off Your Necktie and Dance" is a guide to the rules and when to break them and revolutionize their business and try something different in that never ending search for success. Leen Zevenbergen offers much advice on embracing innovation and going against the corporate grain - not only for more profit, but for a lot more happiness in the workplace at well. "Rip Off Your Necktie and Dance" is a valuable resource, highly recommended.

100 SOA Questions Asked and Answered
Kerrie Holley & Dr. Ali Arsanjani
Prentice Hall Professional
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0137080204, $29.99, www.informit.com/ph

100 SOA Questions Asked and Answered is a recommendation for computer and business collections alike, but is reviewed here for its in-depth survey of the SOA paradigm for business environments. It explains SOA suitable for IT executives, considers governance and how SOA methods accelerate application development, considers standards and rules in SOA implementation, and much more. College-level business and computer collections will find this a key pick.

Branding Yourself
Erik Deckers & Kyle Lacy
Que
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0789747278, $19.99, www.quepublishing.com

BRANDING YOURSELF: HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO INVENT OR REINVENT YOURSELF is a 'must' for any business collection, covering the basics of choosing the best social media tools for self-promotion from reaching people on LinkedIn to using Twitter to share ideas and avoiding common social networking mistakes. Any who would use social media effectively to create and promote a 'brand' will find the many ideas here perfect for business applications.

Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
www.bk-life.com

R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr.'s WORLD CLASS DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT: A STRATEGIC APPROACH (9781605094502, $32.95) offers a fine contribution to the field of diversity management, offering coverage of the basic philosophies, principles and concepts of the field. This approach must be applicable to any possible issue anywhere in the world: college-level business readers receive an analysis of managing workforce demographic representation, talent, and strategic mixtures, considering the range of diversity management issues and how to achieve goals from specific strategies. A fine pick for any global business library. Laura Goodrich's SEEING RED CARS: DRIVING YOURSELF, YOUR TEAM, AND YOUR ORGANIZATION TO A POSITIVE FUTURE (9781605097275, $18.95) uses the red car as a metaphor for achievement. Add workplace dynamics and scientific research to explore why we fixate on negative thoughts and how our brains can be rewired to focus on positives and you have a fine survey that offers keys to locating positive personal and professional support systems that build cooperative corporate structures. Business managers will find this a winner!


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

All-Breed Dog Grooming
Kennel Club of Great Britain
TFH Publications
1 TFH Plaza
Third and Union Avenues, Neptunes, NJ 07753
9780793806478, $39.95, www.tfh.com

A good looking dog can boost the confidence of the master, as well as leave the dog feeling happy themselves. "All-Breed Dog Grooming" is a comprehensive guide designed to help readers groom their own dog with many breeds to get them to the point of looking their very best. Composed by dog breeding experts, over a hundred and fifty different breeds are covered with tips and tricks for grooming them well and keeping the coats healthy. "All-Breed Dog Grooming" is a highly useful resource for anyone who wants a do it yourself approach to keeping their dog clean, groomed, and happy.

Carting with Your Dog
Laura Waldbaum
Dogwise Publishing
403 S Mission St. Wenatchee, WA 98801
9781617810244, $14.95, www.dogwise.com

There are always plenty of new tricks one can teach their favorite furry friend. "Carting With Your Dog: Positive Draft Training for Fun and Competition" is a guide for teaching your dog to do their best ox impersonation and hitching a cart to the dog for fun not only for the owner, but the dog as well. With simple training, dogs can pull light loads without much stress on the canine. From gear to training tips to competition, "Carting with Your Dog" is a fine read with plenty to consider for dog lovers, highly recommended.

Wired Wilderness
Etienne Benson
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218
0801897106, $55.00, www.press.jhu.edu

WIRED WILDERNESS: TECHNOLOGIES OF TRACKING AND THE MAKING OF MODERN WILDLIFE tells of American wildlife biologists' efforts to track animals through radio transmitters: a process which began in the 1950s and went global thirty years later. It's surprising to note that this is the first book-length study of the origin and impact of these tracking technologies. It blends science, history and politics to consider how the practice was evolved and spread, and it explains how hunters, animal-rights activists and others evolved techniques and purposes for the technology. Interviews with wildlife biologists and engineers and case studies of conservation issues affected by the process make for an in-depth, revealing study.

Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell

ANESTHESIA FOR VETERINARY NURSES: 2ND EDITION edited by Liz Welsh (9781405186735, $71.99) has been written for veterinary nurses by vet nurses and surgeons and covers the physiological, pharmacological and physical aspects of anesthesia. It's been updated to reflect new changes in vet nursing qualifications, covering protocols, current terminology, and more. Any veterinary library will find this packed with color photos and specifics key to understanding veterinary nursing. The sixth updated edition edited by Gary M. Baxter of ADAMS & STASHAK'S LAMENESS IN HORSES (9780813815497, $174.99) includes a DVD with video clips and images and appears in full color with text substantially revised and edited to provide a new, simplified format. Vets receive valuable keys to the diagnosis and management of lameness in a fine survey which presents new and significantly rewritten chapters, discussions of therapies for lameness, and diagnostic procedures - expanded to reflect new advances in the science. Any vet working with horses simply must have this reference!


The Computer Shelf

Murach's ADO.NET 4, fourth edition
Anne Boehm & Ged Mead
Murach
4340 North Knoll Ave., Fresno, CA 93722-7825
9781890774622, $54.50, www.murach.com

Being on top of the latest technology is an excellent way to keep things flowing well. "Murach's ADO.NET 4 Database Programming with VB 2010: 4th Edition" is a guide to making the most of the upgrades in Visual Basic 2010 to create a fully functional database with ADO.NET 4. Designed as both a training guide and a reference resource, Anne Boehm & Ged Mead grant their vast expertise in walking readers in introducing the new changes in this edition of ADO.net, elaborate on the finer details of on designing an easy to use and efficient database through transactions and much more. "Murach's ADO.NET 4 Database Programming with VB 2010" is a complete and comprehensive text that shouldn't be overlooked for addition to computer and technology collections. Also from Murach is their comprehensive guide on ASP.NET 4, "Murach's ASP.NET 4 with VB 2010" (9781890774608, $54.50), providing the usual intensive coverage one expects from Murach's technology series.

Programming Amazon EC2
Jurg van Vliet & Flavia Paganelli
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
9781449393687, $34.99, www.oreilly.com

Programming Amazon EC2 is for any programmer looking to use Amazon Web Services to run applications in the cloud. This primer is basic to getting started: it covers many issues in cloud computing, from identifying AWS tools and migrating easy web applications to the cloud using EC2 to meeting traffic demands through scaling and using simple Queue Service to decouple an application. A 'must' for any cloud programmer or collection catering to them!

Quickbooks 2011
Leslie Capachietti
McGraw-Hill
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10121-2298
0071748598, $30.00, www.mhprofessional.com

QUICKBOOKS 2011: THE OFFICIAL GUIDE provides small business users with a fine key to fine-tuning the Quickbooks accounting program. From generating business reports and organizing finances and payroll to managing budgets and reconciling accounts, QUICKBOOKS 2011 packs in black and white screen shots with pages of specific details keyed to common business user processes. Computer and accounting collections will find this a fine guide to the latest Quickbook features!

IOS SDK Programming
James A. Brannan and Blake Ward
McGraw-Hill
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10121-2298
0071759085, $40.00, www.mhprofessional.com

IOS SDK Programming: A Beginner's Guide covers IOS 4.2 and Xcode 4 and tells how to create iPhone, iPad and iPod touch applications. From basic coding and debugging to using views, controllers, and more, this packs in step-by-step keys to creating apps using Objective-C and Apple's new Xcode 4. Learn how to integrate multimedia into apps and develop universal apps for all environments with this outstanding survey.

Open Source Web Applications for Libraries
Karen A. Coombs & Amanda J. Hollister
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford NJ 08055
9781573874007, $39.50, www.infotoday.com

Open Source Web Applications for Libraries addresses issues of accessibility, support, and dependability and covers a range of applications that can be used to improve library reference services for library users. Librarians receive a fine guide to choosing, installing and configuring popular open source web programs form Joomla to WordPress and more, and also receive a fine critical cross-comparison between applications and features. Any library manager needs this!

Software Testing Foundations, third edition
Andreas Spillner, Tilo Linz, Hans Schaefer
Rocky Nook
26 West Mission Street, Suite 3, Santa Barbara, CA 93102
9781933952789, $44.95, www.rockynook.com

Software Testing Foundations - A Study Guide for the Certified Tester Exam provides a winning survey from authors who are among the founders of the Certified Tester Syllabus. This revised, updated third edition teaches the entry level basics of software testing and is designed for self-study. Technical terms have been stated according to the revised, updated ISTQB glossary for this new edition.

Using JRuby
Charles O. Nutter, et.al.
Pragmatic Programmers
P.O. Box 293325, Lewisville, TX 75029-3325
9781934356654, $34.95, www.pragprog.com

USING JRUBY: BRINGING RUBY TO JAVA comes from the JRuby core team and shares insider tips on how to bring Ruby into the Java programming environment. From seamless Java interfaces to writing Ruby on Rails web applications that run on Java servers, this is for the Ruby or Java programmer who has the basics down and wants to produce Java programs using Ruby's best attributes. Developers will find this a top pick!

The Definitive Guide to HTML5 Video
Silvia Pfeiffer
Apress
233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013
9781430230908, $39.99, www.apress.com

Any collection strong in web development and HTML markup will find this professional reference a 'must have' acquisition. It covers all the latest features for web development with a focus on HTML Video, covering the basics of audio and video elements, how to integrate it into all the browsers, and how to use API for media. The chapters cover setup information, coding, scaling and more, and make this a top pick for any web developer's reference library!

Inside Microsoft SharePoint 2010
Ted Pattison, et.al.
Microsoft Press
9780735627468, $59.99, www.microsoft.com/mspress

Inside Microsoft SharePoint 2010 tells how to build custom SharePoint 2010 solutions and comes from expert authors who share knowledge of SharePoint architecture and code samples. From mastering development techniques for SharePoint Foundation to developing custom field types and querying SharePoint lists, this is packed with specific examples and references key to understanding the SharePoint 2010 environment. Any serious programmer's library needs this.

Clout
Colleen Jones
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0321733010, $34.99, www.newriders.com

CLOUT: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF INFLUENTIAL WEB CONTENT deserves a place on not only computer shelves but in many a business library, explaining the key principles of achieving influence and how to apply these ideas to web content. From how to create influence online to understanding the business value in creating compelling web content and assessing a web site for content value, this provides a top pick for any business seeking to understand the nature of web content and value.

Social Media ROI
Olivier Blanchard
QUE
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0789747413, $24.99, www.quepublishing.com

SOCIAL MEDIA ROI: MANAGING AND MEASURING SOCIAL MEDIA EFFORTS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION provides a fine key to bringing business pursuits into a social media program and making sure strategies and execution makes the right business impact. From structuring programs to managing crises, this provides an outstanding survey of social media pros, cons and digital brand management and will prove a top pick for any organization seeking to understand and properly manage social media in a business pursuit.

Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.informit.com/aw

Chris Sterling's MANAGING SOFTWARE DEBT: BUILDING FOR INEVITABLE CHANGE (0321554132, $49.99) comes from an Agile expert who shows how understanding software debt can help move products to market faster. From planning to minimize interest payments by paying off debt to blending emergent architecture into daily activities and scripting deployment and rollback, this packs in keys to better configuration management routines and test automation processes and is a top pick for any programmer's reference library. The LiveLessons video/book package RUBY ON RAILS 3 TUTORIAL (0132492547, $69.99) packs in a DVD with over eighteen hours of video instruction with the extensive paperback RUBY ON RAILS 3 TUTORIAL, effectively creating a personalized course in one package. The video instruction from technology experts uses leading Rails developer Michael Hart's own extensive background building RailsSpace, Inososhi and other applications to discuss design and implementation techniques that lend to better development. From building static pages to mastering Ruby programming, this is a 'must' for any Rails student. David Chisnall's OBJECTIVE-C PHRASEBOOK (0321743628, $29.99) is a pick if it's quick code essentials and commends you seek, providing a pocket-sized, at-a-glance reference. It's a carry-along pocket tote packed with over one hundred customizable code bits that can be used for nearly any situation, with chapters covering basics from understanding the ISA Pointer and reading type encodings to using closures and working with strings, connections and numbers. A 'must' for any Objective-C programmer! Russ Olsen's ELOQUENT RUBY (0321584104, $39.99) is a fine pick for any Ruby collection, covering the basics of writing not just correct but superior Ruby code. Learn to write code that looks like Ruby - not Java or other code - and understand Ruby's unique attributes and why it pays to build code based on its strengths. Chapters cover methods, working with modules, migration, equality methods and more.


The Poetry Shelf

The Inner Sky
Rainer Maria Rilke, author
Damion Searls, translator
David R. Godine, Publisher
PO Box 450, Jaffrey, NH 03452
9781567923889 $17.95 www.godine.com

The Inner Sky is a collection of prose and poetry selections by classic European author Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), many of which have never been translated into English before. NEA and PEN award-winning translator Damion Searls has rendered them fluidly, opposite their French and German originals in this superb bilingual edition. An extraordinary anthology of glimpses into a mind of a legendary wordsmith, The Inner Sky is highly recommended especially for college library literature collections. "We all need warm rains like the one that's been / flooding down the past few nights, - / this must be how heaven lays its hands / on the soft stringed instruments of our souls / so that, within them, spring can begin. / Then leave the wind / alone, with your song, / don't be scared that the wind will tear it from you: / out of your first fear comes nothing but peace / when you see how your song has taken wing.

Without Anesthesia
Ales Debeljak
Persea Books
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
9780892553655, $20.00, www.perseabooks.com

Through Eastern Europe, we gain a similar yet alien perspective of life. "Without Anesthesia" is a collection of poetry from Ales Debeljak, a poet of Slovenia who has seen how much of the world lives, and blends them in for the first time in English, two of his previous volumes of work. Deftly translated from the original Slovenian by Andrew Zawacki, "Without Anesthesia" is a wise read and very much worth considering for world poetry collections.

Voices from the Bitter Core
Ursula Krechel
Host Publications
277 Boradway, Suite 210, New York, NY 10007
9780924047657, $40.00

The epic poem has not been the favored form of story telling for quite some years, but it can be used quite well. "Voices from the Bitter Core" is an epic poem in twelve parts from German poet Ursula Krechel, who shares her thoughts and dreams on the flow of history's many years and what connects humanity through it all. "Voices from the Bitter Core" is an expert translation done by Amy Kepple Strawser, and makes for a very thoughtful and highly recommended read.

Lovers of the Lost
Wesley McNair
David R. Godine
PO Box 450, Jaffrey, NH 03452
9781567923988, $17.95, www.godine.com

Poetry, like all art, seeks to tell a story all its own. "Lovers of the Lost" is a collection of poetry from Wesley McNair, presenting some of his favored works alongside with some of his newest creations. Looking into the insights of the soul and the stories of our lives and the characters around it, "Lovers of the Lost" is a fine read and a strong pick for poetry readers. "Where I Live": You will come into an antique town/whose houses move apart/as if you'd interrupted/a private discussion. This is the place/you must pass through to get there./Imagining lives tucked in like china plates, continue driving./Beyond the landscaped streets,/beyond the last colonial gas station/and unsolved by zoning,/is a road. It will take you/to old farmhouses and trees/with car-tire swings./Signs will announce hairdressing/and nightcrawlers./The timothy grass will run beside you/all the way to where I live.

Dog Days
Linda Coggin
Zero Books
c/o National Book Network
PO Box 62188, Baltimore, MD 21264-2188
9781846945472, $12.95, www.zero-books.net

Simplicity often hides complexity. "Dog Days" is an anthology of poetry from Linda Coggin as he offers a compilation of life and wisdom through poetry, as he hopes to expose that said complexity that hides behind our life. With a unique style and voice, "Dog Days" is an excellent pick, a core addition for any general poetry collection. "Letting Go": We let her go/like a large fish/grasping for air/all fight gone./We made small gestures/of comfort/water on the lips/morphine in the veins/pillows banked./We combed her hair./And when we weren't looking/she slipped away/back into the dark waters/of the night.

A Few of Her Secrets
George Bradley
Wayweiser Press
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781904130420, $16.95, www.amazon.com

The secrets of our lives leave us pondering it all more. "A Few of Her Secrets" is a collection of poetry from George Bradley who comes at readers with a wide array of thoughts and candidness. Speaking on everything from 9/11 to the horrors of finding the truth, "A Few of Her Secrets" is well worth considering for any literary poetry lover. "The Prophet Joel on the Division of Labor": It is written your young men shall see visions,/And what else should they see,/Swept by flood tides of futurity/To irrational extremes/Of foresight; your old men shall dream dreams,/For which redundancy,/Those various elaborated evasions/Of memory and art, it seems/They have been at last provided reasons.

Unbeknownst
Julie Hanson
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House, Iowa City, IA 52242
9781587299643, $17.00, www.uiowapress.org

With real practical wisdom and a certain mindset about life, Julie Hanson's work captured her an Iowa Poetry Prize and a bit of fame. "Unbeknownst" is a collection of simple and straight forward wisdom in poetry, as she offers verse about life and everything else that is anything but simple. "Unbeknownst" is well worth adding to any poetry collection. "Larger": The female cardinal isn't the least bit/disappointed that the shade of red she is brown./She looks at him and thinks, Aren't we gorgeous?/Disappointment is a theme too available to me./Judgment, another./Would that I were rid of them.//I always turn to look too late into the leaves./Of course there is the one remedy./ Wait.

Having a Little Talk with Capital P
Jim Daniels
Carnegie Mellon
5032 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15289-1021
9780887485312, $15.95, www.amazon.com

Jim Daniels has fostered a certain love for poetry with his twelfth volume, "Having a Little Talk with Capital P", who despite his experience, comes with a simple to understand yet serene writing with his work. With a certain understanding and dedication to reality, "Having a Little Talk with Capital P" is an excellent anthology that shouldn't be overlooked. "The Tenured Guy Handles the Evidence": In a class full of smooth faces/hers cracked into lines/like your own.//She's a sing-songy rhymer:/"Drunk Drivers Go to Jail."/God would get them/for killing innocents. Don't preach,/you told her, My son, she said,/was killed by a drunk driver.//That's truth. It's what I feel./You gave her the standard advice:/Show don't Tell. Image over//Abstraction. She brings in pictures of her son, and a pile/of his clothes -- dumps them//on your desk with a drop slip.

These Mountains
Rivka Miriam
Toby
PO Box 8531, New Milford, CT 06676-8531
9781592642496, $14.95, www.tobypress.com

To hear voices around the world is to better understand the voices. "These Mountains: Selected Poems of Rivka Miriam" is a collection of work from celebrated and prolific poet Rivka Miriam, who has been pushing poetry throughout her life. Award winning, she offers a unique perspective of a second generation Holocaust survivor and woman of Israel. "These Mountains" is an excellent collection, very much worth considering. "Oh, My Mother": Oh, my mother, whose milk bleats like a lamb,/Oh, My mother, whose milk is pure as she,/Oh, my mother, who keeps her milk from the blade/Who holds it to her breasts/so it won't be slaughtered.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Burning Lake
Brent Ghelfi
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., Ste. 103
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Mary Glenn McCombs (publicity)
2817 West End Avenue, Suite 126-274
Nashville, TN 37203
9781590589250, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Putin's assault on free speech is one that is not a mystery. "The Burning Lake" is the fourth novel following Alexei Volkovoy, who is disgusted by the latest hit against a journalist. Volk is set to investigate this murder and get down to it as he finds himself hating yet loyal to his country as he enters into an international intrigue with potential nuclear crisis on the line. A modern spy novel of facing danger from every side with a certain code of honor, "The Burning Lake" is something to be picked up and not put down until it's done.

Deadly Ties
Vicki Hinze
Multnomah Waterbrook
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
9781601422064, $13.99, www.waterbrookmultnomah.com

Tragedy opens a wound for cruelty to fester. "Deadly Ties" tells the story of Lisa Harper, a young girl who loses her father. Her mother, desperate to give her a life worth living, jumps into the arms of Dutch, a man who turns out to be the worst mistake that Lisa's mother ever made, driving a wedge between Lisa and her mother. With peaceful reunion on the horizon, a family squabble spins into something more, as law and organized crime clash on there behalf, and Lisa seeks to find love as well as family. "Deadly Ties" is a riveting novel of suspense that should prove very hard to put down.

Murder in Black and White
Loretta Jackson & Vickie Britton
Avalon
160 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780803477193, $23.95, www.amazon.com

Some grudges never die, even when decades have passed. "Murder in Black and White" is a mystery following Sheriff Jeff McQuede as the most unusual burglary occurs, when a single black and white photo is found and soon enough, bodies begin to show up. McQuede finds himself rushing to find the man in the photographs and learn the connections before more people turn up dead. "Murder in Black and White" is a riveting old-school style mystery that is as fun as it is entertaining.

Spyder
David Fingerman
L&L Dream Spell
9781603182645, $14.95, www.lldreamspell.com

Going straight and getting a job isn't the easiest thing in the world to do. "Spyder" follows rough and criminal Spyder as he attempts to become normal, a task that isn't easy for a drug dealer coping with a dead girlfriend (who he's at fault for) and plenty of people who prefer he keep up that career in his life. As he realizes how deep he is in and sees that crawling out may be impossible, "Spyder" is a read that mirrors the reality of the underworld, very highly recommended reading.

The Camera Never Lies
Elizabeth Goddard
Barbour
PO Box 719, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
9781602606272, $10.99, www.barbourbooks.com

There's more to a portrait than taking a snapshot. "The Camera Never Lies" follows professional photographer Polly Perkins as she copes with his somewhat dull family portrait business. But when she takes her trade to a friend's wedding, the dullness of the portrait business will be welcomed, as it's on her to solve a murder before another body shows up. "The Camera Never Lies" is an excellent read and very highly recommended.

He Trots the Air
Marilyn M. Fisher
Bedside Books
c/o American Book Publishing
5442 So. 900 East, #146, Salt Lake City, UT 84117-7204
9781589827943, $19.95, www.american-book.com

Horse racing can attract a bit of foul play. "He Trots the Air" is another Connie Holt mystery from Marilyn M. Fisher as she delves deeper into the equine world as Connie finds out who is drugging horses and finds herself pulled into the art world as well, as surrounding man's constant companion. For horse lovers and mystery lovers, "He Trots the Air" should prove quite the excellent pick.


The Sports Shelf

Golf Foreplay
Ken Altshuler
Sellers Publishing
161 John Roberts Road, South Portland, ME 04106
9781416206293, $15.95, www.sellerspublishing.com

Golf has never been a game of brawn and strength, but of technique - something that can be learned. "Golf Foreplay: Everything You Need to Know About the Game -- Before You Try to Hit The Sweet Spot" is a guide to those who want to get a mental leg up on the challenges of the sport. From history to etiquette, to tips on technique, choosing your gear, and evaluating your handicap, "Golf Foreplay" is an everything you need to know guide to not look like a complete chump when you step onto the golf course.

Mile Markers
Kristin Armstrong
Rodale Books
400 South 10th St., Emmaus, PA 18098-0099
9781609611064, $17.99, www.rodalebooks.com

MILE MARKERS: THE 26.2 MOST IMPORTANT REASONS WHY WOMEN RUN considers the foundations of running and considers the reasons why women have become runners for sport. To Kristin Armstrong, running parallels the milestones of life: her blend of memoir and running insights generate stories of universal connections in a presentation key to women's issues, sports and general lending collections alike.

Between the Hedges
Stephen Davison
The Black Staff Press
c/o DuFour
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9780856408564, $34.95, www.blackstaffpress.com

There's a certain allure of long distance road racing has that a simple oval track can't reproduce. "Between the Hedges: A Celebration of 40 Years of Road Racing" is a collection of full color photos focusing on motorcycle road racing in the United Kingdom, looking at the machines, the people riding them, and the allure of the people attracted to the event. Discussing these favorite tracks throughout the region, "Between the Hedges" is a strongly recommended photography book for anyone seeking to gain an understanding of this phenomena that is familiar yet foreign to Americans.

The Runmakers
Frederick E. Taylor
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421400105 $24.95 www.press.jhu.edu

The Runmakers offers a new way to analyze baseball statistics. Lifelong baseball fan Frederick E. Taylor presents the concept of potential runs per game (PRG), a calculation that takes into account batters getting on base, advancing runners, and driving in runs; PRG also distinguishes between leadoff and second batters from those in the middle of the order. The Runmakers walks the reader through the statistical system step by step, and also divides the history of major league baseball into eight eras, according to differences in runs scored per game. Taylor compares the results of the PRG to those calculated from other statistics, player-by-player and position-by- position, leading to the conclusion that the PRG is more accurate overall and debunking the widely held concept of clutch hitting. The Runmakers is an absolute "must-have" for anyone who loves to analyze the ins and outs of baseball and its star players.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Compelled to Write
David L. Wallace
Utah State University
7800 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322
9780874218121, $26.95, www.usupress.com

In the face of something not quite right, a writer leaps to the chance to write. "Compelled to Write: Alternative Rhetoric in Theory and Practice" looks at many people throughout the world who dared to speak up when there were many who wanted them silenced. From the women's right to speak, to trying to rise above stereotypical societal roles, to fighting for civil rights from the position of one who at first sight wouldn't have such issues affecting them. "Compelled to Write" takes the story of four such writers including names like Frederick Douglass and David Sedaris, to offer the drive behind writing, and how the pen can make a difference.

The Low-Residency MFA Handbook
Lori A. May
Continuum
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704, New York, NY 10038
9781441198440, $19.95, www.continuumbooks.com

A Master of Fine Arts degree is something quite prestigious to achieve, but it isn't always easy to cease your career to pursue it. "The Low-Residency MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Creative Writing Students" is an advisory for those who are pursuing their MFA and want to use the low-residency route to this level of degree. Made up of several brief residencies throughout the pursuit, Lori A. May fully describes what is required for to make this work, drawing on those who have experienced this on their route to their MFA. "The Low-Residency MFA Handbook" is a must for anyone trying to push their creative writing educational credentials to the next level.

Hinges
Grace Dane Mazur
AK Peters
5 Commonwealth Road, Suite 2C, Natick, MA 01760
9781568817156, $29.95, www.akpeters.com

What are the limits of our imagination? They exist, but can we even comprehend them? "Hinges: Meditation on the Portals of Imagination" is an analysis of the drive of the creative, that those who dare enter it and what spurs them to create and push forward their ideas to make the most of everything around them. Grace Dane Mazur, as she asks the questions of why, the many whys that surround us and tries to find some semblance of reason behind it all. "Hinges" is an utterly fascinating read that explores the mind and what pushes us to create when we're already facing so much.


The Automotive Shelf

Monopoly on Wheels
William Greenleaf
Wayne State University Press
4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814335123, $24.95, www.wsupress.wsu.edu

Henry Ford changed America forever with his drive for business. "Monopoly on Wheels: Henry Ford and the Selden Automobile Patent" traces the history of the rise of Henry Ford's monopoly and the legal challenge of George Selden, who patented a design for a motorized carriage before the automobile industry began to take off. Telling the story of this challenge and how Henry Ford led the charge against him and its effects that are felt to this day, "Monopoly on Wheels" is a fascinating piece of history dealing with one of the most important events of the twentieth century.


The Travel Shelf

Cafe Life Sydney
Tamata Thiessen
Interlink Books
46 Crosby Street, Northampton, MA 01060-1804
9781566568265, $20.00, www.interlinkbooks.com

There's more to it than a good cup of coffee. "Cafe Life Sydney: A Guide to the Neighborhood Cafes of Australia's Harbour City" is a blend of travel guide and photography from Tamata Thiessen as she offers a tour of the best coffee houses in Sydney and what they offer besides a pick me up. With full color photos and a history of each establishment, "Cafe Life Sydney" is an excellent pick for any soon to be Australia traveler.

Tourist Trains Guidebook, third edition
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871164308, $19.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

The third updated edition of Tourist Trains Guidebook is for any seeking to travel on one of nearly five hundred trains across the U.S. and Canada. Reviews of 195 leading museums and tourist trains and listings of nearly three hundred more train sites are packed into a title that includes a discount card offering savings at over seventy train attractions, making this a 'must' for any rail buff planning a train trip.

A Travel Guide to the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake
Ralph E. Eshelman
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
www.press.jhu.edu www.amazon.com
9780801898365 $65.00 hc
9780801898372 $24.95 pbk

A Travel Guide to the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake is designed expressly to help plan historic tours along the waters and shores of the Chesapeake Bay, where Americans battled the British in the War of 1812 to protect the freedom and independence earned in the Revolution. Recommended trips by car, bike, foot, or boat are organized geographically, and presented with black-and-white photographs and maps. Packed with invaluable information concerning the addresses, phone numbers, websites, parking availability, hours of operation and entrance fees for a wide variety of sites, A Travel Guide to the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake lives up to its title and is very highly recommended for the history-minded Chesapeake vacationer.

Road Biking Ohio
Celeste Baumgartner
Falcon Guides
c/o Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 489, Guilford, CT 06437
9780762739639, $16.95, www.falcon.com

A good bike route is accommodating yet presents quite the scenery. "Road Biking: Ohio" is a detailed guide highlighting the best paths throughout the state to present bike enthusiasts with trips that will challenge them as well as let them soak in the nature around them. Outlining the hazards that each of the paths offer, detours, lodging, and much more, "Road Biking: Ohio" is a must for anyone with a love of biking who lives in or will be in Ohio.

Chicago City Guide
Karla Zimmerman
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781741794120, $18.99, www.amazon.com

The Second city has plenty to see and enjoy for the traveler looking to call it home or just passing through. "Chicago City Guide" is a tourism guide from Lonely Planet, explaining the many sights and sounds that await any who want to see what Chi-Town has to offer. From beer tasting to its legendary pizza, everything from artistic sights and sounds, pop culture curiosities, sports, lodging, and much more. "Chicago City Guide" is an excellent tourism guide, something to keep on hand as you travel through Chicago.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Fool's Journey
Cynthia Campbell Williams
Angel House
c/o Stark House Press
2200 O Street, Eureka, CA 95501
9781933586373, $15.96, www.amazon.com

The Tarot have more behind them then simply some cards. "The Fool's Journey: Tarot Tales for Modern Minds" is a collection of stories focused on the many archetypes found in the Tarot Major Arcana and the lessons it has to teach us all. Good, evil, wisdom, foolishness are just some of the explored ideas that have much to entertain as they have to educate. "The Fool's Journey" is a fun read and highly recommended.


The Self-Help Shelf

The Winner's Brain
Jeff Brown & Mark Fenske
Da Capo Press
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738214696, $15.00, www.dacapopress.com

Is success all in the mind? "The Winner's Brain: 8 Strategies Great Minds Use to Achieve Success" discusses the mindset of successful people and advises them to embrace these ideas and habits to push themselves towards success far more often in their lives. Risk and reward, staying focused, good memory, and health are all important factors which can keep one successful even after a string of failures. "The Winner's Brain" is a highly recommended read for anyone who wants to put positive thinking to good business.


The Philosophy Shelf

In Search of Civilization
John Armstrong
Graywolf Press
250 Third Avenue North, Suite 600
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781555975807, $24.00, www.graywolfpress.org

Civilization is a term that has become hardly civilized. "In Search of Civilization: Remaking a Tarnished Idea" is a discussion of civilization and the very definition of the word. Too long it has been used as elitism, snubbing less technologically advanced cultures or cultures that are simply different. Author John Armstrong discusses the ideas and seeks to remind people that culture and civilization has many faces and definitions, using personal experience to blend in memoir to make for an intriguing read. "In Search of Civilization" is an enlightening and thoughtful read that will be hard to overlook.

What Place for the A Priori?
Michael J. Shaffer and Michael L. Veber, editors
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812696608 $44.95 www.opencourtbooks.com

What Place for the A Priori? is an anthology of essays by philosophers grappling with a conundrum dating back to at least the time of Plato and Aristotle: does "a priori" knowledge (that is, knowledge that does not require any appeal to experience) exist, and if so, how does it relate to other types of knowledge? Individual essays include "Evidence-based Psychotherapy: Values and the A Priori", "The Philosophical Insignificance of A Priori Knowledge", "A Dilemma for Naturalized Epistemology?", "A Priori Conjectural Knowledge in Physics: The Comprehensibility of the Universe" and much more. The result is a scholarly anthology that applies rigorous reasoning to an age-old contemplative prospect, and an excellent addition to college library philosophy collections.

Dune and Philosophy
Jeffery Nicholas
Open Court
70 East Lake Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812697155, $19.95, www.opencourt.com

Dune has gained quite the following, and it's for more than being entertaining. "Dune and Philosophy: Weirding Way of the Mentat" breaks down Dune and the philosophy that was woven into it by its famed author Frank Herbert. From concerns of genetics, religion, politics, the pressures of scarce resources, the concepts explored by scientific resurrection, and much more, "Dune and Philosophy" is a fine compilation of literary studies and philosophy and provides much to think about for both fans of the novels and speculative philosophers as well.

Strange Wonder
Mary-Jane Rubenstein
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd St., New York NY 10023
9780231146333, $26.50, www.cup.columbia.edu

College-level students in philosophy will find STRANGE WONDER: THE CLOSURE OF METAPHYSICS AND THE OPENING OF AWE provides a powerful survey of Western philosophy's ambivalent relationship to daily life and wonder. It traces the work of Martin Heidegger, Jean-Luc Nancy and others, using the theme of wonder as a focus on thinking that leads to transformation and change. Religion, metaphysics and philosophy blend in a scholarly discourse highly recommended for any college-level collection.


The Audiobook Shelf

The Noel Coward Collection
L.A. Theatre Works
681 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291
1580817955 $69.95 www.latw.org

L.A. Theatre Works never disappoints in its high-quality presentations of plays in audiobook form. The Noel Coward Collection gathers the live performances of six classic Noel Coward comedy plays into a collection of 12 audio CDs. Talented theatrical performers such as Annette Bening, Eric Stoltz, and Shirley Knight bring the joy, drama, romantic tension and tangled action to vivid life. The presented plays are "Fallen Angels", "Hay Fever", "Private Lives", "Design for Living", "Present Laughter", and "Blithe Spirit". An exclusive bonus disc offers two infrequently performed short plays, "Design for Rehearsing" and "Age Cannot Wither", as well as two conversations about Noel Coward and his work with Barry Day of the Noel Coward Foundation and John Lahr of The New Yorker. The Noel Coward Collection is a superb rendition of timeless theater, and a worthy addition to public library audiobook collections. Highly recommended. 12 CDs, 607 min. Also a choice pick from L.A. Theater Works is the recently released "The Moliere Collection".

The Life and Works of Franz Liszt
Jeremy Siepmann, author
Read by Jeremy Siepmann with Neville Jason as Liszt
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28, Franklin, TN 37064
9781843795087 $17.98 www.naxosaudiobooks.com

The Life and Works of Franz Liszt is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of a biography of Franz Liszt, possibly the greatest 19th century pianist of Europe. Liszt's love affairs were nearly as legendary as his passion for music, and his generosity to young musicians earned widespread admiration. A superb portrait of a one-of-a-kind artist, brought to life with the dual performances of author Jeremy Siepmann (formerly Head of Music at the BBC World Service) and Neville Jason, The Life and Works of Franz Liszt is especially recommended for public library audiobook collections. 2 CDs, 2 hours 35 min. 52 sec.

All My Life
Susan Lucci with Laura Morton
Read by Susan Lucci
Harper Audio
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062087706 $39.99 www.harpercollins.com

All My Life is the unabridged audiobook memoir of Emmy-award winning actress Susan Lucci, well-known for performing the role of Erica Kane in the television show "All My Children". Lucci speaks of her life from early childhood, to the demands of delivering the performance of Erica Kane, to finding the love of her life and the "Cinderella moment" of earning an Emmy. As inspirational as it is revealing, All My Life is a treasure celebrating human resolve and perseverance, and especially recommended to anyone who has loved the show "All My Children" or the exceptional actress who helped make it so popular. 10 CDs, 12 1/4 hours.

Pale Demon
Kim Harrison
Publicity Department
Blackstone Audiobooks
PO Box 969, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781441776280, $118.00, www.amazon.com

Rachel Morgan is just any witch, she's a bounty hunting witch who is condemned by the witches' council for having practiced black magic -- even if it was in a good cause! "Pale Demon" by Kim Harrison is a riveting fantasy novel set in a modern world in which elves, fairies, pixies, demons, gargoyles, and all manner of magic are a part of everyday life. This complete and unabridged (18 hours on 14 compact discs) Blackstone Audiobooks production is technically flawless and features the impressive narrative skills of Marguerite Gavin. The result is a true 'theatre of the mind' experience and especially recommended for community library audio book collections in general, and fantasy fans in particular!

L.A. Theatre Works
681 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291
$25.95 each www.latw.org 1-800-708-8863

Full-cast performances of two acclaimed plays have been transformed into unabridged audiobooks on CD by L.A. Theatre Works. Alan Ayckbourn's "HenceForward..." (1580818021, 2 CDs, 143 min.) is set in the near future; a composer unable to find his muse seeks to reconcile with his estranged wife and daughter, in hopes of creating his greatest masterpiece yet. But his own unreliable nature is his biggest hurdle to resolving family matters as well as embarking on creative labors. Moliere's "The Bungler" (1580818048, 2 CDs, 115 min.), translated by Richard Wilbur, is an extraordinary classic play set in 17th century Sicily. The crafty valet Mascarille strives to help his employer Lelie win the heart of his beloved, but Lelie's phenomenal stupidity undercuts Mascarille's plans at every turn! The cycle of complex plans foiled by idiotic foul-ups escalates to a breaking point in this superb production of fantastic farce, enriched by a bonus interview with Mechele Leon (Associate Professor of Classical and Contemporary French Theatre, University of Kansas). Both audiobooks are especially recommended as excellent additions to public library collections.

Lost Temple
Tom Harper, author
Francis Greenslade, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd, Jackson, ME 04921
9781742148403 $98.95 www.bolinda.com

Lost Temple is the audiobook adaptation of a dramatic and dangerous adventure. Sam Grant, a disgraced ex-special ops soldier who has adopted his survival skills to free-lance work, has been entrusted with the secrets of an archaeologist's life's work - transcripts of mysterious writing hidden within a cave on Crete. If the writing were to be translated, it could reveal the path to a discovery of unimaginable proportions. Both the CIA and the KGB want to get their hands on it. With the aid of a genius Oxford professor and a beautiful Greek archaeologist with a mysterious past, Grant must race against time to solve the mystery before the secrets hidden within the writing manifest as one of the deadliest threats to the modern world! Theater and television performer Francis Greenslade brings this exciting and highly recommended audio odyssey to rousing life. 10 CDs, 12 hours 9 minutes.

To Catch a King
Jack Higgins
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
1441844910, $29.99, www.brillianceaudio.com

To Catch a King receives a fine performance by Michael Page as it tells of 1940, where Hitler's war machine is sparking revenge, betrayal, and dangerous political alignments. Intrigue and betrayal permeates a political thriller that tells of a Gestapo agent hunt and a dangerous race against time - all set against the backdrop of a thriller that's hard to set aside.

The Language of Emotions
Karla McLaren
Sounds True
Box 8010, Boulder CO 80306
9781591797739, $69.95, www.soundstrue.com

THE LANGUAGE OF EMOTIONS: WHAT YOUR FEELINGS ARE TRYING TO TELL YOU provides a fine 6-CD audio learning course keyed to linking emotions to inner wisdom. Emotions contain important information that can reveal creative solutions to any situation: empathic counselor and researcher Karla McLaren has developed a set of tools to handle life's stresses based on exploring emotions and feeling states through experiential exercises. A fine pick for any who would better understand the underlying power of emotions.

The Investment Answer
Daniel C. Goldie, CFA, CFP & Gordon S. Murray
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.hachetteaudio.com
9781611138726, $18.98, www.amazon.com

THE INVESTMENT ANSWER: LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR MONEY & PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE covers the five key decisions every investor needs to make, receives a vivid reading by L.J. Ganser, and is a jargon-free survey for a range of investors. Any who would understand successful investments will relish this discussion of the five decisions and choices that can lead to safe ways of managing money. Any audio collection strong in money management needs this!


The Biography Shelf

The Autobiography of Margaret E.P. Gordon 1866-1966
Margaret E.P. Gordon, author
Claudia Bushman, editor
Utah State University Press
7800 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322
9780874217841 $34.95 www.USUPress.org

The Autobiography of Margaret E.P. Gordon 1866-1966 is the firsthand testimony of a true pioneer woman with a sharp mind for accuracy and detail. Her original memoir was further edited, framed and crystalized through the meticulous research of her descendant Claudia Bushman. The result is the story of a strong-willed and truly remarkable woman, extensively enhanced with a wealth of footnotes clarifying key points. A handful of vintage black-and-white photographs further enriches this autobiography that superbly captures the challenges of survival in America, let alone prosperity, from the frontier years to the repercussions of two world wars and beyond. Highly recommended.

Before We Went Wireless
Ivor Hughes & David Ellis Evans
Images from the Past
PO Box 137, Bennington, VT 05201
9781884592539, $35.00, www.imagesfromthepast.com

Wireless technology caught on well before the twenty first century. "Before We Went Wireless: David Edward Hughes FRS, His Life, Inventions, and Discoveries, 1829-1900" looks at the man who helped make telegraphs wireless, offering the first step into the medium before radio and television pushed it further and it became what it is today. A man who was at first a musician, David Edward Hughes' story is as remarkable as it is important in the development of modern technology, following his journey into making what no one thought possible. "Before We Went Wireless" is an excellent addition to biography collections with a focus on technology history.

Life of Andrew Jackson
John S. Jenkins
Attic Books
c/o New Leaf Publishing Group
PO Box 726, Green Forest, AR 72638
9780890516034, $19.99, www.attic-books.net

Andrew Jackson is one of the most controversial figures in early American history. "Life of Andrew Jackson" was a biography written about the man in 1850, thirteen years after the former president's death. A faithful reproduction of the era, this provides a more contemporary and historical perspective of this figure's work and the immediate response of the American people. "Life of Andrew Jackson" tells the story of a remarkable historical figure through a perspective rarely used.

The World's Richest Man
Jerry Wolman
Heritage Special Edition
c/o 3rd and Long Productions
11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 112, Rockville, MD 20852
1934696455, $25.95, www.jerrywolman.com

From nothing to everything is the essence of the American Dream. "The World's Richest Man: The Remarkable True Story of a Man Who Dreamed of Soaring and Touched the Lives of Thousands..." is an autobiography covering the life of Jerry Wolman, who went from a simple man of construction to owning the Philadelphia Eagles and becoming a local celebrity. But no greatness lasts forever. Poignant and to the point, "The World's Richest Man" is a rags to riches to rags story with a lot of simple wisdom that shouldn't be overlooked.

Long Shot
Sylvia Harris
Ecco Press
10 East 53rd St. New York NY 10022
9780061714443, $25.99, www.amazon.com

LONG SHOT: MY BIPOLAR LIFE AND THE HORSES WHO SAVED ME recounts the author's lifelong struggles with bipolar disorder and how she finally found peace and better equilibrium through a friendship with horses. Sylvia Harris tried everything form drugs to Buddhist chanting before she found her peace in friendship with horses. Her discovery of the healing power to be found working with horses would change her life and provide her with stability and joy in this powerful account, recommended for any general or health lending library.

The George Carlin Letters
Sally Wade
Gallery Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781451607765, $26.00, www.simonandschuster.com

George Carlin is best remembered for his humor, but here Carlin's significant other recalls his persona life off-stage and provides a fine survey paired with rare writings and artwork by the late comedian. The combination, which focuses on her romance with the author, makes for a moving account of love and professional growth. Even better: the account pairs color photos with facing full-page reproductions of the letters between the two. General-interest collections will find this an appealing pick.


The Gardening Shelf

Fine Gardening Tips for Container Gardening
Editors of Fine Gardening
Taunton Press
63 South Main Street
PO Box 5507, Newtown, CT 06470-5507
9781600853401, $19.95, www.taunton.com

When you don't leave the soil to the power of nature, your must emulate it with your own care. "Fine Gardening: Tips for Container Gardening" is a guide for those who are using separate containers to grow their chosen gardens for whatever purpose, be it flowers, vegetables, herbs, and much more. With a certain gardening wisdom, the editors of Fine Gardening magazine will guide readers through everything they need to know to make colorful, beautiful, useful, and efficient gardening when using containers instead of natural soil. "Fine Gardening" is a thoughtful read, very highly recommended.

Your Farm in the City
Lisa Taylor
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
151 West 19th St., New York NY 10011
9781579128623, $18.95, www.blackdogandleventhal.com

Your Farm in the City: An Urban Dweller's Guide to Growing Food and Raising Animals provides a key to raising city-friendly livestock and is written for city and suburban dwellers who want ideas for successful urban agriculture based on programs tested around the country. From the best, easiest-to-grow high-yield fruits and veggies to breeds of chickens, goats and rabbits that thrive in small spaces, this pairs organic gardening techniques with keys to successful crop management.

Bees, Wasps, and Ants
Eric Grissel
Timber Press
135 SW - 2nd Ave #450, Portland, OR 97204-3527
9780881929881, $27.95, www.timberpress.com

BEES, WASPS, AND ANTS: THE INDISPENSABLE ROLE OF HYMENOPTERA IN GARDENS provides an excellent reference explaining how gardeners can encourage these beneficial insects in the garden. From the impact of insects on our lives to their biology and families, this is packed with detailed information tailored to gardener and growing interests, and thus is recommended for home and garden collections as well as any science library.

Public Garden Management
Donald A. Rakow & Sharon A. Lee
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
9780470532133, $80.00, www.amazon.com

Public Garden Management: A Complete Guide to the Planning and Administration of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta is a pick for any college-level architectural landscape collection, and provides a blend of professional reference and textbook that shows how to maintain a sustainable public garden. From ways to conduct outreach and build garden programs to fund-raising, membership development and designing a public garden, this is packed with ideas for successful implementation.

Sepp Holzer's Permaculture
Sepp Holzer
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
PO Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001-0428
9781603583701 $29.95 www.chelseagreen.com

Sepp Holzer's Permaculture: A Practical Guide to Small-Scale, Integrative Farming and Gardening outlines the farming methods of author Sepp Holzer, who cultivates over 100 acres on the steep mountains of Austria, 5,000 feet above sea level. Emphasis is placed on key principles of permaculture - cultivating a diversity of crops (rather than just focusing on one), ecological sustainability, wasting as few resources as possible, and promoting overall hardiness and self- sufficiency in a modern era where cheap energy, stable climates, and surplus fertilizer can no longer be the expected norm. Chapters address issues of landscape design, how pigs can fit into a permaculture system ("On the Krameterhof, where there is a great deal of rough terrain and the soil is so stony in some places that it cannot be ploughed, the pigs are indispensable as living ploughs"), tips for cultivating fruit trees and mushrooms, garden-specific advice, and more. Enhanced with color photography throughout, Sepp Holzer's Permaculture is a hands-on, extremely useful guide enthusiastically recommended for gardeners and small farmers everywhere.


The Military Shelf

Grab Their Belts To Fight Them
Warren Wilkins
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591149613 $35.95 www.navalinstitute.org

Grab Their Belts To Fight Them: The Viet Cong's Big-Unit War Against the U.S., 1965-1966 is an analytical study of the early battles of the war between the Communist Vietnamese and the South Vietnamese and American forces, with especial attention paid to the tactics and strategies used by the Communist Vietnamese. In 1965 and 1966, the Communist Vietnamese forces adopted an aggressive tactic of "big unit" combat, intended to quickly and thoroughly yield a decisive victory. Yet the Communist Vietnamese did not have the firepower or mobility to support their offensive strategy, and their failure would force them to change tactics - as well as inducing the decision to launch the Tet Offensive. Grab Their Belts To Fight Them draws heavily upon an abundance of Communist sources to reinforce its portrait of the Communist Vietnamese perspective, including but not limited to Communist memoirs, unit histories, battlefield studies and reconstructions, and much more. The result is an absolutely invaluable contribution to military history shelves, especially those with a focus on the Vietnam War.

A Warrior's Quilt of Personal Military History
Brigadier General Albin F. Irzyk
Ivy House Publishing Group
5122 Bur Oak Circle, Raleigh, NC 27612
9781571975058 $24.95 www.ivyhousebooks.com

A Warrior's Quilt of Personal Military History is the military memoir of Brigadier General Albin F. Irzyk USA (Ret.), offering an up-close and personal perspective of profound historical events. Chapters tell true stories from World War II (such as the liberation of Ohrdruf, the first concentration camp freed by the Allies), the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. Reflections upon great military leaders such as Maj. Gen. John S. Wood and Gen. George S. Patton enhance this immersive testimony, written to be accessible to lay readers and military historians alike. Highly recommended.

Osprey Publishing
4402 - 23rd Street, Suite 219, Long Island City, NY 11101-5058
www.ospreypublishing.com

Andrew Brookes's VICTOR UNITS OF THE COLD WAR (9781849083393, $22.95) provides military libraries with another addition to Osprey's 'Combat Aircraft' series, which covers one of the most technologically advanced airplanes of the Cold War. First flown in 1952, the Victor entered service in B1 configuration in 1957 and came to be renowned for being the longest-ranging aircraft in the RAF. Vintage black and white and color photos survey its history and influences on battles. John Weal's FW 190 DEFENSE OF THE REICH ACES (9781846034824, $22.95) concludes the titles detailing the experiences of the fighter pilots of the German Luftwaffe of World War II that have been the foundation of Osprey's 'Aircraft of the Aces' series, which first appeared in 1994. There is no other narrowed focus on the FW 190 aircraft, making this a special pick that blends previously unpublished photos with aviation and military history key to any aviation or military library.


The American History Shelf

Old West Swindlers
Laurence J. Yadon & Robert Barr Smith
Pelican
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053
9781589808638, $16.95, www.pelicanpub.com

A sly wit and brilliant plan is as good as any product. "Old West Swindlers" look at the legendary cons and brilliance of several individuals in the old American west, as the individuals who sold something for nothing and offered deals too good to be true worked well in crafting American law and shaping how the west was formed. These characters tell a riveting tale, and many of them became legends in their own legitimate right, such as P. T. Barnum. "Old West Swindlers" is a fine read with plenty of entertaining endeavors.

A Short History of Carson City
Richard Moreno
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166, Reno, NV, 89557-0166
9780874178364, $21.95, www.amazon.com

Nevada has gained many famous cities, but few see the intriguing history that is behind Carson City. "A Short History of Carson City" traces the history of Nevada's capital, from its frontier days to its modern status as head of one of the most controversial states in the Union, Richard Moreno provides a scholarly study alongside many black and white photographs, "A Short History of Carson City" is a fine addition to any history or travel collection, highly recommended.

The American Revolution
Robert J. Allison
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10016-4314
9780195312959, $18.95, www.oup.com/us

The American Revolution: A Concise History is a special recommendation for high school to college-level collections seeking a basic primer introducing the history and issues of the American Revolution. It starts with events in the 1760s and 1770s that eventually pushed American colonialists to revolt against British tyranny, covers the events of the war for Independence, highlights major battles, and then covers the impact of the Revolution on evolving American social issues and values. The result is an outstanding survey perfect for general American history holdings.

Assault on the Deadwood Stage
Robert K. DeArment
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806141824 $24.95 www.oupress.com

Assault on the Deadwood Stage: Road Agents and Shotgun Messengers in an in-depth study of crime and combative measures in the Old West, specifically the rash of robberies perpetrated upon the stagecoaches traveling to and from the 1870s boomtown of Deadwood in Dakota territory. When George Armstrong Custer's 1874 expedition into the Black Hills discovered gold, it sparked a mad rush to Deadwood, and multiple stage companies sprang up to meet transportation needs. This in turn attracted robbers, who perpetrated holdups and killings. For two years, thieves spread terror upon the roads, until lawmen, stage company agents, and railroad agents finally put a stop to their plunder. Assault on the Deadwood Stage explores all sides of the violent story - who the outlaws and their opponents were, and what became of both sides after the criminal heyday ended, and even a look at how the sordid events became incorporated into Buffalo Bill's Wild West show in the 1880's, which was known for its rendition of a shotgun robbery featuring an actual Deadwood stagecoach. Assault on the Deadwood Stage is an excellent addition to American West history collections and a superb resource for anyone interested in learning the truth behind stagecoach robbery stories, and highly recommended.


The World History Shelf

The Quest for Hermes Trismegistus
Gary Lachman
Floris Books
c/o Lantern
128 Second Place, Brooklyn, NY 11231
9780863157981, $24.95, www.florisbooks.co.uk

Truly great individuals are discussed for centuries after their existence. "The Quest for Hermes Trismegistus: From Ancient Egypt to the Modern World" discusses this figure of ancient Alexandria who is an icon of ancient science and philosophy, as the two were closely related in ancient times. Analyzing history and the mindset of the times, author Gary Lachman hopes to explain this figure to modern readers to give them greater insight into a time long past. "The Quest for Hermes Trismegistus" is an excellent addition to any history collection, highly recommended.

Germany's Genocide of the Herero
Jeremy Sarkin
James Currey
c/o Boydell & Brewer
668 Mt Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620
9781847010322, $80.00, www.jamescurrey.com

Germany's acts of genocide in history are not relegated to the Nazis alone. "Germany's Genocide of the Herero: Kaiser Wilhem II, His General, His Settlers, His Soldiers" analyzes Germany's empire over Nambia, or as it was known at the time, German South West Africa. A study of European Imperialism and how Germany's actions were different, it focuses in particular on how up to one hundred thousand people may have died due to cruel and racist policy from the Kaiser at the end of the nineteenth century and how the effects of this massive loss of life are still felt even today. "Germany's Genocide of the Herero" brings to light another dark chapter in Germany's history, a scholarly addition to any world history collection.

The Cold War in East Asia
Tsuyoshi Hasegawa
Stanford University Press
1450 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
Woodrow Wilson Center Press
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004-3027
9780804773317, $55.00, www.sup.org

The cold war was an event that touched every part of the world, but perhaps most heavily in Asia. "The Cold War in East Asia 1945-1991" analyzes the impact of the conflict between the superpowers of the Soviet Union and the United States as their impact was felt throughout the region in China, Japan, and the split Koreas in particular. To this day, the events of this conflict are felt and form the foreign relations are felt, and in some cases the cold war never really ended. A studious and scholarly work from many historians and thinkers and assembled by Professor of History Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, "The Cold War in East Asia 1945-1991" is a fascinating and scholarly study of the era and its impact that will be felt many years to come, highly recommended.

When Courage Prevailed
Esther Gitman
Paragon House
1925 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 7
St. Paul, MN 55113-2619
9781557788948, $21.95, www.paragonhouse.com

Faced with genocide, it's shocking that only a few dared to stand against the will of the state. "When Courage Prevailed: The Rescue and Survival of Jews in the Independent State of Croatia 1941-1945" tells the story of the Nazi force that spread to other countries in Europe, and the oppression of the Jewish people that was felt in this countries alongside the other minorities of the region, where racial tension seemed to be strong throughout the twentieth century. "When Courage Prevailed" is a fascinating read of survival under continuing oppression.

Our Man in Tehran
Robert Wright
Other Press
2 Park Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10016
9781590514139, $25.95, www.otherpress.com

When American citizens are held hostage, the government has much to do to try to bring about some sense of justice. "Our Man in Tehran: The True Story Behind the Secret Mission To Save Six Americans During the Iran Hostage Crisis" looks at the behind the scenes story of this crisis as President Carter worked with the CIA and the work of Canadian Ambassador to Iran Ken Taylor and how he protected the Americans in the crisis. A riveting read of intrigue that twists the alliances of nations and with results that still impact the modern world, "Our Man in Tehran" is an excellent look at the intriguing history that doesn't get enough attention.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Wild Feminine
Tami Lynn Kent
Beyond Words
c/o Atria
20827 NW Cornell Rd., Suite 500, Hillsboro, OR 97124
9781582702841, $16.99, www.beyondword.com

This guide to feminine spirituality and creative energy offers a series of stories, visualizations and exercises and comes from a physical therapist and holistic healthcare provider who helps women tap into their feminine energy to achieve optimum health and well-being. It's a new approach to women's health and belongs on the shelves of both health and women's issues collections, offering surveys of the body's energetic patterns and how holistic principles apply to women's needs.

Power Dressing
Rob Young
Merrell Publishers
38 High Avenue, 4th floor, Nyack, New York 10960
9781858945156, $29.95, www.merrellpublishers.com

POWER DRESSING: FIRST LADIES, WOMEN POLITICIANS & FASHION is an unusual and top pick for any collection strong in women's issues, fashion, and politics. It's the first major work to explore the role of fashion and style in the careers of first ladies and women politicians, profiling some 50 serving and former women presidents, prime ministers, royals and wives from over 30 countries and offering hundreds of photos quoting women's style and politics.


The Art Shelf

Awakening Creativity
Lily Yeh
New Village Press
PO Box 3049, Oakland, CA 94609
9780981559377, $34.95, www.newvillagepress.net

Creativity is a certain flare of spirit that is truly unlike anything else. "Awakening Creativity: Dandelion School Blossoms" is a call for social change through creativity from Lily Yeh, as she shares her own drive to make the world a better place through art and tells her story of turning a wasted factory space in Beijing into something that is so much more - the Dandelion school, aimed at the local children to give them inspiration for a better future. With a certain dedication, "Awakening Creativity" comes with a powerful message that definitely should not be overlooked.

Folk Treasures of Mexico
Marion Oettinger, Jr.
Arte Publico Press
452 Cullen Performance Hall, Houston, TX 77204-2004
9781558855953, $39.95, www.artepublicopress.com

Mexico is a nation of culture clashes, and has formed a culture all its own over the past five hundred years. "Folk Treasures of Mexico" examines the art and culture of Mexico through its countless works that are presented over the centuries, in full color. Pottery, trinkets, sculptures, toys, and more, Marion Oettinger narrates this walk through the evolution of Mexican art and how the art, much like the people, takes its influences in many directions. "Folk Treasures of Mexico" is a choice pick for any art and cultural collection, very highly recommended.

Frederic Crowninshield
Gertrude De G. Wilmers and Julie L. Sloan
University of Massachusetts Press
Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558498648, $39.95, www.umass.edu.umpress

FREDERIC CROWNINSHIELD: A RENAISSANCE MAN IN THE GILDED AGE provides the first full account of Crowninshield's life and many achievements as a muralist and stained glass designer and includes his influence as a successful painter, teacher and author as well. His book Mural Painting in 1996 provided the definitive study on the topic while his works adorned many buildings across the East coast and Midwest. Packed with color artworks by Crowninshield and his contemporaries plus student drawings and family photos, this is a key acquisition for any college-level arts collection.

Digital Alchemy
Bonny Pierce Lhotka
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
0321732995, $49.99, www.newriders.com

DIGITAL ALCHEMY: PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUES FOR FINE ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND MIXED MEDIA comes from an acclaimed printmaker who shows how to turn a regular inkjet printer into an instrument for producing works of art. Photographer and other digital artists receive specific keys to the tools and techniques for making the most of all kinds of mediums in a guide that includes using everyday materials to make prints. Learn direct printing and more in a guide that takes the average printer and turns it into an instrument of artistic magic. A DVD teaches Lhotka in action in over 50 minutes of video footage.

Abstracts in Acrylics
Dani Humberstone
Search Press
1338 Ross Street, Petaluma, CA94954-1117
9781844484898, $17.95, www.searchpress.com

Abstracts in Acrylics provides six tracings for readers to pull out and transfer onto paper and then provides keys to abstract art using these tracings in innovative ways. Any home artist will appreciate her step-by-step instructions for producing abstract art, which uses five projects and six reusable tracings to produce exciting abstract painting results. A fine guide for any aspiring artist!

Cracking Animation
Peter Lord & Brian Sibley
Thames & Hudson Inc.
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780500289068, $31.95, www.thamesandhudson.com

CRACKING ANIMATION: THE AARDMAN BOOK OF 3-D ANIMATION comes from the creators of Wallace and Gromit films and offers a fine guide to producing 3-D animation. From an introductory history of the medium to the latest work by Aardman and chapters on how to make a film, discussions of basic needs and advice accompany pages packed with color photo examples from successful ventures, making this a top pick for any animation art library.


The Architecture Shelf

Contemporary Houses
Antonio Corcuera and Cristian Campos
H. F. Ullmann Publishing
c/o Innovative Logistics
575 Prospect St., Ste 301, Lakewood, NJ 08701
9783833124945, $39.99, www.loftpublications.com

The home is not something factory produced and just like anything else. "Contemporary Houses" is a photography coffee table book as the people at Ullmann Publishing present a major collection of the best residential projects that have been constructed in recent years. From beach houses, to mountain getaways, to glass houses, to international designs, and much more, the book proves a worthy inspiration for anyone trying to be creative with their homes construction, or just curious in the most recent wave of artistic architecture. "Contemporary Houses" is a wonderful pick for a coffee table or as a study in home building innovation.

OAB
Carlos Ferrater & Partners
Actar D
575 Prospect St., Ste 301, Lakewood, NJ 08701
9788492861231, $59.95

Throughout the world, architects are daring not only to make highly efficient and structurally sound buildings, but beautiful works as well. "OAB: Office Architecture in Barcelona" is a collection of architecture photography from Carlos Ferrater & Partners as looks at the wondrous developments that have been built in one of Spain's most famous cities, focusing on black and white and full color photography throughout. It also contains discussion and reviews of modern architecture concepts and proves to be quite the fascinating read. For those with a love of modern architecture, "OAB" will prove to quite the coffee table book choice, and a solid addition for community library architecture and photography collections.

The Architecture of Harry Weese
Robert Bruegmann
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393731934, $59.95, www.wwnorton.com

The Architecture of Harry Weese offers an analysis of one of America's finest postwar architects. Harry Weese's career spanned the 1930s to the 1980s, and he produced a series of innovative homes to urban communities during that time. A revival of interest in his approach and works makes this a highly desirable acquisition for any architectural history collection, discussing his influences and the extent of his works.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Performance Nutrition
Krista Austin, PHD, CSCS
Bob Seebohar, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS
Human Kinetics
Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
0736079459, $24.95, www.humankinetics.com

Performance Nutrition: Applying the Science of Nutrient Timing covers all the basics of optimizing training, recovery and improving performance through nutrients. It's based on the latest research in nutrient timing and is loaded with keys to the concepts and applications of sport nutrition based on the latest research. Of particular interest: teaching the basics of customizing a program to an athletes' personal preferences and sport requirements.

Family Violence
Rose S. Fife and Sarina Schrager
Jones & Bartlett
40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA 01776
9780763780340, $54.95, www.jbpub.com

FAMILY VIOLENCE: WHAT HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS NEED TO KNOW considers the social, legal and medical impact of the three major forms of family violence: child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse, and includes tips on both prevention and management. Healthcare providers and students of public health will find this ideal for considering the roots of family violence and effective reactions to it.

Medical Device Data & Modeling for Clinical Decision Making
John R. Zaleski
Artech House Publishers
685 Canton St., Norwood MA 02062
1608070948, $129.00, www.artechhouse.com

Medical Device Data & Modeling for Clinical Decision Making offers the first book to provide keys to the use of medical device data for bioinformatics modeling. From devising original methods for communicating with medical devices within healthcare to implementing clinical decision support methods based on the devices, this teaches college-level biomedical engineers the benefits of using medical device data. Over 100 illustrations survey key concepts and provides professionals with applied insights.

NSCA's Guide to Sport & Exercise Nutrition
Bill I. Campbell & Marie A. Spano, editors
Human Kinetics
Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
0736083499, $39.00, www.humankinetics.com

Sports health collections strong in exercise nutrition will welcome the guidelines in NSCA's Guide to Sport & Exercise Nutrition, which address nutritional needs for a range of clientele. Both competitors and fitness audiences receive a resource representing the latest research from scientists and practitioners, and will find this a fine reference to safe training and optimum performance results.


The Economics Shelf

The Impact of Health Insurance in Low and Middle-Income Countries
Maria-Luisa Escobar, et al.
Brookings Institution Press
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036
9780815705468, $22.95, www.brookings.edu

When money is tight, health is usually the first thing to go. The editorial collaboration of Maria-Luisa Escobar, Charles C. Griffin, R. Paul Shaw, "The Impact of Health Insurance in Low and Middle-Income Countries" analyzes how many middling and lower money countries have tested new health care systems, trying reforms. Years later, Maria-Luisa Escobar and her collaborators put together a collection of essays dedicated to studying the effects of these policies in developing countries, offering them as evidence for the modern health care debate that continues around the world. "The Impact of Health Insurance in Low and Middle-Income Countries" is a studious and solidly recommended read for any social issues or health collection.

Basic Economics, fourth edition
Thomas Sowell
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780465022526, $39.95, www.basicbooks.com

The fourth updated edition of Basic Economics: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy has been updated and expanded to reflect the latest economic trends and new changes in international economics, and is a top pick for any business collection or college-level economics reader. This new edition adds expanded chapters, a new chapter on the history of the development of economics, and a new section on corporations. The focus on reliable, substantiated economic history and facts versus theories makes this a top pick!


The Political Science Shelf

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the American Presidency
Alan Axelrod
Alpha
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, new York, NY 10014
9781592579129, $22.00, www.idiotsguides.com

One of the most prestigious positions in the world, The presidency of the United States is something worth knowing about. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the American Presidency" discusses the history of the office from the earliest days under Washington and the precedents he set through the ages and scandals and triumphs that come with the office. Explaining how the American federal government morphed into what it is today, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the American Presidency" is a fun and informative read that shouldn't be overlooked.

Nicaragua: Living in the Shadow of the Eagle, fifth edition
Thomas W. Walker & Christine J. Wade
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813343877, $33.00, www.westviewpress.com

Nicaragua: Living in the Shadow of the Eagle appears in a newly revised edition to cover the politics and foreign relations of Nicaragua. This update adds a new recent history chapter covering changes after 1990 and takes a closer look at US-Nicaraguan relations, offering extensive updates and new material throughout. Very highly recommended as a key primer for understanding the modern Nicaragua's role in Latin and US foreign policy.

When the World Calls
Stanley Meisler
Beacon Press
25 Beacon St., Boston MA 02108-2892
9780807050491, $26.95, www.beacon.org

WHEN THE WORLD CALLS: THE INSIDE STORY OF THE PEACE CORPS AND ITS FIRST FIFTY YEARS comes from the former deputy director of the Peace Corps' Office of Evaluation and Research, and a veteran journalist who covers the history of the Corps and its volunteers. With special attention to its political struggles, he surveys its difficulties, demands, and impact on U.S. foreign policy as a whole, looking at its dynamics and many achievements.


The Library CD Shelf

When Harry Tries to Marry
108 Pics
c/o Flipswitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$9.99 www.flipswitchPR.com www.whenharrytriestomarry.com

When Harry Tries to Marry: The Motion Picture Soundtrack captures the unique blend of upbeat Hollywood and Bollywood blockbuster enthusiasm that characterized the romantic movie following Harry, an Indian-American seeking happiness (and trying to avoid heartbreak) through an arranged marriage. The excitement, uncertainty, pits and valleys of Harry's journey make for an extraordinary musical journey, in this energetic and lively album. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Love is Everywhere" (3:33), "She's the Latest One" (3:48), "Aao Naache Gaaye" (5:38), "Setting Sun" (4:23), "It's Coming Back" (3:36), "Dulhe Raja" (4:13), "Hot as Hell" (1:51), "Garden of Eden" (4:02), "It's in the Way" (2:28), "You Were Mine" (2:58), "There's Something about Harry" (2:10), "Bhang Chadi" (4:07), "Chasing Sleep" (4:00), "Pull Me Up" (4:38), "Shake That Thang" (3:37), "Live a Little" (3:57), "Settle for Me" (3:52), "Blame it on the Night" (2:44), "Desperately" (3:09), and "Score Theme" (2:48).

Songs to the Earth
Annette Cantor
www.annettesings.com
Source Being Productions
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
No ISBN $12.89 www.amazon.com

Annette Cantor blends musical and spiritual traditions in Songs to the Earth, an album celebrating the beauty, divinity, and sacred aspects of nature. Elements of Gregorian chants, a consummate cello performance, and wooden flute and percussion rhythms from Native American tradition form a reverent whole in this excellent album for meditation, contemplation, or simply relieving stress. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Gaia Dreaming" (10:03), "Water Blessing" (8:31), "To the Great Mother of Compassion" (5:09), "Ave Generosa" (7:53), "Healing Prayer" (9:12), "Forest Meditation" (8:19), and "In Gratitude" (8:28).

Joy of the Journey
Jimmy Eugene
www.jimmyeugene.com
Whiss Records, LLC
c/o Bozeman Media (publicity)
janet@bozemanmedia.com
$TBA www.onthejourneyback.com

Jimmy Eugene's fifth album, Joy of the Journey, coincides with the release of his first book "On the Journey Back" which chronicles his life from his days as a teen runaway to his career as an oral surgeon and work as a recording artist. He discovered the joy of music after a near-fatal car crash that forced him to be confined to his bed for a month; since then, inspiration has led him to create over five hundred songs. Joy of the Journey is a musical tour through memories, and an emotional tribute to the people who have aided Jimmy Eugene the most along his amazing life journey, and perfect to listen to while reading "On the Journey Back". The tracks are "Baby Boomers", "Friday Nights", "Image of a Man", "Sweet Memories", "Lost In Your Touch", "Time Sure Looks Good On You", "Stay In Your Own Backyard", "Dad's Gift", "Eyes Can and Do Lie", "Joy of Life", "Tear Stained Letter", and "Since I Met You Girl".

Men of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Mack Wilberg, Conductor
Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
50 E. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150
c/o Leigh Dethman (publicity)
ldethman@deseretbook.com
$16.12 www.MormonTabernacleChoir.org

Men of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Orchestra at Temple Square is a trailblazing audio CD recording that combines men's choral singing with the inspirational musical style that has earned the Mormon Tabernacle Choir renown. Passionate praise for God resounds in this extraordinary anthology of popular songs, spirituals, folk, and church hymns. Men of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is enthusiastically recommended for anyone who loves to listen to expertly performed men's chorus music. The tracks are "We Have Met to Worship" (3:41), "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy" (5:21), "The Morning Trumpet" (2:34), "Fight the Good Fight with All Thy Might" (1:45), "Evening (Aftonen)" (3:44), "Land-Sighting (Landkjenning)" (5:53), "Dance a Cachuca, Fandago, Bolero (Finale from The Gondoliers)" (2:36), "Alleluia" (6:06), "Pilgrims' Chorus from Tannhauser" (3:50), "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" (3:52), "Hush, Little Baby" (4:38), "You Raise Me Up" (4:37), "Beautiful Savior" (3:59), "There Is a Balm in Gilead" (4:41), and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" (4:50).

Trust
Jacob and Matthew Band
World Library Publications
3708 River Road, Suite 400
Franklin Park, IL 60131-2158
$10.00 www.wlpmusic.com

Trust is the latest album from the dedicated and pious men of Jacob and Matthew Band, encapsulating devotion to God and the lifelong service of ministry in its harmonious offerings. Jacob and Matthew Band reaches out to teenagers and adults alike in this outpouring of faith, love, and heartfelt spirituality. Highly recommended. The tracks are "All I Need" (6:17), "Take This Life" (3:44), "Come Alive" (3:50), "Stumble" (3:45), "Desire" (4:12), and "People, Wake up!" (5:57).

Songs of Innocence & Experience
Lisa Howard
Ghost Light Records
c/o Miller Wright & Associates, Inc. (publicity)
1650 Broadway, Suite 1210, New York, NY 10019
miller@millerwright.com
$17.41 www.GhostlightRecords.com www.millerwright.com

Songs of Innocence & Experience: The Music of William Finn has world-class theatrical performer Lisa Howard perform some of the finest songs by Tony Award-winning composer William Finn. Music Director Vadim Feichtner leads a 14-piece band as well as backup vocalists to support Lisa Howard's crystal clear voice as she brings to life emotionally moving songs about the trials and tribulations of parenthood, family, love, and the ever-onward march of time. A joy to listen to and share, Songs of Innocence and Experience is also highly recommended as a beautiful Mother's Day gift. The tracks are "Listen To The Best", "Trina's Song/I Have Found", "I Don't Know Why I Love You" (duet with Derrick Baskin), "Sailing", "Bad Boy", "How To Make Delicious Chocolate Pudding", "When The Earth Stopped Turning", "Hold My Baby Back", "Father To Son/That's Enough For Me", "Infinite Joy", and "Song of Innocence and Experience".

Revolve
La Cherga
Asphalt Tango Records
c/o Flipswitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$30.00 www.flipswitchPR.com www.asphalt-tango.de

Revolve is the latest album by La Cherga, an Austria-based, pan-Balkan band founded a former Croatian punk musician and dub DJ. Elements of funk, rock, and soul fuse in music that captures the spirit of Sarajevo - people and land whose spirit continue to shine despite the toll of a decade of war. Brimming with vigor and the drive to conserve the core traditions of a culture as well as the yearning to blaze a fresh creative trail, Revolve is an excellent addition to international music shelves and highly recommended. The tracks are "Melaha" (4:47), "Sufi Dub" (4:22), "Resolve & Evolve" (3:30), "One" (3:47), "Votka Dot Kom" (4:17), "Vi" (4:09), "Afgan" (4:43), "Make a Change" (4:00), "Last Temptation" (3:41), "Rise Up" (3:25), and "Voda" (4:37).

Dakar-Kingston
Youssou Ndour
Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$15.46 www.rockpaperscissors.biz

Dakar-Kingston is a pan-African album by reggae musician and citizen's activist Youssou N'Dour. N'Dour calls for unity, stressing that what Africans have in common is far more important than their differences. The compelling rhythms and call-to-action lyrics of Dakar- Kingston make it an unforgettable, motivating listening experience, highly recommended. The tracks are "Marley", "Medina", "Joker", "Bololene", "Bamba", "Black Woman", "Survie", "Africa Dreams Again", "Diarr Diarr", "Don't Walk Away", Bagn Len", "Leteuma", "Pitch Me", and "Redemption Song". 58 min. 43 sec.

New Life
Paul Cardall
www.PaulCardall.com
Shadow Mountain Records
Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0178
$16.64 www.ShadowMountainRecords.com

Expert pianist Paul Cardall presents New Life, an album reflecting upon another's sacrifice that allows him to survive - for Cardall was born with a congenital heart disease, and after a lifetime of heart operations and a year-long wait for a transplant, he has received another man's heart. New Life is a profound expression of gratitude and admiration, as well as a glimpse into the eternal quest for spiritual enlightenment. The tracks are "The Traveler", "Letting Go", "Delayed", "Life and Death", "Gracie's Theme", "Journey Within", "Sign of Affection", "Restless Hope", "Coming Home", "Father in Heaven", "Sweet Is The Work", "New Life", "Gratitude", and "Come Thou Fount". A bonus DVD also offers Cardall's first live performance since receiving his transplant. Also published by Shadow Mountain Records is the highly recommended spiritual album "We Believe: Songs for Youth 2011" ($16.44) by Christian performer Jenny Phillips, a moving album of Sabbath-appropriate music to be enjoyed by youth, parents, and churchgoers.

Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85017
www.canyonrecords.com 1-800-268-1141

Three new releases from Canyon Records uphold their standing as a premier source for albums of authentic Native American music. Performed by the Porcupine Singers, "Lakota Classics: Past and Present, Vol. 1" ($15.75, 51 min. 18 sec.) is a superb rendition of Lakota cultural melodies ranging from memorial music to songs for princesses to a theme in honor of World War II veterans. Grammy-nominated singer Kevin Yazzie presents "Love: Songs of the Native American Church" ($15.76, 64 min. 24 sec.), an album rich in reverence for the divine as well as promoting the greatness of harmony between family, friends, and community. "Handprints of Our People" ($13.80, 67 min. 20 sec.) is performed by Aaron White (Navajo/Ute) and Anthony Wakeman (Pottawatomi/Lakota) and reaches out to connect with the vibrant core of life itself. The thoughtful melodies reflect on the eternal quest for growth, change, and balance in this profound and emotionally moving audio journey. All three are highly recommended as choice picks for Native American music collections.


The Library DVD Shelf

Kings of Pastry
A film by Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036
$27.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com

Kings of Pastry is an extraordinary DVD capturing the no-holds-barred competition for the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, France's Nobel Prize for pastry. Sixteen of the greatest and most talented chefs in a nation with a rich culinary history apply themselves to create their most exceptional desserts - from spun-sugar sweets to gravity-defying constructions. Even the occasional failure and disaster resulting from reaching just a little bit further than the laws of gravity and physics allow makes for a mouth-watering and soul-stirring presentation. Expert filmmakers Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker secured permission to capture this never-before- filmed event; their documentary also reveals the efforts of chef Jacquy Pfeiffer, co-founder of Chicago's French Pastry School, who returns to his childhood home in Alsace to practice for this grueling competition. Moments of anxiety, inspiration, struggle, joy, and complete culinary delight are all perfectly preserved in this extraordinary DVD of real-life Iron (Pastry) Chefs. 84 min.

Robin of Sherwood Set 1
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598285888 $79.99 www.acornonline.com

Robin of Sherwood Set 1 is the Blu-ray collection of all thirteen epsiodes from seasons 1 and 2 of this dramatic adaptation of a legend. Starring Michael Praed as the heroic Robin of Loxley, Ray Winstone as a mad Will Scarlet, and Nickolas Grace as the greedy and cunning Sheriff of Nottingham, Robin of Sherwood Set 1 is shot entirely on-location amidst historic English castles and pastoral countryside. Acclaimed Irish band Clannad provides the ethereal and beautiful music of this captivating dramatic production. Eight hours of special features enhance Robin of Sherwood Set 1, including five episode commentaries, a behind-the-scenes documentary, photo galleries with nearly 500 images, music-only tracks for four episodes, new featurettes, outtakes, PDF material of original story treatment and several scripts, and more. A 40-page booklet with extensive production notes rounds out this definitive edition of a classic. Highly recommended, especially as a gift to anyone who enjoys high-quality Blu-ray television. 3 Blu-ray discs plus 1 bonus DVD, 700 min. plus bonus, 1080p/full-screen (some bonus material 480p/widescreen), English and Polish subtitles.

Genius of Britain
Athena
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
$59.99 www.AthenaLearning.com www.acornonline.com

Genius of Britain: The Scientists Who Changed the World is a DVD thinpack set profiling some of the most extraordinary and brilliant British minds, and their extraordinary contributions to global scientific knowledge. Episodes are framed around modern-day geniuses analyzing the legacy of historic pioneers - from Stephen Hawking's view of Isaac Newton, to evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins' thoughts on Alfred Russel Wallace. A twelve-page viewer's guide plus a bonus disc "Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything" round out this exceptional and educational collection. Highly recommended. 5 episodes on 2 DVDs plus bonus disc, 236 min. plus 90 min. bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.

Murdoch Mysteries Season 3
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
www.acornonline.com
9781598286625 $69.99 Blu-ray / $59.99 DVD

Available as a 3-disc Blu-ray or 4-volume DVD boxed set, Murdoch Mysteries Season 3 collected the Gemini-nominated British mystery series featuring Toronto police detective William Murdoch (played by Yannick Bisson), an intellectual who keeps abreast of the latest in Victorian-era science, with the aid of an expert forensic pathologist (played by Gemini winner Helene Joy). Murdoch's efforts lead him to join forces with H.G. Wells and Nikola Tesla in the course of his efforts to uncover the criminals behind crimes ranging from murder to art forgery. Murdoch even puts the burgeoning new science of psychology to the test in this captivating collection. Bonus features include behind-the-scenes featurettes and an episode 13 alternate ending! 13 episodes, 624 min. plus bonus, 1080p/16:9 widescreen, SDH subtitles.

Identity: Catching the Crooks Who Steal Lives
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598285604 $39.99 www.acornonline.com

Identity: Catching the Crooks Who Steal Lives is a tense British mystery focusing on the police whose job it is to combat one of the fastest-growing criminal ventures: identity theft. DSI Martha Lawson (played by Keeley Hawes) has put together the best of the best for her investigative team: undercover specialist DI John Bloom (Aidan Gillen), ambition-driven DS Anthony Wareing (Shaun Peaks), arrogant DC Jose Rodriguez (Elyes Gabel), and IT expert Tessa Stein (Holly Aird); all are exceptionally talented, but could their interpersonal conflicts destroy the success they've achieved? The motives of the identity thieves they track down range from greed to a much more ruthless drive to conceal reprehensible actions. Investigative work, and the application of cutting-edge technology distinguish this superb modern police drama; bonus features include text interviews with the cast and cast filmographies. 2 DVDs, 6 episodes, 279 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles.

Discoveries... Vietnam series
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE, Issaquah, WA 98027
$24.95 each www.Bennett-Watt.com

The new Discoveries... Vietnam series of widescreen, high-definition DVDs reveals the rich culture and soul-stirring beauty of Vietnam. "A 21st Century Awakening" (9781934682647) reveals daily life in modern-day Vietnam, with particular emphasis on the nation's amazing economic transformation into a notable world power. From the country's first university, the Temple of Literature, to the talented musicians of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, to the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, to the unique traditional dress that women wear, "A 21st Century Awakening" paints a vivid picture of both preserved traditions and contemporary culture. "Rice Baskets to World Heritage" (9781934682654) brings the viewer on a tour of how life has drastically improved for Vietnamese farmers - the near-famine caused by the collective farming rules of the 1972 Communist government is now but a memory. "Historic Treasures" (9781934682661) explores the most revered and historic sites in the nation, including Ba Dinh Square, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hue's Citadel, and much more. All three installments feature stunning photography and are exceptional additions to any public library DVD collection.

The Brain series
Learning ZoneXPress
PO Box 1022, Owatonna, MN 55060
www.learningzonexpress.com
$79.95 each / $219.95 set www.amazon.com

Two educational DVDs from Learning ZoneXPress, intended for viewers from grade 7 to adult, are brimming with invaluable information about brain development in young people. "The Brain: Activity, Sleep & Boredom" (20 min.) explores how all three of its titular aspects are crucial for developing brains. Physical activity is vital to keep the brain healthy as well as the body; sleep is indispensable to the brain's daily recuperation; and even simple boredom, or "doing nothing", plays a critical role to helping the brain process the world around it, and even the cornerstone to stimulating creativity. "The Brain: Pattern, Structure & Novelty" (21 min.) explores the importance of both structure and innovation in aiding young children with developing brains. Stability is necessary to help children feel secure and learn, but their brains are always in search of new interests to avoid boredom! Striking the proper balance between familiarity and exciting new surprises is essential to encourage learning and development. "The Brain: Developing Memory in Developing Brains" rounds out this exceptional series, highly recommended especially for public or grade school/high school DVD libraries and homeroom viewing.

Pilates Super Sculpt
Tracey Mallett
ATP Fitness Productions
1107 Fair Oaks Ave., S. Pasadena, CA 91030
No ISBN, $19.95, www.traceymallett.com

Pilates Super Sculpt offers a vigorous Pilates workout from a certified Pilates expert and is unusual for its Pilates-specific program. Pilates focuses on deep toning and flexibility as well as the usual core strength a workout provides; this DVD teaches exercises that would normally only be performed on studio Pilates equipment, but which has been adapted to a small sponge or playground ball - making it very accessible for home gyms. Any home exerciser or Pilates student will relish this approach!

Spirit Lands: An American Desert Odyssey
David Fortney, cinematographer
John Huling and R. Carlos Nakai, music
Janson Media
88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640
9781568394004 $24.95 www.janson.com

Janson Media presents Spirit Lands: An American Desert Odyssey, a stunningly beautiful DVD showcase of some of the most awe-inspiring wonders of the American desert. Emmy Award- winning cinematographer David Fortney spent four years filming landscapes, traveling to all of America's desert locations and seven national parks in the process; Native American music by John Huling and R. Carlos Nakai adds an exemplary touch to the captivating camerawork. Spirit Lands has no narration, but a handful of timeless texts, quotations, and prayers by Native American Wisdom Keepers enhance this wonderful and immersive journey. An excellent gift for nature lovers, Spirit Lands is the next best thing to experiencing the beauty of American deserts landscapes firsthand. 52 min. Also highly recommended is Janson Media's "Theodore Roosevelt: A Cowboy's Ride to the White House" (9781568394047, $24.95, 75 min.), a documentary biography of the rough-and-tumble cowboy-turned-President destined to establish pioneering conservation efforts and America's National Parks, filmed on-location at the Roosevelt ranches.

Earth From Above
307 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60601
$34.99 each / $59.99 6-DVD set www.questarentertainment.com

Three exceptionally beautiful programs in Questar's "Earth From Above" series feature captivating aerial photography of the Earth's natural majesty. Each program is hosted by world- renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, filmed in high definition, and available in two- disc pack: disc one has the feature on Blu-ray, while disc two offers the same feature in DVD and digital copy formats. "Amazing Lands" (107 min.) draws the viewer on a whirlwind tour of regal landscapes, from African savannah to the icy reaches of Antarctica. "Stunning Water" (199 min.) lives up to its title with unforgettable footage of the Earth's seas, coasts, and freshwater sources - as well as a dire warning of the terrible ecological dangers that threaten the planet's water resources. "Life" (94 min.) offers a glimpse of the biodiversity, and a caution against expanding human development that threatens to destroy natural habitats around the world. All three volumes are superb picks for public library collections, and also serve as excellent gifts for anyone who loves nature photography.

Creating Kaleidoscope Designs
Peggy Flores
Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
9781562906719 $29.95 www.crystalproductions.com

Creating Kaleidoscope Designs is a crafting DVD that teaches viewers how to incorporate mirror imaging techniques into crafting beautiful, symmetrically patterned kaleidoscopic designs. Dividing paper into triangular sections, flipping designs, and coloring the results with markers, colored pencil, or paint can result in geometric images that capture a unique visual brilliance, in this hands-on how-to tutorial. Creating Kaleidoscope Designs lives up to its title and is an excellent, highly recommended addition to enhance hobby and crafts DVD libraries.

Lionel Nation 6
TM Books & Video
PO Box 279, New Buffalo, MI 49117
9781936890026 $19.99 www.tmbv.com

Lionel Nation 6 is a DVD of all-new footage of Lionel model trains. From the operation of classic steam switchers, to individual cars such as Milk and Cattle Cars, Merchandise Car, and Poultry Dispatch, to the step-by-step building process of a Lionel Postwar layout, Lionel Nation 6 is packed with up-close, fascinating footage of extraordinarily lifelike replicas. Operating tips pepper this excellent addition to model railroad hobbyist DVD collections, and a bonus featurette offers original 16 mm color film originally shot in the 50s of layouts and collections of TCA charter members. Also highly recommended for model railroad hobbyists is "Maintenance & Repair Guide for Lionel Electric Trains & Accessories" (9781936890033, $9.99), a no-nonsense, easy-to-follow DVD guide to keeping one's model trains in the best possible condition.

Flabs 2 Abs
Craig and Matt Lewandowski
www.flabs2abs.com
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 www.411videoinfo.com

Flabs 2 Abs: 30 Day Body Transformation is a diet, exercise, and weight training DVD designed to promote weight loss and improve overall fitness through positive lifestyle changes. The hosts themselves show step by step how they improved their bodies and lost 25 pounds over a 30 day period. Flabs 2 Abs opens with a nutrition program structured around eating five small meals daily, each roughly 3 hours apart, and emphasizing the selection of healthy foods. The exercise program begins with recommendations for cardio that revolve around taking walks. (Light jogging or a workout on an elliptical machine also fit with the program). The weight training section is optional; six workouts are presented, and each can be modified according to the viewer's needs and physical limits. Exercises that require space-consuming equipment can be skipped in favor of exercises that require little or no equipment; incorporating as much of the weight training segment as possible into one's program promotes improved muscle tone. Overall, Flabs 2 Abs is a very well-rounded fitness program, adaptable to viewers of all skill and experience levels, and enthusiastically recommended. 90 min.

Energy Healing for Beginners
Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Sounds True Audio
413 South Arthur Avenue, Louisville, CO 80027
9781604070989 $19.95 www.soundstrue.com

Energy Healing for Beginners: Ten Essential Practices for Self-Care lives up to its title with step- by-step walkthroughs of ten useful techniques in this wellness practice. Techniques discussed include full-body sensing (how to become aware of and respond to imbalances in one's energy field), abdominal breathing, toe tapping (a grounding practice useful for promoting balance in one's energy field), the healing practice of sacred touch, and more. Mind-body physician Dr. Ann Marie Chiasson hosts this relaxing, enlivening, and user-friendly instructional DVD. 67 min.

Looking for Palladin
Monterey Media Inc.
566 St. Charles Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901
9781569943564 $26.95 www.montereymedia.com

Set in the rich local culture of Guatemala, Looking for Palladin is an award-winning movie on DVD following prideful Hollywood agent Josh Ross (played by David Moscow) on a search for Oscar-winning actor Jack Palladin (played by Ben Gazzara). The two have never met, but the retired actor was once married to Josh's deceased mother. Josh's poorly concealed contempt of the actor he searches for as well as the local populace makes for a wry, topsy-turvy story of a search turned unexpectedly complex, and is a recommended pick for public library DVD collections. Bonus content includes a "making of" featurette and brief actor biographies. 115 min., rated R for language.

2012 The Odyssey
Sharron Rose
Sacred Mysteries
PO Box 1146, Ashland, OR 97520
$19.95 www.sacredmysteries.com www.2012theodyssey.com

On December 21st, 2012, the Mayan calendar ends. What does this mean for America and the world? 2012 The Odyssey is an eye-opening documentary following author Sharron Rose on her travels across the United States, as she speaks to a medley of experts concerning the Mayan prophecy. A diversity of groups believe that the present age is ending and the birth of a new age lies on the horizon - but exactly how will this transition take place, and is it something to be feared or embraced? 2012 The Odyssey is ultimately an uplifting account, as much about hope as it is about anticipating transformation, and is highly recommended for metaphysical studies DVD collections.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions, sixteenth edition
Attorney Joseph Matthews with Dorothy Matthews Berman
Nolo Press
950 Parker St., Berkeley, CA 94710
1413313272, $29.99, www.nolo.com

Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions explains all the new Medicare rules for 2011 and explores how to get the most out of retirement and medical benefits. From the latest rules and Medigap insurance choices to federal healthcare reform changes and how they affect Medicare, this latest update is key to understanding the latest legal ins and outs of the system and should be on the shelves of any lending library!


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Latin American Cinemas
Nayibe Bermudez Barrios
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1N4
9781552385142, $34.95, www.uofcpress.com

Quickly gaining prominence, Latin America is becoming an artistic force in today's world. "Latin American Cinemas: Local Views and Transnational Connections" looks at modern Latin cinema and the themes throughout them, and how they talk to today's people. With a focus on the need for unity among the countries while trying to remain individual, the strong nature of sexuality in film, and Latin America's place in the world, "Latin American Cinemas" is a scholarly look at this rapidly growing medium in a rising region in today's world.

Voiceovers
Terri Apple
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111, Studio City CA 91604
9781932907902, $26.95, www.mwp.com

VOICEOVERS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOW TO MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR VOICE provides the only complete guide on the market to making money in the world of voiceovers. From understanding personal strengths and voiceover stereotypes to marketing voice, language, personality and more, this covers everything from coaching to making a demo CD, and tells how to make successful auditions to gain coveted voiceover jobs. No film or business collection should be without this!

Story Line
Jen Grisanti
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111, Studio City CA 91604
9781932907896, $26.95, www.mwp.com

Story Line: Finding Gold in Your Life Story provides a powerful survey of how 'universal' life experiences can be translated into story material suitable for TV, film and novels alike. It's an instruction manual packed with insights on developing plot, dilemmas, and understanding action and characterization, covering all aspects of a story line's ultimate goals and achievements. Both film and literary collections will find this a specific, important reference to superior plot development.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

The Law and Politics of Sustainability
Klaus Bosselmann, et. al., editors
Berkshire
120-122 Castle Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230-1506
www.berkshirepublishing.com
9781933782140, $135.00, www.amazon.com

This is our only planet and we kinda have to make it work with us. "The Law and Politics of Sustainability" discusses the world's politics and the drive to push the government to move towards an existence that this world can truly provide for us. Discussing the concept of sustainability and the impact that the law can play in pushing for a better world. Protecting and preparing a sustainable environment is not a pursuit for simply one country, but is needed by the international community as a whole. Throughout, many case studies are provided where international law has succeeded and failed in preserving the environment. "The Law and Politics of Sustainability" is a comprehensively researched and very highly recommended volume for any collection focusing on international politics and the environment.

Recovering a Lost River
Steven Hawley
Beacon Press
25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108-2892
9780807004715, $26.95, www.beacon.org

Dams are useful tools, but they have what may have been unforeseen consequences. "Recovering a Lost River" discusses the environmental impact of dams and the effect is has had on the salmon population in particular. Steven Hawley focuses in particular on the Snake river, which has had four dams constructed in the past forty years, arguing that these dams need to be removed to save the salmon and the river itself. A detailed and scholarly account of a battle not often heard of, "Recovering a Lost River" brings to light a battle that is not often heard about.

The False Promise of Green Energy
Andrew P. Morriss, et al.
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781935308416, $24.95, www.cato.org

There is no silver bullet to the world's energy crisis. A collaborative effort by Andrew P. Morriss, William T. Bogart, Roger E. Meiners, and Andrew Dorchak, "The False Promise of Green Energy" is an analysis of the problems of green energy that aren't often stated. Andrew P. Morriss and his collaborators come together and seek to offer a realistic view of green energy, showing the strong wave of politics behind it and the faults in how many would seek to transform the current energy system of the United States in a problematic way. Thoughtful and well worth considering for those who want a glimpse of the future of American energy, "The False Promise of Green Energy" is enthusiastically recommended.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

The Stories of the Lotus Sutra
Gene Reeves
Wisdom Publications
199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144
9780861716463, $18.95, www.wisdompubs.org

The search for personal enlightenment has plenty of time for stories. "The Stories of the Lotus Sutra" presents the stories of the Lotus Sutra in English, as author Gene Reeves presents them in an easy to follow format, providing thoughtful commentary and help for those seeking to gain a better interpretation of it all. With a certain flare and thought for students of eastern philosophy and Buddhism, "The Stories of the Lotus Sutra" is a fine volume and resource to add to any collection with a focus on world spirituality.


The Library Science Shelf

Connecting Libraries with Classrooms
Kay Bishop
Linworth
c/o ABC CLIO
130 Cremona Drive
PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781598845990, $45.00, www.abc-clio.com

Libraries and classrooms both share the same goal, and there is much benefit in unifying them. "Connecting Libraries with Classrooms: The Curricular Roles of the Media Specialist" looks at the media specialist and the growing burden that has been put on them since music education in public education has been declining in the past decade. Covering how to create a partnership between public libraries and public schools and how libraries can increase education in the arts for the students in the area, and catering to the needs of certain groups of students, from the autistic to those with sexuality issues. "Connecting Libraries with Classrooms" is an invaluable resource for any education or library leader who wants to work to greater artistic literacy for their patrons and students.

The Frugal Librarian
Carol Smallwood, editor
American Library Association
50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838910757, $37.80, www.alastore.ala.org

Money is a resource that is never plentiful. "The Frugal Librarian: Thriving In Tough Economic Times" is a guide for librarians in dealing with the many situations in their career where they face a lack of money - either the lack of their own or the lack of the library's money. Many librarians come together with wisdom on finding a librarian job, preparing for unemployment, grant writing, keeping a quality staff, and much more. With useful indexes, "The Frugal Librarian" serves a dual purpose as a very strong resource to be kept in a personal and business collection.

Libraries for Users
Luisa Alvite & Leticia Barrionuevo
Chandros Publishing
c/o Neal Schuman
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781843345954, $75.00, www.neal-schuman.com

Libraries are expected to do much more than books in the modern day. "Libraries for Users: Services in Academic Libraries" examines the modern the role of the academic library and the importance of technology and connections in the modern day. Chapters focus on evaluating quality, maintaining said quality, the applications of digital education, e-research and e-science, the role of the hybrid library, cataloging all of this information, encouraging information literacy, and using emergence of technology to enhance existing resources. Enhanced with useful indexes, appendixes and more, "Libraries for Users" is a powerful resource for librarians who want to keep their libraries and patrons equipped with up to date access to information.

Implementing Technology Solutions in Libraries
Karen C. Knox
Information Today
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055
9781573874038, $35.00, www.infotoday.com

Technology can do much for improving a library's services to its patrons, if applied correctly. "Implementing Technology Solutions in Libraries: Techniques, Tools, and Tips from the Trenches" is a guide to effectively and efficiently installing technological support in libraries so that they are easily used by library employees and patrons where necessary. With plenty of tips and tricks that will help librarians make the most of their limited funds in these endeavors, "Implementing Technology Solutions in Libraries" is a thoughtful and very highly recommended resource.


The Mathematics Shelf

Differential Geometry Of Curves And Surfaces
Thomas Banchoff & Stephen Lovett
A K Peters, Ltd.
5 Commonwealth Road, Suite 2C
Natick, MA 01760-1526
www.akpeters.com
9781568814568, $49.00, www.amazon.com

Utilizing mathematical concepts derived from calculus, differential geometry applies to problems is such diverse fields as physics, economics, computer science, and engineering. The collaborative work of mathematicians Thomas Banchoff and Stephen Lovett, "Differential Geometry Of Curves And Surfaces" specifically addresses both local properties observed at a point on a curve or surface, and global properties of an object as a whole. Of special note is the online access provided to thematically appropriate interactive java applets which are coordinated to each section of the text. Enhanced with the addition of a bibliography and a comprehensive index, "Differential Geometry Of Curves And Surfaces" is an essential addition to academic library Mathematical Studies instructional reference collections, as well as an ideal classroom textbook.


The Fashion Shelf

American Menswear
Daniel Delis Hill
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896727229, $59.95, www.ttupresss.org

Good fashion has never known gender. "American Menswear: From the Civil War to the Twenty-First Century" is a historical study of men's fashions throughout the past century and a half, tracing the social trends of the time from old fashioned tailors to the widening spread to the common people, to how it has changed with technologies such as radio, television, and the internet. Proving to be a fascinating read not just to see the evolution of fashion, but as an analysis of the effects of history, "American Menswear" is an excellent pick and shouldn't be missed by community and college library collections focusing on fashion and history.


The International Studies Shelf

Fambul Tok
John Caulker, Libby Hoffman, and Sara Terry
Umbrage
111 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
9781884167218, $40.00, www.umbragebooks.com

Mending a broken community is a rough endeavor, especially through civil war. "Fambul Tok" brings together the families and communities of Sierra Leone, a region devastated by eleven years of civil war, as John Caulker, Libby Hoffman, and Sara Terry, come together to provide a picture of a people ready to get their lives back on the right track and pushing themselves for reconciliation. Constructed to accompany the documentary film of the same name, "Fambul Tok" is a thoughtful tracing of a people from war back to community.


The Holocaust Studies Shelf

Answering Auschwitz
Stanislao G. Pugilese
Fordham University Press
University Box L
2546 Belmont Ave, Bronx, New York 10458
9780823233595, $25.00, www.fordhampress.com

When there is no why is when students of history and life are driven the most crazy. "Answering Auschwitz: Primo Levi's Science and Humanism After the Fall" is a series of essays discussing the work of Primo Levi, who after his own endeavor in the concentration camps, became a prolific man of art, science, and writing. These writers come together to evaluate Levi's unique work and try to answer the questions that Levi himself could never quite grasp the answers for. "Answering Auschwitz" is an excellent and scholarly addition to any Holocaust studies collection.


The Psychology Shelf

Risky Business
Stephen J. Foster
Inner City Books
PO Box 1271, Station Q, Toronto, ON M4T 2P4
9781894574334, $25.00, www.innercitybooks.net

How does the human mind react to environmental crisis? "Risky Business: A Jungian View of Environmental Disasters and the Nature of Archetype" brings Jungian psychology to the discussion to analyze how communities rise to environmental concern and how it is best answered. Analyzing self, the group, the power of mythology, industrialization, and much more, "Risky Business" offers a scholarly analysis of how serious crisis in nature plays out in our minds and drives us to action or inaction, very highly recommended for environmental and psychology collections.

Treating Dementia in Context
Susan M. McCurry & Claudia Drossel
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
9781433809361, $69.95, www.apa.org

No age-driven mental disorder is one size fits all. "Treating Dementia in Context: A Step-by-Step Guide to Working with Individuals and Families" discusses the failing mental facilities that often come at aging people, called in general, dementia. Aimed at any of those who are involved in the many levels of care, from family to psychologist and everything in between. The chapters in general aim at improving the quality of life for the caregiver and the patient and sustaining the relationship for the decades it may endure. Studious and scholarly, McCurry and Drossel apply their expertise well in making "Treating Dementia in Context" a resource that should not be overlooked by any professional or caregiver who is facing a patient facing the many stages of dementia.


The Literary Shelf

Daniel Stein, Interpreter
Ludmila Ulitskaya
Overlook Duckworth
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
9781590203200, $27.95, www.overlookpress.com

Survival leads us down some very strange roads. "Daniel Stein, Interpreter" is a novel heavily inspired by the life of Oswald Rufeisen. Through one life time, Daniel works with the Gestapo, becomes a Catholic priest, goes to Israel, and much more. Through working with everyone, Daniel comes to understand the world much better. A novel originally written in Russian by Ludmila Ulitskaya and masterfully translated by Arch Tait, "Daniel Stein, Interpreter" is a riveting read of literary historical fiction, a grade-A pick for any library collection catering to the genre.


The Nautical Shelf

Liffey Ships & Shipbuilding
Pat Sweeney
Mercier History
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781856356855, $29.95, www.mercierpress.ie

Belfast had no monopoly on Ireland's ship building industry. "Liffey Ships & Shipbuilding" traces the history surrounding the shipbuilding industry in Dublin, focusing primarily on the docks known as the Liffey. Offering quite the comprehensive history tracing the development of the shipyard with its contributions to both world war and its fall as aviation took the stage, "Liffey Ships & Shipbuilding" is filled with black and white photos and proves to be quite the history lesson, especially for those with a love for all things nautical.

Essential Boat Maintenance
Pat Manley & Rupert Holmes
Sheridan House
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781574093056, $34.95, www.sheridanhouse.com

You can't risk something going awry when you're miles into the ocean. "Essential Boat Maintenance: A Comprehensive Guide to Boat Improvement, Refitting and Repair" is a guide for keeping one's boat seaworthy and then some, with tips and advice on the many aspects of keeping a boat clean and worthy of use. From electrical issues to cosmetic issues to dealing with problems while at sea, "Essential Boat Maintenance" is a very useful resource for anyone who has a hobby or professional interest in boat maintenance.


The Archaeology Shelf

Philip's City
Fred Strickert
Liturgical Press
PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
9780814657522, $39.95, www.litpress.org

As time goes on, we make connections to the legends and history that make our world. "Philip's City: From Bethsaida to Julias" discusses the archeological uncovering of et-Tell, what many of those working on the process believe to be from the Iron Age, biblical times and the time of David. Fred Strickert presents a fascinating study of how the temple and city fell into ruin, and makes for a thoughtful and important read for any curios about this period of history. "Philip's City" is a strong addition to history collections with a focus on the era of the Bible.

Handbook of Forensic Archeology & Anthropology
Soren Blau & Douglas H. Ubelaker, editors
Left Coast Press
1630 North Main Street, #400, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
9781611327939, $49.95, www.lcoastpress.com

Science has a useful habit of mixing together to advance many frontiers. "Handbook of Forensic Archeology & Anthropology" is a collection of essays and writings from various authors as they discuss the blending of these disciplines and what it can mean for both sciences. Although forensic science is usually attached to criminal justice, it focuses on using a bit of detective work which is often needed to understand the life and nature of our ancient ancestors, and the evolution of culture. Filled with five hundred pages of reference, indexes, figures, and more, "Handbook of Forensic Archeology & Anthropology" is an excellent and recommended addition to any educational, anthropology, or social science textbook collection.


The Terrorism Studies Shelf

Secret Affairs
Mark Curtis
Serpent's Tail
c/o Meryl Zegarek Public Relations
255 West 108th Street, Suite 901, NY, NY 10025
sarah.ward@profilebooks.com
9781846687631, $17.95, www.serpentstail.com

The thirst for oil is not America's alone. "Secret Affairs: Britain's Collusion with Radical Islam" is a study of declassified government files to reveal that the United Kingdom has had its hand in the rise of global terrorism, stating that the nation's thirst for oil caused it to support radical Islamic groups around the world and how some of the more cold and calculated spirit of the British Empire never faded. "Secret Affairs" is a fascinating read about where to place the blame in today's serious problem with radical Islam.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Sage Tales
Burton L. Visotzky
Jewish Lights Publishing
Sunset Farms Offices, Route 4
PO Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
9781580234566, $24.99, www.jewishlights.com

Good wisdom is timeless, valued at any level of technology and location. "Sage Tales: Wisdom and Wonder from the Rabbis of the Talmud" is a collection of traditional ancient Jewish stories as Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky shares these stories and brings to light their morales and wisdom and how they remain reverent even after thousands of years have passed. Blending education, spirituality, and more, "Sage Tales" is a core addition to any Judaic studies collection, enthusiastically recommended.

Festivals of Faith
Norman Lamm
KTAV
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602801745, $27.50, www.ktav.com

In anticipation for celebration, it's easy to forget the why. "Festivals of Faith: Reflections on The Jewish Holidays" is a discussion from Rabbi Norman Lamm as he presents his studies and thoughts on the many holidays throughout the year, starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Tish'ah Be-Av, presenting the story of each of the holiday and what they should mean to all of us, and what to keep in mind in the observance and celebration. "Festivals of Faith" is an excellent addition to any Judaic studies collection.


The Native American Shelf

Thus Fell Tecumseh
Frank E. Kuron
Kuron Publishing
9780615415222, $21.95, www.amazon.com

The great Shawnee Chief Tecumseh perished in the Battle of the Thames in 1813. Colonel Johnson claimed that he killed Tecumseh, and even turned his alleged victory into a rhyming slogan that helped him win the vice-presidency of the United States in 1836, but was he really the one responsible? "Thus Fell Tecumseh" examines the mystery of Tecumseh's death, comparing accounts from diverse sources and meticulously weeding fiction from fact. Reconstructing Tecumseh's fateful last battle from British, Indian, American and Canadian testimonies, "Thus Fell Tecumseh" ultimately reveals who historical evidence really points to as dealing the killing blow. An excellent addition to Native American and American History shelves.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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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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