Reviews, Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers
|Home / California Bookwatch
Table of Contents
All the Good Ones Aren't Taken
Debbie Magids Ph.D. & Nancy Peske
St. Martin's Press
175 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
Are you a serial dater going from one relationship to another? If you're always searching for love and never finding it, All the Good Ones Aren't Taken: Change the Way You Date and Find Lasting Love is for you. Here are eight styles of behavior patterns typical of unhappy singles: learn about how subconscious desires thwart romance, how to recognize dead-end paths and repetitive barriers to relationships, and how to change ingrained patterns in a fine guide to dating patterns and common barriers.
Captain William Lubber
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140-1338
0763631434 $19.99 1-800-526-0275 www.candlewick.com
While this is graded for ages 3 and older, it's reviewed here so that all ages will see it, as nobody with an interest in pirates will want to miss the captivating, gorgeous PIRATEOLOGY: A PIRATE HUNTER'S COMPANION. Here is the journal of Captain William Lubber, who sailed in search of female pirate Arabella Drummond. Dugald Steer edits an account which is vivid, packed with photos and illustration, and holds pockets of 'letters' throughout, along with a compass embedded in its cover. Maps and drawings are excellent and entire families will appreciate the coverage; not just kids~
Barn in the U.S.A.
16100 Table Mtn Pkwy #300, Golden, CO 80403
Barn lovers and any interested in barns old and new will find this a lovely survey of historic barns of the West. Landmark structures, their appearance in notable classic films, and details on both architecture and history compliment full-page color photos of the barns in their current settings. Any with an affection for old-time structures in general and barns in particular will find BARN IN THE USA a lovely acquisition.
Secrets the Pros Won't Tell You About Winning Hold-Em Poker
Lou Krieger & Sheree Bykofsky
850 3rd Avenue, New York NY 10022
Actual techniques gamblers use to win consistently in all kinds of poker matches are presented in an unusual guide which goes beyond theory to discuss winning moves used in real life. Here are analysis of betting patterns, advanced bank management ideas, how to make the best of a card set, and how to bet with confidence. Lively chapters survey the methods of winning pros for an authoritative poker text.
Our New York
Carl E. Heilman II
380 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
Any who seek a celebration of New York State will find OUR NEW YORK a fitting tribute, pairing vivid full-page color photos with descriptions of attractions form Long Island to Niagara Falls. Both urban and rural landscapes are captured by photographer Carol Heilman II, who covers old architectural structures, modern cityscapes, and countryside alike. A gorgeous photographic coffee table presentation which celebrates the state's diversity and wonders.
Island of Seven Cities
St. Martin's Press
175 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010-7848
THE ISLAND OF SEVEN CITIES: WHERE THE CHINESE SETTLED WHEN THEY DISCOVERED AMERICA gathers and presents tangible proof that the Chinese had their own settlement in America long before Columbus. Chaisson is an architect and teacher: his insights on a series of ruins in Cape Breton Island rewrites American history, and is essential reading for any who would understand early American origins and evidence on explorations.
Revive Your Ride
3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618
REVIVE YOUR RIDE: SECRETS FROM A BODY AND PAINT RESTORATION PRO packs in everything needed to set up the perfect auto restoration shop, from tools and paints to developing professional-quality refinishing techniques. This comes from an auto body professional who knows all the tricks, right down to restoring nameplates and badges. From best paints to use for particular jobs to methods, REVIVE YOUR RIDE comes packed with color photos throughout.
7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
Kit Cessna's EQUAL OR GREATER FORCE: A DELTA FORCE VETERAN TEACHES YOU HOW TO SURVIVE CRIME, TERRORISM, NATURAL DISASTERS, AND OTHER CALAMITIES (9781581605044) comes from a combat veteran and provides rules for survival which go beyond the usual insight on hand combat to emphasize individual responsibility for personal survival. That said, chapters teach both weaponry and mental toughness to foster that survival, whether it be in urban settings or in the face of war or natural disasters. Learn how fear works for and against you, develop a combat-ready mindset, and more. Gordon Perrigard, MD's ARWROLOGY: ALL-OUT HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING FOR COMMANDOS, MILITARY AND CIVILIANS (9781581605075) tells how to win. 'Arwrology' is derived from the old Welsh and means an all-out hand-to-hand fighter: it was developed by Gordon Perrigard, a Canadian medical doctor who blends advanced ju-jitsu with human anatomy insights. Chapters show how to defeat an armed person, overcome brute strength, and fall without injury. Learn all the basics of hand-to-hand combat in a fine survey that includes black and white step-by-step photos. Phil Elmore's FLASHLIGHT FIGHTING: HOW TO MAKE YOUR POCKET FLASHLIGHT A TAKE-ANYWHERE SELF-DEFENSE WEAPON (158160502X, $9.95) tells of one of the few self-defense options which has yet to be legislated and controlled. Learn how to use it to debilitate and even kill an attacker through a martial artist who provides basic defensive strikes using the flashlight as a weapon.
101+ Great Ideas for Introducing Key Concepts in Mathematics
Alfred Posamentier & Herbert Hauptman
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
The updated second edition of 101+ Great Ideas for Introducing Key Concepts in Mathematics: A Resource for Secondary school Teachers is a 'must' for any who wish more proven classroom practices. Over a hundred strategies for teaching math are arranged by subject matter, with each listing identifying objectives, materials, and procedures. Both hands-on and computer-based approaches are detailed, with plenty of lessons and examples throughout. This comes form a mathematician/professor and a math pioneer and Nobel Prize recipient: from geometry to algebra, teachers will find it packed with ideas.
Ms. Moffett's First Year
250 West 57th Street #1321, New York NY 10107
MS. MOFFETT'S FIRST YEAR: BECOMING A TEACHER IN AMERICA tells of a forty-five-year-old legal secretary who answered an ad proposing to recruit professionals from other fields to teach in some of the city's worst schools. Seven weeks later she was an unprepared teacher. Author and NY Times education reporter Abby Goodnough followed Moffett's first year as a teacher: this offers many realities of the urban school system and the challenges facing teachers of poor and immigrant populations. A spirited account outlines conflicts, challenges, and successes alike and is a 'must' read for aspiring teachers.
Bucyrus: Making the Earth Move For 125 Years
380 Jackson, St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
Bucyrus International has built heavy excavating machinery for over a hundred years: it began in 1880 building equipment and became the leading supplier of draglines, shovels and drills for the mining industry, purchasing competitors and today building about 90 percent of the walking draglines in existence. Mergers, pivotal changes, and construction techniques are detailed along with plenty of color and vintage photos in BUCYRUS, of interest to any in the equipment industry.
'Most Wanted' titles
Potomac Books Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 201662012
The entertaining 'Most Wanted' titles compile headlines and trivia from two decades, including the best and worst of pop culture and concerns of the times and providing trivia buffs with lively history and insights. Robert Rodriguez's THE 1950S MOST WANTED (1574887157) tells of the Red Scare, rock and roll music, popular cars and movies of the times, and more. Stuart Shea's THE 1960S MOST WANTED (1574887211) does the same for the psychedelic era, covering music and modern living, fashion, sports all the top concerns of the volatile decade.
The Business Shelf
The Visible Employee
Jeffrey Stanton & Kathryn Stam
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055
THE VISIBLE EMPLOYEE: USING WORKPLACE MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE TO PROTECT INFORMATION ASSETS WITHOUT COMPROMISING EMPLOYEE PRIVACY OR TRUST is a 'must' for any business serious about privacy and information security in the workplace. It reports on the results of a four-year research project focused on prevailing workplace security measures and their repercussions, discussing solutions, employee attitudes towards monitoring, and privacy issues. Both legal and security issues come into play in a survey essential for IT managers.
235 Montgomery, #650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
Rebuffs and rejection from negative people often create a world of negatively and encourage stagnation: BJ Gallagher & Steve Ventura's YES LIVES IN THE LAND OF NO: A TALE OF TRIUMPH OVER NEGATIVITY (1576753395 $19.95) is here to show it is possible to overcome negative reactions. Told in the form of a parable for easier digestion, YES LIVES IN THE LAND OF NO tells of a search for YES where other positive characters have failed because they didn't effectively handle the negativity they faced. Half the book's parable; the second half is life-applied practices and tips. John Weiser, et.al.'s UNTAPPED: CREATING VALUE IN UNDERSERVED MARKETS (1576753727, $28.95) tells of the potentials of low- to moderate-income consumers who represent a big opportunity ignored by most companies who go for higher-end consumers. These untapped markets promise increased sales, qualified workforces, and good quality: UNTAPPED tells how to gain consumers, workers and suppliers from this market, offering practical applications packed with the case histories of successful companies who made such efforts work. John Perkins' CONFESSIONS OF AN ECONOMIC HIT MAN (1576753018, $24.95) provides a blend of autobiography and business savvy to trace the author's own journey from that of a willing employee to an advocate for the rights of the economically oppressed. This isn't just a turn of moral values, however: Perkins explains how he helped implement a secret scheme to funnel billions of oil petrodollars back into the US economic, how this cemented international relationships, and explores other behind-the-scenes financial dealings and political relationships. Many warned Perkins not to write this expose of how the system that fosters globalization and poverty works: we should be thankful he did, against advice. Michael H. Shuman's THE SMALL-MART REVOLUTION: HOW LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE BEATING THE GLOBAL COMPETITION (1576753867, $24.00) provides a hopeful look at the present and future of small business, refuting the popular notion that multinational chains are the future, with no alternative. Chapters provide numbers and facts to back up contentions that small businesses are stronger community members than such corporations, able to generate good jobs, foster economic growth, and provide social stability. Examples and case histories chart immigrant contributions, strong small business communities, and more, blending case history examples with insights on policy-making and politics. Thomas Crum's THREE DEEP BREATHS: FINDING POWER AND PURPOSE IN A STRESSED-OUT WORLD (1576753891, $19.95) offers up a technique which even the busiest person can use to relieve stress on a daily level, whether while driving to an appointment, commuting to work, or walking to a meeting. It's based on the cognitive-restructuring capability of the brain and provides techniques and analysis of purpose, vision and energy.
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
You may recall Michael Watkins' name from his best-selling book THE FIRST 90 DAYS: here he draws on research and consulting insights to reveal four fundamental objectives new leaders need to understand to guide their organizations more effectively. His SHAPING THE GAME: THE NEW LEADER'S GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE NEGOTIATING (1422102521 $26.95) is all about the deal: chapters discuss how to negotiate with critical stakeholders, build relationships, and translate perceived value into concrete advancements for self and company alike. A 'must' for any business negotiator. Mark Gerzon's LEADING THROUGH CONFLICT: HOW SUCCESSFUL LEADERS TRANSFORM DIFFERENCES INTO OPPORTUNITIES (159139919X, $27.95) comes from a mediation expert who argues leaders have failed to pull people together after conflict affects an organization. LEADING THROUGH CONFLICT uses case studies from decades of Gerzon's work to illustrate eight powerful tools for integration, from developing vision for acknowledging all aspects of a conflict to asking questions important to addressing and resolving it. A fine guide managers will appreciate.
Risk & Grow Rick
RISK & GROW RICH: HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS IN REAL ESTATE comes from a young real estate entrepreneur who advocates not just risk-taking, but smart risks which pay off richly. Her title covers all elements of real estate risk and shows how to assess these risks for maximum value and payback. From understanding leveraging equity to achieving a recession-proof price point, RISK & GROW RICH is packed with insights.
375 Hudson, New York NY 10014
Chris Denove and James Power IV's SATISFACTION: HOW EVERY GREAT COMPANY LISTENS TO THE VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER (1591841097 $25.95) is the ultimate customer service guide: where many books advise to listen to customers, SATISFACTION outlines exactly how this is to happen, drawing on nearly 40 years of the authors' experiences. Chapters discuss link between customer satisfaction and profits, how to turn dissatisfaction into enthusiasm, and how to empower employees to do the best for their customers. Michael J. Silverstein's TREASURE HUNT: INSIDE THE MIND OF THE NEW CONSUMER (1591841232, $26.95) analyzes the mind and interests of the new consumer, and is a must for any retail operation. Silverstein consulted with dozens of leading companies, interviewing thousands of customers to arrive at patterns of that drives their purchase decisions. TREASURE HUNT reveals the varied approaches of these new consumers, who seem as happy finding their treasures at Costco as online or in luxury stores. An excellent guide to an evolving class of hunters. Pip Coburn's THE CHANGE FUNCTION: WHY SOME TECHNOLOGIES TAKE OFF AND OTHERS CRASH AND BURN (1591841321, $24.95) is a pick for any business reader interested in innovation and progress: Coburn is famous for writing lively Wall Street reports blending business with philosophy and intellectual literacy, and here provides strong insights into what drives technology trends. Coburn's study of winners and losers in the industry lend to a guide which explains why some technologies become huge hits while others struggle and die out.
Management by Baseball
10 E. 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
MANAGEMENT BY BASEBALL: THE OFFICIAL RULES FOR WINNING MANAGEMENT IN ANY FIELD could also have been featured in our sports section, but it's reviewed here for its applications of baseball principles to management theory. Baseball managers can be better role models for leaders in business than current business models because they have learned how to implement innovations, overcome resistance to new ideas, adapt to changes, and lead team efforts: any new manager and baseball fan will relish these 'how to' guidelines.
2 Years to a Million In Real Estate
Matthew A. Martinez
2 Penn Plaza, New York NY 10121-2298
Can you quit your day job to make a million in real estate? You can if you have Matthew A. Martinez's 2 YEARS TO A MILLION IN REAL ESTATE in hand: it comes from one who worked hard until he acquired his first rental property and worked at it two years later he was making more in rentals than in his job. Today he holds a portfolio consisting of several millions of income-producing properties and his tips on how he did it and how you can, too are offered in a guide covering everything from real estate 'bubble' mistakes to picking and financing hot properties.
The Photography Shelf
The Art of RAW Conversion
Uwe Steinmueller & Jurgen Gulbins
No Starch Press
555 DeHaro #250, San Francisco CA 94107
Many photographers surrender control over their images to their cameras' built-in converters: take back the art by understanding how to manipulate RAW files with THE ART OF RAW CONVERSION: HOW TO PRODUCE ART-QUALITY PHOTOS WITH ADOVE PHOTOSHOP CS2 AND LEADING RAW CONVERTERS. From calibrating a digital camera to work with RAW files and understanding differences between the leading RAW converters to manipulating both color and black and white images, this is for the neo-pro who wants to get the most out of his camera.
Quick Snap Guide to Digital SLR Photography
David D. Busch
25 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210
Any who have a new digital SLR camera will appreciate this quick start-up manual covering all the basics common to these cameras. Plenty of illustration and color photos pack pages that survey DSLR-specific techniques, setting up lighting, using lenses, and more. The color photo examples include all technical specs for reproducing effects, while quick sections on texture, histograms, and more offer plenty of depth. A top pick for any DSLR new owner, no matter what model they've chosen.
The Computer Shelf
25 Thomson Place, Boston MA 02210
Programmers involved in cryptography need the latest, cutting-edge insights as provided in the updated edition of A. & & N. Moldovyan's INNOVATIVE CRYPTOGRAPHY, 2nd Edn (1584504676 $49.95), a reference on common problems and their solutions. Both hardware and software issues are revealed in chapters which open with a review of cryptography in modern society and common protocols and move quickly to issues in networks, controlled environments, software ciphers and much more. Technical discussions offer engineers, researchers and IT security pros a solid mix of new advancements and applied science. John P. Flynt's JAVA PROGRAMMING FOR THE ABSOLUTE BEGINNER, 2ND EDN (1598632752, $29.99) needs no familiarity with Java to prove useful: it teaches the basics of both Java and object-oriented programming, using Java's features to work through examples of games and applications. From the bare-bones basics to later complexities of GUI features and desktop Windows development tasks, this is the perfect beginning place for newcomers to Java. Christopher Diaz's INTRODUCTION TO UNIX/LINUX (1584504498, $ 49.95) teaches all the fundamentals, from how to install a UNIX/Linux system and its applications and how to edit files to writing programs using advanced commands. Chapters discuss text formatting, job management, and more and provide review questions for each chapter, Powerpoint slides for a course, and a DVD-ROM with a Fedora installation to install Linux on your computer. Sam Siewert's REAL-TIME EMBEDDED SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS (1584504684, $59.95) provides systems engineers with an excellent resource for applying real-time theory to real-world design. Chapters pair fundamental theory with the building blocks of applications, from surveying digital audio and video to continuous media applications. It's a guide no systems engineer should be without. Robert Ericsson and Jason Cline's SQL SERVER 2005 FOR DEVELOPERS (1584503882, $44.95) provides a database tool offering new ways to manipulate servers and databases. SQL Server's tools and special advice on tips, tricks and handling pack chapters of tutorials which will lend well to classroom use or as a reference. All the files needed to complete the book's tutorials including C# code tiles are here for developer to absorb.
1005 Gravenstein Hwy N., Sebastopol, CA 95472
While web designers are the most likely audience for Michele Davis & Jon Phillips's LEARNING PHP AND MYSQL (0596101104 $29.95), any interested in web design or open source technology will appreciate this guide to creating popular web sites. The blend of PHP and MySQL lends to interactive web sites, and this book is the item of choice for any who would install, combine, and use the two together. From enhancing an old site to building a new one from scratch, the best applications for the best results are covered here. Jonathan Oxer, Kyle Rankin and Bill Childers' UBUNTU HACKS: TIPS & TOOLS FOR EXPLORING, USING AND TUNING LINUX (05966237209, $29.99) covers the popular Ubuntu Linux, providing a one-stop source of common knowledge essential to any developing Linux-based applications. From installation and testing to burning discs, listening to music, and considering special system security, UBUNTU HACKS covers all the basics essential to streamlining and using the program. Rick Lehtinen, Deborah Russell and G.T. Gangemi Sr.'s COMPUTER SECURITY BASICS, 2ND EDN (0596006691, $39.99) offers up the fundamentals of computer security, updating basics developed in the original edition and including concepts ranging from encryption systems and mandatory access control to web attacks, security policies, wireless network issues and more. All given in a very basic style that lends well to beginner understanding. Cricket Liu and Paul Albitz's DNS AND BIND, 5th Edition (0596100576, $49.99) provides systems administrators with plenty of technical detail for mastering one of the basic building blocks of the net the distributed host information database which does everything from route mail to listing phone numbers. From setting up nameservers and subdividing domains to troubleshooting systems and mapping to several servers, this covers many basics. Robbie Allen & Laura Hunter's ACTIVE DIRECTORY COOKBOOK (059610202X, $49.99) appears in its second updated edition to offer quick answers for administrators using Windows Server 2003 SP1 and R2 versions. Here are 'recipes' for hundreds of step-by-step solutions for all kinds of problems, from restricting hosts for LDAP queries to security filters, handling soon-to-expire passwords, configuring replication and more. As a companion to the third edition of ACTIVE DIRECTORY, it stands well as either an accompanying tutorial of recipes or alone, as a reference. Jukka Korpela's UNICODE EXPLAINED (059610121X, $59.99) provides all the basics of unicode and character data, from terminology to code conversion, encodings, text boundaries and directionality, languages and more. Learn how to internationalize documents, programs and web sites with a clear guide.
Teach Your Computer to Dance
Don & Susan Silver
Box 491002, Los Angeles, CA 90049
TEACH YOUR COMPUTER TO DANCE: MAKE YOUR COMPUTER, MOBILE DEVICES AND THE INTERNET PERFORM FOR YOU isn't just for bare-bones beginners: it will teach many an avid computer user about everything from cultivating proper tone in an email and using lingo and abbreviations to activating an anti-spam device, organizing a computer, text messaging, and much more. Here under one cover are all the streamlining tips you've had to learn the hard way plus many you may not know. From password crackers to privacy and security issues, no user should be without TEACH YOUR COMPUTER TO DANCE: it will prevent troubles and streamline results.
Designer and programmers will find these two guides important. Ian Lloyd's BUILD YOUR OWN WEB SITE THE RIGHT WAY USING HTML & CSS (0975240293, $29.95) provides step-by-step planning for any building their first web site. From the basics of HTML and how to use it effectively to styling text, building a full-featured web site, updating using blogs, resizing images, adding elements and backgrounds and more, BUILDING YOUR OWN WEB SITE THE RIGHT WAY covers all possible options. Rachel Andrew and Dan Shafer's HTML UTOPIA: DESIGNING WITHOUT TABLES USING CSS (0975240277, $39.95) appears in its second edition to provide a completely revised tutorial to designing without tables. Use CSS to layout designs and do the work for you: chapters show how, covering everything from headers and color manipulation to fonts and using sidebars. Both are excellent guides.
Seventy tested, real-world 'recipes' you can use to deliver exceptional Ruby on Rails applications are a 'must' for any developer who works on projects and needs quick code applications. From better data access and quick application interfaces to easier testing and managing a static site, Chad Fowler's RAILS RECIPES (0977616605 $32.95) comes not just from the author, but from a Rails core team and other experts so they've all been beta tested, they all work, and they're based on the latest Rails 1.0 and 1.1. Mike Mason's PRAGMATIC VERSION CONTROL USING SUBVERSION, 2ND EDITION (0977616657, $34.95) joins two others in the overall 3-volume 'kit' which shows how a handful of basic recipes can benefit almost any version control system. From source code, documentation and testing to data protection and shared assets, PRAGMATIC VERSION CONTROL USING SUBVERSION teaches the basics, how to avoid bad decisions, and how to use the latest Subversion 1.3 features.
How to Use the Internet to Advertise, Promote, and Market Your Business Web Site
Bruce C. Brown
1210 SW 23rd Place, Ocala, FL 33474-7014
It's easy to be confused about Internet marketing opportunities with a blend of fast-paced changes and tech terminology complicating the picture, but any small business owner seeking enlightenment need look no further than How to Use the Internet to Advertise, Promote, and Market Your Business Web Site with Little Or No Money. It packs tried-and-tested marketing applications with easy explanations of Internet choices, pros and cons, and it covers everything from automating a web site to optimizing a search engine result. An essential guide any business needs for making a powerful web presence.
Insider SEO & PPC
Andreas Ramos & Stephanie Cota
Want to get your business listing at the top of the search engines? It's essential, then, to have Insider SEO & PPC on your side: its chapters juxtapose case study examples with insights on bids, paid ads, positioning, strategies for landing pages, and relevant categories, and provide the best in applied logic and real-world examples.
One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Programmers will relish two new guides that are practical desk references. Mark G. Sobell's A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO RED HAT LINUX, 3rd Edition (0132280272, $49.99) offers complete coverage of Fedora Core and red Hat Enterprise Linux and it's no light overview, either. Chapters delve deeply into the command line, Internet server configurations, security techniques, and system and network admin tasks, including details on writing shell scripts and setting up a firewall. Jasmin Blanchette and Mark Summerfield's C++ GUI PROGRAMMING WITH QT4 (0131872494, $59.99) covers programming patterns and techniques for mastering key technologies in the new 2D paint engine and environment, covering all QT basics, event processing, and more. Updated material in every chapter offers the latest and greatest, with an accompanying cd-rom including an open source edition for Windows, Mac, Linux and many Unixes. Documentation and code are specific and packed with detail.
The Military Shelf
Cindy in Iraq
Cynthia I. Morgan
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
CINDY IN IRAQ: A CIVILIAN'S YEAR IN THE WAR ZONE is the author's account of her year as a truck driver in a country under siege one of the most dangerous civilian jobs in the war zone. Morgan ledft everyone and everything behind to be a truck driver in Kuwait and Iraq, feeling it wold give her the opportunity to make changes in her life. Her sons were teens and wanted accounts of all her experiences so evolved a series of emails which form the foundation of this book, re-creating her experiences and providing charged, action-packed reading.
431 Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
Tom Tancredo, US Congressman, Colorado, has written a survey of the heart of American security issues in IN MORTAL DANGER: THE BATTLE FOR AMERICA'S BORDER AND SECURITY. Immigration laws, processes and issues lie at the heart of American security issues, and IN MORTAL DANGER warns Americans of the dangers of failing to properly secure borders. His damning analysis on government failures to fix problems includes a survey of exactly what these problems are and how they can be fixed. Jerome Corsi, Ph.D.'s ATOMIC IRAN: HOW THE TERRORIST REGIME BOUGHT THE BOMB AND AMERICAN POLITICIANS (1581825463, $16.95) provides a new paperback edition of the popular 2005 hardcover. Iran's current mission is to prepare for the return of the Mahdi, akin to the Christian Second Coming of Christ: chapters explore the dangerous connections between this belief and the idea that an apocalypse is needed to bring back the Mahdi. A 'must' for any concerned about Middle East terrorism and leaders.
Marines in the Garden of Eden
Richard S. Lowry
375 Hudson, New York NY 10014
In 2003 members of the 507th Maintenance Company had become lost in the desert a week later they would participate in one of the bloodiest battles to oust Husseun from Iraq. Marines in the Garden of Eden: The True Story of Seven Bloody Days in Iraq tells of the story of the battle for a key part of the region, seen through the eyes of Marines, reporters and soldiers who were there. Sixteen pages of black and white photos provide a centerfold of images to back a powerful story of ambush and battle.
The Tiger Moth Story
Crecy Publishing Ltd.
1A Ringway Trading Estate, Shadowmoss Road, Manchester M22 LH, UK
There were no proper drawings for the first Tiger Moth: it just evolved when the RAF requested alterations to an existing Gipsy Moth. Yet, the Tiger Moth proved a cheap, reliable and essential plane for fighting World War II, even though it wasn't easy to fly. The Tiger Moth Story is for avid aviation and military buffs who will here find everything needed to know about the plane's history and properties. It's been updated and expanded since the 1964 edition to include more Tiger Moth aircraft details, memories, and black and white photos.
38 Greene Street, New York NY 10013
Three years after the war in Iraq violence continues arguing against it is Anthony Arnove in his Iraq: The Logic of Withdrawal (1595580794 $19.95), who maintains the US occupation is the source of instability and should be ended. Furthermore, he maintains Bush has never been interested in bringing democracy to the country and he explores the real reasons behind the invasion. Moreover, civilian effort at home will be needed to bring the war to an end. A hard-hitting examination of facts and fallacies emerges for any concerned about the future of Iraq and American soldiers. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg edits 10 EXCELLENT REASONS NOT TO JOIN THE MILITARY (1595580662, $14.95) tells why the armed forces are having a tough time recruiting lately, providing a handy list of reasons not to join the military and blending this advice with hard facts and personal testimony from soldiers. From immediate dangers to long-term and lasting physical and mental effects of military service, chapters describe tricks used by recruiters and even covers training and other issues.
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
Two excellent publications in military planes will delight genre fans who enjoy specialty titles, and military collections seeking specific aviation guides. X-PLANES PHOTO SCRAPBOOK (1580070760, $24.95) covers some 48 designations of X-Planes along with some experimental aircraft which didn't quite fall into the formal X-series. Adding these experimental aircraft makes for a rich and well-rounded survey indeed: one pairing sharp color photos on nearly every page with historical background. Photos come from government and company archives as well as personal and public holdings, and are basic to understanding the modern history of flight and military plane developments. Alwyn T. Lloyd's BOEING'S B-47 STRATOJET (158007071X, $39.95) tells the history and development of the Army's first strategic jet bomber. Boeing B-47 became the cornerstone of America's forces until the B-52 came into production: over a thousand were in the SAC's inventory in the mid-1950s, and their design would foster innovations in civilian aircraft as well. The entire history of the B-47, from technical specs to modern applications, comes to life in word and photo-packed content.
The U.S. Army in the West
Douglas C. McChristian
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
This isn't just another general survey, but a detailed inspection of the development of army uniforms, equipment and small arms during the Indian campaigns in the West. As such, it will attract history buffs, military readers and collectors alike, pairing over two hundred photos with historical background on the frontier era. THE U.S. ARMY IN THE WEST, 1870-1880 comes from a retired research historian for the National Park Service, and could've been featured in our 'Collector's Shelf' area, but is featured here for its added attraction to any military history buff with an affection for early Western events.
The M1 Carbine
Historical Archive Press
151 Harvard Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902
This first volume in the 'Classic American Small Arms at War' series deserves a spot in any authoritative military history library collection: it reflects the author's love affair with the M1 carbine and packs vintage black and white war photos from the US National Archives on every page as it cover the carbine in action during WWII and in Korea. As a photo odyssey of the carbine's impact and role, it provides powerful historical images.
Greenhill Books/MBI, Dist.
380 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
Peter G. Tsouras edits DIXIE VICTORIOUS: AN ALTERNATE HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR (1853676896, $18.95), which goes beyond most sci-fi scenarios of alternate history to pose scenes by historians who ask 'what if'. Key battle changes, outcomes of general decisions, and more are provided in realistic scenarios which alternate battle results and actions to show how a different choice or incident could've altered history. It's the professional historian participation that makes this an engrossing presentation. John Drogo Montagu's GREEK & ROMAN WARFARE: BATTLES, TACTICS AND TRICKERY (1853676853, $34.95) uses eighteen battle plans based on classical source material to follow the tactics and strategies of the Greeks and Romans during war. This study will reach beyond military collections to interest college-level world history scholars, offering lots of maps and specific analysis.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
GHOST HUNTERS: WILLIAM JAMES AND THE SEARCH FOR SCIENTIFIC PROOF OF LIFE AFTER DEATH tells of a small group of elite scholars who at the turn of the century, amid the furor over Darwin's theories, pursued proof of the supernatural. This group consisted of philosophers, two Nobel laureates, and psychologist/philosopher William James: they launched an investigation which was to continue decades later. GHOST HUNTERS follows not only their theories and investigations, but the results of their surveys some of which couldn't be explained as hoaxes. An eye-opening story evolves.
How to Be Happy All the Time
Crystal Clarity Publishers
14618 Tyler Foote Road, Nevada City, CA 95959
The most important condition for happiness is even-mindedness, and here the author of AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI brings some of this sense to a treatise on how to be happy under virtually any condition. From identifying habits, thoughts, and practices which steal from happiness to understanding simplicity is the key and sharing happiness with others, HOW TO BE HAPPY ALL THE TIME: THE WISDOM OF YOGANANDA, V. 1 is a fine starting point for reaching contentment.
Aleister Crowley and the Practice of the Magical Diary
James Wasserman, Editor
500 3rd Steet #230, San Francisco CA 94107
If the title sounds familiar, it's because Aleister Crowley and the Practice of the Magical Diary has appeared before but this revised, expanded edition is a top pick for any adept or student who wants a sampling of texts drawn from Volumes 1 and III of Crowley's impressive The Equinox. Here are step-by-step methods and descriptions which includes John Street John and A Master of the Temple from the original perfect for occult students.
Conversations with Seth, Book 2
Susan M. Watkins
Moment Point Press
Box 920287, Needham, MA 02492
Familiarity with Book 1 would be helpful but is not a requirement for Conversations with Seth, Book 2, which continues the dialogues and adventures between Jane Roberts and her class members as they debate with channeled psychic entity Seth. Susan Watkins spent time in the company of both: her recreation of the atmosphere and concerns of a 1970s metaphysical class provides insights into premonition dreams, mass events, politics, and God alike, and will intrigue any with an interest in channeling in general and Seth in particular.
Intuitive Reiki for Our Times
Amy Z. Rowland
Healing Arts Press/Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
Most modern Reiki practitioners are missing the connection between Reiki and the role intuition can play in permanent healing; yet in Japan practitioners must master this intuitive way at the entry level before they can proceed. INTUITIVE REIKI FOR OUR TIMES: ESSENTIAL TECHNIQUES FOR ENHANCING YOUR PRACTICE thus fills a gap in Western training, examining the foundations of the intuitive experience and how it translates to healing. Practitioners can use this guide to identify intuitive experiences, learn how to apply it, and thoroughly integrate with Reiki training as a whole. Essential for any Reiki healer.
The Women's Issues Shelf
In Search of the Lost Feminine
Craig S. Barnes
16100 Table Mountain Parkway #300, Golden, CO 80403
Why and how did ancient cultures disappear where women were at the heart of their worlds, and how has this disappearance influenced over three thousand years of Western civilization's development? In Search of the Lost Feminine: Decoding the Myths that Radically Reshaped Civilization is a recommended pick for any strong women's studies or women's history holding: it virtually re-writes history and uses archaeological and social facts to follow ancient history to modern times.
Anne Firth Murray
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
PARADIGM FOUND: LEADING AND MANAGING FOR POSITIVE CHANGE blends women's issues and business, and comes from a woman whose idea of funding grassroots women's organizations around the world grew to the successful Global Fund for Women, today a major force of change. First-person chapters recounts her journeys to villages where such changes are taking place, her business perspective, and tips on how to create, encourage and build a dream based on business principles. From how to expand a program or organization to watching for roadblocks along the way, PARADIGM FOUND comes packed with management tips and insights particular to nonprofit work.
The Wall Between Women
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
THE WALL BETWEEN WOMEN: THE CONFLICT BETWEEN STAY-AT-HOME AND EMPLOYED MOTHERS blends the author's personal experience and professional marketing skills with research into the issues faced by American mothers. She's been both a full-time worker and a stay-at-home mom, and interviews over a hundred such women about the realities of their lives and their perceptions of women who have made different choices. Pros and cons of motherhood and work are revealed along with quotes and stories from women across the country.
Locker Room Diaries
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
LOCKER ROOM DIARIES: THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT WOMEN, BODY IMAGE, AND RE-IMAGINING THE 'PERFECT' BODY stems from interviews with hundreds of women over five years, conducted in gym locker rooms. Women's self-image and bodies are the focus here, providing a survey which examines weight, changing perceptions of body style, and more.
The Native American Shelf
Quest for Tribal Acknowledgment
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
QUEST FOR TIRBAL ACKNOLWEDGMENT: CALIFORNIA'S HONEY LAKE MAIDUS could've been featured in our 'California' section but is reviewed here because its history is central to Native American circles as a whole, and shouldn't be limited to California-interest readers. A small group of Indians known as the Honey Lake Maidus live in northeast California -but as tribe they remain unrecognized by the federal government. The author is an anthropologist who has worked with them for several years, and QUEST FOR TRIBAL ACKNOWEDGMENT charts their long-lasting battle to obtain such recognition, contrasting their experience with that of other California Indian tribes who have won such federal recognition and who benefit from laws granting them casinos and other exceptions.
The Music Shelf
Empire of Dirt
Wesleyan University Press
Middletown, CT 06459
College-level students of British music won't want to miss EMPIRE OF DIRT: THE AESTHETICS AND RITUALS OF BRITISH INDIE MUSIC. Its analysis blends ethnographic and socio-historic literature on local music communities and genres, comes from a doctor who has worked in the music industry for several major record labels, and offers results from her thirteen-year study of indie rock. From gigs and performances to behavior, norms, and music perceptions from both audience and performer perspective, EMPIRE OF DIRT helps define both the genre and experience of British indie music.
Body Piercing Saved My Life
Da Capo Press
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
BODY PIERCING SAVED MY LIFE: INSIDE THE PHENOMENON OF CHRISTIAN ROCK is the first in-depth account of Christian pop culture, surveying mainstream bands with roots in Christian rock and offering essays on the scene underlying the music. Readers who know little of the movement may be surprised to note there's a thriving industry here: the music sold a billion dollars in 2003 and has spun off mainstream groups, moved into piercing and tattoo parlors, and created its own subculture. A vivid account of Christian rock history and subculture emerges here.
Box 13819, Milwaukee, WI 53213
If you're a musician seeking to expand contacts and skills locally, first read Dick Weissman's MAKING A LIVING IN YOUR LOCAL MUSIC MARKET (0634099248 $16.95) : it explores everything from forming agreements with bands and marketing music to producing your own recordings, using the Internet, and looking at college music business programs. Dick Weissman is an associate professor and an active musician and composer: MAKING A LIVING IN YOUR LOCAL MUSIC MARKET: REALIZING YOUR MARKETING POTENTIAL appears in its third edition to update essential details for the modern market. Simon Leng's WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS: THE MUSIC OF GEORGE HARRISON (1423406095, $19.95) has been revised and expanded for this new edition, covering the entirety of George Harrison's musical career for Beatles and Harrison fans alike. Each of his songs receives detailed analysis while a running history relates Harrison's evolution as a musician to growing trends, styles and influences of his times. Also included are comments from key contemporaries who worked with him, making WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS an outstanding resource by a fine biographer.
The House That Trane Built
This is the 45th anniversary of the Impulse record label, and to mark the occasion is a powerful review THE HOUSE THAT TRANE BUILT: THE STORY OF IMPULSE RECORDS which is, concurrently, a story of the roots of jazz recording. Paired with a 10 'best of Impulse' cd collection plus a 4-cd companion to the book, THE HOUSE THAT TRANE BUILT has also become a radio program and provides a close analysis of the relationship between jazz great John Coltrane and Impulse Records. Nearly two decades of artistic creation are chronicled from marketing wins and insider experiences derived from interviews with over fifty musicians, industry executives and producers to other powerful artists and recordings to evolve from the Impulse record label. In its heyday Impulse fostered new technologies, new sounds, and new artists: no jazz library would be complete without THE HOUSE THAT TRANE BUILT, which shows how all this was achieved.
Build Your Own Electric Guitar
N. Pomfret, VT 05053
If you dream of building your own guitar someday, Martin Oakham's BUILD YOUR OWN ELECTRIC GUITAR: COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS AND FULL-SIZE PLANS is for you, covering everything from hardware, tools and wood selection to techniques for all phases. Oakham has spent over twenty years hand-making guitars for customers around the world, so his instructions are tried, tested and authoritative, covering all the procedures and possible problems along the way.
How Not to Destroy Your Career in Music
5055 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
HOW NOT TO DESTROY YOUR CAREER IN MUSIC: AVOIDING THE COMMON MISTAKES MOST MUSICIANS MAKE follows the radical changes in the industry over the last five years, with special attention to the moves which promise success over failure. Musicians who understand the music industry's changes are in the best position to take advantage of new strategies to assure this success: from licensing for film or TV to reaching out to the appropriate level of media, all indie musicians should have this title.
The S.M.A.R.T GUIDE to Becoming a Successful Producer/Engineer
Thomson Course Technology
25 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210
The S.M.A.R.T GUIDE to Becoming a Successful Producer/Engineer is a top pick for any involved in engineering and recording: it covers all the specifics of making a great album, from meeting with the artist to developing the sound and getting financial backing for a project. Chapters come from the President of Northwest Music and Recording: Bill Gibson's spent the past 25 years writing, recording, producing and teaching music, and his instructions cover all real-world issues from handling budgets to getting jobs done on time.
The Literary Shelf
The Newbery and Caldecott Awards
Association for Library Service to Children
P.O. Box 932501, Atlanta, GA 31193-2501
Each year the ALA presents these two awards to the best children's books published in the previous year, and librarians make it a point to include any winners in their holdings this 2006 edition provides annotations for all the award-winners since inception and is indexed by title, author and illustrator. Added to this update is a essays by children's literary consultant Sue McLeaf Nespeca on sharing picturebooks with kids, and elements of art which lend to a successful marriage between artist and author. It's not only a strong survey but can serve as a reading list for any who would review the winners and their attributes, making this a recommended pick beyond the juvenile collection.
Comparative Literature in An Age of Globalization
Haun Saussy, Editor
2715 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Globalization has become a defining paradigm in almost all areas of human activity, and literature is no exception. This report from the American Comparative Literature Association shows that analysis of literature on a global scope can provide important insights into cultural differences and similarities. It responds to the common attacks against modern literary studies in drawing connections between the discipline, its literature, and intellectual challenges understanding language and ideas across cultures, and will provide college-level students with important scholarly papers.
Walker & Co
104 5th Avenue New York NY 10011
FAUX PAS? A NO-NONSENSE GUIDE TO WORDS AND PHRASES FROM OTHER LANGUAGES will reach many casual readers as well as English language library holdings, offering an approachable and even fun set of insights into hundreds of phrases readers may want to use in their writings. An A-Z listing of such words and phrases offers definitions, examples, and comments on expressions and relationships between words.
Writer's Digest Books
4700 E. Galbraith, Cincinnati, OH 45236
The first edition of the 'Grumbling Grammarian' received praise from The New York Times and many others and here is a deluxe edition to enjoy of Robert Hartwell Fiske's THE DICTIONARY OF DISAGREEABLE ENGLISH: A CURMUDGEON'S COMPENDIUM OF EXCRUCIATINGLY CORRECT GRAMMAR (1562974187 $19.99). So what makes it different? Here are the usual definitions and words often confused along with spicy notes from the author, i.e.: "Act out is drivel for misbehave or behave badly. Psychologists and other social scientists create nonsensical terms like this to create an aura of credibility and mystery to their largely self-evident studies." Hilarious, pointed, and educational a fine reference inviting leisure browsing and reference alike. Eric Maisel Ph.D. and Ann Maisel's WHAT WOULD YOUR CHARACTER DO? PERSONALITY QUIZZES FOR ANALYZING YOUR CHARACTERS (1582973725, $15.99) is a pick for any who would understand strong characterization. 30 real-life scenarios include questions and answers writers can use to understand motivation, psyche, coping techniques, and style. Learn how to develop scenarios using prompts and tricks to develop personality, and create exceptionally powerful characters as a result.
Writing for Comics With Peter David
4700 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
Comic fans, science fiction buffs and graphic novel writers alike will find a fine how-to book by a leading comic book writer in WRITING FOR COMICS WITH PETER DAVID. His writing prompts, stories, and humor is something different, outlining the basics of character and plot development, pacing, and sound effects in a manner beginners will find most accessible. Add memoirs and anecdotes of his life as a comic/graphic novel writer and you'll find plenty to appreciate, even if you don't pick up a pen to try your own hand.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Kaffe Fassett's Museum Quilts
Kaffee Fassett with Liza Piror Lucy
Box 5507, Newtown, CT 06470-5507
KAFFE FASSETT'S MUSEUM QUILTS: DESIGNS INSPIRED BY THE VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM is a top pick for any quilter, offering new quilts from designer Kaffe Fassett who here draws ideas from the textiles in the famous London collection. Over twenty new patchwork designs weaves antique sources with contemporary stylings, using updated color schemes and modern sewing techniques. The patchworks are utility, traditional and showpiece creations and each design comes with full directions and easily-reproduced piecing patterns. A peppering of color photos polishes off the intriguing new designs.
The Gardening Shelf
Gorgeous Garden Railways
Marc Horovitz and Pat Hayward
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
If you want to become involved in the hobby of putting together and running a scenic garden railway, Gorgeous Garden Railways is the item of choice for achieving this goal. Here are plans for the infrastructure and design of working small garden railways which display landscapes, design choices, and techniques for making your own. Full-page color photos accompany displays of successful garden rail designs and there are some surprising themes here too, from working lumber railways to small towns.
Bonnie Thomas Abbott
1700 Madison Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206
While RADICAL PRUNINGS is fiction, any gardener will relish the opinionated reflections of one Mertensia Corydalis, a cutting set of vicarious garden reflections presenting the 'collected horticultural columns' and catalog of a prickly botanical advice writer. Any gardener will find it filled with fun moments and gardening reflections.
The Home Improvement Shelf
Mongolian Cloud Houses
Dan Frank Kuehn
Box 279, Bolinas, CA 94924
Nomadic living in the 21st century can be achieved if your house is flexible and even portable and MONGOLIAN CLOUD HOUSES: HOW TO MAKE A YURT AND LIVE COMFORTABLE advocates and shows how to construct a yurt using low-cost, natural materials available in either a backyard or wilderness. Step-by-step black and white drawings accompany a yurt history and includes construction alternatives and tips and tricks. A rare 'must' for any interested in alternative do-it-yourself construction.
Remodel or Move?
1030 E. El Camino Real #130, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Has your home stopped working for you? Usually homeowners think that means moving time but remodeling is also an option, and REMODEL OR MOVE? MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION offers one of the few remodel books to consider the pros and cons of different projects. Chapters explore when to make changes and when to consider selling, offering tips on how to avoid costly options, how to lower costs, and how to make a decision. From gut feelings to real experiences, REMODEL OR MOVE is the first step a homeowner should make in the decision process.
1000 Best Quick and Easy Organizing Secrets
Box 4410, Naperville, IL 60567-4410
Jamie Novak is a professional organizer and tells how to get organized; from the three basic steps to reducing clutter to letting go of junk and understanding how home layout can contribute to clutter. A room-by-room organization considers everything from whether to keep photo negatives to how to store them, how to incorporate a drying rack into a limited room size, and much more. It's packed with ideas and insights and not to be mised.
DECORATIVE PAINT & FAUX FINISHES (0376013893, $19.95) provides some forty projects teaching the basics of special wall techniques, from geometric designs to metallic finishes. Step-by-step instructions for handling specialty materials and producing specific results cover a range of techniques, pros and cons of applications and finishes, and special effects. BIG BOOK OF WINDOW TREATMENTS: MORE THAN 1,000 WAYS TO DRESS UP YOUR WINDOWS (037601749X, $19.95) covers draperies, blinds, cornices, shutters and more, offering a range of window dress-up options and examples. Examples include unusual variations on a theme and provide a range of shade facts, making for special recommendations for any seeking an idea book for windows of all kinds. BIG IDEAS FOR SMALL SPACES by David Lansing and JoAnne Liebeler (0376011130, $19.95) provides room-by-room tours of dozens of small homes, displaying design ideas for making the most of them. Pages from JoJo's Notebook, written by the home remodeling authority, discuss investments that promise big payoffs, designs that maximize space, and those that hide undesirable attributes. An exceptional guide for any with apartments or smaller homes. Jane Horn and Sunset's editors provide IDEAS FOR GREAT KITCHENS (0376012382, $16.95), covering all the basics of creating an ideal kitchen which can be both functional for cooking and used as a social center. From shopper's guides to assets and remodel plans, IDEAS FOR GREAT KITCHENS is packed with insights.
Start-to-Finish Landscape Construction
1716 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023
If you like home projects and want a collection of simple outdoor landscape construction ideas for improving decks, patios, sheds, walkways or fencing, START-TO-FINISH LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION is for you. It provides patterns of projects, sidebars of info for telling when a change is needed, tips on using and designing with different kinds of materials, and more. From flagstone to framing, chapters cover a wide range of home-enhancing projects.
Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York NY 10012
These lovely books pair home furnishing projects with clear directions on how to achieve professional, polished results. Katrin Cargill's THE HOME FURNISHING WORKBOOK WITH 32 STEP-BY-STEP PROJECTS (1845971221, $19.95), for example, packs in several hundred ideas ranging from easy pillows and stylish curtains to lampshades. Each section on these areas holds a range of ideas and plans for bringing them to life. Judith Wilson's BABIES' ROOMS FROM ZERO TO THREE (1845971469, $27.50) tells how to adapt adult rooms for babies, from the introductory add of a crib to a parents' bedroom to choosing furniture and decoration for unisex nurseries, designing girls' and boys' rooms, and adapting bathrooms and play spaces. The emphasis on stylish decorations as well as functional spaces assures interest, especially when paired with numerous photos of real babies and real homes. Jane Burdon's THE COMFORTABLE HOME: AN INSPIRATIONAL GUIDE TO CREATING FEEL-GOOD SPACES (1845971523, $27.50) provides a range of styles and options for a comfortable home, from different choices in sleeping, eating and play spaces to bathrooms and outdoor spaces. The author is an interiors expert who offers advice on choosing major furniture pieces to emphasize the purpose of a home or room, providing both photo inspiration in full color and a reference directory of resources. All are wonderful titles.
New Society Publishers
Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC VOR 1XO, Canada
An earth-sheltered, earth-roofed home has the least impact of all housing styles, yet relatively few books cover this type of structure for owner-builders. Chapters describe construction techniques, offer resource listings of all the latest products, and cover everything from planning and excavation to energy systems, protection against fire and earthquake, and more.
The Biography Shelf
The Importance of Being Barbra
Thomas Dunne/St. Martin's Press
175 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010-7848
Barbra Streisand is a global icon so much has already been written about her life and personality yet here's another side, an analytical look at her career, myths an realties from her early recordings to her TV specials and beyond. Chapters provide new insights based on her career choices and moves, and thus THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING BARBRA goes beyond the usual background check to delve into artistic creation, influences, and values.
Hit By a Farm
Marlowe & Company
245 W. 18th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10011
HIT BY A FARM: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BARN is a funny farming guide: a book about two women who decide to go back to the land and discover the realities of the land's hardships for non-rural residents. Whether it's dealing with broken fences and boundaries, stubborn sheep, or sheep who are gazelles in sheep's clothing, HIT BY A FARM is filled with fun moments, accounts of overwork and mishaps, and more.
Ol' Man River
Capt. William D. Bowell, Sr.
Afton Historical Society Press
Box 100, Afton, MN 55001
OL MAN RIVER: MEMOIRS OF A RIVERBOAT CAPTAIN does tell of adventure on the Mississippi but it's also a memoir of Captain Bowell Sr. and includes many aspects of his life which don't have to do with riverboating, such as his participation in World War II and his family life. As such it should be enjoyed by two audiences: those who like biography in general and military backgrounds in particular, and those who want a life story of one who built the Padelford Packet Boat Company. Audiences who don't expect a riverboat-only coverage will be happy with this vivid memoir.
Women of the Beat Generation
65 Parker Street Unit 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
Any interested in the history of the beat era must have WOMEN OF THE BEAT GENERATION: THE WRITERS, ARTISTS AND MUSES AT THE HEART OF A REVOLUTION. Much has been written on famous beat men but comparatively little on the women who also made their mark during the time: long overdue but better late than never is an exploration of the histories of these women, from Barbara Guest and Diane DiPrima to Jan Kerouac and Anne Waldman. A literary and social history which should not be missed.
Daughter of the Yellow River
Image Global Impact
One Market Street #3600, San Francisco, CA 94105
When the author was three years old her family was forced to leave their middle-class life in the city, relocating to an improvised coal mining village to be 're-educated' thanks to the dictate of China's Cultural Revolution. Raised in a life of struggle, the author determined to have a better life, graduating from medical school and overcoming family objections to explore other careers before becoming a top executive in the optical fiber industry. In 1997 she visited the US to launch her own international business: DAUGHTER OF THE YELLOW RIVER: AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY FROM DEPRIVED CHILD DURING CHINA'S CULTURAL REVOLUTION TO SUCCESSFUL GLOBAL ENTREPRENEUR recounts her long struggle.
The True Story of Alice B. Toklas
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House, Iowa City, IA 52242
College-level collections strong in literary criticism must have this study, which integrates and examines three works of criticism: Gertrude Stein's THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ALICE B. TOKLAS, Toklas's own THE ALICE B. TOKLAS COOK BOOK, and WHAT IS REMEMBERED. The idea of autobiography is probed as both the genre and the writers' methods and approaches are examined. Chapters deconstruct the true story idea and provide many points for study and examination.
380 Jackson Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
Alan Bramson's PURE LUCK: THE AUTHORISED BIOGRAPHY OF SIR THOMAS SOPWITH traces the history of the Sopwith family's early involvement in aeronautics, which would lead to not only air fame but attempts to win the America's Cup for Britain in the yacht competition. Tommy Sopwitch's style earned him acclaim in all sectors from business to flight: his biography goes into great detail on family relationships, achievements, and merits and is a 'must' for any enthusiast of aviation legend.
Trafficking in Sheep
Anne Barclay Priest
Box 748, Woodstock, VT 05091
The author was a working actress and the divorced single mother of two boys when a summer on the coast of Nova Scotia led to the purchase of a house, then an island, where with the help of vet James Herriot she becomes the owner of a flock of semi-wild sheep. This is her story of several decades moving from urban dweller to farmer, offering fun and delightful vignettes of her struggles and love for the countryside.
Academy Chicago Pubns
363 W. Erie Street, Chicago, IL 606010
Julian Padowicz's MOTHER AND ME: ESCAPE FROM WARSAW 1939 (0897335449, $27.50) tells of a spoiled Warsaw socialite mother who turned her child over to a Catholic governess to raise and a Jewish boy who hated Jews. War divided their lives and left Julian with a mother he barely knew who was newly determined to do anything for her son. Brought up to distrust all things Jewish by his Catholic beloved governess, Julian had more than the usual changes to through and thus MOTHER AND ME is anything but your typical war account. Mark Tedesco's THAT UNDENIABLE LONGING: MY ROAD TO AND FROM THE PRIESTHOOD (0897335422, $23.95) tells of a young man who becomes a priest before he discovers he's gay. His struggles in a seminary at age 19 and his eventual acceptance of his flesh needs at a time when the Vatican has banned gays from the priesthood makes for a moving memoir of faith and disillusionment. Raya Czerner Shapiro and Helga Czerner Weinberg compile LETTERS FROM PRAGUE: 1939-41 (0897335457), which comes from a box of letters among the authors' mother's papers after her death in 1990 letters written by relatives trapped in Prague after the Nazi occupation. Over seventy letters published over a period of two years provides insights into Nazi activities in Prague and each letter comes with notes of explanation to add historical background. A 'must' for Holocaust collections. Amelia Earhart's THE FUN OF IT (091586455X, $16.95) provides lively autobiography from a flyer who recounts her childhood and almost accidental discovery of the talent which would make her famous. From her unusual marriage pact to her freedom to pursue a flying career against all odds, THE FUN OF IT tells of a lively life.
Granta UK/Trafalgar Square Press
N. Pomfret, VT 05053
Hans-Georg Behr's childhood in wartime Austria was unique to say the least: his mother was an opera singer, and both parents were rabid Nazis. As the war progresses even their world collapses as his older half-brother is killed confronting Russian soldiers and his half-sister commits suicide. As the Russians advance his mother is forced from opera to serve in a bar. ALMOST A CHILDHOOD: GROWING UP AMONG THE NAZIS (1862077819 $24.95) provides an eye-opening look at the changes ideology and war bring. Anne Sebba's THE EXILED COLLECTOR: WILLIAM BANKES AND THE MAKING OF AN ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSE (0719565715, $15.95) provides lively survey of a pioneer Egyptologist and traveler who was exiled to Venice, leaving his beloved house behind. His vicarious embellishment of the house comes to life in a rich, fun discussion of his peculiarities and purposes.
Notes for a Memoir
Janet Jeppson Asimov
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
NOTES FOR A MEMOIR ON ISAAC ASIMOV, LIFE, AND WRITING is both a autobiography of Janet's life with her famous husband, scientist and writer Isaac, and survey of IsaacAsimov's ideals and values. Plenty of books have been written on Asimov's contributions and science, but few offer the personal and witty insights of NOTES FOR A MEMOIR, which details the life they had together. There's plenty of new information you won't find elsewhere, along with excerpts from his letters to her and family photos, making it a 'must' for any Asimov fan. A selection of Janet's short stories concludes a very personal, fine memoir.
The Reference Shelf
1210 SW 23rd Place, Ocala, FL 34474-7014
Two real estate 'how to' guides are top picks and highly recommended. Jamaine Burrell's THE RENTAL PROPERTY MANAGER'S TOOLBOX: A COMPLETE GUIDE (0910627711, $29.95) includes a companion cd-rom and tells rental property owners how to avoid headaches and even lawsuits. Learn how to manage property, screen tenants, understand legal rights on all sides, and prevent crime with a guide that covers all possibilities. Sebastian Howell's FAST REAL ESTATE PROFITS IN ANY MARKET: THE ART OF FLIPPING PROPERTIES (0910627681, $21.95) tells all about how to 'flip' properties quickly, legally and ethically without great credit or a real estate license. Chapters offer potential for part-time investors as well as hopeful career investors, covering all parts of the transaction from deeds and mortgages to notes and new FHA regulations, and pair case histories and success stories with real-world cautions. An excellent investor's reference.
Ethan Allen and Allen & Wheelock
54 East School Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
ETHAN ALLEN AND ALLEN & WHEELOCK: THEIR GUNS AND THEIR LEGACY focuses on the products of four interrelated companies and their different product lines, providing a staggering amount of reference material on the firearms manufactured by Ethan Allen and his partner Thomas Wheelock. These haven't received the fame of the Colt and Winchester but they were produced in huge quantities, carried by all kinds of people, and often held innovations. Each gun is given a half-page close-up color photo, description, and historical background of development and influences. Chapters also pack in details on pricing fluctuations and influences to make this a collector's dream as well as of high recommendation to any general gun owner enthusiast.
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
Two fine Nolo guides are top picks, offering legal companions packed with advice. Nolo's own editors produce YOUR LITTLE LEGAL COMPANION: HELPFUL ADVICE FOR LIFE'S BIG EVENTS (1413305423, $9.95), offering practical information to general law. From quitting a job or getting fired to auto accidents, renting a home or handling neighbors, chapters offer specific legal insights. Attorney Janet Portman's EVERY LANDLORD'S GUIDE TO FINDING GREAT TENANTS (1413304133, $19.99) provides an overview of the entire screening process for tenants, from effective advertising and unit evaluation to checking references, handling discrimination claims, making an offer and managing rental issues. Both are excellent basic guides.
A Graceful Farewell
155 Cypress Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
A GRACEFUL FAREWELL: PUTTING YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER offers up a workbook format accompanied by a handy cd-rom to provide a step-by-step guide. From clarifying final wishes for declining health and choosing where to live final years to handling self-employment, liability, funeral and family communications, A GRACEFUL FAREWELL puts everything in a format which lends to both understanding and easy organization.
How to Date in a Post-Dating World
119 S. Main Street #400, Seattle, WA 98104
How can singles date? Diane Mapes maintains most people don't know how to date anymore and while there are plenty of books telling how to snare a wonderful man or woman, few teach now to be fair and attractive to others. Single readers will here find a romantic etiquette guide for modern times, designed as a portable tote and field guide and providing advice gleaned from the author's interviews with singles across the country: singles who hate dating!
Federal Street Press
25-13 Old King's Highway N. #277, Darien, CT 06820
Updated for 2006, the new Webster's dictionary New Explorer Encyclopedic Dictionary (1596950072 $39.95) provides coverage of modern American English as it's used today in the academic and business worlds. It serves as the perfect desk reference, albeit weighty, holding some 330,000 words and definitions in over 1,300 entries. Geographical names and biographical names have been updated for 2006, hundreds of synonyms and word histories highlighted, and over 1,000 illustrations added. An outstanding pick for both public and school library holdings and many a home reference collection! Webster's NEW EXPLORER LARGE PRINT DICTIONARY (1596950013, $12.98) represents a bargain for any who require or prefer larger print: it's developed with the National Association for Visually Handicapped, the agency which set the standard for large print publications, and packs in over 40,000 easily-read words and large type entries with clear definitions. An invaluable reference.
Postal Exams Book
Albert B. Kim
702 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
POSTAL EXAMS BOOK is a pick for any who would take the civil service exams required for the post office. Get a score from 95 to 100 and use the sample tests to check skills levels in a title that outlines the exam, hiring procedures, and skills levels.
Choose Mexico for Retirement
John Howells and Don Merwin
Insider's Guide/Globe Pequot
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
Modern retirees who want to get the most out of shrinking retirement benefits will want to look at CHOOSE MEXICO FOR RETIREMENT, appearing in its 9th updated edition to provide the latest facts on local real estate, costs, medical care, business opportunities and more. From Baja California to the Yucatan Peninsula, discussions revolve around cultural and economic considerations alike and also include first-person insights on development and direction. An excellent primer for assessing Mexico's pros and cons.
Farming with Horses
Steve Bowers & Marlen Steward
380 Jackson #200, St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
If you own a farm and are looking to add horse power to your available tools, FARMING WITH HORSES is a top pick reference. It covers everything from equipment harnesses and leads to training methods, how to hitch a horse to an implement, and caring for the working horse. Chapters pack in color photos and detailed references for every step of the way.
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019
Planning an estate is essential for any seeking to protect assets and family, so many books on the topic permeate the market already but Sandy F. Kraemer's 60-MINUTE ESTATE PLANNER: FAST AND EASY PLANS FOR SAVING TAXES, AVOIDING PROBATE, AND MAXIMIZING INHERITANCE (0814473059 $21.95) is easier than most, has been updated to reflect the latest estate and tax laws, and comes packed with forms, charts and worksheets as well as information. From communicating with heirs to managing special needs, everything's here in an updated third edition. Ken Roth's EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING A CO-OP, CONDO, OR TOWNHOUSE (0814473253, $18.95) comes from a lawyer who specializes in real estate issues, and provides a guide to owning, buying and selling these kinds of properties. Chapters cover both resales and new construction and provide tips on everything from locating the right type of home to making an offer and handling homeowners' associations and rules.
Bride to Be
Jaclyn Hirschhaut & Kate Taylor
250 Wireless Road, Hauppauge, NY 11788
Want to plan the perfect wedding with a minimum of hassle? Have questions on etiquette, themes, or tact? BRIDE TO BE: PLAN YOUR WEDDING WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND may be for you: it focuses on options, compromises, and common areas of trouble with an eye to teaching how to simplify plans and ease stress and strain. From less conventional bridal registry options such as setting up a donation fund for charity to special touches in ceremony and planning, no bride should be without this guide.
The Complete Book of The 22
Wayne Van Zwoll
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
The versatile .22 is one of the most popular starter rifles, a perfect first choice for hunters and shooters and an economic choice at that. THE COMPLETE BOOK OF THE 22: A GUIDE TO THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR GUNS offers analysis of everything from triggers and rimfires in general to makers, specs, and shooting tips for all environments. An excellent guide for any 22 rifle owner or would-be owner.
The Travel Shelf
The Ethical Travel Guide
Polly Pattullo & Orely Minelli
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
THE ETHICAL TRAVEL GUIDE: YOUR PASSPORT TO EXCITING ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAYS is for any sick of tourist traps and guilt trips or who want to use their tourism dollars to have a positive impact on local people. From construction projects in Tibet to ecolodge accommodations, THE ETHICAL TRAVEL GUIDE offers a host of alternative opportunities.
1400 65th Street #250, Emeryville, CA 94608
Three fine travel guides are top picks for destination-oriented travelers. Becky Lomax's GLACIER NATIONAL PARK (1566919509, $16.95) offers all kinds of suggestions for getting the most from the park and region, whether it be one day, numerous days, backcountry hiking opportunities or wildflowers and wildlife. Sixteen detailed maps accompany itineraries, activities, restaurant and accommodation tips. Robert Nelsen's KAUA'I (1566919568, $19.95) covers the history, culture and sights of Hawaii's garden isle, offering tips on the best hikes, sightseeing spots, and even a seven-day adventure tour. There are nearly thirty maps to this coverage, which represents the firsthand experience and knowledge of its author. Mike Sigalas' CHARLESTON & SAVANNAH (1566917522, $16.95) provides plenty of historical background and detail to a coverage which offers specific types of local history tours and nearly twenty maps. Author Sigalas' knowledge of the areas contributes plenty of commentary and sidebars of local lingo and knowledge are particularly intriguing along with the usual restaurant and accommodation tips. All are top picks for planning trips to the areas and appear as handy take-along totes.
In the Shadow of The Volcano
1256 Fayette Street, El Cajon, CA 92020-1511
IN THE SHADOW OF THE VOLCANO: ONE FAMILY'S BAJA ADVENTURE is adventure reading at its best: in the early 1970s the author and his family explored Baja, living in a tiny hut they constructed on a remote beach. But that didn't end their adventure: in 1985 they revisited the area with their sons ages and 8, living for a summer in another beachside hut. Their first-person adventures offer warm reflections on local culture and family experiences alike.
Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook
The Old Manse, Tower Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6SU, UK
Touring by bicycle is becoming a popular option for adventure travelers who want something different: ADVENTURE CYCLE-TOURING HANDBOOK: WORLDWIDE CYCLING ROUTE & PLANNING GUIDE is your item of choice for planning such an adventure. From Europe to Russia, India and South America, chapters pair small black and white photos with specific insights on routes, directions, duration, permits required, local police, and pros and cons. An excellent, savvy destination planner's guide.
Where the Earth Ends
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
In 1996 a former town planner took his first trip to Patagonia, an experience which would change his life and which was inspired by the earlier travels of a sailor great-grandfather. His exploration of the island where the real Robinson Crusoe was shipwrecked and his discovery of native tribes, exploitation of native peoples and harsh environment comes to life in a 'you are there' adventure travel guide, a recommended pick for any who would visit the region from the comfort of an armchair.
The 10 Best of Everything
Nathaniel & Andrew Lande
1145 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036-4688
Travel connoisseurs and armchair readers alike will relish these descriptions of some thirty top trips gathered by veteran travelers Nathaniel and Andrew Lande: trips to museums, ski and tropical resorts, gardens, train trips and more. Also included are cruises, wines, hideaways, and landmarks on nearly every continent. The authors are a world traveler and a food and wine expert: their recommendations are choice, top picks.
150 Linden Street, Oakland, CA 94607
CODE GREEN: EXPERIENCES OF A LIFETIME outlines over eighty journeys which have positive impacts on the environment, culture and economy of the destination. As such the concept and presentation moves beyond the 'how I can enjoy' theme to 'how I can contribute through my enjoyment': chapters document experiences which have minimal tourist impact on the destination yet don't involve hardships on the traveler. From saving birds to visiting a living longhouse in Borneo, a continent-wide organization allows for easy location of areas of special interest. Sidebars of conservation information accompany color photos and personal accounts by travelers and guides alike.
The World History Shelf
Box 219, Madeira Park, NC V0N 2HO
Plenty of travel guides cover Belize; but much fewer narrow the focus to its history and culture. UNDERSTANDING BELIZE tells the story of the country, from its early days as a haven for pirates through its current attraction as an ecotourism focal point. Black and white photos and a timeline accompany a rare survey of the nation that will appeal not just to travelers, but to any interested in the individual histories and evolution of the South American countries.
Handbook to Life in The Aztec World
Facts on File
132 West 31st Street, New York NY 10001
High school to college-level students will find Handbook to Life in The Aztec World a fine reference, providing a thematic approach to the Aztec world which surveys geography, civilization development, Aztec arts and architecture, daily life, and customs and beliefs. Each chapter pairs an article with an extensive bibliography and the books also packs in over a hundred line drawings, photos and maps.
A Fictional History of The United States With Huge Chunks Missing
T. Cooper & Adam Mansbach, Eds.
Box 1456, New York, NY 10019
A FICTIONAL HISTORY OF THE US WITH HUGE CHUNKS MISSING is a story collection and could've been featured in our literary section, but is reviewed here because any history buff will find it appealing and fun. Authors and cartoonists work together to provide a patchwork medley of original history, from the moon landing to McCarthyism and beyond. Insights on history, irony and truths make for important reflections and insights.
Doubleday/Bantam UK/Trafalgar Square
N. Pomfret, VT 05053
In 1177 Pope Alexander III wrote a letter to the Priest-King of the Indies and chose his physician to delivery it even though the legendary monarch's kingdom was hidden. Master Philip set out to find it and delivery the letter and vanished: centuries later author Nicholas Jubber fond a copy of the pope's original letter and decided to deliver it himself. THE PRESTER QUEST blends history with an adventure travelogue to make for an extraordinary odyssey.
The Accidental Empire
Times Books/Henry Holt
175 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
THE ACCIDENTAL EMPIRE: ISRAEL AND THE BIRTH OF THE SETTLEMENTS, 1967-77 offers up the untold story based on new original research, of the actions and issues which created the Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. It goes beyond detailing the well-known events of the Six Day War to probe the birth of the settler movement in Israel, the product of Labor Party socialism and religious extremism. Israel's major figures and how they interacted with U.S. administrative forces distracted by Vietnam are probed in chapters which tell of the first Israeli settler in occupied territory p to modern times. Any interested in Zionist history and issues must have this.
Speaking Truth to Power
Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER: THE DONAL DE ROISTE AFFAIR tells of one 'retired' from the Irish defense forces over unknown accusations and his own protest. Don Mullan explores the event and the idea de Roiste was framed because he held the power to destroy the career of a senior officer: he was one of three passengers in a car which injured a young woman, and O'Kelly was drunk at the time. Roiste would not lie and investigative journalist Mullan examines military documents leading to his 'retirement' in 1969 by President de Valera. Collections strong in Irish history and politics will find this absorbing.
The Fiction Shelf
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
These leisure choices are top picks, offering action and solid plots. Stuart Kaminsky's CSI: NY: BLOOD ON THE SUN (1416509585, $7.99) tells of a dedicated detective who finds a grisly crime scene in a quiet Queens neighborhood: a family murdered, a son missing. A second crime in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn a ritual slaying also involves the CSI crime unit in another puzzle. CSI: NY: DEAD OF WINTER (1416503293, $7.99) recounts a murder in an Upper East Side ritzy building: no bullets, no DNA, and no motive seem to make for the perfect crime. Add a waitress' murder and you also have two slid adventures. Diana Killian's SONNET OF THE SPHINX (0743466802, $6.99) tells of a rare sonnet's link to murder. Grace's stay in England's Lake District has proved fruitful both professionally and romantically but old farmhouse papers leading to a lost Shelley sonnet complicate matters and make Grace and her boyfriend suspects in a strange local murder case. Carol Higgins Clark's BURNED (0743476662, $7.99) presents a L.A.-based private detective, Regan Reilly, whose trip to Hawaii for a last 'girls' weekend' before she marries turns into an investigation of a hotel death. What seems a simple case of murder over a valuable lei turns dangerous in a series of twists and turns. Edna Buchanan's SHADOWS (0743476646, $7.99) is set in Miami and tells of the owner of a lovely 1920s mansion which is in the path of a planned high rise. When the owner is murdered, Lt. K.C. Riley and her detectives find themselves involved in a pioneer house and a dangerous case. Casey Moreton's THE GREATER GOOD: A THRILLER (0743456580, $7.99) provides swift action within the basic elements of a mystery: a bullet, a body, and a secret which can wreck the government of the U.S. A vice presidential assassination assumes a depth which could change the country in a political thriller/murder mystery from a first-time novelist. All are fine mysteries and thrillers. Lauren Weisberger's EVERYONE WORTH KNOWING (0743262336, $14.00) comes form the author of the now-movie book DEVIL WEARS PRADA and tells of a New York chic elite girl who moves form the fringe to the center. A brand new job and elevated position introduces her to the VIP rooms of New York's most exclusive and to a world where personal and professional life can mix. Colleen Hitchcock's RABBIT HEART (1416509518, $14.00) tells of an ideal mistress whose lovers all die trying to satisfy her sexual appetite. In Victorian England the French mistress is renowned and being investigated for murder.
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
Danielle Girard's THE ROOKIE CLUB (0451218744, $6.99) is a fast-paced thriller centering around a club of female cops founded some fifteen years earlier who seek respect from their male peers. When one of their members is murdered, Jamie wants nothing to do with the investigation, facing her own cases which are hitting too close to home but when she realizes members of the club are under attack, she is unwittingly drawn into the fight of her life. Barbara Freethy'sTAKEN (0451218736, $6.99) tells of Kayla, who has longed for love and a family: a whirlwind courtship seems to promise this until her husband vanishes on their wedding night. Her search for the truth will bring her into contact with Nick, on his own journey to claim back his life. A fine story of romance and intrigue evolves.
2021 Pine Lake Road #100, Lincoln, NE 68512
Paul Mark Tag's CATEGORY 5 (059534075X, $18.95) holds special meaning this year after years of especially devastating Florida hurricanes: it tells of a hurricane more deadly than Katrina bearing down on Washington DC and the event is manmade. Add the personal drama of a black man adopted by Jewish parents who must confront its mastermind a former college roommate who destroyed his girlfriend's life and you have plenty of tension, high drama and action. Eric Penz's CRYPTID: THE LOST LEGACY OF LEWIS & CLARK (0595359744, $18.95) also is a tense thriller, telling of conspiracy theorists who uncover new evidence of a centuries-long cover-up. A cryptozoologist, a paleontologist and others begin to unravel a mystery which could change the face of American history only to find the conspiracy and cover-up continues into modern times and may reveal a haunting secret. Both are fascinating, highly recommended picks.
77 W. 66th Street, New York NY 10023-6298
Scott Mebus' BOOTY NOMAD (1401359647, $12.95) tells of David, who has just dumped the girl he loved into a 'failed relationship' grave. Indeed, his relationship graveyard is growing until the Goddess comes along with possible perfection. Twists of plot and humor keep BOOTY NOMAD unique and involving. Scott Mebus' THE BIG HAPPY (1401352561, $23.95) is also a winning novel which continues David's story: here he's a TV producer with a shot at success, waiting for his novel to sell. Romance and a model's secret could change his life if it's possible for happiness and success to overlap for David. Plum Sykes' THE DEBUTANTE DIVORCEE (1401352448, $23.95) focuses on high society and glamour, following the world of New York's young, newly un-wed girls. Newlywed Sylvia's friendship with a recently divorced socialite amuses her, for Lauren is living life well and evolving her own world while Sylvia fears her husband's attentions are wandering. A fun story of friendships and love evolves. Rachel Pine's THE TWINS OF TRIBECA (1401360009, $13.95) follows one Karen, who has the job of a lifetime at a hot New York film studio headed by ambitious brothers. Her hectic work life and co-worker intrigue comes to life in a realistic story of film industry insider experience and realities. Edwin John Wintle's BREAKFAST WITH TIFFANY AN UNCLE'S MEMOIR (140135999X, $13.95) tells of a forty-something Manhattanite living the orderly life of an urban gay man with a good career, many friends and a sense something if missing. Tiffany is his troubled teen niece. When Ed invites Tiffany to live with him in New York, both gain a new edge on life they've been missing.
Save Your Own
215 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10003
Gillian is in her final year at Harvard Divinity School and needs to write her thesis but when her topic 'secular conversion' is deemed unsuitable, she sets out to prove them wrong and takes a job at a halfway house for addicted women, seeking a change. Her new position provides challenges and changes she never could have predicted and leads her to rethink her life and very personality in this funny, lively tale.
10 E. 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
REALITY TV BITES (0060773111 $12.95) is Shane Bolks' second novel, presenting one Allison Holloway, an interior designer who loves reality TV and loves to think of lives other than her own. When her boss signs up their firm for a big makeover, Allison's life becomes the reality TV she's so fascinated with and her ideas about life and romance change. Nina Foxx's JUST SHORT OF CRAZY (0060847999, $12.95) presents the new genre of Afro-American chick-lit in a story about Afro-American professions in Austin, TX. Alexis Pearson appeared in Foxx's MARRYING UP: here she's back, a venture capitalist fiancι with a rising law career and success until her fiancι walks out on her. Her newfound exercise program and interest in work may bring new romance.
Tabitha King & Michael McDowell
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
Michael McDowell is best known for his Blackwater horror series: he left the unfinished manuscript for Candles Burning upon his death in 1999 and Stephen King's wife Tabitha, a novelist in her own right, took up the challenge to finish it. The two powerful talents combine to create a chilling Southern gothic revolving around murder, corruption and a child and mother's exile after a horrible murder. A fine novel of intrigue and murder holds plenty of twists and turns and a healthy dose of the unexpected.
The Nautical Shelf
Fibreglass Boats, 4th Edn
Hugo Du Plessis
Adlard Clores Nautical/MBI, Dist.
380 Jackson #200, St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
The 4th updated edition of FIBREGLASS BOATS packs in anything such a boat owner would need to know; from maintenance and repairs to construction and reconstruction. Joins, sealants, stiffening, and replacing coatings are all surveyed in very specific, technical chapters you won't find in most competing boat owner's guides. From protection to longevity, chapters survey repair options and more. Any fibreglass boat owner simply must have this manual.
It's Your Boat Too
P.O. Box 29, Arcata, CA 95518-0029
IT'S YOUR BOAT TOO: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO GREATER ENJOYMENT ON THE WATER comes from a female boater who draws on her twenty years in the Navy as a commanding officer to provide women boaters with a lively guide. Women are encouraged to take on more responsibilities onboard for greater enjoyment: nautical knowledge blends with chapters on terminology, basic rules of boating, handling boats in rough waters and overcoming weight and shorter stature limitations, and more. Every female boater should have this.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
One TFH Plaza, 3rd & Union, Neptune City, NJ 07753
Is your little dog chic? If not, turn to Deborah Wood's THE LITTLE DOGS' BEAUTY BOOK: CARE FASHION GROOMING (0793805872 $12.95). Here's the place to learn how to primp your small pet: chapters offer many groomers' tips and hints to grooming, from what kind of shampoo to use (and not to use!) to fashionable collars, leashes, and more. There hasn't been much written on home grooming for dogs in general, let alone the special needs of the little dog, so owners of such pets have a rich book here, packed with insights and color photos throughout. Pia Silvani, CPDT and Lynn Eckhardt's RAISING PUPPIES & KIDS TOGETHER: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS (0793805686, $16.95) is the perfect reference for parents thinking of adding a puppy to the family. Two top trainers explain how to successfully integrate a dog into a family with kids of all ages, from infants to school-age kids. Chapters cover the entire planning process, how to teach kids about puppy maintenance, and how to play, train, and socialize a dog. The emphasis on the pet/child relationship differs from most books which simply focus on how to train a puppy, and make for a unique, useful presentation.
Dog Heroes of September 11th
Nona Kilgore Bauer
Kennel Club Books
308 Main Street, Allenhurst, NJ 07711
Dog Heroes of September 11th a Tribute to America's Search and Rescue Dogs provides a photo essay and celebration of the dogs who were used to rescue people trapped in the rubble at the World Trade center and Pentagon. Their stories come to life in color photos and descriptions, which select over seventy canines for mention. Their moment-by-moment experiences make for involving, moving accounts which any animal fan will find inspiring and revealing.
The Science/Nature/Technology Shelf
Kirk R. Johnson & Richard K. Stucky
Denver Museum of Nature/Fulcrum Pubs
16100 Table Mtn Parkway #300, Golden, CO 80403
PREHISTORIC JOURNEY: A HISTORY OF LIFE ON EARTH blends photos of fine fossils with a written introduction to the history of life on earth, arranged chronologically for easy access and logical progression. The color photos and drawings come from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science's eight prehistoric habitat dioramas, and hold eye-catching, colorful displays especially intriguing for newcomers to the subject.
Loving the Machine
Timothy N. Hornyak
575 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10022
The Japanese have long been fascinated with robots, from cartoons to corporate creations and engineering marvels and their idea of robotics is often very different from Western ideas and concepts. Perhaps this is because the Japanese hold an affection for robots while Westerners often fear them: LOVING THE MACHINE: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF JAPANESE ROBOTS explores the reasons behind Japan's affections, and considers the overall industry of robotics as a whole. Color photos throughout provide both cultural images and insights on the science involved in robotics.
A Nature Guide to Northwest N. Carolina
Box 3678, Boone, NC 28607
North Carolina holds many natural areas and is packed with diverse habitats for wildlife: here to enjoy a visit is a nature guide covering not just birds and mammals, but fishes, plants and reptiles as well. A centerfold of color photos enhances chapters discussing trails, natural environments, and areas of particular diversity or interest. Not for the casual nature lover, the enthusiast of habitats will find it ideal for understanding the region's offerings.
Deer Tails & Trails
Michael Furtman, Compiler
Willow Creek Press
Box 147, Minocqua, WI 54548
Whitetail deer have expanded their range from wilderness to suburbia and are now the nation's most popular species of deer. DEER TAILS & TRAILS: THE COMPLETE BOOK OF EVERYTHING WHITETAIL will appeal to sportsmen and nature lovers alike, documenting subspecies, measurements, daily routines, and evolutionary processes and packing the presentation with bright color photos throughout. A lovely celebration evolves.
Last Great Wilderness
University of Alaska Press
Box 752640, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6240
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has for decades been at the center of the conflict between American needs for oil and nature's preservation, yet until now little has been provided in the way of a comprehensive history of how the Refuge came to be. LAST GREAT WILDERNESS: THE CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE covers this history, from the early visionaries who set forth to save an entire ecosystem to the battles which led to the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964. It's a top, recommended pick for any interested in wilderness preservation in general and Arctic or oil issues in particular.
Thomas Dunne/St. Martin's
175 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010-7848
THE HIVE: THE STORY OF THE HONEYBEE AND US joins others which have appeared earlier this year covering the bee but goes further than most, drawing connections between the hive mentality of the bee and human affairs. Bees appear as symbols of many things and their honey product is widely used in cooking: their story blends myth with science and mankind has long been enamoured of the bee. THE HIVE traces mankind's different beliefs about the bee over the decades, gathering history from around the world from science, religion, politics and beyond. Lovely black and white drawings throughout enhance a fun story.
Once Upon Einstein
AK Peters Ltd.
888 Worcester, #230, Wellesley, MA 02482
Einstein's name is readily acknowledged and celebrated as the founder of 20th century physics but where did he get his ideas, and what discoveries were they based upon? ONCE UPON EINSTEIN blends scenes from his life and ideas on the formation of his theories and their modern applications to blend philosophy and science under one cover. Thibault Damour is a professor and a theoretical physicist himself with his own acclaim for work on black holes and string theory: his survey of Einstein is a 'must' for any college-level student.
The Environmental Endgame
Robert L. Nadwau
Rutgers University Press
100 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8099
THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENDGAME: MAINSTREAM ECONOMICS, ECOLOGICAL DISASTER, AND HUMAN SURVIVAL reiterates we've moved even closer to global environmental disaster and maintains that distinctions must be abolished which consider environmental issues as outside the sphere of 'real' or everyday concerns. Scientists have long attempted to bring these issues to consumer attention: here perspectives from a range of disciplines connect environmental issues with the real worlds of people around the world. From government institutions to economic concerns, THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENDGAME is an important tool for linking environmental science with the rest of the world.
The Life Cycles of Butterflies
Judy Burris & Wayne Richards
210 MassMoca Way, N. Adams, MA 02147
1580176178 $16.95 www.storey.com
Brother-sister team Judy Burris and Wayne Richards have been intrigued with butterflies since they were kids: now all ages can relish the subject with THE LIFE CYCLES OF BUTTERFLIES FROM EGG TO MATURITY, A VISUAL GUIDE TO 23 COMMON GARDEN BUTTERFLIES. Close-up photos follow the range of a butterfly's evolution and life cycle and provide plenty of natural history detail blended with tips on garden plants most likely to attract them.
Curious By Nature
2323 Quebec Street #201, Vancouver, BC V5T 4S7
If Candace Savage's name sounds familiar, it's because she's been writing nature books and magazine articles for the last twenty-five years, appealing to a wide audience of nature lovers with her reflections on ecology, environment, and natural history. CURIOUS BY NATURE explores a range of natural wonders, from the northern lights to peregrine falcons: at the heart of many of her essays are reflections on how humans and wildlife can continue to co-exist in a shrinking world. Lyrical, evocative prose draws in even non-science readers.
North American Wildlife
351 Lynn Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7J 2C4
For an oversized visual approach packing in color photo close-ups of North American wildlife, David Jones' title can't be beat: it pairs delightful full-page color photos with natural history, descriptions of research studies and findings, and protection routines, creating a catalog of wildlife which draws readers in with fine color and completes the education task with plenty of facts. As suitable for high school holdings as for public libraries, NORTH AMERICAN WILDLIFE is simply gorgeous.
The Social Issues Shelf
Accelerating the Globalization Of America
Catherine L. Mann
Institute for Intl Economics
1750 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036-1903
Information technology is an active part of the global economic community, outpacing investment nad trade growth for other products and pushing for more globalization than others, also. Its change and transformations are analyzed in Accelerating the Globalization of America: The Role for Information Technology. Executives and students alike will appreciate the focus on how the global IT industry has changed US and oversees interests, from evolving labor requirements and issues to innovative and business structures. Chapters use plenty of statistical citations and analysis in the course of surveying IT productivity, growth, and change. A top pick for international economics and IT courses.
Voices from the Global Margin
William P. Mitchell
University of Texas Press
Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
VOICES FROM THE GLOBAL MARGIN: CONFRONTING POVERTY & INVENTING NEW LIVES IN THE ANDES focuses on the Peruvian poor and uses narratives from people he's known for forty years to explore how they've coped with poverty and rapid population growth. Chapters are based on these case history narratives and come from an anthropologist who lives among those he writes about, making for far more of a detailed survey than any archive-based study could achieve.
Carry Tiger to Mountain
Arsenal Pulp Press
1014 Homer Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6B 2W9
1551522004 $21.95 www.arsenalpulp.com
CARRY TIGER TO MOUNTAIN: THE TAO OF ACTIVISM AND LEADERSHIP pairs a modern interpretation of Lao Tzu's Tao te Ching to Western leadership goals and values, considering how these principles can be applied in a new era of spirituality in activism. Experiences of present leaders of social causes blend with the author's own decades of experience as a social and political activist: from mistakes to ego in organizational management, everything is covered.
The Chaos Point
1125 Stoney Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
THE CHAOS POINT: THE WORLD AT THE CROSSROADS predicts we have seven years to avoid global collapse and promote strategies for renewal and tells how the modern world will change in that period of time. Chapters maintain we're at a critical junction in history and comes from the founder of systems philosophy and general evolution theory: THE CHAOS POINT builds upon his principles and surveys trends, how to head them off, and how to build a more sustainable world.
The West Bank Wall
c/o University of Michigan Press, 839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
0745324339 $22.95 www.plutobooks.com
THE WEST BANK WALL: UNMAKING PALESTINE is a top pick for any college-level Middle East collection: it surveys the purpose of the West Bank wall since Israel built it in 2002, using the author's work for the UN as a reporter on the Wall's impact as a foundation for analysis. Chapters survey the real intentions and imagery of the Wall, offering a critical account of its impact and affect on a Palestinian state.
The Seductions of Community
Gerald W. Creed, Editor
P.O. Box 2188, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2188
The Seductions of Community: Emancipation, Oppressions, Quandaries comes from an advanced seminar series and gathers the work of many contributors who focus on political and economic community-oriented projects around the world, from rainforest preservation to building urban murals. This isn't just a project overview, however, but a survey of underlying social and political questions within the community, considering how scholars and activists use 'community' differently from its actual incarnation and purposes. Any college-level student of urban issues and social planning must consider these writings.
c/o University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
0745323650 $26.95 www.plutobooks.com
Israeli's founder sought to create a nation of new Jews with their own identity and determination to survive, yet the nation's strength has been based on oppression of the Palestinians. Arthur Nelsen was until recently the London correspondent for Aljazeera.net and was the site's only Jewish journalist: his OCCUPIED MINDS: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE ISRAELI PSYCHE interviews soldiers, victims of suicide attacks, and more to provide vignettes and interviews from more than fifty selected Israelis, and is an important key to understanding the realities beyond the headlines.
The Flip: Turn Your World Around!
Jared Rosen & David Rippe
1125 Stony Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
THE FLIP provides visionary wisdom for a new world, offering a chatty guide which rebels against materialism and offers 'Flip Tips' for making spiritual, physical and environment-sustaining changes for work, home life, entertainment and more. If you wish to follow a 'greener' route, THE FLIP is for you, offering insights from a range of disciplines and writers, from political and social change to flipping channels, burgers, values and more.
I Am My Mother's Daughter
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
0465037542 $25.00 1-800-242-7737
I AM MY MOTHER'S DAUGHTER: MAKING PEACE WITH MOM BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE comes from a mother and daughter who tackles the difficulties and rewards of the mother-daughter bond. Her own experiences with her ailing 85-year-old mother blend with those of other midlife daughters to provide a blend of memoir, social insight, and keys to getting along with Mom. From letting go of the 'fantasy mother' figure to ditching barriers to closeness, I AM MY MOTHER'S DAUGHTER goes beyond the 'should' to tell how to build a more positive relationship.
Don't Believe Everything You Think
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK: THE 6 BASIC MISTAKES WE MAKE IN THINKING covers common misperceptions and ways we are lured into making errors in judgement and perception, from preferring stories to hard statistics to seeking to justify instead of question our beliefs, and underestimated the role chance plays in plans. Each folly is illustrated by facts to reinforce how illogical thinking is fostered, from simplifying problems to seeking to confirm to the norm.
270 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10016
SHADOW CITIES: A BILLION SQUATTERS, A NEW URBAN WORLD confronts the issue of nations of squatters. Cities are home to a billion such squatters and that number is projected to double in a generation, so any college-level student of urban planning needs to understand the experiences, issues and results herein. Reporter Robert Neuwirth spent two years living in squatter neighborhoods on four continents, so his exploration comes not just from an outsider's perspective, but from one who has lived amongst them. Myths are dispelled and realities outlined in a hard-hitting consideration of facts and social issues.
222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116
Veteran journalist Jeff Goodell considers the latest energy idea that in coal lies America's energy future, providing an analysis of its supposed revival, the myth of cheap coal energy, and the history of coal's involvement in business, politics and resources throughout American activities. Chapters provide eye-opening insights on coal's lasting impact and importance and why it holds troubling environmental concerns today.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Stem Cell Divide
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019
THE STEM CELL DIVIDE: THE FACTS, THE FICITON AND THE FEAR DRIVING THE GREATEST SCIENTIFIC, POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS DEBATE OF OUR TIME is even more relevant given President Bush's recent veto on the research than when it first appeared, before the fact. It offers a pro/con look at stem cell research, considering both sides as evenly as is possible and considering religious, ethical, and health implications of stem cell potentials. It's a 'must' for any who would survey the research's potential and the roots of the controversy surrounding it.
Gary Small, MD
77 W. 66th Street, New York NY 10023-6298
Just a hundred years ago the average person didn't live much beyond 40: today modern medicine is promising many the opportunity to live into their nineties but what about fading health and vitality? THE LONGEVITY BIBLE: 8 ESSENTIAL STRATEGIES FOR KEEPING YOUR MIND SHARP AND YOUR BODY YOUNG tells how to live longer and better, with chapters advocating building stress-free years and lifestyle, and telling how to shape up and stay strong.
Rosalind B. Penfold
941 Broadway, New York NY 10003
DRAGONSLIPPERS: THIS IS WHAT AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP LOOKS LIKE goes beyond most books to dissolve stereotypes. The author is a competent, middle-aged successful businesswoman and not the meek woman one thinks of as in an abusive relationship. Her romance with a handsome widower seemed idea until a pattern of lies and deception led to physical, mental and sexual abuse. Years later the author shares her story with the world, providing an unusual graphic novel story paired with a pseudonym to protect her identity.
When a Family Member Has Dementia
Susan M. McCurry
88 Post Road W, Westport, CT 06881
WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER HAS DEMENTIA: STEPS TO BECOMING A RESILIENT CAREGIVER teaches caregivers how to take advantage of their own unique inner resources to overcome the special challenges of dementia in a loved one. But it does more than encourage inner resilience: chapters provide specific tips and tools for developing inner resources and strategies, and offer five core principles which link these strategies to life. Vignettes blend with practical tip applications.
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Joel Stein, M.D. et.al.'s LIFE AFTER STROKE: THE GUIDE TO RECOVERING YOUR HEALTH AND PREVENTING ANOTHER STROKE joins the expertise of three physicians who treat those with strokes, explaining how and what happens but more importantly, how survivors can reduce the risk of another. Case history experiences blend with tips and discussions of the latest and possibly forthcoming new treatments, offering families and survivors a positive survey. Fen Montaigne's MEDICINES BY DESIGN: THE PRACTICE AND PROMISE OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (0801883474, $25.00) covers one of the fastest-moving areas in biomedical engineering, sharing stories of those who have been touched and changed by this technology. From pacemakers and artificial hearts to robotic surgeons, chapters discuss patient experiences, the cutting edge of new technologies, and the engineers and surgeons fostering such changes. A history of the field as a whole supplements surveys of works in specific medical disciplines. College-level collections and many a public library will find it engrossing.
Prediabetes Wake-Up Cal
Beth Ann Petro Roybal, MA
Box 3440, Berkeley, CA 94703
What's the difference between 'prediabetes' and all-out diabetes? Can a diagnosis of 'prediabetes' be reversed? These and other questions are answered in a survey which includes an overview of diabetes risks and health factors but provides a welcome focus on the state of health which leads into diabetes. Chapters explain blood sugars, risk factors, and provide a plan to avoid developing diabetes. This should be a 'must' for any overweight person, or those with a family predisposition to diabetes.
The Body Hunters
38 Greene Street, New York NY 10013
The development branch of the multi-national pharmaceutical industry has begun to expert its clinical research to the developing world, where ethical oversight is minimal and desperate patients abound there to conduct research forbidden in the U.S. That's the hard-hitting message of a title based on several years of original research and reporting from Asia and Africa, making THE BODY HUNTERS: TESTING NEW DRUGS ON THE WORLD'S POOREST PATIENTS an eye-opening expose and 'must have' acquisition.
The Magic Teaspoon
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
Here are over a hundred recipes for health-boosting meals and snacks enhanced by herbs and spices designed to help with specific health conditions. The Magic Teaspoon: Transform Your Meals With the Power of Healing Herbs is all about enhancing health but also about enhancing flavor as well: recipes are designed for both and provide energy-boosting herbs and spices paired with appealing dishes.
The Crafts Shelf
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
Sherri Haab's THE ART OF RESIN JEWELRY: LAYERING, CASTING, AND MIXED MEDIA TECHNIQUES FOR CREATING VINTAGE TO CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS (0823003442, $19.95) provides an excellent step-by-step guide to resin jewelry construction, showing how easy it is to mix and make colors, and offering projects which range from necklace and earrings to rings and belt buckles. Step-by-step large-size color photos illustrate the process of making each piece, which in turn covers a range of techniques to further learning. Kathleen Lochen Staiger's THE OIL PAINTING COURSE YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED (0823032590, $24.95) tells how to develop fundamental oil painting skills, making it perfect for novices who hesitate to take classes based on such foundation knowledge. Kathleen Staiger has taught this course for many years: her book offers detailed, structured lessons which build on each other and provide the fundamental skills needed to learn the essentials of color mixing, brush strokes, rendering, texture, light, and more. Bead & Button Magazine has two fine basic primer with eye-catching covers and practical lessons. BEADWOVEN JEWELRY (0871162296, $19.95) gathers over twenty of Bead&Button Magazine's best projects, using a range of stitches to teach. Editor-tested projects come with easy instructions, color step-by-step photos, and a range of jewelry styles. BEADED NECKLACES (0871162318, $19.95) uses focal beads and eye-catching textures to create different styles of beaded necklaces. These have been culled from over ten years of magazine issues and provide lovely pieces indeed. Both are top picks.
The Sports Shelf
17603 Indian Head Hwy #200, Accokeek, MD 20607-2501
Sports and outdoors hunters interested in guns will find these excellent, top references. Bryce M. Towsley's GUNSMITHING MADE EASY (0883172941, $24.95) offers everything you need to know about caring for a gun including modifications as well as maintenance and repairs. Shooters who like do-it-yourself projects will find many color photos and clear directions to maintenance of all kinds of models. The 98th edition of SHOOTER'S BIBLE (0883173263, $24.95) provides another updated edition of the standard sportsman's shooter's guide, covering all the specs, latest prices, and latest models. From handguns to rifles and scopes and accessories, this packs in specifics. The 29th edition of GUN TRADER'S GUIDE (0883173255, $24.95) is for the gun collector and dealer: it focuses on the values of older models from shotguns to revolvers, offering specs on weight, caliber, first issues, and more. Traders will find it specific and packed with the latest values. Gary Clancy's HUNTING TOUGH BUCKS (0883173093, $24.95) is a 'must' for any hunter of the buck: it covers a seasonal approach to hunting, reveals a master hunter/author's own strategies and secrets, and covers everything from food and scenting to early season deer drives and more. If vicarious enjoyment from fishing adventure is in your book, don't miss Keith 'Catfish' Sutton 's OUT THERE FISHING WITH KEITH 'CATFISH' SUTTON (0883172933 $19.95), a blend of memoir, fishing story and travelogue which recounts his passion for fishing wild places. A 600-lb catfish snag or an encounter with the world's largest freshwater ray are only several of the top adventures gleaned from forty years of angling across the Western hemisphere. Add black and white photos and you have a winner.
Measuring and Judging Big Game
Philip L. Wright & William Nesbitt
Boone & Crockett Club
250 Station Drive, Missoula, MT 59801
It's rare to re-mention a title which has been on the market for some time; but then, it's rare to find a title which has relatively few competitors on the market even years after its publication MEASURING AND JUDGING BIG GAME is such a title, however: it's an ongoing recommendation for the serious big game hunter seeking a manual to improve upon field judging skills. Spiral binding lends to lay-flat take-along use, making it an easy choice for hunters who have in past only had large-size cumbersome references to consider. 288 pages pack in everything the hunter needs to score a trophy, from charts and directions to illustrations covering all big game recognized by the Club's Records Program. From black and white photo analysis to charts and diagrams, it doesn't get better than this.
Horse Racing Coast to Coast
Michael Walmsley and Marlene Smith-Baranzini
3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618
If you're a horse racing fan, don't miss the racetrack profiles, extensive tips on where to stay and how best to enjoy, and interviews which pair with history in HORSE RACING COAST TO COAST: THE TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO THE SPORT OF KINGS. This book's loaded with everything the horse race buff needs to know; from hotels and recommended eateries to trackside statistics. Unparalleled in its scope, it's a horse racing fan's travel 'bible'.
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
Encyclopedia of Arab Women Filmmakers
American University in Cairo Press
420 5th Avenue, New York NY 10018
College-level holdings strong in film history or Middle East history will both find plenty of depth, detail and description in Encyclopedia of Arab Women Filmmakers, a survey of how these women produce films in a male-dominated profession and world. The history of Arab women's filmmaking and the political and social background of Arab nations are mingled in a blend of biographical sketches, critical film reviews, and discussions that include interviews from the filmmakers themselves.
19 W. 21st St Suite 201, New York NY 10010
Film buffs will readily know the name of Mira Nair, but it's important to note that John Kenneth Muir's MERCY IN HER EYES: THE FILMS OF MIRA NAIR (1557836493 $17.95) represents the first comprehensive examination of the Indian filmmaker's works. She's directed a fine set of productions including Monsoon Wedding, Mississippi Masala and Vanity Fair, and her newest, The Namesake, is due out this Fall, so interest in her style, methods and contributions to film is certain to rise with her fame. Muir researched her films and interviewed artists Nair worked with: chapters document financial concerns as well as artistic direction and MERCY IN HER EYES is a 'must' for any student of her works. Christina Ferra-Gilmore's THE 7 STEPS TO STARDOM: HOW TO BECOME A WORKING ACTOR IN MOVIES, TV, AND COMMERCIALS (1557836787, $17.95) comes from the founder and president of The Actor's Edge, one of Hollywood's leading acting schools, and tells how to make it in the acting business. Her role as head of a top casting agency lends an insider's examination of the basics which land winning roles, from honing acting talents through schools and experience to taking great photos, producing an impressive resume, and considering the right agent. A 2-hour DVD video included with the book offers plenty of tips on networking, avoiding scams, and developing skills. One of the best actor's guides we've seen.
18 E. 48th Street, New York NY 10017
In late 1999 when the author was almost twenty her filmmaker mother Deepa Mehta invited her to come to India to work as a third assistant cameraperson on her new controversial film Water. SHOOTING WATER: A MEMOIR OF SECOND CHANCES, FAMILY, AND FILMMAKING chronicles this season where mother and daughter worked to repair a strained relationship affected by divorce and separation. The fallout of such a relationship was to affect not just their relationship but Saltzman's own choice of religion (Hinduism and Judaism), culture (Indian and Canadian) and more. Anticipate a revealing story in SHOOTING WATER which covers not just the art of filmmaking in India, but how families are separated and come back together.
Thompson Course Technology
25 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210
Ron Suppa is a successful film producer and instructor: he's taught fine courses in the UK on the topic of screenwriting and here offers in book form the contents of his course, which packs tips with personal experiences and polish. REAL SCREENWRITING: STRATEGIES AND STORIES FORM THE TRENCHES covers everything from movie dialogue and spec teleplay plots to understanding the importance of the entertainment lawyer. Any screenwriter even those already successful needs REAL SCREENWRITING to hone and perfect skills.
Exiles in Hollywood
512 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
Profiles of filmmakers form Hitchcock to Jean Renoir, screenwriters Salka Viertel and actors and film musicians alike contribute depth and diversity of EXILES IN HOLLYWOOD, a dramatic compendium of profiles from refugees who created film noir style after their flight from Europe after World War II. David Wallace has covered celebrities for publications from People to Life for over twenty-five years, so EXILES IN HOLLYWOOD is a logical extension of his many writings and is a lively coverage.
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
What Would Wally Do?
Andrews McMeel Publishing
4520 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111-78701
Fans of the cartoon strip Dilbert have another wonderful collection packed with black and white and color cartoons alike. This is the author's 26th Dilbert book, but it doesn't lesson the impact of describing office politics, ironies, and inconsistencies. Cubicle cartoons are hilarious and continue to remark on work life with its favorite characters joined by a few new faces.
1942 University Avenue, Berkeley CA 94704
Robert Tinnell and Bo Hampton's SIGHT UNSEEN (1582405964, $19.99) appears in full color and provides the gripping story of a blind neuro-physicist who is seeing dead things. This is supernatural terror blended with graphic art at its best: the plot evolves with a minimum of words but plenty of dark and involving artwork to draw readers in and keep the plot flowing. Robert Kirkman, et.al.'s INVINCIBLE: ULTIMATE COLLECTION V. 2 (1582405948, $34.99) continues where it left off before, making V. 1 a recommended pick for smooth transition. Superhero Mark is left to pick up the pieces of his life in a different world after the events of V. 1: he's facing supervillians and graduating high school and all the challenges which come from being a super-hero. From a stormy home life to daily challenges, INVINCIBLE will delight any avid comic reader offering all the classic adventure of a comic in expanded book form and all in color.
The California Shelf
Eastern Washington University Press
705 West First Street, Spokane, WA 99201-3909
The California memoir SLEEPWALK: CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' AND A LAST DANCE WITH THE '60S provides essays which cover growing up in California during the late 50s and early 60s, written by an observer who comments on California catholic schools, fashion, politics and more. His memories follow his California life and blend cultural and social observation with autobiography in chapters that recreate compelling portraits of California lifestyle. A 'must' for any interested in California culture.
The Sonoma Diet
Dr. Connie Huttersen, RD., PHD
1716 Locust, DesMoines, IA 50309-3023
The Sonoma Diet was inspired by California's Sonoma County with its bounty, and offers up a weight loss plan based on flavorful meals. Yes, there are plenty of diet options in the market for the latest fads of low-carb and low-fat diets: The Sonoma Diet emphasizes whole grains and smarter combinations and also pairs dieting with a busy lifestyle so there's no calorie counting, points systems, or measuring or weighing. An excellent choice which includes plenty of unusual recipes such as a Spicy Fruit Salsa or a Latin Spiced Pork Tenderloin.
San Francisco: The Unknown City
Helene Goupil & Josh Krist
Arsenal Pulp Press
341 Water Street #200, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B8
The Unknown City series of alternative guides provides a fine focus on San Francisco, the hotbed of alternative culture in the 1960s, and identifies neighborhoods and places which reflect the city's hidden history and cultures. From the gay mecca Castro Street to offbeat museums, the scene of a duel, camping in the city, unique studios and performing arts venues, and more, it's fairly certain much of the attractions listed in SAN FRANCISCO: THE UNKNOWN CITY won't be listed in your standard travel guide.
2021 Pine Lake Road #100, Lincoln NE 68512
LANDSCAPE readers will find the novel rooted in Los Angeles scenes and lifestyle, telling of a corporate executive who enjoys a perfect world until it's shaken by losing his job. His new self-employment seems to work until he discovers a secret about the landscape business which will wreck his life and discovers the evidence he's collecting about the illegal bio-waste could threaten his family's life. It's a choice between family lives and wider community safety that keeps this novel riveting.
1200 5th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
The Los Angeles River winds through LA but is surprisingly unknown to many residents which is why Joe Linton's DOWN BY THE LOS ANGELES RIVER (0899973914 $17.95) will appeal to residents as much as visitors. For years much of the river has been channeled in concrete and hidden: recently organizations have worked to restore the river with new parklands adjacent, and DOWN BY THE LOS ANGELES RIVER tells how to take advantage of these areas. Author/artist Joe Linton presents over 40 walking, biking and natural areas covering over 50 miles. A fine tool for exploration. Andy Selters and Michael Zanger's third updated edition of THE MT. SHASTA BOOK (089997404X, $18.00) includes a fold-out map and dozens of trips both on the mountain and in surrounding areas. While hiking and backpacking is the focus, there are tips for ski routes, climbing, and water activities as well, offering outdoors adventurers plenty of material for planning the trip.
Palm Springs Legends
Box 191126, San Diego, CA 92159-1126
PALM SPRINGS LEGENDS: CREATION OF A DESERT OASIS is a pick for any interested in Southern California history and culture: for years Palm Springs was a hideaway for celebrities but this goes beyond celebrity status to tell of an area which was discovered by pioneering explorers and which grew to embrace famous inns and hotels. From the early establishment of a community to the influence of women on the town's development, PALM SPRINGS LEGENDS packs in biography and history alike.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
Plenty of books have been written over the decades on San Francisco's great earthquake: what sets this apart is its visual focus, gathering nearly two hundred vintage photos some amazingly never published before to include images of famous buildings and neighborhoods alike. While text explores decisions by city leaders after the quake, it's these black and white historical prints which will provide the most impact, presenting photos of people, buildings and events. A very strong addition to any local San Francisco history collection: a top pick.
Day Hikes Around San Luis Obispo, 2nd Edn
Day Hike Books/Globe Pequot
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437-0480
Over a hundred fine day hikes are recommended for visitors and residents to California's central coast in DAY HIKES AROUND SAN LUIS OBISPO, which is certain to receive added attention from students from the local college as well. From bluff trails along the mountains to city paths to canyons and nearby state parks, DAY HIKES AROUND SAN LUIS OBISPO is an excellent title for in the area.
Bracing for Disaster
Box 9145, Berkeley CA 94709
1597140252 $ 30.00
BRACING FOR DISASTER: EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING IN SAN FRANCISCO, 1838-1933 comes from a professor of architectural history at UC Berkeley who has written extensively on earthquake-resistant architecture and reconstruction, and who has investigated damage in earthquake areas around the world. His is, surprisingly, the first history of seismic engineering in San Francisco and considers what really has happened during the city's major quakes of the period down to which buildings were damaged, which survived, and why. Over two hundred photos and diagrams compliment an expert's survey of events, which comes spiced with survivor and eyewitness accounts.
The Food & Wine Shelf
The Professional Bar & Beverage Manager's Handbook
Amanda Miron & Douglas Robert Brown
1210 SW 23rd Place, Ocala, FL 34474-7014
This is no casual companion, but a professional bar manager's handbook which was over two years in the making: as such, it goes far beyond the usual focus on recipes to cover all the basics on how to set up, operate and manage a successful beverage operation. All kinds of bar operators receive tips on trends, marketing, equipment and products, and more. Professionals seeking a comprehensive manual to the business can't go wrong here. And yes, it does include recipes lots of 'em. And a companion cd-rom packed with information.
Kodansha America Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10022
COOL TOOLS: COOKING UTENSILS FORM THE JAPANESE KITCHEN pairs photos by Yasuo Konishi with food and travel writer Kate Klippensteen's exploration of the Japanese kitchen. There are plenty of Japanese cookbooks on the market; but this differs in offering a utensil-oriented survey of what cooks use to prepare sushi and other specialties. From tool construction and history to usage, COOL TOOLS is a 'must' for any aspiring chef.
The Grill of Victory
1700 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206
Barbecuing evokes images of backyards or tailgate stands; but there's yet another class of cooker the neo-pro teams of men and women who have turned barbecue into a competitive sport and this is their story. THE GRILL OF VICTORY: HOT COMPETITION ON THE BBQ CIRCUIT comes from an author who's been a judge for more the 15 years on the Memphis in May circuit: he offers a lively and fun blend of memoirs and insights into the teams who make up the barbecue circuit of competitors, and blends travelogue with culinary and fun observations.
The Geranium Farm Cookbook
Barbara Cawthorne Crafton
445 5th Avenue, New York NY 10016
The Geranium Farm evolved from Reverand Crafton's imagination and evolved not from the usual restaurant roots, but from an online parish ministry where 'Farmers' began sharing recipes with each other via an email list. Main desserts, appetizers, breakfasts and brunches the largest section being desserts are provided in a guide which blends recipes and lore. From a grandmother's Dutch cookies to a Sugar-Free Banana Pudding, Mother's Rhubarb Pie, and more, THE GERANIUM FARM COOKBOOK is packed with delicious dishes. No color photos, but the easy recipes don't need 'em.
Seasonal Southwest Cooking
Barbara Pool Fenzl
2900 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Chef Jacques Pepin offers the foreword for a gorgeous, oversized collection of recipes and menus pairing lovely color photos of not just foods but regional scenery with a cook's guide to specialties. This is a presentation piece cooks will relish: its dishes come from a chef and author who uses nearly forty years in the Southwest among professional circles to provide home cooks with unique dishes, from Corn Soup with Poblano Chilies to Apricot Chicken. An outstanding presentation.
When Everybody Ate At Schrafft's
Joan Kenel Slomanson
185 Bridge Plaza N. Suite 308-A, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
For nearly eighty years Schrafft's was the place to eat in cities around the country: it took the products of a local Boston chocolatier named Schrafft and translated it to comfort food restaurants around the country. Once over fifty such venues peppered just the New York area. From Andy Warhold's wild contribution to the effort to private groups who used the stores, the varied and colorful history of Schrafft's lively venues are fantastic. And don't forget the recipes: they're included and are a large part of what made it a notable venue.
Extremely Pale Rose
St. Martin's Press
175 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
EXTREMELY PALE ROSE: A VERY FRENCH ADVENTURE will appeal to any who love France and French food and travel. It recounts the author's journey as he and his family travel the south of France in quest of rose wines. Rose is commonly viewed as a poor man's wine, but the paler it gets the more the Brits relish it and the more the French scoff. A translation problem sends Jamie on a quest for the palest rose in France, and their visits to wineries, rose-producing regions and local byways provide a lively, fun story of a hilarious quest.
The Organic Cook's Bible
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Plenty of books on the market cover organic foods and health, but THE ORGANIC COOK'S BIBLE is a resource which goes beyond recipes to offer a survey of organic ingredients and how to choose, store and prepare them. Home cooks and chefs receive a guide which covers meats, dairy, herbs, spices and more, with an A-Z arrangement for quick and easy reference, and a survey of over a hundred organic foods, from flavor and nutrition benefits to storage, what to look for, and top varieties. A 'must' for any serious culinary or home organic cook's collection.
Good Day for a Picnic
10 E. 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
GOOD DAY FOR A PICNIC SIMPLE FOOD THAT TRAVELS WELL goes beyond the standard picnic fare to provide new recipe ideas for the park, backyard and beyond. Over a hundred such recipes cover everything from drinks to sandwiches, entrees and desserts, and provide easily-prepared dishes which are just as easily transported to be served later. Crisp Green Beans in Jalapeno Oil, Ham and Swiss Cheese Biscuits, and Barbecue Shredded Pork are only some of the dishes sure to provide new interest.
Spanish Wine: A Pocket Guide
127 Belk Court, Clayton, NC 27520
Any interested in Spanish culture or wines will relish SPANISH WINE: A POCKET GUIDE. It lists wine regions by wine types for quick look-up, offers plenty of maps and illustration, reviews all major and many minor wine regions, and adds the history and winery listings essential to any comprehensive coverage. Over 1,600 wines are listed and over 500 wineries mentioned, making this the perfect take-along tote for any journey, whether it be to Spain or to a well-stocked wine shop.
500 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
Early America wasn't noted for its wines: so what influenced the birth of the industry, and how did it so quickly rise to become a world wine influence? Paul Lukacs provides a history which begins with 17th century grape-growing and winemaking experiments right up to modern times, following the course of wine industry development from individuals who contributed to its rise to families and economics which fostered its evolution. Paul Lukacs is the wine columnist for the Washington Times and Washingtonian, and AMERICAN VINTAGE: THE RISE OF AMERICAN WINE is a winning study for any interested in wine development.
The 2007 Calendar Shelf
Quilt Art 2007 Engagement Calendar
Klaudeen Hansen & Annette Baker
American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
The annual QUILT ART calendar is perfect for the avid quilter who keeps a busy schedule: spiral plastic binding for lay-flat convenience compliments a calendar which holds seven days per page, a facing page of original quilt art, a boxed sidebar of information on the quilt's history and construction, and a small full calendar of the month for easy planning. This is one of the best engagement calendar formats on the market: practical and eye-catching; quilters will love it.
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
266 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915
BRIMFIELD RUSH; THE THRILL OF COLLECTING AND THE HUNT FOR THE BIG SCORE is a lively survey of a massive outdoor antiques and collectibles show spanning over 20 fields along a one-mile stretch in Massachusetts. It attracts thousands of dealers and collectors yearly but BRIMFIELD RUSH follows not only the event's history but the experiences of a couple's year at Brimfield markets. The morning's opening 'rush' serves as a fascinating survey of Brimfield's treasures and attractions throughout a spicy, dramatic account collectors will relish and recognize.
The Library Video/DVD Shelf
The Prisoner: 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition
A & E Television Networks
PO Box 2284, South Burlington, VT 05407-2284
0767090756 $139.95 DVD 1-888-646-3476 www.aetv.com
Fans of all ages probably recall The Prisoner, Patrick McGoohan's 17-episode British TV series which debuted in America in 1968 and earned an instant cult following. Here are all seventeen color episodes, fully restored, digitally remastered, and an absolute 'must' for any fan of the TV series. But wait there's more: this 40th collector's edition includes original footage of the 1966 location shooting, bonus programs, rare alternate versions, outtakes, promotional trailers, trivia, and a new limited edition collector's booklet. Add a fold-out map of The Village and you have a package which by far beats even the magic of the original TV production: a top pick five stars.
Papuwa V. 1: Wild Things
Welcome to Papuwa Island, where nothing is sane. Brat Kotaro awakens and comes to a hidden island paradise, promptly losing his memories and the secret which led him there. Young Papuwa and his maid care for him as he explores his new world but the secret remains well hidden. Japanese animation at its best presents an exciting new adventure.
Razor Digital Entertainment
12031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 3, Studio City, CA 91604
Kari Anderson's Reach (No ISBN $14.99) offers a blend of ballet-based exercises to target a dancer's muscles in a low-impact movement routine suitable for any who want exercise. The focus is on toning and flexibility for a dancer's body: floor routine workouts offer an hour of exercises for all fitness levels and uses ballet as its foundation. Tracey Mallett's PREGNANCY SYSTEM 3 IN 1 (1595523278, $19.99) provides a doctor-approved, patented unique exercise system which blends yoga, Pilates and body sculpting for optimal pregnancy exercises. The stretching exercises are designed to ease muscle aches and tension and fathers can even join along in these routines for women in their second and third tirmesters.
Going Going Gone! 1
No ISBN DVD $29.99
The low impact workout Going Going Gone! provides a 40-minute workout that uses time-lapsed camera process to motivate beginners and advanced exercisers to drop weight. It's devised for overweight people who have come lax in disciplined fitness regiments, and it focuses on basic moves and uplifting music that offers aerobic incentives. The routine includes four minutes of warm-up and 3 minutes of wind-down, seventeen minutes of step routines, and stretches: the time lapse follows Shannon Holand's body as it shrinks by 50 pounds and offers much inspiration.
The Art Shelf
Bikini Girl Postcards
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
Fans of pin-up artists will find this a treasure trove of postcards that can be either used to mail or, more likely, framed and added to a collector's pinups. Forty lovely women on the beach come from 1950s Bunny Yeager photos and are displayed in their original vintage black and white glory, with model names on the backs of each postcard presentation.
Lindsay Brown, et.al., Eds
Box 230986, Portland, OR 97281
JEEPERS PEEPERS! A GALLERY OF AMERICAN PIN-UP ART receives a fine introduction by New York gallery owner Louis K. Meisel, whose gallery specializes in pinup artwork by top artists from the 1930s through the 60s, as it provides a gorgeous set of color pinup illustrations by a wide range of artists. These don't just come from calendars, but are from commercial art, wartime posters, and more, going beyond the usual pinup collection focus to display a solid diversity of models and approaches to the pinup.
D.I.Y.: Design It Yourself
Ellen Lupton, Editor
Princeton Architectural Press
37 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003
Not satisfied with store-bought offerings, and seeking something original and unique? D.I.Y is the 'design it yourself' movement which pair new technologies with the opportunity to design your own graphics. It fills the gap between a designer's knowledge and an average person's vision, showing how to create everything from web blogs and business cards to unique gifts, eye-catching flyers and newsletters, stickers, t-shirts and more. And if that wasn't enough it covers copyright, branding and more.
Box 1360, Nevada City, CA 95959
By Robert Regis Dvorak's SELLING ART 101 (0940899868, $22.95) is for artists, reps and galleries who want an insider's guide to creative selling. From overcoming objections and locating clients to getting referrals and using studio and telephone to sell, chapters do more than provide strategies: they give exercises for selling practice which can be used with friends to hone professional delivery. Constance Smith's second edition of ART MARKETING 101 (0940899485, $24.95) provides an assessment of alternative venues for marketing art, covering everything from galleries and exhibitions to putting together an effective portfolio, preparing a marketing plan, pricing appropriately, and more. Margaret Danielak's A GALLERY WITHOUT WALLS: SELLING ART IN ALTERNATIVE VENUES (0940899469, $19.95) delves even more deeply into the subject, covering themed events, art teas, and places to reserve the best exhibition space. Learn how to promote artwork on a limited budget and make the most of low-cost themed art events with a title that covers all kinds of alternative venues.
An Ornament to the City
John S. Sledge
University of Georgia Press
330 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30602-4901
AN ORNAMENT TO THE CITY: OLD MOBILE IRONWORK features lovely full-page color photos by Sheila Hagler and accompanies an exhibit telling of Mobile's elegant ironwork, which has graced both public places and buildings alike. Mobile's ironwork once extended past the city's center and can be found all around the area: while much of it is gone today, AN ORNAMENT TO THE CITY celebrates the history and appearance of what remains. Any interested in ironworking art will find it a fine acquisition.
Artistry in Paper
575 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
ARTISTRY IN PAPER: CREATING BEAUTIFUL THINGS WITH ORIGAMI, PAPIER MACHE, POP-UPS AND OTHER PAPERCRAFTS comes for a famous origami artist and paper engineer and is the perfect item of choice for any interested in lovely paper decorations. A chapter on techniques provides a step-by-step guide to the paper arts and methods, while a second section on themes provides a gallery of completed projects. The step-by-step color photos throughout assure even beginners aren't left behind.
611 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
These new arrivals are top pick recommendations for any authoritative art library holding. Guy Cooper and Gordon Taylor's MIRRORS OF PARADISE: THE GARDENS OF FERNANDO CARUNCHO (1580930719, $65.00) deserves ongoing recommendation as a detailed survey of the garden art and landscapes designed by Caruncho, a Madrid artist. From geometry and juxtaposition of natural and man-made materials to expressive elements of Spanish design incorporated into the garden motif, MIRRORS OF PARADISE includes a lengthy interview with the artist probing intentions and influences. John Leighton Chase's LA 2000+: NEW ARCHITECTURE IN LOS ANGELES (1580931715, $50.00) covers architectural trends emerging from the Southern California city, which has long attracted experimental and creative architects and their monied clients. Chapters survey both commercial and private structures across the city, gathering some thirty original new buildings reflecting both new and acclaimed architects. Urban designer author John Leighton Chase tops all with an introductory essay exploring background history and architectural concept. Janet Kopolos, Arthur C. Danto and Barry Schwabsky's BETTY WOODMAN (1580931685, $60.00) surveys the unique clay work of an artist who began her muse as a teen and now has five decades of ceramic forms to her name. Both useful clay applications and art are featured in full-page photo displays which are able to capture the dramatic and unique color embellishments of her works and surface treatments. The background history of the evolution of her decorating talents is intriguing, but the meat here is the gallery displays of her pieces for all to enjoy. All are fabulous works.
775A Southpoint Boulevard, Petaluma, CA 94954-1495
THE ART OF ARTHUR AND LUCIA MATHEWS (0764936441, $40.00) is a 'must' for any California art collection: it details their works and provides the most comprehensive survey in print, adding plenty of background history about a couple whose paintings, murals furniture, graphics and more influenced the California Decorative Style itself. Color displays of these many creations supplement their history and a survey of the style as a whole, making for an authoritative history of the couple and their contemporaries. Edgar Kaufmann edits AN AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT (076493659X, $39.95): while one might wonder at the need for yet another Wright title, it's a fine compilation of his formal and informal writings, lectures and talks and juxtaposes these writings and case studies with black and white full- and partial-page displays of his many creations throughout, offering more analysis based on Wright's own words than most. Both are highly recommended collection additions.
History and the Morris Dance
Dance Books/Princeton Book Company
Is Morris dance heritage mysticism, dance, or entertainment? It's long been shrouded in mystery, and research John Cutting spent some thirty years dancing, teaching and researching the Morris dance from its roots until 1850: HISTORY AND THE MORRIS DANCE: A LOOK AT MORRIS DANCING FROM ITS EARLIEST DAYS UNTIL 1850 follows its evolution and answers many questions. A 'must' for any college-level dance history holding.
Art of the Digital Age
Thames & Hudson
500 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10110
ART OF THE DIGITAL AGE represents the first major illustrated survey of digital art and gathers works by over a hundred artists from around the world. Introduced by a history of the genre and discussion of how it differs from conventional art, chapters provide key works by established and emerging digital artists and pairs discussions of virtual reality and digital effect with critical insights on the featured artists. Color photos abound in this fine comprehensive survey, a recommended pick for any art library.
Symbolism of Chinese Children's Bibs
Christi Lan Lin
University of Indianapolis Press
400 E. Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46227
Symbolism of Chinese Children's Bibs: a Mother's Affectionate Embrace celebrates and presents a collection of hand-made children's accessories from China, presenting a gathering of parental love reflected through hats, bibs, and carriers. Explanations of the symbolism in Chinese and English provide excellent accompaniment to color photos throughout and while this is a specialty item recommended for Chinese history and culture collections in particular, any with an affection for kids will find it lovely and revealing.
St. Louis Art Museum
Merrell Publishers Limited
49 West 24th Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10010
1858943310 $75.00 www.merrellpublishers.com
Pictorial photography flourished at the turn of the 20th century and crossed genres, styles and international borders as it produced celebrated artists and fostered artistic change. Here to celebrate these changes is Impressionist Camera: Pictorial Photography in Europe, 188-1918, a narrowed focus on European community photography approaches. Selections consider how photographers created unique works and visions, how they influenced on another, and how they contributed to the fusion and symbolism of pictorial photography as a genre. This book represents the first comprehensive country-by-country examination on the topic and draws together contributions by an international team of art and photography scholars and historians. Sepia and black and white photos throughout capture the creations and sentiments of the era.
University of Texas Press
Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
INFERNO is a lovely gathering of photos by Michael P. Berman of the desert Southwest, reflecting author Charles Bowden's passion for the land he calls home. INFERNO was written while Boweden was lobbying the government to create the Sonoran Desert National Monument: it pairs his nature writing and descriptions with Berman's black and white artistic desert shots and provides both an artistic and a natural history celebration appropriate for collections strong in either topic.
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205, Manchester, VT 05254-9911
Elias Rivera painted social history at its best, from civil rights demonstrations and rodeo events to daily life in Central and South America, so it's fitting that the oversized ELIAS RIVERA tribute embraces a wide range of his works spanning a forty-year time frame. The monograph will prove essential for any comprehensive art library collection; not just those in Rivera's Santa Fe home: it gathers his realistic paintings in full color, gives them an oversized format to gain as much of the real work as possible, and pairs them with actor Gene Hackman's foreword and Edward Lucie-Smith's art history background to provide all the insights newcomers need to appreciate Rivera's style and heritage. There's nothing like it on the market, making it a rare, unique treat.
Mario Schmolka is a fashion photographer who lives and works in Vienna: art libraries strong in fashion or photography will find his full-page color photos in INTENSE (3937718451 $49.95) go beyond fashion, however, probing nudes, modeling, and startling effects. His classy works are eye-popping whether they include clothes or not, emphasizing the synthesis of woman and garment as often as the female nude and the texture of her background. YOUNG DESIGNER'S AMERICAS edited by Carissa Kowalski Dougherty (3937718400, $29.95) introduces some fifty selected designers and design companies many of them newcomers packing pages with color photos of products and including an index holding contact details for easy access to the company or designer. Interior design pros seeking specific products will find this an excellent desk reference. Gabriele Rigon's ROXANNE (3937718818) provides gorgeous color photos of a young model: some sepia, some using lens filters, some natural. A lovely, different archetype of fashion and beauty is presented in the dialogue of photos which presents Roxanne in different poses, phases, and changes.
547 West 27th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001
Elizabeth Broun, et.al.'s WILLIAM CHRISTENBERRY (1931788898, $50.00) provides a comprehensive survey of works by Christenberry: over half has been unpublished, including his photos of the Southern landscape, and provide a catalog of his best American South regional focus since the early 1960s. Christenberry photographs the real world from back roads and rural towns to graveyards, returning to the same locations annually to provide a documentary of changes. Any interested in the South will relish this collection. John Divola's THREE ACTS (1931788952, $50.00) comes from a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient who has won numerous other awards for his art, gathering three bodies of work he produced throughout the 1970s. His monograph focuses on abandoned houses in Los Angeles: a very specific regional focus that surveys their markings, changes, and social meaning. Both black and white and color works trace the changes experienced in these houses and narrow the focus right down to the gritty textures as well as the psychological atmospheres of the abandoned. THINGS AS THEY ARE: PHOTOJOURNALISM IN CONTEXT SINCE 1955 (1597110140, $75.00) pairs essays by Mary Panzer and Christian Caujolle with the first real world history of photojournalism, gathered by an international committee of consultants, leading photographers, art directors and curators. Landmark stories and headlines are packed into pages of full color displays: more than an art book, THINGS AS THEY ARE will appeal beyond the art world into the genres of journalism and social issues. All are outstanding works.
The American History Shelf
Encyclopedia of American Political Parties & Elections
Larry Sabato & Howard Ernst
Facts on File
132 W. 31st Street, New York, NY 10001
Encyclopedia of American Political Parties & Elections is a reference work which will appeal equally to high school and college-level collections: part of Facts on File's 'Library of American History', it provides all the info needed to understand the American election process and its parties. An A-Z organization lends to easy topic access, while people, events and terms as well as history receive plenty of description. Black and white photos even pepper the account. It's a 'must' for any comprehensive collection on American history.
University of Massachusetts Press
Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
That the name 'Athens of America' has been applied to Boston may be familiar fact to most: lesser known is why. Historian Thomas O'Connor follows history back to Boston's rise during the first half of the 19th century in The Athens of America (1558495185 $22.95) to discover why, telling of an elite team of leaders who used their finances and influence to foster not just economic and political change, but cultural and intellectual transformations as well, involving writers, teachers, philosophers, and merchants alike in the process. His analysis of these programs makes for an engrossing study indeed. Jane Holtz Kay's LOST BOSTON (1558496274, $24.95) appears in an expanded, updated edition to provide a classic focus on Boston architectural history. Readers with an affection for Boston will find this provides over three hundred seldom-seen prints and photos to display the city as it once was, returning to the public eye architectural gems lost long ago. Expanded and updated, LOST BOSTON is packed with memories.
10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America
Steven M. Gillon
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
If the title sounds familiar, it's because the History Channel has a series of documentaries on the topic and 10 DAYS THAT UNEXPECTEDLY CHANGED AMERICA is the companion book for the series, covering the major events which triggered lasting changes in the nation. From the January 1787 battle of Shays' Rebellion to a carpenter who started the California gold rush, events are vividly re-created with plenty of attention to their lasting impact.
Bruce Frohnen, et.al., Eds
Box 4431,Wilmington, DE 19807-0431
AMERICAN CONSERVATISM: AN ENCYCLOPEDIA is essential college-level reading for any interested in the history, philosophy and politics of the American conservative movement: contributions from over two hundred leading scholars pack a weighty reader which blends biography with concepts and history in over six hundred entries. College level holdings strong in social science should consider this 'bible' a must-have reference: from Lord Acton to William F. Rickenbacker, cross-comparisons between theorists and their works make for an essential reference.
The Gaming Shelf
100 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10005
Racing Daily Form's THE AMERICAN RACING MANUAL 2006: THE OFFICIAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THOROUGHBRED RACING (1932910948, $40.00) is a weighty but essential statistical reference for any involved in thoroughbred racing. In one thick book are statistics organized by racetracks, breeders' cup statistics, histories of graded stake events, records of horses, racing organizations and much more. As a detailed product of the entire horse racing industry, it can't be beat. Steven Crist's EXOTIC BETTING: HOW TO MAKE THE MULTIHORSE, MULTIRACE BETS THAT WIN RACING'S BIGGEST PAYOFFS (1932910921, $24.95) isn't your usual book on how to pick racetrack winners, so don't think it falls into a common category: it argues that how to be is as important as what to bet on, and chapters offer strategy and mechanics professional wagers use successfully. From exactas, trifectas and doubles to pick sixes, Crist's personal experiences come into play in a fine survey of strategies and exploits.
311 Douglas, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5M 1H2
Jim Priebe's MATCHPOINT DEFENSE (1897106122, $18.95) is for intermediate to advanced bridge players and comes from a Canadian Team Championship winner whose previous books on bridge have proved winners. From defending deals and matchpoints to choosing openings that set up winning strategies, chapters cover everything from high rollers to card plays. Dan Romm's THINGS YOUR BRIDGE TEACHER WON'T TELL YOU (1897106130, $16.95) provides advice from a winning bridge player who's spent forty years playing bridge for money in championships and has won consistently. Follow his moves, strategies, and winning tactics in a title which explains drawbacks, working with partners, and why strategies work or not. A fun, revealing guide which will prove a 'must' for players seeking to advance their skills. Andy Stark's THE WEAK NOTRUMP: HOW TO PLAY IT, HOW TO PLAY AGAINST IT (189415469X, $18.95) is also for intermediate to advanced players who want a close analysis of the weak notrump, which works well with many different systems. If you've heard of it and want to learn it, THE WEAK NOTRUMP is the book for you: chapters cover bidding structures, overcalls, how the notrump system changes during the plays, and gives examples of notrump openings and how to handle them from either side of the table. Barbara Seagram and David Bird's BRIDGE: 25 WAYS TO BE A BETTER DEFENDER (1897106114, $17.95) provides the final book in the bestselling '25' series, explaining how to make a plan for defense and how to decide which strategy to apply. From leads to signaling and discarding plays, beginning to intermediate bride players receive game descriptions, answers to common problems, and more. All are excellent titles.
Gaming: Essays on Algorithmic Culture
Alexander R. Galloway
University of Minnesota Press
111 3rd Avenue Suite 290, Minneapolis, MN 55401
College-level students of media studies will appreciate the examination of digital and video culture offered in Gaming: Essays on Algorithmic Culture: examples from over fifty video games are used to construct a classification system of action in video games which blends gameplay with software crashes, network lags, and game hacks. From the origins of the first-person shooter to game structures and new interpretations of images and character, any interested in media and gaming will find this scholarly discourse exciting.
The Transportation Shelf
The Bus We Loved
Granta UK/Trafalgar Square, Dist., N. Pomfret, VT 05053
Fans of British and London history in general and London transportation in particular will relish THE BUS WE LOVED: LONDON'S AFFAIR WITH THE ROUTEMASTER. The Routemaster is a shadow of its former self, today but it's become no less revered the rarer it's become. It's a symbol to London, it's appeared in many a film about the city, and it here receives a history following its invention, evolution, and eventual fall in glory as a transit choice. This could be the story of any urban transit system but will prove of particular interest to British residents and fans.
380 Jackson Street #200, St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
When he was a kid he wanted to be the fastest motorcycle rider: when he was an adult, he dominated the championships. WHAT IF I HAD NEVER TRIED IT? (0760326827 $24.95) is rider Valentino Rossi's autobiography of who he became ruler of motorcycle racing, winning from local to international levels and fostering changes which would transform the nature of the sport itself. Chapters follow his life, passion and career while a centerfold of color photos adds drama and captures him in action. Any collection strong in motor vehicle history must have Craig Cheetham's 3-volume reference 'Five-View Series': each volume offers comprehensive coverage of selected American autos. ULTIMATE AMERICAN CARS (0760325707, $19.95) packs in over three hundred pages with over 1,000 color, specially-commissioned photos accompanying specs, performance and technical details on Continentals, Thunderbirds, and much more. The cut-aways and diagrams accompanying descriptions are perfect for and unique to this volume. VINTAGE CARS (780760325728, $19.95) covers over forty vintage autos and holds over three hundred color commissioned photos along with performance specs and sidebars of detail, while HOT RODS & CUSTOM CARS (780760325636, $19.95) covers over forty hot rods and custom cars. Each vehicle receives extensive coverage, from design and engineering to modifications, makers, and history. The set can't be eat and is unparalleled in its scope and illustration. Dave Nichols works with Andrea 'Bambi' Cambridge to present INDIAN LARRY: CHOPPER SHAMAN (0760323828, $24.95), a blend of biography and motorcycle history which recounts the life and times of one of the greatest cult figures in motorcycle history. Indian Larry is known for wild tattoos and custom motorcycles, and both are liberally illustrated here. Chapters follow his love of custom hot rods and cycles, reveal his life and downward spiral as a heroin addict, and provide plenty of insights. A top pick, INDIAN LARRY will reach out to even non-motorcycle fans with its vivid photos and lively biographical sketch. All are top picks promising plenty of general interest attention.
The Humor Shelf
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
FUNNY LADIES: THE NEW YORKER'S GREATEST WOMEN CARTOONISTS AND THEIR CARTOONS could easily have been featured in our 'Cartoons and Graphic Novels' section, but is reviewed here for its ability to appeal beyond the usual confines of the cartoonist fan's world. Over the decades a growing core of female artists has been creating New Yorker cartoons weekly: Liza Donnelly, herself a New Yorker cartoonist for over twenty years, provides a history of women's humor and its evolution, pairing an anthology of cartoons with a survey of the genre in a wonderful, vivid overview.
Friars Club Private Joke File
Barry Dougherty, Editor
Black Dog & Leventhal
151 West 19th Street, New York NY 10011
Prepare to be shocked and amazed: saucy and sometimes raunchy jokes and stories along with hundreds of rich Roast moments come from Friars Club members and are compiled by an editor of the Friars Club Magazine The Epistle. Here are jokes that proved too lurid to be televised, and ones which are uncut and uncensored at that. Over 2,000 'very naughty' jokes delight the funny bone.
Sperm Are From Men, Eggs Are From Women
125 S. 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Why are women teases, why are men afraid to commit, and what's behind the real needs of women and men? SPERM ARE FROM MEN, EGGS ARE FROM WOMEN: THE REAL REASON MEN AND WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT takes a hilarious, quasi-scientific look at men and women from a different angle, blending a healthy sense of humor with science, sociology and biology in pursuit of the truth. The author 'studied' Playboy and Hustlers and spent some seven years researching source papers in sociobiology as well: his lively, fun read includes plenty of insights.
The Children's Shelf
Mommy Knows Worst
Three Rivers Press
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Parents with a sense of humor remaining about their profession will appreciate Mommy Knows Worst: Highlights from the Golden Age of Bad Parenting Advice, which gathers past parenting neuroses from the 1940s and 50s. From 'delicious' baby laxatives to boiling baby's milk, MOMMY KNOWS WORST is filled with hilarious moments and fine vintage illustrations from the times.
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
Become a volleyball expert with YOUTH VOLLEYBALL, which covers all the latest terminology, offers practical and fun drills, and instruction on sportsmanship and the sport. Coaches and parents new to coaching will find it an invaluable primer.
101 Tips for Raising Healthy Kids with Diabetes
Laura Hieronymus, MsEd, APRN, BC-ADM, CDE & Petti Geil, MS, RD. FADA, CDE
American Diabetes Assn.
1701 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311
'Healthy' and 'diabetes' usually don't go together; particularly when children are involved but thanks to modern medicine and 101 Tips for Raising Healthy Kids with Diabetes, they can go together quite nicely. Parents are given quick, easy answers to topics relating to medication, nutrition, and handling diabetes throughout the age groups. From sports safety to schooling options, everything's covered here.
Abadazad: Road to Inconceivable
J.M. DeMatteis & Mike Ploog
114 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Take the graphic novel format, add full color, and add more text to get a vivid enchanting diary/journal of magic, adventure, and a friendless child whose life changes. A journey to another world makes for vivid adventure.
Follow the Blue
St. Martin's Griffin
175 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Teen Bec has always been the good girl in a dysfunctional family, taking care of her siblings but she's tired of being good and ready for adventure. Her new friend Jaz promises this excitement and changes her life in a warm coming-of-age novel of change.
110 Spadina Avenue #801, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 2K4
Set in the mid 1940s, SNOW APPLES tells of a girl's determination to pursue a forbidden romance against the wishes of her watchful mother. Her obsession with Nels pries at the heart of her powerful connection to her mother. SNOW APPLES appeared in 1984 in Canada only to much acclaim: its first appearance here in the US should earn it equal merit.
Knopf Delacorte Dell
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Jennifer Ziegler's ALPHA DOG (0385732856, $7.95) tells of a teen being driven crazy by her mother and a boyfriend who dumps her on her birthday so a summer program in Austin allows her to get away from her problems, until new challenges evolve. A questionable roommate and an unexpected new dog who is a terror complicates her life and lends her courage. Sarah Mlynowski's Bras & Broomsticks (0385731841, $8.95) is a hilarious account of a girl who finds her younger sister is a witch, inheriting the supernatural skills Rachel covets. And Miri won't use her powers to help Rachel
Markus Zusak's award-winning I AM THE MESSENGER (0375836675, $8.95) tells of an underage cab driver mired in routine until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery, only to find he's been chosen to become a messenger, helping and hurting folks in his town. An excellent, well rounded story of change evolves. Marcus Sedgwick's THE BOOK OF DEAD DAYS (03857407047, $7.95) tells of a magician named Valerian and his servant Boy, who along with an orphan girl journey a subterranean city to fight against the forces of evil. This fine, complex fantasy is recommended for older teens. Melina Marchetta's SAVING FRANCESCA (0375829830, $8.95) is hilarious: Francesca faces a coed religious schools, psycho girl companions, dorky boys, and a vivacious mother who wants to change her life in this fun story. Antonio Pagliarulo's A DIFFERENT KIND OF HEAT (0385732988, $7.50) presents a girl enraged: she saw the cop kill her brother and her anger since is getting her in trouble: now she's living at a home for children and working to change her life. When Sister Ellen gives Luz a journal, she's finally able to come to grips with her experience: poems and entries make up a powerful story.
1000 San Diego Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93103-2135
Two outstanding stories for teens are fine leisure choices. W. Royce Adams' JAY (1588321207, $10.99) provides a sequel to ME & JAY but no prior familiarity is needed to enjoy this ongoing story of two young hobos who catch a freight train to avoid placement in a foster home. The hobo lifestyle is hard, dangerous and hungry his adventures don't nearly make up for his trials, and Jay must decide if and how to return to society. W. Royce Adams' RICHARD OF RAIRARUBIA (0971220662, $12.95) is Book 6 in an adventure fantasy series and in this case prior familiarity with the series will enhance appreciation of this latest adventure. Einaem comes to power and kidnaps Katherine, demanding three conspirators be brought to him for revenge. Richard captures Molly and Netty to save his sister, but first he must bring them to a meeting place of convergent dimensions. Can he trade the captives for his sister? Spirited adventure evolves.
Farrar Straus Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
Laura comes from a world that is next to the Place a land that fosters dreams accessible only by dreamhunters, who have special gifts. Laura and her cousin are daughters of dreamhunters out to test their eligibility for the passage but their test will prove different, opening worlds and nightmares unimaginable. An outstanding fantasy is rich with the unexpected.
Can You Feel the Force?
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014-3658
Physics books quite often are dry: not this one, which will reach from grades 4-6 with a spirited, involving survey of the 'weird and wonderful' side of physics. From why balls bounce and other things don't to how to make forces bigger, understanding a raindrop's shape, or developing an electric flea circus, experiments and illustrative examples are very easy to duplicate and reinforce learning.
345 Hudson, New York, NY 10014
Do commas really matter in punctuation? You bet they do and a zany, fun illustration of how they make a difference invites kids to understand in Lynne Truss & Bonnie Timmons' Eats, Shoots & Leaves (0399344913 $15.99). One-sentence descriptions with commas appropriate then inappropriate explore changes in meaning, with fun drawings by Bonnie Timmons throughout. Kids will love it and will get the idea quicker than a dry grammar lesson could impart. Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld's WILD LIVES: A HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE & ANIMALS OF THE BRONX ZOO (037580630X, $18.95) will reach grades 5-6 and even older with its lively animal photos and survey of zookeeping at the Bronx Zoo. It's been a home to animals since 1899: zookeeper issues, methods, and conservation issues abound in a survey many an adult will relish. Celeste Davidson Mannis' Snapshots: The Wonders Of Monterey Bay (0670060623, $16.99) pairs verse with color photos to introduce kids in grades 2-4 to the wonders of California's Monterey Bay nature area. Local marine animals and the unique places they inhabit pair facts and color and encourage kids to learn about the seashore.
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Hattie loves to dance, swim and play: four parties display her talents in a book geared for read-aloud pleasure, HATTIE HIPPO. From ballet on 'teensy tiny toes' to her hide and seek talents which are enormous considering her size HATTIE HIPPO has fun and listeners and younger readers will, too.
Idries Shah titles
Box 176, Los Altos, CA 94023
Two fine new Idries Shah titles are top picks for ages 5 and older, pairing lovely drawings with folk stories and tales. FATIMA THE SPINNER AND THE TENT (1883536421) presents a traditional story based on a classic Middle Eastern fable, following young Fatima through a series of disasters as she travels from Morocco to China, where she discovers disasters actually spin new hopes and changes. Natasha Delmar provides gorgeous Middle Eastern scenes following her journeys. THE MAN AND THE FOX (188353643X) receives very warm embellishments by Sally Mallam as it tells of a man who tricks a young fox into believing he'll give him a chicken. Initially trapped, the fox must use all his cunning.
Bad Bear Detectives
222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116
Irving and Muktuk have been accused of the baked goods crime of the century but the bears are innocent, and set out to clear their bad reputations. This is the fourth book in the Irving and Muktuk series, but the first we've seen: it's a lovely detective story spiced with Jill Pinkwater's fine drawings and is a recommended pick for ages 6-8.
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Sandra Markle's LITTLE LOST BAT (157091656X, $15.95) tells of a newborn Mexican free-tailed bat's constant dangers. His mother protects him but when she doesn't return from her daily hunting trip, how can the little bat survive? Alan Marks provides realistic illustration to an engaging tale of a little bat's struggles. Kathryn Lasky's PIRATE BOB (1570915954, $15.95) isn't just about treasure and loot: it's about friendship and joys found in unexpected places. David Clark's oversized, fun drawings illustrate the life of Pirate Bob, while descriptions of adventures tuck in many pieces of boating and pirate lore, such as commands for setting the square sails of a pirate ship. Kids will relish the story and will learn a lot.
175 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Vivian French's HENNY PENNY receives gorgeous embellishment by Sophie Windham as it tells of a concerned citizen who becomes convinced the sky is falling when an acorn lands on her head. She meets and convinces a variety of characters but the story really takes a new twist when she encounters Foxy Loxy.
The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Auburn, CA 95604
Wanda McCaddon lends a British accent and smooth style to this unabridged audio version of Frances Hodgson Burnett's best creation THE SECRET GARDEN. In audio format the lovely setting comes alive in the story of how unloved and selfish Mary finds friendship and happiness helping a neurotic invalid cousin become strong in a magic garden they discover.
Box 398, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Enslow's excellent lineup of new arrivals promises something for everyone, and these latest additions promise to reach grades 3-5 with excellent curriculum-oriented topics. For biography readers, there's a nice range: Carin T. Ford's FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT: THE 32ND PRESIDENT (0766026035, $22.60) provides 32 easy pages of facts and includes an index and plenty of color, where grades 5-6 will relish the more advanced biographies such as Sally Lee's ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER: FROM SUPERSTAR TO GOVERNOR (0766026256, $31.93), which provides over a hundred pages of coverage on the entirety of Schwarzeenegger's life and challenges; two new additions to the 'African-American Biography library' MAYA ANGELOU by Donna Brown Agins (0766024695, $31.93) which tells of the poet and writer's rise to success, and Anne Schraff's BOOKER T. WASHINGTON (0776025357, $31.93) which tells of a freed slave's impact on civil rights. Choose Karen Leigh Harmin's J.K. ROWLING: AUTHOR OF HARRY POTTER (0766018504, $31.93) which tells how Rowling dreamed of publication and became a writer, or Jennifer Reed's PAULA DANZIGER: VOICE OF TEEN TROUBLES (076602444X, $31.93) to link popular pre-teen authors with their backgrounds. The MyReportLinks.com titles ($33.27 Each) offers grades 5-6 something different: books which are packed with internet site backing information, kept up to date at www.myreportlinks.com. This method of study assures information won't become obsolete in a few years and assures the written word has lasting impact and value for discriminating library collections. New to the series are Tony Zurlo's SYRIA IN THE NEWS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE (15984590255), David Aretha's ISRAEL IN THE NEWS (159845028X), and David Schaffer's SAUDI ARABIA IN THE NEWS (1598450263), each of which holds a little over a hundred pages of facts linked to reports and internet access. Colorful photos, screen shots, and geography and history blend well.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575-1129
Diane C. Donovan, Editor & Senior Reviewer
12424 Mill Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &