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The Bookwatch

Volume 4, Number 2 February 2009 Home | BW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Mystery/Suspense Shelf Computer Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Photography Shelf Nautical Shelf
Music Shelf Military Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Veterinary Studies Shelf Business Shelf Martial Arts Shelf
American History Shelf Architecture Shelf Native American Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Education Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Antiques/Collectibles Shelf World History Shelf Railroading Shelf
Art Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Biography Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Interior Design Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Gaming Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf Political Science Shelf
Poetry Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Michelle Obama: First Lady of Hope
Elizabeth Lightfoot
Globe Pequot Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599215211, $14.95 www.lyonspress.com

This is the first biography to tell the story of Michelle Obama, examining her life from her early Chicago childhood to her Princeton and Harvard education, her meeting with Barack Obama, and her interest in both family and politics. Any collection strong in current events and major political figures will find this a lively, popular coverage examining her principals and values as much as her life and evolution: very highly recommended.

Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging
Editors of The Huffington Post
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
1439105006, $15.00 www.simonandschuster.com

From getting started in blogging to getting noticed, building community, and understanding the culture and influence of blogging, Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging offers a fine A-Z guide to all things blog, telling what to do to get a blog started, from finding a voice to getting attention. A fine pairing of selections from HuffPost's mix of bloggers accompanies the tips and makes this a 'must' for any individual or business interested in breaking into the blogging world.

Advice From The Presidents
G. Scott Thomas
Greenwood Publishing Group
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780313356629, $65.00, www.greenwood.com

With the advent of the first African-American president in American history, the role and impact of the presidency in American political, social, and cultural society is being highlighted as never before. That's why journalist G. Scott Thomas' "Advice From The Presidents: The Student's Guide to Reaching The Top In Business And Politics" is particularly appropriate as it provides a compendium of sage advice, illustrative quotations, and colorful anecdotes, along with seven 'time tested' that anyone aspiring to positions of authority, be it political or economic, would benefit from. The subjects addressed include deciding upon long term goals, developing personal skills and interests, people skills and personal image, soliciting mentors and helpers, self discipline and control, how to improve personal positions, dealing with success. Using the career paths of a number of successful American politicians to illustrate a seven-step career plan for anyone aspiring for success in business or in government, "Advice From The Presidents" is practical, informative, insightful, and inspiring, making it a welcome addition to personal reading lists and library reference collections.

The Complete Guide to Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks
Matthew L. Cole
Atlantic Publishing Company
1210 S.W. 23rd Place, Ocala, FL 34474-7014
9781601382313, $24.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

Learn how to turn an invention into a money-making reality through a guide teaching everything about how to apply for a patent, copyright, or trademark - and how to protect it. From initial application to filing an infringement case, this book offers plenty of examples and easy step-by-step directions suitable for any newcomer to the process. General-interest libraries catering to consumers as well as business collections will find it a fine acquisition.

Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II
Norman H. Gershman
Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu
0815609345, $39.95, 1-800-365-8929

BESA is a code of honor rooted in Albanian culture and based on the faith of Albanian Muslims. It entails a rigid moral adherence demanding one take responsibility for the lives of others in times of need - and in Albania and Kosovo, Muslims sheltered thousands of Jews fleeing the Nazis. Photographer Norman Gershman spent five years gathering these stories and photos for BESA: this survey is a powerful, moving visual and oral history account and is a top pick for any collection strong in Judaic Studies and World War II History, as well as Muslim history and culture reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Titanic: Last Great Images
Dr. Robert Ballard
Running Press
2300 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19103-4371
9780762435043, $40.00 www.runningpress.com

For nearly a hundred years Titanic has rested in the Atlantic, to be discovered by the author, Dr. Robert Ballard, in 1985. Dr. Ballard gave the world some of the first images of the ship under water: nearly twenty years later he returns to the wreck with even more vivid photos, and TITANIC: THE LAST GREAT IMAGES packs in full-page color details perfect for any public lending library strong in Titanic or nautical history. A highly recommended, coffee-table style presentation, it's striking and compelling evidence of the heyday of luxury.

New Attitude
Tom Tierney
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764329852, $29.99 www.schifferbooks.com

New Attitude: An Adult Paper Doll Book is the new, deluxe edition of an underground classic book that walks the line between (tawdry?) popular culture and art. Featuring full-color, paper-doll representations of 37 glamorous singles and socialites at a hypothetical Manhattan cocktail party hosted by "Aunt Mary", New Attitude was first released by artist Tom Tierney in 1979 and now has been recreated with six new characters and associated wardrobes. Parodies of popular celebrities, millionaires, models, drag queens, gay and lesbian stereotypes, and more fill this collector's treasure. Though New Attitude is expressly meant for adults, the dolls themselves never show anything more revealing than a suggestive bikini or a bulging speedo in their unclothed form; each doll also features multiple, character-appropriate outfits, of course. Truly a one-of-a-kind treasury of kitsch, far too appealing to actually be cut up with scissors (though the solid hardcover binding would certainly lend itself to use in a photocopier).

Atlantic Publishing Inc.
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471-0640
www.atlantic-pub.com

Carolyn Gibson's SECRETS TO A SUCCESSFUL EVICTION FOR LANDLORDS AND RENTAL PROPERTY MANAGERS (9781601382726, $24.95) offers a complete guide to evicting tenants legally and quickly, covering topics ranging from initiating an eviction and understanding court and legal processes to putting into place successful solutions to common eviction issues. Jeanne Roberts' GREEN YOUR HOME (9781601381286, $24.95) tells how to use earth-friendly materials to build or upgrade a home. Both new and existing homes are covered in a guide filled with techniques ranging from choosing more effective green lighting to installing solar panels - and everything in between.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Show No Fear
Peri O'Shaughnessy
Pocket Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
1416544399, $25.00 www.simonsays.com

Nina is working as a paralegal and attending law school at night, fighting for custody of her young son and overseeing a medical malpractice lawsuit on behalf of her mother. So the last things she needs is a woman's mysterious death and a lone search for the truth. SHOW NO FEAR offers a fast-paced, riveting mystery packed with suspense and hard to put down. Any lending library specializing in mysteries will find it a top pick.

Berkeley Prime Crime
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Wendy Roberts' DEVIL MAY RIDE (9780451225658, $6.99) tells of Sadie and her sexy partner Zack, who find themselves in trouble on their latest job when they come upon evidence of a cult ritual in an abandoned meth lab. Add an evil spirit and stolen cash and you have an involving winning story. Hazel Holt's MRS. MALORY AND A TIME TO DIE (9780451225696, $6.99) tells of one Sheila Malory and an old friend found dead in his stables from a blow to the head. And that's just the beginning of a murder spree Sheila needs to put the cap on in this fine mystery. Lynn Harris' DEATH BY CHICK LIT (9780425215241, $14.00) tells of Lola, who attends a swanky book party to find her author friend Mimi murdered in the basement. When the bodies of other 'It-Girl' writers begin to pile, Lola wonders if the murders are connected and if she's next. Kate Kingsbury's RINGING IN MURDER (9780425223994, $14.00) provides a satisfying, brand-new seasonal murder set at Christmas time but good for year-round pursuit. Here Christmas at the Pennyfoot is affected by a spate of murders, and Cecily finds a holiday surprise turns into a dangerous murder mystery surrounding missing Christmas crackers in this fine novel of suspense. All are top picks for mystery readers.


The Computer Shelf

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

David Tucker, et.al. ADOBE AIR 1.5 COOKBOOK (9780596522506 , $44.99) has been bettered by Adobe's AIR development team and offers a fine survey of best practices, basics, and topics for web developers and application designers alike. From building AIR applications with Flex or HTML to working with the Service Monitor Framework and creating branded desktop experiences with customization, ADOBE AIR 1.5 COOKBOOK is a winner. Jay Goldman's FACEBOOK COOKBOOK: BUILDING APPLICATIONS TO GROW YOUR FACEBOOK EMPIRE (9780596518172, $39.99) provides a fine cookbook of applications designed to allow internet programmers methods of finding useful ways to design and build scalable applications. From tips on designing with hosting and using Facebook's integration point to understanding differences between JavaScript and SQL and how they are used on Facebook, libraries catering to web applications developers will find this a fine survey.

Web Service Contract Design & Visioning for SOA
Thomas Erl, et.al.
Prentice Hall
c/o Pearson Education
801 East 96th Street, 3rd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
013613517X, $49.99 www.informit.com/soa

Advanced computer libraries will find Web Service Contract Design & Visioning for SOA a fine compendium for WS design and SOA, allowing both beginners and experts insights into the SOA Strategy and process. College-level collections strong in software engineering will find it a fine survey of web service contracts that enable services to be reused and tweaked for years to come. From versioning techniques to basic XML design and message design with SOAP, this is a detailed, in-depth reference highly recommended for any college-level collection catering to software engineers.

Creating Visual Experiences with Flex 3.0
Juan Sanchez and Andy McIntosh
Addison-Wesley
c/o Pearson Education
801 East 96th Street, 3rd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0321545370, $54.99 www.informit.com/aw

Any programmer working with Flex will find Creating Visual Experiences with Flex 3.0 an outstanding survey of how to create superior visuals. From initial designs to user-interface principles, chapters reveal different approaches and their pros and cons, survey design experiences and techniques, and demonstrate how to use Flex to create applications that are above competitors. Any advanced programmer's library needs this.


The Cookbook Shelf

Rachel Ray's Big Orange Book
Rachel Ray
Clarkson Potter Publishers
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, #B1. New York, NY 10019-4305
9780307383198, $24.95 www.clarksonpotter.com

A television personality and popular cook, Rachel Ray's ultimate 'big book' includes 30-minute meals for all kinds of eaters, from Kosher meals and meals for one to vegetarian and holiday menus. From a zesty Gaucho Burger to a quick Italian chicken sausage Winter Lasagna, a peppering of color photos enhances a wide range of appealing, hearty fare. Especially recommended for her legions of enthusiastic fans, "Rachel Ray's Big Orange Book" is a welcome addition to any personal or community library cookbook collection!

Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics
Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter Publishers
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, #B1, New York, NY 10019-4305
www.randomhouse.com, 1-800-726-0600
9781400054350, $35.00 www.clarksonpotter.com

Ina Garten's cookbooks have long been best-sellers, providing access to French classics through easy home cooking recipe modifications: Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics is certain to join any collection strong in international cuisine in general and French cooking in particular, covering the basics of baking, cooking, and entertaining. From Lobster Corn Chowder and Tuscan Lemon Chicken to Pan-Roasted Root Vegetables, it's a top pick for any interested in modified French cuisine. Easy for home cooks to absorb, and includes color photos throughout.

Smokehouse Ham, Spoon Bread & Scuppernong Wine
Joseph E. Dabney
Cumberland House
431 Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
9781581826678, $28.95 www.cumberlandhouse.com

This 10th anniversary edition of a fine gathering of Blue Ridge foodlore and folklore covers Appalachian cuisine from pioneer days to modern times, pairing vintage photos and sidebars of fact with recipes and cultural insights relating to food preparation. From sweet corn pudding and various types of corn bread to apple harvest dishes, SMOKEHOUSE HAM is a winning gathering of traditional dishes perfect for any collection strong in regional cooking.

Picture Yourself Cooking With Your Kids
Beth Sheresh
Thomson Course Technology
25 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210
1598635581, $19.99 www.courseptr.com

Picture yourself in the kitchen cooking with children at hand: parents and kids learn how to develop cooperative methods to develop tasty food from scratch in a book designed to involve kids not just in the kitchen, but from start to finish: menu plans, grocery shopping, basic cooking skills, and food safety. Recipes focus on fresh ingredients and are embellished with color photos and easy step-by-step instructions, making this a perfect guide for parents and kids to follow.

Enlightened Soups
Camilla V. Saulsbury
Cumberland House Publishing
431 Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
9781581826647, $22.95 www.cumberlandhouse.com

Enthusiastically recommended for personal and community library cookbook collections, Camilla V. Saulsbury's ENLIGHTENED SOUPS: MORE THAN 150 LIGHT, HEALTHY, DELICIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL SOUPS IN 60 MINUTES OR LESS offers a fine collection of soup options which include new takes on classics and many a different approach to soups. From Lemon Chicken Soup with Spinach and Pasta to Mongolian Hot Pot Soup and Gnocci Soup with Root Vegetables, a fine set of international flavors is presented.

Dessert Express
Lauren Chattman
Taunton Press
Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470
9781600850189, $17.95 www.taunton.com

One hundred from-scratch desserts which can be put together in a half hour or less come from a busy mother and former pastry chef and offers a wide range of dishes, from cookies and puddings to ice cream. Shortcuts to extra-swift production range from using frozen pizza dough to make pie crusts to 'baking' cookies in a waffle iron. The tips and insights are wonderful for busy cooks who still wish to cook from scratch and make for an outstanding guide libraries will find a popular pick.

Made in Spain
Jose Andres with Richard Wolffe
Clarkson Potter Publishers
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, #B1, New York, NY 10019-4305
9780307382634, $35.00 www.clarksonpotter.com

MADE IN SPAIN accompanies a PBS TV show and tells of the food of Jose Andres' native Spain, offering a tour of regional specialties that reflect the soul of Spanish cuisine. From a Traditional Basque Stew of Tuna, Peppers and Onions to a Galacian-Style Chicken Turnover and Ribbons of Melon and Ham, MADE IN SPAIN: SPANISH DISHES FOR AMERICAN KITCHENS is loaded with color photos of finished dishes and delightful insights throughout.

Best Food Writing 2008
Holly Hughes, Editor
DaCapo
c/o Perseus Books
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738212517, $15.95 www.dacapopress.com

The annual editions of BEST FOOD WRITING are real winners featuring a feast of culinary prose from the past year's books, newspapers, newsletters and web sites. Chapters range from The Restaurant biz to home Cooking and Dining Around, making for a powerful collection of essays and vignettes perfect for both culinary and literary libraries.


The Photography Shelf

American Farmer: The Heart of Our Country
Paul Mobley, Photographers
Welcome Books
6 West 18th Street, New York NY 10011
9781599620473, $50.00 www.welcomebooks.com

Katrina Fried provides the text to AMERICAN FARMER, a collection of photos and literature capturing the spirit and events of America's heartland and pairing over two hundred color and black and white photos with over forty interviews with farmers of all kinds across the U.S. It's actually the first portrait collection of modern American farmers and ranches to be published, and pairs anecdotes and memoirs in an excellent visual and artistic survey especially recommended for libraries catering to rural audiences.


The Nautical Shelf

Float Your Boat
Mary Denny
Johns Hopkins University Press
Box 50370, Baltimore, MD 21211-4370
0801890098, $26.95 www.press.jhu.edu

Most nautical books consist of either technical guides for America's Cup boat-builders or easy reads for weekend sailors who don't care about boat science, so it's refreshing to see a science-oriented approach in FLOAT YOUR BOAT! From how sailboats travel into the wind to influencers on boat motion, FLOAT YOUR BOAT! THE EVOLUTION AND SCIENCE OF SAILING covers the historical evolution of the sailing craft, identifying different wind phenomena and how it works. An excellent approach for any nautical library.

Adlard Coles Nautical
38 Soho Square, London W1D 3HB, UK
www.adlardcoles.com www.amazon.com

Reeds 2009: The Yachtsman's Bible Nautical Almanac (9781408105047 L34.99) offers a nautical almanac packed with detail for ports of Europe, from 700 harbor chartlets and tide tables to passage notes, distance tables, radio and safety details and more. Divided into area then country and region, it's packed with nautical specifics essential for any sailor planning a spin to various destinations. Reed's MARINA GUIDE 2009 (9781408107010, L34.99) offers a fine directory of marinas, marine supplies and services, covering berths, customs, life rafts, insurance, equipment and more for Europe. Maps and descriptions make for an outstanding marina survey, and both are top picks for any sailor Europe-bound, or any nautical library.

Design and Build Your Own Junk Rig, 3rd Edition
Derek Van Loan
Paradise Cay Publications
Box 29, Arcata, CA 95518
0939837706, $18.95 www.paracay.com

The third, updated edition of the classic guide for Chinese sailing rigs offers a fine survey for Western sailors who wish to 'junk rig' any hull. Words and drawings outline basic details used in the Orient, but provide adaptation to Western materials and techniques. Boat builder/designers receive a fine and concise survey of how to adapt the Chinese rig concept to Western hulls in this update of an original 1981 best-selling survey.

Down the Nile
Rosemary Mahoney
Back Bay Books
c/o Little Brown
237 Park Avenue North, New York NY 10017
www.hachettebookgroupUSA.com
0316019011, $14.99, www.amazon.com

When author Rosemary Mahoney took her solo trip down the Nile in a 7-foot rowboat, she discovered modern Egypt's natural challenges alongside cultural beliefs about foreign women travelers. DOWN THE NILE: ALONE IN A FISHERMAN'S SKIFF recounts her adventures and challenges as she undertook her journey, meeting Egyptians, testing her abilities, and having many unique experiences. Any adventure-oriented cruiser reader and any library catering to them will find this a fine pick.

Innocents Abroad Too
Michael Pearson
Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13244-5160
0815609094, $24.95 www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu

INNOCENTS ABROAD TOO: JOURNEYS AROUND THE WORLD ON SEMESTER AT SEA comes from an author who has circumnavigated the globe twice, sharing his experiences and memories of various countries and peoples and including a literary description of the books and writers of these countries. As a literary and nautical travelogue, it's a winner.

Fixing Positions
Matts G. Djos
Sheridan House
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781574092684, $23.95 www.sheridanhouse.com

FIXING POSITIONS: TRAILER SAILING THE WEST is an important guide to sailing in the American West, from the Pacific Northwest and Canada into Southern California and Mexico. It comes from a lifelong sailor who describes each area's geography, history, and meteorological and sailing information, with maps and charts pairing well with the author's vignettes of his own travels. Any collection strong in sailing, particular West Coast nautical libraries, will find this an important acquisition.

Weather Wise: Reading Weather Signs
Alan Watts
Sheridan House Inc.
145 Palisades Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781574092660, $22.95 www.sheridanhouse.com

WEATHER WISE is a lively, practical guide to weather phenomena for any who enjoy the outdoors; but particularly for sailors. It explores how to assess clouds, heat and cold, rain, changing weather, and more, packing in color photos and diagrams. Author Alan Watts is a professional meteorologist and sailor: his assessments are key to understanding weather changes and their effects upon outdoor enthusiasts.


The Music Shelf

Dark Mirror: The Pathology of the Singer-Songwriter
Donald Brackett
Praeger
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780275998981, $39.95 www.praeger.com

Almost all the songwriter/singers analyzed here sing in an exotic and raw vocal style and chapters in the book examine connections between singer-songwriters who function as solo artists versus those who function as teams or part of the larger community. From Tom Waits to Simon and Garfunkel, this is an outstanding survey perfect for college-level music collections strong in contemporary music styles and songwriters.

Dictionary Of Musical Terms
Jessy Sauchuck & Cari Levreault
Santorella Publications, Ltd.
13 Pleasant Avenue, Danvers, MA 01923
www.santorellapublication.com
TS220, $7.95, 1-877-600-0049

Mastering any craft requires a mastery of the language associated with it. This is especially true with the art and craft of music. The Santorella Publications' edition of their "Dictionary Of Musical Terms" provides students with 126 pages of succinct, alphabetically organized definitions, as well as informative reference charts and aids to musical theory. Thoroughly 'user friendly', "Dictionary Of Musical Terms" is a core addition for personal, professional, academic, and community library Music Instruction reference collections. Also very highly recommended for music instruction reference shelves and reading lists is the Santorella Publications edition of the "Encyclopedia Of Music Knowledge" (TS221, $10.95, 150 pages), edited by Dr. William F. Lee, offering in addition to a music terms dictionary, a music theory guide, and a history of music timeline, twenty music related reference charts.

Classic Country Singers
Douglas B. Green, Compiler
Gibbs Smith
Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
1423601831, $24.99 www.gibbs-smith.com

CLASSIC COUNTRY SINGERS is a 'must have' for any library strong in country music history, tracing the evolution of ballads, blues and regional music to classic country style. Libraries strong in American music history will appreciate the blend of vintage album covers, photos, and artist history which is used to make up this history, and the focus on classic country singers is presented in a lively, fun writing style perfect for even general-interest music fans.

Hot Burritos
John Einarson with Chris Hillman
Jawbone Press
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781906002169, $19.95 www.jawbonepress.com www.amazon.com

Any who remember the Flying Burrito Brothers Band with affection will find HOT BURRITOS: THE TRUE STORY OF THE FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS comes from a respected rock music historian and a musician who together provide an insider's story of the music scene of the times. This biography is permeated with interviews, personal reflections and insights from the times and is a powerful acquisition 'must' for any in-depth rock music library.


The Military Shelf

The Intelligence Wars
Steven K. O'Hern
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591026709, $25.98 www.prometheusbooks.com

THE INTELLIGENCE WARS: LESSONS FROM BAGHDAD criticizes America's military leaders for being obsessed with high-tech solutions for all situations, and says modern intelligence wars are still relying on outdated concepts that actually reduce the US military's technological advantage. Examples from key source operations explain how intelligence works and why the US is so poor at using the latest non-technological options. Any library strong in military intelligence will find this an intriguing option.


The Audiobook Shelf

Ritual in Death
R.D. Robb
Brilliance Audio
c/o Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
1423361938, $19.99 www.brillianceaudio.com

Lieutenant Eve Dallas faces yet more challenges when she investigates a crime involving a Satanic ritual and a witness who can't remember anything. High tension and excitement involve many twists and turns of plot in a story pitting Eve against possible forces of an evil she can't believe in. Recommended for any mystery or suspense audio listener and libraries catering to them.

Osprey Publishing
400 Hahn Road, Westminster, MD 21157
www.ospreypublishing.com

David Bullock's THE RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR 1918-22 (9781846032714, $18.95) covers one of the most important wars of the 20th century, showing how it changed the lives of over half a billion people and discussing the Russian Civil War in context of the larger shaping of Europe as a whole. Any library strong in Russian history needs this. Leigh Neville's SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES IN IRAQ (9781846033575, $18.95) drawings on the author's SOF contacts in several countries and packs in recently declassified materials to offer first-hand accounts and photos of Iraq. Military collections strong in SOF history and modern warfare will find this a fine addition. Collections strong in modeling will welcome G. Edmundson, et.al.'s MODELLING ARMOURED VEHICLES (9781846032875, $19.95), a fun survey of the steps involved in creating a realistic model armored vehicle. From the basics of putting a kit together to realistic paint schemes and different display options, military modelers will welcome this. Jonathan Cooper's SCOTTISH RENAISSANCE ARMIES, 1513-1550 (9781846033254, $18.95) describes and illustrates the Scottish armies of the 16th century, and is a pick for any specialty collection focusing on this region and era. It details the organization, dress, and tactics of these armies and comes with period images and color plates throughout. Konstantin Nossov's WAR ELEPHANTS (9781846032684, $17.95) surveys the history of elephants used as weapons, tracing the history of war elephants from their deployment in ancient armies through their use in 19th century Asian conflicts. Military libraries will find it an interesting and wide-ranging survey.

Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.hachetteaudio.com

After John Sutter's wife killed her Mafia don lover, John left America and began a 3-year sailing journey around the world, winding up in London. Now he's back to Long Island to attend a funeral, returning to the family home of his ex-wife only to find himself living too close to the past. Intrigue and murder permeates an involving audio in Nelson DeMille's THE GATE HOUSE (1600244106, $49.98), perfect for audio libraries and powerful in its unabridged version powered by Christian Rummel's recording expertise. Nicholas Sparks' THE LUCKY ONE (1600243673, $22.98) tells of a Marine who finds a photo of a smiling young woman half-buried in the dirt, and experiences a run of luck after he begins carrying it. His preoccupation with the mysterious photo will change his life in this moving story of romance. Kate Atkinson's WHEN WILL THERE BE GOOD NEWS? (1600244521, $34.98) receives a fine reading by actress and classically trained singer Ellen Archer as it tells of a child who witn4esses a terrible crime - and thirty years later finds her past intruding on her life as a Detective and an old friend join on a dangerous journey. An outstanding story evolves. Michael Connelly's THE BRASS VERDICT (1600244017, $39.98) receives L.A.-based actor Peter Giles' fine voice as it tells of a defense attorney's return to the courtroom and one Harry Bosch, determined to find a murderer. Mickey Haller finds himself acting as bait in a dangerous investigation where two men are on opposite sides of a legal investigation in this fast-paced audio thriller. Ted Turner's CALL ME TED (160024422X, $44.98) presents Ted Turner and Bill Burke's story of Turner's life, from his difficult childhood to his rise as the mongol of a media empire and beyond. From his ideals of how to be successful to morals and values, CALL ME TED is an outstanding audio listen perfect for general-interest collections. Nelson DeMille's THE GATE HOUSE (1600244068, $29.98) receives Christian Rummel's fine recording as it tells of John's homecoming to Long Island to attend the funeral of an old family servant, which brings up Mafia issues and a newfound thirst for revenge. A bonus interview with the author makes for a fine presentation.


The Veterinary Studies Shelf

Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue
Rebecca Gimenez, et.al.
Wiley-Blackwell
c/o John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5773
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell
9780813819983, $124.99, www.amazon.com

Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue is a key title to an emerging field that blends emergency vet medicine with specialty rescue techniques, and is a pick for any college-level library strong in vet applications and animal management. Chapters cover a range of unique circumstances and provides details on rescue tools, animal manipulation, understanding animal victim behaviors, and more. It's the first to broadly cover this specialized topic - and is a real winner.


The Business Shelf

Hiring An Employee
Linda Hill
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781422125823, $9.95, www.HBSPress.org

Because training and retaining an employee is one of the most expensive investments a business can make, special care must be engaged in selecting the most appropriate and promising candidate for any position from custodian to CEO. Pare of the outstanding Harvard Business Press 'Pocket Mentor' series of instructional business handbooks, "Hiring An Employee: Expert Solutions To Everyday Challenges" by Linda A. Hill (Professor of Organizational Behavior and Chair of the Leadership Initiative at the Harvard Business School) is a 79-page pocket book that will provide invaluable advice on laying out all the particular elements of a job ranging from the skills sets required to the personality traits desired. "Hiring An Employee" directly addresses how to prepare for and how to conduct a successful hiring interview and make an appropriate, persuasive offer to a desired candidate for the available position. Packed from cover to cover with 'user friendly' interview tools, self-tests and real life examples, "Hiring An Employee" is strongly recommended reading for anyone tasked with the responsibility of screening and selecting the best possible candidate for any given employment position.

Protecting Your Business In A Pandemic
Geary W. Sikich
Praeger Publishers
c/o Greenwood Publishing Group
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780313346026, $44.95, www.praeger.com

The countries of the world are currently experiencing economic downturns that rival those of the Great Depression. The global economy is undergoing a truly global crisis that affects every business whether or not they are engaged in foreign trade. The current world-wide economic crisis is only the latest 'global pandemic' and has been preceded by such phenomena as the Avian flu pandemic which ended up costing the American economy about $675 Billion before it ran its course. "Protecting Your Business In A Pandemic: Plans, Tools, And Advice For Maintaining Business Continuity" by Geary W. Sikich (symposium leader, public speaker, and founder of Logical Management Systems) was written to help ordinary business men and women and equip them with the tools necessary to surviving unpredicted world-wide upheavals in our increasingly interlocking economic systems. Of special note is the emphasis on socioeconomic and market ramifications, as well as the geopolitical impacts of a global pandemic. A valued addition to community and academic library Business Studies reference collections, "Protecting Your Business In A Pandemic" is a critically important book which is especially recommended for non-specialist general readers concerned with protecting the viability of their jobs and their companies from becoming casualties of international disasters in any of the forms such disasters can take.

The New Language of Marketing 2.0
Sandy Carter
IBM Press
c/o Pearson Education
801 East 96th Street, 3rd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0137142498, $24.99 www.ibmpressbooks.com

THE NEW LANGUAGE OF MARKETING 2.0: HOW TO USE ANGELS TO ENERGIZE YOUR MARKET demonstrates winning Web 2.0 marketing at work through more than fifty new case studies of companies ranging from Coca-Cola to Nortel to IBM itself. These case studies offer new keys to marketing brands and products within B2B and B2C online markets, showing how to blend Web 2.0 and offering working examples for marketing strategies. Both business and computer collections will find this an essential, specific acquisition.


The Martial Arts Shelf

Meditations on Violence
Sgt. Rory Miller
YMAA Publication Center
23 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH 03894
1594391181, $18.95 www.ymaa.com

Experienced martial artist and veteran correction officer Rory Miller blends jail house lessons with explorations on martial arts in Meditations on Violence, an important survey of martial arts training and its applications. From thinking critically about violence to adapting training methods to reality, this is a 'must' for any library strong in martial arts books.


The American History Shelf

Utopias in American History
Jyotsna Sreenivasan
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781598840520, $95.00, www.abc-clio.com

Independent scholar Jyotsna Sreenivasan points out that the U.S. has the most sustained tradition of utopianism of any modern country, and charts this historical course from the founding of the American colonies to the co-housing movement of the 1990s. This encyclopedia history provides 40 entries on specific utopian communal movements, topics related to utopian lifestyles from politics to individual influences, and a blend of biography and history. It's an outstanding survey that any high school to college-level library in American history needs.

Nauvoo Polygamy
George D. Smith
Signature Books
564 West 400 North, Salt Lake City, UT 84116-3411
9781560852018, $39.95, www.signaturebooks.com

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church, had several other unique accomplishments in his shortened life. Among the most unusual was the institution of plural marriage or polygamy that he began in response to revelations from God. Beginning in the Mormon city of Nauvoo, Illinois, Smith married thirty-eight women and in the process, introduced the theological concept and practice of 'celestial marriage' to his most important followers. By early 1846 some 200 men had adopted a polygamous life style with 717 wives in total. After being expelled from Nauvoo by their non-Mormon neighbors, these men of the church would go on to marry a recorded total of 417 more women giving them an average of six wives each. In their new Utah settlements, this example would be taken up by others and despite the eventual abandonment of the practice by the Mormon Church, the practice continues among Mormon splinter groups to this very day. "Nauvoo Polygamy" is a 705-page work of impressive, meticulous, insightful, detailed, and documented historical scholarship by a noted Mormon historian and publisher making with very highly recommended reading for students of Mormon history in general, and the evolution of the practice of polygamy within the Mormon Church in particular.

Social History of the United States
Brian Greenberg and Linda S. Watts
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781598841275, $995.00 www.abc-clio.com

The impressive 10-volume set SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES divides history into eras (the 1900s, the 1930s) for each volume, allowing for a narrowed, more detailed examination than most offer. From an introductory review of major issues of the era to biographies, discussions of social change and economic influences, and the rise of movements and campaigns across the country, each volume provides bibliographical references for further research. The set is wide-ranging and makes for a top reference pick for both high school and college-level collections strong in sociology and American history. Very highly recommended, it promises to hold lasting research value and is a particularly strong starting point for papers and classroom discussions.

Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants
Lloyd deWitt Bockstruck
Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260, Baltimore, MD 21211
9780806315119, $45.00, www.genealogical.com

One of the rewards given out to the American citizen soldiers who fought in the War of Independence against the British forces was the allotment of 'bounty land' in appreciation and recognition of their services to the newly emerging country. Not only did these land grants come from the federal government, they were also provided by nine of the state governments as well. These land bounty states included Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia awarding land grants in their western areas which also served the additional purpose of helping to populate and settle the wilderness. These individual states did not centralize their records. "Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants" represents years of dedicated effort by Lloyd deWitt Bockstruck in gathering, compiling and organizing the state bounty land records, creating a master index for them, and making truly accessible more than 35,000 names (counting duplicates) in an alphabetical format. Enhanced with the addition of a separate index to heirs, representatives and other assignees, "Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants" is a seminal and very highly recommended work of original historical research and a welcome addition to personal and academic American History reference collections. Additionally, "Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants" will also prove to be a unique informational resource for genealogists as well.


The Architecture Shelf

To Each His Home
Bilyana Dimitrova
Princeton Architectural Press
57 East 7th Street, New York NY 10003
9781568987965, $45.00 www.papress.com

Both college-level collections strong in architecture and general-interest lending libraries strong in homeowner's and home guides will find useful and revealing To Each His Home: Inspired Interiors as Unique as Their Owners. It tours eight lovely homes that express their owners' personalities, blending color photos with interviews with each homeowner and surveying American spaces and different choices in color, setup, and style. The homes were created by visual artists, a musician, an inventor, and even a former boxer, and provide a lovely diversity of approaches and ideas.

Little House on a Small Planet
Shay Salomon
Lyons Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
1592288685, $19.95 www.lyonspress.com

Enjoy a higher quality of life in a smaller living space with the aid of Little House on a Small Planet, which teaches how to make the most of living small. From remodeling and rethinking needs to living more simply and scaling down in an existing structure, case history examples of those who succeeded in increasing energy efficiency without sacrificing lifestyle make for an inspirational set of 'small living' ideas perfect for any general-interest library catering to homeowners.

Global Housing Projects
Josep Lluis Mateo, editor
Actar
158 Lafayette Street, 5th Floor, New York NY 10013
9788496954472, $35.00 www.actar-d.com

GLOBAL HOUSING PROJECTS: 25 BUILDINGS SINCE 1980 is a top pick for any college-level library specializing in architecture. It packs in pages of black and white photos of building exteriors, sample floor plan patterns, making it a perfect pick for any student of global architecture.


The Native American Shelf

The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Lifeways
George Bird Grinnell
World Wisdom
1501 E. Hillside Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401
9781933316604, $29.95 www.worldwisdom.com

The lovely illustrated THE CHEYENNE INDIANS provides much color to accompany a classic work, here edited and packed with over a hundred color and sepia photos. George Grinnell's coverage has long been considered one of the most authoritative on the topic, so it's pleasing to see a detailed history re-done with excellent color illustrations to appeal to new audiences and any lending library strong in Native American history and culture.

"I Choose Life"
Maureen Trudelle Schwarz
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806139616, $24.95 www.oupress.com

"I CHOOSE LIFE": CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES IN THE NAVAJO WORLD tells how the tribe views modern medicine, radical medical treatments, and conflicts with traditional understandings of health. Both health libraries and those strong in Native issues will find this a powerful collection of interviews with patients, herbalists, and members of the Native American Church and Christian denominations alike. A powerful dialogue on Native cultural beliefs and modern health issues emerges.

Red Hat: Cheyenne Keeper of the Arrows
William Wayne Red Hat, Jr., author
Sibylle M. Schlesier
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806139593, $21.95 www.oupress.com

As Keeper of the Arrows, William Wayne Red Hat Jr. protect one of the sacred relics of the Cheyenne people and is also a cultural authority to his tribe, overseeing its spiritual connections to the land. Editor Sibylle M. Schlesier, whose father was a close associate of Red Hat's family, recorded and transcribed this memoir of William Wayne Red Hat Jr's life. Collections strong in Native American history and biography will find this key to understanding Southern Cheyenne culture and tribal life.

Full-Court Quest
Linda Peavy and Ursula Smith
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806139739, $29.95 www.oupress.com

FULL-COURT QUEST: THE GIRLS FROM FORT SHAW INDIAN SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD tells how ten girls shattered prevailing perceptions towards Indian peoples and women athletes one game at a time, but it's more than a recommendation for sports libraries alone. Included in the assessment of the Fort Shaw Indian School winners is an overview of native politics, life, and women's issues alike, making FULL-COURT QUEST a wide-ranging assessment for any college-level collection strong in women's issues or Native American rights.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Baen Books
Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
www.baen.com

An alternate universe in which Ponce de Leon has discovered a dangerous mythical secret that could change the world is presented in Steve White's ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE (1416555986, $24.00), an alternate universe story set in 1588 Spain and telling of weapons so powerful they seem sorcery to the world they are changing. Fast-paced action, intrigue, and dangerous interactions both political and scientific in nature make for a fine alternate world/high-tech novel science fiction libraries will find compelling. Such collections will also relish John Ringo and Travis S. Taylor's CLAWS THAT CATCH (1416555870, $25.00), telling of alien menace and a motley crew destined for space battles. It's up to the humans to fight the dreaded Dreen, aliens which have thus far proved unstoppable invaders - and it's also up to them to master a bag of looted technologies to make change happen. This deserves ongoing recommendation as an exceptional military science fiction work.


The Education Shelf

Interactive Learning Experiences, 2nd Edition
David Smokler
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412963350, $56.95 www.corwinpress.com

INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES: INCREASING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND LEARNING is for teachers of grades 6-12 and shows how to create and set up a classroom experience for students - even if little time is available for extra prep. Sample experiences from the author's own design and program enhance chapters covering standards-based assessment routines, making for a powerful presentation college-level education collections will appreciate.

How to Get Into the Top Graduate Schools
David Wilkening
Atlantic Publishing
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474-7014
9781601382153, $24.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

Any student aspiring to get into graduate school will find this packs in invaluable details for those still in college as well as those returning to school after a hiatus. From locating funding to choosing a school, assessing grad programs, and researching online, this offers all the steps for getting into a top graduate school environment. Any library catering to students heading for higher education needs this.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Nemi V. 2
Lise Myhre
Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
9781845766146 , $14.95 www.titanbooks.com www.amazon.com

Nemi Montoya is a romantic, cynical and sexy 20-something goth who is here presented in full color comic-style strips exploring Nemi's struggles with love, friendship, and other important things in life. Created when Myhre sought an 'imaginary friend' and named after Italy's ancient enchanted Lake Nemi, Lise Myhre's Nemi Montoya is a winning collection - and includes a foreword by Tori Amos.

Alterna Comics
23 Trumpet Lane, Levitttown, NY 11756
www.alternatcomics.com

Zombies, werewolves, vampires, mad scientists, space aliens, and the darker dregs of humanity have all been highly entertaining elements of comics and graphic novels intended for older and more mature readers. Alterna Comics is a publisher that specializes in producing graphic novels that combine imaginative storytelling with reader engaging images which, deftly combined in a black-and-white format, offer mature readers new and memorable additions to their graphic novel collections. Currently available and highly recommended are five of their new titles. "Jesus Hates Zombies" (9780979787485, $7.95) is the first of a four volume mini-series where a zombie plague has swept across planet Earth and Jesus (accompanied by his faithful zombie sidekick Laz) has been sent down to take care of the problem. "Morbid Myths" (9780979787430, $11.95) is an anthology of horror stories reminiscent of 'Tales from the Crypt' and 'The Twilight Zone. "The Chair" (9780979787423, $13.95) is the riveting story of death row inmate Richard Sullivan, a sadistic warden, and an increasing body count of tortured inmates. "Novo: Volume 2" (9781934985052, $9.95) is the continuing story of Novo, the wasted messiah of the Aquans and the Terans who finds himself stranded on a new and foreign world which is populated by a powerful feline tribe known only as the Xennons. They need help and Novo, who was unable to help his own people, just might be able to succeed this time. Of special note and recommendation is the newest Alterna Comics fantasy adventure series by author and artist Andrew Dobson which is especially suitable and recommended for readers from 8 to 20 years of age. "Formera: Volume 1" (9780979787461, $9.99) features Darian, a young boy lost in the strange world of Formera and whose only companion is a young girl named Keisha who speaks a language not know on Earth. An imaginative, original, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' graphic novel, "Novo" will leave its readers looking eagerly toward the next installment in this carefully crafted and superlatively written graphic novel.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

The Official Vintage Guitar Price Guide 2009
Alan Greenwood & Gil Hembree
Hal Leonard Corporation
7777 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee WI 53213
1884883206, $27.95 www.halleonard.com

The guitar market is in the midst of much change, making the 2009 edition of The Official Vintage Guitar Price Guide especially key to values in a changing market. It's the only title to list values based on comprehensive market research and analysis, and offers over 1,000 black and white photos and details on over 1,500 brands. Any library strong in either music collectibles or guitar history and values needs this.


The World History Shelf

Heraldic Design
Heather Child
Clearfield Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260, Baltimore, MD 21211
#975, $25.00, www.genealogical.com

The colorful, unique, and sometimes fanciful designs associated with European nobility had their practical origins in the necessity to tell friend from foe on a medieval battlefield. These images were reinforced by the development of a complex of rules and grammar codified and refined into what became known as heraldry. "Heraldic Design: A Handbook For Students" by Heather Child provides the non-specialist general reader with an excellent introduction into the interpretation of the images to be found in coats of arms and a coherent explanation and presentation of the rules of heraldic grammar. The informed and informative text is enhanced with the inclusion of 118 text figures and 32 full-page plates, as well as an detailed index, making "Heraldic Design" an ideal and highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library History reference collections, as well as a unique and invaluable guide for genealogical researchers.


The Railroading Shelf

Pennsylvania Railroad Locomotives
John Kelly
Iconografix
PO Box 446, Hudson, WI 54016
www.iconografixinc.com
9781583882283, $29.95, 1-888-381-0308

American railroads were, and continue to be, an integral part of the establishing this country as a prosperous nation and an essential means of transportation and commerce. They are also an enduringly popular field of study for railroading enthusiasts. "Pennsylvania Railroad Locomotives: Photo Archive - Steam, Diesel & Electric" by railroading enthusiast John Kelly is a superbly compiled and presented collection of the locomotives that worked the Pennsylvania Railroad and includes experimental engines, the various classes and categories of steam locomotives, diesel powered engines, and electric locomotives. Enhanced with previous unpublished archival photos, a system map, timetables, advertising, and locomotive designs by Raymond Loewy, "Pennsylvania Railroad Locomotives: Photo Archive - Steam, Diesel & Electric" is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library American Railroading History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Art Shelf

Charles M. Russell
Larry Len Peterson
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
www.mountain-press.com
9780878425518, $45.00, 1-800-234-5308

One of the most popular artists of his day, Charles M. Russell is noted for the western themes of his art as a painter and sculptor. As a writer he was renowned for his advocacy of western ideals, and has an illustrator for his pictorial portrayals of western landscapes, animals, Native Americans, and cowboys. All of this is showcased in "Charles M. Russell: Printed Rarities From Private Collections", painstakingly compiled and annotated with an informed and informative text by Larry Len Peterson. Enhanced with the inclusion of 153 color images, 74 black-and-white images, and 35 historical photographs, "Charles M. Russell" is a beautifully produced volume which is very strongly recommended for personal, community, and academic library American Art History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

E. Ambrose Webster: Chasing The Sun
Gail R. Scott
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205
74-2 Union Street, Manchester, VT 05254
9781555953034, $50.00, www.hudsonhills.com

Inspired by their European counterparts, the American modernist art movement was to feature gifted artists whose work would have an enduring impact on generations of their successors. Such an artist was E. Ambrose Webster (1869-1935) who specialized in painting rhapsodic landscape compositions noted for their use of vivid sunlight and dramatic color. His landscapes reflected tropic locales ranging from Bermuda and the Caribbean to Portugal, Spain, France, North Africa, and America during the years spanning 1905 to his death in 1935. Now art history scholar, curator, writer, and consultant Gail R. Scott has compiled the best and most representative of Webster's paintings along with an informed and informative commentary allowing the reader to appreciate these artworks within the context of their creation and the life of their creator. Beautiful full color plates superbly illustrate the artist's work. Of special note is Scott's epilogue on Webster's artistic legacy. Enhanced with the inclusion of extensive Notes, a Chronology, a List of Exhibitions, a Bibliography, and an Index, "E. Ambrose Webster: Chasing The Sun" is a welcome and highly prized addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library American Art History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Nicky Epstein's Knitting On Top Of The World
Nicky Epstein
Nicky Epstein Books
c/o Soho Publishing Company
233 Spring Street, 3rd fl., NY, NY 10013
9781933027678, $34.95, www.amazon.com

Popular worldwide, knitting is a utilitarian craft that can be raised to the exacting and esthetic standards of an art form. The fifty new knitting design examples drawn from all over the world and beautifully anthologized in "Nicky Epstein's Knitting On Top Of The World" are ample demonstrations of this fact. "Nicky Epstein's Knitting On Top Of The World" features detailed designs showcasing classic knitting techniques and folk-knitting traditions from Europe, the Americas, the Mediterranean, Asia, and even the Far North. Each superbly illustrated garment instruction provides a complete list of everything needed for the project, including patterns, finished measurements, and step-by-step instructions for all other aspects. Thoroughly 'user friendly' and wonderfully imaginative, "Nicky Epstein's Knitting On Top Of The World" is an especially recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library needlecraft reference collections.


The Biography Shelf

Diver
Tony Groom
Sheridan House
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781906266066, $19.95, www.sheridanhouse.com

While some people see scuba divers as some sort of crazies, at least they aren't handling explosives. "Diver" is the story of Tony Groom, a man who enlisted at the age of seventeen to become a diver for the Royal Navy. Serving countless years under extremely dangerous conditions, he speaks on his past career and his current career as a commercial diver. A tale of a man who truly loves what he does when no one else would think of doing it, "Diver" is an enthusiastically recommended tale.


The Self-Help Shelf

I Am Potential
Patrick Henry Hughes and Patrick John Hughes & Bryant Stamford
DaCapo/Lifelong Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
Eleven Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738212982, $24.00 www.dacapopress.com

I AM POTENTIAL: EIGHT LESSONS ON LIVING, LOVING, AND REACHING YOUR DREAMS tells of how to achieve dreams against impossible odds - and tells of son Patrick Henry Hughes, born with a rare genetic disorder resulting in arms that would not straighten, legs that couldn't walk, and permanent blindness. His parents didn't give up on him - and at nine months he began to play the piano, demonstrating an extraordinary musical talent. Even more extraordinary - this book is written in the first-person from the genius son's experiences. An outstanding book on beating the odds - and emerging a winner - highly recommended for any general-interest lending library.

The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques
Margaret Wehrenberg
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393705560, $17.95 www.wwnorton.com

Any who suffer from chronic anxiety needs The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques, a survey of the symptoms, impact and management of anxiety. From addressing avoiding potential panic triggers and negative feelings to using insights of brain anatomy, Wehrenberg discusses the biology basis of panic attacks and also surveys exercises and strategies for re-training the brain to conquer stress and anxiety. Any health library and general-interest lending library strong on consumer health issues needs this.


The Interior Design Shelf

Empire Splendor
Bernard Chevallier
The Vendome Press
1334 York Avenue. New York, NY 10021
Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (dist.)
115 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
9780865651968, $65.00, www.abramsbooks.com

While the 'Age of Napoleon' is best known as a period of French expansion and ultimate defeat, it was also an era of elegance and the flourishing of the decorative arts. Drawing upon his experience and expertise as the Chief Curator of Josephine's residences of the Chateaux of Malmoasion and Bois-Preau (both of which are national museums), Bernard Chevallier has compiled and written "Empire Splendor: French Taste In The Age Of Napoleon", a profusely illustrated history showcasing the period's French culture as reflected in the interior designs, elegant lifestyles, and employment of the decorative arts by the well to do. Nicely organized according to room types that range from salons and bedrooms to dining rooms and porticos, "Empire Splendor" also features chapters on wallpapers, tableware, textiles, painted decoration, lighting and gardens. Enhanced with 305 full-color photographs by Marc Walter showcasing furniture, architectural details, and works of art, which perfectly supports and illustrates to accompany Bernard Chevallier's informed and informative text, "Empire Splendor" is a highly recommended addition to personal and academic library reference collections and a particularly choice as a community library Memorial Fund" acquisition.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Refuse to Regain!
Barbara Berkeley, MD
Quill Driver Books
2006 S. Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
1884956939, $24.95 www.quilldriverbooks.com

Absorb 12 rules to maintain body weight without creeping up using REFUSE TO REGAIN!, a survey of tools designed to 'lock in' a desired body weight. From thinking strategically about eating and food choices to enjoying one acceptable treat daily, REFUSE TO REGAIN is a 'must' for any diet-conscious reader who loves food.

The Healthy Aging Brain
Louis Cozolino
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10011
0393705137, $29.95 www.wwnorton.com

Any who would desire to live to a ripe old age will find this survey of aging issues a key to understanding the groundbreaking brain research taking place. Longevity brings with it challenges in health and brain health: especially as our brains continue to grow and change throughout our lives. Discussions of how to get the brain to age optimally are explored in an account of how individual health and longevity are linked to choices in daily lives. Physiology and psychology blend in a powerful survey.

Using the Power of Hope to Cope With Dying
Cathleen Fanslow-Brunjes, M.A., R.N.
Quill Driver Books
1254 Commerce Way, Sanger, CA 93657
1884956807, $25.00 www.quilldriverbooks.com

Using the Power of Hope to Cope With Dying: The Four Stages of Hope offers the dying and their caregivers a powerful tool proven in helping over 40,000 dying individuals at all stages of the dying process. The author's an internationally acclaimed expert in death, dying and hospice care who has presented over 600 workshops on the topic: her book is a powerful assessment of the different hopes of the dying, and is a pick any public library will relish.


The Gaming Shelf

Master Point Press
331 Douglas Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5M 1H2
www.masterpointpress.com

Advanced and serious modern bridge players will find Eddie Kantar's 5th edition of Roman Keycard Blackwood: The Final Word (9781897106358, $22.95) covering slam bidding to be a key title on a convention used by serious players. This edition has been completely revised and includes more ideas, examples, quizzes and strategy hints on how to handle voids, RKB and more. Practice hands makes for a fine survey for any library offering advanced bridge strategy gaming guides. Gary Brown's LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE (9781897106396, $17.95) takes a new approach to the game, and is designed as a short first course for newcomers who have no prior experience with bridge or any card game. The focus on bare-bones beginning facts makes for a particularly appealing guide.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Climate Change
David L. Downie, et al.
ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781598841527, $55.00, www.abc-clio.com

It took a long time, and the mass extinction of a great many plants and animals, to persuade the general public that massive climate change was happening and how calamitous the consequences would be for the human race if appropriate steps were not taken to reverse the largely man-made conditions that had triggered it. The collaborative work of David L. Downie (Associate Professor of Political Science, Fairfield University, and Director of the Program on the Environment), Kate Brash (Assistant Director, Global Roundtable on Climate Change, Earth Institute, Columbia university), and Catherine Vaughan (Project Coordinator at the International Research Institute for Climate Change and Society), "Climate Change" is part of the outstanding ABC-CLIO series on 'Contemporary World Issues' and focuses upon all of the various aspects of the environmental causes and effects of our rapidly changing climate. Presenting readers with an informed and informative introductory essay; chronology of events, legislation and movements; biographies of activists, advocates and legislators; enhanced with numerous tables, figures, and documents, as well as a directory of thematically appropriate organizations and agencies. Also featuring a number of annotated lists of print and web site resources, a glossary, and a comprehensive subject index, "Climate Change" is an ideal academic textbook for environmental studies, as well as being easily accessible for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in this complex and critically important subject.


The Political Science Shelf

Welcome To Obamaland
James Delingpole
Regnery Publishing, Inc.
One Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781596985889, $27.95, www.regnery.com

The election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States is an event of seismic proportions on the American cultural and political landscape. But amidst the almost universal euphoria there are a few dissenting voices. One of those voices is British journalist, commentator and author James Delingpole whose "Welcome To Obamaland: I have Seen Your Future And It Doesn't Work" is a cautionary volume of critique of President Obama's announced intentions with respect to health care, the environment, immigration policy, 'social justice', and foreign policy issues. Emphasizing the necessity for a free people to resist the temptations of what conservatives refer to as President Obama's intended 'nanny state', "Welcome To Obamaland" offers a perspective that needs to be part of our new and continuing national dialogue.


The Poetry Shelf

Tethered To The Earth
Tyler Farrell
Salmon Publishing Ltd.
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781903392812, $23.95, www.dufoureditions.com

Tyler Farrell (who is now an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Dubuque, Iowa and currently the book review editor for the literary magazine 'An Sionnach') was educated by the Irish poet Eamonn Wall in Omaha, Nebraska and the Irish poet James Liddy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The author of numerous published articles and poetry pieces, Farrell has a unique poetic voice with which he describes a especially insightful perspective and view of the world, expressing themes of isolation and awakening, and life experiences with the stark and desolate beauty of Ashland, Wisconsin, as well as a wandering style of European life. Distinctive, memorable, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Tethered To The Earth" is a remarkable and recommended volume of original poetry. 'Poem Written On A Cigarette Box': Have we gone away/so soon/with smoke leaking/from our lips.//Overturned glass of scotch/slipping into/our bloodstream.//Read as a diary found/in the drawer/of a desk of/an abandoned/house.


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Midwest Book Review
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Oregon, WI 53575-1129
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e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
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