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Reviewer's Choice
The Roman Search for Wisdom
Michael K. Kellogg
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616149253, $28.95, www.prometheusbooks.com
The Roman Search for Wisdom provides a fine review of Roman literature and history and
considers the Roman contribution to philosophy, literature, and more: contributions traditionally
viewed as inferior to ancient Greek accomplishments. Chapters survey poets, historians and
philosophers and how their works influenced the world, creating a different focus on Roman
importance. This is recommended reading for college-level readers of literature, history and
philosophy alike, and traces the lasting influences of ancient Rome right into modern times.
Outdoor Living
Selina Lake
Ryland Peters Small
519 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10012
9781849755061, $29.95, www.rylandpeters.com
OUTDOOR LIVING provides a fine guide to creating stylish, appealing outdoor spaces, and is a
recommendation for any home and garden collection and for homeowners who want to transform
an outdoor space for entertainment or leisure dining. Full-page color photos accompany interior
and exterior designs alike that range from patios to sunrooms and sheds. What to do with that
unattractive hut out back? Transform it! How about the idea of putting a stylish tent in the
backyard for romance and fun? From garden florals to table settings, this leaves nothing out and
is recommended for any who like interior design projects.
Denali's Howl
Andy Hall
Dutton
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10014-3657
9780525954064, $27.95, www.penguin.com
DENALI'S HOWL: THE DEADLIEST CLIMBING DISASTER ON AMERICA'S WILDEST
PEAK recounts a climbing expedition that took place in 1967 when twelve young men tried
climbing Alaska's Mount McKinley. The author, a former editor of Alaska magazine and son of
the park's superintendent at the time, spent years investigating how seven team members came to
be trapped in a rare storm on the summit. From rescuer notes to survivors, lost documents and
communications, his focus was to find out why they died, and here provides a moving story of
what really happened in a true-life disaster adventure story any general-interest reader will find
involving.
Mapping Time
Menno-Jan Kraak
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92378-8100
9781589483125, $49.99, www.esri.com/esripress
MAPPING TIME: ILLUSTRATED BY MINARD'S MAP OF NAPOLEON'S RUSSIAN
CAMPAIGN OF 1812 is all about visualizing time in map format, was inspired by graphic artist
Charles Minard's classic map of France's invasion of Russia, and blends history and geographic
analysis with cartographic visualizations of mapping changes over time. Over 100 color
illustrations will appeal to history buffs, geographers and cartographers alike and probes the
graphics and semantics of visual data and its translation. From depicting relative time to portraits
of events, this is a fine reference for any cartography holding.
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
Thomas Girst's THE DUCHAMP DICTIONARY (9780500239179, $29.95) is illustrated by
Luke Frost and Therese Vandling, considers his life and work using short, alphabetical dictionary
entries, and provides a researched A-Z format covering Duchamp's works and themes. From
bicycles and anatomy to chess, Dadaism and more, these entries demonstrate how the dictionary
form has inspired artists over the centuries, and uses quotes from Duchamp himself to add
insights into his thoughts and works. Newly commissioned collages introduce each letter of the
alphabet and accompany these entries, making for a solid and engrossing read. Andrew H. Dent
& Leslie Sherr's MATERIAL INNOVATION: PRODUCT DESIGN (9780500291290, $29.95)
pairs materials technology with art as it provides a selection of products that represent the
innovative use of a particular material, from grown materials and composites to recycled
materials and more. These materials are used in everything from clothing to art, furniture-making
to building, and represent a revolution in the field of materials technology, which intersects art in
different areas. Students and professionals will find this especially useful for pursuing particular
materials. Volume Two of 'THE MANUAL FOR A STYLISH LIFE': THE MR. PORTER
PAPERBACK (9780500291276, $29.95), edited by Jeremy Langmead, is a recommendation for
any arts collection strong in fashion design and history and provides interviews with style icons,
actors, and others involved in the trends around men's style. From choosing age-appropriate
clothing to adopting style to life choices, this is a wide-ranging set of discussions that informs
men on the finer points of developing a unique style and approach to life.
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Estate Jewelry: 1760-1960, second edition
Diana Sanders Cinamon
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764346491, $49.99, www.schifferpublishing.com
Estate Jewelry: 1760-1960 appears in a revised, expanded second edition to cover over 200 years
of antique to modern jewelry collecting in the U.S., Canada and Europe, and pairs full-page and
good-sized color images with discussions of changes in jewelry construction and style over the
centuries. From fittings and maker's marks to collectability and fashion pieces, Estate Jewelry:
1760-1960 provides both background history and identification insights for any involved in the
collection, display and history of jewelry.
The Guide Book of United States Coins, 2015 Essential Edition
R.S. Yeoman
Whitman Publishers
4001 Helton Drive, Florence, Alabama, 35630
9780794839266, $14.95, www.whitman.com
This title, popularly known as the "Red Book", provides a fine survey of circulating federal U.S.
coins and is printed in full color on 8.5x11 pages to permit for larger photos of coins for easier
identification purposes. It provides a solid reference to the latest values for numismatic
enthusiasts, presenting a new oversized edition of the classic original Red Book for audiences at
all levels of coin collecting skills. Pages of detail on key coins offer everything needed to make a
proper identification and to determine value and grade, making this a 'must' reference especially
accessible to those newer to the coin collecting field.
The Cookbook Shelf
300 Best Homemade Candy Recipes
Jane Sharrock
Robert Rose Inc.
120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4P 1E2
9780778804758, $24.95, www.robertrose.ca
300 Best Homemade Candy Recipes isn't just a contemporary collection of innovations: some of
these candy recipes date back sixty years or more. And they aren't intended solely for experienced
candy-makers, but for novices as well, requiring a minimum of special equipment and offering
detailed, step-by-step, photo-enhanced directions for foolproof insights into candy making at
home. Sections of color photos pepper recipes for brittles, fudge, truffles and rolls in a delicious
production recommended for any would-be candy-maker as well as those who just want to
increase their stock of recipes.
Choosing Raw
Gena Hamshaw
DaCapo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738216874, $19.99, www.dacapopress.com
CHOOSING RAW: MAKING RAW FOODS PART OF THE WAY YOU EAT is packed with
details on how to embrace raw foods while on a budget, and discusses everything from getting
enough nutrition from a plant-based diet to making the most of raw-based meals. Here are
recipes busy chefs can learn to create flavorful meals, from raw corn chowder and Hummus Kale
Chips to Basil and Ginger Noodles and Banana Soft Service. The result is a fine survey highly
recommended for any interested in the basics of adopting a raw diet plan.
Peek-a-Boo Cakes
Joanna Farrow
Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781846014772, $12.99, www.octopuspublishing.com
Peek-a-Boo Cakes: 28 Fun Cakes With a Surprise Inside presents innovative, fun designs and
surprising fillings for cakes and will be a delightful choice for bakers who want to produce
something different, with the guise of a simple cake and a secret inside. From special occasion
cakes to theme cakes for parties and cakes with everyday twists on classics, this is packed with a
wide variety of designs and fillings and is a top recommendation for bakers who enjoy creative
design.
Mexican Street Food to Die For: The Cookbook
Shay Ola
Mitchell Beazley
Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781845339036, $19.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com
Mexican Street Food to Die For: The Cookbook is all about contemporary Mexican street food
and cocktails, and stands out from the myriad of cookbooks that focus on Tex-Mex cuisine or
traditional Mexican cooking. Here are such recipes as Squid Tacos, Ancho, Lentil & Plaintain
Burritos and Nopales and Avocado Tacos - dishes you won't find in most other Mexican
cookbooks. Color photos on nearly every page make this a visual treat. Recipes tend to be easy
but long, involving multiple steps, so it's the home cook interested in fresh ingredients and
preparation who will appreciate this approach and the variety of unusual dishes herein!
Roast Figs Sugar Snow
Diana Henry
Mitchell Beazley
Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781845339593, $29.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com
Roast Figs Sugar Snow focuses on cold-weather main courses from Europe and North America
and provides a range of dishes that use familiar foods in unfamiliar ways. From a Sobronade
(similar to a French cassoulet and packed with pork and beans, root vegetables and spices) to a
chapter on smoked foods from Haddock and Leek Risotto to Salad of Smoked Duck with Farro,
Red Chicory, and Pomegranates and a Russian Georgian Lamb with Damsons and Walnuts, this
pairs lovely color photos of foods and country scenes with cultural insights and flavors. The
result is a warm cookbook perfect for cold weather.
Pancakes, Crepes, Waffles & French Toast
Hannah Miles
Ryland Peters & Small - CICO Books
519 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10012
9781849754873, $24.95, www.rylandpeters.com
Pancakes, Crepes, Waffles & French Toast: Irresistible Recipes from the Griddle includes classic
recipes alongside special variations - and so you'll find everything from Buttermilk Blueberry
Pancakes to Salted Caramel Waffles or even savory dishes such as Ham and Cheese Crepes and
Potato Waffles with BBQ Beans. All this is enhanced by full-page color photos for nearly every
dish and artistic presentations and layouts that show cooks how to make the most of finished
product displays. The result is a mouth-watering recommendation for any who want different
ideas for traditional breakfast choices.
The Crafts Shelf
Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders
Lou Sassi
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
9781627000796, $21.99, www.kalmbachbooks.com
From forming terrain and constructing paved roads to building trees, this offers tips on using the
latest paints and products and provides modelers with color photos of finished scenes and
step-by-step photos and drawings for basic and intermediate modeling techniques. All this comes
form an author who has been a model railroader since pre-teen years: chapters are packed with
detail and provide fine keys to producing realistic modeling scenery.
The Sports Shelf
High-Performance Training for Sports
David Joyce and Daniel Lewindon, Editors
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9781450444828, $27.95, www.humankinetics.com
High-Performance Training for Sports: The Authoritative Guide for Ultimate Athletic
Conditioning offers an athlete-oriented approach to training and gathers a number of authorities
and practitioners who cover all aspects of a conditioning program that includes differences in
athletic capacities and training and injury histories. Experts share the latest research on
performance training, coaching and rehabilitation gained from work with Olympians and top
athletes and teams, blending science and research with sports experience and proven training
protocols for a fine survey on cross-training and maintaining peak conditioning. Any collection
appealing to athletes will find this a powerful study packed with techniques and sports
insights.
How to Coach a Soccer Team
Tony Carr
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780600627579, $14.99, www.octopuspublishing.com
How to Coach a Soccer Team is a top pick for any who would direct others to train for a team,
and offers 100 easy drills for all aspects of soccer. These illustrated techniques are designed to
help improve through practical tips and advice on everything from warm-up routines to problem
solving, and are directed to coaches who may have a basic familiarity with the sport and its rules,
but need more insights on coaching techniques and strategy. The result is an outstanding survey
filled with specific approaches to building better soccer players: one any coach at any skill level
will find specific and useful.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Childhood Obesity
Rexford S. Ahima, MD, PhD
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781926895918, $149.95, www.crcpress.com
Childhood Obesity: Prevalence, Pathophysiology, and Prevention is a reference for college-level
collection and gathers a range of writings and studies on childhood overweight and obesity issues
in recent decades. It covers trends across different demographics, discusses contributing genetic
and environmental influences, and provides multiple methods for obesity treatment from medical
applications to social and community approaches, from medicine to surgery. A wealth of
bibliographic references makes this a solid winner for any college-level health library.
Buzzed, fourth edition
Cynthia Kuhn, PhD, et.al.
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393344516, $19.95, www.wwnorton.com
Buzzed: The Straight Facts About the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy is
written to provide unbiased, research-based details on how a variety of common, popular drugs
affect the brain, and will appeal to parents, educators, therapists, patients and more with its
discussions blending scientific facts with discussions of newly popular and old, familiar drugs.
There are many surprises herein: would you consider bath salts a drug, for example? What about
e-cigarettes, or spice? All of these are considered in a completely revised, updated fourth edition
that covers health risks, social impact, and more.
Crohn's & Colitis Diet Guide, second edition
Dr. Hillery Steinhart & Julie Cepo
Robert Rose Inc.
120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4P 1E2
9780778804789, $24.95, www.robertrose.ca
The second updated edition of Crohn's & Colitis Diet Guide reflects the latest research on the
topic, provides guidelines to foods that might affect IBD as well as those that hold positive
benefits, and provide over 175 recipes - 25 new ones added to this edition. The idea is to outline
what the disease is, who gets it, causes, and how diet offers opportunities for healing and change.
Those newly diagnosed with IBD who are interested in managing their condition will find this
offers the latest details on drug therapies, surgical therapies, and self-help options alike.
The Social Issues Shelf
Police State U.S.A.
Cheryl K. Chumley
WND Books
9781936488148, $26.95, www.wndbooks.com
POLICE STATE U.S.A.: HOW ORWELL'S NIGHTMARE IS BECOMING OUR REALITY
attacks the current progress of government control and challenges to privacy rights that are
leading to attacks on the Fourth Amendment, and makes a case for the current milieu of
surveillance which is even more extensive than in Orwell's 1984 novel. Ideological changes,
terrorism, social transitions, and the evolution of a possible police state is challenging American
ideals of freedom and fairness like never before, and this book is both a history of the rise of this
police state and a survey of the past, present and possible futures of American freedoms. No
social issues collection should be without.
Thinking Big
Clive Gamble, John Gowlett and Robin Dunbar
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500051801, $35.00, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
THINKING BIG: HOW THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL LIFE SHAPED THE HUMAN MIND
offers a history of human beings and the evolution of their social habits, and explores the latest
theories posited by evolutionary psychologists. Here a psychologist works with archaeologists to
uncover how the theory of the "social brain" and its evolution can be tested against
archaeological and fossil evidence, with seven years of supportive research building on the ideas
of how human social groups evolved over the centuries. The result is a remarkable collaboration
of anthropology, biology and sociology that crosses disciplines to examine the foundations of
human behavior and its influences.
Transaction Publishers
10 Corporate Place South, Piscataway, NJ 08854
www.transactionpub.com
Anton Oleinik's KNOWLEDGE AND NETWORKING: ON COMMUNICATION IN THE
SOCIAL SCIENCE (9781412853019, $49.95) covers the basics of how scientists and scholars
utilize network to further not just careers but studies and theories, and how a focus on prioritizing
networking opportunities serves to diminish professional pursuits in favor of personal
connection. Chapters provide insights on status, group affiliation, and the decisions scholars
make when juxtaposing the benefits of networking with its detriments. In the competition for
research funding and academic status, knowledge networking plays a pivotal role: one certain to
affect objective decision-making processes. Knowledge & Networking is an important
consideration for any interested in understanding the pros and cons of the entire process. George
Serban's THE MASK OF NORMALCY: SOCIAL CONFORMITY AND ITS AMBIGUITIES
(9781412852692, $39.95) considers connections between well-adjusted behavior patterns and
conformity, using clinical findings and content analysis to explore the interface between social
conformity and nonconformist behaviors. Chapters probe definitions of normalcy, degrees of
nonconformity indicators, and changing relationships and social values as they pertain to both.
The result is a book any college-level sociology student will find specific and intriguing.
Anthony Walsh's BIOSOCIOLOGY: BRIDGING THE BIOLOGY-SOCIOLOGY DIVIDE
(9781412852562, $44.95) draws important connections between biology and sociology that bring
the two together in a college-level discussion arguing that sociology has little to use by
acknowledging and working with the theories and concepts in biology research. Chapters use
examples from genetics and the biosciences as they research the two disciplines and their
interconnected, often complimentary, purposes and consider the standard division between the
fields and what can bring them together.
The Mathematics Shelf
Using Numbers in Arabic
Jamal Ali
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781626160057, $34.95, www.press.georgetown.edu
Using Numbers in Arabic provides an invaluable pocket guide recommended for
intermediate-to-advanced learners of Arabic, and discusses the proper use of numbers. It uses
explanations and examples to discuss how to use cardinal and ordinal numbers in Arab, with
entries packing in descriptions in English and examples in Arabic. These include citations from
literature and media and covers both Modern Standard Arabic and Classical Arabic, making it a
unique and important guide that belongs in any Arabic reference library.
The Technology Shelf
The Satellite Communication Ground Segment and Earth Station Handbook, second edition
Bruce Elbert
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
9781608076734, $169.00, www.artechhouse.com
The second updated edition of The Satellite Communication Ground Segment and Earth Station
Handbook has been updated and expanded to reflect the latest earth station designs, and covers
everything involved in the project from ground systems to satellite and earth station management.
Engineers and managers receive details ranging from requirements and analysis to how to review
hardware designs and manage a communications satellite project. With plenty of technical
specifications, charts and graphs, and applied math, this is a 'must' for any involved in earth
station and satellite communications.
The Parenting Shelf
Parenting on the Go
Dr. David Elkind, PhD
Da Capo Lifelong
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738217505, $14.99, www.dacapopress.com
Parenting on the Go: Birth to Six, A to Z provides a quick A-Z reference format and covers a
range of topics, offering parents solutions to different parenting concerns and issues in child
psychology and development, based on the latest research in parenting. One would expect an A-Z
format would hold quick answers, but this book packs in plenty of facts to over a hundred of the
most common questions parents have, from how and when to wean a child to handling common
challenges.
I'll Tell You Why....I Can't Wear These Clothes!
Noreen O'Sullivan
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849055109, $16.95, www.jkp.com
I'll Tell You Why....I Can't Wear These Clothes! provides an unusual interactive book format
directed to parents, kids and professionals alike and uses the 'drawing journal' format to discuss
'tactile defensiveness', or hypersensitivity to certain kinds of touch (and, by definition, certain
kinds of clothing). It's a photographic workbook written from a child's perspective that explores
why dressing often becomes a challenging daily routine, and it provides plenty of insights into
simple methods to overcome clothing resistance. Parenting, health, psychology and education
collections alike will find this a highly accessible, unique coverage.
The Music Shelf
Remember the Time
Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard
Weinstein Books
345 Hudson Street, 13th floor, New York, NY 10014
9781602862500, $26.00, www.weinsteinbooks.com
REMEMBER THE TIME: PROTECTING MICHAEL JACKSON IN HIS FINAL DAYS tells of
singer Jackson's final years as he moved from city to city in search of seclusion and peace, trying
to escape a world that didn't have much of either. During that time two men was his personal
security team; the authors of this book. They were at his side nearly 24/7 - and in a position of
unprecedented access to the reclusive singer's life and habits. This therefore is the only definitive,
first-person story of Jackson's final years, and is a vivid, authoritative and rare read especially
recommended for Jackson fans who have read prior biographies of the man's life, but who want a
different, authoritative focus on its end.
Ain't It Time We Said Goodbye
Robert Greenfield
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780306823121, $25.99, www.dacapopress.com
Ain't It Time We Said Goodbye: The Rolling Stones on the Road to Exile tells of the author's
following of the Stones' farewell tour of their home country, and offers an insider's survey of life
backstage and the different personalities and encounters of each Stones member. The ten days
before they left England in tax exile are chronicled along with Greenfield's analysis of the
tensions between band members and the American tour that would make them famous. An
outstanding recommendation for any rock music history collection!
The Needlecraft Shelf
Basic Knitting and Projects
Anita J. Tosten and Missy Burns
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
9780811713535, $24.95, www.stackpolebooks.com
Basic Knitting and Projects: Essential Skills in Detail is for any beginner who wants to get
started in knitting with a progressive lesson plan that uses projects to help teach basic skills and
help readers move in a logical progression to the next level. Each project offers a new challenge,
and each explain how to do dozens of stitches and techniques from cables and lace to stranded
colorwork. The result is an outstanding survey packing in 20 patterns for everything from easy
scarves to more challenging shawls, socks and sweaters. Highly recommended!
Feathers That Fly
Lee Cleland
That Patchwork Place
c/o Martingale & Company
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
9781564774552, $26.99, www.shopmartingale.com
Feathers That Fly: How To Design, Mark, And Machine Quilt Feather Motifs is for any
interested in the specifics of machine quilting classic feather motifs, and provides a handbook
packed with projects - some fourteen in all - that teach the basics of feathers, wreaths, and more.
Designs offer the foundations of drawing motifs, while different quilting design examples
incorporate these into the bigger picture. A photo gallery of examples accompanies step-by-step
instructions and bonus feather patterns to create a solid reference for any working with feather
quilt motifs.
The Photography Shelf
Amherst Media
175 Rano Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14207-2176
www.amherstmedia.com
Michael Mowbray's SHOOT TO THRILL: SPEEDLIGHT FLASH TECHNIQUES FOR
PHOTOGRAPHERS (9781608956913, $27.95) is a 'must' for any photographer with some
studio skills under their belt, who have wondered if speedlights could work for lighting
everything at a studio. The author is a photographer who asked this question in the course of his
own work: his answers spice a step-by-step discussion of creating speedlight images and uses
some sixty polished results to explain the entire process. From shooting outdoors with
speedlights to adding light modifiers and flashes, this covers all the basics in a top pick for any
photographer working with speedlights. Tracy Dorr's SET THE SCENE: USE PROPS TO
CREATE MEMORABLE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY (9781608956975, $27.95) tells how to
use more creative props (not necessarily expensive ones!) to make a photo shoot 'pop', and can be
as simple as playing a baby in a large colorful bucket! Here are tips for both individual and group
shots that propose props with maximum versatility and which lend to common visual scenes.
Props for adults and kids alike are featured, making for an outstanding survey highly
recommended for any working in portraiture.
The Computer Shelf
Common System and Software Testing Pitfalls
Donald G. Firesmith
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
97803748550, $49.99, www.informit.com/aw
Common System and Software Testing Pitfalls: How to Prevent and Mitigate Them covers the
symptoms and causes of such programming errors and is a recommendation for any software
engineering collection strong in testing. It's surprising to note that software and system testers
repeatedly fall into the same problems: patterns of mistakes that detract from overall efficiency
and results. This is for testing professionals involved in different-sized projects who would
identify such pitfalls in advance, and offers a series of 'anti-patterns' and solutions that focus on
applications and system interactions. The result is a solid guide to improving the overall testing
process through recognizing its common failures: a 'must' for any practicing programmer.
The Political Science Shelf
Pathways of Power
Timothy J. Conlan, Paul L. Posner, David R. Beam
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781626160392, $29.95, www.press.georgetown.edu
Pathways of Power: The Dynamics of National Policymaking joins others in the 'American
Governance and Public Policy' series to provide college-level political science readers with a
discussion of how public policy ideals actually work in Washington D.C., and is key to any
studying government processes. Chapters argue that policy process can be understood as a set of
four distinctive pathways of policymaking that each use different political resources and
approaches, and they explore how different strategic behaviors of these distinct pathways impact
the overall policy process today. The result is a detailed, in-depth analysis political science
readers will find enlightening and well researched.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Christianity and the Political Order
Kenneth R. Himes
Orbis Books
Box 302, Maryknoll NY 10545-0302
9781626980280, $40.00, www.orbisbooks.com
Christianity and the Political Order: Conflict, Cooptation, and Cooperation joins others in the
'Theology in Global Perspective' series and is recommended for any interested in the intersection
of politics and Christianity. Chapters consider the relationship between the two from Old and
New Testaments through medieval to modern times, questioning the role of the church in politics
and global issues as well as in human rights. College-level readers of either religion or politics
receive discussions and bibliographic references that offer a classroom text for supporting any
inquiry of Christian and global affairs.
Noah: The Real Story
Larry Stone
WND Books
9781936488742, $14.95, www.wndbooks.com
NOAH: THE REAL STORY isn't your usual account of Biblical matters, but provides a survey
that well captures the mystery and controversy of the Noah figure. From whether dinosaurs were
on the Ark to if and why a 'piece of the ark' was found near a railroad track in California, this is
packed with insights about Noah and his Biblical times, his Ark, and all the mysteries
surrounding it, and provides a lively, inquisitive read for any Christian thinker.
The Biography Shelf
E.E. Cummings: A Life
Susan Cheever
Pantheon
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780307379979, $26.95, www.pantheonbooks.com
E.E. Cummings: A Life is a 'must' for any literature reader already enthused about Cummings'
works, who wants further information on the controversial poet whose works were influenced by
a New England 19th century childhood, a love of nature, and a Harvard education. Cummings
evolved into a dark rebellious man whose mentor was Ezra Pound, absorbing a rebellion against
authority that resulted in an alienation from the Cambridge intellectualism he'd once revered.
From his volunteer work during World War I to his Greenwich Village poets circle, this covers
both his life and his times and creates an in-depth, moving portrait that should not be missed by
any Cummings reader.
Elihu Yale
Diana Scarisbrick and Benjamin Zucker
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500517260, $39.95, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
ELIHU YALE: MERCHANT, COLLECTOR & PATRON was an early benefactor of Yale
University who made his fortune in India and who became a merchant and trader of much fame,
assembling a collection of tens of thousands of gems, textiles and more in 1699. His experiences
in Madras and London makes for a biography covering not just the man and his fascinating life,
but how his dreams and pursuits came to influence a world-class institution some time later. Any
collection strong in biography and history will find this a lively, well-detailed read.
'And Then I Met...'
James E. Rogan
WND Books
9781936488384, $27.95, www.wndbooks.com
'And Then I Met...' gathers the author's stories of meeting famous people and comes from a
former congressman who came from an unlikely background for a politician. As the illegitimate
son of a convicted felon-single mom on welfare, it seemed highly unlikely that he'd stay out of
prison much less become a driving force in history and politics. His book uses his private diaries
and some forty years of photos to share dozens of stories of major figures from Ronald Reagan to
Cary Grant: some he knew and some he didn't. Reflections on his life and encounters with some
of these personalities and their special meaning in his life contribute to a powerful survey
recommended for any reader of autobiography or politics.
The Martial Arts Shelf
Staff Fundamental Training
Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
9781594390906, $39.95, www.ymaa.com
Staff Fundamental Training: Solo Drills and matching Practice presents techniques from both Tai
Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu, and provides a comprehensive survey of everything from sliding and
striking to blocking, chopping, and advanced neutralizing techniques. Having all this on a DVD
assures martial arts students receive in-depth visual instructions for each movement and
corrections, all demonstrated by students, making for an excellent basic training program.
The Business Shelf
It's Not the How or the What but the Who
Claudio Fernandez-Araoz
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781625271525, $28.00, www.hbr.com
IT'S NOT THE HOW OR THE WHAT BUT THE WHO: SUCCEED BY SURROUNDING
YOURSELF WITH THE BEST provides business readers with a fine survey from a global
leadership authority who here examines the difference between success and failure in the world
of business. It provides short essays consider the major obstacles to decision-making processes,
offering solutions and using decades of experience in global executive search and talent
development. The result is a recommended pick for any who would enter the global market.
Welcome to the Real World
Lauren Berger
HarperBusiness
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062307309, $16.99, www.harper.com
Welcome to the Real World: Finding Your Place, Perfecting Your Work, and Turning Your Job
into Your Dream Career provides an introduction to the workplace with an eye to helping new
workers identify goals and strategies to reaching them. It shows how to identify the rules that
lead to success, organize one's work life, create and promote a personal brand, and build strong
work relationships, and it uses experiences from Berger's life and input from other professionals
to guide workers through the confusion of making an impact on the job. The result is a strong,
positive book for any who would turn their workplace into an asset.
Financially Fearless
Alexa von Tobel, CFP
Crown Business
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780385347617, $19.99, www.crownbusiness.com
Financially Fearless: The LearnVest Program for Taking Control of Your Money comes from the
founder and CEO of a financial management program who believes that managing your money
should be a simple affair. Financial planning should be accessible by and affordable to a wide
audience of Americans: this reveals her financial planning methods and provides an approach
called the '50/20/30' program to address and differentiate basic survival income from money for
savings and lifestyle. By using a percentage breakdown of how your take-home pay should be
spent each month, a fine blueprint for action is formed that even those with lower incomes or no
financial background should find key to successful planning.
Understanding Digital Marketing, third edition
Damian Ryan
Kogan Page USA
1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19102
9780749471026, $29.95, www.koganpage.com
Understanding Digital Marketing: Marketing Strategies for Engaging the Digital Generation
provides a fine, accessible guide to digital marketing and appears here in its third updated edition
which has been completely revamped to reflect key changes in digital marketing strategies and
the digital environment. New chapters incorporate the latest marketing metrics and show how to
use digital media to achieve business success, covering everything from understanding how
digital marketing channels work to honing a competitive edge in this market. The result is a
powerful survey highly recommended for any business that would use the Internet as part of its
marketing plan.
Mastering Technical Sales, third edition
John Care and Aron Bohlig
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
9781608077441, $89.00, www.artechhouse.com
Mastering Technical Sales: the Sales Engineer's Handbook has been newly revised and expanded
for its third edition and covers not only the basics of selling, but adds new chapters and new
material on everything from evaluating business advisors to whiteboarding and using snap
demos. Sales engineers receive keys to presentation techniques that are based on technical
background, with all ideas explored in step-by-step real-world scenarios. The result is a guide
recommended for any involved in the management or technical sales side of a business, offering
details far more advanced than your usual sales team management handbook.
The Audiobook Shelf
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.hachetteaudio.com
Roland Lazenby's MICHAEL JORDAN: THE LIFE (9781478927662, $35.00) includes a .pdf of
photos, is unabridged and narrated by Bob Souer, and offers a lively biography of the legendary
athlete who has become a modern-day sports legend. Basketball journalist Roland Lazenby spent
nearly thirty years covering Jordan's career in college and pro sports: this weighty coverage
includes both his sports fame and his personality and life, using Lazenby's personal relationships
with Jordan's circle of coaches, friends and family to add details you won't find elsewhere. The
entire package in audio format lends a vivid feel to a remarkable lifetime of achievement, and is
recommended for basketball fans in general and enthusiasts of Michael Jordan in particular.
Anne Rivers Siddons' THE GIRLS OF AUGUST (9781619696501, $30.00) pairs audiobook
veteran reader Kate Reading with Siddons' latest, which tells of four girlfriends who spend a
week at a new beach house each August: a ritual begun when they were in their twenties. When
one dies in a car accident, the group drifts apart and their shared vacations end - but now they're
newly reunited, there's a new addition to the group, and this particular trip will test the bonds
they once thought close. The result is a fine listen recommended for any who enjoy warm stories
of summer, friendship, and change.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Monster Hunter: Nemesis
Larry Correia
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781476736556, $25.00, www.baen.com
Agent Franks works with the U.S. Monster Control Bureau and has been sworn to protect the
U.S. from monsters - even though he is, himself, a seven-foot-tall constructed man who could too
easily be deemed a 'monster'. His only request is that the government never make any more like
him: such an effort would nullify his agreement to help them. That's why Project Nemesis is so
dangerous: it's a secret project designed to create more like Franks, and it could change the world
- particularly since Franks is now an undying machine with a vengeance. Prior readers of Correia
will find this a fine sequel, while newcomers to the idea will find this an involving and tense
sci-fi thriller.
A Bicycle Built for Brew
Rick Katze and Michael Keerpan, Editors
NESFA Press
PO Box 809, Framingham, MA 01701
www.nesfapress.com
9781610373067, $29.00, www.nesfa.org
A Bicycle Belt For Brew: The Collected Short Works Of Poul Anderson is Volume 6 in the
series presenting the best of his fantasy and science fiction stories, and pairs five short novels
with three novellas for maximum impact. It's not necessary to have the prior books in the series:
it stands alone in offering a fine selection of his writings, from a romance story and a humor
piece to a rare original magazine version of "Three Hearts and Three Lions", long unavailable
except for the original magazines published in 1953. There's stories of invaders and magic,
classic struggles between good and evil, and a host of literary approaches that will delight any
interested in Anderson's art.
The Education Shelf
Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.princetonreview.com
CRACKING THE SAT PREMIUM EDITION (9780804124676, $34.99) is packed with
powerful strategies to avoid traps of the SAT test, packages the latest research and test-taking
strategies with insights for the 2015 edition, and pairs four full-length practice tests with answers
with exams available online and drills for each section. Multi-week study plans, video tutorials
and online support is extensive, covering every facet of the test and offering the basics of how to
score high. MCAT PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY REVIEW (9780804124737, $45.00)
provides three full-length practice tests, offers complete coverage of the psychology and
sociology content for the MCAT 2014, and offers a range of successful, proven strategies for any
test taker. In-depth coverage combines psychology and sociology, with chapters including
bulleted summaries for quick review, color illustrations and tables, and a detailed glossary for
reference. MCAT CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REASONING SKILLS REVIEW
(9780804125031, $35.00) provides a fine survey including three full-length practice tests online,
end-of-chapter practice questions, and keys to scoring high in critical analysis and reasoning
skills. Drills, 'dos' and 'don'ts' and strategies make for fine references. MCAT GENERAL
CHEMISTRY REVIEW (9780804125062, $45.00) details everything needed to study for the
MCAT General Chemistry exam, and provides not only practice questions and answers but
surveys of tested strategies that work. Complete coverage of all general chemistry content for
MCAT 2015 provides a fine gathering of references for any student. MCAT BIOLOGY AND
BIOCHEMISTRY REVIEW (9780804125048, $50.00) surveys biology strategies for the test,
reviews microbiology and molecular biology basics, considers biochemistry and body systems
and more. From chapter summaries to discussions of system interactions, these are all fine
recommendations for any studying for these exams.
Colour Coding for Learners with Autism
Adele Devine
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849054416, $39.95, www.jkp.com
Colour Coding for Learners with Autism explains how colour coding can help youngsters with
autism understand lessons, and shows how to assign colors to personal care activities, timetables
and more to help kids use their own experiences to understand everything from emotions to diet.
Printable resources on a CD-ROM can apply to classroom and home learning efforts while
chapters from special needs teacher Devine provide parents and educators with keys to using
visuals and color with autism students and family members alike. The fact that this approach can
be applied to educational pursuits as well as teaching life and social skills makes it a powerful
tool.
The New Science of Learning
Terry Doyle and Todd Zakrajsek
Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781620360095, $19.95, www.styluspublishing.com
The New Science of Learning: How to Learn in Harmony with Your Brain offers any involved in
secondary education the opportunity to understand the latest brain science involved in learning
new material, and explains how sleep, exercise and one's senses can augment the learning
process. Teachers will find it filled with specific science relating to how students learn, while
students will discover many techniques for enhancing the desire to learn new information and
improve memory for tests. Chapter summaries, references for further reading, and discussions of
patterns, concept maps, and adopting a multisensory approach to study offer fine specifics
recommended for any who would apply the latest scientific research to modify study habits for
maximum results.
The Military Shelf
Another Great Day At Sea
Geoff Dyer
Pantheon
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780307911582, $24.95, www.pantheonbooks.com
Another Great Day At Sea: Life Aboard the USS George H.W. Bush tells of the author's
residency aboard an aircraft carrier and his experiences as he learns the routines of this world and
its various players. It discusses drills and alerts, records daily life aboard the ship, and considers
wider social issues as it provides a rare glimpse of aircraft carrier experiences. The result is a
survey likely to interest a wide audience, from general-interest readers to those of military
subjects.
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
Gordon L. Rottman's CARLSON'S MARINE RAIDERS: MAKIN ISLAND 1942
(9781472803276, $18.95) provides a detailed military analysis of the great raid representing
America's first special forces operation of World War II, and provides a powerful survey of how
this raid tested the abilities and perspective of the new Marine Raiders unit. This raid tested the
abilities of the new Marine Raiders, and this book comes from a US military history expert and
special-forces veteran who tells their story - and of how the raid nearly became a lesson in
disaster rather than success. Military collections strong in strategic history will find this a
powerful account. Leroy Thompson's THE MP5 SUBMACHINE GUN (9781782009177,
$18.95) discusses the history and use of the MP5, uses color artwork paired with vintage black
and white photos, and provides expert analysis on this long-lived submachine gun. They
achieved worldwide recognition when used by elite special-operations forces around the world
and their reputation is unparalleled. This survey covers all aspects of the MP5 and is crucial for
any interested in how these weapons changed the face of wars.
The Automotive Shelf
The Complete Book of Corvette
Mike Mueller
Motorbooks
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9780760345740, $50.00, www.motorbooks.com
The Complete Book of Corvette: Every Model Since 1953 is, admittedly, a specialty item, of
value to any who own or are interested in the complete history of the Corvette car since 1953, the
year the Corvette was first released. Chapters come from an American automotive expert, were
produced in cooperation with General Motors, and includes rare color and black-and-white
photos from GM's own archives, while technical specifications and history accompany
automotive engineering insights specific to the Corvette. The result is a winning celebration
recommended for any with a special interest in the car and its evolution.
The Fiction Shelf
Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Ascendancy
Erik Van Lustbader
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10017
www.hachettebookgroup.com
9781478979548, $35.00, www.grandcentralpublishing.com
Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Ascendancy provides a new novel in Ludlum's series, but
written by Erik Van Lustbader. Treated to a vivid narration by veteran Holter Graham, Bourne's
past readers and new enthusiasts alike will relish a story that centers around agent Bourne's
attempt to protect a high-level government minister at an international meeting in Qatar by
impersonating him to thwart any assassination attempts. When armed gunmen kill everyone in
the room, Bourne comes to realize he himself is the real target - and a special mission leads him
to an impossible decision between killing a high-level official or sacrificing someone he loves.
All this comes to life in audio and makes for a gripping, involving thriller that's highly
recommended both for prior Bourne enthusiasts and newcomers.
Flight of the Sparrow
Amy Belding Brown
NAL
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9780451466693, $15.00, www.penguin.com
History is at its best when it has its roots in true-life events, and Flight of the Sparrow is no
exception, based on the true story of Mary Rowlandson's capture in 1675 after a native American
attack. Sold to a female tribal leader who puts her to work but allows her a degree of freedom,
Mary faces exhaustion but comes to witness the Native Americans' random kindnesses and good
points. When she develops a relationship with an English-speaking Native American, her worlds
collide; and when she's ransomed and returned to her surviving family, she no longer fits into the
Puritan world. An engrossing story comes to life, here.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Book Stops Here
Kate Carlisle
Obsidian
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9780451415981, $24.95, www.penguin.com
Any reader who loves books and mysteries will relish this book-oriented saga, the latest to
enhance the Bibliophile mystery series. Here an appraisal of a valuable first edition of The Secret
garden owned by a flower vendor goes awry when its ownership is contested and the vendor is
murdered. Naturally Brooklyn and her boyfriend become involved in tracking down the killer -
which involves a host of book-related puzzles and encounters in the process of an exciting and
involving read, perfect for mystery fans.
The Architecture Shelf
Wisconsin's Own: Twenty Remarkable Houses
M. Caren Connolly & Louis Wasserman
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
9780870204524, $45.00, www.wisconsinhistory.org/whspress
Wisconsin's Own: Twenty Remarkable Houses features full-page color photos by Zane Williams,
illustrations by authors Connolly and Wasserman, and represents a collaboration between all
involved and the Wisconsin Historical Society in researching some 1,500 potential homes before
featuring just twenty of the state's most notable residences. These homes were built between
1854 and 1939 and blend public with private homes. They were chosen as representatives of the
state's diverse architectural and home styles and receive not only lavish color photos but
watercolors and floor plans plus historical images from the Society. The result is a remarkably
lovely collection highly recommended for any home and garden, architecture, or Wisconsin
history collection.
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
World Gone Wild
David J. Moore
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764345876, $34.99, www.schifferbooks.com
World Gone Wild: A Survivor's Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Movies offers discussions of
post-apocalyptic movies from around the world, adds analysis and critical reviews to synopsis
information, and is a 'must' for any film collection strong in film analysis. Worlds on the brink of
destruction from a range of forces, from zombies and invasions to diseases and nuclear war, are
covered in entries that consider large productions and small independent films alike. The result is
a fine guide that contains over 800 movie reviews and 60 interviews with producers and actors
alike.
The American History Shelf
West of the Revolution
Claudio Saunt
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393240207, $26.95, www.wwnorton.com
West of the Revolution: An Uncommon History of 1776 pairs a survey of the nation's native
peoples with a discussion of how Russia and Spain maneuvered to control the West Coast and
beyond. This is a relatively unknown story of how Spain supported its own Lewis & Clark
expedition from Santa Fe to San Francisco, how the Chinese push for sea otter pelts caused
conflicts between not just Russian and Chinese empires, but natives of the Aleutian Islands, and
how different forces and their political interactions governed how America was explored and
settled. It should be required reading for any American history class.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
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