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California Bookwatch

Volume 2, Number 4 April 2007 Home | CALBW Index

Table of Contents

Donovan's Picks Biography Shelf Reference Shelf
Military Shelf Education Shelf Computer Shelf
Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Science Shelf
Crafts Shelf Cookbook Shelf Martial Arts Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Art Shelf World History Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Islamic Studies Shelf Theatre/Cinema Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Money/Finance Shelf Business Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Landscaping Shelf Travel Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Political Science Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Library DVD Shelf Literary Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf


Donovan's Picks

Call of the Weird
Louis Theroux
Da Capo Press
0306815036 $24.00 www.dacapopress.com

THE CALL OF THE WEIRD: TRAVELS IN AMERICAN SUBCULTURES comes from traveler Paul Theroux's son, who proves himself a wizard of the wacky documentary. He's worked on programs about the fringes of society for the BBC and others, but THE CALL OF THE WEIRD goes beyond previous productions, covering the strange folk of society, from an Air Force dropout trying to make a career out of porn to a hip-hop group and one Thor Templer who claims to have killed ten aliens. Theroux's visits to these legends probes their beliefs, reasoning, and passions in a fascinating read public libraries will find a popular lend.

A Perfect Mess
Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman
Little, Brown
1271 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
0316114758 $25.99 www.hachettebookgroupusa.com

A little disorder can actually make systems more effective – but most people still try to avoid disorder, or are guilty when they can't control it. Here to celebrate disorder's virtues is A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder. True stories and case histories survey these benefits, challenging conventional wisdom about organization, neatness and consistency and using examples from business, the war on terrorism, and daily life alike. General-interest public lending libraries will relish it.


The Biography Shelf

Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist
Mike Farrell
RDV/Akashic Books
P.O. Box 1456, New York NY 10009
1933354089 $21.95 www.akashicbooks.com

Mike Farrell's autobiography traces a life that moves from an actor who worked on MASH and other major productions to becoming an activist. His brand of 'citizen activism' takes him from TV set to the streets, using the influence that accompanied his celebrity image to contribute to humanitarian works which are his real passion. His autobiography traces his evolution from a California actor to activist and provides an inspirational tale of change for a wide audience, from prior fans of his career to newcomers who may have never heard his name, but will appreciate the transition story. Public lending libraries, especially those strong in film or celebrity stories, will want this.


The Reference Shelf

Useless Arithmetic
Orrin H. Pilkey & Linda Pilkey-Jarvis
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023-7015
0231132123 $29.50 www.columbia.edu/cu/cup 1-800-944-8648

Coastal geologist Orrin Pilkey and environmental scientist Linda Pilkey-Jarvis demonstrate in USELESS ARITHMETIC that the math models of policy makers and government administrators are flawed. It's a serious allegation since such models are often used to support policies, and here the general-interest, non-mathematician reader receives specific examples from throughout the environmental science to show how math models are faulty. USELESS ARITHMETIC dispels many myths and is a 'must read' packing in case studies and insights on faulty thinking. Both college-level and general-interest holdings strong in science and math will find it an excellent acquisition.

Icons of Horror and the Supernatural
S.T. Joshi, Editor
Greenwood Press
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
0313337802 $175.00 www.greenwood.com

Icons of Horror and the Supernatural: An Encyclopedia of Our Worst Nightmares covers the mythos, horrors and ideas of horror in supernatural literature and genre mediums. From evolving concepts of haunted houses and motivators for writing The Exorcist to the history and psychology of the doppleganger, ICONS OF HORROR AND THE SUPERNATURAL compiles historical, literary and psychological references under one cover and represents a key reference for any college-level collection.


The Military Shelf

Drift Station
William F. Althoff
Potomac Books
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
1574887718 $39.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

The Cold War and subsequent years saw governments staking claims in the Arctic through the establishment of isolated 'drift stations' on ice floes, which conducted key scientific research. While such stations were military in nature, they've evolved to become key outposts of scientific research, offering up studies in meteorology, oceanography, and other disciplines with results moving beyond the political and military interests of the superpowers and the Arctic nations. DRIFT STATION details history from early explorers to modern times and is a 'must' for any collection strong in either military or scientific history.

Weather Warfare
Jerry E. Smith
Adventures Unlimited Press
One Adventure Place, Box 74, Kempton, IL 60946
1931882606 $18.95 www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com

WEATHER WARFARE: THE MILITARY'S PLAN TO DRAFT MOTHER NATURE is a frightening, eye-opening survey which surveys military interest in weather cloud seeding and modification processes. Chapters survey tests and research results from countries around the world who have studied earthquakes, typhoons, and ways hurricanes can be 'moved' to military locales, making from an essential survey of both science and geopolitical conflicts which are provoking new ideas on conducting warfare. This enlightening, frightening coverage is recommended not just for military collections but for general-interest public libraries as well.

Indian War Veterans
Jerome A. Greene
Savas Beatie
P.O. Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
193271426X $45.00 www.savasbeatie.com

Indian War Veterans: Memories of Army Life and Campaigns in the West 1864-1898 provides the first comprehensive collection of veteran reminiscences in print, and is a 'must' for any college-level holding strong in either American Indian history and culture or American military history. Soldiers' experiences are recounted, from fighting with Custer to Powder River battles, Wounded Knee and more. A range of sources compliments entries which are packed with firsthand observation and history, while dozens of previously unpublished photos and two original maps round out the information. INDIAN WAR VETERANS: MEMORIES OF ARMY LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS IN THE WEST, 1864-1898 is not to be missed by any holding seeking definitive coverage of Indian or American military history.

Marine Air
Robert F. Dorr
Berkeley Caliber
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
0425213641 $15.00 www.penguin.com

Think of Marines and you'll think of the ground forces – but their air arm is also legendary, and military historian Robert F. Dorr provides here the first illustrated oral history of the Marine Air Wing, which began in 1917 and became a major force during the Second World War. Any military collection will find it a 'must' addition, and many a public library holding will find it a popular lend.

Iwo Jima Recon: The U.S. Navy At War, February 17, 1945
Dick Camp
Zenith Press
380 Jackson Street Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
0760329931 $19.95 www.mbipublishing.com

Before the Marines landed there was the recon of Iwo Jima, a pre-invasion battle which superceded Iwo Jima's events and which surprisingly has never been fully explored, until now. IWO JIMA RECON is packed with vintage photos and moment-by-moment details of the recon actions before the invasion, and is essential for any in-depth collection including coverage of Iwo Jima events.


The Education Shelf

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

Stanley Levenson's BIG-TIME FUNDRAISING FOR TODAY'S SCHOOLS (141293916X, $34.95) is a recommended pick for school leaders who wish to move away from small-scale bake sales into big-time fundraising. College and university efforts serve as models for pursuing grants, corporate gifting, foundation grants, and big-time donors, offering examples of winning proposals, strategies for gaining donations and grants, surveying marketing campaigns and more. A 'must' for any school wishing to pursue good funding sources. Sylvia Rockwell's YOU CAN'T MAKE ME! FROM CHAOS TO COOPERATION IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM (1412916623, $39.95) blends real-life teaching anecdotes with surveys of research-based strategies to help students learn appropriate behavior. Special needs and general elementary-level teachers receive discussions that cover all the basics, from identifying behaviors and understanding their influences to handling these behaviors in a classroom setting. It's a 'must' for any teacher seeking to modify a difficult child's behavior patterns. SiriNam S. Khalsa's TEACHING DISCIPLINE & SELF-RESPECT (1412915481, $32.95) packs in lesson plans, strategies, and anecdotes from successful classroom management projects and thus is a top pick for teachers who wish to receive the applied experience of other professionals. From outlining classroom procedures and routines to teaching discipline, it's a 'must' teacher's handbook.


The Computer Shelf

GIS for Environmental Management
Robert Scally
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92373-8100
1589481429 $24.95 www.esri.com/esripress

Geographic information systems are being increasingly used in environmental studies to map terrain, chart biological changes, and create spatial analysis tools – and GIS for Environmental Management describes these studies evolving from GIS tools, making it an excellent pick for college-level holdings strong in GIS surveys. Chapters provide real-world examines of resource management challenges where GIS systems are lending to rankings and reports, offering color screen shots and GIS charts. College-level holdings will find it an excellent survey.

Dreaming in Code
Scott Rosenberg
Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
1400082463 $25.95 www.randomhouse.com

Software's no longer limited to a computer environment: it's in kitchens, cars, toys and the general world, affecting movies, transportation – everything. Despite its prevalence, few titles consider how it's created – not for the general-interest public, at least – until DREAMING IN CODE: TWO DOZEN PROGRAMMERS, THREE YEARS, 4,732 BUGS, AND ONE QUEST FOR TRANSCENDENT SOFTWARE. Journalist Scott Rosenberg spent three years with a programming team lead for Lotus 1-2-3 creator Mitch Kapor, observing as they created visionary new software: DREAMING IN CODE is a wonderful survey which comes not from your usual programmer's vantage point, but from the point of view of an outsider fascinated by its creation. The lively format and many insights will make this a top pick for both public and school libraries.

Professional Photoshop, 5th Edition
Dan Margulis
Peachpit Press
1249 – 8th Street, Berkeley CA 94710
032144017X $59.99 www.peachpit.com

Perfect for college-level classroom assignment and college-level computer references collections alike – especially those strong in Photoshop representations – is PROFESSIONAL PHOTOSHOP: THE CLASSIC GUIDE TO COLOR CORRECTION, which appears in its 5th updated edition. It's the first new edition in nearly five years and has been completely revamped for the latest digital photography challenges; so libraries should throw out those aging older copies and consider that PROFESSIONAL PHOTOSHOP has radically changed from edition to edition, this holding nearly 90 percent new content and completely revamping coverage of all aspects of the program.

Design for Trustworthy Software
Bijay K. Jayaswal & Peter C. Patton
Prentice Hall
One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
0131872508 $64.99 www.prenhallprofessional.com

Software engineers concerned with quality assurance and technical college-level computer collections won't want to miss Design for Trustworthy Software, a survey of the principles, technology and applications relating to software design problems. No light treatment, this weighty 796-page coverage surveys all topics, from best practices of quality and management for software to encouraging design creativity, validating software, and analyzing the financial impact of software quality. An outstanding survey.

Compressor Quick-Reference Guide
Brian Gary
Peachpit
1249 – 8th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
0321474082 $29.99 www.peachpit.com

Compressor is the program key to creating quality digital content, and Compressor Quick-Reference Guide is a quick-reference guide any user of Compressor needs. Learn about workflows, import files, take advantage of job management options, and more with a quick guide which offers up a self-paced course any Compressor user needs. A fine pick for a computer library or individual learning.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Fashionable Mourning Jewelry, Clothing & Customs
Mary Brett
Schiffer Books
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
0764324462 $59.95 www.schifferbooks.com

Explore 19th century traditions, history, and objects in a blend of historical overview and collector's price guide in Fashionable Mourning Jewelry, Clothing & Customs, featuring jewelry, photos, clothing, writings, and more. This fascinating survey does include the good-sized color photos and price guide collectors will want – but also a large dose of 'mourning history' makes the book a top pick both for collector's libraries and for college-level collections strong in American social history and culture.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Modern Masters Volume 9: Mike Wieringo
Todd Dezago and Eric Nolen-Weatherington
TwoMorrows
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
1893905659 $14.95 www.tomorrows.com

Mike Wieringo's first major job was The Flash, and his exciting introduction to the comic book field was followed quickly by drawings of major characters from Superman and X-Men to Fantastic Four. But don't expect the usual reproductions of comics in this celebration: it includes sketches accompanied by an essential interview with Wieringo discussing perspectives, drawing challenges, achievements and comic book history and provides many important keys to understanding Wieringo's works and his place in the industry. A 'must' for any collection strong in comic book history and artists.

All Star Companion Volume 2
Roy Thomas, Editor
TwoMorrows
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
1893905373 $24.95 www.tomorrows.com

Collections strong in comic book artists and art will find this history of the Justice Society of America and friends to be moving: it provides more secrets of the comic characters from the 1940s through the 1980s, surveying major issues and events, providing black and white reproductions of pages, and detailing behind-the-scenes influences on adventures and character appearances. An excellent companion for any who have followed the strip and seek more information on historical progression.

The Castaways
Rob Vollmar and Pablo G. Callejo
NBM Publishing
40 Exchange Place #1308, New York NY 10005
1561634921 $17.95 www.nbmpublishing.com

This first graphic novel by the team of 'Bluesman' provides a tale following the exploits of one Tucker Freeman as he hops a train to escape his heritage of poverty. His search for his place in an America broken by the Depression makes for a moving set of adventures presented here in a new edition with a new conclusion not featured in the original release, along with a new two-color edition. Any library strong in graphic novel representations will find this a 'must' classic acquisition.


The Science Shelf

Sentinels of the Sun
Barbara B. Poppe with Kristen P. Jorden
Johnson Books
3005 Center Green Drive #220, Boulder, CO 80301
1555663796 $22.50 www.bigearthpublishing.com

SENTINELS OF THE SUN: FORECASTING SPACE WEATHER is for any collection strong in either astronomy or weather science – which will likely mean college-level, but also some public library holdings. General-interest readers will find most accessible this survey of space weather forecasting history and science, which surveys the idea and nature of space weather and the technology which seeks to predict it. An outstanding guide, SENTINELS OF THE SUN includes color charts, photos, and black and white shots and considers both civilian and military applications of space weather science.

Love and Other Technologies
Dominic Pettman
Fordham University Press
University Box L, 2546 Belmont Ave., Bronx NY 10458
0823226697 $24.00 www.fordhampress.com

College-level collections strong in media, technology, and literature alike will find the multi-faceted LOVE AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES: RETROFITTING EROS FOR THE INFORMATION AGE a winner. Technology is more than science: here it's viewed as a cultural challenge to the nature of 'humanity' itself, and essays and writings question the assumptions of modernity and individualism which have made old technologies and goals obsolete. An excellent read, LOVE AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES will involve a wide audience in some eye-opening debates and observations.

The Best of Technology Writing
Brendan I. Koerner
University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
0472031953 $17.95 www.press.umich.edu

Some of the best writing in technology comes together under one cover, compiling works from authors who work in everything from computers and digital mediums to health and science fields. Both college-level collections strong in technology and general-interest public lending libraries will find THE BEST OF TECHNOLOGY WRITING most accessible: a collection of polished essays which invite both technology readers and the general public into the world of possibilities.


The Crafts Shelf

Best of Bead&Button Magazine: Polymer Pizzazz
Kristin Schneidler
Kalmbach Publishing Company
P.O. Box 612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
0871162369 $19.95 www.kalmbach.com

Crafters working with polymer, especially newcomers to the medium, will find POLYMER PIZZAZZ a fine place to start. Crafts libraries will appreciate projects which move logically from basics to more advanced steps – some 27 in all – and which pack in color photos, materials lists and more to assure successful polished results. A 'must' for any serious jewelry maker.


The Cookbook Shelf

834 Kitchen Quick Tips
Editors of Cook's Illustrated
America's Test Kitchen
17 Station Street, Brookline, MA 02445
1933615109 $16.95 www.americastestkitchen.com

834 KITCHEN QUICK TIPS: TECHNIQUES AND SHORTCUTS FOR THE CURIOUS COOK is packed with the basics usually learned the hard way - by trial and error – so any general library strong in kitchen skills and cookbooks will want to add this reference. From how to peal a kiwi with a spoon to freshening a garbage disposal and using the mortar and pestle, 834 KITCHEN QUICK TIPS is a reference no aspiring cook will want to miss!

Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2007
Cooking Light Magazine
Sunset Books
80 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
0848730712 $34.95 www.sunset.com

COOKING LIGHT is a leading food magazine in this country, offering tips on nutrition and tested recipes which convert high-calorie productions to healthier fare. The 2007 annual collection of COOKING LIGHT ANNUAL RECIPES is packed with over a thousand of such recipes, including 100 meal plans with dishes which include the latest cooking techniques and conveniences. Public lending libraries will find it a very popular lend: it compiles recipes from 2006 and provides a seasonal approach which makes it easy to take advantage of fresh produce and ingredients. An outstanding collection.


The Martial Arts Shelf

American Shaolin
Matthew Polly
Gotham Books
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014-3657
1592402623 $26.00 www.penguin.com

AMERICAN SHAOLIN: FLYING KICKS, BUDDHIST MONKS, AND THE LEGEND OF IRON CROTCH: AN ODYSSEY IN THE NEW CHINA blends a coming-of-age memoir with a survey of kung fu in modern China. Matthew Polly always dreamed of journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China to become a tough fighter like his TV show mentor Caine in Kung Fu, but unlike most, he decided to pursue his dream while in college, dropping out of Princeton to journey to the monks who invented Kung fu and Zen Buddhism. His two years training and performing with the monks are detailed here, in a fine and lively survey of cultural exploration and discovery perfect for not just spiritual collections, but any public lending library.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Why I Am a Christian
Norman L. Geisler & Paul K. Hoffman, Editors
Baker Books
Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
080106712X $16.99 www.bakerbooks.com

The revised, expanded edition of the classic WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN: LEADING THINKERS EXPLAIN WHY THEY BELIEVE addresses all the typical questions of modern Christian believers, from issues of belief in miracles, the existence of god, and the nature and purpose of suffering to the evidences and controversies posed by evolutionary theory. Contributors are expert witnesses for Christianity, from a mechanical engineer and lawyer to scientists, philosophers, former skeptics and atheists, and more. The result is a lively, diverse dialogue from many differing viewpoints: perfect for any Christian lending library or discussion group.

The Dangerous Act of Worship
Mark Labberton
Intervarsity Press
Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
0830833161 $17.00 www.ivpress.com

The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God's Call to Justice surveys church practices and how smaller battles often supercede larger issues of justice and mercy within church circles. THE DANGEROUS ACT OF WORSHIP is for any church leader or minister who wants to make a difference in the world: chapters outline differences between false and real dangers, consider the church's role in social issues, and come from a working pastor's experience.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Contemporary Biomedical Ethical Issues and Jewish Law
Fred Rosner, MD
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
0881259462 $29.50 www.ktav.com

New advances in biomedical technology and therapeutics have created a moral crisis in modern medicine, challenging options and creating new problems affecting the Jewish community in particular. This blend of spiritual, medical and Jewish insights addresses these concerns, survey ethical issues and Jewish law ranging from patient rights to informed consent and end-of-life options. College-level Jewish collections strong in medical surveys will find it a revealing, engrossing discussion.


The Self-Help Shelf

Will the Real You Please Stand Up?
Fran Harris, Ph.D.
Health Communications Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street, Deerfield, FL 33442-8190
0757305490 $19.95 www.hcibooks.com

What would it take to discover real happiness in life? The author has been an athlete, a personal coach, an ordained minister, and more: she blends here a spiritual and psychological set of insights on how to achieve life happiness in Will the Real You Please Stand Up? Chapters provide a 7-step program for spiritual enlightenment, success and happiness which rely on getting rid of selfish self-absorption, embracing spirituality, and letting go of past pain and illusions. A 'must' for any spiritual library and for any reader seeking spiritual answers to overcoming obstacles.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Mind Chronicles
Barbara Hand Clow
Bear & Company
c/o Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
1591430666 $22.00 www.InnerTraditions.com

THE MIND CHRONICLES: A VISIONARY GUIDE INTO PAST LIVES combines for the first time three books of The Mind Chronicles trilogy: EYE OF THE CENTAUR, HEART OF THE CHRISTOS, and SIGNET OF ATLANTIS. Having these all under one cover assures readers a uniform and easy reading of THE MIND CHRONICLES, covering initiations and secret ceremonies of the distant past.


The Art Shelf

The Artist's Muse
Betsy Dillard Stroud
North Light
c/o F&W Publications
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
1581808755 $26.99 www.fwpubs.com

THE ARTIST'S MUSE: UNLOCK THE DOOR TO YOUR CREATIVITY isn't just another book on the topic: it's an actual tool kit that pairs a book with three decks of cards with creative prompts for ideas. By mixing and matching the deck, artists will find about 15,000 inspiring ideas for better art, from paintings and new subjects to new color ideas. Any with a creative block will find THE ARTIST'S MUSE the perfect toolkit for unlocking the block – and while the card/book combo may not lend to library lending, it will provide working and aspiring artists with something they can't be without: a kit for ongoing inspiration.

You Can Draw Star Wars
Bonnie Burton
DK Publishing Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014-3658
075662343X $19.99 www.dk.com

The foundations of the penciling and drawing techniques needed to draw Star Wars characters is explained in an easy beginner's guide YOU CAN DRAW STAR WARS. Tutorials show how to draw all characters from droids to heros Obi-wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker, while foldout pages, overlays and stencils enhance the instruction. Perfect for any illustrator Star Wars fan who wants to learn from his heros.

Photofile titles
Thames & Hudson
500 – 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
$15.95 Each www.thamesandhudson.com

Thames and Hudson's 'Photofile' titles are outstanding: they each offer up some 60 pages of a portfolio of selected artists' works, with black and white shots and facing identification page making for a hit introduction lacking the usual detailed historical and biographical references. A succinct introduction for each serves this point – the rest of the book allows newcomers to examine the extent of each artists' work without interruption. Perfect for public libraries as well as art libraries is MAN RAY (9780500410653), HELMUT NEWTON (978500410691), HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON (9780500410608), and SEBASTIAO SALGARDO (9780500410860).

Circling Around Abstraction: Georgia O'Keeffe
Jonathan Stuhlman
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205, 74-2 Union Street, Manchester, VT 05254
0943411491 $50.00 www.hudsonhills.com

So much has already been written and published about Georgia O'Keeffe that one might wonder about the need for yet another book, but she's a celebrated pioneer and was the cor of a group of artists fostered by Alfred Stieglitz, and one of the first to develop her own abstract idiom. This narrows the usual generalist focus on O'Keeffe's art to cover her experiments with circular forms across her career, offering both well-known and rarely seen paintings. Two essays analyze O'Keeffe from a exhibition curator and museum curator's viewpoints. It's a pick that any serious college-level art library – even those with extensive references on O'Keeffe already – must have.

Material Journeys: Collecting African and Oceanic Art, 1945-2000
Christraud M. Geary & Stephanie Xatart
MFA Publications
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
0878467157 $35.00 www.mfa-publications.org

MATERIAL JOURNEYS is a strong pick for any college-level art library serious about African or Oceanic art representations. This catalogue of holdings comes from the Genevieve McMillan Collection and supplements a study of how African and oceanic arts were brought to Europe with the items in the McMillan Collection, using the collection as a foundation for examining collection strategies as a whole. Any interested in museum holdings, the arts, and African and Oceanic arts in particular will find it a powerful survey embracing many modern art debates, from issues of authenticity to the social, political and commercial forces underlying holding choices.


The World History Shelf

The Shock of the Old
David Edgerton
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10016-4314
0195322835 $26.00 www.oup.com

THE SHOCK OF THE OLD: TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBAL HISTORY SINCE 1900 draws some important connections between technological advancements and world history, drawing interconnected analysis of global history and issues of the arts, production, politics and war. This history here is surveyed with an emphasis on what people actually used from technology, rather than inventions: a focus which lends depth and some surprising revelations into the mix of analysis. SHOCK OF THE OLD is a top pick for college-level history holdings, but many a public library will find it is easy to digest, also.

Revolutionary Movements in World History
James V. DeFronzo, Editor
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
1851097937 $285.00 www.abc-clio.com

Revolutionary Movements in World History: From 1750 to the Present comes in two A-Z reference volumes, packing in nearly eighty alphabetically arranged entries on the most important revolutionary movements of the past two and a half centuries. There are essays covering revolution, counterrevolution, guerrilla warfare, terrorism, and associated political, cultural and social issues – and maps for different campaigns to accompany and clarify the photos and text history. The result is an accessible set of insights into revolutionary movements around the world throughout history – an indispensable, single-source reference high school and public reference collections alike will appreciate.


The Social Issues Shelf

Terror on the Highway
Paul Eberle
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
1591023793 $18.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

TERROR ON THE HIGHWAY: RAGE ON AMERICA'S ROADS considers all socio-economic classes involved in incidences of road rage on the highways, listing the signs of potential road-rage drivers, suggesting how to avoid problems, and covering the effects of traffic and tension on developing such drivers. From ways of making highways less stressful places to understanding human aggression and what encourages a hostile environment on the road, TERROR ON THE HIGHWAY is a pick for any college-level collection concerned with social issues and public safety – and for many a public library.

Bo-Kaap
Robyn Wilkinson and Astrid Kragolsen-Kille
Struik
80 McKenzie Street, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
1770072810 $169.95 www.amazon.com

Any collection interested in the history and culture of South Africa must have BO-KAAP: INSIDE CAPE TOWN'S MALAY QUARTER. It blends bright contemporary color photos of the peoples and sights of Cape Town's Malay section with a full coverage of religion, festivals, foods, and more. Any who would gain a sense for the Malay peoples will find it a revealing,

The Improving State of the World
Indur M. Goklany
Cato Institute
1800 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001
1930865996 $29.95 www.cato.org

Many believe that globalization and growth are degrading the environment and, ultimately, human desires, but THE IMPROVING STATE OF THE WORLD: WHY WE'RE LIVING LONGER, HEALTHIER, MORE COMFORTABLE LIVES ON A CLEANER PLANET is the first to analyze long-term trends from a range of indicators of environmental health, offering up data drawing important links between economic growth, technological change, and free trade – which have actually helped foster a 'cycle of progress' leading to improvements in the human condition. THE IMPROVING STATE OF THE WORLD is a milestone study highly recommended for college-level holdings strong on social issues and environmental and political affairs: it is especially recommended for college-level classroom debate and is unparalleled in its scope.

Targeted: Homeland Security and the Business of Immigration
Deepa Fernandes
Seven Stories Press
140 Watts Street, New York NY 100013
1583227288 $16.95 www.sevenstories.com

Targeted: Homeland Security and the Business of Immigration will reach college-level holdings and comes form an award-winning journalist and radio host who here examines the latest debates covering American border security. History, political and social analysis, and first-person narratives blend to cover not only known facts about immigrants and illegals, but reveals some shocking facts about corporate profits made during the business of Homeland Security. An excellent pick for any college-level survey of either immigrant or terrorism issues.

Human Rights Worldwide
Zehra F. Kabasakal Arat
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
1851097627 $55.00 www.abc-clio.com

Joining other volumes in ABC-CLIO's 'Contemporary World Issues' series is this survey of world human rights issues – a pick for any high school to college-level collection strong in human and social rights courses. Chapters offer full articles analyzing the foundation concerns of civil rights efforts around the world, offer biographical sketches of world leaders' efforts, and discuss labor and human rights, accountability, and issues of debate. This all will lend to classroom debate, making it also a recommended pick for assignments.

Enslaved: True Stories of Modern Day Slavery
Jesse Sage and Liora Kasten, Editors
Palgrave Macmillan
175 – 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010-7848
1403973245 $24.95 www.palgrave-usa.com

Slavery is often seen as a historical issue – but in fact human bondage is very prevalent today, as ENSLAVED shows with its collection of slave narratives written by both past and current slaves and slaveholders from Asia, Africa, the Mid-East and the U.S. 21st century human bondage isn't a common topic but it will prove a unique and involving one for any high school to college-level course in social issues.


The Islamic Studies Shelf

Voices of Islam vol. 1-5
Vincent J. Cornell, General Editor
Praeger Publishers
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 96881
0275987329 $450.00 www.praeger.com

Despite its world-wide prevalence, few Americans have had any contact with or knowledge of Islam – of those few, most consider it a religion alone. Many social and cultural factors are imbedded in the practices of Islam belief – and there's no better single place to understand all its ramifications than in the in-depth 5-volume set VOICES OF ISLAM, which gathers writings from across genres to explore all facets of Islamic culture. College-level collections with an interest in in-depth, definitive representation of Islamic belief will find VOICES OF ISLAM an essential addition to the collection: it covers Muslim spirituality, politics, sects, culture and gender relations, providing entire articles with bibliographic references rather than the usual A-Z encyclopedia collection one might expect from a 5-volume set. The result's an outstanding and well detailed exploration which deserves a premiere spot in any serious collection contending to hold Islamic studies titles.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

Money for Nothing
Saul Austerlitz
Continuum International Publishing Group
80 Maiden Lane, New York NY 10038
082641818X $24.95 www.continuumbooks.com

MONEY FOR NOTHING: A HISTORY OF THE MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE BEATLES TO THE WHITE STRIPES is a 'must' for any collection strong in media history. Such collections will find the narrowed focus on music videos to be involving: it covers the earliest days of the music video when fusions of animated films, Hollywood musicals and more preceded MTV clips. The blend of pop music and short films fostered by the Beatles would sweep the music world – but had its roots in early Hollywood history. From the development of music-backed promotional films to 1970s alternative experiments with the medium, MONEY FOR NOTHING is packed with insights perfect for college-level media history holdings.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Mental Health Provider's Guide to Managed Care
Leonard Reich and Andrew Kolbasovsky
W.W. Norton
500 – 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
0393705048 $24.95 www.wwnorton.com

MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER'S GUIDE TO MANAGED CARE: INDUSTRY INSIDERS REVEAL HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY PARTICIPATE AND PROFIT IN TODAY'S SYSTEM is a book recommended for both college-level health libraries and physicians who want to know about the pros and cons of working with managed care systems. In particular, it surveys how the managed care system can work for a doctor by considering the inner workings of the managed care system, combing nearly forty years of the authors' combined expertise and experience in the field to demonstrate how to work within such a system. An outstanding survey covers all major points, from obstacles to success.

Waiting for Daisy
Peggy Orenstein
Bloomsbury
175 – 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
1596910178 $23.95 www.bloomsburyusa.com

Author Peggy Orenstein entered marriage not sure she wanted to be a mother – years later she had done nearly everything possible to achieve that goal, undergoing treatments around the world and seeking both medical and spiritual answers while facing encounters others who both seek to have children and those who choose not to. WAITING FOR DAISY chronicles her journey and provides her blend of insights and funny observations, reading like a dramatic novel but packing in social, medical and psychological insights perfect for any general-interest lending library.

Understanding Pain
Harry J. Gould, III, MD, Ph.D.
Demos
386 Park Avenue South Suite 301, New York NY 10016
1932603581 $21.95 www.demosmedpub.com

Any suffering from chronic pain need this primer, which surveys different treatments for acute and chronic pain, provides forms for tracking conditions, and explores new findings on how the brain processes pain signals. Patients, caregivers, and any library catering to them will find UNDERSTANDING PAIN: WHAT IT IS, WHY IT HAPPENS, AND HOW IT'S MANAGED offers key insights into neurology often limited to health professionals – and enables patients to both understand and consider options in pain management. The discussions are technical, but include enough explanation to make them accessible to lay readers.

The Complete Holistic Guide to Working Out in the Gym
Yigal Pinchas, Ph.D.
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
155238215X www.uofcpress.com

Working out in the gym has become one of the most popular sports in the western world: it has become so popular that one can find many workout books and video instructionals on the market. What makes The Complete Holistic Guide to Working Out in the Gym different – and essential – is its focus on not just routines by their underlying concepts, tips on preventing injury, reaching training goals, and training more effectively. Chapters cover gym exercises for different parts of the body with a focus on these topics, making for a fine guide for any who workout and want to get the most from the gym – and for fitness libraries.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Untapped Riches
Susan and Anthony Cutaia with Robert Slater
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019
0814473962 $18.95 www.amacombooks.org

Most workers want to choose investments which eventually will give them more financial freedom – UNTAPPED RICHES offers many surprises linked to the benefits of home ownership, and shows how to build wealth using new mortgage instruments, flexible and 'smart' loans, and more. Here are some 40 wealth-building and wealth-protection strategies to achieve financial goals, discussions of 'bad' and 'good' debt, and plenty of financing insights: any general public lending library will want this.

Buying a Second Home
Craig Venezia
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
1413305563 $24.99 www.nolo.com

Second homes aren't just for the rich – they're for any who want to own a second piece of property whether it be for retirement or a getaway – and it can be easily done through use of BUYING A SECOND HOME, which identifies strategies from identifying locations and obtaining low-cost financing to taking advantage of taxes. An accompanying cd holds all the forms needed, while chapters walk you through all the options. Any general-interest investment collection or business library will find its practical approach invaluable.


The Business Shelf

HR and the New Hispanic Workforce
Louis E.V. Nevaer and Vaso Perimenis Ekstein
Davies-Black
1055 Joaquin Road, 2nd Floor, Mountain View, CA 94043
0891061894 $38.95 www.daviesblack.com

An explosion in Hispanic workers in this country makes books such as HR and the New Hispanic Workforce key to any in-depth treatment of HR issues and social change. Discussions here focus on how to blend the values Hispanics bring to the workplace with workforce goals and routines, discussing everything from the increased use of Spanish in the workplace to the need for new and different performance measurements and programs which reach into Hispanic communities. From benefits to daily work, Hispanic culture and needs affect businesses of all sizes: HR AND THE NEW HISPANIC WORKFORCE: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO CULTIVATING AND LEVERAGING EMPLOYEE SUCCESS is thus a 'must' for any serious business library.

You Call the Shots
Cameron Johnson with John David Mann
Free Press
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
141653606X $24.00 www.simonsays.com

Author Cameron Johnson began twelve successful businesses before he turned 21, so his YOU CALL THE SHOTS: SUCCEED YOUR WAY – AND LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT – WITH THE 19 ESSENTIAL SECRETS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP is more than just philosophy, but applied lessons learned from real life. The idea is to make a living doing what you love to do: YOU CALL THE SHOTS covers the secrets of successful start-up businesses, from understanding why start-ups fail and succeed to translating a good idea into a profitable venture. Business libraries and general-interest collections alike will find it a popular lend.

Know-How
Ram Charan
Crown Business
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
0307341518 $27.50 www.crownbusiness.com

Here's the new theory of leadership that links the skills and knowledge of individuals with talent with the psychological attributes of the successful leader. For over four decades Ram Charan has learned the reasons why leaders succeed and fail: KNOW-HOW: THE 8 SKILLS THAT SEPARATE PEOPLE WHO PERFORM FROM THOSE WHO DON'T is thus a culmination of his learning and offers up a formula for achievement based on understanding positioning, patterns of change, social systems, and developing working teams. A 'must' for any business library catering to managers.

Ethical Markets
Hazel Henderson
Chelsea Green
85 North Main Street #120, White River Junction, VT 05001
1933392231 $30.00 www.chelseagreen.com

Modern businesses who would conduct ethical operations must read ETHICAL MARKETS: GROWING THE GREEN ECONOMY, which is based on a popular television series and covers an 'alternative' business strategy rapidly moving into the mainstream. The green economy already exists, and ETHICAL MARKETS covers its foundations, from the impact and nature of community investing to shareholder activists enacting change from within. An inspirational, revealing survey, ETHICAL MARKETS needs to be part of any serious business library: it's a recipe for and predictor of the future.

The Progressive Discipline Handbook
Margie Mader-Clark & Attorney Lisa Guerin
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
141339561X $34.99 www.nolo.com

Business managers can learn how to couch troubled performers and increase productivity with The Progressive Discipline Handbook, which moves beyond the general advice guide to get down to the specifics of management. From learning how to identify problems early and decide when discipline is needed to engaging employees in cooperative production, this handbook is key for any manager – especially those who would guide effectively while avoiding lawsuits. A 'must' for any business library catering to managers.

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

Kathryn McKee, SPHR and Liz Guthridge's LEADING PEOPLE THROUGH DISASTERS: AN ACTION GUIDE (1576754200, $19.95) is the first book to focus on crisis management revolving around physical breakdowns, logistics issues, and economic impacts, considering the human factors involved in recovery. Chapters cover these human elements affecting business issues, form how to keep people safe and calm to how managers can handle employees' immediate and later psychological needs. It's a 'must' for any business library catering to management issues. Laury Hammel and Cun Denhart's GROWING LOCAL VALUE (1576753719, $12.00) is all about cultivating business relationships which benefit the community. Part of the 'Social Venture Network series' this guide uses real-world examples from major companies like Powell's Books to show how a business can be leveraged to benefit both community and profit concerns. Both are picks business collections will find popular lends.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Statistics for Veterinary and Animal Science, 2nd Edition
Aviva Petrie & Paul Watson
Blackwell Publishing
P.O. Box 570, Ames, IA 50010-0570
1405127813 $59.99 www.blackwellprofessional.com

Interpreting statistical information is a part of veterinary and animal science: college-level students will find Statistics for Veterinary and Animal Science, 2nd Edition the perfect text for handling and understanding numeral data and statistics in the fields of vet and animal science. You'd expect such a book to be loaded with calculations and math: it's actually written in a non-mathematical way to emphasize underlying concepts and how to interpret computer output, and comes with a cd containing the datasets used in the examples. An outstanding survey which assumes no prior knowledge of statistics, this is a top pick for any college collection strong in veterinary science.


The Landscaping Shelf

Building Outdoor Environments with Retaining Walls
Tina Skinner
Schiffer Publishing
48801 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
0764325426 $24.95 www.schifferbooks.com

If you're a homeowner seeking inspiration for an outdoor project, here's a gallery of backyards, entryways and landscaping options which packs in over two hundred color images of patio settings, courtyards, flower beds, and more. The focus is on retaining wall construction: walls that are functional and visually pleasing. An introduction offers some insights into soil reinforcement and setting but it's the color photos of such walls integrated into a variety of landscapes which makes Building Outdoor Environments with Retaining Walls a pick for any serious homeowner's or public library reference collection.


The Travel Shelf

World Party
Rough Guides
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
1843535289 $24.99 www.roughguides.com

If travel and partying is of interest, you can't go wrong with WORLD PARTY: THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE WORLD'S BEST FESTIVALS. It covers some of the key party places in the world, from Barbados to New Orleans and Africa, packing in color photos on every page with discussions of festival purpose, atmosphere, amenities, pros and cons. If you want to hone in on some of the best for advance planning, WORLD PARTY is for you – and if you're a public library with a contemporary travel section for lenders, it's a 'must' acquisition.

Dateline Mongolia
Michael Kohn
RDR Books
1487 Glen Avenue, Muskegon MI 49441
1571431551 $17.95 www.rdrbooks.com

Any reader looking for a blend of travelogue and cultural understanding will find Dateline Mongolia: An American Journalist in Nomad's Land fits the bill. It tells of the author's journeys through Mongolia and its cultural milieu, from turf wars between lamas and shamans to falcon poachers and exiled Buddhist leaders and child jockeys. His first-person encounters with the peoples of Mongolia bring to life the nation's peoples and culture like no other: any general lending collection strong in travel and cultural exploration – particular Asian cultures – will want this.

Cruising Guide to Hawaiian Islands, 2nd Edition
Carolyn and Bob Mehaffy
Paradise Cay Publications Inc.
Box 29, Arcata, CA 95518-0029
0939837730 $29.95 www.paracay.com

The authors spent over a year researching all harbors in the inhabited Hawaiian islands including Midway atoll, so their CRUISING GUIDE TO THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS comes from personal experience, not nautical charts and travel guides. This updated, revised edition offers detailed directions for locating anchorages, provides charts for each, hundreds of photos, and a short history of each destination. Its surveys of history, culture, weather, and nautical concerns leaves out nothing and is perfect for destination-bound sailors of all skills levels, and for nautical libraries strong in either Hawaiian travel or cruising.


The Audiobook Shelf

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

Andrew Britton's THE ASSASSIN (1423307399, $39.95) receives Christopher Lane's involving reading and provides the gripping story of one Ryan, who has presented the assassination of multiple world leaders in past years, but is a 'has been' – until U.S. intelligence needs him to counter an Iranian bombing in the U.S. a new weapon of catastrophic power has been stolen from Iraq and the showdown between Ryan and his nemesis William might change the world in this gripping audio tale. Michael Parker's THE FIFTH VIAL (1597370541, $38.95) provides a medical suspense thriller powered by J. Charles as it a follows a disgraced medical student who becomes a crime victim and a dying reclusive scientist's life-saving serum. Add a detective thriller into the mix and you have a gripping saga perfect for any who have appreciated Robin Cook and other 'medical thriller' reads. Nora Roberts writes as J.D. Robb for INNOCENT IN DEATH (1423316002, $38.95), receives Susan Ericksen's powerful narrative style, and provides an excellent murder mystery revolving around the death of a history teacher and one lieutenant Eve Dallas, who investigates with unusual findings. Jennifer Crusie's MANHUNTING (1423304977, $29.95) receives Renee Randman's warm voice and practiced voiceover polish as it tells of a brilliant businesswoman whose latest goal is to find the right man. Can one who has sworn off of ambitions be the perfect mate? A steady romance from unexpected sources emerges. Jayne Ann Krentz's WHITE LIES (1695002654, $34.95) is especially hard-hitting with a dual narration by Kathy Garver and David Colacci spicing the charged story of secrets, murder, and romance at the highest levels of an elite society. The investigation of conspiracy and murder that follows proves engrossing under this dual style. Claire Berlinski's LION EYES (1596002492, $29.95) receives Susan Ericksen's powerful style also, following a fictional author who is running away from an ex-boyfriend and Paris heat and who finds a correspondence with a mysterious Iranian admirer sends her to Istanbul and into trouble. Patry Francis' THE LIAR'S DIARY (1423321728, $36.95) receives Marie Caliendo's voice, which demonstrates her background as a theater actor and voiceover professional. These combined talents in dramatic representation pair well with the story of a suburban wife and mother who is drawn to a seductive woman whose world begins to undermine her family's stability. John Lescroart's THE SUSPECT (1423328515, $38.95) receives David Colacci's experienced, warm voice which brings to life this story of crime and justice in San Francisco. A homicide inspector's investigation of a murdered doctor's husband uncovers a high-profile case fraught with danger. Jeanne Ray's JULIE AND ROMEO (1423314360, $26.95) enjoys an unusual reading by the author herself who brings to life a novel of love found and possibly lost. Here the standard romance takes a contemporary twist as rival florists and bitter enemies face a forbidden family romance. Perfect for listeners of romantic fiction. Peri O'Shaughnessy's ACTS OF MALICE (1423314182, $38.95) receives Laural Merlington's warm voice and provides a unique legal thriller set against the backdrop of a ski resort. Nina here investigates a brother's death on the slopes – and defends his sibling, up for murder charges. Will her decision lead her to confront a psychopathic killer? All are outstanding audios highly recommended for public libraries.

HarperAudio
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
www.harperaudio.com 1-800-242-7737

Two powerful winners are top picks any lending library specializing in contemporary audios and charged dramas. Michael Crichton's NEXT (0060873094, $49.95) receives Dylan Baker's expert stage performance voice as it blends fact and fiction in a survey of the future of genetics and the present changes which the science is bringing to life. NEXT juxtaposes the bizarre with the new reality of science and poses questions on everything from choice to ethics in modern living. Tony Hillerman's THE SHAPE SHIFTER (0060578998, $29.95) receives George Guidall's professional and warm voice which lends well to this story of Joe's return to work by former colleagues of the Navajo Tribal Police, who ask him to solve a curious puzzle – his last own unsolved case. A priceless rug returns to bring mystery and murder into his life in this tense, absorbing thriller. All are top picks audio libraries will want.

Audio Editions
Auburn, CA 95604
www.audiopartners.com

Two new Agatha Christie murder mysteries are top picks for audio collections strong in mystery representations. SPARKLING CYANIDE (157270568X, $29.95) is spiced by Robin Bailey's warm and evocative narrative style as it tells of Rosemary, who dies from drinking cyanide at her own birthday party, and her husband's decision to regroup attendees to locate the murderer. A dangerous game is played when another murder results. Rosalind Ayres lends a warm voice to A POCKET FULL OF RYE (1572705574, $29.95), contributing her striking British warmth to the story of a wealthy financier's death, which involves Inspector Neele in the search of his career – which follows the plot of a children's poem. Both are excellent mysteries, perfect for lending libraries and Christie fans who want the power of an audio read to spice their penchant for mysteries. Theodore Bikel reads Isaac Bashevis Singer's GIMPEL THE FOOL AND OTHER STORIES (1572707290, $19.95), lending his talents as an internationally famous actor, guitarist and folk singer to a lively set of four stories centered around classic Yiddish folktales. Polish-Jewish culture comes to life in an audio packed with fun and lively insights: perfect for collections strong in Jewish cultural representation as well as for general-interest audiences. Steven Hiatt edits A GAME AS OLD AS EMPIRE (1572708352, $29.95), which is spiced by a warm reading by Erik Synnestvedt as it tells of global corruption, economic hit men, and other true history. From how the IMF and World Bank function to how cycles of debt and dependency are created, A GAME AS OLD AS EMPIRE offers many revelations. Both are excellent audio choices for discriminating collections.


The Political Science Shelf

The Silence of the Rational Center
Stefan Halper and Joanthan Clarke
Basic Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
0465011411 $26.95 www.basicbooks.com

While many are calling for alternatives to a buildup of troops in Iraq, few understand where such proposals come from and who shapes them. THE SILENCE OF THE RATIONAL CENTER: WHY AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY IS FAILING examines career professionals – academics, journalists, scholars and retired politicians – who are the real gatekeepers for foreign policy information. Public debate has taken second place to behind-the-scenes actions and influences: THE SILENCE OF THE RATIONAL CENTER seeks to examine these influences and consider how public voice can again help influence policy direction in the international community. It's a pick for both college-level collections strong in political science and general-interest holdings alike.

Hell and High Water
Joseph Romm
William Morrow
c/o HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
006117212X $24.95 www.harpercollins.com

Global warming is threatening the whole world, and HELL AND HIGH WATER is a wake-up call to the country, critiquing American environmental and energy policy and offering a call to action. It comes not from a politician but from an expert in science, business and politics, and provides a concrete plan of action to reduce emissions and adapt a nation-wide energy-efficient policy. Most books on the topic offer little more than rhetoric: this concrete game plan is a 'must' for any collection serious in global warming issues, whether it be at the college or public library level.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Martingale & Company
20245 – 144th Avenue NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
www.martingale-pub.com

Marcia L. Layton's CALENDAR KIDS: HANDPRINT QUILTS THROUGH THE YEAR (1564777022, $24.95) tells how to turn kids' quilts into keepsakes using large block patterns and projects which invite kids to learn quilting. Some fourteen such projects feature 'stamping' kids' hands on fabric with fabric paints, then using rickrack and other embellishments to liven them up. The combination of the familiar 'hand stamping' project with a quilting idea makes this perfect for parent/child interactions. Tammy Kelly's SNOWBALL QUILTS: COOL DESIGNS FROM AN EASY BLOCK (1564776964, $21.95) provides eight lovely quilts, from small to large wall and bed sizes, which use easy block patterns for construction. From fabric selection and materials to finished results, SNOWBALL QUILTS is packed with ideas. Heather Mulder Peterson's FAVORITE QUILTS FROM ANKA'S TREASURES (1564777146, $29.95) pairs a popular designer's inspirations with a grandmother's sewing legacy, blending old-time patterns and ideas with modern twists. The result is a fine blend of patchwork and fusible machine applique which can reach quilts at any level of skill – and a treasure trove of step-by-step projects based on family tradition. All are top picks for not only quilters, but any library holding strong in quilting projects.


The Library DVD Shelf

A&E Home Video
PO Box 2284, South Burlington, VT 05407-2284
www.aetv.com 1-888-646-3476

Three exceptional DVD packages are top picks for any discriminating DVD library, whether it be home or public library. For all the episodes of the TV series 'Secret Agent', choose SECRET AGENT AKA DANGER MAN: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION (0767093763, $149.95): it gathers everything from the 1965 series starting Patrick McGoohan – 86 episodes in all – and is presented in the original broadcast order, even including the original season that aired only in the U.K. as DANGER MAN. This alone makes the package an outstanding presentation for any fan of Secret Agent – and a pick for libraries seeking DVD representations of TV classics. DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER: BEST OF SEASON 3 (0767094549, $19.95) is a top pick for collections looking to represent popular contemporary TV shows: here are eight episodes from his many highly-rated third season bounty-hunting adventures, capturing high drama and poignant moments as his family team not only apprehends criminals and one of their own, but teaches compassion and change in the process. Fans of the TV British comedy Benny Hill now have a fine set to refer to in THE HILL'S ANGELS YEARS: BENNY HILL – COMPLETE & UNADULTERATED, SET SIX (0767092333, $49.95). These are the years 1986-89 – the final years of his show – and were never before seen in their entirety in the States, so this set again provides 'must have' episodes for any Benny Hill fan and many a newcomer. All are top picks for any comprehensive lending DVD library and certainly for home collections of avid TV viewers.

Janson Media
88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640
www.janson.com

Any library with an interest in J.R.R. Tolkien will want THE REAL MIDDLE EARTH ($24.95), a documentary that investigates the places, names, and worlds which helped shape Tolkien's Middle Earth. Was there a real 'shire' world in the English countryside which served as the model for Middle Earth? How did Tolkien use European languages to create his own language? The visuals on this DVD are stunning, the concepts lend great insight into the making of his classic world, and extra features include a profile of the official mapmaker of 'Lord of the Rings'' the team behind the epic film's special effects, and extended interviews with Tolkien scholars. An outstanding survey comes to life in audio. Liam Neeson narrates XAVIER: MISSIONARY & SAINT (9781568392354, $24.95), the story of a Jesuit missionary during the Age of Exploration who made a lasting impression on the world with his journeys and discoveries, yet died alone on a desolate island. His influence would change the Christian world and at last comes to light in XAVIER, a vivid and brilliant re-creation of his life and times. Both are top picks for DVD libraries.

The ABCs of Couple's Fitness
Razor Digital Entertainment
12031 Ventura Blvd. #3, Studio City, CA 91406
www.razordigitalent.com

If you're part of a couple who wants to participate in getting fit, then THE ABC'S OF COUPLE'S FITNESS: BASIC MOVES (1595523367, $14.99) is for you. It provides basic couples-oriented routines for thighs, chest, and abs in the form of some twelve couples-oriented routines. Here are sexy cool down sessions, Passion Stretch and other exercises which also add elements of romance and fun into the mix: something missing from many exercises routines, making it a perfect pick for couples who wish to exercise together. THE ABC'S OF COUPLE'S FITNESS: ADVANCED MOTIONS (1595523375, $14.99) adds further exercises – some fourteen in all – which also are geared for couples enjoyment. Both are top picks for any dvd exercise library catering to the whole family.

TruCompany
www.trucompany.com

Exercisers looking for cardio workouts geared to dance styles will find fitness instructor Lisa Nunziella offers just the ticket with her workout program "Dance With Lisa", a set of DVDs which use different dance styles to accent cardio efforts. HIP HOP CARDIO uses non-stop dance moves and hip-hop styles to blend a workout routine with dance movements designed to tone the body and produce a core workout. RED HOT SALSA MADE SIMPLE ($14.99) is an easy guide perfect for newcomers to salsa, covering Lisa and dancers who work out to Latin salsa classics with live percussion. RED HOT SALSA II: EXTRA HOT! MADE SIMPLE ($14.99) provides an advanced cardio workout that is centered around dancing and burning calories. It's a hot, spicy workout that breaks down steps key to burning calories: perfect for any dance-oriented exercise routine.

Ben Mikaelsen
$24.95 Each www.benmikaelsen.com

Storyteller and author Ben Mikaelsen brings his author presentations to DVD for school teachers and parents interested in education and youngster learning. Adults interested in education will appreciate POSITIVE TEACHING METHODS…WORKING WITH AT-RISK STUDENTS provides an overview of the teaching process for parents and teachers alike. And all ages will relish RESEARCH…FINDING THE 'HEART OF THE STORY', a presentation that delves into Mikaelsen's own challenges in creating his books to teach how storytelling translates into writing. Through his survey viewers receive insights into the finer points of storytelling and writing. BECOMING THE AUTHOR OF YOUR LIFE is for grades 3-8 and is directed to younger audiences, exploring the power of student writing and explaining how differences contribute to more powerful works. And HOW TO TELL A STORY…THAT WILL SCARE BEN'S SOCKS AND SHOES OFF is for PreK-3 and provides play-acting tips and slides. All are outstanding coverages for any who wold understand the links between writing and storytelling.

ADV Films
www.advfilms.com

LE CHEVALIER D'EON LIVRE 1: PSALM OF VENGEANCE (9781413914221, $29.98) is the first volume of Le Chevalier D'Eon, set in the time of Louis XV and based on the real spy. This first of a six-volume series blends movie quality with anime's finest features, creating a murder mystery story line and plenty of action to spice a hot new historical series that goes beyond the usual fantasy anime focus. A top pick for its action, adventure, and seamless production, LE CHEVALIER is a solid pick for any anime collection. BEST STUDENT COUNCIL (9781413914191, $29.98) provides an excellent high school comedy perfect for all ages, telling of the elite of Miyagami Academy and the funny antics of school encounters. This DVD received high ratings in Japan: here is Volume 1 of a projected series for American audiences. AIRGEAR: EAST SIDE SHOWDOWN (9781413914644, $29.98) is presented in an uncut version to provide the world of Storm Riders, where motor-powered inline skates called 'Air Trecks' take to the skies. A tough fighter who rules a school and violent gangs, four sexy sisters with a secret, and superpower battles mark a powerful debut for the first in a six-part anime adaptation of a manga classic. The story of UTAWARERUMONO: MASK OF A STRANGER ($29.98) revolves around a man gravely injured and abandoned in a forest where a kind girl nurses him back to health and introduces him to a strange world of angry gods and warfare. Can the masked stranger unlock his memories to aid his newfound friends? COYOTE RAGTIME SHOW ($29.98) packs in action and anime characters and was a hit in Japan last summer, so it's surprising to see it so quickly appearing in its first volume already. Sexy robot assassins and two sexy P.I.s involved in a prison break provide plenty of swift action. All are top picks for anime DVD collections.


The Literary Shelf

The Kitchen Sink
Albert Goldbarth
Graywolf Press
2402 University Avenue #203, St. Paul, MN 55114
1555974627 $26.00 www.graywolfpress.org

Dark, striking images and vivid weaving of words marks THE KITCHEN SINK: NEW AND SELECTED POEMS 1972-2007. Steeped in science, religion and human nature, these poems represent the culmination of a career and juxtapose highlights from across the spectrum of Goldbath's talents: "A train's been traveling through this poem,/and a bird is threading its way through the train,/and a berry is journeying through the bird,/is carrying the DNA of berries in infinitude." That train of inspiration is Albert Goldbarth: poets and fans of the genre should make the journey.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Tesseracts Ten
Robert Charles Wilson and Edo Van Belkom, Editors
Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
Box 1714, Calgary, Alberta T2P 217 Canada
1894063368 $20.95 www.edgewebsite.com

Each year a team of editors from the best of Canada's writers and publishers gathers innovative fiction and poetry from emerging writers in the world of Canadian speculative fiction, producing highly polished and original anthologies – and TESSERACTS TEN is no exception. Many of the names will be new and unfamiliar even to avid speculative fiction fans – which makes the collection's high quality even more exciting. Works by Robert Charles Wilson, Victoria Fisher, Matthew Johnson and more to name some top-notch contributors: a highly recommended pick for any serious science fiction library whether home or public lending library.

The Secret City
Carol Emshwiller
Tachyon Publications
1459 18th Street #139, San Francisco CA 94107
1892391449 $14.95 www.tachyonpublications.com

A handful of aliens stranded on earth and awaiting rescue reside in a stone city hidden in a mountain range – and they're running out of time. They've assimilated as a source of cheap labor to the human world – but rescuers arrive to change their enclave and will introduce both danger and romance into their quest for survival and the path home in a hard-hitting story highly recommended for any science fiction fan or library strong in science fiction novels.


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

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


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