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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 15, Number 5 May 2005 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Biography Shelf Criminology Shelf
Computer Shelf Artbook Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Science Shelf Travel Shelf Jobs/Careers Shelf
World History Shelf Political Science Shelf Cookbook Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Musicbook Shelf American History Shelf
Business Shelf Woodworking Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Literary Shelf Exercise Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Nautical Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Library CD Shelf Audiobook Shelf Homeowner's Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Psychology Shelf Human Sexuality Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Money/Finance Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Judaic Studies Shelf Gardening Shelf Journalism/Media Shelf
Military Shelf Library Science Shelf Economics Shelf
Judicial Studies Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf Poetry Shelf
Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Agricultural Studies Shelf Railroading Shelf
Education Shelf International Studies Shelf Sports Shelf
Hunting/Fishing Shelf Fiction Shelf Biology Shelf
Martial Arts Shelf Native American Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

Space Planes
Andrew Dewar
Periplus Editions/Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
0794602223 $15.95 tuttlepublishing.com

Space Planes: Paper Airplanes That Really Fly!, with it's punch-out plane samples, isn't appropriate for library lending; but that shouldn't keep it from the hands of consumers interested in planes and flights. Fifteen exciting space plane examples, from the Space Shuttle to the Mercury, are provided along with scale, original model kits which have been die-cut for minimal assembly time. Instructions for flying them are also included. A fun combination of lesson plan on space planes and game book for building them: all you need is glue and scissors.

Dover Publications, Inc.
31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, NY 11501
www.doverpublications.com

There are always a number of excellent Dover guides to choose from in the area of mythology and these latest releases are some winning reprints of classics. E. Nesbit's Book Of Dragons (0486436489, $6.95) provides some enchanting folk tales surrounding dragons and heroes who challenge them, reprinting a 1900 classic. An excellent set of classic tales. S.H. Hooke's Middle Eastern Mythology (048-6435512, $9.95) reprints a 1963 coverage discussing the role of mythology in ritual and images of the Middle East. Legends of Hittites, Egyptians and regional legends are all surveyed by a scholar who presents a documented discussion. Here it comes again: Thomas Bulfinch's classic Medieval Methology: The Age Of Chivalry (04-86436536, $5.95): a coverage which explores ideals of chivalry in Medieval myths. From King Arthur to Robin Hood and more, these are a host of vigorous tales under one cover. Jeremiah Curtin's Native American Creation Myths (04864-37361, $14.95) reprints an 1989 treatise by myth collector Jeremiah Curtin, who gathered myths and tales in the course of his work with the Smithsonian Institution. Two myth cycles developed by the Wintu and Yana groups of Indians are described in detail in this special edition of rare ideas. Remember ghost story writer Oliver Onions? It's been quite some time since his The Beckoning Fair One (0486436-470, $5.95) first appeared in 1911, but the story was one of the first contributing to ghost stories and has been heralded by Lovecraft and Blackwood as one of the best in the English language. W.B. Yeats' The Celtic Twilight: Faerie And Folklore (0486436578, $6.95) returns a 1902 work to print and expands Yeats' familiar poetry edge with a focus on his Irish folklore. Yeats was a leader in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: his affection for faerie is reflected in a gathering of stories recounted to the poet by his friends and neighbors. Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (0486428338, $14.95) receives noted illustrator Arthur Rackham's black and white and color illustratons throughout, returning a romantic comedy from 1908 to print complete with Rackham's signature embellishments. A gorgeous, affordable reprint of a classic.

New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
www.newworldlibrary.com

There's no one source of inspiration for Susan Chernak McElroy's All My Relations: Living With Animals As Teachers And Healers (1577314301, $14.95): indigenous wisdom, myths, science and personal encounters weave their distinct and separate influences on a title which celebrates contact between animals and people. McElroy discusses why people are receptive to stories, how they acknowledge human-animal bonds, and how people can enjoy a rejuvenating influence from animal encounters. All My Relations is recommended for anyone already interested in or involved with animals and nature. Peter Russell's From Science To God: A Physicist's Journey Into The Mystery Of Consciousness (1577314948, $12.95) provides a satisfying blend of spiritual and scientific reasoning, embedding an autobiography of scientist Russell's lifelong exploration of the nature of consciousness and move from atheism to spirituality with a survey of the scientific investigations which led to his transition. Essential food for thought.

Cowtoons
Bob Artley
Voyageur Press
123 North Second Street, Stillwater MN 55082-0338
www.voyageurpress.com
0896586146 $9.99 1-800-888-9653

Cowtoons is comprised of a series of Bob Artley's all-too-true tales of life on the farm which come to life in black and white sketches of cows and cow antics. 'Hilarious' is the only word appropriate to describe the zany descriptions provided by Artley, who covers everything from flies in the cow barn to new calves.

Chronicle Books
85 Second St., San Francisco CA 94105
www.chroniclebooks.com

Richard Evans Schultes explored the Amazon, earning the name as the 'father of ethnobotany' in a journey which began with his leave from Harvard in 1941, where he surveyed the Amazon basin for twelve years and lived among the tribes mapping rivers and working for the US government during WWII. His real passion was plants: over the period he collected and named 30,000 botanical specimens from the region, took hundreds of black and white photos of tribes and land, and in The Lost Amazon (0811845710, $35.00) finally receives the recognition he deserves. The Lost Amazon is an exhibition of his photos and notes, and the first major title to examine his works, providing an excellent introduction by his prot‚g‚ and fellow explorer Wade Davis and surveying his works with full-page photo reproductions. It's a winning production of high recommendation to any library specializing in armchair travel or exploration, or Amazon or botanical history. For a travel guide to San Francisco which depends only upon fancy footwork, choose Christina Henry de Tessan's City Walks: San Francisco (081184563X, $14.95) presents an unusual deck of cards format which provides a self-guided walking adventure with a map on one side and insider details on the other. Included in the suggestions are places to shop, walk, drink and eat, making City Walks: San Francisco the perfect take-along tote to pack for a visit.

Personal Security Handbook
Silver Lake Publishing
PO Box 29460, Los Angeles, CA 90029
www.silverlakepub.com
1563437759 $11.95 1-888-663-3091

Both personal and home security are increasing issues in our dangerous world - and The Personal Security Handbook tackles both, with chapters offering practical, tested tools for keeping both self and possessions safe, whether at work or at home. From physical security to online risks, disaster preparation, and watching out for encounters with strangers during travel, The Personal Security Handbook is one of the few to address all kinds of security issues pertaining to both possessions and self, and should be on the bookshelf of every consumer.

Being Dead Is No Excuse
Gayden Metcalfe & Charlotte Hays
Miramax Books
77 W. 66th St., NY, NY 10023-6298
1401359345 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Southern life and death receive close inspection and a healthy dose of humor in Being Dead Is No Excuse; The Official Southern Ladies Guide To Hosting The Perfect Funeral.. Traditional Southern recipes for casseroles, relishes, and 'funeral and wake food' dish up a healthy (or unhealthy, at times) dose of authentic Southern cooking and observation mixed with a pinch of humor. Plenty of social and cultural insights throughout.

Native To Nowhere
Timothy Beatley
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Ave. NW #300, Washington, DC 20009
www.islandpress.org
1559634537 $30.00 1-800-828-1302

What elements constitute a real community, and how is that sense of community changing in the wake of global connections? Timothy Beatley's Native To Nowhere: Sustaining Home And Community In A Global Age uses research and the author's own travels to communities across North America and Europe to examine concepts of place in modern life. Trends which have undermined these roots, new ideas set forth to maintain connections, and descriptions of designs, technological considerations, and new political structures for sustaining these modern ideas of community are all considered in chapters which will appeal to college-level students of social issues as well as concerned general-interest adult readers.

The Real History Behind The Da Vinci Code
Sharan Newman
Berkley Books
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com
0425200124 $15.00 1-800-847-5515

Readers of The Da Vinci Code who want more to contemplate will benefit from medieval scholar Sharan Newman's special expertise in The Real History Behind The Da Vinci Code: a guide which asks questions and reveals historical truths behind common myths. From the conspiracy to downplay the human and sexual sides of Jesus to the workings of the Opus Dei Awareness Network, or ODAN, The Real History Behind The Da Vinci Code probes many religious questions from the original bestseller.

Sourcebooks
1935 Brookdale Rd. #139, Naperville, IL 60563
www.sourcebooks.com

Three new titles provide important keys to understanding finances, business, and political savvy. Attorney Richard C. Busse's Fired, Laid Off Or Forced Out: A Complete Guide To Severance, Benefits And Your Rights When You're Starting Over (1572484594, $14.95) provides some important strategies to surviving a disciplinary action and changing an abusive work situation, from preventing termination to handling the termination itself and negotiating a severance agreement. Fired, Laid Off Or Forced Out! Doesn't just apply to the line worker either; from the factory to management, all levels of employee receives important advise. Carl Semmelroth's The Anger Habit In Relationships: A Communication Workbook For Relationships, Marriages And Partnerships (1402203578, $12.95) is the next title to turn to, providing a communication primer for all kinds of relationships; from partnerships and marriages to work. Exercises, case histories and advise come from a doctor and advise on how to handle everything from criticism and constant arguing to habitual unhappiness. Learn the underlying needs and motivations in anger situations and learn how to diffuse tension and address problems more realistically with The Anger Habit In Relationships. The staff of U.S. News and World Report provides parents with a realistic view of finances in What College Really Costs (1402203411, $17.95), providing step-by-step guidance for everything from long- and short-term savings plans to financial aid offers, education tax breaks, college tuition and fees and more. An added enhancement: survey of which colleges and universities give the most value for the dollar spent, which are cheapest and which priciest, and understanding the financial aid programs.

Collectors Press
Box 230986, Portland, OR 97281
www.collectorspress.com

Brian S. Alexander's Atomic Kitchen (1888054980, $19.95) isn't a collector's book per say: it's a showcase of the gadgets, cooking devices and kitchen utensils which appeared and often vanished during the 1950s, displaying original ads, packaging, and materials with a profile of 1950s housewife items. A fun, colorful survey of the housewife's heyday is packed with vintage ads and color illustrations for eye-catching memories. Jane Briggeman's Burlesque (1888054948, $39.95) comes from an author who spent years collecting stories and interviews from some of the greatest names in burlesque. Vintage ads, illustrations, and contemporary color photos pack a memorable celebration of burlesque's most notable moments. Vintage Prints (1888054972, $19.95) presents a poster art book for collectors who want affordable full-color lithographs printed on poster paper for a 11x14 frame. Ideal for a child's room or a children's bookseller, Vintage Prints profiles childhood art in a different manner.

Speed, Style And Beauty
Beverly Rae Kimes & Winston Goodfellow
MFA Publications
465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115
0878466851 $60.00 www.mfa.org

Fans of race car styling will relish Speed, Style And Beauty: Cars From The Ralph Lauren Collection, a gorgeous blend of lovely photos by Micahel Furman with texts by Beverly Kimes and Winson S. Goodfellow. Featured here are some of the most notable cars of the collection, from Bugattis and Aston Martins to Mercedes and McLaren. More than just a book display, Speed, Style And Beauty is a catalog for a major exhibition featuring almost thirty of these cars, and is the first to focus on the car as an art object in and of itself.


The Biography Shelf

Piano Girl
Robin Meloy Goldsby
Backbeat Books
600 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.backbeatbooks.com
0879308249 $22.95 1-866-222-5232

Piano Girl: Lessons In Life, Music And The Perfect Blue Hawaiian is Robin Meloy Goldsby's entertainting and occasionally mesmerizing memoir, tracing her "accidental" career as a cocktail lounge piano player. Her calling took her across the globe, from exclusive island resorts to third-world countries, and her story offers both musical insights into the art of piano playing and the life lessons she encountered on her unlikely path. Piano Girl also recounts the varied character of her audience, from the rich and famous to the down and out and everyone in between. Individual vignettes perfectly capture timeless moments in this enthralling and honest personal story.

War Movies
Wayne Karlin
Curbstone Press
321 Jackson St, Willimantic, CT 06226
193189616X $15.00 www.curbstone.org

War Movies: Journeys To Viet Nam, Scenes And Out-Takes is Wayne Karline's personal story of when he returned to Vietnam as a scriptwriter and actor in the award-winning Vietnamese film "Song of the Stork". A moving memoir that chronicles the connection between film and reality, as the author researches a war of the past even as a new war in Iraq rages during the present. Especially powerful in its contrast between younger and older generations of Vietnamese and Americans, War Movies is a skillfully told, highly recommended, insightful narrative.

Don't Fear The Big Dogs
Bill Vancil
Tate Publishing
3420 South Stone Creek Circle, Madison, WI 53719
www.tatepublishing.com
1933290374 $16.95 1-888-361-9473

Don't Fear The Big Dogs is the very personal story of executive vice-president and part-owner of five radio stations Bill Vancil, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2004. His determination to overcome the attack on his body marks this remarkable, can-do memoir, which also informs the reader of a scientifically advanced option to treat prostate cancer - a procedure called proton radiation therapy, offered at only a few places in America. Told in plain terms, Don't Fear The Big Dogs is filled cover to cover with personal inspiration, drive, and dedication.

Grape Man Of Texas
Sherrie S. McLeRoy & Roy E. Renfro
Eakin Press
PO Drawer 90159, Austin TX 78709-0159
www.eakinpress.com
1571688196 $39.95 1-800-880-8642

Grape Man Of Texas is the biography of Thomas V. Munson, a Texan credited with saving the world's grape crops from the scourge of "phyloxera" more than a century ago. The collaborative work of Sherrie S. McLeRoy (former museum curator and professional author) and Roy E. Renfro (Vice President, Resource Development, Grayson County, Texas), Grape Man Of Texas chronicles the life and work of a Texas horticulturist who, working from his North Texas base, was able to develop more than three hundred new grape varieties suited for production in the climates and terrains of the Southern United States, this was in addition to his innovative grafting of "vinifera" onto certain native Texas rootstocks and thereby achieving a means of keeping the growing of grapes as a viable commercial operation in the face of the "phyloxera" epidemic of the late 1800s which almost wiped out the world's grape production. Munson was awarded numerous accolades for his achievement, including the "Chevalier du Merite Agricole" in the French Legion of Honor. This informative, recommended biography is enhanced with vintage photographs and color reproductions of Munson's life and work.

Diego Rivera The Red
Guadalupe Rivera Marin
Arte Publico Press
University of Houston
452 Cullen Performance Hall, Houston, TX 77204-2004
www.artepublicopress.com
1558854347 $23.95 1-713-743-2999

Ably translated into English by Dick Gerdes, Diego Rivera The Red is written by Guadlupe Rivera Marin, the daughter of the renowned Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. Rivera's murals and paintings grace iconic buildings and cultural centers throughout Mexico as a result of his personal commitment to making his art available to the working-class people he so often portrayed in his works. In addition to his art, Rivera was also engaged in the struggle for societal change and became an active participant in the movements of his day, including fighting alongside the Zapatistas in the hills of southern Mexico and the socialist/anarchist revolutionaries on the streets of Barcelona and Paris. This 256-page biography of Marin includes his encounters with and attitudes towards such history making figures as Emiliano Zapata and Vladimir Lenin. Highly recommended and very informative reading, Diego Rivera The Red is the definitive biography of a most remarkably talented and quite passionately dedicated man of "interesting times" and accomplishments.

This Life I've Loved: An Autobiography
Isobel Field
Great West Books
PO Box 1028, Lafayette, CA 94549
www.greatwestbooks.com
0944220185 $18.95 www.amazon.com

Isobel Field was the stepdaughter of Robert Louis Stevenson and published her autobiography in 1937, covering her life from birth until 1894, when she was just 35. Her colorful life and memoir tells of moves between mining camps in Texan and Nevada, months spent in the art worlds of Europe, and her father author Robert Louis Stevenson. A lively first-person observational style throughout keeps the stories alert and spicy.

In Black And White
Wil Haygood
Billboard Books/Watson-Guptill
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
www.wgpub.com
0823083950 $19.95 1-800-451-1741

Wil Haywood, staff writer for the Washington Post, won the 2004 Hurston-Wright Legacy Award in Nonfiction, plus a host of other awards for In Black And White: The Life Of Sammy Davis Jr., so it's only fitting his impressive and entertaining biography of the life of Sammy Davis Jr. be reprinted in paperback to reach new generations of audiences with his award-winning life of one of America's most popular and versatile performers and entertainers of the 20th Century.

The Reluctant Spiritualist
Nancy Rubin Stuart
Harcourt Trade
15 East 26th St., New York NY 10010
www.harcourtbooks.com
0151010137 $25.00 1-800-543-1918

It began as a prank where Maggie Fox and her sister rapped out messages from the 'spirit world' in 1948 and soon lead to a vast movement of believers in the otherworld - a movement Fox eventually denounced forty years later, revealing her hoax. Maggie Fox's life, prank, and phenomenon is revealed in The Reluctant Spiritualist, a powerful biographical coverage surveying not just her prank and its powers, but the famous people of her era who became engrossed in the promise of tangible evidence of an afterlife.

Full Bloom
Hunter Drohojowska-Philip
W.W. Norton
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com
0393058530 $35.00 1-800-233-4830

Georgia O'Keeffe has had numerous books written about her, focusing on both her art and her life; but few have the impact and narrowed focus of Full Bloom: The Art And Life Of Georgia O'Keeffe, discussing the passionate physical and artistic relationship of O'Keeffe and art photographer Alfred Stieglitz. O'Keeffe's works, letters, and dozens of interviews blend with Drohojowska-Philip's unique opportunity as the first biographer to have access to the complete catalogue of O'Keeffe's works as well as access to Dorothy Norman. The result is a biography with more depth than most.

Greenwood Publishing Group
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
1-800-225-5800 www.greenwood.com

Greenwood's fine biographical series covers everything from notable modern figures to historically significant contributors to science, politics and literature: these recent arrives are some top picks for high school to college-level collections. Baseball fans will welcome Bruce Markusen's Ted Williams (0313328676, $29.95), sure to be a lasting reference of the top baseball hitter. Williams was the last player to hit .400 in the Major Leagues and his biography cover his batting wins, his service in two wars, and his Major League highlights. Also a baseball winner, Lou Gehrig is profiled in William C. Kashatus' biography (0313328668, $29.95), telling of a player whose record for consecutive games stood for decades until broken in 1995. While most recall him for the disease which claims his life, his baseball record is also of more than passing note. Michael Dittman's Jack Kerouac (03133-28366, $29.95) tells of a literary figure who became a cultural icon in the 19t0s, sparking a newfound interest in literature among young people. Kerouac is identified with the Beat movement, utilized many of his own life events in some of his finest works, and yet remains shrouded in myth in many similar coverages. Michael Dittman focuses on the facts surrounding his life and literature and provides many alternative views of these events which students should find intriguing. Patricia Cronin Marcello's Ralph Nader (031333-0042, $29.95) provides an excellent biography of a politician who is certain to be a lasting figure. Nader is known for advocating citizen rights and safety: his work in politics has been long-time and this biography of his life promises lasting interest. Marilyn Bailey Ogilvie's Marie Curie (0313325294) tells of one of the most important women scientists in history - and one of the most influential in the 20th century. Her work on radiation - which eventually killed her - led to the discovery of two new elements and won her two Nobel Prizes, and her enigmatic personality also is explored here.


The Criminology Shelf

Fleecing Grandma & Grandpa
Betty L. Alt & Sandra K. Wells
Praeger Publishers
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
0275981797 $34.95 greenwood.com

The elderly are particularly susceptible to scams and cons and new ones pop up each day: that's why Fleecing Grandma And Grandpa: Protecting Against Scams, Cons, And Frauds is so important as a basic consumer reference: it covers everything from identity theft and telemarketing fraud to caregiver scams, it follows case histories and descriptions with preventative advice, and its absorption will make for a more savvy senior.

Cracking More Cases
Dr. Henry C. Lee & Thomas W. O'Neil
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Dr., Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
1591021995 $26.00 1-800-421-0351

While other books probe forensic techniques in crime-solving, Cracking More Cases: The Forensic Science Of Solving Crimes: The Michael Skakel-martha Moxley Case, The Jonbenet Ramsey Case And Many More! probes some of the cases of one of the 'legends' in his industry, Dr. Henry C. Lee, presenting his personal descriptions of his work on five puzzling homicide cases. The entire process from initial puzzle to final conclusion is presented in a set of case histories capturing the gripping moments of forensic science. Cracking More Cases is especially commended reading for fans of the CSI series and students of Forensic Medicine.

Arcata Eye
PO Box 451, Arcata, CA 95521-0451
www.arcataeye.com

Crime logs: you may have them in your own local paper, often buried towards the back pages and dutifully recounting all reported crimes from stick-ups to graffiti and drunks. Well, there's more to it than simple narration of criminals and victims, especially if the "Arcata Eye" and Kevin L. Hoover are involved. The Police Log (0974766208, $12.95), taken from the pages of the Arcata Eye, adds an extra dose of insight to reports: "Imagine the creep-out factor: a resident of the 1600 block of 11th Street went out to her car and found the door opened and the inside rummaged through. What scaly, wraithlike hands had passed over her stuff?" Arranged by type of crime reported, from 'Critters' to 'Love', The Police Log alternate poignant observation with laughs. Want more? Then his Police Log II: The Nimrod Imbroglios (0974766216, $16.95) is the item of choice, providing even more laughs and oddities from the small California town of Arcata's police logs. It's an offbeat brand of media humor evident in these wonderfully refreshing slices of honesty from the police logs of life, and you don't have to be from Arcata to get the jokes, either.


The Computer Shelf

Real-Time Cinematography For Games
Brian Hawkins
Charles River Media
10 Downer Ave., Hingham, MA 02043
1584503084 $49.95 charlesriver.com

Modern game player expect high-tech cinematography in their games, which demands game programmers understand the basics of lighting, camera positioning, and more. If it's a brush-up on the basics and insights into how programmer translates into high-quality real-time gaming which is needed, then Brian Hawkins' Real-time Cinematography For Games is your ticket. Hawkins is well versed in using scripted character animation and game development routines: his expertise translates to technical discussions which explain how to translate programming techniques into effective games. Programmers who have basic programming and graphics concepts down already will find Real-Time Cinematography takes the next step.

Cisco Press
800 E. 96th St., Indianapolis IN 46240
www.itu.int/publications

Paul Giralt, Addis Hallmark and Anne Smith's A Cisco Avvid Solution: Troubleshooting Cisco IP Telephony (1587050-757, $60.00) isn't for the faint of heart: it's a solution-oriented technical reference of master troubleshooting techniques for Cisco IP Telephony professionals, covering methodologies for all parts of telephony, IP phones, Call Manager, gateways and more. Learn what troubleshooting tools are out there and how they work, learn to resolve gateway problems using a successful breakdown strategy, and uncover the causes of problems before they limit a system using A Cisco Avvid Solution's in-depth technical specs. For a handy companion volume on the topic, choose Stephanie L. Carhee's The Road To IP Telephony: How Cisco Systems Migrated From PBX To IP Telephony (1587200-880, $34.95), a survey of how Cisco successfully moved its own organization to a coverged networking system. This isn't just a history: it covers what worked, what didn't, and how the decision was made to move to IP Telephony for the first time. In understanding the paths Cisco choose to make its move, similar businesses can learn from experience - and managers will learn how to manage the process of change.

Aggressive Network Self-Defense
Neil R. Wyler, Tech Editor
Syngress Press
800 Hingham St., Rockland, MA 02370
1931836205 $49.95 www.syngress.com

Most computer security books focus on how to defend a computer system or network from outside attack: that's the basic difference between them and Neil R. Wylder's Aggressive Network Self-Defense: I'm Mad As Hell, And I'm Not Gonna Take It Anymore! The focus here is on the technical, legal and financial ramifications of a 'strike-back' and 'active defense' program which promotes doing more than just defense. Chapters cover 'cyber dogfights' between hackers and defender/attackers, offers up tales of revenge and following the trail of an attacker, accounts of fights at different network levels, and stories of problem-solving in network attacks. Both fictional and many real-life scenarios are covered, with plenty of technical computer detail. A lively, satisfying book for all levels of computer user, but particularly administrators who want to do more than just defend.

New Riders
800 E 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240
www.newriders.com

Two excellent guides are recommended picks. Catherine Seda's Search Engine Advertising: Buying Your Way To The Top To Increase Sales (0735713995, $29.99) tells how to use a combination of keywords, paid placement programs, and search engines to use the internet to reach the right customers. The emphasis isn't just on creating new revenue sources, but on tracking it, monitoring profits, and protecting a site from fraud. Programmers interested in game programming will relish Wendy Stahler, Dustin Clingman and Kaveh Kahrizi's Beginning Math And Physics For Game Programmers (0735713-901, $45.00), focusing on the basic elements necessary to program games. Chapters consider 3D simulation environments and the math concepts backing them, key formulas used for game development. C++ routines, and more, including exercises with each section, an answer key, and an approach which hones not only math and physics but programming skills. A 'must' for any beginning to program games.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 Idea Kit
Lisa Matthews
Adobe Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
0321270797 $19.99 1-800-428-5331

Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 Idea Kit is a slim but idea-packed sourcebook of creative applications and tips, tricks, and techniques for getting the most out of Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0. Written by Adobe Systems insider Lisa Matthews, Idea Kit is packed with full-color illustrations revealing its tips, tricks, and techniques from how to remove red-eye and touch-up photos to applying ready-made templates on the accompanying CD-ROM to create stickers, T-shirts, and tattoos, and much more. Straightforward instructions clarify everything from basic functions to design tips such as the "rule of thirds" for shooting panoramic images to be merged and much more. A superb introduction to what Adobe Photoshop is capable of.

Alpha/Penguin Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
$19.95 Each www.idiotsguides.com

Two new 'Complete Idioit's Guide' titles are designed to provide step-by-step instructions any idiot could understand. Ron Black's Project Management With Microsoft Project 2003 (1592573088) covers all the basics for handling Microsoft Project 2003, 2000 and 2002, providing updated terms, tips for approaching workgroup projects and communication requirements, and project presentation. Chapters show how to both operate the application itself and get the most from project goals. Barbara Weltman's Starting An eBay Business (1592-573339) covers all the basics of starting an online ebay business, from insurance coverage and handling sales tax quirks between states to advertising, promotion, accepting and pursuing payments and more. Those who recall the old ebay auction-only model will find much changed: you can now set up a shop with fixed prices on ebay and Starting An eBay Business covers both stores and auction formats.

Struts Recipes
George Franciscus & Danilo Gurovich
Manning Publications Company
209 Bruce Park Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830
1932394249 $44.95 www.manning.com

J2EE consultant and Struts authority George Franciscus and web engineer Danilo Gurovich present Struts Recipes, a programming guide written especially for developers and architects who need to craft secure, robust, and maintainable applications, particularly for business or commercial use. Chapters instruct the reader in how to unit test an application for function, performance, and coverage; how to make an application secure; how to integrate with Hibernate; dealing with exceptions; generating alternative views with PDF and XSL; how to design a layered Struts application; and much more. Each offered recipe is designed to be adaptable to the user's need, as well as speedy to learn and apply, and the list of recommended "best practices" such as "Do not use wild cards in Ant scripts" and "Prefer classes over interfaces to store constants" will keep one's code legible and easily modifiable to co-workers, assistants or successors. A "must-have" for any serious-minded Struts programmer.

Fun with Photoshop Elements 3
Rhoda Grossman
Sams Publishing
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96h Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
0672327309 $24.99 1-800-428-5331

Photoshop expert Rhoda Grossman's Fun With Photoshop Elements 3: Foto-Fak-ery For Everyone superbly showcases just what can be done for fun with Photoshop! Extraordinarily informative, even the most novice user of Photoshop software can immediately engage the program and turn out fun and useful projects. Readers will learn all about key Photoshop Elements tools in a thoroughly "user friendly" and hands-on approach. Sidebars provide additional information for Photoshop CS users. The diverse projects provided as learning templates and examples include: combining the best elements of two photos into one finished image; head transplants; background switches; extreme makeovers for your face, clothes, and home; grafting animal images together to create comical beasts undreamed of through evolution; editing people into and out of images; creating artistic greeting cards, outrageous T-shirts, personalized calendars, phony product labels, fake street signs and so much more. 224 pages.

O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Highway N, Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
1-800-998-9938 www.oreilly.com

These excellent new references will find good homes with computer users seeking solutions to common problems, and practical applications. Matthew MacDonald's Excel: The Missing Manual (0596006-640, $39.95) provides exceptionally clear details, from how to understand spreadsheets and what separates a professional one from an amateur effort, to tips on writing formulas and use functions, and understanding how Excel can interact with other programs. Excel: The Missing Manual covers versions 2002 and 2003, and is simply packed with screen shot examples, tips to tracking down templates and creating effective charts, and advanced functions such as pivot tables and VBA language. Very highly recommended. Tara Calishain and Rael Dornfest's Google Hacks (0586008570, $24.95) tells how to work more effectively with Google's unique search engine, how to pull results from difficult places using advanced Google web functions, and how to understand how Google ranks web sites for searches. Either frequent internet searchers or website builders will find Google Hacks an essential guide. If you want to learn more about computer history, don't miss Andy Hertzfeld's excellent Revolution In The Valley: The Insanely Great Story Of How The Mac Was Made (0596007191, $24.95): the development of Macintosh is followed from its inception as an underground research project in 1979 to its introduction in the 1980s. This isn't just an outsider's view: author Andy Hertzfeld was a core member of the team that built the Mac's systems, one of the few to work with Steve Jobs, and one of the pulses of the system: add color photos and lively, personable writing style and you have a history any Mac enthusiast will relish. Michael D. Bauer's Linux Server Security (0596006705, $44.95) isn't for the casual learner; it's a computer toolbox in a book offering intermediate Linux system users a second edition of a classic, adding numerous new security topics and discussions of encryption and mail delivery processes for Linux system administrators and server hsts alike. You don't have to have a security background to use Linux Server Security: just a working familiarity with the system overall. Preston Gralla's Internet Annoyances (0596007353, $24.95) covers all the possible annoyances of navigating the web; from spam and spyware to thwarting hackers and troubleshooting connections with both cable and DSL. The emphasis on real-world common gripes and solutions makes for a practical application guide. Kathy Iens' Home Networking Annoyances (0596008082, $24.95) accomplishes the same for home networking problems, from hardware and wireless problems to fighting worms, hackers, and more. From problems in saving database files and communications to issues revolving around creating a mapped drive, Home Networking Annoyances is packed with common problems and solutions in a question/answer format lending to easy look-up. Patrick Collandre's Creating Photomontages With Photoshop: A Designer's Notebook (0596008589, $24.95) is a recommended reference for advanced Photoshop users who have the basics down: photomontages are multiple images skillfully combined to provide new thought-provoking results, and William Rodamor translates from its original French an extraordinary feast of Photoshop photomontage results from a variety of leading French artists, using the projects to demonstrate execution steps and the finer art of special effects.


The Artbook Shelf

Edward Hopper's New York
Avis Berman
Pomegranate Communications, Inc.
Box 808022, Petaluma, CA 94975-8022
www.pomegranate.com
0764931547 $30.00 1-800-227-1428

With an informed and informative text by New York resident, writer and art historian Avis Berman, Edward Hopper's New York showcases more than 50 color and b/w paintings, etchings and drawings focusing exclusively on famed artist's Edward Hopper's New York City inspired artwork. Many of the artworks have a paragraph of commentary exclusive to them, but the overall narrative tour continues from cover to cover. Realistic in its artistic style, with a slightly softer than life texture to the paintings that is just about the only thing that prevents one from mistaking them for photographs, Edward Hopper's New York is a unique tour of the city itself.

April Gornik
Donald Kuspit & Dede Young
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205, 74-2 Union Street, Manchester, VT 05254
1555952038 $50.00 hudsonhills.com

April Gornik: Paintings And Drawings is a collaboration between the Neuberger Museum of Art (Purchase, New York) and the Hudson Hills Press. Featuring an informative essay Fictional Freedom: April Gornik's Landscapes by distinguished art critic Donald Kuspit, and a conversation by Dede Young (curator of Modern and contemporary Art for the Neuberger Museum of Art) with April Gornik on and about here work, this superbly presented 167-page monograph beautifully showcases April Gornik's stunningly impressive ethereal landscapes, flawless technical skills, and her own unique "inner eye" as an artist revealing here aesthetic interpretation of natural images. Additionally enhanced with listings of exhibitions, collections, awards, bibliography, and an index, April Gornik is an important, core addition to personal and academic 20th Century Art History collections.

Artist's Materials
Lorraine Harrison
Firefly Books Ltd.
4 Daybreak Lane, Westport, CT 06880
www.fireflybooks.com
1552979954 $35.00 1-800-387-5085

Artists receive a comprehensive, in-depth guide to the range of materials used today, from applicability to specific kinds of projects to various techniques specific to different mediums, from blending and mixing colors to layering applications on different papers. What sets Lorraine Harrison's Artist's Materials: All The Materials You Will Ever Need To Make Art apart from competitors is a powerful visual approach which illustrates the results of techniques and materials applications.

The Art Of Charles Partridge Adams
Dorothy Dines, et al.
Fulcrum Publishing
350 Indiana Street, #350, Golden, CO 80401-5093
www.fulcrum-books.com
1555915434 $24.95 1-800-992-2908

Charles Partridge Adams was a major Colorado landscape painter during the 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on the mountains and plains of his area and producing Colorado landscapes which earned him acclaim. The collaborative effort of Dorothy Dines, Stephen J. Leonard, and Stanley L. Cuba, The Art Of Charles Partridge Adams reproduces some ninety of his works of Colorado, California, New England and Europe alike, including some preliminary sketches and journal selections to round out the offerings. A lively tribute to Adams and his life's work

Tim Hawkinson
Lawrence Rinder, et al.
Whitney Museum of American Art
c/o Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
100 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
www.abramsbooks.com
0874271444 $60.00 1-800-759-0190

Painter, sculpture, photographer, printmaker, and multi-media artist Tim Hawkinson is primarily known for his large-scale kinetic and sound-producing works. He has also created such eccentric art as a bird skeleton utilizing his own fingernail parings, a latex cast of his body inflated with air, and clocks fashioned from a Coke can, a manila envelope, and a toothpaste tube. Now for the first time, modern art enthusiasts can explore the art of this exceptional and versatile American artist in Tim Hawkinson by Lawrence Rinder (Adjunct Curator, Whitney Museum of American Art). Assisted by Howard N. Fox (Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and Doug Harvey (art critic and writer for LA Weekly), Rinder has compiled this accompaniment to the display of Hawkinson's art and artistry showcased in an exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. The 250 color illustrations are enhanced with three informed and informative essays, along with the artist's own commentary on more than 150 of his diverse, often ground-breaking work. Tim Hawkinson is an impressive contribution to both academic and community library Contemporary American Art History collections.

The Garden Of Art
Don Kerr
University of Calgary Press
2500 Unviersity Drive, NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1N4
www.uofcpress.com
1552381226 $29.95 1-800-565-3770

Artist Vic Cicansky has been creating garden sculptures which are whimsical and fun, for over forty years: The Garden Of Art: Vic Cicansky, Sculptor celebrates his style with a biographical and artistic coverage: the first book-length treatment of his work. Undoubtedly there will be many who will not have heard of Cicansky: don't let that stop you: pages come packed with black and white and color examples of the man and his many works, while text fills in biographical and artistic insights.

David Aronson
Asher D. Biemann
Pucker Art Publications
c/o Syracuse University Press (dist.)
1600 Jamesville Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210
www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu
1879985128 $90.00 1-800-365-8929

David Aronson: Paintings, Drawings, Sculpture is a truly beautiful, full-color coffee table book displaying and showcasing the artistic creations of David Aronson, an immigrant artist of Jewish background and cultural heritage who has deftly incorporated Christological, Jewish, mystical and modernist motifs. Works from 1946 to 2002 fill the pages of this fantastic volume, surely the next best thing to viewing Aronson's art in person. Most of the pages are devoted entirely to pictures of art, many of which have a soft blurred color tone and fuzzy delineations that give them a feel of transition between the borders of existential planes. A medium-length essay by Dr. Asher Biemann, Assistant Professor for Modern Jewish Thought at the University of Virginia, and a transcript of a 1967 lecture by Aronson himself round out this superb volume.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Casting Directors' Secrets
Ginger Howard Friedman
Limelight Editions
118 East 30th St., New York, NY 10016
www.limelighteditions.com
0879103094 $16.95 1-800-554-0626

Now in a newly updated and significantly expanded edition, Casting Directors' Secrets: Inside Tips For Successful Auditions by actress, acting teacher, concert producers, and Broadway casting director Ginger Howard Friedman is a wide-ranging manual packed with welcome advice on everything from audition etiquette to choosing and performing monologues, effective use of the voice and body, "ice cold" readings, conquering callbacks, keeping realistic expectations and much more. The no-nonsense style of writing will instantly appeal to career-minded acting professionals and casually interested lay readers alike. An extremely practical, plain-terms handbook strongly recommended for aspiring actors everywhere, Casting Directors' Secrets offers no-frills straight talk on an often mystifying process.

Ridiculous!
David Kaufman
Applause Theatre Books
c/o Hal Leonard Corporation
151 W. 46th Street, 8th fl , NY, NY 10036
www.applausepub.com
155783637X $26.95 1-800-637-2852

Ridiculous!: The Theatrical Life And Times Of Charles Ludlam is the award-winning biography of an especially talented man who first appeared in in an Off-Broadway production in the early 1960s and continued with a theatrical passion until his untimely death from AIDS in 1987 at the age of 44. Ludlam's theatrical genius included a pioneer of drag performance, a practice since adopted into mainstream entertainment and comedy. Ludlam's exuberant personality is wondrously captured through meticulous detail, numerous quotes from those who knew him, and insert sections of black-and-white photographs. An impressive life's record of an entertainer whose flair for life itself cannot be underestimated.

The Yakuza Movie Book
Mark Schilling
Stone Bridge Press
PO Box 8208, Berkeley, CA 94707
www.stonebridge.com
1880656760 $19.95 1-800-947-7271

A resident of Japan and a teacher of Japanese film at Tokyo International University, Mark Schilling has also been reviewing films for the "Japan Times" since 1989. He brings that special expertise to bear in The Yakuza Movie Book: A Guide To Japanese Gangster Films. Filled with director profiles and interviews, actor profiles and interviews, 123 film reviews, and black-and-white photographs, The Yakuza Movie Book is an absolute "must-have" for anyone enthusiastically interested in Japan's underworld as depicted on the cinema screen. A guide to finding films on video and DVD as well as a bibliography and glossary round out this excellent and literate guide written by a connoisseur, for connoisseurs.

Everything Was Possible
Ted Chapin
Applause Books
151 W. 46th St., New York NY 10036
www.applausepub.com
1557836531 $17.95 1-800-637-2852

Recommended for fans of the musical is one of the best books you'll see on how major Broadway production was created: Ted Chapin's Everything Was Possible: The Birth Of The Musical Follies. Chapin's insider's account tells a bewitching story of the musical's evolution, from its initial casting to rehearsals, growth, and the fostering of stars. All the roots of a major Broadway production are clarified and given lively analysis, with plenty of first-person insights and observations throughout. The next best thing to attending a Broadway musical in production!

Encyclopedia Of Superheroes On Film And Television
John Kenneth Muir
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
0786417234 $59.95 1-800-253-2187

Most coverages of superheroes focus on comic books and illustrators for the comic book world. John Kenneth Muir's Encyclopedia Of Superheroes On Film And Television narrows the focus to film and television superheroes, with entries by show discussing shows ranging from short-run productions like 'Isis' to 'M.A.N.T.I.S', 'Shazam!' and more. Each film and show receives critical quotes, overviews of plot and premise, cast and crew listings, and seasonal episode overviews. An excellent and recommended reference for film and television buffs.

Hollywood In Wide Angle
Jack Rothman
Scarecrow Press
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.scarecrowpress.com
081085015X $24.95 1-800-462-6420

Hollywood In Wide Angle: How Directors View Filmmaking is a fascinating, insightful, and at times very blunt view of the ins and outs of the film trade specifically from the view of more than thirty directors, all interviewed by social scientist Jack Rothman with the guarantee their responses would remain anonymous. The result is a bitingly canded of everything wrong in the American film industry today, and perhaps the occasional acknowledgement of the few things that have not completely soured yet. From regret over award-winning foreign films that are shown in barely 2 theaters in the U.S., to reactions to studio's emphasis on the bottom line that puts increasing pressure and control, forcing directors to shoot in other nations or to modify the film according to audience testing, to the practice of replacing seasoned or visionary directors with "shooters" - young kids straight out of film school who will work for less and be easier to control - Hollywood In Wide Angle dishes out the dirt and offers a hard, realistic look at the industry. Fascinating for the lay reader, and an absolute must-read for anyone interested in getting into the director trade - there is no better place to learn about the hard knocks of directing short of interviewing 30 directors personally.


The Science Shelf

The Volcano Adventure Guide
Rosaly Lopes
Cambridge University Press
40 West 20th St., NY, NY 10011-4211
www.cambridge.org
0521554535 $50.00 1-800-872-7423

The Volcano Adventure Guide by Rosaly Lopes (a planetary volcanism expert for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California) is a marvel for both amateur volcano enthusiasts and professional volcanologists. Written especially for those who desire to personally explore volcanoes without being foolish or taking reckless risks, chapters are packed with advice for preparing for a volcano trip, including how to avoid common dangers, contact details for societies and holiday companies offering volcano tours, geological and travel maps, tour descriptions of 42 different volcanoes and much more. As enjoyable for the armchair traveler as it is for the gung-ho enthusiast determined to see a volcano up close and personal, The Volcano Adventure Guide is a delight enhanced with full-color photographs cover to cover.

Fossil Revolution
Douglas Palmer
HarperUK/Trafalgar Square, dist.
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
0007118287 $29.95 1-800-423-4525

Fossil discoveries have changed our ideas of Earth's history and the nature of humanity itself: yet modern man wasn't the only one who appreciated fossils: early man collected them too. Fossil Revolution documents the particular finds that helped change views of the past and world history, packing in b/w and color illustrations to add life to the accounts of fossil research and discovery. Lay readers will find Fossil Revolution quite accessible.


The Travel Shelf

Artwalks In New York
Marina Harrison & Lucy D. Rosenfeld
New York University Press
838 Broadway, 3rd fl., NY, NY 10003
www.nyupress.org
0814736610 $17.95 1-800-996-6987

Art enthusiasts who also love the big city will relish this third revised, updated edition of Artwalks In New York: Delightful Discoveries Ofp Ublic Art And Gardens In Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx And Staten Island. Here are over thirty walking tours paired with simple maps, written directions, and details covering all boroughs in New York, including not just museums but auction galleries, parks, hotel lobbies and subway stations alike. Anywhere in the region where superior art is to be found, Artwalks In New York guides you there.

Tokyo City Atlas
Kodansha America, Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10022
www.kodansha-intl.com
4770025033 $24.00 1-800-451-7556

Now in an updated and expanded third edition, Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide is a comprehensive, "user friendly" English/Japanese collection of 51 maps invaluable to business and leisure travelers visiting Japan's capital city. 21 area maps of Metropolitan Tokyo list not only chome numbers but also block numbers (banchi); 18 maps of Central Tokyo include guidance to numbered subway station entrances; 7 maps of central Yokohama and Kawaski and access maps to U.S. Military bases Yokosuka, Yokota, and Zama round out this useful and practical full-color resource. An English/Japanese index allows for fast consultation in this "must-have" for Tokyo-bound tourists, students, and business travelers.

Wilderness Press
1200 - 5th St., Berkeley, CA 94710
www.wildernesspress.com

If only one book on California's scenic Point Reyes National Seashore were to be chosen as a take-along tote or basic destination-oriented reference, it should be Jessica Lage's Point Reyes: The Complete Guide To The National Seashore & Surrounding Area (0899973507, $15.95). Why? It not only includes the anticipated maps and park suggestions, but rounds out the tips on hiking and trails with small town local higlights, a seasonal calendar of nature's cycles and local cultural events, and includes trail distance, type, difficulty and park facilities ratings. Armed with this information, would-be campers and day visitors like are fully able to plan strategies for either a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks in the park and surrounding area. Oh, and don't forget Wilderness Press' waterproof recreational map Point Reyes National Seashore And West Marin Parklands (0899973558, $9.95): it shows all established trails, parking, campsites, restroom, and more. California travelers and residents should also be sure Analise Elliot's Hiking & Backpacking Big Sur (0899973254, $19.95) is a basic part of any take-along tote to Big Sur: this complete guide to trails not only covers Big Sur wilderness area, but the nearby Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness areas as well. From day hikes to longer backpacking routes, details include trails, facilities, difficulty ratings, and recommended 'theme hikes' for any type of mood or ability.

Bijaboji: North To Alaska By Oar
Betty Lowman Carey , author
Neil G. Carey, editor
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC V0N 2H0
www.harbourpublishing.com
1550173405 $34.95 1-604-883-2730

In 1937 one Betty Carey embarked on the ultimate adventure, rowing from Puget sound Alaska by dugout canoe but her adventure didn't end there. Her explorations of the Inside Passage and adventures with loggers, lightkeepers, fishermen, missionaries and other residents recounted in Bijaboji: North To Alaska By Oar creates an astounding adventure story armchair readers won't want to miss.

Hunter Publishing
130 Campus Plaza Dr., Edison, NJ 098818
www.hunterpublishing.com

Two excellent guides make fine planner references for destination-oriented travelers; especially those who wish outdoor adventures. Bette Flagler's New Zealand Adventure Guide (1588434052, $21.99) is an activity guide packed with detail on everything from horseback riding and camping to fishing, cruising, hiking and more. Chapters are organized regionally and make it easy to look up local accommodations and eateries, inland and water adventures, and even small local maps for quick consultation. Chelle Koster Walton's third edition of Tampa Bay & Florida's West Coast (1588433501, $18.99) is out, and it updates all the basics on accommodations, restaurants, natural areas and historic sites alike. This adventure-oriented guide outlines the best in inland and water trips, includes museums and shopping, and provides an outdoor focus and budget-minded focus which will appeal to trip planners.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Get Hired Fast!
Brian Graham
Adams Media Corporation
57 Littlefield St., Avon, MA 02322
1593372639 $9.95 1-800-872-5627

Get Hired Fast! Tap The Hidden Job Market In 15 Days is a guide to using a direct-calling strategy to get a job quickly in the wake of dot-com failures, increased automization, and other twenty-first century obstacles that make earning a living more difficult than ever before. Chapters addressed how to break the old rules when they don't work, how to identify key contacts in target companies, how to follow through and nail the job, staying even keel in a face-to-face interview, how to keep a new job once one has it, why it is important to keep looking even when one has a job, and more. Management expert Brian Graham offers the benefit of his many years of expertise in plain terms, in this practical "how-to" manual that walks the reader through direct calling and beyond step-by-step.


The World History Shelf

Tarquinia: An Etruscan City
Robert Leighton
Duckworth
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Dr., Dulles, VA 20166
www.ducknet.co.uk
0715631624 $27.00 1-800-758-3756

University of Edinburgh Archaeology Lecturer Robert Leighton presents Tarquinia: An Etruscan City, a historical account of one of the great cities of ancient Etruria, one of the most powerful and creative civilizations of pre-Roman Italy. Charting Tarquinia's growth from prehistory to late antiquity, Tarquinia: An Etruscan City covers everything from what modern archaeology can tell us about the society to literary impressions of Tarquinia by great writers and poets such as Stendhal and D.H. Lawrence. An extensively researched and scholarly historical account, illustrated throughout with black-and-white diagrams and photographs, ideal for college library collections and historical reference shelves.

Gates Of Africa
Anthony Sattin
St. Martin's Press
175 - 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.stmartins.com
0312336438 $27.95 1-888-330-8477

In 1899 in London a group of geographers, scholars, and traders decided it was time to solve Africa's mysteries: they formed the African Association, the world's first geographical society, and several over decades sent adventurers to explore the 'dark continent'. These early adventurers were to change the image and shape of Africa, and Anthony Sattin describes their journeys of adventure in The Gates Of Africa, lending a lively and engrossing atmosphere of adventure and discovery to the account. Sattin is a journalist and broadcaster who himself has traveled extensively over the region in which the early African Association operated: his personal familiarity with the area lends Gates Of Africa an additional air of authority.


The Political Science Shelf

Dick: The Man Who is President
John Nichols
The New Press
38 Greene Street, New York NY 10013
www.newpress.com
1565848403 $23.95 1-800-233-4830

George Bush may officially hold the power, but Dick Cheney is the real man in office: that's the message of John Nichols' Dick: The Man Who Is President, an unauthorized first biography of the most powerful VP in American history. From his involvements in Reagan-era scandals to his promotion of the war in Iraq, John Nichols' close inspection of Dick Cheney is damning and eye-opening.


The Cookbook Shelf

Yogi In The Kitchen
Elaine Gavalas, M.A., M.S.
Avery/Penguin
375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014
www.us.penguingroup.com
1583332022 $17.95 1-800-847-5515

For Yogi In The Kitchen, author Elaine Gavalas draws upon her years of experience and expertise as a yoga instructor, exercise physiologist, nutritionist, weight-management specialist, and kitchen cook to provide more than 100 wonderfully presented recipes for dishes that are as good for the soul as they are nourishing for the body. Embracing the philosophy that Yoga is about healthier living in general, not just exercise, Yogi In The Kitchen begins with advice for eating the Yoga way, including how to stock one's pantry and seek balance in one's diet, as well as tips for staying healthy when eating out. Sample recipes include Baked Tofu and Vegetables, Garden de Vida Smoothie, Fresh Fruit Sorbet, and more. An excellent resource for making light, healthy, and fitness-promoting foods for oneself and one's family.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030-5773
1-800-225-5945 www.wiley.com

Widely acclaimed chef Leslie Revsin and prolific cookbook author Rick Rodgers present two new mouth-watering cookbooks especially for folks who enjoy rich flavors but want to keep preparation simple. The Simpler The Better: Sensational Italian Meals (0471482323, $17.95) aptly proves that one doesn't have to spend hours simmering, stirring, roasting, and braising to create mouth-watering Italian flavor - all of its recipes can be completed in less than an hour, some in less than thirty minutes. Taste treats include Spaghetti with Grape Tomatoes and Pesto, Arugula Blood Orange and Fennel Salad, Baked Apples with Amaretti Cookies and Mascarpone, and so much more. The Simpler The Better: Sensational One-Dish Meals (0471482331, $17.95) further extends upon the theme of reducing preparation hassle without sacrificing nutrition or taste; the one-hour-or-less meals include Tuna, Sun-Dried Tomato, and White Bean Salad, Spanish Chicken and Garbanzo Stew, Creamy Turkey Soup with Celery Dumplings, and many more culinary delights. Both cookbooks are very highly recommended for anyone looking to prepare truly fine dining in a limited time.

Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine
Gabriel Cousens, M.D.
North Atlantic Books
1435 Fourth St., Berkeley, CA 94710
www.northatlanticbooks.com
1556434650 $30.00 1-800-337-2665

Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine by Gabriel Cousens (one of the world's foremost experts in the preparation and nutritional values of raw food consumption for the mind and body) offers sophisticated recipes for true gourmet dining and drawn from multinational menus showcasing natural, organic, living foods. Written and dedicated to those who wish to embrace eating patterns that benefit not only themselves, but for the Earth's technology and inhabitants, Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine encourages readers to select a diet that best fits one's unique constitution and eat as nature itself intended. The first portion of Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine is filled with advice and recommendations for structuring a diet tailored to one's needs; the second is filled with mouth-watering recipes such as Southwestern Stuffing, Peace and Love Porridge (with almonds and cranberries), Lemon Poppy Seed Biscotti . Addition tips on everything from proper nutrition for children to preventing jet stress round out this wonderful raw foods cookbook and dietary guide especially recommended for the health and ecology conscious.

American Sandwich
Becky Mercuri
Gibbs Smith
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 94041
www.gibbs-smith.com
1586854704 $12.95 1-800-748-5439

Regional American sandwich recipes from all fifty states are profiled in American Sandwich: Great Eats From All 50 States, a unique cookbook which has gleaned sandwich recipes from across the country, from diners to delis and beyond. Pair a state-by-state organization for quick regional reference with introductions to each outlining the best delis and sandwich houses and recipes of many delights and you have a fun, appealing celebration of the sandwich which even Dagwood would enjoy.

Flavorful India
Priti Chitnis Gress
Hippocrene Books, Inc.
171 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10016
www.hippocrenebooks.com
0781810604 $22.50 1-212-685-4371

Flavorful India: Treasured Recipes From A Gujarati Family is a collection of authentic family recipes from Gujarat, a state in western India famous for its flavorful vegetarian dishes. An introduction to Gujarati culture and basic information about common spices, ingredients, and utensils in Gujarati cooking begins this cookbook of taste treats such as Sesame-Nutmeg Squares, Stuffed Banana Peppers, Chicken Biryani, Mango Frozen Yogurt, and so much more. Each recipe is prefaced with a tip about how to prepare it, where to find ingredients, or the ideal situations to serve it. An index for quick and easy reference rounds out this welcome contribution to internationally themed cookbook shelves.

Eldorado Grill Cookbook
Kevin Tubb
Itchy Cat Press
5452 Hwy. K, Blue Mounds, WI 53517
0976145006 $20.95 1-608-924-1443

Kevin Tubb is the executive chef of the Eldorado Grill in Madison, Wisconsin and draws upon his many years of experience and expertise in preparing uniquely flavorful dishes showcasing Southern, Texan, and Southwestern dishes ranging from a truly classic Chicken Fried Steak to Jalape¤o Lemon Chicken Breast; Four Cheese Chiles Rellenos; and Cochinita Pibil (Achiote Pork Stew). Not to be missed are Tubb's colorful tequila recipes including City Slicker, Blazing Saddle, and Eldorado Margarita. Enhanced with menus and ideas for pairing sauces and side dishes with all manner of meats and entrees, Eldorado Grill Cookbook: Southwestern Cuisine is as much fun to browse through as it is to cook from. The Eldorado Grill Cookbook is a welcome, recommended, and "kitchen cook friendly" addition to any and all family cookbook collections.

Delicious Heart-Healthy Meals In No Time
Charlene Bolstad
Que Publishing
801 East 96h Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
0789733544 $16.95 1-800-428-5331

Charlene Bolstad's "user friendly" and enthusiastically recommended compendium of kitchen cook friendly recipes comprising Delicious Heart Healthy Meals In No Time is the heart-conscious person's 216 page "food bible". Filled from cover to cover with an impressive diversity of delicious recipes that can be made quickly and easily, anyone can awaken their family's bored taste-buds to a new world of mouth-watering, low-fat, low-cholesterol meals for any and all occasions. By using easy-to-find ingredients and including tips on food substitutions, dietary menu planning, as well as ways to cook ahead for the week, kitchen cooks drawing upon the diverse culinary delights comprising Delicious Heart Healthy Meals In No Time will have their loved ones eating healthier, tastier meals with timely efficiency for today's busy lifestyles!

Africa Uncorked
John and Erica Platter
Wine Appreciation Guild
360 Swift Avenue, Unit 34, South San Francisco CA 94080
www.wineappreciation.com
1891267523 $24.95 www.amazon.com

John and Erica Platter helped bring south African wine to the knowledge of the rest of the world with the country's first wine travel guide, and their Africa Uncorked, Travels In Extreme Wine Territory follows the idea of unusual African wines through Africa in a travelogue which journeys from Algeria to Madagascar and beyond. Unusual wine and food discoveries, strange characters, and adventure permeates Africa Uncorked, which provides equal attention to cultural and culinary discoveries on the continent. A bold topic, a bold adventure, and a bold approach makes Africa Uncorked hard to put down.

Sweetness & Light
Hattie Ellis
Harmony Books
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com
1400054052 $23.00 1-800-726-0600

It's amazing to receive two books on honey and honeybees virtually simultaneously from different publishers, but that's how the publishing world goes, and Sweetness And Light is one of the two, following the stories of bees and honey from ancient to modern times. Hattie Ellis' history blends social issues, science, travel and nature insights, and comes from a columnist who specializes in writing about food. Lively anecdotes follow the history, especially the individuals involved in pioneering discoveries in the field. A 'must' for honey historians.

Kyle Books
c/o National Book Network
4501 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, MD 20706
www.kylecathie.com

The Iberian Peninsula has long been noted for its culinary traditions, influenced by the passage of many different peoples throughout history: and who better to explore this rich diversity than Elisabeth Luard, a winning food writer who has brought her children up in Andalusia and spent much of her own childhood in Spain. The Food Of Spain And Portugal: A Regional Celebration (1904920101 $29.95) melds history and food insights, providing chapters packed with color photos, recipes, and plenty of historic background. Recipes range from very easy - such as Scrambled Eggs with Chorizo - to more complex, as in a complex and lovely Spiced Braised Oxtail. Dedicated cookbook enthusiasts shouldn't miss Darina Allen's Irish Traditional Cooking (190492-011X, $19.95), either: anecdotes and history also blend with recipes exploring the dishes which are central to Irish culture. You may need some specialty ingredients to follow such dishes as Rowanberry Preserves or Medlar Jelly; but most of the dishes are simple, made from ingredients easy to locate.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030-5773
1-800-225-5945 www.wiley.com

Widely acclaimed chef Leslie Revsin collaborated with prolific cookbook author Rick Rodgers to present two new mouth-watering cookbooks in the John Wiley & Sons "The Simpler The Better" which is especially intended for those who enjoy rich flavors but want to keep preparation easy and "kitchen cook firendly". The Simpler The Better: Sensational Italian Meals (0471482323, $17.95) proves that one doesn't have to spend hours simmering, stirring, roasting, and braising to create mouth-watering Italian flavor - all of its recipes can be completed in less than an hour, some in less than thirty minutes. Taste treats include Spaghetti with Grape Tomatoes and Pesto, Arugula Blood Orange and Fennel Salad, Baked Apples with Amaretti Cookies and Mascarpone, and much more. The Simpler The Better: Sensational One-Dish Meals (0471482-331, $17.95) further extends upon the theme of reducing preparation hassle without sacrificing nutrition or taste; the one-hour-or-less meals include Tuna, Sun-Dried Tomato, and White Bean Salad, Spanish Chicken and Garbanzo Stew, Creamy Turkey Soup with Celery Dumplings, and so much more. Both cookbooks are highly recommended for anyone looking to prepare fine dining in a limited time.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Nursing America
Sandy Balfour
Jeremy P. Tarcher
c/o The Penguin Group, USA
375 Hudson St, NY, NY 10014-3657
www.us.penguingroup.com
1585422819 $23.95 1-800-847-5515

Nursing America: One Year Behind The Nursing Stations Of An Inner-City Hospital by journalist and television producer Sandy Balfour is a straightforward look at the daily lives of skilled nurses who must deal with the tragedies of sickness and all too often violence in an urban American public hospital. "Nobody ever came to the hospital to see a nurse", one of the profiled nurses mentions, yet it is often the nurses whom the patients remember most vividly. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this detailed account of a profession so often misunderstood, and the men and women who hold human lives in their hands from day to day, as surely as air traffic controllers and law enforcement officers do. Especially recommended for anyone looking to better understand what a nurse's life is like, from students considering a career in the field to writers striving to accurately portray nursing to lay readers looking to enrich their knowledge.

Live Longer, Live Better
Peter H. Gott, M.D.
Quill Driver Books
1831 Industrial Way, #101, Sanger, CA 93657
www.QuillDriverBooks.com
1884956351 $14.95 1-800-497-4909

In Live Longer, Live Better: Taking Care Of Your Health After 50, popular medical columnist and physician Peter H. Gott, offers the non-specialist general reader a straightforward primer for all-around better health. Chapters address a wide range of common health concerns such as hypertension, anxiety and depression, sex, diabetes, stroke, cholesterol, osteoporosis, memory loss, senility and dementia, and much more. Presented in a simple question-and-answer format, Live Longer, Live Better is recommended reading; the health advice is quite pertinent to all ages, and in today's era of skyrocketing health care insurance prices, an ounce of prevention is worth much more than a pound of cure.

The Natural Estrogen Diet & Recipe Book
Lana Liew, M.D. & Linda Ojeda
Hunter House Publishers
PO Box 2914, Alameda, CA 94501-2914
www.hunterhouse.com
0897934156 $14.95 1-800-266-5592

The Natural Estrogen Diet & Recipe Book by family physician Lana Liew and women's health care expert Linda Ojeda is a guide to obtaining estrogen naturally through food, rather than synthetically through hormone replacement therapy and medicines. Packed with simple, creative, and delicious estrogen-rich recipes from Cooked Dried Chickpeas to Poached Spice Chicken, Stir-Fried Tempeh and Vegetables, Banana Berry Whip and more, The Natural Estrogen Diet & Recipe Book includes nutritional information concerning proteins, carbohydrates, fat/saturated fat, sodium, fiber, and the amount of natural estrogen for each serving. Extensive information concerning how estrogen foods can ease the transition through menopause, health concerns regarding plant hormones for women, tips, tricks, and techniques for integrating natural estrogens into one's life, and much more round out this welcome and recommended cookbook contribution to women's health.

Clinical Care Of The Diabetic Foot
David G. Armstrong & Lawrence A. Lavery
American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1717
http://store.diabetes.org
1580402232 $34.95 1-800-232-6733

Medical experts David Armstrong and Lawrence Lavery editorially collaborate in Clinical Care Of The Diabetic Foot to present the reader with up to date information on all aspects of diabetes as related to foot care and symptoms. Written especially as a handbook for foot care specialists, but also useful to lay readers seeking to educate themselves concerning how to care for their own feet or the feet of loved one's and hopefully prevent amputation, Clinical Care Of The Diabetic Foot covers foot exams, wound care, managing infections, preventive footwear, charcot foot and peripheral arterial disease, and much more. Black/white photographs, charts, and reference lists round out this highly recommended and welcome contribution to medical handbook and diabetes reference shelves.

The Estrogen Alternative
Raquel Martin & Judi Gerstung, D.C.
Healing Arts Press
One Park St., Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
1594770336 $16.95 1-800-246-8648

If The Estrogen Alternative: A Guide To Natural Hormonal Balance sounds familiar, that's because this is a completely updated fourth edition of a classic, providing the latest research and information on how HRT therapy can provide a natural solution to hormone deficiency. Misinformation and common misconceptions are discussed, chapters provide a gentle push to natural alternative therapies, and current controversies in women's health are surveyed. An important, useful guide.

Splendid Solution
Jeffrey Kluger
Putnam
375 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10014-3657
0399152164 $25.95 1-800-847-5515

In 2005 the U.S. celebrates its 50th anniversary of the first national polio vaccination program which helped eradicate the disease in this country: it's hard to believe a generation is growing up without ever having known the ravages of polio. New York Times writer Jeffrey Kluger's Splendid Solution: Jonas Salk And The Conquest Of Polio is both a biography of Dr. Salk and his search for the vaccine and a social history of polio. Chapters based on exclusive interviews with his friends and colleagues and access to his private papers provides new details on Salk's life and career, setting this life in context of both his times and contemporaries.

Type 2 Diabetes For Beginners
Phyllis Barrier, MS, RD, CDE
American Diabetes Association
1701 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311
1580402240 $14.95 www.diabetes.org

Phyllis Barrier has over 25 years experience as a nutritionist and diabetes educator: her background lends to Type 2 Diabetes For Beginners: an especially important guide considering that most Type 2 diabetics receive the news later in life, long after habits are established. From meal planning and pre-diabetes diagnosis and indicators to blood sugar monitoring and weight loss, chapters provide very simple explanations and guidelines for standards of care. The simple approach allows the newly diagnosed to readily understand the myriad of concerns affecting the diabetic: Type 2 Diabetes For Beginners should thus be the first self-help handbook given to the new diabetic upon diagnosis.

The Rules Of 'Normal Eating'
Karen R. Koenig, LICSW, M.ED.
Gurze Books
PO Box 2238, Carlsbad, CA 92018
0936077212 $14.95 www.gurze.com

There are four 'rules' that 'normal' eaters follow instinctively: negative thinking and unhealthy habits follow from ignoring them: thus maintains psychotherapist and educator Karen Koenig, who has over 20 years experience on eating and body image issues to contribute to Rules Of 'normal' Eating: A Commonsense Approach For Dieters, Overeaters, Undereaters, Emotional Eaters, And Everyone In Between! Chapters discuss and contrast rational and irrational beliefs, the impact of these beliefs and emotions on food choices and eating patterns, and how to develop better eating programs. An essential guide for a wide audience, from young adults and those newly on their own to caregivers and students alike.

University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 49104
www.press.umich.edu

Two excellent college-level studies are recommended picks for discriminating health science collections with special interests in social issues. Dorothy Nelkin and M. Susan Lindee's The DNA Mystique: The Gene As A Cultural Icon (0472030043) provides a new preface and conclusion to an updated edition surveying the gene's image, importance and realities in mass culture. Students of bioethics, sociology, medicine and anthropology alike receive chapters centering around issues of image, responsibility and blame, eugenics, and natural distinction: virtually any public area where the image and mystique of DNA are prevalent. Robert Allen's The Dioxin War: Truth And Lies About A Perfect Poison (0745322123, $$19.95) probes the chemical industry and its cover-up of the realities of dioxin. Dioxin was the toxic component of Agent Orange, but its presence in human lives doesn't stop with the military: it can also be found in detergents, cosmetics, and even plastics. Chapters reveal how a small group of people fought to uncover and bring to public attention the perils of dioxin, against all industry efforts to suppress it.

Scoot Over, Skinny
Donna Jarrell & Ira Sukrungruang
Harcourt
15 East 26th St., New York NY 10010
www.harcourtbooks.com
0156030225 $14.00 1-800-543-1918

Essays pack an anthology largely original in content, which explore fat, reality, and confrontations with biases surrounding fat people. Scoot Over, Skinny: The Fat Nonfiction Anthology is packed with angst, observation, admonition, humor, and serious reflection by such notable writers as Anne Lamott and David Sedaris. Any reader interested in body image will find Scoot Over Skinny a most provocative collection of insights.

Type 2
Miryam Ehrlich Williamson
Walker & Company
104 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10011
www.walkerbooks.com
0802776663 $12.00 1-800-289-2553

Type 2 diabetes is a confusing disease: it often sets in long after dietary habits are established, diet and exercise modifications aren't the same for everyone, and there are few support groups to help. Type 2: A Book Of Support For Type 2 Diabetics is designed to be a support group in the form of a book. The issues dealt with range from handling food cravings and understanding how to stabilize blood sugar levels, to reducing anxiety during glucose testing, to making peace with adjusted diet and medication regimens. Type 2 juxtaposes case history examples with practical management tips.

Thomson/Gale
27500 Drake Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535
www.gale.com

Two excellent guides are recommended picks beyond the high school audience they were originally intended for: each provides excellent introductory articles suitable for reports and discussion alike. Gene Therapy (0737722568, $28.70) holds under a pages but its topics and discussions represent cutting-edge analysis, tackling such diverse and technical topics as whether gene therapy should be a parental choice, and whether it supports religious values or is dangerous to human health. William Dudley edits Antidepressants (0737719516, $34.95) which joins others in the 'History of Drugs' series to offer nearly 200 pages of facts on antidepressants. Experts and informed lay writers provide students and adults alike with plenty of insights for reports and debates

Drug Abuse Sourcebook
Catherine Ginther, Editor
Omnigraphics
615 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
www.omnigraphics.com
0780807405 $78.00 1-800-234-1340

The new second edition of Drug Abuse Sourcebook updates and expands details on illicit substances of abuse both over the counter and illegal, from depressants and hallucinogens to marijuana and more. From symptoms and effects both long- and short-term to prevention programs, addiction terms, and a directory of resources, chapters delve into all the physical, psychological and social ramifications of drug abuse, covering all the basics of intervention, treatment, and prognosis. An excellent library reference for libraries.


The Musicbook Shelf

Louie Louie
Dave Marsh
University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
047203023X $17.95 press.umich.edu

A new preface by the author graces the pages of Louie Louie: The History & Mythology Of The World's Most Famous Rock N Roll Song. While it's hard to see how any song, however famous, could earn an entire book discussion, once you delve into Dave Marsh's Louie Louie, with its intrigue, high drama, and twists and turns, it's hard to see what took so long for the full tale to come to light - and yes, it earns its own book. This new edition provides a new preface by Marsh as it covers the complexities of a song which involved even the FBI.

Like A Rolling Stone
Greil Marcus
Public Affairs
250 W. 57th Street, #1321, NY, NY 10017
www.publicaffairsbooks.com
1586482548 $24.00 1-877-782-1234

Plenty of biographies and critical surveys of rock musician Bob Dylan have been written: author Greil Marcus saw Dylan for the first time in 1963: he may not have known his name, but he recognized talent when he saw it. Thus began a long relationship between critic and musician which has led to Marcus' in-depth survey Like A Roling Stone: Bob Dylan At The Crossroads. Chapters consider song origins, Dylan's major concerts, and the search for exceptional lyrics. If you've read all the other Dylan coverages, Like A Rolling Stone provides a more precise look at the sources of his inspiration - from an insider's view.

Amadeus Press
512 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
www.amadeuspress.com

The Sybil Sanderson Story: Requiem For A Diva (1574670948, $29.95) by Jack Winsor Hansen presents an authorized biography of a little-known diva, including rare, previously unpublished photos to illustrate the story of a controversial diva. Hansen was a friend of the Sanderson family with complete access to the family archives, and spent decades researching this first full-length biography of Sanderson: her rich Victorian California childhood and her rise to an opera star's fame brings to light scandals, talents, and drama alike. David Hurwitz's Getting The Most Out Of Mozart: The Instrumental Works (1574670964, $19.95) comes with a full-length cd packaged in back and covers the unique instrumental works of Mozart. First in a two-volume set covering Mozart's orchestral and vocal works, Getting The Most Out Of Mozart guides readers through the body of work with chapters discussing movements, unique Mozart stylings, and more.


The American History Shelf

Coming Apart
William O'Neill
Ivan R. Dee
1332 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60622
www.ivanrdee.com
1566636132 $18.95 1-800-462-6420

There have been other histories of America during the 1960s, but Coming Apart: An Informal History Of America In The 1960s is both readable and involving, presenting the political and cultural focus with a twist of wit and sympathetic insight rare to an interpretation of the times. Discussions of two very different cultures which clashed, surveys of traditions challenged by the counter-culture, and discussions of civil rights issues alike are involving reads.

The Alamo
Frank Thompson
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336, Denton, TX 76203-1336
1574411942 $24.95 unt.edu/untpress

The Alamo is an illustrated history of the fort that became a symbol of courage and sacrifice for freedom. Though the Alamo fell in battle to the Mexican army forces of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, it ultimately bought time for the Texas Army under Sam Houston to consolidate forces, and two months later "Remember the Alamo!" was the rallying cry for Santa Anna's rout at the Battle of San Jacinto. The Alamo explores the site of Alamo itself, as well as what history has to say about the men and women who lived there, then reflects upon the Alamo as it is immortalized in popular culture to this day. Illustrated in full color throughout with photographs and artworks, and thoroughly researched with the latest known historical detail, The Alamo is a welcome contribution to both private and library American history shelves.

God And Country: Politics In Utah
Jeffrey E. Sells, Editor
Signature Books
564 W. 400 North, Salt Lake City, UT 84116-3411
www.signaturebooks.com
156085183X $34.95 1-800-356-5687

Plenty of books have been written about the history and religion of Mormons; but far fewer consider the modern political and social impact of Mormonism in Utah today. Enter God And Country: Politics In Utah, edited by Jeffrey Sells, Rector of St. David of Wales Church in Washington. His religious involvement lends authority and background to his discussion of religious influence in civic affairs, offering insights not into Mormon and Utah political and religious connections, but into church and state issues and interactions across the country. Legal, theological and ethical concerns alike are revealed in chapters which utilize Utah experiences and interactions as solid examples.

Jefferson's Western Explorations
Captains Lewis and Clark, Doctor Silby, and William Dunbar, authors
Compiled by Thomas Jefferson
The Arthur H. Clark Company
PO Box 14707, Spokane, WA 99214
www.ahclark.com
0870623354 $62.50 1-800-842-9286

Jefferson's Western Explorations: Discoveries Made In Exploring The Missouri, Red River, And Washita presents a historical reproduction of the document delineating President Thomas Jefferson's 1806 "Message from the President", a summary of not only the Lewis and Clark expedition, but of other expeditions of the time. The cutting edge of news and information for the U.S. Congress and the American people in its day, Jefferson's Western Explorations presents facsimile representation of the original document, with shoulder notes clarifying different relationships between texts. An extensive introduction allows for historical setting and context of the document, and appendices present extra pages, and transcripts of the correspondence of John Sibley now at the Library of Congress among the Thomas Jefferson Papers, including a letter from Jefferson to Sibley. A superb presentation of a historical primary source, especially recommended for scholarly American History and university library collections.


The Business Shelf

Brand Sense
Martin Lindstrom
The Free Press
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
0743267842 $26.00 www.amazon.com

Martin Lindstrom's Brand Sense: Build Powerful Brands Through Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight And Sound provides an unusual treatise based on Millward Brown's study linking branding and sensory awareness. 'Sensory branding' is a relatively new concept: Brand Sense takes the next step from study results to outline a six-step program for bringing brand building into modern times. Examples cover products and retail marketing alike, demonstrating the basics of establishing an appealing marketing approach based on more than sight and sound alone.

Amacom
1601 Broadway, NY, NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org

No! How One Simple Word Can Transform Your Life (0814472303, $12.95) by Jana Kemp advises employees that it is possible to say 'no' in the workplace, responding to unreasonable deadlines, demands, and questionable behavior. Managers and professionals have to learn to say 'no' effectively - and Kemp's title tells how, using exercises and case history examples throughout. Ask a manager why an employee leaves and most likely money will be cited as the reason: in reality, the workplace atmosphere itself may have 'push' factors which encourage leaving over staying. Leigh Branham has identified the real categories into which almost all reasons fall in The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave: How To Recognize The Subtle Signs And Act Before It's Too Late (0814408516, $24.95), from identifying mutual expectations between employer and worker to incorporating tangible growth and advancement opportunities which keep employees motivated and happy. Branham's an expert in employee engagement and retention, and The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave covers essential points.

Book-Keeping & Accounting For The Small Business
Peter Taylor
HowTo Books/Parkwest Publications
PO Box 20261, NY, NY 10025-1512
www.howtobooks.co.uk
http://www.parkwestpubs.com/
1857038789 $22.75 1-646-215-9003

It's hard to believe the classic Book-Keeping & Accounting For The Small Business: How To Keep The Books And Maintain Financial Control Over Your Business is now in its 7th revised, updated edition: its new incarnation and updated details will continue to appeal to modern readers, whether they be sole proprietors, partners, or limited corporations. Because this is written in the UK, some issues, such as VAT taxes, may not apply outside; but the basics of understanding wages, taxes, accounts, and double entry book-keeping are essential to any small business.

Point Of Purchase
Sharon Zukin
Routledge
270 Madison Ave., New York NY 10016
www.routledge-ny.com
0415950430 $18.95 1-800-634-7064

New in paperwork is an excellent social history, Sharon Zukin's Point Of Purchase: How Shopping Changed American Culture. Zukon is Broeklundian Professor of sociology at Brooklyn college and City University of New York: her background in cities and culture lends well to an analysis of shopping as the American dream ideal, tracing the history of American shopping from mid-19th century to modern shopping trends. A fascinating social history evolves.


The Woodworking Shelf

Framing: Techniques & Decorating Ideas
Aaron Brothers
Sterling Publishing Company
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016-8810
1402714858 $24.95 1-800-805-5489

Framing: Techniques & Decorating Ideas presents the collected wisdom of the Aaron Brothers, who have been custom framers since 1946. Chapters discuss the basics of framing, wall arrangements, photo frame vignettes, matting, custom framing, hanging artwork, tools of the trade and how to use them, and much more. Color photographs illustrate this detailed and candid "how-to" book on every page, expressly revealing the tips, tricks and techniques of professional-quality framing. An excellent do-it-yourself guide.

Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide To Turning
Richard Raffan
Taunton Press
PO Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506
www.taunton.com
1561586722, $39.95 1-800-477-8727

Richard Raffan's Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide To Turning is a woodworker's 'bible' on master techniques for turning bowls and spindles. Turning is typically covered in general woodworking guides; not afforded its own specific title: a quick access organization makes for specific tips and techniques paired with over 800 photos and drawings on using turning tools, specialty finishing techniques, and more.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Easy-Gaited Horses
Lee Ziegler
Storey Books
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
1580175627 $19.95 storeybooks.com

Easy-Gaited Horses is a "rider friendly" no-nonsense guide to the distinctions between easy-gaited horses and other types of horse, and the fine nuances of how to train and ride these animals for pleasure. Chapters address riding basics and safety, issues of pacing, the flat walk, the intermediate gaits, and the canter, sample lesson plans for developing and improving gait, and much more. An in-depth, serious-minded resource especially for horse lovers and horse trainers, written by a horsemanship expert of 30 years experience.

The Lyons Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
www.lyonspress.com

Three fine wild animal guides are recommended additions to general library holdings. Robert H. Busch's The Grizzly Almanac: A Fully Illustrated Natural And Cultural History Of America's Great Bear (1592283209, $19.95) provides a lively history of the grizzly's interactions with mankind, from its place in myth and legends to real encounters and descriptions of grizzly attacks. The color photos are outstanding - and surprising, in a paperback. Robert H. Busch also provides a similar coverage in The Cougar Almanac: A Complete Natural History Of The Mountain Lion (1592282954, $14.95), a survey of one of the most misunderstood big cats of modern times. Also known as pumas, mountain lions, or panthers, cougars are one of North America's last big predators, and one of the most elusive. For a narrowed focus on their dangers alone, obtain Kathy Etling's Cougar Attacks: Encounters Of The Worst Kind (159228-2962, $14.95): cougar history is also offered here, with a focus on gripping details of terrifying encounters. Despite its sensationalist title, Etling strives for fairness in separating myths from reality, in the process imparting a great deal of natural history details on the cougar's habits and habitat.


The Literary Shelf

Spoken Here
Mark Abley
Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
www.hmco.com
0618565833 $14.00 1-800-225-3362

Mark Abley's Spoken Here: Travels Among Threatened Languages may sound like a travel title and at times may read like an armchair adventure; but its more important application to literary and language studies should not be missed. Abley travels around the world to document its endangered languages: of the six thousand spoken In the world today, only six hundred are likely to survive into the next century. Chapters provide social and cultural insights in the process of considering these vanishing languages and why they are threatened.

Reading The Medieval Book
Kathryn Starkey
University of Notre Dame Press
310 Flanner Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
0268041091 $25.00 undpress.nd.edu

Also available in a hardcover edition (0268041083, $50.00), Reading The Medieval Book: Word, Image, And Performance In Wolfram Von Eschenbach's Willehalm by Kathryn Starkey (Assistant Professor, Department of Germanic Languages, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill), examines one of the most important epic poems in 13th Century Germany and its redaction in a richly illustrated manuscript created just fifty-five years after the poem's composition. Professor Starkey's meticulous research reveals that the Munich-Nuremberg manuscript (c. 1270) of Woflram von Eschen-bach's Willehalm (c.1215) was compiled with both oral performance and the written medium in mind. A seminal work of flawless scholarship, Reading The Medieval Book would serve as an ideal template for the study of other medieval poetry, and is particularly commended to students of Medieval era art history, culture, and literature.

Three Short West Indian Folk Tales
Gregory Thorne
RoseDog Books
701 Smithfield Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3906
www.rosedogbookstore.com
0805995692 $10.00 www.amazon.com

Gregory Thorne is a native of Trinidad, raised with older siblings and his grandparents: he heard the three short stories in this collection from his relatives, and in Three Short West Indian Folk Tales pre-sents them for general readers. 'Black Water' is a folk story from Guyana and seeks to apply legend to the disappearances of swimmers, the other two Trinidad stories survey the legend of a deadly woman wraith and an isolated village woman who may drink blood.

Land Of Orange Groves And Jails
Lauren Coodley, Editor
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145, Berkeley, CA 94709
1890771953 $16.95 heydaybooks.com

Novelist/political commentator Upton Sinclair may best be known for his flaming critiques of the Chicago meatpacking industry in "The Jungle"; but he's equally notorious in California for his harsh critiques of Southern California's culture and excesses. Land Of Orange Groves And Jails: Upton Sinclair's California assembles fifty years of these writings: plays, articles and essays demonstrate his political activism and his controversial impressions of the area. While Sinclair students will be the likely audience for this assembly, Southern California residents and students of literature alike will relish the unusual perspective on Sinclair's politics and life.

The Battle For Middle-Earth
Fleming Rutledge
William B. Eerdmans
255 Jefferson Avenue, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
www.eerdmans.com
0802824978 $20.00 1-800-253-7521

Fans of Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings have a new scholarly commentary to celebrate: an in-depth survey of themes and hidden allusions demonstrating Tolkien's underlying spiritual design. The Battle for Middle-Earth: Tolkien's Divine Design in "The Lord of the Rings" provides Fleming Rutledge's own interpretation of how Tolkien's faith is embedded in his entire narrative. Chapters assume close reader familiarity with Lord Of The Rings as it considers how Tolkien works religious ideas into the fundamental assumptions of his story line, and how he creates an overwork work reflecting divine design. An intriguing blend of theological and literary analysis evolves.

The Indestructible Man
William Jablonsky
University of West Alabama Press
UWA Station 22, Livingston, AL 35470
1931982473 $14.95 www.uwa.edu

William Jablonsky's literary short stories comprising The Indestructible Man are nothing short of unique: they blend fantasy and reality in unusual settings and protagonists who seek such adventures as going to the moon or conquering heights. From a man who has the Devil in him and needs help to aliens received on the radio, a touch of the extraordinary spices every tale.


The Exercise Shelf

Quick Fit
Richard R. Bradley III & Sarah Wernick
Atria Books
1230 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0743471032 $14.00 www.simonsays.com

Don't have time to exercise? The last of the good excuses is gone with this guide to 15-minute, no-sweat workouts presenting 10 minutes of aerobic activity, 4 minutes of strengthening exercises, and 1 minute of stretches. Step-by-step illustrations demonstrate just how to do them, case history successes link exercises to positive results, and the author comes with credentials: he's directed the Occupational Health and Fitness program at the U.S. DOT for the past twenty-five years, and presented extensive seminars to business and government groups alike. With Quick Fit: The Complete 15-Minute No-Sweat Workout, even those who are most pressed for time have no excuse now.

One Hundred Stretches
Jim Brown
Burford Books
PO Box 388, Short Hills, NJ 07078
1580801250 $12.95 burfordbooks.com

It's hard to imagine a smaller tote - or one easier to take anywhere. One Hundred Stretches: Head-to-Toe Stretches For Exercise & Sport is a pocket- or purse-sized pleaser, detailing a hundred stretches to help any athlete at any level in any sport. Body-to-toe coverage is accompanied by one clear diagram per page illustrating just how to do the stretches, adding to written instructions of the same. An outstanding guide for any athlete and exercise buff.


The Social Issues Shelf

Inspired To Serve
Mark H. Masse
Indiana University Press
601 N Morton St, Bloomington, IN 47404
http://iupress.indiana.edu
0253217148 $19.95 1-800-842-6796

Inspired To Serve: Today's Faith Activists by Mark H. Masse (Associate Professor of Journalism, Ball State University) profiles deeply religious contemporary men and women who are actively working to change their communities, their society, and even the world. From an Irish American nun working with migrants in central Florida, to a Muslim "messenger of good news" to an Islamic community in Texas, to a Jesuit priest working in a poor Portland neighborhood and more, the common themes of belief, hope, and personal sacrifice connect the stories of each individual, enhanced with notes and references. A small black-and-white photograph is included with each profile, in this inspirational and motivational anthology of real-life stories of spiritually-minded people who dare to make a difference.

The Digital Person
Daniel J. Solove
New York University Press
838 Broadway, New York NY 10003
0814798462 $29.95 www.nyupress.org

Electronic data-mining systems are gathering and processing information about consumers 24 hours a day, tracking Internet surfing, probing personal files and public records, and creating an overall database for each individual containing details on everything from activities and interests to credit and product purchasing habits. The creation and use of the 'digital dossiers', as author Daniel J. Solove calls them, has largely gone unregulated, and the purpose of his The Digital Person: Technology And Privacy In The Information Age is to explain how these digital profiles are a threat to privacy. From government tapping to business purposes, chapters describe the nature of the data, its sources, and how it's used in profiling attempts.

Biological Weapons
Jeanne Guillemin
Columbia University Press
61 W. 62nd St., New York NY 10023
www.columbia.edu/cu/cup
0231129424 $27.95 1-800-944-8648

Biological weapons and their potentials has received public attention relatively recently in this country, and for a basic primer on the topic, don't miss Jeanne Guillemin's Biological Weapons, designed to help readers understand the relevance of these weapons and their use. Chapters examine policies of use, deterrence, and proliferation, considering conflicts between media rights and secrecy in development, public awareness issues and rights, and preventative measures against attack.


The Self-Help Shelf

Happiness Is.
Shawn Christopher Shea
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
0757300669 $19.95 1-800-441-5569

Happiness Is.: Unexpected Answers To Practical Questions In Curious Times by Shawn Christopher Shea (Director of the Training Institute for Suicide Assessment & Clinical Interview and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Dartmouth School of Medicine) combines practical philosophy, applied spirituality, and everyday psych-ology to explore the true nature of happiness and how best to achieve it. Describing happiness as determined by five interacting processes - biologies, perspectives, relationships, environments, and spiritual quests - Happiness Is. focuses especially upon the importance of the quest and its rules inside the human matrix. A thoughtful and inspirational exploration of processes used to find meaning and bring joy to one's life.

The 7 Steps Of Spiritual Intelligence
Richard A. Bowell
Nicholas Brealey Publishing
3704 Beard Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55422
www.nbrealey-books.com
1857883446 $18.95 1-888-273-2539

The 7 Steps Of Spiritual Intelligence: The Practical Pursuit Of Purpose, Success And Happiness by Richard A. Bowell (founder of SQ Training and lecturer on spiritual intelligence for more than twenty years) walks the reader through the seven steps of spiritual intelligence: Awareness, Meaning, Evaluation, Being Centered, Vision, Projection, and Mission. Each step of the journey is described and explained through positive psychology and brain science, as well as made tangible through real-life case studies. Simple black-and-white diagrams illustrate the principles behind honing one's mind and spirit. Development exercises to foster better comprehension and shed unconscious prejudices, such as standing with one's head a little back when looking at a problematic individual in order to better see them as part of the world about them, round out this clearly worded self-help and self-improvement guide.

Embracing Your Power Woman
Barbara Wilder
Wild Ox Press
421 Francis St., Boulder, CO 80501
www.barbarawilder.com
0967334624 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Take a guided journey to build your woman strength as you are through Barbara Wilder's refresher course Embracing Your Power Woman: Coming Of Age In The Second Half Of Life. Yes, it's New Age: it uses myths, stories, and essays to explore aging concepts in women's lives - but it's deftly juxtaposes spiritual and health concerns with social issues as well, showing women how to become more focused and directed. An intriguing survey of money, health and beauty, self-directed power and motivation which is very highly recommended for Women's Studies and Self-Help supplemental reading lists.


The Nautical Shelf

Battleships
Stanley Sandler
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
1851094105 $85.00 www.abc-clio.com

Battleships: An Illustrated History Of Their Impact, as part of ABC-CLIO's 'Weapons and Warfare' series, could also have been featured in a military history column, but deserves mention in our transportation section as an excellent illustrated history of their construction and impact. Chapters begin with wooden battleships from 2000 BC and move through steam, dreadnought and later eras, covering different approaches to styles and warfare effectiveness and drawing important links between battleship construction and changing military approaches. Both military readers and those interested in boats and naval activities will find Stanley Sandler's Battleships a lively analysis of all the major warships.

The Biggest Boat I Could Afford
Lee Hughes
Sheridan House
145 Palisade St., Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
www.sheridanhouse.com
1574091921 $19.95 1-888-743-7425

Lee Hughes' autobiography of his solo sail 2500 miles up the US coast in a small dinghy, The Biggest Boat I Could Afford, is one of adventure, humor, and insight as he journeys up the Intra-Coastal Waterway and learns his seafaring lessons the hard way - by trial and error. Hughes' voyage to becoming a real sailor holds many gripping moments, accounts of danger and success, and invites armchair sailors to relish the drama.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Beautiful Borders Backings Bindings
Jill Reber and Margaret Sindelar
Landauer Corporation
12251 Maffitt Rd, Cumming, IA 50061
1890621811 $24.95 1-800-557-2144

Beautiful Borders Backings Bindings offers the wisdom of professional quilters and designers Jill Reber and Margaret Sindelar to enhance one's quilted creations. Walking the reader through six classic quilt border treatments including applique, as well as 38 different finishing techniques, creative edgings, and instructions for creating quilts from start to finish, Beautiful Borders Backings Bindings is illustrated in full color with diagrams and step-by-step photos. An excellent how-to guide for quilters of all skill and experience levels, and especially recommended for quilters who want to try something different than plain square or rectangular quilts with ordinary borders.

Make Money Quilting
Sylvia Landman
Allworth Press
10 E. 23rd St., New York NY 10010
1581153996 $19.95 allworth.com

Plenty of books covers the basics on making quilts, but too few cover how to market a quilt to turn a quilting hobby into a real business. Quilters receive all these financial basics in Make Money Quilting, from creating designs that sell to marketing and promoting quilts and selling either retail or wholesale. While some chapters are more general to small business practices, most are specific to quilting, which makes for a much more valuable guide.

Martingale & Company
20205 - 144th Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
www.martingale-pub.com

Knitters have something to celebrate with the lovely sweaters featured in Ann McCauley's fine The Pleasures Of Knitting: Timeless Feminine Sweaters (156-4775666, $27.95): classic styles and lovely textures are profiled in 13 designs emphasizing fine gauges and high-fashion styles with a touch of elegance. Quilters will find most accessible Pamela Mostek's Scatter Garden Quilts: 10 Designs That Flower In Fabric (1564775836, $24.95), a pattern book of 10 designs for flowers in fabric. Use large-scale fabrics to create roses, wildflowers and other blocks which are based on garden blossoms and patterns. A lovely collection of gardening colors is created. Patti Eaton's Summertime Quilts: Fresh Designs In Chenille (1564775798, $24.95) tells how to use classic blocks to create chenille fabrics with new looks. Quilts are designed for summertime use and provide fun twists and accents on summer themes.

Hip To Stitch
Melinda A. Barta
Interweave Press
201 E. 4th St., Loveland, CO 80537-5655
1931499608 $19.95 interweave.com

Twenty modern projects use thread embellishments to turn an accessory into something hip and eye-catching, from hair ties and purses to ordinary one-color mittens and picture frames. Geared to the beginning stitcher, chapters in Hip To Stitch: 20 Contemporary Projects Embellished With Thread provide easy steps, many ideas, and clear pictorial examples of stitches to help new embroiderers and sewers get a feel for different techniques.

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

Four outstanding new quilter's guides are top picks for avid quilters who seek new design ideas and for knitters who want a set of new designs. Sally Harding's Fast Knits Fat Needles (1571203117, $25.95) provides simple patterns and different designs for over 20 projects to be worked on giant needles. The beginner's emphasis on producing finished products quickly means Fast Knits Fat Needles will appeal more readily to knitters with nary a project to brag about. Chapters cover size, yarn, stitches, and more. Sharon Rexroad's Pineapple Stars: Sparkling Quilts, Perfectly Pieced (157202684, $27.95) crosses the traditional Lone Star quilt pattern with the Pineapple to produce Pineapple Stars. These are large, eye-catching stars which can be used with all kinds of fabrics, from plain to patterned, and rely on paper-pieced construction for exact results. A workbook complete with large patterns makes them easy to produce. Consider a new strip-piecing idea with Rita Hutchens' Totally Tubular Quilts; A New Strip-Piecing Technique (1571202080, $23.95), which uses a template-free technique to demonstrate five sample projects relying on an unusual tubular design approach to geometrics. Fabric and color receive added dimension and innovation in an idea book packed with color examples. Dilys A. Fronks' Enchanted Views: Quilts Inspired By Wrought-iron Designs (1571201327, $25.95) tells how to create captivating window views and garden scenes using a backdrop of garden gates, windows, grilles and more. Use reverse applique designs on everything from landscapes to backgrounds: Enchanted Views provides complete patterns and instructions including fabric recommendations and step-by-step finishing touches. All are exceptional guides.

American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.AmericanQuilter.com

These wonderful new crafter's guides are recommended picks for their unusual approaches and extensive detail. Elly Sienkiewicz's Applique Paper Greetings: A Quilt Approach To Scrapbooking (15743-28697, $25.95) provides eight different lessons on making cards, from pop-ups and mobiles to banners and sewing machine cards. Scrapbookers and card makers alike will find the unusual quilt approach to scrapbooking provides an innovative approach, mixing media and providing patterns and finished examples for optimum results. Helen R. Scott's Ladies' Day Out With The Bonnet Girls (15743-28743, $22.95) provides a highly recommended sequel to Scott's prior Bonnet Girls, using old-fashioned full-skirted girls to provide appliques which are whimsical and fun. 35 doll patterns provided herein may be used to dress up events and provide paper patterns for fabric results. Rebecca Barker's Quiltscapes II (157432-8786, $21.95) is simply outstanding: quilts here are used to create lovely scenes, from block patterns which correspond with painted quilts to demonstrations of contrasting colors to create quilt scenes. The blends of quilt blocks and landscape scenes are unique, and the inclusion of patterns for each sample project make them easy to reproduce. Susan Purney-Mark and Daphne Greig's Fat Quarter Frenzy (1574328700, $21.95) provides sixteen quilt patterns geared to fat quarter bundles. Cutting charts, bundle arrangements, and assembly tips provide very specific details for producing quilts which look complicated, but are quick. All are unusual, appealing guides.

Amish Quilts Of Lancaster County
Patricia T. Herr
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Rd, Atglen, PA 19310
0764320173 $29.95 schifferbooks.com

Illustrated with full-color photographs on every page, Amish Quilts Of Lancaster County is a gorgeous showcase of its title. Brief text introductions ground the reader in Amish quiltmaking history and techniques, but the majority of Amish Quilts Of Lancaster County is effectively a textile artbook, showcasing the quilts themselves in all their bold color and down-to-earth patterns. Most sample quilts are shown in an overall photograph, a detail photograph, and a photograph of the quilt's back. A truly beautiful sampling, and a joy for avid quiltmakers and quilt aficionados to simply page through.

Beautiful Borders Backings Bindings
Jill Reber & Margaret Sindelar
Landauer Corporation
12251 Maffitt Road, Cumming, IA 50061
1890621811 $24.95 1-800-557-2144

Beautiful Borders Backings Bindings offers the wisdom of professional quilters and designers Jill Reber and Margaret Sindelar to enhance one's quilted creations. Walking the reader through six classic quilt border treatments including applique, as well as 38 different finishing techniques, creative edgings, and instructions for creating quilts from start to finish, Beautiful Borders Backings Bindings is illustrated in full color with diagrams and step-by-step photos. An excellent how-to guide for quilters of all skill and experience levels, and especially recommended for quilters who want to try something different than plain square or rectangular quilts with ordinary borders.

Quilts In America
Patsy Orlofsky & Myron Orlofsky
Abbeville Press
116 West 23rd St., #500, NY, NY 10011
0789208571 $35.00 1-212-577-5555

Quilts In America is a needlecraft treasury spanning nearly three hundred years of quilt history, techniques, patterns, and styles since America's colonial roots. Black-and-white and color plates illustrate a wide variety of historic quilts, while chapters discuss the evolution of quilts as both a practical craft and as folk art. Co-written by the director of the Textile Conservation Workshop in South Salem, New York, a nonprofit regional conservation laboratory devoted to rare and fragile textiles, Quilts In America is both an enlightening read and a reverberating experience especially for quilt lovers everywhere, and the vintage designs in the plates will prove inspirational for anyone interested in creating new quilts in historic American styles.


The Library CD Music Shelf

Distancias
Jason McGuire
Bolero Records
18653 Ventura Blvd., Suite 314 , Tarzana, CA 91356
bolero-records.com $18.98 818-888-1059

Distancias is the debut music CD of Jason "El Rubio" McGuire, one of America's most captivating flamenco guitarists and the Musical Director for the acclaimed New World Flamenco Festival, one of the top flamenco festivals in the US. His extensive formal training, personal admiration for the work of Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucia, and his performing career in Spain and the U.S. distinguish him as one whose true love, passion, and talent for flamenco transcends nationality or ethnic heritage. Nine of the ten flamenco tunes have no lyrics; a CD insert prints the Spanish-language lyrics for "Lagrimas de Sal" (Salty Tears). The tracks, all performed on Montalvo guitars, are "Noche Caliente" (3:26); "Lagrimas de Sal - Colombianas" (4:41); "Sangre Jejana - Rumba" (3:46); "Distancias - Tangos" (4:50); "Euridice" (4:17); "Aires de Mozambique" (4:05); "Loisaida - Rumba" (3:11); "Rachel Camela - Alegrias" (4:51); "Pavan - Bulerias" (3:54); and "A Mi Arturo - Tarantas" (6:15).

Su
Mercan Dede
www.mercandede.com
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
216 West Allen Street, Suite 137, Bloomington, IN 47403
$16.98 rockpaperscissors.biz

The latest and highly recommended album by Turkish Sufi photographer and musician Mercan Dede, who has been featured on the cover of Global Rhythm magazine for drawing an amazing musical connection between Turkish Sufism and contemporary Western electronic music, Su is named after "Water" and immersed in metaphors of liquid. Composed and performed to flow as seamlessly as a river itself, Su is superb music for meditation or simply learning to feel rather than become too lost in intellectual distractions. Individual songs reflect on the nature of the self and transformation, mourn those whose lives came to an end during the Iraq War, draw upon Sufi literature and traditions of mysticism, and more. Approximate English translations of the track titles are "Surface of the Water" (5:22); "Red Water" (5:44); "Very Calm Water" (5:45); "Ecstatic Calm State" (6:16); "Never-Ending Water" (6:30); "Magical Remedy/Love" (7:37); "Water Tears" (5:43); "Red Ocean" (5:43); "Water Connectedness" (6:27); "Water of Remedy" (5:02); "Water of the Fall Season" (6:19); and "Rose Water" (6:37).

Nhava
Oliver Mtukudzi
Heads Up
23309 Commerce Park Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44122
HUCD 3102 $18.98 www.headsup.com

Nhava is the debut album of Zimbabwe music artist Oliver Mtukudzi. Combining empathetic rhythm and melodies with powerful lyrics, Nhava's title is the Zimbabwean word for "carrying bag", which is adept since it is akin to a portable jackpot of advice, encouragement, and wisdom for all bound on life's journey. Individual songs range from a celebration of the power of unity, as often witnessed in the animal kingdom, to cautionary tales concerning how selfish activities lead to heartbreak, to a lament for a lost loved one and much more. English interpretations and summaries of the lyrics are printed on the CD insert. Pure message and audio experience without divisions or political agenda, Nhava is highly recommended listening. The tracks are "Ninipa"; "Izere Mhepo"; "Pindirai"; "Menzva Kudzimba"; "Hazvireve"; "Hope"; "Tiregerereiwo"; "Handiro Dambudziko"; "Tiri Mubindu"; "Dzokai"; "Tozeza"; and "Dzidziso".

Collectables Records Corp.
PO Box 35, Narberth, PA 19072-0035
www.oldies.com 1-800-446-6426

Collectables Records Corp. continues its tradition of reviving great 70's and 80's albums at a very affordable price. Two classic albums by DEVO - a band whose presentation defied categorization as rock, punk, or other genres, and whose music is perhaps described as "cautionary tales" with rhythm and showstopping pizzazz - have been re-released in CD format. Duty Now For The Future (COL-CD-6554 $12.98) features thirteen tracks including "Devo Corporate Anthem", "The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprize", and the toe-tapping "Secret Agent Man". New Traditionalists ($12.98 COL-CD-6555) has even more biting and relevant social commentary embedded in its songs, such as "Love Without Anger" (Isn't Love At All), "It's a Beautiful World" (For You), "Through Being Cool", and "Jerkin' Back 'n' Forth". The themes underlying of DEVO's music - warnings against false senses of human superiority, suggestions that so-called human "devolution" is all too real and readily embraced, suspicion of unrestrained nuclear proliferation and/or warmongering, as well as questioning social myths about how man relates to man (or woman) all resound as truthfully today as they did a quarter century past. Both albums sound flawless in the latest CD repackaging, and are must-have leisure listening for anyone an interest in the devolved band that dared to be different. Also very highly recommended are the Collectables Records Corp. re-releases of DEVO's albums Shout (COL-CD-6553) and Oh No! It's Devo! (COL-CD-6552).


The Audiobook Shelf

Mind Wide Open
Steven Johnson, author; Alan Sklar, narrator
Tantor Media, Inc.
114 Mill Rock Road East, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
www.tantor.com
1400101166 $29.99 1-877-782-6867 x24

Author of the 2001 New York Times Notable Book "The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities and Software" Steven Johnson presents Mind Wide Open, an audiobook that explores today's cutting edge brain research. Describing the latest discoveries in layman's terms, Johnson explains how the human brain works, and uses himself as a test subject to answer the nuances of the ancient question: who am I? From the neurochemistry behind love and sex, to the immense amount of chemicals closely akin to recreational drugs within the brain, to the real source of breakthrough ideas and more, Mind Wide Open reveals how human consciousness works in fine detail. Skillfully read aloud by award-winning narrator Alan Sklar, Mind Wide Open is very highly recommended for personal and community audio libraries. 7 CDs, 8 hours unabridged.

Judgment Calls
Alafair Burke, author; Betty Bobbitt, narrator
Bolinda Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 307, Shelton, CT 06484
www.bolinda.com
1740935535 $80.00 1-888-235-2019

Judgment Calls is the debut thriller audiobook about a seemingly simple assault case that leads to a prostitution ring of underage girls and a possible serial killer. Set in the dark side of Portland, Judgment Calls follows Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid, as she is called upon following the brutal assault of a thirteen-year-old girl left for dead. Author Alafair Burke, himself a former deputy district attorney and now a teacher of criminal law, reveals her inside knowledge of the justice system in this stunning and unnerving saga. 10 CDs, 9 hours 45 minutes, tracks every 3 minutes for easy bookmarking.

Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com

Robert Crais narrates his own gripping thriller of a L.A. convenience store robbery turned violent and a former hostage negotiator's re-involvement in a dangerous world in Hostage (1597374555 $29.95), the gripping drama of an L.A. crime lord's involvement in a nightmare. A vivid listen which is gripping and just won't quit, the audio version brings Hostage's peak moments to life. Greg Iles' Bloody Memory (1596002468, $26.95) receives veteran Joyce Bean's smooth and seamless, compelling voice as it tells of a forensic odontologist whose latest case involves a New Orleans murder. Cat's confrontation with a dangerous serial killer at large results in a gripping story of insanity which reaches even into her safest refuges in the South. Robert Crais' The Forgotten Man (1596008318, $24.95) also benefits from the author's moving reading style, which brings to life the story of a P.I. who is in the process of facing both his own past and a brutal killer just as determined to keep him from seeing the truth. Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley's Redemption (159355883X, $21.95) enjoys Sandra Burr's long-time audio narration experience and background as it relates the story of a woman who discovers her respected professor husband is having an affair with a student. Kari's anger can't last long when an old flame shows to confuse her thoughts further. Speaking of romance, Sandra Brown is the queen of romance in Eloquent Silence (1593559062, $29.95), with veteran reader Joyce Bean again adding her impressionable, seasoned voice to the story of a dedicated young teacher for the deaf whose career hides a deep loneliness. A lonely father facing a handicapped daughter and dead wife finds solace in her teachings.

Miracles On Maple Hill
Virginia Sorensen
Full Cast Audio
618 Westcott Street, 1st Floor, Syracuse, NY 13210
1932076689 $31.00 fullcastaudio.com

It's the first Newbery Award winner to achieve full-cast audio production, it reaches out to families with a story of a 1950s family's retreat to the country to heal from spiritual wounds suffered during the war, and it springs to life thanks to the spirited participation of the full cast production: what more could one wish for in an audio production? Cynthia Bishop and the Full Cast family do an exquisite job with Miracles On Ample Street, the unabridged presentation on cd leaves not a word missing, and an added folk song enhances the overall effort. Simply lovely.

Random House Audio
1745 Broadway, NY, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/audio

Random House audios promise exceptional leisure interest: they take seasoned authors with proven track records, pair them with equally seasoned readers, and add unabridged productions for maximum appreciation of the original author's intentions. Robert B. Parker's Cold Service (07393-18594, $29.95), for example, pairs another gripping Parker 'Spenser' mystery with Joe Mantegna's seasoned and smooth rendition, which comes from his film and acting background. Spencer's Boston crime scene focus again comes to life when Spenser's close ally Hawk is brutally injured while on an investigating, leaving Spenser to investigate a Ukrainian hit mob alone. Stephen Frey's The Chairman (07-39318802, $27.50) receives Erik Singer's gripping rendition which perfectly captures the tension underlying the story of an equity legend who meets an untimely death, involving his replacement in a deadly position which may also prove his demise. Dangerous alliances and necessary actions break rules and bring out a dangerous assassin in The Chairman's gripping story. Kevin Guilfoile's Cast Of Shadows (0739318268, $29.95) features narrator Peter Francis Jame's excellent voice and skilled television background, bringing to life the story of a bereaved doctor who undertakes a dangerous medical experiment against all moral, ethical and safety rules. A killer's DNA evokes a dangerous investigation into a child's connection to a killer. Jeremy J. Siegel's The Future For Investors (0739317334, $29.95) receives veteran audiobook narrator James Lurie's smooth, clear voice and provides nonfiction listeners with an assessment of future stock picking and trends. Siegel is one of the world's leading investment experts: his predictions of future market trends offers some surprising food for thought.

Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY NY 10020
www.simonsaysaudio.com

Stephen King's compelling novel Carrie (0743536983, $36.98) returns to life with a new reading by actress Sissy Spacek, who played the character of Carrie in the film. Add a special introduction by the author, a bonus excerpt of The Shining, and chilling high drama and you have an audio production which simply can't be beat for tension and excitement throughout. Carol Higgins Clark's Burned (0743536746, $29.95) enjoys the author's own reading, bringing to life the gripping ongoing adventures of L.A. private detective Regan Reilly, who has come to Hawaii for one last girls' weekend before marriage, only to find a body, a missing valuable lei, and a threat to the resort. It's up to Regan to uncover a decades-old murder which may still be affecting the resort today. Three solid nonfiction listens offer the unique opportunity to learn from pros. Take The Five Essential People Skills: How To Assert Yourself, Listen To Others, And Resolve Conflicts (07671403495, $39.85): here lessons from the Dale Carnegie training program provide all the insights needed to learn about assertiveness, problem solving, and conflict resolution. Seven major personality types are revealed, personal and business success assessed, and Carnegie's own professional template for business-conducive communications is presented as a foundation. Richard Carlson, Ph.D.'s Don't Sweat The Small Stuff and It's All Small Stuff: Simple Ways To Keep The Little Things From Taking Over Your Life (0743540654, $29.95) receives Carlson's on excellent explanations and reading as it tells how to live in the present, build stress tolerance, and trust intuition through making small daily changes and choosing battles wisely. Gentle suggestions promote stress-free living choices. What makes some people a success while others fail? Learn from Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman in First, Break All The Rules (0743510119, $24.00), presenting the authors' own advice based on tried and tested managerial success strategies. Career lessons and performance tips are deftly tiedto personal strengths and achievement goals in a lively discourse on company strategies which can apply equally to personal and management challenges.

Alice In Jeopardy
Ed McBain
Books On Tape
400 Hahn Road, Westminister, MD 21157
www.library.booksontape.com
1415908303 $63.00 1-800-733-3000

Ed McBain is a veritable master of mystery and suspense. With Alice In Jeopardy we meet 34 year old Alice Glendening eight months after her husband's unexpected death in a boating accident. Alice has had to find someway to support herself and her two children while awaiting the insurance payout for her late husband. She finds employment as a real estate agent and meets Charlie Hobbs when she is sent to buy his waterfront land for a developer. But when Alice's children are kidnapped, and the kidnapper wants a ransom exactly in the amount of the insurance check for her husband's accidental death, she doesn't go to the police. She turns to Charlie for help. What follows is another superb Ed McBain thriller with plot twists, memorable characters, and "page turner" action. Very highly recommended for library audiobook collections, Alice In Jeopardy is deftly narrated by Bernadette Dune and expertly recorded complete and unabridged on 6 audiocassettes with a total running time of 8 hours, 30 minutes.

The Last Battle
C.S. Lewis
Harper Audio
10 East 53rd St, NY, NY 10022
www.harpercollins.com
0060597828 $27.50 1-800-242-7737

The concluding story of the Narnia fantasy chronicles receives a powerful audio narration by Star Trek actor/star Patrick Stewart, whose smooth British voice perfectly captures the drama revolving around a missing great Lion, the heart of Narnia's magic, and children's efforts to find him. Add the perils of a king who now must fight the last struggle without Aslan's magic and you have a gripping saga indeed. Familiarity with the prior books is essential to a full appreciation of this concluding drama.

Stories Of The Pilgrims
Margaret Pumphrey
Blackstone Audiobooks
PO Box 969, Ashland, OR 97520
www.blackstoneaudio.com
0786121696 $23.95 1-800-729-2665

Superbly written by Margaret Pumhrey and wonderfully narrated by Marguerite Gavin, Stories Of The Pilgrims is especially appropriate for young listeners with informed and entertaining accounts of how the Pilgrims left England to escape religious oppression in the native England, their escape to Holland, and their eventual, hazardous crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in the sailing ship Mayflower to arrive in America. Their story continues with descriptions of the early days of Pilgrim settlement in New England. Soundly founded on historical facts and records, the individual stories comprising this outstanding 4 hour, 30 minute, complete and unabridged audiobook presentation brings the listener the detailed, everyday life of those pioneering Pilgrims and their families as they struggled to survive while maintaining their faith in the New World.

Listen and Live Audio
PO Box 817, Roseland, NJ 07068
www.listenandlive.com

Two wonderful audio guides are top picks for leisure listeners. Business listeners in particular will wish to choose Ari Weinzweig's Zingerman's Guide To Giving Great Service: Treating Your Customers Like Royalty (1593160461, $19.95): yes, the market is flooded with books on how to provide exceptional customer service, but there's room for one more: particularly when it's an inviting audio detailing a success story's approach. From simple hiring tips to measuring service and handling customer complaints, the author himself provides the lively reading style for his book. Caroline Winterson narrates Sharon Owens' The Tea House On Mulberry Street (1593160496, $34.95): Winterson's warm voice makes for a lovely pairing to a gentle story of a beloved tea house, its weary husband/wife proprietors, and the string of characters who love the tea house for more than its dessert sustenance.


The Homeowner's Shelf

The Mold Survival Guide For Your Home And For Your Health
Jeffrey C. May & Connie L. May
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
www.press.jhu.edu
0801879388 $18.95 1-800-537-5487

Mold growth is a wide-ranging problem only recently receiving recognition in the process: turn to the The Mold Survival Guide For Your Home And For Your Health for significantly more depth and advice than any ordinary newspaper article could offer. Indoor air quality professional teams join a writing specialist to describe different types of molds and how to eradicate them while maintaining health. Tips on prevention are particularly well done.

Building Wealth One House At A Time
John W. Schaub
McGraw-Hill
Two Penn Plaza, NY, NY 10121-2298
www.books.mcgraw-hill.com
0071448357 $18.95 1-877-833-5524

The key to investing wisely in real estate is buying good houses in good neighborhoods - but there's more to it than that: buy at wholesale prices, properly fund an investment, and learn how to gain tenants who will increase a property's investment value in Building Wealth One House At A Time, a practical guide by real estate expert John Schaub, an investing expert whose program is taught through seminars and home-study courses. Plenty of similar-sounding investment guides promise wealth; this is one of the few to provide the step-by-step program on just how.

Spa
Allison Arieff & Bryan Burkhart
Taschen
6671 Sunset Boulevard, #1508, Los Angeles, CA 90028
3822858900 $39.99 www.taschen.com

Nothing is more lovely or inviting than a spa, and the best mimic pools and lovely outdoors environments. Whether you're a traveler seeking the ultimate spa or a homeowner seeking ideas for reproducing paradise in your own backyard, Spa is the book of choice for locating both ideas and destinations. Spas around the world, from resorts and hotel spas to, are profiled and packed into a lovely book filled with photos and ideas. Spa prices and services will appeal to destination-oriented travelers, while the extensive color shots of spa surroundings, both interior and exterior, offer plenty of ideas for homeowners who would create smaller versions of paradise.

Taunton Press
PO Box 5506, Newton, CT 06470-5506
www.taunton.com

Taunton Press is the publisher of choice for woodworkers at all stages: it produces high-quality project-oriented books homeowners will appreciate, with plenty of project ideas, tips on using tools and working with woods and materials, and home ideas. Dale Mulfinger's The Getaway Home: Discovering Your Home Away From Home (1561585998, $30.00), for example, looks at over twenty houses designed and built solely for recreation. Different outdoor settings are considered, house design options and requirements are reviewed, and nearly 300 color photos packs in plenty of visual detail of both interior and exterior homes. Or, consider Matthew Schoenherr, Linda Mason Hunter and Wendy Jordan's House Transformed: Getting The Home You Want (1561-587117, $32.00): here architect Schoenherr lends his knowledge to re-designing homes to produce successful working models from not-so-perfect places. Nineteen successful remodels are explored, from basic site pros and cons and design options to wedding old with new features and creating a workable living environment. Mary Ellen Polson's The Trim Idea Book (1561587109, $19.95) is packed with new ideas for a home, taking a room-by-room approach to decorating with trim. Literally hundreds of trim ideas uses all kinds of material and different approaches to showcase windows, doors, ceilings and more. Discussions cover how each trim affects the room's overall style and feel, and how enrichments and wainscoting work to tie together the whole. Woodworkers receive two practical how-to guides to handling tools and equipment: Working With Handplanes (1561587486, $17.95) comes from the editors of Fine Woodworking magazine and covers all the basics of using the handplane for a range of projects, from choosing the right handplane for the job to sharpening and maintaining them. There's all kinds of considerations in using handplanes, from working with different grains to achieving good results: Working With Handplanes is packed with tips. Lon Schleining's The Workbench: A Complete Guide To Creatng Your Perfect Bench (1561585947, $34.95) comes from an experienced benchman who teaches seminars at woodworking shows across the country, and has contributed numerous articles on the topic to woodworking magazines - and is a licensed contractor to boot. Chapters cover all the basics; from building a bench from scratch and understanding the dynamics which differentiates a workable bench from one which isn't as functional, to considering commercial bench options, kits, and components. All are wonderful references promising lasting library lending.

Affordable Home Design
Martha Torres
HarperDesign
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022-5299
www.harpercollins.com
0060589086 $35.00 1-800-242-7737

Affordable Home Design; Innovations And Renovations is packed with solutions to appeal to designers on a budget who want to keep quality without high expense. Here are projects which focus on budget-saving ideas and sustainable designs, covering both new construction and renovation projects from single family homes to apartments. Energy saving ideas are a big part of Affordable Home Design, with discussions revolving around originally commissioned idea versus finished project considerations. Martha Torres received a degree in architecture in Venezuela and has coordinated a number of design projects: her expertise lends to a fine set of ideas.

American Nightmare
Richard Lord
Common Courage Press
121 Red Barn Rd., Monroe, ME 04951
www.commoncouragepress.com
1567513042 $16.95 1-800-497-3207

Many homeowners who can't borrow from banks have relied on the subprime lending industry for mortgages - an industry which has increasingly assessed huge fees and then foreclosed on the house when a buyer couldn't make payments; in effect becoming a predatory lender. American Nightmare: Predatory Lending And The Foreclosure Of The American Dream is one of the first to probe in detail the methods of predatory lending sources, discussing the plight of borrowers who have been taken, lenders cheated, and state efforts to regulate the industry. An intriguing title all pre-homeowners should read!

Decorating Junkmarket Style
Sue Whitney & Ki Nassauer
Meredith Books
1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309
www.meredithbooks.com
0696222825 $19.95 1-800-678-8091

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer are the original 'Junkmasters': hockey moms who take 'junk' from broken umbrellas to strange machine parts, and transform it into a stylish home project. Here are instructions on how to create over twenty pieces from 'junk', along with nearly two hundred photos packed with ideas for decorating with 'repurposed junk'. The ultimate recycler's guide, Decorating Junkmarket Style is a fun, whimsical guide filled with ideas which work surprisingly well. Color photos abound.

Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCa Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com

Two new guides for homeowner/builders assure libraries have solid repeat references: each covers construction planning and basics, and each is packed with contrasting ideas. Peter Jeswald's How To Build Paths, Steps & Footbridges: The Fundamentals Of Planning, Designing, And Constructing Creative Walkwys In Your Home Landscape (1580174876, $19.95) provides construction basics for every kind of medium, from wood to rock. From working with stone and wood to creating forms and considering unique environments, How To Build Paths, Steps & Footbridges is packed with ideas and eye-catching examples of completed projects, as well as plenty of how-to planning ideas along the way. Jeff Beneke's The Fence Bible (1580175309, $24.95) isn't just for wood fences: it covers all kinds, from ornamental wrought-iron and barbed wire to rustic wood and prefab panels. Terms are explained, pros and cons of each fencing choice considered, and budgets are given an overview in step-by-step instructions covering everything from initial plans to final projects. The Fence Bible is the book of choice for any builder.

Curb Appeal
Sunset Publishing
80 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
www.sunsetbooks.com
037601167X $19.95 1-800-643-8030

Curb Appeal: Exciting Ways To Enhance The Appearance Of Your Home provides fascinating before-and-after photos to show how changes in paint, decoration and landscaping can create a new look to a tired home. Fifteen projects are geared to the do-it-yourself homeowner, from fences to outdoor lighting and trim, and provide fresh ideas for enhancing a home's appearance.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Dreamways Of The Iroquois
Robet Moss
Destiny Books/Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.InnerTraditions.com
1594770344 $16.95 1-800-246-8648

In Dreamways Of The Iroquois: Honoring The Secret Wishes Of The Soul, author Robert Moss offers a spirited and spiritual approach to dreaming, called "Active Dreaming". The ancient Iroquois people believed that dreams were the experiences of the soul; Moss draws upon their wisdom and reveals the connections between dreams, spirit, wishes, and healing. Part visionary testimony, part instructional in the art of dream control and interpretation, and part mystical journey, Dreamways Of The Iroquois is an insightful discussion of how dreams can be used to reclaim the vital energy of the soul itself.

The Serpent Myths Of Ancient Egypt
William Ricketts Cooper
Red Wheel/Weiser
368 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
www.redwheelweiser.com
0892541393 $10.95 1-800-423-7087

In The Serpent Mythos Of Ancient Egypt, amateur Egyptologist William Ricketts Cooper (1843-1878) focused upon the two main aspects of the serpent in ancient Egyptian arts and artifacts. One the one side, the serpent was a destroyer; on the other, a protector. From the serpent as the embodiment of evil during the Ritual of the Dead and the trials of the afterlife, to winged serpents symbolizing gods and goddesses, The Serpent Mythos Of Ancient Egypt is an amazing tour packed with black-and-white drawings many of which are reproductions of inscriptions, images on papyri, and other articles in museum collections. Cooper also compares Egyptian serpent symbolism with that of other cultures and religions, including early Christianity. Notes from Dr. S. Birch, M. Renouf, M. Lenormant, S. M. Drach, and more Egyptologists round out this absorbing pioneer study.

Llewellyn
PO Box 64383, St. Paul, MN 55164
www.llewellyn.com

Spellcaster: Seven Ways To Effective Magic by Elen Hawke & Martin White, Eds. (0738706345 $14.95) is no singular advice guide by one person, but a compilation of seven ways to magic, contributed by seven practitioners in the field, from Leah Whitehorse to Morgana SidheRaven. Their essays explore how magical energies operate, how to control them, and ethical and social issues which are part of using them. The editors of Spellcaster come with their own impressive credentials: Elen Hawke is a Craft Elder and member of the Pagan federation, and Martin White is a professional tarot and rune reader, making for a diverse set of magic skills involved in the process of culling articles for Spellcaster. Teresa C. Michelsen's The Complete Tarot Reader: Everything You Need To Know From Start To Finish (0738704342, $15.95) offers a holstic guide to tarot consideration which encourages readers to develop intuitive reading skills as well as understanding how the card readings work. There are different methods and choices to reading reversed cards, to understanding and interpreting card connections, and to overcoming blocks in reading tarot results: The Complete Tarot Reader addresses all these concerns and more.

Magickal Mermaids And Water Creatures
D.J. Conway
New Page Books
PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
www.newpagebooks.com
1564147843 $15.99 1-800-227-3371

D.J. Conway has worked in the fields of magick and Paganism for over forty years: her background lends to Magickal Mermaids And Water Creatures: Invoke The Magick Of The Waters: a collection of stories about the Mer-Folk which exist in nearly every water culture the world over. Ocean mermaids have influences on the weather and water alike: their secret powers and how to find and use them are revealed in a unique coverage not to be found elsewhere.


The Psychology Shelf

An Introduction To Theories Of Human Development
Neil J. Salkind
Sage Publications
2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks CA 91320
www.sagepub.com
0761926399 $44.95 1-800-818-7243

An Introduction To Theories Of Human Development by educator and psychologist Neil J. Salkind is a comprehensive overview of the changes that occur in behavior during the long transition from infancy to adulthood. A wide variety of approaches seeking to clarify and better understand different scientific perspectives are discussed, including the maturational/biological approach, the psychodynamic approach, the behavioral perspective, and the cognitive-developmental view. A comparative analysis places the insights of each branch of psychology in perspective, in this intelligently written yet highly accessible educational text, as fascinating for lay readers as it is useful to beginning psychology students.

The Dependent Patient
Robert F. Bornstein
American Psychological Association
750 First St, NE, Washington, DC 20002
www.apa.org/books
1591472032 $59.95 1-800-368-5777

The Dependent Patient: A Practitioner's Guide by Robert F. Bornstein (Professor of Psychology, Gettsburgy College) offers mental health professionals practical tools for dealing with overly dependent patients - individuals who have trouble asserting themselves within and outside therapy, alienate others with their pattern of clinging insecurity, and undermine their own relationships with overly frequent requests for help and reassurance. In today's managed-care health environment with stricter time limits on therapy, helping overly dependent patients is even more daunting a task. A technical discussion intended especially for practitioners in the field, The Dependent Patient covers how to quantify dependency, distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy dependency, various approaches to treatment including psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic-experiential perspectives, and much more. A welcome and recommended contribution to mental health reference shelves.

The Future Of The Brain
Steven Rose
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Ave., NY, NY 10016-4314
www.oup-usa.org
0195154207 $28.00 1-800-451-7556

The brain has traditionally been studied by chemists and behavior by psychologists; but modern scientific advancement is interlacing these disciplines into a unified field of neuroscience, which also includes researchers in biology, genetics, physiology and other disciplines. The Future Of The Brain: The Promise And Perils Of Tomorrow's Neuroscience considers the pros and cons of this marriage between genetics and information science, surveying temptations to treat and control different aspects of behavior, surveying some already-dangerous trends of diagnosis of ADD and other diseases, and discussing how new technologies affect consumers on both a physical and philosophical level. Steven P.R. Rose is a professor of biology at the Open University: his title outlines many concerns.

When Living Hurts
Sol Gordon, Ph.D.
URJ Press
633 Third Avenue, NY, NY 10017-6778
0807408646 $13.95 www.urjpress.com

The revised edition of When Living Hurts: For Teenagers, Young Adults, Their Parents, Leaders And Counselors is out, and it's a fine update to a much-lauded 1985 original print, written for young people in trouble or those who wish to help them. Teens are more susceptible to depression, loneliness, anger and suicidal tendencies, and When Living Hurts addresses these feelings, offering insights about worries and hopelessness in an imperfect world. Help can be found to address such worries: When Living Hurts tells where and how to find it.


The Human Sexuality Shelf

The Single Guy's Survival Guide
Dean Mignola
JD Press
Box 3106, Shell Beach, CA 93448-3196
www.singleguysurvival.com
0974201103 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Today over half of men in their late 20s and a third of those in their early 30s have never married, so that mean's there's potentially a ready-made market for Dean Mignola's The Single Guy's Survival Guide: 7 Secrets Of The Modern Alpha Male. Humor blends with tips and tricks for unmarried men on such varied topics as packing a suitcase, caring for skin and hair, and achieving status.

Sex & Pleasure In Western Culture
Gail Hawkes
Polity Press
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
0745616712 $24.95 www.polity.co.uk

Sex & Pleasure In Western Culture is a scholarly and comprehensive survey of sexuality, desire, and pleasure in Western culture, from classical antiquity to the modern day. Sociology lecturer Gail Hawkes discusses such topics as how early Christianity handled the problem of desire, medieval practices, how pleasure and desire are perceived in the modern age, and more. In-depth and detailed without being lurid or sensational, Sex & Pleasure In Western Culture gives a balanced, objective scrutiny of one of the more controversial forces shaping human interaction and civilization since ancient times.

The Natashas
Victor Malarek
Arcade Publishing
141 Fifth Ave., 8th Fl, NY, NY 10010
www.arcadepub.com
1559707356 $25.00 1-800-759-0190

The sex trade is a multi-billion-dollar, global industry, so it's strange to think there's been no comprehensive expose book until now. Victor Malarek's The Natashas: Inside The New Global Sex Trade is the first to expose this major human rights issue, and comes backed by the authority and expertise of one of Canada's leading investigative journalists. After drugs and weapons, women and girls sold for sex is the third most profitable commodity in the world. The problem isn't limited to a specific region: Malarek gathers the stories of women from all walks of life as he reveals the experiences of women kidnapped into the sex slave trade in an eye-opening shocker.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

The Mammoth Book Of Sorcerers' Tales
Mike Ashley, editor
Carroll & Graf
c/o Avalon Publishing Group
245 West 17th Street, 11th floor, New York, NY 10011-5300
0786714085 $12.95 1-800-788-3123

Knowledgeably compiled and edited by Mike Ashley, The Mammoth Book Of Sorcerers' Tales is a 512-page compendium of some of the best stories of wizardry from some of the finest writers in the fantasy genre. "Master of Chaos" by Michael Moorcock, "The Walker Behind" by Marion Zimmer Bradley, "The Bones of the Earth" by Ursula K. LeGuin and many more fill this exciting and volume brimming with magic, action, fantastic settings and mystical heroic deeds. The Mammoth Book Of Sorcerers' Tales is a treat for fans of the fantasy genre interested in experiencing nothing but the best of the best.

The Apastron Reports
John Senneff
Quality Publishers
PO Box 691546, San Antonio, TX 78269
www.qualitypublishers.com
0967110777 $22.95 1-888-633-9898

In The Apastron Reports: Quest For Life, author John Senneff presents the adventures of two teen-age brothers looking for life beyond earth. Their journey will take them beyond the edges of space and time. They see a wide variety of bizarre worlds, and evidence of God everywhere they go - as well as corruption and evil intentions. From a deadly close call with the sea monster Leviathan to a city ruled by a fallen angel to a sun-god worshipping planet on the brink of survival, the fantastic settings delight and amaze while the spiritual theme of the adventure is reminiscent of C. S. Lewis' classic Narnia series. The Apastron Reports is a sci-fi fantasy feast for the imagination.

Anatomy Of Wonder, 5th Edition
Neil Barron
Libraries Unlimited
88 Post Road, Westport, CT 06881
www.greenwood.com
1591581710 $80.00 www.lu.com

Neil Barron's authoritative reference Anatomy Of Wonder: A Critical Guide To Science Fiction has seen five incarnations now: each one weightier, more all-encompassing, and more packed with genre history and reviews than the last. Here are critical discussions of over 1,400 science fiction novels, short story anthologies and collections, with surveys of accompanying film and illustration supporting categories to print, and chapters on teaching science fiction and building a science fiction library collection. Annotated bibliographies are the heart of Anatomy Of Wonder, but the added sections covering history, criticism, film and radio productions, the author studies, and the section on science fiction illustration should not be missed and add a lot to the original concept of a set of critical, authoritative synopses of the genre's best. A top pick any serious science fiction collection should include.

Ace Books
375 Hudson St., New York NY 120014
www.penguin.com

If you like your science fiction on the funny side with more than a hint of detective work, don't miss Eric Garcia's 'Rex' series: his latest, Hot & Sweaty Rex (0441012736, $13.95) has the dinosaur PI Vincent manipulated into working for organized crime. Add competing dino mafias and strange theories about dinosaur and human interactions and you have a light, fun piece as entertaining for newcomers as for old Eric Garcia 'Rex' fans. Julian May's Ironcrown Moon (0441012442, $24.95) presents Book Two in 'The Boreal Moon Tale': familiar with Book One, Conqureror's Moon, is recommended for a smooth transition to this ongoing story of sorcery, magic and intrigue. King Conrig has succeeded in uniting the warring island, but the problems aren't over: his illicit magic abilities are too well known, threatening his children's heritage to his throne, and when a thief steals an ancient, destructive text, Conrig's fate seems certain. Can magic save his world, despite its stigma? Fast fantasy action and intrigue abound.

ROC Books
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Guy Gavriel Kay's The Last Light Of The Sun (0451459857, $16.00) is a compelling fantasy saga which blends a haunting history with powerful characterization. Steeped in Celtic culture and set in the past, The Last Light Of The Sun tells of a son punished for his father's sins, who commits an act of revenge which will force him to confront a deadly past even as a dangerous king conspires to place his sons and daughters in power. Dennis L. McKiernan's Once Upon A Summer Day (045146012X, $23.95) is also a powerful fantasy pick: when a prince falls asleep and dreams of a desperate maiden in search of help, he becomes convinced she's real, and embarks on a mission to save her. Fighting witches, trolls and evil spirits, Borel journeys to perilous lands to save what may be a fantasy dream. Members of the SFFWA annually present the Nebula Awards to honor the year's finest science fiction works, and the best winners of the year are gathered in this showcase, from a man's unusual sensory affliction to a secret held by the sole survivor of an African expedition. Jack Dann edits this year's Nebula Awards Showcase 2005 (0451460154, $15.95): works by some of the top names of the industry, from Elizabeth Moon to Harlan Ellison and Barry Malzberg, in a winner's showcase of top-notch unforgettable stories. From surreal dark fantasies to slight twists on everyday life, walk through a door in the house to enter another dimension with Nebula Awards Showcase 2005..

Chaosium Inc.
895 'B' St. #423, Hayward, CA 94541
www.chaosium.com

Chaosium specializes in Lovecraft's brand of horror; so if you don't have a prior familiarity and affection for Cthulhu and Lovecraft, run out and grab up some of his stories - then turn to Chaosium for the specialized, supportive horror materials based on Lovecraft's classics. Nameless Cults: The Cthulhu Mythos Fiction Of Robert E. Howard edited by Robert M. Price (1568821301, $15.95) is a good place to begin: Howard is an authority who corresponded with Lovecraft and authored many Mythos tales. Nameless Cults gathers all his Mythos works under one cover plus more, which use Arthur Machen's folklore to round out the tales. Even fragments are included in a well-rounded collection designed to expand the range of Cthulhu horror fiction beyond Lovecraft's initial boundaries. Michael Dziesinski's Secret Of Japan: Survivng The Mythos In Present-day Japan (156-8821565, $34.95) is hot off the press and a recommended pick for enthusiasts of Lovecraft. Here the Mythos arises anew in Japan in a quasi-graphic novel which traces elements of magic, sacred items and secrets, and the rise of primordial entities who use Japan as a new base for taking over mankind. A unique modern approach provides a role-playing model for action and drama. The sixth edition of Sandy Petersen, Lynn Willis et.al.'s Call Of Cthulhu (1568821816, $34.95) is also designed for role-player gamers working with the Myths as a foundation: all that's needed to accompany this book is a pair of dice and some friends and the game is on. References, game outlines, and plots and subplots abound in the complex Call Of Cthulhu roleplaying guide.

DAW Books
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.dawbooks.com

Two fine fantasy picks will delight readers seeking strong characterization, unusual plots and swift action. Irene Radford's Guardian Of The Greedom (0756401-78X, $24.95) is Book 5 of her 'Merlin's Descendants' set: the American colonies are in rebellion, King George III is on the throne, and a break with the current Pendragon, Drake, is threatened. A distant cousin may provide the only key to keeping the Pendragon line alive in the British Empire in this historical fantasy. Curt Benjamin's Lords Of Grass And Thunder (0756401976, $24.95) provides a new magic fantasy story, adding to the prior Seven Brothers story. A Prince Tayy began as an untried warrior but here returns home a war hero - but his home is anything but peaceful, with his parents slain by a dangerous demon, his uncle new a ruler, and Tayy himself a new heir slated for leadership - if opposing forces don't kill him first. Danger abounds in this fast-paced adventure.

Baen Books
PO Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 14701
www.baen.com

Three exciting new titles from Baen Books excel in satisfyingly complex political and social plots spiced with action and high drama. Christopher Anvil's Interstellar Patrol II: The Federation Of Humanity (0743498922, $26.00) presents two slick villains trapped on a crime-ridden planet until their hoax brings them to the clutches of the Interstellar Patrol, which seeks good con men for their latest ploy. Humor underlies and permeates a series of con plots which involve Vaughan and his two companions in alien hijinks. Mercedes Lackey and Roberta Gellis' Ill Met By Moonlight (0743498909, $25.00) is high fantasy set in Elfland, where the great elf queen Titania and her king are at peace for the moment. Trouble, as usual, is coming from England, where an aging king's son is bringing misery to the people. His determination to throw England into a new dark age will involve both kingdoms in struggle in this moving epic fantasy. Steve White's The Prometheus Project (07434098917, $24.00) presents a giant hoax which has succeeded in keeping Earth from the aliens - but the secret hoax is about to be revealed, and one special forces agent Bob Devaney is the key to keeping the project hoax intact - unless romance gets in the way of saving the planet. Fast action and unexpected twists and turns mark an engrossing story.


The Money/Finance Shelf

The Budget Kit
Judy Lawrence
Dearborn Publishing
30 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606-7481
www.dearborntrade.com
0793141281 $16.95 1-800-245-2665

Any who would learn and apply the basics of budgeting to either home or business pursuits would do well to grab the newly updated and expanded third edition of Judy Lawrence's The Budget Kit: The Common Cents Money Management Workbook. Here are all the basics, complete and ready to go in a workbook fill-in format. Even users of financial software will find the basics herein to prove essential: applicable to all levels of money management and finances.

All Your Worth
Elizabeth Warren & Amelia Warren Tyagi
The Free Press
1230 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
074326987X $24.95 www.amazon.com

Middle-class Americans are increasingly making minimum payments on credit cards because they can't pay more - and debt loads for all are increasing as paychecks cover less and less. All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan by Elizabeth Warren & Amelia Warren Tyagi offers the basics on how to regain control of money, from balancing money with needs to handling a money emergency, loosening the grip on credit cards and their debt, and understanding common pitfalls of financial planning. All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan comes from the authors of The Two-Income Trap: Elizabeth Warren is a chaired professor at Harvard Law School, Amelia Warren Tyagi is a writer. Their combined expertise is invaluable.

Retiring Abroad
Ben West
Cadogan/The Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
1860111254 $19.95 1-800-243-0495

Retiring Abroad is practical guidebook to planning to spend one's golden years in another nation. An introductory section discusses why retiring abroad can be a preferable option, and covers such basic concerns as taxes, working abroad, language barriers, cost of living issues, red tape and more. Detailed profiles of over 45 countries, including the 10 most popular for retiring abroad, allow one to effectively survey options, and further chapters walk one through selecting a property, financing the purchase, and the nuts and bolts of how to smoothly transition and settle in to one's new home. A plain-terms primer, covering a broad range of common problems and solutions, packed with just about everything to decide whether retiring abroad is best suited for the reader.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Collector Books
PO Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
www.collectorbooks.com

These new collector guides are recommended picks for specialty collectors. Russell E. Lewis' Art Of American Game Calls: Duck, Goose, Turkey And More: Identification And Values (1574324306, $24.95) profiles a hot area in collecting: the duck, goose, turkey and other whistles which imitate their calls to draw in birds during the hunt. Organized by collection and maker, Art Of American Game Calls provides large color photos of calls with price guides and maker history. The thirteenth edition of Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual (157432439X, $19.95) is out, with over 500 pages packing black and white photos and resources on the latest collectible markets and prices. From candy containers and Cracker Jack toys to motorcycle collectibles, these are the items you might readily find in a flea market or for a bargain at a garage sale: keep Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual in the car for those treasure hunts! Linda Crowsey's Madame Alexander Price Guide #30 (1574324438, $14.95) is the latest guide to 2005 collector's dolls - and a 'must' for any avid collector of the Madame Alexander line. Dolls organized by type include small color photos and plenty of value detail: perfect for the collector or shop owner. Also a fine specialty item is Ron Stewart and Roy Ritchie's Remington Knives Past & Present: Identification & Value Guide (1574324276, $16.95): black and white photos on every page accompany descriptions of knives, including patterns, shields, handles and blades. An excellent, basic reference. Ronna Lee Aikins' 100 Years Of Purses 1880s To 1980s: Identification And Values (1574-324535, $24.95) covers everything from evening bags to mesh purses and beaded and pearled accessories. Two large-size color photos to each page accompany descriptions and values, along with maker details. The third edition of Star Wars Super Ocllector's Wish Book Identification & Values by Geoffrey T. Carlton is out (1574324551, $29.95), and it's a 'must' recommendation for any avid Star War collector and fan. It's bigger than the second edition listing almost 40,00 items and packed with over 13,000 color photos. There are hundreds of categories holding items from over a thousand manufacturers, with updated prices providing the latest details. Dana Johnson's The Other Matchbox Toys Identification And Value Guide 1947-2004 (1574324462, $19.95) covers all kinds of models, from twin packs to trucks, racing cars and more. Bright color photos abound on pages packed with values and descriptions, making identification and reference easy.

Antiquing New York
John L. Michel and Barbara N. Michel
Columbia University Press
61 W. 62nd St., New York NY 10023
www.columbia.edu/cu/cup
0231132190 $24.95 1-800-944-8648

Travelers to or residents of New York who want a fine updated guide to the dealers of the City plus Westchester, Long Island and Upstate receive a fine pocket-sized take-along tote to the best shops, written by two long-time writers in the antique industry. Over a thousand dealers are listed by section, an invaluable street guide for Manhattan has been reorganized for better efficiency, and appendices list them by specialty areas and special services as well. Antiquing New York is a 'must' for any New York bound antiquing enthusiasts seeking the best places to explore for antiques of all kinds and categories.

Collecting Victorian Jewelry
C. Jeanenne Bell, G.G.
KP Books/F&W Publications
700 East State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001
0873496736 $24.99 1-888-457-2873

Gemologist C. Jeanenne Bell presents Collecting Victorian Jewelry: Identification And Price Guide, a full-color showcase of the distinctive jewelry of the Victorian era. Vintage photographs and artwork as well as close-up detailed of pieces, extensive price information, tips on discerning real pieces from imitation and general background information on gemstones and fashion of the time fill this lavish volume. A "must-have" for antique jewelry collectors, and recommended for anyone interested in seeing these wondrous works of art and adornment up close.

Charming: The Magic Of Charm Jewelry
Deborah Alun-Jones & John Ayton
Thames & Hudson
500 - 5th Ave., New York NY 10110
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
0500512132 $19.95 1-800-233-4830

Fashion history and collector insights alike apply in Charming: The Magic Of Charm Jewelry, a coverage of the charm bracelet's jewelry and appeal over the ages. The journey starts in ancient times, with a review of Egyptian scarabs and Chinese works, to modern times, where a range of shapes and materials mean a wide diversity of charm choices. Color photos accompany an art expose which will prove just as valuable to collectors who want background history to better appreciate the modern charm.

Masonic Memorabilia For Collectors
Bill Jackman
Gemini Publications Ltd
c/o Parkwest Publications
PO Box 20261, NY, NY 10025-1512
www.masoniccollectors.com
0953063720 $48.00 parkwestpubs.com

The price tag is expensive for a 120-page paperback and so will limit this reference to only the most avid collector - but that collector will find Masonic Memorabilia to be most invaluable and unique, justifying its price with the author's 40 year background in antiques and specialty insider's knowledge of Freemason collectibles. Most items of china, glass, jewelry, books and more are from Jackman's collection: George Perrott edits the survey and Masonic Memorabilia also includes an invaluable price guide for would-be collectors, plus plenty of color photos. Invaluable.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Consolation
Maurice Lamm
Jewish Publication Society
2100 Arch Street, 2nd floor, Philadelphia PA 19103-1399
www.jewishpub.org
0827608152 $30.00 1-800-234-3151

Consolation: The Spiritual Journey Beyond By Grief by Maurice Lamm (Founder and President of the National Institute for Jewish Hospice and Professor at Yeshiva University's Rabbinical Seminary, New York) teaches the reader how to bring consolation to those struggling with grief and loss. Though intended especially for those of the Jewish faith, the spiritual and healing principles transcend individual religious affiliations. From restoring a fragmented soul to learning how to make one's own future rather than settle for one, Consolation is a powerful compendium of advice for dealing with difficult transitions, and as useful for friends helping friends in need as it is for professional counselors and religious leaders.

Remembering Jewish Amsterdam
Philo Bregstein & Salvador Bloemgarten
Holmes & Meier
PO Box 943, Teaneck, NJ 07666
0841914257 $39.95 1-800-698-7781

The collaboration of novelist and playwright Philo Bregstein and author Salvador Bloemgarten, Remembering Jewish Amsterdam presents an informed and informative overview of Jewish culture and personalities that impacted the economic and social life of Amsterdam from the seventeenth century, until the obliterating holocaust of German occupation in 1940. Presented almost entirely in the form of brief testimonies from individuals, Remembering Jewish Amsterdam covers common occupations to religious practices, living and housing in the old Jewish quarter, entertainment and recreation, immigration, zionism, Jewish-Christian relations of the era and much more. The words of the people who once lived in Jewish Amsterdam recapture as vivid a picture as possible of what life was once like before the shadow of the Holocaust. A handful of black-and-white and some color photographs illustrate this welcome addition to Judaic history and studies reference shelves.

Jewish With Feeling
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi
Riverhead Books
375 Hudson St.reet, NY, NY 10014-3657
www.penguin.com
1573222801 $23.95 1-800-847-5515

Jewish With Feeling: A Guide To Meaningful Jewish Practice isn't just a guide to Jewish mysticism by Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi (in collaboration with Joe Segel): it translates scholarship and Jewish mystical experience to the realm of designing a personal spiritual path for those who would practice Judaism as a living religion. From questions of the special mechanics of faith in Jewish interactions, which differ from other religions, to Sabbath's real meaning, individual chapters translate the feelings and intentions of Jewish spirituality for all.


The Gardening Shelf

Dogwoods
Paul Cappiello & Don Shadow
Timber Press
133 S.W. Second Avenue, Suite 450, Portland, OR 97204-3527
0881926795 $39.95 1-800-327-5680

Written by the former horticulture director of the Bernheim Arboretum and award-winning gardener and horticulture expert Don Shadow, Dogwoods is an in-depth guide to dogwood trees and shrubs, which have been immensely popular as ornamental plants especially since the 18th and 19th centuries. Offering an overview of all dogwoods of horticultural note, including species of trees, shrubs and groundcovers, and illustrated with more than two hundred gorgeous, full-color photographs, Dogwoods is the perfect guidebook for determining the type of dogwood best suited for one's garden and highly recommended for anyone interested in cultivating these beautiful plants. A highly informative species-by-species detail, intended especially for gardeners but accessible to lay readers as well. All gardeners would be well advised to send for the free Timber Press catalog for a complete listing of their titles.


The Journalism/Media Shelf

News Incorporated
Elliot D. Cohen, Ph.D., Editor
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
1591022320 $26.00 1-800-421-0351

Essays by more than a dozen of the country's top media scholars, critics and journalists discuss how the corporate ownership of the media holds dangers to the American democratic process itself, from issues of standardization in program content and party lines to the demise of local interests and the nationalization of the news media itself. Recommended as critical reading for any college-level student of journalism, News Incorporated: Corporate Media Ownership And Its Threat To Democracy considers the underlying dangers in how the current news delivery system is structured and regulated, and how it could be fixed.

Final Edition
Joe Rush
Apogee Publishing
89 Elmwood Ave., Chatham, NJ 07928
pjr89@optonline.net
0974771007 $16.95 www.amazon.com

Plenty of books cover newspapers and journalism, from critical content surveys to insights on politics and the job itself: few provide the insider's perspective of newsman Joe Rush's memoir Final Edition: My Fifty Years In The World's Second Oldest Profession. Here you'll find Joe Rush's different experiences with the major dailies, weeklies, and other types of newspapers; from press experiences to how a newspaper is run. Anecdotes and memories of newspaper experiences is based upon reporting of major news stories in the last few decades, providing a panoramic view of the industry as a whole. It's Rush's different levels of newspaper experience and insights which gives Final Edition its finely honed edge over others.


The Military Shelf

Bootprints
Hobert Winebrenner & Michael McCoy
Camp Comamajo Press
PO Box 212, Albion, IN 46701
0975915509 $27.95 1-260-636-6035

Bootprints: An Infantryman's Walk Through World War II tells Hobert Winebrenner's personal story of life and death as an American infantryman who fought against the best that Germany had to offer on Northern Europe's front lines during. Winebrenner served as a young sergeant with the 358th Regiment, 90th Infantry Division; his wartime citations included a bronze arrowhead medal, a silver star, a POW medal, and a purple heart with bronze cluster, yet his achievements came at no small cost. From vivid passages describing character and temperament of those who bravely served alongside him, to when he had importance of the strict rules of war driven in to him when a German sergeant rescued him from being slain by German troops, to day he learned that the war was over and didn't know how to react, Bootprints reveals an up-close and personal view of the war that transformed a century, and the ordinary people who risked and sometimes gave up their lives.

The Book Of War Letters
Audrey Grescoe & Paul Grescoe
McClelland & Stewart Ltd.
481 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2E9
0771035578 $16.95 mcclelland.com

Freelance journalist Audrey Grescoe teamed up with her husband and novelist Paul Grescoe to compile and edit The Book Of War Letters: 100 Years Of Private Canadian Correspondence. This is an impressive collection of letters from Canadian soldiers beginning with the Boer War of 1899, through the First World War, Second World War, the Korean War, and the various "peace keeping missions" of the last half of the twentieth century and the first years of the twenty first century, including action in Afghanistan overthrowing the Taliban and searching out the Al Queda networks. Showcased are excerpts recounting the bitter realities of combat, the often appalling conditions of the war zones, reassurances for love ones back home, and the letters of condolence written by officers and chaplains when a loved one was wounded or died. Although this is a century long collection of Canadian wartime correspondences, these letters offer a universal understanding of what soldiers in combat from any nation in any conflict were struggling to relate to their people back home. The Book Of War Letters is a seminal work and strongly recommended for inclusion into any personal or academic Military Studies reference collection and supplemental reading list.

Walk Around MiG-21 Fishbed, Part 2
Hans-Heiri Stapfer, author; Darren Glenn, illustrator
Squadron/Signal Publications
1115 Crowley Drive, Carrollton, TX 75011-5010
0897474864 $TBA www.squadron.com

Number 39 in the Squadron/Signal Publications "Walk Around" series, Walk Around MiG-21 Fishbed, Part 2 is the latest in this top-notch series of close-up photographic examination of military aircraft models. Both black-and-white and color photographs of the MiG-21 Fishbed, a model particularly associated with the Soviet Air Force, showcase the depth, splendor, strengths and weaknesses of this magnificent aircraft. Captions to each photograph delve into high technical detail as well as interesting trivia, such as how alcohol sprayed using pressurized air was used to de-ice the windshield. Walk Around MiG-21 Fishbed, Part 2 is an amazing virtual tour, and by far the next best thing to actually getting up close and personal to a vintage plane, complete with extensive and expert commentary.


The Library Science Shelf

Library Public Relations, Promotions, And Communications
Lisa A. Wolfe
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038-4512
www.neal-schuman.com
1555704719 $65.00 1-866-672-6657

This updated and expanded second edition of Library Public Relations, Promotions, And Communications: A How-To-Do-It Manual by Lisa A. Wolfe (a public relations professional with more than 20 years of experience in the field with a special emphasis in the areas of libraries and education) is a no-nonsense guide to adapting the public relations of one's library to the 21st century. Chapters address how to define the message and audience of one's library, building a brand, using technology as a PR tool, bringing users in, offering a pleasant and inviting environment, how to cope with crises, and much more. Meticulous advice for preparing speeches, anticipating questions, hosting successful promotional events and much more pack this valuable resource, filled with everything from plain-terms recommendations to a library publicist's tricks, tips & techniques.

Collection Management For Youth
Sandra Hughes-Hassell
Jacqueline C. Mancall
ALA Editions/American Library Assoc.
50 East Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611
www.alastore.ala.org
0838908942 $35.00 1-866-746-7252

The collaboration of Sandra Hughes-Hassell (Associate Professor, College of Information Science and Technology, Drexel University) and Jacqueline C. Mancall (Professor, College of Information Science and Technology, Drexel University), Collection Management For Youth: Responding To The Needs Of Learners is specifically designed and intended to assist youth librarians in developing and managing a collection tailored to the holistic needs of inquisitive young students. Part one describes the theoretical foundation for learner-centered collection management; part two delineates effective strategies for collection management including selecting resources for learning and budgeting for maximum impact on learning, and part three offers tools for learner-centered collection management from stakeholder contact/SWOT analysis to a decision-making model for selecting resources that support learning to budget-justification plans and more. Charts, tables, and sample worksheets round out this excellent resource especially for public and school librarians.


The Economics Shelf

Coming Up Short
Alica H. Munnell & Annika Sunden
Brookings Institution Press
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036-2188
www.brookings.edu
0815758979 $22.95 1-800-275-1447

In Coming Up Short: The Challenge Of 401(k) Plans, co-authors Alica H. Munnell and Annika Sunden collaborate in exploring the emergence and impact of 401(k) plans, the fastest-growing type of employer-sponsored pensions, with respect to the American public and national economics. Written with an especial eye toward the risks and challenges of a post-Enron scandal nation, Coming Up Short covers the special case of company stock, leakages from 401(k) plans, withdrawing from 401(k) funds at retirement, how to make pension plans do their job, and much more. Researched in-depth and filled with charts and graphs revealing its findings, Coming Up Short is a highly practical resource for not only financial service professionals, students and policymakers, but also lay individuals planning their own retirement. Highly recommended.

Under The Table And Into Your Pocket
Bill Wilson
Loompanics Unlimited
PO Box 1197, Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.loompanics.com
1559502436 $12.95 1-360-385-2230

Under The Table And Into Your Pocket: The How And Why Of The Underground Economy by Bill Wilson will provide the non-specialist general reader with a complete education on a facet of the American economy rarely (if ever) covered in school. Beginning with an introduction to just some of the ways governmental regulations strangle business, overtax the little guy, and enable Washington to be the drunken big spender that it is today (if you overpay your taxes by $7,000 and don't reclaim it within three years you're out of luck - but underpay it by $7,000 and the IRS can and will come after you no matter how much time has passed!), Under The Table proceeds to demonstrate how the little guy can circumvent taxes by doing business away from Big Brother's prying eyes. From boarding houses and flea markets to roadside merchants and dominatrix work, Under The Table covers the benefits, disadvantages, tips, tricks, techniques and much more of common underground ways to earn a living. Under The Table is emphatically not a legal guide; neither the author nor the publisher assume any responsibility for the use or misuse of information contained within - but the eye-opening ins and outs of a truly free economy make for quite fascinating and advantageous reading.


The Judicial Studies Shelf

Legal Research
Stephen Elias & Susan Levinkind
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.nolo.com
1413300588 $39.99 1-800-955-4775

Attorney Stephen Elias has collaborated with Susan Levinkind (law librarian at the Santa Clara County Superior Court of California) to fully update this twelfth edition of Legal Research: How To Find & Understand The Law. A no-nonsense guide for lay readers and legal professionals alike, Legal Research covers how to find accurate answers on the Internet (not necessarily an easy task given how much legal misinformation floods cyberspace, not to mention everywhere else), how to write a legal memorandum, how to develop one's research skills, step-by-step examples of a sound legal research method, and much more. Especially recommended for law students, paralegals and legal assistants, but also an extremely useful tool for the lay reader seeking to understand as much as he or she can about a complex legal problem before visiting an attorney who charges by the hour.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

The Different Paths Of Buddhism
Carl Olson
Rutgers University Press
100 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8099
http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu
081353562X $24.95 1-800-446-9323

Distinguished professor of religious studies Carl Olson presents The Different Paths of Buddhism: A Narrative-Historical Introduction, a comprehensive introduction to the various branches of Buddhist tradition in both the Mahayana and Theravada schools, including the the Madhyamika school, the Yogacara school Pure Land devotionalism, Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, and village folk Buddhist traditions. Chapters explore recurring themes in Buddhist narratives, philosophy and ethics in context, detailed technical examinations, scrutiny of the history of various schools, and much more. A smattering of black-and-white photographs illustrate this scholarly evaluation, ideal for those interested in acquainting themselves with the history of Buddhism's various branches.

Echoes From An Empty Sky
John B. Buescher
Snow Lion Publications
PO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14851
1559392207 $16.95 1-800-950-0313

Written by the head of the Voice of America's Tibetan Broadcast Service to Tibet and South Asia, Echoes From An Empty Sky: The Origins Of The Buddhist Doctrine Of The Two Truths is a technical and spiritual evaluation of the fundamental Buddhist doctrine of two truths - conventional truth and ultimate truth - portrayed not as strict constructs of language, but rather as realities which language strives to accurately portray. The first truth referred to the true statements that the Buddha made; the second referred to the sorts of objects in the world. Sections discuss "Ancient Indian Speculation on Language and Reality", "Early Buddhist Views on Language, Truth, and Interpretation", "The Buddha's Word", and the two truths themselves especially in context of the Vaibhasika School and the Sravaka Schools. A scholarly study of Buddhist scripture, tenets, philosophy, and contextual reference, Echoes From An Empty Sky is especially recommended for intermediate to advanced Buddhist Studies reference shelves and supplemental reading lists.


The Poetry Shelf

The Quick Of It
Eamon Grennan
Graywolf Press
2402 University Avenue, Suite 203, Saint Paul, MN 55114
www.graywolfpress.org
155597418X $14.00 1-651-641-0077

The Quick Of It is an anthology of poems by poet, essayist, translator, and Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize winner Eamon Grennan. Each poem is without a title and stretches precisely ten lines; explores its subject with acute, alert attention to detail. Creatures of nature are a recurring theme in this reflective, sometimes dark, sometimes wistful, always moving verse. So I keep saving the bees taken unawares by glass, / Shrouding their music in a bundled dishclothtill I shake / It outside and they float off over the fuchsia hedge. // So the moths that flutter up from curtain folds and out / Of the sleeves of old sweaters are fingersnapped at / To become Ash Wednesday stains on my handskin. // So the snail is lifted from the sand, laid on wet grass, / And so the yellow car in my dream is stalked till it turns / To a lean woman in suede leaning in to me. So who / Handles all this? Lays all of it out? Keeps the reckoning?

Poets Of The Civil War
J.D. McClatchy, editor
The Library of America
14 East 60th St., New York, NY 10022
1931082766 $20.00 www.loa.org

Compiled, organized, edited, and featuring an introduction by J.D. McClatchy, Yale teacher and editor of the inaugural volume of the American Poets Project, Poets Of The Civil War: Selected Poems traces the advent, progress, and literary legacy of the American civil war as revealed in the enduring works of America's finest poets. Featuring classic works by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Walt Whitman, Margaret Junkin Preston and much more, the verses reveal poetry's unique ability to evoke emotions and capture fractured states of mind and being in America's most perilous time. Notes clarify some uses of archaic language, metaphors, specific historical references and the like in some poems. Highly recommended for poetry and civil war enthusiasts alike. From "Boston Hymn" by Ralph Waldo Emerson: The word of the Lord by night / To the watching Pilgrims came, / As they sat by the seaside, / And filled their hearts with flame. // God said, I am tired of kings, / I suffer them no more; / Up to my ear the morning brings / The outrage of the poor.

Elegy On Toy Piano
Dean Young
University of Pittsburgh Press
3400 Forbes Avenue, 5th floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
0822958724 $12.95 1-800-666-2211

Elegy On Toy Piano is the sixth collection of poetry from Lenore Marshall Prize finalist Dean Young. The brief, free-verse wordplay mourns the tragedies of life, from the loss of a beloved family pet to the end of a lovers' relationship, but also stretches beyond grief to portray a wide range of mixed of emotions, acknowledging the bad with the good. A serious-minded reflection on the mysteries of life, death, and everything in between. Elegy on Toy Piano: You don't need a pony / to connect you to the unseeable / or an airplane to connect you to the sky. // Necessary it is to die / if you are a living thing / which you have no choice about. // Necessary it is to love to live / and there are many manuals / but in all important ways / one is on one's own. // You need not cut off your hand. / No need to eat a bouquet. / Your head becomes a peach pit / Your tongue a honeycomb. // Necessary it is to live to love, / to charge into the burning tower / then charge back out / and necessary it is to die. / Even for the grass, even for the pony / connecting you to what can't be grasped. // The injured gazelle falls behind the / herd. One last wild enjambment. // Because of the sores in his mouth, / the great poet struggles with a dumpling. / His work has enlarged the world / but the world is about to stop including him. / He is the tower the world runs out of. // When something becomes ash, / there's nothing you can do to turn it back. / About this, even diamonds do not lie.

Bastardi Puri
Walid Bitar
The Porcupine's Quill
68 Main Street, Erin, Ontario N0B 1T0
c/o University of Toronto Press (dist.)
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4Y 2W8
0889842671 $14.95 www.sentex.net/~pql

Beruit-born Canadian immigrant Walid Bitar presents Bastardi Puri, a collection of free-verse poetry that feels like a hybrid cross between raw emotion, vibrant energy, caustic wit, and painful revelation. From the mundane to life-changing events, Bastardi Puri offers a captivating portrait of the rough edges of life. Developing Countries: Though eyewitnesses insist history's sleep is light, / it's rather heavy, and hardly stirred / if a bottle breaks in an alley, used as the chronicler is / to winking with a hotelier's Brummagem composure. // The next think you know lobster and iguana / are mistaken for viola and violin / in kitchens whose acoustics have in them a Spartacus / to lead the others in revolt, muffling any fugue. // I'd drown it out by landing helicopters, / metal teabags to the boiling gods, / as any make-up man knows, and my conscience, / which is a lagging indicator, and unemployment rate.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Ex Machina
Brian K. Vaughan, et al.
DC Comics
1700 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.dccomics.com
1401206123 $9.95 1-800-759-0190

The combined effort of Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Tony Harris (pencils), J.D. Mettler (colors), Jared K. Fletcher (letters), and Larry Berry (design), Ex Machina: Book 1 - The First Hundred Days is a graphic novel that offers a very different take on being a superhero. When a strange accident gives ordinary civil engineer Mitchell Hundred incredible powers, he becomes America's first known superhero; yet as the days go by he tires of endlessly struggling for the status quo, and runs for Mayor of New York City in hope of bringing about lasting changes for the better. Yet his landslide election is only the start of an intricate and sometimes lethal adventure, one which will make it painfully clear that absolute power corrupts absolutely. A gritty texture to the art and narration bring the all-too-close-to-home story come alive, and a bonus section at the end allows the reader to compare reference photographs to finished comic pages, as well as offering a handful of original sketches. Ex Machina is recommended for mature readers due to its themes and some cursing (not excessive, but simply reflecting how some people talk foul). A highly recommended and thought provoking look at the city and an accidental hero. Fans will be looking forward to Book 2 of this original concept series.

Graphic Classics: O. Henry
O. Henry
Eureka Productions
8778 Oak Grove Road, Mount Horeb, WI 53572
www.graphicclassics.com
0974664820 $11.95

Graphic Classics: O. Henry is a graphic novel anthology of classic short stories by O. Henry, each of which is presented in comic book form. Each individual story is fully and distinctively illustrated in comic-style in black-and-white by a different artist, and faithfully renders the gist of O. Henry's complex characterizations. The O. Henry stories featured include The Ransom of Red Chief, The Gift of the Magi, The Caballero's Way, Roads of Destiny, The Marionettes, The Friendly Call, and The Furnished Room. Brief biographies of the many different artists round out this introduction to works of great literature, highly recommended for all ages.

Wobblies!
Paul Buhle & Nicole Schulman, editors
Verso
180 Varick St., 10th fl, NY, NY 10014
www.versobooks.com
1844675254 $25.00 1-800-233-4830

Wobblies! A Graphic History Of The Industrial Workers Of The World is an amazing history of the Industrial Workers of the World, an organization known for its eclectic and controversial affiliations as well as its strong stand against government and corporate exploitation. Wobblies! is particularly remarkable in that it presents its vivid anecdotes about everything from wartime witch hunts, government prosecutions, mob lynching, Mexican peasant revolts, the bombing of IWW figures and much more in comic book format. Black-and-white comic-style stories by a wide variety of artists, from vintage political cartoons to unfolding true tales of modern history, fill this superbly edited and presented overview of the Wobblies. Presented in an absorbing manner that invites the lay reader to peruse from cover to cover, Wobblies! is highly recommended especially for school and public library history shelves.

Nancy Drew Girl Detective #1: The Demon of River Heights
Stefan Petrucha & Sho Murase
Papercutz
555 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10018
1597070009 $7.95 www.papercutz.com

Nancy Drew Girl Detective #1: The Demon of River Heights is an all-new, full-color, graphic novel story featuring the brave and ingenious teenage sleuthing heroine whose books have been classics of children's literature for more than 75 years. The bright, colorful artwork flows very much like a cartoon in comic book form, and the story is packed from cover to cover with storytelling excitement. Together Nancy Drew, along with Bess and George, search for missing student filmmakers and the deadly secret behind the urban myth of "The Demon of River Heights" in this excellent graphic novel format addition to an established legacy of beloved adventure stories. First in a "Nancy Drew Girl Detective" series of graphic novels featuring Nancy Drew, The Demon Of River Heights is highly recommended for personal and library collections, as well as a gift books for young people.

The Art Of George Tuska
Dewey Cassell, et al.
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
www.twomorrows.com
1893905403 $14.95 1-919-449-0344

The collaborative effort of Dewey Cassell, Aaron Sulton and Mike Gartland, The Art Of George Tuska examines the artistic and creative legacy of comic book artist George Tuska, best known for his work on the Marvel Comic series "Iron Man" but who has worked for every major comic book publisher and illustrated hundreds of stories. A tribute to a fifty-year seasoned veteran of a demanding and competitive industry, The Art Of George Tuska traces Tuska's earliest work, his service during World War II, his work for the hotly controversial crime comics of the 1950s, and his tenure with both Marvel and DC comics. Filled cover-to-cover with black-and-white photographs and samples of Tuska's art, The Art Of George Tuska a fine survey of Ruska's dedication and talent, and includes interviews and anecdotes from Will Eisner, Jim Mooney, Nick Cardy, Marie Severin, John Romita, Gene Colan, Joe Simon, Mike Esposito, Bob Layton, Paul Levitz, and Roy Thomas, and Featuring a foreword by Marvel Comics paragon Stan Lee. Highly recommended especially for classic superhero comic book fans.


The Agricultural Studies Shelf

Corn: Chemistry And Technology
Pamela J. White
Lawrence A. Johnson, editors
APS Press
3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121-2097
www.shopapspress.org
1891127330 $229.00 1-800-328-7560

Now in a completely updated and significantly expanded second edition, Corn: Chemistry And Technology is the collaborative editoral work of Pamela J. White (Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, Iowa State University) and Lawrence A. Johnson (Center for Crops Utilization Research, Iowa State University). Corn: Chemistry And Technology is an in-depth scientific text and resource covering just about everything there is to know about corn, from breeding, genetics and seed production to harvesting and post-harvest management, economics of production, marketing, and utilization, nutritional properties and feeding value of corn and its by-products, genetic modifications of corn, and much more. Numerous charts and graphs illustrate this scholarly text, which goes into extensive technical and scientific detail, and is especially recommended for college and graduate studies in agriculture, life science, organic chemistry and related fields. An extensive index and a wealth of references for every section rounds out this superb educational and informative compendium. Also very highly recommended for Agricultural Studies reference collections from APS Press is Rice: Chemistry And Technology: 3rd Edition (1891127349, $229.00). Academics and agriculturalists should send for the free APS catalog for a listing all of their invaluable reference titles.


The Railroading Shelf

Trains To Yosemite
Jack A. Burgess
Signature Press
11508 Green Road, Wilton, CA 95693
www.signaturepress.com
1930013140 $65.00 1-800-356-5687

Yosemite's natural history and wonders had become well known by the mid 1850s, but few tourists wanted to travel to the remote historic valley via horse: enter the train in 1907, which allowed visitors to reach the park in less than a day, fostering an increase in park appreciation which continues to this day. Yosemite Valley Railroad expert Jack Burgess began his study of the railroad in the mid-1960s as he searched for an appropriate prototype for his model railroad layout: his interest in modeling led to much more than a casual probe of the Yosemite Valley Railroad system, as the 400 black and white vintage photos, maps and illustrations packing detail into Trains To Yosemite proves. Rail buffs will find well over 300 pages of detail pack in not just history, but very specific train details, from switching routines and classification lamps to relocated lines and bridges. It is this depth of information which is the mark of the model hobbyist - and which lends so perfectly to a complete, comprehensive coverage of the real thing. Yes, Trains To Yosemite is a specialty item for rail transportation or California-specific collections: but such holdings will find it essential.

Morning Sun Books Inc.
9 Pheasant Lane, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
www.morningsunbooks.com

Train buffs and libraries strong in transportation holdings won't want to miss these two excellent train guides. James Sandrin's Trackside Around St. Louis 1952-1959 With Jim Ozment (1582480-397, $54.95): St. Louis was one of the train gateways to the West but was an under-photographed hub until native Jim Ozment captured the last of the steam era and the introduction of diesels in the 1950s. His outstanding photos pack the pages of James Sandrin's Trackside Around St. Louis, packing in action shots of trains in motion, train yards, close-ups of PCC cars, and much more. Just about every type of train running in Saint Louis during this period was captured by Ozment's camera, creating an outstanding collection of in-depth images. Lou Schmitz and Robert J. Yanosey's Union Pacific Official Color Photography Book II (1582480052, $54.95) is a recommended pick not just for specialty train collections, but for the general library holding. The Union Pacific was prolific in its advertising and color calendars, and extensive in its services: here's a history and photo-packed showcase of the Union Pacific's routes, trains and heritage. Train views from annual reports, calendars, and action shots display the best of the Union Pacific's units, providing comparison photos, posed and live shots, and many more. Add report covers and other illustrations from Union Pacific archives and you have a valuable keepsake history.


The Education Shelf

Creating An Inclusive School
Richard A. Villa & Jacqueline Thousand
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria VA 22311-1714
www.ascd.org
1416600493 $26.95 1-800-933-2723

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Creating An Inclusive School is the collaborative editorial effort of education specialist Richard A. Villa and special education credential and masters programs coordinator Jacqueline S. Thousand (College of Education, California State University, San Marcos). Inclusive education, loosely defined as a process by which schools strive to give an education to all students with disabilities in such a manner that the differently abled students are not excluded from the general student body or separately schooled as little as possible, is described and presented as more than a series of strategies; it is a belief system that promotes and optimum educational environment for all. Individual essays by a diverse assortment of experts discuss such issues as the rationales for creating and maintaining inclusive schools, promising practices that foster inclusive education, practical advice concerning inclusive education, "voices of inclusion" individual and community testimonies. An excellent overview and resource guide especially recommended for teachers, principals, and other educational professionals.

Cultivating High-Quality Teaching Through Induction And Mentoring
Carol A. Bartell
Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks CA 91320
www.corwinpress.com
0761938591 $32.95 1-800-818-7243

Cultivating High-Quality Teaching Through Induction And Mentoring by education administrator, expert, and advocate Carol A. Bartell is a guide written especially for those charged with preparing and assisting new teachers. The first few years of teaching are the most challenging, and the most likely time for beginning teachers to become disillusioned; yet it is also the prime time to establish habits and practices for a successful career. Cultivating High-Quality Teaching Through Induction And Mentoring covers the obstacles new teachers face, the key elements of an effective induction plan, the role and benefits of mentoring in an induction program, structured models for assessment during the induction period, a close look at one of the most challenging settings for teaching - the urban school, and much more. A practical, no-nonsense and principled guide condencing decades of expertise into plain terms advice.

Educational Interpreting
Elizabeth A. Winston, editor
Gallaudet University Press
800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695
http://gupress.gallaudet.edu
1563683091 $75.00 1-800-621-2736

Meticulously compiled and expertly edited by Elizabeth A. Winston, Educational Interpreting: How It Can Succeed is a scholarly anthology of essays by learned authors concerning the strengths and weaknesses of the practice of educational interpreting for deaf students. The contributors are all experts in the field and include former educational interpreters, teachers of deaf students, interpreter trainers, and deaf recipients of interpreted education. Divided into three sections - once focusing on deaf students themselves and the language myths that surround them, one raising questions about the support and training that interpreters have in and from the school systems, and one considering suggestions for improving the problems facing interpreted education, and how to improve situations for educational interpreters. A welcome contribution to deaf studies and a critical assessment of the skill of educational interpretation itself.

Genre Across The Curriculum
Anne Herrington & Charles Moran, eds.
Utah State University Press
78 Old Marin Hill, Logan UT 84322-7800
0874216001 $24.95 1-800-239-9974

Collaboratively compiled and expertly edited by Anne Herrington (Professor and Chair of English, University of Massachusetts, Amherst) and Charles Moran (Professor of English, emeritust, University of Massachusetts, Amherst), Genre Across The Curriculum is an anthology of essays addressing issues of academic writing as taught in college courses nationwide. Intended especially for teachers, Genre Across The Curriculum includes models of genre theory and practice, descriptions of teachers who have incorporated genre teaching into their pedagogy, a keen-eyed look at courses involving writing among a wide range of disciplines, and much more. Individual essays discuss topics ranging from using genre to teach academic writing to ESL students in the humanities ("I Was Just Never Exposed to This Argument Thing"), what genre theory can tell us of writing history, writing in emergent genres, and much more. A thoughtful, detailed, and at times technical anthology and a welcome contribution to academic theory and instruction shelves concerning writing.


The International Studies Shelf

Mexico's Democracy At Work
Russell Crandall, et al.
Lynne Rienner Publishers
1800 30th St., #314, Boulder, CO 80301
1588263258 $19.95 www.rienner.com

Collaboratively compiled and edited by the team of Russell Crandall (Assistant Professor of Political Science, Davidson College and Adjunct Professor, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University), Guadalupe Paz (Assistant Director of the School of the Johns Hopkins University Advanced International Studies Latin American Studies Program), and Riordan Roett (Sarita and Don Johnson Professor of Political Science and Director of the Latin American Studies Program and Western Hemisphere Studies for the John Hopkins University Advanced International Studies), Mexico's Democracy At Work: Political And Economic Dynamics is an anthology of scholarly essays by a variety of learned authors. Topics covered include Mexico's domestic economy, economic ties with Europe, transformations under NAFTA, and much more. A conclusion draws together threads from the contributors to postulate how Mexico's democracy can be made to work more effectively. Thoroughly researched and documented with statistical figures, Mexico's Democracy At Work is a highly recommended overview to better understand the complex workings of a diverse, proud and historic nation.

Why Did They Kill?
Alexander Laban Hinton
University of California Press
2120 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720
0520241797 $21.95 www.ucpress.edu

Why Did They Kill?: Cambodia In The Shadow Of Genocide by Alexander Laban Hinton (Associate professor of Anthropology, Rutgers University, Newark) explores the cultural and political underpinnings of one the most heinous holocausts of the twentieth century, perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia from April 1975 to January 1979. Approximately twenty percent of Cambodia's population died due to starvation, malnutrition, disease, and outright execution due to the drastic policies the Khmer Rouge implemented trying to transform the nation into a purely agrarian state. The Khmer Rouge regime was unusual among genocidal states in that, though it did target muslim, Chinese, and Vietnamese citizens, much of the killing was ethnic Khmer exterminating ethnic Khmer, a perplexing feature that sets it apart from many ethnicity or religion-based genocide situations. Indeed, the Khmer purged so many of its own cadres that its destructive ways weakened itself and contributed to its downfall when Vietnam invaded. Why Did They Kill? strives to answer its title question drawing upon the author's extensive anthropological study and expertise, and includes numerous interviews and testimonies, as well as insights into human psychology and sociology. Why Did They Kill? postulates that societies can be "primed" for genocide when saturated by certain features such as severe class distinctions, the absence of an international response, moral restructuring, socioeconomic uphevals and more, and then "activated" into mass killing by various triggers, especially idealogues who spread a climate of fear to induce violence. Chilling yet meticulous in its search for answers, "Why Did They Kill?" is an absolute must-read for scholars and lay people alike striving to understand genocide in Cambodia as well as the horrific underpinnings and workings of so-called "idealogical genocide" in general.


The Sports Shelf

Bleeding Pinstripes
Filip Bondy
Sports Publishing Inc.
804 North Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL 61820
www.SportsPublishingLLC.com
1582617694 $24.95 1-877-424-2665

Bleeding Pinstripes: A Season With The Bleacher Creatures At Yankee Stadium by Filip Bondy (an award-winning sports columnist for the New York Daily News) is a virtually anthropological look at the men and women who come to Yankee Stadium to watch baseball games in New York. Their dedication to the Bronx ball club and each other fills the pages of Bleeding Pinstripes, which are marked with such vignettes as the 9/11 survivor who is the bleachers' only known millionaire; the high-spirited cancer survivor who proclaims herself "queen of the bleachers"; and the fan whose passion for the game runs so deep she claims "they'll never get rid of me. I bleed pinstripes". An entertaining, good-natured, and eye-level look at true-hearted fans.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Deer-Hair Fly-Tying Guidebook
Jack Pangburn
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
1571883290 $14.95 amatobooks.com

World-renowned fly tier Jack Pangburn presents Deer-Hair Fly-Tying Guidebook, a full-color guide to using the earth-tone colors of deer hair to one's advantage when creating flies that resemble what trout feed upon. Step-by-step instructions and diagrams walk the reader through 84 fly patterns, as well as tips, tricks, and techniques for handling fly-tying materials, stacking, wrapping, dubbing, wings, and much more. Written out of love for the art of fly tying and the sport of fishing as much as the desire to share seasoned professional knowledge, Deer-Hair Fly-Tying Guidebook is highly recommended for fly-fishing enthusiasts; the tying walkthroughs, while especially intended for deer-hair flies, are also applicable to flies made of other materials.


The Fiction Shelf

Karen From The Mill
Anne Ipsen
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, #216, Edina, MN 55439
www.BeaversPondPress.com
1592981070 $17.00 1-952-829-8818

Set in 1874, Karen From The Mill: A Novel From The Golden Age Of Sail by author Anne Ipsen is the story of a sixteen-year-old young woman who yearns for a more exciting life, the hand in marriage of a handsome sailor, and possibly even adventure on the high seas. Her mother strives to dissuade her from following her dream, while her possible suitor has his own trials and distractions to contend with. A romantic and moving story of making difficult choices, imbued with especial love for life on the sea.

Fall Of The Sun God
Henye Meyer
Pitspopany Press
40 East 78th Street, Suite 16D, New York, NY 10021
www.devorapublishing.com
193268705X $18.95 1-800-232-2931

Also available in paperback (1932687068, $14.95), Fall Of The Sun God by author Henye Meyer is both a tale of adventure and the introspective story of one man coming to terms with his heritage and faith. Born of Jewish parents who were killed by bandits, Martin decides to give up his Jewish faith rather than endure persecution for it. He sharpens his fighting skills and searches for a place among the Armed Peasants of the First Crusades marching on Jerusalem. Yet even as he finds his way amid the Christian city of Constantinople, the sharp-eyed and demanding Jewish community's religious leader Theios Ionas sees the religious heritage and untapped potential smoldering within Martin. This is a saga about coming to terms with one's identity and purpose in life, and the transition from hiding or repressing one's faith to embracing it, set against the backdrop of the ancient world.

The Watcher In The Pine
Rebecca Pawel
Soho Press
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
156947379X $24.00 sohopress.com

Edgar Award-winning author Rebecca Pawel presents The Watcher In The Pine, the third book of a critically lauded post-civil war Spanish saga. Set in 1940 in a remote Spanish mountain village, a commander and his pregnant wife discover that the inhabitants of his new post are sympathetic to the Republicans, engaging in smuggling and guerilla activities; the officer he was sent to replace was recently murdered, with the killer at large; and they must confront the realities of either living in the jail or becoming boarders with a woman whose son was executed by the Nationalist government. A gripping and powerfully told novel of hard choices, divided loyalties, and the deadly toll of civil war.


The Biology Shelf

Biology: The Science Of Life
Stephen Nowicki
The Teaching Company
4151 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151-1232
PD1500 $699.95 www.teach12.com

In the six volume DVD set comprising The Teaching Company's university lecture series Biology: The Science Of Life, Stephen Nowicki (Bass Fellow and Professor of Biology, Duke University) provides the viewer with a complete and definitive course of studies on the subject of Biology. An outstanding teacher and lecturer, it should also be noted that Professor Nowicki holds appointments in Duke University's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, and in the Neurobiology Department as well. This outstanding presentation is offered in 72 very ably presented, thirty-minute, expertly delivered lectures. From Lecture 1: The Scope of "Life", to Lecture 17: Charles Darwin and "The Origin of Species"; to Lecture 29: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, to Lecture 48: Behavior as an Adaptive Trait; to Lecture 56: Capturing Energy from Sunlight; to Lectures 71: Human Population Growth and 72: The Human Asteroid?, Professor Nowicki provides an informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, detailed and illuminating overview of biology from ranging from basic concepts to sophisticated insights. With each individual lecture in this outstanding series being illustrated with excellent visuals (and the entire series itself being accompanied by six printed paperback books recounting the word-for-word text of Professor Nowicki's 72 oral lectures), Biology: The Science Of Life is especially recommended for high school honors programs, college level independent studies, homeschooling curriculums, university Biology Department resource and reference materials, and would make a welcome and popular Memorial Fund acquisition selection for community library science and video/DVD collections.


The Martial Arts Shelf

Mastering the Balisong Knife
Michael D. Janich
Paladin Press
7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
$49.95 1-800-392-2400 paladin-press.com

Now in a revised and updated edition taking maximum advantage of state-of-the-art digital equipment, multiple camera angles, and slow-motion cinema, Mastering The Balisong Knife is an instructional DVD introducing the martial arts student to balisong knife handling and fighting techniques. Balisong master Michael Janich demonstrates techniques that range from the simplest openings, reverse grip, and hand changes, to flashy moves such as the helicopter spin, the finger roll, and tossing a knife in the air and catching it in the open ready position, to advanced combat deployment. Offering a wealth of expert insight for amateurs, hobbyists, and experienced knife fighters alike, it should be noted that Mastering The Balison Knife is intended for informational purposes only. 115 minutes, color.


The Native American Shelf

Frederic Baraga's Short History Of The North American Indians
Frederic Baraga
Michigan State University Press
Suite 25, Manly Miles Building
1405 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48823-5202
www.msupress.msu.edu
0870137352 $34.95 1-517-355-9543

Translated into English for the first time and edited for an American readership by Graham MacDonald, Frederic Baraga's Short History Of The North American Indians was originally published for German, French and Slovenian readers in 1837 Europe. An account of the author's first years in Michigan territory, originally composed for his supporters in Europe, especially the membership of his sponsoring agency, Frederic Baraga's Short History Of The North American Indians offers a unique perspective of mid-ninteenth century Catholic missions in the New World, and offers detailed observations of Native communities on the Lake Superior frontier, including hunting techniques, tools, and cultural features of various tribes. A smattering of color photographs and artworks illustrates this very down-to-earth and articulate accounting, offering depictions of Native American life as vivid today as they were over a century ago.


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