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The Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
A Word from Our Sponsor
Cynthia B. Meyers
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10458-5172
www.fordhampress.com
9780823253715, $32.00, www.amazon.com
A Word from Our Sponsor: Admen, Advertising, and the Golden Age of Radio is a pick for any
sociology or media studies collection and covers the 'golden age' of radio from the late 1920s to
the late 1940s, when ad agencies were the key sources of radio entertainment. Most nationally
broadcast programs on network radio were created and managed by these agencies, from Kraft's
involvement in Music Hall to Rubicam's management of the comedy presentation Town Hall
Tonight for Bristol-Myers. This survey fills in important ad industry history in connecting
broadcasts and shows to these advertisers and considering their role and influence in the media
arena, and makes for a fine combination of business and media history recommended for
any college-level media studies collection.
Tiny Homes on the Move
Lloyd Kahn
Shelter Publications
P.O. Box 279, Bolinas, CA, 94924 USA
9780936070629, $28.95, www.shelterpub.com
TINY HOMES ON THE MOVE: WHEELS AND WATER describes nomadic life in modern
times and charts homes on wheels and water alike, from a school bus and a truck/camper to a
sailboat. Over a thousand color photos pack a rich adventure account which will appeal to
homeowners and travel fans alike, charting the moving explorations of all kinds of
buildings.
The Norm Chronicles
Michael Blastland and David Spiegelhalter
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465085705, $16.99, www.basicbooks.com
The Norm Chronicles: Stories and Numbers About Danger and Death comes from a journalist
and a risk expert who tackle the statistics of risk and pair them with the stories of people
experiencing risk through numbers and real-world encounters. Three very different characters are
used here to explore risk and its perceptions, helping readers view danger from the vantage point
of daily life experience. Anecdotes, stories, accidents, and numbers coalesce in a quirky,
whimsical account highly recommended for any general reader.
Italoamericana
Francesco Durante, Editor, et.al.
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10458-5172
www.fordhampress.com
9780823260621, $40.00, www.amazon.com
Italoamericana: The Literature of the Great Migration, 1880-1943 is a weighty, 1,000+ page
study recommended for college-level audiences looking for a serious anthology key to Italian and
American studies, and provides the first English-language edition of a collection of critical
studies examining the social lives and psychology of Italian immigrants in America up to World
War II. Many of the writings here have not been translated into English before, while works
include insights on poetry, essays, and the extent of Italian-language literary history. With its
focus on cultural and social change as well as literary representation of the Italian experience,
this is a top pick recommended for any college-level literary or social issues holding strong in
Italian-American heritage.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Yarn Over Murder
Maggie Sefton
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.us.penguingroup.com
9780425258422, $25.95, www.amazon.com
YARN OVER MURDER: A KNITTING MYSTERY joins others in the 'knitting mystery' series
and tells of Kelly and her knitting group, which are helping endangered alpacas at a ranch when
wildfires begin. And when the ranch owner is found dead, suspicion falls on employee Connie
and prompts Kelly and her friends to unravel a complex sequence of events. With knitting
references spicing the story line, this is a powerful survey, highly recommended for any mystery
fan and especially for those who enjoy knitting.
Obsidian
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.us.penguingroup.com
Elaine Viets's CATNAPPED! A DEAD-END JOBS MYSTERY (9780451466303, $24.95) joins
others in the series to provide a new story of Helen and Phil, who here are trailing a kitty
kidnapper. A bitter divorce centers around the custody of a cat, but when Mort is found dead and
the cat vanishes, it's up to the P.I. team to probe the wider world of cat shows to find the thief
and possible murderer. The result is a fine whodunit replete with intrigue and cat-oriented drama. Hy
Conrad's MR. MONK IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS (9780451470560, $23.95) provides another
Adrian Monk novel based on the hit TV series. Here Monk returns to San Francisco only to find
that Natalie has opened an office for their detective business. They've barely opened the doors before their first case arrives in the form of an employee who has killed several hostages at
work, then vanishes. There's surprisingly little to go on as Monk and Teeger search for clues and
answers in an increasingly complex case.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Complete Dressmaking Skills
Lona Knight
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
www.barronseduc.com
9781438003566, $24.99, www.amazon.com
Complete Dressmaking Skills provides a paring between printed book format and online support
systems that include 15 teaching clips online and even scanable QR codes for smartphones, and
is a fine recommendation for any who would integrate new technology with learning the basics of
dressmaking. This pairing makes for a unique coverage recommended for dressmakers of all
levels, packing in advice on tools and equipment, troubleshooting guides, discussions of
customization and decorative embellishments, and much more. The book stands well alone, with
bright, close-up color photos throughout; but works exceptionally well with its website
companion, making for a recommendation above all others.
The Techniques and Art of Weaving: A Basic Guide
Marylene Brahic
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764344138, $34.99, www.amazon.com
The Techniques and Art of Weaving: A Basic Guide is a lovely pick for any who would learn
about different kinds of weaving throughout history, and incorporate weaving in their own lives.
Step-by-step instructions for various techniques from warping to threading a loom are provided
in a logical sequence of instructional with projects backing how-to advice. From weaving a rug
or a jacket to making placemats, this is filled with home decor projects as well as clothing, and
encourages beginners to learn some basics. Its oversize presentation makes for a perfect pick for
any new to weaving who want bright, inviting color photos and a coffee-table-style
presentation.
Carolina Lily: New Quilts from an Old Favorite
Baxter Lasco
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com
9781604601374, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Carolina Lily: New Quilts from an Old Favorite provides some 18 applications for the traditional
Carolina Lily block, and is a recommendation for quilters especially interested in new variations
on the old block. The National Quilt Museum's annual New Quilts from an Old Favorite Contest
resulted in these variations and innovations, which are here reproduced to offer both the results
of the contest and exhibit and new ideas quilters will appreciate. Especially recommended for
those already familiar with Carolina Lily.
Martingale & Company
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
www.shopmartingale.com
John Q. Adams's BEYOND NEUTRAL: QUILTS INSPIRED BY NATURE'S ELEMENTS
(9781604683905, $24.99) provides a fine survey of quilting color palettes and uses graphic
designs to gain inspiration from nature. Here are 16 projects for all skill levels that focus on
moving beyond classic neutral backgrounds to provide new nature-inspired designs. Full-page
color photos of quilts and earth, plants and landscapes accompany step-by-step instructions and
patterns for achievement, making this a solid quilter's project book. Kelly Ashton's
HEXAGONS, DIAMONDS, TRIANGLES, AND MORE SKILL-BUILDING TECHNIQUES
FOR 60-DEGREE PATCHWORK (9781604683691, $26.99) is for any interested in
incorporating shapes into their builts, and provides a progressive instructional for piecing 12
shapes plus incorporating problem-solving tips for common pitfalls. From creating an original
design using some 80 block examples herein to making your own pattern templates, this is
packed with versatile ideas for building skills and is a pick for any needleworker's collection.
Also important for such holdings is Cap Sease's CAST ON, BIND OFF: 211 WAYS TO BEGIN
AND END YOUR KNITTING (9781604684292, $19.99), a fine compendium of specific
instructions on how to cast on and bind off. Each technique is presented with step-by-step written
instructions, easy how-to illustrations, and a photo of the finished edge. Tips describe when (and
when not) to use each knitting technique and provide a wealth of color illustrations throughout,
making for a treasure trove of information for all levels of knitter.
The Audiobook Shelf
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.HachetteAudio.com
Sarah Lotz's THE THREE (9781478952268, $30.00) receives a fine reading by Melanie McHugh
and Andrew Wincott, whose acting and reading training lends to an engrossing saga of
harbingers of the apocalypse. When four passenger planes crash at nearly the same moment at
four different points around the world, they release four children who survive unhurt: children
with dangerous powers and who may portend the end of days. An engrossing saga becomes all
the more compelling for its dual narration and vivid audio rendition! John Osteen's POWER
OVER THE ENEMY (9781478953296, $25.00) comes from a late pastor and teacher who has
spread his message of love far and wide. Dr. Paul Osteen reads this narrative of how modern
Christians don't perceive Satan's evil in the world, are tormented by fears and addictions, and
what to do about it. The answer lies in gaining power over temptations: this audio tells how to
identify Satan's devices in the world, and is key for any Christian who would develop a better
life.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
The World According to Bob
James Bowen
Thomas Dunne Books
c/o St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9781250046321, $24.99, www.thomasdunnebooks.com
The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Streetwise Cat
follows the author as he moves from being a street musician to an author and celebrity - because
of writing about his pet, street cat Bob, in a prior book. This is a pick for cat-lovers both familiar
with the prior A STREET CAT NAMED BOB and newcomers: either group will find this a
hilarious and fun survey of their ongoing life together. It's a poignant, fun story highly
recommended for any with an interest in cats and pet stories in general and the savvy, personable
Bob in particular!
Touching the Wild: Living with the Mule Deer of Deadman Gulch
Joe Hutto
Skyhorse Publishing
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781626362130, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Touching the Wild: Living with the Mule Deer of Deadman Gulch comes from a filmmaker,
writer and naturalist who here tells of a man who has lived among the mule deer in Wyoming for
some seven years. Now, mule deer aren't ordinary friendly animals with humans, so when one
curious animal made friends with author Joe Hutto, it was an extraordinary experience made all
the more unusual by his increasingly close associations with the animals. His story provides
close-up natural history observation at its best and is a top pick for any who would better
understand the mule deer and its world.
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell
Amy Johnson's SMALL ANIMAL PATHOLOGY FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
(9781118434215, $49.99) offers a discussion of the technician's role in pathology, terminology
and diagnosis and provides a fine survey packed with practical information technicians can use in
their daily work. Each body system receives a review of anatomy and function, color images, and
tip boxes highlighting important issues. Additional support is provided via a companion website
that also offers review questions, case studies, and images from the book, making for a 'must
have' reference for any veterinarian's library. Angela Taibo's VETERINARY MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY: GUIDE AND WORKBOOK (9781118527481, $69.99) provides a
user-friendly guide for understanding veterinary medical terms, and explains the basics of using
this terminology in the course of veterinary medicine. Any vet's office looking for quick
references and any veterinary school appealing to students learning new phrases and terms will
appreciate the pairing of case studies, word lists, tip boxes, and review exercises - not to mention
a companion website of flash cards, PowerPoints and images. Species-specific chapters on lab
animals, exotics and horses offer a wide coverage while explanations are logically arranged by
body system, which lends to at-a-glance lookup reference, for those who would use this as a
dictionary. The result is a powerful survey, highly recommended for any veterinary reference
library.
The Automotive Shelf
Stealing Cars
John A. Heitmann & Rebecca H. Morales
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
www.press.jhu.edu
9781421412979, $29.95, www.amazon.com
STEALING CARS; TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY FROM THE MODEL T TO THE GRAN
TORINO provides a fine study of auto theft and culture, and examines a range of topics to
include motives, methods, and more. Studies of transportation issues have typically focused on
auto manufacturing history, so it's refreshing to see a treatment that considers users and the
automobile's role in American life. Experts from technology, transit and cultural history combine
forces to consider American priorities and values in a solid recommendation for any
transportation history collection.
The Life of the Automobile
Steven Parissien
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.stmartins.com
9781250040633, $27.99, www.amazon.com
The Life of the Automobile: The Complete History of the Motor Car considers the impact the car
has made on the world, and considers the history of the car, their creators, and the social, political
and economic influences on their evolution. Stories of those who had visions for bigger, better
cars are brought to life in a story of the entrepreneurs and engineers who worked to create and
promote the automobile. The result is a lively, wide-ranging history recommended for any
transportation collection.
Cafe Racers
Paul D'Orleans
Motorbooks
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9780760345825, $50.00, www.motorbooks.com
Cafe Racers: Speed, Style and Ton-Up Culture features an oversized format paired with full-page
color photos by Michael Lichter as it covers the cafe-racer subculture of racers that exceed
speeds of 100 miles per hour on public roads throughout the U.K. and Europe. The term
originally replied to rebellious riders who toured on modified motorcycles for sport, but evolved
to grow into a sport representing the British counterculture and a movement that swept around
the world. The modern cafe-racer movement is present in numerous countries and this book
examines the phenomenon and its people and places. Lovely photos accompany in-depth history
by Paul d'Orleans, profiling the bikes and their riders.
The Cookbook Shelf
Make it Lighter
Angela Nilsen
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9780600627739, $24.99, www.amazon.com
Make it Lighter provides a fine collection of healthier versions of favorite recipes, and offers the
author's own tips for making the most of traditional dishes that have been slimmed down for
modern eaters. This is more than another recipe collection: it outlines how she modified dishes
and adds nutritional analysis and step-by-step photos. Tips for each dish range from using a
nonstick skillet to use less oil to using olive oil substitutes for butter and cream-based dishes. The
result is a powerful survey of delicious favorites recommended for any who want to diet without
giving up their favorite comfort foods!
The New Greenmarket Cookbook
Gabrielle Langholtz
Da Capo Lifelong
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738216898, $24.99, www.dacapopress.com
The New Greenmarket Cookbook gathers recipes and culinary tips from modern chefs who focus
on farm-fresh ingredients, and provides home cooks with a set of insights on using fresh produce
in innovative new ways. Ideas come from New York's best chefs and range from Fresh Fettuccini
with Spring Greens to Spicy Watermelon Granita and Apricot Jam. The recipes follow a year's
cycle at the market where local farmers and gardeners sell their wares, and accompany profiles of
some twenty farmers who sell to New York City residents. A fine collection emerges!
Everyday Vegan Eats
Zsu Dever
Vegan Heritage Press
P.O. Box 628, Woodstock, VA 22664-0628
9780985466268, $19.95, www.veganheritagepress.com
Everyday Vegan Eats: Family Favorites from My Kitchen to Yours presents plant-based meals
that families will enjoy. Author and restaurant owner Zsu Dever's family went vegan years ago:
this compiles the recipes she's used to keep them satisfied, and demonstrates methods for
adapting traditional family recipes to vegan tastes. With her guidance even Baked Macaroni and
Cheese and French Toast assume new, satisfying make-overs. Add color photos throughout and
you have a winning guide.
A Change of Appetite
Diana Henry
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781845338923, $34.99, www.amazon.com
A Change of Appetite offers a fine collection of recipes for healthy eating and offers dishes
inspired by world cuisines from Russia to Scandinavia, packed with flavor and appeal. While
'healthy' here is profiled, it's less about weight loss than about flavor and freshness. Chapters are
packed with recipes organized by season for maximum use of fresh, seasonal ingredients and pair
this approach with dishes packed with unusual flavor combinations from Ricotta with Summer
Berries and Honey to Shawarma Chicken with Warm Chickpea Puree and Sumac Onions. Expect
something delightfully different with this appealing coverage, recommended for any cookbook
collection looking for something different.
Gluten-Free Baked Products
Jeffrey L. Casper and William A. Atwell
AACC International Press
3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121
9781891127809, $179.00, www.aaccnet.org/Pages/default.aspx
Food service professionals, chemists working with foods, and bakers involved with gluten-free
baked products will all find this technical treatment of gluten-free baked goods to be key to
developing and manufacturing gluten-free products. Chapters provide a basic introduction to
such products, their development requirements, and how to understand Celiac disease and gluten
intolerance: something quite essential as gluten is evident in many products one wouldn't
ordinarily think about. From formulating snacks, cakes and breads to regulations and certification
procedures, this is a 'must' for any interested in the latest gluten-free technology.
The Best of Rose Elliot
Rose Elliot
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9780600628774, $29.99, www.amazon.com
The Best of Rose Elliot: The Ultimate Vegetarian Collection comes from one of England's best
vegetarian chefs, and provides a fine collection from two of her books: vegetarian Supercook and
Sumptuous Suppers. It's packed with influences from around the world, take-offs on meat dishes,
and meals designed for parties to quick dinners alike. The result is a lovely collection of original
creations that will expand any vegetarian cook's collection.
Da Capo Lifelong
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com, www.dacapopress.com
Jane Barthelemy's GOOD MORNING PALEO: MORE THAN 150 EASY FAVORITES TO
STAR YOUR DAY, GLUTEN- AND GRAIN-FREE (9780738217451, $18.99) provides recipes
for some 150 low-carb recipes for breakfasts that are gluten-, grain-, and dairy-free, and is a pick
for any who would use it to support either the Paleo diet or other diet plans. Recipes for
Breakfast Burritos, Baked Eggs, Quiche Lorraine and others modify ingredients and use easy lists
of staples commonly found in Paleo kitchens. The result is a fine survey recommended for any
general cookbook collection; especially those seeking more Paleo guides. Terry Hope Romero's
SALAD SAMURAI: 100 CUTTING-EDGE, ULTRA-HEARTY, EASY-T0-MAKE SALADS
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE VEGAN TO LOVE (9780738214870, $19.99) comes from an
award-winning chef that shows how salads can move beyond bland, boring styles to become
amazing entrees. From a Deviled Kale Caesar Salad to Seared Garlic Chickpeas, Spinach and
Farro, expect a dose of 'exotic' ingredients (i.e. to be found in health food stores, not your everyday supermarket), amazing dressings, and meatless, dairy-free dishes arranged by season
(even winter). A top pick for any looking for something different.
The All-New Vegetarian Passport
Linda Woolven
Whitecap Books
314 West Cordova St., Suite 201
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6B 1E8
www.whitecap.ca
9781770501799, $34.95, www.amazon.com
The All-New Vegetarian Passport: 350 Healthy Recipes Inspired by Global Cuisines is packed
with color photos, arranged with color-coded pages by region to make for quick and easy
referencing, and recipes that are geared to vegan and gluten-free options. From Asia and the
Middle East to India and the Americas, this pairs recipes with icons on which are suitable for
different diets, from celiac disease and diabetes to heart disease, arthritis and vegan diet plans.
The result is a highly recommended pick for any vegetarian cook and collections catering to
them.
Tea and Treats
Liz Franklin
Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10012
www.rylandpeters.com
9781849754972, $24.95, www.amazon.com
TEA AND TREATS is packed with over fifty recipes matching tea to sweets, and is the perfect
item of choice for any who would create classic afternoon teas by understanding different kinds
of teas and how they pair with sweets. In order to fully appreciate this approach, of course cooks
should have an affinity for both. Those who do will find the coverage of teas offers many
insights, from bubble teas and green and white teas to fruit trees - and will discover how to pair
each kind of tea with the appropriate sweet flavors for best effect. The history and health
applications of the teas are also included in a fine pick for any cookbook collection.
Itsu: The Cookbook
Julian Metcalfe and Blanche Vaughan
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781845338985, $19.99, www.amazon.com
Itsu: The Cookbook: 100 Low-Calorie Eat Beautiful Recipes for Health & Happiness comes
from the London-based restaurant chain: the first and only fast food chain dedicated to light,
healthy food. It's spent some ten years developing a range of fast, delicious and Asian-inspired
dishes which are offered here to home cooks in a user-friendly manual packed with some 100
recipes from soups and salads to noodles and desserts. Each dish is less than 300 calories per
serving, takes less than 30 minutes to prepare from scratch, and adheres to any dieter's plan. Add
color photos for maximum impact and appeal!
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Confronting Chronic Pain: A Pain Doctor's Guide to Relief
Steven H. Richeimer, MD with Kathy Steligo
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
www.press.jhu.edu
9781421412535, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Confronting Chronic Pain: A Pain Doctor's Guide to Relief is filled with tips to help everyone
who struggles with daily, chronic pain, and comes from a doctor who specializes in the field of
pain management. Chapters survey what causes different kinds of pain, from arthritis and back
pain to migraine and cancer - and offers the latest information on neurostimulators, pain
medications, and alternative medicine alike. There are different, new approaches to pain
management that a everyone should become familiar with: this book covers them all!
The Autism Shelf
101 Tips for Parents of Children With Autism
Arnold Miller and Theresa C. Smith
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com
9781849069602, $19.95, www.amazon.com
101 Tips for Parents of Children With Autism: Effective Solutions for Everyday Challenges
offers strategies to help children cope with obstacles and inappropriate behaviors, and is directed
to parents who want to know more about the successful Miller Method. This book has been
featured before but deserves ongoing mention for its expansion of Miller's techniques and for its
important keys to understanding behavior modification.
The Asperkid's Game Plan
Jennifer Cook O'Toole
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com
9781849059596, $26.95, www.amazon.com
The Asperkid's Game Plan provides a fine survey on structured play that engages kids with
Asperger syndrome and uses strengths they already have to develop skills, making this a solid
compendium of games and activities for parents and teachers alike. A range of scenarios shows
how Aspie kids learn and how activities can be tailored to make the most of their abilities,
making for an education title applicable to a range of budgets and scenarios.
Sleep Well on the Autism Spectrum
Kenneth J. Aitken
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com
9781849053334, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Sleep Well On The Autism Spectrum: How To Recognise Common Sleep Difficulties, Choose
The Right Treatment, And Get You Or Your Child Sleeping Soundly is an outstanding book for
parents and individuals who look for better sleep patterns for those on the autism spectrum, and
considers the special management of these individuals who struggle with sleep disorders. A
range of sleep disorders and possible treatments consider their symptoms, how they evolve, and
their treatment, making for a fine survey recommended for any psychology, health, and medicine
collection.
LEGO-Based Therapy
Daniel B. LeGoff, et.al.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com
9781849055376, $24.95, www.amazon.com
LEGO-Based Therapy: How to Build Social Competence Through LEGO-Based Clubs for
Children With Autism and Related Conditions offers a complete guide to the therapy that
contains all the basics needed to set up and run a LEGO-Based Club for special-needs kids. It
uses LEGO building to foster social development and social rules, and provides a manual
outlining the theory and research of autism treatments and how the LEGO-Based Club idea
works in real life. The result is a solid reference for any education or health collection working
with autistic kids.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Drawing Down the Sun
Stephanie Woodfield
Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.llewellyn.com
9780738740379, $19.99, www.amazon.com
Drawing Down the Sun: Rekindle the Magick of the Solar Goddesses is a recommendation for
any new age collection strong in goddess-based spirituality and the melding of spirit, mind and
body, and features focus on fourteen different goddesses and how to use and recognize their
different divine spirits through rituals and spells. Chapters discuss their different attributes, how
to use healing energies differently for each, and how to incorporate solar magick and meditations
into the mix, making this a fine guide for any looking to incorporate the divine feminine in their
rituals and spiritual work.
The Sports Shelf
The Greatest Golf Courses and How They Are Played
Mark Rowlinson, General Editor
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9780600628477, $19.99, www.amazon.com
The Greatest Golf Courses and How They Are Played provides a unique insight into the world's
best golf clubs, has been selected by a panel of experts and illustrated with computer art, and
imparts the basics of what makes these courses exceptional and how to play them. Golfers will
appreciate a fine survey profiling the golfing scene in different regions, with photos from experts
in course design accompanying quotes from architects and players alike. From courses across
America to Canadian courses, this packs in lovely photos to pair with statistics on the best golf
courses around, and is a pick for any avid golfer.
The Military Shelf
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
Chris McNab's SOVIET SUBMACHINE GUNS OF WORLD WAR II (9781782007944,
$18.95) is for any collection strong in either military history or weaponry, and provides a
coverage of the origins and development of the Soviet-made submachine guns of World War II.
Chapters provide assessments of their strengths and limitations and provide strong historical and
technical surveys of these guns and their impact on the war. The result is a powerful survey
recommended for firearms and military history holdings. Barrett Tillman's US MARINE CORPS
FIGHTER SQUADRONS OF WORLD WAR II (9781782004103, $25.95) provides a fine
survey of Marine Corps action during the second world war, and covers Marine fighter squadrons
operating legendary aircraft. It comes from an aviation historian who here provides tribute to
individual flyers and combat operations alike, packing in historic details about the squadrons and
their activities. The result is a powerful survey, highly recommended for any military history,
Marine or aircraft history holding. Douglas C. Dildy's FALL GELB 1940(1): PANZER
BREAKTHROUGH IN THE WEST (9781782006442, $21.95) provides a fine survey of the
clash between German and French forces in 1940. Hitler moved 136 divisions through Belgium
and northern France to destroy the Allied forces there and gain territory for campaigns against
France and English: this follows the German efforts as its three Panzer corps embarked on their
assault. Vintage black and white photos, charts, and maps accompany a fascinating chronology of
military engagement perfect for any World War II history collection. David R. Higgins'
JAGDPANTHER VS. SU-100 (9781782002956, $18.95) provides a powerful account of the
Eastern Front in 1945 and focuses on the German Jagdpanther and Soviet SU-100 destroyers
who fought each other during the final German offensive in the area. Chapters offer close
inspection of weaponry, strategies, and fighters and come from an authority on armored warfare,
offering a blend of vintage photos and color contemporary illustrations to reveal the weapons and
their use. A fine recommendation for military collections strong in weapons analysis.
CHALLENGE OF BATTLE: THE BRITISH ARMY'S ENTRY INTO THE FIRST WORLD
WAR by Adrian Gilbert (9781849088596, $25.95) offers general military history holdings a
close inspection of the British Army in 1914, considering its organization and tactics during the
war and reviewing its progress and failings. Chapters examine the decisions made by officers and
use diaries, letters and other historical documents to trace not just events, but how they affected
all involved. A fine recommendation for any general collection. Also recommended for the same
general military history audience is GARY GALLAGHER'S CIVIL WAR: FORT SUMTER TO
APPOMATTOX (9781782006435, $30.00), an exploration of the political, historical and
cultural significance of the war. Chapters consider the war from beginning to end with an eye to
exploring how four bloody years of battle affected civilians and military fighters alike, making
for a fine addition not just to military but general American history holdings alike. Chris
McNab's HITLER'S FORTRESSES: GERMAN FORTIFICATIONS AND DEFENCES 1939-45
(9781782008286, $40.00) provides a detailed guide to every defensive project in the Third
Reich, and packs in drawings, maps, and photos that include 3-D and cutaway views to further
display defensive operations. Chapters offer insights into Germany's defensive history and
strategies and make for a fine account recommended for any definitive military collection.
TRENCH: A HISTORY OF TRENCH WARFARE ON THE WESTERN FRONT by Stephen
Bull (9781472801326, $19.95) offers something different to readers of military history: a
narrowed focus on the tactics, events, and struggles revolving around trench warfare. Photos,
illustrations, trench maps and first-hand accounts accompany a detailed soldier's viewpoint of
World War I, offering discussions of the new farm of warfare, its methods and tactics, and its
impact on soldiers. It's an outstanding survey highly recommended for any interested in military
history.
The Art Shelf
Complete Guide to Watercolour Painting
David Bellamy
Search Press USA
1338 Ross Street, Petaluma, CA 94954-1117
www.searchpressusa.com
9781844487349, $19.95, www.amazon.com
Complete Guide to Watercolour Painting comes from a watercolourist who shares his expertise
in a reference for artists that covers everything from landscapes and buildings to people. It offers
seven step-by-step demonstrations, over 250 photos accompanying them, and other inspirational
photos documenting the process and its results. From incorporating different kinds of perspective
to working with nature and capturing light, this guide covers all the basics watercolourists must
know in order to create a polished, professional-looking result. Any who would improve their
skills or begin a project in watercolour will find this a winning survey.
Colliding Worlds
Arthur I. Miller
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com
9780393083361, $35.00, www.amazon.com
Colliding Worlds: How Cutting-Edge Science is Redefining Contemporary Art is a
recommendation for arts and science holdings alike, and considers the common ground
connecting these seemingly-disparate worlds. It comes from a professor and popular science
writer who reviews the concept of the Third Culture, based on British novelist C.P. Snow's
description of Western culture as divided between the sciences and the humanities. In this
environment the two fuse and scientists and artists work together to create works that illustrate
and display high-tech modern society. Chapters provide plenty of examples and support for the
connections between the two seemingly-disparate disciplines and make for accessible reading for
general-interest and specialty audiences alike!
The Computer Shelf
Facebook All-in-One For Dummies
Jamie Crager, et.al.
For Dummies
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
http://www.dummies.com
9781118791783, $29.99, www.amazon.com
Facebook All-in-One For Dummies has been completely updated to include Facebook's latest
changes, from using mobile Facebook apps to managing pages, news feeds and timelines, and is
a pick for both newcomers to Facebook and those who would delve into using the social media
for marketing their own brand or pursuit. Chapters cover all aspect of connecting using social
media, and assume no prior knowledge as they provide a sequence of opportunities for applying
Facebook's structure to business and social pursuits alike. A great place for beginners to locate
the latest information in the most accessible format!
Build an Awesome PC, 2014 Edition
Mike Riley
Pragmatic Programmers
2831 Eldorado Parkway, #103-381, Frisco, TX 75033-7438
www.pragprog.com
9781941222171, $17.00, www.amazon.com
The 2014 edition of Build an Awesome PC is edited by Jacquelyn Carter and provides a short yet
in-depth focus on how to build a PC, pairing a tutorial approach with basics covering every point,
from powering the motherboard to installing CPU cooling units and selecting a case. Any
working on their own computer-making projects will find this packed with color photos
throughout, and plenty of description of processes and pitfalls - enough to successfully complete
a PC-building job!
A Practical Guide to Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, seventh edition
Mark G. Sobell
Prentice Hall Professional
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
9780133477436, $32.75, www.prentice-hall.com
The seventh updated edition of A Practical Guide to Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux blends
a tutorial format suitable for classroom study with a programmer's desk reference, which makes it
a recommendation for students and practicing professionals alike. The focus is on the latest
Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux applications, with chapters from one of the world's leading
Linux experts offering all the basics. But don't assume this is only for those with Linux
backgrounds: no prior Linux experiences is needed and chapters begin with the basics of
installation and applying Linux operations to different tasks. This edition includes new
programming chapters, new tutorials, and the latest program versions and concerns, from security
to cloud computing.
Addison-Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com, www.informit.com/aw
Michael Manoochehri's DATA JUST RIGHT: INTRODUCTION TO LARGE-SCALE DATA &
ANALYTICS (9780321898654, $39.99) is recommended for businesses and computer
collections interested in applying large-scale data to building applications. It's a survey that tells
how to manage datasets, build pipelines and dashboards, and apply statistical analysis to business
pursuits, and it's packed with a blend of theory and applications key to successful business
pursuits in any industry. Techniques use many of the latest data analysis tools in a pick business
leaders will find perfect for communicating with IT professionals. Brad Dayley's JQUERY AND
JAVASCRIPT PHRASEBOOK (9780321918963, $29.99) provides a key reference of codes and
commands and is recommended for any who would use jQuery more effectively. Its pocket tote
appearance lends to a guide that is both compact and well organized, offering some 100 reusable
code bits to code functional jQuery on the fly. With its fine arrangement, this is a top pick for any
who seek a take-along tote.
WordPress for Dummies
Lisa Sabin-Wilson
For Dummies
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
http://www.dummies.com
9781118791615, $24.99, www.amazon.com
WordPress for Dummies covers the latest releases of WordPress and is a recommendation for
both newcomers who would use it for the first time and those who would set up their first blog
using either of the popular WordPress versions. From locating free themes and plug-ins to
customizing templates and staying up to date with WordPress changes, this is a fine introduction
for any who would apply WordPress to a blog or online pursuit, offering plenty of visuals and a
chatty, easy format that lends to understanding.
The Education Shelf
Leading the e-Learning Transformation of Higher Education
Gary Miller, et.al.
Stylus Publishing
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com
9781579227968, $35.00, www.amazon.com
Leading the e-Learning Transformation of Higher Education comes for innovators in the field of
on-line learning, and not only reviews the specifics of how technology is changing the world of
higher education, but considers the leadership and educational challenges that come with the
e-learning environment. Chapters share successes, explains how to blend e-learning into higher
education goals, and comes from contributors who themselves hold leadership roles in their
organizations. A 'must' for any educator involved in higher learning processes.
Uncommon Core
Michael W. Smith, et.al.
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
www.corwinpress.com
9781483333526, $29.95, www.amazon.com
Uncommon Core: Where the Authors of the Standards Go Wrong About Instruction - and How
You Can Get it Right provides a fine survey offering reader-based approaches as alternatives to
text-based ones in the common core standards, and pinpoints misunderstandings about
standards-based instruction that could prove detrimental to student learning. This is more than
criticism of some of the approaches of common core instruction: it's packed with alternatives and
discussions of criteria that augment and enhance the basic concepts of the common core. The
result is a powerful teacher's guide packed with food for thought on customizing common core
approaches for maximum benefit.
Your Left-Handed Child
Lauren Milsom
Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9780600628767, $14.99, www.amazon.com
Your Left-Handed Child: Making Things Easy for Left-Handers in a Right-Handed World comes
from an author who herself is a left-hander, as well as a mother of one - and she has owned the
Left Handed Shop in London for some thirty years. Her title is packed with strategies for helping
kids of all ages adjust to their left-handed nature, and covers everything from recognizing early
signs of left-handedness from infancy to school years to helping young children learn even
complicated tax such as getting dressed. Her coverage of manufactured aids and new designs
accompanies educational strategies that will appeal to any educator or parent.
Corwin
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
www.corwin.com, www.amazon.com
Leslie Blauman with Jim Burke's THE COMMON CORE COMPANION: THE STANDARDS
DECODED (9781483349855, $34.95) is recommended for educators of grades 3-5 who will find
this a fine reference for any interested in the standards for literature and informational texts.
Teaching ideas for each standard is accompanied by adaptations, tips on how to develop skills
key to using the standards successfully, and a glossary of academic language for each standard.
Add graphic organizers, rubrics, and reproducible planning templates and you have an educator's
workbook that is geared to classroom teachers who want to adopt the standards to their own
techniques and lesson plans. Kristen Swanson and Hadley J. Ferguson's UNLEASHING
STUDENT SUPERPOWERS: PRACTICAL TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR 21ST
CENTURY STUDENTS (9781483350969, $30.00) provides instructors with the basics of
creating an inquiry-based, student-driven learning environment and pairs research with specific
directions on how to turn ordinary students into stars. Each student has hidden talents, and part of
a teacher's job is bringing these abilities to light and nurturing them. This book shows how,
supports one of six 'superpowers', and encourages depth of thought and Common Core
applications throughout.
The Technology Shelf
Highly Integrated Low-Power Radars
Sergio Saponara, et.al.
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com
9781608076659, $149.00, www.amazon.com
Highly Integrated Low-Power Radars discusses how highly integrated radar has been adopted by
several new markets ranging from harbor traffic control to vital sign monitoring, and provides
radar system engineers with scenarios and requirements of this technology. New advances in
radio detection and ranging technology have led to a wide variety of different applications: this
book discusses its adaptation to new markets and offers keys to scenarios, requirements and
limitations alike, making it a key acquisition for any engineering collection strong in radar
technology.
Envelope Tracking Power Amplifiers for Wireless Communications
Zhancang Wang
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com
9781608077847, $179.00, www.amazon.com
Envelope Tracking Power Amplifiers for Wireless Communications represents the first book on
the market to provide a complete, in-depth introduction to design and theory involved in
envelope tracking for wireless communications, and provides a complete introduction to theory
and design applications for professionals in high-technology industries. The details are complete
and cover underlying theory as well as design considerations and real-world applications, with
chapters including math, charts and diagrams, extensive references, and numerous examples. All
this makes for a key reference addition to any engineering collection.
The Business Shelf
What Your Boss Really Wants From You
Steve Arneson
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
www.bkconnection.com
9781626560772, $15.95, www.amazon.com
What Your Boss Really Wants From You: 15 Insights to Improve Your Relationship provides a
fine guide from a top executive coach who shows how to find answers to fifteen questions that
will enable a better understanding of a boss's leadership style and goals. Examples from real life
pair with details on how to analyze a boss's style and how to make the most of it, and contribute
to a powerful survey highly recommended for any business or careers collection.
The Crafts Shelf
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
www.kalmbachbooks.com
Joe Silvera's SOLDERING BEYOND THE BASICS: TECHNIQUES TO BUILD
CONFIDENCE AND CONTROL (9781627000291, $21.99) is all about learning soldering and
applying it to jewelry-making projects, and is a pick for jewelry makers who would go to the next
level of skill. Some sixteen projects from rings to earrings are included in a guide that teaches all
kinds of soldering techniques, from using small mixed-gas torches and fluxes to sawing and
more. Materials, tools, and how to set up a studio accompany these projects, making for a top
pick for newcomers to metalworking. Chris Mrosko's BUILDING DIORAMAS
(9780890248706, $21.99) comes from an acclaimed modeler who shows how to make dramatic
dioramas to showcase models, and uses a step-by-step approach to diorama modeling that
includes selecting the right foundation for the display, painting and using realistic elements, and
creating dioramas that profile figures. Modelers will find this specific guide covers everything
from historical scenes to modern global conflicts in a survey of military modeling that will
delight any modeler.
The Social Issues Shelf
Transaction Publishers
10 Corporate Place South, Piscataway, NJ 08854
www.transactionpub.com
George Yancey's DEHUMANIZING CHRISTIANS: CULTURAL COMPETITION IN A
MULTICULTURAL WORLD (9781412852678, $49.95) examines right-wing authoritarianism
and its dehumanizing effects on Christians, considering how authoritarianism serves as a tool of
the right-wing and progressives who would use it against conservative Christians. From methods
both sides use to dehumanize their opponents to the existence and models of Christian
dehumanizing actions, this is a powerful sociological survey that pinpoints actions of the left and
right alike, considering the origins and actions of fear and loathing towards Christians.
College-level sociology and religious studies readers alike will find this eye-opening. James A.
Clapp's THE CITY (9781412852876, $89.95) appears in its second updated edition to provide a
fine compilation of over three thousand quotes, from verses and proverbs to scripture and lyrics,
on urban life from ancient to modern times. This reference reflects the words of over a thousand
writers throughout history, from poets and public speakers to politicians and scientists, religious
leaders and travelers. This second edition includes four hundred new entries, updates on their
authors, and a expanded introduction and preface, making it a top pick for any studying urban
culture.
The Interior Design Shelf
Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10012
www.rylandpeters.com, www.amazon.com
Ros Byam Shaw's ENGLISH ECCENTRIC: A CELEBRATION OF IMAGINATIVE,
INTRIGUING AND STYLISH INTERIORS (9781849755030, $45.00) features some fourteen
different interiors highly diverse in nature, from a tiny cottage filled with circus themes to a
terraced home filled with political references. Each interior provides a host of inspirational
choices readers will find central to producing their own English-style unusual decorations.
Full-page color photos are perfect vehicles to display artworks, room accents, and how different
influences are dictated by different kinds of structures. The result is a gorgeous presentation,
recommended for any home and garden collection and arts libraries strong in interior design.
Hilary Robertson works with photographer Anna Williams in THE STUFF OF LIFE
(9781849755054, $35.00), a fine survey that covers possessions in the home. It comes from an
interiors stylist who considers ways to style and display possessions, from ornaments to family
photos, and is packed with colorful ideas for organizing and creating themes around possessions
and their display.
The Architecture Shelf
Lake/Flato Houses: Embracing the Landscape
Guy Martin and Frederick Steiner, Introductions
University of Texas Press
PO Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
www.utexaspress.com
9780292758452, $45.00, www.amazon.com
Lake/Flato Houses: Embracing the Landscape displays the works and sentiments of Lake/Flato
Architects of San Antonio, Texas, and provides a fine survey of the works of a firm that uses
local materials and workmanship to design modern, environmentally responsible buildings.
Lake/Flato has received numerous awards for its sustainable architecture designs, and this
showcases their works with a combination of color photos and architectural commentary perfect
for any interested in inspirational treatments of landscape design.
The Gardening Shelf
Power Plants
Frankie Flowers and Bruce Wylde
Collins
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
www.harpercollins.com
9780062367747, $24.99, www.amazon.com
Power Plants: Simple Home Remedies You Can Grow teaches how to harvest plants and how to
use them in home-grown remedies: all that's required is a basic interest in gardening and herbal
applications. Even novice gardeners who have only a few pots can use the tips here, which range
from understanding which plants are easy and which require much tending to creating growing
conditions that lead to bountiful harvests. With this guide in hand, any can choose particular
plants that they want to grow with specific applications in mind, and will find here all the tools
and techniques needed to create healthy plants and effective remedies.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Earth Awakens
Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston
Tor
c/o Tor/Forge Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.tor-forge.com
9780765329066, $25.99, www.amazon.com
EARTH AWAKENS covers the first Formic War that happened nearly a century before the
beginning of Card's famous Ender's Game, and is set in a world before Ender Wiggin was born,
providing the first book in a projected series. Here humans are just beginning to explore the solar
system when an alien ship's arrival cuts off human off-world habitats and an Earth unaware that it's been invaded. When awareness does set in, only a few men and women realize the
importance of thwarting the invasion before the planet falls. A vivid military-style story is spiced
by strong characters and settings in this engrossing story.
The Music Shelf
Cowboys and Indies
Gareth Murphy
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.stmartins.com
9781250043375, $27.99, www.amazon.com
Cowboys and Indies: The Epic History of the Record Industry comes from an industry leader
who creates a definitive history of the music business and the early pioneers who created labels
and fostered musical talents. It uses memoirs, archives, and over a hundred interviews with top
names in the recording industry, from company founders to artists, to provide a fine survey
linking record labels to the trends and rise of music across the country. The result is an
engrossing music history that every popular music collection should have!
The Travel Shelf
Guide to New York City with Children
Angela Hederman & Michael Berman
Little Bookroom
435 Hudson St, Suite 300, New York NY 10014
9781936941094, $22.00, www.littlebookroom.com
Guide to New York City with Children is arranged around the subjects 'play', 'eat' and 'shop', and
offers up a treasure trove of ideas for everything from dolls and movies to computers, sports and
animation. Parks and playgrounds in all neighborhoods, stadium information, ballet classes and
events - there's something for everyone here, including restaurants - all reviewed for their
family-oriented appeal. The result is a 'must' for any family planning a visit to New York City, as
well as for residents of the Big Apple who want more kid-oriented travel options within the City
boundaries.
The Photography Shelf
Amherst Media
175 Rano Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14207-2176
www.amherstmedia.com
Brett Florens' ONE WEDDING: HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH FROM START TO FINISH
(9781608956951, $27.95) goes behind the scenes of a typical shoot to consider all that's involved
with shooting extraordinary wedding scenes. A real wedding, that of Claire and Chris, is used
throughout to cover everything from the engagement shot and post-wedding practice to coverage
of the day itself. By taking a single event and covering it thoroughly, ONE WEDDING provides
plenty of insights into the design and production of the wedding shoots, and will prove especially
revealing for any photographer interested in wedding shots. Rayment Kirby's FANTASY NUDE
PHOTOGRAPHY: SPECIALIZED LIGHTING, POSING, AND DIGITAL COMPOSITING
FOR CREATING AMAZING IMAGES (978108957071, $27.95) provides a fine survey
covering not just your usual nude photography, but how to add a touch of fantasy in backgrounds
and poses alike. Kirby uses digital technology to change photos of models, incorporate props, and
set dramatic backgrounds - and shows photographers how to do the same to get the most from
small shooting areas and a minimum of specialized equipment. With its in-depth details on
processes and techniques, this is a 'must' for any interested in digital composition in general and
working with nudes on a new level, in particular.
The Botany Shelf
Handbook of African Medicinal Plants, second edition
Maurice M. Iwu
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781466571976, $139.95, www.amazon.com
Handbook of African Medicinal Plants appears in its second updated edition to provide
pharmacologists, anthropologists and others in the healing industry a compendium of African
medical plant applications. This updated, expanded second edition reviews some 2,000 species of
plants used in African medicine, pairs descriptions of usage with color photos and
references tapping over 1,100 publications, and includes a catalog of plants used in traditional remedies
along with a profile of 170 of the major herbs and their biology and botanical, common and
African names. The result is key to any interested in African traditional medicine or botany,
offering scientific surveys of folk use and biology alike.
Botanical Safety Handbook, second edition
Zoe Gardner and Michael McGuffin, Editors
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781466516946, $119.95, www.amazon.com
The second updated edition of the American Herbal Product Association's handbook is a 'must'
for any interested in herbal medicine and applications. Backed by an expert advisory council and
covering clinical information and expert reviews, this covers the latest research on herbs and
their applications - some 500 species of herbs and uses, all arranged in a classification system
that highlights the safety of each listed species and its possible drug interactions. Healthcare
professionals, regulatory agencies and herbal product consumers alike will appreciate a format
that is packed with reference to studies, details on side effects, and everything needed to make
the most of herbal products and their health applications.
Marine Plants of the Texas Coast
Roy L. Lehman
Texas A&M University Press
4354 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4354
www.tamu.edu/upress
9781623490164, $32.00, www.amazon.com
Marine Plants of the Texas Coast will appeal to biology students and nature lovers alike, as well
as any with an interest in the Texas coastal region and its plant life. It packs in details describing
the area's marine plants, uses author photos to update identification keys geared to visual factors,
and comes from a veteran biologist and educator who describes the plants in four major sections.
Text is arranged alphabetically by family then by genus and species, with the photos providing
important keys to identification descriptions that follow. The result is a complete, authoritative
guide that documents all the organisms fishermen and visitors encounter.
Wildflowers of the Eastern United States
John Eastman
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811713672, $29.95, www.amazon.com
Wildflowers of the Eastern United States packs in discussions of well over a hundred flowers and
also provides color close-up photos for all flowers, making for the perfect handbook for any
interested in wildflower identification. It comes from a wild plant expert who discusses flower
characteristics, biology, traditional uses and different wildflowers to be found in wetlands,
clearings and fields, and it isn't geared to the specialist, but to the nature lover who wants a
beginner's guide that doesn't assume prior identification experience, yet packs its pages with
lively, in-depth information.
The Political Science Shelf
Global Gender Issues in the New Millennium, fourth edition
Anne Sisson Runyan and V. Spike Peterson
Westview Press
c/o Perseus Book Grop
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.westviewpress.com
9780813349169, $39.00, www.amazon.com
Global Gender Issues in the New Millennium is a pick for any college-level political science or
women's studies collection, and provides a fine introduction to how gendered world politics
affects social and political forces. Undergraduates and some graduates will find this packed with
details that are tailored for classroom discussion and use, from questions at the beginning and
conclusion of each chapter to exercises designed to test student understanding. This is a fourth
updated edition that includes complete chapter revisions to provide more support to students with
less background in gender politics, along with updates to data and related graphic presentation.
The result is a 'must' for any college-level student of gender issues.
Interest Groups and Lobbying
Thomas T. Holyoke
Westview Press
c/o Perseus Book Grop
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.westviewpress.com
9780813345819, $33.00, www.amazon.com
Interest Groups and Lobbying: Pursuing Political Interests in America provides a college-level,
in-depth exploration of interest group politics and lobbying and their role in political decisions,
analyzing how interest groups lobby various branches of government and how they succeed or
fail in their efforts. Chapters pair case studies and examples with reviews of such techniques,
covering political and social interactions in a wide-ranging survey especially recommended for
high school and college-level students of governmental studies.
The Railroading Shelf
The Historical Guide to North American Railroads, third edition
Jeff Wilson and Randy Rehberg, Editors
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
www.kalmbachbooks.com
9780890249703, $24.99, www.amazon.com
The Historical Guide to North American Railroads appears in its third updated edition, providing
rail buffs with new maps, a new index that allows for easier searching, and a larger format
packed with additional details on listings ranging from route maps and statistics to history and
details of equipment. Any with a special interest in North American railroads will find this a
colorful, definitive guide packed with vintage and contemporary photos alike, tracing the entire
history and evolution of North American railroading.
The DCC Guide, second edition
Don Fiehmann
Kalmbach Publishing
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
www.kalmbachbooks.com
9781627001038, $19.99, www.amazon.com
The second updated edition of The DCC Guide covers the basics of the digital command control
needed to control model trains, and covers DCC systems and their assembly and installation.
From using the new Java Model railroad Interface technology and software to integrating
computer controls into a DCC layout, this is a fine survey that tells model railroaders how to
make the most of the wiring controlling their hobby. The result is an outstanding guide packed
with illustrations and tips specific to model railroading.
The Science Shelf
The Island of Knowledge
Marcelo Gleiser
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465031719, $29.99, www.amazon.com
Human knowledge is considered vast; but in actuality it's a small part of the universe of
uncertainty and the unknown - and the more we discover, the more our 'island of knowledge' in
this vast universe expands. This setting is used to examine the nature of knowledge and how
humans try to make sense of the world. It surveys scientific history and how scientists and
thinkers have uncovered truths about our universe. The result is a lively historical overview of
the human race's changing knowledge base, recommended for any interested in science
history.
Wild Connection
Jennifer L. Verdolin
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781616149468, $18.95, www.amazon.com
Wild Connection: What Animal Courtship and Mating Tell Us About Human Relationships
provides an outstanding survey that offers a scientific view of animal and human behavior on
dating and relationships, and considers the elements that makes individuals attractive to others. It
uses animal behavior to make these connections, from considering how smell works and why
humans mask their natural scents to how animals instinctively know how to locate compatible
mates. With its human/animal associations, this is an excellent pick for any science or
psychology general-interest reader.
The Beer Shelf
Sustainable Homebrewing
Amelia Slayton Loftus
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781612121229, $18.95, www.amazon.com
Sustainable Homebrewing: An All-Organic Approach to Crafting Great Beer covers all the basics
of not just brewing beer, but brewing an organic homebrew using organic ingredients. Aside
from this difference, you'd think the process would be largely the same - and it is - but there are
differences. For one, instructions advocate recycling the wort-chilling water, using spent grain in
a compost pile, and growing your own organic ingredients. For another, the focus on reducing
waste in homebrewing helps brewers make more economical brews. The result is a top pick for
any who would modify their homebrewing techniques to include better ingredients and less
waste!
American Sour Beers
Michael Tonsmeire
Brewers Publications
P.O. Box 1679, Boulder, CO 80306
www.brewersassociation.org
9781938469114, $19.95, www.amazon.com
American Sour Beers: Innovative Techniques for Mixed Fermentations narrows the usual
brew-making focus to sour beers, offering a thorough investigation into the processes and
ingredients used in American sour beer production and covering different methods of souring,
fermentation techniques, aging and blending, safety and sanitation, and more. While some of this
information is general to brewing as a whole, much of it is particular to producing a sour-style
beer, making for a top pick for any interested in brewing.
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Examining Lois Lane
Nadine Farghaly, Editor
Scarecrow Press
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.rowman.com
9780810892361, $50.00, www.amazon.com
Collections strong in popular culture and comic history will appreciate the first anthology to limit
its exploring on Lois Lane in EXAMINING LOIS LANE; THE SCOOP ON SUPERMAN'S
SWEETHEART. Chapters consider her character, culture, and how she compares to
mythological heroines. This is no light read, but a semi-scholarly treatment recommended for any
collection serious about comic book history and analysis.
American Comic Book Chronicles 1965-69
John Wells
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
www.twomorrows.com
9781605490557, $41.95, www.amazon.com
American Comic Book Chronicles 1965-69 provides the second volume in the series covering
the mid-1960s: a pivotal era in comic book history, and provides a year-by-year account of
publications, comic artists, trends, and history. From the big changes at Marvel Comics to the
rage of the TV show Batman featuring Adam West, this gathers all the top moments of five years
under one cover and covers not just superhero comics, but the entire industry, from the Gold Key
classics and its appearance in a new digest form to The Archies. Comic book enthusiasts will
appreciate this involving history!
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters
August Ragone
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com
9781452135397, $29.95, www.amazon.com
Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters provides a fine survey of Eiji Tsuburaya's creations,
providing coverage not from the usual Japan but from the U.S. and considering his involvement
in Japanese productions. If you've ever seen a monster movie or TV show containing Godzilla,
Ultraman or other characters, you probably already know Tsuburaya's works. This gathers
hundreds of film stills, posters, and character art under one cover and provides a visual biography
of both the man and his creations, packing in details about his influences and inspirations. The
result is a definitive guide packed with color and details essential to any film or television
history.
The Criminology Shelf
Labeling Theory: Empirical Tests
David P. Farrington and Joseph Murray, Editors
Transaction Publishers
10 Corporate Place South, Piscataway, NJ 08854
www.transactionpub.com
9781412842464, $59.95, www.amazon.com
Labeling Theory: Empirical Tests: Advances in Criminological Theory V. 18 delves into the
processes of a theory key to criminology whose recent advancements have been largely ignored,
and is a reference for any college-level criminology collection. It details the history of the theory,
its evolution and its applications, it considers previous tests of labeling theory, and it considers
both the long-term effects of incarceration and both repeat offenders and future employment. The
result is a technical survey and a 'must' for any criminology theory student.
The International Studies Shelf
An Introduction to the Modern Middle East
David S. Sorenson
Westview Press
c/o Perseus Book Grop
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.westviewpress.com
9780813349220, $45.00, www.amazon.com
An Introduction to the Modern Middle East: History, Religion, Political Economy, Politics
appears in its second updated edition to provide a fine review of the region, including coverage
of the Arab Spring, changes in individual nations in the region, and the Iranian nuclear
controversy. Different themes that evolve from regional history and interactions help organize
content and keep the treatment lively and varied enough to allow for cross-comparisons of
country history. Vignettes include the author's own personal experience from his travels
throughout the Middle East and greatly enhance the background information, making this
professor's treatment a fine pick for any college-level student of modern Middle Eastern
affairs.
The American History Shelf
Gotham Unbound
Ted Steinberg
Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
9781476741246, $32.00, www.amazon.com
Gotham Unbound: The Ecological History of Greater New York provides a fine survey from an
environmental historian and native New Yorker, who tells how the city was transformed from an
unspoiled estuary to a huge city unparalleled in size and scope on the planet. This transformation
was not without its costs: 'Gotham' is, as a result, especially vulnerable to climate change, and its
focus on growth has long ignored the region's prior natural history and importance as a wetlands
area. Any interested in environmental transformation in general and New York history in
particular will find this a solid examination of the city's ecological evolution and changes.
The Nautical Shelf
Sextant
David Barrie
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
www.williammorrow.com
9780062279347, $25.99, www.amazon.com
SEXTANT: A YOUNG MAN'S DARING SEA VOYAGE AND THE MEN WHO MAPPED
THE WORLD'S OCEANS comes from a sailing expert who tells of inventions, discoveries, and
epic voyages, blending his stories of his own transatlantic passage as a young man with the tales
of great navigators and seamen who undertook explorations that made maritime history. From
the science and math involved in making such a journey to evolving maritime discoveries over
the decades, SEXTANT reads like a travelogue or adventure story, but is so much more.
Recommended for autobiography, nautical, history and travel collections as well as many a
science reader!
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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