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The Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Planning Game
Alexander Garvin
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393733440, $59.95, www.wwnorton.com
The Planning Game: Lessons from Great Cities is for city planners and any who would improve a
neighborhood or city, offering a review of how planning works, adding over two hundred color
photos, diagrams and maps created for planning and management. Communities, planners and
those involved in creating activities that involve a community will find this a solid reference,
offering experiences from four cities and introducing the idea of planning, rules of the game, and
how cities and neighborhoods are transformed.
Alligators in B-Flat
Jeff Klinkenberg
University Press of Florida
University of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street
Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813044507, $24.95, www.upf.com
Alligators in B-Flat: Improbable Tales from the Files of Real Florida considers the swamps of
Florida and the animals and people who inhabit one of the last natural refuges of the state,
offering hilarious and absorbing stories from a journalist who holds a fondness for his state. His
descriptions of the processes that endanger Florida's swamps and challenge the ways of
traditional peoples and nature alike make for a powerful survey packed with involving natural
history and social history facts. While this could have been reviewed under our social issues
section, its many insights on nature and threats to the environment makes this a special
recommendation for both Florida history collections and any strong in Florida natural
history.
Florida Wildflowers
Walter Kingsley Taylor
University of Florida Press
University of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street
Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813044255, $29.95, www.upf.com
FLORIDA WILDFLOWERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE provides an expanded update
provides an in-depth primer to identifying wildflowers - and presents information in a
user-friendly format perfect for any who want an easy field guide. It comes from one of Florida's
experts on the state's wildflowers and how to find them, and offers species descriptions linked to
chapters arranged by their natural habitat. This makes for easy at-a-glance location of plants
whether one is strolling through forest or on the beach. Vastly expanded with new taxonomy,
over 450 species are covered in a solid photo-packed reference recommended for any who want a
detailed field guide.
Victoria the Seductress
Tomasz Anisko
Longwood Gardens
P.O. Box 501, Kennett Square, PA 19348
9781935442226, $69.99, www.longwoodgardens.org
It's not every day that an innovative garden and leading horticultural innovator publishers a book,
let alone a 468-page, lavishly illustrated coverage charting the history of the Amazonian Victoria
water lilies and their cultivation around the world. Victoria has no equal among world plants, is
elusive and challenging, and entered conservatories across Europe and America over 150 years
ago. Since then there have been few works published on the topic, let alone any with this degree
of depth and illustration. Any library strong in horticultural topics will find VICTORIA THE
SEDUCTRESS outstanding and as rare as the plant, packed with information for any gardener
interested in natural and cultural history of the plant's evolution. It comes from an international
plant explorer and curator at Longwood, and is packed with many outstanding details based on
his original research and expeditions to South America. No horticultural collection should be
without this sumptuous and vivid exploration, very highly recommended as one of the top botany
books to appear in print in the last five years.
The Cookbook Shelf
Cooking for Two, fifth edition
America's Test Kitchen
9781936493432, $35.00, www.americastestkitchen.com
COOKING FOR TWO: THE YEAR'S BEST RECIPES CUT DOWN TO SIZE is a top pick for
couples who are usually faced with cookbooks and recipes that assume family-size portions and
participation. This fifth edition of a popular annual series adapts the best recipes of the year
(some 157) to sizes two people can easily enjoy, scaling down dishes such as lasagna, chili and
pie and providing recipes for a wide range of winning dishes, from easy skillet suppers and pasta
dinners to sides and desserts. There are many surprises here too - such as a prime rib dish that can
be made for two. From slow cooker to one-dish meals, this is an outstanding collection highly
recommended for any couple and collections catering to them.
Hand-Crafted Candy Bars
Susie Norris and Susan Heeger
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
9781452109657, $24.95, www.chroniclebooks.com
Hand-Crafted Candy Bars: From-Scratch, All-Natural, Gloriously Grown-Up Confections offers
basic recipes for dishes ranging from fudge and nougat to caramel, and is a pick for any dessert
enthusiast and collection catering to them. It comes from an artisan chocolatier and pastry chef
whose award-winning chocolate business has received much publicity, and offers a satisfying
blend of basic, foundation candy recipes and modern innovations, such as adding pepper or
tarragon to the candy mix. The result is a title packed with color photos and easy directions any
newcomer to candy-making will find sensational.
Hollyhock
Moreka Jolar, et.al.
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189
Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865717275, $24.95, www.newsociety.com
HOLLYHOCK: GARDEN TO TABLE is both a cookbook and a gardening title, offering a
synthesis of some thirty years of growing and cooking with natural foods, and is a special
recommendation for cookery collections strong in gourmet uses for unusual garden produce.
From Baby Lima Beans with Asparagus and Flowering Arugula to Prune and Cardamom Naan
and an unusual Raw Avocado Chocolate Pudding, this focuses on natural sweeteners and
sustainable foods from the garden, and is a recommendation for any natural foods collection
looking for uniquely different dishes.
RawEssence
David Cote and Mathieu Gallant
Robert Rose Publishers
120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4P 1E2
9780778804468, $24.95, www.robertrose.ca
RawEssence: 180 Delicious Recipes for Raw Living is a raw food cookbook part of a growing
movement, and offers flexible recipes for any ready to sample raw fare. Full color photos
accompany inspirations for meals for all occasions, recipes that require a minimum of 'exotic'
ingredients to prepare, and tasty creations perfect for summertime. From Meatless Meatballs to
Madras Salad and Carrot Cake, this focuses on fresh ingredients and raw preparations perfect for
any home kitchen and for busy cooks as well as families. The result is an exceptionally inviting
introduction to the topic.
Pick Fresh Cookbook
Cooking Light
Oxmoor House
PO Box 11095, Des Moines, Iowa 50336-1095
9780848739157, $21.95, www.oxmoorhouse.com
Keys to buying, growing and cooking garden-grown vegetables and herbs offer a fine link to
home-grown produce and is a seasonal cookbook recommended for gardeners and cooks alike.
Color photos pack a cookbook loaded with fresh and new ideas, from Corn Pancakes with
Smoked Salmon and Lemon-Chive Cream to Grilled Vegetable and Fontina Pizza and Lamb
Chops and Cilantro Relish. The result is a fine collection of recommended new ideas for putting
together a garden's bounty: a top pick for any gardener looking to make the most of the fruits
(and vegetables) of labor.
The Technology Shelf
Lining Up Data in ArcGIS, second edition
Margaret M. Maher
ESRI Press
380 New York Street
Redlands, CA 92378-8100
www.esripress.com
9781589483422, $24.95 pbk. / $13.72 Kindle www.amazon.com
Lining Up Data in ArcGIS: A Guide to Map Projections appears in its second updated edition to
provide a basic troubleshooting reference for any GIS user facing the problem of data
misalignment. Full-color maps and diagrams accompany concrete tips on how to identify data
projections, create custom projections, and resolve issues behind common warnings. The result is
a solid reference compatible with ArcGIS 10.1 that holds new sections on aligning CAD data and
using the web Mercator projection. A 'must' for any GIS reference collection, its pairing of
real-world applications and techniques can't be beat.
Radar Equations for Modern Radar
David K. Barton
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
9781608075218, $149.00, www.artechhouse.com
Radar Equations for Modern Radar comes from a leading expert and is based on the classic
Radar Range-Performance Analysis from 1980. Any who considered the prior book a classic will
find this measurably better, offering new research and details that link radar equations to the
design of modern radar systems. From detection ranges to equations and data designed to
improve range calculations, this offers practitioners detailed technical information and formulas
and discusses everything from range calculation in different environments to propagation effects.
Calculations include over four hundred equations and nearly 200 illustrations and the book
includes a DVD combining these equations with further analysis tools. Any technical engineering
collection will find this a winner.
Getting to Know ArcGIS for Desktop, third edition
Michael Law and Amy Collins
ESRI Press
380 New York Street
Redlands, CA 92378-8100
9781589483088, $84.95, www.esripress.com
Getting to Know ArcGIS for Desktop is a detailed workbook that introduces the principles of
GIS using exercises to accompany software tools provided with the book, and is a pick for any
studying ArcGIS. This updated third edition sees extensive reorganization and includes new
topics, from exploring online resources and raster data to utilizing data manipulation with new
exercises and learning tools. Classrooms and independent study students alike will find this a
powerful tool, which includes access to a 180-day trial of ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop. With its
many updates, revised exercises and clear color screenshots and examples, this is a top pick for
any studying the latest ArcGIS program.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Conservation Planning: Shaping the Future
F. Lance Craighead and Charles L. Convis Jr., Editors
ESRI Press
380 New York Street
Redlands, CA 92378-8100
9781589482630, $119.95, www.esripress.com
Conservation Planning: Shaping the Future provides a powerful reference for any college-level
library strong in conservation planning, and shows how working scientists develop such plans
using an integration of data, technology, and scientific methods. It's a pick for science and land
management reference sections alike, showing how planners create sustainable, ecologically
sensitive human developments and how they preserve healthy ecosystems for native wildlife,
protecting habitat for key species. The result is a powerful discussion on everything from aquatic
to terrestrial habitats, conservation concerns, population viability, site selection and management,
changing trends for long-term conservation planning, and much more.
The Language Studies Shelf
Arabic Language and Linguistics
Reem Bassiouney and E. graham Katz, Editors
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781589018853, $44.95, www.press.georgetown.edu
Arabic Language and Linguistics is a recommendation for any linguistics collection, especially
those strong in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies, and provides a thorough coverage from an
associate professor of Arabic linguistics at Georgetown University, and an assistant professor in
linguistics. From usage to verbs, compositional implications of Arabic language, and social
issues such as women and politeness in Egyptian talk shows and issues of wh-questions in
Egyptian Arabic, this provides a powerful and scholarly analysis that delves beyond usage into
the sociology and politics of the Arabic language. Very highly recommended.
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Blue Book of Gun Values, 34th edition
S.P. Fjestad
Blue Book Publications
8009 34th Avenue South, Suite 250
Minneapolis, MN 55425
9781936120314, $49.95, www.bluebookofgunvalues.com
The updated 34th edition of Blue Book of Gun Values is a massive reference guide packing in
over 2,000 pages of values and information for antique and modern firearms alike. This updated
edition includes several significant new features, from updates on gun values reflecting changing
supply and demand in the market to listings of nearly 1,500 manufacturers and trademarks,
almost 20,000 gun model descriptions, a revised 80-page Photo grading System, and more. The
result is a solid desk reference that any gun collector should keep readily at hand!
Ammo Encyclopedia, fourth edition
Michael Bussard
Blue Book Publications
8009 34th Avenue South, Suite 250
Minneapolis, MN 55425
9781936120222, $34.95, www.bluebookofgunvalues.com
The fourth updated edition of AMMO ENCYCLOPEDIA is a 'must' for any avid gun collector
and is Blue Book's second most-popular publication. Expect expanded coverage (now at 972
pages) and in-depth ballistic charts for most popular rimfire and centerfire cartridges, and also
expect additions of the industry's newer cartridges. All sections have been gone over and many
updated with charts, images and more reference information. With its extensive rewrite and
details, edited by John B. Allen, David Kosowski and Charles F. Priore Jr., this remains a solid
reference, highly recommended for any gun collector working with ammo specs.
The Business Shelf
Workforce Asset Management Book of Knowledge
Lisa Disselkamp, Editor
John Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118367575, $95.00, www.wiley.com
Workforce Asset Management Book of Knowledge: Official Guide for Workforce Asset
Management Certification is for any candidate preparing for professional certification in
workforce management, and features contributions from industry experts in all areas of
regulations, technologies, and workforce management systems. Any studying for the exam will
find this tests the ability to understand workplace issues and apply solutions to common
problems, covering everything from financial planning and fatigue management to data
collection and analysis processes and mobile resource management. The result is a powerful key
to success in workforce management, highly recommended for exam-takers and HR managers
alike.
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
www.bkconnection.com
Jonathan Rowe's OUR COMMON WEALTH: THE HIDDEN ECONOMY THAT MAKES
EVERYTHING ELSE WORK (9781609948337, $16.95) provides a fine discussion of the value
of the commons, a term that denotes everything shared as opposed to private ownership. The
commons can include public places, the Internet, our technologies and more: they are jointly held
and used. This book unifies all kinds of social, business and management perspectives
surrounding 'the commons' of economy, considering its relationship with the rest of the economy
and the growing movement to preserve and defend it. The result is a powerful assessment of 'the
commons', recommended for any interested in economic cooperation. Jennifer B. Kahnweiler,
PhD's QUIET INFLUENCE: THE INTROVERT'S GUIDE TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE
(9781609945626, $17.95) identifies six unique strengths of introverts and offers a quiz to
measure how well you're using these strengths in business and interactions, offering a key to how
those who are quiet can get more done. Introverts who want to use their skills to enhance
workplace effectiveness will find this packed with keys to harnessing the powers of their psyche
and will find it an outstanding guide to making the most of an existing condition.
Outsource It!
Nick Krym
Pragmatic Publishers
P.O. Box 293325
Lewisville, TX 75029-3325
9781937785055, $35.00, www.pragprog.com
Outsource It!: A No-Holds-Barred Look at the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Offshoring Tech
Projects comes from computer publishers and might ordinarily be reviewed in our computer
section, but is featured here for its wider-ranging interest to any business interested in
understanding the process and purposes of outsourcing. From defining selection criteria tables for
outsourcing technology projects to adjusting resources to include an overseas team, examples are
specific to the computer industry but at many points translate into the general business
environment. Because there are relatively few business books discussing the specifics of
outsourcing, this is a top recommendation for computer, technology and business holdings
alike.
The Computer Shelf
The Essence of Software Engineering
Ivar Jacobson, et.al.
Addison-Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780321885951, $39.99, www.informit.com/aw
The Essence of Software Engineering: Applying the SEMAT Kernel is a pick for software
engineering collections and covers an international initiative designed to identify a universal
standard for software engineering. It introduces this kernel and tells how to apply it when
developing software, and is written for software professionals who lead teams and who need to
evaluate the best practices for their work. A range of methods involving SEMAT are surveyed in
chapters that discuss everything from building the skinny system to understanding logical
progressions in team development efforts. The result is a recommendation for software
engineering reference collections; particularly for those leading or developing teams.
Addison-Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.informit.com/aw
Vaughn Vernon's IMPLEMENTING DOMAIN-DRIVEN DESIGN (9780321834577, $49.99) is
a pick for software engineering collections and provides an approach to understanding
domain-driven design to link strategic patterns to programming applications. This blends
implementation with the latest software architectures, focusing on business and technical
applications and teaching how to leverage DDD's strategic design patterns, maps, and language.
The result is a fine guide to building more flexible software linked to business goals and
presentations, and is a top pick for any IT professional working with business solutions. The
fourth updated edition of Matt Weisfeld's THE OBJECT-ORIENTED THOUGHT PROCESS
(9780321861276, $44.99) covers the basics of object orientation and development and teaches
the process of object-oriented thinking. It's written by a developer for developers who want to
move into this process, offering a solutions approach to object-oriented programming and
teaching the proper uses of inheritance and composition, interfaces and implementations, and
much more. This revised edition provides a focus on interoperability across programming
technologies, and makes for a top pick for any interested in object-oriented programming
approaches. The fifth updated edition of THE JAVA TUTORIAL: A SHORT COURSE ON
THE BASICS by Sharon Biocca Zakhour, et.al. (9780132761697, $49.99) is based on Release 7
of the Java Platform Standard Edition and provides a revised, updated edition discussing the new
features and codes. The deployment coverage has been expanded with new chapters, new
information on handling more than one type of exception with a single exception handler, and
better code is included in a title also helpful for any studying for the Java SE 7 certification
exams. All the material has been updated, reviewed by a professional committee of Oracle Java
engineers, and reflects the latest techniques and best practices. A fine recommendation, this is a
solid reference for any Java student or professional!
For Dummies
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
The third updated edition of John Walkenbach's MICROSOFT EXCEL VBA PROGRAMMING
FOR DUMMIES (9781118490372, $29.99) explores VBA programming and customizing
aspects of Excel, and provides a coverage of programming concepts and steps to using macros,
Excel add-ins, and more. Programmers looking to go beyond Excel basics will find this packed
with advice on how to manage programming, communication, and user-oriented applications that
work with other Office applications, and receive a fine guide that makes all the advanced
applications easy to manage. Don Cowan's HTML5 CANVAS FOR DUMMIES
(9781118385357, $29.99) teaches how to work with Canvas, a program that blends art with
technology in its integration of motion graphics with browsers for animating websites without
writing server-side code. The step-by-step process of achieving polished sites is covered in
colorful chapters that blend sidebars of information with screen shots and color examples
throughout, teaching the basics of using color, instilling lifelike movement, embedding audio or
video, and creating interactive drawings. A 'must' for any considering using HTML5
Canvas!
Data Points
Nathan Yau
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118462195, $39.99, www.wiley.com
Data Points: Visualization That Means Something explores the process of creating unique and
meaningful visualizations using data, and teaches the basics of exploring data, finding the story,
and illustrating it. Various tools that lend to this process are discussed in a guide packed with
color visual cues and insights on using spatial data, understanding visualization components, and
linking data streams to what information is needed to display. The result is a powerful survey
packed with written and visual examples linking different kinds of data to display options: a
powerful pick for any who work with data to refine, interpret and visually present it.
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
www.oreilly.com
Preston Gralla's NOOK HD: THE MISSING MANUAL (9781449359539, $19.99) covers Nook
HD and Nook HD+, packing in full color illustrations, explanations of the tablet, and advice
from a technology expert that covers everything from basic set-up and gaining Web access to
watching movies, playing games and reading ebooks. From solving common wifi connection
issues at home and on the road to using Netflix, zooming in on images, and more, this is a guide
to both basic and advanced set-up and usage which places all the power of the Nook ND and
Nook ND+ directly in the user's hands. Matt Neuburg's PROGRAMMING iOS6, third edition
(9781449365769, $49.99) packs in over 1,000 pages of reference information in a 'bible' that
includes all the details on iOS6, from its various features and language advances to
understanding Cocoa concepts, layers and views, controllers, and all basic interfaces. From the
latest, new iOS6 features to business applications, this covers the latest iOS6.1 and Xcode 4.6
and is a top pick for any reference collection used by iOS programmers.
OCA Java SE7 Programmer I Certification Guide
Mala Gupta
Manning Publications Company
20 Baldwin Road, Shelter Island, NY 11963
9781617291043, $49.99, www.manning.com
OCA Java SE7 Programmer I Certification Guide offers an in-depth guide to the IZ0-803 exam
process, offering questions, exercises and explanations that are usually faced in the course of the
test and outlining key Java topics. Each chapter opens with a list of exam objectives, providing
these sample questions and exercises that not only test knowledge, but reinforce the learning
process. Diagrams, flowcharts, and code are included along with coding exercises and
discussions of common pitfalls. The result is a key acquisition for any student aiming to take the
exam.
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Lab Manual
Cisco Networking Academy
Cisco Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9781587133107, $45.00, www.ciscopress.com
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Lab Manual provides students with the only
Cisco-authorized lab manual for students in the Cisco Networking Academy, and provides keys
geared to taking the CompTIA + 220-801 and 220-802 exams. Hands-on labs and worksheets
pack a manual that provides coverage and practice of all Windows 7, Windows Vista, and
Windows XP variations covered in the CompTIA exam objectives. With its numerous
worksheets, exercises, and explanations, this lab manual will prove a 'must' for any enrolled in
the course.
The Social Issues Shelf
Fear Itself
Ira Katznelson
Liveright Publishing
c/o W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780871404503, $29.95, www.wwnorton.com
Fear Itself: The New Deal and the Origins of Our Time provides a blend of history and social
insights in documenting the concepts of the New Deal, the boundaries and effects of fear, and the
forces that placed the U.S. republic in danger. The passing of New Deal legislation was a radical
move - and the author's study of nearly ever piece of House and Senate legislation over a
twenty-year period provides keys to understanding the fears that led to its enactment. Social and
political atmosphere is analyzed in a powerful analysis of Congress, Jim Crow laws, and
American policymaking changes that will prove essential to understanding the times and their
lasting impact on American society today.
Towards Collective Liberation
Chris Crass
PM Press
PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
978160486544, $20.00, www.pmpress.org
TOWARDS COLLECTIVE LIBERATION: ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZING, FEMINIST
PRAXIS, AND MOVEMENT BUILDING STRATEGY is recommended for activists and
collections catering to them, and answers questions on how to create and support movements for
visionary change. It's a fine collection pairing essays with interviews to provide keys to making
transformative organizing changes, offering experiences of those involved in various
communities and providing solid game plans for success and change. The specifics, gained from
experience, will delight any interested in collective organizing for political and social
change.
Communism on Tomorrow Street
Steven E. Harris
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421405667, $60.00, www.press.jhu.edu
Communism on Tomorrow Street: Mass Housing and Everyday Life After Stalin provides a fine
study and history considering how a generation of Soviet citizens moved from overcrowded
communal dwellings of the Stalin era to modern apartments. Author Steven E. Harris focuses on
how participants eager to benefit from the new way of life presented by this move and associated
consumer goods found new national and local political interests, with cooperative housing
serving as the beginning of urban planning efforts and the transition from Soviet mass housing to
alternatives resolving the housing issues in that nation. The rest is a fine post-Stalin analysis
highly recommended for any collection strong in Soviet Union social history, urban planning,
and world social issues surrounding housing choices.
The Efficiency Trap
Steve Hallett
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616147259, $18.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
THE EFFICIENCY TRAP: FINDING A BETTER WAY TO ACHIEVE A SUSTAINABLE
ENERGY FUTURE comes from an environmentalist who argues that energy efficiency actually
leads to more consumption, faster depletion of resources, and more stress on the planet. Energy
efficiency encourages more consumption, not less - and encourages driving and bigger, better
products. How do we avoid the pitfalls of energy efficient appliances and actions? Hallett
suggests that focusing on protecting natural resources rather than using then is the key to
developing more resilient social systems and networks that decentralize energy delivery services
and promote more sustainable lifestyle systems. Food for thought, recommended for any social
issues, home or science collection!
The Martial Arts Shelf
Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu
Nicholas C. Yang
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
9781594392313, $69.95, www.ymaa.com
Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu: Advanced Sequences, Part 2 comes from one who has won over
three dozen awards for barehand and weapons forms in international and national competitions,
and who is President of YMAA International. This DVD packs in 8 hours of in-depth kung fu
instruction, teaching two more traditional Long Fist advanced sequences in detail, outlining
training exercises and martial applications, and considering the practice of these sequences.
Advanced yoga students will consider this an authoritative display of techniques perfect for
supplementing instruction.
Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts
David A. Hall
Kodansha America, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
9781568364100, $60.00, www.kodansha-usa.com
Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts packs in details about Japanese martial arts in an A-Z
encyclopedia format packed with over 4,000 entries. From details on classical martial arts
schools and lineages to over 300 combative systems and the roles played by different religions in
the development of various martial arts pursuits, this includes charts, photos, illustrations, rare
documentation and examples of poses, and more, offering indices in kanji, Chinese, Sanskrit and
English and covering all traditional East Asian systems and arts from ancient to modern times. If
it's a definite reference that is needed, one can't go wrong with this wide-ranging
Encyclopedia.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Quilted Artwork Frames
Sherry Fourez
American Quilters Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604600933, $12.95, www.AmericanQuilter.com
QUILTED ARTWORK FRAMES provides a short primer teaching the basics of how to frame
artwork using striped quilt fabrics, and covers a technique that requires no special tools, no skill
levels, and very basic applications. Use one stripe or several to make the perfect frame for a
project, with full-page color photo step-by-step examples leaving nothing to question. Highly
recommended for any quilter who wants a new idea for finishing an art piece.
Applique Garden
Eula Mae Long
American Quilters Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604600728, $12.95, www.AmericanQuilter.com
Applique Garden: Easy Floral Applique Patterns offers five simple projects to teach readers the
basics of applique, offering introductory blocks that can either stand alone or become part of a
bigger quilt. The easy step-by-step instructions, attention to detail and patterns, and color photos
makes for a slim yet specific primer on the process, perfect for any newcomer to applique who
wants to learn the basics through a series of easy projects.
That Patchwork Place
c/o Martingale Publishers
19021 Avenue NE
Bothell, WA 98011
www.martingale-pub.com
Kim Brackett's SCRAP-BASKET BEAUTIES: QUILTING WITH SCRAPS, STRIPS, AND
JELLY ROLLS (9781604681963, $24.99) offers a fine key to using precut strips and stashes to
create new quilts, and is a top pick for any quilter who would gain new ideas about how to use
strips in a range of projects. Novices and advanced quilters alike will find a range of styles and
applications for using up scraps and strips, and will find this a fine addition to any quilter's
reference collection, packed with fresh, new ideas! Victoria L. Eapen's LARGE-BLOCK
QUILTS: 16 QUICK AND EASY QUILT PATTERNS (9781604682007, $24.99) provides 16
designs featuring large and easy blocks made oversized for quick results, and offers keys to
combining prints, solids, and matching colors for best results. The idea is to put together quick
quilts that are easy to construct: this is achieved through the larger-sized blocks and keys to
matching patterns and colors, making this very accessible for quilting novices.
The Christian Studies Shelf
In Quest of the Jewish Mary
Mary C. Athans
Orbis Books
PO Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
9781626980044, $19.00, www.orbisbooks.com
In Quest of the Jewish Mary: The Mother of Jesus in History, Theology, and Spirituality offers a
different approach to the study of Jesus' mother, and uses the latest historical research combined
with a feminist perspective and modern spiritual analysis to consider Mary as a source of
courage, strength and prayer. The focus is not only on an alternative history of Mary, but upon
the applications of her meaning to modern life: chapters provide a fine survey of her Jewish
identity and the meaning of her presence, and synthesize scholarly information in a non-scholarly
approach any Christian reader can readily access, making this a pick for any general Christian
collection.
Mommy Time
Sarah Arthur
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414374758, $14.99, www.tyndalehouse.com
MOMMY TIME offers devotionals designed to connect God's truth with encouragement for new
mothers, and is a pick for Christian parenting and general spiritual collections alike. Moms can
feel overwhelmed and the purpose of this title is to remind them that God is in control, and can
be found in every facet of life - even in the chaotic aftermath of caring for a new child. The
author is a new mother herself and speaks of craving for Mommy Time - quality time-out away
from struggle, demands and chaos. This book offers spiritual encouragement for daily tasks of
living and provides some ninety devotions to help new mothers feel God's presence in their daily
lives. Highly recommended!
Quest Books
c/o The Theosophical Publishing House
PO Box 270, Wheaton, IL 60189-0270
www.questbooks.net
Spirituality collections strong in accounts of Christian growth and development will find these
strong additions to any collection. Margaret Placentra Johnston's FAITH BEYOND BELIEF:
STORIES OF GOOD PEOPLE WHO LEFT THEIR CHURCH BEHIND (9780835609050,
$17.95) offers personal stories of ten people who searched for spiritual growth and found
answers outside of their churches. These people rejected their own church but are still engaged in
spiritual questions and searches. First-person life stories take the form of reviews of motivations,
impulses towards change, and overcoming obstacles and make for a fine collection of spiritual
growth insights and reflections. John R. Mabry's GROWING INTO GOD: A BEGINNER'S
GUIDE TO CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM (9780835609012, $17.95) considers Christian mystical
experience and offers theological discussions paired with first-person insights on the idea and
experiences of Christian mysticism. Chapters discuss the process of obtaining insights into this
mysticism, considering light, darkness, and the rituals and figureheads of Christianity which
translate into deeper spiritual meaning. Any scholarly Christian holding will find this filled with
important connections between mysticism and Christian belief.
The Woodworking Shelf
Fresh Designs for Woodworking
Thomas Haapapuro
Fox Chapel Publishing
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
9781565235373, $19.99, www.foxchapelpublishing.com
Fresh Designs for Woodworking is packed with patterns, color photos and step-by-step directions
for making any of the 21 included projects, moving from woodworking basics to more advanced
cuts and teaching how to use the scroll saw to create unusual designs. Any who would use this
tool to work with wood will find the artistic projects lend to decoration and practical home
design alike, and will find this an easy listing of tools and materials, creation processes, and keys
to creating lovely home decorations. Woodworker and crafter collections will benefit from
adding this gathering of unique projects!
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N.
East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
Six titles in 'The Missing Shop Manual' series offer the basics of handling woodworking and
home repair equipment and should be considered a 'must' for any home handyman's reference
collection. CIRCULAR SAWS AND JIG SAWS (9781565234697, $9.95) covers the safety and
set-up of such saws, then moves on to discuss how to use the saws properly, from extending edge
guides to changing blades, using different cuts, and ripping planks. TABLE SAW
(9781565234710, $9.95) shows how to use repeat crosscuts, work supports, and how to use the
table saw to make grooves, cut jigs, and more. ROUTER (9781565234895, $12.95) discusses
how to make cuts on a router table, use jigs, and how to feed stock and cut grooves. DRILLS
AND DRILL PRESSES (9781565324727, $12.95) covers set-up, safety and use of presses and
drills, GLUE AND CLAMPS (9781565234680, $9.95) reveals blocks, vises and frames and
clamping methods, and LATHE (9781565234703, $12.95) covers everything from tool shapes to
sharpening, building a tool rack, and selecting wood. All are fine picks for any home hobbyist or
handyman looking for clear illustrations and insights on how to set up and use the
equipment.
The Homeowner's Shelf
Power with Nature, third edition
Rex A. Ewing
PixyJack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
9780977372492, $24.00, www.pixyjackpress.com
Power with Nature appears in its updated third edition to cover self-reliance for homeowners on
many scales; from using solar, wind, geothermal and more to options either off-grid or grid-tied.
All kinds of methods for conserving energy and getting the most from a self-reliant system are
covered in a title that offers cost-effective solutions for either existing or new systems. Many
homeowner guides talk about getting off the grid: this is one of the few to translate talk to action,
discussing costs, pros and cons of different systems, and how to look at energy usage and
conservation tactics. The latest information makes this updated edition a 'must' for any
conservation or homeowner's collection.
The Gardening Shelf
Landscaping with Conifers and Ginkgo for the Southeast
Tom Cox and John M. Ruter
University Press of Florida
University of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street
Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813042480, $29.95, www.upf.com
Landscaping with Conifers and Ginkgo for the Southeast is a pick for any gardening collection
strong in Southern or Southeast gardening basics, and narrows the focus to specific conifer
species adaptable to southern gardens, as well as Ginkgo biloba cultivars. Growing tips, keys to
pruning and preventing diseases, and discussions of cultivation make for a key guide covering all
the basics on what to buy, where to plant, and how to tend it. Years of research and horticultural
experience lend to a solid reference packed with color photos throughout.
Encyclopedia of Gardening Techniques
American Horticultural Society
Mitchell Beasley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781845337704, $29.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com
Encyclopedia of Gardening Techniques: A Step-by-Step Guide to Basic Skills Every Gardener
Needs offers a paperback, affordable version of a noteworthy 'bible' and is a pick for any
collection strong in basic gardening techniques. It's a comprehensive reference packed with color
and using over 2,000 step-by-step color illustrations and 200 color photos to outline key skills
and ideas gardeners need to be successful. From building herb gardens and flower beds to
handling wildlife and container gardening objectives, this teaches all the basics of planting and
caring for a garden, and is packed with tips and techniques on everything from tools to digging
techniques.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Writing the Science Fiction Film
Robert Grant
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
9781615931361, $26.95, www.mwp.com
Any collection strong in screenwriting, performing arts and film will find this a solid addition,
offering insights into how to write science fiction for the genre. Classic and cult science fiction
films from Star Wars to Aliens are used to show how the genre has changed, what makes it
compelling to modern viewers, and how writers can adjust their science fiction writing to lend to
a film production. From changing a cliche plot to turn it into something fresh and different to
handling new technology and its jargon in the film environment, Writing the Science Fiction
Film is packed with insights perfect for aspiring genre writers and film producers alike, and is a
pick for film and literary collections.
The Science Shelf
Storm Kings
Lee Sandlin
Pantheon
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780307378521, $26.95, www.pantheonbooks.com
Storm Kings: the Untold History of America's First Tornado Chasers explores America's
fascination with tornadoes and provides a history of this study, from Ben Franklin's early
experiments to some of the most devastating storms in American history. Memoirs, letters,
eyewitness accounts and more provide a fine history of the early Midwest and how different
generations have studied, and lived with, tornadoes. Any science collection as well as many a
general-interest holding will find this an accessible, involving study linking storm history to
human attempts to understand, manage and live with tornadoes.
Paleofantasy
Marlene Zuk
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393081374, $27.95, www.wwnorton.com
PALEOFANTASY: WHAT EVOLUTION REALLY TELLS US ABOUT SEX, DIET, AND
HOW WE LIVE contests the belief that cavemen ate better and were healthier for it, debunking
the 'paleofantasy' based on pseudoscience and considering the evolution of diet and human
adaptation. Evolution can be fast, slow or in between - and some traits last generations, even if
they aren't positive. PALEOFANTASY considers human developments and dietary evolution
and points out the fallacies involved in idealizing the diets and actions of primitive peoples. With
its healthy analysis of lifestyles and changing, evolving habits, this is a top recommendation for
not just science holdings, but collections strong in culinary history and evolution.
God and the Atom
Victor J. Stenger
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616147532, $25.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
GOD AND THE ATOM; FROM DEMOCRITUS TO THE HIGGS BOSON: THE STORY OF
A TRIUMPHANT IDEA provides a fine history of atomism and comes from a physicist who
details how the scientific hypotheses evolved. The concept of the atom originated separately in
ancient Greece and India but until the 20th century, no direct evidence for the hypothesis existed.
This story of the atom's ideas, evolution, and final scientific proof makes for a powerful survey of
not only its process, but the concurrent evolution of belief and atheistic and religious
implications surrounding it. While science holdings will be the likely audience for this survey,
many a spirituality collection interested in scholarly histories of science and concurrent effects
upon belief systems will also find this an intriguing history.
The Travel Shelf
New England's Best Trips
Maria Vorhees, et.al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781741798111, $22.99, www.lonelyplanet.com
New England's Best Trips: 32 Amazing Road Trips provides a fine survey that details all kinds of
back road itineraries throughout New England from exploring lesser-known beaches on Cape
Cod to touring small towns and historic areas. Packed with color photos, line maps, and details
on where to eat, stay, and tour, this is a specific and in-depth guide highly recommended for any
planning to see New England, who want to get off the beaten paths.
The Art Shelf
Body Art 4
Joe Plimmer, et.al.
Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
9780857689153, $16.95, www.titanbooks.com
BODY ART 4 provides a range of bizarre and amazing body art that goes far beyond your usual
focus on tattoos to cover facial cutting, sewn-up skin, and more. New content provides full-page
and often full-body photos of heavily made up skin art while each model explains inspiration
sources, how transitions were made into body art displays, and how they are linked to identity.
These are alternative decoration styles; many of which involve piercings and seemingly radical
displays: any collection strong in overall alternative body art should consider this latest issue an
important addition.
Alchemy
Stanislas Klossowski de Rola
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500810552, $14.95, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
ALCHEMY joins others in the 'Art & Imagination' series, and offers a primer introducing the
history and goals of alchemy over the centuries. The images, symbolism, and process of alchemy
and its art is explored in a title packed with nearly two hundred illustrations and a survey that
needs no prior introduction to prove educational. Whether a formula for transforming metal into
gold or an art collection of symbols, ALCHEMY provides a fine introduction to achievements,
ideals and possibilities alike.
The Interior Design Shelf
Simply Imperfect
Robyn Griggs Lawrence
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189
Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865716919, $22.95, www.newsociety.com
SIMPLY IMPERFECT: REVISITING THE WABI-SABI HOUSE is a pick for any collection
strong in sustainable living, alternative housing and more, and discusses meaningful living and
the wabi-sabi concept. It's a revised, updated edition of the original THE WABI-SABI HOUSE
and considers ways to clear clutter, increase feng shui, and blend in salvaged and recycled
materials into a house structure. The result integrates home decor with sustainable living ideals
and makes for an inspirational presentation highly recommended for any home and garden or
new age collection.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Wild Mind
Bill Plotkin
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781608681785, $17.95, www.newworldlibrary.com
WILD MIND: A FIELD GUIDE TO THE HUMAN PSYCHE comes from a cultural visionary
and wilderness guide who considers how to change our understanding of what it means to be
human - and how to incorporate this understanding into modern cultural interactions. The key to
future survival is a re-visioning and reshaping of human consciousness: WILD MIND uses four
directions to describe the four facets of human self and personalities, and shows how to cultivate
wholeness through reconciliation. Psychology, new age and self-help holdings alike will find this
a solid reference.
Bear & Company
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.bearandcompanybooks.com
Nicholas E. Brink's THE POWER OF ECSTATIC TRANS: PRACTICES FOR HEALING
SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND ACCESSING THE UNIVERSAL MIND (9781591431527,
$18.00) is a review and description of the nature and process of ecstatic trance, and explores both
the psychology and physiology of such trance in a combination of historical review and practical
insights. Trance journeying has been around for many decades, and though it was traditionally
viewed as a vehicle for shamans, it also is a skill any can cultivate. Psychologist Nicholas Brink
examines postures for such trance journeying, offering keys to understanding for audiences both
experienced and inexperienced with such journeys. From discussions of the collective
unconscious to reclaiming extrasensory abilities, this offers a full-faceted coverage especially
recommended for new age holdings. Susan B. Martinez, Ph.D.'s THE LOST HISTORY OF THE
LITTLE PEOPLE (9781591431459, $20.00) combines an exploration of ancient mysteries and
mythology to present an examination of stories surrounding the First People, the "Old Ones" of
prehistory who survived the Great Food and bright the first sacred traditions. It considers how the
lost race of the Great Little People evolved, how they lived on the continent of Pan (or Lemusria)
during the Great Food, and how their activities birthed legends, holy symbols and religious
experience. Using worldwide evidence of pygmy tunnels, dwarf villages and tiny coffins, this
reveals the little people as one of prehistory's missing links, and provides a satisfying coverage
perfect for any new age collection.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Wild Medicine Solution
Guido Mase
Healing Arts Press
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781620550847, $18.95, www.healingartspress.com
The Wild Medicine Solution: Healing with Aromatic, Bitter, and Tonic Plants provides a fine
survey blending traditional herbal medicine with clinical practice, recent findings in physiology
and biochemistry, and comes from an herbalist who explores three classes of plants that help the
healthy functioning of our minds and bodies. Chapters feature examples of ancient and modern
uses of wild plants in each of these classes, and offers a new framework for considering wild
plants in our diets and as an adjunct to health and spiritual development alike. A fine guide for
any health and spirituality library.
Gulp
Mary Roach
W.W. Norton
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393081572, $26.95, www.wwnorton.com
GULP: ADVENTURES ON THE ALIMENTARY CANAL belongs in any collection strong in
health and culinary collections, and considers such basic questions as why we choose to enjoy the
foods we do, and how different cultures exist on and pursue different kinds of foods. Mary Roach
searched for answers to such questions as food preferences and how food is linked to survival
patterns, consuming food around the world and analyzing the human digestive process involved.
GULP documents these journeys and discoveries, blending anatomy insights with keys to food
enjoyment. The result is a focus on the psychology and physiology of food that will reach beyond
culinary circles into general and health collections.
On Target Living
Chris Johnson
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118435298, $22.00, www.wiley.com
ON TARGET LIVING: YOUR GUIDE TO A LIFE OF BALANCE, ENERGY, AND
VITALITY comes from a nationally recognized health and wellness speaker who here reveals
that decreasing company spending and enhancing employee productivity can be achieved through
blends of exercise, rest and nutrition to benefit individual and business environment alike.
Chapters show how to balance lifestyle choices to attain maximum health, and offer a range of
case histories and practical applications to achieving this better balance. The result is an attention
to wellness that goes beyond individual self-care and moves into corporate structures and choices
in a pick for business and health holdings alike.
The Education Shelf
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
www.corwin.com
Greg Conderman, et.al.'s STRATEGY INSTRUCTION FOR MIDDLE AND SECONDARY
STUDENTS WITH MILD DISABILITIES (9781412996327, $34.00) offers a research-backed
strategy for teaching students how to learn, documenting the best instructional methods and IEP
goals and providing descriptions of the content areas and skills and case studies linking learning
goals and teaching choices. From activities with questions and suggested responses to written
language informal assessments, study skill methods, and self-regulation strategies, this is packed
with a wealth of important information any teacher needs. Deborah Zacarain's MASTERING
ACADEMIC LANGUAGE: A FRAMEWORK FOR SUPPORTING STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT (9781452255439, $36.95) is recommended for any educator interested in
applying the Common Core standards, and provides teachers with a step-by-step approach for
teaching the basics of academic language. A history of academic language development and
usage accompanies classroom strategies and how academic language is applied, offering keys to
mastering the language, common stumbling blocks, and applied teaching methods. The result is a
powerful framework any teacher can use to impart the basics of academic language requirements.
John Hollingsworth and Silvia Ybarra's EXPLICIT DIRECT INSTRUCTION FOR ENGLISH
LEARNERS (9781412988414, $31.00) provides an excellent survey for any seeking to boost
their English students struggling with the language, offering keys to building language skills
while teaching new content. It combines educational theory with brain research and data analysis
to provide a proven method for creating and delivering lessons to help students in all grades and
subjects, providing keys to better lesson plans, checks for comprehension through each lesson,
and more. Sample lessons, classroom examples and toolkits for speaking, reading and writing
English in every classroom makes this a winner!
The International Studies Shelf
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue
Boulder, CO 80301
www.westviewpress.com
The 7th updated edition of John M. Thompson's RUSSIA AND THE SOVIET UNION: A
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION FROM THE KIEVAN STATE TO THE PRESENT
(9780813346960, $48.00) provides college-level readers with a powerful and balanced survey of
Russian history covering Russia from the first Kievan states to modern times, and provides
students with a historical overview that has been updated throughout to include many revisions
and a new chapter covering the Putin era up to 212. Maps, photos and bibliographies accompany
chapters packed with political and social analysis, making this a fine pick for college-level
classroom assignment and discussion. The 6th updated edition of Robert Dayley's SOUTHEAST
ASIA IN THE NEW INTERNATIONAL ERA (9780813347547, $42.00) provides a strong
introduction to eleven modern nations in Southeast Asia, offering attention to political
development and foreign policies alike. From country-by-country coverages to the development
of institutions and foreign policy in each nation, this includes the latest explanations of each
country's evolution, analyzing foreign policies and regional interactions alike. Both are fine
recommendations for any college-level political studies collection.
The Political Science Shelf
Simpler: The Future of Government
Cass R. Sunstein
Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl.
New York, NY 10020
9781476726595, $26.00, www.simonandschuster.com
Simpler: The Future of Government comes from one who served as the Administrator of the
White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and blends behavioral psychology
and economics to consider his contributions to governmental regulatory change over his years at
OIRA. He fostered new regulatory rules to protect clean air, highways and food, he focused on
social benefits legislation, and he created low-cost policies that preserved freedom of choice in
the process of bettering government. The result is a fine survey of how initiatives helped change
government structure for the better - a solid pick for any political studies collection.
The Ultimate Obama Survival Guide
Wayne Allyn Root
Regnery Publishing, Inc.
One Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
9781621570912, $27.95, www.regnery.com
The Ultimate Obama Survival Guide covers Obama's policies on taxation, regulation, litigation
and more, documenting how the administration has enacted changes and policies in all these
areas, then providing strategies individuals can use to protect themselves and understand these
policies. From tax hikes and entitlements to attacks on the middle class, this book is concerned
with identify Obama and his administration as the root of most modern evils - and shows how to
thrive despite it all. The arguments are intriguing and any anti-Obama collection will find this a
more action-oriented approach than most.
The Military Shelf
Trident K9 Warriors
Mike Ritland with Gary Brozek
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9781250024978, $25.99, www.stmartins.com
Trident K9 Warriors: My Tale from the Training Ground to the Battlefield with Elite Navy SEAL
Canines comes from a decorated SEAL Team 3 member who observed a military working dog in
action and decided to help train these animals once his active duty was over. The process of
locating exceptional dogs, training them to develop a devotion to duty, and finding dogs with the
courage to endure battle makes for a powerful blend of military and animal psychology and
endurance training routines, offering insights into how MWDs are trained, how they handle their
work in the most challenging of environments, and how they blend with team members and work
with a platoon. The accounts of fieldwork and battles are specific and extraordinary, making this
a pick for any military collection.
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
Leigh Neville's TAKUR GHAR; THE SEALS AND RANGERS ON ROBERTS RIDGE,
AFGHANISTAN 2002 (9781780961989, $18.95) provides a fine account of a 2002 raid by a
team of US Navy Seals in Afghanistan, and is a pick for any military collection looking for
specific accounts of battles. Seven US servicemen died on Takur Ghar before the peak was
secured: this offers an in-depth analysis of the battle process and the lessons learned there, and is
packed with color photos throughout. Any collection strong in SEAL and Ranger accounts will
find this a powerful addition. Jake Thornton's BOLT ACTION: ARMIES OF GREAT BRITAIN
(9781780960890, $24.95) provides a new supplement for Bolt Action and all the tools for Bolt
Action players to build an army for Great Britain. From early campaigns in Europe to Far East
jungles, British forces faced threats - and this provides army lists, documents the actions of elite
units, and all the details any player needs to put together a realistic and involving battle scenario.
Chris McNab's GERMAN AUTOMATIC RIFLES 1941-45 (97817809643853, $18.95)
documents the years of German firearm designers during World War II, offering insights into
production problems, advanced designs, and machine gun developments that had a major
influence on arms development overall. From assault rifles to new weaponry, this studies
German wartime weaponry and is a pick for military history and weapons collections alike. Mark
Stille's IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY DESTROYERS 1919-45 (1) (9781849089845, $17.95)
provides a fine survey of the Fubuki-class destroyers of the imperial Japanese Navy, one of the
most powerful in the world, and provides a fine survey of battles and three classes of the
destroyers. The strength and weaknesses of the designs are analyzed along with their operational
history, with illustrations by Paul Wright accompanying vintage black and white photos
throughout. The result is a detailed, in-depth survey highly recommended for any military
collection strong in equipment analysis. Also recommended is Kenneth W. Estes' M103 HEAVY
TANK 1950-74 (9781849089814, $17.95), a fine survey that considers the M103 heavy tank as
an example of the design trends of the post-World War II Army. The M103 saw years of service
and though it was not at the top of the Army's list of equipment, it was the only weapon system
that could face the Soviet heavy tanks. Eventually the Army realized this, and the M103 saw
plenty of action in which it performed in outstanding battles documented here. Any collection
strong in World War II military equipment will find this a winner! Rene Chartrand's
TALAVERA 1809: WELLINGTON'S LIGHTNING STRIKE INTO SPAIN (9781780961804,
$16.00) charts the battle of Talavera, one of the major battles of the Peninsular War and
Wellesley's first victory in Spain. Wellesley led his army into Spain to join up with other forces:
the British and their Spanish allies fought off French attacks until they won decisive battles.
Tactics, strategies, and battle experiences make this a powerful survey, packed with color
illustrations by Graham Turner that help recreate events. Andrew Thomas' SPITFIRE ACES OF
BURMA AND THE PACIFIC (9781846034220, $22.95) narrates the evolution of the Spitfire,
the most iconic British fighter of World War II, and details its evolution, participation in military
campaigns, and how it helped the Allies maintain air superiority over efforts in Burma. From late
1943 the RAF and RAAF squadrons were equipped with Spitfire VIIIs: this details their
campaigns and evolution in a title recommended for aviation and military history holdings.
The Photography Shelf
Mastering the Nikon D600
Darrell Young
Rocky Nook
802 East Cota Street, 3rd Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
9781937538194, $39.95, www.rockynook.com
Mastering the Nikon D600 packs in information for any owner of the new D600 camera, helping
users navigate past confusion and into the arena of using professional techniques and camera
settings for optimum results. Chapters consider all the camera's features but use an easy
step-by-step format for building expertise and skills. All buttons, dials and menus are explored
with ideas for set-up and alternatives to various shooting styles. The result is a powerful survey
that blends a basic photography course into specifics about the camera, far surpassing the
technical, cumbersome owner's manual and packing in color screen shots and photos
throughout.
The World History Shelf
The Year Without Without Summer: 1816
William K. Kingaman and Nicholas P. Kingaman
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9780312676452, $27.99, www.stmartins.com
The Year Without Without Summer: 1816 And the Volcano That Darkened the World and
Changed History provides a powerful assessment of an 1815 Indonesian volcano explosion that
disrupted world weather patterns and produced worldwide food shortages, religious revivals, and
massive migrations. The change in climate changed the world order, deposed rulers, and was
likely responsible for Shelley's Frankenstein, works of art, and other changes. The result is a
powerful survey packed with links between climate change and history and social revolution: a
powerful account highly recommended for any history collection and for those seeking links
between environmental change and political, artistic and social movements.
The Audiobook Shelf
The As If Principle
Richard Wiseman
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781469266718, $29.99, www.brillianceaudio.com
The As If Principle offers a new approach to changing life goals, is narrated by Ralph Lister, who
adds a smooth and clear voice to this self-help inspirational pick, and details how to apply the
principle in our daily lives, from becoming happier through smiling to acting as if one already
has a desired quality. The result is a powerful survey that offers real solutions to achieving daily
goals and mastering emotions: a set of exercises that hold important keys to creating happier,
better lives.
Highbridge Audio Books
201 Sixth Street SE, Suite 220
Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.highbridgeaudio.com
Amy Stewart's THE DRUNKEN BOTANIST: THE PLANTS THAT CREATE THE WORLD'S
GREAT DRINKS (9781622311392, $34.95) receives a spirited reading by Coleen Marlo, whose
voice brings to life the nonfiction account of the relationships between botany and booze. It's a
history of the herbs, flowers, fruits and fungi that humans have used to make alcohol over the
centuries, tracing how obscure plants were distilled and how each changed cooking traditions.
The result is a fine listen that brings to life the world of botany by connecting plants with human
dietary choices and the evolution of liquor. LAUGHTER THERAPY: A COMEDY
COLLECTION FOR THE CHRONICALLY SERIOUS (9781622310388, $22.95) provides
some two hours of collected humor hosted by NPR's Peter Sagal and providing fun humorous
reflections by such notables as Mel Brooks, Drew Carey, Joan Rivers, Martin Mull and many
others. This is a fun listen that thwarts seriousness with hilarious reflections in a fine comedy
collection highly recommended for NPR listeners and fans of audio comedy alike.
Decisive
Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780449011119, $40.00, www.randomhouseaudio.com
Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work is narrated by Kaleo Griffith, who lends
a polished voice to the discussion thanks to extensive background in film and television, and who
brings to life this study of decision-making processes. From a rock star's original
decision-making trick to how a single question can resolve complicated personal
decision-making processes, this is packed with keys to human behaviors and influences on
decisions, and makes for a powerful survey of politics and social pressures associated with
decision-making at all levels of society. A fine recommendation for business and psychology
audio holdings alike.
Making Good Habits, Breaking Good Habits
Joyce Meyer
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-0010
9781611132601, $24.98, www.hachetteaudio.com
Making Good Habits, Breaking Good Habits: 14 New Behaviors That will Energize Your Life
receives a spirited reading by Sandra McCollom, who is the youngest daughter of the author. Her
smooth voice brings her mother's words and ideals to life as Joyce Meyer explains how to
develop good habits, break bad ones, and end the stress draining one's life. The result is a fine
survey, highly recommended for any self-help and inspirational audiobook collection interested
in identifying and putting into place shifting habits.
The Fiction Shelf
Take a Chance on Me
Susan May Warren
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414378411, $13.99, www.tyndale.com
Take a Chance on Me comes from an award-winning author who returns to her Deep Haven,
Minnesota setting to introduce a new six-book series, and is recommended for any interested in
family interactions and romance. Here bachelor Darek struggles with pain after the tragic death
of his wife, facing the possibility of romance with Ivy, the county attorney who masterminded the
plea bargain that kept his wife's murderer out of prison. Fueling passion are closely kept secrets
and dangers that could destroy the Christiansen family and Derek's Deep Haven resort alike. The
result is a powerful account of passion, politics and social encounters that will enhance any novel
collection.
The Music Shelf
Backbeat Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
33 Plymouth Street, Suite 302
Montclair, NJ 07042-2677
www.halleonard.com, www.backbeatbooks.com
Daryl Easlea and Eddi Fiegel's CHER: ALL I REALLY WANT TO DO (978161734524, $19.99)
explores the music and personas Cher has embraced over decades of experience, from her years
as part of Sonny & Cher to her latest musical and personal explorations. It's an autobiography
which considers the evolution of the Cher persona over the decades, form her roots as a poor
California girl to her achievement of stardom and her musical evolution. Any interested in Cher's
entire life will find this a fine in-depth, inspirational story. Gary J. Jucha's JIMI HENDRIX FAQ:
ALL THAT'S LEFT TO KNOW ABOUT THE VOODOO CHILD (9781617130953, $22.99)
provides a fine biography of Hendrix and his music and considers everything from his neglected
childhood to his veteran experiences and his short burst upon the music world before his
untimely death. Chapters consider his life, his lyrics, his films and unheard music, and much
more, presenting Hendrix fans with a satisfying in-depth survey. The result is a thorough
coverage perfect for any rock music collection.
The Literary Studies Shelf
Wm & H'ry
J.C. Hallman
University of Iowa Press
119 West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609381516, $21.00, www.uiowa.edu/uiowapress
Wm & H'ry: Literature, Love, and the Letters Between William and Henry James covers the
relationship and writings between two famous James brothers: one an author, the other a
psychology and religion scholar. The brothers wrote over eight hundred letter to each other, and
in this book author Hallman uses them to paint a portrait of their literary and family relationship.
Their dialogues helped shape the literary and intellectual world, shaping philosophy and science
for decades to come: any holding strong in either James brother will find this a revealing, rich
collection of insights into their attitudes, opinions and interactions.
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
Two fine new additions to Osprey's 'Myths and Legends' series retells and explores legendary
stories, adding color illustrations throughout and enhancing initial story lines with in-depth
analysis and insights. Joseph A. McCullough's DRAGONSLAYERS FROM BEOWULF TO ST.
GEORGE (9781780967301, $17.95) considers legendary dragonslayers from Hercules to
Beowulf and St. George. Writings from Greece, Russia, and Western sources explore the
evolution of dragons and dragonslayer myths and realities, making for an outstanding synthesis
of all the legends surrounding them. Neil Smith's JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS
(9781780967226, $17.95) considers the voyage of Jason and his Argonauts and their hunt for the
Golden Fleece, documenting epic battles and sacrifices and considering the evolution of the
legend's structure over time. Both are outstanding visual, literary coverages that do more than
retell a legend: they place it in perspective of overall themes and influences, making them picks
for all kinds of collections.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Essential Readings in Wildlife Management and Conservation
Paul R. Krausman and Bruce D. Leopold, Editors
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421408187, $50.00, www.press.jhu.edu
Essential Readings in Wildlife Management and Conservation comes from two leading experts in
the field of wildlife biology who gather some of the best articles in the field that wildlife students
should read. Each piece is introduced with commentary that places its importance in the field of
wildlife conservation, accompanying brief listings of the papers that were inspired by the classic.
Designed to be used as a textbook, this compilation pairs practical with conceptual topics in
wildlife management, from ethics to conservation applications, and considers biology, habitat,
human ethics and management concerns alike. Classic writings by a range of professionals active
in the field make this a solid reference, highly recommended for any college-level collection
strong in wildlife management.
Practical Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Nursing
Paul Aldridge and Louise O'Dwyer
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
9780470656815, www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell
Practical Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Nursing provides a fine, step-by-step guide to
key emergency procedures and nursing care and teaches how to handle injuries and therapies
associated with critical care. Color photos of real life cases accompany step-by-step discussions
of procedures and skills needed, offering a valuable reference written by a veterinary nurse and a
veterinary surgeon who here work together to explore the most common care scenarios and
special needs. This is a solid, real-world reference any veterinary collection must have.
The Sports Shelf
Bicycle! A Repair & Maintenance Manifesto, second edition
Sam Tracy
PM Press
PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
9781604866407, $20.00, www.pmpress.org
Now in an updated second edition, Bicycle! A Repair & Maintenance Manifesto is written by a
bicycle mechanic who here offers everything you need to know to care for your bicycle.
Description of all maintenance tasks, repairs, and possibilities receive photos and drawings as
illustration, which appears in an updated second edition to expand information, resources, and its
index. Five years of additional mechanic experience includes low-cost and no-cost repair
solutions the author developed while in the Peace Corps, making for a powerful assessment of
tools, techniques, and common problems of bicycles. A top pick for any bicycle owner!
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
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