 |
Book
Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
| Home / The Bookwatch |
The Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Mediator's Handbook, fourth edition
Jennifer Beer & Caroline C. Packard with Eileen Stief
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189
Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865717220, $29.95, www.newsociety.com
The fourth updated, revised edition of Mediator's Handbook provides a winning resource to
businesses, training programs and more and has been extensively revised to reflect the latest
practices and research on the topic of mediation. From first contact with parties to tailoring a
resolution to any conflicts, MEDIATOR'S HANDBOOK packs in the basics on concepts, skills,
and approaches mediators need to know to reach decisions and support cooperative efforts.
Sidebars of information cover everything from drafting agreements to directing conversations,
and provide all the basics mediators need to know to produce a positive, effective outcome from
a session. A 'must' for any who would practice the finer art of mediation between opposing
sides.
The Bonobo and the Atheist
Frans de Waal
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393073775, $27.95, www.wwnorton.com
The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates comes from a
primatologist who argues that human morality comes from within - and uses his observations of
chimps and bonobos to reinforce his concept. New evidence for the roots of ethical behavior
patterns come from primate studies and are presented in a title that blends stories of his
observations with philosophical and spiritual analysis. The result is a fine, positive interpretation
of the evolutionary process which succeeds in analyzing science without putting down religion as
a whole. Any science or spirituality holding will welcome this thoughtful discussion.
The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook, fourth edition
Randolph Hock
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike
Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781937290023, $24.95, www.infotoday.com
The fourth updated edition of The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook: A Guide for the
Serious Searcher is a recommendation for readers who already have the basic skills of conducing
an Internet search, but who want to go the next level. It comes from an award-winning writer and
internet trainer who covers all the search strategies and tools for major internet content, from
directories and portals to social networks. Tips for using Web 2.0 resources will appeal to
advanced web searchers in particular, including librarians and teachers who need to conduct
better searches to find what they need. A 'must' for any computer and general reference
collection.
Surviving Wildfire
Linda Masterson
PixyJack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
9781936555154, $16.95, www.pixyjackpress.com
Surviving Wildfire: Get Prepared Stay Alive Rebuild Your Life offers a guide to any homeowner
worried about wildfire dangers to their home, and comes from an author and researcher who
escaped with only her life when her home burned to the ground in a wildfire in 2011. This book
is all about survival on better levels, teaching homeowners how to be better prepared, how to stay
alive during the fire, and how to rebuild if it does strike.
Badass: Ultimate Deathmatch
Ben Thompson
William Morrow
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
www.williammorrow.com
9780062112347, $16.99, www.harpercollins.com
Badass: Ultimate Deathmatch: Skull-Crushing True Stories of the Most Hardcore Duels,
Showdowns, Fistfights, Last Stands, Suicide Charges, and Military Engagements of All Time is
difficult to categorize: any library strong in military topics, sports, and history will find it a solid
collection of descriptions of warriors who fought under all kinds of circumstances. The format is
designed to blend entertainment value with history, depicting some 40 different battles organized
by time period and accompanied by vivid graphics. The result is a fine collection perfect for
general libraries and any interested in an unusually vivid historical approach.
Entertaining Elephants
Susan Nance
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421408293, $55.00, www.press.jhu.edu
Entertaining Elephants: Animal Agency and the Business of the American Circus provides an
important history that will appeal to entertainment and natural history holdings alike, analyzing
the history and evolving career of the circus elephant. Elephant behavior analysis blends with a
narrowed focus studying elephants as actors in the American circus between 1800 and 1940,
providing the first account of animals that uses research on animal welfare to re-interpret
historical record. Chapters offer new insights on interactions between animal performers and
people, and provide in-depth analysis that college-level audiences in particular will find
enlightening. Any collection strong in animal rights and history will find this a revealing
survey.
The Art Shelf
Creative Freedom
Maggie Price
North Light Books
c/o F+W Media
700 East State Street, Iola WI 54945
9781440320989, $26.99, www.artistsnetwork.com
CREATIVE FREEDOM: 52 ART IDEAS, PROJECTS AND EXERCISES TO OVERCOME
YOUR CREATIVITY BLOCK tells how to get started in art and how to become unstuck. Over
fifty strategies for getting out of an artistic rut and trying something new make for a fine guide
synthesizing the experiences of over twenty artists who have successfully achieved new freedom
and expression. Each approach is illustrated with a step-by-step painting demonstration and
teaches the basics of creating outside the box, from painting with your other hand to limiting
your palette and achieving abstract results from landscape detail paintings. The result is a
recommended exercise guide for any 'stuck' artist and for artists' libraries looking for
inspirational guides with concrete exercises.
Mignonette Yin Cheng
Marvin Eisenberg, et.al.
Hudson Hills Press
3556 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254
9781555953577, $60.00, www.hudsonhillspress.com
Mignonette Yin Cheng's works have been widely displayed and presented in numerous private
and public collections, so it's a pleasure to see a catalog devoted entirely to her works. Her
watercolors and art combines Eastern and Western perspectives in an array of themes and
subjects, with oil and collages complimenting her watercolors. She passed away in 2009 but her
work lives on and continues to gain recognition, and this catalog belongs in the collection of any
serious art library, offering large-size color photos capturing the range and extent of her
talents.
Flowers in Art
Cindy Ann Coldiron
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
9780764342394, $29.99, www.schifferbooks.com
FLOWERS IN ART: CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS provides a lively
collection of floral artists and designers - some fifty - around the world, and includes
photography, botanical drawings, glass and wood work, and all kinds of mediums. Any who love
flowers or flower art will find this packed with striking images - and even better, with in-dept
commentary from each flower artist on how they perceive, create and enjoy flower art. From
artistic vision to emotional responses, this surveys all aspects of the inspiration and creation
process and serves as a fine guide for any working with flower art pieces, appreciating the range
of flower art being produced today, or planning an interior design featuring flower art
pieces.
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
Vine Hemingson's THE TATTOO PROJECT: BODY. ART. IMAGE (9780764342455, $45.00)
provides the final results of works by some 11 art photographers who shot portraits of some 100
heavily tattooed individuals. Photographer Vince Hemingson fostered the event which placed
models and photographers in a workshop for a multiple-day shoot that produced thousands of
photos: this packs in over 200 images and provides an amazing variety of tattoo art - but also
profiles different photographer perspectives in capturing this art. The result is a powerful survey
that will interest a wide variety of collections, from tattoo art libraries to those interested in
photographic art and tattoo subjects. Chris Coppola and Frederic Claquin's TATTOOISME
(9780764342981, $39.99) gathers the works of nearly forty internationally acclaimed tattoo
artists under one cover, discusses their devotion to an art and styles which move beyond
traditional boundaries, and packs in well over three hundred images of tattoo art. It's packed with
inspiration and includes portraits of the artists themselves, and is a solid pick for any definitive
tattoo art collection.
The Photography Shelf
Plug in with onOne Software
Nicole S. Young
Peachpit Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780321862785, $39.99, www.peachpit.com
Plug in with onOne Software: A Photographer's Guide to Vision and Creative Expression
provides the only book to coverall the products in onOne Software's perfect Photo Suite 7 and
provides aspiring photographers with professional Nicole S. Young's demonstrations of all
techniques. Color photos throughout capture everything from using Perfect Layers to work
outside of Photoshop to using the latest Perfect B&W to apply black and white properties to
photographs. The result is a lovely survey packed with photo examples and step-by-step coverage
so detailed that it leaves nothing to guess at.
Master Posing Guide, second edition
J.D. Wacker
Amherst Media
175 Rano Street, Suite 200
Buffalo, NY 14207-2176
9781608955206, $29.95, www.amherstmedia.com
Master Posing Guide for Portrait Photographers: A Complete Guide to Posing Singles, Couples,
and Groups teaches how to build a relationship with a subject for optimum posing, how to get the
pose without stress, and how to avoid common mistakes and cover common appearance issues.
From working with props to posing in a studio or on location, keys to success are packed with
color photo examples throughout, making this a solid reference for any aspiring
professional.
The Audiobook Shelf
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887
Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
Robin Maxwell's JANE: THE WOMAN WHO LOVED TARZAN (9781455884933, $29.99)
deserves ongoing recommendation for any who want an alternate, lively view of the Tarzan
legend, and receives a sterling performance by Suzan Crowley as it tells of one Jane Porter, who
in 1905 England is the only female student in the University's medical program. Her dreams of
traveling the world in search of fossils leads to an expedition into West Africa - and an encounter
with a legend, that will lead to romance. A powerful, highly recommended saga evolves and
comes to life in audio! Oliver Potzsch's THE BEGGAR KING (9781455867218, $19.99)
receives a fine performance by Grover Gardner, whose voice brings to life the evocative story of
one Jakob Kuisl, the hangman of a 1662 village in the Alps who arrives in town to find his sister
murdered. When the city constable discovers Kuisl along the corpse, he's immediately deemed
guilty - and becomes involved in a struggle for freedom and challenges to the hangman code of
ethics. This offers the third installment in the best-selling series 'Hangman's Daughter' and is a
'must' for collections seeing interest in the prior books.
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
www.hachetteaudio.com
Carl Weber's THE MAN IN 3B (9781619693074, $29.98) provides a fine story read by Mike
Ray, Shay Moore, King Parker, A. Jai Simone and D. Michelle and assumes the feel of a radio
drama as it tells of Darryl, a new move-in at a Queens apartment building who has everyone
interested in his style and manner. A host of neighbors begin to come to Darryl for advice - and
as conflicts begin to emerge a murder changes everything. Now everybody is suspect - and all
find their lives dangerously entwined in this strong drama recommended for any novel listener.
Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman's TOP DOG: THE SCIENCE OF WINNING AND LOSING
(9781611130126, $29.98) uses science to consider the hidden influence on great achievements,
blending business, science, and personal advice in a powerful survey for any who would excel in
any endeavor, whether it be sports, relationships, business or more. Biochemical influences on
achievement are analyzed in a title focusing on how to identify your own competitive style,
making this a top recommendation for any who would understand the underlying influences on
getting ahead in life.
Penguin Audio
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
Rita Moreno's RITA MORENO: A MEMOIR (9781611761399, $29.95) is narrated by the author
who provides a solid and evocative voice relating her journey from her Puerto Rican childhood to
becoming a Hollywood legend - and the only Hispanic to win an Oscar, Grammy, Tony and two
Emmys. From her early journey to America to her discovery of singing and acting talents and her
Broadway debut by age thirteen, this provides an account of her life, her professional evolution,
and her struggles to break Hollywood's gender and racial barriers. A powerful and inspiring listen
for any interested in personal success stories! Clive Cussler and Justin Scott's THE STRIKER
(9781611761320, $39.95) receives a fine narration by veteran Scott Brick, an actor who has
appeared in numerous productions and who here lends a smooth and seasoned voice to the vivid
story of Isaac Bell, an employee of a detective agency who has been hired to hunt for radical
unionist saboteurs in local coal mines. A terrible accident leads to the revelation that something
bigger is at stake in this gripping thriller, highly recommended for any mystery holding. John Le
Carre's THE RUSSIA HOUSE (9781611760958, $39.95) is narrated by successful British actor
Michael Jayston, who lends a seasoned and smooth voice to this evocative thriller about a lovely
Russian woman, a mysterious manuscript, and a publisher who finds himself in the middle of a
game influenced by British, American and Russian forces on all sides. Publisher Blair's trip to
Moscow to investigate the truth of the manuscript will change all their lives in this suspenseful
and engrossing saga, highly recommended for any audio collection strong in thrillers. A SMALL
TOWN IN GERMANY by John Le Carre (9781611760965, $39.95) receives a fine reading by
Michael Jayston, a fine British actor who has numerous films to his credit and who here brings to
life the story of a British embassy in Bonn struggling with anti-British factions in Germany. The
Crown is seeking to avoid a scandal so when Leo Harting vanishes with a case full of
confidential files, London will do anything to minimize the damage - even if it means the thief
must die. A powerful saga emerges, perfect for any audio collection strong in thrillers.
Raising Cubby
John Elder Robison
Random House Audio
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780307881359, $40.00, www.randomhouseaudio.com
Author John Elder Robison narrates his own account of raising a son. Diagnosed with Asperger's
syndrome at the age of forty, his approach to raising a child took the form of logic puzzles and
jokes. Despite his unconventional approach to child-rearing, his child was raised not only safely
but with a different perspective on life, adventure, and interactions with the world. By the time he
was seventeen Cubby had become a brilliant chemist - and his endeavors making military-grade
explosives were so successful that federal agents decided he was a terrorist. At that point father
and son both had some changes to make - and RAISING CUBBY tells of these changes and
offers a powerful account of a father and son's journey together. Any listener interested in
Asperger's accounts will find this a powerful story.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.poisonedpenpress.com
Bruce MacBain's THE BULL SLAYER (9781464201080, $24.95) provides a fine Plinius
Secundus mystery and tells of a frontier province filled with a hatred of Rome, a barbarian god
whose followers include a murder, and a faith healer who knows everyone's secrets. Pliny, newly
appointed governor of Bithynia, discovers a Roman official murdered and becomes involved in a
host of dangerous encounters as he tries to uncover the truth about the murder and those behind
the intense rebellion over Rome. The result is an ancient world mystery replete with history,
satisfying twists and turns of plot, and strong characterization. K.J. Larsen's SOME LIKE IT
HOT (9781464200960, $24.95) provides a fine mystery and revolves around PI Cat DeLuca, who
sees an old friend opening a competing detective agency with just enough knowledge to land him
in trouble. Billy learned his basic skills from Humphrey Bogart, but his eye for danger is
impeccable and Cat finds herself draw into his world, where a stolen pair of valuable diamond
earrings and murder is enhanced by a client being pursued by men who want her dead. Soon Cat
finds her involvement entering a too-personal level in this gripping mystery, perfect for any
mystery holding.
Encounters of Sherlock Holmes
George Mann, Editor
Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
9781781160039, $14.95, www.titanbooks.com
Encounters of Sherlock Holmes provides a new collection of Sherlock encounters, edited by
George Mann, and is a recommendation for any who would enjoy different cases and
perspectives by some of the major modern writers of horror and steampunk, from Guy Adams to
James Lovegrove. These are original short stories collected and edited by Mann and offering a
fine survey all written with the intriguing blend of investigative action and touches of
supernatural and otherworldly results. Any Sherlock Holmes fan will eagerly absorb these new
cases which remain true to the Holmes style of investigation.
Her Brother's Keeper
Sara Hoskinson Frommer
Perseverance Press
c/o Daniel & Daniel, Publishers
PO Box 2790, McKinleyville, CA 95519
9781564745255, $15.95, www.danielpublishing.com
Her Brother's Keeper tells of Joan Spencer, who finds challenges in handling a temperamental
conductor of the symphony orchestra she plays for, in a daughter's upcoming wedding with her
future mother-in-law-from-hell, and in a murder that rocks her world and casts her
policeman-husband's mother as a suspect. With all these pans in the fire, it's up to Joan to solve
mysteries and volatile relationships alike in a thrilling recommendation for any mystery
holding.
The Woman From Paris
Santa Montefiore
Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 12th floor
New York, NY 10020
9781451676686, $25.00, www.simonandschuster.com
The Woman From Paris opens with a bang: the aristocratic Frampton family's patriarch dies
suddenly and a stranger who attends the funeral is filled with shocking information that rocks the
family. The old estate has long contained many secrets which now threaten to involve all
concerned - not the least of which is death, romance, and the claims of a young woman who is
the dead Lord's illegitimate daughter - and an heir. Determined to expose Phaedra as a fraud, the
wife of Lord Frampton's second son sets out to discover the truth; a journey that will take her
around Europe and to the heart of the mystery. A fine story emerges with many powerful
characters to recommend it to any fan of romance or mystery.
The Cookbook Shelf
Dutch Oven
Carsten Bothe
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764342189, $29.99, www.schifferbooks.com
DUTCH OVEN: CAST-IRON COOKING OVER AN OPEN FIRE takes the Dutch oven pot
beyond stovetop applications and places its talents where it began: over an open flame. Over 100
recipes from roasts and casseroles to baked bread and desserts are illustrated with color photos
throughout, while specific tips on temperature regulation, cleaning and care of the Dutch oven
pot, and how to use the oven on a grill, open fire, and more make for a thorough exploration of
all the different uses and dishes the Dutch oven lends to. With its gorgeous color photos on every
page, this is a top recommendation for cooks looking for a better understanding of the Dutch
oven's use over an open flame.
Kyle Books
67 - 69 Whitfield Street
London, England, W1T 4HF
www.kylebooks.com
Ruth Joseph & Simon Round's JEWISH TRADITIONAL COOKING: OVER 150 NOSTALGIC
& CONTEMPORARY JEWISH RECIPES (9781906868888, $29.95) comes from two food
writers who explore traditional dishes created by generations of Ashkenazi and Sephardi mothers
for family meals, and pairs inviting color photos with a fine history and survey of Jewish cuisine
as a whole. From chapters on soups and main courses to Passover specialties, this packs in a
lovely collection of Jewish favorites from around the world and is a top pick for any who would
represent Jewish cooking in their collection! Maria Elia's FULL OF FLAVOR: HOW TO
CREATE LIKE A CHEF (9781906868581, $27.95) is packed with details on how a chef creates
and works with flavor, and provides a book based around 18 of her favorite ingredients. Chapters
show how to adapt recipes to suit seasonal ingredients or one's palate, offering some 100 recipes
and variations such as Herb and Pink Peppercorn Salmon with Pea Sauce and Summer
Vegetables or Butternut Squash Falafal. Her focus on substitutions and flavor combinations does
more than provide a fine recipe collection peppered with color photos: it informs cooks how to
make the most of seasonal ingredients.
The Business Shelf
It's the Way You Say It, second edition
Carol A. Fleming, PhD
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781609947439, $18.95, www.bkconnection.com
The second updated edition of It's the Way You Say It: Becoming Articulate, Well-Spoken and
Clear is a recommendation for business and personal growth holdings alike, and offers a series of
exercises for understanding how others hear you and using nonverbal cues to strengthen a
message. From conquering stage fright to communication issues in the workplace, whether
through voice mails or in interviews, makes for a fine guide discussing all kinds of speech issues
and how to become a better speaker. Tone, pitch, and more identify common pitfalls - such as
group situations - and provide concrete insights on their origins and how to overcome them.
Highly recommended for any who want to improve their communication skills!
Working with Bitches
Meredith Fuller
Da Capo Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738216584, $14.99, www.dacapopress.com
WORKING WITH BITCHES: IDENTIFY THE EIGHT TYPES OF OFFICE MEAN GIRLS
AND RISE ABOVE WORKPLACE NASTINESS comes from a psychologist who shows how
mean girls at the office can erode the creativity and achievements of even successful co-workers.
It identifies some eight types of mean girls at work, their characteristics, and how to understand
what motivates their behaviors and how to protect self and peers from them. The results can be
applied to women in any workplace situation and provides a powerful survey highly
recommended for any woman in business and for business collections catering to them.
Just Business
John Gerard Ruggie
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393062885, $24.95, www.wwnorton.com
JUST BUSINESS: MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS tackles the
subject of human rights abuses by multinational corporations, and stems from the author's
research on such abuses committed around the world. Charged by the Secretary general of the
United Nations to identify such abuses and find solutions, John Gerard Ruggie and his team of
researchers documented abusive corporate practices in almost every country of the world - and
created a set of U.N. human rights standards for business. His account of how he tackled a
problem where others had failed makes for a hard-hitting analysis highly recommended for any
business collection; particularly those involved in international business efforts.
Personality Power
Shoya Zichy and Ann Bidou
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780814421239, $16.95, www.amacombooks.com
PERSONALITY POWER: DISCOVER YOUR UNIQUE PROFILE - AND UNLOCK YOUR
POTENTIAL FOR BREAKTHROUGH SUCCESS shares a simple and proven system to help
all workers define their strengths and find satisfaction in either their present job or a career
change. It presents a system used by professionals worldwide in team building, employee
performance and conflict resolution scenarios - but it's also a system that translates well to
personal interactions. The research of behavior pioneers forms the foundation for a program that
teaches all kinds of personalities specific strategies for leveraging work-related strengths and
making for a smoother workplace environment. The result is a fine assessment of personality
types and how to make the most of them.
The Education Shelf
Apprenticeship in Literacy, second edition
Linda J. Dorn and Tammy Jones
Stenhouse Publishers
477 Congress Street, Suite 4B
Portland, ME 04101-3451
9781571109668, www.stenhousepub.com
The second updated edition of Apprenticeship in Literacy: Transitions Across Reading and
Writing, K-4 offers coverage of the seven principles of appprenticeship learning and shows
teachers how to put these principles into place in a working classroom. From assisted writing and
word study lessons to blending literacy objectives with overall curriculum, this new edition
includes the latest, updated research on early learning, promoting self-regulated learners, and
blending information texts into an overall literacy program. The result is a solid reference for any
interested in literacy development in early education settings.
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
www.corwin.com
Shelley B. Wepner and Changing Suburbs Institute's Changing Suburbs', CHANGING
STUDENTS: HELPING SCHOOL LEADERS FACE THE CHALLENGES (9781452203911,
$31.00) offers assessments of how to improve student achievement by developing a plan of
action that incorporates cultural considerations with university and community goals of inclusion
and professional development. Chapters assess effective teaching methods in the suburban
environment, considering collaborative techniques, building trust, implementing programs with
diverse student populations in mind, and changing a school's culture. The result is a top
recommendation for any teacher working in a suburban educational environment. The third
updated edition of Alan M. Blankstein's classic FAILURE IS AN OPTION: 6 PRINCIPLES
THAT ADVANCE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN HIGHLY EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS
(9781455268279, $34.95) provides an extensive update to a classic used by thousands of
educators to create schools that incorporate the Common Core requirements. New case studies
and new tested techniques are presented, along with strategies for engagement and keys to
understanding RTI and Common Core engagements at all levels. The new tools, forms and video
segments also appear on a companion website to compliment a vastly revamped classic sure to
gain extensive attention and recommendation for any educator's reference library.
Heinemann
PO Box 6926
Portsmouth, NH 03802-6926
www.heinemann.com
Tanny McGregor's GENRE CONNECTIONS: LESSONS TO LAUNCH LITERARY AND
NONFICTION TEXTS (9780325033969, $21.25) focuses on sensory-driven lessons where
everyday objects and encounters help readers make discoveries connected to seven commonly
taught genres, and provides lessons adaptable to any genre. These are launching sequences
designed to engage struggling readers and provide accessibility: chapters gather ideas on how to
introduce students to these genres, and how to construct lessons that offer insights on all. Highly
recommended for any educator working with genre education. James E. Fredericksen's GET IT
DONE! WRITING AND ANALYZING INFORMATIONAL TEXTS TO MAKE THINGS
HAPPEN (9780325042916, $34.38) provides a fine survey examining informational texts and
the Common Core State Standards for writing, and is intended to provide instruction of lasting
value so that once kids leave school they'll have the skills to compose effectively. Chapters
provide teachers with all the informational texts needed to impart these skills, offering strategies
that include naming and listing, describing, defining, classifying and more. From getting to the
point in a summary to composing final drafts of process descriptions, this is packed with
step-by-step teaching examples key to any teacher's successful approach. Gretchen Owocki's
THE COMMON CORE WRITING BOOK K-5 (9780325048055, $36.88) provides a fine
workbook supporting K-5 teachers in the effort to provide differentiated instruction linking to the
ten writing standards, and is a pick for any teacher looking for keys to enacting common core
standards. A clear description of what each standard requires accompanies 'decision trees' of
instructional planning and strategies that involve students throughout the process. From photo
documentaries for different grades to mini lessons and keeping class records, this is a powerful
guide for any educator's collection.
Free to Learn
Peter Gray
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
978046502992, $27.99, www.basicbooks.com
FREE TO LEARN: WHY UNLEASHING THE INSTINCT TO PLAY WILL MAKE OUR
CHILDREN HAPPIER, MORE SELF-RELIANT, AND BETTER STUDENTS FOR LIFE
comes from a developmental psychologist who encourages adults to allow kids to take charge of
their own early education process. Evidence is growing to support the idea of free play and
self-directed learning in opposition to the many programs that seek to define learning parameters,
and chapters supporting this process here teach adults how to achieve this atmosphere of
permission. The model of the mixed play group encourages children to develop socially and
intellectually: discussions range from connections between play and this development process to
what hunter-gatherer societies can teach us about raising kids. Any adult involved in early
learning should consider this, and any collection appealing to educators or parents will want
this!
The Biography Shelf
Song Without Words
Gerald Shea
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780306821936, $25.99, www.dacapopress.com
SONG WITHOUT WORDS; DISCOVERING MY DEAFNESS HALFWAY THROUGH LIFE
offers a moving story of how a childhood illness left the author with partial hearing loss which
went undiagnosed for decades. He could only hear low frequency sounds but assumed everyone
heard the same and had to take meaning from sound. Thus he translated 'nonwords' for much of
his life, excelled through school, worked his way through Yale and Columbia Law School, and
became a partner in a New York law firm - all before his condition became diagnosed - at age
thirty-four. This is a powerful testimony to the possibilities of hearing disorders and adaptations
to disability, and is a 'must' for not only health but general-interest collections who will find
Shea's story positively riveting.
The Military Shelf
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
Osprey's CLASSIFIED: SPECIAL OPERATIONS MISSIONS 1940-2010 (9781849087735,
$24.95) provides a fine survey of special forces units and their operations, covers the strikes and
strategies of different forces in different nations, and offers the latest companion for Force on
Force, allowing wargamers full access to creating Special Operations scenarios. From historical
scenarios to generic backgrounds, wargamers receive an in-depth review of missions and
objectives in an outstanding guide recommended especially for Force on Force wargame players.
Chris McNab's THE FALL OF EBEN EMAEL: BELGIUM 1940 (9781780962610, $18.95)
provides a fine survey of one of the greatest raids in history: the fall of a seemingly invincible
fortress, Eben Emael, on the Belgian border. It was largely underground, had numerous bunkers,
and was surrounded by heavily armed gun turrets protecting the bridges Germans had to cross.
Conventional tactics were impossible - so a force of paratroopers were deployed by glider.
Blow-by-blow discussions of tactics and the operation's movements make this a solid addition to
any military strategy holding. Byron E. Hukee's USAF AND VNAF A-1 SKYRAIDER UNITS
OF THE VIETNAM WAR (9781780960685, $22.95) joins others in Osprey's military aircraft
history series and belongs in any military or aviation history collection, considering the evolution
of the USAF Skyraider units and the VNAF models that saw action in Vietnam. Missions,
interactions with enemies, and first-person accounts from those who flew them makes for a vivid
account of combat history, paired with vintage black and white and color photos throughout.
Leroy Thompson's THE M1903 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE (9781780960111, $18.95) provides a
fine focus on the late 1800s rifle used to overturn US troops' firepower disadvantage during
World War I, and recounts the development of a rifle famed for its accuracy and used as a
sniping weapon during the Korean War. Specially commissioned artwork accompanies veterans'
recollections of the rifle and supplements a history documenting its military action and many
successes, making this a 'must' for military and firearms holdings alike. Martyn Chorlton's
HAWKER HURRICANE MK I-V (9781780966021, $18.95) charts the evolution and impact of
the Hurricane, which became the fighter plane of choice in North Africa and the Far East during
World War II. It charts the rise and experiences of Hurricane squadrons, their battles, and the
evolution of the craft itself, providing many vintage black and white photos throughout. Any
World War II collection or aviation library will find this a winning title! Such collections will
also relish Gordon L. Rottman's WORLD WAR II TACTICAL CAMOUFLAGE TECHNIQUES
(9781780962740, $18.95), which pairs vintage black and white photos with color illustrations by
Peter Dennis in the course of exploring military camouflage history. Detailed artwork and history
considers US, British, German and Soviet practices, and offers a fine focus on camouflage
techniques and their evolution. Dmitriy Khazanov and Aleksander Medved's PE-2 GUIARDS
UNITS OF WORLD WAR 2 (9781780960654, $22.95) provides military and aviation libraries
with a fine survey of the most numerous Soviet bomber of World War II, and is a strong
collection of images and history of a fighter which entered service in 1940 and ended production
in late 1945, with over 10,000 planes in service. Extensive history covers pilots and planes alike,
linking key battles to the Pe-2 efforts during the war.
The Crafts Shelf
Costume Jewelry
Elvira Lopez del Prado Rivas
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764341496, $29.99, www.schifferbooks.com
COSTUME JEWELRY covers the basic techniques of creating costume jewelry and uses
step-by-step color photos throughout to demonstrate these basics. From producing a crisscross
necklace or a felt flower brooch to working with beads, dyeing, stringing, and working with wire,
this covers a wide range of materials and approaches which lie within the 'costume jewelry'
definition. Chapters also include a history of costume jewelry development, covering all the tools
and materials needed to produce a range of satisfying designs and successful, fashionable pieces.
The result is a top recommendation for any looking for a guide on different styles and types of
jewelry under the general 'costume jewelry' umbrella, paired with specific tips on how to
construct them.
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N.
East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.foxchapelpublishing.com
Lora S. Irish's ART & CRAFT OF PYROGRAPHY: DRAWING WITH FIRE ON LEATHER
GOURDS, CLOTH, PAPER, AND WOOD (9781565234789, $19.95) provides crafters with a
fine collection of tips and techniques on detailed pyrography crafts usage, and includes a range of
media and tips on shading, using color, working with different mediums, and producing texture
and specific results. From the basics of pyrography systems to tools and applications, this is
packed with color photo examples throughout along with step-by-step patterns - some 43 in all -
for projects. Newcomers and old hands at using pyrography will find this a top pick for learning
and applying new skills, while crafts collections will want to include it for its rare, specific
insights. Rich Rousseau's MAKING WOODEN FISHING LURES (9781565234468, $19.95)
provides sports collections and craft holdings with a fine basic handbook on making your own
fishing lures. It includes fish-tested, proven designs from the award-winning carver and
fisherman author, teaching the basics of not only crafting lures, but catching freshwater and
saltwater fish with them. Explanations of the different lures include keys to carving and painting
them so they catch even crafty fish. Sports as well as crafts holdings will find this an excellent
choice!
Kalmbach Books
c/o Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
www.kalmbachbooks.com
Patricia Kimle's EXPLORING CANEWORK IN POLYMER CLAY (9780871164506, $21.95)
features polymer clay basics and provides illustrated step-by-step instructions for all skill levels,
making for a fine pick for any jewelry-making or crafts holding. Here are cane tutorials for all
kinds of polymer clay cane, with a gallery of finished jewelry designed by the author
accompanying vivid patterns and ideas for blending and constructing all kinds of pieces. The
approaches and combinations are unique to Patricia Kimle's style, so you won't find them
duplicated elsewhere. This fact makes Exploring Canework in Polymer Clay a unique acquisition
and recommended for any collection. The publishers of Bead Style Magazine present
MULTISTRAND JEWELRY: SECRETS FOR SUCCESS (9780871164513, $17.95), packed
with projects and designs for creating multi-dimensional, multistrand jewelry. Nearly thirty of the
best such projects from Bead Style Magazine plus for brand new projects are detailed from
different designers who share their tips for success. Techniques, tools and materials are loaded
into sections packed with photos and advice from those who have much experience with
multistrand jewelry making. The result is a fine coverage for any who would improve upon skills
or learn basic techniques.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Crafty Canine Projects
Moya Hu
AQS Publishing
c/o American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604600346, $19.95, www.AmericanQuilter.com
Crafty Canine Projects offers some 11 easy projects that can be completed in a day or less and
which revolve around dogs. From a reversible raincoat to a bean bag bed or dog-walking
equipment, this projects fun sewing projects that are directed to dog owners and to those who
like creating useful accessories for them, and provides a range of pet products where color photos
supplement easy directions. Highly recommended!
C&T Publishing
1651 Challenge Drive
Concord, CA 94520-5206
www.ctpub.com
Carol Doak's CREATIVE COMBINATIONS: STUNNING BLOCKS & BORDERS FROM A
SINGLE UNIT (9781607055648, $29.95) tells how to use rectangle units to maximum
advantage, showing how one rectangle unit works in both blocks and borders with full-size
paper-piecing patterns. Patterns on an accompanying CD provide flexibility to change the size of
quilt or to design a personal pattern, while keys to cutting make for a powerful set of versatile
quilting skills perfect for any who would gain the most from quilting rectangle manipulation.
Amy Walsh and Janine Burke's IN LOVE WITH SQUARES AND RECTANGLES
(9781607056430, $21.95) provides ten fun quilt projects and easy piecing and construction
directions that focus on squares, rectangles and strips and teach how to alter a pattern by resizing
blocks and changing colors. The result is a quilting guide that moves beyond more projects to
teach some basics, supported by the project but applicable to any quilting endeavor.
Martingale & Company
19021 Avenue NE
Bothell, WA 98011
www.martingale-pub.com
Rebecca Silbaugh's SEAMINGLY SCRAPPY: GET THE LOOK YOU LOVE WITH FAT
QUARTERS AND PRECUTS (9781604682458, $16.99) comes from a popular blogger and
designer of scrappy quilts, and focuses on easy methods for assembly from precuts and fat
quarters. From selecting reproduction prints to using modern fabrics, this teaches the basics in a
format that pairs a full-color photo of the completed quilt with facing pages of step-by-step
assembly. With its many different patterns and approaches, this is a top recommendation for any
looking for an easy method of using fat quarters in quilting projects. Debby Kratovil's PAPER
PIECING PERFECT POINTS: 13 FABULOUS QUILT PATTERNS (9781604882236, $27.99)
tells how to move beyond squares and give a quilt sharp points using striking paper pieced
designs and updated variations on classics. From Mariner's Compass and Flying Geese to using
large-sized blocks, this provides a range of paper-pieced works that are solid winners for any
quilter looking to move to the next step. Donna Lynn Thomas' PATCHWORK PALETTE:
NO-FAIL COLOR PLANS FOR CAPTIVATING QUILTS (9781604681437, $26.99) shows
how to create vivid designs using three easy methods for choosing fabrics. Some thirteen
multi-fabric quilts are created in a fine guide that outlines three principles of fabric selection -
hue, value, and scale of print - and shows how to create matching blocks using these values. The
result is a fine collection of color plans quilters will find useful and specific.
American Quilters Society
PO Box 3290
Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.AmericanQuilter.com
Sumiko Minei's FOUNDATION-PIECED DOUBLE WEDDING RING QUILTS
(9781604600308, $19.95) is translated by Ayu Ohta and provides an easy step-by-step series of
photos that demonstrate the author's own Top Pressed Piecing method, which allows you to see
what you're sewing on foundation paper without flipping. 11 gallery quilts can be used 'as is' or
as inspiration, with yardage charts for 8 variations accompanying a wide range of designs. Three
continuous line quilting designs with many ingredients for variation and customization complete
a package that will delight any looking to make a wedding quilt, and collections catering to avid
quilters. Willa Baranowski's REDWORK FOR QUILTERS (9781604600667, $12.95) provides
an easy 31-page pamphlet/booklet offering over fifty redwork patterns that can be stitched in
different colors. Penny squares are quick and easy forms for quilters; especially for beginners:
this booklet comes packed with all the full-page patterns needed. Helen Squire's QUILTING
DESIGNS FOR SASHING, BLOCKS & BORDERS (9781604600780, $12.95) packs in some
30 quilting patterns and placement diagrams to help quilters learn how to fold patterns to make
perfect border designs. Some 31 pages hold full-page simple patterns quilters can easily use to
produce key border pieces with professional, polished results. Pat Yamin's SIMPLE SUPER
ONE-PATCH QUILTS (9781604600681, $12.95) focuses on scrappy quilt blocks grouped by
ease of piecing - ten easy, seven medium in difficulty - and provide a wide range of quilting
options. Sample quilts and full-size templates make their construction easy in a strong
recommendation for any quilter. Robert DeCarli's HILL & VALLEY LOG CABINS
(9781604600537, $24.95) provides a fine selection of Log Cabin quilts that use the traditional
Log Cabin block in a different style. Robert DeCarli teaches the basics of using multiple Curved
Log Cabin block inserts for designs, teaching variations and offering complete instructions for
some 13 quilting projects from wallhangings to full-sized quilts. Bea Oglesby's WILDFLOWER
APPLIQUE AND EMBROIDERY (9781604600810, $12.95) provides some 14 wildflower
patterns that can be adapted to all kinds of needlework projects, describes each flower's
characteristics, and shows how to sew 12" blocks for single use or combinations in projects
ranging from place mats to wallhangings. Patterns are accompanied by color photos and easy
step-by-step instruction in a manner beginners, especially, will find revealing. Trish Bowman's
EASY MEMORABILIA QUILTS (9781604600568, $24.95) shows how to incorporate ties,
t-shirts and photos into a memory quilt project for family or friends, and offers layouts ranging
from wallhangings to bed quilts. From T-shirt quilts to blending in photos, this is a fine pick for
any quilter's collection. All are fast, easy picks beginners especially will find useful!
The Needlecraft Style Directory
Sarah Whittle
Barrons
250 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
9781438001036, $24.99, www.barronseduc.com
The Needlecraft Style Directory: A Visual Reference of Over 50 Needlecraft Styles and the
Stitches That Go With Them provides needleworkers with full-color, close-up illustrations
packed with stitches. Accompanying these pictures is an introduction covering methods and uses
of the stitch, discussions of fabrics, threads and needles, and a concluding line on related stitches
and techniques that can be considered. The result is a 'bible' of stitchery that goes beyond
teaching technique to address the underlying purposes of applications and use - a fine style
directory highly recommended for both beginners and advanced needleworkers who want to
consider all the options and alternatives.
The Travel Shelf
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street
Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
Simon Richmond, et.al.'s KOREA (9781741048315, $26.99) includes coverage of North Korea,
comes loaded with over a hundred small maps, and is a take-along tote and travel planner highly
recommended for any planning a journey to the country. Itineraries of historical sights, activities
and places to eat accompany insights into the culture and special attractions of Korea, with
discussions of its demilitarized zone and other areas including the latest information. From
hiking opportunities to inner city attractions, this is a fine recommendation for any planning a
visit to Korea! Ryan Ver Berkmoes, et.al.'s DISCOVER SWITZERLAND (9781743215272,
$23.99) surveys the highlights of the country and is a 'must' travel planner for any looking to
journey there. From highlights of attractions and itineraries to streamline the trip to small maps
of the streets of cities in Switzerland and discussions of local foods and culture, this is packed
with color photos throughout and a clear survey of Switzerland's many possibilities! Lonely
Planet's COOKS, CLOWNS AND COWBOYS: 101 SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES TO
DISCOVER ON YOUR TRAVELS (9781743210215, $19.99) provides all kinds of amazing
connections between travel and learning new skills. For a sampling of the trips profiled here -
imagine learning new horse handling skills in Mongolia, learning to design fabric in India, or
taking a calligraphy course in China. Plenty of visuals pack a guide that clearly outlines time
frame, cost, outcome - and how to determine if a skillset or trip suits you. It's packed with ideas
for making the most of any travel experience - by doing, not just seeing - and is a fun pick for any
travel library. Ireland's Best Trips: 34 Amazing Road Trips (9781742209869, $24.99) by Fionn
Davenport, et.al. chronicles some outstanding Irish road journeys and is a top pick for any who
want to use scenic drives as a method of exploring Ireland's byways and culture. From Dublin
and Eastern Ireland to Cork and Southwest Ireland, this offers everything from two-day getaways
to longer trips, comes packed with regional tips and attractions, and includes everything needed
to plan a satisfying getaway throughout the country. ITALY'S BEST TRIPS: 38 AMAZING
ROAD TRIPS by Paula Hardy, et.al. (9781742209876, $24.99) achieves the same for Italy,
combining small maps and many color sidebars of information with keys to eating, sleeping, and
seeing the most in the country.
Moon Handbooks
1700 - 4th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
www.moon.com
These new Moon editions offer destination-oriented travelers exceptional surveys packed with
information, from small city and area line maps to specifics on where to eat, sleep and visit in
each country, and are fine picks for any travel collection appealing to travel planners gathering
their own independent information. Ben Westwood's GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: TRIP OF A
LIFETIME (9781598809756, $12.99) accompanies Westwood's broader Ecuador title but
narrows the focus to just the Galapagos - and there's so much to know that travelers will
appreciate this focus. From how long it will take and where to stop along the way to the best
tours, this covers it all. Suzanne Van Atten's SAN JUAN, VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
(9781612385020, $16.99) offers suggestions on how to plan a trip to Puerto Rico, covering the
best destinations and adding the experiences of author Suzanne Van Atten. From mountain
biking to the best tours, this holds it all. Her broader PUERTO RICO (9781612383385, $16.99)
covers more of the island as a whole, offering insights for any who would visit the entire area and
understand Puerto Rico's many cultural and natural wonders. All are solid picks for any
destination-bound travel planner.
The Computer Shelf
Hacking 7 Exposed
Stuart McClure, CNE, CCSE, et.al.
McGraw-Hill
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10121-2298
9780071780285, $50.00, www.mhprofessional.com
Hacking 7 Exposed: Network Security Secrets & Solutions provides a fine survey teaching
network administrators how to bolster their security tactics, and uses case studies to present a
hacker's latest devious methods and remedies to these attacks. From web-based meta-exploits
and plugging holes in VoIP to the latest iPhone and Android attacks and how to detect and thwart
rootkits, Trojans and more, this covers all the latest methods of attack and locking down a
network system, and covers a wide range of considerations. Any collection appealing to network
security professionals will find this a winning addition!
O'Reilly & Associates
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
www.oreilly.com
Matt Garrish & Markus Gylling's EPUB 3 BEST PRACTICES (9781449329143, $29.99) teaches
how to use EPUB 3 to take ebooks to a new level and includes best practices and keys to
electronic publishing. It's written by industry experts who here provide a wide array of keys to
using EPUB 3's production features, including scripting and code tips along with assessments of
the digital publishing industry as a whole. From learning layout and publishing techniques to
using interactive elements to make content pop, this tells how to not only create more effective
ebooks, but how to best work with their distribution channels for maximum exposure. Any
epublisher or programmer working with EPUB3 needs this guide to superior approaches. J.D.
Biersdorfer and David Pogue's iPOD: THE MISSING MANUAL (9781449316198, $21.99)
appears in an 11th updated edition covering all iPods and iTunes 11, and packs in details on
using all the features of different iPod generations. From loading the iPod with music and photos
to downloading and organizing a collection, sending email and handling the Nano's new screen,
this is simply packed with ideas for making the most of all iPod and iTunes devices to date, and
is a manual no owner should be without. David Pogue's WINDOWS 8: THE MISSING
MANUAL (9781449314033, $39.99) packs in keys to the Windows 8 operating system, the most
radical redesign in Microsoft's history, and offers all the basics needed to navigate the new
system, understand its many new features, and use the software effectively. From coverage of
each feature and how it interacts with email, the Web and other common elements to black and
white screen shots throughout covering everything from voice recognition and protecting a home
wireless network to sharing music and controlling accounts, this defines potentially puzzling
phrases and commands, links Windows 8 to daily functions, and clearly explains all the
differences between this and other Windows incarnations, making it a 'must have' reference for
any new Windows 8 user. Windows 8 users who want depth and tips for going beyond daily
usage will appreciate Preston Gralla's WINDOWS 8 HACKS: TIPS & TOOLS FOR
UNLOCKING THE POWER OF TABLETS AND DESKTOPS (9781449325756, $24.99). This
shows how to make a variety of modifications to the Windows 8 environment, how to lock
screens and hack native apps, and how to improve everything from basic performance to
multimedia applications. Any who would move to advanced Windows 8 improvements will find
this a clear winner!
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Firebrand
Gillian Philip
Tor
c/o Tor/Forge Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9780765333223, $28.99, www.tor-forge.com
FIREBRAND offers the first novel in Gillian Philip's 'Rebel Angel' series for the first time to
U.S. readers, presenting the world of the Sithe - a faery folk whose peaceful existence faces
exposure to the outside world. The Veil is designed to protect their world from humans, but it's
degenerating - and there are those who believe it's time humans learned about their world. Add in
murder, betrayal, and the politics of queens and warrior factions and you have a powerful fantasy
filled with satisfying mystery and challenges: perfect for fantasy and even mystery
collections.
Ace Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
Robert J. Sawyer's RED PLANET BLUES: MURDER ON THE MEAN STREETS OF MARS
(9780425256824, $25.95) combines a P.I. detective story with science fiction and creates an
unusual noir mystery setting - on colonized Mars. Here Alex is the only one operating
investigations on the planet; but New Klondike is barely civilized and a variety of cases come his
way - including that of a decades-old murder of two prospectors who first found evidence of
ancient life on Mars. The result is a fine mystery packed with unexpected twists and turns set
against the backdrop of the Red Planet, a move that should satisfy mystery and science fiction
fans alike! Sarah Pinborough's A MATTER OF BLOOD: THE FORGOTTEN GODS: BOOK
ONE (978042528460, $16.00) comes from a British author of dark fantasy and horror and
provides the first in a projected trilogy that blends hardboiled detective mystery with dark
fantasy. A London homicide detective becomes immersed in an ancient battle between fallen
angels in a near-future London where police survive on bribes and murders run rampant. Three
puzzling cases leads to a dangerous killer and a hidden society that knows too much about
investigator Cass in this fine and moving saga, recommended for mystery and urban fantasy
collections alike.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Clinician's Guide to Exposure Therapies for Anxiety Spectrum Disorders
Timothy A. Sisemore, PhD
New Harbinger Press
5674 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
9781608821525, $49.95, www.newharbinger.com
The Clinician's Guide to Exposure Therapies for Anxiety Spectrum Disorders is a
recommendation for any psychology collection and provides a survey of the benefits of exposure
therapy as an effective tool for treating anxiety spectrum disorders. There are problems that occur
from such treatment which in the past has limited its consideration: this book shows clinicians
how to overcome these problems which range from client unwillingness to an overall lack of
understanding of how the treatment works, offering specific exposure exercises for fears and
phobias and tips to helping clients overcome obstacles to success. Any psychology holding needs
this.
The Christian Studies Shelf
C.S. Lewis: A Life
Alister Mcgrath
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414339351, $24.99, www.tyndale.com
While readers of C.S. Lewis might assume a biography would cover his literature, this account
comes form an eminent theologian and focuses on Lewis' spiritual life and conversion - and
therefore is a definitive survey of Lewis' conversion and faith, recommended for spirituality
holdings above all else. Dr. McGrath is the only scholar to analyze the entire collection of
Lewis's letters and archives: his survey us a powerful biography combining elements of spiritual
and literary analysis, and is a special pick for any Christian collection.
Dissident for Life
Koenraad De Wolf
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802867438, $28.00, www.eerdmans.com
DISSIDENT FOR LIFE: ALEXANDER OGORODNIKOV AND THE STRUGGLE FOR
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN RUSSIA provides a fine account of Koenraad De Wolf, who in the
1970s organized thousands of religious Christians in a secret underground group called the
Christian Seminar - in the Soviet Union, a notoriously repressive atheist society. When the KGB
found out he was sent to the Gulag where he spent nine years - but refused to give up on his
convictions and faith. This account considers Ogorodnikov's life and work and provides a fine
history of the overall struggles for religious freedom in Russia.
InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400
Downers Grove, IL 605151426
www.ivpacademic.com
Ron Highfield's GOD, FREEDOM & HUMAN DIGNITY: EMBRACING A GOD-CENTERED
IDENTITY IN A ME-CENTERED CULTURE (9780830827114, $22.00) considers the idea of
ownership by a Creator and whether mastery over humans diminishes dignity, providing a
common theme in Western thought that fears God threatens human freedom of choice and,
ultimately, dignity. It comes from a professor of religion who considers the historic development
of Western philosophy and religion, and offers guidance on how Christian faith directs us to the
triune God who isn't competing with his creations, but providing things humans can't do for
themselves. From keeping false hopes from blossoming to communicating the Christian faith to
all, this explores the philosophical and spiritual world of Christian faith and is a solid pick for
any scholarly Christian collection; particularly those strong in philosophical examination. Ian
Paul and David Wenham's PREACHING THE NEW TESTAMENT (9780830839902, $26.00)
is a scholarly survey pastors will find inspirational and revealing, bringing together some of the
finest New Testament scholars in a collection that considers key issues in preaching from the
Gospels to the epistles to Revelation. Contributors select special topics from these narratives,
analyze the act of preaching and interpretation, and provides reviews of best practices and
pastoral principles. The result is a specific and satisfying collection of considerations useful for
any preaching the New Testament.
Orbis Books
PO Box 308
Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
www.orbisbooks.com
Joan Chittister's FOR EVERYTHING A SEASON (9781626980198, $18.00) uses the famous
verses of Ecclesiastes to reflect on themes tied to changing seasons of our lives, drawing
connections between human fulfillment and happiness and values gained from life and from
God's gifts. Joan Chittister is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania and has
lectured on justice, modern spirituality and women's rights: her perspectives tie to scripture and
here provide powerful meditations on Old Testament values and Christian thinking. Bill
DeMello's ANTHONY DEMELLO: THE HAPPY WANDERER (9781626980204, $25.00) tells
of an Indian Jesuit who died in 1987 and was a powerful spiritual teacher, using books and
retreats to achieve a world-wide following. His younger brother provides a fine biography that
traces Anthony's journey from his early life in India to his blended approach to Christian
spirituality that embraced eastern and western traditions. Any spirituality holding see prior
interest in DeMello's life and works will find this a great addition to the collection.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
The Good Book: A Humanist Bible
A.C. Grayling
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9780802778376, $20.00, www.bloomsbury.com
The Good Book: A Humanist Bible is intended to blend the wisdom of philosophers, poets and
writers while using the structure of the traditional Bible as its format, and it provides a lively and
intriguing humanist alternative to the Holy Bible that any Christian will want to consider. Some
thousands of authoritative texts have edited and assembled in the manner of the Bible and
provides a powerful coverage. The stories and approaches are wonderfully sharp and literary, and
will appeal to Bible readers, philosophers, and fans of literature alike.
The Outsider Test for Faith
John W. Loftus
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616147372, $18.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
THE OUTSIDER TEST FOR FAITH: HOW TO KNOW WHICH RELIGION IS TRUE comes
from a former minister turned atheist who thinks we'd all be better for viewing religion with a
healthy dose of skepticism. His thought leads to his "outsider test for faith", a process which
applies the same skepticism to our own beliefs as we do to those of other faiths. Chapters explore
how belief systems form, how they are tested, and how religion evolved, all with an eye to
teaching the basics of informed skeptical thinking and applying it to any religious perspective.
The result is a fine pick recommended for any spirituality collection, offering the fundamentals of
skeptical inquiry.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Geckos: The Animal Answer Guide
Aaron M. Bauer
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421408538, $26.95, www.press.jhu.edu
Geckos: The Animal Answer Guide provides an in-depth survey of the biology, natural history
and diversity of geckos, and comes from a lizard biologist and gecko expert who explores their
world using science study paired with color photos. Geckos is written with non-experts in mind
but will reach all sides with its powerful survey of how geckos live. Along with a bibliography
and a list of all known species, this book includes a question-and-answer format that addresses
such basics as how they survive winter, why they shed their skins, and why they can make good
pets. The result is a fine multi-faceted discussion accessible to a wide audience of
general-interest readers and science students alike.
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell
Molly Varga, et.al., Editors' BSAVA MANUAL OF EXOTIC PET AND WILDLIFE NURSING
(9781905319350, $109.99) discusses the nursing requirements of less familiar species, which are
very different from the usual requirements for cats and dogs, and pairs color photos throughout
with discussions of birds, reptiles, and exotic mammals. From monitoring fluid intake and
nursing hospitalized patients to formulas for post-surgery diets and how to administer drugs for
exotic species, this does a fine job of contrasting the special needs of exotics with the usual
domestic animal maintenance routine, offering color sidebars of at-a-glance reference
information and covering everything from diagnostic imaging to laboratory techniques. Any
veterinary reference library should have this key to exotic species management. Gary England's
DOG BREEDING, WHELPING AND PUPPY CARE (9780470673133, $49.99) provides a fine
and practical guide to canine reproduction for any veterinary professional, student, or dog
breeder, and offers a simple format with clear black and white and color charts, diagrams and
photos throughout. Gary England is himself a veterinarian specializing in animal reproduction
and has worked with dogs for 25 years: his clinical experience blends with his published works
to make for an important wide-ranging consideration of normal and abnormal reproduction and
techniques, and is a pick for any veterinary collection. Also highly recommended for such a
holding is Marc Vandevelde, et.al.'s VETERINARY NEUROPATHOLOGY (9780470670569,
$99.99) introduces the basics of veterinary neuropathology for pathologists, neurologists and any
involved in diagnostic imaging, providing readers with tips on how to handle neuropathological
problems. From the basics of neuroanatomy and techniques to recognition of major lesion
patterns, this book covers specific diseases and provides pathologists with information to support
diagnostics for small and large domestic species alike. Add color gross, histological and MRI
images and you have a key reference any veterinary collection must have.
The Judicial Studies Shelf
Murder at the Supreme Court
Martin Clancy and Tim O'Brien
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616146498, $26.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
MURDER AT THE SUPREME COURT: LETHAL CRIMES AND LANDMARK CASES
considers Supreme Court cases and behind-the-scenes secrets that surround their deliberations,
and use landmark capital punishment and lethal crimes cases to examine all kinds of true-life
cases. From cases that made the law to issues of capital punishment and humane methods of
execution, this offers an in-depth collection of human stories that illuminate the legal issues
beyond each circumstance. This is a pick for law libraries and any interested in legal cases, and is
accessible by general interest readers as well.
The Music Shelf
Hitmaker
Tommy Mottola with Cal Fussman
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10017
9780446585187, $27.99, www.hachettebookgroup.com
HITMAKER: THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC tells of author Tommy Mottola's work with some of
the top musicians of modern music, from Michael Jackson and Carly Simon to Diana Ross and
Billy Joel. Mottola was one of the most powerful and successful music executives in the industry,
but until now his story hasn't been told. Here he combines autobiography with music history,
telling how a street kid became a music executive, running the largest music label in the country.
With its many insights into how the music industry operates, this is a 'must' for any serious
contemporary music collection.
Official Truth, 101 Proof
Rex Brown with Mark Eglinton
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780306821370, $26.00, www.dacapopress.com
Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story of Pantera examines the volatile relationship between
vocalist Phil Anselmo and the Abbott brothers, their lifestyle of drugs and alcohol and clubs, and
the murder of lead guitarist Darrell in 2004. Ten years after their breakup Pantera remains one of
ht most influential heavy metal bands ever - and this book provides important behind-the-scenes
examinations by a member who joined the group in 1982. His insider's insights are invaluable
towards understanding the group's relationships, stormy moments, and dynamic music - and will
prove a vivid, satisfying read to any fan of heavy metal music in general and Pantera in
particular.
Rock 'n' Roll Lens
Jimmy Steinfeldt
Point Shoot Press
9780985584221, $50.00, www.jimmysteinfeldt.com
Rock 'n' Roll Lens: 30 years of Music Photography and Stories is no light photo collection: it
represents decades of work in the photography business with a focus on music that has led
author/photographer Steinfeldt to work with major musicians from Miles Davis to Rod Stewart.
This catalog profiles both his art and the music world, appears in an oversized edition, and
provides full-page color shots of each musician with a facing page explaining the history of each
shot. As a self-taught live-action photographer, his works appeared in SPIN magazine, Rolling
Stone magazine, and more. Having his photos under one cover in full-page presentations is
magnificent; but having his notes on each shot makes for an extraordinary chronicle holding
many insights. For example, his ZZ Top shot: "They were one of the first if not the first band I
photographed. It was the El Loco tour, and I had no idea how to photograph concerts at that time,
but over the years I would photograph them many times." Very highly recommended for music
and photography collections alike!
The Political Science Shelf
The Secretary
Kim Ghattas
Times Books
c/o Henry Holt & Company
175 - 5th Avenue, Suite 400
New York, NY 10010-7725
9780805095111, $27.00, www.henryholt.com
THE SECRETARY: A JOURNEY WITH HILLARY CLINTON FROM BEIRUT TO THE
HEART OF AMERICAN POWER comes from a BBC foreign correspondent who for four years
had rare access to Hillary Clinton and her journeys around the world, and who documents
Clinton's roles in the course of providing an intimate portrait of her work as secretary of state. At
once an autobiography of a Lebanese woman who became a top international journalist and a
coverage of Clinton's politics and challenges, this follows Hillary's change from a popular
American politician to a high-level diplomat, and considers her evolving relationships and
world-changing decisions. Any who would better understand Clinton or the role of Secretary of
State will find this a top title!
Ike & Dick
Jeffrey Frank
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl.
New York, NY 10020
9781416587019, $30.00, www.simonandschuster.com
IKE & DICK: PORTRAIT OF A STRANGE POLITICAL MARRIAGE will appeal to political
studies, American history and biography collections alike, comes from a former New Yorker
editor and journalist, and provides an analysis of the complex relationship between two oddly
matched presidents - one applauded, one hated. Their relationship lasted nearly two decades,
changed the culture of American politics during the Cold War and beyond, and continued into
the 1960s. The inspection of the political pairing of the two makes for a fine set of political and
social insights.
The Terrorism Studies Shelf
Fountainhead of Jihad
Vahid Brown and Don Rassler
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016-4314
9780199327980, $35.00, www.oup.com/us
FOUNTAINHEAD OF JIHAD: THE HAQQANI NEXUS, 1973-2012 uses a wide range of
previously unstudied primary sources in several languages to consider the actions of the Haqqani
network, which has operated at the center of Islamist militancy for decades, supporting the
development of jihadi organizations around the world. New evidence documents this network's
influence in the evolution of the global jihadi movement, and provides important insights that
refutes popular notions of the history of al-Qaeda's development and growth. Any college-level
collection strong in analyzing Islamic terrorism's roots must have this key survey.
Lone Wolf Terrorism
Jeffrey D. Sinmon
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616146467, $26.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
LONE WOLF TERRORISM: UNDERSTANDING THE GROWING THREAT comes from an
internationally renowned terrorism expert who presents the first in-depth treatment of the issue,
and who considers the motivations and backgrounds of lone-wolf terrorists. From how the
Internet has fostered this style of terrorism to the innovative strategies being developed to
identify and present this type of terrorism, this is packed with insights using the author's decades
of experience studying terrorism, and is a 'must' for any studying the topic.
The Social Issues Shelf
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com, www.basicbooks.com
Donna Freitas's THE END OF SEX: HOW HOOKUP CULTURE IS LEAVING A
GENERATION UNHAPPY, SEXUALLY UNFULFILLED AND CONFUSED ABOUT
INTIMACY (9780465002153, $25.99) builds on the author's previous survey of U.S. college
students from public, private and religious schools alike and reveals that over forty percent of
college women and men regret hooking up. Unhappy with their sexual experiences, they still feel
social pressure to participate sexually and reject old-fashioned dating routines. This title
identifies the issues and offers alternatives for students and parents, discussing abstinence, how
to go out on a more meaningful date, and how to get past the expectations of the hookup culture
mentality. The result is a powerful exploration of sexuality in modern culture and student life,
recommended for any college-level sociology collection. Peter Blair Henry's TURNAROUND:
THIRD WORLD LESSONS FOR FIRST WORLD GROWTH (9780465031894, $26.99) reveals
three things needed for a prosperous future: discipline, clarity and trust, and considers traditional
measures of policy effectiveness and how to learn from foreign struggles. His analysis of which
policy reforms succeed economically around the world makes for a fine analysis of social
position and political and economic 'solutions' to problems, providing policymakers and ordinary
citizens with insights on lessons learned from Third World experiences. A range of collections
will welcome this approach; from social science and political studies holdings to those interested
in international economics.
The Science Shelf
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com, www.basicbooks.com
Leonard Susskind and George Hrabovsky's THE THEORETICAL MINIMUM: WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW TO START DOING PHYSICS (9780465028115, $26.99) comes from a
citizen scientist and a famous theoretical physicist who offer the average reader a basic course on
physics and associated math that differs from the usual college method of learning science.
Lessons take classical mechanics and tech it in a new fashion that is accessible and entertaining,
offering discussions that provide readers with the knowledge and skills to understand advanced
concepts. The result defines and teaches classical physics and provides cutting edge information
and research in a way general readers without science backgrounds can readily absorb. Thus any
general-interest holding, as well as science collections at high school levels and above, will
appreciate this survey. Leila Schneps and Coralie Colmez's MATH ON TRIAL: HOW
NUMBERS GET USED AND ABUSED IN THE COURTROOM (9780465032921, $26.99)
belongs in the collection of any school strong in either mathematics or legal issues, and
documents how the misuse of math in ten courtroom trials resulted in the miscarriage of justice.
It comes from two mathematicians who use cases ranging from the late nineteenth century to
modern times to consider how math error actually changed the course of justice. Any who want
to consider the use of math in everyday legal matters will find this a powerful account making the
case for better math education and its importance in everyday life beyond simple calculations in
business.
The Botany Shelf
Toxic Plants of North America, second edition
George E. Burrows & Ronald J. Tyrl
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
9780813820347, $299.99, www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell
Toxic Plants of North America appears in its second updated edition to provide a powerful
up-to-date reference for wild and cultivated toxic plants on the North American continent, and
expands coverage of human and wildlife intoxications. Over 2,700 new citations identify
previously unknown toxicants and provide all the technical details, while information on plant
morphology and disease clinical signs brings together a range of ideas and approaches blending
information sources for small and exotic animal practices. While this is a special
recommendation for veterinary reference libraries, it also is a pick for a range of other collections
from health and home and garden to nature and the outdoors. Over 1,000 images feature the
plants, with information outlining principal toxicants and providing a glossary of toxicological
and botanical terms. This is simply an outstanding reference: there's nothing as well-detailed or
in-depth on the market, making it a unique and powerful pick for any reference collection
interested in toxic plants.
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
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design