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The Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Chilled
Tom Jackson
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781472911438, $27.00, www.bloomsbury.com
Chilled: How Refrigeration Changed the World and Might Do So Again comes from a science
writer who provides a global history of refrigeration and considers not just the science involved,
but the historical and social changes it brought with it. One could anticipate a scholarly approach
with such a subject; but the pleasure of Chilled lies in its lively, unassuming tone and scope that
presumes no prior knowledge of neither scientific principle nor human history. General-interest
readers thus will enjoy a lively consideration that includes such unexpected details as what
refrigeration actually does and how it moves beyond kitchens and food preparation into realms of
engineering and particle science. The result is a fun pursuit recommended for any with an interest
in refrigeration's impact on the world.
The Human Age
Diane Ackerman
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393351644, $15.95, www.wwnorton.com
The Human Age: The World Shaped By Us blends social history, natural history, science, and
environmental concerns in a discussion that considers humankind's impact on nature and the
environment and its possible futures, and is a wide-ranging survey that documents international
efforts to help animals and live in harmony on the planet, as well as forces at work against such
ideals. Studies, vignettes about individuals and organizations, and a dazzling array of social and
scientific revelations creates an absorbing story perfect for science, social issues, and leisure
readers alike!
The Computer Shelf
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com, www.informit.com/aw
Len Bass, Ingo Weber and Liming Zhu's DevOps: A Software Architect's Perspective
(9780134049847, $39.99) joins others in the SEI Series in Software Engineering and comes from
three leading architects who discuss the issues of DevOps and its potential for software
development and monitoring. Any software engineer interested in this up-and-coming,
revolutionary feature will learn about how it could require major changes in system architecture
and IT, how to design new systems to work with DevOps, and how to understand these impacts
across various platforms and development stages. Three real-world case studies are presented to
discuss everything from impact and business plan adjustment to integration and design concerns,
with chapters covering monitoring processes, major transition concerns, and advanced concepts
such as the design of Sourced Group CDP frameworks. The result is highly recommended for
any technical software engineering collection; especially those looking for DevOps-specific
insights. Michael Hartl's Ruby on Rails Tutorial, 3rd Edition (97801340777703, $49.99) belongs
in any programmer's collection and comes from a leading Rails developer who teaches the basics
of Rails for an audience of programmers who may hold little prior familiarity with the program.
It relies on the basic best practices of web development to teach the elements of Rails
environments and how to build Rails applications, and it includes Ruby programming skills
basics, keys to applying techniques to real-world issues, and tackles web development processes
using a solid Rails framework. Sample code, methods, and models come with resources and
discussions designed to impart the basics to an audience who wants to absorb the basics of better
web design through Rails.
The Education Shelf
Worth Writing About
Jake Wizner
Stenhouse Publishers
480 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101-3451
9781625310484, $20.00, www.stenhouse.com
Teachers face many barriers revolving around memoir writing, especially when it comes to
adolescents, so having guidelines and fresh approaches as in Worth Writing About: Exploring
Memoir with Adolescents will prove a short cut for educators who want to address common
challenges specific to memoir writing work with adolescents. From students who believe they
don't have enough background material to write about their lives to those who don't like
revealing themselves on paper, this memoir unit shows how to approach all kinds of students
with strategies that work. The result is a handbook packed with details on how to overcome
barriers to memoir writing, highly recommended for any teacher working with adolescents.
Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
www.corwin.com
Ann Myers and Jill Berkowicz's The Stem Shift: A Guide for School Leaders (9781483317724,
$30.00) provides educational leaders with a basic examination of the STEM system and how it
applies to preparing students for colleges and careers, and it pairs case studies with discussions of
STEM models that work. The perfect audience for this discussion will be school administrators
who would apply keys to how and what children learn to larger questions of how shifts in
operating principles happen and how STEM's particular brand of education fosters a greater
awareness of choices and opportunities in students, better preparing them for the world outside
the classroom. The result is a powerful analysis highly recommended for any educator serious
about taking school leadership and direction to the next level based on STEM's unique
opportunities and perspectives. Dwayne D. Williams' An RTI Guide to Improving the
Performance of African American Students (9781483319735, $24.00) provides a step-by-step
guide to implementing evidence-based strategies for improving this group's school and testing
performance, and takes into account cultural bias and issues, RTI model specifics, and
adjustments needed to identify and address disparities in the educational system. Four core
characteristics are identified in instruction and culture, and then move into the specifics of the
classroom's processes as a whole. The result is a 'must' for any working with African American
students in diverse settings who want to apply RTI basics to this group in a fair and effective
fashion. Catlin R. Tucker's Creatively Teach the Common Core Literacy Standards With
Technology Grades 6-12 (9781483358970, $29.95) provides a powerful survey of how to
combine efforts of classroom student success with Common Core standards and requirements,
and provides specific recommendations for free apps, tech tools, guidelines and formulas for
translating a Common Core standard into a grade-specific, subject-oriented curriculum, and how
to apply classroom-tested routines. Packed with classroom experiences, reprodicibles, and
activities and templates, view Creatively Teach the Common Core Literacy Standards With
Technology as, quite simply, a 'must have' reference.
The Audiobook Shelf
Alert
James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9781478928010, $35.00, www.hachetteaudio.com
Alert comes to life in audio under the voices of Danny Mastrogiorgio and Henry Leyva,
presenting an engrossing Michael Bennett novel that features a shocking daylight murder by
killers who seem unafraid of identification or pursuit. New York detective Bennett suspects this
threat is just the beginning of a new brand of danger threatening not just some individuals but all
of New York City, so he's facing a threat with much wider-ranging ramifications than one perp
could hold. Action comes to life in a well-done audio presentation and the dual narrative style
provides plenty of it here, making Alert a special recommendation for listeners who want high
drama from their mysteries.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Earth Flight
Janet Edwards
Pyr
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781633880986, $17.00, www.pyrsf.com
Earth Flight tells of Jarra, who gains fame in her effort to garner respect for those left on Earth,
but who faces political unrest and further fame and danger when the first alien artifact to be
discovered involves Jarra in a mission that might take her away from earth. But as one of those
'left behind' who can't leave, how can she go - and if she doesn't, the artifact and its promise will
be lost. A gripping narrative makes for a series of impossible scenarios that is hard to put down
and satisfyingly compelling and different.
Magic Shifts
Ilona Andrews
Ace Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9780425270677, $25.95, www.penguin.com
Magic Shifts provides a fine Kate Daniels novel with an unusual premise: magic is coming and
going in waves in post-Shift Atlantic, leaving mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate far from
their Pack and vulnerable to battles. When their friend vanishes, the two must not only
investigate his disappearance, but handle the crippling waves of change that not only affect their
world but have led to the emergence of a dangerous new enemy. Fans of novels about magic will
relish this vigorous, fast-paced story that rests firmly on the appeal and strength of an unusual
world and two compelling protagonists.
Lord of Janissaries
Jerry Pournelle and Roland J. Green
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781476780795, $15.00, www.baen.com
If Lord of Janissaries sounds familiar, with its stories of a soldier and his men who are
abandoned in hostile territory when aliens land, that's because this collection consists of three
novels of military sci-fi classics presented under one cover. The advantage, especially for
newcomers, lies in an uninterrupted saga that doesn't require multiple book acquisitions to prove
appealing. Newcomers, especially, will relish this approach, as the adventures of Captain Rick
and his crew, who embark on new careers as mercenaries for aliens on a distant planet, come to
life.
Stars Wars FAQ
Mark Clark
Applause Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
www.halleonard.com
9781480360181, $24.99, www.applausebooks.com
Stars Wars FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Trilogy That Changed the Movies would
ordinarily have appeared in our film section, but is featured here because any sci-fi fan holding a
special affection for Star Wars will find this a winner. It compiles facts and questions about the
original trilogy from the books and movies and offers insights from early screenplays that were
never used to discussions of the stories, film highlights, the rise of Star Wars fiction, and
imitators and parodies. Analysis provide discussions and insights of particular interest to prior
Star Wars viewers and fans and fill in many details on plots, characters, filming and screenplay
production that wouldn't ordinarily be seen by even collectors and prior fans, making this a 'must'
for movie-goers and sci-fi followers alike.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Parchment and Old Lace
Laura Child
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780425266687, $25.95, www.penguin.com
Parchment and Old Lace provides a fun 'scrapbooking' mystery complete with tips and recipes,
and tells of a quandary when author and scrapbook shop owner Carmela discovers a bride-to-be
murdered in a cemetery. This puts a quash on supper, the upcoming wedding, and more, and
when the victim's sister asks Carmela to help, it becomes a journey into the enemies of Isabelle's
past and a killer who might strike again. How does scrapbooking fit into all this? Child weaves a
masterful story filled with engrossing twists and turns that makes for a riveting story, hard to put
down.
Murder, She Wrote: The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher
Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain and Renee Paley-Bain
Obsidian Mystery
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
97804515477361, $23.95, www.penguin.com
Murder, She Wrote: The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher provides another book based on the TV series
and tells of an old friend and real estate agent who undertakes to sell one of Cabot Cove's oldest
properties. The 1800s building is in terrible shape and comes with an intriguing story.
Unfortunately, it also appears to come with a ghost, challenging even professional agent Eve's
sales abilities and turning into a deadly reality when a premonition comes true. Was the death
natural, or contrived? An engrossing murder mystery revolving around ghosts, murder, and
intrigue creates a spell-binding plot suitable for newcomers and old fans alike - even those who
have never seen or heard of the TV series.
The Cookbook Shelf
The Backyard Homestead Book of Kitchen Know-How
Andrea Chesman
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781612122045, $19.95, www.storey.com
There's a lot of talk on the market about farm-to-table eating and using fresh ingredients, but
many cookbooks lack specifics on how to properly prepare and preserve the fresh foods being
advocated - which is different from obtaining a vegetable cookbook. Enter The Backyard
Homestead Book of Kitchen Know-How, a compendium of kitchen skills that tells how to mill
flour, make cheese, preserve meats, and more: information usually seen in homesteading guides
rather than cookbooks. Don't expect your usual recipe guide; but do expect a focus that includes
charts and tips on everything from how to roast a duck and make maple syrup from a tree to
using poultry shrink bags, pressure canners, and how to preserve the pick of the harvest for
tomatoes, strawberries, and more. While the guide offers plenty of recipes, the focus is on using
homegrown abundance: access to a blossoming garden or farm and an interest in utilizing fresh
ingredients year-round are the only prerequisites to an appreciation of this intersection between
recipe and technique.
The Masters at Home: Recipes, Stories & Photographs
MasterChef
Absolute Press
Scarborough House, 29 James Street West, Bath, UK, BA1 2BT
http://www.absolutepress.co.uk
Bloomsbury Press (distributor)
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781472904117, $35.00, www.absolutepress.co.uk
The Masters at Home: Recipes, Stories & Photographs deserves ongoing mention and
recommendation as a fine synthesis of stories, recipes and photos centered around master chefs
from around the world who share their three favorite recipes here. These enjoy photos by David
Loftus in a collection that includes the chef's background, snapshots from their homes, and
details on their cooking; so don't expect just a collection of recipes, but something that toes the
line between autobiography, culinary history, and recipe book. Loftus's full-page and smaller
color photos pepper nearly every page while dishes such as Frozen Pea Puree and hearty lamb
and barley Scotch Broth will prove easily accessible to home cooks. The result is a fine survey
recommended for any culinary collection.
Summer Cooking
Chicago Tribune
Agate Surrey
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
9781572841710, $24.95, www.agatepublishing.com
Summer may be over, but Summer Cooking: Kitchen-Tested Recipes for Picnics, Patios, Grilling
and More is not: it's just getting started. While summer fare would seem to be filled with
barbecues, cookouts, outside dinner parties, and light fare, it also hosts portable appetizers, quick
salads and sides, and light beverages designed for warmer temperatures. Another note: the
Chicago Tribute is one of the few newspapers that still runs its own test kitchen; so all these
dishes have been tested and tasted by food writers and staff members. From Asian Summer Rolls
which came to Chicago via a Laotian immigrant who began her own establishment to Angie
Johnson's Pasties, English in origin but packed with flavors and a hand-carried format that lend
to quick meals for busy readers, this is a selection of internationally-influenced summer dishes
not to be missed!
The Gardening Shelf
Grower's Guides
Red Hot Chili Grower
Kay Maguire
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781784721022, $14.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com
Red Hot Chili Grower: The Complete Guide to Planting, Picking, and Preserving Chilis narrows
the gardening and cooking focus to all kinds of chilis, from Scotch Bonnet to Hungarian Hot
Wax, and provides step-by-step instructions that begin with sowing seeds and growing chilis to
harvesting and using them. While instructions for pickling and preserving the capsicums are
included, Red Hot Chili Grower's wealth of details will especially delight gardeners who want a
step-by-step focus on growing chilis and handling common problems. There are charts,
checklists, photos and illustrations, and most of all, an attention to the particular growing needs
and challenges of different kinds of chilis. At-a-glance information includes heat, sowing
instructions, growing needs, and key cuisines and dishes that use each chili. The result is a
powerful, specific recommendation for any grower who wants a focus on chilis.
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Inside the Rise of HBO
Bill Mesce, Jr.
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
9780786497867, $29.95, www.mcfarlandpub.com
Inside the Rise of HBO: A Personal History of the Company That Transformed Television traces
the evolution and impact of HBO TV on the industry and offers a wide-ranging coverage that
considers the state of the industry before the launch of Home Box Office in 1972 and in the
decades since. HBO changed the playing field of television and fostered a new era of premium
cable television programming, and Inside the Rise of HBO documents the events that
transformed media starting with a single cable channel. One might expect such a coverage to
come from a reporter's viewpoint, but this actually comes from one who spent nearly thirty years
at Home Box Office in various corporate capacities, and who also served as a screenwriter. His
unique perspective makes for the ideal coverage of events from an insider's perspective and
makes for a powerful account of the advent, evolution and golden age of paid television. No
media collection should be without this thorough, detailed history.
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
The Incredible Herb Trimpe
Dewey Cassell and Aaron Sultan
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
9781605490625, $34.95, www.twomorrows.com
Any avid comics reader who knows the character Wolverine or Captain Britain already knows
the work of illustrator Herb Trimpe: now here's a survey of his life and art which pairs interviews
with the man himself alongside those of his contemporaries and even his son. All this blends
with black and white images and color illustrations to capture the life of the man, his place in
comic book history, and the many creations he worked on, from comic books to iconic figures.
As with others from this publisher, the idea goes beyond representing covers and art to delve into
the creator's influences and life, with a powerful blend of interview insights, autobiography, and
art making it a 'must' for any cartoon or graphic novel enthusiast.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com
Two in-depth art therapy coverages are top recommendations for mental health practitioners,
artists interested in art therapy, and collections catering to them, and break the larger topic of art
therapy into two easily-digestible surveys. Art Therapy with Physical Conditions edited by
Marion Liebmann and Sally Weston (9781849053495, $39.95) covers physical conditions from
cancer to colitis and broadens the definition to cover homelessness, chronic conditions, and
learning disabilities, and provides articles discussion the philosophical, spiritual, psychological
and health issues of art therapy from the perspectives of the therapists who explain how their
work is perceived and used by a wide variety of groups. Art Therapy with Neurological
Conditions, also edited by Marion Liebmann and Sally Weston (9781849053488, $39.95) gathers
insights from specialists who work with dementia, epilepsy, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis and
more, and describes how the conditions are approached in the art therapy environment, and how
it's worked in rehabilitation efforts. The broad definitions of approaches and conditions lends to
the inclusion of articles that present quite a diverse range of perspectives and ideas, making both
these collections of central importance to any art therapist or practitioner who would better
understand how the therapy is applied and how and why it works with these specific groups.
The Art Shelf
Romaine Brooks: A Life
Cassandra Langer
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor, Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780299298609, $26.95, www.uwpress.wisc.edu
Romaine Brooks: A Life documents the achievements and life of an expatriate American painter
who has largely been represented as a bigot, and fills in many gaps in information about Brooks'
real personality, struggles, and creations, up to her death in 1970. More so than most artists,
Brooks earned many myths and a reputation that wasn't always positive. This book comes from
decades of the author's research on her life, times, and works and offers a well-rounded
discussion key to any college-level arts library.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Agents of Babylon
Dr. David Jeremiah
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414380520, $24.99, www.tyndale.com
Dr. David Jeremiah is a noted Christian prophecy expert and a senior pastor in California, and
uses the Book of Daniel to explore the results of living in godless times in Agents of Babylon:
What the Prophecies of Daniel Tell Us about the End of Days. The author takes the prophecy
contained in the Book of Daniel and offers an in-depth examination in language that will appeal
to general-interest Biblical readers, building the Biblical story into something that is readily
understandable and applied to modern times and modern issues. This takes the form of a
dramatization of events in Daniel paired with a closer analysis of the Scripture behind the story
and, finally, a wider-ranging discussion of underling Biblical concepts. The result is a powerful
survey highly recommended for both Bible study students and general Christian readers.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Rock That Quilt Block: Weathervane
Linda J. Hahn
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604602043, $24.95, www.americanquilter.com
Rock That Quilt Block: Weathervane comes from an author with an interest in taking traditional
patterns a step beyond the norm, and teaches quilters how to create new designs from standard
ones. Instructions break the block into segments that can be paired, changed, or moved around to
create new patterns. Nine completed quilts are included for further inspiration and variations on
themes, making Rock That Quilt Block: Weathervane a special attraction and recommendation
for quilters used to traditional patterns and interested in something different.
One-Skein Wonders for Babies
Judith Durant, Editor
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781612124803, $18.95, www.storey.com
One-Skein Wonders for Babies joins other 'One-Skein Wonders' series titles; this with a focus on
clothing for babies, which ranges from blankets and hats to booties and toys. All are knittable by
any who understand basic knitting directions, and all provide a wide range of projects and
options suitable for quick and easy knitting and gift-giving. The result is a top recommendation
for any knitter who wants to produce baby clothes from one skein!
The Anthropology Shelf
Excluded Ancestors, Inventible Traditions
Richard Handler, Editor
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor, Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780299163945, $29.95, www.uwpress.wisc.edu
Excluded Ancestors, Inventible Traditions: Essays Toward a More Inclusive History of
Anthropology represents Volume 9 in the 'History of Anthropology' series and belongs in history
and science shelves alike as it surveys the works of lesser-known scholars who created
memorable studies but were marginalized due to race, gender, citizenship, or English language
proficiency. It offers essays to remedy this formerly exclusionary history, presenting both the
careers and the works of notable anthropology historians and considering how the discipline
evolved as many of the anthropologists' works were discounted or discredited. From rumors and
stories about their credentials, studies, and personas to how their work was dismissed, Excluded
Ancestors remedies many problems in the discipline and provides college-level readers with
scholarly observations not just about the individuals in question, but about the nature of
anthropological investigation as a whole.
The Technology Shelf
GIS Research Methods
Sheila Lakshmi Steinberg and Steven J. Steinberg
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92378-8100
www.esri.com
9781589483781, $79.99, www.amazon.com
GIS Research Methods: Incorporating Spatial Perspectives is a college-level text describing how
researchers in different science disciplines can apply GIS techniques to their research methods,
and offers a basic introduction that teaches how to blend spatial thinking and GIS technology into
research analysis. From digital data sources and GIS-based analysis methods to taking research
and data results and incorporating them into policies and findings, this is a specific focus that is
recommended for science and social science collections alike; especially those looking to
understand how public participation may be sparked by GIS-supported results. From field
research to analysis and evaluation efforts, GIS Research Methods adopts a wide-ranging
perspective and approach that doesn't rely on a particular program's version or incarnation to
prove successfully accessible.
The American History Shelf
Their Lives, Their Wills
Amy M. Porter
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896729322, $39.95, www.ttupress.org
Their Lives, Their Wills: Women in the Borderlands, 1750-1846 belongs in American history
and women's issues collections alike, and uses the form of the will and last testament to explore
women's lives and challenges. It may be surprising to some to note that these early wills
contained rich history and insights into many facets of frontier life obscured in other places; but
the collection proves that when such works are examined along with historical background and
other data such as census information and travel accounts, a bigger picture emerges which
contrasts sharply with male perceptions of life in the late Spanish and Mexican colonial
communities of Texas and northern Mexico. The result is a powerful, highly recommended
survey that no college-level women's history or studies holding should be without!
The Literary Studies Shelf
Jewish Noir
Kenneth Wishnia, Editor
PM Books
PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
97814629631110, $17.95, www.pmpress.org
Jewish Noir: Contemporary Tales of Crime and Other Dark Deeds belongs in Jewish literature
and general fiction collections alike, and gathers a unique set of stories by Jewish and non-Jewish
literary writers from Marge Piercy to Harlan Ellison and S.J. Rozan. The focus is on crime
stories, but within this genre the tales are diverse and wide-ranging, identifying issues of
anti-Semitism and offering additional discussion points surrounding the history and evolution of
ethnic prejudice and Jewish social experience. The result is a powerful discussion highly
recommended for Jewish history, culture, and literary readers alike; as well as for general noir
crime story readers who want more of a literary approach to the topic.
The Business Shelf
A Crowdfunder's Strategy Guide
Jamey Stegmaier
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
1333 Broadway, Suite 1000, Oakland CA, 94612
9781626564084, $19.95, www.bkconnection.com
A Crowdfunder's Strategy Guide: Build a Better Business by Building Community comes from a
veteran of seven successful Kickstarter campaigns that have raised over, $1.4 million, and
gathers over forty stories of both successes and disasters in the crowdfunding world. More than a
how-to guide to Kickstarter, it discusses the basics of how to treat contributors and backers, from
communications and updates to soliciting feedback and opinions along the way. If only one book
on crowdfunding strategy were to be chosen, it should be this one: from money-back guarantees
and creating rewards to diversification, this is a top pick highly recommended for any who want
to not just investigating crowdfunding, but understanding the factors that lead to its success or
failure.
The Science Shelf
The American Sea: A Natural History of the Gulf of Mexico
Rezneat Milton Darnell
Texas A&M University Press
4354 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4354
9781623492823, $75.00, www.tamupress.com
The American Sea: A Natural History of the Gulf of Mexico comes from an author who worked
for more than a decade researching the Gulf of Mexico's natural evolution. This represents not
only his own work, but that of his graduate students, research into government agency research,
and the overall ecological literature on the area. That doesn't mean that The American Sea is just
for scientists alone: it incorporates history, geology, meteorology, and more under one cover and
it includes photos of deep water and other organisms along with maps, works of art, and more.
The oceanography information is well done, the research transcends most natural histories to
embrace facets of other disciplines, and the result is a powerful survey highly recommended not
just for college-level science collections, but for any holding strong in Gulf of Mexico history as
a whole.
The Crafts Shelf
Jewelry Making 1-2-3
Karin Van Vorhees
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
www.kalmbachbooks.com
9781627001809, $21.99, www.jewelryandbeadingstore.com
Jewelry Making 1-2-3: 45+ Simple Projects comes form an author and teacher who uses easy
basic foundation skills combined with bead-working information and materials lists to help
newcomers create professional-looking finished pieces. From beads and knots to using spacers,
discussions assume no prior jewelry-making skills nor any familiarity with design or materials
and explain everything for beginners, making for a collection especially useful for those with
minimal tools, skills, and background in jewelry.
The Agriculture Shelf
Gubbeen
Giana Ferguson
Kyle Books
192 - 198 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, England, SW1V 1DX
http://www.kylebooks.com
9781909487246, $35.00, www.kylebooks.com
Gubbeen: The Story of a Working Farm and Its Foods is a standout in many ways; not the least
of which is an unusual focus on an Irish family farm's productions of some fifty different types of
food plus Gubbeen cheese, which has received awards and international acclaim. It's not too
often that a cookbook embraces a tribute to a particular product or a single farm, so Gubbeen
stands in a class by itself both for using four perspectives of the farm's family owners to explore
its meaning and operations, and for including recipes that use the farm's produce. Readers can
enjoy Gubbeen in several ways: as a memoir of a family's culinary heritage and achievements,
and as a cookbook replete with recipes for such dishes as Roast Garlic and Chorizo Soup or
Cardamom Shortbread.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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