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The Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
100 Ghosts
Doogie Horner
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
978594746475, $9.95, www.quirkbooks.com
100 Ghosts: A Gallery of Harmless Haunts explores all kinds of spooks from a fuzzy Muppet to
the ghost of Marilyn Monroe, and is a light-hearted account of what ghosts would look like if we
encountered them in real life. This all comes form a stand-up comedian who adds his quirky
sense of humor to a collection of haunts and their personalities and possible incarnations, and is a
top pick not just for adults or kids, but the entire family, who will find this a quirky and fun
read.
Guide to New York City Urban Landscapes
Robin Lynn and Francis Morrone
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393733570, $29.95, www.wwnorton.com
Guide to New York City Urban Landscapes features lovely color photos throughout by Edward
A. Toran as it features nearly thirty urban landscape gems, including maps and histories of each
site. From parks on islands to bridge parks, historical redevelopment, choices in landscaping
using native plants, and future projects, this provides blend of history and travelogue perfect for
any visiting New York City who want a guide to urban and natural landscapes that make up the
City's buildings and natural areas. It's reviewed here for its wide-ranging interest to both New
York residents and visitors and any involved with the architectural and natural heritage of the
city.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Path of Initiation
J.S. Gordon
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781620551738, $29.95, www.innertraditions.com
The Path of Initiation: Spiritual Evolution and the Restoration of the Western Mystery Tradition
is a powerful recommendation for any occult or new age studies collection and uses work from
the Mystery traditions of East and West to examine the initiatic path from early to modern times.
From step-by-step processes in initiation to underlying psychological and spiritual issues
surrounding this journey, The Path of Initiation: Spiritual Evolution and the Restoration of the
Western Mystery Tradition provides a lively survey packed with insights from all kinds of paths
and choices, and is a fine reader for any considering the routines and ways of spiritual
enlightenment.
The Travel Shelf
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street
Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
Carolina A. Miranda, et.al.'s DISCOVER PERU (9781742205694, $24.99) is a top pick for any
independent traveler who wants to uncover the best of Peru, and who looks for a Peru-exclusive
guidebook listing everything from how to get there and get around in the country to best places
for food, drink, accommodations and sightseeing. Small line maps accompany colorful photos of
local people and places, while discussions include sidebars of "don't miss" information,
at-a-glance references for each region of the country, and places to find everything from authentic
Peruvian restaurants to specific local cuisines and culture. The result is more than an overview:
it's an in-depth discussion of the cultural elements that make Peru unique. Greg Benchwick and
Paul Smith's BOLIVIA (9781741799378, $26.99) provides an important guide packed with
planning tips and reviews of outdoor opportunities, independent travel and Bolivian culture - all
packaged in a handy take-along tote filled with line maps, sidebars of information, and candid
assessments of travel opportunities. From ecotours to modern malls, local history and culture to
wilderness areas, and more, BOLIVIA is a fine pick for any planning a visit; especially for
independent travelers who want to choose routes away from the typical tourist paths.
Jean-Bernard Carillet's ETHIOPIA, DIJBOUTI & SOMALILAND (9781741797961, $27.99) is
another fine take-along tote for any heading to the region and covers three countries typically
lumped into more general coverages of Africa. From color sidebars of information to small line
maps and tips on where to eat, sleep, and sightsee, this provides specific details culled from some
40 years of experience and provides local secrets, recommendations based on personal expertise,
and more. From getting around in each country to routes that make the most of the unique
opportunities in each nation, this is a powerful recommendation for any independent traveler
looking for specifics on those countries: it's not your usual general Africa-wide travel guide that
provides minimal information, but an invaluable take-along guide for destination-oriented
readers.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
A Murder in Passing
Mark de Castrique
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781464201493, $24.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com
A Murder in Passing provides a fine Sam Blackman mystery blending history with intrigue and
revolves around a common problem: no clients for PI work. It's ironic that a mushroom hunt
leads Sam Blackman into a new case which local authorities don't want him to investigate - and
that a burglary coincidentally ties into the murder and leads to the arrest of the 85-year-old
mother of his client. Now Sam is investigating a powerful chain of events in this revealing novel
of intrigue and detective work, perfect for any mystery reader seeking more depth and complexity
in a plot.
Mortal Arts
Anna Lee Huber
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780425253786, $16.00, www.penguin.com
MORTAL ARTS provides a fine Lady Darby mystery, is set in 1830s Scotland, and tells of a
murder investigation that begins otherwise, with Lady Kiera Darby to Edinburgh with her family.
The city brings with it many complexities, from encounters with critical society women to
unexpected romance blended with another deadly mystery. Any who found the protagonist of P.I.
Lady Darby and the historical setting of Edinburgh will find this provides a similarly-powerful
story line with the same vivid characterization and sense of place as its predecessor.
Death in the Ashes
Albert A. Bell, Jr.
Perservance Press
c/o Daniel & Daniel, Publishers
PO Box 2790, McKinleyville, CA 95519
9781564745323, $15.95, www.danielpublishing.com
DEATH IN THE ASHES - A FOURTH CASE FROM THE NOTEBOOKS OF PLINY THE
YOUNGER provides a satisfying story set a few years after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and
tells of Pliny the Younger, asked by his friend to help her husband, who has been accused of
murder. Having learned the basics of forensic investigation from his uncle, Pliny embarks on a
new investigation that snakes into political and social circles alike, and is spiced by the hardened
ash of the volcano's eruption which traps clues in its surface. Add long-buried fears and a solid
dose of historical reality and you have a mystery that brings the ancient Roman world to life.
The Fiction Shelf
The Bookstore
Deborah Meyler
Gallery Books
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl.
New York, NY 10020
9781476714240, $16.00, www.simonandschuster.com
The Bookstore is a special pick for book lovers and comes steeped with information about a
quirky bookseller and a pregnant girl who works there. A cast of interesting and book-absorbed
people float through the small bookstore and involve Esme in fun and revealing encounters - but
like most bookstores, this is struggling to survive and its culture is dying out. When the father of
her unborn child makes moves to reconcile, Esme finds herself facing some difficult choices in
this moving, revealing story perfect for romance and book-loving fans alike.
The Social Issues Shelf
The March on Washington
William P. Jones
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393082852, $26.95, www.wwnorton.com
The March on Washington: Jobs, freedom, and the Forgotten History of Civil Rights comes fro
ma professor of history who provides a narrowed focus on the march itself and its wider
influence on the course of the civil rights movement of its times. From union leader A. Philip
Randolph's initial proposal in 1941 for black workers to march for equality to how the movement
grew in size and political clout during the 1940s, this is a powerful focus that considers
individuals and history that few civil rights books cover. The result is a powerful account highly
recommended for any social issues collection strong in civil rights events.
The Computer Shelf
Classic Game Design
Franz Lanzinger
Mercury Learning
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
9781937585976, $49.95, www.merclearning.com
Classic Game Design features five Unity projects that serve as examples for teaching basic game
programming concepts, and comes with a DVD packed with source code, art and sound sources.
Readers - even those relatively new at programming - learn how to design classic arcade games
while learning the basics of game design elements using free, modern software tools. From
historical anecdotes from game programmers to options that differentiate casual from classic
game structures, this is a winning survey that packs in details perfect for any would-be game
designer; especially those relatively new to the field.
The Practice of Network Security Monitoring
Richard Bejtlich
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street
San Francisco, CO 94103-4403
9781593275099, $49.95, www.nostarch.com
The Practice of Network Security Monitoring: Understanding Incident Detection and Response
comes from an author who since 1998 has defended networks from digital attackers, and who has
seen attacks against government agencies, ISPs, telecommunication carriers, schools and
businesses. He developed a methodology called network security monitoring to thwart these
attackers, based on his experience as an intelligence officer and computer network defender, and
here provides a powerful method of detecting and controlling intrusions on all kinds of networks
using open source software. Any who manage networks will find this an invaluable technical
guide to using NSM platforms, analysis data, and managing a Computer Incident Response
Team.
Exploring Arduino
Jeremy Blum
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118549360, $34.99, www.wiley.com
Exploring Arduino: Tools and Techniques for Engineering Wizardry teaches how to use the
microcontroller Arduino to create educational and artistic projects, combining lessons in
electrical engineering, programming and computer design to show how to build skills to create
increasingly complex projects. The basics of system design, code, and best practices are imparted
in the process of exploring the features of common Arduino boards and their use. A companion
website includes keys to schematics, tutorials and code downloads. With black and white photos,
charts and diagrams throughout, this is a top pick for any seeking a solid introduction to the
basics of Arduino!
CCNA Routing and Switching, third edition
Scott Empson
Cisco Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9781587204302, $34.99, www.ciscopress.com
CCNA Routing and Switching: Portable Command Guide appears in its third updated edition to
update and gather all CCNA routing and switching commands under one cover. It groups topics
for quick, logical consultation, offers a review of basic processes perfect for certification exam
study, and it provides a compact format which lends to its use as a take-along reference - not
quite pocket-sized; but close. It summarizes all commands, keywords, prompts and more,
offering examples of real-world applications and teaching how they are used in overall network
design processes. The result is a top recommendation for any computer reference library and
students of CCNA routing in particular.
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Collector's Guide to the Feldspar Group
Robert J. Lauf
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764343292, $19.99, www.schifferbooks.com
Collector's Guide to the Feldspar Group packs in over a hundred color photos of feldspar
minerals showing each species in its geological context, and explaining how they are formed and
why they have unusually vivid colors. From the chemistry of the group to their geology and
location and their collectability, this is a primer any geological collector will find essential,
offering keys to what good specimens look like and where to locate them. It's a pick for geology
and collector sections alike, and offers many basics key to successfully assembling a superior
group of feldspar minerals for display, sale and science.
Miller's Antiques Encyclopedia, updated edition
Judith Miller, General Editor
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781845337698, $50.00, www.octopusbooksusa.com
Miller's Antiques Encyclopedia appears in a new, updated edition to provide a fine review of the
antiques market since 2008, and is arranged by period and type to provide a price guide filled
with discussions, latest prices, and color photos throughout. Explanations of materials, marks and
techniques accompany identification and dating basics for everything from porcelain and jewelry
to posters, ceramics and sporting memorabilia, with discussions covering all facets of antique
collecting and valuations. The result is a highly recommended, basic 'bible' of information that
any general antiques collector will find an essential reference.
The Cookbook Shelf
Talk With Your Mouth Full
Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh
Surrey Books
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
9781572841239, $20.95, www.agatepublishing.com
Talk With Your Mouth Full pairs lovely color photos by Laurie Proffitt with a fine guide to
cooking and entertaining by two chefs who have a hit Food Network television show. It's packed
with easy recipes, tips, catering insights, and more and covers not just cooking for a crowd, but
entertainment and settings. From Truffled mashed Potatoes to Rustic Onion Pie, this packs in
hearty foods made for a crowd along with plenty of serving and dishing tips to make them
attractive. It's a fine winner for any who would learn new ideas for cooking and entertaining from
chefs who have a proven track record of success and a plan any home cook can access.
Breakfast for Dinner
Lindsay Landis & Taylor Hackbarth
Quirk Books
215 Church Street Philadelphia PA 19106
9781594746130, $19.95, www.quirkbooks.com
Breakfast for Dinner: Recipes for Frittata Florentine, Huevos Rancheros, Sunny-Side-Up
Burgers, and More packs on over 100 classic breakfast recipes made with something different,
from Bacon Fried Rice to Breakfast Ravioli and Tomato Peach Jam. These aren't just breakfast
meals transferred to dinner: they are re-done breakfast foundations that use these foundations to
build salads, main dishes and sides suitable for dinner but with many of the infusions of breakfast
(pancakes, bacon, etc.). With color photos added, the result is a powerful presentation for any
cook's collection!
Blue Plate Special
Kate Christensen
Doubleday & Company
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780385536264, $26.95, www.doubleday.com
Blue Plate Special: An Autobiography of My Appetites provides a vivid, powerful literary
memoir about novelist and blogger Kate Christensen's experiences eating, cooking and reflecting
on food, and is a lovely survey of her life in the foodie universe. From family memories and
bonds to how food has changed her life, Blue Plate Special is lively writing at its best: a powerful
saga filled with delicious memories, reflections and food universe encounters, perfect for any
collection strong in literary food writing.
The Biography Shelf
Ghosts and Ballyhoo
Thomas Wictor
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764343384, $19.99, www.schifferpublishing.com
Ghosts and Ballyhoo: Memoirs of a Failed L.A. Music Journalist documents Thomas Wictor's
ten years in Los Angeles music and pairs a memoir with a music history perfect for collections
interested in both. Its unusual title stems from the author's haunting by the Cardinal Ghost and
the Collateral Ghost (former Zappa bassist Scott Thunes), and blends interviews, personal
correspondence, and previously unpublished articles and photos with a story of music failure and
eighteen years of struggle in music journalism. The result is an autobiography packed with
insights, reflections, and personal observations unique to this title.
The Education Shelf
Inquiring into the Common Core
Nancy Fichtman Dana, et.al.
Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
9781452274263, $25.95, www.corwin.com
Inquiring into the Common Core is a fine guide to Common Core guidelines and how to teach
them, and provides teachers with an inquiry-based model for achieving better understanding of
the standards as they apply to classroom work. From adapting to new standards and
understanding the Common Core's practical applications and challenges to learning more about
the inquiry process and relating it to all socioeconomic levels of students, this covers the basics
of student inquiry and provides teachers with many specific examples key to classroom
success.
The Literary Studies Shelf
Toni Morrison: An Ethical Poetics
Yvette Christianse
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue
University Box L, Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823239160, $28.00, www.fordhampress.com
Toni Morrison: An Ethical Poetics is a recommendation for college literature collections where
study of Toni Morrison is frequent, and analyzes Morrison's style, subject and literary choices,
examining the questions that are brought to the forefront in many of her works. As a blend of
criticism and analysis, this considers ways in which Morrison works with language to present
social and ethical dilemmas, and uses examples from many of her works to consider the ethical
poetics Morrison fosters in her writings. Any looking for a critical survey of her beliefs and
literary structure will find this offers much food for thought, citing specific passages, works, and
approaches throughout.
The Music Shelf
Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing
33 Plymouth St, Suite 302
Montclair, NJ 07042
www.halleonardbooks.com
John Coltrane Omnibook for Bflat Instruments (9781458422118, $19.99) provides music
transcribed directly from Coltrane's recorded solos and is a top pick for musicians who would
learn Coltrane's standards. Lay-flat spiral binding accompanies music for Cousin Mary, India,
Moment's Notice and much, much more. Any musician interested in Coltrane's standards and
solo pieces will find this in-depth and extensive collection a 'must have' for reproducing his
music. Musicians will also relish Volume V of 'The Real Book' (9781423488484, $35.00), which
provides a book of music for key of C instruments and includes sheet music for such popular
songs as 'Where Is Love?', 'Sweet Georgia Brown', and 'Smooth Operator'. The songs come from
different decades but all were popular hits and performing musicians who regularly need sheet
music will find this the perfect reference. Troy Nelson's Fretboard Freedom (9781458420145,
$24.99) provides an audio to accompany discussions of some 376 licks from rock and jazz to
country and metal, and covers a range of scales, harmonics, chord progressions and more. It's a
52-week, one-lick-per-day learning method for visualizing and understanding the neck of the
guitar, with each lick including resources used and performance insight along with the lick's
sheet music and link to the demo on disc. The result is an excellent, unparalleled method of
learning that is packed with detail and specifics, and a unique key to learning a wide range of
musical styles.
The Christian Studies Shelf
The Rebirth of the Church
Eddie Gibbs
Baker Academic
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
9780801039584, $21.99, www.bakeracademic.com
Christian churches have become increasingly fragmented as declining members and spiritual
issues divide congregations again and again, resulting in too many churches and not enough
parishers - yet modern church leaders often assume a Christian foundation for ministry that
doesn't handle these trends. Veteran church expert Eddie Gibbs here provides a history of how
the church has re-created itself in the past, present and future, and considers the challenges
inherent in doing so in a post-Christendom world. Biblical insights pair with leader experience in
chapters that analyze the social and spiritual context of how churches originate and grow, and use
experiences from the Bible to teach new methods of understanding church issues and the process
of revitalization and rebirth. Any who would foster effective change in their church will find this
a powerful survey.
Good News to the Poor
Tim Chester
Crossway Books
1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
9781433537035, $15.99, www.crossway.org
Good News to the Poor provides a powerful survey that considers how to deliver spiritual
messages to the poor, showing how word and deed can affect messages and biblical visions of
mission and how effective Christian techniques incorporate elements of gospel and social action
alike. Chapters use the Bible to show how to address need in the world while bringing the
message of Christ to the public, and provide important keys to integration action with spiritual
insight. The result is a powerful account, highly recommended for any Christian reader who
would effectively deliver Biblical passages to the poor.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Emperor of Thorns
Mark Lawrence
Ace Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10014
9780425256855, $25.95, www.penguin.com
Emperor of Thorns is Book Three of 'The Broken Empire' series and concludes the trilogy for
prior readers who will relish the final story of a king facing the end of his empire. Jorg, main
protagonist of prior books, is now twenty and High King of Seven Nations. While he hasn't
gotten revenge against his father, he's determined to rule as emperor, and has uncovered the last
dangerous lost technology of the land which could change and destroy the world. His
confrontation with the Dead King in a battle for power introduces him to an unexpected enemy in
an unexpected place in this engrossing, satisfying conclusion to an epic fantasy series, highly
recommended for any prior reader.
The Business Shelf
Leading the Epic Revolution
Hunter Muller
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118340479, $45.00, www.wiley.com
LEADING THE EPIC REVOLUTION: HOW CIOS DRIVE INNOVATION AND CREATE
VALUE ACROSS THE ENTERPRISE discusses how to innovate and make innovation
approaches with in modern business worlds, and is written for modern CIOs and technology
leaders who want a clear description of the actual applied processes to changing business
environments to accept innovation strategies that are profitable and sustainable. Interviews with
modern leading CIOs and leaders from major companies ranging from IBM and Cisco to
Facebook and Intel make for a powerful discussion of how these companies overcame obstacles
to achieve unparalleled success. Highly recommended for any looking to lead a business
revolution from the inside out!
Why Wait to Be Great
Terry Hawkins
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781609948917, $19.95, www.bkconnection.com
Why Wait to Be Great? provides a fine synthesis of business savvy and philosophical and
neuropsychological insights as she introduces two sample characters who represent two different
patterns of behaviors. One is trapped in misery and feels a victim of life, the other is courageous
and successful. How to move from one to the other perspective is what Why Wait to Be Great? is
all about - and it's not just philosophy, either. Chapters provide an action plan for rising above
the slings and arrows of life - and shows how to perceive and use concrete steps to
self-improvement. Business and self-help collections alike will find this a positive approach.
Advertising Concept and Copy, third edition
George Felton
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393733860, $65.00, www.wwnorton.com
The third updated edition of Advertising Concept and Copy continues to provide new generations
with a powerful, in-depth approach to creative advertising routines, showing how to research
product lines, match them with clearly-identified audiences, and how to understand both
consumer psychology and the evolving business marketplace. It teaches how to use all these tools
to create definitive advertising objectives, and shows how copywriters can create brands by
telling stories and using powerful, original writings to highlight the entire creative process that is
advertising. The result is a recommended pick for any business library.
Capture the Mindshare and the Market Share Will Follow
Libby Gill
Palgrave Macmillan
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001
9781137278517, $26.00, www.palgrave.com
Capture the Mindshare and the Market Share Will Follow: The Art and Science of Building
Brands provides a fine step-by-step guide to the process of creating a brand that captures
customer loyalty and trust, and uses case studies, client success stories, and easily duplicated
strategies to reveal the experiences of executive coach Libby Gill. From honing in on and
profiling a brand's special value to blending branding with organizational objectives and creating
long-term customer loyalty, chapters consider the basics of how to identify markets, assess
competition, use media resources to profile and market brands, and much more. The result is a
powerful key to success highly recommended for any business collection.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Christmas is Coming
Cheryl Almgren Taylor
Martingale
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604681987, $26.99, www.martingale-pub.com
CHRISTMAS IS COMING: APPLIQUE QUILT PATTERNS TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON
is a fine guide recommended for any quilter's collection; particularly those seeking seasonal
projects for the holidays. It follows up on Taylor's popular DECK THE HALLS title and
provides thirteen pieced, fusible-applique projects from table runners and wall hangings to
pillows and holiday motifs for adults and children alike, and includes many gift ideas perfect for
the holidays. Any holiday needleworker needs this crafts title, packed with original ideas.
The Big Book of Baby Quilts
Martingale
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604683073, $29.99, www.martingale-pub.com
The Big Book of Baby Quilts teaches dozens of quilt patterns and gathers quilts by top-selling
designers who impart the basics of producing a variety of baby quilts. Some 87 baby quilt
patterns and designs run the gamut from traditional to modern, while quilts for showers, holidays
and more present projects that are relatively quick and easy to produce, from patchwork to
applique. Full-page color photos of completed projects accompany sidebars of information and
at-a-glance specs on materials, cutting, assembly and more. The result is a perfect choice for any
planning quilts for babies: a treasure trove of inspiration!
Sew Red
Laura Zander
Sixth&Spring Books
161 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1301
New York, NY 10013
9781936096558, $22.95, www.sixthandspringbooks.com
SEW RED: SEWING & QUILTING FOR WOMEN'S HEART HEALTH provides some 30
sewing and quilting celebrity insights and dozens of sewing projects that lend to fashion and
home decor, sharing personal experiences with heart disease and tips on how women can keep
their hearts fit. Cardio-friendly recipes, sewing campaign ideas, and more appear in lay-flat
binding with clear spine lettering for easy shelving and use, while color photos of completed
projects and sidebars of information complete what turns out to be a powerful needleworker's
guide.
Universal Stitches
Nancy Arthur Hoskins
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764344312, $24.99, www.schifferbooks.com
Universal Stitches for Weaving, Embroidery and Other Fiber Arts provides beginning and
advanced fiber artists with a fine text that shows how five basic stitches (plus nearly two hundred
variations and combinations) can result in new decorative options, and provides detailed
diagrams and projects that show how to make the most of these five basic stitches. From
embroidery and needlework pieces mixing techniques and media to wrapping, looping, chaining
and more, this provides the author's own unique visual approach to diagraming stitches to teach
all 200 used in a range of projects. Color photos and clear examples make this a pick for any
needleworker looking to get the most from basics.
The Science Shelf
Thinking in Numbers
Daniel Tammet
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.hachettebookgroup.com
9780316187374, $26.00, www.littlebrown.com
Thinking in Numbers: On Life, Love, Meaning and Math provides a powerful survey exploring
the beauty of numbers and math and how they operate in daily life, covering everything from
synesthesia (perceiving numbers with colors and texture) to why time seems to speed up as we
are, whether there is truly an 'average', and how math is related to musical beauty. Packed with
solid connections between math and the world around us, this is an outstanding survey highly
recommended for any interested in math, numbers, and real-world applications.
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive
Amherst, NY 14228-2197
www.prometheusbooks.com
Ronald T. Kellogg's THE MAKING OF THE MIND: THE NEUROSCIENCE OF HUMAN
NATURE (9781616147334, $20.00) explores five different parts of human cognition and
considers executive-level functions and how five distinct components result in a uniquely human
mindset. Against this backdrop the efforts and perceptions of humans and issues revolving
around morality, spirituality and literacy are considered, with a history of cognitive thinking's
evolutionary processes included in the consideration. Any who want an assessment of cognitive
thinking and its evolution will find this filled with science and insights perfect for any collection
strong in accounts of human nature. Kenneth Worthy's INVISIBLE NATURE: HEALING THE
DESTRUCTIVE DIVIDE BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT (9781616147631,
$19.00) documents the disconnect between humans and nature, analyzing the psychology, history
and impact of this increasing psychological distance from nature and how the evolution of
Western thinking has resulted in a type of ethics that don't take environmental importance into
consideration. Chapters draw important links between this disconnect process and the ongoing
erosion of the environment and provide a powerful survey highly recommended for any
collection strong in nature and environmental facts.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
BSAVA
c/o Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley-blackwell.com
M.C. Muhlbauer & S.K. Kneller's RADIOGRAPHY OF THE DOG AND CAT: GUIDE TO
MAKING AND INTERPRETING RADIOGRAPHS (9781118547472, $99.99) comes with
website support and provides veterinary reference collections with an in-depth guide to
producing high-quality radiographs and evaluating findings. It may be used as either a quick
reference on the job, or for more in-depth information on specific disorders, and is arranged by
sections describing the basics of radiographic anatomy and interpretation. Checklists for
evaluation, charts, line drawings and visuals, and discussions of both analog and digital
radiography systems provide concrete techniques for improving radiographs and diagnosis from
them, making this a 'must' reference for any vet student or practicing technician. Simon Platt and
Natasha Obly edit BSAVA MANUAL OF CANINE AND FELINE NEUROLOGY, FOURTH
EDITION (9781905319343, $149.99), and provides new edition of a best-selling technical guide
covering diagnostic procedures and clinical presentations of neurological diseases. Two new
chapters have been included here to cover the genetics of such diseases and recent discoveries in
the field of molecular biology and breed associations, while descriptions of advancements in
radiology and clinical definitions continue to make this a basic bible of reference material for
veterinary students and practicing vets alike.
The Audiobook Shelf
Mistress
James Patterson and David Ellis
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9781611130423, $34.98, www.hachetteaudio.com
MISTRESS receives a powerful reading by Kevin T. Collins, who adds a vivid and lively tone to
a gripping story of Ben, who is consumed by obsessions with objects, a beautiful woman, and her
murder. Diana's death is ruled a suicide but Ben is sure she'd never have killed herself, and the
same obsession that has ruled him when she was alive turns into a hunt for the truth when she's
dead. Further complicating matters is the revelation that someone's trying to prevent him from
learning the truth, resulting in a gripping murder mystery and thriller any reader will find
absorbing and unpredictable.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Aspects of Contemporary Book Design
Richard Hendel, Editor
University of Iowa Press
119 West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609381752, $29.95, www.uiowapress.org
Aspects of Contemporary Book Design considers the craft of book design and tells designers
who work with modern technology how to manage specific book design challenges. Images from
the books they have produced provide an example-driven, indexed guide to how professional
British and American designers think about book design. Any involved in the art of publisher and
design will find this gathers the latest thinking on book design, offering first-person step-by-step
insights on the progression from manuscript to finished product. Numerous black and white
examples throughout make for a 'must' for any book designer or publisher who would understand
the process of choosing an effective book design.
The Fashion Shelf
New Earrings
Nicholas Estrada
Thames & Hudson Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500290828, $29.95, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
NEW EARRINGS: 500+ DESIGNS FROM AROUND THE WORLD packs in over five
hundred color illustrations and displays the talents and art of a new brand of designer and artist
creating earrings that go beyond traditional jewelry design methods. Innovative works from
designers around the world showcase new trends in these designs and range from traditional to
cutting-edge pieces. All jewelry shown is notable for something different, whether it be style and
materials or color and composition. Nicholas Estrada is a jewelry designer in Spain: his own
work has achieved much acclaim and places him in a perfect position to assess industry
trends.
The Military Shelf
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
Thomas Anderson's TIGER (9781780962016, $29.95) provides a fine, comprehensive survey on
German fighting vehicles in general and the Tiger in particular, which was feared by Soviet and
Allied forces alike - and it comes from an authority who follows the evolution of the Tiger from
original specs to variants produced using its chassis. Engineering, war strategy, and the
mechanical operations of the Tiger are covered in an outstanding survey illustrated with many
rare images - some never published before - and details from original Tiger manuals. The result
is a powerful account highly recommended for any military collection covering vehicles and their
evolution. Duncan B. Campbell's THE RISE OF IMPERIAL ROME AD 14-193
(9781780962801, $20.95) provides a fine military history of ancient Imperial Rome and follows
two centuries of its expansion and events. Photos and color maps throughout accompany
discussions of emperors, legions of conquerors, and how the empire employed military and
strategic tactics to gain advantage and might. Any military history holding specializing in ancient
history will find this a specific, useful guide. John Weal's HE 111 KAMPFGESCHWADER ON
THE RUSSIAN FRONT (9781780963075, $22.95) provides a fine survey adding to the Osprey
combat aircraft series and tells of the twin-engined He111 which flew in battles during the start
of World War II, providing the aerial force that fostered all the early Blitzkrieg campaigns. Its
equipment, military force, and operations as a strategic bomber and nightfighter as well as
transport details all its uses in battle, making for a powerful account recommended for any
military collection strong in World War II or equipment history. Osprey's BOLT ACTION:
ARMIES OF IMPERIAL Japan (9781780960915, $24.95) provides a powerful survey
recommended for any military player of the 'Bolt Action' wargames, and focuses on the scenarios
of the Imperial Japanese military which saw action throughout Asia. Players can use this
handbook to build a force of the Emperor's loyal troops and can represent campaigns throughout
the region, making this a strong 'must have' reference for any prior Bolt Action wargamer.
The Photography Shelf
A Russian American Photographer in Tlingit Country
Sergei Kan
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806142906, $39.95, www.oupress.com
A Russian American Photographer in Tlingit Country: Vincent Soboleff in Alaska packs in
images of life in a small town southeast Alaska village in the late 1800s and early 1900s and is
also the first title to feature the photos of amateur Russian American photographer Vincent
Soboleff. As such, it's a recommendation for history and photography holdings as well as Native
American collections, documenting the daily lives of Tlingit Indians and Russian-Americans
alike. Soboleff used a Kodak camera to capture his images and despite their historical
importance, surprisingly few have seen print since their discovery in 1950. Anthropologist Sergei
Kan gathers over 100 images and combines them with archival records and documents to
illustrate life in a multiethnic community. The result is a fine recommendation for any interested
in Tlingits, Alaskan history and culture, and early photography.
The Crafts Shelf
Wabi-sabi Art Workshop
Serena Barton
North Light Books
c/o F+W Media
700 East State Street, Iola WI 54945
9781440321009, $24.99, www.createmixedmedia.com
Wabi-sabi Art Workshop provides crafters working in mixed media with a fine, inspirational
guide for translating the simple things in life to inspiration for art. Dozens of inspiration images
and tips for taking photos blend with over thirty techniques for working in oil, paints, inks, foils,
collage, paper, crayons and much more. Wabi-sabi is all about flexibility and find beauty in
imperfection, and this book teaches the basics, using some 70 big, finished pieces of art to
illustrate each technique. Any working in art who want a mixed media series of project ideas will
find this a fine sourcebook filled with examples and inspiration.
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
"On My Way"
Joseph Horowitz
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393240139, $26.95, www.wwnorton.com
"On My Way": The Untold Story of Rouben Mamoulian, George Gershwin, and Porgy and Bess
tells of a nearly forgotten director who helped Porgy and Bess turn into a successful and
unparalleled production: Rouben Mamoulian, whose collaboration with the more famous
Gershwin has nearly been forgotten. From the evolution of Porgy as a novella published in 1925
to its adaptation into play format and the early association of director Mamoulian with the opera
that evolved, "On My Way" provides a powerful inspection gleaned from research into primary
documents from the Mamoulian Archives and interviews with those who worked with the
director. Any interested in Porgy's evolution and the biography of Mamoulian will find this an
unparalleled survey of the evolution of a world-famous opera and the man who fostered its
fame.
Elysium: The Art of the Film
Mark Salisbury
Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
9781781162477, $39.95, www.titanbooks.com
Elysium: The Art of the Film blends music, theater, visual arts and more and revolves around a
contemporary science fiction film that released in August. Any fan of the movie or science
fiction film-making in particular will want this visual guide, which packs in rare photos,
production art and designs, interviews which reveal behind-the-scenes operations of the film, and
more. The movie is set in year 2154, where two classes of people exist: the very wealthy who
reside on space station Elysium, and the rest who live on an overpopulated, ruined planet.
Predictably the worlds are far apart and it's up to one man, Max, to get to Elysium and undertake
a dangerous mission which, if successful, will change both worlds. It's a powerful, moving saga
that comes to life in a survey reviewing the art and making of the movie, highly recommended
for science fiction and film collections alike.
The Sports Shelf
100 Things 49ers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
Daniel Brown
Triumph Books
814 N. Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
9781600787911, $14.95, www.triumphbooks.com
100 Things 49ers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die comes from a seasoned Bay Area
sports journalist and covers the key moments and facts about past ands present players, coaches
and rivalries that permeate 49ers football history, and is a pick for any fan and collections
catering to football enthusiasts. Anecdotes, interviews, fun stories and history blend to offer a
fine survey of all facts pertinent to the 49ers and their culture, making this a top recommendation
for any interested in football culture, history, and more.
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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