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California Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
It Happens at Comic-Con
Ben Bolling and Matthew J. Smith
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
9780786476947, $35.00, www.mcfarlandpub.com
It Happens at Comic-Con: Ethnographic Essays on a Pop Culture Phenomenon seems designed
to reach comic fans and college students alike (often the same audience), and packs in essays
examining the culture of Comic-Con and its participants. Thirteen new essays uses ethnographic
methods, in particular, to consider San Diego's Comic-Con International, the largest one of its
kind in North America. Studies of this phenomenon are technical yet engrossing, covering fan
practices as well as the marketing of comics in general and Comic-Con as a whole. Comics fans
will find this a fine, if not scholarly, assessment of the culture involved.
That's Not Funny, That's Sick
Ellin Stein
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393350241, $16.95, www.wwnorton.com
That's Not Funny, That's Sick: The National Lampoon and the Comedy Insurgents Who Captured
the Mainstream comes from a journalist who charts the progress and changes of comedy in
American mainstream settings, and uses interviews with key individuals in the movement to
consider the influence of the National Lampoon on the evolution of American comedy as a
whole. Chapters examine both people and cultural trends, following the history and evolution of
the Lampoon and its particular style of comedy. The result is a solid survey of personalities and
approaches to the genre which is key to any seeking an understanding of comedy's history and
culture.
The Parenting Shelf
Parenting With a Story
Paul Smith
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780814433577, $16.00, www.amacom.com
Parenting With a Story: Real-Life Lessons in Character for Parents and Children to Share is
based on research into storytelling and considers how to use a great personal story to reach and
teach children. It draws on the author's yearlong process of interviewing people from around the
world on storytelling processes, and provides a story collection organized by purpose, with
real-world stories outlining over twenty character traits kids will need to learn.
The Memoir Shelf
Snowbirds: A Memoir
Jo Ann Bender
Downstream Publishing
60 East 8th Street, New York, NY 10003-6541
9780989757157, $12.99, www.DownstreamPublishing.com
Snowbirds: A Memoir tells of the authors' road trip in a vintage RV - one that changed their
marriage - and follows their trials, tribulations, and advice as they learn how to take the older TV
to different locales. It's a combination autobiography, martial insight piece, and travelogue as
readers follow the adventures of a couple searching for both adventure and connection. From
how a moving RV becomes a home suitable for staying in while visiting friends and relatives to
discoveries of indispensable road trip items, this offers both personal experience and a game plan
for other would-be RVers, and is a light, fun read that incorporates practical suggestions for those
who dream of hitting the road themselves.
My Wild Life
Roland H. Wauer
Texas Tech University Press
4354 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4354
9780896728851, $39.95, www.ttupress.org
My Wild Life: A Memoir of Adventures Within America's National Parks comes from an author
who spent over thirty years in the national park system, starting as a seasonal ranger until he
retired in 1989. His career took him to eight national parks and his autobiography examines his
career and the wildlife he observed and interacted with in the course of his work. From owls to
bighorn sheep and snakes, this is a vivid story of the National Park System and its creatures,
documents how the author created the modern natural resource protection program, and makes
for a compelling, absorbing saga recommended for any collection strong in wildlife history in
general and national parks examinations in particular.
Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys. Boys, Boys.
Viv Albertine
Thomas Dunne Books
c/o St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9781250065995, $27.99, www.thomasdunne.com
Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys. Boys, Boys. is a fine memoir by the
member of a female punk group, The Slits, and the girlfriend of The Clash's Mick Jones. It
chronicles the rise of punk music and philosophy, the experience of a woman whose circles
largely included punk rock male musicians, and how a music icon became a punk movement
leader and inspired a new generation of female rockers. Albertine formed The Flowers of
Romance with Sid Vicious in 1976, joined The Slits, and moved in a music culture largely
dominated by men. Her memoir of rock and roll and punk politics incorporates feminist
perspectives and offers a rare female viewpoint of events of the times, making it a pick for music
and biography holdings as well as women's issues collections.
The Native American Studies Shelf
Capture These Indians for the Lord
Tash Smith
University of Arizona Press
355 South Euclid Avenue, Suite 103, Tucson, AZ 85719-6654
9780816530885, $55.00, www.uapress.arizona.edu
It's hard to neatly define the audience for this title: it's reviewed here just because spirituality
collections will most likely miss it; but it's also a pick for college-level holdings strong in Native
American culture and American history. Capture These Indians for the Lord: Indians, Methodists,
and Oklahomans, 1844-1939 provides a close history of the Southern Methodist Church in
Oklahoma and its evolution and involvement in the forefront of Western expansion efforts. Many
Native peoples accepted the missionaries' practices, but others find ways to reconcile the
Methodist message with their traditions. This book discusses the history of Native and Western
traditions and religion and looks at the Indian missions and white interactions, exploring how
Methodist power weakened and the Indian membership actually used the Church to reinforce
their culture. The result is a fascinating examination holding scholarly appeal to a wide
audience.
The Audiobook Shelf
Food: A Love Story
Jim Gaffigan
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouseaudio.com
9780804192217, $35.00, www.randomhouseaudio.com
Food: A Love Story is narrated by comedian Gaffigan, and offers a funny reflection on the finer
art of stuffing in food in FOOD: A LOVE STORY. Topics range from health food to forbidden
food, follow up on his bestseller DAD IS FAT, and pairs food memories and opinions with
hilarious, side-splitting observations of the ironies and inconsistencies of being a 'foodie'. The
result, in audio format, is even better than seeing him on stage. Just don't listen to this in a car:
the tears of laughter are likely to obscure one's vision!
The Color of Water
James McBride
Penguin Audio Books
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
http://us.penguingroup.com
9781611763508, $35.00, www.penguin.com
The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother is narrated by JD Jackson and
Susan Denaker and provides a powerful tribute as it captures the autobiography of an author who
grew up in Brooklyn's Red Hook projects as a mixed-race son. Was he black or white? His
mother refused to answer and refused to define race, only saying that "God is the color of water".
Her lessons would remain with him for life and paved the way for a journey away from poverty
and toward achievement. Any listener interested in family ties and strong lessons will find this a
powerful, compelling listen.
The Only Little Prayer You Need
Debra Landwehr Engle
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781491534298, $14.99, www.brilliance.com
The Only Little Prayer You Need is performed by the author and considers the quickest routes to
a life of joy and peace. Inspired by A Course in Miracles, this narrows the focus to how to use
prayer's power to release burdens and fears to achieve greater happiness. The premise is very
simple but its achievement is not necessarily easy: that's why this audio is so important, to
reinforce concepts and connect them to real-life approaches.
Why Suffering?
Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9781478930228, $25.00, www.hachetteaudio.com
WHY SUFFERING? FINDING MEANING AND COMFORT WHEN LIFE DOESN'T MAKE
SENSE is narrated by the authors and considers the responses to the question of why a powerful,
loving God would allow so much pain and suffering in the world. From how evil's reality can
make sense to Christian responses to pain and suffering, explanations for trusting God in the face
of anguish, and discussions of how divine goodness can conquer all, this is a Christian inspection
highly recommended for any questioning why God allows evil and pain in the world. The audio
version just brings it home all the more powerfully.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Canine Play Behavior
Mechtild Kaufer
Dogwise Publishing
403 South Mission Street, Wenatchee WA 98801
9781617811531, $24.95, www.dogwise.com
Canine Play Behavior - the Science of Dogs at Play offers details on how dogs play and how to
understand the process of play behaviors to keep them safe, and analyzes play characteristics in
all kinds of dogs, from puppies and mixed breeds to those plagued by aggressive behavior
patterns. Photos supplement and enhance the concept of canine play and dog training, while
research examines the progression of object-oriented play in puppies, different forms of play
among dogs, how stress factors affect play, and more. The result is an outstanding survey highly
recommended for any collection strong in pets in general and canines in particular.
The Birds of Pandemonium
Michele Raffin
Algonquin Books
PO Box 2225, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2225
9781616201364, $24.95, www.algonquin.com
The Birds of Pandemonium: Life Among the Exotic & Endangered provides a remarkable look at
the exotic birds that comprise Pandemonium Aviaries, a bird sanctuary that gathers some of the
world's most amazing birds under one roof. Their stories make up a powerful, fun read that
outlines bird personalities, circumstances, and how many disabled creates came to find a home at
Pandemonium. Heart-warming and fun, this is an outstanding choice for any who love birds and
animals, and who have read zoo stories with great affection.
Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America, revised edition
Guy Baldassarre
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421407517, $69.95, www.press.jhu.edu
Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America appears in a revised, updated two-volume edition
and is packed with information and images recommended for a wide range of readers, from
professional biologists and birders to wildlife managers and collections strong in birding. The
first edition was published in 1942: this update covers all the continent's forty-six species,
includes maps of winter and breeding ranges, packs in images by top photographers and the art of
Robert Hines, and more. All has been updated by waterfowl biologist Guy Baldassarre, and
represents a new and definitive version of a classic that should be on the shelves of any even
remotely interested in waterfowl or birding.
Secrets of the Oak Woodlands
Kate Marianchild, author
Ann Meyer Maglinte, illustrator
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145, Berkeley, CA 94709
9781597142625 $18.00 www.heydaybooks.com
Secrets of the Oak Woodlands: Plants & Animals Among California's Oaks lives up to its title as
a user-friendly guidebook to the flora, fauna, and ecology of California's woodlands. Beautiful,
realistic color illustrations are interspersed among descriptive text, thoroughly accessible to
readers of all backgrounds. A wonderful enrichment for hikers and nature lovers, Secrets of the
Oak Woodlands is highly recommended. Also a choice pick is Gordon W. Frankie, et. al.'s
"California Bees & Blooms: A Guide for Gardeners and Naturalists" (9781597142946,
$28.00).
The Science Shelf
Kennewick Man
Douglas W. Owsley & Richard L. Jantz, Editors
Texas A&M University Press
4354 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4354
9781623492007, $75.00, www.tamupress.com
KENNEWICK MAN: THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS OF AN ANCIENT AMERICAN
SKELETON is recommended for college-level science holdings and readers of archaeological
history, and represents a collaboration between physical and forensic anthropologists,
archaeologists, geologists and other disciplines. They join together here to consider forms of
analysis and research on Kennewick Man's origins and relationships, compiling the research and
data under one cover and applying it to the latest technological approaches to historical
reconstruction. The result is for a professional audience interested in Kennewick Man's life and
history, and is a strong recommendation for any college-level anthropology or archaeology
holding.
The Military Shelf
No Victory in Valhalla
Ian Gardner
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
9781472801333, $27.95, www.ospreypublishing.com
No Victory in Valhalla: The Untold Story of Third Battalion 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment
from Bastogne to Berchtesgaden provides military readers with an in-depth survey of events that
took place in 1944, where already-weary paratroopers faced a huge German offensive at the
Battle of the Bulge. The 101st Airborne were deployed to face some of the worst battle
conditions of any war. This book follows a battle-weary battalion called upon time and again to
fight across Europe, and is based on interviews and first-hand accounts. Any collection strong in
World War II history must have this vivid story!
Reconsidering the American Way of War
Antulio J. Echevarria II
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781626160675, $29.95, www.press.georgetown.edu
Reconsidering the American Way of War: US Military Practice from the Revolution to
Afghanistan is a fine military history analysis that deserves a place in any military or security
studies collection, examining how and why this country uses military force to achieve objectives
throughout history. From how different wars were unique in approach or event to the connections
between military practices and politics, this is a 'must' for military and political science readers
alike, considering the truth behind an 'American way of war' that emphases crushing victories
often detrimental to its own strategic objectives.
The Good War
Jack Fairweather
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465044955, $29.99, www.basicbooks.com
The Good War: Why We Couldn't Win the War or the Peace in Afghanistan comes from a
foreign correspondent who provides the first full narrative history of the war in Afghanistan, and
documents the military failures and challenges of operations over the decades. From the war's
roots to its current state, this details how war and peace is built, how opportunities to change
Afghan lives were lost, and how mistakes were made in the course of negotiations, ideals, and
strategies both within the country and within the international community. The result is a
powerful military analysis that deserves a place in any collection serious about U.S. policies,
military history, and Afghanistan's circumstances in particular.
First SEALs
Patrick K. O'Donnell
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780306821721, $25.99, www.dacapopress.com
First SEALs: The Untold Story of the Forging of America's Most Elite Unit describes the
wartime formation of a unit that blended the strengths of the Navy's Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL)
teams, and is a pick for any collection strong in Navy or military history. It considers the
evolution of the Maritime Unit, its work infiltrating Nazi territory and conducting rescue
operations, and how it evolved to include swimmer commandos and spies. Its history is
unparalleled and vivid and traverses the past, present, and possible future of the SEAL units.
The Self-Help Shelf
ItGirl4Life
Tamara Branch
HeartProject Publishing
http://tamarabranch.com/contact-2
9780985964801, $11.95, www.tamarabranch.com
ItGirl4Life: How to Bring Out Your Special Something & So Much More offers easy chapters on
how to build self-confidence, provided in 'bite-sized', digestible formats that even the busiest
person can absorb. Admonitions such as how to dream big and how to practice patience from
dawn to dusk to the seven points of building character are covered in a format that lends to quick
browsing and easy understanding, setting this little book apart from most other self-help titles
that offer too much detail and a depth that injects fear into what should be a relatively simple
process of self-discovery.
Of Course!, new edition
Ian Patrick
O Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781782707173, $18.95, www.o-books.com
Of Course! How Many Light Bulbs Does It Take to Change? provides the author's reflections on
A Course in Miracles and its program, and discusses some of the major life challenges involved
in the course. It appears in a new edition to provide the author's insights and personal reflections
in the course of working with students, it selects passages form over 100 editions of the UK's
Course periodical Miracle Worker, and it provides short essays that reveal how a dedicated
Course student comes to understand the real miracles in life. A powerful, compelling read, this is
a pick for new age and self-help readers alike!
How to Survive Change... You Didn't Ask For
M.J. Ryan
Conari Press
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950-4600
9781573246002, $14.95, www.redwheelweiser.com
How to Survive Change You Didn't Ask For focuses on unwanted changes and how they force
people to reinvent their careers or lives, and is a positive way of viewing turmoil and negative
life experiences. Chapters offer vignettes and tips on how to view challenges as new
opportunities and how to find meaning in chaos and disharmony, blending spiritual with
psychological insights throughout and focusing on how fears and common misperceptions
change worlds. The result is a powerful survey packed with inspirational methods of changing
one's perceptions of adversity.
When Did You Die?
Temple Hayes
Health Communications Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9780757318108, $15.95, www.hcibooks.com
When Did You Die? 8 Steps to Stop Dying Every Day and Start Waking Up provides a program
that can lead to a happier, healthier life, and is addressed to readers who feel spiritually and
emotionally drained. It pairs motivational tools and daily admonitions with spiritual insights,
uses storytelling techniques in chapters that teach how to identify moments of change and move
through common self-limiting fears and responses, and shows how to transform better
self-esteem to the most basic rituals of life, from food choices and eating to obsession with
technology. The result is a powerful self-help survey that should be in any serious self-help
collection.
The Social Issues Shelf
Carbon Shock
Mark Schapiro
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603585576, $26.00, www.chelseagreen.com
Carbon Shock: A Tale of Risk and Calculus on the Front Lines of the Disrupted Global Economy
comes from a journalist who spent many years investigating the economic disruptions caused by
climate change, and considers the heart of questions about carbon and its costs. Chapters don't
stop at science but probe economic and political influences on carbon emissions, using as
examples the cost of drought in increased crop insurance, the effects of foreign polluters in other
countries, and whether Chinese producers or Western consumers should pay for the costs of
pollution in one of the world's biggest manufacturing centers in Guangzhou. The result is a
powerful survey with wide-ranging implications and details for any social or political science
student, and many a general-interest reader.
War Babies
Richard Pells
Cultural History Press
http://authorrichardpells.com/contact-me
9780990669807, $17.99, www.richardpells.com
WAR BABIES: THE GENERATION THAT CHANGED AMERICA considers how a 'lost'
generation succeeded in changing the country, even more than the more-famous Baby Boomer
generation, and it identifies the generation born between 1939 and 1945 as one that hasn't really
'slipped through the cracks' so much as changed them completely. Chapters come from a war
baby who considers his generation and their key contributions to changing the nation's culture
and politics, from civil rights issues to educational reforms. Nearly every facet of society was
affected by these 'war babies', and readers will find here a powerful discussion on their impact
and contributions.
The City is Ours
Bart van der Steen, et.al.
PM Press
PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
9781604866834, $21.95, www.pmpress.org
The City is Ours: Squatting and Autonomous Movements in Europe from the 1970s to the
Present compiles local movement histories of eight different European cities to consider the
region's squatting movements. Each chapter provides one city and pairs a chronological analysis
with photos and illustrations and discussions of events. The writers of these chapters are
politically conscious authors who blend academic research and analysis with vivid writing
documenting history and social views alike, making for a fine compendium of socially conscious
insights.
Common Threads
Sharon Kallis
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865717787, $29.95, www.newsociety.com
Common Threads: Weaving Community Through Collaborative Eco-Art is all about art,
community, and ties that bind, and belongs in any collection concerned about collaborative
community efforts. It discusses creative community projects, whether it be creating a work of art
or utilizing natural materials to build something, and it shows how nature offers materials and
opportunities to connect as a community. Yes, it's about weaving - but to limit its audience to
needleworkers would be a shame. Common Threads is reviewed here for its focus on weaving
and joining more than just disparate threads of connection, and offers chapters that revolve
around how shared projects create shared experience and greater good.
The Gun Shelf
Hands Off My Gun
Dana Loesch
Center Street
c/o Hachette Publishing Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-0010
9781455584345, $26.00, www.centerstreet.com
Hands Off My Gun: Defeating the Plot to Disarm America comes from a talk show host and
Second Amendment supporter who considers what is needed to win the gun control debate in
modern America, and maintains that anti-Second Amendment activists use fear and emotion
from gun incidents to further political agendas and keep minority populations under control. It
debates how tougher gun control policies work in some nations and states, packs in research and
statistics to support her contentions about gun control issues, and covers many issues that both
sides will want to think about, making this a strong pick for social issues and general collections
alike.
The Philosophy Shelf
Homeland and Philosophy
Robert Arp, editor
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812698572, $19.95, www.opencourt.com
Homeland and Philosophy is a pick for philosophy and media collections alike, but shouldn't be
neglected by social issues holdings, either: it considers basics of freedom, terrorism, and deeper
questions about who we really are. Chapters link philosophical thinking to wider questions
involved in security and homeland perceptions, considering the ways the world and human nature
have been shaped by terrorist events. The result is a hard-hitting collection especially
recommended for college-level classroom discussion of either philosophy or social change.
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Everything I Know About Filmmaking I Learned Watching Seven Samurai
Richard D. Pepperman
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
9781615932115, $19.95, www.mpw.com
Everything I Know About Filmmaking I Learned Watching Seven Samurai celebrates the 60th
anniversary of Akira Krosawa's Seven Samurai film by presenting it as a master class example of
how it succeeded in widely influencing generations of filmmakers. This adopts a step-by-step
approach for everything from the moment the music comes into a scene (and the lessons learned
from director choices) to how subplots can offer stark contrasts when properly portrayed, as in
the differences between interior and exterior worlds. It's rare to find a filmmaking book not laden
in generalities: one of the reasons Everything I Know About Filmmaking I Learned Watching
Seven Samurai works so well is its attention to detailed lessons at every point of the filmmaking
process, celebrating not only Seven Samurai but the art of production as a whole!
Last Night at the Viper Room
Gavin Edwards
Dey Street
c/o William Morrow & Company
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062273178, $15.99, www.harpercollins.com
This biography of River Phoenix and his Hollywood image and encounters belongs in both
general biography and film collections and blends biography with a cultural history of the 1990s
and Hollywood. It packs in interviews from actor River Phoenix's friends, directors, and fellow
actors as it follows his achievements, his short life, and his influence on the roles actors play in
the world as a whole. How did River leave such an impact? Last Night at the Viper Room is
especially strong in considering this piece of the overall River Phoenix puzzle.
Hollywood Stunt Performers, 1910s-1970s, second edition
Gene Scott Freese
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
9780786476435, $49.95, www.mcfarlandpub.com
Hollywood Stunt Performers, 1910s-1970s: A Biographical Dictionary appears in its second
updated edition to consider the lives and film contributions of several hundred unheralded stunt
performers who created some of the cinema's greatest action series without credit, and embraces
films from silent comedies and westerns to crime and action productions of modern times. It
offers entries of each stunt performer, to cover their athletic background, screen credits, and
achievements, and is a powerful assembly of little-known figures, essential to any serious film
history buff and collections catering to them.
The News Sorority
Sheila Weller
The Penguin Press
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9781584204272, $29.95, www.penguin.com
The News Sorority: Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric, Christine Amanpour - and the (Ongoing,
Imperfect, Complicated) Triumph of Women in TV News considers how three very different,
gifted female journalists used their talents to penetrate a news environment previously dominated
by men, to become stars of news delivery in their own rights, using their own styles. It uses
insider sources to reveal how each woman achieved this goal, considering their ambitions and
sacrifices along the way and blending biography with insider stories of how the media delivery
system works. The result is a 'must' for any collection strong in television broadcast history; a
fine story that is involving and lively.
The Playbill Broadway Yearbook, tenth edition
Robert Viagas, Editor
Applause Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
www.halleonard.com
9781480385467, $39.99, www.applausebooks.com
The Playbill Broadway Yearbook appears in its tenth updated edition and takes the form of a
school yearbook, packed with photos and history from the entire 2013-14 Broadway season. Over
70 Broadway shows are covered, including headshots of all the actors who appeared in Playbill,
photos of writers, designers and other behind-the-scenes workers, and even a map of the Times
Square theater district that includes all the places in the Yearbook. The result is a wealth of
images and information that will serve as a 'must' reference for any Broadway fan.
The Fiction Shelf
Beautiful You
Chuck Palahniuk
Doubleday & Company
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com
9780385538039, $25.95, www.doubleday.com
BEAUTIFUL YOU comes from the author of FIGHT CLUB and tells of one Penny Harrigan, an
associate in a Manhattan law firm who has no love life and a lot of work - until she's invited to
dinner by a rich man who lives successful women. And his hidden talent lies in pleasuring them,
as well - for days. Penny is in heaven - until she discovers she's an unwitting guinea pig for a new
line of sex toys to be marked in a new nationwide chain of boutiques called Beautiful You. And
does this marketing ploy mask a greater intent of world domination? A powerful, changing story
line makes for an engrossing, unpredictable read.
A.D. 30
Ted Dekker
Center Street
c/o Hachette Publishing Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-0010
9781599954189, $25.00, www.centerstreet.com
A.D. 30 is set in Arabia and ancient Palestine and follows a war between kingdoms that rages
around one woman - the outcast daughter of a powerful sheikh. Maviah faces enemies that range
from her own people to strangers, and only escapes with the help of two of her father's warriors -
a fighting man, and a Jew. Their journey across the desert and through a world replete with
uncertain political alliances and spiritual associations will lead them full circle to one man who
holds the power to change everything. The result is a powerful, compelling read highly
recommended for Dekker fans and newcomers alike who want a sweeping epic saga.
Cattle Kate
Jana Bommersbach
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.poisonedpenpress.com
9781464203022, $24.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com
Cattle Kate offers a fictionalization of a dark story in the history of the American West as it
follows the history of one Cattle Kate, the only woman ever lynched as a cattle rustler. Kate's real
name was Ella Watson, she wasn't a rustler, and she was in fact lynched with her husband by
their rich neighbors, who wanted their land and its water rights. This novelization of the story
will reach hearts and minds with a sweeping Western perfect for genre readers and newcomers
alike.
Sentimental Journey
Linda Lauren
Embracing the Universe
1248 Route 22 West, Mountainside, NJ 07092
http://lindalauren.com/sentimental-journey
9780615686141, $7.99, www.amazon.com
Sentimental Journey is an illustrated time-travel romance and is recommended for any fans of
romance or timeslip stories. It tells of the unusual side effects of a new cold remedy that takes its
user back in time by 24-hours (or 48, if one springs for the longer time-release capsule) and it
provides a powerful story of Allison, who in 1992 finds her world changed by her involvements
in different times. The saga is well done and engrossing, and will please any leisure reader
looking for a time travel romance that's just a little different.
The Remedy of Love
Bill Roorbach
Algonquin Books
PO Box 2225, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2225
9781616203313, $24.95, www.algonquin.com
The Remedy of Love is set in Maine and tells of Eric, who finds himself unexpectedly immersed
in a homeless woman's life when he discovers she's squatting in a woods cabin with no electricity
or heat, facing the 'storm of the century'. Unable to walk away from her dilemma, which involves
far more than a single storm, Eric is resigned to help her - but first he must overcome her distrust
and anger. In his efforts to help he finds himself facing the same storm with nearly nothing when
his car is stolen and he can't gain help from the woman he's just saved. The twists and turns and
psychological tension are exquisitely done.
Jumping
Jane Peranteau
Hampton Roads Publishing Company
65 Parker St., Ste. 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.hrpub.com
9781571747198, $16.95, www.redwheelweiser.com
Jumping provides a fine work of fiction that begins with the main character's intention to leap
into the Void, a mysterious chasm that is more than just a suicide cliff. Duncan is the first to
jump - and everyone feels his leap. The Void has always been there - but its powers involve a
leap of faith and as others begin to understand its potential jumping becomes not an act of
desperation, but of faith. The result is a powerful story that should be in any new age reader's
collection and many a fiction reader with affection for Celestine Prophecy and similar
approaches.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Knot Guilty
Betty Hechtman
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780425252970, $25.95, www.penguin.com
Knot Guilty provides a fine crochet-based mystery that adds a new book to the Crochet Mystery
series about Molly Pink and her friends. They are interested in getting people hooked on crochet
at the annual show, but this is the first year the knitting show has allowed crocheters - and when
its organizer is found dead in her hotel suite, suspicion falls upon a member of the crochet group
when a hook is found at the murder scene. Molly's investigation to clear her friend's name results
in some unusual twists of plot in this appealing needlework crime account.
The Shaman and the Mafia
Elizabeth Upton
Twin Star/Santa Barbara Press
9780972272155, $14.99, www.amazon.com
The Shaman and the Mafia presents one Marietta Collins, who finds herself unexpectedly
immersed in two dilemmas: the murder of her close friend, and a torrid love affair. Marietta is a
former nun, head of a youth rehab center, and is trying to reduce community crime when the
brother of an FBI assistant director is killed. As Marietta finds herself attracted to the
investigator, they both find their worlds challenged by events that will ultimately determine their
destinies in a tale that leads from murder to the mafia, a shaman, and more. Not your usual crime
thriller, this will appeal to any who want more than a touch of romance between unusual
protagonists.
The Education Shelf
The Inclusive Toolbox
Jennifer A. Kurth and Megan Gross
Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
9781483344157, $29.00, www.corwin.com
The Inclusive Toolbox: Strategies and Techniques for All Teachers provides powerful tools to
incorporate the ideas and approaches of inclusion in an education program, and is a
recommendation for any who would design and use such practices in their classrooms. The
approach is simple - to design programs that each all students equally - and provides resources
based on real-world strategies and applications. From step-by-step approaches to new programs
to expanding existing inclusion programs and assessing student impact, this is a workbook
packed with resources and techniques teachers will find specific and invaluable.
Grammar Matters
Lynne Dorfman and Diane Dougherty
Stenhouse Publishers
480 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101-3451
9781571109910, $24.00, www.stenhouse.com
Grades K-6 are the focus of this educational text which covers the basics of using mentor texts to
explore grammar, appealing to teachers who want tips on how to teach grammar in everyday
classroom settings. It's divided into four parts - Narrative Writing, Informational Writing,
Opinion Writing, and grammar Conversations - and includes practical teaching tips, assessment
ideas, grammar definitions, and conversations that teach how to create or revise lesson plans to
include the basics of grammar. From the best fiction and nonfiction books that fit into this
approach to appendixes packed with resources on homophones, mentor texts and more, this is a
'must' for any teacher looking to blend basic grammar instruction with Common Core State
Standards and lessons that 'stick'.
The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences, twelfth edition
Marybeth Kravets, MA and Imy F. Wax, MS
Princeton Review
c/o Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780804125574, $29.99, www.princetonreview.com
The twelfth updated edition of The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning
Differences profiles well over three hundred schools with services for students with ADHD or
learning disabilities, and offers in-depth information not only on their educational programs and
how to apply, but what kinds of in-school support systems are available. Chapters range from
advice on how to move into the college environment to how to help students locate the best
college match, with profiles including both colleges that specialize in such services and those
who offer them as an adjunct to their regular programs. The result is a powerful guide that covers
everything from taking the SAT, ACT and other tests to understanding the admissions
process.
Wikipedia U
Thomas Leitch
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421415352, $29.95, www.press.jhu.edu
Wikipedia U: Knowledge, Authority, and Liberal Education in the Digital Age argues that
assumptions critics make about the accuracy and authority of Wikipedia (a crowd-sourced
encyclopedia) are often unfounded. Wikipedia's methods and constant revisions of fact actually
reflect what happens in research circles as sources are authenticated and studies are conducted.
This book considers the nature of knowledge, its authority, and its new challenges in the age of
the internet, and considers its role behind liberal education processes as a whole. The result is a
fine study that should be in any college-level collection.
A Whole New Engineer
David E. Goldberg, Mark Somerville, Catherine Whitney
Threejoy
c/o Big Beacon
PO Box 699, Douglas, MI 49406 USA
9780986080005, $27.95, www.bigbeacon.org
A Whole New Engineer: The Coming Revolution in Engineering Education tells of the small
startup Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Needham, Massachusetts, which aspired to
become a beacon of engineering education everywhere, and a pilot program at the University of
Illinois designed to change their engineering program. Both programs ultimately succeeded - but
their findings on engineering education and how it works offer discoveries certain to change the
future of the discipline. From how engineers educated in narrow constrains work to how
changing 'technologies of trust' can promote better academic changes and education, this isn't just
a survey of engineering educational processes, but a vision of where they can go. The result is a
powerful, unique, and highly-recommended study for any advanced education collection.
How We Learn
Benedict Carey
Random House
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780812993882, $27.00, www.randomhouse.com
How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens is based on the
author's two decades of reporting in cognitive science, and explores what is known about
learning and memory processes today, and how this information and lead to better learning
routines. It considers ideas and concepts about memory, 'spam filters', study rituals, and myths of
testing and distractions, using the latest science to support facts as unusual as how sleeping is
actually important to absorbing information. Chapters provide educators, students, and any
involved in the learning process with specific insights that pair research with new learning
approaches, making this a lively discussion accessible to lay audiences and professionals
alike.
First Steps to Preschool Inclusion
Sarika Gupta, PhD
Brookes Publishing Company
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781598572520, $34.95, www.brookespublishing.com
First Steps to Preschool Inclusion is for any educator interested in the concept of preschool
inclusion but uncertain of the process, and provides a basic introduction on how to launch a
successful inclusive early childhood program. Any involved in early childhood education will
find it packed with details that uses the latest brain-based research on how children learn to
discuss common barriers to inclusion. From translating concept to classroom and assessing a
program's ability to make the leap into inclusion to understanding federal laws, parent and
teacher participation and concerns, and how inclusion works in a program structure, this dispels
myths and offers a focus on realities of inclusive educational processes. A 'must' for any early
childhood educator.
The Music Shelf
The Crisis of Classical Music in America
Robert Freeman
Rowman & Littlefield
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781442233027, $45.00, www.rowman.com
Any involved in music or music education will find fascinating and revealing this survey
revealing how an overabundance of classically-trained musicians in America is causing
employment issues for all. It considers the underlying causes of the dilemma, maintains that
music schools need to include wider education if they are to succeed in changing the poor results
for classically-trained musicians after graduation, and it considers a range of reforms in
education. This could also have been featured in our Education Shelf, but is being reviewed here
because no musician should miss its message.
Rock Star
David R. Shumway
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421313921, $29.95, www.press.jhu.edu
ROCK STAR: THE MAKING OF MUSICAL ICONS FROM ELVIS TO SPRINGSTEEN
provides a fine introduction to the arena of being a rock star, and considers the careers and lasting
impact of seven selected rock stars, from Presley and James Brown to Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and
Springsteen. It considers the evolution of the rock star figure as a cultural icon, it follows movies,
media exposure, and how rock stars replaced movie stars as cultural heroes, and it blends social
and political insights in a coverage that will appeal both to music readers and college-level
audiences who follow social and cultural trends. This makes for a much wider-ranging survey
than your typical music book can offer.
Cold Sweat
Yamma Brown with Robin Gaby Fisher
Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
9781883052850, $24.95, www.chicagoreviewpress.com
COLD SWEAT: MY FATHER JAMES BROWN AND ME comes from the daughter of a global
soul star and tells of how James Brown's complicated musical career created an unusual
childhood that challenged Yamma Brown at every turn. Her insights on celebrities, issues of
domestic violence at home, and family life that eventually leaked into her own abusive marriage
makes for a gripping story that is much more than a celebrity autobiography, but a discussion of
how women follow patterns that ensnare them in dangerous relationships despite their
perceptions that they won't fall into the same trap. Her struggles make for a gripping read; and
while the likely readers of COLD SWEAT will be fans of James Brown, this audience will come
away with truly gripping insights on domestic violence and its aftermath.
Gil Scott-Heron: Pieces of a Man
Marcus Baram
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9781250012784, $26.99, www.stmartins.com
Gil Scott-Heron: Pieces of a Man provides the first in-depth biography of the musician and
combines insights from friends, family and Scott-Heron himself with discussions of the evolution
of counterculture protest music. Scott-Heron struggled with personal demons and addiction -
which eventually killed him in 2011 - but the roots of his musical prowess and political insights
are what fueled his unique brand of social musical commentary. This traces all aspects of his
personality and evolution and links it to his musical achievements, making for a powerful survey
recommended for any popular music history holding.
Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin
David Ritz
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.hachettebookgroup.com
9780316196833, $30.00, www.littlebrown.com
Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin offers a powerful biography of the singer and is a 'must' for
any interested in Franklin's life and times. It uses exclusive interviews with her closest family and
friends and follows the highs and lows of both her life and career, from how she became known
as the Queen of Soul to her personal tragedies. Aretha's personal highs and lows often mirrored
her seesaw career; this book tells why, analyzing her business associations and challenges. The
writing is vivid, the references authoritative, and the music industry insights compelling, making
this a 'must' for any popular music history collection.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Lowball
George R.R. Martin & Melinda M. Snodgrass
Tor
c/o Tor/Forge Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9780765331953, $25.99, www.tor-forge.com
Lowball provides a fine 'Wild Cards' novel and is set in a new universe created by Martin in a
collection edited by Martin and Snodgrass. The Wild Cards series addition features original
fiction by a number of names from Walter John Williams to David D. Levine, and adds to a
series originally created some twenty years ago by Martin and a group of New Mexico authors.
Decades after an alien virus changes mankind, a surviving population in Manhattan struggles
with their new abilities and a changed world. Aces, jokers, and more permeate a powerful
collection of misfits and high-stakes gambles in this compelling universe.
Harry Potter: The Creature Vault
Jody Revenson
Harper Design
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062374233, $45.00, www.harpercollins.com
Harry Potter: The Creature Vault is the first book to focus on the creatures featured in the Harry
Potter films, and is a recommendation for any Potter fan who wants a special focus on these
magical animals. It comes in a purple leatherette binding and is packed with photos of the
creatures, discussions of the concept art, behind-the-scenes shots and more. A 'must' for any who
want a specific focus to add to a growing Potter reference collection.
1636: The Viennese Waltz
Eric Flint, Paul Goodlett & Gorg Huff
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781476736871, $25.00, www.baen.com
1636: The Viennese Waltz adds to the 1636 alternate history series and is especially
recommended for prior fans of the series as it considers a toppling empire, the influence of West
Virginia hillbillies and financiers in the form of teen American girls taking advantage of the Ring
of Fire's opportunities, and a world changed by an uncertain emperor. It's an ongoing clash
between cultures and worlds as two universes collide, and it's a powerful dance between
disparate forces in a novel that injects military sci-fi with a sense of alternate history and timeslip
experience for maximum drama and tension.
The Turning Season
Sharon Shinn
Ace Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9780425261699, $25.95, www.penguin.com
The Turning Season introduces Karadel, a shapeshifter who has no control of what she turns into,
or when. She's built her life as a rural veterinarian but only longs to be normal - until a murder
injects new controversy and angst into her already-turbulent life. Now she's investigating a killer
AND desperately trying to gain control over her shapeshifting abilities. And what evolves is a
story where the things she curses is the thing that may ultimately save her. A powerful story with
satisfying twists and turns evolves.
The Travel Shelf
Best in Travel 2015
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781743603628, $14.99, www.lonelyplanet.com
Lonely Planet's BEST IN TRAVEL 2015 is a 'must' for any independent traveler with wanderlust
who wants a quick digest of the best places to see in the world, and why. Colorful discussions of
what makes each destination a top pick covers little-known areas of the world and places that
have largely been bypassed by the crowds. This isn't to say, however, that they are primitive and
backward - or necessarily entirely unknown. Vienna, for example, is included on one list, along
with Burkina Faso and Argentina. Chapters offer different focuses on atmosphere and rate
countries by different approach, so there's plenty of variety and much to love, whether you're an
armchair traveler or, more likely, a destination-oriented reader looking for tips on where to
go.
Mexico City
Julie Doherty Meade
Moon Handbooks
c/o Avalon Travel
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.roadtripusa.com
9781612388267, $19.99, www.moon.com
MEXICO CITY is presented as a take-along tote perfect for pocket consultation, and comes from
an author who has lived as an expat in Mexico City. Her insider's perspective lends to a more
complete coverage than most as she explores both the usual tourist areas and parts of the city
accessible to tourists, from neighborhoods and nightlife to day trips around the city. Color photos
and highlighted pages of destination-oriented information pack a travel guide filled with colorful
options and candid assessments, all presented in a form that travelers will find accessible for
quick consultation.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Herbal Antivirals
Stephen Harrod Buhner
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781612121604, $24.95, www.storey.com
Herbal Antivirals discusses the basics of using herbs to fight viruses, even those which are
mutating and becoming resistant to antiviral pharmaceuticals, and discusses the plants that have
proven most effective in fighting viral infections in particular. This doesn't just identify plants: it
provides detailed directions on how to prepare them and formulas for success, showing how
herbs may be used to boost immunity and fight viruses. These specific instructions make for a
powerful survey that's a 'must' for any alternative health and healing collection.
200 Surefire Ways to Eat Well & Feel Better
Dr. Judith Rodriguez
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9781592336531, $19.99, www.fairwindspress.com
200 Surefire Ways to Eat Well & Feel Better provides a book that eschews the usual diet in favor
of promoting healthy choices in eating and lifestyle changes, and is written by a registered
dietician and nutritionist who works with a team of professionals to focus on the small steps that
lead to greater changes. From secrets on how to cut calories and stay in shape to meal planning
techniques and handling restaurants, this is packed with a wealth of health ideas centered around
adjusting food and lifestyle choices.
Prescribing Scenarios at a Glance
Emma Baker, et.al.
Wiley Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
9781118570869, www.wiley/com/go/medicine
Prescribing Scenarios at a Glance comes backed by the power of website, key code, and
references that create a resource allowing med students and junior doctors to safely prescribe
while learning. It compiles fifty acute and on-call scenarios in a hospital setting that link to
issuing a prescription, reviewing therapy and understanding drug interactions, it uses case
scenarios and mock drug charts to teach the basics of prescribing, and is a powerful companion
to building these skills. With its in-depth coverage, this is a 'must' for any medical student.
Emergency Medical Responder, fifth edition
Andrew N. Pollak, MD, FAAOS
Jones & Bartlett Learning
5 Wall Street, Burlington, MA 01803
9781449693008, $115.95, www.jblearning.com
Emergency Medical Responder: Your First Response in Emergency Care is based on the new
National EMDS Education Standards and is a 'must' for any who would take EMR training. It
covers all kinds of scenarios and provides a foundation in the basics with reinforcing lessons and
exercises to assure the process of medical and trauma treatment are understood as they apply in
the field. Each chapter includes four independent case studies that let students test their
knowledge, while online support systems help students prepare for the test and absorb these
basics. The result will undoubtedly be a go-to text for any student involved in emergency training
courses.
The Autism Shelf
Shorts
Tessie Regan
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849057615, $15.95, www.jkp.com
Shorts provides a collection of short stories, poems, and illustrations - so why isn't it in our
Literary Shelf section? Simple: because it's all about observations capturing the emotions of
Aspergers, alcohol addiction, and mental conditions and it's devoted to stories about Asperger
and God alike. This collection is easy to digest, easy on the eye, and easy on the heart. It's a
powerful way of absorbing the Aspergers experience and thus is a pick for any health
collection.
The Autism Spectrum, Sexuality and the Law
Tony Attwood, et.al.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849059190, $29.95, www.jkp.com
The Autism Spectrum, Sexuality and the Law: What Every Parent and Professional Needs to
Know deserves ongoing recommendation as a 'must' reference for any interested in the issues
surrounding ASD disorders and sexuality issues, and considers everything from how sexual
development differs in ASD individuals to legal ramifications and various issues. Legal case
histories accompany discussions of parents and others involved in ASD court confrontations,
making for a vivid set of examples recommended for any interested in ASD issues and social
systems.
The American History Shelf
Star-Spangled Banner
Marc Ferris
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421415185, $24.95, www.press.jhu.edu
Star-Spangled Banner covers the national anthem of the U.S. and gathers all the facts about its
history, from why Congress made it the national anthem over a century after Francis Scott Key
wrote it to how the song evolved, formed connections to American history, myth and culture, and
how rituals surrounding the song - such as removing one's hat - evolved. With its in-depth details
not only about the making of the song but its incorporation into American history and lives, this
is a powerful pick for any interested in American or musical history.
Kalamazoo Gals
John Thomas
American History Press
404 Locust Street, Staunton, Virginia, 24401-3353
9780983082781, $21.95, www.Americanhistorypress.com
Kalamazoo Gals: A Story of Extraordinary Women & Gibson's "Banner" Guitars of WWII is
recommended reading for a range of collections, from women's history and music to World War
II and American history. It begins with a photo of a large group of women in front of the Gibson
Guitar factory in the mid-1940s - a puzzling mystery that led author John Thomas to find out
what he could about Gibson's all-female workforce and a story that began in 1942 and ended at
the close of 1945. The author's journey to uncover facts about Orville Gibson and his work
introduced him to the bigger picture of the women of Kalamazoo and their experiences from the
Depression to the War. The result is a powerful saga that is packed with historical links and rare
glimpses of a guitar maker and a war, and a group of women whose jobs changed lives.
Embattled Rebel
James M. McPherson
The Penguin Press
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9781593204975, $32.95, www.penguin.com
Embattled Rebel: Jefferson Davis as Commander in Chief argues that in order to understand the
Civil War, Davis must be analyzed as a military leader and the president of an aspiring
Confederate nation. The author argues that Davis shaped the policies of the Confederacy in the
course of shaping early military strategy and was a committed leader to the cause who actually -
contrary to popular analysis - was not responsible for losing the war. His influence on the
purposes, contentions and process of the Confederate mindset was critical to events that
ultimately shaped America. The result is a survey that goes beyond the usual focus on Davis'
failures to consider his revolutionary approaches to military strategy and change: a powerful
survey highly recommended for military and American history collections alike!
Healy's West: The Life and Times of John J. Healy
Gordon E. Tolton
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
9780878426348, $20.00, www.mountain-press.com
Healy's West: The Life and Times of John J. Healy offers the most complete biography of late
1800s Western figure Healy to appear in print, and is a 'must' for Western U.S. history
collections. Healy's colorful life helped influence frontier events: he traded with Indians, was
involved in frontier politics, hunted down rustlers, and met governments, Native Americans and
contemporaries with equal daring. He was controversial, he led a wild and adventurous life, and
his stories read like fiction but are backed with much historical research, making Healy's West a
recommendation for any collection strong in American history.
The World History Shelf
Medieval People
Michael Prestwich
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500252031, $40.00, www.thamesandhudson.com
MEDIEVAL PEOPLE; VIVID LIVES IN A DISTANT LANDSCAPE is a recommendation for
college-level readers of Medieval history and uses the biographies of some of the most powerful
personalities of the times to bring to life not just seventy selected individuals across Europe and
the Middle East, but the world in which they lived. From scholars and artists to monarchs and
travelers, all come together in a book that depicts how worlds rose and fall, how cultures were
challenged to change, and how they viewed their world. Plenty of history books have covered
Medieval times; few assume the intimacy and insights of MEDIEVAL PEOPLE, which is a
tribute to its unique approach and presentation.
The Sports Shelf
Delavier's Women's Strength Training Anatomy Workouts
Frederic Delavier and Michael Gundill
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9781450466035, $19.95, www.humankinetics.com
Delavier's Women's Strength Training Anatomy Workouts provides women with an illustrated
guide to toning, shaping, and workouts, and is a collection pairing exercises with anatomy
specific to women's strength training objectives. Nearly three hundred color illustrations allow
'inside views' of over 150 exercises and variations, accompanying programs presented for
specific goals. The step-by-step directions and supporting anatomical illustration assures that
these strength training guidelines will be thoroughly understood.
The Martial Arts Shelf
Tai Chi Chin Na: The Seizing Art of Tai Chi Chuan
Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
9781594393075, $26.95, www.ymaa.com
Tai Chi Chin Na: The Seizing Art of Tai Chi Chuan provides a newly revised book directed to
students who want to move into chin na training - one of the four categories required in a
traditional martial art practice. Chin na techniques have been taught since the beginning of
Chinese martial arts: this book provides a practical approach to learning the discipline quickly,
offering some 900 photos and illustrations accompanied by motion arrows and discussions of
both general and specific concepts. The result is a solid pick for any martial arts collection.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Kingdom Conspiracy
Scot McKnight
Brazos Press
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9781587433603, $21.99, www.brazospress.com
Kingdom Conspiracy: Returning to the Radical Mission of the Local Church considers the
concept of "kingdom" as a biblical term misunderstood by Christians, and considers a different
and radical vision for the role of the local church in realizing the kingdom of God. It provides an
inspirational vision of the church and its purposes, criticizes those who have misused the term
'kingdom' and failed to equate it to social action, and offers a Christian perspective on the nature
of Kingdom and its arguments. The result is a powerful survey highly recommended for any who
would understand the nature and purpose of Kingdom in the biblical and social sense.
Compassion Without Compromise
Adam T. Barr and Ron Citlau
Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55438
9780764212406, $12.99, www.bethanyhouse.com
Any Christian who wants a good, solid discussion of homosexuality and Biblical interpretations
and insights will find this solid survey comes from two pastors who consider how to think about
and discuss this issue. It tells of author Ron's journey from same-sex attraction to spiritual insight
and the subtitle says it all: 'How the Gospel Frees Us to Love our Gay Friends Without Losing
the Truth'. Books that offer compromise on this subject are always appealing and too few and far
between, making this a winner.
Against the Gods
John D. Currio
Crossway Books
1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
9781433531835, $17.99, www.crossway.org
Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament is a 'must' for any Old
Testament scholar and provides a succinct yet solid examination of how Old Testament writers
used ideas from other sources. It comes from a scholar and archaeologist who discusses
controversial topics pertaining to biblical text and other Near Eastern documents, and it cites
historic events based on archaeological evidence and early theological writings. Any collection
strong in theological discussions will find this a solid reference!
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Harness Astrology's Bad Boy
Hazen Dixon-Cooper and Bridgett Walther
Beyond Words/Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781582704555, $16.00, www.beyondwords.com
Harness Astrology's Bad Boy tells of Pluto and how vast changes were caused the last time Pluto
and Capricorn tangled, which was when the revolutionary war hit America. Astrologers
Dixon-Cooper and Walther here consider the history of Pluto's power and how to use it to change
life, and provides a powerful survey narrowly focused on the Pluto-Capricorn dilemma. Chapters
provide a fine read as they consider not just astrological concepts, but how to use them to
personal advantage.
The Children of Now... Evolution
Meg Blackburn Losey, PhD
Weiser Publishers
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Avenue, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9781578635658, $16.95, www.redwheelweiser.com
The Children of Now... Evolution: How We can Support the Fast-Forward Evolution of Our
Children and All of Humanity considers the children born into this world with exceptional gifts,
first introduced as the Indigo Children and, after generations, as Crystalline children or star
children. This followup to her The Children of Now presents Meg Losey's ongoing examination
of these children and their evolutionary process, and links their development to autism, ADD,
and more. It considers everything from vaccine dangers and food contaminants to our species as
a whole is failing these special children, and it considers how the kids are changing society for
the good. New age collections will find this a thought provoking read, especially recommended
for prior readers already familiar with Losey's ideas.
Living Beyond the Five Senses
Teresa L. DeCicco, PhD
Divine Arts Media
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
9781611250312, $16.95, www.divineartsmedia.com
Living Beyond the Five Senses: The Emergence of a Spiritual Being offers a handbook and guide
to the next evolutionary phase of human development, and examines how major changes portend
the first signs of this transition. It comes from a spiritual psychologist and expert in the field of
dreams, and it considers spiritual modifications, the intolerance of negative thoughts and
feelings, making connections between physical and spiritual fluctuations, and more. Any
interested in changing psychological and spiritual worlds will find this an absorbing study.
Voices of the Sacred Feminine
Rev. Dr. Karen Tate, Editor
Change Makers Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781782795100, $24.95, www.changemakers-books.com
Voices of the Sacred Feminine: Conversations to Re-Shape Our World raises questions about the
Sacred Feminine's role as deity and ideal, and stems from the author's internet radio show which
considers the basics of sacred feminine theology and visions and its role in reshaping the world.
Contributors to this discussion range from Noam Chomsky and Matthew Fox to Shinoda Bolen
and Starhawk - well known names in spiritual and contemporary philosophical circles alike - and
provide an intriguing discourse on the images of God and the sacred feminine. The result is a
survey that belongs in new age and women's history holdings alike.
Freedom and Resolve
Gangaji
Hampton Roads Publishing Company
65 Parker St., Ste. 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.hrpub.com
9781571747211, $14.95, www.redwheelweiser.com
Freedom and Resolve: Finding Your True Home in the Universe promotes no particular religion
or philosophy, and new age readers won't find anything about rituals here. But, it is an alternative
spiritual reflection that invites the reader to question one's self and place in the universe - and it
offers a series of admonitions and exercises to encourage the process of 'waking up'. Chapters
consider how the mind holds on and how it resists, the real sources of confusing and getting lost,
and how to understand one's separateness and overcome fear. The result is a powerful yet simple
discourse that encourages readers to a path of quiet contemplation, self-analysis, and
change.
The Complete Lenormand Oracle Handbook
Caitlin Matthews
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781620553251, $19.95, www.innertraditions.com
The Complete Lenormand Oracle Handbook: Reading the Language and Symbols of the Cards
has been updated for modern times and includes a complete guide to Lenormand card reading
and the multiple meanings for each card. From how to lay spreads from the easiest to those which
eventually use all 36 cards to how cards in combination can change meanings, this teaches the
basics of the Lenormand card keywords and interpretation methods, and offers card readers
practice exercises, tests, and more. Any using these cards will find this a complete key to
understanding.
The Art Shelf
Knowledge is Beautiful
David McCancless
Harper Design
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062188229, $30.00, www.harpercollins.com
Knowledge is Beautiful provides a fine visual collection of nearly two hundred infogaphics and
visualizations, taking information and using it to create visually appealing displays of
information which skirt the border of art and data. Computer users and graphic artists will be just
a few of the likely followers of this book, which focuses on visualized data and provides full
pages of colorful examples of everything from a graphic of 'Superpower Showdown' between
China, EU, India and the USA to one portraying the top 500 passwords in visual format. The
result is a powerful survey packed with detailed visuals perfect for any interested in how data is
visually represented and reinforced.
Arts & Crafts
Judith Miller
Millers/Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781845339432, $39.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com
ARTS & CRAFTS: LIVING WITH THE ARTS & CRAFTS STYLE explores a powerful design
movement that began in the late 19th century and continues to this day, and comes from one of
the best-known names in antiques to display some 1,000 high-quality photos on the arts and
crafts style and its evolution. Don't expect this to focus on interior design alone: this includes
furniture, jewelry, textiles, books and more, along with profiles of key designers of the
movement, a pictorial design directory, collector information such as prices, and much more. The
result is an outstanding survey recommended for arts and collectors alike.
Strokes of Genius 6
Rachel Rubin Wolf
North Light Books
c/o F+W Media
700 East State Street, Iola WI 54945
9781440330391, $35.00, www.artistsnetwork.com
Strokes of Genius 6: The Best of Drawing covers value, lights and darks and is a recommended
far beyond the usual 'how to draw' crafts collection. It appears in an oversized presentation and
explores the nature and appearance of value in drawing efforts, using numerous full-page,
oversized examples from art to display the points where light and value can build complexity.
Some 144 drawings from over a hundred artists are rendered in charcoal, pencil, pastel and pen
and ink and represent a wide range of styles, while comments from the artists offer insights on
the process which are not easily uncovered elsewhere. The result is an outstanding survey
whether or not the reader's a practicing artist, offering insights on the process of handling values
in color and black and white alike.
The Genealogy Shelf
The Surnames of Wales
John & Sheila Rowlands
Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260, Baltimore, MD 21211
9780806319971, $39.95, www.genealogical.com
The updated, expanded version of THE SURNAMES OF WALES provides historians with a
powerful revision of a 1996 classic, which has been considered an indispensable guide to the
field. It uses evidence taken from a survey involving over 270,000 surnames found in parish
records throughout Wales, and has been extended to cover given names. The result is a powerful
key to conducting family research that packs in maps, history, and insights on how family names
were formed. Highly recommended for any interested in Welsh history and culture in general and
surnames in particular!
The Needlecraft Shelf
Red, White & Quilted
Linda Baxter Lasco
AQS Publishing
c/o American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
978160601688, $22.95, www.americanquilter.com
Red, White & Quilted takes a private collection of antique red-and-white quilts, creates 12
traditional patterns based on these quilts, and uses modern quiltmaking techniques in the process
of exploring how traditional patterns can translate to contemporary new fresh images. Complete
instructions are provided with each pattern, while projects range from full quilts to wall
hangings. Whatever the desire, there's a wealth of quilting ideas here that makes this a top pick
for needleworkers looking for new inspiration from old designs.
Vintage Vibe
Amber Johnson
Martingale
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604684117, $24.99, www.shopmartingale.com
Vintage Vibe: Traditional Quilts, Fresh Fabrics comes from a quilt designer and blogger who
provides vintage projects that blend in touches of the modern. Some fourteen patterns incorporate
ideas for fabrics, quilting designs, applique approaches and more, showing how to mix the best
of both worlds. There are large and small color photos and illustrations of the entire process for
each quilt, there are at-a-glance materials lists and cutting reviews accessible to all levels of
quilter, and most of all, there's attention to discussion elements of traditional and modern quilting
styles which will delight any seeking to produce a memorable quilt.
The Crafts Shelf
The Art of Mistakes
Melanie Rothschild
North Light Books
c/o F+W Media
700 East State Street, Iola WI 54945
9781440311710, $24.99, www.northlightshop.com
The Art of Mistakes: Unexpected Painting Techniques & the Practice of Creative Thinking links
artistic and crafts endeavors with insights into brain power, and comes from a self-taught artist
who decided to take a standard art class, and was amazed at the difference between traditional
instruction and her own independent artistic efforts. Her book blends anecdotes with exercises
and quotes about painting and self-taught merits, and provides a fine guide that includes 16
painting techniques and their link to creative thinking processes. The result is a recommendation
for any artist who wants insights on how independent learning works.
The Handmade Skateboard
Matt Berger
Spring House Press
9781940611068, $24.95, www.springhousepress.com
The Handmade Skateboard: Design & Build a Custom Longboard, Cruiser, or Street Deck from
Scratch is a fun, unique pick for any woodworker who holds an affection for skateboards, and
offers up a definitive book that incorporates not just construction methods, but tips on its history
and design. Step-by-step directions for building five skateboards make this a pick for crafts
collections, but its in-depth history and profiles of top contemporary skateboard makers also
makes this a recommendation for any sports collection. Black and white drawings, color photos,
and an inviting format make this a winning addition to any woodworker's library.
The Biography Shelf
American Titan
Marc Eliot
Dey Street
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062269003, $28.99, www.harpercollins.com
AMERICAN TITAN: SEARCHING FOR JOHN WAYNE analyzes the life and achievements of
one of the most popular - and misunderstood - movie icons in history, and offers a unique
revisionist view of Wayne's complicated persona and achievements. It's published to coincide
with the 75th anniversary of Stagecoach in 1939, Wayne's first famous film, and examines his
works and how the films reflected his life and beliefs. Any who would better understand John
Wayne's roots and purposes will find this a powerful film-by-film analysis of his career and many
achievements.
My Best Friend's Funeral: A Memoir
Roger Thompson
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
9781400206131, $16.99, www.thomasnelson.com
My Best Friend's Funeral: A Memoir is a story of a lifelong friendship begin between teens and
ended early, twenty years later, when the author found himself writing an eulogy for his friend's
funeral which turned into the impetus for this book, and it's a pick for any reader of memoirs
celebrating friendships. It's about the development of faith, the premature death of a best friend
and business partner, and 1980s California culture, all bound up in a celebration of time, place,
and people. It's replete with poignant moments, humorous observations, and fine writing that
brings the entire package to life, and it's a standout among memoirs, promising a gentle,
evocative experience to any who would partake.
Hope: Entertainer of the Century
Richard Zoglin
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
97814139140277, $30.00, www.simonandschuster.com
Hope: Entertainer of the Century provides a fine biography of Bib Hope and can easily be
considered a definitive survey that includes not only the usual biographical materials on his life,
but insights into how his beliefs and approach to life changed worlds as well as his career. His
success wasn't limited to one area: he conquered every major mass-entertainment medium of his
times, from radio and TV to live stage and even vaudeville. So, it's surprising to note that this is
the first biography to consider the extent of his achievements, packing under one cover a history
of how Hope's business and entertainment talents worked. From private to public life, this
extensive coverage was produced with the cooperation of the Hope family who gave him access
to all of his papers, and through interviews with nearly all still alive who ever worked with Hope.
It's easy to see why this has already been labeled as 'definitive'.
The Fast Times of Albert Champion
Peter Joffre Nye
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616149642, $26.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
The Fast Times of Albert Champion: From Record-Setting Racer to Dashing Tycoon, An Untold
Story of Speed, Success, and Betrayal is about American business, the founding of ACDelco and
Champion Spark Plug by Albert Champion, and how a man rose from poverty in Paris to fame
and wealth both in France and in the U.S. It's a unique survey that discusses the course of his
achievements, from how he invested prize money to how his win in the French national cycling
championship led to wealth and business savvy. Chapters survey his marketing approaches, his
world, and how his love affairs finally resulted in his mysterious death, and almost read like a
novel in their variety and inclusion of intrigue and mystique. Any interested in business
biographies in general and Champion's achievements in particular will find this a vivid read.
The Cookbook Shelf
Tastosterone
Debra Levy Picard
Tastosterone
http://www.tastosterone.com/contact
978061572465, $39.95, www.tastosterone.com
Tastosterone: The Best Cookbook for Men is for male tastes and kitchen skills, and pairs some
100 easy recipes with discussions of kitchen tools, techniques, and how to make delicious dishes.
Men of all ages learn the basics of cooking not just ordinary daily fare, but meals that are
eye-catching and stomach-pleasing, and which look more complicated and classy than they are.
Color photos by Stephan Lowy offer full-page photos of finished dishes and accompany a
non-cook, male-friendly layout that places the ingredients and shopping lists on highlighted
sidebars in good-sized print and the easy recipe on a single page. The inclusion of large-size print
for easy kitchen handling should also be noted; something lacking in too many culinary books
directed to novices. From Florida Stone Crabs to Bruschetta toppings for meats or breads, this is
filled with enticing dishes classy enough for entertaining and simple enough for the non-cooking
male to easily navigate. It should be noted that "Tastosterone" is also available in a Kindle
edition ($14.99).
Seriously Delish
Jessica Merchant
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
9780544176492, $29.99, www.houghtonmifflin.com
Seriously Delish comes from the creator of the popular food blog How Sweet Eats and adopts an
unusual approach to the world of food: switching meal concepts around, turning tradition on end,
and providing recipes that encourage regular meals and innovation alike. Thus, you won't find the
usual omelets and eggs in her breakfast section (necessarily), but recipes that include ingredients
which are hearty and accessible breakfast fare, such as Baked Breakfast Risotto and Breakfast
Cookies. It may also sound complicated, but it's not: Merchant attends to meals that take comfort
food and give it a simple twist, so while the recipes sound detailed, they're actually very
accessible - especially when paired with color photos. The result is a fine survey of unusual fare
recommended for its appeal factor as much as its nutrition.
Blue Chair Cooks with Jam & Marmalade
Rachel Saunders
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449427627, $45.00, www.andrewsmcmeel.com
Blue Chair Cooks with Jam & Marmalade packs in well over a hundred recipes that doesn't just
feature homemade jams, but uses them in a variety of dishes from omelets to meat and vegetables
- and that's a satisfying difference, given how many jam and jelly cookbooks permeate the market
that focus on making the product rather than using it. It shows how to blend jams into recipes
savory and sweet, how to cook with them, and offers a range of dishes from soups to main
courses, desserts, and even drinks. The result vastly expands the possibilities for making and
using jams and should be on the shelves of any jam or jelly maker as the 'second step' to such
production.
Comfort Food Cookbook
Karen K. Will, Editor
Voyageur Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9780760345788, $24.99, www.voyageurpress.com
Comfort Food Cookbook: 230 Recipes for Bringing Classic Good Food to the Table comes from
the revered GRIT Magazine and its editor and blends personal stories with over two hundred
tested recipes that bring traditional comfort food up to modern nutritional standards without
sacrificing the flavors that billed it as 'comfort' in the first place. Favorite recipes are
accompanied by guides for measuring, storing and entertaining and include some unique
variations on a theme, from Oven-Fried Honey Chicken to Cheesy New Potatoes with Bacon and
a Skillet Peach Cobbler. It's traditional food resurrected for modern cooks, it's fast, and it's tested:
what's not to like?
Collecting Culinaria
Caroline Lieffers & Merrill Distad
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
9781551953243, $39.95, www.uap.ualberta.ca
Collecting Culinaria: Cookbooks and Domestic Manuals Mainly from the Linda Miron Distad
Collection offers a wealth of images and history from the collection which ranges from
manuscript images to cookbooks centered on food and health to early compilers such as Isabella
Beeton whose tips and recipes became household standards, and The Cook Not Mad, which
became the first English cookbook to be published in Canada in 1830. This magnificent
cookbook history is a top pick for any culinary reference holding, offer plenty of visual interest
and supplementing illustrations with history that will juxtapose nicely with any broader
coverage.
Magic in a Shaker
Marvin J. Allen
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
9781455619894, $22.95, www.pelicanpub.com
Magic in a Shaker: A Year of Spirited Libations pairs lovely color photos by Ann Benoit with the
story of a longtime bartender at New Orleans' Carousel Bar, and pairs recipes with history that
lends an extra dash of flavor to a spicy New Orleans account. Cocktail fans will relish the
specifics on how to create warm rum cocktails, martinis, and special cocktails, while any with an
overall interest in either New Orleans or bartending will welcome a saga filled with history as
well.
Fermented Vegetables
Kristen K. Shockey & Christopher Shockey
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781612124254, $24.95, www.storey.com
Lacto-fermentation is a classic preserving method that is involved in making sourkraut, pickles,
and various fermented condiments - but this offers insights on how to ferment over sixty
vegetables, herbs, and some fruits, and accompanies these techniques with recipes for using the
fermented products. Chutneys, relishes, pickles and krauts can be made in a crock or a pickle jar
using a minimum of specialty ingredients. It's surprisingly easy to produce these fermented
products, and their health benefits are significant. While some other cookbooks focus on
pickle-making, none offer the depth of this survey of fermented products and their use, making
this a top pick for any interested in making and working with such products.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
The Great Grammar Book
Marsha Sramek
Arch Press LLC
27 Innsbrook Road, Asheville, NC 28804 USA
9780984115725, $24.95, www.thegreatgrammarbook.com
The Great Grammar Book is a top recommendation over other grammar books for several
reasons: its format is nicely arranged and logical, grammatical rules are reinforced by over 2,000
sentences in over a hundred practice sessions, and the entire layout and presentation are designed
to be entertaining as well as education - which means that information is more likely to be
retained. It presents a detailed diagnostic test to identify the user's particular grammar problem
areas, it explains only what's needed and avoids flooding readers with too much technical
information, and it reinforces concepts with writing exercises designed to improve one's
sentences. The result is a powerful and highly recommended pick for any seeking to improve
their writing.
The Literary Studies Shelf
A Little Tour Through European Poetry
John Taylor
Transaction Publishers
10 Corporate Place South, Piscataway, NJ 08854
9781412854832, $34.95, www.transactionpub.com
A Little Tour Through European Poetry offers college-level literary readers a sequel to Taylor's
previous volume Into the Heart of European Poetry, and expands the theme to include more poets
and discussions of the author's personal experience and travels as he surveys the origins of their
works. Poetry of the Czech Republic, Denmark, Lithuania, Rumania and other countries were
missing from the first discussion and are included here, with chapters enhanced by the author's
own ability to read many languages fluently. The result is a fine survey highly recommended for
any pursuing European poetry's roots.
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins, third edition
Scott Schechter and Jeff Garrett
Whitman Publishing
4001 Helton Drive, Florence, Alabama, 35630
9780794842352, $29.95, www.whitman.com
This third updated edition of a lovely illustrated coin book is a top recommendation for any
interested in collecting, and gathers some one hundred coins ranked by the authors and leading
coin dealers and researchers as being among the top coins on the market, and is a pick for any
collector who wants high-quality images of seldom-seen rare issues and pieces. It doesn't include
illegal coins, but it does include coins that are scarce or which saw poor distribution. With its
oversized presentation, full-page, large-size close-up images, and lovely presentation, this is a
fine guide for any collector interested in learning more about market rarities.
The Photography Shelf
Group f.64
Mary Street Alinder
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781620455550, $35.00, www.bloomsbury.com
Group f.64: Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, and the Community of Artists
Who Revolutionized American Photography ells of a group of artists first identified in a 1932
exhibition who joined together bonded by art and their shared philosophies, and together
produced works that challenged the dominant style of Pictorialism of the time. The members
believed photography should be defined as its own art through its own strengths: the f.64
movement was revolutionary thinking in 1932, and even today is influencing modern
photography, and this book captures its origins, sentiments, and beliefs in a 'must' for any
collection strong in photography history.
Underwater Photography
Tobias Friedrich
Rocky Nook
802 East Cota Street, 3rd Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
9781937538521, $39.95, www.rockynook.com
Underwater Photography is a specific recommendation for any relatively new to the idea, who
would choose the right equipment and approach a range of methods for capturing and editing
underwater images. It teaches the basics of how to create amazing underwater images and how to
process them, using case studies and color examples throughout from the author's own images
and approaches. Accompanying the technical photo discussion are images from driving spots
around the world, and tips that can apply to beginning and intermediate underwater
photographers alike. Pair gorgeous close-ups and surprising images with exact specifics on how
they were achieved and you have a winner for divers, photographers, and general-interest sea
world enthusiasts alike.
Lighting & Design for Portrait Photography
Neil van Niekerk
Amherst Media, Inc.
175 Rano Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14207-2176
9781608958153, $34.95, www.AmherstMedia.com
Lighting & Design for Portrait Photography: Direction & Quality of Light offers basic
approaches to lighting with a 'foolproof' focus that shows how to mix different lighting
techniques for optimum results. It provides some sixty unique portrait situations, provides
step-by-step coverage exploring the process of handling lighting challenges, and it teaches how
to use both ambient and artificial light modifiers for best results given not only lighting
conditions, but subjects. With its insights on various forms of lighting and portraiture, this is
perfect for photographers who are just venturing into the area of controlled lighting.
The Business Shelf
The B Corp Handbook
Ryan Honeyman
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
1333 Broadway, Suite 1000, Oakland CA, 94612
9781626560437, $22.95, www.bkconnection.com
The B Corp Handbook: How to Use Business as a Force for Good should be on the shelves of
any serious business book collection, and provides a fine guide outlining best practices and
approaches of over 100 B Corporations, and comes from a B Corp owner who shows that
business interests and positive social influences need not be at odds with one another. Chapters
tell how to create a B Corp business, how to manage it, and how to join others in countries
around the world. From branding to social improvements that begin at the corporate level and
work out into society, this is a solid reference highly recommended for any who would form such
an entity and use it to best advantage.
The Political Science Shelf
The Real Benghazi Story
Aaron Klein
WND Books
2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW, #351, Washington, DC 20006
9781936488865, $24.95, www.wnd.com
The REAL Benghazi Story: What the White House and Hillary Don't Want You to Know is
written as a political expose designed to expose issues relating to the September 11 attack that
have been buried, and comes from an investigative journalist who considers such questions as
what the U.S. was doing in Benghazi, Lybia, in 2012, why the military was ordered not to
intervene in affairs, and more. The events in Benghazi laid the foundation for 9/11: this expose
points out questions and considers answers that draw new connections and come from a veteran
journalist's pen. Any interested in political affairs and influences will find this an intriguing
story.
The California Shelf
Best of the California Coast
Ken McKowen & Dahlynn McKowen
Publishing Syndicate
www.PublishingSyndicate.com
9780982465424, $21.95, www.amazon.com
California has more than 1,100 miles of coastline. The collaborative work of Ken and Dahlynn
McKowen, "Best of the California Coast" is a 374 page compendium comprised of lively and
easy-to-understand descriptions of California's diverse natural and cultural history, plus firsthand
insider information about local, regional, state, and national parks, great museums, historic ships,
and more! An ideal planning guide for a short hike, a bird-watching adventure, encounters with
elephant seals, a camping trip, or an extended vacation along California's 1,100-mile coastline,
this thoroughly 'user friendly' and detailed reference will quickly lead the reader to the best of the
best of what California's coast line has to offer from towering redwoods and migrating gray
whales to world-class museums, to fascinating historic sites and great surfing beaches. Enhanced
with an informative overview of California's tumultuous history, from Native Americans and
Spanish missionaries to Russian trappers and the early Americans, "Best of the California Coast"
also includes a look at the state's fascinating natural history from earthquakes and tsunamis to
ancient forests and migrating birds. Featuring detailed descriptions of more than 300 primary
destinations and 500 short descriptions of more special places to explore, and illustrated with
more than 300 photographs and drawings, "Best of the California Coast" is also a primary source
for contact and website information for hundreds of parks, museums, and more! If you are
planning to take a trip along California's diverse coastline, then beginning planning your itinerary
with a copy of Ken and Dahlynn McKowen's "Best of the California Coast"!
Pacific Ocean Park
Christopher Merritt & Domenic Priore
Process Media
1240 West Sims Way, #124, Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.processmedia.com
9781934170526, $34.95, 264pp, www.amazon.com
Pacific Ocean Park (or as it was commonly known in Los Angeles from the '50s through the '70s,
P.O.P) was extraordinary in both its glamorous rise and spectacular fall. As a family-oriented
attraction in the '50s with modernist-styled rides designed by Hollywood's best, P.O.P.'s
attendance briefly surpassed that of Disneyland. Christopher Merritt and Domenic Priore's
spectacular history includes hundreds of images, most of them unseen elsewhere, including
original ride designs and illustrations, including Tiki-rich, space age, and nautical rides. P.O.P.
was often widely seen in movies and television shows throughout the '60s. Its Cheetah
auditorium hosted important early rock shows, including those by Ritchie Valens, The Doors,
and Pink Floyd. P.O.P. was located at the dividing line between Santa Monica and Venice, the
only spot during Prohibition-era Los Angeles where residents were allowed to dance and consort
in a carnival-like atmosphere. "Pacific Ocean Park: The Rise and Fall of Los Angeles' Space Age
Nautical Pleasure Pier" also backgrounds the infamous "Dogtown" of the '70s in which surfers
took advantage of big waves that rolled through P.O.P.'s rotting piers near homeless junkies.
Informed, informative, and profusely illustrated with captioned period photography throughout,
"Pacific Ocean Park: The Rise and Fall of Los Angeles' Space Age Nautical Pleasure Pier" is a
truly extraordinary history that is delightfully nostalgic to browse through for those who were
able to experience P.O.P. themselves. "Pacific Ocean Park: The Rise and Fall of Los Angeles'
Space Age Nautical Pleasure Pier" is a unique and highly recommended addition to personal,
community, and academic library 20th Century California History collections.
Lagoon Time
Steven L. Swartz
Sunbelt Publications
1256 Fayette Street, El Cajon, CA 92020
9780916251420, $29.95, www.sunbeltpub.com
Lagoon Time: A Guide to Gray Whales and the Natural History of San Ignacio Lagoon is packed
with nearly three hundred images and nine maps, and offers California collections the first
complete field guide to the gray whales of the San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California. From the
lagoon's history and appeal to the whale to descriptions of other wildlife to be found there, this
outlines the plants, birds and mammals of the region and adds historical background on the 19th
century whalers who operated there. The result is a combination natural and human history and
field guide, highly recommended for any interested in whales, Baja California, or the region's
diverse natural history.
Pynchon's California
Scott McClintock and John Miller
University of Iowa Press
119 West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609382735, $45.00, www.uiowapress.org
Pynchon's California: The New American Canon offers a fine work of literary criticism in an
essay collection that groups Pynchon's three shortest novels together and considers them as a
trilogy with common themes and insights specific to California's locales and culture.
College-level audiences studying the literature of Pynchon and California collections interested
in his use of California as a setting in his novels will be particularly delighted with this analysis
of his fiction, which includes critical, social and historical reflections that tie California
landscape into his choices and works.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
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http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Diane C. Donovan, Editor & Senior Reviewer
12424 Mill Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
phone: 1-707-795-4629
e-mail: donovan@sonic.net
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