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California Bookwatch

Volume 4, Number 3 March 2009 Home | CALBW Index

Table of Contents

Donovan's Picks Criminology Shelf Biography Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Computer Shelf
Photography Shelf Art Shelf Transportation Shelf
Education Shelf Military Shelf Literary Shelf
Native American Shelf Civil War Shelf American History Shelf
World History Shelf Martial Arts Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Nautical Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Business Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Interior Design Shelf Cookbook Shelf Architecture Shelf
Gardening Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Theatre/Cinema Shelf Fiction Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf
Science Shelf Music Shelf California Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf


Donovan's Picks

Handy Farm Devices and How to Make Them
Rolfe Cobleigh
Lyons Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599213255, $14.95 www.lyonspress.com

The second updated edition of HANDY FARM DEVICES offers small-scale farmers a fine wealth of money-saving projects covering low-tech property maintenance. From portable chicken coops and a small truss bridge to sturdy gates designed for snow or a wood splitters, this is a 'must' for any rural library or those collections catering to DIYs.

American Thighs
Jill Conner Browne
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
0743278380, $23.00 www.simonandschuster.com

AMERICAN THIGHS: THE SWEET POTATO QUEENS' GUIDE TO PRESERVING YOUR ASSETS comes form a humorist contributor to the New York Times and provides a handbook and memoir for women on being flashy and attractive. From why women risk their lives for blonde hair to how the muumuu has become the ordinary 'patio dress' and how to let loose one's 'inner hooker', AMERICAN THIGHS is a funny observation of American society and women's culture, recommended for any general-interest lending library.

The iPod Book, 3rd Edition
Scott Kelby
Peachpit Press
032148617X, $19.99 www.peachpit.com

If only a few iPod books were to be chosen for a general lending collection, the third updated edition of THE IPOD BOOK by Scott Kelby simply must be one of them. It focuses on the important features of all ipods and the itunes store, uses a quick visual approach to demonstrate topics, and provides tutorials on everything from exporting and organizing a playlist to handling iPod freezes. It's a 'bible' that any iPod user (whether owners of shuffle nano or other) with any type of computer - Mac or PC - must have.

Wedding Chic
Colin Cowie
Clarkson Potter Publishers
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, #B1, New York, NY 10019-4305
9780307341808, $40.00 www.clarksonpotter.com

Any who dream of weddings or organize them will find this a fine guide to the decisions involved in making wedding plans - and there are numerous such choices here, broken down into step-by-step chapters. From choosing a style and theme to weaving it through all these choices, the decisions fall into place: photos and tips accompany everything from guest lists and setting to cutting and serving the cake, making for an outstanding public library acquisition.


The Criminology Shelf

Bullets, Bombs and Fast Talk
James Botting
Potomac Books Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781597972444, $26.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

BULLETS, BOMBS AND FAST TALK: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF FBI WAR STORIES comes from a former hostage negotiator and SWAT team agent, and often reads like fiction with a vivid memoir of how the author rescued hostages from gunmen, saved passengers from a skyjacker, and helped calm a prison riot - only a few of his many real-life encounters as an FBI agent. General-interest libraries will find it a vivid set of recollections perfect for any interested in real-world experiences.


The Biography Shelf

Mrs. Astor Regrets
Meryl Gordon
Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10003
9780618893737, $28.00 www.hmhbooks.com

MRS. ASTOR REGRETS: THE HIDDEN BETRAYALS OF A FAMILY BEYOND REPROACH tells of the fate of Brooke Astor, a philanthropist whose pristine family fell apart under public scrutiny of thievery, mistreatment, and more. Wealth, inner secrets, and more come to light as author Meryl Gordon interviews the elite of Astor's social circle and the staff that cared for Mrs. Astor during her decline. Public libraries interested in vivid biography of the rich and famous will find this an intriguing addition.


The Self-Help Shelf

Making a Difference By Being Yourself
Gregory E. Huszczo
Davies-Black Publishing
1055 Joaquin Road, 2nd Floor, Mountain View, CA 94043
9780891062233, $26.95 www.daviesblack.com

Any who would seek meaning, purpose and happiness in life will find Making a Difference By Being Yourself is an outstanding choice, built on the basics of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment tool and offering stories of over 500 people from all walks of life who used the tool to improve work and home relationships alike. From core personality types to behavioral influences and changes in important relationships, this lays out a path to self-improvement that will find a role in many different libraries: from general-interest lending libraries to business and health collections.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Knitted Finger Puppets
Meg Leach
Martingale Company
20205 - 144th Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
9781564778871, $19.95 www.martingale-pub.com

Over thirty easy-to-make finger puppet toy projects are offered in a fine guide of easy patterns modeled on popular kids' characters and everyday figures, and will be perfect for beginning knitters with small friends to knit for. Three theme 'collections' are included in this outstanding resource.

Borders: The Basics and Beyond
Jill Reber
Landauer Publishing
3100 NW - 101st Street, Urbandale, IL 50322
9780980068894, $27.95 www.landauercorp.com

Borders do more than add size to a quilt: they serve to frame the center and highlight the central quilt design itself, and Jill Reber here offers quilters a key to what makes for good border design. Step-by-step techniques offer dozens of border options in a range of sizes, using blocks with basic design elements to contrast and add style to quilt projects. Lay-flat binding with spine lettering makes this a very practical quilter's guide.

Beyond the Block
Linda K. Johnson & Jane K. Wells
American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781574329599, $26.95 www.americanquilter.com

Begin with a fabric focus and add pieced components and strip piecing with different fabrics to mix and match and develop a new block style using dozens of piecing techniques in this fine guide. Color photos and patterns create a fun and intriguing guide to quilt blocks which are perfect for any collection catering to quilters seeking different options.


The Computer Shelf

SQL in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition
Kevin E. Kline with Daniel Kline and Brnd Hunt
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
9780596518844, $44.99 www.oreilly.com

SQL IN A NUTSHELL references the SQL language used in modern database products, and this new edition documents every SQL command according to the latest ANSI standard. From how commands are implemented in MS SQL Server 2008 to an alphabetical reference of the ANSI SQL2003 functions, this reference picks up where vender documentation ends and is a key acquisition for any library catering to professional database administrators and developers.

Viral Spiral
David Bollier
New Press
38 Green Street, New York NY 10013
9781595583963, $26.95 www.thenewpress.com

From remix music to wikipedia and video mashups, there's a new world of digital media that has encouraged a new 'sharing economy' that competes with entrenched media giants, and journalist/activist David Bollier here reports on this 'free culture' movement in VIRAL SPIRAL, his term for the process by which Internet users can join to build online tools. Any library strong in the social issues revolving around the Internet needs this.

Adobe Illustrator CS4 How-Tos: 100 Essential Techniques
David Karlins
Adobe Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0321562909, $24.99 www.adobepress.com

Owners of Illustrator and libraries catering to them will find this a powerful introduction offering a hundred selected techniques to help users get to work. From using the programs new Smart Guide features and using Live Paint to apply color to fills to adjusting gradients right with new interactive tools, this offers fine easy small lesson plan structures with real-world projects to help hit the ground running. Black and white screen shot examples abound.

How Wikipedia Works
Phoebe Ayers, Charles Matthews and Ben Yates
No Starch Press
555 DeHaro #250, San Francisco CA 94107
9781593271763, $29.95 www.nostarch.com

From learning how to use Wikipedia to contributing to existing articles by fact-checking and adding new articles that confirm to Wikipedia's guidelines, HOW WIKIPEDIA WORKS is a top pick for general-interest libraries and for any who would become part of Wikipedia and make contributions to the system. From understanding its policies to resolving content disputes and handling malicious editors, HOW WIKIPEDIA WORKS is packed with insights.

GIS Tutorial Updated for ArcGIS 9.3
Wilpen L. Gorr and Kristen S. Kurland
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92378-8100
9781589482050, $79.95 www.esri.com

Demands for effective GIS training are growing and this tutorial workbook has been designed for a wide audience of users, is offered in an easy step-by-step format, and can be adapted to a range of training purposes, from classroom use to graduate students seeking individual study. Scripted exercises begin with the easier step-by-step directions then move to exercises emphasizing performing GIS tasks without the step-by-step instruction. Classrooms and individual study programs will find it invaluable.

The Power of IP Video
Jennifer Baker, et.al.
Cisco Press
c/o Pearson Education
800 East 96th Street, 3rd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3770
158705342X, $45.00 www.ciscopress.com

Businesses can streamline processes and improve visual networking with The Power of IP Video, a definitive guide to linking business pursuits to IP video solutions. From extending IP video from the office to the road to applying it to financial services, high tech and other industries, The Power of IP Video is a top pick for any computer or business library.

Javascript & Ajax, 7th Edition
Tom Negrino and Dori Smith
Peachpit Press
1249 - 8th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
0321564081, $34.99 www.peachpit.com

The 7th updated edition of JAVASCRIPT & AJAX FOR THE WEB is a visual quick start guide for beginning and intermediate users and any library catering to them, using an easy visual approach with pictures to offer step-by-step explanations of functions. A companion web site offers sample scripts and updates, while chapters cover the basics of cookies, form handling, and more. Updated to reflect the latest details, JAVASCRIPT & AJAX FOR THE WEB is a key acquisition.

Programming in Python 3
Mark Summerfield
Addison-Wesley
c/o Pearson Education
801 East 96th Street, 3rd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.awprofessional.com
0137129297, $44.99 www.informit.com/aw

Python 3 is a powerful language for web programmers and Version 3 is the best yet. PROGRAMMING IN PYTHON 3 covers everything from creating custom packages to spreading program workloads across multiple threads and programming SQL databases. It comes from a Python programmer who shows how to write code specifically for Python functions, and is a key recommendation for any serious computer library strong in web programming languages.

Computer Facial Animation
Frederic I. Parke and Keith Waters
A.K. Peters Ltd
888 Worcester Street Suite 230, Wellesley, MA 02482
9781568814483, $79.00 www.akpeters.com

The second updated edition of a basic college-level fundamental study is a top pick for any computer collection strong in computer animation at the advanced level. There's been much development in the field by research groups and in the film and game industries, requiring this extensive update. Professionals and students alike receive in-depth surveys of the latest advancements in the field of facial animation in a top pick.

The Adobe Photoshop CS4 Book for Digital Photographers
Scott Kelby
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0321580095, $54.99 www.newriders.com

This major new update to Scott Kelby's finest award-winning book offers digital photographers cutting edge tips on the latest techniques used by digital artists, showing exactly which settings to use, when, and why. Pro tricks and tips for addressing common problems and fixing special photography challenges make for an outstanding title, especially when paired with fine images from screen and camera results alike. Both classrooms and library reference sections strong in Adobe Photoshop will find it a very popular lend: easy to use yet packed with professional advice.


The Photography Shelf

Power Marketing, Selling and Pricing
Mitche Graf
Amherst Media
Box 586, Buffalo, NY 14226
9781584282464, $34.95 www.amherstmedia.com

POWER MARKETING, SELLING AND PRICING: A BUSINESS GUIDE FOR WEDDING AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS appears in its second updated edition to explore marketing programs and options, the latest opportunities in blogging, press releases and online tools, and techniques ranging form using benefits-based sales to pricing and making discounts and promotional offers. The result is a 'must' for any library strong in business guides to the photography business in general and wedding business guides in particular.


The Art Shelf

Earthlings: The Paintings of Tom Palmore
Susan Hallsten McGarry
Quaid Publishing
c/o University Oklahoma Press
1600 Sunset Lane, Oklahoma City, OK 73127
9781934397053, $45.00 www.oupress.com

Palmore's artistic style was a maverick style: he emerged from the 1970s Photorealist movement and has exhibited in some of New York's finest galleries - but used his technical knowledge to paint the animal kingdom. The result is a lovely guide pairing full-page color depictions of his best works with an extensive biography and review of his artistic philosophy and direction.

Sweet on the West: How Candy Built a Colorado Treasure
Institute of Western American Art
University of Washington Press
PO Box 50096, Seattle, WA 98145-5096
www.washington.edu/uwpress
University of Oklahoma Press (distributor)
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806199696, $22.50, www.oupress.com

William and Dorothy Harmsen's ice cream store, begun in Golden, Colorado in 1949 - grew into the successful Jolly Rancher Candy Company and helped make the family famous - but the two also built a fine art collection that depicted the American West, involving the entire family in cross-country collecting travels. This second volume in the Institute of Western American Srt's ongoing Western Passages series celebrates their achievements, pairing an essay with a gallery of the art treasures of the Harmsen Collection. It's an outstanding survey highly recommended for any library strong in Western history or art.

Engineered Transparency - the Technical, Visual and Spatial Effects of Glass
Michael Bell and Jeannie Kim, Editors
Princeton Architectural Press
37 East 7th Street, New York NY 10003
9781568987989, $65.00 www.papress.com

Glass has become a major feature of modern architectural technical advances, offering enhanced thermal properties, structural innovations, and new installation limits. Professor Michael Bell and publications director Jeannie Kim blend forces to collect essays and technical illustrations paired with a DVD featuring highlights from a seminar in engineered transparency glass, with chapters packing in color photos and black and white diagrams for maximum results. Any college-level arts library strong in architecture needs this.

Paradise Lost
Georg Gerster
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Street, 14th Floor, New York NY 10014
9780714848846, $59.95 www.phaidon.com

Photographer Georg Gerster proposed a pioneering aerial photography project documenting the landscape of Persia from above, and in the 1970s the Empress agreed to the project idea. PARADISE LOST: PERSIA FROM ABOVE is the result, representing some 300 flying hours and providing a complete photographic record of the landscapes and cities of Persia. Text describes the regions depicted, adds Persian poetry to the mix, and provides a rare glimpse at a region commonly hidden from the world's eye. Essential not just for arts collections, but for any strong in Middle East history and culture.

Mark Rothko: Works on Paper
Bonnie Clearwater
Hudson Hills Press
Box 205, Manchester, VT 05254
9780933920538, $50.00 www.hudsonhills.com

Mark Rothko is a founder of Abstract Expressionism and a leading figure in 20th century American art, known for his huge paintings depicting floating rectangles of glowing colors. MARK ROTHKO: WORKS ON PAPER packs in over eighty drawings and sketches in full color from the late 1920s through 1969, and comes from the curator of the Mark Rothko Foundation. Her collection demonstrates his techniques and style on canvas and paper paintings, and is a top pick for any college-level art library.

Hiroshige: Shaping the Image of Japan
C. Uhlenbeck and M. Jansen
Hotei Publishing/Brill, Distributors
Box 900, 2300 PA, Leiden, Netherlands
9789004171954, $39.00 www.brill.nl www.amazon.com

College-level collections strong in Japanese art or culture will find HIROSHIGE: SHAPING THE IMAGE OF JAPAN goes beyond most artistic coverages of Hiroshige's works, offering both a general introduction and a survey of the cultural and economic climate during which Hiroshige honed his composition techniques and developed a world-wide following. Lovely, delicate color prints pack an excellent survey recommended for any collection seeking a basic introduction.

Modern Jewellery Design
Reinhold Ludwig
Arnoldsche
art@arnoldsche.com
9783897902923, $85.00 www.arnoldsche.com

MODERN JEWELLERY DESIGN comes packed with full-page color photos of the latest design fashions, with color photos and close-ups of bracelets, rings, necklaces and more accompanied by German and English descriptions and in-depth surveys of the artists and their influences. College-level libraries strong in jewelry design will find this an outstanding survey of the works of many contemporary artists - and a 'must' for enhancing any library strong in world designers and their innovations.

Stranded in Canton
William Eggleston
Twin Palms Publishers
Box 10229, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1022
9781931885713, $40.00 www.twinpalms.com

William Eggleston's pioneering video work is finally restored and available in an outstanding arts package combination consisting of the complete film on DVD with commentary, tracks, and an accompanying hard cover book. Arts collections strong in multimedia presentation will welcome the black and white close-ups from the video, and the structure of a package which cross-supports its multimedia format. A unique acquisition: very highly recommended.

Christian Dior: The Biography
Marie-France Pochna
Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York NY 10012
1585677027, $37.95 www.overlookpress.com

Christian Doir was a legendary French fashion designer who caused a worldwide sensation, establishing the House of Doir with striking fashion choices which earned him the 'King of Fashion' label. This biography offers a powerful examination of his inspiration, his opulent world, and the luxury and choices of his amazing career. Art libraries will find it a fine and lasting acquisition, pairing this powerful biographical survey with black and white photos of Doir's many styles. Not to be missed by any collection strong in fashion history.


The Transportation Shelf

Designing Geodatabases for Transportation
J. Allison Butler
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92378-8100
9781589481640, $64.95 www.esri.com/esripress

Any GIS professional and any library catering to general GIS pros and transportation documentation issues needs Designing Geodatabases for Transportation, an in-depth survey of data processing transit information. It explores data modeling and other techniques adaptable to changing requirements, shows how to blend data from different sources and how to solve common database design issues, and most importantly - provides specifics linking databases to transportation needs. It's this focus that makes Designing Geodatabases for Transportation a pick beyond the usual computer library shelf.


The Education Shelf

The Block Scheduling Handbook
J. Allen Queen
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412963015, $30.95 www.corwinpress.com

This step-by-step handbook of block scheduling covers a popular way of restructuring the school day and offers educators and libraries catering to them a formula for designing a successful program. From discussions of block applicability to elementary, middle and high schools to case studies of ideal curriculums, three specific block schedule models, and forms and sample lessons, it's an outstanding reference.

Small Steps Forward, 2nd Edition
Sarah Newman
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781843106937, $19.95 www.jkp.com

This new edition of SMALL STEPS FORWARD: USING GAMES AND ACTIVITIES TO HELP YOUR PRE-SCHOOL CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS offers the latest research and practice along with a host of games and activities to help kids. These games use no special materials and are fun to play, and are offered in a text dividing skills into six areas for easy reference. Parents of young children will find this a fine guide for behavior management and cognitive skills as well as social and emotional growth, and early education collections will welcome it.

Everyday Early Learning
Jeff A. Johnson and Zoe Johnson
Redleaf press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781933653426, $19.95 www.redleafpress.org

Parents and teachers who want to choose and direct activities to promote natural learning will find EVERYDAY EARLY LEARNING to be a fine pick. It focuses on the activities that reinforce education, packs in over seventy-five ideas to get children exploring with common household items, and includes activities to build skills in literacy, math, science and social areas. The easy, fun activities with toys make this a perfect pick for parents, caregivers and teachers alike, and makes it a 'must' for both education and general-interest parents' collections.


The Military Shelf

Samurai Armies 1467-1649
Stephen Turnbull
Osprey Publishing
443 Park Avenue South, Suite 806, New York, NY 10016
9781846033513, $25.95 www.ospreypublishing.com

The Sengku Jidai was the sage of the samurai in early Japan - and Stephen Turnbull's discussion of the evolution and contributions of samurai armies to Japanese warfare makes for a detailed survey of not just army structure, but the family and clan ties that made it up. Military libraries strong in historic surveys as well as any collection strong in early Japanese history will find here a detailed winner.


The Literary Shelf

The Dark Side of Literacy
Benjamin Bennett
Fordham University Press
University Box L, 2546 Belmont Ave, Bronx, NY 10458
9780823229161, $60.00 www.fordham.edu

THE DARK SIDE OF LITERACY: LITERATURE AND LEARNING NOT TO READ offers a radical criticism of reading key to any college-level collection strong in literacy issues. Perfect for classroom debate, THE DARK SIDE OF LITERACY surveys the overall class of experiences that denotes 'reading' and considers the moral and political dangers inherent in literacy. College-level collections strong in English studies needs this.

The Elements of Narrative Nonfiction
Peter Rubie
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781884956911, $15.95 www.quilldriverbooks.com

THE ELEMENTS OF NARRATIVE NONFICTION: HOW TO WRITE & SELL THE NOVEL OF TRUE EVENTS shows how to build a compelling story line into a nonfiction effort, separating the idea of fancy from fact and guiding writers on how to blend journalistic research with narrative writing's techniques. Chapters discuss everything from researching a subject to writing a book and locating an agent, making this a perfect pick for any library strong in writer's guides.


The Native American Shelf

Fire Light
Linda M. Waggoner
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806139548, $34.95 www.oupress.com

FIRE LIGHT: THE LIFE OF ANGEL DE CORA, WINNEBAGO ARTIST tells of an artist, teacher and Red Progressive who painted her Nebraska Winnebago memories around the turn of the century, and was one of the first Native American artists accepted into the mainstream art world. While scant documentary evidence is available about her private life, Waggoner succeeds in offering a fine biography packed with details on her dreams, Indian education, social and cultural influences, and more. Art libraries will find it excellent; libraries specializing in Native American studies that will find it a key acquisition.


The Civil War Shelf

America's Civil War
Brian Holden Reid
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591026051, $34.98 www.prometheusbooks.com

AMERICA'S CIVIL WAR: THE OPERATIONAL BATTLEFIELD, 1861-1863 could have been featured in our 'military shelf' section but is a recommended pick for any library strong in Civil War history and events, even though its focus is largely military in nature. It's a successor volume to his ORIGINS OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR published in 1996 and comes from a historian who examines in depth the military history of the first three years of the war - command decisions and tactics as well as ordinary soldier experience. Any library serious about analysis will find this a winner.


The American History Shelf

They Are All Red Out Here
Jeffrey Johnson
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806139678, $34.95 www.oupress.com

The Pacific Northwest produced some of the most dedicated, successful socialists the country's ever seen, based on an emerging, enlightened labor force which emerged in response to mining and logging industries. These socialists used massive organizational and logistic skills to win elections and change business structures - and THEY ARE ALL RED OUT HERE follows their achievements. A top pick for college-level libraries strong in business and social history.


The World History Shelf

Culture and Customs of Mongolia
Timothy Michael May
Greenwood Press
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780313339837, $49.95 www.greenwood.com

High school to college-level holdings strong in Asian culture and history will find this latest addition to 'Culture and Customs of Asia' covers a country rarely given much depth or detail: Mongolia. Chapters provide historical, literary, economic and cultural review of Mongolia and make for a key introduction perfect for report-writing.

Target Patton
Robert K. Wilcox
Regnery Publishing
One Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001
9781596985797, $27.95 www.regnery.com

TARGET PATTON: THE PLOT TO ASSASSINATE GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON provides a blend of biography, history, and military assessment of the life and impact of Patton and comes from an investigative and military reporter who has spent more than ten years investigating the mysteries surrounding his death. From an artist and mercenary who said he was ordered by U.S. intelligence to assassinate Patton to an OSS agent who tried to save him, this packs in facts and research to make for an intriguing historical survey.

The Pirate Code
Brenda Ralph Lewis
Lyons Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599214559, $19.95 www.lyonspress.com

THE PIRATE CODE: FROM HONORABLE THIEVES TO MODERN-DAY VILLAINS examines the reality of pirates from ancient to modern times, considering their actions, code of ethics, and history. Over 120 black and white illustrations and photos accompany a survey of the historical and geographical scope of piracy's honor system and life. Any collection interested in pirate history and lore will find this a lively choice.


The Martial Arts Shelf

Tai Chi Dynamics
Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D.
YMAA Publications
23 North Main St, Wolfeboro, NH 03894
1594391165, $20.95 www.ymaa.com

Intermediate and advanced Tai Chi players and libraries catering to them will find this a fine and different survey applying logic and basic scientific principles of anatomy and physics to the Tai Chi environment. Sayings from the Tai Chi Classics are quoted throughout, and explanations are accompanied by exercises designed to give readers opportunity to review all the concepts and their related principles.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Understanding Animal Welfare
David Fraser
Wiley-Blackwell
2121 State Ave, Ames IA 50014-8300
www.wiley.com, 1-800-225-5945
9781405136952, $69.99, www.amazon.com

UNDERSTANDING ANIMAL WELFARE: THE SCIENCE IN ITS CULTURAL CONTEXT provides a fresh approach to any studying or working in animal welfare science, and for college-level libraries catering to them. Modern welfare issues are surveyed in a coverage of highlights of issues and ideas from a range of disciplines, from science to moral issues. A key text for college libraries.

Know Your Horse
Susan McBane
Thunder Bay Press
10350 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121
1592239609, $19.95 www.thunderbaybooks.com

Understanding horse behavior patterns is key to trouble-free riding and relaxed handling, and this title teaches how to read a horse's body language to assess mood and understand actions. From crib biting and whinnying to breed temperament and stable manners, KNOW YOUR HORSE; HOW TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE WAY YOUR HORSE THINKS AND BEHAVES is a pick for any rural library catering to horse owners.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

I Can Make You Thin
Paul McKenna
Sterling Publishers
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9781402765711, $22.95 www.sterlingpublishing.com

Any who want to lose weight while eating whatever foods they wish will welcome a book/cd combination offering a revolutionary new weight-loss system just in time for the post-holiday struggles. McKenna's perspective is to re-pattern thoughts, attitudes and beliefs about food and body: I CAN MAKE YOU THIN covers the system's key principles and tells how to lose weight permanently. It's not a fly-by-note system either: some three million people worldwide have a proven success rate of over 70%. Libraries will find it a popular lend.

Psychotropic Drugs: Fast Facts
Jerrold S. Maxmen, MD, Sydney H. Kennedy, MD, Roger S. McIntyre, MD
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
039370520X, $42.50 www.wwnorton.com

Medical libraries and college-level reference collections will find the 4th updated edition of Psychotropic Drugs: Fast Facts to be a winner. Updated to reflect the latest research and new treatments, it's organized by major drug classes and offers details on dosage, side effects, withdrawal and everything mental health practitioners need to know to manage treatment. A key reference any mental health library should have.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Parker Guns: Shooting Flying and the American Experience
Ed Muderlak
Collector Books
Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
9781574326116, $49.95 www.collectorbooks.com

PARKER GUNS comes from a long-time collector of Parker shotguns who has been building his collection since the 1970s. His evidence-gathering skills as a lawyer and adult skills as a CPA led to his research into records better defining the Parker gun, to numerous articles in sports publications, and to this, his fourth book on the topic. Articles pair with vintage illustrations and ads in this winner.

Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins
Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton
Whitman publishing
3101 Clairmont Rd, Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30329
97800794822859, $39.95 www.whitmanbooks.com

This 5th edition, Volume 1 of a classic covers U.S. coins from half cents to nickel five-cent pieces and shows collectors how to 'cherrypick' a coin collection to find repunched mintmarks, overdates, and other details elevating a seemingly-common coin to 'rare' condition. It offers enlarged, high-resolution photos of each coin's special attributes and a lay-flat, spiral binding format lending to easy use with a hardcover spine to locate quickly on a shelf. Serious coin collectors will find it a 'must' reference.


The Nautical Shelf

Inshore Navigation
Tom Cunliffe
Wiley Nautical
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
9780470753897, $29.95 www.wileynautical.com

Navigation is best learned on the water, not out of a book - but it's helpful to have an onboard guide to nautical navigation - and that's where the second edition of INSHORE NAVIGATION comes in handy. It is designed to accompany on-board action and uses clear illustrations and tips to show navigation basics, from using charts and GPS to plotting a fix and mastering passages. Any basic library catering to sailors needs this.


The Audiobook Shelf

Silks
Dick Francis and Felix Francis
Penguin Audio
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9780143143857, $34.95 www.penguin.com

Martin Jarvis provides a passionate reading to the horse-racing intrigue thriller SILKS, this revolving around a defense lawyer, an arrogant client, and a blend of legal attorney and jockey who investigates a fellow rider's brutal murder. In keeping with Francis thrillers, this is an unparalleled winner for any fan of Francis or horse-related mysteries.

The Chopin Manuscript
Jeffrey Deaver, et.al.
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
1423377028, $29.95 www.brillianceaudio.com

Alfred Molina who has held many roles in motion pictures narrates a fine masterful thriller co-written by some fifteen thriller masters and telling of a former war crimes investigator Harold Middleton, who possesses a previously unknown musical score by Chopin. But the score also holds a dangerous secret that can threaten the lives of thousands of Americans, prompting him on a world-wide journey to uncover its mystery. Fifteen top thriller writers contribute to an absorbing, vivid story line perfect for audio mystery and thriller collections.

The Tenth Justice
Brad Meltzer
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
1600244785, $24.98 www.hachetteaudio.com

Ben Addison is a new Supreme Court clerk - but his accidental slip places his position in jeopardy. It's up to co-workers and housemates to help with their insider access to Washington politics - and soon Ben finds all their careers - and their lives - are on the line. Scott Brick's rendition is gripping and lends excitement and high drama to an audio listen perfect for libraries strong in political thrillers.


The Business Shelf

Plugged In
Tamara Erickson
Harvard Business Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163
9781422120606, $16.95 www.harvardbusiness.org/press

PLUGGED IN: THE GENERATION Y GUIDE TO THRIVING AT WORK is for any newly entering the workforce; especially those who are natural computer networkers and users facing integration with co-workers who don't understand the 'generation Y' social group. From chapters on using unique abilities to connect to the changing work world to handling professional engagements from co-workers and bosses, PLUGGED IN is an especially strong pick for college students about to head out into the working world, and includes research on different generations in the workforce to drive home points on interactions and positive growth.

Breakdown, Breakthrough
Kathy Caprino
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery Street Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104
9781576755594, $16.95 www.bk-life.com

Thousands of professional women find themselves in crisis, believing they've sacrificed balance and meaning in life to be successful in the workplace. This survey identifies twelve specific challenges such women face and offers concrete game plans for overcoming each one. Case histories supplement stories of women who found better ways of living life with renewed passion and purpose, making for an excellent addition to both women's studies and business collections.

The Mobile Marketing Handbook
Kim Dushinski
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055
9780910965828, $29.95 www.infotoday.com

THE MOBILE MARKETING HANDBOOK: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO CREATING DYNAMIC MOBILE MARKETING CAMPAIGNS tells how to create successful mobile campaigns on a budget. From interacting with mobile users to reaching new prospects via mobile systems, chapters cover everything from marketing a mobile campaign to tracking its results. Business libraries will find it a fine pick.


The Money/Finance Shelf

The Motley Fool Million Dollar Portfolio
David and Tom Gardner
Collins Business
c/o HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
9780061567544, $26.99 www.harpercollins.com

Just in time for stock market jitters is The Motley Fool Million Dollar Portfolio: How to Build and Grow a Panic-Proof Investment Portfolio. It cautions against rushing to sell stocks recklessly, points out the bargains and profits to be made in a bear market, and provides an innovative investing strategy that draws on the wisdom of dozens of analysts across the country and thousands of investors to offer market-beating stock ideas. Any library interested in long-term investing titles will find this a popular pick backed by the financial column Motley Fool's reputation.


The Interior Design Shelf

Rearrange It!
Barbara Jennings, CRS
Ahava Enterprises Inc.
7501 Slater Avenue, Suite C, Huntington Beach, CA, 92647
9780961802646, $34.95 www.decorate-redecorate.com

Any library strong in either interior decoration or business titles simply must have REARRANGE IT! The author's been professionally rearranging homes in California since 1986: her home-based designer tips lend perfectly to those who would operate and foster home-based work while her case studies of clients, tips on what to charge and how to rearrange, assessments of what homeowners need most, and how to turn a chaotic home feel into a design masterpiece makes for clear, specific suggestions. While those selling homes and real estate agents will find this of key interest, so will both those seeking to make a business of home arranging and homeowners just seeking a more logical arrangement, making for a wide-ranging recommendation suitable for any public lending library.


The Cookbook Shelf

Wings
Debbie Moose
Wiley
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9780470283479, $16.95 www.wiley.com

Spicy Buffalo wings have become an appetizer of choice, and WINGS: MORE THAN 50 HIGH-FLYING RECIPES FOR AMERICA'S FAVORITE SNACK shows how to go beyond the basics to incorporate the exotic in buffalo wing snacks. From Italian wings and Thai chili-garlic sauces to crunchy Lemon-Pepper Wings, these are quick, easy dishes to prepare and come with color photo embellishments. Libraries will find it a popular lend.

Dinner Survival
Sandi Richard
Scribner
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
1416543643, $22.95 www.simonsays.com

A complete dinner from scratch in 60 minutes flat with only 20 minutes prep time?? That's the contention of DINNER SURVIVAL: THE MOST UNCOMPLICATED, APPROACHABLE WAY TO GET DINNER TO FIT YOUR LIFE. The author is a mother of seven and knows how to fit dinner into a hectic schedule so the actual supper is relaxing for the entire family. Here each recipe receives a color-coded system correlating the recipe's prep and cook time and showing how fresh ingredients and plan-ahead techniques can streamline the dinner experience for all. A 'must' for any general interest collection catering to busy moms or businesspeople.

The New Mediterranean Diet
Nancy Harmon Jenkins
Bantam Books
9780553385090, $35.00 www.bantamdell.com

Revised and updated to reflect new insights on the Mediterranean Diet, this updated edition of a classic guide provides close to a hundred new dishes paired with the latest facts about the nutritional benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, a plan easy to produce and sure to be popular with a wide audience. From Lamb Meatballs with Pine Nuts in Lemony Tomato Sauce to Middle Eastern Pizza, there's an outstanding range of healthy choices and dishes reflecting increased attention to their health values. General-interest libraries won't be able to keep this on the shelf!

Dessert FourPlay
Johnny Iuzzini and Roy Finamore
Clarkson Potter
c/o Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780307351371, $35.00 www.randomhouse.com

DESSERT FOURPLAY: SWEET QUARTETS FROM A FOUR-STAR PASTRY CHEF comes from an executive pastry chef in a celebrated restaurant and offers some unusual pairings of sweet with spicy, and innovative ingredients. Not for the traditionalist, DESSERT FOURPLAY features such unusual blends as Cream Cheese Ice Cream with a Papaya-Lime Compote, Chocolate-Pear Cake, Chocolate-Olive Panini with Balsamic Vinaigrette, and more. Perfect for cooks and libraries seeking desserts with an exotic twist, with influences from around the world and color photos to support them.

Secret Suppers
Jenn Garbee
Sasquatch Books
110 South Main Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98104
1570615462, $18.95 www.sasquatchbooks.com

SECRET SUPPERS: ROGUE CHEFS & UNDERGROUND RESTAURANT IN WAREHOUSES, TOWNHOUSES, OPEN FIELDS & EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN visits ten 'outlaw' eateries across the country, blending storytelling with portraits of rogue chefs who entertain in the unlikeliest of situations, throwing dinner parties, cooking topless, and running underground restaurants out of lofts and countryside alike. Recipes are included in a fun, delightful and different expose perfect for collections catering to cooks and neo-pros.


The Architecture Shelf

Bark House Style
Chris McCurry and Nan Chase
Gibbs Smith
Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
1423602145, $30.00 www.gibbs-smith.com

BARK HOUSE STYLE: SUSTAINABLE DESIGNS FROM NATURE covers the return of bark architecture as a popular construction technique, now featured for their sustainable, long-lasting quality. BARK HOUSE STYLE pairs black and white and color photos with insights from architects and homeowners on the use, choices, and feel of bark construction. Any library featuring homeowner's or architecture guides will find it an unusual, appealing addition to the collection.

Your Eco-Friendly Home
Sid Davis
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019-7420
9780814410370, $17.95 www.amacombooks.org

YOUR ECO-FRIENDLY HOME: BUYING, BUILDING OR REMODELING GREEN explores the basics on how to find, buy, maintain and sell a 'green' house. Over 100,000 of them have been built in the past ten years, and real estate insider Sid Davis examines the expanding green real estate movement and how to develop a home system that is green. A fine addition to any home improvement or real estate-oriented collection.


The Gardening Shelf

Palm Springs-Style Gardening
Maureen Gilmer
Sunbelt Publications
Box 191126, San Diego, CA 92159-1126
9780932653895, $24.95 www.sunbeltbooks.com

PALM SPRINGS GARDENING could have been featured in our 'California' section but is reviewed here for its wider-ranging applications to any collection catering to desert gardeners and homeowners. Dryland gardeners receive inspiration from Palm Springs, a tropical climate which also holds extremes of wind, heat, sand and more challenges. Outdoors gardens can be designed to benefit from these challenges and enhance a drylands setting, and discussions of choosing plants naturally adapted to the climate from options world-wide make for an excellent gardener's guide.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Riding Into Your Mythic Life
Patricia Broersma
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781577316558, $14.95 www.newworldlibrary.com

Horses by nature are mythic creatures and represent aspects of the human journey. Here a certified riding therapist who has founded and directed many horse therapy programs offers her insights into how horses and interactions with them can bring transformational adventures. From preparing for a mythical journey with horses to the interactions of different age groups with horses, RIDING INTO YOUR MYTHIC LIFE is a fine choice for new age collections.

The Secrets of Masonic Washington
James Wasserman
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Tradition
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781594772665, $16.95 www.destinybooks.com

This history of a secret society explores the purposes behind Masonic symbols and ritualistic meanings, surveying how Masonic designs became part of the symbols of America's capital and examining the role Freemasonry played in the 18th century Enlightenment movement. The result is a fine link between new age and American history, recommended for any library considering titles on freemasonry.

Destiny Books
c/o Inner Tradition
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.destinybooks.com

Michael Brill's NUMEROLOGY FOR HEALING: YOUR PERSONAL NUMBERS AS THE KEY TO A HEALTHIER LIFE (9781594772368, $14.95) offers a system of Cosmic Numerology which combines numerology with physics, psychology and spirituality to create a different approach to healing emotional and physical problems. Over 200 physical and mental health conditions and their associated symptoms are identified and reviewed in the course of a solid primer. Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier's THE MORNING OF THE MAGICIANS: SECRET SOCIETIES, CONSPIRACIES, AND VANISHED CIVILIZATIONS (9781594772313, $19.95) was first published in 1960 and offers insights into scientific evidence that supports the existence of paranormal activity, telepathy, and the occult in human history. From masterminds behind early civilizations' growth to connections between alchemy and modern physics and Hitler's psychic potentials, THE MORNING OF THE MAGICIANS offers a wide-ranging history. Both are fine new age library additions.


The Social Issues Shelf

The Emergence of Land Markets in Africa
Stein T. Holden, et.al., Editors
Resources for the Future
1616 P Street NW, Washington DC 20036-1400
9781933115696, $90.00 www.rffpress.org

THE EMERGENCE OF LAND MARKETS IN AFRICA is the first systematic attempt to address emerging land markets and their implications for poverty and equality across a number of African countries. Land issues and land usage is key among international policy agendas, yet there's been relatively little information on the market to help in decision-making processes. College-level collections strong in African studies and international policy issues will thus find this a unique, key acquisition.

The Power of Freedom
Jean-Pierre Chauffour
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20001
9781933995243, $22.95 www.cato.org

THE POWER OF FREEDOM: UNITING DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS considers whether quests for human rights and economic development are compatible, arguing that the answer depends on the place of freedom in both human rights and development concerns. From formulas and rights for development to issues of lifting people out of poverty and the practical applications of approaches to top-down poverty reduction, this is a fine survey key to any social issues or international social issues library at the college level.

Evolution's Edge
Graeme Taylor
New Society Publishers
P.O. Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0 Canada
9780865716087, $24.95 www.newsociety.com

EVOLUTION'S EDGE: THE COMING COLLAPSE AND TRANSFORMATION OF OUR WORLD explains why the collapse of our destructive global system is inevitable - and how the emergence of a new kind of sustainable civilization will save humankind. Obstacles to human progress are cultural, and technology can accelerate the evolutionary process by using ethical values and views as tools - featured here in Evolution's Edge, a pick for any college to general library concerned with social issues.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

The Great American Book Musical
Denny Martin Flinn
Limelight Editions
c/o Hal Leonard
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York NY 10010
9780879103620, $19.95 www.limelighteditions.com

THE GREAT AMERICAN BOOK MUSICAL: A MANIFESTO A MONOGRAPH A MANUAL traces the development of libretto, music, lyrics and staging over the history of American musicals, considering the factors that make for a great book musical and demonstrating that quality happens when dialogue, lyrics and dance present a seamless integration of the story line. His history of American musicians and how great musicals integrate these experiences makes this a 'must' for any library serious about American stage productions.


The Fiction Shelf

Daemon
Daniel Suarez
Dutton
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9780525951117, $26.95 www.penguin.com

Readers who enjoy high-tech thrillers and libraries catering to them will find this a fine novel of blogging and tech sector intrigue. Originally self-published in 2006 under a pseudonym, DAEMON became an underground hit, telling of a legendary computer game designer who releases a swarm of web bots into the internet when he dies: programs that recruit people, programs that kill. It's up to an intrepid detective to disable a nightmare in this novel, packed with twists and turns.

The Anteater of Death
Betty Webb
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Avenue, Suite 103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781590585603, $24.95 www.poisonedpenpress.com

The Anteater was framed - but if giant anteater Lucy didn't kill the man in her zoo enclosure, who did? A suspicious zookeeper must locate the real murderer before Lucy is sent away - but further happenings at the zoo send Teddy on a labyrinth of investigation into underlying motives and murder in this unusual mystery, perfect for mystery libraries seeking something different and deserving of ongoing recommendation.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Green, Inc.
Christine MacDonald
Lyons Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599214368, $24.95 www.LyonsPress.com

Some of the world's top conservationists have dubious relationships with the corporate world: that's the hard-hitting message of GREEN, INC, which examines the methods and processes of good intentions gone bad. Chapters consider groups and individuals alike, surveying the realities behind 'green' movements and efforts. GREEN INC: AN ENVIRONMENTAL INSIDER REVEALS HOW A GOOD CAUSE HAS GONE BAD is not to be missed by any library exploring environmental consciousness.

Climate of Extremes
Patrick J. Michaels and Robert C. Balling Jr.
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781933995236, $21.95 www.cato.org

There's a new world of global warming science that few people hear about: a body of scientific research arguing that while global warming exists, it's not the doomsday version. CLIMATE OF EXTREMES comes from two climatologists who explain the biases of climate science and offer closer examination of the popular apocalyptic visions of change versus alternative perceptions of the problem. Perfect for high school to college-level study and debate.

The World's Water 2008-2009
Peter H. Gleick
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20009
1597265055, $35.00 www.islandpress.org

Island Press's biennial report on freshwater resources provides a series of articles on water issues around the world, from water quality in China and managing urban water use to statistics on annual water resources, access to safe drinking water by country both past and present, development goals, population growth and water usage, and more. Any library strong in urban growth, social issues, or resource management in particular must have this latest report.


The Science Shelf

The 10,000 Year Explosion
Gregory Cochran and Henry Harpending
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
Eleven Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465002214, $27.00 www.basicbooks.com

Did human evolution come to a sudden halt 50,000 years ago when homo sapiens emerged from Africa? The authors add a biological focus to the question in The 10,000 Year Explosion, rejecting common ideas in favor of the revelation of recent genetic changes the human species has undergone. Human evolution accelerated after civilization arose, they contend: chapters blend human history with biological change to make for a compelling argument for the ongoing evolution of the human race. High school to college-level collections strong in sociology and biology will find this food for thought and solid classroom discussion and debate.

Scientists Greater Than Einstein
Billy Woodward with Joel Shurkin and Debra Gordon
Quill Driver
c/o Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781884956874, $24.95 www.quilldriverbooks.com

SCIENTISTS GREATER THAN EINSTEIN: THE BIGGEST LIFESAVERS OF THE 20TH CENTURY offers a survey of ten scientists who changed the world, defeating death for over a billion people, yet remaining obscure in the public eye. This survey offers insights into the works of an eye doctor who discovered a better use for vitamin A, one who eradicated smallpox, treated diarrhea, and more. Personal anecdotes blend with scientific facts in a coverage perfect for both college-level and general-interest libraries.

The Cosmic Connection
Jeff Kanipe
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781591026679, $27.95 www.prometheusbooks.com

THE COSMIC CONNECTION: HOW ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS IMPACT LIFE ON EARTH provides a powerful survey of the cosmos, offering connections between events affecting the universe and those affecting mankind. It's intended for the general reader so general-interest libraries will find it provocative, exploring different astronomical events and how they have affected life on Earth.


The Music Shelf

Artificial Paradise
Kevin Courrier
Praeger
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780313345869, $39.95 www.prgaeger.com

ARTIFICIAL PARADISE: THE DARK SIDE OF THE BEATLES' UTOPIAN DREAM tells of the utopian dream built throughout the 1960s by the Beatles - and how their music also attracted a darker side, reflecting the disillusionment of a generation. Chapters survey how their music and personalities created the promise of an inclusive culture, using the phenomenon of Beatlemania and their performances and lyrics as a foundation for examining a generation's changes. Beatles collectors and music libraries must have this different approach linking the Beatles phenomenon to social change.


The California Shelf

One Best Hike: Mount Whitney
Elizabeth Wenk
Wilderness Press
1345 - 8th Street, Berkeley CA 94710
9780899974644, $12.95 www.wildernesspress.com

California hikers who want a challenge will find everything they need to know about such a challenge in ONE BEST HIKE: MOUNT WHITNEY. It covers a very demanding hike, discussing altitude, distance, mountain weather and a range of tips on physical preparation for Mount Whitney's many challenges. From maps and GPS waypoints to discussions of permits, campsites, and peaks, ONE BEST HIKE: MT. WHITNEY is a recommendation for any California collection strong in outdoors hiking and camping titles.

Michael Taylor: Interior Design
Stephen M. Salny
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393732351, $75.00 www.wwnorton.com

Michael Taylor was a contemporary interior designer deemed the 'best in the U.S.' by society and fashion photographer Cecil Beaton: his style revolutionized interior design in the 1970s and 80s, introduced 'California style' and brought logs and earth into the home. A gorgeously illustrated book makes for a celebration of his lasting California heritage works - which include his own Sea Cliff home and the restaurant Fleur de Lys in San Francisco. Any arts library strong in interior design and California collections in particular - even general-interest California history holdings - need this.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

God in the White House
Randall Balmer
HarperOne
c/o HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
9780060872588, $14.99 www.harperone.com

Randall Balmer is a professor of American religious history at Columbia University and here offers a fine survey of the interactions between religious belief and politics in modern times, from Kennedy's promise to keep faith and politics separate to Bush's focus on linking religion with the Presidential office. Faith has changed modern presidencies: this book offers a contemporary history examining the presence, influences and choices of faith in the White House and is a pick not just for American Christians, but for any library strong in American political history, from the high school level on up.

Reiki for the Heart and Soul
Amy Z. Rowland
Healing Arts Press
c/o Inner Tradition
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781594772528, $19.95 www.healingartspress.com

Reiki practitioners and teachers consider it a powerful healing method, but it's actually more - it's a commitment to personal growth, and Reiki for the Heart and Soul reinforces aspects of the discipline. Chapters cover the five core Reiki principles presented in Western and Japanese traditions which can be used for both personal and spiritual growth. New age and general-interest spirituality libraries will consider it a winning acquisition.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

The Lexicon
Steve Vander Ark
RDR Books
1487 Glen Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49441
9781571431745, $24.95 www.rdrbooks.com

THE LEXICON: AN UNAUTHORIZED GUIDE TO HARRY POTTER FICTION AND RELATED MATERIALS was famous before it ever appeared in print: J.K. Rowling sued over the original book in 2007, and this new book is in full compliance with a judge's ruling regarding an earlier manuscript. It's the first encyclopedia to the entire Harry Potter series, offering the missing index and including explanations of hundreds of words invented by Rowling. With its extensive citations and details, THE LEXICON is the perfect accompaniment to any library already strong in Harry Potter fans.

Many Bloody Returns
Charlaine Haris and Toni L. P. Kelner, Editors
Ace Books
c/o The Berkley Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780441016754, $15.00 www.penguin.com

Original vampire tales by Jim Butcher, Kelly Armstrong, Tanya Huff and more provide 13 original stories perfect for any interested in a diverse selection of vampire stories. From a Dracula birthday party with bloodsucking party crashers to a daughter introduced to her mother's secrets - these are fine and diverse tales perfect for vampire fans.

Honor of the Clan
John Ringo & Julie Cochrane
Baen Books
Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
1416555919, $26.00 www.baen.com

Lt. General Michael O'Neill lives in a world still a shambles after the Posleen Invasion, and his main duty is to prevent the recovery of the aliens and protect humanity from them. There is no greater duty - - even if it mans facing a basic betrayal, facing an estranged daughter, and eliminating danger at all costs. A gripping science fiction political thriller evolves perfect for collections strong in political sci-fi.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

And From There You Shall Seek
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9780881259346, $29.50 www.ktav.com

This translation of Rabbi Soloveitchik's classic essays drafted in the 1940s as a companion to his earlier work is a pick for Judaic studies collections at the college/scholarly level. It contains his deep examination of religious consciousness and experience and considers religious practice and spiritual journeys alike, discusses differences between intellectual and experiential awareness, and offers extensive Torah references. Judaic studies collections will find it important.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com

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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