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Library Bookwatch

Volume 10, Number 12 December 2015 Home | LBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Writing/Publishing Shelf Terrorism Studies Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Library CD Shelf Library DVD Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Sports Shelf Parenting Shelf Art Shelf
Civil War Shelf Biography Shelf American History Shelf
World History Shelf Mythology Shelf Education Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Biology Shelf Judicial Studies Shelf
Fiction Shelf Photography Shelf Jobs/Careers Shelf
Theatre/Cinema Shelf Journalism Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

Surviving the Forgotten Armenian Genocide
Smpat Chorbadjian, author
Patrick Sookhdeo, editor
Isaac Publishing
6729 Curran Street, McLean, VA 22101
9780991614578 $10.00 www.isaac-publishing.us

Surviving the Forgotten Armenian Genocide is the true-life, primary testimony of a man who survived the genocide that the Ottoman Turkish government enacted against its Armenian Christian subjects during World War One. Author Smpat Chorbadjian recounts the suffering inflicted upon him and his family; they were forced to leave their home and all possessions, and underwent a grueling death march. Smpat survived, and was able to reconstruct his life after years of grief and misery; an estimated 800,000 to 1.5 million Armenians were not so fortunate. Surviving the Forgotten Armenian Genocide is stark, sober, and dramatic reading, highly recommended for both public and college library collections.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Writing a Research Paper: Quick and Easy Guide, third edition
Anna Georgantonis Keah
The Educational Publisher
1313 Chesapeake Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212
www.edupublisher.com
9781622490196, $8.95, 94pp, www.amazon.com

Now in a fully updated and expanded third edition, "Writing a Research Paper: Quick and Easy Guide" by Anna Georgantonis Keah continues to be an excellent and affordable resource to use in teaching the research process. Professor Keah has taught at the college level for 21 years and clearly knows how to reach students. She writes a sample research paper in the latest MLA and APA styles taking students through the entire process in ten simple steps, from choosing a topic to the final edit. From a teacher's perspective, this instruction guide for students will save on a teacher's grading time because the students will have less stylistic errors. In addition, "Writing a Research Paper: Quick and Easy Guide" offers an organized approach to presenting the research process to students and is a good back-up to lectures. Professor Keah emphasizes form, grammar and thorough editing fostering quality work from students. Sample research topics are thought-provoking, which makes grading interesting, and the MLA and APA formats are well-presented. From the student's view, "by Anna Georgantonis Keah" presents a step-by-step process that will guide him or her to completion as Professor Keah goes through the process with them. The mind map hones critical thinking skills in their chosen topics, the outline organizes them and makes them accountable for their subject matter, and the sample research papers give students a pattern to follow. Finally, Professor Keah's motivational approach encourages students along the way to write a successful research paper. With this concise guide, students will write well-organized and thorough research papers, which, for the teacher, are fun to grade and exciting to read! Spiral bound and also available in a Kindle edition ($6.99), "Writing a Research Paper: Quick and Easy Guide" is an ideal instruction guide and highly recommended for classroom students and non-specialist readers who aspire to write (and have published) research papers regardless of the subject matter their research involves.

A Bushwhacker's Guide to Academic Writing
Michael Olendzenski
The Educational Publisher
1313 Chesapeake Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212
www.edupublisher.com
9781622491780, $19.95, 159pp, www.amazon.com

"A Bushwhacker's Guide to Academic Writing" is the result of Michael Olendzenski's education (BA and MA, McGill; Ph.D. Florida) and his twenty-five-plus years of experience as an instructor of First-Year Composition courses. The book presents a narrative account of the rhetoric of academic writing and a thorough examination of the linguistics of English. The author takes exception to the shortcomings of typical English handbooks, and offers instead this sharply focused, readable guided journey down the path that he has bushwhacked for those who are learning or teaching academic writing. As informed and informative as it is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in both presentation and application, "A Bushwhacker's Guide to Academic Writing" is especially recommended for both community and academic library Writing/Publisher reference collections and supplemental studies lists. For personal reading lists for aspiring academic writers, it should be noted that "A Bushwhacker's Guide to Academic Writing" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Stop Talking & Start Writing Your Book
Terrance Zepke
Safari Publishing
PO Box 4881, Greensboro, NC 27404
9780990765332 $9.95 pbk / $0.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Terrance Zepke, award-winning author of twenty-eight fiction and nonfiction books, and co-host of "A Writer's Jouney" podcast, shares his wisdom in Stop Talking & Start Writing Your Book, a no-nonsense guide for writers of all skill and experience levels, from aspirant to seasoned professional. Chapters outline nine different ways to write a book, keys to writing nonfiction or crafting a breakout novel, guidelines for dealing with common distractions and writer's block, the role of "beta readers" and editors, and much more. "Pacing is how you control the flow of information given to the reader and often depends on the genre. For example, in a cozy mystery there better be a murder within the first few pages. In historical fiction, the pacing can be more leisurely. No matter what kind of book you're writing, you don't want to go so fast as to leave readers confused or disoriented." An excellent, user-friendly resource, Stop Talking & Start Writing Your Book lives up to its title! Also highly recommended are Zepke's additional guides to the writing and publishing process, "Stop Talking and Start Publishing Your Book" (9780990765356, $9.95 pbk / $4.99 Kindle) and "Stop Talking and Start Selling Your Book" (9780990765370, $9.95 pbk / $4.99 Kindle).

Questions Writers Ask
Karen Speerstra
Robert D. Reed Publishers
PO Box 1992, 1380 Face Rock Drive
Bandon, OR 97411
9781934759325 $16.95 pbk / $8.99 Kindle www.rdrpublishers.com

Now available in a Kindle edition as well as paperback, Questions Writers Ask: Wise, Whimsical, and Witty Answers from the Pros offers nearly 6,000 quotations from a vast diversity of professional writers from a diversity of backgrounds. Offering pithy answers to common questions ranging from "What do I do about writer's block?" to "How do you handle criticism?", "Do you have a writing method?" and much more, these quotes are insightful, invaluable, and simply fascinating to browse. Highly recommended! "If my doctor told me I only had six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood; I'd type a little faster. -Isaac Asimov."


The Terrorism Studies Shelf

Counter Terrorism and the State
Dorle Hellmuth
University of Pennsylvania Press
3905 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4112
9780812247435 $69.95 www.upenn.edu/pennpress

Counter Terrorism and the State: Western Responses to 9/11 uses four Western democracies (the U.S., Germany, Great Britain, and France) as case studies in support of its premise: that state responses to terrorism are heavily shaped by the state's specific governmental framework. Author Dorle Hellmuth, who teaches politics at the Catholic University of America, deconstructs common misperceptions about domestic counterterrorism efforts in each case study. Closely analyzing the interplay of official constructional powers, informal relationships between executive and legislative branches, the decision-making processes that create counterterrorism policies, and more, Counter Terrorism and the State is a sober, serious-minded scrutiny of the decision-making process of Western democracies. The result is an invaluable resource for understanding how counter-terrorism policy is implemented, and how new tools for containing and mitigating transnational terrorism violence can be created. In a world increasingly under siege by ruthless terrorism and murderous attacks against civilians, Counter Terrorism and the State is an invaluable and welcome resource for public and college library Terrorism Studies collections. Also highly recommended are Ian Lustick's "Trapped in the War on Terror" (9780812239836, $24.95) and Michael Chertoff's "Homeland Security: Assessing the First Five Years" (9780812242027, $24.95).


The Cookbook Shelf

The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook, second edition
Jackie Newgent
American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311
http://www.diabetes.org
9781580405454, $19.95, 352pp, www.amazon.com

Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, the "The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook" by Jackie Newgent (a classically trained chef, registered dietitian nutritionist, media personality, professional recipe developer, and culinary instructor) is a 352 page compendium of delicious, nutritious, and diabetes oriented dishes. Absolutely nothing is artificial, everything involves naturally delicious fresh foods, whole-food ingredients, and offers full flavor for dishes that would be diabetes appropriate for every dining occasion. This is underscored by the absolute lack of artificial sweeteners and other concocted substitutions to reduce calories, sugar, and fat. What is features are dishes based on just-right amount of plant-based goodness, well-rounded nutrition, and simple-to-fix recipes, creating such tempting dishes that range from Heirloom Caprese Omelet; Party Spinach Dip; California Chicken Burger Sliders; and Hibachi Slaw; to Baja Bean Chili with Guacamole; Horseradish Pork Tenderloin on Naan with Arugula; Farmers' Market Mushroom Flatbread Pizza; Thai-Style Halibut with Mango Relish; Cajun Grains; Green Juice Smoothie; Peppermint Brownies, and so much more. Each individual recipe is specifically designed to be enjoyed by people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, heart health issues, or simply looking to improve their diet. "The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook" is filled from cover to cover with tips for achieving naturally high-flavor dishes, techniques for no-fuss cooking and baking, sample meal plans, a handy substitution chart for swapping out processed foods from favorite recipes, and much more. "The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook" is a critically important and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, family, community, and professional cookbook collections in general, and as a meal planning resource for diabetics in particular!

The Gluten-Free, Hassle-Free Cookbook
Marlisa Brown MS, RD, CDE
www.glutenfreeasy.com
Demos Health
11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10036
www.demoshealth.com
9781936303793 $19.95 pbk / $15.94 Kindle www.amazonc.om

Registered dietitian Marlisa Brown presents The Gluten-Free, Hassle-Free Cookbook: Delicious, Foolproof Recipes for Every Day and Every Occasion, a practical, user-friendly cookbook for creating gluten-free dishes and meals on both a monetary budget and prep-time budget. Options for making recipes allergy-free and FODMAP-friendly (ideal for those with irritable bowel syndrome or other functional gut disorders) are included. Gluten-free, hassle-free, and wallet-saving delights include Whole Grain Breakfast Cookies, Cheese Blintzes with Fresh Strawberries and Whipped Cream, White Bean Salad, Chicken Cacciatore, Linguini with Shrimp and Petite Diced Tomatoes, and much more. A handful of inset color plates and an index round out this excellent recipe book.

Egyptian Cooking, revised edition
Samia Abdennour
American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018-2729
www.aucpress.com
9789774249266, $19.95, 240pp, www.amazon.com

Simply stated, Samia Abdennour's "Egyptian Cooking" is a true culinary classic and an essential for anyone who wants to dine on authentic Egyptian cuisine. From hearty staples like foul midammis (stewed fava beans) and kushari (a mix of pasta, rice, and lentils under a rich tomato sauce) to more complex meals such as roast leg of lamb and baked stuffed fish, "Egyptian Cooking" runs the gamut of the national cuisine. Now, in this revised and expanded edition, Samia Abdennour has added over eighty new recipes from all over the Middle East, including some of the most popular dishes from the Levant, the Gulf, and North Africa. With 485 recipes enhanced with full color photographs, "Egyptian Cooking" is a versatile guide gives even the most novice of kitchen cooks a wide array of basic meals and sumptuous dishes. With entries organized under the categories of Mezze, Breakfast, Main Courses, Sweets and Desserts, and Beverages, "Egyptian Cooking" offers a comprehensive collection of Middle Eastern recipes in one volume. Spiral-bound for easy accessibility while cooking, this edition of "Egyptian Cooking" is practical handbook offers detailed advice on shopping, food preparation, and unusual ingredients, as well as the Arabic names for individual items and recipes. Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Egyptian Cooking" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, professional, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Egyptian Cooking" is also available in a paperback edition (9789774167119, $19.95) and in a Kindle format ($13.99).

Bulletproof: The Cookbook
Dave Asprey
Rodale Press
733 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.rodalepress.com
9781623366032, $27.99, www.amazon.com

"Bulletproof: The Cookbook" is a compilation by Dave Asprey (the author of "The Bulletproof Diet") beautifully illustrated, 272 page compendium of simply wonderful recipes for palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly dishes that will result in the loss of up to a pound a day, all while increasing energy and ending the kind of food cravings that sabotage most dieting efforts. Beginning with chapters on 'The Bulletproof Principles', 'Bulletproofing Your Food', 'Bulletproof tips and Techniques'; and 'All About the Recipes', the dishes themselves are organized into chapters on Mains; Sides and Salads; Soups and Broths; Lattes and Smoothies; Deserts; Salts, Butters, and Condiments. From Grilled Salmon and Zucchini; Pork Flank Steak with Coconut Relish; Braised Radishes and Greens; Low-Roasted Broocoli Rabe; and Swiss Chard with Fennel Salt; to Asian-Style Bone Broth; Carrot and Ginger Smoothie Soup; Raspberry Clafoutis; Pineapple Granita; and Shockingly Rich Chocolate Truffle Pudding. Enhanced with conclusion commentary, Sample Fasting Days, and an index, "Bulletproof: The Cookbook" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to any personal, family, and community library cookbook collection. It should be noted that "Bulletproof: The Cookbook" is also available in a Kindle edition ($12.99).

Better Homes and Gardens Calorie-Smart Meals
Better Homes and Gardens
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.hmhco.com
9780544569829, $19.99, www.amazon.com

The iconic 'Better Homes and Gardens' brand is one of America's most trusted sources for information on cooking, gardening, home improvement, home design, decorating, and crafting. There latest cookbook is "Better Homes and Gardens Calorie-Smart Meals: 150 Recipes for Delicious 300-, 400-, and 500-Calorie Dishes" which is a beautifully illustrated, 304 page compendium showcasing low calorie dishes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite. These thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes range from Greek Beef Kabobs with Cucumber Salad; Almond-Crusted Mahi Mahi with Lemon Wine Sauces; Pork and Noodle Bowl; Tomato-Basil Turkey Burgers; and Spicy Mushroom Sloppy Joes; to Wild Mushroom Ravioli Skillet Lasgna; Balsamic Onion and Steak Pasta; Lasagna Soup; Silky Chocolate Pie; Fresh Apple Bars; and Raspberry Cheesecake Swirl Brownies. A pleasure to browse and ideal for planning menus with, "Better Homes and Gardens Calorie-Smart Meals" truly lives up to its title and is very highly recommended for personal, family, and community library collections. It should be noted that "Better Homes and Gardens Calorie-Smart Meals " is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Dinner at Home
JeanMarie Brownson
Surrey Books
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
www.agatepublishing.com
9781572841789, $29.95, www.amazon.com

JeanMarie Brownson writes the "Dinner at Home" column for the Chicago Tribune and served as assistant food editor and test kitchen director between 1980 and 1996. Superbly enhanced with full color photography throughout, "Dinner at Home: 140 Recipes to Enjoy with Family and Friends" is a 288 page compendium that showcases Brownson's palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly recipes for dishes suitable to any kind of dining experience from simply family meals to elegant celebratory occasions. The dishes range from Warm Grilled Eggplant and Prosciutto Salad; Asparagus and Teriyaki Steak Fried Rice; Roasted Chicken with Tomato-Olive Relish; and Curried Red Cabbage with Chestnuts; to Braised Turkey with Moroccan Spices; Chorizo and roasted Pepper Sausage Gravy; Sweet Potato Pancakes; Easy Cheesy Popovers; and Coconut Mango Ice Cream. "Dinner At Home" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to any personal, family, or community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Dinner At Home" is also available in a Kindle edition ($18.99).

Eating Purely
Elizabeth Stein
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
www.purelyelizabeth.com
9781634502191, $24.99, 336pp, www.amazon.com

Elizabeth Stein is the founder and CEO of Purely Elizabeth, an all-natural and organic food company. Stein launched the company in October 2009 with a goal to create the most delicious gluten-free products made with innovative, nutrient-rich ingredients. She is a certified holistic nutrition counselor with a background in business marketing from Boston University. Drawing upon her years of experience and expertise she has now published "Eating Purely: More Than 100 All-Natural, Organic, Gluten-Free Recipes for a Healthy Life", a profusely and beautifully illustrated, 336 page compendium showcasing an impressive variety of gluten-free recipes for dishes that will please any palate, satisfy any appetite, appropriate for any dining occasion, and thoroughly kitchen cook friendly in organization and presentation. The recipes range from Vegetable Rolls with Spicy Nut Sauce; Roasted Pumpkin Seed Hummus; Pad Thai with Maple Ginger Sauce; Pan-Seared Halibut with Pesto Gnocchi and Brussels Sprouts; Shrimp Puttanesca over Zucchini Pasta; and Fettuccine with Grilled Chicken and Sundried Tomato Almond Paste; to Poached Pears with Coconut Whipped Cream; Blueberry Crumb Bar; Roasted Pineapple Habanero Margarita; Antioxidant-Rich Berry Smoothie with Granola; Stuffed Blueberry French Toast; and Breakfast Tacos with Black Beans, Zucchini, Avocado, and Sriracha. As fascinating to browse through as it is useful to plan menus with, "Eating Purely" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Eating Purely" is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.74).

Medieval Cooking in Today's Kitchen
Greg Jenkins
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764348426 $24.99 www.schifferbooks.com

Medieval Cooking in Today's Kitchen presents 78 recipes for drinks, breads, soups, hors d'oeuvres, entrees, and desserts with roots in tradition and folklore of cultures throughout Europe and the English Isles during the Middle Ages. Every dish has be carefully researched, translated, prepared in kitchens, and deemed suitable for modern cooks today. The result is an extraordinary "time capsule" cookbook, that encourages the reader to create and taste the delicacies of centuries past for themselves. Recipes include Metheglin (Cornish Ginger Mead), Stewed Pompion (Spicy Pumpkin Soup), Iumbolls (a.k.a. Jumballs, a type of long-lasting cookie present in Martha Washington's cookbook), Watercress and Violet Salat (Salad), Baked Carp with Spices and Figs, and many more. Enhanced with an introduction, appendices, and a wealth of color photographs, Medieval Cooking Today's Kitchen is a superb choice for historical reenactment or Renaissance Fair cooks, as well as anyone interested in embarking on a time-traveling culinary adventure.

Cook's Illustrated Kitchen Hacks
America's Test Kitchen
17 Station Street, Brookline, MA 02445
www.americastestkitchen.com
9781940352008 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Cook's Illustrated Kitchen Hacks: How Clever Cooks Get Things Done lives up to its title with more than 1,000 "kitchen hacks" - that is, quick and effective ways to perform culinary tasks without using expensive or specialized kitchen equipment. From a simple way to clean grounds out of a French press, to successfully staring an outdoor grill fire on a windy day, to transporting hot, cold, or delicate foods in top condition, Cook's Illustrated Kitchen Hacks is brimming with tips, tricks, and techniques to help cooks of all skill and experience levels. Almost every "hack" is illustrated with a simple black-and-white sketch in this insightful, user-friendly reference and resource. Highly recommended! "To keep the open pages of a cookbook or magazine flat, readable, and clean while cooking, put a clear glass (Pyrex) baking dish over them."

Raw Organic Goodness
Megan May
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
9781592337088 $25.00 www.quartous.com

Featuring one hundred recipes that rely on raw, plant-based ingredients, Raw Organic Goodness is a cookbook featuring a wealth of full-color photography highlighting its sumptuous dishes, from breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees to salads, drinks, and desserts. Delights such as Herbed 'Chicken' Sandwich with Watercress & Cucumber (the 'chicken' filling is itself a multi-ingredient recipe including cashews and sunflower seeds blended in a food processor), Olive & Basil Zucchini Cannelloni Bites (using a separate recipe for macadamia and cashew cultured nut cheese), Superfood Maca & Cacao Cookies, and much more show that raw, plant-based cuisine can be appetizing to anyone and everyone! An extensive introductory section guides cooks who may be new to setting up a "raw foods kitchen", in this appetizing cookbook. Raw Organic Goodness also makes an excellent gift!

Sticky Fingers' Vegan Sweets
Doron Petersan
Avery Books
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.us.penguingroup.com
9781583335116, $20.00, 320pp, www.amazon.com

Doron Petersan opened Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats in 2002, drawing on her degree in dietetics from the University of Maryland and years of experience working in restaurants. When Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats (a bakery that just happens to be vegan) opened it instantly became one of the most popular bakeries in Washington, D.C.. Soon, Sticky Fingers was voted D.C.'s best bakery by the Washington City Paper, and chef Doron Petersan found herself beating out traditional bakers on Food Network's Cupcake Wars. "Sticky Fingers' Vegan Sweets" is a 320 page vegan cookbook that is packed from cover to cover with one hundred of Petersan's beloved recipes ranging from indulgent snacks such as Fudgetastic Brownies and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, to breakfast treats including Pecan Spice Coffee Cake and Cranberry Ginger Scones, and from celebratory desserts such as Chocolate Seltzer Cake and Red Velvet Cupcakes, to Sticky Fingers' most popular sweets: Little Devils, Cowvins, and Sticky Buns. "Sticky Fingers' Vegan Sweets" also includes "love bite" nutritional tips and valuable tricks-of-the-trade techniques that every home baker will appreciate. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in tone, content, and presentation, "Sticky Fingers' Vegan Sweets" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, professional, and community library Vegetarian/Vegan cook collections. It should be noted that "Sticky Fingers' Vegan Sweets" is also available in a Kindle edition ($18.99).

Vanilla Table
Natasha MacAller
Jacqui Small LLP
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9781909342866, $40.00, 240pp, www.amazon.com

Vanilla is a flavor derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily from the Mexican species, flat-leaved vanilla (V. planifolia). The word vanilla, derived from the diminutive of the Spanish word vaina (vaina itself meaning sheath or pod), translates simply as "little pod". In "Vanilla Table: The Essence Of Exquisite Cooking From The World's Best Chefs", international chef Natasha MacAller takes us on a journey to discover the many wonders of one of the most amazingly versatile ingredients in the typical American pantry. "Vanilla Table" is a culinary celebration of all things vanilla. With its fragrant and captivating scent, it can be creatively used in an endless array of delicious dishes ranging from sweet to savory. "Vanilla Table" showcases more than 100 recipes -- including 32 dishes carefully curated from 33 internationally acclaimed chefs worldwide- show how to make the most of this magical ingredient. For instance, this cookbook demonstrates the delights of vanilla and trout pairing; how just a vanilla pinch deliciously wakes up a pork chop; and of course, countless ways to make desserts sparkle. Chef Natasha MacAller also provides tips, tricks, and expert knowledge to make even the most novice of kitchen cooks a vanilla connoisseur, too. With advice ranging from how to recognize the best product, to proper storing. This 240 page, beautifully illustrated compendium features a culinary wealth of delicious dishes that range from Heirloom Tomato Bisque with Green Pea Pesto; Crispy Salmon Fillet with Fennel Broth & Creamy Polenta; Normandy Caramelised Apple Tart; and Chocolate Cadeaux Entremet; to Devilish Eggs with Vanilla Candied Bacon; Scottish Shortbread Sundae with Blueberry Ice Cream; Beekeeper's Elderflower Cheesecake; and Black Pepper Chai Truffles. A mouth watering pleasure to browse through and plan menus with, "Vanilla Table" will prove to be a highly popular addition to personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Bleeding Scissors / The Evil Days
Bruno Fischer
Stark House Press
1315 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501
www.starkhousepress.com
9781933586809, $20.95, 280pp, www.amazon.com

The late Bruno Fischer was a master of the mystery/suspense genre in the golden age of 1950s era pulp magazines. Now for the first time Stark House Press is able to publish two of his most representative stories under one cover. "The Bleeding Scissors" and "The Evil Days" are two literary gems and will well serve, after a 40+ year absence, to introduce a whole new generation of appreciative readers to an impressively gifted storyteller at the top of his game. "The Bleeding Scissors / The Evil Days" is very highly recommended for the personal reading lists of mystery/suspense enthusiasts and would prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library collections. Of special note is the cover art for "The Bleeding Scissors / The Evil Days" which is a direct reprint of the cover that artist Robert Maguire painted for the original 1955 Signet edition of "The Bleeding Scissors".


The Audiobook Shelf

De Profundis
Oscar Wilde
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28, Franklin, TN 37064
NA0210, $34.98, www.naxosaudiobooks.com

Written during his time in Reading Gaol, "De Profundis" is Oscar Wilde's moving letter to Lord Alfred Douglas, whose relationship with Wilde led to the poet's imprisonment. Here Wilde repudiates Lord Alfred and reflects on his ordeal, acknowledging how the depths of his sorrow have helped liberate him towards a fuller, freer wisdom. Brimming with beautiful passages, "De Profundis" is a profound and inspiring treatise on the meaning of suffering. Complete and unabridged, this flawlessly produced audio book edition is impressively narrated by Simon Russell Beale. "De Profundis" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library audio book collections -- and a 'must' for anyone who appreciates the life and work of one of England's most controversial contributors to great literature. 5 CDs, 4 hours 54 min 56 sec.

Broken Blade
Kelly McCullough
Graphic Audio
4940 Hampden Lane, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814
9781628511895, $19.99, www.graphicaudio.net

Once a fabled Blade of Namara, Aral Kingslayer fought for justice and his goddess alongside his familiar, a living shadow called Triss. Now with their goddess murdered and her temple destroyed, they are among the last of their kind. Surviving on the fringes of society, Aral becomes a drunken, broken, and wanted man, working whatever shadowy deal comes his way. Until a mysterious woman hires him to deliver a secret message -- one that can either redeem him or doom him. "Broken Blade" is the second volume of action/adventure fantasy series "Fallen Blade" by Kelly McCullough, a writer with an impressive set of imaginative storytelling skills. Directed by Ken Jackson and starring a roster of exceptional actors, this Graphic Audio edition is deftly enhanced with sound effects and music making it a true 'theatre of the mind' listening experience from beginning to end. A simply outstanding production, "Broken Blade" presents a 'stand alone' story that will fully entertain any heroic fantasy enthusiasts and prove to be an exceptional and enduringly popular addition to community library collections. 7 CDs, 7 Hours.


The Library CD Shelf

Under the Stars
Joanne Lazzaro
Privately Published
$12.97 CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com

Recorded live on location in one night, with one take per track and using no added studio effects or overdubbing, Under the Stars is the debut solo album of Native American flute player Joanne Lazzaro. Classically trained in orchestral flute playing, Lazzaro has broadened her skill and expertise to craft unique acoustics and improvisations from a variety flutes in different keys and modes. The result is a transcendental, immersive soundscape, and treasury for anyone and everyone who loves the lilting cascade of skilled Native American flute play. The tracks are "Evening Star Song" (4:55), "Sky Chief" (5:15), "Medicine Wheel" (4:29), "Moon Dances With New Star" (3:03), "Giant Cactus-Gathering Hook" (5:47), "Path of the Departed Souls" (6:19), "Bear Who Wanted a Mango" (5:16), "Rabbit Tracks" (3:21), "Spirits of the Long Eyes" (4:30), "Amazing Grace - Trail of Tears" (5:56), and "Zuni Sunrise (extended version)" (8:04), "Lark Who Sang His Song to the Sun Every Morning" (4:27).

Now
Paz del Castillo
www.pazdelcastillo.com
The Borderline Music
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
$14.97 CD / $13.99 download cdbaby.com

Madrid-born solo pianist Paz del Castillo presents Now, an instrumental exploration of love, freedom, and appreciation for the gift of experiencing each new day. Her piano technique is a light, serene glide of rapture and wonder. Highly recommended, especially for gift-giving or public library music collections. The tracks are "Unchain Me" (4:15), "Sobre el Cabo de Mar" (2:40), "Mother" (6:04), "Swinging with the Trees" (4:41), "Hymn" (4:28), "En el Aire" (2:04), "Painting Colours" (3:53), and "Tom" (3:13).

Jazz Titans
The Classic Jazz Trio
Inner City Jazz
http://innercityjazz.com
http://innercityjazz.com/contacts
Music Minus One
www.mmogroup.com
ASIN: B006VX9PME, $17.57, 1 CD, www.amazon.com

The music on "Jazz Titans", recorded in 1991 and never previously released, features consistently exciting playing by Glenn Zottola (doubling on Trumpet and Alto Sax) and pianist Mark Shane, as well as Mark Manaitt playing quietly supportive drums. These three came together to form the Classic Jazz Trio in 1991; shortly thereafter, they recorded the music on this CD, and toured England. A truly memorable listening experience, this is a flawless production is once again made available to a whole new generation of jazz enthusiasts. "Jazz Titan" showcasing The Classic Jazz Trio is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library American Jazz collections. It should be noted that "Jazz Titan" is also available in an MP3 format ($8.99).

Classic Jazz Records
50 Executive Boulevard, Elmsford, NY 10523
www.innercityjazz.com

Born in Port Chester, New York, on April 28, 1947, Glenn Zottola is a legendary American jazz trumpeter and saxophonist. Zottola is known for his work with Lionel Hampton, the Benny Goodman Sextet and Bob Wilber, and has played for a broad range of vocalists, particularly Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Williams. He has recorded over 50 albums, performed at major jazz festivals throughout the world, and was a featured soloist at Benny Goodman's Carnegie Hall 50th Anniversary in 1988. In 1995, Zottola was Band Leader on the Suzanne Somers daytime TV Talk Show at Universal Studios. Now Classic Jazz Records has beautifully produced eleven of those albums showcasing a truly extraordinary American musical talent by a master of his instrument. Available in a CD format, these include "Glenn Zottola Plays Classic Arrangements: Original Transcriptions Inspired by Frank Sinatra" (CJ 14, $16.95); "The Bossa Nova Story: Glenn Zottola Salutes Stan Getz" (CJ 11, $16.95); "Clifford Brown Remembered: His Famed Neal Hefti String Album Revisited - Interpreted by Glenn Zottola" (CJ 6, $16.95); "Getting Sentimental" (CJ 14, $16.95); "Too Marvelous For Words" (CJ 16, $16.95); "Charlie Parker With Strings Revisited by Glenn Zottola" (CJ 32, $16.95); "Got Rhythm" (CJ 33, $16.95); "Classic Standards With Strings: Inspired by Ben Webster" (CJ 37, $16.95); "Miles Davis Remembered" (CJ 39, $16.95); "Come Fly With Me" (CJ 40, $16.95); "Triple Play" (CJ 41, $16.95). With flaws production values, each and every one of these CD albums is a masterpiece and very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library American Jazz collections.


The Library DVD Shelf

Empire: The Complex Legacy of Britain's Imperial History
Hosted by Jeremy Paxman
Athena Learning
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
9781621722281 $49.99 www.acornonline.com

"The sun never sets on the British Empire" used to be an adage about how the lands controlled by Britain spanned the circumference of the earth. Empire: The Complex Legacy of Britain's Imperial History is a five-part educational documentary on two DVDs about the lasting repercussions of Britain's imperial period. Veteran BBC broadcaster Jeremy Paxman teaches viewers about the motives that prompted British people to colonize faraway lands, how they changed the territories they conquered, and how Britain itself was changed in turn. Paxman travels to India, the Middle East, Canada, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Far East while exploring empire's lasting effects, both good and bad, that continue to shape the lives of people today. A physical 12-page viewer's guide is included in this informative, enlightening, and meticulously objective documentary. Empire: The Complex Legacy of Britain's Imperial History is an excellent addition to public and college library DVD collections but is recommended for older teens and adults due to the presence of strong language. 5 episodes on 2 DVDs, 303 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles.

Doc Martin Series 7
Martin Clunes
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
9781621724155 $39.99 DVD / $39.99 Blu-ray www.acornonline.com

Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, Doc Martin Series 7 continues the incredibly popular British drama-comedy series starring BAFTA-winning actor Martin Clunes as the titular Doctor Martin Ellingham, a selfish, rigid doctor whose bedside manner could be compared unfavorably to that of a territorial badger. He tends to the sick in a quirky (to put it mildly) seaside town in Cornwall; it's up to the viewer to decide to what degree the maddening residents and the obnoxious doctor deserve one another! In series 7, Doc Martin must face the consequences of his own irascible temperament, as his marriage teeters on the brink of collapse. Doc Martin agrees to see a therapist, but can the youthful and brilliant Dr. Rachel Timoney (played by Emily Bevan, notable for her role in "The Casual Vacancy") soften his acerbic personality, cure his paralyzing blood phobia, or save his disintegrating marriage? Doc Martin must also contend with an ill aunt, financial disaster in the family, and an arrogant vet (Caroline Quentin). Oscar nominee Sigourney Weaver is a guest star for one episode, playing an American tourist. Alternately funny and poignant, Doc Martin Series 7 a "must-have" for connoisseurs of memorable British television. Bonus material includes nine behind-the-scenes featurettes (72 min.) and a photo gallery. 8 episodes on 2 DVDs (or 2 Blu-ray discs), 383 min. plus bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.

Eric Brown: A Pilot's Story
A Nicholas Jones Film
Shelter Island
www.shelterisland.net
TDC Entertainment (dist.)
www.tdcent.com
$14.98 www.amazon.com

Eric Brown: A Pilot's Story is a biographical DVD documentary about Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown, one of the most notable aviators of the 20th century. He has set records that will likely never be broken, including flying the largest number of different aircraft (487) and the most aircraft carrier landings (2,407). And he served in World War II; his most notable wartime deeds include his participating in the liberation of the Belsen concentration camp, interrogating Hermann Georing, and identifying a captive Heinrich Himmler. Eric Brown: A Pilot's Story is a color movie with a wealth of vintage black-and-white footage, especially from the World War II era, and is an extraordinary showcase of a truly legendary pilot's life. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library DVD collections. Brief bonus features include "RAF Gibraltar Today", "Quizzing the Nazis", "About the Me 262 (Messerschmitt), and "Meeting Bubi Hermann (Pride of the Luftwaffe)". 80 min. plus 18 min. bonus material, widescreen.

Simplified Tai Chi for Beginners: 24 Form
Helen Liang
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
$29.95 www.ymaa.com

Wushu Competition gold medalist and 8th degree black belt Helen Liang hosts Simplified Tai Chi for Beginners: 24 Form, an instructional DVD created to teach viewers about the Yang style of traditional Tai Chi in as little as 6 minutes a day. Accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, Simplified Tai Chi for Beginners walks one through a streamlined version of the 24-posture form. Each posture is shown from multiple angles, with step-by-step instructions in English. The entire routine can be performed in only 6 minutes a day, yet offers health benefits that last a lifetime. Simplified Tai Chi for Beginners: 24 Form is highly recommended for both public library and personal martial arts DVD collections. 140 min.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

The Other Kind of Funnies
Han Yu
Baywood Publishing
26 Austin Avenue, Box 337, Amityville, NY 11701
www.baywood.com
9780895038395 $67.95 hc
9780895038401 $49.95 pbk
9780895038418 $39.95 ePUB
9780895038425 $39.95 ePDF

Part of Baywood's "Technical Communications Series" The Other Kind of Funnies: Comics in Technical Communications is a studious examination of how comics - from simple cartoons to graphic novels - have the potential to revolutionize technical communication. The "reader-friendly" accessibility of comics make them well-suited for aiding comprehension of instructional materials, whether in education, health and safety awareness, politics and propaganda, and much more. The Other Kind of Funnies also discusses the limitations of comics in technical communication, and possibilities for the future. Black-and-white illustrations, including occasional samples of comics, illustrate this thoughtful analysis, highly recommended especially for public and college library collections.


The Sports Shelf

Social Issues In Sport, third edition
Ronald B. Woods
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61820-5076
www.HumanKinetics.com
9781450495202, $104.00, 536pp, www.amazon.com

Ronald B. Woods is an Adjunct Professor of Health Science and Human Performance at the University of Tampa. He was a Professor of Physical Education and Men's Tennis Coach at West Chester University in Pennsylvania for 17 years where he was inducted into their athletic Hall of Fame. Professor Woods has more than 40 years of experience as an educator, coach, and sport administrator. Now in this fully updated and expanded third edition of "Social Issues In Sport", Professor Woods draws upon his years of experience and expertise to address common questions and issues about sport and its relationship to society. From such basic questions as to what is sport and why it should be studied; to the scope and effect of sport including participants versus spectators, business, and the media; to sport as an institutions; to sport and culture. Of special note are the chapters on the Olympic Movement; Religion and Sport; Politics and Sport; Violence and Rule Breaking in Sport; and Future Trends in Sport. Enhanced with the inclusion of a four page Glossary; a twenty-two page list of References; and an eight page Index, "Social Issues In Sport" is very highly recommended for both community and academic library Sports & Athletics reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Parenting Shelf

Your Personal Parenting Guide
Charlotte E. Thompson
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
www.atlantic-pub.com
9781620230350, $14.95, 144pp, www.amazon.com

In "Your Personal Parenting Guide: Infant and Childcare Wisdom from a Top Pediatrician", Dr. Charlotte E. Thompson draws upon her 50 years of expertise and experience to provide parents with answers to commonly encountered questions. Impressively well written, organized and presented for the benefit of the non-specialist general reader, "Your Personal Parenting Guide" covers everything a parent might worry about, including caring for children with special needs, helping older siblings feel included when a new baby arrives, and so much more. Very highly recommended for community library Parenting instructional reference collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Your Personal Parenting Guide" is also available in a Kindle edition ($12.49).

Stress-Free Potty Training, second edition
Sara Au and Peter L. Stavinoha, Ph.D.
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780814436660 $14.95 www.amacombooks.org

Now in an updated second edition with brand new "Universal Strategies", updated techniques for confronting common potty training obstacles, useful apps/websites, and more, Stress-Free Potty Training: A Commonsense Guide to Finding the Right Approach for Your Child is a user-friendly guide for parents and caretakers. The techniques provided are flexible, designed to be tailored to a wide variety of children, including children who are stubborn, impulsive, clinging to diapers, nervous about making the change, or just late bloomers. "If you suspect your child is constipated, contact your child's primary care provider. Depending on the time frame and symptoms, the doctor may suggest changes in your child's diet, such as adding a cup of prune, pear, or apple juice (100 percent fruit) or adding foods with higher amounts of fiber... Reducing your child's intake of other foods, particularly dairy products, such as cow's milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream, may also help." An index rounds out this "must-have" for parents and caregivers confronting the crucially important developmental milestone that is potty training!

Children with Cleft Lip and Palate
Mary A. Hardin-Jones, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Kathy L. Chapman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Nancy J. Scherer, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Road, Bethesda, MD 20817
9781606132104 $21.95 www.woodbinehouse.com

Orofacial clefts are one of the most common birth defects, observed in roughly 1 every 600-700 births. Children with Cleft Lip and Palate: A Parents' Guide to Early Speech-Language Development and Treatment is a "reader-friendly" resource written especially for parents of all backgrounds, and presumes no familiarity with medical or therapeutic terminology; all technical words are defined as they are introduced. Chapters instruct the reader about cleft lip and palate and other syndromes that commonly interfere with speech and language development in young children. Topics covered include feeding a baby with cleft palate, [oral] surgery and dental care, boosting speech and language development, special concerns if one's child was internationally adopted, and much more. Children with Cleft Lip and Palate is highly recommended for both personal and public library parenting collections. "Observe your baby and determine the times of day when he is most vocal. Take advantage of those times and plan your language stimulation activities accordingly. You may notice that your baby is more vocal in some positions than others."


The Art Shelf

Benjamin West and the Struggle to be Modern
Loyd Grossman
Merrell Publishers
8755 Lookout Mountain Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
www.merrellpublishers.com
9781858946412, $60.00, 256pp, www.amazon.com

Benjamin West (October 10, 1738 - March 11, 1820) was an Anglo-American painter of historical scenes around and after the time of the American War of Independence. He was the second president of the Royal Academy in London, serving from 1792 to 1805 and 1806 to 1820. At the time of his death Benjamin West was the most famous artist in the English-speaking world, and much admired throughout Europe. In "Benjamin West and the Struggle to be Modern", broadcaster, historian and journalist Loyd Grossman explains why Wolfe was such an instant success and why this thrilling work of art continues to exercise such a strong grip on our imaginations nearly 250 years after it was first shown to the public. Grossman situates Benjamin West in the midst of Enlightenment thinking about history and modernity, and seeks to demolish some of the prejudices about the talent and intentions of the young man from the American Pennsylvania frontier who attained such eminence at the British court. Flawlessly reproduced images of Benjamin West's art grace this impressively detailed biography throughout. A seminal work of scholarship, "Benjamin West and the Struggle to be Modern" is strongly recommended and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to both community and academic library Art History reference collections in general, and Benjamin West individual supplemental studies reading lists in particular.


The Civil War Shelf

A Connecticut Yankee at War
Robert Grandchamp
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
9781455620777 $24.95 www.pelicanpub.com

A Connecticut Yankee at War: The Life and Letters of George Lee Gaskell gathers the war correspondence of George Lee Gaskell, a white commissioned lieutenant who served in the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. He was assigned to garrison duty in Louisiana, and eventually mustered out in the fall of 1865. His writing speak of fighting a deadly guerilla war in the southern bayou; diseases that ravaged the troops; and bitter knowledge that Southern troops would not take him prisoner if he were to be captured - the South was well-known for its cold-blooded murder of both African-American troops and the white officers who commanded them. Gaskell would eventually grow to love the land of Louisiana, fall in love with the daughter of a French businessman, and spend most of the rest of his life in the South. A Connecticut Yankee at War is a vivid primary source, and enthusiastically recommended for both personal and public library Civil War collections.

A Want Of Vigilance
Bill Backus & Robert Orrison
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611213003, $14.95, 170pp, www.amazon.com

The Bristoe Campaign was a series of minor battles fought in Virginia during October and November 1863, in the American Civil War. Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, commanding the Union Army of the Potomac, began to maneuver in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Lee countered with a turning movement, which caused Meade to withdraw his army back toward Centreville. Lee struck at Bristoe Station on October 14, but suffered losses in two brigades and withdrew. As Meade followed south once again, the Union army smashed a Confederate defensive bridgehead at Rappahannock Station on November 7 and drove Lee back across the Rapidan River. Along with the infantry battles, the cavalry forces of the armies fought at Auburn on October 13, again at Auburn on October 14, and at Buckland Mills on October 19. The Confederates had not achieved their primary objectives of bringing on a decisive battle or preventing the Federal reinforcement of the Western Theater, and Lee and his officers were much demoralized by this failure. "A Want of Vigilance: The Bristoe Station Campaign, October 9 19, 1863" is the collaborative work of Civil War historians Bill Backus & Robert Orrison and details one of the key campaigns of the American Civil War. Profusely illustrated throughout, "A Want Of Vigilance" as a compelling read and a very highly recommended contribution to both community and academic library American Civil War reference collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Want Of Vigilance" is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.99).


The Biography Shelf

White Eskimo
Stephen R. Bown
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
9780306822827 $27.99 www.perseusbooksgroup.com

White Eskimo: Knud Rasmussen's Fearless Journey into the Heart of the Arctic is the true-life story of university drop-out, opera singer, and dinner party connoisseur Knud Rasmussen (1879-1933), highlighting Rasmussen's three years of travel across Greenland and the plains of Alaska. Danish and Inuit by blood, and an adventurer at heart, Rasmussen survived blizzards, traced migrations routes, and documented ancient ways of life in remote regions; his journey was the longest dogsled expedition in history up to that time. A handful of black-and-white photographs, notes on sources, and an index round out this fascinating true-life story of a dedicated explorer who contributed enormously to human knowledge and understanding. White Eskimo is highly recommended, especially for public and college library biography collections.

George Whitefield Chadwick: An American Composer Revealed
Marianne Betz
Pendragon Press
PO Box 190, Hillsdale, NY 12529
9781576472132 $38.00 www.pendragonpress.com

George Whitefield Chadwick: An American Composer Revealed is a detailed biography of American composer, organist, and conductor George Whitefield Chadwick (1854-1931)., who served as director of the New England Conservatory in Boston. Chadwick was a prolific musical genius in his day, yet his life and musical works were almost forgotten for decades, until their recent revival sparked growing public interest. Documented with a wealth of personal papers, this biography reveals Chadwick's career, social networks, role models, musical ideals, and aesthetics. Occasional black-and-white photographs illustrate this thoughtful, heavily researched, and elegantly presented life story of a dedicated composer.


The American History Shelf

Lincoln, the Law, and Presidential Leadership
Charles M. Hubbard, editor
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive, SIUC Mail Code 6806
Carbondale, IL 62901
9780809334544 $34.50 www.siupress.com

Lincoln, the Law, and Presidential Leadership is an anthology of scholarly essays by learned authors examining the influence of American law on Lincoln's presidency, and vice versa. History records that the American Civil War, a crisis that posed an existential threat to the Union, caused President Lincoln to expand his power in unprecedented ways destined to transform society. Individual writings include "Abraham Lincoln and Civil Liberties in Wartime", "The Quality of Mercy: Abraham Lincoln and the Presidential Power to Pardon", "Lincoln and the Potter Congressional Committee Concerning the Loyalty of Government Employees", and much more. An index rounds out this insightful and erudite addition to American legal and political history collections. Highly recommended, especially for public and college libraries.


The World History Shelf

Eisenhower's Thorn on the Rhine
Nathan N. Prefer
Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
9781612003221 $32.95 www.casematepublishers.com

Eisenhower's Thorn on the Rhine: The Battles for the Colmar Pocket, 1944-45 scrutinizes a lesser-known campaign from the closing days of World War II. After the success of the Normandy invasion, as well as the expulsion of German forces from northern France and most of the Low Countries, a fierce pocket of German resistance around the city of Colmar continued to frustrate Allied forces. This last-ditch holdout was so fierce that in January of 1945, President Eisenhower said to George Marshall, "It is a very bad thorn in our side today." Eisenhower's Thorn on the Rhine examines this military juncture from all perspectives; chapters describe in detail the military strategies utilized and their repercussions, as well as the hardships and bravery of troops pressed to their limit on both sides. Extensive notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this scholarly military history, highly recommended especially for public and college library World War II collections.

Islamic History through Coins
Jere L. Bacharach
American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018-2729
9789774249303 $34.95 hc / $24.72 Kindle www.aucpress.com

Jere L. Bacharach (Professor Emeritus of International Studies and Professor Emeritus of Middle East History, the University of Washington, Seattle) presents Islamic History through Coins: An Analysis and Catalogue of Tenth-Century Ikhshidid Coinage, a scholarly scrutiny of what numismatics (the study of ancient coins) reveals about the Islamic civilizations of a thousand years ago. Half of Islamic History through Coins details with what has been learned from studying coins from during and after the reign of Muhammad ibn Tughj al-Ihkshid (323-358/935-969); half is a catalog of over 1,200 coin specimens, designed to help curators, collectors, and dealers identify and evaluate the rarity of coins in their own collections. Black-and-white photographs of various coins enhance this superbly written, engagingly presented, and highly recommended contribution to college library history, archaeology, and numismatics collections.


The Mythology Shelf

Tarpeia: Workings of a Roman Myth
Tara S. Welch
Ohio State University Press
180 Pressey Hall, 1070 Carmack Road
Columbus, OH 43210-1002
9780814212813 $68.95 hc
9780814293867 $14.95 CD-ROM www.ohiostatepress.org

Tarpeia: Workings of a Roman Myth is a scholarly examination of a legend dating to the foundation of Rome. According to the saga, the men of Rome needed wives to bear children and perpetuate their civilization; when the men of the neighboring Sabine tribe refused to let their daughters marry the Romans, the Romans abducted Sabine women to become their wives. This sparked a war with the Sabines, and during the war Tarpeia, the daughter of a Roman general, betrayed Rome to the Sabines in exchange for what the Sabines "wore on their left arms." Tarpeia allegedly craved the Sabines' golden jewelry, but the Sabines also bore their shields on their left arms; they crushed her to death with their shields, and her body was hurled from Tarpeian Rock, a place that became an execution site for Roman traitors. Author Tara S. Welch (Professor and Chair of Classics, University of Kansas) explores how the myth of Tarpeia was retold and used among centuries of Roman history, drawing upon a variety of sources including Latin and Greek texts. Welch reveals that the Tarpeian myth was inextricably Roman, and strikingly constant (as opposed to myths from the Greek city-states, which were as changeable as the city-states themselves). A bibliography, an index, and a brief list of other traitorous women from the era's mythology round out this thoughtful study of what Tarpeia's myth conveys about ethics, gender, ethnicity, political authority, language, conquest, and tradition. Tarpeia: Workings of a Romany Myth is highly recommended especially for public and college library mythology collections.


The Education Shelf

Getting from Me to We
Shonna Tuck, M.A., SLP
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Road, Bethesda, MD 20817
9781606132692 $24.95 www.woodbinehouse.com

Getting from Me to We: How to Help Young Children Fit In and Make Friends is a guide for parents and caregivers of young children ages 3 to 7 who have difficulty cultivating social skills, whether or not diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, anxiety, language deficits, etc. are involved. Parents of socially at-risk children have more options to help than may seem apparent at first glance. Chapters explain the underlying causes of social skill delays; how to identify where one's child is developmentally on the social skills ladder; profiles of children engaging in a variety of isolating behaviors; parent-child activities to encourage foundational skills such as eye contact and social interaction; and much more. Highly recommended, especially for public library collections about parenting.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Pete Dunne on Bird Watching, second edition
Pete Dunne
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
9780811715768 $19.95 www.stackpolebooks.com

Now in an updated second edition, Pete Dunne on Bird Watching: Beginner's Guide to Finding, Identifying, and Enjoying Birds is a reader-friendly guide for prospective and practicing birdwatchers of all backgrounds. Author Pete Dunne is the birding ambassador with the New Jersey Audubon Society's Cape May Bird Observatory, and has shared his extensive experience in the joy of observing feathered friends in numerous articles and books. Pete Dunne on Bird Watching is a general-purpose guide, explaining in plain terms the fundamentals of birding a wealth of tips, tricks, and techniques to make the most of it, and an invaluable final chapter about ethics and responsibilities. "[When a bird is lured out with recordings of birdsongs] they are not able to apply their energy more productively - by attracting a mate, foraging, or being vigilant for real threats. Repeated use of playbacks by multiple individuals targeting individual birds compounds these deleterious effects... Until more is known about recorded playbacks and their effects, and until guidelines are established, the prudent action for individual birders to take is no action. Leave the gadgetry at home and enjoy birds on their terms." Highly recommended!

Deer, Elk & Moose: Grand and Majestic Creatures
Stan Tekiela
Adventure Publications
820 Cleveland Street South
Cambridge, MN 55008
www.adventurepublications.net
9781591934592 $14.95 www.amazon.com

Illustrated with masterful, full-color photography on virtually every page, Deer, Elk & Moose: Grand and Majestic Creatures is a wonder-inducing glimpse into world and life cycle of these noble and beautiful creatures. Deer, Elk & Moose is not a hunting guide (though it does not condemn hunting when practiced responsibly); it is a visual showcase of these animals grazing, running, courting, raising their young, and more. The informative text teaches the reader about the natural history of these animals, emphasizing that only habitat conservation will ensure that they grace the future. "Management of our large animals greatly favors White-tailed Deer. Nearly all monies are assigned to increase deer populations for hunters, with little allocated to benefit elk and moose. I believe we are neglecting these larger cousins of deer." Highly recommended.


The Biology Shelf

Neurogenesis
Edited by Fred H. Gage, Gerd Kempermann, and Hongjun Song
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
500 Sunnyside Boulevard
Woodbury NY 11797-2924
9781621820741 $135.00 www.cshlpress.com

Written and edited by accredited experts, Neurogenesis is part of the "Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology" series. Intended for advanced students and scholars, Neurogenesis is an anthology of essays discussing cutting-edge discoveries about mammalian neurogenesis - the creation of neurons (nerve cells) from neural stem cells and progenitor cells. Neurogenesis is most active during prenatal development, but is known to occur at other stages of life as well. Individual writings include "In Vitro Models for Neurogenesis", "Diversity of Neural Precursors in the Adult Mammalian Brain", "Control of Cell Survival in Adult Mammalian Neurogenesis", "Computational Modeling of Adult Neurogenesis", "Epilepsy and Adult Neurogenesis", "Adult Neurogenesis: An Evolutionary Perspective", and much more. Notes, charts, diagrams (occasionally in color) and an index round out this detailed and highly technical compilation, especially recommended for graduate school library collections and the personal study of research biologists.


The Judicial Studies Shelf

The Constitution of the United States of America: A Contextual Analysis
Mark Tushnet
Hart Publishing
www.hartpub.co.uk
An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
c/o International Specialized Book Services (dist.)
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR, 97213
www.isbs.com
9781849466042 $25.00 pbk / $9.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Part of the "Constitutional Systems of the World" series, The Constitution of the United States of America: A Contextual Analysis is an in-depth scrutiny of America's constitution, penned by author Mark Tushnet (the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Harvard Law School). The (often contentious!) history and currently interpreted meaning of every line of the U.S. Constitution is dissected and discussed at length. Chapters note two prevailing themes about the U.S. Constitution: first, it is old, brief, and very difficult to amend. Second, it creates a structure of political opportunities that allows political actors, including but not limited to political parties, to advance their chosen policy goals. The structure of national government, federalism, judicial review, and individual rights are also considered in this scholarly resource, worthy of the highest recommendation for public and college library judicial studies shelves.


The Fiction Shelf

Only with Blood
Therese Down
Lion Fiction
c/o Kregel Publications
2450 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.kregelpublications.com
9781782641353, $14.99, 320pp, www.amazon.com

Set in Ireland, "Only with Blood" is the story of Jack Flynn, strong and aggressive but slowly dying of tuberculosis on his farm in Tipperary in the Republic of Ireland, who has decided to acquire by purchase a young wife who can bear him sons to inherit his family's land. His choice, Caitlin Spillane, is less than half his age, attractive and intelligent, and resents bitterly the obedience that is forced upon her. When a young firebrand, a supporter of the IRA, arrives in the village, he and Caitlin are drawn together in their detestation of Flynn. Flynn, traumatized by his own insurgent IRA experiences twenty years earlier, is secretly convinced that Eamonn de Valera's more diplomatic, peaceful approach to Ireland's problems is the only sane one. Could Caitlin be won for the cause, and leave her unloved husband? Set against the struggle for the heart of Ireland in the Second World War, when the IRA notoriously sought assistance from the Nazis, "Only with Blood" deftly explores flawed characters placed in extraordinary situations. A fully absorbing read from beginning to end, "Only with Blood" is very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections where it is certain to be an enduringly popular title. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Only with Blood" is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.99).


The Photography Shelf

Colorado: A Photographic Journey
Blaine Harrington III & Laurence Parent
Farcountry Press
PO Box 5630, Helena, MT 59604
www.farcountrypress.com
9781560376378, $12.95, 80pp, www.amazon.com

"Colorado: A Photographic Journey" is professional photographers Blaine Harrington III and Laurence Parent are proud photographic study of Colorado. Harrington, a homegrown Coloradan, and Parent, a native of the Southwest, provide a combined 106 color photographs that highlight soaring Fourteeners, centuries-old cliff dwellings, world-class ski runs, deep canyons, high plains, and so much more. Each superbly presented full color photograph is enhanced with a succinct and informative captioned commentary. Ideal for armchair travelers and community library photography collections, "Colorado: A Photographic Journey" is certain to be a favorite for anyone who has ever traveled the state or wanted to.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

A Job-Seeker's Guide to Careers in Market Research
James T. Heisler, PhD
Paramount Market Publishing, Inc.
950 Danby Road, Suite 136, Ithaca, NY 14850
9781941688311 $34.95 www.paramountbooks.com

Author James T. Heisler, PhD (a 40-year veteran of the market research industry) presents A Job-Seeker's Guide to Careers in Market Research, a reader-friendly, practical-minded reference and resource for aspirants to this challenging and rewarding line of work. "The field is no longer dominated by surveys and focus groups. Big Data and social media have created a virtual 'fire hose' of information about what people are doing and saying that must be taken into consideration. To an increasing degree the focus for marketers will be on integrating these different data streams." Chapters describe the evolving industry of market research, how to prepare for entry into the field, the processes of getting hired, career progression paths, and much more. An extensive list of career information resources and a glossary of terminology common to the world of market research rounds out this "must-read" for anyone considering the field. Highly recommended!


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

Improvise.: Scene from the Inside Out, second edition
Mick Napier, author
With a foreword by Stephen Colbert
Meriwether Publishing
c/o Pioneer Drama Service
PO Box 4267, Englewood, CO 80155-4267
9781566081986 $19.95 www.meriwether.com

Award-winning director and experienced improv instructor Mick Napier presents Improvise.: Scene from the Inside Out, now in an expanded and revised second edition with additional tips, tricks, and techniques as well as a full reproduction of Napier's web journal from his time directing "Paradigm Lost" for The Second City. Chapters teach the reader about the oft-misunderstood art of improvisation - creating performance art (comedy, drama, or what-have-you) on the spot with no script, whether by oneself or as part of a group. Topics covered include how to use context to one's advantage, two-person scenes, balanced large-cast scenes, advice for successful auditioning, solo exercises one can practice at home, and much more. Actors of all walks of life (whether their primary venue is improv-heavy or not) will directly benefit from Napier's expertise; comedian and talk show host Stephen Colbert certainly did, as he testifies in a brief yet hilarious foreword!


The Journalism Shelf

ESPN: The Making of a Sports Media Empire
Travis Vogan
University of Illinois Press
1325 South Oak Street
Champaign, IL 61820-6975
9780252081224 $19.95 www.press.uillinois.edu

ESPN: The Making of a Sports Media Empire is the true story of how ESPN evolved from a spit-and-sticks operation utilizing plywood sets and covering Australian rules football into a gigantic sports media conglomerate. The network's strengths included cross-promotion and rapport with viewers, to the extent that it practically became the trend-setter and curator of modern sports history. Author Travis Vogan (assistant professor of Journalism and Mass Communication and American Studies, University of Iowa) draws upon both archival research and a wealth of interviews to assemble the definitive chronicle of ESPN's meteoric rise. Notes, an extensive bibliography, and an index rounds out this welcome addition to public and college library journalism and media studies shelves.


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