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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 8, Number 1 January 2013 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Gardening Shelf Railroading Shelf
Photography Shelf Travel Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Poetry Shelf LGBT Shelf American History Shelf
World History Shelf Gaming Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Judaic Studies Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Fiction Shelf Memoir Shelf Sports Shelf
Military Shelf Human Sexuality Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Music CD Shelf DVD Shelf
Wine/Beer Shelf Civil War Shelf Woodworking Shelf
Music Shelf Art Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Computer Shelf Dance Shelf Science Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Grizzly Bears and Razor Claws
Chris Townsend
Sandstone Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781908737045, $26.95, www.dufoureditions.com

The western coast of North America is one of varying climate, but the mountainous regions can prove especially treacherous. "Grizzly Bears and Razor Claws: Walking America's Pacific Northwest Trail" is a memoir and travelogue from Chris Townsend who tells the story of walking a twelve hundred mile Pacific Northwest Trail, passes through Montana, Idaho, and Washington, where he walked the trail without human contact for quite some time. An enticing recollection of a journey with full color photography throughout, "Grizzly Bears and Razor Claws" is an enticing read for outdoors and true adventure collections, recommended.

Prepper's Home Defense
Jim Cobb
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440
Berkeley CA 94703-3440
9781612431154, $15.95, www.ulyssespress.com

Defense against disasters, both man and natural, cannot be underrated. "Prepper's Home Defense: Security Strategies to Protect Your Family by Any Means Necessary" is a guide for those who want to take their home defense to the next level, and prepare for a potential calamity. By equipping ones home with tools and defenses to withstand disaster, "Prepper's Home Defense" has plenty of practical advice that shouldn't be overlooked.


The Gardening Shelf

Annuals, Perennials & Bulbs For Your Home
Creative Homeowner
24 Park Way
Saddle River, NJ 07450-2311
9781580115629 $16.95 www.creativehomeowner.com

Featuring a wealth of full-color photographs on every page, Annuals, Perennials & Bulbs For Your Home is an information-packed resource worthy of Creative Homeowner's high quality standards. Chapters walk the reader through the steps of acquiring and planting bulbs, working with stoil, and taking good care of growing plants; subdivided sections focus specifically on annuals, perennials, and bulbs. "Because most perennials bloom for just a few weeks during a season, you'll need to choose plants that bloom at differing times to have garden color that lasts throughout the season." Annuals, Perennials & Bulbs For Your Home is a hands-on, "must-have" reference and resource that amateur and professional gardeners alike will find immense useful. Highly recommended!

Shamanic Gardening
Melinda Joy Miller
Process
1240 W. Sims Way Box 124
Port Townsend, WA 98368
9781934170366, $19.95, www.processmediainc.com

Gardening is more than the plants the efforts produce. "Shamanic Gardening: Timeless Techniques for the Modern Sustainable Garden" discusses the spiritual side of gardening as Melinda Joy Miller draws on the studies of Feng Shui and how they can apply to the act of gardening, analyzing the plants and their connections to the spirit. With much to consider for avid gardeners with strong new age spirituality followings, "Shamanic Gardening" is recommended and not to be overlooked.

Landscaping
John Kelsey, editor
Fox Chapel Publishing
1970 Broad Street N.
East Petersburg, PA 17520
9781565236998, $24.95, www.FoxChapelPublishing.com

For those with the love of gardening, landscaping is a do it yourself love. "Landscaping: The DIY Guide to Planning, Planting, and Building a Better Yard" is an independent gardening lover's guide to creating their own beautiful designs and style around their home, covering it with green. With advice on creating many of the landscaping staples such as raised flower beds, planting shrubs and trees, and much more, "Landscaping" is presented with plenty of full color photography and diagrams throughout to help readers get the most out of their gardens.


The Railroading Shelf

Livestock & Meatpacking
Jeff Wilson
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780890248676, $19.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

Meat has been a staple of America's diet for generations. "Livestock & Meatpacking" is a study of the industry, with emphases on the role of railroads. Chapters are packed with fascinating information for those curious about how livestock cargo were transported across the country, how the refrigerator cars work, the plants that the action happens in, and much more. With historic black and white and color photography where applicable, "Livestock and Meatpacking" is a must for those who want to see the railway cargo times that occurred between the 1860s and 1960s, highly recommended.


The Photography Shelf

Nikon D600: From Snapshots to Great Shots
Rob Sylvan
Peachpit Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780321904959 $29.99 www.peachpit.com

Featuring full-color sample photography throughout, Nikon D600: From Snapshots to Great Shots is an excellent, user-friendly instruction manual for photographers of beginner to intermediate skill who are looking to get the most out of their new Nikon D600 camera. Free-lance photographer Rob Sylvan walks the reader through how to utilize the Nikon D600's automatic modes; take control of various photography aspects such composition, focus, and depth of field; take optimal shots in low light; use the Nikon D600's HD video capability to record live action sequences; and much more. Assignments at the end of each chapter prompt the reader to master the offered tips, tricks, and techniques with hands-on experience! Highly recommended.

Perfect English Farmhouse
Ros Byam Shaw & Jan Baldwin
Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10012
9781849752022, $40.00, www.rylanpeters.com

Classic is a style that never truly goes sour. "Perfect English Farmhouse" is a collection of photography focusing on design and the style of the old fashioned English farmhouse, focusing on the exteriors and interiors of many houses throughout the countryside. Touching on the many styles of farmhouse, the plants that create the imagery, and much more, "Perfect English Farmhouse" doubly serves as a fascinating coffee table photography book and reference for those trying to capture the style for their home.

Harbour: Photographs by Alastair Grant
Alastair Grant
Otago University Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213
www.otago.ac.nz/press
9781877578335 $80.00 www.isbs.com

Harbour: Photographs by Alastair Grant is a striking, coffee-table photographic record of the inland harbours along the west coast of New Zealand's north island. Images of landscapes, architecture, watercraft, people, and wildlife fill this vivid and distinctive collection. There is almost no text, not even photo captions; each page or two-page spread is devoted to astonishingly beautiful and revealing imagery. Harbour is captivatingly beautiful, a joy to page through, and offers a powerful visual impression of this little-known and underappreciated coastal region. Highly recommended.

Notre Dame's Happy Returns
Brian O Conchubhair & Susan Mullen Guibert, authors
Matt Cashore, photographer
University of Notre Dame Press
310 Flanner Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
9780268023089, $38.00, www.undpress.nd.edu

Pride can go far, and has firm roots in history. "Notre Dame's Happy Returns" is a book of photography focusing on the University of Notre Dame and its strong connections to its Irish Homeland from the historical Indiana university. Collecting photographs from the university, focusing on Ireland and the strong connection that is between Ireland and America through the university, capturing landmarks, landscapes, people, and many other topics. Full color and glossy, any fan of the Fighting Irish will do well with "Notre Dame's Happy Returns" as a choice coffee book photography selection, highly recommended.


The Travel Shelf

Mauritius
Alexandra Richards
Bradt
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
246 Goose Lane, Suite 200
Guilford, CT 06437
9781841624105, $25.99, www.globepequot.com

A small island off the coast of Madagascar, Mauritius holds much for the adventurous world traveler. "Mauritius: Rodrigues and Reunion" is a guide for those who want to visit the small island and its vertex of culture and life from not only Mauritius, but also neighboring islands Rodrigues and Reunion. With plenty of detail, "Mauritius" is an excellent travel guide, worthy of publisher Bradt's high standards.

Southern Lakes Tracks & Trails
Pat Barrett
Otago University Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213-3786
9781877578069, $40.00, www.otago.ac.nz/press

The wilds of New Zealand have much to appease to the would be traveler. "Southern Lakes Tracks & Trails: A Walking & Tramping Guide" provides readers with countless paths and trails throughout the island of New Zealand designed for any perspective hiker, be it a loner or young group looking for a challenge or something designed for a family of many levels. With full color photography and outlines throughout, "Southern Lakes Tracks & Trails" is an absolute must for the hiking enthusiast who lives in or will soon find themselves in New Zealand, enthusiastically recommended.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Wicked Enchantments
Joyce Froome
Palatine Books/Carnegie Publishing
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781874181620, $25.95, www.amazon.com

The trials of the Pendle witches in 1612 are among the most famous witch trials in English history, and some of the best recorded of the 17th century. The twelve accused lived in the area around Pendle Hill in Lancashire, and were charged with the murders of ten people by the use of witchcraft. All but two were tried at Lancaster Assizes on 18 - 19 August 1612, along with the Samlesbury witches and others, in a series of trials that have become known as the Lancashire witch trials. One was tried at York Assizes on 27 July 1612, and another died in prison. Of the eleven who went to trial - nine women and two men - ten were found guilty and executed by hanging; one was found not guilty. "Wicked Enchantments: A History of the Pendle Witches & Their Magic" by Joyce Froome is a 404 page compendium providing a detailed descriptive history that draws from an impressive variety of original sources (including books of major and court transcripts) to showcase the role of magic in the lives and culture of the time. Of special note are the photographs of magical objects that are a part of the collection held by the Museum of Witchcraft in Cornall -- and a modern family recreating seventeenth century spells and rituals. An original and seminal work, "Wicked Enchantments: A History of the Pendle Witches & Their Magic" is a rare and welcome addition to personal, community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

A Lapidary of Sacred Stones
Claude Lecouteux
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street
Rochester, VT 05767
9781594774638 $26.95 www.innertraditions.com

A Lapidary of Sacred Stones: Their Magical and Medicinal Properties Based on the Earliest Sources lists the metaphysical properties (and sometimes also a bit of history) behind more than 800 gems and stones. Drawing upon lore from a wide variety of cultures, including ancient Arabic, Greek, Jewish, and European sources, Pliny the Elder's writings, and rare texts such as the "Picatrix" and Damigeron's "Virtue of Stones", A Lapidary of Sacred Stones combines centuries of accumulated wisdom into a single alphabetized reference. A brief introduction, occasional black-and-white illustrations, and a bibliography round out this excellent, easy-to-use resource ideal for practical metaphysics or simple perusal.

The Mayan Ouroboros
Drunvalo Melchizedek
Weiser Publishers
65 Parker Avenue, Suite 7
Newburyport, MA 01950
9781578635337, $18.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

Are the omens of the Mayans not so much omens? "The Mayan Ouroboros: The Cosmic Cycles Come Full Circle: The True Positive Mayan Prophecy is Revealed" is a more positive interpretation of Mayan prophecy, stating that 2012 is not the end of the world, but instead a time of transition. Presenting a different take of metaphysical philosophy, "The Mayan Ouroboros" is a much recommended addition community library collections focusing on prophecy and the occult.

Ancient Technology in Peru & Bolivia
David Hatcher Childress
Adventures Unlimited Press
PO Box 74
Kempton, IL 60946
9781935487814, $19.95, www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com

What has been lost to the tides of time? "Ancient Technology in Peru & Bolivia" explores the potential of lost technology in the South American continent, that built their lost wonders, questioning the origins of their construction and how the lost techniques of the people built these wonders at Puma Punku and Machu Picchu, David Hatcher Childress offers some explanation on how they created such things in the past. "Ancient Technology in Peru & Bolivia" is a strong addition to any metaphysical history collection.

Montana UFOs and Extraterrestrials
Joan Bird
Riverbend Publishing
PO Box 5833
Helena, MT 59604
9781606390573, $14.95, www.riverbendpublishing.com

The unknown captivates us, and in the vast plains of the American west... strange things can happen. "Montana UFOs and Extraterrestrials" analyzes the unexplained history of Montana, analyzing incidents over the past fifty years in which events have left investigators puzzled. From unexplainable films to flashes in the Big Sky state's horizons, "Montana UFOs and Extraterrestrials" is a choice pick for those with a fascination with contact with other worlds and the evidence that it may have already occurred.

Communications from the Other Side
Anthony Quinata
ARE Press
215 - 67th Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2061
9780876046210, $12.95, www.AREPress.com

To hear from the other end is a desire many that have lost loved ones seek. "Communications from the Other Side: Death is Not the End of Life, Love, or Relationships" is a metaphysical spirituality guide from Anthony Quinata as he uses his gifts as a medium to advise readers on how to reach out to those they have lost and reaffirm their love across life and death. "Communications from the Other Side" is a choice addition to metaphysical spirituality collections, recommended.


The Poetry Shelf

The Oracle of Hollywood Boulevard
Dana Goodyear
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10110
9780393082463, $25.95, www.wwnorton.com

There is much joy, and there is also much to counteract that joy. "The Oracle of Hollywood Boulevard" is a collection of poetry from Dana Goodyear who touches on these ideas and the pieces of life we seek amongst the misery. Honest yet uplifting, "The Oracle of Hollywood Boulevard" is a strong addition to any general poetry collection, highly recommended. "An Old Misogynist": I could have argued with him.//Instead, I watched a bulldog-dirty muzzle,/furious yellow-green eye--/mouth the grass,/each mute, oblivious lunge,/saying, Mine, Mine, until a disembodied hand/pulled it back in line.

Vanitas, Rough
Lisa Russ Spaar
Persea Books
277 Broadway, Suite 708
New York, NY 10007
9780892554201, $15.95, www.perseabooks.com

Intimacy brings us deeply close to those around us. "Vanitas, Rough" is a collection of poetry from Lisa Russ Spaar who delves into the bonds of sex and sexuality in their deep impact in our lives and our paths. "Vanitas, Rough" is a choice addition to any modern literary poetry collection, highly recommended. "Billet-doux": Was I tired of being human/when I dreamed that stub cicada,/blown cavity, bezeled melee of oblivion, blizzarding bees,//my wrists a slurry, melting snow/contused with apple sap? I know hell/is freezing over, but still, the seasons --./Winter is of course a mistake./Yet how else justify this indented nest,/daub & cowlick, frankly pubic, a fluster in the cold brake?//Even now - blue oval stones pecked from inside/& long ago turned to angel wing, to wind --/I know I must not touch, lest I do them harm.


The LGBT Shelf

An Argument for Same-Sex Marriage
Emily R. Gill
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
9781589019201, $29.95, www.press.georgetown.edu

A more perfect union seeks equality for all of its citizens. "An Argument for Same-Sex Marriage: Religious Freedom, Sexual Freedom, and Public Expressions of Civic Equality" advocates marriage equality and studies the debate through an analysis of religion's views on sexuality, the push for neutrality in law, and the constitutional requirement that marriage equality gain ground in modern American society. Advocating gay rights as human rights, "An Argument for Same-Sex Marriage" is a core addition to any social issues and reference collection focusing on current events.

Family Pride
Michael Shelton
Beacon Press
25 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108-2892
9780807010974, $16.00, www.beacon.org

The rights of LGBT individuals have made great strides in the past few decades. "Family Pride: What LGBT Families Should know about Navigating Home, School, and Safety in Their Neighborhoods" is a guide to families and friends of those who do not fall into the hetero-normative ideas and want to help their loved ones live their lives and succeed in the face of hostility and bigotry. With plenty of resources and advice throughout, "Family Pride" is a strong addition to gay issues and social studies collections, highly recommended. Also for Gay issues collections from Beacon Press, "Prairie Silence: A Rural Expatriate's Journey to Reconcile Home, Love, and Faith" (9780807044735, $24.95) following a Lesbian woman's story as she seeks to return home to her native North Dakota.


The American History Shelf

Prosperity Far Distant
Charles M. Wiltse
Ohio University Press
The Ridges, Building 19
Athens, OH 45701
9780821419984, $29.95, www.ohioswallow.com

Living to the fullest doesn't always mean a fabulous mansion, it can be contentment of a farm. "Prosperity Far Distant: The Journal of an American Farmer, 1933-1934" describes an educated man in Charles M. Wiltse, returning home to the farm after his Cornell University education. With the Great Depression in full swing, the family struggled to keep its farm afloat, exempt from New Deal programs and their position. A very personal perspective on the New Deal compiled and edited by an old colleague of Wiltse in Michael J. Birkner, "Prosperity Far Distant" is a strong addition to any historical memoir collection with a focus on depression studies.

Benedict Arnold in the Company of Heroes
Arthur S. Lefkowitz
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781611211115, $29.95, www.savasbeatie.com

Benedict Arnold has become a metaphor for traitor, a legend for treachery. "Benedict Arnold in the Company of Heroes" looks into the Revolution's hero Arnold and the men he lead into Quebec to capture it for the Colonial Army in 1775. Telling the story of the notable men who made up his unit, "Benedict Arnold in the Company of Heroes" is a dedicated and well researched exploration of history, highly recommended.


The World History Shelf

Endless Empire
Alfred W. McCoy, Josep M. Fradera, and Stephen Jacobson
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor
Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780299290245, $29.95, www.wisc.edu/wisconsinpress

Empires Rise, Empires Decline, and the last few centuries have been built on this cycle. "Endless Empire: Spain's Retreat, Europe's Eclipse, America's Decline" analyzes the nonstop cycle of Empire throughout the world, where when one nation's influence and power waned, another emerged in its place. Focusing on the decades past World War II and America's establishment as a superpower, it now looks to the future where America's grasp was not as firm as it once was and the forces coming to replace it in the world. "Endless Empire" is a riveting perspective on history and the endless power struggle over the globe.


The Gaming Shelf

Don't Listen To Phil Hellmuth
Dusty Schmidt
Cardoza Publishing
5473 South Eastern Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89119
www.cardozapub.com
9781580423083, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Phil Hellmuth is exceptionally well known in the professional poker community for two things. Firstly, the number of wins he has had in televised tournaments such as the annual World Series Of Poker events. Secondly, for his antics at the poker table that have earned him the nickname of 'The Poker Brat'. Phil has always been free to offer (often insulting) advice to others on how to properly play No-Limit Texas Hold'em. Now some of his 'advice' (along with the flawed counsels of other TV Poker commentators, self-styled experts, and bracelet winning champions), is deconstructed and corrected in "Don't Listen To Phil Hellmuth" by Dusty Schmidt (with the added assistance of Paul Christopher Hoppe). This 360 page compendium deftly corrects fifty of the worst pieces of poker advice ever to be inflicted upon the novice player. Replete with examples and illustrations, "Don't Listen To Phil Hellmuth" is informed, informative, thoroughly 'novice poker player friendly', and should be considered a mandatory study for anyone seeking to improve their game and eventually play against the likes of Phil Hellmuth and company in a World Series of Poker event or a World Poker Tour tournament some day.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Christianity And The Disciplines
Oliver D. Crisp, et al.
T & T Clark
c/o Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue
Suite 315, NY, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9780567040459, $120.00, www.amazon.com

Unlike their secular counterparts, Christian universities of higher education have always had always had to deal with the problems of balancing or accommodating theological doctrines with scientific research. Collaboratively compiled and edited by the team of Mervyn Davies (Scholar-in-Residence at Sarum College, Salisbury, and honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Bristol, UK), Oliver D. Crisp (Professor of Systematic Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, USA), Gavin D'Costa (Professor of Catholic Theology, University of Bristol, UK), Peter Hampson (Visiting Fellow at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, UK) "Christianity and the Disciplines: The Transformation of the University" is a 240 page compendium comprised of seventeen articles contributed by outstanding scholars covering the challenges that Christian universities face when dealing with diverse sciences. Deftly organized into three major sections (Natural and Life Sciences; Human and Social Sciences; Humanities), the articles range from Michael Heller's 'Mathematics: Breaking the Code of Creation'; to Peter Hampson's 'Theology and Psychology'; to Fernando Cervantes 'Philosophy, Theology and Historical Knowledge'. Of special note is 'Newman's Challenge to the Contemporary University' which is the opening chapter by Mervyn Davies. Enhanced with an informed and informative introduction by the editors and concluding with a comprehensive index, "Christianity and the Disciplines: The Transformation of the University" is a seminal anthology of impressive scholarship and a strongly recommended inclusion for seminary and academic library Christian Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

101 Answers to Questions About the Book of Revelation
Mark Hitchcock
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North
Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736949750, $13.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com

2012 brought much discussion about the end of the world. "101 Answers to Questions About the Book of Revelation" explores the most controversial book of the Bible, the Book of Revelations which tells of torment and hell on earth, only to end with the return of Christ. Explaining the ideas of this book, popular culture and its misinterpretations, the fate of the believers, the fate of the disbelievers, the course of events before Christ brings the rapture. "101 Answers to Questions About the Book of Revelation" is well worth considering for those who want a more complete understanding of Biblical prophecy, highly recommended.

Reflections
Faythelma Bechtel
Vision Publishers
PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
9781932676235, $17.99, www.vision-publishers.com

God's wisdom can help us and carry us far if we seek to let it. "Reflections of God's Grace in Grief" is a collection of wisdom and proverb influenced writings from Faythelma Bechtel who seeks to offer inspiration for coping with loss and other rough plights in their lives. With much to consider, "Reflections of God's Grace in Grief" is a must for Christian devotional collections.

Blessings for Leaders
Dan R. Ebener
The Liturgical Press
St. John's Abbey, PO Box 7500
Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
9780814635070, $9.95, www.litpress.org

Faith and leadership go hand in hand. "Blessings for Leaders: Leadership Wisdom from the Beatitudes" is a guide to better Christian living and insight from Dan R. Ebener as he advises leaders in whatever field, be it faith or business or just in every day life, to take notes from the beatitudes, and apply them to living life faithfully and through Jesus's example. "Blessings for Leaders" is an insightful and important guide of faith, not to be overlooked.

A Season of Mystery
Paula Huston
Loyola Press
3441 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
9780829437546, $14.95, www.LoyolaBooks.org

As we enter the second half of our lives, it is a mistake to consider it only a decline. "A Season of Mystery: 10 Spiritual Practices for Embracing A Happier Second Half of Life" is a faithful and driven read about facing midlife and how to better inspire oneself live a life much more worth living as we enter the golden years, and dispel the fears that come with aging, encouraging a thought process that can make us young at heart and mind for years to come. "A Season of Mystery" is well worth considering for Christians who want to use the gift of life to its fullest.

The Passionate Jesus
Rev. Peter Wallace
Skylight Paths Publishing
Sunset Farms Offices, Route 4
PO Box 237
Woodstock, VT 05091
9781594733932, $18.99, www.skylightpaths.com

Passion and living life are the most crucial lessons of Christ. "The Passionate Jesus: What We Can Learn from Jesus About Love, Fear, Grief, Joy and Living Authentically" is a spiritual read about the meaning of Christ's life, shunning depictions of him as a man above emotion, instead looking to a man who lives life with anger, fear, and compassion like we all do and can, as Revered Peter Wallace encourages people to love and inspire those emotions further in their lives. "The Passionate Jesus" is a strongly recommended addition to any Christian and spirituality collection, much recommended.

St. Teresa of Avila
Tomas Alvarez
ICS Publications
2131 Lincoln Road, NE
Washington, DC 20002-1199
9780935216837, $18.95, www.icspublications.org

When barriers are broken, new ground is made, for the better of all. "St. Teresa of Avila: 100 Themes On Her Life and Work" tells the chronicle of first woman to attain the title doctor of the church, who through her work and struggles, did much to change things in her society for women and society, standing against censorship, anonymity, and issues of the day such as the introduction of America into European minds. "St. Teresa of Avila" is an insightful addition to any Christian Studies and reference collection.

Women of the Bible
Carol Smith, Ellyn Sanna, Rachael Phillips
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
9781620291832, $12.99, www.barbourbooks.com

The role of the woman in the bible is no simple understanding. "Women of the Bible: A Visual Guide to Their Lives, Loves, and Legacy" seeks the stories of the female figures of the bible, touching on the lives and souls of these women living in a very different and much more male dominated society. But Christ challenged many things in his era, including the role of women in everyday life. "Women of the Bible" is a much recommended addition to Christian and women's studies collections.

The Art of Life
Joan Chittister
Novalis
c/o Twenty-Third Publications
PO Box 6015
New London, CT 06320
9782896465378, $19.95, www.novalis.ca

For those who dedicate themselves wholly to faith, life is a very different endeavor indeed. "The Art of Life: Monastic Wisdom for Every Day" is a collection of Christian spirituality, as Joan Chittister offers her experiences as a Benedictine nun, sharing her art and thought throughout her life and existence, with full color reproductions of that art work all throughout. "The Art of Life" is a must for those seeking bites of life and living and making the most of what they seek in their faith.

The God Who Weeps
Terryl Givens & Fiona Givens
Ensign Peak
c/o Deseret Books
57 West South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
9781609071882, $19.99, www.deseretbook.com

A bit of order and logic entices us so far. "The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life" is a guide to the Mormon faith, explaining its tenets and ideas of the faith, the will of the Lord, the role of mankind in his own divinity, and how we fit into life's greater picture. For those seeking an explanation of the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, "The God Who Weeps" is an important and recommended addition to Christian studies collections focusing on Mormonism.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

The Jewish Art of Self-Discovery
Benjamin Rapaport
Urim Publications
c/o Lambda Publishers
527 Empire Boulevard
Brooklyn, New York 11225
9789655241303, $24.95, www.UrimPublications.com

Knowing the self is the first step to knowing the world. "The Jewish Art of Self-Discovery" is a self-help and inspirational guide aimed at Jews and those who want to understand the Jewish personal philosophy in their lives, understanding our personal potential and how to pursue it to our highest extent, using the Torah as a guide and moral compass to our lives. "The Jewish Art of Self-Discovery" is a wise and much recommended addition to Judaic studies and self-help collections, highly recommended.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Making Sense of Tantric Buddhism
Christian K. Wedemeyer
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street. NY, NY 10023-7015
http://cup.columbia.edu
9780231162401, $50.00, www.amazon.com

Tantric refers to scriptures and to practitioners of methods described by the scriptures, including:
Hindu Tantra; Tantric yoga; Neotantra (modern western forms of Tantra); Tantric Buddhism. "Making Sense of Tantric Buddhism: History, Semiology, and Transgression in the Indian Traditions" by Christian K. Wedemeyer (Associate Professor of the History of Religions, University of Chicago Divinity School, and Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations) is the newest addition to the outstanding Columbia University Press 'South Asia Across the Disciplines' series. This 336 page compendium is organized into two major sections: Historiography and Interpretation. Of special note is the informed and informative introduction 'Making Sense in and Of the Human Sciences'. Comprehensive, a work of superb scholarship, deftly written, 'reader friendly', and enhanced with the inclusion of two appendices, extensive notes, bibliography, and index, "Making Sense of Tantric Buddhism" is an invaluable contribution to the growing library of Buddhist literature and highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Buddhist Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The Core Teachings
Hsing Yun
Buddha's Light Publishing
3456 Glenmark Drive
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
9781932293685, $15.95, www.blpusa.com

The basic discipline of Buddhism rings true to many of us. "The Core Teachings: Essays in Basic Buddhism" discusses elementary basic Buddhism, as the Venerable Master Hsing Yun touches on his decades of work in promoting a brand of Buddhism that encourages the power of the human spirit in our lives, deftly explaining concepts such as the four noble truths, karma, and other central tenets of the faith. "The Core Teaching" is a core addition to any religion and spirituality collection focusing on Buddhism.


The Self-Help Shelf

Recover to Live
Christopher Kennedy Lawford
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, STE 400
Dallas, TX 75204
9781936661961, $26.95, www.benbellabooks.com

The power to change ones life lies in the self. "Recover to Live: Kick Any Habit, Manage Any Addiction" is a motivational guide from Christopher Kennedy Lawford who presents advice and wisdom from many experts on addiction on how to better build oneself and prepare to deal with addiction and achieve better health in life. With tips on dealing with many addictions from chemical based addictions like drugs to habitual problems like sex and gambling, "Recover to Live" is a choice and wise read, not to be overlooked for those struggling with their own problems.

Your Ultimate Life Plan
Dr. Jennifer Howard
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781601622319, $16.99, www.newpagebooks.com

Plotting the course for ones future should never be underrated. "Your Ultimate Life Plan: How to Deeply Transform Your Everyday Experience and Create Changes That Last" is a motivational and inspirational read from Dr. Jennifer Howard who offers her own insights on moving ones life towards the greatness we seek, building confidence and desire to find the success and flourish in spite of it all. "Your Ultimate Life Plan" is a strong addition to self-help and inspirational collections, not to be missed.

The Inspired Life
Susyn Reeve
Viva Editions
2246 Sixth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710-2219
9781936740017, $15.95, www.vivaeditions.com

Our potential for happiness lies within ourselves. "The Inspired Life: Unleashing Your Mind's Capacity for Joy" is an inspirational read from Susyn Reeve as she shares her secrets to finding inspiration in life, and keeping that inspiration going strong and living life to its fullest. With much to ponder and much to drive ourselves forward, "The Inspired Life" is a strong addition to motivational and self-help collections for those who want the extra boost out of life.

The Book of I
Joan Konner, editor
Lantern Books
128 Second Place, Garden Suite
Brooklyn, NY 11231
9781590563663, $18.00, www.lanternbooks.com

To know what needs to be done, one best fully understand the self and its goals. "The Book of I: An Illustrious Collection of Self-Reflections" is an inspirational read, compiling quotes from many authors as Joan Konner compiles these thoughts that encourage looking into the self to find ones own answers in their life and pushing for that knowledge and understanding. "The Book of I" is well worth considering for motivational collections, recommended.

Creating On Purpose
Anodea Judith & Lion Goodman
Sounds True
413 South Arthur Avenue
Louisville, CO 80027
9781604078527, $17.95, www.soundstrue.com

Creation is a truly wonderful gift. "Creating On Purpose: The Spiritual Technology of Manifesting Through the Chakras" is a spiritual guide from Anodea Judith & Lion Goodman as they advise readers to realize their inner self, their chakra, and use it to find their higher purpose and discover their better purpose in their lives. "Creating On Purpose" is a strong addition to spiritual and inspirational collections, not to be missed.


The Cookbook Shelf

Maine Home Cooking
Sandra L. Oliver
Down East Books
PO Box 679
Camden, ME 04843
9781608931804 $29.95 www.downeastbooks.com

Maine Home Cooking: 175 Recipes from Down East Kitchens lives up to its title with a wealth of popular recipes widely enjoyed in the coastal state of Maine. Enhanced with tips, tricks, techniques, suggestions, and anecdotes, Maine Home Cooking is extremely user-friendly and an excellent choice for family-pleasing fare. Some of the most mouth-watering dishes include "Date Nut Bread", "Venison or Beef Stroganoff", "Shrimp Pesto Roll", "Strawberry Spinach Salad", and "Lobster Stew". A few recipes "from away" - ("away" meaning "anywhere that is not Maine") round out this wonderful cookbook, illustrated with a handful of color photographs. Highly recommended, especially for connoisseurs of sumptuous coastal cuisine!

The Zero-Mile Diet Cookbook
Carolyn Herriot
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219
Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
9781550175677 $29.95 www.harbourpublishing.com

Illustrated with gorgeous, full-color photography throughout, The Zero-Mile Diet Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes for Delicious Homegrown Food is an excellent resource especially for home gardeners. Packed with over 160 recipes, each of which has vegetarian and vegan options, The Zero-Mile Diet Cookbook features such wonderful do-it-yourself dishes as Berry Sourdough Pancakes, Asparagus Mushroom and Fontina Quiche, Strawberry Lemon Scones with Devonshire Cream, Beet and Orange Salad, Cranberry Panini Sandwich, and much more. Information on probiotic and prebiotic foods and organic edible gardening advice rounds out this treasury not only for gardeners of all seasons, but also for anyone who loves great vegetarian and vegan cuisine!

Paleo Desserts
Jane Barthelemy, author
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738216430, $18.99, www.dacapopress.com

"Paleo Desserts" contains 125 Paleo diet (featuring fresh ingredients without refined grains, sugars and oils) desserts that are gluten-free, low-carb, made with unprocessed sugars. These recipes are diabetic friendly and minus common allergens including corn, dairy, peanuts and soy. Some are also vegan and tree-nut- free. Some of the recipes include Spicy Carrot Ginger Cake, Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Filling, and Luscious Lemon Layer Cake. The cake recipes (and others) uses coconut powder and Just Like Sugar chicory root sweetener for flour and sugar substitutes, and includes instructions for making coconut powder, coconut butter, coconut milk and coconut oil. In addition to breads, cakes, cookies and other baked treats, there are recipes for beverages such as paleo Chai Latte, and Paleo Hot Chocolate. There is even a recipe for Key Lime Pie (egg free), and cheesecake (cheese and egg free). Because Paleo menus are compatible with many special diets, a handy section at the end lists recipes by diet, including gluten-free (celiac friendly), dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, diabetic friendly, peanut -free, soy-free, raw, and tree nut-free. "Pale Desserts" presents recipes in step by step format, with special ingredients referenced and listed along with the others, in standard measurements. It can be a challenge to prepare healthy desserts for many special dietary needs. "Paleo Desserts" helps create fresh alternatives to every home chef's library of favorites.

Remembering Len Berg's Restaurant
Marie J. Amerson
Mercer University Press
1400 Coleman Avenue
Macon, GA 31207-0001
9780881463873, $18.00, www.mupress.org

An icon of Macon, Georgia, Len Berg created something that was beyond simply a restaurant. "Remembering Len Berg's Restaurant" is a snapshot of this piece of Americana, where a German Jewish immigrant created a restaurant that served the Georgian town for over a hundred years with its unique brand of quality southern soul food. With a good dose of recipes drawn from the menus and plenty of black and white photography throughout, "Remembering Len Berg's Restaurant" is a must for anyone seeking old fashioned restaurant recipes and their history, highly recommended.

Bitten
Sarah Graham
Struik
c/o International Publishers Marketing
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9781431700042, $28.00, www.randomstruik.co.za

Food is an experience all of its own. "Bitten: Unpretentious Recipes from a Food Blogger" is a collection of recipes with full color photography throughout. The recipes are designed to appeal to any particular taste and comes with a guide to basic cooking techniques needed to get the most out of these recipes. With ideas like six-minute chocolate cake, Mango Salsa, Rosemary Biscuits, Lamb Pitas, and Chicken Satays, "Bitten" is a must for any foodie looking for plenty of new ideas to cook with, highly recommended. Also from Struik Cookbooks is "The Vegetarian Kitchen" (9781770079489, $27.00), covering a slew of vegetarian dish ideas such as Spiced Lentil Soup and Spaghetti Genovese.

Primal Cuisine
Pauli Halstead
Healing Arts Press
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street
Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781594774867 $19.95 www.HealingArtsPress.com

Although Primal Cuisine: Cooking for the Paleo Diet is a cookbook designed especially for those who want to try modifying their food intake to resemble that of their ancient ancestors, it's a blessing for anyone who appreciates good nutrition and wants to cut down on unhealthy processed foods that are full of hydrogenated vegetable oils, artificial flavors and preservatives, refined grains, immense excesses of sugar or high fructose corn syrup, and so on. A lengthy introduction explains the basic principles of the paleo diet, but even those who choose not to adhere strictly to the ideal will enjoy the mouth-watering recipes emphasizing fresh, all-natural ingredients. Sample dishes include "Wild Mushroom & Roasted Garlic Frittata", "Grilled Prawns Wrapped in Prosciutto", "Oregano Pesto Vegetables", "Blue Cheese Burger on a Butter Lettuce Bun", "Lemon Cheesecake with Berries" (made with goat's milk, and without adding sugar!), and much more. Primal Cuisine proves that one does not need to give up gourmet gustatory pleasures to enjoy a healthy, high-nutrition diet similar to the one humanity has evolved eating.

The Mystic Cookbook
Denise Linn & Meadow Linn
Hay House, Inc.
PO Box 5100
Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
9781401937225 $19.95 www.hayhouse.com

Featuring full-color photography on almost every page, The Mystic Cookbook: The Secret Alchemy of Food is a cookbook that reveals the connection between healthy, hand-prepared food and spiritual awakening. Recipes feature quality cuisine from around the world, such as "Asian Zucchini Pancakes", "Italian Wedding Soup", "Chicken Curry Salad", "Aladdin's Quinoa Tabbouleh", and much more. Yet a great deal of The Mystic Cookbook is devoted not only to recipes, but also understanding the consciousness-raising aspect of quality meals. A final chapter explaining the definitions and benefits of "organic", "free range", "local" and "sustainable" foods rounds out this sumptuous addition to both cookbook and metaphysical collections. "With every bite you take, it's possible to ingest the encoded information of the universe into your inner biology. Through merging with the etheric energy of your food, you can download remarkable and powerful wisdom imprinted in the food's DNA. The subtle energies in your food are a kind of vibrational language that communicates with the core of every cell in your body."

Bob Warden's Favorite Ninja Recipes
Bob Warden, Stephen Delaney, Andrea Schwob
Quail Ridge Press
PO Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043
www.quailridge.com
9781934193907, $19.95, www.amazon.com

"Bob Warden's Favorite Ninja Recipes" is a fascinating collection of recipes specially designed for use with the Ninja Kitchen System, a superior appliance that combines the best properties of a blender, a food processor, a chopper, a mixer, and a juice extractor. Through use of four main accessories, including a 16 ounce serving up, a 16 ounce chopper bowl, a 40 ounce bowl, and a 48 eight ounce pitcher, the Ninja Kitchen System can produce professional chefs' quality specialty foods and drinks with the push of a button. Included are sections on smoothies, beverages, sandwiches, sauces, breakfast and baked goods, soups and sides, desserts and frozen treats (yes, the Ninja makes ice cream!), and go-with's, a special section for dips, spreads, and relishes to go with other foods. The first section takes the reader from tropical smoothies to a passion fruit mojito, to a delicious health smoothie titled Lean, Mean, and Green. Featured in the sandwiches section is a Vegetarian Black Bean Burger, a Tuna Burger, and a Bacon Cheddar Burger, not to mention meatloaf. Sassy Sauces chapter includes Miso Vinaigrette, Bacon Dressing, Jerk Rub and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto. Breakfasts, soups and desserts recipes include Cranberry Lemon Scones, Pizza Soup, and Orange Yogurt Cupcakes. Go-Withs include Dulce de Leche Mousse, Buffalo Chicken Wing dip, Hummus, and Spinach Artichoke Dip. All recipes are prefaced by a sidebar listing prep time, cooking time, yield, and which attachment of the Ninja is used, plus a symbol representing the attachment. Comments and tips also precede and follow the highlighted recipes, which include ingredients lists followed by step by step instructions. Each chapter section is color coded and its pages can be found by matching the color codes. Here is your chance to learn to cook effortlessly like the TV personality master chefs do, using a convenient state of the art appliance that is highly versatile. An additional title by the same author that is also highly recommended is "Best of the Best Presents Bob Warden's Favorite Recipes for Cook's Essentials Cookwares (9781934193877, $19.95)." This efficiency laden cookbook has appetizers, soups and salads, side and main dishes, brunch and desserts recipes, and menus for varying ingredients called 7 Ways, 7 Days. All recipes were designed for the busy home cook with time management techniques incorporated into each delicious dish.

Guilty Pleasures: Indulgences to Die For!
Gwen McKee & Barbara Moseley, authors
Quail Ridge Press
P.O. Box 23, Brandon, MS 39043
9781934193860, $19.95, www.quailridge.com

"Guilty Pleasures" is a fabulous collection of special dessert/sweets recipes from the Best of the Best series by Quail Ridge. Studded with mouth-watering color photos of finished confections, "Guilty Pleasures" is sort of a home chef's pick of the best of the best in decadent desserts. Here are recipes for cakes, cake mix creations, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies and bars, pies, desserts, and breakfast pastries and sweets. Some examples of recipes include Florida Blueberry Streusel Coffeecake, Orange Raison Scones with Orange Butter, Chocolate Sour Cream Coffeecake, Jambalaya Bread Pudding, Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake at its Best, Blueberry Buckle with Cinnamon Bourbon Sauce, Little Chess Tarts, Sweet Potato Custard Pie, Lulu's Lip Smackin' Shortbread, Coconut Lime Bars, Mocha Java Bars, Double Dipper Chocolate Brownies, Cappucino Flats, Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies, Irish Cream Cheesecake, Praline Cake, Carrot Pudding Cake, Tearoom Lemon Cake, Eggnog Pound Cake, and last but not least, Chips of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake. Recipes are submitted from 50 states of the U. S., and reflect many different regional cuisines. The recipe format is user friendly, with photos on the left and recipe text in paragraph style beneath ingredient lists and standard measurements on the facing page. handy highlighted hints add to the convenience and appeal factors, and recipe results are guaranteed to stun the taste buds. For a fun casual collection of the best of the best indulgent sweet recipes, read and sample from the offerings of "Guilty Pleasures."


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

The Power of The New Spirituality
William Bloom
Quest Books
c/o The Theosophical Publishing House
PO Box 270
Wheaton, IL 60189-0270
9780835609067, $16.95, www.questbooks.net

Spirituality isn't all about crystals and auras. "The Power of the New Spirituality: How to Live a Life of Compassion and Personal Fulfillment" is a guide to spirituality for those who seek mental and emotional completeness where traditional religion has failed them, encouraging them to find their own soul and spirit separate from any of the metaphysical concepts often associated with spirituality. With much to ponder on the nature of spirituality, "The Power of the New Spirituality" is a core addition to any spiritual and motivational collection.

Keeping the Feast
Milton Brasher-Cunningham
Morehouse Publishing
c/o Church Publishing Incorporated
1637 Beechwood Ave #1
Louisville KY 40204
9780819227898, $16.00, www.churchpublishing.org

There's a spirituality of cooking and creating something new from the old. "Keeping the Feast: Metaphors for the Meal" is a blend of spirituality and cooking from Milton Brasher-Cunningham who presents a down to earth set of wisdom with recipes for simple living and life all throughout. With much thought on ministry and how we can practice it all throughout life, "Keeping the Feast" is a choice addition to Christian wisdom and reference collections, and for those who also enjoy the job of the cook.

The Song in You
LaDonna Gatlin & Mike Marino
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9780757316227, $14.95, www.hcibooks.com

Our life's voice is something that should never be truly silenced. "The Song in You: Finding Your Voice, Redefining Your Life" is an inspirational read from LaDonna Gaitlin & Dr. Mike Marino, who provide insight into life and living on many levels. With a strong musical motif with love to Ladonna's brothers the Gatilin Brothers, Country Music Icons, "The Song in You" has plenty to uplift the spirit and find what really matters in our lives, highly recommended. Also from Health Communications and their inspirational collection, "Coincidence is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous: Reflections on Daytime Dramas and Divine Intervention" (9780757316487, $14.95) is a faithful and inspirational memoir from 'Days of Our Lives' star Gloria Loring as she shares her experiences with trying to find faith and inspiration through life.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

A Carnival of Killing
Glenn Ickler
North Star Press of St. Cloud
PO Box 451
St. Cloud, MN 56302-0451
9780878395842 $14.95 www.northstarpress.com

Veteran journalist and award-winning writer Glenn Ickler presents A Carnival of Killing, a murder mystery set during the icy cold Winter Carnival of St. Paul, Minnesota. When the frozen-stiff body of a young woman who performed for the Winter Carnival is discovered, newspaper reporter Warren "Mitch" Mitchell and photographer Alan Jeffrey are assigned to cover the case. The victim was last seen in the company of one of the Winter Carnival's Vulcan Krewe; any of the group's eight members could potentially be responsible for the killing. As Mitch and Al investigate, they befriend the seductively beautiful coordinator of the Klondike Kates. A layered mystery culminating in a guns-blazing showdown, A Carnival of Killing is highly recommended for fans of the genre.

Murder in Mount Holly
Paul Theroux
The Mysterious Press
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
841 Broadway, 4th floor
New York, NY 10003
9780802155108, $13.00, www.groveatlantic.com

People drive the events of our world, and people aren't always the most sensible things around. "Murder in Mount Holly" is a novel from Paul Theroux, set amongst the Vietnam War, following many curious individuals as they make their way through life. A young man is drafted, and an old man targets a man for a crime, viewing it as a justified target, believing them to be a communist. With romance and scorn bouncing all around among tragedy, "Murder in Mount Holly" is a satirical and insightful spin on life in the cold war and human nature.

Rough Men
Aric Davis
Thomas & Mercer
PO Box 400818, Las Vegas, NV 89140
9781612186535, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Vengeance is a strong calling, and when you're already on sour terms with the law, there's not much stopping you. "Rough Men" follows old crook gone straight going crooked again as Will Daniels loses his son as he tried to follow his dark footsteps and lost his life for it. Delving into the underworld he left behind, he brings down the hammer to those who cost him his son with his own brand of fury. "Rough Men" is a thriller of going against the law and cleansing the underworld.

Fatal Decree
H. Terrell Griffin
Oceanview Publishing
595 Bay Isles Road, 120-G
Longboat Key, FL 34228
9781609090709, $25.95, www.oceanviewpub.com

Understanding a serial killer's modus operandi is the first step towards catching them. "Fatal Decree" is a novel following Matt Royal as he tries to understand the motives behind a serial killer in Longboat Key, Florida. Sensing that those close to him may be soon targeted by the murderer, he tries to find the truth behind the island's secrets and find his own personal happiness while he's at it. "Fatal Decree" is an enticing mystery that should prove hard to put down, recommended reading.

Remember Why You Fear Me
Robert Sherman
Chizine Publications
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022-5299
97819274691217, $16.95, www.harpercollins.com

Life never plays out like we want it to, and the results are sometimes terrifying. "Remember Why You Fear Me" is a collection of dark fiction from Robert Sherman, who touches on the horrors of life in its many forms, touching on the real and paranormal as they intertwine and frighten us as they make us laugh with the dark side of our souls. "Remember Why You Fear me" is a fine collection of short fiction for those who find much to enjoy in the darker side of life.


The Fiction Shelf

A Call to Arms
William C. Hammond
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road
Annapolis, MD 21402
9781612511443, $29.95, www.navalinstitute.org

Establishing a new republic is not an easy task by any extent. "A Call to Arms" is a historical novel centered on the First Barbary War, the first international conflict that the United States was involved in. Plagued by piracy in the Mediterranean Sea, the Barbary conflict brought America into the conflict, and William C. Hammond draws strongly from history as he tells of the Cutler family and their involvement in the military. "A Call to Arms" is a riveting novel that educates as it entertains, very much recommended reading.

Precis
Bill Mesce Jr.
Stephen F. Austin State University Press
1936 North Street, LAN 203
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
9781936205554, $15.95, www.amazon.com

We have our dreams, and we have our reality. "Precis" is a collection of short fiction along with a novella from Bill Mesce, as he presents stories of those two states and how we often try so hard to bring them all together. With a good dose of poignancy and knowledge for life, he presents a vivid picture of the world's thoughts an desires. "Precis" is not to be overlooked for fiction collections.

The Last Shepherd
Martin Etchart
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166
Reno, NV, 89557-0166
9780874178869, $22.00, www.unpress.nevada.edu

The will of the family is often hidden behind its secrets. "The Last Shepherd" follows young Mathieu, who upon his father's death, learns that the family sheep ranch is not his to inherit, and travels to the Pyrenees to see his extended family and find the reason why his family abandoned his ancestry. Learning much about life and family in the process, "The Last Shepherd" is a unique coming of age tale that shouldn't be overlooked, much recommended.


The Memoir Shelf

Do Well or Die
Marty Daneman
Cable Publishing
14090 E. Keinenen Rd.
Brule, WI 54820
9781934980866 $17.95 www.cablepublishing.com

Do Well or Die: Memoirs of a WW II Mountain Trooper is the true-life story of author Marty Daneman, a member of the 10th Mountain Division that never lost a battle or ceded territory in Italy's severe Apennine Mountains. Daneman grew up as an ordinary Jewish boy in Chicago, but when his country and the world needed him most, he gave his all to fight against Hitler's army! A handful of vintage black-and-white photographs intersperse this unforgettable glimpse to the daily triumphs, travails, and hardships of World War II. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library military memoir collections.

Keep This Quiet Too!
Margaret A. Harrell
Saeculum University Press
5048 Amber Clay Lane
Raleigh, NC 27612
9780983704539 $17.95 www.hunterthompsonnewbook.com

The extraordinary sequel to "Keep This Quiet", Keep This Quiet Too! More Adventures with Hunter S. Thompson, Milton Klonsky, Jan Mensaert continues the memoir chronicles of four adventurous writers (author Margaret Harrell, who tells her story in first person, and the three named in the subtitle). Spanning the years 1970 through 1986, and set in locales ranging from the United States to Morocco, Belgium, and the C.G. Jung Institute within Switzerland, Keep This Quiet Too! is a real-life saga of living and learning with eyes and ears open. At times adventurous, at times sensual, Keep This Quiet Too! hinges upon the complexities of human relationships, especially the challenges posed by the heart-wrenching feelings of love that may or may not be fully requited. Highly recommended.

But Hope is Longer
Tamara Levine
Second Story Press
20 Maud Street, Suite 401
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5V 2M5
9781926920894, $19.95, www.secondstorypress.on.ca

Cancer threatens lives, and if it doesn't take it, it will put the person through hell. "But Hope is Longer: Navigating the Country of Breast Cancer" is a memoir from Tamara Levine as she shares her journey through dealing with cancer, likening her ordeal as if uprooted from everything she loved and sent off to some far off miserable country she wanted desperately to leave. With strength and wisdom for those who are facing this ordeal themselves, "But Hope is Longer" is a must for any memoir collection focusing on cancer and seeking to conquer it.


The Sports Shelf

Mastering Snowboarding
Hannah Teter & Tawnya Schultz
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9781450410649 $24.95 www.HumanKinetics.com

Olympic gold medalist Hannah Teter and snowboard writer Tawnya Schultz team up to present Mastering Snowboarding, a compendium of tips, tricks, techniques, and full-color photographs illustrating how to take control of one's snowboard and make the most of the experience. Safety guidelines, step-by-step instructions, and a wealth of invaluable advice from seasoned experts make Mastering Snowboarding a "must-have" for enthusiasts of all skill and experience levels looking to improve their game. "The basics of backcountry etiquette are simple. There is definitely safety in numbers, but you must be aware of where everyone is at all times. Follow each other strategically, and don't venture off if you are unsure of your location. You should always have a designated guide, a highly qualified backcountry rider, who can lead the way."

Good Wood
Stuart Miller
ACTA Publications
4848 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
9780879464776, $14.95, www.actapublications.com

The baseball bat is as symbolic to the game as the ball itself. "Good Wood: The Story of the Baseball Bat" tells the story of how the club became to be and became the weapon of choice for many of baseball's legends. Investigating the models of bats that have been used throughout the years with statistics and photography all throughout, and a note of the modern craftsman of the Louisville slugger and its peers, "Good Wood" is an insightful and recommended addition to sports history collections, not to be missed.


The Military Shelf

American Girls, Beer, & Glenn Miller
James J. Cooke
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard
Columbia, MO 65201
9780826219848, $40.00, www.umsystem.edu/upress

Morale is powerful factor in wartime. "American Girls, Beer, & Glenn Miller: GI Morale in WWII" explores the many methods undertaken to make soldiers feel more at home on many levels, responding the shifting culture of the past few decades in the 1940s. Providing troops with many of the comforts at home such as movies, tobacco, liquor, and much more, allowing morale to stay high in situations where life may end the next day. "American Girls, Beer, & Glenn Miller" is a strongly recommended addition to any history collection focusing on culture in the military, recommended.

Welcome to Hell
Patrick Turley
Chronology Books
c/o History Publishing Company
PO Box 700, Palisades, NY 10964-0700
9781933909219, $17.95, www.historypublishingco.com

To endure boot camp trains you to endure the hell of any battlefield. "Welcome to Hell: Three and A Half Months of Marine Corps Boot Camp" as author Patrick Turley shares his own experiences of Boot Camp, enduring the harshest training that the country has to offer, sharing his endeavor and the training that these future soldiers have to pass. Demonstrating it as something harsh but necessary for fighting men, "Welcome to Hell" is a must for military memoir collections, or for anyone who wants a taste of the nightmare of basic training.


The Human Sexuality Shelf

Behind the Red Door
Richard Burger
Earnshaw Books
c/o Independent Publishers Group
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
9789881998323, $19.95, www.ipgbooks.com

As China catches up with the western world, they liberalize in more than one way. "Behind the Red Door: Sex in China" takes a look at the sexual revolution underway in China, altering the traditions that the country faces from its exposures to Western culture, and how some of the changes within come from the deeply rooted traditional culture that may have been locked away. A fascinating read on the evolution of culture, "Behind the Red Door" is much recommended and not to be overlooked.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

The Beachcombers at 40
Marc Strange & Jackson Davies
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219
Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
9781550175653, $26.95, www.harbourpublishing.com

Breaking new ground for its time, The Beachcombers gained a strong following in Canada. "Bruno and the Beach: The Beachcombers at 40" celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the show that proved a favorite on CBC TV for eighteen years and is still remembered quite fondly, telling the stories of the actors the production crew, and reflections on what the show had did to the Canadian national thought and idea. "Bruno and the Beach" is filled with photography, both black and white and in color, capturing the stories strongly, making for an excellent pick for fans of the show seeking a good dose of nostalgia.


The Audiobook Shelf

The Golden Land
Di Morrissey, author
David Tredinnick, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd
Jackson, ME 04921
9781743117118 $29.99 www.bolinda.com

The Golden Land is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of a novel about a family inheritance that turns a married woman's life upside down. Natalie is a young mother living on the Gold Coast, with a devoted husband and two little children. She discovers a Burmese artifact and a letter from her great-great-uncle describing plans for the object that never came to be. As she learns more, she makes a devastating discovery that shakes everything she has believed about herself and her marriage to the core. Superbly performed by award-winning theater performer David Tredinnick, The Golden Land is a poignant tale of hidden rifts and personal challenge, highly recommended. 10 CDs, 12 hours 20 min.

The Final Count
Sapper, author
Roy McMillan, narrator
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
9781843795858 $41.98 www.naxosaudiobooks.com

The Final Count is the unabridged audiobook rendition of the fourth novel in Sapper's "Bulldog Drummond" series. After trying and failing to corner his deadliest enemy, the master of disguise Carl Peterson, Drummond becomes embroiled proving the innocence of a scientist whose chemical weapon inexplicably goes missing. Only one genius thief could be behind such a diabolical plot! Tense and exciting, The Final Count thrills to the very end, brought to life by the skilled performance of Roy McMillan. 6 CDs, 7 hours 29 min.

The Husband List: A Novel
Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly, authors
Lorelei King, narrator
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
www.evanovich.com www.dorienkelley.com
9781427228970 $34.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Set in 1894 New York, The Husband List: A Novel is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a heartfelt story about an heiress determined not to let someone marry her for money - she yearns to settle for nothing less than true love. If only she could go on grand adventures like her brother Eddie and his friend Jack Culhane! As she fends off the suitors her mother relentlessly sends her, she begins to fall for Jack Culhane, an Irish-American sporting "new money" but no title. A heady blend of romance and high society with a dash of intrigue, The Husband List is delightfully engaging from beginning to end. 7 CDs, 8 1/2 hours.

Beautiful Ruins: A Novel
Jess Walter, author
Edoardo Ballerini, narrator
Harper Audio
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022-5299
www.jesswalter.com
9780062268365 $19.99 www.harpercollins.com

Beautiful Ruins is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of Jess Walter's novel that ties together intrigue spanning fifty years. The common thread binding a dying American starlet visiting Italy in 1962, and a modern-day Italian man in search of a mysterious woman, reveals a complex web of events connecting the lives of diverse people, each with their own ambitions, flaws, and foibles. Award-winning audiobook performer Edoardo Ballerini brings to life this enthralling human drama, highly recommended. 10 CDs, 13 hours.

Galaxy Press
7051 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 200
Hollywood, CA 90028
www.galaxypress.com

Galaxy Press is dedicated to making the 'Gold Age of Pulp Magazine' short stories of L. Ron Hubbard readily available to new generations of appreciative readers and listeners through reproducing those stories in both print and audio book editions. Two of the latest of these collections of outstanding short stories showcasing Hubbard's gifted story telling skills in the genres of gritty detective mysteries and horror fantasy. "Mouthpiece" (9781592123568, $9.95 paperback / 9781592122707, $9.95, multicast audio, unabridged, 2 hours) is comprised of three terrific tales: 'Mouthpiece' (originally published in the 1934 issue of 'Thrilling Detective') is the story of a young man avenging his gangster father's murderers -- along with a million dollar stash! Also included in this flawless 'theatre of the mind' production are the mystery stories 'Flame City'; 'Calling Squad Cars!'; and 'The Grease Spot'. Hubbard's dramatic flair of the unnatural is "Dead Men Kill" (9781592123506, $9.95, unabridged, 2 CD, multicast audio book) which introduced Detective-Sergeant Terry Lane and a nefarious unknown mastermind who is creating killer zombies as part of an extortion racket! Originally published in the July 1934 issue of 'Thrilling Detective' this superbly performed audio production, as with all of the Galaxy Press multicast audios, is enhanced with the deft inclusion of music and sound effects backing up an impressive roster of actors that include the narrative skills of R. F. Daley and the performances of Jim Meskimen, Matt Scott, John Mariano, Jennifer Aspen, and Lori Jablons. both "Mouthpiece" and "Dead Men Kill" are unabashedly recommended to anyone who enjoys riveting radio drama and will well serve to introduce a whole new generation to that master of pulp fiction -- L. Ron Hubbard!


The Music CD Shelf

Monologues: A Bouquet of Indian Melodies...
Vandana Vishwas
www.vandanavishwas.com
Silverbirch Productions
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
$TBA www.rockpaperscissors.biz

Indo-Canadian singer and composer Vandana Vishwas presents Monologues: A Bouquet of Indian Melodies..., an original album that draws inspiration from India's legendary poets and fuses both Indian and Canadian musical traditions. Elements of Hindustani classical music balance Western complexity in songs that express a search for identity conducted between personal yearnings and societal expectations. Vishwas' beautiful, lilting voice conveys her exceptional talent in this immersive album. Highly recommended, especially for international and multicultural music CD collections.

Jonathan Rundman
Jonathan Rundman, musician
Salt Lady Records
PO Box 24163
Minneapolis, MN 55424-0163
www.jonathanrundman.com
$13.75 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

Jonathan Rundman is a self-titled retrospective CD gathering Rundman's most notable songs from four albums. Rundman has held hundreds of performances, traveled thousands of miles, and collaborated with talents as diverse as violinist Mary Rowell, drummer Konrad Meissner, duet vocalist Beki Hemingway and several more appearing in the featured songs. Rundman's signature best-of-the-best album spans the gamut from garage rock to pop and folk, and superbly embodies the spirit and enthusiasm of America's indie music scene. Highly recommended! The tracks are "Smart Girls", "Carol of the Bells", "Librarian", "Ashes", "Surgical Precision", "Second Language", "581", "I Thought You Were Mine", "747s", "Forgiveness Waltz", "Dialysis Carpool", "That Man Upstairs", "Kuortane", "The Serious Kind", "Workin' My Committee", "You Never Last Where You Land", "Narthex", "If You Have a Question", "List of Things to Do", and "Bright Funeral".


The DVD Shelf

Wodehouse Playhouse: The Complete Collection
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598288971 $59.99 www.acornonline.com

Wodehouse Playhouse: The Complete Collection gathers twenty of the funniest BBC television shows by celebrated writer P.G. Wodehouse. Oscar nominee Pauline Collins and her real-life husband John Alderton are an acting tour de force, bringing Wodehouse's witty insights and devious comedy to vibrant life. Bonus features include photo galleries, a biography of P.G. Wodehouse, and an insert with background notes about stories and characters. Wodehouse personally offers introductions to the first seven stories in this mockingly mirthful collection, highly recommended especially for gift-giving! The stories are "The Truth about George", "Romance at Droitgate Spa", "Portrait of a Disciplinarian", "Unpleasantness at Bludleigh Court", "The Rise of Minna Nordstrom", "Rodney Fails to Qualify", "A Voice from the Past", "Anselm Gets His Chance", "Mr. Potter Takes a Rest Cure", "Strychnine in the Soup", "Feet of Clay", "The Nodder", "The Code of the Mulliners", "The Smile That Wins", "Trouble down at Tudsleigh", "Tangled Hearts", "The Luck of the Stiffhams", "The Editor Regrets", "Big Business", and "Mulliner's Buck-U-Uppo". 6 DVDs, 628 min., fullscreen, English subtitles.

Saint Barbara
Ignatius Press
PO Box 1339
Fort Collins, CO 80522
9781586178161 $19.95 www.ignatius.com

Saint Barbara: Convert and Martyr of the Early Church is movie on DVD about the inspirational life of Saint Barbara. In 303 A.D. Barbara was the pagan daughter of a Roman governor; she converted to Christianity, and spoke up for her fellow Christians. She was tortured and martyred for her faith, yet her serenity, compassion, and conviction are idolized to this day. Saint Barbara: Convert and Martyr of the Early Church recreates a Roman setting with a solid, historical understanding of the time period, though some fictional characters are interspersed with the historical characters in this dramatic tale of sacrifice and redemption. 100 min., English/Spanish subtitles, widescreen.

Religious Mysteries, Volume One
Ignatius Press
PO Box 1339
Fort Collins, CO 80522
9781586178154 $27.95 www.ignatius.com

Religious Mysteries, Volume One is the beginning of a documentary DVD series examining mysteries about Catholic saints, apparitions, Popes, and sacred sites. Volume one has three fascinating featurettes: "The Secret of Bernadette", about Saint Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879) and her miraculous visions of the blessed Virgin Mary; "The Pope of Mercy", about Pope John Paul II and the Polish nun St. Faustina Kowalska, whose visions formed the foundation of the Divine Mercy devotion; and "The Lost Ark", about the legendary Ark of the Covenant, the Ethiopian claim to possess and cherish this sacred object, and testimony from an Italian architect who photographed it. Captivating photography blends with the soul-stirring narratives in this choice pick for Christian DVD collections.150 min.


The Wine/Beer Shelf

Brew Like a Pro
Dave Miller
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
9781612120508, $18.95, www.storey.com

Good beer doesn't need to come from a foreign brewery, it can come from your own home. "Brew Like A Pro: Make Pub-Style Draft Beer at Home" is a guide to capturing that professional pub style beer for those who want to master it themselves and perhaps even improve upon it on many levels. Author Dave Miller uses his combination expertise as a homebrewer and professional to advise those who want to combine disciplines with plenty of technical and practical advice throughout. "Brew Like a Pro" is a strong recommendation for anyone who likes beer and do it yourself projects.

How to Make Your Own Brewskis
Mark Murphy & Jordan St. John
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
9781438001708, $12.99, www.barronseduc.com

A good beer is easier to make than one thinks. "How to Make Your Own Brewskis: To Go-To Guide for Craft Brew Enthusiasts" is a guide for potential home brewers as Mark Murphy & Jordan St. John advise readers on how to break into the self-brewer field, coming at readers with recipes and practical advice for making the whole process come together, and how to customize your brew to your own personal tastes. "How to Make Your Own Brewskis" is a must for any beer-lover who thinks they have the idea for some truly great tastes.


The Civil War Shelf

Colonel Edward E. Cross, New Hampshire Fighting Fifth
Robert Grandchamp
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9780786471911, $39.95, www.amazon.com

Edward Ephraim Cross (April 22, 1832 - July 3, 1863) was a newspaperman and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. "Colonel Edward E. Cross, New Hampshire Fighting Fifth: A Civil War Biography" by American military historian and author Robert Grandchamp is a superbly researched, impressively detailed, deftly written, 230 page biography of Edward Cross' military career as a Union officer in the American Civil War. Of special note is the appendix 'The Young Volunteers". Enhanced with the inclusion of extensive chapter notes, an extended bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "Colonel Edward E. Cross, New Hampshire Fighting Fifth: A Civil War Biography" is a valued and highly recommended addition to academic library American Civil War History collections and personal Civil War Studies reading lists.

Discovering The Civil War in Florida
Paul Taylor
Pineapple Press, Inc.
PO Box 3889
Sarasota, FL 34230-3889
9781561645299, $18.95, www.pineapplepress.com

The conflict of Civil War was fought in every state of the former Union. "Discovering The Civil War in Florida" analyzes the conflict through the perspective of Florida, offering insight on how the war was fought throughout the state. From battles taking place in the state to personal accounts of the war's impact on every day life in the region, "Discovering the Civil War in Florida" is a must for Civil War focused history collections, recommended.


The Woodworking Shelf

A Gathering of Spoons
Norman D. Stevens
Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary
Fresno, CA 93721-9875
9781610351300 $24.95 www.woodworkerslibrary.com

A Gathering of Spoons: The Design Gallery of the World's Most Stunning Wooden Art Spoons is a gorgeous, full-color photographic showcase of incredibly distinctive, carved wooden spoons from the collection of Norman D. Stevens. Over 200 hand-carved spoons are displayed; though virtually all were crafted in the twenty-first century, many draw upon ancient woodcarving traditions from a diversity of cultures for inspiration. A brief introduction discussing the collection history and artistry rounds out this striking and memorable display of lovingly carved art.


The Music Shelf

Yodel in Hi-Fi
Bart Plantenga
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor
Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780299290542 $34.95 uwpress.wisc.edu

Yodel in Hi-Fi: From Kitch Folk to Contemporary Electronica is a grand celebration of the history, tradition, and modern-day yodeling performances worldwide. Transcending cultures and language barriers, yodeling has been practiced by singers in Switzerland, Korea, Colorado, and Iran; it has been a part of cowboy life, Oktoberfest celebration, movie soundtracks and even commercials. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this engaging text of yodeling's rich heritage. Yodel in Hi-Fi is a welcome contribution to folk music shelves, highly recommended.


The Art Shelf

Net Of Being
Alex Grey
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781594773846, $40.00, www.amazon.com

"Net Of Being" is a 208 page compendium showcasing the work of author and artist Alex Grey. Featuring more than 200 superbly reproduced examples of his artwork (including photos of his collaboration with the cult band TOOL and his worldwide live-painting performances), "Net Of Being" is also enhanced with the artist's reflections on how art evolves consciousness with a new symbology of what he calls the 'networked self'. An impressive, coffee table tome that blends metaphysical themes with uniquely original images and informative commentary, "Net Of Being" is highly recommended to the legions of Alex Grey fans, to students of metaphysical imagery, and to both community and academic library Metaphysical Studies and Art History reference collections.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Modular Mix
Edie Eckman
Annie's
306 East Parr Road
Berne, IN 46711
9781596356825 $11.95 AnniesCatalog.com

Modular Mix: 12 Knitted Mitered Squares is a straightforward, flat-spined guide to crafting twelve types of mitered squares that can be assembled in any combination to create a warm and colorful afghan. Full-color illustrations on every page, step-by-step diagrams (including a page devoted to knitting basics), and user-friendly instructions combine to make Modular Mix accessible to knitters of all skill and experience levels. Modular Mix is highly recommended a superb choice for crafting handmade gifts perfect for the winter season!


The Computer Shelf

iPad: The Missing Manual, 5th edition
J.D. Biersdorfer
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
97814493255665 $24.99 www.oreilly.com

Now in an updated fifth edition, iPad: The Missing Manual lives up to its title with a wealth of tips, tricks, and techniques that iPad owners of all backgrounds and computer literacy levels can use to get the most out of their tablet computer. Chapters describe in plain, user-friendly terms how to put everything from music and photos to movies, TV shows, ebooks, podcasts and games on one's iPad; get online and surf the net using an extra-fast Wi-Fi connection or 4G LTE network; share photos over iCloud; use apps to speed the process of posting to Facebook and Twitter; get turn-by-turn directions when navigating; dictate email; and much more. Featuring full-color screenshots throughout to complement the step-by-step instructions, iPad: The Missing Manual is enthusiastically recommended especially for business professionals seeking to improve their productivity with the iPad's streamlined speed!


The Dance Shelf

How To Teach Beginning Ballet, the First Three Years
Judith Newman
Princeton Book Company Publishers
614 Route 130, Hightstown, NJ 08520
9780871273741, $27.95, www.dancehorizons.com

"How To Teach Beginning Ballet, The First Three Years" is a condensed manual of beginning ballet instruction with complete syllabi for the first three years of beginning ballet curriculum. Ideally beginning ballet instruction at the age of about 7 years, young dancers will progress towards begin ready for point work after a minimum of three years of preparatory ballet training. Building the foundation of classical ballet correctly in young dancers is crucial to the ongoing goal of creating new exciting performances and performers of a demanding physical art form. "How To Teach Beginning Ballet" is filled with practical advice, specific breakdowns of dance step components, positions, and techniques, assisted by black and white photos and handy checklists and tips for new teachers. Filling the studio with excited young students may be a first goal, but to accomplish this, the new ballet teacher needs a toolkit of ideas and helpful approaches to make the best use of her skills and performance and teaching talents. "How To Teach Beginning Ballet" is divided into three parts according to First, Second and Third Year, and each part is further subdivided into (First Section, Before the Barre), At the Barre, In the Center, Transition Steps, Petite Allegro, and Turns, with the third section including Batterie. End chapters on Grand Allegro and Point Work follow, and Part IV includes details about running a dance studio, teaching tips and final notes. Written by an acclaimed professional dancer and dance teacher, "How To Teach Beginning Ballet" is a classic updated teacher's manual, with many valuable specific guidelines and directions for content of teaching pre-point instructional ballet.


The Science Shelf

The Iowa Lakeside Laboratory
Michael J. Lannoo
Bur Oak Books
c/o University of Iowa Press
119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
www.uiowapress.org
9781609381219, $19.00, www.amazon.com

The Lakeside Laboratory, located on 1838 Highway 86, Milford, Iowa, has as its mission statement a dedication to the long-term study of nature in nature. A permanent biological field station, as well as a teaching and research laboratory that promotes complete immersion in the natural world, the Lakeside Laboratory, was founded on the shore of Lake Okoboji in northwestern Iowa in 1909. "The Iowa Lakeside Laboratory: A Century of Discovering the Nature of Nature" by Michael Lannoo (Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN) is a 108 page descriptive history of the people and ideas that shaped the facility with its multi-disciplinary focus upon bringing the laboratory to the field with respect to studying mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, ichthyology, invertebrate biology, parasitology, limnology, and algology, and their interconnecting relationship with environmental and ecological issues. Informed, informative, and laced with black-and-white photography, "The Iowa Lakeside Laboratory" will well serve to introduce a remarkable and on-going endeavor that would well serve as a template for similar field laboratories in other areas of the country.


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


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