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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 16, Number 3 March 2006 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Theatre/Cinema Shelf International Studies Shelf
Hunting/Fishing Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf
Business Shelf Poetry Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Fiction Shelf Travel Shelf True Adventure Shelf
Music Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Native American Shelf Photography Shelf Sports Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Library CD Shelf Literary Shelf
Computer Shelf Middle Eastern Studies Shelf Art Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Library Video/DVD Shelf Political Science Shelf
Women's Studies Shelf Military Shelf Education Shelf
World History Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Biography Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf American History Shelf Library Science Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Hobbies/Crafts Shelf Science Shelf
Economics Shelf Archaeology Shelf Parenting Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Architecture Shelf Psychology Shelf
Comix/Graphic Novel Cookbook Shelf Gardening Shelf
Buddhist Studies Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Charcuterie
Michael Ruhlman & Brian Polcyn
W. W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com
0393058298 $35.00 1-800-233-4830

Relatively few cookbooks cover all the basics of charcuterie, which involve curing: that's why the comprehensive Charcuterie: The Craft Of Salting, Smoking And Curing is so important for any serious cook or cookbook collection. It reflects the author's passion for these techniques of preservation and provides the only comprehensive book on the topic, including all the classic charcuterie recipes for sausages, poultry, and meats under one cover, offering contemporary techniques expanding on traditional concepts, and making the art accessible to the average home cook. No color photos, but the focus here is on instruction and recipes, not glitz - and Charcuterie's importance doesn't lack for color.

Us And Them
David Berreby
Little, Brown
1271 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0316090301 $26.95 twbookmark.com

Us And Them: Understanding Your Tribal Mind isn't the New Age title it sounds to be: it's a survey of how science addresses issues of group identity, using new findings from anthropology to neuroscience to discuss the 'tribal sense' and how it manifests in human affairs. Us And Them defines this sense in both a scientific and cultural perspective, from how those from different cultural roots gain reputations for performance and group reactions to how a sense of place in society affects health, cultural manipulation, and more. A 'must' for any who would understanding group psychology, social and cultural influence, and more.

The Furrow And Us
Walter Thomas Jack
University Press of America
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
076183317X $19.95 univpress.com

A work of careful, articulate scholarship, The Furrow And Us: Essays On Soil And Sentiment, authored by Walter Thomas Jack and edited by Zachary Michael Jack (Assistant Professor of English at North Central College and fourth generation Iowa farmer's son), is an informed and informative guide to the intricacies that are the everyday work life of the experienced farmer. The Furrow And Us features essays pertaining to organic farming, the "Plowman's Folly" and the till versus no-till debate which changed the face of agriculture in American history. The Furrow And Us is a highly recommended read for the ecologist, soil conservationists, practicing farmers, and students of the agriculture and agronomy.

Reading Early American Handwriting
Kip Sperry
Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Baltimore, MD 21211
www.genealogical.com
080630846X $29.99 1-800-296-6687

Reading Early American Handwriting is a self-teaching tool designed to help genealogists and historians read and understand the handwriting found in documents commonly used for genealogical research. Chapters describe techniques for reading early American documents, offer samples of alphabets and letter forms, and define terms and abbreviations often found in early American wills, deeds, church records, and the like. The latter half of Reading Early American Handwriting is devoted to nearly one hundred authentic examples of early American records for the reader to practice analyzing, complete with the author's transcription on the facing page. An excellent and easy-to-use resource sure to quickly familiarize the reader with the nuances of early American handwriting.

Saskatchewan: Uncommon Views
John Conway
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
088864454X $29.95 uap.ualberta.ca

Saskatchewan: Uncommon Views is a stunning, full-color photographic gallery of Saskatchewan's countryside. Only the barest minimum of commentary supplements this collection of stunning images of grasses, open parklands, crop fields, prairie, snowfields, hills and more. A truly beautiful collection that instills a great appreciation for the wide open spaces of nature in the reader. Award-winning photographer John Conway proves his exquisite gift in this superb compilation particularly for those who appreciate the majesty of landscape photography.

A Thousand Pieces Of Paradise
Lynne Heasley
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor, Madison, WI 53711-2059
www.wisc.edu/wisconsinpress
0299213900 $34.95 1-800-621-2736

Written by the assistant professor of history and environmental studies at Western Michigan University, A Thousand Pieces Of Paradise: Landscape And Property In The Kickapoo Valley is an ecological history of property in one of Wisconsin's most famous regions, the Kickapoo Valley. Monitoring the development of Kickapoo property uses and debates through history, from problems of soil erosion and conservation to the rise of local communities including Amish settlements, to modern changes such as the nearly (but not quite) completed La Farge dam, the negotiation process over the rights to deer hunting on the land, and the return of the Ho-Chunk. Extensively researched and carefully documented, A Thousand Pieces Of Paradise is thoroughly accessible to lay readers and scholars alike, and searches past history of Kickapoo Valley's rural ecosystems in hope of offering accurate future predictions of and solutions to future problems for Kickapoo Valley and other lands like it.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

Practical DV Filmmaking
Russell Evans
Focal Press
200 Wheeler Road, Burlington, MA 01803
0240516575 $29.99 www.amazon.com

A very highly recommended instruction guide and reference work for filmmaking students and aspiring filmmakers, Practical DV Filmmaking by Russel Evans (Film, Video and Multimedia Lecturer, internet broadcasting advisor and freelance writer on video production) is an informed and informative guide to minimal-budget film making, including all of the diverse "tricks of the trade" involved in the production a marketable film. Enhanced with an accompanying CD, Practical DV Filmmaking is sure to enable even the most novice filmmaker to attain a mastery of the filmmaking process for the low-budget end of the entertainment or documentary market.

Cornell Woolrich From Pulp Noir To Film Noir
Thomas C. Renzi
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
078642351X $35.00 1-800-253-2187

Cornell Woolrich From Pulp Noir To Film Noir is an in-depth examination of pulp writer Cornell Woolrich, who wildly popular in the 1930s and 1940s and the single most adapted writer for films of the noir period. Featuring a detailed analysis of twenty-two of Woolrich's novels and short stories, as well as thirty films adapted from these stories, a discussion of how Woolrich's style and themes influenced the noir genre, as well as a biographical sketch of Woolrich and a handful of black-and-white stills from Woolrich's noir classics, Cornell Woolrich From Pulp Noir is a "must-read" for anyone interested in the evolution of the film noir concept in pulp and film. An excellent presented, meticulously researched, and highly readable scrutiny of the enormous impact one man had on a writing and film genre, Cornell Woolrich From Pulp Noir is a recommended addition to academic Cinema History and Literary studies collections.


The International Studies Shelf

Nation-Building
Francis Fukuyama, editor
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
www.press.jhu.edu
0801883350 $21.95 1-800-537-5487

Nation-Building: Beyond Afghanistan And Iraq is an anthology of essays by highly esteemed academics, political analysts, and skilled practitioners regarding the American experience with nation-building, from historical roots to modern-day issues. Examining the present cases of building Afghanistan and Iraq into nations in the context of reconstruction efforts in other areas of the world, including Japan, Latin America, and the Balkans, these writings particularly question the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq as an example of poor planning. A valuable resource filled with critical reflection and evaluation and offering valuable suggestions to reduce future mistakes and costs in human lives, Nation-Building is a sober testimony and very highly recommended.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Side-Drifting For Steelhead
JD Richey & Fred Cantaoi
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
1571883509 $15.95 amatobooks.com

Side-Drifting For Steelhead is a one-of-a-kind fishing guide that informs the reader of a controversial form of fishing for steelhead, the best way to catch a steelhead in the steelhead rivers running throughout the Pacific Northwest, California, British Columbia, Alaska, Idaho, and the Great Lakes. J.D. Richey (a renowned side-drifting fisherman and guide) and co-author Fred Contaoi tactfully work in unison to produce a most descriptive, "user friendly" instructional guide to all aspects of the side-drifting method for steelhead. Strongly recommended for steelhead anglers from the most experienced to the novice beginner, Side-Drifting For Steelhead is an instructional guide book for personal and community library fishing reference collections.

Publishers Design Group
PO Box 37, Roseville, CA 95678
www.publishersdesign.com

Fishermen who travel to hot spots will find these exceptional destination-oriented guides to fishing all the game fish species in the best locations possible. Rene Limeres and Gunnar Pedersen's Alaska Fishing: The Ultimate Angler's Guide, Deluxe 3rd Edition (1929170114, $34.95) is a 'must' for any angler planning a journey to Alaska. All species, all methods, and all areas throughout Alaska - over 300 of them - are covered along with plenty of charts, illustrations, species and access notes, and much more. If California's the destination you can't go wrong with Ken Jones' Pier Fishing In California: The Complete Coast And Bay Guide, 2nd Edition (1929170092, $29.95): it packs in over 500 pages of comprehensive information on over a hundred California piers perfect for fishing, from the Delta to Long Beach, and covers species, conditions, fishing tips, history, and facilities. Both aren't for the casual fisherman as much as for the avid angler who plans a trip around the best fishing holes.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Performing Israel's Faith
Jacob Neusner
Baylor University Press
PO Box 97363, Waco, TX 76798
1932792252 $24.95 baylorpress.com

Jacob Neusner (Research Professor of Theology and Senior Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Theology at Bard College) authored the seminal and scholastically credible study Performing Israel's Faith: Narrative And Law In Rabbinic Theology. Performing Israel's Faith informs the reader regarding the Aggadah (the Jewish narrative) and the Halakha (the Jewish law) that is necessary to attain an actual understanding of theological concepts. Performing Israel's Faith is very highly recommended reading for students of the Judaic Studies.

The Jewish Music Companion
Velvel Pasternak
Tara Publications
29 Derby Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516
www.jewishmusic.com
1928918247 $34.95 1-800-827-2400

Written by ethnomusicologist Velvel Pasternak, The Jewish Music Companion: Historical Overview, Personalities, Annotated Folksongs is a fascinating tour of Jewish folksongs, musical traditions, great figures in Jewish music, and much more. Black-and-white photographs and short pieces of music script illustrate this highly accessible guide to readers of all backgrounds. An accompanying music CD features 14 selections covering a broad variety of Jewish folksongs. Enthusiastically recommended as a reference for music students or simply for the music lovers' pleasure of familiarizing oneself with the syncopations of a venerable tradition.

Shanghai Remembered
Berl Falbaum
Momentum Books
117 W Third St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
1879094738 $27.95 1-800-758-1870

Shanghai Remembered: Stories Of Jews Who Escaped To Shanghai From Nazi Europe is an competently compiled, organized and edited documentation of the Jewish escapees by Berl Falbaum. Shanghai Remembered favorably depicts the individual stories of many Jewish refugees and their journey in unfamiliar territory as a result of the Nazi empowerment during and before the second World War. As a strong recommendation to all scholars of Jewish history, as well as students of World War II in general, Shanghai Remembered is to be given high praise for its outstanding content and a strong recommendation for inclusion into academic and community library 20th Century History and Judaic Studies collections.

Jewish Life In The Industrial Promised Land 1855-2005
Nora Faires & Nancy Hanflik
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25, East Lansing, MI 48823-5202
0870137719 $29.95 msupress.msu.edu

Nora Faires (Associate Professor of History) and Nancy Hanflik (Co-Curator of the Sloan Museum exhibition "A Century of Jewish Life in Flint") deftly collaborate to present Jewish Life In The Industrial Promised Land 1855-2005, an examination of the history of Jewish families and daily life in Flint, Michigan, an industrial boomtown famous for its decay into rustbelt poverty when General Motors slashes jobs and closed plants. The Jewish community of Flint was comprised of many strains, including immigrants from a variety of nations; collectively, they were not invested directly in the automobile-driven economy but rather worked as storekeepers, entrepreneurs, and professionals; and they were affected as severely as everyone else when General Motors' closings caused the local economy to crumble. Black- and-white photographs illustrate this detailed chronicle of all aspects of an enduring and faithful community.

Living Torah
Elaine Rose Glickman, editor
URJ Press
633 Third Avenue, NY, NY 10017-6778
www.urjpress.com
0807409162 $27.95 1-888-489-8242

Living Torah: Selections From Seven Years Of Torat Chayim compiles more than 180 of the best writings about the Torah from the web site www.urj.org/torah of the Union for Reform Judaism. Each writing examines an parashah of the Torah from a wide variety of different perspectives; also included are summaries of each parashah including holiday parashiyot, introductory essays on Torah study and the Reform calendar and Torah reading cycle, and more. Compiled by ordained rabbi and Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters Elaine Rose Glickman, Living Torah is a contemporary study that sheds new perspectives upon ancient sacred text.

Jewish High Society In Old Regime Berlin
Deborah Hertz
Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210
SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu
0815629559 $24.95 1-800-365-8929

European history professor Deborah Hertz presents Jewish High Society In Old Regime Berlin, a definitive examination of upper-class Jews in Berlin during the latter half of the 1700's and the first half of the 1800's. Focusing especially upon the salons and those who attended them, Jewish High Society In Old Regime Berlin draws upon statistics, anecdotes, historical references and biographies, and is illustrates with occasional black-and-white diagrams or photographs. Evenhandedly examining the lives of both men and women, Jewish High Society In Old Regime Berlin is smoothly written and highly readable to historians and lay people alike.

Rowman & Littlefield
15200 NBN Way, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214
www.rowmanlittlefield.com

Alan Levenson's anthology Thinkers: An Introduction To Modern Jewish Thinkers (0742546071 $24.95) has long been a recommended pick for college-level students and adults learning Jewish issues, and appears again in an updated second edition to provide Judaica and philosophy issues to modern audiences. Levenson's introduction to varieties of Jewish thinking in the modern world provides an important sourcebook of ideas on modern Jewish life and lends to discussion and reflection. Kabbalah: The Mystic Quest In Judaism by David Ariel (0742545644, $17.95) is the first book to provide an intellectual focus on Kabbalah, providing a scholarly study of Jewish mysticism suitable for the nonspecialist as well as the Jewish thinker. People outside the Jewish faith are exploring concepts of Kabbalah and applying them to life situations, so this revised edition represents the perfect study for all faiths to provide a focus on academic scholarship and understanding Jewish mysticism. From basic concepts of the divine world in the Kabbalah to the influences of Greek and other philosophies, Kabbalah: The Mystic Quest In Judaism is packed with memorable insights.

The Last Album
Ann Weiss
Jewish Publication Society
2100 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
0827607849 $40.00 www.jewishpub.org

The updated, expanded edition of The Last Album: Eyes From The Ashes Of Auschwitz- Birkenau is out, and no less hard-hitting than the original. These black and white photos were not supposed to reach the world: the Nazi order to destroy all personal photos brought to each concentration camp was meant to destroy memories as much as evidence. Despite this mandate, author Weiss uncovered an archive of over 2,400 photos brought to Auschwitz by Jewish deportees across Europe - photos hidden and saved, at great risk to their owners. These photos accompany a traveling exhibition which is making its way around the world, presenting over 400 of these photos and how the deportees arrived at Auschwitz - and how Weiss came to discover them and to research their roots. A 'must' for any serious Jewish history collection - and many a general interest holding, as well.

Nurturing Faith
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
Merkos Publications
291 Kingston Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11213
0826607381 $12.95 kehotonline.com

The latest addition to the Kehot Publication Society's "Chasidic Heritage Series", Nurturing Faith: A Landmark Discourse By The Lubavitcher Rebbe was originally delivered in 1981. Rabbi Schneerson was a true leader of his community and a man who inspired his follower so serve G-d with passion under all circumstances, from times of oppression and hardship, to times of complacency and prosperity. The central message is the importance a leader plays in facilitating such a level of faith under any and all societal conditions. Indeed, a leader not only nurtures the faith of his people, but that faith is powerful not because it is an abstraction, but a catalyst leading to action -- and action leads to the strengthening both the individual and the community. A welcome and seminal addition to Judaic Studies in general, and Chasidic Studies in particular, Nurturing Faith is ably translated and annotated by Rabbi Yosef Marcus, and is enhanced with additional annotation by Rabbi Ari Sollish.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Published!
Mary Montague Sikes et al
Book Waves
PO Box 182, West Point, VA 23181
0976983206 $14.95 www.bookwaves.net

Published!: Now Sell It!: A "How To" Book For Authors By Authors is an informed and informative guide compiled by the experienced and expert book publicity and marketing team of Mary Montague Sikes, Jean C. Keating, Mildred H. B. Roberson, E. R. Kallus and Joseph Guion. Published! will substantively help any novice (and even the seasoned writer) all along the process of publishing, marketing and advertising their book whether self-published, published by an independent press, or by a major publishing company. Deftly co-authored by an exceptionally knowledgeable team, Published! is a very highly recommended read for all writers, published or anyone aspiring to become a successfully published author.

Author 101
Rick Frishman & Robyn Spizman
Adams Media Corporation
57 Littlefield Street, 2nd floor, Avon, MA 02322
www.adamsmedia.com
1593374127 $12.95 1-800-872-5627

The collaboration of publicist Rick Frishman and award-winning author Robyn Freedman Spizman, Author 101: Bestselling Book Proposals is a true "insider's guide" for authors seeking to sell what they write in today's complex and competitive publishing marketplace. A "great idea" for a book is not enough; to get publishers to take notice, prospective authors need a top-quality book proposal. Author 101 covers the basics of query letters and formulating proposals, and delves in-depth about specific details such as promotion plans, discerning the market for one's book, and perhaps most valuably, what agents and publishers hate the most (including "writers who say how much they liked other books", "writers who call constantly, are demanding, and don't hang up", and "writers who constantly tinker"). A "must-read", no-nonsense primer for publishing success and professional conduct, with the absolute highest recommendation for novice writers.

How To Write A Successful Book Proposal In 8 Days Or Less
Patricia L. Fry
Matilija Press
323 East Matilija Street, Suite 110, Ojai, CA 93023
0961264292 $12.99 matilijapress.com

How To Write A Successful Book Proposal In 8 Days Or Less by successful author Patricia L. Fry is a definitive, "user-friendly" guide, which is especially recommended to writers trying to attract a publisher for their manuscript. Written in a easy-to-follow format, How To Write A Successful Book Proposal In 8 Days Or Less includes the simple ten-step lesson that educates the reader on how to write a complete book proposal, locate and approach publishers, evaluate fee-based POD publishers, choose a title that will sell, build promotion into the book, sell yourself in the "about the author" section, organize the chapter outline, promote the book outside of bookstores, make book signings successful, and write a more successful, marketable book. How To Write A Successful Book Proposal is an invaluable addition to any novice author's reference shelf and has much to commended to even experienced and published writers as well.

Publishing Gems
Brent Sampson
Outskirts Press
10940 South Parker Road, #515, Parker, CO 80134
1932672850 $9.99 outskirtspress.com

Publishing Gems: Insider Information For The Self-Publishing Writer by Brent Sampson (Founder and CEO of Outskirts Press) is an ideal read for writers who have finished their manuscript, and have the desire to pursue publication. Readers will be enlightened as Sampson presents five justified reasons that Publishing Gems will assist in writers becoming published, The information is presented in list format for easy reference, ranging from plotting, to production. Publishing Gems offers practical advice at every stage of the publishing process, Insider information from a seasoned publishing professional will help novice authors avoid common mistakes. Publishing Gems merits high praise and is justifiably recommended to dedicated authors aspiring to be published. Also strongly recommended for writing/publishing reference collections from Outskirts Press is Self-Publishing: Simplified (1598000810, $5.95), an ultimate guide to every aspect of self-publication.

The Writer's Little Helper
James V. Smith Jr.
Writer's Digest Press/F&W, dist.
4700 East Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236
1582974225 $19.99 writersdigest.com

From time-saving tips to insights on how a believable dialogue is created and how a compelling pace is maintained, The Writer's Little Helper: Everything You Need To Know To Write Better And Get Published packs in specific tips and references for writers of fiction who wish to improve their style and quality of work. The format here is unique: it especially lends to browsers who just wish to hone in on a particular area of interest or improvement: checklists, boxed outlines and notes, the use of color bullets and more allow for quick, breezy reference. An exceptional guide for any who would absorb the foundations of good writing solid and who would hone improvement routines.


The Business Shelf

Dearborn
30 S. Wacker Dr. Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606-7481
www.dearborn.com

Event marketers often come up against impossible budget constrictions when planning an event, but organizations can reach their sales goals if they use a blend of brand recognition, lead generation and thought leadership: that's the message in Allison Saget's The Event Marketing Handbook: Beyond Logistics & Planning (1419515063, $22.95). Chapters tell how to integrate events into a marketing plan, generate leads before, during and after an event, and maximize budgets. Allison Saget is an experienced marketer and uses her background to provide answers to common event questions, from reaching target audiences to organizing a program. Dearborn's new 'On the Road' series by Sheryn Garrett offers both young adults and adults a fine introductory set of roadmaps to life's common financial crossroads and obstacles. Starting Out (1419-50004X, $15.95) introduces newcomers to the world of adulthood, from how to establish and manage credit to managing debt, buying one's first car and home, and more. Speaking of which, Buying A Home (1419500465, $15.95) narrows it down to the home-buying world; from how to decide between a condo or single-family home to understanding payment options, the process of finding and paying for a home, and dealing with agents and owners alike. Getting Married (1419500473, $15.95) rounds out the information with a financial focus on the marriage process. From merging different styles of budgeting and understanding the financial changes marriage will bring to handling taxes as a married couple, purchasing insurance to protect the family and planning for retirement, all issues common to marriage are surveyed. These make fine primers for any who would avoid the common pitfalls of financial life.

Take Command
Kelly Perdew
Regnery Publishing
1 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
1596980001 $24.95 www.regnery.com

Military leadership principles translate well to business environments, and Take Command: 10 Leadership Principles I Learned In The Miliary And Put To Work For Donald Trump tells where Trump apprentice Perdew got his ideas. Perdew wrote the book to show corporate America what leadership skills come with veterans - and to show transitioning military personnel they can make it in a civilian business world. But there are plenty of lessons here from military leaders who turned businesses into stellar achievements, and contributors to Take Command come from all walks of business.

The Marketing Plan Workbook
John Westwood
Kogan Page USA
22883 Quicksilver Dr, Sterling, VA 20166
www.styluspub.com
074944178X $35.00 1-800-232-0223

Written by a sales and marketing professional with a lifetime of experience, John Westwood's The Marketing Plan Workbook is a guide to principles and practical methods of marketing planning. Chapters cover how to conduct a marketing audit, setting reasonable marketing objectives, advertising and sales promotion, budgets and income statements, writing and presenting a plan, and much more. Charts and graphs illustrate the points, and periodic exercises offer opportunities for the reader to reinforce his or her understanding. A "must-have" educational resource for marketing students, and a valuable refresher course for working professionals.

Legal Forms For Starting & Running A Small Business
Attorney Fred S. Steingold
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.nolo.com
0873379713 $29.99 1-800-955-4775

Now in a newly updated and expanded third edition, Legal Forms For Starting & Running A Small Business is a comprehensive resource packed with forms for getting a business off the ground, borrowing money, hiring employees, creating contracts, buying or leasing space, and much more. Legal Forms For Starting & Running A Small Business balances its wealth of reproducible documents with straightforward "how-to" instructions and advice, a new checklist to help first-timers, and an accompanying Windows and Mac compatible CD-ROM makes printing out the forms a breeze. An easy-to-use "must-have" for small business owners and managers everywhere. Also very strongly recommended are Nolo's two companion titles in their simply outstanding business instructional guide series: The Small Business Start-Up Kit: 3rd Edition (1413300405, $24.99) and Home Business Tax Deductions: Keep What You Earn: 2nd Edition Updated for 2006 (1413303749, $34.99).

Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
www.hbspress.org

Knowledge workers are innovators and often driving forces of a company's product line and services: they are IT specialists and planners and you rely on them in your business: but are they delivering as much as they can? Knowledge management expert Thomas Davenport argues many companies don't maximize their productivity because they apply rigid management formulas to their workforce. His Thinking For A Living: How To Get Better Performance And Results From Knowledge Workers (1591394236 $27.50) identifies four major categories of knowledge workers and provides a format for matching each category with management strategies which encourage optimum performance. Karen Berman and Joe Knight's Financial Intelligence: A Manager's Guide To Knowing What The Numbers Really Mean (1591397642, $24.95) tells managers just how to use financial data to make decisions, and how to select and apply the right analytical tools and resources for the decision-making process. The basics of finance are covered along with insights on where financials some from, how they influence decisions different ways when used with different formulas and purposes, and how they can be biased. The authors have trained thousands of managers and employees in the course of their business: their expertise lends to plenty of insights here.

Complete Idiot's Guide To Starting & Running A Coffee Bar
Susan Gilbert, et.al.
Alpha/Penguin
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
1592574068 $16.95 idiotsguides.com

There's plenty of money to be made in the coffee business and if your dream is to get out there and run a coffee bar, you're in luck: Complete Idiot's Guide To Starting & Running A Coffee Bar provides all the basics on how to do so. From what it's really like to run a coffee bar to legal issues, sales, shop equipment choices, kitchen layout and more, much of the book is very specific to the coffee industry and provides a wealth of specific business advice.

The Creative Professional
Howard J. Blumenthal
Emmis Books
1700 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45206
1578602459 $14.95 emmisbooks.com

The Creative Professional: A Survival Guide For The Business World is a handy book for unconventional thinkers in all walks of business. Chapters address how to apply one's personal assets and ways of thinking for maximum profit; the advantages and disadvantages of working for oneself vs. working for a company; the nuances of the creative process; overcoming such obstacles as lack of time, poor people skills, bad reactions to criticism, or negative habits; laws affecting creative work in general and intellectual property in particular; and much more. A valuable resource especially for workers in creative fields such as writing or graphics design, as well as for businesspeople who have the knack for inventing unusual situations to common problems.

Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
$18.95eEach www.globepequot.com

Two new fifth editions of popular 'home-based business' guides from Globe Pequot Press promise success in operating a business from home. Denise Vivaldo's Catering Business (0762738782) shares the caterer/author's experiences running her own business from her kitchen. From estimating start-up costs and finding clients to outfitting a kitchen profitably, chapters cover everything form CD-ROM recipe books to culinary web sites and specialty planning, showing how to avoid common mistakes, using portion size charts, and more. Plenty of fill-in charts make it easy to plan. Owen D. Dell's Landscaping Business (0762738812) does the same for a landscaping operation, showing how to purchase tools, estimate costs and price services, and how to use the internet's resources to help market services. The step-by-step approach blending with the latest Internet resources make Landscaping Business easy to absorb. Both are excellent specialized home business guides, specific enough to win over more general books on small business management.

CIO Wisdom II
Phillip Laplante & Thomas Costello
Prentice Hall Press
One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
0131855891 $44.99 www.phptr.com

Real-world CIOs working in IT leadership positions know best what works, and their collective wisdom in CIO Wisdom II: More Best Practices offers solutions not only for IT professionals, but for any involved in business systems management. CIO Wisdom II can be used as both a business and computer classroom text and as a IT professional's reference: it covers everything from quantifying software return on investment to understanding how successful IT outsourcing works and how to secure IT facilities. A highly recommended pick based on practical experience in the IT management world.

Small Time Operator
Bernard B. Kamoroff, CPA
Bell Springs Publishing
PO Box 1240, Willits, CA 95490
0917510224 $17.95 www.bellsprings.com

It's been used as a text in over 100 schools, and has been adopted by four book clubs - and it's in it's 30th updated editing, making Small Time Operator: How To Start Your Own Business, Keep Your Books, Pay Your Taxes, And Stay Out Of Trouble something of an exception in the world of business books, which tends to be ever-changing. Any in small business must have Small Time Operator: it provides plenty of worksheets and packs in very basic information, assuming no prior knowledge of business routines. Its information has been fully revised and updated, but its simplicity and direct approach hasn't changed, assuring Small Time Operator will remain as current to this decade of entrepreneurs as it has been for years.


The Poetry Shelf

The World Always Knew
Diamond Crystal Hayes
American Literary Press
8019 Belair Road, Route 10, Baltimore, MD 21236
www.americanliterarypress.com
1561678333 $9.95 1-800-873-2003

The World Always Knew is the highly intimate and philosophical poetry of the talented and able Diamond Crystal Hayes. Uncut: For to me.../you are an uncut diamond/sitting still in the surface of the earth,/which only beautify itself/and its surroundings.//It gives a shine that no one else can give/or have a clue how it starts or ends.//Everything that passes you by glows/as if higher power touched it.//The smile that comes with all that you give,/no one can afford the price or the cost.

Parallel Play
Stephen Burt
Graywolf Press
2402 University Avenue, Suite 203, Saint Paul, MN 55114
www.graywolfpress.org
1555974376 $14.00 1-651-641-0077

The term "parallel play" in childhood development refers to when two children are placed together yet play separately, without interacting. Parallel Play is an anthology of poetry reflecting on the tendency adults, lovers, friends, travelers, and others withdrawn into their personal existences, sometimes influencing one another but not necessarily acknowledging one another. The variant styles of free verse meander across the intricacies of human consciousness, even - or especially - when wholly self-absorbed. A haunting scrutiny of isolation, whether by need, choice, or accident. Over Long Island: A swept rock garden. With an enormous rake / The lines of pebbles - roofs - have been made clear: / Their parallels leave rivulets, and bare / Calm soil along one edge, the Sound. Severe, / Like any rock garden in winter; so try to make // Its scale, its thumbprint creeks and springtail lakes / Bespeak / Not how smooth stones or snowflakes look alike / But what they thought they found when they came here: / Clean sidewalks. "Freedom from want. Freedom from fear."

White Sea
Cleopatra Mathis
Sarabande Books
2234 Dundee Road, Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40205
www.sarabandebooks.org
1932511172 $13.95 1-800-283-3572

White Sea is an elegant body of poetry that lingers on the tenuous connections between the living world and the hereafter, by award-winning poet Cleopatra Mathis. The varied free verse expresses emotion, human will in the face of endless entropy, respect for the sincerity of animals, and quiet contemplation of the serenity of death. An unforgettable and haunting collection. In Woods: Blind, I was nowhere inside, / drawn past the verge of woods / in the fallen night, blank / haze hanging / a hand over my eyes. / Blind night, no moon / white as a shout, a startled / shake to keep me / out of woods - no owl this time / sweeping before me. Fall's quiet / old now: the waving leaves, the fine / flying needles of the pines / dead and given to ground. / Every outline had filled in, / paid back its black / refusal, and I almost didn't see. / I was walking the silencing woods / when wilds woke, took hold / to turn me, something far and fast / lit the dark way back.

The Beautiful Lesson Of The I
Frances Bret
Utah State University Press
78 Old Marin Hill, Logan, UT 843227800
0874216168 $15.95 usu.edu/usupress.com

A highly recommend read, Frances Brent presents an intriguing collection of her greatest poems in The Beautiful Lesson Of The I. In this deftly written body of verse, the reader will find words of compelling guidance, thought evoking wisdom, and an intricate map of Frances Brets' encouraging mind. Undo: I drew a finger through the air with its memory objects--/there's nothing/but there is. I lean-ed the gray word/against the wall with the clock//and the dark compositions of Prohibition and Desire,/space between thought going off/and coming back--//Undo--/choppy feelings of the heart--/so much hope/as the bubble floats.

On Borrowed Time
Naomi Goodman
Fithan Press
PO Box 2790, McKinley, CA 95519
1564744515 $12.00 danielpublishing.com

Strongly recommended reading, On Borrowed Time: Poems Of Two Centuries is the eclectic and highly praised work of Naomi Goodman. This compilation of Goodman's poetry is the very definition of life and the persistence of death, therein. For Later Friendship: One needs to know the references/Who? Where? When?/What?/Even Which? as in the/Journalism leads./Old friends know:/We can talk of our dead/With pleasure and nostalgia,/With those who were witnesses./They Understand./New friends ask:/Explaining, explaining is hard.

Myths Of Electricity
Keven Meaux
Texas Review Press
English Dept, Sam Houston State Univ.
Huntsville, TX 77341-2146
1881515737 $8.95 www.amazon.com

Very strongly recommended and iconoclastic, Myths Of Electricity an intuitive and insightful assemble of Kevin Meaux's highly praised and eclectic poetry. As Myths Of Electricity covers many varying subjects throughout the selective poems of Kevin Meaux, readers will feel the passion of the poet. The Young Magician And His Wife (after a photograph of the author's parents, newly married): If one can believe such things,/the afternoon blushes/with summer's articulate brilliance/as my dad levitates my mom.//His hands are poised inches above her,/His eyes are close in concentration/as if this were no trick/but a delicate task.//She's weightless and smiling./Between her back and the ground/there is nothing but sunlight.//They're too young/to know what they're doing./Soon she will settle into soft grass/or it will rise to meet her./And so he concentrates/on his hands, his wife,/the bright sunlight.

Blue Feast
Shawna Lemay
Newest Press
201-8540-109 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 1E6
1896300944 $12.95 newestpress.com

Highly recommended to the general reader and poetry lover for its clever indulgence into the English language, Blue Feast is an eloquent collection of poems from the intimate collection of Shawna Lemay, taking deep examination of motherhood, marriage, and the prosaic nature of everyday life. Lemay deftly carries the engagement of the mundane by latently writing of profoundly personal truths and histories. This Joy That Hovers Within: There is this joy that hovers within./ I'm ashamed to say I hardly own it.//All the other flotsam/in this whirlwind of my own making/am I intimate with.//I won't own joy.//But I know that in the early mornings/it moves closer/needing only strong coffee/a long gaze into darkness/one dangling thought/containing no words, no words at all.

Starred Wire
Ange Mlinko
Coffee House Press
27 N. Fourth St., Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.coffeehousepress.org
1566891779 $15.00 1-800-283-3572

Starred Wire is a collection of poetry written to the beat of a different drummer. Taking liberties with rhymes, anagrams, puns, palindromes, free-verse, stream-of-consciousness, and other techniques, each work has a different natural rhythm, and all leave a vibrant imprint on the senses. Poems to provoke impetuous inspiration, Starred Wire is a delightfully unpredictable experience. Everything's Carousing: Even the Baroque gets lost in it. / Grass vests the dirt lest wind, twanging the skyscrapers // that merely sleeve the elevators, as we go sleeveless / except for the atmosphere, file it under "oceans." // Recalling the equations derived for ballistics- / aiming cannonballs is not like squaring lintels, // and skyscrapers are all lintel. / There isn't a straight line amidst all these that never meet; // I will write away for it. A sound that breaks / "the record and the tie with the most singles in a season." // Sparrows petulantly, like petals, adding subtracting / to crumb-strewn cafe tables, then boarding the ferries.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

The Dog Bible
Kristin Mehus-Roe, editor
Bowtie Press
3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618
1931993343 $24.95 bowtiepress.com

For a single-volume, weighty reference by dog experts, don't miss Dog Bible: The Definitive Source For All Things Dog. Well over two hundred breeds are covered, but it isn't all about dogs: fifty careers with dogs are also included in this manual of health remedies, emergency solutions, grooming hints and training tips. Each dog's definitive overview includes country of origin, alternate names, and characteristics, while chapters covering life with a dog, dog-friendly rental housing, and more cover all the issues likely to arise under dog ownership. Especially recommended as a library foundation pick.

The New Better Behavior In Dogs
William E. Campbell
Alpine Publications
PO Box 7027, Loveland, CO 80537
1577790189 $TBA www.alpinepub.com

Pet owners who face dilemmas in handling or training dogs will find plenty of answers in The New Better Behavior In Dogs: A Guide To Solving All Your Dog Problems. The focus here is upon understanding the dog's psyche and needs; from what factors influence successful training routines to what causes a dog to misbehave. Various types of behavior from aggression towards babies and adults to digging and jumping on people are handled in chapters which survey all aspects of dog psychology: an invaluable guide, especially for new owners.

Work Wonders
Tom Lonsdale
Dogwise Publishing
Box 2778, Wenatchee, WA 98807-2778
www.dogwisepublishing.com
0975717405 $12.95 1-800-776-2665

Tom Lonsdale's impressive mastery and complete knowledge of dogs and their true desires emerges from the pages of Work Wonders: Feed Your Dogs Raw Meaty Bones. This is the complete and "user-friendly" informational guide for any dog owner and the care they should take for the diet and overall healthy upkeep for their gratefully cherished canine companion. As an insightful and informative guide to the reader, Work Wonders is a confident recommendation for all dog owners, and a "must-read" if our canine friends are likely to stay with us for a long companionable road ahead.

Wild Belfast
Robert Scott
Blackstaff Press/Dufour Editions
Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.blackstaffpress.com
0856407623 $29.95 dufoureditions.com

Wild Belfast: On Safari In The City is an amazing book: a city guide which covers all the wildlife of the city, from insects to birds and mammals. From inner city parks and gardens to adjacent area meadows, wetlands and woods, Wild Belfast offers a simply astounding, rich survey of all the creatures which live in the region - and how best to see them. Packed with color photos and natural history, this is one of the most amazing books available - we can only hope other urban areas will receive such insights. Very highly recommended indeed; even if you never visit Belfast and know little of the area, but are passionate about wildlife and natural history.

The Amphibians And Reptiles Of El Salvador
Gunther Kohler, et al.
Krieger Publishing Company
PO Box 9542, Melbourne, FL 32902-9542
www.krieger-publishing.com
1575242524 $49.50 1-800-724-0025

Collaboratively written especially for herpetologists and other professionals in the field by the team of Gunther Kohler, Milan Vesely and Eli Greenbaum, The Amphibians And Reptiles Of El Salvador covers 130 species representing 88 genera and 30 families. Each species is listed with a partial synonymy, its total geographic distribution, ecological distribution in El Salvador, a short description of its morphology, natural history and taxonomic comments, its conservation status, and a list of Salvadoran specimens examined and their locality data. Distribution maps and color photographs of each species add a keen visual touch, combined with dichotomous keys for identification in both English and Spanish, to make The Amphibians And Reptiles Of El Salvador an excellent resource especially for identifying herpetofauna specimens.

Willow Creek Press
PO Box 147, Minocqua, WI 54548

Three appealing books are visual treats and would make wonderful gifts for dog lovers. Bad To The Bone: Celebrating Good Times And Bad Behavior! (159543-2388, $14.95) is a hilarious collection of wise reflections on behavior - paired with often-funny dog photos for philosophical reflection. From reflections on misbehaving and growing older - paired with a photo of a dog drinking from a toilet - to vignettes on nosing through trash. E. Donnall Thomas Jr.'s My Kingdom For A Lab! Life With The Hunting Labrador Retriever (1595432450, $19.50) provides descriptive essays and stories culled from the author's decades of experience with the lab breed. Natural history, hunting insights and reflections on labs during hunting season make for a fine hunter's handbook. Tom Davis' Why Goldens Do That: A Collection Of Curious Golden Retriever Behaviors (159543248, $15.95) celebrates the golden retriever, from its shedding hair and nice expression to their habits. Expect no weighty treatise here: Why Goldens Do That is a light celebration pairing lovely color photos with its insights on the breed and its loveable peculiarities. If your animal companion is a Golden Retriever, then this is the book for you!


The Fiction Shelf

Fire On Mount Maggiore
John Parras
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
www.utpress.org
1572334452 $32.95 1-800-621-2736

Based on events in the author's life while fighting forest fires in Italy, Fire On Mount Maggiore is a novel about a firefighter plagued with survivor's guilt after a terrible blaze slaughters five men in his brigade. Caught amid rumors and suspicions of flawed firefighting operations, corruption in the management of state lands, serial arson, and influence of the criminal underworld, he embarks upon an exploration into the conspiracy. Winner of the 2004 Peter Taylor Prize for the Novel, Fire On Mount Maggiore blends the realism of firsthand experience with a suspenseful saga of adventure, danger, and a glimpse into the darkness of men's hearts. Highly recommended.

Dreams Or Reality
Susan Shaw
Ulverscroft Large Print (USA)
Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
1846170974 $32.50 1-800-955-9659

Dreams Or Reality is the complete and unabridged large-print hardcover novel about a teenager in the permissive 1960's who grows up into a confused young woman. Experiencing an abusive marriage and bearing three children, she convinces herself that material possessions are the most crucial component to obtaining happiness. Yet even though she obtains all the possessions she desires, her world continues to crumble, until she is forced to make life- changing decisions about what is truly valuable in her life. A compelling story about the insufficiency of money alone and the endless quest to find meaning.

Between The Flowers
Harriette Simpson Arnow
Michigan State University
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25, East Lansing, MI 48823-5202
087013759X $24.95 www.msupress.com

Between The Flowers by Harriette Simpson Arnow is an intuitive depiction of the cultural themes that dictate the lives of modern life, the appeal to traveling and the actualities of residing in a traditional community regardless of global positioning. Intriguing for its theme, Between The Flowers is an inspired and inspiring work of the earlier, realist based writings, informing the reader of the latent differences between men and women, and the difficulties in communication between them in both the artificial and traditional gender community. To be given high praise for its fundamental structure, storyline and content, Between The Flowers is strongly recommended to the literature enthusiast, particularly those in study of the realist mentality and influence.

ISIS Publishing Ltd.
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA)
Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
1-800-955-9659 www.amazon.com

Three large-print hardcover novels published by ISIS are a welcome addition to public libraries or the personal collections of visually limited readers. Heidi by Johanna Spyri (0753174596, $32.50) is a flawless translation of the timeless classic about a young girl whose spreads kindness and brings out the goodness in others' hearts. The power of miracles worked through human compassion is a theme that resonates profoundly into the modern day. After Midnight by Susan Sallis (0753174-677, $32.50) is a mystery surrounding the past of a woman, her cousins, and the mysterious stranger who comes in their midst, all tied to an old railway coach in the forest that once witnessed the blooming of first love. Sex And Other Changes by David Nobbs (0753174693, $32.50) a wry and dramatic novel about a happily married couple, Nick and Alison... until one day Nick reveals that he wants to become Nicole, and Alison, though shocked, supports him because she wants to become Alan. Can both partners in a marriage change sex and preserve their marriage? How will their children and the rest of their family adapt? An unforgettable "what-if" exploration of the dynamics of gender relationships. All three novels are highly recommended.

Solomon's Wisdom & Other Stories
Roberta Kalechofsky
Micah Publications, Inc.
255 Humphrey Street, Marblehead, MA 01945-1645
0916288056 $15.00 micahbooks.com

Solomon's Wisdom & Other Stories is an anthology of ten historical fiction stories grounded in Middle Ages, biblical, and Jewish themes. Author Roberta Kalechofsky further broadens the implications of the stories, laying additional significance and drawing out new interpretations; for example, in the title story "Solomon's Wisdom", the two women who claim the same baby symbolize Judea and the northern tribes, who are rebelling against Solomon and his cravings for glory that overrule their need for justice. A profound reinterpretation of classic parables, that will leave readers of all backgrounds musing upon its implications.

Crazy Quilt
Paula Paul
University Of New Mexico Press
PO Box 25061, Albuquerque, NM 87125-0061
082633704x $15.95 www.unmpress.com

Crazy Quilt by Paula Paul is the entertaining, original and engaging story of Flora Adams, a cancer patient who, in the midst of a recuperation leave, stumbles upon an old man who becomes both an annoyance and an infatuation to her. Readers will be delighted as author and former journalist Paula Paul's intricate plot and an amusing spectra of characters ranging from Jillian, a young punk-rocker, to James Willie, the Texas town's sheriff. Enthusiastically recommended reading, Crazy Quilt is superbly crafted, fun and entertaining novel.

Winter Passage
Paul Raymond Cote and Constantina Mitchell
Behler Publications
22365 El Toro Road, #135, Lake Forest, CA 92630
www.behlerpublications.com
1933016191 $14.95 1-800-830-2913

Winter Passage is co-authored by Paul Raymond Cote and Constantina Mitchell. The result of their talented collaboration is a brilliant novel depicting the lives of an heir to a Quebec City mansion and the demented history of the young and damaged woman he encounters when first arriving to the New World from his home in Europe. Winter Passage elegantly combines history and highly personal drama to produce a modern masterpiece of the colonial era. Well written for an ultimately superb read, Winter Passage is a confidently recommended and entertaining from beginning to end.

A Thread Of Gold
R. Reed Johnson
Western Reflections Publishing
219 Main Street, Montrose, CO 81401
www.westernreflectionspub.com
1932738126 $19.95 1-800-993-4490

A Thread Of Gold: A Three Century Search For A Colorado Gold Bonanza is the fictional and historical interpretation of a three century, three state tale of three brothers searching for an ultimate gold reservoir. In the midst of their search, however, the three brothers find themselves in various significant landmarks of the old western era. Although fictional, A Thread Of Gold provides an interesting and informative history of western America's history which is highly recommended for students of American history. A Thread Of Gold is a very educational as well as highly entertaining read and quite appropriate for personal, school, and community library collections.


The Travel Shelf

Mark Twain On Travel
Terry Mort, editor
The Lyons Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437-0480
1592288065 $24.95 globepequot.com

Writer Mark Twain is best known for his children's adventure books and his spirited humor, but Mark Twain On Travel offers a different set of insights, gathering under one cover his travel experiences and writings and revealing his colorful encounters with characters around the world. These spirited literary pieces are powerful travel observations which come from a range of publications and sources and together provide an excellent survey of Twain's wit and wisdom.

Diamond Valley Publishers
89 Lower Manzanita, Markleeville, CA 96120
www.trailblazertravelbooks.com

If you're an outdoors-oriented visitor heading to Hawaii and look forward to snorkeling and hiking, don't go without packing these two 'Trailblazer' Hawaii handbooks from Jerry & Janine Sprout, who have explored the islands together. Oahu Trailblazer (0967007283, $15.95) and Maui Trailblazer (0967007240, $15.95) each offer revised new editions and pack in over a hundred hikes, strolls, snorkeling beaches and reefs, and kayak destinations. Maps, photos, resource links, and top pick highlights make these excellent 'must have' references.

Roadside Giants
Brian & Sarah Butko
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
www.stackpolebooks.com
0811732282 $14.95 1-717-796-0411

Readers can discover the eccentric tendencies of American roadways in Roadside Giants co-authored by Brian and Sarah Butko. Roadside Giants is the fun travel guide to exploring the roadside intricacies and oddities of American culture, applying "an-easy-to use" map of America's giants with enhanced with full color pictures, aspect dimensions, address and location and a brief history for each of the dozens of featured places. Roadside Giants is very highly recommended, particularly to the parents of family looking for a fun and interesting travel idea.

Liquid Mexico
Becky Youman & Bryan Estep
Bilingual Review Press
Box 872702, Temple, AZ 85287-2702
1931010269 $18.00 www.asu.edu.brp

Liquid Mexico: Festive Spirits, Tequila Culture, & The Infamous Worm is a 'must' for any who love Mexico: it examines the locales, festivities and history surrounding Mexican drinks, using specific beverage as cultural indicators for exploring Mexican heritage. Chapters blend in the authors' travel experiences throughout Mexico in chapters which range from 'Margarita' and 'Beers' to 'Sangrita'. An inspired blend of travelogue and cultural insight makes for lively reading indeed.

Travelers' Tales
853 Alma St., Palo Alto, CA 94301
www.travelerstales.com

You won't get caught with your pants down without any good travel humor to read if you pick up Doug Lansky's laugh-filled collection There's No Toilet Paper On The Road Less Traveled (1932361-278, $14.95): it provides a hilarious set of stories from wacky, strange adventures of travel gone wrong around the world. From a dead 'peace duck' attached to a car which brings attention and respect where ever it roams to a journey to Disney World which proves less than magical, here's the perfect light-hearted take- along tote for vacation. Lisa Back edits Her Fork In The Road: Women Celebrate Food And Travel (1932361294, $16.95): a collection of quite literary travel journeys by such notables as Isabel Allende, M.F.K. Fisher and more. An affection for travel and culinary history will lend to a set of journeys of international food discoveries providing a blend of vivid writing and fine culinary insights. Sean O'Reilly, James O'Reilly and Larry Habegger edit 30 Days In The South Pacific: True Stories Of Escape To Paradise (193236126X, $14.95), a set of searches for paradise. From a drag review in Samoa to a search for a modern cult in Vanuatu and a scuba dive to the former nuclear blast site Bikini atoll, unique journeys of discovery and adventure are provided with first-person observation and some doses of humor - and always with a lively hand.

Hidden British Columbia
Eric Lucas
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley, CA 94703
1569754497 $18.95 ulyssespress.com

Take a vacation and blend in some active sports or activities and you have an 'adventure getaway' of the type Ulysses Press specializes in - and one out of the ordinary, as its 'Hidden' series covers. Websites, walking tours, scenic drives, and both weekend and extended getaways are covered in Hidden British Columbia, which specializes in byways and lesser-known attractions and which deserves ongoing recommendation as a top travel choice for the region. From Fan Tan Alley, Canada's narrowest street, to tiny cafes, Hidden British Columbia provides a quality travel experience to any heading to the region, and makes for a perfect tote as well as a at-home planner.

Moon Handbooks/Avalon Travel
1400 - 65th Street, #250, Emeryville, CA 94608
www.avalonpub.com

Two excellent take-along totes are nearly pocket-sized, yet packed with details. W.C. McRae and Judy Jewell's Zion & Bryce (1566918766, $16.95) focus on Utah's two wonderful parks but also include sections on nearby Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches parks. A handy at-a-glance map on the back places all in perspective, while pages of detail cover everything from accommodations to day trips and overnight camping in each park. Accommodations are broken down by price ranges, hiking trails and scenic drives are outlined, and tips on making the most of each park's unique scenic attractions keep Zion & Bryce useful. Philip Goldsmith's Northern California Wine Country (1566918804, $16.95) blends the author's firsthand experiences with the region with plenty of practical travel trips for getting the most from the wineries and vineyards of California. Maps and small black and white photos accompany specific details on each winery's special offerings, from Napa and Sonoma counties down to Santa Clara. Discussions include nearby accommodations, divided by price range for quick and easy planning.

Along Florida's Expressways
Dave Hunter
Mile Oak Publishing
c/o KSB Promotions
55 Honey Creek NE, Ada, MI 49301-9768
1896819451 $23.95 kbspromotions.com

Along Florida's Expressways by Dave Hunter is an exclusive and precise look into the "public knowledge" navigation of Florida, intending to bring ease to the traveler or newcomer of the interstates and bigger cities of the Sun State. Enhanced with a 25 miles-per-page full-colored strip maps, Along Florida's Expressways provides the reader with and easy-to-use and helpful guide through and around Florida. Highly recommended, Along Florida's Expressways is an excellent trip-guide and recourse for anyone aspiring to move to, or vacation in Florida.

Lonely Planet
150 Linden St., Oakland, Ca 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com

Destination travelers who want comprehensive yet compact take-along guides for planning while at home or abroad will welcome Lonely Planet's newest additions, which pack in specifics and update details for the latest travel information. Lindsay Brown's East Coast Australia (1740597834, $22.99) tells how to cruise, walk, cycle, surf and experience Australia's lesser-traveled East Coast. Chapters discuss both major cities and the countryside but always focus on uniquely Australian experiences, providing maps, colorful photos, and plenty of specifics on accommodations and travel. Co-authors John Noble and Susan Forsyth's Belize (1740-59519X, $18.99) does the same for the little South American country which holds both wild animals and ruins as attractions. From beachside to jungle lodging, touring islands to studying Maya culture and antiquities, Belize provides independent travelers with plenty of choices and the information to achieve goals. David Andrew's Watching Wildlife: Galapagos Islands (1741042097, $24.99) tells where to find wildlife when visiting the Galapagos. Wildlife photos display them, background information on animal behavior is provided, and tips on planning a trip and taking the best equipment for all kinds of wildlife viewing specific to the island environment make Watching Wildlife: Galapagos Islands a fine planner.

Quick Escapes San Francisco
Karen Misuraca
Insider's Guide
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
0762738871 $15.95 InsidersGuide.com

San Francisco-bound visitors who wish travel tips for weekend excursions will find plenty beyond the city limits, especially with Quick Escapes in hand. This sixth newly revised, updated edition of Quick Escapes San Francisco provides the latest information on such getaways, taking a day-by-day approach to each recommended destination to include where to eat meals, what to enjoy during the day and evening, and recommended seasonal attractions. Quick Escapes San Francisco is a fine, take-along tote for visitors and new residents alike.

The Whistler Book
Jack Christie
Greystone Books/Douglas & McIntyre
2323 Quebec Street, #201, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5T 4S7
1553650905 $24.95 www.amazon.com

Jack Christie is a Tourism B.C. Media Award winner and a long-time travel writer who is especially passionate about British Columbia, so it's no surprise a wonderful guide to the wilderness area of Whistler comes from his experienced hand. From hiking and snow sports to fishing, rafting and nature viewing, here are trail highlights, maps, photos, and all the access information you'll need to enjoy the Whistler region of British Columbia. Activities for active adults and kids alike make The Whistler Book An All-Season Outdoor Guide a top pick for destination-bound visitors.

Yellowstone To Yukon
Florian Schulz
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way #201, Seattle, WA 98134
www.mountaineersbooks.org
0898869897 $34.95 www.amazon.com

200 color images of the landscape and its plant, animal and human inhabitants in the Yellowstone region make Yellowstone To Yukon: Freedom To Roam a prized coffee table addition which reflects the author's ten years of journeying through Yellowstone's wonders. As if the full-page, striking color images weren't enough, original essays by noted biologists and conservationists were commissioned for this collection, including contributions by David Suzuki and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The proposed Yellowstone to Yukon conservation program is the focus: chapters provide visual emphasis on the region's wonders to accompany written surveys of a model of diversity and conservation excellence. A highly recommended pick for not just coffee tables, but libraries serious about conservation efforts.


The True Adventure Shelf

Cry From The Deep
Ramsey Flynn
Harper
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022
006093641X $14.95 harpercollins.com

For a riveting moment-by-moment re-enactment of the sinking of the Soviet sub Kursk and its dramatic rescue, don't miss Cry From The Deep: The Sinking Of The Kursk, The Submarine Disaster That Riveted The World And Put The New Russia To The Ultimate Test. In 2000 the giant nuclear sub sank and over a hundred men struggled to survive as the Russian Navy failed to acknowledge their plight. The Russian government rebuffed attempts at rescue and this account reveals the deceptions and conspiracies which revolved around the disaster.

The Last Gentleman Adventurer
Edward Beauclerk Maurice
Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116
0618517510 $25.00 www.hmco.com

At sixteen author Edward Beauclerk Maurice signed up with the Hudson's Bay Company and ended up at an isolated trading post in the Canadian Arctic, where he learned from the locals how to survive its harsh environment. The Last Gentleman Adventurer: Coming Of Age In The Arctic tells how he became immersed in Inuit culture, revealing his slow coming of age in a remote, harsh world and his evolution from a idealistic boy to a man who helps his Inuit friends when an epidemic threatens. A fine adventure survey of his first years in the Arctic and how the remote world captivated him.

Pioneers Of The Pacific
Nigel Rigby, et al.
University of Alaska Press
PO Box 656240, Fairbanks, AK 99775
1889963763 $26.95 www.amazon.com

Expeditions of adventure didn't end with the demise of Captain Cook in 1780: further expeditions were soon dispatched, but too few accounts provide general-interest readers with their specifics. Six of Cook's successors and their Pacific journeys are revealed in Pioneers Of The Pacific: Voyages Of Exploratio, 1787-1810 through the collaborative efforts of Nigel Rigby, Pieter van der Merwe and Lyn Williams. Illustrations in color from a range of international sources accompany biographical and adventure sketches of the six early explorers who continued Cook's legacy and considers their lasting impact, from Arthur Philip, the founder of the first British colony in Australia, to Alejandro Malaspina, whose Spanish expedition's achievements were overshadowed by his later disgrace.

Hemingway's Hurricane
Phil Scott
McGraw-Hill
2 Penn Plaza, NY, NY 10121-2298
www.internationalmarine.com
0071453326 $24.95 www.amazon.com

The great Florida hurricane of 1935 came as no surprise - in Key West Ernest Hemingway had enough warning to secure his boat and house against the storm - yet superintendents in three nearby government work camps did almost nothing to evacuate the men in their charge. Phil Scott details these days of calamity when the Keys were hit by one of the most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S: Hemingway's Hurricane: The Great Florida Keys Storm Of 1935 uses eyewitness accounts to detail these days of calamity and reconstruct the events in each camp as the hurricane made landfall. The probe of the underlying problems involved in evacuation procedures holds plenty of drama and meaning for today's residents.


The Music Shelf

Jazz Consciousness
Paul Austerlitz
Wesleyan University Press
215 Long Lane, Middletown, CT 06459
www.wesleyan.edu/wespress
0819567825 $24.95 1-800-421-1561

Ethnomusicologist and skilled jazz musician Paul Austerlitz presents Jazz Consciousness: Music, Race, And Humanity is a passionate and persuasive essay postulating the core thesis that jazz and the worldview connected to it embodies an inclusive aspect, reaching beyond its African-American base to connect with all of humanity. Written from a scholarly perspective as well as that of a jazz player and music lover, Jazz Consciousness explores the widespread influence of jazz in music of the United States, The Dominican Republic, and Finland, among other nations as well as the immense contributions of individuals such as Milford Graves and Mario Bauza. An extensively researched and persuasively written accounting of the psychological power of a widely beloved form of music.

Singing In The Saddle
Douglas B. Green
Vanderbilt University Press
VU Station B 351813, Nashville, TN 37235-1813
www.vanderbiltuniversitypress.com
0826515061 $24.95 1-800-627-7377

Now in paperback is the entertaining and unique history of western music from vaudeville to modern times in Singing In The Saddle: The History Of The Singing Cowboy. Author Douglas Green is himself a singing cowboy and so his personal experience with the topic lends more insights into this history of the singing cowboy, helping analyze studio systems which made them famous, the role of local and national country music stations in playing their music, and the cultural and musical phenomenon of individual stars of the genre. With its blend of biographical sketches and music history coupled with vintage black and white photos, Singing In The Saddle is an excellent survey.

Rock & Roll Archaeologist
Peter Blecha
Sasquatch Books
119 S. Main St., #400, Seattle, WA 98104
1570614431 $16.95 sasquatchbooks.com

Author Peter Blecha is an obsessive music collector and former senior curator of the Experience Music Project: he's spent his lifetime haunting used record shops and antique stores to track down rarities and instruments played by rock's greatest icon, and here provides a lively blend of music history and first- person adventure in the search for elusive music memorabilia. Rock & Roll Archaeologist documents his transition from fanatic to recognized artifact expert in the field, and makes for an inviting, fun read.

Dylan
Mojo Magazine/Mark Blake, editor
DK
375 Hudson, New York NY 10014
0756617189 $30.00 www.dk.com

Bob Dylan's music reflected an entire generation's hopes and dreams and he's received extensive treatment in coverages which continue to this day, but Mojo's survey in Dylan: Visions, Portraits, And Back Pages is something different: a collection of powerful writings from the world's best rock journalists from Mojo magazine who work together to provide a comprehensive set of insights on his life. Stories behind songs and albums pair with previously unseen photos to shed new light on his personality and music. The vintage photos and stories are outstanding presentations, packed with color and life.

Billboard Books/Watson-Guptill
770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
www.wgpub.com

Two outstanding new music titles are top picks for readers of music history. Nadine Cohodas' Queen: The Life And Music Of Dinah Washington (0823084477, $19.95) provides a gorgeous biographical survey of not only jazz/blues/pop singer Dinah Washington's life, but the music atmosphere of her times. Chapters survey her rise to stardom, her musical changes between jazz, blues and pop genres, and her outlook on life, based on extensive family interviews and newly uncovered documents. A 'must' for Dinah Washington fans. Debra DeSalvo's The Language Of The Blues: From Alcorub To Zuzu (082-3083896, $16.95) is essential reading for any who would understand blues references and the origins and meanings of blues terms. Author and musician Debra DeSalvo researched lyrics, traced them through obscure archives and references, and interviewed blues artists: the result is an outstanding survey.

Wicked Messenger
Mike Marqusee
Seven Stories Press
140 Watts Avenue, New York, NY 10013
1583226869 $16.95 sevenstories.com

Wicked Messenger: Bob Dylan And The 1960s represents a revised, expanded edition of the 2003 hardcover Chimes Of Freedom, and is a recommended pick for Dylan fans and especially newcomers who missed Chimes and here will enjoy the benefit of a new chapter on his 2004 memoir and his 2003 film. Wicked Messenger shows that Dylan didn't turn away from his famous political music but instead changed the style of his message to address changing politics. In providing a concurrent social survey of the atmosphere of the U.S. during the 1960s, Wicked Messenger draws some important connections between Dylan's musical approach, its message, and how and why it affected his times.

Amadeus Press
512 Newark Pomton Turnpike, Pomton Plains, NJ 07444
$24.95 each www.amadeuspress.com

Two outstanding DVD performances are top picks for any fan of classical music who wishes to capture the life performance feel in their living room. Nobilis Trio (HL0331682) presents a trio whose repertoire ranges from traditional to jazz. The trio has between widely recognized as one of the most exciting new trios, blending the power of violin, cello and piano with a precision which shines in DVD treatment, and their DVD provides the trio in concert along with an interview. The Elkina Piano Duo (HL00331684) are identical twins who have played together since the age of five. Their award-winning performances have earned them acclaim throughout Europe and the U.S. and this DVD performance captures the highlights of several performances, including an interview with Irina and Julia Elkina. In pairing interviews with performances, The Classical Hour At Steinway Hall creates a compelling, memorable viewing and listening experience. The Steinway Collection: Paintings Of Great Composers (1574671154, $22.00) holds gorgeous works available to the public for the first time, celebrating these classical composers through paintings by noted American artists and essays contributed by music critic James Gibbons Huneker. Steinway and Sons commissioned American artists to specially create paintings which would evoke musical connections: each full-page painting reproduction is accompanied by a lovely treatise celebrating each classical composer's works and style. M. Owen Lee's Great Instrumental Works: Unlocking The Masters (1574671170, $27.95) includes two full-length Naxos classical cds to accompany commentary on the works of some 50 selected composers. Biography blends well with critical assessment and even a dose of analyst/priest Father M. Owen Lee's humor, creating a lovely and unique survey which will make the perfect introduction for newcomers to classical music - and a good re-assessment for long-time fans.

African American Music
Mellonee V. Burnim
Portia K Maultsby
Routledge
270 Madison Ave., New York NY 10016
www.taylorandfrancisgroup.com
0415941385 $35.00 www.amazon.com

Co-edited by Mellonee V. Burnim and Portia K. Maultsby for a college-level introduction perfect for classroom text use or library reference, you can't go wrong with African American Music: An Introduction - it gathers thirty essays by leading scholars to survey major Afro-American musical genres both sacred and secular over the extent of American history, uses studies from both ethnographic fieldwork and recordings, and adds biography, photos and illustrations, and references which bring the scholarly focus to life. The blend of scholarly research, field research and cultural observation makes African American Music: An Introduction the perfect text for study.

The Golden Moment
Keith Hatschek
Backbeat Books
600 Harrison, San Francisco, CA 94107
0879308664 $19.95 backbeatbooks.com

Plenty of musician's books will tell you how to record - but will they make recording an art rather than a science, and will they help all kinds of musicians, from classical to rock, understand how hit recordings work? Learn from the engineering wizards themselves in The Golden Moment: Recording Secrets From The Pros, which gathers the collective knowledge of 50 seasoned pros under one cover. From new trends in high-resolution digital audio and podcasts to setting up an effective home studio and getting the most from equipment, dedicated musicians won't want to be without their very own copy of The Golden Moment: Recording Secrets From The Pros.

Tommy Dorsey
Peter J. Levinson
Da Capo Press
11 Cambridge Ctr, Cambridge, MA 02142
0306811111 $27.50 dacapopress.com

Celebrating the centennial of Dorsey's birth is Tommy Dorsey: Livin' In A Great Big Way, a biography reaching through the hype to provide a definitive account of the jazz icon. New research and interviews with fellow musicians provides depth and insights into the musician's eccentric lifestyle and destructive behavior. His volatile personality often led to both career launches and career crises, and this is the first biography in more than thirty years, providing insights into the Big Band era's most notable star.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Starship: Mutiny
Mike Resnick
PYR/Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-9827
www.prometheusbooks.com
1591023378 $25.00 www.amazon.com

Fans of military space opera will relish another new Mike Resnick title packed with action and adventure; this revolving around a starship's fight in a galactic war, where its crew is made up of novices and new recruits. A captain's willingness to follow the wrong orders leads Cole to take command of the ship and win a major battle; but despite his success his mutiny cannot be condoned and he is brought to trial on a 'done deal' arrangement. Politics and military might clash - as do personalities - in Starship: Mutiny.

Baen Books
PO Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
www.baen.com

John Ring's Emerald Sea (1416509208, $7.99) is set in the future, where the world ends the moment the council which controls the Net goes to war. It's Duke's duty to make contact with the merfolk who might side against the fascist dictators of New Destiny - but he discovers they might have plans of their own in this excellent sequel to There Will Be Dragons, which stands well alone. Steve White's Demon's Gate (1416509226, $7.99) tells of an heir to the throne who runs into his old mentor, long presumed dead, and learns that demons are returning to the world. His discovery will lead him to join forces with an effort to thwart the evil plans of a deadly gang of non-humans. James P. Hogan's Castrophes, Chaos & Convolutions (1416509219, $7.99) provides a fine collection of hard science fiction articles, from the complicated logic of a human backup copy gone awry to the paradox of a designed society determined not to be led by design. His description of how his tales came to be written, along with suspenseful stories, makes for a powerful gathering. Leo Frankowski's Conrad's Lady (1416509194, $25.00) presents a time-travel adventure: Conrad's journey back to 13th century Poland leads the history buff to recall its fate, so he sets out to turn Poland into a world power by introducing democratic ideas and advanced technology - with complicated results. Harry Turtledove's Bridge Of The Separator (1416509186, $24.00) tells of a holy man who is cousin of an empire's ruler. When civil war breaks out, he flees for his life - and discovers his curses have power to kill. It's a revelation which will change his life, religion, philosophy and spark his ultimate confrontation with evil. Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill's Music To My Sorrow (1416509178, $26.00) returns Eric Banyan to a new adventure: here he must again rescue his young brother Magnus - this time from his own parents. His battle leads him to the evangelist Billy Fairchild, whom he finds is the tool of evil elves who feed off human sorrow. Bill Fawcett and Bria Thomsen edit Masters Of Fantasy (1416509275, $7.99), packing in short stories by some of the best writers of modern times, from David Weber and David Drake to Michael Resnick and Jody Lynn Nye. These are new adventures from popular series titles and provide genre fans with exciting new stories. Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint and Dave Freer's new Wizard Of Karres (1416509267, $7.99) appears in paper to return the Witches and a wizard to new action. A captain's troubles involve a plague, political space intrigue, and a traveling interstellar circus. Dave Grossman and Leo Frankowski's The Two-Space War (1416509283, $7.99) is set six hundred years in the future and tells of a ship facing danger across enemy lands. A captain faces invasion with creative new solutions. Steve White's Blood Of The Heroes (1416509240, $24.00) tells of one Jason, tired of academic time-travel life and ready for adventure on one last expedition. Trapped in the Aegean Bronze Age, Jason discovers more than he planned on knowing about the origins of his own Greek ancestors. John Ringo's Princess Of Wands (1416609232, $25.00) begins a new series: so be prepared for multiple volumes. Barbara is a homemaker in a small town and has the perfect family and life until her determination to take a weekend off results in a dangerous rendezvous with a homicide detective. Add a swamp mystery filled with fantasy and you have some unusual protagonists. Timothy Zahn's Blackcollar (1416509259, $25.00) tells of legendary warriors who may be Earth's last hope. Allen was too young to remember when the Earth was not a conquered planet - but even he knows the legend of the blackcollar guerilla warriors, and his underground mission to locate one of the last units may be Earth's last hope for freedom. All are fast-paced adventures with strong protagonists.

One For Sorrow, Two For Joy
Clive Woodall
Ace Books/Berkeley Publishing
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
0441013023 $14.00 www.penguin.com

Any who enjoyed Watership Down and similar animal-based fantasies will relish One For Sorrow, Two For Joy, which provides an epic story of animal courage and adventure. Tyranny and freedom in the bird world come alive in a moving story of magpie/crow alliances and the struggle of smaller birds to survive. It's up to the Great Owl to fight nest by nest for freedom.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Druidry Handbook
John Michael Greer
Red Wheel/Weiser
368 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
www.redwheelweiser.com
1578633540 $19.95 1-800-423-7087

Written by a student of occult traditions and nature spirituality of 25 years' experience, The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted In The Living Earth is a straightforward manual of traditional British Druid practice. Chapters discuss druid traditions in the contemporary world, the three triads of druid philosophy, and the different paths of initiation into druid followings: the earth path, the sun path, and the moon path. From a practical outline to planting trees, to lists of druidic symbols with their pronunciations and definitions, to step-by-step instructions in druidic ceremonies, The Druidry Handbook is a solid reference for anyone seeking to practice or simply learn about this ancient spiritual tradition.

Oracles Of The Dead
Robert Temple
Destiny/Inner Traditions
PO Box 388, Rochester, VT 05767
1594770859 $19.95 innertraditions.com

Many methods of predicting the future, from tarot to runes and the I Ching, can be traced to ancient cultures, and in Oracles Of The Dead: Ancient Techniques For Predicting The Future, Robert Temple surveys the Greek and Roman traditions and techniques which have carried these methods to modern times. The ancient belief in the Oracle of the Dead is considered as Temple examples mysteries associated with Delphi and other world oracles and considers different world oracular systems.

Llewellyn
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury MN 55125-2989
www.llewellyn.com

Use the CD-ROM accompanying Maritha Pottenger & Kris Brandt Riske, M.A.'s book Mapping Your Travels & Relocation (0738706655 $19.95) to help select a new place to live in the new seventh volume in the 'Astrology Made Easy series Mapping Your Travels & Relocation: Finding The Best Place For You. The CD-ROM calculates and interprets your potential in these new locales, while the book adds chapters which surveys changing signs and planets and how they affect romance, moving, career and new places. Any serious about astrology will find Mapping Your Travels an outstanding tool for making the right moves. For a fine and different tarot set, look at Sandra Tabatha Cicero's Babylonian Tarot (073-8707163, $29.95), an original design and concept based on ancient Babylonia, perhaps the root of Western magical traditions. Here is the only tarot deck based on the Babylonian mythos, holding the traditional zodiacal, elementary and planetary associations with some added embellishments. An accompanying guidebook provides detailed card insights and instructions.

Civil War Ghost Stories
Angus Konstam
Thunder Bay Press
5880 Oberlin Dr., San Diego, CA 92121
www.advantagebooksonline.com
1592234828 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Take the modern ghost story format and add American Civil War history and you have Angus Konstam's Civil War Ghost Stories, a blend which will appeal to two distinct audiences: ghost story enthusiasts and Civil War buffs. Are there really ghosts of the war? The nation is haunted by the conflict and sightings of said ghosts are limited neither to North nor South. Chapters use the chronology of the war to survey accompanying ghost stories, and provide accompanying photos of artifacts and photos of famous haunted locations along the way.

Learning Astrology
Damian Sharp
Red Wheel /Weiser Book Publishers
368 Congress Street, Fourth Floor, Boston, MA 02210
1578692986 $18.95 redwheelweiser.com

Astronomy expert Damian Sharp presents the ultimate guide for aspiring astrologers with Learning Astrology: An Astrology Book For Beginners. An expertly written textbook on the subject, Learning Astrology is divided into two major sections: "Surveying the Horoscopic Skyscape" and "The Planets in the Signs, Houses, and in Aspect, 91". An easy-to-follow and thoroughly "user-friendly" introductory exploration into the vast and intricate world of astrology, readers will follow the text with ease as Sharp's informed and completely accessible writing style ably presents instructive explanations of all the diverse steps to be taken in becoming a knowledgeable and competent astronomer. Very strongly recommended for the beginning novice Learning Astrology is a welcome addition to Metaphysical Studies reference collections in general and the study of astrology in particular.

Radical Knowing
Christian de Quincey
Park Street Press/Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
1594770794 $18.95 innertraditions.com

Radical Knowing: Understanding Consciousness Through Relationship by Christian de Quincey (Professor of Consciousness Studies, John F. Kennedy University) is an impressive philosophical study of the metaphysical and scientific arguments with the generally termed belief that relationships are introduced after the self of every individual, saying that it is actually the self that might identify with a collective or shared conscious. Radical Knowing is an insightful mixture of psychological and metaphysical studies. As a superb read of considerable philosophical depth, Radical Knowing is a very highly recommended book for students of the mind, science and psychological theories unique and diverse in their orientation.


The Native American Shelf

Pictures Bring Us Messages
Alison K. Brown & Laura Peers
University of Toronto Press
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4Y 2W8
www.utppublishing.com
0802048919 $29.95 1-800-565-9523

Pictures Bring Us Messages: Photographs And Histories by Alison K. Brown and Laura Peers with members of the Kainai Nation is a combination of black-and-white photographs, research, history, records of ethics and cultural protocols and more about the way of life of the Kanai Nation of Native Americans. The authors interviewed over two dozen members of the Kanai Nation in 2001 and 2002 and have made every effort to balance their focused research with full respect of the traditions and perspectives of the Kanai people in this scholarly and serious-minded text that is nonetheless accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Spanning history, anthropology, and modern-day social issues, Pictures Bring Us Messages is an enthusiastically recommended contribution to Native American studies shelves.

Arapaho Historical Traditions
Paul Moss, storyteller
Andrew Cowell & Alonzo Moss, Sr., eds.
University of Manitoba Press
301 St. John's College, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3T 2M5
www.umanitoba.ca/uofmpress
0887556833 $48.00 1-800-565-9523

Told by respected Arapaho storyteller and ceremonial leader Paul Moss (1911-1995), and edited by Co-Chair of the Northern Arapaho Language and Culture Commission Alonzo Moss Sr. and linguistics professor Andrew Cowell, Arapaho Historical Traditions presents stories of Arapaho oral tradition in English for the first time. The stories are presented line by line in both their original Arapaho and in English, with extensive notes, grammatical information, and a glossary to help the reader follow the mechanics of the translation if desired. The stories include tales of horse- stealing, capture and escape, friendly encounters between tribes, diplomacy, battle, and conflict with the U.S. A superb primary source of Arapaho history, tradition, and culture, and a welcome addition to college library and Native American studies shelves.

Native American Weapons
Colin F. Taylor
University of Oklahoma Press
4100 28th Ave, NW, Norman, OK 73069
www.oupress.com
0806137169 $16.47 1-800-627-7377

In Native American Weapons, well over a hundred color photos and illustrations provide an important, detailed survey of weapons made and used by Native Americans from Mexico to the US, ancient to modern times. Accompanying these photos and drawings are clear surveys and explanations of both the weapons and their roles in tribal culture and systems. A recommended pick for both military history and Native American collections.


The Photography Shelf

Patagonia
Tim Hauf
Tim Hauf Photography
PO Box 1241, Kingston, WA 98346
www.timhaufphotography.com
0972074333 $27.50 www.amazon.com

Patagonia: Wild Land At The End Of The Earth appeared in 2004 but deserves ongoing mention as a solid recommendation pairing Conger Beasley Jr.'s text with Tim Hauf's stunning photography of a little-explored wild world. It's sparsely settled and still largely wild, appealing to an unusual brand of traveler captivated by rugged wilderness conditions. But you don't have to be such a traveler with Patagonia: Wild Land At The End Of The Earth in hand: all the seasonal wonders of the region are captured for armchair travelers in a gorgeous, stunning presentation which remains among the view to visually tame Patagonia.


The Sports Shelf

Softball Fundamentals
Rick Noren
Human Kinetics
PO Box 5076 Champaign IL 61825-5076
0736055843 $15.95 humankinetics.com

Highly recommended to parents an their athletically inclined children, Softball Fundamentals: A Better Way To Learn The Basics, is an excellent instructional reference. In Softball Fundamentals, the author Rick Noren ensures the inclusion of all necessary information on every aspect of the game. The chapters comprising this thoroughly "user friendly" instructional guide and reference include: Throwing, Catching, Fielding Fly Balls, Fielding Ground Balls, Playing Catcher, Pitching, Hitting, Bunting and Slap Hitting, Baserunning, Sliding, Offensive Tactics, and Defensive Tactics. Softball Fundamentals is a core addition to any personal, athletic department, or community library Sports/Athletics softball reference collection.

Cross-Country Skiing
Steve Hindman
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Kickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134
www.mountaineersbooks.org
0898868629 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Aspiring skiers will love Cross-Country Skiing: Building Skills For Fun And Fitness: it joins others in Mountaineers' 'Outdoor Expert' series, providing a long-time PSIA instructor's techniques using step-by-step photos and learning activities to back instruction. Common problems receive sidebars of easily-accessed information, while technique is surveyed for different terrain and snow conditions. Cross-Cross-Country Skiing: Building Skills For Fun And Fitness: isn't just about technique, though: it includes games, health concerns, and tips on selecting skis and clothing. An excellent comprehensive primer on enjoying the snow via skis.

In Life, First You Kick Ass
Mike Ditka & Rick Telander
Sports Publishing L.L.C.
804 North Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL 61820
www.SportsPublishingLLC.com
1582619778 $24.95 1-877-424-2665

In Life, First You Kick Ass: Reflections On The 1985 Bears And Wisdom From Da Coach is classic Mike Ditka sharing his memories of the 1985 Chicago Bears and Super Bowl XX. With the assistance of sports columnist Rick Telander, Ditka is able to bring the reader into the locker room and out onto the field for one of the most memorable seasons the Bears ever had -- with one of the most memorable coaches the game has ever seen. A very highly recommended addition to any personal or community library American football history collection, no true Bears fan can miss out on reading what Mike Ditka has to say In Life, First You Kick Ass: Reflections On The 1985 Bears And Wisdom From Da Coach

Counsel In The Crease
Robert O. Swados
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Dr., Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
1591023556 $25.00 www.amazon.com

Hockey fans who are avid followers of the sport will surely recognize the name of Robert O. Swados, who has been a league owner, executive, and franchise builder in the professional hockey world for over forth years. Counsel In The Crease: A Big League Player In The Hockey Wars provides a strong memoir of his encounters with coaches, players, and owners alike, describing the many changes he's observed in the sport since his initial involvement in the 1960s, and his up and down years with the National Hockey League. A lively set of insights on the sports world as a whole makes Counsel In The Crease a highly recommended pick indeed.

Modern Fencing
Clovis Deladrier
Paladin Press
7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
www.paladin-press.com
1581604566 $35.00 1-800-392-2400

Any undertaking fencing should have Modern Fencing: A Comprehensive Manual For The Foil, The Epee, The Sabre as a basic 'bible' of information: it's not casual overview but a very detailed, in-depth 'lesson plan' on how to use the three basic weapons of fencing. First published in 1948, Modern Fencing served as a basic training manual for students of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds lessons in all three weapons - the foil, epee, and sabre. It's long been out of print and should be considered a 'must' for any fencing student.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Nicholas
Jeremy Seal
Bloomsbury
175 - 5th Ave., New York NY 10010
1582344191 $24.95 bloomsburyusa.com

Nicholas: The Epic Journey From Saint To Santa Claus arrived too late for more timely holiday mention but still provides a fascinating biographical and spiritual account which readers will enjoy year-round. The rise of Santa Claus from his origins in Byzantine Turkey to his modern jolly friend of children image is followed in a survey of religious worship and changes around the world. The author's own travelogue in search of Nicholas' spirit and bones makes for a passionate, lively study.

Seasons Of Devotion
Philip Law, Compiler
Continuum
15 E. 26th St. #1703, NY, NY 10010
0826480454 $29.95 continuumbooks.com

There's a Bible reading and prayer for every day of the year in Seasons Of Devotion, a 365-day series of religious meditations compiled by Philip Law. Each 1-page meditation takes a Biblical event or story and adds reflective quotes and insights. A brief Bible reading and Christian prayer for each day of the year covers not just Bible passages but authors and themes who lend to supplemental bibliographic study. Perfect for daily meditations.

Geography Of Religion
Susan Tyler Hitchcock & John L. Esposito
National Geographic Books
1145 - 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036-4688
www.nationalgeographic.com
0792273133 $40.00 www.amazon.com

National Geographic's lovely Geography Of Religion: Where God Lives, Where Pilgrims Walk opens with a bang - an introduction by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter the Rev. Mpho Tutu - and continues to present astounding detail and revelations all the way to the Epilogue by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself. Here are 200 illustrating ranging from photos and examples of sacred art from around the world to maps, discussions of great leaders and faiths of the five great religions, and a timeline of events following their spread around the world. A gorgeous blend of history, culture, and religious insight.


The Library CD Music Shelf

Proibido Cochilar
Cabruera
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
216 West Allen Street, Suite 137, Bloomington, IN 47403
CD $18.95 www.rockpaperscissors.biz

Proibido Cochilar: Sambas For Sleepless Nights is the latest album of the band Cabruera, an exciting mix of rock, jazz, funk, rap, reggae, and "drum 'n' bass", all with an underscored samba beat. Offering a fast-paced new take on Brazilian music, Proibido Cochilar is a feast for the senses, saturated with rhythms that charge the listener's pulse. An auditory glimpse into Brazil's underground musical culture, Proibido Cochilar is rollicking great music whether for an everyday pick-me-up jolt or all-night party dancing.


The Literary Shelf

Ancient Epic Poetry
Charles Rowan Beye
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1000 Brown Street, Unit 101, Wauconda, IL 60084
0865166072 $35.00 www.bolchazy.com

Distinguished Professor of Classics Emeritus Charles Rowan Beye presents Ancient Epic Poetry: Homer, Apollonius, Virgil With A Chapter On The Gilgamesh Poems, an informative and interpretive introduction to classic epic poetry written for readers of all backgrounds including students, non-specialists, and scholars. Now in an expanded second edition with a new preface, a new chapter about the mythic figure of Gilgamesh, and an updated appendix of further reading, Ancient Epic Poetry familiarizes readers with history, tradition, backgrounds, philosophies, and much more pertinent to a more thorough understanding of ancient epic works. Highly recommended, especially for college library and classical poetry reference and literary criticism shelves.

The Enamoured Knight
Douglas Glover
Dalkey Archive Press
ISU Campus Box 8905, Normal, IL 61790-8905
1564784045 $14.95 dalkeyarchive.com

A strongly recommended read, The Enamoured Knight by Douglas Glover is a creative literary treatment of Cervantes' classic novel "Don Quixote". Among the chapters of The Enamoured Knight, the reader will find numerous additional pages of analysis and perspectives on the many angles and possible meanings of Cervantes' metaphors in what is arguably one of the most important classics of western literature. The Enamoured Knight opens new doors to the four-hundred-year old complex literary masterpiece, "Don Quixote" and is very highly recommended reading, especially for students of Spanish literature.

No Other Life
Gary Young
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145 Berkeley, CA 94709
159714004X $13.95 heydaybooks.com

No Other Life diligently gathers into a single volume the three books written by Gary Young and includes "Days"; "Braver Deeds" and "If He Had". No Other Life is a creatively compiled union of Gary Young's greatest and most meaningful poetry and prose. A highly recommended read any and all poetry and lyrical prose enthusiasts who appreciate these literary artforms. I had never seen her so angry, and her rage revealed a measure of love I had missed. There were many times she might have hurt me that way and didn't. p. 50

Encyclopedia Of The Harlem Literary Renaissance
Lois Brown
Facts on File Inc.
132 W. 31st St., 17th Fl., NY, NY 10001
081604967X $65.00 www.factsonfile.com

The Harlem Renaissance was a broad movement of the 1920s and 30s in America which involved all genres of the arts in a vivid spurt of creative growth, and charting the literary movement's works and major players is Encyclopedia Of The Harlem Literary Renaissance: The Essential Guide To The Lives And Works Of The Harlem Renaissance Writers. Over six hundred A-Z entries detail the history of the movement and explain how the writer and their works helped influence and change the face of American literary achievement. From historical studies to literary criticism, primary source materials and quotes throughout make the Encyclopedia Of The Harlem Literary Renaissance an important mainstay for either high school or college-level literary holdings.


The Computer Shelf

Syngress
800 Hingham St., Rockland, MA 01270
www.syngress.com

What do phishers gain from their techniques, and how do they steal identities, passwords, and information? Learn to identify the three classes of security attacks, how phishers scour the net for valid email addresses to attack, and how they are able to exploit computer vulnerabilities with Lane James's Phishing Exposed (159749030X $49.95), which will interest programmers, network administrators and legal officers alike. Chapters expose attacks then probe the world of organized phishing gangs and operations to show how phishers operate, and how you can protect your system. Rob Amini, et.al.'s How To Cheat At Designing Security For A W2k3 Server Network (1597492434, $39.95) is directed to the manager in a medium-sized network environment who understands design flaws may often be overlooked for the sake of speed. Get up and running quicker with this security guide, which tells how to create quick logical network designs, physical designs for IPSec and secure DNSA implementations, access control strategies for data, and more. The focus on designing secure systems shows managers how to implement a successful network design with the minimum of flaws. Dr. Eric Cole and Sandra Ring's Insider Threat: Protecting The Enterprise From Sabotage, Spying, And Theft (15-97490482, $34.95) explains how insider attacks often occur within organizations themselves, showing risk facts, methods, and how to recognize the first signs of an insider conspiracy routine. Learn how technology can thwart such attacks, define an acceptable level of loss in the process, and learn how to screen new hires and protect intellectual property assets with a guide which focuses on corporate data theft and its prevention.

O'Reilly Publishers
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.o'reilly.com

Wei-Meng Lee's Visual Basic 2005 Jumpstart: Make Your Move From VB6 To VB 2005 (059610071X, $14.95) is for any who would upgrade to VB 2005: it covers all the reasons why an upgrade is a great idea now, supports these reasons with code examples and three complete projects, and covers web applications from scratch, Windows applications, and more. Phillip J. Windley's Digital Identity: Unmasking Identity Management Architecture (IMA) (0596008783, $34.95) discusses the need and applications of a secure computer operating environment, telling how businesses can provide such security so customers, employees and suppliers can all enjoy flexibility without compromises. Windley's references to ATM security provide professionals with ideas on how security planning can enhance business efforts, and draws upon the author's experience as CTO of iMall for real examples of digital identity security processes in action. Michael Havey's Essential Business Process Modeling (0596008430, $44.95) provides a technical focus on BPM languages and approaches. Business process modeling enables technical experts to communicate and collaborate in building applications: it examines protocol, standards, theory, and real-world applications, covering both design applications and choices. Glenn Honiball's Commercial Photoshop Retouching In The Studio (059600849X, $44.95) has some heavy competition on the market in the many Photoshop guides for both beginning and advanced users - but it still stands out for its focus on professional retouching techniques, written by a pro with 20 years of experience. Most competitors offer little in the way of discussions of problems and real-world situations in retouching; the magic and uniqueness of Commercial Photoshop Retouching In The Studio lies in its focus on professional crafting solutions. Jesse Vincent, et. al.'s RT Essentials (0596006683, $34.95) covers a ticketing system to handle a typical business's customer service and vendor inquiries. One of RT's original core developers co-writers RT Essential, providing a guide which covers everything from initial installation and maintenance requirements to customization options and contributing code to RT.


The Middle Eastern Studies Shelf

A Companion To The History Of The Middle East
Youssef M. Choueiri, editor
Blackwell Publishing
350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148-5020
www.blackwellpublishing.com
1405106816 $124.95 www.amazon.com

College-level collections with either in-depth or general world history holdings will want to be certain the latest addition to the Blackwell Companions to World History title A Companion To The History Of The Middle East is acquired. It holds nearly thirty newly commissioned essays by leading international scholars and separates the region into four political units: Iran, Turkey, Israel and the Arab world, focusing on contemporary history but including enough background for chronological insights. From different institutions and nationalisms to the rise of political and religious beliefs in the region, A Companion To The History Of The Middle East holds the depth which makes it attractive to advanced students, yet the background which lends to an introductory reading. A highly recommended, basic pick for Mideast Studies collections.

Middle East Conflict Almanac
Tom & Sara Pendergast; Ralph Zerbonia
Thomson Gale
27500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535
078769455X $165.00 www.thomson.com

College-level holdings strong in Middle Eastern history will find this 3-book reference almanac set a fine scholarly addition. The three books allow for breakdowns of themes and in-depth examinations: Primary Sources surveys all the influential documents relating to conflict in the region and are divided into seven thematically arranged chapters to help students locate official documents, resolutions, documents relating to peace, war and state establishment, and more. Almanac discusses events and conflicts since the end of World War 2, exploring the roots of religious conflicts and power sifts in the region and providing articles which survey roots of discord and political interactions. Biographies provides detailed biographical essays on nearly thirty of the most influential figures in the region, including those from 1918 to modern times and covering both their ideas and influences and their impact on the region as a whole. An outstanding reference.

Encyclopedia Of The Palestinians
Philip Mattar, editor
Facts on File Inc.
132 W. 31st Street, New York NY 10001
0816057648 $90.00 factsonfile.com

The first edition of Encyclopedia Of The Palestinians appeared in 2000 and there have been vast changes in the region since, prompting the need for this substantively revised edition, which offers new entries about these recent developments. Articles have all been updated, photos of important leaders and events added, and fifty key documents included. Encyclopedia Of The Palestinians provides depth and detail on Palestine history and issues, making it a recommended pick for general-interest college-level history holdings, as well.

A People's History Of Iraq
Iiario Salucci
Haymarket Books
PO Box 180165, Chicago, IL 606018
1931859140 $12.00 haymarketbooks.org

Any high school or college-level student studying Middle East issues will want to have A People's History Of Iraq: it holds nearly two hundred pages of a critical analysis of the Iraqi Communist Party and its contribution to Iraq, and is essential for any critical review of the nation's politics and history. Iraqis have a detailed background which has been largely ignored by the media, making A People's History Of Iraq an essential consideration.


The Art Shelf

Marine Painter's Guide
Jack Coggins
Dover Publications, Inc.
31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, NY 11501
www.doverpublications.com
0486449742 $14.95 1-800-223-3130

Experienced maritime artist and teacher Jack Coggins presents Marine Painter's Guide, a self-teaching tool written especially for beginning to intermediate painters. Chapters cover such common maritime painting subjects as hulls, masts and rigging, sails, water, skies, freighters and tugs, docks, gulls, and people, as well as giving a wealth of technical do's and don'ts. Painters who have difficulty capturing the subtle nuances of perspective, composition, and water reflections will find Marine Painter's Guide particularly helpful. 127 black-and-white illustrations, many of which show sketches of complex ship riggings in careful detail, and 11 illustrations in full color round out this "must- have" how-to guide for creating realistic and emotionally moving works of maritime art.

The Art And Character Of Nutcrackers
Arlene Wagner
Collectors Press, Inc.
PO Box 230986, Portland, OR 97281
www.collectorspress.com
1933112085 $60.00 1-800-423-1848

The Art And Character Of Nutcrackers is an artbook of nutcrackers as crafted throughout human history, from simple and utilitarian devices to whimsical novelties resembling toy soldiers to beautiful works of art, and even provocative nutcrackers fashioned in the semblance of nude women. The text offers a brief survey of the creation, evolution, and use of nutcrackers, yet the majority of The Art And Character Of Nutcrackers is devoted to full-color photography of the nutcrackers themselves. Each photo bears a caption that lists the nutcracker's name, origin, composition, and approximate dimensions. The Art And Character Of Nutcrackers is not a price guide, yet it is a truly gorgeous resource for collectors and casual browsers alike, and a wonderful way to visually experience an artistic marriage of practical function and aesthetic value.

American Decorative Arts
Gerald W.R. Ward, et al
Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Ave, Boston MA 02115
0878466983 $19.95 mfa-publications.org

Co-written by Gerald W.R. Ward, Nonie Gadsded, and Kelly L'Ecuyer, American Decorative Arts features over 100 carefully selected masterpieces of furniture, silver, glass, ceramics, base metals, basketry and sculpture from one of the world's preeminent collections; The Museum of Fine Arts. With an intricate layout, American Decorative Arts is presented in an encyclopedic, with features inclusive of significant pieces from a wide geographic area and all time periods. Strongly recommended for appreciators of the high-arts, as well as academic and public library reference collections.

Pure Sea Glass
Richard LaMotte
Chesapeake Seaglass Publishing
PO Box 156, Chestertown, MD 21620
0975324608 $34.95 pureseaglass.com

Winner of the Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Award, Pure Sea Glass: Discovering Nature's Vanishing Gems is a beautiful tour for collectors, beachcombers, and nature enthusiasts. Over 150 photographs of the natural treasures include numerous samples of collected sea glass and artworks created from sea glass, while chapters cover where and how to find sea glass, its many types and colors, appraising its rarity, a history of sea glass, and much more. A truly unique and beautiful artbook, written by an experienced sea glass collector and retailer and photographed by a master.

Ed Ruscha
Richard D. Marshall
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Street, 14th fl, NY, NY 10014
0714845485 $39.95 www.phaidon.com

Ed Ruscha is a vast gallery of photographer and artist Ed Ruscha's (b. 1937) works. Centering around the popular and often mercantile culture of his Los Angeles home, Ruscha's creations often focus on blending text with art - such as the word "Vanish" spread against a red background fading to black near the top. An avant-garde modern art edge distinguishes this monograph, with many works featuring a crisp and sharp outline or stylized arrangements of text that appear practically 21st century rather than 20th. Very little written text intersperses the monograph; independent curator and critic Richard D. Marshall offers insightful reflections upon Ruscha's creations, but the majority of Ed Ruscha is devoted entirely to the artworks themselves in all their visual and colorful splendor. A dashing contribution to modern and forward-thinking artbook shelves.

Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales
John Stevenson
Hotei Publishing
c/o Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com
9074822711 $95.00 1-800-232-0223

Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales is an artbook of woodblock prints by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892), one of the most popular Japanese woodblock artists of his time, especially well-known for his works concerning supernatural events, ghosts, monsters, and animal transformations. Focusing particularly upon two series of Yoshitoshi's woodblock prints that illustrated the fantastic world of the transformed, Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales pairs a full-page color image of each selected print with a page-long description of the print's history, and a brief summary of the folk story that the print illustrates, written by Asian art expert John Stevenson. An esoteric and eye-catching addition to artbook shelves, and especially recommended for connoisseurs of 19th-century Japanese art.

Marketing And Buying Fine Art Online
Marques Vickers
Allworth Press
10 E. 23rd St., #510, New York NY 10010
1581154267 $19.95 www.allworth.com

Marketing And Buying Fine Art Online walks artists, resellers and gallery owner alike through the process of understanding what's online, how it's promoted, and how to understand and profit from the selling network. From setting up an effective web site to promote sales to locating artists reference resources, art fairs and workshops, and auctions online, it's packed with unique advice specific to the fine art market.

North Light Books/F&W, dist.
4700 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.artistsnetwork.com

Judi Watanabe, Alison Eads and Laurie Dewberry's Retro Mania! (1581807465, $17.99) is a craft title to delight the eye: over sixty cards, party decorations, and scrapbook layouts demonstrate the retro style from the 1940s through the 70s, suggesting flashy ideas for themes and offering 'recipes' for success which include explicit directions on card stock and types, gift boxes and cans to make, and more. An excellent display of fun projects tied with ideas for entertainment and gift-giving. Jean Grastorf's Pouring Light: Layering Transparent Watercolor (1581806051, $28.99) advocates pouring watercolor to achieve radiant results. It's a technique which involves balancing the free flow of watercolor on wet paper, which sounds complicated and iffy - but not under artist instructor Jean Grastorf's hand. From the unique requirements involved in pouring colors to understanding the role of light in the watercolor medium, Pouring Light is filled with tips, pages packed with color examples, and wonderful artist insights.


The Audiobook Shelf

The Hitler Book
Henrik Eberle & Matthias Uhl
Tantor Media
114 Mill Rock Road East, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
1400102030 $39.99 www.tantor.com

Ably read by Michael Prichard, The Hitler Book: The Secret Dossier Prepared For Stalin From The Interrogations Of Hitler's Personal Aides [unabridged], co-written by Henrick Eberle and Matthias Uhl is their interpretation of a book written by Joseph Stalin in reflection of his most respected and worthy opponent, Adolf Hitler. The two young historians, Henrick Eberle and Matthias Uhl discovered the only known replication of the original documentation written by Joseph Stalin. The Hitler Book reveals some fascinating information on the personal lives and intentions of the two dictators. A seminal work on the subject, The Hitler Book is highly praised and confidently recommended listening for all students of history, particularly to those most intrigued by World War II.

Dean & Me
Jerry Lewis
Books on Tape, Inc.
400 Hahn Road, Westminister, MD 21157
www.library.booksontape.com
1415924775 $81.00 1-800-733-3000

With the assistance of James Kaplan, Jerry Lewis has written a candid memoir of his complex relationship with Dean Martin raging from their first accidentally meeting in New York, through their budding friendship and first appearances as a comedic duo, through their fascinating experiences as nightclub entertainers in an era where the nightclubs and the Las Vegas casinos were under the pervasive influence of organized crime, their breaking into the movies, their radio and television work, their eventual breakup after ten years of performing together, their ultimate reconciliation after several years of animus and separation, Dean Martin's death, and reflections by Jerry Lewis on how his partner (whom he called "Paul") so dramatically influenced his life. There are a great many surprises to be encountered, from Dean Martin's superb comedic skills that made him more than just a straight man for his high energy companion on stage, to how Martin's first big recording breakthrough came about, to the problematic impact Hal Wallis had upon their careers, to their extracurricular activities and family life. Superbly narrated by Stephen Hoye, this audiobook edition of Dean & Me: A Love Story is a "must" for anyone who has enjoyed the antics and entertainment of one of America's most successful comedic team-ups of the twentieth century. 6 cassettes, running time: 8 hours, 42 minutes. Dean & Me is also available in a 7 disc CD format (1415924783, $99.00) and in a Large Print hardcover edition(0739-325515, $28.95)

Random House Audio
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/audio

Sue Grafton's S Is For Silence (07393-23067, $26.95) receives Tony Award-winning narrator Judy Kaye's evocative, warm voice as it tells of a daughter who seeks solace and closure in the disappearance of her mother over thirty years later. Her investigation into her mother's disappearance will awaken old, threatening ghosts in this excellent drama. P.D. James' The Lighthouse (0739323334, $44.95) receives Charles Keating's award-winning dramatic flairs, which is the perfect voice of choice to explore a complicated murder mystery revolving around one commander Adam Dalgleish, who is called upon to solve a politically-charged murder. Add a touch of romance and you have a convincing, moving story indeed. Dean Koontz's Forever Odd (0739315595, $44.95) receives an excellent narration by Broadway actor David Aaron Baker as it tells of one Odd Thomas, who lives in a small desert town and communicates with the dead. His involvement on both sides of the divide between life and death leads to a missing persons case involving a childhood friend and deadly realization of a new force emerging. Greg Behrendt and Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt's It's Called A Breakup Because It's Broken: The Smart Girl's Breakup Buddy (0739321846, $21.95) is read by the authors, a comedian and a record executive husband/wife who provide a smart, funny set of insights into surviving a breakup. Turn a breakup into a break-over with this healthy dose of insight and fun. Arthur Golden's Memoirs Of A Geisha (0739324217, $24.95) is now a major motion picture and Elaina Erika Davis provides a fiery reading to bring the Japanese world to life from Golden's novel. From a girl's virginity up for bid to how women are trained to control powerful men, Memoirs Of A Geisha holds more than a light dose of reality. Naomi Moriyama narrates Japanese Women Don't Get Old Or Fat: Secrets Of My Mother's Tokyo Kitchen (0739325124, $27.50), which explores her own insights into leading a successful lifestyle with enduring health and beauty Japanese women are known for. Moriyamagrew up in Tokyo where food is prized and here brings the traditional secrets of Japanese home-style cooking and weight management to life in an audio exploration which will delight any concerned with weight management and longevity. Truman Capote's Summer Crossing (0739332716, $22.95) enjoys an unabridged reading by actress Cassandra Campbell, whose voice-over talents lend drama and fine tone to the story of a young socialite in New York just after World War II who is left on her own for the summer. A secret affair turns serious and Grady must make some hard decisions. All are excellent listens.

Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
1-800-854-7859 brillianceaudio.com

These new audios are wonderful leisure choices for audiences who want solid readers paired with tested, true plots. Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley's Return (1593558937, $21.95) is a romance fueled by veteran Sandra Burr's reading as it tells of a shattered romance and faith. Add a newborn baby, a father who isn't aware of his impending new fatherhood, and a family secret and you have a gripping saga. Amy Tan's Saving Fish From Drowning (1597377376, $26.95) enjoys a narration from Tan herself as it tells of twelve Americans who join an art expedition which begins in China and moves to the jungles of Burma. A tour leader's death and the disappearance of eleven travelers will bring into question ancient legends and the potentials of dangers yet to be encountered in this gripping thriller which comes alive in audio. Rochelle Krich's Now You See Me (1596000546, $24.95) enjoys Deanna Hurst's firm and revealing narrative style, enlivening the story of feisty Los Angeles crime reporter Molly, newly married and enjoying fame from her latest true-crime book when a fan's attentions border on stalking. The fan wants something more than an autograph, however - he wants Molly's help in finding his missing teen daughter - and trouble evolves. Margaret Truman's Murder At The Washington Tribune (1597374393, $24.95) receives veteran Dick Hill's fine style as it tells of a young woman murdered at the Tribune, and a veteran reporter's search for justice. Joe finds himself risking career, marriage and even his own daughter's life in the course of a deadly search for a serial killer. Kristin Hannah's Comfort & Joy (1423311647, $15.95) tells of a woman who used to love Christmas - until she finds herself divorced, estranged from her sister, and bound for another world when the plane crashes and she must literally survive the holidays. Veteran narrator Sandra Burr brings the holiday odyssey to dramatic life with a vigorous reading. Karen Armstrong's A Short History Of Myth (1423307690, $19.95) also enjoys Burr's seasoned and professional reading as it surveys the world of myth through the retellings of international myths by authors around the world. From prehistoric times to myths of the last hundred years and the discrediting of myths by science, A Short History Of Myth is involving. Jeanette Winterson's WEIGHT (1423307852, $19.95) brings the Greek myth of Atlas into the 21st century, using this mythological figure to examine related issues of destiny, courage, choice, and more. Any interested in either myths or social introspection will find this a creative, intriguing listen. Al Franklin's The Truth With Jokes (1596000600, $38.95) comes alive in a reading by Franklin himself as it uses political humor to underline a message about the current administration's logic and efforts. Both conservatives and liberals will find the blend of humor and irony intriguing here. Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad (142-3307771, $19.95) enjoys veteran narrator Laural Merlington's smooth voice as it relates the myth of Penelope, wife of Odysseus, and relates it to modern times. A fun retelling relates a new modern Penelope's concerns in this century. All are wonderful, recommended picks.

Village Of The Small Houses
Ian Ferguson
BTC Audio Books
469 King Street Fredericton NB, Canada, E3B 1E5
gooselane@gooselane.com
0864923953 $19.95 (per 2-disc set)

Village Of The Small Houses: A Memoir Of Sorts authored by Ian Ferguson has become available now on audio in a two disc audiobook. Village Of The Small Houses is exceptional tale of an exceptionally interesting youth, and the authors exploration into the coming of age displays an acute wit, as well as a life truly enriched with the unity of his family even through hardships which required endurance, perseverance, and persistence. Effectively narrated by the author, Village Of The Small Houses is two and one-half hours of thoughtful, entertaining, and highly recommended listening.


The Library Video/DVD Shelf

The Great Train Story
TM Books Video
c/o Andrea Blain Public Relations
9750 Crawford Avenue, Skokie, IL 60076
$12.95 1-800-892-2822 www.tmbv.com

The Great Train Story is an impressive display of the Museum of Science and Industry's model train route. Suitable all ages, The Great Train Story educates viewers about the importance of railroads today in four major functions: intermodal transportation, passenger service, transporting grain, and moving raw materials. A 2200 scale-mile journey between Chicago and Seattle illustrates this enthralling DVD. Bonus features include audio commentary, a look at early stages of construction, and surround sound. Highly recommended for model railroad buffs, and the next best thing to seeing the museum's exhibit in person. 45 min, color.

Inspired Distribution
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www.411videoinfo.com

Shape magazine, a leading source of fitness and healthy lifestyle information for women, presents four DVD workouts designed to help one get and stay in bikini-suitable shape. Each DVD workout is divided into segments, and features a unique shuffle system, allowing the viewer to set the length of the exercise workout and arrange the workout segments in any order, or even let the DVD shuffle them. Shape Cardio Workout (0739606735, $19.98, 80 min.) requires no equipment and focuses on burning calories; fitness trainers and hosts Lisa Wheeler and Michelle Dozois energetically inspire the viewer to keep moving and enjoy the exhilaration. A bonus segment offers an 18-minute "Long and Lean" workout. Shape Toning Workout (0739606727, $19.98, 82 min.) works best with simple 3-8 pound dumbbells, a chair and a mat, and has four "zone training" segments focusing on the abs, butt and hips, thighs, and upper body to build muscle mass; Lisa Wheeler and Michelle Dozois offer inside training tips to stay toned and attuned for a lifetime. The bonus segment is a 20-minute "Fat Burning Interval" workout. Shape Your Abs (0739606697, $19.98, 62 min.) is meant to be used with 3-8 pound dumbbells and offers both a cardio workout and four innovative workouts for the abdominals, each with a unique training style from classic crunches to Pilates-inspired movements; 15-year fitness professional and master trainer Tracy York is an energetic and enthusiastic host. A bonus "12-minute Total Body Blitz" segment is ideal for viewers who don't always have time for a complete workout. Shape Your Butt, Hips & Thighs (0739606689, $19.98, 70 min.) advises two sets of 3-8 pound dumbbells and combines cardio and body sculpting into a routine especially designed to build sleeker legs and a well-toned butt. Host Lisa Wheeler cheerfully leads the workout routine including a bonus "12 Minute Total Body Blitz" segment. All four DVDs are meant for all fitness levels, and an excellent contribution to personal fitness and exercise DVD libraries.

Anchor Bay Entertainment
1699 Stutz Drive, Troy, MI 48084
www.anchorbayentertainment.com

The latest two DVDs the "Crunch Fitness!" series are ideal for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. Crunch: Total Resculpt With Kendell Hogan ($14.98, 45 min.) is a fitness program designed to sculpt muscles and burn fat on the thighs, buns, arms, back, shoulders, and chest. Featuring hand-picked exercises for maximum benefit in minimum time, including some that involve simple weights, and hosted by certified fitness professional Kendell Hogan, Crunch: Total Resculpt is a lively, vigorous and satisfying way to get into an exercise routine. Crunch: Super SlimDown Pilates Yoga Blend with Ellen Barrett is a dynamic workout designed to promote muscle strength, balance, and flexibility. Hosted by fitness instructor Ellen Barrett, founder of buffgirlfitness.com, Super SlimDown Pilates Yoga Blend ($14.98, 30 min.) begins with yoga-inspired moves, then moves to the mat for Pilates exercises chosen to improve posture and muscle tone. Both are welcome additions to any DVD fitness and workout library.

Why Dance?
James E. Manning
James E. Manning Productions
305 Roosevelt Boulevard, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
www.whydancethemovie.com
UPC 837101052788 $34.95

Why Dance? is an in-depth, behind-the-scenes documentary DVD of the world of professional dance, especially ballet. In a search to better understand how the dance art form attracts the efforts of students, ballerinas, competitors, judges, artistic directors, choreographers, studio owners, and more, Why Dance? pursues interviews, an examination of the USA International Ballet Competition, and a soul-searching scrutiny of the "darker side of dance", including injuries, eating disorders and insecurities. Packed with straightforward advice for aspiring dancers, Why Dance? takes every length to answer its title question as thoroughly as possible. Highly recommended. 1 hr 52 min, color.

Prevention Fitness Systems Express Workout Dance It Off
Jennifer Galardi
Rodale Press
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www.411videoinfo.com
0766225151 $14.95 rodalestore.com

The third in a series of exercise programs by Prevention Fitness Systems, Express Workout: Dance It Off! is a high-energy workout DVD developed by the leading fitness experts of Prevention, America's leading healthy- lifestyle magazine. Dance It Off! features workouts in four dance styles: hip-hop, Latin, jazz, and ballet, which can be mixed and matched to burn fat, firm muscles, and just plain have fun. Bonus segments include a smoothie recipe, five moves to improve one's abs, and tips to charge up one's energy level. A welcome addition to cardiovascular fitness and exercise libraries. Also highly recommended are the previous Prevention Fitness Systems DVDs, "3, 2, 1 Workout" and "Express Workout: Belly, Butt, and Thighs." 52 min., color.

Shining Soul
c/o Swedenborg Foundation Publishers
320 N. Church St, West Chester PA 19380
www.swedenborg.com
0877854602 $24.95 1-800-355-3222

Produced and directed by award-winning documentary maker Penny Price, Shining Soul: Helen Keller's Spiritual Life & Legacy is the true story of the lifelong spiritual inspiration that Hellen Keller derived from sage and philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg. Drawing from archival footage, interviews, stills, and dramatic re-enactments, Shining Soul examines Helen's own testimony of the profound impact Swedenborg's wisdom had on her life in her book "My Religion", and offers tribute to her philanthropic efforts to improve the lives of those less fortunate. A heartwarming and inspirational presentation. 57 minutes, color.

Make it Happen: Hip Hop
Kelly Peters
Bayview Entertainment
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.99 www.bayviewentertainment.com

Volume 1 of the "Make it Happen" series, Make It Happen: Hip Hop is an introductory DVD guide to learning the cultural phenomenon of hip-hop dance. Dance instructor Kelly Peters reveals his "one-step-at-a-time" method, broken down slow so the viewer won't need to rewind. With close ups, slow motion, split screen, and a reversed picture just like a dance studio mirror (when Kelly says "Go right," he moves to your right) help one learn hip-hop moves to perfection. Kelly Peters also discusses the history of hip-hop culture. Make It Happen: Hip Hop is a "must-have" for anyone looking to learn or improve basic hip-hop dance skills. 55 min., color.

Doctors
Sherwin B. Nuland
The Teaching Company
4151 Layfayette Center Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151-1232
www.teach12.com
1598030302 $199.95 1-800-832-2412

Doctors: The History Of Scientific Medicine Revealed Through Biography is a twelve lecture DVD series by Sherwin B. Nuland (Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Yale School of Medicine and Fellow of the Yale University Institution for Social and Policy Studies). Each of these twelve 30 minute lectures provides an overview description of key personalities and their contributions to the history and development of medicine from antiquity down to the twentieth century. The lectures include: Hippocrates and the origins of Western Medicine; The Paradox of Galen; Vesalius and the Renaissance of Medicine; Harvey, Discoverer of the Circulation; Morgagni and the Anatomy of Disease; Hunter, the Surgeon as Scientist; Laennec and the Invention of the Stethoscope; Morton and the Origins of Anesthesia; Virchow and the Cellular Origins of Disease, Lister and the Germ Theory; Halsted and American Medical Education; and the series concludes with Taussig and the Development of Cardiac Surgery. Professor Nuland's deliver is articulate, expert, engaging, informed and informative. Doctors is an ideal addition to highschool, college, and university History of Medicine reference and curriculum supplementation materials, as well as appropriate for homeschooling curriculums and community library DVD collections.

Dark Shadows DVD Collection 21
MPI Media
16101 S. 108th Avenue, Orland Park, IL 60467
0788606727 $59.98 www.mpimedia.com

MPI is slowly releasing the whole of the very extensive Dark Shadows soap opera on a set of involving DVDs, and this Collection 21 opens with the world of parallel time in 1970, when Angelique tortures Maggie Collins with her supernatural powers and reveals her identity to her father. Forty color episodes on four discs recreate the drama and thrill of the original series sans ads - and if that weren't enough, bonus interviews with major actors, writer Joe Caldwell and TV critic Mark Dawidziak add insights you wouldn't find through television. While prior fans of the Dark Shadows series - especially owners of previous collections - will be the likely audience for this, newcomers will find the logical progression of episodes lends to newfound interest.

Kidnapped
WGBH Boston Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
148 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor PH-1, New York, NY 10016
www.shop.wgbh.org
1593753098 $19.95 1-800-949-8670

As seen on Masterpiece Theatre, Kidnapped is the rousing DVD presentation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure novel, featuring the acting talents of Iain Glen and James Anthony Pearson. Rife with villains, heroines, and two dogged heroes in search of justice, Kidnapped follows the exploits of a young man who tries to claim his rightful inheritance from his uncle, only to be sold into slavery aboard a ship bound for the New World. Allying with an exiled Highland hero, the unlikely duo begin a perilous quest through Scotland, encountering deadly foes and unexpected friends along the way. An action-packed rendition of a timeless and exciting tale. Approx. 2.5 hours, color, closed captioned.


The Political Science Shelf

No Gods No Masters
Daniel Guerin
AK Press
674-A 23rd St., Oakland, Ca 94612-1163
1904859259 $24.95 www.akpress.org

No Gods No Masters: An Anthology Of Anarchism is the first English translations of Guerin's extensive anthology of anarchistic writings, originally published in French in four volumes. Drawing upon previously unpublished documents, letters, debates, manifestoes, reports, calls-to-arms, and reasoned analyses, No Gods No Masters offers a serious-minded look at the history, organization, and practices of the anarchist movement. Including writings by Malatesta, Henri, Pouget, Souchy, Leval, Voline, Makhno, Goldman, de Paepe, and more, No Gods No Masters discusses the question "What is property?", the controversy over Marx and the First International, the Russian Revolution, the Spanish Revolution, the Paris Commune, and much more. A classic compilation enthusiastically recommended for political science students and anyone striving to better understand the anarchist philosophy and movement.

America's Unpatriotic Acts
Walter M. Brasch
Peter Lang Publishing
275 Seventh Ave., 28th fl, NY, NY 10001
www.peterlangusa.com
0820476080 $29.95 1-800-770-5264

In the provocative America's Unpatriotic Acts: The Federal Government's Violation Of Constitutional And Civil Rights, syndicated columnist Walter M. Brasch keenly describes the many painful strikes America's government takes upon its own citizens. With meticulous research, Walter M. Brasch presents a valid read of how Americans' privacy may be irrationally breached for matters irrelevant to the justification. America's Unpatriotic Acts is recommended with great praise for social and political activists, as well as students of contemporary political science.

Divided Power
Donald R. Kelly
The University of Arkansas Press
201 Ozark, Fayetteville, AR 72701
1557288046 $21.95 www.uark.com

Divided Power: The Presidency, Congress, And The Formation Of American Foreign Policy edited by Donald R. Kelly (Professor of Political Science at Fulbright Institute of International Relations at the University of Arkansas), is an informed and informative collection of scholarly essays written in strict pertinence to the everlasting debate of legislative and executive power in foreign policies, and which branch retains more power. As each of the eight contributors' individual essay delve deeper into the questionability of the issue, Divided Power leaves the reader with a personal question of understanding of pertinent political science issues and national debates. As a well-researched, deftly written study, Divided Power is a strongly recommended book for political science students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject of American foreign policy.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Pedestals & Podiums
Martha Sonntag Bradley
Signature Books
564 West 400 North, Salt Lake City, UT 84116-3411
www.signaturebooks.com
1560851899 $39.95 1-800-356-5687

Award-winning professor Martha Sonntag Bradley presents Pedestals & Podiums: Utah Women, Religious Authority & Equal Rights, the true story of the relationship between Mormon women, the Mormon church, the American feminist movement in general, and the Equal Rights Amendment in particular. A close case study, Pedestals & Podiums traces how the Mormon church and Mormon women who had identified themselves as feminist joined the position of mainstream conservatives over the polarizing issue of the Equal Rights Amendment, in a fierce war waged with unrestrained rhetoric and leaflets. In addition to its extensive research, Pedestals & Podiums is written from a keenly insightful perspective, since in addition to serving as a professor the author is a member of the Mormon church and mother who personally attended the Utah women's conference of 1977.


The Military Shelf

Blitzkrieg In Their Own Words
Professor Alan Bance, translator
Zenith Press
729 Prospect Avenue, Osceola, WI 54020
www.zenithpress.com
0760321868 $21.95 1-800-766-2388

Based on a German book published during World War II and never before translated into English, Blitzkrieg In Their Own Words: First-Hand Accounts From German Soldiers 1939-1940 is an anthology of short, firsthand accounts by Wehrmacht German soldiers who took part in Blitzkrieg ("lightning war") style of fighting - a methodology developed by Hitler's generals that applied fast-moving tank attacks to gouge holes in the enemy's front lines. Blitzkrieg In Their Own Words includes a foreword by Heinz Guderian, one of the leading architects of Blitzkrieg armored warfare tactics. Because it was originally published during the Nazi regime, Blitzkrieg In Their Own Words is neither balanced nor restrained, as it describes the merciless devastation of Polish and French armies with vicious zeal. A handful of black-and-white photographic plates describing events in the book illustrate this biased yet nonetheless valuable primary source of military and human history.

Camouflage and Markings of the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana 1943-1945
Ferdinando D'Amico ; Gabriele Valentini
Specialty Press
39966 Grand Ave, No. Branch, MN 55056
www.specialtypress.com
1903223296 $59.95 1-800-895-4585

Camouflage And Markings Of The Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana 1943-1945: A Photographic Analysis Through Speculation And Research is a close study of the camouflage and markings of the Fascist air force formed in the wake of Italy's surrender to the Allies in 1943, a commonly overlooked portion of Italian airpower during the Second World War. Black-and-white photographs and diagrams in both black-and-white and color on almost every page fill this highly visual reference, while the text spares no detail in its scrutiny of historical minutiae. Airplanes studied include the FIAT G.55s, the Macchi C.205s, the Savoia Marchetti SM.81s and SM.82s, and many more. Highly technical at times, Camouflage And Markings Of The Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana spares no effort in its extreme attention to detail, and is by far the most exhaustive resource of its kind.

The Modern RAF
Jeremy Flack
MBI Publishing Company
380 Jackson Street, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
www.mbipublishing.com
1861266162 $59.95 1-800-458-0454

Illustrated throughout with over 300 black-and-white and color photographs, The Modern RAF is an in-depth reference packed with detail about the modern-day Royal Air Force of Great Britain. Though much reduced in size, it remains a vital peace-keeping and humanitarian tool. The Modern RAF is a highly technical guide, divided into four main sections: Aircraft, RAF Locations, Units, and RAF Equipment and Weapons. Each section lists individual planes, places, formations, and devices in extreme detail, combining specifications with a brief history of the aspect under discussion and its modern-day applications. A superb coffee table book, enjoyable for lay readers to browse and extremely useful as a comprehensive resource for professionals.

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook
Sgt. Michael Volkin
Savas Beatie/Casemate, dist.
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
1932714111 $18.95 savasbeatie.com

US Army veteran Sgt. Michael Volkin, who received a Commendation Medal for the fitness programs he devised to help his fellow soldiers, presents The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, And Tactics For Surviving Boot Camp, a no-nonsense guide to preparing oneself for the grueling induction into the army. Chapters teach would-be recruits what to bring or not bring, how to prepare oneself for the grueling physical demands of basic training. In particular, The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook offers valuable tips as to what to say, how to eat (as quickly as possible, head down to the plate), what to expect (it is common for recruits to get sick, as the exhausting training hampers their immune system), and much more. Black-and-white photographs demonstrating marching poses, salutes, and the like, and consumable or reproducible workout logs to facilitate fitness training round out this absolute "must-read" for anyone interested in joining any branch of the US armed forces.


The Education Shelf

Understanding How Students Learn
P. Karen Murphy & Patricia A. Alexander
Sage Publications
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
1412908868 $27.95 corwinpress.com

Understanding How Students Learn: A Guide For Instructional Leaders deftly co-authored by P Karen Murphy (Associate Professor of Education, Department of Educational and School Psychology and Special Education, Pennsylvania State University), and Patricia A Alexander (Professor and Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, Department of Human Development, University of Maryland), is an informed and informative guide to the mapping of childrens' minds. Readers will discover many extensive and specific tips and helpful ideas to create a better learning environment as well as techniques for their students or children. Included in Understanding How Students Learn is an in depth exploration of all of the following: Learning growth and development; Acquiring knowledge and understanding; Cultivating learner motivation; Strategic teaching an strategic learning; The power of shared learning. As ideal reference to teachers for the k-8 grades, Understanding How Students Learn is a very strongly recommended read, especially for newcoming teachers.

Tantalizing Tidbits For Middle Schoolers
Ruth Cox-Clark
Linworth Publishing, Inc.
480 East Wilson Bridge Road, Suite L, Worthington, OH 43085-2372
158683195X $36.95 www.linworth.com

Tantalizing Tidbits For Middle Schoolers is a useful tool and reference compiled especially for middle and junior high school librarians. An introductory section offers tips for igniting student interest in books, and offers curriculum-related activities to smoothly integrate a school library program into lessons; the bulk of the guide lists 75 age-appropriate fiction titles with annotations, a "booktalk" summary, tips for curriculum connections, and a listing of similar titles. An excellent guide to quality modern children's literature; most titles listed were published in the years 2000 to 2005.

Notebook Know-How
Aimee Buckner
Stenhouse Publishers
PO Box 11020, Portland ME 04104-7020
1571104135 $15.00 www.stenhouse.com

Notebook Know-How: Strategies For The Writer's Notebook by elementary school classroom teacher Aimee Buckner is an encouraging guide for writers wanting to introduce a variable construct to their personal writing notebooks. Notebook Know-How covers such issues as how to launch the notebook, what mini-lessons can be used throughout the year to help students become more skilled in keeping notebooks?, how to help students having difficulties in transferring their notebook writing to other forms of written expression, how to organize notebooks for flexibility and easy access to information, how to utilize writer notebooks to help students become better readers, and how to properly assess notebooks. Enhanced with lessons, tips, student writing samples, Notebook Know-How is an ideal resource for teachers in grades 3 through 8.

The Underachieving School
John Holt
Sentient Publications
1113 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80302
www.sentientpublications.com
1591810388 $14.95 1-303-443-2188

The Underachieving School by John Holt contains inspirational and informative ideas on how to children should be properly educated, while retaining the respect and attention to how children actually do learn. Holt's interpretation displays to readers the difference between learning and schooling. Through author John Holt's original thinking, The Underachieving School is well written with clear and thoughtful style as result of Holt's firsthand experience with such issues. Highly recommended to all school administrations nation-wide, as well as parents, teachers, and educational government organizations.

Talking Writing & Thinking About Books
Jo Phenix
Pembroke Publishers
c/o Stenhouse Publishers (dist.)
477 Congress Street, Suite 4B, Portland, ME 04101-3451
www.stenhouse.com
1551381834 $19.00 1-800-988-9812

Written by a former teacher who has taught every elementary and high school grade, and served as a consultant for a major school board, Talking Writing & Thinking About Books is a sourcebook of 101 ready-to-use classroom activities designed to stimulate comprehension skills for all aspects of the reading process. The activities are divided into five categories: talking and reading aloud, such as creating and orally presenting an imagined radio ad for the book; drama, such as creating and acting out a telephone conversation that could have happened between story characters; visual arts, such as planning a mural of places and events in the story; writing, such as writing a short story about one of the book character's wishes being granted; and research, such as creating a glossary of the more difficult words in the story. Each activity is listed on a worksheet-like page; permission to copy and distribute the pages specifically for classroom use is granted. An excellent, easy-to-use resource for teachers and home schoolers of students in grades 3-8.

Fee Fi Fo Fum
Linda Bair & Jill Andrews
Upstart Books/Highsmith, Inc.
Box 800, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0800
1579500390 $16.95 1-800-448-4887

Intended for use with children in grades preschool through 2, Fee Fi Fo Fum: Puppets & Other Folktale Fun incorporates the theory of multiple intelligences into lessons that re-enact popular folktales. Each project includes black-and-white reproducible samples for paper puppets with directions, and a handful of ideas for activities, creative writing sessions, math exercises, and physical exercises. The folktales themselves are not provided, but all are based on commonly known and available stories such as "Cinderella", "The Tortoise and the Hare", or "How Brer Rabbit Lost His Fine Bushy Tail." An excellent and constructive activity resource for babysitters and day care centers as well as school teachers.

Teaching By Design
Kimberly S. Voss
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817
www.woodbinehouse.com
1890627437 $34.95 1-800-843-7323

Teaching By Design: Using Your Computer To Create Materials For Students With Learning Differences is a straightforward "how-to" guide to quickly and easily crafting customized educational tools with the resources of a basic personal computer at one's disposal. Written especially for teachers working with students who have learning disabilities or impairments, Teaching by Design covers how to control variables in font size, images, and layout, why larger font isn't always better, a smorgasbord of easy-to-make projects ranging from color/shape/size lotto to interactive spelling cards to fill-in-the-blank word magnets and decals, and much more. The materials presented are designed to make learning as easy and intuitive as possible without excess distractions, and as such are applicable to all children whether learning disables or not. An accompanying CD-ROM of templates to simplify the process rounds out this invaluable, user-friendly resource recommended especially for instructors, but also useful to parents and lay people looking for educational games to play with developing young minds.

The Mathematics Program Improvement Review
Ron Pelfrey
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
www.ascd.org
1416602690 $29.95 1-800-933-2723

The Mathematics Program Improvement Review: A Comprehensive Evaluation Process For K-12 Schools is a proven evaluation process based on research into effective methods, designed to reveal exactly what works and doesn't work in an individual school's K-12 mathematics program. Written by a former mathematics teacher and district mathematics supervisor, The Mathematics Program Improvement Review includes sample tools and checklists to follow, guidelines for parent interviews, common evaluation pitfalls to watch out for, a list of resources, an index, examples and sample cases, and much more. An invaluable aid to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of classroom mathematics instruction.

How To Teach Students Who Don't Look Like You
Bonnie M. Davis
Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 1320-2218
www.corwinpress.com
1412924472 $29.95 1-800-818-7243

Written by a professional who has successfully trained hundreds of teachers, Bonnie Davis' How To Teach Students Who Don't Look Like You: Culturally Relevant Teaching Strategies is a straightforward guide especially for schoolteachers instructing classes with students whose ethnic and cultural background may predispose them to see the world in an entirely different way. Chapters cover how improve one's background knowledge about different cultures and learning styles, how to create an environment that supports diverse learners, researched-based teaching strategies including how to inspire a love of reading and writing in diverse learners, and much more. Written in plain terms, often concentrating its key ideas into easy-to-follow bullet points, How to Teach Students Who Don't Look Like You is a singularly valuable resource especially for teachers struggling to close "achievement gaps" in the classroom.


The World History Shelf

The Roman Army
Pat Southern
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
1851097309 $85.00 1-800-368-6868

Community learning librarian and experienced scholar Pat Southern presents The Roman Army: A Social And Institutional History, an in-depth, comprehensive examination of a fighting force that lasted nearly 1,000 years. Organized thematically, and drawing heavily upon archaeological and historical evidence including letters from Roman soldiers to their relatives at home, The Roman Army explores the value systems, bureaucracy, traditions, culture, daily life, and much more of this highly organized fighting institution, and the meticulous manner in which payment for the soldiers was calculated with deductions for food, clothing, weapons, and other expenses. A glossary and index round out this fascinating, "must-have" reference for military historians and scholars of the Roman empire.

Pioneers Of The Pacific
Nigel Rigby, et al.
University of Alaska Press
PO Box 756240, 104 Eielson Building, Salcha Street, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6240
www.uaf.edu/uapress
1889963763 $26.95 1-888-252-6657

The collaborative effort of Nigel Rigby, Pieter van der Merwe and Glyn Williams, Pioneers Of The Pacific: Voyages Of Exploration, 1787-1810 is a fascinating history of the Pacific voyages of six successors to the legendary Captain Cook's explorations. Studied at length are Arthur Phillip, founder of the first British colony in Australia; the Comte de Laperouse, whose French scientific expedition vanished without trace; William Bligh, who eventually became the Governor of New South Wales; Alejandro Malaspina, whose Spanish expedition became eclipsed by his political disgrace; George Vancouver's voyage to northwest America, and Matthew Flinders' charting of Australia and lengthy incarceration at the hands of the French. Black-and-white and color artworks, maps, and portraits illustrate this detailed accounting, written for lay readers and historians alike. A highly recommended study of oft-overlooked figures in the history of exploration and discovery.

Our History Is Still Being Written
Armando Choy, et al.
Pathfinder Press
306 W. 37th St., 10th Fl, NY, NY 10018
0873489780 $20.00 pathfinderpress.com

The collaborative work of Armando Choy, Gustavo Chui and Moises Sio Wong, Our History Is Still Being Written: The Story Of Three Chinese-Cuban Generals In The Cuban Revolution is the personal testimony of three individuals of Chinese-Cuban ancestry who became involved in the 1956-58 revolutionary war that ended the America-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, with lasting repercussions for socialist revolution in Latin America. Their stories cover not only the excitement of fifty years ago, but also the years since up to the modern day from problems with food shortages to postmodern wars of ideas. An appendix includes two essays by Fidel Castro and one by Nelson Mandela. Most Of Our History Is Still Being Written is told in interview/narrative format, directly from the mouths of the authors; black-and-white photographs offer glimpses of key turning points in Cuban history. A highly personalized yet nonetheless valuable look at the evolution of modern Cuban history and politics.

Zheng He
Paul Rozario
SNP Editions
c/o China Books & Periodicals
360 Swift Avenue, Suite 48, South San Francisco, CA 94080
www.chinabooks.com
9812480900 $24.95 1-800-818-2017

Zheng He And The Treasure Fleet 1405-1433 is a true historical tale of nautical exploration and adventure. Follow Admiral Zheng He through his seven journeys as this history guides the reader throughout the modern and historical orient; inclusive of the lands Java, Aden, Kenya, Mombasa, Iran, as well as many more. Follow this truly Renaissance explorer through his campaigns world-wide, bringing new light to the worlds exploration of trade, and the roots of the orient's discoveries during the Ming dynasty in the fifteenth century.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Variations Of Colt's
John D. Breslin, et al.
Andrew Mowbray Inc., Publishers
PO Box 460, Lincoln, RI 02865
1931464049 $37.95 1-800-999-4697

Variations Of Colt's: New Model Police & Pocket Breech Loading Pistols is the definitive guide for what Colt pistol collectors call "small frame conversions", a diverse label covering many different types of early cartridge pistols. Seven basic variations of these pistols are documented and described, with production programs and quantities listed. Written by three long-time Colt collectors (John D. Breslin, William Q. Pirie, and David E. Price), each of which had independently collected data for over ten years, and all of whom applied their experience to previously unexamined Colt factory records such as production quantities and serial number data, Variations Of Colt's is a balance of minute detail, black-and-white photography, skillful technical drawings, and accessible prose text. As the authors point out, most of the guns were actually made as cartridge pistols, not converted from percussion, though conversions are described in particular detail. A "must- have" for serious gun collectors and a fascinating read for hobbyists curious about the history of Colt pistols and manufacture.

Collector Books
PO Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
www.collectorbooks.com

These lovely collector's guides are widely recommended not only for professional collectors and ebay sellers but as library references for those who don't collect as heavily but still need updated references for grandmother's pieces. Margaret & Kenn Whitmyer's Fenton Art Glass: Hobnail Pattern Identification & Value Guide (157432473X, $29.95) provides gorgeous color photos accompanying the latest identification and values for hobnail pattern Fenton pieces. Prices represent average retail for mint-condition pieces and allows for regional differences. William Blauser & Timothy Mierzwa's Spring-loaded Fish Hooks, Traps & Lures (157-4324705, $29.95) provides collectors with two solid specialty sections of detail: spring-loaded and mechanical hooks, and metal killer fish traps. The majority of items were patented and unique items, so identification of maker, marks, and differences are easily documented here, while full-page color photos lend to the detail necessary to achieve exacting identification. A. Everett James Jr's Collecting American Paintings Identification & Values (1574324314, $29.95) is written for both beginners and those who have assembled a collection of paintings, yet been frustrated in their identification and valuation. From regional art to different schools of painting and styles, it's easy to look up art work without having its author firmly in mind. Julie Pelletier Robinson's Celluloid Dolls Toys & Playthings Identification & Value Guide (1574324640, $29.95) organizes its chapters by manufacturer and provides well-detailed color photos throughout which lend to easy, quick browsing and identification. Descriptions discuss restorations, values for originals, manufacturer background and more. Linda McPherson's Collecting Vintage Children's Greeting Cards Identification & Values (1574324659, $24.95) holds good-sized, lovely color photos of all kinds of children's greeting cards, arranged handily by topics ranging from 'dolls' and 'country life' to 'holidays' and 'pets'. Notes on makers and price ranges make it easy to both identify and price similar offerings. Lar Hothem's Antler Bone & Shell Artifacts Identification & Value Guide (157-4324616, $24.95) is a specialty item which won't appeal to every collector, but any dealing in artifacts must have it. Color photos pack pages of description and values for ornaments, tools, awls and projectiles from different primitive cultures. Measurements, history, and collection reference rounds out the detail. Fred & Joyce Roerig's Ultimate Collector's Encyclopedia Of Cookie Jars Identification And Values (1574324675, $29.95) arranges jars by manufacturer and supplements good-sized color photos with price ranges. Even better - you can locate any jar by type, in the index (i.e. elephant, train, bear). All are excellent references collectors will value.

Krause Publications
700 East State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001
1-800-726-9966 fwpublications.com

David Doyle's new Standard Catalog Of Lionel Trains 1900-1942 (0896892395, $29.99) is the most complete guide available for Lionel products: collectors won't want to be without it. From the turn of the century until World war II, Lionel turned out toy trains for kids of all ages: over a thousand color photos blends with pricing guidelines for different conditions to accompany a history of Lionel products. Organized by type of product, from passenger cars and ballast cars to box cars, collectors will find this quite an easy reference to use. Joe Kertzman edits 26th Annual Knives 2006 (0869891496, $24.99), a knife reference packed with color photos of handcrafted knives, along with their specifications, materials, and special features. Top writers include stories about collecting, making and using knives, blending history with collector insights, while prices, marks, and technical specifications make a fine collector's reference of over 1,000 blades. The hefty Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles 2006 Price Guide by Kyle Husfloen (08734-99891, $19.99) deserves ongoing mention as an annual favorite: it packs in over 12,000 detailed listing covering all major collecting categories and includes over 5,000 color photos as well. Glassware, furniture, lamps, dolls and toys are all covered, along with insights on their makers and prices. Leigh Leshner's Secrets To Collecting Jewelry: How To Buy More For Less (0869891801, $19.99) also deserves ongoing mention as a unique, essential reference. Over four hundred photos accompany details on how to identify and evaluate collectible jewelry, how to buy wisely at estate sale and auctions, and how to purchase at flea markets. The 13th updated edition of Toys & Prices 2006 (0896891526, $19.99) edited by Karen O'Brien is on the market and a recommended pick for avid toy collectors. A centerfold of color photos accompanies well over seven hundred pages of smaller black and white shots of toys: over 3,100 in all. Updated pricing reflects the latest information and provides both historical background and insights on collecting trends as well as specific toy values. All are excellent, basic references highly recommended for collectors.

The Allure Of Turquoise
Arnold Vigil, editor
New Mexico Magazine
495 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
0937206873 $19.95 nmmagazine.com

One of New Mexico's symbols is turquoise, so it's fitting that a discussion of jewel would come from New Mexico Magazine's publishing arm. Any who wish to learn about the stone must have The Allure Of Turquoise: it appears in its second updated edition to pack color photos on every page with discussions ranging from the history of turquoise in both jewelry and Native American circles to issues surrounding its sale, authenticity and preservation. Chapters mix history and cultural and geologic insights with tips on locating authentic pieces, valuation and more: turquoise collectors will find this essential.

Schiffer Publications
4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 13910
www.schifferbooks.com

Jan Lindenberger's Fun Kitchen Collectibles: A Handbook & Price Guide (0764300229 $16.95) provides a lovely gathering of kitchen objects dating from 1890 to the 1970s. Color photos are clear, large enough to be useful in identification, and include approximate year ranges and price ranges. All types of kitchen items, from cooking to spices to plates, are included with an eye to featuring those with collectible value. Susan Langley's Roaring '20s Fashions: Deco (0764323202, $39.95) is especially for its blend of vintage images, history, and professional photos of existing garments. Period illustrations also pack a close examination of fashions from 1925-29, considering the Deco era style and its influences. Don't think this is just a history, though: prices are included for featured products, making for a unique collector's reference on the topic. Karen Barton's 20th Century Lefton China And Collectibles (0764313320, $29.95) is the most detailed book written on the subject to date, blending the usual price guide with company identification numbers, descriptions, and color photos on every page. The numbered price guide allows for quick and easy cross-referencing and plenty of collector detail. Mark P. Block's Encyclopedia Of Modern Marbles, Spheres, And Orbs (076432294X, $69.95) explores the relationship between modern studio art marbles and antiques of yesteryear. Over 900 color photos accompany a history of marble glass and manufacturing, including details on artists' marks, how to identify, value and build a collection, and even includes glossary of terms. Leslie Pina's Blenko: Cool 50s And 60s Glass (0764322508, $39.95) appears in its revised, expanded 2nd edition to pair a price guide with color photos and a history of Blenko Glass's manufacturer. Blenko is one of the few glass factories in the US still making modern hand blown production glass, and collectors have relatively recently come to value its holdings. Over 500 color photos of Blenko glass products accompany designer information, the previously unpublished 1960 catalog, and more.


The Biography Shelf

S. Seymour Thomas 1868 - 1956
Cecilia Steinfeldt
Texas State Historical Association
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station, D0901, Austin, TX 78712-0332
www.tsha.utexas.edu
0876112041 $49.95 1-800-687-8132

Beautifully illustrated with black-and-white and a handful of color photographs, S. Seymour Thomas 1868 - 1956: A Texas Genius Rediscovered is a coffee-table sized biography of a young Texas boy who earned artistic fame and prestige in Europe. The detailed text written in tribute to S. Seymour Thomas captures the details of his life from his childhood drawings of hunting dogs to marvelous talent for portraiture as an adult. Drawing liberally from family letters and diaries to supplement its detail, S. Seymour Thomas 1868-1956 is truly a fitting commemoration of a dedicated artist's life and work.

Deep Water
E.M. Kahn
Harrington Park Press/Haworth Press
10 Alice St, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580
1560235179 $14.95 haworthpress.com

Deep Water: A Sailor's Passage, a memoir by E.M. Kahn, is an outstanding history of one man's nautical pursuit of his two most deep passions: sailing, and his life-mate Kevin. E.M. Kahn's autobiographical depiction of his adventures at sea face the reader with the chilling eyes of reality as the author and Kevin must sail through Hell Gate in the East river, blindingly dense fog in Cape Cod, and many more thrilling tales. Deep Water is highly recommended reading for those with an interest in boating, gay lifestyles, and unique biographical memoirs.

Only In America
William Ungar & David Chanoff
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Ave., Jersy City, NJ 07306
0881258865 $24.95 1-201-963-9524

Co-authored by William Ungar and David Chanoff, Only In America: From Holocaust To National Industry Leadership is the informative second volume to William Ungar's extraordinary autobiography. At age 92, William Ungar is taking the time to reflect upon his great and many accomplishments, having come from the penniless holocaust survivor at age 33 to the successful owner of what is now one of Fortune's 500 largest privately owned firms. Follow Only In America through the inspirational stories of the Holocaust survivor through the streets of New York as Ungar makes his way from job searching to employing. Only In America is highly recommended reading for the non-specialist reader.

No Ordinary Joe
Daniel W. Pfaff
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Blvd, Columbia, MO 65201
www.umsystem.edu/upress
0826216072 $34.95 1-800-828-1894

No Ordinary Joe: A Life Of Joseph Pulitzer III provides a very fine scholarly biographical survey of the man who created the widely known Pulitzer Prize. Joseph was trained for succession to the Pulitzer media empire and worked hard to maintain his family's paper's liberal philosophy even as competitors began mixing news with entertainment. His many achievements in the newspaper world are detailed alongside interviews with over seventy who knew or worked with him: the result is a study spiced with personal insight and celebrating Pulitzer's impact on the publishing world as a whole.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

A Crying Shame
Ann Mullen
Afton Ridge Publishing
PO Box 162 Stanardsville, VA 22973
0972532765 $24.95 aftonridge.com

A "page-turning" mystery, Ann Mullen's A Crying Shame: A Jesse Watson Mystery is an enthralling read from beginning to end. Readers will follow Jesse through an increasingly devious and mysterious plot as she discovers a seemingly random murder in the house of a missing man. A Crying Shame is very highly recommended for its intriguing plot, engaging characters, and the many twists and turns which it brings the reader through to a very clever conclusion.

Holmes On The Range
Steve Hockensmith
St. Martin's Minotaur
175 - 5th Avenue, NY, NY 10010-7848
0312347804 $22.95 minotaurbooks.com

Set in 1873 Montana, two ranch hands sign on at a secretive cattle spread expecting hard work and instead finding a penchant for Sherlock Holmes style mysteries has come to life. Their discovery of a mutilated dead body leads to experimentation with Holmes-style detective work with unexpected results in this unusual Western mystery, filled with strong characterization and twists and turns.

Allison & Busby Ltd.
c/o Internatonal Publishers Marketing
28841 Quicksilver Dr., Dulles, VA 20166
www.internatilonalpubmarket.com

Two new books from mystery queen Alanna Knight offer one from each of her series. From the 'Tam Elidor' series is The Stuart Sapphire (0749082569, $18.99) set in 1811 and telling of a prince who finds his mistress dead in his bed. Her murder could rise scandal for the dead married woman, so George has Tam Elidor investigate the murder - only to discover the Stuart Sapphire is missing. Layer upon layer of interwoven plots keep his historical mystery fast-paced. The Inspector's Daughter (0749082038, L6.99) tells of one Rose, who has returned home to Edinburgh from the American West after the loss of her family. Rose's investigation of the strange behavior of Matthew, husband to her childhood friend, reveals a possible connection with the murder of a servant girl. Both are very different, but similarly gripping, mysteries. Judith Cutler's Life Sentence (0749082763, L18.99) provides British author Cutler's gripping story of a woman found beaten on a roadside. Inspector Harman is only months away from retirement and faces too many cases already; but this one draws her in and holds the potential for changing her life.


The American History Shelf

The Greatest Generation Grows Up
Kriste Lindenmeyer
Ivan R. Dee
1332 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60622
1566636604 $27.50 www.ivanrdee.com

American childhood in the 1930s became a government policy ideal which was reinforced by cultural changes during the Great Depression, and represented the first period of time in which the federal government provided a legal definition of childhood dependency as extending from birth through age seventeen. Any studying children's rights or American childhood will want to make The Greatest Generation Grows Up: American Childhood In The 1930s a part of their reading reference collection: it details social and political forces which shaped, defined and created new interpretations of childhood and dependency.

Inside Greenwich Village
Gerald W. McFarland
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
www.umpress.usmass.edu
1558495029 $19.95 1-800-488-1144

Any with an affection for New York's famous Greenwich Village will want the lively social history Inside Greenwich Village: A New York City Neighborhood, 1898-1918. The Village has been the center of bohemians, artistry, radical politics and more - yet a century ago it was a mixed-class neighborhood reflecting a changing nation. It's this era which history professor Gerald McFarland focuses on, reconstructing its culture and history with a survey of the major groups who occupied Greenwich Village. The different era focus will make Inside Greenwich Village an invaluable exploration.

California Missions And Presidios
Randy Leffingwell
Voyageur Press
PO Box 338, Stillwater, MN 55082
0896584925 $29.95 voyageur.com

Any interested in the history of missions in general and California's historic missions in particular will find this a lush guide which offers insights into the architecture and spiritual foundations of over twenty missions. These vary from small churches to elegant missions: the construction of each was influenced by local social and political as well as spiritual interests. California Missions And Presidios could have been featured in our Arts or Local History section but also deserves note by any interested in church history and creation.

Minneapolis And The Age Of Railways
Don L. Hofsommer
University of Minnesota Press
111 - 3rd Avenue South, #290, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2520
0816645019 $39.95 www.upress.umn.edu

The metropolitan city of Minneapolis, Minnesota is changing, and Don Hofsommer is there to provide an overview of these changes from the 1860s into the 1950s, when railroads linked city and countryside, in Minneapolis And The Age Of Railways. Over 200 period photos and maps cover the city's rail lines, providing a history of railroad property, political and government acts, consolidations, and passenger trends alike. The lively story of Minneapolis and its growth is charted in terms of trends and rail history in a survey which will delight both rail buffs and Minneapolis natives alike.

The Wicked West
Sherry Monahan
Rio Nuevo Publishers
PO Box 5250, Tucson, AZ 85703
1887896740 $15.95 www.rionuevo.com

An expert on the American western frontier and drawing from memoirs and eyewitness accounts, Sherry Monahan's The Wicked West: Boozers, Cruisers, Gamblers, And More provides the reader with a no-nonsense accounting of the "sinful" ways of the Wild West, in an era when drinking, smoking, gambling, drugs, and prostitution were the order of the day. Told chiefly through the memoirs and eyewitness accounts of the men and women who lived "the wicked life" in boisterous times, The Wicked West peels away legends to give an astonishingly accurate picture of the dangers, diseases, and forbidden pleasures of a time and place when anything could happen and usually did. An eye-opening, uproarious account.

Mississippi Escapade
Paul Clifford Larson
Pamela Allen Larson
Afton Historical Society Press
PO Box 100, Afton, MN 55001
www.aftonpress.com
1890434647 $17.95 1-800-436-8443

Travel back in time to a past where Indian villages and pioneer towns thrived, where the route of the Grand Excursion was an inspiring discovery, and where old bridges and roads led to historic old buildings and byways - then add activities for kids, vintage postcards and illustrations, and a history to the package to get Mississippi Escapade: Reliving The Grand Excursion Of 1854. This could have been featured in our children's issue - but so many adults will find pleasure and discovery with its unusual topic that it's featured here as a recommendation for all ages.

Road, River, And Ol' Boy Politics
Linda Scarbrough
Texas State Historical Association
1 University Station D0901, The University of Texas as Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
0876112025 $39.95 tsha.utexas.edu

Road, River, And Ol' Boy Politics: A Texas Country's Path From Farm To Supersuburb by Linda Scarbrough is an impressively researched, superbly written and quite original perspective of the complete history of the state Texas. Scarbrough's depiction of Texas' history is outstanding for its individuality and historical documentation in that its approach is of a philosophical outlook more oriented to the political reasoning for Texas' development. A highly notable and strongly recommended read, Road, River, And Ol' Boy Politics is an excellent read for historians of American history in general and students of Texas history in particular.

America's Switzerland
James H. Pickering
University Press of Colorado
5589 Arapahoe Avenue, #206C, Boulder, CO 80303
0870818066 $29.95 upcolorado.com

The companion volume to This Blue Hollow, America's Switzerland: Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park, The Growth Years provides essential background for any who would understand the history of the Rocky Mountain National Park and its neighboring town Estes Park. Primary sources and achieved records contribute to provide the first comprehensive history of the region. From the individuals behind the park's development to how the park and town coped with two world wars and the increase of tourism, America's Switzerland offers a wealth of lively insights.


The Library Science Shelf

Creating A Comprehensive Information Literacy Plan
Joanna M. Burkhardt, et al.
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, #2004, NY NY 10038
www.neal-schuman.com
1555705332 $89.95 1-866-672-6657

Collaboratively written by professional college librarians Joanna M. Burkhardt, Mary C. MacDonald and Andree J. Rathemacher for professional college librarians, Creating A Comprehensive Information Literacy Plan is a how-to manual for improving information literacy instruction as a college library meets the needs of its students and professors. Information literacy is not what it was a generation ago - the Internet and other modern developments have transformed the skills that students and professionals must cultivate to meet their academic needs. Chapters discuss how to devise a plan to suit a given library's needs, and a host of sample worksheets and references are sure to simplify the librarian's task. An accompanying CD-ROM allows users to customize and print their own planning worksheets and easily access the complete bibliography, success stories, and a list of hyperlinked Web resources. Especially recommended for librarians and libraries seeking tools to iron the kinks out of their literacy program and present it to the campus at large.

The Big Book Of Library Grant Money 2006
Taft
ALA Editions
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
www.alastore.ala.org
0838935583 $275.00 1-866-746-7252

Prepared by the Taft Group for the American Library Association, The Big Book Of Library Grant Money 2006 is the largest directory available compiled from an updated database of library-specific funders. Including nearly 2,400 private and corporate foundations and givers that have either indicated an interest in donating to libraries or have already done so, The Big Book Of Library Grant Money 2006 profiles potential donors with contact and portfolio information, summary and analysis of past contributions, and application information. The wealth of detail includes information about the donor's operating locations and websites, revenue and profit, typical recipients, recent grants, nonmonetary grants, and much more. A secondary list of officers and directors by name, and an extensive index round out this cutting-edge resource and priceless fundraising tool for public libraries.

Future Of The Wild
Jonathan S. Adams
Beacon Press
25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108-2892
0807085103 $27.95 www.beacon.org

The conservation of isolated parks and reserves alone will fail, but there's an alternative option: one that The Future Of The Wild: Radical Conservation For A Crowded World covers. Conservationist Adams ranges across the U.S. in showing how to tie together scattered remnants of this continent's wild places. Stories about the species endangered and the possibilities of wildlife conservation corridors which can help connect and save them make for chapters which blend conservation history and biology with tales of successful partnerships among groups concerned with land and wildlife management. The Future Of The Wild: Radical Conservation For A Crowded World is a 'must' for any seriously concerned about the fate of wild animals on the planet.

Coyote
Catherine Reid
Mariner/Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Avenue S., New York NY 10003
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
0618619291 $10.00 www.amazon.com

The increasing presence of a new kind of coyote, part wolf, is one of the most moving wildlife stories of modern times, and poet/naturalist Catherine Reid captures the coyote's changing role in nature and impact on humans in Coyote: Seeking The Hunter In Our Midst. Reid isn't a scientist, but she studied enough wildlife biology in college to support extensive library research on the topic, interviews of observers, and travel with researchers who track coyotes. A moving natural history evolves.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Traditional Irish Embroidery
Sandra Counahan
Mercier Press
c/o Irish Books & Media, Inc.
1433 Franklin Avenue East, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2101
www.irishbook.com
1856354857 $24.95 1-800-229-3505

Written by a teacher of Irish embroidery and needlecraft, Traditional Irish Embroidery: Mountmellick Work is a "how-to" book for beginners to highly skilled embroiderers, with especial emphasis upon Mountmellick Work, which originated in a small town in Ireland in the 1820s and is known for its use of bold motifs, a variety of stitches, and imaginative designs. Traditional Irish Embroidery offers basics for getting started, a stitch directory, ideas for use, and finishing techniques along with a range of patterns and assorted tips & tricks. Black-and-white photographs and diagrams round out this definitive and user-friendly guide to creating professional-quality Mountmellick Work.

Panels & Patchwork
Janet Wecker-Frisch, artist
Landauer Corporation
3100 NW 101st Street, Suite A, Urbandale, Iowa 50322
www.landauercorp.com
1890621935 $21.95 1-800-557-2144

Featuring best-selling fabric collections by artist Janet Wecker-Frisch, Panels & Patchwork: Quick Quilts For Kids presents 22 fast-finish quilting projects that make use of pre-printed fabric panels. Packed with tips, tricks, and techniques for mixing and matching quilt blocks and panels, Panels & Patchwork spells out instructions for quilts, stockings, pillows, crib bumper pads, crib toppers, and more creations ideal for furnishing children's rooms, all in step-by-step detail. An excellent project guide especially for novice quilters or those with little spare time.

Wool Rug Hooking
Tara Darr
KP Books
700 E. State Street, Iola, WI 54990-0001
www.fwpubs.com
0873498933 $22.95 1-800-258-0929

Primitive designs to modern patterns alike are the feature of Wool Rug Hooking: Tradition In The Making, a collection of patterns for pillows, footstools, rugs and more which includes a back section of oversized patterns. From examples of different styles to step-by-step instructions on how to begin to hook, finishing borders, and project planning ideas, Wool Rug Hooking revives an old art and is the only guide you'll need to produce polished results.

Watson-Guptill
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
www.watsonguptill.com

Two excellent crafter's guides offer details and projects suitable for all levels of talent. Judy Belcher's Polymer Clay Creative Traditions (0823040658, $21.95) offers tips and techniques from more than 90 contributing artists - including top names in the industry. Polymer clay is versatile and colorful: learn how to create clay pieces ranging from ceramics to ethic influenced creations using inspiration derived from metalworks, painting, quilting and glasswork. Step-by-step color photos abound. Jane Davies' Collage With Color (0823007979, $19.95) tells how to create beautiful collages in full color using self-created patterns on paper rather than commercial stock. Paint collage papers using different techniques, enjoy exercises which inspire more designs, and use combing and other techniques to create unique works of art. Both are attractive, fun project-oriented crafter's choices.

Martingale Company
20205 - 144th Avenue NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
www.martingale-pub.com

Martingale's lovely quilting 'how to' titles are highly recommended picks for avid quilters always seeking new projects. Judy Hopkins' Big N Easy: Supersized Quilts For Queen Beds (156477550X, $24.95) tells how to stitch bed-sized quilts using traditional blocks and easy techniques tailored for bigger beds. Fifteen quilt patterns fit larger beds and thicker mattresses and use many classics in patterns but with different fabric choices. Step-by-step instructions cover unit assembly and techniques. Kristin Spurkland's Crochet From The Heart: Quick Projects For Generous Giving (1564776069, $22.95) provides a wealth of projects -some 18 - which can be easily and quickly created for charity or family alike. From baby items to hats and bags, the focus is on items which lend to donation. Mary Sue Suit's Crazy Eights: Fun With 8-Pointed Stars (1564776018, $24.95) provides projects for eleven quilts which feature 16” blocks. The projects are thus very quick to finish yet offer some spectacular quilts simplified by big pieces and easy-sew triangles. Add a Triangle Ruler template to be found within this book and you can't get any quicker - nor smoother - with colorful results. Lesley Stanfield's First Crochet: Projects For Beginners (1564776204, $24.95) provides newcomers with a wonderful workshop-in- a-book format packed with clear directions on basic stitches and progressive techniques. Color photos of finished projects embellish close-up color photos of step-by-step crochet directions. From scarves and handbags to blankets and purses, First Crochet holds a wealth of practical ideas. Pauline Turner's Crocheted Lace (1564775763, $24.95) explores the most popular types of crochet lace: fillet crochet, motifs, and Irish crochet, pairing step-by-step instructions with a library of patterns and over ten projects. An introduction uses drawings to cover the basics of stitches needed in producing projects, with later chapters offering projects and applications. Sophie Britten's Big Knitting: Quick And Easy Designs With Chunky Yans And Fat Needles (156-4776174, $28.95) provides nearly twenty easy designs for knitters at all levels of the art, focusing on a range of colorful, chunky yarns using some of the largest knitting needles available. While beginners in particular will relish the easy projects, even more advanced knitters will find plenty of interest here, from a hooded top to a 'shrug' - a cross between a scarf and a cardigan sweater. All are outstanding project guides.

Luxury Knits
Amanda Griffiths
Barrons
250 Wireless Rd., Hauppage, NY 11788
0764158236 $24.99 barronseduc.com

Over twenty designs show off yarns such as cashmere, merino, mohair and more in the knitwear project display Luxury Knits: Simple And Stylish Projects For The Most Desirable Knitwear. Amanda Griffiths trained at the Royal College of Art: her collection of stylish projects blends classic designs with unusual yarns and different embellishments to create a set of gorgeous projects - all embellished with full-page color photos of models displaying the results.

Mother Of Purl
Edith Eig
HarperCollins
10 East 53rd St., New York NY 10022
0060818271 $19.95 harpercollins.com

Edith Eig is a knitting teacher to Hollywood's biggest stars and here shares her tips and techniques for knitting the latest designs. Mother Of Purl: Friends, Fun, And Fabulous Designs At Hollywood's Knitting Circle covers all the basics, from using and choosing different yarns and patterns to ribbing and professional finishing tips. Diagrams of pattern examples for each project accompany a facing page color photos of the completed project and numerous smaller step-by-step color photos. Sidebars of information cover such topics as keeping track during a difficult pattern or adding length or shortening a finished sweater. A top pick for all types of knitters, from beginner to advanced.

Mary Black's Family Quilts
Laurel Horton
University of South Carolina Press
1600 Hampton Street, 5th floor, Columbia, SC 29208
1570036101 $19.95 www.sc.edu/uscpress

Laurel Horton is an independent folklorist and textile scholar who examines the family quilting traditions of six generations in Mary Black's Family Quilts: Memory And Meaning In Everyday Life. Sixteen quilts here tell the story of the family, a South Carolina legend - and reveals the trunks full of quilts Black left to her descendants. Don't expect a quilter's handbook here: this is local history at its best.

Vintage Knits
Kim Hargreaves, et. al.
Trafalgar Square Publishing
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
1570763127 $25.00 1-800-423-4525

Vintage Knits: Thirty Knitting Designs From Rowan For Men And Women is a fantastic collection of knitwear designs drawing inspiration from the fashion, simplicity, and charm of the 40's, 50's and 60's. Full-color photographs, extensive row-by-row instructions, black-and-white diagrams, pattern keys and more make the projects for various knitted tops easy-to-follow. Vintage Knits does presuppose that the reader is familiar with basic knitting skills and written knitting notation; there are no express tutorials. A superb sourcebook for intermediate to advanced knitters.

Storey Publications
210 Mass MoCa Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com

Two excellent solution-oriented "Answer Book" guides go beyond most craft titles, providing answers to common questions and problems. The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman (1580175988, $12.95) covers problems-solving techniques for all kinds of efforts, from following pattern instructions to placing hooks, turning chains, and making repairs. Margaret Radcliffe's The Knitting Answer Book (1580175996, $14.95) achieves the same for knitting tangles, from handling twisted knitting and increase/decrease directions to controlling fabric qualities. Both are oriented to common problems crocheters and knitters experience, and both are highly recommended picks.

Moon Over Mountain
2 Public Ave., Montrose, PA 188801-1220
$16.95 each www.QuiltTownUSA.com

Two wonderful new quilt titles from Moon Over Mountain provides a treasure trove of simple productions and are top picks for avid quilters. Christiane Meunier, Shelley Knapp and others provide nine quilt patterns in Cheerful Quilts (1885-588712, $16.95), a gathering of spirited quilts for all skill levels. Beginners especially will welcome a guide which focuses on easily-followed directions, accurate pattern pieces, large color photos of each quilt, and material selection and cutting hints. Betty Neff's Quilts To Treasure: Patterns For 8 Heirloom Quilts (1885588690, $16.95) provides the same attention to useful full-size patterns, step-by-step, easy directions, and color photos of each quilt. All are excellent guides avid quilters will adore.

American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3200, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com

Choose from a range of designs and techniques to provide a professional finishing touch to a quilt in Bonnie K. Browning's Borders & Finishing Touches 2 (1574328913, 22.95), a collection of ideas which uses an easy paper-folding technique to make all borders fit perfectly. Designs created by Browning use novelty bindings, scalloped edges and more to provide lovely quilt borders. Patterns, color photos, and suggestions for alternate uses of the bindings make for a 'must' for any quilter who wants to add polishing touches. Gwen Marston's Needlework Designs (1574328980, $22.95) packs in over 70 designs inspired by 16th and 17th century motifs from museum collections around the world. These full-page patterns can be hand or machine quilted or stenciled and provide a versatile range of applications: two quilt projects reinforce the designs, while tips and ideas provide options on handling transfers.


The Hobbies/Crafts Shelf

Encyclopedia Of Scrapbooking Tools & Techniques
Susan Pickering Rothamel
Sterling Publishing
387 Park Avenue South, NY NY 10016
1402710313 $24.95 www.sterling.com

Plenty of books have hit the market covering all aspects of scrapbooking, the new popular hobby of building a family memory book - but Susan Pickering Rothamel's Encyclopedia Of Scrapbooking Tools & Techniques is about the only reference you really need if you're an avid scrapbook maker. All tools and techniques are described here, from acid migration and its problems to handling bubbling and edging problems with decoupage, understanding how journaling works, and handling photos and paper. A 'must' for any actively involved in producing different scrapbooks.

Paper Creations: Cards And Gifts
Steve & Megumi Biddle
David & Charles/F&W dist.
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.fwpublications.com
0715321544 $22.99 1-800-726-9966

A range of techniques lend to creating new dimensions in paperfolding and applications, from origami and tea bag folding to iris folding. In this way the paper itself becomes a work of art and a gift, as evidenced in Paper Creations: Cards And Gifts: Over 30 Paperfolded Designs Featuring Origami, Iris And Tea Bag Folding. Projects range from simple baskets and cardholders to an album cover or a flower ball: each include step-by-step two-color illustrations for each fold and a color photo of the finished result. The perfect crafter's guide!


The Science Shelf

Perpetual Motion
Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume
Adventures Unlimited Press
303 Main Street, Kempton, IL 60946
www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com
1931882517 $20.00 1-815-253-6390

Perpetual Motion: The History Of An Obsession by Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume is an impressively documented history of the discovery and utilization of perpetual motion machines. As for most scientists and inventors, perpetual motion had become the potential discovery that would enable the generation of a much greater technology, for some it had become an obsession, and still today there may remain a number of mysterious processes in which perpetual motion seems without explanation. Discover the most intriguing history of perpetual motion in Perpetual Motion which is very highly recommended to all readers especially to those students of general sciences and aspiring mechanics and invention, as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in alternative science.

A History Of Space Exploration
Tim Furniss
Mercury Books
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Dr., Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
1904668151 $25.00 1-800-758-3756

Featuring color photography on almost every page (and a handful of vintage black-and-white photos), A History Of Space Exploration And Its Future is a sweeping historical summary of man's efforts to better understand the universe beyond the confines of the earth. From early spacefaring crafts to the birth of the space shuttle to the all-too-worrisome modern problem of space debris orbiting the earth, to the latest discoveries of other planets, comets, and stars, A History Of Space Exploration is thoroughly accessible to the lay reader yet sweeping in its wealth of detail. Highly recommended.

One Moment In Eternity - Human Evolution
Eugene Minard, MD
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205, 74-2 Union Street, Manchester, VT 05254
0976445948 $15.95 hudsonhills.com

One Moment In Eternity - Human Evolution is a sharp-tongued warning that religion is "holding hostage" science and scientific understanding of the world, particularly with regard to evolution. Medical doctor and former member of the American Psychiatric Academy Eugene Minard, MD presents a stinging indictment of humanity's atrocities in the name of religion, and a caution that our future as a species may very well result in annihilation due to overpopulation, nuclear holocaust, or other self-inflicted disasters if steps are not immediately taken to guide our own evolution down a more positive path. Emphatically written in plain terms, One Moment In Eternity - Human Evolution does not shy away from controversy or tread lightly around serious matters; it denounces selfishness and self-destructiveness on a species level for what they are, and points toward the highest hope humanity has for its future, including embracing separation of church and state over theocracy. A passionate and persuasive discourse.


The Economics Shelf

Reforming The US Corporate Tax
Gary Clyde Hufbauer & Paul L. E. Grieco
Institute For International Economics
1750 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036-1903
0881323845 $19.95 www.iie.com

Economists and academicians Gary Clyde Hufbauer (Georgetown University) and Paul L. E. Grieco (Northwestern University) perfect their analysis of America's corporate economics in their co-authored study Reforming The US Corporate Tax. Questioning the practicality and legitimacy of America's current taxation program, particularly in corporations, Hufbauer and Grieco expertly expose certain constructs of this system giving the non-specialist general reader as well as college students in MBA and Economic Studies programs a greater perspective to work from.


The Archaeology Shelf

Caribbean Paleodemography
L. Antonio Curet
The University of Alabama Press
Box 870380, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0380
www.uapress.ua.edu
081735185X $29.95 1-800-621-2736

Caribbean Paleodemography: Population, Culture History, And Sociopolitical Processes In Ancient Puerto Rico is a scholarly assessment of the ancient human population of Puerto Rico, migration patterns, cultural changes, population trends, and unexplained mysteries of the region's paleodemography. Extensively researched by adjunct assistant professor of anthropology L. Antonio Curet, Caribbean Paleodemography stresses the importance of scientific rigor when analyzing demographic factors and proposes more rigorous and exacting ways of modeling past human behavior and population trends. A critical-minded, succinctly written scholarly account, enthusiastically recommended to students and professionals in the fields of archaeology and paleology.


The Parenting Shelf

Adventures In Gentle Discipline
Hilary Flower
La Leche League International
1400 North Meacham Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173
0976896907 $14.95 1-847-592-7554

In Adventures In Gentle Discipline: A Parent-To-Parent Guide, author Hilary Flower allows the reader to explore the goals of a gentle discipline, rewarding both the child and the parent. In explanation of her own theory of discipline, Hilary clarifies the reader regarding how other disciplines may not be as effective, if not abusive as well. Adventures In Gentle Discipline is an invaluable book and a "must-read" for new parents.

The Childcare Answer Book
Linda H. Connell
Sphinx Publishing/Sourcebooks Inc.
1935 Brookdale Road, #139, Naperville, IL 60563
www.sourcebooks.com
1572484829 $12.95 1-800-432-7444

The Childcare Answer Book is a straightforward, easy-to-use guide written especially for parents confronting a wide array of childcare choices. Chapters discuss how to calculate a cost/benefit analysis, various childcare alternatives from preschools and day care centers to nannies, au pairs and babysitters, how to evaluate out-of-home care, employment issues for hiring childcare professionals, helping one's child adjust, how to handle difficulties in childcare relationships including harmful or abusive situations, specific issues for special needs children or work-at-home parents, and much more. Appendices provide lists of references concerning state childcare licensing offices, child care resource and referral agencies, websites, and sample forms. An index for quick and easy reference rounds out this plain-terms practical guide, highly recommended for parents everywhere.

What Am I Feeling?
John Gottman
Parenting Press
PO Box 75267, Seattle, WA 98175-0267
1884734529 $12.95 parentingpress.com

Relationship and parenting expert, John Gottman and the Talaris Research Institute insightfully presents What Am I Feeling? an informed and informative exploration of the mindset of children, and how certain adjustments might care for the sensitivity of most children. Gottman places an easy-to-follow "parent-friendly" guide to the constructive mentality of most children with an educational content to create the ideal book for struggling parents making What Am I Feeling? an enthusiastic recommendation to all parents.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Blood And Marrow Transplantation
Fairview Press
2450 Riverside Avenue South, Suite F95, Minneapolis, MN 55454
1577491149 $19.95 www.fairview.com

A projects of The Blood And Marrow Transplant Program At The University Of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, Blood And Marrow Transplantation: A Patients Guide To Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation presents a "user-friendly" format readily accessible by the non-specialist general reader with an interest in modern medical advances. Blood And Marrow Transplantation offers a comprehensive and descriptive explanation to the endless intricacies of the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation system. Blood And Marrow Transplantation also works as an excellent reference on the subject of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and is very highly recommended reading for medical students and interested blood and marrow treatment recipients.

The Healthy Bride Guide
Christi Masi & Sheri Mar
Sasquatch Books
119 South Main Street, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98104-2555
www.sasquatchbooks.com
157061461X $19.95 1-800-775-0817

Written by a personal trainer and a certified nutritionist, The Healthy Bride Guide: Be Fit And Fabulous From This Day Forward is an exercise and nutrition guide written especially for women striving not only to look and feel their best for their big wedding day, but also to transform their lifestyle with their new spouse in a positive manner. Chapters offer health assessments for tracking one's progress, a suggested exercise program to improve strength, cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility, a plain-English guide to good nutrition and tailoring the right amounts of nutrients, carbs, fat, and fiber in one's diet to promote weight loss, a workout program especially for travelers or those limited to small spaces, tips for staying motivated, and much more. Charts and simple black-and-white diagrams clearly illustrate The Healthy Bride Guide: Be Fit And Fabulous From This Day Forward, an invaluable plain-terms guide to being good to one's body.


The Architecture Shelf

Home By Design
Sarah Susanka
The Taunton Press
63 South Main St., Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
1561587915 $21.95 1-800-477-8727

Architect and visionary Sarah Susanka presents Home By Design: Inspiration For Transforming House Into Home, a tour of thirty beautifully designed homes with the author's twenty-seven key insights into what gives each dwelling its special aesthetic panache. Full color photographs by Grey Crawford and floor diagrams of each home illustrate the text, which turns a keen eye toward the unique character and flow of each construction. Home By Design is a beautiful book to simply page through for ideas, and an inspirational resource for the novice do-it-yourself enthusiast, as well as having value for the experienced architectural designer as well.


The Psychology Shelf

Bullying Prevention
Pamela Orpinas and Arthur M. Horne
American Psychological Association
750 First St, NE, Washington, DC 20002
www.apa.org/books
1591472822 $59.95 1-800-368-5777

Violence prevention expert Pemla Orpinas and experienced child and family psychologist Arthur Horne combine their expertise in Bullying Prevention: Creating A Positive School Climate And Developing Social Competence, an in-depth guide especially written for public school officials but also valuable to parents and anyone responsible for the supervision of children. Though Bullying Prevention does delve into psychological theories, it explains psychological models, risk factors, and much more in clear terms so that readers of all backgrounds will have no trouble understanding. Bullying Prevention dispels common myths about bullying, and recommends taking steps not only to minimize risk factors, but to build positive prevention factors and encourage a safe and productive school environment. An equitable balance between advanced psychological theory and tested practical solutions, Bullying Prevention is strongly recommended reading.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Graphic Classics: Rafael Sabatini
Tom Pomplun, editor
Eureka Productions
8778 Oak Grove Rd, Mt Horeb, WI 53572
0974664863 $11.95 graphicclassics.com

The thirteenth volume in a series of impressive graphic novel anthologies drawn from classic stories and illustrated by various artists, Graphic Classics: Rafael Sabatini is a black-and-white compilation of tales of pirates, princesses, love, murder, hypnotism, extortion, and much more. The stories and their illustrators are "Captain Blood" by Carlo Vergara, "The Dream" by Rich Tommaso, "The Plague of Ghosts" by Gerry Alanguilan, "The Fool's Love Story" by Milton Knight, "The Spiritualist" by Roger Langridge, "The Valet Mystery" by Stanley Shaw, "The Risen Dead" by Jackie Smith, and a comic biography of Rafael Sabatini written by Mort Castle and illustrated by Kevin Atkinson. An eclectic range of tales with a common theme of excitement and intrigue, Graphic Classics: Rafael Sabatini is recommended as an introduction to Sabatini's timeless tales of high adventure.

Titans Companion
Glen Cadigan
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
1893905500 $24.95 twomorrows.com

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the popular New Teen Titans DC comic book series, Titans Companion is an engaging survey of the history of the series through interviews with creators Marv Wolfman, George Perez, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Len Wein, Eduardo Barreto, and other fan favorites. A comprehensive Silver Age section also has interviews with Neal Adams, Nick Cardy, Dick Giordano, among others. Illustrated with black-and-white comic panels and rare character sketches, Titans Companion is a "must-have" for fans of the series, or anyone interested in a behind-the-scenes look at creative decisions in the comic book industry (such as choosing to dress Nightwing, formerly Robin, in dark colors to make him less of a target but exposing some of his chest to appeal to female fans, now that his legs are covered). Very highly recommended reading for all Teen Titan fans.


The Cookbook Shelf

Santa Fe Kitchens
Ancient City Press/Gibbs Smith
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
1423600185 $24.95 1-800-748-5439

Developed by The Museum of New Mexico Foundation Members and Friends, Santa Fe Kitchens: Delicious Recipes From The Southwest is a cookbook of over 300 mouth-watering dishes from a variety of accomplished Santa Fe chefs, including the proprietors of Coyote Cafe, El Farol, Harry's Roadhouse, Jinja Cafe, and many more. Sample recipes include such culinary delights as Chile Cheese Cookies, Pasta Fiesta Salad, Chicken Santa Fe, and Pinon Nut Cookies. Illustrated with vintage photographs and artworks centered around the seasonal beauty of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Kitchens is truly a "best-of-the-best" recipe book showcasing the highest talents of the local professionals, and reflecting a measure of the zest of the city itself.

Offerings From The Oven
Wendy Louise & MaryAnn Koopmann
Champion Press
765 Main Street, Belgium, WI 53004
www.championpress.com
1932783911 $16.00 1-877-250-3354

Experienced cooks Wendy Louise and MaryAnn Koopmann present Offerings From The Oven, a cookbook devoted especially to oven-based dishes. In addition to recipes such as Alicia's Baked Chop Suey, Mediterranean Zucchini Bake, and Peach Coffee Cake, Offerings From The Oven features a baker's dozen of oven tips and "Conversations with the Cook" comments for every dish, such as "To easily peel peaches, dip in scalding water for 30 seconds, then plunge into ice water. Skins will peel right off." A sumptuous repast of taste-tested dishes and practical advice, enthusiastically recommended.

Inn On The Twenty
Anna Olson and Michael Olson, authors
Whitecap Books, Ltd.
351 Lynn Avenue, North Vancouver, BC, Canada, V7J 2C4
www.whitecap.ca
155285518X $24.95 1-888-980-9852

Splendidly illustrated with fabulously beautiful black-and-white and color photography throughout, Inn on the Twenty is a cookbook compilation of the best dishes of Inn on the Twenty, a Canadian winery restaurant that specializes in creating feasts from the best of Niagara's bounty. Featuring scrumptious recipes such as Yellow Gazpacho with Tomato Granita, Saute of Pork Tenderloin, Genoise Sponge Cake, and more. Notes written in a friendly conversational tone add a relaxing touch and the occasional cooking tip to the medley of taste-tested quality dishes.

Mennonite Community Cookbook
Mary Emma Showalter, author
Herald Press
616 Walnut Avenue, Scottdale, PA 15683
www.heraldpress.com
0836113934 $20.95 1-800-759-4447

The Mennonite Community Cookbook is a major compilation of eleven hundred recipes drawn from Mennonite cookbooks and updated with standard measurements and directions but otherwise unaltered. These simple yet flavorful dishes were contributed by Mennonite families all over the United States and Canada, and include such offerings as Old-Fashioned Bean Soup, Salmon Roll with Egg Sauce, Toasted Spice Cake, and Baked Stuffed Turnips. Each recipe is quite short, yet the instructions are crystal clear and easy for cooks of all skill and experience levels to follow. The Mennonite Community Cookbook is a simply superb repository of old country flavor and culinary creations that have weathered the test of time.


The Gardening Shelf

Shade
Keith Wiley
Timber Press
133 S.W. Second Avenue, Suite 450, Portland OR 97204-3527
www.timberpress.com
0881927554 $29.95 1-800-327-5680

Award-winning gardening expert Keith Wiley presents Shade: Planting Solutions For Shady Gardens, a gorgeous "how-to" book that reveals creative uses of shade in gardens to grow carpets of wild woodland flowers and other shade-loving plants. Chapters cover practical issues affecting the preparation of and planting for a shade garden, hard landscaping, incorporating vertical elements, and a catalog of plant life suited to shady gardens. Stunning full-color photography illustrates the uses to which shade can be put, and the beauty of the flowers that thrive in shade. In addition to being a solid instructional, Shade: Planting Solutions For Shady Gardens is truly captivating simply to page through.

Water Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens
Meredith Books
1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50336
www.meredithbooks.com
0696225565 $19.95 1-800-678-8091

Water Gardens: Pools, Streams & Fountains Is A Better Homes And Gardens how-to manual packed with all the reader needs to know about adding a water feature to one's garden. Chapters cover how to design and plan a water feature, including choosing the right materials and arranging a proper water source, electrical source, and usage of pumps; constructing an indoor or outdoor water garden; enhancing a water garden with seating, paths, decks, lighting, or other features; maintaining a water garden; ideal plants and animals for a water garden, and much more. Methodical instructions and full-color photographs on every page make Water Gardens simplicity itself to use. Highly recommended for anyone interested in adding a water garden to their home.

Midwest Home Landscaping Including Southern Canada
Roger Holmes & Rita Buchanan
Creative Homeowner
24 Park Way, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
www.creativehomeowner.com
1580112560 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Written by the founding editor of "Gardening" magazine Roger Holmes and award-winning author Rita Buchanan, and now in a new and expanded edition featuring information on more plants and additional suggested designs, Midwest Home Landscaping Including Southern Canada is a comprehensive guide to making one's home landscape more attractive and functional. Chapters address how to skillfully plan a design for one's yard, how to organize one's project and perform tasks ranging from clearing the site to fences and trellises to the planting process, and profiles of a variety of landscaping plants ideal for homes situated in the upper Midwest and Southern Canada. Step-by-step instructions and full-color photography and diagrams walk the reader through each task, and the text covers both ideas for selecting and coordinating themes as well as practical nitty-gritty details. Midwest Home Landscaping is a first-rate, comprehensive resource for homeowners of all background, regardless of past experience in gardening or landscaping.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Nagarjuna's Letter To A Friend
Nagarjuna
Kangyur Rinpoche, commentary
Snow Lion Publications
PO Box 6483, Ithaca, New York 14851
1559392274 $22.95 1-800-950-0313

Skillfully translated into English by Padmakara Translation Group, Nagarjuna's Letter To A Friend is an outline of the fundamental principles of Mahayana Buddhism as penned in the form of a poem by the Indian Buddhist master Nagarjuna (1st-2nd century A.D.) to a South Indian King. Now a classic of Indian Buddhist literature, Nagarjuna's Letter To A Friend has only 123 verses yet covers the whole of the Mahayana path, in which followers strive for Buddhahood for the sake of all beings, and offers a practical approach to daily conduct alongside a theological discussion of the different stages leading to enlightenment. Kangyur Rinpoche offers a commentary that sheds light on the more technical or mystifying aspects of Nagarjuna's poem, offering full explanations of difficult concepts. A structural outline and Tibetan line index allow reader to quickly locate quotes used in other Tibetan works; notes and a glossary round out this "must-read" text for serious-minded students and practitioners of Mahayana Buddhism.

There are protections that a democracy has to prevent itself from collapsing due to corruption from within. An informed electorate, a literate populace, and a culture that prizes truth over deceit, patriotism over profits, and respect for the civil rights of those with whom we disagree.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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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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