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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 15, Number 1 January 2005 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Business Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Language Studies Shelf Metaphysical Shelf
Art Shelf Musicbook Shelf American History Shelf
Computer Shelf Gardening Shelf Biography Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Jobs/Careers Shelf Science Shelf
Travel Shelf Nautical Shelf Literary Shelf
Library Video/DVD Shelf Library CD Music Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Cookbook Shelf World History Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Environmental Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Fiction Shelf
Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Automotive Shelf Sports Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf
Railroading Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Philosophy Shelf Military Shelf Library Science Shelf
Hunting/Fishing Shelf Economics Shelf Photography Shelf
Native American Shelf Architecture Shelf International Studies Shelf
Money/Finance Shelf Martial Arts Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf
Poetry Shelf Gaming Shelf Parenting Shelf
Real Estate Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

The First Idea
Stanley I. Greenspan & Stuart G. Shanker
DaCapo Press
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
0738206806 $25.00 1-800-242-7737

How did symbols, language and information evolve from primates to modern humans? In The First Idea: How Symbols, Language, And Intelligence Evolved From Our Primate Ancestors To Modern Humans, collaborative co-authors Stanley I. Greenspan and Stuart G. Shanker move beyond the nature/nurture debate to provide a new theory of human development: that the critical step in symbol formation, language and thinking isn't genetic, but a learned capacity dependent on nurturing interactions and cultural practices passed down between generations. Evidence from their own research and collaborations with others provide the backbone of a fascinating discourse.

The Biology Of Transcendence
Joseph Chilton Pearce
Park Street/Inner Traditions
One Park St., Rochester, VT 05767
1594770166 $16.95 1-800-246-8648

It's unusual to see a survey of spiritual transcendence so linked to science that it earns a place of respect in the spheres of science, health, and metaphysics. Joseph Chilton Pearce's The Biology Of Transcendence: A Blueprint Of The Human Spirit is just such a title, deftly examining the current biological roots of neural facilities to consider how humans can transcend current evolutionary capacities and limitations. Studies profile the four neural centers of the brain and explore the science of neurocardiology to explore a newly discovered fifth center located in the heart. The Biology Of Transcendence is an intriguing survey of intellect and biology emerges.

Gone But Not Forgotten
Elizabeth McLachlan
NeWest Press
201-8540-109 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1E6
1896300766 $19.95 newestpress.com

Gone But Not Forgotten is the true story of the history and modern disappearance of a daily facet of prairie agriculture and daily life. The simple wooden grain elevator functioned not only as a practical tool, but as a symbol of prosperity and stability for over a century. Black-and-white photographs illustrate the story of the grain elevator's widespread use, innovations to make it more effective, and its decline as agribusiness changed the way food is grown . A wistful and warmly written contribution to agarian memory and heritage, accurately commemorating the role of a once indispensible tool for small farmers.

The Maecenas And The Madrigalist
Anthony M. Cummings
American Philosophical Society
104 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3387
0871692538 $50.00 www.amphilsoc.org

The Maecenas And The Madrigalist: Patrons, Patronage, And The Origins Of The Italian Madrigal is an in-depth, scholarly history of the madrigal, a secular musical genre originating in early sixteenth-century Florence. Connecting the musical heritage of informal Florentine institutions and the aspects of patronage to the evolution of the madrigal, The Maecenas And The Madrigalist closely examines numerous madrigal excerpts (written in full music notation) and dissects history and art with college-level scrutiny. Black-and-white photographs enhance this original and academically invaluable, if somewhat technical, contribution to the study which is most especially recommended for university library Music History reference collections.

Horsing Around In Wisconsin
Anne M. Connor
Trails Media Group
PO Box 317, Black Earth, WI 53515-0317
www.trailsbooks.com
1931599386 $18.95 1-800-236-8088

Professional writer and rider of 33 years' experience in the saddle Anne Connor presents Horsing Around In Wisconsin: The State's Best Stables, Barns, And Trails For Lessons And Training, a straightforward guide to anyone looking to discover the joy of horseback riding in Wisconsin, whether as an adult or a parent seeking to teach a child. Filled with information on 260 stables and barns suitable for boarding and renting, descriptions of 85 of Wisconsin's prime horse trails, places that teach riding lessons to all ages, and much more, Horsing Around In Wisconsin is a superb resource. Maps and detailed directions to various locations, as well as descriptions and summaries of what to expect, simplify the issues of travel and what to expect before one experiences firsthand the connection between horse and rider. An excellent guide for equine enthusiasts, especially useful for those seeking to spend a vacation riding.

Wisconsin's Foundations
Gwen Schultz
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Madison, WI 53711
www.uwpress.wisc.edu
029919874X $24.95 1-800-621-2736

In Wisconsin's Foundations: A Review Of The State's Geology And Its Influence On Geography And Human Activity, Gwen Schultz (Professor Emerita of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison) shows how Wisconsin's familiar landscapes, bodies of fresh water, fertile soils, northern forests, and varied landforms are all directly related to a special set of geological processes. Professor Schultz explains how Wisconsin's landscapes came to be the way they are, how Wisconsin looked in the past, the kinds of creatures that lived in Wisconsin before the coming of human beings. Wisconsin's geologic story began more than three billion years ago and is still a work in progress. Especially commended to the attention of geology students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Wisconsin's varied landscapes, Professor Schultz's seminal work, Wisconsin Foundations, provides a reader friendly and very highly recommended introduction to it all.

The Nambuli Papers
Greg Boyd
Leaping Dog Press
PO Box 3316, San Jose, CA 95156-3316
BlueRain Films
2431 Mission St, San Francisco CA 94110
www.leapingdogpress.com
1587750139 $49.95 www.bluerain.com

The Nambuli Papers is a unique multimedia bound set of two books, a DVD, and a board game dedicated to presenting the captivating fictional story of a turn-of-the century magician Aristide Nambuli and his circus clown twin brother. A unique and engaging novel that interconnects its universe with a surrealist board game (entitled "Don't Hate the Game!"), a collection of poetry by one of the original Tide Writers (Bertrand Hebert), and a documentary film "Tidewriters: The Lost Reel" which chronicles international artiss and philosophers associated with the Tide Writers movement, including rare footage originally shot in 1957 and misplaced for forty-five years, now included in a director's cut with audio commentary recorded during a 1995 screening. Far more than a simple amalgamation of similar subjects, The Nambuli Papers is an interconnected gateway to a new and quite unusual literary gestalt and a seminal, groundbreaking herald of cohesive multimedia storytelling.

Lindbergh's Badger Days
Ann Vandenburgh
Goblin Fern Press, Inc.
3809 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705
www.GoblinFernPress.com
0972209905 $14.95 1-888-670-2665

Not many people know that the famous aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus from 1920 to 1922. Written for young readers but of interest to aviation history fans of all ages, Lindbergh's Badger Days by UW-Madison librarian Anne Vandenburgh is enhanced with historical photographs of Lindbergh on campus nicely enhancing the story of his freshman and sophomore years. Also included are sections on Lindbergh's first return to Madison in August 1927 and his acceptance of an honorary doctorate in June 1928. An Epilogue, a bibliography, a listing of photo credits, and an index conclude this slender but intriguing and unique contribution to Wisconsin History in general, and Charles Lindbergh's biography in particular.

Knowing Me, Knowing You
C. S. Manifold
To The Point Publishing
PO Box 10799, Burke, VA 22009-0799
0974836702 $11.99 CSManifold.com

Knowing Me, Knowing You: A Biography Of You And Your Loved Ones provides an ideal way to record meaningful events in life and ultimately provide a biographical legacy for future generations of a family. A consumable whose pages would be filled out recording information organized along twenty different themes, Knowing Me, Knowing You will offer a personal record of life events, accomplishments, and experiences, as well as dreams, desires, memories, beliefs, ideals, favorite things, and even politics. Knowing Me, Knowing You would be a prized keepsake for parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, and loved ones. This unique record book would even prove useful as a way to know someone, as a bonding tool, an icebreaker at family and church gatherings, but most especially for reminiscing when visiting someone special in a hospital or nursing home. Last but not least, Knowing Me, Knowing You is especially commended to the attention of those with an interest in developing genealogical family records.

Luxury Toys
Anja Llorella Oriol
Te Neues Publishing Company
16 West 22nd Street, NY, NY 10010
3823845918 $45.00 1-800-352-0305

Compiled and edited by Anja Oriol, Luxuary Toys is a beautifully illustrated, 219-page, coffee-table showcase of things that only the fabulously wealthy can afford: Gulfstream private jets, Ferretti and Wally yachts, Ferrari and Bentley cars, and more. Very little text introduces these photographic galleries, but the writings that are present are in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian. The majority of Luxury Toys is devoted entirely to vibrant, full-page color photographs and some technical specifications charts. For those who do not have millions of dollars to burn, Luxury Toys is an incredible showcase of high-priced and lavish vehicles, and the next best thing to visiting expensive auto, boat, or plane shows.

Homeland Security Assessment Manual
Donald C. Fisher
ASQ
600 North Plankinton Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3005
www.asq.org
0873896408 $60.00 1-800-248-1946

Now three years after the events of 9/11 and the despite the subsequent passage of the Homeland Security "Patriot Act" and great strides in improving domestic security, American infrastructure, facilities, organizations, and citizenry remain vulnerable and at risk. With the Homeland Security Assessment Manual: A Comprehensive Organizational Assessment Based On Baldrige Criteria, author Donald C. Fisher (Executive Director of MSQPC - The Quality Center, Memphis, Tennessee) offers a comprehensive and "hands-on" manual to assist organizations gauge their strengths and opportunities for improving and integrating security processes and defenses into their business models based on the Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria. Enhanced with an accompanying CD-ROM offers self-assessment scoring documents and questions to ask that will provide valued insights when analyzing an organization, along with Homeland Security Plan and Budget forms allowing assessment results to be transformed into a strategic plan complete with identified costs for each object, strategy, and action item, the Homeland Security Assessment Manual is an indispensable and strongly recommended acquisition for corporate and agency security reference materials collections.


The Business Shelf

Ebay Business The Smart Way
Joseph T. Sinclair
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org
0814472672 $24.95 1-800-250-5308

Many are turning to ebay business to supplement an income or create an independent business, so the second unauthorized edition of Ebay Business The Smart Way: Maximize Your Profits On The Web's #1 Auction Site will make the perfect gift for a large audience of online entrepreneurs, from housewives with a penchant for garage sales to budding businessmen. Learn how to set values, use trade shows, handle customers and orders, and more.

Small Business Legal Forms Simplified
Daniel Sitarz
Nova Publishing Company
1103 West College Street, Carbondale, IL 62901
www.novapublishing.com
0935755985 $29.95 1-800-462-6420

Now in an updated fourth edition and additionally enhanced with the inclusion of an accompany CD, Small Business Legal Forms Simplified by business attorney Daniel Sitarz is a comprehensive resource of all the legal forms needed to operate a small business in America. Valid in all 50 states and Washington DC, Small Business Legal Forms Simplified covers everything from contracts and leases to collection documents, employment contracts, sale documents, and much more. Each section of forms comes with a general introduction, though the bulk of the forms are so simple to use they speak for themselves. An accompanying CD-ROM includes all the forms (Adobe Acrobat Reader included) for easy printing, though they can be directly photocopied from the book. Small Business Legal Forms Simplified is a must-have for day-to-day situations; all the forms within are in crystal-clear English, not convoluted legalese. A "must-have" resource for any small business owner.

When In Rome Or Rio Or Riyadh
Gwyneth Olofsson
Intercultural Press
PO Box 700, Yarmouth, ME 04096-0700
www.interculturalpress.com
1931930066 $29.95 1-866-372-2665

Written by the owner of an international training and consulting company, When In Rome Or Rio Or Riyadh: Cultural Q & As For Successful Business Behavior Around The World is a comprehensive guide especially for international businesspeople, covering common cultural misunderstandings and gaffes that can plague one in nations ranging from Australia to Venezuela. From general information on how to make small talk safely and avoid common communication problems, to body language recommendations and warnings against inappropriate gestures in different nations (for example, a raised thumb is considered offensive in Australia and the Middle East), to countless case studies of problems and communication issues brought about by different cultural norms and expectations, When In Rome Or Rio Or Riyadh is not only a "must-have" resource for globetrotters but also an engrossing to lay readers curious about the sharp differences in how folks from different nations relate. Extremely accessible and down-to-earth, When In Rome Or Rio Or Riyadh explores the fascinating variety of cultural differences from an emphatically practical perspective.

Mass Affluence
Paul Nunes & Brian Johnson
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
www.HBSPress.org
1591391962 $29.95 1-800-668-6780

A collaboration between Paul F. Nunes (Executive Research Fellow at the Accenture Institute for High Performance Business in Wellesley, Massachusetts) and Brian A. Johnson (Senior Research analyst at the New York City based investment research and management firm of Sanford C. Bernstein & Company), Mass Affluence: 7 New Rules Of Marketing To Today's Consumer reveals that there is a pendulum swing in marketing from "one-to-one" customer strategies back to mass marketing. But there's a problem -- Today's more affluent but cautious consumers aren't responding to the strategies that worked with their middle-class predecessors. Mass Affluence lays out seven new rules of mass marketing specifically directed for use with the increasingly affluent populace and shows how innovative companies are implementing these novel strategies with high-end products that fill a heretofore ignored middle-ground in ordinary product categories ranging from clothing, to oral care, to house hold cleaning, and more. A ground-breaking, seminal work, Mass Affluence should be considered mandatory reading by any corporate manager charged with the responsibility of marketing his company's services or products in today's increasingly volatile, global, and competitive marketplace.

Bad Check NSF Handbook
Dennis Janovich
Washington Mercantile Publishing Co.
PO Box 37, Wauna, WA 98395
0971139016 $21.95 1-866-415-2276

Bad checks amount to many millions of dollars in annual losses for the business community. Indeed, bad checks can drive a fledgling business enterprise out of business. Covering commecial check laws of twenty states (including Wisconsin), Bad Check NSF Handbook: How to Prevent Check Fraud & Collect Non-Sufficient Funds Checks In-House is an invaluable compendium of sound, practical, and invaluable information that includes anti-check fraud guidelines and uniform commercial code merchant systems in a thoroughly "user friendly" format designed specifically for the retail business industry. Bad Check NSF Handbook includes all the legal information, photocopiable forms and instructions any small business manager needs to collect returned checks without invoking the services of a collection agency, with anti-fraud guidelines for avoiding high-risk checks to begin with. Demand notices and forms offered for use include courtesy returne check notices, notice of intent to prosecute, notice of dishonor - stop payment, promissory notes, time payment applications and more. An easy-to-use "must-have" for any entrepreneur or business owner in an time rife with deadbeats and check-kiting scofflaws, Bad Check NSF Handbook is exactly the right tool and practical resource to bring the power of the legal system on one's side.

Creating Workplace Community
Jennifer Croft, editor
Business Excellence Books
PO Box 144, Castle Rock, CO 80104
www.businessexcellencebooks.com
0974929204 $19.95

Creating Workplace Community is a compilation of ideas by experienced professionals that are directly applicable to any industry setting. Focusing on effective means to improve time management, control workplace stress, challenge one's employees without frustrating them or breaking morale, lead without being excessively dictatorial, and more, Creating Workplace Community is a positive-minded resource grounded in real-world understanding of how people get along with one another. Recommended reading especially for efficiency-conscious managers, whether in business, non-profit organizations, or volunteer activities.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

The Secrets To Living And Loving With Diabetes
Janis Roszler, et al.
Surrey Books
230 E. Ohio St, #120, Chicago, IL 60611
1572840668 $19.95 surreybooks.com

The collaborative work of Janis Roszler, William H. Polonsky, and Dr. Steven V. Edelman, The Secrets Of Living And Loving With Diabetes: Three Experts Answer Questions You've Always Wanted To Ask presents an invaluable book dedicated to helping those with diabetes to maintain emotional and loving bonds with others, as well as take an honest and positive look at diabetes in terms of what it is, the upheaval it can potentially create, and the closeness it can inspire. The intimate issues that people need to know about diabetes are revealed with humor, personal anecdotes, soul-searching questionnaires, expert advice, current medical information, easily understood research data, and skill-building exercises with respect to the importance of living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. In addition to those with diabetes, The Secrets To Living And Loving With Diabetes is also very strongly recommended reading for their loved friends, loved ones, and family members as well.

Diabetes: A Guide To Living Well
Gary Arshamm MD & Ernest Lowe
American Diabetes Association
1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311
1580402097 $14.95 www.diabetes.org

If Dr. Gary Arshamm and Ernest Lower's Diabetes: A Guide To Living Well sounds familiar, it's because it has been published to much acclaim before, and here appears in its updated, revised fourth edition to reflect changes in the rapidly-evolving world of diabetes treatment. A program of individualized self-care is advocated which teaches not only the basics of testing blood and managing meals, but how to circumvent food cravings and turn them into exercise routines. An excellent guide.

Progress Against Heart Disease
Fred C. Pampel & Seth Pauley
Praeger Publishers
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
0275981517 $39.95 www.praeger.com

In the last 35 years declining deaths from heart disease have saved over 13 million lives, with new medical treatments blending into lifestyle changes for positive results. In Progress Against Heart Disease, Fred Pampel and Seth Pauley informatively review the progress made over these years, providing readers with both a methodical history of past efforts and a documented prognosis for future battle against heart disease.

Harvard University Press
79 Garden St., Cambridge, MA 02138
1-800-448-2242 www.hup.harvard.edu

Two new additions to the The Harvard University Press Family Health Guides home health library series for non-specialist general readers provides basic instructions for families. Doctor Julie K. Silver's Chronic Pain And The Family: A New Guide (0674016661, $14.95) reviews and causes and types of chronic pain, with special focus on its family impact, issues ranging from employability to parenting and family interactions, and childbearing. It's this emphasis on the effects of chronic pain on other family members of all ages and generations, which makes Dr. Silver's guide different from the norm. Doctor Joel Stein's Stroke And The Family: A New Guide (067401667X, $17.95) focuses on the impact a stroke has on all family members; from a young woman who struggles with employment after her stroke affects her marriage to the sudden death of an elder from inherited genetic predisposition to stroke. Diagnoses and treatment options are also covered but again, it's the emphasis on family impact which makes Stroke And The Family a special recommendation.

Asprin
Diarmuid Jeffreys
Bloomsbury
175 - 5th Avenue, #300, NY, NY 10010
1582343861 $25.95 bloomsbury.com

Asprin can be used to treat both the deadliest of diseases and the most common of minor discomforts: it's one of the most amazing pills in medical history and here receives its own story which has its roots in ancient Egypt. Writer Diarmuid Jeffreys specializes in reporting and documentary programs for TV. In Aspirin: The Remarkable Story Of A Wonder Drug, Jeffreys' style lends well to general-interest audiences interested in learning about the changing history of asprin from early through modern times.

Stedman's Medical Dictionary
American Heritage Dictionaries
Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
0818428992 $27.00 1-800-225-3362

Medical library reference collections seeking an updated medical dictionary packed with the latest research should look no further than this newly revised second edition of Stedman's Medical Dictionary: it's been completely revamped to include the latest tests, diseases, treatments and medical technology and provides a jargon-free reference which assumes no prior medical background to prove useful. From biographical entries for leading scientists and physicians to charts, illustrations, and usage guidance, Stedman's Medical Dictionary is clearly a 'must' acquisition.

Robert Rose/Firefly Books Ltd.
4 Daybreak Lane, Westport, CT 06880
1-800-387-5085 www.amazon.com

Three new health titles by Robert Rose provide results-oriented guides to understanding common diseases and health issues. Penny Kendall-Reed, NCS, ND and Dr. Stephen Reed's Complete Doctor's Stress Solution (0778800962, $18.95) tells how to handle stress-related problems of everyday living, from work to lifestyle challenges. Stress can be treated through diet plans, supplements, exercises, physical therapies and counseling alike: chapters cover all these options and treatment strategies, exploring options and alternatives. The same team produces Healthy Back Bible (0778800903, $18.95) using a similar set of strategies: acute back pain's symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options are reviewed with a special focus on orthopedic and naturopathic treatments and pain relief. Any who wish for back health will find Healthy Back Bible an easily-understood survey of all the treatment options. Dr. Gideon Koren's Complete Guide To Everyday Risks In Pregnancy And Breastfeeding (0778800849, $17.95) answers questions about everything from morning sickness to chemical exposures and the fetal safety rating of the most widely prescribed medications. The drug and chemical exposure sections provide extensive detail in an easily-understood chart format and are exceptional guides.

Back Pain Relief
Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming
YMAA
National Book Network, dist.
4354 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA 02131
www.ymaa.com
1594390258 $16.95 1-800-669-8892

The second edition of Ph.D. Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming's Back Pain Relief: Chinese Qigong For Healing And Prevention updates details on back pain and injuries, focusing on Chinese medicine techniques for spine problems, including Qigong exercises and herbal treatments. Qigong exercises are the heart of this guide, reviewing processes which strengthen the spine and heal injuries. Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and martial arts for years, and his approach and techniques translate very well to special body healing techniques.

Omnigraphics
615 Griswold St., Detroit, MI 48226
1-800-234-1340 www.omnigraphics.com

Omnigraphics' sourcebooks of reference information are distinguished both by their uniform red-sided hardcovers and their in-depth information which will prove particularly important for health library holdings at the college level. New books are added to the series monthly: among the latest recommendations: Joyce Brennfleck Shannon's Muscular Dystrophy Sourcebook (078080676X, $78.00), revealing the symptoms and treatment of the disorder; Amy L. Sutton's Arthritis Sourcebook (0780800670, $78.00), covering the over 100 rheumatic diseases which affect the joints and cause pain; Karen Bellenir's Genetic Disorders Sourcebook (0780807-421, $78.00), appearing in its third edition to update details on the rapidly changing world of genetic disorder treatment options; Dawn Matthews' Child Abuse Sourcebook (0780807057, $78.00), covering various forms of child abuse from physical to emotional and neglect, and discussing both short- and long-term effects; and Karen Bellenir's Contagious Diseases Sourcebook (0780807367, $78.00), surveying different types of contagious illnesses and how they spread and are controlled. Excellent references, all.

Multiple Sclerosis
Rosalind C. Kalb
Demos
386 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10016
1932603050 $39.95 www.amazon.com

The brand-new third edition of Rosalind Kalb's classic guide, Multiple Sclerosis: The Questions You Have, The Answers You Need, fully updates medical information with the latest details, covering a range of topics in a handy question-and-answer format which makes it easy to understand MS management. Each chapter also includes a list of references and recommended reading, along with a glossary of terms and resource list, making Multiple Sclerosis an important consumer's handbook with readily-accessible details for concerned non-specialist general readers.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Encyclopedia Of Animal Science
Wilson G. Pond & Alan W. Bell, editors
Marcel Dekker, Inc.
270 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10016
0824754964 $335.00 www.dekker.com

Collaboratively compiled, organized, and edited by Cornell University's Department of Animal Science academicians Wilson G. Pond and Alan W. Bell, Encyclopedia Of Animal Science encompasses animal physiology; animal growth and development; animal behavior; animal reproduction and breeding; alternative approaches to animal maintenance; meat science and muscle biology; farmed animal welfare and bioethics; and food safety. Organized with quick and "reader friendly" descriptions of technologies critical to professionals in animal and food science, food production and processing, livestock manage-ment, and nutrition, Encyclopedia Of Animal Science consists of almost 300 entries ranging from adaptation and stress to zoos and aquariums. Enhanced with 100 full-color photographs, 2500 references, hundreds of figures, equations and tables, Encyclopedia Of Animal Science covers all of the new developments in genomics, transgenesis, cloning, and mathematical model constructions. With examinations of the latest studies on animal genetics, nutrition, lactation, reproductions, as well as animal biodiversity, biotechnology, environmental stability, and more, Encyclopedia Of Animal Science is an essential, core addition to any corporate, academic, or governmental agency Animal Science or Food Safety reference library collection.

Ruffing It
Mardi Richmond & Melanee L. Barash
Alpine Publications, Inc.
PO Box 7027, Loveland, CO 80537
157779009X $21.95 www.amazon.com

Ruffing It: The Complete Guide To Camping With Dogs is a straightforward guide for pet owners who are outdoor enthusiasts. From how to protect your dog from common hazards (including the importance of training one's pet not to drink from rivers or streams - they can get as sick as you can from from waterborne diseases! Instead, bring plenty of filtered water for the dog to drink too) to basic first aid, needed supplies, training for life out in the rough, and more. Black-and-white photographs and simple illustrations add a visual touch to this indispensible guide packed with advice on where to go, fun activities to do, getting along with wilderness creatures, and much more. A "must-have" for anyone looking forward to the joy of camping with a beloved pet, Ruffing It is both owner and canine friendly.

The Super Simple Guide To Housetraining
Teoti Anderson
T.F.H. Publications
1 TFH Plaza, 3rd & Union Avenue, Neptune City, NJ 07753
www.tfh.com
0793834651 $9.95 1-800-631-2188

Professional dog trainer Teoti Anderson presents The Super Simple Guide To Housetraining, a no-nonsense guide to teaching puppies and adult dogs exactly what one expects of them. Explicit instructions and full-color photographs combine in a plain-terms, easy-to-follow instructional. The Super Simple Guide To Housetraining includes straight answers to common housetraining problems and questions, such as how to housetrain a dog that tends to eliminate when one is asleep or not paying attention, how to recognize "submissive urination" and what to do about it, how to instill healthy eating habits in one's dog, and more. An absolute must-have for every dog owner - even those with well-trained dogs will want to consult The Super Simple Guide To Housetraining when various stressors (moving, getting a new kitten, etc.) induce unwanted accidents in a beloved canine companion.

The Raptor Almanac
Scott Weidensaul
The Lyons Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
www.LyonsPress.com
1592283586 $24.95 1-800-836-0510

The Raptor Almanac : A Comprehensive Guide To Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, And Vultures is a comprehensive reference to over three hundred species of diurnal birds of prey around the world, from hawks and eagles to vultures: any birder who wants more than the basic identification handbook should consider this a 'must' Author Scott Weidensaul is a lifelong raptor enthusiast and licensed bird-bander specializing in birds of prey: his title covers everything from raptor evolution and behavior to migration and environmental threats.

Captive Raptor
Richard Naisbitt & Peter Holz
Hancock House Publishers
1431 Harrison Avenue, Blaine WA 98230
www.hancockwildlife.org
088839490X $39.95 1-800-938-1114

As predatory birds, raptors a a critically important part of avian ecosystems. The collaboration of experienced and seasoned raptor experts Richard Naisbitt and Peter Holz, Captive Raptor: Management And Rehabilitation is a critically important reference work on the treatment and release of injured wild and captive raptors. Comprehensive and thoroughly "reader friendly", Captive Raptor covers the general care of raptors, raptor diets, raptor medicine, raptor aviaries, raptor behavior and training, the release of rehabilitated raptors, and monitoring released raptors. Enhanced with a wealth of useful tables, graphs and drawings on the successful methods of treating and caring for captive raptors, as well as a profusion of full color photographs throughout, Captive Raptors is an invaluable and necessary addition to personal and professional raptor management training and reference collections.

The Encyclopedia Of Animals
George McKay, et al.
University of California Press
2120 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720
0520244060 $39.95 www.ucpress.edu

If only one animal reference book were intended for a college-level or public library collection, The Encyclopedia Of Animals: A Complete Visual Guide should certainly be a strong contender. Its price tag is astonishingly affordable seeing that it packs in over 600 pages of color illustrations to accompany in-depth discussions of animal evolution, classification and biology, and it provides an encyclopedic format to make quick its survey of all animal groups - over 2,000 species. The collaborative effort of George McKay, Richard Vogt, Hugh Dingle, Fred Cooke, Stephen Hutchinson, Richard Schodde, and Noel Tait, the exceptional quality and information-packed details in The Encyclopedia Of Animals is unsurpassed and should not be missed. This is a very highly recommended top reference pick for school and community library collections.

In The Company Of Moose
Victor Van Ballenberghe
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
www.stackpolebooks.com
0811701026 $29.95 1-800-732-3669

Fans of hunting as well as fans of wildlife biology in general and moose in particular will relish Victor Van Ballenberghe's gorgeous color photos and in-depth studies of wild moose, backed by his thirty-five years in the field. Images pair well with text which describes the habitats, habits and features of wild moose in not only North America, but the forests of Europe and Asia. In The Company Of Moose is a unique, gorgeous, and highly recommended specialty book and a welcome addition to school and community library Wildlife Studies collections.


The Language Studies Shelf

The Complete Idiot's Guide To Conversational Sign Language Illustrated
Carole Lazorisak & Dawn Donohue
Alpha Books/Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Stree, New York, NY 10014
1592572553 $21.95 idiotsguides.com

The collaborative work of Carole Lazorisak (Deaf Certified Interpreter and Professional American Sign Language Teacher) and freelance sign language interpreter Dawn Donohue, The Complete Idiot's Guide To Conversational Sign Language Illustrated is the most "user friendly" instructional reference for learning American Sign Language and Signed English, as well as the basics of finger spelling and common signs used in a variety of situations ranging from simple greetings, to asking for directions, to dire emergencies. Enhanced with hundreds of photos and illustrations, the step-by-step explanations and instructions will enable the reader to make small talk through finger spelled words and key conversational signs. An ideal personal instruction manual, the accompanying DVD provides full-hand motion of every sign and phrase included in the book.

Dover Publications
31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, NY 11501
www.doverpublications.com
$11.95 each 1-800-223-3130

Two excellent 'Listen and Learn' CD packages from Dover Publications aptly pair an indexed manual with all words and phrases on the cd with two CDs packing in over 700 useful phrases in English and the language presented. Listen & Learn Spanish (0496996166) and Listen & Learn French (0486996174) each lend to easy learning at home or in the car or hotel: their portability and easy instructions make do-it-yourself language learning fun.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Pathways To Bliss
Joseph Campbell
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
www.newworldlibrary.com
1577314719 $20.00 1-800-972-6657

The late Joseph Campbell has defined myths as 'other people's religion' but also says its idea is to help individuals understand life's journey, supporting a 'path to bliss' in the process. Pathways To Bliss: Mythology And Personal Transformation considers the psychological side of myth and uses Campbell's popular lectures as a foundation for exploring life's questions, cross-cultural symbols and stories, and how myths shape and enrich daily lives. An excellent survey for the spiritually inclined and continuingly invaluabe contribution to personal and academic Metaphysical Studies collections.

Metaphysical Techniques That Really Work
Audrey Craft Davis
Blue Dolphin Publishing
PO Box 8, Nevada City, CA 95959-0008
www.bluedolphinpublishing.com
1577331281 $14.95 1-800-643-0765

Metaphysical Techniques That Really Work is a straightforward instructional for focusing one's own inner abilities to unlock spiritual and mystical potential. Techniques are described in detail for astral bi-location, numerology, energy boosting, contacting spirits of the dead, aura reading, enhancing prosperity, and so much more. Written in plain terms, Metaphysical Techniques That Really Work is readily accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds, and the tips for properly focusing one's mind to enter a receptive state are especially valuable regardless of the metaphysical field one seeks to excel in.

The Archidoxes Of Magic
Paracelsus
Ibis Press/Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
PO Box 1126, Berwick, ME 03901
0892540974 $16.95 www.amazon.com

A facsimile reprint of the original edition from the English translation of 1656, down to the somewhat uneven typeface, The Archidoxes Of Magic is a medieval occult manual and reference that includes complete sets of zodiac lames, characters, and planetary sigils. Covering alchemy, medieval magic, and some alternative healing techniques, and herbal remedies, this groundbreaking work includes an introduction by Stephen Skinner, which offers a brief biography of the Swiss physician and author Paracelsus, as well as an overview of how Paracelsus' work influenced the Western Mystery Tradition for centuries to come. A core reference for magic, alchemy or occult studies shelves.

Tarot Outside The Box
Valerie Sim
Llewellyn Publications
PO Box 64383, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383
0738702773 $12.95 llewellyn.com

Tarot Outside The Box is a guidebook written for enthusiasts of Tarot cards. Intended more for those who are already familiar with the basics of Tarot readings and seek advanced ways to apply their technique or add creative twists, Tarot Outside The Box includes how to read without a querent, interactive readins, original spreads, creative writing with the Tarot, comparative Tarot methods, combination Tarot, and much more. Diagrams and anecdotes help illustrate this marvelously clear-minded, inspirational guide.


The Art Shelf

German Expressionist Prints
Stephanie D'Alessandro, et al.
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205, Manchester, VT 05254
0944110940 $75.00 hudsonhills.com

The collaborative work of noted art scholars Stephanie D'Alessandro (Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Artist Institute of Chicago), Reinhold Heller (Professor of Art History, University of Chicago); James de Young (Senior Conservator, Milwaukee Art Museum); and art historians Kristin Makholm, Sarah B. Kirk, and Gretchen L. Wagner, German Expressionist Prints showcases German art from the 1890s to the 1930s as housed in the acclaimed Marcia and Granvil Specks Collection noted in the annals of art history for the quality and breadth of its German Expressionist holdings. Artists represented include Kathe Hollwitz, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, George Grosz, Lionel Feininger among a wide range of artists whose work spans the the years between the Second Empire and the rise of the Nazis. Included are examples of etchings, drypoints, lithographs, and woodcuts. Enhanced with informed and informative biographies of the various artists, a study of the papers used in their prints, analysis of the marks used by paper manufacturers and collectors, essays on diverse issues of visual culture and representation all deftly combined to make German Expressionist Prints an invaluable and mandatory addition to substantive personal, academic Art History reference collection.

Batik: Design, Style & History
Fiona Kerlogue
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
0500284776 $29.95 1-800-233-4830

Batik: Design, Style & History is both a history and a photographic showcase of Batik textile art of Indonesia. Perhaps most often used in brilliant shawls for women's daily wear, batik has even had styles meant to be associated with the aristocracy and are worn to this day for ceremonial occasions. In addition to full-color images of batik fabric, Batik: Design, Style & History includes some vintage black-and-white photographs of batik being worn or even created. The text spares no effort in delving into the traditions and even legends behind this unique and wonderful blend of artistic expression and practical functionality.

Rockport Publishers
33 Commercial St., Gloucester MA 01930
www.rockpub.com

Two important keys to effective logic design are recommended as basic library reference acquisitions. Adams Morioka's Logo Design Workbook: A Hands-On Guide to Creating Logos (159253032X, $40.00) provides a practical hands-on guide to creating logos based on the successes of selected firms, from AdamsMorioka Inc. in Los Angeles to Landor Associates in Tokyo. Each logo receives a color full-page display with an accompanying facing page explaining the company history, its founders, and its design search. Another exciting compilation of successful logos is The Best Of Letterhead And Logo Design (1592530303, $40.00), presented in an oversized volume which explores logo designs from international firms, nonprofit groups, and small private institutions alike; all with a variety of budgets and design needs. An outstanding collection of winning letterhead and logo achievements is produced.

Worlds Of Tomorrow
Forest J. Ackerman & Brad Linaweaver
Collectors Press, Inc.
PO Box 230986, Portland, OR 97281
www.collectorspress.com
188805493X $39.95 1-800-423-1848

Worlds Of Tomorrow: The Amazing Universe Of Science Fiction Art by renowned science fiction fan, memorabilia collector and B-movie icon Forrest J. Ackerman (with the assistance of award winning science fiction author Brad Linaweaver) is a veritable showcase of a specialized genre of art ranging from the 1920s through the 1960s and representing a generation's visual imagery of the future as depicted in science fiction magazines and books. These were pictures and images that inspired children's imagination and fueled the inventiveness of future astrophysicists, rocket scientists, university scholars. From robots and androids, to rocket ships and flying saucers, to ray guns and alien worlds, to exotic damsels in distress to gleaming cities of the future, Worlds Of Tomorrow is an impressive and highly recommended work of a specialized American Art History and 20th Century American Popular Culture that is as nostalgic to browse through as it it entertainingly informative.

Pacific Jewelry And Adornment
Roger Neich & Fuli Pereira
University of Hawai'i Press
2840 Kolowalu St., Honolulu, HI 96822
0824828828 $33.00 uhpress.hawaii.educ

Enhanced throughout with the superb color images of Auckland-based photographer Krzysztof Pfeiffer, Pacific Jewelry And Adornment is the collaborative work of Roger Neich (Curator of Ethnology, Auckland Museum and Professor of Anthropology, University of Auckland) and Fuli Pereira (Curator of the Pacific Collection, Auckland Museum). This impressively informative work of art history showcases 250 representative examples of traditional jewelry from the Pacific made from the raw materials of jade, whale tooth and bone, shark teeth, tapa, shells, and plant fibers. Insightful information is provided to the use of personal decorative items to reflect power, status and community, as well as their significance with respect to high ceremonial occasions. Drawn from the collections of the Auckland Museum, these illustrative items reflect the vast geographical areas of the Pacific from Micronesia, Papua, New Guinea, and Fiji, to Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands. Pacific Jewelry And Adornment is a strongly recommended addition to any academic or community library Oceanic Culture or Art History collection.

The Intimate Landscape
Estelle Riback
Lost Coast Press
155 Cypress St., Fort Bragg, CA 95437
www.cypresshouse.com
1882897811 $29.95 1-800-773-7782

An enthusiastically and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and academic American Art History collections, The Intimate Landscape: A New Look At The Origins Of The American Barbizon School by Estelle Riback offers an expertly informed and informative history and analysis of the work of American artists William Morris Hunt, George Inness, Homer Dodge Martin, and Alexander Helwig Wyant who were the late-nineteenth-century progenitors of what was to become known as the influential American Barbizon school of art. Breaking with previous American and European art traditions, these four original, gifted, and innovative artists opened a new movement in the development of American landscape painting, preparing the way for an eventual emergence of modern art in American salons, galleries, and popular culture.

John James Audubon
Richard Rhodes
Alfred A. Knopf
1745 Broadway, 17th fl, NY, NY 10019
www.aaknopf.com
0375414126 $30.00 1-800-726-0600

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Richard Rhodes has done it again: produced a definitive work worthy of prizes and mention as the first major biography of artist John James Audubon to appear in forty years - and the first to reveal his private and family life. Fans of the bird artist begin with Audubon's arrival in New York from France in 1803, learning about his family background and his marriage to a wellborn English girl before he journeys to frontier Kentucky to begin a new life exploring the wilderness of birds against all odds. A riveting, finely crafted survey bringing life and insight into Audubon's artistic creations, John James Audubon: The Making Of An American is an essential, core title for academic and community library American Art History collections.

Princeton University Press
41 William St., Princeton, NJ 08540
1-800-777-4726 www.pup.princeton.edu

As a young boy Jacques Henri Lartigue used photography to record his life, capturing both family and interests. His art evolved to produce a vivid set of modern images which even today is attributed more to instinctual genius than education: Kevin Moore lays this myth to rest in Jacques Henri Lartigue: The Invention Of An Artist (0691120021, $45.00), exploring Lartigue's background and the influences on his photographic interests and development as an artist. Moore's expose of Lartigue's life and family succeeds in displaying his early influences and the logical progression of his talents. Steven Henry Madoff with Nancy Milford and Edward Saywell's Christopher Wilmarth: Light And Gravity (0691113599, $49.95) is a striking collection considering the artist whose light-filled glass and steel sculptures delighted the art and architecture world, but whose life ended with his suicide at age forty-four at the peak of his career. Wilmarth's talents and creation are wonderfully captured in this first in-depth examination of his life as an artist, which uses both his works and interviews with family and friends, articles, and his own published writings to lend insights into his psyche and arts. A beautiful, notable art history title.

Taschen Publishers
6671 Sunset Blvd. #1508, Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.taschen.com www.amazon.com

Two outstanding art titles are rich in illustration and unusual art history. Max Allan Collins, George Hagenauer and Steven Heller's Men's Adventure Magazines (3822825174, $39.99) gathers extraordinary visuals from the adventure magazine holdings of the Rich Oberg collection, pairing full-page color reproductions of covers with its fine history of men's adventure magazines in postwar America. Essays focus on the history, culture and artistry of the magazines and include publisher lists and profiles of artists and writers alike. Fans of animation will relish Julius Wiedemann's Animation Now! (3822825883, $39.99), a study which includes a bonus DVD displaying examples of work, the production of commercials and trailers, and more. This is packed with profiles of almost a hundred of the world's best-known artists and studios, including an A-Z arrangement and examples and descriptions of their works, and contact information. Any involved in the world of animated art will fin d this visually packed with color: a powerful reference indeed.

Allworth Press
10 East 23rd St. #510, NY, NY 10010
1-800-491-2808 www.allworth.com

Maria Piscopo's Graphic Designer's And Illustrator's Guide To Marketing And Promotion (1581153635, $19.95) is a powerfully comprehensive guide to the field, creating an in-depth survey of its latest trends, business secrets, and how to create impressive portfolios and marketing tools. From appropriate networking strategies to creating contact campaigns, Graphic Designer's And Illustrator's Guide To Marketing And Promotion is not to be missed. Peggy Hadden's second edition of The Artist's Quest For Inspiration (1581153589, $19.95) revises the prior edition by offering several new sections on drawing inspiration from current events and by updating contacts and resources. Hadden uses a practical approach to overcoming creative blocks, from exercises to meditation: chapters cover both individual exercises and working with other artists and teachers to inspire creativity.

Frozen Music
Gil Garcetti
Balcony Press
512 E. Wilson #213, Glendale, CA 91206
189044927X $125.00 www.amazon.com

The oversized duotones of Gil Garcetti's photos in Frozen Music are presented in an oversized folio-type format to capture the innovative ironwork of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Art library collections strong in architecture and photography will find Garcetti's use of the 35mm camera astounding as it captures in black and white the lines and features of the Hall, rendering it in a medium which captures its exquisite lines and precise form.


The Musicbook Shelf

Voices Of Latin Rock
Jim McCarthy
Hal Leonard Corporation
151 W. 46th Street, 8th fl, NY, NY 10036
063408061X $24.95 halleonard.com

Voices Of Latin Rock: The People And Events That Created This Sound by Jim McCarth (leader of the band "Santana" and winner of the 2000 Grammy Award for Record of the Year with "Supernatural") provides a history of the evolutation of Santana, Malo, Azteca and other musicians that created the unique sounds of what came to be called Latin Rock. Over 800 black-and-white photographs and a color photo section illustrate this vividly written collection of exclusive interviews, biographical profiles, and historical discussion of cultural influences expressed through music. A glossary and list of resources on the World Wide Web round out this "must-have" for anyone seeking to better understand the unique confluence of individuals and creative forces behind the Latin Rock sensation.

The Electric Guitar
Andre Millard, Editor
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
www.press.jhu.edu
0801878624 $45.00 1-800-537-5487

Wondering what could possibly interest that young guitar player who has his own rock band? Interest him with Andre Millard's fascinating The Electric Guitar: A History Of An American Icon, a tribute to the careers and development of the instrument through the lives and contributions of guitar heroes like Jimi Hendrix and more. From the guitar's invention and transitions to its manufacturing, representation, and guitar differences, The Electric Guitar covers it all.

Classic Guitars
Robert Shaw & Michael Tamborrino
Pomegranate Communications, Inc.
PO Box 808022, Petaluma, CA 94975-8022
www.pomegranate.com
0764928880 $15.95 1-800-227-1428

The guitar is an versatile instrument of fundamental importance ranging from Victorian parlor music and the distinctive Hawaiian sound, to Blues, Country, Jazz, and Rock. Musician, curator and art historian Robert Shaw teams up with photographer Michael Tamborrino in Classic Guitar to provide the reader with a gorgeously illustrated exploration of sixty-five of the most important and collectible guitars of the past two centuries. Each selected and showcased guitar is accompanied by information about its creators and its historical significance in the history of music. Acoustic and electric guitars by Martin, Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, and other legendary companies are presented, along with masterpieces of the guitar maker's art by such truly legendary luthiers as James D'Aquisto, Elmer Stromberge, and John Monteleone. A very highly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Music History collections, Classic Guitars is impressively enhanced with an impressively informed and informative introduction concisely describing the guitar's quite lengthy evolution as well as the twentieth-century explosion of creativity that has resulted in hundreds of outstanding American luthiers and the production of millions of guitars worldwide.

Queen
Nadine Chodas
Pantheon
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com
0375421483 $28.50 1-800-726-0600

Born Ruth Lee Jones in 1924 in Alabama, singer Dinah Washington's family moved to Chicago where she became a local gospel star at fifteen - but she didn't stop there. When she was discovered by Lionel Hampton at eighteen, Dinah made her way to New York's Apollo Theatre and became a legend. Queen: The Life And Music Of Dinah Washington reviews her life and music, delving into her high and low moments alike. A fine insider's guide to the real Dinah.

Keys To The Rain
Oliver Trager
Billboard Books
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
www.watsonguptill.com
0823079740 $29.95 1-800-451-1741

Another Bob Dylan book? Yes, and what makes Keys To The Rain: The Definitive Bob Dylan Encyclopedia a more 'definitive' encyclopedic guide than others is its descriptions of all 44 of his officially released albums including collaborative efforts, entries on over 700 songs he's recorded or performed over the length of his career, and biographical sketches of all musicians, songwriters and others associated with any of his projects, including film. And if that isn't enough entries include track lists, musician lists, critical analysis, serial number info for all formats including cassette, and background history. It doesn't get any better - or more 'definitive' - than this.

Routledge
270 Madison Ave., NY, NY 10016
1-800-634-7064 www.routledge.com

Three excellent music titles are recommended picks. Alyn Shipton's Handful Of Keys: Conversations With Thirty Jazz Pianists (0415972574, $24.95) offers conversations with thirty jazz pianists, bringing together musicians from bebop to modern times who have contributed to jazz piano history. These aren't just biographical sketches, though they do reveal the life stories of these legendary performers: they probe technique and how unique playing styles were developed and include interviews with Dave Brubeck, Alice Coltraine, Chick Corea and many more. Christopher J. Washburne and Maiken Derno's Bad Music: The Music We Love To Hate (0415943663, $24.95) provides essays which examine different musical forms and performers with an eye to revealing how 'good' and 'bad' music has changed over the years. Insights on music criticism and pieces which provoke resistance and controversy provide some intriguing glimpses into musical discovery. Murray Forman and Mark Anthony Neal edit That's the Joint! The Hip-Hop Studies Reader (0415969190, $35.00), a hiphop studies reader by a hip-hop scholar and culture critic. Some of the most influential writings on rap and hiphop, from its early beginnings as a protest style to modern mainstream appeal, are gathered in a survey of almost twenty-five years of scholarship and writing. Much more than a casual survey, this is a recommended pick for college-level collections as well as general-interest music libraries.

Machers And Rockers
Rich Cohen
W.W. Norton
500 - Fifth Ave., New York NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com
039305280X $22.95 1-800-233-4830

Avid followers of popular music will readily understand the importance of Chess Records in the early to modern business of rock and roll production, and won't want to miss Rich Cohen's Machers And Rockers: Chess Records And The Business Of Rock & Roll, an excellent survey of the two immigrants who changed the course of musical history by recording such artists as Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry. Cohen's lively coverage tells how Chess rose to become a multi-billion-dollar business, aggressively marketing artists and riding the rock and roll wave.

Broadway: The American Musical
Michael Kantor & Laurence Maslon
Bulfinch Press
1271 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10020
www.bulfinchpress.com
0821229052 $60.00 1-800-759-0190

Plenty of books have been written on Broadway history and productions before: so what makes Michael Kantor and Laurence Maslon's Broadway: The American Musical stand out? Perhaps it's the in-depth color illustration packed into every page of this coverage of Broadway's musical heritage and history, or the analysis of Broadway's influence as a cultural force through the decades. Or maybe it's the inclusion of not only Broadway show photos but posters, music covers, production stills and rehearsal shots. Or maybe it's the narratives and handy sidebars highlighting the major stars. All these factors earn Broadway: The American Musical an important role as the companion volume to the six-part PBS series of the same name. All of this sets the volume high above competitors.

Live At The Apollo
Douglas Wolk
Continuum Publishing
PO Box 1321, Harrisburg, PA 17105
www.continuumbooks.com
0826415725 $9.95 1-800-561-7704

Fans of James Brown will find Douglas Wolk's slim but hard-hitting classic, Live At The Apollo: 33 1/3, brings to life Brown's performance in 1962, piecing together what took place, what was recorded that night, and Brown's musical heritage and contributions as a whole. Live At The Apollo recommended pick for any avid fan of Brown and a welcome contribution to 20th Century American Music History collections.

Art Of The Piano
David Dubal
Amadeus Press
512 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
www.amadeuspress.com
1574670883 $34.95 www.amazon.com

If David Dubal's The Art Of The Piano: Its Performers, Literature And Recordings Sounds Familiar, It Should: Revised and expanded this is the second edition of a popular classic and has been extensively revised and expanded, including a cd of rare piano recordings as it details performers, literature, and recordings key to the piano. Individual chapters provide an encyclopedic A-Z reference of performers and recordings and provide not just biographical coverages, but in-depth insights.

Gene Vincent
Mick Farren
Dufour Editions Inc.
Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
1904316379 $24.95 1-800-869-5677

Gene Vincent was the legendary bad-boy of rock: his early records were banned and censored, his shows incited riots, he wrecked hotel rooms, and he was a boozer and drug addict before these conditions were popular among musicians. Author and biographer Mick Farren was an underground newspaper correspondent and is in the perfect place to write up Vincent's life. A full discography and recording session information accompanies Mick Farren's impressive biographical sketch, Gene Vincent: There's One In Every Town, and makes it "must reading" for Gene Vincent fans.


The American History Shelf

Reassessing The Reagan Presidency
Richard S. Conley, editor
University Press of America, Inc.
4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706
www.univpress.com
0761824839 $43.00 1-800-462-6420

Reassessing The Reagan Presidency is a compilation of scholarly history and political science essays by various authors concerned with objectively appraising the deeds and repercussions of the Regan Administration. Chapters address the international effects of the Regan Revolution and conservative backlashes against the welfare state worldwide, a comparison of the veto records of Regan and George Bush, Regan's decision-making style compared to Franklin Roosevelt, and much more. A scholarly and serious assessment that is concerned about facts, statistics, and rational conclusions to be drawn rather than partisan hype.

The Presidents Fact Book
Roger Matuz, Edited by Bill Harris
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
151 West 19th St, New York, NY 10011
1579123899 $24.95 1-800-722-7202

The price tag for The Presidents Fact Book: A Comprehensive Handbook To The Achievements, Events, People, Triumphs, And Tragedies Of Every President From George Washington To George W. Bush is a bargain for a weighty, sweeping survey of American presidential biographies as presented by Roger Matuz in over 700 pages of detail: any high school, college or general public library collection with an interest in Presidential history and biographies will appreciate this review of the lives and times of all the nation's presidents. Included are not only biographical sketches, but boxed details on key historical figures of their times, first ladies, and lesser-known presidential facts.

Boricuas In Gotham
Gabriel Haslip-Viera, et al.
Markus Wiener Publishing
231 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542
1558763562 $24.95 markuswiener.com

Collaboratively compiled and edited by the team of Gabriel Haslip-Viera (Director of the Program in Latin American and Latino Studies, City College, CUNY), Angelo Falcon (Senior Policy Executive for the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund), and Felix Matos Rodriguez (Director of the Center for Puerto Rican Policy, Hunter College), Boricuas In Gotham: Puerto Ricans In The Making Of Modern New York City anthologizes essays reinterpreting and updating the history of New York's Puerto Rican community and its leadership from the beginnings of the great migration in the 1940s down to the present day. Organized in chronological order and including chapters by noted historians, sociologists, and political scientists, Boricuas In Gotham covers diverse issues of culture, demography, language, economic status, politics, and community organization. Also available in a hardcover edition (1558763554, $69.95), Boricuas In Gotham is a seminal work of impressive scholarship and a welcome contribution to Latino Studies supplemental reading lists as well as 20th Century American History reference collections.

Zydeco Shoes
Earl Hebert, et.al.
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053
www.pelicanpub.com
1589802462 $39.95 1-800-843-1724

Enthusiasts of Louisiana and Zydeco art, folk culture, and music will find it all in one gift-appropriate package in Zydeco Shoes: A Sensory Tour Of Cajun Culture, a gorgeous package blending an oversized art book blending Cajun art with recipes and descriptions of Cajun culture to a cd by The Lucky Playboys, Plus D'chance-que D'l Esprit (More Luck Than Sense). The oversized presentation and striking arrangement juxtaposing art works with recipes, cultural insights and music assures recipients receive a full taste of Zydeco culture.

The Jews Of The United States
Hasia R. Diner
University of California Press
2120 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720
0520227735 $29.95 www.ucpress.edu

Jews have long tried to entwine their fate and fortunes with the U.S. and this history of the Jews in this country begins in 1654 with the first wave of Jewish immigrants and continues to modern times. In The Jews Of The United States, 1654 To 2000 (the newest title in the outstanding "Jewish Communities in the Modern World" series from the University of California Press) Hasia Diner focuses on Jewish participation in and contributions to American history and politics, considers the blends of Jewish and American culture which have resulted from centuries of assimilation, and analyzes the structure of modern Jewish communities and institutions. An excellent, comprehensive history for any college-level Jewish studies collection.


The Computer Shelf

Shader X3
Wolfgang Engel
Charles River Media
10 Downer Ave, #3, Hingham, MA 02043
www.charlesriver.com
1584503572 $59.99 1-800-382-8505

Shader X3: Advanced Rendering With DirectX And Open GL compiled, organized, and deftly edited by Wolfgang Engle (Senior Special FX Engineer at Wings Simulations) is packed from cover to cover with 630-pages of insightful new techniques, innovative approaches to common problems, as well as practical tools and tricks that will help in all areas of shader programming. All of the articles comprising Shader X3 evolved from the the working experiences of industry professionals, and all of the sections were expertly edited by shader programming experts. This comprehensive collection of ready-to-use techniques will enable even the most novice programmer to get up to speed quickly, and the more experienced programmers will find a wealth of insights and techniques to improve efficiency and avoid redundancies. Shader X3 is an essential, "user friendly", and highly recommended instructional reference for shader programmers.

The Web Library
Nicholas G. Tomaiuolo
CyberAge Books
c/o Information Today, Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055
www.infotoday.com
0910965676 $29.95 1-800-300-9868

Edited by Barbara Quint and with a Foreword by Steve Coffman, The Web Library: Building A World Class Personal Library With Free Web Resources by Nicholas G. Tomaiuolo reveals just how anybody with a personal computer can create their own tailor-made personal library on just about any subject or area of interest utilizing websites that are freely accessed at no cost or fee. There is an incredible enormous amounts of data, documents and images that, following the "user friendly" instructions so accessible laid out in the pages of The Web Library, will enable even the most novice of computer users to create personal collections that would rival most "brick & mortar" libraries. Enthusiastically recommended and enhanced with a profusion of website addresses, techniques for locating and then collecting new content as the web continues to evolve and expand, The Web Library will enable the reader to begin immediately to secure and shape their own information databases and information linkage systems.

Audio Anecdotes II
Ken Greenebaum & Ronen Barzel, editors
A. K. Peters Ltd.
888 Worcester St., Wellesley, MA 02482
1568812140 $65.00 www.akpeters.com

Professonally compiled and deftly co-edited by the team of Ken Greenebaum and Ronen Barzel, Audio Anecdotes II: Tools, Tips, And Techniques For Digital Audio is a handy manual of tips, tricks, and techniques especially for professionals in the digital audio field. Volume two includes a variety of articles by expert authors concerning field recording, signal processing and filters, spatialization, computer techniques such as wrapped I/O and the ring buffer FIFO queue, music theory, sound design, and more. A glossary of audio terms will help those new to the lingo understand the more advanced essays, an index allows for quick and easy research, and an enclosed CD-ROm features demos, source code, and examples. A superb reference, resource, and research tool highly recommended for anyone applying digital sound to computer-created projects, including musicians, game developers, and software producers, Audio Anecdotes II combines expert knowledge and analysis with a straightfoward instructional style for effective communication.

Windows Linux Migration Toolkit
David Allen, et al.
Syngress Publishing
800 Hingham St, Rockland, MA 02370
1931836396 $49.95 www.syngress.com

Windows Linux Migration Toolkit is a fundamental instructional guide to installing and operating Linux by migrating from a Windows platform to any Linux variant. Covering Windows 95, 98, 98SE and ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and all Linux distributors, Windows Linux Migration Toolkit covers everything systems administrators need to know to make the big operating system switch. From planning one's migration effectively to understanding Windows and Linux authentication, integrating anti-spam and anti-virus services, the basics of Linux file systems and much more, Windows Linux Migration Toolkit is a solid question-and-answer resource and a must-have for anyone preparing the transition. An accompanying CD-ROM includes special utilities and migration scripts to automate the tasks. Screenshots, diagrams, and step-by-step walkthroughts make Windows Linux Migration Toolkit easy-to-follow and useful for troubleshooting.

Home Networking
Brian Underdahl
Cisco Press
800 E. 96th St., Indianapolis, IN 46240
1587201275 $24.95 ciscopress.com

It's easy to set up a home network system - easy if you have Brian Underdahl's Home Networking: A Visual Do-It-Yourself Guide at hand. Underdahl takes the mystery out of creating a home networking system, whether it be for entertainment or business purposes. From the basics of understanding wired network hardware to wireless options, software configuration, and router broadcast settings, Home Networking uses sample screens, step-by-step proven methods, and simple tips. Advice on how to make a network secure and how to troubleshoot common problems makes Home Networking simply invaluable.

O'Reilly Books
1005 Gravenstein Hwy N., Sebastapol, CA 95472
www.oreilly.com

O'Reilly's computer books are most often recommended for intermediate and advanced level programmers and web administrators, offering practical real-world applications, combined with troubleshooting advice, as well as fundamental introductions filled with the meat of viable applications and scenarios. David Bourg and Glenn Seemann's AI For Game Developers (0596005555, $39.95), for example, explores the world of advanced artificial intelligence (AD) game techniques for programmers. While the book is supposed to be of interest to beginners too, it's the advanced game programmer who will find AI For Game Developers to be especially essential in creating solutions to common gaming problems. Scott Oaks and Henry Wong's Java Threads (0596007825, $39.95) appears in its third updated edition to cover the 'threads' essential to Java programming. Java programmers will already know about these threads - but will they know how to use them most effectively? This new edition shows how to take advantage of Java's threading facilities, providing a review of the changes in Java 2 Standard Edition Version 5.0, and using a step-by-step approach to threads programming. David Pogue's Ilife 04 (0596006-942, $29.95) is a very specialized Macintosh guide to the iLife package bundling its basic software packages iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes, iDVD and GarageBand into one collection. Ilife 04 covers all five programs, from organizing a music collection in iTunes to distributing movies and photos at a higher quality than tape or QuickTime movies using iDVD. Speaking of GarageBand, if it's an in-depth manual you seek, David Pogue also produces a stand-alone guide to Version 1.1 in Garageband: The Missing Manual (0596006-950, $19.95). One of the 'magic five of the Mac package, GarageBand deserves its own book, which author Pogue has recognized: chapters cover all the fundamentals on song building, orchestration, and GarageBand's plug-in programs. From locating new loops and making a single to exporting to iTunes and burning cds, Garageband is the rference of choice.

No Starch Press
555 DeHaro #250, San Francisco CA 94107
www.nostarch.com

These exciting new computer titles are highly recommended picks. Randall Hyde's Write Great Code Volume 1: Understanding The Machine (1593270038, $39.95) provides the first volume in a projected 'Write Great Code' series, presenting a basic introduction to how the computer system represents numbers, strings, and data structures and how the code-writer can best take advantage of this organization to produce superior code. Explanations range from how the CPU operates to how I/O devices work, with each coverage exploring how superior coding can enhance these operations. Leander Kahney's The Cult Of Mac (1886411832, $39.95) covers the 'hidden world of the Mac' computer addict, exploring those who are fans of the Apple, users who would never touch a PC, and 'Macheads' who are so cultish they will tattoo Macs onto their bodies and attend conventions all over the world. An intriguing, lively discourse, Cult Of Mac is a recommended pick for any Mac fan with more than a casual affection for his machine. Wallace Wang's Steal This File Sharing Book (159327050X, $19.95) addresses the issues of file sharing and using file sharing networks safely. There's a lot of free material available online, from music and movies to books and even porno but how to find it, and how to avoid installing a virus or spyware in the process? Steal This File Sharing Book surveys everything from file sharing networks, newsgroups, websites and IRC to protecting computers and security. An essential 'bible' for any avid file-sharer. Michael W. Lucas' Cisco Routers For The Desperate (1593270496, $19.95) tells how to work with Cisco routers, imparting the basics of using Cisco routers and teaching the foundations of troubleshooting, maintenance and integration.

Effective Enterprise Java
Ted Neward
Addison-Wesley
75 Arlington Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02116
www.awprofessional.com
0321130006 $44.95 1-800-428-5331

Want to build better Java enterprise applications and work more efficiently? Ted Neward is a software architect and presenter who has consulted for Pac Bell, Intuit and other large companies: his thoroughly "user friendly" instructional guide Effective Enterprise Java covers everything from using local storage to avoid the network to using Web services for open integration, and pre-generating content to streamline processing. An in-depth developer's resource: Very highly recommended for personal and professional Java reference collections.

The Photoshop And Painter Artist Tablet Book
Cher Threinen-Pendarvis
Peachpit Press
1249 - 8th St., Berkeley, Ca 94710
www.peachpit.com
0321168917 $44.99 1-800-283-9444

Artists who regularly use digital media will find Artist Tablet Book essential: it reviews the tools of digital media, provides real-life projects and art-in-progress to demonstrate how to use Photoshop and Painter with pressure-sensitive tablets for optimum results, and uses these projects as a foundation for instruction on creating tonal and contour drawings, simulating the results of canvas and paper, and using a stylus to get the most of Painter and Photoshop's brushes. Packed with color examples for ongoing reference throughout, Artist Tablet Book is a highly recommended 'must' for any serious computer artist.

Que Publishing
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96h Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
1-800-428-5331 www.mcp.com

Three outstanding new titles from Que Publishing are both "user friendly' for the novice while having a great deal of practical value for even those more experienced in our rapidly evolving electronic culture. Leo Laporte's 2005 Technology Almanac (0789733196, $29.99, 512 pages) by Leo Laporte & Michael Miller is a very highly recommended instructional reference compilation of all-new material that includes a broad swath of consumer technologies, including PCs, Macs, Linux boxes, PVRs (TiVo), MP3 players, cell phones, Pocket PCs, laptops, and GPS units. The collaborative work of Shelly Brisbin & Mark Rosenthal, MacAddict Guide to Living the iLife (07879731916, $29.99, 288 pages) provides a visually reinforced descriptive explaination each application's basic features, then goes beyond the basics to show hidden features and timesaving shortcuts. Of particular value to the medical community is Microsoft Office 2003 For Healthcare by Ahmad Hashem M.D. (0789732-114, $29.99, 608 pages). This helpful, step-by-step guide features easy-to-read directions on how to create patient charts, billing procedures and more.

Sams Publishing
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96h Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
1-800-428-5331 www.mcp.com

Two new and enthusiatically recommended titles from Sams Publishing are ideal, comprehensive, core additions to to any personal or profesional computer reference shelf. Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded fifth edition, Stephen Prata's C Primer Plus (0672326965, $49.99, 984 pages) offers complete C programming coverage with task-oriented examples to teach students the fundamentals of C programming. This up-to-date edition, complete with new exercises and updated examples, covers the latest and most useful C language enhancements. Sams Teach Yourself Red Hat Desktop All In One (0672327074, $39.99, 792 pages) by Aron Hsiao provides a clear, step-by-step tutorial that will help novice users to get their systems installed and configured in no time. Do-it-yourself readers will also receive instructions on using OpenOffice.org, working with Linux Internet browsing applications and troubleshooting hardware issues.

Pearson Education
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
www.phptr.com

If it's Linux you wish to learn and use, choose the DVD-book combo by Robin Roblimo Miller Point & Click Lunux! (0131488724, $29.99): Linux expert Miller includes bootable Linux software on cd and reboots to Linux with no formatting, along with a book which provides visual cues to navigating Linux and creating MS Office-compatible documents. An excellent key to making the most of Linux on a Windows-based system. Core members of the Linux Standard Base Team work as a team in publishing Building Applications With The Linux Standard Base (0131456954, $44.99). Written by the team that created LSB, Building Applications is a developer's bible of creating, testing and certifying software for LSB 2.0 compliance, providing a practical applications-oriented approach allowing users to understanding how to write portable Linux applications.


The Gardening Shelf

Timber Press
133 SW Second Avenue, Suite 450, Portland, OR 97204-3527
1-800-327-5680 www.timberpress.com

Veronica Read's Hippeastrum (0881926-396, $34.95) provides an in-depth and technical reference to what is commonly known by gardeners as amaryllis, a popular indoor and outdoor flowering plant with eye-catching large blossoms. Read has spent 10 years perfecting the art of growing Hippeastrum and shares her advice and tips along with plant descriptions and step-by-step instructions. All levels of gardener will welcome Jim Rolfe and Yvonne Cave's Camellias (0881925772, $19.95), a practical guide to gardening with camellias which ranges from suggestions on incorporating them into a landscape to details on pests, propagating and the many species and cultivars available. Both of these superb technical gardening references are highly recommended additions to personal and professional collections.


The Biography Shelf

Florence Nightingale's European Travels
Lynn McDonald, editor
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
0889204519 $100.00 wlupress.wlu.ca

Volume 7 of "The Collected Works of Florence Nightingale" series, Florence Nightingale's European Travels is a compilation of the famous nurse's correspondence and a few short published articles from the European travels of her youth. From visiting nations as a teenager with her family, to observing political changes in Italy and France, to her first nursing experience, her travels set the stage for her often brilliant letters that fully reveal her courage, faith, professionalism and ideals. Many of the writings in this outstanding series have never before been published; now, for the first time they are available to any and all interested in researching the perspective, experiences, and character of a legend. Highly recommended for libraries and reference or biography shelves.

Putting the World Together
Elisabeth Reuther Dickmeyer
LivingForce Publishing
PO Box 564, Lake Orion, MI 48361
www.puttingtheworldtogether.com
0975379216 $20.00

Putting The World Together My Father Walter Reuther: The Liberal Warrior is the true story of a legendary American labor leader, as told by his daughter. Walter Reuther's determination to promote unionization helped bring about the American middle class, and the benefits packages that workers today take for granted, including health care and pensions. For his tireless work, he survived an assassination attempt that was never solved, and died with his wife in a plane crash that may or may not have been the result of sabotage. Putting The World Together is a remarkable story, touching upon the contributions of all three Reuther Brothers in their efforts to revolutionize the workplace but colored with the emotion of filial love.

Most Of My Life Has Been About Waiting
T. N. McGill
Vantage Press Inc.
419 Park Avenue South, 18th floor, New York, NY 10016
0533148669 $13.95 1-212-736-1767

Most Of My Life Has Been About Waiting is the personal story of Peter Ballou, a seminary student, priest, married man, and dedicated teacher. It follows his life during long years of training to become a churchman, the loneliness of seminary life, homesickness, and his aghast reaction to church scandals and cover-ups. Eventually he breaks away from a life course that threatens to drive him mad, and marries a nursing student Abigail; yet as accustomed as he is to being an introvert, he must brave the difficulties of learning to love and express his feelings for God and his wife. An emotional, first-person narrated account, tracing the steps behind difficult struggles and personal choices.

The Real Angels Among Us
Phil Smart, Sr.
Elton-Wolf Publishing
2505 Second Avenue, Suite 515, Seattle, Washington 98121
1586191020 $17.00 elton-wolf.com

The Real Angels Among Us is a heartfelt memoir of a successful businessman, the owner of Phil Smart Mercedes Benz, and forty-year volunteer at the renowned Seattle Children's Hospital. His efforts in reaching out to the critically ill children he calls his "teachers", and the inestimable rewards he has received from sharing his time with them, are recounted in moving vignettes and black-and-white photos. The Real Angels Among Us is more than a heartwarming giftbook; it is a testimony of the greatness that can be achieved simply by putting in one's effort to helping those most in need.


The Social Issues Shelf

The Race Myth
Joseph L. Graves Jr.
Dutton
375 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10014-3657
0525948252 $24.95 1-800-847-5515

Plenty of debates on affirmative action and issues of racism fuel the fires in America, but evolutionary biologist Joseph Graves here argues that science can't account for the radical categories used to classify people, and racism is a consequence and byproduct of evolution. While race does not exist, according to Graves, and humans don't have separate genetic lines of descent, The Race Myth: Why We Pretend Race Exists In America explores why modern definitions of race are wrong, and how they can be overcome. Racism as social invention, not biology reality, is explained.

The Wisdom Of Crowds
James Surowiecki
Doubleday & Company
1745 Broadway, NY, NY 10019
0385503865 $24.95 1-800-726-0600

How does collective wisdom shape business, economies and societies? James Surowiecki's The Wisdom Of Crowds: Why The Many Are Smarter Than The Few And How Collective Wisdom Shapes Business, Economies, Societies And Nations indicates how and why large groups of people make for a collective intelligence level greater than the few, providing new enhanced capabilities for problem solving, innovation, and wise decision-making. The Wisdom Of Crowds crosses and explores disciplines in its survey of how economics should be organized and how cultural, social, political and biological influences work within societies.

Profiles In Terror
Aaron Mannes
Rowman & Littlefield
4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706
0742535258 $29.95 1-800-462-6420

Middle East and U.S. national security expert, and former director of research for the Middle East Media Research Institute Aaron Mannes presents Profiles In Terror, a straightforward profile of twenty modern-day terrorist organizations operating in the Middle East and the regional groups affiliated with them. Including detailed descriptions of each group's ideology and objectives, history, leadership, organization, external relations, financial support networks, target and tactics, and much more, Profiles In Terror is filled with crucial information for anyone researching modern history, crucially interested in American security or striving to better understand the darker side of world politics. Highly recommended.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Ballet Dancers In Career Transition
Nancy Upper
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
0786418192 $39.95 1-800-253-2187

Nancy Upper's Ballet Dancers In Career Transition holds such a hefty price tag for a standard-sized paperback that primarily libraries specializing in dance collections will want to spring for it - but any such library should not hesitate to make the purchase, being as it's one of the few to address the professional dancer's changing career options. A professional dancer lasts from 10-15 years - then it's time for retirement, even though many years of adult life are ahead. Upper made her own career transition and uses her own experiences to relate her challenges, adding interviews with other former ballet dancers who made successful transitions into new careers. An essential guide, highly recommended for ballet book collections.


The Science Shelf

Principles Of Environmental Chemistry
James E. Girard
Jones & Bartlett Publishers
40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA 01776
0763724718 $87.95 www.jbpub.com

Principles Of Environmental Chemistry is a student-friendly textbook that focuses upon the chemical foundations of environmental science. Including analytical techniques and methods used to measure pollutants in the environment, worked-out, in-chapter problems and problem sets at the end of each chapter, chapters on fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy such as hydrogen fuel cells, an appendix with a helpful review of organic chemistry, and more, Principles Of Environ-mental Chemistry is a superb resource for intermediate to advanced coursework or self-study. Extensive black-and-white illustrations and chemical equations help to crystalize the examples given in this solid and readily understandable instructional resource.

Space
Andrew Chaikin
Firefly Books Ltd.
155 E. 34th St. 5B, NY, NY 10016
www.fireflybooks.com
1552979873 $24.95 1-800-387-5085

Andrew Chaikin's Space: A History Of Space Exploration In Photographs is a visual display gathering over 300 images which pay tribute to and trace the history of space exploration. Its appearance in a new paperback edition makes affordable and accessible a visually dynamic, classic history which charts the range of space exploration efforts and discoveries.

Time
Katinka Ridderbos, editor
Cambridge University Press
40 West 20th Street, NY, NY 10011-4211
www.cambridge.org
0521782937 $40.00 1-800-872-7423

What is time? Nine researchers from different fields explore how investigations in their specialty areas reveal insights into the overall nature of time and its properties - and essays here come from some surprising disciplines, from the arts to natural science. Deftly compiled and expertly edited by Katinka Ridderbos, Time is part of the outstanding "Darwin College Lectures" series from Cambridge University Press. Anticipate scholarly, college-level treatises explaining many of the technical facts surrounding issues of time's properties.

Welcome To The Machine
Derrick Jensen & Gweorge Draffan
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120
White River Junction, VT 05001
www.chelseagreen.com
1931498520 $18.00 1-800-639-4099

How is science contributing to surveillance methods and increasing methods of observation and control in society? Welcome to the Machine: Science, Surveillance, And The Culture Of Control could have been considered under 'social issues' but its focus on the uses of science in controlling societies is too important to place elsewhere. From ID chips in cars and consumer products which help gather information on people's preferences to exoskeleton armor which makes soldiers invin-cible, Welcome To The Machine provides an intriguing, frightening perspective on a society increasingly controlled by the technology it uses.

Skywatch West
Richard A. Keen
Fulcrum
16100 Table Mountain Parkway #300, Golden CO 80403
www.fulcrum-books.com
1555912974 $24.95 1-800-992-2908

Anecdotes, humor, and a lively format would not seem to suit a survey of weather and nature, but it works well in Richard Keen's Skywatch West: The Complete Weather Guide, which emerges in a revised, updated format to provide details on the West's weather and most dramatic effects. Chapters are practical as well as entertaining: from learning how to 'read' clouds to building a home weather station, Skywatch West is packed from cover to cover with insights, projects, and facts.


The Travel Shelf

A Native's Guide To Chicago
Lake Claremont Press
4650 N. Rockwell St., Chicago, IL 60625
1893121232 $15.95 lakeclaremont.com

Now in a thoroughly updated and significantly expanded fourth edition, A Native's Guide To Chicago continues to be the premier guide to what Chicago has to offer its residents, suburbanites, out-of-town tourists, scheduled business travelers. Every chapter provides "user friendly" mainstream information and offbeat suggestions side by side. Ranging from touring, recreation, food, and entertainment, to lodging, shopping, walking, and keeping informed, A Native's Guide To Chicago is enhanced with photos, maps, an index, and is a "must" for anyone wanting to spend quality time making memories in America's foremost heartland city.

The Athletic-Minded Traveler
Jim Kaese & Paul Huddle
SoCal Publishing
Box 33188, San Diego, CA 92163-3188
0975306073 $18.95 www.socalpress.com

The Athletic-Minded Traveler is a travel guide especially for the fitness-conscious. Focusing on the biggest and most-visited cities across America, The Athletic-Minded Traveler lists hotels that match one's budget and athletic needs, rates the quality of exercise equipment at recommended hotels and health clubs, recommends running routes, showcases verified lap pools with detailed specs, and much more. A superb resource packed cover to cover with addresses, highlights, websites, and phone numbers of quality exercise locations, and is a "must" for the health-conscious jet-setter.

Does Your Meter Work?
Jim Soliski
Western Publishing
PO Box 41, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 2G9
0973480904 $13.50

Does Your Meter Work? is an anthology of travel vignettes chronicling one man's wandering throughout the East. 44 brief tales of everything from Philippine cock-fights to white-water rafting through the Nepali Himalayas, hitchhiking from Brunei to Bangkok, experiencing the mysteries of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and more fill this exciting travelogue. Jim Soliski's articles have been previously published in newspapers around the world including The Chicago Tribune and Outpost Magazine; now they are gathered in single amazing tour de force that is the next best thing to personal globetrotting. An exciting and varied adventure from cover to cover.

Explore The Virgin Islands
Harry S. Pariser
Manatee Press
PO Box 225001 San Francisco, CA 94122
1893643549 $17.95 1-415-665-4829

Now in its sixth edition, Explore The Virgin Islands is a travel guide for tourists, business travelers, and anyone eager to see the sights of the US and British Islands. Packed with charts, maps, photos including an inset section of color plates, historial information, locations of restaurants and gourmet bistros, tours, car rentals, prime shopping locations, places for snorkeling, scuba, and sailing, and much more Explore The Virgin Islands is an indispensible resource for maximizing one's activity and fun. Organized by island, the entries and general information give a superb overview of the highlights to search out when visiting this fantastic and beautiful land.

Boston's French Secrets
Rhea Hollis Atwood
Images from the Past
PO Box 137, Bennington, Vermont 05201
www.imagesfromthepast.com
1884592414 $19.95 1-888-442-3204

Historian and walking-tour guide Rhea Atwood presents Boston's French Secrets: Guided Walks That Reveal Boston's French Heritage is a tourist's guide to various areas of Boston, including downtown, waterfront, the financial district, beacon hill, and back bay, focusing especially upon Boston's French heritage. From the legacy of the Huguenots to works of French art preserved and displayed in museums to the Paul Revere House and much more, Boston's French Secrets includes directions, historical tidbits, black-and-white photographs, and more celebrating the unique contributions of French culture. A wonderful guide for anyone looking to better experience the sights, sounds, and monuments of Boston, especially francophiles.

Moon Handbooks Acapulco
Bruce Whipperman
Avalon Travel Publishing
1400 - 65th Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
1566916321 $16.95 1-800-345-5473

Award-winning author Bruce Whipperman brings his first-hand experience in sunny Acapulco to the pages of Moon Handbooks Acapulco, discussing the secluded beaches, bustling crafts market, historic highland towns and more that pepper this vibrant land. From how to pack for paradise (water purifying tablets are a must) to basic information for those curious in making a permanent investment (avoid timeshares, and while Mexican law prohibits foreign ownership of many properties it is possible to have control of land through a trust) to directions for the best accomodations and food, sights and special celebrations, a brief Spanish phrase guide, internet resources for further research, and much more. A "must-read" before setting out to parts unknown.


The Nautical Shelf

Sheridan House
145 Palisade St., Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
www.sheridanhouse.com

Michael Naujok's Fitting Out Your Boat In Fibreglass Or Wood (1574091869, $29.95), a practical guide to fitting out a wooden or fibreglass hull from scratch. Fitting Out Your Boat includes tips on both repair and refurbishing, with chapters detailing everything from replacing deck fittings and stripping down the galley to installing new hatches. The step-by-step color photos are particularly well done. Tired of the boating life, or want to trade up? Choose Thomas Cook's Sell Your Boat In 30 Days! (1574091867, $19.95), guides the first-time seller through the selling process, from sprucing up the boat and placing an add to completing the sale. Paperwork to pricing, Sell Your Boat In 30 Days provides practical advice for all kinds of boats - and buyers.


The Literary Shelf

Understanding Charles Johnson
Gary Stornhoff
University of South Carolina Press
937 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29208
1570035628 $34.95 1-800-768-2500

Understanding Charles Johnson is a work of literary criticism that introduces the reader to the fiction of one of America's most acclaimed contemporary African-American writers. The first African-American male since Ralph Ellison to win the National Book Award (in 1990 for "Middle Passage"), Johnson's works carry deep-seated concern for African-American culture, an abiding interest in Western philosophy, a commitment to Buddhism and the impact of its principles, and more. Author and associate professor of English Gary Storhoff goes so far as to suggest that Buddhism is the linchpin of Johnson's work as he analyzes six classics: "Faith and the Good Thing", "Oxherding Tale", "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", "Middle Passage", "Dreamer", and "Soulcatcher and Other Stories." An erudite, literate, and welcome addition to African-American literary studies shelves.

Greenwood Press
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
www.greenwood.com www.amazon.com

Three excellent literary surveys are recommended picks for high school through college-level students: each offers a critical roundup of topics with plenty of facts and research material geared to student reports. Rafael Ocasio's Literature Of Latin America (0313320012, $49.95) joins others in the 'Literature As Windows to World Cultures' series, providing a chronological sequence to explore the earliest New World writings from colonial to modern times. Chapters then provide insights into specific notable Latin American writers, including definitions of literary terms and concepts peculiar to Latin literacy and blending biography with critical assessments of key Latin authors. An outstanding addition to any in-depth Latin literature collection. Geroge Hart and Scott Slovic edit Literature And The Environment (0313321493, $49.95), adding to the 'Exploring Social Issues Through Literature' series in presenting critical assessments by noted scholars on environmental issues. Chapters provide literary works incorporating these issues, blending brief biographical surveys of the author with the all-important consideration of themes, styles, and history relating to each piece's context. By considering the underlying environmental roots of fiction, Literature And The Environment provides important assessments of notable pieces. Donna Woodford's Understanding King Lear (0313319367, $50.00) provides a student 'casebook' to issues and history in Shakespeare's notable play. Woodford's intention is to help students understand the literary and contemporary applications of his classic work: chapters analyze and draw important connections between King Lear's times and modern concerns.

The Undergraduate's Companion To Arab Writers And Their Web Sites
Dona S. Straley
Libraries Unlimited
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
1591581184 $29.95 www.lu.com

The Undergraduate's Companion To Arab Writers And Their Web Sites is an informed and informative, and thoroughly "user friendly" reference for the modern digital age. Offering online resources for 150 Arab writers and their works, from the first known works of Arabic literature dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries A.D. to the present day and writings from fields of history, geography, and philosophy as well as literature, The Undergraduate's Companion To Arab Writers And Their Web Sites is astutely organized and sensibly presented. Each individual website is listed with information on translations, a summary of the site's contents, and a contemporary date (most of the sites were successfully accessed in August 2003). An index and an alphabetical list of authors simplifies the task of searching for works by a specific individual. An invaluable tool and highly recommended resource for quickly locating information of and literature by Arab writers.

New Explorer Dictionary Of American Writers
Merriam-Webster Editors
Federal Street Press
PO Box 281, Springfield, MA 01102
www.federalstreetpress.com
1892859653 $12.98 www.amazon.com

Over a thousand articles cover writers' lives and careers in New Explorer Dictionary Of American Writers, over seventy describe major groups and movements in the literary world, and over 500 significant works are described in a special Literary Works section. With its interplay between biography and history, New Explorer Dictionary Of American Writers is a lasting, recommended pick for any high school or public library with strong collections in literary history.


The Library Video/DVD Shelf

Grasping For The Wind
John Whitehead, host
Vision Video
PO Box 540, Worcester, PA 19490-0540
MP7390 $39.99 1-800-523-0226

An innovative, provocative, viewer engaging seven-part series, Grasping For The Wind explores the search for meaning over the last 200 years as represented through the works of Western philosophers, writers, artists, film makers, politicians, and musicians. Ably hosted by John Whitehead, this superbly filmed series includes a free PDF study guide. The seven episodes comprising this two-volume VHS video boxed set includes "Breaking the Past" (showing what happens when a culture abandons its religious traditions); "Where Are We Going?" (examining the 20th century's search for answers to the fundamental questions of existence); "Children of the Machine" (exploring the relationship of culture and technology); "The Lost Generation" (with its moral base shaken, an American generation began seeking alternatives to Western Capitalism); "The Fat Dream" (unable to make sense of the destruction from war, people sought escape through spectator sports, music, gambling, drugs, alcohol and sex); "The Winds of Revolution" (the youth movements of the 1950s and 1960s); "The Narcissistic Culture" (the desperate search for absolutes and the emergence of sex advice, religious television, weight loss, and other modern phenomena). Also available in a DVD format (4842D, $39.99) Grasping For The Wind is informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, and a prize addition to both school and community library collections.

Dropping In On Picasso
Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
www.crystalproductions.com
1562903136 $29.95 1-800-255-8629

Dropping In On Picasso is one of the newest additions to the outstanding Crystal Video library of motivational art videotapes bringing artists and art history to life and produced in cooperation with leading artists and educators. Viewers of all ages will join Puffer as he drops in on Pablo Picasso in this animated video showing how this innovative and influential artist evolved from his Blue period to his Rose period, to Picasso's ground breaking Cubism, to this great artist's work in the field of sculpture. Combining animation sequences with details and full-screen images of Picasso's masterworks, the characters in this informative and engaging video pose open-ended questions that will prompt viewers to make their own critical analyses and interpretations of the works of art exhibited. Enhanced with an accompanying guide with suggested activities and ideal for use with home schooling curriculums, Dropping In On Picasso is a welcome addition to any school art department resource shelf or community library Art History collection.

The Grateful Dead Movie
Monterey Media Inc.
566 St. Charles Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901
1569942390 $29.95 1-800-424-2593

The Grateful Dead Movie is a two-disc DVD showcasing the famous rock-and-roll band. Disc 1 (132 minutes) offers the movie itself, transferred from its original 35 mm film negative in High Definition and presented in 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio. Audio options include the original theatrical audio mix and new Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 audio mixes from the master multi-track tapes. A feature-length commentary with supervising editor Susan Crutcher and film editor John Nutt as well as English subtitles offer an additional extra dimension over VHS copies. Disc 2 (175 minutes) is packed with extensive never-before-seen concert footage, bonus songs, a "making of the animated sequence" documentary, a photo gallery, production notes, and more. An absolute must-have for Grateful Dead fans, filled to the brim with excitement, majesty, and thrilling music.

MPI Media Group
16101 SD. 108th Avenue, Orland Park, IL 60467
www.mpimedia.com

Two outstanding classic DVD sets are recommended gift picks for any fan of movies and classic TV. The Casebook Of Sherlock Holmes DVD Collection (0788-606050, $39.98) gathers six episodes starting Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes and Edward Harwicke as Dr. John Watson. Episodes include The Three Gables, Dying Detective, Golden Pnice-Nez, Red Circle, Mazarin Stone and Cardboard Box, and extra features include commentary with screenwriter Jeremy Paul and Holmes expert David Start Davies, production notes and more. An outstanding gift choice for any avid Sherlock fan. Fans of the old-time TV series Dark Shadows will welcome the Dark Shadows DVD Collection 14, offering complete episodes plus bonus interviews in a 4-DVD set. Jonathan Fried stars in these classics, which earned a huge base of followers in its time which continues to this day - and interviews with key actors rounds out the episode-packed set. As many will have missed at least some of the episodes, their presentation all together will thrill any Dark Shadows fan. And if they love this one, don't miss Dark Shadows DVD Collection 15: 40 complete episodes set in the year 1897 when Magda the gypsy hopes to end the werewolf curse she placed on Quentin Collins. Interviews with actors David Selby, Michael Stroka and more pack in further Dark Shadows classics from the TV production. If your gift person has missed episodes in past, give 'em this combined package for a full flavor. If it's more literary detective work which is enjoyed, you won't go wrong with A Touch Of Frost Season 4, a gathering of British detective classics from one of Britain's longest-running detective series. Frost is a small-town Sherlock Holmes in disguise as he solves typical problems ranging from robbery to murder.

T'ai Chi for Health
Yang Long Form with Terence Dunn
Koch Vision
411 Video Information (publicity)
22 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050
1417227974 $19.98 kochvision.com

T'ai Chi instructor Terence Dunn introduces the viewer to the timeless art and exercise form in T'ai Chi For Health, a DVD that reveals the classical 108-posture Yang family Long form, which requires at least 20 minutes to perform and includes kicks, reverses, throws, splits, and ward-offs. T'ai Chi For Health includes a brief historical introduction to the form, warm-up exercises, introduction to basic T'ai Chi postures, a one-hour step-by-step instructional for the 108 postures from multiple angles, advanced exercises, and a complete Yang Long form demonstration. A superb home-study guide for keeping in practice, refining one's form, or learning a new brief routine for improving one's health and balance. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in learning T'ai Chi. 2 hours, full color.


The Library CD Music Shelf

Wintersongs
Kitka
Diaphonica Recordings
Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
1201 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland, CA 94612
CD-2004 $16.98 www.kitka.org

Kitka is a remarkable women's vocal ensemble of eight sophisticated singers who blend contemporary sensibility with specialized vocal techniques that have been distilled in Eastern Europe for centuries. Wintersongs features an impressive repertoire whose individual selections range from Bulgaria to Belarus and from Georgia to Greece. The twenty numbers comprising this enthusiastically recommended CD album that includes "Aliolo" from Georgia's Racha region is a traditional Christmas Eve song performed by masked carolers who are rewarded with drink and treats, and such superlative numbers as "Av Jerusalime" from Southern Russia and the Ukraine. Songs from Lativa, Moravia, Romania, Hungary, Belarus, Macedonia, and Israel are superbly recorded performances that will introduce American audiences to traditional music, some of which has their origins in antiquity. If you only have time for one new CD, then make it Wintersongs as sung by Kitka and recorded by Diaphonica.

Journey Of The Heart
Anna E. Kravis
Baby Rose Music
PO Box 1449, Melville, NY 11747-0249
BR 108 $TBA www.annaekravis.com

Journey Of The Heart is a compilation of eleven original songs by Anna E. Kravis, each of which focuses on personal growth through the healing perspective of love while touching on themes that are both university and individually personal. Very highly recommended and mind-calming, heart-warming, soul-soothing listening, the songs comprising this exceptional CD album include Miles & Lights (3:50); Don't Judge (2:34); It's Only Lonely When The Dreaming Stops (3:52); Let Us Give To Each Other The Words "Yes I Can" (2:47); Over The Rainbow (2:39); Inheritance (4:51); Turn Like Wheel (3:29); Bridges Made of Tears (3:56); Seasons Of The Heart (3:34); Seasons Of The Heart (3:34); Eric's Song (4:14); and Tomorrow's Children (1:59).

Touch The Earth
Derrik Jordan
Worldsoul Records
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
W0037 $15.00 www.derrikjordan.com

Touch The Earth is a CD album showcasing the impressive talents of multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer Derrik Jordan who wrioe the music and lyrics, then produced, performed, recorded and mixed for the 13 pieces comprising this CD. Representing a "worldbeat sound" that blends folk, pop, soul, and rhythms from the Caribbean, Africa, South American, and Australia (and utilizing dozens of instruments), the pieces comprising this unique and recommended album include the title piece, Touch The Earth (5:24); Indigenous (5:06); Love To Spare (6:24); Killing The Country (4:15); Water, Wind And Sun (4:48); Panorama (2:58); True Love (4:18); Standing Prayer (4:30); Song Of The Forest (4:29); Something's Gonna Change (4:58); Undying (4:17); Endangered Species (5:05); and concludes with a reprise of Touch The Earth (3:05).

Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles
Concord Records
270 North Canon Dirve, #1212
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
CCD-2248-2 $TBA 1-800-551-5299

Ray Charles is a legend of 20th Century American music. Genius Loves Company showcases his remarkable talent in a dozen duets with an impressive array of guest artists drawn from every genre of American music from Country, to R&B, to Pop, to Blues, to Rock. From Natalie Cole, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and B.B. King, to Johnny Mathis, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, and James Taylor, Genius Loves Company is a unique CD album that will prove to be a "must" for the legions of Ray Charles fans, as well as an essential addition to academic American Music History collections.

Carolan's Gift
Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble, et al.
Maggie's Music
PO Box 490, Shady Side, MD 20764
MM304 $12.00 www.maggiesmusic.com

Fans of Celtic-rooted acoustic music are well aware of the premier offerings that Maggie's Music makes available to this widely popular genre. Some very highly recommended additions to personal and community library CD music collections would necessarily include Carolan's Gift showcasing traditional Irish folk music in the manner of famed Irish harper Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) with a chamber music style performed on Celtic harp, Irish flute, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, viola da gamba, guitar, and piano. Consisting of fourteen superbly performed and recorded selections, Carolan's Gift features Miss Murphy (3:10); The Two William Davies (6:33); Sir Charles Coote/Captain Higgins (4:30); Terence MacDonough (2:14); Elizabeth McDermott Rowe/Miss Noble (4:36); Bridget Cruise (2:58); Constantine Maguire (2:35); Paspie Minuet/Mr. Waller (5:11); Sidh Beag, Sidh Mor (1:29); Mary O'Neill (2:38); Mabel Kelly (3:31); Isabella Burke (3:57); Carolan's Quarrell with the Landlady (3:19); and Fanny Poer (3:43).


The Audiobook Shelf

Smoky Joe's Cafe
Bryce Courtenay
Bolinda Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 307, Shelton, CT 06484
1740306899 $40.00 www.bolinda.com

When Thommo returns to Australia from a tour of duty in the Vietnam War, he finds his fellow Aussies hold him in contempt as a mercenary who committed war crimes. Developing all manner of physical and mental problems, Thommo thinks he's alone in his problems until he meets ten of his former comrades from his platoon who fought alongside of him in the Battle of Long Tan where many other fell to their deaths under enemy fire. These ten other survivors are suffering the same emotional and adjustment problems Thommo has. Recruiting an ex-Viet Cong with "special skills", Thommo forms his battlefield comrades into group of guys who are so dysfunctional they couldn't win any kind of contest. Not until they meet Wendy, a woman whose daughter is dying and needs a bone-marrow transplant. A determined woman, Wendy takes Thommo and the others in hand and molds this bunch of burned-out and disheartened former soldiers into a unit willing to fight for justice by any means necessary. Bryce Courtenay is a consummately skilled writer whose riveting novel is expertly narrated by Humphrey Bower. Complete and unabridged, and with a running time of five hours, this 5 disc, highly recommended CD edition of Smoky Joe's Cafe is also available in an audio cassette format (174030537X, $32.00).

Echoes
Danielle Steel
Books On Tape, Inc.
Box 25122, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5122
www.librarybooksontape.com
1415913315 $TBA 1-800-541-5525

Echoes is the audiobook version of a generational saga of love, war, faith and betrayal. Three generations of women struggle with loss, the difficulty of survival, and the interminable devotion of true love. In the summer of 1915, a young Jewish beauty falls in love with a French Catholic, wracked by the knowledge that her family will never approve of the marriage; years later, her daughter is about to take the vows of a Carmelite nun, yet Hitler's reign of terror threatens her family. An odyssey marked by the bond between family that transcends space, time, and even mortality, and the determination to survive even in the darkest hours of history, Echoes is a profound listening experience and highly recommeneded for personal and library audiobook collections.

Ford Tough
David Magee
Penton Overseas, Inc.
2470 Impala Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
www.pentonoverseas.com
1591254760 $18.95 1-800-748-5804

Ford Tough: Bill Ford And The Battle To Rebuild America's Automaker is the story of how Bill Ford revived and reshaped the Ford Motor Company, bringing the 100+ year old automobile manufacturer back from the bring of ruin. Ford Tough reveals the inner workings of the company while offering a detailed portrait of the first member of the illustrious Ford family to take charge of the company since 1979. A dedicated environmentalist and a man with a deep sense of personal and corporate responsibility to his employees, Bill Ford is revealed as the man who played a crucial role against seemingly insurmountable odds in creating the company's ultimately successful turnaround. Superbly narrated by Chris Ryan, this recommended, flawlessly recorded, CD format audio book is abridged on three discs with a total of a three hour running time.

Dress Your Family In Corduroy And Denim
David Sedaris
Time Warner Audiobooks
135 W. 50th St., New York, NY 10020
1586215027 $31.98 www.amazon.com

Dress Your Family In Corduroy And Denim is an audiobook anthology of personal essays on five CDs. Playwright and National Public Radio commentator David Sedaris offers glimpses into the absurd non sequitirs that abound in everyday life, just beneath the surface of what is considered respectable and proper. Read by the author with wit and charm, Dress Your Family In Corduroy And Denim elevates arguing to a higher art form and provokes serious contemplation on the mysteries of dailly existence. Highly recommended.


The Cookbook Shelf

Classic Liqueurs
Cheryl Long & Healther Kibben
Sibyl Publications
1007 SW Westwood Drive, Portland, OR 97239
www.sibylbooks.com
1889531065 $10.95 1-800-240-8566

The collaborative work of Cheryl Long and Heather Kibby, Classic Liqueurs: The Art Of Making & Cooking With Liqueurs is the newest and highly recommended addition the the outstanding "Creative Cooking" series from Sibyl Publications. Offering one hundred liqueur recipes and more than one hundred ways to cook with delicately flavored liqueurs. From Hawaiian Fruit Liqueur; California Lemon Liqueur; American Whiskey Punch; and Long Island Iced "Tea"; to Mandarin Yam Bake; Creme De Menthe Frosting; Italian Anise Stars; and Cranberry Jewels in Liqueur, these are drinks and dishes that will add a gourmet element to any and every dining occasion.

Harcourt Publishers
15 E. 25th Street, New York NY 10010
harcourtbooks.com www.ozclarke.com

Two excellent new Oz Clarke wines guides are recommended picks for wine buyers; especially novices who need clear instruction and guidelines for understanding the world of fine wines. You could find no better introduction to the subject than Oz Clarke's Introducing Wine: A Complete Guide For The Modern Wine Drinker (0156030233, $16.00): wine basics range from how to pen and serve wine to ordering in restaurants, describing wines, and understanding wine regions of the world. With its maps, color photos, sidebars of information and lively text, newcomers will find explanations inviting and easy to understand. Oz Clarke's Pocket Wine Guide 2005 (0151011001, $14.00) provides all levels of drinker with an easily-used A-Z organizational guide listing over 7,000 wines and 4,000 recommended producers. At-a-glance wine glass pictures rate top picks while vintage information and charts fills any possible gap. The pocket-sized tote makes it easy to take along to wine tastings and events.

Southwest Slow Cooking
Tammy Biber & Theresa Howell
Northland Publishing
PO Box 1389, Flagstaff, AZ 86002
www.northlandpub.com
0873588568 $16.95 1-800-346-3257

Over a hundred slow-cooked, kitchen-tested recipes have been specially created for Southwest cooks and provide some unique creations not to be found elsewhere, from Pork Chops with Raspberry-Chipolte Sauce to Chicken & Chile Enchiladas and Ribs in Green Sauce. There are plenty of general slow cooker cookbooks on the market, but the possibilities are more appealing in a specialty title such as Southwest Slow Cooking.

Vanilla
Tim Ecott
Grove Press
841 Broadway, New York NY 10003
www.groveatlantic.com
0802117759 $24.00 1-800-788-3122

Vanilla is one of the most popular flavoring spices in the world and is even a major ingredient in perfumes, paint and tires, but the story of vanilla is a botanical mystery that only a twelve-year-old African slave solved. Vanilla would not bear fruit outside of its Mexican origins, until the slave developed a process for cultivating it and turned it into a labor-intensive agricultural crop. Lively, revealing, and enthusiastically recommended reading, Tim Ecott's Vanilla: Travels In Search Of The Ice Cream Orchid, should not be missed by any kitchen cook, gourmet diner, or botanist.

Flavors Of Greece
Rosemary Barron
Interlink Publishing Group
46 Crosby St., Northampton, MA 01060
www.interlinkbooks.com
1566565200 $27.95 www.amazon.com

Culinary author Rosemary Barron is also a chef and founder of her own acclaimed Greek cooking school in Crete, and brings to Flavors Of Greece an approach and authenticity often missing in competing cookbooks. Flavors Of Greece holds over 250 authentic Greek recipes from vegetables and main dishes to its renowned desserts. Many require prep time and cooking skills, such as handling the tricky phyllo dough - but the end results will be worth it, and many of the dishes here such as Smyrna Sausages - are simply unavailable elsewhere.

Aprovecho
Teresa Cordero-Cordell & Robert Cordell
Hippocrene Books
171 Madison Ave., New York Ny 10016
www.hippocrenebooks.com
0781810264 $24.95 1-212-685-4371

Mexican-American food combines the cuisines of two countries and so does Aprovecho: A Mexican-American Border Cookbook, which brings to life both the culture and the culinary traditions on both sides of the Mexican-American border. Chapters excel in easy dishes ranging from Chile Rellano Pie to Mexican Creamed Spinach and Rum Eggnog. The 'Did You Know' cultural insights are particularly well done. No photos, but the easy dishes don't need embellishment to prove successful.

Collectors Press
PO Box 230986, Portland, OR 97281
1-800-626-5420 www.collectorspress.com

Three new 'Retro' food titles provide fun gatherings of curious concoctions and fun foods. Kathy Casey's Retro Food Fiascos (1888054883, $16.95) provides some zany foods indeed, from Banana Meatloaf and a Spam Dixie Bake to Candy Cane Punch and Kraft Dinner Loaf. Packed with vintage and fun ads from the 1950s and funny commentary throughout, Retro Food Fiascos is a whimsical winner. Richard Perry's Retro Luau (1888054905, $16.95) hones the hula party with island-style feast recipes. Vintage illustrations and fun photos pack color to such dishes as Lulu Luan Ribs and an orange gelatin fruit-packed Sunshine Salad. Linda Everett & Richard Perry's Retro Breakfast (1888054875, $16.95) provides breakfast dishes ranging from Breakfast Strato, a bread and meat casserole, to a non-bunny 'Red Rabbit and 'Toad-in-the-Hole'. Again, it's the vintage color drawings and antique illustrations which make these such eye-catching and fun presentations, highly recommended picks perfect for gift-giving.

Pie
Ken Haedrich
Harvard Common Press
National Book Network. dist.
535 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118
www.harvardcommonpress.com
155832254X $24.95 1-888-657-3755

Other pie cookbooks on the market range from the mix-based quick pie guide type to the master recipe collection intended for advanced cooks: Ken Haedrich's Pie: 300 Tried-and-True Recipes For Delicious Homemade Pie falls somewhere inbetween the two, providing beginners with an exceptionally easy basic understanding of how to cook a pie, while packing in dishes from bakeries, cooks and specialty shops across the country. Pie features tried-and-true recipes for 300 delicious creations, all of them sweet, savory, and very highly recommended

The PDQ Vegetarian Cookbook
Donna Klein
HP Books
375 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10014
1557884382 $18.95 www.penguin.com

PDQ stands for "pretty darn quick" and vegetarian veteran Donna Klein's The PDQ Vegetarian Cookbook is specifically designed to showcase 240 nutritious, delicious, palate pleasing, "no-prep" recipes for today's time-stressed kitchen cooks seeking meatless menus for themselves and their families. Including more than 100 vegan dishes, the recipes comprising this "must have" addition to any vegetarian cookbook collection ranges from Easy Appetizer Burritos; Smoked Provolone and Roasted Red Pepper Panini; Asian-Style Coleslaw; and Mushroom Stroganoff Noodles; to Stir-Fried Cinnamon-Curried Rice with Peas, Dried Fruit, and Coconut; Creamy Polenta with Parmesan; Roasted Carrots with Chutney; and Blueberries in Cassis over Lemon Sorbet. No cutlery, graters, juicers, electric mixers, blenders, or food processors are required. Enhanced with tips on using convenience foods and with comprehensive nutritional analysis for each individual, "30-minutes or less" recipe, The PDQ Vegetarian Cookbook is a "must" for working spouses and parents with a vegetarian life style.

The Story Of Corn
Betty Fussell
University of New Mexico Press
MSC01 1200
1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
www.unmpress.com
0826335926 $24.95 1-800-249-7737

Food historian Betty Fussell's survey of corn history blends folklore, anthropology, botany and social and art history to provide a lively blend of anecdotes and facts about world corn, from its influence on war and ritual uses in the Inca and Aztec worlds to its use as a key ingredient in different cultures' cuisines. The Story Of Corn isn't a cookbook; it's a specialized food history which will appeal across many different lines, from students of anthropology and sociology to culinary enthusiasts and history buffs.

Whitecap Books
351 Lynn Avenue, N. Vancouver, NC, V7J 2C4, Canada

Two very different, excellent culinary titles from Whitecap Books are highly recommended picks. Eve Johnson's Eating My Words (1552855058, $16.95) provides a whimsical, revealing collection of essays and recipes by food expert Eve Johnson, from a treatise on Why Chocolate is Evil to Why Mushrooms Are Scary and Famous Pigs of Literature. Blend a healthy dose of food history and humor and you have a lively style and set of insights both educational and fun for leisure reading. Bill Jones' Chef's Salad (1552854191, $19.95) takes the salad a step further, infusing the simple greens with embellishments which make them notable and unusual. Italian greens, for example, need little more than a unique Roasted Pepper Dressing to prove different, while Coleslaw with Curried Peanut Dressing provides a unique taste treat indeed.

Out Of The Kitchen
Jeannette Ferrary
John Daniel & Company
PO Box 2790, Kinleyville, CA 95519
www.danielpublishing.com
1880284782 $15.00 1-800-662-8351

Storyteller and food fan Jeanette Ferrary's memoir packs in humor and food affection, beginning her story with childhood memories of food and its effects on her life and recounting her journey to adulthood and the travels which brought her in touch with food traditions across the country. Out Of The Kitchen: Adventures Of A Food Writer is a delightful leisure read, charting Jeanette's personal encounters with some of the most famous cooks in the world, and her eventual rise to become a food columnist for the New York Times.

My New Mediterranean Cookbook
Jeannette Seaver
Arcade Publishing
141 Fifth Avenue, 8th fl, NY, NY 10010
1559707232 $27.00 1-800-759-0190

Gourmet chef and Mediterranean traveler Jeannette Seaver presents My New Mediterranean Cookbook, a compilation of recipes using traditional Mediterranean-diet ingredients such as vegetables, legumes, fresh fruit, nuts, cereals, olive oil, fish, red meat, and poultry. Straightforward instructions simplify the preparation of such delicacies as Dandelion Salad with New Potatoes and Bacon, Roast Portobello Mushrooms with Gremolata, Beggar's Purses of Stuffed Chicken, Almond Tart with Strawberries, and so much more. The dishes are organized by course, and a handful of sample menus plus a convenient index assist in planning mealtimes. A welcome addition to any enthusiast's cookbook shelf.

Buddha's Table
Chat Mingkwan
The Book Publishing Company
PO Box 99, Summertown, TN 38483
1570671613 $14.95 1-888-260-8458

Written by a professional restauranteur and Thai native, and printed in binding specially designed to lay flat for easy reference in the kitchen, Buddha's Table: Thai Feasting Vegetarian Style is a guide to the joy of meatless cuisine, focusing upon food styles from all four regions of Thailand. Recipes such as Crispy Noodles, Tofu Patties, Mung Bean Wraps and more are complemented with information on how to properly prepare Thai produce, spices, noodles, wrappers, and rice for those unfamiliar with Thai ingredients. A handful of color photographs enhance this superb and easy-to-use addition to any vegetarian cookbook shelf.

Low-Carb Cocktails
Marlene and Chuck Koch
M. Evans & Company, Inc.
216 East 49th Street, NY, NY 10017
www.MEvans.com
1590770617 $6.95 1-800-462-6420

Low-Carb Cocktails is a pocket-sized recipe book of more than sixty low carbohydrate cocktails for those who enjoy drinks but are mindful of their waistlines. Including party favorites such as 4-carb Pina Colada and 7-carb Margarita, holiday treats such as 4-carp Eggnog and 6-carb Champagne Cocktail, and also featuring ultra-low carb or non-alcoholic versions of many recipes, Low-Carb Cocktails is easy-to-follow, quick-mix book especially needed in an era oversaturated with excessively fattening foods. All listed recipies are a snap to prepare, and include a calorie count as well as a net carb listing.

Pasta For Wimps
Carlo Lai
Sterling Publishing Company
387 Park Avenue So., NY, NY 10016
1402710089 $14.95 1-800-805-5489

Some cookbooks are as fun to browse through as they are to cook from -- and Carlo Lai's Pasta For Wimps is just such a culinary compendium! All of the basic pasta dishes are represented from spaghetti, fettuccine, and ravioli, to tortellini, gnocchi, and the ever popular lasagna. Pasta For Wimps excels in the presentation of "kitchen friendly" recipes authentic and traditional sauces from Napoletana and Bolognese, to Aglio e Olio and Pesto. From Spaghetti Carbonara (Spaghetti with bacon and Cream Sauce), to Lasagne di Salmone e Zucchine (Lasagne with Salmon and Zucchini), each delicious dish and the steps to making them are wonderfully showcased with full color photography by Matt Cohen. If you only have time for one new cookbook in your personal collection, make it Carlo Lai's Pasta For Wimps!

Kilkenny Cookbook
Real Ireland Design
c/o Irish Books and Media, Inc.
1433 Franklin Avenue East, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2101
0946887144 $25.95 www.irishbook.com

Kilkenny Cookbook reveals the finest and most popular recipes used by the chefs of the Kilkenny restaurant, which has been one of Dublin's most successful eating places since its opening in 1976. Full color illustrations add a mouth-watering visual touch to the simple instructions for such varied dishes as Okra, Green Bean and Crispy Bacon Salad; Chicken Tikka Masala; Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce; Gluten-free Scones, and a great deal more. A rich treasury of delectible delights, Kilkenny Cookbook is very highly recommended for kitchen cookbook collections.

Hawai'i Light And Healthy
Diana Helfand
Bess Press
3565 Harding Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816
1573062081 $12.95 www.besspress.com

Diana Helfand has taught nutrition in the Food Service and Hospitality Education Program at Kapi-olani Community College and hosted the 'Heart-y Chef" cooking show on KHON for five years. Her column "Heart-y Cooking was a regular feature in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin for nine years, and she currently writes the weekly "Heart-y Chef" column of "MidWeek". In Hawai'i Light And Healthy, Helfand draws upon her many years of culinary experience and expertise to compile recipes (each of which includes approximate nutrition information per serving) that showcase what an Hawaii perspective has to offer the health conscious and adventurous family kitchen cook. From Chinese Chicken Salad a la Heart-y Chef; Easy Fish Stew; Candied Acorn Squash; and Banana-Chocolate Chip-Macademia Bread; to Maple Fruit Crumble; Grilled Spice Salmon; Veggie Penne with Pine Nuts; and Stuffed Zucchini Boats, Hawai'i Light And Healthy is an ideal addition to any personal cookbook collection and features a spiral binding allowing the book to lay flat upon the kitchen counter while in use.

Quick & Easy: A Taste Of Tofu
Yukiko Moriyama
Japan Publications Trading Company
c/o Kodansha America, Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10022
488996133X $12.95 1-800-451-7556

Quick & Easy: A Taste Of Tofu is a straightforward guide to preparing tofu according to classic Japanese and Chinese recipes, as well as some more contemporary preparations like "Braised Beef and Tofu." Quick & Easy: A Taste Of Tofu is most assuredly not a vegetarian cookbook, since it includes recipes with meat, poutry, and seafood, but vegetarians will delight in the wealth of useful ways to prepare a delicious staple such as Seasoned Frozen Tofu and Fermented Soybean Soup. Full- color photographs on every page combined with step-by-step illustrations explicitly reveal not only how to prepare tofu, but also exactly what the dishes will look like at each step of their cooking. Above all, Quick & Easy: A Taste Of Tofu emphasizes the efficient utilization of time, and is perfect for the tofu lover on the go.

Recipe, Please
Marty Meitus
Johnson Books
1880 So. 57th Court, Boulder, CO 80301
155566332X $16.00 jpcolorado.com

Recipe, Please by "Rocky Mountain News" food editor Marty Meitus is a compendium of recipes drawn from many of Colorado's best restaurants and most accomplished chefs. Original published in Marty's popular weekly newspaper column, Recipe, Please showcases 166 dishes that range from Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed with Lobster, Crab, and Goat Cheese from Paul's Catering; to Mixed Greens with Penne and Grilled Chicken and Lemon Basil Vinaigrette from Augustine Grill; to Seared Scallops with Roasted Red and Yellow Pepper Sauces from O's Steakhouse; to Wolfgang Puck's "Grand Cafe Key Lime Pie from Wolfgang Puck's Grand Cafe. A superb regional cookbook, the dishes comprising Recipe, Please are as kitchen cook friendly as they are palate pleasing and appetite satisfying!

Raising the Bar
Nick Mautone with Marah Stets
Artisan
708 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
www.artisanbooks.com
1579652603 $27.50 1-800-722-7202

Raising The Bar: Better Drinks Better Entertaining is far more than just another a cocktail book. Though it features 250 recipes and full-color photographs, Raising The Bar goes a step further and offers the tested secrets of a professional restaurant manager to serving cocktails for a crowd, planning a head, perfecting techniques for mixing a drink, tips, tricks, techniques, and more. Tasty original recipes include Frozen Prickly Pear Margarita, Strawberry Kiwi Sangria, and Watermelon Lemonade. A must-have for anyone seeking not only to hone their drink-mixing skills, but also improve their presentation, and flair to professional food service levels.

Great Burgers
Bob Sloan
Chronicle Books
85 Second St., San Francisco, CA 94105
www.chroniclebooks.com
0811842932 $14.95 1-800-722-6657

There's so much more to a hamburger than will ever be encountered at a McDonald's or a Wendy's or a Burger King. Great Burgers: Mouthwatering Recipes by burgermeister Bob Sloan offers a culinary collection of savory hamburger recipes that brings this American classic up into the ranks of gourmet dining. There are even "kitchen friendly" recipes for superbly crafted non-meat burgers! From the Portobello Mushroom and Goat Cheese Burger; to the Lamb and Feta Burger with Cumin-Yogurt Dressing; to the Churasco Burger with Chimichurri Sauce; to the Portobello-Eggplant Burger with Smoked Mozzarella and Tapenade, Great Burgers is one specialty cookbook that fully lives up to its title! Enhanced throughout with the color photography of Jonelle Weaver, Great Burgers is additionally enhanced with a chapter dedicated to truly superb recipes for side dishes, a "Table of Equivalents", and an index. If you only have room on your kitchen shelf for one more cookbook, then make it Bob Sloan's Great Burgers!

Made In Greece
John S. Kaldes
Publishing Works
4 Franklin Street, Exeter, NH 03833
KSB Promotions (publicity)
www.publishingworks.com
0974480363 $22.95 1-800-333-9983

John S. Kaldes has a passion for preparing and sharing authentic Greek cuisine recipes. Made In Greece: A Guided Tour Of Greek Cooking is hallmarked with easy-to-follow, step-by-step preparation instructions and guidelines that will enable even the most novice kitchen cook to turn out gourmet quality Greek dishes. From Tiganites Patates me Avga (Fried Potatoes with Eggs); Fasolakia Yahni (String Beans with Onions and Tomatoes); and Kotopoulo Souvlaki (Chicken Kebab); to Arni me Kolokythia (Lamb with Zucchini); Ravani (Farina Cake with Syrup); and Tsourekia (Easter Bread) Made In Greece will quickly become a popular addition gracing any family cookbook collection.

Schuler's
Hans Schuler & Chef Jonathan Schuler
Huron River Press
3622 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
193239902X $35.00 www.amazon.com

Schuler's: Fresh Recipes And Warm Memories is a blend of family traditions, anecdotal memories, and super recipes. In short, the legacy of Chef Jonathan Schuler who was the first to offer his Michigan customers at Schuler's restaurant what became known as a blue plate special. Enhanced with introductory commentary, history, and "Chef's Notes", the recipes are organized into chapters on Stocks, Rubs, and Condiments; Salads; Appetizers and Hors d'Oeuvres; Sandwiches; Soups and Stews; Fish and Seafood; Poultry and Meat; More...; Side Dishes; Drinks; and Desserts. From Schuler's Seasoning Salt; Schuler's Famous Cole Slaw; Pan-Fired Oysters with Spicy Remoulade Sauce; and Prime Rib Sandwich with Sweet Onion Relish and Maytag Blue Cheese; to Schuler's Swiss Onion Soup; Herb-Stuffed Trout with Horseradish Cream Sauce; Grandma Schuler's Cornish Pasties; Schuler's Signature Lasagna; Balsamic Vinegar Roasted Beets with Marjoram; Party Sangria; and Chocolate Bread Pudding with Coffee Liqueur, Schuler's offers a complete and elegant restaurant menu that is as "kitchen cook friendly" as it is palate pleasing and appetite satisfying!

The Fitness Kitchen
Shelly Sinton
Taylor Trade Publishing
Natonal Book Network, dist.
4501 Forbes Boulevardd Suite 200, Lanham MD 20706
www.ShellysFitnessKitchen.com
1589791436 $18.95 1-800-452-6420

In The Fitness Kitchen: Recipes For A Fad-free Lifestyle, Shelly Sinton (Senior Recipe Tester and Reviewer for "Leite's Culinaria" and author of the weekly newsletter "Real Food with Real Taste") debunks fad diets and offers in their place a fad-free way of eating that will enhance a lifestyle hallmarked by health choices and wonderful eating. Each of the 175 recipes are enhanced with a complete nutritional analysis. Of particular interest are the sections on "flavor boosters', kitchen health and fitness principles, "pantry essentials", and quick dessert ideas. From Pumpkin Orange Scones; Bageled Tuna Salad Sandwich; Balsamic Steak; and Savory Fruited Brown Rice; to Apple-Fig Compote with Yogurt; Banana Coconut Milk Freeze; Roasted Pepper Cherry Salsa; and Five-Spice Pork and Vegetable Stir-Fry, The Fitness Kitchen will prove a welcome and popular addition to any personal or community library kitchen cookbook collection.

The Common Grill Cookbook
Craig Common
Sleeping Bear Press
PO Box 20, Chelsea, MI 48118
www.sleepingbearpress.com
1886947880 $35.00 www.amazon.com

Craig Common began his culinary career at age fourteen washing dishes in a Dearborn Heights restaurant. A self-taught chef, Common eventually became overseer of sixteen C.A. Muer Corporation restaurants in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida. He finally opened up The Common Grill restaurant on July 26, 1991 and became an immediate success in downtown Chelsea, an enterprise that has grown from 48 seats to a 148 seats and includes a popular carryout market. The Common Grill Cookbook is an impressive compilation of more than 150 of Craig Common and his restaurant clienteles' favorite recipes. Ranging from Firecracker Shrimp with Hong Kong Salsa; Pinconning Cheese Soup; Apple Praline French Toast; and Braised Beef Short Ribs with Gorgonzola Polenta Cakes; to Pasta Jambalaya; Grilled Asian BBQ Tuna; and Warm Berry Bread Pudding, The Common Grill Cookbook is an ideal addition for gourmet cookbook collections while being thoroughly "user friendly" for even the most novice of kitchen cooks!


The World History Shelf

The Olmecs
Richard A. Diehl
Thames & Hudson
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
0500021198 $39.95 1-800-233-4830

Surprisingly enough, academician and scholar Richard Diehl's The Olmecs: America's First Civilization is the first complete survey and overview analysis of the peoples who created the first complex culture in Mesoamerica, adding new information from recent archaeological findings to consider Olmec life, culture and art. Diehl's background as a professor of anthropology at the University of Alabama and his personal experience conducting archaeological investigations in Mexico lend appreciable substance and insight to his authoritative, "reader friendly" coverage, which is packed with illustrative black and white photos of Olmec relics. Highly recommended!

Global History
David W. Del Testa, et.al., editors
ME Sharpe Inc.
80 Business Park Dr., Armonk, NY 10504
0765680432 $325.00 1-800-541-6563

Outstanding in its scope and presentation the 4-volume set, Global History: Cultural Encounters From Antiquity To The Present, is divided by periods of time and covering world history from antiquity in 5000 B.C.E. to the present: if only one library reference on general global history were to be considered for either a high school or college-level collection, it should be this. Bright, inviting colorful covers led to volumes which pepper their pages with color maps, illustrations and detail but the meat of each book lies in its articles and essays discussing significant historical events. Each article cites primary sources, includes extensive bibliographic references for further reading, and each book includes a timeline of events. Each book includes not only plenty of detail about significant events of the era covered; it includes discussions of scholarly challenges and issues involved in presenting a multifaceted history. Very highly recommended.

'A Great Effusion of Blood'?
Mark D. Meyerson, et al.
University of Toronto Press
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4Y 2W8
0802087744 $65.00 1-800-565-9523

Compiled by academicians Mark D. Meyerson, Daniel Thiery and Oren Falk, 'A Great Effusion of Blood'?: Interpreting Medieval Violence is an assemblage of scholarly essays by learned authors concerning violence in medieval Europe and the role of violence in medieval literature. Drawing upon historical records, artistic classics, theory, and sociology, the authors strive to better understand violence as seen through the eyes of those who lived in the era. An invaluable tool for history and literature reference shelves alike, particularly in several essays' attempts to clarify understanding of violence in such works as Chaucer's "Clerk's Tale" and the early Robin Hood poems.

Lordship, Reform, And The Development Of Civil Society In Medieval Italy
David Foote
University of Notre Dame Press
310 Flanner Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
www.undpress.nd.edu
0268028729 $25.00 1-800-621-2736

An extensively researched and carefully reasoned study of the institutions and forces that shaped a phase of Italian history, Lordship, Reform, And The Development Of Civil Society In Medieval Italy: The Bishopric Of Orvieto, 1100-1250 is a scholarly analysis of a small Italian commune during the High Middle Ages. Exploring feudal revolution, ecclesiastical reform, and state building, as well as offer-ing a direct challenge to conclusions that overemphasize the secular nature of Italian city-states by pointing out how ecclesiastical institutions influenced the political and religious culture of communes, Lordship, Reform, And The Development Of Civil Society In Medieval Italy is a work of superb scholarship and a welcome addition to academic library Middle Ages studies and World History reference collections.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

NESFA Press
PO Box 809, Framingham, MA 01701
www.nesfapress.com

Two outstanding new titles are recommended picks for discriminating, seasoned fans of science. Fans of Lois McMaster Bujold already know how hard it has been to obtain her Falling Free (1886778531, $23.00), so should appreciate this newly copyedited, revised edition. Falling Free was written to honor her father, a professor, and is her earliest novel in her 'Vorkosigan' universe, so fans will consider this a 'must', completing a collection of classic Bujold writings. William Tenn's Dancing Naked (1886778469, $29.00) gathers notable works by an author best known for his fiction, but also fluent in nonfiction. His essays on science fiction and writing appeared in a variety of publications, but are gathered together here for the first time under one cover.

Harry Potter And Philosophy
David Baggett & Shawn Klein
Open Court Press
332 South Michigan Avenue, #1100, Chicago, IL 60604
www.opencourtbooks.com
0812694554 $17.95 www.amazon.com

Harry Potter's put the spell on millions of readers, and many have debated the 'deeper meaning' of the stories. In Harry Potter And Philosophy, seventeen philosophical experts unlock some of Hogwart's secrets, revealing connections between the particular characters and how they link to modern philosophy. There's more than a healthy dose of humor, such in an analysis of how Aristotle would've run a school for wizard. Harry Potter And Philosophy is "must" reading for dedicated fans of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels and films presenting Harry Potter's detailed and complicated world.

Edenborn
Nick Sagan
Putnam
375 Hudson Street, NY NY 10014-3657
www.penguin.com
0399151869 $19.95 1-800-847-5515

Fans of Sagan's debut novel Idlewild will find Edenborn a suitable follow-up: it's set in the future when a disease known as The Black Ep has wiped out most of humanity, leaving the remaining survivors divided into to camps: one which believes in technological innovation, the other an anti-technology back-to-the-land survivalist colony. Add multiple narrators to reinforce the ideas and you have a powerful setting all the more enhanced by the idea that much of Edenborn takes place inside a virtual world which the characters can manipulate.

Orphanage
Robert Buettner
Warner Aspect
1271 Avenue of Americas, NY NY 10020
www.twbookmark.com
0446614297 $6.99 1-800-759-0190

In Robert Buettner's original and highly recommended science fiction novel Orphange, humankind's first alien contact comes in the form of city-destroying missiles from Jupiter's moon Ganymede. Under attack from afar, humanity needs an effective counterstrike to survive- and it's up to a teenage and a group of orphan soldiers nobody will miss to man a scavenged spacecraft that's mankind's only hope for survival.

Baen Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY NY 10020
1-800-223-2336 www.baen.com

Three exciting new science fiction dramas are recommended picks for fans of political science fiction and fantasy. Esther Friesner's Turn The Other Chick (07434-88571, $20.00) blends tongue-in-cheek humor with the story of Amazonian women ready for battle. From conflicts between he/she enemies and gender identification to 'combat shopping' at reluctant armories which only with to outfit men, Turn The Other Chick is packed with fun. Joel Rosenberg's Guardians Of The Flame: To Home And Ehvenor (074348-858X, $24.00) tackles a new menace from another world. Years have passed, and Jason, son of one of the students affected by a too-real magic/wizard game, has taken up his mysteriously vanished father's role, fighting for freedom against slavery. His investigation into a rift leading to a world of evil beings makes for an absorbing plot even for newcomers to Rosenberg's Guardians Of The Flame setting. David Weber's The Shadow Of Sagnami (0743488-520, $26.00) introduces the 'Saganami Island' series, presenting a group of graduates from a naval academy sent from the classroom to war. Battles, space pirates, genetic slavers and more keep the new grads hopping in this fiercely battle-studded novel of adventure.

Ace Books
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com www.amazon.com

Ace is a leading publisher of high-quality science fiction: you can pretty much bet that if it appears under the Ace imprint, it'll be worth reading, and two new releases are no exception to the rule. Elizabeth Ann Scarborough's Cleopatra 7.2 (04410-1206X, $23.95) continues the saga of a genetic process known as 'blending', where the cellular memories of Cleopatra have been transferred into two scientist hosts. But one scientist's blending was unauthorized, and Leda faces threats from a newfound anti-blending movement and the side effects of her genetic implant. A surprising series of events brings the two hosts into conflicts in this absorbing, original premise. Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon setting returns to life under the hand of friend and coauthor Diana L. Paxson in Ancestors Of Avalon (0670033146, $25.95): the latest installment continues Bradley's setting, telling of the ancestors of Avalon, from their life on Atlantis to their escape to Britain and their newfound mystical home on the isle. High drama and strong characterization mark Paxson's admirable Ancestors Of Avalon, a smooth seamless transition between Bradley's original setting and this latest enactment. Allen Steele's Coyote Rising (0441012-051, $23.95) provides an exciting novel of interstellar revolution as it explores the passengers and crew of a hijacked starship, fleeing a colony on Coyote after the arrival of a new, repressive Earth government on their planet, and the colonists they have left behind. A revolution is in the making, against a hard-handed new ruler who faces crushing opposition and a violent past. Interstellar politics comes alive in Coyote Rising. Eric Garcia's Anonymous Rex/Casual Rex (0441012-752, $15.00) provides a single-volume edition of the first two novels in Garcia's mystery/science fiction romp. This inclusion of two for one makes it easy to enjoy Garcia's setting and humor, based upon an idea that if the dinosaurs hadn't gone extinct, the world would be a much stranger place.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Stolen Water
W. Hodding Carter
Atria Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY NY 10020
0743474066 $24.00 simonsays.com

Hodding Carter loves the Everglades and Stolen Water: Saving the Everglades from Its Friends, Foes, and Florida reflects this affection as much as it reflects arguments on both sides covering the management and utilization of the wilderness. From restoration plans for the Everglades to author Carter's own quest through the region to consider both its history and future, Stolen Water provides some hard-hitting facts about the real friends and foes of the area.


The Needlecraft Shelf

The Art Of French Beaded Flowers
Carol Benner Doelp
Lark Books
c/o Sterling Publishing Company
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016-8810
www.larkbooks.com
1579904262 $24.95 1-800-805-5489

Even the most novice needlecrafter can now learn how to make 30 beautiful flower blossoms from beads, suitable for a range of sewing embellishments, with Carol Benner Doelp's The Art Of French Beaded Flowers: Creative Techniques For Making 30 Beautiful Blooms. The finer art of French beaded flowers developed during the Victorian era and requires only glass beads and wire for easy reproduction. Packed with color photos and decorative ideas, Art Of French Beaded Flowers is especially appealing because no extensive supplies lists or innate talent is needed to produce a finished piece which looks like fine art.

Junior Knits
Debbie Bliss
Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053
www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
1570763003 $24.95 1-800-423-4525

Needlecraft author Debbie Bliss is a top knitware designer who worked for Baby Gap and has published numerous other books on children's knitting projects: Junior Knits provides clothing projects for kids ages four to ten, presenting a range of projects from leg warmers and sweaters to a hooded parka. Full-page color photos of kids wearing completed clothing accompany detailed directions and a handy lay-flat format which knitters will especially appreciate as they work.

Silhouettes In Cross Stitch
Julie Hasler
David Porteous Editions
c/o Parkwest Publications
451 Communipaw Ave., Jersey City, NJ
http://www.parkwestpubs.com/
1870586336 $14.95 1-646-215-9003

Cross stitch lends perfectly to creating shapes in silhouette, and the art of cutting out paper silhouettes provided the inspiration for the projects in Silhouettes In Cross Stitch. Another plus: the projects are all practical, from a usable tea tray and a sewing box to a table runner and a trinket box or greeting cards. Patterns in black and white on full page accompany color photos of finished results, while clear instructions will appeal to cross stitchers seeking different projects.

American Quilters Society
PO Box 3290 Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com

Two new quilter's guides offer very specific advice and approaches for both novice and experienced quilters. Joan Waldman's Quilt Savvy Embroidery Stitches (157432862X, $21.95) provides over eight hundred stitch patterns which form variations on nineteen basic stitches. The inclusion of step-by-step sequences for both right- and left-hand work assures usefulness to a wide audience, while motifs showcasing butterflies and other patterns encourage the beginner to move into the advanced stages of appliqu‚ embroidery. An excellent set of patterns, Quilt Savvy Embroidery Stitches promises immediate applicability. Cheryl Barnes compiles Best Of Shirley Thompson Quilting Patterns (1574328646, $24.95), presenting 200 patterns taken from all seven of Shirley's trend-setting quilting books. Patterns are digitalized to fit the most commonly sized blocks and borders and basics have been revised and written from the original books to provide the latest techniques and a smooth transition between idea and pattern. An oversized long format lends to easy reproduction.

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

Four lovely new quilter's guides provide excellent new tips and projects for a levels of quilter. Robin Strobel's Quilter's Bounty (1584775275, $24.95) tells how to use ordinary blocks to piece together unusual quilts. The easy quilt blocks can be stitched together to create entirely new designs, using just one block per quilt: complexity without the tricky sewing usually associated with complicated-looking patterns. Secondary designs are also presented in fourteen traditional-style projects. Sharon Pederson's More Reversible Quilts (1564775569, $24.95) profiles eleven new Pederson project specials. Sharon Pederson is known for reversible quilts: her latest patterns and designs provide a twist: quilts which provide completely different designs on either side. From quilts to table runners, More Reversible Quilts outlines some wonderful projects. Carol Doak's 300 Paper-Pieced Quilt Blocks (1564775348, $29.95) pairs a CD-ROM of patterns with a book which presents 300 paper-pieced quilt block choices, from 4" pictorial and geometric blocks to alphabet and number patterns. Use paper piecing for assured quality results: it provides a nearly infallible technique. Missy Burns, Stephanie Blaydes Kaisler and Anita Tosten's Knitting With Hand-Dyed Yarns (1564775534, $28.95) presents twenty projects advocating the use of hand-dyed yarns to guide a knitter's styles and choices. From special advice on how to work with hand-dyed yarns to style choices and knitting patterns, Knitting With Hand-dyed Yarns comes packed with specifics not to be found elsewhere.


The Fiction Shelf

Sand Mansions
Norman Gilliland
NEMO Productions
Box 260079, Madison, WI 53726-0079
097150931X $24.95 sandmansions.com

Set in 1876, Sand Mansions is the story of a fugitive gold prospector whose poor navigational skills lead him to a wild Florida town. He earns a bitter enemy in the ruthless, cunning and manipulative John Howard, and their clash brings misfortune to more than one innocent. Corruption at the ballot box, a horrific yellow fever epidemic, the crime spree of a black outlaw and his Irish priest accessory all make simple survival a difficult prospect at best, in this rugged narrative of kindling fierce spirit and earning a place for oneself

The Journey Of The Flame
Walter Nordhoff
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145, Berkeley, CA 94709
1890771589 $14.95 heydaybooks.com

A simply superb reproduction of the 1933 Houghton Mifflin edition of Walter Nordhoff's The Journey Of The Flame, this new Heyday Books edition is part of their "California Legacy Book" series. On the day of his 104th birthday, Don Juan Obrigon tells his life story to assembled relatives and guests. Don Obrigon describes his travels as a boy of twelve in 1810 when he accompanied the Spanish Inspector-General of the Colonies from the souther tip of Baja California to Monterey. A work of fiction, author Nordhoff brings to life a "time lost" tale of adventure and ancient desert lore based on meticulous research and personal experience. Beautifully written, deftly constructed, and enthusiastically recommended reading, The Journey Of The Flame will prove entertaining and reader engaging to a whole new generation.

Revising Romance
Melanie Dugan
Sumach Press
1415 Bathurst Street, Suite 202, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5R 3H8
1894549341 $16.95 sumachpress.com

Freelance journalist Melanie Dugan presents Revising Romance, an original novel about an editor confronted with a terrible dreck of a book from a widely-reknowned, best-selling author. Saddled with the job of making the manuscript publishable before the deadline, she works frantically while striving to distance herself from the author's unwelcome advances. While fact-checking the novel, she meets a local antiquarian bookseller and learns that romance truly isn't dead. A heartwarming, amusing, and sometimes downright sexy story of the suprising elements that permeate the bond between two people.

Welsh Rabbit
Douglas Carstens
Carstens Press
PO Box 55, Tipp City, OH 45371
0975538209 $12.95 www.amazon.com

Welsh Rabbit is a novel of two opposites struggling to get along. A grizzled veteran cop stripped of his sergeant stripes for unauthorized pursuit, struggling to last two more years so he can collect his pension and retire, must train an unusual rookie - a middle-aged, married woman and former psychologist seeking the meaning of life through a career shift. The harsh pressures and sometimes deadly requirements of their mutual job to serve and protect place a strain on their partnership, but when lives hang in they balance there is little leeway or forgiveness for mutual abrasions. A compelling novel of learning polar opposites who must learn to surpass their personal differences.

Misadventures & Merfolk
Kelly Reno
Reeds Press
PO Box 701, Montrose, CA 91021
1891437011 $14.95 www.Mer-folk.com

Misadventures & Merfolk is an inventive novel about a travel writer who visits the British Isles and finds a seaside town teetering on the edge of insanity. Enchanted by a local mermaid impersonater, nearly killed in a bizarre mating ritual, solicited to give an organ donation by the neighborhood church, he resolves to expose the whole truth about the bizarre town for good or ill. A wry and adventurous story of bizarre but all too human community.

Storm Force To Narvik
Alexander Fullerton
McBooks Press
520 North Meadow St., Ithaca, NY 14850
www.mcbooks.com
1590130928 $13.95 1-888-266-5711

Book one of the Nicholas Everard World War II saga, Storm Force To Narvik is an action-packed military novel about a British captain whose destroyer is crippled by Nazi gunfire in the German invasion of Norway. As he strives to repair his hidden ship in a remote fjord, he does not know that his son is part of an Allied naval flotilla converging on Norway, and the two of them will combine forces in a lethal battle to come. Suspenseful, high-stakes tension is the hallmark of this gripping saga about human drive and determination under the most harrowing of conditions.

Cookie Lily
Mary Troy
Southern Methodist University Press
Texas A&M University Press, dist.
Box 750414, Dallas, TX 75275-0415
0870744917 $22.50 1-800-826-8911

Cookie Lily is a collection of nine short stories and one novella by Mary Troy set in Hawaii. The characters are all women of mixed ethnicity (Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese; White; Filipino) and of mixed identity (Hawaiian locals, transplants, and an expatriate) who find themselves struggling to succeed in their daily lives against a sometimes deceptive backdrop of a pacific island paradise. From luaus for hire to forays into hostess bars and hotel rooms, senior beauty contests, beach-side hot dog stands, and a start-up cookie business, these are engaging tales of how women endure, deal with, and overcome their "problems in paradise". The deftly written and highly recommended tales comprising this outstanding anthology include: Luau; The Most Beautiful Girls in the World; Island Entertainment; Group Home; Happy Birthday Gerald Meatloaf; Beach Dogs; Falling in Love; Fantasy; Talk Story; and the title piece, Cookie Lilly.


The Theatre/Cinima/TV Shelf

The 2005 Entertainment Sourcebook
Association of Theatrical Artists
Applause Books
151 W. 46th St., New York NY 10036
www.applausepub.com
1557836361 $35.00 1-800-637-2852

The Association of Theatrical Artists and Craftspeople is the professional trade association of artists, designers and craftspeople who work in the industry - some of the most talented available - and their 2005 Entertainment Sourcebook is a 'must' for any serious theater production, outlining sources for jeweler's tools, specialized paints and dyes, theatrical supply houses, and much more. Listings display phone, fax and email contacts, include web sites, phones, hours and addresses, and add a synopsis of both payment methods holdings. Simply invaluable for any industry pro.

Never Coming To A Theater Near You
Kenneth Turan
Public Affairs
250 West 57th St. #1321, NY, NY 10107
www.publicaffairsbooks.com
1586482319 $25.00 1-877-782-1234

A relatively few Hollywood productions get all the publicity and box office attention; while other quality films don't receive much recognition. Kenneth Turan, as NPR 'Morning Edition' film critic, is in the best position to document and make note of these films, profiling what makes them good and celebrating the great, underrated and overlooked films which are 'must sees' in his opinion. Almost two hundred such films are presented in Never Coming To A Theater Near You: A Celebration Of A Certain Kind Of Movie, ranging from documentaries and classics to foreign films, making for an excellent reference which film buffs and students of Cinema Studies will appreciate.

Ten Minutes To The Audition
Janice Lynde
Tallfellow Press
1180 South Beverly Drive, Suite 320, Los Angeles, CA 90035
www.Tallfellow.com
1931290555 $12.95 1-800-851-8923

Written by an award-winning actress, Ten Minutes To The Audition is a simple checklist of practical advice for auditioning for a part. Simple tips to keep in mind and reminders to improve one's overall audition performance include "Your Performance Begins in the Reception Area", which stresses that confidence and attitude in the waiting room contributes to the odds of getting a part, and "Cold Readings", in which one is recommended to create a character from the inside out and be specific, and "The Three Nevers" - never panic if asked to read for another part, never react to no reaction, and never apologize for one's reading. A superb last-minute primer and enthusiastically recommended for anyone braving an audtion, whether for a professional acting job or local community theater.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

The DC Comics Encyclopedia
Phil Jiminez, et.al.
DK Publishing
375 Hudson St, NY, NY 10014-3657
075660592X $40.00 www.dk.com

Here's the perfect item of choice for that comic book fan who has all the issues: a definitive, color-packed one-volume encyclopedia of over 1,000 of the classic comic characters from DC Comics. This isn't your usual recap of issue covers - plenty of competing titles covering comics in general have these covers prominently displayed; it features never-seen-before artwork by some of the biggest names in comic book illustration, with all the famous heroes and villains under one cover. DC experts and participants have contributed heavily to The DC Comics Encyclopedia, a reference created by the collaborative team of Phil Jimenez, Daniel Wallace, Scott Beatty and which should be considered indispensably definitive.

Boneyard Volume Three
Richard Moore
NBM
555 8th Avenue, #1202, NY, NY 10018
1561634050 $9.95 nbmpublishing.com

Boneyard Volume Three is the third graphic novel in Richard Moore's horror spoof. Following the adventures of a fairly ordinary young man who inherits a cemetery filled with supernatural tenants - including a lascivious sea-woman, her Frankenstein-like husband, stone gargoyles who are none too good at surfing, and a beautiful 2,000-year-old vampire named Abbey - Boneyard mixes humor with very practical problems, even for seemingly supernatural beings. The IRS is threatening to foreclose on their home, and to raise sufficient funds, our heroes attempt to create and sell a swimsuit special featuring the lovely beauties at the beach (with an extra dose of SPF 1000 for Abbey). But there are fiends far worse than the taxman at work, culminating in a deadly showdown between Abbey and an even more ancient and powerful entity - the one who made her a vampire and knows the gruesomely horrific details of her painful past, millennia ago. Although a parody of modern horror media, Boneyard is far more than a gag story; it mixes humor and drama to fine blend and is one of the best independent comics currently being published. Also very highly recommended and a "must" for Richard Moore fans are Boneyard Volume One and Boneyard Volume Two.

R. Crumb Conversations
D. K. Holm, Editor
University Press of Mississippi
3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211
www.upress.state.ms.us
1578066379 $20.00 1-800-737-7788

Fans of underground comix art who wish for insights into the counterculture artist and innovator R. Crumb, whose illustrations have received wide distribution both in his own collections and on the faces of records, newspapers, and t-shirts, will find R. Crumb Conversations an excellent gathering of interviews and profiles covering various periods of Crumb's life and works. Comic art jokes, interactions with publishers and the public, and Crumb's influence on the underground comic art world are all revealed in the course of some excellent surveys.

Fantagraphics Books
7563 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
www.fantagraphics.com

R. Crumb fans will relish the blend of interviews, comics and insights in the Comics Journal Library's R. Crumb (1560975-644, $39.95), an oversized collection of black and white comic drawings. A color gallery in back lends a degree of color to the publication but it's the in-depth interviews combined with the larger-sized comics which makes R. Crumb a fine gift selection. Readers interested in cartooning and underground productions won't want to miss the very special Winter 2004 edition of The Comics Journal (1560975385, $22.95), which includes conversations among four generations of notable cartoonists: Al Hirschfeld, Jules Feiffer, Art Spiegelman and Chris Ware. Black and white and color cartoons throughout accompany both philosophical and applications-oriented discussions of the strips and comics produced by these cartoonists. Both are excellent picks for comics fans of all ages. Fantagraphics is a premier publisher in the field of underground comix. Comics fans should send for their free catalog for a complete listing of their titles.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide 2005
Kyle Husfloen, editor
Krause Publications
700 East State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001
www.krause.com
0873498186 $17.99 1-800-258-0929

If only one affordable but definitive price guide were to be chosen for a gift for collectors and garage salers, it should be the 20th anniversary edition of Antique Trader's standard reference. Here are all the major categories of glass, ceramics, and furniture under one cover, packing in small color photos, values, and coverage of the latest collecting trends. There are literally hundreds of categories to Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide 2005 - and enough in-depth reference detail for any level of collector or dealer.

Collecting Fluorescent Minerals
Stuart Schneider
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310
0764320912 $29.95 schifferbooks.com

Minerals from the United States from New Jersey to Arizona and California, as well as unusual selections from mineral mines around the world, are profiled in Stuart Schneider's Collecting Flourescent Minerals, a guide to gathering in the field and one of the most complete references to the topic in print. While introductory pages discuss notable mine sources and fluorescent minerals, the heart Schneider's discussion lies in color photos of the minerals themselves, supplementing a price guide which reveals glow factors and favorable lighting.

Collector Books
PO Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002
1-800-626-5420 www.collectorbooks.com

Frank Daniels' Collector's Guide To Cookbooks (154732411X, $24.95) will please a large audience seeking both a price guide and a key to collector cookbooks and what differentiates a specialty edition from an ordinary cookbook. General cookbooks, local spiral-bound community collections, and various editions from Pillsbury and Betty Crocker are all given their own in-depth chapters, color photos, and a handy A-Z arrangement which makes it simple to look up cookbooks by both topic and title. J. Michael Augustyniak's Collector's Ecnyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Collector's Editions (1574324055, $29.95) includes the 2004 dolls as it surveys the various collector's editions of Barbie and provides a title packed with color identification photos and the latest values. From Dolls of the World to Hollywood Legends, the backgrounds of each specialty collector's series is thoroughly explained and explored. Tom Felt and Elaine and Rich Stoer's Glass Candlestick Book Volume 3 (1574-323881, $29.95) covers candlesticks from Kanawha to Wright, completing a series feature set backed with medium-sized color photos and a survey of glass manufacturing company holdings. Candlestick collectors will want to consider this 3-volume set essential for both identification, background and the latest values. The second edition of Ron Stewart and Roy Ritchie's Big Book Of Pocket Knives (1574323962, $19.95) revises all the price and identification details of the prior edition and packs in black and white drawings of pocket knives which are perfect for collectors involved in hobby knife collecting. Print runs, descriptions, and the inclusion of novelty knife items assure this will be an important desk reference. Ronna Lee Aikins' 20th Century Costume Jewelry 1900-1980 (1574324136, $24.95) is most notable for its clear, important color photos of selected costume jewelry items from the turn of the century to modern times. Accompanying descriptions includes prices and details on makers and crafting, creating a multi-faceted, well-rounded survey of top tems. Carol Nichols' Paper Dollars Of The 1960s, 70s And 80s (157-4323946, $24.95) is filled with photos of paper doll items - both cut-out dolls and their original full-sheet uncut spreads - and includes original selling price and today's collectible prices for added impact. All are highly recommended reference picks for specialty collectors.


The Automotive Shelf

Car Design
Paolo Tumminelli
TeNeues
16 West 22nd St., NY, NY 1001
3823845616 $24.95 www.teneues.com

If it's a 400-page reference work examining European, American and Japanese car design from 1947-2004 which is needed, Paolo Tumminelli's Car Design is certain to fit the bill. Trends are displayed through original photos from almost four hundred series of vehicles and concept cars, along with biographical sketches of their designers. The color photos alone are lovely and outstanding, while the discussions provide plenty of detail. Recommended for the avid car design fan.

Chevelle SS 1964-1972
Jeffrey Steffs
JC Publishing
PO Box 796, Watertown, MN 55388
0972986928 $19.95 www.chevellfan.com

Profusely illustrated with color photography, Chevelle SS 1964-1972: A Muscle Car Source Book by "muscle car" enthusiast Jeffrey Steffs methodically walks the reader through the process of identifying the authentic Chevelle Super Sport and along the way, demystifies VIN and body tag decoding, provides a wealth of production data, engine specs, technical details, and historical facts about on of America's most popular recreational cars. A "must" for all muscle car fans, Chevelle SS 1964-1972 is essential reading for anyone contemplating buying one of these increasingly valuable cars, if only to avoid being taken in by a clone and ending up paying more than the car's true market value.


The Sports Shelf

Team Of The Century
Al Pickett
State House Press
McMurray Station, Box 637, Abilene, TX 79697-0637
1880510871 $16.95 1-800-421-3378

Veteran sports writer Al Pickett presents Team Of The Century: The Greatest High School Football Team In Texas is the true story of the Abilene High School Eagles, who won an incredible seventy-eight games and lost only seven from 1954 to 1957, earning three consecutive state championships. Led by a coach who knew how to garner support from the whole community for his program that transformed ordinary high schoolers into virtual legends, the team earned its place in Texas history when they were designated the "Team of the Century" by the Dallas Morning News in 1999. A well-researched history of a truly phenomenal high school team's hard-earned success.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Goodbye Gutenberg
Valerie Kirschenbaum
The Global Renaissance Society, LLC
111 Woodale Ave., Peekskill, NY 10566
www.goodbyegutenberg.com
0974575038 $47.95 1-800-266-5564

Goodbye Gutenberg: How A Bronx Teacher Defied 500 Years Of Tradition And Launched An Astonishing Renaissance is written and designed by a remarkable author who created her own font and enhanced her text and page layouts with 860 full color images (many never previously published in the United States). Funded in part by the International Reading Association and the Children for Children Fund, Goodbye Gutenberg presents a wealth of innovative new solutions designed to "get American reading against" -- especially young readers. Seven major sections comprising this remarkable and unique volume include Hello to a New Generation of Writers; Hello to a New Generation of Readers; Hello to a New Generation of Women; Beauty and the Book; Hello to a New Generation of Teachers; Hello to the Critics and Skeptics; and Goodbye Gutenberg (A Revaluation of Visual Values; Dawn of Designer Prose; The Visual Vernacular; The Old Way of Reading and the New; Terror in the Arts; And So Begin the Beautiful Books). Enhanced with footnotes, a bibliography, and a user friendly index, Goodbye Gutenburg is especially enthusiastically recommended reading for writers, publishers, educators, librarians, bibliophiles, and book reviewers!

Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript
Cynthia Laufenberg
Writer's Digest Books/F&W Pub.
4700 East Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.writersdigest.com
1582972907 $19.99 1-800-289-0963

Create appropriate, notable submissions for publication, from proposals and cover letters to complete manuscripts, using Cynthia Laufenberg's Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, an invaluable informational guide for prospective authors seeking publication. Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript is a 'must' for any writer aspiring to publication. Especially valuable are the tips on common mistakes made in the usual submission, whether it be the initial query letter or the completed work.

The American Directory Of Writer's Guidelines
Brigitte M. Phillips, et al.
Quill Driver Books
1831 Industrial Way, #101, Sanger, CA 93657
1884956408 $29.95 1-800-497-4909

Now in an expanded and thoroughly updated fourth edition, The American Directory Of Writer's Guidelines is collaboratively compiled and jointly edited by Brigitte M. Phillips, Susan D. Klassen, and Doris Hall. With current and invaluable information drawn from more than 1,100 magazine editors and 400 book publishers, The American Directory Of Writer's Guidelines is designed specifically for the freelance writer seeking to be published commercially. Listed by category (book publishers, periodicals, etc.) and arranged in alphabetical order within categories, each entry includes basic information concerning submission guidelines for writing (and photographs if applicable), contact information, a summary of the mission and general inclination of the publisher, and more. An invaluable resource for locating potential customers for one's work and conforming to the requirements that will protect one's labor from being instantly rejected, The American Directory Of Writer's Guidelines is a snap to consult and a first-class resource for freelance writers that literally pays for itself.


The Railroading Shelf

Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range
Pentrex
2652 East Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91107
www.pentrex.com
DMIR-DVD $29.95 1-800-950-9333

The Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway hauls taconite iron ore out of Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range from processing plants to the rail docks on Lake Superior. This outstanding, full color, 1 hour and 20 minute DVD showcases the operations of the DM&IR beginning at the dock in Two Harbors, along its two divisions and several branch lines, to the huge docks in Duluth. Railroad enthusiasts will see beautiful maroon and gold locomotives hard at work as they travel along the Iron Range Division from Two Harbors to Iron Junction, as well as SD40-#s (former SD456-2s remanufactured for the DM&IR railroad). A very highly recommended addition for railroad buff collections, the DVD format features include Chapter Menu and the option of watching the program with or without narration.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

The JPS Guide To Jewish Traditions
Ronald L. Eisenberg
Jewish Publication Society
2100 Arch Street, 2nd floor, Philadelphia PA 19103-1399
www.jewishpub.org
0827607601 $40.00 1-800-234-3151

The JPS Guide To Jewish Traditions by Ronald L. Eisenberg is an 806-page encyopedic compendium of comprehensive information on every Jewish tradition practiced today, from Orthodox to liberal. Written with respect and close attention to detail, The JPS Guide To Jewish Traditions includes ceremonies for rites of passage and marriage, holidays and observances, personal prayers, Jewish literature, ethics for living, dietary laws, and much more. Written in plain terms and accessible to lay readers and theologians alike, The JPS Guide To Jewish Traditions is a superb, easy-to-follow reference for personal and professional use. Also very highly recommended is Ronald Eisenberg's previous Judaic study, The Jewish World In Stamps: 4000 Years Of Jewish Civilization In Postal Stamps (1887563-768; $36.00; 288 pages; Schreiber Publishing).

The Messiah Of Brooklyn
M. Avrum Ehrlich
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306
0881258369 $35.00 www.ktav.com

The Messiah Of Brooklyn: Understanding Lubavitch Hasidism Past And Present is the true story of the expansion of the Habad-Lubavitch school of hasidic Judaism as led by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Discussing Schneerson's history as a survivor of the Holocaust, the instructions he gave that formed the foundation of Habad's messianic aspect with a focus upon outreach among Jews as a necessary condition for "redemption", and the remarkable growth of influence of this group in the past fifty years, The Messiah Of Brooklyn is a fascinating, scholarly balance of socio-religious analysis, biography, history, and in-depth discussion of ideology. A highly recommended resource for anyone seeking to enrich their knowledge of hasidic Judaism's role in modern history and present-day religious studies.

Chicken Soup With Chopsticks
Jack Botwinik
Paper Spider
1821 Walkley Road, Suite 8, Rm. M101
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1H 6X9
0973252316 $18.18 1-888-266-5788

Over 50% of American Jews intermarry. In an effort to counter the cultural assimilation arising from interfaith relationships, Rabbis, community leaders, and family members struggle to educate Jewish men and women of what the consequent issues of a mixed marriage will invoke ranging from pressure from a spouse to convert, to keeping kosher, to circumcision of newborn males, to raising children as Jewish, to avoiding family gatherings to the emotional pain of a gentile spouse. Chicken Soup With Chopsticks: A Jew's Struggle For Truth In An Interfaith Relationship by Jack Botwinik is a personal example of one man's efforts within the framework of his own interfaith courtship and marriage to a Chinese woman and how the two of them dealt with the unfolding consequences of their interfaith relationship. An account of candor, insight, reflection, and experience, also available in a hardcover edition (0973252308, $22.18), Chicken Soup With Chopsticks is a unique and thoroughly "reader friendly" contribution to the growing library of books on the subject of contemporary Judaism and Interfaith Marriage.

From Joshua To Caiaphas
James C. VanderKam
Fortress Press
100 Fifth Street, Suite 700, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1210
0800626176 $35.00 fortresspress.com

From Joshua To Caiaphas: High Priests After The Exile by James C. VanderKam (John A. O'Brien Professor of Hebrew Scriptures, University of Notre Dame) is a comprehensive, 548-page history of the high priests who served in the Second Temple period of Israel and their influence and importance in understanding early Judaism. A masterpiece of scholarship and research, Professor VanderKam writes with a distinctive clarity that allows even the non-specialist general reader to come away with a comprehensive and coherent understanding of Temple Judaism as represented by the fifty-one men who served as high priest from about 515 BCE down to 70CE when the Jerusalem temple was destroyed by the Romans. No Old Testament Studies, Israelite History, or Judaic Studies collection can be considered either comprehensive or complete without the inclusion of this impressive and seminal work. Also very highly recommended are Professor VanderKam's previous contributions: The Dead Sea Scrolls Today (1994); An Introduction To Early Judaism (2001); The Book Of Jubilees (2001); and The Meaning Of The Dead Sea Scrolls (which was co-authored with Peter Flinte, 2002).


The Self-Help Shelf

Everlasting Matrimony
Sheryl P. Kurland
Noble House
8019 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21236
www.americanliterarypress.com
1561678414 $39.95 1-800-873-2003

Expertly compiled and organized by Sheryl P. Kurland, Everlasting Matrimony: Pearls Of Wisdom From Couples Married 50 Years Or More is an elegantly published keepsake volume of keys to marital longevity as related by couples whose own marriages have endured for half a century or more. Touching upon every aspect and facet of marriage ranging from communication, sex, and money, to children, religion, hardships, and more, this coffee-table volume is enhanced with "then and now" photos of each couple making Everlasting Matrimony a highly prized and unique self-help compendium of seasoned advice, as well as a confidently recommended engagement, wedding, or anniversary gift filed from cover to cover with "lifetimes of wisdom, experience, and love".

The Woman Who Danced By The Sea
Marsha Mirkin, Ph.D.
Monkfish Book Publishing Company
27 Lamoree Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
www.monkfishpublishing.com
0974935905 $16.95 1-845-876-4861

Clinical psychologist Marsha Mirkin presents The Woman Who Danced By The Sea: Finding Ourselves In The Stories Of Our Biblical Foremothers, a self-help guide that views the lives of biblical women from the viewpoint of modern psychology. Drawing upon the life lessons from the struggles of Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel, Miriam, Ruth, and more, The Woman Who Danced By The Sea offers profound insights into the strength of character and spirit needed to change the world. For example, the daughter of the Pharaoah who rescued the baby Moses felt such compassion for him that she not only chose to adopt him, but publically defied the Pharaoh's decree of killing Hebrew infants rather than pretend the child was an unwanted Egyptian baby. In saving one child she contributed to saving the world, since little Moses would grow up to lead his people into a covenant with God. Such profound repercussions from one woman's act of compassion and inner strength reveal the importance of standing true to one's conscience and offer a noble life path to follow. A tremendously thoughtful, reverent and inspirational book.

Stop Running Away
Timothy M. Wise, M.A., L.P.C.C.
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931
0882822527 $14.95 www.amazon.com

Written by a licensed professional clinical counselor, who left the ministry to persue counseling full time, Stop Running Away: Confront The Guilt, Regret & Remorse That Haunt You is a straightforward self-help guide to dealing with self-destructive behaviors and the negative emotions that come from them. A very serious but thoroughly "user friendly" guide for do-it-yourself personal improvement, Stop Running Away uses acronyms and professional guidelines to help the reader identify the sources of behaviors that cause "skeletons" of permanent remorse, whether stemming from a traumatic childhood, hanging out with the wrong crowd, use of intoxicants (for some people even one drink is one drink too many) or other causes. Strategies for taking steps to not only repay the wrong, or find a way to make amends even if the wronged party cannot be found or apologized too, as well as improving oneself in order to avoid similar wrongs in the future, are outlined in meticulous detail. An excellent turnaround book for anyone struggling to change ingrained yet harmful behaviors, Stop Running Away is very highly recommended reading.


The Philosophy Shelf

The Republic
Jacob Howland
Paul Dry Books, Inc.
117 South 17th Street, Suite 1102, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
1589880153 $14.95 pauldrybooks.com

Thoughtfully penned by a professor of philosophy at the University of Tulsa, The Republic: The Odyssey Of Philosophy is a straightforward discussion of Plato's classic text "Republic", which addresses matters ranging from the soul to human community, the nature of the philosopher himself vs. the community, and more. Meticulously dissecting the message and insights of Plato's conjecture, The Republic: The Odyssey Of Philosophy is especially meant for intermediate and advanced scholars of Greek classics, but does not presupposed any knowledge of the Greek language itself. An stimulating contribution to classical literature and philosophy shelves.


The Military Shelf

Lucky Stars And Gold Bars
Karen Sladek
Penlyric Press
PO Box 10332, Seattle, Wa 98110
0972192581 $32.95 penlyricpress.com

Unlucky Stars And Gold Bars: A World War II Odyssey is a 522-page distillation of some 400 letters written by Lyle Sladek, a South Dakota farm boy during his military service as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. Lyle served as a Cryptographic Security and Intelligence Officer in the China-Burma-India; European; and Mediterranean theaters of war. He wrote about his observations respecting profound socioeconomic changes in Asia and Europe posting his letters home from five continents. Compiled and edited by his daughter, Lucky Stars And Gold Bars is especially valuable in what it reveals about the noncombat side of military life "in the field" during World War II as experienced by four out of five GIs during the second world war. Enhanced with 236 illustrations and thoroughly "reader friendly", Lucky Stars And Gold Bars is a rather unique and enthusiastically recommended addition for personal, academic, and community library Military History & Biography collections.


The Library Science Shelf

From Outreach To Equity
Robin Osborne, editor
ALA Editions
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
www.alastore.ala.org
0838935419 $32.00 1-866-746-7252

From Outreach To Equity: Innovative Models Of Library Policy And Practice is a collection of examples offering guidance for public libraries seeking to improve access to information for the public at large. A variety of sample models put into effective practice for different situations illustrate specific issues and creative solutions to common problems. Contributions from a wide variety of experienced professionals include discussions of how to provide inclusive service for children with special needs, using modern information technology to maximum advantage, developing outreach skills in library staff, and much more. An expertly researched account; most of the individual essays concerning each model are brief (only a few pages at most) and keenly to the point.

Foundations Of Library And Information Science
Richard E. Rubin
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William St, # 2004, NY, NY 10038
www.neal-schuman.com
1555705189 $65.00 1-866-672-6657

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Foundations Of Library And Information Science by Richard E. Rubin (Director and Professor at the School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University) continues to be an impressive, "reader friendly", comprehensive introduction to American and Canadian library and information studies programs. Foundations Of Library And Information Science explores practice of librarianship, the development of information science, the growth of technologies, evolut-ion in policy, the intellectual organization of institutions, the mission of libraries from past to present, and ethical aspects/principles between information providers and their clients. This significantly revised edition also includes new coverage of metadata, information architecture, UCITA, digital libraries, the Patriot Act, digital rights management, and other critical issues directly affecting access to and use of library-based information. Foundations Of Library And Information Science continues to be an indispensable addition to professional and academic Library Science reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Salmon Camp
Livingston Parsons, Jr.
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
www.amatobooks.com
1571883363 $14.95 1-503-653-8108

Salmon Camp: The Boland Brook Story is the fascinating true story of a small family fishing camp, never operated as a club or commercial venture. In the 1930s, a young woman named Katharine Parsons acquired a stretch of land with a mile and a quarter of Atlantic salmon river running through it, constructed Boland Brook Camp, an oversaw it for years until her nephew inherited it after her passing in 1993. Her nephew recounts a detailed and flavorful history of the camp, the people who fished there, the experience of angling on the Upsalquitch River, and more, illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs. A wonderful fishing memoir sure to appeal to enthusiasts of the sport.

The Best Of Fishing, Hunting, Camping, And Boating In Missouri
Charles J. Farmer
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Blvd, Columbia, MO 65201
082621553X $14.95 1-800-828-1894

Experienced outdoorsman Charles Farmer presents The Best Of Fishing, Hunting, Camping, And Boating In Missouri: Tips From An Outdoor Enthusiast, a primer of basic techniques and strategies to get the most out of one's wilderness experience in the Show-Me State. From where to find the premier fishing lakes and trout parks, to advice for which fishing lures to use and how to fish with kids, optimal habitats for hunting, various Missouri hunting clubs, camping checklists and safety tips, boating basics, and much more, The Best of Fishing, Hunting, Camping, And Boating In Missouri is a superb primer. Black-and-white photographs embellish this plain-terms introduction to the joy of experiencing what Missouri has to offer.


The Economics Shelf

Jobs Are Not The Answer... But Then What Is?
Angus MacIntyre
American Book Publishing
PO Box 65624, Salt Lake City, UT 84165
1589821564 $19.95 american-book.com

Jobs Are Not The Answer... But Then What Is? is a serious-minded treatise on economic growth and turnaround in local communities. Although it compiles the experiences and especially successes of efforts to lift stagnant communities out of bad economic times, Jobs Are Not The Answer... But Then What Is? is not primarily a solution manual but rather an effort to share the experiences of human beings struggling to change bad situations. Author Angus MacIntyre speaks from personal experience observing and helping local communities, and warns against the pitfalls of common throw-money-at-it solutions to local economic depression. Remedies that rely on tax breaks tend to attract footloose businesses that care nothing for the community, and which may even drive under stable local operations then close up shop as soon as the free ride ends. Remedies that rely too heavily out outside investment rather than local capital are dangerously unstable and leave a local community vulnerable to the whims of devastating larger forces. Jobs Are Not The Answer... But Then What Is? reveals that helping people out of economic depression is far more complicated than simply "creating jobs", but does so with an emphasis upon innovative solutions to long-standing social problems - the most successful remedies are the ones that can be cultivated with the labor and commitment of the folks at home.


The Photography Shelf

Stones And Marks
Peter Elliston
Lodima Press
PO Box 367, Revere, PA 18953
www.lodimapress.com
1888899107 $85.00 1-888-421-0388

Stones And Marks is a splendid, black-and-white photographic showcase of inscripted stones and stone monuments left behind by humanity's ancestors worldwide since prehistory. From megalithic structures to block reliefs, crumbled city walls, petroglyphs and much more, each two-page spread features a revealing photograph on the right and a brief text description of the stone's origin on the left. Stones And Marks is a captivating legacy of immortal messages and landmarks, and the next best thing to personally traveling to view enduring ancient wonders.

Salmon River Country
Mark Lisk & Stephen Stuebner
Caxton Press
312 Main Street, Caldwell, ID 83605-3299
www.caxtonpress.com
0870044419 $27.95 1-800-657-6465

Flowing through the largest wilderness region in the lower 48 states, Idaho's Salmon River courses through an area almost the size of the state of Ohio. This region popularly called the "Salmon River Country" is pretty much the same as it was 200 years ago when Lewis and Clark explored the river's headwaters. Now photographer Mark Lisk has showcased the wild beauty of the river and some of the hardy people who live and work along this spectacular waterway in Salmon River Country. Enhanced with an informed and informative wilderness essay by Stephen Stuebner, Salmon River Country's more than 100 superbly presented full color photographs make paging through this coffeetable book a true and highly recommended treat for the armchair traveler and an inspiration for anyone to make their own excursion along one of the loveliest wilderness rivers America has to offer.


The Native American Shelf

Oneida Iroquois
Anthony Wonderley
Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210
0815608306 $29.95 1-800-365-8929

Oneida Iroquois: Folklore, Myth, And History draws heavily from the the journals of (non-Indian) scholar Hope Emily Allen, as well as newly discovered field notes that document an oral tradition from the golden age of Iroquois folklore (1880-1925). Allen documented narrative art and myths that were largely unknown to the white world; examining the legends, author Anthony Wonderley deftly explores the role of myth and the process by which traditions are born and develop. Individual myths with a wealth of interpretation are presented in this invaluable contribution to Native American history and folklore.


The Architecture Shelf

Matisse: From Color To Architecture
Rene Percheron & Christian Brouder
Abrams
115 West 18th Street, NY, NY 10011
0810955822 $125.00 abramsbooks.com

Primarily known for his luminous color paintings, the French artist Henri Matisse was also involved in designing stunningly beautiful stained glass windows and even ventured into the realm of architecture as well. Matisse: From Color To Architecture is a seminal work by Rene Percheron and Christian Brouder and the first to focus on these lesser known endeavors by one of France's most renowned painters. Offering an intimate portrait of the artist in work and life with a focus upon Matisse's work in his final years on the Chapel of the Rosary in Vence and the nursery school in his hometown of Le Cateayu-Cambresis (both of these buildings are located in the south of France), this 384 page compendium is enhanced with 396 illustrations (247 of which are in full color) and includes beautiful reproductions of Matisse's most famous paintings drawn from the collections of Centre Georges Pompidou, the Hermitage Museum, the Barnes Foundation, and the National Gallery of Art. These works are paired with documents and photographs culled from the archives of the Matisse estate. Included are first-hand accounts from the participants in the Vence and Le Cateau projects. Matisse: From Color To Architecture is an original and recommended contribution to personal, professional, academic, and community library Art History and Architectural Studies collections.


The International Studies Shelf

Wetback Nation
Peter Laufer
Ivan R. Dee
1332 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60622
1566635926 $26.00 1-800-462-6420

The border between the U.S. and Mexico has long been a separation of cultures, a sign of frustration between two countries, and a symbol of illegal entry: Peter Laufer's Wetback Nation: The Case For Opening The Mexican-American Border offers a surprisingly different viewpoint, arguing for the free movement of Mexicans back and forth across the border rather than increased border restrictions. Free movements would end abuse of Mexican workers needed by the US economy and would make it easier for the U.S. to enforce restrictions against those it wishes to deny entry to: Wetback Nation discusses the Mexican immigration process in depth in the course of its argument, making it one of the more unusual - and important - surveys of Mexican relations and immigration standards to appear in modern times.

Arbitrary & Capricious
Gary E. Jarchant & Kenneth L. Mossman
The AEI Press
1150 Seventeenth Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036
0844741892 $20.00 www.aei.org/books

Arbitrary & Capricious: The Precautionary Principle In The European Union Courts by Gary E. Marchant (Professor of Law, Arizona State University College of Law) and Kenneth L. Mossman (Professor of Health Physics in the School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University) reveals that in some sixty judicial decisions to date, the EU courts have failed to provide a transparent and consistent meaning and application of the precautionary principle in their legal decisions affecting international environmental, health, and safety policies over the past 25 years. An empirical analysis demonstrating the EU court's arbitrary and reasonable judicial behavior as evidenced in their rulings, Arbitrary & Capricious should be mandatory reading in every International Studies course, every Free Trade policy discussion seminar's supplemental studies list, as well as for every academician, governmental official, and agency policy maker involved with America's EU trading policies.


The Money/Finance Shelf

The Astute Investor
Eric L. Prentis, Ph.D.
Prentis Business
361 N. Post Oak Lane, Suite 332, Houston, TX 77024-5950
0975966006 $29.95 theastuteinvestor.net

The Astute Investor is an in-depth investment guide book that analyzes the answers to such questions as "Is the stock market undervalued or overvalued?" "Is the market in a long-term upward trend or long-term downward trend?" and "What is the most promising stock to buy?" Organized by topic for quick and easy reference, chapters and subheadings include both fundamental information for the novice and advanced issues of analysis from the psychology of trading (including rational and irrational motives), how to interpret the news, a ten-step method for investing success, skillful retirement planning, and much more. An absolute must-read for serious investors that literally pays for itself with its wealth of tips, tricks, techniques, insights, warnings, and solid basic information. Highly recommended.

Investor Skills Training
Rob A. Ronin
Traders Press
Maryglenn McCombs Book Publicity
PO Box 6206, Greenville, SC 29606
www.traderspress.com
093438097X $24.95 1-800-927-0222

Investor Skills Training: Managing Emotions And Risk In The Market by registered financial consultant and clinical psychologist Rob Ronin describes the ways in which emotions can undermine sound investment decisions and how technical skills play a key role in reducing financial losses. Recent years of stock market activity have once again demonstrated how many investors fell prey to unfamiliarity with basic investing skills combined with strong and often volatile emotions resulting in bad acquisition and sales decisions arising form a unrealistic expectations exacerbated by a "herd mentality" with respect to stock market fluctuations and broader sociopolitical events and corporate malfeasance. Investor Skills Training provides the novice investor with a simple, seven-part, step-by-step program specifically designed to help them acquire both the technical skills and the psychological stamina to become consistently effective decision-makers. Reader friendly, Investor Skills Training should be considered an essential and mandatory study for anyone making investments in the complex and competitive stock and bond markets of today.

Raising More Money
Terry Axelrod
Raising More Money Publications
2100 North Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98103
www.raisingmoremoney.com
0970045530 $39.95

Founded and directed by Terry Axelrod, "Raising More Money" is a Seattle-based company that trains non-profit organizations in fundraising. A successful enterprise in its own right, Raising More Money has grown from 2 employees to 50, and has trained more than 2,000 organizations to date, with the average of $150,000 being raised by a nonprofit client group within a year of training. In Raising More Money: The Ask Event Handbook, Terry Axelrod (who is also the Director of the American Association of Fundraising Counsels; a Trustee of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce; and a Life Trustee of the Swedish Medical Center; and the founder of three nonprofit organizations) has distilled into a single volume the complete body of "how to" information for successfully raising money at a nonprofit fundraising event. Readers will learn how to determine when to hold an "Ask Event"; how to build a powerful, emotion-filled, one-hour program honoring the nonprofit organization's mission; how to conduct one-on-one "Asks"; how to evaluate results and follow-up with guests; and how to prepare for the next year's event. If you are charged with responsibility for fundraising with respect to a nonprofit organization, then you need to give a close and careful reading of Terry Axelrod's Raising More Money: The Ask Event Handbook. Also very highly recommended from Raising More Money Publications are: The Point Of Entry Handbook ($39.95, 263 pages); The Ask Event Handbook ($49.95, 238 pages); Raising More Money Video or DVD ($69.95, 47 minutes); and the Re-Igniting Your Board ($39.95, 21 minutes). Nonprofit and community library collections would be wise to acquire all five items in the form of the Raising More Money Library ($189.95).


The Martial Arts Shelf

Complete Kickboxing
Martina Sprague & Keith Livinston
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
1880336847 $29.95 tuttlepublishing.com

The collaborative work of martial arts experts Martina Sprague (kickboxing, modern freestyle, Kenpo karate) and Keith Livingston (kickboxing, Tae Kwon-Do, Kenpo Karate, boxing, Aikido, Ju-Jitsu, and former I.K.A. light heavyweight Rock Mountain champion), Complete Kickboxing is a "martial arts student friendly" instructional guide and reference for kickboxing techniques, concepts, sparring exercises and competition strategies. Beginning with the fundamentals of movement, stance, punching and kicking, and progressing to instructions on more advanced jump kicks and sweeps, strategies for short and long range fighting, outsmarting one's opponent, and the business mechanics of competition in the professional ring, Complete Kickboxing is an indispensible resource for novice and career kickboxers alike. A well-rounded compilation of facts, advice, and insight efficiently organized for improving one's skill and strengthening weaknesses.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

The Center Of The Sunlit Sky
Karl Brunnholzl
Snow Lion Publications
PO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14850
1559392185 $49.95 snowlionpub.com

The first volume of the Nitartha Institute Series, and a studity text for Naropa University's Buddhist Studies program, The Center Of The Sunlit Sky: Madhyamaka In The Kagyu Tradition presents the tradition of Madhyamaka Buddhism as more than a purely intellectual exercise, showing how it directly addresses daily life experience. Chapters discuss understanding of two realities, Madhyamaka meditation, the distinctions beteween Autonomists and Consequentialists, and much more. Overall, The Center Of The Sunlit Sky is a determined effort to publish a thorough understanding of the Kagyu view of Mad-hyamaka for Western readers. Though undoubtedly meant for those already familiar with Buddhism's basic tenets, The Center Of The Sunlit Sky presents complex philosophical and spiritual precepts in as clear and direct terms as possible for Western minds. A "must-have" for anyone seeking to better understand the Madhyamaka Buddhism as has been practiced in Tibet for centuries.


The Poetry Shelf

The Song Of Abraham
James Ronald Bartlett
The Edwin Mellen Press
PO Box 450, Lewiston, NY 14092-0450
www.edwinmellenpress.com
0773435662 $39.95 1-716-754-2788

James Ronald Bartlette is Professor Emeritus of Modern Language at the University of Mississippi where he taught German language and literature from 1970 to his retirement in 1996. The Song Of Abraham & Other Poems is a compendium of his poetry that showcases his ability to use the English language in conjuring up storyteller imagery which touches the soul and mind of the reader. The Visitation: Damn you old woman/be gone/I know your ditty and vulgar song//I won't be long/for the night it wanes and the panes clear/in the dusk of an early morn//I won't be long/my work soon done/you can then erase me with your raffish mop/start here at the bottom end here at the top//Wipe me away/as through a scuff on the floor and by simply opening the door/throw me out//To never doubt again/or flout life force in dizzy spree//Then except someone think me/I shall cease to exist--/So keep on scrubbin' and hubb-adubb-dubbin/damned old woman/I'll stay one step ahead/until I'm ready to play dead--/I've still a few scuff marks/to make on your goddamn floor!

Maccabee: An Epic in Free Verse
Howard Rubenstein
Granite Hills Press
PO Box P, El Cajon, CA 92022-8010
1929468083 $24.95

Maccabee: An Epic In Free Verse is an astounding modern-day epic poem based upon the the Biblical books of the Maccabees. Praising the valiance of those who resisted tyranny, as well as condemning the murder and slaughter of oppressors, Maccabee presents the violence of the Old Testament saga in plain terms, without glossing over atrocities committed. Of especial note are the comments about people who strove to comfort themselves by claiming that those who suffered and died were martyrs, when they were in fact murder victims and Torah law forbids human sacrifice. A moving and powerful way to experience a bloody chapter in history. The children of Israel kindle lights / for eight days each year / during the holiday of Hanukah / to celebrate the rededication of the Temple, / their survival as a people, / and the rededication of their lives / to justice, liberty, and peace. // There is a light / within the righteous / and courageous spirit / that burns longer than eight days. / It burns forever.

Living, Loving, And Other Heresies
Zsolt
Conundrum Press
PO Box 993, Crested Butte, CO 81224
0971367817 $23.95 1-970-349-2047

Living, Loving, And Other Heresies is a work of lyrical prose and poetry by Zsolt, a gifted author, musician, dancer and teacher. Yet progressive neuropathy has been affecting his life since 1998. He gradually lost the ability to walk, speak, or even take care of himself alone; yet with the aid of modern technology including a word-recognition keyboard program, he retains the ability to chronicle and contemplate the disease's effect. Living, Loving, And Other Heresies lingers upon the absolute specter of mortality - "Who among us is prepared to accept his or her final moment, to accept even the fleeting and final moment now flowing across our flesh?" - both as the author confronts it and as the reader will one day experience it. A timeless expression of philosophy, moral dilemmas, and the pain of confronting the inevitable, written with great artistic and literary flare. Highly recommended, profound in its impact as it delivers its message, questions, and revelations directly from the human heart and soul.

Shut Up Shut Down
Mark Nowak
Coffee House Press
27 N. Fourth St., Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.coffeehousepress.org
1566891639 $15.00 1-800-283-3572

Mark Nowak is a member of College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, and active in the American labor movement. Mark Nowak is also a master of the narrative poem as documented in Shut Up Shut Down, an impressive and strongly recommended collection of poetic plays and photo-documentary poems exposing the human cost of globalization and deindustrialization. I dislike having people about me. I find myself crossing the street to avoid meeting people I know. Whenever possible, I avoid being in a crowd. I avoid people when it is possible. I prefer to be alone most of the time. * her Black breasts/his Testosterone his//internal combustion/engine anomie//"We went to see/a baseball game.//But when people saw/Chinese sitting there//They kicked us/and cursed at us.//I never went back."/He never came home//Louisville slugger/"Little mother fuckers"//Bear hug/year of the Dog

Interglacial
James Richardson
Ausable Press
1026 Hurricane Road, Keene, NY 12942
1931337217 $16.00 ausablepress.org

Interglacial: New And Selected Poems & Aphorisms is a 253-page compendium of writings by prize winning poet James Richardson. Spellbound: And what of the child Bad Magic/clanged shut in a bluebird,/who sat half-lit in the re-leafing arbor,/listening for his old name in the family hubbub,/who meant to cry out...but seedflash, a hummer of wings.../couldn't hold to his dream,/small and quick as a spark, of having been/a child once? Who couldn't see into those windows,/quick as sparks, where slowly they still played,/who meant...but shrill, but two flights twined/outflinging...And sometimes in the clatter/of coffee on the lawn, their voices lowering/and slowed (that he could not tell/from landslide, from preliminary thunder),/they would seem to speak of him/something...but it was years/and he meant...but too-swift heart,/flit like forget and South like a soft downstairs,/and something sang him something flew him away...


The Gaming Shelf

Winning Poker
Dean Matthewson & Angie Diamond
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
151 West 19th Street, NY, NY 10011
1579124038 $5.95 1-800-722-7202

Winning Poker: 200 Rules, Technique & Strategies is a straightforward guide to mastering gambling card games. Covering a wide range of varients including Texas hold'em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, Five-Card Stud, and Five-Card Draw, as well as more unusual variations such as High-Low Chicago, Winning Poker not only describes rules and statistical analyses for calculating odds, but also explains how to read an opponent's tells, analyze a game, decipher poker slang, and more. An invaluable tool for anyone looking to improve their poker game, whether among friends or at a casino, and also a useful resource for better understanding televised poker championships.


The Parenting Shelf

Stop Arguing With Your Kids
Michael P. Nichols, Ph.D.
Guilford Publications, Inc.
72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
www.guilford.com
1572302844 $15.95 1-800-365-7006

Psychology professor Michael P. Nichols, Ph.D. presents Stop Arguing With Your Kids: How To Win The Battle Of Wills By Making Your Children Feel Heard, a guide for parents to showing one's children that their feelings and thoughts matter without necessarily giving into their demands. The key to the method is refusing to argue back - one can make and stick to tough decisions, while still listening to what one's children have to say. A superb guide to the basics of responsive listening and how to break bad habits, get closer in touch with one's children, and weather the inevitable storms of adolescence. Highly recommended.

Growing Your Musician
Tony Bancroft
National Association for Music Education
1806 Robert Fulton Dr, Reston, VA 20191
1565451600 $29.95 www.amazon.com

Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide For Band And Orchestra Parents is a straightforward resource for parents who may not necessarily know the first thing about music or instruments, but who want to help their musically inclined child achieve his or her fullest potential. From basic information concerning different instruments and how to keep them in good working order, to which "green" instruments are more sought after by college orchestras - and therefore are more likely to earn a tuition discount, to the importance of private lessons in grooming advanced talent, helping young people balance learning to play with other academic and extracurricular activities, and much more, Growing Your Musician is packed cover to cover with valuable advice. Highly recommended especially for parents who want to avoid hype and charlatans in favor of proven techniques to nurture their children's talents.

Grandparents' Guide To Gifted Children
James T. Webb et al.
Great Potential Press
PO Box 5057, Scottsdale, AZ 85261
www.giftedbooks.com
0910707650 $19.95 1-877-954-4200

Grandparents can play a supremely influential role in the shaping of their grandchildren's lives and well-being. This is especially so with bright or gifted grandchildren who will need additional emotional and intellectual support. Authored by the team of clinical psychologist James T. Webb, educational consultant Janet L. Gore, gifted studies expert Francs A. Karnes, and attorney A. Stephen McDaniel (with five grandchildren of his own), Grandparents' Guide To Gifted Children will enable the reader to identify the signs of advanced development and the special needs of bright children; understanding the unique roles of grandparenting such children; building a bond with a grandchild; getting the most from grandparenting; as well as developing education plans, what to do when a grandparent becomes the parent, and planning for a grandchild's future. Also available in a Large Print paperback edition (0910707-685, $24.95), Grandparents' Guide To Gifted Children should be a part of every community library Parenting Resources collection.


The Real Estate Shelf

How To Succeed In Commercial Real Estate
John L. Bowman
Mesa House Publishing/Two Coyotes
3228 College Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76110
0940352168 $21.95 mesahouse.com

How To Succeed In Commercial Real Estate is a plain-terms guide to buying and selling commercial property, drawn from the author's experience in 30 years of the business. Chapters cover sales points specific to commercial real estate, including suggestions for countering other brokers; the importance of exclusive listings; how rent is calculated and quoted; technical knowledge with regard to law, appraisal, taxation, zoning, surveys, and environmental investigations, among other topics; the pros and cons of going independent; and much more. A no-nonsense guide accessible to readers of all familiarity levels with the world of real estate, and highly recommended reading for anyone about to take the plunge and invest thousands or even millions of dollars into commercial property.

Magic Bullets In Real Estate
Dan Auito
Hathshire Press
1619 Three Sisters Way, Kodiak, Alaska, 99615
0974002003 $19.95 1-907-481-6300

With the volatility of the stock and bond markets in the last few years, and in view of continuing market instability due to a variety of factors ranging from federal deficit spending to the war on terrorism, real estate has become an even more attractive financial investment and/or business enterprise. Magic Bullets In Real Estate: Your Complete Guide To Understanding And Using Real Estate To Your Best Advantage by Dan Auito (a licensed real estate investor and certified appraisal assistant for the past fifteen years) will prove to be an ideal and instructive introduction to how an average person can build wealth and financial security through investing in real estate. Ably written so as to be completely accessible to non-professional general readers, Magic Bullets In Real Estate shows how to get into the real estate game with minimal investment and see immediate results; evaluating property quickly and choose only the best values; how to buy, sell, and lease properties with no real estate commissions or management fees; how to locate hassle-free tenants; how to find and rehabilitate rundown homes in a matter of days; avoiding common traps and pitfalls; preparing for and winning loan approvals; gaining access to large sums of tax-free cash for continued growth; using real estate to retire in style, and so much more. If you want to take a flyer in the real estate market, then give a very careful reading to Dan Auito's Magic Bullets In Real Estate.

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a meal without a dessert,
a song without a melody,
or a sunset without color.


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Diane C. Donovan, Editor
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