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Library Bookwatch

Volume 4, Number 1 January 2009 Home | LBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Education Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Parenting Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Judaic Studies Shelf Fiction Shelf American History Shelf
Military Shelf Business Shelf Sports Shelf
Library Science Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf Biography Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf Human Sexuality Shelf
Philosophy Shelf World History Shelf Poetry Shelf
Literary Shelf Political Science Shelf Gaming Shelf
Black Studies Shelf Theatre/Cinema Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf
Science Shelf Art Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Library DVD Shelf Library CD Music Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf International Studies Shelf Psychology Shelf
Women's Studies Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Pecans
Jane Manaster
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896726406, $19.95, www.ttup.ttu.edu

Pecans are an American treat and one of the sweetest nuts one will find. "Pecans: The Story in a Nutshell" traces the story of this wonderful nut from its earliest uses by the native Americans to the modern day pecan pies, pecan rolls, and just plain pecans. Describing everything form the plant itself, how the animal and plant kingdoms make use of the tree, and how the pecan tree came to be so widely grown. Enhanced with many pecan-based recipes, "Pecans: The Story in a Nutshell" is a must for anyone who has wondered about these sweet nuts.


The Education Shelf

I'd Rather Teach Peace
Colman McCarthy
Orbis Books
PO Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545
9781570757624, $16.00

Peace isn't a course offered in today's public schools, but maybe it should be. "I'd Rather Teach Peace" is the story of Colman McCarthy, drafted to become a public school teacher for writing, but instead sought to teach a course on peace and how to use it in everyday life and for the future. Chronicling one semester of this historic course, "I'd Rather Teach Peace" is a must read for any educator or education administrator.

Teaching Geography
Phil Gersmehl
The Guilford Press
72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
9781593857158, $45.00, www.guilford.com

When many Americans can't find their own state on the map, it's a sign that geography instruction needs some improvement. Now in a fully updated second edition, "Teaching Geography" is an invaluable resource for those who want to teach geography in the most effective way possible to help combat the stereotype that American children are stupid. With much advice and tips ranging from the most elementary kindergarten lessons all the way up to the lessons the senior year of high school. With more than a hundred activities presented and a CD-ROM with many educational materials, "Teaching Geography" is a geography teacher of any level's best friend.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Leading the Assembly in Prayer
Michael J. Begolly
Resource Publications
160 E. Virginia St., Suite #290, San Jose, CA 95112-5876
9780893906740, $24.95

Leadership is a skill to be applied to many aspects of life, including the spiritual. Now in a newly updated and revised edition, "Leading the Assembly in Prayer: A Practical Guide for Lay and Ordained Presiders" is an advice manual for church leaders who want to more effectively lead their congregations when it comes to the serene and personal time of prayer. With much advice on the differences when dealing with different audiences from children to funeral mourners, "Leading the Assembly in Prayer" is a must for any church leader who wants to be the best at what they do.

Restoring Integrity in Baptist Churches
Thomas White, Jason G. Duesing, & Malcolm B. Yarnell III
Kregel Academic & Professional
PO Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501
9780825441134, $18.99

Some say integrity is something that has taken quite the beating in modern society. "Restoring Integrity in Baptist Churches" is a collection of wise, Christian minds on the current decline of church attendance nation wide and the fall of moral values in America. Speaking on membership, Baptist principles, Discipline, and how to spread the values to a congregation, "Restoring Integrity in Baptist Churches" is a must for heads of Baptist churches.

Meeting St. Paul Today
Daniel J. Harrington
Loyola Press
3441 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
9780829427349, $12.95, www.loyolapress.com

Who was Paul, the apostle who preached most of Jesus's word after his death? "Meeting St. Paul Today: Understanding the Man, His Mission, and His Message" takes a look at the man behind the words. Tracing his history from before he met Jesus to his activities after the Crucifixion which did much to advance the word of his mentor, "Meeting St. Paul Today" is a must for those who want to learn everything they can about the dominant religion of the western world.

Finding Calcutta
Mary Poplin
Veritas Forum Book
c/o Intervarsity Press
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
9780830834723, $15.00, www.books.ivpress.com

Mother Teresa was a great inspiration to many Catholics. "Finding Calcutta" is the story of a woman whose desire to meet the potential saint was so strong, she volunteered to serve under her in the slums of Calcutta. Telling her story of traveling to Calcutta, meeting Mother Teresa, and what she was inspired to do to help the poor and needy, "Finding Calcutta" is inspirational and a strong choice for any religious memoir collection.

Salt of the Earth
Bernice Maher Mooney and Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald
University of Utah Press
1795 East South Campus Drive, #101, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9402
9780874808810, $29.95 www.uofupress.com 1-800-773-6672

Utah may be best known as the central seat of the Church of Latter-day Saints, but Catholicism has also been an integral part of the state's history dating all the way back to the American Revolution. Now in a newly updated and revised edition, "Salt of the Earth: The History of the Catholic Church in Utah, 1776-2007" is a thoughtful and heavily researched look at the contributions that Catholicism and Catholics have made to Utah, the histories of individual bishops, the growth of the diocese, and the lives of individual Catholics who made their own unique contributions to Utah's spiritual legacy. Written by the archivist emerita of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City Bernice Maher Mooney and the vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, Salt of the Earth is an informative, highly accessible account, illustrated with scattered black-and-white photographs. A welcome addition to Utah and American religious history shelves.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Conquering Eating Disorders
Sue Copper & Peggy Norton
Seal Press
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781580052603, $16.95, www.sealpress.com

Modern society has wrongfully taught some girls that triple digit weight of any sort is fat. "Conquering Eating Disorders: How Family Communication Heals" discusses the horrible reality of eating disorders very frankly. Bad body image is a leading cause, and many teens speak out and give their frank reasons, however distorted, why they do the things that they do. With much advice for parents, family, and friends to help a loved one overcome their harmful delusion, "Conquering Eating Disorders" is a must for parents who fear that this debilitating problem could affect their children.

Food and Nutrition in America
Sari Edelstein & Collaborators
Jones and Bartlett Publishers
40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA 01776
9780763754082, $68.95, www.jbpub.com

If there's no food, there's nothing. "Food and Nutrition in America: Food Insecurity, Biotechnology, Food Safety, and Bioterrorism" is an educational book looking to discuss the security of America's food supply in the modern day, with the rising wave of terrorism, new bioengineering, and much more. Chapters discuss in depth topics like America's overall safety when it comes to its food, food-borne illness, regulations, holes in the defense of America's food, and other threats that lie in wait to cause the country trouble with its most valued resource. "Food and Nutrition in America" is an invaluable discussion peace for those intrigued with both agricultural science and politics.


The Parenting Shelf

Babies with Down Syndrome
Susan J. Skallerup, editor
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817
9781890627553, $18.95, www.woodbinehouse.com

Different needs can confuse many parents on what to do with their child in difficult situations. Now published in a newly revised and updated edition, "Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents' Guide" is a guide focused on giving new parents everything they need to deal with their child who has been afflicted with Down Syndrome. Equipping them with a good array of information on daily life, development, education, the law, and so much more, it reinforces the idea that just like with any child, being informed is the best course of action. "Babies with Down Syndrome" is a must for any parents who have an infant with this unfortunate disorder.


The Self-Help Shelf

Overworked, Overwhelmed, & Underpaid
Louis Barajas
Thomas Nelson
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
9781595551665, $15.99, www.thomasnelson.com

Very few people in the world think they are paid what they deserve. "Overworked, Overwhelmed, & Underpaid: Simple Steps to Go From Stress to Success!" is a book focusing on these individuals who spend most of their life working, and when they aren't doing that, panicking over the work they failed to or need to do. Barajas tells of his advice on how to turn their lives around from overwhelming stress to happy contentment with life with solid tips and tricks. "Overworked, Overwhelmed, & Underpaid" is a highly recommended book for any who are on the brink of losing it due to their career.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

The Zohar
Rav Micheal Laitman
Laitman Kabbalah Publishers
1057 Steeles Avenue West, Suite 532, Toronto, ON M2R 3X1, Canada
9781897448090, $30.00, www.kabbalah.info

There is more wisdom to the Judaic religion than simply the Torah and the Talmud. "The Zohar: Annotations to the Ashlag Commentary" is a scholarly examination of the most formerly secret of Judaic texts for use with another set of sage Jewish writings in the Kabbalah. The Zohar itself focuses on one's relationship with God from religious, spiritual, and philosophical perspectives. A must for anyone who weighs much thought into the great intellectual subject of religion, "The Zohar" is not just for Rabbis anymore.


The Fiction Shelf

Lost in the Wild
Ryan Jacobson
Adventure Publications
820 Cleveland St. S, Cambridge, MN 55008
1591930901, $7.95, www.adventurepublications.net

Camping with one's family is fun. Being chased down by wolves, who view you as dinner? Not so much. "Lost in the Wild" is a choose your own adventure book with a simply printed yet clear goal of survival. Set in the forest during a family camping trip, the sister is suddenly missing in need of help. The protagonist, implied to be the reader and written in second person, must save their sister and themselves from the vicious wilderness. "Lost in the Wild" is a definite treat for elementary school readers who want a little fright in their interactive fiction.

20 Tales of California
Hector Lee
Rayve Productions
PO Box 726, Windsor, CA 95492
9781877810725, $12.95, www.rayvepro.com

California is a state with as long and captivating history as its parent country. Now in a newly revised edition, "20 Tales of California: A Rare Collection of Western Stories" draws heavily from the folklore and legend that has seeded in California from the days of the Native Americans encountering the Spanish Conquistadors. Touching on a wide range of topics in its history ranging from the southernmost tip to the border of Oregon, these tales shed a new light on the history of California. "20 Tales of California" is a must for any fiction enthusiast with an interest in Californian history.


The American History Shelf

Unearthing Ancient America
Frank Joseph, editor
New Page Books
c/o The Career Press
3 Tice Road, PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601630315, $15.99, www.newpagebooks.com

America is not new. America has been here for as long as the rest of the world. "Unearthing Ancient America: The Lost Sagas of Conquerors, Castaways, and Scoundrels" covers the history of the country before the Europeans ever set foot here . . . or so we thought. Incidents abound baffle historians, such as a Christian temple showing up, dated a century before we believed a Christian laid eyes on the country. "Unearthing Ancient America" is filled with enthralling facts about the history that most Americans never knew that was there.

Loyal but French
Mark Paul Richard
Michigan State University Press
Manly Miles Building, Suite 25, 1405 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
9780870138379, $34.95 www.msupress.msu.edu

Mark Paul Richard (Coordinator of the Canadian Studies program at the State University of New York-Plattsburgh and Associate Professor of History and Canadian Studies) presents Loyal but French: The Negotiation of Identity by French-Canadian Descendants in the United States, a thoughtful study of French-Canadian Americans. From Catholic French-Canadian immigrants into Protestant territory in 1850 to the assimilation of Franco-Americans during and after the World War II era, to issues of identity in the modern day, Loyal but French explores how Franco-Americans aligned their politics, contributed to the effort for worker's rights, and much more. Loyal but French is a scholarly, heavily researched study, that nonetheless remains accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Especially recommended for college library collections.

With a True God Bless
Suzanne Meredith
Heritage Books
100 Railroad Ave., Suite 104, Westminster, MD 21157-4826
9780788444715, $18.50, www.heritagebooks.com

A grand divide that separated a nation and forced men to leave their homes. "With a True God Bless" is a look at the personal impact on Americans during the civil war, collecting personal letters between both men and women on the battle field and the home fronts on both sides of the bloody conflict. A vivid picture of the American mindset during this tumultuous era, "With a True God Bless" is a must for any American Civil War collection.


The Military Shelf

Shoestring Soldiers
Andrew Iarocci
University of Toronto Press
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700, Toronto, ON M4Y 2W8
9780802098221, $50.00, www.utpublishing.com

Canada has for much of its existence served under the British Commonwealth, and when the United Kingdom went to war for World War I, the Canadians were right behind them. "Shoestring Soldiers: The 1st Canadian Division At War, 1914-1915" takes a look at the history of the first division of Canadians sent overseas to fight the Germans. Discussing their challenges stemming from unpreparedness of Canada for military conflict and how the nation started to overcome this to become a more respected division throughout the war, it's a seminal piece of Canadian military history. Heavily researched with scholarly opinions, and enhanced with appendixes, annotations, indexes, and a bibliography, "Shoestring Soldiers" is a must for any community or college library collection with a focus on Canada's military history.


The Business Shelf

Emotional Intelligence for Managing Results in a Diverse World
Lee Gardenswartz, Jorge Cherbosque, & Anita Rowe
Davies-Black Publishing
1055 Joaquin Road, 2nd Floor, Mountain View, CA 94043
9780891062554, $32.95, www.daviesblack.com

Frustration is in plenty of supply when dealing with the hectic avenues of business. "Emotional Intelligence for Managing Results in a Diverse World: The Hard Truth about Soft Skills in the Workplace" is a guide to keeping one's cool when dealing with all the problems and stress that comes with it. Encouraging business people to increase their EQ and empathy with their business partners and clients, "Emotional Intelligence for Managing Results in a Diverse World" is a must for anyone who doesn't want to lose a client based on petty things like hurt feelings.

Strategic Alliances
Steve Steinhilber
Harvard Business Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781422125885, $18.00, www.harvardbusinesspress.org

Without friends, few people will ever get anywhere. "Strategic Alliances: Three Ways to Make Them Work" is a business guide which takes a look at and emphasizes the value of strategy in the world of business. A part of the memo to the CEO series, it's aimed at business leaders who are the most vital in forging the alliances in the world of business. A good alliance is the difference between prosperity and bankruptcy, and "Strategic Alliances" is a surefire way to start one's partnership-making skills.

The Global Brand
Nigel Hollis
Palgrave MacMillan
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Jane Wesman Public Relations (publicity)
322 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1702, New York, NY 10001
9780230606227, $24.95, www.palgrave.com

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but a brand by another name won't sell nearly as well. "The Global Brand: How to Create and Develop Lasting Brand Value in the World Market" is a complete and comprehensive analysis to crafting an ideal brand to push one's product in today's very highly competitive world where only a few brand names seemingly monopolize every field. Laying out the many challenges face and looking at some success and failure stories in today's world, "The Global Brand" is a must for anyone who wants to be an expert at crafting a brand for their business.

Proving Continuous Improvement with Profit Ability
Russ Jones
American Society for Quality Press (ASQP)
600 N. Plankinton Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
9780873897426, $42.00, www.asq.org

It's one thing to turn a profit, or improve one's business, but doing both is a bit more tricky. "Proving Continuous Improvement with Profit Ability" is a business book dedicated to finding the things one needs to do to have profit while still improving one's business. With plenty of tips on increasing sales, cutting losses, efficiency, maximizing profit and creating a harmonious business environment, it's a well thought out business manual from a great business mind in Russ Jones. "Proving Continuous Improvement with Profit Ability" is a solid choice for any business looking to move on up without breaking the bank.


The Sports Shelf

Time-Out
Dov Moshe Lipman
Devora Publishing
40 East 78th Street, Suite 16D, New York, NY 10021
9781932687965, $16.95, www.devorapublishing.com

Sports and Spirituality don't seem like natural matches, but there's a good deal of philosophical cross over. "Time-Out: Sports Stories As a Game Plan for Spiritual Success" takes the lessons one gains from the world of competitive sports and tries to apply many of them onto the religious lessons one must learn when dealing the Judaic tradition. An approach to learning the Torah that a young reader or simply lapsed adult can easily understand, "Time-Out" is a solid gift for anyone who wants to give the gift of spirituality.


The Library Science Shelf

Teen Spaces, second edition
Kimberly Bolan
ALA Editions
50 East Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611
9780838909690, $36.00 www.alastore.ala.org 1-866-746-7252

Now in an updated second edition featuring a companion website with supplemental materials and success stories of YA librarians across the globe, Teen Spaces: The Step-by-Step Library Makeover is a straightforward guide to creating areas sure to appeal to teens in one's library. Black-and-white diagrams offer clear visual layouts and suggested designs; Teen Spaces walks one through designing and proposing a budget, working with architects and designers, visual merchandising ("the effort to make a library attractive and effective in its presentation of materials and services, as a means to increase use and circulation") and much more. Extended appendices, a list of resources, and a recommended vendor list round out this easy-to-use, no-nonsense guide highly recommended for YA librarians. "One important lesson that came out of this research is that, as librarians (and adults), we make the incorrect assumption that kids are web savvy and have the necessary skills to successfully use our websites. Many librarians teach information literacy - helping teens determine so-called bad information, while also assessing resources for high quality information. When working with teenagers in the virtual world, adults must continually focus on the assessment aspect of information literacy because it is consistently where teens fall short. This is especially true of Internet resources."

Professional Liability Issues for Librarians and Information Professionals
Paul D. Healey
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781555706098, $85.00, www.neal-schuman.com

If someone takes a book on chemistry from a library, uses it to create a bomb, and kills someone else with that bomb, could legal action be taken against the library? "Professional Liability Issues for Librarians and Information Professionals" is a complete and comprehensive manual for information professionals when dealing with the law of liability. While the above example is stretching it, the general concept in today's world where people sue others at the drop of a hat makes caution important. "Professional Liability Issues for Librarians and Information Professionals" goes over the wide range of situations a librarian may face, their rights in each one, and how to defend themselves from lawsuits ranging from the frivolous to the serious. Enhanced with ability audits, indexes, and glossaries, "Professional Liability Issues for Librarians and Information Professionals" is an absolute must have for any library or company involved in the business of information.

Booktalking Bonanza
Betsy Diamant-Cohen & Selma K. Levi
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838909652, $40.00, www.alastore.ala.org

It's all in the presentation, as they say. "Booktalking Bonanza: Ten Ready-to-Use Multimedia Sessions for the Busy Librarian" is a guide for librarians to inspire them and push them to turn their booktalk meetings from mere discussion groups to huge presentations that draw their audience in to enjoy books like any other media. With tips and tricks on drawing in wide demographics from young children to centurions, the book is a braintrust of two award-winning expert librarians for this topic. "Booktalking Bonanza" is a must for librarians who regularly hold booktalk meetings.

Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike Road, Medford NJ 08055
www.infotoday.com

Lori Bell and Rhonda B. Trueman edit VIRTUAL WORLDS, REAL LIBRARIES (9781573873611, $39.50), designed to help librarians and educators understand multi-user virtual environments and how to incorporate them into a user setting. The authors and over twenty contributors describe projects in Second Life and other virtual worlds, show how teaching and discussion groups as well as other programs can translate to a virtual environment, and provide an involving survey of changing user needs in the computer arena. A fascinating, lively survey. Pamela MacKellar's THE ACCIDENTAL LIBRARIAN (9781573873383, $29.50) is for any librarian doing the job without benefit of a formal degree. It covers what may have been missed in formal library education, discusses how those with such training stay current in their profession, and comes from a mentor of 'accidental librarians'. Tips, examples, and exercises abound in a recommendation for any college-level library science or general business collection.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Word Power
John Fleming
University Press of America
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9780761838043, $34.00, www.univpress.com

Words have power, and a grand vocabulary is a sure way to let someone know you aren't just any old dullard. "Word Power: A Dictionary of Fascinating Learned Words and Phrases for Vocabulary Enrichment" is, if one were to simplify it to the most simple of terms, a dictionary. However, its content focuses on a wider range of words from slang to archaic words to the obscene to even deeply scientific terms. "Word Power" is a must for anyone who wants to paint a picture with the English language and wants all the colors available.

The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins
Robert Hendrickson
Facts On File, Inc.
c/o Infobase Publishing
132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001
9780816069668, $95.00 www.factsonfile.infobasepublishing.com 1-800-322-8755

Now in an updated and expanded fourth edition, The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins is a massive reference jam-packed with definitions and origins of more than 15,000 words and expressions. From "all gussied up" to "zoot suit", each entry offers plain, no-nonsense information about the history and usage of each phrase (or the best known theories of the phrase's origin). Highly recommended especially for public library reference collections. "Zombie was originally the snake god worshiped in West Indian voodoo ceremonies based upon the worship of the python god in West Africa. Since dead people were said to be brought to life in these ceremonies, such imagined corpses shuffling along half dead and half alive were called zombies. By the 1920s this word naturally became applied to any oafish 'dummy' without much intelligence or spirit. It is also the name of a cocktail that makes one feel like a zombie."


The Biography Shelf

Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?
Charlise Lyles
Gray & Company, Publishers
1588 E. 40th St., Cleveland, OH 44103
9781598510416, $14.95, www.grayco.com

Blacks and whites sharing the same schools are a foregone conclusion in the modern day, but as recent as forty years ago, major challenges were faced. "Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?: From the Projects to Prep School" is her story of arriving in an extreme majority white prep school during such a time it was completely unheard of. Facing a new set of challenges while maintaining a desire to learn, Lyles' story is a moving one indeed. "Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?" is a solid piece on those who faced challenges during the civil rights era.

CBS's Don Hollenbeck
Loren Ghiglione
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023
9780231144964, $29.95, www.columbia.edu

Are you now, or have you ever been a communist? A chilling phrase that lead an era. "CBS's Don Hollenbeck: An Honest Reporter in the Age of McCarthyism" tells the stories of one of the few people in the mainstream media of the time to stand against the witch hunt that was launched during the dawn of the Cold War. Hollenbeck fought hard to be fair and honest about how he felt about the McCarthy Communist hunt, and for his efforts, he was fired from several major networks, divorced thrice, and assaulted endlessly by radical conservatives towing the McCarthy line. A tragedy of a good man's life destroyed for simply standing up for what's right, "CBS's Don Hollenbeck" is a solid piece of media history, enthusiastically recommended.

Godfather of the Revolution
Tom Ambrose
Peter Owen Publishers
73 Kenway Road, London, SW5 0RE Canada
Dufour Editions (distributor)
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9780720613018, $34.95

When the Americans were casting off the oppression of the British, little did they know they were inspiring another country to cast off the chains. "Godfather of the Revolution: The Life of Philippe Egalite Duc D'Orleans" tells of this man who led the notorious French Revolution, an event which both changed France for the better and the worst in the long run. The revolutionary led no quiet life, as his story and life are filled to the brim with adventure, including several intriguing stories not directly related to the French Revolution. "Godfather of the Revolution" is a must read biography.

Marpeck
Walter Klassen & William Klassen
Herald Press
616 Walnut Avenue, Scottsdale, PA 15683-1999
9780836194234, $32.99, www.heraldpress.com

The idea of a separate church and state was not a concept created by the founding of America. "Marpeck: A Life of Dissent and Conformity" is the biography of one of the earliest crusaders for this principle, Pilgram Marpeck. Covering his time and life and how he became one of the most important figures in his era of the Protestant Reformation and its influences which greatly impact the western world even today, it is an important reference for any discussion of historical philosophy. Enhanced with a comprehensive contents list for easy quick reference, "Marpeck" is a must for religious biography collections of any sort.

Conquistadors of the Useless
Lionel Terray
The Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134
9781594851117, $21.95, www.mountaineersbooks.org

Not just anyone has it in them to take on the more modern adventure of mountain climbing. "Conquistadors of the Useless" is the autobiography of French adventurer Lionel Terray, telling of his long and eventful life. Born in 1921, he began his adventuring at only the age of twelve and let up very rarely until a freak accident caused his death at forty-four years of age. An edition updated with much more information on the man who revolutionized post-World War II Mountain climbing, "Conquistadors of the Useless" is a must for any mountain climber who wants to embrace the activity's history.


The Social Issues Shelf

Homeland Insecurity
Terry D. Turchie & Kathleen M. Puckett
History Publishing Company
PO Box 700, Palisades, NY 10964
9781933909332, $25.95

A department dedicated to the security of our country sounds like an excellent idea on paper, but in practice, it has problems. "Homeland Insecurity: How Washington Politicians Made America Less Safe" is a highly critical piece attacking the incompetence of Washington and their blunders which have made America less safe since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. Focusing its persecution on twelve politicians who reside on both sides of political spectrum, it calls their motivations into question, making "Homeland Insecurity" a highly recommended piece of writing, a must read for those who are trying to figure out what's wrong with today's Washington.

War Without End
Michael Schwartz
Haymarket Books
4015 N. Rockwell St., Chicago, IL 60618
9781931859547, $16.00, www.haymarketbooks.org

Terror is a concept, not a nation. So how does the United States win its war on Terror? "War Without End: The Iraq War in Context" is a critical examination of the long running war on Iraq. Arguing that the ongoing United States occupation of Iraq is doing far more harm than good, inciting civil war and unrest within the country. Criticizing the government's motives and how a thirst for oil and not spreading democracy may be pushing the war, "War Without End" is a solid and recommended read for political readers.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

What Americans Really Believe
Rodney Stark
Baylor University
One Bear Place, #97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363
Blanco & Peace Enterprises (publicity)
359 W. Chicago Avenue, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60610
9781602581784, $24.95, www.baylorpress.com

All too often, conservative politicians will claim America is a Christian nation. But do the numbers back up their claim? "What Americans Really Believe" is a scholarly and far reaching study on a number of subjects ranging from politics to faith to the paranormal, to even the value of civil service. The surveys presented are quite intriguing and a look into the true American mindset when it comes to how their minds work. "What Americans Really Believe" is quite intriguing, highly entertaining, and educational.

Catherine of Siena
Thomas McDermott
Paulist Press
997 Macarthur Boulevard, Mahwah, NJ 07430
9780809145478, $27.95, www.paulistpress.com

Many thoughts from many people make up much of any type of belief today. "Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching" examines the life of the woman, and the teachings of this lesser known but highly important spiritual leader of the fourteenth century. In a time where women were still not thought of much more than property and rarely had a voice in the church, she made her mind hold value. Enhanced with indexes, bibliography, and comprehensive notes, "Catherine of Siena" is solid and highly recommended reading for any religious scholar.


The Human Sexuality Shelf

How to Get Hot Women Into Bed
Ed West
Amorta Press
c/o Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley, CA 94703
9781569756683, $12.95, www.ulyssespress.com

Everyone has seen it, the normal, non-model looking guy finding a super model who looks to be completely out of his league. "How to Get Hot Women Into Bed: Ultimate Seduction Techniques for Real Guys" is a book for tips and tricks to help one master the art form of becoming a pick up artist and finding what women really want in men. With plenty of ideas and advice for even the most slovenly average Joe, "How to Get Hot Women Into Bed" is worth reading for anyone who wants to turn their luck around.


The Philosophy Shelf

An Inquiry into the Original of Our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue
Francis Hutcheson
Liberty Fund, Inc.
8335 Allison Pointe Trail, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46250-1684
9780865977747, $12.00

Some concepts have been debated for centuries. "An Inquiry into the Original of Our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue" is a reprinting and revised edition of Enlightenment philosopher Francis Hutcheson and his argument on human nature against the many other philosophers of the era. Arguing for the internal sense of humans towards concepts of what is beautiful and the difference between right and wrong, "An Inquiry into the Original of Our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue" is an Enlightenment classic, and solid look into how the human mind may work.


The World History Shelf

Saladin
Hannes Mohring
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
978080189929, $20.00, www.press.jhu.edu

Even the European Christians of the Middle Ages, not the most Enlightened group, acknowledged his nobility. "Saladin: The Sultan and His Times, 1138-1193" is a biography of this vital figure of the Crusades, who stood against the European invasion and fought back not with hatred, but the need for communication with his European opponents, and more. Saladin is one of the most revered figures in Middle Eastern history, his rule having strong influence even in today's world. " Saladin" is a must read for those learning of Middle Eastern tradition.

Hungary
C.A. Macartney
Aldine Transaction
c/o Transacation Publishers
35 Berrue Circle, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
9780202361987, $29.95, www.transactionpub.com

Hungary is a country with a long and rich history, but is sadly neglected when one looks at European history. "Hungary: From Ninth Century Origins to the 1956 Uprising" traces the country's over millennium of history to until its fairly recent revolution in 1956. A work of skilled scholarship, Macartney tells the nation's history in a remarkably readable manner, giving readers something to enjoy as they learn and become intrigued with Hungarian history. Tackling the many quirks of Hungarian culture as well, "Hungary" is a must for any European history fan.

Tragedy at Second Narrows
Eric Jamieson
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
9781550174519, $32.95 www.harbourpublishing.com 1-800-667-2988

Tragedy at Second Narrows: The Story of the Ironworks Memorial Bridge is the true-life story of the shocking collapse of the Vancouver bridge at the crossing that is now known as the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. On June 17, 1958, a new bridge in the process of being created gave way, killing eighteen workers. It would take no less than a Royal Commission to unearth who was responsible for the lethal errors and what went wrong - a perfect storm mismanagement, engineering design flaws, lack of proper cross-checking and project supervision, and low-quality materials. Author Eric Jamieson interviewed survivors of that fateful day as well as conducting exhausting research; the result is a fact-filled analysis that nonetheless reads smoothly. Highly recommended for college library collections, Tragedy at Second Narrows should be a "must-read" for all prospective engineers, as it illustrates hierarchical and procedural flaws that can literally cost lives in any engineering project.


The Poetry Shelf

Twigs & Knucklebones
Sarah Lindsay
Copper Canyon Press
PO Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368
9781556591648, $15.00, www.coppercanyonpress.org

One doesn't need a paintbrush to create art. "Twigs & Knucklebones" is the work of an accomplished and skilled poet in Sarah Lindsay, with several volumes of poetry under her belt. Focusing on drawing vivid image with verse and offering some witty insights, "Twigs & Knucklebones" is a solid and very recommended poetry read. "More Than Water": She was only putting things in her song/to make it longer--/"Dolly doll,/ I love you more than playing battle,/I love you more than apricots,/I love you more than my yellow dress,/I love you more than fish,/I love you more than water--"/but her mother slapped her mouth, twice./She didn't know why, then,/or why they served so little for supper/and stared at the dish/as though it might be angry./She hadn't been in the fields to see/the line of mud, like a dead snake,/shrinking in the water-ditches.


The Literary Shelf

Encyclopedia of Hispanic-American Literature
Luz Elena Ramirez
Infobase Publishing
132 West 21st Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001
9780816060849, $75.00

A growing force in the country, Hispanic America has made many contributions to many fields, including literature. "Encyclopedia of Hispanic-American Literature" takes a look at the major contributions to the world of literature by Hispanic Americans. Covering the many different forms fo literature from novels, plays, poetry, short fiction, biographical and much more, it offers synopses and a critical discussion of each of the featured pieces. It also includes biographies of major Hispanic writers and looks at cultural aspects and how they've influenced their writings. "Encyclopedia of Hispanic-American Literature" is a must for any American literature collection.


The Political Science Shelf

Winning Your Election the Wellstone Way
Jeff Blodgett & Bill Lofy
University of Minnesota Press
111 Third Avenue South, Suite 290, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780816653331, $22.95, www.upress.umn.edu

Modern politics has become more than about the issues; it has become something that calls for strategy and selling, turning many campaigns into something that resemble a business, but dealing with ideas instead of money. "Winning Your Election the Wellstone Way: A Comprehensive Guide for Candidates & Campaign Workers" is what it says it is, methods and motives that have proved successful for well over two hundred candidates who have taken office using the contents of the book. Collected from some combined centuries of political experience, "Winning Your Election the Wellstone Way" is a must for any politician who wants to be as informed as possible for their election.

We, The Anarchists!
Stuart Christie
AK Press
674-A 23rd Street, Oakland, CA 94612-1163
9781904859758, $17.95, www.akpress.org

Organized Anarchism seems like an oxymoron, but much can be learned from their beliefs. "We, The Anarchists! A Study of the Iberian Anarchist Federation (FAI 1927-1937)" is a look at the growth of this political organization in Spain which called for not smaller, more, or better government, but no government at all. Explaining their beliefs and what they did to press their opinions in Spanish society on the brink of a civil war, "We, The Anarchists!" is a solidly recommended read for any historian with a focus on politics.


The Gaming Shelf

The Championship Hold'Em Satellite Strategy
Tom McEnvoy & Brad Daugherty
Cardoza Publishing
5473 S. Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89119
1580422136, $22.95, www.cardozabooks.com

Before you enter a major poker tournament, you have to qualify. "The Championship Hold'Em Satellite Strategy" is a guide for poker players who are just at the threshold of the poker big leagues and are seeking to earn their way up by winning some big money at these satellite games. Covering everything from limit to no-limit hold em and other satellite variants, Envoy and Daugherty impart their own championship wisdom, making "The Championship Hold'Em Satellite Strategy" a must have for satellite players.

Top Chef: The Game
Brighter Minds Media, LLC
600 Lakeview Plaza Blvd., Suite D, Worthington, OH 43085
$19.95 www.brightermindsmedia.com

Rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, Top Chef: The Game is a computer game on CD-ROM compatible with Windows and the Macintosh. Based on the hit culinary competition television show, and featuring the voices of host Padma Lakshmi and head judge Tom Colicchio, Top Chef: The Game allows players of all kitchen skill and experience levels to compete against fifteen worthy opponents in 30 quickfire and 15 elimination challenges. The player must choose the right ingredients and balance their flavors, all while keeping a close eye on the clock, in this fast-paced cooking competition simulation. Especially recommended for anyone who has enjoyed games like "Cooking Mama" but is interested in playing a title with stiffer competition!


The Black Studies Shelf

Liberation and the Cosmos
Barbara A. Holmes
Fortress Press
PO Box 59304, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0304
9780800663193, $20.00, www.fortresspress.com

What kind of conversations ensue beyond the grave? "Liberation and the Cosmos: Conversations with the Elders" is a fictionalized discussion between several noted black thinkers such as Thurgood Marshall, W.E.B. DuBois, and Martin Luther King, Jr . . . The roundtable discussion covers black rights and its many speakers from different eras weighing in their opinions on black liberation. "Liberation and the Cosmos" is highly recommended reading for anyone who wants to study the history of black liberation.

New York Noir: The History of Black New York
Little Dizzy Home Video
c/o Greenleaf & Associates
vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
$14.99 www.littledizzyhomevideo.com

New York Noir: The History of Black New York is a documentary on DVD examining the history of New York's African-American people and culture from the early 1600s to the modern day. From civil rights to politics, business, military heroes, the Harlem renaissance and more, New York Noir offers a survey of all aspects of life with especial tribute paid to the many contributions African-Americans have made. A thoughtful and engaging presentation, highly recommended especially for public library DVD collections.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

American Cinema of the 1960s
Barry Keith Grant
Rutgers University Press
100 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8099
9780813542195, $24.95, www.rutgerspress.rutgers.edu

Art imitates life, and art imitating the life of the 1960s was intriguing indeed. "American Cinema of the 1960s: Themes and Variations" brings a scholarly eye to the films of the 1960s and discusses the wide range of messages reflecting a wide range of messages that society was being exposed to and discussing at the time. Ten essays give intelligent insight on every thing from independent film to documentary to the big Hollywood films of the era. "American Cinema of the 1960s" is a microscope of the microscope that the films of the time served to be.

Your Screenplay Sucks!
William M. Akers
Michael Wiese Productions
3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Suite 1111, Studio City, CA 91604
9781932907452, $19.95, www.mwp.com

In any field of writing, something without polish is simply going to be terrible. "Your Screenplay Sucks! 100 Ways to Make It Great" is a guide to applying that polish to increase its chances of being accepted and turning one's vision from writing on paper into a major motion picture. Each flaw in one's writing stands out like a sore thumb, greatly decreasing the appeal of the work; and "Your Screenplay Sucks!" will teach readers how to remedy such problems.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Crosscurrents North
Marybeth Holleman & Anne Coray
Snowy Owl Books
c/o University of Alaska Press
PO Box 756240, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6240
9781602230224, $26.95, www.uaf.edu/uapress

The largest state in the country, Alaska's natural state has more to offer than its stereotypical tundra. "Crosscurrents North: Alaskans of the Environment" is a large collection of essays and poems based on the natural beauty that Alaska brings to the table with its large wilderness and massive assortment of wild animals that provoke much inspiration into its writers. With a foreword by late former governor Jay Hammond, "Crosscurrents North" is a beautiful tribute to the wonderful wilderness of Alaska.


The Science Shelf

The Unfinished Game
Keith Devlin
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
Eleven Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780465009107, $24.95 www.basicbooks.com 1-800-242-7737

Mathematician Keith Devlin presents The Unfinished Game: Pascal, Fermat, and the Seventeenth-Century Letter that Made the World Modern, the true story of how Blaise Pascal and Pierre de Fermat exchanged a series of meticulous letters in the 1600's that would lay the groundwork for modern probability theory, used today in everything from the insurance industry to job markets and safety evaluations of cars and planes. Even though The Unfinished Game addresses mathematical concepts, the text strives to be accessible to readers of all backgrounds. The astounding true story of how revolutionary scientific concepts were born unfolds. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library collections.


The Art Shelf

A Caledon Sketchbook
Richard B. Nevitt
The Porcupine's Quill
68 Main Street, Erin, ON N0B 1T0, Canada
9780889843103, $18.95

All one needs to craft beautiful imagery is a pen and paper. "A Caledon Sketchbook" is an anthology of work from Richard B. Nevitt, offering his personal sketches of the topography of the Caledon Hills, translating the true beauty o f the region through the power of only black and white ink and paper drawings. Fans of nature sketches should not miss "A Caledon Sketchbook."

Egyptian Wall Painting
Francesco Tiradritti, author
Sandro Vannini, photographer
Abbeville Press
137 Varick Street, Suite 504, New York, NY 10019-1105
www.abbeville.com 1-800-343-4499
9780789210050, $150.00 (unslipcased)
9780789210081, $175.00 (slipcased)

Egyptologist and museum exhibition creator Francesco Tiradritti presents Egyptian Wall Painting, an informative coffee-table compendium discussing two-dimensional art in ancient Egypt, particularly their role in a complex code designed to maintain "Maat" (interpreted as Cosmic Order, Truth-Justice, or Universal Harmony). Stunningly illustrated with full-color photography throughout of priceless Egyptian relics and artworks, Egyptian Wall Painting is exhaustively detailed and comprehensive in its minute analysis of everything history and archaeology have to say about the creation, materials, history, and societal role of these breathtaking ancient works. A scholarly account that is nonetheless accessible to lay readers, "Egyptian Wall Painting" is highly recommended for both archaeological and art book collections, and an absolute "must-have" for every Egypt-ophile!


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Puppy Intensive Care
Myra Savant-Harris R.N.
Dogwise Publishing
403 South Mission Street, Wenatchee WA 98801
9781929242245, $29.95 www.dogwisepublishing.com 1-800-776-2665

Black-and-white photographs illustrate Puppy Intensive Care: A Breeder's Guide to Care of Newborn Puppies is an in-depth how-to manual written especially for breeders, though aspiring veterinarians may also find it a useful reference. Chapters discuss in depth how to prepare and use all the tools that one needs to give a puppy the best possible chance of survival, even if it is born midnight on a weekend or holiday when the local vet's office is closed. Statistically, roughly thirty percent of puppies born die in infancy; with the proper equipment and knowledge to remedy environmental factors (as opposed to genetic factors, about which little can be done) this can ideally be reduced to ten percent. Chapters cover how to build and maintain a warming box, how to properly use a bulb syringe on newborn puppies, umbilical cord care, why puppies must ingest colostrum (an immunity boosting substance produced by the mother) or a suitable substitute early on, how to treat a sick newborn pup if veterinary care is not immediately available, remedying a puppy that becomes chilled or dehydrated, and much more. "If your puppy isn't breathing well, assume that he has large amounts of body fluid in his lungs, throat and nasal passages... FIRST, use the bulb syringe on the back of the throat; NEVER suction the nostrils before the throat. Syringing the nostrils first will cause the puppy to take a breath, inhaling fluids into his lungs". A 30-minute DVD accompanies this absolute must-have for anyone expecting a litter of puppies.


The Library DVD Shelf

Naruto The Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom
Viz Communications Inc.
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
$29.98 www.viz.com 1-800-394-3042

Presented in its original uncut version, Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom is the third full-length motion picture on DVD featuring characters from the smash hit shonen manga (high-action Japanese comics) and anime series Naruto. Set in a fantastic world without guns, where disciples of countless different (including many supernatural) forms of ninjitsu are the most elite scouts, fighters, mercenaries, and defenders, the Naruto series follows the adventures of the titular young man who, despite his cursed past as the living seal to a multi-tailed fox demon, remains bright and eager in his determined quest to become the greatest ninja of all. In Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom, Naruto, the capable female ninja Sakura, and Kakashi ally with Rock Lee to carry out their latest assignment, the protection of Prince Michiru and his son Hikaru as they return home to the Crescent Moon Kingdom. Unfortunately, working for royalty is more of a headache than any of them guessed! Prince Michiru indulges his son shamelessly, even buying the young boy a circus, and Naruto can barely handle both the prince and his new saber-toothed tiger friend. But the action shifts into high gear once the Land of the Moon is reached; Naruto and his friends are thrust into the crucible of a villainous rebellion. The welfare of an entire kingdom is on the line, in this exciting saga of strength, supernatural powers, and heart! Special features include a movie booklet insert, audio commentary, and an interview with the Japanese producers. A "must-have" for Naruto fans, and a fine introduction to this high-impact series for anyone who's never read the manga or seen the anime before. 2 DVDs, 95 minutes, Japanese and English audio, widescreen, recommended for teen and older viewers due to violence.

The Spirit Moves Part 1, 2, & 3
Filmed by Mura Dehn
Dancetime Publications
70 West 87th St., Suite 1B, New York, NY 10024-3566
$59.95 each /, $165.00 set www.dancetimepublications.com

Produced, directed, edited, and narrated by European filmmaker Mura Dehn, The Spirit Moves: A History of Black Social Dance on Film, 1900-1986 is a two-hour documentary, now available on a set of three DVDs. Part 1: Jazz Dance from the Turn of the Century to 1950 (45 min.) was filmed at the Savoy Ballroom of Harlem in the 1950s, and features demonstrations of ragtime and jazz dances by well-known artists including James Berry, Pepsi Bethel, Teddy Brown, and more. Dances shown include the Cakewalk, Charleston, Black Bottom, Susie Q, Shake Blues, Gutbucket Blues, Trunky Doo, Big Apple, and aerial Lindy Hop. Part 2: Savoy Ballroom of Harlem, 1950s (30 min.) features footage of dancing by the general public, though the personalities of Al Minns and Leon James also make an appearance. Dances shown include Bebop, Lindy, Shim Sham, Charleston, and an aerial Lindy contest for the Harvest Moon Ball Championships. Part 3: Postwar Era (40 min. ) is filmed at P.S. 28 (Brooklyn) and the Palladium (New York) and focuses on dances from the "Bebop Era". Dance demonstrations include the Flying Home Harlem Style, Bebop improvisations, the Mombo, and an Applejack Challenge. Prominent dancers in Part 3 include Sugar Sullivan, Jack Asquiew, Leroy Appens, and more. A seminal appreciation of the evolution of African-American dance in urban America, The Spirit Moves Parts 1, 2, & 3 is a must-have for any serious American dance history DVD collection.

The New Dance Group Gala Historical Concert Retrospective 1930s - 1970s
Dancetime Publications
70 West 87th St., Suite 1B, New York, NY 10024-3566
$59.95 www.dancetimepublications.com

The New Dance Group Gala Historical Concert Retrospective 1930s - 1970s is a 2-disc DVD set of a special one-time concert, performed in 1993, consisting of a historic retrospective of "The New Dance Group" from the 1930's to the 1970's. Eighteen recreated dances and excerpts displayed the diverse accomplishments of the New Dance Group across the span of forty years, including "Lynchtown" by Modern Dance founder Charles Weidman, "Folksay" by Sophie Maslow, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Pearl Primus, and much more. Further enhancing the DVD are mini-interviews with the choreographers, and an educational nine-page brochure. A treasury of modern dance history, highly recommended especially for public library collections. 160 minutes.

Acacia
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 650, Silver Spring, MD 20910
www.AcaciaCatalog.com

Two new fitness DVDs from Acacia are sure to get one's blood pumping. "Cardio For Beginners" ($14.99, 60 minutes, widescreen) with ECA World Fitness Presenter of the Year Petra Kolber is a set of mix-and-match cardio workouts - two 10-minute and two 20-minute segments to choose from. A bonus booklet with suggestions for maximizing one's workout and eight bonus moves on take-along perforated cards round out this high-energy, easy-to-use workout. "Dance and Be Fit: Lower Body Burn" ($14.99, 50 minutes, widescreen) with world-class dance teacher Kimberly Miguel Mullen proffers two 20-minute dance-based workouts with especial emphasis on strengthening the physique of one's lower body (plus a 5 minute warm up and a 5 minute cool down). The total package is a solid cardiovascular workout perfect for slimming down hips and thighs, as well as increasing flexibility and shedding stress. Both DVDs are excellent additions to any exercise shelf, brimming with infectious enthusiasm for getting and staying fit.

Best of Filipino Food, Volume 1
DC Entertainment
3807 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 335, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Victory Multimedia (distribution)
460 Hindry Ave., Unit D, Inglewood, CA 90301
$14.95 www.dcefilms.com

Best of Filipino Food, Volume 1 is a cooking instructional DVD that walks viewers through the creation of some of the most popular regional cuisine of the Philippines. From Kare-Kare to Shrimp in Coconut Milk, Pinkabet, Leche Flan, and more, Best of Filipino Food Volume 1 covers a wide array of meat and seafood dishes, as well as a few vegetable dishes, snacks, and desserts. Highly recommended for cooks of all skill and experience levels who are interested in making and sampling Philippine delicacies, and a welcome addition to public library DVD shelves. 150 minutes.


The Library CD Music Shelf

Scheherazade
Al Conti
Shadowside Music Publishing, Inc.
The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$13.99 www.alconti.net

Titled after the legendary Arabian heroine who stopped a sultan's slaughter of his brides by marrying him and telling him an unfinished story each night, so that he would spare her the next day to hear the end of the story, Al Conti's "Scheherazade" is a musical album composed to weave its own, instrumental interpretation of Scheherazade's legend. The songs each embody a stage of her journey, from traveling to the sultan's palace to sharing passion with him, finding a quiet place in the gardens during the day to think up each new tale, and finally teaching the sultan's cold heart how to love once more. The haunting music bears a Middle Eastern influence from exotic instruments such as the hurdy gurdy, udu, sitar, tablas, and tribal drums, seamlessly blended with contemporary Western instruments such as piano, violin, cello, and acoustic guitar. A feast for the auditory senses, passionate, wondrous, and highly recommended as a gift for music lovers as well as for public library music CD collections. The tracks are Daughter of the City (4:41), Desert Nights (5:54), Shahryar (4:36), Seven Veils to Midnight (5:11), Dunyazad (4:53), A Thousand Tales (4:41), Palace Gardens (5:19), Gold and Spices (5:09), Eternal Majesty (6:03), and Heart Triumphant (4:45). 51 minutes, 23 seconds.

At Last
Ann Hampton Callaway
Telarc International
23307 Commerce Park Road, Cleveland, OH 44122
c/o Miller Wright & Associates, Inc. (publicity)
1650 Broadway, Suite 1210, New York, NY 10019
$18.98 www.millerwright.com

Vocalist and songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway presents At Last, a music CD collection of "love songs for grownups". Performances of beloved jazz standards and pop culture songs as well as a few original tunes blended into a seamless whole. Bringing the music to life along with Callaway are pianist Ted Rosenthal, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Victor Lewis, and various guest musicians. A joy to listen to, "At Last" also makes a romantic Valentine's Day gift. The tracks are What Is This Thing Called Love? (4:44), Comes Love (4:57), Carey (4:46), At Last (5:30), Spain (6:35), Lazy Afternoon (6:19), Landslide (4:59), Save A Place For Me (5:23), Over the Rainbow (6:03), Finding Beauty (4:55), and On My Way To You (4:36).


The Audiobook Shelf

The Ships of Earth
Orson Scott Card, author
Stefan Rudnicki, narrator
Blackstone Audiobooks
PO Box 969, Ashland, OR 97520
9781433218866, $90.00 www.BlackstoneAudio.com 1-800-729-2665

Veteran audiobook narrator Stefan Rudnicki reads The Ships of Earth, an unabridged audiobook rendition of the third volume of the "Homecoming" epic science fiction saga, by multiple Hugo and Nebula award winning author Orson Scott Card. In The Ships of Earth, the artificial intelligence guardian of the planet Harmony that is the Oversoul is gradually failing, and due to its decline, Harmony's human colonists are degenerating into a state of endless war and conquest. The remnants of the Oversoul has called a group of sixteen refugees from the fallen city of Basilica to an abandoned spaceport, and now Wetchik, Nafai, and their family must cross desert wastes, guided by the Oversoul, to prepare the hidden interstellar ships to fly again. But not all present have opted for exile, and their resentment could potentially sabotage the mission. An enthralling saga of destiny, highly recommended. 10 CDs, approximately 13 hours.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Soft Stone Publishing
3674 Barham Boulevard, Suite #L315, Los Angeles, CA 90068
www.AskKRS.com

Two new audio CDs by stress and wellness expert KRS Edstrom are perfect for relieving tension. "Everyday Meditation: A Mini-Retreat to Calm the Mind & Nourish the Soul" (9781886198197, $16.95, 40 minutes) blends soothing words, soft musical background, and meditation techniques into a harmonic whole. A wonderful guide to not only relaxation, but also the mental benefits of mindful meditation to increase awareness and fully exult in the everyday wonders of life. "Sounds of Serenity: Musical Meditations & Nature's Chorus (9781886198203, $16.95, 44 minutes) is a gentle composition of musical meditations suitable for playing in the background at any time - in the car, while at work, mealtimes, or simply when resting. Sounds of nature enhance the lilting, flowing music in this herbal massage for the soul. Both are highly recommended for anyone interested in a little help to more fully unwind.


The International Studies Shelf

Ancient Tibet
Dharma Publishing
2425 Hillside Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
0898001374, $30.00

A land absorbed by the communist Chinese, Tibet has a history as ancient as any other Chinese nation. "Ancient Tibet" turns to this civilization's ancient culture and heritage drawing on the thousands of years of recorded history for this most sacred place for the Buddhist religion. Tracing both the political and cultural history of the region, it paints a picture of one of the most religious regions on the planet and lays out the basics of understanding its people. A great first step for those who wish to further study Tibet, "Ancient Tibet" is very highly recommended reading.


The Psychology Shelf

The Fundamentalist Mind
Stephen Larsen
Quest Books
306 W. Geneva Road, PO Box 270, Wheaton, IL 60187-0270
The Theosophical Publishing House (distributor)
PO Box 270, Wheaton, IL 60189-0270
9780835608503, $24.95, www.questbooks.net

You're either democrat or republican. Pro-Choice or Pro-Life. There is no in between. "The Fundamentalist Mind: How Polarized Thinking Imperils Us All" take a look at the belief in extremes in American society and discussing the problems such opinions create in modern society. Fundamentalism is the target, and Larsen attacks it in its many forms, ranging from religion, to political fundamentalists, and even scientists are not innocent from this thinking. Suggesting a middle path and to open one's mind, "The Fundamentalist Mind" is an interesting treatise on extremes.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Women. Period.
Julia Watts & Collaborators
Spinsters Ink
PO Box 242, Midway, FL 32343
9781883523947, $15.95, www.spinstersink.com

The monthly visitor, Aunt Flo, That time . . . Periods have been plaguing women (and sometimes men indirectly) for as long as humanity existed. "Women. Period" is a collection of poems, memoirs, and other pieces discussing this universal experience for all women and its implications of their life. Speaking of its many woes and the occasional joy it can bring, "Women. Period." discusses womankind and makes for very intriguing reading.


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


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