James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review 278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575 608-835-7937 mwbookrevw@aol.com Book Reviews: August 1994 Bookwatch Reviewer's Choice A Simple Guide to Self-Publishing Mark Ortman Wise Owl Books PO Box 621, Kirkland, WA 98083 0-9634699-8-3 $5.95 A Simple Guide to Self-Publishing is an easy to understand, concise reference handbook that answers all the self-publishing questions for writers who want to publish their own book. Filled with money-saving ideas and listings of industry contacts, this book will show how to get started without spending a fortune, where to apply for an ISBN number and copyright protection, where to print a book inexpensively, how to create a demand for the book, and much, much more! Listening to Movies Fred Karlin Schirmer Books 0-02-873315-0 $35.00 Movie-viewers may not remember scores or music sources; but with the aid of this book theyÕre sure to pay more attention to music and movie connections. Karlin explores how music is recorded and matched to a movie, telling readers how to evaluate a score, and including a running history of movie/music connections as itÕs evolved over the years. A fine film loverÕs resource. Avon Books Barbara GrahamÕs Women Who Run With The Poodles (77632-4, $7.50) is a funny parody of the modern womanÕs dilemmas. Spoofs on psychological self-inspection admonishes women to honor their mood swings and Ņsay no to self-improvementÓ. This takes a particular brand of humor and an ability to laugh at Ņnew ageÓ enlightenment. Laurence MooreÕs Lightning Never Strikes Twice (0-380-77477-1, $10.00) is a lively, entertaining guide which focuses on common myths and their realities. Numerous real facts have long been taken for granted: this illustrated fallacy/fact title will intrigue trivia buffs. Bicycle Repair Step By Step Rob van der Plas Bicycle Books 0-933201-58-3 $14.95 Bicycle owners can repair their own bikes with a minimum of equipment and with the assistance of an easy repair guide such as this, which covers both maintenance and repair. From initial troubleshooting to easy adjustments and overhaul techniques, this includes a wealth of color photos and step-by-step instructions. Prisoner of Woodstock Dallas Taylor ThunderÕs Mouth Press 1-56025-072-0 $22.95 Taylor was a drummer for the popular 60s band Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young: a millionaire by age 21, he was addicted to drugs and broke by age 25. His memoir includes recollections of the bandÕs heyday, his struggles with fame and fortune, and his eventual battle with a deadly disease. Plenty of 60s nostalgia, here. The LandlordÕs Troubleshooter Robert Irwin Dearborn 0-7931-0954-X $14.95 What to do when the tenant wonÕt pay the rent, destroys the apartment, or charges discrimination? IrwinÕs guide covers a variety of common landlord problems, outlining basic rules for avoiding them and basic courses of action when handling tenants, managers, or taxes. ItÕs a fine, basic guide to smooth landlord interactions. How to Write Successful Fundraising Letters Mal Warwick Strathmoor Press 2550 - 9th St. #1040 Berkeley, CA 94710 0-9624891-4-X $39.95 Any involved in fundraising will find this packed with ideas to attract new donors, from special gift appeals and solicitations to making sure letters address specific concerns. Sample letters are dissected step by step to show how they impact the reader and how successful appeals can be generated from them. The Solar Home Mark Freeman Stackpole Books 0-8117-2446-8 $14.95 The Solar Home is the total guide to building a dwelling that uses the least expensive and most environmentally friendly source of heat - the sun. Mark Freeman uses his firsthand experience to provide information on selecting a site, designing the rooms, framing, wiring, plumbing, finishing, and maintaining the home. Prospective home builders are guided through the process of deciding which parts of the job to do themselves and which to contract out. The Solar Home includes valuable tips on avoiding costly pitfalls. Cornell University Pres James W. FeltÕs Making Sense Of Your Freedom (0-8014-2908-0, $28.95) provides an unusual philosophical discourse on the nature and appreciation of freedom. This is an invitation to reflect on oneÕs personal freedoms, condemning determinism and examining paradoxes and truths about freedom and the future. Philosophy students will find it revealing. Richard J. SamuelsÕ Ņrich Nation, Strong ArmyÓ (2705-3, $35.00) examines JapanÕs leadership in developing innovative technologies and its economic roots. Has an interest in national security-oriented research undermined AmericaÕs ability to develop commercial technology, and has Japan ŌwonÕ the war by subordinating defense in favor of business? This presents some intriguing arguments. Lone Eagle Publishing Three excellent, practical media guides are important references for any collection focussing on the entertainment industry. Jurgen Wolff and Kerry CoxÕs Top Secrets: Screenwriting (0- 943728-50-9, $19.95) blends biographies, interviews, and narratives detailing the works of todayÕs top screenwriters. Authors impart their experiences, recipes for success, and industry encounters. Erik JosephÕs The Glam Scam (66-5, $13.95) identifies talent and modeling scams which prey upon aspiring would-be actors and models. From contests and impostors to yellow pages crooks and beauty pageant scams, this tells how to identify problems. Lynne Nayulor compiles and edits Television Directors Guide (59-02, $40.00): the price tag is on the high side for a standard-sized paperback, but serious collections wonÕt want to miss out on this second edition, which provides a reference listing directors, their shows, and their agents. Allworth Press Artists who use computers to refine graphic productions shouldnÕt miss Michael Meyerowitz and Sam SanchezÕs The Graphic DesignerÕs Basic Guide To The Macintosh (0-927629-06-2, $19.95): it will appeal to beginners who want to use the Mac for graphic design, but donÕt know where to start. Before even buying the computer, users should consult this book: while graphic designers produce it, the jargon doesnÕt assume knowledge of either computers nor design. Practicing artists will want to include Monona RossolÕs The ArtistÕs Complete Health And Safety Guide (10-0, $16.95) on their reference shelves: it surveys technical hazards of the field, provides data on art materials ingredients, and includes essential safety pointers for those working in the field. PBC International These two tiles appeared some time ago and were only just received, but deserve mention as solid acquisitions. David Miles Ziskind and Paul SilverÕs Institutional Architecture (0-86636- 199-5, $60.00) profiles over forty projects which demonstrate design excellence and practical use. Three types of projects - health-related facilities, justice facilities, and government centers - are detailed in an examination of winners from around the world. Lou GreensteinÕs A La Carte (184-7, $34.95) is an older title of dining history which blends sample hotel menus with ad flyers and other designs of the trade. An involving history results. Motorbooks Internationa Hugh HaskellÕs Colin Chapman Lotus Engineering (1-85532-376-1, $39.95) provides a detailed exploration of Colin ChapmanÕs engineering design methods: winning formulas which produced winning vehicles. Car buffs will relish the amount of detail on sports car theories and designs, and will find this a masterful link between design ideas and their applications. Richard Falconer and Doug NyeÕs Chaparral (0-87938-607-X, $39.95) will prove the real visual winner with this audience, however: this title appeared some time ago and was only just received, but remains the first history of the Chaparral race car, providing strong behind-the-scenes examinations of the politics and design history which went into the cars from 1961-1970. This title deserves ongoing mention as a strong blend of vintage photos and rare taped interviews. Culture and Politics in Early Stuart England Kevin Sharpe & Peter Lake Stanford University Press 0-8047-2261-7 $45.00 This collection of essays reexamines the relationship between English politics and culture in the first half of the 17th century. It does this from the vantage point of the burst of recent and sometimes controversial developments in historical and literary scholarship that have rendered problematic for this period traditional definitions of both "politics" and "culture." The contributors to this pioneering volume richly fuse new approaches, applying revisionist close readings to a wide range of verbal and visual texts. Broadening the range of areas and evidence for the study of politics, these essays demonstrate how we can reconstruct the languages through which contemporaries interpret their political environment by studying high culture, classical translation, court portraits, royal palaces, and the conduct of chivalric ceremony, along with low culture, cheap pamphlets, and scurrilous verses. The Music Shelf Cool Grooves Kirwan Brown Fahrenheit Records (Creative Service) 6020 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Englewood, CO 80111 With his debut album, Cool Grooves, Kirwan Brown emerges as an exciting new electric bass virtuoso bringing the art of bass playing to a new level where the bass moves beyond being simply a rhythm instrument and is introduced as a lead soloist vehicle. One of the highlights of the CD is the multi-tracked bass parts where Brown will first play the more traditional rhythm part, then overdub a melody line, and sometimes add another melody track in either high or low harmony with the first one. The songs feature many different arrangements including lean combinations of basses and drums only as well as simply basses and guitars. Brown most often plays six-string fretted and fretless basses plus some synthesizers, synth bass and slide bass. Narada Two new CD releases are recommended picks, standing out from recent Narada titles. Michael GettelÕs The Key features fine instrumental & classically-influenced compositions and is the perfect item for choice for any seeking original New Age works which include some fine acoustic enhancements. Michael JonesÕ Air Born focuses on piano compositions, with ŌSummer in ChimoÕ and other works providing high quality long playing music. Ethnic Concerns Islam Richard W. Bulliet Columbia University Press 0-231-08218-5 $29.95 How can worldwide Muslim activism be best understood? Bulliet provides a strong view of IslamÕs connections to Muslim politics and social structures, departing from the usual overview of dynasties and politics to consider the very nature of Islam and its connections to social consciousness. Chapters chart revolts, power plays, and Islamic involvements in tracing the origins of modern insurgence. The Sudden Disappearance of Japan J.D. Brown Capra Press 0-88496-381-0 $12.95 Once Americans thought of Japan as a nation of temples and gardens. Today, images of Japan incorporate business bustle and urban activity. How did the countryÕs image change? Brown made two journeys to investigate the cherished places and cultural icons of the nation: his account examines the realities and contrasts of the Ņreal JapanÓ. University of Oklahoma Press Margaret Connell Szasz edits Between Indian And White Worlds (0-8061-2595-0, $45.00) which traces centuries of conflict between Native American and white worlds and the Ōcultural mediatorsÕ which have operated between both. The role of artists, political figures, writers and others who served to bridge gaps between these worlds is examined in essays which reflect upon and study the efforts and rules of multicultural diplomacy. Kenneth S. SternÕs Loud Hawk (2587- X, $24.95) is also a winner: it charts the politics revolving around the U.S. government versus the American Indian Movement, using the criminal case beginning with the rest of six Movement members to investigate the governmentÕs wider and ongoing war against Native rights groups. George Harwood PhillipsÕ Indians And Intruders (2446-6, $24.95) concentrates on natives in central California from 1769-1849. Tribal members fled to the central part of the state to escape missions: Phillips explains their actions, raids, and evolving society. Roots of Chicano Politics Juan Gomez-Quinones University of New Mexico Press 0-8263-1431-7 $19.95 Over three hundred years of Mexican political history in the southwest is examined in a reinterpretation of Mexican-American life and politics. This includes not only government forces and social adjustments, but issues of ethnicity and evolving cultural identity from 1600-1940, providing a sweeping and important review essential to understanding Chicano political background. Native America Duane Champagne Visible Ink Press 0-8103-9452-9 $18.95 This isnÕt your usual history of native Americans: essays, photos, and social and political commentary comprise a volume which celebrates the lives and choices of Native North Americans, examining the psychological and cultural forces which have shaped their lives and responses and considering the different perspectives of regional Native Americans. The focus on contemporary issues as much as past history lends to an involving, moving account which goes beyond similar-sounding references. M.E. Sharpe Three important examinations of Chinese history and culture are recommended picks. Joseph FewsmithÕs Dilemmas Of Reform In China (1-56324-328-8, $19.95) was only just received but deserves ongoing mention as an important review of political conflict, socialism, and economic reforms in the country. Scholarly chapters examine reform policies of the 1980s and the political structure of the country through the 90s. Laifong LeungÕs Morning Sun (130-7, $24.95) presents a series of interviews with Chinese writers of the Ōlost generationÕ. Over twenty selected writers - ex- Red Guards who lived far from home - provides strong emotional and cultural insights on the effects of deteriorating ideals on the Chinese experience. Ming K. Chan edits Precarious Balance (381-4), which closely considers the history and political importance of Hong Kong from 1842 to 1992. Hong Kong has enjoyed unusual prosperity under British rule: its evolution to Chinese ownership attempts to answer how ChinaÕs rule will affect Hong KongÕs stability in years to come. Deborah AdelmanÕs The ŅChildren Of PerestroikaÓ Come Of Age (287-7, $16.95) is a fine survey of youngsters in Moscow who talk about their changed life under new Russian politics. This sequel to Children Of Perestroika provides some important insights and possible indications into the future of the nation. Civil Rights and Wrongs Harry S. Ashmore Pantheon 0-679-43181-0 $25.00 AshmoreÕs spent fifty years observing and participating in racial issues and politics: his memoir of race issues in America from 1944-1994 points out that the real American dilemma has yet to be faced. AshmoreÕs historical survey of the issues underlying civil rights comes from a journalistÕs viewpoint, presenting modern events in light of media coverage, political aspiration, and social change. The Video Shelf How to Put Your Photos on Video Oracom, Inc. 500 High Point Dr., Suite 604 Hartsdale, NY 10530 03-109-61219 VHS $24.90 Bob BurgÕs step-by-step video covers not the editing process, but the basics of producing a photo history or memoir on tape. This involves organizing photos, choosing and setting up equipment, and adding professional touches: while the narrator looks uncomfortable at times, the clear process of producing the video is easy to understand. Questar Video These excellent educational videos are highly recommended picks, involving young adults and adults alike in unusual worlds. Visit AustraliaÕs natural wonders with Wild Australia (0-927992-10-8, $29.95), which includes many unusual natural history facts to spice the attention of even the most seasoned, avid wildlife buff. Unusual on-location close-ups present exciting angles and perspectives. Touring AustraliaÕs Great National Parks (42-6, $29.95) tells the story of some of AustraliaÕs finest parks, from Daintree Park in the rainforests of the north to the Great Barrier Reef parkÕs attractions. This provides a simpler overview of park wonders and development. Life In The Wild (1-56855-016-2, $39.95) is a two-volume video set recommended more for young adult and younger viewers: basic wildlife facts are covered in the course of a world tour of some of the finest parks, from the Everglades and the Serengeti to Corbett Park in India. Adults will appreciate Touring Italy (0-927992-70-1, $29.95), but donÕt anticipate a driving tour with maps. This is a cultural tour of the regions of the country, including details on ItalyÕs major cities and attractions. A fine overview. The Golden Door Knowledge Unlimited VHS Video $39.95 Adults as well as young adult audiences will relish a brief but involving overview of the changing nature of immigration in the U.S. Explanations of what fostered successive waves of immigration to the U.S., political and government reactions to these waves, the contributions of immigrants to U.S. society, and modern issues surrounding immigration quotas are clear and enlivened by vintage photos, charts, and discussions. Highly recommended as both an educational tool and for personal leisure viewing. Jobs & Careers ŌCareers Without CollegeÕ PetersonÕs $7.95 Each These two slim, inviting guides focus on two different jobs which donÕt require college degrees. Shirley LongshoreÕs Office (1-56079-353-8) covers jobs ranging from bookkeeper and secretary to receptionist, outlining job duties, growth potential, and perks. Linda PetersonÕs Entertainment (352-X) features career opportunities as a disc jockey, camera operator, actor or stagehand, listing where jobs are available, how to break in, and what daily job routines are like. Interviews with those working in each field provide candid assessments. The Flight Attendant Career Guide Tim Kirkwood TKE Publishing P.O. Box 6455 Delray Beach, FL 33484 0-9637301-4-2 What are the airlines looking for in hiring, and how does the interview and training process work? Kirkwood lists over 50 US airlines and their hiring requirements, including pay rates and details on flight scheduling and operations. Recommended for newcomers seeking to break in. Steps to Small Business Start-Up Linda Pinson & Jerry Jinnett Upstart 0-936894-50-4 $19.95 HereÕs another basic primer to join others on how to open a small business. This includes more detail than most; from tips on legal structure and copyright and trademark protection to setting up the books and developing a practical marketing plan. An important element in small business success is such a concrete handbook. Overnight Job Change Letter Donald Asher Ten Speed Press 0-89815-595-9 $7.95 This resume and letter guide includes a wealth of special circumstances not covered elsewhere; from letters to headhunters and networking letters to those dealing with resignation and broadcast letters. Letters for declining and accepting offers are included in an unusual example-packed book. Job Hotlines USA Career Communications P.O. Box 169 Harleysville, PA 19438 1-881587-04-5 $24.95 Job seekers will appreciate a revamped 1994-95 edition to numerous job hotlines used by employers to recruit workers. Over 1,000 such hotlines are listed, with recorded job postings from major employers across the nation listing positions. Use the indexes in this directory to locate companies by geography and industry. These arenÕt 800 numbers; but they represent the latest company needs. Impact Publications Three timely, different references stand out from the wealth of career advice on bookshelves today. Carl S. Savino, an Army major, combines talents with career professional Ronald Krannich to produce From Army Green To Corporate Gray (1-57023-006-4, $15.95), a guide to seeking a career outside the army. Tips on changing from military to civilian worlds include planning for the transition, transferring military skills to the civilian workplace, and relocating to where the best growth opportunities exist. Ronald and Caryl Rae KrannichÕs Almanac Of International Jobs And Careers (95-9, $19.95) identifies overseas employers and the positions they routinely offer, from government and international organizations to private institutions and nonprofit jobs. Reviews include indications of staff size, company operations, and job opportunities. David M. CarterÕs You CanÕt Play The Game If You DonÕt Know The Rules (005-6, $14.95) covers careers in sports management: a subject which rarely receives much coverage. There are many diverse career options for sports buffs: chapters explore different options and the behind-the-scenes players in the sports world. The Reference Shelf Dr. RuthÕs Encyclopedia of Sex Dr. Ruth Westheimer Continuum 0-8264-0625-4 $29.50 Many have viewed Dr. Ruth on TV: her sex encyclopedia incorporates her same ability to candidly review of the facts, providing the latest information everything from legal issues surrounding rape to prenatal testing. From dating to conception and birth, this covers not only sexual issues, but the values accompanying sex. A fine, basic library choice. New York Public Library Book of How & Where to Look It Up Sherwood Harris Prentice Hall 0-671-89264-9 $14.00 From gaining access to a private library collection to obtaining a science grant and locating government and telephone sources, this presents a fine one-volume resource to accessing private and public resources alike. An A-Z format in six major categories lends to an easy reference. U.S. Industrial Outlook Ō94 Jist Works, Inc. 1-56370-159-6 $29.95 Over three hundred industries are profiled and examined in this latest version of the Commerce DepartmentÕs Outlook almanac. Tables, charts, forecasts, and profiles provide details on domestic and international trends, making for an invaluable reference industry leaders will consult time and again. The Guinness European Data Book Guinness Publishing 0-85112-523-9 L11.99 Use this as a single-volume overview of the continent and its individual nations: it compiles the latest statistics and facts surrounding geography, trade and economics, religion, culture, and the environment throughout Europe, including data on Central and Eastern nations. The Guinness European Data Book is a fine desk reference and library tool. World Atlas of Nations Rand McNally 0-528-83618-8 $39.95 This unique presentation provides accurate maps and information about every nation of the world. The World Atlas of Nations combines a pictorial journey of the world with a complete, up-to-date set of maps of the world giving the reader comprehensive reference information continent by continent, alphabetically arranged and with a detailed index listing over 45,000 places. History & Culture War & Peace in the Middle East Avi Shlaim Viking Press 0-670-85330-5 $17.95 ShlaimÕs essays provides a critique of American policy in the Middle East, presenting a study of the problems, their origins, American responses, and possible alternatives. This is more than one manÕs opinion: itÕs a scholarly, logical assessment of the myths and realities surrounding Middle Eastern forces. AmericaÕs First Transcontinental Railway Raymond Cushing & Jeffrey Moreau Pentrex 1-56342-002-3 $9.95 Lack of a spine will require that this be filed with pamphlets; but itÕs a fine paperback pictorial history of the Pacific Railroad which should not be missed. High school students and adults will relish vintage photos and a history which commemorates the 125th anniversary of the first transcontinental railway. Simon & Schuster Louise LevathesÕ When China Ruled The Seas (0-671-70158-4, $23.00) covers a period in history before Columbus and the European advancements overseas: an era when ChinaÕs Dragon Throne fleets ruled the seas from 1405-33. How, then, did China lose its naval forces and potential for world rule? Levanthes draws upon new translations of eyewitness accounts and official Ming histories but couches these scholarly foundations with a lively style to appeal to a wide audience. A.J. LangguthÕs A Noise Of War (70829-5, $25.00) is also a winner: it reads like a novel, capturing the epic drama of CaesarÕs rule, the political struggles of the Roman empire, and the underlying alliances and intrigue which permeated early Roman politics and culture. Primary materials are used as reference but again, the tone is lively and involving to attract general history buffs. Hugh ThomasÕ Conquest (70518-0, $30.00) provides a weighty major history of CortesÕ conquest of Mexico in 1519-1521. Newly discovered and reinterpreted source material contributes to a revised view of the days of Montezuma and Old MexicoÕs demise, and this should appeal to any scholar of the times. A Fire in Zion Mark Perry William Morrow 0-688-12171-3 $25.00 PerryÕs history of the Israel-Palestinian peace effort documents the complete history of the Israel- Palestinian accord, from December 1987 to the historic agreementÕs formation. Perry is a journalist whose experience contributes to a strong survey of the major players and influences on the peace effort. The Making of Victorian Sexuality Michael Mason Oxford University Press 0-19-812247-0 $25.00 This is not purely a cultural study: MasonÕs use of medical and scientific texts as well as popular fiction and religious works reveals how modern concepts of 19th century sexual culture is in error. Victorian principles in fact involved a progressive vision of the future, and Victorian males were often radical visionaries who were enlightened about womenÕs sexuality. Some eye-opening statements are made in this revisionist history. Getting There Stephen B. Goddard Basic Books 0-465-02639-7 $28.00 Finally: a transportation history geared to a dual survey of the importance and competition of the American car and railway, under one cover. Goddard describes the social and economic forces behind the demise of the railways, revealing the politics which promoted the automobile in American society and recalling how regulations and the lack thereof helped subsidize selected government transit projects. A fine revelation of underlying forces involved. Franklin Square Press Two excellent new titles are recommended picks for history fans. Paul Fussell introduces The World War Two Era (1-879957-15-9, $14.95), a symposium of perspectives by Rebecca West, E.B. White, and others who contributed to HarperÕs Magazine. Intimate experiences of the war on all fronts offer literary, involving observations with a Ōyou are thereÕ touch missing from many histories. Henry JamesÕ New York Revisited (1-879957-14-0, $14.95) first appeared in HarperÕs Monthly in 1906: the essay here appears in its original form enhanced by period photos and illustrations contributing to the description of New YorkÕs mixed societies and changing cultural structure. The Arts Christian Boltanski Lynn Gumpert Flammarion (Abbeville, Dist.) 2-08013-559-7 $24.95 Parisian Boltanski uses found and ordinary objects to forge an artistic style and set of themes which reflects his own life story and observations. Enjoy an overview of his style and works which includes details about BoltanskiÕs approach and philosophy as well as many fine black and white and color examples of his compositions. Abbeville Press Donald Martin ReynoldsÕ Masters Of American Sculpture (1-55859-276-8, $67.50) commemorates the 100th anniversary of the National Sculpture Society with a volume representing almost three hundred examples of outstanding 19th and 20th century American sculpture. Enjoy a scholarly analysis of the progress of American works which provides a strong historical overview to accompany clear, well detailed black and white and color plates. Bruce AltshulerÕs Noguchi (754-9, $35.00) profiles the works of a Japanese-American modern artist who has blended two cultures and incorporated sculpture art into the everyday world. His international influences and avant garde explorations are traced in an examination of his philosophy and achievements. WomenÕs History & Issues Apron Full of Gold Polly Welts Kaufman University of New Mexico Press 0-8263-1500-3 $14.95 This second edition of the letters of Gold Rush woman Mary Jane Megquier returns an unusual firsthand account to print, including new information restoring data deleted by the original editor. Readers gain a newfound appreciation for MegquierÕs journey to California, her experiences of the West, and her return home. A History of Women V. 5: Toward A Cultural Identity Francoise Thebaud, Editor Belknap/Harvard University Press 0-674-40374-6 $29.95 While familiarity with the prior volumes is important in creating a smooth, easy blend of historical facts, this volume does succeed in standing alone as a fine examination of the evolution of womenÕs cultural identity. Chapters consider such varied issues as poverty and motherÕs rights, links between education and consciousness-raising, and the evolution of womenÕs cultural forces in Europe and in America. A similar focus on women of color would be a welcome balance to the series. Women As Candidates in American Politics Susan J. Carroll Indiana University Press 0-253-20877-7 $12.95 This second edition considers the reforms and developments which contribute to womenÕs involvement in politics, studying the factors women face when running as candidates for office, and updating details to include recent 1992 election results. From qualifications changes to campaign strategies, this is packed with statistics and observations on changing American politics. Women in Waiting Linda Peavy & Ursula Smith University of Oklahoma Press 0-8061-2619-1 $17.95 Plenty of pioneer accounts focus on the experiences of male adventurers as they moved west: Women in Waiting is a collection which gathers the stories of their wives, representing ten years of research into public and private journals and letters. More than fifty women relate their varied experiences on home life on the frontier. Women in Waiting is a superlative addition to any Western Americana collection. As Long As Life Mary Canaga Rowland Storm Peak Press 157 Yesler Way Suite 413 Seattle, WA 98104 0-9641357-0-1 $11.95 Rowland was a pioneering country doctor at the turn of the century, serving patients across the west and becoming one of the first women to obtain a medical degree in this country. Her memoirs pack in accounts of professional challenges, growth, and frontier experiences, and make for easy, involving reading. Daughters Gerald Early Addison Wesley 0-201-62724-8 $17.00 Issues of race, gender, and family communication are brought to the foreground in EarlyÕs story of his role as the black middle-class father of two daughters. Early raised his children in an all-white neighborhood: his memoir of family events and interactions provides a warm and intimate look at the struggles of parenting and instilling ethnic consciousness in a demanding world. Profiles of Female Genius Gene N. Landrum, Ph.D. Prometheus Books 0-87975-892-9 $24.95 What gave these thirteen women an edge over competitors, and how did their talents help change the world? LandrumÕs survey examines not only their achievements by the psychological and risk-taking initiatives which led their genius to be recognized and utilized. Profiles of Liz Claiborne, Estee Lauder, and Maria Callas, among others, document their drive for success. The Literary Shelf From the Other Side of the Century Douglas Messerli, Editor Sun & Moon Press 6026 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036 1-55713-131-7 $29.95 This exceptional, weighty paperback anthology of new American poetry from 1960-1990 gathers over ten years of work in organizing U.S. and Canadian poets since Donald AllenÕs 1960 anthology. Anticipate a varied, eclectic collection of works which includes numerous works by Robert Duncan, Barbara Guest, Lyn Hejinian, and Alice Notley, among others. Heinemann For excellent ethnic story collections, make Heinemann your publisher: books are ongoing in series and diverse in content and scope. Denis Hirson and Martin Trump edit South African Short Stories (0-435-90672-0, $10.95), a gathering which includes tales from 1945 to the present and which focus on human relations in that country. These compelling stories present different perspectives on the social issues which have changed the nation. Agnes SamÕs Jesus Is Indian (90921-5, $9.95) focuses on the Indian community in South Africa, exploring the cultures which interact in the country and providing special focus on women who face special concerns. Mia CoutoÕs Every Man Is A Race (90982-7, $9.95) presents a Mozambican authorÕs strong stories of colonialism and civil war. These are gripping stories of social and personal change. Steve ChimomboÕs Napolo And The Python (91199-6, $15.95) Presents a Malawi writerÕs exploration of myth and poetry. Anticipate strong images of spirits and stories of change. Fighting Words James Charlton, Editor Algonquin Books 1-56512-073-6 $12.95 Over 400 literary attacks are profiled in a lively little guide to writer venom. These attacks can be vicious and pointed, as Robert DrennanÕs observation of Edna Ferber and Noel Coward: ŅMiss Ferber, who was fond of wearing tailored suits, showed up at the Round Table one afternoon sporting a new suit similar to one Noel Coward was wearing. ŅYou look almost like a man,Ó Coward said as he greeted her. ŅSo,Ó Miss Ferber replied, Ņdo you.Ó The Blood of the Poet William Everson Broken Moon Press P.O. Box 24585 Seattle, WA 98124-0585 0-913089-42-7 $14.95 These selected poems celebrates EversonÕs 80th year with a cross-section from over fifty years of his works. Many reflect his California heritage and a love of wilderness; others comment on religion, philosophy, and daily life. EversonÕs craft includes free verse as well as metered, formal pieces. Interlink YemenÕs foremost fiction writer Zayd MuteeÕ Dammaj appears in English translation for the first time, with The Hostage (1-56656-140-X, $10.95) set in pre-revolution Yemen following a young male hostageÕs experiences with politics, sex, and challenges to personal and political freedom. A powerful story of discovery and struggle. HitakonanulaxkÕs The Grandfathers Speak (128-0, $11.95) gathers Native American tales of the Lenape people of Delaware. The author is a chief of the nation and one of the few who still speak the language. Marco Antonio de la ParraÕs The Secret Holy War Of Santiago De Chile (123-X, $12.95) profiles a Latin American novel classic which originally appeared in Chile in 1989. Readers familiar with the regionÕs politics and social struggles will be mostly likely to appreciate and identify the satire and commentary underlying this story of an ad agent who stumbles on secrets which will change his life and philosophy. The Culinary Corner Indian Light Cooking Ruth Law Donald I. Fine 1-55611-389-7 $25.00 This is the first cookbook to adapt traditional Indian fare to modern standards of ŌlightÕ cooking without sacrificing authenticity. Dishes leave off the heavy coconut oils in favor of canola, focus on highly spiced fresh ingredients, and should prove a delight for Indian cooks looking for healthier approaches. Vintage Talk Dennis Schaefer Capra Books 0-88496-360-8 $15.95 Conversations with twenty selected California winemakers explore vintner techniques and approaches to California wines: expect a title which includes a healthy dose of technical explanation and insights on the wine-making process as well as individual ideas on how to fine-tune a good vintage. Recommended for wine buffs. The Arabian Delights Anne Marie Weiss-Armush Lowell House 1-56565-126-X $25.00 Black-Eyed Peas in Tomato Broth, Cumin Poached Fish with Potatoes and Honey Raisin Fish are only a few of the unusual delights packed into this Mediterranean cookbook. WolfertÕs gives more background history, but this includes more family memoirs and easy, quick dishes. Atlantic Monthly Press Judith ChoateÕs Cooking With Yogurt (0-87113-566-3, $11.00) is a winner: over a hundred recipes add yogurt to everything from breakfast dishes to desserts; but donÕt expect the usual sour cream substitute approach. International spices and different cooking patterns celebrate yogurt as a special ingredient in and of itself. Diane Darrow and Tom MarescaÕs The Seasons Of The Italian Kitchen (575-2, $25.00) is the first Italian cookbook based on the premise that seasonal differences are as important as regional influences. Many of the recipes are very simple products, such as Potatoes Sauteed with Oregano or Summer Stew of Chicken and Vegetables: the unusual approach and concept of this Italian cookbook should attract seasoned cooks looking for something different. HarperCollins Carole LalliÕs Chicken Salads (0-06-095062-5) is a winning summer guide: it gathers 60 recipes for the chicken salad, from cheese-stuffed, broiled New American Chicken Salad to a hearty mushroom-enhanced Artichoke Chicken Salad. DonÕt expect the ordinary: these will delight any who want variations on the standard. Paula WolfertÕs The Cooking Of The Eastern Mediterranean (0-06-016651-7, $30.00) gathers recipes from Syria, Turkey, and other Eastern European nations, from a pomegranate-enhanced Eggplants Stuffed with Walnuts to a unique spiced blackberry sauce to accompany tabaka chicken. Barbecuing Grilling & Smoking at The Academy California Culinary Academy The Cole Group 1-56426-060-7 $11.95 From Smoked Winter Squash with Maple Syrup to the usual array of grilled chicken dishes, this is packed with ideas for using oneÕs smoker or barbecue. Many dishes are accompanied by small color photos, while the recipes are usually quick and easy to reproduce. Skinny Pasta Sue Spitler Surrey Books 0-940625-79-2 $12.95 Over 100 recipes profile sauces and pastas which contain 30% or fewer calories from fat. Most are quick dishes, easily constructed: no color photos but strong variations on themes and an emphasis on pasta fare which is simple to duplicate. Afro-American Issues Afro-American Encyclopedia James T. Haley, Editor Winston-Derek Publishers 1-55523-538-7 $24.95/Set This two-book set isnÕt meant to be a comprehensive history: it includes biographical sketches, sermons, lectures, poems, and reviews of Afro-American life in the 19th century and represents a fine introductory overview. Relish accounts and stories written by individuals who lived during the times, imparting their beliefs and thoughts as well as their reflections on the doings of the race. LovingÕs Love Neal V. Loving Smithsonian Institution Press 1-56098-342-6 $29.95 LovingÕs story joins an increasing number of coverages on Afro-American aviators; but this is an autobiography rather than a history, and includes many personal observations and details missing from third-party accounts. LovingÕs story of his love of flight and his aviation challenges and successes makes for a lively story of one manÕs passion. Colored People Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Knopf 0-679-42179-3 $22.00 This memoir of life in a West Virginia paper mill town in the 1950s and 60s exposes small-town rural life in a black community, recounting GatesÕ experiences with family and friends and telling of his rising ethnic consciousness. ThereÕs no scholarly jargon here: Gates provides a lively first-person story of his experiences. Small Acts Paul Gilroy SerpentÕs Tail 1-85242-298-X $16.99 GilroyÕs essays assess the strong and distinctive role of being black and English, explaining how the African diaspora has linked black and English worlds, and exploring how the evolving meanings of blackness are Ņactively produced rather than passively inheritedÓ. His tone is studied, yet involving. Dancing to a Black ManÕs Tune Susan Curtis University of Missouri Press 0-8262-0949-1 $26.95 Curtis examines the life, talents, and social and artistic impact of musician Scott Joplin, but goes beyond the usual biographical format in considering his ability to create a musical form which overcame typical cultural barriers of his times. JoplinÕs experiences with a variety of communities contributed to his abilities to overcome racial prejudice. His biography chronicles the times as much as the man himself. Warriors DonÕt Cry Melba Pattillo Beals Pocket Books 0-671-86638-9 $22.00 This strong story of the battle to integrate Little RockÕs Central High School traces the conflicts which impacted the school, the region, and the nation three years following the Supreme CourtÕs landmark decision. Beals was a school-age child and among the first to integrate Central High: the story of her year creates an impassioned account of what she and classmates endured. Science & Nature The End of Evolution Peter Ward Bantam Books 0-553-08812-2 $22.95 Are humans, indeed, the cause of modern mass extinctions? Paleontological curator Ward considers modern and prehistoric worlds in his search for clues to some of the largest extinction processes: his conclusion, that humans are causing the largest mass extinction in EarthÕs history, paints a sobering portrait of the future of the world. The Beak of the Finch Jonathan Weiner Alfred Knopf 0-679-40003-6 $25.00 Two evolutionary scientists working in the Galapagos are exploring evolution not as it occurred centuries ago, but as itÕs happening right now. Evolution in our time is charted in chapters which recount observations of evolutionary processes speeded by human intervention. A fascinating, revealing study. Animals Alive! Dennis Holley Roberts Rinehart 1-879373-58-0 $29.95 While this is directed to kids ages 15 and older, itÕs reviewed here so that adults give it the attention it deserves. This ecological guide to animal study shows how to design and conduct live animal activities which are observation-oriented. Activities have been developed and tested by a biology teacher for fifteen years and provide ethical, inexpensive alternatives to traditional courses on dissection and testing. Guide to Marine Invertebrates Daniel W. Gotshall Sea Challengers 4 Sommerset Rise Monterey, CA 93940 0-930118-19-7 $22.95 Over 250 species of inshore, subtidal marine invertebrates commonly observed by divers and naturalists from the Gulf of Alaska to Central Baja California are covered in a fine color guide which blends photos with identification and natural history details. Clear close-up shots mark an important reference Business Books Price Wars Thomas J. Winninger St. Thomas Press 1306 Kimball Ave. Waterloo, IA 50702 0-9638735-2-0 $24.95 How can small businesses win over megacorporations and superstores which open on their turf and compete with unbeatable prices? Price Wars tells how to define a niche, keep it competitive, and add value to a product through increased services and micro-marketing strategies. The approach is practical and aggressive. Upside-Down Marketing George R. Walther McGraw-Hill 0-07-068047-7 $19.95 The dust jacket is also upside-down - and slightly confusing - but the message is unusual and worth the extra effort: new business isnÕt necessarily generated from new customers: the greatest profit comes from winning back old customers. Overcoming bad service, bungled jobs, or problems can turn lost customers into gold: WaltherÕs approach shows how. Management and Machiavelli Antony Jay Pfeiffer & Company 0-89384-260-5 $14.95 This revised edition of a business bestseller appears in paperback to attract new audiences to its details of how management and government processes are linked. By viewing oneÕs own corporation as an extension of a political institution, power structure revelations can be made which can help in forming new techniques for handling management issues. Amacom Books Kenneth KayeÕs Workplace Wars And How To End Them (0-8144-0215-1, $19.95) should be made required reading for any who want to handle personal conflicts which reach into the job world. Both managers and employees will benefit from a business psychologistÕs approach, which tells how to acknowledge conflict, handle it constructively, and turn negative behavior patterns into team-building opportunities. Michael K. Semanik and John H. WadeÕs Selling A Business (0223-2, $22.95) competes with others which tell small business owners how to get the most for their businesses. This focuses on the pre-sale activities necessary to enhance a businessÕs attractiveness to a buyer, explaining the basics of getting a good price. A Journey Through Economic Time John Kenneth Galbraith Houghton Mifflin 0-395-63751-1 $24.95 Economist Galbraith presents a strong survey of economic history and events from the first World War to modern times, focussing on the impact of political events on world economics and visa versa. The forging of major documents which have changed economic concepts and history and the influence of world industry trends merge in a fine overview which is highly recommended. GardenerÕs Guides The Undaunted Garden Lauren Springer Fulcrum 1-55591-115-3 $29.95 Extreme temperatures and soil conditions can stress all but the most hearty of garden plants. Springer describes plants and gardens designed to withstand harsh conditions, telling gardeners how to work with their own microclimates and listing more than 1,000 Ōtough plantsÕ which perform well under weather extremes. Numerous small color photos accompany her lists of performers, requirements, and notes on their pros and cons. An outstanding collection. The Garden Problem Solver Catriona Tudor Erler Simon & Schuster 0-671-79804-9 $20.00 Over a hundred solutions to common garden problems address such issues as watering problems, soil limitations, too much shade, and other gardening challenges. A variety of solutions are included; from converting to drought-tolerant plants and drip irrigation to pruning wisely, using appropriate plants, and understanding how color plants work under different conditions. Herbs for Sale Lee Sturdivant San Juan Naturals P.O. Box 642 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 0-9621635-2-X $14.95 Gardeners who want to consider starting a herb farm business will find this a practical guide blending growing tips with insights on how to market herbal products. This goes beyond the usual gardenersÕ guide approach, telling how to turn a small acreage into a profitable production and how to utilize a myriad of marketing approaches, from making extracts and body care products to selling to herb shops and restaurants. The Complete Book of Pruning Duncan Coombs, et.al. Ward Lock (Sterling, Dist.) 0-7063-7235-2 This comprehensive pruning guide competes with some others on the topic, but its value lies in its A-Z directories for pruning individual plants, its tips on pruning to create unique garden shapes, and its descriptions of how to prune to enhance crop yield. Plenty of illustrations add to the bookÕs value. The ConsumerÕs Corner Checkbook Management Eric Gelb Career Advancement Center P.O. Box 436 Woodmere, NY 11598-0436 0-96131289-3-0 $6.50 CPA Gelb provides a quick and clear account of checkbook operations for consumers; from using the checkbook to save money to understanding bank operations, fees, and cash flow principles. Checkbooks, when properly managed, can provide instant cash tracking and tax details: this slim guide provides the basics many consumers might otherwise miss. Eco-Renovation Edward Harland Chelsea Green 0-930031-66-0 $16.95 Homeowners who want to use ŌgreenÕ principles in the renovation of their home receive a clear and unusual guide to everything from reducing utility bills to using environmentally safe building materials. This details common household energy drains and their less wasteful alternatives. Moving . . . Karen G. Adams Silvercat Publications 4070 Goldfinch Street, Suite C San Diego, CA 92103-1865 0-9624945-6-9 $8.95 Adams has moved almost thirty times in her lifetime, from locally to interstate and internationally. Her checklists of tips and explanations can save the mover hours of frustration and disorganization, covering the basic preparation and planning moves which can simplify the entire operation. Beat the Cops Alex Carroll AceCo Publishers 924 Chapala Street, Suite D Santa Barbara, CA 93101 0-9634641-1-6 $9.95 Cops can cheat on tickets to fill quotas, but consumers can fight back. CarrollÕs title tells how to beat the traffic ticket, from how to avoid one in the first place (by remaining attentive to all the places traffic officers like to hide) to knowing oneÕs rights when stopped. Packed with practical, unusual suggestions. The Florida Investor J.W. Dicks Bob Adams Inc. 1-55850-366-8 $19.95 The publishers of the Florida Investor Newsletter reveal how to locate the best investments in that state, from stocks of promising companies and ventures to investing in tax lien certificates. This includes tax-free and fixed income investments & lists many important approaches to locating the best value for the dollar. Build It Right! Myron E. Ferguson Dimi Press P.O. Box 3363 Salem, OR 97302 0-931625-23-8 $16.95 Building your own home? Custom designers recipe a how-to book on how to create and build a dream home with the help of a contractor. The focus on putting value and quality into the overall structure considers the pros and cons of various building and design options for all rooms of the house, showing how various decisions can enhance a homeÕs value. Specific tips on state code pros and cons are invaluable. The Computer Shelf Osborne/McGraw Hill Owners of the Sound Blaster software, which is an industry standard for multimedia, will relish Sound Blaster: The Official Book by Peter M. Ridge, et.al., which appears in its second edition (882000-6, $34.95), and which includes a disk packed with utilities. This covers all Sound Blaster versions and upgrades to date and includes tech support, installation tips, source code examples, tutorials, and everything for both beginners and advanced users. Mary CampbellÕs DOS Answers (882030-8, $16.95) answers many common questions about DOS; from how files become cross-linked and clustered to how to retrieve accidentally deleted files. Tech tips include details on when to call in a third party for optimum results. Asael DrorÕs Modifying Windows (0-07-881993-8, $34.95) isnÕt recommended for computer newcomers; but it will prove an advanced user/programmerÕs dream: it goes beyond Windows documentation to probe how Windows functions work and how to write installable drivers and sub- routines to modify and enhance Windows operations. Contains many details essential for a thorough understanding of Windows code and enhancements. TravelerÕs Guide to the Information Highway Dylan Tweney Ziff Davis 1-56276-206-0 $24.95 This isnÕt just another handbook of written information: Tweney uses actual maps and easy directions to tell how to hook onto and use the information highway, whether itÕs with America Online and Delphi or CompuServe and Prodigy. Details include the pros and cons of each service, how to hook up, and how to easily use the serviceÕs links and Internet access for maximum efficiency. The perfect choice for users trying to compare different services. 3D Modeling Lab Philip Shaddock The Waite Group 1-878739-52-2 $39.95 DOS users who have the latest equipment (386 with math coprocessor, VGA and mouse) will relish a title which tells how to create rich 3D constructs on the PC. Exercises are relatively easy to use and guide readers through the techniques required to build 3D models and special effects, while the inclusion of image-processing shareware and programs enhances the results. Microsoft Press Looking for a quick, easy reference to Word 6? Go no further than Stephen L. NelsonÕs Word 6 For Windows (1-55615-577-8, $9.95), which uses an illustrated format to provide quick reference for the basic Word commands and functions. The A-Z arrangement is the real key to speed, here: that and an attention to screen examples and pink highlights which catch the eye and reveal important basics. Peter GlosterÕs The Way Word For Windows Works (569-7, $18.95) uses color illustrations to explain how Word works in the Windows environment. This is an even easier manual to use: while not as compact as NelsonÕs, and lacking the quick encyclopedic reference, it does include lively drawings and explanations which reveal the basic Word structure. The Windows Bible CD-Rom Fred Davis Peachpit Press 1-56609-078-4 $34.95 A CD is included in this package, which places a popular reference on ROM format for computer users. Over 500 MBs pack in fonts, art, utilities, games, and Windows 3.1 details. On the printed page it was a reference book: here itÕs an interactive model which is quicker to access, easier to use, and is rounded out by extra computer ŌgoodiesÕ such as the games. The installation instructions are particularly clear and well done. American History Atlas Parsons Technology P.O. Box 100 Hiawatha, IA 52233-0100 No ISBN 3.5" Discs $49.00 HereÕs a program which will prove a hit with both families looking for educational materials and librarians using DOS computers with Windows. This program links geography with history, with 90 color maps enhancing over 1,000 articles which describe American history from 1492-1870. Text from some 80 historical documents supplements the color maps and articles, with the computer format lending to quick access to political, geographic and event subjects. The Travel Shelf Travel Rights Charles Leocha World Leisure Corporation 177 Paris St. Boston, MA 02128 0-915009-28-5 $7.95 This pocket primer might all too easily become lost on library shelves, but itÕll fit right in the paperback rack, a suitcase, or a back pocket, and provides invaluable reference information on what to do when travel problems arise. Plane overbooked? What are the safest seats? Which credit cards are best used in travel? This outlines many situations which travelers would otherwise discover the hard way. FodorÕs Publications Anticipate guides featuring lively prose descriptions as well as practical travel advice and inviting color photos of both people and places with the ŌCompass American GuidesÕ titles ($16.95 Each). T.D. GriffithÕs South Dakota (1-878866-726-1) is the first to explore the myths, legends and regional attractions of the state, using humor and fine descriptions to reveal local history. K.M. KostyalÕs Virginia (741-5) explores modern VirginiaÕs background and attractions. Both make for fine travel guides which include liberal amounts of local color in their descriptions. FodorÕs National Parks And Seashores titles ($17.00 Each) are also winners. The East (02632- 0) covers sights and services at almost thirty selected popular national parks and shorelines along the East coast, including descriptions of driving tours, hotels, hikes, and outdoors opportunities. The completely revised second edition of The West (02580-4) includes similar information for the East, packing in details on thirty popular sites from Montana to Arizona. Monterey Bay and Beyond Lucinda Jaconetti Chronicle Books 0-8118-0488-7 $11.95 California-bound vacationers will want to include this guide if theyÕre headed to the Monterey region, which features a fine aquarium and regional attractions. The area from Santa Cruz to San Simeon is included in a guide which covers accommodations, restaurants and attractions. As this is an under-covered area in most California guides, JaconettiÕs is highly recommended. CamperÕs Guide to U.S. National Parks Mickey Little & Lillian B. Morava Gulf Publishing $18.95 Each This two volume collection make for a strong home reference library for any avid camper. Volume 1 covers parks and areas West of the Rockies, including Alaska and Hawaii, and outlines both RV and tent camping sites. Details include fees, seasonal operations, hiking opportunities, restrictions and facilities; with black and white and color photos liberally accenting the facts. A similar format graces Volume 2, which covers East of the Rockies. Hunter Publishing, NJ Domestic travellers wonÕt want to miss Lynn and Ed Readicker-HendersonÕs Coastal Alaska And The Inside Passage (1-55650-630-9, $14.95): this adventure guide details scenery and natural wonders along the Inside Passage and includes hiking opportunities which would not be apparent without the help of this book. From outdoors adventures to food, transit and lodging, this is an important take-along guide. Two by the ANWB cover ŅWhere to StayÓ ($13.95 Each) overseas. Belgium & Luxembourg (0-7495-0811-6) researches accommodations for the 1994 season and presents the AA and Royal Dutch Touring ClubÕs recommendations of over 1500 establishments. Germany & Austria (0812-4) does the same for these countries. Both guides include price ranges, b&b and country inn accommodations as well as hotels, and small black and white maps to accompany brief descriptions of atmosphere and specialties. Colorado Cabins, Cottages & Lodges Hilton & Jenny Fitt-Peaster Rocky Mountain Vacation Pubs. 5101 Pennsylvania Avnue Boulder, CO 80303-9917 1-883087-00-7 $12.95 This is the first and only guide devoted to Colorado cabins and lodges, describing over 200 sites and including details such as whether resorts are modern or rustic, where theyÕre located, and outdoors opportunities nearby. Price ranges are included and sometimes bed size is also mentioned; but the bookÕs real value lies in its lists of facilities which would otherwise be missed. Budapest Julia Kluge-Fabenyi & Hella Markus Prestel/TeNeues Publishing 3-7913-1329-0 $19.95 The price tag may seem expensive for a standard-size pocket paper tote, but this fine city guide will nonetheless prove essential to any planning an extended visit to the Hungarian city. Cultural details and insights permeate a guide which is packed with color photos, historical and cultural references, and walking tour descriptions. Bored Feet Publications P.O. Box 1832 Mendocino, CA 95460 Visitors to California who want clear take-along totes to hiking lesser-known areas will relish two guides by Bob Lorentzen. The HikerÕs Hip Pocket Guide To The Humboldt Coast (0-939431-08-4, $11.95) appears in its second edition to explore over fifty trails which range from half a mine to twenty-five miles in length. State and local parks are the sources for these walks, with instructions including terrain, cautions, maps, and easy directions to trail heads. Mendocino Highlands (05-X, $13.95) uses a similar format, including wilderness trains and day hikes in areas which will certainly be less travelled and often bypassed by the majority of tourists and visitors. These are each excellent keys to local attractions and outdoors opportunities which would otherwise be missed. Hidden Southwest, 2nd Edition Ray Riegert & Leslie Henriques, Eds. Ulysses Press 1-56975-004-1 $15.95 This is a revamped second edition which contains five new chapters, over twenty redesigned maps, and numerous pages of new material, updating old listings and vastly improving the coverage of the original title. From reservations to ski areas, this highlights some winners. California County Summits Gary Suttle Wilderness Press 0-89997-164-4 $14.95 The highest point in each of CaliforniaÕs counties is described in a guide which will excite hikers looking for high spots to climb. Maps showing routes to the top, indications of time required to make the ascent, details on nearby campgrounds and trail notes enhance a clear outdoors reference. Lumber Ghosts Kenneth A. Erickson Pruett Publishing 0-87108-854-1 $16.95 HereÕs an unusual travel guide, focussing on the historic lumber towns of the pacific Northwest. Erickson has tracked the rise and fall of these towns for over thirty years: historical anecdotes and instructions on locating the towns and their relics include many driving tour tips to places which would otherwise be easily missed. Country Roads Press Destination-oriented drivers will find the ŌCountry RoadsÕ and ŌGreen GuideÕ titles to be involving and essential to planning a successful local tour. New additions expand and enhance a series which will prove a visitorÕs delight. Bill McMillonÕs Country Roads Of Florida (1-56626-039-6 $9.95) presents twelve trips which explore backroads from the Panhandle to the Keyes, crossing east to west and highlighting rural sightseeing and old-town construction. Fronda ThrockmortonÕs Country Roads Of Tennessee (041-8 $9.95) ranges from the Smoky Mountains to Memphis, highlighting small towns and local attractions along the way. William SchemmelÕs Country Towns Of Georgia (058-2 $9.95) visits the authorÕs favorite stops, including some colorful local characters in his cross-Georgia rural expeditions. Archie SatterfieldÕs Green Guide Washington (035-3) and Green Guide Oregon (023-X $9.95) focuses on outdoor attractions rather than local personalities and urban wonders, detailing large and small parks and attractions in each state. These books are most valuable when highlighting the smaller parks which might otherwise be missed. All are strong destination guides: use them in conjunction with guides on accommodations and restaurants. Milemarking I-80 Mary Lu Kost Mile Publications P.O. Box 21603 Sacramento, CA 95821 0-9633489-1-4 $17.95 This second edition represents a fine revamp of the first, adding a new cover, additional details, and correcting travel markers. Enjoy historical vignettes about I-80 with an interstate guidebook which includes mention of local attractions and roadside geography. Side trips off the highway and mention of services or their absence make for a practical take-along tote on the I-80 road from San Francisco to New York. Health Shelf Flexible Bodies Emily Martin Beacon Press 0-8070-4626-4 $25.00 Those with Ņinflexible bodiesÓ and immune systems which are compromised by illness are increasingly being set aside by the medical community in favor of those with more immunity: thatÕs the charge of Martin, who provides a historical overview of immunity in American society from the polio epidemic to AIDS. Chapters make connections between social changes on the nature of illness and the biases inherent in medical treatment choices. Humana Press Two excellent self-help titles are strong and recommended picks above others in their fields. The third edition of Nathan D. Schultz, et.al.Õs The Best Guide To Allergy (0-89603-283-3, $24.50) covers everything from food allergy to asthma, outlining possible causes, care, and treatment of a variety of ailments. Most valuable here are the added details on elimination diets and foods which can be associated in groups, and details on what treatments will prove most effective under different conditions. Susan L. BurksÕ Managing Your Migraine (277-9, $22.50) tells sufferers how they can employ a variety of self-help techniques to help manage their migraines. Burks herself suffered from crippling migraine attacks which threatened her health and family life. Her research uncovered a management program which includes diet and lifestyle changes and a low-dose drug routine. ŌAlternative MedicineÕ guides Future Medicine Publishing 98 Main St., Suite 209 Tiburon, CA 94920 Two excellent medical guides are highly recommended as comprehensive references. The Burton Goldberg Group compiles Alternative Medicine (0-9636334-3-0, $59.95), a weighty 1,000+ page volume which is organized by therapy type, and which provides a clear and detailed coverage of each therapy; from its origins and theories to its ability to treat certain conditions. Over 300 physicians schooled in these alternatives explain their treatments and their applications. The accompanying Yellow Pages (2-2, $12.95) is essential to any who plan on furthering their research: over 16,000 practitioners of alternative medicine in North America are listed here by therapy type. Some are ancient; others are new creations. Most wonÕt work universally for all; but many are providing cures and hope for a large number of individuals with varied ailments. This makes for an invaluable library reference. Saving Your Skin Dr. Barney Kenet & Patricia Lawler Four Walls Eight Windows 1-56858-009-6 $14.95 Skin cancer is the focus of this title, which reviews the early symptoms of melanoma, its causes, and its treatment. Very few skin care titles do more than cover a chapter on the problem: itÕs refreshing to find a guide which focuses on a variety of skin cancers and their prevention. Skin Deep Margaret Dinsdale Camden House 0-921820-81-X $15.95 Dinsdale spent over ten years developing and distributing her line of natural skin-care products: her book tells consumers how to make their own skin care cleansers, oils, masks and shampoos. An intriguing collection of recipes and applications fight overpriced market products. Element Books Numerous fine health titles are recommended from this publisher. Judy Hall and Dr. Robert JacobsÕ Menopause Matters (1-85230-480-4, $13.95) provides the latest research on menopause, hormone treatments and alternatives, and therapies which can help with the physical and psychological effects of menopause. Her focus on natural alternatives should appeal to many. Elizabeth SharpÕs The Healthy Back Book (444-8, $14.95) should appeal to many with its exercises which are oriented to back care. These are graded exercises which explain the common causes of back problems and tell how back-strengthening exercises can help. Four fine ŌNatural WayÕ paperbacks ($5.95 Each) blend affordable price tags with simple explorations of treatments. Sheena MeredithÕs Eczema (493-6) tells how to prevent eczema attacks; Roy RidgwayÕs Asthma (492-8) explores causes and risk factors and alternatives to conventional treatments; Eileen HerzbergÕs Migraine (495-2) covers the pros and cons of alternative healing choices and advocates a gentle self-help routine; and Richard ThomasÕ Heart Disease (494-4) advocates a natural cure for heart disease based upon a blend of psychological and physical treatment. The Fiction Shelf Walker & Company Enjoy the return of Melissa Craig in Betty RowlandsÕ latest mystery Exhaustive Enquiries (0-8027-3180-5, $19.95), which focuses on her work with an amateur theater group and a play script which becomes all too realistic. CraigÕs writing talents become the focus for a murder investigation which leads to international crime in this fast-paced whodunit. Sandra West ProwellÕs The Killing Of Monday Brown (3184-8, $19.95) is an even more finely honed mystery including insights into Native American lives and issues. Phoebe encounters the Crow culture as she struggles to investigate the murder indictment of one of their own. Doubleday & Company A.G. MojtabaiÕs Called Out (Nan Talese Books, 0-385-47430-X, $22.00) uses five narrators and a literary style to tell of the impact on a remote small town when a jet crash lands nearby. The town is invaded by outsiders - survivors as well as relatives and the media - and finds itself changed by the experience. Heather LewisÕ House Rules (47210-2, $21.95) tells of a rebellious young adultÕs involvement in the horse-show circuit, her romances with female riders, and her descent into the seamier side of the business. A frightening story of a young womanÕs transition to a lawless world. Jane HamiltonÕs A Map Of The World (47310-9, $22.00) recounts the realistic nightmare of a neighbor who accidentally allows a child to drown under her care. The haunting story of lives suddenly changed and the political impact upon their home makes for an account which is hard to put down. No Effect Daniel Hayes David Godine 0-87923-989-1 $15.95 Young adult as well as adult readers will be thoroughly engrossed with this strong story of two friends who become involved in high school wrestling. For Tyler, itÕs a change to excel as the youngest and lightest on the team; this coupled with his first romance - for an attractive substitute teacher - change his life and perceptions. Science Fiction & Fantasy Masterpieces of Fantasy & Wonder David G. Hartwell, Compiler St. MartinÕs Press 0-312-11024-3 $25.95 Fifty powerful writers of the last two centuries are profiled, from Harlan Ellison and L. Frank Baum to a rare Peter Beagle offering and a fine dragon tale by Patricia A. McKillip. These represent almost forty of the best fantasy offerings of these last two centuries and make for a strong, diverse collection. TOR Books Three outstanding titles are strong picks for discriminating science fiction readers. Lisa GoldsteinÕs Summer King, Winter Fool (0-312-85632-6, $20.95) presents the fantasy story of an unsurpassed winter, a young lordÕs exile, and his subsequent quest for magic and power. This novel is rich in adventure and strong in characterization. Melissa ScottÕs Trouble And Her Friends (85733-0, $22.95) presents the futuristic story of Trouble, a cyberspace outlaw who faces her greatest challenge when an enemy borrows her online identity and forces her hand. Cyberpunk fans will relish TroubleÕs character and special Net challenges. Jack WilliamsonÕs Demon Moon (85718-7, $22.95) tells of a planet plagued by werewolves and demons: an embattled world torn by competing magics, where science battles the obvious interventions of the underworld, and where three individual enter a struggle for power. The Audio Shelf Now You See Her Whitney Otto Time Warner Audio 1-57042-027-0 Abridged $17.00 Kiki ShawÕs life has been ineffectual: now, at age forty, she discovers that she is slowly becoming invisible to others. KikiÕs search for visibility reviews her life and covers the dreams of others: the product is enlivened by Blair BrownÕs performance and strong narrative style. Recorded Books Arthur W. UpfieldÕs The Sands Of Windee ($52.00) introduces new narrator Nigel GrahamÕs brisk and revealing voice to the Recorded Books stock of fine readers. GrahamÕs dramatization of UpfieldÕs story about life in the Australian outback brings alive the tale of half-breed ŅBonyÓ and his investigation of a manÕs disappearance near Windee station. Remarkably strong and challenging is this vivid story. Martha GrimesÕ The Horse You Came In On ($67.00) presents a classic novel narrated by Patricia Conelly, who also shows a fine talent for bringing a best-seller to the highlights of unabridged audio style. GrimesÕ latest in her Richard Jury series introduces the English inspector to American culture and the murder of an English citizen in this fine, involving account. On Dangerous Ground Jack Higgins Dove Audio 0-7871-0043-9 Unabridged $29.95 A secret document holds the potential to extend the Hong Kong treaty by a hundred years, involving a host of business and political players in shady schemes and controversies in HigginsÕ dramatic thriller. Patrick MacneeÕs acting and accent brings to life a strong story. On Dangerous Ground is a wonderful addition to any audio book collection. Lasher Anne Rice Random House Audio 0-679-42173-4 Abridged $17.00 The abridgement of such a complex story holds the potential for confusion among less savvy readers, but Joe Morton does an excellent job of narrating a swiftly-moving, charged plot revolving around a beautiful witch queen and an alluring demon. Enjoy a tense story speeded by the abridgement; then read the many small details in the book. WISCONSIN BOOKWATCH Reviewer's Choice Timeless Images Arizona Highways 2039 W. Lewis Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009 #TIMHO $39.95 In Timeless Images armchair travelers can wander through the beauty of Arizona via the pages of this photographic treasure. Timeless Images showcases more than 126 images from 50 photographers that have appeared in Arizona Highways magazine over its first 65 years. Rare color images by Ansel Adams and comments by the other photographers are included. Tales from an Urban Wilderness Scott Holingue & Kenan Heise Chicago Historical Bookworks 831 Main Street, Evanston, IL 60202 0-924772-25-5 $19.95 Here are stories of nature and adventure not from the Kalahari or on the Amazon, but from Lincoln Park on Chicago's shoreline. These stories are true and represent 50 years of Scott Holingue's involvement with the wildlife there and its often tenuous struggle for survival. Tales from an Urban Wilderness presents a new credo, a new manifesto in behalf of the birds and other animals which we invite to and then harbor in our urban settings. Through story and illustration we are shown that for this relationship to survive, we must be responsible for it and that the rewards are well worth the effort! Catalan Communications 43 East 19th, NY, NY 10003 One of literature's greatest monuments to the European holocaust of World War II is the unique adaptation of a true story of concentration camp confinement and horror to the graphic novel format of Art Spiegelman's Maus: A Survivor's Tale (0-394-54155-3 $18.00). Now the long awaited second volume of Art Spiegelman's novel, biography, documentary and confessional memoir of his parents' fate in the prison death camps of Nazi Europe has been published as Maus II: And Here My Troubles Began (55655-0 $18.00). Every school and community library system in the country should carry this very special twin testament to man's inhumanity to man -- and the strength of the human heart and the will to survive. America Restored Carol M. Highsmith & Ted Landphair The Preservation Press 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 0-89133-228-6 $45.00 America Restored tells America's whole preservation story through stunning contemporary photographs and captivating historic views of 102 sites, two in every state and the District of Columbia. Each site chosen has been restored since 1980. Through the eye of a single photographer, a wide-ranging array of glorious restorations are captured in color, from houses to covered bridges, to ships and theaters, and even an enormous piece of earth-moving equipment. An informative introduction explains why these and so many other sites and places have been restored and discusses the forces that have contributed to recent American preservation. Yeah, But Do I Need an Umbrella? Bret Atkins Renaissance Publications (Seven Hillls) 49 Central Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45202 0-936645-18-0 $8.95 Have you ever watched the late night news just to find out how to dress the next day but were confused by high pressure, low pressure and the other arcane terms, symbols and weatherman patter? Yeah, But Do I Need An Umbrella?: Weather Made Simple explains in simple everyday English how weather is related to everyday life. This is a book for anyone curious about how weather works. Meteorologist Bret Atkins explains how global warming and the Greenhouse Effect relate to current weather and weather in history. The Titanic, the Spanish Armada, the D-Day Invasion, and the Gulf War all had close ties to the weather. Atkins also explains how to use your own observations to forecast weather when camping, travelling, going on a picnic, or to see if it is going to rain on your parade. These and many other skills and questions are fully addressed. Showcase of Interior Design Rockport Publishers PO Box 396, Rockport, MA 01966 0-9624596-4-X $37.50 Top commercial interior designers give examples of their work along with the philosophy that drives their approach to contract interiors. Included are an introduction by Stanley Abercrombie and an introduction explaining how to use and select an interior designer for contract projects such as offices, hotels, public spaces, etc. With over 150 full color images, Showcase of Interior Design: Commercial Edition is an impressive addition to any serious design library reference collection. Bearing Witness to the Holocaust Alan L. Berger The Edwin Mellen Press PO Box 450, Lewiston, NY 14092 0-7734-9644-0 $49.95 Bearing Witness to the Holocaust 1939-1989 is a compilation of survivor testimonies and philosophical responses to the Holocaust, testifying to the tenacity and self-renewal of the human spirit. Also included are essays from the 1989 Scholar's Conference on the Holocaust and the Churches. It is vital that the recorded witness of the holocaust be kept for posterity. Even now a sinister revisionism is attempting to rewrite this history. If those revisionist succeed, then it is all too possible for the past to repeat itself, as indeed it already has in places like Bosnia, Cambodia, and Ruwanda. The Psychology Shelf A Critique of the Foundations of Psychology Georges Politzer Duquesne University Press 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15282 0-8207-0257-9 $22.50 (pb) 0-8207-0256-0 $54.00 (hc) Originally published in France in 1928, this classic work is only now published in English (Maurice Apprey, translator). Georges Politzer was executed in 1942 by a Nazi firing squared, thus ending one of the most original thinkers of this century in the field of psychology and psychoanalysis. Politzer's A Critique of the Foundations of Psychology provides an analysis of psychoanalytic principles and methods, and a solid formulation on the conditions that every true psychology must fulfil, i.e. a study of a group of facts, original and not reducible to the objects of other sciences, objective in defining psychological facts and methods in a universally accessible and verifiable manner. While numerous authors have opposed abstract classical psychology as well as drive psych-ology during the decades since this work first appeared, Politzer's fundamental and decisive critque from a dialectical materialist perspective is still remarkable as a work of great clarity and conviction. The Fiction Shelf Always in September Dopris Elaine Fell Crossway Books 1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, IL 60187 0-89107-760-X $8.99 Always in September is a romantic international thriller about the fashion industry and the choices a young woman must make concerning her life, her career and her faith. It is the story of Andrea who went to Paris as a fashion journalist and must flee as a fugitive, running from the CIA, the French Police, and terrorists involved in an assassination plot. With Always in September, Crossway Books has again demonstrated that great fiction doesn't have to offend simple standards of decency and language in order to provide the reader with a wonderfully entertaining, suspenseful and gripping tale with cliff-hanger tension, memorable characterization, and a sophisticated storyline. Sunstone Press PO Box 2321, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2321 Three outstanding novels of the old west are true gems. Mark Dugan's Bandit Years (0-86534-101-X $10.95) is set in the days of the Old West when travel was not only rough but dangerous as four outlaws made the Overland Mail their special target. Alvin Moore's Border Patrol (113-3 $10.95) is a tale of smugglers, illegal aliens, shoot-outs and pretty women offering bribes to the Border Patrol. The stories are based on actual incidents in Moore's work on the Arizona-Mexico border in the 1920s. Non-stop action! Jean M. Burroughs' Bride of the Santa Fe Trail (042-0 $9.95) is a fictionalized account of Susan Shelby Magoffin's pioneer trip along the Santa Fe Trail in 1846. All are great reading! Ethics & Spirituality New Testament Foundations for Christian Ethics Willi Marxsen Augsburg Fortress Publishers Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1209 0-8006-2749-0 $17.00 Ably translated by O.C. Dean, New Testament Foundations for Christian Ethics represents a serious effort to learn from the New Testament what "Christian" ethics can mean in the present. With critical awareness of the diversity of the New Testament witnesses, Willi Marxsen carefully weights the ethical and theological claims of these texts. After defining his approach, Willi Marxsen assesses the ethics reflected in Jesus, the earliest Christian communities, Paul, and other aspects of New Testament social awareness. Teach Us to Pray Andre Louf Cowley Publications 28 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111 1-56101-058-8 $8.95 The only true prayer, says Andre Louf in this classic work on contemplation, arises from the heart that is beginning to awaken and discover the depths of the Spirit within. Until we attempt to discover these depths, our hearts are asleep and we are alienated from ourselves and our most essential relationships. Prayer is a matter of "surprising the heart" in order to awaken it. Trappist monk and student of the desert fathers, Andre Louf shows how the ancient teachers of prayer have already discovered those profound ways of praying that are searched for so desperately today. Drawing liberally on the tradition embodied by writers as diverse as Anthony of the Desert and Gregory the Great, Louf guides the reader with practical suggestions for prayer, including recollection, meditation, contemplation, and the prayer of the heart. Bernard of Clairvaux Michael Casey Cistercian Publications Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI 49008 0-87907-119-0 $49.95 (book & cassettes) Bernard of Clairvaux has fascinated people for nearly nine hundred years. Princes and prelates asked his advice when he lived; countless readers have turned to his works for guidance since his death. In Bernard of Clairvaux: Man, Monk, Mystic, Australian Cistercian Michael Casey introduces the spiritual doctrine of the saint in twelve talks on such topics as Imagehood, Reform, Prayer, Immediacy, Progress, and Love. Selected texts allow listeners to read Bernard's own words in spritely translation in this book and cassette combination. American History A Cultural Encyclopedia of the 1850s in America Robert L. Gale Greenwood Publishing Group PO Box 5007, Westport, CT 06881-5007 0-313-28524-1 $95.00 The 1850s were a particularly fruitful and eventful period in American history, a time of unrest and preparation for change. This reference work provides a thorough record of the cultural happenings in America during that period. The volume is divided into several sections. it begins with a chronology that presents the events of the 1850s in capsule form year by year. A list of entries follows. The encyclopedia that comes after the list of entries contains brief, alphabetically arranged articles for performers, military personnel, theologians, composers, critics, educators, explorers, historians, industrialists, inventors, authors, artists, physicians, scientists, sculptors, and numerous events and creative works. A bibliography, divided into topical sections, directs the reader to the best sources of additional information. An appendix lists the biographical entries according to professional categories, and a detailed index adds to the usefulness of the volume. The Washington Historical Atlas Laura Bergheim Woodbine House 5615 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852 0-933149-42-5 $15.95 This engaging and authoritative guide unlocks the spirit of the capital city from its inception to the present day. Accompanied by more than 100 old photos, prints, maps and drawings, The Washington Historical Atlas explores the city, neighborhood by neighborhood, and site by site, with tales of notorious and forgotten demonstrations, personalities, and political and social scandals. Sites are conveniently keyed to maps so armchair history buffs, new city visitors, or resident Washingtonians can easily locate them. The Audio Shelf What Stories Do We Need? Robert Bly Sound Horizons 250 West 57th Street, Suite 1527 New York, NY 10107 1-879323-02-8 $15.95 (2 cassettes) In What Stories Do We Need?, Robert Bly (poet, storyteller and mythologists) takes us on an imaginative and disturbing journey in this live recording. The commentary reminds us that the mythology we have inherited is often defective. One story reports that the very moment we are born a snake appears with us which the doctor throws out the window, and, unknown to us, has been growing large in the forest. Just as the church refused to accept the reality Galileo saw in his telescope, literalists have removed from mythology, by refusing to include them, the dark soul images that nourished our ancestors. Buckingham Classics, Ltd. PO Box 597441, Chicago, IL 60659 Two great P.G. Woodhouse classics are now available from Buckingham Classics, splendidly narrated by the English actor Edward Duke. Jeeves Comes to America (1-882071-42-5 $7.95) finds England's greatest butler Jeeves, and his employer Bertie Wooster, arriving in New York finds just as much tangled-up trouble in this country as in merry England. In two delicious stories Bertie goes backstage on Broadway in The Chump Cyril and turns the Duke of Chiswick into an instant American celebrity in Jeeves and the Hard-Boiled Egg. In Jeeves Takes Charge and Bertie Changes His Mind (20-4 $7.95) young, British and rich Bertie Wooster has a particular way of talking and a particular way of acting - and fortunately, an extraordinary gentleman's gentleman in Jeeves to extricate him from his particular sort of troubles. The Grand Inquisitor Fyodor Dostoevsky Source Books Box 794, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678 0-940147-25-4 $9.95 (90 minutes) The Grand Inquisitor is a short story with the great novel The Brothers Karamazov. Ivan, the tortured mind, tells his innocent brother, Aloysha, that he has composed a poem - an "absurd thing". It is 16th century Seville, and Jesus is recognized in a crowd on the cathedral steps, he raises a dead child: Talitha cumi. The Inquisitor has Jesus arrested, and the cowed masses do not resist. But the sinister clergyman feels compelled to visit his Savior in jail and holds a long one-sided conversation with him, during which he asserts that as a result of the efforts of the Church in overcoming the freedom of redemption, only now has it become possible to think for the first time about human happiness. This is a dramatic rendering of the most forceful account ever written of the moral problem that is central to Christian theology. No listener can fail to think deeply of freedom, happiness, salvation, and humanity. Audio Entertainment, Inc. PO Box 461059, Aurora, CO 80046-1059 Three outstanding 90 minute audio books are available from Audio Entertainment. In Laura Hayden's The Star of Kashmir (1-56903-006-5) Karen York inherits a stolen emerald and elicits the help of Jack Sterling, a college professor turned private investigator. Neither expected the treacherous path to discover the emerald's legacy. Chris Pacheco's Queen's Ransom (009-X) finds that on the eve of her coronation, Princess Alexandra of Dalvaria is kidnapped by Captain Jarod Sinclair, of Saxony. Enchanted by her spirit and beauty, the captain disobeys his orders and his king, fleeing with his captive. Virginia Rifkin's Fate of the Silver Moon (011-1) finds that following a message from her tarot cards, a young working class British woman finds herself on a journey to Leadville, Colorado with a hired hand to help her make the journey safely. The Biography Shelf John Nelson Darby Max S. Weremchuk Loizeaux PO Box 277, Neptune, NJ 07754 0-87213-923-9 $14.99 Although his name is not widely recognized, John Nelson Darby had a profound impact on the evangelical world of his own time and his influence continues to the present day. His extensive oral and written ministry focused on theological teachings not widespread in the 19th century, but now considered "fundamentals" largely because of his advocacy. These include dispensationalism, Bible prophecy, the priesthood of the believer, and the pretribulation rapture of the church. He also had a major influence on the lives of many other evangelical notables including D.L. Moody and C.I. Scofield. This well-documented biography examines both the life and ministry of this dedicated servant of Christ. Tales of Alaska's Bush Rat Governor Jay Hammond Epicenter Press Box 82368, Kenmore Station Seattle, WA 98028 0-945397-17-8 $27.95 This is the odyssey of a man who chose to live life at the edge; a New England Yankee minister's son and World War II Marine fighter pilot who fled civilization for Alaska's wilderness; a trapper, bush pilot, reformed wolf hunter, commercial fisherman, wilderness guide, and poet who became the nation's most besieged but effective environmentalist governor during Alaska's critical oil-boom years. In his fast-paced and often hilarious autobiography, Hammond shares his love of family, friends, and frontier, where he built his wilderness home, survived trapline injuries, murderers, mid-air attacks, broken bones, the tedium of politics and (the greatest affliction of all) lawyers! In two terms, Jay Hammond showed Alaskans how to escape the curse of their "boom and bust" history. The Lion of the South Diane Neal & Thomas Kremm Mercer University Press 1400 Coleman Avenue, Macon, GA 31207 0-86554-422-0 $24.95 A man of action, determination, and decisiveness who possessed personal and physical courage, Thomas C. Hindman was hot-tempered, bold and totally committed to triumphing over is enemies. A resident of Mississippi prior to moving to Arkansas, he entered politics at the height of his debate over the Compromise of 18560. Convinced that the agreement had left the South with nothing tangible and that abolitionists would not abide by terms of the Fugitive Slave Law, he became an uncompromising advocate of Southern state rights and a defender of "the peculiar institution". The Lion of the South: General Thomas C. Hindman is an insightful biography laying out for today's reader the mindset that made made slavery possible and the American civil war inevitable. Crowning Anguish Taj Al-Saltana Mage Publishers 1032 29th St, NW, Washington DC 20007 0-934211-36-1 $14.95 (pb) 0-934211-35-3 $29.95 (hc) Taj al-Saltana, "Crown of the Monarch" was born in 1884, the daughter of the ruler of Iran, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. Overcoming her limited education within the harem's walls, Taj chronicled a thirty-year span in the life of a generation that was acutely aware of its changing world. Now, almost one hundred years later, Taj's memoirs remain relevant, qualifying her as a feminist not only by her society's standards, but also in comparison with European and American feminists at the turn of the century. Taj's Crowning Anguish: Memoirs of a Persian Princess from the Harem to Modernity 1884-1914 (ably translated by Anna Vanzan and Amin Neshati and edited by Abbas Amanat) is a genuine voice for women's social grievances in late 20th century Iran and reveals a remarkable woman in her own right. Highly recommended reading and an ideal addition to any serious women's studies historical biographies shelf. The Family Finishing Well Terry Hargrave & William Anderson Brunner/Mazel Publishers 19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003 #6830 $26.95 Ours is an aging society, with four- and even five-generation families becoming increasingly common. In Finishing Well: Aging and Reparation in the Intergenerational Family, Hargrave and Anderson effectively translate the "aging process" from an abstract, nebulous concept into a concrete stage of life with attendant struggles and opportunities, just as in any other life phase. They emphasize the need for compassion, realism, and honesty in dealing with the often heart-breaking issues involved in confronting death; and they stress the need to "balance the family ledger" in order to Finish Well. The New Jewish Baby Book Anita Diamant Jewish Lights Publishing PO Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 1-879045-28-1 $15.95 The New Jewish Baby Book is a complete guide to the customs and rituals for welcoming a new child to the world and into the Jewish community, and for commemorating the joyous event in family life, whatever the family constellation. The New Jewish Baby Book provides ceremonies that can be copied for handouts so that guests are an even greater part of the experience. Also provided is a special section for interfaith families which helps make the celebrations inclusive, comfortable and joyous for all. There are new ceremonies for girls, as well as for boys. Economics Against Dirigisme Deepak Lal Intnatl. Center for Economic Growth 720 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94102 1-55815-324-1 $14.95 Against Dirigisme: The Case for Unshackling Economic Markets presents the argument that a major defect in the policy advice of economists in the postwar period has been their adherence to what the author calls the "dirigiste dogma", which denigrates markets and advocates government intervention because of the existence of various types of purported market failure. Deepak Lal's advocacy for detaching governmental controls from the economic marketplace is insightful and persuasive. How Credit-Money Shapes the Economy Robert Guttmann M.E. Sharpe 80 Business Park Dr., Armonk, NY 10504 1-56324-101-3 $27.95 (pb) 1-56324-100-5 $68.00 (hc) Robert Guttmann examines money, credit, and economic activity in the increasingly integrated global economy. How Credit-Money Shapes the Economy: The United States in a Global System focuses on the severe problems afflicting the United States as it adapts to the transformation of the world economy and analyses the cycles of inflation and deflation, financial instability, and mounting frictions between the United States and its trading partners. Guttman shows how these developments have accompanied a persistent slowdown of economic growth in the United States as well as in the industrial world. How Credit-Money Shapes the Economy, primarily aimed at scholars, policy makers, and students in the field, is also quite accessible to the non-specialist general reader and does not require advanced knowledge of economic theory. Islamic Economic Systems Ali Rahnema & Farhad Nomani Humanities Press International 165 First Avenue Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716-1289 1-85649-058-0 $17.50 (pb) 1-85649-057-2 $49.95 (hc) Islamic Economic Systems presents a systematic exposition of Islamic economics at both the practical and the theoretical level. The first part deals with a survey of the theoretical underpinnings of Islamic economics, and the economic interpretations of the different schools of thought are presented and compared. The second part provides a detailed historical survey of the experience of four Islamic countries (Libya, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran) examining how the implementation of Islamic economic solutions has worked out in practice. Islamic Economic Systems looks at the practicality of Islamic economic solutions and policies within the world economic order, and assesses their economic performance and success in guiding society towards the Islamic ideal. Working Under Different Rules Richard B. Freeman, editor Russell Sage Foundation 112 East 64th Street, NY, NY 10021 0-87154-277-3 $14.95 (pb) 0-87154-276-5 $39.95 (hc) For much of the 20th Century, American workers were the world's leaders in productivity, wages, and positive workplace conditions. American unions championed free enterprise and high labor standards, and American businesses dominated the world market. But, as editor Richard Freeman cautions in Working Under Different Rules, despite our relatively high standard of living we have fallen behind our major trading partners and competitors in providing good jobs as good pay - what was once considered "the American dream." Working Under Different Rules assesses the decline in the well-being of American workers (evidenced by spiraling income inequality and stagnant real earnings) and compares our employment and labor conditions with those of Western Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia. Solidarity Unionism Staughton Lynd Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company 1740 West Greenleaf Avenue Chicago, IL 60626 $6.95 (pb) $24.95 (hc) Solidarity Unionism is critical reading for all who care about the future of labor because its modesty lets it say so much. Short and plainly written, it is also deliberately tentative in its conclusions about where and how a new workers' movement can grow. It does not proclaim a program but instead reports on how small groups of workers and retirees have created new forms of democratic organization. It does not strike postures regarding the possibilities of instant victories or of quick fixes but argues that building solidarity today means nurturing tender shoots of resistance in the face of great corporate power. Solidarity Unionism takes no easy comfort from faith in an assured future but rather draws strength from the fact that working people learn solidarity from their jobs and even from their defeats. It seeks neither a strategy to capture the leadership of the existing AFL-CIO unions nor one to destroy them and build upon their ruins. Instead it looks for ways that labor organizations can be structured so that they are the incubators, and not the prisons, of impulse toward solidarity. The Art of the Short Story The Unforgetting Heart Asha Kanwar, editor Aunt Lute Books PO Box 410687, San Francisco CA 94141 1-879960-30-3 $9.95 (pb) 1-879960-31-1 $19.95 (hc) The Unforgetting Heart is a unique collection bringing together an unprecedented range of beautifully crafted short stories by women that span a century and a half (1859-1993) of African American literary tradition. Asha Kanwar's introduction provides the historical background and context for the selection of stories by authors as varied as Alice Dunbar Nelson, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Cade Bambara and Wanda Coleman. The famous and less well-known writers included celebrate the rich diversity of African American women's writing across class, culture and time. The Stories and Recollections of Umberto Saba Estelle Gilson, translator The Sheep Meadow Press PO Box 1345, Riverdale, NY 10471 1-878818-21-X $22.50 With Stories and Recollections of Umberto Saba, the short prose works of this great Italian poet (1883-1957) makes their first appearance in English. Here are the stories, memoirs, and reflections of a man who spent much of his life in his small antiquarian bookshop. This work was largely overlooked but for friends such as Svevo, Montale, Pavese, Ungaretti, and Carlo Levi, who found Saba's "rich and complex prose of such scrupulous realism that it recalls Geoethe or Thomas Mann, but is so much more brilliant, modern, and nervous." Collected Stories Tennessee Williams New Directions 80 Eighth Avenue, NY, NY 10011 0-8112-1269-6 $14.95 During his long career as 20th century America's most distinguished and successful playwright, Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) also published four volumes of short stories. The contents of these volumes are combined with unpublished or uncollected stories and made available under one cover with an introduction by his longtime friend Gore Vidal. Indeed, Vidal suggests that Williams' personal and artistic life is best reflected by these stories, and here arranged chronologically, form his most perceptive "autobiography". Exiled early by the "foxbite of loneliness", Williams turned to writing, and Collected Stories confirms his poignant confession: "For love I make characters." Marchers of Valhalla Robert E. Howard Donald M. Grant, Publisher PO Box 187, Hampton Falls, NH 03844 0-937986-18-6 $15.00 Marchers of Valhalla and The Thunder Rider are tales of ancestral memory set in the late Robert E. Howard's own, familiar southwest. Both stories are weird swashbucklers full of horror and blood. Marchers of Valhalla, however, is set in a remote, antediluvian age of pre-history, and peopled by a race who live by the sword. The Thunder Rider (one of Howard's last fantasies) tells of the evil found in a lost city. A third story, The Grey God Passes, is one of Howard's most somber and successful tales. Its barbaric action on a massive scale takes place in the final, bloody days of Brian Boru of Ireland. An eery tale of the death of gods and men. Marchers of Valhalla is beautifully illustrated with eleven splendid full color paintings by Marcus Boas. The Art Shelf European Paintings Before 1900 in the Fogg Art Museum Edgar Peters Bowron Harvard University Art Museums 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 0-916724-77-8 $35.00 (pb) 0-916724-76-X $50.00 (hc) The Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University is on of the great university art museums in the world. Its collection of more than 1,000 European paintings ranks with the finest anywhere in the world. The collection traces the development of European painting from the late Middle Ages to the 20th century and is particularly distinguished by exceptional groups of early Italian and 19th-century British and French paintings. Among its treasures are masterworks by Giotto, Poussin, Bonington, Ingress, David, Delacroix, Moreau, Renoir, and van Gogh. Here compiled is the first complete catalogue of the Fogg's pre-20th century European paintings. It draws on nearly a century of scholarship on the Fogg's collection and illustrates 835 works, many for the first time, with 66 full-page plates presenting the most important works in full color. The Golden Age of Ivory Richard H. Randall Jr. Hudson Hills Press 250 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1308 New York, NY 10001-7704 1-55595-076-0 $75.00 The Golden Age of Ivory: Gothic Carvings in North American Collections catalogues and reproduces (often in multiple views) every known work in the American and Canadian private collections and 61 museums. Here are 245 religious and secular sculptures representing the pinnacle of the carver's art from 13th through 15th century France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Flanders, and England. The Golden Age of Ivory sets new standards of connoisseurship and scholarship. 20 color plates and 302 black & white photos. The Golden Age of Ivory is a beautiful book and a perfect choice for memorial funds. Twentieth-Century Russian and Easter European Painting Irene Martin, et al. Sotheby's Publications 1035 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10028 0-301-00619-2 $175.00 The 59 Russian and East European paintings and drawings accumulated by the present Baron Thyssen during the 12970s and 1980s include major works by Goncharova, Larinov, Lissitzky, Popova, Malevich, Rodchenko, Moholy-Nagy, Rozanova, and other avant-garde artists. At the heart of this pioneering study is an illustrated catalog which provides detailed descriptions of each work (including condition and provenance) in the context of the artist's career and broader artistic developments of the age. Twentieth-Century Russian and East European Painting: The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection is introduced by three essays: the Russian avant-garde, the Hungarian avant-garde, and the history of collecting Russian avant-garde art. It concludes with artists' biographies, bibliographical information, a glossary, and an index. The Cookbook Shelf Round-the-World Cooking at The Natural Gourmet Debra Stark Keats Publishing, Inc. Box 876, New Canaan, CT 06840-0876 0-87983-625-3 $17.95 Round-the-World Cooking at The Natural Gourmet is a compendium of colorful, sensuous cuisine of a famous health-food kitchen, ready to enjoy in one's own kitchen. Nearly 300 recipes for breakfasts, appetizers, breads, soups, salads, beans and grains, poultry and seafood, desserts (and some out-of-the-way treats!) re-create the dishes that have made The Natural Gourmet a food-lover's Mecca. Made with natural foods from around the world, some traditional and some not, these recipes bring spice and romance to any dinner table. The Gourmet Jewish Cook Judy Zeidler Jonathan David Company, Inc. 68-22 Eliot Avenue Middle Village, NY 11379-1194 #1226 $19.95 With nearly six hundred recipes, The Gourmet Jewish Cook is an innovative collection and proof of the fact that kosher cooking can be world-class. Judy Zeidler's recipes offers an appealing mix of much-loved traditional foods and sophisticated international fare. There are menus for every holiday and occasion, from every part of the world - from a Passover Seder to a Fourth of July picnic, from a Chinese New Year banquet to a Scandinavian brunch, from a Moroccan couscous feast to a classic Thanksgiving dinner. The Chinese-Kosher Cookbook Bob Grossman Paul S. Eriksson, Publisher 208 Battell Bldg., Middlebury, VT 05753 0-8397-1601-X $9.95 Thirty years ago this classic cookbook changed the world of Jewish cooking (and possibly Chinese cooking too). The many interesting Hunan and Szechuan recipes added to this humourous composite of seemingly disparate cuisines embellishes the range of the kosher culinary palate. Nearly 100 all-kosher recipes are presented in the language of a turn-of-the-century, stubborn Jewish grandmother who refused to let her Orthodox cooking chase her modern, sophisticated family away from her table. Reared in a traditional Jewish household, Bob Grossman shows that kosher cooking and Chinese cuisine can be taken seriously -- and with great humor as well. This Good Food Br. Victor-Antoine D'Avila-Latourrette The Overlook Press 2568 Route 212, Woodstock, NY 12498 0-87951-493-3 $22.95 This Good Food: Contemporary French Vegetarian Recipes from a Monastery Kitchen presents 150 all-new vegetarian recipes (as well as some recipes for fish and seafood) from Brother Victor's monastery kitchen. Life in a monastery is closely tied to the four seasons of the year. This special cookbook takes the best from nature's bounty (fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and herbs) from each season to create the most perfect dishes for each time of the year. Made with fresh, natural ingredients, these recipes are low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-salt and high in fiber; many, in fact, are fat-free and because they use herbs creatively, salt-free. With charming and inspiring quotes and woodcuts throughout, This Good Food takes the cook and reader on a joyous and delicious culinary journey through the four seasons of the year. Amherst Press PO Box 296, Amherst, WI 54406 Margaret Guthrie has authored three splendid midwest cookbooks. Best Recipes of Illinois Inns and Restaurants (0-942495-04-7 $12.95) fully lives up to its name as it scans the state for chefs' favorites which will tempt any palate. Best Recipes of Michigan Inns and Restaurants (02-0 $12.95) offers recipes for everything from wild leeks and morels to venison an smoked whitefish. Tempting appetizers, interesting new salads and variations on classic soups, recipes for any occasion and to suit every palate. In Best Recipes of Minnesota Inns and Restaurants Minnesota chefs are demonstrated masters at giving old favorites a new twist. From Wild Rice Soup and Lamb Loin in Puff Pastry to Bananas Blagsvedt, try them all and see if you don't agree that Minnesota knows good food. Send for the free Amherst Press catalog for a complete listing. Vermont Favorites Ellen Doon, compiler The New England Press PO Box 575, Shelbourne, VT 05482 0-933050-94-1 $3.95 Vermont Favorites is a collection of enticing recipes that were inspired by Vermont's native ingredients and agricultural heritage. Chicken Pot Pie, Venison Roast, Fried Green Tomatoes (and here I'll bet you thought this was a southern dish), Cream of Fiddlehead Soup, Johnnycake, and Maple Baked Apples are just a few of the delicious dishes that await. Simple, elegant, delicious recipes that reflect a regional culinary style of taste and adventure! Pets & Wildlife Great Bear Adventures Andy Russell Key Porter Books Limited 70 The Esplanade Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5E 1R2 1-55013-544-9 $16.95 Great Bear Adventures: True Tales from the Wild is an exciting collection of thirty stories about bears that are sure to thrill and chill you. The stories in Great Bear Adventures are often funny and sometimes scary, but always thrilling and thought-provoking. They reflect the experiences of people who have lived and learned in wild country, where they sometimes find themselves literally holding their lives in their hands. This unique collection of tales offers insights into bears of all kinds: brown bears, black bears, polar bears and grizzlies. There are hunting yarns from India, Greenland and Colorado as well as stories of encounters from New Brunswick and New England to the Arctic Circle. All reflect man's enduring fascination with these magnificent animals. Grouse of the World Hans Aschenbrenner Hancock House 1431 Harrison Avenue, Blaine, WA 98230 0-88839-272-9 $90.00 In Grouse of the World, Dr. Hans Aschenbrenner reviews the biology of the Grouse, in all sixteen species. Illustrated with over 200 color photos and 100 illustrations, Grouse of the World emphasizes the behavior of grouse; captive rearing techniques which permit closer observation and production of large numbers to facilitate transplanting and reintroduction efforts; disease, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in grouse; and reintroduction procedures which includes rearing techniques and prerelease conditioning to food finding and predator avoidance. Unique and comprehensive. The Poetry Shelf Benjamin Britten's Poets Boris Ford, editor Carcanet Press Limited 208-212 Corn Exchange Manchester, England, M4 3BQ 1-85754-022-0 £25.00 Benjamin Britten was a great reader of poetry, and poetry profoundly affected his musical genius and style of composition. Friendships and collaborations with writers (Auden and Forster among them) left their mark. No other composer of songs, not even Schubert or Schumann, set poems of such range and quality. All the 360 poems Britten set are included in this book. They range from Donne's complex Holy Sonnets to the deceptive simplicity of Blake's Oh rose thou art sick. They include anonymous ballads, modern work and poems in other languages (with translations). Full details of the source and use of each poem are given. This is a collection to be treasured! Marilyn, My Marilyn Victor di Suvero & Jeanie Williams Harbinger House PO Box 42948, Tucson, AZ 85733-2948 0-938631-19-5 $12.95 Marilyn, My Marilyn is an anthology of poems about Marilyn Monroe -- few have inspired so many. Rarely has one person captivated so many hearts with a passion that transcends everyday language. This is poetry written out of a need to understand, to compare and to share; poetry that will make a heart thunder or skip a beat; poetry full of honest questions as well as some questionable answers. Compassion, identification and involvement all present themselves in this selection of more than 100 poems that examine the impact that Marilyn Monroe's life has had (and continues to have) on our nation's psyche. From voices as varied as Sharon Doubiago, James Riess and James Schevill, this collection of poems sings Marilyn's praises, reproduces her persona, reflects her pain and invites the reader's involvement with this icon of her time. Health & Medicine Diabetes: A Guide to Living Well Gary Arsham & Ernest Lowe Chronimed Publishing Box 47945, Minneapolis, MN 55447-9727 1-56561-009-1 $12.95 In diabetes there are two vital ingredients to self-care: Knowing what to do and having the will to do it. Diabetes: A Guide to Living Well is the first book to deal with both elements as a comprehensive guide laying out concrete steps to improve motivation, self-image, emotional reactions, and stress. An excellent companion title from Chronimed Publishing is Joseph Juliano's When Diabetes Complicates Your Life (012-1 $9.95). Here's the only book available that shows how to minimize and avoid complications of diabetes by digging into the emotional impact of diabetes and the importance of a positive outlook. Juliano's perceptive examples, personal experiences, and genuine warmth help make this difficult subject manageable for everyone facing complications. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Timothy Kenny Thunder's Mouth Press 632 Broadway, 7th floor, NY, NY 10012 1-56025-075-5 $12.95 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome puts a human face on this malady, bringing its realities to life in candid detail. Timothy Kenny recounts his own battle with CFS - from his high-profile career in television news to encountering unexplained memory lapses to eventually becoming homebound. His story of going from doctor to doctor in search of answers will resonate deeply with CFS patients, as well as the ruthless cynicism he encountered after finally being diagnosed, the loss of his career, the strain on his marriage, and his eventual sacrifice of nearly everything to get well. He writes poignantly of his struggle to find equilibrium within the total exhaustion of CFS that can insidiously sap the will to survive. For the millions who suffer with this syndrome, this book provides an eye-opening book into the realities of CFS. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a "must" for all library health collections. Health Care Reform and Child Welfare Madelyn DeWoody CWLA 440 First Street, NW, Suite 310 Washington, DC 20001-2085 0-87868-507-3 $12.95 It is essential that children's advocates spotlight and educate federal/state legislators and policy makers about the health care needs associated with child abuse and neglect. Health Care Reform and Child Welfare: Meeting the Needs of Abused and Neglected Children is a new report documenting the range of health care services for children and youths which should be an integral part of a national health care program. This is important and timely reading for all child advocates and for anyone invested in the current national debate over health care reform legislation. Directory of Alternative Health-Care Resources Arle Hagberg Hampton Roads Publishing Company 891 Norfolk Square, Norfolk, VA 23502 1-878901-99-0 $14.95 In directory format, Arle Hagberg's Directory of Alternative Health-Care Resources presents a wide range of alternative-medicine practitioners, organizations, publications, and other resources, with specifics on how to contact them. Included are sources for chelation therapy, alternative treatments of diseases such as cancer, AIDS, and MS, treatment of environmental illness, and many others - even alternative veterinary care! Also included is the complete directory of the members of the American College for Advancement in Medicine. Here is a must-have book for the seeker of responsible alternative medical care. The Art of the Essay New York Djuna Barnes Sun & Moon Press 6026 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., CA 90036 0-940650-99-1 $12.95 Edited with commentary by Alyce Barry, Djuna Barnes' New York is a collection of unforgettable essays originally published in newspapers and magazines from 1911-1931. The exuberant works assembled here all center upon New York City, including wonderful portraits of Brooklyn's Wallabout Market, the Hippodrome Circus, a Manhattan Boxing Club, the Italian theater in the Bower, Coney Island, Printing House Square, and a tour of the city with World War I soldiers. Barnes undergoes force-feeding from police in order to understand the techniques used upon feminist agitators who had gone on hunger strikes; she is rescued by fireman, tangoed around the floor of local dancehalls, and lectured to by "sensible" New Yorkers Jane Cowl, Enrico Caruso, and Montgomery Flagg regarding their secret superstitions. Whether satirizing her Bohemian friends, Floyd Dell, Max Eastman, and Marsden Hartley, or investigating Brooklyn squatters, Barnes brings to New York her wit and brilliant powers of observation. Duke's Mixture Frederick Manfred The Center for Western Studies Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD 57197 $15.95 Duke's Mixture is a collection of twenty-four essays about the American West and Western writing by best-selling novelist Frederick Manfred. Here are five brilliant interviews that probe the nature of western American novels and novelists, and the rich lode of western lore about Indians and non-Indians, much of it yet to be explored. Here also in Manfred's energetic apologia for the place he calls roots, Siouxland, USA. These essays are Manfred at his most combative, versatile, and sympatico, for the tyro an introduction, for the Manfred buff a running commentary on fifty years of vigorous intellectual life in the heartland of America. Henry Adams and His World David Contosta & Robert Muccigrosso American Philosophical Society PO Box 40098, Philadelphia, PA 19106 0-87169-834-X $15.00 Ably edited by Contosta and Muccigrosso, this monograph is a collection of essays first presented during a conference at Brooklyn College in 1988 marking the 150th anniversary of Henry Adams' birth. Offering a many-sided approach to a man whose own interests were wide and insatiable, these essays are written by nine distinguished scholars, several of whom have written extensively on Henry Adams whose life of privilege gave him connections with some of the most important people in American government through the second half of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries. Each contributor takes a fresh look at various aspects of Adams' life and thought -- perfect examples of the art of the essay. The Getty Kouros Colloquium J. Paul Getty Museum Getty Trust Publications PO Box 2112, Santa Monica, CA 90407 0-89236-263-4 $9.95 The Getty Kouros Colloquium brings together the nineteen papers delivered at the 1992 colloquium in Athens that convened the world's scholars and scientists to discuss the authenticity of the controversial Kouros acquired by the J. Paul Getty Museum in 1985. Contributors provide the first balanced discussion of the sculpture's authenticity. These essays will be of interests to antiquities specialists and to those who want to learn about the latest findings and opinions of the international scholars who have studied the Getty Kouros. Jobs & Careers Beating Job Burnout Beverly Potter Ronin Publishing PO Box 1035, Berkeley, CA 94701 0-914171-69-0 $12.95 (audio cassette) Beating Job Burnout: How to Increase Job Satisfaction is a 60 minute audio cassette recording of a lively and informative interview in which Dr. Beverly Potter describes the symptoms and causes of job burnout and what to do about it. Based on Dr. Potter's book Beating job Burnout, the audio cassette edition was originally produced by Psychology Today's cassette program. The technical quality of the recording is excellent. Being Self-Employed Holmes F. Crouch Allyear Tax Guides 124 S. Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale CA 94086 0-944817-06-8 $16.95 The IRS places special demands on the self-employed. In Being Self-Employed, bank deposit discipline is emphasized and the importance of good records is reviewed. How expensing rather than capitalizing certain expenditures can minimize both regular and self-employment taxes is examined. Benefits of using independent contractors, and coding all directly-related expenses are explained. Also covers are business use of the home, employment of dependents, cash and barter transactions, and working past age 70. Jobs and Careers with Nonprofit Organizations Ron & Caryul Krannich Impact Publications 9104-N Manassas Drive Manassas Park, VA 22111 0-942710-66-5 $15.95 (pb) 0-942710-67-3 $33.95 (hc) Today the growing nonprofit sector offers excellent career opportunities for individuals seeking personally fulfilling careers. Jobs and Careers with Nonprofit organizations: Profitable Opportunities with Nonprofits identifies the major nonprofit organizations providing attractive job alternatives: education, public affairs, medical, consumer advocacy, public assistance, charitable, religious, arts, museums, women's public utilities, civil rights, and government. Includes the structure of nonprofit job market, opportunities available both at home and abroad, descriptions of major nonprofit employers, job search strategies appropriate for the nonprofit sector, and contact information (addresses and telephone numbers) on hundreds of nonprofit organizations providing job opportunities. The Computer Shelf Object-Oriented Programming Using C++ Ira Pohl Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co. 390 Bridge Pwy, Redwood City CA 94065 0-8053-5382-8 $37.75 Object-Oriented Programming Using C++ provides the experienced programmer with an exceptionally clear, complete, and readable guide to object-oriented programming methods in the context of the C++ language. Pohl focuses on ADTs and polymorphism as the keys to understanding the OOP paradigm. Each chapter introduces a specific C++ language feature that supports object-oriented programming concepts. Through unique program "Dissections" the reader becomes familiar with key programming elements and idioms, and learns to evaluate tradeoffs and make critical design choices. This book is successfully designed to equip the reader with practical programming skills. Metaphysics Winds of Eternity Johann Christian Tapfer Ashley Books 4600 West Commercial Blvd., #8 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33319 0-87949-371-2 $14.95 Winds of Eternity is a unique and liberating adventure into a metaphysical world of radiant auras, astral bodies and the creation of life itself. Light is the cause of all creation yet it is also the effect of that cause and therefore contains every potential of creation. Men and women have to be a peace before that inner light can prosper and flourish. Winds of Eternity broadens the reader's awareness of universal laws, indicating that love is not only the spirit of life but also the spirit of death and each of us is personally responsible for his/her own spiritual destiny. A Layman's Guide to New Age Terms and Spiritual Terms Elaine Murray Blue Dolphin Publishing, Inc. PO Box 1920, Nevada City, CA 95959 0-931892-10-4 $12.95 A Layman's Guide to New Age & Spiritual Terms is a guidebook to new age and spiritual terminology and the perfect reference book for beginners who are taking their first steps down the path of enlightenment and contains a few insights for the seasoned life-traveler as well. Included are definitions of over 200 terms, from absent healing, angels, auras, chakras, crystals and drumming to ultra-sensitives, white light, yoga and Zoroastrianism. The I Ching Koh Kok Kiang, translator China Books & Periodicals 2929 Twenty-fourth Street San Francisco, CA 94110 #ICH $14.95 Although well known in the West as a method of divination, few realize that the I Ching is in essence a source of wisdom. Illustrated with charming and explainative cartoons by Tan Xiaochun, this class text is introduced and explained anew. Following the yarrow stalk method, illustrator Tan will take the reader through the entire 64 hexagrams, dispensing the wisdom of the I Ching with every step. Whether used as a consulting guide for questions of one's future or for an excellent introduction to an important document of Chinese culture, this volume is a great addition to the I Ching literature for all ages of readership. The Tao Te Ching Jerry O. Dalton Humanics Publishing Group 1482 Mecaslin Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30309 089334-223-8 $14.95 This is a study guide to the Tao Te Ching, which is faithful to the original thought, but directed to the thoughtful layperson and not the scholar. It is a read-and-do workbook that allows systematic study. The linear, rational approach will lead the reader into the intuitive mysticism of Taoism. The Tao Te Ching: Backward Down the Path paraphrases each section of the original which acts as an additional guide to the text. An appendix explains key concepts with references to passages, suggested reading order, detailed references for all thirty-three English translations and interpretations, and a list of recent books on Taoist thought that merit further study. The Business Shelf The Business of Shipping Lane Kendall & James Buckley Cornell Maritime Press PO Box 456, Centreville, MD 21617 0-87033-458-1 $50.00 The Business of Shipping is intended for executives and others who may be specialists in one branch of the shipping business, but only marginally knowledgeable about the other aspects of the business. It will also familiarize newcomers with the many facets of the shipping enterprise. Every principle of management discussed is illustrated by a citation to current practice. The various topics covered include tramp shipping; liner service; the passenger cruise business; shoreside activities (terminal operations, ship supply, bunkering procedures); the actual functioning of many segments of a steamship company organization; and the management of tankers (including chemical carriers and liquefied gas transporters). The book's scope is broader and more attuned to the working of the industry than most other books on marine transportation. Franchising in the U.S. Michael M. Coltman Self-Counsel Press 1704 N. State St., Bellingham WA 98225 0-88908-923-X $6.95 Buying a franchise can be a good, lower-risk way to go into business for one's self, but it is not an instant road to success. If the reader is interested in buying into a franchise, or if just interested in how franchises work, Franchising in the U.S. is the book. It has questionnaires to help identify suitable franchisers and practical advice for finding the right type of franchise. Terms of royalties, franchise sites, and unethical pyramid schemes are explained fully. In addition, details of a franchise contract are discussed and a sample contract is included. Reengineering the Factory A. Richard Shores ASQC PO Box 3005, Milwaukee, WI 53201 0-87389-249-6 $16.95 Reengineering the Factory: A Primer for World-Class Manufacturing is written for those individuals who desire to learn how to achieve world-class manufacturing through the reengineering process. Reengineering is the process of redesigning a product to achieve new capabilities and customer satisfaction. To reengineer the factory, managers must take advantage of new manufacturing methods that were not previously available. Reengineering the Factory addresses the function, contribution, and interrelationships of the primary methods used in industry today. Richard Shores discusses eight applicable technologies with emphasis on integrating them within a total quality management system using illustrations, examples, and relationships. Marketing Without Advertising Michael Phillips & Salli Rasberry Bell Springs Publishing Box 640 Bell Springs Road Laytonville, CA 95454 0-873370-198 $14.00 The first part of Marketing Without Advertising argues convincingly and with documented proof that almost all advertising is totally ineffective and an utter waste of money; and that most business owners have been successfully duped into believing that advertising is both necessary and productive in spite of obvious evidence to the contrary. Marketing Without Advertising is much more than an argument against advertising. Packed into this large book are more than a hundred tried and tested marketing secrets that have worked for all kinds of small businesses. Here is everything needed to successfully promote a business without spending money on advertising. International Studies Banana Fallout Trevor W. Purcell UCLA Center/Afro-American Studies 405 Hilgard Ave., L.A., CA 90024-1545 0-934934-37-1 $15.95 The expansion of European capitalism engendered a worldwide dislocation of laborers. With the mass appropriation of human labor came an inequality based largely on race. Representative of this process were the West Indians who fled the poverty of their homelands and sought opportunities in railroad construction and on plantations in Costa Rica. American-owned plantations manipulated ethnic differences between West Indian Blacks and Hispanic Costa Ricans to the benefit of the enterprise. Banana Fallout presents an anthropological analysis of the West Indians' adjustment in Costa Rica over a hundred-year period and the development of a form of inequality that occurred as Blacks found themselves at the mercy of an Hispanic cultural hegemony. The Video Shelf Command Control LocoMotive Productions Green Frog Productions Ltd. 200 North Cobb Parkway, Suite 138 Marietta, GA 30062-3538 $39.95 (60 minutes) Command Control is a professionally produced video highlighting model railroad entertainment at its best. Command Control includes fascinating interviews with Allen McClelland, Bill Schaumburg, Tony Koester, and Russ Larson (of Kalmbach Publishing) on the history and use of command control in model railroading. The use of visual "cutaways" to model trains and layouts breaks up the "talking heads" to make a visually exciting video. Information is provided on what one may expect to encounter when purchasing and installing a command control system with extensive coverage of four exceptional layouts. The viewer will be able to benefit from an expert discussion of the relative merits of products, and see those products in action on some of the best model railroads in the country. The Literary Shelf Criticism and Ideology Second African Writer's Conference The Red Sea Press 11 Princess Road, Suite D Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 91-7106-276-9 $39.95 Criticism and Ideology contains contributions from Africa writers Ama Ata Aidoo, Buci Emecheta, Eldered D. Jones, Taban lo Liyong, David G. Maillu, Jack Mapanje, Njabulo Ndebele, Emmanuel Ngara, Lauretta Ncobo, Kole Omotoso, Sipho Sempamala, Wally Serote, Wole Soyinka, Ngugu wa Thiong'o, Miriam Tlali, and Chris Wanjala -- writers who discuss current issues in African literature such as the role of the writer in society, the writer's commitment to society or to the craft, a new woman's voice in African literature, and recent South African literature superseding the protest tradition. Criticism and Ideology is a unique compendium arising from the Second African Writers' Conference held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1986. A Karenia Companion C.J.G. Turner Wilfrid Laurier University Press Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5 0-88920-225-7 $29.95 Although Tolstoi's Anna Karenina has been described as the European novel, the geographical setting of the novel and, increasingly, its temporal and culture setting, render it a foreign novel to most readers. A Karenina Companion offers a wealth of information, including a great deal that has previously not been available in English, for the scholarly and literary appreciation of this great novel. Chapter 1 is a biographical introduction. Chapter 2 is an examination of the way in which the novel was composed. In Chapter 3 the author brings together Tolstoi's own substantial comments on his work. Chapter 4 adduces the main differences between the latest edition of the text and what has been the standard edition for over 50 years. Chapter 5 outlines what Tolstoi was reading as he was writing the novel. The final chapter provides a survey of significant secondary literature, with English-language works listed in appendices. A Karenina Companion will facilitate both the reading and understanding of the novel by English speakers and the writing of informed and reliable critical appreciations. The Science Shelf Sky Atlas 2000.0: Deluxe Edition Wil Tirion Sky Publishing Corporation PO Box 9111, Belmont, MA 02178-9111 #46336 $44.95 For beginning and advanced skywatchers alike, Sky Atlas 2000.0 is the "gold standard" of star atlases. In the Deluxe color edition, stars are black, clusters yellow, nebulae green, galaxies red, and the Milky Way two shades of blue for easy identification. Features include 26 large, 20x15.5 inch sky charts covering the whole sky; 43,000 stars down to 8th magnitude; 2,500 deep-sky objects; special symbols for variable stars, double and multiple stars, open clusters, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, bright diffuse nebulae, and novae; clearly marked constellation boundaries; index map of the area covered by each chart; and a plastic coordinate-grid overlay for determining accurate positions. The Evolution Controversy in America George E. Webb University Press of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40508-4008 0-8131-1864-6 $34.95 George E. Webb's The Evolution Controversy details how efforts to improve science education in the wake of Sputnik resurrected antievolution sentiment and led to the emergence of "creation science" as the most recent expression of that sentiment. Creationists continue to demand "balanced treatment" of theories of creation and evolution in public schools, even though their efforts have been declared unconstitutional in a series of federal court cases. Their battles have been much more successful at the grassroots level, garnering support from local politicians and educators. Webb attributes the success of creationists primarily to the lack of scientific literacy among the American public. Although a number of published studies have dealt with specific aspects of the debate, The Evolution Controversy in America represents the first complete historical survey of the topic. In it Webb provides an analysis of one of the most intriguing debates in the history of American thought. The Search for Harmony Gene Sessions & Craig Oberg, editors Signature Books 564 West 400 North Street Salt Lake City, UT 84116-3411 1-56085-020-5 $17.95 The Search for Harmony: Essays on Science and Mormonism is a collection of 19 scientists and historians dealing with the religious beliefs and doctrines of the Mormon church in view of the physical sciences of our day. Initially Mormonism was sympathetic to science, but the climate is now "hostile' according to the editors. In 1954 Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith (who later became the Mormon church president, denounced organic evolution as "the most pernicious doctrine ever entering the mind of man" and dismissed geological and paleontological evidence as hoaxes. Surveys have since shown that a majority of Mormons reject evolution. Yet as more evidence confirms evolution, discoveries in other disciplines raise further theological questions. Quantum mechanics, genetic engineering, and the big bang theory seem to undermine the possibility of revelation, assumptions about the human soul, and the existence of an eternal God. Although few Mormon theologians seem interested in such quandaries, Mormon scientists are proposing their own solutions. The once-human, ever-progressing God of 19th century Mormonism fits comfortably into a limited universe, and perhaps the DNA record constitutes the human soul. These essays are brilliant examinations of those questions and ponderings. The Ecology Yosemite National Park Jeffrey P. Schaffer Wilderness Press 2440 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704 0-89997-107-5 $19.95 Virtually every trail in Yosemite National Park is described in this guidebook, together with the natural history and scenery found along each trail. The major trails leading into the park are described in equal detail - trails in the Emigrant, Hoover and Ansel Adams wildernesses. Yosemite National Park covers all the practical aspects of hiking including regulations, permits, precautions, bearbagging, trailheads, nearby supply points, campgrounds and more. With the book comes an accurate 4-color topographic map of Yosemite and vicinity. Global Warming Sir John Houghton Lion Publishing 20 Lincoln Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 0-7459-2458-1 $19.95 Global Warming: The Complete Briefing is an eye-opening book by the chairman of the Inter-Governmental Conference on Global Warming and former director of Britain's Meteorological Office in which he brings his knowledge of contemporary scientific research to bear on the issue of global warming and what people today can do about it. Including over seventy charts, graphs, and diagrams, this exploration presents the common thinking of the scientific community, even as it appeals to interested lay people, environmentalists, ecologists, politicians, and opinion makers - bringing to light the facts and predictions, the choices and consequences. The Music Shelf Community of Discourse Ruth Katz & Carl Dahlhaus Pendragon Press RR-1 Box 159, Stuyvesant, NY 12173 0-945193-16-5 $73.00 Community of Discourse is the fourth volume in the series Contemplating Music: Source Readings in the Aesthetics of Music. The first three volumes of Contemplating Music pinpointed the kinds of issues raised in the source of systematic philosophizing about music. The fourth volume, Community of Discourse, attempts to bridge philosophical and sociological issues, without presuming to provide a full panorama of the questions raised in sociological inquiries concerning music. The latter, the compilers believe, deserves separate treatment. Rather, throughout Contemplating Music emphasis is placed on opposing intellectual strands, seeking to make clear their relative primacy in different periods and their possible relationships with other ideas. Community of Discourse contains the writings of David Hume, max Weber, J.W.N. Sullivan, Paul Honigsheim, Walter Benjamin, Theodor W. Adorno, W.A. Zhdanov, John H. Mueller, Leonard B. Meyer, Edward A. Lippman, and Stanley Cavell. The complete Contemplating Music series is highly recommended and available for $252.00. African-American Music in Minnesota Judy Henderson Minnesota Historical Society 345 Kellogg Boulevard West Saint Paul, MN 55102-1906 $12.95 (book & cassette) $17.95 (book & CD) African-American Music in Minnesota: From Spirituals to Rap is a rich and wide-ranging anthology of sacred and secular music performed in Minnesota by African Americans today and in the past. Included with the recording is a book that explores the history of Minnesota's African-Amer-ican community and its thriving musical life. Drawing on oral interviews and written sources, Judy Henderson traces the development of African-American music from the seminal spiritual to the explosive blending and the transformation of musical elements that produced gospel, blues, jazz, rock, and rap. Rarely seen historical photographs feature Minnesota events, performers, listeners & community scenes. Performers include the Sounds of Blackness, Minneapolis Gospel Sound, Leonard "Baby Doo" Caston, Lazy Bill Lucas, the Cantorians, Minnesota Metropolitan Male Chorus, Mount Olivet Celestial Choir, Janice Reff, rappers Jason Moore and Ebony, and Drumpack, as well as children doing street rhymes and home music. French Folk Songs Colette Crosnier Audio-Forum 96 Borad Street, Guilford, CT 06437 0-88432-493-1 $12.95 In French Folk Songs, Les Petits Chanteurs de Paris, the National Boys Choir, sings traditional French songs. This group of 24 boys (ages 8-14) is trained in vocal and music techniques as well as the history of French music. Selections range from Au clair de la lune and L'Enfant au tambour to La Marseillaise. Included are one audio cassette and a lyric sheet. On Yoolis Night The Anonymous 4 Sacred Spirit Music Box 1030D, Shaker Road New Lebanon, NY 12125 #86 $17.00 (CD) On Yoolis Night is sung by The Anonymous 4, a group of four ladies who sing Medieval chants and carols. The sound of their closely blended voices is refined, so lovely, and so memorable. The refrains are perfectly pitched. This is sacred music produced with a reverence and joy that is made obvious to the ear and the heart. An especially handsome cover and excellent liner notes make On Yoolis Night a collection to be treasured, and listened to time and time again throughout the years. The Military Shelf The World Almanac of World War II Brigadier Peter Young, editor World Almanac Books 1278 West 9th Street Cleveland OH 44113 0-88687-712-1 $18.95 Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the war, The World Almanac of World War II is widely acclaimed as the most reliable and complete single-volume history of the war. In a chronological and highly readable format, it details all the major political, diplomatic and military events of the war and includes articles by international experts, concise biographies of all the major players, and descriptions of every important tank, ship, plane, and weapon used during the war. Rhino: The Immortal Phantom II Joe Cupido Specialty Press 123 N. Second St., Stillwater, MN 55082 1-872004-18-0 $17.95 For more than 20 years author/photo-grapher Joe Cupido has been recording the most famous combat jet of all - the F-4 Phantom II, or "Rhino." The Phantom is a veteran of several wars, and beloved of pilots and enthusiasts alike. Rhino is crammed with 100 color photos, never before published, of Phantoms in service with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Air Guard, and Reserve units. Full technical specs, unit and aircraft histories for featured Phantoms are provided. Rhino is a banquet for modellers and a must for all "Phantom Phreaks." CHILDREN'S BOOKWATCH Reviewer's Choice Malke's Secret Recipe David A. Adler Kar-Ben Copies, Inc. 6800 Tildenwood Lane Rockville MD 20852 #89-X $4.95 (pb) #88-1 $10.95 (hc) Malke's light and crunchy potato latkes are the talk of Chelm, and this year Berl is determined to steal her recipe. But his wife challenges the wisdom of each of Malke's ingredients, and the results taste nothing like the legend. Malke's Secret Recipe is ideal holiday (or any day) reading for ages 5-10. Sterling Barbara TaylorÕs Be Your Own Map Expert (0-8069-0664-2, $12.95) is an encouraging title for kids usually reluctant to learn about geography and maps. Instructions include how to make maps to scape, interpret signs and symbols, figure latitude, and create a compass: activities which further the general understanding of map creation and use. Gwen Diehn and Terry KratwurstÕs Science Crafts For Kids (0283-3, $19.95) provides 50 activities for elementary-level students, including some unusual and appealing projects such as making a camouflaged periscope, using a pit kiln, or producing a xylophone. Adult intervention will help, but kids in grades 4-6 will find this appealing. Usborne Guides/EDC Publishing Three slim but fine overviews pack in detail and description to invite even reluctant learners to browse. The Twentieth Century by Christina Hopkinson (0-7460-0701-9, $10.95) is recommended as a preface to studies on modern Europe: biographies of world leaders, explanations of local history and cultural facts influencing modern events, and reviews of science and technology pack a visually appealing, strong title. Computers by Brian Reffin-Smith and Lisa Watts (1055-9, $6.95) looks like a very slim, ineffective title: in fact a wealth of complex details are packed into the book, covering everything from the basics of how computers work and remember to how they are used in modeling and design situations. Many adults will want to sneak a peek. Philippa Wingate and Dr. Anne MillardÕs The Viking World (1398-1, $10.95) excels in its illustrative quality as it explores Viking history. A particularly attractive cover will have young males instantly involved. Rough and Ready Railroaders A.S. Gintzler John Muir Publications 1-56261-162-3 $12.95 Rough and Ready Railroaders is the story of America's first transcontinental railroad and the men who built it. It is also the story of America itself - westward expansion, dreams of opportunity, and fierce competition. The players in this saga included people from all walks of life - immigrant workers, robber barons, outlaws, Indians, cowboys, and homesteaders. Rough and Ready Railroaders explores the myth of the American West and its conquest by technology. It is the story of work gangs, cattle drives, and buffalo herds as well as of railroad wars, Indian wars, and the Civil War. Duotone archival photographs capture the cold steel, the scalding steam, and the faces of the time. Atheneum/McElderry/Macmillan Tamora PierceÕs Wolf-Speaker (0-689-31833-2, $14.95) is recommended for prior fans and enthusiasts of Wild Magic: this audience will be sufficiently versed in the background and prior adventures of Daine to more readily accept this sequel, which follows Daine as she supports her animal friends and continues to expand upon and learn about her powers. The fantasy is strong and action swift. DonÕt expect the usual fantasy from Nancy Bond, however: Truth To Tell (50601- 5, $17.95) is an entirely realistic story following one AliceÕs move to New Zealand to a strange old house where an old lady hides a mystery about her past. AbbyÕs unconventional lifestyle and slow acceptance of her change of address from England to New Zealand are well developed. Nancy Hope WilsonÕs The Reason For Janey (0-02-793127-2, $14.95) is the highly recommended story of a mother who decides to provide foster care for a mentally retarded adult, and its effects upon her two children. Philly is fighting her own feelings about her parentsÕ separation, masking them with hives and a concern for learning about science. Her involvement in JaneyÕs life introduces changes for them both in this delicate, involving story. Activities & Hobbies WJ Fantasy, Inc. 955 Connecticut Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06607 Children and adults will discover an exciting new world of words with WJ Fantasy's inexpensive lettering stencil kits. Each set includes cardboard stencils, instructions, and descriptive educational text. The three part series featuring the unique styles of Hieroglyphic (#0063), Chinese (#0062), and Calligraphy (#0064) will provide hours of interest, skill development and satisfaction. Send for the free catalog and price list for these and many other fascinating learning games and universal calendars. Impossibles BePuzzled/Lombard Marketing 22 East Newberry Road Bloomfield, CT 06002 Impossibles is a series of 750 piece jigsaw puzzles from BePuzzled that pushes the player to the edge with unique irregular edges (edge pieces look like the interior pieces). And just for the fun of extra aggravation, they three five extra pieces into their Impossibles that don't fit anywhere, just to keep the player guessing. Impossibles are designed with repetitive images to make it harder to tell which end is up and the final test -- when the player completes an Impossibles, they continue the fun by finding the hidden images. The four puzzles that comprise this series are Great Wall of China (assembling a wall made of china), Lost in the Woods (and you thought golf was tough!), Cat & Mouse (hunt down the mouse among the cats - if you can), and Fish & Chips (on the surface its a puzzle, but after putting the pieces together, dive a little deeper too salvage the three microchips hidden among the fish). The Play's the Thing Aristoplay, Ltd. PO Box 7529, Ann Arbor, MI 48107 413A $30.00 For 1 to 4 players, ages 12 and up, London's Globe Theatre is the stage and they, the actors. First collect a plot card, two quotation cards and two character cards for Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet or Julius Caesar - then perform by reciting lines and answering questions. Who wins the part depends on the number of scenes they are able to perform. But beware! A player may miss a cue, or lose a duel. On the other hand, the player could also receive a rave review -- even one from Queen Elizabeth herself! The Play's the Thing requires no previous knowledge of Shakespeare, only a love of learning. Four levels of play challenge novices and experts alike. Designed with input from advisors at Canada's Stratford Festival and the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, The Play's the Thing is great fun, very educational and virtually unique! History of the World The Avalon Hill Game Company 4517 Harford Rd., Baltimore, MD 21214 #893 $35.00 History of the World combines an elegant game with a panoramic view of the history of man in less than 3 hours of playing time. 2 to 6 players vie for control of 49 empires that rise and fall with the rapidly passing centuries. Players campaign their armies and fleets, spread their culture and build lasting monuments to their own glory. Events such as earthquakes, civil wars, barbarians, plagues, treachery, and enemy leaders contribute to the fall of empires. Payers will learn more in one game of History of the World than in an entire semester of a world history class. Native American Studies The Nez Perces Victoria Sherrow Millbrook Press 1-56294-315-4 $15.40 This is a fine examination of the Nez Perce culture and their history: chapters review their encounters with white people, their travels, and life in a traditional Nez Perce community in an excellent overview which brings readers to modern times. Race With Buffalo Richard & Judy Dockery Young August House 0-87483-343-4 $19.95 Kids ages 8-12 and older receive a fine selection of 30 topically arranged short stories from Native American traditions, collected and edited by the folklore specialists the Youngs. Tribal origins of these stories are identified while the varied coverage will prove exciting. Carving a Totem Pole Vickie Jensen Groundwood 1-55054-232-X $13.95 In 1973, renowned Nisga'a artist Norman Tait was commissioned to carve the totem pole that would form the doorway of the Native Education Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over three months, he and a team of young apprentices carved the 42-foot pole. Writer and photographer Vickie Jensen documented the entire process, from the initial choosing of the perfect giant cedar, through the laborious process of rough hewing and fine carving, to the final celebratory moments when the pole was raised in a full traditional native ceremony. Carving a Totem Pole also shows clearly that carving a totem pole is more than a technical artistic achievement, but a spiritual process as well, as we witness an almost lost art being passed down to a new generation of young carvers. The Picturebook Shelf The ThiefÕs Daughter Alan Marks Farrar Straus Giroux 0-374-37481-3 $11.00 Excellent reading skills will be required for a thorough appreciation of this gentle story of a thiefÕs daughterÕs discovery of a magic key which introduces her to new worlds. Black and white and color illustrations pepper an intriguing story of discovery and renewal. The Moon Man Gerda Marie Scheidl & Jozef Wilkon North-South Books 1-55858-271-1 $14.95 Deep in the night, by the light of a luminous full moon, the Moon Man sets out on an exciting and magical adventure. He's kidnapped by robbers, caught in the net of a fisherman, and locked in a zoo. But the Moon Man always manages to slip away - until, high on a mountaintop, he encounters the real moon. If only the Moon Man could shine like him! The Nightingale and the Wind Paul Mandelstein & Pamela Silin-Palmer Rizzoli International 0-8478-1787-3 $17.95 In The Nightingale and the Wind the Nightingale yearns to leave its captivity and to break free of the velvet robes, jewels, and other luxuries provided by its captor, the Falcon. This Nightingale wants to sing its own song an soar high into the sky. And although the door to the cage is closed, it is not locked. Why doesn't the Nightingale just leave? Along comes the Wind, in the form of a powerful but kindly winged lion, who hears the Nightingale's sad song and encourages it to break free. The illustrations are beautifully detailed in jewel-like color, with animals dressed in royal finery from the days of court and courtship. Night Diary Paul Hunt Child's Play PO Box 141, Lewiston, ME 04243-0141 #925-3 $12.95 In Night Diary, Paul Hunt wonderfully captures the dusk-to-dawn world of night creatures and its special fascination for creatures of the day. Through sensational illustrations young readers get a genuine "feel" for what nocturnal nature is like -- something sorely missing from most young life experiences in this age of the electric light and city life. The Extra Nose Daniel DiPrima Zino Press 2348 Pinehurst Dr., Middleton, WI 53562 1-55933-149-6 $14.95 An appreciation for rhyme is fostered in a lively, rollicking story of a young man who finds a stray nose, adds it to the one he owns, and finds that the world smells twice as nice. But should he share his good fortune with one lacking the appendage? Children's Book Press Five UNICEF Reading Rainbow selections are now available from Children's Book Press in trade paperback formats for $5.95 each. Uncle Nacho's Hat (0-89239-112-X) is bilingual in English and Spanish, as are Family Pictures (108-1), The Invisible Hunters (109-X). Nine-in-One, Grr! Grr! (110-3) is a Hmong/Laotian tale told by Blia Xiong and adapted by Cathy Spagnoli. Baby Rattlesnake (111-1) is told by Te Ata and adapted by Lynn Moroney. Post Card Passages Susan Joyce Peel Productions P.O. Box 185 Molalla, OR 97038 0-939217-27-9 $13.95 A traveling aunt sends postcards from exotic places, causing Suellan to travel with her in her imagination, and to dream of travel when she grows older. As she saves and grows, she finally becomes of age to make her own adventures. The message is too obvious but the story line is still involving. The Blue Elephant Kate Noble Silver Seahorse Press 2568 North Clark, Suite 320 Chicago, IL 60614 0-9631798-3-7 $14.95 Kids in Pre-K to 4th grade will relish this first in a projected ŌZooÕ series of stories. Sassi is a young African elephant who loves his zoo home, but still has one unfulfilled dream. Her efforts to achieve her goal of a big muddy pond wallow makes for a fun tale. Oregon's Journey Rascal Bridgewater Books (Troll Associates) 0-8167-3305-8 $15.95 When the circus bear, Oregon, decides that he wants to go home to the big forest, he enlists the help of a dwarf named Duke. With very little money and no luggage at all, the two set out into the night. Abandoning the smoke-filled skies of Pittsburgh, they head for the heartland of America. And from the Great Plains to the Rockies to the spruce trees of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon's journey becomes a voyage of discovery. Beautiful illustrations by Louis Joos. Health & Medicine ETR Associates Middle school students through adults will appreciate a set of clear health facts overviews which review the issues surrounding illness, drugs, fitness and disease. Lucas Stang and Kathleen MinerÕs HIV Prevention (1-56071-184-1 $12.95) covers the immune system, AIDS and HIV connections, transmission, and prevention. Fitness (180-9 $12.95) by Nora Krantzler and Miner assesses fitness levels, strength, and techniques for self-assessment and exercise. Stang and MinerÕs Injury And Violence Prevention (188-4 $12.95) includes recreational as well as home injury and assesses the scope of the violence issue. Stang and MinerÕs Drug Use Prevention (185-X $12.95) explains the effects and addictive qualities of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. All include clear statistics, scientific research, and sharp details suitable for reports or general review. 21st Century Books The ŌBodies in CrisisÕ series for grades 5-8 has been growing for some time and was only just received, but it deserves ongoing mention as a rapidly-expanding and strong reference. Jacqueline HarrisÕ Hereditary Diseases (2603-7, $14.95) surveys the causes and treatment of hereditary disorders, Jon Zimmerman and Laurel ShaderÕs Environmental Diseases (2600-2, $15.95) examines diseases caused by both man-introduced and natural environmental hazards, HarrisÕ Learning Disorders (2604-5, $14.95) examines problems with perception, memory and thinking, HarrisÕ Drugs And Disease (2602-9, $14.95) considers stimulants, depressants, and psychedelic drug abuse, HarrisÕ Communicable Diseases (2599-5, $14.95) examines bacterial and viral infections and how they are transmitted and prevented, and Zimmerman and ShaderÕs Nutritional Diseases (2601-0, $15.95) includes food allergies and metabolic disorders along with the usual eating disorders. Explanations include social views as well as medical details, and present clear insights on the causes of disease and the nature of good health. The Biography Shelf Blackbirch Press Two in the ŌPartnersÕ series ($12.95 Each) explore positive partnerships that worked. Laurie RozakisÕ Hanna & Barbera (1-56711-065-7) reveals the friendship and work shared by two cartoon creators who fostered the growth of an Academy-award winning series of features. RozakisÕ Henson & Peary (066-5) examines a winning team who participated in the race for the North Pole. Both focus on the evolution of the separate individuals and their contributions to working partnerships. The biography is strong and works well. Garrett Book Company There is no better way for young people to study history than through the biographies of the men and women who have created it. The dry pages of historical names, dates and events come alive when shown with a human face. World Leaders Past and Press is a four title series ($25.27 each, all four $101.08) for grades 6 and up, which presents unique and very special men whose ideas and actions have influenced the course of history. Featured in this outstanding series of biographies are Constantine, Benjamin Franklin, Robert E. Lee, and Thomas Paine. Presenting Lois Duncan Cosette Kies Twayne (G.K. Hall) 0-8057-8221-4 $20.95 For a fine and detailed blend of biography and critical assessment, Kies does a good job of analyzing YA author DuncanÕs contributions. This is the first full-length study of DuncanÕs works and includes her earlier materials as well as more recent writings, following key transition points in DuncanÕs writing, her influences, and her evolving patterns. This will prove suitable as a fine introduction to critical analysis for YA fans of Duncan and will equally interest adults with a prior familiarity with DuncanÕs works. Paperback Picks The Dagger of Death Walter Olesky Willowisp Press 0-87406-391-4 $2.99 Hank Cooper's archeologist father has disappeared in the Bolivian jungle, his mother has been abducted in the airport, and three strangers have more than a passing interest in the box his father left in the airport locker. Hank must now face headhunting Indians to follow the only clue he has that will lead him to his parents. Bantam/Doubleday/Dell These excellent paperbacks make for fine leisure choices. Vivian AlcockÕs A Kind Of Thief (0- 440-40916-0, $3.50) tells of a young girlÕs fatherÕs arrest, and her involvement in his secret. Fast action marks a revealing tale. Phyllis Reynolds NaylorÕs JosieÕs Troubles (40862-8, $3.50) tells of a new girlÕs excitement over new friends and her involvement in a business. The funniest choice is NaylorÕs The Boys Start The War/the Girls Get Even (40971-3, $4.99), here presented in a special double edition blending the two original books under one cover. A ŌwarÕ between two sets of siblings results in some unexpected ironies and problems. Christina SalatÕs Living In Secret (40950-0, $3.99) tells of a child torn by the divorce of her parents who participates in her motherÕs kidnapping and deception plans. Can Amelia really hide for life? Melissa LowellÕs Skating Camp (48198-3, $3.50) adds to the ŌSilver BladesÕ series for middle school readers, telling of four skaters who share competition dreams at a skating camp. Older YAs will appreciate Jennifer ArmstrongÕs Laura Of The Wild Rose Inn (29910-7, $3.99), which tells of a changing world in 1898 and a young girlÕs desire to leave home and make her own way. All are inviting leisure choices. Myth, Folklore & Fairytales Cinderella Christine San Jose & Debrah Santini Boyds Mills Press 1-56397-152-6 $14.95 Kids with good reading skills will appreciate yet another embellishment of the Cinderella classic, this one enjoying fine illustration quality and a fresh new style which adds detail to the original. Tucker Pfeffercorn Barry Moser Little, Brown 0-316-58542-4 $15.95 Kids from the preschool to Grade 3 levels will relish a gentle story redoing the ŅRumpelstiltskinÓ theme. BessieÕs locked in the shed and expected to spin cotton into gold: a little manÕs help gets her out of a jam . . . but for a price. Parents will want to read aloud this fine tale. Black & White Together The New One Jacqueline Turner Banks Houghton Mifflin 0-395-66610-4 $13.95 The arrival of a new black girl in his school involves Jury and his twin brother in a host of changes, possible romance, and discussions revolving around prejudice and equality in this story for middle-school readers. A realistic portrait of a young boyÕs friendships makes for an involving story. I HadnÕt Meant to Tell You This Jacqueline Woodson Delacorte Press 0-385-32031-0 $14.95 Unwritten rules divide the black, prosperous side of town from the poor white side in an Ohio community, but a friendship crosses that unspoken line and two very different little girls find they have a lot in common in this strong story of a dangerous secret and a strong friendship. I HadnÕt Meant to Tell You This is inspiring reading and very appropriate for today's children in today's towns and cities. American History If You Were There in 1776 Barbara Brenner Bradbury Press 0-02-712322-7 $15.95 ItÕs 1776 and revolution is brewing among the colonists. What are the signs? What basic ideas of the Constitution were widely held, and which were innovations? BrennerÕs Ņyou are thereÓ approach encourages kids to understand both sides and the Indian residents of the region as well. The tone is information-filled, but chatty and involving. You Are The President Nathan Aaseng Oliver Press Inc. 2709 Lyndale Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55408 1-881508-10-2 $14.95 A refreshingly different format invites students ages 11 and older to view White House politics from a different vantage point: their own opinions. Profiled are eight selected U.S. presidents who had to make critical decisions in office: students review an overview of the problem, Presidential options, and then are invited to reflect on their own choices. Only after reviewing the situation and facts are students invited to turn a final page to find out what course of action the President chose. War, Terrible War Joy Hakim Oxford University Press 0-19-507756-3 $9.95 Plenty of Civil War era titles condemn the evil of slavery, but few really probe how it was justified during the times, and how good people became involved in bad situations. And what about the black slaveowners: why did they hold slaves? HakimÕs approach reads like a novel and uses a Ņyou are thereÓ multi-viewpoint approach to reveal the underlying issues of the Civil War. The Underground Railroad Charles L. Blockson Berkeley Books 0-425-14136-5 $10.00 Middle school readers, YAs, and even adults will find this an involving and well detailed collection of firsthand accounts of the underground railroad and its promise of freedom. These firsthand observations and experiences contribute greatly to the literature on the subject and so are recommended for a diverse age group. Sing Along - Read Along Special Delivery Symphony Stephanie Hill & Guy Gilchrist Astor Books 62 Cooper Square, NY, NY 10003 0-943351-58-8 $7.98 (book & cassette) The Looneytorium is where Bugs Bunny is to conduct the orchestra in a gala concert. He needs supplies for the stringed, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments and orders them from Daffy Duck's Delivery Service. The Looneytorium's security guard, Porky Pig, is unaware that Bugs needs anything and has strict orders not to let anyone in. You can imagine what happens when Daffy encounters Porky. During the story, all the instruments of the orchestra are introduced and demonstrated by Bugs and his looney friends, culminating in a concert performance. The Itsy Bitsy Spider Iza Trapani Spoken Arts 801 94th Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL 33702 #6767 $25.90 (book & cassette) Witty and humorous, this contemporary retelling of a childhood classic is sure to be remembered by another generation as a lifelong favorite. Not only will young listeners learn that persistence pays, they will have a chance to sing its praises using the reproducible lead sheet, including words and music with guitar chords, provided with each book. Appropriate for enhancing both language and music skills, The Itsty Bitsy Spider is wonderful fun! Positively Singable Songs Ronno Kimbo Educational PO Box 477, Long Branch, NJ 07740 $10.95 (cassette) $14.95 (CD) This collection of fun, positive messages musically motivates children to respect themselves, their world and each other. Ronno strikes a responsible chord in kids of all ages through songs that stress self-esteem, doing your best, getting along with others and caring for the environment. Children will find these wholesome messages sprinkled throughout catchy, contagious lyrics laced with humor. Ronno includes some "simply for fun songs" as well. The children's voices performing with Ronno add a wonderful, lively touch to each selection. Songs such as I Like Me, I Wish I Were, and Risk It! relate a positive image of self-esteem. Let's Cooperate, D-f-f-f-e-r-e-n-t, and It's Our World tackles the topics of cooperation, accepting differences, race relations, and the environment. Bouncy, comical songs like Sticky Sticky, Dinosaur on My Lawn, and Lunchbag Lizard are sure to make for a fun-filled , giggly sing-along experience! Twin Sisters Productions 488 Graham Road Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 Through simple, easy-to-sing melodies, Kim Mitzo Thompson & Karen Mitzo Hilderbrand's Letters & Numbers (1-882331-15-X $9.98) and Colors & Shapes (16-8 $9.98) teach children letter names, numerical sequences, color names, and basic shapes! Animated characters help children remember concepts as they sing about "Sammy Sue," a friendly shark with triangular teeth and circular eyes, who loves to eat square lunchboxes! Vivid sound effects enhance the many musical genres from the jazzy Betty Bunny to the multicultural All the Children of the World. Letters & Numbers and Colors & Shapes are two of the titles available from Twin Sisters Productions. Rap With the Facts, teaching Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division and Rhythm, Rhyme and Read teaching Phonics and States and Capitals are other available titles. Metacom, Inc. 5353 Nathan Lane, Plymouth, MN 55442 Four exciting book and cassette activity packs by Jane Norman helps to develop important listening, verbal and motor skills. The songs are lively and engaging, the 16-page activity books will keep children busy for hours. Each book and cassette is unique: Once Upon a Time (a trip to the land of story-time) has 27 fun songs, stories and activities, Wild & Wacky Animals (a trip to the land of imagination) has songs, Achoo! Sneeze, Pardon Me Please (a trip to the land of manners) has 31 songs, and High, Low, Fast, Slow (a trip to the land of opposites) has 29 songs. This is a series of "creative listening" cassettes that make children feel very good about themselves. Highly recommended! God's Kiss Donna Seebo Delphi International PO Box 97272, Tacoma, WA 98498 $19.95 (book & cassette) God's Kiss beckons all children to enter the dream world of a little traveler named Johnny. An extraordinary world of talking animals, magnificent mountains and valleys. A place where young people gather on Christmas Eve to seek the special kiss of life -- God's Kiss. This is a story about a child's sense of place in the world, a boy's discovery of how precious life is to all earth's creatures, and the powerful feeling of "well being" that embraces the reader/listener. The exquisite illustrations of Ed Gedrose embellishing Donna Seebo's expressive prose. Johnny's dream come s to life and we fall deeper into the fantasy through the splendor of the artwork. The cassette tape when combined with the illustrated book is an entertaining and educational resource for children at school, home, or in the car. The Video Shelf Sylvester and the Magic Pebble William Steig Weston Woods Weston, CT 06883-1199 T352 $150.00 (vhs) Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, the Duncan family is beside itself when son Sylvester turns himself into a rock to escape the jaws of a hungry lion. Magic and suspense, along with wondrous music and animation bring this classic children's story to life. This eleven minute, full color video is wonderfully narrated by John Lithgow and perfect for ages 4-9. Nature & The Ecology Wetlands Ronald Rood HarperCollins 0-06-023010-X $15.00 Kids ages 7-10 will appreciate a fine introduction to bogs, swamps, and wetland areas. Gorgeous and delicate full-color illustrations by Marlene Hill Donnelly are the bright attraction to lure even the most reluctant reader into a world where mosquitoes lay eggs and insects use the surface tension of water as superhighways. Bible Studies Noah's Ark Press-Out Model Stewart Cowley Standard Publishing 0-87403-986-X $9.99 This exciting press-out model book dramatically brings to life the Biblical account of the great flood and Noah's ark. Children will have fun constructing the full-color, three-dimensional models of the ark, Noah, and more than 20 pairs of animals. They'll also enjoy reading the Bible story itself, faithfully retold and beautifully illustrated in color. Children ages 8-12 will love this delightful model book and the story it tells. Ideal for home schooling programs and library summer reading group activities. The Kids-Life Bible Storybook Mary Hollingsworth Chariot Family Publishing 20 Lincoln Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120-2972 078-140-1267 $15.99 Team up Mary Hollingsworth (best-selling author of 25 children's books) with the kid-friendly art of Rick Incrocci, and you have the 384-page, power-packed Kids-Life Bible Storybook. With 65 Bible stories, plus a "Fun and Facts" information section and age-appropriate questions, this book will hold the interest of a young audience while it plants seeds of faith that will never be forgotten. The Kids-Life Bible Storybook will help a child relate biblical principles to his or her everyday life. The stories in this book correspond with those used in Sunday school curriculums so that what is read at home reinforces weekly lessons at church. Other Lands, Other People Thomson Learning Perhaps the most interesting of the new arrivals are the new additions to ThomsonÕs ŌThreatened CulturesÕ series ($15.95 Each), which focus on some especially intriguing political and social situations. Kurds (149-1) covers the beliefs, history and politics of a peoples without a land; Tibetans (152-1) reveals their struggle against the Chinese and their long-held Buddhist beliefs; Maori (151-3) introduces readers to New ZealandÕs early peoples and their cultural struggles with the white man; and Native Americans (150-5) examines the different Native tribes and their values systems. Bright, contemporary photos and lively explanations mark an important set of new additions. Marshall Cavendish Two excellent series sets represent a fine, strong gathering of references which are recommended picks for middle school and even into some adult applications. Set II of the more expansive ŌWomen in SocietyÕ series ($103.25 per set) profiles women in Germany (1-85435-506-6), Brazil (558- 9), China (556-2), Great Britain (555-4) and Mexico (557-0). Each book does a fine job of providing a geographic introduction to the country through a special focus on the role and experience of women living in the country. Profiles of contemporary women who reflect different segments of their society are a highlight of each book, which uses these mini-biographies to compliment larger, more general reviews of womenÕs issues and history in each country. Other sets (not seen by this reviewer) promise equal quality and expanded coverage. The ŌCultures of the WorldÕ sets ($118.50/set) provides a strong, more generalized geographic focus in its considerations of different nations. Included in one of the sets is Russia (590-2), Switzerland (591-0), Poland (589-9), Hungary (588-0), Britain (587-2) and Romania (586-4). While each excels in providing a fine geographic, historical and political background for each country, those Eastern European nations facing the greatest changes receive enhanced treatment with special chapters focussing on contemporary changes and how they affect lifestyle and social issues. It is these strong modern observations which make this set exceptional, combined with strong contemporary photos of daily life. Good research sources, all. Steck-Vaughn Marion MorrisonÕs Brazil (1842-1) and David FlintÕs Germany (1845-6) each excel in contemporary large-size maps, clear reviews of current politics and issues as well as social concerns of the countries, and well-highlighted ŅAt A GlanceÓ and ŅKey IssuesÓ sidebars. Crabtree Publishing Two new geography titles by Bobbie Kalman excel in bright photos and contemporary examinations of Peru. Peru The Land (0-86505-221-2 $15.95) adds David SchimpkyÕs writing as it covers the different geographic regions of Peru, examining agriculture, natural resources, and regional differences between the peoples of Peru. Peru: The People And Culture (222-0 $15.95) pairs with Tammy Everts to create a lively examination of the culture of Peru, from everyday life in urban and rural areas to celebrations and art. Both are strong coverages pairing attention-grabbing contemporary photos with fact-filled details. Roleplay! ICE PO Box 1605, Charlottesville, VA 22902 The Rolemaster FRP system has "must have" four supplements for full gameplaying satisfaction. Creatures & Treasures (#1400 $12.00) provides descriptions and Rolemaster game stats for over 500 animals, races, and fantastic beasts, including demons, elementals, dragons, undead, and giants. Tables help generate unusual treasures and a wide variety of random encounters. Creatures & Treasures II (#1410 $13.00) offers complete descriptions and game stats for hundreds of additional fantasy beasts. Also included are tables for generating random treasures and encounters, and descriptions of a multitude of magic items. Rolemaster Character Records (#1102 $12.00) is a helpful book containing individual character sheets for every Rolemaster profession to date. Players can get all the information about their characters on a few, well-organized pages. Rolemaster Heroes & Rogues (#1420 $16.00) proves complete game information for 24 characters, each at 7 different levels, useful as detailed non-player or player characters for the spur of the moment. GURPS Basic Set Steve Jackson Games Box 18957, Austin, TX 78760 1-55634-127-X $19.95 GURPS Basic Set is now in its third addition with 18 new pages of rules. The new material is collected in a "Rules Appendix". GURPS Basic Set is the doorway into the wonderful world of roleplay gaming that should be a part of any personal or community library collection. Perpetual hours of fun, and no two gaming sessions is ever alike. Endless adventure, constricting only by the imagination and enthusiasm of the players. Highly recommended! Star Wars Gamemaster Handbook West End Games RR 3, Box 2345, Honesdale, PA 18431 0-87431-185-3 $18.00 Star Wars Gamemaster Handbook is a game players reference book containing thoughtful essays and practical applications of the techniques necessary for good gamemastering. Players learn how to create great gamemaster characters, fantastic settings, interesting conflicts and plot elements to keep adventures rolling. Star Wars Gamemaster Handbook explains the finer points of running both adventures and long-term campaigns in the Star Wars universe. Savage Mountains Chaosium, Inc. 950-A 56th Street, Oakland, CA 94608 0-933635-81-8 $18.95 Savage Mountains is an extensively illustrated book of Pendragon adventures. It features four complete scenarios wherein the player-knits explore the wild mountains of Wales, home of cruel giants and wicked lords. Bloody battles ravage the land, notably the Cambrian War, pitting the alliance of Welsh lords against Arthur and his valiant knights. Ample background information is provided for the gamemaster, including details on the peoples of the region, climate, politics, and notable places. Particular sections of Savage Mountains are intended to be photocopied and given to th players. They also receive a colorful fold-out map measure 17x22", on which they can record every heroic exploit. A major city in the region, Carlion-on-Usk, is described and is illustrated in detail. Robotech: Zentraedi Breakout Kevin Siembieda & Deborah Christian Palladium Books 12455 Universal Drive, Taylor, MI 48180 #561 $9.95 Zentraedi Breakout is the first Robotech adventure sourcebook in three years and the only Robotech title to combine the popular mecha and soldiers of the RDF (Macross) and the Armies of the Southern Cross. Adventure and intrigue in the Argentine Quadrant. Zentraedi Breakout is based on the wildly popular Japanese animated series, which has also been produced in a comic book format as well. Fighter's Challenge II Drew Bittner TSR, Inc. PO Box 756, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 1-56076-826-6 $6.95 Fighter's Challenge II is a one-on-one adventure module specifically designed for one fighter player characters and the Dungeon Master. Just about any hero can rescue a princess, but how does one go about returning her to her family? Now here's the challenge! Fighter's Challenge II is ideal for players who want to earn extra experience points for their characters between regular gaming sessions -- or who can't get together with a big group. Virtual Realities FASA Corporation 1100 W. Cermak, Chicago, IL 60608 #7107 $15.00 Virtual Realities is the complete guide to decking in the Shadowrun Matrix. Virtual Realities provides information allowing more realistic runs in the virtual realities of computer networks. Expanded rules give decking a more tangible look and feel and include enough new software, firmware, and hardware to make the player's character the envy of the ghost in the machine. Pets & Wildlife The Adventures of Jason Jackrabbit M.M. Dee Henrick-Long Publishing Company PO Box 25123, Dallas, TX 75225-1123 0-937460-60-5 $9.95 The Adventures of Jason Jackrabbit takes young readers ages 6 and above on a daring adventures as Jason leaps and hops through the fields on a warm moonlit night. Facts about this amazing creature are woven into the story and Donna Newsom's charming illustrations. Chapters, footnotes and a bibliography give young readers an easy introduction into more informative science and storytelling. Frogs and Toads Steve Parker Sierra Club Books 0-87156-466-1 $16.95 This will reach from grades 4 and older, even into middle school levels, as it packs in natural history information about frogs and includes some unusual aspects of their different environments and lives. Myths and legends, facts, and the habits and characteristics of the frog contribute to a lively, involving blend of fact and folklore. In the Village of the Elephants Jeremy Schmidt Walker & Company 0-8027-8226-4C $15.95 Excellent-quality color photos by Ted Wood enhance SchmidtÕs story of an Indian boy who carries on cultural tradition by partnering with an elephant for work. The boyÕs daily chores conducted with elephant receive bright embellishments and detailed description in a book sure to please young natural history enthusiasts. A World Full of Animals Roger Caras Chronicle Books 0-8118-0654-5 $13.95 Environmental advocate Caras was the first to devote his career entirely to environmental issues: his autobiography traces his natural history explorations around the world, his encounters with animals, and his enjoyment of a meaningful profession. Color photos of the animals make for an inviting accompaniment. Albert Whitman & Company Patricia Kite has written The Crab (0-8075-1709-7 $13.95) and The Sea Slug (1717-8 $13.95), two excellent books for ages 3 to 8 and filled with fascinating, colorful photographs of crabs and sea slugs will capture the attention of the youngest children and introduce them to two more creatures from under the sea in the continuation of the Down in the Sea series that includes The Jellyfish and The Octopus. Earthworms Patricia Lauber Henry Holt 0-8050-1910-3 $14.95 A whole book on worms? Kids in grades 4-6 - especially boys - will relish an unusual natural history which updates a 1976 award-winner. Color photos and detailed drawings illustrate her explanations of worms and their beneficial qualities. Global Issues - Social Concerns Rage in the Streets Jules Archer Harcourt Brace 0-15-277691-5 $16.95 Kids ages 11 and up receive an unusually strong review of the history of mob violence in America, from the Boston Massacre in 1770 to present-day Los Angeles. This does more than document confrontations: it examines the underlying issues of each battle involving mob violence, considering forces of mob psychology as well as social pressures which lead to gang involvement. The Global Arms Trade Gary E. McCuen, Editor GEM Publications, Inc. 411 Mallalieu Drive, Hudson, WI 54016 0-86596-082-8 $12.95 Young readers explore the global threats presented by the international arms trade through McCuen's Ideas in Conflict format. Readings deal with the global arms trade, the Middle East arms trade, the arming of Iraq, arms sales and global exploitation, arms sales and weapons proliferation, along with other important issues. Counterpoints and opinions by those on different sides of the issues are included and an introductory chapter gives an overview of the global arms supermarket. Franklin Watts These deserve ongoing mention as fine and unusual picks covering the latest world issues. Two in the ŌHotspotsÕ series ($18.45 Each) - The New Europe (0-531-17429-8) and Germany - Reunification Of A Nation (17431-X) focuses on two major trouble spots in the world, examining underlying issues, recent upheavals, and potential social and political solutions to national problems. Jane WalkerÕs Vanishing Habitats And Species (17426-3, $17.45) examines how habitats and creatures become threatened, and how humans play a part in a process which eventually will affect human conditions. Bright, contemporary illustrations include maps, drawings and photos and draw the eye to the action surrounding each issue. The Fiction Shelf SittiÕs Secrets Naomi Shihab Nye Four Winds Press 0-02-768460-1 $14.95 MonaÕs grandmother Sitti lives in a small village on the other wide of the world, but miles do not prevent an unusual closeness from developing between the two, and the girlÕs encounter with her Arabic grandmother and roots introduces a new friendship to both in this fine, detailed story. The Ramsey Scallop Frances Temple Orchard Books 0-531-06836-6 $17.95 Advanced YA readers will readily absorb this Middle Ages story of a young girl and boy who embark upon a pilgrimage before they are to be betrothed. Two children young enough to believe that marriage is impossible slowly find themselves understanding more about themselves, each other, and life as they encounter a myriad of strangers on the pilgrimage route. The setting and times of 1299 Europe are particularly vivid and well done. That Extraordinary Pig of Paris Roni Schotter & Dominic Catalano Philomel 0-399-22023-2 $14.95 Monsieur Chocon loves to eat sweets and is a vegetarian pig who enjoys the good life in Paris - but Paris is filled with terrible butcher shops, and ChoconÕs love of pastries introduces him to danger in this engaging story of a pigÕs adventure. Good reading skills are required. The Lights Go On Again Kit Pearson Viking Press 0-670-84919-7 $13.99 Gavin and his sister Norah, Ōwar guestÕ refugees from World War II England, have almost made Canada their home in the five years theyÕve spent with relatives. Now itÕs time to go home, and to a much-changed world Gavin hardly remembers. When a tragedy brings a terrible choice to the household, GavinÕs needs seem separate from his sisterÕs. An intense, moving, realistic account of refugee life abroad, PearsonÕs is a vivid World War II world. Parents & Teachers Creative Visualization With Children Jennifer Day Element 1-85230-469-3 $10.95 Parents already familiar with the self-help potentials of the visualization process will find this a fine key to introducing visualization exercises to their children. Connections are drawn between the skills and life challenges, encouraging parents and teachers to introduce visualization as a coping tool early in life. Looking at Picture Books John Warren Stewig The Highsmith Company Box 800, Ft. Atkinson, WI 53538-0800 0-917846-29-X $49.00 John Stewig has designed this important new introductory level work to aid teachers and librarians in evaluating the art in picture books, and in understanding its relationship to the text. Emphasizing the importance of visual literacy, he explains how picture book can be utilized to develop this skill in children. With clarity, the author explains the pictorial elements used by artists in developing their work, such as line, shape, space, texture and color. Compositional components such as balance, rhythm and unity are addressed, followed by a chapter on the role of the medium the artist selects. Concluding chapters identify the critical elements of book design and the influence of the major art movements on children's book illustration. Looking at Picture Books is designed for teachers and librarians without a background in visual art. Highly recommended reading. So You Want to Move Out? Rik Feeney Richardson Publishing 3983 S. McCarran Blvd. #412 Reno, NV 89502 0-9637991-0-X $14.95 While YAs will avidly absorb the how-to advice here, itÕs also recommended for parents who want a clearer understanding of how adolescents can prepare for living their own lives. Chapters cover common mistakes, dealing with budgets, meeting new people, handling credit, and all the concerns central to newly-independent young adults. An excellent overview of the emotional, physical and economic challenges involved in moving out. Bringing Up Parents Alex J. Packer Free Spirit Publishing 400 First Avenue North, Suite 616 Minneapolis, MN 55401-1730 0-915793-48-2 $12.95 Bringing Up Parents is about giving teens the insights and skills they need to get along better with their parents. The basic technique is simple. Teens "intelligence gather" to find out more about their parents and discover why parents behave the way they do. Then they put this information to use in positive ways: building a "trust fund," committing "acts of goodness," being active listeners, even learning to apologize. A special section deals with issues that create ongoing conflict, from messy rooms to curfews, phone use to dating, sibling rivalry to sex. The emphasis throughout is on open communication and common sense. Watch Out for Clever Women! Joe Hayes Cinco Puntos Press 2709 Louisville El Paso, TX 79930 0-938317-20-2 $10.95 Parents wonÕt want to miss this elementary-level collection of folktales, in bilingual Spanish/English and complimented by black and white illustrations. In each story a women is the hero, protecting herself and her family against peril. The tall tales are original, witty, and filled with fine Southwest regional flavor. Color drawings would have added excitement, but the original voice is still lively and promising. Global Geography Jan Asch Good Apple Box 299, Carthage, IL 62321-0299 GA1487 $6.95 Global Geography is a research based activity book for grades 2-5 can be used to review, reinforce, practice and complement lessons on world geography. Each of the reproducible pages can be completed individually, with a partner, or in cooperative learning groups. Students sharpen their research skills by using atlases, encyclopedias, globes, and other reference materials. Also available is Asch's Games for Global Awareness (GA1486 $8.95) with easy instructions explaining how to play a variety of map games, flag games and cultural awareness games. Suggested format variations provide for expanded use with different grade levels and group sizes. TELEVISION BOOKWATCH SCRIPTS THE FICTION SHELF April SinclairÕs Coffee WILL MAKE YOU BLACK (Hyperion, $19.95) is a winner: 1960s Chicago is the home of Jean Stevenson, who comes of age during the civil rights movements of her times, and who gains a respect for civil rights issues and blacks as well as a new understanding of white prejudices and how they function. This is a memorable novel which is engrossing and hard to put down: highly recommended. E. Lynn HarrisÕ JUST AS I AM (Doubleday, $21.95) is a strong story of a young black professional who has found love with Broadway actress Nicole Springer. AIDS, racism, and the underlying pressures facing a black man who wants to lead a special middle-class lifestyle makes for a complex and well dramatized account of love in the face of prejudice and change. The realities of their different lifestyles and affections lead to newfound realizations for both in this engrossing, detailed account. Jim HarrisonÕs JULIP (Houghton Mifflin, $21.95) tells of a young womanÕs involvements with a series of older lovers; each of whom exhibit very different personalities and faults which leave Julip with troubling questions as well as good times. The trails of dating in modern times are realistic and well done. Mickey ClementÕs THE IRISH PRINCESS (Putnam, $19.95) tells of a large Irish-American family in upstate New York in the 1960s. Events which affect their familyÕs structure and progress are recounted in different voices, from different perspectives, in a novel which at times proves confusing, but which ultimately benefits from the changes in perspective. In the end each family member has contributed to an account of individual as well as family and ethnic survival. THE HINTERLANDS by Robert Morgan (Algonquin Books, $21.95) provides a strong mountain story told in three parts by settlers who make the Western Appalachians their home. The first-person narrative traces the early arrival of the settlers to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the politics and dramas which affect their lives and choices, and the underlying tensions which contribute to life movements. The result is a story which is hard to put down: an account which introduces readers to life changes and pressures. Andrei MoscovitÕs THE SEVENTH WIFE (Baskerville Publishers, $23.00) is chatty and at first difficult to absorb, but the underlying humor and strong descriptions of the story eventually immerse readers in the tale of one Anton, a middle-aged insurance agent/TV host who has 6 former wives and lives. Seeking a daughter who has fled the U.S. for the Soviet Union, Anton faces pirates and problems but finds the courage to go on in this changing, detailed story. Audrey SchulmanÕs THE CAGE (Algonquin Books, $17.95) is one of the most powerful stories reviewed in this list: a young woman nature photographer wins a coveted job filming polar bears, and faces personal challenges in the Arctic as she tests her own ability to survive and capture the wild bears in a setting where she is the caged one. BerylÕs resourcefulness and ability to survive mark a story of personal and professional changes. Dennis McFarlandÕs SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND (Houghton Mifflin, $21.95) tells of a brother and sister in the 70s who find renewed interest in shared memories of the past which continue to haunt each. A local murder in Florida serves as the impetus for a host of suppressed memories which eventually lead brother and sister into some frightening explorations of both their psyches and their relationships and family background in this detailed, moving account which builds slowly and inevitably to a surprise ending. Cole PerrimanÕs TERMINAL GAMES (Bantam, $22.95) builds an unusual, riveting story around real world murders and the connections between a quirky club of late-night computer- using insomniacs. A special, high-tech computer game allows viewers to witness everything from quirky sex to violence - but Marianne Hedison realizes that entertainment is bordering too closely on events in the real world when she draws some frightening links between her computer observations and real life events. Enjoy a thriller which laces a murder mystery with cybernetic ramifications. Milo LawrenceÕs THE NEXT DOMINANT SPECIES (Altos Publishing, P.O. Box 418, Los Altos, CA 94023, $19.95) packs in everything from romance and intrigue to high technology: while it may be argued that almost too many angles and factors are pushed into the story of the creation of an intelligent machine, the complexity ultimately serves to create a sophisticated, probing account which includes strong characterization and the spicy lure of high technology. Librarians and general-interest audiences will find this a thrilling and involving read with many unexpected twists and turns. Michael A. PalmerÕs THE WAR THAT NEVER WAS (Vandamere Press, $19.95) presents a naval historianÕs view of a military future and a global war at sea. Readers should ideally be attracted to military novels and futuristic stories in order to enjoy this account, which is packed with details on maneuvers and strategies between nations. A fictional Russian naval officer tells the story of the buildup of a global war fought on the seas. Larry ShrinerÕs EPILOGUE FOR MURDER (Walker, $21.95) includes plenty of geographic and cultural detail on its Florida Panhandle setting: elements which should satisfy readers looking for a strong sense of place in a novel or murder mystery. This murder mystery revolves around a popular man who dies while writing at his second home: an English professor who reads p.i. fiction and who has entered into the business professionally is chosen to investigate the manÕs apparent suicide. Plenty of action and fast-paced dramatic adventures pepper a changing account. George OwensÕ THE JUDAS POOL (Putnam, $22.95) provides an excellent murder mystery which blends a schoolteacherÕs involvement with a student with his ex-wifeÕs own shady transactions. Steven Blake begins the battle with the student but soon discovers a host of complications, from his wifeÕs questionable relationships to his studentÕs sudden death under mysterious circumstances. Steven is forced to move from a quiet, retreating life to a high-profile and fast-paced world as he and a savvy attorney struggle to uncover the truth. Owens does an excellent job of building fine character portraits and spinning an unpredictable, involving story. Jameson CurrierÕs DANCING ON THE MOON (Viking, $20.00) appeared quite some time ago, but deserves ongoing mention as a powerful collection of short stories which write about the impact of AIDS in the daily lives of gay men. From friends who struggle against the course of illness and the inevitable to gay men who face the specter of AIDS in their daily lives and interests, each story presents both a different side of the picture and a different character. This should prove of interest not only to gay readers; but to any who would better understand the gay lifestyle and its separate cultural identity: itÕs quite realistic. Victor HugoÕs classic TOILERS OF THE SEA (Atlantean Press, Box 361116, Milpitas, CA 95035, $26.00) also appeared some time ago, but also deserves ongoing mention as a fine literary novel not to be missed by prior Hugo readers. This tells of a social outsider suspected for his habits and strangeness, who becomes an unlikely hero to a village as he sets his strengths against nature. HugoÕs story reminds one of MelvilleÕs classic whale account: itÕs man against the elements and working against psychological and social forces simultaneously in this revealing tale, recommended for college-level readers who are prior Hugo readers. Peter WellsÕ DANGEROUS DESIRES (Viking, $20.95) provides a sexually charged debut collection of short fiction which probes middle-aged Aucklanders facing the major social issues of their times. Enjoy a strong, fresh story of courage, loss, and changing desires with this strong series of vignettes which observe passions and politics. The odd surrealistic atmosphere of Timothy FindleyÕs HEADHUNTER (Crown, $23.00) is at first difficult to absorb: a woman able to bring figures to life psychically finds the resurrection of ConradÕs evil personality Kurtz is threatening her life and the city. Psychological insights and battles between competing personalities make for a vigorous, involving story which moves back and forth between reality and psychic encounters. Add the threat of a disease spread by birds and you have an unusually complex and well-done story line which is impossible to second guess. Eileen GoudgeÕs new BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE (Viking, $22.95) will delight prior Goudge fans as well as newcomers: the story revolves around a daughterÕs observation of her prestigious father in an act of murder, and of the ramifications of her observations years later. For her father is a famous civil rights lawyer, the man he has murdered is black, and she and an acquaintance, who has also witnessed the event, face lasting and lifelong changes as a result of the web of secrecy which is woven around the frightening event. Goudge does an excellent job of building high tension and drama. Another strong novel of civil rights, this one historical in scope, is Philip GerardÕs CAPE FEAR RISING (John F. Blair, $18.95), set in 1898 when one Sam takes a reporterÕs job in Wilmington, North Carolina on the eve of some of the most violent of confrontations between majority middle- class blacks and minority racist whites. Sam discovers his own job is stockpiling weapons, learns of secrets and meetings which are designed to promote strife among and between both groups, and eventually finds that his life is transformed by the rising tide of racial conflict. Amanda QuickÕs MISTRESS (Bantam, $19.95), in contrast, provides light reading, revolving around the social and political problems of a woman who has carried on an elaborate scam surrounding a missing wealthy man; only to find him unexpectedly returned from the dead. IphiginiaÕs scheme fails and she confronts a man who proves the handsome figure of her dreams - and who agrees to carry on an elaborate scheme. Eugene SteinÕs STRAITJACKET & TIE (Ticknor & Fields, $19.95) blends a coming of age story with a tale of metaphysical change and alien encounters. Readers will anticipate comedy, perhaps; but this spoof of society, psychiatry, and American culture will appeal to those who relish understated dramas and subtle reflections. H. WassmoÕs DINAÕS BOOK (Arcade, $22.95) creates believable if not unusual protagonists and mesmerizing scenarios centered around Norweigian society. A girl finds her life transformed and ultimately ruined when she causes the death of her mother and is sent to live with strangers away from the accusing eyes of her father. DinaÕs wildness as a result of her repressed emotions and exile results in her being married off to a family friend - who also dies, leaving her pregnant and in charge of his large estate. This depressing, changing novel nonetheless does a fine job of revealing intense reactions to the tides of change, and is recommended for readers who want a blend of high drama and psychological understanding. David PlanteÕs ANNUNCIATION (Ticknor & Fields, $21.95) is also psychologically gripping and demanding, revolving around the events which change a family when a sixteen-year-old daughter is raped and impregnated. The daughterÕs decision to keep her baby involves her mother and strangers in an unusual series of events in which a search for sanity and understanding lead to a pilgrimage. Tom DruryÕs THE END OF VANDALISM (Seymour Lawrence/Houghton Mifflin, $21.95) is the slow, quiet expose of small town residents who face a virtual Peyton Place of interrelationships in the Midwest. Loves, losses, changes and political and social transformations affect the small townÕs psyche and sentiments in this quiet story of friends and neighbors who live virtually on top of each otherÕs experiences and dreams. Andrew BergmanÕs SLEEPLESS NIGHTS (Donald I. Fine, $19.95) tells of a Jewish familyÕs hidden secrets and the sexual undercurrents which remain unspoken in their lives, from inclinations toward incest to the actions of a daughter who sleeps with older men and seduces her brother. Here is another Ōdark novelÕ of family secrets which eventually are forced to rise to the surface in a gripping story of physical survival, lies, and moral inadequacies. P.B. ShawÕs THE SERAPHIM KILL (Walker, $21.95) revolves around a church-turned-nightclub and an Oklahoma detectiveÕs special problems in locating a killer on the loose. Politics, small town sentiments, and White House proceedings blend in a story which begins simply, but which quickly becomes complex and spellbinding. Judith TarrÕs THRONE OF ISIS (Forge, $22.95) provides a historical novel of an Egyptian queen using a contemporary tone which draws readers into setting and plot. This is no ŌGone with the WindÕ epic or shallow romance, however: Tarr provides a social and political focus on Cleopatra which reveals the underlying meanings of both her personal and political lives. The result contains much more depth than casual readers may initially perceive. Ann HarlemanÕs HAPPINESS (University of Iowa Press, $22.95) provides a fine debut collection of short stories focussing on interpersonal relationships and understanding. Whether itÕs an abortive attempt to communicate and reasons behind alienation or family interactions which donÕt heal over time, HAPPINESS is a strong and stunning introduction to the range of HarlemanÕs talents. ItÕs difficult to tell whether Farrukh DhondyÕs BLACK SWAN (Houghton, $14.95) will be more appealing to an audience of adults or young adults: the protagonist, an aspiring young woman still in school who takes an unusual literary summer job, will appeal to mature young adults. Intrigue, Shakespearean scholarship and underlying psychological tensions demarcate a finely-honed novel recommended for a wide audience. Frances FyfieldÕs PERFECTLY PURE AND GOOD (Panethon, $20.00) may disappoint pure mystery fans with its slow beginning, but the evolution of a young lawyerÕs investigation of a family eventually involves readers in a gripping story which is complex and hard to set aside. As Sarah Fortune becomes privy to the familyÕs innermost secrets, she enters a world at once tightly knit and beset upon by unpredictable outsiders. GARDENERÕS GUIDES These fine guides deserve ongoing and strong recommendation as lasting additions to the avid gardenerÕs shelf: all will prove important references. Robert HendricksonÕs LADYBUGS, TIGER LILIES & WALLFLOWERS (Prentice Hall, $12.00) was received some time ago and almost overlooked, but deserves repeated mention as a lasting and fun gardenerÕs guide. This A-Z dictionary of plant names - both common and Latin - trace the origins of words and add culture information about plants; the result being an unusually lively title which invites leisure browsing as well as serious study. Quin EllisÕ A BULB FOR ALL SEASONS (Hearst Books, $13.00) provides a twist on the usual bulb book: his title tells how to use bulbs as flowering houseplants for year-round color, telling when and how to pot them, how to care for them, and - most important - how to treat them after flowering to assure years of continuing growth and flower production. Anticipate no lengthy, confusing rules: this book presents simple suggestions for many different types of bulbs and should prove an indoor gardenerÕs delight, as the care guidelines are quite easy to follow for even the busiest grower. The 1994 edition of the SUNSET WESTERN GARDEN ANNUAL (Sunset, $24.99) actually represents the first time the editors of Sunset Magazine have compiled, under one cover, the garden and outdoor tip articles from the 1993 issues of the magazine. Regular readers may appreciate having all this information easily accessible both by month and through indexes, while newcomers who garden in the West will relish the many comments on new plant varieties, overcoming special gardening challenges, and organizing the garden for maximum efficiency. Jack KramerÕs 300 EXTRAORDINARY PLANTS FOR HOME AND GARDEN (Abbeville Press, $45.00) lists hundreds of beautiful plants which stand out from the crowd. Eleven selected plant families range from South African bulbs to cactus and blooming begonias, with extensive notes on both indoor and outdoor garden culture allowing gardeners to make the most of their selections. And unlike similar plant guides, most of these selected varieties, chosen for their showy displays of foliage or flowers, are not fussy: they require a minimum of care and attention. This book represents a departure for the art-oriented Abbeville Press, and the result has been well constructed to compete favorably with the mass of gardening books already on the market. BEAUTIFUL EASY LAWNS AND LANDSCAPES by Laurence Smobke (Globe Pequot Press, $16.95) is another winner: chemical-free gardening is advocated in a title which tells how to obtain a fine lawn, from overseeding with prime grass seeds to producing low-maintenance and healthy results without excess water usage. The disadvantage of this is that much of the fine advice is oriented to Southern gardens: thereÕs not much specialty details for Western gardeners, with information geared for the Northeast and Midwest also seeming to apply to regions of the Pacific Northwest. It still contains much useful general details on low-maintenance lawn care, however, and remains a fine addition to the literature on the topic. In fact, these all stand out from the general array of gardening books which appear each year, and are highly recommended picks. SHOPPERÕS GUIDES Bookstore browsers planning a visit to the San Francisco Bay Area will welcome to fine ŌfolioÕ pamphlets which are slim and compact for light take-along toting, and which reveal the specialties, strengths and weaknesses of bookstores located in the Bay Area. FOLIO #2 : THE BERKELEY GUIDE (Browsing the Best, P.O. Box 7263, Berkeley, CA 94707, $6.00) and FOLIO #4: SAN FRANCISCO ($6.00) provide strong, brief and critical ratings of some of the oldest establishments in the two cities. These arenÕt comprehensive lists of all bookstores, but are designed for travelers unfamiliar with regional bookstore offerings, and highlight some winners. The ratings are unusual, critiquing not only holdings, but resale prices and condition of books as well as overall store value. The result is a fine travel guide for newcomers to the Bay Area, visitors, and residents who want to embark on a shopping spree. A. Miser and A. Pennypincher are obvious pseudonyms for authors of OUTLET GUIDE SOUTHWEST (Globe Pequot Press, $9.95), which lists outlet sources for everything from Western clothing to toys, lingerie, electronics and sporting goods. An index both by product and by outlet make browsing easy, with chapters organized by state to make for a useful take-along tour guide for shoppers. Gary W. EldredÕs THE 106 COMMON MISTAKES HOMEBUYERS MAKE (Wiley, $14.95) deserves ongoing note as a strong and important guide detailing common purchase errors first-time and even experienced buyers may make. From purchasing a home based on becoming tired of looking to qualifying for mortgages, understanding negotiation errors, and investigating an areaÕs ŌmicroclimatesÕ, this details many common problems which typical buyers overlook until itÕs too late. There are plenty of home buyerÕs guides on the market; but none focus to thoroughly or extensively on the common errors which are made time and again by anxious buyers. SWEETS Two dessert cookbooks feature nothing but sweets for readers who want to relish dessert goodies. Elizabeth AlstonÕs SIMPLY CAKES (HarperCollins, $12.50) narrows its focus to three kinds of cakes, highlighting innovations which increase their appeal. These angel, pound and chiffon cakes are spiced differently: a Fresh Ginger-Brown Sugar Angel Food Cake, Orange-Chocolate Chunk Pound Cake, and Kumquat-Almond Chiffin Cake are only a few examples of innovations which take a basic recipe and elevate it to new heights. Marvin A. Wayne and Stephen R. YarnallÕs THE NEW DR. COOKIE COOKBOOK (Quill, $14.00) features over a hundred low-fat cookies, cakes and desserts which will appeal to health- conscious cooks. From a Peach Melba which cuts the fat content in half using vanilla ice milk or frozen yogurt to enjoying chocolate burst of ŌHeavenly Chocolate Oatmeal CookiesÕ, these are fine recipes which are appealing as well as healthy - and quick to produce, too. * * * Dr. CookieÕs Heavenly Oatmeal Cookies 1 large egg 1/2 c. packed brown sugar 1/2 c. sugar 1/4 c. vegetable oil 1/4 c. low-fat vanilla or coffee yogurt 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. chocolate extract 1 c. quick-cooking oats 1/2 c. cocoa powder 1 1/8 c. flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt Preheat oven to 350F, coat 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray. Beat egg,sugars, oil with an electric mixer till smooth, add yogurt, vanilla, chocolate, oats, cocoa powder and beat again. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, beat until well mixed. Let batter sit 10 minutes so oats will absorb liquid. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto the sheets and bake for 7-8 minutes or until cookies are slightly puffy and no longer look wet. Cool on a wire rack. Repeat until all the cookies are baked. Dr. CookieÕs Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies 4 large egg whites 1 c. brown sugar 2 c. unsweetened applesauce 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 c. flour 2 c. rolled oats 1 tsp. baking soda 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 c. chopped dates Preheat oven to 350F, coat 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray. Beat whites and brown sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Add applesauce, vanilla, beat again till just blended. Add flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, beat till well mixed. Add dates, stir to combine. Drop batter by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto sheets, bake 12-15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Repeat until all cookies are baked. AlstonÕs Festive Pound Cake 16 tblsp. (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature, unsalted 2 c. granulated sugar or 4 c. confectionerÕs sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 5 large eggs 1/2 tsp. baking powder 2 c. flour Heat oven to 325F. Grease a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Put butter and all but 1/4 c. of the granulated sugar or 1/2 c. confectionerÕs sugar in large bowl. Add vanilla. Set aside. Crack open each egg, letting whites drop into a deep bowl or electric mixer, putting yolks in separate small dish. Beat whites with mixer on high speed,till soft peaks fold when beater is lifted. Sprinkle in remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar or 1/2 c. confectionerÕs, beat until beaters leave a trail in the mix. Without washing beaters, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Slip in yolks 1 at a time, beating briefly after each. Beat in baking powder, scrape sides of bowl. With mixer on low, add flour and beat until almost incorporated. Scrape sides of bowl. Add a big spoonful of whites, beat it in. Add remaining whites, fold in with a spatula until just incorporated. Scrape batter into pan, smooth surface. Draw handle of spatula once lengthwise through batter 1/2 inch deep. Bake until top is a light golden brown and a cake tester inserted in center comes clean, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack for 20 minutes. Loosen edges, turn cake out. let cool completely. For best flavor, store airtight 1 day at room temperature before serving or freezing. FOOD GUIDES John F. MarianiÕs THE DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN FOOD AND DRINK (Hearst Books, $19.95) provides a revised, revamped and updated volume covering the history of eating and drinking in this country. An A-Z format listing foods by ingredients and names includes background histories, definitions, culture information, and even some recipes along with in-depth historical notes of how the dish was developed. The result is a handsome reference - the perfect gift choice for hard-to-please cooks. John AytoÕs THE DINERÕS DICTIONARY (Oxford University Press, $25.00) presents an A-Z listing of food and drink which focuses on unusual cultural delicacies and the history of their evolution. Unlike MarianiÕs title, this travels the world in search of both exotic dishes and explanations for Spam, Tabasco sauce, and the fattening Lardy Cake: eaters will find it, too, makes for unusual and educational leisure pursuit. Sharon Tyler HerbstÕs THE FOOD LOVERÕS TIPTIONARY (Hearst Books, $15.00) also excels in its A-Z dictionary format; this focussing on over 4,500 tips, shortcuts, and secrets to producing finely-cooked results. From reasons for overdone cookies to the care and handling of eggs, this is packed with important tips which are all too rarely incorporated into Ōfail safeÕ cookbook recipes. HEARST/MORROW W. Park KerrÕs BURNING DESIRED (0-688-12818-1, $15.00) presents the El Paso Chile CompanyÕs second cookbook collection of fiery delights, with over a hundred recipes featuring unusual innovations and variations. Barbecued Chicken Pizza, Grilled New Potatoes with Roquefort Butter and others celebrate hot, spicy creations. George Hisch and Marie BiancoÕs GRILLING WITH CHEF GEORGE HIRSCH (13553-6, $20.00) features dishes perfected in the authorÕs Long Island restaurant, from Dijon Chicken Burgers to smoky packets of Brunswick Stew and Cajun Pizza. Chris Styler and Bill HodgeÕs BLUE COLLAR FOOD (12737-2, $20.00) is for any who want basic, simple fare and easily-followed recipes. This is a bachelorÕs delight, taking tried-and-true dishes and spicing them up without overcomplicating the results. From Spaghettini with Crab and Tomato to a quick curry meal, dishes are alluring. These are fine cookÕs references, and are strong recommendations for gifts. COMICS Don and Maggie Thompson edit COMIC-BOOK SUPERSTARS (Krause Publications, $16.95), which represents the industryÕs first directory of artists and writers who contributed their talents to the creation of comic superstars. The information here goes beyond most comics guides, listing not the usual comic book art details, but details on their creators and addresses so that fans can contact their favorites. This is strong in the bibliography department: supplement its details with Alex G. MalloyÕs COMIC BOOK ARTISTS (Wallace-Homestead Books, $14.95), which provides more of a focus on the value of the artistsÕ works. This details their background but provides more in-depth listings of their works and current values of the comics, which should delight avid collectors interested as much in dollar values as in comic book artist biography. No addresses here; just plenty of detail. For an even more specific guide, donÕt miss Don & Maggie ThompsonÕs MARVEL COMICS CHECKLIST & PRICE GUIDE (Krause Publications, $14.95), which lists and rates comics from 1961 to the present. This is a comic buyerÕs reference and should make a basic shelf acquisition for any serious and avid collector. THE ARTS Here are very different, diverse titles which are fine, strong picks for libraries presenting detailed focus studies on the arts. For a strong modern musician biography, choose Bill ColeÕs MILES DAVIS: THE EARLY YEARS (Da Capo Press, $13.95): this is more than a coverage of the manÕs life, focussing on the evolution of his unique style, his importance and influence upon other jazz musicians of his era, and the patterns of his career. Enjoy a scholarly, in-depth study supplemented with musical transcriptions of his solos and extensive musical details. Eric MaiselÕs A LIFE IN THE ARTS (Jeremy Tarcher, $15.95) is also a winner, providing counseling for a variety of audiences involved in the creative and performing arts. This surveys common problems shared by such artists, from psychological dilemmas to financial and business operations and issues, using a psychology base to consider personal and career evolution processes. From dealing with blocks and mood swings to understanding the pros and cons of a creative yet isolated existence, this provides analyses and angles seldom seen in artistsÕ guides. Stephen VaughnÕs RONALD REAGAN IN HOLLYWOOD (Cambridge University Press, $24.95) deserves ongoing mention as an important key to understanding both the Hollywood movie scene and the politics which have evolved relationships between the motion picture industry and government. This focus on Reagan reveals the Hollywood influences upon his political ideas and the connections he made which were to foster his rise to the White House. More an examination of ReaganÕs formative years than a review of HollywoodÕs artistic process, this nonetheless makes some important points. The second edition of ShawÕs GUIDE TO ART AND CRAFT WORKSHOPS (ShawGuides Inc., 625 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, FL 33134, $16.95) is a highly recommended, basic pick for collections which want to appeal to artists and craftspeople. Detailed descriptions of short-term learning programs sponsored by numerous organizations embrace more than 30 disciplines in the fine arts and crafts field, using an easy geographic arrangement to describe workshop dates, teaching approaches, and costs. An excellent basic art library reference, the annual updates assure details remain current. Chris WainwrightÕs THE CREATIVE DARKROOM HANDBOOK (Cassell/Sterling, Dist., $22.95) is a practical handbook aimed at all levels of expertise among camera owners. Both black and white and color photo manipulation are detailed in a guide which probes printing and processing applications, creative darkroom manipulation processes, and the tools which contribute to strong and memorable images. James WhiteÕs GERARD DILLON (Dufour Editions, $40.00) celebrates the works of a contemporary artist who experimented with a variety of styles and painting pursuits. Over eighty paintings and sketches are reproduced - most in black and white, but with over thirty in color - to produce a guide which blends biography with lavish portraits of the artistÕs purposes and evolution. Enthusiasts of contemporary Irish artists will find it a compelling work. Nancy Orban edits FIBREARTS DESIGN BOOK FOUR (Lark Books/Sterling, Dist., $21.95) profiles hundreds of photos which display the changes which have affected fibrearts designs over the last three decades. Chapters explore a variety of materials, textures, and textiles as they pay tribute to the latest fiberartists and their works in this fine detailed catalogue collection of works. Evard H. GibbyÕs HOW TO MAKE PRIMITIVE POTTERY (EagleÕs View Publishing, 6756 N. Fork Rd., Liberty, UT 84310, $8.95) presents over sixty fair-quality black and white photos to illustrate GibbyÕs fine step-by-step guide to producing primitive pottery. From locating appropriate clay and preparing it to making the pottery and producing a finished primitive-style piece, this focuses on the challenge of making functional earthenware using relatively few tools. Robert A. Kainer and Thomas O. McCrackenÕs THE COLORING ATLAS OF HORSE ANATOMY (Alpine Publications, Box 7027, Loveland, CO 80537) provides beginning students of art with a fine basic anatomical guide to producing realistic horse illustrations. From horse fans to artists, this book offers a fine and detailed exploration of horse anatomy along with plenty of practical horse details to appeal to farm managers, trainers and pony club members. While the latter audiences will be the more likely purchasers of this book, artists interested in animal illustrations will want to use this as a solid starter guide. Michael FriersonÕs CLAY ANIMATION (Twayne Publishers, $29.95) describes the basics of the Gumby-type clay animation process, from design and production to camera shoots, lighting, and the technical production of clay animation art. ThereÕs very little on the subject available to aspiring clay animators, which makes this stand out: chapters will intrigue filmmakers at all levels of experience and reveal both the history of clay animation and its ongoing attraction. The Phoenix Art MuseumÕs CHINAÕS RENAISSANCE IN BRONZE (University of Arizona Press, $40.00) may prove too pricey and detailed for all but the most serious of art book collections, but itÕs a fine catalog highlighting a strong collection of Chinese bronzes at the phoenix Art Museum and illuminates a long-neglected area of Chinese art history. The MuseumÕs special collection on the topic profiles holdings from 1100-1900, illustrating an array of diverse artifacts and providing many color plates of the pieces to accompany technical descriptions of their history and art. A ŅmustÓ for any serious art library. Richard KostelanetzÕs DICTIONARY OF THE AVANT-GARDES (A Capella Books/Chicago Review Press, $16.95) provides the first A-Z reference encyclopedia of avant-garde artists and trends. Individuals and their works are profiled, small black and white illustrations pepper the coverage, and the references trace the artistsÕ foundations and innovations in all the arts, making this a strong reference to the diverse arts world. Marjory JacobsonÕs ART FOR WORK (Harvard Business School Press, $60.00) appeared last Fall and was only recently received, but deserves ongoing mention as a strong guide to corporate collecting processes. Here are chapters covering the rise of corporate collecting, the range of corporate interests, and profiling forty innovative art programs from around the world. Here, too, are keys to understanding the purposes and interests of corporate collectors who often represent the struggling artistÕs big ticket to success. Lawrence GowingÕs PAINTINGS IN THE LOUVRE (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $49.95) is a fine coverage of Louvre holdings which actually represents a bargain at its price tag. This is no light collection overview: full-color, excellent-quality plates liberally embellish a title which virtually glows in the quality of its presentation. Few other titles will approach the fine price and presentation of this lavish catalog. Reviewer's Choice THE TREE OF WOODEN CLOGS Fox Lorber For a somber and revealing film of European peasant village life, choose Fox LorberÕs THE TREE OF WOODEN CLOGS: itÕs a long and touching story of Italian peasants in a rural village at the turn of the century, and follows four families through the seasons as they struggle to survive and advance themselves. DonÕt expect an upbeat and uplifting film, here: the tone is dark and moody and the events reflect the struggle of families to work together to advance themselves. The story line will prove especially compelling to movie fans who regularly view foreign films, and who want serious reflections on cultures and efforts to survive against all odds. MINDS FOR THE MAKING Scott L. Montgomery Guilford Press 72 Spring St. New York NY 10012 $18.95 This is the first examination of the history of science education in this country, examining the impact of science on the evolution of its teaching process and considering the effects of social and educational reform processes. This scholarly yet involving consideration of the role of science in American education covers the period 1750-1990, with chapters including political examinations as well as changing trends in the educational process and the effects of changing home schooling perspectives on scientific knowledge. This is a fine survey of the changing nature and state of the American science education program, and is recommended reading for a wide audience. SKELETON CREW Stephen King Penguin Highbridge $24.00 Stephen KingÕs SKELETON CREW provides selections from his short story collection which appear unabridged in five cassettes. The best of all is ŌThe RaftÕ, which tells of the dilemma faced by four individuals who encounter a hungry sea monster while they are enjoying an autumn swim; but equally strong are accounts of a toy of evil in ŌThe MonkeyÕ, a little boyÕs nightmare in ŌGrammaÕ, and a driverÕs terrifying journey in ŌMrs. ToddÕs ShortcutÕ. The varied readers and sound effects enhance the audio version and make it much more compelling than even KingÕs lavish written words. WRITERÕS DIGEST GUIDE TO GOOD WRITING WriterÕs Digest $18.95 Plenty of writerÕs guides promote writing well; but how can students learn to recognize good writing from bad productions? This volume imparts advice on everything from writing dialogue to creating memorable characters. The purveyors of information arenÕt your usual writing professors, but professionals in their fields: their advice culled from the past 75 years of WriterÕs Digest magazine. Enjoy chapters which explain how good writing evolves, creating strong connections between intent and creation and in themselves representing fine writing examples. Clear, involving and to the point are these writersÕ ideas and advice. WOMEN AS REVOLUTIONARY AGENTS OF CHANGE Shere Hite University of Wisconsin Press $22.95 Shere HiteÕs essays consider the philosophical and methodological impact of the Hite Reports on sexuality and love, providing a distillation of HiteÕs writings and including observations on the politics of intercourse, emotional assumptions and changes between men and women, and womenÕs powers. Male/female idealogies and different psychological factors are revealed in a fine, absorbing study which closely considers the evolving impact of womenÕs issues on sexual norms in world society. HiteÕs observations will prove especially important to college-level courses in psychology, sexuality, and sociology: they are strong and clear studies which provide some thought-provoking connections between male and female psyches and political consciousness. PYRAMIDS AT THE LOUVRE Glenn Watkins Harvard University Press 0-674-74083-1 $29.95 The Modernist movement gave rise to whole new cultural paradigms: Watkins provides a review of ModernismÕs affects on music and culture from Stravinsky to the Postmodernists, creating a collage of art worlds and social life and including detailed, scholarly assessments of changing schools of art culture. The result is an absorbing, sensitive study. AMERICAN ARTISTS IN THEIR NEW YORK STUDIOS Stephen Gotz Harvard University Art Museums 3-87135-006-0 $29.95 Conversations about the creation of contemporary art use the interview format to follow exchanges between art conservator Gotz and individual arts who impart their views of what constitutes modern art and its trends. Issues, illusions, and techniques are revealed in a lively, involving title. WHO OWNS INFORMATION? Anne Wells Branscomb Basic Books 0-465-09175-X $25.00 This holds the potential for being one of the most important, hot topics of the 1990s: a coverage of privacy and public access details written by a legal scholar who surveys new technologies and their influence on how information is owned and exchanged. From video entertainment and phone number files to E-mail message privacy issues, this is packed with the latest insights and legal details - which are often alarming. REVIEWER'S CHOICE: CHILDREN'S BOOKS First Ancient History Roy Burrell Oxford University Press 0-19-521058-1 $35.00 Students at the middle school through high school levels will appreciate a strong and basic survey of the earliest civilizations of the ancient world, from Egypt and China through Greece and Rome. Numerous color illustrations by Peter Connolly compliment a lively format which reaches beyond historical overview to consider the cultural developments of each major nation of the old world. German Hero-sagas And Folk-tales Barbara Leonie Picard Oxford University Press 0-19-274163-2 $9.95 Legends of great German heroes are recounted in a collection of traditional folk stories which have been revised for modern young readers. This adds to an ongoing series and excels in a format which is smooth and readable, creating absorbing tales modern young adults will relish. Twenty-First Century Books Keith GreenbergÕs Family Abuse (3183-9) focuses on conflicts within families and the underlying causes of domestic violence, covering everything from legal issues to psychological influences. Meish GoldishÕs Immigration (3182-0) considers immigration laws, illegal aliens, and the discussions surrounding control of immigration into the U.S. Thomson Learning New additions to established series titles expand the topics and scope of each, and make for colorful, contemporary treatments. Roz DennyÕs A Taste Of France (1-56847-163-7) adds to the ŌTaste ofÕ series ($14.95 each), using French cuisine as a foundation for exploring the culture and geography of the nation. DennyÕs A Taste Of India (164-5) explores the origins and styles of Indian foods. Each includes step-by-step instructions for reproducing ethnic specialties. HarperCollins Dalia Hardof Renberg adapts King Solomon And The Bee (0-06-022899-7, $15.00), recommended for kids ages 4-8 with its lively, fine story of a smart kingÕs anger at a stinging bee. The little bee offers to make amends, amusing the king and proving his worthiness to live in the bargain. Patricia MacLachlanÕs all the places to love (021098-2, $15.00) excels in fine paintings by Mike Wimmer and the delicate, simple story line of a babyÕs birth and first discovery of Ōplaces to loveÕ, told in the first person. This is a warm story of family love and response to a childÕs growing up, enjoying an appealing format. Jeanne Whitehouse PetersonÕs My Mama Sings (023854-2, $15.00) will appeal to kids ages 4-8 with its story of a musically gifted mother who loves to sing to her child, until problems at work stop her music. Her son decides to help her in this story of family giving. Making Room for Katherine Philippa Greene Mulford Macmillan 0-02-767652-8 $14.95 A cousin comes to live with her relatives in Connecticut, and the already-changed lives of twins Abbey and Shel and their younger sibling Joyce are challenged. Katherine seems older than her years, enjoys a ŌguestÕ status which doesnÕt include the strict rules governing the rest of the family, and faces a special set of challenges in this warm family story. The Boy on a Black Horse Nancy Springer Atheneum 0-689-31840-5 $14.95 A special girl with a love of horses encounters a dark, mysterious boy who is secretive and protective of his two siblings, and troubling questions mount between them. Is Chav hiding a deeper secret than his gypsy roots? Gray struggles with her own sorrow in the death of her family while reaching out to Chav in this delicate story of two recoveries. Gulliver/Harcourt Brace Two new additions to Gulliver's ŌLiving HistoryÕ series are highly recommended picks for students ages 8-12. Industrial Revolution (200514-5 16.95) features a haunting cover shot and a strong review of what it was like to live and work during the times. Photos recreating the past in contemporary color offer lively accompaniment to the facts. Ancient Greece (0-15-200516-1 16.95) covers daily life and culture in ancient times, using fine contemporary color photos of Greece and a lively text to create a Ņyou are thereÓ atmosphere. Time and the Clockmice, Etcetera Peter Dickinson Delacorte Press 0-385-32038-8 $16.95 ItÕs difficult to place an age restriction on this title, which includes illustrations and presents a wordy, whimsical story in the tradition of GrahamÕs Wind In The Willows. Kids at the middle school level on up will relish the story of a clockÕs problems, its school of telepathic mice, and its challenges to conventional time. Whimsical drawings by Emma Chichester-Clark illustrate a complex, detailed plot. Little, Brown History isnÕt just dry facts: itÕs composed of the experiences of people we all can relate to. This is the contention of a new series by Little which pairs poetry, drama, speeches, and firsthand accounts with lively history surveys. Book Of The American Revolution (0-316-96922-2 $19.95) discusses the ownership of North America and reveals opinions and conflicts of both sides of the issue. Book Of The American Indians (96921-4 $19.95) starts in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest and moves East: an unusual format for a title which includes the legends, culture and daily routines of different tribes across the country. An all black-and-white illustration format may put off kids used to eye-catching color, but the writing is strong and the presentation exceptionally lively. Harcourt Brace Miranda is upset and unhappy when her parents decide to take in an orphan girl of her own age: distrusting runaway Abby, she decides to investigate the mysterious circumstances behind her arrival and when the truth comes out, she and her boyfriend are drawn into a time-crossing adventure in Kathryn ReissÕ Pale Phoenix (0-15-200030-5, $10.95). While the sudden affinity Miranda begins to show for Abby seems stilted, the overall story is engrossing and unusual. Lensey NamiokaÕs April And The Dragon Lady (276644-8, $10.95) presents the vivid, involving story of a Chinese- American girlÕs relationship with a very old-fashioned, strict Chinese grandmother. As a female, April is expected to care for her aged grandmother and struggles with her grandmotherÕs unpredictable ways. Can American and old world values come to an agreement? The many subplots are strong and compelling, representing both sides fairly. 21st Century Books Kids in grades 4-7 who want good basic health facts should appreciate Catherine ReefÕs introductory titles in her ŌGood Health GuidelinesÕ series ($15.95 Each). Eat The Right Stuff (0-8050-2442- 5) advises on how to choose healthy foods to compliment a diet; Think Positive (244-3-3) tells how to cope with stress and presents many strong connections between stress and physical health; and Stay Fit (2441-7) focuses on exercise and how it affects the bodyÕs performance. Facts are presented in a chatty, appealing tone. Nigel HawkesÕ excellent ŌNew TechnologyÕ ($13.95 Each) series is recommended for students in grades 5-8, presenting strong overviews of the latest technological developments and applications. Structures And Buildings (3418-8) surveys Biosphere 2, future cities, and the latest developments in building and living environments, Transportation On Land And Sea (3415-3) includes maglevs, submarines, and public transit systems facing change due to new technological developments, and Energy (3419-6) includes considerations of solar energy and space sources as it profiles energy choices of the future. These are basic introductions which excel in bright, contemporary illustrations and attractive formats. Midwest Book Review 278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575 608-835-7937 mwbookrevw@aol.com