Small Press Bk Rev - Fall '01/Part 1

[HenryBerry]

The Small Press Book Review
Fall 2001 Part 1

Current Interest
Secret Weapons - Two Sisters Terrifying True Story of Sex, Spies and Sabotage
by Cheryl and Lynn Hersha with Dale Griffis and Ted Schwarz. New Horizon Press,
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931. 2001. 426+xxix pp. $25.95 hardcover
(0-88282-196-2).photographs, illustrations, bibliography, index.
(true crime)
The story of two sisters who as young girls in 1965 became experiments in
an extreme U. S. government mind-control program to produce fanatical, robotic
individuals. Despite being deeply affected by the program, the sisters managed
to retain something of their own identities and struggled to get out of the
program and foil the designs of the government doctors and officials in charge
of it. The sisters who are now grown and the authors bring much proof and
documentation to this incredible story.

A Mountain Too Far - A Father's Search for Meaning in the Climbing Death of His
Son by Karl H. Purnell. New Horizon Press, PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931.
2001. 426+xxix pp. $25.95 hardcover (0-88282-204-7). photographs, glossary.
(true-life adventure; first-person narrative)
In taking up mountain climbing to try to understand the death of his son
in an avalanche while climbing, 63-year-old Karl Purnell comes to learn about
the challenges of climbing which drew his son to the risky sport. He comes to
understand that his son's mountain-climbing was his way of living out the urges
for adventure and challenges which the father had pursued throughout his life
in different ways. "A Mountain Too Far" combines the topical subject of
mountain-climbing with a search to find meaning which leads to spiritual
growth.

The Irish Book of Arms - Genealogy and Heraldry by Michael C. O'Laughlin. Irish
Genealogical Foundation, Box 7575, Kansas City, MO 64116. 200. 156 pp. $49.95;
8-1/2" x 11" (0-940134-86-1). color/b+w illustrations, index.
(Irish genealogy)
About two hundred of the coats-of-arms are in color on four pages, with
several hundreds of others illustrated also. Both color and black-and-white
show the details. Explanations of the origin and symbolism of the coats-of-arms
go with the numerous illustrations, as well as notes on the historical or
social importance of the related families as applicable. Coats-of-arms of
settlers in Ireland from Scotland, England, and Wales are also included. A
helpful work for genealogical, heraldry, and Irish studies.

Writing the Sacred into the Real by Alison Hawthorne Deming. Milkweed Editions,
1011 Washington Ave. South - Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55415. 2001. 146 pp.
$12.00 trade paper (1-57131-249-8). notes, bibliography.
(ecology; spirituality; writing)
Deming engenders an appreciation for ecology and environmentalism through
writing about her own deep attachment to nature. She does not make an argument
why one should be an environmentalist or judge those who are not. Rather, by
her own fullness and sensitivities which come through in her writing, the
reader comes to understand these developed by her attachment to the true world
around her. In understanding this, the reader also comes to understand what
would be lost by heedless destruction of the natural environment. In not
explicitly making a case for environmentalism while making its value
self-evident, Deming also writes a work which makes for enjoyable nature
reading.

Shaped by Wind and Water - Reflections of a Naturalist by Ann Haymond Zwinger.
Milkweed Editions, 1011 Washington Ave. South - Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN
55415. 2001. 166 pp. $12.00 trade paper (1-57131-240-4). notes, bibliography.
(ecology; spirituality; writing)
The "Bibliography of Ann Haymond Zwinger's Work" including interviews,
sound recordings, and reviews as well as many books runs over 40 pages. Zwinger
had a friendship with the naturalist Edwin Way Teale based on their shared love
of the natural world and how appreciation of it enhanced a person's basic
humanity. Scott Slovic, the founding president of the Association for the Study
of Literature and the Environment, writes a "Portrait" of Zinger. Zwinger's
essay "Shaped by Wind and Water" takes up about 80 pages. It's a journal
covering a week in which Zwinger writes about her activities and conversations
with friends, thoughts on the world around her, and reflections on herself. The
essay along with Slovic's portrait of Zwinger and the complete bibliography
makes for a good introduction to this writer.

Sunk Without a Sound - The Tragic Colorado River Honeymoon of Glen and Bessie
Hyde by Brad Dimock. Fretwater Press, 1000 Grand Canyon Ave., Flagstaff, AZ
86001. 2001. 264+x pp. $28.00 hardcover (1-892327-28-7). $18.00 trade paper
(1-892327-98-8). photographs, glossary.
(true-crime)
Dimock revisits the mystery of the disappearance of the newly-wed couple
Glen and Bessie Hyde on a boating trip through the Grand Canyon in 1928. Many
years later, a woman appeared who said she was Bessie, and she had killed her
husband long ago on the trip. But other persons also appeared in later years
who claimed to be either Glen or Bessie. Dimock does not solve the mystery, but
his investigation is captivating.

Steve Martin - The Magic Years by Morris Walker. S.P.I. Books, 99 Spring St. -
3rd floor, New York, NY 10012. 2001. 280 pp. $$22.95 hardcover (1-56171-980-3).
photographs, illustrations.
(biography; entertainment; popular culture)
Walker went to high school with Steve Martin in Texas. The author has
pursued his own successful career in show business. The popular biography on
the popular comedian Steve Martin is light and largely anecdotal. Martin freely
refers to incidents in his long-time relationship with Martin and otherwise
describes incidents and situations in Martin's life. The biography loosely
follows the trajectory of Martin's career with regular turns into entertaining
subjects such as Martin's relationships with women and other performers. The
book itself is fun to read and often amusing while giving a good portrait of
Martin and occasional insight into his off-stage life and nature.

Stud Tools and the Family Jewels by Peter F. Murphy. U. of Wisconsin Press,
2537 Daniels St., Madison, WI 53718-6772. 2001. 167+xiv pp. $50.00 hardcover
(0-299-17130-2) $19.95 trade paper (0-299-17134-5). notes, bibliography.
(social critique; male studies)
In holding everyday language used by men up to the light, Murphy finds
that it is an effort to disguise fear more than a reflection of the true
feelings of men. The fear may be fear of sexual failure, of being inept, or
even the fear of failing to gain the upper hand in relationships which can be
momentary, expedient, or long-term. The terms examined are familiar--wet dream,
piece of ass, cojones, faggot, studmuffin. Murphy's examination of these and
others illuminates much about the male psyche and psychology and about men's
image in society, including men's feelings about their standing.

Celibacy, Culture, and Society - The Anthropology of Sexual Abstinence edited
by Elisa I. Sobo and Sandra Bell. U. of Wisconsin Press, 2537 Daniels St.,
Madison, WI 53718-6772. 2001. 275+x pp. $55.00 hardcover (0-299-17160-4).
$22.95 trade paper (0-299-17164-7). chapter notes, chapter bibliographies,
index.
(collected articles; sexuality, social critique)
Celibacy is commonly regarded as a condition embraced for religious
reasons or one adopted by eccentric individuals for some personal reasons. But
as the thirteen articles mostly by academics in the field of anthropology
relate, celibacy often serves various practical, cultural, physical, or
psychological purposes. For instance, woman may decide to become celibate nuns
in certain cultures to avoid the practice of being given to husbands and
thereby make a protest and also gain some freedom for themselves. The diverse
articles on celibacy raising subjects of gender, family, the body, and others
of current interest make the collection a critique of contemporary society and
ideas about sexuality.

Our Virtual World: The Transformation of Work, Play and Life Via Technology
edited by Laku Chidambaram and Ilze Zigurs. Idea Group Publishing, 1331 E.
Chocolate Ave., Hershey, PA 17033-1117; 800-345-4332. 2001. 254 pp. no price
given - trade paper (1-878289-92-6). chapter notes, chapter bibliographies,
index.
(collected articles; technology; social critique)
Fourteen articles by authors with backgrounds in technology try to answer
basic questions about the impact of technology on society and individuals. The
areas covered are those of the subtitle--namely work, recreation, and the
social community. The authors carry these topical subjects beyond the
information ordinarily given in the popular media to provide facts and
discussion on many particular developments and little-known, but telling
effects.

Active Retirement for Affluent Workaholics - Planning for the Life You've
Always Wanted by Peter Silton. N. P. Financials, PO Box 49891, Los Angeles, CA
90049. 2001. 192 pp. $19.95 trade paper (1-882758-07-2). resources, index.
(retirement; lifestyle)
Partly a motivational book and partly a self-help, "Active Retirement for
Affluent Workaholics" helps this target segment of retirees to continue to
engage in the active, constructive, and fulfilling life styles they were
accustomed to in their working years. Silton himself falls into this category
of retiree. Before he began his retirement at the age of 59, he wrote two books
on computers and education, did consulting and developed business plans for
computer firms, taught entrepreneurial skills in Russia, and helped his son
raise money to start a software business. With Silton's book as a reference, an
affluent retired person never need feel bored or lost or wonder what he or she
might be doing.

Heading for a Crash! - How Pro-Sports Rip You Off by Robert J. Tanterri.
Tanterri Press, PO Box 31870, Mesa, AZ 85275-1870. 2001. 141 pp. $12.95 trade
paper (0-9702339-1-4). notes.
(social critique; sports)
Tanterri tells readers what they can do to protest not only the high costs
of attending games with high ticket prices and expensive food, but also the
insulated status and occasional criminal behavior of star athletes which mars
the image of sports and angers fans. The author also deals with the
preferential treatment of sports' franchises and new stadiums by government
officials.

Art
Beyond Popcorn - A Critic's Guide to Looking at Films by Robert Glatzer.
Eastern Washington Press, 705 West First Ave., Spokane, WA 99201-3909;
800-508-9095. 2001. 158+xiv pp. $14.95 trade paper (0-910055-70-X). b+w
photographs.
(film studies)
Glatzer is a film critic from Spokane who hosts a weekly public-radio
program on film. In chapters with titles such as The Difference Between Acting
and Acting in Films, Deciding Where the Camera Goes, and What We Learn from
Buster Keaton, he teaches the reader how to appreciate and evaluate films.
Glazer provides a list of one hundred films in all categories exemplifying his
points. His own choice for the greatest film ever made is The Godfather.

Cine Mexicano - Posters from the Golden Age 1936-1956 by Roger Agrasanchez,
Jr.; Introduction by Charles Ramirez Berg. Chronicle Books, 85 Second St. -
sixth floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. 2001. 130 pp. $18.95 trade paper; 8" x
10" (0-8118-3058-6). color illustrations, index.
(film studies; Mexican cinema; film posters)
The 150 collected posters are from the Agrasanchez Film Archive in
Harlingen, TX. They relate to movies in all genres--horror, mystery, comedy,
and others. A number exemplify how the Mexican film industry dealt with the
taboos of sex and drugs. The introductory essay by Berg, a professor in the
Dept. of Radio, Television, and Film at the U. of Texas - Austin, relates an
informative overview of this era of Mexican cinema and its posters.

Joe Brainard - A Retrospective by Constance M. Lewallen, with essays by John
Ashbery and Carter Ratcliff. U. of California/Berkeley Art Museum & Granary
Books. 2001. 156+x pp. $29.95 trade paper; 8" x 10" (1-887123-44-X). color
illustrations, photographs, bibliography.
(Joe Brainard; exhibition)
Joe Brainard was an artist who attracted a following among other artists
and writers, among them John Ashbery, who wrote an essay for this volume. Frank
O'Hara, Robert Creeley, Barbara Guest, Alex Katz, and Fairfield Porter were
among Brainard's friends and followers. Brainard died in 1994. His art work and
writings are getting a reevaluation lately. This is a catalog for a
retrospective at the Berkeley Art Museum of the University of California.
Brainard's collages, pop art, paintings, and mixed media works are observant
and often amusing; occasionally they make a political or social statement.
Biographical material and excerpts from Brainard's writings included in the
catalog offer an introduction to this individualistic and influential, though
not so widely-known, artist.

When Will the Book Be Done? - Granary's Books edited by Steven Clay. Granary
Books, 307 Seventh Ave. - Suite 1401, New York, NY 10001. 2001. $40.00 trade
paper; 8-1/2" x 8-1/2" (1-887123-43-1). color/b+w illustrations, index.
(book arts)
This is a catalog of the books published by Granary Books over the past
decade or so. But it's actually an art book on attractive and imaginative
limited editions and contemporary book art. Granary has published editions of
as few as thirty books. Photographs of parts of the books exemplify their
originality. Contents of the books can be anything from poems to aphoristic or
journal-like entries to photographs or music scores. Persons interested in how
the art of book design and publication is being kept alive in this age of
computerization will want to have a copy of this book--a collector's item.

Speechless by Peter Kuper. Top Shelf Productions, PO Box 1282, Marietta, GA
30061-1282. 2001. 112 pp. $19.95 12-1/2" x 9-1/2" (1-891830-14-7). color
illustrations.
(comic-book art; popular culture)
Kuper is the artist of the widely-known "I Spy" comic strip of Mad
Magazine for the past three years. He has been named as Rolling Stone's Comic
Artist of the Year. Beyond these achievements, he's also done covers for Time
Magazine and other popular periodicals, and is the co-founder of the 'zine
World War 3. Kuper has a brightly-colored, graphic, energetic,
expressionistic-like, style. Most of his illustrations are comments on social
or political events or circumstances. This large-size volume collects samples
from the range of work Kuper has done in recent years; it includes as well as
Timeline beginning with the artist's birth in 1958 which cites the highlights
of his career with annotations and representative works.

The Reel World - Scoring for Pictures; A Practical Guide to the Art,
Technology, and Business of Composing for Film and Television by Jeff Rona.
Miller Freeman Books. 56 Hawthorne St. - Ste. 600, San Francisco, CA 94105;
800-848-5594. 2000. 272+x pp. $24.95 trade paper; 7-1/2" x 9-1/4"
(0-87930-591-6). photographs, illustrations, diagrams, resources, index.
(cinema; scores)
Rona has written scores for a film and TV series. He relates experienced
advice on technical and artistic aspects of scoring as well as the business end
of composing and selling music for films. Rona's subjects include developed
one's own style, understanding what producers are looking for, and using the
latest technology for composing scores.

Celtic Music edited by Kenny Mathieson. Backbeat Books, 600 Harrison St., San
Francisco, CA 94107. 2001. 192 pp. $19.95 trade paper; 7" x 9" (0-87930-623-8).
photographs, bibliography, index.
(music; Irish studies)
The origins and traditions of Celtic music in different parts of Europe
are noted, but the focus of the chapters is on contemporary popular Celtic
music. The Celtic music of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cape Breton, Brittany, and
Celtic Iberia is treated individually with a closing chapter summarizing the
"New Directions" gleaned from these various types of the music. A wide-ranging
introduction to this ethnic music and related musicians which have gained
attention from the interest in Irish and Celtic studies.

Henry Sugimoto - Painting an American Experience edited by Kristine Kim,
Foreword by Lawrence Small, Introduction by Karin Higa. Heyday Books, PO Box
9145, Berkeley, CA 94709. 2000. 141+xiv pp. $50.00 hardcover; 9" x 9"
(1-890771-38-4). $24.95 trade paper; 9" x 9" (1-890771-43-0). color
illustrations, photographs, bibliography.
(Japanese-American art)
The Japanese-American artist's paintings depict his travels to Europe and
Mexico as well as his Japanese heritage and most memorably his time in
internment by the U. S. during World War II. Sugimoto's style was noticeably
influenced by cubism, and by impressionism to a lesser degree. He died in 1900
after having spent most of his life in the U. S. after emigrated in the early
1900s. This volume coincides with an exhibition of Sugimoto's work at the
Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles from March to September, 2001.

Business/Employment
TUTORING AS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS - AN EXPERT TUTOR SHOWS YOU HOW by Eileen
Kaplan Shapiro. Nateen Publishing, PO Box 1916, Burbank, CA 91505. 2001.
244+xii pp. $18.95 trade paper (0-9672361-0-X) appendices, index
Shapiro tells the reader everything she needs to know about how to make an
income from tutoring at any level from elementary school through college. She
covers not only the generalities, but also several of the most common basic
subjects for tutors. The material Shapiro presents and the directions for it as
well as the advice she gives is relevant both for prospective tutors with a
degree in a particular subject and also for individuals to educate themselves
so they can go into business. Besides the subject matter and teaching end of
tutoring, the author also thoroughly, pertinently, and succinctly covers the
business end. Advertising and customer relations receive prominent treatment in
this section. Rounding out Shapiro's manual are profiles of certain types of
students, advice regarding Special Education and Learning Disability students
and concerns, and guidance on tutoring in the area of preparation for college
entrance exams. Shapiro's expert, practical manual comes from her own extensive
and varied experience in the field of teaching.

Telecommuting and Virtual Offices: Issues and Opportunities edited by Nancy
Johnson. Idea Group Publishing, 1331 E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, PA 17033-1117;
800-345-4332. 2001. 260 pp. no price given - trade paper (1-878289-79-9).
chapter notes, chapter bibliographies, charts, index.
(collected articles; technology; telecommuting)
Articles on community issues raised y telecommuting cover the legal
aspects and the public communications network needed for telecommuting. Another
article in this section examines telecommuting in Ireland, where this new form
of work has brought changes to the national economy. In the section on
"Employer Issues," telecommuting is considered mainly from the perspective of
management. The effects of telecommuting on employees are dealt with in the
third section, "Employee Issues." In all, thirteen essays by academics in the
field of computer science and business on central issues in the expanding field
of telecommuting.

Children's
Dad's by Howie Rubin; illustrated by Doug H by Doug Hastings. Howie Haus
Books., PO Box 83911, Portland, OR 97283. 2000. 32 pp. $16.95 hardcover
(0-9703971-1-9). color illustrations.
(picture books; family relations; ages 4-7)
Illustrations show fathers from many different countries in scenes with a
son or daughter. There's fathers and children from countries on every continent
with the fathers helping their children or showing affection for them. The
message of the illustrations is the nurturing role of fathers and also the role
of fathers teaching children lessons of practical skills of life.

Animal Tails by Ken Kawata; illustrated by Masayuki Yabuuchi. Kane/Miller Book
Publishers, PO Box 310529, Brooklyn, NY 11231-0529. 2001. 24 pp. $13.95
hardcover (1-929132-05-0). color illustrations.
(picture book; translation from Japanese; story; ages 3-6)
The different uses for animals' tales are reviewed--the cow uses its to
swat flies, the kangaroo uses its for balance, the monkey uses its like an
extra hand, and so on. Colorful, sharply-drawn illustrations exemplify the
different uses of the tails in this book first published in Japan.

Bilby Moon by Margaret Spurling; illustrated by Danny Snell. Kane/Miller Book
Publishers, PO Box 310529, Brooklyn, NY 11231-0529. 2001. 32 pp. $13.95
hardcover (1-929132-06-9). color illustrations.
(picture book; story; ages 3-6)
A bilby is a small, prairie dog-like animal in Australia. When Little
Bilby first comes out at night, she sees the moon shining brightly, and
believes that it is smiling at her. But then in succeeding nights, the moon
goes through its different phases until it is entirely gone. Little Bilby
becomes worried and asks other animals such as a lizard and a mole what is
happening to the moon, but they can't tell her. A few nights later, the moon
comes back, however, and goes through phases until it is a full moon again
smiling on Little Bilby.

Our Earth and Solar System by Ken Graun; Introduction by Thomas J. Bopp. Ken
Press, 4001 N. Paseo de Los Rancheros, Tucson, AZ 85745. 2001. 38 pp.
(1-928771-02-5). color photographs. illustrations, charts, glossary.
(astronomy; ages 8-12)
Sharp real-life photographs and graphic illustrations and diagrams convey
information about the planets and other heavenly bodies of the solar system.
Besides relating scientific facts, the text focuses on individuals and
technology which have added to the knowledge of the solar system.

Stolen Spirit by Peter Hays and Beti Rozen, illustrated by Graca Lima. Sem
Fronteiras Press, 1530 Palisade Ave. - Suite 2F, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. 2000. 32
pp. $11.95 trade paper (0-964-2331-2). color illustrations.
(picture book; story; ages 8-12)
The rite of passage of a 14-year-old Guarani Indian boy. The Guarani are a
Brazilian tribe. Alone in the forest, the boy dreams that he meets a
Portuguese explorer who takes him to Portugal. In the boy's dream, Brazil's
history and native culture are brought together. Lima's accompanying
illustrations are bright, expressionistic, and occasionally mystical befitting
the boy's dream. The folk tale-like character of the story with the dramatic
pictures make this a work adults could enjoy for its artistic qualities and
multicultural subject matter.

Hablos de Dios/Let's Talk About God. Liturgical Press, PO Box 7500,
Collegeville, MN 56321-7500. 2001. 28 pp. $9.95 hardcover (0-8146-2361-1).
illustrated cover, color illustrations.
(religion; picture book; bi-lingual; ages 3-6)
A bilingual introduction to God and his place in individuals' lives
through contact with the natural world and recognition of the differences and
well as the common bonds among persons. "If you close your eyes and imagine the
earth, the moon..., and everything there is in space, you begin to see how
great God is." Elsewhere, "we we realize that everything that happens to other
boys and girls is important, we feel God's presence."

The Garbage Monster - words by Joni Sensel, pictures by Chris Bivins. Dream
Factory, PO Box 847, Enumclaw, WA 98022-0874. 2001. 24 pp. $14.95 hardcover
(0-9701195-2-6). color illustrations.
(picture book, ecology; ages 4-8)
A humorous look at the production of garbage and refuse around a young boy
and girl's home, the disposal of it for space and health reasons, and the
taking away of it by a garbage/refuse collector. The garbage is represented as
an almost human, mischievous figure composed of diverse bits that can threaten
to take over the home. Bright, full-page illustrations of varying perspectives
along with the simple text enable young readers to absorb the book's lesson.

Get Along, Little Dogies - The Chisholm Trail Diary of Hallie Lou Wells, South
Texas 1878. Texas Tech U. Press, Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79410. 2001. 174 pp.
$14.50 hardcover; 5" x 7" (0-89672-446-8). map. photographs.
(fiction; regional history; southwestern U. S.; ages 8-14))
Fictional Hallie Lou Mills keeps a diary as she accompanies her father
driving a herd of cattle along the Chisholm Trail in the 1870s. Her own
activities, observations, and impressions are mixed with vignettes about others
cattle-drivers, details about the work of herding cattle, and descriptions of
the terrain and settlements along the Trail. The first of a planned Lone Star
Journals series for middle readers.

Ethnic/Minority
Warrior, Shield, and Star - Imagery and Ideology in Pueblo Warfare by Polly
Schaafsma. Western Edge Press, 126 Candelario St., Santa Fe, NM 87501. 2000.
204 + x pp. $24.95 trade paper; 7" x 10" (1-889921-06-8). color/b+w
photographs, illustrations, map, notes, bibliography, index.
(Native American studies; regional history)
Schaafsma widens the understanding of ancient Pueblo society by exploring
the place of warfare mainly through study of hieroglyphics and paintings on
rocks and other artifacts. This goes beyond the typical focus on dwellings and
artwork of the Pueblos. Plentiful visual material, some of it in color, goes
along with the text. A Native American anthropological study which bridges the
popular and the scholarly.

Rock-Art of the Southwest - A Visitor's Companion by Liz and Peter Welsh.
Wilderness Press, 1200 5th St., Berkeley, CA 94710-1306. 2000. 167+viii. $14.95
trade paper (0-89997-258-6). photographs, illustrations, resources, notes,
index.
(regional history and culture; Southwest Native American; guidebook)
A visitor's companion, as the subtitle says; but also more--a study of the
interesting and intriguing subject of rock-art of the Southwest for the general
reader. The authors take up controversial interpretations, attempt to clear up
common misconceptions, and discuss new perspectives on the Native American rock
art as well as relate the basics of it. In keeping with the "visitor's
companion" aspect of the book, the authors include information on 26 selected
rock art sites of the Southwest.

Fiction
Dixon's Edge by Dennis O'Keefe. Parintel Publishing, 4195 Valley Fair St. -
#104, Simi Valley, CA 93063. 1997. 303 pp. $15.00 trade paper (0-9702160-0-9).
(novel)
Charley Tree is a sixteen-year-old Apache Indian who escapes from a prison
where he and other Indians receive inhumane treatment. In trying to escape the
white men tracking him down to kill him or bring him back, Charley Tree leaves
his own trail of inhumanity. The novel delves into psychological complexity of
the relationships among the various individuals. Although Charley Tree remains
a central character, his escape and flight serves as an event for bringing
together the different individuals in pursuit of him. As the white men find
out, Charley Tree is not their primary enemy. O'Keefe uses his background as a
former police officer and private investigator from the Southwest in his novel
of the complexities and cruelties entailed in survival in the early days of the
Southwest frontier.

Planet New York by Tudor Alexander. Xlibris, 436 Walnut St., 11th floor, The
Independence Building, Philadelphia, PA 19106. 2000. (0-7388-3709-1).
(novel)
Contemporary American society through the eyes of Romanian immigrants. "We
stumbled into our first New York City hot dog stand, steamy and silvery...."
Lydia and Nicki immigrate to New York City. Lydia becomes pregnant as the
couple find themselves on their own. But they are energetic and resourceful. A
human-interest story about the striving, adjustments, and hopes of the
immigrant couple with descriptions and perspectives of contemporary urban life.

The Fruit of the Tree by Edith Wharton; Introduction by Donna Campbell.
Northeastern University Press, 360 Huntington Ave. - 416CP, Boston, MA 02115.
2000. 630+xlxi pp. $47.50 hardcover (1-55553-451-1). $18.95 trade paper
(1-55553-450-3).
(novel; 20th century)
A new edition of the Edith Wharton novel first published in 1907. Donna
Campbell who writes the Introduction is an Assistant Professor of English at
Gonzaga University. Most of Wharton's books deal with high society. But the
heroine of this one is Justine Brent, a nurse who takes care of a childhood
friend left paralyzed by a riding accident. Justine makes the difficult choice
of giving her an overdose of morphine after her friend begs Justine to help her
end the severe pain she constantly suffers. Divorce and drug addiction are
other elements of this novel that make it relevant to contemporary society as
well as representative of Wharton's drawing of characters and treatment of
social relationships.

History
Architects of Our Fortunes - The Journal of Aliza A. W. Otis, 1860-1863, with
Letters and Civil War Journal of Harrison Gray Otis edited an with an
Introduction by Ann Gorman Condon. Huntington Library Press, 1151 Oxford Rd.,
San Marino, CA 91108. 2001. 267+xli pp. $39.95 hardcover (0-87328-181-0).
photographs, footnotes, bibliography.
(women's studies; Civil War)
Aliza Otis and Harrison Otis have a claim to fame in being the founders of
the newspaper the "Los Angeles Times." Their letters are divided into two
sections, with the second the longest--letters up to 1859 covering the early
years of their marriage and letters during the Civl War. A third section is
Harrison Otis' Civil War diary. The multi-faceted writings deal with concerns
of the time relating to the conflict and also reflect the way of life and
sensibilities of the mid 1800s.

The Life of the Place Itself - Worldviews and the American West edited by Polly
Stewart, Steve Siporin, C. W. Sullivan III, and Suzi Jones. Utah State U.
Press, 7800 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-7800. 2000. 268 pp. $39.95 hardcover
(0-87421-408-6). $19.95 trade paper (0-87421-407-9). map, illustrations,
chapter notes, bibliography.
(collected essays; regional history and culture; U. S. West)
Sixteen essays by academics and writers on views of the West from a wide
range of perspectives. Among these include the West reflected in popular
culture, the romance of outlaws, Native American spirituality, and the West
through the eyes of Mormons, Mexicans, and other groups. Hundreds of references
are listed in the bibliography of about 15 pages.

Testimonio - A Documentary History of the Mexican American Struggle for Civil
Rights by F. Arturo Rosales. Arte Publico Press, U. of Houston, Houston, TX
77204-2174. 2000. 423+xix pp. $22.95 trade paper (1-55885-299-9). bibliography,
index.
(anthology; civil rights; Hispanic studies)
Rosales introduces each grouping of documents with an essay about the
themes, objectives, and circumstances of the Mexican struggle for civil rights.
This civil-rights' struggle began in the early 1800s. In many ways, it
paralleled the struggle of blacks and Irish and other racial or ethnic groups
in the U. S. At times, it became inter-involved with them, as in the
civil-rights' movement of the 1960s. Rosales collects assorted
documents--interviews, journal excerpts, legal documents, news articles,
statements of organizations, and others. A basic resource for this topic.

Their War - German Combat Photographs from the Archives of Signal by Will
Fowler and Mike Rose. Combined Publishing, 476 W. Elm St., Conshohocken, PA
19428; 800-418-6065. 2000. 160 pp. $29.95 hardcover; 7" x 10" (1-58097-040-0).
color/b+w photographs, index.
(World War II; photography)
Signal was a World War II German magazine for the purposes of propaganda.
Thus, this collection of photographs from it following the course of the war
pictures German forces favorably. But the reader understands the falseness of
the propaganda with photographs of Germans outside of Stalingrad, for instance,
or on Sicily just before the Allies invaded that island. The photographs show
German soldiers manning combat positions, advancing across fields or into
towns, and also relaxing in camps.

Robbing Banks - An American History, 1831-1999. Sarpedon, 49 Front St.
Rockville Centre, NY 11570. 2000. 235 pp. $24.95 hardcover (1-885119-64-X). b+w
photographs, appendices, bibliography, index.
(U. S. social history; cultural study; crime)
A popular history that begins with the James brothers and ends with
notorious bank heists of recent decades--e. g., the one involving Patricia
Hearst--and robberies by computers. Most of the bank robbers will be familiar,
as will J. Edgar Hoover's pursuit of them with the F. B. I. What Kirchner adds
to the subject is changes in techniques of bank robbing over the years and the
efforts of banks to prevent robberies. Kirchner also adds little-known and
often colorful material on the bank robbers.

Refuge from the Reich - American Airmen and Switzerland During World War II by
Stephen Tanner. Sarpedon, 49 Front St., Rockville Centre, NY 11570. 2000. 272
pp. $25.00 hardcover (1-885119-70-4). maps, photographs, bibliography, index.
(World War II; U. S. Army Air Corps
A popular history of this specialized and until this book, practically
uncovered area of World War II. Tanner, author of two previous books on
military history, includes material on the missions the downed pilots were on,
how they managed to land in Switzerland, relations between the airmen and the
Swiss, and how the airmen lived until they were able to be repatriated. A title
for any complete collection of World War II studies or the air war in Europe in
particular.

Instrument of War - Vol. I of the Austrian Army in the Seven Years War by
Christopher Duffy. Emperor's Press, 7047 North Barry St., Rosemont, IL 60018.
2000. 493 pp. $37.50 hardcover; 8-1/2" x 11" (1-883476-19-4). maps,
illustrations, appendices, notes, bibliography, index.
(European history; 18th century)
A detailed study of the Austrian Army of the Empress Maria Theresa which
she depended on to maintain the integrity of the Austrian state against the
designs of the German emperor Frederick the Great. The Austrian army which
served the empress well also had a role in opposing Napoleon's efforts to
conquer Europe after the French Revolution. There is not a facet of the
Austrian Army Duffy overlooks. He deals with pay, uniforms, provisions, leave,
regulations, average ages, and many other subjects to give not only a
meticulous picture of the Army, but also a portrait of the society of the time.
The larger, common subjects of organization and strategy are also covered.
Duffy is the author of other works on armies of this period. In this masterful
work on the Austrian Army, he also relates its operations in the campaigns,
wars, and political and diplomatic maneuvering of the time.

How to Do Civil War Research by Richard A. Sauers. Combined Publishing, PO Box
307, Conshohocken, PA 19428. 2000; revised edition. 160 pp. $9.95 trade paper
(1-58097-041-9).illustrations, resources, appendix. index.
(Civil War; research guide)
Listings of references in all categories from period newspapers to the
Internet. Many of the listings are annotated; and Sauers gives some guidance on
getting organized in preparation for research and on writing articles from the
research.

Annals of a Fortress - Twenty-Two Centuries of Siege Warfare by E.
Violettet-Le-Duc; New Introduction by Christopher Duffy. Greenhill Books
(London)/Stackpole Books (PA), 5067 Ritter Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. 2000.
390+xviii pp. $19.95. trade paper (1-85367-429-X). illustrations, diagrams,
glossary.
(military history)
This book was first published in France in 1874. Violettet-le-Duc posits
an imaginary spot of land in France involved in conflicts from the time of the
Roman invasion of Gaul up to wars of the eighteenth century. This spot of land
is the site for different types of fortresses over the centuries. The author
describes the different assaults and defenses of the fortress in each of the
conflicts of the successive centuries. With this technique , Violettet-le-Duc
details the evolution of fortresses and also warfare through the centuries.
Assaults variously involved outright attacks, sieges, tunneling, and
bombardment. The work is a classic in military history now available unabridged
in paperback.

Xenophon and the Art of Command by Godfrey Hutchinson. Greenhill Books
(London)/Stackpole Books (PA), 5067 Ritter Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. 2000.
272 pp. $34.95 hardcover (1-85367-417-6). photographs, diagrams, appendices,
chronology, bibliography, index.
(ancient history; military history
Xenophon was a Greek who was named general of a Greek army stranded in
Persia after the soldiers mutinied and executed the leading officers.
Hutchinson's book is a thematic study of Xenophon's famous work "Anabasis"
about his leadership of the army back to Greece. Xenophon touched on every
conceivable subject of armies and leadership, including the ideal commander,
encampment, training, battle tactics, intelligence, special forces, and morale.
Hutchinson's thorough and knowledgeable study of the "Anabasis" identifies
timeless military principles while also giving a picture of military campaigns
in classical times.

Proximity to Power - Neighbors to the Presidents Near Lafayette Square by
Jeanne Fogle, illustrated by Edward F. Fogle. Tour de Force Publications, PO
Box 2782, Washington, DC 20013. 1999. 250+iv pp. $19.95 hardcover
(0-9676095-7-7). map, illustrations, notes, index.
(Washington, D. C.)
Historical background on 29 historic buildings surrounding the White
House. Franklin House, the Old Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Club,
Sidell House, the Red Cross building, and many buildings on Jackson Place are
among these. Fogle's book satisfies the curiosity of tourists and the interest
of historians.

The Infamous Governor - Francis Bernard and the Origins of the American
Revolution by Colin Nicolson. Northeastern U. Press, 360 Huntington Ave, 416CP,
Boston, MA 02115. 2000. 326+xiii pp. $50.00 hardcover (1-55553-463-5).
illustrations, notes, bibliography, index.
(American history; 18th century)
Francis Bernard was the Royal governor appointed by the British Crown for
the colonies of New Jersey and Massachusetts in the years leading up to the
American Revolution. He was on the front lines of relations between the
colonists and George III. While Bernard cannot be pointed to as the cause of
the Revolution, his behavior and policies with respect to these important
colonies aggravated problematic and increasingly strained relations between the
colonists and Britain. Nicolson, a lecturer in U. S. history at the U. of
Stirling in Scotland follows and analyzes Bernard's unique role in the path
leading to open warfare between the colonists and Britain. In doing so, the
author deals with both Bernard's ambitious, heedless personality and also his
role and decisions as representative of Britain.

Marine Tanks Battles in the Pacific by Oscar E. Gilbert. Combined Publishing,
476 West Elm St., Conshohocken, PA 19428. 2001. 350 pp. $34.95 hardcover
(1-58097-050-8). maps, photographs, notes, bibliography, index.
(WWII; Pacific Theater)
One doesn't often see tanks in films and photographs of Marine assaults on
islands in the Pacific in World War II. However, as Gilbert, covers in this
book, tanks were a basic factor in plans for the beachhead assaults and
movement inland. Gilbert describes the important tactical role of tanks in the
Marine assaults in the course of the island-hopping from Guadalcanal to
Okinawa. His discussion of this is complemented with first-hand accounts of
tank crewman and Marine infantry working in conjunction with tanks. Gilbert's
work will change many readers' understanding of how the War in the Pacific was
fought by the Marines.

The Hub - Boston Past and Present by Thomas H. O'Connor. Northeastern U. Press,
360 Huntington Ave. - 460CP, Boston, MA 02115. 2001. 310+15 pp. $24.95
hardcover (1-55553-474-0). map, photographs, illustrations, bibliography,
index.
(U. S. history, regional history)
O'Connor's history covers the city of Boston from its founding in the
early 1600s up to recent time. The focus is on the influence of Boston in
American history and society. At times, Boston served as a beacon, as in the
movement toward independence leading up the the Revolutionary War; and at
times, the traditions and ideals of the city reached out into the rest of the
country, as when J. F. K. became president and with the role of Tip O'Neill,
Teddy Kennedy, and other prominent national politicians from Boston. O'Connor
deals not only with historical events, but also with themes of Boston's history
such as racial tensions and the growing commercialism competing with
traditional political and social values. O'Connor is an emeritus professor of
history at Boston College who has written previous books on Boston.

The Small Press Book Review is posted periodically on the newsgroup
alt.books.reviews. Books for general readers in all categories from small
presses, independent publishers, and university presses are reviewed. Review
copies can be sent to P. O. Box 176, Southport, CT 06490. Henry Berry is the
Review's editor/publisher.