MBR: Reviewer's Choice
Midwest Book Review
The Passion Of Ayn Rand's Critics
James Stevens Valliant
Durban House Publishing
7502 Greenville Avenue, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75231
Holly White & Associates (Publicity)
29734 Nella Lane, Vista, CA 92084
1930754671 $27.95 www.durbanhouse.com
Controversial philosopher and successful novelist Ayn Rand was the
subject of posthumous biographies by Nathaniel Branden and Barbara
Branden. These biographies gave misleading portrayals of Rand's life
and character. Now in James Valliant's The Passion Of Ayn Rand's
Critics: The Case Against The Brandens, a long awaited corrective is
applied as readers are provided for the first time with Rand's own
never-before-seen journal entries on the Brandens, as well as the first
in-depth analysis of the Brandens' own works which reveal their
profoundly inaccurate and simply unjust depiction of their former
mentor. A welcome and highly recommended read (especially for those
with an interest in the life, work, and thought of Ayn Rand), The
Passion Of Ayn Rand's Critics debunks the myths promulgated by the
Brandens and makes an informed and informative contribution to a truer
understanding of the value and controversies of Ayn Rand's
contributions philosophical legacy.
The Power Of A Wish
Ali Lauren Spizman
Active Parenting Publishing
c/o The Spizman Agency Media & Public Relations
5280 Cross Roads Manor, Atlanta, GA 30327
1597230812 $14.95 www.ActiveParenting.com
The Power Of A Wish: A Celebration Of Love, Hope & Gratitude by Ali
Spizman (an 18-year- old volunteer ambassador for the Mask-A-Wish
Foundation of America) is a compendium of personal stories about the
"wish kids" and their unforgettable experiences as their wishes were
granted, providing them and their families with happy life-affirming
events. Several of these wish kids profiled in The Power Of A Wish were
able to go on to lead healthier, productive lives beyond their
childhood. Included are heart-warming letters of gratitude and thanks
written by the children and their families, along with personal
reflections from volunteers, staff members, and celebrities ranging
from Jazz legend David Brubeck, to skateboard legend Tony Hawk. The
stories themselves range from 16-year-old Alex who saw his own car
designs turned into full- color, 3-D images and a clay model by General
Motors vehicle designers; to 14-year-old aspiring artist Shelby who
toured Paris as part of her wish, and went on to create the painting
used as the cover art for The Power Of A Wish. These and dozens of
other uplifting stories make for the kind of reading that inspires us
all to do what we can to make wishes come true for children everywhere.
Best AltWeekly Writing And Design 2005
Ruth Hammond & La Shonya McNeil, editors
AAN Press
1250 "I" Street NW, Suite 804, Washington, DC 20005-5982
0977047105 $19.95 1-800-494-3537 www.aan.org/2005awardsbook
Publishing articles that defy conventional expectations by definitively
addressing uncomfortable points of view on the social, political, and
economic issues of the day is a hallmark of the 126 "alternative
newsweeklies" (non-daily free-circulation papers with distinct, local
identities distinguishing them from their corporate mainstream press
contemporaries) serving their readerships in the United States and
Canada. Forty of the best of those published stories are collected and
showcased by the collaborative editorial work of Ruth Hammond and La
Shonya McNeil in Best AltWeekly Writing And Design 2005. One of these
journalism pieces went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in Investigative
Report: Nigel Jaquiss' series in the Willamette Week exposing a
decades-old secret about Oregon's former governor Neil Goldschmidt who
had sexually abused a teenage babysitter when he was mayor of Portland.
The forty stories comprising Best AltWeekly Writing And Design 2005
were winners in nineteen diverse categories but every one of them was a
compelling read that ranges from pointed political commentary, as well
as art and music criticism, the role of photography, and issues of
illustration and layout. Best AltWeekly Writing And Design 2005 is a
recommended addition to Journalism School supplemental reading lists
and academic library reference collections.
Danes In Wisconsin
Frederick Hale
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
University of Wisconsin, dist.
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706
www.wisconsinhistory.org/publications
0870203665 $9.95 1-800-621-2736
Now in a newly revised and expanded edition, Danes In Wisconsin is a
brief history of Danish immigrants and their contribution to Wisconsin
settlement and history during the 1800's. Vintage black-and-white
photographs illustrate this fascinating introduction, written for lay
readers, to how Danish settlers lived and how they struggled to
preserve their culture. New to revised and expanded addition are the
letters of Andrew Frederickson, written over a forty-year span, which
succinctly capture the personal experiences of a Dane who made a new
life for himself in Wisconsin. A brief yet savory and entertaining
tidbit of Wisconsin history, especially recommended as a gift or
souvenir book.
Tales From The Wisconsin Badgers
Justin Doherty
Sports Publishing
804 North Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820
www.SportsPublishingLLC.com
1582614083 $19.95 1-877-807-6034
Tales From The Wisconsin Badgers by Justin Doherty (Director of
Athletic communications, University of Wisconsin) is a compilation of
anecdotes, personal recollections, and original research that provides
the reader with glimpses of what makes Wisconsin Badgers football both
unique and inherently interesting. Doherty surveys the entire history
of the Badger football program from its humble beginnings through the
glory years of head coach Barry Alvarez. Along the way readers are
treated to the bizarre tale of "Kangaroo Kicker" Pat O'Dea, the
mysterious discovery of a long-forgotten trophy of one of college
football's longest rivalries in a Camp Randall storeroom nearly 50
years after its disappearance, a 23-game winless streak finally broken
with a victory over archrival Iowa in 1969, and dozens of other
humorous, poignant, and memorable stories about the Wisconsin Badgers.
Drawing upon personal interviews with more than two dozen players,
coaches, and staff members, Tales From The Wisconsin Badgers is a "must
read" sports team history for all Badger fans and an essential
acquisition for Wisconsin's community libraries for future generations
of Badger football enthusiasts!
The Golden Age Of Handbuilt Bicycles
Jan Heine, author
Jean-Pierre Praderes, photographer
Vintage Bicycle Press
140 Lakeside Ave., Suite C, Seattle, WA 98122
www.vintagebicyclepress.com
0976546000 $60.00 www.amazon.com
Jan Heine (the Editor of Vintage Bicycle Quarterly magazine) presents
The Golden Age Of Handbuilt Bicycles, a lavishly illustrated and
beautifully presented showcase of classic bicycles created with
exquisite craftsmanship, and strict attention to detail and
practicality alike. Featuring full-color photography by Jean-Pierre
Praderes throughout, The Golden Age Of Handbuilt Bicycles offers a very
brief commentary about the features and special distinctions of each
brand of bicycle, from the Schulz (1935-1937) to the Rene Herse
(1946-1947) to the Caminargent (1951) and many more. Each individual
bicycle type has approximately two to four pages of superb color
photography, including in-close shots, as well as a handful of vintage
black-and-white photos of the bikes being used by people pepper this
elaborate compendium especially recommended for collectors and hobby
enthusiasts. The Golden Age Of Handbuilt Bicycles is very highly
recommended for cycling enthusiasts.
Things No Longer There
Susan Krieger
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Madison, WI 53711
www.wisc.edu/wisconsinpress
0299208648 $19.95 1-800-621-2736
These are personal stories of the author Susan Krieger's slow loss of
sight and provides ten brief reflections and one novella-length drama
which follows Susan's birdwatching in a New Mexico desert, learning to
use a white cane, and final enjoyment of life's visions before losing
her sight. Outer landscapes may change, but inner vision persists - and
Susan Krieger faces disability and a changed life with renewed vision.
Things No Longer There is very highly recommended reading.
Front Of The Class
Brad Cohen & Lisa Wysocky
VanderWyk & Burnham
PO Box 2789, Acton, MA 01720-6789
1889242241 $22.95 www.VandB.com
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder causing uncontrollable
motor or vocal tics such as blinking, jerking, throat clearing, and
"barking" noises. About ten percent of Tourette Syndrom sufferers have
the type of verbal tick that vocalizes foul languages. Today about
100,000 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with full-blown Tourette
syndrome. Back the early 1980s, when seven-year-old Brad Cohen
developed Tourette Syndrome, the condition was almost unknown and
always misunderstood. Brad was taunted, ridiculed, and even physically
attacked through his elementary, junior high and high school years
because of his condition. Other children, teachers, and sometimes even
his own family members found it difficult to be around him. Even now,
as an adult in 2005, Brad still gets kicked out of some restaurants and
theaters, despite carrying his Americans with Disabilities Act card.
Fron Of The Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me The Teacher I Never
Had is the autobiographical story of how Brad was able deal with his
condition and become an educator and motivational speaker. Included are
twenty-three motivational tips on living with any disability. Strongly
recommended reading, especially for anyone similarily afflicted, Front
Of The Class is the remarkable story of a remarkable man who learned to
deal with a marked and all too remarkable affliction.
The Story Of The Irish Pub
Cian Molloy
Dufour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
www.dufoureditions.com
1904148131 $29.95 1-800-869-5677
Any Irish reader interested in Irish history will want to turn to Cian
Molloy's The Story Of The Irish Pub, an intoxicating history of
family-owned pubs in Ireland and a key to understanding Irish history
and culture that blends profiles of over 100 such pubs with a history
of the licensed trade across Ireland. While black and white photos and
plenty of maps lend to The Story Of The Irish Pub's "take along"
importance for a trip to the 'old country'. Armchair readers will find
much to delight their eye in The Story Of The Irish Pub..
Nolo Press
950 Parker St., Berkeley, Ca 94710
Two essential references should be on the shelf of any public library:
they provide invaluable information for a wide range of audiences. The
12th edition of How To File For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (141330-1797,
$29.99) by Attorneys Stephen Elias, Albin Renauer and Robin Leonard
doesn't just explain Chapter 7 and the other bankruptcy options and
their effects on credit and lives: it includes all the forms and
step-by-step details needed to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. From
associated problems such as stopping creditor calls and harassment to
fending off wage garnishments, collections, and more; How To File For
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy provides important keys to moving on and starting
over. The 11th edition of Attorney Anthony Mancuso's How To Form A
Nonprofit Corporation In California (1413303722, $49.99) includes all
the forms on cd-rom and easy instructions which are keys to creating a
do-it-yourself nonprofit entity without a lawyer's fees. From filing
articles and bylaws to preparing meeting minutes, the latest rules are
discussed for California organizations. Both are outstanding, important
references.
We Know What You Want
Martin Howard
Disinformation
163 - 3rd Avenue, #108, NY NY 10003
1932857052 $13.95 www.disinfo.com
Corporations and governments are sharing some of the same tactics to
manipulate consumer attitudes and perceptions, and it's time to
understand the roots of these messages in We Know What You Want: How
They Change Your Mind. From retail sales to media, events, and virtual
reality, case studies spotlight 'trend' origins, influences, and
underlying goals in a thought-provoking, often frightening, clear set
of examples and discussions. A 'must read' for any interested in
business, marketing, consumerism and beyond.
What Does Al-Qaeda Want?
Robert O. Marlin IV
Terra Nova/North Atlantic Books
PO Box 12327, Berkeley, CA 94712
www.northatlanticbooks.com
1556435487 $9.95 1-800-337-2665
President Bush says al-Qaeda has attacked because of their hatrid of
freedom and democracy - but the average Islamic peoples' real
grievances are what rallies support for the group, more than an overall
idealogy. What Does Al-Qaeda Want? Unedited Communiques offers text of
taped messages, decrees, and interviews with bin Laden and other
al-Qaeda leaders in an effort to use primary sources to define more
clearly al-Qaeda's objectives and concerns. What Does Al-Qaeda Want? is
a'must' for anyone who would gain informed, unedited perspectives on
al-Qaeda and its purposes.
Backyard Catapults
Bill Wilson
Loompanics Unlimited
PO Box 1107, Port Townsend, WA 98368
1559502460 $10.00 loompanics.com
Bill Wilson is no newcomer to catapults - nor to writing about them.
His first book on the topic provided many insights: Backyard Catapults:
How To Built Your Own offers even more, from photos of the building
process updated by more recent plans and ideas to catapult websites and
contests around the country. Packed with black and white photos and
diagrams, Backyard Catapults is a must for any interested in the topic.
The King's English
Betsy Burton
Gibbs Smith
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
1586856871 $24.95 1-800-748-5439
While The King's English: Adventures Of An Independent Bookseller might
seem to be about one small bookstore's experiences, it's actually much
more: a lively survey of books, the love of reading, encounters with
famous authors, and handling customers at the retail level. Blend in
accounts of novelists and book signing events with book lists and
social and political issues surrounding the literary and publishing
worlds and you have far more than an autobiography.
Opium
Collin R. Shearing
Mercury Books
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Dr., Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
190466850X $25.00 1-800-758-3756
Opium has held a mixed history in human affairs, moving from being a
gift to humanity to being viewed as the addictive scourge of mankind.
Opium: A Journey Through Time is a lovely documentation of these
transitions, going back five thousand years to consider its origins in
human affairs, to modern times. Gorgeous color illustrations pack
Shearing's journey, providing a strong artistic accent to the story of
opium's pros and cons.
The Ferguson Tractor Story
Stuart Gibbard
Old Pond/Diamond Farm Book Pub.
PO Box 537, Bailey Setlement Road, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
1903366089 $36.03 diamondfarm.com
There's a new interest in tractors and farm equipment history and
fitting right in with this growing interest in Stuart Gibbard's The
Ferguson Tractor Story, an outstanding history pairing vintage black
and white and more modern color photos with a clear survey of the
Ferguson tractor's invention, evolution and development over the years.
Prototypes, variations on designs, and even models which existed only
on paper are packed into a colorful, lively coverage which should
easily reach beyond the specialized enthusiast market it's intended
for.
Mark Batty Publisher
6050 Boulevard East, #2H, West New York NJ 07093
www.markbattypublisher.com
There are over 177 miles of man-made tunnels and old quarries under the
streets of Paris - and they aren't completely abandoned in modern
times, but have become a focus for urban culture and art. For over 300
years visitors have chosen these tunnels to comment on events above
ground: Caroline Archer & Alexandre Parre's Paris Underground
(0972424075) charts both old and new material over the decades,
providing an important survey of the history leading to the evolution
of an 'underground alternative gallery'. Packed with images and
examples, Paris Underground is an essential guide for any who would
fully understand ALL the art of Paris. Nicole Recchia's Warning
(0972563695) gathers wordless warning signs from common sources,
organizing 'Death and Disaster' chapters by fire, crushing, falling and
others, and adding a 'truly bizarre' section for those which fit
nowhere else. Having the graphic warning labels side by side allows for
some intriguing comparisons of design styles in this unique guide to
contemporary disaster prevention.
State Trends
Morgan Quinto Press
PO Box 1656, Lawrence, KS 66044-8656
0740109472 $59.95 morganquinto.com
College collections and public library reference holdings which get
traffic in business research will want to make sure the latest 2nd
updated edition of State Trends: Measuring Change In The 50 United
States is on the reference shelf. From details on how much a college
education has increased over the past 20 years to women in the
workforce and health insurance standards, State Trends contrasts a new
set of trends in the areas of employment, education, social welfare,
and much more, measuring trends for 40 key quality of life factors. An
excellent statistical compilation.
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