Midwest Book Review: Reviewer's Choice
MWBOOKREVW
Shadow Club
Roberto Casati
Knopf
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
0375407278 $24.00 www.amazon.com
Roberto Casati's Shadow Club about shadows goes far beyond their usual
definitions to probe shadow's legends, influence on myth and religious beliefs,
and changing scientific concepts of the shadow both on Earth and in space.
Shadow Club is very highly recommended as an intriguing blend of history,
science and anthropology evolves which presents unusual insights into shadows
and their lasting impact on mankind.
Ivan R. Dee
1332 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60622-2632
1-800-462-6420 www.amazon.com
Peter Temes Just War (1566635349, $25.00) provides a critical history of the
kind of thinking which leads to wars based on ethics and principles. Temes asks
why there should be moral principles of war in the first place, and provides
pointed criticism of the history and thinking surrounding a Just War morality.
Roger Kimball's Lives Of The Mind (5241, $16.95) offers a critical survey of
the use and abuse of intelligence from Hegel to Wodehouse, offering a special
focus of how intelligence can be used and abused. From Plutarch and Kierkegaard
to Russell, Kimball examines Western intellectual and artistic progress. Roger
Kimball's Art's Prospect (1566635098, $26.00) is recommended for art libraries,
providing a scholarly assessment of the avant-garde's assault on tradition in
contemporary art culture. His survey of what is/becomes 'cutting edge' in the
art world and his critical view of established trends provides a new view of
the most critical art movements being less flagrant in style and approach.
Richard Schickel's Woody Allen: A Life In Film (5284, $22.50) provides a rare
interview about the range of his works, presenting the complete four-hour
interview between Allen and critic Schickel rather than a portion of it, which
became a program for TCM. Fans of Allen's works and life will find this a
'must', packed with rare autobiographical insights.
The Little Big Book For Brides
Katrina Fried & Lena Tabori
Welcome Enterprises Inc.
6 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
0941807258 $24.95 1-212-989-3200
Collaboratively compiled and organized by Katrina Fried and Lena Tabori, The
Little Big Book For Brides is filled with advice, traditions, stories,
activities, poetry, essays, recipes, and some just plain humor about and
concerning brides everywhere. A fun book to read through, nicely illustrated
from cover to cover in full color, and projecting it's own unique brand of
whimsy, The Little Big Book For Brides is the perfect gift for the bridal
shower as well as being an enthusiastically recommended read for its enjoyment
and introduction to American marriage customs.
The New Economy Of Nature
Gretchen C. Daily & Katherine Ellison
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Ave., N.W., #300, Washington, DC 20009-1148
www.islandpress.org
1559631546 $15.00 1-800-828-1302
The New Economy Of Nature: The Quest To Make Conservation Profitable is both a
business and environmental book. Gretchen C. Daily and Katherine Ellison study
the ways that human self-interest can be harnessed to protect Mother Earth, as
pure philanthropy combined with government regulations simply are not enough by
themselves to stand against naked human greed and unchecked commercial
exploitation. From crises in biodiversity, to issues of the stratosphere, The
New Economy Of Nature cogently draws upon ideas, examples, and situations
worldwide to lend hope for the cause of financially motivated conservation. The
New Economy Of Nature is an important contribution to Environmental Studies and
highly recommended reading for anyone seeking to operating a successful
commercial venture through making conservation profitable.
101 Female Uses For Pink Duct Tape
Jessica Anderson & Jolene Hodson
Kelly Frankenberg, illustrator
Beaver's Pond Press
5125 Danen's Drive, Edina, MN 55439
www.pink-duct-tape.com
1592980155 $9.95 BeaversPondPress.com
The creatively collaborative effort of Jessica Anderson and Jolene Hodson, 101
Female Uses For Pink Duct Tape is a humorous joke book of sprightly verse and
silly illustrations by Kelly Frankenberg of inventive uses for pink duct tape.
Written purely as a lark, offering an extra chuckle to men and women
everywhere, suggestions include whimsical ideas such as "It's easy to pick up
that last bit of dust. / If in pink duct tape you place all your trust. / To
make your floor-cleaning chores a breeze, / Duct tape foam pads to comfort sore
knees."
Mountain Press
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
1-800-234-5308 www.amazon.com
Stephen Harris' Fire Mountains Of The West (087842220X, $18.00) provides a
fascinating geologic history of the Cascade and Mono Lake volcanoes of
California. One might anticipate a technical discourse involving many
geological facts: think again: this title provides an unusually lively,
engaging dialogue which assumes no prior scientific background. From specific
hazards of volcanoes to keys to viewing inactive volcanoes, this is an
important guide. David Alt's Glacial Lake Missoula And Its Humongous Floods
(0878424156, $15.00) presents geologist's view of how a huge Ice Age lake
drained suddenly – not once, but repeatedly. The resultant creation of rivers
and waterways and dramatic changes to the landscape make for an involving,
important guide. Ian Lange's Ice Age Mammals Of North America (0878424032,
$20.00) provides a guide to the big, harry ice age mammals which roamed North
America. New information coming from DNA analysis is changing our knowledge of
these creatures: this book covers their history and the global migration
patterns of ice age mammals around the world as the continents changed.
Cowboy Gear
David Stoecklein
Dober Hill Ltd.
PO Box 856, Ketchum, ID 83340
0922029113 $60.00 www.amazonc.om
This visual display is a lavish coffee table book suitable for any cowboy
enthusiast: it gathers photos of early cowboys and their equipment, focusing on
the lavish gear and the finest products made. Cowboy Gear will prove starting
in several ways: not only is the overall variety of gear a highlight, but many
of the photos are in color for the first time. Cowboy Gear comes from a
collector and a rancher whose work is exceptional.
Arboretum America
Diana Beresford-Kroeger
University of Michigan Press
PO Box 1104, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1104
0472068512 $24.95 press.umich.edu
In Arboretum America: A Philosophy Of The Forest, botanist, medical researcher,
and agricultural expert, Diana Beresford-Kroeger celebrates a diversity of
trees and plants including how they can counteract the effects of pollution and
global warming; which native plants complement the "bioplan"; how to plan them
with ideas and tips; the medicinal uses trees and plants have had from the
inception of aboriginal cultures down to the modern day, and so much more.
Inviting, full-color photography by Christian H. Kroeger and an informative
Foreword by Edward O. Wilson nicely embellish this informed and informative
presentation which vibrantly reflects the Diana Beresford-Kroeger's love of
nature and enduring passion for scientific inquisition. Arboretum America is an
especially recommended addition to Ecological Studies reference collections and
Botanical Studies supplemental reading lists.
The Chronology Of Genesis
Neil Zimmerer
Adventures Unlimited Press
PO Box 74, Kempton, IL 60946
www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com
1931882223 $16.95 1-815-253-6390
Ably written by lifelong student of Sumerian history Neil Zimmerer, The
Chronology Of Genesis: A Complete History Of The Nefilim deftly explores the
creation of the universe, evolution, the history of Sumerian Nefilim kings,
their dynasties, and their enduring legacy for the modern day. A fascinating
and at times iconoclastic historical chronology of the lives and reigns of
great and not-so-great rulers, The Chronology Of Genesis is enthusiastically
recommended reading, especially to students of Metaphysical Studies,
Alternative Archaeology, and Antiquarian History.
Packers By The Numbers
John Maxymuk
Prairie Oak Press
c/o Trails Media Group
PO Box 317, Black Earth, WI 53515
www.trailsbooks.com
1879483904 $19.95 1-800-236-8088
Divided into 99 chapters, one for each number, Packers By The Numbers: Jersey
Numbers And The Players Who Wore Them by John Maxymuk specifically profiles
famous players of the Wisconsin Green Bay Packer football team as arranged by
the assigned numbers on their football jerseys. Concise yet packed from cover
to cover with information and statistics, Packers By The Numbers is an
engaging, easy-to-pick-up reference which is most especially recommended for
dedicated Packers fans!
Vinegar
Vicki Lansky
Book Peddlers
15245 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN 55345
0916773531 $8.95 1-800-255-3379
In Vinegar, Vicki Lansky (a contributing editor to "Family Circle" magazine)
provides homemakers with a complete and comprehensive household reference to
the uses of vinegar as a home remedy, diet aid, stain remover, condiment, odor
eater, grooming aid, preservative, cleaner, recipe ingredient, and more. Lansky
reveals the history of this versatile kitchen ingredient along with such
invaluable advice as to how to make basic vinegar, how long it can be safely
stored, and how to make flavored vinegars. There is even information about
vinegar museums and science tricks involving vinegar and suitable for kids to
perform. Vinegar is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to
family and community library reference collections.
Once And Future Myths
Phil Cousineau
Conari Press/Red Wheel/Weiser
368 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
www.redwheelweiser.com
1573248649 $17.95 1-800-423-7087
Once And Future Myths: The Power Of Ancient Stories In Our Lives by Phil
Cousineau is an absorbing treatise on the importance of myths - whether as
ancient legends, history, or the tales repeated in modern movies and popular
culture. These timeless stories reflect and shape the lives of those who tell
and enjoy them, and striving to understand them is a path to better examining
and understanding oneself. A thoughtful and eruditely written account, Once And
Future Myths is especially recommended reading for students of mythology,
personal growth, and the universality of the human condition.
Taking Care Of Mom & Dad
Mike Rust
Silver Lake Publishing
2025 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
www.silverlakepub.com
1563437406 $17.95 1-888-663-3091
Taking Care Of Mom & Dad: The Money, Politics And Emotions That Come With
Supporting Your Parents is a straightforward guide by actuary and retirement
issues expert Mike Rust on dealing with the diverse and inherent financial and
emotional issues of supporting elderly parents by adult children. In an era
when Social Security and Medicare can no longer be relied upon, Taking Care Of
Mom & Dad covers the critically import issues of getting the best health
insurance; organizing pension benefits; investing parental money safely and
efficiently; using living wills, powers of attorney, and trusts; long-term care
options; coping with family turmoil, and more. Taking Care Of Mom & Dad is
fundamentally import reading for anyone charged with the responsibility of
assisting their parents or other aging adult family members with respect to
their financial, insurance, medical, legal, and long-term needs.
The Origins Of The Messianic Ideal
Robert Wolfe
J-Rep
179-54 80th Road, Jamaica, NY 11432
0964246538 $12.00 jey...@compuserve.com
The Origins Of The Messianic Ideal by Robert Wolfe is a secular analysis of how
and why the idea of the "Messiah" became to be so pervasively crucial in Jewish
and Christian cultures. Taking the standpoint that the Messianic ideal was not
a concept that fell from the sky, but rather an evolving belief that grew out
of Jewish hopes and needs several thousand years ago, The Origins Of The
Messianic Ideal is a scholarly, inherently interesting, and thought-provoking
study that is confidently recommended for theology students and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in Judaic Studies and/or Christian Studies.
Living With Stuttering
Kenneth O. St. Louis
Populore Publishing Company
3411 University Avenue, Morgantown, WV 26505
0965269949 $19.95 www.populore.com
Compiled by Kenneth O. St. Louis, Living With Stuttering: Stories, Basics,
Resources And Hope is comprised of twenty-five true stories of people who live
with stuttering and enhanced with a wealth of thematically appropriate
resources. Information about the basics of stuttering, what is known about its
causes and treatments, and a great deal more fill the pages of this excellent
and enthusiastically recommended resource for people who stutter, as well as
those who work or live with stutterers.
There Was A Young Girl From Verona
Max Gutmann, author & Jerry Seltzer, illustrator
Doggerel Daze
c/o Poetic Vision Press
10144 Riedel Place, Cupertino, CA 95014
0972282009 $8.95 www.ddaze.com
Max Gutmann's There Was A Young Girl From Verona: A Limerick Cycle Based On The
Complete Dramatic Works Of Shakespeare is a collection of humorous limericks
(some of which are sufficiently violent or raunchy to be unsuitable for
children) based upon the works of William Shakespeare. Whimsical
black-and-white illustrations by Jerry Seltzer add a wry touch to these amusing
and lighthearted rhymes. Hamlet: Here's The question: to be or to not?/Is it
nobler to suffer or rot?/For time's whips and time's scorn/Are too great to be
born./On the other hand, death's not so hot.
A Life Full Of Days
Chalmers Dale
1st Books Library
Gulotta Communications (publicity)
2595 West Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404-2782
141072607X $23.50 1-800-839-8640, www.1stbooks.com
A Life Full Of Days is the personal memoir of Emmy award-winning CBS news
producer Chalmers (Chum) Dale, and entails the globe-spanning journalism that
brought him face-to-face with distinguished citizens ranging from Martin Luther
King Jr. to Bob Hope. Recounting his life from a confused childhood to his
adult determination to seek out evidence of the human condition for all to see,
A Life Full Of Days is an absorbing read and a highly recommended addition to
community library American Biography collections.
Financially Focused Project Management
Thomas M. Cappels
J. Ross Publishing
6501 Park of Commerce Blvd., Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL 33487
1932159096 $64.95 www.jrosspub.com
Financially Focused Project Management by Thomas M. Cappels is a
straightforward business guide to saving hundreds of millions of corporate
dollars by learning from the best practices of hundreds of successful
companies. Individual chapters address accurately and comprehensively assess
aspects of project risks, management strategies for the changing technology of
the 21st century, proposals and pricing, and more. A solidly presented guide
Financially Focused Project Management is filled from cover to cover with
practical, applicable, insightful, "hit-the-ground-running", goal-oriented
corporate financial management advice.
Rocket Mom!
Carolina Fernandez
FourQ Press
PO Box 569, Ridgefield, CT 06877
0974418706 $19.95 www.fourqpress.com
Rocket Mom! 7 Strategies To Blast You Into Brilliance by Carolina Fernandez is
an unusually accessible parenting guide that emphasizes creativity and
celebration in the task of budgeting one's time and energy to take care of both
one's children and oneself. From making time for personal exercise as well as
seeing that one's children enjoy activity; to instilling musical appreciation;
nurturing talents; organizing family home life, and more, Rocket Mom! is an
upbeat and positive-thinking guide which is most especially recommended for
concerned parents and dedicated child caretakers.
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Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575-1129