Midwest Book Review: Reviewer's Choice
MWBOOKREVW
Still a Steelers Fan
Brad Andrew Shutzberg
Xlibris Corporation
436 Walnut Street, 11th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106
1401065031 $20.99 www.xlibris.com
Still A Steelers Fan is the personal testimony and memoir of Brad Andrew
Shutzber, a gay man who candidly and engaging reveals what it is like to live
in the closet, hiding one's sexual orientation, and also what it means to
finally come out and be honest to friends, associates, and family. Written
specifically to answer the questions of his own parents, Still A Steelers Fan
is very highly recommended for providing valuable personal experience and
insights for others who have might have questions about friends and family
members with a non-heterosexual orientation, or who may be debating life
outside the closet for themselves.
Jumping Lightyears
Dr. H
Xlibris Corporation
436 Walnut Street, 11th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106
1401054544 $22.99 www.xlibris.com
Jumping Lightyears: The Evolution Of Interstellar Travel by mystic, philosopher
and scientist Dr. H, is a intriguing metaphysical study of how interstellar
travel might be possible not through contemporary physics (which currently seem
to refute it), but rather through advanced powers of the mind and mystical
experience. Jumping Lightyears refutes traditional concepts of religion as a
means of expanding one's spirituality, but instead embraces the depths of the
Self as a means of traversing the stars. Jumping Lightyears is a
thought-provoking, iconoclastic metaphysical study written by an author who has
borne witness to a UFO at close range and recommended reading for students of
cutting edge metaphysical studies.
Prism
David St. John
Arctos Press
PO Box 401, Sausalito, CA 94966-0401
0965701573 $22.00 http://members.aol.com/Runes
Prism is an outstanding collection of brief, simple, memorable free-verse poems
by David St. John which are vividly illustrated with full-color illustrations
by Lance Patigian, and which are reminiscent of the mystery and inspiration of
modern art. Emotional, provocative, and stunning to behold, the poetry and
artwork blend into a unique and unforgettable whole. Red Python: I didn't see
it until she stretched out/One leg as she shifted her weight/On the chair at
the conference table where/We'd been discussing some detail so arcane//Even the
academic horseshit flies had grown bored//& beneath the steel grey silk of that
pant leg/Flicked quick as a tongue with a single razor-toed boot/Scaled
unmistakably with the stripped skin/Of some sacred serpent slicked still/& dyed
the same shade as//The memory of some ancient sacrifice where/The stones
themselves had grown bloody as hope/& as I caught her eye for just an
instant//I felt all that useless human breath squeezed out of me
In, and Of
Jack Haas
Iconoclast Press
Suite 144, 3495 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R3
0973100710 $18.00 1-604-682-3269 www.iconoclastpress.com
In, And Of: Memoirs Of A Mystic Journey Along Canada's Wild West Coast is an
enthralling, true-life account of Jack Hass' personal travels through the
wilderness of coastal British Columbia. His excursions embraced both the
natural splendor that surrounded him, and a continuing quest to better
understand the workings of the self. Because of its philosophical, emotional,
and insightful narrative, In, And Of is very strongly recommended reading for
students of metaphysics and the contemplative life.
The Deepest Wound
Linda Crockett
Writer's Showcase/iUniverse.com, Inc.
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595199224 $23.95 www.iuniverse.com
The Deepest Wound: How A Journey To El Salvador Led To Healing From
Mother-Daughter Incest by Linda Crockett, is a powerful and personal testimony
of her own life journey that draws parallels between healing from sadistic
parental abuse and recovering from political torture. An insightful journey to
how the scars terrible, repeated trauma can be accepted, and adapted, without
sacrificing one's ability to pursue hopes and dreams. The Deepest Wound is
profoundly candid, deeply moving and highly recommended reading.
Silence And The Soul
Ellen Miller and Gary Sherman
Inner Harmonics Press
PO Box 1173, Palo Alto, CA 94302
1886594023 $16.95 1-877-218-1414 www.deepening.com
Collaboratively written by Ellen Miller and Gary Sherman (creators of the
Perceptual Integration Process), Silence And The Soul: Awakening Inner Wisdom
is a deeply spiritual book about traversing a journey of consciousness. Miller
and Sherman cogently describe the soul-searching effects of listening to the
wisdom of one's Inner Teacher, and drawing upon connections between emotional
cleansing and a higher level of outreach to the world around us. Highly
recommended reading for students of spirituality, Silence And The Soul is a
profound metaphysical and personal testimony to the evolution of perception,
both within and beyond the five senses.
Doctor's Journal
Dr. Emanuel M. Cane, D.C.
1st Books Library
2511 West 3rd Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
0759632049 $16.50 1-800-839-8640
Ably written by Emanuel M. Cane, D.C., a chiropractor with over 50 years of
experience, Doctor's Journal: A Guide For Senior Longevity is a solid and
well-rounded guide to maintaining and improving the quality of one's life in
spite of the inevitable progression of age. Presented in plain, simple,
accessible language for the non-specialist general reader, Doctor's Journal
aptly covers recommended simple exercises, tips for good nutrition, ways to
guard against common ailments such as stroke, sprains, and high blood pressure,
and a great deal more. Doctor's Journal is highly recommended as being an
excellent primer for taking good care of oneself in one's golden years - and
it's never too soon to get into good health habits no matter what your age!
Marine Corps Detectives
James B. Benson, Jr.
Chesapeake Book Publishers
1400 South Sunkist, SP. 199, Anaheim, CA 92806
0970794002 $TBA 1-714-956-0408 Jims...@email.msn.com
Marine Corps Detectives by James B. Benson, Jr. (a retired U.S. Marine Corps
Criminal Investigator) is a collection of over forty true stories of marine
corps law enforcers charged with the responsibility of tracking down and
arresting the perpetrators of a crime. Straightforward, brusque, yet quite
solid in its information, Marine Corps Detectives is a unique and simply
fascinating look at real human experiences in the stark yet absolutely
necessary world of military law enforcement. Marine Corps Detectives is highly
recommended reading and an unusual addition to any academic or personal
Military Studies or Criminology reference collection.
Out of the Ruins: A New York Record
Jean Holabird
Gingko Press
5768 Paradise Drive, Suite J, Corte Madera, CA 94925
1584231165 $19.95 www.gingkopress.com
Compiled and edited by Jean Holabird, Out Of The Ruins: A New York Record is a
unique memorial tribute to those who perished and to those who survived the
tragic events of the September 11 attacks. Out Of The Ruins is filled from
cover to cover with emotional and commemorative watercolor paintings (all of
which are presented in vibrant full-color) capturing the cruelties of reality
and the resplendence of hope in simple, memorable shapes and patterns. Lines of
brief poetry accompany most of the watercolors, creating a profound, combined
artistic event. Out Of The Ruins is very highly recommended as an
unforgettable, bittersweet memorial volume.
Spanish Lingo For The Savvy Gringo
Elizabeth Reid, MA, DRe
In One Ear Publications
PO Box 847, Round Rock, TX 78680-0847
1881791084 $14.95 1-800-431-1579
Spanish Lingo For The Savvy Gringo is a superbly organized and presented
"do-it-yourself" guide to the Spanish language, culture and slang - not just
common expressions, but also curse words, severe insults, and the Spanish
equivalents of the most vicious and dirty gutter talk, as well as lighter
common verbal outbursts and expressions. It is not in dictionary form, instead
arranged so that slang can be looked up by subject or usage. Each Spanish slang
word or phrase is presented in detail with its literal meaning, the history of
its usage, its ties to a specific Spanish-speaking country, comparative
definitions in English, and basically everything the studious Spanish speaker
needs to know in order to better understand Spanish slang. Spanish Lingo For
The Savvy Gringo is a unique and very highly recommended supplement to the
Spanish-language and usage textbooks (especially for travelers and students in
Spanish speaking communities and countries) that most assuredly do not teach
this information!
The Plowman And His Daughter
Lila Gatlin, Ph.D.
Azlan Press
PO Box 327, Newton, KS 67114-0327
0971264708 $12.98 www.lilagatlin.com
The Plowman And His Daughter: Sharing The Spirit Of Simple Wisdom by Lila
Gatlin is an inspirational tribute to Henry Krause, this educated author's
beloved father, and of Henry's very special gift for perceiving and embracing
the blessings of God on Earth. The Plowman And His Daughter is a highly
recommended, moving, poignant chronicle of human life and spiritual rapture.
101 Things To Do On The Wisconsin Great River Road
Norm Rogers & Chris Dinesen Rogers
McVicker Press
PO Box 10581, Peoria, IL 61612-0581
http://www.OneHundredAndOne.com
0972150803 $9.99 1-309-682-5416
The "great river" is the Mississippi River that provides the western border of
Wisconsin. This 250 mile stretch of the river showcases spectacular scenery.
Beginning in the north at Prescott, and continuing down to Potosi in the south,
there is a superb highway running down along side which is called the "Great
River Road". Norm Rogers and Chris Dinesen Rogers have collaborated to produce
for the traveler or vacationer traveling along this highway system a highly
recommended and very portable compendium of 101 suggestions of things to do and
see. Designed with one specific suggestion per page, each entry also includes a
specific and relevant fact. If you are planning a day-trip or an extended
weekend along Wisconsin's share of the Great River Road, then begin planning
your itinerary by browsing through the pages of Norm and Chris Rogers' 101
Things To Do On The Wisconsin Great River Road!
The Big Idea
Suri Duitch, et al.
Center For An Urban Future
120 Wall Street, 20th Fl., NY, NY 10005
0971868700 $14.00 www.nycfuture.org
Written by Suri Duitch with the assistance of Kathleen McGowan and Carl Vogel,
The Big Idea: A Step-By-Step Guide To Creating Effective Policy Repots is
offers a candid explanation of the processes used by City Limits Community
Information Service and their Center for an Urban Future program to advocate
and bring about positive social change. Combining wisdom, journalistic
integrity, and professional how-to presentation savvy to get one's message
across, The Big Idea is an excellent instructional reference guide recommended
to anyone charged with the responsibility for publicizing community problems
and influencing public opinion.
A Field Guide For Families
Jane Yousey
Life Design Publishing
PO Box 617, Niantic, CT 06357
0971656606 $15.95 lifedesigncoach.com
A Field Guide For Families: How To Assist Your Older Loved Ones When You Don't
Live Next Door is a sound, "reader friendly", and practical resource for family
members who may be spread out over large areas, and find that the problems of
transportation and distance impede the ability to take care of an older loved
one who needs assistance. Offering insights into the physical and mental
changes that come with aging, and specifically addressing the questions of what
can cause mental confusion in an aging parent; helping an elderly love one
change negative attitudes to positive ones; memory loss; when it no longer safe
to drive; problems with scheduled medication; and the prevention of falling, A
Field Guide For Families is very highly recommended for it's practical advice
on the diverse dilemmas of dealing with deteriorating loved ones.
Stewed, Screwed & Tattooed
Madame Chinchilla
Isadore Press
PO Box 1225, Mendocino, CA 95460
0960260013 $20.00 triangletattoo.com
Madame Chinchilla's Stewed, Screwed & Tattooed is a unique treatise on the
history, practice, and art of tattooing, whether in the military, prisons,
tribal rituals, or far-off lands. Enhanced with illustrations from the C.W.
Eldridge Tattoo Archive and the Triangle Museum, Stewed, Screwed & Tattooed
balances its unique history with fascinating vignettes ranging from the ethics
of responsible tattooing, to dealing with modern-day social stigma attached to
tattooing, to a variety of amazing and colorful tattooing anecdotes. Stewed,
Screwed & Tattooed is very highly recommended reading, especially for anyone
considering a tattoo of their own.
Gangs And Their Tattoos
Bill Valentine
Paladin Press
7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
1581600992 $25.00 1-800-392-2400
In Gangs And Their Tattoos: Identifying Gangbangers On The Street And In
Prison, Bill Valentine draws upon his twenty years of experience as a line
office for the Nevada Department of Prisons to create an informed and
informative reference presenting an overview of street and prison gangs,
including their history, structure and common tactics, as well as their
'official' codes of conduct. Also included are street and prison gang signs,
code words, and most especially, their various skin tattoos associated as
associated with each gang. Illustrations, sketches, and photographs vividly
show sample gang tattoos, while the text carefully notes the origin of the most
common symbols. Gangs And Their Tattoos is an accurate and very strongly
recommended reference for law enforcement, sociologists, youth workers, and
anyone else with an personal or professional interest in contemporary gang
cultures in or out of prison.
September 11, 2001
Thomas T. Noland Jr., editor
DAJ Publishing
PO Box 549, Louisville, KY 40201-0549
http://www.StoriesFrom55Broad.com
0971804214 $24.95 1-866-487-8552
Compiled and edited by Thomas T. Noland, September 11, 2001: Stories From 55
Broad Street is an unforgettable collection of anecdotes from eyewitnesses to
the horror and aftermath of the September 11th attacks. Profound, meaningful,
raw, and real, September 11, 2001: Stories From 55 Broad Street is an utterly
unforgettable collection and a highly recommended addition to school and
community library systems.
Mewingham Manor
Edwina Von Stetina
Greenwich Workshop Press
PO Box 875, Shelton, CT 06484
http://www.greenwichworkshop.com
0867130822 $19.95 1-203-925-0131
Capably written and wonderfully illustrated by Edwina Von Stetina, Mewingham
Manor: Observations On A Curious New Species is a delightful fantasy picture
book showcasing the "natural history" and life cycle of a delightful imaginary
species of butterfly-winged cats. Warm color illustrations and gentle,
memorable text bring these remarkable flying kittens to life. Mewingham Manor
is highly recommended and would make an impressive Memorial Fund acquisition
choice for any community library collection.
Before Amelia
Eileen F. Lebow
Brassey's Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Dr, Dulles, VA 20166
1574884824 $26.95 brasseysinc.com
Before Amelia: Women Pilots In The Early Days Of Aviation by Eileen F. Lebow
offers the reader an engaging glimpse into the earliest days of the very first
flying machines, and the dozens of female pilots who made aviation history
before the famous Amelia Earhart. Starting with Raymonde de Laroche, a French
woman who became the first licensed female pilot in 1910, and profiling
numerous other international female pilots, Before Amelia is a welcome
contribution to both Women Studies and Aviation History reference collections
and supplemental reading lists.
This Old John Deere
Michael Dregni, editor
Voyageur Press
PO Box 338, Stillwater, MN 55082
0896584410 $29.95 voyageurpress.com
Deftly edited by Michael Dregni and illustrated throughout with excellent color
photography, This Old John Deere: A Treasury Of Vintage Tractors And Family
Farm Memories is a wonderful celebration of John Deere tractors throughout the
years and their roles on family farms across America. This Old John Deere
offers a simple, plain-speech overview of the tractors' service throughout
American 20th century agricultural history complements this remarkable visual
tribute. This Old John Deere is a perfect giftbook selection for tractor
enthusiasts and a wonderful addition to community library collections.
Reporting Back
Lillian Ross
Counterpoint Press
387 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10016
1582431094 $25.00 www.amazon.com
Author Lillian Ross has been writing for the New Yorker for half a century,
creating profiles and essays which have won her an audience of admirers.
Reporting Back questions the attributes which contribute to good reporting and
good journalism, with Ross' years of experience backing pieces which blend
humor with sharp observation. Journalism students will find this revealing.
Feel Our Freedom
Alisa Hauser Kraft & Jon Lowenstein
High Tide Press
3650 West 183rd St, Homewood IL 60430
1892696207 $27.95 hightidepress.com
Feel Our Freedom: Communities And Connections For People With Developmental
Disabilities is an emotional and moving portrait of the lives of more than
forty adults living with developmental disabilities. Revealing and insightful
full-page, black-and-white photographs by Jon Lowenstein combine with Alisa
Hauser Kraft's brief yet involving text descriptions of human lives, coping,
survival, and joy. Feel Our Freedom is a highly recommended addition to
personal and community library collections.
Fences & Retaining Walls
William McElroy
Craftsman Book Company
PO Box 6500, Carlsbad, CA 92008
0934041539 $23.25 1-800-829-8123
Fences & Retaining Walls by construction industry veteran and expert Bill
McElroy is an extremely practical, "user friendly" manual for building
professional quality boundary markers and retaining structures including picket
and chain fences. McElroy covers fundamental aspects of fencing and wall
building including gates, wiring and plumbing in retaining walls, rock walls,
and much more. A by-the-numbers guide, Fences & Retaining Walls also covers
safety considerations, cost estimation, keeping track of accounts and paperwork
while building, as well as dozens of invaluable tips, tricks, and techniques
for building sturdy, long-lasting works.
The Everything Candlemaking Book
M. J. Abadie
Adams Media Corporation
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322
1580626238 $12.95 adamsmedia.com
M.J. Abadie's The Everything Candlemaking Book lives up to its name with all
the facts, how-to instructions, tips, safety precautions, and much more needed
to embark on the creative and satisfying art of making one's own candles
whether just for fun or for practical use. From the history of candlemaking, to
step-by-step instructions on getting started, to making candles for holidays
and special occasions, to using intricate techniques such as applique to
ornament candles, to recommendations for tools and supplies, to using unique
containers, to incorporating candles into rituals, to adding scents and other
personal touches, The Everything Candlemaking Book is a first-rate
instructional reference for anyone ready to roll up their sleeves and enjoy a
unique and rewarding activity.
Who's Who In Egyptian Mythology
Anthony S. Mercatante
Robert Steven Bianchi
MetroBooks
230 Fifth Ave., Suite 700, NY, NY 10001
1586636111 $7.98 1-800-367-9692
Now in a revised and updated second edition, Who's Who In Egyptian Mythology
compiled and co-authored by Antony S. Mercatante and Robert Steven Bianchi
presents the Egyptian pantheon and a compendium of related topics, historical
personages, and themes pertinent to it in and arranged in an alphabetical
order, and an encyclopedia-style, from Akhenaten to Zehuti (another name for
Thoth). A most fascinating reference filled cover to cover with condensed
myths, history, and archaeological discoveries, Who's Who In Egyptian Mythology
is a highly recommended addition to any personal, professional, academic, or
community library Egyptology reference collection.
Day Of The Dead In Mexico
Mary J. Andrade
La Oferta Review
1376 N. Fourth St., San Jose, CA 95112
0966587642 $28.95 www.laoferta.com
Day Of The Dead In Mexico: Through The Eyes Of The Soul is a remarkable and
highly recommended bilingual English/Spanish introduction to the history and
tradition of the Day of the Dead celebration as practiced throughout Mexico.
Enhanced throughout with color photography, Day Of The Dead In Mexico provides
extensive and detailed information about how the Mexican people remember and
honor their lost loved ones combined with gorgeous color photographs bring this
memorable cultural festival to light.
Original Innocence
Dr. Mark T. Holmes
Cauldron Press
145 North Woodburn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049
0972318836 $15.95 drmarkholmes.com
Original Innocence: The Nature Of The Soul is an anthology of illustrative
stories that attempt to fuse a recognition of the divine through the medium of
parables which transcend individual religious faiths. From Zoroaster battling
Lucifer to Jesus Christ teaching new souls about the use of energy and
consciousness, these imaginative tales and thought-provoking dialogues shed a
unique light on monotheistic doctrine in a highly accessible fashion,
especially for the non-specialist general reader.
The Zen Of Ziggy
Tom Wilson
Andrews McMeel Publishing
4520 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111
0740723243 $10.95 ziggyzone.com
The Zen Of Ziggy is the latest collection of single-panel (and the occasional
Sunday sequence) comics about a little bald guy, the pets he adores, and his
constant struggle to catch any sort of break in life. Perpetually faced with TV
shows that have given up any pretense of disguising their lack of merit; park
birds who criticize his taste in low-quality popcorn; psychoanalysts who offer
reassurances about "page fright"; and a great deal more, Ziggy's cheerful good
humor and ability to survive the little mishaps that innately resemble those
that everyone has encountered before at one time or another, lending a wry and
universal empathy to this gentle, highly enjoyable and entertaining
compilation.
The Complete Beginner's Woodcarving Workbook
Mary Duke Guldan
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
Box 7948, Lancaster, PA 17604
156523085X $9.95 1-800-457-9112
The Complete Beginner's Woodcarving Workbook combines basic lessons in the art
of woodworking, with 10 ready-to-use patterns for projects, enhanced with over
200 illustrations and diagrams for step-by-step techniques to release the shape
and soul of art from its wooden cocoon. The Complete Beginner's Woodcarving
Workbook truly lives up to its title as being a superb introduction
specifically designed for the novice woodworker in practicing an entertaining
and creative hobby.
Voices From Vietnam
Charlene Edwards
Journeys
PO Box 610260, Bayside, NY 11361
0971402035 $25.00 vnvo...@aol.com
Written and photographed by Charlene Edwards, Voices From Vietnam is an
informative history, a compelling photographic odyssey, and an emotionally
moving testimonial to the tragedies and triumphs of Americans and Vietnamese
tangled together in a bitter and lethal civil war. Voices From Vietnam presents
a memorable selection of anecdotes about all the human beings whose lives were
marked and forever changed by the Vietnam War. The history of this terrible
war, its lasting impact and human struggles to survive and grow in its
aftermath make Voices From Vietnam unforgettable and strongly reading --
especially because the storm clouds of war are once again gathering.
Adultry: Facing Its Reality
William F. Mitchell, Jr.
Eagle's Nest Publications
PO Box 8735, Endwell, NY 13762-8735
1586841386 $29.95 Eaglesnestpub.com
Adultery: Facing Its Reality is written by experienced private investigator
William F. Mitchell Jr. for the purpose of helping men and women of all ages
and backgrounds who find themselves victimized by the adultery of their
spouses, and can often find no tangible and thematically appropriate help in
their personal and marital crisis. Mitchell offers a unique and "real world"
based compendium of advice about the "warning signs of adultery", how to
satisfy a "need to know"; how to resolve issues of adultery even before they
start; how to "adultery proof" a marriage; and when adultery has occurred, how
to save a marriage. Adultery: Facing Its Reality is one of those self-help
books that we never want to have need of -- but will find invaluable when we
do.
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Midwest Book Review
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