Science and Technology

In this scholarly and entertaining disquisition, Brown, a British garden historian, explores a variety of themes, particularly the “discovery” of rhododendrons by plant explorers in Asia and America and the commercial and social history surrounding this flower as it became enormously popular in Britain. Though some of this history has been covered by other horticultural writers—see Gerd Krüssmann's Rhododendrons: Their History, Geographical Distribution, Hybridization and Culture—Brown draws widely from other fields and enriches her examination with discursive forays into such topics as the depiction of rhododendrons in the fine and decorative arts, rhododendrons in botanical medicine, and the current environmental problem of Rhododendron ponticum in the U.K. countryside. If there is any weakness here, it is the prominent omission of some significant rhododendron gardens in the appendix list of best places to see rhododendrons in the United States. Otherwise, this well-researched romp through the horticultural history of a widely grown ornamental plant is highly recommended for all libraries and for general readers and specialists alike.—Brian Lym, Hunter Coll. Lib., New York

These two titles offer excellent information on minimizing gardening chores and getting down to essentials; those who have a limited amount of time to garden need look no further to find the realistic plans they need. Both Flowerdew, author of several gardening books and a widely recognized organic gardening expert in Britain, and Freeman, a master gardener and professional writer who lives in Maine, agree on certain key ideas (e.g., that maintaining lush turf is very labor-intensive). Indeed, both advise against being a botanical perfectionist and encourage going with the flow of nature whenever possible (planting native species results in fewer diseases and infestations because those plants are already adapted to the environment). Both authors also offer similar guidelines for reducing drudgery, such as applying mulch for weed control and moisture retention, and both do a thorough job of explaining away nonessential tasks and emphasizing the importance of performing crucial tasks correctly at the outset to avoid remediation later. Either title would be very useful in a public library's gardening collection. Flowerdew's comprehensive book is filled with striking color photographs and illustrations, although it is a bit of a stretch to promise a “no work” garden. Freeman's book, with its emphasis on good management practices, landscape plans, and wise purchases, should get a novice gardener off to a good start.—Deborah Anne Broocker, Georgia Perimeter Coll.Lib.,Dunwoody, GA

Health & Medicine

This volume was recently published through a collaborative effort of the Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Population Reference Bureau with a grant from the Gates Foundation. It reports and synthesizes data from over 10,000 datasets on mortality and health, including disease registries, notification systems, and epidemiological studies. A detailed explanation of methods is included, as well as data sources to develop estimates for 136 major diseases and injuries. Much of the demographic information and data will serve as a valuable reference; however, the authors do not address the considerable limitations of the conclusions. In a world where the UN and the World Bank differ in their estimation of the population of Nigeria by 13 million and where the largest outbreaks of disease go undetected by the WHO, it is difficult to put faith in the morbidity and mortality rates on which the analysis is based. The book is available electronically through the Disease Control Priorities Project web site (www.dcp2.org/pubs/GBD). Geared toward policymakers, health program managers, donors, and researchers, it is appropriate for academic libraries.—Mary Grace Flaherty, Sidney Memorial P.L., NY

Yin yoga, developed by Paul Grilley (Yin Yoga), is a gentle alternative to yoga that allows the body to relax through floor poses held for up to five minutes. Most yoga taught in North America is yang yoga, meaning that it emphasizes muscular movement. Alternately, yin yoga concentrates on connective tissue and bones and is based on the notion that the quiet acceptance derived from easing the core parts of the body into a pose encourages the flow of qi (life force) and results in good health. Fourteen safe beginner and advanced poses are clearly illustrated with photographs; the advanced poses include instructions on variations. Yin yoga teacher Mithoefer describes the effect of each pose on the chakras (energy centers) and meridians (channels through which qi travels). Including a deck of 14 yoga cards and a 72-minute CD with sample routines narrated by the author, this book nicely complements the many yang yoga titles already on the market. Recommended for libraries with yoga collections.—Dede Archer, Naples, FL

Childhood obesity is a serious problem: by some estimates, a quarter or more of American children between the ages of two and 18 is overweight. This research-based parent's guide to childhood obesity edited by Hassink (director, pediatric weight management clinic, Alfred I. DuPont Hosp. for Children, Wilmington, DE) explains the causes and consequences of obesity in layperson's terms and provides practical advice on helping children achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Included are numerous age-specific worksheets (for parents to complete and take to pediatric appointments) that ask about a child's eating habits, playing behavior, and more. There are several books written for parents that address childhood obesity. However, this title stands out because of its thorough and practical approach. Recommended.—Sarah Boslaugh, Washington Univ. Sch. of Medicine, St. Louis

Ramaswami (The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga) studied with Sri. T. Krishnamacharya (1888–1989), the father of modern yoga, for more than 30 years and has taught vinyasa yoga in India and the United States for approximately 20 years. Hurwitz, his student and an experienced yogi in his own right, sat down with Ramaswami for an in-depth discussion of the philosophical foundations of yoga. Their dialog, in question-and-answer format, sheds light on concepts that may be confusing. Topics include breathing and postures—with illustrations—as well as more abstract subjects (e.g., “Does yoga lead to happiness?”; “How does the yogi see his soul?”). Ramaswami and Hurwitz discuss the role of walking in yoga, the practice of yoga while traveling, God, and the integration of yoga with other religious traditions. Their book is best suited to readers with some background and experience in yoga practice. That said, it makes an excellent addition to all library collections because it covers materials not found in basic texts and how-to manuals.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA

“Not only do 1 in 2.5 American women have [heart disease], but we also die from it faster because it's harder to detect in us, we take longer to get care because we don't know what the symptoms feel like, and we don't want to admit to having it because we fear it is a fatal disease and imagine that it afflicts only aging men.” So writes author and heart attack survivor Serure in this compelling interweaving of “heart songs”—personal narratives of women who have suffered a heart attack—and “healing the heart” medical segments written by physicians. The heart songs move from the physical ailments of heart disease and healing to the emotional aspects of the disease and its recovery. The seven medical segments briefly discuss what every woman should know about heart disease, from its signs, symptoms, and risk factors (including stress) to the physical and (just as important) emotional recovery and rehabilitation of the disease. This passionate story of women, heart disease, and recovery is essential for all women and anyone interested in women's cardiovascular health. Highly recommended for public and consumer health libraries.—Howard Fuller, Stanford Health Lib., Palo Alto, CA

With similar but contrasting approaches to back pain, these books identify back problems, evaluate various treatments, and suggest exercises for alleviating discomfort. Winter (orthopedic surgery, Univ. of Minnesota) and Bach (coauthor, ShapeWalking: Six Easy Steps to Your Best Body) begin by sharing remedies they claim should help 80 percent of back pain sufferers if done correctly. They proceed to a brief discussion of the causes of back pain and an evidence-based evaluation of surgical and nonsurgical treatments. A great deal of the book describes how to negotiate the medical system, e.g., how to choose the right medical providers and treatments and how to deal with physical therapists and insurance companies. Living Well offers excellent advice on doing your own research and becoming a strong self-advocate. A set of appendixes includes an annotated bibliography of books and web sites, a glossary, and a list of references.

Chiropractor Silverman goes into greater detail regarding the causes of back and neck pain (Winter and Bach do not cover the neck in their evaluations) and includes a chapter on the healthy spine. He cites various causes of back pain—cultural, muscle, disk, and joint—discussing treatments and preventative measures. According to Silverman, psychological factors are more accurate in predicting cases of lower back pain than physical ones. His book features a chapter of success stories, information on myths and misconceptions, helpful “Think Back” sections concisely summarizing each chapter, and a bibliography. Living Well excels at describing what back pain sufferers can do to alleviate existing pain and how to navigate the healthcare system when a condition warrants medical treatment. Miraculous Back helps in understanding the physical and cultural causes of back pain and underscores prevention over treatment. Both books are recommended.—Elaine M. Lasda Bergman, Healthcare Assn. of New York State, Rensselaer

The relationship between physician and patient isn't what it used to be. Such is the premise of Weisse's (medicine, emeritus, New Jersey Medical Sch.; Heart to Heart: The Twentieth Century Battle Against Cardiac Disease, An Oral History) new book. Weisse illuminates the changes that have occurred over the last 50 years in the level of trust and openness shared by physicians and their patients. Through a series of vignettes, he hopes to inspire a renewed understanding, respect, and, consequently, an improved relationship between the two. Some stories tell of physicians whose patients surprised, exasperated, or uplifted them. Others highlight the personal attributes of physicians or patients who saw others through their struggles with illness. While the stories are touching, there is no satisfying sense upon finishing the book that one has gathered what the author hoped to impart. A summary or final notes chapter might have been helpful. However, the book, which draws on Weisse's own experience being diagnosed with testicular cancer as a young man, is nicely crafted and stimulating. Recommended for public and consumer health libraries.—Beth Hill, Univ. of Idaho Lib., Moscow

Home Economics

This is a groundbreaking book by Blakemore and Ramirez, two certified Reading Recovery teachers with a combined 50 years of experience helping children with reading difficulties. They respond to what we've all heard about the importance of reading to children from day one, addressing in a thorough and accessible way the dynamics of reading to children and the kind of material parents should consider for the purpose. They break down the newborn-to-toddler age range into six stages, each of which includes age characteristics, read-aloud instructions and demonstrations, and reviews of recommended books. They then provide practical tips and resource information for parents, including questions and answers, activities for a language-rich home, interviews with parents of successful readers, and a section titled “Baby Books 101.” Their fun, interactive approach will help parents feel at ease reading to their child. If any book were to have all the answers for discovering language with your little one, this would be it; highly recommended for all public libraries.—Kari Ramstrom, MLIS, Plymouth, MN

Building on the growing popularity of tapas, mezze, and dim sum, Henderson's second cookbook (after Savor the Memories) presents over 100 recipes geared toward easy entertaining. There is a wide variety of dishes to accommodate different tastes and occasions, including starters with Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean flavors, yet most of the ingredients can be found in supermarkets. The flavors of these dishes are bright, fresh, and seasonal. The Chicken Piccata Brochettes imply a spring menu; the Gazpacho Crabmeat Martinis, summer; and the Pear and Gorgonzola Crostada, fall. Henderson's background as a food consultant, teacher, and writer is evident, as the recipes are straightforward and work well together. In her introduction, she encourages readers to use the recipes as a “guideline” and tailor them to suit favorite flavors or ingredients. Several of the recipes would benefit from some adjusting of cooking time or ingredients, which experienced cooks would be able to do with little effort. Accompanied by many lush photographs, Henderson's latest will excite home chefs. Recommended for public libraries.—Kimberly Bartosz, Univ. of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha

Technology has even changed traditional rituals, so this solid guide introducing couples to wedding web sites and online planning tools comes as no surprise. The authors, both technology professionals, began researching ways that technology could improve wedding planning for their own nuptials. Then they cofounded wedshare.com and became active in the wedding industry. Many current wedding books include some wedding site information, but this guide goes a step further, promoting online tools for several tasks: managing finances, gift registry, and guest lists; renting limousines; sampling reception music; and developing a couple's site. A wide range of planning web sites encompasses both high-profile and reputable, lesser-known ones, a feature that makes the book's scope broader than Dennis L. Prince's How To Buy Everything for Your Wedding on eBay…and Save a Fortune! E-Plan also contains commonly found information on time lines, etiquette, legalities, ceremonies, receptions, and honeymoons, as well as work sheets (also available on the companion site, eplanyourwedding.com). To boot, the text is quite readable, and the authors take care to reassure technophobes. Recommended for all public libraries.—Bonnie Poquette, Boerner Botanical Gardens Lib., Milwaukee

The Mills mother-and-son act is back. Having previously covered the basics of cooking (Help! My Apartment Has a Kitchen Cookbook), entertaining (Help! My Apartment Has a Dining Room Cookbook), and baking (with chocolate, anyway—Chocolate on the Brain), the Mills have a new challenge: preparing healthy, tasty meals for a two-career, three-child family. Full of useful tips for saving time and simplifying food preparation, this casual, chatty recipe collection includes a full range of options delivered with plenty of personality. “Mom Tips” are interspersed throughout, noting substitutions, workarounds, or extra information. There are probably no surprises here, but the title's personable approach, clear instructions, and mostly straightforward ingredients will appeal to many. Recommended for most public library collections.—Courtney Greene, DePaul Univ. Lib., Chicago

Nilsen and Wright, two British culinary journalists and authors, have compiled a wealth of practical culinary information into one handy book. After first offering concise, clear definitions of a variety of cooking terms and assorted culinary tools of the trade, the authors provide details on a range of ingredients, including pantry staples (i.e., sugar, flour, rice), herbs and spices, vegetables and fruits, and meats, poultry, and fish. Each entry features information on how to choose, taste, store, cook, and serve the item along with ideas regarding what kinds of foods go best with which ingredients and why they are good for you. While many basic cookbooks (e.g., Marion Cunningham's The Fannie Farmer Cookbook) provide some of the same information on kitchen equipment and ingredient selection, and culinary reference titles like Larousse Gastronomique also define cooking techniques and foods, 21st Century Cook will still be a welcome addition to the kitchens of novice cooks and even a few more advanced chefs. Highly recommended for both the circulating and the reference collections of public libraries.—John Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ

Here is a formidable, easy-to-read guide full of great solutions and resources for parents having difficult mealtimes with their picky infants and preschoolers. Piette's many years of experience as a pediatric nutritionist and a dietitian especially shine in her extended coverage of toddlerhood, the age when picky eating manifests itself the most owing to the independence-seeking character of toddlers. Therein lies the great asset of this book—Piette parallels eating habits with developmental psychology, demonstrating how development influences behavior. Parents of “normal” kids—that is, kids not suffering from a disease that prevents them from eating well—should ignore fussy behaviors, not offer different foods every time one is rejected, and should set clear limits about mealtime behaviors, Piette advises. Picky eating is not a problem until growth is affected. That's when parents should seek professional help. Also addressed are parents of children with disabilities. Ultimately, Piette's message of not giving too much importance to food refusal while taking eating seriously is well communicated. Highly recommended for all public libraries.—Maryse Breton, Baldwin P.L., Birmingham, MI

In today's competitive world, high school students face extreme pressure to get into the most prestigious colleges. In this follow-up to her best-selling Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities, Robbins shadows real students from a top Maryland high school for more than a year, focusing on a few juniors, seniors, and a Harvard freshman as they deal with heavy course loads, extracurricular activities, and social lives on- and offline. For example, there's “Julie,” a straight-A student and triathlete whose hair is falling out from stress. Interspersed with the compelling, novel-like narratives of each teen's hectic life are revealing looks into the issues these students face. Robbins offers information about academic cheating, drug use, demanding parents, preschool competition, private college counselors, and college admissions offices; she quotes research about the uselessness of SAT scores to identify good students and exposes other myths of the college application process before concluding with suggestions for schools, colleges, parents, and students on how to deal with “overachieverism.” Highly recommended for all libraries.—Janet Clapp, Athens–Clarke Cty. Lib., Athens, GA

Sky's claim to fame began when Oprah Winfrey ate a Curried Chicken Sandwich on Spicy White Pepper Jack Bread (now the “O Special”) from the author's Art Café and Bakery in San Luis Obispo, CA. Oprah proclaimed Sky “the best sandwich maker in America,” and she promptly subsidized the café. In addition to recipes for breads, filled sandwiches, and sandwich fillings, Sky here offers recipes for sauces, salads and dressings, soups, breakfasts, sides, and desserts. This is not a guide for novice cooks or for those who are thinking of weight control. A basic white bread contains both milk and half-and-half, and there is no warning that the 16 cups of flour used in making four loaves of said bread will not fit in a standard mixer. Sky recommends using butter because “15% of the fatty acids in butter are used by vital organs as an energy source.” And use it she does—the recipe for two sandwiches of Grilled Peanut Butter and Raspberry Jam with Potato Chips on French Bread has eight tablespoons of the stuff, plus a cup each of peanut butter and raspberry jam and two cups of crushed potato chips. This and the Two-Ton Bittersweet Chocolate Fudge Cake are not on Oprah's diet. Sweets are also used with abandon in traditional sandwich fillings—tuna and turkey salads contain brown sugar and honey. The book is visually pleasing with many full-page color photographs of the food that will inspire readers to cook. Recommended for libraries that cater to adventurous and experienced bakers and cooks.—Christine Bulson, SUNY at Oneonta Lib.

Sciences

Astronauts may have captured the public's attention during the space race, but it was James E. Webb, NASA administrator from 1961 to 1968, who ensured that the U.S. mission to the moon literally got off the ground and stayed on target. Yet Webb's management also contributed to the tragic fire that nearly derailed Apollo, and he needed to apply his administrative and political skills toward engineering his own replacement in order to save the program. In contrast to W. Henry Lambright's similarly priced study of Webb as the consummate bureaucrat, Powering Apollo: James E. Webb of NASA, this biography by Bizony (Invisible Worlds: Exploring the Unseen) focuses primarily on Webb's role as NASA leader and the fortunes of the organization under subsequent administrators. Either would make a good addition to academic and public library collections. Lambright's book is a more scholarly study of Webb's managerial style and provides considerably more detail on his work outside of the Apollo mission, while Bizony's title will hold more appeal for space buffs.—Nancy R. Curtis, Univ. of Maine Lib., Orono

In both Britain and the United States from roughly the 1850s to World War I, the general public was treated to a string of sensational presentations by mediums, a few of whom appeared to be genuine. The result was a widespread fascination with reaching the afterlife through such means as séances and planchette boards (forerunners of the Ouija board), which set the stage for the classic Victorian confrontation between religion and the emerging power of science. Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Blum (The Monkey War) examines this conflict by reviewing the history of the British Society for Psychical Research and its U.S. counterpart, the American Society for Psychical Research, both of which aimed to find scientific proof of the existence of the supernatural. The author thoroughly covers the groups' principal members and their work, including philosopher and American Psychological Association founder William James, brother of novelist Henry James. She keeps the story moving and fleshes out each character. Her clearly written presentation of the history, frauds, and personalities involved in this unique slice of Victorian life is recommended for all history of science collections.—Michael D. Cramer, Schwarz BioSciences, RTP, NC

This beautiful book, produced by the Nicolas Hulot Foundation for Nature and Humanity, a group that works to promote education and preservation in the areas of ecology and the environment, is filled with 250 breathtaking photographs taken by a team of renowned nature photographers. After an introduction by Niles Eldredge (curator, American Museum of Natural History), the work is presented in eight sections covering oceans, deserts, grasslands, polar regions, wetlands, mountains, forests, and cities. The introductory narrative for each section, by journalist and French television host Hulot, is minimal, though passionately conservation-minded. The photographs, also minimally captioned, speak volumes on their own—a herd of gnus escaping from crocodiles, a lone beetle crossing the Namib Desert at daybreak—to celebrate nature's majesty and diversity across the globe. The color reproduction is excellent, and the subject matter is consistently dramatic and compelling. For all public and undergraduate library collections.—Marianne Stowell Bracke, Science-Engineering Lib., Univ. of Arizona, Tucson

Award-winning science writer Quammen (The Song of the Dodo) has spent considerable time with field biologists while on assignment or researching his books. His subject here, Charles Darwin, was a field biologist only during his stint as the naturalist on the HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836. Indeed, unlike scientific contemporaries like Alfred Wallace, Darwin would spend the rest of his life (some 50 years) conducting research from the comfort and quiet of his own home. Instead of retelling the already well-covered Beagle voyage, Quammen concentrates on how Darwin privately developed his theory of evolution and reluctantly made his ideas public when Wallace began to publish similar theories. Combining narrative and essay, the author draws on Darwin's personal letters and secret transmutation notebooks. The result is a concise, tightly focused, engaging, and informative biography that, although not as comprehensive as Janet Browne's prize-winning two- volume Charles Darwin: Voyaging and Charles Darwin: The Power of Place, provides a satisfying portrait of this controversial man and has the potential to reach a larger audience. Highly recommended for all library collections.—Gloria Maxwell, Penn Valley Community Coll. Lib., Kansas City, MO

How can recent innovative discoveries in social neuroscience, a new but rapidly evolving discipline, influence our lives, interactions with others, and the way we think about ourselves? Neuropsychiatrist Restak (Mozart's Brain and the Fighter Pilot) combines the latest research in social neuroscience with various mental tests, experiments, and exercises to demonstrate that the human brain functions differently depending on social context. Unlike traditional neuroscience that has studied the brain in isolation from its cultural and psychological surroundings, social neuroscience takes into account both biological and social factors to gain understanding about our actions and emotions. Over the next decade, Restak predicts, this breakthrough understanding of the human brain, coupled with technological advances in brain study techniques, may exert a powerful effect not only on our daily lives but also on marketing, the entertainment industry, politics, and ethics, thus conferring the power to mend and manipulate our minds “in ways that are not always to our advantage.” Restak compresses a lot of scientific data into accessible language and keeps the narrative conversational. Although intended for a general audience, this informative and entertaining book could also appeal to scholars. Recommended for both academic and public libraries.—Victoria Shelton, George Mason Univ. Libs., Manassas, VA

In his first book, Sachs (history & American studies, Cornell Univ.) surveys 19th-century American environmentalism by examining the life and work of naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859). Humboldt is viewed to have initiated an ecological thinking that emphasized viewing nature on a global scale—an outlook believed by many to have been a 20th-century innovation. Sachs reviews the renowned thinker's influence on four explorers: J.N. Reynolds, founder of the 1838–42 U.S. Exploring Expedition; Clarence King, the first director of the U.S. Geological Survey; North Pole explorer George Wallace Melville; and John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club. In all four analyses, he provides biographical information and addresses each explorer's specific contributions to science as well as his connection to contemporary artists and writers, such as Thomas Eakins and Timothy O'Sullivan. The organization of this book, which had originally been a dissertation, and the mating of a vast matrix of sources reflect a true American studies approach and make the work valuable not only to academic environmental collections but also to history and biography collections.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley Coll., Mt. Carmel, IL

Technology

Whether you are a consumer of technology, an investor in technology companies, or a developer of new technology products and services, Coburn's book will challenge your beliefs about success and failure in today's technology landscape. Drawing on his experience as a Wall Street technology analyst, the author shares his system for predicting whether or not a new technology will be a commercial success. The book explores the “build it and they will come” technology business model through numerous case studies: picture phones, interactive TVs, satellite mobile phones, tablet PCs, Webvan, the Alpha computer chip, fast but high-temperature laptop PCs, and smart mobile phones. As the commercial failure rate of great new technologies is very high, understanding why and what can be done to address the problem is the book' s true value to readers. As is true for most business books today, this text feelse like a conference talk put to paper. It generally works, though certain sections lack enough detail for readers to appreciate the ideas being discussed. Given the current plethora of books on innovation and creativity, this title is a timely counterbalance to the rhetoric about the changing nature of our economy. Strongly recommended for all library collections.—James A. Buczynski, Seneca Coll. of Applied Arts & Tech., Toronto

Computer Media

By Rachel Singer Gordon

Maya 7, Autodesk's powerful 3-D modeling and animation software, comes in several editions: the free Personal Learning Edition for noncommercial use, Maya Complete, and Maya Unlimited, which includes additional tools and functionality. Academic libraries serving computer graphics and animation programs and large public libraries should consider adding one or more of these guides. For beginners through intermediate users, Mastering Maya 7 encompasses Personal Learning Edition, with project files on CD-ROM; the text covers Maya from the basics through higher-end Maya Unlimited tools. Highlights include explanations of why and when to use each tool (in addition to the basic how-tos), as well as tips from real-world graphics production experience on optimizing workflow, using tools in ways not necessarily intended by their creators, and avoiding common problems. New features in Maya 7 are highlighted in the text; an appendix covers Toon Shading (new in this version). Thorough and clear; highly recommended. For experienced users, Learning Maya 7 covers only features exclusive to Maya Unlimited, which makes it a supplementary purchase for libraries owning more comprehensive guides. Its DVD contains instructional video, project files, and lesson demos/instructor overviews. Its chapters delve into working with fluid effects, fur, hair, and cloth. Step-by-step exercises illustrate each technique, with minimal explanation and background.

For beginners, Introduction to 3D Graphics & Animation Using Maya does what its title says before getting into specific Maya tools—an approach that makes it useful for animation tyros. Each tutorial begins with objectives and walks readers step by step through completing a task; “Why” notes throughout explain the reasoning behind steps and offer background information and useful tips. Additional exercises to aid in self-study or classroom use conclude each chapter. Appendixes cover curricular flow (for instructors using this as a text), image plane preparation, and custom texture creation; Personal Learning Edition is on the CD-ROM. For intermediate users, the only in-color guide of the bunch, Maya Techniques: Hyper-Realistic Creature Creation goes in-depth into a common use of the software: creating vividly realistic “creatures.” The authors, experienced film artists, provide their tips for professional techniques and workflows, while the DVD contains MEL scripts, video clips, lesson files, and artist interviews. Divided into three parts—“Modeling,” “Rigging,” and “Facial”—Hyper-Realistic goes step by step through creature creation, with a bit of theory and explanation included in each lesson. A supplemental purchase for those owning more basic guides.

The popular Macromedia Studio 8 web design package includes five applications: Fireworks 8, Flash Professional 8 and Dreamweaver 8, Contribute 3, and FlashPaper 2. For beginners, Training from the Source emphasizes using the applications together, relying on two large-scale sample projects to walk readers step by step through creating project components. Among the self-study items are exercises, learning objectives, approximate lesson completion times, and “What You Will Learn” lists; the CD-ROM contains project files and completed projects for comparison purposes. Each step is nicely explained to give readers insight into why it's important and what they're doing. Recommended for all libraries.

For beginners to intermediate users, All-in-One Desk Reference includes “minibooks” on building web sites, Dreamweaver 8, Fireworks 8, Flash 8, Contribute 3, FreeHand MX, and ColdFusion MX Developer Edition. There is more background information here on web design and content development than in Training from the Source, yet Training does a better job of talking about integrating suite components. (All-in-One confines interoperability to separate chapters rather than weaving it into examples throughout.) A nice reference that covers many common functions; appropriate for all libraries. Both of these guides also address working with ColdFusion, and All-in-One covers FreeHand; both programs were included in older versions of the Macromedia Studio suite and are still available from Macromedia.

Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, or Ajax (a term coined last year to describe an interwoven group of popular web technologies), allows interactivity and the dynamic modification of pages without requiring a full reload. This puts much of the workload onto the browser side of the equation and allows more responsive user interfaces (examples include Google Maps). For Ajax beginners with some HTML and JavaScript experience, Head Rush Ajax takes an irreverent, visual, and conversational approach. Real-world examples, thorough explanations, ample review, and thought-provoking questions and exercises make this a fantastic self-study guide; sample files are available online. Highly recommended. For intermediate users, Ajax Hacks includes contributed “hacks” ranging from basic how-tos to more advanced and clever uses of the technology. Each indicates a difficulty level and walks readers step by step through completion; notes add information. From basic hacks like “using the request object to POST data to the server” to more advanced topics like “build a client-side cache,” Ajax Hacks contains something for every developer. For larger libraries.