Science & Technology

By Staff -- Library Journal, 3/1/2007

Agriculture

Their gardens are overflowing with roses, and their homes are often decorated with rose memorabilia and trophies. They each have their own secret fertilizer formulas as well as an arsenal of odd materials (especially Q-tips) to groom their prized blossoms. Who are these eccentrics? They are competitors in the highly demanding world of rose shows, and journalist Scott follows several as they spend their year grooming and maintaining their rose beauties for the next show. We meet a man from Maine who shows how he keeps his roses alive during the winter and a South Carolina couple who faces growing roses in the humid South. The ideal place for rose growing seems to be California, but that state has its share of challenges, namely, droughts and high winds. Marriages have been ruined by this obsession, and true loves have been found. The journey is a fascinating one. Readers will certainly be in suspense before the final chapters reveal who will take home the prizes at the American Rose Society's National Rose Show. Recommended for public libraries.—Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama, Florence

As a serious discussion of universal healthcare takes place once again in the United States, Cohn (senior editor, New Republic) offers a convincing collection of stories about people dealing with the inequities and problems in the present system. Each story is linked to a specific issue—including shrinking employer-based insurance, disappearing retiree insurance, private insurance, managed care, Medicaid, the uninsured, and coverage for mental health—and connected to the politics and economics that control the system. Cohn comes to what he considers the inevitable conclusion—universal care deserves a fresh look—before comparing the U.S. system to those of other industrialized countries. The stories are based largely on first-person interviews; primary and secondary sources are well documented. Cohn's coverage is far from "untold," however, as his book joins a number of others on the same topic, including Susan Sered and Rushika Fernandopulle's similar Uninsured in America: Life and Death in the Land of Opportunity. Recommended for libraries with large healthcare policy collections.—Dick Maxwell, Porter Adventist Hosp. Lib., Denver

Gawande, a Harvard-trained endocrine surgeon, contributor to The New Yorker, best-selling author (Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science), and 2006 MacArthur fellow, examines the nature of how success and excellence are achieved in medicine and how diligence, doing right, and ingenuity can combine to do better—in not only medicine but also all other human endeavors. In a narrative style reminiscent of Oliver Sacks, Sherwin B. Nuland, and Abraham Verghese, Gawande candidly weaves a tapestry of essays on topics as varied as hospital hand washing, polio in India, surgical tents in the Iraq war, physicians' salaries, malpractice insurance, and doctors' roles in lethal injections. The essays are united, as they highlight opportunities for improvement within the medical community, which serves as a successful framework for Gawande's study of a profession predicated on betterment. These revealing, humanistic essays are highly recommended for all libraries. Gawande's varied accomplishments have been publicized, and this book is certain to be a best seller [For a Q&A with Gawande, see LJ 3/15/07.—Ed.]—James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York

Just exactly how do we age? Why do some societies have so many more centenarians than others? Is immortality possible? These questions form the basis of this book by CNN's chief medical correspondent, Gupta (neurosurgery, Emory Univ. Hosp. & Grady Memorial Hosp., Atlanta). He explains new scientific discoveries that are being made on the cellular process of aging and possible means of regeneration and shows that some previous assumptions about optimum health practices are being proved wrong. Supplements may be a waste of your money; deep breathing is more important than you ever knew; cell phones do not cause cancer; and long life may be more about your social network than your exercise plan. Gupta covers stem-cell therapy and degenerative diseases as well as practical advice to prevent aging. This is a fascinating look at the research being done and its promise for the future. It will tell you how to live not only longer but also better. Highly recommended.—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with the Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH

In this guide to lowering blood pressure, journalist Kowalski (The 8 Week Cholesterol Cure) calls hypertension one of the three major risk factors for heart disease. While admitting heredity and race play a role, Kowalski asserts that these are only warnings that can be negated by good health habits. He explains the new definitions and classification of blood pressure levels, including prehypertension, and provides rationale for the updated guidelines. Risk factors for special populations of children, African Americans, women, older people, and diabetics receive brief attention. Basic information on weight reduction, physical activity, stress reduction, alcohol use, and diet as they affect hypertension is given. Some alternative medicine therapies are mentioned. Prescription drugs are briefly covered; some recipes are included. Kowalski touts five secret weapons for a blood pressure cure: arginine, grape seed extract, tomato extract, Pycnogenol, and cocoa. He cites small clinical studies to back his assertions; unfortunately, larger studies show unclear results. Recommendations for lifestyle changes are vague. Aggie Casey and Herbert Benson's Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure is a better choice. For large collections only.—Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans' Hosp., Tampa

Clinical psychologist Musante bases his Structure House program on the idea that it is a person's relationship with food that causes weight gain (as when one eats to relieve boredom or stress). Unlike diets forbidding certain foods, his plan denies dieters nothing. Instead, its mainstays include such time-honored principles as eating three properly proportioned meals a day composed of foods from all the major food groups and exercising. Participants plan their meals in advance (they may count calories or use an exchange system), shop accordingly, and record what they eat and—if applicable—their reasons for deviating from the plan. Suggestions for avoiding the pitfalls of dining out or entertaining as well as sample recipes for home preparation are included. Easily accessible to the layperson and full of sensible advice, this is recommended for public and academic nutrition collections.—Florence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY

Wanzer, an experienced internist and leader in the right-to-die movement, and Glenmullen (psychiatry, Harvard Univ.; The Antidepressant Solution) present in clear, logical, and practical terms what individuals can do to achieve a peaceful death for themselves and their loved ones. Using a combination of patient stories and their own expert discussions, the authors describe the legal rights of terminally ill patients to end their medical care. They also address the controversial issue of hastening the death of terminally ill patients; two chapters are devoted to various options available to end life when faced with intolerable suffering. The book's valuable appendixes include a sample living will and brief discussions of Oregon's physician-assisted dying law and legalized assisted dying in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland. More useful than the many other recent books on death and dying, this influential volume should be on the shelves of every public and university library.—Ross Mullner, Sch. of Public Health, Univ. of Illinois, Chicago

In this second edition of a 1997 title, Westcott and Baechle, weight-training professionals and authors of many other books on the subject, offer new exercises and programs to enhance performance in golf, swimming, running, cycling, skiing, and tennis. This generously illustrated workbook is intended for anyone older than 50 who wants to start a basic strength-training program at home or at a gym. The authors focus on equipment selection and correct use, emphasizing free weights and weight-stack machines and including exercise balls and body-weight resistance to develop strength. Proper technique is outlined for performing an array of exercises safely and effectively. Intended to help readers design an individualized training regimen appropriate for their level of strength and to understand basic nutrition principles that support desired strength gains, the book offers carefully outlined training guidelines that should enable readers to make steady progress. Recommended for public libraries expanding their fitness collection or serving an active senior population.—Deborah Broocker, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Dunwoody

Brown, a celebrity makeup artist and CEO of the successful cosmetics line that bears her name, here offers surgery-free beauty solutions aimed at women over 40. As in her other books, she takes a candid look at beauty and aging and suggests makeup tricks to mask the flaws that affect women as they grow older. Chapters cover skin care, makeup, nutrition, and fitness, along with plenty of before-and-after color photos of real women. Brown's tips and advice are practical, with clear step-by-step makeup instructions to correct such problems as uneven skin tone and droopy eyelids. Also included are inspirational quotes from female celebrities of a certain age like actresses Susan Sarandon and Vanessa Williams. If readers enjoyed Bobbi Brown Beauty Evolution: A Guide to a Lifetime of Beauty, then they'll appreciate this book as well. Recommended for large public libraries.—Christine Holmes, San Jose State Univ. Lib., CA

As with Reader's Digest's other how-to books, its cooking titles aim to offer basic knowledge on a particular topic. Accordingly, this guide to one-pot cooking features delicious, easy-to-follow recipes for soups, stews, stir fries, chilies, and casseroles drawn from a variety of cuisines. Ingredients are easily found at most American supermarkets. Readers will not encounter much beyond the recipes, although a few explanations of technique and particular ingredients are scattered throughout. From Chicken Chili to Aduki Bean Soup to Coq au Vin, there are dishes for cooks who are interested in trying the various mutations of one-pot cooking, and they should find much to like and explore in this book. Recommended for public as well as some special libraries.—Ginny Wolter, West Toledo Branch Lib., OH

All food is the product of history, but who ate the first tomatoes and garlic, and how did they become so important in our diet and ubiquitous at the grocery store? Writer, journalist, editor, and critic McNamee presents a cultural geography of how food, such as broccoli, corn, rice, and honey, has moved about the planet. Each chapter contains a brief history of the food, basic nutritional information, and trivia, spun together in a chatty, conversational tone, followed by several recipes containing the featured ingredient and suggestions for further reading. While the primary focus is supposedly history, this title is heavy on anecdote with its true focus on storytelling. Recipes seem like a bit of an afterthought and, on occasion, in some ways unrelated to the text. Nevertheless, this amusing volume will likely appeal to casual readers; serious scholars of food history, as well as those writing reports, will want to explore further reading. For larger collections.—Pauline Baughman, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR

In this welcome revision of a 1997 title, Pryor (Nursing Your Baby) and Huggins (The Nursing Mother's Companion) supply a wealth of updated information on legal rights in the workplace, breast pumps, and the basics of expressing, storing, and feeding breast milk. Women planning on returning to paid work will find excellent advice to make breastfeeding a long-term reality even if mother and baby are separated for many hours of the day. The breastfeeding techniques and especially the exacting logistics (e.g., the number of times and the time of day to pump, how many ounces to expect) will greatly assist new mothers. The completeness of the information—the updated resource list includes web sites, rental information, and support groups—makes this an essential read for women committed to both nursing and resuming employment outside of the home. Libraries owning the 1997 edition will want to update, and all others should purchase the new edition. Highly recommended. (Illustrations not seen.)—Julianne J. Smith, Ypsilanti Dist. Lib., MI

This cookbook is filled to the brim with healthy recipes that adhere to the rice diet's relatively strict dietary rules established in 1939. After an outline of the program (each consecutive week allows more varied ingredients à la the South Beach diet and other diets), readers advance to the recipes, which are organized into categories and include sweet anecdotes about their evolution, as they were contributed by dieters, rice diet dietitians, and cooks. A first glance at many of the main dishes may leave the impression that the meals are bland and a bit complicated for their short ingredient list. Upon closer inspection, though, there are tasty alternatives to basic American meals, as well as more "exotic" foods. The rice diet aims to combat not only weight gain but also obesity, heart disease, and other preventable ailments. Weight loss may be only a pleasant side effect of following this practical, heart-healthy plan. Recommended for public libraries and any special or academic libraries with a nutrition curriculum or section.—Claire Schaper, Free Lib. of Philadelphia

Birds of prey attract aficionados as no other group of birds does. Gessner (creative writing, Univ. of North Carolina, Wilmington; Return of the Osprey), a charming, literate maverick, tells of his travels and travails following ospreys ("fish hawks") in their migrations. Much of his journey's drama derives from the fact that his project, by happenstance, competes with a parallel, simultaneous one of the BBC, with all of its resources. Unorganized and of modest means, Gessner is nevertheless knowledgeable, lucky, and endearing himself to key experts and authorities along the way. He engagingly takes the reader down the East Coast, to Cuba, and to Colombia using information from birds tracked by satellite and his own narrative of travel to and within these places. His book shares many of the good qualities of On the Wing by Alan Tennant, another off-center character and gifted writer who followed wide-ranging peregrine falcons in a small plane. Good reading; recommended for the biology and natural history collections of all libraries, especially large public.—Henry T. Armistead, formerly with the Free Lib. of Philadelphia

Many beautiful coffee-table books celebrate the world's oceans (e.g., Philip Plisson and Christian Buchet's The Eternal Sea, Norbert Wu and Jim Mastro's Under Antarctic Ice), but few, if any, are dedicated to the life of the ocean's deeps, which most of us will never see otherwise. Readers will pick up science journalist Nouvian's book for its stunning, 200-plus full-page color photographs of dumbo octopi, vampire squid, frilled sharks, and hydrothermal vent worms; they will hang on to it for the well-written, extremely informative text. Extensive captions speak to each creature's lifestyle and habitat, while short guest chapters by eminent scientists and Nouvian's additional text provide background information on the deep ocean and its exploration. Patrons will not want to return this oversized volume, which is well worth the trouble of dealing with its heft. Highly recommended for all types and sizes of libraries, with the exception of elementary schools.—Margaret Rioux, MBL/WHOI Lib., Woods Hole, MA

With text by Sarmiento (research associate) and G.J. Sawyer (senior scientific technician), both with the Division of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History, and Richard Milner, this singular book resembles a field guide, only one related to human evolution. It documents the prevailing view among anthropologists that human evolution more closely resembles a bush than a straight line. Beginning between six and seven million years ago in Africa, it covers 22 species of extinct humans, concluding with the only surviving one, Homo sapiens. A team of physical anthropologists and artists at the American Museum of Natural History created three-dimensional scientific reconstructions for the species featured. Provided for each is information on its emergence, chronology, geographic range, classification, physiology, environment, habitat, cultural achievements, coexisting species, and possible reasons for extinction. Summaries of fossil discoveries for each species are also provided, along with historical notes mentioning publications and controversies. This guide shows humans as the lone surviving branch of a family tree wherein different hominid species once evolved and coexisted. With a foreword by Donald C. Johanson (anthropology, Arizona State Univ.) and an introduction by curator Ian Tattersall, this is an essential addition for science and paleoanthropology collections; highly recommended for academic and public libraries.—Gloria Maxwell, Penn Valley Community Coll. Lib., Kansas City, MO

Genetically modified (GM) crops and their impact on native species, the environment, and human health have been topics of international debate for many years. Thomson (microbiology, Univ. of Cape Town, South Africa) attempts to put the issue in perspective with a clear and objective scientific explanation of genetic engineering and its role in producing disease-, weed-, insect-, virus-, and drought-resistant soybean, maize, canola, cotton, beets, bananas, cassava, potatoes, and other crops providing higher yields and making healthy food available to millions of people. Thomson is candid about the risks and the legal and trade issues, but she argues that these are minor concerns when compared with the benefits that GM crops have brought to the developing world. Her scholarly, important work, written in simple language, is well documented with references to scientific literature and practical examples. Although intended for an agricultural audience, it should be read by all who want to get beyond the debate to a lucid understanding of GM crops and their place in modern biotechnology.—Irwin Weintraub, Brooklyn Coll. Lib., NY

Between 1961 and 1981, Shell Oil held surface leases on Louisiana property owned by four relatives of attorney and novelist Vernon (The Greatest Player Who Never Lived). When the leases expired, the oil company was obligated to vacate the land and restore the polluted property to its original condition. However, Shell did neither. So Vernon began a nine-year legal battle against the oil giant that culminated when a jury upheld the family's claim for restitution. Here he describes the events leading up to the trial and gives an absorbing account of the trial itself. Not only does he show how each side presented its case in court, but he clearly explains the reasons behind the tactics he used and the choices he made throughout the trial. (A judge obviously partial to Shell and corporate attorneys who used subterfuge to evade blame made winning difficult, indeed.) Vernon knows how to hold readers' interest. An engaging plot, colorful characters, well-written narration, and an ultimately happy ending make this a satisfying work. Recommended for public, environmental, and legal libraries.—Ilse Heidmann, Washington State Lib., Olympia

Gamer Theory, or GAM3R 7H30RY, as it would be better known to those following its progress, began its public life at www.futureofthebook.org/gamertheory, where it was published in draft form under a Creative Commons license. Following Wark's book about intellectual property, A Hacker Manifesto, it attempts to ascertain whether it is possible to establish a critical theory of games. Further, it explores similarities between games and life. Online, the book was organized into little vignettes, and the organization used here can be traced to that formatting, as each page retains the online numbering scheme. A wonderful addition to universities supporting science or media and cultural studies.—Michael McArthur, Northern Ontario Sch. of Medicine Lib., Laurentian Univ., Sudbury

By Karen Ellis, Director, Taylor P.L., TX

Many design and project books on stained glass-making are available. This one by Allison and informed by the expertise of Michael Johnston, who owns Rainbow Vision Stained Glass in Harrisburg, PA, proposes to take your skills up a notch with its advanced instruction. It follows Basic Stained Glass Making: All the Skills and Tools You Need To Get Started (2003) and uses the same equipment and materials chapter. There are only four projects, the most complex being a hanging lampshade. Each is accompanied by numerous step-by-step photos illustrating the textual instructions exactly. While these instructions are superior, the lack of project variety is disappointing. Also, the designs are not terribly inspired. If your library has a comprehensive collection on stained glass-making, this book will make a serviceable addition; however, for an array of beautiful stained-glass projects, you will have to look elsewhere.

Do women really need their own home fix-it and renovation book? Baker (Always Enough: God's Miraculous Provision Among the Poorest Children on Earth) and first-time author Jarrin seem to think so. Here, they provide highly detailed and product-specific instructions on how to deal with simple household repairs as well as an abundance of helpful tips and information, e.g., the definition of sandpaper grit. But the limited number of illustrations is a big drawback, and their book lacks the handholding needed for beginning do-it-yourselfers, regardless of gender. One project for building a simple end table does not feature a single illustration of the finished product, let alone step-by-step pictures. Not recommended. (Index and final photos/illustrations not seen.)

This wonderful book will help you transform bits of glass and tile into works of art. Biggs and Hunkin (coauthors, The Complete Book of Mosaics) run a studio together and have numerous mosaic craft books to their credit. Their 19 projects include wall treatments, panels, mirror frames, and tabletops. The overall appearance of the patterns and designs is stylish, with almost a 1960s vibe. An absolutely beautiful horse-border mirror and fish-design tabletop help the book live up to its subtitle, and there is enough instruction throughout so that anyone could do these projects. With such inspiring designs, this great book is recommended for most craft collections.

Learn how to create your own classical guitar (not an inexpensive undertaking) with this highly specialized first book by luthier and guitarist Bogdanovich, who makes his love for the instrument clear. He dissects and explains the classical guitar, discusses the types of materials evaluated for sound quality, and lists required tools. However, there are some organizational flaws, e.g., the illustrations and text are not aligned. Further, the instructions, while detailed, are complex; the terminology is not defined; and advanced understanding of woodworking technique is assumed. This book is not for the faint of heart or the underfunded. But with its help and enough money and determination, you can, indeed, make your own guitar. Recommended for large collections or where there is demand.

The DIY Network has transformed another TV show into book format. Builder and contractor Champley and designer Devers, cohosts of the titular show, lead homeowners through the house to address room-specific problems. The selected projects include minor repairs, renovations, and installations. The major drawback of this series is its poor translation from TV to book form—the photos, stills from the show, are blurry and show awkward positioning. What's more, the projects are incomplete, inconsistent, and accompanied by poor instructions. Basic techniques are not taught, and the tool section has few pictures. There are numerous better books covering renovations and home improvement projects. Not recommended.

Boxes can be more than mere containers—they can be beautiful pieces of art. The editors of Wood® Magazine present a wide array of wooden box projects, including small puzzle boxes, jewelry boxes, and a cabinet. They present lots of great exploded-view instructions and templates, offering variety in the styles, tools, and techniques used. Sometimes the photographs don't sell the project well, but for the most part, the illustrations are clear. There is a great section on creating a copper patina for a box lid. This book assumes basic woodworking skills and knowledge of tool use, so there is no handholding. But with a lovely selection of box projects for all skill levels, it is recommended for all woodworking collections.

Hemmis, a regular on the TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, tries a different angle to home repair. She breaks her projects into general topics; each indicates a table-rating difficulty; lists time, tools, and materials needed; and estimates cost. In a realistic and practical approach, she also soundly advises on how to hire a professional to do the work. Her wonderful and understandable instructions for simple repairs are accompanied by some stylized drawings. Unfortunately, there are not enough illustrations, despite the reassurance of the text. That said, whether you are a chick or a guy, this book can help with very simple home repairs. Recommended for larger libraries only.

While woodworking has traditionally been a male hobby, there is no reason for women to shy away. Experienced woodworker MacEwen tries to introduce women to the world of woodworking, tell them how to buy tools, and teach them how to build great furniture. Unfortunately, she does not exactly fulfill these aims. MacEwen's list of tools is too lengthy and she doesn't explain technique and tool use as clearly as other authors have. Yet her 13 beautiful furniture projects contain all the right elements—exploded view, detailed measurements, and cut lists—and the furniture, which has a Japanese/Arts & Crafts influence, is flat-out gorgeous. So while in purpose the book misses the mark, the projects are extremely attractive. Recommended for larger collections.

The band saw can be used to produce a variety of lovely wood boxes. Woodworker and first-time author Menke claims to fill a gap by focusing on this specific tool. He writes a great introduction, offers solid purchasing recommendations, instructs on technique and design, and details several box projects. The patterns are basic, and the designs, which seem simple and a bit amateurish, lack polish. But as an introduction to the band saw, this book is useful and will make a decent addition for libraries needing more wooden box-project books. For a wider variety, go with Wood® Magazine: Making Great Boxes (reviewed above). Recommended for larger collections.

At what point does woodworking become art and lose functionality? The instructors and students at the Penland School of Crafts, NC, display some pieces that dance around that line. The purpose of this fourth volume in a series featuring craftsmanship from Penland is both to inspire and to instruct. Ten artisans and woodworkers focus on a specific technique, e.g., computer-aided design, paint effects, and wood shaping, and offer step-by-step instructions. While there are some traditional furniture projects, this is more an art book than a DIY project book, with plentiful inspiration for the highly skilled woodworker. Recommended for specialized collections.

Building and DIY author Peters (Sheds and Garages) turns his expertise to different house systems in these compact little handbooks, both chock-full of pictures and illustrations and aimed at the general homeowner. Each is organized by house system basics, projects, and troubleshooting. Peters's explanation of the house systems is excellent— "electrical" goes into, e.g., currents, circuitry, and conduits while "plumbing" covers, e.g., water supply, piping, and fixtures. Electrical projects include installing a ceiling fan and a thermostat and fixing a light. Plumbing projects address replacing a faucet, installing a toilet, and dealing with clogs. As is typical with this author, everything is carefully explained in understandable language for the layperson. While neither of these manuals is meant to be exhaustive (indeed, the repairs addressed are quite general), each offers exceptional coverage. Recommended for public libraries.

Help your kids explore their imaginations with a well-built tree house. Schmidt (Decorating with Architectural Details) presents a well-organized guide to the basics of tree house building. Good photos and clear, detailed instructions lead readers through six designs. There is an informative section on what species of tree is best to "host" your structure as well as cautionary information on building codes and zoning. This is a solid book, but it lacks the flare and spirit of David and Jeanie Stiles's Treehouses & Playhouses You Can Build. Still, Schmidt provides great instruction and a solid foundation. Recommended.

Shannon and Torlen present an array of stained-glass and mosaic designs varying in difficulty from simple to complex. The introduction to materials, tools, technique, and safety is clearly written, and the extensive tips and instructions demonstrate the authors' expertise. Unfortunately, the photos are tiny and indistinct; the lack of step-by-step illustrations greatly undercuts the book's usefulness. In addition, the instructions for the specific projects refer back to the techniques section, which disrupts the reading experience. The more than a dozen projects are rather a mixed bag, too—some are simplistic, while others (e.g., designs for a tray, mirrors, and other ornamental features) are very attractive. Recommended for larger craft collections only.