Science & Technology

By Staff -- Library Journal, 04/01/2007

Argiculture

These four books teach gardeners how to use natural methods to grow plants. The most unique offering helps us go organic with houseplants. While writing the San Francisco Chronicle's "Gardener Within" column, Bawden Davis began experimenting with organic methods for growing and maintaining houseplants. Now, a decade later, she shares her success and knowledge of chemical-free houseplant selection, care, and propagation. A particularly nice section covers the bane of houseplant lovers—pests and diseases. Highly recommended for public libraries.

Books on growing organic vegetables and fruits are becoming commonplace, but readers will enjoy both of Cuthbertson's (Beginner's Guide to Herb Gardening) wonderfully illustrated (200-plus color photos) titles, in which she shares natural methods relevant to situating gardens and to using season extenders such as greenhouses, which she describes in some detail. The A-to-Z plant directories thoroughly explain preferences and include plants excluded from many other books (e.g., her vegetable directory contains "salsify," "celeriac," and "watercress"; the fruit book, "medlars"). Nicely complementing Patrick Lima's personality-filled The Organic Home Garden: How To Grow Fruits & Vegetables Naturally, Cuthbertson's inexpensive books are worthwhile. Recommended.

Oster and Walliser (cohosts, The Organic Gardeners radio show, Pittsburgh) address growing organic flowers, vegetables, and lawns. They begin with guiding principles, including easy steps on how to transition to natural methods, and they explain soil management, composting, companion planting, and natural-pest regulation. In neighborly, tell-all sidebars, they share charming personal gardening experiences from which readers can learn. Each chapter has a "Quick Tips" section that offers some 250 ideas. With its 25 color photographs, glossary, and index (unseen), this could be a nice resource for public libraries needing an updated work appropriate for many skill levels. Recommended.—Bonnie Poquette, Milwaukee

For those who love cats but because of allergies think that they cannot add a feline companion to their household, Morgan (Good Dogkeeping; Sneeze-Free Dog Breeds) provides this helpful guide. In clear, direct language aimed at lay readers, she first describes the nature of the allergic response, explaining that cat dander is everywhere, even in places where cats have never been. She then outlines steps for reducing the level of allergens in the home, e.g., removing places where dander can collect such as carpets, blinds, fabric-upholstered furniture; assiduously vacuuming floors; and frequently laundering bed linens. She emphasizes that there is no such creature as a "nonallergenic" cat, but she describes seven breeds that may be considered "hypoallergenic," including the Devon Rex and the Sphynx, indicating their general appearance, health issues, and sources for finding breeders. Easily understandable, copiously and beautifully illustrated with color photos, this informative book is highly recommended for public libraries.—Florence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY

On the continuum of menopause books, this title lies somewhere between Susun Weed's New Menopausal Years and Christiane Northrup's The Wisdom of Menopause with its blend of spirituality, holistic health, and user-friendly women's health advice. Defining menopause as a journey rather than a phase, or, worse yet, a crisis, naturopathic physician Boice outlines strategies to help women develop healthful habits and make informed choices that will enrich every aspect of their lives. Whether discussing phytoestrogens, hormone-replacement therapy, or nutrition, Boice maintains her spiritual focus by emphasizing transformation and including personal reflections that reveal diverse menopausal experiences. In the chapter on bone health, Boice compares the physical support provided by the skeletal system to the moral support provided by our belief systems, still succeeding in delivering an especially lucid explanation of how high-protein diets affect calcium levels. Moreover, this book has the power to motivate even the most skeptical readers to meditate and practice creative visualization. Recommended for large public libraries and health collections.—Blanche Angelo, Livermore P.L., CA

Celebrity cosmetic dermatologist Brandt (Ageless: The Definitive Guide to Botox, Collagen, Lasers, Peels, and Other Solutions for Flawless Skin) presents both general and condition-specific approaches to skin care, including numerous ten-minute tips. Overviews of current, scientifically accepted factors (e.g., UV light, sugars, and stress) are coupled with preventions like sunscreen, exercise, dietary changes, and stress reduction. The material then shifts to marketed antiaging products and procedures, along with general evaluation guidelines. Readers will find coverage of both over-the-counter products (e.g., topicals and home-based chemical peels) and physician services (e.g., injectable fillers and light therapies). In the book's last half, Brandt presents 17 condition-specific treatment plans, each ranging from minimally invasive, home-based solutions to higher-priced professional services. Although clearly and succinctly written for general readers, the book also emphasizes Brandt's specialties (e.g., injectable fillers). Recommended for public libraries where there is interest in Brandt as well as higher-end antiaging products and procedures.—Janice Flahiff, Medical Univ. Lib. of Ohio, Toledo

Food journalist and former chef Burke (coauthor, The Trans Fat Solution) here delineates the effects of pesticides on humans and the environment in excruciating detail, with scathing indictments of the FDA, agribusiness, and agricultural lobbyists. She argues that large corporations and even foreign nations are now selling foods labeled as organic even though they may well be tainted by pesticides. She encourages buying foods that are local (grown within 100 miles of home) or sustainable (not "organic" by the FDA's rigorous standards but still technically organic). Shoppers are provided with a rather confusing formula to help determine whether the value of organic foods is worth the increased cost, as well as lists of the 12 most pesticide-laden foods and the 15 cleanest foods. Tips on finding healthy foods and a shopping guide chart may help readers determine when organics are a better choice. Although Burke's topic is worthwhile and she is right to point to the harm caused by pesticides, her language is fairly inflammatory; the book would have been more effective if the facts had been allowed to speak for themselves. For larger collections only.—Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans' Hosp., Tampa

Not all women are glowing and happy throughout their pregnancies. Many experience trying side effects like morning sickness, lethargy, and cravings. In his second book, ob-gyn and reproductive endocrinologist Greene (Perfect Balance: Dr. Robert Greene's Breakthrough Program for Finding the Lifelong Hormonal Health You Deserve) presents his Perfect Balance Program, which claims to ease the difficult aspects of pregnancy via hormone therapies combined with diet and exercise. After Greene's persuasive introduction about the safety of bioidentical and biosimilar hormone therapies, the guide covers each trimester of pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period, along with troubleshooting hormone disorders throughout pregnancy. He recommends a flexible vegetarian diet, organic food, and plenty of exercise. Keeping a pregnancy journal is repeatedly advised as a way to reduce stress and track symptoms, with many chapters containing journaling prompts or ideas. Women who are concerned about taking medications or hormone therapies while pregnant will be interested in Greene's book, including those who may want to continue taking antidepressants. Suitable for public libraries, especially where there is interest in Greene's first book.—Mindy Rhiger, Minneapolis

This book alleges that food allergy is a leading cause of hospital emergency-room visits, with an estimated 11 million Americans currently affected. More alarming is that nearly 50 percent of people with food allergy may experience a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Hannaway (Tufts Univ. Sch. of Medicine) presents this popular A-to-Z consumer reference guide in 21 chapters covering such issues as recognizing and managing anaphylaxis, particular allergies (e.g., to cow's milk, nuts and spices, food additives), risky restaurants, and tips for managing food allergies. The index refers readers to short, descriptive paragraphs on the nature of a particular food allergy that often give a brief historical account of the food and its allergic reaction. Illustrating potential dangers are anecdotes and brief case histories, which, together with the historical accounts, are relevant and interesting but not meant as clinical detail. Thus, the book will be most useful as an introductory reference resource for consumer health collections and as an overall reference resource on the multifaceted, complex nature of food allergies.—James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York

With childhood obesity at epidemic proportions, these two books offer parents well-founded, practical advice for feeding their children. A Harvard pediatrician and founder of the Optimal Weight for Life (OWL) Program at the Children's Hospital Boston, Ludwig, along with OWL dietician Rostler, presents a nine-week plan to help children and their families adopt healthy eating and physical activity habits. In part, he recommends eating a low-glycemic diet and not stopping for fast-food meals.

Zied (So What Can I Eat?!), a registered dietician who admits to weight struggles of her own as a child, is a national media spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. With science and nutrition writer Winter, she focuses on all age groups, from infants to seniors. Zied gives more detailed information than does Ludwig regarding nutritional needs for specific age groups and suggestions for incorporating occasional fast-food meals into a healthy diet. Both books include recipes and menu substitutions, are personalized with frequent stories of clients who have successfully made positive lifestyle changes, emphasize family fitness activities, and dish out practical advice, e.g., eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The biggest difference between them is that Ludwig's book concentrates on helping the child with a weight problem, which leads to positive changes for the entire family, while Zied's book is intended to provide nutrition and fitness information for all family members. Both are highly recommended for public libraries and consumer health collections.—Robin Sabo, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mount Pleasant

Michaels, best known for her stint as the strength trainer on The Biggest Loser TV series, first entered the crowded fitness book field with Winning by Losing, a sound program for lasting health. Here, she presents a plan to get women in top condition in 30 days. Only those who pass the fitness test provided at the beginning should attempt the program, which promises, through a combination of healthy eating and hard exercise, being able to run in a bikini without a jiggle. The prescribed diet is based on metabolic type as determined by a questionnaire, though the differences among the diets are negligible; all emphasize small portions of varied foods (heavy on the fruits and veggies) eaten at regular intervals. Michaels sprinkles her text with "Daily Affirmations" and "Mind over Matter" sidebars to help keep readers motivated. The exercises utilize light weights and body balls. It's a good program for the highly motivated but not for the common weight-loss customer. Recommended where interest warrants.—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH

Fitness trainer Rocker, codeveloper of the indoor cycling phenomenon known as Spinning, presents a highly detailed, 14-day program of exercise and meal plans designed to promote both physical and emotional wellness. Her regimen includes lengthy walking intervals of varying intensity with optional use of a weighted vest (the WalkVest®, sold separately by Rocker), to increase intensity and improve bone density. Her nutritional guidelines recommend eating small portions of protein, whole grains, and vegetables. The meal plans are quite restrictive, outlawing sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and potatoes. There is little doubt that following Rocker's precise plan will result in weight loss, but the complexity and length of her walking workouts are daunting and somewhat unrealistic. For example, the tenth day of her plan includes a roughly 70-minute workout that requires keeping track of a mazelike series of more than 13 timed variations in effort level. While her focus on the oft-neglected emotional component of weight loss is welcome and refreshing, Rocker's complicated workout plans will likely try the patience of many readers. Best suited for detail-oriented walking fans who might also consider Carolyn S. Kortge's The Spirited Walker or Mark Fenton's Walking Magazine: The Complete Guide to Walking. Suitable for larger public libraries.—Ingrid Levin, Salve Regina Univ. Lib., Newport, RI

Each nation has its own story of who is affected by HIV/AIDS and how governments and others have reacted. Smallman (international studies, Portland State Univ.; Fear and Memory in the Brazilian Army and Society, 1889–1954) here attempts to delineate what makes Latin America's experience with the disease unique, offering an overview followed by more focused assessments of regions and countries. He feels that placing the region's experience in an international context is essential to understanding what has happened there. The book is divided into chapters on the Caribbean, Brazil, Mexico and Central America, and Spanish South America. In each case, Smallman covers the epidemiology of the disease, offers personal stories, and looks at how it was and is being dealt with by individuals, governments, and nongovernmental organizations. Thoroughly researched and well documented, Smallman's work serves as a more scholarly complement to Tim Frasca's AIDS in Latin America and offers many suggestions and sources for further research. Recommended for libraries with large AIDS or Latin American studies collections.—Dick Maxwell, Porter Adventist Hosp. Lib., Denver

Dermond, director of the Living Wisdom School in Oregon, encourages readers to soothe the long-term effects of overexcitement and agitation plaguing children by creating calming environments, exploring nature and music, reading aloud, and modeling nurturing behavior. Lacking these, children "may not develop the emotional reserves to give much compassion to others." While only the most determined readers will, for example, spray frenzied children with calming, lilac-scented water, most will be able to pick up a few tips, like using pets and stuffed animals (termed "pseudo-pets") to teach kids about love. Though Dermond's heartfelt writing occasionally seems platitudinous (e.g., "pay attention to the beauty and kindness surrounding us"), readers will note her unwavering, gentle appreciativeness. This is like a starter kit to help balance life's busyness with oases of literal (and figurative) silence and will serve as a good companion to Kenneth R. Ginsberg and Martha M. Jablow's A Parent's Guide to Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Your Child Roots and Wings. Recommended for medium and large public libraries, as well as collections supporting the teaching professions.—Douglas C. Lord, Connecticut State Lib., Hartford

Syndicated food columnist Furiya artfully blends childhood memories, food, and cultural identity in this candid, touching, and funny memoir revealing what life was like in the 1960s for the only Asian family living in Versailles, an Indiana farming community. Furiya shares stories about her family, Japanese traditions, and life in a Midwestern town in an elegant, compelling, and distinct style. She vividly describes her childhood in an engaging manner. Imagine feelings of embarrassment and isolation for a little girl whose lunchbox is filled with rice balls instead of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Food is at the center of her stories, and each chapter ends with a favorite Japanese dish. Chapters also explore Furiya's conflicted feelings concerning her ethnicity, identity, and her parents' arranged marriage. This beautifully written and insightful coming-of-age story is recommended for public and academic libraries.—Christine Holmes, San Jose State Univ. Lib., CA

In fewer than 300 pages, Henderson traces his journey from crook to cook. The book's formulaic rags-to-relative-riches story owes a debt to memoirs penned in the late 20th century by criminalized black urban youth who made good. Indeed, who would benefit from this work? It would appear, by Henderson's use of street lingo, that it is for urban youth. His story: a child of a broken family becomes a young thief, a drug dealer, an inmate, then a chef (he's executive chef at Café Bellagio in Las Vegas). The chances of escaping Henderson's original circumstances are slim, but the author assures readers that hard work will turn the most wretched of the masses into middle-class blacks and whites. Another drawback: one can read Henderson's book and not see him at all. More stock character study than in-depth memoir, this you-can-get-out-of-the-ghetto book frustrates. Librarians looking to "save" urban boys will add it to their collections despite the fact that Cooked is both bland and underdone. Not recommended.—Steven G. Fullwood, Schomburg Ctr. Lib., New York

In this sequel to The Supermarket Diet, nutritionist Jibrin includes a review of the diet, provides suggestions on stocking the kitchen, and gives a number of menus, using at least one recipe from the earlier book. Calories and nutritional information are included for each of the meals. A chapter on "Avoiding Diet Pitfalls" contains a list of national chain restaurants (e.g., Applebee's, McDonald's, Subway, Wendy's) that feature meals that fit the diet. The rest of the book is devoted to 175 recipes tested by the Good Housekeeping kitchen. Unfortunately, the recipes are lumped into one chapter, beginning with breakfast food, then lunch, dinner, stews, pasta, side dishes, and desserts, most of which are simple to prepare and can be done in less than 30 minutes. The index is a disappointment, with recipes listed by title rather than food type—e.g., Grilled Sea Bass is listed under "grilled." Recommended for public libraries that found the previous book popular.—Christine Bulson, SUNY at Oneonta Lib.

McMahon, a journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle, here expands on an article she wrote in March 2005 portraying youth sports across the country. The problems with today's little leagues are serious: 70 percent of the participants will quit by age 13. Why? Burnout, brought on by repetitive sports injuries usually seen at the professional levels, missed family holidays and vacations for the sake of far-away tournaments, no more time for family dinners, and violence on the sidelines from parents and coaches. How can kids play organized sports, even for elite teams, and still find time for friends, family, and hanging out? McMahon suggests a few good solutions, but overall her book is descriptive, relying on long verbatim interviews that could have been more effective summarized. Nevertheless, it will alert parents new to the field to the abuses of the youth-organized sports culture. Look to Fred Engh's Why Johnny Hates Sports for a more in-depth analysis. Recommended for large public libraries.—Maryse Breton, Onondaga Cty. P.L., Syracuse, NY

Chez Panisse is known for embodying what the French call terroir, the unique sense of place that lends its taste to foods raised and grown there. McNamee's book explores the origins of the restaurant and the influence that Waters has had on American foodways. He details her passionate interest in French food, sparked after a year at the Sorbonne, and how this led to the creation of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA, in the 1970s. Drawing on the restaurant's archives at the University of California, Berkeley, as well as interviews with Waters and her circle, McNamee presents a candid examination of the restaurant's growth. He is also able to illustrate the famous chef's passion for organic, locally raised food and its impact on California and beyond. The author's sensitivity to nature and his sympathy for his subject make this an engaging and tantalizing read. Recommended for any library with a strong culinary collection.—Shelley Brown, New Westminster P.L., B.C.

Miller has taken her popular Food Network show—Quick Meal Fixes with Robin Miller—and created a cookbook that features several of her signature options for saving time in the kitchen. These include cooking in stages (or as she terms it, creating a "meal kit") and "morphing," which takes one ingredient and makes several meals from it, as well as a variety of general quick-fix recipes that are said to be ready in 30 minutes or less. She also adds side dishes and desserts, which are often neglected in these types of works. The layout is a little confusing, but the recipes represent a nice mix of Asian, Tex-Mex, Italian, and American. There are numerous illustrations; however, they are primarily of Miller rather than of the prepared dishes. Most recipes also come with a storage or nutrition tip or ways to substitute other ingredients, all of which are helpful. Overall, there is nothing extraordinary here, but the book would make a good source for new ideas, handy to have when your repertoire needs a kick. Purchase where interest warrants.—Susan Hurst, Miami Univ. Lib., Oxford, OH

With the assistance of professional writer Wendy Lyons Sunshine, child psychologists Purvis and David R. Cross—the director and associate director, respectively, of the Institute of Child Development, Texas Christian University (TCU)—have produced an extremely useful parenting handbook. While the authors focus on the particular challenges confronting adoptive parents of special-needs children, their insights could just as easily apply to parents of other children. Employing techniques honed at TCU's Adoption Project and its Hope Connection camp for at-risk adopted children, the authors provide much-needed practical advice on establishing connections with children and on raising children who can connect in a healthy fashion with others. This book is truly outstanding because of its numerous examples of scripts and phrases that parents can use when their children engage in particular kinds of behavior. Akin to Stanley I. Greenspan and others' The Child with Special Needs: Encouraging Intellectual and Emotional Growth and Carol Stock Kranowitz's The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder, this book is strongly recommended for all public libraries and large academic collections.—Lynne F. Maxwell, Villanova Univ. Sch. of Law Lib., PA

Diving and oceanography coffee-table books are generally rife with beautiful, glossy pages of paradise islands, the Galápagos, or crystal-clear Caribbean water. This book, about diving in temperate waters between the tropical seas and the polar region, is different. Award-winning Irish photographer Collins dives in places like the Bay of Kerry in Ireland and Vancouver Island in the Pacific, as well as locations in Scotland, South Africa, and Tasmania. There, he encounters ghostly shipwrecks and some of the strangest creatures on the planet in kelp forests, on rocky shoals, and on open sand flats. From the bizarre wolf eel to the resident dolphin in Ireland's Dingle Harbor, surprises abound, even in dim, nutrient-rich seas. In more than 140 stunning portraits, Collins captures everything from the apex predator of the great white to the delicate tentacles of a jellyfish shifting in a current. Even the glass eye of a German submarine periscope serves as a haunting reminder of war, sea adventure, and the long history of the mariners. With Collins's personal accounts, quotes from historical marine explorers, and vivid photography, this collection is essential for enthusiasts of diving and marine studies. Recommended for public libraries.—Ron Samul, New London, CT

The authors of the classic books on animal behavior for lay readers The Animal Mind and The Honey Bee, James and Carol Gould have teamed together again to delve into the cognitive processes behind the building behavior of animals. While some structural designs and construction methods are a result of innate behavior, others appear to involve a higher level of cognition. The Goulds start by providing basic background information on why animals build. They then explore the building processes of a variety of species, such as spiders, wasps, ants, bees, termites, birds, and beavers, with an emphasis on behaviors that may be interpreted as showing decision-making, learning, or problem-solving ability. Finally, they reflect on how studying these behaviors can provide insight into the human mind. The content here is similar to that found in Karl von Frisch's classic Animal Architecture and Mike Hansell's more recent Animal Architecture. However, this book is geared more toward a general audience and has less breadth and depth. Nevertheless, it raises interesting questions on animal intelligence and the evolution of building behavior. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.—Teresa U. Berry, Univ. of Tennessee Libs., Knoxville

It takes 500 years to create one inch of topsoil—it takes much less time to deplete the nutrients in soil or to strip soil of protective vegetation. Once that happens, wind and rain erode the topsoil so that, within a few generations, the land is unable to support cultivation. Montgomery (earth & space sciences, Univ. of Washington; King of Fish: The Thousand-Year Run of Salmon) examines the role soil use has played in many civilizations throughout history—Mesopotamia, ancient Greece, China, the Roman Empire, Central America, imperial Europe, and the American Colonies and West. He explores how the overcultivation of soil and its subsequent erosion may have been factors in the decline of many of these civilizations and certainly contributed to America's Dust Bowl conditions in the 1930s. Montgomery concludes by suggesting that no-till and organic farming techniques can be used to prevent future soil catastrophes. For its unique perspective, sound research, and compelling narrative, this book is recommended to public and academic libraries.—Gloria Maxwell, Metropolitan Community Coll. Lib., Penn Valley, Kansas City, MO

After earning a doctorate in biochemistry, Neffe became a science journalist, eventually receiving the Egon Erwin Kisch Award, Germany's most prestigious accolade for print journalism. This book was first published in Germany (where it was a best seller) in 2005, and the English translation accordingly appears here on the heels of Walter Isaacson's Einstein: His Life and Universe. Both books cover much of the same ground, alternating between Einstein's tremendous scientific achievements and his often-contentious personal life. The arrangement of Neffe's book is idiosyncratic; the first few pages are devoted to a grisly account of Einstein's postmortem dissection. Following that, the strongest portion is Neffe's lucid explanation of Einstein's scientific work. However, Neffe's narrative of Einstein's personal life and political interests is not as clear and well balanced as Isaacson's thoughtful discussion of the same areas. As a whole, Isaacson's book is the better of the two, though Neffe's work is worthy of purchase by academic and most public libraries, namely, for its unearthing of new documents, e.g., a series of letters Einstein wrote to his sons.—Jack W. Weigel, Ann Arbor, MI

The number of people who would read this book is probably very limited, and that isn't necessarily a reflection on Veryl Goodnight or Roger Brooks, who took an orphaned buffalo (more correctly referred to as an American bison) into their suburban Santa Fe, NM, home. Rosen, a senior editor at Workman Publishing, has a higher purpose in telling how this couple raised "Charlie," as he tries to provide insight into one of this country's most notable yet not well-known native animals. The chapters are loosely organized—stories about Charlie are interspersed with historical and ecological information on bison as well as with tidbits of family history. The acknowledgments at the end provide good reference for further reading, though much of what is written on the American bison is decades old and not readily available. Recommended only where there is interest.—Edell M. Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI

Wilson (biology & anthropology, SUNY Binghamton; Darwin's Cathedral: Evolution, Religion, and the Nature of Society) prefers the title evolutionist, rather than evolutionary biologist, since he uses evolutionary theory to explain a wide range of human behavior. Although an ardent enthusiast of evolution, the author subjects his many conjectures to rigorous testing and expects others to do the same in order to make any valid claims. As a result, he is an excellent guide to help lay readers develop an evolutionary understanding of human nature. This personable yet erudite book, his first written for a general audience, is full of provocative, original perceptions and connections. Wilson tries to make the process of arriving at these insights as transparent as possible. His desire is to show that the work of science doesn't take any special gifts and that evolution is easy to understand. Also, in using evolutionary theory to explain religion, he doesn't use it to dismiss religion. Rather, he cautions against all belief systems, secular as well as religious, that ignore factual reality. Highly recommended for both public and academic libraries.—Walter L. Cressler, West Chester Univ. Lib., PA