Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books

-- Library Journal, 11/15/2007

Week of November 13

Fiction | Nonfiction

Fiction

Erickson, Steve. Zeroville. Europa Editions, dist. by Consortium. Nov. 2007. c.352p. ISBN 978-1-933372-39-6. pap. $14.95. F

Los Angeles magazine film critic Erickson’s cinematic eighth novel (after Tour of the Black Clock) reels itself out as it tells the story of Vikar Jerome, a cinephile whose limited ability to engage with other people makes him the perfect surreal film editor. In short chapters resembling film outtakes, Vikar comes to Hollywood in 1969, works at several menial jobs, and has weird encounters with burglars who are also film buffs and gonzo film directors. He learns how to edit films when a drunken editor takes him under her wing and meets wannabe revolutionaries, punk rockers, and failed starlets. Vikar has great success but blows it because of his inappropriate press conferences and generally vexing public behavior. Using the decline of the Hollywood movie industry as the template for this dark novel and a protagonist cum prophet with a propensity for violence who has Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift tattooed on his shaven head, Erickson plumbs the darkness of movies and, indeed, men’s souls. This challenging novel will resonate with readers of serious literary fiction.—Andrea Kempf, Johnson Cty. Community Coll. Lib., Overland Park, KS

Karon, Jan. Home to Holly Springs. Viking. 2007. c.512p. ISBN 978-0-670-01825-3. $16. F

After 38 years away from his hometown of Holly Springs, MS, septuagenarian Father Tim Kavanagh is summoned back by a two-word anonymous letter. Curiosity and a sense of adventure propel Karon’s beloved priest (of her popular "Mitford" series) home, where he makes new acquaintances, reconnects with long-lost friends, resolves decades-old conflicts, uncovers family secrets, and faces demons from his past. Soul-searching flashbacks help paint the picture of Father Tim’s early life. Karon fans will welcome this first of three Father Tim novels, yet may be surprised by the very human flaws found in young Tim. This novel contains a deeper, more suspenseful story line than what’s found in many of the Mitford books, but in typical Karon style, the author conveniently resolves all conflicts in a happily-ever-after fashion that’s almost too good to be believable. Note: While the novel reflects the vocabulary of the era, the gratuitous use of the N word could offend some readers. Highly recommended to all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/07.]—Mary Todd Chesnut, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights

Knipfel, Jim. Noogie’s Time To Shine. Virgin Bks, dist. by Client Dist. Svcs. 2007. c.256p. ISBN 978-0-75351-283-8. pap. $13.95. F

Ned "Noogie" Krapczak is 30 years old, lives with his mother, and considers himself lucky to have a menial job refilling ATM machines. Life’s pretty dull, until he accidentally discovers a way to embezzle money from his employer. When he’s found out, he hits the road as a fugitive, just like the movie gangsters he idolizes. But life on the lam might not be quite what he expects. Knipfel, a New York columnist and author of three previous books (e.g., Slackjaw), has a coolly ironic narrative voice that permits the reader to see "Noogie" as both the romantic desperado he believes himself to be and as a rather pathetic, sad sack who eludes capture only because he’s so easily ignored. The contrast is enjoyable, but some readers will find themselves bewildered by a sudden, unsignaled plot twist midway through the novel. Knipfel makes a dramatic point about his protagonist’s character, but the novel’s second half never quite regains the ironic charm and shambling momentum of the beginning. Purchase where there is interest in the author and particular interest in psychological or neonoir crime fiction.—Bradley Scott, Brighton Dist. Lib., MI

Nonfiction

Evans, Arthur V. National Wildlife Federation® Field Guide to Insects and Spiders & Related Species of North America. Sterling. 2007. 498p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-4027-4153-1. pap. $19.95. NAT HIST

Lavishly illustrated by some 2000 excellent color photographs and 130 line drawings, this outstanding guide covers more than 940 of the estimated 100,000 species of terrestrial and freshwater arthropods (insects, spiders, and related species) of North America north of Mexico. Not only does it cover the commonly seen, spectacular, beneficial, or harmful species, it also includes most lesser-known groups. The illustrated table of contents doubles as a key to the 43 arthropod orders. Introductory sections cover body plan, development, conservation, habitat, and identification. Species entries are made up of an annotated color photograph; common, scientific, and family names; and size, range, and a concise description of habitat, life cycle, and behavior. Supplemental material follows on starting a collection, keeping arthropods in captivity, planting an arthropod garden, and macrophotography; there is also a glossary, a pronunciation guide, an outline of arthropod orders, and lists of endangered species, insect zoos, butterfly houses, entomological and arachnological societies, web sites, biological supply houses, and identification guides. The index is to common names, families, and genus and species. In combination with Stephen A. Marshall’s Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity, With a Photographic Guide to the Insects of Eastern North America, this is an excellent resource for public libraries, schools, and interested lay readers.—Annette Aiello, Smithsonian Tropical Research Inst., Panama

I Got Thunder: Black Women Songwriters on Their Craft. Thunder’s Mouth: Avalon, dist. by Publishers Group West. Nov. 2007. c.464p. ed. by LaShonda Katrice Barnett. index. ISBN 978-1-56858-331-0. pap. $16.95. MUSIC

Barnett (history & Africana studies, Sarah Lawrence Coll.) interviewed 20 preeminent black female performance artists for this original compilation. She opens each interview with a biographical account followed by a selected discography. Coming from a variety of genres, music greats such as Miriam Makeba, the late Nina Simone, and the "First Lady of Gospel," Shirley Ceasar, tell their own stories in their own words. The interviews blossom into insightful conversations about the artist’s life, the impact of her art, and social commentary. Invariably, the interviewees offer pearls of wisdom, e.g., Ceasar’s sage counsel to not "expect things to just happen for you overnight. It’s better when you pay some dues." Simone offers, "If you have knowledge of what came before you, who walked before you, then you know who you are and what you can achieve." Comparable to Wayne Enstice and Janis Stockhouse’s Jazzwomen: Conversations with Twenty-One Musicians, Barnett’s book is essential for specialized music and African American collections as well as school and public libraries.—Vanessa J. Morris, dept. of library science, Clarion Univ., PA

Lark, Susan M., M.D., with Kimberly Day. Dr. Susan Lark’s Hormone Revolution: The Gift of Hormonal Health for Women of All Ages. Portola. Dec. 2007. c.568p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-9795409-0-5. $28.95. HEALTH

In this distinctive and empowering primer, alternative medicine clinician, author (The Women’s Health Companion), lecturer, and product developer Lark urges women young and old to maintain hormonal balance naturally to combat myriad diseases. She begins with the biology of the various hormones, their interactions, and how they are affected by age and environmental factors like stress. The remainder of the book presents biomedical findings and recommendations (including dosages) in such areas as natural products (plant progesterone, black cohosh), supplements (licorice, kava), exercise (tai chi, aerobics), dietary changes, and spiritual/New Age approaches (color therapy, prayer). Books like Lark’s—e.g., Suzanne Somers’s The Sexy Years: Discover the Hormone Connection and Ericka Schwartz’s The 30-Day Natural Hormone Plan, which are less comprehensive—are difficult to evaluate owing to the lack of conclusive evidence for natural and alternative hormone therapies. The author’s heart appears to be in the right place, but her recommendations should be approached with caution. (Index not seen.)—Janice Flahiff, Univ. of Toledo Health Science Campus Lib.

Nieto, Augie & T.R. Pearson. Augie’s Quest: One Man’s Journey from Success to Significance. Bloomsbury, dist. by Macmillan. Nov. 2007. c.224p. ISBN 978-1-59691-468-1. $21. BUS

Nieto (ALS Therapy Development Inst.) and Pearson (Glad News of the Natural World) present a riveting story of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, as well as a critique of current medical research processes. In 1980, Nieto cofounded Lifecycle, Inc., manufacturer of the Lifecycle exercise bike, and with extraordinary drive and determination transformed the sales and use of cardiovascular equipment into an immensely successful business enterprise. After being diagnosed with ALS in 2005, he discovered that there was a lack of incentive for drug companies to find a cure for ALS and very little communication among ALS researchers. The drug-company business model did not support finding a cure for an "orphan" disease, and the academic model supported only localized publication. Rather than accepting those models, Nieto applied the same extraordinary drive and determination he put into developing his business to create a new model for research and founded the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALSTDI), whose purpose is to discover therapies and a cure for this debilitating and deadly disease. Under the guidance of Nieto and his team, ALSTDI has initiated fast-track ALS research and created an international clearinghouse for ALS information. This is a book about hope, courage, and a real American hero; highly recommended for public, academic, and business libraries.—Robert L. Balliot, Bristol, RI

Roston, Miles. Taking Away the Distance: An African AIDS Orphan and His Crusade To Unite Children Orphaned by the Epidemic. Carroll & Graf. Dec. 2007. c.280p. ISBN 978-0-7867-2082-8. pap. $14.95. INT AFFAIRS

Filmmaker Roston first met Kevin Sumba in 2001 during the making of 14 Million Dreams, a documentary profiling five children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. By age ten, Kevin had lost both parents to AIDS and has since lived alone in a Kenyan shack without plumbing or electricity. Five years later, Roston returns to the slum where Kevin still roasts peanuts to pay for food, struggles to stay in school, and wonders how to stay alive. Kevin, now 17, is fast approaching manhood in a region where 40 percent of girls his age are HIV positive. He needs answers, but all his community leaders prescribe are abstinence and prayer. Together, he and Roston set out to find answers for Kevin’s questions and, in doing so, forge a bond that is both touching and inspiring. Determined to make a difference, Kevin journeys from New York to Nairobi, where he confronts pharmaceutical giants, religious leaders, and powerful politicos in his quest to bring about change in a world where sex is literally a matter of life and death. Recommended for all libraries.—Jeannne Bogino, New Lebanon Lib., New York

Roszler, Janis & Donna Rice. Sex and Diabetes: For Him and for Her. American Diabetes Assn. 2007. c.204p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-58-040277-4. pap. $16.95. HEALTH

This book is intended to serve as a self-help resource for those with diabetes who may be facing issues with intimacy. The authors have backgrounds in nutrition, which explains the chapter on recipes using ingredients known for their amorous properties (Roszler has previously published on this topic in The Secrets of Living and Loving with Diabetes). The book is arranged into topical chapters, which conclude with a set of questions intended to facilitate communication and further discussion with a partner. Despite some helpful and useful information, the lack of organization and clarity in the writing and presentation of the information makes the book difficult to follow. While it is apparent the intended audience is the general population, the writing style seems overly simplistic and at times reads like a sex education textbook from high school. The American Diabetes Association has published other works, e.g., Diabetes A to Z: What You Need To Know About Diabetes, Simply Put or American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes: The Ultimate Home Diabetes Reference, that will also provide information on this topic.—Susan E. Thomas, Indiana Univ. Lib., South Bend, IN

Shorter, Edward & David Healy. Shock Therapy: A History of Electroconvulsive Treatment in Mental Illness. Rutgers Univ. 2007. c.384p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-8135-4169-3. $27.95. PSYCH

During the past half century, shock therapy has come to be viewed as the last resort in the treatment of mental illnesses. To many, the term conjures up old, outdated, and cruel images. Here, Shorter and Healy—both world-renowned researchers and authors of numerous scholarly books—make a convincing effort to debunk these views and images and return electroconvulsive (shock) therapy to the prominence it had shortly after its "discovery" in the early 1930s. A thorough review of the history of ECT and related shock procedures is presented, along with research showing its potential to "bring hope to many clinically depressed patients who do not respond to drugs." In light of the negativity that currently surrounds this procedure, this book/study has groundbreaking potential, and its readability is strengthened by the use of many primary documents, including detailed journal entries and transcripts of interviews with the original scientists involved. Suitable and recommend for all academic libraries and large public libraries.—Steve Dixon, Mildred and Louis Resnick Lib., SUNY Delhi

Trecker, Jamie. Love & Blood: At the World Cup with the Footballers, Fans, and Freaks. Harvest: Harcourt. 2007. c.272p. ISBN 978-0-15-603098-4. pap. $14. SPORTS

First-time author and full-time soccer superfan Trecker passionately chronicles his experiences covering the 2006 World Cup in Germany for Yahoo! Sports. Rabid for every detail, Trecker abandons objectivity and kicks in everything but the kitchen sink; the result is an exciting, infectious, messy read incorporating soccer-related travelog, history, news, and conjecture. A keen observer, Trecker effectively conveys the fervor of "young men sleeping huddled under their countries flags on the cold floors of the train stations" yet also insightfully notes that matches "are a proxy for conflict" on broader societal levels, be it North London (Arsenal) versus Manchester (United) or Germany versus Finland. Trecker’s insight and zealotry, however, can’t overcome a blocky writing style and a lack of focus. Even for large libraries with dedicated sports and recreation sections, this is only reluctantly recommended; instead consider Clemente Lisi’s A History of the World Cup: 1930–2006 or Harry Harris’ World Cup Diary: The Incredible Story of the 2006 World Cup.—Douglas C. Lord, Connecticut State Lib., Hartford

Week of November 6

Fiction | Nonfiction

Fiction

Koontz, Dean. The Darkest Evening of the Year. Bantam. Nov. 2007. c.368p. ISBN 978-0-553-80482-9. $27. F

For his latest supernaturally tinged thriller, Koontz finds inspiration close to home: the longtime golden retriever owner fashions this tale around Nickie, a golden with special talents that go far beyond those of the normal canine. Nickie makes her way into a set of circumstances involving Ann Redwing, founder of a dog-rescue group called Golden Heart, and Brian McCarthy, Ann’s architect boyfriend. Ann and Brian’s relationship is troubled by difficulties from their respective pasts, which they have not yet revealed to each other as the narrative begins. Nickie’s presence not only leads them to expose the details of their former lives but also guides them through the unimagined climax that ensues when people from those past lives join forces. In a story that is not without violence and bloodshed, Koontz blends his particular brand of dark humor with a sympathetic portrayal of the human-canine bond that is likely to attract a new readership to his existing fan base. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 8/07.]—Nancy McNicol, Hamden P.L., CT

Matturro, Claire. Sweetheart Deal. Morrow. Nov. 2007. 368p. ISBN 978-0-06-077325-0. $23.95. F

In her fourth adventure (after Skinny-Dipping, Wildcat Wine, and Bone Valley), six-foot, vegetarian, germ-phobic attorney Lillian Cleary has a new client—her mother, Willette. The problem is, good old mom kicked Lilly out of the house when Lilly was 15, and Lilly hasn’t seen her since. Now her mother is in a drug-induced coma, and bruises and pound cake crumbs cover her face. Her mother’s house in Bugfest, GA, is a nest of cobwebs and dirt. And it looks as though someone might be trying to kill her. Once again, Matturro demonstrates her animated style, colorful characterizations, comedic timing, and eye for detail. This book will appeal to fans of Meg Cabot’s Heather Wells series, Kathleen Bacus’s Calamity Jayne series, and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. All public libraries will want this hilarious but poignant book that proves you can’t go home again, and even if you want to, it’s a really, really bad idea.—Shelley Mosley, Glendale Community Coll. Lib. Media Ctr., AZ

McCaig, Donald. Rhett Butler’s People. St. Martin’s. Nov. 2007. c.500p. ISBN 978-0-312-26251-8. $27.95. F

It’s always a risky proposition for a writer to take a classic novel beloved by generations of readers and spin their own interpretation. The results can range from the sublime like Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys’s haunting answer to Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, to the ridiculous like Scarlett, Alexandra Ripley’s 1991 Gone with the Wind sequel, which had Margaret Mitchell’s memorable heroine gallivanting around Ireland in her quest to get Rhett Butler back. Although Ripley’s bodice ripper was roundly panned, it was a profitable best seller for the Mitchell literary estate. In an effort to gain literary respectability (as well as earn more money), the Mitchell estate has now authorized historian and respected novelist McCaig to pen a new novel based on the 1937 Pulitzer Prize winner. At first glance, it seems a promising project: Virginian McCaig is the author of a critically acclaimed Civil War novel, Jacob’s Ladder, and his intriguing premise is to take a fresh look at the events of GWTW through the eyes of the dashing but enigmatic Butler, drawing on hints Mitchell dropped in the original. The result is an entertaining but decidedly mixed bag, as both a prequel and a sequel. We meet young Rhett, the rebellious son of a South Carolina rice planter, and learn of the scandal that had him banished from his father’s house; we are introduced to his beloved sister Rosemary, his troubled planter friend Andrew Ravenel, and Tunis Bonneau, the son of free slaves, who later runs the Yankee blockade with Rhett. McCaig gets his historical details right with some exciting and moving Civil War scenes, and Rosemary is an especially well-drawn and sympathetic character, but when he gets to some of GWTW’s most famous scenes, the book grinds to halt: "Rhett Butler looked into the pale green eyes that had mesmerized him for so many years and did not give a damn." And neither does the reader. Sadly, McCaig’s Rhett and Scarlett are as flat and thin as the paper the book is printed on. Well, fiddle-de-dee, as Mitchell’s Scarlett would say. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/07.]—Wilda Williams, Library Journal

Oster, Christian. The Unforeseen. Other. Oct. 2007. c.264p. tr. from French by Adriana Hunter. ISBN 978-1-59051-265-4. pap. $13.95. F

In award-winning French novelist Oster’s latest work to be translated into English (see also My Big Apartment and A Cleaning Woman), an unnamed man seems to see the world, including himself, from the viewpoint of a curious but detached observer. He constantly tries to figure out if his own actions are what he’s supposed to be doing, feeling, saying, thinking. So when his lover tells him, in the throes of a high fever, to leave her alone in the hotel where they’ve stopped, he does. She wants him gone, not just out of her hair. It may seem obvious not to leave a person alone in such circumstances no matter what she says, but this narrator doesn’t see the obvious. After the narrator leaves the hotel, he embarks on what might generously be described as adventures, but, really, this is an interior novel, a constant narration. Readers who enjoy sympathetic characters, plot movement, and a bit of action are not likely to care for it. Recommended, with caveats, for larger literary fiction collections.—Liorah Golomb, Wichita State Univ. Libs., KS

Wignall, Kevin. Who Is Conrad Hirst? S. & S. Nov. 2007. c.288p. ISBN 978-1-4165-4072-4. pap. $14. F

Conrad is a hit man who has had a change of heart about his profession, and now wants to get out of the killing game. Unfortunately for him, the only way out is to kill those aware of his profession. Even that plan, however, quickly turns problematic upon implementation, and Conrad is forced to seek the answer to the question posed in the book’s title. The story bounces between past and present, with past events recalled in letters that Conrad writes to a mystery woman named Anneke, whose demise may have turned Conrad into a killer. While there is plenty of action, Conrad never really endears himself to the reader. He may be a tortured killer, but not understanding the reason for his remorsefulness makes it difficult to feel sympathetic toward him. British author Wignall (For the Dogs) does a good job of tying things up at the end, but it’s not enough to make up for too much weakness in the middle. While not a bad work of crime fiction, this one should be considered as only an optional purchase.—Craig Shufelt, Fort McMurray P.L., Alta.

Nonfiction

Cagen, Sasha. To-Do List: From Buying Milk to Finding a Soul Mate, What Our Lists Reveal About Us. Fireside: S. & S. Nov. 2007. 256p. illus. ISBN 978-1-4165-3469-3. pap. $16. SOC SCI

Cagen follows up her Quirkyalone: A Manifesto for Uncompromising Romantics with a quirky book about people who make lists and the lists people make. There are more than 100 lists here from 100-plus people, each with commentary about the story behind the list as well as suggestions for future list making on that topic. Readers will peruse lists for the grocery store, of resolutions, people to meet, things to do, lists of all kinds and what those lists say about the person writing them. It all boils down to a voyeuristic view into other people’s lives and idiosyncrasies, and in that way, it recalls Davy Rothbart’s Found, except To-Do List is more a serious, analytical treatment of mundane human objects. The author came up with the idea for the book after years of collecting lists for both her magazine To-Do List and its corresponding blog. Public libraries might be able to purchase for the new shelf, but once it hits the stacks, it will be history.—Cynde Suite, Bartow Cty. Lib. Syst., Cartersville, GA

Cote, David (text) & Joan Marcus (photogs.). Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Broadway. 2007. 176p. illus. discog. maps. ISBN 978-0-7679-2758-1. $40. THEATER

This is the companion book to the musical of the same name, a critical and commercial success on Broadway that tells the story of the rise and fall of the pop band the Four Seasons. Cote and Marcus’s book is visually arresting, with a handsome exterior and a colorful, artfully arranged layout. Based on interviews Cote conducted with the original band as well as with the show’s cast, writers, and directors, it is filled with anecdotes from the worlds of both theater and pop music. Structurally, the book alternates between the perspectives of the original band and those involved with the musical, and it includes the show’s complete libretto. Although fans of the Broadway show will comprise the primary audience, the interview material and extensive photo collection will appeal to fans of the original band as well. Recommended for all musical theater collections and for large public library collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/07.]—Katherine Litwin, Pierre Berton Resource Lib., Ont.

Delaney, Michelle. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Warriors: A Photographic History by Gertrude Käsebier. Smithsonian: HarperCollins. 2007. 176p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-06-112977-3. $34.95. HIST

Delaney (associate curator, Smithsonian National Museum of American History) has brought forth a marvelous Smithsonian collection documenting the interaction between the Sioux Indians of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show and Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934), a leading portrait and fine art photographer in turn-of-the-century New York. Delaney provides a strong introduction and overviews of Käsebier and the Indian performers. Käsebier’s longstanding project of photographing these Indians when they were in New York with Buffalo Bill’s show resulted in her receiving personal letters and drawings of traditional lifeways from them, many included here along with her photographs. The reproductions of platinum and gum photographs and photogravure prints in this book are of the highest quality, displaying Käsebier’s mostly formal studio portrait shots that succeed as sensitive and respectful art compositions. Unlike photographs of American Indians used for commercial promotions of various Wild West shows, as discussed in L.C. Moses’s Wild West Shows and the Images of American Indians, 1883-1933, Käsebier’s portraits received only modest publicity at the time in fine art photography journals and exhibits, even though Delaney states they represent some of her finest work. Enthusiastically recommended.—Nathan E. Bender, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow

Freytag, Chris. Prevention’s Shortcuts to Big Weight Loss: Slim Your Belly, Butt, and Thighs—And Get Fit Twice as Fast. Rodale. Dec. 2007. c.181p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-59486-540-4. pap. $21.95. HEALTH

Freytag (Move To Lose) is Prevention’s popular fitness expert and star of the magazine’s "Fitness Systems" series of exercise DVDs (one of which is being developed in conjunction with this book). Here, she offers 48 ten-minute exercise combinations to tone targeted areas of the body. Finding 60 minutes or more for daily exercise is often just not practical for the modern woman. Instead, Freytag posits that by multitasking and exercising in ten-minute power bursts throughout the day, women can reach many of their fitness goals without sacrificing other important parts of their lives. Freytag coaches on how to identify prime opportunities for working out (dubbed "shortcut slots"), offers healthy snack and food options for a busy day, and outlines the small set of equipment needed to perform the exercises that follow. Highlights include workout charts, 480 large black-and-white photo illustrations of Freytag performing each exercise, and inspiring success stories of real people who have changed their lives by incorporating more movement into their daily routines. Sure to appeal to busy people and be as popular as Freytag’s previous publications; recommended for public libraries.—Crystal Renfro, Georgia Inst. of Technology Lib. & Information Ctr., Atlanta

Kurtz, Howard. Reality Show: Inside the Last Great Television News War. Free Pr: S. & S. 2007. 464p. index. ISBN 978-0-7432-9982-4. $26. COMM

The golden age of major network news ended with the retirements of Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather and the death of Peter Jennings. Kurtz (media reporter, Washington Post; The Fortune Tellers: Inside Wall Street’s Game of Money, Media, and Manipulation) here relates how the new guard—Katie Couric (CBS), Brian Williams (NBC), and Charles Gibson (ABC)—struggles with the reality of their network news no longer being the only game in town. This frequently gloomy assessment shows that the once reliable network news audience has been enticed by cable news, seen as more responsive to newsworthy events, and by the Internet and blogs, with their built-in public forums that encourage interactive audience participation. Kurtz accompanies his lengthy profiles of the new anchors with sketches of such newscasters as Bob Schieffer, Elizabeth Vargas, and Bob Woodruff who held the forts down while the networks transitioned to the new guard. Kurtz concludes that the new generation of anchors is as good as the previous one, but that might not be enough to save network news. These anchors and their networks must capture a younger audience by harnessing the digital universe and attracting more viewers (especially more who are Republicans) if their brand of news coverage is to survive. Political junkies will enjoy this book. Recommended for public libraries.—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

Netz, Reviel & William Noel. The Archimedes Codex: How a Medieval Prayer Book Is Revealing the True Genius of Antiquity’s Greatest Scientist. Da Capo. Nov. 2007. 320p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-306-81580-5. $27.50. SCI

In the late 1990s, an ugly little book was purchased by an anonymous bidder at auction for $2.2 million. This unattractive volume was known to contain the only extant writings of Archimedes, dating from around 212 BC. Unfortunately, in the case of the Archimedes palimpsest, the ancient text had become a prayer book in the 13th century. Now Netz, a Stanford University classics professor specializing in ancient science, and Walters Arts Museum manuscripts curator Noel, who directs the ten-year-old Archimedes Palimpsest Project, trace the history of this lost document and how a team of scholars found and deciphered the original text. Both authors, who take turns writing chapters, have an easy prose style that will make even the most hardened science phobe and lay reader excited about how the newly uncovered Archimedian text has greatly changed current thinking about the history of science. The frustration, excitement, and sheer joy of discovery shared by those who worked on the project are evident throughout this lively book. Highly recommended for popular science and history of science collections.—Ann Forister, Roseville, CA

Nickell, Joe. Adventures in Paranormal Investigation. Univ. Pr. of Kentucky. Nov. 2007. c.320p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-8131-2467-4. $29.95. SOC SCI

Are ghosts, UFOs, lake monsters, and mystical healing real, or do they merely display our capacity to fool ourselves and each other? Committee for Skeptical Inquiry investigator Nickell (Real-Life X-Files) presents his findings on mysterious phenomena around the world and throughout history. The book contains 40 short articles on topics ranging from Jack the Ripper (he mainly debunks Patricia Cornwell’s theory), to psychic detectives, to haunted castles and alien autopsy videos. Many articles skimp on the details that are necessary to introduce a reader to a topic, and the extensive references and bibliographies do not complement the text’s informal tone. A work detailing more of Nickell’s own sleuthing, rather than a short summarizing of the work of others, would have been preferable. Nonetheless, the broad range of topics and up-to-date sources make this a definite read for believers and skeptics alike. For larger public libraries.—Dan Harms, SUNY Cortland Memorial Lib.

O’Rear, Charles (photogs.) & Daphne Larkin (text). Wine Across America: A Photographic Road Trip. Ten Speed: Celestial Arts. Nov. 2007. 224p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-9625227-6-5. $35. BEVERAGES

National Geographic photographer O’Rear (Cabernet: A Photographic Journey from Vine to Wine) and his wife, wine writer Larkin, celebrate the variety of wines being produced today in the United States. Incorporating 300 vibrant photographs of vineyards and the personalities involved in the wine-making process with lively captions and text, their volume depicts the passion, inventiveness, and pure enjoyment characteristic of American wine making. In particular, the images of wine labels from across the country convey the authors’ sometimes tongue-in-cheek attitude and lightheartedness perfectly. The "Wine Facts" section, which lists 51 intriguing facts about American wineries and common grapes, will satisfy curious readers, and the index will prove useful to those looking for a particular winery. While not an essential title, this visually attractive book will appeal to libraries with a strong regional interest in U.S. wineries and with strong food and wine collections in general; potentially a good choice for larger travel collections as well.—Shelley Brown, New Westminster P.L., B.C.

Perrin, Rosemarie Dainelli & Seth Braunstein, M.D. Living with Diabetes: Everything You Need To Know To Safeguard Your Health and Take Control of Your Life. AARP: Sterling. Dec. 2007. 224p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-4027-3012-2. pap. $14.95. HEALTH

Twenty million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and another six million are at risk for developing this disorder. A thorough understanding of its management is essential to maintain good health and prevent complications. Science writer and editor Perrin’s comprehensive, reader-friendly guide to diabetes self-management presents essential information on type 1 and type 2 diabetes: its symptoms, diagnosis, and latest treatment options. Other essential topics cover meal-planning strategies, choosing and using a blood-glucose meter, preventing and treating long-term complications, coping with very low or very high blood sugars, and "sick day" management during other illnesses (colds, flu). Tips for eating out, exercise and fitness, traveling with diabetes, future treatments and potential cures, available complementary and alternative therapies, and web-based resources round out this outstanding reference for newly diagnosed and experienced diabetics. An excellent companion to Richard S. Beaser’s The Joslin Guide to Diabetes and Michael A. Weiss and Martha M. Funnell’s The Little Diabetes Book You Need To Read. Highly recommended for all consumer health collections.—Karen McNally Bensing, Benjamin Rose Inst. Lib., Cleveland

Self, Will & Ralph Steadman (illus.). Psychogeography: Disentangling the Modern Conundrum of Psyche and Place. Bloomsbury, dist. by Holtzbrinck. Nov. 2007. c.256p. illus. ISBN 978-1-59691-466-7. $34.95. LIT

"It appears that my generation—and the two or three which preceded us—were entirely wrong; far from space being the final frontier, it transpires that Spain is." Thus avers long-distance walker Self (The Quantity Theory of Insanity) in a statement representative of this wildly poetic hallucination of a travel narrative. Suffused with brilliant humor and trenchant insight into inner and outer space, Self’s explorations of such locales as London, India, and New York transport readers through space-time to a place wholly of Self’s own making, hence "psychogeography." But text isn’t everything here; Steadman’s (Sigmund Freud) zany full-color illustrations provide ironic graphic commentary on Self’s self-conscious construct of "reality." Fans of Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (which Steadman also illustrated) and other pieces of gonzo journalism will savor this quirky travel narrative. Recommended for large public library collections and for university libraries.—Lynne F. Maxwell, Villanova Univ. Sch. of Law Lib., PA

Silence Kills: Speaking Out and Saving Lives. Southern Methodist Univ. (Medical Humanities). Nov. 2007. c.176p. ed. by Lee Gutkind. ISBN 978-0-87074-518-8. $22.50. MED

It is universally agreed that poor or nonexistent communication is to blame for many medical errors. The idea for this collection of essays and its title came from a 2005 report that blamed miscommunication for "most" errors. Gutkind (English, Univ. of Pittsburg; editor, Creative Nonfiction) has here assembled what are largely personal accounts of struggles with the issue. Some are by health-care workers, such as an ER physician coping with the death of a patient he sent home; some are by patients or family members, and one is a third-person report of a nurse’s continuing efforts to change the communication culture where she practices. The essays are well written and relate to the theme, some more directly than others. This book is not intended to offer solutions, but to illuminate problems the current system creates for real people. A good supplement to books suggesting concrete steps, such as Julianne Morath and Joanne Turnbull’s To Do No Harm. Recommended for public libraries.—Dick Maxwell, Porter Adventist Hosp. Lib., Denver

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