Social Sciences

The legacy of slavery in the United States has been explored in numerous ways, but few books have carefully examined how slavery, and slave trading, affected a specific white family down the generations, from Rhode Island slave traders to their descendants. This book is DeWolf's memoir of his journey with nine distant cousins to research the history of those ancestors who were major players in the American slave trade. The cousins traveled to Rhode Island, Ghana, and Cuba to investigate their family's role in the "triangle trade" and to discuss the legacy of slavery with black and white people in each place. One of the cousins, Katrina Browne, produced and directed a documentary film on their journey, Traces of the Trade. The history here—of the profitable Rhode Island trade in slaves—is interesting, but the book's most powerful message is DeWolf's observation that it was only his unusual family connection that made him wake up and notice that he has always benefited from white privilege, however unconsciously. While he is not personally responsible for perpetuating slavery, as his ancestors were, he does consider himself personally responsible for working to heal the multigenerational damage caused by slavery. Heartily recommended for public, high school, and college libraries, especially those seeking literature examining different perspectives about racism, slavery, and economic history.—Emily-Jane Dawson, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR

Labeled a memoir, this is really a collection of essays born from adversity. Guidry struggles to redefine herself while making the transition from film executive to unemployed Hollywood individual, and she continually encounters resistance in a landscape where being single is considered by many as being incomplete. But these are only some of the conflicts Guidry examines. No one is safe from her pen; the state of her parents' marriage comes under fire, and her neighbors, her ex-boyfriends, and even she herself are all targets. (She's careful to begin the book with a disclaimer stating that while these stories are emotionally true, some facts have been altered for effect.) The end product succeeds: Guidry does not take herself too seriously, and she has a sharp eye for comic detail. Although her observations about sex, gender relations, and the world today are pointed, for the most part, she handles her characters with gentleness. A fresh and funny first book that would make a good purchase for any popular collection.—Audrey Snowden, Cleveland P.L.

The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11 has resulted in another wretched chapter in the recent history of that volatile country. Six years after the overthrow of its fundamentalist Taliban government, chaos and uncertainty characterize daily life there. Notwithstanding elections that have led to the establishment of a nominal central government in Kabul, the country continues to exhibit all the hallmarks of a failed state. The opium trade has once again become the most important source of revenue in Afghanistan, where a combination of opium growers and the so-called warlords exercise more political and socioeconomic control than do the country's elected officials and its government. This very readable and engaging book recounts the harshness of daily life in Afghanistan, as seen from the vantage point of an American who spent a year in the country's rugged Helmand province for an aid organization seeking to train farmers to cultivate other crops than opium. The author, who has published articles on Afghanistan, describes in a diary format his experience of violent political intrigue and criminal alliances resulting in the murderous drug trafficking, and the impossibility of his mission, in that country. Recommended for public libraries.—Nader Entessar, Univ. of South Alabama, Mobile

Readers will learn and laugh as author Merrill, who runs a marketing communications company in California, reveals her constant struggles with life, love, and addiction in this absolutely hilarious memoir, also a realistic look at the author's emotional pain through the good times and bad. Merrill seems to have a knack for getting involved with all the wrong men: she repeatedly gets into the same types of messy, complicated, dysfunctional relationships. But through it all, she survives, maintaining her sense of wit to boot. Her book illustrates that life is truly a journey with many highs and lows, and it will appeal to all those who have fallen down and gotten back up again in their struggle to find themselves. Merrill has previously had two autobiographical essays published, in the anthologies Single Women of a Certain Age and Single State of the Union. A great, quick read enjoyable from beginning to end; highly recommended for pubic libraries.—Susan McClellan, Shaler North Hills Lib., Glenshaw, PA

This is a fascinating, readable, and engrossing book that should interest general readers and scholars alike. Nagel (comparative literature, Marymount Manhattan Coll.; Mistress of the Elgin Marbles), known for her work in unraveling historical mysteries, tells the story of Marie-Antoinette's only surviving child. The first major biography of Marie-Thérèse, it details her very public birth, the horrific suffering she endured in prison during the revolution, and the personal and political roles she assumed following her release in 1795. Here the story of "Madame Royale" morphs into a mysterious one, because since the 19th century rumors have abounded of an identity swap that enabled the princess to live obscurely as a reclusive "Dark Countess" in a remote German castle. Nagel attempts to solve this intriguing puzzle, using archival sources, family letters, handwriting analysis, and the latest scientific tools with DNA evidence to piece together the true fate of a woman whom she sympathetically presents as a loyal daughter of France and an honorable symbol and representative of the Bourbon line. The skillful use of maps, chronological and genealogical charts, and historical narrative provides context for readers. Highly recommended.—Marie Marmo Mullaney, Caldwell Coll., NJ

The editors' selections for this eighth annual anthology draw not just from the likes of The New Yorker and Vanity Fair but also from magazines with comparatively smaller readerships, such as McSweeney's and Best Life. Similarly, while some of the authors whose work is featured may be well known (e.g., Ian Parker, Christopher Hitchens), others (e.g., Susan Casey, Rajesh Parameswaran) are not. The entries fall into eight categories: public interest, profiles, reporting, features, columns and commentary, essays, reviews and criticism, and fiction. Many of the topics are relatively timely—e.g., the Chechen siege of a Beslan school in 2004 and U.S. Marine actions in Haditha, Iraq. Two pieces centering on or inspired by events as recent as 2006—the suicide of a gifted 14-year-old girl and the re-creation of a Brooklyn man's life from his letters and papers—are timeless. On the whole, these are balanced, comprehensive, thought-provoking, involving, and well-crafted examples of specific categories of writing that readers are unlikely otherwise to encounter in one place. Highly recommended for all libraries, particularly academic libraries with programs in journalism and/or creative writing.—Gina Kaiser, Univ. of the Sciences in Philadelphia Lib.Economics

Chang (economics, Cambridge; Kicking Away the Ladder) presents a sharp criticism of the world's economic superpowers, which act as "bad Samaritans" in advocating free markets and free trade in developing countries so as to capture larger shares of their markets and obstruct the emergence of possible competitors in those countries. The solution, according to Chang, is for the rich countries to return to their historic role of helping poorer nations, supporting protective policies and subsidies in developing countries rather than simply pressuring them into unbridled free trade. Through historical analysis and economic theory Chang identifies several policies that have placed constraints on the economies of developing countries. In addition to the pushing of free trade these include intellectual property conditions in which 97 percent of all patents and most trademarks and copyrights are held by rich nations, with licensing fees and intellectual property laws that hamper economic development elsewhere. The book is well organized, beginning with an overview of capitalism and globalization, followed by Chang's expansion of his initial thesis about the impact of "bad Samaritans" on the economies of developing countries. He utilizes a wealth of stories and analysis of companies and economies throughout the world, concluding with a bleak "future history" of our planet, should the existing policies continue. An accessible book; highly recommended for academic libraries and all economics collections.—Mark L. McCallon, Abilene Christian Univ. Lib., TX

Journalist and author Chapman (Jungle Capitalists) skillfully narrates this fascinating account of the rise and fall of the United Fruit Company, an early U.S. multinational corporation as influential as it was controversial. The diverse array of characters involved in this history includes Theodore Roosevelt, O. Henry, Carmen Miranda, Sen. Joseph McCarthy, Fidel Castro, and Gabriel García Márquez. Chapman opens the story with Eli Black, the United Fruit Company's last CEO, throwing himself from the 44th floor of New York's Pan American building. He then relates the company's history since its founding in the late 19th century and traces the history of its chief product, the banana, adeptly weaving in the business, political, and cultural background. One of the book's many interesting features is its account of Samuel Zemurray, a complex character who charted United Fruit's course for several decades, beginning in the 1930s. The company now exists within Chiquita Brands International. Chapman's history should appeal not only to business readers but to those interested in the company's context within the broader history of the last century. All in all, a first-rate book; highly recommended for all libraries.—Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY

"Fatty, fat, fat, fat," chants Bart Simpson. He has a point. Americans are getting fatter. But health economist Finkelstein (public health economics program, Reseach Triangle Inst.; coauthor, with Phaedra S. Corso and Ted R. Miller, The Incidence and Economic Burden of Injuries in the United States) and business writer Zuckerman (coauthor with Mary Cantando, Nine Lives: Stories of Women Business Owners Landing on Their Feet) analyze the finances behind the fat. They trace some of the familiar causes of the bulging American waistline that Greg Critzer identified in Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World. They weigh in on the economics of obesity, which they trace back to predictable sources such as school lunch rooms, fast food, television, commuting, and working moms. Then they target some surprising causes, including health insurance, citing studies showing that we take worse care of ourselves when we have health insurance. On the flip side, they detail the economic consequences of obesity. For instance, obese employees take more sick days than do normal-weight employees—and their paychecks are slimmer. The authors highlight fascinating new scientific research into the causes of obesity and offer tips on lightening your load over the long haul. This book serves up a healthy selection for public and academic library business collections.—Carol J. Elsen, Univ. of Wisconsin, Whitewater

The Arabs: fiercely nationalistic and politically fragmented. The imperialists: militarily stretched and engaged in contradictory diplomacy. Oil: complicating the political interests. While this could be a description of current conditions in the Middle East, here it reflects the fluid scene when World War I brought European rivalries to the Arab sector of the crumbling Ottoman Empire. Barr conducted extensive research in government and personal papers of the era and visited the relevant sites to convey the complex story and the harsh environment of his topic. The result is this lively, well-balanced story of the Arab Revolt and the shifting British response. T.E. Lawrence is only one of the colorful British officers conveying contradictory messages to the Arab leaders, partially resisting French pressures, and negotiating with Zionists. The desert battles involving British, Indian, French, Turkish, German, and Arab forces were chaotic, and the diplomacy was shortsighted and unreliable. Barr's book doesn't offer anything particularly new, but it provides a clear, engaging history of a crucial period in the still-vital Middle East. Libraries seeking material for the serious general reader will want to get this.—Elizabeth R. Hayford, formerly with Associated Colls. of the Midwest, Evanston, IL

Here are the experiences of five British veterans who survived World War I physically but came home damaged goods. It is the psychic impact of the horrific war that Barrett (English, Univ. of London; Imagination in Theory) examines through the experiences of Willis Brown, Douglas Darling, Ronald Skirth, William Tyrrell, and Lawrence Gameson. Each was the victim of shell shock or what is now known as posttraumatic stress disorder. Yet Barrett reveals that these succinct mental classifications do not do justice to what these men experienced. It was the cumulative effect of death as a constant companion that changed these veterans forever. They all returned home to apparently normal lives but beneath the surface there was illness, alcoholism, bitterness, and depression. Through interviews with the soldiers' descendants and a careful reading of archival material buried in the Imperial War Museum, Barrett evokes the bloody crucible these five men passed through. She may be criticized for not offering more in-depth documentation of the archival resources used, but no one will question the authenticity of her compelling characterizations of these five veterans of the Great War. Sadly, this is a timely work. A worthy addition to the extensive literature on the mental health of combat veterans; recommended for all libraries.—Jim Doyle, Rome, GA

In his youth, di Robilant (correspondent, La Stampa; A Venetian Affair) heard brief tales of his great-great-great-great grandmother, Lucia Mocenigo (1770–1854), but her life story began fully to unfold for him when he researched his ancestry for A Venetian Affair. Di Robilant has taken period correspondence and secondary sources and woven them into Lucia's absorbing tale. A well-connected patrician, she enjoyed the privileges of wealth and status, rubbing elbows with the great historical figures of her time, including Empress Josephine, and serving as a palazzo landlady to Lord Byron during his infamous days in Venice. However, as di Robilant learned through Lucia's personal correspondence, her life, as exciting as it may have been, was not an easy one. Against the backdrop of the fall of the Venetian Republic, we learn the touching story of a young woman struggling to cope with a distant husband and the loss of a child, as control of her homeland passed back and forth between France and Austria. Recommended for academic and public libraries.—Tessa L.H. Inchew, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston

Readers interested in archaeology must discover this treasure of a book! Written by leading archaeologists (many of whom discovered the objects they are writing about), the book is breathtakingly beautiful, filled with archaeological treasures and histories from around the world. Under the editorial supervision of Fagan (anthropology, emeritus, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara; Floods, Famines and Emperors), who contributes the introduction and two of over 50 articles, the book covers the most important and spectacular archaeological discoveries of the past 15 years and is arranged in seven different sections: "Discoveries from the Ice Age," "Tombs, Graves and Mummies," "Treasures of Ancient Art; Lost Cities," "Enigmas of Ritual and Religion," "Discoveries from the Deep," and finally "Scientific Discoveries." Ranging from hominids in Africa to mummies in Peru and lost cities in China, Discovery! encompasses a range of about two million years of human activity and cultures. With more than 300 color photos, it brings to life the excitement of the work of archaeology and of the civilizations of the past. Accessible and readable for those new to the subjects as well as for those who have formally studied archaeology, it is highly recommended for all public and academic libraries.—Melissa Aho, Bio-Medical Lib., Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Spies exist because governments exist and governments have secrets. We may naively believe that the ending of the Cold War meant that the United States and Russia no longer spied on each other. Earley's new book on the remarkable career of top Soviet spy, Sergie Tretyakov, should dispel any thoughts that the "new" Russia under Yeltsin and now Putin is really any different from the one that existed under Stalin, Khrushchev, or their successors. Earley (Confessions of a Spy: The Real Story of Aldrich Ames), a former journalist who has written both fiction and nonfiction about the post—Cold War world, was contacted by the FBI and CIA to meet Tretyakov in 2001, soon after he had defected to the United States. This is Tretyakov's story as told to Earley, who admits that he has very little evidence to corroborate Tretyakov's tale. News accounts and interviews (off the record, of course) do seem to offer supporting evidence that much of Tretyakov's story is true. This is a fascinating account of Tretyakov's activities first as a Soviet spy in New York in the 1980s and early 1990s and then as a double agent providing extensive information to the CIA and the FBI during the Clinton presidency. Earley has solid credentials as a former Washington Post writer, which lends credence to this amazing story. For larger collections.—Ed Goedeken, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames

According to these authors, it is a myth of the Napoleonic wars that Napoléon was a megalomaniacal conqueror who bled Europe dry in order to satisfy his insatiable love for war. Certainly, such is the most widely printed and accepted description of Napoléon's motive. After all, history is written by the victors. In this book, however, retired French general Franceschi and Weider (coauthor with Sten Forshufvud, Assassination at St. Helena Revisited) present a compelling revisionist portrait of Napoléon as fundamentally pacifist. They base this on three sound themes: first, that the European monarchies were thoroughly opposed to the continuance of revolutionary France; second, that Napoléon made constant determined efforts to avoid the inevitable conflicts; and third, that Napoléon never declared war, as he himself stated in exile on St. Helena. In each of these areas the authors argue strongly, persuasively, and intellectually for what is, essentially, the other side of the usual story. They will surely provoke debate within the historical community wherever there is interest in this period. Recommended for all libraries adding to their Napoleonic collections. (Illustrations not seen.)—David Lee Poremba, Keiser Univ., Orlando, FL

Kamensky (history, Brandeis Univ.; Governing the Tongue: The Politics of Speech in Early New England) weaves together the complicated tale surrounding Boston financial speculator Andrew Dexter Jr. (1779–1837). She shows Dexter as so rushed to make his fortune that he literally created his own money by printing promissory notes that he knew would be hard to redeem because they were drawn on distant banks that he controlled. With these notes, he financed the 1807–09 construction of the famous Exchange Coffee House—a massive combination of financial exchange, eaterie, and hotel. Dexter's scheme fell apart when local merchants determined that his banknotes were worthless and his banks insolvent. Kamensky lovingly details the Exchange building's architecture, operation, and 1818 destruction by fire. She tells of Dexter's exile, his continuing financial woes, and how he inadvertently began, through land speculation, what became Montgomery, AL. Kamensky's explanation of early banking and the dangers of undercapitalized banks is excellent, although she mixes in too much else to call this economic history. Her work is in essence a dual biography of Dexter and his Exchange building, with some fine illustrations of each. Recommended to libraries collecting on the period and especially to those in Boston and Montgomery.—Lawrence R. Maxted, Gannon Univ., Erie, PA

The 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition in 2004 spawned the publication of so many monographs and articles that it would be easy now to overlook a true gem, such as this, that makes a unique contribution to the subject. Edited by Hoxie (history, Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) and Nelson (program asst., D'Arcy McNickle Ctr. for American Indian History, Newberry Lib.), this work, based on the Newberry's exhibit of the same name, presents a plethora of views drawn from sources such as personal interviews, travel journals, and diaries over the last two centuries that provide insights into the manner in which the Corps of Discovery impacted the long-term development of the West. This approach results in a nuanced collection of essays that highlights both the positive and the negative impacts of the expedition and how the perception of those very repercussions has evolved. This collection should be read alongside Lewis and Clark Through Indian Eyes, edited by Alvin M. Josephy Jr. with Marc Jaffe. Both volumes are recommended for public and academic libraries.—John Burch, Campbellsville Univ. Lib., KY

Journalist McCartney (Friends in High Places: The Bechtel Story) examines corruption and scandal at the highest levels of the federal government in his look at the scandal of Warren G. Harding's administration, Teapot Dome. The groundwork for the scandal was in fact in place even before Warren G. Harding had won the Republican nomination in his bid for the presidency. America's top oil companies had funneled money into the Harding campaign, providing the kind of monetary support needed for Harding to win the White House. In return, Harding appointed Albert Fall as his secretary of the interior, a position the oil interests believed would open up the Naval Oil Reserves in Wyoming (the teapot dome reserve) and California for their companies, something that Fall did accomplish. Once this quid pro quo became public, Congress pressed Harding to nullify the lease; the Supreme Court ruled that the authority Harding had given to Fall in the first place was illegal. McCartney's final section details what happened to the key individuals. The major conspirators received little or no jail time. The Teapot Dome scandal showed how monetary political contributions could lead to political corruption, something we now take for granted. Readers unfamiliar with this bit of history will find this work heavy in detail and light in general context. Recommended for informed readers in public and academic libraries.—Michael LaMagna, Cabrini Coll. Lib., Radnor, PA

Reynolds (international history, Cambridge Univ.) chooses to use the summits between world leaders as hooks for his take on 20th-century history. He is treading the same ground covered in Jonathan Fenby's recent Alliance: The Inside Story of How Roosevelt, Stalin & Churchill Won One War & Began Another. Reynolds's angle is to concentrate on the essential facets of summitry: the face-to-face meeting and the give-and-take among world leaders. He examines at great length the summits that took place during World War II among Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt. Other summits he covers are among Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor, and Pope Gregory VII; between Kennedy and Khrushchev; and between George W. Bush and Tony Blair. He provides detailed information, drawing in part from newly opened Soviet archives, to give readers historical context, explaining the events surrounding each summit and the dynamics of each conference. A fascinating look at historical events through this particular lens, his book is recommended for academic and public libraries.—Harry Willems, Park City P.L., KS

Taylor (coauthor, John Glenn: A Memoir) acknowledges 2008's 75th anniversary of the New Deal (dated to FDR's first inaugural), followed in 2010 by that of the Works Progress Administration (1935–42)—later called the Work Projects Administration (WPA). His is a balanced summary of one of FDR's most prolific agencies. Although introductive for general readers and younger scholars on the subject of what a government can accomplish in a time of need, it is also informative for professional historians. The WPA's famous first commissioner, Harry Hopkins, was reassigned from the Civil Works Administration, later to move to the Commerce Department and then to become a presidential adviser. Taylor shows that the WPA also evolved from diverse programs to those focused on construction. The post office murals; the Federal Writers, Theater, and Music programs; what is now known as Camp David; and numerous parks, zoos, recreational areas, and airports are iconic products of the WPA. It also did work in the library field and offered a pavilion at the 1939–40 New York World's Fair. Its follies and triumphs are praised and critiqued here in a readable, often investigative, and apparently first full retrospective. Lavishly illustrated, the book also has a list of New Deal organizations, a partial list of construction projects, a New Deal chronology, and endnotes. It will be a boon to all 20th-century history collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/07.]—Frederick J. Augustyn Jr., Library of Congress

Before the American and French revolutions came the less cataclysmic Glorious Revolution of 1688, when disaffected British Anglicans invited Protestant Dutch Prince William of Orange and his wife, Mary, to unseat Catholic James II (who happened to be Mary's father). William's invading army beat the Jacobites with little resistance—the bloodshed came later when the battle moved on to Scotland and Ireland (where the legacy of the House of Orange is still remembered). Young British historian Vallance's sober approach to the tangle of 17th-century religious and political allegiances produces an engaging narrative covering all levels of society—there's some colorful street life to relieve the wearying religious and political factionalism. Today we might not dub this change of regime a revolution, but Vallance shows that in the long run the ouster of James Stuart led to a more limited monarchy and a stronger parliament. The change also led to greater persecution of Catholics and non-Anglican Protestants. Among far-reaching effects, the vexing clause guaranteeing the "right to bear arms" in the U.S. Bill of Rights seems to have been adopted from the Declaration of Rights promised by William to satisfy those who welcomed his invasion. This book belongs in all public and academic libraries.—Stewart Desmond, Ph.D., Madison Square Park Conservancy, New York

Former AP reporter Wheelan (Jefferson's War) renders a valuable service by reminding readers that a constructive post-presidential career is not a new phenomenon. While Robert V. Remini's John Quincy Adams covered the sixth president's entire career, Wheelan's contribution focuses on the illustrious 17-year period in Adams's life when, as a congressman for eastern Massachusetts, after his one White House term ended, he functioned as a "man of the whole country." Within the constraints of his time, this highly intelligent but prickly man eventually fought more forcefully for abolition and civil rights, for women's political participation, and against Indian removal than perhaps anyone else then in the U.S. government. Readers who remember the film portrayal of John Quincy Adams working to free the passengers of the slave ship Amistad in the film of that name will benefit from the fuller treatment on "Old Man Eloquent" here. They will learn of his role in the governmental support of scientific research through the judicious use of James Smithson's bequest, for example. Although Wheelan seems to have used few new sources as addenda to Adams's diligently kept 68-year-long diary and his family's papers, he artfully interprets the life of this conscience-bound President as one ironically to be fulfilled by his congressional career. That Adams entered Congress at age 64, beset by depression and physical ailments, and succeeded, should encourage other service-minded seniors. Recommended for public libraries and for all U.S. history collections.—Frederick J. Augustyn Jr., Library of Congress

It's an exciting time to be a woman in the United States: the first "Madam Speaker" presides over Congress, her leadership reported on by the first female major network news anchor, who's also covering female heads of state in countries as diverse as Liberia, Germany, and Argentina, as well as Hillary Clinton's run for the White House. So it's also an exciting time to be studying gender, politics, and culture. Both of these books consider whether or not Americans are seriously ready for a woman to assume the position of (arguably) the most powerful person (formerly man) in the world. Or will media representation and misrepresentation stir up an always underlying public opinion that female candidates are "Unnatural, Incapable, Unviable," as Falk (communications, Johns Hopkins Univ.) investigates in Women for President. She focuses on the media's impact on female candidates, arguing that the press makes it less likely that a woman can win. Her evidence is from press coverage of eight female presidential hopefuls from Victoria Woodhull's run in 1872 (before women had the vote) to Elizabeth Dole's testing of the waters in 1999. She does an excellent job of pointing out what has changed and what has stayed the same in media coverage of women's political participation (why, for example, always the preoccupation with clothes and hair!).

Meanwhile, in Rethinking Madam President, Han (political science, Chapman Univ.) and Heldman (political science, Occidental Coll.) present concise and engaging overviews of the central issues, aptly introduced by Heldman in her chapter on "Cultural Barriers to a Female Presidency in the U.S." Authors offer original contributions, elaborating on such topics as "Masculinity on the Campaign Trail" and "Women as Executive Branch Leaders." There are interesting examinations of the role of religion, the influence of the enduring belief in the righteousness of the doctrine of separate gender spheres, as well as in-depth analyses of the import of essentialist concepts of masculinity and femininity. Will 2008 be the age of Madam President? While neither book focuses on that concept exclusively, both frame the issues: what are Senator Clinton's chances of overcoming the domination, subordination, and exclusion of women, at the core of American politics for our nation's entire history? While much has changed, is it enough? Both titles are recommended for public and academic libraries.—Theresa Kintz, Wilkes Univ., Wilkes-Barre, PA

Grey, who has won his share of local elections—he was an Ohio county prosecutor and appellate judge—tells would-be public officials how to get elected. There are lots of books on politics, but most are by political scientists—who never get their hands dirty by actually running for office—or by reporters or participants in big campaigns for the White House or Congress. Anyone who wants to get on the school board or the city council will find this book exceedingly helpful, as Grey speaks from years of experience. Uncommon for a lawyer, he writes clear prose in chapters that follow the course of a campaign: organizing volunteers, advertising, analyzing your district's demographics, etc. Grey supplies customizable worksheets and forms on a CD-ROM, part of what is new for this third edition, which also has updated information on the use of the Internet and emails for seeking, handling, and disseminating information. Grey spells out clearly the legal issues involved in becoming a formal candidate. He stipulates that prospective office seekers check their own state's additional requirements. This is a smart, informed, and practical package. It belongs in every public library, supplemented by official publications on local election requirements.—Michael O. Eshleman, Kings Mills, OH

Leopold (cofounder & director, Labor Inst. & Public Health Inst.) tells the story of radical unionist Tony Mazzocchi (1926–2002), who grew up in left-wing New York. In 1953, Mazzocchi, a World War II veteran, followed his employer, Helena Rubinstein, from New York City to Long Island and rebuilt his union, Local 149, United Gas, Coke and Chemical Workers, which became the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers (OCAW) International Union in 1955. The author shows how Mazzocchi thus strengthened America's labor movement, not to mention the local Democratic Party, mixing radical politics with union fights for better wages and better work conditions. The result: a militant and popular union local. Mazzocchi used his national position at OCAW to work with scientists and environmentalists to improve workplace safety, environmental laws, and economic equality. His radicalism angered conventional unionists, especially those assisting the CIA abroad. He irritated corporations, and was considered a threat to and by the FBI. Leopold's admiring biography shows Mazzocchi as that rare radical who escaped the Red Scare and continued through old age to weave together leftist politics and strong unionism with the goal of improving life for all Americans. Highly recommended for medium to large public libraries and all academic libraries.—Duncan Stewart, Univ. of Iowa Libs., Iowa City

Research on the opposition has been a part of U.S. political campaigns almost since the start. "Going negative" is effective, and desperate candidates will do so when poll numbers go south and campaigns are in danger of being lost. That's when people like Marks are called upon to dig up dirt on the opposition. Marks (radio host, KFNX, Phoenix) worked as a political "opposition research specialist" from 1992 to 2006. He wants his book to help Americans decide "whether or not all the negativity…is a necessary evil to create an educated voter, or instead is something we can all do without." In unsavory detail, he relates his work as "Oppo Man" for various Republican Party entities and PACs, uncovering financial, personal, and political information on Democrats and occasionally other Republicans. Chapters are devoted to specific races and candidates or to background on how various "dirty tricks" were researched and effected. As in any confession, opinion and one-sided storytelling abound. However, Marks candidly explains his disillusionment with the work he did and with many of the political figures he helped to elect. Readers who enjoy political gossip may find the book interesting, even if they find little to admire about "Oppo Man" himself. Recommended for public libraries.—Jill Ortner, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.

Sergio Vieira de Mello (1948–2003) was a career UN employee who died in Baghdad doing what he had long done: trying to bring relief to those in situations of international conflict. He had worked in most of the hotspots of the last quarter century, including Cambodia, the Balkans, East Timor, and Rwanda, and his success led to his increasing responsibility within the UN. A practical man of action, happiest doing fieldwork yet also a thinker (he had a doctorate in philosophy), he was keenly aware of the moral ambiguities in refugee situations, where bringing relief to the innocent requires working with the malefactors rather than pursuing immediate justice against them. Power (global leadership & public policy, Kennedy Sch. of Government, Harvard) emphasizes these paradoxes and complexities and the varying adaptations that Vieira de Mello was forced to make to resolve the issues at hand. Her approach is similar to her earlier, award-winning A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide. Most of her text covers the last six years of her subject's career, in great day-to-day detail, with his earlier years covered only briefly. Powers has brought to life, for both general and specialist readers, a complex figure who dared to take on the greatest challenges, always seeking to reach even higher. Highly recommended for all collections.—Marcia L. Sprules, Council on Foreign Relations Lib., New York

In 1977, John N. Mitchell, Nixon's former attorney general (1969–72) and then manager of his 1972 reelection campaign, became the highest-ranking American official to serve time in prison: 19 months for perjury and obstruction of justice. Rosen (Washington correspondent, Fox News) presents a sympathetic account of Mitchell, who "never dished the dirt on Richard Nixon," although the President tried to make his former law partner the Watergate fall guy. Compounding Mitchell's woes were John Dean, White House counsel, who Rosen claims ordered the Watergate break-in; John Ehrlichman, Nixon's chief domestic policy adviser; Jeb Magruder of the Committee to Reelect the President—all of whom scapegoated Mitchell in their desperate attempts to save themselves from jail—and Martha Mitchell, his unbalanced, alcoholic wife whose public antics made the couple a national embarrassment. Rosen reveals a fascinating but well-buried chapter of Watergate, the Moorer-Radford scandal, in which the Joint Chiefs of Staff spied on Nixon because they thought he was too weak a leader to withstand the Soviets. In this incident and others, Mitchell persuaded Nixon not to retaliate. However, Rosen acknowledges that Mitchell was not without his flaws and indeed did obstruct justice. This fine political biography, casting Mitchell in a controversially positive light, is a good choice for larger public libraries.—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

Supplementing the early and intense media and web coverage of the 2008 presidential election, these three books intend to help members of the general public cast an informed vote. Foer and Halperin specifically focus on the candidates, while the League of Women Voters clearly explains the election process. Foer (editor, New Republic) and his colleagues gather their journal's previously published profiles of 13 candidates: five Democrats and eight Republicans, each group's essays presented in seemingly random order. One-page, resume-style information on the candidate is followed by a stylized portrait illustration by David Cowles and the signed essay with analysis both of the contender's personality and positions. An appendix compares the candidates' stands on Iraq, foreign policy, energy, capitalism, immigration, health care, and social issues. Recommended for all public libraries.

Halperin (senior political analyst, Time magazine) profiles, in alphabetical order and considerable detail, the Republican and Democratic front-runners, then considers the remaining contenders in less detail. He has a more populist bent than Foer's and editorializes further about the candidates' chances. In a conversational style, he presents the positions of the front-runners on such issues as Iraq, government spending, health care, and gun control, along with areas of potential controversy, why each candidate could win, and what their presidencies would be like. With the swiftly changing political landscape and 24/7 media coverage, this volume already feels somewhat dated. Recommended for larger public library collections.

The League of Women Voters' offering is an essential text for understanding the process, laws, and issues that impact a U.S. presidential election. In chapters grounded in history and statistics, Guldin covers political parties, media, money, campaigning, primaries, conventions, and election day processes. The results serve to demystify the election process and clearly explain how both fundamental and controversial issues can impact election results. This timely guide offers regular citizens and specialists alike sound information on the mechanics and implications of the political process. Recommended for academic and public libraries.—Donna L. Davey, NYU Lib.

Finnamore, already an accomplished novelist (see her best-selling Otherwise Engaged and The Zygote Chronicles, a 2002 Washington Post Best Book of the Year), here easily makes the transition to creative nonfiction. She presents a treatise on an important subject in family relations—divorce, specifically, her own—describing how she learned of her ex-husband's infidelity, realized he wasn't the right man for her, struggled as a single mother, and came to terms with losing her status as a "happily married woman." Progressing through Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's five stages of death and dying—denial, anger, bargaining, grief, and acceptance—she expertly creates scenes spiced with dialog to convey her emotions. One memorable moment depicts Finnamore sharpening knives by her kitchen sink as she introduces the section on anger. Good reading; recommended for public libraries.—Dorris Douglass, Williamson Cty. P.L., Franklin, TN

This memoir quickly overcomes its vague title and the precociousness of its first chapter, in which Jones explains how she will write using an unusual spelling, substituting Ks for Cs, as she did when she was a member of the Crip-hostile Blood gang in South Central Los Angeles in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The strange result works remarkably well. This conversationally written, exquisitely detailed book is as close to a living experience of the American ghetto as one can get. After being raised in a horrific foster care system, a preteen Jones is finally sent to live with Big Momma, a hardworking, loving, and sometimes brutal grandmother raising several children on her own in Blood territory. Jones follows her two brothers into gang life, at one point cooking crack cocaine to pay the water bill and surviving the devastation that followed the announcement of the Rodney King verdicts. The twist to Jones's story is that she is white and Native American. Her unique perspective makes for a fascinating and moving read; highly recommended for all memoir collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/1/07.]—Elizabeth Brinkley, Granite Falls, WA

Married couple Jody and Emilia Ramey are both on the autistic spectrum and often collaborate as disability advocates. While sharing their own story of courtship, they clearly address for other autistics such issues as eye contact, social skills, and personal space in relation to meeting someone and fostering a relationship that could evolve into a committed romantic love. Each chapter ends with a call to action, suggesting ways that caregivers and parents can help. Jody and Emilia have explored what a successful relationship requires of them individually and as a couple; their sensible strategies for overcoming communication and social deficits result in an insightful and accessible guide for autistics, their loved ones, and anyone looking to become a part of a couple. Highly recommended for large public libraries with autism collections.—Lisa M. Jordan, Johnson Cty. Lib., KS

British psychoanalyst Kahr (Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Psychotherapy & Mental Health, Ctr. for Child Mental Health, London) has written the most engrossing study of human sexuality since the Kinsey and Hite reports. To investigate the role of sexual fantasies in the lives of people not afflicted with mental illness, he surveyed 22,000 British and American citizens. The resulting book is a fascinating collection of personal narratives, along with the author's analysis of fantasy in everyday life. Kahr examines the function of fantasy from a psychological perspective, exploring the relationship between individual fantasies and experiences. He concludes that there are 14 functions of sexual fantasy, including wish fulfillment, self-comfort, and self-medication. Like Michael J. Bader's Arousal: The Secret Logic of Sexual Fantasies and Iris and Steven Finz's Unspoken Desires, this book is highly recommended for large public and academic library collections.—Lynne F. Maxwell, Villanova Univ. Sch. of Law, PA

Cheerleading squads perform on the sidelines at games and also compete against one another at national championships. For a season, magazine writer Torgovnick followed three teams from colleges with strong cheerleading traditions ("cheer schools"): traditionally black Southern University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and the University of Memphis. In telling about the youthful, energetic, upbeat world of cheerleading, the author felicitously uses a matching writing style, full of current pop culture references, picturesque observations, and keen characterizations. Readers learn lots about cheerleading and will find whatever stereotypes they may have about cheerleaders quickly overturned. Driven and athletic, both male and female cheerleaders perform their gravity-defying stunts at great personal risk. While addressing issues like eating disorders and performance-enhancing drug use, Torgovnick definitely portrays these athletes positively, discovering a new-found respect for cheerleading, one of America's fastest-growing sports. Sparkling with energy, this book is recommended for academic libraries for popular reading, and all public libraries.—Kathy Ruffle, College of New Caledonia Lib., Prince George, B.C.

It is a misconception that France is Paris: uncomfortable hotel rooms, fussy waiters, and discourtesy. Travel writer Chatzigianis's book is a well thought-out guide to a great hiking vacation in one of Europe's most stunning regions, the Western Mediterranean coast of France. Chatzigianis has herself hiked hundreds of miles in her beloved native region and invites readers to leave their traditional conceptions of a glitzy, glamorous Côte d'Azur for active discovery of its hidden charms—e.g., provincial villages lost in time, perched on breathtaking capes overlooking truly endless horizons. Staying in locally owned bed-and-breakfasts, camping, and remembering to tread lightly also figure into the spirit of discovering rural France. Though the book does not indicate that renting a car is necessary, access to a vehicle would make the hiking itineraries more convenient. Ultimately a very usable and well-organized resource; a welcome addition to the French travel information at your library.—Matthew Loving, Univ. of Florida Libs., Gainesville

This is an exceptional historical-personal narrative of the civil rights trail as lived by Cobb (senior writer, AllAfrica.com; coauthor, with Robert P. Moses, Radical Equations). A member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the late 1960s, Cobb is well equipped to take us on this journey, situating for us the schools, churches, courthouses, and lunch counters that were the battlegrounds of the grass-roots Civil Rights Movement. Cobb guides us through Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama, ending in a moving report on Tennessee. His historical perspective is vast, utilizing early American slave revolts and the retrenchment of racist policies following the end of Reconstruction as departure points for the later freedom struggle and drawing on interviews and incredible pictures to show us the trail through haunting imagery. His book is a singular creation, no mere tour guide but a kind of time capsule preserving the memory of those who gave their lives to the movement. For academic or public libraries.—Jim Hahn, Univ. of Illinois Lib., Urbana