Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books

-- Library Journal, 1/15/2008 12:30:00 PM

Fiction

Goldstone, Lawrence. The Anatomy of Deception. Delacorte. Feb. 2008. c.352p. ISBN 978-0-385-34134-9. $24. F
Verdict: Following in the footsteps of Caleb Carr (The Alienist) and Matthew Pearl (The Dante Club), Goldstone incorporates historical figures—like famed surgeon William Stewart Halsted and controversial painter Thomas Eakins—into a suspenseful debut forensic thriller. Recommended for historical fiction fans and mystery readers alike. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/07.]
Background: Set in 1887 Philadelphia, the novel follows Ephraim Carroll, a young doctor and the new protégé of famed surgeon William Osler, the father of modern medicine. During routine autopsies, the two physicians come across the body of a beautiful girl, who becomes the center of a devious plot. As Dr. Carroll follows the clues, he develops into a a clever detective with wide access to all strata of society, from the common thugs and vagabonds on the rat-infested waterfront to the aristocratic hospital board of directors and their families. As the clues draw suspicion to the hospital and the surgeons, Carroll must confront his mentor, who is offering him an appointment to the new Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Everything Carroll has worked for as a doctor may be jeopardized as he seeks to identify a killer.—Ron Samul, New London, CT

Nonfiction

Evans, Martin & John Phillips. Algeria: Anger of the Dispossessed. Yale Univ. Jan. 2008. c.352p. ISBN 978-0-300-10881-1. $35. HIST
Verdict: Truly comprehensive in scope, this history gives tremendous insight into Algeria’s legacies and future direction. Phillips’s background as a journalist in Algeria lends an immediacy to the personal anecdotes and quotes. For a narrower view of the recent internal strife, see Luis Martinez’s The Algerian Civil War, 1990–1998. Highly recommended for all libraries.
Background: Rather than beginning with the usual 1830 date of modern Algeria (the year of the French invasion and the beginning of colonization), Evans (contemporary history, Univ. of Portsmouth; The Memory of Resistance) and reporter Phillips (Macedonia) go all the way back to the region’s roots in the Phoenician-Carthaginian occupation (1100 BCE) and follow Algeria’s history to 2007. The historical depth pays off, as the majority of the book considers the post-1962 independent era and clarifies how the country arrived at the turbulence of the modern era. The authors pay close attention to the economic despair of the “black” 1980s, followed by the violence of the “red” 1990s, as the nation descended into a guerrilla-style civil war. The complex lineage of political factions and leaders, especially the rise of political Islam, has played a major role in Algeria’s history, and the authors clarify these interrelations effectively. There is a strong emphasis on political history, but care is also taken to illuminate the experiences of ordinary Algerians. —Elizabeth Morris, Barrington Area Lib., IL

Fisher, Ellie Slott with Paul Halpern. Dating for Dads: The Single Father’s Guide to Dating Well Without Parenting Poorly. Bantam. Jan. 2008. c.247p. index. ISBN 978-0-553-38486-4. pap. $12. CHILD REARING
Verdict: Though the chummy tone often borders on girlfriend-to-girlfriend, which makes no sense in a manual for men, this primer is recommended for public libraries, perhaps to set alongside Elaine Fantle Shimberg’s The Complete Single Father: Reassuring Answers to Your Most Challenging Situations.
Background: Self, girlfriend, kid(s), ex—they’re enough to make a single man run screaming for a hermitage. Cheerful and upbeat despite being once widowed and once divorced, Fisher (Mom, There’s a Man in the Kitchen and He’s Wearing Your Robe: The Single Mother’s Guide to Dating Well Without Parenting Poorly) focuses on dating issues of interest to single fathers. She considers everyone involved, because “judgments you make affect not only your life and hers but the lives of your children and any she may have.” Especially concerned about children, Fisher cautions readers about seeing ex-wives and advises informing kids about dating intentions. Loads of quotes from real people lend a from-the-trenches authenticity to the coverage, which includes first-date basics, dating web sites, and situations (e.g., the willing neighbor, the “hot casserole lady”) common to single dads.—Douglas C. Lord, ConnecticutState Lib., Middletown Lib. Service Ctr.

Friedman, Joan A. Emotionally Healthy Twins: A New Philosophy for Parenting Two Unique Individuals. Da Capo Lifelong. Feb. 2008. c.240p. index. ISBN 978-0-7382-1087-2. pap. $15.95. CHILD REARING
Verdict: This won’t be popular with some parents, but Friedman makes sound arguments based on widely accepted child-development research; her tone, while strong, is appreciative of the unique separation anxiety that twins face. A timely, important, and well-presented theory of parenting for libraries with in-depth child rearing collections.
Background: Friedman might be the holy ghost of twin literature. As a psychotherapist specializing in twin issues, the mother of both twins and singleton children, and a twin herself, she comes to her topic with unmatched depth and breadth of experience. Here, she presents a philosophical approach to raising twins as the two unique individuals that they are. Arranged by age, the text covers preparation for parents-to-be, babyhood, the preschool years, the elementary years, the preteen and teenage years, and young adulthood. If readers have romantic ideas about the intimacy of twins (which Friedman refers to as the “twin mystique”), it will likely be dismantled; parents are forced to examine beliefs and behaviors that may be detrimental to their twins’ social and emotional development as individuals.—Julianne J. Smith, Ypsilanti Dist. Lib., MI

Gordinier, Jeff. X Saves the World: How Generation X Got the Shaft but Can Still Keep Everything from Sucking. Viking. Mar. 2008. c.189p. index. ISBN 978-0-670-01858-1. $21.95. SOC SCI
Verdict: Citing the popularity of American Idol and the policies of the Bush administration as evidence of a decline in American culture, Gordinier sends a wake-up call to his generation to “keep everything from sucking.” This book will engage readers with an interest in popular culture and those who define themselves as Gen-Xers.
Background: Whatever happened to Generation X? Characterized by cynicism and questioning of traditional values, Gen X is defined in this book as encompassing those born between 1960 and 1977. Sandwiched between, and outnumbered by, the idealistic baby boomers and the media-saturated millenials, Generation Xers have not received much recent attention. According to Gordinier (editor at large, Details magazine), a Gen-Xer himself, the media lost interest in Generation X in 1999, around the time of the dot-com crash and the rise of Britney Spears. He takes stock of what his generation has achieved over the past two decades: many of the Internet’s cutting-edge web sites (Google, YouTube, Netflix, and Wikipedia) and lasting contributions to American film (e.g., Lost in Translation), music (e.g., Nirvana), and television (e.g., The Daily Show).—Jennifer Zarr, NYPL

Gott, Peter H., M.D. Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook™. Warner Wellness. Jan. 2008. 258p. index. ISBN 978-0-446-58250-6. $23.99. COOKERY
Verdict: Despite a chapter on calories and how to calculate the number one should consume based on one’s weight and activity level, none of Gott’s recipes includes nutritional information or calorie counts. This omission makes it a low-priority purchase.
Background: Gott, who writes a syndicated health column, presents yet another version of the low-carb diet, focusing on eliminating just two items from one’s diet—flour and sugar. The book first covers issues such as artificial sweeteners, carbohydrates, calorie counting, beverages, etc., followed by approximately 200 recipes. Rice, potatoes, oatmeal, fruit, beans, and corn tortillas are all still allowed, with Splenda suggested as a sugar substitute. Many of the recipes are for soups, salads, and entrées that would not use flour or sugar normally, so while they are probably tasty, their inclusion here does not add much to the nature of the work.—Susan Hurst, MiamiUniv. of Ohio Libs., Oxford

Haronian, Edwin. Back Surgery: Is It Right for You? Square One, dist. by Ingram. Feb. 2008. c.192p. index. ISBN 978-0-7570-0276-2. pap. $15.95. HEALTH
Verdict: Haronian provides current and authoritative information designed to assist patients in weighing the various options and making informed decisions. Recommended for consumer health collections in medical and public libraries, as well as other facilities that cater to the medical information needs of the general public.
Background: Back pain affects eight of ten people at some point during their lives. Although minor pains are alleviated within a few days, relief for chronic back pain often requires unfamiliar medicines, therapies, or surgical interventions. Board-certified surgeon Haronian addresses those topics and more in this three-part guide. In Part 1, a comprehensive review of the anatomy and function of the spine helps people understand the cause of their back pain (e.g., arthritis, disc herniation, cancer). Nonsurgical treatment options include anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, acupuncture, yoga, and epidural injections. When noninvasive treatments prove ineffective for pain relief, more aggressive surgical options are discussed. Part 2 deals with preparations for surgery and what to expect during recovery. The author provides information on important factors to consider in choosing a surgeon and the type of hospital where the surgery will be performed. How much pain to expect, methods of pain control, wound care, postsurgical complications, and physical therapy are thoroughly discussed.—Dee Jones, Medical Lib., Louisiana State Univ. Health Sciences Ctr.,  Shreveport

Harrington, Candy B. (text) & Charles Pannell (photogs.). 101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. Demos. 2007. c.352p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-932603-43-9. $24.95. TRAV
Verdict: This title is useful for the serendipitous exploration of wheelchair-accessible travels and makes a good addition to this spotty area of niche travel guides. Suitable for public library travel collections.
Background: Harrington (Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers) has written extensively about accessible travel opportunities for the handicapped. Here, she provides three- to four-page narratives on a selection of vacation ideas in North America and the Caribbean for slow-walking and wheelchair-bound travelers based on her own travels as founder/editor of Emerging Horizons magazine. Her travel ideas, organized by interest rather than geographically, range from exploring the Everglades to cruising Alaska and include such activities as scuba diving and river rafting. While the personal experiences she shares are informative, she lists only brief contact information for hotel and recreation opportunities. The chapter titles (e.g., “A Place To Rest Your Head”; “Candy and the Volcano”) are cute, but not necessarily descriptive.—Louise Feldmann, Colorado State Univ. Lib., Ft. Collins

Lewis, Anthony. Freedom for the Thought That We Hate: A Biography of the First Amendment. Basic Bks: Perseus. Jan. 2008. 224p. index. ISBN 978-0-465-03917-3. $25. LAW
Verdict: This remarkable book covers recent controversies involving warrantless wiretapping and the publication of the Abu Ghraib photographs, but it is not a current affairs title. It will endure as a stirring history of one of our most essential American freedoms. Highly recommended for all academic and public libraries; essential for libraries with extensive law or legal history collections.
Background: Former New York Times columnist and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lewis (James Madison Visiting Professor, Columbia Univ.; Gideon’s Trumpet) here writes of the evolution and importance of the First Amendment. In 12 brisk, entertaining, scholarly, and often moving chapters, Lewis explores how our understanding of our rights under the First Amendment has changed over the years. From the battles over seditious libel in the early days of our nation to later cases involving pornography and hate speech, we see the development of the freedom of expression that we enjoy in this country today. Chapters exploring the real tensions between press freedom and other compelling interests such as privacy, security, and the right to a fair trial are particularly gripping.—Rachel Bridgewater, Reed Coll., Portland, OR

Lisick, Beth. Helping Me Help Myself: One Skeptic, Ten Self-Help Gurus, and a Year on the Brink of the Comfort Zone. Morrow. Jan. 2008. 288p. ISBN 978-0-06-114396-0. $24.95. PSYCH
Verdict: A likable premise that degenerates into a whining drivel of sad cultural babble; useful only for libraries that have extensive pop culture collections or where Lisick’s best-selling previous book, Everybody into the Pool, was popular. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/15/07.]
Background: Writer/actor/musician Lisick here documents her yearlong quest for self-empowermentand enlightenmentby trying to tackle and absorb the knowledge of ten of the world’s top self-help gurus. She sets out with much fear and trepidation—not to mention whining—and instead of a helpful book exposing or at least analyzing these gurus, she delivers a personal account of her experiences that is just sad. She begins with “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield, proceeds through “Cruise To Lose” with Richard Simmons, and then moves on to relationship issues with John Gray, PhD, and a session with Suzie Ormond on finances, to name a few.The author admits to not sticking with the programs and not being changed all that much. After a year, she had made some positive efforts but wasn’t sure any of it would stick.—Cynde Suite, Bartow Cty. Lib. Syst., Cartersville, GA

Rasmussen, William M.S. & Robert S. Tilton. Lee and Grant. D Giles, dist. by ACC. 2007. 352p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-904832-36-2. $65. HIST
Verdict: Copiously illustrated, this book admirably provides both overviews and insights into the changes in American society that governed the popular meaning of Grant’s and Lee’s lives and careers. Recommended for public libraries.
Background: Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee enjoyed, and deserved, reputations as exceptional military leaders. Their contemporaries viewed them as symbols of their respective causes, and this view has persisted up to our own time. The stock of each has risen or fallen depending on such exigencies as race relations, the placidity of the international arena, and the views of popular biographers. Rasmussen (curator, Virginia Historical Soc.) and Tilton (English, Univ. of Connecticut) have produced this companion volume in association with a Virginia Historical Society exhibit they curated, which will travel in 2008 to Missouri, New York, Houston, and Atlanta. This is a parallel biography of the men, and an evenhanded examination of the hagiography, as well as the censure, that each inspired. They show that in popular perception, Grant embodied pragmatism and realism, Lee chivalry and courtliness, and that in fact neither perception was far from the truth.—Richard Fraser, formerly archivist & curator of manuscripts, Coll. of Physicians of Philadelphia

Ray, Rachael. Just in Time!: All-New 30-Minutes Meals, Plus Super-Fast 15-Minute Meals and Slow It Down 60-Minute Meals. Potter, dist. by Crown. 2007. 336p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-307-38318-1. pap. $19.95. cookery
Verdict: While many of the meals included will probably take the average cook longer to prepare than the stated time, and most involve a trip to the supermarket, readers will enjoy their eclectic ingredients and wide age appeal. Recommended for most collections.
Background: Food Network star, author (30-Minute Get Real Meals), magazine entrepreneur, and product spokesperson Ray is renowned for her 30-minute meals. Her latest cookbook offers nearly 100 all-new recipes designed to get a meal on the table quickly, breaking the 30-minute constraint by offering two new categories of recipes—15-minute meals, for those days when even 30 minutes is too long, and 60-minute meals, for when a little extra time is available. Arranged by such categories as “Using Your Noodle” and “Who You Callin’ Chicken?” and “Mmmm, Beefy,” the recipes range from quick Spanish Ham and Cheese Quesadillas to more complicated Tarragon Roast Chicken with Fennel and Boursin Smashed Potatoes.—Pauline Baughman, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR

Thirty Ways of Looking at Hillary: Reflections by Women Writers. HarperCollins. 2008. c.272p. ed. by Susan Morrison. ISBN 978-0-06-145593-3. $23.95. POL SCI
Verdict: Taken together, these pieces confirm that Hillary seems to generate special controversy for women as much as for men. Her roles as former first lady, adopted New Yorker, a Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees fan, etc., do indeed summon strong feelings, here conjured into a light and interesting read. Recommended for public libraries.
Background: Countless books have been written about Hillary Rodham Clinton; her presidential campaign means that surely more are on the way. This compilation of 30 original short pieces by such writers as Lorie Moore, Katha Pollitt, Ariel Levy, and Daphne Mekin does not seek to compete with policy-wonk or political-pundit books. Rather, editor Morrison (articles editor, The New Yorker) aims “to pull together some of the many refracted visions of Hillary” and show how a spectrum of women think about her. In reading this compilation, we don’t so much learn anything new about Hillary—we knew that some women like her and some don’t, that she is perceived as a chameleon, ambitious, strategic, riding her husband’s coattails, etc.—as we simply appreciate reading entertainingly sharp and distinct pieces, as evidenced by such titles as “Elect Sister Frigidaire” and “Medusa for President.”—Leigh Mihlrad, Albany Medical Coll. Lib., NY

Thompson, Chuck. The 25 Essential World War II Sites: European Theater. 2d ed. Greenline. (Historic Travel). 2007. 255p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-9787719-0-4. pap. $19.95. TRAV
Verdict: This would certainly be an excellent reference for someone planning a battlefield tour, but it would be of most use tucked in one’s carryall and thoroughly marked up, rather than on library shelves. A specialized tool that may find readers in some libraries.
Background: Thompson (The 25 Essential World War II Sites: Pacific Theater) identifies sites of greatest interest to World War II enthusiasts and ranks them by three equal criteria: historic significance, number and quality of relics, and overall merit as travel destinations. He defines “site” broadly—e.g., Normandy, Dunkirk, Moscow, Kursk, Anzio, Remagen, Cassino. For each, he provides a brief historical essay followed by specific points of interest, such as museums, sites, battlefields, and monuments. Each site listing includes a couple of places to stay in the vicinity, and local guides are recommended by name and specialty. Points of interest are rated with one to four stars. He’s not afraid to direct readers away from spots he deems lackluster, describing one attraction as a “pricey tourist trap.” Useful sketch maps of each site accompany the text; eight completely unnecessary pages of color photographs are stuck in the middle.—Edwin B. Burgess, U.S. Army Combined Arms Research Lib., Fort Leavenworth, KS

Young, Audrey, M.D. The House of Hope and Fear: Life in a Big City Hospital. Sasquatch. Jan. 2008. c.256p. ISBN 978-1-57061-511-5. $23.95. MED
Verdict: While Young provides an enlightening firstperson view of a remarkable hospital and its staff, she is not the most skilled writer; her sentence structure can be awkward, and parts of the book seem slightly disjointed. An optional purchase.
Background: In her second book, Young (What Patients Taught Me: A Medical Student’s Journey) describes life at Seattle’s Harborview Hospital, which provides charity care by serving the underinsured and uninsured. Clinical vignettes portray poor, often homeless patients who have severe illnesses; readers learn about the life situations that have made it difficult for many of them to obtain even basic needs. Young also reveals the difficult conditions under which the dedicated staff care for these patients, as when beds are filled to capacity, and patients must wait in the hallways until beds become available.—Dana Ladd, Community Health Education Ctr., Tompkins-McCaw Lib. for the Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Libs., Richmond

Audio

Grossman, Austin. Soon I Will Be Invincible. 8 CDs. unabridged. 10¼ hrs. HighBridge Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-1-59887-096-1. $36.95. F
Verdict: J. Paul Boehmer and Coleen Marlo provide compelling readings, but the chapters narrated by Doctor Impossible—richly interpreted by Boehmer—are by far the most interesting. Highly recommended for all general fiction collections and particularly those with large sf holdings.
Background: The world of superheroes and supervillains has fallen on hard times in Grossman’s debut novel. The once-fabled Champions have disbanded after the loss of a team member, and now the greatest of them—Core Fire—has gone missing. Meanwhile, their arch foe, Doctor Impossible, languishes in prison, eager to embark on his next effort to conquer the world. When careless interrogators drop their guard, the Doctor makes his move, and his reemergence forces the Champions to put aside their past differences, as well as their product endorsements and commercial interests, and regroup to save the planet. The narrative moves between alternating chapters of firstperson accounts from the Doctor, obsessed with gaining the recognition he feels he has been denied all his life, and Fatale, who struggles to remember how she became a superhuman cyborg and how she might fit into the unfamiliar and uncomfortable world of the Champions. Grossman’s character-driven novel focuses less on the interdimensional battles and outlandish weapons of his heroes and villains than on their flaws and interpersonal conflicts.—Philip Bader, Pasadena, CA

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