Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books

-- Library Journal, 01/08/2008

Week of January 8, 2008

Nonfiction | Audio

Plus, don't miss LJ's annual diet-and-fitness book roundup, only on the web.

Nonfiction

Barber, Charles. Comfortably Numb: How Psychiatry Medicated a Nation. Pantheon. Feb. 2008. c.304p. index. ISBN 978-0-375-42399-4. $26. PSYCH
Verdict: A fine, informed writer on cultural history as well as neuroscience, psychotherapy, and economics, Barber convincingly argues against the overprescription of psychiatric drugs in the United States and sums up the history of U.S. psychiatry from the asylum to the community to glitzy but still elementary neuroscience. A blockbuster essential for all libraries. See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/07.
Background: U.S. pharmaceutical companies invest more to market than to research and test their medicines, thrilling Wall Street, paralyzing politicians, and unduly influencing medical organizations, doctors, and insurance companies. Psychiatry, for its part, sold its soul to overtreat everyday angst medically while ignoring 80 percent of the serious mentally ill. So argues Barber, who wrote of his work with the homeless mentally ill in Songs from the Black Chair. To improve the situation, he explains alternative programs that make sense but not dollars for ethical practitioners: cognitive therapy, stages of change, and Nobelist Eric Kandel’s research on neuroplasticisy. In Doing Psychiatry Wrong, also suitable for general audiences, R.J. Muller adds excellent independent support to Barber’s critique.—E. James Lieberman, George Washington Univ. Sch. of Medicine, Washington, DC

Cavallucci, Danielle & Yvonne K. Fulbright. Your Orgasmic Pregnancy: Little Sex Secrets Every Hot Mama Should Know. Hunter House. (Positively Sexual). Feb. 2008. c.176p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-89793-501-2. pap. $11.95. PSYCH
Verdict: Unique in sex-advice lit and highly recommended. Look to Cathy Winks and Anne Semans’s Sexy Mamas: Keeping Your Sex Life Alive While Raising Kids for sex vis-à-vis the rest of motherhood. (Illustrations not seen.)
Background: Hardly erotic-minded, the average mama-to-be is assumed to be throwing up, not putting out. Yet authors Cavallucci, a pregnancy coach and fitness trainer as well as a new mama herself, and Fulbright, a sexuality educator (Argosy Univ.; Pleasuring: The Secrets of Sexual Satisfaction), assert that maintaining an erotic connection during pregnancy offers real benefits for self, mate, and child. Their lively and sassy manual—an OB-GYN contributed comments and vetted the medical material—discusses each trimester separately: what to expect physically, positions and techniques, non-penetration options, tuning in with one’s partner, and coping with fatigue and competing priorities. Throughout, safety concerns turn up repeatedly and appropriately, e.g., preggie sex no-nos, when to be concerned, and when to check with your doctor. All advice is grounded in quotes and information from other pregnant women and their partners as well as from the psychomedical literature.—Martha Cornog, Philadelphia

Cooper, Grant, M.D. The Arthritis Handbook: The Essential Guide to a Pain-Free, Drug-Free Life. DiaMedica. Feb. 2008. c.224p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-9793564-1-4. pap. $14.95. HEALTH
Verdict: Although less comprehensive than other books on arthritis, this is nevertheless a well-organized, exceptionally accessible guide to preventing or reducing arthritis symptoms through nutrition and exercise for public and academic libraries.
Background: Cooper (orthopedics, Beth Israel Medical Ctr., New York) explains the etiology of arthritis and claims that people can manage, even prevent, the disease by making certain lifestyle changes. He recommends supplements with appropriate caution, and he views medications or injections as “windows of opportunity” that can make possible lasting changes in diet and exercise. He covers surgery but thinks of it as a last resort and recommends that patients get a second opinion before deciding to go that route. Cooper urges arthritis sufferers to consult a physician or therapist before embarking on an exercise or diet plan and then to seek advice from trainers and nutritionists. The extensive section on exercise is clearly illustrated with photographs, and the list of questions for surgeons is excellent.—Lois K. Merry, Keene State Coll. Lib., NH

Dickie, John. Delizia!: The Epic History of the Italians and Their Food. Free Pr: S. & S. Jan. 2008. c.384p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-7432-7799-0. $26. COOKERY
Verdict: The featured recipes and menus are as illuminating as the events that surround them, and Dickie is skilled at establishing the links that connected those who produced the food to those who prepared it to those who consumed it. Source notes and a thorough bibliography conclude this excellent, well-researched text. Recommended for academic and most public libraries.
Background: Dickie (Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian Mafia), a historian who lectures in Italian studies at University College London, has produced an absorbing account detailing the strange and sometimes sinister evolution of what we now call Italian food. From the Venetian spice trade that expanded Italy’s power in the 14th century, to the politically protected recipe for Bolognese mortadella in the 17th, to the Genoese pesto wars of the 21st century, Delizia traces the development of Italian cuisine both chronologically and geologically, so that as we move through the centuries, we also travel through the cities. Dickie’s prose is accessible to the lay reader but engaging enough to hold the attention of the most demanding history student.—Rosemarie Lewis, Broward Cty. P.L., Fort Lauderdale, FL

Lotridge Levin, Linda. The Making of FDR: The Story of Stephen T. Early, America's First Modern Press Secretary. Prometheus. Jan. 2008. c.500p. illus. ISBN 978-1-59102-577-1. $27.95. HIST
Verdict: A straightforward writing style, short chapters, and solid research combine to make a quick, insightful profile of an important journalistic figure. Recommended for large public and academic libraries.
Background:Stephen T. Early is a little known figure in today’s world, but during his time as press secretary for Franklin D. Roosevelt, Early revolutionized the way the press and the White House communicated with each other. Levin (journalism, Univ. of Rhode Island) reveals Early’s humble beginnings as a messenger boy and reporter. When the time came for Roosevelt to choose a press secretary, Early, a friend since the 1912 Democratic National Convention, was first in mind for the job. His open-door policy with the press, his help in creating Roosevelt’s famous fireside chats, and the trials of being the first press secretary who dealt with both print and broadcast media are all covered. Early was a man remembered for his tenacity, fairness, and strong work ethic, and Levin’s articulate research and interviews with family members bring these characteristics alive.—Troy Reed, Southeast Regional Lib., Gilbert, AZ

McKee, Steve. My Father’s Heart: A Son’s Journey. Da Capo Lifelong. Feb. 2008. c.256p. ISBN 978-0-7382-1097-1. $25. PSYCH
Verdict: From his expert research—personal accounts from both sides of his family, death certificates, historical and regional records—McKee has created an honest and truthful view of three generations of his family. Highly recommended for memoir fans in public libraries.
Background: McKee (global copy desk editor, Wall Street Journal; The Call of the Game) was 16 when his father, John, a smoker and overzealous worker, died of a heart attack in 1969. Steve, a sports enthusiast, spent the next 36 years keeping in shape only to discover during a medical check-up that he, too, had cardiovascular disease. It was then that he began investigating the life of his father, whom he had never had the chance to know. He also discusses the proactive steps he took pursuing various drug treatments postdiagnosis. While alive, John never talked much about the death of Steve’s grandfather from a heart attack, and here, Steve does a magnificent job reconstructing the events of that day. Especially impressive are his descriptions of Buffalo, NY, through the generations.—Dorris Douglass, Williamson Cty. P.L., Franklin, TN

Ross, Janice. San Francisco Ballet at Seventy-Five. Chronicle. 2007. 188p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-8118-5698-0. $60 with DVD. DANCE
Verdict: The San Francisco Ballet (SFB) comes alive in this gorgeous coffee-table book filled with color photographs, published for the ballet school’s 75th anniversary. Recommended for all libraries.
Background: Ross (dance history, Stanford Univ.; Moving Lessons) profiles life in the San Francisco Ballet and provides the historical background of the troupe. She focuses on Helgi Tomasson, a prime innovator and the current artistic director, and his efforts to create an international company. Contemporary choreographers Christopher Wheeldon and Mark Morris, who enjoy working with SFB, are quoted in the text. Regarding the company, one dancer comments, “They dance with their entire bodies. And they’re not cookie cutter bodies. Helgi has different body types and that makes a beautiful mix.” This ballet in a book contains a time line, a list of repertory ballets, and a list of SFB artists from 1933 to 2007. The included DVD, narrated by Peter Coyote, presents a more in-depth history of SFB with great stills and old footage.—Barbara Kundanis, Longmont P.L., CO

Simon, David, M.D., & Deepak Chopra. Freedom from Addiction: The ChopraCenter Method for Overcoming Destructive Habits. Health Communications. Jan. 2008. illus. ISBN 978-0-7573-0578-8. pap. $14.95. HEALTH
Verdict: This holistic self-help manual is generalized enough to help those hoping to kick such addictions as chemical dependency, smoking, overeating, or overspending; its success will depend on on the reader’s ability to understand and apply the steps recommended.
Background: Alternative health guru Chopra and Simon, cofounder of the Chopra Center, mix Western and Eastern medical practices along with spirituality to recommend a healing process that incorporates mental reflection and diet to detoxify the mind and body to overcome addiction. A practice of self-care is offered to prevent relapsing into old addiction habits. The authors genuinely seem concerned about offering a mechanism for recovery; they note that recovery may not always be individually achievable and therefore offer recommendations on seeking professional assistance as needed.Susan E. Thomas, IndianaUniv., South Bend

Volkwein, Ann (text) & Vegar Abelsnes (photogs.). Chinatown New York: Portraits, Recipes, and Memories. Collins Design: HarperCollins. 2007. 221p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-06-118859-6. $34.95. COOKERY
Verdict: Volkwein’s latest entertaining blend of travel guide and cultural history is highly recommended for larger public libraries.
Background: Food editor and writer Volkwein (The Arthur Avenue Cookbook: Recipes and Memories from the Real Little Italy) chronicles another of New York City’s cultural treasures in this colorful exploration of Chinatown’s past, present, and future. Beginning with a concise history of Chinatown and some biographical details on its power players, Volkwein goes on to provide basic information (ranging from a few sentences to several paragraphs) not only on Chinatown’s temples, restaurants, and markets, but also the various celebrations, such as the Lunar New Year, that play an important part in the calendar of Chinese life. The evolution of Chinese cooking in the United States is neatly integrated into a chapter on restaurants, and the sampling of recipes included gives readers an intriguing hint at the richness of this country’s cuisine.—John Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ

Audio

Chabon, Michael. The Yiddish Policemen’s Union. 10 cassettes. unabridged. 12¾ hrs. Recorded Bks. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4193-7573-6. $92.75; 11 CDs. ISBN 978-1-4193-7575-0. $123.75. F
Verdict: This is an easy call—an excellent performance of a good (maybe great) writer at the top of his game. Recommended.
Background: Things are falling apart for Meyer Landsman, a drunken cop in the imaginary noir Jewish settlement of Sitka, AK. His ex-wife has just become his boss. An addict chess prodigy from his hotel has been found murdered, and Meyer’s been told to forget about investigating it. His jurisdiction ends, soon, anyway, as the control of Sitka is about to revert to the state, leaving the Jews there (“the frozen Chosen”) homeless again, and mostly unwelcome. Chabon’s insanely ambitious story takes off from there, incorporating Orthodox gangsters, chess problems, and a possible Messiah, punctuated by the litany, “It’s a strange time to be a Jew.” Peter Riegert’s world-weary reading perfectly captures Chabon’s Chandleresque characters. The author can dazzle you with his dialog, his characters, his prose, or the details of his world-building. [HarperAudio also has a version available: 10 CDs. unabridged. 12½ hrs. 2007. ISBN 978-0-06-082356-6. $39.95.—Ed.]—John Hiett, Iowa City P.L.

Greenlaw, Linda. Slipknot. 7 CDs. unabridged. 8 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4233-3174-2. $87.25. F
Verdict: Sandra Burr’s portrayal of male voices is an improvement over her earlier efforts and doesn’t detract from the presentation. This engaging debut of a projected series is highly recommended.
Background: Jane Bunker, a former Miami senior homicide detective now working as a marine insurance investigator in Green Haven, ME, suspects foul play when the body of the town drunk is found washed up under the docks. In a town split between digging their heels into 20th-century fishing and moving ahead with wind farming, the plucky investigator encounters conspiracy, gambling debts, and importing invasive crabs, besides insurance fraud.—Sandy Glover, Camas P.L., WA

Høeg, Peter. The Quiet Girl. 12 CDs. unabridged. 15 hrs. Macmillan Audio 2007. ISBN 978-1-4272-0216-1. $39.95. F
Verdict: Reader James Gale greatly enhances this production through his powerful presentation. One of the best audiobooks of 2007; highly recommended for all collections.
Background: Høeg (Smilla’s Sense of Snow) now gives us a fantastic tale set in Copenhagen and centered on an astonishing character, Kasper Krone, an internationally famous circus clown who is able to hear a person’s life essence, which he interprets as music. Kasper also has deep gambling debts and faces extradition to Spain for back taxes. At nearly the last moment, he meets a little girl with amazing powers of her own—she is one of 12 similarly endowed children under the protection of a mysterious order of nuns. When the little girl disappears, Kasper sets out to find her. Høeg skillfully takes a traditional find-the-kidnapped-person thriller and fills it with philosophical discussions on music, religion, art, relationships, life, and death. His remarkable collection of characters comes from the circus, the church, government, and back business. The city of Copenhagen stands as a major character itself as the author incorporates ancient and modern buildings and settings. But it is Kasper and his powers, the power of love most of all, that dominate this beautifully written story. [BBC Audiobooks America also has a version available: 12 CDs. unabridged. 15 hrs. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7927-5049-9. $110.95.—Ed.]—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ., Parkersburg

See the last Xpress Reviews of 2007