Social Sciences

Fletcher, NBC News Bureau Chief in Tel Aviv, reviews his career covering the Middle East and Africa in this memoir. After briefly working for the BBC as a writer, Fletcher became a cameraman for a British film news agency, with his first major assignment the Yom Kippur War in 1973. This was followed almost immediately by the 1974 Cyprus conflict, during which he learned a lesson about how dangerous war journalism can be: he describes an incident in which one reporter was killed and others injured by land mines. This tragedy tempered his excitement in covering war but did not diminish his drive to succeed. Soon recruited by NBC, he tried to convince the network of the importance of Africa as an area to cover. He describes living under apartheid in South Africa and reporting on conflicts in other African countries, as well as events that signaled the beginnings of Islamic extremism. Throughout, he does an excellent job in giving both the historical background of the event and the details of how he and other journalists handled them. As a historical overview, an example of a successful journalist's career, and a journalistic tour de force, the book will draw readers in larger public libraries and in college journalism programs. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/15/07.]—Joel W. Tscherne, Cleveland P.L.

What is it about Las Vegas that draws millions of people each year willing to spend billions of dollars? In her first book Wall Street Journal columnist Binkley tries to explain the city's allure by focusing on three of its more successful casino tycoons, all of whom she believes to be responsible for Las Vegas's transformation from a gaudy gambling town into a gigantic theme park. These men themselves could have made a pretty amazing story (she had personal access to all three), but Binkley chooses instead to devote the majority of the book to chronicling how the new generation of casinos was designed and built, which unfortunately makes for rather lackluster reading. In one of the more insightful sections, she does divulge how these casinos actually make their money, revealing that "casinos do not gamble—the odds are always fixed on their side." Ultimately, the appeal of the "sin capital of the U.S." is neither about art nor culture, but simply fantasy. As Binkley observes, "people don't come to Las Vegas for good taste." Suitable for larger public libraries.— Richard Drezen, Washington Post, NYC Bureau

Fitzgerald tells the success stories of over 25 creative women who have built thriving businesses out of their artisanal skills. The shop owners, designer/producers, and service providers covered include Elisa Strauss (Confetti Cakes); Phyllis Leck (Village Weaver); Marilyn Lysohir (Cowgirl Chocolates); and Denise Allen (Allen's 19th Century General Store). Each profile includes a biography, addressing the woman's motivations and her tips for others, and is accompanied by photographs of the woman, her business enterprise, and some of her products. But that's not all. The book then offers a Business Crafting Workshop: a step-by-step guide for prospective entrepreneurs, including drawing up a business plan, product development, marketing and sales, and financial management. A list of names and addresses of helpful trade associations, books, journals, and mentors (the names and addresses of those profiled) are included. Published in conjunction with Country Living magazine, which has an annual issue profiling women entrepreneurs, the book enables the Country Living editors to go beyond those profiles and "gather many more stories in one place than…in a single issue of the magazine." A good choice primarily for public library collections.—Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY

The U.S. dollar, the best-known icon associated with this country, has evolved to assume a unique position in world trade, making global transactions simpler while also helping to expand the global economy. The greenback, however, may eventually lose its "privileged status" owing to modern world dynamics, such as the introduction of the euro, changing foreign central bank reserve strategies, the growing strength of economies like China, and powerful hedge fund managers with the capabilities for currency transactions that rival entire economies in size. Yet despite the complexity of the global currency market, Karmin (reporter, "Money and Investing" section, Wall Street Journal) skillfully explains its inner workings and identifies the top players and monetary strategies. Pointing out that the dollar may decline even further in the future, he presents strong arguments for investing in foreign currencies and provides examples of how this can be done. Recommended for public library patrons with some knowledge of high finance, this may also be suitable in academic libraries as a non-textbook introduction to currency markets.—Caroline Geck, Kean Univ., Union, NJ

Weltman, an attorney and small-business tax expert, aims with these guides to help both individual taxpayers and businesspersons understand, organize, and plan for tax season. Individuals will find straightforward help in 1001 Deductions & Tax Breaks, whose chapters cover deductions related to medical expenses, travel, real estate, investments, loans, automobiles, and more. Weltman explains each potential benefit in terms of the conditions for qualification, the planning required, possible pitfalls, and where to claim the benefit. New tax-law alerts appear throughout the text.

In Small Business Taxes, Part 1 covers business forms and the effect a business's choice of form has on tax obligations as well as instructs on record-keeping requirements to ensure eligibility for deductions and credits. Part 2 discusses the reporting of business income; Part 3 is a primer on deductions; and Part 4 addresses strategic planning (e.g., how to avoid common mistakes when claiming deductions).

Each book has been revised to reflect changes in the tax law, and there is also an online updating service through the J.K. Lasser web site (www.jklasser.com). Both editions' use of everyday examples, illustrative charts, and checklists helps make complex rules accessible. Recommended for public libraries.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY

Jager-Hyman, a student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a former member of the Dartmouth Admissions Board, takes us on a journey into the selection process of America's Ivy League schools by following five students who apply to Harvard. Felix is an Asian American straight-A student, Andrew is a prep-school star displaced by Hurricane Katrina, Lisa is a nationally ranked gymnast from one of the country's best public high schools, Marlene is a Dominican American student from a low-income family, and Nabil is an Ethiopian American math whiz from Memphis. Jager-Hyman looks at all aspects of the admissions process, from test preparation to the value of extracurricular activities, also examining what role class, race, legacy (alumni or benefactor), and intelligence (SAT and GPA) play in students' acceptance into the Ivy League schools. She invites us to read the students' essays, sit in on their interviews, accompany them on their campus visits, and, finally, witness the highly anticipated moment of their acceptance, rejection, or deferral. Recommended for libraries with strong education, college, or career collections.—Mary C. Allen, Everett P.L., WA

Brook (Chinese studies, Oxford Univ.; Confusions of Pleasure) takes a distinctive look at the global economy and world trade in the 17th century in this captivating work. He uses works of art, in particular by the Dutch painter Vermeer, as windows into that specific time in Delft (Vermeer's hometown and home to a chamber of the Dutch East India Company ) and as conduits into other aspects of the emerging world. Through specific paintings such as Officer and Laughing Girl and Woman Holding a Balance, Brook takes the reader on adventures across countries, continents, and trade routes in the era's quest for beaver pelts, Chinese porcelain (i.e., china), tobacco, and silver, and shows men and women caught up in the "whirlpool of global movement." This book will certainly make you look differently at Vermeer's paintings, as you imagine the greater context of the time period and ponder the acquisition of seemingly minor objects. An insightful read for historians and art historians alike and a fine guide into the rewards of studying material culture. Recommended for both academic and public libraries.—Susanne Markgren, SUNY at Purchase Lib.

These books offer distinct perspectives and insights into public and private moments in the life of Thomas Jefferson, first U.S. secretary of state and third President—and one of the most fascinating figures in American history. Cerami (Jefferson's Great Gamble) offers a second work on Jefferson as perceptive and well written as his first. This time his focus is the long-standing personal and political feud between Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the Treasury. Fearing that tensions between them on issues such as agriculture versus industry, states' versus federal rights, and South versus North would destroy the new nation, Jefferson reluctantly saw that his country would survive only through compromise. It was 1790. He invited Hamilton and his own ally, James Madison (aware of the purpose of the evening), to a private dinner at his home, then in New York. Compromise was achieved, Jefferson and Madison agreeing not to oppose federal assumption of states' war debts, Hamilton agreeing to the national capital being constructed in northern Virginia. Cerami wittily recounts the evening in rich detail, embracing the culinary details as well as the larger story of President Washington's quarrelsome cabinet, the evolution of the dual party system, and Jefferson's emergence as a persuasive national leader.

Crawford (Thunder on the Right) offers his own equally compelling look, in this case at Jefferson's life, post-presidency, from 1809 until his death in 1826. Then a private citizen, Jefferson was burdened by financial and personal and political struggles within his extended family. His beloved estate, Monticello, was costly to maintain and Jefferson was in debt. Newly studying primary sources, Crawford thoroughly conveys the pathos of Jefferson's last years, even as he successfully established the University of Virginia (America's first wholly secular university) and maintained contact with James Madison, John Adams, and other luminaries. He personally struggled with political, moral, and religious issues; Crawford shows us a complex, self-contradictory, idealistic, yet tragic figure, helpless to stabilize his family and finances. Historians and informed readers alike will find much to relish in both of these distinctive works of original scholarship. Both are recommended for academic and large public libraries. [For Crawford, see Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/07.]— Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina, Thomas Cooper Lib., Columbia

Forty-five years after the JFK assassination, the interest in his murder continues unabated, and these two excellent books show in different ways—one scholarly and one personal—the assassination's relentless grip. Kaiser (history, Naval War Coll.; American Tragedy: Kennedy, Johnson, and the Origins of the Vietnam War) presents a scrupulously researched account, which may be one of the best books yet on the assassination. Unlike David Talbot's Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years, Kaiser posits that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman although he did not act alone: the murder plot was hatched by Mafia bosses Santo Trafficante, John Roselli, and Sam Giancana as revenge for Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy's relentless pursuit of the mob and for the vast sums of money they lost when Castro closed Cuba's mob-controlled casinos. Other startling revelations are that Oswald might have been a CIA agent, even though he was promised a large sum of money by the mob to kill Kennedy, and that Jack Ruby killed Oswald on orders from the Mafia, to which Ruby was connected. This detailed, often chilling account stands out among the overwhelming number of assassination books. Highly recommended for most public and all academic libraries.

Bolden's autobiography includes little mention of Kennedy's murder yet the assassination affected his life tragically. He was appointed personally by JFK as the first African American on the White House Secret Service detail (1960–64), and although he was a conscientious agent his role angered racist agents. Bolden was not on the Dallas detail but he was well aware of the lax security the agents provided because of their drinking and womanizing. He first blew the whistle in October 1963 and then again reported poor security after the assassination. In 1964 he was convicted on trumped up charges of selling a government file and spent six years in jail. Much of the book engrossingly describes the trials and his harrowing years in prison. Ultimately, Bolden was vindicated when the House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded in 1976 that the Secret Service's protection was inadequate. He has worked for the last decades in private industry. Recommended for all public libraries.—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

The Caucasus region, which now consists of Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and parts of Russia, has a complex history, not least owing to its interactions with the surrounding nations of Europe and the Middle East and its tremendously diverse ethnic populations. One can be familiar with the history of Russia without really understanding the long and complex history of the Caucasus. King (Romanian studies, international affairs and government, Georgetown Univ.; The Black Sea: A History) unravels the region's history from the start of Russia's involvement in the region under Ivan the Terrible to the present. Recently, a few books have been published about the Caucasus (e.g., Nicholas Griffin's Caucasus: A Journey to the Land Between Christianity and Islam), but King's is the most comprehensive, weaving in the history of all the events from the past two centuries that shaped czarist, Soviet, and Russian relations with the region. He briefly discusses the Armenian genocide, a label that Turkey has objected to, which has recently been discussed in the U.S. Congress. King mainly raises it so as to question whether it was indeed a genocide as we define that today. This book would be a wise pick for any scholarly institution.—Harry Willems, Park City P.L., KS

The conquerors of Napoléon were in a festive mood when they met in Vienna in the fall of 1814 to decide the fate of Europe. A bacchanalian atmosphere prevailed even as the victors bickered over the fate of such kingdoms as Poland and Saxony. The festivities came to an abrupt halt in February 1815 when Napoléon escaped from Elba to meet his destiny at Waterloo, but by then the conferees had reconfigured the geopolitical parameters of Europe. King (history, Univ. of Kentucky; Finding Atlantis) does a superb job of evoking the bedazzling social scene that served as the backdrop to the Congress of Vienna. His characterizations of such luminaries as Czar Alexander, Metternich, Talleyrand, and Castlereagh are lucid and thoroughly grounded in primary sources. In his final analysis he argues that the end result of the conference was the creation of a balance of power among evolving European nations, leading to a century of peace on the Continent. Libraries with Adam Zamoyski's recent Rites of Peace may be inclined to bypass King's work, which would be a mistake, as his is equal to Zamoyski's in scholarship and more concise in content. This is a worthy contribution to the study of a critical historical event long neglected by historians. It should be in every European history collection.—Jim Doyle, Rome, GA

McDougall (history, Univ. of Pennsylvania; Freedom Just Around the Corner: A New American History, 1585–1828), Pulitzer Prize winner for The Heavens and the Earth: A Political History of the Space Program, presents the second volume of his planned trilogy of "new American history," from the election of Andrew Jackson through Reconstruction. He reiterates the theme of Americans as "hustlers," a term that has both negative and positive connotations. McDougall asserts that citizens of this country are masters of rhetorical self-reinvention in political, economic, social, and spiritual spheres. Beginning by defining New York City's rise as representative of American determination, he expands from there to offer various instances of American ingenuity and drive, citing some atypical examples from history such as the rise of mass entertainment through the entrepreneurial spirit of early comedians and traveling circuses. He also addresses the core signifiers such as Manifest Destiny, the Civil War, and the postbellum mythologizing of the country as a nation purged of sin, as it headed forward with optimism and capitalist vigor. McDougall's primary and secondary research is exhaustive, with endnotes providing additional entertaining background. Highly recommended for academic and many public libraries.—Gayla Koerting, Univ. of South Dakota, Vermillion

This is a fascinating and well-written account of the development of monopoly capitalism and the birth of investigative journalism. America's first oil boom, in northwestern Pennsylvania in the 1860s, set the stage for the collision course of McClure's magazine reporter Tarbell and John D. Rockefeller, owner of Standard Oil. Weinberg (journalism, Univ. of Missouri; The Reporter's Handbook) traces their separate paths up through Tarbell's exposé of the operations of Rockefeller's company in a series of articles beginning in 1902. He describes his work here as a hybrid of biography and dramatic narrative, and he gives equal attention to both of his main characters. Drawing on investigative journalism techniques himself, he uses a wide range of primary sources to sketch Tarbell's and Rockefeller's personalities and their professional lives. Both had ties to the oil industry from an early age. Weinberg shows them as complex human beings—good, yet flawed. He illustrates how Rockefeller, in addition to being a ruthless capitalist, dedicated himself to his family and church, in contrast to his own wastrel father. Tarbell, however, has clearly been a role model for Weinberg, and she shines in his portrayal. This book tells a dramatic story in an engaging style and will be a good addition for both public and academic libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/1/07.]—Judy Solberg, Seattle Univ. Lib.

In the 1832 case Worcester v. Georgia, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that Indian tribes were distinct political entities and thus held sovereignty within their territorial boundaries. The ruling proved a pyrrhic victory, since the Cherokees who won the case soon discovered that the Supreme Court's decision did not prevent the federal government from moving the tribe from their traditional homelands to Oklahoma. The inconsistency evident in the interpretation of the Worcester case has plagued the legal relationship between Indian peoples and legal entities at the state and federal levels up to the present day. Using numerous legal cases, Duthu (Vermont Law School), a lawyer and Houma Indian Nation tribal member, demonstrates how Indian sovereignty has affected the way in which the rights of native peoples have been addressed by the legal systems in the United States. The cases are contextualized to show how the rights of native peoples have evolved over time. The author also addresses how legal issues arising between competing Indian interests have set legal precedents that further complicate the legal landscape. This outstanding overview of the morass that is the legal relationship between Indian nations and the United States is highly recommended for public and academic libraries.—John Burch, Campbellsville Univ. Lib., KY

Even readers who do not follow the vagaries of the criminal justice system will be sucked in by this story of Willie Francis, a 17-year-old black youth convicted of killing a local white pharmacist. The year was 1946, the place St. Martinville, LA, in the heart of the racially divided South. On May 3, 1946, Willie was strapped into the electric chair and the switch was thrown, but he did not die. For the next two years, Bertrand DeBlanc, a young Cajun lawyer who took on Francis's case, tried to prevent a second electrocution. He argued the case as far as the U.S. Supreme Court, where Justice Felix Frankfurter denied the appeal; two years later, Willie was put to death. From the first page to the last, King (Woman, Child for Sale: The New Slave Trade in the 21st Century) holds our attention with gripping and disturbing details. Most of all, he makes us wonder if, in view of the current controversy over the death penalty, this scenario could happen today. Highly recommended for all libraries.—Frances Sandiford, formerly with Green Haven Correctional Facility Lib., Stormville, NY

Journalist and author Pitluk (Standing Eight: The Inspiring Story of Jesus "El Matador" Chavez) relates the life of James "Jimmy" Scott, currently serving a life sentence as the only person convicted under Missouri's "Causing a Catastrophe" statute. Middle-son Scott and his brothers spent their adolescence entertaining themselves by seeking attention while their well-meaning yet neglectful parents constantly worked. Their lives unraveled after they torched the old Quincy, IL, elementary school. Following his arson conviction, Scott returned home and settled down as best he could. In the summer of 1993, he joined many in his community across the Mississippi in West Quincy, MO, helping to save the levee. His continued need for attention combined with his heavy nightly drinking at his stepbrother's house led to his looking awfully guilty when tapped for a "man-on-the-levee" interview on local TV after the breach. Most damning of all were comments he made about hoping for a flood to strand his wife so he could party without her. Pitluk states his "intention that the reader forms his/her own opinion," but it is obvious he believes Scott was unjustly convicted. Although the book could benefit from crisper editing, it deserves a spot in public libraries and will appeal to those interested in the law and rights of citizens. Recommended.—Karen Sandlin Silverman, Ctr. for Applied Research, Philadelphia

An English country house, a ghastly child murder, family secrets, a brilliant detective—all the elements of a Victorian crime novel are here in this true account of a celebrated murder in 1860. On June 29, three-year-old Saville Kent was found with his throat slashed in the servant's privy at Road Hill House. An incompetent police investigation proved fruitless, so the magistrate called in London detective James Whicher. Detectives, who investigated crimes across different police districts, were viewed with both awe and suspicion; their investigations often threatened the sacred privacy of the home. Whicher was certain that a member of the family had murdered the child, but a flat denial and the outrage of the community sent him back to London in disgrace. Later developments proved him right, but Whicher's real claim to fame was as the template for fictional detectives, particularly Sgt. Cuff in Wilkie Collins's The Moonstone. Summerscale organizes the book like a period novel, with a denouement that suggests that full justice was never done. Erik Larson (The Devil in the White City) fans will be enthralled. For public and academic libraries.—Deirdre Bray Root, Middletown P.L.

Dixon-Cooper (Love on a Rotten Day), Cosmopolitan magazine's Bedside Astrologer and host of her own show on Sirius Cosmo Radio, returns with a highly readable, sometimes laugh-aloud look at how sun signs influence a woman's behavior within her friendships. Snappy and snarky asides combine with empathetic insights as the author lays out the best and worst of each sign—all in the interest of helping a girl figure out why her BFF acts the way she does. Each sun sign gets its own chapter, and sections include "Soul Design" (your friend's basic character), "Groove Meter" (how she parties), "Speed Bumps" (how she derails herself), "Romance Rating" (what happens when she falls in love), and—this reviewer's favorite—"Bitch Factor," which speaks for itself. Sidebars acknowledge the influence of the Moon and Venus in relationships and proffer advice pertaining to the occasional guy pal. Wide reader appeal highly recommends this for all public libraries.—Janet Tapper, Western States Chiropractic Coll. Lib., Portland, OR

To explain the actions of the Bush administration since 9/11, Roberts (public administration, Syracuse Univ.; Blacked Out: Government Secrecy in the Information Age) offers a provocative and intriguing thesis: that the decisions made by Bush were tightly constrained by the American political system's "entrenched liberalism," and a prevailing culture of "neomilitarism." He argues that while the president has great potential power as outlined in the Constitution, in fact his ability to act is limited by its checks and balances, by diminished public trust in and fear of big government, by advances in media news investigation and dissemination, and by the people's resistance to government action that limits their own liberties. Indeed, the author views the resistance of civil libertarians to the Patriot Act and Bush administration efforts to engage in domestic surveillance as evidence that entrenched liberalism undermined Bush's authority. Moreover, the military establishment has so thoroughly transformed itself since Vietnam (e.g., by shedding the draft, by developing high-tech weapons that make combat seem like a video game) that it is now held in higher public esteem than Congress or the President. Roberts carefully develops his argument with examples and compelling logic. Some of his points are vaguely reminiscent of Richard Neustadt's Presidential Power, that the real power of any President is the power to persuade. Despite this reviewer's concern with the author's evaluation of some of Bush's actions, the book deserves a wide audience. It will likely raise many questions to pose to presidential candidates in this election cycle. Highly recommended for all libraries.—Thomas J. Baldino, Wilkes University

Regarding freshman U.S. Senator Barack Obama's quixotic (at least by conventional standards) quest for the Oval Office, these books fall between the usual extremes of unabashedly promotional and critical policy analysis. The more thought-provoking is Steele's (senior fellow, Hoover Inst., Stanford Univ.; White Guilt), who argues that while he shares much in common with Obama, he is convinced that the senator cannot prevail in his race for the White House. In his brief polemic, almost a literary jazzlike riff on U.S. politics, race relations, and contemporary sociology, Steele examines the significance and implications of Obama's candidacy, concluding that while it is historical—even iconic—he cannot be elected because he is "a bound man." By this he means that although Obama seeks to transcend superficial racial identities, he is in a double-bind, suspended between black racial solidarity and white liberal guilt. Steele admires Obama yet questions his character and policy commitments.

If Steele is an Obama agnostic, Wilson (How the Left Can Win Arguments and Influence People), who studied law under Obama at the University of Chicago, is an Obama disciple. While Obama's candidacy is perhaps the "improbable quest" that he himself declared it in his announcement speech in 2007, Wilson contends that Obama is the most electorally appealing progressive candidate, one who has truly sparked a grassroots movement. While Steele argues that race may be the downfall of Obama's campaign, Wilson counters that Obama, through his policy proposals and charisma, has transcended race in large measure, and, if elected in 2008, would help the country move further down the road toward what Martin Luther King called the "beloved community." With caucuses and primaries upon us, we soon will find out which of these books proves the more deeply insightful. Neither is fully persuasive but each is essential reading for anyone wishing to try to make more sense of contemporary American presidential politics and social policy. Highly recommended for all libraries.—Stephen K. Shaw, Northwest Nazarene Univ., Nampa, ID

Aamodt and Wang start their short, snappy tour of the nervous system with a pop quiz-multiple—choice questions designed to grab the reader's attention and prove that most of us have a lot to learn about our brains. They continue in the same vein with a first chapter that examines depictions of brain disorders in the movies as a way to examine our assumptions about the nervous system. (Hint: Disney's Finding Nemo gets a passing grade.) Later sections cover the senses, lifetime development, emotions, learning, and altered states of consciousness. All this and cute cartoons, too! The authors—a science journalist and a neuroscientist, respectively—have written a highly engaging little introduction to the latest in brain science, designed to entice the casual reader who knows little about the subject. One hopes the final product will include a bibliography for those who are inspired to dig deeper. Despite that minor caveat, this book is recommended for all public and school libraries.—Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA

In her work as a gynecologist, Domar (Conquering Infertility: Dr. Alice Domar's Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility and Coping with Infertility) found that many of her clients felt overwhelmed, depressed, and out of control in trying to live up to the media's depictions of women as perfect mothers, spouses, hostesses, and decision makers. Together with fitness writer Kelly, Domar here shows that perfectionism has been an issue for American women since colonial times, long before Martha Stewart made the scene. In her survey of more than 50 women whose observations and advice appear throughout the text, Domar identifies six areas of perfectionism: health and personal appearance, housekeeping, work, relationships, parenting, and decision making. In each of these areas, she demonstrates how the technique of cognitive restructuring, or "retraining your brain," can be used to reframe common distortions in thinking and result in realistic expectations and happier lives. Many women will recognize themselves in the descriptions given by Domar and her respondents, and even nonperfectionists can benefit from her advice on decision making and coping with everyday stressors (e.g., journaling, meditation). Recommended for self-help and women's health collections in public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/15/07.]—Lucille M. Boone, San Jose P.L., CA

Reading Blechman's (Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird) book is intriguing, appalling, but always engaging. After his neighbors in New England headed to a retirement community in Florida called The Villages, Blechman joined them there to witness firsthand the community's appeal. Here, he thoroughly and with good humor delves into the largely American, and growing, phenomenon of gated, age-segregated communities. (The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging estimates that by 2020 more than 12 million older Americans will require long-term care.). Blechman covers a large amount of material, including the communities' history, governance, and societal implications. He keeps coming back to the "stiff societal price tag" of such an existence, in which convenience and leisure are pursued without thought of sustainability or the future. His description of The Villages reads like a science fiction novel: the community's administration controls the media and local government and there is rampant construction without regard to negative environmental impact and potential water shortages. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries.—Mary Grace Flaherty, Sidney Memorial P.L., NY

Author, journalist, and social critic Paul (Pornified: How Pornography Is Damaging Our Lives, Our Relationships, and Our Families) delivers a scathing commentary on parental consumerism. The subtitle says it all, but for readers needing evidence to entertain their assessment of parental consumer behavior, Paul supplies numerous examples of products parents purchase in an effort to assuage their guilt and/or maximize their children's intellectual performance. Some of the more obvious examples are designer strollers, baby sign-language DVDs, and instructional materials claiming to teach infants and toddlers to read. Paul states the rather obvious and commonsense viewpoint: that these products are in fact unnecessary to raise happy and intelligent children. She further argues that most of these products can actually hinder development because they overstimulate infants, who may then not achieve even such customary milestones as speech development. Like Judith Warner's Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety, this sine qua non for new parents is highly recommended for all public and large university library collections.—Lynne F. Maxwell, Villanova Univ. Sch. of Law Lib., PA

It becomes clear after reading this intriguingly titled book that it might be a good idea to cross that planned visit to Mexico's Sierra Madre Mountains off one's "To Do" list. Travel writer Grant (American Nomads) provides a highly descriptive portrayal of the Sierra Madre range, aptly described as "lawless" and filled with "mean drunken hillbillies," bandits, drug smugglers, and other assorted social outcasts. Grant has a fascination with this region 50 miles south of the Arizona-Mexico border, which is still so untamed that Mexican authorities cannot control it. As a self-described thrill seeker, Grant ignored warnings from others to stay away: he enjoys "that edgy, adrenaline-hyped feeling that comes with pushing your luck in a place you don't belong." God's Middle Finger is a fascinating book, filled with tales that will surely keep readers in suspense. Grant's own near-death experience alone will captivate them. Highly recommended for those who wish to experience—from the safety of their livingroom couch—those of life's adventures that "sensible" people normally avoid.—Tim Delaney, SUNY Oswego

Most people associate Kazakhstan with the character Sacha Baron Cohen popularized in the 2006 film Borat, but Robbins's (The Empress of Ireland) delightful and masterful travelog reveals that it is in fact a country rich in history, natural beauty, and, perhaps most important, tolerance. On a flight to Moscow, Robbins chances upon a man from Arkansas en route to Kazakhstan to meet his future bride. Intrigued by the man's assertion that apples originated in Kazakhstan, Robbins sets off to see if this is indeed the case. Once there, not only does he discover that it is, but he also learns that Kazakhstan is a country of wild tulips, oil, minerals, 46 principal religions, and a seemingly equal number of ethnic groups. But the picture is not all rosy. Robbins writes about the gulags, the ecological disaster of the Aral Sea, and the scorched earth of nuclear test sites under Soviet rule. Despite these discoveries, however, he manages to make this an overall hopeful book by combining grave topics with less grave ones and adding a good dose of wit. This book will do for Kazakhstan what John Gimlette's At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig did for Paraguay. Highly recommended for all libraries.—Lee Arnold, Historical Soc. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Palm trees, hard bodies, sun 'n' surf, movie stars, earthquakes....Los Angeles is arguably the world's most diverse, fascinating, colorful, and evolving city—and one difficult to capture in a book, but Stanic has miraculously succeeded. With a combination of no-nonsense writing (e.g., "By the 1970's famed Hollywood Boulevard had become a seedy mix of shabby T-shirt and souvenir shops") and superb photographs of as high a quality as those that Dorling Kindersley publishes, the book takes readers on a realistic tour of Los Angeles, both laudatory and critical. A thorough introduction to the city's history sets the stage for a look at "Lifestyles," "Culture," and "Exploring Los Angeles." Along the way, readers learn who the most prolific graffiti tagger is, where celebrities repose in famously over-the-top cemeteries, which buildings were used in the making of movies and TV shows, and much, much more. Southern California librarians will definitely want this book to show their readers just how little they really know about this unique city, while other libraries should stock their shelves with it for the many people planning to visit El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciúncula. Highly recommended!—Joseph L. Carlson, Allan Hancock Coll., Lompoc, CA