Science & Technology

A lifelong gardener, Ellis (Covering Ground) has exhibited her garden writing and editing talents in many books. Her latest effort packs organic gardening advice into a pocket-size format for Storey's "Answer Book" series. Like Yvonne Cuthbertson's lavishly illustrated Success with Organic Vegetables, Part 1 of this book applies organic methods to planning and planting a vegetable garden, improving soil, and controlling pests and diseases. Part 2 is a crop-by-crop guide to starting, growing, and harvesting the most popular vegetables (with some, like brassicas, e.g., cabbages and broccoli, grouped together). While not quite as extensive in breadth or depth as Cuthbertson's directory, it is a quick reference for both novice and experienced gardeners. Entries begin with a bulleted list of tips for success and are followed by questions and answers about general care and harvesting. Within entries, the "Problem Patrol" alerts readers to typical quandaries and gives uncomplicated answers on prevention and treatment. Recommended for public libraries where the Q&A format is popular or where this series is in demand.—Bonnie L. Poquette, Milwaukee

Those enchanting stars of the garden, hardy succulents, are superbly photographed and described in this extraordinary new gardening book. Holt's mesmerizing photographs capture the exotic forms of succulents in the landscape and show them as ground covers, container plants, and green roof and rock garden features. Kelaidis's enthusiasm for these magnificent plants and the texture they bring to gardens is apparent as she details the charms of hens-and-chicks, cactus, ice plants, sedums, yuccas, and others in an authoritative and encouraging voice. Kelaidis (former co-owner, Rocky Mountain Rare Plants), a horticulturist and garden designer, offers practical tips on siting, planting, soil requirements, and care of succulents for every hardiness zone in a clear and confident voice. Advice on pairing succulents with perennials, using them as focal points in the garden, and protecting them from the cold of winter is dispensed in lively prose. Instructions are illustrated and easy to follow, and specific plants are described in all the necessary detail. Includes a glossary, an index, and listings of suppliers and public gardens featuring succulents. This delightful book will be practical and inspiring for both novice and experienced gardeners. Highly recommended for all public library collections.—Donna L. Davey, Tamiment Lib., New York Univ.

Unlike the rest of the world during the last 30 years, the productivity of African farmers has remained low; as a result, nearly one-third of the people in sub-Saharan Africa are undernourished. According to Paarlberg (political science, Wellesley Coll.), an increased adoption of agricultural science methods would increase farm productivity, raise living standards for the rural poor, and decrease undernourishment. Biotechnologies, specifically, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), could change this, Paarlberg writes; however, because of opposition to GMOs, especially in Europe, where opponents are concerned about possible future health or environmental problems (Paarlberg argues there is no credible scientific evidence for this concern), it has become difficult for African farmers and governments to adopt GMOs. Except for South Africa, no African state has legalized the planting of GMOs for production and consumption. While citizens of rich countries have the luxury of deciding what kinds of foods—organic, nonorganic, GMO, non-GMO—to eat, droughts and insect infestations continue to wipe out crops, and rural African children die because they have no choices. Bringing another perspective to the GMO debate, Paarlberg's provocative argument is recommended for all public and academic libraries.—Joshua Lambert, Missouri State Univ., Springfield

Callanan (coauthor, Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying) has worked for more than 25 years as a hospice nurse; here, she aims to offer the dying and those close to them practical advice grounded in that experience. Interspersing stories from her work and life, she examines such topics as potential family conflicts, ethical dilemmas faced by health-care workers, and the various stages of the grieving process. She emphasizes that the terminally ill should be listened to with care and compassion and that their right to comfort should not be overlooked in sometimes futile attempts to prolong life. She also stresses the need for early discussion of end-of-life issues and the documentation of any decisions reached. The advice is unblinking and useful, but it is surrounded by an excess of fairly artificial re-created dialogs. Further, some readers might find the forays into subjects like afterlife communication to be at odds with the goal of providing useful and practical advice. Dennis McCullough's My Mother, Your Mother: Embracing "Slow Medicine," the Compassionate Approach to Caring for Your Aging Loved Ones offers similar information. Recommended for large public libraries.—Dick Maxwell, Porter Adventist Hosp. Lib., Denver

Fishman (medicine, Columbia Univ.) and yoga instructor/massage therapist Saltonstall combine their respective expertise to good effect in this useful, instructive book providing essential information about the practice of yoga and how yoga's concepts relate to the condition of arthritis. In this way, they arm arthritis sufferers with the knowledge necessary to begin the proper practice of yoga. The authors start with an easy-to-understand explanation of the affected anatomy and a brief history of yogic philosophy. They then clearly describe various asanas, or poses, meant to enhance flexibility and range of motion. After some general-purpose "All-Star" poses, remaining poses are organized anatomically (e.g., hands and wrists, knees, spine), with some repeated in other chapters. Modifications appear for various levels of ability, and photographs and illustrations clearly depict proper alignment. The physiological details and many features of the pose instructions (e.g., purpose, contraindications) make this one of the more thorough and well-written yoga guides currently in print. Highly recommended for public and academic/medical libraries.—Elaine M. Lasda Bergman, SUNY at Albany/Healthcare Assn. of New York State, Rensselaer

After suffering major back pain and undergoing unsuccessful surgery, Gokhale attended classes in France and at Stanford University on posture-modification techniques. Here, she explains how she came to develop her own method for back health, incorporating words, illustrations, and lush photographs to demonstrate eight lessons on sitting, lying down, standing, lifting, and walking. Each lesson contains goals and objectives, step-by-step instructions, indications of improvement, troubleshooting tips, and further information. Photos illustrate correct and incorrect movements. Appendixes provide additional exercises, anatomical drawings, a glossary, and a bibliography. Testimonials from some physicians and satisfied patients pepper the book, as do a few promotional ads for Gokhale's clinic, web site, and products. Gokhale's advice to bend straight down from the hips to pick up low items will make many physical therapists shudder; some recommended movements may be too subtle for readers to execute without professional guidance. Still, Gokhale's point about bad posture causing back problems is valid. Recommended to supplement larger collections.—Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp. Lib., Tampa, FL

Although the topic of insomnia might seem to lend itself to a put-you-to-sleep treatment, this engrossing, easy-to-read study addresses the multifaceted subject with wit and wide-ranging scholarship. Greene (literature & women's studies, Scripps Coll., Claremont, CA; The Woman Who Knew Too Much: Alice Stewart and the Secrets of Radiation) has lived with insomnia for as long as she can remember, and in this engaging treatise—which she describes as "very personal...wrung out of my life's blood"—she takes readers into the world of sleep research, sleep clinics, pharmaceuticals, sleeping potions, alternative medicine, and sleep physiology and psychology. Throughout, she demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the latest and most comprehensive research efforts in understanding this extremely painful, even life-threatening condition. Nontechnical in its approach, the book is completely accessible to the general reader and should prove enlightening to anyone with an interest in insomnia and sleep studies. Unfortunately, no solution it offers ultimately advances beyond the W.C. Fields Chapter 1 epigram: "The cure for insomnia? Get plenty of sleep." Highly recommended as the up-to-date summation of what is known about insomnia.—James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York

Gassenheimer, author of many diet and weight-loss cookbooks, organizes this one into the three main meals of the day and also includes a section on "Speed Meals." The recipes are simple, and most have a list of ingredients needed as well as nutritional information. This book doesn't veer far from basic American standards and is definitely not for the diabetic gourmand. It offers weeknight meals that are quick to make and easily adaptable depending on your family's size. The breakfast sandwich section is a unique element to the book's more standard offerings, and the Spicy Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwich is a surefire way to diversify your morning meals. One major drawback is the lack of dessert recipes. Overall, this is a good basic cookbook that all public libraries should have for their diabetic clients.—Claire A. Schaper, Franklin Inst., Philadelphia

Vastly entertaining as it leads us through America's digestive history, this book serves up Kaufman's notion of a country whose development can be traced by the way its citizens eat, grow, digest, and think of food. Kaufman (English, CUNY) draws parallels between national policies and digestion: limiting meals to a single food, for example, became a symbol of political isolationism during America's antebellum period. We've spent much of our recent history involved in "imperialist eating," colorfully illustrated by the author's description of competitive eaters (aka gurgitators). Americans proudly celebrated National Days of Fasting well into the 19th century. Kaufman also addresses the benefits of ingesting raw milk, the extinction of bananas (which he writes will come within the next decade), days when lobsters were five to six inches long, the concept of our bodies as a business, and the romance of westward expansion as pioneers were led by their stomachs. Recommended for public library collections.—Elizabeth Rogers, CEF Lib. Syst., Plattsburgh, NY

When too many people cleaned up in one 2005 Powerball drawing, it wasn't fraud—it was fortune cookies. New York Times reporter Lee draws out the story like a leisurely banquet, interspersing her detective work about the lottery and the cookies' origins with stranger-than-fiction accounts of the real General Tso, poignant Asian immigration dilemmas, the 1989 shortage of kosher ducks, and why you can't find chop suey in China. It's all juicy, engaging food for thought. There are more Chinese restaurants in the United States than McDonald's, Burger Kings, and KFCs combined. Americans embrace Chinese food as a symbol of family, friends, and celebration; for immigrants, the restaurants embody their hope for a better life for their children and their relatives back home. Lee interviewed and ate her way around the world to prepare this detailed and fascinating documentary. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries and good for high school libraries, too.—Martha Cornog, Philadelphia

The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet have long been established, but it's possible to go a step further: leave out the lamb shanks and pancetta in favor of artisan cheeses, homemade pastas, seasonal vegetables, and organic yogurt. These flavorful meatless recipes will appeal to both the expert cook, who will appreciate the focus on quality ingredients and the pleasure of varying a recipe, and the novice, for whom detailed notes and explanations are offered. Shulman's (Entertaining Light) expertise with vegetarian and Mediterranean cooking shines through, especially in the practical information provided after many recipes, such as tips on prepping ahead of time and how to ensure high-quality leftovers. The end matter includes online ingredient sources, helpful for those living outside of major cities, as well as a breakdown of recipes by region. One quibble: the author's use of the phrase complex carbohydrate is dated, and she includes potatoes and pasta as examples of healthy carbs, although most dietitians would disagree. Nevertheless, this warm, friendly cookbook is highly recommended for most cookbook collections.—Daisy Porter, West Valley Lib., San José, CA

Children's picture book author Ward (Because You Are My Baby) has compiled a slim book of activities designed to introduce to children ages four to nine the joys and mysteries of nature. Arranged by season, each activity is basically a variety of "stop, look, and listen," whether involving the birds, flowers, leaves, or snowflakes. With a few exceptions, the activities themselves are minor and are mostly discussion questions (e.g., Do puddles look like mirrors? Can you draw with mud?). Activities are accompanied by Q&A sidebars called "Help Me Understand" that answer a common question children will ask (e.g., Why does it rain?), and each ends with a checklist for desired outcomes, such as stimulating wonder or stewardship. While the importance of outdoor play is heavily documented, many kids today simply won't have the patience to stargaze with mom, and most parents won't have the time to sit quietly and reflect on what it might be like to be a butterfly. A book with more hands-on activities is likelier to connect. Not a necessary acquisition for libraries.—Julianne J. Smith, Ypsilanti Dist. Lib., MI

Wright here offers a brief description of the nutritional and health benefits of many foods, together with a recipe for the preparation of each. Organized thematically into groups like "Weight Shifters," "Fitness Enhancers," and "Life Lengtheners," the entries are concise, clearly written, and suitable for lay readers, and each gives a straightforward explanation of how and why the food is beneficial. Furthermore, Wright uses ten tags, each with a corresponding visual symbol, to identify which foods are particularly helpful for specific concerns—e.g., anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiaging, good for the skin or the heart. Readers will also find the ailments directory helpful, as it addresses a number of common complaints or conditions, providing a list of recommended foods and treatments. Like many of the foods Wright describes, her small book packs a big punch. Recommended for all public libraries.—Courtney Greene, DePaul Univ. Lib., Chicago

The American chestnut tree was once king of the forest. Its range stretched nearly the length of the eastern seaboard, from Maine to Georgia, and as far west as the Ohio Valley. Central to human economies, it also played a key role in the hardwood ecosystem. And then, in the late 1800s, an imported Asian fungus quickly killed a staggering 99.9 percent of the species; by 1950, only 50 to 100 trees remained of the estimated original four billion. Restoration attempts continue. Curiously, outside of the scientific literature, this sad, powerful story of death and rebirth has rarely been told, but two new titles fill the gap wonderfully. Science journalist Freinkel's compact, entertaining history of the tree's demise and the many attempts to bring it back reads smoothly, like a well-written novel: the settings, whether deep in the heart of 1920s Appalachia or in a modern, upstate New York gene-splicing lab, are richly drawn; the "characters," be they human, sylvan, or fungal, will entice many readers, perhaps even those with only a perfunctory interest in trees. A delightful lack of squeamishness distinguishes Freinkel's account. We read, for example, of one chestnut breeder's complaint that his persnickety experimental subjects "didn't give a shit that I was trying to help them." Descriptive detail is such that one sometimes wonders how it was obtained: at a 1912 high-level meeting to discuss blight containment strategies, the air, we are told, "was thick with a sense of urgency," and one of the participants "looked weary as he took his place." This may be the stuff of fiction, but it does not in any way detract from a thoroughly absorbing book.

In Mighty Giants, a celebratory publication of the 25th anniversary of the American Chestnut Foundation, editor Bolgiano gathers photographs, essays, poems, and personal recollections into a fascinating cornucopia of all things chestnut. This includes a certain vernacular flair, as in a local's description of old trees: "grea-a-at big, and they'd sprangle out, have a big clustery top to'em." Images of the big trees evoke an aching sense of what's lost, while stories of those trying to save them are cause for hope and admiration. Although each title can stand on its own, they work best in tandem. Both are highly recommended, even for those libraries outside the chestnut belt.—Robert Eagan, Windsor P.L., Ont.

The American chestnut tree was once king of the forest. Its range stretched nearly the length of the eastern seaboard, from Maine to Georgia, and as far west as the Ohio Valley. Central to human economies, it also played a key role in the hardwood ecosystem. And then, in the late 1800s, an imported Asian fungus quickly killed a staggering 99.9 percent of the species; by 1950, only 50 to 100 trees remained of the estimated original four billion. Restoration attempts continue. Curiously, outside of the scientific literature, this sad, powerful story of death and rebirth has rarely been told, but two new titles fill the gap wonderfully. Science journalist Freinkel's compact, entertaining history of the tree's demise and the many attempts to bring it back reads smoothly, like a well-written novel: the settings, whether deep in the heart of 1920s Appalachia or in a modern, upstate New York gene-splicing lab, are richly drawn; the "characters," be they human, sylvan, or fungal, will entice many readers, perhaps even those with only a perfunctory interest in trees. A delightful lack of squeamishness distinguishes Freinkel's account. We read, for example, of one chestnut breeder's complaint that his persnickety experimental subjects "didn't give a shit that I was trying to help them." Descriptive detail is such that one sometimes wonders how it was obtained: at a 1912 high-level meeting to discuss blight containment strategies, the air, we are told, "was thick with a sense of urgency," and one of the participants "looked weary as he took his place." This may be the stuff of fiction, but it does not in any way detract from a thoroughly absorbing book.

In Mighty Giants, a celebratory publication of the 25th anniversary of the American Chestnut Foundation, editor Bolgiano gathers photographs, essays, poems, and personal recollections into a fascinating cornucopia of all things chestnut. This includes a certain vernacular flair, as in a local's description of old trees: "grea-a-at big, and they'd sprangle out, have a big clustery top to'em." Images of the big trees evoke an aching sense of what's lost, while stories of those trying to save them are cause for hope and admiration. Although each title can stand on its own, they work best in tandem. Both are highly recommended, even for those libraries outside the chestnut belt.—Robert Eagan, Windsor P.L., Ont.

If your idea of fun includes puzzling over the creation of an algorithm for the Continental Divide, then this essay collection by the former editor in chief of American Scientist (AS) will tickle your imagination. Hayes, now an award-winning columnist for AS, has put together some of his best pieces and has included with each a section called "Afterthoughts," in which he enthusiastically adds new information and humbly corrects old mistakes. Hayes explores topics as diverse as the centuries-old Strasbourg clock, economic theory, randomness, DNA, gear ratios, weather forecasting, and war and international relations. And with tongue firmly in cheek, he even writes about the ways that one can flip a mattress. Although one need not be a rocket scientist—or even an undergraduate math major—to understand Hayes's work, the wit and elegance of the essays are best appreciated by those with a solid math background and an interest in math play. Recommended for large public libraries and academic libraries supporting programs in mathematics and computer science.—Denise Dayton, Jaffrey Grade Sch., NH

Big Bone Lick, designated a Kentucky state park in 1960, is known as "the tomb of mammoths." Fossil remains of other extinct species have also been found at this site: helmeted musk ox, two species of ground sloth, complex-toothed horse, mastodon, mammoth, and elk-moose. Hedeen (biology, emeritus, Xavier Univ., OH) chronicles the history of a place of scientific worth—both for a young America and for the new science of paleontology. First discovered in 1739 by Europeans, Big Bone Lick continued to attract the attention of scientists as well as such historical figures as Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Daniel Boone, and, particularly, Thomas Jefferson, who asked Lewis and Clark to collect some mammoth bones for him from this site. What created such a stir about these fossils was their tremendous size. The idea of extinct species was unacceptable to many scientists and most people at that time; only God created species, and why would he make them extinct? Despite the intriguing topic, Hedeen's dry and dull prose and narrow focus (he fails to provide any depth or insight into the findings of the famous Americans who discovered fossils here) recommends this only for larger public and academic libraries.—Gloria Maxwell, Penn Valley Community Coll. Lib., Kansas City, MO

Among the last of their kind living free and undisturbed by humans, the wolves found along British Columbia's coast are ecologically, morphologically, and behaviorally distinct from mainland wolves, hunting salmon and seal and swimming joyfully in the tide. McAllister, who has been studying and photographing wolves for nearly two decades, here offers an intimate portrait of these wolves. The large-format book is beautifully laid out, with rich, full-page photos not just of the wolves but of their environment. The text is a delight, both informative and elegantly and entertainingly written. We see McAllister tracking the Fish Trap and Surf Packs, learning how they raise their young in dens almost impossible for humans to find. We see him sitting calmly as four wolves, led by alpha male Bob ("big old boy"), charge him at a run and then circle slowly, finally acknowledging that they know him. We see how successful fieldwork is done, with careful observation and the collection of scat for analysis instead of radiocollaring. We're reminded that we are now the earth's superpredators, eating much of the fish the wolves need. And we're also reminded that if the wolves vanish, so, eventually, will we. An inspiring book; highly recommended for nature/ecology collections in both public and academic libraries.—Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal