Social Sciences

The latest installment in this "American Presidents" series is a pithy and readable history, providing a good introduction to the life of a forgotten president. Retired brigadier general Eisenhower (So Far from God) provides a balanced yet lively view of "Old Rough & Ready," from Taylor's early life to his untimely death in office. While Eisenhower's book does not break any new ground—it draws heavily on Holman Hamilton's seminal two-volume biography—it does put Taylor in a more favorable and sympathetic light than K. Jack Bauer's Zachary Taylor: Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest. Generally considered a man of limited intellectual abilities and a stubborn, petulant, and naive politician, Taylor is here shown to be a thoughtful and more complex figure. For instance, although he was a slaveholder, he opposed the expansion of slavery. While Taylor will likely remain a mysterious and misunderstood figure, as limited scholarly work has been devoted to him and very few of his personal papers survived the Civil War, Eisenhower's account is a very good starting place for students and general readers. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—Lisa A. Ennis, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib., Lister Hill

What if Bridget Jones had taken more drastic measures to find true love? At 32, Indian-born American journalist Jain realized that New York bachelors could project witty and cultured personae over drinks or online but then fell short on personality or commitment. After years of having her relatively progressive California family suggest an arranged marriage, or at least a serious boyfriend, Jain decided to return to India (which her family had left in her infancy) to find a loving and committed man. This is her story, written in a literary yet compulsively readable voice and with remarkably fresh and merciless analyses of dating trends in both New York City and the curiously liberated "New India" social climate of Delhi. Her friends in both countries reveal an array of nontraditional—and occasionally shockingly traditional—approaches to making a living and building a family in strained and colorful global cities. Believe it or not, there are new things to be said about love and friendship, and Jain covers them. Librarians should note the pervasive sexual and drug-related content. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.—Karen Sobel, Univ. of Colorado Lib., Denver

Lacey's addition to the "Great Generals" series is an insightful and informative look at Gen. John J. Pershing, remembered today (if at all) as commander of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. But Pershing's career spanned a longer period. Lacey (ed., The Canons of Jihad: Terrorists' Strategy for Defeating America) recounts Pershing's development into the nation's first modern combat commander. After graduating from West Point in 1886, Pershing had an active career on the western frontier in the last Indian campaign, saw combat in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, and developed into a very effective midlevel commander in the Philippines, balancing negotiation and ruthlessness in dealing with the Moros. His single-minded devotion to duty aided him in his dealings with the Allies in World War I, maintaining the U.S. Army as a separate entity on the western front and providing the difference between defeat and victory. Lacey offers readers an insightful and informative look at a figure who should not have become all but forgotten. Recommended.—David Lee Poremba, Keiser Univ., Orlando, FL

When Americans ready themselves for a national election, they tend to take a closer look at their government and its leaders, present and past. Readers should not limit themselves to the Founding Fathers: the Founding Mothers should be studied as well. Stuart (American Empress: The Life and Times of Marjorie Merriweather Post) reminds us that the U.S. Constitution—notably the Bill of Rights—carries Mercy Otis Warren's fingerprints as much if not more than those of most constitutional delegates. Mercy was not only the daughter, sister, wife, and mother of legendary patriots but also a patriot and intellectual in her own right who sparred with John Adams and whose voice was heard in an era of usually "silent" women. The author of plays, poems, and, finally, History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution, Mercy is someone, as Stuart's work absolutely confirms, we should all know better. This wonderfully researched and readable book has done an excellent job of giving another view of what it took to make this country. Essential for academic and public libraries. Enjoy!—Suzanne Lay, Perry H.S. Lib., GA

The masterpiece of the subtitle is Joseph Needham's Science and Civilization in China, a multivolume unfinished work documenting China's stupendous early achievements in science and technology. Winchester, the prolific British author of many acclaimed books (e.g., The Professor and the Madman), loses no momentum here. Needham (1900–95), a brilliant and somewhat eccentric Cambridge biochemist who became entranced with the study of China's early scientific advances, is well worth a biography, and Winchester is just the writer to undertake it. He explores Needham's fascinating and sometimes controversial personal life, his travels to China, and especially the significance and topicality of his scholarship on the early accomplishments of Chinese science and technology: why did China achieve so much so early, and why did it cease doing so for several centuries? Winchester carries the exploration further: now that China has resumed its technological advances, where will it take itself and the world? These are major questions superbly posed in an accessible and provocative book. Essential for all libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/08.]—Harold M. Otness, formerly with Southern Oregon Univ. Lib., Ashland

While listening to the radio during a family road trip through New England, Foege (The Empire God Built) kept hearing the same Led Zeppelin song over and over. Here, he suggests that Clear Channel Communications is largely to blame for this ubiquitous cookie-cutter radio programming, tracing the company's history and showing how its conservative business practices and values have affected American culture. Foege introduces Texas businessman Lowry Mays as the mastermind behind Clear Channel. From owning one local radio station in 1972 to now owning over 1200 stations nationwide, Mays, and later, his sons Mark and Randall, built Clear Channel into a giant within the entertainment industry. Through sound research and interviews with industry experts and Clear Channel employees (though Mays, his sons, and other top executives refused to grant interviews), Foege finds that Mays's goal was primarily to make money. He had no experience or training in radio or music, no interest in radio's inherent value as a communication tool, and was more concerned with his advertisers than with the listening public. Foege concludes that radio broadcasting has been commodified into a one-size-fits-all product. On the whole, this work is an interesting blend of corporate history and social commentary. For academic libraries and larger public libraries with communications and business collections.—Donna Marie Smith, Palm Beach Cty. Lib. Syst., FL

Economist Bernstein (All Together Now: Common Sense for a Fair Economy) has done the American electorate an enormous service by writing this witty and perceptive primer on economics—and just in time for the presidential election. He covers virtually all aspects of economic activity and candidly notes and responds to the basic concerns of ordinary Americans. Espousing his concept of "progressive economics," Bernstein largely succeeds in cutting through the fog of typical economic mumbo jumbo with refreshingly straight talk, making indicators like "gross domestic product" (GDP) easy to understand. Wondering if those tax cuts for the rich really are necessary? Bernstein convincingly argues they're not. Is the country in a recession? He shares some invaluable insight showing that, if we aren't already in a recession, we might soon be facing one. Unfortunately, his discussion predates the economic stimulus package recently passed by Congress. The bottom line for Bernstein is that economics should provide solutions, not create problems, for consumers. To that end, his book is a clarion call to remind us that the political slogan "It's the economy, stupid!" is just as timely as ever. Highly recommended for all business/economics collections.—Richard Drezen, Washington Post, New York City Bureau

Can money buy happiness? Are happier people better citizens? Who are the happiest Americans? Brooks (business & public policy, Syracuse Univ.; Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism) tackles these questions and more in this thought-provoking analysis of happiness on a national and global scale. He explores the culture, demographics, politics, and economics of happiness and reaches some seemingly counterintuitive conclusions. For instance, he delves into whether liberals or conservatives are the more contented group and whether work or leisure contributes most to happiness. And if you think happiness can't be bought, you're wrong, though the exact equation may not be what you had in mind: it's giving, not having, money that contributes most to a sense of well-being. Brooks concludes with some well-grounded advice for our national leaders on what will contribute most to our gross national happiness. Political extremism, for instance, will set us back in this pursuit. A handy appendix provides supporting data from numerous studies as well as the author's own research. This is an enjoyable read that will contribute to the overall happiness of academic and larger public library patrons.—Carol J. Elsen, Univ. of Wisconsin Lib., Whitewater

Successful real estate broker Corcoran (Use What You've Got), founder of the Corcoran Group real estate company, shares her interesting predictions of "the next big things" in real estate, driven by the massive baby boomer cohort now entering retirement. This significant population group of over 77 million aging boomers, now turning 60 at a rate of 8000 per day (or one every eight seconds), has been diligently analyzed by demographers and economists. With Berger (Advertising Today), Corcoran reveals that over 45 million boomers will likely move into a new home within the next ten years, and they will not automatically head for Florida. Corcoran suggests how boomers can find their own special place where they can do what they've longed to do and become who they've longed to be. She offers eight trends in retirement living, suggesting numerous specific communities that represent these trends and providing an interesting Myers-Briggs-type personality test to help direct boomers who choose to relocate. Readers should do further homework before moving to one of these communities, e.g., Galveston, TX, may soon be under water owing to coastal flooding sure to come. In addition, there is little discussion of the subprime mortgage crisis that has cratered the real estate market. The emphasis here on selling and buying real estate, expected from a successful real estate broker, should have been balanced by reasoned analysis of the other factors that influence the choice of a retirement community. Recommended only for academic libraries supporting business and real estate curriculum.—Dale Farris, Groves, TX

With an estimated net worth of $62 billion, businessman/philanthropist Buffett is currently ranked first in Forbes's annual "World's Billionaires" listing. Janjigian (Forbes Investors Advisory Inst.; Forbes Stock Market Course) has written an intriguing analysis of his investment strategies, showing how small-time investors, too, can put these strategies to use. Janjigian emphasizes that although Buffett has made some mistakes in his investment decisions, "there is one important characteristic that sets [him] apart from so many other investors. He has demonstrated an incredible knack for turning what appeared to be obvious mistakes into eventual successes." Janjigian also discusses Berkshire Hathaway, where shareholder Buffett serves as CEO. Of particular value is the author's analysis of the companies that Berkshire (and Buffett) buy. At the end of each chapter, "key takeaways" summarize specific investment advice. Janjigian's book will appeal to the individual investor and is recommended for public libraries.—Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY

Palmer (former director of creative affairs, MGM) applies her knowledge of the strategies and tactics used by film directors and writers for pitching ideas to help businesspeople generally become better sellers. The book proceeds chronologically, describing the process of making connections with people in your industry, and developing persuasive presentations about yourself and your project. Palmer concentrates evenly on social networks and communication skills, both formal and informal. Brief chapters focus on a concept or strategy, which makes it easy to navigate the topics that are of greatest interest to particular readers. Case studies and the author's personal experiences supplement his explanation of the principles with minimal use of outside sources. Those interested in careers in the creative arts will find this book especially helpful, but the approach also makes it relevant to those interested in professional and personal development generally. Recommended for all public libraries and some undergraduate library collections.—Mark L. McCallon, Abilene Christian Univ. Lib., TX

Covering almost 178 acres, the Forbidden City in the center of Beijing was designed to be an earthly expression of the Chinese celestial emperor's majesty, inspiring awe in his subjects. Though the Chinese imperial dynasties are no more, the "Great Within" continues to entrance people around the globe. Barmé (Pacific & Asian history, Australian National Univ.; Shades of Mao) applies his extensive expertise to creating this guide, written for "the intelligent ignorant," as the series' editor defines its readership. Barmé has hit the mark, offering a richly detailed yet accessible thematic history of the Forbidden City, including its architecture and its inhabitants, with commentary on international perceptions of Chinese culture. He does an excellent job of providing enough background information to aid those not as well versed in Chinese history as he is while objectively presenting historical events that could be easily politicized. Recommended for academic and public libraries. (Illustrations not seen.)—Tessa L.H. Minchew, Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Clarkston

Best-selling author Davis (Don't Know Much About History) here treats the "human factor" in American history, an ingredient often ignored by survey texts that stress dates, battles, and court decisions. With coverage from the 1519 arrival of the Spanish in the New World to George Washington's 1789 presidential inauguration, its central themes are the acquisition of wealth and land, the retention of political power, and the overarching force of religious fanaticism and its resulting conflict. Davis examines how the backfiring of a British plot to assassinate rebel leaders John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Joseph Warren perhaps saved the American Revolution's core leadership; how the Revolution's most successful officer, Benedict Arnold, came to be this nation's most despised traitor; and how Shays's Rebellion in January 1787 set the scene for the constitutional convention that met in Philadelphia that spring. With his witty and irreverent view of this country's Colonial and revolutionary past, he ably shows that the success or failure of isolated events can have national and international consequences. May we expect a sequel to this delightful effort? Recommended for Colonial and American Revolution collections in all libraries.—John Carver Edwards, Univ. of Georgia Libs., Cleveland

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, Dyson (sociology, Georgetown Univ.; I May Not Get There with You: The True Martin Luther King Jr.) further evaluates the civil rights martyr and his legacy. His previous work on King focused on King's hijacked radical legacy. Here, in his 16th book, he mainly focuses on how King's vision continues to influence how blacks measure the promise and fulfillment of the Christian and civic equality that he preached. Dyson shows how King's bold and charismatic prophecy left a daunting model for any aspiring black leader to live up to. Examining Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Barack Obama, Dyson probes the deep shadow in which these leaders operate as he reiterates the continued resonance of King's productive martyrdom and his call for transformative social justice and racial redemption. Thoughtful and provocative, this book brings to bear Dyson's characteristic challenge to both scholars and general readers to see black life in America as it is and to move forward to improve it—and America. Recommended for collections on black history or leadership, civil rights, social justice, or contemporary America.—Thomas J. Davis, Arizona State Univ., Tempe

Military histories typically cover leaders, major wars, or important battles, seldom the development and history of the weapons used to wage war. These two brief books manage to fill that gap. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Keller (Chicago Tribune) describes the immediate impact of the Gatling gun when its "breathless whirl" was first used in the Civil War. Created in 1861, it was the prototype for the modern machine gun. When the operator turned the gun's hand crank, the rotating barrels turned and fired rapidly. It used multiple barrels and needed little time to cool off. Keller's book is both a biography of Dr. Richard J. Gatling and an analysis of how his invention permanently changed the face of warfare. The gun produced carnage on a scale never seen before. It created a blueprint for future rapid-fire weapons and contributed to American military success for years to come.

If the Gatling gun was a transforming invention of the 19th century, the AK47 represents the kind of weapon that has transformed the 20th and 21st. It was created by Soviet Lt. Gen. Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov in 1947. Hodges discusses the widespread use of this portable rapid-fire weapon, explaining that the AK47 was "not even the first semi-automatic weapon on the battlefield" nor "the most sophisticated." Its simple design was its greatest advantage; with fewer parts that might break, it was a reliable, cost-effective weapon that was easy to learn how to use. Like Keller, Hodges is an established journalist; both authors have a reporter's skill in driving their stories. Students and academics may find these books useful as secondary sources, although neither has footnotes and Hodges's additionally lacks a bibliography. Both are easy and enjoyable reads and will be accessible to general history buffs. Recommended for public and some undergraduate libraries.—Antonio S. Thompson, Austin Peay State Univ., Clarksville, TN

This companion book to a documentary produced by Wisconsin Public Television offers a perspective on a war in which 132,000 Wisconsinites served. From combat soldiers and POWs to nurses, green recruits, and veterans of other wars, all had stories to tell, often of harrowing experiences. Military history at this personal level tells little about the origin or the course of the war, although each chapter has a one- or two-page summary; rather, this is about each individual's experiences. A lot of these veterans remember the cold more than anything. Others remember their friends, the soldiers in the next hole, the Turkish regiment on the next hill, the dead. Few recall the ideological and political challenges over which the UN went to war. Their war was no grand crusade, just something to survive. With many contemporary photos and a few maps, this is a useful if not vital addition to Korean War collections.—Edwin B. Burgess, U.S. Army Combined Arms Research Lib., Fort Leavenworth, KS

In this brief essay, historian Lukacs (Winston Churchill) examines a single sentence from one of Winston Churchill's most memorable speeches and his first as prime minister during World War II. In the process, Lukacs evokes the temper of a time when the fate of humankind hung in the balance. Churchill made this moving speech on May 13, 1940. The German mechanized legions were pushing through France, and England's "Darkest Hour" was beginning. Lukacs stresses that this speech, with its famous words, "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat," was given to the assembled Parliament and heard only by Churchill's colleagues there. Yet it captured the grim resolve that resonated throughout Great Britain, and when Churchill's words were reported, the British knew they were in a fight to the death—and that Churchill was the man to lead them. Lukacs is an unabashed Churchill admirer, but he is also a highly regarded historian whose work on the early phases of World War II is prolific and influential. This work may be a paean to Churchill, but it is also a perceptive analysis of a seminal moment in world history. Although there are many books on Churchill's speeches, e.g., Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: Winston Churchill's Famous Speeches, edited by David Cannadine, this concise essay should be in every Churchill collection.—Jim Doyle, Rome, GA

Noles here offers a history of the United States as seen through the U.S. Mint's 50 State Quarters program, begun in 1999. Inspired by a similar Canadian program, the U.S. Congress agreed on the redesign of quarters, state by state. The final state quarters are being released this year. The coins variously commemorate individuals, plants, animals, natural wonders, and historical events representative of each state. Noles gives each state its own chapter, covering the theme and design process for each coin, the number of coins minted, comments by some of the state governors, and the history as portrayed on each coin. The result is not a comprehensive history of the United States but a serving of individual slices. Readers will encounter familiar information but also the new and unfamiliar and will come away with a greater appreciation of their pocket change and the valuable history it can offer. Images of each quarter are included. For high school and public library history collections where there is interest in history and/or numismatics.—Judith Klamm, Kansas City P.L., MO

During the depths of the Great Depression, life was harsh and forbidding for a large swath of the population. But not all was hopeless—people followed President Roosevelt's fireside chats on the radio, listened to the new swing music coming out of the heartland from such artists as Count Basie, and were inspired by events like Joe Lewis's 1938, triumph over the German boxer Max Schmeling. Focusing on 1936–38, YA author and music journalist Orgill brings forth these and other people and events from the depths of time. Her evocative story line, with a running narrative centered on Basie's struggles for national recognition in July 1938, gives a clear indication of life under the specter of Depression-era troubles and the events that kept people's minds focused on a hopeful future. This short book—Orgill's endnotes suggest where to seek out information for further exploration—resurrects more or less forgotten figures for a wide audience of readers and would fit well into U.S. history, music, and popular culture collections. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—William G. Kenz, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Moorhead

It seems incredible that millions of desperate or idealistic souls who believed in the revolution left the United States, fleeing the Depression, and flocked to the new Soviet state in hopes of starting life over. The fate of those who once had such faith in the Soviet experiment is tragically chronicled in these two works. Pringle (Insight on the Middle East War) presents his work from the viewpoint of an insider, foremost Soviet biologist Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov, who ran afoul of the regime when Stalin championed Trofim Lysenko, whose views were eventually discredited. Vavilov amassed one of the largest seed collections in the world and hoped to prevent the famines that had plagued the USSR and other countries. As the terror of the 1930s mounted, Vavilov apparently continued to believe in the revolution until it was too late. Left to languish in the Gulag, this "eminent plant hunter who had a plan to feed the world died of starvation," concludes Pringle. Documentary filmmaker and television journalist Tzouliadis traces the lives of immigrants to the USSR and their fate in the land of the revolution. Most eventually perished once the Stalinist state declared them to be enemies. This is a collection of heartbreaking stories about people who were neglected or ignored by their own government. The author presents numerous instances in which official intervention might have saved thousands of lives, yet officials, from President Roosevelt on down, found it inconvenient or untimely to risk disrupting U.S.-Soviet relations by peering too closely into the cases of U.S. citizens stuck in the USSR. The Forsaken is actually a grim testament of Stalin's crimes against his own people as well as the immigrants. With copious notes, it is highly recommended for public and academic libraries. Vavilov is written in a popular style sometimes lacking nuance on a subject that should still be of interest to academics as well as informed readers. (Photos not seen for Vavilov.)—Edward Cone, New York

In 1697 an impecunious nobleman, Louis de la Pivardière, returned home to the wife he'd abandoned years earlier, begging for money. They argued, and the following morning Louis was gone. It was believed that his wife had murdered him with the aid of her lover, but at her trial the supposedly dead Pivardière appeared to defend her. (The case reached the highest court of the land, the Parlement of Paris, and was so popular it became the basis of a play.) Parisians puzzled over Pivardière's behavior, which to them raised, as Ravel (history, MIT; The Contested Parterre) here writes, "fundamental questions of authority and identity." Ravel argues that the interest in the case illustrates that a "literate, engaged reading public" had emerged, one whose craving for diversion mixed with self-improvement laid the grounds for the next century's Enlightenment. Perhaps inspired by—and certainly similar to, though not quite as compelling as—Natalie Zemon Davies's classic The Return of Martin Guerre, this outstanding book makes a worthy addition to the cultural and social history of the Old Regime and is warmly recommended for both academic and larger public libraries.—David Keymer, Modesto, CA

Praskovia Kovalyova (1768–1803), called "the Pearl," was trained from a young age to perform in serf theater (troupes of performers gathered and maintained by elite Russian rural estates from the 18th century until serfs were emancipated in 1861). She eventually became one of Russia's greatest opera singers, with accolades from Catherine the Great, but she may be better known for her illicit marriage to one of Russia's most prominent noblemen, her master, Nicholas Sheremetev. Smith (resident scholar, Univ. of Washington; Love & Conquest: Personal Correspondence of Catherine the Great and Prince Grigory Potemkin) re-creates their lives as master and servant and husband and wife in this fantastic, scandalous, and true tale from a deeply intolerant time. Praskovia, who died in childbed, became a legend among serfs, immortalized in song and poetry. As with most actresses of the time, she did not leave behind memoirs. As the author states in the prelude, "Everything we know about Praskovia comes from the words of others." Luckily for the reader, Smith does a convincing job of using others' words, from various archival documents, to produce a well-written and compelling book. Highly recommended for large public and academic libraries.—Susanne Markgren, SUNY at Purchase Lib.

Unlike Seymour I. Schwartz's This Land Is Your Land and Derek Hayes's Historical Atlas of the United States, both collections of period maps with historical commentary, this book focuses on the evolution of the boundaries between the states. Stein, who teaches writing and drama at American University and Catholic University, seems an unlikely author for this subject. He credits his fascination with this topic to a seventh-grade geography teacher who held up cutouts of states for the students to identify. Intended for the general reader, the text is both informative and highly entertaining. The first chapter, "Don't Skip This, You'll Just Have To Come Back Later," outlines transcontinental boundaries that were inherited from major international treaties of the early 19th century, e.g., the 49th parallel, set in 1818 as the border between the United States and Canada. Then, alphabetically, Stein explores the borders of each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The official U.S. policy was to create states with equality of longitudinal width and latitudinal height, but some states were able to get special consideration. If you ever wondered why Delaware owns a small portion of the southwest New Jersey coast, the answer is here! Recommended for high school and public libraries, as well as map mavens and U.S. history buffs everywhere.—Edward K. Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., Fort Pierce, FL

Recent studies have indicated that war enthusiasm in 1914 was not as great among the belligerent populations as previously believed. Watson (research fellow, Clare Hall, Univ. of Cambridge) therefore examines why so many men willingly went to war and then analyzes how they endured it for so long. As he ably shows, most British and German soldiers went to war after September 1914 knowing it was going to be a long conflict and believed they were fighting to defend their homes. While he uses the sources of the historian, Watson also employs the methodological tools typical of the social psychologist. Interestingly, in his own investigation of the ability of soldiers to endure combat, he discovered that, both during the war and immediately after, military and medical professionals sought to understand the very same questions. In addition to motivation, Watson examines soldiers' coping mechanisms, as well as the role of junior officers in maintaining unit cohesion and discipline. Perhaps his most fascinating analysis is a comparison of the effects of the 1918 German offensive: British morale buckled but did not shatter, while German morale collapsed because of the failure of the offensive and from the suffering caused by extreme material shortages and the recognition that Germany could not win. Recommended for all libraries.—Frederic Krome, Univ. of Cincinnati

In 2000, Preston, the best-selling coauthor of thrillers with Lincoln Child (e.g., The Relic) moved to Florence, Italy, to research a new mystery and fell headlong into the case of the Monster of Florence. Between 1968 and 1985, seven couples had been murdered in their cars in secluded lovers' lanes in and around Florence. (The murders took place near Preston's 14th-century farmhouse.) Intrigued, Preston teamed up with Italian journalist and "Monsterologist" Spezi to write an article—and became part of the story. The investigation of these serial murders had taken on a surreal edge, with wild conspiracy theories involving satanic cults being seriously considered by desperate investigators. At one point, Spezi himself was accused of the murders, while Preston was accused of planting evidence and even suspected of being an American spy. Eventually, the authors came to believe they knew the identity of the Monster, but nothing has been proven. Truth is truly stranger than fiction, as lives are destroyed, reputations are ruined, and evidence is manufactured to fit the suspect-of-the-month. Preston fans and true-crime fans are sure to be riveted. Recommended for public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/08.]—Deirdre Bray Root, Middletown P.L., OH

Siegel (A Death in White Bear Lake), a Pulitzer Prize-winning former reporter for the Los Angeles Times, has written an excellent book, as fast-paced and engrossing as a novel but telling a true story. In 1953, U.S. v. Reynolds established a "state secrets privilege" for the federal government that allowed government officials to withhold information it believed to be a threat to national security without having to provide evidence or proof. The story began in October 1948 when three civilian engineers died in the crash of a B-29 Air Force jet over Waycross, GA. Siegel extensively details the background of the court case in which the surviving widows filed suit against the government, claiming that U.S. Air Force negligence caused the crash. Citing national security concerns, the air force refused to release an accident report that plaintiffs said was proof of the negligence. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the air force. Using U.S. v. Reynolds and its fascinating history as a center point, Siegel discusses the state secrets privilege and its applications up to the present. The book's memorable characters and compelling subject make it essential reading. Recommended for all libraries.—Becky Kennedy, Atlanta-Fulton P.L.

Amis has a reputation, well deserved, for being an intellectual provocateur. This reputation will only grow with the publication of these latest musings on life in what he calls "the Age of Vanished Normalcy." As John Updike, Ian McEwan, Salman Rushdie, and others have before him, Amis seeks to make sense of a world in which passenger airplanes are used as weapons of destruction and religious fanaticism has muscled out reasoned deliberation. His critique of Islamism may seem enlightened to some, imbecilic to others. Amis rejects the chimera of moral equivalence between modern, secular civilization and radical Islamic jihadists. He argues that he is not Islamophobic but rather Islamismophobic—that is, opposed to militant Islam. Amis contends that the West shares no common discourse with jihadism and contrasts the Western, secular mind of intellectual curiosity with the strident, noncurious mind of the likes of Mohamed Atta. The most impressive of these 14 pieces is "Terror and Boredom: The Dependent Mind," in which Amis mounts his own crusade against religious violence and secular triumphalism. Amis is intentionally and controversially combative in this work, which makes it essential reading. Recommended for all libraries.—Stephen K. Shaw, Northwest Nazarene Univ., Nampa, ID

This is one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date books in English to tell the rags-to-riches story of the Arabian Peninsula's house of Bin Laden. In a fascinating read, Coll (former managing editor, the Washington Post), who won the Pulitzer Prize for Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001, provides a detailed account of the Bin Ladens and their myriad business enterprises. Coll traces the history of Mohammed Bin Laden, a young illiterate Yemeni bricklayer who went to the newly established country of Saudi Arabia and became a key figure in building the country's infrastructural projects, including roads and mosques. In the process, the scion of the Bin Laden family became a multimillionaire and transformed his entrepreneurial skills into establishing numerous business ventures that tied him to the world's rich and famous. The Bin Laden family's symbiotic relationship with the Saudi royal family served as a critical factor in bolstering the Bin Laden fortunes and shielding the family from its adversaries. The author's portrayal of the Bin Ladens is greatly readable while also sophisticated in its complexities. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/08.]—Nader Entessar, Univ. of South Alabama, Mobile

Ehrenreich (Bait and Switch; Nickel and Dimed) laments, "I flinch when I hear Woody Guthrie's line 'This land belongs to you and me.' Somehow I don't think it was meant to be sung by a chorus of hedge fund operators." In this collection of essays and commentaries on the U.S. economic and social divide-turned-chasm, she looks at a wide range of topics including extravagant corporate CEO bailouts, pharmaceutical companies' recruitment of college cheerleaders as sales reps, and xenophobic children living in gated communities. Readers of her previous books will not be surprised that Wal-Mart and the private health insurance industry are frequent targets of her acerbic wit. In Swiftian style, Ehrenreich suggests that families unable to obtain health-care coverage for their children should buy pet health insurance for them, and she blithely maintains that employers have cut wages and benefits to such levels that it is safe to assume employees will soon be asked to pay their boss for the privilege of working. In a droll postscript, she invites readers to visit a web site where they can be matched up with a new country appropriate to their tastes and values since nationality is one of the "few things that can be changed without surgery." Recommended for public libraries.—Jill Ortner, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.

It's difficult to imagine how President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich could find themselves in a symbiotic relationship that ended with both their political careers in shambles. Gillon (history, Univ. of Oklahoma; The American Experiment: A History of the United States) explains that, despite their ideological differences, they shared a personal chemistry based in no small measure on their common formative experiences, from difficult childhoods to political maturation in the turbulent Sixties. Drawing on interviews with the two principals and with key aides, as well as Gingrich's personal papers, Gillon sheds more light on the political instincts of both men than any other book heretofore. Surely what will be most discussed is the revelation that Clinton and Gingrich were working on an agreement to bring Social Security and Medicare to solvency, perhaps forever. Both hoped to leave more than a legacy of bitter partisan division in Washington; each was willing to accept the political heat for an agreement that would improve Social Security's capabilities while adding some privatization to the system. But with the news of Clinton's sexual improprieties, the deal fell through; later, under investigation himself, Gingrich resigned as Speaker. Sadly, the greatest legacy of the Lewinsky scandal may have been the lost opportunity to resolve the financial solvency of Social Security and Medicare. An excellent book; essential for both public and academic libraries.—Thomas J. Baldino, Wilkes Univ., Wilkes-Barre, PA

What a brilliant idea this was! Take Reza (Art), the best-known playwright in France today, and have her shadow the country's rising political star, Nicolas Sarkozy, in his bid—ultimately successful—for the presidency. The result is not political reporting but a stunningly brilliant portrait of a type of man, Homo politicus, as represented by one of its most appealing exemplars. Sarkozy is perpetually in motion, reinventing himself against the backdrop of hangers-on and the electorate. From their first meeting, Reza notes Sarkozy's impatience, his thirst for praise ("still waiting, like a child, for the umpteenth approval"). "I feel like I'm watching a little boy," she writes. He can't stand being alone, he sabotages conversations that don't involve him, shuns solitude. He comes alive around people, needs audiences to think and live. Reza's glittering prose show us glimpses of a man whose goal seems to be to outrun his own image in the mirror but who also happens to be one of the most important political figures of our age. Compulsively readable, this book deserves the widest audience. Recommended for all libraries.—David Keymer, Modesto, CA

Anticipating the upcoming presidential election, Riley, a member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board, here addresses six aspects of the American immigration debate. He begins with a compelling look at the issue from a historical perspective, demonstrating surprising anti-immigration links among the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and a white supremacist known as "The Puppeteer." He then asserts that immigrants overwhelmingly tend to be either unskilled laborers or extremely skilled specialists and so are therefore not competing with average Americans for jobs. Riley writes of his belief that immigrant workers have various positive economic and practical effects on the American job market, and he argues controversially that if America were to switch to exclusively consumption-based taxation, the effect of illegal immigrants on welfare would be a nonissue. His conclusions support economist Gordan Hanson's claim that there is little evidence that legal immigration is economically preferable to illegal immigration. Unfortunately, Riley relies on sweeping generalizations and percentage-based statistics of vague provenance to support his points. A great conversation starter but not a stellar reference source; recommended for public libraries.—Robert Perret, Southwestern Coll. Lib., Winfield, KS

With Tibet in the headlines, libraries should be sure to keep an eye on the latest books on the struggles there. Both of these authors are well established in Tibetan studies as scholars and observers, and both take strong stands here against China's rhetoric and actions in Tibet. Smith (Tibetan service, Radio Free Asia) provides a thorough and specialized study of relations between the two entities over the last century. He argues that assimilation is China's goal for Tibet: Tibet is becoming more Chinese and less Tibetan, as demonstrated by the recent mass immigration of Chinese into Tibet and China's dominance of both the government and the economy. With as many as 80 footnotes per chapter, Smith's substantial, and rather pricey, book is an option for research libraries but heavy going for general readers.Thurman (Buddhist studies, Columbia Univ.; Inner Revolution), the American Buddhist monk ordained by the Dalai Lama over 40 years ago, reaches out to a broader audience. He covers some of the same ground more concisely and accessibly, delves more deeply into the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism, and adds some hopeful suggestions for finding a "middle way" in which the Dalai Lama's "ethical and spiritual revolution" can be accommodated along with China's determination to modernize Tibet, adjustments that would improve China's sagging stature in the international arena. Thurman also points out Tibet's pivotal environmental position in Asia and suggests that preserving its natural features would improve those of China because several of China's watercourses begin in Tibet. Thus, Thurman posits Tibet as both a spiritual and a natural reserve. Thurman's book is an excellent choice for most public libraries.—Harold M. Otness, formerly of Southern Oregon Univ. Lib., Ashland

In the first of these two books exploring human behavior and the choices we make, organizational expert Ori Brafman (coauthor, The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations) and his psychologist brother, Rom, an organizational expert, discuss the various psychological forces (e.g., diagnosis bias and loss aversion) that cause people to act irrationally. To help illuminate their discussion, they draw on the latest research in social psychology, behavioral economics, and organizational behavior. In Nudge, Thaler (behavioral science & economics, Graduate Sch. of Business, Univ. of Chicago) and Sunstein (jurisprudence, Univ. of Chicago Law Sch.) consider how the science of choice can gently "nudge" individuals toward making life-improving decisions. They divide the text into five parts—"Humans and Econs," "Money," "Health," "Freedom," and "Extensions and Objections"—and employ numerous examples throughout. Easy to read, conversational in tone, and story-driven, Sway is suitable for public libraries. Nudge, a more research-based analysis full of practical solutions to real-life problems, is strongly recommended for public libraries.—Anita N. Jennings, Newport News P.L., VA

Many readers first became acutely aware of both the devastating effects of the conflicts in the Middle East and the shortcomings of our government in addressing the needs of our surviving service members through Penny Coleman's Flashback: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Suicide, and the Lessons of Vietnam (for an author interview, see www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6321458.html). Here, Friedman, a physician, and Slone (VA National Ctr. for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs) further help us understand and support our service members. They begin with a chapter titled "Understanding the Emotional Cycle of Deployment," progress through "Common Reactions to the Trauma of War," and conclude with chapters on community support and support for "those focusing unique challenges." The reader is able to share a journey with three service members and their respective families as they encounter new situations, struggles, and opportunities. Far more than a practical guide, this is an informative, insightful, and riveting text that should be required reading for everyone because no one is left untouched by war. Essential for all libraries.—Melody Ballard, Pima Cty. P.L., Tucson

Until about ten years ago, psychiatrists believed that the onset of bipolar disorder (previously called manic-depression illness) occurred in early adulthood. Today experts recognize that children and teenagers, too, can get the disease. Psychiatric nurse McDonnell and child psychiatrist Wozniak's book on parenting bipolar children stands out from the many other books available on the topic. First, there is an informative chapter on the tendency for bipolar children also to suffer from other psychiatric conditions (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, Asperger syndrome), a relatively new development. Another of the book's promising features is its extended discussion of how parents can help teachers and doctors understand what their bipolar child is experiencing. While other books touch on this topic, the authors here instruct parents on how to keep a journal in concrete and detailed language that documents a bipolar child's behaviors. Those sick of hearing that their child's excessive aggression or talkativeness is "normal" will welcome this book as a tool to help them persuade others of the seriousness of the situation. A prudent choice for most public libraries.—Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA

Whereas parents before aspired to the ideal of completely escaping the work world for a warmer climate, baby boomers are developing new models for their "golden years." Public relations professional Rentsch is a founding member of the Transition Network, a national organization for women focused on retirement transition issues. Drawing on research and interviews, she explores a range of topics, from preparing for and deciding when to retire to overcoming self-defeating stereotypes about aging women and uplifting ideas about a meaningful retirement. Each chapter presents frank discussions, inventories and checklists, and case studies of real women's lives. Interpersonal topics like coordinating retirement with a spouse and cultivating friendships as one ages are also covered. The book concludes with a rich listing of web-based resources as well as books and articles on retirement issues. Most useful for women who are financially able to choose retirement options, this insightful book reinforces the idea that retirement can be transformative and even "cool." Public libraries catering to active retirees would do well to purchase.—Antoinette Brinkman, M.L.S., Evansville, IN

According to research psychiatrist Torrey (Surviving Manic Depression), one percent of America's schizophrenic and other seriously mentally ill people is dangerous, a subgroup that numbers 40,000 in the United States. Here, he offers three explanations for this nationwide threat: deinstitutionalization, which allowed for the emptying of state hospitals without providing adequate community mental-health services, opposition to enforced treatment by antipsychiatry conservatives and liberal defenders of civil rights, and the failure of mental health advocates and professionals to address or even study the problem for fear of stigmatizing all psychiatric patients. Today, he writes, ten percent of this country's jail inmates and one-third of its homeless are seriously mentally ill; of the latter group, 25 percent are victims of violent crime annually. Torrey believes that court-enforced treatment, including involuntary commitment and monitored medication, would allow many to function adequately and make us all safer. His critical analysis, which effectively mixes dramatic narratives and chilling statistics, calls for changing policies that have proved inhumane, costly, and dangerous. An important, powerful, and thoroughly researched book; essential for most libraries.—E. James Lieberman, George Washington Univ. Sch. of Medicine, Washington, DC

The fifth entry in the "Voices" anthology project from the Healing Project, this work includes over 40 different stories and vignettes written by parents, teachers, and people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) that showcase how families and caregivers measure perseverance, understanding, and success. Many of the selections stand out, including an sf author's account of her autistic son, a seventh grader's perspective on her two siblings with autism, a memoir by an adult with autism who relied on a tire advertisement to get through tough times, and an account of the challenges of dating an adult with Asperger's. The book's real strength are the adult-penned passages, which will give readers a better sense of what autism truly is. Taken individually, the stories show glimpses of the impact that autism has on individuals and those they love. Taken collectively, they paint a rich landscape that many will find familiar. Highly recommended for public libraries and academic libraries with disability collections.—Corey Seeman, Kresge Business Administration Lib., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor

While its title may turn off some readers, this book is only tangentially about killing. Instead, it tells the stories of mothers who kill in these women's own words and aims to find common themes in and derive lessons from their deadly acts. Oberman and Meyer—who also coauthored Mothers Who Kill Their Children, which they often reference here—interviewed 40 such mothers incarcerated at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, eight of whose cases they examine here at length. Though these women come from various backgrounds, several themes are common among them, including abuse and/or violence in childhood, social isolation, drug/alcohol abuse, and teen pregnancy. The authors make the point that, while these women are accountable for their actions, in many cases government and private institutions—e.g., hospitals, social workers, and Child Protective Services—failed them. Those working in social services could benefit from reading this book. Perhaps teaching women about abuse early in their lives or providing them with more domestic abuse resources can help prevent future such cases. Recommended for academic libraries, especially those with psychology or social work collections.—Leigh Mihlrad, Albany Medical Coll. Lib., NY

Grout here expands upon her successful precursor, The 100 Best Vacations To Enrich Your Life, which concentrated on life-enhancing travel inside the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Now she goes global with the very catchy idea of redefining travel and helping travelers get more from their journey. Removed from the continental constraints of her previous book, Grout takes us on a worldwide tour of promising possibilities. By using four basic elements of travel tantra, she creates the book's four chapters: "Arts & Crafts Getaways," "Volunteer Vacations," "Learning Retreats," and "Wellness Escapes." The itineraries range widely, from learning to shoot films in the streets of Prague to retreating to the wild shorelines of South Africa for painting lessons. Why not volunteer to restore a provincial village while staying in quaint accommodations? From training with a local medicinal shaman of the Andes to teaching others, Grout's many examples emphasize connecting with divergent cultures. This is a rewarding aspect of traveling that cramming on a cruise ship and following tour guides never touches. This is a great book for all public libraries, full of ideas for those who want more from their travels.—Matthew Loving, Univ. of Florida Libs., Gainesville