Science & Technology

Horticulturalist Chalker-Scott (Washington State Univ.) succeeds in deflating many gardening myths, encouraging readers to dig a little deeper for scientific evidence and facts. Following her online columns written from 2000 to 2007, she attacks five large collections of myths, under the headings "Understanding How Plants Work," "How/What/When/Where To Plant," "Soil Additives," "Mulches," and "Miracles in a Bag/Bottle/Box." For example, under the first heading readers will find a chapter on the "Myth of Fragile Roots" followed by the "Myth of Mighty Roots." Under "Miracles in a Bag/Bottle/Box," there are chapters on the "Myth of Mineral Magic" and the "Myth of Vitamin Shots." Each chapter includes references, pointing to peer-reviewed literature for further details. The text is well written and full of common sense. For instance, on the "Myth of Fragile Roots," she shatters the notion that "you shouldn't disturb the root ball." This enjoyable book should find its way into the hands of almost every gardener—and may increase ILL for specifically cited scholarly papers. Highly recommended for public libraries with gardeners ready to tackle the literature, as well as academic and special libraries with interests in horticulture and gardening.—Edward J. Valauskas, Lenhardt Lib. of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Meredith modestly refers to himself as a "gatherer and assembler" of information rather than an expert. But he's a garlic aficionado whose verve and thoroughness are evident in this outstanding work, much the way his skills were clear in his Bamboo for Gardens, which won the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries Literature Award in the general interest category. A passionate home grower and consumer of garlic, Meredith cites not only his personal experience but also numerous scientific studies while writing of garlic's natural history, structure, cultivation, taxonomy, diseases, and chemistry. He highlights garlic's influence on economics and various cultures; there are chapters on its importance as both a medicine and as a food (though this book does not supplant garlic cookbooks). A directory organized by horticultural groups includes 150 cultivars widely available in North America. "Quick Guides" list the author's favorite cultivars for specific needs like "early harvesting" or "exceptionally large cloved." Beautifully illustrated, and one of the most comprehensive garlic books in recent years, this is highly recommended for larger public libraries and for all horticultural libraries.—Bonnie Poquette, Milwaukee

Botanist Miller, long affiliated with the Royal Horticultural Society, has written a guide to shrubs, trees, and a few vines (excluding conifers, fruit trees, and bamboos) that are suitable for smaller gardens. A brief introduction explains plant nomenclature, woody plant selection, culture, and propagation, followed by the heart of the book, the A-to-Z of trees and shrubs. Arranged by genus name, the entries give a description of the genus followed by species or cultivars recommended for the small garden. These short entries include a description of the plant(s) and limited cultural information. Unfortunately, most plants are hardy only in U.S.D.A. zone 7 or warmer, and not all genera are illustrated. Miller includes charts of the trees and shrubs listed by their flower color, as well as those plants with attractive foliage or fruit or distinctive growth habits. For colder areas of the United States, it would be best to select Nancy Rose and others' Growing Shrubs and Small Trees in Cold Climates. Miller's title offers the browsing gardener many choices for our warmer regions, but gardeners will often have to look further for photographs and expanded cultural information. For public libraries and gardening collections in the appropriate regions.—Sue O'Brien, Downers Grove P.L., IL

One freezing night in 1988, an eight-week-old kitten was left in the book drop of the Spencer Public Library in Iowa. Head librarian Myron immediately fell in love with him, as did the rest of the library staff, and this is how Dewey Readmore Books became the Spencer library cat. Dewey grew into a handsome feline, making many friends in his 19 years at the library by sitting in many laps and greeting library visitors at the door with an uncanny knack for knowing just who needed his affections—children, the elderly, and those on the fence regarding a library cat. Dewey's fame grew from town to town, then state to state, and, amazingly, worldwide. Some of the most moving parts of this memoir express the intense, special bond that Dewey had with Myron, who survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. This charming and heartwarming story of an extraordinary feline will be welcomed by cat lovers and all librarians who wish they had a library cat. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/15/08.]—Eva Lautemann, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston, GA

Energy medicine is an ancient concept based on the premise that the body has energy fields in constant motion. When these fields are not in harmony, a person feels unwell. Realigning the fields helps with healing both physical and emotional ills. Eden (Energy Medicine), a teacher of energy medicine, here addresses this discipline as it relates to women's needs. After a brief overview of the material contained in her previous book, she discusses the use of energy medicine techniques to help women with hormonal issues, PMS, menopause, sexuality, fertility, pregnancy, birth, and weight management. Detailed instructions and illustrations guide readers through the simple exercises designed to realign energy fields. An appendix teaches readers how to test their energy fields, and detailed notes and a resource list offer further information. Since there is growing interest in energy medicine among traditional medical practitioners—Stanford University School of Medicine is running a clinical trial—this book will be a useful addition to consumer health, alternative medicine, and women's health collections.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L.

Although Americans are living longer, healthier lives, the number of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease will increase dramatically as the baby boomers continue to age. The incidence of memory disorders in people in their fifties and sixties is already growing at a troubling rate, according to physician Fortanasce (neurology, Univ. of Southern California). Learning how to control the risk factors for dementia is essential to preventing or delaying the onset of memory disorders, he believes. To that end, he prescribes a diet of "brain boosting foods" like good fats, complex carbohydrates, and lean protein; a regimen of aerobic and strength training routines; "neurobics," memory-improving mental workouts; adequate sleep; stress management; and relaxation techniques. Also covered are tips for choosing a physician if a failing memory is cause for concern, available diagnostic techniques, the importance of getting an early diagnosis to slow disease progression, current medical treatments (including holistic remedies), an "Anti-Alzheimer's Diet Plan" accompanied by recipes, and a body mass calculator. Baby boomers with elderly parents or who are approaching later life will find this to be an authoritative guide to memory disorders. Highly recommended for consumer and aging health collections along with P. Murali Doraiswamy and Lisa P. Gwyther's The Alzheimer's Action Plan, Cathryn Jakobson Ramin's Carved in Sand: When Attention Fails and Memory Fades in Midlife, and Gary Small's The Memory Bible.—Karen McNally Bensing, Benjamin Rose Inst., Cleveland

It has been said that at 20 you have the face you were born with; at 50, you have the face you deserve. Psychiatrist Ritvo (Miller Sch. of Medicine) and dermatologist Luftman (UCLA), who are lifelong friends, explore what they call the Beauty-Brain Loop: when you feel good, you look good, and vice versa. They discuss ways in which we can boost our self-esteem and work on our attitudes so that our natural attributes shine through; they also address the many modern procedures available, short of plastic surgery, to enhance our looks and to preserve them as we age. There is, perhaps, more discussion of the use of Botox, fillers, and resurfacing techniques than women of average means can afford, but overall the authors emphasize self-acceptance, a reasonable regimen of hair and skin care, appropriate clothes, and a genuine interest in other people as the real beauty essentials. This well-organized and well-written discussion of what constitutes beauty will make an excellent addition to pop psychology and pop health collections.—Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH

Servan-Schreiber was at the top of his game as a psychiatrist and neuroscientist when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. As researcher and director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, he was able to take great advantage of the information available as he made the transition from researcher/physician to patient. His readable book recounts his journey and ardent quest for a greater understanding of the mechanics of cancer. Thoroughly researched, with numerous references to the current medical and scientific literature, it posits four new approaches to preventing cancer: guarding against environmental imbalances, adjusting our diets, healing the psychological wounds that feed the biological mechanisms at work in cancer, and stimulating the immune system to reduce the inflammation that makes tumors grow. Servan-Schreiber's book is as uplifting as it is informative. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries.—Mary Grace Flaherty, Sidney Memorial P.L., NY

Exaggerated claims, misleading advertisements, and false information about complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) make it virtually impossible to protect the public from today's snake oils readily available, inter alia, by Internet, TV, radio, and pharmacy shelves. Science journalist Singh (Big Bang) and Ernst, billed as the UK's first professor of complementary medicine, seek to provide important, up-to-date research about CAM so that readers can make informed health-care decisions. Quoting Hippocrates that science begets knowledge and opinion, ignorance, the authors explain in clear, comprehensible language what works and what does not, what is good evidence-based therapy, and what is no more than puffery. Acupuncture, homeopathy, and chiropractic and herbal medicine receive extensive coverage as therapeutics for treating disease. A "rapid guide" appendix to CAM summarizes the background, the evidence, and scientific conclusion for 36 additional popular therapies, including aromatherapy, ayurvedic tradition, colonic irrigation, food supplements, hypnotherapy, magnet therapy, massage therapy, spiritual healing, and traditional Chinese medicine. The authors have interspersed bits of enlightening medical history with the scientific evidence supporting their theses. This solid piece of reportage includes the reasoning behind clinical trials and science methodologies; highly recommended for all health-care libraries, for general and professional readers.—James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York

Over the past couple of decades, we've managed to raise a generation of kids who, while smart, engaging, and technically savvy, lack personal drive and ambition and crave instant gratification. We've done this, Caffrey further argues, by giving them endless rewards without asking for accomplishment in return; by teaching them that they cannot walk to school, ride their bikes, or play outside without supervision; and by overscheduling and overprogramming them, giving them cars, phones, and computers in abundance. Turning "Generation Me" (the Millennials) into "Generation Move" (kids with drive and ambition) isn't going to be easy, but here, author Caffrey, founder and head of a private K-12 school in Florida, gives it her best. She lays out the problems as she sees them with today's kids and outlines nine sensible, doable solutions for motivating and reenergizing them. Targeting parents, educators, and counselors, she is very specific in her basic rules: decrease rewards, reduce comfort, control friends, limit screen time, and teach kids to increase their exposure to risks and find a sense of purpose. With quizzes, anecdotes, and strategies, this is an excellent resource for parents and teachers. [For more about the author and her efforts, visit www.driveinstitute.com.—Ed.]—Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, PA

Gourmet and Saveur magazine writer Dunlop (Revolutionary Chinese Cookbook) first traveled to China in 1992, unprepared for the "gastronomical assaults" that ensued. From then on, because it would be rude to leave food untouched on her plate, she vowed to eat whatever food she was offered—whether it was mixed vegetables or frog casserole and stir-fried snake—though to do so was often risky. With provocative chapter titles such as "Only Barbarians Eat Salad," "The Hungry Dead," and "Chanel and Chickens' Feet," this book does not disappoint. Readers are taken on a culinary journey throughout the various regions and provinces of China and are treated to recipes at the end of each chapter. Back home in England, Dunlop finds herself hesitant to eat a caterpillar that made its way into her steamed vegetables. Dare she cross that cultural boundary of eating an insect in the Western world? Dunlop's latest is a fascinating look at Chinese food and customs. Recommended for all libraries.—Nicole Mitchell, Univ. of Alabama Lib., Birmingham

Hopkins, known as the Makeover Guy and owner of reVamp! salonspa in Minneapolis, balances encouragement and blunt honesty in this beauty guide. He stresses the importance of remaining current (not trendy) and age-appropriate, beginning with a chapter on "Expressing the Authentic You." Hopkins pays special attention to issues associated with aging, such as wrinkles, thinning and graying hair, and "Working with a Second-Act Body." Much of the advice feels old-fashioned, though in a good way. For example, he advocates foundation garments and steers readers away from showing their midriffs or too much cleavage. While Hopkins advises readers on ways to use hair care and makeup to their advantage, he doesn't shy away from cosmetic surgery. There should be demand for his guide, as it follows Charla Krupp's best-selling How Not To Look Old. Recommended for larger public libraries or for those where beauty and fashion titles circulate widely.—Meagan P. Storey, Virginia Wesleyan Coll., Norfolk

Manning, a food journalist and chef, writes with a message—buy locally. In the introduction, she describes "community supported agriculture" and gives tips on how to shop in a farmers' market. The recipes contain seasonal produce, and each chapter has a double-page spread with photographs of a fruit or vegetable (e.g., spring greens, heirloom tomatoes, pears, and squash) and an accompanying description of varieties of each. Some of the recipes may be for eclectic tastes—Warm Asparagus with Morels and Poached Duck Egg or Petrale Sole with Smoked Mussels Hash and Horseradish Vinaigrette. This is a book for the adventurous cook who has access to a farmers' market, farm share program, or another avenue for local produce. Recommended for large cookery collections and any library in the Northwest.—Christine Bulson, SUNY at Oneonta Lib.

The latest title from Vegetarian Times focuses on quick and easy meals, many of which take fewer than 15 minutes to prepare. Tantalizing new dishes like Blueberry Breakfast Quesadillas and Miso-Edamame Bites are mixed in with such old vegetarian favorites as curries and pasta salads. The introduction explains clearly and briefly how to use the book, including determining what the nutritional analysis provided with each recipe really means. In addition to the standard list of pantry staples, the authors provide tips for faster preparation. An index presents a handy way to find recipes by ingredient or recipe name, necessary because navigating the book's ten chapters is not always intuitive; it's not easy to guess that the recipe for Chipotle Black Bean Tacos with Roasted Butternut Squash can be found in the lunch section rather than with entrées, and Carrot-Raisin Waffles are in the annoyingly named "Kidz" chapter, not in "Breakfast and Brunch." Recommended for most public libraries.—Daisy Porter, West Valley Lib., San José, CA

In 1985 in London, the Forbes publishing family paid more than $150,000 for a nearly 200-year-old bottle of Château Lafite Bordeaux rumored to have once been owned by Thomas Jefferson. The bottle was part of a collection unearthed by German wine entrepreneur Hardy Rodenstock. At first only a few doubted the authenticity of the wine, but over time, as more bottles from the same cache were sold, the questions about Rodenstock and his Jeffersonian bottles kept coming. Wallace, a journalist who has written for magazines such as Food & Wine and Philadelphia, has crafted a richly intriguing tale of wine collecting, Thomas Jefferson, and the rivalry between the wine departments at Christie's and Sotheby's, following the trail of Rodenstock and his famous "discovery." With the same deliciously entertaining blend of history, mystery, and wine found in Don and Petie Kladstrup's Wine and War, Wallace's book is highly recommended for public libraries.—John Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ

Paul Ehrlich, a world-renowned professor of population studies and biological sciences at Stanford University, is well known for his dismal view of the future written in the 1968 work The Population Bomb. In his timely new book, he and his wife and frequent coauthor, Anne Ehrlich (Dept. of Biological Sciences, Ctr. for Conservation Biology, Stanford Univ.), offer a more positive view of the portentous relationship humans currently have with the environment. While books on environmental studies have been prolific as of late, the Ehrlichs explore the relationship between humans and the environment in a manner that touches on cultural anthropology, evolution, economics, and energy solutions. This multifaceted approach to environmental issues makes this book both interesting and unique. The coverage of topics is expansive yet fully elaborated upon, and strategies for improvement are often made. While the world suffers from natural disasters, inflated energy costs, and unsustainable consumption patterns, the Ehrlichs make hopeful suggestions for sustainability and reduced vulnerability. This comprehensive look at the complex interaction between our species and the planet is highly recommended for academic libraries and larger public libraries.—Jaime Hammond, Naugatuck Valley Community Coll., Waterbury, CT

Since the late 1800s, scientists have used "nature's clocks" to measure Earth's age, human beginnings, evolution, and extinctions. In one of the few overviews of geochronology, Macdougall (earth sciences, Univ. of California's Scripps Inst. of Oceanography) looks at fixed dating via decay rates of radioactive isotopes of carbon, uranium, and potassium. He examines relational dating via dendrochronology, ice cores, and stratigraphy. And he tells the stories of the scientists who teased out these techniques with excruciating patience. Although the prose is serviceable rather than soaring, and the opening and closing chapters are slightly unfocused, the heart of the book reveals ingenious science. From assessing zircon crystals in a clean room to measuring greenhouse gases in the ocean, scientists use nature's clocks to clarify the formation and composition of our world. Giving a sense of the scope of early discovery, Macdougall writes, "…in little more than a decade, the prevailing view about the Earth's age had shifted from Lord Kelvin's 20 million years to more than 1.5 billion years." Recommended for public and undergraduate libraries.—Michal Strutin, Santa Clara Univ. Lib., CA

Award-winning author Macfarlane (fellow, Emmanuel Coll., Cambridge, UK; Mountains of the Mind: A History of a Fascination) spent a year wandering through remote regions of Britain and Ireland seeking out whatever wild places remain before they vanish. His travels began on the tiny Welsh island of Ynys Enlli and continued to such places as a strange and beautiful valley on the Isle of Skye, the moors and mountains of the Scottish Highlands, and the shifting salt marshes of southern England. In this winner of the 2007 Boardman Tasker Prize, he observes that natural and human history intermingle in even the remotest locales and recounts the often tragic historical events of the places he visits, such as the "clearances" in Scotland, the Irish Potato Famine, and Oliver Cromwell's purging of Catholics. He gradually realizes that wildness is present in the vitality and fecundity of nature, that it is persistent everywhere. The use of British terms possibly unfamiliar to American readers is a minor inconvenience in what is otherwise a beautifully written and well-researched work. Highly recommended for travel and natural history collections. (Map not seen.)—Maureen J. Delaney-Lehman, Lake Superior State Univ. Lib., Sault Ste. Marie, MI

At the beginning of the 21st century, America is still conflicted about the theory of evolution, just as it was at the time of the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925. One significant difference today is that critics of evolution contradict Darwin with the pseudoscientific concept of intelligent design (ID). Miller (biology, Brown Univ.), an expert witness in the 2005 evolution trial in Dover, PA, brings his same penetrating arguments against intelligent design to this book. Going beyond a mere evolution vs. ID argument, Miller examines America's role as a scientific leader in the world and how we are slipping from that position. Attempts to attack science and derail its importance lower America's standing throughout the world. Instead of painting a pessimistic view of our future, Miller shows how it is exactly the nature of America—from its beginnings as a group of revolutionary colonies—that also holds the greatest hope for ultimately retaining our position as a world leader in science. That hope will depend upon gaining public support and understanding of science, for which Miller provides a formula for achieving. Much of this book is rather technical and scientifically advanced, but it offers a unique perspective on this topic. Recommended for larger academic and public libraries.—Gloria Maxwell, Penn Valley Community Coll. Lib., Kansas City, MO

"Going into the field is an exciting, challenging, and inspiring part of doing ocean science; it is also essential," writes Prager, currently chief scientist of the undersea research station, Aquarius Reef Base. Using anecdotes from colleagues and from her own career, she succeeds in showing the reader that doing science can be both fun and thrilling, especially when it involves work in and on the ocean. She also reminds us that field research is important to doing good science and that learning more about the world's oceans is essential to our future. The book is well written, and its informal, easy-to-read style will make it appealing to young adults interested in science as a future career as well as a great adjunct reading assignment for science classes in high school and college. Recommended for public, high school, and college libraries. [For other accounts on the joys of scientific fieldwork, see Margaret D. Lowman's Life in the Treetops, Marty Crump's In Search of the Golden Frog, and Kate Jackson's Mean and Lowly Things.—Ed.]—Margaret Rioux, MBLWHOI Lib., Woods Hole, MA

As the title implies, this work is an examination of a world without the top predators of an ecological niche. Exploring the history of predation from the first microscopic predator through the age of the dinosaurs to today's modern mammals, science writer Stolzenburg, who has studied predator-control techniques and monitored endangered species, reveals the devastating ecological consequences that result (e.g., marauding deer and raccoons in suburban backyards, huge herds of elk in Yellowstone Park) once a top predator is removed from its position. Throughout, Stolzenburg follows the studies of several ecologists looking at the food chain from the top down and furnishes hard-core evidence that an ecosystem is more diverse with the top predator acting as a checks-and-balances measure to provide multiple-prey species with the chance to survive. A comprehensive bibliography offers both professional and amateur ecologists, naturalists, and biologists further readings to learn more about predator-prey interactions. The easy-to-read and captivating prose will introduce readers to species of animals they've never heard of before, as well as give a greater awareness and appreciation for the complexity of the world in which we live. Highly recommended for all libraries.—Kyrille Goldbeck, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ. Lib., Blacksburg