Social Sciences

Soon after the end of Word War II, French-born Berg first drafted a memoir of his years in Nazi concentration camps, but this finished work awaited collaboration with freelance author Brock almost 50 years later. Berg was imprisoned by the Germans first in Drancy (near Paris); then Auschwitz-Monowitz, where he toiled at I.G. Farben's Buna works; and then Dora, where the V-2 rocket was made. He ended the war at Ravensbrück after surviving his second death march. His memoir is one of the few available in English by a gentile inmate of Auschwitz and an even rarer chronicle of experiences at the Dora plant. His insight into the workings of the Auschwitz black-market system and the relationship of the Kapos (camp trustees) to political and religious prisoners helps illuminate the corrupting effect of Nazi brutality on prisoners. Berg's personal journey—from the emotional upheaval of being caught in a German sweep in Nice to the gradual deadening of his emotions as he struggled to survive among the worst concentration camps—is compelling reading, although there are details that are evidently colored by ex post facto knowledge. While the coarseness of some of the language may offend some (e.g., the title in vulgar translation is "Shithouse Luck"), it is integral to the story, bringing home the nature of the cruelty these inmates experienced. Highly recommended.—Frederic Krome, Univ. of Cincinnati Clermont Coll.

The popular image of Florence Nightingale as the crusading "Lady with the Lamp" who brought nursing care to the casualties of the Crimean War and her status as a beloved icon of the nursing field have long obscured the more nuanced story of her life's work. Bostridge (coauthor, with Paul Berry, Vera Brittain: A Life) presents a lengthy, well-researched, and comprehensive biography of Nightingale, drawing heavily on letters, diaries, and other primary sources in a successful effort to create a balanced and authentic portrait of the woman, not the myth. Beginning with moving depictions of Nightingale's struggles to be allowed to pursue her calling despite her family's objections, Bostridge skillfully illuminates the spiritual and philosophical motivations that drove Nightingale's impassioned and lifelong dedication to the causes of nursing and public health reform. Even as Nightingale's fame grew with her Crimean work, political infighting and incompetent military management bedeviled her efforts to improve conditions at wartime hospitals. Bostridge is never in awe of his subject and does not shrink from hard examination of historical controversies, such as the cause of Nightingale's withdrawal from society, that other biographies such as Hugh Small's Florence Nightingale: Avenging Angel have raised (with different conclusions). Recommended for all larger public and academic libraries and especially valuable for schools with nursing programs.—Ingrid Levin, Salve Regina Univ. Lib., Newport, RI

According to the rankings of most scholars, FDR is the greatest American President of the 20th century. Brands (Univ. of Texas, Austin; Andrew Jackson) helps us understand why. Bringing his historical and biographical skills to the task of sifting through a huge number of earlier books on FDR, he provides a broad yet nuanced overview. Though Brands does not break new ground, neither does he sensationalize the more controversial aspects of FDR's personality and politics—contrary to what the subtitle might suggest. Rather, FDR is presented as a man who, in mapping his own career, relied heavily on the political career of Theodore Roosevelt and learned from the mistakes of Woodrow Wilson, in whose administration he served. The President's ordeal with polio tested and matured him so that he was ready to inspire a crippled nation during the Great Depression. Though he would blunder in the 1937 Supreme Court packing plan, which Brands labels "the biggest mess of his presidency," by 1942 he is considered by Brands to have been "the most powerful man in American history." The overall portrayal here reinforces the views presented in two first-rate recent biographies: conservative journalist Conrad Black's Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom and liberal political scientist Jean Edward Smith's FDR. All three are very readable and necessary for a full appreciation of America's 26th president. Highly recommended for all libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/08.]—William D. Pederson, Louisiana State Univ., Shreveport

MacDonald (creative nonfiction, Univ. of Pittsburgh) shares his story of how he overcame being flat broke and stuck with unpaid taxes and huge credit-card and student-loan debt (he graduated from Yale in 1995) while being nearly alcoholic and weighing 340 pounds. In April 2000, he implemented his own plan to save his life, beginning a journey of recovery and self-discovery that readers struggling with their own weight loss or lifestyle changes will appreciate. MacDonald decided to limit himself to a budget of $8 a week and 800 calories a day, the latter mainly from lentils that the author states "taste[d] like dirt." Although he initially thought that his urban hermit plan would not last long, MacDonald in fact continued his makeover for more than a year, achieving final success in August 2001. MacDonald here reveals some of the intriguing experiences he had along the way, including befriending rent-dodging trailer-park denizens, flying to Bosnia on assignment for a community newspaper, traveling to one of the Rainbow Gathering peace festivals, and ultimately meeting the woman who would become his wife. His memoir manages to be both funny and heartfelt. Recommended for public libraries.—Dale Farris, Groves, TX

Whether seen through the lens of his own time or of ours, Andrew Jackson remains a complex figure, one who has been both praised and cursed from his own era up to today. Remini, the prize-winning author of a multivolume biography of Jackson, proves a good choice for Palgrave's "Great Generals" study of Jackson from a military perspective. Remini maintains a birth-to-death narrative while keeping the focus on Jackson's fundamental existence as a soldier. The result is a fine introduction based on years of advanced knowledge on the subject, distilled by Remini into a very good read. His Jackson is a man with a will of steel and unwavering vision who was first and foremost a fighter and a military commander. The battles in which he fought left their influence on the United States, physically, morally, and politically. General Clark's foreword offers a concise preview that effectively connects the book with the other books in this series. For a good story, a clear understanding of a formative—and controversial—figure in American history, this volume is strongly recommended for high school, college, and public libaries. [See the Q&A with Gen. Wesley Clark (ret.), left.]—Suzanne Lay, Perry H.S., GA

An army wife, a mother of two, and a freelance writer, Seligman begins this book with her husband's deployment to Iraq, weeks after their second child was born. In short chapters grouped into the five stages of grief (bracketed by "Death" and "Recovery"), Seligman shares her struggles during his absence. There is plenty of raw emotion here—anger, sadness, terror, loneliness—but there is also strength, determination, and even hope. Seligman is honest and vulnerable, sharing her ambivalence toward the war, her impatience with her daughter's grief, and her fear of never reconnecting with her husband. She never overwhelms us with her pain but writes in the conversational and open tone she might use with a trusted friend. And by the end of the book, Seligman does feel like a friend. She invites readers into her heart to share her hopes, fears, weariness, and wariness of future deployments and to help us all understand the complexities of military life. Recommended for public libraries and essential for libraries on or near military bases.—Erica L. Foley, Clinton-Macomb P.L., Clinton Twp., MI

In 1978, a New Zealand nurse on holiday met a handsome Bedouin, Mohammad Abdallah Othman, in the ancient city of Petra, Jordan. Almost instantaneously, she chose to trade her free-spirited Western lifestyle for a Bedouin marriage, traditions and language she knew virtually nothing about, and a home in a cave with a breathtaking view. A romance novel? No—van Geldermalsen's autobiography. The author focuses on her transformation from an outgoing but unmotivated twentysomething New Zealander into a mature woman whose heart absorbs this often-mysterious culture. She lived in the Petra caves with her growing family until 1985, when Petra's inhabitants were resettled nearby (it became a UNESCO World Heritage site), at which point the author grows less interested in her story, adding only one chapter for her time since 1985. Her husband died in 2001. In the epilog, van Geldermalsen explains that "I have mostly remembered the good times, but that is how I like to look at life." Perhaps this should have been stated in a prolog, as her massive transition between cultures comes across as surprisingly smooth and sunny. Yet readers will enjoy van Geldermalsen's detailed and deeply human depictions of celebrations, motherhood, and more in Petra. Recommended for public libraries and for academic library browsing collections.—Karen Sobel, Univ. of Colorado at Denver Lib.

Veteran journalists Rosenberg and Feldman examine the shrinking news cycle—the period of time between when a news event occurs and its reportage—through a series of incisive essays. They decry the reckless speed at which stories appear in print, electronic, and broadcast media, which sacrifices journalistic integrity and fact-checking processes. They trace this need for speed back to the advent of 24/7 cable news networks like CNN, which was founded in 1980. Under pressure to fill hours of airtime, networks began inflating stories by constantly updating them, magnifying non-news events, and injecting personal conjecture from anchors. The Internet, blogs, and the birth of citizen journalism led to even higher stakes for the professionals. Rosenberg and Feldman suggest that while speed itself is not bad, the resultant erosion of professional standards affects public perception of what is newsworthy. Similar in tone to Rosenberg's earlier Not So Prime Time: Chasing the Trivial on American Television, this book pulls no punches in its assessment of the profession. Recommended for academic and public libraries.—Regina M. Beard, Kansas State Univ. Libs., Manhattan

Cameron and Green, coauthors of Making Sense of Change Management, have written an outstanding handbook around their thesis that "leaders need to take on different roles…some…more obvious and accessible to us than others." The five roles range from "edgy catalyser," who asks uncomfortable questions, to "measured connector," who puts people and ideas together. They describe the five roles in depth, explain the research behind them, provide a questionnaire determining the reader's "natural" roles, and provide specific exercises and additional resources for strengthening weak roles. Chapters on the "shadow sides" and political effects of each role in various office cultures close out the part of the book directed to individuals. There is also a teaching section, with suggestions for using the book, and the roles, in group training. Very readable and highly recommended.

On Leadership is not as good. Palmisano, a former president of the American Medical Association and both a doctor and a lawyer, lays out the basic principles for successful leadership, starting with "do your homework, have courage—and don't give up." Unfortunately, that's about the extent of the useful suggestions. Later chapters stress things like "writing down pithy quotes for later use" and "[verifying] information from Internet sources." Most suggestions are similarly either unusual or obvious and written in an academic style that will discourage many readers. Anecdotes and illustrative stories abound, but, curiously, they all stress individual achievement and ignore how a leader functions as part of a team, a concept critical to modern leadership. Libraries collecting comprehensively in self-help may want to purchase; all others should pass.—Brian Walton, Tampa-Hillsborough P.L., FL

Prolific historian Black (history, Exeter Univ.; George III) concisely chronicles the dissolution of Anglo-American relations in the century leading up to the American Revolution while also providing an astute analysis of the war itself. He strongly refutes the popular notion of the Revolutionary War as an inevitable conclusion to long-simmering cross-Atlantic hostilities and the teleological culmination of growing Colonial solidarity. Instead, he argues, the rebellion resulted from a variety of internal and external contingencies threatening the British Empire, from political and military conflicts in Europe to violent confrontations with Native American and French on the American frontier. The author explains that the war was in fact a civil war within the cross-continental British Empire and analyzes the conflict from this perspective. Also, Black emphasizes France's crucial role in turning the tide in the revolutionaries' favor and gives credit to slaves and Native Americans for their involvement and key contributions. This is a bold and interesting work of historical scholarship, with the author eschewing objectivity in favor of strong and distinct opinions on what caused the American War of Independence and how the Colonists prevailed. Although it will likely be too dry, dense, and academic for many lay readers, it is a welcome addition to the undergraduate study of the American Revolution and 18th-century Anglo-American relations.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

Author and journalist Blom (To Have and To Hold: An Intimate History of Collectors and Collecting) skillfully evokes the profound changes that swept through Europe from 1900 until 1914. He emphasizes that it was a scientific revolution that provided the foundation for the major paradigm shift that took place during these early years of the 20th century. The groundbreaking work of Einstein, Ernest Rutherford, and Marie and Pierre Curie challenged previous theories of the physical world, while Freud, Durkheim, and Bergson delved into the more nebulous realms of human nature to challenge accepted perceptions of human behavior. The certainties of the Victorian age were shattered, and no supposed "truths" were left unchallenged. Europeans were left on shifting ground, with their confusion further exacerbated by rapid urbanization and industrialization. Blom's profiles of numerous artists, architects, writers, activists, politicians, and just ordinary Europeans gives the reader a sense of the magnitude of the transformation that took place in pre-World War I Europe. Noticeably absent from his biographical profiles are Socialists such as Rosa Luxemburg and Eduard Bernstein. In fact, Blom has little to say about the burgeoning Socialist movement, an oversight that will certainly draw criticism. Although his book is a good choice for all modern European history collections, Barbara Tuchman's evocative The Proud Tower remains the best account of fin de siècle Europe.—Jim Doyle, Rome, GA

Burrows (Distinguished Professor of History, Brooklyn Coll.), who shared the Pulitzer Prize with coauthor Mike Wallace for Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898, here focuses on a neglected aspect of the American Revolution, the prisoners of war held by the British during the conflict. He examines diaries, correspondence, memoirs, newspapers, and pension and government records, from which he includes prisoner testimony that past historians have dismissed as American propaganda. Although establishing the exact numbers of prisoners and deaths is impossible, because records are not available, Burrows finds some startling figures by cross-referencing multiple documents for consistencies. He concludes that there were probably over 30,000 captives (twice the number previously believed) and about 18,000 deaths. The majority of the prisoners were held in New York City in cramped buildings and on prison ships, and many were robbed, beaten, and starved by their British captors, who saw the Americans as rebels, beneath any honor or respect. Both George Washington and Congress knew about these horrendous conditions, but they were limited to arranging prisoner trades and getting food and clothing to the Americans, although they tried daring amphibious raids to rescue prisoners. Although Burrows does not himself suggest overt parallels to current history, readers can draw the connection, which makes for another powerful element to this very interesting and well-written book. Highly recommended.—Bryan Craig, MLS, Nellysford, VA

It is difficult to determine whether Clark (Anzio) meant to write a popular narrative or a scholarly, technical account of Operation Market Garden and Operation Varsity Plunder, the two major Allied airborne efforts to breach the Rhine following D-day; his book moves randomly from one style to the other, awkwardly oscillating between readable prose and text filled with difficult names, numbers, and statistics, interspersed all the while with extensive quotes from generals, soldiers, and politicians. The quotes themselves do not help the reader gain a clearer understanding of the battles or of the human consequences and often come across as pure filler. Clark includes important highlights from other World War II engagements but does not explain how they affected the two operations that are his focus. For instance, his discussion of the failed attempt on Hitler's life led by Claus von Stauffenberg does not show how it influenced later military strategy. Similarly, he is weak on how Market Garden and Varsity Plunder relate to the more famous Battle of the Bulge or to the end of the war. Operation Market Garden was made famous by Cornelius Ryan's A Bridge Too Far, itself made into a movie. Ryan's book is a classic of World War II history and remains the best choice for all collections. Clark's book is not recommended. (Maps and index not seen.) [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/08.]—Michael Farrell, Reformed Theological Seminary. Lib., Oviedo, FL

Dorothy Osborne (1627–95) and William Temple (1628–99) began their love affair during the tumultuous years of the English Civil War. Despite steadfast familial opposition, they carried on a courtship based primarily on written correspondence for six and a half years. Dorothy's surviving letters from this period are widely celebrated for their literary and historical value, revealing a complex, insightful, and intelligent woman. The two finally married and spent over 40 years together, surviving disease, the Great Fire of London, and the Black Death and outliving all of their children. Traditionally, emphasis has been on William as a celebrated essayist and diplomat under Charles II and Dorothy as a superb example of the epistolary art and a model of female domesticity. In this highly readable and skillfully written dual biography, Dunn (fellow, Royal Society of Literature, Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens) draws on memoirs and personal letters to show that their relationship, distinctive for its time, was based on companionship, partnership, and, most important, intellectual equality. She provides a balanced if slightly romanticized look at both of their lives, as well as a close examination of the historical circumstances that surrounded them. This thoroughly researched historical narrative is recommended for both academic and public libraries.—Carrie Benbow, Toronto P.L., Ont.

Here is an excellent eye-opener about the dazzling landscape, diverse culture, long history, and various peoples of India, beautifully capturing in exuberant photographs accompanying the text the history and culture of a country that is home to more than a billion people. The book, aimed at general readers and students, is divided into six sections (landscape, history, people, culture, architecture, and travel), with coverage that traverses tradition and modernity, rural and urban, across all regions, religions, languages and ethnicities. The various texts, which, are not separately signed, are contributed by subject experts on historical, archaeological, and cultural themes, which extend back to the civilizations of the Indus Valley. There is no bibliography; the book's chief attraction will be to newcomers to the subject and to those seeking a well-packaged, visually rich introduction to India. For school and public libraries.—Uma Doraiswamy, Western Kentucky Univ. Lib., Bowling Green

In direct contrast to Gen. Michel Franceschi and Ben Weider's Wars Against Napoleon: Debunking the Myth of the Napoleonic Wars, which claimed that Napoleon was a pacifistic victim of circumstances, comes a book that makes no attempt to hide his insatiable lust for military glory and, thus, power. Yet Esdaile (history, Univ. of Liverpool; The Peninsular War) does offer a distinct approach by writing a history of these wars that is not simply Francocentric but reflects the full European dimension of the conflicts. So the reader gets not only fresh information on such disparate actions as the Serbian revolt of 1804 and the Eastern and Ottoman fronts but a better understanding of the time period as a whole and Napoleon's historical place in it. Esdaile argues that the Napoleon we see today is the product of a very efficient propaganda machine begun on St. Helena by the emperor himself. Using contemporary sources describing the little Corsican, his resulting myth-busting portrait rings true. Placed within the author's panoramic view of the wars that spread so quickly across the European continent, it's a study that makes a compelling read. Recommended for all libraries.—David Lee Poremba, Keiser Univ., Orlando, FL

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Fischer's magnificent account of the life and times of French explorer Samuel de Champlain, founder of Quebec, provides a signal analysis of his dream of peaceful coexistence in North America in which natives and nonnatives, Catholics and Protestants, share the land as equals and give birth to a renewed form of civilization. Fischer offers a detailed account based on thorough research, including the work of noted Canadian historian Marcel Trudel, too often ignored in America, and made more interesting by many illustrations and maps. The book follows its biographical chapters with separate thematic chapters wherein Fischer answers related questions touching upon European wars of religion, colonial exploitation, and the reason why Canada experienced far fewer armed conflicts involving the First Nations than the United States did. The emphasis placed on cartography is welcome, as is the repeated discussion of leadership, always a subject of interest in election years. Recommended for public libraries, high school libraries, and all post-secondary institutions. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/08.]—Gilles Renaud, Cornwall, Ont.

In this reviewer's opinion, to call Brooklyn a country is no misnomer. New York City's most populous borough has specialized in exporting American ideals in their purest form for nearly 100 years. Inspired by the acceptance of baseball great Jackie Robinson in Brooklyn, Golenbock (Bums: An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers) crafted this mesmerizing valentine to some 40 Brooklyn-born men and women who have furthered the cause of free speech and equal rights. Notables like Neil Sedaka and Pete Hamill tell their stories, but the most captivating narratives come from the mainly unknown writers, teachers, soldiers, and activists who took a stand against bigotry in the United States and abroad. Says Lester Rodney, who broke ground with his coverage of the Negro Leagues in the Communist Party USA paper, The Daily Worker, "One of the first things we tried to do was shoot down the notion that white players wouldn't stand [for integration]." Golenbock makes no secret of his disdain for the current Bush administration, but his book isn't partisan in the blindly allegiant sense—it's just a passionate reminder of what has historically made this country beautiful. Read it and weep, kiddies. [See "Fall Editors' Picks," LJ 9/1/08; McCormack was born in the Midwest but is now a Brooklynite.—Ed.]—Heather McCormack, Library Journal

If you didn't get to China this summer, these two books will help make up for it. In his elegantly produced volume, Lindesay (founder, International Friends of the Great Wall; Alone on the Great Wall) pairs 72 historic 19th- and early 20th-century photographs of sites along the Great Wall with his own beautiful and informative photos of the same views taken when he revisited the sites in the last few years. Sometimes there is great change, other times little at all. Lindesay provides graceful essays on the lives of the earlier photographers and histories of the local communities around the sites, often with maps, excerpts from the writings of earlier visitors, or drawings.

Man's earlier books (e.g., The Terra Cotta Army: China's First Emperor and the Birth of a Nation) combine travel and history. His latest amounts to a readable history of relations between the Chinese dynasties and inner Asia as he tells of the various walls in successive periods. He also regales us with his adventures traveling along the present-day Great Wall. His tone is knowledgeable, breezy, and sometimes a little breathless as he skillfully debunks what is left of the myths about the wall—no, it cannot be seen from space with the naked eye. In fact, the wall is not an "it" but a "them," that is, not a single thing but a process whose length cannot be measured because it is composed of overlapping bits made at different times. Both books acknowledge and make good use of recent Chinese scholarship, and both are recommended for larger public libraries, with Lindesay's also appropriate for college and special collections.—Charles W. Hayford, Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL

Mergen (American studies, emeritus, George Washington Univ.; Snow in America) has written an engaging account on a subject we all complain about but can't change: the weather. He takes an original approach by expanding on the development of meteorology and institutional histories of the U.S. Weather Bureau, American Meteorological Society, and the Weather Channel. He also discusses how air and clouds have been studied with instruments such as the barometer and radar and depicted in paintings, photographs, and other artistic and cultural media, then goes on to examine the treatment of weather in American novels and poetry. The book concludes by assessing how people cope with the impact of weather, including natural disasters, and the author's own experiences with storm chasers out West. Merger draws on a wide array of sources to produce this fascinating study of a timeless human obsession. Recommended for all public and academic collections.—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ., Parkersburg

Elegant prose, brutal description, and a wry sense of humor characterize this journal by a poet and aspiring fiction writer during his months as a Spanish civil war volunteer in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Although a part of history largely ignored in favor of World War II, the Spanish civil war was a testing ground for German, Italian, and Russian political and territorial ambitions, as well as a passionate cause for idealists, Communists, and anti-Fascists. Neugass records his observations with prescience and an eye to posterity. After returning from Spain, he sought to have his journal published but failed to do so before his untimely death in 1949. The typescript, only recently found, has been edited and annotated by two board members of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. They fill in details about Neugass's comrades and add notes that put his remarks in context. Although Neugass served for only about five months in 1937–38, he saw the fall of the Spanish Republic to the better-equipped Fascist forces under General Franco. This valuable addition to Spanish civil war history also attests to the timelessness of a soldier's wartime emotions—the boredom, excitement, fear, pain, and loss. Published in time for the 70th anniversary of the Great Retreats of the Republican forces, this work is highly recommended for academic libraries and libraries with Spanish civil war collections. [See "Editors' Fall Picks," LJ 9/1/08.—Ed.]—Maria C. Bagshaw, Knowledge & Information Resources, Ecolab, Inc., St. Paul, MN

The opening of previously restricted parts of the Vatican Archive has made accessible more information on the role of Pope Pius XII during the Holocaust. Noel's book is another attempt to use those and other sources to understand what one author has called Pius's "silence." Noel (former editor, Catholic Herald) attempts to "unlock some of the mystery of an extraordinary life" through psychobiography and recollections of those close to Pius, including his housekeeper, Sister Pasqualina. The author acknowledges that his is a "rather unusual approach" to understanding the Pope. Essentially, he offers an apologia for Pius, explaining his inaction with regard to the Holocaust as a response that was meant to preserve "the safety of the Roman Church above all other causes, however worthy." Unfortunately, the book is dense and moves ungracefully from psychological analysis to the intricacies of canon law and Vatican diplomacy. Readers who want a better-reasoned and -written analysis can turn to Michael Phayer's The Catholic Church and the Holocaust, 1930–1965. Noel's book is recommended only for comprehensive collections.—Diane Harvey, Univ. of Maryland Libs., College Park

O'Donnell (Provost, Georgetown Univ.; Augustine: A New Biography) argues that the Roman emperors seated in fifth-century Constantinople eventually toppled their empire, while the barbarians—the Vandals, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, etc.—traditionally held responsible for the fall, could have helped create a coherent Mediterranean identity had different strategic choices been made by Rome. This refreshing historian admits that the view he presents is controversial and can and should be debated. The book opens with an introduction to the Roman world through the eyes of the merchant Cosmas. Readers begin to understand the far-flung nature of the Roman Empire, the infrastructure that supported trade, and the cracks appearing in the empire's foundation. The rest of the work is divided into three parts, following Theodoric, a Romanized Ostrogothic king who ruled in the now backwater city of Rome and did much to unify and bring a short-lived peace to the region; Justinian, an emperor who sat on the throne in the imperial capital of Constantinople and tried to enforce theological homogeny in all his subjects; and Pope Gregory, who saw the events of his time unfolding and understood they spelled an end to the world as he knew it. O'Donnell's vivid prose describes the empire's various regions, making it easy for readers to imagine the world as it was at the empire's close. Highly recommended for academic libraries and all libraries with collections in ancient history, Roman history, or classical studies.—Crystal Goldman, Univ. of Utah Lib., Salt Lake City

Roper (Johns Hopkins Univ., Fatal Mountaineer) has written a well-researched, highly ambitious, thoroughly engaging, and humane history of the Civil War by means of a family portrait, presenting the war through the eyes and words of the Whitman family. The many letters between Whitman family members (including Walt Whitman's brother Jeff, a gifted engineer, and mother Louisa) provide the basis for this book. Walt's younger brother George Washington Whitman was a courageous officer with a "gift for war" who valiantly led men into important battles including at Antietam. Walt took enormous interest in George's military career, visiting him in the field, writing to him extensively, tending to wounded soldiers in hospitals, and writing about the war for newspapers, such as the Brooklyn Daily Union. Roper refers to recent Walt Whitman scholarship, as well as to the original correspondence, and tells a fascinating tale about an exceptional family amid the horrors of war. The book provides a simultaneous historical perspective on the war and on an exceptional family, giving general readers and students a vivid depiction of both and a deeper understanding of one of America's greatest poets. Highly recommended for college and public libraries.—Susanne Markgren, SUNY at Purchase Lib.

Freelance journalist Tribble tells the tale of the 1869 "discovery" of a ten-foot giant reputed to be either a petrified Biblical-era man or an ancient statue fashioned by pre-American Indian inhabitants of North America. The story focuses on huckster George Hull, who commissioned the fake fossil's carving out of gypsum and planted it for profit derived from paid viewings by a gullible public. Set within the context of post-Civil War America in upstate New York after the Second Great Awakening of religious fervor, when pious people sought assurance as their society was wracked by social and technological changes, the story depicts the battle lines among religion, academically based science, and quasi-scientific explanations, much as in Matthew Goodman's new account of another 19th-century hoax in The Sun and the Moon. Tribble also discerns how currents of romantic nationalism (such as the belief that America must have had ancestors who were giants in both accomplishment and size) conflicted with more universal Enlightenment values. The Cardiff Giant's popularity produced imitations more readily regarded as frauds, which were devised for entertainment (a Barnum copy was followed by several others). After exposure, the giant had an afterlife at fairs and museums; he is still on display as an example of American innocence and humbug. Engagingly written in a thorough treatment that this popular culture phenomenon has not usually received, the book would make a welcome addition to public libraries.—Frederick J. Augustyn Jr., Library of Congress

That the LC subject headings use miscellanea six times in this book's CIP data shows its neither-fish-nor-fowl nature. Van Meter, a retired public relations executive, examines five dozen phrases, most historical ("fifty-four forty or fight!") but some from sports and pop culture ("say it ain't so, Joe!"). Yet the book isn't about the slogans themselves, their origins or their legacy; they are an excuse to walk through American history. "The buck stops here" provides the life of Harry Truman, and "old soldiers never die" gives the story of the Korean War. It is as if Van Meter is writing for an audience completely ignorant of history. He also ignores how some phrases, such as "Give me liberty or give me death," first appeared decades after they were supposed to have been uttered, akin to Parson Weems's story about Washington and the cherry tree. Librarians should instead be sure to have Ralph Keye's scholarly and broader The Quote Verifier, which is focused on the words and their origins.—Michael O. Eshleman, Kings Mills, OH

Crime novelist Kellerman, guest editor of this seventh annual collection, features 15 essays, all but two of which appeared previously in periodicals ranging from the Atlantic and The New Yorker to the Cleveland Free Times and ESPN magazine. The essays feature stories of crime and criminal investigations. For example, Jeremy Kahn writes of a small-time criminal and his problems after snitching on a neighborhood drug dealer and killer. In another story, Charles Graeber reports on a serial killer who wants to donate a kidney. The book also features some essays that discuss past events, such as D.T. Max's review of the death of author Malcolm Lowry in 1957. Each entry features a coda by the author either to bring the story up to date or give the author a chance to add some more background. As a whole, this book is engaging to read and will definitely be of interest to fans of true-crime books. Recommended for most public libraries.—Joel W. Tscherne, Cleveland P.L.

Lombardo (law, Georgia State Univ.) traces a seminal 1927 Supreme Court case arising from the attempt by authorities in Virginia to force the sterilization of a woman believed to be mentally and socially "insufficient." Lombardo carefully re-creates the trial, which resulted in a ruling formally endorsing the sterilization of Carrie Buck. The case quickly advanced to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the justices ruled that the sterilization law did not violate the Eighth Amendment. Lombardo minces no words in expressing his disdain for the lackluster performance and conflicts of interest of Buck's attorney. Carrie's fate before the Court, argues the author, was partially attributable to social Darwinism as well as the attitude of the Court's chief social arbiter, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., that society should not bear the burden of people born without pedigree, status, intelligence, or capacity. Lombardo observes that by the early 1970s medical science had strongly discredited the notion that bad heredity could be interrupted by sterilization, and the entire movement ground to a screeching halt. This original study is highly recommended for academic, public, and law libraries.—Philip Y. Blue, New York State Supreme Court Criminal Branch Law Lib., First Judicial Dist.

Fenton-Smith, the author of many excellent books on clairvoyance and divination techniques, including the trifecta of Astrology Revealed, Palmistry Revealed, and The Tarot Revealed, continues his winning streak with this book. Its design complements the author's writing style, which is intelligent and straightforward. Fenton-Smith begins with a complete but uncomplicated introduction to the how's and why's of tarot. He then moves to the heart of the book—the interpretation of the 78 cards of the minor and major arcanas, covering their astrological and elemental correspondences, their general significance, and their meaning in terms of health, finances, and spiritual path in both the upright and reversed positions. Exercises for aiding memorization, developing interpretation, and refining questions for readings will benefit both beginners and experienced tarot readers. The color reference charts at the back, with brief interpretations for using the minor and major arcanas and court cards, basic maps for two different reading layouts, and information on the compatibility of suits, are a true bonus. Any library with a parapsychology shelf should have this on it.—Janet Tapper, Western States Chiropractic Coll., Portland, OR

In his latest examination of Pakistan, Ali (Conversations with Edward Said) takes on the role of political storyteller. The turbulent Pakistani political landscape is both the setting and the protagonist in this study of a country in crisis. Spanning the rule of Pakistan's founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, to the Bhutto dynasty and Pervez Musharraf's military control, this work is less an analysis of Pakistan-U.S. relations than a tale of the Pakistani people's struggle for political autonomy and representation. Much like an embedded reporter who becomes a part of his story, Ali is not simply a recorder of events. As an active participant in many of Pakistan's internal political struggles, he cannot separate himself from the living history of his home country. His incisive scholarship on Pakistan's inception and subsequent leadership is peppered with personal anecdotes, biting commentary, and forcefully opinionated prose, effectively demonstrating that objectivity is not a necessary precursor to insightful analysis. Although the storytelling sometimes suffers from chronological breaks and the occasional tangent, Ali's passion for Pakistan and its political future ultimately makes his book an engaging (and often enraging) political story. Recommended for academic libraries.—Veronica Arellano, Univ. of Houston Libs.

In 2005, Nelson (Carnegie Visiting Professor, University of Maryland Coll. of Journalism), a former Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the Seattle Times, gained access to the largest collection of declassified U.S. Army Vietnam War records. This collection, which was later reclassified by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), documented more than 320 acts of army torture and the killing of innocent citizens and demonstrated, as described by an anonymous soldier, that the war involved "a My Lai each month for over a year." These records provided the leads for interviews by Nelson and historian Nicholas Turse, with veterans who are now more willing to talk about the true war. The most engrossing stories Nelson presents, however, are those of Vietnamese who saw their families destroyed by indiscriminate killing. A catalog of brief summaries of the crimes provides a good overview of the extent of the mayhem produced in a war where success was measured by body counts and ordinary citizens paid as great a price as enemy forces. Although this book does not grip the reader like Michael Sallah and Mitch Weiss's Tiger Force: A True Story of Men and War, it contains enough alarming stories and important lessons for a country "hell-bound to repeat" the same mistakes. Recommended for public libraries.—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

Those doubting the power of photojournalism to sway opinion and encourage action would do well to spend some time with this book. In 18 stories, each made up of photos by leading photojournalists and elucidated by short essays by public intellectuals and journalists, this book explores environmental devastation, war, disease, and the ravages of both poverty and great wealth. The photos are specific and personal in their subject matter and demonstrate how great photography can illuminate the universal by depicting the specific. Cohen has a goal beyond simply showcasing terrific photography. In his thoughtful introduction, he makes explicit his aim to connect the work compiled here with the great tradition of muckraking photography that helped to change conditions in New York tenements and to end child labor at the turn of the last century. A terrific concluding chapter directs readers to specific actions they can take if they are moved to do so by the book's images, and it's hard to imagine the reader who would not be moved. Highly recommended for public libraries and academic libraries supporting journalism and/or photography curricula.—Rachel Bridgewater, Reed Coll. Lib., Portland, OR

Alford (Big Kiss: One Actor's Desperate Attempt To Claw His Way to the Top), a veteran writer for The New Yorker and the New York Times, embarks on a quest to find wisdom. Alford notes that Benjamin Franklin helped pen the Constitution at age 81 and Michelangelo completed the Pietà at 91. Who better to consult than septuagenarians, octogenarians, and nonagenarians? He interviews well-known figures—literary critic Harold Bloom, comedian Phyllis Diller, spiritual leader Ram Dass, and playwright Edward Albee—as well as lesser-known yet equally captivating people. Granny D trekked across the United States in support of campaign finance reform at 97, 80-year-old Lutheran pastor Martin Marty achieves communion with God through napping, and Alford's mother leaves her husband at almost 80. Alford also culls insights from the likes of Albert Einstein, Muhammad Ali, William Blake, and Buddha. Instead of telling readers how to live, he positions himself as a listener, allowing readers to eavesdrop with him and reap the benefits of his research. Alford is a master of turns of phrase, diction, dialog, and technique. Essential reading; recommended without reservation for all public libraries.—C. Brian Smith, Arlington Heights Memorial Lib., IL

This book was originally published in 1985 because so little accurate and positive information on Down syndrome was available. Revised for the first time in 13 years and featuring four new chapter authors, it covers information that will be most helpful for families with children from birth to age five. Including the experiences and advice of parents, this should be one of the first books parents read upon receiving their child's diagnosis. The contributors—educators, medical professionals, adults with Down syndrome, and, primarily, parents of children with Down syndrome—along with editor Skallerup, mother of a child with Down syndrome, define Down syndrome and discuss adjusting to your baby, medical concerns and treatments (for example, 40 to 60 percent have some type of heart defect), daily care, family life, postnatal development, the importance of early intervention, and legal rights and hurdles. Highly recommended for parenting collections in public libraries. (Illustrations, glossary, reading list, and resource guide not seen.)—Elizabeth J. Safford, Nevins Memorial Lib., Methuen, MA

In his latest attempt to help readers find fulfillment and contentment, psychologist Gaulden (founding director, Sedona Intensive; Signs and Wonders) emphasizes exploring one's inner feelings in order to become the person one was meant to be. Gaulden guides readers through eight stages of exploration designed to help convert the ego, find forgiveness, and connect to the divine within. Gaulden's message consists of New Age spiritualism, which revolves around the teachings of Carl Jung, Edgar Cayce, transpersonal psychology (which studies the spiritual dimensions of humanity), and astrology. Gaulden includes techniques and exercises such as yoga, prayer, visualization, and dialog (self-talk) as well as inspiring stories of people he has worked with and his overcoming alcoholism. Gaulden's book has a simple and straightforward message designed to help the average person looking for ways to break through the barriers of society and family to find peace within. This reasonably well-written guide should be of interest to readers who enjoy books that bring together a variety of teachings of a spiritual nature. Recommended for larger public libraries and libraries with patrons into alternative therapy.—Mary E. Jones, Los Angeles P.L.

As the title suggests, poet Asante (creative writing, Morgan State Univ.; Beautiful. And Ugly Too) looks at hip-hop as not just a type of music but a cultural force. He envisions hip-hop—a phrase probably derived, he notes, from the African Wolof word hipi, to open one's eyes and see, and an Old English word that means to spring into action—being used as a tool for social change. Hip-hop started in the poor, urban African American community of the Bronx, NY, in the 1970s and was rooted in social activism. Asante argues that contemporary mainstream hip-hop does not adequately address the issues of the black community and that artists (or "artivists") who deal with real social issues (e.g., poverty, drugs, police brutality) are censored by the larger corporations that control and own the distribution of music. Asante expertly blends historical information about hip-hop and the civil rights movement with personal narrative, interviews with artists, and quotations from civil rights leaders and classic poetry to create an original and daring work. This well-researched book is recommended for public and academic libraries.—Jennifer Zarr, Countee Cullen Branch Lib., New York

Let's cut to the chase and say that all libraries should buy this book, if only because people will be asking for it. Gladwell, New Yorker staff writer, TEDTalks (Technology, Entertainment, Design) personality, and author of the best sellers The Tipping Point and Blink, has, well, reached a tipping point in the consciousness of observers of popular culture. Following a format similar to his previous books, Gladwell gloms onto an apparent phenomenon—in this case people who seem significantly different from other people, whether for good or for ill—and offers what we're all apparently supposed to believe are startlingly logical explanations for why they stand out. Gladwell's reasons have largely to do with things like where they come from and what month they were born in. It's all very readable, but not particularly surprising. No matter, libraries will need to acquire it. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/08.]—Ellen Gilbert, Princeton, NJ

First-time author Fleming pens a compelling and entertaining account of his walk across Cuba. Truth be told, he didn't walk from Pinar del Río to Guantánamo, as he had envisioned, but occasionally biked on the famous Chinese-made Flying Pigeon or caught rides (both motorized and animal powered). He chronicles his travels in Cuba from several years ago (around the time of the Elián González incident); given the state of the Cuban economy, the lives of average Cubans have probably not changed drastically. In addition to documenting his interactions with locals (some revolutionary, some not), Fleming, an avid birder, includes lots of information on Cuban ornithology. He discusses the practice of Santeria, Palo Monte, and Vodou and includes detailed descriptions of Cuban music, another of his delights. He focuses his wry, modest prose on the country, not himself as a traveler. He is brutally honest, even when it shows him in an unflattering light. This is perhaps the most accurate and readable work on Cuba this reviewer has seen. Recommended for public and large academic libraries.—Lee Arnold, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Their love for the city of Naples inspired the writing of these short essays over several decades by prize-winning novelist Hazzard (The Great Fire) and her husband, eminent literary biographer Steegmuller (Flaubert), who died in 1994. Hazzard is a persuasive wordsmith in defense of this city, whose incomparable scenery and unique history more than make up for the ever present danger from Mt. Vesuvius, neglect that has left many of its treasures in disrepair and unsympathetic modern development. Steegmuller's essay, "An Incident at Naples," which originally appeared in The New Yorker in 1986, is a warm and wry story of his being mugged in Naples and his experiences in hospitals there and in New York City. As these pieces are laden with literary references from Horace to Dickens, it would have been helpful to include a bibliography of sources for those who want to read further. This is an appealing addition for public library collections where travel essays or materials on all things Italian have proven popular.—Linda M. Kaufmann, Massachusetts Coll. of Liberal Arts Lib., North Adams