Science & Technology

Agriculture

The 50 plants chosen here for their appealing characteristics and visual allure, especially to the harried gardener, variously promise heat, cold, and drought tolerance; resistance to insects, deer, and diseases; freedom from deadheading, fertilizing, staking, pruning, and frequent division; and, most of all, carefree enjoyment over multiple seasons. Getting the biggest bang for your buck in terms of ease of care and visual impact can be a hit-and-miss affair with the average garden plant, so DiSabato-Aust, a well-known garden speaker and author of The Well-Designed Mixed Garden and The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, puts her extensive knowledge to work in this nicely illustrated volume. The photographs capture the essence of each plant's foliage, arch, and color in close-ups and broader shots of border plantings. Sidebars highlight the most notable characteristics of each plant and point out hardiness zone, height and spread, sun and shade needs, and compatible plant neighbors. Recommended for all public library gardening collections.—Donna L. Davey, Tamiment Lib., New York Univ.

Freidberg (geography, Dartmouth Coll.) traces the history of fresh food and the methods and tools used to keep it that way. After an introduction on refrigeration, each of the following chapters addresses a separate kind of food (e.g., beef, eggs, fruits) and the human struggle to preserve and transport that food to those willing and able to buy it. Freidberg points out the inextricable link between food and the technology used to keep it fresh, so much so that people often define food as "fresh" by the technology used to prepare/preserve it, e.g., frozen or refrigerated strawberries, bagged spinach. While highlighting problems raised by the current global food economy (such as food-safety issues like the recent peanut product recalls caused by a salmonella outbreak), the author notes that the locavore and organic-food movements address certain problems but do not offer complete solutions. Recommended for midsize to large public libraries and all academic libraries.—Joshua Lambert, Missouri State Univ. Lib., Springfield

Gift (environmental studies, Chatham Univ.) sets out to discover what price we pay in creating landscapes that lack the variety found in nature. The book does not consist solely of arguments about the ecological harm done by herbicides or the spiritual harm caused by monotony. Instead, Gift turns inward as she explores her conflicted feelings about the definition of a weed, the proper use of weed controls (whether chemical or biological), and the suburban lifestyle. In a chatty narrative meandering through the seasons, Gift offers anecdotes of her academic training in weed science, her attempts to garden responsibly in suburbia, and recipes for a few edible weeds. She alludes to the burgeoning genre of lawn revolutionaries and suburban homesteaders but does not expect readers to convert their front yards to organic vegetable gardens or eat only locally grown food. Rather, she addresses other mindful yard owners who want to be more careful in their gardening without making a complete lifestyle change, and this book should appeal to those readers. Recommended for public libraries.—Margaret Heller, Dominican Univ. Lib., River Forest, IL

Masson (When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals; The Pig Who Sang to the Moon: The Emotional World of Farm Animals) returns to familiar ground with his latest tome on animal welfare. This time, the author is not necessarily trying to prove that animals are sentient creatures but instead is presenting a well-rounded argument for eating less meat or, even better in his view, adopting a diet free from all animal products (i.e., eggs, milk, cheese, and even honey). He presents the usual arguments for not eating animal products: the link to global warming, the horrors of factory farming, and the negative influence aquaculture is having on wild fish populations. He concludes that we are in a state of denial about the origins of our food and demonstrates that veganism is not as difficult as it may sound by presenting a day in his life as a vegan. Well footnoted with ample suggestions for further reading, this is recommended for both academic and public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/08; on this issue, see also Mark Caro's The Foie Gras Wars, reviewed on p. 120.—Ed.]—Diane Hartle, Univ. of Georgia Science Lib., Athens

At last, a canine memoir that is unique and irresistible; more reminiscent of Ted Kerasote's Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog than John Grogan's Marley & Me, this book goes beyond telling the familiar story of a dog and its owner. Allowing her shelter puppy Ari (labeled a husky and Jindo mix) to be her "green" guide, Miles (writing, Unity Coll.) and her husband cast Ari's leash aside and learn to see the world through the eyes of a shy puppy as they explore the outdoors surrounding their Maine town. Lest any reader think Miles an irresponsible dog owner, much to her credit she read extensively and set ground rules for acceptable canine behavior both in and out of the home. A sizable chapter-by-chapter bibliography is included. Written in a clear and vivid prose style, this is strongly recommended for all public libraries.—Edell M. Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI

In 16 chapters focusing on 16 premature infants she has cared for during her career, Gleason (chief of neonatology, Univ. of Washington & Seattle Children's Hosp.) conveys some of the serious complications of many premature births, the emotional costs to both parents and medical personnel, and the expanding possibilities of neonatal care over the past 20 years. Almost always, these stories have happy endings. Some hard questions are not explored, including the enormous costs of weeks or months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the lifestyle choices that raise the risks of prematurity, and the long-term outcomes for babies born too early. Gleason also doesn't provide practical information for parents with premature infants; Dana Wechsler Linden and others' Preemies: The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies is a well-regarded source for this. Gleason's title is an engaging, feel-good book about a remarkable woman's career in medicine and the exhilaration of saving young lives against almost impossible odds. For larger libraries.—Kathy Arsenault, Univ. of South Florida at St. Petersburg Lib.

TV talk-show host Lake and Epstein, executive producer and director, respectively, of the 2007 documentary The Business of Being Born, present an accessible starting point for learning about the approaches that constitute a natural birth. They list the different options that exist outside of a hospital labor ward and include many checklists about what to ask and look for when visiting each place. Sections cover doulas, midwives (and their different designations), birthing centers, home birth, inductions, and cesarean sections and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Giving clear explanations of jargon and drawing on the advice of experts, the authors hope their book will empower prospective parents to take control and make informed choices. One gets the sense that the authors believe that hospitals regard patients' wishes as somewhat lower priority than policy and lawsuit avoidance; therefore, for balance, make sure this is not the only title on the subject in a collection.—Elizabeth J. Eastwood, Los Alamos Cty. Lib. Syst., NM

Statins—cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Lipitor and Zocor—are often prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke if diet and lifestyle modification fail. The science and scientists behind statins are the main focus of this latest book by Li, a medicinal chemist at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Although the author aims to strike a balance between a scholarly and a popular approach, chemical terms and structures are introduced without definitions or a glossary, and little context is given for each drug mentioned. Li also discusses Viagra, Zoloft, antibiotics, and antifungals but writes that statins would become "the biggest moneymaker to date for the pharmaceutical industry: nearly $25 billion a year by 2005." Unfortunately, that statement, like a number of others, is unattributed. The book is well illustrated with images of scientists (many from postage stamps). Chapter references are mostly from scientific literature. A more readable book with a similar propharma focus, though with less attention to statins, is John L. LaMattina's Drug Truths: Dispelling the Myths About Pharma R&D. Li's book is suitable for large public libraries and academic libraries supporting chemistry or pharmacy programs. (Index not seen.)—Martha E. Stone, Treadwell Lib., Boston

Munson (philosophy of science & medicine, Univ. of Missouri, St. Louis) presents true stories of ethical dilemmas he has encountered in the course of his career. The 31-year-old "woman who decided to die" had advanced cancer and didn't want to put her husband and young children through the hassles of 300-mile trips to the hospital, so she refused further treatment. Is that a sufficient reason to refuse treatment? Each chapter starts a new story about a patient with an ethical problem. Should a college student who hears voices be involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital, even if it's unclear whether he or she is a danger to him- or herself? Is it wrong for a stepfather to refuse to donate a kidney to his adult stepson? Munson's stories are captivating, and each ends with a lesson in medical ethics. Though illuminating for lay readers, this probably wouldn't go at a public library. Recommended for academic and health sciences collections.—Elizabeth Williams, Washoe Cty. Lib. Syst., Reno, NV

Sears (Nighttime Parenting: How To Get Your Baby and Child To Sleep) argues that attention deficit disorder (ADD) is actually nutrition deficit disorder (NDD) and should be treated through diet, not drugs. Explaining how and why "fake" food can cause behavioral problems, Sears recommends strategies parents can use to improve their child's nutrition. Comparable with Albert C. Goldberg's Feed Your Child Right from Birth Through Teens, Sears's title differs in its attempt to solve one specific problem. The author's tone may be considered condescending by some readers when he simplifies the complex subject of human nutrition. His "scary stats" illustrate how so-called good and bad foods affect growing bodies. Sears also notes the differences in child and adult physiology that cause foods and additives to affect children differently. His suggested reading list is limited to his own books and web sites; nevertheless, he presents practical strategies for parents to follow in designing healthy eating plans for their children. Menus and recipes enhance the book's many helpful recommendations. Recommended for public libraries. (Illustrations not seen.)—Lois K. Merry, Keene State Coll. Lib., NH

Barber (The Japanese Kitchen) provides approximately 100 recipes ranging from sushi to salads to soups and light suppers. While primarily simple as far as preparation goes, the recipes often call for hard-to-find ingredients, such as burdock root, agar-agar, konnyaku, and umeboshi. A brief section on ingredients includes storage tips for some items but no sources for purchase; many are fresh produce, so online sources wouldn't be applicable. The recipes emphasize freshness, and Barber often mentions specific healthful aspects of the dishes. As many of the dishes are salads or soups, techniques primarily consist of preparing and combining ingredients and heating as required. Many recipes are vegetarian, although fish, chicken, and some pork dishes are also included. Beautifully illustrated with many large, full-color close-ups, this is a nice but somewhat specialized cookbook. Purchase where there is interest (and a comprehensive Asian grocery nearby).—Susan Hurst, Miami Univ. Libs. of Ohio, Oxford

Chicago Tribune entertainment reporter Caro investigates the politics, culture, and ethics surrounding the production and consumption of duck livers. He immediately grabs the reader's attention in the opening chapter with a heated exchange of words among celebrity chefs, an incident Caro reported for the newspaper, which led to this book. He does a formidable job in presenting different perspectives on this hotly contested issue, collected from interviews with four-star chefs, farmers, activists, politicians, and other concerned parties. His research also draws on news footage, animal-rights videos, court documents, and other primary sources. Caro's book will leave readers evaluating their assumptions concerning the humane treatment of ducks or geese in the making of foie gras and thinking about what we choose not to know as we become more aware of what's involved in the food chain. Recommended for animal-rights and food collections in public and academic libraries.—Christine Holmes, San José State Univ. Lib., CA

In this expanded edition of a 2008 title, Carr, along with her three college-age daughters, Katharine, Ann, and Elizabeth, prepares parents for a student's first year at college by providing bulleted lists, checklists, and logs that would work better on a web site or as an appendix than in a full-length book. She does not direct readers to additional sources, and she often writes as though young adults are first graders, e.g., reminding parents that "students should…never eat anything that has mold on it." Some of the advice is questionable (e.g., help your child get a credit card before heading off to college). Additionally, topics veer outside of the scope of college preparation. Much of the information feels overly personal—not everyone, for instance, will care about the phone number for the local balloon delivery service—and some is already outdated. While Carr gives good advice here and there, she attempts to address everything and, ultimately, covers nothing in depth. Not recommended.—Julianne J. Smith, Ypsilanti Dist. Lib., MI

Joining the growing collection of restaurant-insider memoirs, Jurgensen's (executive pastry chef at Dressler in Brooklyn) book takes readers on a culinary adventure through her rise as a pastry chef at New York's best restaurants while attending culinary school. The highlights include her experiences at Martha Stewart Living Television, when she accidentally melted her glasses while making macaroons. A quick read, this book will appeal to those interested in chef stories and what happens behind the scenes in the kitchen. Recommended for libraries building a culinary collection, but not an essential purchase.—Nicole Mitchell, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib.

Pirret, a Harvard-trained actor and a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu who once worked as Jamie Oliver's pastry chef, describes her "naughty" cookbook as one that "doesn't take itself too seriously." The recipes (geared to singles) are interspersed between Pirret's recollections of eating at restaurants with friends and lovers, cooking for guests, and other life experiences. Although most of the recipes are not difficult, they assume some experience in a kitchen. The ingredients may be too expensive for some singles—e.g., lobster, foie gras, truffles. Yet comfort dishes like mac 'n' cheese and fish and chips are also included. Wine and beer recommendations accompany the recipes. The "Bare Bones Cupboard" she details is just that—sea salt, peppercorns, extra virgin olive oil, 70-percent dark chocolate, bread, butter, eggs, cheese, herbs, lemons, and alcohol. Even if you are not single and don't like to cook, this is an entertaining book. Recommended for public libraries with a sophisticated, liberal clientele.—Christine Bulson, SUNY at Oneonta Lib.

Freelance food writer Wizenberg's delightful first book will undoubtedly be gobbled up like a tin of Christmas cookies. Sometimes touching, sometimes humorous, often both, this collection of essays is as much about growing up and family as it is about food. Wizenberg skillfully combines a complex mixture of mood, story, and tone to achieve a wonderful balance in each essay. The tantalizing recipes interspersed throughout cover all bases (sides, entrées, desserts, and even several breakfast items); they should be interesting for more experienced cooks but not overwhelming for others, given the author's clear and extensive notes. Those seeking more from Wizenberg should peruse her monthly column in Bon Appétit or her award-winning blog, Orangette (orangette.blogspot.com). Recommended for all public libraries.—Courtney Greene, DePaul Univ. Lib., Chicago

Brasier (paleobiology, Oxford Univ.; The Precambrian-Cambrian Boundary), who has traveled the world investigating animal origins in ancient rocks, has written a rollicking account of his adventures seeking an answer to a question that vexed Charles Darwin: Did the first appearance of animal fossils that marked the beginning of the Cambrian period truly indicate the origin of animals, or did it result from the vagaries of fossil preservation and the accident of discovery? In answering the question, Brasier takes readers on several overlapping journeys through time and space. While we trace his career and are treated to amusing and harrowing anecdotes about remote field sites, we also follow the fossil history of animals from the Cambrian explosion back to their dim beginnings in the Pre-Cambrian. Meanwhile, Brasier relates the careers of past investigators and the fate of alternative hypotheses for animal origins. Most scientists were looking for the wrong kind of evidence, since, as Brasier points out, even one-celled organisms now living are poor analogs for early life forms, having evolved in modern ecosystems. This book is highly recommended for academic and public library science collections.—Walter L. Cressler, West Chester Univ. Lib., PA