Social Sciences

-- Library Journal, 06/15/2009

Butler, Sana. Sugar of the Crop: My Journey To Find the Children of Slaves. Lyons: Globe Pequot. 2009. 254p. ISBN 978-1-59921-375-0. $24.95. AUTOBIOG

What a fascinating—even tantalizing—subject for study! Who would have imagined that any offspring of freed slaves might still be alive? Butler (special correspondent, Newsweek International) did and in 1997 began a decadelong quest to seek them out to gain insight into the everyday lives of African Americans in light of the closeness of slavery. Her interviewees—in their nineties and hundreds, many frail, and some very near death—share valuable reminiscences of family, home, work, education, and how they became, for instance, the first black man in town to own a Cadillac or the second black attorney in Beverly Hills. Unfortunately, Butler interjects mundane details about her project (including anecdotes about seat-of-the-pants interview preparation and other work practices that betray her as a rather inconsistent researcher), and reflections on her own family to such an extent that the "My Journey" part of her subtitle overshadows the "Children of Slaves" part. VERDICT This is an illuminating, affecting compilation of voices—when Butler allows her subjects' voices to dominate. No future author will be able to add to this topic, and the book should be read for this reason alone.—Janet Ingraham Dwyer, Worthington Libs., OH

Authentic, compelling, and at times Pollyanna-like, this work describes Dwyer's experiences as a cadet in the second class at West Point to include women. While earlier works, such as Carol Barkalow's In the Men's House , captured the unique experiences of the pioneering women of the Class of 1980, Dwyer's story introduces a circumspection that comes with almost 30 years' distance, marriage to a fellow West Pointer, and four children. Humor, self-deprecation, and attention to detail enliven her stories. This is indeed "one woman's journey" in that other female West Pointers might remember more misogyny and sexual harassment. VERDICT At a time where our nation is involved in two wars and an economic crisis and some people question the very existence of our service academies, Dwyer paints West Point as a complex but enduring bastion of duty, honor, and country. Anyone interested in what really goes on inside the high-pressure, high-testosterone leadership lab that produces some of the nation's finest army officers will enjoy this book.—Leslie Lewis, Duquesne Univ. Lib., Pittsburgh

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the 19th century's best-known feminists and advocates of women's suffrage. Nearly forgotten in the early 20th century, she has since been noted for her significant contributions by biographers and documentary filmmakers. But have they adequately dealt with the complexity and contradictory aspects of her character? Ginzberg (history, Penn State Univ.; Untidy Origins: A Story of Woman's Rights in Antebellum New York), a leading scholar in the area of 19th-century women's benevolence and reform work, argues that they have not. In this well-documented work, she successfully takes on the task herself. VERDICT Ginzberg has produced a readable and realistic account of the life of one of the most important feminists and intellectuals of the 19th century, a woman who was at once an abolitionist who could sound like a racist and an advocate of civil rights for women whose language often reeked of elitism. This work promises to be a classic and is recommended for all readers, along with Ellen DuBois's recent Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Feminist as Thinker: A Reader in Documents and Essays.—Theresa McDevitt, Indiana Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.

Kiernan and D'Agnese (coauthors, The Indiana Jones Handbook: The Complete Adventurers Guide) use a light and breezy tone to portray the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Using decidedly contemporary language, they succeed in stripping away preconceived notions of the more famous signers and bringing out something of interest about the other, less well known ones. The signers are grouped by state and presented in short profiles, none more than five pages long. The authors manage, nonetheless, to present a fairly complete picture of each man, focusing on a fact that seems to be the most interesting or unusual, often conveyed in the chapter's title, e.g., James Wilson of Pennsylvania is "The Signer Who Went Broke on Shady Land Deals." Each chapter is adorned with a facsimile of the signer's signature as well as a cameo portrait. In what can only be called a gimmick, the inside of the dust jacket has a replica of the Declaration. An appendix with the full text of the document, a time line, and "The Miscellany of Independence" follows the main text. VERDICT Although this book is entertaining, the tone and somewhat superficial treatment of each signer might make this work more suitable for YA readers, as well as for general readers new to the topic.—Jane B. Marino, Great Neck Lib., NY

Lady Idina Sackville must be among the last of the titled and scandalous Brits of the post-World War I era whose lives have not yet been recorded in biography. Osborne, her great-granddaughter, has filled that small gap with this gossipy story, which takes its name from a sad minor character that novelist Nancy Mitford is said to have modeled on Idina in The Pursuit of Love. The Mitford connection is pretty much it for a claim to fame. In 1919 Idina deserted a fabulously wealthy husband and two toddlers to marry a lover and buy a farm in her beloved Kenya, where she turned up again (and usually built another house) with each of her subsequent three husbands. Osborne recounts with gusto the byzantine sexploits of Idina, her husbands, and their many houseguests. She claims that Idina also served as the model for the vamp heroine of Michael Arlen's sensational 1920s best seller The Green Hat. VERDICT This is not a work of great depth; typical of the haphazard construction of the book, Osborne forgets to tell us if either Mitford or Arlen actually knew Idina. Still, those who enjoy stories (fiction or nonfiction) of the past's oversexed and idle rich (and there are lots of these readers) will love this book.—Stewart Desmond, New York City

While the best things in life may be free, a business model based on giving stuff away seems a little crazy. But Anderson (editor in chief, Wired), who made a big splash with The Long Tail, tells us that this business model is already here. In The Long Tail, he showed how online businesses were making good by selling less of more, that is, by selling a huge range of niche or low-volume products that added up to big bucks. Here he demonstrates that the concept of making money by giving things away has already taken hold in the digital world. VERDICT With explanations of basic economic principles like supply and demand and an analysis of the differences between products in the physical world and those in the digital world, Anderson makes the Free premise sound quite reasonable. Lots of companies are making lots of money from "free." Google and Yahoo, for instance, have some of the biggest computer server complexes in the world, yet they let us use their email, news, and search services every day. While this book may not be free, it will generate interest among both academic and general readers.—Carol J. Elsen, Univ. of Wisconsin, Whitewater

Leopold (founding director, Labor Inst. & Public Health Inst.; The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor) spends much of this text providing an excellent "lemonade stand" explanation of the history and mechanics of the various mortgage-related securities and their derivatives that have come under scrutiny as a result of the current financial crisis. Many readers will find the simplicity of this exercise a welcome parry to the mass media refrain that only the most highly trained Wall Street professionals can comprehend these financial instruments. The Whitefish Bay, WI, school board's foray into these unregulated markets supplies Leopold with a suitably disastrous example of how such securities and derivatives multiplied exponentially the losses resulting from the mortgage default surge that began in 2007. VERDICT Leopold uses the Whitefish Bay study to good effect. Although he doesn't fulfill the promise of the subtitle in any special way, his clear and basic explanations will at least help readers understand the financial jargon bandied about so readily over the last couple of years.—Steve Wilson, Dayton Metro Lib., Dayton

There is little argument that invention spurs innovation, competition, and economic growth. With technology today, however, inventors can simply input a problem (a "wish") into a program and have the computer (a "genie") generate, or "invent," the ultimate solution. Who or what, then, is the true inventor of the final product? Plotkin, an intellectual property attorney, tackles this intriguing question by stating that patent law today does not lend itself to such broad interpretation. Further, the author convincingly illustrates an urgent need to reform current law so that it is neither too strong nor too weak in order to protect the future rights of inventors, businesses, and consumers. VERDICT Plotkin posits that "Computer Automated Inventing" or "Artificial Invention Technology" does not replace the human mind; rather, it augments and partners with its human counterpart to build a better mousetrap, whatever that might be. From toothbrushes to auto assembly, the author uses easy-to-understand analogies that most lay readers will understand. Recommended for committed readers in business, computer science, or law.—Judy Brink-Drescher, Dowling Coll., Oakdale, NY

Just in time for the current economic recession, Shell (The Hungry Gene: The Insider Story of the Obesity Industry) investigates America's fixation with discount retail prices. Historically, consumers have believed that "buying cheap" was "buying smart," but Shell assembles convincing evidence that our appetite for cheap products has led to an explosion of "shoddy clothes, unreliable electronics, wobbly furniture and questionable food." She points out that the rise of the Industrial Revolution in this country saw the simultaneous rise of mass production, which fostered the aims of early retail pioneers such as John Wanamaker and F.W. Woolworth. Now, with its cheap labor force producing cheap goods for the American market, China is largely responsible for much of the discount boom prevalent today. Ironically, Americans have significantly curtailed their buying, thus impacting retailers and in turn causing enormous problems for the Chinese economy. Shell rightly concludes that "technology, globalization and deregulation have made competition a death march," forcing companies to eliminate jobs, lower quality standards, and depress wages, all with the purpose of creating cheaper goods, resulting in a kind of unending vicious cycle. VERDICT This highly intelligent and disturbing book provides invaluable insight into our consumer culture and should be mandatory reading for anyone trying to figure out our current financial mess. As Shell proves, the hunt for cheap products has hurt us all. Highly recommended for smart readers. —Richard Drezen, formerly with the Washington Post/New York City Bureau

Telephone customer service has been with us nearly as long as the telephone, and complaints about telephone customer service have been around for just about as long. From wry poems about the "hello girls" who used to connect each and every call at the turn of the 20th century to the consumer activist blogs of today, Yellin documents the history of disconnect between customers and telephone agents. Almost everyone who has picked up a phone can empathize with such tales of woe as when Vincent Ferrari made national headlines after recording an AOL representative's seemingly pathological refusal to let Ferrari cancel his Internet service. But Yellin also introduces us to the agents themselves—Mormon housewives and Argentinean college students who absorb eight to ten hours of verbal abuse a day trapped between irate customers and often indifferent companies. We also meet virtual agents like Amtrak's "Julie" and learn why they will probably be the future of customer service and how they can't possibly replace real, even if sometimes only human, people. VERDICT This fascinating history of humanity and technology meeting head-on will be of interest to a wide variety of readers and is highly recommended.—Robert Perret, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow

In this aptly titled book, award-winning journalist Marcus (What It Takes To Pull Me Through) chronicles the efforts of acclaimed guidance counselor Gweyth (pronounced to rhyme with Faith) "Smitty" Smith and seven students to find the best colleges for them. Marcus's revealing group portrait aims to drive home the point that a college's reputation matters less than students' ability to "fit" successfully into its social and academic culture. While Marcus writes that his purpose for profiling Smith was to see how one man teaches students to play the "admissions game" in "the way that charts the best course for their lives," it also appears to be a testament to the therapeutic qualities of writing, highlighting the self-discovery students find through a college essay-writing course. This refreshing look at the college admissions process reads like a novel and is likely to shock parents and overachievers who cling to the notion that admittance is dependent only upon class rank and test scores. VERDICT Marcus's poignant book will have readers wishing that they too had had Smitty as a guidance counselor and rooting for the students profiled. Highly recommended for parents and college-bound students as a good alternative to the standard college admission guides.—Tamela Chambers, Chicago P.L.

Adolf Hitler was crazy. In 1938, however, few European leaders knew just how crazy he was. What British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain did know was how awful war was, since only 20 years before the British had lost a generation of their men in the trenches of France. The British statesman believed sincerely that he could negotiate effectively with someone like Hitler, and thus it was at Munich in 1938 that Chamberlain agreed to let the Nazis take over the German-speaking parts of Czechoslovakia in exchange for Hitler's promise not to go to war. As we all know now, Chamberlain's act of appeasement served only to delay the start of World War II for about a year. Ever since, the word appeasement has taken on a highly negative meaning. VERDICT Well written and researched, Faber's thorough treatment of the men and the issues surrounding the Munich agreement compares favorably with standard accounts such as Telford Taylor's Munich: The Price of Peace. Over 250 books in English have been written on the subject, but Faber's is certainly worth reading.—Ed Goedeken, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames

How have mysticism and occultism affected the shape of American history? In his first book, Horowitz (editor in chief, Tarcher/Penguin), who has published many articles on themes related to metaphysics, discusses those individuals—mystics, magicians, psychics, preachers, and motivational speakers—whose unorthodox beliefs have been instrumental in shaping the cultural and spiritual landscape of this country. Covering the 17th to the 20th century, he focuses mostly on personalities, such as spiritualist Andrew Jackson Davis, mail-order preacher Frank Robinson, and magician Black Herman, rather than broader movements, which leads to spotty coverage of some topics, such as astrology and magic. Some figures, including 19th-century African American spiritualist Paschal Beverly Randolph and early 20th-century Rosicrusian mystic H. Spencer Lewis, are mentioned only briefly, while satanist Anton LaVey and the rise of Santeria are not mentioned at all. VERDICT The leaps in time make this work less than comprehensive, but what Horowitz does cover he handles with insight and humor. In addition, the extensive notes on reading will be a boon to those likely to be intrigued to seek out further sources. Recommended to general readers and students new to this topic.—Daniel Harms, SUNY at Cortland Lib.

This is a brilliant book, weaving together a description of the integration of the student body and revision of the curriculum at the University of Pretoria, a sophisticated explanation of the transmission of historical knowledge, and a moving personal story. In 2000, Jansen became the first black dean of the faculty of education at the University of Pretoria, following a Fulbright grant to Stanford University and a career at black universities in South Africa. South Africa had had a democratically elected majority government for several years, but the University of Pretoria was still virtually all white and an intellectual and cultural bastion of Afrikaans language and apartheid ideology. Jansen tells a moving personal story of his efforts—thoughtful and courageous—to open new educational directions for his students, their parents, and his colleagues and explains how family, church, schools, and media shaped an Afrikaans worldview that was transmitted to the next generation even after the end of legal apartheid. He uses philosophical and cognitive theories of historical knowledge to frame the human stories, comparing the South African context with post-Nazi Germany. VERDICT Beautifully written, intellectually rigorous, and emotionally powerful, this book will be of great value to those interested in university transformation, African studies, race relations, and historical change. Highly recommended.—Elizabeth Hayford, formerly with the Associated Coll. of the Midwest, Chicago

The final book by British historian Latimer (1812: War with America) is a thorough and densely packed account of Spanish maritime trade and warfare in the Caribbean during the 17th century. While trying to build a colonial empire in the Americas, Spanish seamen struggled to ward off Dutch, French, and English buccaneers, erroneously referred to as pirates, who used violent and often unlawful tactics to thwart Spanish trade, travel, and colonial development. But these men were not motivated by political or military glory. Commissioned by their governments, they merely sought individual profit, while their home countries used their swashbuckling ways to weaken Spain's Caribbean foothold and achieve their own economic, military, and political goals in the New World. VERDICT Latimer draws from a variety of primary-source material to shape his story and explain the relationship between government and buccaneer, but the book lacks both narrative interest and a convincing argument for the historical importance of the events recounted and described. These faults may discourage general readers, but informed readers seeking specific facts surrounding the myriad battles, plunders, treaties, and political machinations of the era will find a richly detailed work. A worthy addition to maritime history scholarship and a key resource for researchers. —Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina

This book picks up where most histories of Napoleon end—at Waterloo. It describes in detail the intrigue, effort, and plans to rescue Napoleon from his exile on St. Helena and carry him off to further glory in either the United States or somewhere in South America. For some time after Waterloo in June 1815, thousands of veteran soldiers left France to seek their fortunes rather than stay and tempt their fate in the Bourbon restoration. Many emigrated to America; many others found active fighting further south in Mexico and South America in the wars for independence. Among these armed émigrés was the emperor's brother Joseph, former king of Spain, who emigrated to New York City and had quite a following of American supporters. He was determined to see his brother get off the island of St. Helena. VERDICT Ocampo, whose background is in international banking, has pulled together Joseph's fascinating story, focusing on two well-known disgruntled Britons, Lord Thomas Cochrane and Sir Robert Wilson, and, in the process, reinterpreting Latin American history in global historical terms. The result is essential reading not only for Napoleonic history enthusiasts but for students of Latin American history. Strongly recommended.—David Lee Poremba, Windermere, Florida

Here is a narrative with the pace of a true crime work—plus the founding of the San Francisco Chronicle. An award-winning British newspaper reporter before he turned to writing fiction, Read has an eye for identifying interesting facts and linking them into a narrative. Using newspaper accounts, diaries, and letters, he carefully reconstructs the events and people surrounding the newspaper's bloody beginning. Read delves deeply into the individual stories of his sometimes unsavory characters, tracing the often bumpy paths that led them to the offices of the de Young brothers' San Francisco Chronicle in the mid-19th century. Although the brothers aimed to fight corruption with newsprint, it took only one near-death encounter with an enraged townsman for them to begin packing their own pistols. VERDICT A true tale of the Old West, replete with smoking guns, brothels, and rugged individualism, this entertaining work will appeal not only to those interested in U.S. history, particularly of the West, but of newspaper history. Even true crime readers will enjoy. —Amanda Kuhnel, Rochester, NY

Rothfield (director, Cultural Policy Ctr., Univ. of Chicago; Antiquities Under Siege: Cultural Heritage Protection After the Iraq War) here recounts the tragic and disastrous events that befell the Iraq Museum following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. His sobering account shows not only how fragile a nation's past truly is but that national history is typically at the bottom of the list when collateral damage from military operations is being considered. The museum's demise and the continued downward spiral of Iraq's national heritage following the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime strongly indicate that the country's cultural legacy does not figure largely in plans for postwar reconstruction. VERDICT Rothfield's investigations into the demise of the Iraq Museum and how it could have been avoided had allied American and British military and political officials paid attention is a curt yet serious indictment of our post-9/11 age. Appropriate for both general and more scholarly readers, especially those interested in the interrelationships between politics and culture.—John E. Dockall, Prewitt & Assoc., Inc. Austin, TX

One of the lesser-known aspects of post-World War II Soviet history is the fate of the intelligentsia after Stalin. Zubok (history, Temple Univ.) explores the world of these intellectuals from the defeat of Hitler through Stalin's terror and purges to Khrushchev's denunciation of Stalinism in 1956 and the eventual fall of the USSR under Gorbachev. After living through Stalinism and its iron-fisted control over all aspects of life, the surviving intelligentsia looked to their 19th-century predecessors and to the ideas that launched the 1917 revolution as the source of their new intellectual inspiration. For Zubok, these ideals were best embodied by Boris Pasternak's noble doctor, Yuri Zhivago, a poet and idealist who found meaning and resurrection in love. VERDICT Using Zhivago as a metaphor for the postwar intelligentsia, Zubok presents a compelling, well-written, and well-researched history of an important but neglected aspect of Soviet history. Recommended for anyone interested in Russian/Soviet history and in cultural and intellectual history generally. —Deborah Hicks, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton

An intelligent, likable boy raised by a mentally troubled mother (his father was absent), master counterfeiter Art Williams drifted into involvement with street gangs at an early age in Chicago. Eventually, a counterfeiter named Pete DaVinci showed Williams the tricks of the trade, from producing to distributing the bills. He soon ventured out on his own, selling bills to Chicago's organized crime gangs, who used the money in a variety of illegal operations. After a stay in a Texas prison, Williams returned to counterfeiting, using computer desktop publishing software and printers to produce bills. He even managed to copy the new $100 bills that incorporated many features designed to deter counterfeiters. At the same time, he reconnected with his father, then living in Alaska, but was soon betrayed by a family member to the U.S. Secret Service. VERDICT Journalist Kersten's absorbing account reads like crime fiction, offering an understanding of modern counterfeiting that will appeal to readers of that genre as well as those who like true crime. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/09.]—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ., Parkersburg

In the 1920s, the most popular game in America was bridge, an inexpensive but intellectually challenging pastime that engaged millions. Thus, the 1929 death of Jack Bennett, shot by his glamorous wife, Myrtle, after a bridge game in Kansas City, MO, enthralled and galvanized the nation, with the "fatal hand" that provoked the attack analyzed for decades. Pomerantz exhaustively covers this "trial of the century" and the bridge milieu in which it occurred, along with the larger-than-life characters involved: beautiful Myrtle, charismatic defense attorney and presidential hopeful James Reed, and mysterious bridge aficionado Ely Culbertson, who used the trial's publicity to pump up his own reputation as the premier bridge player—and teacher—in the country. VERDICT Pomerantz is at his best when he's covering the bridge craze and the trial itself; the epilog, in which he chases down the descendants of the principals to finish out their stories, seems anticlimactic. In-depth knowledge of the game of bridge isn't necessary here, but bridge enthusiasts, along with true crime fans, will are bound to be enthralled. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/09.]—Deirdre Bray Root, Middletown P.L., OH

Like many psychic mediums who write books, Livon begins with the retelling of her unhappy "I see dead people" childhood and how she came to terms with her special gifts, fell in love, got married, and started making a living as a medium. Yawn. But then she shifts into explaining that even though most of us don't do what she does, because, after all, we don't see dead people as she does, we are still born with natural intuition. To help us enhance our intuition, she provides some "tools and techniques," which are mostly explanations of what she does. Which brings us to the point: this book is about Livon and what she thinks, feels, remembers, sees, and hears, in writing that is more like the stream of consciousness of a party guest who loses his or her place in the midst of telling an amusing anecdote. VERDICT Any intuition training that actually made it to the page of this book is neither inspired nor particularly useful for us mere mortals. Livon may be a great medium, but a great writer she ain't. Give this one a pass.—Janet Tapper, Western States Chiropractic Coll., Portland, OR

William F. Buckley's 2008 death will surely lead to an extension of the already considerable Buckley bookshelf, which he himself populated during a career spanning six decades, years when he began the National Review, produced television's Firing Line, and godfathered the conservative movement that came to dominate American politics. These two books are among the first to join Buckley's own on that shelf. Buckley bibliographer Meehan has gathered 15 interviews from 1970 to 2005 for Mississippi's long-running "Literary Conversations" series. Readers who agreed with Buckley's politics and enjoyed his wit will savor the collection of conversations. Those who disagreed, and dismissed Buckley, may be surprised at how well they like him here and surprised again at some of his opinions, which address topics ranging widely from politics to writing to sailing to music to any number of other areas. Among his opinions, stated in a 1970 interview: "It is still hard as hell to find a young conservative with writing talent." The prior year he'd found Brookhiser, who had submitted an article to National Review, which Buckley published as a cover story in 1970 when Brookhiser had just turned 15 years old. Brookhiser, known for a series of popular biographies that began with Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington, joined the National Review staff in 1977 and at one point was Buckley's heir apparent; he is still a senior editor at the magazine. His is an engaging memoir of the conservative movement, of one of its engines (the National Review), and of Brookhiser's somewhat oedipal relationship with Buckley. VERDICT Meehan's book is a highly recommended introduction to a wide-ranging man, while Brookhiser's work is recommended for any reader trying to get a better understanding of the conservative movement in late 20th-century America. Recommended for all interested readers.—Bob Nardini, Nashville, TN

Mattson (contemporary history, Ohio Univ.; Rebels All!) revisits the 1970s, the Carter presidency, and the major television address that has come to symbolize Carter's term in office—the "malaise" speech of July 15, 1979. In terms of content and delivery, it was an effective performance. The author reminds us that Carter never uttered the word malaise in his address and that his popularity actually rose after delivering it. Moreover, Mattson argues that the content of the speech still resonates with ongoing concerns over consumer wants, the nation's dependence on oil, and a loss of trust in government. Unfortunately, after delivering this key speech, Carter undermined it by an unexpected mass purge of his cabinet. Carter's image became that of the amateur blunderer, allowing Ronald Reagan, a smiling and friendly grandfather on a horse, to ride into Washington to lead the nation. VERDICT With background to the speech that is itself fascinating to read, this book becomes a page-turner for those interested in the decadent disco decade, Jimmy Carter himself, and the modern presidency.—William D. Pederson, Louisiana State Univ., Shreveport

Noveck (director, Inst. for Information Law & Policy; New York Law Sch.) reports on the unexpected success of a pilot initiative to develop a type of Web 2.0 collaborative model for the patent review process, easing the monumental work of patent examiners with the peer-to-patent initiative. Noveck initially proposed this peer-to-patent initiative in a blog post and subsequently refined it into a platform for e-government with authentic citizen participation. Here she presents what she considers the best practices for online community experts contributing to the evaluation of patent claims, together with examples that show the importance of interfaces that foster group work. She also points to probable governmental applications, like substantive commenting on regulatory issues for the environment or education. VERDICT Noveck's approach to e-governance is to study where citizen online collaboration can have an impact, and she shows that one can design for participatory democracy with compelling results. Buyer beware if you are looking for a Wiki how to—this is not the essence of Noveck's book. Well reasoned but clearly for informed readers only.—Jim Hahn, Univ. of Illinois Lib., Urbana

Brownell is a frequent contributor to various online parenting spaces, including The Imperfect Parent (www.imperfectparent.com), Babble.com, and Yahoo's Shine site (shine.yahoo.com). In this frank memoir, she journals her slide into alcoholism and her first year of recovery. She details in a conversational voice how her postpartum depression and the stresses of mothering three children, all under five years old, triggered her gradual dependence on multiple glasses of white wine. Her participation in social "cocktail playdate" groups for mommies with young children deepened the problem. Brownell doesn't pull any punches about the ugly side of her addiction, and her first year of sobriety is fraught with times where she felt lost, as if she were hanging on only by her fingernails, and overwhelmed by life without alcohol to help buffer it. VERDICT Brownell has an easy, readable style and a simple message. There is no glowing happy ending, just the reality that life must be faced one day at a time. This work will appeal to readers who like memoirs about ordinary people overcoming difficult life problems; individuals who find 12-step and recovery literature helpful will also be interested in this personal journey.—Crystal Renfro, Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta

Gopnik (psychology, Univ. of California, Berkeley), coauthor of The Scientist in the Crib, now goes solo with a kind of Scientist in the Crib, Part 2. Once again, her goal isn't to offer child-rearing advice but to let the general reader know about the most recent findings in developmental psychology. This time around, the subjects include the growth of imagination attachment and morality (i.e., the "truth, love, and meaning of life" promised in the subtitle). And as with the prior book, the writing is engaging and accessible. VERDICT The concept of the book—that, historically, philosophers haven't had much to say about infancy but that the work of contemporary developmental psychologists has changed all that—is debatable. Plato and John Locke, for example, had a great deal to say about human development, although not in concrete terms. (Those venerable gentlemen probably didn't have much child-care experience.) However, this is a fairly minor quibble. This work is still a good choice for anyone interested in the workings of the human mind and may appeal to those who like Stephen Pinker's books.—Mary Ann Hughes, formerly with Neill P.L., Pullman, WA

A diva. Every good gay man has one, it seems, and, to paraphrase the editor, it's amazing that no one thought of this before. Montlack (English, Berkeley Coll.) has assembled essays, chiefly by up-and-coming writers, that explore the symbiotic relationship between the gay male and the diva—those beloved, larger-than-life ladies who have served as role models, muses, and even therapists. Sounds like a hoot, but this is more than a camp fest. The essays, mostly three to five pages, are touching and thoughtful as well as funny, as they lovingly detail what each author's personal diva has meant to him. Show business and popular culture icons abound, with most of the usual suspects present (Liza, Marlene, Cher, both Bettes, and Joan), as well as choices from history and politics (Elizabeth I, Eva Perón), the culinary arts (Julia Child, Jennifer Patterson), and even fictitious figures (Auntie Mame, Princess Leia, Endora). VERDICT This is one of those delightful books you can open at random and be amused, enlightened, or moved by. The concept seems too rich to be confined to one volume; don't be surprised if a sequel appears in a year or two. Highly recommended for all LGBT readers.—Richard J. Violette Special Libs. Cataloguing, Inc. & Greater Victoria P.L., Victoria, B.C.

Tuchman (founder & president, TSE Sports & Entertainment), a consultant on sports event travel, here gives aficionados of most sports, from golf to baseball, basketball, tennis, hockey, cycling, to football, both American and soccer, a virtual bible of information on the top 100 sporting events worldwide that he recommends traveling to for the live experience. Tuchman presents each sport or event (e.g., the Head of the Charles, the World Cup) with a brief history, followed by specific ticketing information, hotel and restaurant guides, and important phone numbers, i.e, the essentials to plan your trip. From the Masters to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Title Fight and every sport in between, including Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, the Iditarod, and the Running of the Bulls, Tuchman's no-holds-barred attitude presents readers with information they can understand and actually use, with most of the entries including web addresses for additional information. VERDICT Tuchman's book is not only a great resource for vacation planning but also for general sports interest. Highly recommend for all sports fans, both armchair—even if he'd rather you saw the events live!—and traveling—Rachel Winchel, Louisiana Tech Univ., Ruston

Biography