Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 07/17/2009
Fiction | Nonfiction
Fiction
Cook, Robin. Intervention. Putnam. Aug. 2009. c.400p. ISBN 978-0-399-15570-3. $25.95. F
Cook’s 28th medical thriller (after Foreign Body) again features married medical examiners Jack Stapleton and Laurie Montgomery but focuses on Jack, as he and two old college buddies—one an archaeologist, the other the archbishop of New York—become entangled in an international intrigue with the potential to rock the foundations of Catholicism. The catalyst is an ossuary excavated from beneath St. Peter’s Basilica that may contain the bones of the Virgin Mary. The mystery dominates the novel—which also veers into more emotional and medical terrain, as Jack’s young son falls seriously ill.
Verdict Despite an abundance of talk and a surprising absence of action, Cook’s latest is compelling. Recommended for fans of medical and religious thrillers. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 4/1/09.]—A.J. Wright, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham
Goodkind, Terry. The Law of Nines. Putnam. Sept. 2009. c.512p. ISBN 978-0-399-15604-5. $27.95. F
Goodkind follows his mega-successful fantasy series, "The Sword of Truth," with this spin on a contemporary thriller. On his 27th birthday, Alexander saves a woman from being hit by a truck and later in the day, receives a deed to a piece of land from his grandfather. Alexander’s mother had also had a memorable 27th birthday—she was committed to a mental asylum for claiming people in the mirrors were after her. Now Alexander thinks he, too, is starting to see things. Is he about to lose his mind, or is something more sinister at work?
Verdict Unfortunately, Goodkind's tense and exciting thriller serves to continue his fantasy series rather than break away from it; more stories are clearly coming. Still, newcomers will enjoy the blended fantasy/thriller elements, and his legion of fans won't complain either. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/09.]—Jeff Ayers, Seattle P.L.
Lawson, Mike. House Secrets. Atlantic Monthly. Jul. 2009. c.384p. ISBN 978-0-8021-1885-1. $22. F
Lawson (The Inside Ring) returns with another fast-paced, Washington, DC, thriller featuring Joe DeMarco, troubleshooter for House Speaker John Mahoney. This time, Joe is on a mission to investigate the mysterious death of a Washington Post reporter. Both the death and police response seem fishy, and his inquiries lead him to a variety of ex-spies, corrupt politicians, and other shady characters. Aided by Emma, a retired DIA agent, he discovers links between his case and Sen. Paul Morelli, a brilliant and beloved politician whose career seems to be enabled by a shadowy evil genius.
Verdict With corpses and plot turns aplenty, this book maintains high suspense with an unliterary but effectively visual prose style. Readers who like fast-paced crime television dramas will feel right at home. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/15/09.]—Jonathan Pearce, California State Univ., Stanislaus
Levin, Daniel. The Last Ember. Riverhead: Penguin Group (USA). Aug. 2009. c.432p. ISBN 978-1-59448-872-6. $25.95. F
Despite a promising future, Rome Prize Scholar Jonathan Marcus is disgraced, driven out of academia into law (mirroring the debut author’s own career trajectory). A decade later, he is summoned back to Rome to assist with a case involving a stone fragment of an ancient map. Marcus recognizes the fragment—and its surprising connection to his doctoral research. From Rome’s Forum to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, the nonstop action pits Marcus against his firm and his schoolmate/romantic interest–turned–adversary, Emili, in his quest for the long-lost Tabernacle Menorah.
Verdict Following in the footsteps of such authors as Dan Brown and Katherine Neville, Levin gives an ancient history and religion tutorial while weaving a thrilling plot. Readers who enjoy artifact-seeking books with behind-the-scenes tours of real sites will be captivated. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 4/1/09.]—Laura A.B. Cifelli, Fort Myers–Lee County P.L., FL
Macomber, Debbie. 92 Pacific Boulevard: A Cedar Cove Novel. Mira: Harlequin. Sept. 2009. c.400p. ISBN 978-0-7783-2669-4. pap. $7.99. F
Macomber’s ninth "Cedar Cove" novel focuses on the town’s sheriff, Troy Davis, and his off-again, on-again romance with his high school sweetheart, Faith Beckwith. A recent widower, Troy is preparing to marry Faith, when his daughter Megan, upset that her father is marrying so soon after the death of her mother, strenuously objects. Various characters from previous novels make cameo appearances, and Macomber sprinkles enough clues in the final pages for fans to guess which characters will appear in her next title.
Verdict Macomber does not write with the depth or complexity of an Anita Shreve or a Jodi Picoult, but her novels are popular with readers who enjoy light and entertaining fiction. [Mira is also publishing simultaneously Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove Cookbook by Charlotte Jefferson Rhodes, and the town of Cedar Cove (aka Port Orchard, WA) is celebrating Cedar Cove Days August 26–30, 2009.—Ed.]—Margaret Hanes, Warren P.L., MI
Berendt, Joachim-Ernst & Günther Huesmann. The Jazz Book: From Ragtime to the 21st Century. 7th ed. Lawrence Hill: Chicago Review. Aug. 2009. c.816p. index. ISBN 978-1-55652-820-0. $49.95; pap. ISBN 978-1-55652-823-1. $29.95. MUSIC
Jazz encompasses such a variety of styles that it is often difficult to understand its evolution. Exploring how each generation of musicians has added to and transformed the genre, Berendt and Huesmann offer a fairly standard approach in their chronological discussion of styles and major practitioners. What sets this book apart is its attention to the myriad instruments and how jazz musicians were unique in focusing on timbre, playing an instrument their own distinctive way.
Verdict This seventh edition of a classic first published in 1952 is revised and expanded to include information on contemporary artists, instruments, and styles. This tops the list of titles for understanding jazz, and each edition continues to get better than the last.—William G. Kenz, Minnesota State Univ.–Moorhead
Colberg, Sheri R. & Leonel Villa-Cabellero, M.D. Diabetes? No Problema!: The Latino's Guide to Living Well with Diabetes. Da Capo Lifelong. Jul. 2009. c.288p. index. ISBN 978-0-7382-1315-6. pap. $14.95. HEALTH
Colberg (exercise science, Old Dominion Univ.; The Diabetic Athlete’s Handbook) and Villa-Cabellero team up to provide Latinos with the latest information on managing diabetes. The authors cover diet, exercise, stress, and diabetes-related health conditions, interspersing the information-laden text with vignettes about diabetic Latinos.
Verdict Owing to the complexity of the text, lay readers, especially those new to diabetes, may find this a daunting read. Public libraries and consumer health libraries may want to pass on this in favor of a more accessible text.—Dana Ladd, Community Health Education Ctr. Lib., Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Libs., Richmond
Dean, Howard, M.D. Howard Dean's Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform: How We Can Achieve Affordable Medical Care for Every American and Make Our Jobs Safer. Chelsea Green. Jul. 2009. c.144p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-60358-228-5. pap. $12.95. MED
In this well-reasoned but dry book, Dean, former Vermont governor and former Democratic National Committee chair, offers his solutions for health-care reform and financing (carbon and gasoline taxes), but several claims are unsupported or have only a very general reference.
Verdict This book is appropriate for anyone looking for a broad overview of the topic, but Tom Daschle's more polished Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis boasts a better historical overview, and Ezekiel Emanuel's Healthcare Guaranteed: A Simple, Secure Solution for America outdoes both books in terms of comprehensiveness.—Martha Stone, Treadwell Lib., Boston
DeStefano, Rob & others. Muscle Medicine: The Revolutionary Approach to Maintaining, Strengthening, and Repairing Your Muscles and Joints. Touchstone: S. & S. Sept. 2009. c.272p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-4165-6256-6. pap. $16.99. HEALTH
Sports chiropractor DeStefano, orthopedic surgeon Bryan Kelly, and journalist Joseph Hooper provide an overview of muscular malfunctions, the body’s basic biology, injuries, nutrition and exercise, and injury "hot spots" (e.g., wrist/hand, lower back, hip, knee)—with specialized exercises for stretching and strengthening targeted areas. DeStefano observes that muscles may be overlooked as contributors to dysfunction because they don’t show on MRIs or X-rays, yet understanding their role in the bone-joint-muscle triad and including them in a treatment program can eliminate or reduce pain. Side boxes dispense informational tidbits and personal anecdotes from the authors.
Verdict Athletic trainers, physical education specialists, and the fitness-conscious public will be interested.—Lois K. Merry, Keene State Coll., NH
Haupt, Lyanda Lynn. Crow Planet: Essential Wisdom from the Urban Wilderness. Little, Brown. Jul. 2009. c.240p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-316-01910-1. $23.99. NAT HIST
Haupt (Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds) delivers a delightful meditation on our role in the natural world. By focusing on the proliferation of the American crow, she provides a rich context for exploring the relationship between humans and nature. Crows are one of the most easily identifiable, intelligent, and prolific birds whose abundance stems from their unique ability to cohabitate with humans. Haupt contends that with a little effort, humans can tap into the natural environment even in the most urban of areas.
Verdict Highly recommended for birders but especially fans of Bernd Heinrich (The Mind of a Raven) and Marie Winn (Central Park in the Dark).—Diana Hartle, Univ. of Georgia Lib., Athens
Murray, Michael T. What the Drug Companies Won't Tell You and Your Doctor Doesn't Know: The Alternative Treatments That May Change Your Life—and the Prescriptions That Could Harm You. Atria: S. & S. Jul. 2009. c.352p. index. ISBN 978-1-4165-4933-8. $25. HEALTH
Murray (director, product development & education, Natural Factors) has long advocated for a more natural, less drug-oriented medical system, and this exposé of the unethical practices of U.S. pharmaceutical companies is his call to arms. He writes, "We now have on our hands a modern epidemic, consisting not only of diseases that are clearly a result of diet and lifestyle, but also of diseases due to the side effects of drugs." Appendixes include information about dietary supplements and Murray’s Hunger Free Forever program.
Verdict Although Murray's charges against drugs and their makers occasionally seem overstated (the book is highly referenced throughout), he makes a compelling case for wellness that will speak to many readers regardless of whether they are convinced that pharmaceutical companies are primarily to blame for American health-care issues.—Mindy Rhiger, St. Paul, MN
Pacyga, Dominic A. Chicago: A Biography. Univ. of Chicago. Oct. 2009. c.480p. illus. maps. index. ISBN 978-0-226-64431-8. $35. HIST
Can anyone convey the essence of that beguiling, cantankerous, and quintessentially American city, Chicago? Public historian (and Chicago-native) Pacyga largely succeeds through his employment of textual portraits of famous figures and a necessarily limited selection of events and neighborhoods over the course of over 300 years of the Windy City’s recorded history. Supplemented by anecdotes about Chicago’s multicultural populations, this book synthesizes secondary studies and is enhanced by 146 black-and-white illustrations from Chicago repositories and Pacyga’s personal collection. Girded by the continuing themes of Chicago’s ethnic diversity; resilient economy; centrality of location; politics (of both the machine and progressive varieties); and embrace of technology, this book is a sprightlier counterpart to The Encyclopedia of Chicago from the same publisher.
Verdict Satisfying for scholars and highly recommended for general readers—in and beyond Chicago. A fine purchase for both institutions and individuals.—Frederick J. Augustyn Jr., Library of Congress
Saulnier, Dom Daniel. Gregorian Chant: A Guide to the History and Liturgy. Paraclete. 2009. c.160p. tr. from French by Mary Berry. ISBN 978-1-55725-554-9. pap. $19.99. MUSIC
Translated from the original 2003 French publication, this is a general overview of the history of chant and its various functions. Primarily expressing conservative views and those promoted by the Abbey of Solesmes over the past 150 years, Saulnier (Pontifical Inst. of Sacred Music, Rome) delves into recent research into chant’s origin, rhythm, and performance practices. Discussions vacillate between clear, basic descriptions and complex concepts full of technical matters that require serious prior understanding of the subject as well as the ability to read chant notation.
Verdict This book would be helpful for someone with a rudimentary understanding of chant, for example, a graduate student in musicology who needs a compact summary.—Timothy J. McGee, Trent Univ., Peterborough, Ont.
Savard, Marie, M.D. Ask Dr. Marie: Straight Talk & Reassuring Answers to Your Most Private Questions. Globe Pequot. Aug. 2009. c.352p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-7627-4944-7. $24.95. HEALTH
In this medical guide for women, Savard, medical contributor for ABC News and an internist specializing in women’s health, addresses basic anatomy and physiology, sexuality, and the importance of health care. She examines life stages and the accompanying bodily changes: puberty, childbirth, and menopause. The book's final sections cover the brain/body connection and such common health problems as urinary tract infections and digestive ailments. She also discusses the differences between men and women as they age and takes a liberal approach to hormone replacement therapy, arguing that perimenopausal women with no risk factors can take HRT and FDA-approved bioidentical skin patches safely.
Verdict While less comprehensive than Our Bodies, Ourselves, this book takes a conversational tone and employs a supportive approach that will appeal to women in need of basic information.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA
