Science & Technology Reviews, September 15, 2010
Sep 15, 2010Agriculture
Anderson, Allen & Linda Anderson. Dogs and the Women Who Love Them: Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing, and Inspiration. New World Library, dist. by PGW. Nov. 2010. c.256p. photogs. ISBN 9781577316923. pap. $14.95. PETS
The authors who gave us Angel Dogs: Divine Messengers of Love and other titles popular among New Age animal lovers here present a collection of essays by women describing overwhelming joy at having their canine companions. The book is divided into three sections demonstrating how the dogs fill a void in their owners’ lives, such as through loyalty or heroism, healing (emotional and physical), and in response to other special needs. A short meditation at the end of each entry invites readers to consider their emotional responses to the essay. The common theme running throughout is that dogs are not only faithful companions but also spiritual guides and messengers of love. The stories of Major, Sandy, Princess, Java, Lady, McDuff, and others will resonate long after the book is finished. VERDICT While some narratives are better written than others, all will touch the hearts of readers fortunate enough to enjoy or seeking this type of relationship.—Susan Riley, Mount Kisco P.L., NY
Kerasote, Ted. Pukka: The Pup After Merle. Houghton Harcourt. Oct. 2010. c.192p. photogs. ISBN 9780547386089. $18.95. PETS
Fans of Kerasote’s best-selling Merle’s Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog often asked when and if the photographer, outdoorsman, and winner of the National Outdoor Book Award (for Out There: In the Wild in a Wired Age) would get a successor to Merle. Having worked through his grief, he finally felt ready to commit to another dog and located a breeder with a newborn puppy who reminded him of Merle. He named the pup Pukka, (“genuine” or “first-class” in Hindi). Writing as Pukka and illustrating the sparse text with stunning color photographs on every page, Kerasote has created a pictorial diary of the first six months of the dog’s life. But this book is much more than a record of the growth and training of a pup; it is visual documentation of the development of a human-animal bond as well as a breathtakingly beautiful tour of the Western United States. VERDICT There are many audiences for this book—fans of Merle’s Door, dog lovers of all ages, photography hobbyists, outdoor adventurers, and travel buffs. Demand will be fueled by the 13-city author tour and media attention.—Florence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Mawrey, Gillian & Linden Groves. The Gardens of English Heritage. Frances Lincoln, dist. by PGW. Sept. 2010. 216p. illus. index. ISBN 9780711227712. $45. GARDENING
Mawrey (chair, Historic Gardens Fdn.) and Groves (Historic Parks & Gardens of Cheshire) weave an evocative pictorial history of the magnificent parks and gardens owned by English Heritage, which is the British government’s steward for historically significant English properties. The authors describe over 20 properties, from many centuries old to much newer, and include narratives about previous occupants that bring the history to life. Splendid photographs of landscapes, castles, mansions, abbeys, buildings, garden structures, fountains, statuary, and plants enrich the text. The thorough chronicling of each site may include garden design sketches or biographic information about the designers. A number of these properties are not yet restored to their former glory but still deserve recognition. Thus this notable book may provide insight into gardens not yet included in the existing literature. VERDICT Students of British history, travel enthusiasts, landscape architects, and gardeners will delight in this work, as they should in the mission of English Heritage.—Deborah Broocker, Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Dunwoody
Health & Medicine
Chicoine, Brian, M.D., & Dennis McGuire. The Guide to Good Health for Teens & Adults with Down Syndrome. Woodbine House. Nov. 2010. c.412p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781890627898. pap. $29.95. HEALTH
Chicoine and McGuire founded Chicago’s Adult Down Syndrome Clinic in 1992 to meet the health needs of adolescents and adults with Down syndrome (DS). While care for DS children can be very good, quality appears to drop as they age and move out of pediatric practices. This excellent book provides a wealth of information for DS caregivers, including how to find a physician who will provide a comprehensive medical home. Health problems may be difficult to diagnose and treat because of communication and mental challenges; guidelines for teaching health-promoting behaviors and correctly reading health distress signals are clear and well written. The authors describe diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of common health conditions impacting DS people and cover mental and emotional issues that can affect physical health. Sexuality and birth control are discussed, as is abuse prevention. The book also includes information on residential options as well as coverage of end of life issues. VERDICT This extremely informative volume for DS caregivers should have a place in all consumer health libraries serving patrons with DS.—Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp., Tampa
D’Antonio, Patricia. American Nursing: A History of Knowledge, Authority, and the Meaning of Work. Johns Hopkins. 2010. 272p. index. ISBN 9780801895654. pap. $30. HEALTH
Focusing on the latter half of the 19th century to the immediate post–World War II period, D’Antonio (associate director, Barbara Bates Ctr. for the Study of the History of Nursing, Univ. of Pennsylvania) discusses the inspiration of Florence Nightingale that led to the emergence of professional nursing. She documents how nursing, originally viewed as a new career opportunity for middle-class white women, slowly and painfully achieved a measure of racial integration and gender diversity. The rise of public health nursing and the transformation of nursing education from hospital-based training to university degree programs are also covered. Most of all, D’Antonio enlightens her readers on the personal lives of individual nurses. Often moving from a challenging workload to full-time family responsibilities, nurses struggled to gain community respect, establish positive working relationships with physicians, and achieve salaries appropriate to their physically demanding and stressful jobs. Because of D’Antonio’s decision to focus on nursing’s first century, the book’s title claims a bit too much. Significant recent issues such as the rise of nursing homes and assisted living and the increasing prominence of nurse practitioners are unfortunately omitted. VERDICT D’Antonio writes for a scholarly audience, making the book appropriate for academic and professional libraries that can afford its steep price.—Kathy Arsenault, St. Petersburg, FL
Goldacre, Ben, M.D. Bad Science: Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks. Farrar. Oct. 2010. c.320p. ISBN 9780865479180. pap. $15. HEALTH
British doctor Goldacre is in a tizzy and wants you to know about it. He’s sick of unproven medical advice, homeopathic treatments, and poor pseudoscientific educational and nutritional programs. He writes the Guardian’s “Bad Science” column and feels strongly about the healthy doses of misinformation floating around, buoyed by poorly conducted research studies. Explaining the meaning of randomized, double-blind, placebo studies, he directs his wrath at supplement hucksters past and present. Originally published in the UK, his book has been updated for American audiences—it features both UK and U.S. examples—and includes a chapter he was unable to publish previously because of a lawsuit. Funny and profane, Goldacre discusses the horror of U.S. pharmaceutical marketing campaigns, the value of evidence-based medicine, and how to lie with statistics. From vaccine scares to murder cases, there’s something for everyone. VERDICT Great fun for science and statistics geeks, this is challenging in the best sense of the word. Recommended for public, academic, and medical libraries.—Elizabeth Williams, Washoe Cty. Lib. Syst., Reno, NV
Lukash, Frederick N., M.D. The Safe and Sane Guide to Teenage Plastic Surgery. BenBella. Nov. 2010. c.220p. ISBN 9781935618096. pap. $16.95. HEALTH
Plastic surgery is featured on reality TV, so it is not surprising that teens would be interested in altering their bodies. Lukash, a board-certified cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in children and adolescents, has written a useful guide to help teens and parents decide whether and when plastic surgery is a viable option. He discusses hot-button issues such as body image and self-esteem, explaining what can be done and when it should be done. Some procedures, such as rhinoplasty, should be done after the nose is completely developed. Others, such as pinning the ears back, can be done earlier. Lukash counsels teens and parents about the psychosocial issues of plastic surgery and explains the circumstances in which a psychological consultation rather than a surgical procedure is in order. He also discusses financial and insurance issues and how to choose a surgeon. In his description of common procedures, Lukash enlivens the text with illustrative case histories. VERDICT This book fills a definite need in public library and consumer health collections.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L.
Home Economics
As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child & Avis DeVoto. Houghton Harcourt. Dec. 2010. c.448p. ed. by Joan Reardon. illus. index. ISBN 9780547417714. $26. COOKING
Readers may think they know Julia Child thanks to the recent Julie & Julia book and movie phenomenon. Even so, they are in for a treat with this release of the correspondence between Child and her friend and publishing mentor, Avis DeVoto. Noted culinary historian Reardon (M.F.K. Fisher Among the Pots and Pans) traces their friendship from Child’s first fan letter to DeVoto’s scholar husband in 1952 through the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking in 1961. Wisely, Reardon lets the two women tell the story themselves, discreetly inserting herself only to frame periods of the relationship with minimal narrative. The result is an appealingly unvarnished depiction of Child and DeVoto in their own words. They share engrossing conversation that reveals much about publishing and period politics and customs. VERDICT As lively as a good novel, this deserves an audience beyond those interested in culinary history. This terrifically entertaining and richly rewarding read will satisfy many. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/10.]—Peter Hepburn, Univ of Illinois at Chicago
Cadbury, Deborah. Chocolate Wars: The 150-Year Rivalry Between the World’s Greatest Chocolate Makers. PublicAffairs: Perseus. Oct. 2010. c.384p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781586488208. $27.95. COOKING
Cadbury (Space Race: The Battle To Rule the Heavens), a descendant of the Cadbury family, here traces the development—via her famous family and world events, ending with Kraft’s 2010 Cadbury acquisition—of the international chocolate industry from its humble beginning with a fatty and gritty drink in the early 1800s to the milk chocolate confections we know today. In addition to providing a history of chocolate, she also stresses the importance of the Cadburys’ Quaker religion in their lives and businesses practices. In the Quaker tradition, the Cadbury family was very concerned with social welfare and righting social wrongs, including poverty and slavery. Although written by proud Cadbury kin, the narrative is balanced and fair. VERDICT Overall, this is a well-written and well-researched look at chocolate and the Quaker business tradition that any food or history buff will enjoy.—Lisa A. Ennis, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib.
Fishkoff, Sue. Kosher Nation: Why More and More of America’s Food Answers to a Higher Authority. Schocken. Oct. 2010. c.384p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780805242652. $27.95. COOKING
Yes, gefilte fish, matzo-ball soup, and Manischewitz wine are kosher, but so are Oreos, some high-end boutique wines, and even sushi. Here, Fishkoff (The Rebbe’s Army: Inside the World of Chabad-Lubavitch) looks inside the multimillion-dollar industry and the intricacies of certification, manufacturing, and philosophy surrounding the production and consumption of kosher food in America. Her well-researched book will be of use to those approaching the topic, its relation to Judaism, and its broad impact on the American food industry from a scholarly point of view. Fishkoff also interweaves personal perspectives through the introduction of numerous individuals whose quirks, experiences, and insights will extend the appeal to readers with a more casual interest. While all terminology specific to the faith and culture is defined on its first appearance in the text, the stand-alone glossary will be helpful to many. VERDICT Thoughtful, well researched, and sometimes touching, this is recommended for academic and larger public libraries, particularly those serving communities with a significant Jewish population.—Courtney Greene, DePaul Univ., Chicago
Kimball, Christopher. Fannie’s Last Supper: Re-creating One Amazing Meal from Fannie Farmer’s 1896 Cookbook. Hyperion. Oct. 2010. c.272p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781401323226. $25.99. COOKING
Inspired by the opulence of the formal dinner parties of late 19th-century America, Kimball (founder, Cook’s Illustrated) sets out to host his own 12-course meal using period recipes and equipment. Fannie Farmer’s 1896 Boston Cooking-School Cook Book serves as the guide for the meal, although Kimball is quick to point out its shortcomings and take inspiration from other period and modern sources. The narrative shifts smoothly between details of prebanquet research, organization, and testing and entertaining digressions on topics ranging from Colonial Boston’s food markets to the correct technique for boiling a whole calf’s head to the inner workings of cast iron coal-fired stoves. Many of the recipes making up the final meal are included, the more exotic and time-consuming of these best admired rather than seriously attempted.VERDICTRecommended for culinary history fans, particularly Bostonians, or any collection where kitchen diaries are popular. A documentary film of the feast slated for a November broadcast on PBS may drive up demand.—Neil Derksen, Gwinnett Cty. P.L., Lawrenceville, GA
Lauren, Dylan. Dylan’s Candy Bar: Unwrap Your Sweet Life. Clarkson Potter: Crown Pub. Group. Oct. 2010. c.224p. illus. index. ISBN 9780307451828. $35. COOKING
For Lauren, daughter of fashion designer Ralph Lauren and CEO of Dylan’s Candy Bar in New York City, candy is the solution to all of life’s woes. While the overall production quality of the book is excellent, the content fails to measure up. Among her recipes for candy treats, sugary interior design tips, ideas for candy-related crafts, and a smattering of historical tidbits about candy, Lauren provides a few personal anecdotes about her own strong connection to the sweet stuff, but the overall effect is disappointing. VERDICT If relentless enthusiasm for a subject (not to mention a famous last name) is enough, this might hit the sweet spot for readers; however, many will find that after the sugar rush is over, the book has all the lasting literary nutrition of a candy bar. Those who want a thoughtful history of candy would be better off with Tim Richardson’s Sweets, while Steve Almond’s Candyfreak is a more entertaining look at the power of candy.—John Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ
Satin, Morton. Coffee Talk: The Stimulating Story of the World’s Most Popular Brew. Prometheus. Oct. 2010. c.325p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781591026884. $21.95. BEVERAGES
Satin (Death in the Pot: The Impact of Food Poisoning on History) has produced a rambling love letter to his favorite beverage, coffee. His agenda is transparent as he presents singularly positive examples of the effects of caffeine on human health while brushing aside studies that may have evidence to the contrary. A chapter of random trivia and quotes feels ill placed in the middle of the narrative, which suffers from scattered jumping among different cultures, continents, and time periods. A section on making better coffee at home is also oddly placed between a history of Starbucks and a short memoir of the author’s time in Italy. VERDICT Perhaps this meandering book was not meant to be read straight through but perused over a cup of coffee; still, it is not an essential purchase for most libraries. Serious historians should look to Mark Pendergrast’s Uncommon Grounds, while coffee connoisseurs will appreciate Kenneth Davids’s Coffee: A Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying or Kevin Sinnott’s recent The Art and Craft of Coffee.—Rosemarie Lewis, Georgetown Cty. Lib., SC
Sciences
Cohen, Jon. Almost Chimpanzee: Searching for What Makes Us Human, in Rainforests, Labs, Sanctuaries, and Zoos. Times Bks: Holt. Sept. 2010. c.384p. illus. index.
ISBN 9780805083071. $27.50. NAT HIST
Cohen (Coming to Term: Uncovering the Truth About Miscarriage), a well-known correspondent for Science magazine, has written a fascinating study of the differences that separate humans from chimpanzees (as opposed to other recent titles that address similarities) and current primatology research. He organizes his book into three main sections, “Blood,” “Brains,” and “Bodies,” to provide a framework to set his discussions in motion. For example, in “Blood,” there is a chapter on hybrid animals (e.g., ligers, the cross between tigers and lions), and Cohen explains the research theory that humans and chimpanzees came from a hybrid line that then separated into two distinct species. VERDICT Although Cohen’s book is technical at times, educated lay readers interested in primate studies will appreciate his attention to detail and his engaging prose.—Kyrille Goldbeck, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ. Lib., Blacksburg
Costa, Rebecca D. The Watchman’s Rattle: Thinking Our Way Out of Extinction. Vanguard: Perseus. Oct. 2010. c.354p. ISBN 9781593156053. $26.95. SCI
Sociobiologist and futurist Costa presents innovative messages about dealing with the many issues facing modern civilization. She identifies major belief systems that are impeding problem solving, calling them irrational opposition, personification of blame, counterfeit correlation, silo thinking, and extreme economics. Only a few great initiatives, like the microlending Grameen Bank, seem to overcome the five “supermemes.” The author has studied the patterns of collapse of several historic empires. Her good news is that we do know enough to save ourselves from a global downfall. We have to tap the best independent knowledge and research to guide policy. Costa believes we must try all possible solutions at once on urgent crises, such as ocean overfishing. Also, neuroscience-based training can help our brains cope with unprecedented complexity. VERDICT The rafts of italics for emphasis can’t reduce the value of this engaging book as a warning and a resource. It will give concerned readers new hope in human capability.—David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., B.C.
Hersh, Reuben & Vera John-Steiner. Loving and Hating Mathematics: Challenging the Myths of Mathematical Life. Princeton Univ. Jan. 2011. c.432p. photogs. index. ISBN 9780691142470. $29.95. MATH
This book is much more about mathematicians than about mathematics. The authors—both retired academics—lay out a number of common beliefs about mathematics and its practitioners and then set forth to debunk the beliefs as “myths.” The myths include, e.g., that math is a solitary pursuit of cold-blooded logic, the great advances in the field are generally achieved by young adults, and top mathematicians are almost invariably white males. The authors quote many anecdotes drawn from published biographies, Internet sources, and Hersh’s personal recollections as a research mathematician. In general, the volume is quite entertaining, surprising in parts, and mostly convincing in its myth-demolition assignment. VERDICT General readers interested in math and science and specialists will find this fascinating and often amusing.—Jack W. Weigel, Ann Arbor, MI
Jones, Barrie W. Pluto: Sentinel of the Outer Solar System. Cambridge Univ. Oct. 2010. c.237p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780521194365. $35.99. SCI
Pluto’s 2006 demotion from planet to dwarf did nothing to diminish its interest to astronomers. NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft will reach Pluto in 2015—What will it find and why does it matter? Jones (astronomy, emeritus, Open Univ.) addresses these and other questions in this readable volume that fuses the history of astronomical discoveries, the role of classification in science, and the study of the outer solar system. His first chapter is a short course on our galaxy, including the origins of the sun and sizes, orbits, and composition of the planets. He provides additional boxed text marked either “Please Read,” to clarify points and offer supplemental information for all readers, or “For Those Who Wish To Go Deeper,” with optional information for serious astronomy students. Additional chapters cover the discovery of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto and the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt. Photos, tables, and clear diagrams enhance the learning experience, as do the glossary and extensive list of recommended journal articles, books, and websites VERDICT Amateur astronomers will likely enjoy this book.—Denise Dayton, Jaffrey Grade Sch., NH
King, Kenneth. Germs Gone Wild: How the Unchecked Development of Domestic Bio-Defense Threatens America. Pegasus. 2010. c.496p. ISBN 9781605981000. $29.95. SCI
King (writing, emeritus, Western Kentucky Univ.) was an active participant in the movement to keep a new National Bio-and Agro-Facility Bio-Safety Level-4 (NBAF BSL-4) lab from being built in Kentucky. He documents the process used by some groups to fight against the local placement of these labs and past problems with other existing high-security biological-research labs. While there is no reason to doubt the facts presented, the book is written in an argumentative and strident tone that will lead only strong supporters of King’s viewpoint to read it. His purpose is unclear, and his argument is unlikely to convince anyone of the appropriateness of opposing this type of research. VERDICT This is recommended only for libraries located in areas that were considered for these labs and had active public participation and for die-hard supporters of this cause.—Eric D. Albright, Tufts Univ. Health Sciences Lib., Boston
Parker, Bruce. The Power of the Sea. Palgrave Macmillan. Nov. 2010. c.304p. maps. index. ISBN 9780230616370. $28. SCI
As the National Ocean Service’s chief scientist, oceanographer Parker focused on ocean modeling and forecasting. Here, he covers storm surges, rogue waves, and tsunamis. Historical and modern examples are interwoven to add interest—Napoléon at the Red Sea, World War II beach assaults, the rogue wave that threatened the Queen Mary, and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, plus minor coverage of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. The final chapter on El Niño, global observation, and prediction models to save lives and property reinforces the need for data, modeling, and sharing. Craig B. Smith’s Extreme Waves includes more information on rogues, and John McQuaid and Mark Schleifstein’s Path of Destruction, on Katrina, has a major emphasis on the politics involved. Parker explains the science in context and politics only in terms of data sharing to get the information to the public. The book would have benefited from a glossary, so specific topic chapters could be read independently, and it needs more maps. VERDICT This is an interesting review of the topic, with extensive footnotes. Science fans will find it of value.—Jean E. Crampon, Univ. of Southern California Science and Engineering Lib., Los Angeles
Pielke, Roger, Jr. The Climate Fix: What Scientists and Politicians Won’t Tell You About Global Warming. Basic Bks: Perseus. Oct. 2010. c.304p. illus. index. ISBN 9780465020522. $26. SCI
Pielke, an environmentalist, policy analyst, and son of a noted meteorologist, clearly has a distinct, insider’s understanding of the highly charged global-warming issue. Here, he sets out to “clarify the climate debate in a way that anyone who can use a bit of addition, multiplication, and common sense can make sense of.” The discussions have become so polarized as an issue of policy vs. science that the actual concerns have gotten lost. The numerous recent books on the topic only add to the debate. Pielke is unusual, as he neatly separates the science of climate change from the rhetoric, bringing the issue back to the realm of rational discussion. Assuming that readers have a working knowledge of climate science, he handles the technical aspects in a general way. It is not until the end that he briefly discusses specifics of how climate change could actually impact the future. VERDICT Overall, an excellent primer for getting past the politically charged debate clouding the issues. Recommended for readers confused by the deluge of conflicting climate information and willing to revisit the quandary and make their own assessments.—Marianne Stowell Bracke, Purdue Univ. Libs., West Lafayette, IN
