Social Sciences
Aug 15, 2010Biography
Borman, Tracy. Elizabeth's Women: Friends, Rivals, and Foes Who Shaped the Virgin Queen. Bantam. Sept. 2010. c.512p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-553-80698-4. $28. BIOG
Another biography of Elizabeth Tudor! Historian Borman (Henrietta Howard: King's Mistress, Queen's Servant) claims a new approach by focusing on the women in the queen's life. During her perilous childhood, Elizabeth I (1533–1603) seemed more likely to lose her head than win a crown for it. Her mother, Anne Boleyn, executed in 1536, left behind a toddler—inconvenient for her father, Henry VIII, in his quest for a legitimate male heir and to the two half-siblings who proceeded her to the throne, Mary and Edward VI. After such a childhood, no wonder that the queen had peculiar relationships in adulthood with both women and men. With women she was competitive and contemptuous; with men, flirtatious but firmly virginal. Borman shies away from psychosexual analysis of this suggestive case study. Instead she novelistically recounts the mostly unhappy stories of Elizabeth's browbeaten ladies-in-waiting and other unfortunates in the queen's life, such as Mary Stuart. VERDICT When the historical record fails to dot an i or cross a t, Borman happily corrects the lapse here in her romantic history. This gossipy book will appeal to readers of historical fiction. Because Elizabeth much preferred playing with boys, a book about her women tells less than half the story.—Stewart Desmond, New York
Burstein, Andrew & Nancy Isenberg. Madison and Jefferson. Random. Oct. 2010. c.832p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-4000-
6728-2. $35. BIOG
In the 60 years that have passed since the last deep treatment of the Jefferson-Madison partnership (Adrienne Koch's Jefferson and Madison), much popular historiography has relegated Madison at best to the secondary tier of Founders and at worst to Jefferson's lackey. Jefferson's contemporaries, however, labeled him a man of passion and imagination, while they recognized the diminutive, dispassionate Madison as more natural, candid, and profound. Now Burstein (history, Louisiana State Univ.; Jefferson's Secrets) and Isenberg (history, Louisiana State Univ.; Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr) have, with stunning style and clarity, meticulously reexamined this political relationship, extending from the eve of independence through the creation of the Virginia-dominated Republican Party to a poignant conclusion encompassing each man's death and political legacy. Instead of attempting to elevate one Founder over the other, the authors have re-created the dynamic political world they inhabited, staking out each statesman's role and including a wide range of related character studies. VERDICT While offering no paradigm-shifting revelations, Burstein and Isenberg have produced a remarkably lucid account of a monumental founding friendship. An essential read for biography buffs and enthusiasts of American revolutionary history, and a fine general treatment for political scholars of the early American republic.—Brian Odom, Pelham P.L., AL
Chernow, Ron. Washington: A Life. Penguin Pr: Penguin Group (USA). Oct. 2010. c.800p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-59420-266-7. $40. BIOG
In this cradle-to-grave biography of the Founding Father, notable biographer Chernow (Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller) thoroughly recounts how Washington rose to prominence in the French and Indian War, parlayed that early heroism into international fame as general of the Continental army during the American Revolution, and, as America's first President, unified a young nation and shaped its government—and he offers deeper explorations of, for example, Washington's cold relationship with his mother, his heavy reliance on younger devotees such as Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette, and his contradictory actions regarding slavery. Chernow's Washington is a reluctant celebrity who perpetually tries to retire from national service but refuses to turn his back on an embryonic republican country struggling with its newfound freedom. The narrative relies heavily on Washington's papers, but Chernow also liberally cites other primary sources and previous biographies. While objective for the most part, he occasionally offers well-grounded opinions on Washington's character and political and military actions. VERDICT This broadly and deeply researched work is a major addition to Washington scholarship—every era should have its new study of him—and it should appeal to informed lay readers and undergraduates interested in stepping beyond the typical textbook treatment.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Ellis, Joseph J. First Family: Abigail & John Adams. Knopf. Oct. 2010. c.320p. index. ISBN 978-0-307-26962-1. $27.95. BIOG
On the heels of Woody Holton's prize-winning Abigail Adams, renowned historian Ellis (history, Mount Holyoke Coll.) returns to the well-trod ground of the founding era, this time shifting his focus to America's "first family" and political dynasty, the Adamses. Bringing his talents for narrative writing to the task, Ellis recounts the compelling relationship that included an awkward courtship and a life of sacrifice along with raising a family and constructing a legacy. However, here—unlike in Edith B. Gelles's Abigail & John: Portrait of a Marriage and G.J. Barker-Benfield's forthcoming Abigail & John Adams: The Americanization of Sensibility (based on advance information)—Abigail is frequently relegated to the sidelines as the narrative becomes yet another biography of John. And there is nothing new here. VERDICT Lacking the intellectual depth of Ellis's previous American Sphinx and the originality of his Founding Brothers, his new book nevertheless imparts a poignant tale. Biography buffs who haven't yet read about John and Abigail may well enjoy this; those familiar with the subject have no need for it.—Brian Odom, Pelham P.L., AL
Felix, Antonia. Sonia Sotomayor: The True American Dream. Berkley: Penguin Group (USA). 2010. c.320p. bibliog. index.
ISBN 978-0-425-23483-9. $25.95. BIOG
In this pleasant biography, Felix (Condi: The Condoleezza Rice Story) recounts Sotomayor's remarkable life so far. A daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants, Sotomayor was raised in public housing in New York and gained admission to Princeton and then Yale Law School, successfully combating discrimination within these two elite institutions. After a tour as an assistant district attorney (ADA) under Robert Morgenthau and eight years in a private law firm, she was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to a federal district court in 1992, inaugurating her judicial career, with President Clinton elevating her to the federal appeals court in New York. Last year, America's first black President named Sotomayor the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice and only its third woman. VERDICT Felix offers substantial detail about some of Sotomayor's cases as an ADA and as a judge along with perhaps more background on her personal life than has been aired, but by and large there's little new in this telling. The legal detail makes it unsuitable for most readers below college age. Recommended for large public libraries and all college and university collections.—Cynthia Harrison, George Washington Univ., Washington, DC
Urquhart, Alistair. The Forgotten Highlander: An Incredible WWII Story of Survival in the Pacific. Skyhorse, dist. by Norton. Oct. 2010. c.336p. illus. maps. index. ISBN 978-1-61608-152-2. $25.95. AUTOBIOG
Urquhart (b. 1919) spent most of World War II surviving hellish experiences that felled many of his comrades. He grew up in Scotland and was conscripted into the Gordon Highlanders regiment of the British army in 1939. Stationed in Singapore, he was taken prisoner of war by the Japanese when British forces surrendered in February 1942. For the next three and a half years, virtually every day held for him a near-death experience. He was forced into labor on the "Death Railway" between Thailand and Burma and later in a mine in Nagasaki, Japan, suffering numerous diseases, starvation, and torture along the way. Not surprisingly, he returned to Scotland afflicted with what we now identify as post-traumatic stress disorder and had difficulty readapting to civilian life. VERDICT In his memoir, Urquhart employs matter-of-fact prose that is somehow perfectly appropriate to describe the horrors he experienced. Although grateful and positive about the many benefits in his long life—he describes himself as a lucky man—he is angry at the Japanese government's lack of acknowledgment of Japan's wartime abuses, and he feels neglected by his own government. His story makes clear that he has every right to feel that way.—Megan Hahn Fraser, Univ. of California, Los Angeles, Libs.
Communications
Angeletti, Norberto & Alberto Oliva. Time: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Influential Magazine. Rizzoli, dist. by Random. 2010. 432p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8478-3358-0. $50. COMM
Founded by Henry Luce and Briton Hadden in 1923, Time is America's oldest newsweekly. Here, Angeletti and Oliva (coauthors, In Vogue) gloriously showcase both the magazine and U.S. history. Featuring interviews that enliven the stories behind journalistic and editorial decisions as well as design and technological changes, the book covers an amazing amount of material. Not surprisingly, major historical events, including the two world wars, recessions, presidential elections, and the 9/11 attacks, are covered. Also included are social issues—e.g., women's liberation, the 1999 decision to rename the magazine's annual "Man of the Year" to "Person of the Year," the Civil Rights Movement, and gay rights. Divided into three sections and then roughly by date, the book ends with chapters on Time's "Person of the Year," which has run continuously since 1927, as well as the ten best-selling issues. Interviews with authors, designers, photographers, editors, and others lend a personal feel. VERDICT An excellent volume for news junkies; enjoyable to both browse and read.—Leigh Mihlrad, Georgetown Univ. Medical Ctr. Lib., Washington, DC
Cronkite, Walter & Don Carleton. Conversations with Cronkite. Briscoe Ctr. for American History, dist. by Univ. of Texas. Aug. 2010. c.300p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-9766697-3-9. $29.95. COMM
As "the most trusted man in America," Cronkite was seen on the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981. His legacy lives on in this collection of interviews, a companion book to his best-selling memoir, A Reporter's Life. The beloved anchorman, who died last year, commissioned Carleton (director, Dolph Briscoe Ctr. for American History, Univ. of Texas; coauthor, Dolph Briscoe: My Life in Texas Ranching and Politics) to preserve his personal papers and to be his historical adviser and the researcher for his autobiography. Carleton conducted a series of interviews with Cronkite amounting to over 60 hours of recordings and more than 1000 pages of transcript. Unlike Cronkite's memoir, this collection focuses solely on the newsman's influential work in broadcast journalism. It also provides additional insight into the historic events that he covered and later wrote about, such as the assassination of JFK and the 1969 moon landing. VERDICT Fans of Cronkite as well as students of journalism and American history will find this book entertaining and informative.—Donna Marie Smith, Palm Beach Cty. Lib. Syst., FL
Economics
Graves, Philip. Consumer.ology: The Market Research Myth, the Truth About Consumers, and the Psychology of Shopping. Nicholas Brealey. Nov. 2010. c.224p. index. ISBN 978-1-85788-550-7. $29.95. BUS
Tackling the accuracy of market research, consumer behavior consultant Graves maintains that the most important factor that influences the public's opinion of a product is the subconscious or unconscious. He contends that asking individuals to describe why they like or don't like a product can only represent the conscious aspects and not the overarching unconscious facets that pervade our decision-making processes. Graves begins with a literature review, followed by chapters explaining what invisible factors influence why we want the things we do. Next, he addresses why market surveys and focus groups are ineffective and discusses five ways to critically evaluate market research results. Kevin Hogan's The Science of Influence deals with similar subject matter. VERDICT A good read for anyone interested in the psychology of group behavior or the validity of market research methods as well as for those in the business sector trying to introduce new products to the public.—Poppy Johnson-Renvall, Mesalands Community Coll. Lib., Tucumcari, NM
Krasna, Heather. Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service. JIST. 2010. c.304p. illus. ISBN 978-1-59357-787-2. pap. $14.95. BUS
Krasna (director of career svcs., Evan Sch. of Public Affairs, Univ. of Washington) offers a guide to finding jobs in the public sector. She writes, "The definition of public service has broadened to include work within nonprofit organizations, universities, nongovernmental organizations, some parts of the public sector, and any other work that contributes to the public good. In this book, I define public service careers as those that make a significant contribution to solving problems in society or the world." Krasna covers careers in human services, health care, civil rights, education, worker protections, natural-resource management, parks and recreation, urban planning, transportation, financial resources, world international development, law enforcement, international security, and arts, culture, and religion. The book provides self-assessment exercises and work sheets to decide on specific career goals, along with case studies on those who have achieved success in public services. VERDICT First-time job seekers and career changers should benefit from Krasna's information. Her book fills a niche for those concentrating on working in the public sector.—Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY
Ott, Adrian C. The 24-Hour Customer: New Rules for Winning in a Time-Starved, Always-Connected Economy. HarperBusiness: HarperCollins. Aug. 2010. c.240p. index. ISBN 978-0-06-179861-0. $26.99. BUS
Marketing is often defined with the four Ps: product, promotion, place, and pricing. Ott (CEO & founder, Exponential Edge, Inc.) is revolutionizing marketing by adding the concept of time. Dimensions of time, especially its alternative uses, are major factors in consumers' decisions. She here shows business professionals how to integrate the different components of time in consumers' lifestyles into marketing strategies, especially to gain competitive advantage, build brand loyalty, and offer successful brand extensions. Ott respects readers' time by offering "Two-Minute Takeaways," or chapter summaries, and by including several sidebars in gray-shaded boxes that contain tables and charts illuminating important points. She presents many company case studies, discussing the ways Fresh Direct and Symantec gained success by recognizing the importance of time. VERDICT Ott's eye-opening arguments will appeal to business readers who want their companies to remain viable in ever-changing and evolving marketplaces. Perhaps the only business constant is that consumers have time preferences. Recommended.—Caroline Geck, Newark Public Schs., NJ
Yunus, Muhammad. Building Social Business: The New Kind of Capitalism That Serves Humanity's Most Pressing Needs. PublicAffairs: Perseus. 2010. c.272p. index. ISBN 978-1-58648-824-6. $25.95. BUS
Yunus (Creating a World Without Poverty) uses the selfish/selfless dichotomy of human nature to explain the fundamental difference between his concept of for-profit business vs. the social business. While the former seeks to maximize profit for the benefit of the owners, the latter aims to pursue social objectives for the benefit of poor customers and employees. Likewise, the social business differs from a traditional nonprofit because, like a for-profit business, it is self-sustaining through its sale of goods and services. Yunus developed the social business concept during the crushing 1974 Bangladesh famine. Local villagers, seeking aid for their entrepreneurial endeavors, found themselves virtually enslaved to moneylenders. By repaying the loans owed by these 42 enterprising souls, Yunus stumbled on the concept of microcredit. VERDICT Yunus engagingly profiles international social businesses, whether launched by multinational corporations or conceived by ordinary people with a vision to solve social problems. He offers practical advice for starting your own social businesses: from idea generation to the nuts and bolts of launching and running the concern. His impassioned dream of a different version of capitalistic endeavor is as inspirational as it is practical.—Carol J. Elsen, Univ. of Wisconsin–Whitewater
Education
Schrecker, Ellen. The Lost Soul of Higher Education: Corporatization, the Assault
on Academic Freedom, and the End of the American University. New Pr., dist. by Perseus. Sept. 2010. c.304p. index. ISBN 978-1-59558-400-7. $27.95. ED
In this beautifully written and carefully researched work, Schrecker (history, Yeshiva Univ.; No Ivory Tower: McCarthyism & the Universities) gives a complete picture of the "structural and political threats" to academic freedom. She defines academic freedom in its broadest sense to encompass more than freedom of expression and include faculty governance, tenure, economic security, institutional loyalty, and peer review. She discusses threats such as the marginalization of faculty by administrators and the economic downturn (layoffs, hiring freezes, reduced benefits, larger class sizes, and elimination of programs and departments). Novice and experienced faculty alike will appreciate Schrecker's coverage of the historical underpinnings of the American university system; abundance of examples from beleaguered faculty members such as Juan Hong (Univ. of California, Irvine), Ward Churchill (Univ. of Colorado), and Sami al-Arian (Univ. of South Florida); insights into the financial exigencies that threaten academe; and predictions for the future. Verdict Highly recommended for collections that focus on higher education.—Elizabeth Connor, The Citadel, Military Coll. of South Carolina, Lib., Charleston
Taylor, Mark C. Crisis on Campus: A Bold Plan for Reforming Our Colleges and Universities. Knopf. Sept. 2010. c.240p. index. ISBN 978-0-307-59329-0. $24. ED
Taylor (chair, religion dept., Columbia Univ.) is a widely published, highly successful academic who remains involved in innovative teaching projects. Here, he asserts that American higher education faces an intellectual, organizational, and financial crisis and needs to be transformed. Because new information and communication technologies have created a network culture that changes the way information is produced and consumed, universities need to develop strategies for interdisciplinary curricula and collaborative relationships with both academic and nonacademic institutions. In his wide-ranging analysis, Taylor combines intellectual history and contemporary cultural criticism with examples of academic innovation and current university inefficiencies. He demonstrates an exuberant willingness to take on academic conventions, most dramatically calling for the end of lifelong tenure appointments. Verdict Because American higher education is decentralized, there is no easy way to move forward on Taylor's recommendations; however, his innovative proposals will generate thoughtful, occasionally angry responses from academic leaders and interested laypeople alike. Serious, challenging, and well written.—Elizabeth R. Hayford, Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL
History
Dikötter, Frank. Mao's Great Famine:
The History of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958–1962. Walker. Oct. 2010. c.448p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8027-7768-3. $30. HIST
From 1958 to 1962, Mao Zedong oversaw a massive collectivization, announced to the world as his "Great Leap Forward," an attempt to push China, both agriculturally and industrially, into the 20th century. Instead Mao destroyed the lives of millions of Chinese, forcing them to work under inhuman conditions on "the people's" farms. A devastating famine that killed approximately 30 million resulted from poor planning, execution, and widespread corruption. When even Mao's closest colleagues began to point out this folly, Mao consolidated his power and continued down this road of devastation with the "Great Cultural Revolution" (1966–76). Dikötter (Sch. of Oriental & African Studies, Univ. of London; The Discourse of Race in Modern China) writes a compelling account of the Great Leap Forward. Verdict Aided by newly released historical documents detailing the savage infighting and backstabbing of those in power and the extent of the nationwide damage, Dikötter has produced one of the best single-volume resources on the topic. Although a scholarly, heavily footnoted work, its flowing narrative—effectively a cautionary tale on the destructive powers of misguided ambition and blind hubris—reads well. Recommended for specialists as well as interested general readers.—Glenn Masuchika, Pennsylvania State University Lib., University Park
Foner, Eric. The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. Norton. Oct. 2010. c.448p. illus. maps. index. ISBN 978-0-393-06618-0. $29.95. HIST
Foner (DeWitt Clinton Professor of History, Columbia Univ.; Reconstruction), our most distinguished scholar assaying the meaning of American freedom, ventures boldly into the tangled study of Lincoln's relationship with slavery and race to produce an original and compelling argument. Based on a close rereading of Lincoln documents and careful consideration of the changing contexts in which Lincoln thought and acted, Foner shows that Lincoln's relationship to slavery was sometimes contradictory in the details but persistent in his belief that slavery must somehow die so that the nation might live. Foner argues that Lincoln was sometimes conflicted on race but that antislavery sentiments shaped his policies as much as wartime demands for party unity, border-state loyalty, and public support affected his move toward emancipation and arming blacks. To Foner Lincoln both operated within and transcended the politics of slavery in his day. His capacity for growth was the lodestar of his greatness as an instrument for freedom. VERDICT In the vast library on Lincoln, Foner's book stands out as the most sensitive and sensible reading of Lincoln's lifetime involvement with slavery and the most insightful assessment of Lincoln's—and indeed America's—imperative to move toward freedom lest it be lost. An essential work for all Americans.—Randall M. Miller, Saint Joseph's Univ., Philadelphia
Lemay, Benoît. Erich von Manstein: Hitler's Master Strategist. Casemate. 2010. c.528p. tr. from French by Pierce Heyward. illus. bibliog.
index. ISBN 978-1-935149-26-2. $32.95. HIST
In a general staff featuring many talented strategists, Manstein was one of Hitler's most exceptional. A veteran of World War I, he attained the rank of field marshal before being dismissed by Hitler in 1944 for frequently challenging Hitler's military decisions. But for all of Manstein's brilliance, Lemay (history, Univ. of Montreal) demonstrates that he was also a willing servant who carried out Hitler's most heinous orders. Manstein saw himself as merely a military officer uninvolved in any political or ideological issues. He was aware of massacres and war crimes carried out by his own men and even refused to forward complaints about such actions to his superiors. Despite Manstein's insistence that he was merely a soldier serving the state, Lemay never lets us forget that he was morally responsible for his own actions. Though informative and objective, Lemay's work will compete with Mungo Melvin's recent Manstein: Hitler's Greatest General, published in the United Kingdom and written with the cooperation of Manstein family members. VERDICT A worthwhile addition for World War II enthusiasts, but readers should consider Melvin's biography as well.—Matthew J. Wayman, Penn State Schuylkill Lib., Schuylkill Haven
Ostler, Jeffrey. The Lakotas and the Black Hills: The Struggle for Sacred Ground. Viking. (Penguin Library of American Indian History). 2010. c.256p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-670-02195-6. $22.95. HIST
This concise and evenhanded review of Lakota Sioux claims to the Black Hills is a welcome addition to American Indian legal literature. Expanding upon the very personal telling in Edward Lazarus's Black Hills/White Justice, Ostler (history, Univ. of Oregon; The Plains Sioux and U.S. Colonialism from Lewis and Clark to Wounded Knee) studies the full history of Sioux efforts to reclaim the Black Hills, right up to the present. Balancing many points of view in a succinct text, Ostler discusses claims of other American Indian nations, Black Hills gold and its historic significance, the creation of Mount Rushmore, the Sioux victory in the U.S. court of claims and subsequent refusal to accept a cash settlement, the American Indian Movement's (AIM's) 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee, and a congressional attempt to turn over federal lands to the tribes. VERDICT Drawing on interdisciplinary studies, including the views and ethnohistory of the Lakota Sioux, Ostler provides a comprehensive recounting of this legal claims odyssey. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries and to individuals trying to make sense of long-standing cultural tensions in the Black Hills of the northern plains.—Nathan E. Bender, Laramie, WY
Sackville-West, Robert. Inheritance: The Story of Knole and the Sackvilles. Walker. Sept. 2010. c.320p. index. ISBN 978-0-8027-7901-4. $26. HIST
Knole is one of the largest houses in England, a so-called calendar house purported to have 365 rooms, 52 staircases, and seven courtyards. Its labyrinthine twists and turns seem to mimic its complex transfer, by male primogeniture, through 13 generations (so far) of the well-connected Sackville family, beginning with Knole's purchase in 1604 by Thomas Sackville and ending with its inheritance by author Sackville-West, seventh Baron Sackville. Falling somewhere between an unfussy family history and a more serious work of scholarship, this book marries the tale of Knole to a personal and absorbing story of the author's ancestors, who included such intriguing figures as Vita Sackville-West, inspiration for her friend Virginia Woolf's Orlando. VERDICT This book may be a bit esoteric for the casual history buff unfamiliar with the Sackville clan, yet it also lacks a full (rather than "select") bibliography and endnotes to please the more specialized historian. Nonetheless, it's an engaging read, especially for those who enjoy the personal histories of the British aristocracy.—Tessa L. H. Minchew, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston
Worsley, Lucy. The Courtiers: Splendor and Intrigue in the Georgian Court at Kensington Palace. Walker. Aug. 2010. c.432p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8027-1987-4. $30. HIST
In 1725, England's George I commissioned court painter William King to decorate the grand staircase of Kensington Palace. The resulting trompe l'oeil mural included 45 portraits of royal servants from clerks to maids of honor. Worsley (chief curator, Historic Royal Palaces; Cavalier: A Tale of Chivalry, Passion, and Great Houses) focuses on some of the portrayed figures as she tells the story of court life from 1714 to 1760, in the time of the battling father and son, George I and George II, German-speaking rulers brought to England with the demise of the Stuarts. Among those whose lives are followed: George II's mistress Henrietta Howard, who served as woman of the bedchamber to his tolerant wife, Queen Caroline; the beautiful maid of honor Molly Lepell, who ran off with resident court cynic John Hervey; a "wild boy" kept as a pet by the king; and George I's Turkish valets Mustapha and Mohammed. VERDICT In contrast to Worsley's brilliantly organized, meticulously researched Cavalier, this book does not flow well; it is rambling and unfocused, a gossipy account of Hanoverian court life suitable for reading perhaps by some royal watchers but not likely to satisfy those most interested in the era.—Stewart Desmond, New York
Operation Mincemeant
Macintyre, Ben. Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured Allied Victory. Harmony: Crown. 2010. c.320p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-307-45327-3. $25.99. HIST
Macintyre (assoc. editor, Times of London; Agent Zigzag) takes readers on an exciting World War II adventure as he details one of the most famous military intelligence operations of the 20th century. In July 1943 the semidecomposed body of a man who seemed to be a British soldier was discovered floating off of southwestern Spain. When the body was examined by Spanish officials (Spain was neutral but sympathetic to Germany), they identified him as Royal Marine officer William Martin and passed on the information discovered in his belongings. It was all a deception that included love letters from a fiancée, her photograph, stubs of London theater tickets, bank notices, and so on. More crucially, Major Martin was carrying sealed letters to senior military figures in North Africa. When these documents reached Berlin they induced a response from the German military that greatly enabled the Allied invasion of Sicily. Mcintyre turns this successful Allied endeavor into a rousing story, recounting also the life of the Welshman who died down on his luck and became the body of "William Martin." VERDICT This retelling of a well-known part of World War II espionage history will appeal to military history buffs, especially those new to this particular episode, and to readers of adventure fiction, who will find it hard to put down.—Sheri Beth Scovil, Bartow Cty. Lib. Syst., Cartersville, GA
Smyth, Denis. Deathly Deception: The Real Story of Operation Mincemeat. Oxford Univ. Aug. 2010. c.384p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-19-923398-4. $29.95. HIST
When the Allies decided to invade Sicily in summer 1943, they floated the body of a British military officer ashore in German-friendly Spain with the hope that the documents he carried would influence the Germans to believe that the Greek islands or Sardinia would be the Allies' actual target—and the ruse appeared to work. First told in Ewen Montagu's The Man Who Never Was, which was made into a film, Smyth's (history & international relations, Univ. of Toronto; Diplomacy and Strategy of Survival) new account is a veritable administrative history of both sides. Recently declassified records provide many new details about this deadly brain game between skilled opponents; the book also benefits from amusing profiles of the brilliant but eccentric personalities involved. What comes through is how important chance can be for intelligence activities and how one can quietly work to improve the odds. Smyth identifies the man whose body was used for "Major Martin" and thoroughly documents this work with endnotes and a bibliography. VERDICT This fascinating story is told with new thoroughness. Recommended for all studying World War II intelligence activities. Ben McIntyre's Operation Mincemeat is oriented more for popular readers, and both books identify the same man as the corpse. (Index and photos not seen.)—Daniel K. Blewett, Coll. of DuPage Lib., Glen Ellyn, IL
Law & Crime
Ball, Carlos A. From the Closet to the Courtroom: Five LGBT Rights Lawsuits That Have Changed Our Nation. Beacon, dist. by Random. 2010. c.288p. index. ISBN 978-0-8070-0078-6. $27.95. LAW
Ball (law, Rutgers Univ.; The Morality of Gay Rights), who's written several books and articles on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, here describes and analyzes five major state and federal court cases (on family, harassment, discrimination, sexual acts, and marriage) involving LGBT rights. Included are the legal frameworks, legal arguments, plaintiffs and major players involved, resulting decisions, and impact of cases. He notes that these lawsuits have "helped to make LGBT people visible by forcing society to grapple with both their existence and their aspirations." Though lesser known than the progression of cases that established many civil rights for African Americans, a strategic series of cases are being pursued by lawyers for LGBT plaintiffs and organizations. Verdict While other recent books on LGBT court cases offer broader coverage, such as Susan Gluck Mezey's Queers in Court: Gay Rights, Law and Public Policy, no other book covers this particular set of cases. This will be of particular interest as the California gay marriage case wends its way through the courts and "don't ask, don't tell" features prominently in the news.—Mary Jane Brustman, Univ. at Albany Libs., NY
Christianson, Scott. The Last Gasp: The Rise and Fall of the American Gas Chamber. Univ. of California. 2010. c.336p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-520-25562-3. $27.50. CRIME
Christianson (Condemned: Inside the Sing Sing Death House) examines one aspect of humanity's dark side. The use of poison gas for the execution of "undesirables" originated in the eugenics movement of the late 19th century and gained the support of many respectable intellectuals in Europe and the United States. World War I later introduced gas to modern warfare in Europe, and Nevada constructed and used the first gas chamber in 1924. Collaboration of American and German industrialists brought the use of hydrogen cyanide and Hitler's adoption of U.S. gas-chamber technology to carry out the Holocaust. Executions as a whole declined in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s but returned in frequency as the political climate changed during the 1970s. Death by lethal injection has replaced gas for executions, with the gas chamber being used for the last time in 1999. Christianson uses government documents, newspapers, and secondary sources to present this tale and includes a list of people executed by gas in this country from 1924 to 1999. VERDICT This sobering work is recommended to all readers interested in exploring the topic.—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ., Parkersburg
DuBoff, Leonard D. & Christy O. King. The Law (in Plain English) for Photographers. 3d ed. Allworth. 2010. c.215p. index. ISBN 978-1-58115-712-3. pap. $24.95. LAW
Intellectual property attorneys DuBoff and King have designed this comprehensive guide to answer the business and legal questions of professional photographers. The book lives up to its plain English billing without dumbing down explanations of complex intellectual property, copyright, privacy, and licensing issues. The authors tackle the business end of professional photography with chapters on insurance, contracts, taxes, and leases. An especially good section on estate planning will help commercial and art photographers take steps to preserve the value of their work for the future. Appendixes offer business forms, a table of full citations to the court cases referenced, and contact information for professional photography associations. VERDICT Newly updated material on the evolving laws regarding publicity rights for the images of deceased celebrities, a discussion of post-9/11 restrictions on photographing public facilities, and the online registration procedures at the Copyright Office make this a suggested purchase.—Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach PLLC, Rochester, NY
Paradis, Cheryl. The Measure of Madness: Inside the Disturbed and Disturbing Criminal Mind. Citadel: Kensington. 2010. c.320p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8065-3105-2. pap. $16.95. law
Insanity pleas are infrequently used (about one percent of cases) and rarely successful (about 20 percent of these cases), yet the circumstances involving them are often more captivating than fiction. Furthermore, these cases raise compelling issues about human nature, good and evil, and free will. Paradis (psychology, Marymount Manhattan Coll.), a forensic psychologist, describes 18 of her most challenging cases spanning more than 20 years. Perpetrators include "subway pushers," battered wives who kill, mentally deranged murderers, and those who attempt "suicide by cop." Their psychiatric defenses include extreme emotional disturbance, brain disease/damage, and even sleep medication side effects. In the second half, Paradis covers legal competency evaluations and juveniles and the assessment of malingering or faking psychiatric symptoms to avoid guilt. The author's use of established psychological testing tools and interviewing techniques is instructive, and the vignettes are written in a clear narrative style. Several cases include sufficient courtroom detail to serve as script outlines for a forensic psychology series.
VERDICT This authoritative and even riveting introduction to "neurolaw" should appeal to aspiring lawyers, mental competency specialists, and devotees of courtroom drama.—Antoinette Brinkman, M.L.S., Evansville, IN
The Supreme Court: A C-Span Book Featuring the Justices in Their Own Words. PublicAffairs: Perseus. 2010. c.400p. ed. by Brian Lamb & others. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-58648-835-2. $29.95. LAW
C-SPAN staffers Lamb (founding CEO), Susan Swain (president & co-chief operating officer), and Mark Farkas (executive producer) have assembled a selection of interviews with current and former Supreme Court justices, as well as court followers, experts, and participants in the judicial process drawn from the fields of law, government, and journalism. Taken together, the interviews provide a historical overview and policy perspective of the court rarely seen in the current literature. The justices pontificate on the court's history, its place in the structure of government, and its role in shaping modern society. Especially revealing are the discussions centered on its inner workings, such as the manner in which cases come before the court, how they are heard, and how justices discuss, debate, and decide their opinions. The book is capped with many useful reference resources, including biographies, listings, surveys, statistics, and a summary of important decisions and seminal historical events in Supreme Court history.
VERDICT Aimed at a general audience, this is recommended mainly for public and high school libraries.—Philip Y. Blue, New York State Supreme Court Criminal Branch Law Lib., First Judicial Dist., New York
Wittman, Robert K. with John Shiffman. Priceless: How I Went Undercover To Rescue
the World's Stolen Treasures. Crown. 2010. c.320p. ISBN 978-0-307-46147-6. $25. CRIME
The theft and retrieval of priceless works of art, historic documents, or artifacts can be a Herculean law enforcement challenge. With the creation of the FBI's Art Crime Team—led by 20-year veteran special agent Wittman—the reader enters a clandestine world of criminal activities of epic proportion. Writing with investigative reporter Shiffman, Wittman unfurls a web of intrigue and danger in this rare glimpse into high-level detective work that has resulted in the retrieval of more than $225 million worth of stolen artwork and documents in the past two decades. One of the recent cases solved by the Art Crime Team was the return of one of 14 original copies of the Bill of Rights taken by Union soldiers at the end of the American Civil War (this is depicted in full in David Howard's Lost Rights: The Misadventures of a Stolen American Relic). Wittman's successes as an undercover agent, extensive training in the world of art, and skill as a lead detective and investigator are well documented in this autobiography. VERDICT An essential read for those interested in art history and law enforcement.—Claire Franek, MSLS, Brockport, NY
Political Science
Feldstein, Mark. Poisoning the Press: Richard Nixon, Jack Anderson, and the Rise of Washington's Scandal Culture. Farrar. Sept. 2010. c.480p. illus. bibliog. index.
ISBN 978-0-374-23530-7. $30. POL SCI
The long feud between Richard Nixon and muckraking journalist Jack Anderson, told here in skunk v. skunk detail, was the opening salvo in the ongoing American war between the presidency and the media. Feldstein (media & public affairs, George Washington Univ.)—formerly a college intern for Anderson and network TV correspondent—includes more than 200 interviews he conducted in recent years, which show how Anderson ruled the press from his "Washington-Merry-Go-Round" column and revealed some of Nixon's most flagrant pre-Watergate scandals. Feldstein writes that Anderson would bribe informers and rely on false information to nail his story; he lost much of his clout following Watergate, when investigative reporting became the media norm, but not before Nixon had conspired to murder him, according to Feldstein's sources. VERDICT This exposé vividly shows the worst qualities of both Anderson and Nixon and traces the devolution of the modern media to its present state, in which unbiased reporting is often overwhelmed by sensationalism and rage spewed through cable TV, blogs, and the Internet. This fast-moving narrative will fascinate readers of recent American political and journalism history.—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA
Kaplan, Robert D. Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power. Random. Oct. 2010. c.384p. ISBN 978-1-4000-6746-6. $28. INT AFFAIRS
The Indian Ocean has been a major commercial trading area for many centuries. Kaplan (Imperial Grunts: On the Ground with the American Military, from Mongolia to the Philippines to Iraq and Beyond) asserts that it is the most important such commercial area, carrying half the world's container shipments and even more oil trade. The littoral states on the southern edge of Eurasia are vital to U.S. interests because of the two current U.S. wars, the oil reserves there, and the large Muslim populations. Rising powers China and India rely on it for their trade. Kaplan takes readers on a tour of the region, including East Africa, Oman, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Indonesia, explaining in each case the state's historical reliance on the Indian Ocean and relationships with neighboring states as well as its importance to vital U.S. interests. VERDICT The result is a rich portrait of geopolitical complexity—it is not policy prescriptive but emphasizes that the players in the region deserve increased attention from Western policymakers. Many pundits and sources can seem overly simplistic and bellicose in their foreign policy recommendations. This more nuanced discussion will appeal to thoughtful readers of current events and international affairs.—Marcia L. Sprules, Council on Foreign Relations Lib., New York
Reinsch, Richard M., III. Whittaker Chambers:
The Spirit of a Counterrevolutionary. ISI. (Library of Modern Thinkers). 2010. c.224p. index. ISBN 978-1-935191-52-0. $24.95. POL SCI
When Whittaker Chambers famously named U.S. State Department officer Alger Hiss as a Communist and active Soviet agent in 1948, he came instantly to personify the divisive political splits that now define Cold War America. Hiss, a Harvard patrician, was seen by liberals as innocent or guilty of nothing more than lying about a matter of conscience, but a growing number of anti-Communists who dominated U.S. political discourse considered Hiss the personification of a treasonous cancer and Chambers the conscience speaking truth to power. A cultural critic and book reviewer, Chambers wrote for Time and the just-founded National Review; his 1952 manifesto, Witness, dismissed by anti anti-Communists, is a foundational text of American conservatives—and that is the perspective from which Reinsch (Abraham Lincoln Fellow, Claremont Inst.) reads and praises Chambers in this intellectual biography. Reinsch carefully reconstructs—in a staccato prose to which adjusting is required—Chambers's deep pessimism that Communist hegemony was inevitable and the West's total decline unavoidable. Chambers feared less the loss of individual freedom than that collectivism would destroy religion and humankind's commitment to God. VERDICT For comprehensive collections on American conservatism or general American politics. This study in no way replaces Sam Tanenhaus's 1997 biography of Chambers but should be considered as an optional addition.—Scott H. Silverman, Earlham Coll. Lib., Richmond, IN
Traister, Rebecca. Big Girls Don't Cry:
The Election That Changed Everything for American Women. Free Pr: S. & S. Sept. 2010. c.304p. ISBN 978-1-4391-5028-3. $26. POLITICS
Hillary Clinton concluded that her success in the 2008 primaries meant that children could grow up taking for granted that a woman can be U.S. President. When Sarah Palin then accepted her party's nomination for vice president, it revived the idea of a woman as President. Traister (Salon.com) here reflects on women's impact on the political process in 2008, the candidates, the media's sometimes sexist attention to Clinton and Palin, and voters' reactions to the candidates and campaigns. She looks at the complicated roles some candidates' spouses played and the media's challenge covering the possibility that we'd have an African American or a female President. Traister names several male correspondents who, in her view, displayed a significant level of sexist reporting and praises sound, professional coverage by numerous female correspondents. She quotes extensively from online media to support her views, thus providing broader perspective. VERDICT This will appeal to readers interested in the 2008 elections, women in politics, or media coverage of politics.—Jill Ortner, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.
Psychology
Armstrong, Thomas. Neurodiversity: Discovering the Extraordinary Gifts of Autism,
ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Brain Differences.
Da Capo Lifelong. 2010. c.288p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-7382-1354-5. $26. PSYCH
Armstrong uses the term neurodiversity to encompass a new way of thinking about a variety of disabilities (e.g., autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia) by focusing on their potential benefits rather than problems. For each of these conditions, he provides an overview, examples of complementary careers, and stories of people who exceed expectations. In the section on autism, Armstrong looks at math savants and those with amazing memory to showcase what people can accomplish. While this is useful and uplifting for individuals staring at these lifelong conditions, it might be disingenuous, much like citing basketball great Michael Jordan's being cut from his high school team as an example of overcoming adversity. Just as it is not realistic that everyone cut from a team will be Michael Jordan, not everyone with autism or dyslexia can succeed in his or her chosen field. Examples used are from highly accomplished and highly functioning people with these conditions, so they do not represent realistic paths for many facing more debilitating conditions. VERDICT Despite problems, this is recommended for readers interested in all the facets of these disabilities.—Corey Seeman, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor
Kozintsev, Alexander. The Mirror of Laughter. Transaction. 2010. c.256p. tr. from Rusian by Richard Martin. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-4128-1099-9. $49.95. PSYCH
This is not a lighthearted take on humor. Kozintsev (senior researcher, Museum of Anthropology & Ethnography, St. Petersburg, Russia) examines the nature of laughter and humor from several disciplinary angles. Kozintsev scrutinizes the semantics of play in order to better understand humor but does it so meticulously under a philosophical and psychological framework that it can at times be hard to follow. Laughter is further analyzed from cultural and biological perspectives, leaving the reader with a more transparent view of its nature. Perhaps because of the translation, the book lacks the cohesive structure found in similarly themed scholarly works. VERDICT Kozintsev admits in the preface that not everyone will find his book a page-turner; few chapters and almost no subheadings to break up the text make for a difficult reading experience. Several obscure references and an overtly analytical nature make this more suited for academics and philosophers than casual readers.—Melissa Mallon, Univ. of Pittsburgh, Johnstown
MacKay, Sandra Yuen. My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery from Mental Illness. Bridgeross, dist. by Ingram. Sept. 2010.
c.206p. ISBN 978-0-9810037-9-5. $19.95. PSYCH
While clumsily written and in dire need of a professional editor or perhaps even a ghostwriter, this volume is nonetheless remarkably compelling. The book takes on a life of its own as MacKay relates her lifelong struggles with severe mental illness. In particular, she illuminates the ways in which schizophrenic delusions can hijack one's life. MacKay vividly re-creates her world of schizophrenia, introducing readers to a whole new stratum of perception. Significantly, MacKay finds her salvation through art and writing, as she learns to capitalize on creative insights gleaned from her bouts with mental illness. Verdict MacKay's enlightening portrayal of her illness, hospitalizations, relationships, therapeutic activities, and quest for recovery will hold readers captive despite the elementary language and disjointed structure of the memoir. Like Kay Redfield Jamison's more eloquent An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness, this slight piece provides a surprisingly gripping narrative that will appeal to Jamison aficionados.—Lynne F. Maxwell, Villanova Univ. Sch. of Law Lib., PA
Social Sciences
Fellows, Will & Helen Branson. Gay Bar: The Fabulous, True Story of a Daring Woman and Her Boys in the 1950s. Univ. of Wisconsin. Oct. 2010. c.186p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-299-24850-5. $26.95. SOC SCI
Few books are unique, but this one comes close. It's the firsthand, contemporary account by a straight woman, Branson, who owned a gay bar in 1950s Los Angeles. Originally published in 1957, the book shows Branson to be a compassionate and astute observer of gay mores, now providing a rare primary source of gay life in an era from which such information is hard to obtain. Researchers will find material on the relationships between gay men and women, what gay parties were like, and the distinct house rules that Branson set up for patronage of her bar, among other topics. Fellows (Farm Boys: Lives of Gay Men from the Rural Midwest) intersperses her narrative with contextualizing historical and political information that greatly aids readers' understanding. Verdict Donald Vining's multivolume A Gay Diary and Ricardo J. Brown's compelling The Evening Crowd at Kirmser's: A Gay Life in the 1940s are related titles, but these were first published long after the fact. General readers of memoir or LGBT lit, as well as historians, will find Gay Bar to be a charming, informative read.—David S. Azzolina, Univ. of Pennsylvania Libs., Philadelphia
Perales, Monica. Smeltertown: Making and Remembering A Southwest Border Community. Univ. of North Carolina. Sept. 2010. c.336p. illus. maps. index. ISBN 978-0-8078-3411-4. $65; pap. ISBN 978-0-8078-7146-1. $22.95. SOC SCI
Smeltertown, or La Esmelda, was a company town that developed around the American Smelting and Refining Company plant in El Paso, TX. Perales (history, Univ. of Houston) offers not simply a narrative history of this area, but also a look at how the community was created by Anglos and Hispanics, citizens and immigrants, rich and poor. The book explores the sometimes contradictory dichotomy between the history and the development of the community, in particular the paternal and often negative treatment of the Mexican labor pool, and how the residents, Esmeltianos, created a sense of place and fashioned their identities as Mexicans and Americans. Personal stories and remembrances throughout the text help paint a picture that appears rosier, at least in the Esmeltianos' memory, than the history portrays. VERDICT Though the text is a bit repetitious, this well-researched and well-documented work would be a good addition for academic libraries, especially collections related to borderlands studies or labor issues.—Mike Miller, Austin P.L., TX
Perry, Joe. Christmas in Germany: A Cultural History. Univ. of North Carolina. Sept. 2010. c.424p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-8078-3364-3. $49.95. SOC SCI
American Christmas traditions include many borrowed from Germany, including such mainstays as the Christmas tree and the carol "Silent Night." Here, Perry (modern German & European history, Georgia State Univ.) takes the cultural history of Christmas in Germany through the last 200 years. He doesn't simply describe well-known German traditions but delves into the political circumstances—for example, the nationalism—that came newly to shape the 19th-century German Christmas celebration, giving us much of what we consider Christmas to be today. Perry also covers both the Christmas truce of 1914 in World War I and the handling of Christmas during the Third Reich with the advent of Volksweihnachten ("people's Christmas"). VERDICT Rich with illustrations and the use of German primary sources, this book will be loved by German history buffs and broader cultural historians—a welcome addition to academic collections. Extensive notes and a lengthy bibliography will aid any researcher in this subject area.—Holly Hebert, Rochester Coll. Lib., Rochester Hills, MI
Travel & Geography
Frazier, Ian. Travels in Siberia. Farrar. Oct. 2010. c.544p. illus. maps. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-374-27872-4. $28. TRAV
New Yorker contributor Frazier's (On the Rez) latest is the culmination of nearly two decades of travel to Russia. He takes us on a fascinating journey through Siberia's history, from the 13th-century invading Golden Horde to banished Decembrists of the 19th century, Stalin-era prison camps, and enduring rich mineral resources. Siberia as we know it is a cold, barren place of exile; Frazier shows it as that and more as his travels take him through cities and villages, museums, salmon fishing camps, and ice roads. He travels with scientists who can fix car problems with roadside debris and rejoices in airplanes named after writers. Yet Siberia's gulags are slumping barracks, preserved by bitter cold, unmarked and typically avoided. Frazier explores Siberia's vast size and story as well as the region's contradictions. Verdict Highly recommended for history buffs, armchair travelers, and lovers of a good essay. [Ten-city tour.]—Melissa Stearns, Franklin Pierce Univ. Lib., Rindge, NH
Naipaul, V.S. The Masque of Africa: Glimpses
of African Belief. Knopf. Oct. 2010. c.256p. ISBN 978-0-307-27073-3. $26.95. TRAV
In his engrossing new work of nonfiction, Nobel Prize winner Naipaul (A Writer's People: Ways of Looking and Feeling) recounts his travels through six African countries and the religious and spiritual beliefs he encountered in each. The journey begins in 2008 with Naipaul's return to Uganda, where he had been a visiting professor in the 1960s. From there he takes us to Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Gabon, and, finally, South Africa. In each country, Naipaul visits sacred places and talks with people—from cab drivers to witch doctors and diviners—about their beliefs and spiritual practices. Naipaul narrates the journey with finely wrought detail, transporting the reader to the landscapes and city scenes he describes. Naipaul is witty, and his writing can be quite charming and delicate. He is also disarmingly frank in his assessments, a quality often not found in discussions of belief. Verdict A sharply written and engrossing exploration of the effects of religious and spiritual belief on societies. Effective both as a vivid piece of travel writing and for its glimpses of belief in Africa. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/10; 50,000-copy first printing; four-city tour.]—Rachel Bridgewater, Reed Coll. Lib., Portland, OR
Weiss, Rachael. Me, Myself & Prague: An Unreliable Guide to Bohemia. Allen & Unwin, dist. by Trafalgar Square. Oct. 2010. 316p. ISBN 978-1-74114-820-6. pap. $19.95. TRAV
Forty years old, with no career and in the shadow of her more successful siblings, Weiss takes her life's savings and heads to Prague for a year to discover the home of her ancestors, write the great Australian novel, and find romance. Unable to speak Czech, Weiss ends up befriending a small, colorful group of English-speaking expatriates who take her under their wings and introduce her to life in Prague. Author of another travel memoir, Are We There Yet?, Weiss offers a pleasantly readable narrative sprinkled with colorful bits of Aussie slang and funny and touching family moments, including a death-defying drive to the village of her father's family and a chilling visit to Terezin (Theresienstadt), the German showcase concentration camp where her grandfather died after a four-year internment. Verdict While in the mold of Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence, Weiss's acutely observant book will particularly appeal to women and should be especially popular in libraries serving patrons with Czech ancestry.—Linda M. Kaufmann, Massachusetts Coll. of Liberal Arts Lib., North Adam
