Science & Technology Reviews, August 2011
Aug 15, 2011AGRICULTURE
Gilman, Jeff & Meleah Maynard. Decoding Gardening Advice: The Science Behind the 100 Most Common Recommendations. Timber. Nov. 2011. c.256p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781604692204. pap. $16.95. GARDENING
Gillman (horticultural science, Univ. of Minnesota) and Maynard, a certified master gardener, have put together a focused guide for navigating the dos and don’ts of gardening. Born of the authors having been asked the same questions repeatedly, their book aims to evaluate popular gardening advice without turning gardening “into a joyless, by-the-numbers exercise.” In this they are successful; the book is well organized and reader friendly and delves into the “reasoning and research” of common gardening advice without being preachy or overly scientific. Each chapter focuses on a different topic and is divided into good advice (e.g., “Do not plant trees too deeply”), debatable advice (e.g., “Always stake young trees”), and wrong advice (“Beat a tree to get it to flower”). For quick reference, readers can check out “The Real Dirt” at the end of each section. VERDICT Helpful for novice and experienced gardeners alike, the practical advice here is backed up with interesting popular science and delivered in an engaging format. Although apartment dwellers may be sad that they can’t take the authors up on all this advice, there’s some coverage of pots and hanging baskets.—Jenny Contakos, Wolford Coll., Naples, FL
Ryan, Tom. Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship. Morrow. Sept. 2011. c.288p. photogs. ISBN 9780061997105. $25.99. PETS
Expectations are high for this book, the only dog memoir to be picked up by this publishing house since John Grogan’s Marley & Me (2005). After the death of his dog Max, newspaper publisher and writer Ryan meets a breeder with one very special miniature schnauzer pup available. From there, in a story at times reminiscent of Marley & Me though without that book’s blatant humor, the reader is pulled into the relationship that develops between Ryan and Atticus. Like Grogan, Ryan uses his newspaper columns to discuss Atticus’s impact on his life. The companionship improves Ryan’s physical and emotional health. He reconnects with family and bears his father’s death and the loss of his friend Vicki to cancer. Eventually, tired of the strain of an investigative reporting career and wishing to honor Vicki’s memory, he decides to climb New Hampshire’s 4000' White Mountains to earn money for charities, with Atticus at his side. VERDICT Near the head of the pack of pet memoirs for its exceptionally evocative writing and engaging story, this is a book that can be read more than once. Inspirational and heart-warming, it is sure to find a wide audience. [See Prepub Alert, 3/14/11.]—Edell Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI
HEALTH & MEDICINE
Cole, James. Trauma: My Life as an Emergency Surgeon. St. Martin’s. Oct. 2011. c.320p. photogs. ISBN 9780312552220. $25.99. MED
Cole, a surgeon and former Navy officer, paratrooper, and military diver, recounts his experiences as a trauma surgeon practicing not only in emergency rooms in the United States, but also while on duty in the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. He describes working under pressure and through sleep deprivation on difficult medical cases and treating critically injured gunshot, accident, and stabbing victims. He provides detailed explanations of complex medical procedures, using language that is easy for the layperson to follow. VERDICT Cole’s stories from both the ER and the military are well written, descriptive, and engrossing. Readers interested in military experiences or medicine, particularly trauma surgery, will find this book appealing. Recommended for most public library collections.—Dana Ladd, Community Health Education Ctr. Lib. for the Health Sciences, Richmond
Frank, Lone. My Beautiful Genome: Discovering Our Genetic Future, One Quirk at a Time. Oneworld, dist. by National Bk. Network. Oct. 2011. c.320p. index. ISBN 9781851688333. pap. $15.95. HEALTH
Danish science journalist Frank (Mindfield: How Brain Science Is Changing Our World) introduces readers to the brave new world of “consumer genetics,” which comprises services as various as gene-based dating websites, prenatal screening for sex or disabilities, and social networks that allow users to share their personal genetic information with the world. Frank, concerned about a family history of breast cancer, depression, and suicide, writes of her encounters with both European and American companies in her search for clues to her biology and personality. She comes to appreciate the difficulties of using genetic information as a road map to the future and concludes that our genes are not our destiny but only one element that may potentially be manipulated for good or ill. She also discusses the exciting new science of epigenetics, which explores how genes may be tempered by social or environmental factors. VERDICT This work joins Miriam Boleyn-Fitzgerald’s Pictures of the Mind as an accessible introduction to this new field of neuroscience. Lay readers will be intrigued by Frank’s witty, engaging account of the possibilities of emerging genetic sciences as well as her thoughtful considerations of the philosophical and ethical dimensions of the widespread use of genetic data.—Kathy Arsenault, St. Petersburg, FL
Tilney, Nicholas L. Invasion of the Body: Revolutions in Surgery. Harvard Univ. Sept. 2011. c.320p. illus. index. ISBN 9780674062283. $29.95. MED
With the history of surgery and the surgical profession as his main subjects, Tilney (surgery, Harvard Univ.; Transplant: From Myth to Reality) does not hesitate to take readers on numerous side trips that enhance their understanding of the field and illustrate the interrelatedness among the discipline of surgery and the rest of medicine. Touching on everything from sanitation-free barber surgeons to robotics, he discusses the evolving science of surgery, the growth of the profession, the individuals responsible for incremental developments and breakthroughs, the technologies now available, and the directions in which the field might be headed. Brief stories about individual patients plus personal anecdotes from Tilney’s many decades in practice and in academia keep the narrative flowing. Special attention is given to heart surgery and mechanical devices, the education and training of surgeons, and transplantation, the author’s own specialty. He concludes with a chapter on the U.S. health-care system and the ways he thinks it could be improved. VERDICT A broad subject is nicely condensed into a very readable book that should prove fascinating to both lay readers and professionals.—Dick Maxwell, Porter Adventist Hosp., Denver
Wolfe, Nathan. The Viral Storm: The Dawn of a New Pandemic Age. Times Bks: Holt. Oct. 2011. c.320p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780805091946. $26. HEALTH
Wolfe (human biology, Stanford Univ.; director, Global Viral Forecasting), a rising authority on global pandemics and one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people for 2011, shares frightening information on how viruses spread and become epidemic. This book can serve as a follow-up to Brad Spellberg’s Rising Plague, and, like Spellberg, Wolfe does an admirable job of making highly technical processes both interesting and understandable to the general reader. Starting with the basics of how viruses can jump from animal to human populations, Wolfe goes on to describe the ways that the interconnectedness of modern society makes us particularly vulnerable to these organisms. The final and perhaps most interesting section is Wolfe’s analysis of how science and technology can be used to improve our response to these potential dangers. By monitoring human and animal populations in key areas, scientists may be able to predict and even prevent future pandemics. VERDICT Highly recommended for all readers. This important book should be read by anyone wanting to stay informed on how global medical issues affect us all. [See Prepub Alert, 4/11/11.]—Tina Neville, Univ. of South Florida at St. Petersburg Lib.
HOME ECONOMICS
Bijan, Donia. Maman’s Homesick Pie: A Persian Heart in an American Kitchen. Algonquin. Oct. 2011. c.272p. ISBN 9781565129573. $19.95. COOKING
Bijan, award-winning chef and former restaurant owner in California, adds to the chef memoir trend with a tale that transcends the kitchen. She alternates among the worlds of her Persian childhood, American adolescence, and immersion in the culinary industry beginning at the Cordon Bleu in Paris. Her stories of living in Iran and her family’s transition to life in the United States after the fall of the Shah make up the most compelling parts of the book, and Bijan’s mother’s love of cooking and her resilience when faced with loss is the heart of her narrative. The included recipes are a welcome addition and do not overwhelm the story. VERDICT There is a little too much jumping back and forth in time and place, and in parts the story feels rushed, as if the author is trying to squeeze it all in. Even so, this is a solid entry in the genre, and its distinctive combination of lush descriptions of food, Iranian history, and a bit of adventure makes it a good choice for book groups. Recommended.—Ann Wilberton, Pace Univ. Lib., New York
Flinn, Kathleen. The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a Few Simple Lessons Transformed Nine Culinary Novices into Fearless Home Cooks. Viking. Sept. 2011. c.304p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780670023004. $26.95. COOKING
Flinn ( The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry ), who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, relates sharing her knowledge with nine novices who want to learn the basics of cooking. It sounds simple, but as Flinn and her partners discover, our relationship to food is surprisingly emotional, and the most important ingredient in any dish is usually confidence. Flinn bookends her tale by visiting each woman’s home kitchen, taking an inventory, and sharing a meal; the before-and-after scenes are inspiring. Woven throughout are over 20 recipes, advice on saving time and money, and interesting facts about food of the past and present. A recipe index provides a quick reference to staples such as DIY Vinaigrette, Fish en Papillote, and Soup Basics for Beginners. VERDICT An amiable companion to cookbook stalwarts such as Mark Bittman’s How To Cook Everything , Pam Anderson’s How To Cook Without a Book , and Michael Ruhlman’s Ratio , this title provides encouragement where the others offer direction. A mash-up of inspiration and reference, it will appeal to readers who enjoy a story with their instruction, in the vein of Jenni Ferrari-Adler’s Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant and Arlene Voski Avakian’s Through the Kitchen Window . [Five-city tour.] —Rosemarie Lewis, Georgetown Cty. Lib., SC
Goode, Jamie & Sam Harrop. Authentic Wine: Toward Natural and Sustainable Winemaking. Univ. of California. Sept. 2011. c.240p. photogs. index. ISBN 9780520265639. $29.95. BEVERAGES
According to Goode (wine writer, Sunday Express) and Master of Wine Harrop, categorizing wines as natural or not is an unrealistic approach. They outline instead how wines may exhibit degrees of naturalness; after all, to paraphrase the authors, there are no lakes or streams anywhere on Earth filled with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. All wine takes some sort of management or manipulation on its way from the vine through fermentation and bottling. This enlightening book tends toward promotion of making wine that is closer to unadulterated but acknowledges the important contributions of techniques and tools in the wine-making process. Part philosophical and part technical, the narrative is clear, engaging, and well argued. VERDICT An accessible and balanced read with a limited potential audience. Recommended for libraries with specialized interest in wine.—Peter Hepburn, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago
The Happy Table of Eugene Walter: Southern Spirits in Food and Drink. Univ. of North Carolina. Oct. 2011. c.296p. ed. by Donald Goodman & Thomas Head. illus. index. ISBN 9780807834831. $30. COOKING
Eugene Walter (1921–98) was a poet, author of American Cooking: Southern Style and other cookbooks, actor, editor, and Southern food aficionado. Walter’s literary executor, Goodman, and food writer Head have here compiled letters, essays, and sketches, along with a manuscript Walter left behind. This cookbook contains over 300 Southern-themed recipes for foods and libations that not only inspire but offer a history lesson of cooking methods and customs of the South. Walter’s thoughts and quips entertain as he traces traditional recipes and their variants. Along with the expected, such as cornbread, fried chicken, greens, coffees, and other traditional Southern fare, this collection shines with unexpected coverage of hangover cures, “Tacky Parties,” juleps (there is a difference between Maryland, Kentucky, and “Ladies’ ” versions), and Walter’s take on soul food. VERDICT Like Grandma’s cookbook found in the attic, this volume lacks traditional photographs and measurements (think dashes and pinches). It uniquely captures the history and culture of the South and is highly recommended for local history collections in the region.—Jane Hebert, Orange Cty. Lib. Syst., Orlando, FL
Krondl, Michael. Sweet Invention: A History of Dessert. Chicago Review, dist. by IPG. Oct. 2011. c.448p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781556529542. $24.95. COOKING
Czech-born artist, cooking instructor, and food writer Krondl dabbles in the origin of various common and uncommon sweet foods, such as cupcakes, doughnuts, and baklava. As in his earlier The Taste of Conquest: The Rise and Fall of the Three Great Cities of Spice, he interviews European, Indian, and American chefs and scours the digitized collections of various libraries to gather sociocultural and culinary tidbits related to food trends. Early on, he admits his fascination and curiosity with the interplay of these multifaceted issues, yet he attempts to cover too much—from fructose to fruitcake. The loose and chatty text, together with its pretentious tone, becomes difficult to comprehend. VERDICT Interested readers and pastry chefs might prefer Ann Amernick’s The Art of the Dessert. The many individual strands of this interesting topic deserve a more focused treatment similar in caliber to culinary historian Michael Symons’s A History of Cooks and Cooking.—Jerry P. Miller, Cambridge, MA
Make Mine a Double: Why Women Like Us Like To Drink (Or Not). Univ. Pr. of New England. Sept. 2011. c.192p. ed. by Gina Barreca. ISBN 9781584657590. $19.95. BEVERAGES
You don’t have to drink to enjoy this fine collection of short stories, poems, and essays edited by Barreca (English & feminist theory, Univ. of Connecticut; It’s Not That I’m Bitter…, or How I Learned To Stop Worrying About Visible Panty Lines and Conquered the World); the complex web of social, cultural, and political factors around women and alcohol will envelop both partakers and teetotalers. The selections run the gamut: Greta Scheibel recalls challenging norms by imbibing publicly in Tanzania; Sarah Rasher discusses negotiating the mores of drinking (and sexual preference) in Japan; Sarah Deming cleverly decries snobbishness and asks for a bartender who will simply make what’s ordered; Susan Campbell narrates her search for the perfect drink, which ultimately led her to soda; and Louise Crawford considers the volatile social cocktail of moms and booze. This reviewer swallowed the collection in a single, greedy gulp, but other readers may prefer to savor slowly the nearly 30 works by an impressive list of contributors (e.g., Amy Bloom, Jill Eisenstadt, and Wendy Liebman). VERDICT In lieu of an evening out with the intelligent, witty contributors, this laugh-out-loud funny, touching, thought-provoking collection is highly recommended.—Courtney Greene, Indiana Univ. Libs., Bloomington
Meehan, Jim (text) & Chris Gall (illus.). The PDT Cocktail Book: The Complete Bartender’s Guide from the Celebrated Speakeasy. Sterling Epicure. Nov. 2011. c.368p. illus. index. ISBN 9781402779237. $24.95. BEVERAGES
To enter PDT (Please Don’t Tell), the New York City speakeasy, imbibers walk through a red phone booth tucked in the corner of a hot dog shack. This is the world to which bartender Meehan introduces readers in his guide. He describes the design and layout of the bar and shares basic tips on mixing and tools as well as recipes for mixers and garnishes. The 304 drink recipes list creator and creation date and feature explanations of names, ingredients, or inspirations for the drinks. Many drinks are variations on classics, and they are easy to create. Meehan includes a brief spirits primer, providing basic information on the variations within a category, as well as recipes for hot dogs (some inspired by local chefs) on PDT’s menu. The guide is rounded out with recommended websites, memoirs, recipe books, and spirit histories from the last 125 years. Gall’s whimsical drawings lend a playful and stylish look. VERDICT Professional and home bartenders will appreciate the breadth of recipes, and followers of popular food culture will drink up the history of this groundbreaking bar. Recommended for all readers who enjoy a well-crafted cocktail.—Maura Deedy, Weymouth P.L., MA
SCIENCES
Frank, Adam. About Time: Cosmology and Culture at the Twilight of the Big Bang. Free Pr: S. & S. Sept. 2011. c.320p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781439169599. $26. SCI
Frank (astrophysics, Univ. of Rochester; The Constant Fire: Beyond the Science vs. Religion Debate), cofounder of NPR’s 13.7: Cosmos & Culture blog and frequent contributor to Discover and Astronomy magazines, here endeavors to reconstruct our understanding of time—both what he calls human time and cosmological time—with the contention that we are poised for a new definition or experience of time. He begins by ushering readers from the prehistoric to the modern era, showing how the cycles of nature and the sky became integrated into human culture over time. Next, he discusses cosmological time and lays out his proposal for a new “order” of time. The narrative is punctuated with vignettes, some of them amusing, designed to highlight and enrich various points of the narrative. VERDICT This will fascinate anyone curious about the nexus of astronomy and history and, of course, time. Recommended. [See Prepub Alert, 3/28/11.]—Peggy Dominy, Drexel Univ. Lib., Philadelphia
Grant, John. Denying Science: Conspiracy Theories, Media Distortions, and the War Against Reality. Prometheus. Aug. 2011. c.350p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781616143992. $25. SCI
Our society’s unprecedented access not only to multiple sources of information but to a seemingly infinite number of sources within single mediums (via cable television and the Internet) is thrilling. However, as popular science and science fiction writer Grant (Discarded Science; Corrupted Science), whose real name is Paul Barnett, carefully demonstrates here, the multitude of sources can also work against a democratic society as it tries to move forward collectively, particularly with regard to scientific topics. Drawing examples from topics such as global warming, AIDS, evolution, and eugenics, Grant cogently presents his case for how corporations as well as religious and political groups can skillfully present ostensibly scientific information that is utterly untrue or biased for their own self-serving purposes, confusing and misleading the general public. Of particular use to readers are the connections Grant notes among people, news networks, and other organizations, revealing who knows whom, with regard to each topic he covers. VERDICT The only major item missing in this otherwise thoughtful book is a discussion about how we might improve the current situation. Recommended for general collections and those on science and society and government.—Michael D. Cramer, Schwarz BioSciences, RTP, NC
Lappé, Frances Moore. EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think, To Create the World We Want. Nation: Perseus. Sept. 2011. c.320p. index. ISBN 9781568586830. $26. SCI
Best-selling author Lappé (Diet for a Small Planet) has had enough gloom; environmentalists are feeling doomed, and their talks, books, and blogs reflect that. After a particularly demoralizing conference, Lappé decided to begin a new chapter in environmental writing—a positive one, filled with hope. This work is unusual among books on the environment for another reason as well: it was essentially crowdsourced. Begun as a talk then posted on Lappé’s website Small Planet Institute (smallplanet.org) so that readers could contribute thoughts and ideas, the result is a thoroughly researched, overarching look at the political and emotional factors holding us back from making real changes in our nation’s energy use. VERDICT Well organized and filled with quotable summaries and real-world examples, this book uniquely captures how our society views itself as unable to solve major world problems and how we can overcome that view. Valuable as a general work on self-perception and the motivation to action, and essential to those feeling powerless in the struggle to reduce our environmental impact. Strongly recommended.—Jaime Hammond, Naugatuck Valley Community Coll., Waterbury, CT
Moreno, Jonathan D. The Body Politic: The Battle Over Science in America. Bellevue Literary. Oct. 2011. c.208p. index. ISBN 9781934137383. pap. $18.95. SCI
According to Moreno (David & Lyn Silfen University Professor, Univ. of Pennsylvania; Senior Fellow, Ctr. for American Progress; Mind Wars: Brain Research and National Defense), the American dream is founded on a belief in a future of scientifically driven progress. That is why the new biology (his term for recent developments in the life sciences) strikes at the heart of America’s political consciousness, challenges established alliances, and has the potential either to bring people together or to drive them apart. Moreno shows how biological discoveries aggravate cultural tensions, challenge our political system and values, and stimulate debate about the place of science and scientists in America. Although his progressive leanings are clear, he gives balanced treatment to a variety of views and arguments, equally discussing the promise of the new biology and the cultural, political, and social uncertainties it brings. VERDICT This is a sophisticated, useful, and well-written guide to the history and complex political issues surrounding the new biology. Recommended for anyone, general and scholarly readers alike, interested in a deeper understanding of the new biology, bioethics, and the political debates they engender.—Jon Bodnar, Emory Univ. Lib., Atlanta
Norton, Trevor. Smoking Ears and Screaming Teeth: A Celebration of Scientific Eccentricity and Self-Experimentation. Pegasus. Oct. 2011. c.400p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781605982540. $24.95. SCI
Meet the dedicated (some might say demented) scientists who risked lives (sometimes their own) to advance scientific knowledge in the days before medical ethics and institutional review boards. Norton (marine biology, emeritus, Univ. of Liverpool; Underwater To Get Out of the Rain: A Love Affair with the Sea) introduces us to doctors who infected themselves or others with deadly diseases and parasites, inhaled noxious gases, irradiated themselves, and experimented on themselves in other painful and sometimes gruesome ways. The reader will also meet scientists who ascended to the stratosphere, plumbed the ocean’s depths, and swam with sharks. Exciting tales of dangerous scientific exploits combine with the author’s dry British wit to make this one of the most entertaining science books this reviewer has ever read. Norton also works in lots of information about human anatomy, physiology, disease, and responses to extreme environments—all in terms that nonscientists can easily understand. A substantial bibliography is included for readers who wish to verify the author’s stranger-than-fiction tales. VERDICT Entertaining and informative, this book is highly recommended for anyone interested in medicine and science.—Janet A. Crum, City of Hope Lib., Duarte, CA
Tallis, Raymond. Aping Mankind: Neuromania, Darwinitis and the Misrepresentation of Humanity. Acumen. 2011. c.416p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781844652723. $29.95. SCI
Philosopher, poet, novelist, and physician Tallis (Emeritus Professor of Geriatric Medicine, Univ. of Manchester, UK; The Kingdom of Infinite Space: A Portrait of Your Head) here takes a passionate stand against biologic determinism. Using a variety of philosophical and scientific arguments, he makes the case that humans are not programmed by biology—that we have a mind of our own and are more than the sum of our evolutionary design or neurological programming. He specifically argues against the work of John Gray (Straw Dogs) and Daniel C. Dennett (Darwin’s Dangerous Idea) as examples of what he calls neuromania and darwinitis—that is, that they overemphasize neuroscience and evolutionary design at the expense of the conscious self. VERDICT Tallis’s style is entertaining and easy to read and understand, with generally useful citations (though one directs readers to a nonspecific Wikipedia entry). Neuroscience and determinism come up frequently in the news and popular press, and this contribution to the discussion is certain to keep the controversy over determinism going. Highly recommended for general and academic audiences.—Eric D. Albright, Tufts Health Sciences Lib., Boston
Unwin, Mike. The Atlas of Birds: Diversity, Behavior, and Conservation. Princeton Univ. 2011. 144p. photogs. maps. index. ISBN 9780691149493. pap. $22.95. NAT HIST
This is a rich overview of birdlife worldwide, an authoritative text enhanced by hundreds of excellent color photographs and scores of informative, attractive maps as well as sidebars and tables that synthesize a great deal of data in a small space. Subjects dealt with are myriad but include conservation, adaptation, birds and people, extinction and endangerment, migration, behavior, breeding strategies, climate change, invasive species, geographical distribution, a survey of main bird groupings, and more. At first glance this inviting book, a visual smorgasbord, might be mistaken as a superficial coffee-table item, but its vast coverage and succinct, accurate summarizations of important data make it an indispensable reference. For example, an eight-page table displays 11 conservation, demographic, and bird measures for all the world’s countries. Most of the photographs illustrate specific examples that document the general principles explained in the text, backed up by clever and substantial captions. Eight appropriate organizations are described, but there is no contact information. VERDICT This beautiful, informative resource is highly recommended.—Henry T. Armistead, formerly with Free Lib. of Philadelphia
Yergin, Daniel. The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World. Penguin Pr: Penguin Group (USA). Sept. 2011. c.816p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781594202834. $37.95. SCI
Possibly nobody in the world knows more about the staggering geopolitical complexities of global energy than Yergin, chairman of Cambridge Energy Research Associates and CNBC’s global energy expert. His celebrated prior work on the subject, The Prize, won a Pulitzer and was adapted into a PBS/BBC documentary series. The world today is vastly different, though, and there is currently a need for just such a book as his new one, which has equal sweep, depth, and narrative power as its predecessor. In five parts, he examines the rise and fall of “petro states,” the future of electrical power, global climate change, renewable and sustainable energy sources, and alternative fuels. The exhaustive primary sources include original research and technical reports, government reports and hearings, and numerous personal interviews. VERDICT This work immediately distinguishes itself as the leader in a somewhat crowded field of recent energy books (including Peter Maas’s Crude World and Tom Bower’s Oil). Yergin’s much-anticipated sequel is an essential purchase. [See Prepub Alert, 3/21/11.]—Gregg Sapp, Olympia, WA
