Science & Technology
Aug 15, 2010Agriculture
Bloom, Adrian. Bloom's Best Perennials and Grasses: Expert Plant Choices and Dramatic Combinations for Year-Round Gardens. Timber. 2010. 208p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-88192-931-7. $34.95. GARDENING
A lifelong gardener, Bloom (president, Blooms of Bressingham Nursery, Norfolk, UK; Blooms of Bressingham Garden Plants) here recommends almost 400 perennials and grasses suitable for the home garden. He begins with a section on garden design followed by specifics on choosing plants and general cultural information. He also describes a core group of 12 "tried-and-tested" plants that he often uses in his own garden designs. The heart of the book, the "Directory of Recommended Perennials and Grasses," is arranged alphabetically by scientific name, with each entry including common name(s), the plant's native regions, detailed descriptions, sitting information, culture, size, U.S.D.A. hardiness zones, and further recommended species or cultivars. Stunning color photographs enhance every page. He concludes the book with various lists of plants such as drought-resistant plants or plants for small gardens. VERDICT The authoritative text, vivid color photographs, and carefully selected plants—many of which are available at U.S. nurseries—make this an excellent choice for American gardeners in zones 3–9 looking for some of that magic British gardening wisdom.—Sue O'Brien, Downers Grove P.L., IL
Brown, Helen. Cleo: The Cat Who Mended a Family. Citadel: Kensington. Sept. 2010. 272p. ISBN 978-0-8065-3303-2. pap. $15.95. PETS
Brown's late son, Sam, was anticipating a kitten for his birthday; he died, tragically, at only nine years old, and the pet he wanted arrived after his funeral. Ostensibly, then, this book would be about Cleo's healing powers. Instead, most of it tracks Brown's emotional turmoil as she comes to grips with her child's death. The writing is at times flat (as when describing the death of her mother years later). Readers must endure conflicting emotions, improbable reactions, and exaggerations. Cleo is woven into the story throughout but not the way readers would expect. Often, extraneous events are related (Brown's love affairs) that don't have much if anything to do with Cleo or the healing process. When it comes to her reactions to situations, Brown can turn on a dime and frequently levels unnecessary criticism at others, including Cleo (for something as catlike as killing a bird). VERDICT While Sam's death was no doubt devastating, it remains to be seen what role Cleo played in Brown's recovery. Recommended only where interest in memoirs and pets runs high.—Edell M. Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI
Checchi, Mary Jane. The 50+ Dog Owner: Complete Dog Parenting for Baby Boomers and Beyond. T.F.H. 2010. c.272p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-7938-0643-0. $24.95. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
This all-inclusive guide is typical in its coverage of the major issues of concern for new dog owners. The only difference is that Checchi (Are You the Right Pet for Me?: Choosing the Right Pet for Your Family) writes for those who are over 50. She addresses concerns such as choosing the right dog while considering one's own ailments and how to plan for a dog's life in the event the human companion dies. Each chapter contains a "Resources Made Easy" section that provides additional readings, websites, products, and services pertinent to the chapter's subject matter. The font is slightly larger than that in most books, and pictures complement the text. VERDICT Those features, coupled with the comprehensive index, make this a practical source for fiftysomethings looking for a dog to share their golden years with.—Diana Hartle, Science Lib., Univ. of Georgia, Athens
Nagel, Vanessa Gardner. Understanding Garden Design: The Complete Handbook for Aspiring Designers. Timber. Sept. 2010. c.236p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-88192-943-0. $34.95. GARDENING
From planning and creation to implementation, landscape design is a complicated process. With novice gardeners and aspiring designers in mind, garden designer Nagel offers an overview of the whole enterprise, explaining why design is important, factors to consider, and how to get started. Accessing the site, gathering desired components, incorporating basic design principles, and implementing a design are detailed with photos, diagrams, and construction schedules. The construction phase is also considered in a chapter that discusses how to find and select a contractor, how to bid on a project, and the importance of maintaining good communication with the contractor. Final specifics, such as irrigation and garden lighting, are also covered. After the garden is completed, the author offers advice on showing a garden. VERDICT Although not as detailed and technical as Rosemary Alexander's The Essential Garden Design Workbook, this is an excellent guide for beginning home garden designers as well as students in the field.—Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence
Smith, Charles W.G. The Beginner's Guide to Edible Herbs: 26 Herbs Everyone Should Grow and Enjoy. Storey. 2010. 145p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-60342-528-5. pap. $12.95. GARDENING
Herb gardening provides an easy foray into gardening for cooks, crafters, and the increasing number of people experimenting with growing their own food. These beginning gardeners need direction, and horticulturalist Smith (The Weather-Resilient Garden) provides it in this primer on the most commonly used culinary herbs. A pictorial table of contents, along with the illustrated back cover, provides quick access to the alphabetical entries, which include information on how to grow, harvest, use, and preserve each herb. Recipes and comments on the healing uses of herbs are included, as they are in a plethora of other herb books. Beginners looking for a wider variety of herbs or a broader work that includes cultivating herbs for natural dyes will prefer Jekka McVicar's exemplary The Complete Herb Book, while readers seeking detailed folklore, legends, and historic recipes will enjoy the first American edition of Nancy Arrowsmith's Essential Herbal Wisdom. VERDICT Though not unique, this is a worthwhile introductory work for beginners and those public libraries currently needing an introductory herb book. Recommended.—Bonnie L. Poquette, Milwaukee, WI
Health & Medicine
Bracken, Jeanne Munn. Children with Cancer: A Comprehensive Reference Guide for Parents. Oxford Univ. Sept. 2010. c.560p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-19-514739-1. $24.95. HEALTH
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents face a bewildering array of choices. The prognosis and treatments have improved, so parents need information to make the best decisions. Bracken, a librarian whose daughter survived a childhood cancer, has updated her 1986 original to include the latest information about all aspects of childhood cancer. Introductory chapters define cancer and discuss causes and genetics; coverage of specific cancers (e.g., leukemia, bone cancers, neuroblastoma) follows. Part 2 covers treatments, including information about standard procedures, plus experimental and alternative therapies. Part 3 concerns coping: the emotional aspects of cancer, siblings, financial and legal matters, school, and survivors as well as death and dying. A chapter on using the Internet discusses the evaluation of information, but it does not cover search strategies. Each chapter has a resource list and recommended websites. A series of appendixes offers directories of clinics and organizations in the United States, Canada, and abroad, plus medical tests. VERDICT Highly recommended, this will be very helpful to parents/caregivers of children with cancer.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L.
Dalet, Roger, M.D. The Encyclopedia of Healing Points: The Home Guide to Acupressure for Health. Healing Arts: Inner Traditions. 2010. c.288p. illus. ISBN 978-1-59477-335-8. $24.95. HEALTH
Acupressure began in China about 2000 years ago. Preliminary studies have shown its effectiveness for relieving pain and nausea, as well as strengthening the immune system. Writing for health professionals and individuals, French acupuncturist Dalet describes acupuncture points for common illnesses and disorders and how to stimulate them for therapeutic relief. Each condition is described, along with related symptoms and causes. Standard medical treatment is outlined and acupressure techniques listed. Photos and diagrams illustrate specific anatomical points to use for treatment. Some of the many conditions Dalet claims to treat successfully include conjunctivitis, myopia, deafness, vertigo, colds and flu, cold sores, diabetes, orthopedic disorders, hepatitis, kidney stones, insomnia, and stings or bites from poisonous animals. VERDICT There are virtually no cautions about consulting a physician before using acupressure, even for chest pain or thromboses. Many users would find it difficult to continue stimulation for the ten to 15 minutes recommended for many conditions. While acupressure is clinically proven for some conditions, others listed have no evidence of efficacy. Not recommended.—Janet Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp., Tampa
Johnson, Christopher M., M.D. How Your Child Heals: An Inside Look at Common Childhood Ailments. Rowman & Littlefield. 2010. c.212p. ISBN 978-1-4422-0203-0. $34.95. HEALTH
Recognizing the abundance of books offering guidance to parents dealing with the various ailments and injuries that children encounter, Johnson (pediatrics, Mayo Clinic) has taken a different approach. His goal is to explain in understandable language what happens in the normally functioning body, then contrast that, often at the molecular level, with what transpires when things go wrong. While what to do is inevitably touched on, what is occurring and why take precedence. Topics include inflammation, the immune system, fractures, appendicitis, asthma and other allergic reactions, cancer, and signs and symptoms. He also discusses how to help a child heal and what can take place when healing doesn't occur. VERDICT While not the first book a worried parent would turn to, many will find it helpful in gaining a clearer understanding of what's happening. Because communication in the examining room is often poor, this book, clearly written without condescension, might serve interested parents very well.—Dick Maxwell, Porter Adventist Hosp., Denver
Home Economics
Home Made Simple: Fresh Ideas To Make Your Own. Griffin: St. Martin's. Sept. 2010. c.336p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-312-64147-4. $27.99. HOME ECON
Home Made Simple (HMS) is a registered trademark owned by the Procter & Gamble Corporation. In addition to a home show on the TLC network, HMS includes an e-newsletter, a website, and retail partners. In other words, it's a far-reaching brand. This book is a compilation of ideas from the TV show, the newsletter, and the website, organized into five chapters—"Organized Life," "Celebrate Living," "Clever Kitchen," "Outside Pleasures," and "Easy Décor"—that are like a year's curriculum in home economics class. Included are how-tos on everyday chores such as cleaning blinds, making coffee, and organizing spices; folding napkins, hosting a bridal shower, and planning a garden are presented in simple steps. Much of the book is devoted to easy and wholesome recipes. Charts, lists, and photos are abundant. VERDICT Although lacking originality and glitz, this book does pull together useful ideas for all areas of homemaking. Recommended where the HMS brand is popular. [Library marketing.]—Ann Weber, Bellarmine Coll. Preparatory Lib., San Jose, CA
Kimball, Kristin. The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love. Scribner. Oct. 2010. c.288p. ISBN 978-1-4165-5160-7. $24. COOKING
Kimball, a farmer and freelance writer, here tells the story of two loves: one with farming, and one with a man. She travels to Pennsylvania for an interview and meets Mark, a handsome farmer with a flair for culinary courtship. Driven by love and longing for a home, she follows him to northern New York, where they transform a neglected piece of land into a sustainable farm powered by horses and supported by year-round community-supported agriculture (CSA) memberships. While learning animal husbandry, nose-to-tail cooking, and maple syrup and cheese making, Kimball also learns to cope with the harsh realities of an agrarian lifestyle. VERDICT With a fiery romance at its heart, Kimball's welcome addition stands out from others in the growing genre of books on city girls turned farmers, butchers, cheese makers, and ranchers. Comparable titles include Frank Levering and Wanda Urbanska's Simple Living: One Couple's Search for a Better Life and Ree Drummond's The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl.—Lisa Campbell, Univ. of Alabama Lib., Tuscaloosa
McGee, Harold. Keys to Good Cooking: A Guide to Making the Best of Foods and Recipes. Penguin Pr: Penguin Group (USA). Nov. 2010. c.522p. index. ISBN 978-1-59420-268-1. $35. COOKING
McGee (On Food and Cooking) is known for his scientific approach to food and cooking, and his latest work continues in that vein. It comprises 24 chapters ranging from "Getting To Know Foods" to food safety to "Sugars, Syrups, and Candies." Each chapter is composed nearly entirely of definitions, tips, techniques, and facts concerning the topic in question. While some of this information is often included at the beginning of recipes (e.g., chill bowl and beaters before whipping cream), there are far more esoteric suggestions (e.g., the exact temperature to cook a meat confit to achieve the best results). The book contains no actual recipes, although some sections do include general instructions for types of food preparations, like how to make a frittata or a smooth cheese sauce. VERDICT A good reference work for those interested in knowing the makeup of food and essential for fans of McGee; however, some readers may be disappointed by the lack of recipes.—Susan Hurst, Miami Univ. Lib., Oxford, OH
Sciences
Bailey, Elisabeth Tova. The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating. Algonquin. Aug. 2010. c.208p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-56512-606-0. $19.95. NAT HIST
Bailey, writer and artist, suddenly contracted a mysterious disease 15 years ago. In place of the strong, active, vibrant individual she had been, Bailey found herself forced by the physical constraints of the disease to move from her home in the New England countryside into a small efficiency apartment, and for several more she was confined to bed, too weak to move. To cheer her up, a friend presented her with a gift of wild forest violets accompanied by a forest snail found in the woods. Bailey quickly developed a passion for the little creature in the pot, and later terrarium, next to her and daily spent hours closely observing its life in minute detail. The fascination deepened as she recovered some of her health and was able to dig into the scientific research on snails. This work captures Bailey's frustration and puzzlement with the challenge of her unknown physical disease without the reader's noticing—the focus is on the snail. As noted in the epilog, seven years after the ailment began, the final diagnosis was determined: mitochondrial disease. VERDICT A small, short book filled with an enormous amount of natural history and science about snails; also, an acknowledgment of an individual's determination to recover and regain life with humor and insight. Highly recommended.—Michael D. Cramer, Schwarz BioSciences, RTP, NC
Capainolo, Peter & Carol A. Butler. How Fast Can a Falcon Dive? Rutgers Univ. (Animal Q&A). Oct. 2010. c.248p. index. ISBN 978-0-8135-4790-9. pap. $21.95. NAT HIST
This follows the format of other titles, concerning bees, bats, butterflies, and hummingbirds, in Rutgers's engaging "Animal Q&A" series. Butler has cowritten several previous entries (e.g., Why Do Bees Buzz?), and Capainolo is in the ornithology department at the American Museum of Natural History. Together, they answer in detail 85 questions concerning behavior, reproduction, husbandry, taming and training, research and conservation, and interactions between people and raptors. Owls and vultures, not in every raptor book, are included in a secondary role along with the expected hawks, eagles, and falcons. This title is more biased toward falconry than most general raptor books. The 14 lengthy sidebars hit on a variety of topics, including women in falconry, a barn owl nest, Audubon and gyrfalcons, migration theories, and, curiously, the hunting of wolves. Somewhat hit-and-miss, especially the lists of websites, books, and places to see raptors, but there is virtue in not trying to do everything. The abundant references for each chapter are mostly in hard-to-find technical journals. VERDICT Authoritative, this will appeal to readers with an interest in natural history.—Henry T. Armistead, formerly with Free Lib. of Philadelphia
Chepaitis, Barbara. Feathers of Hope. Excelsior Editions: State Univ. of NY. 2010. c.171p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-4384-3291-5. $19.95. NAT HIST
A novelist and science fiction writer, Chepaitis here tells the story of bird rehabilitator Pete Dubacher, whose Berkshire Bird Paradise Sanctuary tends to many hundreds of birds, some injured, others abandoned, including eagles, cranes, emus, ravens, vultures, parrots, owls, and pigeons. Chepaitis is as concerned with avian spiritual influences, birds in myth and folklore, and birds in her own life, as she is with Dubacher and his charges. The emotional investment of many in birds is here afforded a good look as well as the multiple challenges and hard work involved in running a rehabilitation facility, such as directing volunteers, acquiring foods, fundraising, and the educational and visitation aspects. The focus is narrow, centering on the area around Albany, NY, and there are frequent mistakes in bird names. The short bibliography and list of websites are also unrepresentative and of little use. VERDICT Though an optional selection, this book, in spite of its flaws, may be of interest to those concerned with rehabilitating birds, humane matters, and the ways in which birds affect our lives spiritually.—Henry T. Armistead, formerly with Free Lib. of Philadelphia
McKellar, Danica. Hot X: Algebra Exposed. Hudson Street. Aug. 2010. c.432p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-59463-070-5. $26.95. MATH
McKellar, a professional actress, is also an honors graduate of UCLA, who majored in mathematics. This newest book is the third in a sequence aimed at encouraging middle-school girls to study mathematics with confidence and enthusiasm. It is a very worthy goal, since American women are underrepresented in mathematical higher education and research. The author employs a chatty and humorous style calculated to engage the attention of her teen girl target audience. Her earlier books dealt with prealgebra mathematics; this volume introduces typical first-year algebra topics such as linear and quadratic equations, exponents, word problems, etc. McKellar also steps aside at times with brief essays to help her readers deal with various challenges relating to young men, especially the tendency of some women to "dumb themselves down" so they won't scare them away. Also quoted are statements from various adult women whose strong backgrounds in mathematics have enabled them to advance to significant high-level professional employment. VERDICT This book should prove very helpful for many middle-school girls. Recommended.—Jack W. Weigel, Ann Arbor, MI
Moss, Stephen (text) & Patricia J. Wynne (illus.). The Bumper Book of Nature: A User's Guide to the Great Outdoors. Harmony: Crown. 2010. c.257p. illus. ISBN 978-0-307-58999-6. $29.99. NAT HIST
This delightful title is a guide to discovering—or rediscovering—nature for children and their parents. Like The Dangerous Book for Boys, the Bumper Book is a bible of things you ought to do and know, complete with pretty line drawings of flora and fauna, rules for games, charts of information, and steps on how to explore the great outdoors as children used to do. For adults, this is a warm and homey walk down memory lane, a remembrance of simpler times and the joy of just being outside. For children, this is a how-to of exploring, playing, and being a part of the world away from TV and scheduled activities. My own boys, ages four and five, took this book as a challenge, asking to take it along to the park, in the backyard, and anywhere that would help them accomplish their goal of "doing everything in the book." VERDICT Simple in the best kind of way, this is a wonderful collection of naturalistic explorations; it will be popular in the children's and adult collections.—Jaime Hammond, Naugatuck Valley Community Coll., Waterbury, CT
Potter, Steven. Designer Genes: A New Era in the Evolution of Man. Random. Sept. 2010. c.208p. index. ISBN 978-1-4000-6905-7. $25. SCI
Potter (pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hosp.) studies mammalian developmental genetics and uses his extensive research background to highlight developments leading to the possibility of designer babies. Potter guides the reader through the experiments on genetics, gene regulation and transfer, and stem cells to show how a human could be cloned and genetic modifications added to the embryo. Historic and current research in all these areas is explained clearly. Many questions are considered. What are the moral and ethical implications of creating made-to-order babies? What if a gene that seems bad is actually important to the gene pool (e.g., sickle-cell anemia)? Should parents be allowed to pick the genes and traits of their children? How is all this going to affect human evolution? VERDICT This is an excellent introduction to human genetics and would be good for any public library collection.—Margaret Henderson, Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Lib., Richmond
Prosek, James. Eels: An Exploration, from New Zealand to the Sargasso, of the World's Most Amazing and Mysterious Fish. Harper: HarperCollins. Nov. 2010. c.288p. illus. ISBN 978-0-06-056611-1. $25.99. NAT HIST
Intrigued by the life cycle of the eel, the author explores the biology and the folklore associated with a fish that lives in both salt and freshwater. Adult eels spawn in the ocean; the larvae then migrate to the rivers, estuaries, lakes, and ponds where their parents matured. Where are the ocean spawning areas, and how do the juveniles navigate into the specific rivers? Eels are used as bait for fishing trout and as a food staple in various societies, where they are prized for their high-protein content, fine flavor, and the many ways they can be cooked and smoked. The author visited the Delaware River and the island of Pohnpei in Micronesia, as well as eel aquaculture farms in Japan. He describes fishing and farming techniques and devotes a large section to the spiritual myths centering on eels in Maori culture. VERDICT An engagingly written account for fans of Richard Schweid's Consider the Eel or Christopher Moriarty's Eels: A Natural and Unnatural History. Readers interested in anthropology and folklore, fishing, and natural history will also enjoy this volume, which is enhanced by the author's woodcuts.—Judith B. Barnett, Univ. of Rhode Island Lib., Kingston
