This well-researched book is as much a history of NASA as a biography of George Low, and as such is an important contribution to the history of the agency. Jurek’s detailed book will appeal to both fans and scholars of NASA and of the engineers like Low who make the agency’s spaceflights work.
A clever, amusing book about some of life’s more serious problems; highly recommended.
This sometimes disheartening, but ultimately hopeful, exploration of how the Florida panther recovered against the odds will appeal to those who enjoy reading about wildlife and endangered species.
A well-written, carefully researched book that should be of vital interest to potential parents and their friends and families.
Grafton’s compelling exploration of the relationship between the body and the mind is recommended for anyone interested in the workings of the brain.
An enjoyable anthology for naturalists, especially birders, and those who enjoy literature.
With passionate advocacy, Madrick addresses a systemic problem with a simple solution. His argument will appeal to those who champion economic policy change that centers the child.
This is a profoundly moving book that doesn’t let up and is well worth the emotion it is sure to engender in readers.
A great crossover read for teens as well as adults about community, tenacity, and the power of one person to make a difference.
A readable and thought-provoking work on a topic of concern on college campuses. The SHIFT project generated many academic publications, but this book successfully reaches a general audience, specifically students, parents, and policymakers.
An engaging look at Solnit’s life, which succeeds in giving voice to inequity caused by patriarchy. Recommended for memoir aficionados, especially feminist audiences.
Recommended for renters, owners, developers, and policymakers alike.
Fans of travelogs, history buffs, and those with an interest in Russia and the former U.S.S.R. will thoroughly enjoy.
Beautifully written with crystalline prose, most anyone could profit from reading this love letter from a parent to a child, whether they are gay or not.
A wonderful compilation sure to please new and old lovers of Yiddish culture, Jewish history, and linguistics.
An engaging, well-researched book for anyone curious about the development of humanity as approached through a social lens.
Disappearing ice, air pollution, the wonders of algae. The best science and technology titles published in 2019.
A compelling accounting of the events that helped ignite Me Too. Highly recommended for readers interested in social justice and the reporting process.
While many of the most shocking incidents discussed here are public knowledge, the significant new material and the book’s usefulness as a single-volume source on the topic make this not only a critical current read but one likely to become even more important in the future.
Readers will be attracted to the surprising beauty of these dry desert plants and should consider using them to promote water conservation. An appealing choice for garden artists, landscapers, and home gardeners in the Southwest and elsewhere.
Rivers were once the major highway systems of this country and Hildebrand’s rediscovery of this history feels so foreign to the point of near exposé. A must for Wisconsinites, but a recommended journey for socioculturalists in general.
A delightful, enjoyable, and meandering read that will appeal to, and amuse, teen and adult readers.
After reading Denworth’s treatise on friendship, you may want to immediately call your best friend, or make a new one. Recommended for fans of human biology and nonfiction browsers.
Essential for dog lovers and photography fans, this stunning and charming book is guaranteed to circulate constantly in public library collections.
Plenty of food for thought for all educators and parents preparing their children for future success.
A helpful and perspective-giving tool for anyone who is wading through tragedy and in need of support and inspiration.
At just 100-plus pages, this breezy but impactful read provides concrete ideas for teaching children healthy ways to deal with anger.
Parents and caregivers of autistic children and teens will find this work offers sensible and realistic ideas that apply to all areas of a child’s life.
Those looking for inspirationally based advice will appreciate Willis’s suggestions on subjects as current as the headlines.
McConville is well qualified to guide parents through the challenges that many face but are less frequently examined. A valuable go-to resource for parents and teens alike.
An essential and approachable resource for parents of preteen and teenage boys.
Bold and bright illustrations combine with varied recommendations for instilling a love of reading in children of all ages; a must-purchase for all collections.
Phelan brings his common-sense yet practical advice to a well-worn parenting issue. As with “1-2-3,” this latest will fly off the shelves, so stock up on multiple copies.
Despite some flaws, this volume is a nice supplement to Abbie E. Goldberg’s The SAGE Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies and expands on Kevin L. Nadal’s The Sage Encyclopedia of Psychology and Gender. It will be useful for think tanks, policymakers, and professionals interested in establishing a LGBT-friendly practice.
Highly recommended for anyone who thinks they have a book in them.
Calhoun’s latest will be useful for those interested in feminist theory, especially insofar as it intersects with age and class, as well as a useful resource for people struggling to find balance in their personal and professional lives.
Enlightening for all concerned Americans, but especially for those interested in social justice issues.
This is a memoir of the present, without closure or resolution, and the narrative sometimes feels incomplete or unsatisfying. Still, many readers will appreciate Carl’s honesty and perhaps read this work alongside Charlie Cragg’s excellent anthology, To My Trans Sisters.
Likely to become a staple in Latinx and urban studies.
A thoughtful addition to social science and African American studies collections.
Based on decades of research, Baron’s masterly work documents the historical and continued importance of personal pronouns. Those interested in gender politics or English grammar, or who feel that “he” and “she” are inadequate, would benefit greatly from perusing this book.
Sorin’s engaging account of black motoring exposes a rough road in race relations but also a technology’s impact on black freedom. A great resource for people learning about black freedoms—and the fragility of those freedoms
An accessible, engaging read for students of engineering and the history of technology and generalist readers interested in NASA history.
With beautifully descriptions of the stark landscape, harsh weather conditions, challenges of filming, and isolation during the dark Antarctica winter, this work lovingly and accurately details emperor penguin behavior in an engaging memoir that will appeal to wildlife enthusiasts, adventurers, and armchair travelers.
Readers interested in Gilded Age history and its parallels to contemporary society will enjoy learning about this trailblazing publication.
The wide-ranging scope of this excellent book, with a foreword by Zadie Smith, will appeal to a broad audience. Anyone with a desire to reflect on the role that racism plays in shaping individual lives and broader American culture will undoubtedly find this to be a valuable read.
Professional landscape designers will find plenty to ponder here. Even as the overall vibe is more upscale Architectural Digest than down-to-earth Better Homes and Gardens, there is enough practical wisdom seeded among the dreamy images that even home gardeners will find a tip or two to apply to their own cherished plots of verdant happiness.
Biking and adventure travel enthusiasts will revel in the author’s descriptions and ability to endure such an arduous trip, and find this account restores one’s faith in human goodness.
Maiklem positions the River Thames as a narrator, which only offers up some of its stories in a piecemeal fashion. The parts that are revealed, however, make for a captivating read.
Bryson has shaped an enormous amount of anatomy and physiology into an informative and entertaining biostory. Recommended for Bryson fans and nonspecialists interested in human health and biology.
Animal lovers will devour this British-toned, feel-good book, and might even develop some strategies in case their furry friends go missing.
These essays are wide ranging and heartfelt and will attract dedicated environmentalists.
Looking at scientific research from a variety of experts, this is a compelling call to reestablish ties with the animal world. Strongly recommended for anyone feeling overwhelmed or spiritually bereft in today’s society.
A fun read from an award-winning scientist. Asphaug’s literary skill shines throughout this entertaining work.
Well researched and executed, this book will appeal to zoologists, zoo lovers, and readers interested in the history of postwar Germany.
This unusual approach to disability studies will be of interest to faculty and students researching disability studies, life writing, anthropology, psychology, and sociology.
An excellent primer for high school students, undergraduates, and interested nonspecialist readers who want to expand their perspectives about urban issues both within and beyond the United States.
Setter applies phonetic analysis to a range of aspects of daily life in a way that is approachable to a wide audience. However, the level of technical detail and geographical focus on the UK may limit the overall appeal to academic readers.
This thoroughly researched, informative, and lucid work is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States, and how it influences the current political environment.
The underlying question remains: Are corporations friends or foes? Ball’s history is sure to be controversial and will be of interest to social activists of all stripes.
With a foreword by Michael Eric Dyson, this book is an important read for policymakers and urban dwellers, locally and nationally.
A compelling collection that encourages readers to hold writers and their stories, both told and untold, in their hearts with every page.travel & geography
For anyone curious about where everyday English words “come from,” this accessible text will prove to be an enticing choice, as well as a useful guide for general readers seeking resources on English usage and popular linguistics.
This beautifully written work paying homage to red foxes will appeal to those interested in urban wildlife and the ever-increasing conflicts between humans and other animals.
An engaging, thought-provoking, and accessible exploration of the many knotty issues that have appeared in newspaper headlines or challenged medical professionals behind closed doors.
No matter what their mood or interest, readers can find much to move and delight them in this entertaining collection.
This breezy read can be picked up and put down or started in the middle. A perfect “popcorn” book for high school to adult users who enjoy stories that highlight the Midwest with its individual quirks and its universality.
This is a vital and engrossing book about how to live an authentic life. Well suited for readers interested in gender and generational family dynamics.
Covering everything from the 2016 election and #metoo to abortion rights and fat-positive body representation to the climate crisis, West’s latest will have progressive readers, especially longtime followers of her work, nodding along, quoting passages to friends. Hand to fans of Rebecca Traister, Ijeoma Oluo, and Roxane Gay.
Revealing the inner-workings of foreign policy, this engrossing memoir will appeal to informed readers and will inspire women contemplating careers in public service. [See Prepub Alert, 3/4/19.]
For readers who have walked along the banks of the Seine or dream of someday doing so, this love letter to a river is highly recommended.
Coyote has a deep humanity that is hard to resist and creates an immediate connection with readers. An insightful collection for all.
A solid addition to the growing field of female patient advocacy narratives, such as Maya Dusenbery’s Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick and Abby Norman’s Ask Me About My Uterus: A Quest To Make Doctors Believe in Women’s Pain.
A touching example of the power of storytelling, this book will appeal to readers of Before We Were Yours and those interested in family histories and issues related to adoption.
Characterized by strong storytelling within a scholarly framework, this book will appeal to readers interested in how science is performed and accomplished, and anyone curious about Earth’s changing climate.
Overall, a rare glimpse into American gothic from an African American perspective.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the author’s sheer athleticism and technical aspects of his feat, while armchair adventurers can marvel at the far north’s natural beauties.
Well-researched and rigorous yet highly readable, this study of reproductive liberty will assist patients on their journey through the infertility maze and enlighten general readers about this ever-changing industry.
Though occasionally overwritten, this heartwarming “who saved whom?” story will appeal to dog owners, the lovelorn, and fans of comic memoirs.
Using an array of resources from primary sources such as local newspapers and secondary sources written both then and now, Kierner presents an in-depth, well-researched and persuasive thesis for the beginning and eventual continuation of a cultural mind-set that has remained fairly intact since the 19th-century. Even with its academic presentation, this should be enjoyed by readers who appreciate disaster histories.
Theobald’s use of oral histories and interviews with Native women makes for an intimate, affecting exploration of resilience under assimilationist pressures.
This work will mainly interest technologists who are exploring the computational and technological foundations of AI and the present implications these bring to the digital era.
While Coleman asks as many questions as she answers, this book changes the typical conversation from the effects that technology has on humans to the effects that humans (in their politics, faith, biases) have on technology. It’s a must read for both the cyber crowds and those interested in human psychology.
Perry’s uplifting and often lyrical meditation on living invites readers to delve into their self and particularly into the complicated categories of mother, parent, African American, and human. Highly recommended.
Crucet’s well-written essays are entertaining and accessible, without letting readers or the author herself off the hook for reflecting on and addressing cultural issues. Strongly recommended for all readers.
One of America’s most controversial policies as seen through the career of one of its most outspoken advocates; an essential read.
Provocative in its review of and reflections on race and racism amid continuing de facto segregation, this work argues that personal identity does not exist as a checked box. It promises to appeal to readers willing at least to consider unlearning race so as to imagine a future without it and advance his vision of a multigenerational transformation of social repair.
Though it might have been more effective at half the length, this is an important contribution to the debate on economic inequality and of note to policymakers, activists, and scholars.
A fascinating, lyrical, wide-ranging work sharing thoughts on past and present that will appeal to a wide range of readers, including those interested in memoirs and reflections on the world around us.
This book will be particularly important to readers with a connection to Puerto Rico and useful and thought-provoking to anyone else seeking to understand capitalism’s past, present, and future.
Recommended for teen and adult readers interested in Puerto Rican history and the effects of colonialism, which continue to impact the present day.
That many of the authors expand on the topic of Maria to include historical background as well as future speculations and possible solutions adds an extra dimension that enhances the book’s relevancy. For specialists, academic libraries, and those interested in a broader and deeper understanding of the impact of Maria on Puerto Rico.
This riveting account of a little-known historical personality will appeal to World War II and general history fans alike. [See Prepub Alert, 3/11/19.]
Chronicling Shiras’s many achievements (e.g., his Migratory Birds Act advocacy, his discovery of the “Shiras Moose”) and shedding light on his times, McCommons presents a full life with admirable economy.
Combining historical research, interview information, and personal accounts, Pickert creates a well-rounded and informative overview of breast cancer and its many treatments. Her book leaves readers hoping that progress will continue in a positive direction.
This well-written book explores the concept of more than one universe than ours, drawing on the musings of philosophers, astronomers, and physicists from the ancient Greeks, through medieval thinkers such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Max Planck to Albert Einstein and current cosmologists Rocky Kolb and Joe Lykken. It will intrigue YA readers on up.
All animal lovers will enjoy this book, particularly those concerned for the many animals in danger of extreme suffering and possible extinction at the hands of poachers.
Siegel makes excellent arguments in favor of producing purer public drinking water. His proposals for doing that deserve serious consideration.
A potentially transformative read for anyone looking to embrace its invocation to lead a more connected life.
This book provides a well-researched solution for addressing climate change and is highly recommended for all libraries. [See Prepub Alert, 3/17/19.]
articles