New Book List

November 5, 2002

Nonfiction

Library Journal calls this "a terrific read!" "Common belief is that Westerners have been the mainspring of most scientific and technical achievement, but in Lost Discoveries Teresi shows that other cultures had arrived at much of the same knowledge at earlier dates. The Babylonians were using the Pythagorean theorem at least 15 centuries before Pythagoras drew his first triangle, and in A.D. 200 a Chinese mathematician calculated an incredibly accurate value for pi. The Mayans and other Mesoamericans were outstanding sky watchers and stargazers. The greatest advances occurred in math and astronomy, though Teresi also devotes chapters to physics, geology, chemistry, technology, and even cosmology." Amazon.

One of Amazon.com’s "Best of 2001," this book discusses in compelling and page-turning fashion the process of dying accidentally (no kidding, the reviews were great). Here’s what Amazon said: Prepare to have some of your greatest fears laid bare in this collection of riveting, and often terrifying, "cautionary tales from the limits of human endurance." Based on interviews with accident survivors and the medical specialists who treat them, veteran outdoor writer Peter Stark offers mostly fictitious accounts (there is one based on a true historical incident) of people caught in life-threatening situations. In Last Breath, he thoroughly explores what happens to the human body and mind during drowning, a long fall, burial beneath an avalanche, hypothermia, dehydration, mountain sickness, the bends, malaria, scurvy, hypothermia, and contact with a poisonous jellyfish. Stark packs enough historic and scientific information and page-turning suspense into each chapter to make them all fascinating and useful. And he answers some perplexing questions in the process, such as why those suffering from acute hypothermia often rip off their clothing in an effort to save themselves.

The dangers of sudden fame at a young age. With unprecedented access, the authors have interviewed the stars, writers, crews, and guests who have made "Saturday Night Live" the greatest long-running comedy show of all time. Out of these backstage stories they have woven an oral history that is the definitive account of the show's 25-year history. Ingram

In this informed, compelling exploration of Moslem beliefs and of the sectarian conflicts within the community, Schwartz paints a sympathetic portrait of mainstream Islam and exposes the centuries-old roots of Osama bin Laden's extremism. Ingram

Starred Review – Booklist. Why some non-territorial Muslims, whose allegiance is to Islam, find the spread of the nationalistic West threatening enough to justify terrorism.

Most true crime centers on the investigation of the criminal, both the physical investigation of the crimes themselves and the psychological examination of the criminal mind. Through access to the killer’s personal journals and interviews, Olsen tells the story from the criminal's point of view and mostly in his own words. We experience the shape of his days, the mundane, the normal, and the unbelievably gruesome, all described in chillingly matter-of-fact prose. As we follow Jesperson on his path to madness and an alleged 155 murders, aided by Olsen's commentary, it is easy to detect signs of a psychopath in the making; from his treatment of pets and women to his relationship with his father, Jesperson reveals himself with every seemingly ordinary word. - Booklist Starred Review

Who got here first? That's the controversial question that has galvanized American archeology from its earliest days. The traditional view is that the first residents of the new world were the Clovis people, hunters who crossed the Bering Strait during the Ice Age, 10,000 years ago. Yet based on his own research, archeologist Adovasio launches a spirited attack on the Clovis theory. He profiles seminal figures in the field as well as some cranky Clovis theorists, and reviews different theoretical approaches. He also explains the use of dating methods such as dendrochronology (counting the rings of trees) and lucidly discusses the natural history of the continent, with its glaciers and ancient megafauna. Publisher’s Weekly

A guide to understanding and coping with depression, discussing the different types, how and why the condition begins, how it may be linked to substance abuse or suicide, and how to get help.

The true story of Hunter Scott, who first heard the story of the "USS Indianapolis" while watching the film "Jaws." Investigating the disaster for a history fair project, Hunter found records of the shameful court-martial of the ship's captain--shameful because the loss of the ship was not his fault and the Navy knew it. Hunter became the catalyst for the survivors’ efforts to clear their captain's name and set the record straight. Ingram

Companion volume to the highly regarded, eight-part A & E television series by the same name. Amazing pictures from the space missions as well as computer graphics complement the highly informative and entertaining text. Sidebars abound with interesting tidbits about our solar system. Beginning with the story of the Kansas farm boy turned amateur astronomer who went on to discover the last planet in our solar system, the authors introduce each of the planets and the humans who have spent their entire lives bringing us closer to them. There is a fascinating narrative of "A field trip on the Moon" that chronicles the Apollo 15 mission and what the astronauts actually did as they walked about the moon's surface. The authors explain the implications of the latest information we've obtained about the planets and the Sun from the various space probes. They also look at the newest discoveries about the crust of the Earth. Publisher’s Weekly

America’s premier organizer and her teenaged daughter provide teens with a foolproof method for getting organized in every aspect of their lives. Featuring quizzes, self-tests, anecdotes, advice from others, and lively graphics, this guide will prove indispensable to teens--and an answer to their parents' and teachers' prayers. Two-color throughout. 120 illustrations. Ingram

Provides information for boys on changes that occur in their bodies during puberty and offers advice on sexual topics, nutrition, drugs, girls, and more.

Why do humans fall in love, create art, make war? The authors/scientists argue that these and other capabilities are the result of biology and culture working together. Challenging the view that human brains are hardwired for certain behaviors, they believe instead that "[y]our experience with the world literally helps build your brain." This wide-ranging and relatively nontechnical overview shows how the human brain evolved to maximize flexibility, enabling us to thrive in a wide variety of circumstances. The authors discuss intelligence and learning, emotions, motivation, violence, and the importance of social bonds, linking cutting-edge neuroscience with social history and popular culture. Quartz and Sejnowski conclude with a thought-provoking chapter on the challenges of postmodern culture and globalization, suggesting that the findings of cultural biology can point the way toward creating societies that better meet our basic needs for positive social engagement. Their views, engagingly presented if sometimes controversial, will open up a hitherto specialized subject for a wider audience. Publisher’s Weekly

Great ideas for papers and finding information on hot topics.

With the commonsensical examples and brilliantly acerbic commentary associated with "The Economist, " Wheelan breezily brings economics to life. Ingram

Donated in memory of Anna Dietz Henson. In late summer and early fall, New England rivers once flashed with thousands of wild Atlantic salmon returning to spawn in their home waters. Sadly, due to the depredations of man this stirring sight is no more. Maine's little-known Ducktrap River is one of only eight rivers in the United States that still have a population of wild Atlantic salmon. In 1995 the Ducktrap Coalition was formed to protect the natural attributes of the river's watershed, resulting in the permanent conservation of 80 percent of the land abutting the river — an accomplishment unmatched by any coastal river of the eastern United States.

Dennis C. Shultz's luminous, ethereal images capture a magnificent river in all its pristine glory — serene ponds, rushing waterfalls, misty wetlands — giving the reader a uniquely beautiful anatomy of a river. These photographs are evidence of an extraordinary conservation effort along the river and throughout its watershed.

Ingram

This fully authorized guide is the perfect introduction to New Line Cinema's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. With lavish full-bleed production stills and biographies of the stars and the filmmakers, this book gives readers privileged access to behind-the-scenes material found nowhere else. Ingram

National Book Critics Circle Award winner. With great wit, Sisman here tells the story of Boswell's presumptuous task--the making of the greatest biography of all time. Sisman traces the friendship between Boswell and Samuel Johnson, his mentor, and provides a fascinating account of Boswell's seven-year struggle to write "The Life of Samuel Johnson." Ingram

The fruits of plagiarism! This is the fascinating story of a canal digger in England who discovered an unmistakable pattern in the rocks. From this, William Smith developed the first true geographical map following fossils and rock patterns. Instead of fame and fortune, Smith ended up the victim of plagiarism and spent over ten years either virtually homeless or in debtor’s prison before being recognized as the father of modern geology.

More fun than a barrel of monkeys! And prettier, too. "In this remarkable book, Downer gathers a fascinating set of facts about some of the strange behaviors found in the animal kingdom. There are chapters on locomotion, reproduction, feeding, defense, symbiosis, and amazingly, chemical dependency. All offer delightful examples of unusual behaviors and speculate about how such behaviors might have evolved and how they might benefit the creatures who practice them." Voya. Gorgeous photos.

And you thought the Hatfields and McCoys were bad! Mutant moths and feuding scientists--this is the real story behind the most famous experiment in 20th-century evolutionary biology. A story of hubris and heartbreak, "Of Moths and Men" reveals as much about the internecine battles of science as it does about the mysteries of evolution. Ingram

Media coverage of the recent anthrax letter attacks has made Americans acutely aware that there is no terrorist threat more horrifying than germ weapons. "Germs" goes behind the headline stories, presenting an authoritative account of how germ warfare has been waged in the past and a gripping, often ominous glimpse at how it might be waged in the future. Ingram

Readers unfamiliar with naturalistic theism will find Peters' accessible style a good medium for becoming acquainted with it, particularly if they are interested in ways of thinking about the sacred that don't require personal images of God. Many may also find Peters' treatment of Darwin and evolutionary psychology helpful for thinking about relationships between religion and science. An excellent popular work on its subject, suitable to a broad range of readers. Booklist

A primer that explains the countless substances that make up the most complex of all life-forms: human beings.

Countless chemicals, fluids, and substances mix and merge to make the complex life-form we call a human being. And while there is still much that remains to be understood, science has come a long way toward uncovering the nature and purpose of these essential ingredients. In The Stuff of Life, Eric P. Widmaier (author of Why Geese Don't Get Obese) deconstructs the fundamental processes of the human body and focuses on those vital biological substances that are particularly well understood. By examining the blueprints that dictate what we are, Widmaier gets us to rethink basic body processes that we thought we understood but didn't. Such as:

—Why are some fats worse than others?
—Is cholesterol actually good for anything?
—How does the stomach digest food?
—Where does our energy come from?

A concise, easy-to-read handbook, complete with illustrations, The Stuff of Life offers answers to these and many more common questions about how the body works.

CSI fans, take note! Go behind the scenes with forensic anthropologists and learn about their techniques, how they locate a body, how they carefully uncover evidence, and how the unique characteristics of each body bears silent witness to age, sex, cause of death and clues as to who or what was responsible. A fascinating read for anyone interested in the world of forensics.

Now in her 50s, Mineko Iwasaki was one of the most famed geishas of her generation (and the chief informant for Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha). Her ascent was difficult, not merely because of the hard, endless training she had to undergo--learning how to speak a hyper-elevated dialect of Japanese and how to sing and dance gracefully while wearing a 44-pound kimono atop six-inch wooden sandals--but also because many of the elaborate, self-effacing rules of the art went against her grain. A geisha "is an exquisite willow tree who bends to the service of others," she writes. "I have always been stubborn and contrary. And very, very proud." And playful, too: one of the funniest moments in this bittersweet book describes a disastrous encounter with the queen of England and her all-too-interested husband.

"A book on states’ rights should include power struggles, authority issues, and great debates, and this book does not disappoint." - Southern Historian

Covers different facets of U.S. history from the Boston Tea Party to 9-11, with the greatest emphasis on 20th-century events. Historians and participants discuss the most important aspects and the telling details of the events that they have analyzed. Based on the interviews on the C-SPAN program Booknotes, these essays are not the scholarly pieces that make history seem dry and dusty. Each entry is no more than 8 to 10 pages in length. The colorful details will make these events, both great and small, come to life for today's readers. School Library Journal

Some new books on teaching and students:

Includes rationales and research-based principles of learning that support integrated learning; many classroom examples, activities, and organizers to help educators process ideas and analyze their current practices; instruments for readers to identify their own style and intelligence profiles; planning templates for designing integrated lessons, assessments, and curriculum.

How do preschool children, full of natural inquisitiveness and a passion for learning, turn into apathetic or angry teens with a profound dislike of school? Why do so many kids "see school as the enemy of what's interesting, fun, and worthwhile"? The answers lie in well-intentioned educational reform efforts that emphasize accountability and efficiency rather than genuine learning. Fried, an associate professor of education at Northeastern University, leads readers step-by-step to a deep understanding of the forces inhibiting learning, widening the achievement gap and diminishing teacher professionalism. His is no mere critique. Filled with classroom narratives, curriculum ideas and practical suggestions, Fried's counterpart to his The Passionate Teacher is a wise, realistic treatise on the prospects of reclaiming children's engagement with learning. His ideas will encourage and guide both teachers and parents in the important work of creating learning environments in which students recapture their earlier joy in learning, become confident readers, writers and orators and rediscover the passion of discovery and accomplishment that is their birthright. Publisher’s Weekly

This brilliant guide shows how to bridge the gap between the passionate ideals all teachers have and the realities of day-to-day frustrations in the classroom. Combining actual accounts of teachers who have successfully brought enthusiasm into their classrooms with inspiring philosophy and practical advice, Robert Fried proves that passion is learnable - that it's not a mysterious trait of personality. The Passionate Teacher shows you how to put passion to work by introducing you to the challenges of a new brand of teaching. You'll discover how to develop partnerships in which teachers are fellow learners working alongside students; limit what you teach so that you get to the heart of a subject; inspire students to produce quality work that's applicable to the real world; confront the obstacles to learning that Fried refers to as "The Game of School"; and test new approaches to teaching both specific lessons as well as entire courses.
Contents: Prelude: The Art of Engaging Young Minds - Passionate Teaching - The Context of Passion - A Passion for Content - Designing a Unit - The Greatest Obstacle We Face - Opening Up the Dialogue - More Ways to Change the Game of School - Discovering a Stance - How a Stance Evolves - Putting Your Stance into Practice - Some Thoughts About Classroom Discipline - A Passion for Excellence - The Practice of Excellence - The Parent's Perspective: What Is My Kid Actually Learning? - Dissecting the Course and Resurrecting It - Rounding Out the Course - Grading for Excellence - What to Do Next Monday - Is Passionate Teaching for New Teachers, Too?

Reference:

List of entries -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contributors -- Entries A-Z -- Appendices: Declaration of independence -- Articles of confederation -- The constitution of the United States -- Bill of rights -- Other amendments to the constitution -- Emancipation proclamation -- Locating court cases and laws -- Justices of the supreme court -- How cases reach the United States supreme court -- The stages of a criminal case.

 

Fiction:

So you thought Puzo’s Corleone family in The Godfather carried on scandalously? And they weren’t even real! Now read Puzo’s take on the 15^th century Borgia family, who probably originated the saying business tactic of making someone an offer he couldn’t refuse.

At 45, Adrienne Willis must rethink her entire life when her husband abandons her for a younger woman. Reeling with heartache and in search of a respite, she flees to the small coastal town of Rodanthe, North Carolina, to tend to a friend's inn for the weekend. But when a major storm starts moving in, it appears that Adrienne's perfect getaway will be ruined-until a guest named Paul Flanner arrives. At 54, Paul has just sold his medical practice and come to Rodanthe to escape his own shattered past. Now, with the storm closing in, two wounded people will turn to each other for comfort-and in one weekend, set in motion feelings that will resonate throughout the rest of their lives.

Clancy’s latest. A young Jack Ryan becomes involved with a plot to assassinate the Pope.

An inventive look at a famous English epic (guess which one), this is the story of the travels of Ibn Fadlan, an Arab representative, sent on a mission to the kingdom of the Saqaliba, but sidetracked by the Northmen or Vikings. The book describes his travel with these Northmen and a fierce battle fought to save to a kingdom of Rothgar. Crichton claims in an afterward that he wrote it on a dare.

Every day people tune in to The Writer's Almanac on public radio and hear Garrison Keillor read them a poem. And here, for the first time, is an anthology of poems from the show, chosen by the narrator for their wit, their frankness, their passion, their "utter clarity in the face of everything else a person has to deal with at 7 a.m." Ingram

One of the all-time classics of science fiction by the author of 2001: A Space Odyssey features a race of aliens who offers mankind a golden age of peace and prosperity, but at the cost of freedom. - Ingram

Named a Booklist Editor’s Choice and one of Amazon’s Best of 2001. Nothing is the least bit forced or overly clever in this winning coming-of-age story, a seamless blend of concept, plot and characterization. Chena Trust grows up on an overcrowded space station where her family has had to toil endlessly to make enough money to pay for their air. When she moves down to Pandora, the planet around which the station orbits, she has to work even harder than on the space station. On other worlds, people are dying of horrible mutations as their planets' biospheres fall apart. The rulers of Pandora are dragged into using genetic engineering to help the rest of humanity overcome the "diversity crisis", and Chena and her family’s genes are to play a big role in their plans. The strong female protagonists in this work will appeal to many. - Publisher’s Weekly

Every major city on Earth is destroyed in the first six lines. So where do you go from there? In the aftermath of a victorious alien invasion, Jack Manning emerges from the wreckage. Manning used to kill in the line of duty--now he is the last hope of an enslaved Earth.

Ingeniously contrived and shrewdly executed by some of the finest talents at work in crime fiction today--Anne Perry, Loren Estleman, Gillian Linscott, Edward Hoch, Stuart Kaminsky and L.B. Greenwood--the 11 stories in this premier volume celebrate the keen mind and singular manners of the Great Detective. Ingram

From his earliest stories in the mid-1960s, to his longer works of the 1970s and '80s, these pieces display Vinge's sense of wonder. Those who love his novels will find his short fiction even more impressive. Ingram