Thomas More (1478–1535), Henry VIII's lord chancellor, a humanist scholar, and a canonized Catholic saint, is remembered as a man of unwavering principle for his refusal to recognize his king as the supreme head of the English Church, an act that led to More's execution. Thomas's eldest and favorite daughter, Margaret (he called her Meg) is much less known to us. Guy (history, Clare Coll., Univ. of Cambridge, Queen of Scots) examines their relationship in this dual biography and shows that although omitted from the historical record, Margaret played a crucial role in the formation of her father's legacy by compiling a posthumous collection of his works. A renowned scholar, she was praised by the famous humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam. In his last years, Margaret was Thomas's closest confidante and supporter, and the only one to visit him regularly in the Tower. Guy does an excellent job of providing a balanced view of Thomas More, who is also remembered for his brutal persecution of Protestants—as lord chancellor he had several burned at the stake—and for his destruction of Protestant books. Although there is no shortage of books on him, this one provides a fresh and insightful view. Recommended for academic libraries and large public libraries.—Carrie Benbow, North York Central Lib., Toronto

African American educator Booker T. Washington (1856–1915), who organized the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Tuskegee, AL, was a sought-after speaker, an adviser to several Presidents, and a voracious reader and writer. Born to an illiterate slave, he overcame the rampant racism of the time to become the "leader of his race," only to be vilified by history as being too accommodating to whites. Norrell (history, Univ. of Tennessee) has written a new examination of Washington's life, the title playing off of Washington's famous autobiography Up from Slavery. Just as Washington worked to escape the figurative and literal shackles of slavery, Norrell works to rescue Washington's life from latter-day depictions of him as an "Uncle Tom" who sought to mollify whites. Norrell argues that Washington's message (education, moral development, financial stability, racial consensus, patience, and optimism) has been unfairly dismissed, with his hard work to improve the lives of black Americans forgotten. The revisionist approach succeeds: as Norrell points out, the values promoted by Washington have helped many oppressed peoples and were an important part of the Civil Rights Movement. Recommended for both academic and public libraries.—Jason Martin, Univ. of Central Florida Libs., Orlando

Prolific San Francisco-based film critic and historian Thomson has written some 20 books, including biographies of such diverse luminaries as Orson Welles (Rosebud), Nicole Kidman, and überproducer David O. Selznick (Showman). He is perhaps as well known for his Biographical Dictionary of Film and its updated version. In his memoir, Thomson largely focuses on his childhood. Born in 1941, when German bombs were still raining down upon his home city of London, he lived with his mother, grandmother, and a father, often absent, whose open approval he sought but rarely received. His dad, a sometime amateur actor, did pass on a love of the theater that later became a passion for the cinema. Thomson gradually realized that his father had been in a longtime relationship with a much younger woman and had a parallel life elsewhere. Thomson ends his somewhat bittersweet memoir around the time he is admitted to university. Because of the book's intensely personal nature, its interest will probably be limited to those familiar with Thomson's work. Recommended for inclusive collections.—Roy Liebman, Los Angeles P.L.

Bad grammar can be a stumbling block for individuals trying to advance their careers. Booher, the CEO of communications training firm Booher Consultants, has collected 101 common mistakes that appear in business presentations, emails, and documents. Starting with some of the tricky irregular verb forms (lie v. lay) she moves on to modifiers, pronouns, and various comparatives (fewer and less), as well as punctuation and stylistic concerns. Each section is short, usually two to three pages, and includes an explanation along with examples and a final tip to help readers remember the rule. There are some fun facts, like the role of manual typesetting in creating the rules for which punctuation marks precede quotation marks; evidently, smaller punctuation marks fell out of the case unless they were held in place by the quotation marks. This book seems to be most useful as a desk reference for individuals, but it will also be of interest to public libraries with collections that support career development.—Judy Solberg, Seattle Univ. Lib.

Duncan (screenwriting, Loyola Marymount Univ.; A Guide to Screenwriting Success) concentrates here on the nuts and bolts of writing commercial screenplays. He explores each of the five primary film genres and a few subgenres to help readers understand the formula for each well enough to write—and perhaps sell—a successful screenplay of their own. Although not aiming for a general screenwriting primer, Duncan gives a brief overview on screenwriting basics. He uses his own speculative scripts, based on reworked fairy tales, as illustrations for each genre covered. This technique can grow tedious in reading the book cover to cover, but it may not be a problem for readers interested in just one or two genres. Sample TV shows for each genre are included in chronological lists, though TV screenwriting is not addressed in any detail. Each chapter closes with helpful textual notes; appendixes provide worksheets for genre and character development. An optional purchase for public or academic libraries supporting screenwriting courses.—Stacey Rae Brownlie, Lancaster P.L., PA

While George Plimpton was known for both his writing and his work as the founder and editor of the Paris Review, he was also a major part of the literary social scene. Aldrich (former editor, Paris Review) interviewed hundreds of people who had a connection to Plimpton for this oral history. The interviews are arranged chronologically, beginning with his early life of privilege and his years at Harvard. There are also chapters devoted to Plimpton's work at the magazine, his life as a celebrity, and his continued popularity in his later years. Interviewees include such well-known authors as William Styron, Norman Mailer, and Gay Talese. Most of the excerpts are only short paragraphs, although Aldrich makes the transitions between sections flow well. Overall, while the book is well produced, it will only be of interest to people very familiar with Plimpton's career. Recommended for larger public libraries.—Joel W. Tscherne, Cleveland P.L.

The impact of Barbie on U.S. popular culture rivals even that of Mickey Mouse, so it is particularly surprising that this is the first full-length biography of the indomitable woman who brought Barbie to life. Born to Polish-Jewish immigrants in 1916, Ruthie Mosko faced appalling anti-Semitism and sexism in her climb to the pinnacle of corporate power. With her husband, Elliot Handler, she cofounded and built Mattel into a multimillion dollar corporation, introducing Barbie (named after their daughter) in 1959. Ruth and her husband were later forced out of Mattel by charges of fraud (accounting irregularities) to which Ruth pleaded no contest. Breast cancer and a radical mastectomy led to her next career: she founded Ruthton, a company devoted to manufacturing breast prosthetics. In addition to her already extensive charity work, Ruth devoted countless hours to assisting her fellow "mastectomees" and to fighting the shame and stigma then associated with the surgery. Using interviews and primary-source materials, Gerber (Katharine Graham) presents a long-overdue study of a complex woman whose career covered a spectrum from alleged criminal behavior to humanitarian work. Recommended for all libraries.—Tessa L.H. Minchew, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston

These two well-illustrated large-format books on the Lionel toy company will appeal to different audiences. Osterhoff (ed., Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Prewar Parts & Instruction Sheets; coauthor, Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Paper and Collectibles) offers a meticulously researched history of the Lionel factories. He covers its early Manhattan workshops, its factory complex in Irvington and Hillside, NJ, and its last U.S.-based manufacturing facility in Michigan. The book's strength is its descriptions of the physical buildings, with hundreds of photos, plans, documents, and other illustrations. Osterhoff spends little time on the trains themselves, and though he covers labor relations and some employee activities, he doesn't focus on what daily life was like in what the company termed the "fun factories." Osterhoff does a nice job explaining Lionel's hard times in the 1960s and its long-standing involvement with military production. This important, though narrowly focused study of the iconic Lionel is recommended for academic and larger public library business collections.

Schleicher (The Big Book of Lionel) approaches Lionel through its toys, targeting an audience of armchair hobbyists. He sprinkles in paragraphs on the company's history only to put his discussion of the toys in proper perspective. Sections of a few pages each are devoted to categories such as action log cars, stations, and the 0-scale Hudson locomotive. Though he explains the background of each product category, the real value of the book is the hundreds of recent color photos showing these wonderful trains, buildings, and accessories in their natural state on train layouts. Schleicher's delightful work is a feast for the eyes and provides enough information to make Lionel understandable to a novice. For all public libraries with model railroading collections.—Lawrence Maxted, Gannon Univ., Erie, PA

This business history discusses one of the most successful global Internet companies, and, to make it even more interesting, it is also a biography of Alibaba's eccentric founder, the visionary, and entrepreneurial risk taker, Jack Ma. Ma's life story is anything but ordinary and often resembles the American dream, the belief that anyone can achieve success based on hard work. Ma (1964-) was born and grew up in communist China, where opportunities are often prescribed by lineage and superior academic achievement and where bureaucracy dominates business affairs. Ma centered his company in his birth city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, far from China's business epicenter. His family were political outcasts, and Ma was a poor student, failing to pass college exams twice. He was persistent and realized that his natural ability to learn the English language could catapult him to success. The book explores his decision making, which often seemed capricious and flawed, yet often led to greater successes. This accessible inside look at Chinese e-commerce is recommended for both academic and public libraries.—Caroline Geck, Library Media Specialist, Newark Public Schools, NJ

This is a popular history of the infomercial industry spanning from the traveling medicine shows of the 19th century to the Proactiv commercials of today. Stern certainly did his homework, from enduring a 24-hour home shopping marathon to meeting some "famous" infomercial personalities in their own homes. The upshot: everything we ever assumed about infomercials is true, and therein is the problem. This book doesn't reveal anything that isn't obvious with a little common sense. The actual mechanics of infomercial selling, such as the psychology being used and the logistics of these chimerical organizations, is only alluded to. A tell-all about bizarre pitchmen and unrepentant profiteers should be rife with fascinating, lurid tales but Stern only hints at the dark underbelly of the industry, while focusing the bulk of his attention on the relatively pedestrian histories of the Popeil family and the QVC company. An easy read sure to trigger a few nostalgic moments for anyone who has suffered from a little insomnia, this book is recommended for public libraries.—Robert Perret, Univ. of Idaho Lib., Moscow

Dr. Ubel (director, Ctr. for Behavioral and Decision Sciences in Medicine, Univ. of Michigan) takes on the intersection of markets and behavioral economics in this look at why humans don't always act in their own rational self-interest, and what, if anything, government should do to protect us from ourselves when we choose against what is best for our well-being. Particularly concerned with urgent health matters such as America's obesity epidemic, Ubel employs behavioral economic research to demonstrate how irrational factors often trump the rational self-interest traditionally assumed to be the foundation of most human decisions. He argues that free markets should be thoughtfully tweaked to take into account both the rational and the irrational factors that determine our choices. What appears to begin as an antilibertarian diatribe turns out to be a measured, moderate, and nuanced argument. This book will cause readers to contemplate the delicate balance between freedom and living well, and what sorts of policies may enable society to accommodate both at the expense of neither. Grounded in research yet accessible to a broad audience, Ubell's book is recommended for public and academic collections in economics and current affairs.—Elizabeth L. Winter, Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta

Diamond, a teacher for 25 years, follows a prototypical group of kindergarteners from their first day, when everything is new and scary, through an entire school year, as the class develops its own unique personality, organization, voice, and relationships that shape each child's future experiences in schooling. As an educator grounded in the progressive tradition, Diamond believes that experiences and ideas shape schooling; by developing a classroom environment that mirrors our values and ideals, we are better preparing kids for future roles in society than the current extreme emphasis on test scores and outcomes does. As a classroom insider, Diamond pulls back the curtain and allows parents and others a view of how an effective classroom actually works. The writing is easy to follow, and Diamond glosses over research in favor of anecdotes gleaned from nearly three decades in the classroom. Highly recommended for libraries supporting academic programs in education, as well as larger public libraries.—Mark Bay, Univ. of the Cumberlands Lib., Williamsburg, KY

Fleisher, a creative writing instructor at Illinois State University, uses autobiographical sketches to paint a picture of what life is like for women in America's higher education system. While her main focus is gender issues, she also touches on other divisive forces, such as racism and homophobia. She raises good questions, such as, "…doesn't it make sense to think that racism will never disappear until sexism disappears?" Unfortunately, these relevant issues get muddled amid a subjective, scattered narrative. Fleisher isn't a bad writer; she does well with description, imagery, action, and irony. But her book might have more impact if she further emphasized the need to break down the walls of bureaucracy and corruption in higher education. Suitable only for select academic libraries.—Karen Long, Farmington P.L., NM

Mathews's (Escalante: The Best Teacher in America) book follows the lives of the two educators who founded the successful Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP), a system of 65 schools that have revolutionized inner-city education. In 1995, Dave Levin and Mike Feinberg, tired of urban classroom chaos, came up with KIPP to help guarantee student success from grade school to college. They fought against classroom apathy, and reached out to students through homework assistance over the phone and regular home visitations with parents. The result has been an increasing group of self-motivated inner-city kids who have raised expectations for themselves and their future. However, it wasn't easy. Levin and Feinberg were constantly tested by unbending educational bureaucrats, uncooperative parents, and budget constraints. Though the book's writing structure is a bit scattered and repetitive, it does well to convey how KIPP continues to change lives despite criticism from outsiders. Suitable for public libraries.—Karen Long, Farmington P.L., NM

Prolific author Axelrod's (America's Wars) latest book, on how the U.S. government conducted its propaganda campaign during World War I, is largely the story of George Creel, the newspaperman hired by President Wilson to convince the American public that the war was a good idea. This engaging story provides lessons for the current U.S. experience in the War on Terror. Axelrod, however, relies too heavily upon Creel's later recollections of his activities as recounted in his memoirs, from 1920 (How We Advertised America) and 1947 (Rebel at Large: Recollections of Fifty Crowded Years). While Axelrod points out that many of the original documents from the wartime "Committee on Public Information," which Creel headed, were lost, he should have searched for more sources written during the Great War. Also, a book about propaganda would do well to have illustrations of propaganda; there are no such illustrations. However, Axelrod is an excellent writer, and the book helps us understand the tensions between freedom and security that exist in our democracy. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.—Michael Farrell, Reformed Theological Seminary, Oviedo, FL

Barksdale's (history, Marshall Univ.) debut book recounts the four-year rise and fall of America's would-be 14th state, a cluster of Tennessee Valley counties located in what was then western North Carolina. Dismayed by the North Carolina government's failure to deliver economic support and military protection from nearby Creeks and Cherokees, a group of defiant, ambitious civic leaders, led by future Tennessee governor John Sevier, banded together in 1784 and created a sovereign state that, while never formally recognized, operated as one. After Sevier failed to form an alliance with Spain that would have provided an economic boost as well as military support, the doomed unofficial state met a predictably violent end. Barksdale provides a balanced, detailed, and myth-debunking account of the motives for the secession, the myriad reasons for the "backcountry bureaucracy's" downfall, and Franklin's long-term impact on the region. He relies heavily on primary sources such as letters, newspaper accounts, and official documents, while also providing his own analysis of the Franklin leaders' fateful political maneuvers. Deeply researched and painstakingly annotated, this work will be of particular interest to scholars studying the antebellum South. Recommended for Southern history collections in academic libraries.—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

Beeman (history, Univ. of Pennsylvania; Varieties of Political Experience in Eighteenth Century America) here again delves deeply into the tumultuous world of 18th-century politics, constructing a work of first-rate scholarship. Not since Catherine Drinker Bowen's Miracle at Philadelphia (1966) has there been such a superb, comprehensive account of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Beeman's lucid prose takes readers beyond the modern mythical perceptions of the founders and into a turbulent world of fierce backroom debates and deal making. Through excellent use of available primary and secondary sources, Beeman skillfully traces the debates over representation in Congress, the powers of the executive, and the lamentable compromises over slavery. While avoiding the usually controversial issues such as economic motives, as examined in Woody Holton's Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution and original intent, as in Jack Rakove's Original Meanings, Beeman provides readers with an understanding of just how fragile the consensus emerging from Philadelphia really was. Those seeking a more concise treatment of the convention should try David Stewart's Summer of 1787, but Beeman is highly recommended for all public and academic libraries.—Brian Odom, Pelham P.L., AL

Starting with its formation in 1957 by President Eisenhower, Berry (Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought, Univ. of Pennsylvania), brilliantly scans the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights' origins, challenges, and accomplishments, particularly during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement. The Commission's public hearings, reports, and extended jurisdiction were instrumental in the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Age Discrimination Act of 1978, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Berry, who chaired the Commission for 11 years, includes some very disturbing and heart-rending testimonies from government witnesses and local people amid attacks from Southern segregationists, death threats, and fear of reprisal. She also covers her ideological differences with Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush; she resigned from the Commission in 2004. She raises provocative questions regarding the relationship between the Commission and Congress, shrewdly arguing for the Commission's enduring significance, and recommending that it be reorganized, independent, and with a mandate that will include all aspects of human rights and promotion of "liberty and justice for all." This incisive and comprehensive analysis of the Commission supplements other major works on the Civil Rights Movement. With excellent source notes, it is highly recommended for academic and public libraries.—Edward G. McCormack, Univ. of Southern Mississippi Lib., Long Beach

From the oral historian at the Imperial War Museum, London, this is an exceptional account of the Somme offensive. Hart (Bloody April) has mined the museum's Somme veteran interviews to evoke the horrors of combat on the western front, skillfully blending these personal accounts with strategic considerations of a battle that slaughtered nearly a million French, German, and British soldiers. On July 1, 1916, British Field Marshal Douglas Haig hurled 400,000 ill-prepared troops into a German meat grinder that devoured 15,270 soldiers before the sun set. For the next four months, Haig continued to pound against the German trench line. Repeatedly, British assault troops were pinned down by German machinegun fire, hammered by artillery barrages, and pounced upon by German counterattacks. While the British tried such tactical innovations as the creeping artillery barrage, aerial observation, tanks, and underground mines, they have been justifiably condemned for continually launching doomed frontal assaults. Hart maintains that Haig had little choice. His French allies insisted that the British become more involved in western front operations and relieve pressure on the Verdun front, where the French were suffering horrendous losses. Although the British offensive did provide some relief for the hard-pressed French, the butcher's bill was staggering: 419,634 British casualties and the war was to go on for nearly two more bloody years. Libraries with Martin Gilbert's popular account of that fateful campaign may bypass this more in-depth book, but any library maintaining a solid World War I collection should have this masterful work as well. Military history at its best.—Jim Doyle, Rome, GA

In this compelling and freewheeling account, Kirkpatrick (The Words and Music of Bruce Springsteen) treats the tumultuous events of 1969 with the skills of a journalist, a historian, a sociologist, and a sportswriter and manages to insert moments of lightness and triviality into his grand tour. He writes as easily about jazz-pop as about the rise of the American Indian Movement. He follows a harrowing chapter about the Manson family and the Zodiac Killer with a breathless report on the Amazin' Mets. Later, he describes the surreal convergence of Game 4 of the World Series with the National Moratorium Day against the Vietnam War. In Kirkpatrick's account, Joe Namath receives more attention than Spiro Agnew. This is not a definitive, scholarly study of the year's events, but it serves well as a primer on the condition of American life at the end of the 1960s. In addition to over 500 endnotes, Kirkpatrick provides a handy time line of the year's significant events. Nostalgic for some, revelatory for others, this is a worthy addition to the literature of the 1960s.—Thomas A. Karel, Franklin & Marshall Coll. Lib., Lancaster, PA

Touting Cleopatra and Anthony as the original celebrity couple, Preston (Before the Fallout: From Marie Curie to Hiroshima) weaves their romance into an explanation of the political environment of one of the most important eras of Western history. Indeed, in her extensive research, Preston seeks to unravel the centuries of myth that shroud the infamous couple to reveal who they were in their own time and society. In what became a game of propaganda and politics against Octavian, Cleopatra was painted as a villainous seductress who led Antony astray rather than a cultured queen who spoke more than seven languages. Preston's convincing narrative claims that had Cleopatra and Antony won the battle of Actium, not only would their personal love story have unfolded less tragically, but the region would have developed with more tolerance—and perhaps a difference outcome for later historical figures, including Jesus—thus rewriting Western history entirely. This very readable work is highly recommended to all history collections, as well as those in gender or women's studies and biography.—Crystal Goldman, Univ. of Utah Lib., Salt Lake City

When Martin Luther King was murdered on April 4, 1968, riots erupted in 125 cities and resulted in 39 deaths, 2600 injuries, and 21,000 arrests. Risen, a former editor at the New Republic, presents a well-crafted narrative describing the chaos and fear that gripped Americans, as their homes, businesses, and cities went up in flames during the weeks after the assassination. The author hones in on Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Chicago, the sites of some of the worst rioting, where federal troops were sent to bolster the beleaguered local police forces and state national guards. Included are sympathetic portrayals of African Americans, few of whom rioted, driven to desperation because of decades of substandard living conditions in urban ghettos. As whites continued their exodus from the cities, the suburbs became the new center of political power, fueling the emergence of the modern Republican Party led by Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew. While Risen does not claim the riots alone destroyed liberalism and led to the Republican ascent, his is a cautionary tale of what could happen when a government ignores the needs of many of its citizens. Recommended for all public libraries.—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

Britain's empire and security, according to Simms (European International Relations, Univ. of Cambridge; Unfinest Hour: Britain and the Destruction of Bosnia), were not so much the results of its vaunted and storied navy, but were, rather, the consequences of its many canny alliances on the continent. To forestall the always anticipated attack by France, Britain's Hanoverian kings cloaked their nation with an ever-shifting canopy of ententes, sometimes with the Dutch, sometimes the Russians, but always with someone who had an interest in containing the dreaded Bourbons. The defeat of Britain by its American colonies marked the end of that phase of British history as well as a definite downturn in the empire's fortunes. Yet again, the continent had played a pivotal role in deciding England's fate. Britain simply could not defend itself from the east while attacking to the west, and the colonists knew it. Simms has created a prolifically annotated and vividly detailed recounting of the 18th-century watershed that temporarily sundered the British Empire. Profoundly scholarly, yet still accessible to the nonscholar, it is recommended for academic and public libraries.—Michael F. Russo, Louisiana State Univ. Libs., Baton Rouge, LA

From 73 to 71 B.C.E., Thracian gladiator Spartacus led a spectacularly successful slave revolt that rocked the Roman Empire. Only a handful of short accounts survive from the classical era, but the legend endures, most prominently in Stanley Kubrick's 1960 sword-and-sandals epic that featured Kirk Douglas and a cast of thousands. While it's certainly possible to construct an illuminating book on a classical subject when the historical record is minimal, e.g., Mary Beard's excellent The Roman Triumph, Strauss's popular history here relies on little more than speculation to fill huge gaps in the known record. His reconstruction of the slave army's progress through Italy is swamped in "might have," "maybe," "possibly," "no doubt," and a dozen other synonyms for "I am guessing here." The account is so speculative the reader loses track of what is documented and what is imagined. A deeper exploration of the history of slavery and slave revolts in the Roman Empire might have provided the substance lacking here. Possibly of interest if you have readers who want to follow up on the Kubrick movie.—Stewart Desmond, New York

Although a co-litigant with her husband in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Dred Scott v. Sandford, Harriet Robinson Scott has been largely ignored in the historical literature. VanderVelde (law, Univ. of Iowa) addresses this oversight by reconstructing the illiterate slave woman's life and milieu using anthropological research methods, legal documents, military records, and the diaries of Lawrence Talliaferro, who owned Harriett and Dred Scott. Through Harriet Scott's life, the author is able to create a valuable portrait of the development of slavery on the U.S. frontier during an era in which that scourge was leading the country toward civil war. Despite the wealth of historical knowledge presented, the heart of this well-researched work is the tragic tale of how a loving family's effort to gain their freedom was brutally rejected by Supreme Court justices bent on maintaining the institution of slavery at all costs. Essential for academic libraries and highly recommended for public libraries.—John Burch, Campbellsville Univ. Lib., KY

Captain James Cook was one of the best known naval captains of his day and the first European discoverer of the Hawaiian Islands. During his third voyage, he was fatally stabbed in an altercation with native Hawaiians, an event that is still a source of debate for modern scholars. Williams (history, emeritus, Queen Mary Univ. of London; Voyages of Delusion: The Quest for the Northwest Passage) examines the puzzling details of Cook's death as well as how the record of it differs (and in some cases, may have been deliberately altered) in the published accounts of his voyage. Williams moves beyond Cook's death to trace the man's historical representation throughout the centuries, his development into a controversial figure celebrated for his discoveries and demonized for his part as an agent of destructive colonialism, and how the circumstances of his death affected both viewpoints. Although the historical material may be familiar, Williams provides an excellent overview and comparison of the facts of Cook's last days, the various influences on his reputation and legacy, and recent scholarship. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—Kathleen McCallister, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

Crowley (public policy, Rutgers Univ.) has written a thorough, evenhanded account of the fathers' rights movement in the United States. To her credit, she conducted in-depth interviews with participants in these groups and observed them in action, as well as reviewed research studies. After reciting the history of such groups, the author analyzes their structure from a sociological perspective. In succeeding chapters, discussing child support laws, custody rules, and post-divorce family dynamics, she marshals statistics and anecdotes to address points made by fathers' rights advocates. While critical of the groups' political goals, which call for less state involvement in custody and child support, she defends their personal goal of more involvement by fathers with their children. For a more polemical and pro-fathers' rights account, compare Taken into Custody: The War Against Fathers, Marriage and the Family by Stephen Baskerville. For specialized collections.—Harry Charles, Attorney at Law, St. Louis, MO

At a time when CSI crime shows are all the rage on television, this book provides a true, firsthand account of what really goes on in crime scene investigations. Hallcox and Welch (Bodies We've Buried) are the former directors of the world's only hands-on crime scene instruction program at the National Forensic Academy. They take the reader on a whirlwind trip with various crime scene investigators throughout the United States, including the real Texas Rangers, the New Jersey Sheriff's Office, and the New York Police Department. One sees how important the work is that the CSI does, and how the quality of the work done at a crime scene directly impacts the strength of a case. The authors are affable and quite matter-of-fact whether they're having dinner with one of their interviewees or describing the discovery of a body under a tree in the woods. Suitable for larger public libraries and academic libraries supporting forensic science programs.—Krista Bush, Univ. of New Haven Lib., West Haven, CT

Editor Lynch (director, Project on Criminal Justice, Cato Inst.) has assembled a stellar cast of attorneys and judges to defend and blast Harvard professor Henry Hart's classic essay. Written 50 years ago for first-year law students, the essay is erudite and idealistic, proposing that criminal law must have a moral underpinning. To its credit, the collection delivers blunt pieces by noted scholars such as federal appeals Judge Alex Kozinski, Judge Richard Posner, and professors James Q. Wilson and Alan Dershowitz. Criminal defense attorney Harvey Silverglate adds a blistering critique of federal criminal prosecution, and Judge Richard Sanders lends a cautionary chapter on the dangers of civil commitment. For those interested in a sophisticated discussion of the reach of criminal law by the top practitioners in the field, the book is a treat. For specialized collections.—Harry Charles, Attorney at Law, St. Louis, MO

True crime writer Keefe intended this as a biography of Zelig (born Zelig Lefkowitz, aka Harry Smith, etc.), but Zelig proves an elusive figure, and this book is more about his milieu. Jewish gangster Zelig lived a short, violent life, rising to the top before being gunned down at 24 in 1912. His story and those of several other players like Max "Kid Twist" Zweifach, Monk Eastman, and Charles Becker are set against the backdrop of gangsters in pre-Prohibition New York City. Keefe has managed to dig up quite a bit of background material, including accounts left behind by Zelig contemporaries and descendants. The book is bursting with facts and anecdotes but it can be a bit challenging—the casual reader may need a scorecard to match birth names to aliases to gangster monikers. Recommended only for true crime/historical collections for the time period and aficionados of the topic.—Karen Sandlin Silverman, Ctr. for Applied Research, Philadelphia

Knowles (political science, SUNY-Oswego) has written a philosophical treatment of Justice Kennedy's tenure (so far) on the Supreme Court. When Kennedy was appointed in 1987, he was hailed and criticized as a strong conservative. Over time, he has become controversial as a moderate voice and is now considered to be a pivotal vote on the Court. The author weaves a discussion of Kennedy's background as a law student and classroom teacher with an examination of how this has influenced his judicial philosophy. The beginning of the book examines his judicial thought in the context of libertarian thought. However, Knowles does not call the justice a libertarian. Instead, she uses libertarian philosophy to show that Kennedy is a believer in small government and individual liberty. Each chapter looks at Kennedy's views on issues such as affirmative action, civil rights, and free speech by discussing the level of judicial scrutiny applied to them. This is an extensive, thought-provoking look at judicial decision making that tackles complex issues. Recommended for law and academic libraries.—Becky Kennedy, Atlanta-Fulton P.L.

Editors Robinson and Bonnie (law, Univ. of Virginia) have assembled a collection of 40 essays written by law faculty from around the United States, most of whom were enrolled in public schools at the time the 1954 Brown decision, which outlawed segregated schools, was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court. Each contributor assesses the immediate reaction to the decision in his or her community and analyzes the longer-term impact of the ruling upon public education in his or her locale. Reflections upon personal life experiences growing up in and transitioning from segregated to desegregated public schools form an integral part of many essays. Each writer strives to articulate the essential meaning of Brown to his or her education, not just the Court's holding, but the ways in which the theoretical, the rational, and the precise terms of the ruling relate to the actual, clumsy, imprecise world in which they lived. Recommended for academic and public libraries.—Philip Y. Blue, New York State Supreme Court Criminal Branch Law Lib., First Judicial Dist.

When basketball player Brenda Spicer is found dead in a Northeast Louisiana University dumpster, police look first at premed student Ivrin Bolden, who has a history of angry jealousy over Brenda's relationship with his girlfriend Joel. Bolden is found not guilty of murder, but a few years later when Joel goes missing, the original case is reopened, and Bolden confesses to both killings. Journalist Parker has done her research, gathering information from court transcripts, police investigations, and interviews, but she doesn't put it together very well. The prose is often so flowery it interferes with clarity and makes it difficult to tell what is deduced by the author versus established fact. The stilted dialogue is obviously designed to get information to the reader at the expense of appearing realistic and developing the characters. Most true-crime readers can do without this one; of local interest only.—Daisy Porter, San Jose P.L., CA

Attorney Shenkman (The Complete Book of Trusts) reviews the basic components of estate planning while emphasizing the important nuances that must be considered when an individual is ill or disabled. There are specific discussions related to such conditions as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and Lou Gehrig's disease. Shenkman includes techniques for organizing financial and legal records and offers a good explanation of the issue of competency when developing the estate plan. Model forms for powers of attorney, living wills, and living trusts are included here and are also downloadable from Shenkman's web site, www.laweasy.com. Each chapter finishes with a summary that highlights its important messages. Shenkman conveys complicated information clearly and uses specific examples to connect it to common situations. Highly recommended for public libraries.—Joan Pedzich, Harris, Beach & Wilcox, Rochester, NY

In 1984 Thompson-Cannino was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment. In a lineup, she "picked" Ronald Cotton as the person responsible, but the real rapist, Bobby Poole, who resembled Cotton, was not in that line. Eleven years later Cotton was cleared by DNA evidence and Poole was convicted. Thompson-Cannino, who had been sure of her original identification, was overcome with grief, and this book is her mea culpa for her mistake. Divided into three parts—the author's story, Cotton's story, and the story of the meeting and eventual friendship between the two—this easy-to-read book is often touching as Thompson-Cannino challenges our ideas of memory and judgment, and as Cotton talks about his faith and forgiveness. Although it does not offer a lot that is new in the annals of crime and punishment, it does offer the reader a different perspective. An asset to any crime collection.—Frances Sandiford, formerly with Green Haven Correctional Facility Lib., Stormville, NY

These two works complement each other nicely. Both authors have had many years of involvement in the issues; both express hope about how peace can be achieved. Sadat (A Woman of Egypt), widow of Egypt's President Anwar Sadat, who won the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize for his courageous recognition of Israel, combines her analysis of peace negotiations with her perspective as a devout Muslim and a successful professional woman. Carter focuses more exclusively on political issues from his background overseeing successful negotiations between Israel and Egypt in 1979 and his subsequent years of engagement in Middle Eastern issues. Both believe that the issues of Israel's security, Palestinian sovereignty, stable borders, settlement of refugees, and the status of Jerusalem can be resolved through solutions already outlined in principle. Both identify Israeli settlements and occupation of the West Bank along with the weakness and fragmentation of Palestinian leadership as key obstacles to peace. Carter emphasizes the history of negotiations since the 1970s, a growing recognition of the possibilities of two secure states in the Holy Land, and the destructive influence of militant minorities in each society. He also stresses the necessity for strong and sustained U.S. involvement to keep negotiations moving. In contrast, Sadat's focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is broadened by her exposition of her husband's career, her development as a writer and teacher in the United States after his assassination, and her understanding of Islam as a religion that supports tolerance, diversity, democracy, and an active role for women. Both authors remind us that a majority of Israelis and Palestinians want peace. These two books would be valuable additions to most libraries because of the perspectives they provide for understanding this dangerous conflict.—Dr. Elizabeth R. Hayford, president (retired), Associated Colls. of the Midwest, Evanston, IL

Brown & Root was a Texas construction company that generously supported Lyndon Johnson's first campaign for the House. Over the years, through political connections, it obtained lucrative government contracts, hitting it big in the Vietnam War. In the 1980s the military discovered the virtues of contracting out logistical support (transport, base construction, mess halls, etc.) for combat personnel, a system that worked well, both for this company, now a pervasive battlefield presence wherever American soldiers go in number, and for the military. Along the way, the company incorporated Halliburton and Kellogg, for instance, but its strategy didn't change: do whatever it takes to get and keep the business. Investigative journalist Chatterjee (Iraq, Inc.) chronicles a long and tangled line of influence, bribes, revolving-door hiring (both Cheney and Rumsfeld served as CEOs), no-bid contracts, exploitation, overcharges, and spotty but usually effective service. It's a lesson in how the military-industrial complex operates, and while Chatterjee tends to focus on the misdeeds (many), he admits that we simply could not project military power without the support contractors provide. Most libraries having substantial military or political collections will want to acquire this.—Edwin B. Burgess, U.S. Army Combined Arms Research Lib., Fort Leavenworth, KS

One of the most talked about but least successful undertakings by Western countries in recent years have been policies designed to engage the Muslim world. Similarly, the Muslim-majority countries have largely failed to change stereotypes of Islam and the Middle East in the West's subconscious. In this excellent book, Cole (Richard P. Mitchell Professor of History, Univ. of Michigan), a leading American expert on the Islamic world, seeks to dispel many of the persistent myths about Islam and the Middle East. The author systematically analyzes many major topics, such as terrorism, oil, Wahhabism, and the Iraq war, and highlights popular myths and prejudices associated with these issues. Cole convincingly demonstrates why one should not confuse Muslim activism with hidebound fundamentalism. The chapter dealing with Iran is particularly informative and evenhanded, and the analysis of myriad issues in U.S.-Iran relations is a welcome antidote to the barrage of alarmist commentaries on Iran in much of the U.S. press. This readable and intelligent book is a must read for policymakers and the informed public. Highly recommended for all academic and public libraries.—Nader Entessar, Univ. of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

"This book is borne of annoyance…," crime journalist Kleinknecht admits at the outset of this scathing critique of Reagan's presidency. What "annoys" the author is Reagan's rising stature among historians and the American electorate (e.g., conservative John Diggins's Ronald Reagan: Fate, Freedom and the Making of History, liberal historian Sean Wilentz's The Age of Reagan), despite the general view of the President as an intellectual lightweight. The author sets his journalistic lasers exclusively on Reagan's domestic legacy: "mergers, deregulation, tax cuts for the wealthy, privatization, globalization," arguing that Reagan championed in word the "little man" and the middle class, but that his policies created more distance between the wealthy and the rest of the country. Examining Dixon, IL, Reagan's small hometown, he attempts to show that ironically many there were hurt economically by Reagan's policies, even as the town renamed its streets and buildings for their "favorite son." The author shows Reagan as a former New Dealer who became disillusioned with big government, repeatedly injecting into his colorful narrative Reagan's confusion of Hollywood images with the reality of America to show how out of touch Reagan was. He ends by arguing that the most destructive part of Reagan's legacy was "America's utter loss of national purpose" because he delegitimized government and glorified self-interest. Kleinknecht often scores points, but his exaggerated language (e.g., "the looting of America") limits his audience to those who already agree with him. For consideration by public and academic libraries.—Jack Forman, San Diego Mesa Coll. Lib.

Novogratz (founder, CEO, Acumen Fund) presents an insider's view of charitable foundations and microfinance institutions, including her own venture capital firm for the poor. Her greatest critique of philanthropic efforts is that despite their best intentions, they often focus more on making donors feel good than on actually doing good for those in need. So it's ironic that she wraps a somewhat extraneous memoir around her extremely valuable advice to charitable organizations, especially those combating poverty. Philanthropies, she says, should focus on bringing the poor into the global economic system in a sustainable way. Novogratz is most effective when examining the organizations and people with whom she works, but occasionally her book suffers from the problem she claims plagues some philanthropic efforts—she focuses on her quest to "find herself," with the people in need the supporting characters. That being said, the book valuably highlights the importance of accountability in charity and of social responsibility in business. Recommended for academic libraries with programs in social work, international relations, and business.—Veronica Arellano, Univ. of Houston Libs., TX

Updegrove's (former publisher, Newsweek; Second Acts: Presidential Lives and Legacies After the White House) latest book is a pertinent work as we welcome our 44th President. Eight chapters examine the turmoil surrounding eight American Presidents as they take office—Washington, Jefferson, Tyler, Lincoln, FDR, Truman, Kennedy, and Ford—and the leadership that ultimately helped them prevail over the unprecedented crises they faced. The author stresses the importance of rhetoric to set the tone of the incoming administration, as exemplified by each of these Presidents' inaugural speeches, such as "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself," or "Our long national nightmare is over." Updegrove offers insightful lessons for our incoming President who will have his share of burdens to face, many inherited from President George W. Bush. At the very least, this book could offer President Obama hope that, as our history shows, endurance and hardship can be overcome, making us more resilient than ever before. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—Rebecca Blakeley, McNeese State Univ., Lake Charles, LA

Positive psychology was introduced as a concept about ten years ago by Martin Seligman; the field studies topics like happiness, satisfaction, and hope. Fredrickson (psychology, Univ. of North Carolina), who has spent her career studying positive emotions, has written a self-help book instructing readers how to put positivity into their lives. She describes how this will unlock their creativity, improve their ability to savor the world's pleasures, and increase satisfaction with their lives and relationships. Fredrickson pinpoints a three-to-one ratio of positive to negative emotions as the key to maximum achievement. She lists ten forms of positivity and helps readers calculate and track their positivity ratios. A few strong sections feature useful advice in this rather frothy but entertaining self-help work. Readers looking for a more scholarly but readable book on positive psychology will enjoy Daniel Nettle's Happiness: The Science Behind Your Smile. Suitable for public libraries with large self-help collections.—Fran Mentch, Cleveland State Univ. Lib.

"It's Mean, It's Personal, and It's Ruining Our Conversation," exclaims Denby (Great Books), longtime film critic for The New Yorker. The noun snark, an apparent conflation of "snide" and "remark," harkens back to Lewis Carroll's fictional animal, though there's no need to "hunt" for this incarnation of the beast; it's ubiquitous according to Denby, and it's nasty: "the most dreadful style going, and ultimately debilitating." Not to be confused with satire, which at least has human betterment at its heart, snark plays on others' vulnerabilities to no good end. Snark is not a recent phenomenon; Denby traces its origins back to ancient Greece and is not himself above naming names, counting writers James Wolcott, Joe Queenan, Tom Wolfe, and Maureen Dowd (who actually gets a whole "fit," as the book's sections are called, to herself) among its better-known current practitioners. Alice Roosevelt Longworth might not have appreciated it, but this relatively brief, witty (a quality he claims that snark lacks) work is highly recommended for all libraries. —Ellen Gilbert, Princeton, NJ

From 50 to 75, imagine yourself shifting gears from a longtime career onto a new course of self-awareness and discovery, learning and development. This is the third chapter of your life, a time when you don't need to go quietly into retirement to do nothing else purposeful, a time when the competitive attributes of your work life won't suit you so well. But collaboration, patience, and humility will. What you're pursuing now is not building profits or your reputation. It's satisfying your own soul, staying actively engaged, and maybe helping to repair the world in the process. Lawrence-Lightfoot (Emily Hargroves-Fisher Professor of Education, Harvard Univ.; I've Known Rivers) interviewed 40 subjects who transitioned into the third chapter. The author notes that these men and women, from a range of rather elite professions, did not have to worry about mortgage payments or household budgets. This is not a cross section from "Main Street." At some length, the author describes her subjects' backgrounds, motivations, support systems, learning styles, joys, and frustrations. Although she references psychologists and other social scientists, the book is not dryly academic. It's a collection of powerful stories by a gifted interpreter and storyteller. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—Lisa Nussbaum, Buffalo, NY

Fully updated, Volunteer Vacations provides one to two pages of information on 150 organizations through which travelers can help others while on vacation at locations both in the United States and around the world. The authors state that they have carefully vetted the organizations but they have stoped short of providing reviews or ratings. While essential information on each organization's work, locations, costs, needed skills, age restrictions, and contact information is provided, the authors encourage readers to research further on their own. They provide tips on how to evaluate an organization, and they intersperse inspiring testimonials from former volunteers throughout the book. Indexing provides access by cost, required length of stay, location, season, type, disability friendly, family friendly, and senior friendly. This guide is both a good starting point and a sound overview for those interested in undertaking a service-oriented vacation. Increased interest in this type of tourism recommends this edition for all libraries with travel collections.—Louise Feldmann, Colorado State Univ. Lib., Fort Collins

A recent journalism school graduate, Simons was bored and frustrated with his night-shift newspaper job. Then, on a trip to the tip of South America, he picked up a copy of Charles Darwin's The Voyage of the Beagle and felt compelled to re-create portions of that five-year voyage of discovery. Simons was about the same age as Darwin had been at the time and also had a taste for adventure. In his account, he does not follow Darwin's trip exactly (travel is quicker nowadays) but explores both the east and the west coasts of South America over a few trips. In between his accounts of Darwin's and his own travels, Simons also contextualizes Darwin's era, particularly his views on politics and culture. Most people think of evolution when they hear the name Darwin, but he also was forceful in his stance against slavery, admired the gaucho lifestyle, and studied indigenous Americans. He was a great explorer and naturalist. In the year of Darwin's birth bicentennial, Simons provides us with a more complete picture of this fascinating man. Recommended for all libraries.—Lee Arnold, Historical Soc. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia