Science & Technology Reviews, October 15, 2011
Oct 15, 2011Agriculture
Adlon, Jeanne & Susan Logan. Cat Calls: Wonderful Stories and Practical Advice From a Veteran Cat Sitter. Square One. 2011. c.160p. illus. index. ISBN 9780757003448. pap. $14.95. PETS
Adlon, a New York City cat sitter for over 35 years, and Logan (editor, Cat Fancy) have combined their collective cat wisdom in this slim volume. They provide useful information on the basics of owning a cat, e.g., the best places to adopt a cat, introducing a new cat to the home, the pros and cons of indoor vs. outdoor cats, keeping cats healthy, litter box issues, the most effective ways to discipline cats, and much more—all peppered with Adlon’s true-life tales of cats she has encountered over her years as a cat sitter. Stories include pampered cats, shy cats, and cats with strange habits; readers also get a glimpse of the peculiarities of New York City cat owners themselves. With a foreword by Garfield creator Jim Davis, the book also features fun feline facts throughout. VERDICT Well indexed and concise, this volume will serve the novice cat owner well; those with more experience may want to look elsewhere for advice.—Diana Hartle, Univ. of Georgia Lib., Athens
Benal, Jolanta. The Dog Trainer’s Complete Guide to a Happy, Well-Behaved Pet. Griffin: St. Martin’s. Nov. 2011. c.240p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780312678227. pap. $15.99. PETS
Certified professional dog trainer Benal covers the range of good and bad canine behaviors, and her book will lend confidence to inexperienced dog guardians. Her informal, conversational tone and realistic, frank advice make for mostly entertaining reading, similar to her website (dogtrainer.quickanddirtytips.com). With chapters covering everything from socialization to polite leash walking to stuff dogs do that annoys and worries people, Benal’s book gets to the heart of frustrating issues and breaks them into manageable chunks. Frequent “Quick and Dirty Tips” are practical and well placed. Experienced owners and fledging trainers will appreciate how Benal incorporates the science behind dog training in her “Notes and Sources” sections and introduces many key resources. VERDICT Recommended for readers thinking about getting a dog, though the book lacks the specifics and illustrations expected in a complete guide. Better illustrated guides include Bruce Fogle’s New Dog: Choosing Wisely and Ensuring a Happily Ever After.—Kristine Alpi, North Carolina State Univ. Libs., Raleigh
Hugo, Nancy Ross (text) & Robert Llewellyn (photogs). Seeing Trees: Discover the Extraordinary Secrets of Everyday Trees. Timber. 2011. 242p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781604692198. $29.95. GARDENING
Most of us note the leafing out of trees in the spring and their often spectacular fall color, but Hugo and Llewellyn, veterans of garden writing and tree and landscape photography, respectively, go much deeper to share the details of the complex lives of trees gleaned from years of personal observation. They have created an informative, beautifully illustrated book that delves into tree growth and reproduction. Hugo begins by introducing the reader to various tree parts: leaves, flowers, cones, fruit, buds, leaf scars, bark, and twigs. Next, she profiles ten well-known trees including the red maple, white oak, and white pine. Whether she is describing the unfurling of a leaf or the development of an acorn, her prose draws the reader into her world. Stunning close-up and magnified shots of trees and tree parts illuminate the text. VERDICT This fascinating celebration of trees will delight gardeners, botanists, students of natural history, and nature photographers.—Sue O’Brien, Downers Grove P.L., IL
Salatin, Joel. Folks, This Ain’t Normal: A Farmer’s Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World. Center Street: Hachette. Oct. 2011. c.384p. index. ISBN 9780892968190. $25.99. AGRI
Virginia farmer Salatin laments that Americans have lost their “historically normal” agrarian knowledge and, consequently, the ability to make intelligent decisions about their food. Salatin gained prominence in foodie circles after being profiled in Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma and the documentary Food, Inc. He contends that a return to the basics in food production and preparation—including locally sourced food, home gardens, and home cooking—would result in a stronger economy, healthier citizens, and environmental protection. He offers suggestions for adopting a “normal” approach to food and farming, often challenging mainstream environmental principles. Many of Salatin’s arguments are thought-provoking, but his tendency to value-judge and mock those with whom he disagrees undermines his credibility. An extensive antigovernment diatribe seems particularly out of place. VERDICT Some readers may be surprised by Salatin’s sarcasm and antigovernment tirades, but his book offers valid suggestions for those seeking an alternative to industrial food sources. Because of its lack of supporting data and footnotes, this is not recommended as an academic work.—Kelsy Peterson, Prairie Village, KS
Health & Medicine
Coady, Deborah, M.D., & Nancy Fish. Healing Painful Sex: A Woman’s Guide to Confronting, Diagnosing, and Treating Sexual Pain. Seal: Perseus. Nov. 2011. c.280p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781580053631. $18. HEALTH
Physician Coady and psychotherapist Fish have teamed up to write a book about women who suffer from sexual pain, a diagnosis in which their New York City–based private practice specializes. Offering a holistic viewpoint on this seldom-discussed and sensitive topic, the book covers issues like finding people (or even just one person) to talk with, finding the best doctor to treat the physical pain or emotional fallout, understanding the biology of pain, identifying symptoms, exploring the possibility of self-treatment, and ultimately recovering to live fulfilling lives. Empathetically written, the book employs quotes from former patients that help inform, shape, and validate the information offered and underscores the extensive experience of both practitioners in treating this issue. Excellent resources lists include recommended books and support organizations and associations, with contact information. VERDICT Directed to women experiencing pain, this book can also serve as a well-rounded introduction to the topic for health practitioners.—Elizabeth J. Eastwood, Los Alamos Cty. Lib. Syst., NM
Leavitt, Jessica & Fred Leavitt. Improving Medical Outcomes: The Psychology of Doctor-Patient Visits. Rowman & Littlefield. Oct. 2011. c.312p. index. ISBN 9781442203037. $34.95. MED
Jessica Leavitt (member, California Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians) and Fred Leavitt (psychology, California State Univ.; Evaluating Scientific Research) outline the psychological aspects of doctor-patient relationships and how they affect medical care. While aimed mostly at health-care providers and medical students, the book is accessible to consumers and can be a source of valuable information. It covers major areas of doctor-patient communication, including interpretation of medical information, decision making and bias, medical diagnosis and reducing diagnostic errors, prescribing drugs, the placebo effect, complementary and alternative medicine, and patient social-connectedness. The Leavitts show some of the pitfalls in communicating effectively with patients, making diagnostic decisions, interpreting medical information, and prescribing medication. Throughout, they alert physicians to these hazards and offer tips to help avoid them. Each chapter also concludes with a short list of tips for the patient. VERDICT Recommended for health-care providers, medical students, and doctors—this may be a source of interest to general readers with upcoming doctor’s appointments.—Dana Ladd, Community Health Education Ctr. & Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Libs., Richmond
McDonough, John E. Inside National Health Reform. Univ. of California. 2011. c.368p. photogs. index. ISBN 9780520270190. $34.95. MED
By offering a concise description of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), McDonough (public health, Harvard; Experiencing Politics: A Legislator’s Stories of Government and Health Care) provides an opportunity for readers interested in debating the merits of the law to do so with a solid understanding of its history and content. McDonough worked as a Massachusetts state legislator, in addition to directing Harvard’s Center for Public Health Leadership during the creation of that state’s health-care reform, and went on to serve as a Senate staffer during the drafting and passage of the ACA. He describes the origins and legislative struggles that led to the laws that were enacted and then devotes a chapter to each of the ten titles within the ACA. A concluding chapter attempts to look at the future of the law—its challenging implementation, fiscal consequences, and legal issues. VERDICT McDonough has done the hard work of breaking a large and historic piece of legislation down into a sober, balanced, thorough, readable, and important book. Recommended.—Dick Maxwell, Porter Adventist Hosp. Lib., Denver
Pepin, Jacques. The Origins of AIDS. Cambridge Univ. 2011. c.250p. maps. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780521186377. pap. $28.99. MED
In the 30 years since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began, questions remain about its origins. Pepin (microbiology & infectious diseases, Univ. de Sherbrooke, Quebec) combines history and epidemiology to build a detailed argument demonstrating how a virus that originated in chimpanzees could jump to humans and eventually become a global epidemic. He examines the social disruption of the colonial and postcolonial eras and identifies urbanization, the migration of young men to cities, and the resulting increase in prostitution as additional catalysts of the disease’s spread. He then devotes several chapters to a number of public health programs in Africa that, while intended to combat various diseases, involved injecting large numbers of people with needles and syringes that were not properly sterilized. The last few chapters trace the spread of HIV/AIDS from Africa to Haiti, the United States, and beyond, with special emphasis on the role of the blood and plasma trade. VERDICT Pepin delivers a carefully reasoned academic treatise on the origins of AIDS; recommended for readers interested in the epidemiology of AIDS.—Janet A. Crum, City of Hope Lib., Duarte, CA
Schwarcz, Joe. Dr. Joe’s Health Lab: 164 Amazing Insights into the Science of Medicine, Nutrition and Well-being. Doubleday Canada. Nov. 2011. c.288p. index. ISBN 9780385671569. pap. $19.95. HEALTH
Schwarcz (director, Office of Science & Society, McGill Univ.) offers readers answers to 164 questions related to health. Using a question-and-answer format, he tells readers how trans-fat-free margarine is made, why bicycle seats may affect erectile dysfunction, what probiotics are, and the story of Typhoid Mary. The questions are grouped by subject: health and supplements, unhealthy habits, healthy eating, etc. The responses range in length from a few sentences to several paragraphs. No sources are cited, and the book does not have a bibliography. The subjects covered include some mildly interesting trivia, for instance, that loggers in Thailand feed elephants amphetamines to make them work harder—requiring the creation of an elephant drug rehab facility. VERDICT An optional purchase; the material is easy to understand, but it is readily available in other sources. Without notes and a bibliography, the book is of limited use.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L.
Steefel, Lorraine. What Nurses Know...Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Demos. Nov. 2011. c.178p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781932603873. pap. $16.95. HEALTH
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was for years regarded as a phantom or psychosomatic disease. This volume, sixth in the “What Nurses Know” series, provides basic information for those just diagnosed with CFS. There are no definitive clinical signs or available diagnostic tests for CFS, so other diseases must be ruled out before a diagnosis can be made. Finding a qualified clinician who will treat the patient seriously can be a major challenge. Registered nurse Steefel’s daughter was diagnosed with CFS at age 12, and the author uses her experiences and those of other sufferers to inform readers about the disease, its symptoms, and possible therapies. Steefel explains alternative treatments such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, and tai chi and suggests strategies for managing daily life. Working with one’s health-care team, keeping detailed personal health records, and finding an advocate are stressed. With a glossary and resource listing. VERDICT Despite an overabundance of acronyms (and they are not all listed in the glossary), this is a good, basic text on a frustrating disease.—Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp., Tampa
Weil, Andrew, M.D. Spontaneous Happiness. Little, Brown. Nov. 2011. c.320p. index. ISBN 9780316129442. $27.99. HEALTH
Weil (founder & director, Arizona Ctr. for Integrative Medicine, Univ. of Arizona; Spontaneous Healing ) writes openly of his midlife struggles with moderate depression and here offers a new approach to thinking about happiness. In Part 1, he argues that the basic assumptions of mainstream psychiatric medicine are obsolete and the biochemical model has limitations. He asserts that the integration of Eastern and Western psychology into a new approach will result in better management of depression and an increase in emotional intelligence. In Part 2, Weil offers advice and practical steps for caring for the body and mind, drawing on techniques from Ayurveda, Buddhism, acupuncture, mindfulness, and other disciplines, along with advice on lifestyle, behavior, dietary changes, and exercise. Weil provides a map for a journey based on the techniques he describes. Integrating these changes, he argues, will result in emotional resilience and well-being. VERDICT The case studies and practical guidance here can help readers make life-changing decisions.—Jodith Janes, Cleveland Clinic Fdn. Lib.
Home Economics
Levine, Ed & seriouseats.com eds. Serious Eats: A Comprehensive Guide to Making & Eating Delicious Food Wherever You Are. Clarkson Potter: Crown Pub. Group. Nov. 2011. c.368p. photogs. index. ISBN 9780307720870. pap. $27.99. COOKING
Levine is a frequent New York Times contributor and the founder of the Serious Eats website, which has won two James Beard Awards. This companion book to the website includes 50 recipes (for standards such as Biscuits and Gravy, the Best Grilled Cheese, and Kansas City BBQ Ribs), but it is also a food lover’s travel guide not to be missed. Travelers will relish the lists of the best places to find breakfast pastries, pizza, street food, sweets, farm-to-table chefs, and farmers’ markets, and foodies are sure to discover gems in their region as well as destinations for their next vacation. Explanations of types of burgers (e.g., pub, steakhouse, and sliders) and pizza (e.g., New York–style, grilled, and deep-dish) are also valuable. Resources include a state-by-state directory; California, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, and Oregon are well represented. VERDICT A wonderful guide to eateries throughout the country. Definitely one to consult before your next trip!—Carrie Scarr, West Fargo P.L., ND
Sciences
Aczel, Amir D. A Strange Wilderness: The Lives of the Great Mathematicians. Sterling. Oct. 2011. c.288p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781402785849. $24.95. MATH
Popular science writer Aczel (research fellow, Boston Univ.; Fermat’s Last Theorem) outlines in his latest title some of the greatest mathematical achievements in human history. Beginning with the ancient Egyptians, Aczel makes his way to the 20th century, recounting mathematical discoveries through the biographies of great mathematicians. Giants of Western thought—Pythagoras, Descartes, Newton, Cantor—appear here as do lesser-known mathematicians like Li Zhi of medieval China and Emmy Noether of Nazi-era Germany. Throughout, Aczel is an engaging narrator, supplying explanations of mathematical theory for the uninitiated and placing each discovery within its very human context. Divided by mathematician and prominent theory, the book could be read as a complete narrative or by topic. VERDICT This book offers something to readers interested in both science and the humanities. Recommended as a brief but tantalizing introduction to the history of mathematics.—Talea Anderson, Walla Walla, WA
Deacon, Terrence W. Incomplete Nature: How Mind Emerged from Matter. Norton. Nov. 2011. c.544p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780393049916. $29.95. SCI
For all our emerging understanding of how the brain and body work, we still haven’t grasped “what matters most to us: the place of meaning, purpose, and value in the physical world.” Deacon (anthropology, Univ. of California, Berkeley; The Symbolic Species: The Co-evolution of Language and the Brain) offers a new, multidisciplinary approach—combining neuroscience, general philosophy, the philosophy of science, semiotics, anthropology, and a humanist worldview—to explore rigorously how we create meaning and how mind emerged from matter. Deacon’s dense and breathtaking study of the relationship between conscious experience and physical processes offers a new framework to examine how phenomena that are not physically extant (e.g., thoughts, ideas, meaning, an understanding of conscious experience) can and do impact physical processes and how physical processes transform into conscious experience. He has worked to make the book accessible to nonscientists and nonphilosophers and largely succeeds, though a dictionary and encyclopedia are helpful to have at hand. VERDICT Appealing to those who enjoy Umberto Eco, Roland Barthes, and Jacques Derrida as well as physical science and neuroscience buffs. Highly recommended.—Candice Kail, Columbia Univ. Libs., New York
Hellwarth, Ben. Sealab: America’s Forgotten Quest To Live and Work on the Ocean Floor. S. & S. Jan. 2012. c.400p. illus. index. ISBN 9780743247450. $28. SCI
In the 1960s, the Navy developed Sealab, an experimental underwater habitat where humans could live for extended periods of time. Although it was eclipsed by the U.S. space program in funding and public interest, Hellwarth argues its equal importance. Though much of the written record remains classified, he interviews many of the still-living principal players and their families. As Sealab labored to develop stations deeper underwater, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Edwin Link were building their own habitats in competition. The physiological effects of deep-sea diving, the gradual improvement in equipment, the tragic deaths of several of the aquanauts, and the personalities of all involved are vividly depicted. Although Sealab was discontinued in 1970, the Navy, offshore oil companies, and the diving industry continued to reap many benefits from its legacy. VERDICT Although remotely operated vehicles have replaced manned undersea habitats, this account will be of great interest to divers, Navy buffs, submarine fans, and those interested in the exploration of both inner and outer space. [See Prepub Alert, 8/1/11.]—Judith B. Barnett, Univ. of Rhode Island Lib., Kingston
Nelson, Darby. For Love of Lakes. Michigan State Univ. Oct. 2011. c.270p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 9781611860214. pap. $24.95. NAT HIST
Nelson (biology, emeritus, Anoka-Ramsey Jr. Coll.) brings to bear his training as an aquatic ecologist in this eloquent paean to the natural beauty and wonder of lakes. Intermingling a lifelong fascination with lakes and cogent scientific commentary, this book will generate newfound respect for and appreciation of lakes. Nelson invokes prominent naturalists like Henry David Thoreau and Louis Agassiz as he explores the glory of lakes and explains their scientific significance. Like these classic observers of nature, Nelson teaches us to look closely at the minute features of lakes that, under close scrutiny, reflect the larger miracle of the universe. While lay readers may find the science chapters to be slow-going at times, the nature sections, replete with detailed observations, will more than compensate for this challenge. VERDICT Ideal for aficionados of nature writing. Readers who enjoyed Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek will find this book similarly rewarding.—Lynne F. Maxwell, Villanova Univ. Sch. of Law, PA
