Buckholtz here offers a vivid and sensitive account of the sacrifices made by families of military personnel in wartime. She was a freelance journalist when she met and married a career navy aviator and moved into what she admits was an unlikely lifestyle for her. Buckholtz focuses on the preparation for and subsequent deployment of her husband's aircraft carrier for seven months in the Iraq theater while she maintained the household with their two young children in a small town in Washington State. The book is both a look inside the emotions of those awaiting the service person's return and a testament to the support offered by the squadron families and particularly other military officers' spouses, who helped Buckholtz adjust to the long separations that occur regularly in military families. Buckholtz, who is Jewish, also relates the difficulties she faced trying to observe her faith in a region where few temples or Jewish centers exist. She includes an extensive list of books about military family experiences during the current wars and historical works about military family life and protocol. Recommended for all public libraries.—Jill Ortner, SUNY at Buffalo Lib.

The lives of Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan Macy, were so entwined that it is impossible to write about one without the other. Nevertheless, in this concise biography Nielsen (history & women's studies, Univ. of Wisconsin, Green Bay; The Radical Lives of Helen Keller) succeeds admirably in keeping the focus on Macy, adding to our understanding of Macy's tragic childhood in the Tewksbury, MA, almshouse, her schooling at the Perkins Institution for the Blind, her marriage to and separation from John Macy, and her struggles to hide the extent of her own disability. Macy's complexity is revealed, particularly in her struggle to remain the guiding force in Keller's life amid efforts by educators at Perkins and other schools to gain control of Keller and to benefit from her fame. This book will join works such as Lorena A. Hickok's The Touch of Magic, Joseph P. Lash's Helen and Teacher, and Dorothy Herrmann's Helen Keller: A Life as essential reading for those interested in Macy or Keller. Suitable for most public libraries and for academic libraries with strong collections in biography, special education, or the history of disabilities.—Linda V. Carlisle, Southern Illinois Univ., Edwardsville

In what is both a biography and an appreciation of his subject's achievement, Roberts (New York Times; The Brother: The Untold Story of the Rosenberg Case) brings our attention to a pioneer of social entrepreneurship. For over four decades, as a public official in New York's city government and the founding director of the After-School Corporation and the Vera Institute of Justice, Herb Sturz has initiated and shepherded significant social reforms. In his account, Roberts highlights Sturz's personal experiences, his motivations, and the unusual paths his life has taken, emphasizing the marriage of political and business acumen often cultivated by individuals who feel driven to change society for the better—and who succeed at it. The influences of pragmatism, his father's unconditional love, a bout with polio at an early age, a letter from John Steinbeck, and a profound respect for the Bill of Rights—all helped shape Sturz, depicted as an admirable, humble, idealistic realist (if you will), an average man intent on tirelessly championing civil rights and liberties. Also notable here is the in-depth analysis of the numerous social programs Sturz created. Recommended for public and undergraduate libraries, especially with collections in social-service entrepreneurship.—Theresa Kintz, Wilkes Univ., Wilkes-Barre, PA

After 14 years of civil war, corruption, and economic deterioration, the people of Liberia resurrected their country's battered democracy by electing Sirleaf as Africa's first woman president. In her 2006 inaugural address, Sirleaf made a promise to her people: "We are making our beloved Liberia home once again." In this memoir, the woman known to her compatriots as "Ma Ellen" shows how her life is entwined with her country's story. She vividly describes her educational awakening after escaping an abusive marriage and subsequently being separated from her children. Her education transformed her into a successful, self-sufficient woman able to move from Harvard to the Liberian finance ministry, Citicorp, and the UN. Yet central to her own story is the political situation in her homeland, as a class-stratified society made way for the Samuel Doe military coup and the brutal civil war waged by Charles Taylor. Liberia's "Iron Lady" raised her voice in defiance of violence and corruption and ultimately transformed the government. Her autobiography is a testament to the remarkable impact of ambition when it is used for public good. Highly recommended.—Veronica Arellano, Univ. of Houston Libs.

With a title such as Inside Rupert's Brain, the reader anticipates a probing character study and possibly even some armchair psychiatry, but this book delivers neither. La Monica, who writes for CNNMoney.com, comes nowhere close to media mogul Rupert Murdoch, instead recounting the endless acquisitions and divestitures of Murdoch's News Corp. The author does not even try to get into Murdoch's head. If there is any actual reporting, it is well concealed: this work appears to be a cut-and-paste assemblage of La Monica's work for CNNMoney.com, press releases from News Corp., and so forth. The tone is uneven, the detail is tedious, and anyone who regularly reads the business press will be entirely familiar with this material; throughout, Murdoch remains the unknown man behind the curtain. There's a shelf of books on Murdoch (e.g., Michael Wolff's The Man Who Owns the News) and today's media that librarians ought to get before considering this one.—Michael O. Eshleman, Kings Mills, OH

In this historical study, Ahamed, a professional money manager, sums up the causes of the Great Depression as a series of economic policy blunders that could have been avoided. He cites as causal factors the inflationary financing of World War I by printing money, the insurmountable war debts of Germany and the Allies, Germany's plunge into hyperinflation, and the return of most currencies to the gold standard at excessive and deflationary prewar rates. For example, he explains that when the U.S. stock market bubble burst in 1929 and economic activity collapsed, the central banks were restrained in stimulating the economy for fear of losing their gold reserves. In an epilog, Ahamed draws parallels between the crises of the Great Depression and those in recent times. He keeps his history interesting by highlighting the personalities of the heads of the major central banks, and he employs the economist John Maynard Keynes as a one-man Greek chorus critiquing the bankers' actions. This erudite and exceedingly well-written tale of financial chaos in the 1920s and 1930s is both timely and instructive for today's economic climate. Highly recommended for all academic and most public libraries.—Lawrence Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA

Lest any reader be misled, this book is not about shoes, except incidentally. It is not even about the shoe-designing artist Jimmy Choo himself, except as a relatively minor character on the fashion scene. The book is really about how the worlds of fashion and international business influence each other, with the firm called Jimmy Choo as an illustrative case. Both authors work in the fashion business, Crowe as a journalist and Maceira de Rosen as an industry analyst. Their expertise shows in the wealth of information they provide and the anecdotes they pass on. Yet they don't make it easy for readers to follow all the maneuvers of the dozens of individuals and businesses involved. Turmoil is a constant in mergers and spin-offs, executives and designers move frequently, personal relationships intertwine with business decision making, and emotions often run high. Not for the casual reader, this book will reward the serious business student. Recommended for public and academic libraries collecting in this area.—James F. DeRoche, Alexandria, VA

Journalist and pop biographer Oppenheimer (e.g., Front Row; Anna Wintour) here covers the more sensational side of the toy industry with this unauthorized company history of Mattel. He begins by focusing on Jack Ryan, who was hired by Mattel for research and development and who claimed to be the "Father of Barbie." Much is made of Ryan's sexual peccadilloes, including requiring his wives and girlfriends to hew as closely to Barbie's physical characteristics as possible, going so far as encouraging them to have plastic surgery and take diet pills. The book continues through the history of Mattel, including the rise and fall of Jill Barad (CEO from 1996 to 2000) and her replacement by Robert Eckert, former Kraft CEO. It also outlines the changing marketplace, including the creation of the He-Man action figure, the uproar caused by the emergence of the competing Bratz dolls, and the recent liability suits brought by parents of children tragically injured or killed through lead paint and tiny magnets in Mattel products. Marking the dark side behind the decline of yet another iconic American company, this is a tabloid-style book covering tabloid topics. Purchase only where there is interest.—Susan Hurst, Miami Univ. of Ohio, Oxford

Proclaiming the age-old "walk a mile in their shoes" wisdom, Patnaik (founder, Jump Assoc.) and Mortensen (communications lead, Jump Assoc.) assert that human beings are biologically wired to feel empathy for others but often lose sight of this consideration at the organizational level. To show the effects of the empathic corporate approach, the authors use detailed narratives on topics ranging from the brand loyalty forged by Harley Davidson with its Harley Owners Group to Pixar's in-depth culinary research in preparation for creating the Disney film Ratatouille. Patnaik and Mortensen show that the success of these companies is more than just coincidence by presenting countless stories (referencing Nike, IBM, Xbox, and Bill Clinton) that illustrate the dramatic impact of organizations and individuals who take a break from the numbers and genuinely engage the people they serve. This book's abundance of real-world case studies and in-depth analysis of the producer-consumer relationship will educate and inspire everyone from senior executives to frontline staff. Highly recommended for academic and larger public libraries.—Allen McGinley, Piscataway P.L., NJ

As education scholar Tooley discovered when researching private schools in India, Africa, and China, parents throughout the world want the best for their children; they will try to find a way to ensure that their children get the best education possible, even if it means spending precious—and extremely meager—incomes to send them to private schools. The education officials in the countries he visited frequently told Tooley that private schools for the poor didn't exist because the poor didn't value education and didn't care enough about their children to invest in schools; private schools were only for the elite. But as Tooley explains here, private schools have in fact developed owing to the inadequacy of public schools, whose teachers are paid even when they fail to show up. Now, as president of Orient Global's Education Fund, Tooley works to put ideas born through his research into action, including creating a chain of low-cost private schools to serve these poor populations. Reminiscent of Greg Mortensen's Three Cups of Tea, this work is recommended primarily for academic and larger public libraries.—Terry Christner, Hutchinson P.L., KS

In the summer of 1953, back in Missouri after leaving the White House six months before, Harry and Bess Truman loaded up their new Chrysler and headed out, like thousands of their fellow citizens, on a summer vacation. Public radio reporter Algeo chronicles this unlikely excursion in great and wonderful detail. The Trumans drove to Washington, DC, to visit old friends and then on to New York to visit their daughter, Margaret. Along the way they caused a sensation at almost every diner and filling station at which they stopped. In addition to a detailed itinerary, Algeo, who retraced the Trumans' route, also provides many interesting side trips, including both press and government reactions and interviews with folks who'd met the Trumans on the trip. It was still a time when former Presidents received no pension or Secret Service protection, when there were no interstate highways or big chain motels, and travel was a much more intimate and haphazard affair. This enchanting glimpse into a much simpler age that is all but gone should appeal to anyone interested in the Fifties, Harry Truman, or unusual travel tales. Recommended for public libraries and undergraduate collections.—Dan Forrest, Access Svcs., Western Kentucky Univ., Bowling Green

These two books provide different perspectives on white supremacy in American society. Journalist Zeskind documents the evolution of Far Right political and social movements since the 1950s. He focuses on the work of Willis Carto, founder of the now-defunct Liberty Lobby, the late 20th-century's leading anti-Semitic (and Holocaust denial) organization, and William Pierce, leader of the National Alliance, a neo-Nazi group supporting white nationalism and white separatism. Zeskind recounts the involvement of these two men with other racialist groups and with individuals such as David Duke, Pat Buchanan, and the fringes of the Republican Party. The most striking fact emerging from Zeskind's book is that these people spent most of the time quarreling among themselves, with Carto involved in frequent lawsuits over control of the Liberty Lobby and its many associated organizations. Pierce died in 2002, and Carto's influence among the Far Right has greatly diminished. However, other individuals continue to spread their ideas.

Ayers (education, Univ. of Illinois, Chicago) and Dohrn (director, Children & Family Law Justice Cntr.), both former leaders of the Weather Underground and longtime civil rights activists, take a different tack on the subject. They present essays that each has authored separately, providing personal experiences and thoughts on race relations in modern American society. Both acknowledge the advancements made in this country during the last part of the 20th century, but they argue that the United States remains dominated by white supremacist ideas that are having an adverse effect throughout the world. The book contains many fascinating ideas drawn from literature, philosophy, history, and the authors' life experiences. Both books are recommended for all libraries.—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ., Parkersburg

Virtual history, according to the authors, is historical projection based on scrupulous analysis of actual historical documents to determine the likely path a leader would have taken had he or she remained in power. Blight and Janet Lang (coauthors, The Fog of War: Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara) and David A. Welch (coauthor, The Cuban Missile Crisis: A Concise History) are political scientists who have long studied JFK's policies. This book is the result of a 2005 conference they led at which scholars and presidential officials of the Vietnam era, among them Frances FitzGerald, James Galbraith, and Bill Moyers, rigorously debated recently declassified documents, some of which are included in the appendix. The authors provide introductions to each chapter, but the panelists' conversations make up the lion's share of the text, with the resulting if not unanimous consensus being that JFK would not have taken the country into the Vietnam War. Why? Because, in part, he was confident about his views although he encouraged dissent from his hawkish advisers, and he recognized the possible nuclear outcome that could have resulted from escalating the conflict. The participants conclude that it does make a difference whom we elect President. Diplomatic historians and Vietnam War specialists will find this work informative and at times exhilarating; recommended for academic collections.—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., PA

In April 1846, as young newlywed Sarah Graves departed her Illinois home on a journey to California, she could not foresee the misery and horror that awaited her. After numerous delays on their difficult westward path, she and her family found themselves dangerously behind schedule as winter loomed, and they decided to join an ill-fated wagon train under the leadership of George Donner. Ending up snowbound and starving in the Sierra Nevada range, the Donner party descended into cannibalism, a well-known and grisly episode of pioneer history. Given a fresh and intriguing telling here thanks to the supple, readable, and well-researched narrative by Brown (former managing editor, Microsoft Corp.; Under a Flaming Sky: The Great Hinckley Firestorm of 1894), Graves's dark tale is engrossing and appalling in equal measure. Never melodramatic or maudlin, Brown's work gracefully balances graphic depictions of extreme privation with humanizing glimpses of the emigrants' everyday hopes and fears. Brown also skillfully weaves relevant historical, cultural, and scientific information into his chronicle, creating a rich and contextualized background. Likely to appeal to true adventure and history fans, who may also like Frank Mullen's The Donner Party Chronicles, this work is strongly recommended for larger public libraries.—Ingrid Levin, Salve Regina Univ. Lib., Newport, RI

At a time when the Cold War was at its chilliest, an amazing thing happened: Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, the energetic and unpredictable leader of America's most hated enemy, took a tour across the breadth of America in summer 1959. Followed by a gaggle of press, curious spectators, and nervous government security forces, the sometimes amiable, sometimes hilarious, and sometimes maddening Khrushchev held the limelight for ten days as he sampled American culture and cuisine while extolling the advantages of his Communist homeland. Carlson, who has spent his career at various journalistic posts, including the Washington Post, has crafted an exceedingly entertaining and detailed history of this momentous event. Pouring over hundreds of newspaper clippings as well as the most significant published memoirs and secondary sources, he brings a refreshing liveliness to the episode and the era. For anyone interested in this remarkable moment in the long history of U.S.-Soviet relations, Carlson's book is a treat! For most collections.—Ed Goedeken, Iowa State Univ. Lib. Ames

After the "Miracle at Philadelphia"—to borrow Catherine Drinker Bowen's phrase for the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787, there began the angry fight over ratification. Nine of the 13 states had to vote in favor of the Constitution in order for it to become effective. Absolutely indispensable were New York and Virginia, the most populous and richest states. Chadwick (The First American Army) focuses on the efforts of John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. Their series of essays, known today as "The Federalist Papers," were quickly written and disseminated throughout the country to persuade the state conventions to ratify the new charter. New Yorkers Jay and Hamilton and Madison, a Virginian, were leaders in their state conventions and fought hard for the Constitution. Chadwick uses primary and secondary sources well and has a very readable style. Politics has always been a rough-and-tumble business, which Chadwick captures by recounting the parries and thrusts of anonymous writers in the newspapers and the venomous speeches in the conventions. This fine narrative is best for those new to the topic; recommended for public libraries.—Michael O. Eshleman, Kings Mills, Ohio

Groom (1942: The Year That Tried Men's Souls), a superb storyteller most famous for his novel Forrest Gump, seems to have researched his topic well, so it's a real disservice that his book lacks footnotes or endnotes or even a full bibliography. His thesis is that the Battle of Vicksburg was strategically the Civil War's most important one, at the end of which the Confederacy could not win the war and was foolish to fight on. The book's greatest strength is that, instead of getting bogged down in the minutiae, it places the battle within the context of the western theater of the war, emphasizing the personalities behind the battles rather than tactics and logistics. This approach makes the book accessible to general readers less familiar with Civil War history. Many will disagree with some of Groom's political conclusions, which show a bias toward the Southern cause; he does seem prone to offering opinion without evidence. There's no shortage of books on this battle, so librarians may choose to skip Groom's, especially if they have Michael Ballard's Vicksburg: The Campaign That Opened the Mississippi. However, Vicksburg, 1863 is engaging, and many will find it an enjoyable read. Recommended for public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 12/08.]—Michael Farrell, Reformed Theological Seminary. Lib., Oviedo, FL

Koeppel (Water for Gotham) cites two main reasons for writing another book on the Erie Canal: to disabuse readers of false notions that have gained acceptance through repetition and to highlight previously underplayed personalities. He underlines the significance of Jesse Hawley, whose newspaper essays under the pseudonym "Hercules" conceived of and promoted the canal, and Andrew Bartow, the overlooked developer of hydraulic cement, which can harden properly under water. We learn that canal surveyor Joseph Elliott standardized the foot as a national measurement, that a faction sought an Ontario Canal rather than one leading to Lake Erie, and that Buffalo's selection as the western terminus helped revive that city after its destruction during the War of 1812. Koeppel highlights the role of the canal engineers and notes the high death toll among the workers and surveyors, and he reminds readers of the canal's importance in transporting people as well as goods. This lucid and colorfully written narrative is recommended for libraries that do not already have Peter L. Bernstein's Wedding of the Waters: The Erie Canal and the Making of a Great Nation or that want to expand their holdings in 19th-century technological and New York State history.—Frederick J. Augustyn Jr., Library of Congress

Two weeks after Lincoln's assassination, President Andrew Johnson appointed John Frederick Hartranft as commandant of the Washington Arsenal military prison to guard and look after the eight conspirators awaiting trial in the assassination plot. As part of the official government record, Hartranft kept a letterbook, mainly containing retained copies of his official reports on the daily tasks that his oversight involved. Renowned Lincoln scholars Steers (Blood on the Moon: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln) and Holzer (Lincoln President-Elect) provide background information about Hartranft, the conspirators, and the legal issues surrounding the military tribunal, followed by a transcription of the letterbook itself, a primary source that offers a unique look into one of the most controversial chapters in American history. It shows that Hartranft had a keen eye for detail and a strict adherence to protocol in relaying information objectively; as the trial itself progressed, he never allowed his emotions to get in the way of doing his duty. He granted small privileges to the prisoners, such as mailing their letters to family members, and he allowed five of the convicted conspirators to have their padded hoods removed for their hanging owing to their distress in wearing them. This strong addition to Lincoln assassination studies is highly recommended for academic libraries.—Gayla Koerting, Nebraska State Historical Soc., Lincoln

Parsons (history, SUNY at Brockport: John Quincy Adams) has written a well-crafted and -researched survey of the 1828 election skillfully tying some elements to the present. The author brings up important arguments such as the perception that Adams was too intellectual and out of touch, while Jackson was a self-made man, a political "outsider." Parsons also notes that the increased number of white male voters who did not own property looked for candidates with similar experience and education—and this helped Jackson. With the 1828 election, political parties for the first time used cartoons, parades, coordinated national meetings, and campaign paraphernalia on a much larger scale. All of these components of the election were pretty radical in 1828, but not so afterward. Equally important, Parsons highlights themes that have been overlooked, such as how the newly formed Democratic Party would help focus partisanship and get Jackson elected while setting up the "big government" vs. "small government" dialog still evident today. Highly recommended for all academic libraries and for public libraries with a strong political history readership.—Bryan Craig, MLS, Nellysford, VA

Rigg's book focuses on the moral dilemmas faced by Michlinges (those defined by Nazi racial laws as being part-Jewish) who served in the Wehrmacht. Billed as a companion piece to Rigg's earlier Hitler's Jewish Soldiers, this volume focuses more on the individual stories rather than providing a broad history. Rigg's compassion for his subjects, most of whom he interviewed in the 1990s, comes through clearly. The book is strongest on the emotional conflicts the men faced. Most defined themselves as Christians and hoped that military service would prove their patriotism and protect them and their families. Instead, their government continued to oppress them and often killed their Jewish relatives. One of Rigg's weaknesses is accepting his subjects' ex post facto assertions that they did not know about the Holocaust until after Nazi Germany was defeated; he fails to consider much recent historical literature by scholars such as Peter Fritzsche and Robert Gellately, which demonstrates that knowledge of the Shoah was widespread during the war. The book is often repetitive, noting on multiple occasions, for example, that conflicting emotions were common in Mischlinges. Recommended for specialized collections.—Frederic Krome, Univ. of Cincinnati Clermont Coll.

Spanning the years 1801 to 1835, John Marshall's nationalist-leaning Supreme Court greatly expanded the powers of the federal government, much to the chagrin of states' rights advocate Thomas Jefferson and the Republican Party. No case exemplified that political conflict more so than the Supreme Court's 1803 decision in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison, a decision that established the court's power of judicial review. Quickly following up Lawrence Goldstone's The Activist: John Marshall, Marbury v. Madison, and the Myth of Judicial Review, former Supreme Court clerk Sloan (former publisher, Slate) and top-level Senate aide McKean (Tommy the Cork) have written a lucid and compelling account of the well-known but seldom understood court battle that secured the place of the judiciary as a coordinate branch of the federal government. While William Nelson's Marbury v. Madison: The Origins and Legacy of Judicial Review more thoroughly examines the complex legal details of the case, Sloan and McKean have given generalists and academics alike a fascinating, straightforward narrative that is highly recommended for larger public and academic libraries.—Brian Odom, Pelham P.L., AL

In this fascinating look at the NYPD's counterterrorism efforts in the post-9/11 world, journalist Dickey offers an inside-out view of the NYPD's everyday approach to preventing another terrorist attack, including insider accounts provided by Commissioner Ray Kelly, his top team, and counterterrorism experts. Dickey contrasts the NYPD's local and global approach to counterterrorism (hiring immigrants for their tacit knowledge and running daily counterterrorist drills while also deploying NYPD officers around the world) with the federal approach (teaching languages to American-born undercover agents). He gets into some of the tensions between the NYPD and the Feds and how the relationship has evolved. Dickey hits all the hot topics—immigration, terrorism/counterterrorism, and torture—and provides case studies of terrorist attacks (London, Madrid) and foiled attacks (an attempted New York City subway bombing). He makes a strong case for what the NYPD has gotten right but also why its approach is not necessarily appropriate for other U.S. cities. The book, which manages to terrify and reassure readers at the same time, is essential reading for post-9/11 America. Recommended for public and popular culture collections.—Karen Sandlin Silverman, Ctr. for Applied Research, Philadelphia

Gaynor, who covers the U.S.-Mexican border for Reuters, here recounts his experiences reporting on smuggling activity between the two countries. He presents the stories of smugglers moving drugs, people, guns, and money across the border using methods ranging from planes and trucks to tunnels and desert treks. Opposing the smugglers are Mexican and American federal, state, and local law enforcement using techniques ranging from horseback patrols to remote-control scout aircraft. Gaynor also discusses the rampant corruption found among security officials, with agents accepting money, drugs, and sex to assist the smugglers. Appearing among a cast of characters are groups of private individuals such as the Minutemen and the Shadow Wolves, Native Americans who track immigrants and smugglers. This clear and accessible story, drawn from Gaynor's reporting, provides a detailed picture of the current state of this borderland. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ., Parkersburg

Shane (Ohio State Univ. Moritz Coll. of Law) writes here about the enormous expansion of presidential power and its violation of constitutional principles. In particular, he argues that the rise in presidential power is contrary to the intentions of the framers, who imagined a restrained executive subject to the checks and balances of Congress and the judiciary. In modern history, the author argues, we have seen the rise of an aggressive presidency that too often ignores the will of Congress, which has led to bad decision making and illegal acts. Shane calls this "presidentialism" and explores this theme throughout the book, giving examples of unrestrained presidential power, such as the Terrorist Surveillance Program of George W. Bush and the conduct of the Iraq War. Although he draws notable examples from the recent Bush administration, Shane is careful to say that many Presidents have been guilty of presidentialism; he traces the concept back to the New Deal and cites Watergate as a notorious instance. Later chapters offer solutions to the problem of expanding presidential power, e.g., election reform and increased access to broadband Internet. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.—Becky Kennedy, Atlanta-Fulton P.L.

More than five years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of the Baathist government of Saddam Hussein, the country still teeters on the brink of chaos and intercommunal warfare. Can Iraq's recent past explain its current predicament? In this engrossing book, Steavenson (former London correspondent, Time) explores the question by examining the life of Gen. Kamel Sachet, who, before his 1999 execution by the Baathist regime, was a highly decorated officer and a favorite of Saddam Hussein. Drawing on five years of travel and interviewing many Iraqis, including Sachet's family members, the author vividly portrays the moral dilemmas and contradictions that many Iraqis grappled with as they lived and worked under Saddam's dictatorship. For example, although General Sachet was a hero of the Iran-Iraq War and served the Baathist regime as the head of the Iraqi occupying army in Kuwait City during Desert Storm, he refused to allow his sons to join Saddam Hussein's army, which he had termed a criminal organization. The book allows readers to focus on the personal as a means to understanding the political and military calamity that has tragically defined Iraq in the past four decades. Recommended for all public libraries.—Nader Entessar, Univ. of South Alabama, Mobile

This is a disjointed book: the title hints at an intertwined chronological narrative of the UK's rival intelligence agencies—they turn 100 years old this year—but instead Thomas (Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad) jumps back and forth between the recent period and the past, with most of the pages taken up by the big events of the last 30 years, including the end of the Soviet empire and its replacement by terrorism as the no.1 target. There is quite a bit about the CIA and its relationship with the British security agencies. The stories and inside details are interesting, especially about who was picked to run the departments, but readers expecting a more focused work may be disappointed. Thomas provides lists of agency directors, acronyms and agency names, and the names of those he interviewed, but neither a time line nor photos are included. An optional purchase by general libraries. (Index not seen.)—Daniel K. Blewett, Coll. of DuPage Lib., Glen Ellyn, IL

Cohen, a disability rights expert, attorney, and parent, has written an invaluable guide for parents who "must serve as the ultimate case managers for the child" and the clinicians and advocates who assist them. Anyone encountering the special education maze should read this book, which describes a complicated and sometimes adversarial process as clearly as is humanly possible. Although Cohen does not provide legal advice, pointing out that special education law is ever-changing, his book is a godsend for those of us encountering FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education), LRE (Least Restrictive Environment), and PLOP (Present Level of Performance) for the first time. Chapters include an overview of legal protections, eligibility, the evaluation process, and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); define least restrictive environment; discuss private placement and behavior management; segue into transition and graduation; and clarify legal concepts such as procedural safeguards, mediation, and due process. Also invaluable are a list of useful web sites, acronyms used in special education, and sample letters (such as a request for an impartial due process hearing or for an independent evaluation). Highly recommended.—Elizabeth Safford, Nevins Memorial Lib., Methuen, MA

Moalem (Survival of the Sickest) writes, "We're here to explore human sexuality from beginning to end—what we like and why we like it; how it makes us feel; how it can go wrong; and how human intervention, through cultural traditions, scientific discovery, or both, can divert nature's path—across history, geography, culture, gender, and orientation…how sex works." It's not surprising that the book, while jam-packed with interesting factoids, fails to live up to this grandiose ambition. Chapters cover puberty, factors in attraction and arousal, sexually transmitted diseases, and birth control. Emphasis is placed on the oddest or least-known phenomena; much of the chapter on arousal, for example, is taken up with a discussion of female ejaculation, which isn't a huge part of the process for most people. While the book certainly fails on its self-stated terms, it is a pleasant read based on solid research, and it's probably more fun for being more like Ripley's Believe It or Not! than a comprehensive study. Recommended for most public libraries.—Mary Ann Hughes, formerly with Neill P.L., Pullman, WA

Although Buhs (The Fire Ant Wars) makes his personal stance clear in the preface, this book does not try to convince the reader that Bigfoot does or does not exist or argue for or against the legend. Instead, Buhs has written the story of Bigfoot, focusing on social and cultural contexts, and lets the reader come to his or her own conclusions. The legend of Bigfoot is not distinctly American: Buhs covers early incarnations of the myth such as the views associated with "wild" men who often lived on the fringes of societies. Stories of these wild men date back hundreds of years and are prevalent on all inhabited continents. The American Bigfoot legend has its roots in the myth of the Yeti, or Abominable Snowman, originating in the Himalayas of the 19th century. Buhs's very well researched book regards the reasons why the legend has flourished and survived, arguing that Bigfoot "reveals something about the human condition" and that even though Bigfoot may not be real, it still is part of the cultural fabric of contemporary society: when Bigfoot is brought up in conversation in the United States today, most people know its meaning. This cultural history, complete with footnotes and a comprehensive bibliography, is recommended for academic and public libraries, especially those that specialize in mythology/folklore.—Jeremy Spencer, Mabie Law Lib., Univ. of California, Davis

As Americans consider how to solve the problems of global warming, traffic congestion, high gas prices, and health problems linked to physical inactivity, bicycles have received a lot of attention. Mapes (senior political reporter, the Oregonian) provides a deftly drawn portrait of contemporary bike culture and politics, together with a concise history of the bicycle's roots and its early influence on American society. He profiles bicycle use and transportation policy in Amsterdam, Portland, New York, and Davis, CA, to illustrate how regular bicycle riders, transportation officials, politicians, and grassroots activists have attempted to promote cycling as a way to calm traffic, boost inner-city development, aid public health, and decrease pollution, among other things. The book is readable and engaging, but perhaps the most compelling sections are the chapters on the safety and health aspects of bike riding and on efforts to encourage cycling among kids. Here Mapes weighs various methods of measuring traffic fatalities, considers the complex social effects of kids cycling to school, and details various theories about whether it is safer for commuters to ride in the street with cars or on separated bikeways. Highly recommended.—Emily-Jane Dawson, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR

Souhami's (Selkirk's Island) new book is difficult to categorize as travel literature. By her own admission, her narrative voice is "invented" and the account of her voyage "half-remembered, half-imagined and open to interpretation." Souhami weaves factual details about the original mutiny on the HMS Bounty (in passages that are well written and fascinating) with an account of present-day troubles and trials (literally) of Pitcairn Islanders. But she adds to this mix a fictionalized storyline of her journey to Pitcairn that falls flat; bordering on wacky but without charm or humor, this story line is at odds with the tone of the rest of the book. Souhami does offer an intriguing exploration of the concept of chaos theory, how one chance act has an effect through time, in this case master's mate Fletcher Christian's taking of a coconut on the Bounty—followed by a reprisal from the infamous Captain Bligh, a mutiny, the settlement of Pitcairn, and the tribulations that island and its people have endured since. Overall, however, the fact/fiction format is not successful. Not recommended.—Lee Arnold, Historical Soc. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia