In 1975, Affonco, a French citizen (her father was French and her mother Vietnamese), faced a crucial decision. She could either stay at home in Cambodia with her husband, a Chinese armchair Communist, or flee with her children to France, where she had never been. Her husband, who could not fathom the horror the Khmer Rouge would bring and did not want to separate the family, convinced her to stay. The family was soon deported to the countryside, where they lived in forced labor camps under appalling conditions that included psychological torment, starvation, and executions that would rob Affonco of most of her loved ones. At one point, Affonco and other women in the camps were working on a dyke when the village chief informed them that it was called Widows Dyke, a chillingly clear message. Rescued by the Vietnamese army in 1978, Affonco and her son eventually fled to France. This deeply moving account is highly recommended and especially timely in light of recent news regarding the confession of notorious Khmer executioner Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Comrade Duch.—Patti C. McCall, Albany Molecular Research, Inc., NY

When Boudin was 14 months old, his parents, who were part of the Weather Underground, were sent to prison. He was raised by their close friends Bernardine Dorn and Bill Ayers (yes that Bill Ayers of the 2008 presidential campaign controversy) and refers to both couples as his parents. He attended private schools in Chicago and then journeyed to Guatemala. Something clicked, and "between 1999 and 2008, I was itinerant. I visited seven continents and more than 80 countries and slept on hundreds of couches and sandy beaches." Here he concentrates on his travels to Guatemala, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Among other things, he recounts being a student at the University of Chile during the 9/11 attacks and the reactions of people there (on the anniversary of the 1973 coup that overthrew Allende). Boudin's writing is good and his adventures interesting. He does overlay his tales with some political views, which means that free-market capitalists who think the IMF is just swell may not care for it. Readers who can get past the sporadic rhetoric may enjoy this book (and learn something too).—Lee Arnold, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

In this latest in a series in which novelists take readers on a written tour of places that have had a lasting effect on their lives and careers, award-winning novelist Cartwright (The Song Before It Is Sung) readily admits that he is concerned with Oxford the university rather than Oxford the city, though the book could most accurately be described as an account of scholastic life at Oxford. (It was titled This Secret Garden in its U.K. edition.) Cartwright meanders through his own history at the university and through the lives of some of its luminaries. He came to Oxford as a star-struck colonial from South Africa, enchanted with Oxford's almost mythical history, and he appears to have lost none of that fascination; he rarely misses an opportunity to name-drop and describes the preeminence of Oxford graduates in the political and journalistic hierarchy with barely concealed smugness. Some of his revelations are painfully personal, however, and though laced with quotations and historical anecdotes, this work feels more like a memoir than a literary guide to the city or university. For readers with an acquired taste for this kind of writing.—Megan Hodge, Randolph-Macon Coll. Lib., Ashland, VA

In her prolog, Shen immediately hooks readers by sharing her thoughts during a business meeting with a man who had appeared on the cover of Forbes: just ten years before, she was homeless and wandering from city to city in China. She had been abused by her parents, who were illiterate peasants, and ostracized by her neighbors. She was also clever and fearless, telling a job interviewer in China who offered her three months to learn Cantonese that she'd need only two! Eventually, as her epilog reveals, she married an American she had met on the Internet, moved to the United States, graduated from Wellesley College, and began this memoir. Her riveting story is peppered with realities like lice, prostitution, abortion, and men literally using women in every way imaginable. As she shows, she also took advantage of people who saw her potential and helped her when she was most desperate. Like a suspense novel, this book is impossible to put down. All readers interested in China, as well as memoir fans (especially of success stories), must read this astonishing title.—Susan G. Baird, Chicago

In a touching homage to the daily newspaper, Greene weaves a wistful tapestry of "the sights, sounds, and smells" of his first job working at his hometown newspaper, the Columbus Citizen-Journal, from 1964 to 1968. He recalls the wonder of his first day as a copy boy and the subsequent years spent writing for the paper's sports and city desks. In his youth, argues Greene, when TV was just beginning to take hold, American families cherished their local newspapers as "the daily scrapbook of a city's life." People subscribed to the morning paper produced by one news organization and the evening edition of another in order to keep abreast of local business, school, civic, and sporting events. Greene also recollects when his "first love," the Citizen-Journal, printed its last edition in 1985, a time when cities could no longer sustain two competing newspapers. This nostalgic look at the importance of newspaper reporting in American life is valuable reading for anyone concerned about the possibility of having no newspapers to turn to for their local news.—Donna Marie Smith, Palm Beach Cty. Lib. Syst., FL

Freelance journalist Morton has written a concise overview of the American supermarket tabloid, emphasizing the National Enquirer and others owned by Florida-based American Media, Inc. Drawing on interviews and various print sources, she traces the history of the tabloid format from its beginnings in England, its American roots in yellow journalism, and the rise in the importance of photojournalism in the age of the Internet. As Morton shows, the National Enquirer was developed from a failing New York newspaper by Generoso Pope Jr, who used shocking or gory content to help increase circulation. He then began to include more celebrity stories, which increased the tabloid's popularity in supermarkets. Morton reviews the move of the newspaper to Florida, where it helped create a thriving publishing industry in the Palm Beach area. A number of tabloid covers are included here, as are anecdotes about various popular tabloid stories. Though it is somewhat brief, this book provides useful information for those interested in American media history.—Joel W. Tscherne, Bryant & Stratton Coll., Cleveland

Fox, a Time editor at large and economics columnist, here takes readers through the history of academic research on financial markets since the late 19th century. He focuses on the development of the Efficient Market Theory and its fall from dominance, which resulted largely from the rise of behavioral finance. The Efficient Market Theory uses mathematical models to show that investors act on information as it becomes available, making pricing so efficient that an investor would be unable to beat the market without insider information. Fox argues convincingly that this theory has been eclipsed by behavioral finance, which studies investors' psychology to show that markets are not as rational as the Efficient Market Theory presents. The style here is journalistic, with personal stories that make the book entertaining, but ultimately this is a history of academic thought—complete with endnotes—and is best suited for students of finance or people interested in financial theory.—Robbie Allen, St. Johns River Community Coll., Palatka, FL

New York Times columnist Frank (management & economics, Cornell Univ.) is no slouch at making often misunderstood economic precepts easier to grasp. This collection of Times columns is handily organized into thematic sections; Frank's writing sparkles, and the topics, which include health care and the subprime-mortgage crisis, are timely. However, many readers may find this more a political treatise than an economic one, as Frank's conclusions tend toward the progressive (he supports both the estate tax and a single payer health-care system). He explored such stances in greater depth in his earlier books, including The Winner-Take-All Society and Falling Behind, which housed more comprehensive and research-based arguments than this one. This book is best as a recreational read and may appeal to fans of Malcolm Gladwell; however, coming only two years after Frank's The Economic Naturalist: In Search of Explanations for Everyday Enigmas, it's an optional choice.—Sarah Statz Cords, Reader's Advisor Online, Madison, WI

Samuel (founder, Culture Planning, LLC) has made a career of studying the superrich and consulting with companies that cater to them. Here, with an anthropologist's eye for detail, he covers the rise of megamillionaires over the 20th century. Each generation has produced new industries that have created different kinds of millionaires, from the Texas oil baron to the Silicon Valley dot-commer. While these groups have varied in what they spend on luxury items and philanthropy, they have much in common, such as difficulties with hiring the help, tensions between old and new money, and the rapid rise and fall of fortunes. Samuel also analyzes the American middle- and working-class obsession with get-rich-quick schemes and the range of admiration, envy, and disgust toward the wealthy. While Samuel acknowledges the present economic crisis and its effect on the wealthy, he argues that many have exaggerated the downturn and that the superrich will rise again. Fascinating, humorous, and readable, this book is recommended for anyone—general reader or scholar—interested in wealth in this country.—Kathryn Stewart, Centreville, VA

Faced with the prospect of having three children in college at the same time, Frost and her family decided to bypass the paradigm of higher education in the United States. Through trial and error (and no small amount of boldness), all four of her children received a global education that inspired them to get started on their career passions faster, and less expensively, than their peers on traditional education tracks. This book not only tells the story of how they (and others) did it but also provides a strong argument for approaching education this way. Frost's prose is engaging, and she frequently illustrates her points with the stories of successful young adults in their own voices. She also offers advice for parents who may feel overwhelmed or pressured to conform by their neighbors and families, addressing many of the situations they may find themselves in should they choose to take their children's education in a nontraditional, global direction.—Anna Creech, Univ. of Richmond Lib., VA

Using the writing of prominent historical figures like Marco Polo, Gustave Flaubert, Richard Francis Burton, and Rudyard Kipling, Bernstein (Out of the Blue: The Story of September 11, 2001, from Jihad to Ground Zero) tracks the fascination that Western men have had with Eastern women, from ancient explorers describing harems and sex bazaars to contemporary sexual tourism in Thailand. Bernstein makes interesting points about the moral ambiguity of the sex trade: the Christian West casts unfavorable judgments upon sex outside of marriage in ways that the East does not, though the author does admit that the fantasy of guiltless Eastern sexuality is just that, a fantasy. He clearly states his own opinion, based on practicality: the women engaged in the sex trade often use the money they earn to support their impoverished families, and it may be no worse than the other unappealing options the women have open to them. This thoroughly researched work is recommended especially to those interested in gender studies and social history. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/09.]—Crystal Goldman, Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City

A rare Westerner who can read and speak fluent Chinese, Cunningham (media studies, Doshisha Univ., Kyoto) takes us on a historical journey through the streets of Beijing, where he had worked as a freelance journalist in the eventful days leading up to the Tiananmen Square massacre, one of the darkest moments of Chinese history. Based on his reminiscences, Cunningham's evocative day-by-day testimony of the monthlong political chess match between the students and the Communist regime before the violent military crackdown on June 4, 1989, reads as much like an action-based thriller as an historical narrative. In offering a candid view of the student leadership based on his interviews and interactions with the protesters, Cunningham's account reveals the dissent and factionalism within the student ranks. A welcome addition to our understanding of a convoluted and perplexing historical black mark that media and scholarly pundits have only begun to unravel after nearly two decades of silence, this book will be appreciated by both interested general readers and scholars.—Allan Cho, Univ. of British Columbia Lib., Vancouver

Drawing on memoirs and previously published works, journalist Drabelle tells the story of the Comstock Lode, the first major deposit of silver ore discovered in the United States. He doesn't say anything that hasn't been said before, but he has the advantage of looking back a century and a quarter later and can more clearly see the consequences of this discovery, such as inventions that paved the way for skyscrapers and decisions that provided the model for the private exploitation of public lands. He tells a rollicking good story, focusing on the people who made the Comstock a household word, including William Stewart, Mark Twain, and the bankers and speculators of San Francisco. This well-written book will appeal to a variety of readers and is suitable for all libraries, particularly those lacking Charles Shinn's The History of the Mine, As Illustrated by the Great Comstock Lode of Nevada, Dan De Quille's The Big Bonanza, and A History of the Comstock Silver Lode & Mines, all earlier works that have been reprinted. It's especially recommended for general readers and those new to the subject.—Stephen H. Peters, Northern Michigan Univ. Lib., Marquette

Two stories are told here, one of the all-but-forgotten British master spy, Paul Dukes, and the other of his rescue from Petrograd in 1919 by a Royal Navy team led by Lt. Gus Agar. Both are told with an insider's expertise and enthusiasm that keep the pages turning. Ferguson, a former MI6 officer and former undercover agent for the National Investigation Service, is not afraid to note the fumblings, mistakes, and infighting perpetrated by Britain's intelligence services during this, their formative period (1918–20). Dukes, the only British spy in Bolshevik Russia at this period of the Russian Revolution, managed to infiltrate the government and come away with important top-secret information. Next, all he had to do was get back to friendly territory. Enter Agar and Agar's hand-picked team of seven men and the fastest naval vessels in the world—made of plywood and powered by aircraft engines! Add to this mix the Soviet fleet and the Baltic island fortress of Kronstadt, and you have a totally engaging true story. Highly recommended.—David Lee Poremba, Windermere, FL

Ferling (history, emeritus, Univ. of West Georgia; Almost a Miracle) attempts to shed new light on the myth that George Washington was above partisan politics, instead showing that Washington was not only very partisan but probably one of America's best politicians. In fact, Ferling argues, he was so skilled at portraying himself as the impartial "father of the country" that most historians have overlooked his political savvy. Ferling seeks to remedy the situation with this "political biography." He traces Washington's evolution from a self-serving and insecure young man driven by a quest for recognition and wealth into a seasoned political veteran who could maneuver, cajole, and cut backroom deals as adroitly as any modern politician. One example is his handling of the Hamilton-Jefferson battles over the country's economic structure. Although Washington showed sympathy toward both sides and urged conciliation, it becomes clear by studying his behavior and writings at the time that he supported Hamilton's vision of a strong central government. Ferling has done his research and offers some new insights, but ultimately most of the history he presents is familiar. Recommended for readers interested in taking a fresh look at Washington's political life.—Robert Flatley, Kutztown Univ., PA

Fox (university reader, ancient history, Oxford Univ.; The Unauthorized Version) has produced a work of prodigious scholarship, with a title deceptive in its simplicity since the book is about more than Odysseus and his ilk. In fact, Fox explores cultural exchanges between Greece and the areas to the East during the eighth century B.C.E., when the Iliad and Odyssey were written. In particular, the Euboean Greeks played an important role in these exchanges—a theory Fox demonstrates with enviable skill, drawing on archaeological and mythic evidence. Each chapter's footnotes are a joy to read on their own merit but also give cohesiveness to a work definitely intended for the experts; despite Fox's facile writing style, this text is not for the fainthearted. That said, the book is a major contribution to Classical scholarship and will be read by teachers of the mythology, archaeology, and literature of the region ranging from Syria to Italy—and beyond in both directions. A case in point: Fox demonstrates that the mythical giants of Syria were still affecting the literature during the Italian Renaissance. Strongly recommended for all serious readers in Classical studies.—Clay Williams, Hunter Coll., New York

Beginning with British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans's 1900–31 excavation and reconstruction of the Bronze Age Palace of Knossos on Crete, Gere (history, Univ. of California, San Diego; The Tomb of Agamemnon) develops a stunning study of the cultural impact of Evans's interpretation of Minoan society as a pacifist haven inhabited by immigrants from Anatolia, Egypt, and Libya. Explains Gere, "As the twentieth century launched conflicts of ever greater reach and ferocity, the Minoan epoch came increasingly to be celebrated as the pacifist precursor to Homer's militaristic age of heroes." Evans's use of reinforced concrete to strengthen the crumbling architecture of Knossos resulted in much-debated reconstructions, but Gere's aim is not to criticize or defend them. Instead, she attempts to understand the archaeologists, architects, artists, classicists, writers, and poets who reconstructed Minoan Crete in our time. And she does so brilliantly, showing the linkages modernist Knossos made with feminism and pacifism and its influence on the work of Freud, Nietzsche, James Joyce, H.D., Robert Graves, and others. Fascinating and engaging, this scholarly work should attract a wide range of readers in archaeology, as well as literary and cultural studies.—Joan W. Gartland, Macomb Community Coll. Libs. Warren, MI

In this important book, Haynes (historian, Library of Congress Manuscript Division), Harvey Klehr (politics & history, Emory Univ.), and journalist Alexander Vassiliev come close to proving that Stalin's KGB did indeed have American operatives on our soil. In 1993, Vassiliev, a former KGB officer, was given unparalleled access to pre- and postwar KGB files. Years later, he was able to smuggle out the extensive notes he had made, which Hays and Klehr then used to construct this account. Vassiliev's sources prove conclusively that the Rosenbergs and Alger Hiss were guilty of spying and further illuminate the extent of Soviet espionage attempts on the Manhattan Project (while vindicating J. Robert Oppenheimer). Additionally, the names of dozens of American-born and foreign nationals who undertook Soviet espionage in 1930s and 1940s America come to light. This work does more than just finger KGB operatives; it offers insight into the spies' personalities and motives. All that remains is to prove the authenticity of Vassiliev's notebooks, which can be done through continued corroboration with other sources, including those still not made available by Russia. [Go to www.wilsoncenter.org/SWIHP/VassilievNotebooks for scans, translations, and other material demonstrating the authors' research.—Ed.]—Harry Willems, Central Kansas Lib. Syst., Great Bend

In 1973, Henry Kissinger became secretary of state and the "single most powerful man in the world," claims Horne (How Far from Austerlitz?), a distinguished British military historian. Horne's excellent account, full of informed observations and good humor, was written with Kissinger's cooperation; the author had complete access to Kissinger's papers and conducted several interviews with him. Horne includes several chapters about Kissinger before 1973 and then discusses in detail the momentous events of that year: détente with the Soviets, improved relations with the Chinese, shuttle diplomacy during the Yom Kippur War, the coup in Chile, frustrating talks with the North Vietnamese, and the looming presence of Watergate. Horne maintains that the diplomacy that ended the Yom Kippur War was Kissinger's greatest achievement, while the failure to settle the Vietnam War on terms more favorable to the United States was his greatest disappointment. This sympathetic portrayal of arguably our most controversial and important secretary of state of modern times is not a polemic dismissing all criticism of Kissinger but an illuminating investigation that encourages readers to draw their own conclusions. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 12/08.]—Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

Laurence (research fellow, archaeology & antiquity, Univ. of Birmingham; coauthor, with Alex Butterworth, Pompeii: The Living City) brings a spirit of lighthearted inquiry to this readable work. Each chapter analyzes a first-century Roman pleasure or leisure activity, e.g., dining, architecture, bathing, sex, theater, violence, collecting, and gifts, drawn especially from erotic culture and supported by archaeological evidence. Linking the disparate subject matter is Laurence's examination of how each of the early emperors created a new culture of pleasure in his reign to reflect his individual greatness while appealing to a sense of tradition and stability. Comparisons between Roman and 21st-century lifestyles are instructive while avoiding anachronism, e.g., against expectations, geological evidence shows that imperial Rome was the greatest polluter before modern industrialized societies. With a broader appeal and more currency than other surveys of Roman leisure, this is sure to interest students not only of Roman history but of cultural history in general.—Margaret Heller, Dominican Univ., River Forest, IL

British author Mortimer (The Great Swim) persuasively argues that three aeronautic events in 1910 vouchsafed the primacy of U.S. aviation and the triumph of heavier-than-air flight. Interweaving the events—Walter Wellman's failed attempt to cross the Atlantic in his dirigible, America; the International Balloon Cup Race, which embarked from St. Louis; and the country's first international aircraft contest, held above the Belmont Park racetrack in New York—Mortimer effectively places the reader at the vital center of all three. He enlivens the narrative with interesting details, such as navy department opposition to aviation as a military application and the flying records set and lost daily at Belmont Park. The author excels in depicting both the pilots and the New York City society swells attracted to aerobatic thrills, and he takes a dim view of the Wright Brothers at Belmont Park, portraying them as greedy entrepreneurs who devoted as much time looking for possible patent infringers as offering honest competition to their peers. His evocative final chapter outlines the advances in aviation and its cost in lives. A singular contribution to early aviation history.—John Carver Edwards, Univ. of Georgia Libs.

Great presidents seem to attract the most talented assistants. This especially characterized the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration during the early months leading up to U.S. involvement in World War II. Parrish (Roosevelt and Marshall: Partners in Politics and War) has the writing skills and historical knowledge to tackle how FDR moved the nation from isolationism toward support of the British against Nazi Germany. Parrish focuses on how FDR used Harry Hopkins to check up on Winston Churchill and then relied on Averell Harriman to coordinate and implement the lend-lease program in England. Indifferent to class, position, and bureaucratic organization, FDR simply recognized talent; he knew and trusted the individuals he selected for special assignments. Hopkins and Harriman were both self-starters who became part of an effective and honest team. Though this story will be familiar to many scholars, the author incorporates unpublished interviews with Harriman and his associates and captures the essence of FDR, Harriman, and Hopkins. This page-turner will appeal to general readers interested in FDR, Winston Churchill, and World War II.—William D. Pederson, Louisiana State Univ., Shreveport

The years 1520–36 were filled with political and religious upheaval in Europe. In lucid prose, Reston (Dogs of War) ably explains the complexities of the period's geopolitics, taking us through Africa, the Middle East, and Europe without losing us on the way. Written for popular consumption, the book describes how the religious divisions between Protestants and Catholics and the political divisions among the Papal States, France, England, and Spain made all of Europe susceptible to the invading Ottoman Empire. The triumphs and failed intrigues of Francis I, Henry VIII, Charles V, Suleyman the Magnificent, Ibrahim Pasha, Martin Luther, and Pope Clement VII opened Europe to Islamic forces, which erached the gates of Vienna before they were turned back. As the title indicates, all of these figures were motivated primarily by their religious convictions. Without explicitly referencing them, Reston helps the lay reader grasp the root causes of religious tensions that exist to this day between Protestant and Catholic, Christian and Muslim, and Sunni and Shiite. Fast-paced and engaging, this is excellent reading for popular audiences. (Index not seen.)—Michael Farrell, Reformed Theological Seminary. Lib., Oviedo, FL

Journalist Rice, who lived in Uganda from 2002 to 2004 as a fellow of the Institute of Current World Affairs, spent five years writing this account of a son's efforts to discover the truth about and seek justice for the 1972 murder of his father. A county-level government official, Eliphaz Laki "disappeared" in the early days of Idi Amin's regime. His son eventually discovered his grave and tracked down his three executioners, who were brought to trial. Rice, who attended the trial, here considers the limits of reconciliation—an important question in today's world. The book reads as easily as mystery fiction, but Rice manages to weave in the complex history and even more serpentine politics of Amin's Uganda. He conducted more than 100 interviews and supports his text with 40 pages of notes, but, given the popular writing style and focus on a single case among the hundreds of thousands killed in Uganda, this work will appeal to a wider audience than the available histories of Uganda.—Joel Neuberg, Santa Rosa Junior Coll., CA

Butler (law, George Washington Univ.), a former federal prosecutor, makes a clear case for what ails our criminal justice system. The statistics alone are staggering: the United States comprises 5 percent of the world's population but 25 percent of the world's prison population; approximately half the U.S. prison population is made up of African Americans, with more young black men in prison than in college. Since the War on Drugs began over 30 years ago, the U.S. prison population has exploded, owing partly to harsh sentences for minor drug charges. Ironically, the overall crime rate is lowered (for a number of reasons) if we house fewer prisoners, and Butler suggests ways citizens can help in this regard, from jury nullification (i.e., acquitting a defendant in the face of the government's case) to campaigning for the end of racial profiling. He also describes hip-hop's role in chronicling what is wrong with our system. While some of his suggestions will certainly prove controversial, we can hope that this timely book leads to more dialog and to change. Required reading for all concerned about their neighborhoods and our criminal justice system.—Karen Sandlin Silverman, CFAR, Philadelphia

In 2007, novelist Helprin (Winter's Tale) published an op-ed piece in the New York Times in which he argued for extension of the term of copyright. He didn't anticipate a reaction but was rapidly proved wrong: within a week, 750,000 people responded online, mostly negatively (and most anonymously). This book is his response to his detractors, presented in the larger context of concern over what Helprin characterizes as the increasing tendency today to "run in packs." In a provocative polemic, Helprin, a senior fellow at the ultraconservative Claremont Institute, champions individualism over mobthink and reflection against reactionism. But through most of the book, he presents his case in an irritating mixture of reasoned argument and ill-tempered invective, consistently ascribing the lowest motives and worst qualities to those with whom he disagrees. (In one paragraph, the words vicious, insane, Nazism, hostility, envy, and fetid appear.) These rants cheapen his argument, but Barbarism is that rare crank book that deserves an audience. It will lead the reader to reflect on a subject—copyright reform—that is more important than it may appear at first glance.—David Keymer, Modesto, CA.

When most people think of pirates, they imagine Captain Hook, Jack Sparrow, or another fictional character from centuries past. Canadian filmmaker and journalist Sekulich introduces the reader to modern-day piracy, which now costs $25 billion a year to battle. Through his interviews with cargo brokers, small-time fishermen, shipping managers, and even the pirates themselves, Sekulich creates a portrait of the dangers of traveling international waters on anything short of a military transport. The author chronicles his meetings with alleged pirate contacts in urban slums and abandoned buildings in such places as Jakarta and Mombasa. His skilled narration ably blends historical detail and personal experience, making the book a suspenseful read. The author's endnotes provide sources for those still skeptical about the extent of this international crime. This book will pique reader interest, given the ongoing pirate attacks and recent hijacking of the Maersk Alabama.—Daisy Porter, San José P.L., CA

[star] In the first half of the 20th century, America was known internationally for its decisive contribution to two world wars, its Jim Crow laws, and the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti. This most recent study of the trial and appeals of these two condemned murderers and of the life and times of the country, which feared foreign contamination, surpasses all prior analyses of this subject in terms of scope, erudition, and objectivity. Temkin (Kennedy Sch. of Government, Harvard) not only brings light to bear on the most recent historical research but focuses attention on a much-neglected facet of the case: the worldwide controversy the affair still engenders. Built upon a foundation of meticulous research, this book discusses many fascinating elements of controversy, not least the long-term views held by Sacco and Vanzetti's defenders and accusers and how their participation in the search for justice was perceived by their peers. Timely given the contemporary attacks America faces abroad for its policies and justice system, this signal study is worthy reading, especially for students of the era.—Gilles Renaud, Ontario Court of Justice

The only problem with this book is that it makes you want to read so many other books, if that can be called a problem! Allitt (history, Emory Univ.) traces leading voices of American conservative thought from the American Revolution to the end of the 20th century. He is amazingly widely read, surveying the field and presenting not just the usual suspects (John C. Calhoun, William F. Buckley, Milton Friedman) but forgotten giants (Edward Everett, William Graham Sumner) and some who were always pretty obscure (e.g., John Randolph of Roanoke, Jerome Tuccille). Most books on political conservatism today are full of invective, their authors preaching to the choir. Allitt isn't trying to convert or demonize anyone; instead, he merely presents a history of ideas. He has written a marvelous book that will be enlightening to both conservatives and liberals and is the rare university press book that is a page-turner, readable while also scholarly. Libraries, be prepared for some interesting purchase and ILL requests from the citations in this book!—Michael O. Eshleman, Greene Cty. Common Pleas Court, Xenia, OH

Feinstein, a former member of parliament for the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party since 1994, and a frequent political commentator, delivers a detailed and very personal account of the key groups and players inside (and outside) the ANC in the fight against apartheid and for democratic elections in South Africa. Both memoir and historical account, this book is a challenging read in the best meaning of the phrase, inviting readers to look at a very difficult topic through the experiences of a man who was there. While Feinstein's descriptions of poverty, segregation, and racism will be familiar, American readers might just learn something about the concept of apartheid and its effect on South Africa and its diverse population. Feinstein, himself a Caucasian Jew, tells of not voting in any election (even though he had the right) until 1994, when voting was integrated and Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first democratically elected president. The book focuses on the time from Mandela's election to the ANC's splintering, the author's resignation from the party, and his emigration to London. With notes and a very helpful list of abbreviations; readers with some knowledge of South Africa will especially appreciate this book.—Jenny Seftas, Southwest Florida Coll., Fort Myers

In 2007, Gerken (Yale Law Sch.) wrote an article proposing that states and localities be ranked on the effectiveness of the elections they administer, prompting senators Obama and Clinton to introduce bills in support of her idea. Now Gerken, who worked on the 2008 Obama campaign's "election protection team," explains her proposal at book length. She argues that a national debacle such as Florida's in the 2000 election is only as far off as the next close election, since our system remains plagued by "long lines, registration problems, a dearth of poll workers, [and] machine breakdowns." Unlike other democracies, with centralized professional administration, we rely on a "hyper-decentralized" and partisan election apparatus, often underfunded and run by amateurs. Further, we operate in a "world without data," a problem her Democracy Index would address through data collection on matters like length of polling-place lines, number of poll workers, and number of ballots cast against number counted. Public rankings would then, she argues, serves as a nonpartisan path to reform. Addressing a timely topic in highly accessible style, this book is recommended for all interested readers.—Bob Nardini, Nashville, TN

Haas (political science, emeritus, Univ. of Hawaii) is the first author to compile a comprehensive list of alleged war crimes committed by the Bush administration during its global war against international terrorism. Haas's benchmark is the set of Geneva Conventions adopted after World War II, of which the United States was a critical state sponsor. At the least, this work should be read with close scrutiny, given Haas's insistence on the centrality of the rule of law even (or especially) in time of international conflict—an insistence recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court, most notably in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2006), in which the Court overturned the Bush administration's system of military commissions. Perhaps most likely to be acknowledged (and even then it's a long shot) is Haas's call for a truth commission to investigate the past deeds of various Bush officials, including the President himself. This work's greatest achievement, however, may be its detailed treatment of the Geneva Conventions and their role in establishing an international regime based on the rule of law, a regime applicable to American law and politics. Highly recommended, especially for serious students of the topics covered.—Stephen K. Shaw, Northwest Nazarene Univ., Nampa, ID

Highlighted by the International Criminal Court's recent indictment of Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir on counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the turmoil in the Darfur region of the Sudan continues to evoke both impassioned advocacy and controversy. The latter stems primarily from the power inherent in one word—genocide—and whether or not it should be applied to events in the region. The World and Darfur, edited by Grzyb (information & media studies, Univ. of Western Ontario), uniquely encompasses a diversity of scholarship by both social scientists and scholars in the humanities (all genocide scholars), who examine the West's response (or lack thereof) to Darfur. The essays from humanities scholars are especially powerful, ranging from the deconstruction of language used by Western and Sudanese politicians to the messages conveyed in art drawn by children in Darfur refugee camps. The message is clear: genocide occurred and continues to occur in Darfur, and Western nations—stalled by bureaucracy and politics—have a moral and legal obligation to intervene.

In stark contrast, Mamdani (Good Muslim, Bad Muslim) argues that calling the events in Darfur genocide is inaccurate and irresponsible. In his sweeping history of Darfur, Mamdani claims that the political and cultural complexities of the region have brought about events that are indeed tumultuous but do not constitute genocide. He believes that the West's concern with Darfur is a preferred distraction from the failed U.S. occupation in Iraq, offering Western citizens a means to reclaim the moral high ground. At the core of Mamdani's argument is an explicit fear that the claim of genocide and call for justice is a thinly veiled attempt to recolonize Africa. These books offer strikingly disparate interpretations of Darfur, each stamped as truth. At times, the in-depth academic analyses betray a certain level of detachment from the human experience in Darfur that can be a bit disheartening. That aside, both books provide valuable historical and cultural background to recent events in Darfur and the sure-to-continue scholarly debate on genocide.—Veronica Arellano, Univ. of Houston Libs.

This is an introduction to the authors' newly launched P5Y (Peace in Five Years) organization, which puts the deadline for achieving peace at February 14, 2014. The authors are calling for an international peace movement to end politically organized warfare, offering a business-oriented model that includes accountability, deadlines, and measurable goals. Otto, who formerly organized several successful Internet ventures, and Lupton, a personal development expert, describe here an infrastructure that enables planning and development, centered at their web site (www.P5Y.org) and supporting as many peace collaborations as individuals or groups are willing to propose. Skeptics, take note: the authors assert that they do not see peace as a Utopian conclusion; they acknowledge that disagreements and struggle will continue but argue that resources freed from the machinations of war can be reallocated to other worldwide problems of poverty, hunger, and disease. While this book takes a self-actualizing approach to changing the world, it is ultimately a call for volunteers willing to devote themselves to a movement that has a recognizable and imperative outcome as its goal and is worthwhile reading for anyone interested in that goal. [A portion of the proceeds will go to support the movement.—Ed.]—Jim Hahn, Univ. of Illinois Lib., Urbana

This small, weighty book combines the insights of psychoanalyst Phillips (Side Effects) and historian Taylor (Eve and the New Jerusalem) in five eloquent chapters—three flowing, two turbulent. The former are historical, philosophical, and political and the latter psychological. The authors follow kindness from its mother-child origin, where security and vulnerability coexist. Kindness entails risk, is not selfless, and changes people as "it mingles our needs and desires with the needs and desires of others, in a way that self-interest never can." Accounts of Western views of kindness from biblical times through Hobbes, Hume, and especially Rousseau enchant the reader up to Freud, when the text drags in the incest taboo, degradation of the sexual woman, and other paradoxes of early and modern psychoanalysis. Overall, however, this is a profound exploration of a topic relegated too much to places of worship or child care. The loss of kindness in a society where selfishness is a virtue becomes "a cultural disaster." Highly recommended.—E. James Lieberman, George Washington Univ. Sch. of Medicine, Washington, DC

This exploration of how and why we labor arrives at a poignant time, as global economic turmoil cuts off countless workers from their livelihoods—and the meaning work gives them. Essayist and novelist de Botton (How Proust Can Change Your Life) spends time with workers in England as well as the United States, including fishermen, rocket scientists, accountants, a landscape painter, and a career counselor, in pursuit of some fundamental truth about work. His conclusion is, perhaps unavoidably, elusive; he variously seems to praise commitment to a task and to deride it, to glorify and to condemn modern industry. De Botton filters his subjects' experiences through his own; though he is a witty, engaging interlocutor, his dominant voice distances the reader from those he aims to portray. Photographer Richard Baker contributes visual images of workers and workplaces, including a photo-essay documenting the process by which a tuna in the Indian Ocean becomes dinner for an English child. Providing provocative insights on specialization and the transitory nature of significance, this is sophisticated reading on a timely subject. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/09.]—Janet Ingraham Dwyer, Worthington Libs., OH

In this anthology of 38 pieces, by writers ranging from Rebecca Walker to Ann Hood to Joyce Maynard, essayist Lewis (Life Inside: A Memoir) turns her attention to housekeeping. Dirt in our homes and the process of cleaning it up is a universal task that all of us can appreciate. But while some of us enjoy housekeeping and excel at it, others abhor it and ignore it as long as possible. The contributors discuss their cleaning experiences and how those experiences have shaped them; clutter, neatness, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, hoarding, and dust bunnies are all covered here. This book certainly differs from the usual how-to manuals. Indeed, even though it offers no direct help with cleaning, its heartening prose could encourage even dedicated slobs to raise their standards. It is effectively a cumulative story about our lives and a great read to pick up now and then: the short entries and interesting points of view make this a pleasing and accessible volume.—Holly S. Hebert, Rochester Coll., Rochester Hills, MI

Not surprisingly, Tim Hodgdon's Manhood in the Age of Aquarius: Masculinity in Two Countercultural Communities, 1965–83 appears in the selected bibliography of Lemke-Santangelo's book on hippie women. Both books look at the counterculture and alternative lifestyles that became popular among younger people beginning in the 1960s, and they share an academic writing style (not to mention the use of the same Irwin Klein photograph, "Alan and Mickey in Meadow"). Manhood began as Hodgdon's dissertation, and it reads like one: earnest and kind of plodding. Lemke-Santangelo (history, St. Mary's Coll. of California) similarly generalizes and strives to explain things (like why communes relied on food stamps), using quotes from a seemingly random selection of folks who were there, interspersed with out-of-context bons mots from people like Benjamin Spock and Barbara Ehrenreich. For a really fun read and a nice cultural history of the times, Sheila Weller's Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon—And the Journey of a Generation goes over a lot better. Daughters of Aquarius may be of interest, however, to students and specialists on 1960s America.—Ellen Gilbert, Princeton, NJ

Examining the challenges of developing and governing one of the most hyped virtual worlds today, this ethnographic study details Linden Lab's ongoing organizational evolution in response to its mercurial creation, Second Life. Because Linden Lab eschews vertical authority, Second Life, while based in part on game design principles, is primarily an open world where users self-govern and design their own social environments. Linden Lab sees its role chiefly as a provider of tools to aid user creativity and content construction. Malaby (anthropology, Univ. of Wisconsin, Milwaukee) focuses on how Linden Lab can guide and manage a world where users are not only allowed but encouraged to take unpredictable, idiosyncratic actions that will influence other users' experiences of Second Life. Overall, this is an illuminating study, but one caution: it's slim on details for translating these findings into applications for other organizations. Recommended for readers familiar with Second Life or seeking to learn more about it. [For more on Second Life, see Sue Martin Mahar & Jay Mahar's The Unofficial Guide to Building Your Business in the Second Life Virtual World, LJ 5/1/09.—Ed.]—David Ward, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

With acerbic wit and unflinching honesty, social critic Smith (associate curator, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution; coauthor, with Robert Warrior, Like a Hurricane: The Indian Movement from Alcatraz to Wounded Knee) offers a collection of essays that were written over approximately a 15-year period. It is an eclectic collection that chronicles the evolution of his views on the politics of being a Native American, beginning with his obvious naïveté as a committed activist within the American Indian Movement to his present employment with the federal government. No target is safe from his pointed barbs, not even himself. The explanation of how quickly his views toward the creation of the National Museum of the American Indian changed when the practicality of needing employment entered the equation is alone worth the price of the book. In addition to being an entertaining read, this book gives one much to consider as Smith challenges many of the tropes that too many authors utilize when writing about native peoples. Highly recommended.—John Burch, Campbellsville Univ. Lib., KY

New York journalist Sweeney offers a history of the lottery in America, interwoven with tales of individual wins and losses, as well as descriptions of the battles fought over whether or not to create lottery systems in various states. While much has been written from economic and popular perspectives on the merits and evils of lotteries, this book combines history and personal anecdote, presumably in an attempt to provide a comprehensive picture. Perhaps the best part of the book is the inclusion of personal stories taken from interviews with lottery winners, losers, and addicts; readers are allowed to make their own judgments about the relative benefits and demerits of lotteries. Unfortunately, the book suffers from a lack of organization. The introduction jumps from topic to topic, with no statement of purpose; the loosely arranged chapters would have benefited from structural clues, such as section headings and summary sentences. Owing to these problems, it is difficult to recommend this book, though there will be readers in popular culture who will want to see it.—Elizabeth L. Winter, Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta

Award-winning writer Vollmann (Europe Central) spent more than ten years researching Imperial County, CA, and the result is this complex, detailed, but often frenetic look at Southern California's border region. Vollmann uses Imperial's history to explore larger issues, such as immigration policies. Unfortunately, it appears that Vollman wanted to include every nugget of information he discovered—every interesting anecdote, roadside sign, or newspaper advertisement—and cram it all into this book, with the rationale for arrangement mostly unclear and with no synthesis or analysis (though plenty of his own bias). For example, he includes a series of hand-drawn maps at the beginning but waits until the final pages to explain them and put them into context. In addition, at least 12 different font types and sizes were used throughout, which only proves distracting. Overall, this book suffers under its own weight—it comes in at over 1300 pages, and evidently no index is planned. Perhaps Vollmann's accompanying photo book, to be published simultaneously by powerHouse (not seen by reviewer), would be a better purchase for interested libraries. Not recommended, though Vollmann fans will still ask.—Mike Miller, Austin P.L., TX

This new installment in McGregor's "From the Ground Up" series (e.g., Washington from the Ground Up) again offers the literary traveler an option to the brief historical sketches found in most travel books. Readers can use this as a well-researched but accessible history of Paris, tracing the story of the City of Light from its earliest residents, the Gauls and the Parisii, to the present day. Travelers will use chapters on churches, cathedrals, museums, and neighborhoods; those interested in the history of a particular area or landmark will find the index excellent. The many illustrations enhance the text, and the ten historical and contemporary maps help pinpoint attractions both ancient and modern. This series offers a unique blend of history and travel, and McGregor does an excellent job in both subject areas. Casual readers and students should consider this for its concise and readable presentation of the subject matter; travelers looking for more specialized guidebooks than the usual will definitely want to check this out. Highly recommended.—Rita Simmons, Sterling Heights P.L., MI