There have of course been many books in English on Osama bin Laden, but this one is different. Here, the personal side of bin Laden is recounted by his estranged first wife (his cousin, she is mother to 11 of his children) and his fourth son, who has publicly called for his father to abandon "his ways." The stories that Najwa and Omar bin Laden describe are conveyed by Jean Sasson (Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia), who has lived and traveled extensively in the Middle East. Although both Omar and his mother left Afghanistan before 9/11 and have not been in contact with Osama bin Laden for almost a decade, they provide interesting anecdotes and personal vignettes that allow us a glimpse into bin Laden's terrorist mindset. The book is written in a conversational format that will appeal to the general reader. Additionally, the appendixes provide information about Osama bin Laden's extensive family and their whereabouts, along with chronologies of key events in bin Laden's life and the history of al-Qaeda. VERDICT Always interesting and highly readable, this is recommended for the many people who will wish to learn more about this man.—Nader Entessar, Univ. of South Alabama, Mobile

There is something creepy yet fascinating about these two memoirs by individuals who spent years working daily with Adolf Hitler. Schroeder began her association with Hitler in 1933, serving as one of his personal secretaries, while Linge became Hitler's valet in 1939. Nearly every day for years, they saw Hitler up close and personal, observing his quirks, charms, rages, brooding silences, unpredictability, and very strange work habits, which usually consisted of staying up most of the night and then sleeping into the late morning and not being functional until later in the day. Neither seems to have known much about the darkest side of Hitler's ambitions as he set about killing millions and destroying much of Europe—Schroeder declares no interest in politics. Instead, the reader is hooked into Hitler's seeming ordinariness, as the Führer takes his daily afternoon tea while chatting with his secretaries about art, language, and movies. Linge, who was with Hitler to the very end, supposedly helping to burn his body, also provides accounts of those who surrounded Hitler (he seems to have liked Goebbels quite a bit). For German-reading scholars of Hitler and Nazism, this is all old news, since Linge's memoirs were originally published in 1980 and Schroeder's in 1985. The rest of us can now contemplate the remarkable picture that these books offer. VERDICT The scariest thing about these books is their showing that Hitler could be quite charming—a seemingly regular guy, or at least as regular as anyone who killed millions could ever be. Of interest to anyone seeking more insight into the everyday life of one of history's monsters.—Ed Goedeken, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames

Biographer Pakula (The Last Romantic) presents an engaging study of one of the most intriguing but misunderstood characters of modern China, Soong May-ling (1897–2003), most famous as Madame Chiang Kai-shek. This fascinating biography contrasts with Sterling Seagrave's classic but rather cynical The Soong Dynasty. In examining Soong May-ling's contributions to modern China, Pakula argues that despite being overshadowed by her husband, "the Generalissimo," Soong's own legacy was arguably more significant to Chinese politics. Well educated and thoroughly Americanized (she was educated in the States from girlhood), Soong possessed the intelligence and social prowess to play an important role in politicking with Western nations, serving as her husband's translator and offering him a cultural understanding of American politicians. Through her subject's letters and diaries, Pakula also reveals details of Soong's personal life: her indifference toward her husband, her battle with depression, and her personal ambitions even as she was cloistered in a patriarchal society. VERDICT Readers, both general and specialized, interested in modern Chinese and international history will enjoy this book immensely. Highly recommended.—Allan Cho, Univ. of British Columbia Lib.

Like a dream, this account of imprisonment and torture in Baathist Iraq has no single narrative. It swings from sharp snapshots of slight but pivotal moments to images more difficult to make out, memories of a being who has been partially stripped of selfhood. As shown by many works on torture (e.g., Carlos Liscano's Truck of Fools), the body's memories of torture are not easily connected to knowledge or to words. The memories exist outside biographical time, and the conscious mind cannot make sense of them. Zangana does not reconstruct her broken self into a heroine but into someone less coherent and more necessary. The book feels unfinished, as Zangana's trauma itself cannot be brought to a close. This is not easy reading, although the afterword by Ferial J. Ghazoul helps provide historical context. VERDICT Recommended for readers exploring beyond the broad lines of modern Iraqi history or pursuing testimonials about torture.—Lisa Klopfer, Eastern Michigan Univ. Libs., Ypsilanti

Hunter S. Thompson, journalist and author of nearly 20 books, including Hell's Angels and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, once said, "I like to get right in the middle of whatever I'm writing about—as personally involved as possible." Edited by Thompson's widow, this volume includes 48 interviews produced in various formats from 1967 to 2005. Well-known magazines, including the Paris Review and Playboy, competed with obscure newspapers to interview Thompson, and interviews that aired on NPR and CNBC are included as well. The topics covered include defining gonzo journalism, his year spent riding with the Hell's Angels, the presidential campaign of 1972, talking football with Richard Nixon, favorite drugs, drinking Wild Turkey, running for sheriff in Aspen, CO, and serving as the model for Uncle Duke in Garry Trudeau's Doonesbury comic strips. VERDICT Many of the early interviews are repetitive, the later ones are more captivating, and all of them emphasize Thompson's flamboyant and exaggerated style. His fervent base of fans will want this book.—Kathryn R. Bartelt, Univ. of Evansville Libs., IN

Rhoads published ten annual issues (1997–2006) of Morbid Curiosity, a magazine devoted to the celebration of gross, disturbing, and macabre true tales. There is still a high demand for its content, which Rhoads addresses with this wonderfully disturbing anthology of articles from the magazine's full run. The stories range from a retelling of an accidental hit-and-run to a silly tale of one woman's attempt to get high naturally while on a trip through Asia. Occasionally, the pieces are upsetting (Brian Thomas's "Souvenir of Hell," for example, about his trip to the Nazi death camps), and sometimes they are simply weird (like Julia Solis's "Museum Pieces," about a Mexican mummy museum); yet all the essays collected here are mesmerizing. VERDICT A fun if disturbing read for lovers of great nonfiction and the macabre. As promised, the tales will cure your blues.—Deborah Hicks, Edmonton, Alta.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a mess. That's the unavoidable conclusion of Blustein's latest title, which delves into the infighting that has come to define an institution charged with strengthening the global economy through more open trade policies. Blustein (former staff writer, Washington Post; And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)) does a remarkable job of getting behind the scenes of negotiations at the WTO, a controversial organization best known to the public as the object of violent protests during a WTO ministerial conference in Seattle in 1999. Despite the complexity of the topic, he avoids jargon, makes obscure issues accessible, and does a good job of capturing the essence of the many major players. He grounds debate about tariffs and subsidies by tying the subject to brief sketches of regular workers and businesspeople affected by WTO decisions. VERDICT With its insiders' views, Blustein's account will greatly intrigue those studying or working in international trade and development, but what is ultimately a story of bureaucrats holding unproductive meetings may have limited appeal to nonspecialists.—Elizabeth Goldman, Kingston Frontenac P.L., Ont.

Advertising veteran Othmer weathered a couple of decades on the creative side of the field before throwing in the portfolio to write this book. Admen are known not only for their creativity but for their quirkiness and iconoclasm as well, and this book clearly demonstrates the best traits of the trade: it's funny, clever, irreverent, gossipy, and surprisingly insightful about advertising, human nature, and the postmodern business world. Othmer's novel, The Futurist, was acclaimed for its biting wit and satire, which are evident here as the author chronicles his rise from bricklayer to muckety-muck on the creative side of a renowned agency and his trip out the back door again to the real world. VERDICT For anyone interested in a career in advertising, this is essential reading—at least to know what one is in for. But the book's relevance goes well beyond any sort of career preview or critique. In highly enlivening style, Othmer offers astute assessments of the world of business.—Carol J. Elsen, Univ. of Wisconsin-Whitewater Lib.

Bill Walsh (1931–2007), the innovative coach of the San Francisco 49ers and Stanford University who is most famous for developing the ubiquitous West Coast Offense, was not shy about appearing in print. He began this volume around the same time as his second autobiography, Finding the Winning Edge, in 1998. However, when Walsh returned to the 49ers' front office in 1999, he put aside the manuscript. He died soon after renewing the project. Coauthor Jamison contacted Walsh's son Craig, and the project was restarted with the addition of Craig's perspective as well as contributions from five of Walsh's favorite players and coaches. Walsh taught some classes at Stanford's business school, and the primary topic here is leadership expressed through many illustrative examples from his 49ers coaching career. The book is arranged in a fully outlined business-manager style and covers Walsh's five major elements of leadership: setting a standard of performance, innovation and planning, fundamentals of leadership, interacting with people, and self-assessment. VERDICT This will be of interest primarily to 49ers fans and to readers interested in the nexus of football coaching and business management.—John Maxymuk, Rutgers Univ. Lib., Camden, NJ

This is a fascinating account of the collaboration between a public school principal, Kurland, the parents of young children considering her elementary school, and the community that transformed a failing public school into an outstanding and revitalized one. In the face of disastrous, widespread public school system failures across America, parent dissatisfaction, and teacher despair, the Chicago-based Nettlehorst School's success story is a beacon. Edelberg, one of the Nettlehorst parents, and Kurland offer educators hope that change can happen in any public school, given the right mix of parent-teacher patience, willpower, community involvement, pluck, creativity, collaboration, and ability to overcome adversity. They provide a blueprint that schools can use for revitalization projects, detailing, for instance, how to procure donations from area businesses and to ask questions that will get answers about difficult educational problems such as coping with dysfunctional and unsatisfactory teaching. VERDICT This book is essential reading for all elementary school parents and teachers, especially those who have lost their faith in the American public school system and are looking for ways to improve it. Here are solutions and inspiration.—Gloria Creed-Dikeogu, Ottawa Univ Lib.

Written in an easy, conversational style, this guide aims to recruit the next wave of blue-collar workers—and educate teachers and parents who insist that earning a four-year degree is the only ticket to success. Lamacchia, who created and maintains www.bluecollarandproudofit.com, and journalist Samburg attempt to increase awareness and respect for overlooked jobs such as fishing, logging, and welding by highlighting success stories and providing information about the work environment, salaries, and training needed for various occupations. They also include résumé tips and apprenticeship program and trade school listings by state. VERDICT Although this is meant to inform and inspire those for whom college is neither desirable nor realistic—and to prove that "going blue collar is not the kiss of death"—the effort is weighed down by hints of unresolved bitterness from Lamacchia. Readers looking for objective information on blue-collar careers would be better served by the Occupational Outlook Handbook, from which Lamacchia admittedly draws heavily.—Tamela Chambers, Chicago P.L.

Boehm (urban studies, Worcester State Univ.) has written a fascinating study of African American women who migrated from the South to the North from 1940 to 1970 and worked outside the home. Based largely on interviews conducted by the author and some of her students with 40 such women, Boehm paints a portrait marked by both variety and a certain commonality. The interviewees ranged from one who spent most of her life in the North in domestic service to one who now owns her father's business. Some migrated gladly, others reluctantly. Some rather easily found work, while others struggled. Most left the South in order to improve their lot economically and escape Southern racism. Many, nonetheless, retain fond memories of their life before they migrated and note that racism existed in the North as well. Most worked in domestic service at some point and, interestingly, felt great pride and fulfillment in doing that work. VERDICT A very readable study, this is a valuable contribution to the field of African American history. Recommended especially for undergraduate and advanced readers.—A.O. Edmonds, Ball State Univ., Muncie, IN

Both Eagles (history, Univ. of Mississippi) and Lambert (history, Purdue Univ.) chronicle James Meredith's efforts to receive the best education available in his home state by attending the University of Mississippi, where blacks were barred by de facto segregation. After serving in the air force, Meredith returned home in 1961 to seek what many veterans did under the G.I. bill: an education ensuring greater opportunity and a realization of the American dream. As Meredith hoped, the federal government committed (if reluctantly) to a show of support for desegregation by sending the U.S. Army and federalizing the Mississippi National Guard to restrain rioters and allow Meredith to register. Although successful in his quest to earn a degree, Meredith was never able to have what many undergraduate students take for granted, to form friendships with other students or find joy in higher education, because he had to be guarded by marshals and military police. To appreciate Meredith's struggle, one must situate him in the culture of 1960s Mississippi, effectively re-created by Eagles, who details the university's segregated way of life regarding everything from sports to beauty pageants while also meticulously presenting the court proceedings. Lambert's treatment of these events is concise, well paced, and more compressed than Eagles's, and it affords readers a greater emotional distance—interestingly so, because Lambert was a student at Ole Miss at the time. VERDICT While both books are good at portraying Meredith's bravery, academics seeking details on the Deep South of this era will prefer Eagles's title, and those without the time or inclination to delve as far into the complexities of 1960s Southern higher education and culture will go for Lambert's. —Jim Hahn, Univ. of Illinois Lib., Urbana

In this trenchant study of "the slavery question" from the early republic to the Jacksonian Age, Ford (history, Univ. of South Carolina) tracks the evolution of the South's thinking about slavery. Upper South whites moved from ambivalence toward the idea of slavery as a threat to the Republic to seeking to diffuse slaves farther south. Lower South whites sought to secure more slaves through the foreign slave trade, but worried about becoming overwhelmed by too many black slaves. Slave rebellions and abolitionist efforts caused Southern whites to reassess their positions on slavery. What emerged, argues Ford in his most provocative section, was a Southern paternalism that bound upper and lower Southerners together in a common rationale for maintaining slavery. An ideology of white supremacy assured planters control over other whites amid a rising political democracy. VERDICT Ford's book does not supplant earlier treatments, such as Eugene Genovese and Elizabeth Fox-Genovese's The Mind of the Master Class, but it does provide an intricate, textured argument about the intellectual, social, and political interests shaping "the slavery question," as well as a reminder that Southern white commitment to a hardened proslavery position was not preordained or one-dimensional. Essential for all students of this subject.—Randall M. Miller, Saint Joseph's Univ., Philadelphia

In 2003, the Library of Congress paid $10 million for a 1507 map of the world that first used the name "America" for lands in the New World. It was touted as America's birth certificate. Lester (Atlantic magazine) traces the fascinating background to the creation of this map, as Europeans tried to assimilate the discoveries of Columbus, Vespucci, and other explorers into their worldview. Since the time of the geographer Ptolemy, the world was conceived as containing Asia, Africa, and Europe. Now a fourth part had to be mapped. It's hard to imagine now how sea charts could be considered top-secret documents, but in the early 16th century, the kings of Spain and Portugal attempted to restrict knowledge of access to the new lands. However, copies of these charts made their way into the hands of humanist scholars such as Martin Waldseemüller and Matthias Ringmann in France, who produced this groundbreaking map. VERDICT Lester provides an engrossing adventure for both general and informed lay readers. Similar to K.A. Seaver's Maps, Myths, and Men: The Story of the Vinland Map, this is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in cartography, the Age of Exploration, or European intellectual history. (Color insert not seen.)—Edward K. Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Pierce, FL

This is a richly illustrated history of the visual and cultural life of Paris in the first half of the 19th-century. Informed by the theoretical construct of "social space" as defined by scholar Henri Lefebvre in 1974, it aims to explore how Paris was reshaped and re-created by both the political and the economic changes of the time. Although not a guidebook, it strongly evokes the geography and emotional vibrancy of Paris when it was "poised on the threshold of modernity." Marrinan (art history, Stanford Univ.; Painting Politics for Louis-Philippe) explains how Paris was transformed with new urban projects, new forms of sociability like restaurants and arcades, new venues for commerce, and new modes of public transport. Most important is his discussion of the ideological struggle then over how the revolutionary and Napoleonic periods would be remembered and represented. This clash between "history and memory" was played out not only in art (e.g., David and Delacroix), but in the debate over the construction of public monuments. What was to become of the grand spaces and sacred places of the revolutionary and prerevolutionary periods? Contemporaries, he argues, realized the power of monuments to shape our image of the past. VERDICT Recommended for scholars and specialists in 19th-century French history.—Marie Marmo Mullaney, Caldwell Coll., N.J.

Little known in the West, Mithradates has not been the subject of a full-scale biography in over 100 years, even though he remains a national hero in Armenia and Kurdistan. The publication of this biography is timely, as events of Mithradates's life parallel recent history. Mayor (visiting scholar, classics & history of science, Stanford Univ.: The First Fossil Hunters), a specialist in ancient science, fills this gap with a reappraisal of Mithradates's character and a detailed account of his scientific pursuits, notably his in-depth studies of poison. Prior depictions, particularly in popular culture, have shown a one-sided view of him as a cruel tyrant. Mayor gives us a more nuanced view of the so-called Poison King, placing him in his proper context as a Greco-Persian ruler following in the footsteps of his purported ancestor Alexander the Great. The most compelling aspect of this book is Mayor's engaging style. A true storyteller, she makes Mithradates's world come alive. VERDICT This distinctive and compelling book is sure to fascinate all readers interested in the ancient world or in understanding the historical politics of the Caucasus region.—Margaret Heller, Dominician Univ. Lib., River Forest, IL

The Glorious Revolution of 1688–89 has traditionally been viewed as a very "un-revolutionay" revolution in the sense that is was seen as bloodless, consensual, and conservative. Pincus (history, Yale Univ.; The Politics of the Public Sphere in Early Modern England) refutes this view and instead argues that it was a complex event that had its origins in the previous century, was deeply influenced by the broader situation in Europe, and, most important, was the first truly modern revolution in the sense that it was "popular, violent and divisive," radically transforming English society. Using brilliant historical narrative, Pincus draws on numerous archival sources to detail the causes and consequences of various components of the revolution, including foreign policy, political economy, the Church, the popular revolution, and the violent revolution, also discussing revolutions in general. VERDICT This is a highly impressive work that will ultimately change our understanding of the Glorious Revolution. Essential reading for all students of British history or of historical revolutions generally.—Carrie Benbow, Toronto P.L., Ont.

Warren G. Harding was unlucky in marriage, love, and his political friends. His wife was a semi-invalid, other women left love letters, and one published a book about his illegitimate daughter. His closest political friends were crooks. Robenalt, a lawyer from Harding's home state of Ohio, has done yeoman service in unraveling a treasure trove of 900 Harding letters and journal entries, often written in secret code. The picture that emerges is of a love-starved politician with a wife who may have driven him into the arms of other women. Such seems to be the case as illustrated in the letters here, newly revealed, to his most passionate love, Carrie Phillips, the wife of an Ohio neighbor, and a woman who seemingly became an agent of the German government during World War I. Her pro-German views led Harding to break his 13-year relationship with her and finally drove him to paying the equivalent of hush money. VERDICT Although Robenalt reveals more about Harding as a human being, he will not likely change the minds of historians in their low ranking of him as President. The book would have benefited from photographs of the subjects, most especially the women! It is hoped that the type size will increase in the finished book or older readers may give up trying to access it. Recommended for large presidential collections.—William D. Pederson, Louisiana State Univ. Shreveport

Ross (executive editor, American Heritage) presents a new and much-needed biography of fabled frontiersman Rogers, Indian fighter of the French and Indian War, who has received surprisingly little academic treatment. Rogers is best known for creating a group of rangers, or light infantry, familiar with the wilderness tactics practiced by American Indians and effectively engaging in scouting actions and light raids. Ross argues that Rogers played a key role in adjusting his fellow colonists' perception of the wilderness from one of fear and uncertainty to one of possibility. Rogers's entire life is recounted here, from his upbringing on the fringes of New Hampshire society to his actions in the French and Indian War, his conflicts with both allied and enemy officers, and his constant financial troubles, which would eventually lead to his imprisonment. Many readers will likely be surprised to hear that Rogers sided with Britain during the American Revolution and was responsible for capturing Nathan Hale, one of America's first tragic heroes. VERDICT A lively read based on quality sources, this volume should find enthusiastic readers among general history buffs as well as students of Colonial America.—Matthew J. Wayman, Penn State Schuylkill Lib.

Written by a former German cavalry officer and Legion of Honor recipient shortly before his death in 2008, this work covers many facets of his wartime career, ranging from a firsthand account of the German army at the Soviet front to portraits of co-conspirators in the attempt to assassinate Hitler, especially the author's brother Georg. The narrative reads like snatches of memories, infusing the story with a sense of drama and immediacy and confirming what other conspirators felt—that there was a fine line between duty to and love of country and being a traitor. The author's involvement in Valkyrie was peripheral: he supplied explosives that may have been used by Stauffenberg in the July 1944 assassination attempt, and he diverted troops from the Soviet front toward Berlin (a situation reversed in time to let his service to the plot go undetected). VERDICT More detailed information on the German Resistance and Operation Valkyrie can be found in Joachim Fest's Plotting Hitler's Death and Hans Gisevius's Valkyrie: An Insider's Account of the Plot to Kill Hitler. This tangential memoir is recommended, with reservations, to interested students and general readers. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/09.]—Maria C. Bagshaw, Knowledge & Information Resources, Ecolab, Inc., MN

Like many icons, the Thompson submachine gun—named for Gen. John Taliaferro Thompson, who invented it in 1919, and famously known as the Tommy Gun—has a backstory shrouded in a mixture of fact, fiction, and myth. Yenne (Aces High: The Heroic Saga of the Two Top-Scoring American Aces of World War II) attempts to set the record straight in this interesting history. Yenne describes the struggle to create and sustain a market for the gun and the struggle to counteract its reputation as a "gangster gun" from its use by noted criminals like Al Capone and John Dillinger. Yenne mixes this history with a fascinating look at how popular culture, particularly feature films, has shaped the gun's story. VERDICT Yenne's book is well researched and readable, if a bit repetitious, and will likely appeal to gun enthusiasts and readers of military and crime history. However, Yenne truly shines when discussing the mythmaking surrounding the gun, so the book should appeal to those studying the history of 20th-century American popular culture. This solid work serves as a companion to (but not a replacement of) William Helmer's The Gun That Made the Twenties Roar.—Mike Miller, Austin P.L., TX

Friedman (law, NYU Law Sch.) offers an exhaustively researched book on the effect of public opinion on the Supreme Court from the Revolutionary period up to the end of the Rehnquist Court. Each section of the book covers a period of the Court's history. The first section points out the weakness of the Court in its early years, which Friedman illustrates by citing public opinion as drawn from newspaper editorials. In later chapters, he uses editorials and polls to illustrate the increasing strength of the Court. The author points out that the Court has always been subject to public opinion, citing the famous example of the Court-packing scheme of 1937. Public opinion turned against the Court as justices repeatedly struck down New Deal legislation, which spurred FDR to threaten passage of laws that radically changed the Court's structure. The justices reacted by upholding key New Deal legislation. VERDICT Serious and academic in tone, this book tackles a complex subject. Readers looking for a straightforward history of the Supreme Court should look elsewhere, but Supreme Court watchers, those interested in law, and students of law and political science will enjoy this book.—Becky Kennedy, Atlanta-Fulton P.L.

Koppelman (law & political science, Northwestern Univ. Sch. of Law) and Wolff (law, Univ. of Pennsylvania Law Sch.) here analyze the effect of a seminal 2000 Supreme Court discrimination case. Citing rights granted in the Constitution's guarantee of freedom of association, the Boy Scouts of America expelled plaintiff Dale owing to his sexual orientation. Dale sued under New Jersey's antidiscrimination law. The lower court reasoned that Dale's membership in the Boy Scouts did not violate the organization's freedom of expression because his objective was merely associative and did not infringe on the intentions of other members, but the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the opinion in a 5-4 decision that saw the Boy Scouts' own expressive nature as violated by Dale's association with it. The authors conclude that such reasoning would effectively overturn any antidiscrimination law, arguing that an overly broad interpretation of the First Amendment's protection of the freedom of expression could suppress the amendment's guarantee of freedom of association. VERDICT Of interest to those who pay close attention to the high court and to all students of constitutional law.—Philip Y. Blue, NY State Supreme Court Criminal Branch Law Lib., First Judicial Dist., New York

Using the administrations of recent New York City police commissioners Raymond W. Kelly (twice), William J. Bratton, Howard Safir, and Bernard Kerick as a frame, Levitt (former "One Police Plaza" columnist, Newsday; Conviction) pries into the inner workings of the NYPD. Levitt spins a fascinating tale of politics, rivalries, infighting, counterterrorism, and corruption inside the police department of America's largest city, with Mayors Dinkins, Giuliani, and Bloomberg as supporting players (not to mention publisher Judith Regan). Given the "wall of blue"—cops don't rat on other cops—it's amazing to read the stories that Levitt was able to uncover. Referring to the story of Frank Serpico, the police officer who testified about police corruption in 1971, and winding through the tragedies of Amadou Diallo and the YouTube beating of a bicyclist by a rookie cop, Levitt also tells the story of his Internet column, nypdconfidential.com. While Levitt is clearly not a fan of Rudy Giuliani, among others, he is still a consummate journalist verifying stories and giving the benefit of the doubt when positive proof is not available. VERDICT While the writing style can be journalistic—sometimes a bit rushed but with excellent lead paragraphs—this still works well in book format. An intriguing read for anyone interested in current events and politics.—Karen Sandlin Silverman, CFAR, Philadelphia

Mississippi native McNair recounts her lengthy string of adventures traveling the world before she finally settles down—more or less—and decides to find work as a private investigator in New York. It's difficult for an attractive young woman to break into a business traditionally reserved for burly male ex-cops, but she perseveres, eventually finding a couple of firms willing to give her a chance. She tolerates a lot from her coworkers, including lewd jokes and remarks that border on sexual harassment, but she enjoys the work and sticks with it. VERDICT While McNair's stories may be interesting enough to give her good conversation over cocktails, they aren't really material for a 350-plus-page memoir. Her writing is not strong; her making much ado over a slight story doesn't lend credibility, nor do her occasional random lists of adventures ("nearly getting sold to a tribal chieftain in Afghanistan..., nearly getting married to a king in Ghana, eating caviar in Tehran with that witty gunrunner…"). Ultimately, McNair fails to find the voice that would have captivated readers of police procedurals and private-eye novels. An optional purchase.—Daisy Porter, San José P.L., CA

From 1827 to 1828, William Burke and William Hare murdered 16 people in order to meet demands for corpses to be used in medical research, and Dr. Robert Knox paid them for the delivery of fresh cadavers. The term burking was coined for their manner of killing by chest compression and smothering, which left little or no evidence. Rosner (history, Richard Stockton Coll. of New Jersey; The Most Beautiful Man in Existence: The Scandalous Life of Alexander Lesassier) has conducted extensive research about the first serial killers to receive media attention. She devotes a chapter to each of the victims and covers the fabric of history as Britain headed slowly into the modern age. Quotes from witnesses abound, as do old portraits and street maps of Edinburgh, Scotland, where these murders occurred. Anatomists, body snatchers, judicial authorities, attorneys, police, and forensic witnesses also play roles. VERDICT This will be enjoyed by true crime fans as well as British history buffs. Engaging, atmospheric, and tantalizing.—Krista Bush, Univ. of New Haven Lib., West Haven, CT

Copeland's (senior fellow, Munk Centre for International Studies, Univ. of Toronto) vantage point as a former diplomat leads him to conclude that diplomacy in the age of globalization requires new skills and tools. Since the end of the Cold War, new issues dominate the stage: the growing importance of business across borders, economic development as an important factor in national security, and the rise of science-based issues like climate change and pandemic disease. Above all, these issues require that diplomats not only talk to other diplomats but reach out to the public at large in both their home country and their country of assignment; diplomats now need much greater "street smarts" and communication skills. The last third of the book details the author's ideas for needed change and recommendations for achieving them. His discussion is based on careful thought and a wide range of sources. VERDICT Best for readers in the foreign policy field, as general readers will not be familiar with the issues raised. Those in the field may well find it uncomfortable to have their assumptions and methods challenged, but young and aspiring diplomats should find this essential reading.—Marcia L. Sprules, Council on Foreign Relations Lib., NY

Jacques (visiting research fellow, Asia Research Ctr., London Sch. of Economics) writes that "we stand on the eve of a different kind of world, but comprehending it is difficult." Providing both an overview of Chinese history and culture and an analysis of issues from colonialism and American imperialism to globalization and the financial crisis, this extensively researched work attempts to comprehend China's future role. Jacques takes the unusual approach of describing China as a "civilization-state" and argues that its rise will challenge the international status quo in ways not addressed by those who judge progress in terms of Westernization. VERDICT Jacques raises a multitude of thought-provoking questions about China's future role on the world stage. While he provides enough political, cultural, and historical context that even casual readers will be able to engage with his thesis regarding the hypothetical future of a globally dominant China, given its density and scholarly nature this book will be most appealing to readers who already have some understanding of the debate over China's global role and are interested in another perspective.—Madeline Mundt, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno

In this book Maass (contributing writer, New York Times Magazine; Love Thy Neighbor: A Story of War) gives an account of arguably the world's most important substance. He contends that except for a few small nations with large reserves, oil in general causes "negative reactions in most countries that fill their treasuries with its wages." Maass traveled the world doing research, visiting countries that either produce or consume large amounts of oil. He has learned much from his experiences but nothing more important than that caution and secrecy surround all things oil. Such secrecy leads to widespread corruption by governments and individuals. Maass believes that most of the earth's giant oil fields have peaked in terms of production and that we will be forced to reduce our dependence on oil in the near future. But in the meantime, to solve such problems, Maass advocates transparency in business dealings and the enforcement of laws to help stamp out corruption. He also wants individuals and governments to reduce their dependence on oil voluntarily, which will ultimately help lessen demand. VERDICT Although Maass does not offer much that's new on the topic, he is a practiced reporter with firsthand experience, which enables him to provide a good introduction to the subject for general readers, especially those interested in the history of 20th- and 21st-century global economic and political forces.—Jeremy Spencer, Univ. of California Law Lib., Davis

Breger (emeritus, California Inst. of Technology, and founding president, Inst. of Contemporary Psychoanalysis) has previously written an extended and well-received biographical treatment of Freud, Freud: Darkness in the Midst of Vision, which is similarly based on synthesizing and updating key works about the man and the movement. The "Basic Ideas" series, of which this book is part, offers "concise biographies of texts that have transformed the world"; hence, Breger focuses initially on Studies on Hysteria, Freud's first major publication, written with Josef Breuer. The development and termination of this professional partnership set the template for relationships throughout Freud's career and reveals much about what drove him to develop psychoanalysis as a grand theory, to which everything had to be subsumed. Verdict This well-balanced presentation of a nearly mythic man discusses both Freud's failings and his extraordinary contributions in an engagingly readable style. Anyone interested in psychology, particularly the many ideas promoted by Freud that have continued to shaped our current understanding of human nature, will find this worthwhile.—Paula McMillen, Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas

Rabbi Kushner, author of the international best seller When Bad Things Happen to Good People, now focuses on specific fears that impact our lives—terrorism, natural disasters, aging, job loss, death, change, and the destruction of humanity. Some may say that these events are brought on by sinful acts; however, Kushner, who does not believe in a vengeful God, points out that the words "do not be afraid" are mentioned in the Old and the New Testament more than 80 times. Kushner writes that fear can paralyze us, make us tense, and often keep us from taking action. He explains that a small dose of fear is healthy and that we can gain mastery by recognizing legitimate fears, dismissing exaggerated ones, and avoiding letting it keep us from activity. Prayer, meditation, and helping others are the keys to alleviating excessive fear. VERDICT A short, easy-to-read book filled with a great deal of wisdom and words of hope along with some practical measures for reducing fear. Kushner's message is inspirational and transcends all religious creeds and spiritualities. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/09.]—Phyllis Goodman, West Chester Lib., OH

Aiming to demonstrate the immense emotional and social impact of what she calls cruel parenting, child psychotherapist and best-selling author Miller has compiled her answers to hundreds of letters from patients addressing a variety of childhood physical and psychological abuses. Miller's answers are typically no longer than a paragraph, and readers may find them challenging to read without the context of the original letters, which are available only online at www.alice-miller.com/readersmail_en. In addition, Miller often refers to her other books, so libraries considering purchasing this book may also want to be sure to have The Drama of the Gifted Child and The Truth Will Set You Free, which are referenced most often. VERDICT Readers who have followed Miller's work as well as professionals and students in the fields of social work, counseling, or psychology may find this book useful.—John Siegel, Univ. of Arkansas Lib., Little Rock

Is this a book about the epidemiology of depression? About why life in developed countries seems to cause high levels of the condition? Not exactly. A more descriptive title would be "A Depressive's Complete Guide to Relationships." Clinical psychologist Yapko (Breaking the Patterns of Depression) asserts that too little attention has been paid to the social causes of depression. Depressed people have poor social skills, which both cause and perpetuate the depression. The bulk of the book consists of prescriptions and exercises intended to improve the reader's social skills. These mostly boil down to "Think first," which is certainly a good idea. VERDICT Yapko offers no objective proof for his central thesis, and his program seems too broad to be of much use. Self-help books for depression are always in demand in public libraries, but an extra copy of Mary Ellen Copeland and Matthew McKay's The Depression Workbook will be a more helpful offering in most public library collections.—Mary Ann Hughes, formerly with Neill P.L., Pullman, WA

Here are two useful and very different books offering insights on the storied decade of the 1960s. Agger (sociology, Univ. of Texas, Arlington) grew up in Eugene, OR , in the 1960s with a father who was a mentor to local civil rights activists. The family moved to Canada in 1969 for 12 years. Agger's personal story serves mainly to introduce and link themes; since 2004, he has interviewed 14 leaders from the era (both famous names like Tom Hayden and Mark Rudd and local leaders) and spreads their views richly throughout the book. Agger aims to "teach the Sixties" to the current generation—the children of the children of the Sixties—with an emphasis on politics rather than culture and counterculture, though sociocultural aspects seep into many of the interviews. A narrative time line provides a valuable overview of people and events. "Who won the Sixties?" is an underlying theme, and Agger and his interviewees argue whether the ultimate legacy of the Sixties was in fact the disappearance of the Left and a victory for conservatism. They also discuss the role of women in the patriarchal political movements of the time. Ultimately, this is an invigorating and hopeful book.

British novelist (and occasional journalist) Diski's memoir is much more personal and focused. At the time, she was a teenage girl in London, where the Sixties experience was largely a reaction to what was happening in the United States. She is candid about the sexual revolution ("It was uncool to say no"), political and social protest (there's a harrowing account of a violent antiwar march in Grosvenor Square in 1968), drug use, women's liberation, group therapy, and pop culture. Diski spent some time in mental institutions and writes at length about R.D. Laing's theories of schizophrenia. Like Agger, she touches on the patriarchal nature of the Left ("The Left was never known for its willingness to embrace gender equality") and acknowledges that the "desire to hang on to irresponsibility" was a large part of the appeal of Sixties movements. In the end, she admits that maybe the Sixties is "an idea that had its day and lingers long after its time. Except, of course, for the music." VERDICT Both books are highly recommended as additions to the ever-growing collection of works on the 1960s.—Thomas A. Karel, Franklin & Marshall Coll. Lib., Lancaster, PA

The essays here, like their authors, are varied and wide-ranging, offering scholarly reflections—from cinematic, philosophical, sociological, architectural, and other perspectives—on the business of doing one's business. Even the essays' titles count for a lot, and the writers don't let us down. Readers may be drawn by clearly articulated topics ("Potty Privileging in Perspective: Gender and Family Issues in Toilet Design"); cultural affinity ("Our Little Secrets': A Pakistani Artist Explores the Shame and Pride of Her Community's Bathroom Practices"); or catchiness and cultural affinity ("The Jew on the Loo: The Toilet in Jewish Popular Culture, Memory, and Imagination"). The writing and level of scholarship are consistently excellent in a book that has few, if any, current competitors (the multitude of potty-training books don't count), and despite being the potential butt (pardon the expression) of bathroom humor, readers will be left with some very serious things to consider. Did you realize, for example, that the provision of adequate public toilets would probably lead to more bike riding, and, in general, healthier cities? VERDICT Recommended for scholarly and specialized readers, as well as some venturesome generalists. —Ellen Gilbert, Princeton, NJ

Although this book begins with the football rivalry between two Doylestown, PA, high schools, it's not really about football. It's more a story of the American small towns from which so many extraordinary young men and women of the U.S. armed forces come. Bryan Buckley was the captain of Central Bucks West and Corey Umbrell was one of the leaders of Central Bucks East when their teams clashed in their senior year of 1998. Eight years later, both were officers leading men in combat in Iraq, Buckley as a marine and Umbrell as an army ranger. Both were proudly fighting for ideals in which they believed, and only one would come home alive. Sielski (sports columnist, Calkins Media) chronicles the lives of these two athletes and illustrates how their personalities and values were formed from interactions with family, friends, coaches, and community. In the process, he writes of much broader topics in contemporary American life: dreams, competition, resolve, war, honor, sacrifice, and true heartbreak. VERDICT A very moving, striking story exceptionally well told; for all readers.—John Maxymuk, Rutgers Univ., Camden, lib., NJ

If you've ever thought about how films have permeated our sense of location, whether it's Alfred Hitchcock's steep, spinning San Francisco in Vertigo or Anthony Minghella's bronzed, sun-drenched Italian islands in The Talented Mr. Ripley, this new series of guides may be for you. They're not exactly travel guides, and they're not objective sources on film history either. They will not tell you where to eat, stay, or how to travel; they focus on locations and the movies that were shot there, with the bulk of movies covered dating from 1990 to 2005. Place-names are bolded in these location essays, while movies discussed are not, so the films are not easy to pick out in the text. (There is a film index in the back.) Each guide offers a different writer for the particular area discussed, whether a city, a region, or a country. The writers are young film aficionados from around the world, many with degrees in film studies. Their essays are more ruminative than trivia wonks would expect, and the illustrations are of the tourist variety rather than screen shots from the movies. The tours are worldly and wry—but not always displaying thorough expertise (e.g., the New York City writer's reference to The Sorrow and the Pity, Woody Allen's habitual film destination in Annie Hall, does not indicate awareness that it is a major documentary on the Holocaust). The locations covered, far from comprehensive, are often off the beaten path, but there are no maps or directions. Nonetheless, film-loving globe-trotters will appreciate Almodovar's Madrid or Tunisia's "seas of burnt umber sand." VERDICT Perhaps these books would have succeeded better as a TV travel series. They will be engaging for some movie fans or travelers looking to follow filmic footsteps or add reality to their cinematic diversion, but as hybrids, they are neither fully useful travel guides nor fully useful film studies. Yet film lovers short on a dime can easily find an armchair escape here or think about a future trip.—Ben Malczewski, Ypsilanti District Library, MI

These two books—each with a distinctive approach—will appeal to travelers interested in the historic city of Istanbul and in Turkey generally. The conversational tone of Mershon and Weissenbacher's beautifully illustrated guide will appeal to those keen to visit some seldom seen parts of Istanbul, such as courtyards, museums, restaurants, mosques, and schools. The authors describe four walking tours intended to reveal streets west of, in and around, and behind the Grand Bazaar and the area above Eminonu. Each walking tour section is enhanced with historical images, colorful annotated hand-drawn maps, color photographs, pronunciations of key place-names, and plentiful See references directing readers to other parts of the guide. The information about specific shopkeepers is particularly compelling. A historical time line for Istanbul, listing of Ottoman sultans, and aglossary of terms are included.

Kerper's collection ends up extending beyond Istanbul, which makes its title puzzling. His themed sections include "Turkey," "Istanbul," "Personalities," "Monuments," "The Turkish Table," "The Bosphorus," "Edirne," "Bursa," and "Gallipoli," and one of Turkish miscellany. Each typically features an essay or excerpt from a notable past or present travel writer, a selection of poetry, quotations, recommended reading, and an interview with a renowned person relevant to the topic. VERDICT Kerper's highbrow collection may be better for those who have already visited Turkey and wish to reminisce or learn more, cover to cover, at home. Istanbul's Bazaar Quarter is essential for travelers planning to explore Istanbul by foot; those on the go within the Grand Bazaar will want to keep this in their totebags.—Elizabeth Connor, The Citadel, Military Coll. of South Carolina, Lib., Charleston

The important word in the subtitle here is wonderful because it so aptly describes these major wine-producing centers, among them Napa Valley, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and New Zealand. Taber shocked the world of viniculture with his 1976 Time story on the California vs. French wine tasting that demolished the hubristic world of French wines, which he later recounted in his 2005 book, Judgment of Paris. Here, he takes a more leisurely approach to wine, relating his world travels in search of exceptional grapes. VERDICT Taber is able to explain the often complex world of wine making in terms the average reader will understand, and his passion for his subject is more than evident throughout. It won't be surprising if readers plan their next vacation based on the recommendations found in Taber's highly readable book.—Joseph L. Carlson, Vandenberg Air Force Base Lib., CA

How can a book about a behemoth multinational company, with a string of environmental and labor violation allegations leveled against it, be entertaining? British TV presenter, comedian, and human rights activist Thomas somehow manages to make it so. Coca-Cola's PR double-speak in response to his persistent questions provides much of the fodder for his humor. (Full disclosure: this reviewer finds soft drinks basically devoid of nutrition and consumes none of them.) Thomas travels around the world, looking into allegations of union harassment by Coca-Cola bottlers in Colombia and Turkey. He investigates water-use issues in India and obesity rates in Mexico. He searches for evidence of child labor in the sugar fields of El Salvador. He corners the head of Coca-Cola's Global Workplace Rights at an annual shareholders' meeting in Delaware. He witnesses a Mayan ceremony where worshipers use the burping effect of Coke to "belch" out evil spirits (hence the title). VERDICT This is not a travel journey that any sane person would want to replicate. However, the author's findings do make one think of the global consequences of such an innocuous product as "fizzy pop." Recommended for both general readers and students who enjoy investigative memoirs or business studies.—Lee Arnold, Historical Soc. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia