Biography

There have been numerous biographies, scholarly works, and even novels on the lives of both John Adams, the second President of the United States, and his wife, Abigail. However, few of these works treat the Adamses fully as a couple, struggling together to make it through revolutionary times. Gelles is no stranger to Abigail Adams, having previously written Abigail Adams: A Writing Life and Portia: The World of Abigail Adams. But what is most striking about her latest work is not only that it treats the two formative founding figures together but that it reads much like fiction. Gelles culled her research from the couple's letters, using their words to tell the story of their marriage. By intertwining the stories of John and Abigail, Gelles re-creates the world of revolutionary Boston and New England with marked success. She also reminds us that while the founding of the United States may have been a male enterprise, women were also involved, though their influence was private. Recommended for both lay readers and scholars.—Suzan Alteri, Wayne State Univ., Detroit

Far from mythologizing her legendary subjects, Gill (Nightingales: The Extraordinary Upbringing and Curious Life of Florence Nightingale) views the marriage of Queen Victoria and Albert of Saxe-Coburg as a modern historian. Outwardly, Victoria and Albert diligently presented the world with a portrait of blissful domesticity (and inflexible morality) that has become synonymous with the age, but their lives were far from perfect. Albert, a minor German prince, was not well received and rarely appreciated in his adopted country. Victoria, proud queen regnant in a fiercely misogynistic era, found herself caught between the realities of her paramount rank and her perceived (and much dreaded) duty to bear children and defer to her husband as lord and master. In attempting to chronicle the relationship of these two, Gill is hardly passing over untrodden ground: readers familiar with Victoria's and Albert's lives will probably not find much revelatory material in her treatment. They will find, however, a frank and intimate discussion of the royal marriage that is addictively readable; no doubt the famously proper queen would not be amused. Recommended for all readers. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/09.]—Tessa L.H. Minchew, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston

As the subtitle suggests, this is indeed a love story, but not in the typical romantic sense. It is a chronicle of the author's spiritual journey and growth and a peek at the realities of life on an Indian reservation. Jones has worked as a journalist for over 20 years in the rural West. On assignment for Smithsonian magazine, she travels to the Northern Arapaho community at Wind River Indian Reservation to write an article about a quadriplegic Native American reputed to be an expert horse trainer and medicine man. Jones finds herself immersed in an unfamiliar culture that initially makes her very uncomfortable. The routine journalistic assignment grows in depth and breadth, as Jones introduces the reader to Stanford Addison and his extended family, their horses, and their acceptance of a life that is challenging yet somehow appropriate. The author has a knack for describing events, people, and scenery so well that the reader can almost taste the weak, sugary coffee and feel the oppressive heat of the ceremonial sweat lodge. Compelling reading for those interested in Native American culture and personal journeys of self-discovery.—Debby Emerson, Rochester Regional Lib. Council, Fairport, NY

The exceptional Henriette Lucie Dillon, Marquise de la Tour du Pin Gouvernet (1770–1853) has long deserved a competent biographer, and Moorehead (Gellhorn: A Twentieth-Century Life) does her justice. The marquise's Journal d'une Femme de Cinquante Ans, 1778–1815 is considered one of the best first-person accounts available of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era and is still in print. While Moorehead relies heavily on these memoirs, she also uses additional primary sources to flesh out the nearly 50 years (1815–53) not covered by Lucie's memoirs and places Lucie within the context of an émigré culture that grew out of the radicalization of the French Revolution. Born to the French aristocracy, Lucie was equally comfortable at the opulent court of Versailles and the back country of upstate New York. She and her family were forced to flee France four times during the revolutionary era. Her father and father-in-law lost their heads to the guillotine, she had several miscarriages, and most of her children did not reach adulthood, but through it all she remained resilient, compassionate, and observant. An outstanding choice for general readers.—Jim Doyle, formerly with Sara Hightower Regional Lib., Rome, GA

What happens when a gay man leaves city life behind to embrace the rural lifestyle and philosophy of Thoreau? Rouse (America's Boy: A Memoir) said good-bye to his public relations job and, in an attempt to get serious about his writing, relocated with his partner to a cabin ten miles outside of a resort community in Michigan. Envision Green Acres for the 21st century. Most of the essays here offer variations on the theme of choosing the appropriate footwear for the job, as when Rouse discovers that Kenneth Cole boots are not the top choice for a day of ice fishing. Readers will encounter a dizzying assortment of brand names and references to cable television reality stars, so some of the humor may appeal only to those who appreciate a fabulous shopping spree or watching the beautiful people on the tube. This is David Sedaris meets Dave Barry—the humor is not subtle, but every page is good for a laugh.—Susan Belsky, Oshkosh P.L., WI

Learning about the life of Venture Smith (1729–1805) gives readers insight into the all-too-often faceless world of American slaves and their pursuit of freedom. Smith bore witness to African and then American enslavement in New England, the tumultuous world of the American Revolution, and eventually freedom though self-emancipation. Driven by hard work and determination in the face of unremitting adversity, he persevered to become a prime example of the self-made man symbolic of American history. Smith's story was recorded by schoolteacher Elisha Niles, and a complete facsimile of that version is included in this slim but richly illustrated volume. Saint (president, Beecher House Ctr. for the Study of Equal Rights) and Krimsky (coauthor, Hold the Press: The Inside Story on Newspapers) admirably weave together their compelling narrative with recently uncovered clues about Smith's life in an effort to explicate Smith's remarkable and courageous story. The authors maintain that while the narrative of Olaudah Equiano's life contains much more detail, Smith's story gives readers a picture of a man who "most valued simplicity, frugality, and prudence." Highly recommended; this should become required reading in courses on early American history.—Brian Odom, Pelham P.L., AL

Business as we know it is being revolutionized by Second Life, a Web 2.0 application that enables registered users to create animated identities called avatars and to construct and spend time in virtual worlds represented by these avatars. In the process of building these online worlds, users have also created new virtual marketplaces for buyers and sellers. Second Life users can convert Linden dollars to U.S. dollars, and avatars can give tours of both virtual products and real-world products, directing other avatars to online billboards, movies, and virtual meetings. Sue Martin Mahar, a longtime Second Life resident, and Second Life guide Jay Mahar here show how enterprises (including Fortune 500 firms like IBM) are strategizing ways to use Second Life to gain competitive advantage. This guide shows entrepreneurs how to assess potential opportunities and conduct business in Second Life and includes many handy lists of practical dos and don'ts. With Second Life continually evolving, business possibilities there are in fact limitless, as this book shows. Essential reading for all entrepreneurs and recommended for both the general public and business students.—Caroline Geck, Library Media Specialist, Newark Pub. Schs., NJ

With the stock market tumbling and the unemployment rate rising, the current financial crisis is dominating the headlines. Prolific author Posner (circuit judge, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; senior lecturer, Univ. of Chicago Law Sch.; How Judges Think) examines the causes and consequences of the financial crisis as well as governmental measures aimed at dealing with it. In the first five chapters, he explores how and why the economy "has gotten itself into such a fix and what the government is trying to do to get the economy out of it and how likely it is to succeed." The final six chapters describe the lessons that can be learned from the crisis and ways to avoid the next depression. The text is current to the early days of the Obama administration. Highly recommended for both general readers and students as a top title among the growing number of books about the current crisis.—Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY

What do fundamentalist Christians, Margaret Thatcher, and the Rand Corporation all have in common? They are all part of a vast conspiracy that began during the Renaissance when the British East India Company began indoctrinating Europe in corporatism, the belief that corporations should be venerated. So successful were they that we now unknowingly live in a corporatist state, argues Rushkoff; the world is so slanted toward rewarding self-interested, short-term decisions that we have lost all autonomy and humanity, devolving from citizens into consumers. Rushkoff advocates for sustainable, bottoms-up activism, but many of his suggestions (including garden shares and "complimentary credit" bartering) seem like willful amnesia; history has proven that a commune by any other name remains unviable. Still, Rushkoff's prose is eminently readable, and he weaves together a colorful fabric of facts and anecdotes more than interesting enough to carry the reader past a little kookiness; the first 200 pages are truly conspiracy theorizing at its best. The last 50 pages do suffer from excessive moralizing, unsupported idealism, and a limp call to pseudoaction, but otherwise this is an entertaining screed for those who agree with Rushkoff's position.—Robert Perret, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow, ID

In this current economic downturn, investors have been looking for more secure ways to invest. Here, consultant Yellen outlines how to use a particular type of whole life insurance policy as a personal bank. The concept has much in common with the infinite banking method developed by Nelson Nash and relies on a thorough understanding of the intricacies of life insurance policies and when they become taxable. The methodology behind the Bank on Yourself® (BOY) system has been proven sound and effective, but it requires a long-term commitment from the investor and an investment adviser who knows about setting up a dividend-paying life insurance and what companies offer it. Most of this book is dedicated to stories and testimonials of how it has worked for individuals, but it provides very little information on the best way to start the program. When Yellen does provide information, it is generally linked to her web site. Overall, her book comes off as a pitch for the program rather than a balanced explanation on how to use life insurance as a potential investment strategy. For some interested readers.—John Rodzvilla, Simmons Coll., Boston

Kirn, a noted book critic and novelist (Thumbsucker), writes a memoir of his educational journey, describing his travels from rural Minnesota to the upper echelon of the educational meritocracy, Princeton University. His main point is that "percentile is destiny in America." Kirn says he was able to climb so high not because of any innate gifts or knowledge; rather, he learned to play the game of scoring well on standardized tests, collecting extracurricular activities, and concentrating on class rankings. When he got to Princeton in the late 1970s, he discovered an entire subculture based not on learning and acquiring knowledge but on networking, backbiting, and "parroting" professors' words and pet theories back to them—reading assigned books was largely optional. In the end, Kirn's recreational drug use led to a case of aphasia and the need to relearn much of what he thought he knew. This indictment of America's higher education system, particularly of the elite universities, suggests that real learning takes place through experience. It is insightful, well written, and occasionally humorous and would be an excellent choice for all readers. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/08.]—Mark Bay, Hagan Memorial Lib., Univ. of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY

Bradley (deputy director, Cullman Ctr. for Scholars & Writers, NYPL) draws upon archival resources to present the life cycle of Dietrich Knickerbocker, the boastful New York City resident Washington Irving created 200 years ago in his farcical, semifictional Knickerbocker's History of New-York. Her deceptively slim volume brims with information about the burgeoning use of Knickerbocker as a literary device in novels, newspaper articles, and advertisements as a touchstone of popular culture, e.g., think of beer, hotels, and baseball and basketball teams, to name only a few examples. Knickerbocker evolved from a trope for provincial Dutch descendants to an upper-class symbol to a more inclusive and unifying icon of New Yorkers generally, whether or not native born. Broader in scope than the much newer symbol of the Big Apple, the depicting of urban corporate identity (now termed branding) through the Knickerbocker moniker underscored that the residents of Gotham (itself an Irving-applied nickname) were proud and distinctive yet welcoming and often so exaggerated as to be endearing. Entertaining enough for the general reader—including those planning a trip to one of the world's most visited cities—and amply annotated for the scholar, this is highly recommended.—Frederick J. Augustyn Jr., Library of Congress

Since the days of Marx and Engels, scholars have been writing about communism and what it means to contemporary society. For the past 30 years Brown (politics, emeritus, Oxford Univ.) has devoted his considerable energies to explaining various aspects of the history of communism, especially in the Soviet Union. His 1996 study, The Gorbachev Factor, and his more recent Seven Years That Changed the World are two essential works from the more than a dozen books he has authored. Although his new book compares topically with Robert Harvey's A Short History of Communism and Robert Service's Comrades!: A History of World Communism, Brown's particular strength is his profound knowledge and understanding of the 1980s, when Gorbachev took power and initiated the reform agenda that led (although this was not his intention) to the collapse of Communist rule in the Soviet Union and freedom for Eastern Europe. Brown's study also treats China, Cuba, and other Communist countries, but his analysis is especially impressive for the Soviet Union. A seminal work from a distinguished scholar; highly recommended.—Ed Goedeken, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames

These two fine books about late Roman history bring to mind the current discussion of the worldwide economic debacle's impact on empire. Goldsworthy's popular history traces the three centuries leading up to the final collapse of the Western Empire in 476 C.E. In the shorter, more academic 428 AD, Traina follows a single year across the late empire from Egypt to Britannia. While Goldsworthy pursues large-scale trends over centuries, Traina describes life on the ground (as far as the historical record allows) through the leading figures of the day, including generals, emperors, and clerics. Goldsworthy convincingly argues that the Roman state collapsed from within, showing that internal disorder and the ballooning bureaucracy (rather than barbarian invasion or Christianity) created the conditions leading to fall. Traina's focus on a single year, a half-century before the end of the Western Empire, reveals a world already more like the medieval period than ancient times, with Christian bishops arguing over heresy, ascetic monks perched atop columns, and Germanic tribes occupying much of Gaul and Spain (and preparing to invade Africa).

The authors' complementary perspectives lead to similar conclusions: the empire's ever-so-slow collapse was almost unnoticeable to the Romans, for whom the concept of mighty Imperial Rome endured despite the reality simply because there was nothing to take its place. Unusual for a popular historian, Goldsworthy always takes the time to share with readers his interpretive process with source materials, and he is more explicit than Traina about present-day parallels. Goldsworthy's book would satisfy any reader, while Traina's scholarly work makes a good follow-up for serious students.—Stewart Desmond, New York

Innovative automobile manufacturer Henry Ford had a unique vision that led to the large-scale application of assembly-line production processes, industry-leading wage rates, and sourcing of raw materials from the absolute base. Thus, once his production lines were churning out over a million cars per year, Ford sought to cut costs for tires by acquiring land in Brazil to grow rubber trees. In doing so, he set in motion a series of events chronicled in detail for the first time in this book. Though visionary, Ford did not really understand politics or diversity of human culture. This led to a series of missteps where time clocks, midday work hours, and other aspects of exported culture failed to resonate with the indigenous Brazilian workers. Instead of an efficient rubber farm, Fordlandia wreaked havoc in a space twice the size of Delaware; it was a spectacular failure. Workers eventually revolted, and the Brazilian army was brought in to restore order. Ford is iconic in American history and biography, the subject of over 100 biographies, but this particular misadventure has never been well documented until now. All readers of history and biography should consider.—Eric C. Shoaf, Univ. of Texas at San Antonio

Walden Pond in Concord, MA, is most famous as the place where Henry David Thoreau went to "live deliberately" and subsist on the land. Thoreau chose Walden in part because its shores, Walden Woods, were at one time home to freed Concord slaves and several generations of their children. Lemire (literature, SUNY at Purchase; Miscegenation: Making Race in America), a native of Concord, sets about to resurrect the memory of not only the freedmen and -women who dwelled there but also the history of slavery in Concord. The first half of the book focuses on the Concord slaveholders, in particular prominent slaveowner John Cuming. The second half focuses on their 32 slaves, particularly Brister Freeman, who was Cuming's slave and was then freed. Lemire's literature background helps her to bring alive these long-dead historical characters, and she deftly weaves excerpts from Thoreau's Walden throughout the narrative. Ultimately, Lemire conveys the idea that before Walden Pond was a "green space," it was, in fact, a "black space." Recommended for students of early American history and slavery studies, as well as New England readers interested in local history.—Jason Martin, Univ. of Central Florida Lib., Orlando

Leading Tudor historian Loades (Honorary Research Professor, Univ. of Sheffield; Mary Tudor: A Life) examines the daily lives of Tudor queens, including both ruling queens and queen consorts, from the 15th through the early 17th centuries. Chapters are arranged thematically about a particular woman, e.g., "The Queen as Lover," "The Queen as Foreign Ally," and "the Unmarried Sovereign." Loades also includes a section titled "The Queens Who Never Were," which examines the lives of Jane Grey and Mary Stuart. Given that traditionally several of the queens examined would not be considered Tudor queens, including Catherine de Valois and Margaret of Anjou, the addition of family charts would have been useful. Although this is a thoroughly researched book, the emphasis on the queens' sexual habits—which relies heavily on speculation—could have been omitted. For interested readers.—Carrie Benbow, Toronto P.L., Ont.

This book presents both a popular account of the events leading to the fall of the Roman Republic and a reappraisal of the actions of Cato the Younger and his faction. The result is a somewhat uneven text, but Marin (previously lecturer in Classics, University Coll. Dublin) ably summarizes the last two decades of research on Cato, on whom she did her doctoral work. Her conclusion is that while the senate of the late Republic was indeed corrupt and ineffective at governing, this did not inevitably lead to the Republic's fall. Rather, Marin sees the clash between Cato and Caesar as illustrative of Caesar's disregard for the Republic and its ideals, embodied by Cato. The first section introduces the culture and religion of the late Republic, as well as the contemporary sources, and then traces the events leading up to the fall. Overall, the book requires background knowledge of the ancient world and maintains a serious tone, which makes it best for students or those already familiar with Roman history.—Margaret Heller, Dominican Univ. Lib., River Forest, IL

Rubenhold's new history is just as linked to passion and vice as was her previous work, The Covent Garden Ladies, though her gaze has now turned from the lower class to the aristocracy. When in 1782 Sir Richard Worsley brought a criminal conversation case against his wife's adulterous lover and sued him for an exorbitant amount in damages to his "property," Lady Worsley chose to ruin both her and her husband's reputations by exposing the scandalous details of her married life and affairs, turning an already shocking trial into one of the first celebrity divorces. Rubenhold does an excellent job of leading readers through the lives and relationships of the main participants and the specifics of the case itself, with ample observations on marriage, divorce, sexual mores, and personal reputation in Georgian England. The delivery of the verdict doesn't signal the end of the matter, however, as she also examines how gossip and journalistic rumor affected opinions after the trial and traces the paths of both husband and wife following their separation. As a historical examination, it is well researched and thoughtful; as a narrative, it is entertainingly told. Highly recommended for all readers.—Kathleen McCallister, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

As much a history of typhus as it is a history of Napoleon's invasion of Russia, this book presents both subjects in graphic detail, leaving the reader with no illusions of the "glory" of 19th-century warfare. In the spring of 1812, Napoleon assembled the largest army seen in Europe up to that time for the invasion and conquest of Russia—690,000 men under arms, most of whom would actually cross into Russian territory, followed by approximately 50,000 civilians. That's more people than lived then in Paris; this moving population would have ranked as the fifth-largest city in the world. Some 500,000 of them would never return, less than a quarter of them dying as a result of combat; the reason for most of the deaths is the subject of this book. Using contemporary sources, Talty (Empire of Blue Water) presents the whole horrifying experience as lived by the common soldier, the doctors, and officers up the ranks to the generals. He makes his case for the typhus being transmitted by the body louse. Strangely enough, the disease was no longer prevalent in Europe after 1814. Strongly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/09.].—David Lee Poremba, Winderemere, FL

Journalist VanDevelder lucidly examines the broad historic, cultural, and legal context and legacy of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 between the U.S. government and Plains Indian nations. This book is a direct outgrowth of—and best as a companion book to—the author's Pulitzer Prize-nominated Coyote Warrior, which dealt with the construction of the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River homelands of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara nations in North Dakota, the dam's impact upon these Indian peoples being the starting and ending points of this new work as well. In contrast to Stan Hoig's White Man's Paper Trail: Grand Councils and Treaty Making on the Central Plains, which offers a strong Texas and Southern Plains perspective of the Fort Laramie treaties, VanDevelder maintains a Northern Plains touchstone. He primarily recounts Manifest Destiny as the national policy that produced the American empire at the expense of Indian nations and explicates it through the persons of Presidents Washington and Jackson and, of most distinct interest, mountain man Thomas Fitzpatrick, as well as tribal leader Martin Cross. Recommended for informed readers.—Nathan E. Bender, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow

How is it and what does it mean that the U.S. Constitution of 1787 refused to mention the words slave or slavery, asks Waldstreicher (history, Temple Univ., Runaway America). He seeks to answer in three interpretive essays tracing the American slavery debate from the 1740s through 1788. He argues that a realistic understanding of the era and issues properly situates slavery within broad, culturally determined constitutional politics. Governance in early America cast slavery simply as a control category that put and kept blacks in what most ruling whites saw as blacks' proper place as dependents. There they sat akin to most others in an America struggling to work through the possibilities and problems of making republican ideals of constitutional equality real. Far from being silent on slaves and slavery in the Constitution, Waldstreicher explains, the Founding Fathers spoke deeply, opting for a political pragmatism that tried to shed moral responsibility but ultimately failed both to republicanize and to depoliticize slavery. Highly readable and provocative in conception, this work may appeal especially to general readers and U.S. history students.—Thomas J. Davis, Arizona State Univ., Tempe

In impassioned prose, Burns (Northwestern Univ. Sch. of Law; A Theory of the Trial) argues that the decline of civil and criminal jury trials in the United States is disastrous. He lauds jury trials as public dramas that show the truth. After explaining how trials work, from opening statement to closing argument, the author traces the jury trial's current form to 19th-century practices in England, made more democratic in America, and also discusses its much earlier medieval origins. Then he describes the decline of the trial according to various researchers. To his credit, Burns offers suggestions for revitalizing the trial and cites numerous dramatic trials that showcased public problems, e.g., those involving labor organizer Joe Hill and radical Angela Davis. Without trials, he submits, elites would decide justice, and the judicial branch would decline. For a more trenchant, less scholarly riposte, see Philip K. Howard's Life Without Lawyers: Liberating Americans from Too Much Law. Burns's well-written and well-researched book is for all interested readers.—Harry Charles, Attorney at Law, St. Louis

Far too often we hear about racial bias and undue violence on the part of a city's police department against the very citizens they are legally bound to protect. Here the Boston Police Department is taken to task. Lehr argues that the city of Boston itself has a well-established racial divide and that the police department reflects this partition. He tells the true story of an African American plainclothes police officer, Michael Cox, who was brutally beaten by his fellow officers in a case of mistaken identity. Subsequently, the beating was covered up by the police department, an example of the "Blue Law of Silence" wherein police officers remain silent about police matters that make the department look bad. Lehr provides an excellent review of the incident, the background of Officer Cox, the cover-up, and the ultimate trial. The result is an intriguing read that provides an admirable, in-depth description of police corruption.—Tim Delaney, SUNY at Oswego

Blake (Circle, Coven & Grove: A Year of Magickal Practice) dons the mantle of the high priestess with grace, wisdom, and a dose of humility as she doles out advice on incorporating magic and pagan philosophy into everyday life. Brief but not superficial, the book glides smoothly from private concerns such as internalizing Wiccan beliefs or mindful eating to more external and social issues like creating sacred space, home keeping, and working with a coven. Along the way, Blake manages to cover most of daily life, from raising children in the craft to dealing with horrified unbelievers in a cheerful and inclusive tone. Lovely spells, ideas for rituals (with some unique adaptations to "mundane" holidays), and thoughtful assignments at the end of chapters round out the offerings. Blake's view is highly personal, but she frequently references other Wiccan writers, such as Scott Cunningham, and concludes with a meaty bibliography. High praise and recommendations; this title is for all public libraries with a dedicated pagan or Wiccan collection.—Janet Tapper, Western States Chiropractic Coll. Lib., Portland, OR

Dowden (director, Royal African Soc.) can be forgiven if each of the 18 chapters in his massive tome feels like an abridged version of a larger book; summarizing the history, politics, and people of an entire continent in one volume is a daunting task. Dowden, however, has a wealth of personal experience to qualify him for the job, having first visited Africa as a volunteer teacher in the 1970s and then become a highly regarded Africa-based journalist. Here he attempts to educate readers about Africa's many different nations and to counter the claim that journalists have harmed Africa by publicizing only negative news about it. He alternates chapters each devoted to a particular African nation with chapters on particular issues. Dowden writes in a conversational tone, freely offering up his opinions on controversial topics including politics, foreign investment, the AIDs crisis, and Africa's leadership vacuum. Like other recent works in English on Africa, such as Martin Meredith's The Fate of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence and John Reader's Africa: A Biography of the Continent, this work is essentially subjective; unfortunately, books that describe Africa more objectively at this time are primarily directed at juvenile readers. Despite Dowden's optimistic conclusion, much of what he discusses is deeply tragic and can leave the reader feeling discouraged about Africa's future. Recommended for informed readers; includes an introduction by famed African author Chinua Achebe.—April Younglove, Linfield Coll. Lib.; Portland, OR

Jihadism, a radical global Muslim movement, has arguably become the most persistent challenge to Western capitalist democracies and security interests since the demise of the Soviet Union. For many in the West, it has become synonymous with al Qaeda and its terrorist activities. However, as this thought-provoking book demonstrates, jihadism is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon that is much broader than al Qaeda. Khosrokhavar, a first-rate academic expert on Islamic radicalism, distinguishes two types of jihadi movements: one rooted primarily in the Sunni Islamic countries and the other based in the West. He explains the differences between these two movements and analyzes their major motivations for resorting to extreme acts of violence. In addition, he traces the origin and development of fundamentalism in Islam, distinguishes religious fundamentalism from jihadism, reviews the jihadi critique of conservative Islam, and identifies principal theological and political causes of jihadi violence in today's world. The author's intimate knowledge of and keen insight into the dynamics of jihadism and his reliance on important primary sources make this book essential reading for anyone interested in obtaining a critical understanding of jihadism.—Nader Entessar, Univ. of South Alabama, Mobile

Vile, slanderous attacks in politics are not new. But their distribution via modern technology is. Neiwert sees the language of Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Malkin, Anne Coulter, Michael Savage, and others on the Right as paving the way for American fascism, claiming that these individuals are the successors to lynch mobs and the Klan. Unfortunately, the links and parallels Neiwart draws are not credible; he does not establish a valid historical connection between earlier varieties of group hate in America and today's provocative right-wing personalities. Nonetheless, some readers may be attracted to his book, with its clearly written text and well-laid-out research, in the interest of sparking debate and conversation on a worthy topic.—Michael O. Eshleman, Law Clerk, Greene Cty. Common Pleas Court, Xenia, OH

The events of the April 2002 Venezuelan coup to oust President Hugo Chavez are brought to light here in unparalleled investigative reporting by Nelson (Ctr. for American & World Cultures, Miami Univ., Ohio), who has spent time in Venezuela both before and after the coup. His fascinating and harrowing account is part documentary, part eyewitness to history, yet always riveting. Nelson utilizes a rich variety of firsthand accounts to reconstruct what happened, how, and why, all sourced in an extensive set of notes. At times reading like fiction, his enjoyable text is the definitive account of Chavez's ouster and return, devoid of loyal or opposition rhetoric. Nelson concludes that Chavez's countercoup was accomplished with cell phones, not tanks, and, contrary to various reports, denies any direct U.S. involvement. Finally, he states that neither internal nor external opposition presents the biggest challenge to Chavez's future—the faltering world economy and the dramatic drop in oil prices are his biggest enemies. Highly recommended.—Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., Alabama

You can learn a lot by reading this book. China scholar Ramo (managing director, Kissinger Assoc.) explains his theory of "Deep Security" through a variety of wide-ranging analogies. While much of the focus is on peace in the Middle East and the role of Hizb'allah, we also learn about Gertrude Stein and cubism at the beginning of World War I, the development of video games from Donkey Kong to the Wii, the problem of maximum sustained yields for fish populations, the relationship between treating HIV and drug-resistant TB in South Africa, and the perils of running a business in Brazil while coping with hyperinflation. Again and again, Ramo reminds us of the power of individuals and the accomplishments that can be achieved by taking advantage of creativity and underutilized capacity. While (not surprisingly) he offers no great solutions, much can be learned from the examples he sets forth. Overall, a fascinating look at various aspects of today's complicated world and how interconnecting systems often come to bear in unexpected ways.—Susan Hurst, Miami Univ., Oxford, OH

Warshaw (political science, Gettysburg Coll.; Powersharing) is not the first writer to refer to Dick Cheney's "copresidency" with George W. Bush. She is, however, the first to present the idea at length and to give as much weight to how this operated as to the results. With an early tacit agreement on division of labor, Bush would focus on what mattered to him—a domestic faith-based agenda—leaving Cheney to focus on energy, the economy, and foreign affairs. Given his knowledge of how the bureaucracy worked, penchant for secrecy, control over administration staffing, and lack of ambition to become president, Cheney was able to see that Bush "essentially rubber-stamped" his recommendations. More than that: after 9/11 Bush "abrogated his presidency and turned it over to Cheney." Warshaw traces Cheney's ideas on presidential power to his service in the Ford administration and is particularly good on how power was exercised in the Bush administration. Occasionally repetitive, this work of scholarship complements Barton Gellman's Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency, a fine journalistic narrative. Because the Bush/Cheney literature is already substantial and no doubt will continue to grow, Warshaw's book is best for readers who can't get enough on the subject.—Bob Nardini, Nashville, TN

Feldman (psychology, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst; Understanding Psychology) reviews studies of lying that he and others have conducted, demonstrating that deception is deeply ingrained in social interaction. Writing for the lay reader and using examples from recent news, he explores, e.g., how learning to deceive is part of a child's socialization, with implications for cognitive and social development. He also shows that lying is essential for self-preservation yet often leads to self-deception. Frequently restating previous findings, Feldman traces the evolution of lying and its consequences for personal and workplace relationships. Trying to be objective and dispassionate, he does not offer formulas or exercises for becoming more honest. Feldman admits that it would be difficult to live in a society where the truth was always told. His final advice is to compromise: accept that lying is universal, become comfortable with uncertainty, and verify information before making conclusions; be aware of your tendency to lie and commit to be more honest. Recommended for self-help fans.—Lucille M. Boone, San Jose P.L.

Many psychologists, most notably Jean Piaget, have used their offspring as test subjects, but none has done so with such sweetness as Fernyhough brings to his account of his daughter's development during the first three years of her life. From her initial appearance on a sonogram, we watch as baby Athena sorts out her sensory input, recognizes her "self," learns that other people are more than extensions of her own will, and walks, talks, and remembers. All of this is basic developmental psych, readily available in many forms, including parenting manuals and textbooks. What makes this title outstanding is that it reads like fiction. (In addition to being a psychologist, the author is also a published novelist.) In vignettes about life with Athena, Fernyhough beautifully captures the mix of frustration and poignancy that will seem achingly familiar to all parents of toddlers. This beautiful book is highly recommended.—Mary Ann Hughes, formerly Neill P.L., Pullman, WA

Gardner follows his best-selling memoir, The Pursuit of Happyness, with a collection of 44 lessons that he feels helped make his life successful and that he hopes will help others. Gardner explains that this is the book he originally intended to write, but he first had to deal with his past; he recommends that all his readers do the same. His memoir is the perfect setup for this new self-help book, in which he shares his philosophy and the lessons he learned, which took him from an abusive childhood to homelessness and finally to being the chief executive of his own multimillion-dollar brokerage firm. This smart and well-written guide includes excellent suggestions for both everyday life and work, with the last sentence summing up Gardner's message: "Accepting responsibility is accepting that your dreams really can come true." The result is hopeful and uplifting—not a bad thing to see in these days of economic turmoil.—Mary E. Jones, Los Angeles P.L.

Martin has written an eye-opening book about the world of stepfamilies, with a focus on the stepmother. Her well-researched work delves into the animal world, fairy tales, psychology, and sociobiology as she examines from every angle the myth that a well-blended, happy stepfamily is easy to achieve. Sometimes offering differing points of view, she describes examples from animal and bird families, demonstrating the great diversity throughout the animal kingdom and the behavior of many creatures in nonnuclear families. Many animals are not leading the life portrayed in The Brady Bunch any more than the people with whom Martin talked. While the author admits that there are some families who manage to work well, she was reassured in her own role as stepmother that the frustrations she has experienced are not at all uncommon. Stepmothers, no matter how hard they try, are battling odds that appear to be stacked against them. Martin's questions about the normality of her experience will help validate those who find themselves in a similar situation. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/09.]—Margaret Cardwell, Memphis

Tantam (clinical professor of psychotherapy, Univ. of Sheffield, U.K.; honorary consultant psychiatrist & psychotherapist, Sheffield Care Trust) founded an Asperger's syndrome clinic in 1980 and has authored many articles and books on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In trying to answer the question posed in the title, the author looks at the importance of nonverbal communication, gaze, mutual gaze, shared attention, and how important they are to communication and what you are missing if you are not able to use these nonverbal forms of communication. Tantam discusses how nonverbal communication can shape social behavior and how in those with ASD their inability to interpret nonverbal signals can hamper their social skills. He shows that if those with ASD are made aware of these difficulties they can learn to compensate, which can lead to positive outcomes in their personal and work situations. Included are extensive notes and references for further reading. This scholarly tome best serves those interested in communication and those who are working with people with ASD.—Lisa M. Jordan, Johnson Cty. Lib., KS

Philosopher and motorcycle mechanic Crawford presents a fascinating, important analysis of the value of hard work and manufacturing. He reminds readers that in the 1990s vocational education (shop class) started to become a thing of the past as U.S. educators prepared students for the "knowledge revolution." Thus, an entire generation of American "thinkers" cannot, he says, do anything, and this is a threat to manufacturing, the fundamental backbone of economic development. Crawford makes real the experience of working with one's hands to make and fix things and the importance of skilled labor. His philosophical background is evident as he muses on how to live a pragmatic, concrete life in today's ever more abstract world and issues a clarion call for reviving trade and skill development classes in American preparatory schools. The result is inspired social criticism and deep personal exploration. Crawford's work will appeal to fans of Robert Pirsig's classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and should be required reading for all educational leaders. Highly recommended; Crawford's appreciation for various trades may intrigue readers with white collar jobs who wonder at the end of each day what they really accomplished.—Dale Farris, Groves, TX

This book should rightly have been called "Bangkok Nights," for Osborne (The Naked Tourist) provides a raunchy account of the nightlife and bars and bargirls of Thailand's capital. In particular, he delves into the lives of a motley band of aging, libertine Westerners (Farangs) living in his apartment complex and explores the city in their company. Their tragicomic lives are compelling, and Osborne provides some extraordinary anecdotes. For instance, when an illness takes the author to the Bumrungad Hospital, he finds that it is more like a five-star hotel than a hospital. Despite being confined, the author and a companion manage a visit to a girly bar with two IV drips in tow. What lifts this book beyond mere sleaziness is Osborne's prose. He uses language with great skill, and the sounds and smells of Bangkok are wonderfully evoked. Osborne's writing conveys a genuine love for the city and an appreciation of its ethos of easygoing tolerance. Recommended.—Ravi Shenoy, Naperville P.L., IL