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Library Tools

Subject Headings - LCSH & Sears

Library of Congress Subject Headings : Principles and Application

by Lois Mai Chan
"The standard guide to the Library of Congress subject headings, revised and updated to reflect changes and developments since the second edition of 1986. Part 1 gives a brief history of the system, analyzes its principles, and describes the vocabulary and subject authority control. Part 2 deals with the application of LC subject headings on LC MARC records. Part 3 discusses the future prospects of the system as an online retrieval tool. Includes 13 appendices and a glossary." Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
3rd edition, Hardcover, $55.00, ISBN 1563081954
Buy.
3rd edition, Paperback, $45.00 ISBN 1563081911 Buy.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

From Library of Congress
23rd edition, July 2000, Hardcover, $250.00 ISBN 9990322155 Order.

Free-Floating Subdivisions : An Alphabetical Index

by Library of Congress Catalog Division
8th edition, Paperback, $50.00 ISBN 9996596346 Buy.

Sears List of Subject Headings

by Minnie Earl Sears, Joseph Miller (Editor)
"A list of subject headings designed to serve small and medium-sized libraries by suggesting headings appropriate for use in their collections... The Sears List is intended for both adult and juvenile collections." Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
16th edition, Hardcover, $60.00 ISBN 0824209206 Buy.

LC Classification

Learn Library of Congress Classification

by Helena Dittmann and Jane Hardy
From the Library Basics series, No 1.
LC Classification is the letter/number system used by the Library of Congress, many US universities and at Macquarie University in Australia. JVB.
176 pages, Paperback, $29.50 ISBN: 0810836963 Buy.

Dewey (DDC)

Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index

21st Ed - 4 Vol Set
by Melvil Dewey, Joan S. Mitchell (Editor), Julianne Beall (Editor)
"Billedas the most popular classification in the world, the DDC 21 works hard to merit its preeminent status. The overarching philosophy of this edition, updated and revised from 1989's DDC 20, is user convenience. More understandable terminology and simpler subdivision practice will be appreciated by classifiers and patrons alike. New faceting makes many subject areas more flexible and expandable. Visible efforts to reduce U.S. bias in wording and structure are welcome. The most extensive revisions (other than updating for changed jurisdictions) occur in Religion, Public Administration, and Life Sciences. In an effort to lessen Christian bias, the standard subdivisions of Christianity have been relocated from 201-209 to Christianity (230-270). A new option puts Old Testaments books in the original Jewish order, and 296 Judaism and 297 Islam have been expanded. Numbers for Public Administration are the same (350-354), but the citation order is changed from jurisdiction/ topic to topic/jurisdiction and subdivision is faceted. The citation order in Biology (570s) also is flipped to process/organism for internal biological processes. Other changes include updated terminology and new topics (rap music, Internet, virtual reality, in-line skating, etc.). The CD-ROM version, Dewey for WindowsTM, has additional index terms and historical notes for changed numbers. If implemented properly, DDC 21 will make browsing more satisfying and classifying easier. Recommended..." Sheila S. Intner, GSLIS, Simmons Coll., Boston in Library Journal. Cahners Business Information, Inc.
July 1996, 21st edition, Hardcover, $325.00 ISBN 0910608504 Buy.

Dewey Decimal Classification : A Study Manual and Number Building Guide

by Mona L. Scott
21st edition, 198 pages, Hardcover, $47.50 ISBN 1563085984 Buy.

Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index

13th Edition by Melvil Dewey, Joan S. Mitchell
"The Dewey you can have when you can't affort the whole Dewey.This version of the Dewey Decimal Classification fits on your desk and in your budget. Abridged Edition 13 offers the up-to-date features of DDC 21 at a price small libraries can afford. Here's what you get in a single volume: * Major revisions of 350-354 public administration, 370 Education, 570 Life Sciences, 580 Plants, and 590 Animals * New table numbers for countries of the former Soviet Union * Updated terminology and new topics including virtual reality, Internet, rap music and in-line skating * Over 40 pages of additional index terms * Numbering compatible with DDC 21, so libraries can expand easily from the abridged to the full edition." A reader from Melbourne, Australia.
June 1997, 13th edition, 1023 pages, Hardcover, $90.00 ISBN 0910608598 Order.

Abridged 13 Workbook : For Small Libraries Using Dewey Decimal Classification

by Sydney W. Davis and Gregory R. New, based on the work of Melvil Dewey.
Abridged Edition 13, Paperback Spiral, $20.00 ISBN: 091060861X Order.

Summaries DDC 21 : Dewey Decimal Classification

by Joan S. Mitchell (Introduction)
December 1996, 21st edition, Paperback, $3.00 ISBN 0910608687 Buy.

Learn Dewey Decimal Classification

For Edition 21
by Mary Mortimer
"The current trend in cataloging courses is to emphasize theory with little or no practical experience given. However, it is important for professionals, paraprofessionals, and library students to at least have a working knowledge of cataloging basics. Both of these books cover the basic skills necessary to classify in either the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) [See above. JVB] or the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC). The chapters and exercises are clearly written and to the point, with the answers also included. Both workbooks should be used in sequence as each chapter builds on the lessons of the previous ones. Not every LCC schedule is used. Examples and exercises were chosen to reinforce the general principles that apply across all schedules. Recommended for professionals and paraprofessionals seeking professional development, students wanting to supplement their courses with practical applications, and library schools offering distance learning courses in cataloging." Susan Ketcham, Long Island Univ.-Southampton Coll. Lib., NY in Library Journal. Cahners Business Information, Inc.
This book covers the skills necessary for a classifier using Dewey Decimal Classification in a library or other information agency, whether at a professional or a paraprofessional level. It is equally suitable for use by librarianship students in universities and colleges, and others who are studying classification by themselves, either with a specific goal or as part of their continuing professional development. Since most collections are organized according to a library classification scheme, and Dewey Decimal Classification is widely used, especially in public and school libraries, it is important for all library students and most library staff to be familiar with at least the basics. Truly a "hands-on" guide, "Learn Dewey Decimal Classification" contains useful exercises to practice new skills and quizzes to test understanding. There are answers for self-checking at the back of the book.
About the Author: Mary Mortimer is a teacher, librarian, author, and publisher. She is a director of DocMatrix Pty Limited, and was coordinator of the Library Studies program at the Canberra Institute of Technology in Canberra, Australia.
160 pages, Paperback, $26.50 ISBN 0810836947 Buy.

Dewey for Windows Guide

Records, Searching, and Number Building
by Julianne Beall
Book to guide users of the computer software. JVB.
August 1998, Paperback, $35.00 ISBN 0910608652 Buy.

Adaptations of DDC in the Middle East

by Mahvashk Momeni and University of Illinois
From a series of Occasional Papers. Paperback, $2.50, ISBN: 9996642534 Order.

The Dewey Decimal System

by Allan Fowler
From the True Book series.
Reading level: Ages 4-8
With clour photographs, 48 pages, Paperback, $5.56 ISBN 0516261304 Buy.

The Dewey Decimal System

by Allan Fowler
From the True Book series.
Reading level: Ages 9-12
48 pages, School & Library Binding, $21.50 ISBN 0516201328 Buy.

Conversion Tables

Conversion Tables : LC-Dewey

by Mona L. Scott
"Scott (head of cataloguing, Bureau of Census Library, DC) has done us a great and long sought service. Entries are followed by the conversion, then by a description of the subject. Running headings in bold speed searching. Virtually every catalog department will cherish this splendid tool..." Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
Volume 1. 2nd edition, 258 pages, Paperback, $35.00 ISBN 1563088509 Buy.

Conversion Tables : Subject Headings, LC and Dewey

by Mona L. Scott
Volume 3, 2nd edition, 200 pages, Paperback, $35.00 ISBN 1563088495 Buy.

Cataloging Rules - AACR2 and USMARC

Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules

by Michael Gorman (Editor), Paul W. Winkler (Editor) and the Joint Steering committe
2nd Revised edition, 720 pages, Paperback, $68.75 ISBN 0838934854 Buy.
2nd Rev edition, 720 pages, Hardcover, $100.00 ISBN 0838934862 Check availability.

Cataloging With AACR2R and USMARC

For Books, Computer Files, Serials, Sound Recordings, Videorecordings.
by Deborah A. Fritz
"Fritz culls from AACR and the USMARC format to provide information about the application of subfielding and tagging for various areas of the cataloging record in relation to the appropriate AACR2 rule or rules and to offer guidance in dealing with particular situations. Each media format is accorded its own chapter, and the various formats are drawn together under the appropriate tag in the section arranged by tag numbers. LC rule interpretations and practices appear, as do OCLC conventions. This information is available elsewhere, but Fritz's effort is a handy source of quick answers." Edward Swanson, Booklist.
608 pages, Paperback - Loose leaf, $60.00 ISBN 0838907288 Buy.

The Concise AACR2

1998 Revision
by Michael Gorman
From ALA.
168 pages, Paperback, $32.00 ISBN 0838934943 Buy.

A Guide to the Concise AACR2 1988 Revision

A Programmed Introduction/Student Textbook
by Eric J. Hunter, Margaret E. Graham
Paperback, $43.95 ISBN 1856040887 Order.

Learn Descriptive Cataloging

by Mary Mortimer This book provides basic instruction in descriptive cataloging and the MARC bibliographic format in a library or other information agency, whether at a professional or a paraprofessional level. It is equally suitable for use by library students in universities and colleges, and others who are studying classification by themselves, either with a specific goal or as part of their continuing professional development. Since the bibliographic record is the foundation of all the tools used in a library, from catalog to bibliography to online database, it is important for all library staff to be familiar with at least the basics. Truly a "hands-on" guide, "Learn Descriptive Cataloging" contains useful exercises to practice new skills and quizzes to test understanding. There are answers for self-checking at the back of the book.
About the Author: Mary Mortimer is a teacher, librarian, author, and publisher. She is a director of DocMatrix Pty Limited, and was coordinator of the Library Studies program at the Canberra Institute of Technology in Canberra, Australia.
256 pages, Paperback, $35.00 ISBN 0810836939 Buy.

ALA Filing Rules

by American Library Association
50 pages, Paperback, $15.00 ISBN 083893255X Buy.

MARC Manual : Understanding and Using MARC Records

by Deborah J. Byrne
2nd edition, 263 pages, Paperback, $45.00 ISBN 1563081768 Order.

MARC Code List for Languages

February 2000, Hardcover, $20.00 ISBN 0844410128 Buy.

USMARC Code List for Geographic Areas

by Network Development, Marc Standards Office
June 1998, Paperback, $19.00 ISBN 084440960X Buy.

General texts

Cataloging and Classification: An Introduction

by Lois Mai Chan
Cataloging and Classification is also a name for the course that covers general principles of bibliography, cataloging, and indexing, that is required for students working toward degrees in Library/Information Science. Of the few texts available for the course, Lois Chan's Cataloging and Classification is the best because the author is the most widely known and respected authority in the field and the text contains complex, difficult information that is presented clearly and in an organized understandable manner, and provides exercises to reinforce the concepts.
"Cataloging. If you find yourself needing to learn how to catalog, this is the book to teach you! Dr. Chan walks you step-by-step through the cataloging processes. This book explains the steps of AACR2R2, MARC, Dewey, and LC. Not everyone can take one of Dr. Chan's cataloging classes in person, this book is second only to that." Alita A. Vogel from Cincinnati, OH, United States.
"Picture of what you 're doing really matters. I have been using this book for almost two semester because this is one of our primary reference in our cataloging subject. Our subject includes Descriptive Cataloging and Non-book materials cataloging. Everytime we are asked to do some cataloging, I always prefer to have read first this book before doing some cataloging exercises because this gives me clear picture of what really am I going to do. The examples are there, and the corresponding catalog entry are there sited clearly. I can't forget when we were given a problem to catalog the compact disc that we brought in our class, I don't know what to do with that CD, and then I went to our library that time, and borrowed this book, and there I found clear explanation of what was to be done first in cataloging that type of non-book material. When I've seen the example, I just compared it with our compact disc (music CD), and I gathered every little bit of information that are needed in my catalog entry. And at last, I've done my work. The book gives layman explanation, you can't find here straight rules, there's an explanation for every technical terms that the author used. The book covers not oonly descriptive cataloging, but also, non-book materials cataloging. The book is very down to earth, you will find yourself just as reading simple mathematics. When I read the book everytime we have an exerice I just always find myself looking for the significant information in the chief sources of information and just plugged it in my catalog entry and I'm finished as easy as that. This book in short doesn't just set the rules in cataloging, it gives understanding how every rules in cataloging are being used. Now I'm on my third year of my Library and Information Science degree, and still I'm using this book as my primary reference because this book really gives me picture of what I am doing." A reader from Manila, Philippines.
2nd edition, 544 pages, Hardcover, $74.95 ISBN 0070105065 Buy.

Library of Congress Online

by Robert S. Want (Editor)
2nd Spiral edition, Paperback, $9.95 ISBN 0942008979 Buy.

Elementary School Librarian's Survival Guide

Ready-To-Use Tips, Techniques, and Materials to Help You Save Time and Work in Virtually Every Aspect
by Barbara Farley Bannister, Janice B. Carlile, Kathy Baron (Illustrator)
224 pages, Paperback, $23.96 ISBN 0876282974 Buy.

The Internet Access Cookbook

A Librarian's Commonsense Guide to Low-Cost Connections
by Karen G. Schneider
From the Neal-Schuman Net-Guide series.
"Complex terminology is explained clearly by a user-friendly writing style...this book will help you get connected." Library Software Review.
"Contains practical advice on hardware and software requirements for library Internet access, assessing current equipment and purchasing new equipment, and finding and working with low-cost upgrades. Compares different types of Internet services, discusses selecting an Internet provider, and looks at software packages and sources. Includes a glossary and an annotated bibliography of books and periodicals for personal and library use, plus commercial Internet access providers, US and overseas free-nets, and mail-order services." Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
What do you do when you have just a little money to spend on Internet access for your library, school media center, or home, and lots of hopes for what the Net can do for your staff or clientele? Let the Internet's version of the Budget Gourmet help you find cost-effective entry-level solutions for dial-accessible Internet connections! The "recipes," written for both PC and Macintosh users, provide friendly advice about: hardware and software requirements; purchasing and upgrades; assessing your current equipment; comparing Internet services; finding and working with an Internet provider; software packages, and more. Liberally spiced with charts, tables, graphics, and checklists, The Internet Access Cookbook concludes with a current, annotated bibliography of some of the best Internet-related books and periodicals for personal and library use.
317 pages, Paperback, $35.00 ISBN 155570235X Buy.

Australian Books in Print 2001

Hardcover, $165.00 ISBN 1864520418 Buy.

The Reader's Catalog 2nd Edition

An annotated Listing of the 40,000 Best Books in Print in Over 300 Categories
by Geoffrey O'Brien (Editor)
There is no question that book lovers want books, buy books, and spend vast quantities of time and effort choosing books. The question is which books to get, and on which sources to rely. The updated second edition of The Reader's Catalog is the answer: it's divided into more than 320 categories to peruse, and there are indices by both title and author. With an annotated list of the 40,000 best books in print (as chosen by a distinguished group of writers, editors, academics, and critics), you need never pepper your friends and family for book recommendations again.
2nd ed., Paperback, $34.95 ISBN 0924322012 Buy.

The New York Public Library Science Desk Reference

by Patricia Barnes-Svarney
"Considering this volume is a mere 668 pages, it does a remarkable job of covering the major concepts and facts of biology, human anatomy, chemistry, physics, astronomy, Earth sciences, meteorology, environmental sciences, and engineering. Not surprising, as it was written by the New York Public Library staff who know what questions are most frequently asked by a knowledge-hungry public. The ultimate test of such a reference volume is scrutiny of areas with which one is intimately familiar, then reading up on areas about which one is woefully ignorant. This book passed both tests: The biology chapter was sound (though I wanted much more information about evolutionary principles), and the section on particle physics was informative. Even if you already have a collection of several thousand books covering most of the sciences (like myself), this is a handy reference. And if you're a student or want access to a lot of scientific knowledge in the smallest possible non-digital package, this resource is essential for those times when you simply can't get to the library." Amazon.
"Handy reference book for educational purposes..." Karen Sadler from Freedom, PA, USA.
758 pages, Hardcover, $27.96 ISBN 0028604032 Buy.

The New York Public Library African American Desk Reference

"This is exactly the type of reference book you'd expect from the New York Public Library--it is packed with tables, charts, timelines, and summaries devoted, in this case, to the African American experience. Chapters cover a variety of topics, including the saga of African American history, politics and civil rights, science and technology, the military and the media. African American Desk Reference opens with a timeline of African American history beginning in 1200 B.C. when, according to a number of scholars, black Africans from Egypt and Nubia sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and had extensive contact with native peoples of the Americas. The timeline spans 22 pages and ends in 1998 with a description of the President's Commission on Race, which looked at issues affecting African Americans, and BET's announcement that it would produce films for the African American market. As readers would expect, slavery is given much attention throughout the nearly 600 pages. And this is where the book's depth of information shines. Not only are slavery's origins, key players, and ultimate demise discussed, there are also tables showing the gender and age of captives taken from Africa between 1600 and 1800; a record comparing occupations in Charleston in 1848 among slaves, "free Negroes," and whites; and a chart of the nationality of ships engaged in the Atlantic slave trade from 1701 to 1800. Lighter topics are also covered, including summaries of the origins of major holidays, as well as the traditions behind family and wedding celebrations. A variety of recipes are also included (Onions, Okra, Corn and Tomatoes; Nola's Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese; Creole Red Beans and Rice), as are explanations of children's games, including the jump-rope contest Double Dutch and the clapping rhyme game Mary Mack. Notable achievements of African Americans are also addressed, including inventors and innovators, recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and winners of major literary prizes. True to its librarian roots, each chapter in the book ends with a list of sources where readers can find additional information. It's hard to imagine, though, that much is left uncovered in this extensive book." John Russell.
624 pages, Hardcover, $24.46 ISBN 0471239240 Buy.

The New York Public Library American History Desk

"The New York Public Library's fine volume on American history is both scholarly and easy to use. The history is divided into topical chapters ("Territorial Expansion," "Immigration and Minorities," Military History," and so on), wherein each subject is treated chronologically and comprehensively within its boundaries. "Indigenous Peoples," for example, covers their history from the last great ice age to the 1989 court case of Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians v. Holyfield, and is followed by an explanation of Indian religion and a short biography of Native Americans in American history. A variety of subjects get the same full treatment. This excellent reference book provides you with detailed and chronological views of religion and science, as well as a unique perspective on American culture." Amazon.
More than 1 million copies sold!
"Great for students. My son has just entered high school and loves this book. I has really helped him become more interested in school. He really likes the quick and easy synopis it provides." A reader from LA, CA.
640 pages, Hardcover, $27.96 ISBN 0028613228 Buy.

New York Public Library Business Desk Reference

"In this hefty single-volume reference, one of the world's most trusted public libraries dispenses business information on subjects ranging from sexual harassment in the workplace to methods of organizing files. Ever wonder if your sales letters are in the correct format, or where to find the small-business loan you need to expand operations? The New York Public Library Business Desk Reference answers these and thousands of other questions in its far-ranging pages..." Amazon.
512 pages, Paperback, $15.96 ISBN 0471328359 Buy.

I'll Be Home for Christmas

The Library of Congress Revisits the Spirit of Christmas During World War II

by Library of Congress, James H. Billington (Preface)
"In December 1943, Jill Oppenheim wrote to her husband, Alfred de Grazia, who was serving in the 5th Army overseas: ...I am cheerless in the exact proportions to which Bob Hope et al were full of holiday mirth. There is a peculiar psychology in missing someone you love--the pain becomes greatest during the times you deviate from the ordinary, & to most people, distasteful, routine of living--the Sundays, the feast days, the idle moments just before you go to bed.
For thousands of soldiers and their families, the Decembers during World War II were especially trying times. Far away from friends and family, the men and women serving overseas made do as best they could to celebrate, some decorating trees with C-ration cans or surgical gloves, some making up gifts for local children, and all hoping for packages from home. Those on the home front made do as well, dealing with travel restrictions and rationing--or, worse, the loss of friends and family. I'll Be Home for Christmas is a bittersweet look at how the holiday was celebrated during the dark Decembers of World War II. Taken from the archives of the Library of Congress, stories, correspondence, illustrations, diary excerpts, and photographs provide poignant glimpses of how America survived the war years. Even Grinches and Scrooges will be touched by a Christmas letter to his mother from Emit F. Logan, imprisoned in a Japanese POW camp; or a little boy's gift to thrice-wounded marine Edward Andrusko; or pictures of GIs in foxholes, grinning as they open their Christmas packages. A wonderful celebration of The Greatest Generation's spirit--and a wonderful look at an oft-forgotten side of World War II." Sunny Delaney.
America is ready to remember and honor the men and women who courageously served the nation during World War II. To celebrate those brave souls and their families, and the spirit that carried them through our nation's darkest days, the Library of Congress has created a magnificent gift book. Themed around memories of Christmas during the war, I'll Be Home for Christmas is a unique and handsomely packaged collection of poignant stories, correspondence, more than 100 photographs and illustrations,...
"I've waited over 50 years to tell this story. I am only one of the many contributors to this book. All of the stories of the Christmas's of WWII presented in this book are poignant, heart-warming and informative. So many suffered so much, and endured so much hardship, so that others could live in freedom! There are many enlightening tales here. As for mine, I've waited over 50 years to memorialize Freddie Zywicki and the crew of the PBM, as well of the crews of the TBMs. Every Christmas I relive the events of that day, December 5th, 1945..." The author, Bob Woerner.
About the Author: The Library of Congress is an institution whose collections are international in scope and is considered the nation's library.
210 pages, Hardcover, $16.80 ISBN:038533463X Buy.

America's Library: The Story of the Library of Congress, 1800-2000

by James Conaway, Edmund Morris (Introduction)
"The venerable Library of Congress, source of pride and source of perplexity for America's librarians, has reached its bicentennial. Since its inception in 1800 with the gift to the U.S. of Thomas Jefferson's personal book collection, the library's expansion has paralleled that of the nation it serves. Often opportunistic, driven by political as well as social and educational goals, the Library of Congress has grown on a vast, exuberant scale into the world's premier repository of the printed word. Conaway has chosen to organize his history of this institution around that tiny, hardy band of men and women who have used both political acumen and intellectual vision to build the library's collections and establish those services that make the LC library to both Congress and nation. Richly supplemented with photographs, this history reaches out to touch all who love libraries, not just professional scholars and librarians. Conaway's prose flows smoothly, avoiding jargon and placing the library's history in the context of the nation's development." Mark Knoblauch, American Library Association. Via Booklist.
"The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest cultural institution and a great repository of both intellectual and cultural treasures. This is the first popular illustrated history of the Library of Congress. It is more than an account of the careers of thirteen men (only one of whom was actually trained as a librarian), this is the story of discovering the great body of knowledge housed in the LOC and how it came to be there. Conaway has written a very accessible cultural history of the Library of Congress, complete with lively illustrations that begin to hint at the richness and diversity of collections available to the public. The LOC's amazingly wide-ranging collections (fire insurance maps, Cold War documents, folk music, Eames Collection of Design, Leonard Bernstein Archives, WPA/FPA photographs, the contents of Lincoln's pockets the night he was assassinated, etc.) are represented in the illustrations. The LOC is a favorite tourist attraction and reference (1 million visitors a year; the Library's website is visited by 1 million users a day)." May 2000, 256 pages, Hardcover $27.96 ISBN 0300083084 Buy.

The Civil War Library of Congress 2001 Calendar

Calendar, $12.55 ISBN: 0764911635 Buy.

Library Skills Book 1 : Using the Card Catalog

by Beck
Paperback $11.95 ISBN 0513170464 Buy.

Card Catalog Game

by Elsesser
Paperback, $1.95 + $3.35 special surcharge (= $5.30), ISBN 0513017089 Buy.

Requiem for the Card Catalog

Management Issues for Automated Cataloging
From the New Directions in Librarianship series, No. 2 by ACM Conference on Management Issues in Automated Cataloging.
"Requiem for the Card Catalog helps sort out the problems and possibilities inherent in applying modern technology to the heart of the traditional library. The essays collected in this volume treat every facet of automated cataloging."
Hardcover - 200 pages ISBN 0313206082 Check stock.

Authoritarian Fictions : The Ideological Novel As a Literary Genre

by Susan Rubin Suleiman
Political ideologies often informed early twentieth-century French novels, creating a hybrid genre that is both "realist" and didactic: the roman thse. In this ground-breaking and critically acclaimed work, Susan Suleiman looks beyond the politics of novels by such authors as Malraux, Mauriac, Sartre, and Aragon, and examines their shared formal and generic features. Although the genre itself is considered antimodern, the critical and interpretive problems it raises are central to an understanding of both realist and modernist writing. "The great virtue of [Suleiman's] book is its ability to synthesize a range of theoretical ideas--whether formalist, structuralist or "reader-response' in the service of a clear and compelling critical argument."--Christopher Norris, The London Review of Books. "This book is certainly one of the best examples of semiotic theory put to use for interpretation of literature and its relation to culture." Thas Morgan, Genre.
December 1992, 299 pages, Paperback, $20.95 ISBN 0691015368 Buy.

Experiment in Criticism

by C.S. Lewis
Defines a good book as one which can be read in a certain way, a bad book as one which can only be read in another. Compares good reading to love, moral action and intellectual achievement.
Hardcover, $59.95 ISBN 0521055539 Buy.

Myth, Allegory, and Gospel

An Interpretation of JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, GK Chesterton, Chas Williams
by John Warwick Montgomery
"The spiritual significance of myth via The Inklings writings. If you are a "fan" of the fantasy books by Tolkien, C.S.Lewis, Charles Williams or Chesterton, then this is a book worth reading. It is a collection of essays by various authorities in literature, myth and theology. A couple of the contributors were acquainted with either Tolkien or Lewis. The central thesis running through this collection of essays is that mythic symbols found in folk-tales and religious rituals, all express a common, fundamental human yearning for healing and a return to a "lost paradise". The essayists draw on insights from religious phenomenology, Jungian analysis, Christian theology and literary interpretation to tease out the potent mythic symbols found in the writings of Tolkien, Lewis, Chesterton and Williams. Lewis, Williams and Tolkien were associated with one another as drinking partners in an informal literary club known as The Inklings. The essayists "test" their thesis about the power of myth to reveal our search for meaning through the novels of the Inklings. The essayists take us a step further to consider the Christian world-view that informed and shaped the writings of Tolkien, Lewis, Williams and Chesterton. Although a couple of the essays are slightly "dated", any one interested in fantasy literature would find the thesis very absorbing. It should be useful not merely to students of english literature but also to the general reader who might like to know more about the backdrop to The Lord of the Rings, Narnia, etc. Certainly a book to add to your list for reading if you enjoyed the novels!" A reader from Sydney, Australia.
Paperback, $11.70 ISBN 0871233584 Order.

Christian Mythmakers

C. S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J. R. R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, G. K. Chesterton, Charles Williams, John Bunyan, Walter wan
by Rolland Hein with a foreword by Clyde S. Kilby.
"If you enjoy these authors, this book is a must read! I had the privilege of taking courses under Dr Hein in the early 90's at Wheaton. He is a very knowledgeable teacher and has great affection for the people he is writing about in this book. If you have any interest in these authors, this book is a must read. I wasn't aware that he had written this book when I came across it looking for books on George MacDonald and C.S. Lewis. As an Economics major, I somehow ended up taking four Lit. classes from Dr Hein because he is such a good instructor and passionate about his subject matter. Patrick O Watson from Columbus, Ohio.
"Good overview of ideas of the writers. Christian Mythmakers is a good overview of some of the thoughts and ideas of various Christian fantasy writers. While the chapter on John Bunyan is basically little more than a summary of Pilgrim's Progress, the rest of the book is interesting and thought provoking. The chapter on Charles Williams is a "must read" for anyone interested in or confused by Williams' work." A reader from Peoria, IL.
260 pages, Paperback, $12.55 ISBN 0940895315 Buy.

Now Read on

by Mandy Hicken and Ray Prytherch
"A guide for librarians and booksellers who are often asked by clients for other popular fiction by their favorite author (especially under a different name in a different genre) or books similar to the ones they like. Within sections of genres, such as historical, macabre, and science fiction, provides a biographical profile of authors, a description of their writing style, the relevant titles they have published, and (new to the third edition) a list of similar authors. All authors write in English; most are British and are still writing. Updated for the second time in four years, and projected to be updated periodically. Indexed by author and recurring characters. Distributed by Ashgate." Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
"For library patrons who thrive on fiction, the search for new (to them) books and authors will never end, or so it seems. Similar to the avid reader looking for another good novel is the librarian hoping to find another good reference source for locating the same. Now Read On makes a contribution to this effort, joining such ongoing publications as H. W. Wilson's Fiction Catalog, Gale's What Do I Read Next?, Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests in Genre Fiction, Olderr's Fiction Index, and many other guides to fiction. This book offers a British viewpoint, and although many of the authors are American novelists popular in Britain, it may introduce the average American patron to quite a few new writers. Author Hicken is a librarian, Prytherch, an information management consultant. As was the first edition published four years ago, this is "a guide to the work of popular contemporary authors who write in a specific genre." Westerns and light romance are not covered, although gothic romances are. Of the 20 genres listed, some interesting ones are country life, foreign locations, humorous novels, "perceptive" women's novels, sea stories, and war stories. Mysteries are represented by the categories of detective stories, police work, thrillers, and women detectives. The section on each genre begins with a description of its characteristics, a brief history, and the leading writers identified with it. A short biography is given for each author, including place of birth, education, field of endeavor, places of residence, and honors and prizes. Next is a list of books with British publishers and publication dates, sorted by series, where applicable. The entry finishes with "now read" suggestions for similar authors. In the adventure genre, the entry for Desmond Bagley ends, "Now read Hammond Innes, Geoffrey Jenkins, Alistair MacLean, Duncan Kyle, Ken Follett, Wilbur Smith, Bob Langley." A list of literary prizes and awards, an index of authors, and an index of series and recurring characters complete the book. Making no claims to be exhaustive, this is nevertheless a solid work, giving access to many authors and titles of worthy novels, presented in a useful and interesting way. Patrons should enjoy using it and may come to rely on it. The short biographies of authors will be popular also. Library staff members doing book selection may find some authors to add to their collections. Recommended for public libraries." Booklist.
"A Guide to Contemporary Popular Fiction", 2nd Revised Edition, Hardcover, $64.95 ISBN 1859280080 Order,
"A guide to literature by genre", Second Revised edition, Hardcover, ISBN: 0566036398 Request a quote.

The Statesman's Yearbook 2002 : The Politics, Cultures, and Economies of the World

by Barry Turner (Editor)
"A wealth of vital information in an easy-to-use format...." American Reference Books Annual.
Published continually since 1863, The Statesman's Yearbook has uniquely documented the changes of the world during its most turbulent century. Its relevance to the political and business world is as central today as it was when it was first published. To face the challenge of reporting a new century, new features include: specifically commissioned essays from major political and academic figures focusing on topical issues and countries; a foldout color section that provides a political world map for quick and easy reference and a flag illustration for the 192 countries of the world; the international organizations section has been extended and offers highly detailed account of every important international association. Each country's key historical events section has been expanded and made more comprehensive. An international economic relations section includes a ranking of all major trading partners.
About the Author: Barry Turner succeeds Brian Hunter as only the seventh editor in The Statesman's Yearbook history. He has a Ph.D. in political theory and has been a full time writer for 20 years.
Hardcover, $140.00 ISBN 0333945735 Buy.

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More Reference

The New Oxford Book of Food Plants

by B. E. Nicholson (Illustrator), Catherine Geissler, John G. Vaughan, Elizabeth Dowle (Illustrator) "Not enough tables of contents are enhanced by drawings of nuts, herbs, and root vegetables, but the table of contents in The New Oxford Book of Food Plants is, setting the tone for a book that clearly delights in the glories of the world's bounty. Each chapter, including grain crops and fruits, spices and seaweed, legumes and mushrooms among its 19 topics, is a cornucopia of information and beautiful, educational illustrations. Take the chapter on oil crops, for example. Covering olives, sesame, peanuts, soy beans, sunflowers, and the rape plant, the prose describes where they grow and what the fruits look like, what kind of oil is produced and what it's used for, how it's made and how else the fruits may be used. Color drawings of the plants and their fruits are on the facing page. Put together by writers who respect each plant and give them the attention and detail that spell quality, this is a beautiful book and a charming resource." Stephanie Gold.
The New Oxford Book of Food Plants is the most comprehensive--and most appealing--reference book available on the many edible plants we grow in our gardens, buy in our shops, and eat with great relish. A true cornucopia, this reference overflows with information and is packed with full-color, hand-painted illustrations of the world's food plants. Here, readers will find a feast of facts about cereals, sugar crops, oil seeds, nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, sea-weeds, mushrooms, wild food plants, and much more besides. Entries typically discuss the source and history of a plant, how it is prepared for market, and how it is used as food. And in addition to covering everything from beverage crops to tropical root crops, the editor has included a glossary of botanical terms, a section on nutrition and health, nutrition tables, a list of recommended readings, and an index. With marvelous hand-painted illustrations and a wealth of nutritional, historical, and other information, The New Oxford Book of Food Plants belongs on the shelf of everyone who loves to garden, to cook, and to eat healthily."
"A true cornucopia, The New Oxford Book Of Food Plants overflows with information and is packed with beautiful, hand-painted illustrations of the world's food plants. Readers will discover a feast of facts about cereals, sugar crops, oil seeds, nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, seaweeds, mushrooms, wild food plants, and much more. 100 color illustrations."
"Excellent for learning about food plants from all over. This book is great for learning to identify food plants from all over the world. The illustrations are realistic and each plant is described. I use it to help my 4-H horticulture judging team prepare for the national judging contest. The plants and illustrations in this new edition are the same as in the original book, however the 1998 edition has an excellent section on phytonutrients." A reader from Lincoln, NE.
"Great gift, reference, and coffee table book. The original edition of this book was out of print for some years and it is delightful to see it out again, and expanded no less. It combines 2 great virtues: highly readable and informative text with illustrations of a quality that are "suitable for framing." It is a great book for anyone who takes an interest in botany, cooking, or gardening and you couldn't go wrong giving it as a gift to one of these types. It's also great for reference. If you're getting it as a gift I suggest ordering 2, because you'll want one for yourself when you see it." Orin Hargraves from Westminster, MD, USA.
2nd Edition, 256 pages, Hardcover, $45.00 ISBN 0198548257
Buy,
264 pages, Paperback, $20.00 ISBN 0198505671 Buy.

The Oxford Companion to Food

by Alan Davidson and Soun Vannithone (Illustrator)
"Alan Davidson's Oxford Companion to Food has been over 20 years in the assembling, but here it is; and it is superlatively worth the wait. In fact, superlatives fall silent. A huge and authoritative dictionary of 2,650 entries on just about every conceivable foodstuff, seasoning, cuisine, cooking method, historical survey, significant personage, and explication of myth, it is supplemented by some 40 longer articles on key items. Davidson himself (no relation to this reviewer) contributes approximately 80 percent of the 2,650 entries, thereby guaranteeing high levels of erudition, readability, and deadpan feline wit. Since this is a monument intended to last, nothing so frivolous as a recipe is included. A decision taken early in the development of the project to abjure issues whose significance is largely topical has also ensured an agreeable high-mindedness--nothing on those crucial but essentially dreary topics of BSE and GM foods, for example. If a fault could be found, it would only be that it's often difficult to read to the end of an entry, as the abundant cross-referencing all too easily sends one off to another entry, thence bouncing off to another, and all too soon the original is forgotten. A random alphabet of seductions might include: Aardvark, Botulism, Cup Cake, David (Elizabeth), Enzymes, Fat-Tailed Sheep, Gender/Sex and Food, Hallucinogenic Mushrooms, Ice Cream Sundae, Jewish Dietary Laws, Kangaroos, Lobscouse, Microwave Cooking, Norway, Offal, Puffin, Queen of Puddings, Roti, Scurvy, Termite Heap Mushroom (or Taillevant), Umeboshi, Vegetarianism, Washing up (a very elegant little article), sadly no X, Yin-yang, and Zabaglione. As this might show, Alan Davidson's aim, borrowed from Dumas's great Grand Dictionnaire de Cuisine, that his work would appeal not only to persons of "serious character" but also those "of a much lighter disposition," is utterly fulfilled." Robin Davidson, Amazon.co.uk.
"In scope and ambition, this guide to the history and use of food is a work of scholarship comparable tothe original edition of the "Dictionary of National Biography"....Some day the field of food history or culinary history or gastronomy or foodways, or whatever it may be called, will achieve full academic status and respectability. This will be largely thanks to Mr. Davidson's labors and "The Oxford Companion to Food." And thanks to him, too, it need never be a dull subject." Paul Levy, Wall Street Journal, November 12, 1999.
"A Compendium that surpasses all that come before. This fascinating reference is a truly a labor of love. Clearly Davidson has an unabiding interest in food, and quite a library of his own. He freely quotes other authorities lending great credibility to his text, and saving you some shelf space, because all you will need is this! If you are a "food geek," don't miss this great book." A reader from Charlottesville, VA, USA.
"Great for fans (?) of British cooking. A wonderful book but overly Anglo- (and Gallo-) centric. Many more diverse (and some not-so-diverse, like tacos) ethnic foods are overlooked by the author, an older British upper-crusty type..." A reader from Cambridge, MA, USA.
"Go to (Taco) Bell! SEE PREVIOUS REVIEW If you look up 'Taco' in the index (try the back of the book), you will be guided to look under 'Tortilla' where you will find the following entry - "A taco, in Mexico is a fresh tortilla rolled around mashed beans, shredded meat and sauce. It can be lightly fried after filling, and is eaten as a snack or appetiser. In the TEX-MEX cuisine of the USA, a taco denotes a tortilla bent in half, deep fried to give a U shape, and filled with minced beef, shredded lettuce, and grated cheese." - Pretty comprehensive I would say. But frankly, if it's 'Taco' you want to look up, then this is not really the book for you. However, if you need to know about Mamee or Mangosteen or Megapode or Merguez or even Mediaeval Cuisine, just to mention some Ms, then buy the book and buy it quick. It's a great book and of interest to - well not quite every one, but any one who likes and knows about food, which may well include some "older British upper-crusty types"!" Not a Anglo-(or Franco-)phile but from Port of Spain Trinidad & Tobago.
"Everything you may possibly want to know about food. The best part is that it doesn't have recepies; the author almost boasts for keeping them out. Planning a visit to some remote country and want to know what and how they eat before you start your trip? Read the relevant entry and you are home. Many more... just buy it." Candan Baysan from Ankara, Turkey.
892 pages, Hardcover, $48.00 ISBN 0192115790 Buy.

Abraham Lincoln's DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics

by Philip R. Reilly
"Twenty-four true, wide-ranging tales of crime, history, human behavior, illness, and ethics, told from the personal perspective of the author, an eminent physician-lawyer who uses these stories to illustrate the principles of human genetics and to discuss the broader issues."
Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
358 pages, Hardcover, $25.00 ISBN 0879695803 Buy.

One Good Turn

A Natural History of the Screwdriver and the Screw
by Witold Rybczynski
"In 1999, an editor of the New York Times Magazine approached Witold Rybczynski, the well-known student of architecture and urban design, and asked him to write a short essay on the best and most useful common tool of the past millennium. Rybczynski took the assignment, but when he began to look into the history of the items in his workshop--hammers and saws, levels and planes--he found that almost all of them had pedigrees that extended well into antiquity. Nearly ready to admit defeat, he asked his wife for ideas. Her answer was inspired: "You always need a screwdriver for something." True enough. And, Rybczynski discovered, the screwdriver is a relative newcomer in humankind's arsenal of gadgetry, an invention of the late European Middle Ages and the only major mechanical device that the Chinese did not independently invent. Leonardo da Vinci got to it early on, of course, as he did so many other things, designing a number of screw-cutting machines with interchangeable gears. Still, it took generations for the screw (and with it the screwdriver and lathe) to come into general use, and it was not until the modern era that such improvements as slotted and socket screws came into being. Rybczynski's explorations into that lineage, here expanded to book length, are highly entertaining, and sure to engage readers interested in the origins of everyday things." Gregory McNamee.
"Rybczynski, a professor of urbanism at the University of Pennsylvania, has written best-selling books on such subjects as domestic comfort, building his own home and Frederick Law Olmsted. He felt a bit let down when the Sunday magazine of the New York Times asked him to write an article about "the best tool" of the second millennium. But he is good with tools and interested in them, and so he took on the assignment. Many tools, he soon found, predate the second millennium. Consulting William Louis Goodman's History of Woodworking Tools, published in 1964, he read somewhat disbelievingly that the screwdriver did not appear until the 19th century. That set him off on a search for earlier references to this "laughably simple tool." The result is this splendid account of a number of tools, of the evolution of the screw and finally of his discovery that the "turnscrew" is indeed much older than Goodman thought. His search led him eventually to the 15th-century Medieval Housebook, where he found a drawing of a screw-turning lathe with a puzzling tool resembling a chisel lying on a workbench. "One day, while I am puzzling over the drawing again, I realize that the blunt end [of the tool] is exactly the same size as the slot in the head of the cutter. Of course. It's not a chisel, it's used to adjust the cutter. It's a screwdriver. Eureka! I've found it. The first screwdriver."." Editors Of Scientific American.
As much as Frederick Law Olmstead, the hero of Rybczynski's acclaimed previous effort (A Clearing in the Distance, 1999), changed the face of America, the subject of his new study has changed the world. As the year 2000 approached, Rybczynski was asked to write a short essay on the "best tool" of the millennium for the New York Times Magazine. This assignment sent him off in search of a worthy topic: his first choices turned out to be much more ancient than he had expected, and, after considerable digging, he found himself writing about the screwdriver. Although the screw is much older, the tool with which we usually manipulate it seems to date back to the medieval period. Having ascertained this fact to his satisfaction, the author begins an ambling, rambling discussion of the evolution of this seemingly common household implement. Rybczynski digresses into some amusing and even fascinating sidings in the course of this journey. There is a wonderful mini-biography of Henry Chapman Mercer (a prominent historian of American tools who was also the avatar of the American wing of the Arts and Crafts Movement) and splendid thumbnail sketches of Peter L. Robertson and Henry F. Phillips (who competed to develop a screw and screwdriver that would be more reliable than the simple slotted screw-and, yes, Phillips is the man who gave his name to the cruciform screw and driver we all know). Perhaps the most striking chapter is devoted primarily to the story of Henry Maudslay, a British mechanical genius whose many innovations include the regulating screw and the screw-cutting lathe. At its heart, though, the central thesis is that men like Maudslay and Mercer possess the same kind of intuitive spark as great artists do-a thesis that this book convincingly illustrates.Charming, witty, and, despite its seemingly desultory structure, quite cunningly thought-out. Kirkus Associates, LP.
"The seeds of Witold Rybczynski's elegant and illuminating new book were sown by The New York Times, whose editors asked him to write an essay identifying "the best tool of the millennium." The award-winning author of Home: A Short History of an Idea and, most recently, A Clearing in the Distance: Frederick Law Olmsted and America in the Nineteenth Century, Rybczynski once built a house using only hand tools. His intimate knowledge of the toolbox -- both its contents and its history -- serves him beautifully on his quest. One Good Turn is a story starring Archimedes, who invented the water screw and introduced the helix, and Leonardo, who sketched a machine for carving wood screws. It is a story of mechanical discovery and genius that takes readers from Ancient Greece to Victorian Glasgow, from weapons design in the Italian Renaissance to car design in the age of American industry. Rybczynski writes an ode to the screw, without which there would be no telescope, no microscope -- in short, no enlightenment science. The screwdriver, perhaps the last hand tool in a world gone cyber, represents nothing less than the triumph of precision. One of our finest cultural and architectural historians, Rybczynski renders a graceful, original, and engaging portrait of the tool that changed the course of civilization."
"Where to find a definition. Great book. Enjoyed it immensely and appreciate the author's diligence in searching out his sources. He admits being unable to find a definition for "turnscrew" in any dictionary. Here is one for him (I hope he sees this.) Webster's New International Dictionary, 2d Edition Unabridged defines "turnscrew" as follows - A device to turn a screw: a screw driver or wrench." Stanley B. Dickes from Sun City West, AZ, USA.
"A Small Perfection. This book is a delight. It has to do, in part, with screws and screwdrivers, not very exciting or even interesting themes on the face of it; but there is much more to this slender volume than just that. The genesis of the book was an assignment from an editor at the New York Times to write an article about the best tool of the millennium. Eyeglasses were, in Mr. Ribczynski's estimation, the most important tool of the period; but the editor was not interested in appliances or technological innovation, but in simple tools: the things one holds in one's hand to do, say, carpentry. Thus came the notion to the author (prompted by his wife) to consider the screwdriver and the screw as the premier tools of the millennium. The printing press, the wine presses, lathes, water elevators, on and on the parade of practical helixes related to the screw (both in the last and previous millennia) is displayed in this little book. Well planned, extremely precise (as the screw itself should be), scholarly, and containing many explanatory line drawings, the book is a joy. I think that Henry Petroski's book "The Pencil" opened the door to this kind of writing: a commonplace, relatively insignificant object is brought under microscopic scrutiny as to its history and evolution; what emerges is a magnified picture of not only the object itself, but of mankind in its eternal struggle for small perfections. This book, in its own way, is one of these small perfections." Fermed from San Diego, California, USA.
"One Good Turn Deserves to be read. Let's get the main question out of the way: Can an entire book devoted to the history of the screw and scredriver possibly be worth reading? The answer is an unqualified yes. This small book takes an unusual, almost reverential, look at the the nature of tools and the mind of the inventor and innovator. Rybczynski recounts his research into the origins of this ubiquitous tool, so it is also a tale of the research process. He tells the story in a casual, personal style, making it an easy read. The book is not tightly focused on its subject, filled with many digressions and asides which are as interesting as the main narrative. One of my favorites concerns the invention of the the shirt button. It seems like the epitome of simplicity, and could have been made thousands of years ago, yet it took until the 1300's for some unknown genius to make the "leap of imagination" and conceive of the device, which seems simple but is not at all intuitive. The author asks the reader to imagine trying to explain the the "twist and flip" motion to some one who has never used one. Its nuggets like this, which make the reader look at common items from an entirely different perspective, that makes the book shine. It turns out that one of the first uses of the screw dates back to the Middle Ages, as a method of fastening the the brutally abused armor of jousting knights, and later to secure the matchlock mechanisms of the earliest firearms. However, in exploring the concept of the helix, the basis of the screw, the author reaches much further back in time, to the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, who undestood the shape and put it to use in irrigation and wine pressess. My only peeve is that although the book is loaded with temporal dates, I still found them lacking in certain places where they were sorely needed to put events in perspective. Aside from that minor short-coming, this is a book about much more than just the screw and screwdriver, full of pleasant suprises and delightfull "twists". A must read." Walter J. Maslowski from Staten Island, NY.
"Screw Up Your Courage and Dive into Screwdrivers! Although I had no interest in screwdrivers and screws when I started this book, the text provided a pleasant reading experience and I learned more than I thought I would. All in all, it was well worth the time spent. I think you will feel that way too, unless you have no interest at all in mechanical devices and the process of innovation. My favorite parts related to the innovations. This book is composed of equal parts (1) why the author chose the screwdriver as the tool of the millennium for his article in the Sunday New York Times Magazine (2) where you have to go to find out about screwdrivers from the past (3) how he developed the information for this history of the screwdriver and screws and (4) the geniuses who developed the key advances in the technology of these useful devices. The style is a bit rambling, much like what would happen if you were chatting about the subject over a barbecue in the back yard with plenty of time on your hands. I can assure you this must be the most complete and authoritative book about screwdrivers and screws ever, especially since the author points out the virtual absence of any prior material turning up in his research. Let me summarize the key areas. He picked the screwdriver as the tool of the millennium not because he thought of it, but because his wife told him that it was the one tool that she always kept around. After having gone through his own tool kit, he had not even thought of the screwdriver.
The first place where much shows up on the screwdriver in older texts is Diderot's Encyclopedia. In those days screwdrivers were called turnscrews.
To get a flavor of the screwdriver in the middle ages, when it seems to have appeared, you have to look into armor and early guns.
The screw goes back much further, showing up in useful form for Archimedes in Greek times as a way to raise water.
Screws later played many other important roles, especially in presses (including, of course, printing presses).
Lathes turned out (pun intended) to be an important related technology for making screws precise and consistent.
I learned about some interesting related technologies, including Greek mechanical devices with gears for calculating the orbits of heavenly bodies.
Then, we finally get down to gears and the development of improved lathes and the Robertson and Phillips screw heads. He prefers the Robertson (which I had never heard of before) which uses a socket top to screw in and remove screws.
At the end is a nice set of illustrations along with a glossary of tools.
This book is probably going to be a classic Father's Day gift for decades, along with a Robertsonscrewdriver, socket set, and screws.
Overcome your misconception that you know all you need to know about screwdrivers. You'll be pleasantly surprised by this gentle and unassuming book.
When you are done, pick something else you think you probably know enough about and search around to find a good book on that topic as well to expand your own knowledge further. Keep doing that, and some wonderful learning awaits you!" Donald Wayne Mitchell a co-author of The Irresistible Growth Enterprise and The 2,000 Percent Solution from Boston.
176 pages, Hardcover, $17.60 ISBN 068486729X Buy.

Electronics Terminology

A concise Dictionary
by Informatik Rezurch
Electronics Terminology: A Concise Dictionary consists of two sections, acronyms and glossary, featuring electronics, packaging and production, computer, and semiconductor terms and definitions which are current and straight-to-the-point. Many acronyms and definitions are cross-referenced for complete coverage. Its shirt-pocket size makes it a handy quick-reference source for engineers and technicians on the move.
"A portable abridgement of everchanging technical terms. Informatik Rezurch (what an intriguing name!!!) offers this wonderful and useful dictionary to all high tech business folks who are constantly on the go. This book captures all major electronic terminologies and hard-to-decode acronyms in one easy-to-lookup collection. It has repeatedly rescued me from embarassing myself before going into technology-oriented meetings. For anyone who is in the market for a handy-techy reference book, I say this one is it!" A reader from San Jose, CA.
96 pages, Paperback, $7.95 ISBN 0750697512 Buy.

The Illustrated Dictionary of Electronics

by Edited by Stan Gibilisco
"In this new edition of an everything you always wanted to know about electronics reference by a technical writer, readers can refer to the A-Z definitions ("zwitterion" is the last entry), acronyms, illustrations, schematic symbols, and electrical system conversion tables relating to the core basics of this field <--> plus terminology denoting the latest technological developments (e.g. in fiber optic communications, digital electronics, and lasers). A short listing of "suggested additional reading and reference" is the closest approximation of a bibliography." Book News, Inc.
No comparable reference offers as many easy-to-read definitions, abbreviations, acronyms, illustrations, schematics, diagrams, and conversion tables in electronics as this updated dictionary. Over 27,500 definitions and 1,000 illustrations including many new ones from robotics, artificial intelligence, and personal computing. You'll find coverage of the latest terms in lasers, TV, radio, IC technology, digital and analog electronics, audio and video, power supplies, fiber optic communications, and more. "... highly recommended..." American Reference Books Annual (on a previous edition).
"Clear and concise definitions of all terms. This is the best electronics dictionary I've ever run across. All of the definitions are clear and concise. There are many cross-references to other similar topics. Students and technicians will find this dictionary especially suited to their needs." A reader from Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
"Concise and complete. I use it almost every day. This book is the most straightforward and comprehensive electronics dictionary I have found. The illustrations are simple, and are easy to interpret. I think some terms have illustrations when they aren't needed. I really appreciate the fact that the mathematics is not too complicated." A reader from California.
7th edition, 788 pages, Paperback, $31.96 ISBN 0070241864 Buy.

Agents of Mayhem

by Bill O'Brien
A fascinating and chilling account of nine cases of mass murder from around the world. It examines the profiles of more recent killers, such as Klebold and Harris who killed 13 at Columbine High School in 1999. As the incidence of mass murder increases, what can be done to identify potential killers and prevent future tragedies?
About the Author: New Zealand-based Bill O'Brien worked as a police officer for over 35 years. He has been involved in numerous murder investigations and has an interest in and deep knowledge of the effects of murder. He studied criminology at Victoria University in Wellington, and criminal law at Auckland University, New Zealand.
2000, Paperback, $19.95 + $1.99 ISBN 0734401647 Buy.

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Books for writers

Firstly books for scientific and other report writers, then some for fiction writers.

Preparing Scientific Illustrations : A Guide to Better Posters, Presentations, and Publications

by Mary Helen Briscoe
"Use this Book to Improve Your GQ!* *(Graphics Quotient)
Every graduate student, postdoc and scientist knows that images and illustrations can make or break their lecture, poster presentation, and journal or book article. Graphics software and laser printers have placed professional-quality graphics within the reach of everyone. But in the end, whether your audience sees clear, understandable images or a 300 dpi mess depends on whether you've followed the principles presented by Mary Helen Briscoe in this book. Learn the strengths and weaknesses of different forms of visual presentations. Understand when to use a figure, and how much information can be represented in one. See examples of bad, good, and better graphs and tables. Focus on your audience, to learn that a figure prepared for an article may not be ideal for a slide or an overhead. The author also presents information on presenting DNA sequences, protein structures, and other molecular graphics."
From reviews of the first edition: "The emphasis is on the nuts and bolts of how figures are printed and how knowledge of these processes can be applied by authors when preparing figures to ensure optimal reproduction in a book or journal...every graduate student would benefit from studying [this book]." Trends in Biochemical Sciences.
"Mary Helen Briscoe has done every speaker, conference goer, and publisher a tremendous service by providing this readable manual on how to visually present scientific information. This book should be on the shelf of every educator, researcher, lab, and library. It should also be required reading for any new scientist giving a paper, presenting a poster, or submitting an article." Journal of Chemical Information and Computer Science.
"Second edition of a concise handbook for scientists on how to create clear, effective, and attractive illustrations for lectures, posters, and journal or book articles. 1990 edition entitled Researcher's Guide to Scientific and Medical Illustrations." 2nd edition, 204 pages, Paperback, $32.95 ISBN 0387945814
Buy.

Communicating in Science : Writing a Scientific Paper and Speaking at Scientific Meetings

by Vernon Booth
"Writing scientific papers and giving talks at meetings and conferences are essential parts of research scientists' work. Geared to scientific disciplines, this short succinct book will help them to present their results more effectively."
"Vernon Booth: a classic in scientific writing. This book is by one of the first authors to recognise that communication skills are important in science, and that they are a craft that has rules and principles that any student can learn relatively easily. It deserves to be treated as a classic, and should be compulsory reading for any student of the life sciences.
I can recall reading it with much interest during my PhD in the 1980's, when it was about the only work available in this field, and various biochemical societies in the UK made it available to students. Much of the advice on straightforward communication style is still extremely valid today. In the later 80's and 90's, the field of writing skills took off, and now most University bookshops have several shelves of books on writing skills and how to write a thesis. Booth's book is short, direct, and the advice is very practical. Read it!" Mike Brisco from Flinders University, Australia.
2nd edition, 78 pages, Paperback, $14.95 ISBN 0521429153 Buy.

Scientific Papers and Presentations

by Martha Davis and Gloria Fry (Illustrator)
"A text for a course or seminar, or a tutorial and reference for individual use. Offers practical advice and instruction on writing first drafts, reviewing and revising, communicating, stylistic principles, table and figures, ethical and legal issues, dealing with lay audiences, and other aspects of presenting scientific information in written or oral form. The bibliography is substantially annotated." Book News Inc., Portland, OR.
"Synopsis Communication skills are among the qualities most prized by those who hire and promote scientists. This resource provides a concise guide to writing what must be written: proposals, literary reviews, theses, journal articles, slide presentations, posters, or grants. The author also discusses conventions in writing proofreading and copywriting." "Inspiring reading. A very inspiring and reminding book for people writing scientific papers.All the figures and citats makes it so funny to read. You don´t have to be in the department of agronomy to get a good idea for your paper from this book. After reading I just longed for continuing my writing field with new ideas and it´s frontpage is so coulorful so for me it´s not only a book but also a piece of art." A reader from Upplands-Väsby, Stockholm, Sweden.
320 pages, Paperback, $24.95 ISBN 0122063708 Buy.

How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper

by Robert A. Day (Editor)
"a valuable information source for everybody working in natural sciences...this is one of the best books on writing and publishing in science: buy it!" Photosynthetics, 1999 "Scientific Writing Made Easier. Each edition of this witty and practical guide to writing, organizing, illustrating, and submitting scientific research for publication in a scholarly scientific journal has become an instant bestseller. The fifth edition has been revised extensively to reflect the significant impact of the Internet and other electronic resources on the writing and publishing of scientific papers. Five new chapters on this subject have been added. The book's appendixes include guides to using abbreviations, common errors in style and spelling, words and expression to avoid, prefixes and suffixes, and a glossary of technical terms. A new appendix features sample submission requirements to an electronic journal." The publisher, Oryx Press.
"Must-have reference! I read the 4th edition, but I assume this 5th edition is even better, if that were possible! My copy sits among the dictionary, the thesaurus, and the scientific style guide. Written with humor, this amazing how-to book breaks down all of the components of writing any scientific product, be it thesis or manuscript, and gives practical instructions on what to include and what to avoid. I especially enjoyed the grammar sections, with its real-world examples, such as "lying on top of the intestines, you will perhaps make out a small transparent thread," which is a somewhat gooey spot for observation... I refer to this book every time I write, and find new advice to keep me on track--and published!" A reader from Michigan.
"The ultimate guide for scientists who want share ideas. I was acquainted with Robert Day's How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper during my post graduate years. Only the fourth edition was available then. I have since continually recommended it to all people in my scientific circles. Now that I am involved in helping budding scientists take their first steps in research, I use Day's book as my bible. Most of the undergraduate students that have come by me have been exposed to this handy reference, and I believe that through Day's book third world science can actually level up to our first world counterparts." A reader from Philippines.
"One of the best!! As I am preparing for Ph.D. research in law, I thought I bought this book by mistake, for the title contained the word "Scientific"! It turned out to be one of the best readings I did on academic research (and believe me; I did many). A very good book with a direct approach towards the 'techniques' of writing for publication. Although it is addressing scientists, most of the tips are suitable for researchers in other disciplines, even humanities. The writer succeeded in the difficult formula: original ideas + sense of humor ! A recommend it strongly." A reader from Kuwait.
5th edition, 240 pages, Paperback, $24.50 ISBN 1573561657 Buy.

5th edition, 240 pages, Hardcover, $41.50 ISBN 1573561649 Buy.

The Hazards of Life and All That : A Look at Some Accidents and Safety Curiosities, Past and Present

by John Bond and Keith D. Jenkins (Illustrator)
"... packed with an amazing collection of facts ... succeeds in deriving humour from events which were often tragedies at the time ... quotations are linked and accidents retold [in a] skilled and sensitive way ... very handy source of materials to enliven safety speeches and writings ... if readers ... want to fill a stocking ... here is the answer." Barry Hotson, IChemE Loss Prevention Bulletin.
"... a book which is effortless to read and may be dipped into at any page ... well-researched and written in a lively style. The nature of the storytelling means the reader is compelled to read aloud to anyone who happens to be around, and it is very difficult to put down ..." Catriona Kelly, The Chemical Engineer.
"At times, this book reads like source material for scriptwriters of Tom and Jerry cartoons: one improbable event leading to another, equally implausible." "If you have enjoyed previous offerings from the Institute of Physics ... you will enjoy this." Peter Borrows, Education in Chemistry, Vol 34, No. 5, September 1997.
"... a valuable compendium of interesting accidents and historical facts ... a must for all safety practitioners, and a good buy ..." John Gillett, Zeneca, IChemE Safety and Loss Prevention Newsletter, Summer 1997.
"... anthology of disasters, accidents and lucky escapes ... written to educate as well as entertain ... a book to dip into and chuckle over ... a good book to ... give as a present." K Swinfen, School Science Review, March 1998
238 pages, Paperback, $30.00 ISBN 0750303603 Buy.

2001 Writer's Market

8000 Editors Who Buy What You Write
Edited by Kirsten Holm
"A classic improves! As one of several freelance writers throughout the country contacted recently to do a professional review of this book for the publisher, I expected to find some changes from last's years version. The primary question I was ready to ask was if those changes being made in this version were made simply for the sake of making this edition different from its predecessor, or would there be enough real, viable, beneficial additions to an already outstanding book to make a hard-working, penny-pinching freelance writer buy a new copy. The answer was rather quickly answered as I thoroughly examined the book, and I was most pleasantly surprised at the changes actually made in this edition. Somehow Senior Editor Kirsten Holm (and the obvious multitude of others who worked on this edition) managed to find a number of subtle and not-so-subtle ways to improve a book that is almost beyond improvement. Writers Market has been, and still is, THE basic reference volume for any writer working in the magazine market, and it is an excellent resource book for any writer need information on publishers in the U.S. or Canada. This year's version now includes the addition of a section on literary agents, and although I'm not sure about its inclusion, like the rest of the book it too is well done (I have a personal problem with the rather large number of books in the writing marketplace that don't include many of the hard-working smaller agents - mine included). That said, this year's Writer's Market is worth a serious look, especially if your last year's version is as dog-earred, yellow-lined and worn as it should be if you are using it properly. Final comments? I feel so strongly about this year's version that even before I was contacted about reviewing the book, I had already purchased one. And the sample provided me for review? It now resides in our local library's reference section so the many "new" writers in my area can have access to a major reference book until they decide they need one of their own." William Michael Goins from Near Houston, Texas.
"Packed with info. The 2000 Writer's Market is full of useful information, and even more convenient than online sources, since so much is available in one book (and you can access it instantly by opening the book, no waiting for modems to connect!) It's categorized in a smart and easy-to-use format, and all the basic information is included under each entry. For beginning writers, the book is a must-have by virtue of all the information as well as the statistics on each publisher. For seasoned writers, the book is a useful tool to be used for many different projects. If you don't have it, get it! Or better yet, get the 2001 Writer's Market." Heather Mann from California.
1120 pages, Paperback, $23.99 ISBN 0898799775 Buy.

Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, 2000

2000+ Places to Sell Your Fiction
Edited by Barbara Kuroff and Tricia Waddell.
"For writers of fiction intent on publishing, there is no better resource than the annual Novel & Short Story Writer's Market. Each update of the guide, which lists over 2,000 places to publish fiction (including magazines literary and otherwise, zines, and book publishers large and small), acts as a kind of annual industry checkup. What publications are out there? What are they publishing? What kinds of fiction are hot, and not? This year's edition tells us that freshness, short shorts, originality, neatness, simple fonts, risk taking, good endings, and humor are all in. Workshop writing, thinly veiled autobiography, gimmickry, splatter fiction, and grammatical errors are not. Still, the best, and perhaps most often repeated advice throughout is: To thine own self be true. Write what you want or feel compelled to write, and worry about publication later. There is a market for almost everything, including climbing fiction (The Climbing Art), black-lesbian erotica (Black Lace), baseball stories (Spitball), tales of oppression and rebellion (Struggle), hot-air ballooning stories (Balloon Life)--even fiction featuring large-breasted characters (Gent). While contact information, payment terms, and the like provide the backbone of the listings, it is the advice from the publishers that makes this book so eminently browsable. "Forget formulas," says the editor at The Café Irreal; "Write about what you don't know, take me places I couldn't possibly go." "Write as if words were your bread, your water, a great vintage wine, salt, oxygen," say the folks at Collages and Bricolages. "Even though we are jaded old teachers and editors," confide the jaded old teachers and editors at The Distillery, "we still want to feel a chill run down our spines when we read a perfect description or evocative line of dialogue." And don't forget: "If an editor says, 'try again,'" remind the editors of Acorn Whistle, "try again ... and again!" New this year: listings for over 60 literary agents; a section on screenwriting markets; overviews of the mystery, romance, and science-fiction & fantasy markets; and short interviews with Olivia Goldsmith (The First Wives Club), Arthur Golden (Memoirs of a Geisha), Ann Beattie, Rick Bass, Mary Higgens Clark, Amanda Scott, and others." Jane Steinberg.
"Publish your fiction! This guide will help you make it happen, providing completely updated information on book publishers, magazines, literary agents and script houses -all interested in work from writers like you. Inside you'll find publishing opportunities for virtually every genre, from Romance to New Age, and each listing features the crucial details you need to make the most of every submission. In addition, you'll receive hard-won advice from some of the most respected figures in fiction today, including Alice McDermott, National Book Award winner for Charming Billy; Russell Banks, author of The Sweet Hereafter and Cloudsplitter; Janet Fitch, author of Oprah's Book Club pick, White Oleander; and Jonathon Galassi, editor-in-chief of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, and editor of such acclaimed authors as Tom Wolfe and Scott Turow. You'll also find important tips on self-promotion, formatting submissions and writing query letters, and this guide includes extensive listings of writing contests, conferences and organizations to help you get connected, build your career and improve your work."
"If you right well enough to get published, you need this! This is the best place to get an accurate evaluation on the current market for fiction. Do you write? Forgive me for being presumptious here, but it's my guess that you do. That's why you're looking at these reviews. In that case, I feel indebted to give you some pertinent information regarding this book. First of all, if you have a manuscript that you wish to see in print, you should know a few things. You should know the marketplaces in which to get published. You should know the best ways to submit your work. To say it plain and simple, since I know you're looking for answers (after all, you're a writer, that's what you do.), I won't waste your time: this book gives you all the info in regards to any questions you have about publishing. If you're seriously interested in becoming published, this resource is indispensible!" Shane from Wisconsin Rapids, WI, United States.
"A Must-Have Book for all fiction writers! It had been a few years since I'd last updated my Novel & Short Story Writer's Market and, boy, what a mistake that was! As the Internet as enhanced our lives, so has Writer's Digest enhanced this market guide. The listings contain editorial email addresses, magazine/publisher website addresses, publication size and number of pages (magazines), clear symbols indicating paying vs. non-paying markets (no more wading through all that small print), online markets only, and so much more! New to this edition is a section listing literary agents that are open to working with new writers and special sections on craft and technique for writers of mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy. This is a Must-Have Book for fiction writers." Brenda J. Grolle from Elyria, Ohio, USA.
"Great resource. This is great. I have the Writer's Market which is good for general publishing, but doesn't really highlight the novel or fshort story in the way this book does. This offers all the small presses, large presses, the lit mags etc. as well as awards offered throughout the year. I use it all the time." A reader from Palo Alto, CA.
678 pages, Paperback, $19.99 ISBN 0898799341 Buy.

Armed and Dangerous : A Writer's Guide to Weapons

by Michael Newton
From the Howdunit Series.
"... you will simply have to make your peace with guns. Case closed." No, these are not the words of an NRA apologist attacking some common-sense legislation, rather they're found in the introduction of Michael Newton's authoritative guidebook on guns, bombs, and all manner of things that go "boom"--and alter events in stories. If you're one of those scribes who believes that killing machines are better left on the printed page, this entry in Writer's Digest's Howdunit series will prove invaluable in giving your Glocks, dum-dum rounds, and spookily-named Hotchkiss guns the unmistakable ring of authority. Bang bang."
"A guide to the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of a wide range of weapons, with information about which were used during each period of history." Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
"Essential reading for writers. There are several good books in the Howdunit series, but this one is absolutely essential reading for any writer who plans to use firearms in his or her work. Newton doesn't take sides in various firearms debates, but he does go into near-encyclopedic detail about every aspect of firearms, both in antiquity and in the present day. Where he doesn't have space to cover a subject in full detail, he tells you where to find more info. Newton also supplies examples of where other writers, even really good ones, have screwed up badly in their presentation of firearms. If accuracy is important to you as a writer, then you need to read this book, so you won't have your characters blasting each other with ".75 magnums," or taking out targets with sniper-like precision using only a .38 snub-nose revolver (both of which I've actually seen in print). A reader from Moultrie, Georgia.
"Great Refrence For Writers! For writers out there, this book help break down the types of weapons you might need to use in a script. I've used it more than once, and it pays to be accurate!" A reader.
186 pages, Paperback, $12.79 ISBN 089879370X Buy.

Body Trauma : A Writer's Guide to Wounds and Injuries

by David W. Page
From the Howdunit series.
I've always liked "chilblains"--Shakespeare wrote about 'em, and so did John Gardner in Grendel. Now, this entry from Writer's Digest's popular Howdunit series explains exactly what are chilblains and what they do to the human body--along with numerous other ailments, injuries, and bodily assaults. It's fascinating reading in a mortality-tinged, Richard Selzer-type way. Body Trauma will be a relief for authors who don't want to experience everything they write about.
"Highly recommended by Booklist. "This latest volume in the infinitely useful Howdunit series picks up where Cause of Death and Scene of the Crime (both 1992) left off. If your hero gets beat about the head, what kind of bruises is he likely to have, and when will they go away? Page has the answers. Inauthentic details have doomed many an otherwise decent mystery. Page is here to help." (Booklist, August 1996)." The publisher, Writer's Digest.
"Too Good To Be True Finally, a book that lives up to its own write up! This book is incredibly detailed. A must have for any serious fiction writer." A reader from Fresno, CA, USA.
"Exact Injury Details and Nothing Else. ...........which is why I love this book. I just recieved it as a gift and have only put it down to give a high rating on here. I am EXTREMELY thankful that all of the information is about injuries. Any talk about nursing and caregiving and any other detail practices which occur in the whole environment of 'treatment' is wonderfully not touched on. This is a book that is EXACTLY what its title, intro, and jacket claim it to be. These qualities are such rare things its completely refreshing to have them in my hands." A reader from Phoenix, AZ.
240 pages, Paperback, $13.59 ISBN 0898797411 Buy.

Cause of Death : A Writer's Guide to Death, Murder and Forensic Medicine

by Keith D. Wilson
From the Howdunit series.
"Physician-writer Wilson explains how police distinguish between accident, suicide, and homicide; what a medical examiner is looking for when conducting an autopsy; what a death certificate looks like and who signs it; what happens when a criminal is sentenced to death." Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
"Very Informative. This book answered several questions I had while pounding out my first manuscript. Like how the police and coroner go about removing a dead body. The autopsy procedures are quite gruesome­­not for a weak stomach. There are hundreds of diagrams and pictures, investigation procedures, legal and medical terms, etc. Without it, I would have spent countless hours researching the basics. However, it did not cover everything. No book can. For instance, I had to find out what the effects of a frontal head trauma were and how long it would take the victim to recover, if at all.The section on murder and suicide is interesting, particularly the part about the crime scene and the difference between a hanging and strangulation. The wounds around the neck are markedly different. Like I said, the details in this book can turn some stomachs. But I learned a lot in one short volume." Deborah A. Woehr from San Jose, California.
"Very useful - helped me to sell my first crime novel. This book was very useful when it came to describe an autopsy, crime scene victims, and especially gun-shot wounds. I've used it as a research tool for my first novel FIRST KILL (JB Books)and saved myself countless hours of research. I recommend it to anyone who wants to increase their chances of publication. I sold my first crime book (to be released next year), and I'm convinced I wouldn't have been able to accomplish an authentic setting with relative ease if I didn't have this book (and others in the series)." Laurent Boulanger from Australia.
207 pages, Paperback, $13.59 ISBN 0898795249 Buy.

Deadly Doses : A Writer's Guide to Poisons

by Serita Deborah Stevens and Anne Klarner
From the Howdunit series.
"Thorough, non-technical, well-organized guide for writers who need to know, for example, what poison will turn the victim yellow. Deals with acute poisoning, as opposed to chronic poisoning; most of the poisons described are lethal immediately or in short periods of time (so medical care cannot be sought)." Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
"Don't do what Jonny Don't does! Don't taste that strichnine! Don't smell that paint solvent! Deadly Doses: A Writer's Guide to Poisons is an incredibly useful compilation of toxic things from all walks of life. Useful for writers of all genres because within are described poisons found in nature as well as those found in industry, household, and many, many others. Although there isn't quite enough specific information, there are plenty of leads for research, and, after all, the book wasn't designed as a complete reference - it's just very, very useful. Included are a useful glossary of medical terms, and a section of tables further organizing the toxins by symptoms, toxicity, and speed of action. In a word - indispensable." A reader from Rochester, NY.
298 pages, $13.59, Paperback ISBN 0898793718 Buy.

Scene of the Crime : A Writer's Guide to Crime-Scene Investigations

by Anne Wingate
From the Howdunit series.
"The author, a former investigator, instructor, and mystery writer, details real crime scenes, describing what investigators look for, how they collect and analyze evidence, and what happens to the crime scene once the initial investigation ends. Includes timetables and charts in addition to procedural rules and regulations and anecdotal illustrations." Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
"Very readable and helpful. I'm working on a series of mystery novels and have read most of the books in the "Howdunit" series. They're all more or less helpful, but this is far and away the best. The other authors seemed to think in terms of "I'm going to tell you everything I know in 100 pages," so their books often read like criminology Cliff Notes. Ms. Wingate, on the other hand, is a practicing mystery author and has an excellent sense of what an author needs to know, so the book is not only full of useful information but well-organized and fun to read (if you're not squeamish). She's clear about her areas of expertise and non-expertise: she has years of experience in fingerprinting, so she's very explicit and thorough about that, whereas in other areas (e.g., guns) she just gives a quick overview and refers the reader to the "real" experts for the technical details..." A writer from Santa Fe, NM, USA.
231 pages, Paperback, $16.99 ISBN 0898795184 Buy.

Death Investigator's Handbook

A Field Guide to Crime Scene Processing, Forensic Evaluations, and Investigative Techniques

by Louis N. Eliopulos
Unlike other such manuals, this one combines specialized info from dozens of scientific andinvestigative references in one handy volume. A must for detectives, pathologists, attorneys, crime scene technicians, reporters, EMTs, PIs and mystery buffs.
From a A Criminal justice student: "I think this book is a really good tool to learn from for a person that just wants to see how Death Investigation works and for a serious person pursuing a job in the area. I got the book and I couldn't put it down for a minute. At my school, the University of Alabama, we don't have any forensics classes in the criminal justice department on death investigation and when I saw this book I knew it was for me. I have learned so much from this book on all forms of death and this has really sparked my interest in getting a job as a forensic investigator. This book shows you that you never know what will happen next. But most importantly, it covers all the issues down to the precise detail and the right procedure on how to investigate. I know one thing for sure, if I get into this line of work, this book will be like my best man if I ever need a reference." from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
888 pages, Paperback, $39.96 ISBN 0873647270 Buy.

Go to directories at Top or Bottom.


Vehicle manuals

Land Rover Discovery & Range Rover 'Classic' : Service Guide & Owner's Manual

by Lindsay Porter
"This manual was written by a true enthusiast! Hi! Co-authoring this manual was a true labour of love! As well as the Managing Director of Porter Manuals, I am also a Land Rover and Range Rover nut. I am the Technical Editor/Consultant to Britains top Land Rover magazine, "Land Rover Monthly" - and I get a real buzz out of making difficult stuff accessible and easy to follow. This manual deliberately leaves off the tough stuff. If you know how to do it already, what would you want a Step-by-Step manual for?" The author, Lindsay Porter, Member of the Guild of Motoring Writers.
"The perfect Step-by-Step manuals for non-expert mechanics. All of our Step-by-Step Service Guides are thorough, complete guides to all the jobs that the inexperienced mechanic may wish to tackle at home. We deliberately don't assume that the reader is a trained mechanic. Where we think a job should be left to the experts, we have the courage to say so! A good example is a job which needs doing every two years, or 24,000 miles - changing the transmission oil and filter on auto. transmission vehicles. We say, "This requires significant dismantling, including removal of the chassis cross-member, and so it's best left to your Land Rover dealer or reputable garage." Our motto is "making it easy" and this manual follows that theme. We've concentrated on good quality photographs and illustrations, good quality paper and binding - and we've already reprinted this manual four times, and received lots of praise from those who enjoy the Porter Manuals approach - thanks to all!
By the way, it's important to note that in the UK, a car 'service' is what is known in the USA as a 'tune-up'. We cover servicing (tune-up) work, on UK and US-spec. vehicles, as far as:
- Changing fluids, ignition components, lights and wiper components.
- Showing how to change brake shoes and pads, both front and rear.
- We even show how to change a steering ball joint - but that (deliberately!) is that!
- We DON'T show you how to strip the axle or gearbox!
- We're the "making it easy!" manuals, and a firm favourite with Land Rover and Range Rover owners.
This manual NOW COVERS 'original' Discovery models to 1999."
The publisher, Lindsay Porter.
128 pages, Paperback, $27.96 ISBN 1899238190
Buy.

Land Rover Discovery 1989-1998

by James Taylor

Great info for Disco owners. If you own a Discovery, irrespective of the country you are in, you will get a lot of info from this book. The Author has researched it well, and covers all the issues I wanted to know about my vehicle. Some of the photos are great, I esp. like the convertible model - a shame they were never put that one into production - I want one of those! This is not a technical manual as such, but it still has a lot of facts & figures. It is also helpful if you are considering options from other models and want to see what they look like. I have an ES model, but would like to get the factory wheel arch flares, and I know what they would look like... Recommended for a Discovery or Land Rover enthusiast, or if you intend to purchase one and want to do your research." David Ebsary from Bundaberg, QLD, Australia.
February 2000, 128 pages, Paperback, $13.96 ISBN 1899870407 Buy.

Original Range Rover Carburettor Models

by James Taylor, Nick Dimbleby (Photographer), Mark Hughes (Editor)
128 pages, Hardcover, $28.76 ISBN 0760307776 Buy.

Range Rover Restoration Manual

by Dave Pollard
"Whether the reader has simple maintenance or a complete engine rebuild in mind, he or she can rest assured that there's a Haynes manual for just above every popular domestic and import car, truck, and motorcycle. By conducting complete tear-downs and rebuilds, the staff at Haynes Publishing has discovered all the problems owners will find when repairing or rebuilding their vehicles. By documenting each process with hundreds of illustrations and step-by-step instructions that show the exact order of assembly, Haynes manuals make every step easy to follow."
192 pages, Hardcover, $27.96 ISBN 1859606237 Buy.

The Land Rover Series 1 Workshop Manual : 1948-1958 : Gasoline and Diesel

by British Leyland Motors
December 1960, Paperback, $90.50 ISBN 0837605164 Order.

The Land Rover Series II

Part I : Engine Only and Part II : All Except Engine Workshop Manuals.
by British Leyland Motors
December 1984, Paperback, $100.00 ISBN 0837605296 Buy.

Original Land Rover Series 1 : The Restorer's Guide to Civil and Military Models 1948-58

by James Taylor
June 1996, Hardcover, $24.98 ISBN 1870979729 Buy.

Land Rover 90, 110 and Defender : Restoration Manual

by Lindsay Porter
192 pages, Hardcover, $24.46 ISBN 1859606008 Buy.

Land Rover : Defender, 90 & 110 (Inc. Diesel and 130) : Step-By-Step Service Guide

From Porter Manuals & Chilton
Chilton is pleased to distribute Porter Repair Manuals in North America. Published by Porter Publishing Ltd. in the United Kingdom, this series offers manuals for general automotive repair as well as model-specific manuals, for use on American and European vehicles. They provide comprehensive information in an easy-to-use format, with step-by-step procedures and hundreds of illustrations, for both the experienced and the novice do-it-yourselfer. Covers all models, including V8 and diesel.
"Great reviews make all the effort worthwhile! Hi! I am the author of this book, the Managing Director of Porter Publishing - and a total Land Rover nut! We do try really hard to make our manuals as complete and as easy as possible for the non-trained mechanic to carry out a complete service (tune-up) on his or her own vehicle. I'm pleased to say that we get lots of encouraging comments - and every one of them is appreciated and treasured! Lindsay Porter, Technical Editor/Consultant at "Land Rover Monthly" magazine, and Member of the Guild of Motoring Writers." The author, Lindsay Porter.
"Excellent book for new car buyers. Even if you don't own a new Land Rover the book is very good! My Land Rover 90 2.5L Diesel was purchased third-hand, neglected, and in 'potentially' poor condition. This book helped greatly where my OEM Italian manual lacked (90% of the time). If any owner purchases this book with a new Rover, follows Mr. Porters advice, and uses it in lieu of the provided service manual, his/her Rover will last a lifetime! Guaranteed! I wish my Rover was new so I wouldn't have to complete every required maintenance to 65K miles." Isabella from La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy.
128 pages, Paperback, $34.95 ISBN 1899238069 Order.

Haynes BMW 320i, 1975-83; Owners Workshop Manual

by John Harold Hayne with AK Legg.
Volume 276, Paperback Trade, $17.95 ISBN 1850100721 Buy.

Saab 900, 16 Valve Offical Service Manual 1985-1993

by Robert Bentley
622 pages, Paperback Trade, $43.91 ISBN 0837603137 Buy.

101 Harley-Davidson Performance Projects

For Evolution Big Twins and Sportsters
by Kenna Love and Kip Woodring
A JVB Bestseller!
One hundred carefully selected projects are featured in this all-color "how-to" written and designed for the Harley-Davidson Evolution owner with a few hours to burn. 350 color illustrations.
"Excellent Book. Glossy pages and color Photos. Excellent book on maintaining your Harley. I've owned Harleys for ten years and have done my own work; but I thought I knew it all. The book has glossy pages and clear color photos. It's hard to believe the cost of the book in material to print is less than 20 bucks. I didn't give a 5-star because coverage of advanced topics such as a cam change is an overview. There's more to changing a cam than what's presented in the book or the service manual. Also, there is a handy reference table of all sorts of data. The book covers design changes of the Evolution engine which I found very interesting. So if you have a older Evo bike you might want to start there." A reader from USA.
"A very complete book! This is not a coffee table book, it is a better than average tech manual. If you are looking for a Harley novel read "The Second Coming Of Age" by: C. Vedrine". A reader from N.O. United States.
224 pages, Paperback, $23.96 ISBN 0760303703 Buy.

Subaru Legacy Automotive Repair Manual

Models Covered : All Legacy Models 1990 through 1998 : Includes Legacy Outback and Legacy Brighton.BR> by Mike Stubblefield, Robert Maddox, John Haro Haynes
"Best DIY book available Excellent DIY service manual but watchout for the published specifications, often times I've found the schedules and settings (torque, etc.) published here to be significantly different from what's listed in the factory service manual. Also applicable to the 1999 MY." A reader from North America.
"Great for novices who want to do their own maintenance! I've had Chilton's manuals for other cars I've owned, but Haynes was the first to come out with a Legacy manual. I bought it to learn about my 97 Outback, and I'm extremely happy with it. The pictures are helpful and the instructions are easy to follow. I'm not into doing rehauls or anything like that (which this manual covers), but it's great for doing scheduled maintenance, like changing coolant, oil, transmission and differential fluid, as well as all sorts of filters. I highly recommend this book for all Subaru Legacy owners." A reader from Troy, NY.
320 pages, Paperback, $16.15 ISBN 1563923262 Buy.

Isuzu Rodeo & Amigo Honda Passport Automotive Repair Manual : 1989-1997

by Robert Maddox, John Harold Haynes
From the Haynes Automotive Repair Manual Series.
Also useful for owners of Holden Rodeos to 1998. Has got to be better than giving Holden around A$500!!! JVB
352 pages, Paperback, $14.36 ISBN 1563922460 Buy.

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Radio and Electronics

Newnes Radio Engineer's Pocket Book

by John Davies.
421 pages, Hardcover, 1.1 x 3.9 x 7.8", ISBN 0750617381
Request quote and order.

Newnes Electronics Engineer's Pocket Book

by Keith Brindley.
This is by the same author my (now discontinued) "Newnes Radio and Electronics Engineers Pocket Book (International Student Edition)" which packs a huge amount of very useful information into its 200 pages. JVB.
305 pages, Hardcover, 0.87 x 7.73 x 3.80", ISBN 0750609370 Request quote and order.

The Arrl Handbook for Radio Amateurs 2001

by Chuck Hutchinson (Editor), Joel Kleinman (Editor), Dean R. Straw (Editor)
"The Radio and Electronics Reference Manual. The 2001 edition of The ARRL Handbook is the latest and most up-to-date version of an excellent reference book for both the Amateur Radio operator or anyone interested in RF engineering. The Handbook contains information on the basics of radio operation and practices and detailed information for the RF engineer needing to know technical component details. The ARRL has again designed a wonderful book that will provide information for all levels of hams. Information on the new HF digital modes is provided, as well as the old standards of voice and CW. For those wanting to know the theory behind the radios, the ARRL focuses on the technical details - the how and why - of the radios and the modes, so that when you walk away from this book you will know the answer to your question (and a lot more if you keep reading!) The only real negative comment on this book is that there is a LOT of very technical information. This can make finding exactly what you want to know a challange, as it takes a little digging and knowing exactly what you are looking for. A very complete index does make this much easier. However, for the beginniner this book would do well to whet your appetite for venturing deeper into Amateur Radio, and fo