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Book & Game reviews

For reviews of products, please see the main product review page.

NEWS

Latest book reviews --

The Death Pit -- This new mnedical thriller sheds light on lethal influence of medical politics and religious fanaticism in the healthcare system (Under Medical Books and Mystery Books below)

Garden Retreats - Creating An Outdoor Sanctuary (Chronicle Books) -- (Under Garden & Gardening Books below)

The Armchair Paddler: An Anthology of Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting Adventures -- The title tells it all! (Under Boating Books)

The Guide to Abundant Wildlife -- Although this book was published a few years ago, it's still a great reference guide on wildlife plantings, habitat improvement, and the best management practices that will attract and produce an abundance of wildlife. (Under Birds, etc.)

The Daughters -- What's it really like to grow up in the celebrity world? Find out in this book as Lizzie and her two best friends, fellow daughters of celebratities, juggle normal high school events with glamorous family functions they discover the pitfalls of fame and the importance of friendship. (Under Fun Books For All Ages)

Wilderness Survival Handbook - Primitive Skills for Short-Term Survival and Long-Term Comfort. . .Learn what to do if you are stuck in the woods, spend more than a week in the natural world, and more. A great book (Under Backpacking & Camping books, below)

The Tree Museum - The new environmental thriller addresses the extremes it would take to make humanity self-sufficient in a compelling dystopia setting. A must read.

300 Big & Bold Barbecue & Grilling Recipes - For the novice or experienced person who loves to cook. Worldwide recipes for grilling in all different ways. A must read - and use! (Under cookbooks)

Boca Knights - an engrossing and hilarious account of a cop who retires to ritzy Boca Raton and the trouble that finds him!

AUTOMOBILE BOOK REVIEWS

Concept Cars - Designing for the Future (Thunder Bay Press)

Car buffs will love Concept Cars - Designing for the Future by Richard Dredge (Thunder Bay Press) -- for here, from futuristic, fantastic, and bizarre cars to cars that actually made it into production, you'll find a colorful celebration of the most evocative dream cars of the last thirty years. Whether they are strange like the IAD Allen, or just plain beautiful, like the Jaguar F-Type sports car, all the vehicles featured have one thing in ommon: they push the boundaries of automotive design imagination to the limit.

Divided by category into six chapters, including sports cars, supercars, family cars, luxury models, technological innovators, and production models - this book documents the key designs of recent times, including the cars that successfully evolved from the drawing board to the production line, such as the Dodge Viper, Mercedes-Benz Vision, and Porsche Boxter. Concepts include those from the world's leading vehicle manufacturers, such as Alfa Romeo, Bertone, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Jaguar, Pininfarina, Renault, and Volvo. Concept Cars also pays homage to the key car designers, men such as Harley Earl, the father of the 'dream' car, and Peter Schreyer, the man responsible for the devastatingly beautiful Audi TT.

Illustrated with a spectacular collection of more than two-hundred color and black-and-white photographs and original illustrations and providing an authoritative commentary on the world's most groundbreaking automotive designs, this book is available at bookstores and online.

For more information, contact Thunder Bay Press, 5880 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA 92121 or go to web site www.thunderbaybooks.com

BACKPACKING & CAMPING BOOK REVIEWS

Wilderness Survival Handbook (McGraw Hill Professional)

Author Michael Pewtherer does an outstanding job in his complete and detailed guide covering everything you need to know to survive and thrive in the wilderness. Pewtherer is one of the country's leading survival and primitive skills experts and educators and it shows in his writing. Organized around six essential areas of survival (shelter, water, food, fire, comfort and health, and navigation), the book covers 100 skills and techniques, including purifying water with a solar still; preserving fire; building pit shelters; toolmaking; stone-boiling cookery; trapping and hunting nimals. Each chapter has an introduction, overviews, sidebars, anecdotes, and more detailed descriptions, many accompanied by informative illustrations and photographs demonstrating successful implementation of skills. These easy-to-reference entries make the book ideal in both the classroom settings and in the field.

Pewtherer uses a straight how-to approach, and offers the reader the knowledge to master the skills to survive in any subarctic wilderness setting -- forest, plain, desert, or tundra -- making the book relevant to virtually all wilderness travelers throughout the lower 48 states, Mexico, and most of Canada and Alaska, plus most of the resst of the world.

For more information contact McGraw-Hill at http://www.mhprofessional.com. This paperback, available at bookstores, amazon.com or from the publisher, is $19.95.

Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Backpackin’ Book (Globe Pequot Press)

Written by O’Bannon and Clelland, two instructors with the National Outdoor Leadership School. These hardcore backcountry fanatics have combined their years of experience in a hilarious and vastly informative book on the art of backpacking — and New Jersey is the right place to begin this outstanding sport. Topics include how to dress and pack for the outdoors and do it in style; choosing proper equipment; navigating with a map and compass; setting up camp; dealing with wildlife; reading weather; and basic backwoods hygiene. Appendices spell out proper low-impact camping techniques and offer an extensive gear checklist to consult before hitting the trail. Both beginners and experts will find value in the outlined tips.

Available at book stores or contact Globe Pequot at 800-962-0973.

Trailer Life Directory (The RVers' 'bible')

If you've been using the 2009 Trailer Life Directory, you know that it is considered the 'bible' of life on the open road. With up to date listings on more than 12,000 RV accommodations and RV service centers, it also lists activities, ratings, WiFi & ATM information. The director covers all of North America, Canada and parts of Mexico.

Now there's another Trailer Life first - virtual V. The V is for virtual, as in virtual tours -- of RV Parks and business. Readers just look for the 'V' logo in the listings and go to the TL website. There it is possible to get a good look around and see your best features while planning the trip.

To order the directory call 800-765-7070 or e-mail dbrown@affinitygroup.com.

Lightweight Backpacking and Camping: A Field Guide to Wilderness Hiking Equipment, Technique, and Style (Wilderness Press)

Lightweight Backpacking and Camping (Wilderness Press; Berkeley, CA), edited by Ryan Jordan, is one of the most comprehensive and rigorous text published on lightweight backpacking and redefines modern day backpacking as safe, comfortable, and fun -- but with a much lighter pack. Lightweight backpacking (often with a pack under 20 pounds) is the fastest growing trend in backpacking and appeals to a wide hiking audience from beginners to elite mountain athletes. In packing light, backcountry hiking is more accessible to children, families, and the baby boomer generation, and with this book in hand, you'll learn the science of walking; protection from the elements. The 440-page book features gear lists along with the latest information on gear, manufacturers, and resources. It also provides detailed information on footwear, backpacks, pack weight, navigation, clothing systems, sleep systems, shelter, and everything from eating, drinking, and hygiene to first aid, emergency procedures, risk management, and lightweight solutions. This includes advanced tarp camping, hiking efficiency, lightweight backpacking with young children as well as for couples, and much more.

This book is available at bookstores, camp and sporting goods stores for $24.95. For more information contact Wilderness Press, 1200 5th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710; 510-558-1666.

Cooking On The Road With Celebrity Chefs (Woodall's)

Cooking on the Road with Celebrity Chefs is a one–of–a–kind RV cookbook, created for food enthusiasts! Over 25 Celebrity Chefs have contributed their own personal specialties. From soups and salads to one–pot stews; from delicious desserts to breakfasts that you'll look forward to preparing for your family.

Cooking on the Road with Celebrity Chefs is full of recipes that you won't find in any other RV or camping cookbook. And as a bonus, enjoy reading sidebars and tips from famous chefs which give short cuts for recipes, explain how to prepare and store meats and other foods for your trip, and give suggestions for the early preparation of some menu items. There's even a chapter of specialty rubs, seasonings, and marinades that were created uniquely by our Celebrity Chefs.

In addition, each of the famous chefs has taken time to share their own personal camping stories and some secret cooking at camp ideas only for Woodall's.

Copies are available for $19.95 in bookstores, but Woodall's has a special rate for just over $15. For more information check web site www.woodalls.com

BIOGRAPHIES

Roger Corman: Blood-Sucking Vampires, Flesh-Eating Cockroaches, and Driller Killers (Thunder's Mouth Press)

With a title like Roger Corman: Blood-Sucking Vampires, Flesh-Eating Cockroaches, and Driller Killers (Thunder’s Mouth Press), author Beverly Gray knew she had to write a captivating story – and she succeeded. While relying heavily on interviews with Corman alumni from every phase of his career (including such celebrities as William Shatner, Ron Howard, and David Carradine) Gray also captured her own experiences with Cornab over a period of nearly a decade. In this book, she takes readers behind the cameras and into the heart of Cormanville for a first-hand, insider’s look at the man and the mogul. To provide a compelling private and public perspective on this soft-spoken giant of the cinema, Gray interviewed 100 of Corman’s friends and associates, and has provided a fascinating study in contrasts with B-movie maverick Roger Corman as the subject. As the original King of the Exploitation Film, he has filled his movies with images of blood-sucking vampires, rampaging biker gangs, vigilante strippers, and abducting aliens. And, during a career that spans a half-century, he has produced more than five hundred films on shoestring budgets, making a profit on nearly every one.

Gray writes that, in the process, Corman has become the role model for today’s independent filmmaker, laying the groundwork for the success of directors like Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. This guru with a vision has also demonstrated an uncanny eye for talent, being among the first to recognize the abilities of Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, and others. Gray, having served as story editor and development executive at Roger Corman’s Concorde-New Horizons Pictures, also assisted on some 170 low-budget films, is an instructor for the UCLA Extension’s screenwriting program, and in 2003 published Ron Howard From Mayberry to the Moon . . .and Beyond.

Available for $14.95 at bookstores, on-line, or through Thunder’s Mouth Press, 245 W. 17^th Street, NY; 1-800-788-3123; or check web site www.thundersmouth.com.

In the Shadow of Greatness (Holm Press)

Michael Menager’s In the Shadow of Greatness (Holm Press, Prescott, AZ) tells the story of five remarkable women --- Isabel Burton; Maria Huxley; Francoise Gilot; Helen Dukas; and Vera Nabokov --- and the men of genius they served. Truly engrossing, the book reflects history, art, and the body/spirit struggle as Menager moves from Odessa to New Jersey,  Hitler to Lenin, and from Paris when it was occupied by the Germans to the cafés of Buenos Aires. While entertaining, the facts this book reveals in over 546 pages,  can, at times, be shocking. Menager invites readers to trace with him the journeys of each of these five women “as they move through the pain, elation, personal quandary and diverse realizations that came from a choice they made in common; to nurture, and in turn be nurtured by, the fierce light of genius.”  It’s the perfect book read while on vacation, a time when you can concentrate and enjoy his excellent writing.

Available at book stores for $24.95.

Defy The Darkness: A Tale of Courage in the Shadow of Mengele (Praeger Publishing)

This book, by Joe Rosenblum with David Kohn (Praeger Publishing) is a must-read for all ages. Joe Rosenblum, having lived through the horrors and atrocities of the Holocaust, tells in a first-person narrative, (which is beautifully written by co-author David Kohn), of his suffering, degradation, and pain. As a teenager, Rosenblum watched as the Nazis invaded Miedzyrzec, Poland, his peaceful village. Neighbors, friends, and his brother were killed simply because they were Jews. Fortunately for Rosenblum, his Aryan appearance enabled him to narrowly escape mass executions. Unable to put down this riveting, totally absorbing book, I learned how Rosenblum was first sheltered by a local Gentile family – making it possible for him to make dangerous trips back to his family with scraps of food to sustain them while they hid in secret dugouts. Later, he took refuge with Russian partisans. Eventually captured by the Germans and sent to three concentration camps – Majdanek, Auschwitz, and Dachau – he lived by his wits as a courier for the camp underground, and was able to help other prisoners, as well as saving a few children selected for the gas chambers. Sick, starving, and near death himself, he suddenly found himself working for the infamous Dr. Mengele who later performs life-saving surgery on Rosenblum—the only known Jew to be ‘saved’ by the deadly doctor’s skills.

Rosenblum miraculously survived the Holocaust --- by radiating hope and humanity and, as the authors agree, by defying the darkness. Kohn did an excellent job putting Rosenblum’s words onto paper, and I guarantee as you turn each page, you’ll be crying and sometimes cheering. And, you will never forget this survivor’s story of courage.

Available at bookstores for $27.95, direct from Praeger on-line at www.greenwood.com; or by calling 1-800-225-5800.

BIRD LIFE, BIRD-WATCHING, WILDLIFE & MORE

Written by Stan Tekiela, at 4 1/2 x 6 inches, this book is just the right size to fit in a pocket or backpack, and is packed with information and gorgeous color photos of the 122 species of birds that reside in New Jersey. Tekiela has organized the book by bird color, offers interesting facts about nest types, number and order of eggs, and the exact colors of females and juveniles. It’s a great book to have on hand if you enjoy bird-watching or are volunteering for bird banding or bird sighting.

Available at book stores or online at amazon.com.

Oregon Wildlife Viewing Guide (Falcon Publishing Co.)

This excellent book, written by James A. Yuskavitch (Falcon Publishing Co., Inc., Helena, Montana), is one in the series of Wildlife Viewing Guides. Completely revised and expanded, this handy-sized 95 page book covers rocky coast and lush coniferous forest to the spectacular Cascade Mountains and eastern desert, and will lead you to 87 premier wildlife viewing areas. It will definitely afford you a better opportunity of seeing wildlife,once you arrive. This new edition includes detailed descriptions of each viewing site and its wildlife, maps and access information, helpful wildlife viewing tips, and beautiful color photographs of Oregon's diverse wildlife and natural areas. The guide was created through the National Watchable Wildlife Program, a partnership initiative coordinated by Defenders of Wildlife. Each viewing site was selected by a panel of wildlife expeerts from the the following organizations and government agencies -- Defenders of Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, Department of Defense, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The Oregon Wildlife Viewing Guide is available at bookstores and online for $8.95.

Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds (Walker & Co.)

You don’t have to be a bird lover to enjoy Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds (Walker & Co., NY). Author Miyoko Chu, an ornithologist and staff science writer at Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, provides readers with a sweeping overview of the latest research into songbird migrations, one of the most dramatic, but long misunderstood, phenomena in nature. Ever wonder how diminutive songbirds – which constitute nearly fifty per cent of all bird species – accomplish annual trips such as from Alaska to South America logging about 720,000 miles to the gallon if it burned gasoline instead of its own fat? In this interesting 312-page book, Chu explains this and more. Learn how they migrate mostly at night, mate, raise young, and winter in locations thousands of miles apart. Her groundbreaking research covers the dangers they face, such as global warming, deforestation, and pollution – all of which are taking a toll on songbirds so that fewer and fewer migrate each year. Filled with ideas on how we may be able to prevent the situation from getting worse, this book is well worth reading, has excellent reference material and an index, but could use more color illustrations.

Available at bookstores or on-line for $23. For more information, contact Walker & Company, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010; 646-307-5067, or check web site www.walkerbooks.com.

BOATING BOOKS --- CANOEING & KAYAKING

The Armchair Paddler: An Anthology of Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting Adventures (Globe Pequot Press)

If you love being on the water, you'll enjoy this book by author Cecil Kuhue who brings together some of the best literature from those who have ventured out on the big rivers and triumphed to tell about their watery exploits. From the Salmon to the Rio Grande, and from the Arctic to the Inside Passage, these are hair-raising accounts of paddling, rafting and swimming on the world's rivers and oceans in search or adventure and extreme challenges.

Wild Shore: Exploring Lake Superior by Kayak (University of Minnesota Press)

Ever since taking a BOW workshop and learning how to paddle a kayak, I’ve looked for unusual places to engage in this wholesome outdoor activity. Now, author Greg Breining, has whet my appetite to travel to Lake Superior — for his book, Wild Shore: Exploring Lake Superior by Kayak (University of Minnesota Press) fascinated me. Through his vivid portraits of the lake’s history and its people, you can trace Breining’s two-year quest to navigate the greatest of the Great Lakes. “One day, I paddled a sea kayak. All graceful lines and curves, the hull carved the water with barely a whisper and turned at the touch of a paddle,” Breining recalls. “How does it feel to travel days on end with no fixed schedule? What happens to your sense of distance when every mile is earned by a thousand strokes of the paddle? A plan began to form as I imagined paddling on and on, never having to turn back.” Lake Superior’s windswept rock, clear water, and wooded shores make it one of the most stunning landscapes in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario. Breining set out to circle this great lake by kayak, a means of travel over a two year period that allowed him to visit the lake’s places of rare beauty and solitude, experience its wildly varied moods, and see its remote historic sites and isolated communities. Wild Shore is definitely a tale of outdoor adventure, odd characters, humorous stories and quiet reflection, as well as a story of the men and women who have lived along the lake’s shores since the Ice Age. Breining follows the routes of the Ojibwe and the voyageurs, explores the mix of cultures that created the Lake Superior region we know today, and visited the scientist who studied the last su9rviving woodland caribou herd on the Superior shore. This exciting book is illustrated throughout with the author’s striking photographs, and even if you’re an armchair traveler, you’ll love every page.

Available at book stores or contact the University of Minnesota Press, 111 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2520; web site www.upress.umn.edu.

Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation (Globe Pequot Press)

Author David Burch has done a fine job in teaching paddlers all aspects of navigation that are pertinent to their craft in Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation (Globe Pequot Press), with special emphasis on information that is essential to safe, efficient paddling. Topics include chart reading, compass use, finding and keeping track of position, how to predict tides and currents, trip planning, plus navigatin at night, in the fog, and in traffic.

Available at bookstores or on-line for $14.95.

Quiet Water New Jersey (Appalachian Mountain Club)

If you love canoeing and kayaking as I do, purchasing the second edition of author Kathy Kenley’s Quiet Water New Jersey (Appalachian Mountain Club) is a must. In it, Kenley details more than 50 quiet water destinations from the Highlands and Pine Barrens to the Atlantic coastal plain within New Jersey where you’ll find mountain lakes, salt- and freshwater marshes, lovely ponds, and much more.  It’s possible to pre-determine where to put in, the flora and fauna you’ll see along the way, and a handy at-a-glance trip summary for each tour. Time, distance, difficulty of the tour, plus photos of some of the things you’re likely to encounter, are included. A marine biologist with additional degrees in geology and creative writing, Kenley has explored each body of water personally, has competed on the national level in many kayak races, and occasionally leads guided tours for a local outfitter within the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey. The appendix lists resources for maps, paddling equipment and technique, camping and campgrounds, how to prepare if children are along, and includes a useful list of addresses and phone numbers of various clubs and organizations, plus an alphabetical listing of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

Available at bookstores, on-line, or from Appalachian Mountain Club Books at 8 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02108. For more information, check web site www.outdoors.org.

CAREER BOOK REVIEWS

La Vida Rica: A Latina's Guide to Success (McGraw-Hill)

Published by McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, this amazing book was written by Yrma Rico. One of seven children of migrant farm workers, Rico picked fruit and cotton at the age of 10 alongside her family. Astounding everyone, she went on to become one of the founders of Entravision, a $425 million communications company that reaches 80 percent of the U.S. Hispanic community. After 25 years of television experience, she moved on to become CEO and President of Weber BMW in California. How she fulfilled her dream to rise from migrant worker to business executive is described beautifully in this book. Rico shares her secrets with readers about how to achieve success without giving up their cultural identify or their humanity. She also offers many inspirational stories of other accomplished Latina businesswomen achieving levels of success they never dreamed of, besides extensive reading and resource lists to motivate Latinas and non-Latinas alike to action. This book is definitely for everyone who wants to learn practical ways to succeed; how to find work that fills the soul; ways to silence the voices of discouragement; how to use cultural advantages to win; how to find a mentor and build a network; and how to give back riches to your community and family. It’s chock full of information--how to create an image that helps you get ahead; go beyond material success to find true happiness; and how to uncover resources of strength, advice, and education to help you reach your goals. This book is easy to read and well worth the time to read it!

In book stores and on-line for $18.95. Check web site www.books.mcgraw-hill.com for more information.

Can You Say A Few Words? How to Prepare and Deliver A Speech (St. Martin's Press)

Are you nervous before delivering a speech? Fear no more -- for author Joan Detz details ways to deliver a memorable speech whether it’s for a large audience, a small group, or even for one person in her newly revised book, Can You Say A Few Words? How to Prepare and Deliver a Speech (St. Martin’s Press). This book covers presentations for a wide variety of special occasions, including toasts for weddings and anniversaries; dedications and ribbon-cuttings; award ceremonies; question-and-answer sessions; eulogies and memorials; job promotion ceremonies; and other miscellaneous occasions.

Available at bookstores or on-line for $13.95.

COOK BOOK REVIEWS

300 Big & Bold Barbecue & Grilling Recipes (Robert Rose Inc.)

Just in time for the warm weather, a great new book -- 300 BIG & BOLD BARBECUE & GRILLING RECIPES -- is out. But don't think it's just for warm weather, because I - like many of my friends - barbeque year-round. Why get the kitchen hot and messy when you can do the cooking outdoors? This book, written by Karen Adler and Judith Fertig (best-selling authors known nationally as The BBQ Queens TM) will certainly whet your appetite - for the collection of recipes for the barbeque, grill, and smoker shares the best-kept secrets from around the world with bold flavors from an international pantry. The authors call it "global goes local" with any barbeque, rilling, or smoking technique from anywhere in the world, that can be done at home in your own backyard.

"The key to delicious results is building the bold flavor before, during, and after barbecuing," say Karen and Judith.  "For example, if you want your rib eye steak to have a blackened exterior and a rare interior, you need a good rub on your steak, a hot fire in close proximity to your meat, and a short cooking time." Here, you'll find tips and techniques from basic grilling and smoking to special variatins on each. The recipes are easy to prepare, whether you're a novice griller or seasoned pro. Detailed advice is clear on grilling as well as specialty techniques including herb grilling; how to add a kiss of smoke to your meat and vegetables; leaf-wrapping; stir-grilling; planking and spit-roasting. Unique dishes described in the book include Aussie Paperbark Pork with Lemon Myrtle Chutney; Moroccan Chicken with Apricot and Pistachio Couscous; Balinese Shrimp Satay on Lemongrass Stalks; Herbes de Provence Wood-Grilled Rabbit;   Cuban-Style Suckling Pig;  Persian Grilled Quail Breasts; Korean Bulgogi with Kimchee and much more.

Also included are the backyard favorites, such as Blue Ribbon Pulled Pork; Championship BBQ Spareribs;  Memphis Piggy Sandwiches with Vinegar Coleslaw; Texas-Style Beef Brisket with Brazos Mop and Smoked Chile Barbecue Sauce; and other tasty dishes. The authors point out that barbecue does not mean only meat.  As we strive to eat healthier, we can enjoy more lean dishes that include fish, vegetables, and fruit. Karen and Judith have included chapters devoted to fish and shellfish, as well fruits, salads, and sandwiches with recipes such as Grilled Swordfish Steaks with Lemon Truffle Oil; Martini Smoked Salmon; Wood-Grilled Trout; and too many more to list here. For those new to barbecuing, the authors have devoted a section of the book called "Mastering the Art of the Barbecue: with chapters detailing grilling, smoking, planking and techniques such as leaf wrapping and equipment. Of course, there's also detailed information on rubs and sauces.

This book is available for $24,.95 at bookstores and on-line.

Third Edition Game Recipes Booklet

Wild game cooks are constantly on the hunt for new ways to add variety to their menus, especially when the freezer’s full from a bountiful season. The folks at Lawry’s Foods have made that search easier with the release of their newest collection of recipes to add versatility and flair to wild game, fowl and fish. The Third Edition Game Recipes Booklet features 20 “blue-ribbon” recipes from members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America along with some of Lawry’s favorites, including Lawry’s classic Homemade Jerky recipe, a sure-fire crowd pleasers and tasty snack for camping or in the field. Recipes like Hickory Grilled Game Tenderloin, Dijon and Honey Ribs, Thai Ginger Wild Turkey Salad, Mesquite Grilled Redfish and Caribbean Style Duck Stir Fry entice the tastebuds and offer something to please everyone’s palate.

For a free copy of Lawry’s new game recipes booklet, call 1-800-248-9687 or write to Lawry’s Game Recipes Booklet, c/o The Walker Agency, PO Box 14390, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-4390.

The Hunter's Table, The Countrysport Book of Wild Game Cuisine (Countrysport Press)

Okay. You’ve had a successful hunting trip and bagged your quota of wild game meat, fish, and fowl, but do you know the best way to prepare it? With a copy of "The Hunter’s Table, The Countrysport Book of Wild Game Cuisine" on hand, you’ll have 150 of Chef Richard Blondin’s favorite recipes ranging from simple preparations that are typical of French home cooking to more elaborate dishes. Many of these are served in the finest restaurants for prices that sky rocket toward the sky. Included are American-style recipes as well, such as Sweet and Spicy Venison Meatloaf and Garlic and Rosemary Mashed Potatoes. His Cabernet-Drenched Wild Elk Stew with Pearl Onions and Tarragon Pot-Roasted Small Duck dinner is fantastic. You’ll learn how to buy game meats over the Internet if you’re not having good luck out in the field; as well as how to make yummy soups, side dishes, desserts, and other enhancements for fine or casual game dining.

Available at book stores or from Countrysport Press, Craig Industrial Park, Building 116, Selina, AL 36701.

Complete Magma Grill Guide and Cookbook (Magma Products)

The sixth edition of Magma Products' popular "Complete Magma Grill Guide and Cookbook" is available and now updated to coincide with the release of Magma's new Marine Kettle 2 series and the new Gourmet series of gas grills. More than just a cookbook, authors Jim and Jeanne Vaughn have put together 130 pages of easy-to-prepare recipes, techniques and insider tips on how to get the most enjoyment out of onboard grilling. The guide was written for both amateur and professional chefs who own and use Magma grills. The Vaughns are long-time boaters and grilling aficionados, and the Magma Grill Guide guides users through full-course meals, from appetizers to dessert.

Magma Products is the world’s largest manufacturer of all-stainless steel grills and the only major supplier of US-made onboard boat grills. The product line includes onboard boat grills, residential stainless steel grills, grilling accessories, propane accessories, serving tables, fishing and filet tables, stainless steel cookware, boat umbrellas, stabilizers and outriggers.

This book retails for $9.95, and is available at various dealers. For more information, or the name of the nearest dealer, contact Magma Products 3940 Pixie Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712; 562-627-0500; e-mail to Mail@MagmaProducts.com, or check web site www.MagmaProducts.com

Great Coffee Cakes, Sticky Buns, Muffins & More: 200 Anytime Treats and Special Sweets from Morning to Midnight (Clarkson Potter Publishers)

Hmmm, it's freezin outdoors, but it's so delightfully warm in the kitchen when you're baking something yummy. Carole Walter, renowned baker and cookbook author, has put togethr a collection of recipes guaranteed to warm anyone's heart in this, her latest cookbook - Great Coffee Cakes, Sticky Buns, Muffins & More: 200 Anytime Treats and Special Sweets from Morning to Midnight (Clarkson Potter Publishers). You'll find 200 foolproof recipes perfect to make at home and enjoy with family and friends. Whether it's pound cakes, coffee cakes, muffins, and other quick breads to scones, sweet biscuits, Bundt cakes, and babkas, Carole guides novice and expert bakers alike through irresistible treats and delights. Her signature 'At-a-Glance' boxes outline baking pan sizes, oven temperatures, baking times, and any special equipment needed -- plus the book contains general information on outfittign home kitchens for baking, common ingredients, and techniques. The chapters are filled with enticing recipes, many of which can be made quickly. Chapters include perfect pound cakes, home-style coffee cakes, muffins and quick breads, biscuits and scones, strudel then and now, coffee break bites and much more.

You'll also find loads of information on making plum-topped pound cake squares, Irish whiskey cake with midnight chocolate glaze, sour cream marble cake, chocolate chip scones, sweet potato drop biscuits, and much more.

Available in hardcover with jacket at bookstores or online for $35. For more information, contact Ms. Walter at www.CaroleWalter.com.

Simply Summer: Gourmet Meals Made Deliciously Easy With Tips for Elegant Living

If you can't fathom the thought of cooking in a steamy hot kitchen and have to resort to eating yet another boring salad or sandwich this summer, help is on the way! Former chef and Renaissance Gourmet Angela Tunner has created the versatile and accessible "Simply Summer" cookbook to save you from those dog days of summer doldrums.

Tunner's "no-cook cooking" approach that is for every busy parent, professional and home cook, is about providing abundant, quality meals that bring families together around the table so that they can regroup and reconnect in body, mind and soul. Simply Summer offers a vast number of handy tips, including invaluable shopping lists for each recipe, to make cooking in the heat a low-wattage, cool affair. Her unfussy, gourmet-recipe laden book offers everyone delectable dishes that eschew the heat of stoves or ovens for small kitchen appliances. This is perfect for the sweltering summer days, which scientists agree has everything to do with increasing greenhouse gases being emitted into our environment.

Tunner emplys toaster ovens, microwaves, blenders and other small kitchen appliances that use up to 75% less energy than a large electric oven in preparing simple recipes made with easily available ingredients found in neighborhood markets.

Additional tips in this book include dishes easy enough for the novice cook and enjoyable enough for the more serious amateur; tips on how to organize your kitchen for more effective cooking; and handy measurement conversion charts - and a whole lot more!

Available at $21.95 for order only online at www.angelatunner.com.

Complete Magma Grill Guide and Cookbook (Magma Products Co.)

The sixth edition of Magma Products' popular "Complete Magma Grill Guide and Cookbook" is now available.  The guide was updated to coincide with the release of Magma's new Marine Kettle 2 series and the new Gourmet series of gas grills.

More than just a cookbook, authors Jim and Jeanne Vaughn have put together 130 pages of easy-to-prepare recipes, techniques and insider tips on how to get the most enjoyment out of onboard grilling.  The guide was written for both amateur and professional chefs who own and use Magma grills.  The Vaughns are long-time boaters and grilling aficionados, and the Magma Grill Guide guides users through full-course meals, from appetizers to dessert.

Magma Products is the world’s largest manufacturer of all-stainless steel grills and the only major supplier of US-made onboard boat grills.  The product line includes onboard boat grills, residential stainless steel grills, grilling accessories, propane accessories, serving tables, fishing and filet tables, stainless steel cookware, boat umbrellas, stabilizers and outriggers.

This book is available at bookstores and sporting goods stores for $9.95 or, for the name of the nearest marine supply dealer, contact Magma Products 3940 Pixie Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712; 562-627-0500; Mail@MagmaProducts.com; or check web site www.MagmaProducts.com

ENTERTAINING -- AT HOME OR AWAY

Easy Entertaining (Fell Publications)

If you always have out-of-town friends dropping in, rather than worry about how to impress them, by having a copy of  Easy Entertaining (Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc.) on hand, you’ll have all the answers in this easy-to-read Official Know-It-All Guide™. Written by Edith Gilbert, it’s filled with a variety of menus and recipes; month-by-month party themes; ideas for invitations and place cards, table setting know-how; and great information for unique entertaining -- whether it’s a back-yard luau, holiday party, or sit-down dinner. Learn how to budget time and energy; mix and match menus and recipes; which wine to serve; and even how to select a caterer if you don’t want to do the preparation yourself. Guaranteed to take the stress out of hosting, the 250 pages offer fresh ideas ranging from the simplest to the most elegant dining for the novice or experienced host.

Available at book stores for $16.95. For mail order, check web site www.fellpub.com..

FISHING

How To Catch the Biggest Trout of Your Life (Wild River Press)

Spring is almost here and, for many, that means thoughts of a fly-fishing vacation – especially for the angler who dreams of catching a tasty trout. Reading How To Catch the Biggest Trout Of Your Life (Wild River Press) will surely enhance any angler’s experience. Author Landon Mayer provides precise easy-to-understand instructions on how to locate, hook and land huge trout. The colorful photographs alone are a delight, while the chapters include topics such as understanding trophy trout; how to read the water; casting techniques; fighting an oversized trout; gearing up, plus many more valuable hints.

      This 159-page book is available for $29.95 at bookstores, online, or from Wild River Press, P.O. Box 13360, Mill Creek, WA 98082; 425-486-3638

How to Rig Plastic Worms (Catchmore Publications)

The booklet, "How to Rig Plastic Worms," has been revised, up-dated and enlarged, and now shows -- through clear drawings -- how to rig plastic worms, grubs, lizards, crayfish and tube lures in 86 different ways. The rigs can be used not only catch bass, but also for many other fresh-water fish, while a few of the rigs can also be used to catch panfish. Other rigs are good for catching numerous salt-water fish.

The plastic worms and other plastic lures are very versatile lures that can be cast, trolled, jigged and used on the surface or along the bottom or depths in-between. These lures are inexpensive and can be fished in heavy cover-weeds, brush, sunken trees, among rocks, boulders and crawled along the bottom. Best of all, if a plastic worm gets hung up and you ose it, it's easy and inexpensive to just reach for another one nd continue fishing!

There's also a chapter in the booklet describing how to use plastic worms in fresh water for bass and other fish, plus a chapter describing how to use plastic worms and other plastic lures for salt-water fish. The author states that in order to become a good plastic worm angler, you have to know how to rig them in multiple ways and how to fish and work with them at various depths and under changing conditions. He suggests rigging plastic worms and other plastic lures during the winter months or before you go fishing, and suggests bringing along plenty on a fishing trip.

Written and illustrated by Vlad Evanoff, the booklet can be ordered by mail postpaid from Catchmore, Box 770036, Coral Springs, Fl. 33077.

Fishing New Jersey: A Guide for Freshwater Anglers (Burford Books)

Fishing New Jersey: A Guide for Freshwater Anglers (Burford Books, Short Hills, NJ) is a detailed guide to fishing New Jersey's fresh waters -- from rivers as large as the Delaware, as interesting as the Mustconetcong, or as intimate as Bergen County's Bear Swamp Brook. It also covers Lake Hopatcong and many dozens of others, including easy-access suburban locations. You'll learn where to fish, how to get to the right spot, and the tackle and techniques sure to put fish on the line. Seasoned anglers as well as the novice will delight in the numbers new opportunities.

Available at bookstores and specialty retailers throughout New Jersey or from the publisher, Burford Books, 32 Morris Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081, 973-258-0960; www.burfordbooks.com.

Book of Practical Fishing Knots (Stackpole Books)

The Book of Practical Fishing Knots (Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA), will keep you entertained for hours. Written by international knot expert Geoffrey Budworth, it features easy-to-fllow, step-by-step diagrams and instructions for tying more than 75 knots for use in all forms of fishing. Don't fish? No problem -- because learning how to tie these knots is both fun and a challenge for all ages. Some knots are easy, others are difficult, but the over 280 illustrations and 140 full-color photograhs are very helpful teaching tools. Budworth also goes into the history and use for each knot. For example, the Turtle knot dating back to 1841 was made popular by a Major Turtle in England. The simplest of nooses and now outmoded, it remains the basis for several more robust variants. The Angler's loop is a reliable knot for just about any kind of line or leader, while the Triple Palomar knot is recommended for tying the latest hi-tech, super lines to metal rings and hooks because it's strong, highly slip-resistant, and can be tied in fairly heavy lines.

This book is available at bookstores, sports stores and online. For more information, contact Stackpole Books, 5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; www.stackpolebooks.com.

FUN BOOKS FOR ALL AGES

The Daughters

Author Joanna Philbin draws from her own teenage years growing up as the daughter of "Live with Regis and Kelly" host Regis Philbin. Philbin thoughtfully explores what it's really like to grow up in the thick of the celebrity world in this fast-reading fun book. As Lizzie and her two best friends, Carlina and Hudson, fellow daughters of celebrities, juggle normal high school events with glamorous family functions, they discover the pitfalls of fame and the importance of friendship.

Recommended for ages 12 & up, as a senior, I thoroughly enjoyed it and passed it on to my granddaughter. Unconventional-looking Lizzie Summers has spent her life hiding from the cameras that are always following her gorgeous mother - supermodel extraordinaire, Katya. With her bright, gravity-defying red hair and hatred of high heels, 14-year-old Lizzie has accepted her weird looks, and is satisfied that they have at least shielded her from the paparazzi. But when a photographer approaches Lizzie believing that she is "the new face of beauty,' Lizzie is unexpectedly thrust into the media spotlight. Find out what happenes. Does she followin her mother's footsteps?

Available for $16.99 at bookstores, amazon.com and online from Oppy, a division of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 237 Park Avenue, New York; 212-364-1100.

Table Topics Fun Games For Adults & Children

Are you having trouble getting your children to converse? Want to know how to break the ice at a cocktail hour and enrich dinner parties? Table Topics has come up with a unique idea and fun game with editions for adults, families, teens, couples, women, and more. By using Table Topics, you'll be able to make the most out of the conversations that happen around us every day, no matter where we are or who we are.

What's this all about? Each Table Topics ultramodern cube holds 135 clever cards, each posing a different question -- some humorous, some serious, and all of them entertaining. The Original Edition (red) was created for adults, but is appropriate for all ages and is a host's best friend guaranteed to entertain in even the most awkward situations -- because the fun, thought-p0rovoking questions will ensure lively conversation around your dinner table or at parties.

The Family edition (green) allows us to connect with our children in a fun way over a family meal. This will get the conversation flowing at mealtimes, bedtime or in the car. The fun mix of questions ranges from silly to thought-provoking to entertaining.

The Teen edition (orange) sparks fun, interesting and meaningful chats on the phone, at parties, on dates, on road trips, etc. Roll with laughter finding out secrets about your closest friends, such as "What';s the best birthday party you can imagine?" "Could you get straight A's next year if you were offered one million dollars?"

There are many more editions -- Girls Night Out; Couples; Spirit; Book Club; and Gourmet. These portable conversation starters make the most of time spent with family and friends, and the questions come in a neat slipcasse, making it easy to take anywhere.

Prices start at $5.50 depending on the topic. Found at bookstores or direct from Tabletopics Inc., 66 Martha Road, Suite 200, Orinda, CA 94563. For more details check web site tabletopics.com.

 Dr. Toy's Smart Play: How to Raise a Child with a High PQ (Play Quotient)   St. Martin's Griffin, NY   

When you’re out in the field, you may be wondering if your children are engaged in healthy play. According to Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., who is fondly known as Dr. Toy, “a child’s ability to play does more than provide for fun and diversion; it is critical for his or her emotional and intellectual growth, and teaches everything from social skills to analytical thinking. For the developing mind of a child, learning to play is paramount, but is your child getting the most out of playtime? After dedicating a lifetime to the importance of play, Auerbach, in her latest book, Dr. Toy’s Smart Play; How to Raise a Child with a High PQ (Play Quotient), gives specific advice on which toys to buy and what kind of games to play to empower your child’s overall development. You’ll learn how to become your child’s Play Tutor; how play can strengthen maturity levels and confidence; the pros, cons, and facts of gender-specific toys; and guidance for the gifted and special-needs child. This fine book also has practical advice on evaluating a toy’s safety; how to learn which toy manufacturers Dr. Toy recommends; craft supplies to always keep on hand; Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products; and many more invaluable ways to make playtime a growing experience so you won’t have to worry about what your child is doing while you’re on a volunteer mission!

Published by St. Martin’s Griffin, NY, it’s available at book stores everywhere.

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Brain Games (Alpha/Penguin Books)

No, you don't have to be an idiot to enjoy this fun book published by Alpha Books. In fact, being brainy really helps exercise your mind while conquering the 200 puzzles. The puzzles are challenging and entertaining of varying skill levels for maximum mental training. Here, divided into four categories (easy, moderately difficult, difficult and extremely difficult), you'll find trivia, matching, crossword puzzles, and other word games, in addition to a full range of Sudoku, Kakuro, and Kaidoku puzzles. There is also word associations, pun puzzles, and rhyming challenges, plus unique lateral thinking puzzles that stretch your mind in new ways. The introduction illustrates these and gives a solved example of each. It would have been useful if the author had suggested strategies for attacking them, but the reader is left on his/her own to figure out how to solve the unfamiliar types.

This book is very handy while traveling or in a waiting room, to pass some empty moments. Its small size makes it easy to carry and the range of difficulties means that everyone will find some that are suitable and perhaps work up to try even those that are most difficult. Written by Matt Gaffney, a professional crossword puzzle constructor whose puzzles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other books and magazines, the book fits easily into a pocket or handbag.

This book is available for $8.98 at bookstores and online. For more information, contact Alpha Books at web site www.idiotsguides.com.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Looking for some great reading material for summer vacation but don't have the time to research different titles? The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List helps busy people find great reads across the spectrum of fiction and non-fiction categories. A must-have for individuals interested in building a home library, the guide includes recommendations of popular, entertaining reading including 10 "classic titles" and 25 titles from the last decade in each of the following categories: (fiction) mystery, romance, science fiction and the classics; . (non-fiction) biographies, history, humor and many more.

Available at book stores for $14.95 by authors Shelley Mosley, John Charles, Joanne Hamilton-Selway, and Sandra Van Winkle, Glendale, AZ. For more information contact Wilks Communications, giwilks@aol.com, 708-366-8389

How to Draw A Clam    (Clarkson Publishers)                                                          

I received a copy of How to Draw a Clam by Joy Sikorski (Clarkson Publishers) as a gift. Its strange title intrigued me and, at first, I thought it was a children’s book. Wrong. I quickly discovered it is for all ages, and one of the most original, delightful books I’ve come across in ages. Author Sikorski’s announcement on the first page reads: “If you believe that one should always be on vacation as a matter of principle…This Book is For You. You shall see why.” And I certainly did, for she’s divided the book into various topics, such as “How to know if you need a vacation; Sand, Escapes, Escape Plan, Deciding Where to Go, Quests, Travel Journal, Bumpy road, Vacationers, Travel Cross-country, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Money, Up North, Down East, Down South, Oceans & a Cruise, and Billboards.” I appreciated the bibliography, helpful index, the chapter on Coming Back Home, and especially Sikorski’s fine illustrations and wonderful sense of humor.

This book is definitely FUN and educational. For example, in the chapter on Sands, she illustrates what Sands of the World look like and you can visually see the various sand textures in Great Salt Lake, Utah; Clearwater Beach, Florida; Green Sand Beach, Hawaii; Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia, etc. Through her unique drawings, Sikorski teaches readers how to skip -- whether we’ve forgotten how or never learned, so we can get into a vacation mood. If you can’t leave on vacation right now, the ‘High Adventure” tips will allow you take a stay-at-home mini-vacation. Sikorski suggests, “Go for a ride in an elevator – invite friends along.” “Coming upon a grassy slope, follow Samuel Johnson’s example: Lie down at the top of the hill and ‘have a roll.”  Or, for Day Escape 1, “try a Snow Cone – Place a towel on the roof, an icy pink beverage. Perhaps a kiddy pool?” How about trying Day Escape 2, the Snow Dome. “Bundle up and sit in the backyard in a snowstorm, holding a cup of hot cocoa in your hands. Exquisite – like being inside a snow dome!”

The author’s sense of whimsy can be felt on almost every page. She suggests, “Watch where an escaping balloon goes; or play games with the Where to Go Wheel. She even offers great drawing lessons and guarantees, by demonstration, that all things in nature can be drawn with the sphere, cylinder, and cone. Make time to Play the Bumpy Road game via an actual game inside the book. Learn what to put in your glove compartment when traveling; learn little known facts about various places; make a pair of Eskimo sunglasses (she has an emergency pair ready to be cut out and used); or, if you prefer, follow precise lessons on how to draw a flamingo, sea gull, papaya, cruise ship, bottle-nosed dolphin, and much, much more ---- and, of course, how to draw a clam.

Sikorski is also the author of How to Draw a Radish and How to Draw a Cup of Coffee – and I can’t wait to buy and read these books – not only for myself, but also for gifts to give to those I care about.

Available for $16.95 at bookstores or on-line. For more information, contact Clarkson Potter/Publishers/New York or on the web at www.randomhouse.com.

Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself (Normad Press)

Publisher Nomad Press, VT, has introduced a unique, educational book written by author Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt. She has written detailed information ranging from spy maps and victory banners to spotter planes and ration cakes – all helping kids learn some hands-on history. She’s also brought one of the most uncertain and defining periods of American and world history to life through fun and challenging building projects and activities. Combining a solid overview of World War II with more than 25 hands-on activities, her book explores daily life at home and on the front lines during the war years through projects ranging from planting a victory garden, to making secret boiled egg messages, to compiling ration kits and soldier care packages ready to send to U.S. troops currently stationed throughout the world. Most of the 30 projects can be accomplished with simple household supplies and minimal adult supervision, and the result is often a working model of the original invention. Detailed, step-by-step instructions, archival photography, illustrations and diagrams, and templates for each project are interspersed with historical facts, biographies, anecdotes, and trivia about the real-life models. It’s a great way to offer kids and adults a hands-on way to experience the history and innovations that were sparked by the Second World War.

Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is available in bookstores, or on-line for $16.95. For more information, contact Nomad Press, 2456 Christian Street, White River Junction, Vermont 05001; 802-649-1995, or check web site www.nomadpress.net.

The Tree That Could Fly (Bookman Publishing)

Dr. Alma Halbert Bond retired from her longtime Manhattan practice of psychoanalysis to devote full time to her writing. Since then she has had 10 books published. One of her latest, The Tree That Could Fly (Bookman Publishing) was written for children, for it is the story she has told, over and over again, to her children, and then to her grandchildren Now available in print and beautifully illustrated, it is certain to delight both the young and young at heart. It is a magical tale about Bluey, an adventurous and inquisitive young fairy with wings the color of the sky who ventures out into the woods, proceeding to play, romp, and laugh with forest creatures, until a summer storm sweeps through the Whispering Woods. Poor Bluey is then stranded until her wings dry, while loneliness and cold threaten to overtake her. Yet, help arrives from a very unlikely source. However, I won’t tell you what happens because I want you to have the pleasure of reading this book for yourself - and for the youngsters in your life!  It’s a great bedtime story and a great gift to treasure for years to come. My grandchild, Zoe, was thrilled by it. However, I must warn you - - - once you read for yourself, or to your child or grandchild - - - you’ll have to read it over and over again. Why? Because it’s fantastic!

Available at bookstores for $13.99

GAMES

LIAR's DICE (Sababa Group Inc.)

Playing a fun game is always a treat whether at home or on vacation. Recently, I had the opportunity to try Liar's Dice – a classic dice bluffing game supposedly passed on by the Inca civilization to the Spanish Conquistadors and now to us. The principle of the game is to outbid, out bluff, and outlast their opponents. Best of all, Liar's Dice can be played both by adults and children as young as 8 years of age. I loved the beautiful, wooden hinged dice box that can sit on a display shelf. Inside are four wooden shakers and 20 dice. The game box, available at gift, sporting, department stores, and online for $24.99, measures 5 inches x 5 inches x 5 inches.

For more information, visit Sababa Group Inc., Front Porch Classics Division, at www.frontporchclassics.com.

GARDEN & GARDENING BOOKS

Garden Retreats - Creating An Outdoor Sanctuary (Chronicle Books)

As simple as two chairs beneath a shady tree or a low bench beside a sheltering tangle of wildflowers, a garden retreat is a relaxing and intimate space in which to read a book, enjoy a quiet conversation, or sip a cup of tea. Author Barbara Ashman understands that every outdoor sanctuary is a soulful expression of its creator, and her book, Garden Retreats, will help you define your own personal style while explaining the elements that can be used to create a private retreat.

For some, gardening itself_planting and pruning, digging and raking, weeding and deadheading--brings inner peace. For others, lying in a hammock and appreciating a beautifully designed tableau is the means to serenity. But whether you're a digger or a sitter, you can arrive at the same place--a calm state of mind, where being is more important than accomplishing, where nervous restlessness evaporates. In this book are tips on creating sheltering walls, allees, and arbors, as well as suggestions for combining plants, trees, garden structures and furniture to yield the most relaxing combinations of color, shape and texture. Beautifully illustrated throughout with vibrant color photographs of an array of enchanting garden refuges, this is a wonderful dream book as well as a truly practical companion.

The gardens in this book are inspirational and provide an abundance of creative ideas and practical instruction. Including chapters titled "Finding Your Own Style," "The Entry: Portal of Transition," "The Inviting Path," and "Plants For All Seasons," this book is the perfect tool for anyone to create his or her own outdoor sanctuary and begin a journey toward inner peace.

Available at book stores and amazon.com. For more information contact Chronicle Books, 85 Second Street, San Francisco, California 94105 or go to web site www.chronbooks.com.

HEALTH - EXERCISE - DIET - FOOD BOOKS

Diabetes Survival Guide (Ballantine Books)

The number of people in the United States diagnosed with diabetes has grown tremendously over the past few years. Thankfully, this 326-page guide, complete with index and written by Stanley Mirsky, M.D., and Joan Rattner Heilman (previously published as Controlling Diabetes The Easy Way), has been fully revised with new information on prediabetes and prevention, as well as the Metabolic Syndrome - risk factors that, along with genetic predisposition, sow the seeds of diabetes; diet - sensible, easy-to-follow suggestions about what, when and how much to eat with delicious choices. In addition it describes new drugs - inhaled insulin powder, combination pills, insulin that lasts twenty-four hours, fast-acting "designer" insulin, and other milestones.

In it you will find details on cutting-edge equipment such as state-of-the-art insulin pumps, glucose monitors, and pen injectors; complications - innovations for preventing heart disease, kidney failure, neuropathy of the feet and legs, and loss of vision -- plus stem cell research - the possibility of using stem cells as a source of insulin-producing beta cells and surgical options - transplantaton techniques.

Available at bookstores or on-line for $14.95. For more information go to www.ballantinebooks.com.

THE FAST FOOD DIET: Lose Weight and Feel Great Even If You're Too Busy to Eat Right (Wiley)

and

REVERSE HEART DISEASE NOW: Stop Deadly Cardiovascular Plaque Before It's Too Late (Wiley)

---- are two books written by cardiologist and nutritionist Dr. Stephen Sinatra guaranteed to keep you healthy.

Now, the author of these books gives readers When the holiday season approaches, the celebrations begin. Office parties. Gift baskets filled with cookies, candies and cakes. Sumptuous feasts with friends and family.

sensible advice that will allow anyone to survive the holidays with intact waistlines, a healthy heart, and peace of mind.

"Motivation and discipline are often the first casualties when we put on our party hats," said Dr. Sinatra. "But there's no need to become a holiday hermit just to avoid a few caloric indiscretions." Drawn from both THE FAST FOOD DIET and REVERSE HEART DISEASE NOW, Dr. Sinatra outlines 9 simple steps to keep you on track while still enjoying the celebrations:

1. Abandon the 'starve and feast' approach: this is a common mistake made by many dieters who skip meals to 'save up' for extra calories at parties. This simply does not work. Worse, it slows your metabolism, insulin levels climb so your body stores and hoards fat. It's better to stick to your regular schedule.

2. Maintain the optimal meal balance: 25-30% lean protein, 25-30 % healthy fats and 45-50% low-glycemic carbohydrates. Help yourself to the turkey - it's a great source of protein. Dig into the sweet potatoes and veggies for slow burning low glycemic carbs and get your fill of healthy fats from appetizers olives.

3. Limit the libations: Don't forget that a few drinks can pack as many calories as a good-sized serving of chocolate mousse.

4. Eat early, party late: Eat a little something before you head to the party. This will keep hunger in check and stabilize blood sugar level for and control your appetite. Slather a wheat cracker with peanut butter or grab a handful of nuts.

5. Divide and conquer: Cut back a bit on portions and turn your plate into a visual reminder by filling it three-quarters with healthier foods and using the remaining quarter for indulgences.

6. Alternate feast days with regular days: The holiday season lasts several weeks so rather than grant yourself unlimited party permission for the duration, set aside 3-4 days each week when you'll go easy on things that run high in the fat and calorie department and on the remaining days, go ahead a cut loose a bit with richer but still sensible foods.

7. Eat what you love: Deprivation is not the answer and don't settle for second best. Why choose pumpkin pie, which you don't love, just because it has fewer calories than the pecan pie which you adore?

8. Don't forget to move!: When cooking, entertaining, cleaning, organizing, it's easy to leave out a little exercise. While a regular exercise routine is nearly impossible to keep during the holiday season, getting outside to walk the dog, finding time for a yoga class, or showing relatives around town will go a long way towards defusing stress, keeping waistlines trim, and maintaining a healthy heart.

9. Take your vitamins: It's one of the easiest things you can do, and hectic holiday life is no excuse to drop this out of your routine. Dr. Sinatra recommends an array of supplements depending on your overall health, and it's a simple way to keep your energy up, diseases away, and improve your mood in what can be a trying time.

Dr. Sinatra's books are available on-line or at bookstores everywhere.

Shovel It: Nature's Health Plan (Writeriffic Publishing Group)

Published byWriteriffic Publishing Group, this book is perfect for those who love to garden. It is also filled with information on how gardening can be therapeutic. Dr. Eva Shaw, an award-winning author, urges readers to “Get gardening and avert a heart attack, lower blood pressure, cut bad cholesterol. Gardening can help you heal, strengthen bones, deal with chronic fatigue syndrome, reduce anti-depressants and painkillers and cope with stress. Find peace, health and happiness in your own backyard.”  In her book, you’ll learn how, in many cultures and traditions, certain plants have specific symbolism. For example, using Celtic lore, trees are said to have spirits and energies. As the primary Celtic symbol, the tree is believed to be a bridge between the land and sky, heaven and earth. And, in the lore, trees are said to communicate through water between these realms and all realms are united within the tree. Shaw suggests, if you want to personalize your garden, you may want to include this mythology in your plans. She also offers several tips on how to be a fit gardener; how to create a Japanese or Zen garden as a sanctuary, for meditation, or therapy; why using a trowel and exuding some sweat makes for a better body; how to attract birds to the garden; and many more fun, educational things to do connected with gardening.

Available at bookstores for $15.95

European Food & Drink Guide (Berlitz Publishing)

Have you ever been puzzled by a menu written in a foreign language? If so, the European Food & Drink Guide  (Berlitz Publishing) will solve the mystery -- for this comprehensive pocket-sized (4” x 5 3/4”) guide highlights dining in at least 14 different European countries, covering 11 of the most popular languages -- including Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.  Recently, it also came in handy while I was dining in a fancy French restaurant in New York City where the menu selections were written in French!  As a bonus, the guide contains a glossary of menu items; an easy look-up of most foods and beverages; is color-coded by language for ease of use; offers a tipping guide; a simplified pronunciation guide; a conversion chart for weights and measures, volume, and temperature; plus vital regional information regarding local food, typical dining times, and types of restaurants popular in each locality.

Available for $9.95 at bookstores, travel stores, and online outlets where maps and travel products are sold. For more information, contact Berlitz Publishing, 36-36 33rd Street, Long Island City, NY 11106; 800-432-6277 or check the Web at www.berlitzbooks.com.

The Female Athlete’s Body Book (McGraw-Hill)

Written by Gloria Beim, M.D. and Ruth Winter (McGraw-Hill), The Female Athlete's Body Book is loaded with sound advice for girls and women of all ages on how to compete at their highest level while staying healthy and injury-free. Dr. Beim, one of the nation’s top orthopedic surgeons and an accomplished athlete, describes common injuries, explains why they occur more often in females, and how these injuries can be prevented or property treated. Written clearly by Ruth Winter (an award-winning health writer), this book is, thankfully, printed in type large enough to prevent eyestrain. Chapters include body part-specific exercises aimed at both enhancing performance and overcoming potential physical vulnerabilities; information about the influences of puberty, menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy; nutrition and training tips for top performance and lifelong health; and what to do if injuries occur. Readers will gain much knowledge on how to avoid injury when engaging in basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, tennis, racquetball, lacrosse, field hockey, skiing and snowboarding. Other sports discussed include ice-skating and ice hockey, swimming, scuba diving, biking, rock climbing, walking and running, and golf. Mature athletes will find lots of tips, and photos of valuable conditioning exercises will be a great help to those injured in sports-related activities.

Available at bookstores or on-line for $16.95.

YMCA Healthy Back Book

You know what it's like standing all day on the sales floor or behind the register, or simply walking. You may not know that the major disability in people under 45 is back pain. This affects over 70 percent of adults at some time in their lives, is the second most likely cause of absenteeism at work, and is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor. By following the medically sound and easy-to-follow information based on the same YMCA program that has helped over 300,000 find relief, customers can understand the cause of back pain and various treatment options; learn how to exercise to prevent painful back problems; and discover ways to reduce back pain when it does occur. Written by the YMCA of the USA with patricia Sammann, Chapter 1 gives the warning signs plus common-sense first aid tips for treating back pain, while Chapter 4, the centerpiece of this well-illustrated book, offers 20 exercises to improve the health and fitness of the back.

Exercises are divided into three levels of intensity so the reader can work up to a vigorous 20-minute workout. For those who want variety, there are basic water exercises. Tips are given on the best ways to sit, stand, sleep, drive and do other everyday tasks besides making lifestyle changes to ease back pain.

This might be a book you make required reading for everyone who does lifting or stands a lot.

Available at bookstores or online for $16.95.

HIKING & BACKPACKING BOOKS

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Tampa (Menasha Ridge Press)

Lots of books have been written about Florida, especially those telling how to get around Disney and other attractions. However, few have covered Florida’s great hiking trails--until now. Thanks to author Carolee Boyles, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Tampa (Menasha Ridge Press), those seeking adventure or discovery, will find that the outdoors can transform the body and mind. Boyles basically blows the lid off the myth that you can’t find a great hike close to home, for while the Tampa-St. Petersburg area of Florida may be an ever-growing metropolis, there are still plenty of super recreational opportunities. This resourceful guide will provide you with information on short and long hikes, hikes for kids, urban hikes, wildlife hikes, and historic hikes. The book includes maps, directions, trail lengths, hiking times, and a wealth of detail about the routes themselves.

 Available at book stores for $?? or from Menasha’s distributer, The Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, CT 06437.

Basic Essentials Animal Tracks (Globe Pequot Press)

You don’t have to be an old woodman or come from a long line of Native American trackers to enjoy the fun and the fascination of animal tracking. All you need are three well-developed skills: observation, patience, and awareness. Basic Essentials Animal Tracks by Roseann and Jonathan Hanson (Globe Pequot Press) provides the average outdoors lover with a general overview of these basic principles, and tips on animal tracking and track identification skills for animals found throughout North America. Packed with facts, advice and tips, this book is for beginners looking for new skills, as well as the seasoned veteran needing a handy reference guide.

Available at book stores or from Globe Pequot at 800-962-0973.

HISTORY BOOKS

Following the Nez Perce Trail (Oregon State University)

The 1877 flight of the Nez Perce from their homelands while pursued by U.S. soldiers and citizen volunteers is one of the most compelling and sorrowful events in American history. The Nez Perce National Historic Trail traces the route taken by the 800 Nez Perce men, women, and children from May to october 1877. In her book, Following the Nez Perce Trail (Oregon State University), author Cheryl Wilfong draws on eyewitness accounts to chronicle the heartbreaking retreat of Chief Joseph and his people. Originally published in 1990 and now available in a revised and expanded edition, Wilfong's book offers an essential guide for anyone who wishes to follow all or part of the Trail.

The Nez Perce Trail stretches 1,500 miles from Wallows Lake, Oregon, through Idaho and Yellowstone Park, ending at the Bear Paw Battlefield, near Chinook, Montana. This historical guidebook splits the Trail into 13 segments, each with its own chronology and travel plan, with alternative routes for 'mainstream, "adventurous,' and 'intrepid' travelers. The routes include maps, GPS coordinates, and recommendations for ide trips. Period photographs and firthand accounts from those who first traveled the trail-- the Nez Perce, soldiers, settlers--bring history to ife.

For more than 15 years, Following the Nez Perce Trail has led travelers and historians as they're retraced the flight of the Nez Perce from their Pacific Northwest homeland to thir exile in Oklahoma and Canada. This new edition has been updated by Wilfong and includes a new emphasis on the experiences of the Nez Perce women and children. Her detailed knowledge of the Nez Perce Trail informs every page of this indispensable guide.

This 512 page book is available in paperback for $29.95 at bookstores everywhere or online, or call 1-800-426-3797 for more information from Oregon State University Press, 500 Kerr Adminstration Building, Corvallis, Oregon 07331.  

HUNTING BOOKS

Hunting Trophy Whitetails (Venture Press)

Trophy bucks are unlike other whitetails - so much so that they might as well be a different species. And, unless a hunter knows how, when and where to hunt trophy whitetails - not just deer, not even just bucks - he/she cannot hope to successfully challenge these remarkable game animals. Because of their uniqueness and greatness, David Morris has written this book devoted entirely to hunting the biggest and smartest of the whitetail clan.

You'll be carried through the educational process of a trophy buck and how Morris reveals why these animals are so well equipped to survive. You'll learn how to measure and score trophies and how to judge antler size in the field, and will learn what it takes to have quality trophy hunting and how to size up the trophy prospects where you hunt. The best areas in North America for trophy bucks are explored, and you can see how your own region stacks up. The book examines the impact of hunting pressure, weather, the moon, time of year and many other factors on deer movement, plus a hunter's chances for success. The secrets of seasonal deer patterns are revealed so that a hunter can predict what the deer will be doing before he ever sets foot in the woods.

The all-important rut is examined, along with the more challenging times before and after. Learn how to use aerial photos and topo maps, how to scout the territory and how to master the art of still-hunting, stand-hunting, driving and rattling. Morris gives no-nonsense advice on gun, cartridge and bullet selection, shooting under pressure and proper shot placement. The book is 524-pages with 225 color and B/W photos plus maps and charts with a four-color dust jacket.

Hunting Trophy Whitetails is available for $36 plus shipping and handling charges, from Venture Press, P.O. Box 1689, Bigfork, MT 59911.

A Bad Duck Hunt (Cold Tree Press)

Friends, spouses and duck hunters will roar at Michael Terry's unique, tongue-in-cheek, perspective on the sport. Together with side-splitting cartoons--Terry captures the complete experience: dogs, boats, guns, decoys, blinds, calls and all the rest that leave the duck hunter cold, wet and duckless. From Maine to California, Colorado to Iowa, Arkansas and Louisiana, every duck hunter will find him/herself in one of Terry's "explanations." Read and learn, because every hunter knows there's got to be a good excuse for coming home empty handed...and A Bad Duck Hunt will assure that you've got it!

Michael Terry has lived and gotten wet, cold and missed ducks in much of the country. He's the author of best selling novel, So Shine Before Men. A graduate of Wesleyan Univeristy, he earned a MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. After a career in investment banking and finance, Terry became a business turnaround specialist and consultant, before turning to writing.

Jerry Johnson is one of the country's outstanding wildlife artists. The cartoons for A Bad Duck Hunt are a departure from his experience in representational art of waterfowl, raptors, and other birds, as well as big game animals, and backgrounds of the rural south.

This 180 page book, published by Cold Tree Press, is available at bookstores or online for $12.95. For a copy of your favorite Jerry Johnson cartoon - an original signed and numbered print - or to order a bound copoy of all the cartoons in book form, go to web site www.coldtreepress.com.

Ultimate Duck Hunting (Mid Carolina Media)

This is the first and only 3D hunting stimulation game to feature both single and multiplayer capabilities. Ultimate Duck Huting finds you, your dog, your companion hunters and their dogs competing for wild ducks in noted North American hunting presereves. Your choice of hunting accessories, dog-training ability, and aim accuracy determines your ultimate duck hunting success. On a remote island with three other hunters, this atmosphere crackles with gunfire, honking ducks, thunder and rain, while feathers explode with each hit. The game's clever intricacies make for the ultimate duck huntig simulation. It features a choice of hunting accessories (shotgun, decoys, camo, and dog); dog-training in essential commands (remote sit, left over, right over, and back); six realistically detailed locales teeming with wild ducks; a scoring system based upon the number of birds shot, the number of birds retrieved, ad the time it takes to complete your hunt; and much more.

The single and multiplayer hunting for the PC produced by Mid Carolina Media is $19.95. For more information on system requirements and availability, write to Mid Carolina Medica, Inc., 712 Currituck Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609; 919-787-7530, or check web site www.ultimateduckhunting.com.

INFORMATION GUIDES/BOOKS

Kabbalah Magic and the Great Work of Self-Transformation (Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd)

Advancing to higher levels of ritual magic filled with purpose and power requires an exalted state of consciousness--a spiritual transformation that is an antidote to the aridity and futility of modern life. Based on Kabbalistic techniques, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and an Hermetic tradition spanning nearly twenty centuries, this innovative new work by author Lyam Thomas Christopher, introduces the history of the Golden Dawn and its mythology, the Tree of Life, Deities, demons, rules for practicing magic, and components of effective ritual.

A comprehensive course of self-initiation using Israel Regardie's seminal Golden Dawn as a reference point, Kabbalah, Magic & the Great Work of Self-Transformation guides readers through each level of the Golden Dawn system of ritual magic. Each grade corresponds with a sphere in the Kabbalah Tree of Life and icnludes daily rituals, required reading, written assignments, projects and additional exercises.

Christopher presents a well-grounded and modern step-by-step program toward spiritual attainment, and a lucid gateway toward a heightened state of wakefulness.

This book is available at bookstores everywhere for $17.95. For more information visit web site www.llewellyn.com or write to Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd at 2143 Woodside Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125..

The Conservative's Handbook: Defining the Right Position on Issues from A to Z (Cumberland House Publishing)

In reading this fine book, voters nationwide will have a guide to conservatism and its belief system. It provides an A to Z listing of today's hot issues and topics of perennial interest. Each chapter is dedicated to an in-depth discussion of one particular topic. . .Global warming, gun control, illegal immigration and national security are just a few subjects that Westwood One syndicated talk-show host Phi Valentine outlines a conservative viewpoint for. Valentine expertly combines personal opinion, fact, and research to provide a persuasive argument in favor or opposing the issue at hand. Comprehensve, without being overwhelming, The Conservative's Handbook summarizes what it means to be a conservative and will either challenge or reinforce readers' thoughts and assumptions as America readied itself for another presidential election.

Valentine writes, "Conservatism is about hope for the future, not fear of it. It's about confronting our problems head-on with rational ideas on how to solve them, not cowering in a corner waitin for someone else to devise a solution. You may find this book informative, humorous, and possibly enraging - bt if it makes you think, then I've done my job." Inside you'll vind chapters from A to Z, including Unions have outlived their usefulness; Vigilance is the price of freedom; America is good; Belief in God is a cornerstone of our republic; Zero tolerance is the only way to effectively deal with drime; and much, more.

The Conservative's Handbook, (ISBN-13:978-1-58182-622-3) published in September 2008 by Cumberland House Publishing is available online and at bookstores for $19.95.

How to Move to Canada: A Primer for Americans  (Thomas Dunne Books)                                         

On the morning after Election Day 2004, American visitors to Canada’s immigration web site set a new daily record – increasing 600% from an average of 20,000 hits to 115,000 hits. In How To Move to Canada: A Primer for Americans (Thomas Dunne Books), we learn that many Americans who make the move north aren’t going for politics – for skilled workers and retirees make up the largest number of emigrants to Canada. Author Terese Loeb Kreuzer with Carol Bennett has provided readers with a straightforward and informative handbook that gives a thorough understanding of Canadian residency and naturalization processes. It supplies anyone interested in a possible move to Canada with a clearer understanding of everything Americans need to make the move, and gives a more realistic appreciation of what Canada has to offer Americans.  Included is detailed information on each region and major city, climate, transportation, health care policies, and comprehensive lists of resources to consult for further information. The book also contains snapshots of Canada’s provinces and territories and their major cities; interviews with immigration experts and Americans who have immigrated to Canada; an immigration checklist; and hands-on perspectives and invaluable advice.

Available in bookstores or on-line for $14.95. For more information, contact Thomas Dunne Books, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York 10010; 646-307-5151, or check web site www.HowtoMovetoCanada.net.

LEGAL RIGHTS BOOKS

Travel Rights: Know The Rules of the Road (and the Air) Before You Go! (World Leisure Corp.)

The title, Travel Rights: Know The Rules of the Road (and the Air) Before You Go! (World Leisure Corp., Hampstead, NH) says it all. Author Charles Leocha guides readers step-by-step on how to find the best airfare deals and rental car rates; obscure credit card benefits; and what to do during travel emergencies. The 191-page paperback also explains the best way to make online travel reservations; how to beat the ridiculous one-way rental car charge; what to do if your passport is lost; and how to write a perfect complaint letter when the need arises, among other worthwhile tips.

Available at book stores for $9.95.

Seniors' Rights: Your Legal Guide to Living Life to the Fullest (Soucebooks)

The back jacket of Seniors’ Rights: Your Legal Guide to Living Life to the Fullest by Brette McWhorter Sember (Sourcebooks) reads: “These are the best years of your life – the years you should spend enjoying the benefits of your hard work…not worrying about the future.” This helpful guide alleviates many possible problems for seniors since it gives numerous beneficial tips on how to make informed decisions; explains what kinds of legal protections are available; how to use that information in enhancing seniors‘ daily lives; and offers Information on wills and health care. Included, too, is vital information on financial matters, safety, and ways to protect against nursing home problems, elder abuse, scams, and home dangers. Laws are fully explained, and resources are listed for obtaining further details. Written by an attorney, additional topics include living on a fixed income; living trusts; Social Security credits; political advocacy groups; traffic safety, discrimination; grandparents’ visitation, and much more.

MEDICAL BOOKS

The Death Pit (Rising Star - iUniverse Books)

This new 210-page medical thriller sheds light on lethal influence of medical politics and religious fanaticism in the healthcare system. Find out if religious restrictions regarding medical care are the cause of more deaths than we realize. According to author Dr. Michael F. Wright, an internal medicine specialist with over 32 years of experience, there is a widespread religious interference related to the practice of medicine. Wright cleverly addresses these concerns and more in his book, a medical thriller that intertwines science, murder, politics, religion and romance. The story begins when an eighteen-year-old African American woman dies unexpectedly after undergoing an elective tubal ligation at Detroilt's Henry Ford Hospital. The hospital's mortality review committee can't determine what went wrong. Three more unexplained deaths of young women send the hospital administration reeling. A renowned forensic pathologist is hired to investigate. Find out what happens after his exams. Themes in this book include -- The affects of religious fanaticism on medical practice; Understanding America's medical crisis through the inter-workings of hospital politics and medical committees; An inside look at forensic medicine, autopsies and Code Blues; and the Potential effects of socialized medicine on medical care.

The Death Pit is available for $15.95 at barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com and iuniverse.com. For more information go to web site www.michaelfwright.com.

MONEY-SAVING BOOKS & PASSES

CITYPASS®

CityPass Gives Parents a Break on Spring 

Parents looking beyond cliché spring break destinations can, with a few clicks, equip the family with a pocket-sized key to secrets of the past, skyscraping views of postcard skylines, ancient bones, goosebump patriotism, shimmering underwater fantasy or modern art.

“Spring Break” may not mean a break for working parents. CityPass comes to the rescue of those who want action-packed days close to home. An iPod-sized booklet of five or six tickets for admission to the most popular museums and attractions in a city, CityPass is sold at a whopping 50% discount on adult and youth prices in ten great destinations.

CityPass clears the clutter to reveal the most visited and iconic places in town, its booklets crammed with attraction information, maps, select values and how to get around on public transportation (often the surprise hit of a city visit). Parents and kids alike will appreciate zipping past ticket lines to get to the dinosaurs, sharks, or the top of the Empire State Building. There’ll be plenty to say on the back of an old-fashioned postcard on “how I spent my spring break.” CityPass favorites for kids in Boston, Philadelphia, New York City and Chicago include:

Boston Harvard Museum of Natural History (on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge)—What we like: 4,000 rocks, the hummingbird display of birds, nets and eggs, and live caterpillars being tended to by ants. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum—What we like: The oval office with framed drawings from John and Caroline Kennedy when they were kids, and the real Berlin Wall at the end of the exhibit.

Philadelphia National Constitution Center—What we like: Freedom Rising, the live theatre performance along with the Supreme Court judge robes, desk and arguments, and a free copy of the Constitution. Aquarium the Bay—What we like: Spongebob Squarepants 4D movie/ride for only $5 extra.

New York City American Museum of Natural History—What we like: Imagining artifacts coming alive like in the movie “The Night at the Museum” and riding “The Beast” around the Statue of Liberty, at Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)—What we like: giant canvases and giant art with daring color from artists who broke all the rules, and buying postcards in the gift shop and, using a museum map, creating a treasure hunt.

Chicago Hancock Observatory—What we like: the youth audio tour and photo opportunity where kids appear to be the skyscraper’s window washers.
The Field Museum—What we like: creating your name in Egyptian hieroglyphs, and dissecting an owl pellet to find out its last meal, standing underneath Sue, the most complete T. rex ever discovered, and the McDonald’s.

CityPass is also available in Atlanta, where kids can “compete” against Olympic Athletes at the Atlanta History Center’s new Centennial Olympic Games Museum, in Seattle, Museum of Flight, where a real Concorde and decommissioned Air Force One help imaginations take flight, San Francisco, with it’s hill-climbing cable cars and Blue & Gold Bay Cruise Adventure under the Golden Gate Bridge and around still-scary Alcatraz Island, Hollywood, with the best-ever view of the real Hollywood sign and fake celebrities, and Toronto, where kids can pop up like prairie dogs at the Toronto Zoo, and roam the hallowed hallways of the Hockey Hall of Fame. CityPass is also available in Southern California, where scream-inducing thrill rides and wild animals offer a spring break full of sun and smiles.

The CityPass Web site, www.citypass.com offers advance ticket booklet purchase, brochures and maps, a new special exhibits section of notable traveling exhibitions, transportation options, an insider’s tip on the best time to visit, a pricing grid to compare savings in each city, and the “look inside” web technology to see every ticket in the book. For recorded information, call 707-256-0490.

2010 Entertainment Book

This coupon book offers numerous repeat savings offers; discounted event and concert tickets; exclusive access to hundreds of offers from top online retailers; and bargains on travel, dining and much more. The books are available for individual states.

Entertainment books are available at bookstores, many houses of worship, and by contacting Entertainment direct at 1-866-272-9393 or check web site www.entertainment.com.

MYSTERY BOOKS

The Death Pit (Rising Star - iUniverse Books)

This new 210-page medical thriller sheds light on lethal influence of medical politics and religious fanaticism in the healthcare system. Find out if religious restrictions regarding medical care are the cause of more deaths than we realize. According to author Dr. Michael F. Wright, an internal medicine specialist with over 32 years of experience, there is a widespread religious interference related to the practice of medicine. Wright cleverly addresses these concerns and more in his book, a medical thriller that intertwines science, murder, politics, religion and romance. The story begins when an eighteen-year-old African American woman dies unexpectedly after undergoing an elective tubal ligation at Detroilt's Henry Ford Hospital. The hospital's mortality review committee can't determine what went wrong. Three more unexplained deaths of young women send the hospital administration reeling. A renowned forensic pathologist is hired to investigate. Find out what happens after his exams. Themes in this book include -- The affects of religious fanaticism on medical practice; Understanding America's medical crisis through the inter-workings of hospital politics and medical committees; An inside look at forensic medicine, autopsies and Code Blues; and the Potential effects of socialized medicine on medical care.

The Death Pit is available for $15.95 at barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com and iuniverse.com. For more information go to web site www.michaelfwright.com.T

The Tree Museum (The Way Things Are Publications)

Author Kathleen Kaufman’s book, The Tree Museum explores a world where humanity is forced to be self-sufficent as everything and everyone deemed wasteful is destroyed. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down -- for it follows a world completely transformed by an enigmatic and powerful totalitarian force known only as the Signmakers. In an effort to transform humanity into a self-sufficient and environmentally stable civilization, the Signmakers ruthlessly and systematically eliminate anything and any person that they deem wasteful. The story follows a torn couple on their odyssey throughout the American southwest while the Signmakers transform the world around them. 

The book attempts to address a plethora of issues surrounding the environmental problems humanity faces and how these problems can be resolved. Suggesting that the human race is not fully capable of resolving their destructive patterns, the author explores the idea that someone may need to force humanity to change. Doing so would result in a totalitarian movement and the complete loss of civil liberties, but with ultimate self-sufficiency as the outcome. Apart from the philosophical debates that The Tree Museum uncovers, the compelling journey of the protagonists are steeped in psychological tension. As the character’s battle their own shortcomings, the changing landscape around them, and dangerous psychosis, their journey is even more challenging and captivating as the world they live in.

 The publisher, The Way Things Are Publications, notes that this book was chosen for its launch publication "because we believe it encapsulates how fiction can challenge our views and force us to ask very important questions about ourselves and our society,” said Jennifer Havenner, Director. “This book fits our mission to elevate social consciousness in a very real and engaging way.”

Author Kathleen Kaufman is a tenured English teacher in a Los Angeles inner city school. She has spent her life in education and passionately focused on fiction and literature. With formal training in various forms of literature, Ms. Kaufman is intimate both with the process of writing and also with storytelling techniques. She has always been a bookworm and embraces fiction’s ability to educate, often using it to teach history and culture to her students. The social commentary interwoven in the complex and elegant storytelling of The Tree Museum is testament to her belief in the power of fiction and shines with a wit and irony that both captures imagination while permeating a greater social consciousness.

This book is available at bookstores for $14.95. For more information contact The Way Things Are Publications at 11664 National Blvd., #401, Los Angeles, CA 90064, 310-469-4352 or check web site www.waythingsarepublications.com.

NATURE BOOKS

A Natural History of Eastern Trees - Volume One Houghton Mifflin)

and

A Natural History of Western Trees -- Volume Two (Houghton Mifflin)

These two classics, by author Donald Culross Peattie are genuine classics of natural history and most informative and entertaining. Each volume covers all the native American trees of its region. After a succinct, nontechnical description of each species --its leaves, flowers, fruit, bark, wood, geographic range, etc., Peattie focuses, in an essay of a hundred to several thousand words, on the relations between trees and people over the course of American history. These essays, unique in style and viewpoint, contain an incomparable richness of natural history. Each book contains between 300-400 wood engravings.

These books are available at bookstores and online. For more information contact houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York 10003.

Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America (Houghton Mifflin)                                        

The fourth edition of the Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America (Houghton Mifflin) is out, and a must-have for hikers, naturalists, hunters, or anyone who wants an enjoyable, educational read. Not only is this book the most comprehensive and in-depth guide to North American mammals, but it’s also the only guide that includes photographs and paintings as well as photographs of mammal skulls. Author/illustrator Fiona Reid has caught, or at least seen all of the mammals in North America in order to portray them accurately. Her renderings of each animal, in 66 color plates, are meticulously drawn and stunning, as well as highly accurate. This easy-to-use 579-page guide is designed not only to be used in the field (for the unique Peterson identification system shows exactly what features to look for to tell one species from another), but is useful indoors for both the amateur and professional students of biology and mammalogy. As a bonus, the guide describes the most likely places to spot the mammals.

Available in bookstores or on-line for $20). For more information, contact Houghton Mifflin Company, 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, Mass. 02116; 617-351-3818 or check web site www.hmco.com. 

Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks (Houghton Mifflin)

If you loved reading the first edition of the Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks, you’ll love the third edition of this classic. Available for the first time in full color and with more than one hundred color photographs, the all-new edition includes descriptions of the habits, habitats, tracks, signs, and ranges of all the mammals in North America. That’s not all – the book also covers selected birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. More than 1000 line drawings show individual tracks, track patterns, droppings, and gnawed trees. The new, user-friendly Key to Tracks is included in this compact 391-page book, and the order in which animals appear in the guide, as well as how they are grouped together. Easy-to-use, the authors (Olaus J. Murie and Mark Elbroch) employ anecdotal approach, and the text is filled with inspirational stories, wonderful natural history, and important information about the tracks and signs of North American animals.  This book is an absolute must on any trail!

This book is available at bookstores everywhere or on-line for $19.95. For more information, contact the Houghton Mifflin Company, 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. 

PETS -- FICTION & NON-FICTION BOOKS

Dogs Don't Cry Tears (Big Apple Vision Publishing, Inc.)

You don’t have to be a pet lover to enjoy Dogs Don’t Cry Tears by Eleonora De Lennart (Big Apple Vision Publishing). This book, according to the publisher, “is an advocacy for people to understand and learn about the advanced mind of a dog.” Entertaining for every age group, and enhanced by fascinating scientific facts, it’s a heart-warming story of a special globe trotting German shepherd named, Quinky. Involved in several court cases due to his extreme aggressive personality, Quinky, forced to attend training school, miraculously was transformed into a warm, sweet dog. Author De Lennart firmly believes that dogs can feel sorrow and guilt, and can laugh and cry – although internally. It’s a fascinating book guaranteed to please.

Available at book stores for $16.95. For more information, contact Big Apple Vision Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 722, Stone Ridge, New York 12484; 845-626-5634, or check web site www.bigapplevision.com.

RESTAURANT GUIDE BOOKS

Where the Locals Eat: New York (Magellan Press Inc.)

Navigating your way through the culinary mecca that is New York City is now easier thanks to Where the Locals Eat: New York, a new dining guide available today. Where the Locals Eat: New York, published by Magellan Press Inc., takes food lovers to the top 100 local restaurants in the Big Apple, from out-of-the-way gems to celebrity chef-run fine dining, but also goes one better -- featuring more than 200 neighborhood favorites listed by specific area (Chelsea, Upper West Side, Midtown East, Brooklyn, etc.)

The top 100 NYC restaurants featured in Where the Locals Eat: New York can also be found online at www.WhereTheLocalsEat.com/New-York-Best-Restaurants. The book provides well written and succinct descriptions of each restaurant and also gives readers price ranges and other important details. In addition, Where the Locals Eat: New York spotlights the “Best of” in a variety of dining categories, such as “Best Soul Food,” “Best Breakfast” and “Best Burger.”

In researching this book, Magellan’s team of researchers, which, among others, includes both a veteran food journalist and a culinary professional, also conducted an independent and rigorous selection process to arrive at the 100 best restaurants featured in the book. The team weighed personal experiences at hundreds of New York City restaurants and surveys from local diners along with reviews from respected food critics, local and national awards, and notable restaurant ratings.

In addition to the New York book, the team recently launched the LocalEats™ iPhone application. With just a few touches, iPhone users can find restaurants “Near Me” via GPS technology, check out choice eateries in a specific neighborhood or peruse the “Best of” in various categories. Instantly, diners receive detailed descriptions, ratings, directions and phone numbers for reservations and can visit the restaurant’s website. LocalEats™ also provides continually updated reviews, ratings and awards for each restaurant featured.

The book is available for $14.95 at Barnes & Noble and online. For more information visit www.WhereTheLocalsEat.com.

SELF-HELP & RELATIONSHIP BOOKS

The 10 Smartest Decisions a Woman Can Make Before Forty

You’re turning forty!  What are you going to do? You have to take gingko Biloba just to remember where you put the card keys!  The saying, “A moment on the lips, forever on the hips” takes on new meaning for you.  Your emotions are running amok and, worst of all you can’t have a midlife crisis because “they’re just for men.”

Many women approach forty with dread. But Tina Tessina, Ph.D., my friend, longtime psychotherapist, and best selling author of The 10 Smartest Decisions a Woman Can Make Before Forty can help you see that reaching this milestone age is actually an opportunity for new beginnings. At forty, it’s possible to view life from a new prospective, for it’s a time for readjusting your focus and for getting your whole act together - not just worrying that your bikini-wearing days are over.

In her new book, The Ten Smartest Decisions A Woman Can Make After Forty — a most interesting reference guide and handbook for getting the most out of the second half of life — Dr. Tessina turns her attention to the  special challenges and opportunities available to women over forty.  She believes that by grabbing the reigns and taking back control of your life, you’ll remove the fear that comes with passing forty, and open a new vista of freedom and opportunity for yourself. After reading this book myself, I can confirm that all women, whether you’re just approaching forty, recently turned forty, or have been thirty-nine for years, will find this practical and informative book filled with mapping options and outlining strategies for taking complete control of your life.

Available at book stores, through amazon.com, or by calling 800-452-5589

How to Behave: Dating and Sex: A Guide to Modern Manners for the Socially Challenged (Quirk Books)

For those who find the dating game difficult, Caroline Tiger’s guide to modern love – “How to Behave: Dating and Sex: A Guide to Modern Manners for the Socially Challenged” (Quirk Books) – will prove very helpful. You’ll learn the proper etiquette for ditching your date with aplomb; accepting rejection gracefully; avoiding scratchy stubble face-burn; what to wear and when; plus information from more than 60 scenarios that run the gamut from flirting to first date etiquette to sex. Tiger provides a new take on social manners while dealing with the real-life questions everyone wonders about – but is afraid to ask.

This 210-page book is available online and at bookstores for $14.95. . For more information contact Quirk Books, 215 Church Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, 215-627-3581;

True Partners: A Workbook for Building a Lasting Intimate Relationship (Putnam Publishing Company)

Did you know that couples are divorced as often as other couples are married nowadays? Even unmarried couples, straight or gay, find it hard to stick it out together over the long haul. According to psychologists Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D. and Riley K. Smith, M.A., relationships fail so often because we rarely get a chance to learn the necessary skills for healthy relationships. Their new book, True Partners: A Workbook for Building a Lasting Intimate Relationship (Putnam Publishing Company) is a must-read to learn those skills. This book provides a step-by-step guide for couples to create an equal partnership which both people can enjoy, feel proud to share, and a relationship in which there is ample comfort and support. Through the use of case studies, quizzes, and exercises, the authors provide reassuring, easy to understand techniques which guide the readers safely through the sensitive mine fields of intimate relationships. The basis of their technique is called Cooperative Problem Solving. Once mastered, this technique helps readers work out mutually satisfactory solutions to problems. What you’ll discover by following the five steps of this Cooperative Problem Solving is how to recognize and solve problems in the relationship; prevent individual problems from creating partnership problems; help solve each other’s individual problems; discuss changing or conflicting individual moods and feelings and find ways to accommodate them; identify and examine the “traditional relationship” models to see what aspects of them are relevant to the partnership; and learn the skills needed to be whole, healthy, independent individuals.

Available at book stores everywhere or from Putnam, 5858 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Another Chance for Love: Finding A Partner Later in Life (Adams Media)

Published by Adams Media, Avon, Mass.) this book is a must read if your prior relationships have ended in disappointment. Elaine Fantle Shimberg -- who has authored over 20 books, appeared on The Today Show, and has written for numerous magazines, including Glamour and Woman’s Day. -- presents excellent advice, along with relationship expert Dr. Sol Gordon. In this easy-to-read 220-page book, you’ll learn how to get to know yourself; place friendship before romance; identify dating do’s and don’ts; define what you want from a relationship; look for the OPP (Otherwise Perfect Person); and forget about age. This  book will be the perfect foundation toward the first step in finding love, happiness, and companionship at any age.

Available at book stores everywhere or online from Amazon.com

SELF-PROTECTION BOOKS

NRA Guide To The Basics of Personal Protection in the Home

Crime is a vital issue whether you own a firearm or not. The National Rifle Association has developed a book, NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection in the Home, and while the 223 page book does cover the “basics,” it’s a very comprehensive guide to home protection. In very matter-of-fact terms, the book covers numerous personal protection topics, such as planning and strategies that make homes safer, confronting an intruder, and being mentally prepared. A significant amount of attention is also paid to using firearms for home protection, with emphasis on firearm safety.

Available through NRAs Personal Protection course, where it’s used as the class manual, or at a cost of $9 plus shipping, handling and packing from NRA by calling 800-336-7402. Ask for item number ES26828. For more information on the Personal Protection course, call 703-267-1430 or log onto www.nrahq.org/safety/education.

SHOOTING SPORTS

Blown Away: American Women and Guns (Pocket Books)

According to author Caitlin Kelly, "America is a nation whose Constitution protects the right to bear arm. It is also a place in which more than one third of all women will be violently assaulted, raped, or robbed in their lifetimes." Kelly learned how to use a gun -- and found herself empowered in ways she hadn't anticipated. Blown Away is an illuminating expose and, of the many people across America whom Kelly inereviewed for this fascinating book, only some are crime victims who've chosen to join the estimated 17 million American women who own guns. The book takes a comprehensive look at the intersection of guns and women's lives by capturing a large and varied chorus of voices, from battered wives who chose to fight back to Hollywood celebrities who have taken an outspoken stand against firearms. Readers will learn about women like Patty Varone, bodyguard for nine years to former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani; Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy whose husband was killed by gun violence, female criminals such as Jean Harris and Amy Fisher; teens and college students who enjoy shooting for competition and self-defense; and female sport shooters who cherish their weapons as much as the thrill of competing. Also discussed is the potentially devastating effect of male gun ownership on the many women who don't own guns, and never would: men who use their frearms to commit suicide and homicide (three female murders a day) and the disproportionate influence of gun violence on women of color.

Blown Away is frank, shocking and always objective. It sheds light on every angle of an issue that continues to divide a nation -- a nation whose passion for firearms and indi vidual freedom lives uncomfortably with its image of women as caring nurturers.

Available at book stores for $13 or on amazon.com. For more information check web site www.simonsays.com.

The Complete Guide to Modern Rifles (Stoeger Industries)

If you don't own a copy of The Complete Guide to Modern Rifles by Gene Gangarosa, you're missing out. In this five-part coverage of the world's great modern rifles, the author introduces readers to the top 70 models which he considers the pacesetters for originality and performance. Covered are thge well-known rifle action types, such as single shot, bolt action, lever action, pump action and self loading, with each entry having an introduction and alphabetical listing, plus a specifications table that lists length, weight, year produced, manufacturer/importeer, caliber, and capacity. This 320-page book is heavily illustrated with a complete index and is a companion volume to The Complete Guide to Classic Rifles. Also by author Gangarosa, The Complete Guide to Classic Rifles discusses those out-of-production models that have contributed so much to the history of long arms throughout the world. The book contains over 300 photos, everthing is covered from the Arisaka types 38 and 99 to the Winchester 70. Each entry includes a brief history featuring the designers who created them, the results of the author's own tests for accuracy and handling, and a specification table with length, weight, year of production, caliber and capacity.

Both books are available at bookstores or from Stoeger Industries, 8 Mansard Court, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Rifle Bullets for the Hunter: A Definitive Study (Ballastic Technology)

Author Richard Mann grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and has hunted with a rifle for most of his life. His background includes service in the military and with various law enforcement agencies where he has trained soldiers, police officers and civilians in the tactical and practical application of firearms. Mann has had hundreds of articles published in over 30 different publications and is a regular contributor to "Gun Hunter, Shooting Illustrated & Shooting Times magazines. For years Mann has been fascinated with the terminal performance of bullets, and this led to his development of the Bullet Test Tube. Mann has tested a wide variety of bullets in the TUBE, and the education from these tests, and hunts on four continents, prompted him to begin the book, Rifle Bullets for the Hunter, A Definitive Study.

But for a book on rifle bullets to be comprehensive Mann knew it would have to be built on a foundation laid by hunting experiences gained all over the world and not by just one hunter. Mann secured the services of John Barsness, Craig Boddington, John Haviland, Ron Spomer and Bryce Towsley to ensure the book would present information on every type of rifle bullet from experienced hunters that had not only tested the bullets but used them in the field. Mann also knew it would be a daunting task to assemble all of these contributions into a book that would be as entertaining as it was informative. To meet that requirement Dave Campbell was brought on board to perform the task of editing this first of its kind book on rifle bullets for hunters. Campbell is currently the Editor in Chief of Shooting Illustrated, and brings more than three decades of hunting and shooting experience to the job. He is an award-winning author with hundreds of articles published worldwide who has hunted throughout North America from the Arctic to Sonoran deserts, Europe and Africa.

Campbell started freelance writing in 1995 and had an outdoor radio show in Fresno, California for two years. In 1997 he took the Hunting Editor position at Western Outdoor News, a southern California weekly hunting and fishing newspaper. Two years later he joined the staff of Petersen's Hunting as an associate editor. By demanding crisp and alluring images, attention to detail and factual accuracy from his contributors, Campbell has set the bar high with Shooting Illustrated and this carries over to the new web site www.gunsandhunting.com which is also edited by Campbell. Rifle Bullets for the Hunter, A Definitive Study is the first comprehensive look at rifle bullets for hunters. It addresses, rifle bullet history, theories on stopping power, varmint bullets, deer bullets, bullets for big game, cast bullets, muzzleloading bullets, solids and is packed with information on testing rifle bullets.

For more information check the interactive web page at www.riflebullets.net or write Ballistic Technology, 3702 Rocky Branch Road, Princeton, WV 24740.

SPORTS

Fitness and Sports Medicine: An Introduction (Bull Publishing)

This easy to understand reference book authored by David C. Nieman, D.H.Sc., includes all aspects of exercise and health including information on exercise testing and other aspects of sports medicine.

Available at bookstores and on-line.

Sports Injury Handbook (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

Dr. Levy, team doctor for the New York Giants football team, has answered just about every question on what to do immediately following a sports injury; which exercises cause unnecessary wear and tear on the body; and how to keep in condition during rehabilitation.

The main part of this guide (written by Allan M. Levy, M.D., and Mark L. Fuerst), organized by body part and sport, makes it easy to figure out how to treat a symptom, and how to avoid further risk of injury. Chapters -- covering everything from aerobics and jogging, to tennis and skiing -- include information on conditioning nutrition and strength training techniques used by athletes to stay in top physical shape. Besides the easy, step-by-step rehabilitative exercises one can perform at home, there are special precautions listed for women, children and older athletes, as well as a section on how to choose a sports specialist when professional intervention is unavoidable.

This book, loaded with excellent exercise diagrams and helpful tips that can save a heap of money, is easy and enjoyable to read.

Available for $19.95 at bookstores and on-line.

Far From Home: Latino Baseball Players in America (National Geographic Books)

In association with Major League Baseball, this book poignantly intertwines our national pastime and the American dream into a powerful story of Latinos who come to the United States in search of a tantalizing prize: baseball stardom. Far From Home: Latino Baseball Playrs in America by Tim Wendel and Jose Luis Villegas, chronicles the remarkable tale of Latino baseball players in the American baseball system. This 160-page work, illustrated with more than 100 photographs, is a bold and sometimes heartbreaking look at the ups and downs of chasing a dream. It captures all of the flash and glory of being a major-league star at the top of his game -- as well as the struggles faced by others who have to take a longer, tougher road.

Told in four fascinating chapters, the journey begins in 1878 when Cuba hosted the first league in the Caribbean. Nernesio Guillo, a Cuban who studied in the United States, introduced baseball to his countrymen and founded the Havana Base Ball Club. Soon after that first game, Cuban teams began playing against traveling squads from the United States. Behind-the-scenes insights and historic photos, including those from before and after Cuba closed its borders, add to the colorful opening. In the chapters, you'll find an essay by sports journalist and author S.L. Price; the tracing of the dramatic rise of Latino baseball players in the U.S. major leagues in the 1960s; the modern age of baseball and how far Latinos have come in their search for the American dream and their impact on our national pastime and how, in 2007, 30 percent of the major leagues and 50 percent of the minor leagues were Hispanic and Latino. There's also a powerful photo essay by Villegas in which he presents intimate moments in the lives of Dominican Republic players Miguel Tejada and the late Mario Encarnacion.

This book is available at bookstores and online. For more information, contact National Geographic Books, 1145 17th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.

Snowshoeing: From Novice to Master (The Mountaineers)

Winter hikers seeking solitude, or anyone suffering from cabin fever, will surely want to be outdoors enjoying the icy beauty of a winter landscape after reading Snowshoeing: From Novice to Master (The Mountaineers, Seattle, WA). Here, Gene Prater describes the ancient activity of snowshoeing, in addition to detailing everything from equipment to snow camping. Written for novice or expert, chapters cover the basic types of snowshoes, bindings, appropriate clothing and equipment, the type of snow one may encounter, the terrain traveled, and weather conditions. For the expert, an entire chapter is devoted to racing, while sections throughout the book are crammed with technical tips on how to make already familiar techniques easier; Eastern versus western snowshoeing is discussed, as is physical pre-conditioning, traction devices and balancing aids. With black-and-white photos, illustrations, and practical, easy-to-follow advice, this is a book that facilitates the transition between winter couch potato and outdoor explorer!

Available at book stores or from The Mountaineers; 1-800-553-HIKE for $16.95..  

Speed, Guts, & Glory: 100 Unforgettable Moments in NASCAR History (Warner Books)

Published by Warner Books, this is a must for everyone interested in NASCAR history -- as well as the curious. With more than 75 million fans, the sport has surpassed baseball and the NBA on America's list of national pastimes, and is fast catching up to the NFL for the top spot. The sport goes back 60 years and was invented by bootleggers and farmers in the sleepy post-World II rural south. Now, author Joe Garner has written 256 pages on the definitive history of America's fastest-growing motor sport. The illustrated coffee table book also includes an action-packed DVD hosted by four-time NASCAR Cup champion and superstar Jeff Gordon. Garner describes how the souped-up jalopies that dueled on dirt tracks 60 years ago gave way to technologically sophisticated, custom-built monster machines that reach 200 mph on mammoth speedways from New Hampshire to California--but the sport still remains steeped in the traditions, values and ideals of its humble origins.

Garner immediately grabs the reader's attention by reliving some of the greatest moments in the sport's history, and with the accompanying DVD, fans will not only read about such highlights as the famous Richard Petter-David Pearson colision at the 1976 Daytona 500--they'll also be able to watch them!

This book and enclosed DVD is available in hard cover for $26.99 at bookstores everywhere or online. For more information, contact Warner Books, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020; 212-364-1193.

Rock Climbing Europe (Falcon Guide)

Written by Stewart M. Green and published by Falcon Guide (an imprint of Globe Pequot Press), this book contains more than 1,000 of Europe's best climbs, including traditional and sport routes of all degrees of difficulty. Green, an expert rock climber and outdoors photographer, provides readers with in-depth information and precise detail about finding and scaling the finest face, crack, and alpine routes in Great Britain, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Germany, and Norway. Covered are ways to plan, execute and enjoy the European climbing experience. The 520-page book informs readers how to get to each destination, where to stay, what to bring, and how to communicate and find your way around. The book also features guaranteed binding (if the binding fails, the publisher will replace the book for free); pitch-by-pitch route descriptions, ratings, and recommended gear; detailed topos and clear overview photos; descent information on multipitch routes; easy-to-follow driving and approach directions; climbing history and visitor information for each area; tips on food, camping, climate, and more.

Available at bookstores or on-line for $40. For more information, contact Falcon Guide, P.O. Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437, or check web site www.falcon.com.     

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE BOOKS (Fiction & Non-Fiction)

Los Angeles Attractions (Museon Publishing)

It's makes sense that a book on attractions in Los Angeles would be written -- because this city is the second largest travel destination in the United States! Newly-published, Los Angeles Attractions assists both residents and visitors to discover and explore all the distinctive sights of the entertainment capital of the world. This comprehensive easy-to-use and engaging guidebook is a great resource for travelers seeking to round out their Los Angeles visit. The book includes both world-famous and hidden treasures, many listed nowhere else. The pages are clear with concise summaries of special sites and you'll find it all here -- whether you're looking for architectural landmarks, art museums, historic sites, movie stars' homes - or Marilyn Monroe's grave. Each entry includes essential information such as addresses, phone numbers, web sites, hours of operation and admission. More than 40 detailed maps and site plans pinpoint the highlights and provide at-a-glance orientation, while more than 1700 photographs give readers a clear sense of what to expect from each location.

Some highlights: Grouman's Chinese Theatre is the most famous movie theater in the world. Designed to resemble a Chinese temple, its grand entrance is still overseen by a 30 foot-tall dragon and guarded by a pair of huge, stone-carved "Heaven Dogs;" Paramount Pictures is the last major film studio still located in Hollywood and you can take a guided tour and see where cinema history was made; Celebrity Cemeteries where you'll find the resting places and pay your respects to such stars as Rudolph Valentino, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, and others; Walt Disney Concert Hall, the new home of the L.A. Philharmonic opened in 2003; the 1.7-mile-long "Sunset Strip" is West Hollywood's rock and popular music capital of the world; and the Hollywood Walk of Fame - the most famous sidewalk in the world that stretches more than two miles and is imbedded with more than 2,300 five-pointed stars, each containing the name of a human celebrity or fictional character. And there's so much more to see and do highlighted in this fine book.

Author Borislav Stanic was inspired to compile the guidebook when he discovered that no such Los Angeles knowledge base existed. The book's table of conents, complete index and geographically sorted listings make this book a definite one to purchase.

The 512-page book is available online and at bookstores. To order from the publisher, send $24.95 plus $4 shipping and handling (Californians add $2.05 sales tax per book) to Museon Publishing, P.O. Box 17095, Beverly Hills, CA 90209, or visit web site www.museonbooks.com.

Boca Knights (Forge Books Publishing)

I began reading this book late at night and lost quite a bit of sleep because I couldn't put it down! Author Steve Forman writers about superhero Eddie Perlmutter, a Jewish retired copy who comes from a long line of fighters -- his grandfather survived life under siege from Cossacks in Russia before he moved to Boston. Eddie worshipped his grandfather and must have inherited some of his brave genes -- for to survive life in Boston, a tough city at that time, he started boxing. Although slight in body, he won several fights. He then became a cop - the one and only thing he ever wanted to be - and managed to survive a tough career in one piece.

However, when it came time for him to retire, the widowed Eddie decides to move to Boca Raton, Florida - since his body took enough beatings and the cold weather bothered him. Unlike most people who retire to this section of Florida and who enjoy their wealth, golf, and more, trouble seems to find Eddie after he discovers there is a very dark side of life lurking under the tranquility of this scenic paradise. Country-club politics and early-bird specials are not enough for this tough ex-cop who gets back in the game by singlehandedly busting up a ring of Russian counterfeiters, winning the gratitude and respect of the local police chief. Realizing how this fearless maverick and his aversion to injustice could be a benefit, the chief drops a subliminal hint to Eddie that he should get his private investigator‚s license.  Unfortunately, the one thing Eddie didn‚t count on was becoming the local hero, the Knight of Boca Raton.

A new superhero has come to Boca Raton, one with arthritic knees. Boca Knights is the premiere novel by Steve Forman. I'm sure it won't be the last --- for it's fast reading and funny most of the way - about a funny one-man crime fighting show that will have the reader on the edge of their seat and in stitches -- all at the same time! Forman has managed to make the story of a retired ex-cop poignant, exciting, loaded with suspense, and uproarious ˆ no easy feat to accomplish.

Available in hard cover or paperback at book stores and from amazon.com.

Los Angeles Attractions (Museon Publishing)

Ever felt lost in the maze of Los Angeles’ endless spread, wondering what to do and see in this vast and elusive metropolis? Are you planning a trip and wanting to make your next visit to LA an unforgettable adventure? The newly published book, Los Angeles Attractions, is finally available to assist both residents and visitors discover and explore all the distinctive sights of the entertainment capital of the world. This comprehensive, easy-to-use and engaging guidebook is the ultimate resource for travelers seeking to round out their Los Angeles visit. The book includes both world-famous and hidden treasures, many listed nowhere else.

The guide’s well-designed pages, and clear, concise summaries of special sites, will intrigue readers, whether they are in search of architectural landmarks, art museums, historic sites, movie stars’ homes—or Marilyn Monroe’s grave. All entries include essential information:  addresses, phone numbers, web sites, hours of operation and admission. More than 40 detailed maps and site plans pinpoint the highlights and provide at-a-glance orientation, while more than 1,700 photographs give readers a clear sense of what to expect from each location.

Los Angeles Attractions was born out of a desire to fill the need for a comprehensive traveler's resource. Author Borislav Stanic, whose previous work includes the critically acclaimed Museum Companion to Los Angeles, was inspired to compile the guidebook when he discovered that, surprisingly, no such Los Angeles knowledge base existed. “It just occurred naturally,” says Stanic, “as I realized how many points of interest there were that even native Angelenos didn’t know about.” The result of eight years of work, the 512-page book is intended to guide the city's 11 million resident Angelenos and the 25 million tourists who visit the city annually. Perhaps most appealing to travelers and natives alike is the excellent organization of Los Angeles Attractions. Its table of contents, complete index and geographically sorted listings make the book a winner from the get-go.

The 512 page book - with 1770 photographs, 40 maps and an index - is available at leading online and bookstores. To order from the publisher, send $24.95 plus $4 shipping and handling (Californians add $2.05 sales tax per book) to Museon Publishing, P.O. Box 17095, Beverly Hills, CA 90209-2095, or visit www.museonbooks.com

Wai-Nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i -- Her Epic Journey

I couldn't wait to review this book because I love Hawaii and the Hawaiians. Author Linda Ballou wrote this book in such a vivid way that I felt I was back on the islands again. I strongly suggest that everyone buy this book and treasure it as I have.

Wai-nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i -- Her Epic Journey is a historical novel couched in magical realism set in pre-contact Hawai'i. Wai-nani's character is inspired by the personage of Ka'ahumanu, the favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great, who was responsible for ending the 2,000-year-old Polynesian 'kapu system." The turbulent romance of these Hawaiian icons is set against the backfrop of Hawai'i's most dynamic period between 1740 and 1820. Captain James Cook arrived in 1778. Cook's visit triggered change that facilitated forces already set in play by Kamehameha (Makaha), the warrior prophesied at birth to bring the splintered Island people under one rule. Precocious Ka'ahumanu, always the center of controversy, is revered by some as the loving "Mother of the people' and by others as the "flaw that brought down chiefdom."

Wai-nani embodies all that was good in ancient Polynesian society. Athletic, assertive, and brave she stands beside her warrior-king husband sharing in his joys and sorrows for 40 years. Like all Hawai'ians, she is a water baby -- finding strength, solace and wisdom in the sea. Her greatest pleasure is swimming with her wild dolphin friend, Eku. Throughout her life, she rails against the 'kapu system' that calls for human sacrifices, separate eating houses for men and women, and severe penalties for the slightest infractions of laws imposed upon the common people by ruling chiefs and priests vested with the power of gods.

Author Linda Ballou's appreciation for nature took her to Kauai, the most luscious of all the Hawaiian islands with pleated cliffs and treacherous seas fending off newcomers. It is believed by Hawaiians that a mantle of mana (spiritual power) protects the island from harm. It is here that she listened to wind voices and the seed for her historical novel Wai-nan: High Chiefess of Hawai'i that took root in her heart. This story inspired by the powerful personage of Ka'ahumanu, the favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great is a poetic rendering of the ancients with tales of heroes and heroines doing supernatural deeds of mythological proportions. The people of old Hawai'i were connected to nature played freely, loved passionately and communed with gods that dwelled in every tree, rock and flower. Ballou wrote this book in the name of Wai-nani with great Aloha. Ballou has hiked, biked, kayaked and ridden on horseback through some of the country's most precious wilderness areas, and her travel articles appear in numerous national publications.

This 280 page book is published by StarPublishLLC.com and available at www.lindaballouauthor.com for $17.95.

Hidden Washington (Ulysses Press)

If you’re planning a summer vacation in Washington, Hidden Washington by Eric Lucas is filled with great information. It features eight pages of full-color AAA maps; offers walking and driving tours, itineraries, web sites and e-mail addresses, and time-saving suggestions. For those who love the outdoors, the book details over 125 parks and wilderness areas, including over 100 with hiking, 75 with boating, 60 with biking, 60 with swimming, and 75 with camping. Dining choices are reviewed, as are B&Bs, small hotels, and guest cottages; plus it unearths Seattle’s buried past via a subterranean jaunt through the bowels of the city; and points out special places where you can roam down quiet country roads to shell-strewn beaches or funky fishing villages, plus much more.

Available at book stores or contact Ulysses Press at 510-601-8301.

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2009

In this latest edition of one of the world's top-selling guidebooks, published by Wiley, author Bob Sehlinger provides invaluable money-saving tips and tools for every stage of the trip, including detailed suggestions on alternative accommodations, affordable meals and transportation, and individualized tour plans to get to the right atractions for you in the mst effective way possible. With the help of a team of unbiased and undercover inspectors and researchers, Sehlinger and Testa rate and rank every hotel, restaurant, and attraction. This book reveals additional hotel research on lighting, sound-proofing, pillows, and sheets. The reviews listed in the Unofficial Guides are based on the undercover team's extensive research and on thousands of reader surveys and critizues.

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2009 teaches readers all the essential ways to plan for an affordable and fun vacation, including:

How to save money on lodging by renting a vacation home

Why renting a car can save big bucks on food and dining

How far out to make hotel reservations to get the best rate

Which Internet travel sites have the best hotel rates

Where to buy Disney t-shirts and merchandise at discount prces

Available at $19.99 at bookstores everywhere, online, and from Wiley, 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 0-7030.

Explore Costa Rica

If you're planning on visiting Costa Rica, a copy of Explore Costa Rica is a must read. Be forewarned: If you weren't planning to go, reading this fantastic book is like being there and you'll probably put Costa Rica on your wish list of places to explore in the future. In this fifth edition, you'll find 668 pages filled with details information as well as 38 maps and 30 color and 80 black and white photos. Author Harry Pariser – who has received the Lowell Thomas Award for Best Guidebook - has done an excellent job covering all ranges and types of accommodation including nature lodges. You'll find lots of adventure, too -- whitewater rafting, surfing, horseback riding, snorkeling, scuba, bird watching, hiking, whale watching, canopy climbing and ballooning. Pariser offers complete background information on the animals, rainforests, history, culture, and volunteer opportunities, language schools, environmental organizations, car rental, buses, plane travel, and ferries. Pariser's writing is geared towards the nature-minded traveler, and as a bonus, the book lists thousands of related web sites, e-mails, phone numbers, fax numbers and even Internet updates.

This book is available for $22.95 on line, at bookstores, by phone at 800-729-6423, and at web sites www.ecocostarica.com or www.savethemanatee.com.

Frommer's 24 Great Walks in New York

Published by Wiley (2008), this book is a new full-color series that proves that the best way to experience New York's sights is as a pedestrian. Readers can see much more of the great cities in this new series than on a bus or in a speeding taxi. Each of these four guides - which in addition to New York, covers London, Paris and Rome - contain more than 90 color images (including 12 double-page spreads), clear route directions, and easy-to-read, illustrated maps. Each volume's 24 thematic tours are designed to last from two to four hours with recommended best times to visit, suggestions on where to stop and enjoy the view and where to break for meals. This easy-to-carry guide allow you to explore the most culturally rich areas of a given city, with directions to significant landmarks and secret out-of-the-way spots known only by the locals. Every walk is highlighted with succinct profils that bring the history of a neighborhood or monument to life.

I've read the New York book and, in addition to quintessential tours of Fifth Avenue's Museum Mile, SoHo and TriBeCa, this book features special interest walks that emphasize New York's art, architecture, history, and music. Central Park is famous for its many entertaining and cultural attractions, including the Wollman Rink for skatig, the Zoo, John Lennon's Strawberry Fields, and the world-famous Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Available in book stores or online for $15.99. For more informatio contact Wiley, 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030.

26 Gorgeous Hikes on the Western Cote d'Azur

This 160-page illustrated guide (AzurAlive Press) written by Florence Chatzigianis - a long time hiker - invites you to slow down to the rhythm of your footsteps, and soak in the Western French Riviera's natural beauty. With detailed trail descriptions, hiking maps, trek data such as time, distance, difficulty and elevation profiles for 26 hikes, the guide shows you where to:

Stroll along the coast and reach inlets otherwise only assessible by boat

Hike up red mountain peaks and embrace the views of the Mediterranean Sea

Climb up a bluff and discover the resting site of ancient millstones

Enjoy a walk by chestnut groves and watch a monastery set aglow by the setting sun.

Illustrated with over 50 photographs, the scenic hikes range from one-hur strolls to half-day treks. This book will appeal to active travelers who long to explore France's Cote d'Azur on foot and off-the-beaten path. It describes half-day hikes by the coast, through forests of chestnut trees and cork oaks, over hills of red volcanic rocks. The color photos and maps illustrae each hike, and the book not only describes day trips, but engages readers with information on local geology, flora, fauna and human history. Close to 10 million people visit the Cote d'Azur or Fench Riviera every year and, according to a sudy commissioned in 2002 by the World Tourism Association, twenty-five percent of visitors to France mentioned they would love to explore the countryside on short discovery hikes during their vacation.

This is the first in a planned series of hiking guides helping English-speaking travelers discover the wonders of trekking the French countryside.

Available at bookstores or online for $16.95. For more information contact Beagle Bay, Inc., 14120 Saddlebow Drive, Reno, NV 89511; jcsimonds@beaglebay.com, or web site www.beaglebay.com.

Gordon's Guide to Dude Ranch Vacations & Horseback Adventures (Volume 2)

This 132-page comprehensive publication offers readers of all ages vacation ideas to experience the West -- whether you're single, honeymooners, or are searching for the ideal family vacation. Here you'll find adventures in North America, France, Australia and Chile with detailed descriptions of each due and guest ranch -- from rustic to resort. Described are working ranches where travelers can work and ride among wranglers; cattle drives for the ultimate cowboy vacation; wilderness pack trips where travelers can saddle up and explore nature; luxury inn and riding vacations that offer a little extra pampering; and wagon train experiences that retrace the trails of early pioneers.

The guide includes 88 dude ranches and horseback adventures, and 400 beautiful colo photographs. Easy-to-use, the guide has complete descriptions of each vacation destination, an activity index, and listings by country and state.

Available at bookstores or on-line for $8.99. For more information, contact Gordon's Guide, 410 W. Fallbrook, Suite 204, Fresno, CA 93711; phone 559-490-2800; web site www.GordonsGuide.com.

Adventure Guide to the Virgin Islands

Adventure Guide to the Virgin Islands, (5^th edition, Hunter Publications)), is a must-read especially if you’re looking for white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and gorgeous scenery. Author Lynne Sullivan describes the major U. S. islands, namely cosmopolitan St. Thomas; rugged and environmentally conscious St. John; and charming St. Croix. Also, in this 307-page book filled with lovely color photographs, is detailed information on the sparsely developed British Virgin Islands. Visitors to the largest and most populated island, Tortola, offers green mountains, sheltered bays and an easygoing lifestyle, and is a ferry or speedboat ride away from other smaller, interesting islands perfect for daytrips. Sullivan gives tips on exploring by car, boat, on foot, in a jeep, as part of a group, or via scuba. Renting a bike and pedaling to a secluded beach is also possible. No matter how little or how much you can afford to spend on a vacation, you’ll find loads of ideas in this book.

This book is available at bookstores or online for $17.95. For more information check Hunter Publishing at web site www.hunterpublishing.com.

Tutta Roma - A Contemporary Guide To Rome (Consortium Books)

Tutta Roma stems from the Rome International Festival of Photography. For the 2006 edition, the city assigned British photographer Martin Parr the task of creating a comprehensive guide of the eternal city. His resulting portrait is that of a place filled not only with natives but, above all, with visitors -- the latter contributing to Rome's life with their enthusiasm and curiosity, thir many languages and fashions, their colorful presence. With extended captions written by Ivana della Portella, a historian and member of the Municipality Council of Rome.

Beloved by Italians and outsiders alike, Rome has always inspired foreign artists and intellectuals. Following Henry James, Howard Hawks, and William Klein, Martin Parr shows us today's tourists in today's Rome, in its archeological sites, in its museums, and in its famous piazzas, as they struggle with maps and guides, as they consume pasta and wine. He takes on Rome with his unconventiaonal and controversial trademark style, capturing the unique beauty of a city that owes much of its fascination to its swarms of devoted admirers.

A leading member of Magnum Agency, Martin Parr has been a professional photographer for more than forty years. His work is excellent and he photographs ordinary people in everyday scenes in urban spaces, creating visual narrations. The book is great reading and the 69 color, photographs, along with eight maps, will make this 96 page enjoyable read and look, a coffee table standout. It can also be enjoyed outdoors, thanks to a cover clear PVC protective cover.

This book is available at bookstores, online, or from Consortium Book Sales, 1045 Westgate Drive, St. Paul, MN 55114; 800-283-3572 for $30. For more information, check web site www.cbsd.com.

Unabellavista Rome: How to Tour Italy

Anthony Capozzoli, author of the new book and CD audio guide, "Unabellavista Rome: How to Tour Italy," fell in love with Italy at a young age. His ust-see sights always include museum tours. "I think Rome is a spellbinding city that woos you with a magical elixir of breathtaking art and architecture," says Capozzoli. "When you try to quantify the number of masterpieces housed in Rome, it's awe inspiring. You don't have to be an art aficionado to marvel at the gifted work of masters such as Michelangelo." But he points out that there is fine shopping, too, that beckons fashionistas who crave the supple caress of a fine leather shoe or handbag. Then, too, there's the wine and food!

To truly enjoy Italy, this book is a treasure -- for it shows you how to plan accordingly to avoid the common aggravations that can dampen overseas travel. Here are a few of the author's tips to make the most of your visit:

-- Be respectful and try to speak some Italian; it will inspire locals to guide you.

-- Buy train tickets/rail passes online so that you will understand the rail system before the trip.

-- Book museum reservations online so you don't waste time standing in line.

-- Call your credit card company to inform them of your trip ahead of time so they don't think overseas charges are fraudulent.

-- When packing, less is more

-- Bring an empty duffel bag to carry souvenirs home

-- Bring extra digital camera memory cards and/or film and batteries for your camera; they're expensive in Italy.

-- Rent a mobile phone if you want to be reached.

-- Keep a color copy of your passport picture page in your money belt; hide your passports in your hotel room or hotel safe.

These are but a few of the great tips in this 161-page book.

This book is available at bookstores or online. For more information, check web site www.unabellavista.com.

The Innkeeper Tales (HSB Press)

The Innkeeper Tales (HSB Press, Lutherville, Md)., is an entertaining collection of true stories providing much insight for how to succeed in life and business. Sometimes heartbreaking, other times heartwarming, this book centers on a group of strangers who are snowed in at The Abacrombie, an award-winning bed and breakfast in the cultural district of Baltimore, Maryland. Owner and manager  -- and author of Innkeeper Tales John Herman, Jr., keeps the coffee flowing and the conversation going as the guests open up and candidly share their life experiences with one another. Through the characters’ many triumphs and failures, readers from college students to business professionals will learn important life lessons for obtaining true success and happiness.

Wild Shore: Exploring Lake Superior by Kayak (University of Minnesota Press)

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to paddle around one of the famous Great Lakes, Wild Shore: Exploring Lake Superior by Kayak (University of Minnesota Press) is just the ticket. Author Greg Breining fulfilled his lifetime dream of exploring this huge lake and did it over a two-year period. Learn how it feels to travel days on end with no fixed schedule; what it takes to constantly dip a paddle into the water; and how fantastic it is to examine, close-up and in solitude, the lake’s clear water and its windswept wooded shores. Breining’s vivid descriptions relate the lake’s varied moods, the remote historic sites, and isolated communities. This is a tale of outdoor adventure, odd characters, humorous stories, and of the people who have lived along Lake Superior’s shores since the Ice Age. It’s the perfect book to read while relaxing on a hammock or on vacation. Be forewarned: Don’t try to read it during lunch breaks because you won’t be able to put it down! And, if you’re like me, after reading about the riddle of the lake’s mysterious “Pukaskwa pits,” or the scientist who studies the last surviving woodland caribou herd on the Superior shore, you’ll probably long to purchase a kayak and explore as Breining did. It’s definitely an exciting, well-told true story of one man’s quest to navigate the greatest of the Great Lakes!

Available at book stores or from the University of Minnesota Press, 111 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

The Traveler and the Gate Checker: Sex. . Death..Life! On the Road in Asia (Book of Dreams)

I wasn’t particularly attracted to the drawing on this book's cover, but, wow, once I opened The Traveler and the Gate Checker; Sex…Death…Life! On the Road in Asia  (Book of Dreams, Verlag, Germany) --- and read the first few pages, I couldn’t put this book, written by Ted Lerner, down.   Born in Pennsylvania, Lerner has lived in the Philippines since 1994, and has been running his Hey, Joe, column, weekly, in Manila’s Business Week Turner named it Hey Joe? when he discovered this is the one phrase that greets every foreign male in the Philippines on a daily basis. The book deals with gate checkers -- people, according to Lerner, “who proudly sport a badge and who have the power to stop you from getting where you want to go.” Lerner describes ‘the gate checker capital of the world” in a series of short, entertaining stories that are so vivid that I could virtually picture the places without spending the airfare and time to get there!. Read Fun, quick reading, and filled with details, excitement, and one-of-a-kind experiences in the world’s largest and most populated continent, you’ll learn things that range from the sheer madness and brilliance of crowded India, to the barbaric realm of Japanese professional wrestling -- as well as the high class Hong Kong, untouched Laos, plus Lerner’s personal visit to what he calls the ‘seedy heart of Manila.’ Part travelogue, part reportage, it’s outrageously good, with lots of tidbits about sex, death, and life.  It’s a must-read if you love a well-told, honest adventure story by an author who has been-there, done-that. 

Available in paperback at book stores or on-line for $14.95. Check web site www.hey-joe.net or www.book-of-dreams.com for more information.

The Dynamic Great Lakes (Publish America)

Author Barbara Spring is fortunate, for not only does she have a ringside view of Lake Michigan, where her house is located, but she’s traveled to the five Great Lakes, their connecting waters, and has studied their ecology. Her book, The Dynamic Great Lakes, (AmErica House, Baltimore, MD) describes the changing nature of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. According to Spring, she felt compelled to write this book “out of a deep conviction that people need up-to-date information about these lakes so that they may make good decisions about them.” With their connecting waters, the Great Lakes make up the world’s largest freshwater system. You’ll read how each lake differs from the other, and how these connected lakes are actuallyone flowing system connected to the Atlantic through the St. Lawrence River. Spring writes of the beauty of the lakes, how unique ecosystems evolved in each since the last Ice Age, how, in the last 200 years commercial fishing and the Lamprey Eel wiped out larger fish; how shipping on the Great Lakes from all parts of the world has brought exotic species that threaten to topple food pyramids; and how pollution carried through the air and water damages life in and around these lakes. There is also lots of information about the plant life, fish, the changing lake levels, and much more.

Available at book stores or on-line for $16.95. Check web site www.PublishAmerica.com for more information.

An Explorer’s Guide: Western New York (Countryman Press)

(The Countryman Press, Woodstock, Vermont) -- the first comprehensive travel guide to Western New York and Southern Ontario – is loaded with information covering Niagara Falls and Southern Ontario to the Western Edge of the Finger Lakes. Author Christine A. Smyczynski has done an amazing job detailing the history surrounding each area, and describes Western New York as the Empire State’s “open secret.” This 655-page guide includes opinionated listings of inns, B&Bs, hotels, vacation cottages, and campgrounds, plus hundreds of dining recommendations. Also included are up-to-date regional and downtown maps; an alphabetical “What’s Where” subject guide to aid in trip planning; and handy icons that point out places of extra value, family- and pet-friendly establishments, wheelchair access, and popular wedding venues. Historians will enjoy information on the Erie Canal; the famous five stair-step locks that carried the canal over the Niagara Escarpment at Lockport – still preserved near the Erie Canal Museum and lots more. Venture into either Buffalo or Rochester, and discover what to do there, thanks to Smyezynski’s excellent research.

Available in bookstores or on-line for $19.95. For more information, check web site www.countrymanpress.com.

America's National Parks for Dummies (Wiley)

If you’re craving adventure, want to get away from everyday stress for a few days, or are on a limited vacation budget, America’s National Parks for Dummies  (Wiley Publishing) by Kurt Repanshek may be the perfect solution. Repanshek explains how to plan for a perfect national park vacation in 15 of the nation’s most popular parks, and offers guidance so you can choose a park guaranteed to suit your taste. What to see and do once you’ve reached your destination is included in the book’s easy-to-read format, while chapters offer a clear description of what each park offers, including information on nearby hotels, restaurants, and attractions, the best places to hike, and more. In discussing the merits of vacationing in Yellowstone National Park, Repanshek points out its geysers and wildlife. However, if this doesn’t appeal to you, you’ll find out why Kings Canyon National Park may be a better choice.  Tips on what to do before arriving at each park, how to manage your time after arriving, the best spots for memorable photographs, plus safety issues are discussed, and thanks to an excellent appendix and an A-Z directory containing practical information; emergency telephone numbers; safety tips; ATM network numbers; toll-free numbers and web sites for airlines, park concessionaires, and rental car agencies, perusing this book is easy. Worksheets are included to make travel planning and budgeting easier.

Available at your favorite book store or from Wiley at 1-800-762-2974

Unbelievably Good Deals & Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50 (Contemporary Books)

Unbelievably Good Deals & Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can’t Get Unless You’re Over 50 (Contemporary Books) by Joan Rattner Hellman is now in its 13th edition. Hailed as the leading authority on senior travel bargains, Heilman has loads of information on the breaks, benefits, and special perks offered to those in the fastest-growing segment of the population. That includes ME! You may wish you were older when you find out the good deals the book describes, including discounts at hotels, motels, restaurants, car rentals, trains, airfares worldwide, and adventure travel for mature travelers! That’s not all. She lists intergenerational vacations for you and the kids, bike trips, tennis camps, golf vacations, walking tours, trips and clubs for singles, and how to save on insurance premiums--plus much more.

Available at book stores everywhere.

Air Travel Tales From the Flight Crew: The Plane Truth at 35,000 Feet (Impact Publications)

Written by A. Frank Steward (pen name for James Wysong, who has worked as a flight attendant for 17 years) this book is one of the funniest, informative books I’ve read in a long time on the numerous aspects of air travel. Woven into individual scenarios is a wealth of practical advice, such as, “If a seatmate is sneezing, point the nozzle of your fan toward him/her to direct airborne germs away; wash your hands frequently; don’t use blankets or pillows unless they come wrapped in plastic; and never go to the lavatory without shoes on.” Discover whether first class seating is worth the money; how to deal with cancelled flights; how to upgrade your seat; and deciphering what the flight attendants really mean when they speak to you. For example, if they recommend the beef, Steward reveals it may be because they’re running out of chicken! Do you know what the “Mile High Club” is? You’ll find out in this book, but be forewarned: You may develop a fear of ever flying again. However, you’ll also laugh reading some of Steward’s recollections, each based on the passengers who populate the crammed seats, crowded aisles, and tiny restrooms.

Available at bookstores for $14.95. For more information, contact Impact publications, 9104-N Manassas Drive, Manassas Park, VA 20111; 1-800-361-1055, or check web site www.impactpublications.com.

Country Roads of Pennsylvania (Country Roads Press)

Country Roads of Pennsylvania (Country Roads Press, Chicago, Ill) is a must read for those who enjoy rambles along winding country roads. Here, author Sally Moore describes leisurely drives from Pittsburgh to the Poconos, from the Delaware River to Lake Erie, and through bucolic Amish villages. Read about all-but-forgotten Allegheny coal towns, historic Great Lakes ports, and quiet riverside hamlets. Moore points the way to country stores, gristmills, apple orchards, Civil War battlefields, Dutch Country markets, and some of the best antique bargains in America. Exercise as much as you can before exploring the restaurants -- because you’ll be devouring huge quantities of home cooked meals. Whether you like hiking, camping, whitewater rafting, or fishing, it’s all described beautifully in this 164-page pocketbook, which also details driving directions, locations of inns, historic sites, farmers’ markets, quaint shops, and hours of operation for each site.

Although this interesting book is out-of-print, it is available for under $3 from amazon.com.

A Travel Guide to the Jewish Caribbean & South America (Pelican Publishing)

This book, written by Ben G. Frank (Pelican Publishing) is a must-read for anyone who wants to delve into the history, culture, and modern travel to important sites. The anecdotal and adventurous journey includes kosher restaurants, cafés, synagogues, and museums, plus lots of detailed information on cultural and heritage sites. You’ll discover how 23 Jews fleeing the Inquisition arrived and planted roots in the Americas as early as 1654; and where Jewish communities sprung up throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Here, you’ll learn about the oldest surviving synagogue in the Western Hemisphere -- Mikve Israel in Curacao --as well as the largest Jewish community in Puerto Rico. Chapters detail information, such as three synagogues in Havana, Cuba, along with other Jewish sites from Buenos Aires to Mexico City, plus general travel information and tips. I was surprised to learn that besides Cuba’s famous cigars, beaches, and Afro-Cuban rhythms, this country has been noted by environmentalists as a place of "unimagined bio-diversity. Frank describes how three Jews on the island of Jamaica helped the British rid the island from the Spanish oppression; how Martinique is home to 150 Jewish families; and relates many more unknown facts and stories in this excellent book.                 

Available at bookstores for $25. For more information, contact Pelican, 1000 Burgomaster Street, Gretna, Louisiana 70053; 800-843-1724, or check web site www.pelicanpub.com.

The Treasures and Pleasures of Bermuda: Best of the Best in Travel and Shopping (Impact Publications)

While it's not as expensive as London or Paris, this beautiful, exclusive, and romantic island paradise has a well-deserved reputation for quickly emptying your wallet. Bermuda has long been the playground for North America's rich and famous, who are well accommodated through the island's many high-end resorts, spas, restaurants, shops, and sports activities. In a class of its own, Bermuda neither encourages nor accommodates backpackers and budget travelers. However, today a new and more affordable Bermuda has emerged, attracting a new group of travelers. For example, there are now budget airlines charging hundreds of dollars less than the major companies to fly there.

In The Treasures and Pleasures of Bermuda: Best of the Best in Travel and Shopping (Impact Publications), you'll learn ways for enjoying the many treasures and pleasures of Bermuda, as researched by authors Ron and Caryl Krannich. With this book, you'll be able to cut costs by flying to Bermuda from three U.S. gateway cities at a low fare; take a five-day cruise for as low as $499; find guest houses, villas, cottages, or apartments for under $150 a night; find the special package deals; get in touch with discounted accommodations on the Internet; save money by taking buses and ferries using discounted one, three, four, or seven-day passes; rent a taxi by the hour for sightseeing by sharing the costs with a group; advice on skipping the expensive 'bottled water' in restaurants, and much, much more.

Available at bookstores for $16.95. For more information, contact Impact Publications, 9104-N Manassas Drive, Manassas Park, VA 20111, or check web site www.impactpublications.com.

The Dog Lover’s Companion to Chicago (Avalon Travel Publishing)

Published by Avalon Travel Publishing in Emeryville, CA., this book is, as the Sierra Club noted, “Indispensable to dog owners, dog lovers, or indulgent onlookers, and vastly entertaining as well.” Author Margaret Littman and her springer spaniel/retriever mix, Natasha, have done a fine job sniffing out the best places to eat, sleep, and have fun throughout Chicago. These 239 pages are filled with tips on where and where not to take your pooch, plus much more.  For example, leashed dogs are permitted in all city parks, but not in Chicago Park District buildings, lagoons, children’s play lots, or city sand bathing beaches during the summer. Parks are ranked on a ‘paws scale;” from one to four, with one paw not too appealing for the dog, and four paws considered terrific -- whereas a fire hydrant symbol indicates a particular place not ‘worth a squat.” Littman explains in detail how to transport your dog around this great city, whether by foot, bus, or cab; where and when to leash it; what to carry for scooping up poop; what special dog items to pack for stays at inns and hotels; and just about everything else you’d want or need to know about traveling with your dog. Chapters also include canine coverage of dog-friendly shops, the lowdown on doggy etiquette, doggy diversions such as baseball games, lake cruises, and pet portraiture, and is complete with detailed maps and directions. The book is well-written, entertaining,  and easy-to-understand. I felt, with its thorough listing and evaluation of restaurants, hotels, parks, and more, this book is perfect for those traveling with a dog -- or even without one!

 Available at book stores for $17.95.

Traveling The Eurail Express (Pelican)

Author Jay Brunhouse brings to life the thrill of traveling European trains in Traveling The Eurail Express (Pelican Publishing Company, Gretna, LA). He provides tips for arranging your itinerary, paying for transportation, using European subways or rapid-transit connections, and choosing what to do upon arriving at the destination. Learn how to go train-spotting with Britain’s young crowd, ride Marie Antoinette’s wedding route through Hell’s Valley in Germany, or take the InterCity train in Benelux through the site of the Battle of the Bulge on the back rails of the Ardennes forest. Brunhouse describes scenic routes with views of rivers, lakes, and the Alps.

The 544 page book, complete with 30 maps, is available at book stores for $18.95, or you can order from Pelican at 1-800-843-1724.

The New Zealand Bed & Breakfast Book (Pelican)

I visited New Zealand last year and was happy I read The New Zealand Bed & Breakfast Book (Pelican Publishing Company) before leaving. Edited by James Thomas, this comprehensive travel guide has detailed information on more than 400 private residences, inns, and farms throughout beautiful New Zealand, plus insight into the history, scenery, and personality of each residence. Although listings are written by the hosts, I found the descriptions basically honest and wasn’t disappointed. The book, divided into geographical regions, includes maps making it easy to plan on where to stay and what to see. Accommodations range from cozy (meaning basic), to luxurious, but all offer great hospitality. I found New Zealand’s motels and hotels to be far and few between, so having this guide book proved invaluable--particularly since the hosts normally provide a free, hearty breakfast and lots of information on the surrounding attractions.

Available at book stores or from Pelican at 1-800-843-1724.

Gordon's Guide to Adventure Vacations (Tag Publishing)

If you’re searching for a unique vacation, check out Gordon’s Guide to Adventure Vacations (Tag Publishing, Fresno, CA) . Within these 490 pages, author Timothy E. Gordon details 700 recreation providers, including companies offering whitewater rafting, bicycle touring, houseboat rental, outdoor skills training, northwest charter boat rentals, heli and snowcat skiing, horse packers and outfitters, guest ranches, fishing lodges and guide services, kayaking touring, mountaineering and climbing guides, and much more. It includes a comprehensive hotel/Airline/Car Rental Directory, and an excellent for finding things easily. For those looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure vacation, this book is the answer--whether you want to take off on a horse packing vacation in Montana’s rugged Bitterroot Wilderness; bicycle through vineyards in the Napa Valley, Italy or France; plunge down the majestic Grand Canyon’s Lava Falls; or simply relax padding in Belize.

Available at book stores or from web site http://www.gordonsguide.com for $29.95.

Schmap Guides

Some things in life are still free. For example, Schmap Company has introduced a series of free downloadable digital destination guides. Named Schmap Guides, the series covers cities, islands, and regions throughout Europe and the United States, with useful background information, top picks and suggested tours, reviews, directory listings, photos and maps. Using the company’s beta Schmap Player, a small and easy-to-use piece of freeware, the reader is treated to a new dimension of interactivity, speed and functionality for seamless browsing of maps and travel/local content. Those usingthe Player can check on maps, photos, reviews, and on-line content, thus affording the freedom to explore a chosen destination. If you want to take a lunch break or stretch, you can pause and fast-forward the virtual tour, and bookmark places of interest to tailor a trip to your liking. After, it’s possible to print out your bookmarked places and custom print a full-color guide with maps, photos and reviews. Driving directions are included. This new concept is well worth exploring. 

For more information, contact Schmap Guides  at www/schmap.com.

The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer (BookMasters Inc.)

Whether you’re young or old, visiting Walt Disney World is a magical vacation. However, since it has distinct theme parks, most visitors are at a loss as to know where to start. With The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer  in hand, deciding which to visit won’t be a problem. Designed for those who wish to tour Walt Disney World in style by staying in the most luxurious resorts, dine at the best restaurants, and enjoy top-drawer entertainment. author Cara Goldsbury has written valuable tips, techniques, and insider information that is sure to guarantee a great vacation. With proper planning, Goldsbury shows readers how they can create a stress-free vacation--including the best time of year to visit Disney--and which resort will be most suitable for their family and lifestyle, how to stay in the finest room possible for the lowest price, and which attractions are most worthwhile given their interests. Each of the Disney theme parks are included--the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom, as well as Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and other nearby theme parks.The book emphasizes that the most successful vacations are those that are carefully planned and researched months ahead of time, and because Disney is so huge with a tremendous number of choices, forethought is a necessity. Goldsbury rates resorts according to price and level of fun, and whether attractions are suitable for adults, children, or both. She also covers the weather, which clothes to pack, what holidays and dates are the busiest at the park, and what times of year visitors are most apt to find things quieter. Phone numbers and web addresses are included for making reservations and getting up-to-the-minute information on events and pricing, plus transportation options. It’s a very good book to have on hand when contemplating a trip to Disney World.

Available at book stores or from BookMasters Inc., 30 Amberwood Parkway, Ashland, OH 44805; 1-800-247-6553.

Driving & Discovering Hawaii: Maui and Molokai

I’ve been to Hawaii thirteen times, have at least a dozen related guide books, but am amazed at the wealth of information contained in the 160-page Driving & Discovering Hawaii: Maui and Molokai. Written by Richard Sullivan, this location guide is truly unique.  In addition to 330 beautiful color photographs and 42 detailed maps, Sullivan describes Maui’s Upcountry and West Maui’s rugged North Shore. The island of Molokai, usually ignored in other guides, is thoroughly detailed, as well as every beach on both islands. Each photo is numbered, corresponding to the same number on an adjacent map--ensuring that visitors can find all of Maui’s and Molokai’s best photogenic sights. Easy-to-read, the book makes it possible for potential visitors to peruse whatever appeals to them before making reservations. Even if you don’t have the time or money to explore the islands now, reading this book will definitely whet your appetite to go in the near future.

Available at bookstores for $19.95.

Kids' Going Places Travel Activities (American Map Corporation)

If you’re tired of hearing your children constantly repeating  “Are we there yet?” or disturbing you while you’re driving, pick up a copy of Kids’ Going Places Travel Activities (American Map Corporation/Langenscheidt Publishing Group). I bought it for my grandchildren and didn’t hear a peep until we arrived at our destination! The large format 38-page book features lots of coloring pages; dot-to-dot and puzzle pages; mapping skills, mazes; travel bingo; questions (with answers on the last page); a road sign scramble, and much, much more. All you’ll have to add is a box of crayons!

Available at most book stores and wherever maps are sold for $3.95. For further information, contact American Map Corporation, 36-36 33^rd Street, Long Island City, NY 11106; 800-432-6277 or go on-line at www.americanmap.com.

Insight City Guides (Langenscheidt Publishing Group)

Planning a getaway? Check out Insight City Guides. (Langenscheidt Publishing Group). Each guide in the new series features a compact format with rounded spine, a mini accordion map and a restaurant guide. Initial titles cover popular destinations, including Amsterdam, Las Vegas, London, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Walt Disney World/Orlando, Singapore, and Sidney. Each must-see site is evaluated with essays written by local writers covering the history, culture, and people. At the front of each City Guide, you’ll find a magazine-style directory to the “Best of” the city with recommended attractions, money-saving tips, special activities, free attractions, web site addresses, and insider advice. The main sites are cross-referenced by number from text to area maps, and have a fully-indexed 8-12 page street atlas that provides the overall picture. Museums and religious buildings cover a two-page spread, complete with captioned photos and floor plans. In addition to the location finder index on the front flaps to help readers quickly locate areas of interest, the travel tips use visual tabs to help in locating a section quickly. Best of all, each City Guide features a ‘take-it-with-you’ mini restaurant guide and city map that’s tucked into a clear sleeve on the back cover flap. This book contains a tremendous amount of good information for travelers to London. 

Insight City Guides -- from 224-256 pages, retailing for $16.95 -- are available at bookstores, travel stores, and on-line outlets where maps and travel products are sold. Check web site www.langenscheidt.com for further information or contact the Langenscheidt Publishing Group, 46-35 54th Road, Maspeth, NY 11378; 800-432-6277.

TimeOut Weekend Breaks from London (Penguin)

The third edition of TimeOut Weekend Breaks from London (Penguin, New York) is chock full of important information and lovely color photos. A team of writers researched 45 various destinations within two hours by road or rail from London, including the best sites, hotels, B&Bs, pubs, cafés, and restaurants -- and put it altogether in this compact 316-page guide. You’ll learn about coastal England--with its stretches of seaside, isolated marshes, and sophisticated resort towns; rural retreats--from the Cotswolds to the New Forest; and towns and cities---from Brighton to historic York and Canterbury. Detailed maps, reviews and listings are presented, and my only complaint is the type used -- it’s way to small for my tired eyes!

Available at book stores or on-line for $16.95. Check web site www.PublishAmerica.com for more information.

24 Great Rail-Trails of New Jersey (New England Cartographics, Inc.)

24 Great Rail-Trails of New Jersey  is a fantastic read for those who appreciate the outdoors. These multi-use trails, converted from abandoned railroad lines as part of the nationwide rails-to-trails movement, are historic as well as scenic and are perfect for hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, and the disabled. Craig Della Penna, a railroad historian and life-long bicycling enthusiast--who serves as the New England Field Representative for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy--has done a fantastic job in describing all you need to know to experience the adventure of rails-trails via maps, specific directions, local contacts, B&Bs, plus fascinating stories of railroad history. Fun and educational, plus a great way to spend a day outdoors, this book is perfect for you or as a gift to a nature loving friend.

Available at book stores or from the New England Cartographics, Inc., PO Box 9369, North Amherst, MA 01059.  

TRAVEL DIRECTORIES

Kampgrounds of America Directory

Despite higher gas prices at the pump, approximately 179 million total camper nights were generated in the United States last year, with about 101 million of those nights spent in private campgrounds. I was among those who camped because I’ve discovered that it’s a great way to meet friendly people, see Mother Nature’s best work, and engage in fun activities that relieve everyday stress. If you’d like to go camping, ask for Kampgrounds of America’s (KOA free 248-page directory of its more than 450 campgrounds throughout the United States. With it, it’s easy to plan a close-to-home vacation, a weekend getaway, and exciting recreational vehicle adventures. If you don’t own a tent, pop-up camper, trailer, or motor home, there’s good news -- in addition to more than 30,000 RV and tent sites, numerous KOA campgrounds rent comfortable, spotless Kamping Kabins.  In addition, all KOA campgrounds have hot showers, laundry facilities, tent sites, clean restrooms, and convenience stores, while most locations include Internet access, swimming pools, 50-amp service, pull-thru sites, and patio sites. The free directory is loaded with camping hints, menus, kids’ puzzles, a full map of the United States, adventure ideas, information on how to apply for a Value Kard good for campground discounts, ways to earn free nights, plus lots more.

The directory is available by contacting Kampgrounds of America, Inc., P.O. Box 30558, Billings, MT 59114; 406f-248-7444 or check web site www.koa.com.

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