bookpagedev

Self-HelpFamily & Relationships

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Making nice In the world of networking, schmoozing, or even asking someone out on a date, first impressions can still make or break you. That’s where How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less comes in. This small, easy-to-read book gives you the basics for meeting and greeting with confidence. Author Nicholas Boothman, a former fashion and advertising photographer turned master neuro-linguistic programmer, aims his advice at establishing rapport that sometimes awkward stage between meeting and communicating.

It seems obvious that people are naturally drawn to others like themselves, so the key in establishing rapport is to learn how to become like them. Each person you meet is like a puzzle, and without being overtly obvious, the goal is to align your behavior with his or hers. Focusing on this concept of synchrony, Boothman’s has developed a four-part plan for establishing rapport. First, start with a positive attitude; next, naturally mirror the other person’s attitude, body language, and voice; ask the right type of questions to get the conversation going; then read the other person’s sensory preferences (sight, sound, or touch) and adjust accordingly. It may not sound simple, but more than likely you’re already doing most of this and don’t realize it. If not, Boothman provides easy practice exercises to get you in the habit of synchronizing naturally. Whether it’s business, social, or personal, 90 Seconds will soon have you on your way to becoming a rapport-creating pro.

Making nice In the world of networking, schmoozing, or even asking someone out on a date, first impressions can still make or break you. That's where How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less comes in. This small, easy-to-read book gives you…

Biography

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Brian Shepard was born on the 4th of July, 1949 in Kankakee, Illinois. This real, live nephew of his Uncle Sam grew up to become an FBI agent, spending his first six years of service in New York City. He returned to his home state in 1983, assigned as the sole agent in Decatur. Mark Whitacre was the wunderkind of Archer Daniels Midland Company, or ADM (yes, the same ADM of the classy Supermarket to the World television advertisements). Whitacre is also the duplicitous hero of The Informant. In this true account that has more spy action than some Tom Clancy novels, we get double-crossing, dirty dealing, lying, conniving, and wiretapping . . . and that’s just the FBI agent and his informant. Add to the mix Whitacre’s high-school sweetheart and loving wife, Ginger, who thinks all will be cured if her poor, beleaguered husband simply tells the truth. But, alas, Ginger, the truth isn’t simple, and neither are Whitacres’s colleagues at ADM, especially head-honcho Dwayne Andreas. Andreas pulled political strings worldwide for decades, even before heading ADM: He met Gorbachev before Reagan did, dined with Yitzhak Rabin before he was Prime Minister Rabin, and helped David Brinkley find an apartment. All the while even when his friend Richard Nixon got in a bit of a mess in 1972 he managed to stay out of the public eye. Does our meager FBI agent have a chance? The truth is a complicated matter, and in the case of The Informant, much stranger than fiction. The truth is The Informant is more deceitful and more spellbinding, than many works of fiction. The phantasmagoric story behind the so-called “Supermarket to the World” rocked Decatur and much of the world, and it will certainly change the way you look at your grocery bill. It may also change the way you think about your neighbors when a strange car pulls into their driveway.

While Diane Stresing admits she was born under an assumed name, she claims she has never been an FBI informant.

Brian Shepard was born on the 4th of July, 1949 in Kankakee, Illinois. This real, live nephew of his Uncle Sam grew up to become an FBI agent, spending his first six years of service in New York City. He returned to his home state…

Animals

Review

Review by bookpagedev

April Frost is one of a growing number of teachers who are refining and enhancing traditional methods of working with animals. She has developed Awareness Training, a solid method of training dogs which builds a bond through clear, consistent communication, discipline, and respect. In her book Beyond Obedience, she leads her readers through the process of choosing the animal best suited to their households and needs, and she outlines very definite steps of training and living with the animal successfully.

Frost has been working with dogs and horses for over 30 years. Her range of experiences includes watching how a few hours of contact with her dog Strut was able to bring peace to a raging woman in a convalescent home to rescuing 13 dogs from a feral pack who lived in a pen without adequate food for years. She has seen countless animals pay the price of their owner’s irresponsibility and ignorance. Realizing that good training and manners are an animal’s best ticket to a safe, happy home, she developed Awareness Training. Departing from fear-based training methods, Frost advocates harnessing the power of human and animal hearts in conjunction with their minds to obtain cooperation instead of coercion. Frost challenges her readers to open their minds about what is possible when they work with their dogs. Attitude is a crucial ingredient in her method; she encourages visualization and developing a strong intention while working with one’s animals. In addition to these techniques, she uses the more familiar training tools of the voice, vocabulary, hand signals, crates, collars, and leashes. Although she presents a series of progressive training steps, she encourages her readers to alter her methods to fit the needs of their dogs and situations. Throughout the book, Frost gives a wealth of information and stories to enable her readers to better understand how their dogs experience life. Her stories are inspiring and convey the deep emotions of which animals are capable. She draws upon her many years of conducting classes and workshops for stories to illustrate common training problems and how she worked out their solutions. For those who wish to supplement their conventional veterinary care, Frost summarizes several alternative therapies: bach flower remedies, herbs, homeopathic remedies, therapeutic touch, and reiki among others. She also raises some pertinent questions about our current dog food production, inoculation, and parasite control practices. Even if you are not primarily interested in trailblazing dog thinking, Frost’s method for teaching your pet the basics is reputable and will teach you how to lay a firm foundation with the beginning cues of walk, come, and wait. But, just as your Spot has an vast reservoir of potential within patiently waiting for your notice and appreciation, so does this book. Sharon Kozy is an avid animal lover.

April Frost is one of a growing number of teachers who are refining and enhancing traditional methods of working with animals. She has developed Awareness Training, a solid method of training dogs which builds a bond through clear, consistent communication, discipline, and respect. In her…

Nonfiction

Review

Review by bookpagedev

What would you do if the new people down the block were dramatically different from you? What if you thought the local schools were going downhill? Would you pack up and leave the old neighborhood? Ray Suarez, of NPR’s Talk of the Nation, says many people have done just that.

In his book, The Old Neighborhood, Suarez examines the social and economic factors that have turned our oldest and largest cities into urban orphans. He discusses how changes in race, religion, and economy have transformed our cities from clusters of close-knit communities to places where no one seems to want to live. The pedantic possibility of such a story is avoided through Suarez’s artful use of personal experience and vignettes by current and former city residents.

Suarez selects the cities of Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and the District of Columbia for more in-depth analysis. The common thread tying together the plight of all of these cities is the phenomenon of great white flight and the willingness of realtors to profit from this fear and fact by block busting neighborhoods whenever a minority family moved in. Together with the decreased importance of the church as a cohesive mechanism and the loss of industry and the jobs it provides, we are not surprised to learn that most of these cities have lost half their population in the last 50 years.

It’s not just the cities that have lost people, however. It is also people who have lost their cities and the feelings of identity and place they derived from them. The loss of closeness and coherence found in an urban environment has, according to Suarez, given way to a life which has . . . increasingly become a string of pearls, incidents and encounters staged in a wide range of almost random physical locations, strung together by the automobile. Fear not, however, because the book closes on an optimistic note by observing that the worst appears to be over for many a metropolis. Forward thinking mayors, the willingness to reinvent urban schools, and the pure stubbornness of many city residents who refuse to give up and walk away, cause Suarez to conclude that there is hope for the places that made America and Americans great.

What would you do if the new people down the block were dramatically different from you? What if you thought the local schools were going downhill? Would you pack up and leave the old neighborhood? Ray Suarez, of NPR's Talk of the Nation, says many…

LifestylesHealth & Fitness

Review

Review by bookpagedev

I sing the body athletic You’ve finished redecorating the house, repairing the car, and digging the new flowerbed. Everything looks great, so what’s next? Spend the rest of the summer working on yourself. In today’s fast-paced world, it seems that everything gets attention except your body. Remember your New Year’s resolution? Continue what you started in January and make yourself a new body. Along the way, you’ll also get fit. Research now shows that you can change your body’s musculature and aerobic capacity at any age. When it comes to improving your body, it’s never too late.

To get you started, the following list of affordable books includes something for every age group, and some are even small enough to take on end-of-the-summer trips. Whether you’ve been working hard at your health and fitness routine since New Year’s or whether you’re a decades-old, seasoned fitness enthusiast, the information in these books will take you further along in your personal journey to fitness and better health. Power Up: 101 Ways to Boost Your Energy (Avon, $12, 0380797240). People at any level of fitness (and any age) will benefit by reading Daryn Eller’s book, because it’s about something we all want more of energy. Eller gives 101 tips on how to get it and how to keep it. How can you get the most out of your running or weight-lifting routine? What tips help you build cardio endurance during your jogging/running workouts or add muscle after your resistance training routine? If you’ve just started working out, which foods can help you fuel your body and maximize those workouts? If you’re a senior just beginning a fitness regimen, how can you keep your energy up? Eller talks high-octane nutrition, energizing workouts, and body-mind revitalizers for powering up the natural, safe way. This is good news for those who are presently on medication or under doctor’s observation. Each topic is relatively short, and the author gives a helpful resource section at the end, complete with e-mail addresses, online addresses, and phone numbers.

The Principles of Running: Practical Lessons from My First 100,000 Miles (Rodale, $15.95, 1579540384) was written by a runner who knows what he’s talking about. I remember Amby Burfoot’s Boston Marathon win while in college in 1968 and was prompted to begin making my own tracks. In his new book, Burfoot offers clear, simple advice to runners who want to improve their marathon performance, reduce their injuries, and attain a better running body. This book is particularly useful for those who are just beginning this sport it’s chock-full of tips and tried-and-true advice acquired over 35 years. You’ll cut a lot of painful corners if you take your advice from someone who’s been there. If you only have time for a short read, you don’t need to follow the chapters in any particular order; the numerous Principles sections cut straight to the most important stuff. Burfoot begins by talking to the new runner. His advice on aches and pains and handling blisters is something you’re going to need. He moves on to women runners and pregnancy, equipment, nutrition, training, weight loss, the weather factor, injury prevention, marathoning, and much more. Give this one to a running friend, new or experienced.

The Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies for Seniors (Rodale, $27.95, 1579540112), by Doug Dollemore, is an A-Z guide for seniors and is offered here for those who like to stay physically active, mentally sharp, and disease-free. Through the years, Rodale Press has earned its kudos by delivering first-rate, usable information to consumers who want safe yet effective solutions to their problems, whether personal or environmental. This book is no exception. It’s a large volume and meant to be used. More than 350 doctors and other health care practitioners who specialize in the treatment of seniors share numerous tips and techniques. You will find 1,500 doctor-recommended remedies that can help prevent, relieve, or cure 120 ailments commonly affecting older citizens. Each section of the book discusses the problem; tells you When to See a Doctor ; enables you to try simple, cost effective remedies under Try This First ; offers Other Wise Ways to attack the problem, and then advises you about Managing Your Meds. This large reference provides helpful answers to the questions seniors are likely to ask. Any senior, active or not, will value this book and consult it often.

Massage for Busy People (New World Library, $10.95, 1577310829), by Dawn Groves, is perfect for the sports-minded who are constantly on the go. This little book is small enough to slip into your suitcase next to your workout clothes. Whether using the hotel fitness center equipment or your handy fitness band, you may need something for on-the-road aches and pains that sometimes accompany a more intense workout. Groves demonstrates self-massage techniques that deliver relief in minutes and includes instructions for quick massage when sitting at a desk, in a vehicle, or an airplane. There’s something to ease the body during prolonged walking or standing and a sure-fire cure for lethargy and backache. She also throws in techniques for replenishing your energy as well as easing a stiff neck or a headache so common to travelers (this is great for long summer trips business or pleasure). Clear instructions, varied topics, and 30 photos make this little book the perfect post-workout cool-down and the perfect gift for any health-conscious traveler of any age.

Healing Mantras, by Thomas Ashley-Farrand, will prove to be a trip down memory lane for those of us who listened to Ravi Shankar in the ’60s. These . . . chanting of songs, verses, and mystic formulas existed long before the development of even the most primitive instruments. In modern times, the healing benefits of liturgical chanting have only recently been rediscovered . . . Ashley-Farrand’s book is the first practical how-to guide in which ancient Sanskrit mantras have been explained and adapted to Western needs.

However, the book is not only for beginners who wish to study the energy-based techniques of sound meditation. It’s for the practiced as well. The author explains how mantras work, how to use your own mantra, and how these rhythms of healing sounds can help solve health problems, allow you to find inner peace, gain mental clarity, and overcome fear. If you’ve always steeped yourself in the Western Tradition, after reading this book you may consider that there are other effective ways to reach a state of wellness and peace in body and mind.

Pat Regel gardens and pumps iron.

I sing the body athletic You've finished redecorating the house, repairing the car, and digging the new flowerbed. Everything looks great, so what's next? Spend the rest of the summer working on yourself. In today's fast-paced world, it seems that everything gets attention except your…
History

Review

Review by bookpagedev

NYPD: The Inside Story of New York’s Legendary Police Department Perhaps one of the greatest accomplishments of civilization is man’s delegation of authority to enforce laws, in effect to say, “We make the rules and you make sure we obey them.” As James Lardner and Thomas Reppetto make abundantly clear in NYPD: The Inside Story of New York’s Legendary Police Department, this bargain is a double-edged sword; not only are we expected to live by our rules, so are those who enforce them and that doesn’t always happen.

The world’s greatest city is a natural place to study the workings of a police department. All city police department’s have their share of both scandal and sainthood, but few have the ethnic mix, history, and sheer size of New York City. It seems the NYPD is always in the news, from a controversial death to a staggering bust, and as Lardner and Reppetto show us, it’s always been that way.

NYPD makes clear that the criminals of the 18th and 19th centuries were not like those of today, and neither was the city; living conditions in the poorer sections of New York make today’s ghettos seem like paradise. Back then, the force of moral suasion was a bigger factor than it is today. A confession for murder could be extracted by appealing to God and mother despite the near certitude of execution.

Lardner and Reppetto have written a history, of course, but it is a biography, too. The NYPD is a reflection of the people who run it, and the cast of characters is long and colorful, from the formidable high constable Jacob Hays, friend of Aaron Burr, who enforced the law in the early 1800s attired in a black suit and top hat, to the embittered Frank Serpico, an undercover cop in the 1970s who tried to blow the whistle on police graft, but instead ended up in self-imposed exile in Europe.

Corruption is a constant theme in NYPD, as the authors detail a seemingly endless cycle of graft, public awareness, investigations, public apathy, and graft again. Yet throughout, police work gets done.

Realize too, that the majority of this story is pre-Miranda, and if the methods used to bust the bad guys seem extreme, they were everyday practice, both in New York and elsewhere.

Well researched and full of detail, NYPD is a fascinating book, yet it leaves untold the thousands of stories about officers who just did their jobs and didn’t get their name in the paper or in this book.

Jim Webb writes from Nashville.

NYPD: The Inside Story of New York's Legendary Police Department Perhaps one of the greatest accomplishments of civilization is man's delegation of authority to enforce laws, in effect to say, "We make the rules and you make sure we obey them." As James Lardner and…
LifestylesCrafts, Hobbies & Home

Review

Review by bookpagedev

J.

I. Rodale launched Organic Farming and Gardening magazine in 1942, when chemical weed killers and fertilizers were being hailed by many as the modern miracles of agriculture. Rodale’s theories about the direct relationship between the health of the soil and the health of society were considered either revolutionary or bogus, depending on who you talked to. But, with A.D. 2000 just around the corner, times have changed. Environmentally conscious gardeners have seen Rodale’s wisdom finally take hold in a BIG way. Sales of organic food totaled $3.5 billion in 1996, and the market has grown 20% each year for the past seven years.

Now, Maria Rodale writes using her own 20 plus years of experience in organic gardening. Picking up where her grandfather left off, her new book, Maria Rodale’s Organic Gardening, combines her grandfather’s theories with her own 21st-century ideas of what constitutes natural beauty in the garden. The book is divided into the four seasons of the year with helpful calendar checklists for doing seasonal chores. There are 600 color photos, advice on designing your own organic garden, nursery buying tips, bird-feeding information, scrumptious recipes for your kitchen, and easy how-to tips and techniques that illustrate how you can work with nature to create beauty in your garden all year long.

Rodale demonstrates in a most inspiring way that an organic garden doesn’t have to look ugly. There’s a wealth of information in this book about growing everything organically. As Rodale says, You will learn some interesting new things, get inspired, and make the world a better place by creating an organic Eden in your own backyard. Maria Rodale’s Organic Gardening is for beginning and experienced organic gardeners. It’s so thorough and usable that it’s the only organic gardening book you’ll ever need to take you into 21st-century.

Pat Regel grows herbs organically in her Nashville garden.

J.

I. Rodale launched Organic Farming and Gardening magazine in 1942, when chemical weed killers and fertilizers were being hailed by many as the modern miracles of agriculture. Rodale's theories about the direct relationship between the health of the soil and the health of…
LifestylesHealth & Fitness

Review

Review by bookpagedev

I sing the body athletic You’ve finished redecorating the house, repairing the car, and digging the new flowerbed. Everything looks great, so what’s next? Spend the rest of the summer working on yourself. In today’s fast-paced world, it seems that everything gets attention except your body. Remember your New Year’s resolution? Continue what you started in January and make yourself a new body. Along the way, you’ll also get fit. Research now shows that you can change your body’s musculature and aerobic capacity at any age. When it comes to improving your body, it’s never too late.

To get you started, the following list of affordable books includes something for every age group, and some are even small enough to take on end-of-the-summer trips. Whether you’ve been working hard at your health and fitness routine since New Year’s or whether you’re a decades-old, seasoned fitness enthusiast, the information in these books will take you further along in your personal journey to fitness and better health. Power Up: 101 Ways to Boost Your Energy (Avon, $12, 0380797240). People at any level of fitness (and any age) will benefit by reading Daryn Eller’s book, because it’s about something we all want more of energy. Eller gives 101 tips on how to get it and how to keep it. How can you get the most out of your running or weight-lifting routine? What tips help you build cardio endurance during your jogging/running workouts or add muscle after your resistance training routine? If you’ve just started working out, which foods can help you fuel your body and maximize those workouts? If you’re a senior just beginning a fitness regimen, how can you keep your energy up? Eller talks high-octane nutrition, energizing workouts, and body-mind revitalizers for powering up the natural, safe way. This is good news for those who are presently on medication or under doctor’s observation. Each topic is relatively short, and the author gives a helpful resource section at the end, complete with e-mail addresses, online addresses, and phone numbers.

The Principles of Running: Practical Lessons from My First 100,000 Miles (Rodale, $15.95, 1579540384) was written by a runner who knows what he’s talking about. I remember Amby Burfoot’s Boston Marathon win while in college in 1968 and was prompted to begin making my own tracks. In his new book, Burfoot offers clear, simple advice to runners who want to improve their marathon performance, reduce their injuries, and attain a better running body. This book is particularly useful for those who are just beginning this sport it’s chock-full of tips and tried-and-true advice acquired over 35 years. You’ll cut a lot of painful corners if you take your advice from someone who’s been there. If you only have time for a short read, you don’t need to follow the chapters in any particular order; the numerous Principles sections cut straight to the most important stuff. Burfoot begins by talking to the new runner. His advice on aches and pains and handling blisters is something you’re going to need. He moves on to women runners and pregnancy, equipment, nutrition, training, weight loss, the weather factor, injury prevention, marathoning, and much more. Give this one to a running friend, new or experienced.

The Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies for Seniors (Rodale, $27.95, 1579540112), by Doug Dollemore, is an A-Z guide for seniors and is offered here for those who like to stay physically active, mentally sharp, and disease-free. Through the years, Rodale Press has earned its kudos by delivering first-rate, usable information to consumers who want safe yet effective solutions to their problems, whether personal or environmental. This book is no exception. It’s a large volume and meant to be used. More than 350 doctors and other health care practitioners who specialize in the treatment of seniors share numerous tips and techniques. You will find 1,500 doctor-recommended remedies that can help prevent, relieve, or cure 120 ailments commonly affecting older citizens. Each section of the book discusses the problem; tells you When to See a Doctor ; enables you to try simple, cost effective remedies under Try This First ; offers Other Wise Ways to attack the problem, and then advises you about Managing Your Meds. This large reference provides helpful answers to the questions seniors are likely to ask. Any senior, active or not, will value this book and consult it often.

Massage for Busy People, by Dawn Groves, is perfect for the sports-minded who are constantly on the go. This little book is small enough to slip into your suitcase next to your workout clothes. Whether using the hotel fitness center equipment or your handy fitness band, you may need something for on-the-road aches and pains that sometimes accompany a more intense workout. Groves demonstrates self-massage techniques that deliver relief in minutes and includes instructions for quick massage when sitting at a desk, in a vehicle, or an airplane. There’s something to ease the body during prolonged walking or standing and a sure-fire cure for lethargy and backache. She also throws in techniques for replenishing your energy as well as easing a stiff neck or a headache so common to travelers (this is great for long summer trips business or pleasure). Clear instructions, varied topics, and 30 photos make this little book the perfect post-workout cool-down and the perfect gift for any health-conscious traveler of any age.

Healing Mantras (Ballantine, $12.95, 345431707), by Thomas Ashley-Farrand, will prove to be a trip down memory lane for those of us who listened to Ravi Shankar in the ’60s. These . . . chanting of songs, verses, and mystic formulas existed long before the development of even the most primitive instruments. In modern times, the healing benefits of liturgical chanting have only recently been rediscovered . . . Ashley-Farrand’s book is the first practical how-to guide in which ancient Sanskrit mantras have been explained and adapted to Western needs.

However, the book is not only for beginners who wish to study the energy-based techniques of sound meditation. It’s for the practiced as well. The author explains how mantras work, how to use your own mantra, and how these rhythms of healing sounds can help solve health problems, allow you to find inner peace, gain mental clarity, and overcome fear. If you’ve always steeped yourself in the Western Tradition, after reading this book you may consider that there are other effective ways to reach a state of wellness and peace in body and mind.

Pat Regel gardens and pumps iron.

I sing the body athletic You've finished redecorating the house, repairing the car, and digging the new flowerbed. Everything looks great, so what's next? Spend the rest of the summer working on yourself. In today's fast-paced world, it seems that everything gets attention except your…
NonfictionTrue Crime

Review

Review by bookpagedev

The Island of Lost Maps: A True Story of Cartographic Crime As a former literary editor for Outside magazine, author Miles Harvey knows a thing or two about the importance of maps when it comes to defining a subject. But in 1995 when he came across the true story in the Chicago Tribune of Gilbert Joseph Bland, Jr., a contemporary map thief whose cartographic crime spree made him the most famous such bandit in American history, Harvey was more than intrigued. So, as any adventurer is apt to do, he set off down the uncharted trail of this “Al Capone of cartography” to learn why a South Florida antiques dealer would become master map thief. What began as a lengthy feature article for Outside turned into four years of researching the methods and motives of his enigmatic subject, thus The Island Of Lost Maps: A True Story of Cartographic Crime became a readable chart of these unusual crimes and the man behind them.

Visualize if you will a contemporary map thief. Beyond generating an image of a tweedy, nondescript, and somewhat less gadgetry-enhanced version of James Bond, it’s more of a challenge to imagine why someone would habitually pilfer hundreds of old maps from prominent research libraries across Canada and the United States. In his investigations, Harvey descends into the intriguing subculture of map collectors and experts and the peripheral eccentrics who encountered Bland as he slipped undetected through the doors of various libraries with centuries-old maps of all kinds hidden on his person. Most interesting are the many obscure side trips Harvey makes during his trail of investigations which, written in highly descriptive and well-paced prose, create the mood of a dimly lit library during a thunderstorm. As we learn with each incident involving maps Harvey encounters, behind every map is a significant story. The story behind the greatest map thief in America is an entertaining adventure in history, humanity, and the fascinating role cartography plays in it all. Jamie McAlister writes from his home in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Island of Lost Maps: A True Story of Cartographic Crime As a former literary editor for Outside magazine, author Miles Harvey knows a thing or two about the importance of maps when it comes to defining a subject. But in 1995 when he came…

LifestylesHealth & Fitness

Review

Review by bookpagedev

I sing the body athletic You’ve finished redecorating the house, repairing the car, and digging the new flowerbed. Everything looks great, so what’s next? Spend the rest of the summer working on yourself. In today’s fast-paced world, it seems that everything gets attention except your body. Remember your New Year’s resolution? Continue what you started in January and make yourself a new body. Along the way, you’ll also get fit. Research now shows that you can change your body’s musculature and aerobic capacity at any age. When it comes to improving your body, it’s never too late.

To get you started, the following list of affordable books includes something for every age group, and some are even small enough to take on end-of-the-summer trips. Whether you’ve been working hard at your health and fitness routine since New Year’s or whether you’re a decades-old, seasoned fitness enthusiast, the information in these books will take you further along in your personal journey to fitness and better health. Power Up: 101 Ways to Boost Your Energy (Avon, $12, 0380797240). People at any level of fitness (and any age) will benefit by reading Daryn Eller’s book, because it’s about something we all want more of energy. Eller gives 101 tips on how to get it and how to keep it. How can you get the most out of your running or weight-lifting routine? What tips help you build cardio endurance during your jogging/running workouts or add muscle after your resistance training routine? If you’ve just started working out, which foods can help you fuel your body and maximize those workouts? If you’re a senior just beginning a fitness regimen, how can you keep your energy up? Eller talks high-octane nutrition, energizing workouts, and body-mind revitalizers for powering up the natural, safe way. This is good news for those who are presently on medication or under doctor’s observation. Each topic is relatively short, and the author gives a helpful resource section at the end, complete with e-mail addresses, online addresses, and phone numbers.

The Principles of Running: Practical Lessons from My First 100,000 Miles (Rodale, $15.95, 1579540384) was written by a runner who knows what he’s talking about. I remember Amby Burfoot’s Boston Marathon win while in college in 1968 and was prompted to begin making my own tracks. In his new book, Burfoot offers clear, simple advice to runners who want to improve their marathon performance, reduce their injuries, and attain a better running body. This book is particularly useful for those who are just beginning this sport it’s chock-full of tips and tried-and-true advice acquired over 35 years. You’ll cut a lot of painful corners if you take your advice from someone who’s been there. If you only have time for a short read, you don’t need to follow the chapters in any particular order; the numerous Principles sections cut straight to the most important stuff. Burfoot begins by talking to the new runner. His advice on aches and pains and handling blisters is something you’re going to need. He moves on to women runners and pregnancy, equipment, nutrition, training, weight loss, the weather factor, injury prevention, marathoning, and much more. Give this one to a running friend, new or experienced.

The Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies for Seniors, by Doug Dollemore, is an A-Z guide for seniors and is offered here for those who like to stay physically active, mentally sharp, and disease-free. Through the years, Rodale Press has earned its kudos by delivering first-rate, usable information to consumers who want safe yet effective solutions to their problems, whether personal or environmental. This book is no exception. It’s a large volume and meant to be used. More than 350 doctors and other health care practitioners who specialize in the treatment of seniors share numerous tips and techniques. You will find 1,500 doctor-recommended remedies that can help prevent, relieve, or cure 120 ailments commonly affecting older citizens. Each section of the book discusses the problem; tells you When to See a Doctor ; enables you to try simple, cost effective remedies under Try This First ; offers Other Wise Ways to attack the problem, and then advises you about Managing Your Meds. This large reference provides helpful answers to the questions seniors are likely to ask. Any senior, active or not, will value this book and consult it often.

Massage for Busy People (New World Library, $10.95, 1577310829), by Dawn Groves, is perfect for the sports-minded who are constantly on the go. This little book is small enough to slip into your suitcase next to your workout clothes. Whether using the hotel fitness center equipment or your handy fitness band, you may need something for on-the-road aches and pains that sometimes accompany a more intense workout. Groves demonstrates self-massage techniques that deliver relief in minutes and includes instructions for quick massage when sitting at a desk, in a vehicle, or an airplane. There’s something to ease the body during prolonged walking or standing and a sure-fire cure for lethargy and backache. She also throws in techniques for replenishing your energy as well as easing a stiff neck or a headache so common to travelers (this is great for long summer trips business or pleasure). Clear instructions, varied topics, and 30 photos make this little book the perfect post-workout cool-down and the perfect gift for any health-conscious traveler of any age.

Healing Mantras (Ballantine, $12.95, 345431707), by Thomas Ashley-Farrand, will prove to be a trip down memory lane for those of us who listened to Ravi Shankar in the ’60s. These . . . chanting of songs, verses, and mystic formulas existed long before the development of even the most primitive instruments. In modern times, the healing benefits of liturgical chanting have only recently been rediscovered . . . Ashley-Farrand’s book is the first practical how-to guide in which ancient Sanskrit mantras have been explained and adapted to Western needs.

However, the book is not only for beginners who wish to study the energy-based techniques of sound meditation. It’s for the practiced as well. The author explains how mantras work, how to use your own mantra, and how these rhythms of healing sounds can help solve health problems, allow you to find inner peace, gain mental clarity, and overcome fear. If you’ve always steeped yourself in the Western Tradition, after reading this book you may consider that there are other effective ways to reach a state of wellness and peace in body and mind.

Pat Regel gardens and pumps iron.

I sing the body athletic You've finished redecorating the house, repairing the car, and digging the new flowerbed. Everything looks great, so what's next? Spend the rest of the summer working on yourself. In today's fast-paced world, it seems that everything gets attention except your…
Family & Relationships

Review

Review by bookpagedev

For genealogists Looking for that long lost great-aunt who once lived in California, got married, and moved to Timbuktu? Well, the key to tracing your ancestry is at your fingertips or your keyboard with Genealogy Online, a book by Elizabeth Crowe including 50 sites used to conduct genealogical searches online. This comprehensive and informative book has widespread appeal for people interested in finding their roots and creating or discovering their family trees. For those who are not Internet savvy, Part 1: The Basics, provides an excellent introduction to understanding modems, software, Internet jargon, and basic tips for online searches. This step-by-step guide to online family history searches is interesting, informative, and user-friendly. And you just might find that elusive aunt after all.

For genealogists Looking for that long lost great-aunt who once lived in California, got married, and moved to Timbuktu? Well, the key to tracing your ancestry is at your fingertips or your keyboard with Genealogy Online, a book by Elizabeth Crowe including 50 sites used…

History

Review

Review by bookpagedev

A Modern Library chronicles the past The title of this review sounds like a manifesto for a good library. For that reason, it is apt in several ways, because it also announces a noble publishing venture: Modern Library, the estimable publisher of everyone from Proust to Tolstoy, has just launched a new series, Modern Library Chronicles.

The goal is to chronicle the eras and themes of past centuries the ideas and changes that laid the groundwork for our own world in less than 200 pages per outing. And no, these are not McBooks. Think of them as long essays, labors of love by people who know their subjects and care about language and style.

Like the excellent and popular Penguin Lives series of short biographies, the Chronicles emphasize accessible brevity and good writing.

The first two volumes, just released, hint at the series’ projected breadth by addressing an era and a religion. Paul Johnson, author of Modern Times and A History of the Jews and several other volumes, has written an elegant little book to sit beside his elegant big books The Renaissance: A Short History ($19.95, ISBN 067964086X). Karen Armstrong, who has written everything from an account of her years as a nun to the recent bestseller The Battle for God, explores the history of one of the most influential beliefs in history, Islam: A Short History ($19.95, ISBN 0679640401). Two other volumes coming in November are Mark Mazower on the Balkans and Michael Sturmer on the German Empire.

These new books aren’t written by academic borer beetles who haven’t looked up from their tunnels since they got tenure. They’re written by writers writers whose mastery of their topic never overshadows their sense of language and style. The result, so far, is extremely satisfying and, looking at the list of upcoming authors, it is safe to assume that the list will quickly develop a good momentum. Paul Johnson’s Renaissance may be dwarfed by its predecessors’ bulk, but it can hold up its head for quality. Throughout, it is intelligent, straightforward, and clear-headed. His very first sentences pull you in with their common-sense simplicity, but they also seem to state the very theme of the Modern Library series: “The past is infinitely complicated, composed as it is of events, big and small, beyond computation. To make sense of it, the historian must select and simplify and shape. One way he shapes the past is to divide it into periods. Each period is made more memorable and easy to grasp if it can be labeled by a word that epitomizes its spirit. That is how such terms as Ôthe Renaissance’ came into being.” Johnson moves briskly along through the highly competitive world of Florentine artists and the roles of such art-supporting popes as Leo X. He demonstrates how the Renaissance art historian Vasari began shaping the immediate past by categorizing it with a particular artist embodying what he saw as the crucial themes of the period a practice than continues today, of course. Johnson’s book becomes a fine little survey course of the arts. The Renaissance was a period of cultural revitalization growing from a rediscovery of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Johnson points out something we tend to forget: “Cultural rebirths, major and minor, are a common occurrence in history. Most generations, of all human societies, have a propensity to look back on golden ages and seek to restore them.” Karen Armstrong is equally adept at weaving together the diverse strands of her topic, even though her theme is a belief system (and its consequent actions) that cover hundreds of years and, by now, the entire world. She smoothly unifies such differing elements of Islam as the struggle for power among the immediate successors to the Prophet, the unifying of spirituality and theology in Islamic discourse, and the rise of modern fundamentalist terrorism. For example, she clearly explains why Western notions of democracy must be hybridized before they can take root in Eastern soil: “The reformers who wanted to graft modernity onto an Islamic substructure pointed out that in itself the ideal of democracy was not inimical to Islam. . . . Part of the difficulty lay in the way that the West formulated democracy as Ôgovernment of the people, by the people, and for the people.’ In Islam, it is God and not the people who gives a government legitimacy.” Such an elevation of humanity could seem like idolatry.

If these first two books are any indication, the rest of the Modern Library Chronicles will be enlightening, digestible, and entertaining.

A Modern Library chronicles the past The title of this review sounds like a manifesto for a good library. For that reason, it is apt in several ways, because it also announces a noble publishing venture: Modern Library, the estimable publisher of everyone from Proust…

LifestylesHealth & Fitness

Review

Review by bookpagedev

I sing the body athletic You’ve finished redecorating the house, repairing the car, and digging the new flowerbed. Everything looks great, so what’s next? Spend the rest of the summer working on yourself. In today’s fast-paced world, it seems that everything gets attention except your body. Remember your New Year’s resolution? Continue what you started in January and make yourself a new body. Along the way, you’ll also get fit. Research now shows that you can change your body’s musculature and aerobic capacity at any age. When it comes to improving your body, it’s never too late.

To get you started, the following list of affordable books includes something for every age group, and some are even small enough to take on end-of-the-summer trips. Whether you’ve been working hard at your health and fitness routine since New Year’s or whether you’re a decades-old, seasoned fitness enthusiast, the information in these books will take you further along in your personal journey to fitness and better health. Power Up: 101 Ways to Boost Your Energy (Avon, $12, 0380797240). People at any level of fitness (and any age) will benefit by reading Daryn Eller’s book, because it’s about something we all want more of energy. Eller gives 101 tips on how to get it and how to keep it. How can you get the most out of your running or weight-lifting routine? What tips help you build cardio endurance during your jogging/running workouts or add muscle after your resistance training routine? If you’ve just started working out, which foods can help you fuel your body and maximize those workouts? If you’re a senior just beginning a fitness regimen, how can you keep your energy up? Eller talks high-octane nutrition, energizing workouts, and body-mind revitalizers for powering up the natural, safe way. This is good news for those who are presently on medication or under doctor’s observation. Each topic is relatively short, and the author gives a helpful resource section at the end, complete with e-mail addresses, online addresses, and phone numbers.

The Principles of Running: Practical Lessons from My First 100,000 Miles was written by a runner who knows what he’s talking about. I remember Amby Burfoot’s Boston Marathon win while in college in 1968 and was prompted to begin making my own tracks. In his new book, Burfoot offers clear, simple advice to runners who want to improve their marathon performance, reduce their injuries, and attain a better running body. This book is particularly useful for those who are just beginning this sport it’s chock-full of tips and tried-and-true advice acquired over 35 years. You’ll cut a lot of painful corners if you take your advice from someone who’s been there. If you only have time for a short read, you don’t need to follow the chapters in any particular order; the numerous Principles sections cut straight to the most important stuff. Burfoot begins by talking to the new runner. His advice on aches and pains and handling blisters is something you’re going to need. He moves on to women runners and pregnancy, equipment, nutrition, training, weight loss, the weather factor, injury prevention, marathoning, and much more. Give this one to a running friend, new or experienced.

The Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies for Seniors (Rodale, $27.95, 1579540112), by Doug Dollemore, is an A-Z guide for seniors and is offered here for those who like to stay physically active, mentally sharp, and disease-free. Through the years, Rodale Press has earned its kudos by delivering first-rate, usable information to consumers who want safe yet effective solutions to their problems, whether personal or environmental. This book is no exception. It’s a large volume and meant to be used. More than 350 doctors and other health care practitioners who specialize in the treatment of seniors share numerous tips and techniques. You will find 1,500 doctor-recommended remedies that can help prevent, relieve, or cure 120 ailments commonly affecting older citizens. Each section of the book discusses the problem; tells you When to See a Doctor ; enables you to try simple, cost effective remedies under Try This First ; offers Other Wise Ways to attack the problem, and then advises you about Managing Your Meds. This large reference provides helpful answers to the questions seniors are likely to ask. Any senior, active or not, will value this book and consult it often.

Massage for Busy People (New World Library, $10.95, 1577310829), by Dawn Groves, is perfect for the sports-minded who are constantly on the go. This little book is small enough to slip into your suitcase next to your workout clothes. Whether using the hotel fitness center equipment or your handy fitness band, you may need something for on-the-road aches and pains that sometimes accompany a more intense workout. Groves demonstrates self-massage techniques that deliver relief in minutes and includes instructions for quick massage when sitting at a desk, in a vehicle, or an airplane. There’s something to ease the body during prolonged walking or standing and a sure-fire cure for lethargy and backache. She also throws in techniques for replenishing your energy as well as easing a stiff neck or a headache so common to travelers (this is great for long summer trips business or pleasure). Clear instructions, varied topics, and 30 photos make this little book the perfect post-workout cool-down and the perfect gift for any health-conscious traveler of any age.

Healing Mantras (Ballantine, $12.95, 345431707), by Thomas Ashley-Farrand, will prove to be a trip down memory lane for those of us who listened to Ravi Shankar in the ’60s. These . . . chanting of songs, verses, and mystic formulas existed long before the development of even the most primitive instruments. In modern times, the healing benefits of liturgical chanting have only recently been rediscovered . . . Ashley-Farrand’s book is the first practical how-to guide in which ancient Sanskrit mantras have been explained and adapted to Western needs.

However, the book is not only for beginners who wish to study the energy-based techniques of sound meditation. It’s for the practiced as well. The author explains how mantras work, how to use your own mantra, and how these rhythms of healing sounds can help solve health problems, allow you to find inner peace, gain mental clarity, and overcome fear. If you’ve always steeped yourself in the Western Tradition, after reading this book you may consider that there are other effective ways to reach a state of wellness and peace in body and mind.

Pat Regel gardens and pumps iron.

I sing the body athletic You've finished redecorating the house, repairing the car, and digging the new flowerbed. Everything looks great, so what's next? Spend the rest of the summer working on yourself. In today's fast-paced world, it seems that everything gets attention except your…

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