Salida Book Review

Plan of Attack, by Bob Woodward, from Simon & Schuster, ISBN 074325547X. Woodward's latest landmark account of Washington decision-making is a definitive examination of how and why President Bush and his war council launched a preemptive attack to topple Saddam Hussein and occupy Iraq. Based on interviews with 75 key participants and over 3-1/2 hours of exclusive interviews with President Bush, the veteran reporter uncovers two years of behind-the-scenes maneuvering and traces the causes and consequences of the most controversial war since Vietnam.

Who Let the Dogs In? : Incredible Political Animals I Have Known, by Molly Ivins, from Random House Inc., ISBN 1400062853. Following close on the heels of her phenomenally successful Bushwhacked, the inimitable Molly Ivins offers her own personal pick of America's most outlandish and amazing politicians - the wicked, the wise, the witty and the witless. It's a wild ride over Ivins' two decades of reporting on household names like Reagan, Clinton, Bush(es), Ashcroft, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Perot, Carter, Gore and more, culminating in an up-to-the-minute introduction to the 2004 campaign season.

Gaia Eros: Reconnecting to the Magic and Spirit of Nature, by Jesse Wolf Hardin, from New Page Books, ISBN 1564147290. Somewhere, a Pagan affinity group prepares the next seasonal ritual for their area. A circle of priests works to revitalize ancient Druidry. A man contacts his soul and planet through artful preparation of wild foods. In an age of accelerating distraction and destruction, each of them is a hero - among a growing number who feel both the suffering and joy of the world through re-awakened primal instincts, drawing insight and instruction from their relationship with the living Earth.

The Water Atlas: A Unique Visual Analysis of the World's Most Critical Resource, by Robin Clarke, from The New Press, ISBN 1565849078. Over a billion people in the world today lack the necessary safe drinking water to stay healthy. THE WATER ATLAS brings together the latest findings and statistics on this precious resource to show the pattern of water distribution worldwide, the real costs of water use, and the dangers of profit-driven privatization. Truly a unique, eye-opening study, it covers a wide range of topics from consumption and scarcity to areas of political tension and looming catastrophes.

Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency, by Robert C. Byrd, from W.W. Norton & Co., ISBN 0393059421. "The ship of state is in dangerous water," writes Democratic Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia. "Our sacred traditions of debate, openness, and respect for opposing views are threatened as never before by the arrogance of power. Private agendas proliferate. Compulsive secrecy and the ideology of greed are quietly eroding the very foundations of our republic. I have taken a sacred oath to defend our constitution 'against all enemies, foreign and domestic.' This book is my effort to do just that."

Heal Your Knees: How to Prevent Knee Surgery and What to Do If You Need It, by Robert Klapper & Lynda Huey, from M. Evans & Co., ISBN 1590770196. Millions of people suffer from knee pain due to aging, sports, or injury. These people are hungry for information about what to do for pain, surgical options or alternatives, and how to prevent further damage. Now an orthopedic surgeon and a physical therapist join forces to create a program of exercises-both in the swimming pool and on dry land-that works to alleviate various types of knee pain, before, after, or instead of surgery.

After the Martian Apocalypse: Extraterrestrial Artifacts and the Case for Mars Exploration, by Mac Tonnies, from Pocket Books, ISBN 074348293X. NASA spacecraft continue to send back image after image of the surface of Mars, providing scientists with an unprecedented knowledge of the Red Planet. But their conclusions are anything but unanimous. Blending a scientific detective story with trenchant cultural commentary, Tonnies examines the controversy, details the latest discoveries about our planetary neighbor, takes a critical look at the mounting evidence of an extinct Martian civilization-and why it is being ignored.

Asthma Cooking, by Bridgid McConville, from Lorenz Books, ISBN 0754814041. Discover the impact that environment, lifestyle and diet have on sufferers of asthma, eczema and hayfever. This user-friendly guide opens with an extended introduction that explains what causes these conditions and how to alleviate their symptoms with both conventional and complementary treatments. The recipe section that follows includes over 50 tasty dishes specially chosen for their health-promoting properties. Each illustrated step-by-step recipe clearly lists the allergens that it is free from.

The pH Miracle for Diabetes : The Revolutionary Diet Plan for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetics, by Robert O. Young, from Warner Books, ISBN 0446532665. Dr. Young's book focuses attention on the devastating effect excess acidity has on the body. It provides advice on which foods to eat, which to avoid, and delicious recipes to support these choices, as well as guidance on managing stress and exercising safely. Dr. Young's program balances the body's pH, controlling acidity and helping to reverse diabetes-or stop it before it starts

Why We Lie : The Evolutionary Roots of Deception and the Unconscious Mindby David Livingstone Smith, from St. Martin's Press, ISBN 0312310390. Deception and self-deception have played an essential role in human evolution. In this intriguing and provocative new book, philosopher and evolutionary psychologist David L. Smith shows how the very structure of our minds has been shaped by the need to deceive. As a species, our extraordinary ability to deceive others, and our selves, goes to the very heart of our humanity.

Ancestors of Avalon, A Novel of Atlantis & the Ancient British Isles by Diana L. Paxson, from Viking, ISBN 0670033146. This much-anticipated new installment in Marion Zimmer Bradley's beloved Avalon saga tells the dramatic story of the magical beginnings of Avalon for the first time. Paxson follows the ancestral founders of Avalon from their life on the doomed island of Atlantis to their escape to the mist-shrouded isle of Britain. Woven into this extraordinary tale are the journeys of two powerful women whose destinies will shape the fate of the new line of descendants.

Skinny Dip (HIAASEN, CARL), by Carl Hiaasen. *Starred Review* What do you get when you cross a sleazy marine biologist, a corrupt tycoon with a bad comb-over, and a voluptuous wife hell-bent on revenge? Another delirious romp through the swamps of South Florida from irrepressible Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen. Chaz Perrone was sure he'd seen the last of his wife when he pushed her over the balcony of the Sun Duchess cruise ship off the coast of Florida. But Joey Perrone, a former championship swimmer, survived the fall and clung to a bale of Jamaican hashish long enough to be rescued by retired cop Mick Stranahan. Joey wants to know why her husband wanted her dead (he feared she was onto his scheme of doctoring Florida Everglades water samples at the behest of ruthless agribusiness tycoon Red Hammernut). Then, with Stranahan's help, she wants to drive him crazy. No reprobate escapes the satirical eye of Hiaasen, who writes like the love child of Hunter S. Thompson and Evelyn Waugh. His trademark cast of skewed characters includes old favorites like Skink and new arrival, Tool, a hirsute, painkiller-addicted thug with a bullet lodged in a decidedly cheeky place. Like Hiaasen's nine previous novels, this one's a corker, chock-full of belly laughs and blistering truths. Allison Block Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved.

How Soccer Explains the World : An Unlikely Theory of Globalization, by Franklin Foer. The global power of soccer might be a little hard for Americans, living in a country that views the game with the same skepticism used for the metric system and the threat of killer bees, to grasp fully. But in Europe, South America, and elsewhere, soccer is not merely a pastime but often an expression of the social, economic, political, and racial composition of the communities that host both the teams and their throngs of enthusiastic fans. New Republic editor Franklin Foer, a lifelong devotee of soccer dating from his own inept youth playing days to an adulthood of obsessive fandom, examines soccer's role in various cultures as a means of examining the reach of globalization. Foer's approach is long on soccer reportage, providing extensive history and fascinating interviews on the Rangers-Celtic rivalry and the inner workings of AC Milan, and light on direct discussion of issues like world trade and the exportation of Western culture. But by creating such a compelling narrative of soccer around the planet, Foer draws the reader into these sport-mad societies, and subtly provides the explanations he promises in chapters with titles like "How Soccer Explains the New Oligarchs", "How Soccer Explains Islam's Hope", and "How Soccer Explains the Sentimental Hooligan." Foer's own passion for the game gives his book an infectious energy but still pales in comparison to the religious fervor of his subjects. His portraits of legendary hooligans in Serbia and Britain, in particular, make the most die-hard roughneck New York Yankees fan look like a choirboy in comparison. Beyond the thugs, Foer also profiles Nigerian players living in the Ukraine, Iranian women struggling against strict edicts to attend matches, and the parallel worlds of Brazilian soccer and politics from which Pele emerged and returned. Foer posits that globalization has eliminated neither local cultural identities nor violent hatred among fans of rival teams, and it has not washed out local businesses in a sea of corporate wealth nor has it quelled rampant local corruption. Readers with an interest in international economics are sure to like How Soccer Explains the World, but soccer fans will love it. --John Moe

Secrets of the Bible, by the Editors of Archeology Magazine, from Hatherleigh Press, ISBN 1578261724. Join the editors of Archeology Magazine as they bring together the most fascinating recent discoveries and revelations from the land of the Prophets and the birthplace of Jesus. Among the topics covered are: the real origins of Noah's Flood; the latest discoveries from Meggido; the truth about Joshua's victory at Hazor; the latest on the Dead Sea Scrolls; and the recent discovery of the legendary Philistine capital Ekron. With 50 color and b/w photographs.

R is for Ricochet, by Sue Grafton. Reba Lafferty was a daughter of privilege. Abandoned by her rebellious mother when she was an infant, she was the only child of a rich man already in his mid-fifties when she was born, and her adoring father thoroughly spoiled her. Now, at thirty-two, having had many scrapes with the law, she is about to be released on probation from the California Institution for Women, having served twenty-two months of a four-year sentence for embezzlement. Though Nord Lafferty could deny his daughter nothing, he wasn't there for her when she was brought up on this charge. Now he wants to be sure she stays straight, stays at home and away from the drugs, the booze, the gamblers.

It seems a straightforward assignment for Kinsey: babysit Reba until she settles in, make sure she follows all the niceties of her parole. Maybe a week's work. Nothing untoward-the woman seems remorseful and friendly. And the money is good. But life is never that simple, and Reba is out of prison less than twenty- four hours when one of her old crowd comes circling round. R is for Ricochet. And R is for romance: love gone right, love gone wrong, and matters somewhere in between.

Gag Rule: On the Suppression of Dissent and Stifling of Democracy, by Lewis H. Lapham, from Penguin Press, ISBN 1594200173. If dissent is democracy, democracy is in trouble. Never before, argues American dissident Lewis Lapham, have voices of protest been so locked out of the mainstream conversation. Between a government that recklessly disregards civil liberties and a media establishment that values profits over truth, we face a crisis of democracy as serious as any in our history. Here is Lapham's rousing call to action in defense of the one right that gives us the power to defend all others.

The Gift Basket Design Book: Everything You Need to Know to Create Beautiful, Professional-Looking Gift Baskets for All Occasions, by Shirley George Frazier. Thousands of entrepreneurial-minded people who like to work with their hands have discovered that gift baskets are an ideal small-scale business, but not all gift baskets are created equal. With The Gift Basket Design Book, however, anyone with a modicum of talent can produce dazzling, professional-quality baskets for all occasions. Shirley Frazier, a gift-basket professional, reveals techniques that yield wonderful results and shows step-by-step how to put together delightful baskets for major and everyday events, from a wedding basket to an impromptu pick-me-up for a chocoholic.

The book begins with a discussion of the types of general supplies that are needed for all gift baskets and where to find these items. It then goes on to explain in detail the basics of constructing a basket, from filling the base and placing the products to adding the finishing touches and sealing it all up. Perhaps the greatest benefit of this book are the clear, detailed instructions and photos for creating specific baskets for a wide range of occasions and milestones.

Sam's Letters to Jennifer, by James Patterson. Laced with mystery, SAM'S LETTERS TO JENNIFER combines two unforgettable love stories in a novel that's absolutely impossible to put down. Jennifer returns to the resort village where she grew up to help a beloved relative--and ends up experiencing not one but two of the most amazing love stories she's ever known. The first is completely unexpected. In a series of letters that Jennifer finds, her relative reveals that she has concealed a huge secret for decades: Her great love is not the man she was married to for all those years. As Jennifer reads about this passionate partnership, she learns more about love's imperatives and secrets than she ever dreamed possible.

And then comes the biggest surprise of all. At a time when she thought she could never love again, Jennifer lets her guard down for a moment--and is suddenly caught up in the greatest flight of exhilaration she's ever known. But, just as suddenly, she learns that this new love comes with an unbearable cost. Jennifer doesn't think she can survive the pain--but the letters she's been reading make her think that love may help her find a way. James Patterson's most recent major international bestseller is The Lake House. He is the author of 26 books and lives in Florida.

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga : A Practical Guide to Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit, by Deepak Chopra & David Simon, from John Wiley & Sons Inc., ISBN 0471647640. Millions have experienced the flexibility, vitality and tranquility that flow from the practice of yoga. Yet these benefits only hint at the extraordinary transformative power of this spiritual practice from India. Chopra and Simon explore the eight traditional yoga branches, only one of which involves the familiar physical poses - then apply seven universal principles that readers will recognize from Chopra's best-selling The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, complete with meditation techniques, mantras, breathing exercises, and yoga poses.

The UV Advantage, by Michael Holick & Mark Jenkins, from Pocket Books, ISBN 0743486471. According to Dr. Holick, the nation's leading expert on Vitamin D, national health leaders have exaggerated the potential hazard of sun exposure. As a result, the U.S. is in the midst of a "silent epidemic" of Vitamin D deficiency. Holick's research indicates that sun-derived Vitamin D is one of the body's best defenses against Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease and certain cancers. Most importantly, he includes his recommendations for safe, moderate, unprotected sun exposure.

Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President, by Justin A. Frank, from HarperCollins, ISBN 0060736704. Using applied psychoanalysis - the discipline of psychoanalyzing public and historical figures pioneered by Freud - a respected analyst and professor of psychiatry assembles a comprehensive psychological profile of President Bush. Through close analysis of Bush's public statements and behavior, and the private observations of journalists, biographers and acquaintances, Frank traces the development of Bush's character from childhood to the present day. The result is a compelling and frightening portrait of the most powerful man in the world.

Complete Guide to Labyrinths: Tapping the Sacred Spiral for Power, by Cassandra Eason, TPB from Crossing Press, ISBN 1580911269. A universal symbol of transformation, the labyrinth was created in ancient times to represent humanity's search for the core of divinity. Unlike a maze, with its multiple choices, a labyrinth has a single winding pathway composed of 7, 11 or 12 circuits that spiral inward to a center. This book by a renowned British psychic and folklorist explores the mystery of this sacred symbol and how to ritually harness its power for personal transformation, protection, healing, and enlightenment.

Out There: In the Wild in a Wired Age, by Ted Kerasote. HC. In today’s high-tech world, getting away from the stresses of everyday life can be tricky. Cell phones, palm pilots, and laptop computers allow you to be wired-in from pretty much anywhere. But Ted Kerasote wanted none of that. He wanted a chance to disconnect from the buzz and grind of the wired world. And what better way to do that than to head to the far reaches of Canada’s Northwest Territories for a canoe trip through 400 miles of wilderness.

Or so he thought. Much to Ted’s chagrin, his friend and traveling companion, Len, brings a satellite phone along on the journey, ostensibly in case of emergency. Throughout the trip, however, Len uses the phone simply to touch base with family, friends, and the office—undermining their sense of being "Out There."

"Out There: In the Wild in a Wired Age" is Kerasote’s entertaining account of this journey down the Horton River toward the Arctic Ocean, through a stunning landscape of tundra and varied wildlife. Between navigating rapids, staying warm and dry in rainstorms, and avoiding grizzly bears, Ted and Len discuss the meaning of life, love, and solitude in a wired age.

The End of Oil : On the Edge of a Perilous New World, by Paul Roberts. HC. Petroleum is now so deeply entrenched in our economy, our politics, and our personal expectations that even modest efforts to phase it out are fought tooth and nail by the most powerful forces in the world: companies and governments that depend on oil revenues; the developing nations that see oil as the only means to industrial success; and a Western middle class that refuses to modify its energy-dependent lifestyle. But within thirty years, by even conservative estimates, we will have burned our way through most of the oil that is easily accessible. And well before then, the side effects of an oil-based society — economic volatility, geopolitical conflict, and the climate-changing impact of hydrocarbon pollution — will render fossil fuels an all but unacceptable solution. How will we break our addiction to oil? And what will we use in its place to maintain a global economy and political system that are entirely reliant on cheap, readily available energy?

Brilliantly reported from around the globe, The End of Oil brings the world situation into fresh and dramatic focus for business and general readers alike. Roberts talks to both oil optimists and oil pessimists, delves deep into the economics and politics of oil, considers the promises and pitfalls of altenatives, and shows that, although the world energy system has begun its epoch-defining transition, disruption and violent dislocation are almost assured if we do not take a more proactive stance.