Nonfiction Reviews

For a river with such a famous history, England's Thames measures only 215 miles. Acclaimed novelist and biographer Ackroyd (Hawksmoor; Shakespeare) invites readers on an eclectic, sprawling and delightful cruise of this important waterway. “The Thames has been a highway, a frontier and an attack route; it has been a playground and a sewer, a source of water and a source of power,” writes Ackroyd. Historians believe the river may have been important for transport and commerce as early as the Neolithic Age. The ancient Egyptian goddess Isis has a long association with the Thames, which was used for baptisms, both pagan and Christian, during the Roman Empire. The British tribes tried to use the Thames as a defense against Julius Caesar's invasion, and the Normans built the Tower of London and Windsor Castle on the Thames as symbols of military preeminence. The royal waterway carried Anne Boleyn to both her coronation and her beheading, and famously served as inspiration for paintings by Turner and Monet and for Handel's Water Music, commissioned to associate the German-born George I with a potent source of English power. Elegant and erudite, Ackroyd's gathering of rich treats does the famed tributary proud. Illus., maps. (Nov. 4)

Two battles anchor this narrative of Allied efforts to cross the Rhine at WWII's climax. The first is the famous Operation Market-Garden, during which British paratroopers seized a Rhine bridge and were virtually wiped out by German counterattacks. The second is Operation Plunder-Varsity, a set piece crossing by a huge Allied force, including a superfluous airborne attack, that bulldozed through flimsy German defenses in the war's closing days. Although Plunder-Varsity lacked Market-Garden's drama, British military historian Clark (Anzio) tells both sagas well, including planning meetings, harrowing parachute descents and foxhole firefights; he sets the battles in the context of the bitter strategic debates between British and American generals. Less convincing is his rehabilitation of British general Bernard Montgomery's oft-criticized handling of the engagements. Clark describes Market-Garden as both “strategically and operationally sound” and, contradictorily, as “a plan too flawed to be a success.” His appreciation of Plunder-Varsity—both “an outrageous success” and “a conservative operation” against “a terminally weak enemy”—is similarly halfhearted. But the courage and resourcefulness of ordinary soldiers, though not of their commander, comes through in this vivid war story. Maps. (Nov.)

In these biographical essays on 10 of the most interesting contemporary artists, Tomkins's access is astonishing, as when he dines with Jasper Johns and his wife in their Caribbean home in St. Martin, watches John Currin paint or receives revealing gifts from Maurizio Cattelan (“he loves giving odd presents to his friends.... His gifts to my wife include a large three-dimensional display ad for Oscar Mayer franks...”). A deft biographer, Tomkins (Duchamp) gives a lesson in his craft: how to balance present with past, the specific with the general, personality with context, features with flaws—all in the space of 20 pages. Tomkins is a ruthless observer. On Cindy Sherman watching a slasher movie, he writes: “She slides down in her seat like a teenager, knees pulled up, and giggles at the gory parts and the in jokes....” He is also a generous critic of the cult of artistic personality, so that Julian Schnabel's ego appears charming and Richard Serra's notorious anger seems a measure of his dedication to his work. Books that trade on content that originally appeared in the New Yorker have become a small industry, but not all are as intimate as this one. (Nov.)

The 1963 American exhibition of the Mona Lisa in New York City and Washington, D.C., was America's first blockbuster art show, and Davis recounts in numbing detail the negotiations, preparations, flummoxes and successes of the exhibit. The exhibition was masterminded by the diplomatically savvy Mrs. Kennedy, whose personal relationships with French cultural minister André Malraux and National Gallery director John Walker overcame negative French press and concerns over subjecting a fragile artwork to a transatlantic journey. Heavily guarded and packed in a custom strong box, the Mona Lisa traveled in a first-class cabin on the USS France. Though Walker planned the exhibit with military precision, the opening ceremony was chaotic, and the painting was badly hung and poorly lit. Although Davis's (Rivers in the Desert) tale of the inner workings of a major art exhibition has its moments, it's undermined by padding (like the text of an imagined interview of La Gioconda by a “newspaper reporter with nothing to report”) and the author's fawning over “Jackie.” 16 pages of b&w photos. (Nov. 15)

Amherst College psychology professor Aries breaks new ground with this study of four groups of students (“affluent whites, affluent blacks, whites with high financial needs, limited family education, or both” and similarly situated blacks) based on online questionnaires and individual interviews. Although the classroom is not absent from this study, the author's focus is on the more personal and social “day-to-day experiences” of these students, their perceptions of themselves and others through the lenses of race and class, what relationships they build and how they are informed by identity issues. Aries presents the issues students face when coping with class and race differences, and assesses the “benefits, if any... gained from racial and class diversity.” The author's keen sense that these major themes are revealed in students' specific experiences enlivens and informs (for example, how a student's summer plans are affected by race and class). Fully cognizant of the atypicality of Amherst students, she recognizes that “the matters of race and class that students are dealing with on campus were not unique to this institution, [but] are issues being dealt with or avoided throughout the larger society.” (Oct.)

Dauvergne (Paths to the Green World) takes a look at five industries to see what consequences they have on local and global environments, showing “the environmental spillovers from the corporate, trade, and financing chains that supply and replace consumer goods.” He points out that “cumulative progress is not keeping pace with the impact of rising consumption in a globalizing economy” and higher environmental standards in first world countries often means transferring ecological degradation to poorer regions. The author's examinations of the ecological effects of automobiles, leaded gasoline and CFCs reveal that industries usually undermine efforts toward safety and sustainability until they find a salable substitute, thus ensuring more profits. An analysis of the harp seal hunt demonstrates that although activists saved seals from near extinction in the 1970s–1980s, their publicity campaigns will be unlikely to make an impact in markets like Russia and China. Dauvergne proposes “balanced consumption,” but his solutions range from the unlikely—that “international donors... serve the interests of people and ecosystems in developing states more than the financial interests at home”—to the fanciful—that “the World Trade Organization... guide global trade with anticipatory strategies to prevent ecological shadows.” (Oct.)

In a technology-driven world, face-to-face communication has taken a backseat to cellphones, e-mail and text messaging, asserts RoAne (The Secrets of Savvy Networking) in this humorous, quippy guide that illustrates how basic conversational and social skills have deteriorated and offers simple steps to more effective communication. The author offers commonsense advice and practical suggestions for anyone who wants to improve his or her ability to network, enhance small talk at a cocktail party or business function, navigate office politics and find or become a mentor. With handy and realistic advice for everyone from the chronically shy to those who just need a brushup on how to behave at a business dinner, RoAne goes so far as to list phrases of introduction, expressions of grief and icebreakers for dinner conversation, and amply demonstrates how “spoken words contribute to the chemistry and connections with... clients, colleagues, friends and families.” (Oct.)

To write a thorough, balanced history of the United States in under 400 pages is no mean feat. Remini, professor of history emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a National Book Award winner for his work on Andrew Jackson, deftly wraps his expertise and deep knowledge of his subject in stripped-down prose that provides everything a casual (or bewildered) reader needs to know about the United States from the first English colonists until the beginning of 2008. Remini's final chapters are slightly rushed and his judgments too general to be useful, but these flaws are easily overshadowed by his masterful middle sections focusing on the 19th century (his scholarly specialty). In contrast to some surveys of American history, like Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States or William Bennett's America: The Last Best Hope, Remini delivers an objective narrative of this nation's history that readers of all political stripes will appreciate. 16 pages of b&w illus., 14 maps. (Oct.)

The author's voice is never far from the surface in this sprightly study of the circumstances surrounding the Supreme Court's epochal 1803 decision in Marbury v. Madison that declared an act of Congress unconstitutional. Chief Justice John Marshall's reasoning was “laughable,” Goldstone says in characteristically unbuttoned language. Yet popular historian Goldstone (Dark Bargain), who has a Ph.D. in American constitutional studies, also has to acknowledge Marshall's statesmanship and political brilliance in his Marbury decision, a maneuver against the new Democratic-Republican president Jefferson by the Federalist Marshall. The result is a readable, if opinionated, tour of the origins of judicial review. It's hard to make sense of the term “myth” in the book's subtitle, given that judicial review has become the basis of American constitutional law. Still, the book is a valuable review of a complex subject. It also has relevance for today, when, as Goldstone claims, “originalist” judges, in the name of adhering strictly to the words of the Constitution, use judicial review, which is not in the Constitution, to inconsistently strike down laws. 20 b&w illus. (Oct.)

MacArthur fellow and Bancroft Prize–winning historian Jones (Labor of Love, Labor of Sorrow) combines comprehensive research and evocative prose in this study of a Southern city where complex rules of social and economic hierarchy blurred the lines between slavery and freedom well before the Civil War. The prosperous city and labor-intensive rice plantations depended as much on white workers, who tended to be fractious, as on black slaves. At the same time, some blacks, free before the war or emancipated by it, were determined to live on their own terms, economically, socially and, after 1865, politically. But the Civil War brought Northerners into the mix—soldiers, teachers, missionaries, businessmen—motivated by varying combinations of morality and enterprise. After the war, they colluded with Southern whites to keep blacks from attaining full self-determination through conflicts waged in streets and courtrooms, churches and schools and workplaces. Violence and chicanery sustained traditional forms of power, though that power now came through the ballot box and the jury box. With penetrating understanding Jones describes and analyzes the complex processes that impoverished black society but never succeeded in destroying it. 16 pages of photos, 5 maps. (Oct. 9)

Historian Golway (Washington's General) provides incisive print commentary on 29 classic speeches by Ronald Reagan, ranging from a 1964 television address endorsing Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater to speeches associated with his governorship of California, his presidential campaigns and, of course, his two terms in the White House. On the accompanying CD, one can hear Reagan's own voice uttering such classic lines as “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” and “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Reagan's words are not, however, included in the text of the book. While Golway's commentaries do a good job of setting the remarks of the “great communicator” in context, the experience of moving from commentary to audio and back again is not always seamless. The judiciously chosen speeches include “greatest hits,” like Reagan's October 1980 debate with Jimmy Carter, Reagan's two inaugural addresses, his remarks concerning the air controllers' strike of 1981 and his 1987 address to the nation on the Supreme Court nomination of conservative Robert Bork. B&w photos. (Oct.)

In 1885 Czar Alexander III presented his wife, Marie, with a spectacularly crafted Easter egg. Over the next three decades, its creator, Carl Fabergé, made 49 more such eggs filled with jeweled surprises and exquisitely detailed paintings for the czar's family. Faber (Stradivari's Genius), former managing director of his family's firm, Faber & Faber, describes the eggs in loving, mouthwatering detail, bolstering his claim that the French-born jeweler led the Russian aristocracy to appreciate fine jewelry design over sheer gem size. Fabergé's influence also spread westward. In England, Marie's sister, Queen Alexandra, also developed a passion for Fabergé. Many of the eggs wound up in the United States after the canny businessman Armand Hammer made a deal with the Soviets to buy nearly one-third of them. Eventual owners included Egypt's King Farouk and cereal heiress Marjorie Meriweather Post. Faber frustratingly devotes far more ink to Romanov history and the precious eggs' twisted paths after leaving Russia than he does to the man who designed them. But the details he does provide—such as Hammer's unscrupulous dealings—make for a tantalizing read. 16 pages of color photos. (Oct. 7)

The next best thing to securing reservations at the exclusive Waverly Inn in Manhattan's West Village might be owning this book of the Edward Sorel mural that presides over the establishment's dining room. Sorel, whose work appears regularly in the New Yorker, was commissioned by restaurant co-owner and Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter to draw the artists and political dissidents who frequented the Village in its heyday. Each of the 43 personalities, in Sorel's characteristic witty and elegant style, is cropped out and accompanied by a quirky bio written by Gallagher (How I Came into My Inheritance), which gives the book its spirit. Some are poignant. Truman Capote's entry concludes: “The sylph of a boy grew older, became bloated with drink and drugs. 'Life,' as he once said, 'is a moderately good play with a badly written third act.' ” Others, like Edward Albee's, are funny, and all are charmingly matter-of-fact. Perfect for anyone who loves both counter- and high culture, this collection memorializes the bohemian greats while humanizing them—no small feat. A foldout of the entire mural was not seen by PW. (Oct. 28)

After Walsh's father dies in the middle of a handball game, the young advertising executive quits his job to follow a variant on one of the old man's dreams by bowling at least once in all 50 states. (Walsh tried to add the District of Columbia to the list, but the White House wasn't keen on letting him roll in its basement lanes.) Walsh's story has a string of amusing moments—he loses a game against a blind man, has failed romantic encounters in three different states and almost misses his last game because of a stubborn car rental clerk—but lacks dramatic tension. From the moment he sets out in the car his mother lends him, Walsh's ability to complete his mission is never in doubt; as soon as he mentions the possibility of a sponsorship from a beer company, readers can safely assume he'll close the deal—which simply means he spends most of the trip drinking their beer. It's a clever enough story, but apart from some self-deprecating quips about how women (like his ex-girlfriend) don't really go for unemployed nomads, readers looking for a transformative life lesson will have to look elsewhere. (Oct. 30)

For 30 years, Ronald Reagan was dedicated to a film and television career. Yet Eliot (who has written bios of Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart, among others) claims previous studies of the former president gloss over this influential era. “To be able to fully comprehend Reagan the man, one must also understand Reagan the actor.” With that charge, Eliot chronicles Reagan's film career, from his numerous “B” pictures, such as Girls on Probation, to the image-enhancing Knute Rockne All American, which contained Reagan's future political rallying cry: “Win one for the Gipper.” Interspersed with tales of Hollywood casting maneuvers, Eliot takes a no-holds-barred approach to Reagan's personal life, whether his numerous affairs, his rocky marriage to Jane Wyman or Nancy Davis's single-minded determination to marry him. Eliot also examines his time heading SAG, the actors' union, which proved prescient. By 1962, Reagan was out of work, reduced to giving his “Price of Freedom” speech to interested groups. His delivery at a Goldwater fund-raiser was so inspiring that it jump-started his second career, clearing the way for the “Central Casting version of what an American president should look like.” Extensively researched, this biography is an accessible and eye-opening read. (Oct.)

Hart's account of his professional wrestling career is almost literally blow-by-blow, with detailed descriptions of the choreography of many of his most prominent matches in the former World Wrestling Foundation and the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling. (And, yes, he freely admits that the outcomes are determined in advance, while the wrestlers work out the actual moves for themselves.) To hear him tell it, everybody hailed him as “the best damn worker in the business,” a storyteller with the comparative artistry of a De Niro. But the manipulative schemes of WWF head Vince McMahon (and several of his colleagues) kept Hart from reaching his full potential as a champion until injuries sidelined him for good. The memoir goes deep into Hart's family history—his father was one of the pioneers of the Canadian pro wrestling circuit, and his brothers and brothers-in-law followed him into the business. Wrestling fans will eat up all the backstage drama, but even those who don't care for the shows should be impressed by Hart's meticulous eye for telling detail—the bittersweet story that results is simultaneously a celebration and an exposé. 32 pages of photos. (Oct. 8)

Cross, a professor of history at Penn State University, seeks the contemporary social puzzle of why men are refusing to grow up and commit to marriage and family. With declining marriage statistics, Cross (The Cute and the Cool) explains that these American “boy-men” reject the traditional notions of mature masculinity, while opting for vanity and narcissism with a new motto: manhood “is play and it never ends.” He cites the example of Hugh Hefner's popular concept of childish male wish fulfillment, an empire built on sexually available women, carnal fantasies and eternal playtime. Feminism, extended adolescence and an aggressive media culture promoting conflicting signals about maleness and fatherhood only add to this immaturity trend. Not only does Cross outline the dilemma, but he cites a cure: “We must recognize that as adults, and equally as men, we have responsibilities to our partners, families, and communities beyond our own need for experience and pleasure.” In this perceptive, eloquent book, Cross concludes that “growing-up” has never been more difficult in this complicated time. (Sept.)

England's almost bloodless “Glorious Revolution” of 1688, in which the Dutch king William of Orange overthrew James II, began as a hostile takeover but rapidly turned into a friendly merger, according to British historian Jardine (The Awful End of Prince William the Silent). She explores the fascinating Anglo-Dutch relationship to answer how and why two sworn foes became friends so seamlessly. Jardine focuses mainly on the “subterranean” intellectual, cultural and scientific intersections between the two countries and finds that contacts were “continuous and mutually advantageous” for decades before William's invasion. Cross-border fertilization resulted in two of the greatest painters of the age—Peter Paul Rubens and Anton van Dyck—working for English patrons while esteemed members of the Royal Society (such as Isaac Newton) corresponded with their Netherlandish counterparts (such as Christian Huygens). By looking so closely at elite opinion, however, Jardine too lightly dismisses the virility of “petty nationalism” lower down the scale and too easily glosses over the very real military tensions between the two powers. Nevertheless, this is a highly original work that will appeal to fans of Simon Schama's groundbreaking The Embarrassment of Riches. Color and b&w illus. (Sept.)

In this primer for activists in the digital age, Zúniga, founder of the influential lefty blog DailyKos, argues that if activists harness new technology such as blogs, podcasting and YouTube, they can “bypass the old-world gatekeepers to communicate to the masses” in order to bring about political change. Tidily organized into pithy directives, including mobilizing, reinventing the street protest and feeding the backlash, this informative and entertaining book—inspired by Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals—moves easily among the current campaign cycle, pop culture phenomena such as Stephen Colbert and the successes and failures of the progressive movement in America. Zúniga's pragmatic, inclusive tone takes the edge off his sometimes didactic insistence that “there's no reason anyone should whine or complain that they are being shut out of the system.” It should be noted, however, that the book is targeted directly to other liberals and wastes no time with conciliatory measures toward the right. Anyone in his camp, however, will be rewarded by the read. (Sept.)

Former journalist, Jones (Boys of '67) examines the challenges of war reporting in an “era of 24/7 media” in this superficial study that draws upon interviews with a small sample of journalists—including Sam Donaldson, Jim Lehrer and Joe Klein— military public affairs officers and former NATO commander James L. Jones to reveal “the story behind the story of the Iraq War.” A business reporter, Jones spent his two-week summer vacation embedded with the Marines at Camp Fallujah and mines his experiences heavily for a series of unremarkable conclusions: the Pentagon has systematically manipulated the media and too many reporters play “footsie with the military” in exchange for access. The author expresses little but disdain for “the Bush administration and its military minions”; Bush adviser Karl Rove, “the Texas political consigliere”; and Rupert Murdoch, whose Fox News Channel's appeal “came from lowering journalistic standards.” Similarly, U.S. Central Command headquarters in Qatar is “America's fantasy factory,” and Baghdad's Green Zone is “an American playground.” A one-sided perspective covering no new ground, Jones's brief survey promises more than it delivers. (Sept.)

Former Israeli peace negotiator Savir (The Process) unveils his proposal for achieving lasting world peace: a carefully conceived and constructed model “that leads to a future of cooperation and understanding.” The model for peace is predicated upon a shift from globalization to “glocalization,” based on the idea that city leaders can forge bonds across boundaries that national leaders cannot because “cities have become our primary social unit... in both the developed and developing worlds.” Savir emphasizes that peace must come from the grassroots rather than the top down and offers practicable solutions, from joint economic ventures designed to attract tourists to a NATO-like Mediterranean alliance. This book is compelling not for its specific blueprint but for the author's eternal optimism in the face of so many depressing obstacles. A history of his dynamic relationship with his Palestinian counterpart Abu Ala, a former Palestinian Authority prime minister who has become Savir's close friend since their first meeting in Norway 15 years ago, would provide fodder for another, less theoretical book about putting peace first. (Sept.)

Joining a chorus of criticisms over post-9/11 changes in U.S. law, Whitehead adds this somewhat muddled laundry list of rights infringements during the past decade. Beginning with a critique of the lack of “meaningful discourse” in contemporary society, the author contends that a mere change in administration will do nothing to ameliorate current circumstances if the American people fail to safeguard their own rights. While he notes that this book is intended as a “freedom manual,” the ensuing pages form more of a collection of grievances that linger in such possible constitutional crises as the bizarre “robofly,” a drone allegedly used by the CIA for domestic spying purposes, and a “Big Brother in the sky” program of satellite surveillance by the Office of Homeland Security. Whitehead's advice for countering such measures remains in the sphere of theoretical exhortations to “[take] responsibility for our own lives” and “stand and fight.” The book does provide a useful primer on the Bill of Rights; however, readers unfamiliar with the “462 words” guaranteeing American freedom are unlikely to slog through the first 200-plus pages of this book to get there. (Sept.)

Former Washington bureau chief of the Financial Times, Alden provides a thoughtful and balanced assessment of border security and immigration policies before and after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, demonstrating how more stringent security can damage the U.S. economy by discouraging trade, tourism and an influx of bright minds and diligent workers. The author's vignettes make what could be a dry read engaging and urgent. Alden's policy prescriptions are book-ended with the story of Dr. Faiz Bhora, a leading heart surgeon from Pakistan who had trouble returning to the States to resume his work because of visa problems and was eventually caught in the post-9/11 Justice Department crackdown on visa applications by citizens of Muslim countries. Alden points out that the Department of Homeland Security concedes that most of its counterterrorism funds are being poured into securing and controlling the border with Mexico and makes a persuasive case that “immigration enforcement and counterterrorism are two different things, and for either to be effective they need to be separated.” (Sept.)

The “Responsibility Revolution” is underway, and it's challenging the importance of the bottom line, argues Sanders (Love Is the Killer App), former CSO of Yahoo. Both consumers and employers have turned away from price consciousness to demand that companies make a difference to society through their products, manufacturing methods, environmental efforts and community outreach. According to the author, casual consumers now represent the minority; mindful consumers have brought in a new value system, paying as much attention to a company's environmental and social policies as to its pricing structures. Companies that do not clean up their acts will be left in the dust, losing customers who want their money to go toward good causes and employees who place more importance on green factors and job satisfaction than pay scale. Through success stories like Horst Rechelbacher, the brains behind the ecologically sound cosmetics company Aveda, and Lee Scott's greening of Wal-Mart in 2004, Sanders makes a compelling argument for the necessity for businesses to appeal to their customers' hearts as well as their wallets. (Sept.)

Expert bakers and novices scared of baking's requisite exactitude can all learn something from this hefty, all-purpose home baking volume. The editors of America's Test Kitchen, known for their painstaking recipe testing, offer more than 700 recipes, helpfully illustrated by 1,000-plus color photos. The recipes themselves are indeed family appropriate—no architectural restaurant-style desserts here, but rather appealing basics in a wide variety of categories, including breads, pizzas, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, custards and toppings. Easier items, such as Simple Drop Biscuits, Peanut Butter Blondies, and Red Velvet Layer Cake are labeled “great for beginners”; potentially intimidating confections, such as Croissants, Grand Marnier Soufflé and even a Classic Three-Tier Wedding Cake have step-by-step instructions that make them accessible. While the tone of the book is decidedly technical, the vibe isn't cold. And the info-packed introduction, with details on ingredients and equipment (the editors get specific and suggest their tried and true favorite brands) is worth reading carefully. (Sept.)

Young-Eisendrath, a Vermont-based Jungian analyst, practicing Buddhist and author (Women and Desire), identifies a “threatening and perplexing problem” she calls the self-esteem trap. Today's children and young adults are suffering from a number of symptoms, including obsessive self-focus, restless dissatisfaction, pressures to be exceptional, unreadiness to accept responsibilities and feelings of either superiority or inferiority. According to the author, instead of contentment and positive self-regard, kids raised to believe they are extraordinary or “special” are more likely to be unhappy and disappointed. Being “ordinary” and realizing one's connection to the human community is the real key to happiness, she argues, and cultivating the qualities of generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration and wisdom will lead to children who are self-confident and content. She also warns against parents who “run interference,” protecting their children from inevitable disappointments. Instead, letting kids develop autonomy and experience the consequences of their decisions, she claims, is the way to go. At times, Young-Eisendrath's scope seems unwieldy, but her message rings true. (Sept.)

Carr spins off her original Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips in this uplifting guide. She begins with her own story—the discovery of inoperable Stage IV cancer in her liver and lungs—then covers four main topics: diagnosis, mind, body and spirit. Though she admits to having bad days, Carr follows her own advice to “shake off passive malaise.” She gathers her support group or “posse” (many of whom supply guest entries), determined not to let cancer “poison” her entire world. Included are helpful sections on choosing the right doctor and learning to live in a self-nurturing manner. A vegan, the 30-something Carr also includes tips for fighting cancer “with your fork.” The upbeat Carr makes it easy to forget she has cancer, yet she touches upon some grim statistics: by 2050 half of all women and one third of all men will have some form of the disease. Carr—who proves that living with cancer is truly an option—explains, “I always try to talk about my cancer in a bold and confidant way.” While her hip, chatty style may particularly appeal to a youthful audience, her authenticity and sound advice will resonate with survivors of all stages and ages. (Sept.)

“If you want to inject light, energy, and optimism into your life, making over your home—or even just a single room—is a good place to start,” maintains Ty Pennington, the spiky-haired host of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and designer of a home goods line for Sears. With that credo in mind, Pennington sets out to help average homeowners redesign their home—and presumably their life—one room at a time. The book focuses on the three “high-impact” areas of the house: the bedrooms, living spaces and work spaces, and includes lists and special sections such as “Balancing a Room with Art” and “Big Ideas for Small Spaces.” The text relies heavily on personal stories and design experiences from the families that have appeared on his show. In the end, Pennington, with his “off-the-wall” personality, provides a solid and basic design manual. (Sept.)

In this comprehensive coffee-table–sized guide, Kock, a Canadian horticulturist who died in 2005, not only shows how to find and propagate native woody plants but also helps readers “understand plants as members of communities of plants and animals rather than as isolated specimens.” He tells how to differentiate native plants from invasive exotics and how to collect, clean, germinate and plant seeds and set up a nursery, along with intriguing suggestions (keep a toad in a cold frame to eat slugs) and surprising facts (earthworms are not “native to the glaciated areas of North America, and contrary to popular gardening belief, they do a huge amount of damage by dragging undecomposed organic material into the soil, where it does not belong”). The book's focus is woody plants of the Great Lakes bioregion, but Koch assures that the techniques will apply to other regions and species as well. With beautifully detailed line drawings and color photographs, the book provides both inspiration and knowledge to “think like a seed... listen to the seed's story as written by the land and water where the seed was formed, and the wind, water, and animals that distribute it.” (Sept.)

Building on the success of their Web site and blog (masondixonknitting.com), Gardiner and Shayne wind their way through patterns for adults, children and homes, including patterns by other knitwear designers such as Bonne Marie Burns. Helpful and humorous sidebars discuss the pitfalls of the sweater coat (including “bathrobe syndrome”), the beauty of Shetland wool, how to make a stitch marker out of citrus peel or tin foil, and the “Holy Crap” moment, where a pattern breakthrough occurs. Gardiner and Shayne alternate personal anecdotes throughout, with an especially enjoyable piece by Shayne about participating in the Tennessee State Fair knitting contest. With pattern names like “Stephen Colbert's socks” and “Golightly Kitchen Gloves,” Gardiner and Shayne demonstrate that the secret of knitting is that “the longer you knit, the more fun it gets.” (Sept.)