Algora Publishing

Alexander Hamilton; America's forgotten founder.

Many Americans' main association with Hamilton (1757-1804) is as the man who lost a duel with Aaron Burr. Murray, a freelance writer, presents an accessible biography of one of the country's lesser-known founding fathers, coauthor of The Federalist Papers supporting a strong central government, and the first Secretary of the Treasury. Among the author's sources are The Papers of Alexander Hamilton edited by H.C. Syrett. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Creatures in the mist; little people, wild men and spirit beings around the world; a study in comparative mythology.

Eons before corporations began globalizing and quasi-visible people began slipping across national borders following survival, there seem to have been nations and races spanning the earth that shared characteristics too closely not to have been related to one another. At least that is one way of reading the evidence, says Varner, an American specialist in folklore and early religion. He presents accounts from native America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and invites readers to have their own go at a theory. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Hostile aliens, Hollywood, and today's news; 1950s science fiction films and 9/11.

Long-time horror movie aficionado Matthews explores links between the science fiction films of the 1950s and the concurrent Cold War, and how the relation between public hysteria and cinematic mayhem is still being played out half a century later. The mind controllers, the end of the world, animal and human mutants, and the road to September 11 are among the features. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Making human rights real.

Writing for a general audience, Spagnoli (of the research and statistics directorate of the Belgian Central Bank) summarizes the more specialist literature on the legal and political-philosophical arenas of human rights. He addresses such issues as the debate over universal human rights versus cultural relativism, the relationship between political and economic rights, questions of sovereignty and international intervention, religious liberty, human rights as instituted in the law and the judicial system, and democracy. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Vibrant Andalusia; the spice of life in southern Spain.

Writer and dancer Ruiz offers a look at the historical roots and diverse influences of Southern Spain's modern culture, particularly highlighting Andalusia's golden age (which was concurrent with the Dark Ages of the rest of Europe) and the pre-inquisition art, architecture, and achievements of Moorish, Jewish, and Gypsy residents. She also discusses the music and dance of Flamenco and Zambra, the individual provinces of the region, Arabisms in Spain's current language, and the best places to see the legacy of Andalusia's rich history. Some b&w photos and illustrations are included. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)