McFarland & Co.

American women artists in wartime, 1776-2010.

Authors Calvin, an art historian, and Deacon, dean of graduate studies at Harrison Middleton University, catalog women artists whose work depicts the female experience of war, including artists at home as well as those on various fronts in American history. Coverage encompasses the Revolutionary War through the Civil War, the era of American imperialism and westward expansion, WWI and WWII, and the Cold War. There is less material on the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the war Afghanistan. Each chapter offers profiles of several important female artists of the era who dealt with war in their art; the rest of the chapter gives one-paragraph profiles of other artists. The book is illustrated with color and b&w paintings, photos of art pieces, and drawings. An appendix lists women artists participating in military art programs. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Andrew V. McLaglen; the life and Hollywood career.

Armstrong (English, Dixie State College, St. George, Utah) traces the career of London-born, American-bred film and television director Andrew V. McLaglen (1920- ), in this first biography of McLaglen's life. The text includes a biographical section surveying the events and circumstances contributing to McLaglen's development as a filmmaker, particularly his relationships with figures such as John Wayne, John Ford, William A. Wellman, and McLaglen's actor father Victor McLaglen; his years in television; his experiences working in Hollywood during the final years of the studio system; and subsequent years directing independent, multinational productions. The bulk of the text consists of an extensively annotated, chronologically ordered filmography, examining every feature film McLaglen has directed. The appendices contain a concise filmography of the documentaries in which McLaglen has appeared, and a list of stage plays he's directed since retiring from filmmaking in 1989. The volume is illustrated throughout with b&w photographs. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Antarctica; an encyclopedia, 2d ed.; 2v.

North Carolina-based Stewart is the author of numerous books, including several McFarland encyclopedias. The 1990 first edition of his A-Z direct-entry encyclopedia of Antarctica was selected by Library Journal as the "best reference" book. Compiled and written over four years, the second edition doubles the first edition's entries to some 30,000. Covering geographical features, expeditions, people, scientific subjects, and topics of general interest, the entries are cross-referenced for ease of use. Information for the geographical features is drawn from national gazetteers, current and old. Stewart has incorporated material from non-English sources, including much unique information from Spanish-language documents appearing here in English for the first time. All linguistic variations of place names are included and cross-referenced. The 887-page first volume covers the entries from A to K; the 869-page second volume covers the entries from L-Z, and contains a ten-page bibliography. Oversize: 8.75x11.25 inches. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Around-the-world flights; a history.

Mankind's fascination with flying, fueled by the desire to be the first, the best, and the only, inspired the stories that make up this book. Amelia Earhart, the first woman to attempt an around the world flight, is discussed along with the mystery of her disappearance of course, but there have been other women who have attempted, and succeeded, in making that journey. Two of them are mentioned in the chapter on Fate Unknown. Aviators continue to find new ways and new technology to help them set new records of flying faster, higher, and more creatively. The stories within tell of the past, the present and the future of these spirited adventurers. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Cameras into the wild; a history of early wildlife and expedition filmmaking, 1895-1928.

It took perseverance and extensive research for Petterson, a Danish writer and film buff, to find enough documentation, photography and film for his book on the earliest attempts at filming wildlife. Equipment in the late 19th/early 20th century was heavy and cumbersome. Going into the wild was dangerous enough in and of itself, let alone packing in such metal beasts. The genres of film are categorized as nature, which is of the landscape, and wildlife, which is of the animals inhabiting the wilderness. The pictures and stories of the photographers are related in this historical perspective, covering the bison of Yellowstone to the elephants of Africa. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The CIA on campus; essays on academic freedom and the national security state.

This collection of nine essays explores the history, motives and consequences of the US Central Intelligence Agency's presence on US university and college campuses. They consider the interest the CIA had in campus drug-culture, in turning academics not into spies but "intellectual captives," the early infiltration of campuses at the beginning of the Cold War, the CIA in Latin America, the CIA's interest in young children, academic libraries post 9/11, methods of psychological manipulation, and the place of class struggle. Editor, Philip Zwerling (English, U. of Texas, Pan American) contributes two essays for the collection, including how to cultivate a "spy-free campus." The contributors are academics with backgrounds in the humanities, library science, and the psychology of coercion. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The CSS Albemarle and William Cushing; the remarkable Confederate ironclad and the Union officer who sank it.

Stempel, a historian who specializes in the Eastern campaigns of the American Civil War, tells the story of how during the war, William B. Cushing was charged to destroy the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle. Drawing on modern and historical sources, including official records, biographies, and the construction document, he describes Cushing's naval career, the context of the war, the fears of the Federal government that the Albemarle would regain all the waters of the outlying sounds of North Carolina, other efforts to destroy it, and Cushing's final sinking of the ship on what was considered to be a futile mission. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Disney voice actors; a biographical dictionary.

This interesting biographical dictionary explores detailed histories of the lives and work of actors who have provided the voices for important characters throughout the history of Disney films and cartoons. Each entry discusses the work of the artist and offers anecdotes and historical notes on the characters they have portrayed. The volume covers both popular feature films and cartoon shorts from the beginning of the Disney era to the present day. Hischak is a professor of theater arts at the State University of New York, Cortland. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

E.X. Ferrars; a companion to the mystery fiction.

"Complex but highly readable" said one reviewer of Ferrars' Alibi for A Witch (1952). The psychological realism of her crime mysteries reflects the fact that Ferrars (1907-1995) was more cosmopolitan than most British authors of the period, writes Macdonald (Nicholls State U. in Thibodaux, Louisiana) in introducing this survey of her prolific output in chronological and alphabetical order, a brief biography, career chronology, and facsimiles of manuscript pages. Entries cover her characters, recurring themes, issues, locations, and literary conventions. She often treated the modern themes of abusive relationships, aging/memory, and alcoholism. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Edward Drummond Libbey, American glassmaker.

Having spent over 20 years researching and writing about key industrialists in the US, Skrabec (business, U. of Findlay, Ohio) noted that he had included none that pioneered the model of today's chief executive officer. He finds one in Libbey (1854-1925), who founded a number of major companies, integrated his Toledo Museum of Art into the community, and built a new cultural small town in California now called Ojai. His topics include a personal and industrial genealogy, the turnaround, the Toledo Glass Company, Europe and expansion, working on a legacy, and an industrial and labor republic. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Encyclopedia of Islamic herbal medicine.

Islamic herbal medicine, also known as Prophetic medicine, relies only on the herbal prescriptions described by the prophet Muhammad and his direct successors; it is still practiced today in the Muslim world. Offering entries on about 100 herbs, this encyclopedia draws on modern scientific research as well as classical Arabic sources. Each entry includes the herb's English, Arabic, and botanical names, as well as common names in various languages. Entries give safety ratings and brief notes on the herb's uses in Prophetic medicine, then discuss identification issues, list the herb's properties, and offer an overview of scientific research. Each entry ends with a list of 10-50 modern scientific studies on the herb. An introduction gives a detailed overview of the parallel development of Prophetic medicine and Unani medicine, which synthesizes several traditions. There is also background on the acceptance of herbalism in the West and the growing body of scientific research on herbs. A glossary of technical terms is included. Morrow teaches Arabic-Islamic studies at the University of Virginia. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Encyclopedia of television shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed.; 3v.

This three-volume reference documents television shows aired in the US from 1925 to 2010, including primetime, daytime, late-night, and Saturday morning programs on network TV, in syndication, and on basic, premium, and specialized cable channels, as well as original programming on the Internet. Terrace, who has been a television researcher and historian, covers traditional genres like comedy, drama, science fiction, and reality as well as non-traditional shows like erotic and gay and lesbian programs. Entries are organized alphabetically and include series, pilot films, and experimental programs, with information on storyline, performer/character casts, genres, networks, and running dates. This edition has been updated and expanded to add about 2,000 new entries, totaling about 10,600 shows. New and updated entries add character background and storyline development information, and included are announcer-spoken openings. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Encyclopedia of television theme songs.

Robinson's collection of 1,000 A to Z classic TV show jingles is presented in brief paragraphs that include the central characters of the show and the actors who portrayed them; the theme song and who wrote and performed it; and a summary of what the show was about — just enough to jog the memory and start the reels rolling in one's head. A good book to bring back smiles and personal memories associated with the shows that, for most Americans, personify pop culture. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The films of Oliver Reed.

British actor Oliver Reed left home at age 17, worked as a club bouncer, and served in Hong Kong with the National Service before he started working in film. This book offers chronological entries on the actor's 96 films. Each entry gives info on cast and crew, a synopsis, and discussion of the place of the film in the actor's filmography, the film's critical reception, and the author's evaluation of the film. The book is illustrated with b&w film stills on almost every page. A brief biography, forwords by actors Sir Christopher Lee and Ron Moody, reminiscences of friends and colleagues interviewed by the authors, and an afterword by director Michael Winner are included. Cowie is an Egyptologist. Johnson has written other books on film. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The folk music revival, 1958-1970; biographies of fifty performers and other infuential people.

The folk revival period dates from the period when folk music began to recover from the communist witch hunts of the 1950s. This book collects 6-12 page biographies of mainly American musicians and others involved in the folk music revival scene, giving details on the subject's career and brief background on early life, education, and family. Each biography also includes a discography. An introduction surveys trends and big names of the period, followed by a section of biographies of those behind the scenes, such as teachers, promoters, and scholars. The next section profiles 14 individuals who bridged the change from traditional material to a more personal perspective, including Dave Van Ronk, Judy Collins, and Doc Watson. Later sections offer biographies of politically and socially conscious singer-songwriters, including Odetta Holmes, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan, and influential groups and duos, from the Kinston Trio to The Lovin' Spoonful. A final section of biographies illustrates the influence of American folk on musicians in England, Canada, and Africa. Dicaire has written other books on musical history. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The foreign burial of American war dead; a history.

This work compiles names and locations of Americans who died in wars on foreign soil who are buried in locations which are outside of the system of the American Battle Monument Commission (ABMC), such as those buried in prisons and prison ships, isolated countryside, and official and unofficial cemeteries. According to the author, this is the first time that such information has been collected in one place. The book traces the evolution of American attitudes and practices regarding its war dead, then presents 16 appendices listing names of American war dead buried outside of ABMC cemeteries in various countries during various time periods, from 1804 to the present. B&w historical photos and contemporary photos of sites are included. Maps and satellite photographs of each of these burial sites can be found on the book's companion website. Dickon is a reporter for public broadcasting. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The forced removal of American Indians from the northeast; a history of territorial cessions and relocations, 1620-1854.

Native American tribes were forced to give up 412,000 square miles of territory in the American Northeast, north of the Ohio River, between the first contact and the enforcement of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Miller, an attorney and judge who has written other books on American history, offers a detailed narrative with quotes from primary sources woven throughout, focusing on the actual words and actions of individuals, communities, and organizations as revealed by letters and journals, government documents, and other archival sources. Documents shed light on government policies, the attitudes of influential whites, and the experiences of Native Americans. The book is illustrated with b&w maps and historical illustrations. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

For Virginia and for independence; twenty-eight Revolutionary War soldiers from the Old Dominion.

Ward (emeritus, history, U. of Richmond) biographically profiles 27 men and one woman from Virginia who served in the American Revolutionary War under the rank of general (four from the enlisted ranks). All are considered by Ward to have served with distinction and therefore deserving of greater recognition. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

George Burns; an American life.

The well-known comedy team of George Burns and Gracie Allen lasted from the days of vaudeville through the early days of TV. This biography traces Burns's 100-year life in entertainment throughout the 20th century and the many changes in American culture and modern entertainment. There is special emphasis on Burns's complicated relationship to his religion and the Jewish community. The biography draws on archives, published materials, and public documents, which allow the author to give little-known details on Burns's parents' lives before coming to America, and on Burns's his first marriage. A chronology lists turning points, live and recorded performances, and films. The book is illustrated with b&w publicity photos and film and TV stills. Epstein, retired from teaching English, has written other books on the history of comedy. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Gloria Grahame, bad girl of film noir; the complete career.

This reference documents the film and television work of Academy Award-winning actress Gloria Grahame from the 1940s through her death in 1981, when her final film was released. An introduction reviews her start in show business, her marriages and divorces, and her career as a whole. Her 39 feature films are treated in chronological entries offering info on cast and crew, a detailed synopsis, and an analysis of the film itself and its place in film history and the actress's career. Commentary also discusses her performance and her personal life during the production of each film. Similar entries deal with her feature-length made-for-TV movies, miniseries, and TV specials. There is also a brief list of her appearances on TV series. Appendices list films by studio and distributor, stage plays, and her older sister's film appearances. The book is illustrated with b&w film stills. Lentz is a film reviewer. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)