New Non-Fiction – February 2007

Books about arctic birds, managing a band, and the transfiguration of concrete are some of the subjects of new books in the OCPL system.

All are available for free loan. Check the catalog online or call or visit your local library or call Telephone Reference Service at Central Library (315-435-1900) to reserve library materials.

Arctic Wings: Birds of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
edited by Stephen Brown
A host of photographers and writers have produced this beautiful book which chronicles the birds that migrate to and from ANWR yearly. Birds are grouped by: loons and waterfowls, shorebirds, gulls and terns, owls, landbirds, and hawks, eagles and falcons. Text and maps describe the journeys of these birds and their lives in the Arctic. A cd of birdsongs is included.

Managing Your Band: Artist Management: the Ultimate Responsibility, 4th edition
by Dr. Stephen Marcone
Many people ask for books on the “music business” at the Library. This book addresses one aspect—and includes information on publicity, touring, trademarks, marketing, contracts, and other topics. An extensive bibliography of websites includes media, government (U.S. and international), organizations/individuals, music/world music, music and entertainment industries.

Liquid Stone: New Architecture in Concrete
edited by Jean-Louis Cohen and G. Martin Moeller, Jr.
Concrete is one of the oldest of building materials and the most widely used. We have come to think of it as a “brutal” material—one that is block-like and monotonous. Advances in mathematics, optics, and physics have led to concrete’s evolution to a smooth, flexible, even translucent substance as shown in the photographs of homes, bridges, sculptures, museums, office towers, bridges and viaducts. The curved, light and airy, even lacy forms belie what we’ve heretofore thought of as architecture in concrete.

Warman’s Kitschy Kitchen Collectibles Field Guide
by Brian S. Alexander
A Values and Identification guide filled with color illustrations of kitchen equipment, old and new, to help, among other things, identify gadgets inherited but perhaps not understood (for example, a Duplex Whipper, “Double Action for cream, eggs, and dressings”). Prices show what a Spee Dee chopper, Hostess Cake Caddy, a Kit Kat Klock, an oven shovel and other kitchen devices could  bring when the right collector is found.

New Hampshire
by Russell Lawson
One of a new series, On-the-Road Histories, this describes the historical personages, places and events in New Hampshire.  Historic and contemporary photos illustrate each geographical section. Appendices include sources used, a chronology of major events, cultural highlights, special events, contact information, further reading: websites and books. Others in the series available in OCPL are Alaska, Hawaii, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas. A good resource for travel, school reports, and general interest.

More Word Histories and Mysteries (from Aardvark to Zombie)
from the editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries
For those of us who find it hard to look at a dictionary for “just one word” (and not go on to others), this will be an interesting book—and for others as well, of course. The entries are various and eclectic—some simple etymologies, others more fleshed out so that, for instance, the entry for marshmallow tells how the root of the marsh mallow was used, quotes a medical text from 1425, lists the ingredients of present-day marshmallows, discusses the word mallow and its various antecedents and describes the derivation of the word mauve, the characteristic hue of mallow flowers.

Minipops: Famous People Drawn Really Small
by Craig Robinson
Images of popstars, about 25 pixels high, are this book. At first glance—what’s the point?  However, figuring out who is who becomes intriguing. The answers are in the back so any and all bets can be settled. This might be a good way to prove one’s popstar rating I.Q. Mr. Robinson’s website is www.flipflopflyin.com.

Capes:  Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building New
by Jane Gitlin
Capes were the “first starter homes, planned and sized according to the owner’s economic and social stature.” Capes built in the 1600’s are still standing although perhaps modified. The Cape style lends itself to flexibility in renovation or in building from scratch. This book offers lots of ideas for doing both and provides many illustrations of projects that have only expanded on a house’s “Capeness” and those that have changed it into something else, a Colonial, for example. This is one of a series: Updating Classic America. Other styles covered are Bungalows, Colonials, and Ranches.

All The Money In The World: The Art and History of Paper Money and Coins from Antiquity to the 21st Century
by Douglas Mudd
This Smithsonian Book’s focus is on the art of money. While we most often engage with money as a means of trade, it also exists as a gateway into the “nature of the country”.  Authorities responsible for the issuance of currency have made beauty a design criterion along with utility. In order to understand today’s currency, says Mr. Mudd, it is necessary to know the history of currency and this book presents that beautifully. A multitude of illustrations of world currency make this an appealing book for the numismatist and the generalist.

Start Your Own Senior Services Business: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Success
by Entrepreneur Press, Jacquelyn Lynn and Charlene Davis
Disregarded in recent times in favor of the 18-25 year old group, the senior market (over 65) will double in the next 25 years. This will be a lucrative market for those offering the right services who themselves could, of course, also be seniors. This book advises on statistical trends, franchising, developing a plan, deciding on a particular service: relocation, concierge, home care/home health-care, and others. The usual helpful advice for new business owners is also included: hiring, setting up, equipment needs, marketing. Resources—government agencies, consultants, books/articles are included as well.  This book is one of a series—Entrepreneur Magazine’s Startup Series—other titles available in the OCPL catalog cover the following businesses: import/export, pet-sitting, restaurant and other food service, wholesale distribution, lawn care and information consultancy.