Praise & Reviews
"A work that stands out from the immense and ever-growing shelf of World War II literature. . . . A rich portrait of the fate of art-and artists-in the shadow of Hitler."
- Kirkus Reviews
"A unique and extraordinary contribution to the growing library of Holocaust related histories and accounts . . . An informative, engaging, and simply fascinating read from start to finish."
- Midwest Book Review
"This title would be perfect for a research project on the subject."
- School Library Journal
"Sanchez piles on facts about how this uniquely valuable product plays a vital role in spreading seeds and nutrients worldwide across land and sea."
- Booklist
"Excretion excitement is everywhere in this enthusiastic and informative book, which holds its nose, looks closely, and widens its range to “help us make a better Earth.”Squeamish adults may look away, but kids who aren’t grossed out will be riveted."
- Kirkus Reviews
"It's compassionate, smart, female reproductive immunologists giving you the inside scoop."
- Amy Klein, author of The Trying Game
"They succeed in demystifying the science behind egg stimulation and retrieval and embryo transfers. Furthermore, they offer compassion and sensitivity. . . . An informative guide for people hoping to take charge of their fertility."
- Publishers Weekly
"An enduringly welcome and popular pick for family, elementary school, and community library wildlife and bird themed picture book collections for young readers."
- Midwest Book Reviews
"Deftly intertwines observations on nature with moments in a child's everyday life."
- Kirkus Reviews
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"Ideal for any educator teaching listening skills or the science of birding, this book is also an inclusive tool perfect for a variety of content connections, including science and ELA."
- School Library Journal
"A blind child identifies birds by sound. . . . Upbeat and enlightening."
- Kirkus Reviews
"The focus on bird calls is a fantastically fresh approach to imparting avian information, and Mia's detailed sensory experiences are particularly notable. . . . An unusual and enjoyable outing sure to inspire readers to experience the natural world in a new way."
- Booklist
"What distinguishes this one is its deep dive into the fossil history of birds to shed light on the lives of birds today. ... In a chatty, bullet-point style, the authors take the reader on a journey through time as birds evolved from dinosaurs and survived them to radiate all over the world."
- Booklist
"Exceptionally deep but always accessible dive into the world of birds―their evolutionary history, their astounding diversity, and how they are coping with our modern world."
- Scott Weidensaul,
New York Times bestselling author
of A World on the Wing
"Explorer and geologist Stump went on his first research mission to Antarctica in 1970 and returned many times over the following decades. The new book
Otherworldly Antarctica offers a selection of the photographs he took on these trips, capturing the ‘innumerable forms’ that ice can take."
- Wall Street Journal
"In captivating words, photographs, and illustrations, geologist Stump’s book Otherworldly Antarctica covers the 'stark and utterly pristine' continent where winter never leaves. . . . Stump is meditative, even spiritual, in his descriptions of his favorite place."
- Nature
"Dr. Dawn Kingston offers pregnant women the possibility and hope that they can take control of their own mental well-being. Your Brain on Pregnancy is easy to read, practical, and ultimately comforting."
- Robert Freedman, MD,
Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of
Colorado School of Medicine
and former editor of the
American Journal of Psychiatry
"Based on her years of experience as a neuroscientist, Dr. Kingston gives expectant mothers, and their healthcare professionals, science-based tools to mellow the waves of mental ups and downs and bring back joy into early motherhood."
- Dr. William and Martha Sears,
co-authors of The Healthy Brain Book and The Sears Baby Book
"With cogence aplenty for current national issues, Sanchez expertly sifts a mountain of documentary evidence to present a coherent account of the event [that is] perceptive, well written and reasoned, and as topical as ever."
- Kirkus Reviews
"A lively, solidly researched tale that delivers enduring truths about the lure of controversy."
- Publishers Weekly
"Compelling and important."
- School Library Journal
"He writes of these achievements in steady, unshowy prose, succeeding in his stated goal to enlighten readers who are unaware of a thriving Jewish community in the former Soviet Union. It's a fascinating blend of personal and cultural history."
- Publishers Weekly
"The author does a remarkable job of vividly depicting the city of Samarkand, which became famous for its tenacious preservation of Jewish customs despite zealous political persecution. It serves as an effective historical study of Jewish life under Communist tyranny, and Zaltzman's mastery of details of the period is undeniable."
- Kirkus Reviews
"This valuable and thoroughly interesting study, informed by the author’s own experience of military surgery, contributes to the histories of both World War I and modern medicine."
- Foreign Affairs
"Helling has the rare combination of medical knowledge and the ability to do historical scholarship, combined with engrossing storytelling that never loses the reader or the historical narrative. It is from beginning to end a thought-provoking book relevant for all times."
- New York Journal of Books
"Lyons has started the conversation to repair a broken system of justice. This conversation needs to continue. Recommended. Undergraduates through faculty and practitioners."
- Choice Reviews
"The book is compelling and enlightening. Part legal history lesson, part war stories, and part a call to action, Lyon drives home the need for a federal position to advocate for criminal defendants and their attorneys."
- The Champion, NACDL
"A stalwart biography...if the A.T. were a musical, this would be its playbill."
- New York Times
"In genial prose, D’Anieri captures the trail’s majesty and its power to inspire those who ramble on it. Hikers will be captivated by the rich history, as well as those in need of inspiration for their next escape."
- Publishers Weekly
"Superbly rendered biographies of the adventurers who were instrumental in conceiving, building, popularizing, and sustaining the storied Appalachian Trail…An incisive take on an American treasure that shines with illuminating detail and insight."
- Kirkus Reviews
"Mr. Dear guesses that he spent about 11 years of solid work on his book over more than 30 years. His diligence shows. Thanks to his meticulous research and conversational writing style, The Friendly Orange Glow is an enjoyable and authoritative treatment of an important piece of our social and technological heritage."
- The Wall Street Journal
"Dear’s sprawling re-creation conveys the excitement of technological innovation and the freewheeling eccentricity of this vibrant scene—along with the tediousness of IT procedural nitty gritty"
- Publishers Weekly
"This is a satisfying celebration of Italian food and family, complete with delectable recipes."
- Publishers Weekly
"Sharing bits of culture and history along with portraits of the home cooks, bakers, and others serving as her guides, Lust weaves more than 35 recipes into her charming story of transformation from chef to cook while discovering the intimate relationship between food, family and friends."
- La Cucina Italiana
"Love Italian food—and want to actually learn how to make the best of the best dishes? A Blissful Feast is full of recipes from Italy’s Piedmont, Maremma and Le Marche."
- StyleCaster
"This is a fundamental guide from one of our finest bird-sound devotees. Donald Kroodsma explains why and how birds sing, but even more importantly, he guides you through the listening-process. It's no accident that the book's subtitle is "your guide to listening."
- The Birding Community
"World-renowned ornithological expert Donald Kroodsma shares myriad fascinating facts about how and why birds sing, and inspires a well-informed passion for listening!"
- Bas Bleu Catalog
"This unusual, engaging story of a woman and her donkey will undoubtedly win many hearts."
- Publisher's Weekly
"Winslow's writing is at times laugh-out-loud funny...It is also poignant as she struggles with how best to train with Caleb while maintaining a challenging work-life balance. A moving and humorous account of what a woman learned about herself as she trained a donkey."
- Booklist
"I love Margaret Winslow’s book and all it teaches us about the true nature of life, from the power of love to the reality of animal communication."
- Dr. Bernie S. Siegel, author of Love, Animals & Miracles and 365 Prescriptions for the Soul
"Heartbreaking, funny, encouraging, and enlightening, Smart Ass is a beautifully written story that questions our own stubbornness as a species and asks us to learn how to trust ourselves."
- Ben Hart, animal behaviorist and trainer at Hart’s Horsemanship and The Donkey Sanctuary
"Governor Ryan’s actions are a pure beacon of light in a dark era in our nation. His is a resounding voice of conscience in a time of corrosive political maneuvering. Gov. Ryan’s act of moral integrity triumphed over political expediency and has illumined a path for our nation. May we all walk in his light."
- Sister Helen Prejean, Author of Dead Man Walking
"George Ryan’s courageous act made our dreams reality. It was, in my view, one of the single most impactful events in propelling the abolition movement forward, making possible the successes we've seen ever since."
- Mike Farrell, best known as 'BJ Hunnicutt' of television's legendary M*A*S*H, President of Dealth Penalty Focus
"Until I Could Be Sure is a powerful memoir of how Illinois Governor George Ryan declared a moratorium on the death penalty, emptied the state's death row, and endorsed “innocence” reforms to fix a broken system."
- Barry Scheck, co-founder, The Innocence Project
"Rot in all its forms is on delightfully disgusting display in this introduction to decomposition...Fun for pleasure reading and factual enough to satisfy science teachers, this title is recommended for anywhere young people take an interest in nature, compost, rot, and renewal."
- Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library
"Even readers who don't buy the claim that 'decomposition can seem...almost magical' will come away appreciating how artfully nature moves in cycles."
- Booklist
"A fun, intriguing, and accessible mix of anatomy and history, with a healthy dose of gross."
"Kids will learn a lot and be highly entertained at the same time. Gilbert Ford’s comic-style illustrations add to the irreverent fun. The book is packed with did-you-know facts that readers will delight in sharing."
"There’s much here to attract readers in search of the gross or unsettling."
- School Library Journal, starred review
"Interweaving historical background, various accounts, and Mineta’s first-person recollections, Warren skillfully illuminates what it felt like to be targeted and imprisoned."
- Publishers Weekly
"An inspiring story of character and endurance despite hardships. Important, well-told, and an excellent choice for social studies classes, literature circles, and libraries. Extensive back matter enriches understanding of this historical narrative."
- School Library Journal
"With so many individual stories, only one absolute emerges from this historical period: a large segment of our population, whether U.S. citizens for first-generation Japanese people deprived of citizenship, were denied their constitutional and civil rights. Warren leaves much to ponder about our nation’s past and present, about ‘this beautiful tapestry that is America."
- The Horn Book
"In this utterly original investigation, John Seibert Farnsworth takes us deep into the hearts of field stations along the West coast and, by working alongside scientists and students, shows us why they remain essential. Witty, attentive, and familiar, this book will change what you thought you knew about nature study in the modern era. If you love the living world, read it right now."
- Robert Michael Pyle, author of Wintergreen, The Thunder Tree, and Nature Matrix
"I keep saying that what we need are stories from the original real world, from what, in our estrangement from nature, is called ‘the field.’ And here they are, rendered in the moment, on site, feeling the sun as it crosses the sky. John Seibert Farnsworth has found, and shoes with us, great places, fine people and the right words."
- Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words
"While there are likely more complete and academic takes on this subject, this is an excellent layperson’s introduction to the vast and compelling story of hair."
- Publishers Weekly
"Stenn is at his best when it comes to the science of hair; he’s a clear and enthusiastic explainer of follicles and shafts, the genes and growth patterns behind our fur, and all the strange things that can go wrong — so-called “Rapunzel syndrome,” in which a nervous hair-eating habit causes patients to amass enormous hairballs in their stomachs, is one of many."
- Boston Globe
"A spirited, informative history of a fascinating fiber."
- Kirkus Reviews
"A well-researched, engagingly written, though incomplete portrait of a fascinating, complex figure."
- Kirkus Reviews
"Warren provides an enjoyable if overly laudatory look at the life of Buffalo Bill Cody, founder and center of the internationally famous Wild West Show that entertained the crowned heads of Europe."
- Publishers Weekly
"When Warren discusses topics such as the adult Cody’s shooting buffalo and using Indians in his Wild West show, she places them within the context of his times, making the portrayal of Cody overwhelmingly positive. A vivid starting point for a study of ‘Bleeding Kansas.’"
- Booklist
"This is a terrific reexamination of the Sacco and Vanzetti case by journalist Tejada, whose lively writing and reporter’s eye offer a fresh, invigorating perspective on otherwise familiar characters and historical episodes."
- Booklist, starred review
"Journalist Tejada sifts through the evidence from the trial and revelations from documents and testimony uncovered since then, putting her findings in the context of the labor movement and the political unrest of the time."
- Library Journal
"The strength of the book lies in its attention to historical context. . . . [Tejada’s] research reads like an oral history―a testimony of regional and familial ties―and that makes the book an invaluable record of lived experience...With the realities of people passing and memories lapsing, Tejada’s commitment to recording and incorporating these voices in a book-length study of Sacco and Vanzetti is a welcome approach that will surely stand the test of time.”
- Italian American Review
"A number of books have featured Glacier National Park, but the one that will keep you up at night, or entertained on a long car trip, is Randi Minetor's "Death in Glacier National Park: Stories of Accidents and Foolhardiness in the Crown of the Continent."
- The Missoulian
"An informative exploration of the subtleties of bird songs, which experienced birders will appreciate, and a helpful guide for newbies but likely of less interest to general readers."
- Kirkus Review
"Watching birds is only half the fun—knowing how to listen to them is the other half. This handy audio book teaches you how to listen to birds and to understand who they are and what they are saying to each other. It will double your enjoyment—both outdoors and indoors."
- National Audubon Society
"Don Kroodsma’s latest book is a gem. Each page brims with enthusiasm and erudition, the product of countless hours spent in 'deep listening'—applying the attentiveness and aesthetic appreciation of a musician to the songs and calls of birds. Even advanced students of birdsong will find much that is new in these pages—and refreshingly well composed!"
- Ned Brinkley, Editor, North American Birds
"Lyon puts a face on that corruption; she humanizes its victims. Readers may find themselves reconsidering the death penalty. If they remain in favor of it, they will not be able to deny that the system needs fixed."
- Illinois Times
"Andrea Lyon's account of her groundbreaking career amounts to a primer on the criminal justice system and the death penalty in particular. What it reveals is often horrifying, but Andrea's writing is so infused with empathy and humor that the reader comes away both wiser to the ways of injustice and inspired by the difference one person can make."
- Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking
“Dinets offers an exuberant, intelligent take on the adventure of science that has the power to inspire armies of starry-eyed, flack-jacketed Ph.D.’s.”
- Publishers Weekly
"With his artist's eye, scientist precision, and explorer's free spirit, Dinets, a Russian immmigrant and Louisana State University professor, is no ordinary zoologist. Here, he leads readers on an intense and joyous global pursuit of the mating customs of crocodiles ( as well as his own), chroniciling the adventures in fieldwork that would inform his graduate thesis."
- Publishers Weekly
"A lively, enlightening trip through the baseball rule book."
- Kirkus Reviews
"This unique breakdown of [baseball’s] complex rules makes the labyrinthine regulations easy for even casual observers to understand…. So you think you know baseball? Check out this book and you’ll know a lot more!"
- American Profile
"Meltzer has pulled off a baseball feat as rare as a triple play. He’s managed to demystify―and in the process humanize―the game’s complex and often arcane rulebook."
- Philadelphia Inquirer
"Loebl’s knowledgeable book is less a biography than a record of a spending spree that continued into the next generation and left us with, in addition to the Cloisters and MoMA, the Oriental Institute in Chicago, the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum in Jerusalem, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Colonial Williamsburg, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Museum of American Folk Art, and more. All of us are richer for their enthusiasm and largesse."
- Booklist
"Loebl's interest is less in personalities than in the art and architecture, which she describes in rapturous detail accompanied by lavish photos that make the book feel like a gracefully written but staid gift shop catalogue."
- Publishers Weekly
"Loebl celebrates the myriad contributions of generations of Rockefellers to the public enjoyment of art."
- Kirkus Reviews
"Stump clearly and ably recounts the history of Antarctic exploration from James Clark Ross in the 1840s through the 1950s. (Fair warning, though: there’s lots of geologizing.) Best, he includes very fine topographic maps, color photographs (many his own) and satellite images. And most helpful for anyone ever confused about just where and how the explorers made their way, Stump has superimposed the actual routes they took on many of the images."
- The New York Times
“The modern maps and images on which [Stump] reconstructs the passages of the early explorers are a significant and unequaled achievement, created with a passion that seems obvious looking at them.”
- Guy G. Guthridge, National Science Foundation
"Nowhere will readers find a more complete history of the discovery and exploration of the Transantarctic Mountains than in this book."
- Library Journal
"Upon completion, the reader will, without a doubt, have gained a fresh perspective on this ubiquitous and under-appreciated plant."
- The American Gardener
"A fascinating book to read after digesting Tao Orion’s “Beyond the War on Invasive Species – A Permaculture Approach to Ecosystem Restoration.” Both Orion and Anita Sanchez acknowledge the important role of commonly disdained plants in disturbed ecosystems and offer suggestions for peaceful coexistence rather than waging war on these plants with toxic synthetic weed killers that further degrade the environment and, possibly, our health."
- Jean English, Editor for Maine Organic Farmer and Gardener Magazine
"This is one of the best books I've seen for guiding the gardener through the maze of maladies that can visit garden plants."
- The Washington Post
"If you’ve spent most of your life buying slippers or perfumed powder for your grandmother, here’s a chance to finally make amends. Buy her a copy of “What’s Wrong With My Marijuana Plant?,” a new and very helpful guide to growing healthy cannabis."
- LA Times
"Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth, his wife and co-author, produced what’s believed to be the first mainstream problem-solving gardening book for cannabis growers."
- The Sacramento Bee
“Modern parenting presents fresh challenges... Erin Leyba draws her own years of experience and expertise, as well as the latest research about child development, attachment, successful marriages, and mindfulness to create effective, doable solutions for balancing, simplifying, and communicating. She presents powerful tools that parents can use right away to de-stress, stay energized, and create more warmth and passion with loved ones. Whether new, veteran, overwhelmed, exhausted, or just interested in doing better than they are, parents will find proven help here.”
- The Midwest Book Review
"Joy Fixes for Weary Parents is the guide we have all been hoping for. Filled with practical ideas and research-based tips, this book will breathe new life into your parenting. Leyba is a sage whose words, wisdom, and honesty are sure to fill your days with more joy and less stress."
- Mandy Arioto, president and CEO of Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) International and author of Starry-Eyed: Seeing Grace in the Unfolding Constellation of Life and Motherhood
"The most comprehensive guide ever published to the sounds of North American birds."
- earbirding.com
"The Peterson Field Guide to Bird Sounds of Eastern North America by Nathan Pieplow is innovative, fascinating, and challenging."
- 10,000birs.com
"Nathan Pieplow’s user-friendly book effectively attacks a complex topic with simple explanations in a beautifully designed guide."
- American Birding Association
"Finally! Easy-to-follow home winemaking recipes that combine common sense and fun.”
- Laurie Neverman, of Common Sense Homesteading
"This book is beautifully presented and very informative. The information is easy to understand and the recipes look fabulous."
- Amazon Customer
"A beautiful ode to the magical meeting of the harvest and friendly microbes. If you have tried your hand at fermentation and love fruit and flowers, you must try the wines in this book!"
- Hannah Crum & Alex LaGory, best-selling authors of The Big Book of Kombucha
"Delves into the mostly untapped reservoir of the English lexicon, offering readers more than top-of-mind word choices."
- Dow Jones Newsletter
"A million dollars’ worth of fifty-cent words."
- Erin McKean, editor, Verbatim
"This book will lend hours of pleasure―as well as help you preserve the highest layers of the English vocabulary."
- John McWhorter, author of The Language Hoax
"In addition to gasp-inducing and sometimes gruesome accounts, the book provides plenty of cautionary information to help people who visit the park make certain that they come home alive."
- The Eagle Times
"Randi Minetor's new book...relays the tales of fatal mishaps and missteps of a number of Mount Washington climbers...In highlighting the risks of the mountain and telling the stories of the people who perished, Minetor inspires, guides, and warns."
- The Boston Globe
“Wildlife Spectacles is captivating and entrancing in both its information on a multitude of species and the full-color photographs throughout. Their stunning beauty is as much a reason to read this book as the text is.”
- Shelf Awareness
"This is a lovely book by an experienced behavioral ecologist and talented (and patient) photographer. It is a nice present for one interested in natural history. Particularly useful are the site directions, where one can encounter many of the described spectacles. The reviewer loved this aspect, and is currently making travel plans."
- Choice
"Master zoologist Dinets takes us on an astonishing journey, as luminous images and clear prose teach us essential ecology lessons.”
- Dr. Cristina Eisenberg, chief scientist of Earthwatch Institute, author of The Carnivore Way: Coexisting with and Conserving North America’s Predators
"Ready to change your life? Jane nails it in this informative and resource-rich book that guides introverts on a clear journey to an empowered career."
- Dawn Graham, PhD, LP, author of Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success
"Getting a job and thriving in the workplace present unique challenges to the 30–50 percent of Americans (depending on the source) who identify as introverts. Accordingly, career coach and writer Finkle provides valuable exercises and practical recommendations. Reserved and inner-directed readers will find comfort in the knowledge that they need not be extroverted to succeed in the job marketplace."
- Alan Farber, Library Journal
"The book is a good tool for working introverts, and the tips and advice found here could also apply to young adults or older adults returning to the workforce.”
- Melissa Stock, Booklist Online
"Jane Finkle, author of The Introvert’s Complete Career Guide, has written an all-encompassing guide specifically designed to clear up the misconceptions about what constitutes an introvert and how an introvert can better position themselves in business and life."
- Amazon Customer
“The fresh contribution of Coves of Departure lies in its humor; John Seibert Farnsworth is the David Sedaris of the Sea of Cortez! I enjoyed and trusted in all that I learned about this world, while smiling out loud.”
- Sharman Apt Russell, author of Diary of a Citizen Scientist
“John Seibert Farnsworth is a big-hearted field teacher-humorous and insightful- and an engaging, trustworthy storyteller. In this tale of encounter between desert coast and human psyche, the reader learns some natural history, ponders some big questions, and becomes fond of this wild learning group. Think of it as a field guide to delight."
- Tom Fleischner, Executive Director, Natural History Institute
"... he has created a single narrative out of experiences from various years and turned the rotating cast of science professors who helped lead the class into a composite character, "Dr. Awesome." The result is warm and witty, a resource full of information...and insights into how humans respond to encounters with the natural world."
- Choice
"Letters address issues of self-esteem, bullying, anxiety, social isolation, and self-harm, and many explore sensitivity and embarrassment...The letters address highly relatable concerns, providing an opportunity for readers to commiserate with peers while helping them to build an emotional toolset for constructive communication."
- Publishers Weekly
"Libby Kiszner provides an important venue for the education and healing of childhood emotional distress. By reading this valuable book, children can gain an insight into their own inner world and also better understand the dilemmas of their peers."
- Sarah Chana Radcliffe, EdM, C.Psych., author of Raise Your Kids without Raising Your Voice
"Dear Libby strikes me as a wonderful work, addressing various anxiety-provoking issues which affect virtually all latency and adolescent girls. It is very readable and useable–and helpful for children and their parents. It deals in a subtle, sophisticated, but understandable way with very important concerns: relationships, bullying, avoiding ruptures, self-esteem, empathy, self-reflection, and proactivity."
- Paul C. Holinger, MD, MPH, Training/supervising analyst at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis
“ The author addresses readers directly with compelling evidence for her thesis that this is yet another manifestation of climate change that will wreak havoc on the world we know...An important perspective on our changing climate."
- Kirkus Reviews
“ This visually striking guide honors the beautiful American landscape as it appears today. Recommended for fans of Audubon or for those interested in the natural world or art."
- Library Journal