C.C. Thomas

Amoral thoughts about morality; the intersection of science, psychology, and ethics, 2d ed.

Since the birth of psychology in 1879, says Kendler (psychology, U. of California-Santa Barbara), controversy has raged over whether it is descriptive like natural science or prescriptive like philosophy. He seeks to clarify the debate by analyzing the relationship between facts and values, first in the abstract then within an epistemological framework. Among the controversies he takes up are genetic and environmental influences on behavior, the concept of racial superiority, affirmative action, and multiculturalism. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Best practice in motivation and management in the classroom, 2d ed.

Wiseman and Hunt, both affiliated with the Spadoni College of Education at Coastal Carolina University, provide a context for examining student motivation and classroom management in primary through secondary grades. They review appropriate strategies when responding to specific types of student misbehavior, discussing topics such as zero tolerance policies, expulsion, teaching special students, school uniforms, and drug abuse, as related to classroom management and motivation. One chapter is devoted to an overview of ten popular models for classroom management, based on the work of major theorists in behavior management. A final chapter offers two case studies each for nine common issues, including disruptive talking, attention- seeking, dishonesty, defiance, and bullying. Chapter questions, activities, and a glossary are included. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Contemporary issues in family law and mental health.

Journalist Brock and practitioner Saks describe the proper use of mental health evidence in litigation, starting with its role in family court. They cover mediation, case preparation, expert witnesses, the privileges and ethics of forensic practice, therapy courts, professional pitfalls, valid and invalid scientific evidence, criminalization, polygraph tests, false allegations, parental alienation, forensic interviewing, child advocacy. The chapters on the effects of the amendment to Michigan's Rule 703 on expert testimony in family court and on child abuse therapy that constitutes malpractice are particularly interesting. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Current issues in teacher education; history, perspectives, and implications.

The major issues facing teacher educators in the US and Canada, given current demographic, technology, and policy challenges, are examined. Lassonde (elementary education and reading, State U. of New York College at Oneonta) and colleagues in the New York higher education system introduce 14 accessible chapters that address issues from general, institutional, and preparation-for-the- future perspectives. The overarching issue addressed is how to prepare teachers to respond to accountability-driven pressures for student achievement without compromising the ideals of a pluralistic democratic society. Chapters include historical background of the issue discussed (from student teacher mentors to accreditation standards), implications for teacher education, future directions, and discussion questions. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Drug court; constructing the moral identity of drug offenders.

Based on five years of field research in three drug courts in the US, this volume explains how court professionals can help offenders become drug free and law abiding. Mackinem (history and sociology, Claflin College), a former addictions counselor and administrator in two of the courts studied, and Higgins (sociology, U. of South Carolina) describe the development of these courts, the process, the professionals who work there, and how potential, participation, and performance are judged in the treatment program. The book is aimed at those in criminal justice, law, drug treatment and counseling, and sociology. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Psycho-political aspects of suicide warriors, terrorism, and martyrdom; a critical view from "both sides" in regard to cause and cure.

Edited and largely written by Marvasti (a psychiatrist working in Manchester, Connecticut) this work addresses a range of issues concerning psychiatric insights into terrorism, but differs from many other books in its acknowledgement that "it takes two villages to raise a terrorist," by which it is meant that one "village" deploys military and economic dominance towards the other, which perceiving itself to be invaded, occupied, or colonized will turn "perceived victims" into "victimizers" by supplying arms, training, and religious/spiritual support for terrorism. Specific topics addressed in the text include definitional controversy concerning terrorism and terrorists, motivations of suicide bombers, diagnosis and treatment of the trauma of terrorism and political violence on civilians, suicide and self-destructive behaviors in clinical populations, the failure of military counterterrorism, the psycho-political impact of terrorism on Western leaders, trauma amongst Palestinians, pharmacotherapy of terrorist trauma, female suicide bombers, and neurobiopsychosocial aspects of violence. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Recruitment, retention, and turnover of police personnel; reliable, practical, and effective solutions.

Orrick, a career law enforcement professional, notes that criminal justice agencies throughout the country are experiencing difficulties in recruitment and retention of qualified personnel. Chapters in this "how-to" book offer suggestions for how to conduct departmental needs assessments, how to assess the labor market and the motivations of prospective candidates, and how to market and brand the department. Most importantly, the author discusses a number of recruiting techniques and strategies for slowing turnover. This book will interest management in law enforcement and other criminal just agencies. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Taser electronic control devices and sudden in-custody death; separating evidence from conjecture.

The use of electronic control devices (TASERS) is hotly debated among law enforcement professionals and advocates for prisoners' rights. Williams, a former police chief and instructor in the criminal justice department at Sam Houston State University, presents data, including over one hundred individual cases of in-custody death to demonstrate that the use of TASERS rarely results in death, but that other factors are often involved such as pre-existing conditions and drug use. Williams bases many of his conclusions on the fact that death from the use of the TASER was not instantaneous. He adds that the TASERS made today rely on electronic disruption of muscles rather than the induction of pain. The author's bias is straightforward. Therefore this study is best used in conjunction with others on the topic. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)