ABC-CLIO

ADHD.

Like a biography, this volume tells the complete story of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with information on its history, diagnosis, risk factors, drug development, treatment, complications and associated conditions, and effects on the family. Hammerness (pediatric ADHD research, Harvard Medical School, and child and adolescent psychiatry, Newton Wellesley Hospital) reviews and summarizes the scientific literature for general readers and concludes with a chapter on recent advances, including genetic investigations, brain imaging, and adult ADHD. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Airpower and technology; smart and unmanned weapons.

Mets (School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, the USAF Air University) aims to help aspiring American leaders build a theory of war and air and space power. In a chronological treatment of the entire history of American aviation, emphasizing theory and doctrine, technology, tactics, and strategy, he details both combat experience and intellectual processes involved in the preparation of airpower. Special attention is paid to the development of smart weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles and the influence they have had on the effectiveness of airpower. In addition to the narrative discussion, sidebars explain key weapons systems and operational challenges. The book concludes with a brief look at information warfare and with speculations about the future. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Apple, Inc.

Describing Apple Inc. as the "little company that could," O'Grady (who has written for Mcintosh trade magazines and who has a Web site devoted to applications related to Apple products), traces the history of the company founded by Steve Jobs in 1977 as Apple Computers. The book includes an illustrated timeline of its hardware and software innovations; information on key players; competition; financial data; Macworld Expo; and trivia (e.g., the Macintosh was nearly named the Bicycle). But missing from the discussion of the company's future prospects is a possible successor to the apparently ailing Jobs. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Autism.

This volume details the development of knowledge about autism spectrum disorders, from the 1940s to the increased research of the past two decades, as well as screening; diagnostic assessments, including specific DSM-IV-TR criteria; statistics about autism; possible causes, including genetics and vaccines; and interventions and alternative treatments. Benaron, who is board certified in pediatrics, internal medicine, and neurodevelopmental disabilities, is associated with Far Northern Regional Center. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Battleground science and technology; 2v.

This two-volume work is part of a series focusing on areas of global culture that are subject to controversy and debate. Restivo (sociology and science studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic U., US) and Denton (history, Royal Military College of Canada) present 105 alphabetical entries, from "agriculture" to "yeti," describing major debates in the realm of science and technology. Examples of subjects tackled by the volumes include alien abductions, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, chaos theory, drugs and direct-to-consumer advertising, the Gaia hypothesis, genetically modified organisms, green building design, information technology, intellectual property, medical marijuana, parapsychology, quarks, reproductive technology, research ethics, the scientific method, urban warfare, virtual reality, waste management, and wind energy. The entries are written in a style accessible to beginning undergraduates and up. Each entry is cross-referenced and includes a guide to further reading. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Biodiversity 101.

The series introduces general readers and new science students to the basics of various branches of physical science. The standard format includes simple concepts leading to more complex ones, a glossary without pronunciation, and an annotated bibliography of print and non-print sources. Here four professionals currently or formerly with the American Museum of Natural History explain what biodiversity is, where in the world it is, why it is important, its status today, and strategies and solutions for conserving it. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Desert biomes.

Physical geographer and cartographer Quinn (retired, California State U.-Fresno) begins by explaining features common to the living systems in deserts, among them the physical environment and plant and animal adaptations. Then she focuses in turn on warm, cold, and west-coast fog desert biomes, beginning again with global features of the type, then surveying examples in regions on various continents. Readers can learn about a particular desert or desert type that interests them, she says, but will miss much nuance without the larger picture. She uses common names of species, but appends Latin binomial at the end of each chapter. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The dirty energy dilemma; what's blocking clean power in the United States.

When advocates of the conventional electric industry dismiss alternatives to fossil fuels and nuclear technology as immature, inefficient, and risky, says Sovacool (energy governance, National U. of Singapore), they are lying. He identifies the impediment to adopting them not as technological challenges, but social, cultural, economics, and political interests. He looks at financial and market impediments, political and regulatory obstacles, cultural and behavioral barriers, and aesthetic and environmental challenges. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Encyclopedia of addictions; 2v.

Aimed at general readers, this two-volume encyclopedia features entries on symptoms, terms, concepts, individuals, and disorders related to addiction. The entries cover types of abused and addictive drugs; societal aspects such as the war on drugs and prohibition; biological and chemical mechanisms; addictive behaviors; contributory causes and diagnoses including mental disorders; effects of drug use; famous addicts; regulation; and treatment. State and federal laws are included in appendices, as are a separate drug index, statistics, and a selected list of prevention programs. An index is provided in the second volume only. Much of the information was drawn from federal agencies. Hollen is a science writer who has worked with the National Institutes of Health and other organizations. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Encyclopedia of pestilence, pandemics, and plagues; 2v.

Which killed more people around the world before 1920, the Great Plague of London or the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919? How many people in the US have leprosy? Which is more dangerous in war, a bullet or typhus? This comprehensive reference goes far beyond mere events and dates but also details the public health costs of such social constructs as capitalism, colonialism, and medical ethics. Byrne (medieval and early modern history, Belmont U.) and his contributors cover everything from AIDS to yellow fever, and include the pioneers of research in infectious diseases, biological warfare, the effects of demographics, medical theories from the West and Asia, health agencies and conventions, diseases based on diet or lack thereof, treatment facilities past and present, the roles of sexuality and gender, pharmacology, and the effects of inoculation on various pandemics. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Ignored, shunned, and invisible; how the label "retarded" has denied freedom and dignity to millions.

Smith (special education, U. of North Carolina) challenges society's general assumptions regarding people considered deficient or defective in this book on the effects of the "mentally retarded" label. Utilizing insights from friends, parents, teachers, and special education experts — as well as fictional characters in literature and real people — the author provides a gripping picture of the damage caused by prevailing attitudes about mental retardation. The book uses the true story of John Lovelace, a man who was diagnosed as retarded as a child, institutionalized, and sterilized, to illustrate the struggles of those people saddled with an identity they did not choose. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Influenza.

Devlin, an infectious diseases physician, presents a history of the influenza virus for general readers that looks at the disease from a biographical perspective, introducing germ theory and telling the story of influenza's discovery, characteristics, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, methods of diagnosis, prevention and treatment, and the pandemic of 1918. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Introduction to biomes.

For middle and high school students and undergraduates, Woodward, editor of the biomes series and former professor of biogeography and physical geography at Radford U., presents an introduction to biomes. She discusses the concept of the biome and other geographic trends exhibited by life, including taxonomic and evolutionary patterns, related ecological concepts such as ecosystems and soils, and environmental factors that affect the nature of terrestrial and aquatic biomes at the global scale. Use of scientific terminology is minimized. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

A librarian's guide to cultivating an elementary school garden.

This resource for elementary school librarians encourages educators to use school gardens to improve students' grades, perspectives on the environment, and their nutritional habits. The book provides information needed to justify, fund, design, and implement a school garden, with material on the benefits to students and the importance of school gardens to local ecological communities. Information is provided on designing and maintaining five common types of gardens/habitats: wetlands, urban, vegetable, wildscape, and butterfly. B&w photos are included, along with lists of related books, instructional activities, and web sites. Mackey teaches college courses in emergent literacy and reading instructional strategies. Stewart is an instructor with the Round Rock (Texas) Independent School District's Community Education Program. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

New frontiers in aging; spirit and science to maximize peak experience in your 60s, 70s, and beyond.

Drawing from the fields of psychology, medical science, physics, and cosmology, Spencer, a psychologist and octogenarian inspires readers to increase awareness of their potential and design their own visions of aging. She invites readers to set and reach new goals in the process of living a purposeful life rather than leading an existence of mindless habit, regardless of chronological age. She teams with MDs in endocrinology, cosmetic surgery, nutrition, and audiology to give advice on taking care of the body, and also addresses sense of purpose, the creative process, and love and sensuality. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

North American homeland security; back to bilateralism?.

How has the security regime established in the United States in the wake of the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks impacted trade and other relations between the United States, Canada, and Mexico? Hussain (international relations, U. Iberioamericana, Mexico), Pattnayak (sociology, Villanova U., US), and Hira (Latin American studies, Simon Fraser U., Canada) explore this question by first providing a country-specific study of 9/11 policy responses across North America, then examining the region's bilateral relations (particularly in reference to security and intelligence), and finally exploring trilateral possibilities. In exploring these issues, they rely on two major of clusters of theories: integrative (security and neofunctionalist) and hybrid (interdependence and neorealism). (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The Praeger guide to hearing and hearing loss; assessment, treatment, and prevention.

Beginning with an overview of hearing anatomy and physiology, this book for general readers explains how we hear, the different types of hearing loss, tests that diagnose and evaluate adult hearing loss, and what can be done to prevent hearing loss or improve hearing. It describes many types of hearing rehabilitation services, devices, and technology, such as cochlear implants and hearing aids, and outlines factors to consider when purchasing a hearing aid. It also discusses the psychological, social, and emotional effects of untreated hearing loss. Dalebout is an audiologist with more than 30 years in practice. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Science and technology in modern European life.

Obviously, Europe's transition from agriculture to commerce to post- industrial economies ran roughly parallel with its application of advances in science and new technologies. Which of these advances had the most impact? What new technologies will take Europe beyond post- industrialism? This collection of essays tracks the trajectories of sciences that moved economies and societies from the rural to the urban and thence to the global includes such topics as urban architecture and culture, transportation from the personal to the collective and back to the personal, navigation of the seas and the heavens, communication, the ever-present specters of war, energy, domestic and workplace technology, and the rising appreciation of a global experience of advances and improvements. This is a positive assessment of what we have done so far, and also a warning that some advancement, particularly in the case of war, is not an improvement. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Temperate forest biomes.

The tropical forests my provide much of our oxygen world-wide, but the temperate forests sustain us, and here Kuennecke (Radford U.) takes a very close look at temperate forest biomes, temperate broadleaf deciduous forests, Mediterranean woodlands and stands of scrub in a temperate environment. Focusing on a range of temperate forest biomes, he gives a general overview at a global scale and analyzes specific biomes in detail, so much so that chapters can stand on their own. He keeps undergraduates in mind, using a minimum of scientific jargon but respecting that which is needed, and organizes chapters geographically to cover virtually every temperate biome. He notes that all biomes overlap to some degree and explains the phenomenon, and also pays attention to the effects of climate and climate change. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Waste management; a reference handbook.

Drawing from history, political science, environmental science, engineering, sociology, and public health literature, Vaughn (political science, Northern Arizona U.) presents an introductory overview of waste and waste management, suitable for high school and college students, scholars, and general readers, as well as legislators, businesspeople, and activists. Coverage includes the background and history of waste, current problems and controversies over waste management at the domestic level, the global perspective on waste, an annotated chronology of domestic and international events in waste management from the mid-18th century to the present day, and profiles of key individuals in waste issues and waste management. The text also contains several resources for further research — examples of important documents, speeches, data, facts and legislation; a directory of organizations, associations, and agencies; an annotated list of print and nonprint resources, and journals — and a glossary of terms. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)