We Recommend...

(You can clisk on a title listing at the top of the page to jump to the recommendation, then click the back button on your browser to jump back to where you started)

The Order of Things by Barbara Ann Kipfer reviewed by Ben Greenberg

The Origins of the Cold War by Thomas G. Paterson (Ed.) reviewed by Ben Greenberg

Our Guys by Bernard Lefkowitz reviewed by Arsen Kashkashian

Pooh and the Philosophers by John Tyerman Williams reviewed by Cory Williams

Synchronicity by Allan Combs and Mark Holland reviewed by Cory Williams

Time Bomb 2000 by Edward & Jennifer Yourdon reviewed by Gayle J.

Vineyard: A Year in the Life of California's Wine Country text by Joy Sterling; photographs by Andy Katz reviewed by Lisa Gesner

 A Walk in the Woods: America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson reviewed by Mary McDaniel

Women's Ventures, Women's Visions: 29 Inspiring Stories from Women Who Started Their Own Businesses by Shoshana Alexander reviewed by Karen DeClerk

The Order of Things
by Barbara Ann Kipfer
reviewed by Ben Greenberg

This book is just really cool. I passed it one day while it was sitting on the shelf in the bookstore. For some reason it caught my eye and I started to flip through it. The only thing that kept going through my head was, "wow, this book i s just really cool!" I just couldn't pass up getting it. It contains lists from the major areas of human civilization and thought. Can't remember who became president after Lincoln was shot? Was Hawaii or Alaska the last state to enter the Union? Wonder ing which religion has the most followers? Having an argument about which is the largest bed mattress made? This is perfect as a desk reference, a browsing book, something to keep in the bathroom or to settle arguments before they become fist-fights or worse. It's just really, really cool. Oh, and by the way, the answers are: Johnson, Hawaii, Baha'ism, and California King.

The Order of Things ($16.00)

Our Guys
by Bernard Lefkowitz
reviewed by Arsen Kashkashian

There aren't too many crimes more horrific than what happened in Glen Ridge, New Jersey in 1989. Several of the most popular high school athletes in the white, affluent suburban gang raped a retarded girl. Lefkowitz digs beneath the horror and asks some difficult questions in this griping study of our culture. How did these boys develop their sense of invincibility? Why did most of the community stand up for the boys? The truly horrifying thing is that what happened in Glen Ridge seems to be a natural outcome of our society's values which promote athletics above academics and a boys will be boys attitude.

Our Guys ($15.00)

The Origins of the Cold War
by Thomas G. Paterson (Ed.)
reviewed by Ben Greenberg

This anthology contains essays about the issues and debates surrounding the origins of the Cold War, written by the most respected and authoritative individuals in the field. Many different points of view are given, inc luding views by Soviet, European, and Third World scholars and policy makers. Both conservative and liberal views, (and what's in between,) are not only expressed, but the book is edited in such a manner that you feel as if you are reading a transcript of a debate; a point raised by someone on one side will be contested in the following essay written by someone from another, whose points in turn will be called into question by the next essayist. If you are interested in cold war history, or wish to le arn about it without being limited by one person's view, then this is definitely what you have been looking for.

The Origins of the Cold War ($17.95)

Pooh and the Philosophers
by John Tyerman Williams
reviewed by Cory Williams

Benjamin Hoff has shown us, in his Tao of Pooh, how perfectly Pooh Bear exemplifies the Eastern philosophical concept of the Tao. There's no need to stop there, however, for now John Tyerman Williams has come to prove that the adventures and expeditions of Pooh and his friends encapsulate the essence of the great ideas of all of Western philosophy as well. And he pulls it off quite nicely in this delightfully presumptuous little book, which takes us from Plato to the Existentialists (who were, of course, influenced heavily by the "Great Bear") and shows us conclusively how perfectly Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, and, yes, even Eeyore, illustrate with simple elegance the great themes of Western thought. This book is bound to be a great treat for both lovers of Pooh and lovers of philosophy and is a wonderful addition to the worlds of both.

Pooh and the Philosophers ($15.99)

Synchronicity
by Allan Combs and Mark Holland
reviewed by Cory Williams

This brilliantly lucid book explores the idea of synchronicity – meaningful coincidence – as it relates to science, myth, and everyday life. Combs and Holland take us on a wildly delightful journey through the realms of quantum physics, Jungian psychology, holographic theory, world mythology, alchemy, and more, tying them together in one fascinating little treatise on those weird and wonderful events that intrude on our lives and defy all efforts at explanation. Particular emphasis is given to the idea of the archetypal Trickster, the enigmatic figure behind the curtain of the mundane world who juggles reality and orchestrates synchronistic occurrences in our lives. Synchronicity is a very readable, thoroughly enjoyable book full of amazing implications for our ideas about the structure of reality.

Synchronicity ($ 12.95)

Time Bomb 2000
by Edward & Jennifer Yourdon
reviewed by Gayle J.

What would you do if you had no electricity, heat, phone, water, car, food, or money for a week? A month? A year? Not possible?? Time Bomb 2000 is a must-read in opening your eyes to the real problem. Many people believe that January 1, 2000 is the beginning of the Y2K crisis, but it's really already begun. According to the book jacket, "Whether or not you own or use a computer, virtually every aspect of your life now depends on them: communications, electricity, finance, medicine, your job, the government...you name it." Time Bomb 2000 is co-authored by Edward Yourdon, editor of American Programmer and one of the world's leading authorities of software development. Few people have a clearer understanding of the Year 2000 problem–and what it will take to solve it. Realistic, practical, and terrifying, it's the first book for everyone who wants to survive the Y2K computer crisis.

Time Bomb 2000 ($19.95 )

Vineyard: A Year in the Life of California's Wine Country
text by Joy Sterling; photographs by Andy Katz
reviewed by Lisa Gesner

Have you ever held up a glass of red wine to the light, marveled at it's ruby hues and thought "Wouldn't it be great to own a vineyard?" Joy Sterling, of Iron Horse Vineyards, writes honestly about the struggles and joys of being a vintner in California: the obsession with weather and low crop yields and the unexplainable but wondrous alchemy of soil, air, sun, and vine. Boulder photographer Andy Katz's work is brilliant - simply gorgeous - with unbelievably lovely light and color. Vineyard is a book to savor, to have handy in your living room when you've had a bad day and need to sit quietly and let your eyes drink in some peaceful beauty and wonder, "Wouldn't it be great......?"

Vineyard: A Year in the Life of California's Wine Country ($25.00)

A Walk in the Woods: America on the Appalachian Trail
by Bill Bryson
reviewed by Mary McDaniel

Join Bill Bryson and his longtime friend Stephen Katz, two out-of-shape, middle-aged men, as they set off to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Outfitted with all the "proper equipment," it's still maybe more than they bargained for. Bryson has a humorous writing style and describes the history of the trail and lots of the vegetation along the way. Follow their journey as they learn about life and themselves. A good read, even if you don't ever plan to hike this trail.

A Walk in the Woods: America on the Appalachian Trail ($25.00)

Women's Ventures, Women's Visions: 29 Inspiring Stories from Women Who Started Their Own Businesses
by Shoshana Alexander
reviewed by Karen DeClerk

Women's Ventures, Women's Visions is a very engaging book which recounts the personal stories of 29 women who have started successful businesses. The desire to make a difference, be close to family, provide needed services, and share their unique gifts are examples of the goals these women had when starting their businesses. The women come from varied backgrounds and run a wide range of enterprises. Boulder's own Tami Simon of Sounds True Catalog is among those featured. It is most inspiring to read the stories of women who used their skills and abilities to thrive both personally and professionally.

Women's Ventures, Women's Visions: 29 Inspiring Stories from Women Who Started Their Own Businesses ($14.95)

You'll find these reviews and many more in our award-winning Recommended Reading section on the main floor and in sections throughout the store. If you have a review you'd like us to post either here or in our section, e-mail Bevin Campbell, Recommended Reading Coordinator at info@boulderbookstore.com.