The Library DVD Shelf The War On Democracy Bullfrog Films, Inc. PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547 1594587515, 5.00 www (dot) bullfrogfilms (dot) com 1-800-543-3764 Recorded human history is largely an account of the unlikely rise and inevitable fall of empires. Often, as those empires were sliding into decline their citizens were not aware that their days of empire were waning. America is no exception to this historical record. "The War On Democracy" is an informed and informative documentary on the Bush administration's heavy handed imperialism declaring their anti- democratic ideologies of imposing democracy throughout the world by dubious economic and short-sighted military means. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The War On Democracy" is written, directed, and reported by John Pilger who incorporates his personal interviews with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, as well as some of the U.S. government officials who conducted the CIA's clandestine war in Latin America during the 1980s which proved to be a template for today's Bush-era international policies. The 94 minute DVD format includes English and Spanish language versions, a John Pilger biography, and production notes. Very highly recommended viewing for civil rights activists, political reformers, and the general public in this current political season, "The War On Democracy" is a welcome and necessary addition to academic and community library collections. Becoming Green: Growing Environmental Awareness WGBH Boston Video c/o SSA Public Relations 16027 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 206, Encino, CA 91436 9781593758073, .95, www (dot) ssapr (dot) com Becoming Green: Growing Environmental Awareness is a thinpack DVD set of environmentally themed public television programs. The thinpack consists of the NOVA episode "Car of the Future", in which the public radio "Car Talk" brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi look at the environmental future of transportation; the NOVA episode "Solar Energy: Saved by the Sun" presenting the testimony of scientists, economists, and ordinary citizens seeking to better harness the untapped potential of the sun amid a world of rising oil prices; the NOVA and Frontline joint effort "Global Warming: What's Up with the Weather?" scrutinizing record high temperatures worldwide along with the increased frequency of drought, deadly flooding and catastrophic hurricanes; and the American Experience episode "Rachel Carson's Silent Spring", a devastating expose of the chemical industry's unregulated use of DDT (unfortunately, this is the one DVD of the set that is not closed captioned). Special features include printable materials for educators for "Solar Energy" and "Global Warming", and described video for the visually impaired in "Solar Energy" and "Car of the Future". An economical and educational collection, enthusiastically recommended for public library and private DVD collections alike. 4 DVDs, 277 min. The British Empire In Color Acorn Media Group 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403 AMP-8080, .99 www (dot) acornmedia (dot) com There was indeed a time when the sun never set upon the glob-spanning British empire whose peak was reached under the reign of Queen Victoria. Ably narrated by Art Malik, the 20th century decline and eventual collapse of that venerable empire is superbly documented in an historical survey that is unique in that it is presented with color film taken from major archives and private collections. Presented in three major parts (The Decline of Empire; The Fall of Empire; The Aftermath of Empire), this mini-series charts Britain's empire country by country, beginning with India, justifiably considered the chief jewel in the imperial crown., "The British Empire In Color" proceeds with an informed and informative overview of both British contributions with respect to education, technology, law, and democracy to its possession, as well as the prejudice, discrimination, cultural bigotry and racism it fostered as a means of controlling its subject populations. Covering the partition of India and Pakistan, the creation of Palestine and Israel, the Suez crisis, the rise of Black Nationalism leading to the emancipation of the African colonies, the handover of Hong Kong to the Chinese, and more. Of special note is the use of personal letters and diary excerpts from both the British and their colonial subjects. Enhanced with the inclusion of a 26-minute 'making of' documentary on how the series was researched and developed, "The British Empire In Color" is a superb production and a very highly recommended addition for personal, community, and school library DVD collections in general. Benny Golson: The Whisper Not Tour Arkadia DVD 34 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010 DVD, .98, www (dot) arkadiadvd (dot) com Benny Golson: The Whisper Not Tour is a DVD of the last video recorded that reunited jazz legends Benny Golson, Art Farmer, and Curtis Fuller, along with special guest Jon Hendricks. A multiple-camera video production showcasing Golson's compositional and performance talents, Benny Golson: The Whisper Not Tour includes some of Golson's most beloved classics in non-standard form, enhanced by Hendricks' dulcet voice. The performed songs include "Are You Real?", "Out of the Past", "Blues March", "I Remember Clifford", and "Whisper Not." Bonus DVD features include a Benny Golson biography and gallery, as well as bonus musical and concert performance footage. A treat for jazz enthusiasts. The Last Ridge Janson Media 88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640 #20365, .95, www (dot) janson (dot) com One of the most extraordinary campaigns of World War II was the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division who fought the Germans in the high mountain country of northern Italy and whose experiences went on to revolutionized mountain warfare abroad, as well as impacting winter sports after the war's end. Able narrated by Scot Simon, "The Last Ridge: The Uphill Battles Of The 10th Mountain Division" is a one-hour documentary that begins with the Army's rigorous training program where the troops lived outdoors in extreme cold for weeks at ta time, hiking with 40 kilo backpacks at altitudes over 4,000 meters. Without the support of tanks, trucks, or jeeps, these men had only their skies and what ever they could carry to pursue their missions. Informed and informative, "The Last Ridge" is enhanced for viewers with the inclusion of re-creations, eyewitness accounts, 3-D animation, German archival footage, and hitherto unpublished personal letters. This superbly produced and presented documentary concludes with accounts of the 10th Mountain Division's responsibility's today that extends to the remote corners of Afghanistan. Extensively filmed onsite in Colorado, Italy, Afghanistan, and Yugoslavia, and infused with insights from more than one hundred members of the 10th Mountain Division, "The Last Ridge" is highly recommended for community library DVD collections, and will be of particularly special interest to military history buffs. The Best of Tamilee MagicPlay Entertainment 28494 Westinghouse Pl, Suite 313, Santa Clarita, CA 91355-0930 411 Video Information (publicity) PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 #5027, .99 www (dot) magicplay-ent (dot) com www (dot) 411videoinfo (dot) com The Best of Tamilee is quite literally a fitness DVD due to popular demand. Collecting the best of Exercise Science expert Tamilee's routines from the "Abs of Steel", "Buns of Steel" and "Arms of Steel" videos into one DVD, plus a 15-minute bonus segment from yoga master Stacy McCarthy's "Yoga Body Lean & Defined" workout, The Best of Tamilee is an exceptional tour of what targeted workout training can really do for problem areas of one's body. Each of the four 15-minute segments can be done separately or together to suit the viewer's needs, and the only exercise equipment recommended are inexpensive three-pound to five-pound hand weights. Highly recommended. 68 minutes, color. Stacy McCarthy's Yoga Body Stacy McCarthy MagicPlay Entertainment 28494 Westinghouse Pl, Suite 313, Santa Clarita, CA 91355-0930 411 Video Information (publicity) PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 www (dot) magicplay-ent (dot) com 9781934913011, .99 www (dot) 411videoinfo (dot) com Stacy McCarthy's Yoga Body: Lean & Defined Total Body Workout is a fitness DVD offering a yoga routine of postures designed to promote strength, flexibility, stamina, and balance. Though accessible to viewers of all backgrounds, the series of yoga poses do get progressively more difficult, in a routine designed to work the entire body and boost one's metabolism. The standing postures and leg exercises, expertly demonstrated by certified yoga teacher Stacy McCarthy, are meant to provide a genuine workout as well as an introduction to the wonderful benefits of yoga. A welcome addition to personal fitness libraries on DVD. 60 min., color. Razor Fitness 947 Hamilton Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025 c/o 411 Video Information (publicity) PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 www (dot) razorfitness (dot) com www (dot) 411videoinfo (dot) com Internationally recognized fitness expert Tracey Mallett hosts two exercise DVDs in the "6-minute Quick Blast Method" series. Total Body Calorie Blast (RD-0519, .99, 66 min.) blends cardio with deep- toning techniques to strengthen one's entire body, and particularly target the core. Cardio Blasts apply interval training for raising one's heart rate, and Mind Body Blasts combine Pilates and Yoga- inspired techniques to cultivate a more shapely body. The only recommended equipment for these workouts are simple three-pound to five-pound hand weights, but perhaps the greatest advantage to Total Body Calorie Blast is its flexibility - one can do only a segment or two in the morning for quick energy, or all of them at once for a satisfyingly complete workout. Total Body Fat Burner (RD-0518, .99, 66 min.) focuses entirely upon concentrating maximum calorie burn in minimum time. In addition to three-pound to five-pound hand weights, an inexpensive stability ball is recommended to get the most out of these sculpting-intensive exercises. Healthy eating tips round out both DVDs, which are highly recommended as excellent, energizing resources for anyone who needs to get in shape but can't commit to spending hours at the gym every day! The Gates Crystal Productions PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159 CP-0299, .95 www (dot) crystalproductions (dot) com 1-800-255-8629 The Gates: A Film About the Gates in Central Park, New York City is the DVD story of a unique, massive work of art. For sixteen days in February 2005, over 7,500 gates covered twenty-three miles of Central Park walkways in New York. The Gates captures for posterity the artistry, labor, and love that went into the creation of the Gates, the response from those who enjoyed them during their all-too-brief life, and their methodical disassembly. Special features include a press conference with Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the masterminds behind The Gates, as well as a photo gallery with over fifty photographs by executive producer Mark Terk. Shot in high definition (yet fully playable on normal DVD players), The Gates is a wonderful record of a truly far-reaching and inspirational art project. 30 min., widescreen, color. Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting Gabriel Saurez Paladin Press Gunbarrel Tech Center, 7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301 KRGDVD, .95, www (dot) paladin-press (dot) com All over the world it seems, the rifle of choice seems to be the AK-47/74 series. "Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting: Too Simple to be Tactical" is an instructional video to teach its viewers the most basic techniques they need to know to effectively use the rifle in numerous situations and why this particular model is the rifle of choice in the modern urban battlefield. With nearly 100 minutes of instructional knowledge, "Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting: Too Simple to be Tactical" is a must for any gun enthusiast or community library instructional DVD collection. The Hollywood Collection: Charlton Heston For All Seasons Janson Media 88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640 #20362, .95 www (dot) janson (dot) com Janson Media's "Hollywood Collection" series now includes a DVD tribute to Charlton Heston, the star of over sixty movies. Charlton Heston For All Seasons pays homage to Heston's many roles, from king to slave and hero to villain, in classic Hollywood films such as "Moses", "Ben-Hur", "El Cid" and "Michelangelo. Also revealed is the aspect of his personality that led him to speak out on the issues he believed in, regardless of their controversy. Highlights from some of Heston's most well-known movies intersperse this respectful homage, enhanced with extra features including a photo gallery, an interview with Gene Feldman, and a "meet the producers" segment. 85 min., color with some black-and-white footage of classic films. The Abs Diet for Women Workout Based on the program by David Zinczenko Jessica Smith, instructor Rodale Press, Inc. 400 South Tenth Street, Emmaus, PA 18098-0099 #05-52705, .98 www (dot) rodale (dot) com 1-800-527-8200 Based on the "New York Times" best selling program by David Zinczenko, The Abs Diet for Women Workout is a high-energy DVD workout designed especially to help women burn fat and get into shape. Hosted by expert fitness instructor Jessica Smith, The Abs Diet for Women Workout includes strength training, a cardio interval workout, two abs routines designed to work all five regions of the abdominal muscles, and pilates and yoga components. In addition to a solid exercise routine, The Abs Diet for Women Workout also incorporates "The Abs Diet Eating Plan" to help viewers follow a healthier diet, and a 30- day trial to absdietonline (dot) com. An excellent choice for fitness workout DVD libraries, The Abs Diet for Women Workout does not require the viewer to use expensive fitness equipment, though simple three- pound or five-pound hand weights and a mat are recommended. 55 min., color. Herod's Temple Vision Video PO Box 540, Worcester, PA 19490-0540 DVD, .99 www (dot) visionvideo (dot) com 1-800-523-0226 Herod's Temple: The Temple Jesus Knew is a documentary DVD about the history of the Temple Mount of Jerusalem, one of the best known sacred sites in the world. Over 2,000 years ago, it was known as Herod's Temple to Jesus and his disciples. Herod's Temple: The Temple Jesus Knew uses animation to reconstruct how the temple might have once looked, imagines the scene that took place when Jesus drove the moneychangers from its outer court, and the horror of the temple's fiery devastation at the hands of the Romans in A.D. 70. A fascinating and educational study sure to captivate viewers of all faiths and backgrounds. 30 minutes, color. Camelot Acorn Media Group 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403 DVD, .99 www (dot) acornmedia (dot) com Camelot is a DVD rendition of Lerner and Loewe's Tony-nominated play of King Arthur's court, performed live on a Broadway stage and featuring legendary actor Richard Harris as King Arthur himself. In Camelot, King Arthur strives to fulfill his ideals for a just and peaceful kingdom, yet his dreams are betrayed when a doomed love arises between Queen Guenevere (Meg Bussert) and Arthur's closest friend, Lancelot (Richard Muenz). Close-up shots are judiciously applied to capture the distinctive moments of the stage performance; extras include production notes, the original Broadway playbill on DVD- ROM, and biographies of Lerner & Loewe as well as Richard Harris. A "must-have" especially for live theater fans. 147 min., closed captioned. Honey and Clover Viz Pictures 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 DVD, .98, www (dot) viz (dot) com 1-800-394-3042 Honey and Clover is a live-action Japanese romantic comedy movie with English subtitles. A group of struggling art students eke out a hand- to-mouth life, barely making enough to eat and pay the rent; when an innocent nineteen-year-old girl with exceptional talent joins them, a complex love triangle ensues! A delightfully emotional story about the bonds of friendship, fickle whims of love, and the determination to achieve one's dream, Honey and Clover is a joy to watch and welcome addition to foreign film shelves. 116 minutes, color. EDITOR'S NOTE: The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so. The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to: James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review 278 Orchard Drive Oregon, WI 53575-1129 To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to [email][/email] (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price). James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review
