The Library DVD Shelf The Story of Math Collection Hosted by Professor Marcus du Sautoy Athena athenalearning.com c/o Acorn Media Group 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403 9781598288902 .99 [URL="http://www.acornonline.com"]www.acornonline.com[/URL] The Story of Math Collection is a five-DVD documentary about the extraordinary history and beauty of the discipline of mathematics. From ancient surveyors in the cradle of civilization who needed mathematics to keep track of farmland and taxes, to modern-day contributions that expand our understanding of the universe itself, The Story of Math Collection is not only about equations, but also about the creative and often unusual individuals who advanced humanity's collective understanding. The DVDs include "The Story of Math" series, "The Music of the Primes" which focuses upon the quest to learn about harmony in the prime numbers, and "The Code", which is about patterns that often recur in nature. Bonus materials include brief viewer's guides, short biographies of notable mathematicians, and three "math shorts". Accessible to viewers of all ages and backgrounds, The Story of Math makes learning about science fun, and is worthy of the highest recommendation especially for high school and college library DVD collections. 5 DVDs, 484 min. plus bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles. My Digital Life Learning ZoneXpress 667 East Vine Street Owatonna, MN 55060 .95 [URL="http://www.learningzonexpress.com"]www.learningzonexpress.com[/URL] Intended both youth and adult viewers, My Digital Life is a DVD overview of challenges endemic to the digital age. Topics addressed including being aware of privacy concerns online, one's digital footprint (the internet is "written in ink" in that anything posted there is potentially archived forever, saved on a vast multitude of people's computers), common misconceptions about "multitasking" and how it can interfere with learning, the risk of neglecting interpersonal skills in an era where social media are increasingly prevalent, and much more. My Digital Life does not demonize the new wired world, but it does put forth the value of taking time to unplug, and ensuring that technology does not encroach upon one's need for sleep, or other valuable aspects of life. Printable teaching materials are available online for this excellent, educational DVD, ideal for homeroom viewing and high school or public library DVD collections. 28 min. Detropia Bullfrog Films, Inc. PO Box 149 Oley, PA 19547 193777242X 5.00 [URL="http://www.bullfrogfilms.com"]www.bullfrogfilms.com[/URL] Licensed for public performance, Detropia (a tell-all fusion of "Detroit" and "dystopia") is a documentary of Detriot, one of America's cities hardest-hit by deindustrialization. Detropia tells of how Detroit became the destination of African-Americans fleeing from racist Jim Crow laws in the South; how manufacturing bolstered the middle class; and how America's love affair with the automobile shaped the economic foundations of the "Motor City" - with devastating results when the industry all but collapsed. The Great Recession of 2009 onward put Detroit on the brink, hollowed out its middle class, expanded its slums and exacerbated its ills. Yet there are those who will not give up hope, and envision a revolutionary new future for a postindustrial Detroit. A striking portrayal of human resilience and ingenuity grappling with the fallout of an all but broken economic system, Detropia is highly recommended. 86 minutes (58 minute version on disc), SDH captions. She-Wolves: England's Early Queens Athena Learning c/o Acorn Media Group 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403 [URL="http://www.athenalearning.com"]www.athenalearning.com[/URL] 9781598287677 .99 [URL="http://www.acornonline.com"]www.acornonline.com[/URL] As seen on public television, She-Wolves: England's Early Queens is a documentary on DVD based on the book by historian Dr. Helen Castor, about the women in England's history who dared to assume the throne - or at least, make the attempt. 800 years ago, Matilda (daughter of Henry I and granddaughter of William the Conqueror) was the first to seek to wear the crown; others followed, despite the fierce opposition of a male-dominated world. Women who sought rulership were demonized, called "she-wolves", stymied, betrayed, imprisoned, and worse. A 16- page viewer's guide complements this extraordinary exploration of the lives of seven early English Queens in a staunchly patriarchal society. She-Wolves: England's Early Queens is as fascinating as it is educational, and highly recommended especially for public and college library DVD collections. 185 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles. Unfinished Spaces a film by Alysa Nahmias and Benjamin Murray Bullfrog Films, Inc. PO Box 149 Oley, PA 19547 [URL="http://www.unfinishedspaces.com"]www.unfinishedspaces.com[/URL] 193777239X 5.00 [URL="http://www.bullfrogfilms.com"]www.bullfrogfilms.com[/URL] Unfinished Spaces is an award-winning documentary offering a glimpse into Cuban cultural history. In 1961, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara tasked three bright young architects with constructing Cuba's National Art Schools upon a former golf course in Havana. The school's first classes, instructing dancers, musicians, and artists from across the country, began while construction was still unfinished; yet work on the schools was abruptly halted when the political climate turned against the project. Forty years later, the unfinished schools remain in use, though suffering from the ravages of time and wear. Castro personally invited the exiled architects to return to Cuba and finish their masterpiece. Unfinished Spaces is a wonderful addition to library DVD collections about art and art history, highly recommended. 86 minutes (an abridged 58 minute version is also available on the DVD), with optional English SDH Captions or Spanish subtitles. Wodehouse Playhouse: The Complete Collection Acorn Media Group 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403 9781598288971 .99 [URL="http://www.acornonline.com"]www.acornonline.com[/URL] Wodehouse Playhouse: The Complete Collection gathers twenty of the funniest BBC television shows by celebrated writer P.G. Wodehouse. Oscar nominee Pauline Collins and her real-life husband John Alderton are an acting tour de force, bringing Wodehouse's witty insights and devious comedy to vibrant life. Bonus features include photo galleries, a biography of P.G. Wodehouse, and an insert with background notes about stories and characters. Wodehouse personally offers introductions to the first seven stories in this mockingly mirthful collection, highly recommended especially for gift-giving! The stories are "The Truth about George", "Romance at Droitgate Spa", "Portrait of a Disciplinarian", "Unpleasantness at Bludleigh Court", "The Rise of Minna Nordstrom", "Rodney Fails to Qualify", "A Voice from the Past", "Anselm Gets His Chance", "Mr. Potter Takes a Rest Cure", "Strychnine in the Soup", "Feet of Clay", "The Nodder", "The Code of the Mulliners", "The Smile That Wins", "Trouble down at Tudsleigh", "Tangled Hearts", "The Luck of the Stiffhams", "The Editor Regrets", "Big Business", and "Mulliner's Buck-U-Uppo". 6 DVDs, 628 min., fullscreen, English subtitles. Saint Barbara Ignatius Press PO Box 1339 Fort Collins, CO 80522 9781586178161 .95 [URL="http://www.ignatius.com"]www.ignatius.com[/URL] Saint Barbara: Convert and Martyr of the Early Church is movie on DVD about the inspirational life of Saint Barbara. In 303 A.D. Barbara was the pagan daughter of a Roman governor; she converted to Christianity, and spoke up for her fellow Christians. She was tortured and martyred for her faith, yet her serenity, compassion, and conviction are idolized to this day. Saint Barbara: Convert and Martyr of the Early Church recreates a Roman setting with a solid, historical understanding of the time period, though some fictional characters are interspersed with the historical characters in this dramatic tale of sacrifice and redemption. 100 min., English/Spanish subtitles, widescreen. Religious Mysteries, Volume One Ignatius Press PO Box 1339 Fort Collins, CO 80522 9781586178154 .95 [URL="http://www.ignatius.com"]www.ignatius.com[/URL] Religious Mysteries, Volume One is the beginning of a documentary DVD series examining mysteries about Catholic saints, apparitions, Popes, and sacred sites. Volume one has three fascinating featurettes: "The Secret of Bernadette", about Saint Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879) and her miraculous visions of the blessed Virgin Mary; "The Pope of Mercy", about Pope John Paul II and the Polish nun St. Faustina Kowalska, whose visions formed the foundation of the Divine Mercy devotion; and "The Lost Ark", about the legendary Ark of the Covenant, the Ethiopian claim to possess and cherish this sacred object, and testimony from an Italian architect who photographed it. Captivating photography blends with the soul-stirring narratives in this choice pick for Christian DVD collections.150 min. 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 Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (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
