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Book Reviews of the Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 14, Number 4, 2007

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 14, Issue 4 (2007): 657–664

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Book Reviews 2007 657 657 Book Reviews of the Northeastern Naturalist, Issue 14/4, 2007 Green Republican. Thomas G. Smith. 2006. University of Pittsburg Press, Pittsburg, PA. 404 pp. $40, softcover. ISBN 0822942836. This book focuses on the life and work of John Saylor, Congressman from Pennsylvania (1949–1973), who, as a member of the Committee on Public Lands and senior Republican member of the House Interior and Insular Committee, successfully conserved many of the remaining primitive forests and rivers of America. Believing that the wilderness was a major factor in shaping the American character, Saylor worked tirelessly to preserve the traits he believed made Americans strong. Most of this wellresearched book focuses on the strategies, principles, and positions taken by Saylor and his protagonists during each of his many conservation campaigns, including his campaign to preserve the Grand Canyon and primitive Redwood Forests. Uncertainties, passions, and vicissitudes captured in excerpts from newspaper clippings, letters, and Saylor’s speeches from the House fl oor enliven each of these events. Both inspirational and practical, this book is a valuable resource for all who wish to continue the quest to conserve America’s wilderness. N.L. Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest: An Illustrated Guide to Their Identifi cation and Control. Elizabeth J. Czarapata. 2005. The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, WI. 215 pp. $26.95, softcover. ISBN 0299210545. While this guide was developed for the region from Minnesota to Missouri to Ohio, land managers and landowners throughout the northeast will also fi nd this current and informative text useful. The book begins with a discussion of why control of invasives is important and moves directly to a chapter on control techniques. The safe use of fi re, herbicides, grazing, pulling, and cutting are discussed. A large portion of the book covers identifi cation of individual species. Each account includes some history of the plant, its habitat, morphological characteristics including root system, and possible control methods. Photographs of the entire plant, its habitat, and characters important for identification are often included. A chapter devoted to native plants that sometimes need control is also helpful for gardeners. Several appendices provide sources of further information. A matrix of invasive plants summarizes information including control methods for each plant. An excellent resource. C.R. Colonial Botany: Science, Commerce, and Politics in the Early Modern World. Londa Schiebinger and Claudia Swan (Eds.). 2005. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, PA. 346 pp. $22.50, hardcover. ISBN 0812238273. A collection of academic research and essays on the cultural history of plants in the period of European global colonization (1550 to 1800). Emphasizes the relationships between plant collection, economics and politics, and the infl uence botany had on the economic and political spheres of the time, particularly with respect to land and natural resources. Discusses the early versions of bioprospecting, especially for medicinal plants. Scholarly, useful for the cultural historian. S.O’M. Technical Guide to Forest Wildlife Habitat Management in New England. Richard M. DeGraaf, Mariko Yamasaki, William B. Leak, and Anna M. Lester. 2007. University of Vermont Press, Burlington, VT. 305 pp. $35, softcover. ISBN 139781584655879. Wildlife species are suited to specifi c habitats, and as landuse patterns change, so too does species composition. This is particularly the case in New England, where over 350 years of human habitation has had a profound effect upon the landscape. This text is a professional guide for wildlife and landuse managers as they make decisions that 658 Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 14, No.4 encourage the growth or even just the survival of desired species of wildlife and their required habitats in this region. After an introduction describing forest types, fi ve succeeding chapters discuss wildlife habitats, inventory and prescription, habitat relationships, silvicultural methods, and nonforested habitats. Integral to the text are over 120 pages of species matrixes presenting summary information on the preferred habitat types for many of the amphibians, birds, and mammals found in New England. This is an extremely useful and practical book for students and professionals as they use forest management tools to promote and manage wildlife in New England. S.E. Forest Insect Sampling in Forest Ecosystems. Simon Leather (Ed.). 2005. Blackwell Science, Ltd., Malden, MA. 303 pp. $76.95, softcover. ISBN 0632053887. Addressing the needs of ecologists studying insects in temperate and tropical forests, this text brings together 10 papers dealing with specifi c sampling challenges. An introductory chapter on sampling theory and practice is followed by one on sampling insects from roots and one on pitfall trapping. Sampling understory vegetation and sampling insects from trees including shoots, stem, and trunks are all covered, as is sampling of canopy insects. Sampling insects in fl ight as well as those in water-fi lled tree holes are also addressed. Devices for sampling aquatic insects and sampling design are covered before a chapter devoted to sampling termites and another on sampling parasitoids and predators. Each paper includes extensive references, and a combined subject species index concludes the volume. This text is suitable for the advanced student, teacher, or researcher interested in forest insects. C.R. Theories for Everything. John Langone, Bruce Stutz, and Andrea Gionopoulos. 2006. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC. 407 pp. $40, hardcover. ISBN 9780792239123. This book reviews clusters of knowledge in the order of the intellectual effort exerted by theorists. Hence, the book begins with theories of the “heavens” (astronomy), followed by theories of matter and energy; the human body, matter and energy, life itself, earth and moon, and mind and behavior. Written in an engagingly conversational tone, the authors present all relevant theories, including theories proven false. Each theory is described in understandable and refreshingly transparent terms, with significant theories being explained in detail within chapter inserts. Anecdotes and biographical sketches of singularly important theorists enable readers to appreciate the human factor in theory development. As the sequence of theory development unfolds, the tentativeness of knowledge and the importance of having a “primed” mind is reinforced. As current theories are reviewed, inconsistencies in the data are presented, preparing readers for future developments. Humbling in its entirety, this beautifully illustrated and organized book is an excellent reference for readers with scientific interests and ability. N.L. Introduction to Population Ecology. Larry L. Rockwood. 2006. Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA. 339 pp. $47.95, ISBN 1405132639, paperback. Designed for population ecology majors, this book draws on Larry Rockwood’s 30 years of teaching and researching population ecology. Presented in readily comprehensible terms are the terminology, basic laws, and research utilized in this fi eld of science. Starting with single species population densities, Rockwood describes factors that modify their density- independent-and dependent growth as well as intraspecifi c competition. Gaining complexity, he then focuses on population regulation and introduces readers to metapopulation ecology and life-history strategies of single species populations. Book Reviews 2007 659 Refl ecting scientifi c advances, Rockwood also addresses concepts in interspecifi c interactions, mutualism, host-parasite interactions, predator-prey interactions, and plant-herbivore interactions. Each chapter states the learning objectives followed by a concise review of theory, seminal studies, case studies, illustrative graphs and charts, and a summative conclusion statement. If an ecological variable is described by predictive research, working mathematical and stochastic models are described, and a limited number of problems provided for practical application of these entities. Written clearly and succinctly for beginners in the fi eld, Rockwood’s exciting and well-presented book also has practical implications for policy makers, conservationists, wildlife managers, and stewards of the natural habitat. N.L. Shaping Science and Technology Policy. David H. Guston and Daniel Sarewitz (Eds.). 2006. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin. 370 pp. $45, softcover. ISBN 0299219100. An anthology of 16 peer-reviewed presentations competitively selected from the “Next Generation Policy Conference” offered by the National Science Foundation, this book considers the mutual interaction between policy and science/technology. Each set of presentations deals with abstract considerations to practical issues. For example, the fi rst set of presentations starts with a discussion of research ethics and then addresses such practical issues as intellectual property rights in universities, criteria for selecting recipients of Federal research and development funding, and spillover from the benefi ts of research by geographical region. Other sets of presentations address issues related to shaping science, shaping technology, and shaping daily life of our society. Each essay is engaging in its own right, but some are more memorable to the general reader than others. For example, the presentation describing the effects of societal ethos on generating policy regarding the design of advanced, technology-driven public transportation systems both enrages and enlightens. All presentations follow the same succinct format. Another appealing feature is the masterfully written conclusion accompanying each presentation. Sophisticated in intention and composition, some presentations require knowing the language of advanced statistics. The presentations involving interactions between research funding policy and science/technology are especially interesting. Totally absorbing, this innovative book is highly recommended reading for research faculty, graduate students, policy makers, elected representatives, and prepared citizens. N.L. Hormones and Animal Social Behavior. Elizabeth Adkins-Regan. 2005. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 411 pp. $45, ISBN 069109246X. Driven by an arduous passion for identifying hormonal substrate of behavior, Elizabeth Adkins-Regan conducts a comprehensive integrative review and analysis of research exploring these linkages among animals and occasionally plants. Following the four-prong biological research agenda set by Tinbergen (1963), she presents research related to causation, survival value, ontogeny, and evolution of permissive relationships between hormones and behavior. Explaining that hormones are now known to be secreted by many tissues—the biggest producer being the brain, the author presents electrifying research relating DNA, biochemical signaling mechanisms, the brain, and permissive behavior (i.e., approved by the brain) across species. Noting similarities and differences in important preservation and organizational behaviors among species, i.e., mating, parenting, etc., Adkins-Regan integrates hypotheses as she reviews the data. Emphasized are studying behaviors from the perspectives of trade-offs, costs, temporal rhythms, ecological imprints, 660 Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 14, No.4 and feasibility. Like many evolutionists, Adkins-Regan subscribes to the idea that behavioral evolution is related to small mutations in DNA and in regulatory biochemicals. She seems especially fond of the idea of studying the co-evolution of receptors and regulatory biochemicals in permissive behaviors. Designed for professional researchers and graduate students, the book offers stimulating dialogue and many ideas for generating new interdisciplinary knowledge. N.L. Fredrick Church. John K. Howat. 2005. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. 213 pp. $50, hardcover. ISBN 0300109881. This beautifully illustrated book describes not only the artwork of this Hudson River School master, but his life and varied interests as well. The 21 chapters are written in chronological order, many of them highlighting his international travels that ultimately resulted in a series of studies and paintings depicting a particular location. His thoughts, friendships, and important life events are described in the text as well as the reaction of the public to his works. Well written and superbly illustrated, this book will be appreciated by admirers of Church’s work and his role in the development of 20th century art. C.R. Edible Medicines: An Ethnopharmacology of Food. Nina L. Etkin. 2006. The University of Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ. 304 pp. $50, softcover. ISBN 0816520933. This book explores the evolution of plants endowed with medicinal properties and human consumption of these plants. Positing that plants develop chemicals (i.e., alleochemicals) to offset environmental challenges, the author suggests that these challenges account for the variety of alleochemicals of medicinal value found in plant species. With matching detail, the author explores the evolution of human social systems, models of health, pathology, and therapeutics and how these models effect edible medicine consumption. Mind-expanding and interesting, the conceptual framework created by the author is testable—affording researchers the opportunity to test relational, predictive, and prescriptive hypotheses regarding contextual plant-plant and plant-herbivore interactions. The book also provides a table of edible medicinal plants and suffi cient background for the general reader to make consumption choices. N.L. The Singing Life of Birds: The Art and Science of Listening to Birdsong. Donald Kroodsma. 2005. Houghton Miffl in Company, Boston, MA. 482 pp. $16.95, softcover, CD enclosed. ISBN 0618840761. Kroodsma uses the voices of thirty bird species to illustrate his and others’ studies of bird song. An introduction orients the reader to the sonograms provided in the text. The songs from which the sonograms are made can be found on the CD, and readers are encouraged to listen while looking at the sonograms in order to hear with their eyes. Kroodsma’s conversational writing often takes the form of a diary as he listens and observes his bird subjects. How bird songs develop is explored by investigating how birds learn, mimic, or are born with their songs. How and why songs vary geographically or the study of dialects is examined using the songs of Marsh Wren, Black-capped Chickadee, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Towhees and Tufted Titmouse. Birds without song, complex song, especially beautiful song, song on the wing and tireless song are all. The predawn song of the Eastern Wood Pewee, the Chipping Sparrow and the Brewer’s Sparrow are each examined for the special qualities of their early morning reverie. This is a very readable text packed with facts and observations that will encourage better listening and understanding. C.R. The Songs of Insects. Lang Elliott and Wil Hershberger. 2006. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA. 482 pp. $19.95, softcover, CD enclosed. ISBN Book Reviews 2007 661 7506186639. This beautifully illustrated text features 75 different crickets, katydids, locusts (grasshoppers), and cicadas found in eastern and central US. Each insect is photographed on natural vegetation as well as a white background at a scale that makes small details visible. A description of the species provides clues to identification and includes details about lifecycle and habitat. A sonogram is provided as well as a range map of all or part of the United States. Recordings of the songs of each of the 75 species can be heard on the CD preceded by their name. A brief introduction and a word about classifi cation are provided as well as a visual guide. A chapter on the biology of song discusses the how and why of insect song. A word about human perception of insect song and information about how to read the sonograms will help orient the reader. The authors also provide advice on collecting and keeping insects, and detail their techniques for photographing and recording them. Additional reading including websites are also listed. This is a very accessible text suitable for everyone intrigued by the sounds of summer. C.R. Mayfl ies. Ted Fauceglia. 2005. Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA. 196 pp. $49.95, hardcover. ISBN 0811701271. This book is mainly written for fl y fi shers, but will also be appreciated by naturalists seeking to understand the lifecycle of these intriguing creatures. Organized into 22 chapters, with each describing a single species or a group of related species. Scientifi c name and family are given for each as well as the period in which they are active on the stream surface. Beautiful color photos represent each species as nymph, dun, and spinner. Details regarding the timing and physical description of each stage are given for each species. Examples of fl y patterns for each stage are also pictured, and materials used in their creation are described in detail. A beautifully illustrated chapter depicting the various steps in metamorphosis from nymph to dun of the blue quill and from dun to spinner of the yellow drake really highlights the author’s ability to capture these creatures on fi lm. A brief bibliography is provided as well as an index to the fl y patterns. C.R. Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine. Steven Forster and Rebecca L. Johnson. 2006. National Geographic Books, Washington, DC. 416 pp. $40, hardcover. This reference covers 150 herbs commonly available as dietary supplements in the US and Europe. Many of these plants were used by traditional people from across the globe. Arranged alphabetically by common name, each plant profi le includes a color illustration of the plant and a color photograph. Latin name and family are listed with a description of the plant, its habitat, and parts used. Range maps accompany each. The text for each entry includes discussion of traditional and current medicinal uses, cultivation and preparation, and a section on research that describes recent scientifi c fi ndings regarding effi cacy. A sidebar provides interesting information about the plant regarding folklore, history, biology, etc. A cautionary statement is given for herbs that could cause problems for some users. Where to go for additional information on the plant is also provided. In addition to the plant profi les are a series of 9 essays that discuss the healing plants of the major regions of the world. A glossary, index to Latin names, and a section on additional reading are provided, is a subject index that is particularly useful for referencing the ailments discussed in the various plant profi les. C.R. Self-organization in Complex Ecosystems. Ricard V. Soléand and Lordi Bascompte. 2006. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 371 pp. $45, softcover. ISBN 0691070407. Using the tools of statistical physics, the authors introduce an array of techniques and theory for studying the complexity of nature using simple models that reveal 662 Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 14, No.4 patterns that capture how ecosystems work. Nonlinear ecological interactions reveal self-organized patterns that are useful for predicting thresholds and discontinuities. The authors begin with a discussion of complexity in ecological systems and complex systems theory, followed by a chapter on nonlinear dynamics that addresses population cycles, catastrophes and breakpoints, and chaos. The remaining chapters cover spatial selforganization, scaling and fractals, habitat loss and extinction thresholds, species networks, and complexity in macroevolution. Frequent fi gures help to illustrate key concepts. An extensive reference section and detailed index are provided. This text is suitable for advanced students and ecologists studying complex systems. C.R. Reenchantment Without Supernaturalism: A Process Philosophy of Religion. David Ray Griffi n. 2001. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY. 426 pp. $29.95, softcover. ISBN 0801486572. The belief “democracy is not supported by any moral values” has led to widespread disenchantment with religion. The author suggests with his title that reenchantment is possible even without the acceptance of a supernatural creator. Presenting the philosophy of religion based on the process philosophy developed by Alfred North Whitehead, Griffi n sets out 10 core doctrines in the introduction and then revisits these throughout the text. Topics covered in individual chapters include: integrating science and religion into a single worldview; the role of perception in religious experience; freedom in the mind-body relation; dipolar theism; natural theology; the relationship between evolution, evil and life after death; morality and civilization; language and truth; the relations among religions and their perspectives on creative experience and God; and religious knowledge and common sense. Griffi n includes an extensive list of references. This book will be enjoyed by folks who struggle to fi nd comfort with society, science, and religion. C.R. Resilience Thinking: Sustaining Ecosystems and People in a Changing World. Brian Walker and David Salt. 2006. Island Press, Washington, DC. 174 pp. $25, softcover. ISBN 1597260932. Using a series of case studies, the authors illustrate how our current approaches to sustainability are falling short. An essential part of this failing is how increased effi ciency and economic profi tability often lead to the complete destruction of a resource, leaving too little for the future. By illuminating these concepts, the authors hope to create a new way of thinking about resources and working with the natural resilience of our ecosystems. Case studies bring the reader to the Florida Everglades, a agricultural area of Australia, coral reefs of the Caribbean, and freshwater lakes of Wisconsin. References, glossary, and a list of further reading are provided. This book will captivate the minds of planners, students, scientists, and the general public. C.R. Foundations of Restoration Ecology. Donald A. Falk, Margaret A. Palmer, and Joy B. Zedler, editors. 2006. Island Press, Washington, DC. 364 pp. $45, softcover. ISBN 1597260177. This collection of papers begins with an introduction by the editors. The papers begin with restoration of populations and communities. Covered are population and ecological genetics, ecophysiological constrains on plants, population dynamics and metapopulation theory, and evolutionary restoration ecology. The second part covers restoration of ecosystem function and addresses topographic heterogeneity, food webs, multiple states and restoration trajectories, biodiversity, and modeling. The third provides a context to restoration ecology that includes discussion of invasive plants, statistical issues and study design, the macroscopic perspective, and climate change. The editors provide a synthesis to conclude the volume. This text is suitable for students and land managers concerned with restoration. C.R. Book Reviews 2007 663 Handbook of Capture-Recapture Analysis. Steven C. Amstrup, Trent L. McDonald, and Bryan F.J. Manly (Eds.). 2005. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 313 pp. $49.50, softcover. ISBN 139780691089676. The capture, tagging, and subsequent recapture of animals, birds, and fi sh is the fi eld biologists’ most important tool for enumerating and quantifying the status of wild populations. This mark-recapture data must be subjected to sophisticated statistical analyses back in the offi ce, and there can be a disconnect between those who do the fi eld work and those who do the analyses. This text, written by authors with expertise in the fi eld and in the offi ce, successfully bridges that gap. Classical and modern population modeling methods are discussed and illustrated with empirical examples. Some of the classical methods have been in use since 1802 and are still relevant today. Modern methods rely upon sophisticated computer modeling programs, but they can more accurately quantify populations that are in a state of change due to death, birth, and migration patterns. All are discussed here in a thorough but concise fashion, and this handbook will be immediately useful to ecologists, biologists, and statisticians. S.E. The Story of the Apple. Barrie E. Juniper and David J. Mabberley. 2006. Timber Press. Portland, Oregon. 219 pp. $29.95, hardcover. ISBN 9780881927849. The Story of the Apple is an engaging archeological narrative of the global dispersion and diversifi cation of apple species by animals, humans, and their interactions. Seeking to orient readers to their subject, Juniper and Mabberley fi rst clarify what apples are and how they can be classifi ed by time of maturity. Then, drawing upon inferences from the study of antique maps, historic art, ancient trade routes, glaciation patterns, and dialect linguistics, Juniper and Mabberley boldly hypothesize likely sites of origin, factors promoting variety, and forces propelling global dispersion of apples. Integrated within the discussion are charming myths and folklore related to apples. Especially memorable are the unusual ways in which ancient conquerors used the fruit. The authors are both respected scholars in botany. Juniper is an expert in interactions between people, their animals, and the evolution of crop plants, and Mabberley is profi cient in plant classifi cation as well as botanical history, art, and ecology. The meshing of their expertise is so artful that The Story of the Apple stands as an exemplar for collaborative studies in botany. The book also underscores ways in which anthropology, archaeology, and Classical history can create theory for applied science. The Story of the Apple is a book for botanists, researchers, educators, and apple enthusiasts. N.L. The Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss. Claire Nouvian (Ed.). 2006. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. 255 pp. $45, hardcover. ISBN 9780226595665. This book presents creatures living at mid-sea to ocean deep in all their gelatinous glory of color, lights, tendrils, and other adaptive appendages. More than a memory book of images of the deep, The Deep introduces the reader to research questions driving expert oceanographic researchers to exotic deep-sea locations. Each of the 20 authors describes environmental conditions in the research location, adaptations that facilitate life (i.e., feed, forage, mate, etc.) in the environment, as well as threats to life imposed by prey and human activity at mid-level to ocean surface. Sites of exploration include the seafl oor, mountain ranges, trenches, coral reefs, seamounts (extinct volcanoes), hydrothermal vents, methane seeps, polar depths, and midseas. Singled out for special consideration are: sharks of the dark, monsters of the deep, and the nocturnal ballet of deepsea creatures. These brief, informative essays are moving and thoughtful. Whether intended or not, these essays also suggest 664 Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 14, No.4 that life in many forms probably exist in other planetary bodies, including entities with methane atmospheres, and that human activity may be the greatest threat to survival of life in any form. A wonderful resource for almost any library, nature lover, and oceanographer, this book is a classic in the making. N.L. Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair. Thomas R. Biebighauser. 2007. The University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. 252 pp. $50, hardcover. ISBN 9780813124476. This analyses of wetlands management gives a historical overview of wetland drainage and destruction along with methods for wetland restoration. Detailed and practical instructions are given for restoring and creating wetlands, accompanied by many color photographs and case studies from the author’s experience with over 950 wetlands projects across North America. This format makes the text especially valuable to engineers, wildlife biologists, farmers, and contractors who may desire or be required by law to improve wildlife habitat by creating or restoring wetlands. An ending chapter provides advice on how to fund wetlands conservation projects. This one-of-a-kind how-to manual on wetland restoration is written in non-technical, accessible language and will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in wetlands restoration. S.E. Nymphs, Volume I: The Mayfl ies, the Major Species, and Volume II: Stonefl ies, Caddisfl ies, and Other Important Insects Including the Lesser Mayfl ies, Volume II. Ernest G. Schwiebert. 2007. The Lyons Press, Guilford, CT. 628 pp, 787 pp. $60 each, hardcover. ISBN 9781592284993, 9781599210988. This two-volume set was created for the serious angler. The fi rst hundred pages of Volume I contain the authors refl ections on his fascination with fi shing with nymphs, nymph-fi shing theory, the development of modern nymph fi shing, including early American studies and fi shing at mid-century, before delving into discussion of the genus ephemera. The author takes the reader through a description of each genus in a conversational manner that is both packed with technical information and quite understandable. Volume II starts right in with the stonefl ies, discussing fi shing in the west and the east in separate chapters. Thereafter they are ordered by season of emergence. He moves on to caddisfl ies, also organized by season. The lesser mayfl ies are next followed by miscellaneous orders. Each chapter in both volumes includes sidebars containing detailed characteristics for individual species. A limited number of color plates illustrate each volume with the authors colored pencil renderings. Notes conclude each volume followed by a bibliography and combined subject, person, and species index. Published posthumously. C.R. The Hidden Forest: A Biography of an Ecosystem. Jon R. Louma. 2006. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. 228 pp. $22.95, softcover. ISBN 087071094X. First published in 1999, this classic relates the story of a team of scientists working in the Andrews Experimental forest in Oregon since 1948. Louma presents the complexity of the ecological workings of this forest using their fi ndings. He follows individual scientists and their pursuits, their personalities, and their fi ndings while explaining the larger context of their work and its implication in a captivating style. Suitable for a general audience as well as undergraduates studying forestry, biology, or social sciences. A list of selected readings is provided. C.R. Book Reviewers: S.E. = Stephen Eddy, N.L. = Nancy Lovejoy, S.O’M. = Sarah O'Malley, C.R. = Cathy Rees.