For your reading pleasure...

The World of DieCutting by Rober Larson, 2009. When you pick up Mr. Larson's book, you are really getting two books in one.  The comprehensive nature of this book is not to be denied, it just may be however, you did not want two books.  Pages 1 through 32, coupled with pages 317 through 534, including an impressive 94 page glossary, could be described as a thorough handbook on diecutting, a 250 page handbook to be exact.  However, inserted within pages 33 through 316, or for 283 pages, is a section labeled "Part 2-History." Yes, this is the second book--a history of diecutting. So Mr. Larson's otherwise marvelous work gets 3 stars only due to organization and forcing you to buy two books when perhaps you would only want one.  ISBN 978-0-615-29914-3.  USD49.95.  Availalbe from Larson Worldwide, Inc. 95 Mount Blue Street, Norwell, MA 02061 USA (email: larson@dieco.com).

Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood and How it Changed America by John Barry In a sentence: How US Army Corps of Engineers mismanagement and southern intrigue created the greatest flood in US history. True story. Available at amazon.com

The Unwanted Sound of Everything We Want: A Book About Noise by Garret Keizer In a sentence: Most of today's noise is caused by our use of fossil fuels. Very interesting. Available at amazon.com

The Man Who Never Was by Ewen Montagu Old but superb book about one of the most important acts of misinformation in World War II. Short, excellent read. Available at amazon.com

What Clients Love by Harry Beckwith Beckwith has written several sales and marketing books that are superb; not your usual sales blather. Available at amazon.com

How Capitalism Will Save Us: Why Free People and Free Markets Are the Best Answer in Today's Economy by Steve Forbes and Elizabeth Ames Available everywhere.

Team of Rivals, the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin It may seem strange to have a "popular" book here, but this is one of the best books on management (by example) I have ever read. It is also a very well researched book, assembled in a remarkable manner. It is five stars for sure. Available everywhere.

Chemical Additives for the Pulp and Paper Industry by Professor Stephan Kleeman, Ph.D. et al. You can order it here.

Films...

The Great Global Warming Swindle (1:15:56)  Three stars for a shortage of rigorous references. Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace, and others speak on the subject. Produced by Martin Durkin in Britain and originally presented on UK's Channel 4 in 2007.  For some counter arguments to this specific film see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Global_Warming_Swindle. We want to thank Bob Hurter for bringing this to our attention.

Executive Suite (1:44)  This 1954 Academy Award nominee is as modern today as it was then.  Upon the death of the CEO, several executives tangle for the top job.  The controller thinks he is a shoo-in, but he has some things to learn.  A stellar cast: William Holden, June Allyson, Barbara Stanwyck, Fredric March, Walter Pidgeon, Shelley Winters, Paul Douglas, and many more. It should be required viewing for every paper industry executive.

If you have a new work you would like rated and featured, please email jthompson@taii.com for information.