These recommendations speak to books with strong reference or professional content and each have high value to both collegiate and public libraries alike.

West’s Paralegal Today. Roger Leroy Miller and Mary Meinzinger Urisko. Third Edition. Thomson/Delmar Learning. This is a comprehensive text which examines the role of the paralegal in the structure of the modern law office. Part one of the book is devoted to the “Paralegal Professional” and it explores the ethical and professional expectations which will be levied upon an individual entering this discipline of study. The way a law office works and perspective career opportunities are also explored in this initial segment of the text. Parts two and three provide an introduction to the court system, alternative dispute resolution and the basic systems of law, as well as outlining legal procedure and delineating the skills necessary for competency in this field. Miller and Urisko have simply done a magnificent job in putting this reference manual together: their writing is straight-forward and well-paced, and they use bullet-points and informational illustrations nicely as a means of breaking down data into digestible portions. More than anything, Miller and Urisko have given us a text that provides a detailed over-view of this aspect of the legal world: too many people seem to opting for paralegal study because it makes them “employable,” perhaps failing to realize the massive responsibility that comes with working in a law office. West’s Paralegal Today reminds us in no uncertain terms that this is very serious work indeed. An imperative manual for all college level libraries; useful to both the student/paralegal and the undergraduate in the Administration of Justice field. Also useful to Police Academy candidates who would benefit from the comprehensive chapters on legal procedure and general ethics.

Order from Amazon.com or go to www.westlegalstudies.com

Also of Note From Thomson Learning

Using Computers In The Law Office. Fourth Edition. Brent Roper. Indispensable text from Thomson/Delmar examines the uses of the computer in the law office. Roper, who posses a Juris Doctorate degree, presents detailed analysis on how the computer can be introduced into the legal community for billing, research, email and case management purposes. Inexplicably, many attorneys today still only use their computer systems as word processing tools, neglecting the many other ways these machines can reduce stress and save time in their offices. However, Brent Roper’s manual clearly demonstrates that the myriad technologies of the computer can easily be tweaked to fit the needs and structure of the American law office. Includes software with sample applications. Useful text for the third year law student; also useful for paralegals and legal secretaries whose roles are constantly expanding. Would be a great benefit to University libraries and to all law libraries in both academic and courthouse settings.

Introduction to Paralegal Studies (A Practical Approach). Linda L. Edwards, J.D. and J. Stanley Edwards, J.D.. This manual differs from West’s Paralegal Today in that it focuses less on legal theory and more on practical application. Meant for the beginning student, Paralegal Studies offers workbook like exercises in case preparation, research, trial preparation and legal procedure -- taking the perspective paralegal through each of these areas by having them complete the very tasks they are likely to encounter in the typical law office. Highly appropriate as a text for the undergraduate student (more a classroom tool for paralegals than general library reference).

HOW TO CHOOSE A MEDICAL SPECIALTY, 4th Edition. Anita D. Taylor. Saunders. Saunders, along with the rest of the Elsevier umbrella, are leaders in health and science publishing, providing useful tools for medical school professors and their students. The new edition of How To Choose a Medical Specialty continues this mission, offering insightful commentary for both medical and pre-medical students on how to choose a specialty area of study. In her comprehensive manual, Taylor shows the prospective doctor how to pair his abilities and interests with an area of specialty. As Taylor points out in her analysis, doctors should not disregard their personal interests and motivations when examining what medical specialty they will pursue. Instead, they should carefully explore themselves in relation to the practice of medicine to see just where they best fit. To this end, the book includes self-assessment questionnaires that will help students identify goals, abilities and temperament. “Summary Physician Profiles” are also noted, providing information for every specialty and sub-specialty approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties; this feature allows students to compare their questionnaire responses to those of practicing clinicians. This fourth edition of How To also presents the responses of fourth year medical students to a questionnaire on decision making, thus directing younger students through the perspectives of individuals who are still in pursuit of their degrees. All primary medical specialties are addressed, along with a chapter on emerging areas of study like Addiction Medicine and geriatric care. Includes much practical information, such as website addresses for different medical associations and economic projections in the field. With this handbook, Anita Taylor has artfully stripped away the hype from medical school and reduced the discipline to its essence: Do you belong in medical school? Do you have what it takes to serve your patients in a competent and useful way? Have you thought about who you are in relation to the rigorous practice of medicine? Are you in this for the money or because you care about people? Taylor’s book is vital to all young doctors and it would serve all medical schools well if How To Choose A Medical Specialty became required reading: This well-written text could help to keep many soon-to-be doctors from practicing in sub-specialties for which they are not well-suited. Recommended as University library reference; further useful to health and science journalists as a resource guide.

Order from Amazon.com or go to www.elesevier.com

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED. MIGRAINE AND OTHER HEADACHES. Andrew J. Dowson. Churchill Livingstone. Your Questions Answered is a fledgling series of handbooks published by Churchill Livingstone, offering clear, concise and thorough commentary on the diagnosis, treatment and management of a variety of illnesses. Your Questions Answered is a true breakthrough in health science publishing, for these are books that come with dual purpose -- meant for both the medical professional and the general reader alike. These books, written in an effortless question and answer format, educate by answering typical patient questions, reducing answers to the basics -- here, the point is to educate and not to lecture (similar to the Mayo Clinic’s Family Healthbook). Migraine, written by Andrew Dowson (director of the Headache Service at King’s Hospital in London), investigates the phenomenon of headaches and how they can be diagnosed and treated. Includes an extremely useful section that lists the contact information of various associations for the benefit of the headache suffer and his physician. Would be a useful addition to all high school, university and public libraries illuminating a condition that afflicts both the young and old throughout the world. Also recommended for pharmacies that sell reference manuals on health and fitness subjects. Others in the series include studies on hypertension, diabetes and allergy (to be examined in future editions of the Electric Review).

Order from Amazon.com; or go to www.yourquestionsanswered.co.uk