New Releases by Ron Barrett

Three singing cats go from the back alley to super stardom in this companion to Cats Got Talent, from the bestselling illustrator of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Once upon a fence there was a trio of cats: Hal, Dora, and Geneva. And nothing made them happier than singing together—because these Cats Got Talent! When Lekvar Smirk heard their meowing melody, however, he had a plan. It wasn’t a very nice plan. He wanted to take the cats to audition for Animal Idol—and then keep the prize for himself! But the cats have other ideas…

Three crooning kitties launch their singing careers in this adorably entertaining back-alley romp from bestselling illustrator of Superhero Joe and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Three abandoned cats—Dora, Geneva, and Hal—find themselves in the big city. Dora thinks mostly about her wardrobe. Geneva was a pampered pet but now she is on her own, looking for love. Hal is nothing but trouble. He never saw anything he didn’t wan to get his claws into. These three meet and decide to achieve their dreams by finding fortune as a rock band. Can they possibly succeed? The answer depends on whom you ask.

This book traces the social and environmental determinants of human infectious diseases from the Neolithic to the present day. Despite recent high profile discoveries of new pathogens, the major determinants of these emerging infections are ancient and recurring. These include changing modes of subsistence, shifting populations, environmental disruptions, and social inequalities. The recent labeling of the term "re-emerging infections" reflects a re-emergence, not so much of the diseases themselves, but rather a re-emerging awareness in affluent societies of long-standing problems that were previously ignored. An Unnatural History of Emerging Infections illustrates these recurring problems and determinants through an examination of three major epidemiological transitions. The First Transition occurred with the Agricultural Revolution beginning 10,000 years ago, bringing a rise in acute infections as the main cause of human mortality. The Second Transition first began with the Industrial Revolution; it saw a decline in infectious disease mortality and an increase in chronic diseases among wealthier nations, but less so in poorer societies. These culminated in today''s "worst of both worlds syndrome" in which globalization has combined with the challenges of the First and Second Transitions to produce a Third Transition, characterized by a confluence of acute and chronic disease patterns within a single global disease ecology. This accessible text is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate level students and researchers in the fields of epidemiology, disease ecology, anthropology, health sciences, and the history of medicine. It will also be of relevance and use to undergraduate students interested in the history and social dynamics of infectious diseases.

This collection of 49 readings with extensive background description exposes students to the breadth of theoretical perspectives and issues in the field of medical anthropology. The text provides specific examples and case studies of research as it is applied to a range of health settings: from cross-cultural clinical encounters to cultural analysis of new biomedical technologies to the implementation of programs in global health settings.

Pictures of animals wearing clothes show why this would be a ridiculous custom for them to adopt.

Kenneth Starr would love to have it. Now it''s yours--for just $7.95. Everybody has his secrets, but our president has a few more than most. Now, newly unearthed--and re-created here in its entirety--is Bill Clinton''s private little black book. They''re all here: Gennifer, Paula, Monica--and many more you haven''t heard about. Yet. From the Oval Office to your home: a completely fabricated, meticulous reproduction--including the president''s private entries, jottings, and doodles. Finally, we can all see what is going on in the mind of the leader of the free world: He only wants one thing--and it''s not a balanced budget.

A parody of the way things really work.

Who doesn''t love the holidays . . . that magical time of year when you spend nine hours looking for the burned out bulb on the Christmas tree lights . . . when It''s a Wonderful Life is playing on every channel. Finally, here is the look-no-further Christmas gift for all the curmudgeons out there who--to say the least--have mixed feelings about the holidays. 50 four-color illustrations.

Provides instructions in the acquistion, care, and feeding of weird pets such as dinosaurs, bacteria, clothes, moths, and imaginary dogs.

Depicts the inconveniences animals would be burdened with if they behaved like people.

Relates how a ranch for dogs, complete with dogboys and doggirls, became a place to raise cows.

Presents a humorous gardening column, advice column, horoscope, news items, and editorials in a newspaper format.

Pictures of animals wearing clothes show why this would be a ridiculous custom for them to adopt.