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Ghost Notes: Pioneering Spirits of Texas Music. Michael Corcoran and Tim Kerr

“Ghost notes” is a musical term for sounds barely audible, a wisp lingering around the beat, yet somehow driving the groove.  The Texas musicians profiled here, ranging from 1920s gospel performers to the first psychedelic band, are generally not well known, but the impact of their early contributions on popular music is unmistakable.  This beautiful Tim Kerr-illustrated collection provides more background on the Texas from which these artists sprang, fully formed.  Readers will learn about the black gay couple from Houston who inspired the creation of rock ’n’ roll, as well as the true story of the origin of Western Swing.  They will learn about “the first family of Texas music” and the birth of boogie-woogie, the dirt-poor singers and the ballad collectors who saved folk songs during the Depression, and the accordeonista whose musical legacy was never contained on recordings but was passed on by his protégé.  The pioneers of modern times include the Dallas rapper who became the wordsmith of gangsta rap, the sheriff’s son from Dumas who produced the signature tunes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and the blind lounge singer Kenny Rogers called the greatest musician he’s ever known.

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man. Emmanuel Acho

“You cannot fix a problem you do not know you have.”  So begins Emmanuel Acho in his essential guide to the truths Americans need to know to address the systemic racism that has recently electrified protests in all fifty states.  “There is a fix,” Acho says. “But in order to access it, we’re going to have to have some uncomfortable conversations.”  In Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, Acho takes on all the questions, large and small, insensitive and taboo, many white Americans are afraid to ask ― yet which all Americans need the answers to, now more than ever.  With the same open-hearted generosity that has made his video series a phenomenon, Acho explains the vital core of such fraught concepts as white privilege, cultural appropriation, and “reverse racism.”  In his own words, he provides a space of compassion and understanding in a discussion that can lack both. He asks only for the reader’s curiosity―but along the way, he will galvanize all of us to join the antiracist fight.

Farm and Workshop Welding: Everything You Need to Know to Weld, Cut, and Shape Metal, Over 400 Step-by-Step Photos to Help You Learn Hands-On Welding and Avoid Common Mistakes. Andrew Pearce

Almost anyone can learn to weld, cut or shape metal. That's the starting point for this supremely practical, comprehensive handbook which, through tips, suggestions and fault finding, helps the beginner to improve and the intermediate operator to broaden his or her technique.  Author Andrew Pearce lays out pitfalls and common mistakes section by section, and then offers constructive advice to help you to avoid or correct them.  Hundreds of step-by-step photographs illustrate welding processes and show the differences between good welds and bad welds.  Clear, concise, easy-to-understand text takes any confusion or frustration out of learning the processes.

Inside you'll find practical instructions for Cast Iron Welding, Pipe Welding, Hardfacing, Soldering, Welding Plastics, Metal Identification, Welding Safety, Workshop Techniques, Drill Sharpening, Taps and Dies, and Basic Blacksmithing.

Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes. Elizabeth Zimmerman

Do you love to knit—and hate to purl?  Have you ever started a sweater without enough yarn from the same dye lot to finish it?  When you cast on, do you end up with a tail of yarn that’s maddeningly too long or too short?  Elizabeth Zimmermann comes to the rescue with clever solutions to frustrating problems and step-by-step instructions for brilliant, timeless designs.  This classic and influential book is poised to inspire a whole new generation of knitters who have yet to discover the joys and comforts of knitting.  As the lady herself once put it, “properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either.”

How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical Systems. Tracy Martin

Automotive electrical systems can seem a mystery, if not a black art, to the weekend mechanic and even to a number of experienced pros.  From Ohm’s Law and an explanation of 12-volt systems to specific electrical scenarios and more, Martin thoroughly dissects the automotive electrical system and explains the various tools needed for diagnoses and repairs, such as multimeters, voltmeters, timing lights, coil testers, lab scopes, and more.  Also explained are Storage batteries, Charging and starting systems, Ignition systems, Fuel injection, Reading wiring diagrams, and Troubleshooting.  When it comes automotive electrics, readers need never fear being lost in lost in the dark again.  Whether you have a bad ground, an amp draw, or some other gremlin, How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical Systems is the best tool available for understanding and diagnosing electrical problems.