The Drillmaster of Valley Forge: The Barron De Steuben and the Making of the American Army, by Paul Lockhart (Collins, 2008, $27.95). The dramatic story of a forgotten founding father who taught the soldiers of the Continental Army how to fight like Europeans and whose principles guide the American armed forces to this day.

Remarkable Birds: 100 of the World’s Most Notable Birds, by Stephen Moss (Collins, 2008, $24.95). A visual celebration of favorite and notable birds—from albatrosses to wrens, hoopoes to hummingbirds, and cranes to warblers—compiled by a panel of noted birders, ornithologists, organizations and conservationists.

The Secret of the Great Pyramid: How One Man’s Obsession Led to the Solution of Ancient Egypt’s Greatest Mystery, by Bob Brier and Jean-Peirre Houdin (Collins, 2008, $24.95). How a forensic architectural investigation by an obsessed French architect led to the most exciting discovery in Egyptology in decades.

The Botanical Palette: Color for the Botanical Painter, by Margaret Stevens (Collins, 2008, $29.95). A practical and superbly illustrated book that demonstrates how to achieve the right colors in paintings of botanical subjects through step-by-step instruction from many of the world’s best botanical artists.

America’s Forested Wetlands: From Wasteland to Valued Resource, by Jefferey K. Stine (The Forest History Society, 2008, $8.95). A chronicle of the history of American attitudes and actions in regard to the transitional areas between dry land and open water, such as cypress swamps, marshes and bottomlands.

The Airplane: How Ideas Gave Us Wings, by Jay Spenser (Collins, 2008, $24.95). From wings and flight controls to fuselages and landing gear, the author examines the parts of the airplane to show how they came into being and have evolved over time.

Nature’s Blueprint: Supersymmetry and the Search for a Unified Theory of Matter and Force, by Dan Hooper (Collins, 2008, $24.95). An amusing and accessible book on a theory of physics that explains the forces and particles composing our universe.

Amor, Dolor y Lágrimas: Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2008, $15). Thirteen memorable música ranchera songs that reflect a rich rural Mexican tradition.

From Now On: Michael Doucet (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2008, $15). Nineteen tracks featuring the wide-ranging talents and instrumentation of Michael Doucet, the leader of the Grammy-winning group BeauSoleil.

The Sligo Indians (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2008, $15). The long-awaited solo debut of Tony DeMarco, a Brooklyn native of mixed Irish and Italian descent and one of America’s finest folk fiddlers.

Books listed on Pages 14 and 15 can be ordered through online book vendors or purchased in bookstores nationwide.

Recordings can be ordered from Smithsonian Folkways Mail Order, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings Dept. 0607, Washington, D.C. 20073-0607. To order by phone, call (800) 410-9815 or (202) 275-1143.