Woodshop library

A REVOLUTION IN WOOD: THE BRESSLER COLLECTION by Nicholas R. Bell, celebrates the gift of 66 pieces of turned and carved wood to the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., by collectors Fleur and Charles Bresler.

Illustrated in lavish detail, works by these well-known wood artists highlight the growing sophistication of American craft's youngest medium and the expressive capacity of its most organic material, according to the publisher. A wide-ranging essay by Bell examines contemporary wood art's historical roots and its rapid growth since the 1970s. Particular attention is given to the medium's development outside the studio craft movement and how that dynamic has shaped the current field. Bell is curator of the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian. The 148-page hardcover sells for $45. Contact: Smithsonian Books, Capital Gallery, Suite 6001, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 513. Washington, DC 20013-7012.

SAFE BY ACCIDENT, by Judy Agnew and Aubrey Daniels, features a discussion by the authors about the solution to improving workplace safety, which they say lies not in the latest engineering, physics or chemistry advancements, but in the science of human behavior. Based on decades of research and work with many of the world's leading corporations, the authors reveal how many companies are "safe by accident" because they focus too heavily on lagging indicators, such as low incident rates. They identify what is missing in safety leadership and accountability and explore seven widespread safety practices that waste time and money, such as incentive programs, safety signage and punishment. The 172-page hardcover sells for $21.95. Visit: www.safebyaccident.com

This article originally appeared in the March 2011 issue.