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HROUGHOUT history terrorism always ends, but how? Today it flourishes as never before because a new global environment offers our enemies opportunities they never had. Audrey Kurth Cronin in How Terrorism Ends argues that democratized communications (read, Twitter), an increase in public access (Web sites), a sharp reduction in cost (use your target’s own weapons, such as their airplanes to destroy their buildings), a growth in frequency of messages (cellphones), and an exploitation of images (videos) "presents groups like al-Qaeda an enhanced opportunity to leverage the effects of terrorist attacks in a way that is unprecedented."

With Cronin’s creds, it’s worth studying her analysis. She is professor of strategy at the U.S. National War College in Washington, DC, and senior associate in the Changing Character of War program at Oxford. Princeton University Press, 330 pages, $29.95 Amazon.com Price: $21.56)

Page Turners

}Digital Landscape Photography is a wonderful book to keep and enjoy. Even after having mastered the tips and lessons of shooting nature, you’ll want to have this book permanently on your bookshelf to study the awe-inspiring pictures by the authors. The professional photography team of John and Barbara Gerlach live in the picturesque mountains of Idaho near Yellowstone National Park. John swears by Canon, while Barbara is loyal to Nikon, the two systems they tout as superb, although they encourage you to use whatever DSLR professional-level equipment you already own. You will learn many fascinating things about creating eye pleasing pictures of quality. A quality landscape image, they write, "must be well exposed so that color, detail, and contrast make the image appealing…illuminated by an attractive and complimentary light." And they must be sharp. Take it from the Gerlachs. They know how to help you. With three decades of photographing landscapes, they’ve been teaching students with field trips, seminars and photo tours. Focal Press/Elsevier, soft cover, 199 pages, $24.95 Amazon.com Price: $16.47)

}The Photoshop Darkroom is a super friendly instructional manual for creative digital post-processing. Harold and Phyllis Davis’ book is loaded with countless illustrations giving step by step directions on how to work in RAW, make sense of histograms (I’m still struggling with that), creating stunning black and white images, mastering layers, combining photos, and everything else you want to do with Photoshop darkroom workflow. The fundamental techniques the authors impart are applicable to almost every version of Photoshop. Focal Press/Elsevier, soft cover, 208 pages, $39.95 Amazon.com Price: $26.37)

}Mastering the Nikon D90 is an excellent release, the fourth in a series of camera books from the Nikonians Press, a worldwide organization that caters to Nikon community of digital photographers. The D-90, an upgrade to the D80, is the first DSLR to record high-definition videos at 24fps with mono sound. Information technology engineer Darrell Young dedicates an entire chapter to the possibilities. This is the book you need to get if you want information in a friendlier manner than the Nikon user’s manual presents, which I find sometimes a bit academic. Rocky Nook, 352 pages, $34.95 Amazon.com Price: $23.07)

}Hellraisers describes four inebriated British film stars whom Robert Sellers, a former standup comedian, profiles in this eye-opener of a book. All four—Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Peter O’Toole, Oliver Reed—distinguished themselves on screen and the barroom floor. They delighted in raising hell with their constant bouts with the bottle. Harris loved the excitement of his drinking days. "Life is made from memories, which is a pity as I don’t remember much," Harris said. St., Martin’s Press, 286 pages, $25.99 Amazon.com Price: $17.15)

}Rogov’s Guide to Israeli Wines 2010 describes, sorts and ranks about 2,000 wines from 140 vineries. Who knew Israel has become one of the fastest growing wine regions in the world? Wine/restaurant critic Daniel Rogov of Ha’aretz starts out with a history of wine in ancient and modern history. He explains what makes an Israeli wine kosher and points out that not all Israeli wines are kosher. Okay, let’s get to the Ten Best list. No. One on the Ten Best Wine Producers is Golan Heights Winery (Katzrin, Yarden, Gamla). Topping the Ten Up-and-Coming Producers we find Binyamina. Galil Mountain reigns as best of the Ten Best Value Producers. Toby Press, 485 pages, $19.95 Amazon.com Price: $14.36). Rogov’s Guide to Kosher Wines 2020 goes beyond Israel. It’s a comprehensive examination of kosher wines from around the world. Particularly useful are the chapters on what makes a wine kosher, hosting a tasting party and how to open a bottle of sparkling wine. Toby Press, 145 pages, $19.95.

}The Illustrated Torah is an abridged Hebrew Bible that will appeal to non-Jews and available at select Cosco stores in New Jersey, Virginia, Florida and California. The volume consists of excerpts from the 52 weekly Torah portions (sidrot) and the prophetic readings (haftarot), enehanced with a brief summary by Dr. Ellen Frankel, editor in chief of the Jewish Publication Society. Israeli artist Michal Meron illustrates every page in the naïve style, similar to traditional American folk art. Gefen, 248 pages, Amazon.com Price: $60.00)

}The Commentators’ Bible: The JPS Miqra’ot Gedolot is the English version of a centuries-old volume of rabbinical commentaries and explanations of the Torah. The collection includes translations of such rabbinical masters as Rashi, Rashbam, Ibn Ezra and Nahmanides. Included also are selections from Bekhor Shor, Kimhi, Gresonides, Abarbanel and Sforno. A truly awesome text of Torah study. So far two volumes have been published: Exodus in 2005, and Leviticus in 2009. Jewish Publication Society, $75 per volume., $29.95 Amazon.com Price: $47.25)