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NLS: That All May Read

Cassette Books, 2005

This catalog lists adult cassette books produced by NLS during. Books are listed alphabetically within subject categories under nonfiction and fiction headings. Some books may appear in more than one subject category. For instance, a book of science fiction short stories would be found in both "science fiction" and "short stories."

For the information of the reader, a notice may appear immediately following the book description listing strong language, explicit descriptions of sex, or violence. The word "some" before any of these terms indicates an infrequent occurrence, as in "some strong language."

Separate sections list books for young adults and books in Spanish under nonfiction and fiction headings. An index to bestsellers is located after the Spanish entries.

Adult Nonfiction

Adventure

Abandoned: The Story of the Greely Arctic Expedition, 1881–1884 RC 57771
by A.L. Todd
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
3 cassettes
Based on Greely family papers, an account of the American expedition, led by then-lieutenant Adolphus Greely, that set off in 1881 to explore islands off the Greenland coast. Describes official bungling and mischance that led to the stranding of the party of twenty-five men, including two Eskimo hunters. 1961.

Among Stone Giants: The Life of Katherine Routledge and Her Remarkable Expedition to Easter Island RC 57458
by Jo Anne Van Tilburg
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Archaeologist chronicles the life and work of English explorer Katherine Routledge (1866–1935), reconstructing her early rebellion against Victorian constraints, the pioneering 1913 expedition, and her struggles with mental illness. Highlights her contributions to the study of the island’s enormous stone heads and other remnants of a civilization. 2003.

The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty RC 57656
by Caroline Alexander
read by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
Drawing on diaries, correspondence, news items, and other primary source material, Alexander casts a new light on events surrounding the mutineers’ seizure of the Bounty in 1789. Alexander examines the actions and motivations of the central characters, as well as Tahitian seductions and political intrigues, concluding that Captain Bligh was unjustly maligned. 2003.

An Ocean to Cross: Daring the Atlantic, Claiming a New Life RC 58390
by Liz Fordred
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
Account of a resourceful paraplegic couple who built a boat in landlocked Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and sailed from South Africa to the Americas in 1981. Fordred describes how she and her husband, Pete, overcame formidable obstacles in constructing the Usikusiku to accommodate their handicaps. Details their remarkable journey to gain independence and a new life. 2001.

Quest for Adventure: Ultimate Feats of Modern Exploration RC 58563
by Chris Bonington
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Chronicles fifty years of pioneering "firsts" by land, sea, and air. Seventeen stories of perseverance include the first ascent of Mount Everest, the crossing of both poles, and two first circumnavigations of the earth: one nonstop by balloon, the other solo by sailboat. 2000.

Samurai William: The Englishman Who Opened Japan RC 57385
by Giles Milton
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
The author of Nathaniel’s Nutmeg (RC 50638) chronicles the adventures of English mariner William Adams, who was marooned in Japan in 1600. Adams is taken under the tutelage of the shogun, learns the language and customs, and opens trade between the two civilizations. 2002.

The Sea Hunters II RC 57292
by Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo
read by Bob Askey
3 cassettes
In this sequel to The Sea Hunters (RC 43934), the author and his colleagues from the National Underwater and Marine Agency, a nonprofit group that searches for shipwrecks of historical significance, continue their adventures. Among the wrecks they seek are French explorer La Salle’s flagship, Civil War ironclads, and PT-109. 2002.

The Secret Life of Cowboys RC 58774
by Tom Groneberg
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
A young college graduate relates how, with his new wife, he rejects an urban lifestyle to become a cowboy. Describes beginning as a Colorado trail guide then settling on a small Montana ranch. He recounts his growth and discovery in the beautiful but brutal Western wilderness. 2003.

Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II RC 58650
by Robert Kurson
read by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
Journalist chronicles scuba divers John Chatterton’s and Richie Kohler’s 1991 discovery of a sunken World War II German U-boat off the New Jersey coast. Describes their perilous six-year search in the 230-foot-deep sunken wreck for clues to identify the submarine and its crew. Strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Survive the Savage Sea RC 58667
by Dougal Robertson
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Author relates his family’s nightmare of trying to survive after killer whales attacked and sank their forty-three-foot schooner Lucette in the Pacific Ocean. Robertson’s daily account describes their thirty-eight-day struggle against thirst, starvation, and exhaustion before being rescued by Japanese fishermen. 1973.

Touching the Void RC 57755
by Joe Simpson
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Mountain climber recounts his harrowing 1985 survival story of plunging off an Andean ice ledge, forcing his partner, Simon Yates, to cut the rope binding them. Describes Simpson’s grueling descent with a broken leg and Yates’s emotional turmoil believing his friend to be dead. Some strong language. Bestseller. 1988.

The Way of a Ship: A Square-Rigger Voyage in the Last Days of Sail RC 58702
by Derek Lundy
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
The author of Godforsaken Sea (RC 50690) recreates the adventures of his great-great-uncle Benjamin Lundy, a Cape Horn seaman during the 1880s. Derek Lundy portrays the challenges and perils Benjamin and the crew most likely faced while learning firsthand the "eternal lessons of the sea." 2002.

The Worst Journey in the World RC 58594
by Apsley Cherry-Garrard
read by David Cutler
5 cassettes
Epic tale of two-and-a-half years of exploration and survival in Antarctica as recounted by the youngest member of Scott’s last expedition to the South Pole. Describes the difficult crossing of the Beardmore Glacier, Cherry-Garrard’s scientific mission to obtain emperor penguin eggs, and his discovery of Scott’s body. 1922.

Animals and Wildlife

The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race against an Epidemic RC 58310
by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Chronicles the valiant efforts of a dogsled relay to bring serum to ice-bound Nome, Alaska, when a deadly diphtheria outbreak put Eskimo natives and especially their children at risk in 1925. Blends Alaska’s early history with portraits of courageous team leaders and their dogs—including the famous Balto—who trekked 674 miles across frozen terrain. 2003.

Dog Is My Co-Pilot: Great Writers on the World’s Oldest Friendship RC 57155
by editors of The Bark read by Barbara Caruso
3 cassettes
Anthology of essays, short stories, and expert commentaries celebrating the unique bond between humans and their dogs. Over forty selections chosen by the editors of a California-based dog magazine pay tribute to the very first meeting between man and animal, pack dynamics, canine wisdom, and the poignancy of friendship and loss. 2003.

The Hidden Powers of Animals: Uncovering the Secrets of Nature RC 58120
by Karl P.N. Shuker
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Explains wild and domestic animal behavior via scientific research on psychic pets, whale strandings, fainting goats, talking apes, homing horses, and waltzing worms, among other species. For senior high and older readers. 2001.

Keep Chickens! Tending Small Flocks in Cities, Suburbs, and Other Small Spaces RC 57434
by Barbara Kilarski
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
A collection of frequently asked questions for city slickers who want to raise poultry. Coop construction, hen selection and care, egg laying and gathering (one doesn’t need a rooster to get eggs), and chicken health are among the tips for the urban breeder. Includes recipes. 2003.

Arts

The Arts RC 58659
by Hendrik Willem Van Loon
read by Janis Gray
6 cassettes (Reissue)
A cultural survey of painting, sculpture, architecture, music, theatre, and many minor arts from prehistory to the twentieth century by the author of Van Loon’s Lives (RC 55071). Covers creative expression in ancient Egypt and Greece, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. Revised and updated 1974. 1937.

Goya RC 58883
by Robert Hughes
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Interpretive biography of Spanish artist Francisco Goya (1746–1828) by Time magazine art critic and author of Culture of Complaint (RC 36854). Chronicles Goya’s development as a man and artist, offering critical analyses of his work, social milieu, professional influences, and dominant events like the Inquisition. 2003.

Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament RC 56789
by Kay Redfield Jamison
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
A professor of psychiatry examines the relationship between mood disorders and artistic creativity. Discusses manic-depression, autobiographical material, family history, biological research, and artistic endeavor to explore their links. Examines these connections in the lives of writers and artists, focusing on Lord Byron as a prime example. 1993.

Astronomy

The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality RC 57798
by Brian Greene
read by Butch Hoover
5 cassettes
Physicist and author of The Elegant Universe (RC 48203) examines three hundred years of scientific investigation into the basic but enigmatic concepts of space, time, and reality. Provides background information on relativity and quantum mechanics before exploring topics like Bell’s theorem, accelerated expansion, man-made black holes, and more. Bestseller. 2004.

For Spacious Skies: The Uncommon Journey of a Mercury Astronaut RC 57329
by Scott Carpenter and Kris Stoever
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Autobiography of one of the seven Project Mercury astronauts. Carpenter revisits his childhood, Naval aviation training, and selection to NASA’s landmark program. He details his 1962 three-orbit mission aboard Aurora 7 and his reactions that averted disaster upon reentry. Cowritten with his daughter. 2002.

Hubble: The Mirror on the Universe RC 58020
by Robin Kerrod
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Astronomer explores the nature and evolution of the universe based on the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope launched in 1990. Describes the structure of galaxies, the life cycles of stars, and the planets in Earth’s solar system. Includes background information on the Hubble project. 2003.

Lost in Space: The Fall of NASA and the Dream of a New Space Age RC 58278
by Greg Klerkx
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Former senior manager of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute laments diminished expectations of space exploration. In reexamining NASA’s history, Klerkx criticizes the agency’s political and bureaucratic infighting, self-interest, and misguided focus on the space shuttle and International Space Station. Contends that commercialization would revive popular interest. 2004.

Mapping Mars: Science, Imagination, and the Birth of a World RC 57657
by Oliver Morton
read by Lewis Grenville
3 cassettes
Explores the telecommunications technology, scientists, and artists behind the mapping of the Martian landscape—once left to the imaginations of science fiction writers. Morton chronicles nineteenth-century observations and twentieth-century space expeditions to survey and understand the mountains, canyons, and missing waters of the Red Planet. 2002.

The Mercury Thirteen: The Untold Story of Thirteen American Women and the Dream of Space Flight RC 57609
by Martha Ackmann
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
Professor relates the experiences of thirteen female pilots who underwent secret testing for potential inclusion in the U.S. space program during the 1960s. Using historical research and firsthand interviews, Ackmann follows Jerrie Cobb, Wally Funk, and others through the selection process, barrage of trials, and battle against gender discrimination. 2003.

Mission Jupiter: The Spectacular Journey of the Galileo Spacecraft RC 57435
by Daniel Fischer
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Award-winning German columnist describes the landmark discoveries of NASA’s Galileo space probe, which reached Jupiter—after passing by Venus and two asteroids—in December 1995, more than six years after liftoff. Fischer provides mission history and specifications, focusing on what the project data revealed about the planet’s moons and atmosphere. 1998.

The Moonlandings: An Eyewitness Account RC 58578
by Reginald Turnill
read by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
Memoir by award-winning British journalist chronicles the U.S. space program from projects Mercury to Apollo. Author’s firsthand account draws on unparalleled access to politicians, scientists, technicians, and early astronauts like Alan Shepard, John Glenn, and Neil Armstrong who pioneered techniques that made moon landings possible. Foreword by Buzz Aldrin. 2003.

The Orion Nebula: Where Stars Are Born RC 57523
by C. Robert O’Dell
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Former project scientist for the Hubble space telescope chronicles the technology providing better observation of Earth’s nearest nebula, a stellar nursery of collapsing gas and dust from which stars and planets are born. Discusses contributions of seventeenth to twentieth-century astronomers to modern understanding of stars and the nature of the universe. 2003.

Seeing in the Dark: How Backyard Stargazers Are Probing Deep Space and Guarding Earth from Interplanetary Peril RC 57262
by Timothy Ferris
read by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
Science writer, inspired by a lifetime of stargazing, chronicles the professional-level contributions of amateur astronomers. Emphasizes their vital role in watching the skies for Near Earth Objects, and explains how advances in technology have made astronomy an accessible hobby. Includes charts, observation guides, and tips for the novice. 2002.

Biography

Athénaïs: The Life of Louis XIV’s Mistress, the Real Queen of France RC 57243
by Lisa Hilton
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Biography of Athénaïs de Montespan (1640–1707), the longtime mistress of Louis XIV. Discusses her early life, her prominent role as the Sun King’s paramour, their children, her influence on the culture of the French court, and the bizarre Affair of the Poisons which led to her downfall. 2002.

Big Russ and Me: Father and Son; Lessons of Life RC 58298
by Tim Russert
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Television journalist’s memoir celebrating his bond with his father, "Big Russ," a WWII veteran whom Russert calls "endlessly hardworking and eternally optimistic." Author recollects his own 1950s Buffalo childhood in a close-knit Irish Catholic neighborhood and recalls teachers who inspired him throughout his life. Bestseller. 2004.

The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup: My Encounters with Extraordinary People RC 57670
by Susan Orlean
read by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Collection of over twenty profiles by New Yorker writer, author of The Orchid Thief (RC 48462), of people who captured her interest throughout her career. Subjects range from the well-known, among them designer Bill Blass, to the unknown—for example, a typical ten-year-old boy—and many in between, even Spain’s first female matador. 2001.

Burnt Bread and Chutney: Growing Up between Cultures; a Memoir of an Indian Jewish Girl RC 58131
by Carmit Delman
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Reminiscences of Delman’s childhood in Ohio, New York, and Israel, flavored with her mother’s Bombay Jewish heritage and her American father’s Ashkenazi Jewish background. Compares tastes and traditions and relates matriarch Nana-bai’s India memories. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2002.

Dry RC 58160
by Augusten Burroughs
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Author continues his memoir begun in Running with Scissors (RC 54817), describing how his alcoholism interfered with work and landed him in a rehab center for gays. He then recalls his return to the Manhattan streets, where he battled cravings and personal demons. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2003.

The Education of Little Tree RC 58621
by Forrest Carter
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Memoir of an orphaned boy who was raised in a log cabin by his Cherokee grandparents in Tennessee during the Great Depression. Some strong language. 1976.

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna RC 57478
by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton
read by Frank Coffee
1 cassette
Virginia teacher recounts his childhood as a member of a nomadic tribe in northern Kenya. Describes running from lions, tending cattle, being circumcised at thirteen to become a"warrior," attending boarding school, searching for his wandering village during vacations, and leaving home to study in the United States. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America RC 58685
by Firoozeh Dumas
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
Author recollects her family’s adjustment to American culture after moving from Iran to California in 1972 when she was seven. In a series of vignettes, Firoozeh describes her father’s amusing attempts to assimilate, her uncle’s penchant for fast food, and their experiences during the Iranian Revolution. 2003.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings RC 57200
by Maya Angelou
read by Andrea Frierson-Toney
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Memoir by well-known African American poet and college professor Maya Angelou. She describes her childhood and adolescent years in rural Arkansas, in St. Louis, and in San Francisco, and the racial and gender hardships she endured. 1969.

Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi RC 58613
by Katherine Frank
read by Anne Flosnik
5 cassettes
Biography of India’s first woman prime minister. Discusses Indira Gandhi’s (1917–1984) sad childhood and her reluctance to enter politics even though her father was former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Portrays the woman who sublimated her personal inclinations to serve her country and was assassinated by her own bodyguards. 2002.

Isadora: A Sensational Life RC 56529
by Peter Kurth
read by Celeste Lawson
5 cassettes
Details the life, loves, and bizarre death of Isadora Duncan (1877–1927), muse, educator, feminist, and pioneer of modern dance. Set against the backdrop of Europe and America in the early twentieth century, this chronicle draws from major international archival sources, including private collections and unpublished manuscripts. 2001.

L. Frank Baum: Creator of Oz RC 58766
by Katharine M. Rogers
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
Biography of celebrated children’s author Lyman Frank Baum (1856–1919). Rogers discusses Baum’s myriad occupations preceding his career as the successful author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (RC 51047). Considers how Baum’s interest in theosophy and his support of feminism influenced his life and work. 2002.

Living to Tell the Tale RC 57362
by Gabriel García Márquez
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
The Nobel Prize-winning Colombian author of novels such as One Hundred Years of Solitude (RC 25181) and Love in the Time of Cholera (RC 26981) presents a memoir—first of a projected trilogy—of his poverty-filled early years including the beginning of his writing career, his love affairs, and politics. Bestseller. 2002.

A Man Called Peter: The Story of Peter Marshall RC 57404
by Catherine Marshall
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Widow writes the biography of her husband, a poor Scottish immigrant who became the senior minister at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in the nation’s capital and chaplain of the United States Senate. Fiftieth anniversary edition includes additional selections of his prayers and sermons with a foreword by Marshall’s son. 2001.

Mary Queen of Scots: The Fair Devil of Scotland RC 58800
by Jean Plaidy
read by Terry Hayes Sales
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Biography of ill-fated queen of Scotland Mary Stuart (1542–1587), executed on the order of her cousin Queen Elizabeth I of England. Chronicles her childhood in France, her multiple marriages, and the religious and political unrest that plagued her rule. 1975.

Memoirs RC 57198
by David Rockefeller
read by Ted Stoddard
4 cassettes
Autobiography of billionaire John D. Rockefeller’s youngest grandson, born in 1915. Recalls his childhood, college years, and military intelligence service during World War II. Describes his banking career, provides insights into the Rockefeller family, and presents many key twentieth-century figures of his acquaintance from the worlds of politics, finance, and the arts. 2002.

A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband, Danny Pearl RC 57615
by Mariane Pearl
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Award-winning journalist relates Islamic fundamentalists’ 2002 abduction and murder of her Jewish husband, Wall Street Journal correspondent Danny Pearl, while the couple was on assignment in Pakistan. Mariane Pearl, who was then pregnant, recalls the frantic search for Danny and the ensuing investigation that captured world attention. 2003.

"My Heart Became Attached": The Strange Journey of John Walker Lindh RC 57347
by Mark Kukis
read by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
Biography of the "American Taliban," first U.S. citizen charged under the Patriot Act. Traces Lindh’s odyssey from affluent California childhood through Arabic studies in Yemen, terrorist training in Pakistan, and combat alongside the Taliban in the Afghanistan war to his eventual U.S. trial as an enemy combatant. Research included copious author interviews. 2003.

My Invented Country: A Nostalgic Journey through Chile RC 58348
by Isabel Allende
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
The famous author remembers her childhood home, Chile, which she left after the death of her uncle in a 1973 military coup. She talks about Chile’s history, nostalgic memories of her family, and her life as an exile in her new home, the United States. 2003.

Never Forget: An Oral History of September 11, 2001 RC 58697
by Mitchell Fink and Lois Mathias
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Journalist and his wife gather dozens of first-person accounts of World Trade Center workers, Pentagon employees, rescue personnel, witnesses, and others who lived through the events of September 11, 2001. Violence and strong language. 2002.

An Old Wife’s Tale: My Seven Decades in Love and War RC 55808
by Midge Decter
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
Midge Decter, conservative commentator, offers a memoir of her life over the past seventy years. From her first secretarial job in New York City to her reign as executive editor of Harper’s magazine, Decter relates her experiences against a backdrop of her opinions on feminism, motherhood, and politics. 2001.

The Perfect Wife: The Life and Choices of Laura Bush RC 58096
by Ann Gerhart
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Reporter for the Washington Post, who has covered Laura Bush since her husband’s 2001 inauguration, discusses the First Lady’s life and influences from childhood in West Texas and a career as teacher and librarian to her White House experiences. Examines her character and her pursuit of serenity. 2004.

Queen Anne RC 57389
by Edward Gregg
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
Biography of Britain’s Queen Anne (1665–1714). Presents public and private aspects of her life, portraying her as both ruler and private individual. Examines her reign, dominated at home by political factions vying to succeed her and abroad by a struggle against France’s Louis XIV. 2001.

A Royal Duty RC 57361
by Paul Burrell
read by David Cutler
3 cassettes
Burrell, footman to Queen Elizabeth and butler to the late Princess of Wales, details Diana’s life from the vantage point of his position of trust. Claiming personal access to Diana’s confidences and facts behind the rumor mill, he undertakes to allay speculation about her plans for remarriage and relocation to America. Bestseller. 2003.

Sleeping with Cats: A Memoir RC 58077
by Marge Piercy
read by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Born in Detroit in the 1930s, poet and novelist Marge Piercy details her abusive, racy youth; political activism; marriages; and other relationships. Piercy intersperses this account with depictions of her cats, who have provided faithful companionship and consolation. Includes several of her poems. Some descriptions of sex. 2002.

Soul on Ice RC 58082
by Eldridge Cleaver
read by Peter Jay Fernandez
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Memoirs by African American activist who was an influential leader of the Black Panthers in the 1960s. Includes Cleaver’s letters from Folsom prison— in which he describes his legal troubles—and essays on politics, race, and sex. 1992 preface by Ishmael Reed. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 1968.

Taking Liberties: Four Decades in the Struggle for Rights RC 58778
by Aryeh Neier
read by Dan Willems
3 cassettes
Neier chronicles his career fighting for civil liberties and his work with the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, and the Soros Foundations. Divided chronologically, the book covers segregation, antiwar protests, abortion, and free speech issues of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and international rights issues dating to 2003. 2003.

Thura’s Diary: My Life in Wartime Iraq RC 58523
by Thura Al-Windawi
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Nineteen-year-old Iraqi author, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, shares the diary of her life during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Describes the bombing of Baghdad, the first weeks of postwar occupation, and her family’s ambivalence toward political and social events. For senior high and older readers. 2004.

Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War RC 57645
by Douglas Brinkley
read by Jake Williams
5 cassettes
Account of Massachusetts senator’s decorated naval career by history professor and author of Wheels for the World (RC 56812). Drawing on interviews and Kerry’s own wartime correspondence and journals, Brinkley describes Kerry’s schooling, military training, tour of duty in Vietnam, and participation in antiwar protests. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy RC 57745
by Carlos Eire
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
A Yale historian recalls his privileged childhood in Cuba, where his eccentric father was a Havana judge. Author describes living through the revolution, losing everything, and escaping with his brother in 1962 to exile in Miami. Some violence and some strong language. National Book Award. 2003.

Where I Was From RC 57757
by Joan Didion
read by Constance Crawford
2 cassettes
Family memoir and social criticism by Sacramento-born author of Political Fictions (RC 53396). Reexamining her past writings and works by other Californians, Didion contends that the restless individualism of her pioneer ancestors’ generations has spawned many of the state’s emerging social and political dilemmas. Bestseller. 2003.

Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston RC 56643
by Valerie Boyd
read by Anne Hancock
4 cassettes
Biographical appraisal of the life and work of African American folklorist and writer Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960). Discusses Hurston’s roots in rural Florida, her studies at Howard University and Barnard, her Harlem Renaissance friendships, her anthropological travels in the South, and her published writings. 2003.

Yasir Arafat: A Political Biography RC 57851
by Barry Rubin and Judith Colp Rubin
read by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
Journalists portray the man who became leader of the Palestinian nationalist movement in 1959 when he founded Fatah. Using interviews and archival materials, they analyze his upbringing, his early military experiences, and the development of his reputation as a revolutionary and survivor, focusing on the elusive man himself. Includes chronology, glossary, and bibliography. 2003.

Blindness and Physical Handicaps

An Arrow through the Heart: One Woman’s Story of Life, Love, and Surviving a Near-Fatal Heart Attack
by Deborah Daw Heffernan
read by Gillian Green
2 cassettes
Inspirational tale of recovery from sudden heart failure from which the author almost dies at the age of forty-four. Explains illness and disability from a patient’s point of view and describes the changes in relationships that result when death is a daily possibility. 2002.

The Blindness Revolution: Jernigan in His Own Words RC 59457
by James H. Omvig
read by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Blindness activist and attorney examines the transformation of the Iowa Commission for the Blind by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, a National Federation of the Blind leader. Describes Jernigan’s reorganizing the service agency beginning in 1958 from its ineffective medical model to a civil-rights-based "empowerment" organization. 2005.

Blindsided: Lifting a Life above Illness; a Reluctant Memoir RC 57643
by Richard M. Cohen
read by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Emmy Award-winning television news producer and journalist chronicles his battle with multiple sclerosis and colon cancer. While detailing his vision loss and other symptoms, Cohen’s frank account is "not about suffering" but about "surviving and flourishing, rising above fear and self-doubt" with the support of his wife and children. Bestseller. 2004.

Cassette Books, 2003 RC 58110
by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
read by Kerry Cundiff
4 cassettes
A catalog of talking books produced on cassette during 2003 for adult and young adult readers. The nonfiction and fiction sections list books by subject categories. Separate listings identify teen selections, Spanish-language books, and bestsellers. 2004.

Choosing Assistive Devices: A Guide for Users and Professionals RC 57914
by Helen Pain and others read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Presents a systematic approach to selecting adaptive equipment and to incorporating such devices into the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. To assure a good match, recommends considering the physical and mental capabilities, lifestyles, and preferences of both users and caregivers. Discusses options for seating, toileting, bathing, and locomotion. 2003.

Connecting to Learn: Educational and Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities RC 57905
by Marcia J. Scherer
read by Laura Giannarelli
3 cassettes
Comprehensive guide for people with visual and auditory disabilities. Offers strategies for evaluating the needs of students and matching them to appropriate assistive technology. Provides case studies, checklists, and information on various computer and telecommunication devices. Companion to Living in the State of Stuck (RC 52064). 2004.

A Different Way of Seeing: Youth with Visual Impairments and Blindness RC 58329
by Patricia Souder
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
Follows a young girl’s coping with sudden vision loss. Includes descriptions of various visual disorders, their causes, and the kinds of help that adaptive devices like white canes and guide dogs can provide to people with diminished sight. For junior and senior high readers. 2004.

Disabled Rights: American Disability Policy and the Fight for Equality RC 56788
by Jacqueline Vaughn Switzer
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes
History and politics of the disability rights movement in the United States. Discusses how the disability community has coalesced in the past fifty years to press its demands and how passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act has shaped public policy and individual expectations. Also reviews ADA-related litigation and some "hot button" issues. 2003.

Disabling America: The Unintended Consequences of Government’s Protection of the Handicapped RC 57766
by Greg Perry
read by Norm Thibeault
2 cassettes
Outspoken critic of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) contends that the 1990 law to help disabled individuals actually hinders all citizens through higher costs, increased regulation, invasive bureaucracies, and frivolous lawsuits. Interweaves firsthand accounts to expose the impact of "government policy gone wrong." 2003.

Finding Wheels: A Curriculum for Nondrivers with Visual Impairments for Gaining Control of Transportation Needs RC 57825
by Anne L. Corn and L. Penny Rosenblum
read by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
Presents multifaceted program addressing emotional and physical travel-related issues for young adults with visual impairments who may or may not have additional mild disabilities. Explores options such as para-transit, charity services, and bioptic driving and provides budgeting and route planning strategies to maximize independence. Includes case studies and activities. 2000.

Helen and Teacher: The Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan Macy RC 57818
by Joseph P. Lash
read by Mitzi Friedlander
7 cassettes in 2 containers (Reissue)
Dual biography reveals the depth and intensity in the mutually dependent relationship between deaf-blind Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Chronicles both women’s childhoods and adult years until Keller’s death in 1968. 1980.

Helping Children with Autism Learn: Treatment Approaches for Parents and Professionals RC 57033
by Bryna Siegel
read by Kerry Cundiff
4 cassettes
Guide for teachers, parents, and therapists to designing treatments according to each child’s particular learning style. Siegel, a developmental psychologist, identifies the fundamentals of disabilities associated with autistic spectrum disorders and integrates developmental, behavioral, educational, and medical research and theory into her strategies. 2003.

How I Became a Human Being: A Disabled Man’s Quest for Independence RC 57767
by Mark O’Brien
read by Dan Bloom
2 cassettes
Poet and journalist relates his struggle to live independently despite paralysis. O’Brien (1949–1999), the subject of a 1997 Academy Award-winning documentary, describes how the "disability revolution" gave him the freedom to pursue goals of graduating from college and finding love. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

How to Travel: A Guidebook for Persons with a Disability RC 57909
by Fred Rosen
read by Gregory Gorton
1 cassette
A travel consultant for people with special needs outlines options for transportation, accommodations, dining out, and cruises. Offers practical advice to enhance a trip. 1997.

In the Shadow of Memory RC 57334
by Floyd Skloot
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Poet and novelist pens a first-person account of living with brain damage caused by a virus attack at age forty-one. Describes the process of reassembling his memories, relearning tasks of daily living, and coping with his ravaged mind. Also depicts experiences dealing with the Social Security Administration and dying family members. 2003.

Independent Living: A Viable Option for Long-Term Care RC 57655
by Andrew I. Batavia read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Late founder of the Journal of Disability Policy Studies assesses three models of available long-term care: institutional care, home-based support, and personal assistance services. Details strategies for implementing the "independent living model" and addresses consumer-related issues such as financing and quality assurance. 2003.

Jean Langlais: The Man and His Music RC 58692
by Ann Labounsky
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Authorized biography of blind twentieth-century organist/composer Jean Langlais (1907–1991) by organist/music scholar Labounsky. Discusses Langlais’s training at France’s National Institute for the Blind, his sub-sequent position as organist at Paris’s Sainte-Clotilde, his American tours, and his instrumental, choral, and vocal compositions. 2000.

Job Search Handbook for People with Disabilities RC 58010
by Daniel J. Ryan
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Comprehensive resource guide to career development for people with mental or physical disabilities. Helps prospective employees assess their strengths, locate job openings, prepare for interviews, organize resumes, utilize government programs, and negotiate the workplace. Includes a state-by-state list of employers who recruit and hire qualified disabled individuals. 2004.

Kate’s Journey: Triumph over Adversity; the Story of a Miracle RC 58321
by Kate Adamson
read by Vanessa Maroney
2 cassettes
Author recounts her survival against immense odds after suffering a brain stem stroke that left her completely paralyzed at the age of thirty-three. Describes the physical and emotional challenges she overcame and the lessons she learned on her long road to recovery. 2004.

Laughing Allegra: The Inspiring Story of a Mother’s Struggle and Triumph Raising a Daughter with Learning Disabilities RC 58016
by Anne Ford
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Memoir by the daughter of Henry Ford II describing her experiences bringing up a child diagnosed as severely learning disabled in 1976. Includes a resource guide and suggestions for parents of children with similar problems. 2003.

Legacy of the Blue Heron: Living with Learning Disabilities RC 56359
by Harry Sylvester
read by John Fulks
2 cassettes
Former president of the Learning Disabilities Association of America relates his experiences growing up with severe literacy problems, causing him to rely on his strengths in other areas to succeed. Sylvester discusses the challenges faced by persons with LD and offers social and academic strategies for parents and teachers. 2002.

Lessons I Learned in the Dark RC 57411
by Jennifer Rothschild
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Christian inspirational speaker and singer, who lost her eyesight in high school due to retinitis pigmentosa, emphasizes the importance of spiritual beliefs in overcoming personal problems. Rothschild describes her first and greatest lesson, learned from God: "Even when it is not well with our circumstances, it can be well with our souls." 2002.

Life on Wheels: For the Active Wheelchair User RC 57050
by Gary Karp
read by Mark Ashby
4 cassettes
A guide to help people with mobility disabilities enhance their quality of life and adapt more completely to wheelchair use. Karp, who lives fully despite his inability to walk, provides information on home access, intimacy issues, medical concerns, and selecting a wheelchair. Also discusses applicable politics and legislation. 1999.

Lullaby of Birdland RC 57996
by George Shearing
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
Reminiscences by congenitally blind jazz pianist Shearing about his 1920s English childhood and early success in London before he emigrated to America in 1947. Recounts hobnobbing in New York with jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie, among others, and recording with his famed quintet. 2004.

A Measure of Endurance: The Unlikely Triumph of Steven Sharp RC 58189
by William Mishler
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
A former college professor recounts the ordeal of a rural Oregon teen whose arms were violently amputated by a hay baler he had powered off. Mishler details how Sharp sued for millions after discovering the manufacturer knew its machine was defective. Some violence and some strong language. 2003.

My Disability—God’s Ability: Seven Principles of Triumphant Life RC 59622
by Young Woo Kang
read by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
In the sequel to A Light in My Heart (RC 26603), a Korean-born, blind U.S. government senior executive continues his memoir "to tell the world how faith and vision work together" and how they change lives. Kang discusses the principles that helped him thrive and overcome bitterness. 2004.

My Thirteenth Winter: A Memoir RC 58528
by Samantha Abeel
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Abeel, both gifted and learning disabled, describes being different at school. Discusses her diagnosis of dyscalculia, which compromises sequential processing required for spelling, telling time, remembering locker combinations, and understanding math and grammar. Relates learning coping skills in a prescribed special ed math class. For senior high readers. 2003.

Partners in Independence: A Success Story of Dogs and the Disabled RC 58508
by Ed Eames and Toni Eames
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Accounts of disabled people whose lives have been enhanced by specially trained guide, hearing, and service dogs. Documents heroism as well as everyday deeds. The authors, who are visually impaired, also describe their own experiences with canine partners and chronicle the 1990s assistance dog movement. Revision of 1997 edition. 2004.

The Question of David: A Disabled Mother’s Journey through Adoption, Family, and Life RC 58690
by Denise Sherer Jacobson
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
An independent thirty-six-year-old woman, happily married, recounts the couple’s decision to adopt a possibly disabled baby boy. Both she and her husband have cerebral palsy and use wheelchairs, but open their hearts to becoming a family. Describes the joys and daily complexities of raising their son. 1999.

The Radical Lives of Helen Keller RC 57987
by Kim E. Nielsen read by Judith Gantly
2 cassettes
Feminist professor analyzes the political and social views of Helen Keller. Describes Keller’s support of the Socialist Party of America in 1909, women’s suffrage and birth control, and radical labor unions. But, according to the author, "the disability politics she adopted were frequently conservative, consistently patronizing, and occasionally repugnant." 2004.

Reflections from a Different Journey: What Adults with Disabilities Wish All Parents Knew RC 58425
edited by Stanley D. Klein and John D. Kemp
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
Forty informative essays by successful adult role models who have "lived the disability experience." Individuals with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, vision and hearing loss, autism, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, learning disabilities, and other health conditions share their thoughts on acceptance, parenting, sexuality, and education. 2004.

Scattered Shadows: A Memoir of Blindness and Vision RC 58675
by John Howard Griffin
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
The author of Black like Me (RC 17498) recounts losing his sight in 1947 from a war injury and unexpectedly recovering it ten years later. Describes his religious conversion to Catholicism during his blindness and individual and institutional reactions to his physical impairment. Some strong language. 2004.

Sweet Recovery: A Young Woman’s Emotional Ride with Diabetes, Vision Loss, and Food Addiction . . . to Health and Freedom RC 57322
by Denise J. Bradley
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes
The author of What Does It Feel Like to Have Diabetes? (RC 32581) describes the effect on her and her family of two decades of uncontrolled illness. Recalls how she became healthy through self-motivation and careful oversight of her condition. 1992.

Teens with the Courage to Give: Young People Who Triumphed over Tragedy and Volunteered to Make a Difference RC 56366
by Jackie Waldman
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Thirty teenagers share their experiences overcoming hardship and finding fulfillment by helping others. In "The Fight for Life" a teen suffering from depression starts a suicide prevention program. In "Born to Win" a one-legged amputee wins races wearing a prosthesis and visits kids in hospitals. For junior and senior high readers. 2000.

Ten Things I Learned from Bill Porter RC 56677
by Shelly Brady
read by Ray Childs
1 cassette
The story of a Portland, Oregon, door-to-door salesman with cerebral palsy, whose "indomitable optimism" enabled him to succeed in business and life. Porter’s tale unfolds as his assistant elaborates on the lessons she learned from this remarkable man. Foreword by actor William H. Macy, who played Porter in a television movie. 2002.

The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability: For All of Us Who Live with Disabilities, Chronic Pain, and Illness RC 58244
by Miriam Kaufman and others
read by Gabra Zackman
3 cassettes
Guide drawn from authors’ professional and personal experiences and from an informal survey of people living with various disabilities. Topics include sexual health, self-esteem, communication, and debunking myths. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

Wheelchairs on the Go: Accessible Fun in Florida RC 57542
by Michelle Stigleman and Deborah Van Brunt
read by Erik Synnestvedt
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Definitive travel guide to the Sunshine State for people using walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. Highlights tourist attractions, beaches, accommodations, and sports activities that are most accessible to visitors who are mobility impaired. 2002.

The World I Live In RC 57951
by Helen Keller
read by Judith Gantly
1 cassette
New edition of a short collection of personal essays Helen Keller wrote in 1908 when she was twenty-eight. Follows The Story of My Life (RC 55883). This reflective work is separated into three categories: the senses, especially touch; imagination, thinking, and language; and dream analysis. Introduction by Roger Shattuck. 2003.

Why I Burned My Book and Other Essays on Disability RC 58021
by Paul K. Longmore
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Thirteen articles by history professor, coauthor of The New Disability History (RC 52391), and polio survivor discussing issues posed by "systemic prejudice and institutionalized discrimination." In the title essay, Longmore describes torching a book he spent ten years writing to protest government "work disincentive" policies penalizing disabled persons trying to earn a living. 2003.

Business and Economics

Absolute Beginner’s Guide to eBay RC 57024
by Michael Miller
read by John Richardson
3 cassettes
Guide to buying and selling items on eBay, the online auction site launched in 1995 to facilitate trading of all types of merchandise. Provides information on setting up an account, searching for items, dealing with fraudulent sellers, becoming a successful seller, payment methods, shipment of items, and other topics. 2003.

The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich; The Finish Rich Series RC 57712
by David Bach
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
Financial expert’s simple, commonsense approach to accumulating wealth over one’s working life. Advises people to forget budgeting and instead "pay themselves first" by setting aside a certain percentage of their salary for direct deposit into a retirement account. Stresses the importance of automating personal finances to obviate day-to-day decisions. Bestseller. 2004.

Bittersweet: The Story of Sugar RC 57299
by Peter Macinnis
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Overview of the history of sugar production from its beginnings in New Guinea some nine thousand years ago to New World plantations using slave labor and finally to twentieth century developments. Discusses the sugar trade’s influence on economic policies and international relations. Also notes the environmental destruction caused by sugar cane harvesting. 2002.

Colossus: How the Corporation Changed America RC 58270
edited by Jack Beatty
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Through a selection of interwoven documents, essays, and commentaries, an Atlantic Monthly senior editor charts the development of American corporations from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. Beatty explores the complex and essential relationship between corporate power and representative government in the United States. 2001.

Final Accounting: Ambition, Greed, and the Fall of Arthur Andersen RC 57336
by Barbara Ley Toffler
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Former ethics consultant for Arthur Andersen chronicles events leading to the prestigious accounting firm’s demise, including its 2002 conviction for obstruction of justice in federal investigation of star client Enron. Toffler provides insider’s look at gradually deteriorating values and increasing corporate corruption that, in her view, caused this and other financial scandals. 2003.

Fish! Tales: Real-Life Stories to Help You Transform Your Workplace and Your Life RC 57384
by Stephen C. Lundin and
read by Dan Toohey
1 cassette
In this companion to Fish! (RC 54813), four companies improve their employees’ morale and boost productivity by using positive reinforcement. They include businesses big and small: a hospital, a phone company, a car dealership, and a roofing company. Offers exercises to achieve a positive attitude. 2002.

The Hidden Cost of Being African American: How Wealth Perpetuates Inequality RC 58125
by Thomas M. Shapiro
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Brandeis professor argues from interviews and national survey data that American racial inequality persists through asset poverty, notwithstanding the nation’s declining racial prejudice and increasing minority employment and income. Presents several antipoverty solutions, among them home ownership, renters’ tax credits, and estate tax reform. 2004.

Jack Welch and the GE Way: Management Insights and Leadership Secrets of the Legendary CEO RC 57915
by Robert Slater
read by David Toney
2 cassettes
Leadership lessons from General Electric CEO Jack Welch, whose revolutionary business philosophy transformed GE in the 1980s from a "bureaucratic, labor-intensive corporate giant into a highly productive machine." Welch’s strategies, which apply to any size corporation, include creating a culture of learning, effectively communicating his ideas, empowering employees, and fighting bureaucracy. 1999.

Life Is a Series of Presentations: Eight Ways to Punch Up Your People Skills at Work, at Home, Anytime, Anywhere RC 58576
by Tony Jeary
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Lifelong entrepreneur and speaking coach to America’s top executives adapts his corporate techniques to the general public. Explains the psychology of persuasion and reveals eight essential practices for successful communication and social interaction including preparation, delivery, knowing one’s audience, and overcoming anxiety. 2004.

There’s No Such Thing as "Business" Ethics: There’s Only One Rule for Making Decisions RC 57002
by John C. Maxwell read by John C. Maxwell
1 cassette
Leadership expert and author of Running with the Giants (RC 55101) explains how the Golden Rule—"do unto others"—can be applied to business to build morale, increase productivity, and encourage teamwork. Uses real-life ethical dilemmas and in-depth discussion questions to demonstrate the benefits of following this universal guideline. 2003.

Trump: How to Get Rich RC 58051
by Donald J. Trump
read by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
Author of Trump: The Art of the Deal (RC 26956) offers straightforward advice on getting rich, distilled from thirty years at the top. Rules include: stay focused, pay attention to details, read Carl Jung, reflect three hours daily, trust your instincts, and learn the value of saying no. Bestseller. 2004.

Twenty Ads That Shook the World: The Century’s Most Groundbreaking Advertising and How It Changed Us All RC 58611
by James B. Twitchell
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Traces the evolution of advertising technology; presents twenty commercials and ad campaigns that the author believes have most influenced the American marketplace and culture. Explains the consumer needs that these products filled, how the sponsors gained publicity within each community, and how their successes served as milestones in changing the nation’s perspective. 2000.

Careers and Job Training

The Art of Happiness at Work RC 57386
by Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
In this sequel to The Art of Happiness (RC 47827), a psychiatrist questions the Dalai Lama about applying Buddhist principles in the workplace. The Tibetan spiritual leader advises that career satisfaction is related to staying motivated, having a realistic "sense of self," and maintaining "basic human values" such as kindness and compassion. 2003.

Getting Your Book Published for Dummies RC 57279
by Sarah Parsons Zackheim
read by Carol Dines
3 cassettes
Describes the publishing industry and emphasizes what budding authors need to know in order to have a book produced. Includes advice on dealing with negotiations, proposals, advances, options, rights, marketing, agents, and self-publishing on the Web. Foreword by Nelson DeMille. 2000.

The Practical Writer: From Inspiration to Publication RC 58698
edited by Therese Eiben and Mary Gannon
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Poets and Writers magazine editors’ compilation of essays to facilitate informed decisions by emerging authors at each career stage. Covers title choice, manuscript revision, grant applications, contracts, interaction with editors, and more. Contributors are novelists, poets, and publishing insiders. 2004.

Young Adult’s Guide to a Business Career RC 58693
by M.J. Giles
read by Carol Dines
1 cassette
Guide for students who are choosing a career. Gives examples of jobs in a variety of fields, highlighting both positive and negative aspects and listing skills and education needed. Profiles include work in computers, accounting, finance, management, and marketing. For senior high and older readers. 2004.

Young Adult’s Guide to Business Communications RC 58626
by Kristi L. Thomason-Carroll
read by Colleen Delany
1 cassette
Outlines the interpersonal skills a new graduate needs for success in the workplace. Covers applying for a job, interviewing, making a good first impression, and using proper written and verbal communication. Includes sample resumés and letters. For senior high and older readers. 2004.

Classics

Aeschylus I—Oresteia: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides RC 58751
by Aeschylus
read by Anne Flosnik
1 cassette
Three ancient Greek tragedies written and performed in the fifth century B.C. The trilogy of plays comprising Oresteia relates the murder of Agamemnon, the return of his son Orestes to avenge his father’s death and regain the throne, and Orestes’ flight from Argos. Translation, introduction, and critical commentary by Richmond Lattimore. 1953.

The Diamond Sutra and The Sutra of Hui-Neng RC 57343
translated by A.F. Price and Mou-lam Wong
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
The Diamond Sutra, a sacred Buddhist scripture, passed into written format in the fourth century A.D. Price’s English translation of the text was made in 1947. In 1929 Wong made the first English translation of The Sutra of Hui-Neng, a T’ang dynasty record of sermons and sayings belonging to the Zen tradition. 1947.

Herodotus: The Histories; New Translation, Selections, Backgrounds, Commentaries RC 58293
by Herodotus
read by Ken Kliban
5 cassettes
Excerpts from the writings of the fifth-century B.C. Greek historian and traveler known as the "father of history," translated by Walter Blanco. Describes the wars and worlds, even folktales and gossip, of ancient Greece, Persia, Egypt, and Italy. 1992.

Meditations RC 58577
by Marcus Aurelius
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Ethical and spiritual reflections of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 121–180), written during the last decade of his life. Offers advice and insights on daily conduct, leadership, and personal integrity. Modern English translation and introduction by Gregory Hays. 2002.

The Ramayana RC 57852
by Ramesh Menon
read by Yolande Bavan
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Ancient Indian epic rendered in modern prose. Recreates the legend of Prince Rama, his banishment to the forest, his wife Sita’s abduction by the demon emperor, and Rama’s rescue of her. The hero’s journey, one of physical and spiritual devotion, embodies traditional Hindu cultural beliefs. Includes Menon’s introduction. 2001.

Computers

Hacker Culture RC 58336
by Douglas Thomas
read by Todd Scofield
2 cassettes
Communications professor traces the history and evolution of the "computer underground" from its mainly university graduate student origins in the 1950s and 1960s to its wider spread with home computers today. Thomas analyzes media representation and mainstream opinion of hacking and explores the relationship between the subculture and computer industry. 2002.

Making Family Websites: Fun and Easy Ways to Share Memories RC 57845
by Jenni Bidner
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
Easy-to-follow instructions for creating an interactive online scrapbook for exchanging family news, displaying photos, and organizing events. Explains how web sites work and provides information on securing a site name, using computer software, improving photo quality, designing and personalizing a virtual gallery, and uploading a finished product onto the Internet. 2003.

A Shortcut through Time: The Path to the Quantum Computer RC 57444
by George Johnson
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Award-winning New York Times science writer explores the possibilities of quantum computation. Johnson compares present-day desktop and supercomputers based on binary logic to possible future computers relying on principles of molecular physics, which would be exponentially faster. Provides an overview of the basic concepts and evolution of quantum mechanics. 2003.

Windows XP for Dummies RC 57340
by Andy Rathbone
read by John Richardson
3 cassettes
Covers the essentials for novices to become familiar with basic computer parts as well as the Windows XP operating system. Includes how to run programs, move and delete files, connect to the Internet, and use such applications as e-mail, web browsers, and multimedia players. 2001.

Cooking

The Apprentice: My Life in the Kitchen RC 58509
by Jacques Pépin
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Memoir of chef who grew up amidst the deprivations and bombings of France in World War II. Pépin recounts the early years in his family’s restaurant and his later move to America, where he befriended Craig Claiborne and Julia Child. Describes his culinary adventures and includes favorite recipes. 2003.

The Best American Recipes, 2003–2004 RC 57235
edited by Fran McCullough and Molly Stevens
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Collection of recipes gathered from various cookbooks, magazines, newsletters, and web sites. Selections, with hints from the back of food packages and tips for cooks, include starters, soups, salads, breakfast and lunch recipes, main dishes, breads, desserts, and drinks. Also includes the top ten food trends of the year. 2003.

Blue Plate Specials and Blue Ribbon Chefs: The Heart and Soul of America’s Great Roadside Restaurants RC 57410
by Jane Stern and Michael Stern
read by Faith Potts
2 cassettes
Celebrated food writers travel across the country to find the tastiest down-home dishes America’s blue-collar chefs have to offer. Going from the busiest truck stop diners to the friendliest greasy spoons, the Sterns introduce a cast of café characters, profile the chefs, and give their favorite recipes. 2001.

The Book Club Cookbook: Recipes and Food for Thought from Your Book Club’s Favorite Books and Authors RC 58177
by Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp
read by Barbara Pinolini
4 cassettes
Each of one hundred entries includes a synopsis of a popular book club selection, an explanation of the role food plays that book, recipes based on those foods, and a profile of the recommending book club. 2004.

Cookoff: Recipe Fever in America RC 58510
by Amy Sutherland
read by Colleen Delany
3 cassettes
Intrigued by the 2000 Pillsbury Bake-Off contest, journalist Sutherland follows a group of contestants around the country for a year. She describes chili cook-offs, county fairs, and other competitive cooking events while recounting the participants’ backgrounds and motivations. Includes winning recipes. 2003.

Near a Thousand Tables: A History of Food RC 58627
by Felipe Fernández-Armesto
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Oxford historian presents a global perspective of food as a theme of world history, "inseparable from all other interactions of human beings with one another . . . and nature." He has classified his topic into eight "revolutions," including cooking, food as more than sustenance, and food as an indicator of rank. 2002.

Oz Clarke’s New Encyclopedia of Wine RC 57846
by Oz Clarke
read by John Richardson
10 cassettes in 2 containers
Wine expert Clarke begins on the premise that the new world of wine offers endless choices and expands every year. More than 1,500 entries compose his alphabetical listing of wines, grapes, growing regions, and producers. Also provides hints on choosing red, white, and sparkling wines. 2003.

Pillsbury Best of the Bake-Off Cookbook: Recipes from America’s Favorite Cooking Contest RC 58290
by Pillsbury Editors
read by Kerry Cundiff
4 cassettes
Presents about four hundred recipes from the Pillsbury Bake-Off contests begun in 1949. Groupings include soups, sandwiches, and snacks; main dishes, including Quick and Easy Main Meals; side dishes and salads; breads; cookies; cakes; and pies. Details how home cooks perpetuate their ethnic heritages. 2004.

Secrets of Saffron: The Vagabond Life of the World’s Most Seductive Spice RC 58625
by Pat Willard
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
Food writer Pat Willard traces the provocative history of saffron, from its medical significance in ancient Egypt, through the spice trade of the Middle Ages, to its present uses in cooking. Includes a short guide to buying saffron and a selection of both ancient and modern recipes. 2001.

Solo Suppers: Simple Delicious Meals to Cook for Yourself RC 57326
by Joyce Goldstein
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Restaurant chef offers sophisticated recipes designed for the single diner that minimize leftovers and maximize the versatility of basic ingredients. Goldstein includes tips on "shopping for one," planning meals, stocking a pantry, and outfitting a kitchen. Meal ideas cover soups, salads, sauces, pastas, seafood, meat, poultry, and desserts. 2003.

The Soul of a Chef: The Journey toward Perfection RC 58620
by Michael Ruhlman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
In this sequel to The Making of a Chef (RC 47657), award-winning journalist explores the professional cooking world by attending the Culinary Institute of America’s Certified Master Chef ten-day examination and observing the candidates’ successes and failures. Also describes three distinctive chefs and their restaurants. Includes appendix of recipes. 2000.

The South Beach Diet Cookbook RC 58161
by Arthur Agatston
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Florida cardiologist’s companion to his bestselling weight loss book, The South Beach Diet (RC 56409). Provides over two hundred recipes, each designated as phase one, two, or three of the diet. Includes healthy ideas for breakfast, soups, salads, side dishes, fish, poultry, meats, vegetarian meals, and more. Bestseller. 2004.

Win Her with Dinner: Food, Booze, and Tunes for Cooking Up the Perfect Evening RC 58515
by Doug Veith and Alex Hilebronner
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
Although intended for guys cooking for girls, this home entertainment guide is helpful to anyone who wants to prepare a meal but doesn’t know where to begin. Accompanying the twenty-four step-by-step recipes are ingredient and equipment lists plus recommendations for drinks and background music. 2004.

Crime

American Mafia: A History of Its Rise to Power RC 58884
by Thomas Reppetto
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Former Chicago detective and coauthor of NYPD (RC 52137) surveys organized crime in the United States, 1880s to 1950s. Contends that social forces empowering Torrio, Capone, Luciano, and many other mobsters included widespread anti-immigrant bias, Prohibition, and corrupt alliances between politicians and law "enforcers" flagrantly on the take. 2004.

The Anthrax Letters: A Medical Detective Story RC 57599
by Leonard A. Cole
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Bioterrorist expert chronicles the autumn 2001 anthrax attacks that infected twenty-two people and killed five after spores of the odorless, tasteless bacteria were placed in letters and mailed via the U.S. Postal Service. The account also profiles the scientists, doctors, and researchers at the front lines of biological defense. 2003.

Anyone You Want Me to Be: A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet RC 58783
by John Douglas and Stephen Singular
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
Former FBI profiler Douglas traces the case of John Robinson, one of the first known serial killers to find his victims by using the Internet. Explores the Kansas con man’s world, his decades-long criminal record, and his ability to lure women into sadomasochistic relationships. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2003.

Be Alert, Be Aware, Have a Plan: The Complete Guide to Protecting Yourself, Your Home, Your Family RC 58312
by Neal Rawls
read by Todd Scofield
2 cassettes
Former police officer’s advice for individual and family security in any situation. Includes tips on travel, workplace safety, self-defense, and teaching kids self-protection; guidelines for preventing credit card fraud, road rage, and carjackings; and recommendations for responding to natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Resources provided. 2002.

Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder RC 56255
by Steve Hodel
read by Ray Hagen
4 cassettes
Retired LAPD detective describes how he pieced together evidence that led him to conclude that his own father—a sophisticated Hollywood doctor who died in 1999—was a sadistic serial killer who committed the notorious, long-unsolved 1947 murder and mutilation of Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2003.

Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope RC 57429
by Ed Smart and Lois Smart
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Mormon parents describe their ordeal when their fourteen-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, was kidnapped in June 2002 and their joy when she was found alive in March 2003. The Smarts recall the deep faith in God that sustained their family and to which they attribute Elizabeth’s miraculous return. Bestseller. 2003.

Broken Vows RC 57931
by Eric Francis
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Chronicle of a l994 murder in Cherry Hill, New Jersey: Rabbi Fred Neulander, suspected of hiring a hit man to kill his wife in order to continue an adulterous affair with a local radio personality, was indicted for the murder four years later. Some violence and some strong language. 2002.

Circumstantial Evidence: Death, Life, and Justice in a Southern Town RC 56675
by Pete Earley
read by Dan Bloom
3 cassettes
Journalist describes events surrounding the 1986 murder of college student Ronda Morrison in Monroeville, Alabama. When another young woman is murdered in a nearby town, the suspects in that case offer information on Ronda’s murder, and a black man with no record, Walter McMillian, is put on death row for six years until an attorney proves him innocent. Strong language and some violence. 1995.

City of Secrets: The Truth behind the Murders at the Vatican RC 58046
by John Follain
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
The author of Jackal (RC 48352) recounts his investigation of the 1998 murder of the Vatican’s Swiss Guard commander and his wife by lance corporal Cédric Tornay, who then committed suicide. Sensing a Vatican cover-up, Follain interviews officials who reveal homosexuality and the involvement of the ultraconservative Opus Dei organization. 2003.

Crimes of New York: Stories of Crooks, Killers, and Corruption from the World’s Toughest City RC 58736
edited by Clint Willis
read by Todd Scofield
2 cassettes
Fourteen previously published true-crime tales bring to life the Big Apple’s illicit past and present. Selections include "The Annals of Manhattan Crime" listing Manhattan’s most famous social aberrations, examinations of turn-of-the-century Tam-many Hall’s political corruption, and an excerpt from Herbert Asbury’s The Gangs of New York (RC 55088). 2003.

Deadly Innocence RC 57265
by Scott Burnside and Alan Cairns
read by Ray Foushee
4 cassettes
Reconstructs the Canadian "crime of the century" in which Paul and Karla Bernardo—a seemingly normal newlywed couple—abduct, rape, torture, and kill teenage girls, including Karla’s own sister. Paul also turns out to be the serial "Scarborough Rapist" who haunted Ontario for years. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 1995.

Death Sentence: The True Story of Velma Barfield’s Life, Crimes, and Execution RC 56796
by Jerry Bledsoe
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Follows the case of a North Carolina woman who was executed in 1984 for poisoning four people (including her mother and her fiancé) with arsenic. Includes interviews with her children and describes her jailhouse religious conversion. Some violence and some strong language. 1998.

Double Deal: The Inside Story of Murder, Unbridled Corruption, and the Cop Who Was a Mobster RC 58285
by Michael Corbitt
read by Richard Davidson
3 cassettes
An account of the author’s rise within the Chicago Mafia’s ranks from the late 1950s through the 1980s, his career as a policeman while on the mob’s payroll, and his eventual imprisonment. Provides insider view of the Mafia’s connections to politicians, federal agencies, and foreign governments. Violence and strong language. 2003.

Down by the River: Drugs, Money, Murder, and Family RC 57446
by Charles Bowden
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Journalist reconstructs the 1995 murder of Lionel Bruno Jordan in El Paso, Texas, and the subsequent search for the truth by his DEA-agent brother. The trail leads to hypocrisy and corruption as Bowden implicates Mexico and the United States as willing partners in the drug trade. Violence and some strong language. 2002.

Fatal Romance: A True Story of Obsession and Murder RC 58012
by Lisa Pulitzer
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
A real-life account examining what led lawyer and former marine Jeremy Akers in 1999 to murder his estranged wife, a romance writer, at their Washington, D.C., home in front of their children. The author describes the couple’s unhappy marriage and the events culminating in Akers’s suicide. Some violence and some strong language. 2001.

The Guns of Meeting Street: A Southern Tragedy RC 58034
by T. Felder Dorn
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Reconstructs a series of murders in the early 1940s involving the Logue and Timmerman families of rural South Carolina. Details motivations behind the crimes and subsequent trials that culminated in executions of three persons, including the first woman sent to the electric chair in the state. 2001.

Heart Full of Lies: A True Story of Desire and Death RC 57330
by Ann Rule
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Former Seattle policewoman reconstructs the murder of an airline pilot by his "brilliant and charismatic sociopath" wife. Reports details of the case from the discovery of Chris Northon’s body at a rural Oregon campsite in October 2000 and Liysa Northon’s claims of abuse and self-defense to her trial and conviction in 2001. 2003.

I Love You Phillip Morris: A True Story of Life, Love, and Prison Breaks RC 58596
by Steve McVicker
read by Robert Sams
1 cassette
Award-winning journalist chronicles the life and crimes of con artist Steven Russell, a former North Carolina police officer. McVicker describes Russell’s ruses to evade Texas jails, including faking his own death, and depicts Russell as a hopeless romantic in his love for a fellow inmate. Some strong language. 2003.

Judgment Ridge: The True Story behind the Dartmouth Murders RC 57543
by Mitchell Zuckoff and Dick Lehr
read by Dan Toohey
3 cassettes
Boston Globe reporters examine the 2001 murder of a professor couple from Dartmouth College by two Vermont teenagers. Explores the rural environment’s social conditions and investigates the mind-set of the killers, Jim Parker and Robert Tulloch. Some violence and some strong language. 2003.

Leavenworth Train: A Fugitive’s Search for Justice in the Vanishing West RC 57459
by Joe Jackson
read by Alec Volz
4 cassettes
Portrait of Frank Grigware, who was convicted of train robbery and sent to the U.S. penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1909. Using prison records, FBI files, and periodicals, Jackson reconstructs Grigware’s story: his unjust sentence, escape, adventurous flight across the American frontier, and arrival in Canada, where he began a new life. Some violence. 2001.

Love, Daddy RC 59015
by Carlton Smith
read by Eric Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Journalist’s account of a sensational case: in December 2001 con man Christian Longo, a "disfellowed" Jehovah’s Witness, apparently murdered his wife and their three preschoolers, dumped their bodies into waters off the Oregon coast, and vanished. Recounts police searching widely, finding Longo in Mexico, and repatriating him for trial. Some violence. 2003.

Mafia Wife: My Story of Love, Murder, and Madness RC 58730
by Lynda Milito
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Exposé by the Jewish widow of a member of the Gambino crime family. Recalls her childhood in Brooklyn, the twenty-four years she spent with Louie Milito until he disappeared in 1988, murdered by his own colleagues, and her subsequent mental and emotional problems. Strong language and some violence. 2003.

Mrs. Paine’s Garage and the Murder of John F. Kennedy RC 57918
by Thomas Mallon
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Essayist Mallon relates the experiences of Ruth Paine who befriended and sheltered Lee Harvey Oswald’s family in Dallas for nine months before Oswald assassinated JFK in November 1963. Explores Paine’s relationship with Oswald’s Russian wife and the multiple investigations of Paine’s involvement, including storage of the murder weapon in her garage. 2002.

Pointing from the Grave: A True Story of Murder and DNA RC 58459
by Samantha Weinberg
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Recounts efforts to convict Paul Frediani for killing DNA scientist Helena Greenwood in 1985. The crime narrative unfolds alongside a history of DNA testing—the technology that allowed Laura Heilig and a team of San Diego archival detectives to arrest Frediani nearly fifteen years later. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

Rothstein: The Life, Times, and Murder of the Criminal Genius Who Fixed the 1919 World Series RC 58673
by David Pietrusza
read by Barry Bernson
3 cassettes
Baseball historian’s biography of notorious Jazz Age drug kingpin, bootlegger, casino operator, and labor-union racketeer Arnold Rothstein, the "king of Manhattan gamblers." Examines Rothstein’s connections to Tammany politicians and crooked cops, and implicates sports figures involved with Rothstein in the 1919 World Series fix. Reconstructs Rothstein’s 1928 murder. 2003.

Shattered: Reclaiming a Life Torn Apart by Violence RC 58654
by Debra Puglisi Sharp
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
A Delaware hospice nurse and victims’ rights advocate recounts her 1998 abduction and rape by forty-year-old Donald Flagg, who also murdered her husband. Sharp details her agonizing ordeal, Flagg’s trial, and her physical and emotional recovery. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2003.

Sniper: Inside the Hunt for the Killers Who Terrorized the Nation RC 57252
by Sari Horwitz and Michael E. Ruane
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Reporters from the Washington Post chronicle the hunt for the perpetrator(s) of ten random serial shootings during the fall of 2002 around the nation’s capital and elsewhere. Concludes with the arrests of John Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo at a Maryland highway rest stop. Some violence. 2003.

They Broke the Law—You Be the Judge: True Cases of Teen Crime RC 57838
by Thomas A. Jacobs
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Juvenile-court judge presents twenty-one cases involving teenagers who came before him for punishment. Reviews each teen’s background, details of the crime and arrest, mitigating factors, and penalty options so the reader can decide. Reveals actual sentence and offender’s response in court and later. For junior and senior high and older readers. 2003.

Three Weeks in October: The Manhunt for the Serial Sniper RC 57190
by Charles A. Moose and Charles Fleming
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
Account by the police chief of Montgomery County, Maryland, of the massive search for the snipers who killed ten people, wounded four others, and terrorized the greater Washington metropolitan area in October 2002. Moose also recounts his personal journey to becoming the head of two police departments. Some strong language. 2003.

Without Pity: Ann Rule’s Most Dangerous Killers RC 57641
by Ann Rule
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Veteran crime journalist Rule gathers twelve cases from investigating detectives, victims, grieving survivors, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. Examines the motive and exceptional nature of each crime, including the killing of two hikers in "The Tumbledown Shack" and murder for hire in "Murder and the Proper Housewife." Violence. Bestseller. 2003.

Diet and Nutrition

The Atkins Essentials: A Two-Week Program to Jump-Start Your Low-Carb Lifestyle RC 58001
by Atkins Health and Medical Information Service
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
A "quick set-up guide" intended to supplement Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution (RC 44854) focuses on the first fourteen days of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet. Includes basic steps to combat obesity, meal plans, recipes, answers to frequently asked questions, and information on individual concerns. Bestseller. 2004.

Change One: The Breakthrough Twelve-Week Eating Plan; Lose Weight Simply, Safely, and Forever RC 56838
by John Hastings
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Weight reduction plan developed by Reader’s Digest to help "Americans regain control of what they eat." The twelve-week regimen calls for changing one daily habit at a time, starting with breakfast. Includes suggestions for snacks, dining out, stress relief, exercise, meal planning, and recipes. 2003.

Dr. Sears’ LEAN Kids: A Total Health Program for Children Ages Six through Twelve RC 57956
by William Sears and Peter Sears
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Renowned pediatrician William Sears offers a twelve-week plan for parents to help children reach their optimal health. Comprehensive guide addresses four keys to a child’s well-being: L: lifestyle; E: exercise; A: attitude; and N: nutrition. Provides strategies for helping kids develop positive health habits, including wise eating decisions. 2003.

Eating in the Dark: America’s Experiment with Genetically Engineered Food RC 57284
by Kathleen Hart
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Discusses the marketing of genetically modified food products with neither public disclosure nor sufficient government testing. Suggests that regulatory agencies tacitly support biotechnology industries and deny the American public any choice. Contrasts American acceptance of genetically engineered food with European and Japanese refusal. 2002.

Quick and Easy Low-Carb Cooking for People with Diabetes RC 57568
by Nancy S. Hughes
read by Mary Kane
1 cassette
Recipes for diabetics to prepare without having to count carbs. Includes dozens of snacks, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts from three different carbohydrate levels. 2003.

The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous RC 56864
by Overeaters Anonymous, Inc.
read by Ray Childs
1 cassette
Discusses the disease of compulsive eating and a solution in the form of a twelve-step program of recovery. Also includes an introduction to the twelve traditions used in providing group and individual support. 1990.

Drama

All My Sons: A Drama in Three Acts RC 58209
by Arthur Miller
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Joe Keller’s son prepares to propose to Steve Deever’s daughter, forcing the families to confront Joe’s crime. Under wartime production pressures, manufacturer Joe Keller knowingly produced faulty airplane parts and allowed his employee, neighbor Deever, to take the fall when soldiers were killed. Includes 2000 introduction. 1947.

"Master Harold" . . . and the Boys RC 58763
by Athol Fugard
read by Fred Major
1 cassette
A one-scene play depicting 1950s South Africa. In a tea room two middle-aged black servants, Sam and Willie, greet the white owner’s seventeen-year-old son, Hally, whom Sam has helped raise. Apartheid’s racial prejudices become manifest when Hally, angry about his father’s shortcomings, lashes out at Sam. Strong language. 1982.

Education

Connecting to Learn: Educational and Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities
RC 57905
by Marcia J. Scherer
read by Laura Giannarelli
3 cassettes
Comprehensive guide for people with visual and auditory disabilities. Offers strategies for evaluating the needs of students and matching them to appropriate assistive technology. Provides case studies, checklists, and information on various computer and telecommunication devices. Companion to Living in the State of Stuck (RC 52064). 2004.

Fiske New SAT Insider’s Guide RC 58291
by Edward B. Fiske and Bruce G. Hammond
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Preparation and test-taking strategies for high school students taking the revised version of the SAT college entrance exam. Provides practice problems for each section of the standardized test—critical reading, math, and writing. Discusses coaching courses, the new PSAT, and tactics used by top-scoring students. For senior high readers. 2004.

The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict What Students Learn RC 58373
by Diane Ravitch
read by Carol Dines
3 cassettes
Examines the causes and consequences of censoring educational publications to weed out references deemed offensive by right-wing and left-wing interests. Contends that sanitizing text makes the material so bland, simplistic, and unrealistic that students fail to develop critical abilities. Provides many examples and offers practical solutions to end this problem. 2003.

Not Much Just Chillin’: The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers RC 58166
by Linda Perlstein
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Washington Post education reporter chronicles one year in the lives of five junior high school students in suburban Maryland. Reveals how they struggle through the awkward but formative "tween" years, forging new relationships with parents and peers while coping with schoolwork, puberty, romance, and identity. 2003.

School of Dreams: Making the Grade at a Top American High School RC 58674
by Edward Humes
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist spends a year with the faculty, staff, and students of California’s top-ranked public high school, Whitney High in Cerritos. Commenting on his observations, Humes heralds the school’s social and academic achievements, but also examines some unintended con-sequences of such a high-pressure learning environment. 2003.

True Notebooks RC 57380
by Mark Salzman
read by John Lescault
2 cassettes
Collection of writings by juvenile inmates, compiled by their detention-center teacher, a former victim of violent juvenile crime. Salzman develops an understanding of his students in the justice system and helps them explore their vulnerabilities, fears, and hopes through writing. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. Bestseller. 2003.

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: College RC 58593
by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
read by Gregory Gorton
1 cassette
Practical techniques for planning a successful transition to college. Basic rules cover getting settled in the dorm, eating cafeteria food, staying safe at parties, and focusing in the classroom. Includes tips for avoiding laundry and for pulling an all-nighter. For senior high readers. 2004.

Family

Closing the Gap: A Strategy for Bringing Parents and Teens Together RC 56365
by Jay McGraw
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
Manual written by the young adult author of Life Strategies for Teens (RC 51563), suggesting ways both parents and teens can reconnect by working out differences, respecting each other, and gaining a balance between control and independence. For senior high and older readers. 2001.

Family First: Your Step-by-Step Plan for Creating a Phenomenal Family RC 58893
by Phil McGraw
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Host of television’s "Dr. Phil" and bestselling author of Self Matters (RC 54036) offers a guide to "leading your family and parenting with purpose." Explains seven parenting tools needed to instill values, help define and attain success for each child, and counteract outside distractions like peer pressure. Bestseller. 2004.

The Grandparent Guide: The Definitive Guide to Coping with the Challenges of Modern Grandparenting RC 57550
by Arthur Kornhaber
read by Faith Potts
3 cassettes
Medical doctor who is also a child and family therapist offers advice on the role grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren, as well as changes in that role as people live longer. His topics include baby-sitting, mentoring, spiritual guidance, favoritism, spoiling, adoption, divorce, substance abuse, "cybergrandparenting," legal issues, and legacies. 2002.

The Happiest Toddler on the Block: The New Way to Stop the Daily Battle of Wills and Raise a Secure and Well-Behaved One-to Four-Year-Old RC 58202
by Harvey Karp
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Karp, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block (RC 55987), suggests toddlers need a simple style of communication. Focuses on praise and discipline and addresses sleep issues, toilet training, biting, and separation anxiety. 2004.

Nature’s Children RC 58612
by Juliette de Bairacli-Levy
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
Revised and expanded edition of classic 1970 childrearing book by an herbalist. Provides recipes and information on raising healthy kids without prescription-drug medication. Includes advice on natural childbirth, parenting, and use of medicinal herbs. 1997.

No More Misbehavin’: Thirty-eight Difficult Behaviors and How to Stop Them RC 57139
by Michele Borba
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Educator and frequent National Public Radio speaker discusses the most common behavioral problems in children—including temper tantrums, hit-ting, biting, fighting, lying, and stealing—as well as strategies for discouraging them. Offers specific disciplinary methods for each misbehavior with the goal of permanently erasing it. Foreword by Jack Canfield. 2003.

The Privilege of Youth: A Teenager’s Story of Longing for Acceptance and Friendship RC 57704
by Dave Pelzer
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Bestselling author of A Man Named Dave (RC 49257) and A Child Called "It" (RC 45004) continues his memoir of childhood abuse and recovery. In this installment, Pelzer revisits his adolescence, describing both torment by bullies and the thrill of making friends. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Raising America: Experts, Parents, and a Century of Advice about Children RC 58767
by Ann Hulbert
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Traces the emergence of conflicting child-rearing guidance in the twentieth century. Offers biographical sketches of major figures in the field (Erik Erikson, Arnold Gesell, and Benjamin Spock, among others) and examines their theories, techniques, and influences. Also analyzes an unintended consequence of their work, which was to exacerbate the anxieties of parenting. 2003.

Teen Life in the Middle East RC 58136
edited by Ali Akbar Mahdi
read by Carol Dines
3 cassettes
A social history describing the daily lives of young adults in twelve Middle Eastern nations and territories. Includes a country profile as well as an overview of the region’s typical family including their education, recreation, and religious and cultural practices. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

Teens under the Influence: The Truth about Kids, Alcohol, and Other Drugs; How to Recognize the Problem and What to Do about It RC 57302
by Katherine Ketcham and Nicholas A. Pace
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
Resource guide to help parents combat adolescent substance abuse. Detailed passages explain teenage addiction, biological and environmental factors, and the short-and long-term effects of specific drugs. Provides information about diagnosis, intervention, treatment options, the recovery process, and strategies for coping with relapses. 2003.

The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting RC 58569
by Laurence Steinberg
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Psychologist author of Beyond the Classroom (RC 45321) draws on scientific research in this philosophical guide to raising a good child and being a better parent. His ten fundamentals of effective child rearing include establishing rules, setting limits, fostering independence, being consistent, and avoiding harsh discipline. 2004.

Three Weeks with My Brother RC 58824
by Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks
read by Henry Leyva
2 cassettes
A memoir chronicling the around-the-world adventure of author Nicholas Sparks and his brother, Micah, in 2003. Leaving wives and families at home, the brothers journeyed to Machu Picchu, Peru; India; and the Australian outback remarking on milestones in their lives, childhood remembrances, and truths about loss and hope. Bestseller. 2004.

What about the Kids? Raising Your Children before, during, and after Divorce RC 58417
by Judith S. Wallerstein and Sandra Blakeslee
read by Carol Dines
3 cassettes
A guide to helping children of all ages cope with the process of divorce and remarried family life. Authors identify the three major challenges facing parents: getting their own lives in order, preparing their kids for and supporting them through the breakup, and building a new relationship with the ex-spouse. 2003.

What to Expect the First Year RC 57900
by Heidi Murkoff and Arlene Eisenberg
read by Mary Kane
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Revised and updated edition addresses a wide range of issues concerning newborns and new parents. Month-by-month guide provides information on preparing for baby’s arrival, breastfeeding, adding solids, sleeping and crying problems, traveling, handling an older sibling, home safety, and health matters. 2003.

Gardening

Building Garden Ponds RC 58289
by Bryan Hirst
read by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
A builder of ponds and water gardens presents ten ideas for creating and maintaining small to large projects, along with complete instructions, helpful hints, and lists of necessary materials. Includes ponds that are natural, planted, or formal; and with a bridge and beach, decking, or mosaics. 2004.

The Medicine Wheel Garden: Creating Sacred Space for Healing, Celebration, and Tranquility RC 57902
by E. Barrie Kavasch
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Guide to designing a Native American-inspired garden to promote healing through herbal plants and spiritual space. Reviews the history of the medicine wheel, suggests plans for indoor and outdoor gardens, and describes fifty therapeutic herbs including their traditional and modern uses. 2002.

Rodale’s Garden Answers: Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs; At-a-Glance Solutions for Every Gardening Problem RC 56839
edited by Fern Marshall Bradley
read by Coleen Delany
4 cassettes
An all-organic quick reference guide for gardeners who want to "read a little so they can garden a lot." Provides concise information on the causes and symptoms of common problems for a wide range of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Also covers getting started and gives regional/seasonal tips. 1995.

Government and Politics

After Jihad: America and the Struggle for Islamic Democracy
by Noah Feldman
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Explores the question whether democracy can "be made to flourish in the lands where Islam prevails." Discusses the political terrain in Iran, Turkey, Asia, Pakistan, and Arab countries to ascertain the compatibility of the Islamic religion with democratic values. Claiming there is no inherent conflict, Feldman suggests ways to refute anti-Americanism. 2003.

Against All Enemies: Inside America’s War on Terror RC 58049
by Richard A. Clarke read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Former counterterrorism czar alleges twenty years of presidential mishandling of the Al Qaeda threat, from Ronald Reagan’s time in office to George W. Bush’s. Firsthand criticism of Bush’s pre- and post-September 11, 2001, responses to terrorism accuses him of diverging from the war on terror to pursue Saddam Hussein. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

America Afire: Jefferson, Adams, and the Revolutionary Election of 1800 RC 56682
by Bernard A. Weisberger
read by Dan Bloom
3 cassettes
Describes the United States’s first presidential election crisis, in 1800, between the Federalists under John Adams and Republicans under Thomas Jefferson. The election was eventually sent to the House of Representatives, who balloted thirty-six times before Jefferson won. And President Adams peaceful departure set a precedent. 2000.

American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush RC 57760
by Kevin Phillips
read by Constance Crawford
4 cassettes
Former White House strategist and author of Wealth and Democracy (RC 54439) criticizes the Bush family’s "four-generation pursuit of national prominence and power." Re-veals associations and special interests, questions financial practices, and accuses George Bush Sr. and George W. Bush of redefining the presidency to further their own agendas. Bestseller. 2004.

The Best Lawyer in a One-Lawyer Town: A Memoir RC 57778
by Dale Bumpers
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Autobiography of former Democratic Arkansas governor and U.S. senator Dale Bumpers. Born in 1925, Bumpers describes growing up in a small town during the depression, his military experience, law practice, and twenty-eight years in public office. Includes his closing argument on behalf of President Bill Clinton during the 1999 impeachment trial. 2003.

Bush Country: How Dubya Became a Great President while Driving Liberals Insane RC 58251
by John Podhoretz
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Journalist, political commentator, and former speechwriter for Ronald Reagan offers a partisan defense of president George W. Bush’s policies and personality. Extols Bush’s extraordinary leadership; cites war on terror, tax cuts, AIDS relief, and health care reform; and debunks some liberal accusations. 2004.

Bush v. Gore: Controversial Presidential Election Case RC 57466
by Diana K. Sergis
read by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
Discusses the 2000 Supreme Court landmark decision that resulted in Texas governor George W. Bush becoming the forty-third U.S. president. Describes the contested ballot recounts in Florida, battles in state and federal courts, and constitutional arguments presented to the nation’s highest court by Bush and his challenger, Vice President Albert Gore. For senior high and older readers. 2003.

Deliver Us from Evil: Defeating Terrorism, Despotism, and Liberalism RC 57701
by Sean Hannity
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Fox news host, author of Let Freedom Ring (RC 54932), addresses "the reality of evil in the world." Posits the importance of acting against it and holds that democratic liberals’ advocacy of accommodation jeopardizes U.S. national security. Bestseller. 2004.

The Dream: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation RC 58666
by Drew D. Hansen
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Hansen’s essay on the meaning of the 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech describes King as a master of the art of black homiletics, whose gifts had been little known beyond the pulpit and the civil rights movement. Explores the oration’s spontaneity, language, prophetic vision, and public reaction. 2003.

Dude, Where’s My Country? RC 56935
by Michael Moore
read by D. David Morin
2 cassettes
Author of Stupid White Men (RC 53775) continues his criticism of the United States and the Bush administration. Questions the war on terrorism and laments the erosion of domestic civil liberties while supporting Oprah Winfrey for president. Strong language. Bestseller. 2003.

The Enemy Within: Saving America from the Liberal Assault on Our Schools, Faith, and Military RC 57750
by Michael Savage
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Outspoken radio talk-show host and bestselling author of The Savage Nation (RC 55527) asserts that the United States has been "infinitely corrupted by liberalism." In his controversial style, Savage specifies how the "vast left-wing conspiracy" has undermined schools, courts, religion, law enforcement, the media, and the military. Bestseller. 2003.

Grand Old Party: A History of the Republicans RC 57736
by Lewis L. Gould
read by Dan Toohey
4 cassettes
Historian chronicles the U.S. republican party from its antislavery origins in the 1850s under Abraham Lincoln through the 2000 election of president George W. Bush. Notes influential leaders and the shift of its philosophy toward political and social conservatism. Companion to Party of the People (RC 57723). 2003.

Had Enough? A Handbook for Fighting Back RC 58132
by James Carville
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Political pundit Carville’s guide for restoring power to America’s people. Accusing the Bush administration and Republican-led Congress of squandering the budget surplus, falling short of education and other domestic goals, and mismanaging foreign policy, Carville proposes increased education spending, restructured entitlement programs, fairer income tax policies, and greater international cooperation. 2003.

Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance RC 57354
by Noam Chomsky
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Author of Deterring Democracy (RC 34598) dissects the U.S. "imperial grand strategy," which he asserts has intensified since the September 11, 2001, attacks. Chomsky traces American desire for supremacy to the early days of WWII, analyzes the George W. Bush administration’s aggressive foreign policies, and warns of dire consequences. Bestseller. 2003.

House of Bush, House of Saud: The Secret Relationship between the World’s Two Most Powerful Dynasties RC 58368
by Craig Unger
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Investigative journalist examines the longstanding connection between the Bush circle and the ruling family of Saudi Arabia. Unger wonders what forged the relationship, if Saudi money given to Muslims created a bloc of votes for Bush in 2000, and why Bush ignored terrorism czar Richard Clarke’s warnings about Al Qaeda. Bestseller. 2004.

In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America’s Bill of Rights RC 57925
by Russell Freedman
read by Ted Stoddard
1 cassette
Describes the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution and explains how they are applied as well as tested. Examples of challenges include a suit brought on behalf of schoolchildren who were required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and rap musicians sued for obscenity. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

A Look over My Shoulder: A Life in the Central Intelligence Agency RC 57060
by Richard Helms
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Posthumous memoir by former director of Central Intelligence (1966-1973) chronicles his thirty years of service, beginning with his 1942 naval training. Helms’s agency career in the world of covert action, espionage, and Cold War operations includes President Nixon’s attempts to involve the CIA in the Watergate cover-up. Foreword by Henry Kissinger. 2003.

Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin RC 58590
by John D’Emilio
read by Mark Ashby
4 cassettes
Chronicles the life (1912–1987) and accomplishments of a pivotal civil rights figure. Covers his influential activism in prison reform, military desegregation, the Montgomery bus boycott, the 1963 March on Washington, and LBJ’s Great Society. Also notes Rustin’s homosexuality and its impact on his career. Some descriptions of sex. 2003.

Madam Secretary RC 57048
by Madeleine Albright
read by Mary Kane
5 cassettes
Memoir by former secretary of state under President Clinton. Albright seeks to "combine the personal with policy" to describe the worldwide events in which she participated. Includes her reminiscences of childhood as a Czechoslovakian refugee and married life before she entered the tumultuous world of politics. Bestseller. 2003.

A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat RC 57170
by Zell Miller
read by Dan Toohey
2 cassettes
The senator from Georgia, a former marine sergeant, critiques his democratic party, calls for reform, and outlines issues needing to be addressed to benefit the country. Miller also describes his rise from rural poverty and his six decades in public life. Bestseller. 2003.

The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States RC 58238
by 9/11 Commission
read by Ralph Lowenstein
6 cassettes
Independent, nonpartisan commission analyzes facts and circumstances surrounding the fatal September 11, 2001, Al Qaeda attacks on the United States homeland. Summarizes failures of intelligence and other U.S. agencies before and after that date. Recommends government reorganization to provide a safer, more prepared nation. 2004.

No End to War: Terrorism in the Twenty-first Century RC 57188
by Walter Laqueur
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Guerrilla warfare expert addresses the new elements of contemporary terrorism. Issues include the debate surrounding root causes of terrorism, Islamic fanaticism, and the phenomenon of suicide attacks. Laqueur also examines reactions of governments, academia, the media, and the public to the violence and speculates on future geopolitical conditions that could precipitate "catastrophic terrorism." 2003.

Party of the People: A History of the Democrats RC 57723
by Jules Witcover
read by Robert Sams
6 cassettes
Political correspondent and author of Crapshoot (RC 35523) chronicles the evolution of the U.S. democratic party. Tracing its roots to the post-Revolution Federalist debate, Witcover documents two centuries of political ideologies and key figures in party development, from Thomas Jefferson to William Jefferson Clinton. Companion to Grand Old Party (RC 57736). 2003.

Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich—and Cheat Everybody Else RC 57892
by David Cay Johnston
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist discusses how the U.S. tax system forces the middle class to subsidize the very wealthy who, through various lawful mechanisms, evade their fair share of taxes. Suggested reforms include simplifying the tax code, ending most income deferrals, revising the alternative minimum tax, and revamping IRS procedures. Bestseller. 2003.

Plan of Attack RC 58239
by Bob Woodward
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Follows Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s Bush at War (RC 55015) with a behind-the-scenes account of President George W. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq. Draws on interviews with Bush and others to chronicle crucial operations from November 2001 to March 2003. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

The Politics of Truth: Inside the Lies That Led to War and Betrayed My Wife’s CIA Identity; a Diplomat’s Memoir RC 58299
by Joseph Wilson
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Former ambassador’s background chronicle of his three-decade U.S. foreign service career includes his 1990 showdown with Saddam Hussein. Asserts that the White House leaked his wife’s identity as a CIA analyst in retaliation for his disputing George W. Bush’s televised claim of an attempted Iraqi uranium purchase from Niger. Bestseller. 2004.

The Presidential Nominating Process: A Place for Us? RC 58091
by Rhodes Cook
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Former Congressional Quarterly political writer examines the role of voters in determining presidential nominees. Traces the history and evolution of modern primary elections; looks at the process in other democratic countries like England, France, and Germany; and suggests reforms that would increase competition and empower voters. 2004.

The Price of Loyalty: George W. Bush, the White House, and the Education of Paul O’Neill RC 57591
by Ron Suskind
read by Barry Bernson
2 cassettes
Pulitzer prize-winning journalist uses documents from the Secretary of the Treasury under president George W. Bush to illustrate the inner workings of the White House. The maverick millionaire O’Neill, former CEO of Alcoa, details his brief two-year stint in the cabinet. Bestseller. 2004.

Rewriting History RC 58450
by Dick Morris
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Political analyst and advisor under president Bill Clinton offers a rebuttal to former first lady Hillary Clinton’s Living History (RC 55882). Claiming the memoir is distorted and incomplete, Morris critically appraises the New York senator’s potential for higher office. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Rise of the Vulcans: The History of Bush’s War Cabinet RC 58109
by James Mann
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Former Los Angeles Times correspondent’s in-depth study of six principals on President Bush’s foreign policy team: Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell, Wolfowitz, Armitage, and Rice. Explicates America’s evolving world relationships as forged by the expertise, interconnecting roles, and philosophies of the self-styled "Vulcans," named after the Roman god of fire. Bestseller. 2004.

Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedom RC 58273
by James MacGregor Burns
read by Bill Wallace
6 cassettes (Reissue)
Study of Franklin Delano Roosevelt as a wartime president, depicting him as a complex man who, the author claims, provided inadequate leadership in a difficult period. Describes the diplomatic and political aspects of World War II. Pulitzer Prize. 1970.

The Secret Service: The Hidden History of an Enigmatic Agency RC 57260
by Philip H. Melanson
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
A government secrecy expert recounts the development of the Secret Service, from its formation in 1865 to combat the counterfeit currency trade to its contemporary role as protector of the president. Melanson evaluates the agency’s inner workings and explores the personal lives of agents and their relationships with those they protect. 2002.

The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic RC 57752
by Chalmers Johnson
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Continuing his antimilitarist thesis begun in Blowback (RC 54512), Asian affairs specialist Johnson denounces America’s armed forces expansion and the secrecy surrounding its global network of bases. Portrays the United States as "a military juggernaut intent on world domination" and imperialistic ventures that conflict with democratic values. Bestseller. 2004.

Thieves in High Places: They’ve Stolen Our Country—and It’s Time to Take It Back RC 56922
by Jim Hightower
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Populist author of If the Gods Had Meant Us to Vote They Would Have Given Us Candidates (RC 51808) continues his sardonic criticism of the second Bush administration. Implores voters to defeat politicians who are controlled by wealthy corporations and other special interest groups. Bestseller. 2003.

Worse than Watergate: The Secret Presidency of George W. Bush RC 58240
by John W. Dean
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Former counsel to President Nixon charges George W. Bush’s administration with unprecedented greed for power and undemocratic secrecy of greater consequence than the Nixon scandal. Alleging cover-ups begun in the 2000 campaign, Dean cites foreign policy, terrorism, the vice president’s energy commission, and leaked covert CIA identities. Bestseller. 2004.

Hobbies and Crafts

Rug Hooking for the First Time RC 58033
by Donna Lovelady
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
Guide explaining the basics of rug hooking using strips of cloth, simple patterns, and "primitive style," or folk art, designs. Provides a brief history of the craft, tips on choosing supplies, detailed techniques, and step-by-step instructions for creating twenty-four sample projects. 2003.

Simple Crochet RC 58709
by Erika Knight
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
Twenty projects for the home from textile designer and fashion consultant. Includes pillows, throws, rugs, baskets, bags, and slippers. Describes equipment and techniques. Step-by-step instructions require only a few basic stitches. 2003.

Simple Knits with a Twist: Unique Projects for Creative Knitters RC 58684
by Erika Knight
read by Patricia McDermott
1 cassette
Twenty contemporary projects incorporate felting, beading, and patch-working to create wall hangings, throws, rugs, napkin rings, wire bowls, and other household items. Ribbon, wire, strips of plastic, or gauze sometimes substitute for yarn. Includes basic how-to instructions. Most patterns are appropriate for experienced knitters. 2004.

Stitch ’n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook RC 58586
by Debbie Stoller
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Cofounder of trendy New York City knitting circle gives a brief history of this needle craft. Presents the basics: how to cast on, bind off, and knit. Explains advanced stitching and repair techniques and provides details for over thirty projects, including Pippi Kneestockings, Sparkle Hat, and Under the Hoodie. Some strong language. 2003.

Home Management

Home Water and Moisture Problems: Prevention and Solutions RC 57808
by Gary Branson
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
Former contractor and Family Handyman magazine editor addresses common household moisture-related problems like wet basements, leaking roofs or plumbing, mold and mildew, and excess humidity. Provides step-by-step instructions for proper maintenance while urging consumers to follow local building codes, consult inspectors, and consider the climate in their region. 2003.

On My Own: The Ultimate How-To Guide for Young Adults; a Manual for Excelling in Your Independent Life RC 56840
by Sally Taylor
read by Barbara Pinolini
4 cassettes
A guide for people leaving home to live independently for the first time. Includes advice on jobs, budgeting, health care issues, substance abuse, relationships, and other social skills. Also provides information on how to become a good citizen. For senior high and older readers. 2002.

The Queen of Clean Conquers Clutter RC 57420
by Linda Cobb
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
Author of books on house cleaning (RC 51054) and home management (RC 53944) offers suggestions for getting rid of clutter. From room to room Cobb shows how to use her QUEEN system: question, unpack, evaluate, eliminate, and neaten up. Her advice for the kitchen covers storage life for various foods. 2002.

Solving Home Plumbing Problems RC 58410
by Gary Branson
read by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
Former contractor and editor of Home Handyman magazine offers guidance on repairing and maintaining household plumbing systems. Covers the basics of replacing fixtures; fixing leaks; working with copper, plastic, and steel pipe; maintaining drains; remodeling for wheelchair use; and coping with minor emergencies. Includes information on useful tools and safety. 2004.

Humor

Boogers Are My Beat: More Lies, but Some Actual Journalism RC 58286
by Dave Barry
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
Collection of parodies from syndicated Pulitzer Prize-winning "humor columnist" and author of Dave Barry Turns Fifty (RC 47313). Topics include feng shui, home repair, taxes, "smart" appliances, the 2000 presidential election, the 2002 Winter Olympics, and more. Concludes with some serious thoughts on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. 2003.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim RC 58825
by David Sedaris
read by David Sedaris
2 cassettes
Picaresque collection of essays by gay public radio commentator and bestselling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day (RC 50514). Author recalls memorable episodes from his life including trick-or-treating, vacationing with his family, finding work, and living in Paris. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

The Funny Thing Is . . . RC 57179
by Ellen DeGeneres
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
DeGeneres follows up My Point . . . and I Do Have One (RC 41736) with another collection of stream-of-consciousness musings that highlight the absurdities of everyday life. Topics include brunches, gift exchanges, silence, clothes she has regretted wearing, penny-pinching, and things to be grateful for. Bestseller. 2003.

Horseshoes, Cowsocks, and Duckfeet: More Commentary by NPR’s Cowboy Poet and Former Large Animal Veterinarian RC 56531
by Baxter Black
read by Michael Kramer
2 cassettes
A collection of "mostly humorous, occasionally political, and accidentally informative" musings by a popular National Public Radio commentator. Black remarks on everything from cowboy vocabulary and the love of a good cattle dog to Afghanistan and the war on terrorism. 2002.

I Am What I Ate . . . and I’m Frightened!!! And Other Digressions from the Doctor of Comedy RC 58005
by Bill Cosby
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Cosby, realizing that he is what he eats (such foods as scrapple, cake, popcorn, and pizza), reflects back on his sixty-five years of dining and the never-ending quest for a healthy lifestyle. Bestseller. 2003.

Life’s a Stitch: The Best of Contemporary Women’s Humor RC 57822
edited by Anne Safran Dalin
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
Anthology of humorous short stories, poems, songs, musings, and cartoons whose royalties were donated to charities. More than ninety writers including Gloria Steinem, Wendy Wasserstein, and Anna Quindlen contribute their thoughts on politics, relationships, parenting, dieting, aging, and more. Companion to Creme de la Femme (RC 46849). Some strong language. 2002.

Inspiration

Beyond Our Selves RC 58173
by Catherine Marshall
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes (Reissue)
The widow of Presbyterian minister Peter Marshall relates her conviction that nothing is hopeless if only man yields his will to God. Citing some autobiographical material and many case histories, Marshall emphasizes the power of spiritual healing. 1961.

George Foreman’s Guide to Life: How to Get Up off the Canvas When Life Knocks You Down RC 57421
by George Foreman
read by David Toney
1 cassette
Two-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, father of ten, and author of By George (RC 40645) gives advice on how to handle life’s challenges. Foreman shares what he learned from his own triumphs and losses—including lessons on overcoming adversity, keeping dreams alive, and raising children. 2002.

Hope Dies Last: Keeping the Faith in Difficult Times RC 57545
by Studs Terkel
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Oral interviews with fifty-four people, varying in age and profession, focusing especially on their hopes to achieve a better life for themselves and mankind. Terkel presents these vignettes, which discuss such subjects as politics, economics, and civil rights, to support his thesis that hope is necessary to trigger activism leading to change. 2003.

I Believe in Miracles: Streams of Healing from the Heart of a Woman of Faith RC 57763
by Kathryn Kuhlman
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Ordained minister presents twenty-one cases of believers who claimed to be healed of medically incurable disorders with the help of her prayers and the power of faith. Foreword by former congressman Samuel A. Weiss. 1992.

In the Presence of My Enemies RC 58747
by Gracia Burnham
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
Account of an American missionary who, with her husband, Martin, was kidnapped from a Philippine resort by Islamic terrorists in 2001. Describes their year-long ordeal as hostages on the run in the jungle, their struggle to keep their faith, and the rescue during which Martin was killed. Some violence. 2003.

In Their Hearts: Inspirational Alzheimer’s Stories RC 58113
by Mary Margaret Britton Yearwood
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Born with a high-functioning form of autism known as Asperger’s syndrome, the author recalls her service as a chaplain in an Alzheimer’s special care unit in Atlanta from 1997 to 1999. She relates her enlightening experiences with patients who, despite cognitive losses, remained a "gold mine of spirituality." 2002.

Remarkable Changes: Turning Life’s Challenges into Opportunities RC 56224
by Jane Seymour
read by Miriam Wagner
2 cassettes
Autobiography of English actress born in 1951. Seymour shares seven lessons for making the most of life’s changes and candidly discusses her own disappointments and triumphs—her divorces and marriages, her children, and her career. Also includes stories of others who grew from their experiences, as well as a preface by Christopher Reeve. 2003.

Seven Things That Steal Your Joy: Overcoming the Obstacles to Your Happiness RC 58823
by Joyce Meyer
read by Joyce Meyer
1 cassette
Christian radio and television host shares wisdom from scripture passages and her own ministry that has enabled her to find happiness, health, and strength in daily life. Offers advice to replace with God’s truth and love such joy stealers as jealousy, discontentment, excessive reasoning, and anger. 2004.

Survivors: True Tales of Endurance RC 58169
edited by John B. Letterman
read by Dan Toohey
4 cassettes
Twenty-three writings selected by the editor as the most "exciting, moving, and inspiring pieces ever written about human courage and perseverance" from the sixteenth to twentieth centuries. Primarily firsthand accounts, they include the Essex whaling ship wreck, astronaut James Lovell’s harrowing adventure aboard Apollo 13, and Senator John McCain’s POW experiences. 2003.

Warrior of the Light: A Manual RC 58430
by Paulo Coelho
read by John Polk
1 cassette
A collection of philosophical sketches prefaced by the brief parable of a grown man returning to the beach of his childhood. There he is inspired to write about the "Warrior"—one who is "capable of understanding the miracle of life." Inspirational companion to The Alchemist (RC 37602). 2003.

Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life RC 58324
by John McCain
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
Meditations on courage and its costs by Senator John McCain. Includes accounts of Vietnam veteran sergeant Roy Benavidez, civil rights leader John Lewis, Hungarian resistance fighter Hannah Senesh, and others, demonstrating exemplary fortitude, discipline, and self-sacrifice both in daily living and under extraordinary duress. Bestseller. 2004.

Journalism and the Media

Brinkley’s Beat: People, Places, and Events That Shaped My Time RC 57571
by David Brinkley
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Posthumously published memoir by well-known TV reporter and anchor comprising anecdotal reflections on his life and career. Covers his many interests including World War II, civil rights, world affairs, political personalities and conventions, and American foreign policy. Includes his wry observations on his world and his work. 2003.

Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media . . . RC 57751
by John Stossel
read by Norm Thibeault
2 cassettes
Emmy Award-winning consumer advocate recounts his "professional and intellectual journey" from being a shy, stuttering college student to becoming a crusading television news journalist. Stossel describes his most memorable exposés and decries the media backlash he experienced when he turned his attention to government and public-interest groups. Bestseller. 2004.

Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose (8): A Memoir of Love, Exile, and Crosswords RC 58338
by Sandy Balfour
read by David Cutler
2 cassettes
Memoir of a television journalist born in Johannesburg. Balfour recalls his decision to leave South Africa in 1983, his travels with his girlfriend, his life in exile in England, and his passion for cryptic crosswords. A cryptic clue inspired the title of his account. Some strong language. 2003.

Skywriting: A Life out of the Blue RC 58891
by Jane Pauley
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Award-winning television news anchorwoman’s autobiography, in which she pens her "personal process of discovery" from an upbringing in the Midwest to success on the Today and Dateline shows. Discusses her adult-onset bipolar disorder and family life with husband Garry Trudeau and their three children. Bestseller. 2004.

Language

Fiction Writer’s Workshop RC 58867
by Josip Novakovich
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Elementary guide to fiction writing by prize-winning author of Salvation and Other Disasters (RC 47949). Using examples from contemporary and classic literature, covers basics: setting, character, dialogue, scene, plot, point of view, and voice. Offers exercises to help writers assess, improve, and expand their prose. 1995.

The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary RC 58178
by Simon Winchester
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
This companion to The Professor and the Madman (RC 46906) recounts the monumental, seventy-year effort to compile the definitive, twelve-volume Oxford dictionary, completed in 1928. Winchester describes the goal to provide comprehensive meanings of all words, the project’s complexity, crucial volunteer participation, and key figures directing the task. 2003.

One Hundred Words Every High School Graduate Should Know RC 58357
edited by American Heritage Dictionaries
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
The American Heritage College Dictionary web site list of vocabulary words evolved into a published book by popular demand. For senior high and older readers. Bestseller. 2003.

The Pen Commandments: A Guide for the Beginning Writer RC 58151
by Steven Frank
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
Rules of good writing in a playful, informative guide for teens, parents, and students of all ages. The author, a long-time high school English teacher, gives solid basics of punctuation, grammar, style, sentence structure, composition, and topic choice along with suggestions, exercises, and examples. 2003.

Spanish for Dummies RC 57058
by Susana Wald
read by Peter Gil
3 cassettes
Five-part guide with twenty chapters on learning Spanish. Presents conversational dialogs for handling a variety of situations from basic greetings to emergencies. Also includes grammatical reference notes, colloquial expressions, cultural facts, a mini-glossary, and other information. 2000.

When Good People Write Bad Sentences: Twelve Steps to Better Writing Habits RC 58539
by Robert W. Harris
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
Strategies for overcoming an "addiction to bad writing." Examines the roots of common writing errors that lead to ineffective sentences and baffling communication. Explains how to use correct grammar, syntax, punctuation, diction, and style to produce clear, confident, and persuasive prose. 2003.

Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York’s Acclaimed Creative Writing School
RC 58661
by Gotham Writers’ Workshop Faculty
read by Carol Dines
3 cassettes
Gotham Writers’ Workshop faculty present lessons for creating fiction. Addresses the craft, art, and business of writing. Exercises cover character and plot development, dialogue, pacing, themes, revising, and more. Includes full text of Raymond Carver’s "Cathedral." 2003.

Writing Winning Reports and Essays RC 58668
by Paul B. Janeczko read by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
Outlines strategies for writing successful research reports and essays. Gives basic guidelines for using note cards, citing sources, outlining, and writing drafts. Provides samples of completed papers. Suggests ideas by school subject and offers research tips. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

Legal Issues

Justice at Dachau: The Trials of an American Prosecutor RC 57605
by Joshua M. Greene
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Reconstructs the late 1940s trials of Nazi guards, officers, and doctors accused of war crimes at the Dachau, Mauthausen, Flossenburg, and Buchenwald concentration camps. Details the work of thirty-two-year-old William Denson, an American army lawyer who led the prosecution through twenty-one months of unprecedented cases on the Dachau grounds. Violence. 2003.

Who Owns Native Culture? RC 58391
by Michael F. Brown
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Anthropologist uses court cases to show the conflict between indigenous peoples’ claims to their cultural artifacts and the rights of liberal democracies. Suggests that resolution lies not in litigation but in compromise between the parties, affording mutual respect and balanced proprietary interests in art, symbols, land sites, wildlife, and botanic species. 2003.

Literature

The Best American Essays, 2003 RC 57238
edited by Anne Fadiman
read by Barry Bernson
3 cassettes
Twenty-four diverse essays selected and introduced by Fadiman. Subjects include war from a woman’s viewpoint, emergency planning, World War II in occupied France, death and dying, medical topics, cooking, imaginary pals, and social life in America. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

Christmas at the New Yorker: Stories, Poems, Humor, and Art RC 57538
by The New Yorker
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Anthology of holiday writing featured in the New Yorker magazine from 1925 to 2002. Seasonal poetry and prose highlight themes like the spirit of giving, family, Santa Claus, and Christmas carols. Contributing authors include James Thurber, H.L. Mencken, Alice Munro, E.B. White, and foreword author John Updike. 2003.

A Dab of Dickens and a Touch of Twain: Literary Lives from Shakespeare’s Old England to Frost’s New England RC 57266
by Elliot Engel
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
Professor of literature offers insights—little known and non-stuffy—about the intertwined lives and works of nineteen favorite authors, among them Edgar Allan Poe, whose Tales of Mystery and Madness (RC 21734) are the forerunners of the modern short story, and D.H. Lawrence, liberated author of Lady Chatterley’s Lover (RC 44295). 2002.

The Harlem Reader: A Celebration of New York’s Most Famous Neighborhood, from the Renaissance Years to the Twenty-first Century RC 57319
edited by Herb Boyd
read by Robin Miles
2 cassettes
Anthology of essays, articles, short stories, and poetry reflects the diversity and creativity of this unique urban community. Selections represent some of the most significant social, political, and cultural African American voices of the twentieth century including Malcolm X, Sidney Poitier, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and others. 2003.

My Staggerford Journal RC 56669
by Jon Hassler
read by Ray Childs
1 cassette
Daily journal kept by the author while writing Staggerford (RC 56651), his 1977 novel of small-town life in America. Hassler gives insight into the creative process, plot development, and the evolution of such characters as Miles Pruitt, the Bonewoman, and Miss Agatha McGee. 1999.

Nonrequired Reading: Prose Pieces RC 58793
by Wislawa Szymborska
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
Nearly one hundred of the Nobel Prize-winning poet’s musings inspired by obscure or ephemeral books unlikely to receive much attention from reviewers. Memoirs of Napoleon’s valet evoke her sympathy for the emperor’s lack of privacy; a book on Neanderthals leaves her questioning their spiritual lives. A variety of whimsical digressions. 2002.

On the Natural History of Destruction RC 58874
by W.G. Sebald
read by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
Four essays based on lectures by German scholar and award-winning author of Austerlitz (RC 53308) explore the lingering effects of WWII Allied bombings on his nation’s collective consciousness. "Air War and Literature" criticizes the failure of postwar German writers to adequately address their country’s destruction; the other pieces analyze works of three such literary figures. 1999.

Sister Nations: Native American Women Writers on Community RC 58347
edited by Heid E. Erdrich and Laura Tohe
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
In poems, short stories, and essays, contemporary American Indian women—some young, some older—share their feelings and insights about their sense of community. This anthology is grouped by themes: "Changing Women," "Strong Hearts," "New Age Pocahontas," and "In the Arms of the Skies." 2002.

Zelda Fitzgerald: Her Voice in Paradise RC 56807
by Sally Cline
read by Faith Potts
5 cassettes
English literary scholar reexamines the life of the Jazz Age writer, painter, and ballerina whose artistic efforts were overshadowed by the celebrity of her husband, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and undermined by encroaching mental illness. Cline illuminates Zelda’s character, explores her sometimes enigmatic self-expression, and reevaluates her legacy. 2002.

Marriage and Sex

For Better or for Worse . . . but Not for Lunch: Making Marriage Work in Retirement RC 56387
by Sara Yogev
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Psychologist addresses the impact of retirement on feelings toward home, money, friendships, and marriage. Drawing on case studies and research, Yogev offers strategies and innovative exercises to assist retirees and their partners adjust to the major transition. 2002.

The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands RC 57705
by Laura C. Schlessinger
read by Mary Kane
1 cassette
Radio talk-show psychologist and author of Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives (RC 38864) illustrates marital enjoyment, using real-life examples. Enumerates her fundamental concepts and techniques to keep a mate content. Bestseller. 2004.

Toward Commitment: A Dialogue about Marriage RC 56116
by Diane Rehm and John B. Rehm
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
National Public Radio talk show host and author of Finding My Voice (RC 49385) reveals both her satisfaction and disappointment in her marriage to her attorney husband of forty-two years. Among topics discussed are sex, religion, parenting, money, in-laws, retirement, and aging. 2002.

The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability: For All of Us Who Live with Disabilities, Chronic Pain, and Illness RC 58244
by Miriam Kaufman and others read by Gabra Zackman
3 cassettes
Guide drawn from authors’ professional and personal experiences and from an informal survey of people living with various disabilities. Topics include sexual health, self-esteem, communication, and debunking myths. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

Medicine and Health

Alzheimer’s Early Stages: First Steps for Families, Friends, and Caregivers RC 57980
by Daniel Kuhn
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Education director of the Mather Institute of Aging addresses medical aspects of Alzheimer’s disease including risk factors, early symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Also covers care, safety, finances, and end-of-life concerns. Emphasizes the importance of support groups and other assistance for families. 1999.

The Alzheimer’s Health Care Handbook: How to Get the Best Medical Care for Your Relative with Alzheimer’s Disease in and out of the Hospital RC 57332
by Mary S. Mittelman and Cynthia
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Advice for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients who suffer from physical ailments as well as dementia. Covers doctors’ visits, medications, emergencies, hospital stays, post-hospitalization care, and end-of-life decisions. Also includes nursing home information and tips on self-care for oneself. 2002.

The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness RC 57969
by Jerome Groopman
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Physician and New Yorker staff writer draws on thirty years of medical experience and his own struggles with a debilitating back injury to explore the "biology of hope." Presenting intimate portraits of former patients, Groopman investigates, in the mind-body connection, scientific evidence of emotions’ contributions to recovery. 2004.

Before It Happens to You: A Breakthrough Program for Reversing or Preventing Heart Disease RC 58468
by Jonathan Sackner Bernstein
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Physician discusses how to cut the risk of heart attack and stroke in half even without a change in diet or lifestyle. Evaluates the latest available drugs that can prevent problems before they occur, and explains the interpretation of various diagnostic tests. 2004.

Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth RC 58301
by Jenny McCarthy
read by Colleen Delany
1 cassette
Actress and former television dating show host relates in humorous, gritty detail the unseemly, uncomfortable, but ultimately rewarding aspects of childbearing. Author shares personal anecdotes while offering frank discussion on morning sickness, constipation, cravings, hemorrhoids, gas, weight gain, water retention, labor, and other bodily functions. Strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Better than Well: American Medicine Meets the American Dream RC 58253
by Carl Elliott
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Bioethics professor analyzes America’s paradoxical response to "enhancement technologies"—drugs or surgical procedures employed not only to combat illness but to improve human appearance, capacity, or self-esteem. Explores the debate in a cultural and historical context to understand why people embrace these therapies yet feel uneasy about their use. 2003.

The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook: Issues and Answers from Research to Recovery RC 57339
by Kathy Steligo
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Breast-cancer survivor describes mastectomy and available options in breast reconstruction as well as the details of each procedure. Includes information on finding the right doctor, navigating the insurance maze, recovering from surgery, and dealing with lifestyle changes. 2003.

Choosing Assistive Devices: A Guide for Users and Professionals RC 57914
by Helen Pain and others
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Presents a systematic approach to selecting adaptive equipment and to incorporating such devices into the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. To assure a good match, recommends considering the physical and mental capabilities, lifestyles, and preferences of both users and caregivers. Discusses options for seating, toileting, bathing, and locomotion. 2003.

Choosing Naia: A Family’s Journey RC 57277
by Mitchell Zuckoff
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Chronicles the experiences of an interracial couple coping with the news that their unborn child has a heart defect and probable Down syndrome. Details their agonizing decision to keep and raise the baby and explores the role of medical technology in abortion decisions. 2002.

Climbing Higher RC 57988
by Montel Williams
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Emmy-winning talk show host relates his personal experiences in confronting the physical and emotional challenges of living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Williams describes the diagnosis and manifestations of his disease, reviews different medications for managing pain, and includes opinions and predictions of seven doctors regarding MS research. Strong language. 2004.

Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science RC 56061
by Atul Gawande
read by Michael Kramer
2 cassettes
Essays of a Harvard-trained surgical resident who examines the fallibility of doctors, the mysteries of medicine, the uncertainty of science, and the wonders of technological advancements. Uses anecdotes from his own experience to describe medical errors, unexplained pain, operations for the obese, and a case of flesh-eating bacteria. 2002.

Cracked: Putting Broken Lives Together Again; A Doctor’s Story RC 58651
by Drew Pinsky
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Radio show advice doctor details his work as medical director of a Southern California drug addiction rehabilitation facility. Pinsky clinically describes the frightening process of detoxification, patients’ underlying physical and psychiatric problems, the raw emotions displayed in the clinic, and his own recurrent struggles with despair. Some strong language. 2003.

The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race against an Epidemic RC 58310
by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Chronicles the valiant efforts of a dog-sled relay to bring serum to ice-bound Nome, Alaska, when a deadly diphtheria outbreak put Eskimo natives and especially their children at risk in 1925. Blends Alaska’s early history with portraits of courageous team leaders and their dogs—including the famous Balto—who trekked 674 miles across frozen terrain. 2003.

Curing MS: How Science Is Solving the Mysteries of Multiple Sclerosis RC 58487
by Howard L. Weiner read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Harvard neurologist uses examples from his own practice to illustrate his three decades of research on the autoimmune disorder multiple sclerosis. Describes the technological and medical advances he has witnessed, possible future developments, funding problems, and public perception of the disease. 2004.

Diabetes A to Z: What You Need to Know about Diabetes, Simply Put RC 57648
by American Diabetes Association
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Revised and updated edition explains diabetes-related issues in clear, simple terms. Topics for coping with the illness are arranged alphabetically and cover diet and exercise, blood glucose monitoring, possible complications, health care, employment rights, and more. 2003.

The Doctors’ Plague: Germs, Childbed Fever, and the Strange Story of Ignác Semmelweis RC 58558
by Sherwin B. Nuland read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
Yale professor recounts the life of Hungarian obstetrician Ignác Semmel-weis (1818–1865), credited with introducing sanitary hospital practices that nearly eliminated childbed fever and other infections years before Louis Pasteur’s discovery of bacteria. Nu-land describes a man nevertheless rejected by his contemporaries and chased by personal demons, whose life ended in anger and anonymity. 2003.

Essential Musical Intelligence: Using Music as Your Path to Healing, Creativity, and Radiant Wholeness RC 58516
by Louise Montello
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Music therapist’s guide to reconnecting with one’s essential music intelligence (EMI), the innate ability to use sound to facilitate total health and well-being, increase vitality, and cope with pain. Relates case histories and personal accounts to demonstrate meditative exercises utilizing a variety of music from classical to drumming. 2002.

The Etiquette of Illness: What to Say When You Can’t Find the Words RC 58522
by Susan P. Halpern read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Cancer survivor and psychotherapist addresses how individuals can best respond with sensitivity and compassion to a sick friend or relative. Demonstrates making a potentially awkward situation more comfortable through effective speech and behavior. Includes suggestions for talking to children about illness. 2004.

The Fever Trail: In Search of the Cure for Malaria RC 57286
by Mark Honigsbaum
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Chronicles the perilous expeditions of three nineteenth-century British explorers searching for South America’s elusive cinchona tree—the source of quinine used to cure malaria. Honigs-baum reconstructs their quests to find and smuggle the medicinal bark to English colonies. Also discusses twentieth-century efforts to vaccinate against emerging drug-resistant malaria strains. 2001.

The Harvard Medical School Guide to Taking Control of Asthma: A Comprehensive Prevention and Treatment Plan for You and Your Family RC 57843
by Christopher H. Fanta and Lynda M. Cristiano
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
Physicians’ commonsense guide to managing asthma on a daily basis and during attacks. Discusses symptoms and medical characteristics, diagnosis, degrees of severity, factors that can trigger attacks, medications, and alternative and complementary therapies. Includes sections pertaining specifically to children, women, and the elderly. 2003.

How Not to Be My Patient: A Physician’s Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis RC 58308
by Edward T. Creagan
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
Mayo Clinic cancer specialist outlines strategies for reducing the risk of developing serious illness. Discusses lifestyle choices, health screening, doctor-patient communication, and the mind-body-spirit connection. Also explains how to survive a life-threatening diagnosis through complementary medicine, a positive attitude, and a good support system. 2003.

Hysterectomy: Exploring Your Options RC 57422
by Edward E. Wallach and Esther Eisenberg
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Gynecologists explain the female reproductive organs, problems that can occur, and options for treatment. Describes three types of hysterectomies (involving surgical removal of the uterus), benefits and risks of each operation, postoperative issues, and medical alternatives. 2003.

I Had Brain Surgery, What’s Your Excuse? An Illustrated Memoir RC 58060
by Suzy Becker
read by Gabra Zackman
2 cassettes
Bestselling author Suzy Becker relates discovering she had a brain tumor in 1999, the same year she received a distinguished Bunting Fellowship at Rad-cliffe College. Describes, with wry humor, her symptoms, diagnosis, denial, surgery, slow recovery of her speech and writing ability, and triumphant comeback in a 500-mile bike-a-thon. 2004.

The Irritable Heart: The Medical Mystery of the Gulf War RC 57083
by Jeff Wheelwright
read by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
Reviews the medical histories of five ailing veterans from the 1991 Persian Gulf War to seek a biomedical explanation for difficult-to-diagnose con-ditions. Also examines illnesses exhibited by military personnel after other armed encounters, including "irritable heart" disease following the Civil War. Concludes these maladies result from combination of physical symptoms and psychological stress. 2001.

Mayo Clinic on Osteoporosis RC 57342
edited by Stephen Hodgson
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Physician at the Mayo Clinic discusses how to keep bones healthy and strong to reduce the risk of fracture. Explains screening and diagnosis of osteoporosis, its prevention and treatment, as well as medication, exercise, diet, and home safety issues. 2003.

Miscarriage: A Doctor’s Guide to the Facts; Why It Happens and How Best to Reduce Your Risks RC 56650
by Henry M. Lerner
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Obstetrician/gynecologist discusses the causes of miscarriage, preventative diagnostic tests and surgical procedures, and methods for recovering and preparing for future pregnancies. Includes information on psychological aspects of coping with the loss of a child. 2003.

Multiple Sclerosis Q and A: Reassuring Answers to Frequently Asked Questions RC 57623
by Beth Ann Hill
read by Carol Dines
1 cassette
Introduction to multiple sclerosis (MS) by a patient, addressing the most common concerns. Topics include symptoms, tests, diagnosis, and treatments. Covers family issues and lifestyle changes and offers positive assurances and available resources. 2003.

One Hundred One Foot-Care Tips for People with Diabetes RC 56378
by Jessie H. Ahroni read by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
Provides answers to common questions about foot problems associated with two complications of diabetes—poor circulation and nerve damage. Discusses skin and nail care, footwear, exercise, treatment of minor ailments, and identifying major concerns. 2000.

One Hundred One Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy with Diabetes RC 57527
by Patti B. Geil and Laura B. Hieronymus
read by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Answers to frequently asked questions about issues unique to women with diabetes, both preexisting and gestational. Stresses the importance of monitoring blood glucose throughout the pregnancy; addresses nutrition, medication, and labor and delivery; and details postpartum care to ensure the best health for baby and mother. 2003.

Overcoming Hearing Aid Fears: The Road to Better Hearing RC 57511
by John M. Burkey
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
An audiologist describes the loss of hearing as a traumatic condition that with patience and good information can be navigated. Addresses the benefits and fears surrounding hearing aids, using experiences of patients in his own practice. Provides information on types of hearing aids and their cost, health insurance, and general resources. 2003.

Pain Killer: A "Wonder" Drug’s Trail of Addiction and Death RC 58141
by Barry Meier
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-nominated investigative reporter demonstrates widespread abuse of OxyContin, citing a case study in rural Virginia. Meier explores pain management and prescription drug abuse issues and asserts that regulations favoring pharmaceutical companies could threaten public health and cause higher crime rates and rehabilitative costs. 2003.

Pain-Free Arthritis: A Seven-Step Program for Feeling Better Again RC 57341
by Harris H. McIlwain and Debra Fulghum Bruce
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Rheumatologist offers a multistep plan for alleviating arthritis and other painful conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia, through therapeutic exercise, diet, and medication. Also discusses alternative therapies and includes recipes. 2003.

The Sexy Years: Discover the Hormone Connection; the Secret to Fabulous Sex, Great Health, and Vitality, for Women and Men RC 58056
by Suzanne Somers
read by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
Actress and health guru describes her search for a cure to the "Seven Dwarfs of Menopause." Drawing on her own experience working with physicians who specialize in natural hormone treatment, Somers explains the value of bioidentical hormones in making menopause the best years of life. Bestseller. 2004.

She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders RC 58996
by Jennifer Finney Boylan
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Candid autobiography of professor and transgender author (as James Finney Boylan) of The Constellations (RC 43488). Boylan reveals her transition from male to female and reactions of family, friends, colleagues, and students to "Jenny" after the sex change. Afterword by novelist Richard Russo. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2003.

Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood RC 57390
by Julie Gregory
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Author recalls childhood of constant visits to doctors seeking cures for ailments invented by her mother, who suffered a psychological disorder (Munchausen by proxy) causing caregivers to falsify illness in dependent persons to gain attention. Learning about this condition in college, Gregory realizes her mother’s abuse. Some violence and some strong language. 2003.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers RC 58302
by Mary Roach
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Journalist explores the role of dead bodies in science’s "boldest strides and weirdest undertakings" throughout history and the twentieth century. Describes such productive, sometimes bizarre, uses for corpses as testing guillotines, studying plane and car crashes, and experimenting with organ transplants, plastic surgery, and other medical procedures. Bestseller. 2003.

Teens under the Influence: The Truth about Kids, Alcohol, and Other Drugs; How to Recognize the Problem and What to Do about It RC 57302
by Katherine Ketcham and Nicholas A. Pace
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
Resource guide to help parents combat adolescent substance abuse. Detailed passages explain teenage addiction, biological and environmental factors, and the short- and long-term effects of specific drugs. Provides information about diagnosis, intervention, treatment options, the recovery process, and strategies for coping with relapses. 2003.

There’s a Flying Squirrel in My Coffee: Overcoming Cancer with the Help of My Pet RC 57617
by Bill Goss
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
Retired naval lieutenant commander, business consultant, and motivational speaker presents an inspirational account of his triumph over a rare but deadly form of skin cancer. Goss reflects on his illness, his love for his family, and his adventures with an orphaned flying squirrel named Rocky, who helped him recover. 2002.

The Thirty Day Natural Hormone Plan: Look and Feel Young Again—without Synthetic HRT RC 58540
by Erika Schwartz
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Physician provides a month-long program that relies on natural hormones to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Suggests using diet and exercise to maintain good health while aging. Includes meal plans and a summary of the National Institutes of Health synthetic hormones study. 2004.

Thriving with Heart Disease: A Unique Program for You and Your Family; Live Happier, Healthier, Longer RC 56642
by Wayne M. Sotile read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Cardiac psychologist’s guide to dealing with the emotional repercussions of a heart attack or hypertension. Sotile identifies four stages of heart illness—surviving the crisis, creating a coping strategy, handling the homecoming blues, and learning to live with heart disease—and also discusses living well with heart failure or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. 2003.

Transplant: From Myth to Reality RC 58146
by Nicholas L. Tilney
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Surgeon traces the evolution of organ transplantation from its origins in ancient myth and religion to its practice in twentieth-century biology and medicine. Chronicles landmark scientific achievements and considers how societal forces have driven transplant development and how "competition, commerce, and exploitation" have marred its success. 2003.

Ultimate Fitness: The Quest for Truth about Exercise and Health RC 58384
by Gina Kolata
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
New York Times science reporter—who enjoys a workout—uses examples from her own experience to investigate the myths and realities of physical exercise. Traces the history of the fitness movement from Greek times to computerized gyms, explains the scientific basis of exercise, and questions some generally accepted training claims. 2003.

The Ultimate Weight Solution for Teens: The Seven Keys to Weight Freedom RC 57801
by Jay McGraw
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
As a companion to television host Dr. Phil McGraw’s The Ultimate Weight Solution (RC 57111), his son, Jay McGraw, offers teenagers strategies to improve their self-image. Identifies seven keys for weight management including exercising and eating right. For junior and senior high and older readers. Bestseller. 2003.

The Ultimate Weight Solution: The Seven Keys to Weight Loss Freedom RC 57111
by Phil McGraw
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Host of television’s "Dr. Phil," who spent thirty years working with overweight people, presents his seven keys to obtaining an appropriate weight and gaining more energy and vitality. He focuses on right thinking; control of emotions, environment, and habits; nutrition; exercise; and support systems. Bestseller. 2003.

Music

According to the Rolling Stones RC 57396
by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
read by David Cutler
3 cassettes
Reminiscences by members of "the greatest rock n’ roll band in the world," tracing their British roots and rise to international fame beginning in the 1960s. Also includes essays by business participants in the Stones’ career and fellow performers, including American singer Sheryl Crow. Some strong language. 2003.

Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal RC 55721
by David Konow
read by John Lescault
3 cassettes
History of the music genre that evolved from the blues in England in the late 1960s. Discusses the careers of heavy metal’s most notorious groups including Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Metallica, Def Leppard, and Guns N’ Roses. Strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2002.

Broken Music: A Memoir RC 57114
by Sting
read by David Cutler
2 cassettes
Memoir by British songwriter and musician born in 1951 reconstructs his life before he gained fame as a member of the band Police. Describes his childhood in Newcastle, his academic success that sends him to teachers’ college, the influence of 1960s music, and his early bands. Strong language. Bestseller. 2003.

Celia: My Life RC 59003
by Celia Cruz
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Autobiography by the Afro-Cuban singer, the "Queen of Salsa," who died in 2003. Reminisces about her upbringing and early career in Havana and her road to international success. Recalls her voluntary exile after Castro came to power, her long marriage, and associations with other musicians. Foreword by Maya Angelou. 2004.

Chaliapin: An Autobiography as Told to Maxim Gorky RC 56656
by Fyodor Ivanovich Chaliapin
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
4 cassettes
The memoirs of the eminent Russian operatic bass, Fyodor Chaliapin (1873–1938), as recounted to his friend, the writer Maxim Gorky. Discusses the singer’s Russian upbringing and international career performing the roles of Boris Gudunov, Ivan the Terrible, Prince Igor, and Mephistopheles. 1967.

Clara Schumann: The Artist and the Woman RC 58262
by Nancy B. Reich
read by Suzanne Toren
4 cassettes
Biography of German pianist, composer, and teacher Clara Wieck Schu-mann (1819–1896). Traces her early years as a child prodigy, six-decade career, marriage to fellow musician Robert, family of seven children, and friendships with Johannes Brahms and other notable contemporaries. 1985.

The Facts of Life and Other Dirty Jokes RC 58592
by Willie Nelson
read by Robert Sams
1 cassette
Popular singer/songwriter’s reflections on what is and what is not important in his life. In his collection of jokes, memories, and song lyrics (often raunchy and politically incorrect), Nelson ruminates on the stock market, sports endorsements, and his favorite biblical lines. Some strong language. 2002.

Hank Williams, So Lonesome RC 58607
by Bill Koon
read by Todd Scofield
2 cassettes
Biography of country singer Hank Williams (1923–1953) who wrote over one hundred songs including "Hey, Good Lookin’," "Your Cheatin’ Heart," and "Lovesick Blues." From interviews with family, friends, and band members, Koon documents Williams’s rise from Depression-era Alabama to Nashville stardom and examines the mystery surrounding his death. 2001.

Hip-Hop Divas RC 56526
edited by Vibe magazine read by Tracy Mickens-Hundley
3 cassettes
Chronicles the struggles and triumphs of women performers in the world of hip-hop music. Includes essays on the lives and careers of fifteen stars, such as Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Lil’ Kim, and TLC. Strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2001.

Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline RC 58571
by Ellis Nassour
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Biography portrays Patsy Cline (1932–1963) as the first female country singer to cross over into pop music. From interviews with Cline’s family and friends, Nassour details the performer’s trailblazing career, dynamic relationships, and untimely death in a plane crash. Foreword by Dottie West. Some strong language. 1993.

In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis Jr. RC 58878
by Wil Haygood
read by Jake Williams
5 cassettes
From research and interviews, award-winning journalist relates the life and career of performer Sammy Davis Jr., from his start as a four-year-old singer/dancer with the Will Mastin Trio. Recounts his romances, mob connections, politics, and ever-present conflict of racial identity. Strong language. 2003.

Jam Master Jay: The Heart of Hip Hop RC 58097
by David E. Thigpen read by Bill Quinn
1 cassette
Biography of the rap group Run-DMC founding member who was murdered in 2002 in his music studio. Traces Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell’s childhood in Queens, New York; his rise in the recording business; and his mysterious death. Discusses the hip-hop subculture. For senior high and older readers. 2003.

Jean Langlais: The Man and His Music RC 58692
by Ann Labounsky
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Authorized biography of blind twentieth-century organist/composer Jean Langlais (1907–1991) by organist/music scholar Labounsky. Discusses Langlais’s training at France’s National Institute for the Blind, his subsequent position as organist at Paris’s Sainte-Clotilde, his American tours, and his instrumental, choral, and vocal compositions. 2000.

Jelly’s Blues: The Life, Music, and Redemption of Jelly Roll Morton RC 57482
by Howard Reich and William Gaines
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Biography of Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton, a New Orleans-born pianist who claimed to have invented jazz. Drawing on recently discovered archives, the authors document the innovative composer’s turn-of-the-century rise to fame, his 1930s fall into obscurity and poverty, and his later avant-garde scores. Also considers evidence belying his undeserved reputation as a hustler and liar. 2003.

Jon Bon Jovi RC 58423
by Laura Jackson
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
Biography of songwriter and rock star Bon Jovi, born in 1962. Traces his career from small New Jersey club gigs to formation of his own band in 1983 and subsequent award-winning albums. Also describes his film and TV acting roles. Some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2003.

Man in Black RC 58372
by Johnny Cash
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes (Reissue)
In this candid autobiography, legendary country-western singer Johnny Cash revisits the "good and bad times" of his life and career. Describes his rural Arkansas childhood, older brother Jack’s death, seven nightmarish years of drug addiction, marriage to June Carter, and the faith in God he ultimately found. 1975.

No Disrespect RC 57415
by Sister Souljah
read by Andrea Frierson-Toney
3 cassettes
Rapper describes growing up in the Bronx projects and offers advice to African American men and women on how to conduct one’s life. Criticizes welfare dependency, racism, religion, and casual relationships while stressing the need for strong families and self-respect. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1994.

Spreadin’ Rhythm Around: Black Popular Songwriters, 1880–1930 RC 58609
by David A. Jasen and Gene Jones
read by Robert Sams
4 cassettes
This fifty-year history focuses on various African American composers, lyricists, performers, and publishers, to show their influence on mainstream popular American culture. Discusses minstrel shows, vaudeville, Tin Pan Alley, blues, early jazz, and Broadway. 1998.

Nature and the Environment

Dr. Tatiana’s Sex Advice to All Creation RC 56281
by Olivia Judson
read by Kimberly Schraf
3 cassettes
Evolutionary biologist devises letters from nonhuman species to discuss nature’s bizarre sex practices. Her quirky advice to lovelorn creatures explains the variety of mating and reproduction habits among denizens of the natural world. Descriptions of sex. 2002.

Fire and Ashes: On the Front Lines of American Wildfire RC 57258
by John N. Maclean
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
Writer of Fire on the Mountain (RC 50200) examines the conditions of America’s forests, the history of wildland fires, and the dangers of fighting them. Includes an interview with the last survivor of a 1949 tragedy that the author’s father wrote about in Young Men and Fire (RC 35639). Some strong language. 2003.

The Ghost with Trembling Wings: Science, Wishful Thinking, and the Search for Lost Species RC 56260
by Scott Weidensaul
read by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
Naturalist Weidensaul recounts his journeys around the world in search of creatures thought to be extinct. Discusses environmental forces that drive plants and animals toward the verge of extinction and explores scientists’ attempts to save endangered species. 2002.

Nature Writings: The Story of My Boyhood and Youth, My First Summer in the Sierra, The Mountains of California, Stickeen, Selected Essays RC 58485
by John Muir
read by Bill Wallace
6 cassettes
A selection of four books and eighteen essays by Scottish-born naturalist John Muir (1838–1914), a key figure in the creation of the American national parks system. The writings, published primarily between 1871 and 1913, chronicle his lifetime of exploration, observation, and conservation advocacy. 1997.

Of Time and Place RC 58591
by Sigurd F. Olson
read by Todd Scofield
1 cassette (Reissue)
Collection of vignettes completed by naturalist and conservation activist Sigurd F. Olson (1899–1982) just before his death. Considered by Audubon as "the poetic voice of the modern wilderness," Olson lyrically recalls his experiences with the lakes, streams, prairies, and forests of his memories. 1982.

People of the Deer RC 57806
by Farley Mowat
read by John Polk
3 cassettes (Reissue)
In 1947, drawn by childhood memories, a Canadian WWII veteran spends over a year in the Arctic west of Hudson Bay. He befriends native Eskimos (the Ihalmiut, or, the People of the Deer) and laments their poor living conditions and treatment by the government. 1951.

A Place in the Woods RC 58601
by Helen Hoover
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Author recounts her adventures liv-ing close to nature after she and her husband, Adrian, quit their jobs in Chicago and move to a cabin in Minnesota’s northern woods. Helen describes their triumphs and setbacks as they gradually adapt to the rigors of wilderness survival, including isolation and near poverty. 1968.

Plan B: Rescuing a Planet under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble RC 57616
by Lester R. Brown
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
President and founder of the nonprofit Earth Policy Institute outlines solutions to worldwide ecological crises. Brown’s recommendations for stabilizing population and climate include reducing carbon emissions, raising land and water productivity, and creating an environmentally compatible economy. 2003.

Reflections from the North Country RC 58735
by Sigurd F. Olson
read by Todd Scofield
1 cassette (Reissue)
Collection of essays by conservation activist and award-winning nature writer Sigurd F. Olson (1899–1982). Olson’s recollections of his wilderness adventures in the northern United States and arctic tundra reflect his "understanding of man’s long relationship to nature, all living things, and the universe itself." 1976.

Son of the Wilderness: The Life of John Muir RC 58081
by Linnie Marsh Wolfe
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Biography of Scottish-born conservationist and nature writer John Muir (1838–1914). Depicts Muir’s early childhood, 1849 move to America, University of Wisconsin studies, wilderness travels recorded in his writings, and efforts to preserve forestland and create national parks. Emphasizes the naturalist’s down-to-earth realism, human relationships, and family life. Pulitzer Prize. 1945.

Travels in Alaska RC 58721
by John Muir
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes
Last book written by Scottish-born naturalist John Muir (1838–1914), who recounts three trips to Alaska between 1879 and 1890. Describes his encounters with indigenous peoples, his mountain traverses, and his hazardous exploration of Glacier Bay, now a national monument. New 1993 introduction by anthropologist Richard Nelson. 1915.

Volcanoes in Human History: The Far-Reaching Effects of Major Eruptions RC 58624
by Jelle Zeilinga de Boer and Donald Theodore Sanders
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Examines nine historic volcanic disasters. Discusses their geologic settings in relation to plate tectonics and both the immediate and long-range consequences in human terms of volcanic activity. Chronicles eruptions of Vesuvius, Tambora, Krakatau, Mount Pelée, and Mount St. Helens and discusses the formation of Iceland and the Hawaiian Islands. 2002.

The Wilderness of Denali: Explorations of a Hunter-Naturalist in Northern Alaska RC 58694
by Charles Sheldon
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Relates hunter’s 1906–1908 adventures in the territory surrounding Denali, the Native American name for Mt. McKinley. Personal notes and diary entries record observations about sheep, grizzlies, and other native wildlife. This 2000 edition includes biographical introduction. 1930.

The Wilderness World of John Muir RC 58404
by John Muir
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Selections from the journals and published works of Scottish-born naturalist/conservationist, who emigrated to Wisconsin at age eleven. Muir (1838–1914), first president of the Sierra Club, describes his delight in observing nature while traversing the North American wilderness, primarily alone and on foot. Includes introduction and comments by Edwin Way Teale, editor. 1954.

Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival RC 57927
by Bernd Heinrich
read by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
New England biologist explains how animals cope with their harsh winter environments. He describes the innovative techniques used by insects, birds, and mammals to avoid freezing to death and to find food in a time of scarcity. 2003.

Philosophy

Beyond Courage: The Nine Principles of Heroism RC 57453
by Chris Benguhe
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Benguhe presents the personal characteristics that he feels underlie heroism: integrity, duty, self-respect, faith, devotion, altruism, compassion, listening, and forgiveness. He explains each trait with a definition, a "how-to" example, and a true account of a hero demonstrating that principle in action. 2003.

Friends Hold All Things in Common: Tradition, Intellectual Property, and the Adages of Erasmus RC 57056
by Kathy Eden
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Columbia University humanities professor reflects on the concept of intellectual property, based on adages of the Renaissance scholar Erasmus. Eden contemplates notions of friendship and common property, explores the early history of private property, and provides excerpts from ancient philosophers, such as Pythagoras, Plato, and Augustine. 2001.

Looking for Spinoza: Joy, Sorrow, and the Feeling Brain RC 57512
by Antonio Damasio
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
A leading neurologist, the author of The Feeling of What Happens (RC 53230), explores the relationship between perceptions, the nervous system, brain chemistry, and feeling states. In affirming the priority of behaviors over associated feelings, he discovers an intellectual kinship with the seventeenth-century Dutch philosopher Spinoza. 2003.

Nietzsche: A Philosophical Biography RC 58740
by Rüdiger Safranski
read by Faith Potts
4 cassettes
Examines the development of this major nineteenth-century German philosopher’s thinking. Focuses primarily on Nietzsche’s thoughts as expressed in his published and unpublished writings and secondarily on the facts of his life where they intersect with his work. Attempts to place this complex and influential figure in cultural and historical context. 2000.

Six Secular Philosophers: Religious Themes in the Thought of Spinoza, Hume, Kant, Nietzsche, William James, and Santayana RC 58604
by Lewis White Beck
read by Steve Douglas Craig
1 cassette
Philosophy professor examines the place of religion in the work of six major thinkers. Whether leading to a rejection of religion or a call for reform, the critical perspectives of these philosophers are, according to Beck, important to people concerned about the function of religion in a contemporary secular culture. 1997.

What Would Aristotle Do? Self-Control through the Power of Reason RC 58882
by Elliot D. Cohen
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Philosophical counselor’s commonsense approach to overcoming self-destructive thoughts, emotions, and actions by harnessing innate powers of reason and critical thinking. Uses real-life scenarios to demonstrate how Aristotelian logic can be used to combat everyday maladies like guilt, loneliness, grief, anger, social anxiety, and depression. 2003.

Poetry

The Best American Poetry, 2003 RC 57234
edited by Yusef Komunyakaa
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Annual collection of poetry features seventy-five selections that touched guest editor, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa, by their "content and aesthetics." Contributors include Kenneth Koch, Richard Wilbur, Rita Dove, and the three most recent Pulitzer Prize winners—Paul Muldoon, Carl Dennis, and Stephen Dunn. 2003.

The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson RC 56797
by Emily Dickinson
read by Kimberly Schraf
5 cassettes
Original texts of all 1,775 poems by New England recluse Emily Dickinson (1830–1886). Largely unpublished in her lifetime, they are presented in roughly chronological order. 1890.

The Couple RC 57717
by Mark Rudman
read by John Lescault
1 cassette
Rider (RC 56813) author depicts eros, romance, and memory in fourteen verses and prose poems. From popular culture, history, and mythology, Rudman explores such pairs as schoolmates, Perseus and Andromeda, and Mary Ure and Robert Shaw. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

Dear Editor: A History of Poetry in Letters; the First Fifty Years, 1912–1962 RC 57744
edited by Joseph Parisi and Stephen Young
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
A collection of historic letters to and from the editors of Chicago’s Poetry magazine, the pioneer groundbreaking forum for controversial new poets such as Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot. Candid notes reveal writer/publisher relationships and reflect major twentieth-century events the poets observed. 2002.

Good Poems RC 57059
selected by Garrison Keillor
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
A selection of poems that were read over National Public Radio on a daily five-minute program called "The Writer’s Almanac." Includes classics by Shakespeare and Walt Whitman as well as many works by twentieth-century poets including Hayden Carruth, John Updike, Elizabeth Bishop, e.e. cummings, and Maxine Kumin. 2002.

In the Next Galaxy RC 57465
by Ruth Stone
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Eighth collection from the award-winning Virginia native, born in 1915. In nearly one hundred poems, Stone provides an unsentimental personal glimpse of her life—from coping with her husband’s suicide and the realities of her own aging to everyday observations of the world around her. Some strong language. National Book Award. 2002.

Jersey Rain RC 56663
by Robert Pinsky
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
1 cassette
This collection of lyric poems by the former United States poet laureate covers a wide variety of seemingly unrelated subjects. In "To Television," Pinsky reflects on the comforting distractions of a hotel room television set; in "The Green Piano," he relates neighborhood and family history. 2000.

John Brown’s Body RC 57610
by Stephen Vincent Benét
read by Fred Major
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1929, this long narrative poem in rhyme and blank verse is a rank-and-file history of the Civil War, or "the rich man’s war and the poor man’s fight." Portrays the lives of soldiers, leaders, and civilians on both sides of the conflict, North and South. 1928.

Kiss Off: Poems to Set You Free RC 57837
edited by Mary D. Esselman and Elizabeth Ash Vélez
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
Collection of poems not only for the newly jilted but for people "suffering from loss, disappointment, or that general Hamlet-ish feeling . . . trying to find their way back to happiness." Editor’s commentary relates poems— mainly by notable twentieth-century poets—to personal life. Companion to The Hell with Love (RC 55189). Some strong language. 2003.

The Selected Poems of Federico García Lorca/Selección de Poemas de Federico García Lorca RC 58741
by Federico García Lorca
read by Peter Gil
1 cassette
Representative poems in English and Spanish from works originally published between 1921 and 1936. Includes "Lament for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías," about a famous Spanish bullfighter and friend of García Lorca who was killed in the bullring at five in the afternoon. Includes a short preface in English. 1955. (Poemas del famoso dramaturgo español que salieron entre 1921 y 1936. Se incluye el poema "Lamento para Ignacio Sánchez Mejías," que se trata del toreador famoso y amigo de García Lorca que fue muerto en la corrida a las cinco de la tarde. Edición bilingüe, con una breve introducción en inglés.)

Treasured Poems That Touch the Heart: Cherished Poems and Favorite Poets RC 57537
compiled by Mary Sanford Laurence
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
Anthology of familiar poems grouped by themes such as youth, life, romance, friendship, character, prayer, nature, sorrow, growing old, and reflections. Includes writings by the Brownings, Donne, Frost, Shakespeare, and Wordsworth. 1996.

Psychology and Self-Help

Choices: Taking Control of Your Life and Making It Matter RC 56391
by Melody Beattie
read by Graci Ragsdale
2 cassettes
Author of Codependent No More (RC 28220) combines traditional wisdom with anecdotes about personal experiences to encourage others to make positive choices. Offers practical advice on approaching change, becoming proactive by controlling what one can, and observing the results of personal decisions. Each entry ends with a brief meditation. 2002.

A Daily Dose of the American Dream: Stories of Success, Triumph, and Inspiration RC 57501
by Alan C. Elliott
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
A reading for each day of the year about motivated individuals who have achieved success. Includes anecdotes and quotations selected to challenge the reader to aspire to greater heights. The messages "will change you from spectator to participant in the American Dream." 1998.

The Etiquette of Illness: What to Say When You Can’t Find the Words RC 58522
by Susan P. Halpern
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Cancer survivor and psychotherapist addresses how individuals can best respond with sensitivity and compassion to a sick friend or relative. Demonstrates making a potentially awkward situation more comfortable through effective speech and behavior. Includes suggestions for talking to children about illness. 2004.

First Impressions: What You Don’t Know about How Others See You RC 58467
by Ann Demarais and Valerie White
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Founders of a New York interpersonal consulting firm discuss ways to make a favorable impression during an initial social or business encounter. Authors identify seven fundamentals of successful first impressions including accessibility, self-disclosure, and conversational dynamics, and offer self-assessment exercises to help avoid common misunderstandings and enhance personal charm. 2004.

Good Stress, Bad Stress: An Indispensable Guide to Identifying and Managing Your Stress RC 58486
by Barry Lenson
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Author distinguishes between two types of personal anxiety: potentially damaging "bad" stress and beneficial "good" stress, which helps individuals improve performance and accomplishment. Explains effects of stress on physical and mental well-being and provides strategies for harnessing good stress. 2002.

He-Motions: Even Strong Men Struggle RC 58869
by T.D. Jakes
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Christian bishop, author of The Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord (RC 50543), offers men advice to help improve their relationships with themselves, their families, and God by understanding their own emotional and spiritual needs. Jakes cites biblical and modern examples and suggests how women can offer support. 2004.

Let’s Talk: Sharing Our Thoughts and Feelings during Times of Crisis RC 57267
by Michele Alpern
read by Carol Dines
1 cassette
Offers teens practical information on coping with stressful events such as death, divorce, job loss, and disasters. Suggests ways to deal with depression and anxiety and outlines strategies for establishing good communication. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

More than Money: True Stories of People Who Learned Life’s Ultimate Lesson RC 58452
by Neil Cavuto
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
A business journalist with Fox News Channel, diagnosed with cancer and multiple sclerosis, portrays others in the business world who have struggled with serious obstacles—disease, bankruptcy, dyslexia, paralysis—and have achieved or regained success and wealth. Includes Joe Torre, Wally Amos, Richard Branson, and Jim Langevin. Bestseller. 2004.

The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way RC 58050
by Wayne W. Dyer
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Self-development speaker/author presents a step-by-step guide for connecting to the universal, omnipresent energy he describes as intention, the source of creativity. Outlines ways to access the spirit and raise energy levels, realize desires, expand reality, and achieve tranquility. 2004.

The Present: The Gift That Makes You Happier and More Successful at Work and in Life, Today! RC 57893
by Spencer Johnson
read by Gary Telles
1 cassette
Bestselling author of Who Moved My Cheese? (RC 49513) offers a "practical parable" for rediscovering what is truly important in life. Relates a young man’s journey to adulthood and search for a magical "present"—the power to focus on right now, learn from the past, and plan for the future. Bestseller. 2003.

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy: The Fab Five’s Guide to Looking Better, Cooking Better, Dressing Better, Behaving Better, and Living Better RC 57889
by Ted Allen and Kyan Douglas
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Five stylish gay men from the popular television show advise guys—and girls—on food and wine, personal grooming, home decorating, fashion, and culture. Applying their motto "you—only better," the experts suggest various tasks and projects, modest purchases, and new attitudes to transform lives through humor, taste, and class. Bestseller. 2004.

The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers RC 58067
by Daniel L. Schacter
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Harvard psychologist explores the nature of memory’s imperfections and considers how to reduce their harmful effects. Categorizes memory’s malfunctions into seven "sins": transience, absentmindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. Discusses these divisions and their consequences. 2001.

Sybil RC 58635
by Flora Rheta Schreiber
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes (Reissue)
The history-making case of Sybil Isabel Dorsett, a woman with multiple personality disorder and sixteen different identities. Bestselling account chronicles eleven years of psychoanalysis, hypnosis, and treatment sessions with Dr. Cornelia Wilbur, who assisted Sybil in identifying the causes of her illness. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1973.

Religious Themes

As the Towers Fell: Stories of Unshakable Faith on 9-11 RC 57739
by Lisa Chilson-Rose
read by Faith Potts
1 cassette
The personal stories of twenty-four Christians who experienced the terrorist attacks on New York City on September 11, 2001. Some survived, others perished, and more assisted in the recovery efforts. According to their testimony or that of family and friends, all shared a close relationship with God. 2003.

Blood and Fire: William and Catherine Booth and Their Salvation Army RC 58622
by Roy Hattersley
read by Anne Flosnik
4 cassettes
Study of the evangelists who founded the Salvation Army in Victorian England. Revivalist preacher William Booth believed in active Christianity and used the poor to recruit the poor. Catherine, a biblical scholar, endorsed the idea of women’s religious equality and helped transform the organization into a worldwide movement. 1999.

The Brother of Jesus: The Dramatic Story and Meaning of the First Archaeological Link to Jesus and His Family RC 57826
by Hershel Shanks and Ben Witherington III
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
Explores the possibility that an ossuary inscribed, "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus," is the first tangible evidence of the prophet’s existence. Part one discusses authenticity and theological implications of the 2002 discovery. Part two pieces together the life of James, leader of Jerusalem’s Jewish Christian community. 2003.

Buddha in Your Backpack: Everyday Buddhism for Teens RC 56665
by Franz Metcalf
read by Constance Crawford
2 cassettes
Provides information on Buddha and his teachings, applying Buddhist philosophy to issues facing teenagers, such as family relations, school, body changes, sexual attraction, friendship, and personal ethics—without preach-ing religious conversion. Includes introductions to meditation and further study. Some descriptions of sex. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

The Essentials of Hinduism: A Comprehensive Overview of the World’s Oldest Religion RC 58295
by Swami Bhaskarananda
read by Yolande Bavan
2 cassettes
Senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order of India addresses the many questions he is asked by those who want to better understand Hinduism. His topics include the Holy Books, the role of food, the doctrines of karma, predestination and reincarnation, Hindu ethics, the four yogas, mantras, and creation. 2002.

Excavating Jesus: Beneath the Stones, behind the Texts RC 57966
by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Author of Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography (RC 56275) and archaeologist Reed integrate findings of major digs and critical textual interpretations to reconstruct the life and times of Jesus. Highlighting key artifact and scripture discoveries (including the Dead Sea Scrolls), Crossan and Reed explore the society and customs of an ancient culture. 2001.

Experiencing the Passion of Jesus: A Discussion Guide on History’s Most Important Event RC 58003
by Lee Strobel and Garry Poole
read by Janis Gray
1 cassette
Two writers offer a topical guide for exploring the themes of Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ. Includes six discussion questions with biblical sources about the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. 2004.

The Faith of George W. Bush RC 58254
by Stephen Mansfield
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Historian explores the religious ideals that have shaped George W. Bush as a man and as president. Mansfield follows Bush’s "winding road" to faith, including his midlife spiritual transformation, and analyzes the influence of religion in his responses to national problems. 2003.

Father Joe: The Man Who Saved My Soul RC 58363
by Tony Hendra
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Biographical tribute by British satirist and former National Lampoon editor to his mentor, Father Joseph Warrilow. Relates how the monk with pastoral wisdom and humility guided Hendra for forty years through struggles with substance abuse, a failed marriage, and parenthood. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Fire in the Heart: A Spiritual Guide for Teens RC 58546
by Deepak Chopra
read by Erik Synnestvedt
1 cassette
Noted Hindu author and physician uses his own youthful experiences to provide a plan for teens who are seeking their own spiritual paths. Answers universal philosophical questions and offers suggestions for improving relationships. For senior high readers. 2004.

A Guide to the Passion: One Hundred Questions about The Passion of the Christ RC 58004
by Catholic Exchange
read by Janis Gray
1 cassette
A Catholic guide to theological and artistic aspects of Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ, which depicts Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. Contains advice for spiritual seekers and poses and answers some questions about the movie. 2004.

How to Hear from God: Learn to Know His Voice and Make Right Decisions RC 58704
by Joyce Meyer
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
Bible teacher uses scripture and examples from her own ministry to explain how to develop sensitivity to God’s communication through supernatural revelation, the "inner witness," and nature. Contends that rote religious activity, unforgiveness, and legalism can hinder the fulfillment of God’s plan and suggests ways to protect against negativity. 2003.

In My Brother’s Image: Twin Brothers Separated by Faith after the Holocaust RC 57709
by Eugene Pogany
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Story of Jewish twin brothers born in 1912 in Budapest, Hungary, and raised by their parents as Catholics. During World War II, Gyuri Pogány is a priest sheltered in a monastery, while his brother Miklós is sent to a concentration camp and reverts to Judaism. After immigrating to America, the two never completely reconcile. 2000.

In the Beginning: Creation Stories from around the World RC 57850
retold by Virginia Hamilton
read by Lindsay Ellison
1 cassette
Twenty-five myths from around the globe describe the creation of the world. Includes "First Man, First Woman" from the Bible, "Bursting from the Hen’s Egg" from China, and "An Endless Sea of Mud" from Africa. For junior and senior high readers. 1988.

In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible and How It Changed a Nation, a Language, and a Culture RC 57270
by Alister E. McGrath
read by Janis Gray
3 cassettes
An Oxford University theology professor recounts the production of the King James Version of the Bible, detailing its impact on England’s history, politics, literature, and law. Describes how the availability of the Scripture to ordinary people in plain English inspired a revolution of free thought, culminating in concepts of constitutional govern-ment and democracy. 2001.

Just Hand Over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt RC 57443
by Karen Scalf Linamen
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Contributing editor for Today’s Christian Woman magazine offers fifteen ways women can lift their spirits in times of stress that go beyond eating chocolate. Linamen focuses on emotional, physical, and spiritual health with these "warm fuzzies, quick fixes, good ideas, and long-term solutions." 1999.

The Lord Is My Shepherd: Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-Third Psalm RC 57619
by Harold S. Kushner
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Rabbi Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People (RC 48900), reflects on the solace in the words of the Twenty-Third Psalm and their meaning after the terrorist events of September 11, 2001. Kushner’s nonsectarian discussion examines each stanza of the psalm as it relates to life and loss. 2003.

The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Their Significance for Understanding the Bible, Judaism, Jesus, and Christianity RC 57338
by James VanderKam and Peter Flint
read by Lou Harpenau
5 cassettes
A comprehensive introduction to the ancient manuscripts found between 1947 and 1956 in caves along the shore of the Dead Sea. Explores the discovery and dating of the parchments, their relationship to religious scripture, the controversies surrounding their existence, and the message of nonbiblical scrolls. 2002.

The New Revelations: A Conversation with God RC 57614
by Neale Donald Walsch
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Author of Conversations with God books (RC 44643, RC 44644, and RC 47255) presents another revealing dialog between man and God. Referring to world events including the September 11, 2001, attacks, Walsch focuses on the spiritual nature of humanity’s crises. Provides tools for dealing with despair. 2002.

Oberammergau: The Troubling Story of the World’s Most Famous Passion Play RC 58769
by James Shapiro
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Explores the small Bavarian community’s production of the Passion Play, staged once each decade since 1634. Shapiro maintains that, despite late-twentieth-century efforts to appease critics, the play remains freighted with the inflammatory anti-Semitism that once earned praise from the Nazis. 2000.

The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews, and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain RC 57848
by María Rosa Menocal
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
Yale professor portrays the flourishing culture and economy that existed in Andalusia in the Middle Ages when the Muslim Umayyad dynasty encouraged religious tolerance of the area’s Jews and Christians. Discusses aesthetic achievements and cross-cultural triumphs such as the Alhambra and the poetry of Judah Halevi. 2002.

Practicing Resurrection: A Memoir of Work, Doubt, Discernment, and Moments of Grace RC 58866
by Nora Gallagher
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Continuation of the author’s account, begun in Things Seen and Unseen (RC 49806), of her spiritual journey toward becoming an Episcopalian priest. She describes her loss of spirituality following her brother’s death, the disruption of her marriage, her writing career, and the year of discernment when she explored her fitness for the ministry. 2003.

The Rig Veda: An Anthology RC 57924
selected by Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
A selection of 108 ancient Indo-European hymns from more than one thousand collected in the Sanskrit Rig Veda (circa 1200–900 B.C.). Poetic verses depict Hindu mythology and philosophy, the symbolism and mechanism of Vedic ritual, and traditional daily life. Translated and annotated with an introduction by Wendy O’Flaherty. 1981.

The Search for the Panchen Lama RC 56058
by Isabel Hilton
read by Anne Flosnik
3 cassettes
British journalist recounts the events surrounding the 1995 disappearance of the Tibetan boy considered to be the eleventh incarnation of the Panchen Lama—the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Hilton combines religious history, Chinese political intrigue, and her own travel experiences to explain this seven-year-old’s importance. 1999.

Secrets of the Code: The Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries behind The Da Vinci Code RC 58366
edited by Dan Burstein
read by Jack Fox
4 cassettes
Excerpts from books, web sites, articles, commentaries, and interviews relating to the major religious themes in The Da Vinci Code (RC 55735). Contributing experts offer views on Jesus’s relationship with Mary Magdalene, the credibility of alternative scriptures, secret societies like the Knights Templar, and more. Bestseller. 2004.

The Seven Perennial Sins and Their Offspring RC 57624
by Ken Bazyn
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
The author describes the seven Christian "root-sins" of pride, anger, envy, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust by using examples from literature and history. Also discusses modern faults such as workaholism, hedonism, faultfinding, guilt, and fasting. 2002.

The Spiral Staircase: My Climb out of Darkness RC 58164
by Karen Armstrong
read by Vanessa Maroney
3 cassettes
Author/journalist recounts her spiritual journey and medical nightmare upon returning to secular life at twenty-four after seven years as a young Roman Catholic nun. Describes her lapses of faith, academic disappointments, and misdiagnosed epilepsy as steps to gradual enlightenment. Sequel to Through the Narrow Gate (RC 18649). Bestseller. 2004.

St. Patrick of Ireland: A Biography RC 58484
by Philip Freeman
read by George Holmes
2 cassettes
Life of St. Patrick based on his two surviving letters: one a defense of his work in Ireland, the other condemning a slave-raiding king and his pirates. Recounts Patrick’s kidnapping by Irish pirates, years of slavery, escape, and eventual return to minister to the Irish people. Debunks many myths. 2004.

Stillness Speaks RC 57365
by Eckhart Tolle
read by Erik Synnestvedt
1 cassette
In short concise pieces that can be read individually or as a whole, Tolle, author of The Power of Now (RC 55646), addresses the spiritual needs of people in the twenty-first century by showing them how to obtain inner peace. Bestseller. 2003.

The Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha RC 58027
edited by E.A. Burtt
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
The Oriental religion of Buddhism, founded twenty-five centuries ago by Siddhartha Gautama of India, is now practiced by millions. This book includes the early scriptures of Buddhism, as well as Buddhist thought in later centuries. 1982.

Terror in the Name of God: Why Religious Militants Kill RC 57555
by Jessica Stern
read by Gary Telles
4 cassettes
Terrorism expert explores the phenomenon of violence perpetrated in the name of religion—Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. Drawing on conversations with government officials, religious leaders, and terrorist operatives, Stern identifies motivations and grievances leading individuals to join holy-war groups. She also examines the structure of their organizations and suggests some counterstrategies. 2003.

This Far by Faith: Stories from the African American Religious Experience RC 57544
by Juan Williams and Quinton Dixie
read by Dan Toohey
2 cassettes
This companion to the PBS television series chronicles African American religious history, both Christian and non-Christian, from slavery to the twentieth century. Explores the evolution of faith as a source of strength, influence of the church on the civil rights movement, and leaders it has produced, including the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. 2003.

Understanding New Religious Movements RC 58092
by John A. Saliba
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Professor and Jesuit priest examines the emergence of sects, cults, and novel religions in contemporary Western culture. Beginning with an overview of movements like the Church of Scientology, Hare Krishna, the Unification Church, and others, Saliba analyzes their existence from psychological, sociological, legal, and theological perspectives. 2003.

Science and Technology

Almost Heaven: The Story of Women in Space RC 58143
by Bettyann Holtzmann Kevles
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Account of forty women of diverse international cultures and various ages struggling to enter American and Soviet space programs during the Cold War and later. From extensive interviews and research, Yale historian chronicles legal, institutional, and social developments that eventually eased women’s participation in the secretive, male dominated field. 2003.

The Best American Science Writing, 2003 RC 57239
edited by Oliver Sacks
read by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
Twenty-five articles from both scientific and general publications that cover various topics from natural history to biotechnology and medicine. Author Floyd Skloot observes the toll of Alzheimer’s disease on his ninety-one-year-old mother. In the final selection, former colleagues of late scientist Stephen Jay Gould reflect on his radical approach to science. 2003.

Dreams of Iron and Steel: Seven Wonders of the Nineteenth Century, from the Building of the London Sewers to the Panama Canal RC 58527
by Deborah Cadbury
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Historian and Emmy Award-winning producer surveys monumental engineering feats rooted in the Industrial Revolution. Profiles the personal and financial struggles of visionaries and workers behind Britain’s mammoth oceangoing ship the Great Eastern, Scotland’s Bell Rock lighthouse, and America’s Transcontinental Railroad, Brooklyn Bridge, Hoover Dam, and others. 2003.

Electric Universe: The Shocking True Story of Electricity RC 59659
by David Bodanis
read by Del Roy
2 cassettes
Describes the discovery of electricity and the ways its development transformed the world. Weaves biographical sketches of pioneers Michael Faraday, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Alan Turing, and others with explanations about their impact on applications such as batteries, telegraph, radio, transistors, and computers. 2005.

Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Electrify the World RC 57631
by Jill Jonnes
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Award-winning historian traces the rise of the electric power industry through the triumphs, blunders, and corporate struggles of three visionaries in the late 1800s. Jonnes depicts the efforts of light bulb inventor Thomas Edison, Serbian immigrant Nikola Tesla, and Pittsburgh entrepreneur George Westinghouse to create, dominate, and control a world-changing technology. 2003.

Erasmus Darwin: A Life of Unequalled Achievement RC 58608
by Desmond King-Hele
read by Corrie James
4 cassettes
Portrait of Charles Darwin’s grandfather—poet, physician, scientist, and inventor. Observes that Erasmus wrote about evolution long before his grandson’s research on the topic. Credits the elder Darwin with the design of a carriage steering mechanism still used in twentieth-century cars, and asserts that he was the first to describe the process of photosynthesis. 1999.

Food, Inc.: Mendel to Monsanto; the Promises and Perils of the Biotech Harvest RC 57607
by Peter Pringle
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Journalist traces the development of genetically modified foods and the debate surrounding biotech farming. Addresses both potential benefits, such as alleviating world hunger, and possible hazards. Also raises concerns over delayed government regulation and the lack of information available to consumers. 2003.

The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge RC 58715
by David G. McCullough
read by Jake Williams
5 cassettes (Reissue)
Saga of a monumental engineering feat: construction of a suspension bridge spanning New York’s East River. Among the themes discussed are structural concept, technology involved, late-nineteenth-century politics, builders’ heroism, and the bridge’s impact on ordinary citizens. 1972.

Hidden from History: The Lives of Eight American Women Scientists RC 58587
by Kim K. Zach
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
Collective biography of eight female scientists from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries who excelled in their male-dominated fields. Describes the background and achievements of biochemist Gertrude Elion, biologist/geneticist Nettie Stevens, astronomer Annie Cannon, anatomist Florence Sabin, and computer scientist Grace Hopper, among others. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

How the Cows Turned Mad RC 57563
by Maxime Schwartz
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Molecular biologist chronicles the origins of "mad cow" disease, its forms and manifestations, genetic links, manner of transmission, the hunt for its cause, major discoveries, and public health concerns surrounding the epidemic. Covers related afflictions targeting the central nervous system. 2003.

How to Dunk a Doughnut: The Science of Everyday Life RC 57722
by Len Fisher
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Physicist author uses mundane everyday events and anecdotes as vehicles to convey basic scientific concepts in an entertaining manner. Discusses how to dunk a donut, catch a fly ball, and use tools while explaining the under-lying principles involved. 2002.

An Intimate Look at the Night Sky RC 57521
by Chet Raymo
read by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
Essays by astronomy professor describing what objects—planets, stars, and constellations—can be visibly observed in different seasons and then imaginatively connecting these nighttime sights to unseen wonders of the universe, such as supernovas, black holes, and galaxies. He also suggests a hypothesis for the end of the universe some 150 billion years from now. 2001.

A Matter of Degrees: What Temperature Reveals about the Past and Future of Our Species, Planet, and Universe RC 56809
by Gino Segrè
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Physicist examines temperature as a fundamental factor in understanding the universe. Addresses major scientific problems such as the conditions for the birth of the universe, the first appearance of life on Earth, the concept of absolute zero, and the puzzle of constant mammal body temperature. 2002.

Parting the Desert: The Creation of the Suez Canal RC 58748
by Zachary Karabell
read by Anne Flosnik
3 cassettes
Chronicles the joint venture of French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps and Egyptian rulers to construct a waterway connecting the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, an engineering marvel that altered the terrain and the political landscapes of three continents. Kara-bell traces the canal’s creation from before its 1869 inauguration. 2003.

Rocket Man: Robert H. Goddard and the Birth of the Space Age RC 57549
by David A. Clary
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Biography of Massachusetts-born physicist known as the American father of modern rocketry. This balanced portrait of Goddard (1882–1945) not only considers his contributions to space-flight technology, major among them the liquid-fueled rocket, but also his contradictory nature and the rise and fall of his image in the twentieth century. 2003.

Sahara: A Natural History RC 58292
by Marq De Villiers and Sheila Hirtle
read by Lisette Lecat
3 cassettes
Description of the world’s largest desert landscape and its inhabitants. Discusses the geography, natural cycles, and resilient life-forms of the sandy wilderness stretching across the broadest part of Africa. Covers the history of the Sahara’s indigenous people—Berbers, Moors, and Tuareg—and the ancient kingdoms of past civilizations. 2002.

Scientific Conversations: Interviews on Science from the New York Times RC 57419
by Claudia Dreifus
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Thirty-eight scientists—from astronomers and geologists to immunologists and developmental biologists—answer a journalist’s questions about their special fields of work and personal involvement. Includes Stephen Jay Gould, Freeman Dyson, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, John McPhee, and Sir Roger Penrose. 2001.

The Scientists: A History of Science Told through the Lives of Its Greatest Inventors RC 58669
by John Gribbin
read by Butch Hoover
5 cassettes
British astrophysicist, author of Almost Everyone’s Guide to Science (RC 49321), traces Western science from the Renaissance to the end of the twentieth century. Gribbin presents history’s great discoveries and technological achievements through the lives of the individuals who made them possible, beginning with Copernicus. 2002.

The Secret Life of Dust: From the Cosmos to the Kitchen Counter, the Big Consequences of Little Things RC 58777
by Hannah Holmes
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Science writer examines the myriad forms of minuscule particles she calls dust—from space debris to soot to skin flakes—and their effects. Holmes describes dust’s vital role in planetary evolution, Earth’s climate, and natural history, including dinosaur extinction. She also details health problems associated with exposure to pollution and minute toxins. 2001.

Taking Flight: Inventing the Aerial Age from Antiquity through the First World War RC 57486
by Richard P. Hallion
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Comprehensive survey by former air force historian of the evolution of flight. Hallion highlights aviation milestones and the individuals behind them—from second-century Chinese kites to European Renaissance-era wing designs and later balloon and glider experiments. Covers the Wright brothers’ historic 1903 flight and provides an analysis of World War I aerial technology. 2003.

To Conquer the Air: The Wright Brothers and the Great Race for Flight RC 57312
by James Tobin
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Award-winning author reconstructs the early twentieth century competition to create a flying machine. While highlighting the monumental achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright, Tobin also details the efforts of their rivals—including inventor Alexander Graham Bell and Smithsonian secretary Samuel Langley. 2003.

Tycho and Kepler: The Unlikely Partnership That Forever Changed Our Understanding of the Heavens RC 57485
by Kitty Ferguson
read by Dennis Rooney
3 cassettes
Dual biography of Renaissance astronomers Tycho Brahe (1546–1601), a Danish aristocrat, and German-born mathematician Johannes Kepler (1571–1630). Details their lives, eccentric personalities, contributions to the field, and their remarkable relationship at a time of conflict in Europe between religion and science. 2002.

Wheels for the World: Henry Ford, His Company, and a Century of Progress, 1903–2003 RC 56812
by Douglas Brinkley
read by Robert Sams
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Award-winning biographer draws on archival materials and oral histories to chronicle the life of automaker Henry Ford (1863–1947) and the history of his Ford Motor Company. Brinkley examines the industrialist’s multifaceted personality, his labor and business philosophies, and his enduring legacy. 2003.

Wings of Madness: Alberto Santos-Dumont and the Invention of Flight RC 57554
by Paul Hoffman
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Author of The Man Who Loved Only Numbers (RC 48056) examines the life and work of Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873–1932), the Brazilian-born aeronautical pioneer whose dirigibles captivated Paris. Hoffman highlights Santos-Dumont’s aerial accomplishments, role in the race for manned flight, and despair at the destructive power of militarized aircraft during World War I. 2003.

The X in Sex: How the X Chromosome Controls Our Lives RC 58538
by David Bainbridge
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Discusses the history, biology, and philosophy surrounding the female sex chromosome, beginning with its discovery in the nineteenth century. Topics include inheritance, sex-linked diseases like hemophilia and muscular dystrophy, the "mixed nature" of women due to the random inactivation of certain X chromosomes, and the role of X in explaining cancer development. 2003.

Y: The Descent of Men RC 58556
by Steve Jones
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
British geneticist and author of The Language of Genes (RC 41360) takes Darwin one step further in this informative exploration of the biology and evolution of males. Jones deconstructs some mysteries of masculinity from hormones to hair loss, debunks sexual stereotypes, and suggests reversal of the ancient view of women as diminished males. 2003.

Social Sciences

America’s Women: Four Hundred Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines RC 58187
by Gail Collins
read by Faith Potts
4 cassettes
New York Times editor presents a cultural history of women in America from colonial times through the twentieth century as they sought new horizons beyond the home. Charts the progress of both ordinary and celebrated personalities who struggled for freedom and gender identity in changing social and political climates. 2003.

Blue Blood RC 58424
by Edward Conlon
read by Roy Avers
5 cassettes
Author of the New Yorker "Cop Diary" columns who joined the NYPD in 1995 reveals the hidden world of the fraternity of cops. Covers his family’s police background, his rookie days in public housing, and his experience working on September 11, 2001. Violence and strong language. 2004.

Coal: A Human History RC 58009
by Barbara Freese
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Minnesota assistant attorney general explores the impact of coal production and emissions on human history and the environment, beginning in Britain where coal-generated power spurred the industrial revolution in the late eighteenth century. Freese then examines coal’s influence—both beneficial and detrimental—on the social, political, and economic development of the United States and China. 2003.

Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why; True Stories of Miraculous Endurance and Sudden Death RC 58339
by Laurence Gonzales
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
National Geographic Adventure magazine contributing editor explores the psychological, physiological, and spiritual characteristics that allow certain individuals to avoid fatal panic and overcome life-threatening predicaments. Examines real-life survival accounts and identifies principles that apply not only to wilderness calamities but to any of life’s stressful, demand-ing situations. 2003.

Eating in the Dark: America’s Experiment with Genetically Engineered Food RC 57284
by Kathleen Hart
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Discusses the marketing of genetically modified food products with neither public disclosure nor sufficient government testing. Suggests that reg-ulatory agencies tacitly support bio-technology industries and deny the American public any choice. Contrasts American acceptance of genetically engineered food with European and Japanese refusal. 2002.

Health Care Meltdown: Confronting the Myths and Fixing Our Failing System RC 58068
by Robert H. LeBow
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Physician, now a quadriplegic, criticizes U.S. health care system flaws that leave millions uninsured or underinsured. Using case studies, LeBow identifies misconceptions preventing change and proposes a solution to provide "affordable, comprehensive health care" for every American. Discusses co-pays, deductibles, Medicare, and the medical-industrial complex. 2002.

He’s Just Not That into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys RC 59020
by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
Two writers formerly with the Sex and the City television series caution women that their dates’ mixed messages are in fact rejections. Uses real situations and question-and-answer format to humorously advise when to quit unsatisfying relationships and how to recognize those that are positive. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

If I Live to Be One Hundred: Lessons from the Centenarians RC 57408
by Neenah Ellis
read by Faith Potts
1 cassette
What began as an NPR history project became the author’s personal search for the secret to living well. Ellis recalls her interviews with nineteen exceptional Americans aged one hundred or more, from 103-year-old Anna Wilmot who indulges in an occasional skinny-dip to a centenarian couple married for eighty years. 2002.

In Praise of Nepotism: A Natural History RC 57728
by Adam Bellow
read by Ted Stoddard
4 cassettes
Explores the social phenomenon of giving preferential treatment to relatives. Surveys nepotism in classic, non-Western, and U.S. societies. Noting its increasing prevalence in politics, business, and industry, Bellow argues that this basic human instinct is beneficial and complementary to American ideals. 2003.

Making the Right Move: Housing Options for Seniors RC 58045
by Gillian Eades Telford
read by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
Gerontologist’s guide to choosing a nursing home or other care facility, emphasizing the importance of making an informed decision. Real-life examples supplement information on U.S. and Canadian health care systems, evaluating assistance levels, finding the right home for you or a loved one, admittance issues, legal matters, and more. 2004.

More than a Label: Why What You Wear or Who You’re with Doesn’t Define Who You Are RC 56368
by Aisha Muharrar
read by Coleen Delany
1 cassette
Recent high school graduate surveys more than 1,000 teens to examine how school cliques, designer labels, and other social dividers create problems. Suggests ways for teenagers to overcome negative unspoken rules in school and to accept people as individuals. For senior high readers. 2002.

My Name Is Bill: Bill Wilson; His Life and the Creation of Alcoholics Anonymous RC 57920
by Susan Cheever
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Biography of Bill Wilson (1895–1971), cofounder of the worldwide organization to combat alcohol addiction. Relates Wilson’s Vermont background, seventeen-year alcoholic journey from euphoria to desperation, struggles to quit drinking, and meeting with Bob Smith leading to creation of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935. Explains the twelve AA recovery steps and traditions. 2004.

The Natural History of the Rich: A Field Guide RC 57761
by Richard Conniff
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Award-winning journalist explores similar social patterns of affluent humans and wild animals in this humorous but authentic zoomorphic study. Conniff observes the natural behaviors of the superwealthy socioeconomic class, including mating rituals, displays of dominance, and survival mechanisms to ensure their status is passed on to their offspring. 2002.

Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny RC 57895
by Robert Wright
read by Michael Scherer
4 cassettes
This companion to The Moral Animal (RC 41255) explores organic and human history as logical results of game theory. Wright explains why biological evolution was likely to create intelligent life, asserting that cultural complexity and globalization are not products of chance but of several billion years of the "non-zero-sum dynamic." 2000.

On the Down Low: A Journey into the Lives of "Straight" Black Men Who Sleep with Men RC 58447
by J.L. King
read by Bill Quinn
1 cassette
HIV-prevention educator exposes a hidden problem in African American culture: men who deny their bisexuality to their female partners—and to themselves. Warns unsuspecting women about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and encourages honesty and acceptance. Acknowledges his own double lifestyle. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse RC 57594
by Gregg Easterbrook
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Journalist examines the increased prevalence of melancholy, pessimism, and discontent in Western culture despite ever-higher standards of living. Easterbrook presents sociological theories to explain how aspects of contemporary life breed negativity. Urges a return to positive thinking for the sake of self and society. 2003.

Prophecy: What the Future Holds for You RC 58676
by Sylvia Browne
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
Psychic and bestselling author of The Other Side and Back (RC 48861) discusses prophesies throughout history, including those from Nostradamus (sixteenth century), Edgar Cayce (twentieth century), and Native American and other religious seers. Offers her own predictions for early twenty-first-century ecology, politics, technology, health, medicine, space exploration, and more. 2004.

The Red Hat Society: Fun and Friendship after Fifty RC 58333
by Sue Ellen Cooper
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Founder and "queen mother" of the Red Hat Society chronicles the national organization’s development from a small costumed tea party in 1998. Members’ anecdotes explain the group’s philosophy and examine mutual professional and domestic experiences, the aging process, and the value and support of friendship. Bestseller. 2004.

A Renaissance in Harlem: Lost Voices of an American Community RC 56684
edited by Lionel C. Bascom
read by Lindsay Ellison
2 cassettes
Essays culled from the WPA Writer’s Project collection in the Library of Congress detail the views and experiences of Harlem’s ordinary African American citizens during the 1930s. Journalist and English professor Bascom includes works of writers such as Dorothy West, Ralph Ellison, Frank Byrd, and Vivian Morris. 1999.

Rituals of Blood: Consequences of Slavery in Two American Centuries RC 58630
by Orlando Patterson
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
In three essays, National Book Award-winner Orlando Patterson examines the adverse effects of slavery and discriminatory laws on both African Americans and the broader U.S. society. Topics include strained relationships between black men and women, lynching, and images of black men in the twentieth century. Strong language. 1998.

Sixty Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong: Why We Love France but Not the French RC 58079
by Jean-Benoît Nadeau and Julie Barlow
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Two freelance Canadian journalists explore the "character" of France and French "way of thinking" during a two-year stay beginning in 1999. Despite many paradoxes they observe in political, economic, and cultural life, they conclude that France functions successfully because its centralized structure "is consistent with the spirit of its people." 2003.

Slave RC 57923
by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis
read by Andrea Frierson-Toney
2 cassettes
The account of Mende Nazer, captured in 1994 at age twelve by Arab raiders in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. She describes servitude in Khartoum and London, escaping at age twenty, and receiving international attention in her bid for asylum, obtained in the United Kingdom. Violence and some strong language. 2003.

Some of Us Did Not Die: New and Selected Essays RC 56810
by June Jordan
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Forty essays and verse from the late poet, activist, and professor of African American studies. Jordan speaks out against racial and gender inequality, advocating legal reform. Includes work from four earlier anthologies and previously unpublished writings. The title piece is a reaction to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. 2002.

The Spirits of America: A Social History of Alcohol RC 58547
by Eric Burns
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Broadcast journalist briefly summarizes alcohol’s history prior to American colonization, then traces to modern times the role of America’s "first national pastime." Describes early medicinal uses and draws on anecdotes of bootleggers, temperance advocates, and other notable characters to explore political and economic motivations behind prohibition. 2004.

Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution RC 58653
by David Carter
read by Alec Volz
3 cassettes
Chronicles six days of violent protests in June 1969, when homosexuals fought police during a routine raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Examines events leading up to the riots, key demonstrators, and the uprising’s aftermath that prompted the gay rights movement. 2004.

Three Thousand Degrees: The True Story of a Deadly Fire and the Men Who Fought It RC 58568
by Sean Flynn
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
Vivid, minute-by-minute account of the 1999 three-alarm, six-story abandoned warehouse blaze that claimed six firefighters’ lives. Depicts efforts to extinguish the Worcester, Massachusetts, "building from hell" inferno and profiles the firemen and their families. Based on an award-winning Esquire magazine article. Strong language. 2002.

Uniforms: Why We Are What We Wear RC 58785
by Paul Fussell
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
A literature professor’s lighthearted look at the personal, cultural, and historical meanings of uniforms and what they reveal about class, gender, and the need to belong. Reviews the distinctive clothing of the military (including that of generals Patton and Eisenhower), Boy Scouts, police, and nurses and some garb of other countries. 2002.

Urban Tribes: A Generation Redefines Friendship, Family, and Commitment RC 57735
by Ethan Watters
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Author defines "urban tribes" as communities of individuals bound together by common interests, friendship, and circumstances. Describes these networks, which usually comprise unmarried professionals who turn to the group for the kinds of support traditionally supplied by families. Includes interviews with members of various tribes across the United States. 2003.

When It Gets Dark: An Enlightened Reflection on Life with Alzheimer’s RC 57558
by Thomas DeBaggio
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
This sequel to Losing My Mind (RC 54906) continues the author’s poignant memoir chronicling his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. DeBaggio’s increasingly introspective account follows the inevitable progression of his illness in fragmented memories, observations, and thoughts. Some strong language. 2003.

When Smoke Ran like Water: Tales of Environmental Deception and the Battle against Pollution RC 57467
by Devra Davis
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Motivated by pollution-related deaths in her Pennsylvania hometown, a senior advisor to the World Health Organization analyzes the struggle for accountability and regulation of environmental polluters. Davis investigates the statistical link between toxic substances and health problems and exposes how industrial polluters deceive the public by manipulating scientists and government agencies. 2002.

Who Are We? The Challenges to America’s National Identity RC 58378
by Samuel P. Huntington
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Scholar and bestselling author of The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (RC 53800) contends that cultural differences resulting from an increasingly multiethnic, multiracial U.S. society are eroding American nationalism. Urges a return to the country’s founding Anglo-Protestant culture, traditions, and values to preserve national identity. 2004.

The Working Poor: Invisible in America RC 58355
by David K. Shipler
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning author analyzes an ethnically and racially diverse cross-section of impoverished, low-paid working Americans. Shipler traces their poverty to interlocking problems of poor education and wages, limited abilities, bad parenting, unwise spending, and lack of health insurance. Recommends higher minimum wage, vocational training, and voter registration, among other remedies. 2004.

Sports and Recreation

Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder RC 57392
by Arnold Schwarzenegger
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Autobiographical account by the several-time winner of the Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia titles relating his tireless struggle to reach the top in his field. Schwarzenegger also describes his diet, exercise, and progressive weight resistance training regimens for developing the body to its full potential. 1977.

Autumn Glory: Baseball’s First World Series RC 58780
by Louis P. Masur
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Recreates the 1903 postseason play-off between teams in the rival American and National leagues—the Boston Americans and the Pittsburgh Pirates—that marked the birth of baseball as a modern sport and pastime. Details each game of the World Series, described by one participant fifty years later as "the wildest . . . ever played." 2003.

Barry Bonds: Baseball’s Superman RC 57602
by Steven Travers
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Sports columnist and former professional baseball player examines the life and character of San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds, a four-time winner of the Most Valuable Player award who broke the single-season home run rec-ord in 2001. Travers chronicles Bonds’s life and sometimes contro-versial but illustrious career. Fore-word by actor Charlie Sheen. 2002.

Beckham: Both Feet on the Ground RC 57906
by David Beckham
read by Steve Douglas-Craig
3 cassettes
Autobiography by a legendary British soccer player and cultural icon. Beck-ham describes his London childhood, his marriage to "Posh" Spice Girl Victoria Adams in 1999, and his leaving Manchester United to sign with a Spanish team, Real Madrid. For senior high and older readers. 2003.

The Best American Sports Writing, 2003 RC 57395
edited by Buzz Bissinger
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist selects twenty-five magazine and newspaper articles covering marathon running, golf, basketball, baseball, football, weightlifting, skating, skiing, and other sports. Profiles of competitors, including the famous, reveal the honorable and dishonorable sides of professional contests. 2003.

Bobby Fischer Goes to War: How the Soviets Lost the Most Extraordinary Chess Match of All Time RC 58717
by David Edmonds and John Eidinow
read by Dennis Rooney
3 cassettes
Authors of Wittgenstein’s Poker (RC 55828) chronicle the 1972 chess contest between the Soviet world champion Boris Spassky and twenty-nine-year-old American upstart Bobby Fischer. Presents the match not simply as a game but also as a clash of Cold War political ideologies. 2004.

Bobby the Brain: Wrestling’s Bad Boy Tells All RC 58605
by Bobby Heenan
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
Heenan, pro wrestler since the 1960s and an eighth-grade dropout, recalls his days in the ring, recounts anecdotes about other athletes and celebrities, and discusses the business angle of the sport. Foreword by Hulk Hogan. Some strong language. 2002.

By the Sword: A History of Gladiators, Musketeers, Samurai, Swashbucklers, and Olympic Champions RC 57237
by Richard Cohen
read by Bruce Huntey
4 cassettes
British Olympic fencer details the history of sword fighting from ancient Egyptian times to the twenty-first century. Includes anecdotes about noted warriors, politicians, and actors who wielded the sword; ponders the sociology of dueling—including cheating; and details the art of blade making. Some violence. 2002.

Caddy for Life: The Bruce Edwards Story RC 58165
by John Feinstein
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Sports commentator and bestselling author of Open (RC 56287) paints an intimate portrait of the late Bruce Edwards, who was diagnosed in 2003 with an aggressive form of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). Chronicles four decades of Edwards’s career as lifelong friend and caddy of champion golfer Tom Watson. Bestseller. 2004.

Companions in Courage: Triumphant Tales of Heroic Athletes RC 56833
by Pat LaFontaine
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Collection of inspirational stories of athletes who have overcome incredible obstacles to become successful. LaFontaine encourages readers to realize that individuals, even though unable to always control what happens to them, do have a choice in how they respond. For junior and senior high and older readers. 2000.

Do You Love Football? Winning with Heart, Passion, and Not Much Sleep RC 57574
by Jon Gruden
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Autobiographical account by the youngest head coach of a Super Bowl winner. A former non-star college quarterback, Gruden details his professional coaching career with five NFL teams, progressing from an assistant’s position with the San Francisco 49ers to the chief architect leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to football’s ultimate prize in 2003. 2003.

DW: A Lifetime Going Around in Circles RC 58145
by Darrell Waltrip
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
Memoir by sports commentator Darrell Waltrip, retired race car driver, 1989 Daytona 500 winner, and three-time Winston Cup champion. Describes his childhood, faith, love of family, and victories and defeats in a career spanning NASCAR racing’s history. 2004.

Facing Ali: The Opposition Weighs In RC 58773
by Stephen Brunt
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Award-winning sportswriter and commentator presents fifteen stories from those who shared the ring with heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali. Brunt profiles fighters from around the world, including George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Chuck Wepner—later immortalized as "Rocky"—who tell how they were affected by Ali, his politics, and his legacy. 2002.

The Fish’s Eye: Essays about Angling and the Outdoors RC 56002
by Ian Frazier
read by Richard Magesis
1 cassette
Seventeen essays reflect the author’s lifelong concern for the environment and his passion for fishing, whether in a city park or off the Florida Keys. Frazier is more interested in people and places than in the fine points of angling technique or the catch itself. 2002.

Game Time: A Baseball Companion RC 58307
by Roger Angell
read by Eric Synnestvedt
3 cassettes
Sportswriter Steve Kettmann compiles his favorite Roger Angell baseball essays, spanning 1962–2002. The pieces profile players such as Willie Mays, Bob Gibson, Pete Rose, and David Cone, as well as the various teams and spring training camps that he’s studied. Introduction by Richard Ford. 2003.

Gearheads: The Turbulent Rise of Robotic Sports RC 57916
by Brad Stone
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Details the sport of radio-controlled robot fighting from its conception in 1994 to the widespread televised competitions on cable stations in America and England ten years later. Describes the legal feuding and other shenanigans involved in the creation of heavily armed "bots." 2003.

Going the Other Way: Lessons from a Life in and out of Major-League Baseball RC 57562
by Billy Bean
read by Peter Gil
2 cassettes
Memoir of openly gay former major-league baseball player Billy Bean. He chronicles his road to the majors and personal struggles along the way, which ultimately forced him to choose between playing in secrecy and isolation the game he loved or following his heart. 2003.

The Greatest Hunting Stories Ever Told RC 57782
edited by Lamar Underwood
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Twenty-nine essays by notable authors about hunting and nature in a wide variety of places. Includes pieces by Patrick O’Brian, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, and Tom Kelly. 2000.

Hollywood Hulk Hogan RC 58708
by Hollywood Hulk Hogan
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
The autobiography of Hulk Hogan, professional wrestler and seven-time world-title holder, from his boyhood as Terry Bollea, an overweight kid from Tampa, Florida. Hogan looks at the many phases of his career, his metamorphosis from wrestler to entertainer, steroid use, and the price of fame and success. Strong language. 2002.

Home and Away: Memoir of a Fan RC 58598
by Scott Simon
read by Eric Synnestvedt
4 cassettes
National Public Radio broadcaster pens his memoirs, using his affection for his hometown teams—the Chic-ago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls—as a point of entry into reflections on the past. Recalls discussing his passion for sports with Fidel Castro in Cuba, with Albanians in Kosovo, and with Jesse Jackson on the campaign trail. Some strong language. 2000.

I Never Had It Made: An Autobiography of Jackie Robinson RC 58600
by Jackie Robinson
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Baseball legend’s account of his triumphs and tragedies on the road to becoming the first African American to play major league baseball. Descended from slaves and sharecroppers, Robinson recalls struggling to overcome racial barriers before and after his 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Introduction by Hank Aaron. 1995.

In Search of Tiger: A Journey through Golf with Tiger Woods RC 58306
by Tom Callahan
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Unconventional biography of precocious professional golfer Tiger Woods, who at twenty-four won twelve tournaments around the world in 2000. Callahan portrays the bond between Woods and his father and highlights golf’s other father-son pairs. Explores Woods’s victorious career through anecdotes from his older contemporaries. 2003.

It’s Not Over ’til It’s Over RC 56775
by Al Silverman
read by Erik Synnestvedt
3 cassettes
Former Sport magazine editor recounts the twentieth century’s most dramatic sporting events, providing player perspective and historical context. Profiles include the sudden-death pro-football championship between the Colts and the Giants in 1958, the 1971 Frazier-Ali fight, and the quest for hockey gold at the 1980 Olympics. Some strong language. 2002.

LeBron James: The Rise of a Star RC 58354
by David Lee Morgan Jr.
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
Sportswriter traces the life of NBA’s number one 2003 pick: Akron, Ohio, high school phenom LeBron James. Describes the athlete’s upbringing in a rough neighborhood, the work ethic that led to his success on the basketball court, and controversies he faced. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

Manning RC 57573
by Archie Manning and Peyton Manning
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Dual autobiography of father and son football stars—Archie, quarterback of the New Orleans Saints and other teams in the 1970s and 1980s, and Peyton, drafted for the same position by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998. They discuss college and professional successes and frustrations, family ties, and football activities of Peyton’s brothers. 2000.

Me and My Dad: A Baseball Memoir RC 57553
by Paul O’Neill
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Autobiography by former New York Yankee Paul O’Neill saluting his late father, Charles "Chick" O’Neill, as childhood idol, lifelong teacher, coach, and best friend. The Ohio native recalls his family, career, and bond with his father, who viewed baseball as "a way of life, a set of rules and philosophies, challenges and opportunities." 2003.

My Personal Best: Life Lessons from an All-American Journey RC 58997
by John Wooden
read by Ted Stoddard
1 cassette
Ninety-three-year-old former UCLA basketball coach recalls his educational life journey and the people who shaped him. Hailed "the greatest coach of the twentieth century," he reflects on his early life, lessons of integrity and dignity, and stewardship of the UCLA dynasty that won ten national championships in twelve years. 2004.

My Prison without Bars RC 57590
by Pete Rose
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Autobiography by former Cincinnati Reds baseball star banned from the sport in 1989 after gambling allegations. Rose describes his rise to fame as a record-breaking hitter and team manager, five-month prison stay for tax evasion, and 2002 bid for reinstatement to baseball by admitting he bet on his team. Strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Ancient Games RC 58757
by Tony Perrottet
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Author of Route 66 A.D. (RC 56790) examines the experience of attending the ancient Olympic games as "a spectator, an athlete, or one of the overworked officials." Recreates five hectic days and nights in Olympia, Greece, where the games were a part of the many festivals taking place. 2004.

One Hundred Years of Hunting: The Ultimate Tribute to Our Hunting Heritage RC 57592
edited by Voyageur Press
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
A collection of eighteen hunting tales by notable historical persons and outdoor writers celebrating an American sporting activity over most of the past century. Includes Grover Cleveland’s "Quail Shooting" (1906), Ernest Hemingway’s "Remembering Shooting-Flying: A Key West Letter" (1935), and Jimmy Carter’s "Learning to Hunt" (1988). 1999.

Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times RC 57063
by Russell Sullivan
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
The life and times of boxer Rocky Marciano (1923–1969), the only heavyweight champ to retire undefeated. Describes the Italian American athlete from Massachusetts within the cultural context of 1950s America. Analyzes Rocky’s "womanizing, association with gangsters, and a strange fixation on money." 2002.

Sex, Lies, and Headlocks: The Real Story of Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation RC 58623
by Shaun Assael and Mike Mooneyham
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
A behind-the-scenes look at World Wrestling Federation owner Vince McMahon who transformed the sport into a lucrative television spectacle in the 1990s. The authors chronicle the controversial promoter’s rise to power, detailing internal conflicts, legal and ethical scandals (including drug overdoses), and feuds with rival organizations vying for TV ratings. Strong language. 2002.

Squash: A History of the Game RC 58652
by James Zug
read by Fred Major
4 cassettes
Squash player chronicles the British sport’s rise in the United States from 1884 to the twenty-first century. Describes the origins and basics of the game, which is played with a racquet and a rubber ball in a four-wall court. Recaps major tournaments and personalities. Foreword by George Plimpton. 2003.

The Stone Cold Truth RC 57379
by Steve Austin
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
The autobiography of professional wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. He describes rising through the ranks of the World Championship Wrestling Federation, his dispute with the owner leading to his departure, joining the World Wrestling Entertainment Corporation, and working with agents. Discusses his three marriages, and more. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2003.

Ten Rings: My Championship Seasons RC 58208
by Yogi Berra
read by Michael Scherer
1 cassette
Autobiography by baseball Hall of Fame catcher highlighting his ten championship seasons with the New York Yankees between 1947 and 1962. Recalls the "golden years" of baseball, his famous contemporaries, and rival teams and relates how the game has changed since the 1950s. 2003.

Voices from the Negro Leagues: Conversations with Fifty-two Baseball Standouts of the Period 1924–1960 RC 54770
by Brent Kelley
read by Chuck Young
4 cassettes
Interviews with African American athletes from the segregated baseball teams of the twentieth century. Includes players from before and after 1947, when Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. Includes Rodolfo Fernandez, now in the Cuban Hall of Fame, and Frazier Robinson, Satchel Paige’s favorite catcher. 1998.

Yankee Doodle Dandy: The Life and Times of Tod Sloan RC 57773
by John Dizikes
read by Constance Crawford
2 cassettes
Biography of Indiana-born jockey Tod Sloan (1874–1933) that also illuminates the history of horse racing and betting. Explains how Sloan revolutionized the sport with his innovative riding style, the "forward crouch," which placed him low on the horse’s neck. Reconstructs his victorious career in both the United States and England. 2000.

Stage and Screen

Are You Hungry, Dear? Life, Laughs, and Lasagna RC 58502
by Doris Roberts
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Memoir by Emmy Award-winning actress who plays the matriarch on television’s Everybody Loves Raymond sitcom. Describes her upbringing in the Bronx, show business success on both stage and screen, hit comedy series, passion for food, and weight loss efforts. Also includes some of her favorite recipes. Some strong language. 2003.

Caesar’s Hours: My Life in Comedy, with Love and Laughter RC 58781
by Sid Caesar
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
TV comedian relates his rise to entertainment success in the 1950s. Describes the Caesar’s Hour and Your Show of Shows programs and the so-called Writers’ Room that produced these shows, drawing upon the talents of Woody Allen, Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, Imogene Coca, and others. Discusses his addiction problems. 2003.

Carole Lombard: The Hoosier Tornado RC 58732
by Wes D. Gehring
read by Peter Gil
2 cassettes
Biography of film star Carole Lombard (1908–1942), known as the queen of "screwball" comedies. Gehring relates Lombard’s childhood years in Indiana and California, rise in the movie industry, and marriage to Clark Gable. Also describes her tragic death in a plane crash while returning home after a war-bond rally. Some strong language. 2003.

Dark Lover: The Life and Death of Rudolph Valentino RC 58562
by Emily W. Leider
read by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Biography of Italian-born movie actor Rudolph Valentino (1895–1926), Hollywood’s first romantic hero to specialize in portraying such "exotics" as Arab sheiks and Indian rajahs. Examines the mystique surrounding his personal life and career in films such as The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which broadened American masculine ideals. 2003.

Design for Living: Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne; a Biography RC 58567
by Margot Peters
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Recounts the tempestuous lives of the famous acting team who captured the hearts of American theatergoers from 1919 to 1959. Peters details Lunt’s and Fontanne’s stage and film careers, their circle of friends and intriguing private life, and the professional and personal influences they had on each other. 2003.

Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film RC 57756
by Peter Biskind
read by Anne Hancock
5 cassettes
Chronicle of independent film companies’ rise, begun in the 1970s by Robert Redford’s creation of Sundance and the Weinstein brothers’ founding of Miramax. Author of Easy Riders, Raging Bulls (RC 46342) analyzes the films, directors, actors, and producers outside Hollywood’s mainstream that spearheaded the burgeoning genre. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Good Morning, Mr. Zip Zip Zip: Movies, Memory, and World War II RC 58737
by Richard Schickel
read by Peter Gil
2 cassettes
Time magazine film critic explores the false nostalgia of wartime popular culture. Revisiting his escapist childhood addiction to moviegoing, Schickel contends that the government, films, and other mass media deliberately distorted the realities of war—and promoted a "greatest generation" fantasy—to keep people complacent and maintain a "happy middle-class fiction." 2003.

Hollywood Animal: A Memoir RC 57999
by Joe Eszterhas
read by Barry Bernson
6 cassettes
Hungarian-born screenwriter and author of American Rhapsody (RC 51008) pens an exposé of the movie industry’s seamy side. Also recalls his personal battle with throat cancer and his father’s war crimes. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

Julia: Her Life RC 57815
by James Spada
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Well-known celebrity biographer profiles Academy Award-winning actress and "all-American girl" Julia Roberts. Drawing on interviews with friends, family, and colleagues, Spada portrays Roberts’s troubled childhood in Georgia, whirlwind love life, and illustrious career starring in such films as Steel Magnolias, Pretty Woman, and Erin Brockovich. Some strong language. 2004.

Matthau: A Life RC 57901
by Rob Edelman and Audrey Kupferberg
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Biography of actor Walter Matthau (1920–2000), who grew up poor and fatherless in New York during the Great Depression. The authors portray his "tongue-in-cheek" character and emphasize his successful career, including his starring roles in the films The Odd Couple (1968) and Grumpy Old Men (1993). 2002.

Mr. Strangelove: A Biography of Peter Sellers RC 57272
by Ed Sikov
read by Fred Major
4 cassettes
Biographer explores the quirky comic genius of Peter Sellers, famous for The Pink Panther films, Dr. Strangelove, and Lolita. Interviewing family, friends, and colleagues, Sikov reconstructs Sellers’s bizarre showbiz childhood, his successful film career, four unsuccessful marriages, and the emotional isolation provoked by his struggle for identity. 2002.

Nobody’s Fool: The Lives of Danny Kaye RC 57287
by Martin Gottfried
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Portrait of entertainer Danny Kaye, born David Daniel Kaminski in 1913. Gottfried reconstructs Kaye’s early life and later career as an energetic but emotionally distant singer, dancer, actor, and comedian. He provides an unflattering glimpse into Kaye’s personal life, including his troubled marriage and extramarital affairs. Some descriptions of sex. 1994.

Seriously Funny: The Rebel Comedians of the 1950s and 1960s RC 56540
by Gerald Nachman
read by Gary Telles
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Entertainment journalist profiles over twenty-five post-Korean War humorists whose satire helped usher in cultural changes of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Biographical sketches are presented chronologically and examine the life and work of groundbreaking comedy stars like Phyllis Diller, Lenny Bruce, the Smothers brothers, Mel Brooks, and Bill Cosby. 2003.

Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon RC 58458
by Aram Goudsouzian
read by Peter Jay Fernandez
4 cassettes
History professor chronicles the life and Hollywood career of Poitier, born 1927. Explores how Poitier, a leading black actor during the civil rights movement, struggled with racial politics, stereotyping, the paradox of his race, and intense insecurity. Describes his rags-to-riches success, romances, film credits, awards, and directing debut. 2004.

Travel

Down the Susquehanna to the Chesapeake
by Jack Brubaker
read by Tom Burch
3 cassettes
Traces the course of the Susquehanna River from its sources in New York and Pennsylvania through Maryland to the Chesapeake—the nation’s largest bay. Each chapter highlights a key section of the vast watershed, its historic, cultural, and environmental significance, and the changes that have taken place over the years. 2002.

Flying Cloud: The True Story of America’s Most Famous Clipper Ship and the Woman Who Guided Her RC 58595
by David W. Shaw
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Account of the clipper ship’s 1851 maiden voyage from New York to San Francisco. Describes how the navigator, captain’s wife Eleanor Creesy, managed the crew and safely plotted the vessel’s course around Cape Horn. Observes that the Flying Cloud made the sixteen-thousand-mile trip in arecord eighty-nine days and twenty-one hours. 2000.

The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train through Asia RC 58610
by Paul Theroux
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes (Reissue)
An American novelist’s account of a four-month trip in 1973. Traveling through Turkey, Iran, India, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the USSR, he writes of his encounters with a motley collection of hippies, businessmen, whores, and fellow tourists. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1975.

High Latitudes: An Arctic Journey RC 58353
by Farley Mowat
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Author of Farfarers (RC 51550) chronicles his 1966 journey across northern Canada to examine the impacts of the Ottawa government’s plan to promote development of resources and cities. Emphasizes the exploitation of native Inuit people and devastation of their culture. Includes original interviews and notes on changes that have occurred since. Some strong language. 2002.

Horatio’s Drive: America’s First Road Trip RC 57572
by Dayton Duncan
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Account of the first cross-country automobile trip in the United States. In 1903 Horatio Jackson, a thirty-one-year-old Vermont doctor, bet fifty dollars that he could drive from San Francisco to New York despite only 150 miles of paved roadway in the entire nation. Introduction by Ken Burns, maker of a companion PBS documentary. 2003.

Route 66 A.D.: On the Trail of Ancient Roman Tourists RC 56790
by Tony Perrottet
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Armed with history’s oldest surviving guidebook, an Australian travel writer retraces tour routes of the first people to enjoy safe and easy recreational travel around their empire. Blending historical anecdotes, personal encounters, and commentary on the culture of tourism, Perrottet and his companion journey through Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Egypt. 2002.

The Siege of Shangri-La: The Quest for Tibet’s Sacred Hidden Paradise RC 58618
by Michael McRae
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
National Geographic correspondent discusses the explorations that have taken place in the Tsangpo River gorge in southeastern Tibet since the 1920s. Describes how this area, made famous by James Hilton’s Lost Horizon (RC 51095), has been explored for its topography, natural history, tribal ethnography, and spiritual significance. 2002.

Sunk without a Sound: The Tragic Colorado River Honeymoon of Glen and Bessie Hyde RC 57394
by Brad Dimock
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
White-water guide retraces the ill-fated 1928 honeymoon voyage of a couple who traveled down the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River in a sweep scow—only to disappear. Relates their family histories and the subsequent unsuccessful search for them. 2001.

There’s No Toilet Paper . . . On the Road Less Traveled: The Best of Travel Humor and Misadventure RC 58588
edited by Doug Lansky
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Twenty-six writers relate embarrassing, frustrating, comical, but certainly memorable moments from their sojourns abroad. Bill Bryson takes an enlightening stroll through Paris, while Dave Barry attempts to learn Japanese in five minutes. Peter Mayle, P.J. O’Rourke, and Mary Roach, among others, also share their outrageous travel experiences. 1998.

Virginia and the Capital Region: A Smithsonian Guide to Historic America RC 57436
by Henry Wiencek
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Travel guide to colonial and post-colonial sites in the Chesapeake Bay region, which encompasses Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Provides detailed historical background, hours of operation, fees, and contact information on parks, memorials, museums, Civil and Revolutionary War battlefields, plantation houses, forts, port cities, and more. 1989.

The World: Travels 1950–2000 RC 58758
by Jan Morris
read by Corrie James
4 cassettes
Collection of essays by noted Welsh journalist and travel writer Jan (formerly James) Morris recording her observations over a fifty-year career of "wandering and writing" in every inhabited continent. Describes witnessing landmark historical events, visiting most of the world’s great cities, and sampling many different cultures. 2003.

U.S. History

Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point RC 56895
by David Lipsky
read by Erik Synnestvedt
3 cassettes
Journalist follows the men and women of company G-4 from their arrival as plebes at the United States Military Academy to graduation. The group portrait provides an in-depth examination of the rigors of cadet life and how instilled principles such as honor, equality, and patriotism reflect American society. Some strong language. 2003.

Ace of Aces: The Life of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker RC 58137
by H. Paul Jeffers
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
A biography of captain Eddie Rickenbacker (1890–1973), the much decorated "Ace of Aces" who destroyed twenty-six enemy planes in World War I. Fascinated with engines and speed, he began his career as a race-car driver, becoming third-ranked in the country. He later founded Eastern Airlines. 2003.

An Act of State: The Execution of Martin Luther King RC 57706
by William F. Pepper
read by David Cutler
3 cassettes
Unofficial explanation offered for the assassination of author’s friend and colleague, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Detailing suspicious events leading up to King’s 1968 murder, Pepper argues that convicted James Earl Ray was framed and that King instead was felled by a complex conspiracy involving the Memphis police, FBI, and organized crime. 2003.

Alexander Hamilton RC 58364
by Ron Chernow
read by Roy Avers
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Award-winning author chronicles the life of the foremost American founding father who never became president. Describes Hamilton (1757–1804) as self-pitying, cynically manipulative, yet compassionate. Documents his membership in the Constitutional Convention, service as Treasury secretary, and prolific authorship that helped shape U.S. political agendas and institutions. Bestseller. 2004.

The Backbone of the World: A Portrait of a Vanishing Way of Life along the Continental Divide RC 57203
by Frank Clifford
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Journalist travels the Continental Divide Trail along 3,200 miles of mountains and desert, searching for remnants of the old American West. From Mexico’s border north to Canada, Clifford explores the land and its history through the ranchers and Native Americans fighting to maintain their traditions against the encroachments of commerce. 2002.

The Battle for New York: The City at the Heart of the American Revolution RC 56860
by Barnet Schecter
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Examines the crucial role of New York City in the Revolutionary War—from General George Washington’s initial defeat at the Battle of Brooklyn in August 1776 through the British evacuation in 1783. Describes the historic sites of skirmishes and fortifications with references to contemporary locations in the city. 2002.

Before Lewis and Clark: The Story of the Chouteaus, the French Dynasty That Ruled America’s Frontier RC 58181
by Shirley Christian
read by Mary Kane
4 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist traces several generations of the Chouteaus, a fur-trading French family who dominated the Louisiana frontier and founded St. Louis forty years before Lewis and Clark’s 1803 arrival. Historical portrait features half-brothers Auguste and Pierre Chouteau, whose regional knowledge aided the famed expedition to the Pacific. 2004.

Beyond the River: The Untold Story of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad RC 57447
by Ann Hagedorn
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Portrait of Presbyterian minister John Rankin (1793–1886) and his fellow abolitionists who ran the Underground Railroad of Ripley, Ohio—a town known to Kentucky slaveholders across the river as a haven for runaway slaves. Hagedorn chronicles their heroic efforts to liberate slaves and discusses the abolitionist movement. 2002.

Bill Clinton: An American Journey RC 57118
by Nigel Hamilton
read by Bill Wallace
6 cassettes
A chronicle of the life of Bill Clinton from family background and childhood to his terms as president. Hamilton examines the highlights of Clinton’s political career as well as the character flaws that undermined his successes. 2003.

Blood for Dignity: The Story of the First Integrated Combat Unit in the U.S. Army RC 57597
by David P. Colley
read by Barry Bernson
2 cassettes
Chronicles the experiences of the first African American platoon integrated with white units since the Revolutionary War. Drawing on interviews with WWII veterans, Colley describes the division’s three months of European combat in 1945, examines frontline race relations, and discusses the broader implications of military integration for American society. 2003.

The Burning of Washington: The British Invasion of 1814 RC 56672
by Anthony S. Pitch
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Reconstructs the summer of 1814: after American and British troops skirmished in the Baltimore and Washington areas, the British burned the public buildings in Washington. Describes the flight of President and Dolley Madison and Francis Scott Key’s writing of the national anthem. 1998.

Cuba Confidential: Love and Vengeance in Miami and Havana RC 57202
by Ann Louise Bardach
read by Colleen Delany
4 cassettes
Award-winning journalist examines four decades of U.S. policies toward Cuba. Investigates anti-Castro sentiments in Florida’s exile community, political corruption, blood feuds, and the Elián Gonzáles affair in 2000. Speculates about the possibility of a future civil war on the island. Some strong language. 2002.

Diné: A History of the Navajos RC 58526
by Peter Iverson
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
A cultural history of the largest North American Indian nation. Describes their Southwest origins bounded by four sacred mountains and their evolving lifestyle through the start of the twenty-first century. Discusses their adaptability as a means of survival, focusing on the past 150 years. Spur Award for nonfiction. 2002.

The Final Days RC 58703
by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
read by Richard Hauenstein
4 cassettes (Reissue)
Traces the last months of Richard Nixon’s administration in 1974 including the cover-ups and obstructions of the president’s advisers. Chronicles events that led to the first presidential resignation in U.S. history. Some strong language. 1976.

The First Heroes: The Extraordinary Story of the Doolittle Raid—America’s First World War II Victory RC 56859
by Craig Nelson
read by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
Chronicles the first U.S. retaliatory attack on Japan following Pearl Harbor. Details the planning, training, execution, and aftermath of the daring mission of the Doolittle Raid, focusing on the heroes’ personal experiences. Draws extensively on firsthand accounts as well as military records. Some violence. 2002.

Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation RC 58361
by Cokie Roberts
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Political commentator and news analyst examines the role of Abigail Adams, Deborah Read Franklin, Martha Washington, and other prominent colonial women in founding the United States. Discusses their work outside the domestic sphere to manage businesses, run plantations, and defend their homes in the absence of men. Bestseller. 2004.

Frederick Douglass: For the Great Family of Man RC 57522
by Peter Burchard
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Biography of Frederick Douglass (1818–1895), an escaped slave from Maryland who became an abolitionist, a crusader for women’s rights, and an advisor to president Abraham Lincoln. Discusses Douglass’s personal life, his professional accomplishments, and his influence before and after the Civil War. Some strong language. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy RC 57621
by Nellie Connally and Mickey Herskowitz
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Widow of former Texas governor John Connally recalls the fateful Dallas ride in the presidential limousine on November 22, 1963, when JFK was fatally shot and the governor severely wounded. Nellie Connally describes the chaos of the scene, her husband’s long recovery, and the assassination’s effect on her and her three children. 2003.

General Patton: A Soldier’s Life RC 57130
by Stanley P. Hirshson
read by Jake Williams
6 cassettes
Author uses archives and family papers to analyze the life and career of the controversial World War II general nicknamed "Old Blood and Guts." Explores Patton’s troops’ atrocities in Italy, the infamous slapping of shellshocked soldiers, and his unconcealed bigotry and belief in reincarnation. Some strong language. 2002.

General Washington’s Christmas Farewell: A Mount Vernon Homecoming, 1783 RC 57652
by Stanley Weintraub
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Author of Long Day’s Journey into War (RC 35443) recreates the victorious commander’s four-week journey home to Virginia after the Revolutionary War. Weintraub describes Washington’s experiences along the way, including the farewell to his troops in New York, resignation of his commission in Annapolis, and reunion with his wife, Martha, on Christmas Eve. 2003.

Grace and Power: The Private World of the Kennedy White House RC 58448
by Sally Bedell Smith
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
Biographer’s portrait of Jack and Jackie Kennedy during their three years as president and first lady. Uses previously unavailable personal papers and interviews with the Kennedy inner circle to discuss the couple’s marriage, friendships, and political associations; Jack’s extramarital affairs; and the days surrounding his assassination. Strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

A History of Appalachia RC 58597
by Richard B. Drake
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
A social history of the North America region that extends from Alabama to Pennsylvania. Drake discusses the characteristics that make the region distinct, the various ethnicities that have contributed to Appalachian diversity, and the unique cultural patterns that evolved between the precolonial Native American era and the late twentieth century. 2001.

I Seat Myself to Write You a Few Lines: Civil War and Homestead Letters from Thomas Lucas and Family RC 58374
edited by Dona Bayard Sauerburger and Thomas Lucas Bayard
read by Roy Avers
5 cassettes
Chronicles the life and times of the Lucas family in hundreds of letters. Reveals pivotal events such as Thomas Lucas joining the First Pennsylvania Cavalry to fight in the Civil War and, decades later, the family migration to Nebraska to homestead. 2002.

The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America RC 58272
by Russell Shorto
read by John Horton
3 cassettes
Portrait of the "first New Yorkers"— the earliest European inhabitants of Manhattan predating the thirteen "original" English colonies. From archival documents including letters, deeds, journals, and court proceedings, the author reconstructs the multiethnic Dutch settlement and clash of two seventeenth-century powers that ended in 1664 when England took over Manhattan. 2004.

Jefferson’s Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress RC 58681
by John Y. Cole
read by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
Veteran librarian and historian provides a history of the nation’s foremost cultural institution. Coverage begins in 1800 with the establishment of a legislative library and ends in 1992. Features information on collections, the evolution of the library’s buildings, and brief biographies of the Librarians of Congress. 1993.

John Winthrop: America’s Forgotten Founding Father RC 58731
by Francis J. Bremer
read by Robert Sams
4 cassettes
Portrait of the founder and first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Examines Winthrop’s upbringing and undistinguished career in his native England until he sailed for America in 1630, then details his role in shaping and expanding the new colony. Also discusses Winthrop’s puritan character, religious moderation, and responses to foreign and domestic challenges. 2003.

La Salle: A Perilous Odyssey from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico RC 57399
by Donald S. Johnson
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Discusses the adventures of French explorer René-Robert Cavalier (1643–1687), the sieur de La Salle, who claimed thousands of acres of North American land for France. Describes his exploits, the natural and political dangers he faced, and his murder by his own men. 2002.

Lincoln’s Virtues: An Ethical Biography RC 57259
by William Lee Miller
read by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Ethics scholar presents an unconventional portrait of America’s self-educated sixteenth president. Discusses Lincoln’s frontier origins and his acceptance by the cultural and intellectual elite. Probes the source of Lincoln’s moral convictions, emphasizing his lifelong rejection of majority thinking, his antislavery stance, and his ability to translate morality into policy. 2002.

Lincoln’s War: The Untold Story of America’s Greatest President as Commander in Chief RC 58574
by Geoffrey Perret
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
The author of Eisenhower (RC 49646) demonstrates from National Archives documents that Abraham Lincoln redefined the presidency by expanding his "war powers." Contends that ignoring military, political, and legal restraints Lincoln successfully prevented the South from seceding from the Union. 2004.

Middletown, America: One Town’s Passage from Trauma to Hope RC 57327
by Gail Sheehy
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Journalist records the post-9/11 thoughts, feelings, and actions of fifty residents, especially four widowed moms, of Middletown, New Jersey, a community suffering more deaths from the Twin Towers’ destruction than any other outside NYC. Sheehy’s interviews, conducted over a two-year period, reveal the survivors’ trauma, anger, call to activism, and gradual revival of hope. 2003.

The Modern American Presidency RC 57105
by Lewis L. Gould
read by Dan Toohey
2 cassettes
A historian’s examination of the American presidency’s emergence in the twentieth century. Analyzes factors that changed the powerful office, among them large bureaucracies, continuous campaigning, and the media. 2003.

My Life RC 58100
by Bill Clinton
read by Michael Beck
9 cassettes in 2 containers
Detailed autobiography of William Jefferson Clinton, forty-second American president. 2004.

My Life: Abridged Edition RC 58101
by Bill Clinton
read by Bill Clinton
2 cassettes
Abridged autobiography of William Jefferson Clinton, forty-second American president. 2004.

One Vast Winter Count: The Native American West before Lewis and Clark RC 58263
by Colin G. Calloway
read by Gordon Gould
4 cassettes
Traces the history of America’s native peoples from the Appalachians to the Pacific until 1800. Describes constant environmental changes with development of a corn-growing agriculture, introduction of horses, acquisition of guns, and decimation from disease, among other factors. Also discusses continuing conflicts due to inter-tribal feuding and European penetration. 2003.

The Passions of Andrew Jackson RC 57910
by Andrew Burstein
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
An intimate portrait of the man who served as America’s seventh president between 1829–1837. Burstein examines Jackson’s formative years on the rugged Carolina frontier, his defiant rise from poverty to become a general, and his role in the Aaron Burr conspiracy. He emphasizes the close political friendships that influenced Jackson’s life. 2003.

The Presidency of Richard Nixon RC 58696
by Melvin Small
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Review and analysis of the domestic and foreign policies of the thirty-seventh American president. Traces Nixon’s political rise and resignation from office. Posits that his main achievement remains his domestic social legislation on such topics as desegregation of southern schools, women’s rights, and the environment. 1999.

The President’s House: A First Daughter Shares the History and Secrets of the World’s Most Famous Home RC 57439
by Margaret Truman
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
The daughter of president Harry Truman describes the history and architectural features of the White House and shares tidbits about its former occupants. Includes anecdotes about past commanders in chief and their families, pets, servants, and distinguished guests. 2003.

A Rage for Glory: The Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN RC 58186
by James Tertius de Kay
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Biography of early American hero Stephen Decatur (1779–1820) by well-known naval historian. Portraying Decatur as a brilliant, fearless, and adored commander, de Kay recounts his rise to national prominence through exploits in the Barbary wars and the War of 1812. Offers new details on Decatur’s tragic death in a senseless duel. 2004.

Reflections: Life after the White House RC 57178
by Barbara Bush
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
In her sequel to Barbara Bush: A Memoir (RC 38873), Mrs. Bush chronicles the eight years between the presidencies of her husband and her son. She recalls official functions, charities and hobbies, extensive travel, world VIPs, and life with her five children and fourteen grandchildren. Includes several recipes. Bestseller. 2003.

Saboteurs: The Nazi Raid on America RC 58401
by Michael Dobbs
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Washington Post reporter describes Operation Pastorius, the first German sabotage mission to reach U.S. shores. Having researched FBI archives, the author describes Hitler’s 1942 plan to cripple American defense industries. Discusses saboteurs’ background and training; their FBI capture, trial, and execution; and precedents set for handling terrorists. 2004.

Setting the World Ablaze: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and the American Revolution RC 56654
by John Ferling
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
3 cassettes
Drawing on primary sources and focusing on the Revolutionary War years, Ferling compares the lives of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Places them among the most important leaders of the struggle for American independence and discusses their transformation from colonial elites into democratic reformers. 2000.

The Sweet Hell Inside: A Family History RC 56781
by Edward Ball
read by Thomas Penny
3 cassettes
Continues the study of his ancestors, the Harlestons of South Carolina, which he began in Slaves in the Family (RC 46018). Chronicles the lives of slave-owner William Harleston and his mixed-race slave Kate Wilson and their eight children, born in the mid-1800s. Traces their extraordinary and prosperous lineage. 2001.

Ten Minutes from Normal RC 58162
by Karen Hughes
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
Memoir of former counselor to president George W. Bush who left the White House to return home to Texas with her family. Hughes describes her relationship with Bush as both boss and friend, the campaign trail, the aftermath of September 11, 2001, and the considerations prompting her relocation. Bestseller. 2004.

They Fought like Demons: Women Soldiers in the American Civil War RC 57629
by DeAnne Blanton and Lauren M. Cook
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Reconstructs the experiences of women who, disguised as men, enlisted in the Union and Confederate armies. Depicts the challenges they faced in battle, in the confines of society, and in their postwar lives. Also examines the absence of their participation from many historical accounts. 2002.

Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History RC 57671
by Fawn M. Brodie
read by Bill Wallace
5 cassettes (Reissue)
History professor researches Thomas Jefferson using primary sources and presents not only his public but also his inner life. Documents his long association with his slave mistress, Sally Hemings, the half-sister of his late wife, Martha. 1974.

A Treasury of Great American Scandals: Tantalizing True Tales of Historic Misbehavior by the Founding Fathers and Others Who Let Freedom Swing RC 56899
by Michael Farquhar
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Farquhar follows up A Treasury of Royal Scandals (RC 52663) with three centuries of disgraceful conduct by U.S. presidents and other political figures—but nothing after 1980. His targets include George Washington, whose mother complained of his financial neglect; Abraham Lincoln, whose wife chased him with a butcher knife; and many others. Bestseller. 2003.

Triangle: The Fire That Changed America RC 57638
by David Von Drehle
read by Eric Synnestvedt
3 cassettes
Chronicles the March 25, 1911, New York City garment factory fire that claimed the lives of 146 workers— mostly young immigrant women and children. Details the social conditions and strikes that preceded the tragedy, the trial (and acquittal) of the sweatshop’s owners for manslaughter, and the workplace reforms that followed. Violence. 2003.

We Are Lincoln Men: Abraham Lincoln and His Friends RC 57829
by David Herbert Donald
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian draws from the recollections and memoirs of a variety of Abraham Lincoln’s partners, associates, and political allies to examine the significance of friendship to him and his career. Donald profiles six people the intensely private Lincoln most valued: Speed, Herndon, Browning, Seward, Nicolay, and Hay. 2003.

We Were There: Voices of African American Veterans, from World War II to the War in Iraq RC 58665
by Yvonne Latty
read by John Polk
1 cassette
Reporter profiles twenty-eight African American veterans, male and female, from five wars and briefly describes their United States armed forces careers. Includes their personal accounts of combat, racism, and military service’s lasting effects. Some violence and some strong language. 2004.

William Clark and the Shaping of the West RC 58572
by Landon Y. Jones
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Board member of the National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial chronicles Clark’s life from his 1770 birth in Virginia to his 1838 death. Describes brother George’s western campaigns during the American Revolution, the famous 1803–1806 Corps of Discovery expedition, and Clark’s subsequent political superintendence of Indian removal. 2004.

Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials RC 58015
by Marc Aronson
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
Explores the history behind the 1692 trials in Salem, Massachusetts, that a group of teenage Puritan girls brought on by accusing others of witchcraft. Quotations from primary sources help the reader interpret motives behind the accusations that led to twenty-five people being hanged. For senior high readers. 2003.

War

American Tragedy: Kennedy, Johnson, and the Origins of the Vietnam War RC 56659
by David Kaiser
read by Dan Bloom
5 cassettes
A Naval War College professor uses archival documents to determine how and why the United States became involved in the Vietnam War. Asserts that President Eisenhower’s cold war policies—which secretly included the possible use of nuclear weapons—led America into Southeast Asia in order to contain communism. 2000.

The Battle for Rome: The Germans, the Allies, the Partisans, and the Pope; September 1943–June 1944 RC 57123
by Robert Katz
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Chronicles the bitter WWII battle for control of Rome by German and U.S. armies, the Vatican, and Italian partisans, culminating in the massacre of more than three hundred civilians in reprisal by the occupying Germans. Depicts the individual leaders of the struggle for dominance of the strategic prize. Violence. 2003.

Battle Ready RC 58449
by Tom Clancy
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Chronicles the forty-year career of retired marine general Tony Zinni, former CENTCOM commander-in-chief and special Middle East envoy. Zinni contributes descriptive narratives of missions in Vietnam, Somalia, and Iraq, tracing the U.S. Marine Corps’ evolution and reflecting on warfare’s changing nature in the twenty-first century. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Behind the Lines: The Oral History of Special Operations in World War II RC 57309
by Russell Miller
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
British journalist compiles letters, diaries, military documents, and firsthand accounts of World War II special agents who volunteered with the U.S. Office of Strategic Services and Britain’s Special Operations Executive. Details high-risk missions of subversion and sabotage in occupied Europe, the Balkans, Burma, and Malaya. Some violence. 2002.

Beyond Valor: World War II’s Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat RC 56806
by Patrick K. O’Donnell
read by Terence Aselford
3 cassettes
More than one hundred personal accounts from World War II veterans, most of them nonprofessional soldiers. The story of the elite units and a broad view of the war’s western front emerge from their recollections, along with the theme of the lasting bonds forged in the heat of battle. 2001.

Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII’s Forgotten Heroes RC 58545
by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anthony Walton
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Basketball great Abdul-Jabbar and journalist Walton chronicle the training, battlefield, and postwar experiences of the first African American armored unit to fight in World War II alongside white troops. Authors describe the soldiers’ 183 days on the French and German fronts and their struggles with racial prejudice. 2004.

The Cat from Hué: A Vietnam War Story RC 58589
by John Laurence
read by Steven Carpenter
6 cassettes
News correspondent’s comprehensive memoir of the Vietnam War from the 1968 Tet Offensive through the 1970 Cambodian incursion, with flashbacks to 1965. Along with wartime portraits and a chronicle of daily life in a war zone, reveals author’s personal antiwar sentiment and admiration of American soldiers. Violence and strong language. 2002.

The Class of ’42: Marines in WW II RC 56369
by Tucker Giblin
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Author reminisces about his 1942 enlistment in the marines at age seventeen and his subsequent service during World War II. Describes his basic training and participation in jungle warfare throughout the Pacific until the Japanese surrendered in 1945. Violence and some strong language. 2002.

Crimea: the Great Crimean War, 1854–1856 RC 56657
by Trevor Royle
read by Ray Childs
5 cassettes
Details the confrontation over who should maintain the keys to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the resulting conflict between Russia and allied Britain, France, and Turkey. The war created numerous battlefield innovations including constant press coverage, trench warfare, underwater mines, and the frontline nursing of Florence Nightingale. 2000.

The Day We Bombed Switzerland: Flying with the U.S. Eighth Army Air Force in World War II RC 58174
by Jackson Granholm
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Using trial records and personal recollections, Granholm relates his World War II service as an aerial navigation officer. Describes an attack on Zurich because of another bombing group’s operational error. Details his defense- attorney role for the two pilots charged and the classified court martial proceedings. Some strong language. 2000.

Dresden: Tuesday, February 13, 1945 RC 58525
by Frederick Taylor
read by Ted Stoddard
4 cassettes
Historian examines the controversial World War II Allied bombing of the ancient German cultural center and industrial city, deemed a "legitimate military target." Along with historical background provides a minute-by-minute account of the air raid and reviews the postwar moral debate over the magnitude of destruction and civilian casualties. 2004.

The Eagle and the Rising Sun: The Japanese-American War, 1941–1943; Pearl Harbor through Guadalcanal RC 58057
by Alan Schom
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Narrative of the first year and a half of the war in the Pacific between the United States and Japan. The author details the combat and the personalities of leaders including General Douglas MacArthur, Admiral Chester Nimitz, and the Japanese command under Emperor Hirohito. 2004.

The Eve of Destruction: The Untold Story of the Yom Kippur War RC 58437
by Howard Blum
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Author of Brigade (RC 56192) interviews some 200 parties from both sides of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war—soldiers, generals, intelligence operatives, and double agents—to uncover new details of the surprise attack on Israel. Account of combat, battlefronts, and individuals, such as one newlywed Israeli couple caught up in the conflict. 2003.

Flyboys: A True Story of Courage RC 57005
by James Bradley
read by James Bradley
3 cassettes
Bradley of Flags of Our Fathers (RC 50264) recounts events that led to the bombing of Japanese communication towers on Chichi Jima by nine American airmen in 1945. Discusses Japanese-American relations and reveals the horrors endured by the men who died and by the one survivor, George H.W. Bush. Violence. Bestseller. 2003.

In the Company of Soldiers: A Chronicle of Combat RC 57797
by Rick Atkinson
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Portrait of American troops at war by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist from the Washington Post. Atkinson recounts spending two months in 2003 with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq, recording his experiences along the road to Baghdad. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Intelligence in War: Knowledge of the Enemy from Napoleon to Al-Qaeda RC 57376
by John Keegan
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Author of The First World War (RC 48770) examines the role of intelligence in military conflicts. Using land and sea battles from the late 1700s through World War II as case studies, Keegan concludes that foreknowledge of enemy activities, although useful, is "no protection against disaster" and that "only force ultimately counts." 2003.

The Iraq War RC 58465
by John Keegan
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Author of Intelligence in War (RC 57376) briefly details the creation and evolution of the modern Iraqi state from the eighth to the twenty-first century including Saddam Hussein’s rise to power. Depicts American and British military activities during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. 2004.

The Iraq War: A Military History RC 58083
by Williamson Murray and Robert H. Scales Jr.
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Military historians assess successes and failures of the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War. They compare and contrast the two conflicts in terms of coalition superiority, military efficiency, and coordinated operational, tactical, and strategic planning. They conclude that despite technological advances coalition forces failed to obtain victory. 2003.

The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy’s Finest Hour RC 58064
by James D. Hornfischer
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Chronicles the October 1944 battle off Samar when an American naval escort unit supporting General MacArthur’s liberation of the Philippines engaged overwhelming Japanese forces with little hope of reinforcement or victory. Minute-by-minute account drawn from interviews with survivors and official documents describes the valiant efforts of outgunned sailors and airmen. Some strong language. 2004.

Long Way Back to the River Kwai: Memories of World War II RC 58749
by Loet Velmans
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
Memoir by one of some 250,000 soldiers imprisoned by the Japanese and forced to construct the "Railway of Death" on the Thailand-Burma border during World War II. Velmans details his Jewish family’s escape from Holland following Hitler’s invasion, their settlement in Jakarta, and his capture and torture after joining the Dutch army. Violence. 2003.

The March Up: Taking Baghdad with the 1st Marine Division RC 57350
by Bing West and Ray L. Smith
read by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Account of march from Kuwait to Baghdad in second Gulf War. Retired marine Major General Smith and former marine West, embedded journalists, describe "life and death on the front line" and the civilians and enemy soldiers they encountered during Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. Introduction by John Keegan. Some strong language. 2003.

My Jihad: The True Story of an American Mujahid’s Amazing Journey from Usama Bin Laden’s Training Camps to Counterterrorism with the FBI and CIA RC 57346
by Aukai Collins
read by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
Autobiographical account by American who converted to Islam during a stint in prison as a teenager. Recalls his participation in jihads in Bosnia and Chechnya; subsequent disillusionment with use of Islam to justify terrorist attacks killing civilians; and recruitment by U.S. intelligence as an undercover operative. Violence and strong language. 2002.

No Picnic on Mount Kenya RC 58196
by Felice Benuzzi
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
A wartime account of adventure and freedom in 1940s British East Africa. The author, an Italian officer captured by English forces, chronicles his daring escape with two compatriots from a remote prisoner-of-war camp to climb Mt. Kenya, their experiences on the 17,000-foot peak, and their inevitable return to captivity. 1953.

None Braver: U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen in the War on Terrorism RC 57743
by Michael Hirsh
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
Vietnam veteran and award-winning journalist presents an inside look at the search-and-rescue missions of Operation Enduring Freedom. Embedded for five weeks in 2002 with an air-combat unit flying out of Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, Hirsh shares the stories of "PJs" who voluntarily risk their lives to save others. Some strong language. 2003.

Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs: The Unknown Story of the Men and Women of World War II’s OSS RC 58126
by Patrick K. O’Donnell
read by Fred Major
3 cassettes
Military historian and author of Into the Rising Sun (RC 55697) reveals the covert WWII operations of the Office of Strategic Services, precursor of the Central Intelligence Agency. Portrays Allied agents and their unorthodox missions, which included demolishing infrastructure, organizing resistance movements, and obtaining intelligence often behind enemy lines. 2004.

The Peloponnesian War RC 57952
by Donald Kagan
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Classical historian chronicles the thirty-year war between Athens and Sparta that ended a remarkable time of prosperity in Greece during the fifth century B.C. Kagan draws on the work of contemporary participant Thucydides and other ancient sources in detailing the rivalries, strategies, and main players in the conflict. 2003.

The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of U.S. Warfare RC 58680
by James F. Dunnigan
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Military analyst surveys the evolution of elite combat units, focusing on the twentieth century. Discusses tactics of the Russian Spetsnaz, British Special Air Service, U.S. Navy SEALS, and other special forces operating during World War II, the Vietnam conflict, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. 2003.

A Pretext for War: 9/11, Iraq, and the Abuse of America’s Intelligence Agencies RC 58553
by James Bamford
read by Fred Major
3 cassettes
Author of Body of Secrets (RC 52277) examines the September 11, 2001, hijackings using insider interviews. Claims CIA inadequacy in the Middle East and blames the Bush administration for insistence on war with Iraq. Posits that the Palestinian cause ignites Arab rage against the United States. 2004.

Regarding the Pain of Others RC 56527
by Susan Sontag
read by Susan McInerney
1 cassette
American intellectual discusses the role of photographs in conveying human suffering and wartime atrocities. She evaluates other writers’ opinions on this topic and comments on modern day media coverage of horrific events. 2003.

Ripples of Battle: How Wars of the Past Still Determine How We Fight, How We Live, and How We Think RC 58695
by Victor Davis Hanson
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Classicist reexamines the outcomes of three lesser-known military engagements and how they changed the course of Western warfare, culture, and politics. Considers the long-term impact of the battles of Okinawa in World War II, Shiloh during the Civil War, and Delium where the Athenians were defeated in 424 B.C. 2003.

Secret Soldiers: The Story of World War II’s Heroic Army of Deception RC 57974
by Philip Gerard
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Details unorthodox missions of the 23d Headquarters Special Troops, an eclectic group including artists, actors, and engineers whose overall purpose was battlefield deception. Gerard describes how inflatable tanks, special effects, camouflage, and radio misinformation were used to fool the German army and minimize Allied casualties. Some violence. 2002.

The Silent War: The Cold War Battle beneath the Sea RC 58686
by John Piña Craven
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
Firsthand recollections of submarine-based espionage and nuclear deterrence from former chief civilian scientist of the U.S. Navy’s Special Projects Office. Author recounts clandestine operations including Polaris missile activities and pursuit of the rogue Soviet sub that inspired Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October (RC 21513). 2001.

They Marched into Sunlight: War and Peace, Vietnam and America, October 1967 RC 58193
by David Maraniss
read by Steven Carpenter
4 cassettes
Interwoven accounts of two Vietnam war-related events in October 1967: the deadly jungle ambush of the Black Lions army battalion and a violent antiwar student protest in Wisconsin against recruiters for the Dow Chemical Company. Also describes the U.S. government’s uncertainty about how to respond. Violence and strong language. 2003.

Unexplained Mysteries of World War II RC 58268
by William B. Breuer
read by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Military historian, author of Hitler’s Undercover War (RC 32139), explores coincidences, omens, and other odd occurrences in World War II. Tells of a paratrooper whose parachute was inspected by his mother, a life saved by a candy bar, and an American general’s strange disappearance. Some strong language. 1997.

War Stories: Operation Iraqi Freedom RC 57762
by Oliver L. North
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Eyewitness account of the second Iraq War by retired marine combat veteran and author of Under Fire (RC 33903). As a correspondent embedded with military units in 2003, North chronicles the campaign to end Saddam Hussein’s rule. His commentary in support of operations denounces the critical liberal media. 2003.

Women's Concerns

Appetites: Why Women Want RC 58537
by Caroline Knapp
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Posthumous memoir from the author of Drinking: A Love Story (RC 42791). To exemplify the conflict between female desires and cultural expectations of femininity, author presents her personal battle with anorexia. Holds that society inhibits natural longing for food, love, and work, preventing women from experiencing fulfillment. Some strong language. 2003.

The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices RC 57933
by Xinran
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
China, 1990s. Radio broadcaster’s reflections on the true stories of suffering and oppression revealed by her female listeners. Profoundly moved by their emotional accounts, Xinran voices the centuries of pain, subjugation, and pressures of tradition that the women in China still endure. Some descriptions of sex. 2002.

Women in the Middle East: Tradition and Change RC 57282
by Ramsay M. Harik and Elsa Marston
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
Social history of women, mainly Arab and Muslim, in the Middle East from Morocco to Pakistan. The authors explain the diversity of the region and the varying roles that religion, family, education, work, and traditions play in the women’s lives. For senior high and older readers. 2003.

World History

Alfred Maudslay and the Maya: A Biography RC 57907
by Ian Graham
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
Chronicles the life and work of this English gentleman and explorer (1850–1931). Drawing on Maudslay’s field notes, published works, and family materials, Graham reconstructs his background, schooling, and personal life while highlighting the historical significance of his expeditions to study pre-Columbian ruins of Central America. 2002.

All the Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror RC 57208
by Stephen Kinzer
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Chronicles the August 1953 CIA-led coup in Iran that overthrew the democratic government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. Describes the events that led to the takeover and the "catastrophic effects" that eventually resulted in the 1979 overthrow of the Shah by Islamic radicals. 2003.

Armageddon Averted: The Soviet Collapse, 1970–2000 RC 57934
by Stephen Kotkin
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Kotkin’s historical and geopolitical analysis of the Soviet Union’s collapse—triggered by a failed Communist ideology—and the first decade of post-Soviet Russia. He describes the dynamics of Soviet political and economic institutions and considers the chaos that could have accompanied its dissolution. 2001.

Athens: A History; from Ancient Ideal to Modern City RC 58127
by Robin Waterfield
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Selective history of Athens, Greece, the birthplace of Western civilization, from its Classical period (circa 480– 340 B.C.E.) to its revival as a capital city in 1834 C.E. Highlights influential personalities and cultural and political achievements, portraying its fall as a tragic betrayal of Olympic values. 2004.

Before the Flood: The Biblical Flood as a Real Event and How It Changed the Course of Civilization RC 56673
by Ian Wilson
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
3 cassettes
Author of Jesus (RC 23692) links Noah’s flood to indications of a cataclysmic deluge of the Black Sea region circa 5600 B.C. Citing the research of leading scientists and Titanic explorer Robert Ballard, Wilson examines underwater archaeological evidence and speculates how flood survivors may have altered the course of history. 2001.

The Bookseller of Kabul RC 57814
by Csne Seierstad
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
Intimate portrait of Afghani bookseller Sultan Khan and his family by an award-winning Norwegian journalist who lived with them in the spring of 2002 after the Taliban fell. Depicts the experiences of Khan’s children and two wives in a strict Muslim household as their nation recovers from war. 2002.

An Enduring Love RC 58002
by Farah Pahlavi
read by Janis Gray
3 cassettes
Memoir of the widow of Iranian shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, whom the author wed in 1959 at the age of twenty-one. Recounts her privileged childhood, schooling in Paris, marriage and raising four children, and years in exile with the ailing king after the 1979 Iranian revolution. Bestseller. 2004.

Escape from Slavery: The True Story of My Ten Years in Captivity and My Journey to Freedom in America RC 57965
by Francis Bok
read by Peter Jay Fernandez
2 cassettes
A Christian Dinka relates his capture in 1986 at age seven and enslavement by northern Sudanese Arabs before breaking free. Bok describes herding goats and cattle for a cruel master, finally escaping on the third try, obtaining UN refugee status, moving to the United States in 1999, and becoming an antislavery activist. 2003.

Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship RC 57644
by Jon Meacham
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Chronicles the vital friendship between British prime minister Winston Churchill and U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1939 and 1945. The author, managing editor at Newsweek, uses archives and reminiscences of staffers to document the leaders’ personal relationship as the two planned the defeat Germany and Japan. Bestseller. 2003.

From Time Immemorial: The Origins of the Arab-Jewish Conflict over Palestine RC 57849
by Joan Peters
read by Suzanne Toren
5 cassettes
Former White House Mideast consultant draws on primary documents, official archives, and firsthand interviews to examine historical factors underlying the twentieth-century conflict between Jews and Muslims in the Middle East. Scholarly analysis of widely held misconceptions concerning Arab refugees as well as the roles of tradition and migration. 1984.

Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 RC 57940
by Steve Coll
read by Bill Wallace
6 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Washington Post managing editor Steve Coll describes how the United States became embroiled in the affairs of Afghanistan from 1979 to 2001. Chronicles the efforts to control the country by CIA spies, the former Soviet Union, local warlords, and Arab leaders. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Gulag: A History RC 58287
by Anne Applebaum
read by Bill Wallace
6 cassettes
Washington Post columnist documents the evolution of the Soviet Union’s forced labor camp system—from its origins during the Bolshevik Revolution, its expansion under Stalin, and its dissolution after the dictator’s death. The chronicle also examines the lives of prisoners and the unique society they formed. 2003.

A History of Britain: The Fate of Empire 1776–2000, Vol. 3 RC 57960
by Simon Schama
read by George Holmes
5 cassettes
Third volume of A History of Britain (RC 51466, RC 54017). Schama explores the spirit of reform generated by the French Revolution, nineteenth-century imperial decline, famine in India and Ireland, and England’s experiences in two world wars. Profiles include Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill. Companion to the BBC/History Channel television series. 2002.

In Search of Ancient Ireland: The Origins of the Irish, from Neolithic Times to the Coming of the English RC 58296
by Carmel McCaffrey and Leo Eaton
read by Terry Donnelly
3 cassettes
This companion to a PBS television series reviews the history, archaeology, and legends of Ireland from circa 8000 B.C. to the twelfth century A.D. The authors explore ancient sites throughout the countryside and reexamine history to distinguish between popular myth and reality. 2002.

In the Shadows of War: An American Pilot’s Odyssey through Occupied France and the Camps of Nazi Germany RC 58383
by Thomas Childers
read by Fred Major
4 cassettes
Interwoven stories of WWII pilot Roy Allen, who parachuted from his burning B-17 over occupied France, and two French youths—schoolteacher Colette Florin and resistance leader Pierre Mulsant—who risked their lives to save him. Details Allen’s eventual capture by the Gestapo, his experiences in several concentration and POW camps, and liberation. Violence. 2002.

Inside the Asylum: Why the U.N. and Old Europe Are Worse than You Think RC 58683
by Jed Babbin
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Deputy undersecretary of defense under president George H.W. Bush asserts an anti-American United Nations agenda even as the United States pays billions in annual dues. Investigates the U.N.’s possible link with terrorists including the oil-for-food scandal and Europe’s disdain for America. Offers recommendations for change. 2004.

Israelis and Palestinians: Why Do They Fight? Can They Stop? RC 57256
by Bernard Wasserstein
read by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
History professor offers reasons for the conflict in Israel other than ethnic and religious differences. Posits that neither Jews nor Arabs "are animated by crazed psychopathy" but rather fight over definable interests. Suggests that multifaceted analysis of demographic, socioeconomic, environmental, and territorial dimensions of the struggle may facilitate a peaceful resolution. 2003.

Khrushchev: The Man and His Era RC 56692
by William Taubman
read by Bill Wallace
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Chronicles the life and times of Nikita Khrushchev (1894–1971), a Ukrainian peasant who rose through the Communist ranks to eventually succeed Joseph Stalin as party leader of the Soviet Union. Uses newly released archives and interviews with Khrushchev’s contemporaries to explore the complexity and contradictions in the leader’s character. 2003.

Losing bin Laden: How Bill Clinton’s Failures Unleashed Global Terror RC 58139
by Richard Miniter
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
Investigative reporter examines the Clinton administration’s failure to apprehend Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden amid escalating violence and alarming military intelligence. Alleges Clinton’s responses to bin Laden’s terrorist activity were ineffective from the 1992 attack on American troops in Yemen to the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole. 2003.

The Main Enemy: The Inside Story of the CIA’s Final Showdown with the KGB RC 58479
by Milt Bearden and James Risen
read by Ralph Lowenstein
5 cassettes
CIA insider and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist chronicle the major espionage engagements of the CIA and KGB from 1985 to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Drawing on interviews with both Russian and U.S. agents, Bearden and Risen reveal clandestine operations from the perspective of the spies who carried them out. Strong language. 2003.

The Nelson Touch: The Life and Legend of Horatio Nelson RC 58718
by Terry Coleman
read by John Horton
3 cassettes
Portrays the man behind the legend of British admiral Horatio Nelson (1758–1805). Details the naval genius’s early career at sea, his greatest engagements including the battle of the Nile, and his personal life until his death in the battle of Trafalgar. Also reflects on the contradictions of his character. 2002.

Opening Mexico: The Making of a Democracy RC 58349
by Julia Preston and Samuel Dillon
read by Ted Stoddard
4 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters examine Mexico’s July 2000 revolution to end a despotic, one-party rule. Includes history of political events and pivotal players in the rise of pluralistic democracy. Describes changes such as ballot and legislative reform, presidential power limitations, and improved human rights. 2004.

The Parthenon RC 58072
by Mary Beard
read by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
A concise, lively history of the famed Greek temple. Classicist Mary Beard examines the building’s construction in the fifth century B.C. and its sub- sequent roles as a Byzantine cathedral, Ottoman mosque, iconic ruin, and modern tourist destination. Also discusses its gradual degradation, twentieth-century restoration efforts, and tips for prospective visitors. 2002.

The Pity of It All: A History of Jews in Germany, 1743–1933 RC 57405
by Amos Elon
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Israeli historian and journalist depicts two centuries of Jewish participation in and identification with German culture. Elon traces Jewish assimilation into German society and explores individual contributions to the German intellectual community, beginning with philosopher Moses Mendelssohn’s arrival in Berlin in 1743 and ending with the rise of Nazism. 2002.

The Real Fidel Castro RC 58396
by Leycester Coltman
read by Barry Bernson
3 cassettes
Drawing on personal observations and archival sources, former British ambassador to Cuba chronicles Castro’s life from his early political activism through exile, imprisonment, guerilla warfare, and ascent to power after a 1959 government takeover. Illuminates Castro’s shift from rebel to dictator, soldier to diplomat, and nationalist to Communist. 2003.

Sacred Geography: A Tale of Murder and Archeology in the Holy Land RC 56683
by Edward Fox
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
2 cassettes
When sixty-seven-year-old American archeologist Albert Glock was murdered in 1992 in the West Bank, he was close to publishing a book on his lifework—excavating a site establishing historic Palestinian roots. A journalist investigates why he might have been killed. 2001.

Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter RC 57372
by Thomas Cahill
read by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
The author of Desire of the Everlasting Hills (RC 50633) continues his survey of civilizations by tracing the fifth-century-B.C. Greek rise to ascendency in democracy, philosophy, poetry, drama, music, architecture and the arts, and warfare. Strong language. 2003.

Secret Soldiers: The Story of World War II’s Heroic Army of Deception RC 57974
by Philip Gerard
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Details unorthodox missions of the 23d Headquarters Special Troops, an eclectic group including artists, actors, and engineers whose overall purpose was battlefield deception. Gerard describes how inflatable tanks, special effects, camouflage, and radio mis-information were used to fool the German army and minimize Allied casualties. Some violence. 2002.

The Shaman’s Coat: A Native History of Siberia RC 56629
by Anna Reid
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Historian and former Kiev correspondent for the Economist traverses Siberia to study its native tribes’ history, ancient traditions, and daily survival. Reconstructs tribal plights beginning with Russia’s first attempt at colonization in 1585. Holds that intolerant, oppressive Russian rule mirrors the experiences of other indigenous peoples. 2002.

The Spartans: The World of the Warrior-Heroes of Ancient Greece, from Utopia to Crisis and Collapse RC 58416
by Paul Cartledge
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
History of the Spartans in southern Greece from around 1100 B.C. to their demise one thousand years later. Focuses on 480–360 B.C. spanning Sparta’s repulse of Persian invaders, wars with Athens, and decline as a significant power. Studies the prominent role of women, training of warriors, important kings, and Sparta’s influence on western civilization. 2002.

The Storyteller’s Daughter RC 58409
by Saira Shah
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Memoir by British-born Afghani writer of her visits to war-torn Afghanistan. In 1986 at age twenty-one she arrives as a war correspondent, later as documentary producer of Beneath the Veil during Taliban rule. Chronicles her attempts to reconcile bicultural values and interweaves her father’s legends of the homeland with her own reality. 2003.

Two Minutes over Baghdad RC 58250
by Amos Perlmutter,
Uri Bar-Joseph
2 cassettes
Three academics discuss the 1981 Israeli Air Force preemptive attack destroying Iraq’s nuclear reactor at Osirak, including background circumstances and likely consequences. Suggests that Operation Babylon significantly affected the nature of ensuing events in the Middle East. 2003 foreword to second edition by Barry Rubin.

We Survived: Fourteen Histories of the Hidden and Hunted in Nazi Germany RC 57732
by Eric H. Boehm
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Compilation by a World War II veteran of firsthand accounts from some individuals who resisted Nazi injustice in the 1930s and 1940s. Depicts underground movements of lawbreakers, fugitives, prisoners, and deserters who risked their lives for freedom on the "inner front." 1949.

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Adult Fiction

Adventure

Baltic Mission: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 7 RC 57224
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
In this sequel to 1805 (RC 57223), Captain Drinkwater is ordered to the Baltic Sea as Napoleon extends his grip on Europe. Commanding the Antigone, Drinkwater deals with a discontented crew and a drunk lieutenant. Then an intercepted message puts him on a course to again face his nemesis, Santhonax. Strong language and some violence. 1988.

Beneath the Aurora: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 12 RC 57229
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
1813. Captain Drinkwater has succeeded Lord Dungarth as head of the Royal Navy’s Secret Department. The discovery of a secret treaty with America sends him to Norway on a dangerous mission. Sequel to The Flying Squadron (RC 57228). Violence and strong language. 1995.

Blue Horizon RC 57491
by Wilbur Smith
read by David Hartley-Margolin
6 cassettes
Southern Africa, eighteenth century. In this sequel to Monsoon (RC 49786), cousins Jim and Mansur Courtney continue trading throughout the continent in their fathers’ footsteps. When Jim spies Louisa Leuven, a beautiful Dutch convict aboard a slave ship, he sets out to rescue her. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2003.

The Bomb Vessel: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 4 RC 57221
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
1801. In this sequel to A Brig of War (RC 57220), Captain Drinkwater commands the Virago, an old ship sent to the Baltic as a bomb vessel. He would like to turn her back into a fighting vessel. In the process he takes aboard his fugitive brother, Edward. Some violence and some strong language. 1984.

A Brig of War: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 3 RC 57220
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
In this sequel to A King’s Cutter (RC 57219), Lieutenant Nathaniel Drinkwater is running routine missions on the brig Hellebore, when Admiral Nelson suddenly sends the brig to the Red Sea. Later British operations against the French bring Drinkwater face to face with two old enemies, Santhonax and Morris. Some violence and some strong language. 1983.

Captiva RC 58544
by Randy Wayne White
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
South Florida. A fishing dispute turns deadly for vandal Jimmy Darroux, who dies when his homemade bomb explodes. Government agent-turned-marine biologist Doc Ford and his aging hippie friend Tomlinson locate Jimmy’s sexy widow and try to stop the escalating violence. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 1996.

The Corvette: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 5 RC 57222
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Promoted for his services during the Battle of Copenhagen, Drinkwater, from The Bomb Vessel (RC 57221), is assigned to replace the wounded captain of the Arctic whaling fleet’s escort vessel. When a ship is lost during the whale hunt, Drinkwater must confront treachery and danger. Strong language and some violence. 1985.

Ebb Tide: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 14 RC 57231
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
1843. In the years since The Shadow of the Eagle (RC 57230), Drinkwater has been knighted for his service to the English Crown. He is aboard the paddle-steamer Vestal, inspecting lighthouses along the coast of England, when tragedy strikes and he must confront his past. Violence and strong language. 1998.

1805: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 6
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Captain Drinkwater, commanding the Antigone in Admiral Nelson’s fleet, prepares to battle Napoleon. The French capture Drinkwater in circumstances beyond his control and keep him prisoner for much of the Battle of Trafalgar. Sequel to The Corvette (RC 57222). Strong language and some violence. 1985.

Everglades RC 57575
by Randy Wayne White
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Sally Minster turns to her former lover, marine biologist Doc Ford, for help after her real-estate developer husband, Geoff, disappears. Doc investigates Geoff’s shady dealings in the Florida Everglades with a religious cult guru, whose schemes threaten Doc’s friends and the area’s ecology. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2003.

The Flying Squadron: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 11 RC 57228
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
In this sequel to Under False Colours (RC 57227), Captain Drinkwater, after a brief home stay in England, boards the Patrician in 1811 to escort Henry Vansittart—the King’s messenger—to America. While there Drinkwater uncovers information that later helps prevent a Royal Navy takeover by the United States. Violence and strong language. 1992.

From the Listening Hills RC 56382
by Louis L’Amour
read by Gary Roan
2 cassettes
Posthumously published collection of twelve tales by well-known author of westerns. Contains his first and last short stories, "Anything for a Pal" and "The Moon of the Trees Broken by Snow," as well as a pair of World War II adventures, four westerns, a couple of football stories, and two crime tales. 2003.

Getting Mother’s Body RC 57528
by Suzan-Lori Parks
read by Saidah Arrika Ekulona
2 cassettes
1960s. African American Billy Beede’s wild mama is rumored to be buried with a trove of jewels in an Arizona grave now threatened by development. Billy—sixteen, pregnant, and broke—steals a truck and heads west from Texas with her uncle and one-legged aunt to find the treasure. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2003.

Grass for His Pillow: Tales of the Otori, Book 2 RC 57935
by Lian Hearn
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Honor-bound, Otori Takeo abandons his love, Shirakawa Kaede, heiress to Maruyama, to join his ancestral tribe and train as an assassin. Kaede, refusing to marry, works to restore her lands and clings to hope that Takeo will return. Sequel to Across the Nightingale Floor (RC 54917). Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2003.

Havoc’s Sword: An Alan Lewrie Naval Adventure RC 58385
by Dewey Lambdin
read by Neil Hunt
3 cassettes
English Foreign Office spies meet captain Alan Lewrie in the Caribbean and order him back into the battle for French colony Saint Domingue. Using bribery, diplomacy, and the fledgling American navy, Lewrie confronts his archenemy Guillaume Choundas. Sequel to Sea of Grey (RC 58124). Strong language and some violence. 2003.

In Distant Waters: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 8 RC 57225
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
In this sequel to Baltic Mission (RC 57224), Captain Drinkwater, now commanding Patrician, hangs a deserter and then sets sail for the Pacific Ocean. He deals with the threat of mutiny, captures a Spanish frigate, worries about a lurking Russian vessel, and is rewarded with a twist of fortune. Violence and strong language. 1988.

A King’s Cutter: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 2 RC 57219
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
1792. In this sequel to An Eye of the Fleet (RC 57218), Nathaniel Drinkwater, now married, is asked by the Royal Navy to return to work, this time aboard the cutter Kestrel. He uncovers sinister networks of intrigue, deals with mutiny, and acquires a new nemesis—Edouard Santhonax. Some violence and some strong language. 1982.

Leaving Protection RC 58314
by Will Hobbs
read by Gregory Gorton
1 cassette
Port Protection, Alaska. Sixteen-year-old Robbie signs on with captain Tor- sen to fish for salmon. Robbie realizes he’s in danger when he discovers Torsen secretly searching for valuable metal plaques laid by early Russian explorers to claim Alaska. Then a storm hits, imperiling them both. For senior high readers. 2004.

Logan’s Storm RC 57217
by Ken Wells
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Logan, the father of Meely LaBauve (RC 51539), escapes the clutches of the law in Louisiana and flees with Chilly Cox to Mississippi. Joined by Catfish Annie, Logan heads for Florida to work on an alligator farm, but a killer hurricane interferes. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2002.

Lost City: A Novel from the NUMA Files RC 58714
by Clive Cussler
read by Bob Askey
3 cassettes
Kurt Austin leads the National Underwater and Marine Agency Special Assignments Team in investigating a series of strange occurrences, beginning with bizarre seaweed growth. Now scientists harvesting a life-prolonging enzyme are dying in an Atlantic Ocean area known as the Lost City. Some violence. Bestseller. 2004.

The Mangrove Coast RC 57067
by Randy Wayne White
read by Michael Russoto
2 cassettes
Marine biologist and former intelligence agent Doc Ford, of Sanibel Island, Florida, is enlisted by a late friend’s daughter to find her mother. Gail Richardson has disappeared with her creepy psychotic lover. Doc traces the pair to Panama and finds that Gail is a virtual prisoner. Violence and strong language. 1998.

North of Havana RC 58617
by Randy Wayne White
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Havana. South Florida marine biologist Doc Ford, a former U.S. agent, returns to help his hippie friend Tomlinson who was stranded after the Cuban government confiscated his boat. Accompanied by his lesbian buddy Dewey, Doc locates Tomlinson among anti-Castro revolutionaries. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 1997.

Paradise RC 58185
by Patrick Dennis
read by Faith Potts
3 cassettes (Reissue)
At an exclusive Acapulco resort, an eclectic group of rich and famous people is stranded when an earthquake separates the hotel site from the Mexican mainland. While the guests await rescue, second-rate television producer Jimmy Malvido arrives to broadcast their plight. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1971.

The Poseidon Adventure RC 57051
by Paul Gallico
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes (Reissue)
The SS Poseidon, a giant ocean liner-turned-cruise ship, capsizes when caught by a tidal wave. The few remaining survivors struggle to stay alive until rescuers arrive. Some strong language. 1969.

A Private Revenge: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 9 RC 57226
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
In this sequel to In Distant Waters (RC 57225), Captain Drinkwater is now off the China coast attempting to refit the Patrician. An assignment to escort a convoy to Penang turns deadly when he discovers his old nemesis, Commander Morris, on board—with a mysterious cargo. Violence and strong language. 1989.

Sea of Grey: An Alan Lewrie Naval Adventure RC 58124
by Dewey Lambdin
read by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
Captain Alan Lewrie sets sail aboard HMS Proteus for the West Indies, where general Toussaint L’Ouverture leads a slave rebellion in France’s Saint Domingue colony. Lewrie patrols for privateers, French warships, and anything suspicious. Sequel to King’s Captain (RC 53006). Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2002.

The Shadow of the Eagle: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 13 RC 57230
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
In this sequel to Beneath the Aurora (RC 57229), Napoleon has abdicated as Emperor of France and gone into exile. But fears that Napoleon may try to escape to America has Captain Drinkwater posted to the Azores to prevent anyone from offering him aid. Violence and strong language. 1997.

Shark River RC 57042
by Randy Wayne White
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Covert operative turned marine biologist Doc Ford spends a working holiday on luxurious Guava Key. When Ford foils a would-be kidnapping, he becomes the target of a drug lord. Ford encounters political intrigue and a Bahamian woman claiming to be his sister. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2001.

Sharpe’s Havoc: Richard Sharpe and the Campaign in Northern Portugal, Spring 1809 RC 58259
by Bernard Cornwell
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
Lieutenant Richard Sharpe and his men are isolated by Napoleon’s forces in the Portuguese city of Oporto. While struggling to survive, Sharpe’s team also searches for missing nineteen-year-old English heiress Kate Savage who is being courted by a spy. Some violence and some strong language. 2003.

Sign-Talker: The Adventure of George Drouillard on the Lewis and Clark Expedition RC 56803
by James Alexander Thom
read by Rick Rohan
3 cassettes
Fictitious reconstruction of the experiences of half-Shawnee, half-Frenchman George Pierre Drouillard (1773– 1810), a hired hunter and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Chronicles the monumental survey of the rugged American West and explores the spiritual culture of Native Americans and their struggles with early settlers. Violence and some descriptions of sex. 2000.

Trojan Odyssey RC 57180
by Clive Cussler
read by Bob Askey
3 cassettes
After meeting their father for the first time in Valhalla Rising (RC 52893), twins Summer and Dirk work for marine agency NUMA investigating a brown tide in the Caribbean, where they discover mysterious ancient relics. Meanwhile Dirk Sr. rushes to save a floating resort from a deadly hurricane. Some violence. Bestseller. 2003.

Under False Colours: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel, Book 10 RC 57227
by Richard Woodman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Captain Drinkwater, back from the China Sea, is on a secret mission to Russia. Overtly he is carrying military cargo designed covertly to put a wedge between France and Russia. When weather foils the plans, he develops his own strategy. Sequel to A Private Revenge (RC 57226). Violence and strong language. 1991.

Blind and Physical Handicaps

Blue Skies: The Coulter Family, Book 4 RC 57957
by Catherine Anderson
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Carly Adams, born with lattice dystrophy, waited twenty-eight years to see. Celebrating her new vision with a friend at a bar, she meets Hank Coulter. Their brief encounter leaves her pregnant. Companion to Phantom Waltz (RC 53982). Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

Come Home, My Heart RC 56383
by Phyllis Campbell
read by Mimi Bederman
1 cassette
Dr. Susan Perry, an obstetrician, becomes blind after a brain tumor is removed. Once rehabilitated, she moves to a poor, rural Virginia town. In her new career as a social worker, she becomes an integral part of the community and falls in love. 1988.

Coming to My Senses RC 56381
by Pam Rice
read by Mimi Bederman
2 cassettes
Elderly widow Addie Marsh is losing her eyesight due to macular degeneration. Fighting to keep her lakeside home, she refuses to move to an assisted living facility. Instead, she learns to cope, deriving strength from her memories, a support group, and the friendship of a new neighbor abused by her boyfriend. 2001.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time RC 56893
by Mark Haddon
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Fifteen-year-old Christopher, who exhibits behavioral problems associated with autism, investigates the murder of his neighbor’s dog. His severely logical approach leads him down an unexpected path, bringing him face to face with the dissolution of his parents’ marriage while providing insight into the workings of his mind. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2002.

Fox River RC 57720
by Emilie Richards
read by Colleen Delany
3 cassettes
Nine years ago Julia Warwick, heiress to a Virginia estate, married another man after Christian, her lover, was wrongly convicted of murder. Now, as Julia copes with inexplicable blindness, an exonerated Christian returns to find he has fathered Julia’s child. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2001.

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter RC 58532
by Carson McCullers
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Deep South, 1930s. John Singer, who is deaf and mute, feels content until his best friend, also mute, is committed to a mental institution. Singer, who can read lips, becomes the confidante of several town residents, all of whom want answers to their problems. Some strong language. 1940.

The Speed of Dark RC 58560
by Elizabeth Moon
read by Brian Conn
3 cassettes
Born with autism at the dawn of the twenty-first century, Lou Arrendale is an independent adult working at a pharmaceutical company. When his boss pressures him to receive an experimental treatment that could reverse his condition, Lou worries how he will change and how he will feel being "normal." 2003.

Waiting for Sarah RC 58207
by Bruce McBay and James Heneghan
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
Mike loses his legs and his family in a car accident. When he’s back in school Sarah, a younger student, befriends him. As Mike slowly recovers from tragedy he learns that Sarah is a murdered girl’s ghost. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

Classics

Appointment in Samarra RC 58197
by John O’Hara
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Fast-moving first novel by journalist/critic John O’Hara (1905–1970) set in 1930s small-town Pennsylvania. As Gibbsville celebrates Christmas with parties, music, and liquor, aristocratic drunkard Julian English breaks with polite society in one rash moment, beginning his rapid descent to self-destruction. 1991 introduction by John Updike. Some strong language. 1934.

The Decameron RC 57414
by Giovanni Boccaccio
read by Peter Gil
6 cassettes (Reissue)
One hundred tales reflecting life in fourteenth-century Italy, as narrated by men and women finding refuge in the country from a plague in Florence. Depicts adventures, customs, lusts, and loves of people representing all social strata from noblemen to peasants. Translation from Italian work completed around 1352. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1982.

Don Quixote RC 57711
by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
read by Peter Gil
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Spanish classic depicting the adventures of Don Quixote, an aging gentleman addled by chivalrous visions, who appoints himself a knight-errant and sets out with his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, on a quest to right the world’s wrongs. Originally published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. New translation by Edith Grossman. Bestseller. 2003.

Family

The Amateur Marriage RC 57373
by Anne Tyler
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes
Baltimore residents Michael Anton and Pauline Barclay fall in love at first sight at the start of World War II and marry impulsively. Remaining completely incompatible despite increasing prosperity, they spend the next five decades making themselves, and their three children, miserable. Bestseller. 2004.

The Amethyst Heart RC 57263
by Penelope J. Stokes
read by Terry Hayes Sales
3 cassettes
Ninety-three-year-old Miss Amethyst Noble lives in the Mississippi ancestral home her grandfather built—a symbol of her family’s heritage—and resists her cash-poor son’s plan to sell the property and move her out. Miss Amethyst relates the history of Noble House to her difficult teenage great-granddaughter, hoping to pass the legacy to her instead. 2000.

The Best Awful RC 57937
by Carrie Fisher
read by Norma Lana
2 cassettes
Suzanne Vale from Postcards from the Edge (RC 26595) moves from addiction recovery to relapse as she discovers her husband’s homosexuality and finds motherhood a burden. She quits taking medications, associates with an assortment of characters, and begins a downward spiral to madness from which she must rise. Strong language. Bestseller. 2003.

Between Sisters RC 58727
by Kristin Hannah
read by Mary Beth Wise
3 cassettes
Time and differences have kept divorce lawyer Meghann Dontess, from Distant Shores (RC 56933), and her sister, Claire, from the closeness they shared during a difficult childhood. Reunited for Claire’s wedding, they establish new bonds, and Meghann finds herself falling in love as well. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

Blood of My Blood RC 56371
by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
read by Gillian Green
1 cassette
In this autobiographical first novel— unpublished until 2002—by the Pulitzer Prize winner for The Yearling (RC 33466), the author chronicles her growth as an artist. Includes portrayals of her sympathetic father; her cold, domineering mother; and some pioneer ancestors. 1928.

Bright Angel Time RC 57069
by Martha McPhee
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Kate recounts her childhood experiences in the 1970s after her parents divorce. She and her sisters begin a new life wandering across the country in a turquoise camper after her mother becomes infatuated with a charismatic hippie. Companion to Gorgeous Lies (RC 57070). Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1997.

Catalyst RC 56005
by Laurie Halse Anderson
read by Constance Crawford
2 cassettes
Kate, a preacher’s daughter, is struggling to accept life’s challenges. She’s rejected by her chosen college and resents running the household. Then, after a fire, her father allows Teri, a much disliked schoolmate, and Teri’s little brother to move into her room. Some strong language. For senior high readers. 2002.

Celeste: Gemini Series RC 58860
by V.C. Andrews
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
When Celeste’s twin brother, Noble, dies tragically, her obsessed mother makes her cut her hair, wear boys’ clothes, and impersonate him. Celeste virtually disappears until handsome Elliot Fletcher moves in next door and forces her to confront her true identity. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. Bestseller. 2004.

Chill Wind RC 56891
by Janet McDonald
read by Andrea Frierson-Toney
1 cassette
Nineteen-year-old Aisha from Spellbound (RC 56560) is living on welfare with her two children when her checks run out. Faced with homelessness, she is forced to try workfare until she discovers a job as a large-sized model. For senior high readers. Coretta Scott King Award. 2002.

The Clock Winder RC 58335
by Anne Tyler
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Baltimore, 1960. Eccentric elderly widow Pamela Emerson hires collegeage drifter Elizabeth Abbott as a live-in helper. Pamela’s unstable family, including her grown sons, rely increasingly on Elizabeth and absorb her into their bizarre and deadly personal dramas. Some violence. 1972.

Crown Jewel RC 57921
by Fern Michaels
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
Hollywood actor Ricky Lam’s relationship with his brother, Philip, grew distant after Ricky entered rehab. Fifteen years later, Philip dies tragically. With no hope of reconciliation, Ricky focuses on his illegitimate sons, his family’s business, his sister-in-law, and Philip’s secret past. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2003.

Death before Dishonour RC 56686
by Barnaby Williams
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
4 cassettes
In 1914, British aristocrat Fish de Clare enters the fight against the Germans. Fish, who stammers, conducts himself admirably and returns to marry his cousin, Violet, and inherit the family title. And Fish’s son, Gawaine, fights in the next war. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 1997.

Emma’s Secret RC 57943
by Barbara Taylor Bradford
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
American designer Evan Hughes strongly resembles members of Emma Harte’s London family from To Be the Best (RC 27016). When Gideon Harte falls in love with Evan, Harte matriarch Paula probes grandmother Emma’s long-lost diary for clues to Evan’s lineage. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Father Figure RC 56685
by Richard Peck
read by Erik Synnestvedt
1 cassette (Reissue)
Seventeen-year-old Jim and eight-year-old Byron are reunited with their father after their mother’s death. Jim was Byron’s father figure for years but now must find a new role for himself in the family. Some strong language. For junior and senior high readers. 1978.

The First Part Last RC 57618
by Angela Johnson
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
Sixteen-year-old Bobby’s carefree teenage life changes forever when he becomes a father. After tragedy strikes, he must care for his adored baby daughter, Feather, by himself. Despite mistakes, Bobby’s courage and love enable him to carry on with the aid of supportive adults and friends. Strong language. For senior high readers. 2003.

Flight Lessons RC 56664
by Patricia Gaffney
read by Anne Hancock
3 cassettes
Thirty-six-year-old Anna Catalano returns home to run her aunt Rose’s restaurant on Maryland’s eastern shore despite the tensions in the family-run business. Anna falls in love with a bird photographer—the stepson of Rose’s dying boyfriend—while learning to forgive others and maintain peace in the kitchen. Some strong language. 2002.

Gorgeous Lies RC 57070
by Martha McPhee
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Anton Furey, once the free-living and charismatic patriarch of a 1970s utopian commune, is dying of cancer. As extended family members gather at his deathbed, they vie for his affections and possessions. They struggle to cope with memories of their confused upbringing. Descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

The Hills at Home RC 58022
by Nancy Clark
read by Erin Jones
4 cassettes
Massachusetts, 1989. Aging spinster Lily Hill’s serene life is shattered when various family members arrive for the summer—and forget to leave. Also appearing is Andy, a graduate student who wants to use the clan as the subject of his thesis on inter-gen erational dynamics. 2003.

Isle of Palms: A Lowcountry Tale RC 56900
by Dorothea Benton Frank
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
Anna Lutz Abbot considers South Carolina’s Isle of Palms her home, despite heartaches suffered there. She later returns to the island to make a place for herself and her daughter, Emily. She does so with spunk, heartbreak, and hilarious events as she gathers friends around. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller. 2003.

Leaving Cecil Street RC 58570
by Diane McKinney-Whetstone
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
West Philadelphia, 1969. Novel of Cecil Street neighbors’ lives. Joe loves his wife, Louise, but is haunted by memories of his club days playing sax. Their teenage daughter Shay helps her best friend cope with an unwanted pregnancy. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2004.

Little Children RC 57891
by Tom Perrotta
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Sarah, mother and lapsed feminist, has a husband increasingly fond of Internet smut. She meets handsome would-be lawyer Todd at the kids’ playground. Their scandalous affair and a convicted child molester’s arrival disrupt life in this uneventful sleepy suburb. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

Long for This World RC 56889
by Michael Byers
read by Rick Rohan
3 cassettes
While studying a fatal aging disease in children, geneticist Dr. Henry Moss finds a potential cure that is unethical but will make him incredibly wealthy. Meanwhile, his nonpracticing physician wife and two teenage children struggle with unfulfilled expectations of their own. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

Lucia, Lucia RC 56867
by Adriana Trigiani
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Kit Zanetti visits her elderly Greenwich Village neighbor, Lucia Sartori, and learns the story of her life. In the 1950s, beautiful Lucia rejects the values of her large Italian family by working in the fashion industry, breaking off her engagement, and falling in love with a con man. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2003.

Marrying Mom RC 57595
by Olivia Goldsmith
read by Erin Jones
1 cassette
Fed up with Florida, saucy sixty-nine-year-old widow Phyllis Geronomous leaves for New York to join her grown children. When Susan, Bruce, and Sharon find out about her move, they concoct a plan to get her out of their hair by marrying her off to a rich old man. 1996.

Milk Glass Moon: A Big Stone Gap Novel RC 56539
by Adriana Trigiani
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
In this sequel to Big Cherry Holler (RC 54798), Ave Maria MacChesney and her husband, Jack, are middle-aged parents when their daughter Etta becomes a strong-willed adolescent. Ave Maria soon learns the futility of trying to control Etta’s dreams. 2002.

Miranda’s Vines RC 57903
by Kimberly Kafka
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Miranda and Bridie are lifelong, crisis-surviving friends. Miranda is riding the crest of her culinary career, and Bridie is a champion dogsled racer. Then disaster strikes both their lives, forcing them into drastic decisions and testing the bonds of their friendship. Strong language. 2004.

Motorcycle Ride on the Sea of Tranquility RC 57064
by Patricia Santana
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
San Diego, 1969. Fourteen-year-old Mexican American Yolanda’s older brother Chuy returns from the Vietnam War. But Chuy, suffering emotionally from his experiences, lands in trouble. Meanwhile, Yolanda and her sisters chafe under their father’s no-dating rule. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2002.

Mutant Message from Forever RC 59028
by Marlo Morgan
read by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
Australia, 1930s. Aboriginal twins are taken from their mother at birth and raised separately outside their culture. Beatrice becomes a church ward, Geoff is adopted by Americans. Years pass before Beatrice reconnects with her brother, then in a California jail. Companion to Mutant Message Down Under (RC 39560). Some violence. 1998.

My Sister’s Keeper RC 58402
by Jodi Picoult
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
When Kate is diagnosed with a rare leukemia, her parents create test-tube baby Anna to save her life. After years of medical procedures, Anna, now thirteen, is expected to donate a kidney. She files for medical legal emancipation and throws the family into a fundamental moral crisis. 2004.

No Crystal Stair RC 57455
by Eva Rutland
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Semiautobiographical novel about African American Ann Elizabeth Carter, who grows up in a privileged Atlanta neighborhood and whose life changes when she marries Californian Robert Metcalf, a lieutenant with the Tuskegee Airmen. They face many challenges that include a world war and the civil rights movement. Some strong language. 2000.

The Parting Glass RC 58062
by Emilie Richards
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Peggy Donaghue and her two-year-old autistic son leave Cleveland to visit a cousin in Ireland who needs help unraveling a family mystery. When Peggy’s sisters Megan and Casey arrive, the secret is revealed. Sequel to Whiskey Island (RC 58098). Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2003.

Purple Hibiscus RC 58294
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
read by Lisette Lecat
2 cassettes
Nigeria. Kambili, fifteen, and her brother Jaja live in fear of their wealthy but violent father. They discover a freer world while visiting their aunt and cousins and try to change their lot when they return home. But tensions escalate, and tragedy strikes. For senior high and older readers. 2003.

Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch RC 58754
by Haywood Smith
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes
The ever-cynical Lin Breedlove Scott is left penniless after her husband runs off with a stripper. Forced to return to her southern hometown, Lin reconnects with her eccentric family and old friends as she struggles to take charge of her life. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

A Risk Worth Taking RC 58643
by Robin Pilcher
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
After London financier Dan Porter loses work and money in the dot-com crash, a reduced family lifestyle frustrates his wife and their three teenagers. Dan goes to Scotland on a halfhearted job search and finds something more valuable there. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2004.

Sometimes a Great Notion RC 58184
by Ken Kesey
read by Gary Telles
6 cassettes (Reissue)
Oregon timber country. A bitter labor strike against old Henry Stamper’s lumber empire intensifies his two sons’ rivalry. Hank, rough-hewn like his father, is eventually provoked to fight his sensitive half-brother Lee, who has returned home intent on revenge. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1963.

The Southern Belles of Honeysuckle Way RC 58367
by Linda Bruckheimer
read by Erin Jones
3 cassettes
For their mother Lila Mae’s seventy-fifth birthday, Rebecca Wooten St. Clair and her sister drive home to Blue Lick Springs, Kentucky, now threatened by powerful developers. Rebecca arrives just in time to help save their ancestral home from the wrecking ball. Sequel to Dreaming Southern (RC 47967). Bestseller. 2004.

A Sundog Moment: A Novel of Hope RC 58689
by Sharon Baldacci
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Elizabeth Whittaker’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis changes her life forever. Her perfect marriage strains to the breaking point as she and her family cope with her new physical reality. Elizabeth prays for a sundog, a sun phenomena symbolizing hope, to renew her strength and faith. Some descriptions of sex. 2004.

Sweet Hush RC 57604
by Deborah Smith
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Widowed young mother Hush McGillen’s hard work has made her family’s famed Georgia apple orchard prosper. Now her college student son brings home his new girlfriend, the U.S. president’s daughter, and her entourage—with life-changing effects all around. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2003.

Taste of Honey: A Carson Springs Novel, Book 2 RC 57244
by Eileen Goudge
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Forty-eight-year-old divorcée Gerry Fitzgerald reaches out to the daughter she gave up for adoption more than twenty years ago. Family, friends, and lovers stand by as mother and daughter work to establish a relationship. Sequel to Stranger in Paradise (RC 54224). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters RC 57635
by Elisabeth Robinson
read by Linda Edmond
2 cassettes
Hollywood producer Olivia Hunt is struggling with a difficult film and abandonment by her lover when her sister Maddie in Ohio is diagnosed with leukemia. In letters to friends, relatives, and colleagues, Olivia relates shuttling between California and her hometown to comfort her family while keeping her movie afloat. Strong language. 2004.

Welcome to the Great Mysterious RC 58660
by Lorna Landvik
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Broadway star Geneva Jordan finally agrees to return to Deep Lake, Minnesota, to baby-sit Rich, her thirteen-year-old nephew, while her twin sister takes a vacation. Once there, Geneva helps Rich, who has Down syndrome, and his best friend, who has cerebral palsy, while she finds love with a mailman. 2000.

West of the Jordan RC 57565
by Laila Halaby
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Four Palestine-born female cousins experience individual problems growing up. Mawal stays in the Middle East following a traditional lifestyle. Soraya and Khadija, emigrés in California, are torn between cultures. Hala lives in Arizona but falls in love in Jordan. Strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2003.

Whiskey Island RC 58098
by Emilie Richards
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
A carjacking brings ex-priest Niccolo Andreani into the lives of Megan Donaghue and her sisters Peggy and Casey, owners of Cleveland’s historic Whiskey Island Saloon. With Niccolo’s help, Megan solves a generations-old family mystery. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2000.

Fantasy

Alta RC 58428
by Mercedes Lackey
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
After years of captivity in Tia, Vetch escapes with dragon Avatre, whom he secretly raised. Returning home to Alta, Vetch, now called Kiron, teaches the Altan Jousters to train dragons in preparation for combat with Tia. Sequel to Joust (RC 58415). Some violence. 2004.

The Amulet of Samarkand: The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1 RC 58011
by Jonathan Stroud
read by Erin Jones
3 cassettes
Seeking revenge, twelve-year-old apprentice magician Nathaniel calls up the djinni Bartimaeus, a demon, to steal an amulet from a powerful minister. But the theft has unforeseen consequences, and the sarcastic djinni has his own agenda. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayer, Volume 1 RC 58440
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Seven short stories describe vampire slayers from times past. In "A Good Run," a slayer in ancient Greece fights in the battle of Marathon. In "The White Doe," slayer Virginia Dare of the Roanoke lost colony is adopted by a tribe. Some violence. For senior high readers. 2001.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayer, Volume 2 RC 58427
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Ten stories spanning the years 980 to 2000. In "Lady Shobu," reluctant heroine Kishi must seal a rift to the spirit realm in the Japanese imperial compound. Other demon slayers, including Buffy, combat evil in France, England, and the United States. For senior high readers. 2003.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayer, Volume 3 RC 58435
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Four stories about vampire slayers in times past. In "Dark of the Moon," an Anasazi girl guards her tribe from evil. In "The Code of the Samurai," fifteen-year-old American slayer India Cohen arrives in Japan to help combat forces of darkness. Some violence. For senior high readers. 2003.

The Burning Stone: Crown of Stars, Volume 3 RC 56490
by Kate Elliott
read by Anne Flosnik
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Liath and her husband, Sanglant, fall from King Henry’s grace for Liath’s sorcery. When the couple discovers they are born of enemy camps, Liath must choose between destiny, her child, and the man she loves. Sequel to Prince of Dogs (RC 56489). Violence and some descriptions of sex. 1999.

Child of Flame: Crown of Stars, Volume 4 RC 56491
by Kate Elliott
read by Anne Flosnik
8 cassettes in 2 containers
King Henry’s army marches south, leaving Wendar vulnerable to Quman attacks. Without his father’s support, Sanglant defends the kingdom, guarding his daughter and searching for Liath, who is lost in the land of the Aoi. Sequel to The Burning Stone (RC 56490). Violence and some descriptions of sex. 2000.

Conan and the Spider God RC 58779
by L. Sprague de Camp
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
For the boyish thrill of stealing his commander’s woman, Conan of Cimmeria, a captain in the Royal Guard, cuts short his promising career. His sudden flight from the capital city leads to further adventures, including a romance and a deadly encounter with the fierce spider god. Some violence. 1980.

Conan: The Road of Kings RC 58898
by Karl Edward Wagner
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Facing the gallows for killing a captain of the guard, Conan takes advantage of a fellow prisoner’s rescue attempt to escape execution. When Conan learns his saviors are rebel soldiers of the White Rose army, he joins their blood- soaked insurrection against a tyrannical despot. Violence. 1979.

The Crusading Wizard: A Wizard in Rhyme, Book 7 RC 57212
by Christopher Stasheff
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
As barbarian hordes invade the Arabian empire, Queen Alisande of Merovence and Lord Wizard Matt, her husband, receive a call for help from Jerusalem. A fledgling enchantress with the power to turn into a cat accompanies Matt’s journey to the holy city to assess the threat. Sequel to The Haunted Wizard (RC 57140). 2000.

Dragon’s Kin: The Dragonriders of Pern RC 57368
by Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Mining is the life of Camp Natalon but it also took young Kindan’s family and the watch-wher dragon that protected them. Kindan’s newfound musical talent is sidelined while he raises another watch-wher and, with the help of his friend Nuella, assumes a new role in the community. 2003.

Dragonstar RC 57976
by Barbara Hambly
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Imprisoned dragonslayer John Aversin is sentenced to die. His true love, Jenny, mourns John and the loss of her powers. But John escapes, and he and Jenny begin to discover their real purpose in life. Sequel to Knight of the Demon Queen (RC 51152). For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

Exiles’ Return: The Ghatti’s Tale, Book 3 RC 57941
by Gayle Greeno
read by Kristin Allison
4 cassettes
War is over, but unease grows between Canderis citizens and the mindreading Resonants. To save his people, Resonant Jenret Wycherley departs on a mission, leaving behind pregnant Doyce, who is researching the history of Seekers and their ghatti Bond-mates. Sequel to Mindspeakers’ Call (RC 57677). Some violence. For senior high and older readers. 1995.

Exile’s Valor: A Novel of Valdemar RC 57367
by Mercedes Lackey
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
Valdemar’s young queen, Selenay, thrust into power after her father’s premature death, is pressured by the council to marry and produce an heir. When Selenay falls for a mysterious foreign prince, her protector weaponsmaster Alberich and his friends become suspicious. Sequel to Exile’s Honor (RC 55524). Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

The Fall of Neskaya: The Clingfire Trilogy, Book 1 RC 58454
by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Young Coryn Leynier’s secret mental gift (laran) is discovered by King Damian’s brother, who takes the youth away to perfect this unusually strong psychic power. But while Coryn trains, the brothers plot to exploit his abilities in order to rule all Darkover. Precedes Zandru’s Forge (RC 58475). Some descriptions of sex. 2001.

The Feline Wizard: A Wizard in Rhyme, Book 8 RC 57216
by Christopher Stasheff
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
In this sequel to The Crusading Wizard (RC 57212), Matt again takes leave of Merovence and Queen Alisande—this time to help find his kidnapped apprentice Princess Balkis, feline sorceress. While Matt investigates her disappearance in Maracanda, Balkis begins a perilous journey home accompanied by her new friend, Anthony. 2000.

First Rider’s Call: Green Rider, Book 2 RC 56909
by Kristen Britain
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
After helping save King Zachary’s throne, Green Rider Karigan G’ladheon wants to resume her old life. However, with Riders dying out she is recalled to duty by Lil Ambriodhe, dead for a millennium, who had founded the Riders. Sequel to Green Rider (RC 56903). For senior high and older readers. 2003.

Fool’s Fate: The Tawny Man, Book 3 RC 58122
by Robin Hobb
read by Jack Fox
6 cassettes
FitzChivalry Farseer, known as Tom Badgerlock, man-at-arms of the queen’s guard, joins Prince Dutiful’s quest to slay an icebound dragon, win the hand of Narcheska Elliania, and forge an alliance with the Out Islands. Sequel to Golden Fool (RC 55513). Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2004.

The Forbidden Tower: A Darkover Novel RC 57254
by Marion Zimmer Bradley
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Tradition and a sacred caste system rule life on Darkover. But two couples—Damon and Ellemir Ridenow, and Andrew Carr and his wife, Ellemir’s sister Callista—dare defy the ancient law. The couples form a powerful, yet unnatural, alliance to resist the forces of Darkover. 1977.

The Gates of Dawn: The Chronicles of Blood and Stone, Volume 2 RC 56885
by Robert Newcomb
read by Anne Flosnik
4 cassettes
With their nation in chaos, Prince Tristan, his twin sister, and wizards Wigg and Faegan take refuge in a subterranean labyrinth. When the wizards’ power begins to fail, Tristan ventures forth to find a solution. Sequel to The Fifth Sorceress (RC 55732). Violence and some descriptions of sex. 2003.

The Gathering Storm: Crown of Stars, Volume 5 RC 56492
by Kate Elliott
read by Anne Flosnik
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Liath returns from walking the spheres, but her reunion with her husband, Sanglant, is brief—emperor Henry has been possessed by sorcery. Sanglant rides with an army of griffins, centaurs, Qumans, and humans to rescue his father. Meanwhile Liath must prevent a second sundering. Sequel to Child of Flame (RC 56491). Violence. 2003.

A Great and Terrible Beauty RC 58201
by Libba Bray
read by Vanessa Maroney
3 cassettes
After her mother’s 1895 murder in India, sixteen-year-old Gemma Doyle returns home to England to attend boarding school. There Gemma learns she has supernatural powers that lead her and three friends to a magical realm where she reconnects with her mother. But evil forces also abound. For senior high readers. 2003.

Green Rider: Green Rider, Book 1 RC 56903
by Kristen Britain
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Karigan G’ladheon, heading home through Green Cloak woods after expulsion from school, encounters a dying Green Rider. Accepting the Rider’s magic brooch and allowing his horse to guide her, Karigan agrees to carry his message to King Zachary—a perilous journey. Precedes First Rider’s Call (RC 56909). For senior high and older readers. 1998.

Immortalis: The Second Demonwars Saga, Book 3 RC 58511
by R.A. Salvatore
read by Michael Scherer
4 cassettes
Epic conclusion following Transcendence (RC 55136). Young Aydrian Boudabras solidifies his ambitions to usurp the throne of Honce-the-Bear and overtake neighboring Behren. As his power grows, so does his opposition. Alliances form and crumble in anticipation of the beginning of the end of the second Demon War. Some violence. 2003.

Jarka Ruus: High Druid of Shannara, Book 1 RC 56906
by Terry Brooks
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Twenty years after The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy (RC 51015, RC 53482, RC 56242), Grianne Ohms-ford has denounced her life as the Ilse Witch and destroyed Morgawr—but she still has enemies. When she disappears, Tagwen and her nephew Pen set out to find her. Some violence. Bestseller. 2003.

Jaws of Darkness: The Darkness Novels, Volume 5 RC 57820
by Harry Turtledove
read by Richard Hauenstein
5 cassettes
Kaunians of Forthweg still suffer under occupying Algarvian invaders, who fight an increasingly desperate battle against Unkerlant. Habakkuk, a ship made of ice and powered by sorcery, approaches Derlavai—possibly turning the tide of war. Sequel to Rulers of the Darkness (RC 56308). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2003.

Joust RC 58415
by Mercedes Lackey
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Vetch, a young Altan serf, works his family’s land under a cruel Tian master. Barely surviving, he meets an elite dragon rider who trains him as a dragon boy. Under the tutelage of Jouster Ari, Vetch learns the secrets of taming these reptiles—and dreams of freedom. Some violence. 2003.

King’s Dragon: Crown of Stars, Volume 1 RC 56488
by Kate Elliott
read by Anne Flosnik
4 cassettes
King Henry of Wendar and Varre is threatened by the nonhuman Eika to the north and by his half-sister Sabella’s rebellion within the realm. Two orphans, Liath and Alain—one a sorcerer’s daughter, one of unknown parentage—are drawn into the kingdom’s struggles. Precedes Prince of Dogs (RC 56489). Violence and some descriptions of sex. 1997.

The Lair of Bones RC 57378
by David Farland
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Earth King Gaborn risks a perilous underground quest for the Lair of Bones, where he confronts the One True Master of mankind’s greatest enemy, the monstrous reavers. Meanwhile Gaborn’s adversary, Raj Ahten, who traded his humanity for a growing empire, gathers his forces. Sequel to Wizardborn (RC 52923). Violence. 2003.

The Last Light of the Sun RC 58191
by Guy Gavriel Kay
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
A tale intertwining the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse cultures linked by violence and the supernatural. A central figure is Bern Thorkellson, member of a Viking mercenary band that confronts rival Welsh clans. A fairy queen claims the soul of a fallen prince. Violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

The Legacy RC 58634
by R.A. Salvatore
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Beleaguered elf Drizzt Do’Urden finally found peace with friends at Mithril Hall. Restored dwarf king Bruenor Battlehammer rules over his ancestral realm, and Catti-brie prepares to wed Wulfgar. Their tranquility will be short-lived, however, because Lloth, the dreaded Spider Queen, plots to destroy them. Followed by Starless Night (RC 51393). 1992.

Legends II: New Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy RC 57953
edited by Robert Silverberg
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
5 cassettes
Eleven authors, including six contributors to Legends (RC 47544), return to fantasy worlds of their popular series. Anne McCaffrey revisits planet Pern, Raymond E. Feist writes of the Riftwar, and Tad Williams further explores Otherland network. Also features Terry Brooks, George R.R. Martin, and others. Some strong language. 2004.

The Lone Drow: Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, Book 2 RC 58628
by R.A. Salvatore
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
After their near-devastating defeat in The Thousand Orcs (RC 58337), dwarves and humans flee the onslaught of King Obould Many-Arrows and his orc army. Dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden, having become separated from his companions, sets out alone across the Spine of the World to avenge the fallen. Violence. 2003.

Lost in a Good Book RC 58054
by Jasper Fforde
read by Yolande Bavan
3 cassettes
In an alternate 1985 England, literary detective Thursday Next, from The Eyre Affair (RC 54764), faces her husband’s eradication by the corrupt Goliath Corporation. To rescue him, Thursday must retrieve an enemy from the pages of Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Raven." Great Expectations’ Miss Havisham assists. Some strong language. 2002.

Mary Stewart’s Merlin Trilogy: The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment RC 57055
by Mary Stewart
read by David Cutler
9 cassettes in 2 containers
Trilogy about the life of Britain’s King Arthur. In The Crystal Cave, the story begins with the wizard Merlin and his powers. The Hollow Hills continues with the birth of Arthur, who is exiled by his father. The Last Enchantment deals with Arthur’s first year as king. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1970.

Mindspeakers’ Call: The Ghatti’s Tale, Book 2 RC 57677
by Gayle Greeno
read by Kristin Allison
4 cassettes
While the mindstealing Gleaners quietly build their powers, the Seekers work to prevent war between Canderis and Marchmont. On a more personal mission, Khar—a cat-like ghatti capable of mindspeech—salvages her bond with Seeker Doyce. Sequel to Finders-Seekers (RC 40281). Some descriptions of sex and some violence. For senior high and older readers. 1994.

Mirror Mirror RC 57764
by Gregory Maguire
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Montefiore, 1502. In this adaptation of "Snow White," Vincent de Nevada is dispatched to find the Tree of Knowledge, leaving his young daughter, Bianca, with evil Lucrezia Borgia. Lucrezia, fiercely jealous of Bianca’s beauty, orders her death. Rescued by the seven dwarves, Bianca discovers the truth in an ancient mirror. 2003.

Mistress of Dragons: The Dragonvarld Trilogy, Book 1 RC 58682
by Margaret Weis
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
To locate a renegade, the Parliament of Dragons sends Draconas, in human form, to abduct the Mistress of Dragons. The mission goes horribly awry when her true identity is revealed. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2003.

Monstrous Regiment: A Novel of Discworld RC 57370
by Terry Pratchett
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Since Polly’s brother, Paul, joined the Borogravian army she has run her family’s inn, but without a male heir she stands to lose it. So she enlists disguised as "Oliver" and alongside a vampire, a zombie, and a troll tries to find Paul while they fight a war. Some violence. 2003.

New Spring: The Novel RC 57628
by Robert Jordan
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Prequel to the Wheel of Time series. Sorceress initiate Moiraine journeys to find the infant prophesied to face the Dark One in the Last Battle. Her path crosses that of soldier Lan Man-dragoran, who fights to avenge the desecrated city whose throne he inherited. Some violence. Bestseller. 2004.

Paladin of Souls RC 57356
by Lois McMaster Bujold
read by Vanessa Maroney
4 cassettes
Free of the madness imprisoning her in The Curse of Chalion (RC 53074), widowed dowager Royina Ista of Chalion undertakes a pilgrimage of atonement. Accompanied by loyal followers, Ista contends with gods, demons, and soldier-bandits until she is rescued by the hero of her visions. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2003.

Pride of Kings RC 57407
by Judith Tarr
read by Corrie James
4 cassettes
When England’s King Richard embraces Christianity and refuses the crown of pagan magic, the walls between realms fall in this twelfth-century medieval fantasy. Meanwhile, his brother John—aided by an exotic half-spirit youth—plots to mend the rift and take his throne. Explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2001.

Prince of Dogs: Crown of Stars, Volume 2 RC 56489
by Kate Elliott
read by Anne Flosnik
5 cassettes
After squelching Sabella’s revolt in King’s Dragon (RC 56488), King Henry and his allies plot to retake Gent from the Eika, who conquered the city and captured Prince Sanglant. Battle looms as Liath grieves for Sanglant. Alain, proclaimed a count’s heir, strives to prove his worth. Violence. 1998.

The Raven Warrior: The Tales of Guinevere, Volume 2 RC 56877
by Alice Borchardt
read by Erin Jones
4 cassettes
Guinevere—The Dragon Queen (RC 53659)—becomes a warrior to defend her country against the Saxons. With inadequate troops for her first battle, she risks using dark magic. Meanwhile, shape-shifter Black Leg encounters the Lady of the Lake. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2003.

Roma Eterna RC 58464
by Robert Silverberg
read by L.J. Ganser
3 cassettes
Ten connected stories—some previously published—construct a fictional history of Rome from its absorption of neighboring barbarians and conquest of the New World to a second Hebrew exodus via a starship. Various historical stages, which span nearly fifteen hundred years, depict civil war, dictatorship, love affairs, and political intrigue. 1989.

Shadowmancer RC 58691
by G.P. Taylor
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Obadiah Demurral, the power hungry vicar of Thorpe, attempts to become a god by dabbling in magic. Raphah arrives from Africa, recruits young locals Kate and Thomas, and with their help tries to retrieve an artifact that has been stolen from his temple. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

Song of Susannah: The Dark Tower, Volume 6 RC 58365
by Stephen King
read by Fred Major
3 cassettes
The journey to the Dark Tower continues. Possessed by demon-mother Mia, gunslinger Susannah Dean prepares to give birth in New York City. Meanwhile, Roland and Eddie tumble into an ambush in 1977 Maine. Sequel to Wolves of the Calla (RC 57355). Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Sorcery and Cecelia; or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, Being the Correspondence of Two Young Ladies of Quality regarding Various Magical Scandals in London and the Country RC 57183
by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
England, 1817. Two teenage cousins, Cecelia in the country and Kate in London, write to each other about their exploits—which take a sinister turn when they find themselves confronted by evil wizards. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

A Sudden Wild Magic RC 57417
by Diana Wynne Jones
read by Corrie James
3 cassettes
Planet Earth suffers a series of environmental catastrophes that are caused by Arth, a parallel parasitic world. Hoping to prevent more problems, a group of benevolent witches board a modified bus and head for Arth. They aim to disrupt plans by infiltrating the celibate male society. Some descriptions of sex. 1992.

Talon of the Silver Hawk: Conclave of Shadows, Book I RC 57087
by Raymond E. Feist
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Midkemia. On the verge of manhood, young Kieli alone survives the slaughter of his Orosini people. Vowing vengeance, he must first repay his rescuers —members of the conclave who adopt and train him to fulfill his destiny as Talon of the Silver Hawk. Violence and some descriptions of sex. 2003.

The Thousand Orcs: Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, Book 1 RC 58337
by R.A. Salvatore
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Frost giants and human-like orcs sweep across the Spine of the World targeting dwarf strongholds, so a defense must be led by elf Drizzt Do’Urden and companions Wulfgar the barbarian, human female Catti-brie, and Mithral Hall king-apparent Bruenor Battlehammer. Violence. 2002.

The Time Traveler’s Wife RC 57102
by Audrey Niffenegger
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Librarian Henry DeTamble first meets his future wife, Clare, when he is twenty-eight and Clare is twenty— but Clare has actually known Henry since she was six. Henry suffers from Chrono-Impairment, a disorder that catapults him sporadically through time, complicating the couple’s enduring love. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

Up in a Heaval: Xanth RC 58393
by Piers Anthony
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
Umlaut Human seeks refuge at Castle Zombie and befriends a water serpent disguised as a dragon. Finding some undelivered letters in the castle’s dungeon, Sesame and Umlaut help forward one to Demon Jupiter—who subsequently hurls his red spot towards Earth and Xanth. Now they must stop the huge storm from destroying both worlds. 2002.

The Victorious Opposition: American Empire, Book 3 RC 56907
by Harry Turtledove
read by John Polk
5 cassettes
Third installment following The Center Cannot Hold (RC 54441) in alternate history series. In 1934 Jake Featherston becomes president of the Confederate States of America, where African Americans are being forcibly interned. Stumbling leadership in the United States prompts Featherston to contemplate another war. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2003.

Waifs and Strays RC 56811
by Charles De Lint
read by Erik Synnestvedt
3 cassettes
Fantasy stories about teenagers in many shapes and guises, collected from different stages of De Lint’s career. In "The Graceless Child," sixteen-year-old misfit Tetchie, who has troll blood, summons the courage to help the "dreamlord" fight his brother, Nightmare. For senior high and older readers. 2002.

The Well of Lost Plots RC 58070
by Jasper Fforde
read by Yolande Bavan
3 cassettes
England, 1985. Unable to rescue her missing husband in Lost in a Good Book (RC 58054), pregnant literary detective Thursday Next retires to the Well of Lost Plots, where all fiction is created. As part of the Character Exchange Program, she joins Book-World’s police and investigates a murder. 2003.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West RC 55810
by Gregory Maguire
read by Celeste Lawson
4 cassettes
Traces the life of the witch Elphaba from the Wizard of Oz (RC 51047), both before and after Dorothy arrives. After attending a university with her roommate Glinda, Elphaba learns that a despotic Wizard is threatening animal rights in Oz. Some explicit descriptions of sex. For senior high and older readers. 1995.

Wild Magic: Fool’s Gold, Book 2 RC 56905
by Jude Fisher
read by MaryBeth Wise
4 cassettes
Following a disaster at the Allfair, the lands of Eyra and Istria are verging on war as magic slowly awakens. Confronting their destinies are swordmaker Katla Aransen and Rosa Eldi, who is ignorant of her true identity. Sequel to Sorcery Rising (RC 54832). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2003.

A Wizard and a Warlord: The Rogue Wizard, Book 7 RC 57896
by Christopher Stasheff
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Continuing the mission to rid space of tyranny, Magnus d’Armand, with his tempestuous new companion, Alea, explores a planet whose inhabitants appear to have no government. The two encounter bandits and discover the existence of a secret society. Sequel to A Wizard in Midgard (RC 51064). Some violence. 2000.

A Wizard in a Feud: The Rogue Wizard, Book 9 RC 58203
by Christopher Stasheff
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
In this sequel to A Wizard in the Way (RC 58167), a computer malfunction forces renegade psychic savior Magnus d’Armand and his companion, Alea, to land their spaceship on a planet inhabited by faeries, elves, Druid priests, and feuding Celt-like clans. To make peace, they must introduce law. Some violence. 2001.

A Wizard in the Way: The Rogue Wizard, Book 8 RC 58167
by Christopher Stasheff
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Interstellar problem-solver Magnus d’Armand and his companion, Alea, reach a lost world where serfs suffer under tyrannical magician rulers. Magnus assumes the name Gar Pike and, with help from Alea and a pair of fugitives, encourages an uprising. Sequel to A Wizard and a Warlord (RC 57896). 2000.

Wolves of the Calla: The Dark Tower, Volume 5 RC 57355
by Stephen King
read by Fred Major
5 cassettes
In the sequel to Wizard and Glass (RC 45159), Roland and his companions continue their quest to the Dark Tower. In the village of Calla Bryn Sturgis, they meet disgraced priest Father Callahan who asks for help against the kidnapping wolves. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. Bestseller. 2003.

The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror: Sixteenth Annual Collection RC 57308
edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling
read by L.J. Ganser
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Thirty-nine stories, one essay, and thirteen poems from fairy tales to gothic horror by such authors as James Frenkel, Jeffrey Ford, Terry Dowling, Neil Gaiman, and Elizabeth Hand. Includes an overview of 2002’s works in this genre and a list of honorable mentions. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2003.

Zandru’s Forge: The Clingfire Trilogy, Book 2 RC 58475
by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
In the uneasy peace following The Fall of Neskaya (RC 58454), three young men develop their laran powers—Varzil Ridenow, future king Carolin Hastur, and Eduin Deslucido, who has vowed to avenge his family by destroying the Hastur clan. While Varzil and Carolin grow closer, Eduin plots against the unsuspecting Carolin. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

General

The Coldest Winter Ever RC 57412
by Sister Souljah
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Gritty portrayal of the coming-of-age of Winter Santiaga, born in 1977 to a fourteen-year-old mother and a drug-dealing father in Brooklyn’s projects. The family’s lavish lifestyle falls apart when Winter’s mother is shot and her father is imprisoned, sending Winter to the streets. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven RC 57004
by Mitch Albom
read by Erik Singer
1 cassette
Eddie spends his last hours on earth in his usual way, maintaining the Ruby Pier amusement park rides. But something goes wrong, and Eddie dies on his eighty-third birthday while trying to save a little girl. In heaven he meets five people who explain his life to him. Bestseller. 2003.

The Full Cupboard of Life RC 58112
by Alexander McCall Smith
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Gaborone, Botswana. A wealthy woman hires Precious Ramotswe, head of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, to investigate the sincerity of several potential husbands. Precious resolves not only her client’s quandary but also her own fiancé’s reluctance to marry. Bestseller. 2003.

A Good Year RC 58451
by Peter Mayle
read by Steven Crossley
2 cassettes
Londoner Max Skinner’s financial career is failing when he learns that he has inherited his uncle’s rundown vineyard in Provence, France. Californian Christie Roberts soon arrives to claim her stake to the estate. Meanwhile, a scandal erupts involving a secret stash of wine. Bestseller. 2004.

Gospel Choirs: Psalms of Survival in an Alien Land Called Home RC 58603
by Derrick Bell
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
In this collection of essays and parables, a law professor uses fictional characters and gospel music references to express his position on racism, poverty, gender issues, affirmative action, the Republican Party’s 1995 Contract with America, and the Bell Curve theory. Companion to Faces at the Bottom of the Well (RC 36823). Some strong language. 1996.

If I Could RC 57519
by Donna Hill
read by Lizan Mitchell
2 cassettes
Three years after divorcing her emotionally unsatisfying husband, forty-year-old African American journalist Regina Everette walks away from a promising career. Unemployed and unattached, Regina is determined to live and love on her own terms despite having two teenage children to support. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2000.

Love Me RC 57363
by Garrison Keillor
read by John Lescault
2 cassettes
When bestselling first-time novelist Larry Wyler is offered a job at the New Yorker, he leaves Minnesota for New York City while his wife remains behind. But Larry suffers writer’s block and his second book bombs. Perhaps writing an advice column back home is the answer. Some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2003.

Miss Julia Meets Her Match RC 58135
by Ann B. Ross
read by Terry Hayes Sales
2 cassettes
Sam is still courting the widow Miss Julia, but she is unsure about marrying again. Meanwhile she leases some property to a man wanting to build a religious theme park and learns more about her deceased husband’s indiscretions. Sequel to Miss Julia Hits the Road (RC 56262). 2004.

Now Is the Time to Open Your Heart RC 58344
by Alice Walker
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Fifty-seven-year-old writer Kate and her artist-lover Yolo begin separate journeys: Yolo to Hawaii and Kate to the Colorado and Amazon rivers. In the course of adventures filled with snakes, shamans, and memories, both experience spiritual alignment while cleansing themselves of materialism, past loves, and tragedies. Some descriptions of sex. 2004.

Plowing the Dark RC 58541
by Richard Powers
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
Divorced artist Adie Klarpol participates in constructing a virtual reality chamber in Seattle that conjures up everything imaginable. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, American teacher Taimur Martin is kidnapped and held hostage. The lives of Adie and Taimur eventually converge in cyber-reality. Violence, some descriptions of sex, and some strong language. 2000.

Seek My Face RC 57473
by John Updike
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
A young woman interviews elderly artist Hope Chafetz over the course of a spring day. Hope revisits her troubled marriages to painters and her personal struggle with self-expression, revealing the inner world of pop and abstract art in post-World War II America. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

Staggerford RC 56651
by Jon Hassler
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Miles Pruitt teaches at the same high school he graduated from, eats at the same cafe, and sees the same faces every day in the small town of Staggerford, Minnesota. But in one week of his routine life, surprises still happen. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1977.

Star RC 58889
by Pamela Anderson
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
Affable small-town Florida tomboy "Star" becomes an overnight sensation when she is "discovered" and graces the cover of a gentlemen’s magazine and lands a role on a trashy television show. Throughout her adventures Star remains the same sweet girl. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Tourmaline RC 57199
by Joanna Scott
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Murray Murdoch and his family flee financial ruin in mid-fifties America to Elba, where Murray dreams of striking it rich in semiprecious tourmaline. But, seduced by the island’s intrigues, he falls under suspicion in a local girl’s disappearance. In 1999, son Oliver returns to probe the events that nearly destroyed his father. 2002.

Waxwings RC 57546
by Jonathan Raban
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Seattle. By all outward appearances, Hungarian-born Englishman Tom Janeway—professor, NPR commentator, husband, and father—has been living the American dream for eight years. "Chick," an illegal alien recently arrived from China, is just beginning to make his own way. When circumstances bring the two immigrants together, they forge a friendship. Strong language. 2003.

Growing Up

The Battle of Jericho RC 58023
by Sharon M. Draper
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
High school junior Jericho and his cousin Josh are invited to join a prestigious club at Frederick Douglass High. But the hazing the pledges have to go through causes Jericho to doubt the group’s benefits. Then a tragedy occurs. For senior high readers. 2003.

The Beast RC 57388
by Walter Dean Myers
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
When sixteen-year-old "Spoon" receives a scholarship to a New England prep school, he leaves Harlem and his girlfriend Gabi behind. Returning home at Christmastime, he discovers Gabi is a drug addict and he no longer is in step with street life. Some strong language. For senior high readers. 2003.

Child of My Heart RC 55346
by Alice McDermott
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
Theresa, a beautiful fifteen-year-old girl, lives in East Hampton, Long Island, and takes care of children and pets for wealthy families during the beach season. She matures into a young woman the summer her sickly eight-year-old cousin Daisy visits her from New York. Some strong language. 2002.

Drift RC 58993
by Manuel Luis Martinez
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
San Antonio, Texas. Sixteen-year-old Mexican American Robert Lomos, after being expelled from school, lives with his grandmother and works in dead-end jobs. But when he inherits college money, Robert changes his priorities and turns his life around. Descriptions of sex and strong language. For senior high readers. 2003.

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things RC 57557
by Carolyn Mackler
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
Chubby fifteen-year-old Virginia of New York City is pressured by her family to look better. With help from her best friend, her first boyfriend, and a teacher, she overcomes her insecurities and asserts her personality. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. For senior high readers. 2003.

Fat Kid Rules the World RC 57835
by K.L. Going
read by Alec Volz
1 cassette
Seventeen-year-old suicidal, overweight loner Troy Billings finds a purpose in life when he meets homeless teenage musician Curt MacCrae and joins Curt’s band as a drummer. But Curt also has a self-destructive streak. Strong language. For senior high readers. 2003.

Flyy Girl RC 58264
by Omar Tyree
read by Saidah Arrika Ekulona
3 cassettes
Tracy Ellison, a beautiful middle-class African American girl from Philadelphia, grows up spoiled and boy-crazy amidst the violence and drugs of the 1980s. Tracy eventually realizes that there is more to life than material goods. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. For senior high and older readers. 1993.

For the Love of Money RC 58277
by Omar Tyree
read by Saidah Arrika Ekulona
3 cassettes
Tracy Ellison, from Flyy Girl (RC 58264), moves to Los Angeles where she quickly becomes a screenwriter and movie star. When she returns home to Philadelphia, Tracy reconnects with old friends and relatives and looks for love. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. For senior high and older readers. 2000.

Green Angel RC 56667
by Alice Hoffman
read by Constance Crawford
1 cassette
Called Green because of her talent for gardening, this fifteen-year-old changes her name to Ash after she loses her family to a disaster in a nearby city. She covers her body with dark tattoos that begin turning green as she responds to others’ needs. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

The Last Chance Texaco RC 58742
by Brent Hartinger
read by Mary Beth Wise
1 cassette
Fifteen-year-old orphan Lucy is sent to a group home located in an upscale neighborhood. She deals with her problems, finds a boyfriend, and begins to feel at home. But an arsonist sets cars on fire, and the foster kids are blamed. Strong language. For junior and senior high readers. 2004.

The Meaning of Consuelo RC 58089
by Judith Ortiz Cofer
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette
Bookish Consuelo grows up in 1950s Puerto Rico where American influence is everywhere. She observes her parents’ disintegrating marriage and her younger sister Mili’s worsening mental illness before she leaves to begin her own life in the United States. For senior high readers. 2003.

Pool Boy RC 56390
by Michael Simmons
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
Spoiled California teen Brett must forego his wealthy lifestyle after his dad goes to prison for insider trading and his family has to survive on reduced income. Brett takes a job cleaning pools and learns to adjust to his new circumstances. Some strong language. For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

Staring Down the Dragon RC 58183
by Dorothea N. Buckingham
read by Andrea Frierson-Toney
1 cassette
Fifteen-year-old Rell returns to her Hawaii high school after successful cancer treatment. With the help of a psychologist, Rell readjusts to her parents, who argue all the time; her friends, some of whom are scared of her; and her own self-identity. For senior high readers. 2003.

Stone Garden RC 57520
by Molly Moynahan
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Seventeen-year-old prep-school student Alice McGuire spends senior year mourning the murder of her best friend, Matthew Swan. When she teaches poetry to hard-core prison inmates, she learns about life beyond her sheltered environment. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2003.

The True Meaning of Cleavage RC 56394
by Mariah Fredericks
read by Constance Crawford
1 cassette
Jess and Sari, best buddies since seventh grade, are beginning their freshman year of high school. When sexy Sari becomes obsessed with a popular senior boy, Jess wonders whether her friendship with Sari will survive. For senior high readers. 2003.

True to Form RC 55811
by Elizabeth Berg
read by Carolyn Hecker
2 cassettes
1961. Thirteen-year-old Katie Nash, from Durable Goods (RC 37047) and Joy School (RC 45179), has trouble fitting in and misses her old friends when she moves from Texas to Missouri with her widowed father. But a trip back home forces her to reevaluate her own discontent. For senior high and older readers. 2002.

Twists and Turns RC 57383
by Janet McDonald
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
With the help of some successful friends, Teesha and Keeba Washington from Chill Wind (RC 56891) try to promote their talents by opening a hair-braiding salon in their Brooklyn housing project. Plagued by problems, the sisters find it hard to make a profit. Some strong language. For senior high readers. 2003.

The Usual Rules RC 58382
by Joyce Maynard
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Thirteen-year-old Wendy loses her mother on September 11, 2001. Remembering their last, contentious conversation, Wendy torments herself with guilt and grief. Her estranged father’s unexpected arrival prompts Wendy to leave her stepdad and half-brother in her quest for healing. For senior high and older readers. 2003.

Historical Fiction

As Above, So Below: A Novel of Peter Bruegel RC 56621
by Rudy Rucker
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Fictional biography of the sixteenth-century Flemish painter. Depicts Bruegel’s personal life and artistic career, reflecting the political turmoil of Catholic Spain’s occupation of the Calvinist-inclined Netherlands. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2002.

Awakening: The Holts; an American Dynasty, Volume 10 RC 58575
by Dana Fuller Ross
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
New York, 1900. Sequel to Homecoming (RC 42633) relates events in the lives of Sally Holt, sixteen, and friend India Blackstone, twenty. Over the course of forty years they discover politics, art, husbands, and lovers and experience world wars and personal tragedies. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 1995.

Aztec Blood RC 57675
by Gary Jennings
read by Jonathan Davis
5 cassettes
New Spain, seventeenth century. In the former Aztec empire ruled by Spanish conquerors, Cristo the Bastardo—a mixed-blood "mestizo" educated by a priest and a healer—spies for a converted Jewish don and falls in love with a wealthy girl. Sequel to Aztec Autumn (RC 49267). Explicit descriptions of sex and violence. 2001.

The Beloved Enemy: The House of Winslow, Book 30 RC 57802
by Gilbert Morris
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Following The Pilgrim Song (RC 57839), Josh Winslow, released from prison, seeks work in Tennessee. He meets Kefira Reis, who fled New York after her boss abused her. When romance blossoms, Kefira encourages Josh to pursue his archaeological dream, but their pasts sorely test their love and faith. 2003.

The Birth of Venus RC 57888
by Sarah Dunant
read by Corrie James
3 cassettes
Renaissance Florence. Sixteen-year-old Alessandra Cecchi, the educated, artistic daughter of a wealthy merchant, is forced to marry an older man, who promises her freedom. Upon discovering his true intentions, she turns for love to an artist commissioned by her father. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller. 2003.

Cloud of Sparrows RC 58031
by Takashi Matsuoka
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Japan, 1861. Lord Genji, leader of a doomed clan, experiences a vision in which a foreigner saves his life. So influenced, he befriends Christian missionaries Emily Gibson and Matthew Stark (also a gunslinger). Genji’s actions alarm his tradition-bound enemies, who plot his demise and cement the destinies of these unlikely companions. Violence. 2002.

The Cock’s Spur RC 56805
by Charles F. Price
read by Terence Aselford
2 cassettes
Hamby McFee, ex-slave of the Curtis family, still helps tend their land although he wants to leave the valley. Needing funds, he becomes involved in cockfighting. Consequently he helps others free themselves from the clutches of the area’s moonshine kingpin. Sequel to Freedom’s Altar (RC 51065). Violence and strong language. 2000.

Cyrus the Great RC 59047
by Harold Lamb
read by Gordon Gould
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Sixth century, B.C. Fictionalized biography of Cyrus the Great, the king of Persia and founder of the Achaemenian dynasty and empire. Describes how Cyrus overthrew numerous kingdoms and freed Jews from captivity in Babylon, allowing them to return to Palestine. 1960.

Dawn on a Distant Shore RC 57936
by Sara Donati
read by Gabriella Cavallero
4 cassettes
Northern New York, 1794. Elizabeth Bonner brings her children to Montreal to ransom her husband, Nathaniel, and his father, Hawkeye, from the French. To claim an inheritance a Scotsman kidnaps the children to return them to Europe. Sequel to Into the Wilderness (RC 57979). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2000.

Echoes RC 58832
by Danielle Steel
read by Simon Prebble
2 cassettes
In 1915 Beata Wittgenstein, eldest daughter of an affluent German Jewish family, runs off to Switzerland to marry Antoine de Vallerand, a young French Catholic officer. But her newfound happiness and the future of her children are threatened by war. 2004.

The Fire-Eaters RC 58897
by David Almond
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
England, 1962. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, adolescent Bobby Burns worries about his father’s illness. He is friends with eccentric fire-eater Mr. McNulty, wonder-working Ailsa Spink, and classmate Daniel Gower. Bobby believes in miracles, finding hope amidst disillusionment. For junior and senior high readers. Whitbread Award. 2003.

Freedom Land RC 57659
by Martin L. Marcus
read by Bill Quinn
2 cassettes
Everglades and South Georgia, 1835. Living in a Seminole Territory sanctuary called Freedom Land is a colony of escaped slaves known as Maroons. The U.S. Army arrives to return them to their former owners and is met with armed resistance by Chief Osceola and his allies. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

Gettysburg: A Novel of the Civil War RC 58880
by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen
read by Nick Sullivan
4 cassettes
1863. Alternative version of the pivotal Civil War battle of Gettysburg: Confederate general Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia gain the advantage as they prepare to engage the Union Army of the Potomac. Some violence. 2003.

Gloriana’s Torch RC 57674
by Patricia Finney
read by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
Britain, 1580s. Following Unicorn’s Blood (RC 47381) English spy David Becket returns to Spain for information and to rescue colleague Simon Ames from the Inquisition. Ames’s wife, Rebecca, and her African slave, Merula, complicate matters by traveling with him. Some strong language. 2003.

Gould’s Book of Fish: A Novel in Twelve Fish RC 56671
by Richard Flanagan
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
3 cassettes
Nineteenth century. Transported from England to the penal colony of Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), William Gould is indentured to the colony’s surgeon, a deranged biologist, and set to painting illustrations of fish. Gould’s hallucinatory mental voyages contrast starkly with the horrific realities of daily life. Some violence and some strong language. 2001.

High on a Hill RC 57911
by Dorothy Garlock
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Henderson, Missouri; 1925. Twenty-one-year-old Annabel Lee Donovan wants her father to quit bootlegging and settle down. When former lawman Corbin Appleby arrives in town, Annabel falls deeply in love with him but fears he may be an agent investigating her dad’s "business." Violence, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some strong language. 2002.

The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War RC 57352
by Jimmy Carter
read by Erik Sandvold
4 cassettes
Former president’s first novel. Philadelphia Quakers Ethan and Epsey Pratt move to North Carolina, where they homestead until political troubles brew between the Regulators and the British. Relocating to Georgia in 1771 they develop local friendships with both Indians and settlers. Ethan joins the militia despite his religious beliefs. Bestseller. 2003.

Hugh Kenrick: Sparrowhawk, Book 2 RC 57731
by Edward Cline
read by David Cutler
4 cassettes
England, 1756. Unruly young Hugh Kenrick is raised to inherit his uncle’s royal title. When he becomes involved in a secret society that advocates overthrowing the monarchy, Hugh’s parents send him to the American colonies to finish his education and keep out of trouble. Sequel to Jack Frake (RC 55242). 2002.

I, Fatty RC 58886
by Jerry Stahl
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
Fictionalized memoir of "fat kid from Kansas" Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, who escapes a dismal childhood and succeeds as a wise-guy comedian in vaudeville and silent films. With marital, weight, and substance-abuse problems and accused of rape and murder, Arbuckle ultimately exchanges fame for notoriety. Some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

The Indian Lover RC 57391
by Garth Murphy
read by Ted Stoddard
4 cassettes
Easterner Bill Marshall travels to California—still owned by Mexico in the 1840s—to seek his fortune. He is persuaded by his Indian friend Pablo to marry Falling Star, the daughter of a chief. Bill lives among her people and becomes involved in their struggles. Some descriptions of sex. 2002.

Into the Wilderness RC 57979
by Sara Donati
read by Gabriella Cavallero
5 cassettes
In 1792 spinster Elizabeth Middleton leaves England to join her brother and father in upstate New York to teach school. Once she’s there, her father is determined to marry her off to a wealthy doctor. But Elizabeth falls in love with Mohawk tribe member Nathaniel Bonner, son of Hawkeye. 1998.

The Lady and the Unicorn RC 57587
by Tracy Chevalier
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Paris, 1490. Handsome, seductive painter Nicolas des Innocents is commissioned to design tapestries by nobleman Jean Le Viste. As the intricate design of the unicorn weaving develops, so does romance between Nicolas and Jean’s daughter, Claude. Some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

Lake in the Clouds RC 57904
by Sara Donati
read by Gabriella Cavallero
4 cassettes
Upstate New York, 1802. Nathaniel Bonner’s half-Mohawk daughter, Hannah, hides a pregnant escaped slave from a bounty hunter—who was Hannah’s childhood friend. Hannah, a healer, and her stepmother, Elizabeth, give refuge to other runaways heading to Canada. Sequel to Dawn on a Distant Shore (RC 57936). Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

Lord John and the Private Matter RC 57169
by Diana Gabaldon
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
England, 1757. Lord John Grey tries to save his cousin from marrying a man he suspects of having syphilis. Grey gets sidetracked by a murder investigation that quickly reveals treason and scandal involving every level of English society. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2003.

Lords of the White Castle RC 58566
by Elizabeth Chadwick
read by Mitzi Friedlander
5 cassettes
Twelfth-century England. A youthful rivalry between Prince John and courtier Fulke FitzWarin resurfaces when John, as king, refuses to grant Fulke’s rightful fiefdom. Fulke is also denied love: tempestuous Maude marries another. Renouncing his loyalty, Fulke becomes an outlaw determined to restore his legacy. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2000.

Mary, Queen of France RC 57508
by Jean Plaidy
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
In this sequel to The Thistle and the Rose (RC 53989), Mary Tudor becomes Queen of France through an arrangement between her brother, Henry VIII, and the King of France. To the chagrin of her matchmakers, the passions of this spirited, beautiful, strong-willed woman rest elsewhere. 1964.

Moon Tide RC 57776
by Dawn Clifton Tripp
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Follows the lives of three women in a small Massachusetts fishing town from 1913 to the devastating New England hurricane in 1938. The passions, longings, and memories of beautiful but reclusive Eve, her eccentric grandmother Elizabeth, and Elizabeth’s mystical servant Maggie progress to a cataclysmic conclusion none of them is prepared for. 2003.

Noble House: A Novel of Contemporary Hong Kong RC 57667
by James Clavell
read by Erik Sandvold
12 cassettes in 2 containers (Reissue)
Ian Dunross, the head of a time-honored trading house, is caught up in international intrigue, romance, and natural disaster while trying to save his business from bankruptcy. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1981.

Oblivion’s Altar: A Novel of Courage RC 59023
by David Marion Wilkinson
read by Robert Blumenfeld
3 cassettes
The story of Kah-nung-da-tla-geh, or "Ridge Walker," a great Cherokee warrior and chief. In the six decades following the Revolutionary War, Ridge’s attempts at peace with the U.S. government through assimilation and negotiation ultimately fail, forcing him to decide the fate of his beleaguered people. Some violence. Spur Award. 2002.

The Other Boleyn Girl RC 58873
by Philippa Gregory
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
Fictional portrayal of Mary Boleyn and her siblings, Anne and George, at Henry VIII’s court, where the three were sent to advance the Howard family’s fortunes. Mary’s account takes her from her own affair with the king and her replacement by Anne to Anne’s execution. Some descriptions of sex. 2001.

People of the Owl: The First North Americans, Volume 11 RC 58480
by Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear
read by Jim Zeiger
5 cassettes
The adventures of teenaged Mud Puppy, who led the Owl Clan. A tale of clan intrigue, treachery, marriage alliances, and everyday events about 3,500 years ago in North America’s first true city, situated in what became northeastern Louisiana. Companion to People of the Masks (RC 49546). Some descriptions of sex and some violence. For senior high and older readers. 2003.

The Piano Tuner RC 56648
by Daniel Mason
read by Constance Crawford
3 cassettes
October, 1886. British War Office asks mild-mannered piano tuner Edgar Drake to repair the instrument of an unorthodox officer on a peace-seeking mission in Burma. Leaving his wife behind, Drake travels to remote jungles, experiencing a perilous and seductive journey of self-discovery. Some descriptions of sex. 2002.

The Pilgrim Song: The House of Winslow, Book 29 RC 57839
by Gilbert Morris
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
New York, 1929. Lewis Winslow’s future looks bright, despite his concern with the way his four children are turning out. Then the stock market crashes, and they must rely on their faith in God and a new family friend to see them through. Sequel to The Fiery Ring (RC 56760). 2003.

The Polished Hoe RC 57403
by Austin Clarke
read by Andrea Frierson-Toney
4 cassettes
Award-winning novel set on a small Caribbean island, mid-twentieth century. Mary-Mathilda, servant and mistress of the village’s plantation owner, summons detective Percy Stuart to confess to murder. Her nightlong statement, complicated by Percy’s romantic feelings, reveals a sordid history. Explicit descriptions of sex, strong language, and some violence. 2003.

Pompeii RC 57646
by Robert Harris
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Italy, A.D. 79. Pliny the Elder sends engineer Marcus Attilius Primus to Pompeii to investigate a water flow problem. Attilius examines the aqueduct, uncovers an embezzlement scheme, discovers the imminent eruption of the volcano Vesuvius, and attempts to rescue his new love. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller. 2003.

Prelude: American Anthem, Book 1 RC 57449
by B.J. Hoff
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
Three immigrant families find evangelism and opportunity in late-nineteenth-century America. Young Susanna Fallon, having come to New York to care for her niece, distrusts her deceased sister’s husband—a brilliant, blind composer. A Scottish physician contemplates his practice, and a poor Irish family journeys across the Atlantic. Followed by Cadence (RC 59179). 2002.

The Princes of Ireland: The Dublin Saga, Book 1 RC 58000
by Edward Rutherfurd
read by Roy Avers
5 cassettes
Fictional portrayal of Irish history over eleven centuries from the sacrifice of Celtic warrior Conall to Druid gods in A.D. 430 through Henry VIII’s desecration of Catholic churches in 1537. Also focuses on the passions and struggles shaping the character of Dublin. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. Bestseller. 2004.

A Regimental Affair RC 57973
by Allan Mallinson
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
After his adventures in Honorable Company (RC 55644), Captain Matthew Hervey returns to England from India in 1817. Reassigned to the Sixth Light Dragoons, he pursues and marries Lady Henrietta. Meanwhile, his new commanding officer plots Hervey’s downfall, prompting a feud that culminates on the American frontier. Some violence. 2002.

The Sight of the Stars RC 57821
by Belva Plain
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
1907. Nineteen-year-old Adam Arnring leaves his New Jersey home for a new life out west. Eventually he runs a business, marries, and starts a family. But a WWI tragedy brings a betrayal that will have repercussions for years to come. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2004.

Sign-Talker: The Adventure of George Drouillard on the Lewis and Clark Expedition RC 56803
by James Alexander Thom
read by Rick Rohan
3 cassettes
Fictitious reconstruction of the experiences of half-Shawnee, half-Frenchman George Pierre Drouillard (1773–1810), a hired hunter and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Chronicles the monumental survey of the rugged American West and explores the spiritual culture of Native Americans and their struggles with early settlers. Violence and some descriptions of sex. 2000.

Song of the Exile RC 58711
by Kiana Davenport
read by John Polk
4 cassettes
Novel of two Hawaiian families from World War II to the islands’ statehood. Sunny joins her lover, jazz musician Keo, in Paris. Separated from each other by war, Sunny endures forced prostitution while Keo searches for her in Shanghai. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and some strong language. 1999.

The Stone Virgins RC 58356
by Yvonne Vera
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
A tale portraying the gruesome atrocities committed during Zimbabwe’s decades-long struggle for liberation from British rule and the subsequent civil turmoil. Two sisters awaiting freedom in the village of Kezi—Nonceba and Thenjiwe—become victims of the violence in the 1980s. Violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

Tai-Pan: A Novel of Hong Kong RC 57660
by James Clavell
read by Erik Sandvold
7 cassettes in 2 containers (Reissue)
Epic set in 1841 Hong Kong after England’s victory in the first Opium War. Focuses on Dirk Struan—pirate, dope smuggler, and supreme ruler of the most powerful trading company in the Orient. Some violence. 1966.

A Thread of Grace RC 59663
by Mary Doria Russell
read by Cassandra Campbell
4 cassettes
1943. As Italy makes peace with the Allies, fourteen-year-old Belgian Claudette, her father Albert Blum, and other Jewish families prepare to march across the Alps to seek sanctuary in northern Italy. But Germany now occupies that country, and perils abound. Some strong language. 2005.

Time and Chance RC 57669
by Sharon Kay Penman
read by George Holmes
5 cassettes
England, 1156–1171. Following the events of When Christ and His Saints Slept (RC 42212), King Henry II and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, share passion and beget many children, including sons Richard and John. Trouble arises when Henry appoints his friend Thomas Becket to be Archbishop of Canterbury. 2002.

The Valley of Horses RC 57663
by Jean M. Auel
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes (Reissue)
Ice Age heroine Ayla leaves her adoptive family and friends from The Clan of the Cave Bear (RC 52680) and sets out on her own. She reaches the Valley of Horses, where she rescues a young man from certain death and struggles against her growing attraction to him. Explicit descriptions of sex. 1982.

Versailles RC 58801
by Kathryn Davis
read by Megan Burnett
1 cassette
Betrothed at fourteen to Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette leaves Austria for Versailles. History unfolds as she experiences court splendor, a queen’s extravagance, and the horrors of the French Revolution. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2002.

War Path RC 58990
by Kerry Newcomb
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
1750s. As the French and Indian War rages on, the Colonial militia is aided by the raw fighting force that is captain Johnny Stark. Stark’s legendary abilities make him and his lady warrior Molly prime targets of enemy forces. Based on the life of this American frontier hero. Violence. 2003.

When the Emperor Was Divine RC 58157
by Julie Otsuka
read by Kimberly Schraf
1 cassette
The tale of a Japanese American family of four, interned at the start of World War II. After the father’s arrest, his ten-year-old daughter, seven-year-old son, and wife are relocated to Utah where they are detained for more than three years. For senior high and older readers. Alex Award. 2002.

White Doves at Morning RC 57442
by James Lee Burke
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
In 1861, Willie Burke, a young, hot-tempered Irishman, reluctantly joins the Confederate army. Meanwhile his abolitionist friend, Abigail Dowling, continues her dangerous struggle in Louisiana to free slaves—including beautiful Flower Jamison, whom Willie secretly taught to read and write. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

Holidays

The Christmas Basket RC 56364
by Debbie Macomber
read by Peggy Gilleland
1 cassette
Noelle McDowell hasn’t been home for the holidays in Rose, Oregon, in ten years because she didn’t want to risk running into Thom Sutton. Once she had planned to elope with him, but Thom jilted her. Now she’s home, it’s Christmas, and miracles do happen. 2002.

The Christmas Blessing RC 58707
by Donna VanLiere
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
In this sequel to The Christmas Shoes (RC 58657), Nathan is in his third year of medical school but questions his ability to be a doctor. He also realizes he still has much to learn about life, faith, and blessings. And he will learn from heart patient Meghan Sullivan. 2003.

The Christmas Shoes RC 58657
by Donna VanLiere
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Robert Layton has become focused on material things, and his marriage is in jeopardy. But on Christmas Eve 1985 when he crosses paths with a young boy whose mother is dying, the impact has a positive effect on both families for years to come. 2001.

The Christmas Thief: A Regan Reilly Mystery RC 58834
by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
1 cassette
During a vacation weekend in Stowe, Vermont, lottery winner Alvirah Meehan and her friend private investigator Regan Reilly become involved in the case of a stolen Christmas tree. The tree, designated for Rockefeller Center, connects a scam artist, a swindled waitress, and a sparkling treasure. 2004.

A Little Yuletide Murder RC 57577
by Donald Bain
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Mystery writer Jessica Fletcher is in Cabot Cove for the holidays when local farmer Rory Brent, who plays Santa Claus, is found murdered. Rumor points to Jake Walther as the main suspect. Jessica, concerned by the rush to judgment, investigates the case in time for the upcoming Christmas festival. 1998.

A Redbird Christmas RC 58836
by Fannie Flagg
read by Fannie Flagg
1 cassette
Terminally ill Oswald Campbell leaves Chicago to spend his last Christmas in a small Alabama town. The single women there want his attention, and an abandoned young girl who is lame needs a Christmas miracle. 2004.

Shepherds Abiding: A Mitford Christmas Story RC 57174
by Jan Karon
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
This sequel to In This Mountain (RC 54446) centers on Reverend Kavanagh’s restoration of an old créche. He transforms himself as he renews the decrepit set and as he interacts with the community: Hope at the bookstore, Andrew at the antiques shop, and the owners of the Main Street Grill. Bestseller. 2003.

Something to Celebrate RC 57518
by Felicia Mason andothers read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Three stories of holiday romance by African American authors. As the New Year approaches in Brenda Jackson’s "Truly Everlasting," Trask and Felicia discover they are meant for each other. Others find love in "The First Noel" by Felicia Mason and Margie Walker’s "Kwanzaa Kupendi." Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

Human Relationships

An Act of Love RC 56225
by Nancy Thayer
read by Cyn Delafield
2 cassettes
Linda and Owen McFarland’s marriage falls apart when Linda’s teenage daughter Emily attempts suicide after being raped. Emily accuses her older stepbrother Bruce of the attack, but he vehemently denies it. Each parent struggles with conflicting emotions until the truth finally comes out. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 1997.

All over Creation RC 56826
by Ruth Ozeki
read by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
Elderly Idaho potato farmers Lloyd and Momoko Fuller run a seed company while neighbors Cassie and Will Quinn experiment with genetically modified products. When the Fullers’ health fails, Cassie persuades their estranged daughter to return. Meanwhile an anti-biotech group befriended by Lloyd targets an agribusiness. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

The Amazing Interlude and The Street of Seven Stars RC 56783
by Mary Roberts Rinehart
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes
In "The Amazing Interlude," Sara Lee Kennedy leaves her fiancé during the First World War to join the Red Cross in Belgium. There she falls in love with a shell-shocked soldier. In "The Street of Seven Stars," an American musician living in Austria must choose between love and career. 2000.

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons RC 58768
by Lorna Landvik
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
Five small-town Minnesota neighbors form a book club and lasting friendships. There’s Faith, a lonely housewife; Audrey, the resident sex queen; Kari, the oldest; Slip, the activist; and Merit, an abused wife. They share three decades of personal dramas. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2003.

Bay of Souls RC 58490
by Robert Stone
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
Bored Midwestern college professor Michael Ahearn succumbs to the erotic temptations of a new professor. Leaving behind his son and wife, Michael travels to a Caribbean island at Lara Purcell’s invitation and finds himself embroiled in life-threatening decisions regarding love, voodoo, and smuggling. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2003.

Beach Girls RC 59071
by Luanne Rice
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
Hubbard’s Point, Connecticut. Nine-year-old Nell seeks links to her deceased mother, Emma. Jack, Nell’s father, shelters her from his sister Maddie, who knows a painful secret about Emma’s untimely death. Emma’s reclusive childhood friend, Stevie, feels drawn to Nell and to Jack. Some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2004.

Between Friends RC 57949
by Debbie Macomber
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Jillian Lynn Lawton and Lesley Louise Adamski, both born in 1948, become friends growing up. Through a series of diary entries, letters, and news articles, the two girls share the events of their lives—dating, marriage, children, divorce, and widowhood—that take them in different directions yet keep them close over the years. 2002.

The Book of Salt RC 58470
by Monique Truong
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
A fictional account by Bình, a live-in Vietnamese cook for American literary figures Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, describing his experiences during five years in their Paris household between 1929 and 1934. Interwoven are Bình’s reminiscences about his upbringing and troubled past in Vietnam. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2003.

Brick Lane RC 57490
by Monica Ali
read by Gabriella Cavallero
3 cassettes
Nazneen, an eighteen-year-old girl from a small Bangladesh village, is wed to much older Chanu in an arranged marriage and moves to London where her Muslim religious, social, and moral traditions clash with Western culture. Transformed by the experience, she embraces new freedoms and examines the role of fate in her life. 2003.

Claws RC 57276
by Will Weaver
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
Popular sixteen-year-old Jed is carefree until Laura, a junior at another high school, tells him about the affair his father is having with her mother. Jed’s life begins to unravel after the teenagers confront their errant parents and the marriages falter. Some strong language. For senior high readers. 2003.

A Company of Three RC 58561
by Varley O’Connor
read by John Polk
3 cassettes
New York, 1970s. Robert from New Jersey, Patrick from New England, and Irene from Kansas begin their acting careers and promise one another lifelong support. But complicated love affairs, inner demons, and diverging careers challenge their mutual pledge. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

The Fall of Rome RC 57790
by Martha Southgate
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Cultures clash when Rashid Bryson, a black scholarship student, arrives at a prestigious boys’ boarding school. African American teacher Jerome Washington and white colleague Jana Hansen become involved with Bryson’s education, the racial tension, and each other. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. For senior high and older readers. Alex Award. 2002.

Five Women RC 57248
by Rona Jaffe
read by Madelyn Buzzard
4 cassettes
1995. Five women meet weekly at the Yellowbird bar in Manhattan. As they share their past relationships with parents, children, and spouses, and their hopes for the future, Billie, Gara, Felicity, Kathryn, and Eve find the courage to begin new lives. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1997.

Fleur de Leigh in Exile RC 58876
by Diane Leslie
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Fifteen-year-old Fleur de Leigh is sent to Arizona’s Rancho Cambridge West, the cheapest boarding school in the country. Despite some prejudice and the stress of being new, Fleur survives —though a night of dorm-room mischief could lead to trouble. Sequel to Fleur de Leigh’s Life of Crime (RC 48527). Some strong language. 2003.

The Fortress of Solitude RC 57374
by Jonathan Lethem
read by Gary Telles
5 cassettes
Brooklyn, 1970s. Dylan Ebdus, who is white, moves into a black neighborhood where he becomes the victim of bullies. His only friend is neighbor Mingus Rude, an African American his own age. Growing up over the next few decades the two choose different lifestyles. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller. 2003.

Girlfriends RC 57406
by Anita Bunkley and Sandra Kitt
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Three novellas describing the bonds between professional African American women facing life’s trials. In Sandra Kitt’s "The Heart of the Matter," tragedy reunites Katherine and Danika after nearly fifteen years. Friendships are also tested in Anita Bunkley’s "At the End of the Day" and Eva Rutland’s "Choices." Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

Good Faith RC 58129
by Jane Smiley
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
In 1982, small town real estate broker Joey Stratford has two encounters that complicate his life. He meets wheeler-dealer Marcus Burns, who lures him into a speculative venture, and he begins an affair with a married woman, Felicity, daughter of his partner Gordon Baldwin. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

Half a Heart RC 58584
by Rosellen Brown
read by Margaret Strom
4 cassettes
A white Houston doctor’s wife locates the daughter she had relinquished years before to her persuasive black professor lover in Mississippi. The recent high school graduate, Ronnee, hides a secret agenda as mother and daughter awkwardly become acquainted and deal with reactions from others. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2000.

Handbook for Boys RC 54621
by Walter Dean Myers
read by Chuck Young
1 cassette
Sixteen-year-old Jimmy Lynch, on probation for assault, is mentored by three senior citizens in a Harlem barbershop. Over time Jimmy absorbs their advice on choices and responsibility. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

Iceland RC 56282
by Jim Krusoe
read by Bruce Nelson
2 cassettes
An unconventional and humorous story of one man’s experience with love and death. Critically ill Paul visits "the Institute" to find a new internal organ. Instead he has a romantic encounter with the caretaker. The memory of their affair persists through his strange and surreal adventures. Some descriptions of sex. 2002.

The Inner Circle RC 59019
by T. Coraghessan Boyle
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
Taking Dr. Kinsey’s marriage course in college is a daring, revelatory experience for John Milk in 1939 and leads him to become a research assistant in Kinsey’s human sexuality project. Over two decades, John’s devotion to the doctor’s investigations threatens his marriage. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Islands RC 58315
by Anne Rivers Siddons
read by Laura Giannarelli
3 cassettes
Upon marrying Charleston’s Lewis Aiken, MD, Anny Butler not only finally gains a real family but also joins the "Scrubs" social circle. These longtime friends of Lewis’s share leisure time at their Sullivan’s Island communal beach house until misfortune plagues the group. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2004.

The Jane Austen Book Club RC 58362
by Karen Joy Fowler
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Sylvia, lesbian daughter Allegra, friend Jocelyn, French teacher Prudie, senior citizen Bernadette, and bachelor Grigg meet to discuss Jane Austen’s works. Over the next few months, each participant’s life is influenced differently by personal interpretations of the novels. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller. 2004.

Junior’s Leg RC 57211
by Ken Wells
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Thirty-year-old, alcoholic, one-legged Junior Guidry—the schoolhouse bully of Meely LaBauve (RC 51539)—reluctantly agrees to help albino Iris Mary, on the run from the Mafia, when she stumbles on his trailer in a Louisiana swamp. The couple find both trouble and love. Explicit descriptions of sex, strong language, and some violence. 2001.

The Kite Runner RC 57457
by Khaled Hosseini
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
An Afghan in California recalls a fateful 1975 day in Kabul that seared his soul at age twelve—the day he won a kite tournament and abandoned a younger companion to rape. That cowardice keeps haunting him during exile in America until the opportunity for atonement arises—back in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Violence and some strong language. 2003.

The Last Girls RC 56536
by Lee Smith
read by Susan McInerney
3 cassettes
Twelve college coeds, inspired by Huck Finn, rafted down the Mississippi River in June 1965. Now, in 1999, four of them reunite to relive that journey and mourn one of their own. Memories surface as the women reexamine their lives. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

The Losers’ Club RC 56010
by John Lekich
read by Rick Wiseman
2 cassettes
Jerry, a high school bully who extorts money from his classmates, challenges Alex and his Losers’ Club friends to a holiday decorating contest. Alex, who has cerebral palsy, and his buddies surpass everyone’s expectations—and Alex gets a girlfriend too! For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

Love RC 57353
by Toni Morrison
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Even after the death of seaside resort owner Bill Cosey, his women—widow Heed, granddaughter Christine, and mistress Celestial—continue their feuds. These members of the town’s African American former elite reminisce about the man they loved and hated. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2003.

Marjorie Morningstar RC 56674
by Herman Wouk
read by Anne Hancock
5 cassettes (Reissue)
Beautiful New York teenager Marjorie Morgenstern, a student at Hunter College in the late 1930s, decides to become an actress, repudiating the values of her traditional Jewish family. Joining a summer stock troupe, she embarks on a disastrous affair with its charismatic director. Some strong language. 1955.

Mrs. Kimble RC 57665
by Jennifer Haigh
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Three women thought they had found the perfect man when they married Ken Kimble. First wife Birdie met the minister in the 1960s. Thirty-nine-year-old Joan stole him away in 1969, and much younger Dinah snagged him a decade later. The Mrs. Kimbles eventually discover his lies. Descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

The Priestly Sins RC 58119
by Andrew M. Greeley
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
Wholesome, prairie-bred Father Herman Hoffman, having witnessed a young boy’s rape in the parish rectory, exposes sexual abuse and cover-ups in the Church hierarchy. Herman risks his reputation by testifying against the guilty priest and the corrupt institutionalized system. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2004.

Reinhart in Love RC 57045
by Thomas Berger
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Twenty-one-year-old overweight ex-corporal Carlo Reinhart leaves the army’s psycho ward and returns home, where he is confronted with the new terrors of civilian life in postwar America. His parents, various moneymaking schemes, and fumbling encounters with the opposite sex wreak havoc with his abraded sensitivities. Sequel to Crazy in Berlin (RC 57041). Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1962.

Reinhart’s Women RC 57062
by Thomas Berger
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Carl Reinhart, a large and sensitive man, has always been fascinated by women and cooking. When, to his delight, he suddenly achieves celebrity status as a TV chef, all sorts of women surround him—desiring, imposing, accusing, or seeking his reassurances. Sequel to Vital Parts (RC 57053). Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1981.

Reservations Recommended RC 57068
by Eric Kraft
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Newly divorced Matthew Barber is a Boston toy company executive who moonlights as restaurant critic B.W. Beath. While he surveys dining rooms and their customers with his mistress and sardonically observes modern social life, his own reels out of control. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1990.

A Ship Made of Paper RC 58035
by Scott Spencer
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
A racially motivated attack sends white Manhattan lawyer Daniel Emerson back to his hometown. Living with his girlfriend and her daughter, he becomes infatuated with a married African American graduate student. Attraction brings trouble during a snowstorm as they contemplate race, desire, and love. Strong language and some explicit descri

NLS: That All May Read

Cassette Books, 2005

Contents