Talking Book Topics

November-December 1997
Books for Adults--Nonfiction

Books listed in this issue of Talking Book Topics were recently sent to cooperating libraries. The complete collection contains books by many authors on fiction and nonfiction subjects, including biographies, classics, gothics, mysteries, romances, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection. Cassette books are labeled with the code RC and play at 15/16 ips. To order books, contact your cooperating library.

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

God in All Worlds: An Anthology of Contemporary Spiritual Writing RC 42214
edited by Lucinda Vardey
read by Christopher Hurt
7 cassettes
The England-born Catholic, a successful businesswoman before illness led to her "spiritual awakening," presents "the finest wisdom" on religious experience composed between 1945 and 1995. Reflecting Eastern and Western faith perspectives, the texts by more than one hundred contributors are grouped by theme and arranged to follow "the spiritual journey of the soul in life." 1995.

The Brontës RC 42239
by Juliet Barker
read by Lisette Lecat
10 cassettes
Barker draws on eleven years' research to compile this detailed, documented reinterpretation of the nineteenth-century family of writers. Contrasting her findings with conclusions of previous biographers, Barker presents the father, Patrick, as a sympathetic patriarch; brother Branwell as a talented, though tortured, poet; and authors Charlotte, Emily, and Anne as strong, not oppressed, women. 1994.

Osler's Web: Inside the Labyrinth of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Epidemic RC 42240
by Hillary Johnson
read by Catherine Byers
7 cassettes
Chronicles identification and research of chronic fatigue syndrome from 1984 through 1994. Reports of the puzzling medical condition were met with skepticism and even hostility, as shown in assigning it the nickname "Yuppie Flu." Tells how the disease affected patients' lives as well as what the reaction of the established medical community was toward sympathetic doctors. 1996.

The Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson: Volume 4, October 1882-June 1884 RC 42244
by Robert Louis Stevenson
read by Patrick Horgan
3 cassettes
This volume of letters by both Stevenson and his wife, Fanny, reflects Stevenson's life and work while he resided in the south of France, where the family moved to find a healthful climate. Despite the severity of his chronic illness, Stevenson considered this the happiest period of his life and published The Black Arrow (RC 23122), Treasure Island (RC 18121), and other famous works. 1884.

Learning to Use Microcomputer Applications: WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS RC 42342
by Gary Shelly and others
read by John Richardson
3 cassettes
An introductory textbook that offers step-by-step instructions. Addresses computers, software, networks, file management, and creating documents. 1995.

When the Pentagon Was for Sale: Inside America's Biggest Defense Scandal RC 42370
by Andy Pasztor
read by Ray Foushee
4 cassettes
The Wall Street Journal reporter who covered the Pentagon during the Reagan and Bush eras documents fraud spawned by indiscriminate defense spending. Basing his account on court documents, public records, and interviews, Pasztor reveals how officials rigged bids, shared classified documents with contractors, and demanded payoffs. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1995.

The Steinway Saga: An American Dynasty RC 42436
by D.W. Fostle
read by Jake Williams
7 cassettes
Fostle sifts through correspondence, private papers and diaries, court documents, and financial records for his account of several generations of the Steinway family and the impact their piano firm had on American history. 1995.

Disability and Culture RC 42451
edited by Benedicte Ingstad and Susan Reynolds Whyte
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Collection of scholarly essays examining the effects of culture on individuals with disabilities. Contributions are primarily reports on field research from many parts of the world, including third-world countries, conducted by anthropologists. The introduction explores the issue of a universal definition of disability. 1995.

Monsters of the Sea RC 42471
by Richard Ellis
read by Gary Telles
4 cassettes
Ellis, a cryptozoologist who studies the reported existence of unknown creatures, provides an analysis of some of the terrifying "monsters" people throughout history have believed to live in the sea. Through further research, the unknown and unnamed "monsters" become such "familiar" creatures as octopuses, whales, manatees, and sharks. Ellis also discusses the need to protect and preserve the creatures of the sea. 1994.

Murderers and Other Friends: Another Part of Life RC 42489
by John Mortimer
read by John Horton
2 cassettes
The lawyer, writer, and creator of the Rumpole of the Bailey television series continues his memoirs and vignettes about his life and friends among the British middle class. 1994. Sequel to Clinging to the Wreckage (RC 42488).

The Rise of Western Christendom: Triumph and Diversity, AD 200-1000 RC 42494
by Peter Brown
read by Corrie James
3 cassettes
A history of the first thousand years of Christianity. Traces its rise from the last centuries of the Roman empire to the formation of western Christendom and its spread in diverse forms across Asia Minor and North Africa. Explains how Christianity became Europe's dominant political and cultural force by the year 1000. 1996.

Pickett, Leader of the Charge: A Biography of General George E. Pickett, C.S.A. RC 42500
by Edward G. Longacre
read by Rick Rohan
2 cassettes
A scholarly portrait of the leader of the famed suicidal charge at Gettysburg in 1863. Describes Pickett's life and exploits from his days at West Point through the Mexican and Civil Wars. Refutes some errors, stereotypes, and myths from earlier accounts of the maligned Confederate general. 1995.

Intimate Enemies: Jews and Arabs in a Shared Land RC 42513
by Meron Benvenisti
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Drawing on his experience as a professor, columnist, deputy mayor of Jerusalem, and founder of the West Bank Database Project that records human-rights abuses, Benvenisti probes the interests of the Israelis and the Palestinians. He focuses on the 1990 Temple Mount killing of Palestinians by Israeli police and the 1993 Peace Accord and advocates a pluralistic Israel/Palestine over separate states. 1995.

Battling for Peace: A Memoir RC 42514
by Shimon Peres
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
In this account, written before he became prime minister following the death of Yitzhak Rabin, Peres portrays himself as both victor and victim. Peres explains how he was influenced by David Ben-Gurion and became part of his cabinet and how from then on politics became a major part of his life, including a time as prime minister prior to Rabin. He also discusses his part in Israeli peace agreements. 1995.

Local People: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Mississippi RC 42535
by John Dittmer
read by Ilona Dulaski
4 cassettes
The DePauw University professor who taught history at Tougaloo College, Mississippi, from 1967 to 1979 documents the work of grass-roots blacks for suffrage and integration. He details actions arranged through the Council of Federated Organizations, and the work of Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, and many others. Winner of the 1995 Bancroft Prize in American History. 1995.

Women with Disabilities: Found Voices RC 42574
edited by Mary E. Willmuth and Lillian Holcomb
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
An anthology of essays, most written by women with disabilities, documenting the adversity and abuse disabled women face. Conveys the feelings of isolation and exclusion they feel in a "disability-phobic culture" and calls for activism and coalition building as a proper response. 1993.

The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time RC 42578
by Jonathan Weiner
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Discusses the work of Peter and Rosemary Grant, who spent more than twenty years in the Galapagos Islands researching Charles Darwin's finches to confront Darwin's notion of evolution as a time-suspended process. Weiner incorporates research from other scientists to assert that evolution is dynamic, involving constant, even observable, change. L.A. Times Book Prize for Science and Technology. 1994.

Events Leading Up to My Death: The Life of a Twentieth-Century Reporter RC 42579
by Howard K. Smith
read by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
Reminiscences of the noted journalist, from his rural Louisiana youth through his newspaper and TV careers. Smith was the last American reporter to escape wartime Berlin in 1941. By war's end he was a national figure, and he went on to cover the great events of the Cold War era. A detailed account of the man and his century. 1996.

Immigration Policy RC 42586
edited by Scott Barbour
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
An anthology of eighteen articles, half arguing for curtailing immigration and half advocating its continuation or expansion. The articles examine the cultural, moral, economic, and environmental factors at issue in the debate. For junior and senior high and older readers. 1995.

United Nations: The First Fifty Years RC 42590
by Stanley Meisler
read by John Richardson
3 cassettes
Survey of the United Nations' (U.N.) first fifty years by a former foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times. Many of the chapters are organized around the emergencies faced by the U.N.: the 1956 Suez Crisis, the Korean War, the Cuban missile crisis, the Vietnam war, the peacekeeping effort in Somalia, and others. 1995.

Beatrice Ojakangas' Great Holiday Baking Book RC 42591
by Beatrice Ojakangas
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Offers 250 recipes for savory and sweet baked treats to make holidays more memorable. While many of the recipes are for Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are also some for Labor Day, April Fools' Day, and other celebrations, some obscure. Includes historical backgrounds for the various observances. 1994.

Getting Organized: The Easy Way to Put Your Life in Order; Updated and Revised RC 42609
by Stephanie Winston
read by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
Tells how to take control of paperwork, time, money, and space at home and at work. Looks at some personal reasons why life may become confused. This revision also describes home offices and working mothers in the 1990s. 1991.

Wrestling with Angels: What the First Family of Genesis Teaches Us about Our Spiritual Identity, Sexuality, and Personal Relationships RC 42611
by Naomi H. Rosenblatt and Joshua Horwitz
read by Janis Gray
3 cassettes
Psychotherapist Rosenblatt explores the multigenerational saga of the Bible, focusing on Abraham and Sarah, to discover how the family's conflicts and spiritual vision reflect on the contemporary search for a purposeful life and spiritual identity. 1995.

There's No Such Thing as Free Speech: And It's a Good Thing, Too RC 42612
by Stanley Fish
read by John Richardson
3 cassettes
In this series of essays, Fish examines the historical and political contexts of such issues as free speech, multiculturalism, family values, and affirmative action. Opposing the arguments of both the right and the left, he argues that the "essentials" of these issues cannot be isolated from their political circumstances. 1994.

Mothers of Invention: Women of the Slaveholding South in the American Civil War RC 42620
by Drew Gilpin Faust
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
This social history chronicles the challenges and changes faced by Southern women while their men were off fighting the Civil War. As these women took new roles as heads of farms and families, they began to reconsider assumptions about their own identities and the social order of the old South. 1996.

Wings of Morning: The Story of the Last American Bomber Shot Down over Germany in World War II RC 42622
by Thomas Childers
read by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
Historian Childers writes of his uncle, Howard Goodner, who was killed in the last days of World War II. Using Goodner's daily letters home, letters of crewmates, and interviews with a surviving buddy and with German farmers who remember the crash, Childers details the fate of the young men of the B-24 Black Cat. 1995.

Great One-Liners RC 42627
by Gene Perret
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Bob Hope's head comedy writer provides a collection of one-liners and their setups. Topics include education, family, traffic, fashion, football, and more. Includes jokes used by Woody Allen, Milton Berle, Phyllis Diller, and Rodney Dangerfield. 1992.

The Monkey Wars RC 42660
by Deborah Blum
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Examines the struggle between the animal-rights organizations and the scientific community over the use of primates for research. Offers chronologies of each camp, describing their respective values, aims, and activities. The final chapter suggests that people on both sides are becoming more willing to compromise. 1994.

On Grief and Reason: Essays RC 42661
by Joseph Brodsky
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
The Russian-born former U.S. poet laureate and winner of the Nobel prize for literature offers twenty-one essays, speeches, and letters first published elsewhere. In the title essay, Brodsky analyzes Frost's poem "Home Burial." In "Collector's Item," prompted by a Russian postage stamp honoring spy Kim Philby, the poet reflects on aspects of espionage. 1995.

A NonChurchgoer's Guide to the Bible RC 42688
by Michael Gantt
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
A nonsectarian overview of the Bible for persons who have an interest in "the Good Book" but little knowledge of it. Explains the structure of the Bible, reviews each of its books, and suggests how one might go about reading the bestselling book of all time. 1995.

Germany, Hitler, and World War II: Essays in Modern German and World History RC 42691
by Gerhard L. Weinberg
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Weinberg, who helped microfilm captured German records and has written numerous studies on World War II, documents Hitler's plans in starting the war. The German leadership, Weinberg asserts, intended to conquer Europe and the United States and to transform the world's population by systematically killing those they deemed "not worthy of life." 1995.

Spyglass: An Autobiography RC 42694
by Hélène Deschamps
read by Yvonne Fair Tessler
2 cassettes
The author was a teenager when France declared war on Germany during World War II. Deschamps tells how after France was occupied, she decided to fight the Nazis by joining the underground resistance movement. Her best friend soon followed, and over the years the girls' missions became more and more dangerous. Some violence. For junior and senior high readers. 1995.

The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers RC 42700
edited by Paul Stillwell
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Personal portraits of the thirteen sailors who in 1944 became the first African American officers in the U.S. Navy. Oral histories from the group's eight survivors recall their selection, officer training, service experiences, and later careers. 1993.

The Same River Twice: Honoring the Difficult; a Meditation on Life, Spirit, Art, and the Making of the Film The Color Purple Ten Years Later RC 42702
by Alice Walker
read by Gail Nelson
2 cassettes
The author reflects on the changes in her life as her bestselling book was made into a movie. Letters, essays, and her original screenplay reveal her struggles with her role as a public figure, criticism of her story, her mother's failing health, and her own illness. Strong language and descriptions of sex. 1996.

Mourning into Dancing RC 42754
by Walter Wangerin
read by Brian Conn
2 cassettes
Wangerin, a Lutheran pastor, looks at four concepts of death: primal fall or original sin, divisions that come between us and others, corporeal dying, and spiritual death. Through examples from his own life and from his inner-city ministry, he shows how grief can lead to healing and renewal. 1992.

At Eighty-Two: A Journal RC 42757
by May Sarton
read by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
Final work by the prolific American poet and novelist. Sarton chronicles the last year of her life, reflecting on past literary successes; the rigors of aging; visits with friends and admirers; and life with her beloved cat, Pierrot. Throughout, Sarton deals with depression brought on as she ponders her mortality. 1996.

Power and Illness: The Failure and Future of American Health Policy RC 42759
by Daniel M. Fox
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Argues that policies overemphasize research on and care for acute illnesses and neglect chronic, disabling conditions. Fox proposes reallocating resources for better results and discusses the changing views on health care and on the role of the patient. 1993.

Informed Consent RC 42761
by John A. Byrne
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
The account of a woman who believes her silicone breast implants caused her years of debilitating health problems. Her implants came from Dow Corning, where her husband was an executive. A story of personal tragedy and alleged corporate misconduct. 1996.

Hiroshima in America: Fifty Years of Denial RC 42765
by Robert Jay Lifton and Greg Mitchell
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
A psychology professor and an author draw on library research and interviews to argue that use of atomic bombs on Japanese cities was unjustified. They fault the secrecy surrounding atomic weapons and probe the psychological reasons for President Harry S Truman's decision to use the bomb. They also detail controversy over the Smithsonian Institution's 1995 Enola Gay exhibit. 1995.

The Wall Street Journal National Business Employment Weekly Interviewing RC 42769
by Arlene S. Hirsch
read by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
Psychotherapist, career counselor, and outplace consultant Hirsch explains how to "remove some of the negative imagery from the interviewing process by developing better interview skills and attitudes." Her formula consists of getting to know yourself inside and out, researching employers most likely to want you, and presenting yourself as someone who can add value to the organization. 1994.

The Very Best Men: Four Who Dared; the Early Years of the CIA RC 42774
by Evan Thomas
read by Art Metzler
3 cassettes
The Newsweek editor and bureau chief, author of The Wise Men (RC 25088), draws on interviews and on files, some still classified and used through special agreement with the CIA. He documents how spymasters Frank Wisner, Richard Bissell, Tracy Barnes, and Desmond FitzGerald engineered assassination plots and coups against foreign governments. Some violence and some strong language. 1995.

Windows 95 Clear & Simple RC 42777
by P.K. McBride
read by John Richardson
1 cassette
An easy-to-follow guide to using Windows 95 for the experienced or beginning computer user. Explains setting up, window control, managing files, disk housekeeping, and other key aspects of the Windows 95 computer operating system. 1996.

The Dilbert Principle: A Cubicle's-Eye View of Bosses, Meetings, Management Fads, and Other Workplace Afflictions RC 42822
by Scott Adams
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
A humorous look at the workplace from the creator of the "Dilbert" cartoon strip. The Dilbert Principle is that "the most ineffective workers are systematically moved to the place where they can do the least damage--management." Bestseller 1996.

City Life: Urban Expectations in a New World RC 42825
by Witold Rybczynski
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
The architect and author of Home: The Short Story of an Idea (RC 25168) discusses the design of U.S. cities. He notes the generous use of space, the penchant for a grid format, and the tendency to concentrate commercial activity in a defined area. He also addresses the 1950s urban renewal movement, the popularity of garden suburbs, and the rise of shopping malls. 1995.

Mountain Lion: An Unnatural History of Pumas and People RC 42826
by Chris Bolgiano
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Traces the mountain lion's "unnatural" interaction with human cultures in North America over hundreds of years. While the author's primary focus is on the big cat, she also offers insights into human society and the complexity of our own minds. 1995.

This Is Not Your Father's Stockpicking Book: Profiting from the Investment Clues Found in Everyday Life RC 42830
by Derrick Niederman
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
Tells how to come up with investment ideas "by connecting familiar aspects of the everyday world with their not-so-familiar effects on public companies." Considers the five aspects of weather, television, presidential terms, fads, and advertising. Gives examples of past events that have influenced the stock market. 1995.

The End of Education: Redefining the Value of School RC 42832
by Neil Postman
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
A university professor argues that education in the 1990s is failing because its guiding purposes of consumership, technology, and economic utility are outmoded, and its new multiculturalism is divisive. Postman advocates substituting new concepts: spaceship Earth, intellectual humility, the American experiment, and the law of diversity. 1995.

Disappearance: A Map; a Meditation on Death and Loss in the High Latitudes RC 42833
by Sheila Nickerson
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
The Alaska poet reflects on the ways people have disappeared into her state's vast wilderness, beginning with a colleague whose plane vanished over glaciers in Alaska's "Bermuda Triangle." Includes many other accounts: notably those of Sir John Franklin, who disappeared in 1845 with 128 men and two ships, and of Louisiana congressman Hale Boggs, whose plane was lost in 1972. 1996.

The Company of Wolves RC 42837
by Peter Steinhart
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Explores the relationship between humans and wolves. Steinhart shows that, like humans, wolves have calculating minds, live within highly developed social systems, claim and defend territories, use complex forms of communication, and are predators. The author draws from the experiences and views of people whose lives have been touched by wolves. 1995.

I Lived to Tell It All RC 42850
by George Jones
read by Chuck Benson
3 cassettes
The rough-and-tumble life of a hard-living icon of country music. Follows George Jones through his hardscrabble early years in East Texas, growing fame, and difficult times to his clean-living sobriety. Jones admits that binge drinking, drugs, and violent behavior plagued his life and career. Strong language. 1996.

Confessions of an Eco-Warrior RC 42854
by Dave Foreman
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes
A defense of the principles upon which the Earth First! movement was founded: biocentrism, wilderness preservation, and monkeywrenching (environmental vandalism). Foreman decries the wanton destruction of the wilderness and advocates environmental radicalism. He describes and justifies monkeywrenching techniques. 1991.

Aging and Old Age RC 42863
by Richard A. Posner
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
A law school lecturer offers a scholarly economic analysis of aspects of aging and their legal implications. Posner uses models, mathematical equations, and the concept of multiple selves--young and old--to explain his theories. He discusses behavioral changes in residence, driving, crime, suicide, sex, employment, voting, and jury service. 1995.

Two or Three Things I Know for Sure RC 42865
by Dorothy Allison
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
1 cassette
The author of Bastard out of Carolina (RC 39353) tells of being a poor southern white girl worried about turning out like her unattractive female relatives and enduring her stepfather's sexual abuse. She also discusses her lesbianism. One of the two or three things she knows for sure is how long it takes to learn to love yourself. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1995.

At Peace in the Light: The Further Adventures of a Reluctant Psychic Who Reveals the Secret of Your Spiritual Powers RC 42868
by Dannion Brinkley
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
Brinkley tells how he adjusted to the psychic ability he acquired after his near-death experiences and found his life's mission in helping hospice patients face death. 1995. Sequel to Saved by the Light (RC 38855).

Living Faith RC 42877
by Jimmy Carter
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
The former president testifies on the influence of religious faith in his life. He recounts formative events of his past, including achievements and setbacks, and discusses how his Christian belief sustained and inspired him. 1996.

Power to Burn: Michael Ovitz and the New Business of Show Business RC 42899
by Stephen Singular
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
An unauthorized portrait of one of Hollywood's most successful agents and deal-makers. Traces his meteoric rise to power as head of the Creative Artists Agency, through his skillful brokering of the MCA/Universal Studio sale, to his selection as president of Disney Studios. Some strong language. Bestseller 1996.

Red Azalea RC 42930
by Anchee Min
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
Autobiographical account of a young Chinese woman's experience during China's Cultural Revolution and the eventual collapse of the Maoist regime. Min recounts the years of communal hard labor, the humiliating process of working on propagandist films, and her clandestine affair with another woman. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1994.

Caring for Yourself While Caring for Your Aging Parents: How to Help, How to Survive RC 42931
by Claire Berman
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
A guide for children who care for aging parents. Offers advice on balancing the needs of parent and caregiver while protecting the physical and emotional health of the latter. Covers key areas such as sibling stress, communication, and the nursing home dilemma. 1996.

A Call to Character: A Family Treasury of Stories, Poems, Plays, Proverbs, and Fables to Guide the Development of Values for You and Your Children RC 42933
edited by Colin Greer and Herbert Kohl
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
Readings spanning four centuries and intended for families to share. Selections are grouped by values, such as courage, integrity, empathy, and idealism. Includes works by Milne, Shakespeare, Steinbeck, Aesop, O. Henry, and Sitting Bull. 1995.

The Dog Who Rescues Cats: The True Story of Ginny RC 42935
by Philip Gonzalez and Leonore Fleischer
read by Gregory Gorton
1 cassette
After a disabling accident, Gonzalez had lost interest in living. Then a friend suggested that he adopt a dog. Ginny, the abused pup that Gonzalez found at a shelter, was no ordinary dog, but one with a penchant for rescuing abandoned cats. With Ginny, Gonzalez has aided scores of injured felines and found a new sense of purpose in life. 1995.

Eat Right, Live Longer: Using the Natural Power of Foods to Age-Proof Your Body RC 42942
by Neal Barnard
read by Camille McCurty Ali
3 cassettes
In this eight-step program, Dr. Barnard explains how certain foods can be used to counteract the negative effects of chemical reactions, like oxidation, in the body. He offers advice on coping with menopause, combatting impotence, and avoiding fat. He includes recipes and menus by Jennifer Raymond. 1995.

Daughters of the Fifth Sun: A Collection of Latina Fiction and Poetry RC 42952
edited by Bryce Milligan
read by Ilona Dulaski and others
2 cassettes
Short stories and poems by the "godmothers" of Latina writing and later-generation authors describe the Latina experience. They relate being women in a machismo-oriented culture, living in a minority group in the United States, learning the power of language, and dealing with everyday life. 1995.

How to Stay Alive as Long as You Live: Practical Guides for Christian Living RC 42962
by Robert H. Spain
read by Gregory Gorton
1 cassette
Spain, a bishop of the United Methodist Church, addresses ways in which individuals can learn to lead more meaningful, fulfilling lives. He suggests they accept themselves as persons of worth, develop a positive mental attitude, set priorities, handle detours, cope with worry and grief, learn to forgive, share their faith, and always remember that God resides within them. 1992.

The Woman Said Yes: Encounters with Life and Death, Memoirs RC 42970
by Jessamyn West
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette (Reissue)
Writer tells how her Quaker mother, Grace, nursed her through tuberculosis after the sanatorium gave up on her. Grace taught both author Jessamyn and Jessamyn's sister, Carmen, to "say yes to the life in their lives" and yes to death when that life is over. After Grace's death, it is Jessamyn who helps Carmen deal with inoperable cancer. 1976.

The Wilding of America: How Greed and Violence Are Eroding Our Nation's Character RC 42973
by Charles Derber
read by Gary Telles
2 cassettes
A grim view of American culture in the 1990s. Derber extends the term "wilding," meaning random street violence, to acts of antisocial behavior that pervade our social, economic, and political worlds. Offers proposals for restoring civil society. 1996.

Mary Magdalen: Myth and Metaphor RC 42978
by Susan Haskins
read by Lisette Lecat
5 cassettes
Scriptural exegesis, history, and art serve as the sources for this portrait of the renowned female saint and intimate of Jesus. Haskins demonstrates how through the ages the image of Mary Magdalen has merged with other biblical figures to become that of the penitent prostitute, a portrayal that epitomizes the subordinate role of women in the church and in society. Haskins reevaluates that concept. 1993.

Mentoring: Confidence in Finding a Mentor and Becoming One RC 42983
by Bobb Biehl
read by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
A comprehensive guide to mentoring with explanations, instructions, and tributes from Christian leaders. Defines mentoring as the process of a mature person taking a protege "under the wing" for lifelong caring and support. 1996.

Daisy Bates in the Desert RC 42991
by Julia Blackburn
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes
The British author creates a personal interpretation of the Irish-born writer who in 1913 at age fifty-four went to live in the deserts of Australia. Picking her way among Bates's prevarications, Blackburn sketches the eccentric's two marriages, her abandonment of her son, and her decades-long attachment to the Aborigines. 1994.

A Touch of Innocence: Memoirs of Childhood RC 42992
by Katherine Dunham
read by Robin Miles
3 cassettes
Third-person autobiographical account of noted dancer and anthropologist covering the first eighteen years of her life. Dunham describes growing up in a midwest interracial family in the early twentieth century. She endures a difficult childhood at the hands of her angry and abusive father. 1959.

Looking for the Lost: Journeys through a Vanishing Japan RC 43005
by Alan Booth
read by Ed Blake
3 cassettes
Booth travels on foot through three remote regions of Japan on a quest to discover the country's "geographic and spiritual heart." His trip takes him to the Tsugaru peninsula, the mountains of southern Kyushu, and the hills of Nagoya. 1995. Sequel to The Roads to Sata (RC 26061) and the author's final book.

The Size of Thoughts: Essays and Other Lumber RC 43022
by Nicholson Baker
read by Gordon Gould
3 cassettes
Collection of essays from 1982-1996. Baker's writings reveal a broad range of interests and fascination with minutiae as he explores such topics as archaic punctuation, slang terminology, the evolution of the movie projector, and the short-sighted destruction of library card catalogs. Some strong language. 1996.

Francis Drake: The Lives of a Hero RC 43028
by John Cummins
read by Robert Blumenfeld
3 cassettes
A portrait of the swashbuckling Elizabethan seafarer, who was the first to sail around the world and is considered largely responsible for defeating the Spanish Armada. Recounts Drake's naval battles, piratical escapades, stormy personal relationships, and declining fortunes. 1995.

The Last Empire: De Beers, Diamonds, and the World RC 43030
by Stefan Kanfer
read by Lewis Grenville
3 cassettes
Kanfer, a journalist, discusses De Beers Consolidated Mines and describes how it sometimes uses a show of power to maintain its hold on the world's diamond industry and much of the gold industry. He focuses on the exploitation of blacks in South Africa and on the three men who have controlled the company since its founding in 1880--Cecil Rhodes, Ernest Oppenheimer, and "King" Harry Oppenheimer. Some violence. 1993.

T.E. Lawrence RC 43037
by Daniel Wolfe
read by George Holmes
1 cassette
Recounts the adventurous life of T.E. Lawrence, or "Lawrence of Arabia." Traces his years as a youth in England, an archeologist in the Middle East, and a soldier who led Arab forces against the Turks in World War I. Depicts Lawrence's homosexuality. Violence and descriptions of sex. For junior and senior high and older readers. 1995.

Last of the Free RC 43038
by Gareth Patterson
read by Graeme Malcolm
1 cassette
The author's account of his life and adventures with three orphaned lion cubs in the wild. In a casual style, Patterson describes how he resettled the cubs in a Botswana safe haven, where he helped them to stalk and hunt. He tells of the many lions and elephants lost to poachers, game hunters, and ranchers and his efforts to thwart these human predators. Depicts Patterson's commitment to wildlife. 1994.

Full House: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin RC 43041
by Stephen Jay Gould
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Asserts that trends cannot be interpreted in isolation, but should be seen in terms of a "full house" of general variation within an entire system. For example, in the evolution of life, it is diversity, rather than increasing complexity, that represents nature's standard of excellence. Bestseller 1996.

Water Wars: The Fight to Control and Conserve Nature's Most Precious Resource RC 43046
by Olga Cossi
read by Patricia McDermott
1 cassette
Explains why, even though 71 percent of the planet is covered with water, fresh, clean water is an "endangered species." Discusses pollution, competition for water, and regulation of the resource. Includes water-saving tips, a glossary, and two case studies in the ongoing water wars. For junior and senior high readers. 1993.

Heart: A Memoir RC 43052
by Lance Morrow
read by Randy Wieck
2 cassettes
Memoir of the author, journalist, and senior writer at Time magazine. Having endured a heart attack and bypass surgery at the age of thirty-six, Morrow now finds himself repeating this very process at fifty-three. While recuperating, Morrow uses this time to ruminate--on his own inner rage, the impact of alcohol on his family's life, and his reaction to his excursions into Bosnia. Some strong language. 1995.

Eccentrics: A Study of Sanity and Strangeness RC 43062
by David Weeks and Jamie James
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
A neuropsychologist and a writer survey "odd" behavior from historical times to the twentieth century and draw conclusions about the relative health, happiness, and creativity of eccentrics. Examples include "Emperor Norton" of California; Johnny Appleseed; and Florence Foster Jenkins, whose awful singing packed recitals at the Ritz-Carlton. 1995.

Breakthrough: The Race to Find the Breast Cancer Gene RC 43064
by Kevin Davies and Michael White
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
An account of the international scientific effort that resulted in the isolation of the breast cancer gene, BRCA1, in 1994. Working from evidence linking heredity to the risk of breast cancer, researchers pinpointed the faulty gene and its precise location. Discusses some implications of these findings. 1996.

A Touch of Wonder RC 43073
by Arthur Gordon
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes (Reissue)
The author encourages readers to learn the art of living by experiencing and appreciating the wonder in commonplace events. He also explores faith, awareness, wisdom, and self-discovery. 1974.

The Murrow Boys: Pioneers on the Front Lines of Broadcast Journalism RC 43101
by Stanley Cloud and Lynne Olson
read by Robert Sams
4 cassettes
A narrative about the pioneers of broadcast journalism who were hired and nurtured by CBS's Edward R. Murrow. Describes the significance of their live coverage of World War II in shaping public opinion and in setting early standards for radio journalism. Traces the careers of "the Murrow Boys" over the following half century. 1996.

Partners in Power: The Clintons and Their America RC 43127
by Roger Morris
read by John Rayburn
4 cassettes
Examination of Bill and Hillary Clinton's rise to power. Morris details many of the controversies and scandals associated with the Clintons: the Whitewater investment deal, the handling of Vince Foster's suicide, and allegations of Bill Clinton's numerous infidelities and financial misdealings while still governor of Arkansas. Bestseller 1996.

Drinking the Rain RC 43134
by Alix Kates Shulman
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
The feminist author's account of her time living alone in an isolated cabin on the coast of Maine. She reflects on the changes in the women's movement, the crumbling of her marriage, and her disappointment about her reaction to aging. She gains a new perspective and strength while alone. 1995.

Over the Hills: A Midlife Escape across America by Bicycle RC 43144
by David Lamb
read by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
Travelog of a middle-aged reporter's cross-country journey. Recounts the physical and mental challenges of solo bicycle travel and sketches towns and characters Lamb met en route. Weaves in vignettes about bicycle history. 1996.

The Rarest of the Rare: Vanishing Animals, Timeless Worlds RC 43145
by Diane Ackerman
read by Mary Woods
2 cassettes
A collection of six essays chronicling the author's journeys to the habitats of rare and endangered species. Ackerman's visits to the homes of Hawaiian monk seals, short-tailed albatrosses, golden lion tamarins, and other species are reported with her sense of adventure and wonder. She also discusses the consequences of allowing species to become extinct. 1995.

Slouching towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline RC 43177
by Robert H. Bork
read by Bob Moore
3 cassettes
Accuses modern liberalism of deteriorating America's standards of behavior and social institutions. Traces America's cultural decline from the radical ideologies of the 1960s, which pervade society in the 1990s. Predicts a dire national future if this trend goes unchecked. Bestseller 1996.

Make the Connection: Ten Steps to a Better Body and a Better Life RC 43178
by Bob Greene and Oprah Winfrey
read by Christopher Hurt
1 cassette
Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey's personal trainer details ten steps he claims will increase metabolism and help shed excess weight. Winfrey describes her ongoing struggle with weight loss and her successes while training with Greene. Bestseller 1996.

Love Thy Neighbor: A Story of War RC 43190
by Peter Maass
read by Ken Kliban
3 cassettes
A reporter's impassioned account of the war in Bosnia, where an entire country is the battleground and everyone is a combatant. Describes Serb leaders as "manipulators" and indicts Western leaders as "appeasers" in this conflict. Strong language and violence. 1996.

The Varnished Truth: Truth Telling and Deceiving in Ordinary Life RC 43191
by David Nyberg
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Challenges basic assumptions about truth and deception. Argues that deception is a normal attribute of human nature and necessary for personal mental health and social stability. Offers everyday examples of deceit as a necessary function. 1993.

Urban Odyssey: A Multicultural History of Washington, D.C. RC 43195
edited by Francine Curro Cary
read by Frank Coffee
3 cassettes
Seventeen essays that trace the immigrant history of the nation's capital. Tells how every ethnic group, from the early Native Americans to the recent Koreans, has struggled to preserve its community network and cultural traditions. 1996.

Animal Theology RC 43197
by Andrew Linzey
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Avers that the issue of moral justice for animals has been neglected by the theological world. Argues that Christian theology provides a basis for the ethical treatment of animals, and offers the Christ-given paradigm of "lordship manifest in service" as the proper model for human dominion over animals. 1994.

Weight Watchers Quick Meals RC 43229
by Weight Watchers International
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
Menus for complete dinners that can be prepared in thirty minutes or less. Includes master staples and equipment lists and 250 recipes grouped as poultry; fish and seafood; meat; pasta, grains, and beans; and meatless meals. Each recipe lists nutritional information per serving, and each menu includes a preparation schedule for maximum efficiency. 1995.

Driven to Distraction RC 43288
by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
read by Christopher Hurt
2 cassettes
Two psychiatrists, both coping with attention deficit disorder (ADD) themselves, compare ADD to nearsightedness: the person with ADD--who is easily distracted, impulsive, and sometimes hyperactive--needs help in order to focus. The authors explore ADD's causes and offer tips for managing the condition. Includes case studies and a list of relevant organizations. 1994.

Weight Watchers Success Every Day RC 43289
by Weight Watchers Staff
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Collection of 365 meditations for the "weight-loss journey" on such subjects as exercise, journal writing, emotions, cravings, time management, appearance, and attitude. Each daily meditation is accompanied by a quote from noted authors and others and by a tip on how to incorporate the advice. Bestseller 1996.

The Way of the Wizard: Twenty Spiritual Lessons in Creating the Life You Want RC 43290
by Deepak Chopra
read by George Holmes
2 cassettes
Using the legend of Arthur, Chopra presents steps for spiritual transformation to being a free and loving person. Here, Merlin is the source of spiritual wisdom, and his stories guide the reader to perspectives fostering growth to find the wizard, or spiritual transformer, within. Bestseller 1995.

A Simple Path RC 43309
by Mother Teresa
read by Annie Wauters
1 cassette
Tells how from an early age, Mother Teresa, born in 1910, felt a need to help others. Then in 1946, she received her second call that instructed her to "give up all and follow Jesus into the slums--to serve him in the poorest of the poor." Mother Teresa says she follows a simple path: "The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace." Bestseller 1995.

The Choice RC 43310
by Bob Woodward
read by Robert Sams
4 cassettes
A political history tracing the preparations of candidates Clinton and Dole for the 1996 presidential election. Examines the personal and political relationships among key policy makers and provides inside views on the federal budget battles, the top-secret Bosnian strategy sessions, and the making of major campaign decisions. Strong language. Bestseller 1996.

Waylon: An Autobiography RC 43334
by Waylon Jennings
read by L.J. Ganser
3 cassettes
A country music legend recalls the determination that led to his reputation as one of country music's "outlaws." He describes how he defied "Nashville sound" and forged his own blend of rock and country music. He also discusses his friendships with musicians Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1996.

Understanding Cub Scouts with Disabilities RC 43346
by Boy Scouts of America
read by Christopher Hurt
1 cassette
A guide for helping Cub Scout leaders incorporate boys with disabilities into the Cub Scouting program. Explains various types of disabilities and suggests particular adaptations of Cub Scout activities to increase participation, success, and enjoyment for boys with special needs. 1994.

Beginnings and Blueprints RC 43490
edited by Kenneth Jernigan
read by Ed Blake
1 cassette
Nine accounts that give insight into how blind persons handle everyday situations. Jernigan explains how he reads blueprints, Marc Maurer tells of building a new porch roof with his two sighted children, and David Walker explains how he fishes alone. 1996.

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