Talking Book Topics

May-June 1998
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."

Betrayal: The Story of Aldrich Ames, an American Spy RC 40826
by Tim Weiner and others
read by Gary Telles
2 cassettes
Three New York Times reporters tell how the CIA bureaucrat sold information to the Soviets from 1985 to 1994. Basing their account on interviews with dozens of the people involved and on documentary sources, they probe Ames's motives and the CIA's tardiness in detecting his betrayal. 1995.

Minding the Children: Child Care in America from Colonial Times to the Present RC 40846
by Geraldine Youcha
read by Susan McInerney
4 cassettes
A general survey with personal accounts. Youcha maintains that American child care has varied more than is commonly supposed. Colonial tradesmen reared their apprentices, older children cared for slave babies while "mammies" brought up the owner's children, utopian societies used communal systems, and the rich sent their offspring to boarding schools. 1995.

Fatherless America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social Problem RC 40906
by David Blankenhorn
read by Phil Regensdorf
3 cassettes
The founder of the Institute for American Values decries the erosion of the patriarchal role in American life, presenting this decline as the cause of poverty, violence against women, and child abuse. He cites unsatisfactory fatherhood models and describes the "good family man." He then proffers twelve proposals for shoring up fatherhood as a vital male role. 1995.

Human Wishes RC 40909
by Robert Hass
read by Marilyn Gleason
1 cassette
Short poems and poetic sketches by a United States poet laureate. "Spring Drawing" reflects the difficulty of capturing life in art, "Vintage" presents impressions and fleeting thoughts while visiting a deli and a liquor store on Sixth Avenue, and "A Story about the Body" tells how a composer loses interest in a painter when he learns she has had a double mastectomy. 1989.

Saddam Hussein: Absolute Ruler of Iraq RC 40910
by Rebecca Stefoff
read by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
Begins with Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, then recounts Hussein's early life of abandonment, poverty, and abuse. Continues by interweaving Hussein's life story with the history of Iraq and concludes with an account of Desert Storm. For junior and senior high and older readers. 1995.

Insanely Great: The Life and Times of Macintosh, the Computer That Changed Everything RC 40918
by Steven Levy
read by Jeff Halberstadt
2 cassettes
The author of Hackers (RC 22832) and Artificial Life (RC 36701) tells how enthusiastic, iconoclastic "nerds" seized upon bit-mapping and the mouse to create the friendly, popular Macintosh personal computer. Anecdotes about Steve Jobs, Jef Raskin, Bill Gates, John Sculley, and others portray eccentricities, conflicts, and brilliance. 1994.

The Jury: Trial and Error in the American Courtroom RC 40932
by Stephen J. Adler
read by Phil Regensdorf
2 cassettes
The legal editor of the Wall Street Journal examines how seven juries reached their decisions. He concludes that jurors' inadequacies are leading to wrong verdicts and proposes changes to improve the system: making jury duty more convenient, eliminating peremptory challenges, giving juries fuller and clearer instructions, and allowing them to take notes. 1994.

Grace Happens: Stories of Everyday Encounters with Grace RC 40997
by Bob Libby
read by Arnie Warren
1 cassette
A collection of stories in which the author sees the influence of God's grace in everyday life. Relates incidents of forgiveness and reconciliation, courage, healing, or a change in life's direction. Includes reflections, Scripture verses, and prayers. 1994.

Dr. Seuss and Mr. Geisel: A Biography RC 41116
by Judith and Neil Morgan
read by Conrad Feininger
2 cassettes
Biography of the noted author and illustrator of whimsical children's books. Geisel, who wrote under the pseudonyms Dr. Seuss and LeSieg (Geisel spelled backward), first published his drawings in college in Dartmouth's humor magazine. He went on to Oxford to study literature but was convinced by classmate and future wife, Helen Palmer, to concentrate on drawing. 1995.

Moving Violations: War Zones, Wheelchairs, and Declarations of Independence RC 41210
by John Hockenberry
read by Ray Hagen
3 cassettes
Hockenberry has been a reporter, commentator, and host for National Public Radio and television. He writes of the nineteen years since a car accident left him paraplegic at nineteen. His frustration and humor come through in describing such incidents as a construction crew's placing orange cones around him after a spill from his chair. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1995.

Nine Lives: From Stripper to Schoolteacher; My Year-Long Odyssey in the Workplace RC 41302
by Lynn Snowden
read by Celeste Lawson
2 cassettes
Convinced that "what you do during the day determines who you are at night," a freelance journalist describes the effect of taking nine very different jobs in one year. She was a roadie for a heavy metal band, a publicist, a factory worker, a substitute teacher, a stripper, a housewife, a cocktail waitress, an ad writer, and a volunteer at a rape crisis center. Some strong language. 1994.

The Old Farmer's Almanac Book of Everyday Advice RC 41560
edited by Judson D. Hale
read by June Carter
2 cassettes
Since its first edition in 1792, The Old Farmer's Almanac has been giving advice. Editor-in-chief Hale again provides advice for your home and for your life. Contains humorous hints on how to stop snoring, avoid dying, and get rich without doing any work. Other examples are how to make George Washington's Christmas eggnog, what to eat for various holidays, and how to grow the tastiest tomatoes. 1995.

Nature Crafts with a Microwave RC 41561
by Dawn Cusick
read by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
Microwave ovens can be used to dry fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, mosses, fungi, cones, pods, seeds, and nuts. These items can be shaped with floral wire, picks, pins, tape, and glue to form objects such as wreaths, birdhouses, jewelry, and ornaments, or made into potpourri, lip balm, tea, and clothing dye. Included are general and specific instructions and designer tips for more than eighty projects. 1994.

Roommates: My Grandfather's Story RC 41562
by Max Apple
read by Arnie Warren
2 cassettes
From three generations living under the same roof in Michigan, young Max chose his grandfather, Rocky, for a roommate. A Jewish baker from Lithuania, Rocky finally accepted the sad fact that Max was not cut out to be a rabbi. In graduate school, Max again shared his apartment with feisty, widowed, ninety-three-year-old Rocky. A woman broke the duo up, but until Rocky died at 106, he remained a central figure in Max's life. Some strong language. 1994.

The Strange Case of Dr. Kappler: The Doctor Who Became a Killer RC 41564
by Keith Russell Ablow
read by Arnie Warren
2 cassettes
While on vacation in 1990, retired anesthesiologist John Kappler purposely drove his car into two pedestrians, killing one. He claimed he was responding to voices in his head. Kappler had attempted to kill patients more than once during his career but was allowed to continue working. Ablow, a psychiatrist, journalist, and friend of Kappler's victim, discusses the case. Some strong language and some violence. 1994.

Complete and Utter Failure: A Celebration of Also-Rans, Runners-Up, Never-Weres, and Total Flops RC 41576
by Neil Steinberg
read by John Lescault
2 cassettes
A Chicago Sun-Times reporter's comic musings. He ponders failed products like Premier smokeless cigarettes and Corfam fake shoe leather and dissects the National Spelling Bee, which, he says, produces 8,999,999 losers. He also discusses the motivating force of "tippytopness," which drew Sir Edmund Hillary to the top of Mt. Everest and others to frozen graves. 1994.

Borrowed Time: An AIDS Memoir RC 41663
by Paul Monette
read by Ray Hagen
3 cassettes
An account of the author's final two years with his companion and "beloved friend" Roger Horwitz, who died of AIDS in 1986. The poet and novelist chronicles the suffering endured in the months between the diagnosis and death of his lover, with whom he had spent more than ten years. Prequel to Becoming a Man (RC 41664). 1988.

Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story RC 41664
by Paul Monette
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
Author of Borrowed Time: An AIDS Memoir (RC 41663) explains in this sequel how he wasted years of his life before he came out of the closet. Monette's self-portrait depicts his resentment of the duplicity in his life, his struggle to come to terms with his homosexuality, and the relief he felt once he met Roger, his longtime companion. Strong language and explicit descriptions of sex. 1992.

Red Hot Mamas: Coming into Our Own at Fifty RC 42873
by Colette Dowling
read by Barbara Rappaport
2 cassettes
Dowling asserts that as Baby Boomers reach their fifties, they are faced with new challenges and new opportunities. Dowling presents eight "choice points" that she feels women must consider: social barriers, physical appearance, aging parents, work, love, sex, money, and hormone therapy. 1996.

See Naples: A Memoir RC 43135
by Douglas Allanbrook
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
An American harpsichordist and composer who spent 1943-1945 with the U.S. infantry in Italy recounts those years and adds memories of his other visits to Naples: five years later as a Fulbright fellow and eighteen years after that on a personal quest. He tells of his lover, his first wife, and, mostly, of his army buddies. Strong language, violence, and descriptions of sex. 1995.

Grand Expectations: The United States, 1945-1974 RC 43349
by James T. Patterson
read by Ralph Lowenstein
7 cassettes
A historical overview of post-World War II America. Tracks and explains key political, economic, and social events through periods of economic boom, cold war tension, and social turbulence. Traces declines in public optimism and trust of government from the early 1970s. 1996.

After Thought: The Computer Challenge to Human Intelligence RC 43398
by James Bailey
read by Michael Consoli
2 cassettes
Projects a future in which the traditional method of problem solving using sequential math will be eclipsed by computerized parallel processing on a large scale. The evolution of computer "intelligence" that is basically different from human thought will transform both our understanding of the world and our role in it. 1996.

Quest for Perfection: The Drive to Breed Better Human Beings RC 43452
by Gina Maranto
read by Mary Woods
3 cassettes
Discusses the efforts of societies through the ages to control the outcome of human reproduction. Traces the ancient practice of infanticide, the eugenics experiments of the Nazis, and the development of modern birth technologies. Ponders the ethical and political implications of trying to manage evolution. 1996.

Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book RC 43582
edited by Jennifer Dorland Darling
read by Patricia McDermott
9 cassettes
Twelve hundred recipes designed to reflect the healthier eating habits sought by many Americans. After a chapter covering cooking basics, twenty sections range from appetizers to vegetables, with nutritional information for each recipe. Where applicable, recipes are marked as quick to prepare or low in fat. 1996.

In-Line Skating RC 43585
by Mark Powell and John Svensson
read by Randy Wieck
1 cassette
Introductory guide for both novice and advanced skaters. The authors advise on fundamental topics such as safety, skate maintenance, stopping, turning, and gliding, as well as on advanced activities such as racing, roller hockey, and dance. 1993.

Mary Renault: A Biography RC 43706
by David Sweetman
read by Peter Gil
3 cassettes
Reviews the life and works of a historical novelist and key figure in the sexual revolution of the mid-twentieth century. Traces her early years at Oxford as a nurse, her literary career, and her later life in South Africa. Explores parallels between her own life and themes of her writings. 1993.

Buffalo Nickel: A Memoir RC 43711
by Floyd Salas
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
The author recounts his hardscrabble youth in depression-era California. Describes his inner struggle between the influences of his older brothers, one Harvard educated and the other a street criminal. Culminates in a brutal boxing-ring showdown. Strong language and violence. 1992.

Jihad vs. McWorld RC 43728
by Benjamin R. Barber
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
Examines the forces of political fragmentation ("jihad") and economic homogenization ("McWorld") that pervade post-cold war societies and discusses the relationship between these forces. Concludes that "neither . . . offers us a future that is other than bleak." 1995.

Touched by Fire: The Life, Death, and Mythic Afterlife of George Armstrong Custer RC 43748
by Louise Barnett
read by Robert Sams
4 cassettes
A life portrait of the legendary figure of the June 25, 1876, Battle of the Little Bighorn. Examines the events of that day and the decisions leading up to the decimation of Custer's forces. Attributes Custer's lasting recognition to the ceaseless efforts of his wife, Libbie Custer. Violence. 1996.

Cries of the Spirit: A Celebration of Women's Spirituality RC 43797
edited by Marilyn Sewell
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
2 cassettes
More than three hundred selections of poetry and prose by women authors, all addressing religion and spirituality. Sections such as "Mothering," "Generations," "The Will toward the Good," and "Images of the Divine" include works by Alice Walker, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Sexton, and others. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1991.

A Hero All His Life: A Memoir by the Mantle Family RC 43806
by Merlyn Mantle and others
read by Art Metzler
2 cassettes
A portrait of baseball legend Mickey Mantle from the perspective of his family. Recounts his early days of glory with the New York Yankees, his troubled family life, his chronic dependency on alcohol, and the controversial liver transplant that he received just before his death in 1995. 1996.

The Making of a Country Lawyer RC 43814
by Gerry Spence
read by Randy Atcher
4 cassettes
Chronicles Spence's first forty years, before he gained fame for winning a multimillion-dollar verdict on behalf of the dead plutonium worker Karen Silkwood. Tells of his mother's suicide when Spence was ten, his own alcoholism, and his affair with the woman who became his second wife. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1996.

Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the Tenth Dimension RC 43819
by Michio Kaku
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Describes a universe of ten dimensions using a superstring theory of hyperspace that synthesizes relativity and quantum theories. Views the basic forces of the cosmos--gravity, electromagnetism, and nuclear forces--as vibrations in a higher dimensional space, thus accounting for their varying mathematical descriptions. 1994.

The Moral Compass: Stories for a Life's Journey RC 43820
edited by William J. Bennett
read by Janis Gray
7 cassettes
In this companion volume to The Book of Virtues (RC 37818), Bennett uses stories and poems to provide examples that will inspire and instruct people of all ages. The book is arranged according to life stages from "home and hearth" through "into the world" to "citizenship and leadership." It includes selections from Hans Christian Andersen, John Milton, James Baldwin, Martin Luther, and Thomas Jefferson. Bestseller 1995.

Touched with Fire: The Land War in the South Pacific RC 43849
by Eric Bergerud
read by Lewis Grenville
4 cassettes
Recounts the experiences of Allied soldiers in South Pacific battles against the Japanese from 1942 to 1944. Depicts the harsh conditions of climate, terrain, and disease that exacerbated the difficulties of fierce, close-in combat. Describes the campaign as unique in this century. Violence. 1996.

The Lost Gospel of the Earth: A Call for Renewing Nature, Spirit, and Politics RC 43859
by Tom Hayden
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Asserts that the origins of today's environmental crisis are rooted in humankind's perceived dominion over nature, a belief supported by Western religious traditions. Calls for a new ethic of nature mysticism, which regards the earth as alive and sacred. Advocates public policies that respect the environment. 1996.

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance RC 43877
by Barack Obama
read by Bob Moore
3 cassettes
Obama, his father a Kenyan student and his mother a white Kansan, struggles with issues of identity and ethnicity. A Harvard Law School graduate, community organizer, and civil rights lawyer, Obama recounts a life-changing pilgrimage to Kenya to meet relatives from his father's other marriages. Some strong language. 1995.

Tomorrow, God Willing: Self-Made Destinies in Cairo RC 43903
by Unni Wikan
read by Gabriella Cavallero
3 cassettes
An anthropologist examines everyday life among the poor of Cairo. Chronicles one family's struggle to survive its squalid existence. Avers that these poor do not suffer from a "poverty of spirit" but avoid the moral decay that seems to pervade poor districts in many other cities. 1996.

Operation Solo: The FBI's Man in the Kremlin RC 43917
by John Barron
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
An account of the FBI's Cold War espionage operation against the Soviet Union using double agent Morris Childs. As a high official of the American Communist Party from the 1950s to the 1970s, Childs was privy to super-secret Soviet information, which he passed to the FBI. Recounts times when Childs was almost exposed. 1996.

Bordering on Chaos: Guerrillas, Stockbrokers, Politicians, and Mexico's Road to Prosperity RC 43923
by Andres Oppenheimer
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
A journalist's account of political and economic changes in Mexico during the mid-1990s. Gives perspective on the 1994 Zapatista rebellion and political assassinations, the NAFTA accords, and more. Explains the importance of the United States's southern neighbor in the post-cold war era. 1996.

Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life RC 43929
by Gail Sheehy
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes (Reissue)
Explores the developmental stages of adults between eighteen and fifty based on interviews and research. Includes such stages as "The Trying Twenties" and the "Urge to Merge," "Catch Thirty," "The Age Forty Crucible," "The Sexual Diamond," and finally, "Self-Renewal." Prequel to New Passages (RC 40839). Bestseller. 1976.

The Sea Hunters RC 43934
by Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo
read by Bob Askey
3 cassettes
A hunter of shipwrecks documents the discovery or survey of twelve major ships in deep waters. Each ship's story begins with an account of its final voyage, then describes how the ship was found. Featured are the Confederate submarine Hunley and the Allied troop transport Léopoldville, among others. 1996.

Personal History RC 43945
by Katharine Graham
read by Barbara Caruso
6 cassettes
Memoir of the celebrated woman publisher of the Washington Post. Recounts her father's purchase of the Post in 1934 and her marriage to Phil Graham, who managed the newspaper until his suicide in 1963. Katharine reluctantly took over and became by some accounts "the most powerful woman in the world." Bestseller 1997.

Don't Know Much about the Civil War: Everything You Need to Know about America's Greatest Conflict but Never Learned RC 44025
by Kenneth C. Davis
read by Terence Aselford
3 cassettes
Depicts the Civil War from a humanistic point of view. Examines the causes, events, and aftermath of the war, citing dramatic, firsthand accounts of both prominent and obscure persons who were involved. Avers that the divisive legacy of the Civil War continues to plague American politics, society, and life. 1996.

Hit and Run: How Jon Peters and Peter Guber Took Sony for a Ride in Hollywood RC 44041
by Nancy Griffin and Kim Masters
read by Kerry Cundiff
4 cassettes
In 1989 Sony made the controversial purchase of Columbia Pictures. The authors chronicle how the staggering sums spent by Sony and the huge amounts lavished by studio heads Peters and Guber led to one of the worst losses in Japanese corporate history. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1996.

Tax Options and Strategies: A State-by-State Guide for Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, Veterans, and Their Families RC 44044
by Bruce E. Bondo
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
A self-help handbook to aid disabled persons, senior citizens, and veterans in accessing federal, state, and local tax benefits. Covers earned income credits, medical deductions, sales tax exemptions, and other opportunities for tax relief. 1995.

Ashes of Glory: Richmond at War RC 44046
by Ernest B. Furgurson
read by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
A "people's history" of the capital of the Confederacy and its role as the South's military, industrial, and administrative center during the Civil War. Furgurson includes firsthand accounts from the city's diverse residents: slave dealers, spies, nurses, preachers, politicians, and refugees. Some strong language. 1996.

Horace's Hope: What Works for the American High School RC 44050
by Theodore R. Sizer
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Builds upon its prequel, Horace's School (RC 37206), in addressing educational deficiencies in American high schools. Indicts standardized testing as a poor gauge of achievement, stressing the value of individual project "exhibitions." Proposes measures for improving the educational system. 1996.

With God on Our Side: The Rise of the Religious Right in America RC 44054
by William Martin
read by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
Traces the rise of Christian fundamentalism since World War II as a major force in American political life. Assesses the influence of Christian activists on such public policy issues as school prayer, abortion, and gay rights. Predicts a coming era of conflict and diminished freedom for religion in America. 1996.

Learn to Earn: A Beginner's Guide to the Basics of Investing and Business RC 44064
by Peter Lynch and John Rothchild
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Believing America's high schools have forgotten to teach one of the most important courses of all--investing--the authors offer a guide for first-time investors, young or old. Explains the value of investing early in life, how to pick a company, how to read stock pages and balance sheets, and how to make a profit. For senior high and older readers. Bestseller 1995.

Health against Wealth: HMOs and the Breakdown of Medical Trust RC 44066
by George Anders
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Portrays the transformation of the American health-care industry from the traditional fee-for-service model to managed care. Avers that managed care may reduce paperwork and curtail superfluous medical procedures, but can also restrict both patients' choices and doctors' treatments. Suggests ways to improve managed care. 1996.

Through Fire and Water: An Overview of Mennonite History RC 44074
by Harry Loewen and Steven Nolt
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
History and tenets of the Mennonite Church. The authors discuss its roots in New Testament Christianity and Anabaptist origins in sixteenth-century Switzerland. They also look at the impact of reforms led by Menno Simons and the spread of the faith throughout Europe and eventually to the other continents of the world. 1996.

Raising Our Children's Children RC 44075
by Deborah Doucette-Dudman
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Handbook for grandmothers as primary caregivers of their grandchildren. The authors discuss the under-reported problem of "kinship care" as they present case histories augmented by guidelines for dealing with such issues as conflict management, drug addiction, and physical and sexual abuse. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1996.

Six Years of Hell: Harpers Ferry during the Civil War RC 44076
by Chester G. Hearn
read by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
Chronicles the destruction and harassment inflicted on the small Virginia town, which was always near the front lines and changed hands frequently. Recounts events from John Brown's arrival in 1859 through the end of the war, during which the town became part of West Virginia, a new Union state. 1996.

Waist-High in the World: A Life among the Nondisabled RC 44084
by Nancy Mairs
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
A Tucson writer describes her experiences with multiple sclerosis. Having lived as both nondisabled and disabled, Mairs hopes her observations and responses will "make the terrain seem less alien, less perilous, and far more amusing than the myths and legends about it would suggest." 1996.

Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism RC 44098
by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Incorporated
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Third edition of the basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as "The Big Book." Describes the recovery program and includes a doctor's testimony and the personal histories of forty-four recovered alcoholics. 1986.

Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution RC 44113
by Michael J. Behe
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
Argues that advanced life could not have evolved by gradual evolutionary steps because of the myriad elements that would have had to change simultaneously. Uses explanations of how the human body functions to support his thesis. Attributes the design of higher organisms to an intelligent agent such as God. 1996.

Naked RC 44134
by David Sedaris
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
A humorous memoir of bizarre and absurd experiences with family, friends, and strangers. The title essay recounts the author's visit to a nudist colony, where he painfully faces coming to terms with his naked self. Strong language. Bestseller 1997.

The Truth about Money RC 44135
by Ric Edelman
read by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
A guide to financial planning for the late 1990s, a time in which the "rules of money have changed" from earlier decades in terms of taxation, personal longevity, and other factors. Explains bonds, equities, insurance, real estate, and investment strategies for managing assets. Bestseller 1996.

Do It! Let's Get off Our Buts RC 44145
by John-Roger and Peter McWilliams
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
"How-to" book on successful living urges the reader to discover a dream, pursue it with passion, break out of old habits, live with joy, and more. Includes practical advice and pithy quotes from famous writers and personalities. Bestseller 1991.

Dr. Susan Love's Hormone Book: Making Informed Choices about Menopause RC 44147
by Susan M. Love
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
Explores the process of menopause as a natural stage in a woman's life. Discusses symptoms, consequences, and alternatives for treatment; evaluates the benefits and risks of hormone therapy. Includes an in-depth questionnaire to help women make individual decisions concerning menopause. Bestseller 1997.

Moral Politics: What Conservatives Know That Liberals Don't RC 44169
by George Lakoff
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Examines the opposing positions of liberals and conservatives in terms of metaphorical concepts. Asserts that while both groups use a family model for evaluating political issues, one adheres to a "strict father" standard, while the other sees government as a "nurturant parent." 1996.

The Great Boom Ahead: Your Comprehensive Guide to Personal and Business Profit in the New Era of Prosperity RC 44174
by Harry S. Dent
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
Forecasts a thriving economy starting in 1994 and continuing into the next century. Bases this prediction on the influences of the maturing baby-boom generation on spending, innovation, and organizations. Offers advice on achieving business and investment success during the growth period. 1993.

It's Better to Laugh: Life, Good Luck, Bad Hair Days, and QVC RC 44186
by Kathy Levine
read by Pam Ward
2 cassettes
Author humorously describes her personal life and her career as host of the cable home shopping service QVC. She laments her weight and her "bad hair" and discusses things she "would never say on television." Some strong language. 1995.

Living with Lupus: All the Knowledge You Need to Help Yourself RC 44188
by Sheldon Paul Blau
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Self-help handbook on treating lupus, an autoimmune disease of unknown origin. Examines the difficulty of diagnosing lupus; the use of corticosteroids and other drugs for treatment; accompanying problems, such as osteoporosis and anemia; and practical tips regarding diet, exposure to sunlight, and use of cosmetics. 1993.

Bad Land: An American Romance RC 44190
by Jonathan Raban
read by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
Depicts the stark, barren world of the northern Great Plains. By the 1930s, many of the homesteaders who were enticed by the offer of free federal land in Ismay, Montana, had moved on. The author takes stock of those early settlers and relates their legacy to their independent, antigovernment descendants. 1996.

His Name Is Ron: Our Search for Justice RC 44206
by Goldman Family
read by James DeLotel
3 cassettes
A memoir by the family of murder victim Ron Goldman, portraying the "legal and emotional hurricane" that enveloped them following the fateful events of June 12, 1994. Recounts their family life before the tragedy, the O.J. Simpson criminal and civil trials, and the aftermath. Calls for reform of the criminal justice system. Strong language and violence. Bestseller 1997.

Fate Is the Hunter RC 44215
by Ernest K. Gann
read by Fred Major
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Autobiography of the author during his flying days as a commercial pilot and with the Air Transport Command during World War II. Gann writes of the early time when he learned to fly, of becoming a seasoned pilot, and of the missions he flew during the war. His account also portrays many other pilots. Strong language. 1961.

Eight Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body's Natural Healing Power RC 44268
by Andrew Weil
read by Rick Rohan
2 cassettes
Presents a holistic regimen "for improving health and gaining access to the power of spontaneous healing." Recommends a series of steps over eight weeks that involve diet, supplements, exercise, mental and spiritual activities, and various projects. Suggests some healthful recipes. Bestseller 1997.

My Dark Places RC 44271
by James Ellroy
read by Jeff Baker
3 cassettes
A mystery writer's dark memoir of his mother's murder when he was ten years old, and his youthful decline into crime, substance abuse, and alienation. Obsessed with his mother's memory, he investigates her death--and her life--thirty-six years after the fact. Strong language, violence, and descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1996.

Journey into Darkness: Follow the FBI's Premier Investigative Profiler as He Penetrates the Minds and Motives of the Most Terrifying Serial Criminals RC 44273
by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker
read by Terence Aselford
3 cassettes
A former FBI agent explains the technique of behavioral profiling of violent criminals to gain understanding of their motives and actions. Recounts cases in which this technique was used. Strong language and violence. Bestseller 1997.

Uproar at Dancing Rabbit Creek: Battling over Race, Class, and the Environment RC 44277
by Colin Crawford
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
A lawyer's account of the social, political, and legal struggle to bring a toxic-waste disposal facility to poor and largely black Noxubee County, Mississippi, in 1992. Portrays the bitter conflict that ensued between proponents of economic progress and those for environmental preservation. 1996.

Web Search Strategies RC 44283
by Bryan Pfaffenberger
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Guidebook for finding information on the World Wide Web and the Internet. The author covers such topics as preparing your browser; using Boolean operators; using Lycos, Infoseek, and other Web search engines; searching library catalogs and periodicals; and finding software, people, jobs, news, and government information on the Web. 1996.

Love You to Bits and Pieces: Life with David Helfgott RC 44372
by Gillian Helfgott
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
Describes the dramatic comeback of the Australian child musical prodigy, who suffered a mental breakdown caused by a tormented and troubled childhood. Written by his astrologer wife, who helped him recover, this account served as the basis for the highly acclaimed motion picture, Shine. 1996.

Girlfriends: Invisible Bonds, Enduring Ties RC 44418
by Carmen Renee Berry and Tamara Traeder
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
The authors stress that close relationships with other women are vital to a woman's development and quite different from relationships with men. Opinions and stories about "girlfriends" include childhood friends; the bonds of friendship, especially those that outlast transitions; mothers as friends; and ways to remember a special friend. Bestseller 1995.

This Damn House! My Subcontract with America RC 44423
by Margo Kaufman
read by Nanette Savard
2 cassettes
A California freelance writer humorously describes the problems she faced while remodeling her Venice Beach bungalow. Architects ignored her twenty-thousand dollar budget and instead suggested four-hundred-thousand-dollar projects. Even after a reasonable designer was finally located, the haggling continued right down to the final doorknob. Some strong language. 1996.

What If You Could Unscramble an Egg? RC 44452
by Robert Ehrlich
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
A series of witty dialogs on the nature of life and the universe as they are and as they might have been. Poses "what if" questions that delve into and illuminate a variety of scientific topics relating to physics, space, human behavior, and natural disasters. 1996.

Off Stage RC 44458
by Betty Comden
read by Nanette Savard
2 cassettes
Comden and her collaborator, Adolph Green, composed the music for many Broadway and movie musicals. Here she reminisces about her personal life from her Brooklyn childhood in the 1920s through her long marriage, widowhood, and the death of her son. Interspersed are essays about such topics as aging and following fashion and tributes to her friends. 1995.

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster RC 44525
by Jon Krakauer
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
A journalist's firsthand report on the ill-fated Mt. Everest expedition of May 1996 in which a freak storm claimed the lives of nine adventurers. Describes the grueling ascent of the climbers, their sense of elation at reaching the peak, and the tragic events that followed. Strong language. Bestseller 1997.

Monster: Living off the Big Screen RC 44526
by John Gregory Dunne
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
A Hollywood screenwriter with twenty-five years in the business chronicles the eight years it took to develop his script for Up Close & Personal into a movie starring Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer. Dunne provides an insider's account of Hollywood's backstage dealings. Some strong language. Bestseller 1997.

Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1 RC 44643
by Neale Donald Walsch
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Walsch states that in the spring of 1992, "God began talking with you. Through me." Here he discusses with God people's questions about marriage and family, health, money, power, and the hereafter. Prequel to Conversations with God, Book 2 (RC 44644). Bestseller 1995.

Success Is a Choice: Ten Steps to Overachieving in Business and Life RC 44675
by Rick Pitino and Bill Reynolds
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
A noted college basketball coach presents a formula for reaching one's dreams and becoming a winner in life. Discusses ten steps involving attitudes and behaviors that provide both a code of conduct and a "plan of attack" for setting goals and achieving personal success. Bestseller 1997.

Three Tall Women: A Play in Two Acts RC 44679
by Edward Albee
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
1 cassette
Three women--A, B, and C--confront each other in A's sickroom. In the first act, the elderly A, going in and out of lucidity, recounts her life to her lawyer C and her caregiver B. In act II the old woman is comatose after a stroke. A, B, and C become the old woman at ages 92, 52, and 26. Each explains and justifies the person she is. Some explicit descriptions of sex. Pulitzer prize. 1994.

Southern Cross: The Beginnings of the Bible Belt RC 44695
by Christine Leigh Heyrman
read by Nanette Savard
3 cassettes
A historical account of the rise of evangelical religion as a major social force in the American South. Asserts that its strict religious tenets were initially at odds with Southern views on race, gender, and class. Shows that the evangelical movement began to flourish only after it accommodated to the prevailing culture and values. 1997.

Next section of Talking Book Topics | Previous section of Talking Book Topics | Talking Book Topics Home Page

Go to the NLS Home Page