Talking Book Topics

September-October 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."

Partial Eclipse: A Book of Poetry RC 40957
by Tony Sanders
read by Arnie Warren
1 cassette
Collection of forty-two contemporary poems by Tony Sanders. Selections highlight the meaning of common experiences such as driving through the desert night or witnessing a partial eclipse of the sun. Winner of the 1993 Vassar Miller Prize in Poetry. 1994.

Making Sense of Suffering: The Healing Confrontation with Your Own Past RC 40987
by J. Konrad Stettbacher
read by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
Swiss psychotherapist Stettbacher outlines the theory and technique of primal therapy. He holds that incidents of "primal wounding" early in life cause painful, unconscious memories and later emotional distress. Through his four-step program, the painful memories are brought into conscious awareness and dealt with. 1991.

Secrets of Becoming a Late Bloomer: Extraordinary Ordinary People on the Art of Staying Creative, Alive, and Aware in Mid-Life and Beyond RC 41570
by Connie Goldman and Richard Mahler
read by Graci Ragsdale
2 cassettes
The authors describe a late bloomer as anyone who defies the notion that his or her best years are over and who regards the later stages of life not as a crisis but as a quest. They relate the "secrets" of older people who took the initiative to make positive choices for their lives. 1995.

Apologia pro Vita Sua RC 41689
by John Henry Newman
read by David Impastato
3 cassettes
Cardinal Newman details the evolution of his religious beliefs, which made him a leader of the Oxford movement to revitalize the Church of England and eventually led him to become a Catholic. Includes his classic text, first published in 1864; a biographical introduction by Philip Hughes; correspondence between Newman and Charles Kingsley; and the Kingsley attack that provoked Newman to write the Apologia . 1989.

I Thought He Was a Speed Bump: And Other Excuses from Life in the Fast Lane RC 41816
by Terry Marotta
read by Mimi Bederman
1 cassette
Newspaper columnist's collection of essays is peopled mainly by family members. She faints in a clattering of bones after viewing her husband's cut arm. While picking up fast food at McDonald's, she wears her baby's spit-up proudly and with a certain sorrowful dignity. She marvels at how kids can't do homework without adults drilling, coaching, and offering snacks and back rubs. 1994.

From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers RC 41906
by Marina Warner
read by Kimberly Schraf
4 cassettes
Although most familiar fairy tales were documented by men, the author points out that it was women storytellers who passed down the "old wives' tales" and their morals. The cultural and historic roles of these storytellers are presented from a feminist perspective. The book also examines recurrent themes and symbolism in familiar tales, such as the beast/man and the damsel with blond hair. 1994.

Last Watch of the Night: Essays Too Personal and Otherwise RC 41911
by Paul Monette
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
Ten essays written from August 1992 to New Year's Eve 1993. While "leashed to three separate IV drugs and a small mountain of oral medication," AIDS patient Monette wrote as thoughts came to him. Topics include Puck, the dog left by one of his lovers; selecting his own grave site; and the lives of gay priests. Follows Borrowed Time (RC 41663) and Becoming a Man (RC 41664) . Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1994.

Beyond News of the Weird RC 41975
by Chuck Shepherd and others
read by Gary Telles
1 cassette
Humorous, unusual news stories are compiled in this companion to News of the Weird (RC 31592) . Fleeing after committing a burglary, two crooks accidentally scale a fence into San Quentin prison. A skinny inmate escapes by covering himself with hoarded margarine. A toddler reaching for a dropped potato chip falls through a hole in the floor of his mother's old car. Some violence and some descriptions of sex. 1991.

Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll RC 42192
by M.G. Lord
read by Celeste Lawson
2 cassettes
This breezy "biography" reveals little-known facts about the teenage fashion doll. The author shows how Barbie has been changed to reflect American trends and how Barbie has changed America. The development of a doll that is a sexy, independent young woman is alternately described by critics as feminist and antifeminist. The author herself is a "first-generation Barbie owner." 1994.

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother RC 42713
by James McBride
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
One of twelve siblings in Brooklyn, the author was confused about his mother's race. She called herself light-skinned and refused to discuss her past. Years later she admitted to being an Orthodox rabbi's daughter whose family shunned her after her marriage to the first of her two black husbands. Some strong language. 1996.

White Elephants RC 42893
by Reetika Vazirani
read by Jennifer Mendenhall
1 cassette
Winner of the Barnard New Women Poets prize. Born in India but raised in the United States, Vazirani writes about the intersection of the two cultures. "Last week I sent my sari / to new dry cleaner, and I was in shock / to be billed for two tablecloths," she declares in "Mrs. Biswas of Maryland on the Phone." Introduction by Marilyn Hacker. 1996.

Virtually Normal: An Argument about Homosexuality RC 43676
by Andrew Sullivan
read by Miriam Wagner
2 cassettes
Explores the issue of homosexuality from four political perspectives: prohibitionist, liberationist, conservative, and liberal. Examines the major arguments of the four positions and assesses their implications. Advocates a policy prohibiting public, but allowing private, discrimination. 1995.

I Am Spock RC 43757
by Leonard Nimoy
read by Gary Telles
2 cassettes
Memoir of the actor famous for the pointy-eared, half-alien Star Trek character that he portrayed. Discusses his relationships with the other actors and studio executives and gives an insider's view of the development of the Star Trek phenomenon. 1995.

Memoirs RC 43865
by Mikhail Gorbachev
read by Ken Kliban
7 cassettes
The former Soviet leader chronicles and assesses events of the final years of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. Discusses his political platform of glasnost and perestroika and recounts his achievements and mistakes in office. Avers that the Soviet system was collapsing as he took the reins of power in 1985. 1995.

Love's Work: A Reckoning with Life RC 44001
by Gillian Rose
read by Jennifer Mendenhall
1 cassette
A poetic intellectual memoir in which illness, pain, and loss attest to the beauty of human relationships. Images of cancer-ravaged faces, "shriveled, drained" bodies of AIDS victims, and the author's own illness give focus to her reflections on suffering and love. 1995.

Cromwell: The Lord Protector RC 44016
by Antonia Fraser
read by Robert Blumenfeld
7 cassettes
Presents the life and career of Oliver Cromwell, soldier and politician, who in 1653 was declared lord protector of England. Follows the course of his troubled reign and describes the brutal military campaigns that he led against Ireland, Scotland, and Spain. Violence. 1973.

Ghost of a Chance: A Memoir RC 44024
by Peter Duchin
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Autobiography of the son of famed orchestra leader Eddy Duchin. Recounts his mother's tragic death in his infancy, his privileged youth spent growing up in the household of Averell Harriman, his years of self-discovery, and his later career as a society bandleader. 1996.

Alex Haley: The Playboy Interviews RC 44110
by Alex Haley
read by Bob Moore
3 cassettes
Eleven interviews, two essays, and an excerpt from Haley's Roots (RC 9409) . Subjects of the interviews, conducted by Haley and originally published in Playboy between 1962 and 1990, include Miles Davis, Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, Martin Luther King Jr., George Lincoln Rockwell, Sammy Davis Jr., Johnny Carson, and Quincy Jones. Some strong language. 1993.

Joycelyn Elders, M.D.: From Sharecropper's Daughter to Surgeon General of the United States of America RC 44131
by Joycelyn Elders and David Chanoff
read by Connie Winston
3 cassettes
Recounts the personal and professional life of the Clinton appointee whose forthright statements led to her resignation after fifteen months. Tells how she came to her stands on issues like teen pregnancy and drug abuse and describes political tactics she witnessed. 1996.

A Bridge Too Far RC 44181
by Cornelius Ryan
read by Jake Williams
5 cassettes (Reissue)
Recounts the 1944 battle of Arnhem and the daring Allied airborne assault on Nazi-occupied Holland. The attack, which was intended to capture a crucial bridge and end the war early, resulted in heavy losses and a defeat for the Allies. Companion to The Longest Day (RC 38896) . Violence. 1974.

Reporting World War II: American Journalism, 1938-1944 RC 44199
by Library of America
read by Mitzi Friedlander
7 cassettes
An anthology of news dispatches, articles, letters, and broadcast transcripts from the beachheads and front lines of World War II. Covers the beginning of the war, recounting the Munich Conference of 1938, Germany's invasion of Poland, Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, and the early battles. Violence. 1995.

Melville: A Biography RC 44225
by Laurie Robertson-Lorant
read by John Richardson
7 cassettes
A portrait of the adventurous author of the 1851 American classic Moby Dick (RC 34184) . Draws upon family letters discovered in 1983 to reveal insights into Melville's complex identity, family life, and personal beliefs about war, slavery, and social injustice. Violence. 1996.

After the Wall: Germany, the Germans, and the Burdens of History RC 44232
by Marc Fisher
read by Fred Major
3 cassettes
An American journalist explores the aftermath of German reunification following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Refutes the stereotype of Germany as a prosperous, internally tranquil nation. Portrays, rather, a divided country haunted by its past. 1995.

Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life RC 44234
by Daniel C. Dennett
read by Butch Hoover
5 cassettes
An erudite examination of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and controversies that relate to it. Explores the scientific and ethical implications of Darwin's philosophy for human behavior, language, and culture. 1995.

The Book of Naturalists: An Anthology of the Best Natural History RC 44242
edited by William Beebe
read by John Richardson
5 cassettes
This collection of writings on natural history includes essays by Aristotle, Pliny, Carl Linn‘us, Antony van Leeuwenhoek, Gilbert White, John James Audubon, Henry David Thoreau, Charles Darwin, Thomas Henry Huxley, W.H. Hudson, John Muir, Jean Henri Fabre, Theodore Roosevelt, and Rachel L. Carson. 1944.

Sherman's Horsemen: Union Cavalry Operations in the Atlanta Campaign RC 44250
by David Evans
read by Lou Harpenau
6 cassettes
Recounts the role and exploits of the Union cavalry during General Sherman's siege of Atlanta in 1864. When Confederate resistance stalled the Union advance, Sherman deployed his horsemen to sever railroad lines, destroy supplies, and isolate the city. Violence. 1996.

Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb RC 44281
by Richard Rhodes
read by Dani Carr
6 cassettes
A historical account of the cold war focusing on the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Traces the development of the hydrogen bomb, the formation of arms stockpiles, and the superpower confrontations that nearly erupted into global cataclysms. 1995.

The Double Flame: Love and Eroticism RC 44327
by Octavio Paz
read by Ed Blake
2 cassettes
Examination of love and sexuality, particularly as portrayed in literature beginning with Plato's Symposium. Paz defines the distinctions between sex, love, and eroticism and further delineates the varieties of love. As these concepts have evolved over time, Paz argues, we, too, must envision a new eroticism. 1995.

Castles Burning: A Child's Life in War RC 44366
by Magda Denes
read by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
A woman's wry account of her childhood as a Jewish fugitive in Hungary during World War II. In 1939, her father abandoned his family for America, leaving them in poverty and peril. The author relates the harsh ordeal of wartime persecution and their eventual escape to Cuba. Violence. 1997.

Master of the Game: Steve Ross and the Creation of Time Warner RC 44370
by Connie Bruck
read by Margaret Strom
4 cassettes
Portrays the life of flamboyant business mogul Steve Ross. Traces his Brooklyn youth, his early success as an entrepreneur, and his ascent to power and wealth as a consummate dealmaker and the head of the Time-Warner media and entertainment empire. 1994.

Walt Whitman's Civil War RC 44377
by Walt Whitman
read by Jeff Baker
2 cassettes
Whitman's accounts of his experiences during the Civil War, when he served three years as a voluntary visitor and consoler of wounded soldiers. The editor, Walter Lowenfels, brings together newspaper dispatches, letters, poems, and notebook entries of Whitman's personal reactions. 1960.

The Kiss RC 44395
by Kathryn Harrison
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
A woman's poignant account of her incestuous affair with her father, a respected minister. Relates the sense of helplessness and guilt that she felt and traces her struggle to overcome a sordid past and move on to a stable adult life. Strong language and descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.

Love and Sex after 60 RC 44432
by Robert N. Butler and Myrna I. Lewis
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Mindful that the average life span has increased by more than twenty-five years since the turn of the century and of the more positive attitude toward sexuality in older Americans, two gerontologists offer advice for coping with late-life sexuality. Topics include sexual fitness, common emotional problems, dating, and family reactions. 1996.

Losing It: America's Obsession with Weight and the Industry That Feeds on It RC 44436
by Laura Fraser
read by Camille McCurty Ali
3 cassettes
An exposé of the American weight-loss industry, a nearly fifty-billion-dollar-a-year enterprise that perpetuates and exploits the public's obsession with thinness. Argues that relatively few people suffer an actual medical problem from obesity, but the drive to be thin is often harmful to health. 1997.

My Own Cape Cod RC 44439
by Gladys Taber
read by Camille McCurty Ali
2 cassettes
A former "summer person" invites the reader to share her life as a full-time resident of the Cape--someone who has crossed the bridge for good. Taber delights in the many kinds of people she enjoys knowing, the days worth celebrating, the pace that rests the spirit, the flora and fauna that exist in this natural setting, and even the recipes to follow in preparing the wonderful seafood that is easily found. 1971.

Stand Facing the Stove: The Story of the Women Who Gave America The Joy of Cooking RC 44440
by Anne Mendelson
read by Mary Kane
4 cassettes
Mendelson, journalist and culinary historian, portrays the lives of Irma Rombauer and her daughter Marion Rombauer Becker, while tracing the culinary roots of American cuisine from the 1850s. 1996.

First Ladies RC 44441
by Margaret Truman
read by Faith Potts
3 cassettes
"First daughter" Truman provides a group portrait of America's first ladies, from Martha Washington to Hillary Rodham Clinton. Truman compares and contrasts the roles each first lady played in her husband's administration. 1995.

A Desperate Passion: An Autobiography RC 44457
by Helen Broinowski Caldicott
read by Corrie James
3 cassettes
Australian antinuclear activist recalls her years of social protest aimed at raising public awareness of the risks related to nuclear weapons development. She recounts her confrontations with officials in government and business in the United States and elsewhere, her career as a physician, and her personal triumphs and defeats. 1996.

Selena! The Phenomenal Life and Tragic Death of the Tejano Music Queen RC 44470
by Clint Richmond
read by Ilona Dulaski and Maria Pino
2 cassettes
The author describes the last few days of Selena's life and the rumors surrounding her murder. He then describes Selena's childhood, her concern for others, and her support of her family and tells how her music bridged the ethnic gap between Mexican Americans and Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Anglos. In English and Spanish. Some strong language. Bestseller 1995.

The Paper's Papers: A Reporter's Journey through the Archives of the New York Times RC 44479
by Richard F. Shepard
read by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
A veteran New York Times reporter reviews the correspondence, memos, sketches, and other documents that comprise the newspaper's private archives. Examines the Times as an institution: how it has covered historic persons and events, handled controversy, and made everyday editorial decisions. 1996.

Oseola McCarty's Simple Wisdom for Rich Living RC 44494
by Oseola McCarty
read by Connie Winston
1 cassette
Oseola McCarty left school after the sixth grade to work for decades as a laundress. In 1994, at eighty-six, McCarty donated $150,000 of her life savings to the University of Southern Mississippi. Now a celebrity, McCarty still lives a simple life, as explained in these quotations. 1996.

John Marshall: Definer of a Nation RC 44531
by Jean Edward Smith
read by Lou Harpenau
6 cassettes
A portrait of the nation's fourth chief justice, under whose tenure "the Supreme Court became a dominant force in American life" and the principles of federal power and judicial review were framed. Traces his Virginia heritage and achievements as scholar, soldier, diplomat, legislator, and jurist. 1996.

Robert Penn Warren: A Biography RC 44532
by Joseph Blotner
read by Mitzi Friedlander
5 cassettes
Explores the life and works of the award-winning American novelist, poet, and scholar. Robert Penn Warren grew up in rural Kentucky in the early 1900s and set his novels in the South. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1947 for All the King's Men (RC 12200) . 1997.

Louisiana: A Guide to the State RC 44534
by Writers' Program: Louisiana
read by Kerry Cundiff
7 cassettes
Guidebook written by the Federal Writer's Project in 1940. Part one is an overview that looks at history, government, commerce, agriculture, arts, and literature. Part two focuses on sixteen cities and towns. Part three provides details for more than forty tours of regions throughout the state. 1940.

Soros on Soros: Staying ahead of the Curve RC 44538
by George Soros
read by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
A noted financial expert sums up his life and work in a series of interviews. Explores topics that include global finance, investing, philanthropy, and international politics. Discusses his core philosophical idea: "I believe in my own fallibility." 1995.

Great Books: My Adventures with Homer, Rousseau, Woolf, and Other Indestructible Writers of the Western World RC 44541
by David Denby
read by David Palmer
4 cassettes
Memoir of a prominent film critic's return to college after thirty years to retake two courses in Western classics. He recounts his year's engagement with the great books and with his young, media-age classmates. Strong language. Bestseller 1996.

Kennedy and Nixon: The Rivalry That Shaped Postwar America RC 44548
by Christopher Matthews
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
3 cassettes
Examines the complicated relationship between the two presidents who started their political careers as close friends. Matthews looks at the 1960 presidential contest that cemented their rivalry and discusses how John Kennedy's legacy and overwhelming popularity continued to haunt Richard Nixon years after the 1963 assassination. Some strong language. 1996.

Being Different: Lambda Youths Speak Out RC 44553
by Larry Dane Brimner
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
1 cassette
Personal narratives from a diverse group of homosexual youths about discovering, confronting, and living with their sexual identity. They recount the challenges of being different, the discrimination they have faced, and the ways they have coped. Some strong language. For junior and senior high and older readers. 1995.

Radical Surgery: What's Next for America's Health Care RC 44556
by Joseph A. Califano
read by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
A critique of America's health-care system and of the political and corporate interests that have failed to remedy its ills. Advocates a shift in policy focus from sick care to disease prevention. Exhorts every American to take responsibility for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 1994.

The Object Stares Back: On the Nature of Seeing RC 44561
by James Elkins
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
An art historian examines the phenomenon of vision, a complex and interactive process that "is irrational, inconsistent, and undependable." Discusses selective and unconscious aspects of sight, "forbidden images" of death and sex, the visual focus on bodies and faces, and the links between blindness and sight. 1996.

Miles to Go: A Personal History of Social Policy RC 44562
by Daniel Patrick Moynihan
read by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
A senator and policy advisor traces the development of America's social policies and programs since the 1960s. He assesses the political and economic influences of the 1990s which, he avers, hamper the government's ability to deal effectively with social problems in the postindustrial age. 1996.

After Cancer: A Guide to Your New Life RC 44563
by Wendy Schlessel Harpham
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
A guide for cancer survivors in their transition to a new life after the illness. Offers advice for dealing with various medical, social, and emotional issues. Discusses common aftereffects of cancer treatment and some challenges of survivorship. 1994.

Rethinking America RC 44565
by Hedrick Smith
read by Butch Hoover
4 cassettes
Asserts that Americans need to develop an entirely new mind-set to thrive in a world of rapid technological change and global competition. Cites successful "American innovators" in business and education whose reforms can serve as models for the rest of society. 1995.

The Devil Problem and Other True Stories RC 44632
by David Remnick
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
Portraits of prominent people, giving attention to "the gap between private life and public ambition." Focuses on personalities such as Gary Hart from politics and Reggie Jackson from sports to depict a common theme about personal success and tragedy. 1996.

Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 2 RC 44644
by Neale Donald Walsch
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Following up Conversations with God, Book 1 (RC 44643) , Walsch now deals with global issues. He discusses world ecological and economic soundness and how to improve life. Bestseller 1997.

The Least of These My Brethren: A Doctor's Story of Hope and Miracles on an Inner-City AIDS Ward RC 44652
by Daniel Baxter
read by Brian Conn
3 cassettes
An account of life and death amid the squalor of New York City's largest AIDS center. Relates the difficulties of providing care for uncooperative drug addicts, prostitutes, and other social outcasts. In spite of the hardships and frustrations, the author affirms his belief in the value of every human life. Strong language. 1997.

Dying Well: The Prospect for Growth at the End of Life RC 44656
by Ira Byock
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
A holistic approach to dealing with the physical and emotional pain of terminal illness. Based on his years as a hospice physician, the author provides the tools he considers necessary to make the passage from life to death a tranquil experience. 1997.

The Path to Love: Renewing the Power of Spirit in Your Life RC 44657
by Deepak Chopra
read by Brian Conn
2 cassettes
Explores the spiritual dimensions of love in our lives and relationships. Avers that adults often feel neither lovable nor loved in a hostile world, and thus feel diminished. Such people are in need of spiritual renewal to restore their capacity to love themselves and others. 1997.

Prostate Cancer: What Every Man--and His Family--Needs to Know RC 44663
by David Bostwick and others
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
A physician's guide to the most common form of cancer to strike American men. Provides basic facts about the disease, its causes, detection, evaluation, treatment options, and long-term complications. Discusses the value of support groups for afflicted men and their partners. 1996.

The Hunt for Life on Mars RC 44667
by Donald Goldsmith
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
2 cassettes
In 1996 scientists revealed that an ancient Martian meteorite discovered in Antarctica suggested the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The author recounts the excitement of that event, the results of scientific analyses of the specimen, and the controversy that surrounds interpretations of the breakthrough finding. 1997.

A Talent for Genius: The Life and Times of Oscar Levant RC 44681
by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
From the 1930s through the 1950s Levant was a composer, a concert pianist, and an actor known for his sardonic humor. Drug addiction and manic-depressive disorder destroyed his career, but his wit carried him as a television personality and memoirist through the 1960s. Some strong language. 1994.

In the Arena: An Autobiography RC 44683
by Charlton Heston
read by Jim Zeiger
5 cassettes
Memoir of the screen actor who starred in such historical epics as The Ten Commandments , Ben Hur , and El Cid . Recounts his youth in rural Michigan, his college years studying drama, and inside stories about the many major roles of his distinguished film career. Strong language. 1995.

Nixon's Piano: Presidents and Racial Politics from Washington to Clinton RC 44687
by Kenneth O'Reilly
read by John Rayburn
4 cassettes
A perspective on the racial "politics of division" that have pervaded the presidency since the start of the republic. Cites slaveholding by early presidents and exploitation of racial issues for political advantage by later chief executives. Asserts that racism is an enduring theme of American politics. 1995.

Cancer Free: The Comprehensive Cancer Prevention Program RC 44703
by Sidney J. Winawer and Moshe Shike
read by Kimberly Schraf
3 cassettes
Physicians at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center explain step-by-step "how to design a personal, practical, and surprisingly simple cancer prevention program." Includes a glossary and a resource list of organizations and institutions. 1995.

In My Father's Name: A Family, a Town, a Murder RC 44712
by Mark Arax
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Years after the murder of his father in his Fresno nightclub, reporter Mark Arax investigates the unsolved crime. His probe leads him into a sordid world of drug dealing and official corruption to reveal the truth about his father and give insights into his own life. Strong language and violence. 1996.

My American Century RC 44714
by Studs Terkel
read by Mary Kane
4 cassettes
This collection of interviews with "ordinary" Americans is taken from Terkel's eight oral histories of American life and organized into the following themes: the "American Dream," the Great Depression, World War II, the American city, the world of work, the question of race, and the twentieth century. Some strong language. 1997.

Masters of Illusion: The World Bank and the Poverty of Nations RC 44719
by Catherine Caufield
read by Peter Gil
3 cassettes
A scathing critique of the international institution set up in 1944 to fund postwar recovery and to support Third World development. Portrays a history of arrogant leadership and inept bureaucracy whose decisions have often undermined World Bank goals. Cites numerous cases of misguided bank-backed enterprises. 1996.

Why Things Bite Back: Technology and the Revenge of Unintended Consequences RC 44720
by Edward Tenner
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Explores some unanticipated consequences of technology in medicine, environmental control, sports, and the computerized office. Cites "revenge effects" that defeat the value of complex technical applications, such as disease-resistant organisms and sports equipment that encourages riskier play. 1996.

You Don't Have to Suffer: A Complete Guide to Relieving Cancer Pain for Patients and Their Families RC 44721
by Susan S. Lang and Richard B. Patt
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes
A manual for caregivers on managing the discomfort experienced by cancer patients. Maintains that untreated pain not only is inhumane but also undermines the recovery process. Discusses cancer pain, medications, and relief techniques, and steps for providing proper physical and psychological patient care. 1994.

A Spy for All Seasons: My Life in the CIA RC 44732
by Duane R. Clarridge
read by John Stratton
4 cassettes
A former CIA chief and undercover agent recounts his exploits during thirty years of service in Turkey, Iraq, India, and Italy; his frustrating attempts to recruit foreign agents during the cold war; and his role in the Iran-Contra scandal that led to his resignation and a presidential pardon in 1992. 1997.

Virginia's General: Robert E. Lee and the Civil War RC 44734
by Albert Marrin
read by Ed Blake
2 cassettes
This companion to Unconditional Surrender (RC 42401) chronicles the life and Civil War exploits of Robert E. Lee. Vividly recounts the major battles of the war and depicts General Lee's brilliant leadership and dogged perseverance, even in the face of his army's inevitable defeat. Violence. For junior and senior high readers. 1994.

Pierre Franey's Cooking in France RC 44742
by Pierre Franey and Richard Flaste
read by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
A gastronomic tour of France, including interviews with farmers, vintners, and chefs in the various provinces. Discusses the culinary specialties and traditional cuisines of each region and offers selected recipes. Companion book to the public television series of the same name. 1994.

The Middle East: A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years RC 44743
by Bernard Lewis
read by Ken Kliban
4 cassettes
A perspective on historical transformations of the Middle East over twenty centuries. Chronicles the cultural and economic influences of Christianity, Islam, and other forces, as well as the "rapid and enforced change" brought about by modern Western technology. 1995.

Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths RC 44744
by Karen Armstrong
read by Ralph Lowenstein
4 cassettes
This companion to History of God (RC 38536) explores the history of Jerusalem as a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Examines the myth and symbolism of a transcendent "sacred place" where believers can reconcile with God. Laments the absence of charity and social justice in the city's tumultuous past. 1996.

The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men against the Sea RC 44751
by Sebastian Junger
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Recounts the 1991 loss at sea of the New England fishing boat Andrea Gail in a so-called "perfect storm" that resulted from the explosive convergence of several high-energy weather fronts. Depicts a fisherman's harsh life and gives a likely account of the vessel's final hour before sinking. Vividly portrays failed rescue efforts and people drowning. Bestseller 1997.

Troublemaker: One Man's Crusade against China's Cruelty RC 44813
by Harry Wu
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
After enduring nineteen years as a prisoner in a Chinese labor camp, American citizen Harry Wu returned to China covertly to document the widespread human rights abuses there. The noted dissident recounts those perilous trips, details his arrest and trial, and reveals the extent of human exploitation in China. 1996.

Martha Stewart--Just Desserts: The Unauthorized Biography RC 44818
by Jerry Oppenheimer
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
To recount Martha Stewart's life and her rise to fame, the author interviewed more than four hundred family members, friends, confidants, and business associates. He discusses Stewart's disturbing childhood; her stormy marriage and divorce; and her career as author, TV personality, and spokeswoman for Kmart. Bestseller 1997.

Into the Storm: A Study in Command RC 44821
by Tom Clancy and Fred Franks
read by John Rayburn
5 cassettes
A study of modern military leadership as seen through the eyes of retired army general Fred Franks, who served in the Vietnam and Gulf wars. Discusses the theory, strategy, and doctrines of war. Chronicles the battles that led to the American military success over Iraq in 1991. Bestseller 1997.

Conflicting Accounts: The Creation and Crash of the Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Empire RC 44822
by Kevin Goldman
read by John Rayburn
3 cassettes
Traces the meteoric rise of Saatchi & Saatchi Co., under brothers Charles and Maurice, to become the world's largest advertising agency. Recounts the setbacks that befell the firm in the late 1980s and the bitter internecine conflicts that resulted in the brothers' leaving to establish a rival company. 1997.

Underboss: Sammy the Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia RC 44837
by Peter Maas
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Memoir of life inside the Cosa Nostra by the highest-ranking Mafia defector thus far in history. Traces his mob career as a hit man, underboss for the powerful Gambino family, and, ultimately, the government witness whose testimony put "Teflon Don" John Gotti in prison for life. Strong language and violence. Bestseller 1997.

Diana: Her True Story--in Her Own Words RC 44842
by Andrew Morton
read by Lisette Lecat
3 cassettes
Morton covers the life of Diana, princess of Wales, from early childhood to her death in 1997. He includes her responses to questions he submitted to her in 1991 and 1992 and asserts that her answers show that she felt trapped and powerless within the royal family. 1997.

Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy RC 44847
by Frances Mayes
read by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
American writer Frances Mayes finds a new lifestyle when she and her companion Ed purchase a large, abandoned country home in Tuscany. The restoration of the house and garden fraught with problems but also provides many pleasures. Mayes enjoys the flowers, the freshly grown vegetables, the cooking, and the quiet pace of sunny Tuscan summers. Bestseller 1996.

Seven Years in Tibet RC 44850
by Heinrich Harrer
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Harrer recalls how in 1943 he escaped from a British internment camp in India and, after an arduous journey, arrived on foot in Lhasa, the holy capital of Tibet. He was granted refuge and later became a tutor to the Dalai Lama. In late 1950, the Chinese invasion of Tibet forced Harrer to leave Lhasa, which had become his spiritual home. Bestseller 1953.

Hanson: MMMBop to the Top RC 44851
by Jill Matthews
read by Mimi Black
1 cassette
In this unauthorized biography, the author discusses the rise to fame of the musical group Hanson. Three teenage brothers, Isaac, Taylor, and Zachary Hanson of Tulsa, Oklahoma, became the rage of the 1990s' pop-music scene. The book describes their family life and their five-year climb to success. Bestseller 1997.

Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That Heal RC 44852
by Rachel Naomi Remen
read by Camille McCurty Ali
2 cassettes
Remen recalls times when relatives and friends shared wisdom as they sat around the kitchen table and swapped stories. In this tradition, she has selected the most meaningful stories from her thirty-five years of medical practice as a source of healing and inspiration. Bestseller 1996.

Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution RC 44854
by Robert C. Atkins
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Proposes a holistic approach to weight loss through altering the body's metabolism with a regimen high in proteins and low in carbohydrates. Outlines a four-stage program using diet, exercise, and vitamin therapy to combat obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems. Bestseller 1992.

Dogs Never Lie about Love: Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs RC 44856
by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
read by Lewis Grenville
2 cassettes
A psychoanalyst attempts to explore the mind and heart of the dog. Delves into questions about emotions in dogs, offering evidence of canine love, loyalty, dignity, fear, and loneliness. Recounts true stories that support the author's beliefs about the affective lives of dogs. Bestseller 1997.

Knotted Tongues: Stuttering in History and the Quest for a Cure RC 44866
by Benson Bobrick
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Offers perspectives and insights into stuttering, a disorder that affects one percent of people. Traces the medical history of this condition, discussing proposed causes and treatments through the centuries. Provides cases of noted stutterers, such as Moses, Lewis Carroll, Winston Churchill, and Marilyn Monroe. 1995.

Wystan and Chester: A Personal Memoir of W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman RC 44867
by Thekla Clark
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Double portrait of the English poet, W.H. Auden, and his American lover, Chester Kallman. Thekla Clark recalls her many visits to the homes the two men shared in Italy and Austria and sheds light on their difficult relationship. The young American widow met Auden and Kallman in 1951 and formed a friendship lasting until Auden's death in 1973. 1995.

The Bible Code RC 44896
by Michael Drosnin
read by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
An investigative reporter's account of the discovery of an ancient code, embedded in the Bible, that some believe predicts the future. Drosnin claims the code foretold World War II and the Kennedy assassinations, and that it foretells global calamities in the twenty-first century. Bestseller 1997.

The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence RC 44931
by Gavin de Becker
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
A noted expert on the "prediction and management of violence" examines the elements and stages of violent situations. Discusses a variety of common threats to physical safety, arguing that people can often discern signs of danger and avoid confrontation. Strong language. Bestseller 1997.

Citizen Soldiers: The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany; June 7, 1944, to May 7, 1945 RC 45003
by Stephen E. Ambrose
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
An eleven-month World War II chronicle spanning the period from D-Day to Germany's surrender on May 7, 1945. Using firsthand accounts of combat soldiers, the author depicts the valor and determination of Allied forces who advanced and prevailed in the face of harsh adversities. Sequel to D-Day (RC 38858) . Strong language and violence. Bestseller 1997.

A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive RC 45004
by Dave Pelzer
read by David Elias
1 cassette
A man recounts the years of torture and starvation that he experienced as a child at the hands of his alcoholic mother. Chronicles the incidents of maltreatment, his ultimate rescue from the abusive home, and his recovery. Violence. For junior and senior high and older readers. Bestseller 1995.

Marcus: The Autobiography of Marcus Allen RC 45014
by Marcus Allen
read by Christopher Hurt
2 cassettes
Marcus Allen, a Heisman Trophy winner, describes his childhood and college days in southern California before eventually playing pro football for the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. Allen also discusses the business of professional sports and his relationship with O.J. and Nicole Simpson. Bestseller 1997.

Tears of Rage: From Grieving Father to Crusader for Justice, the Untold Story of the Adam Walsh Case RC 45026
by John Walsh
read by Bob Moore
3 cassettes
The host of TV's America's Most Wanted show reveals the ghastly killing that devastated his family and inspired his crusade against crime. He recounts the discovery of his young son's severed head, the flawed police investigation, and his unrelenting struggle for justice. Strong language and violence. Bestseller 1997.

Ten Stupid Things Men Do to Mess Up Their Lives RC 45028
by Laura Schlessinger
read by Barbara Pinolini
3 cassettes
A popular radio host identifies common male behavior that can be harmful to a man's well-being. Discusses such issues as chivalry, ambition, sex, and marriage, citing real-life experiences of the author's male radio listeners. Advises men how to avoid messing up their lives. Bestseller 1997.

Giving the Love That Heals: A Guide for Parents RC 45029
by Harville Hendrix and Helen Hunt
read by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
Harville Hendrix and his wife Helen Hunt, both therapists, offer parents ways to connect emotionally with their children. They point out that poor parenting is passed down from generation to generation. Using the exercises in the book, the authors say, parents can learn to break the cycle of dysfunction. Bestseller 1997.

A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World: A Life in Hollywood RC 45031
by Stanley Kramer
read by Terence Aselford
2 cassettes
In his autobiography Stanley Kramer, Hollywood film producer and director, discusses his work and being nominated for eighty-five Academy Awards. Reviewing more than sixty years in the business, Kramer highlights his career, the actors he has worked with, and the movies he has made. Bestseller 1997.

Walk This Way: The Autobiography of Aerosmith RC 45032
by Aerosmith
read by Christopher Walker
4 cassettes
The rock band Aerosmith has been together for twenty-seven years with the same five members. The musicians recount their beginnings, subsequent tours, and trials, including drug abuse and divorces. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.

Babyhood RC 45062
by Paul Reiser
read by Jamie Horton
1 cassette
Producer and actor in the television sitcom Mad about You discusses impending parenthood, his trials and errors of being a new dad, and the little things that make it all worthwhile. Reiser previously discussed relationships in Couplehood (RC 39622) . Bestseller 1997.

Making Faces: Using Forensic and Archaeological Evidence RC 45107
by John Prag and Richard Neave
read by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
Discusses the science and techniques used in reconstructing the faces of historical persons from their skulls. Recounts how the visages of King Midas, King Philip II of Macedon, and others were reproduced. Describes how dentistry, genetics, radiology, and other disciplines are involved. Bestseller 1997.

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