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."
All I Know about Animal Behavior I Learned in Loehmann's Dressing Room RC 41732
The Essays of Virginia Woolf, Volume 3, 1919-1924 RC
41807
edited by Andrew McNeillie
read by Suzanne Toren
5 cassettes
The third of six volumes of Woolf's essays, which reflect her
professional growth and that of the era's literature. This
volume offers 136 pieces, including an essay on the intellectual
status of women; literary reviews of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Henry
James, George Eliot, and Jane Austen; and a critique of a
staging of Anton Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard."
Sequel to The Essays of Virginia Woolf, Volume 2 (RC
41806). 1988.
Revolution of the Mind: The Life of André Breton RC
42107
by Mark Polizzotti
read by Laura Giannarelli
7 cassettes
In-depth biography of the controversial and iconoclastic French
writer who is the acclaimed founder of surrealism. Covering the
life and times of André Breton from his birth in 1896 to
his death in 1966, Polizzotti delves into the complex
personality, career, and private life of the man who was at the
center of literary, artistic, and intellectual life during the
1920s and 1930s. 1995.
Katherine Anne Porter: A Sense of the Times RC 42202
by Janis P. Stout
read by Anne Hancock
3 cassettes
An English professor presents an interpretive biography of
mid-twentieth-century short fiction writer Porter. Stout draws a
comparison between the events in Porter's life, including the
past she often invented for herself, and political and social
issues of her time, which she addressed in her fiction. Stout
portrays Porter as a significant modernist thinker and literary
artist despite social and economic limitations. 1995.
Guarding the Secrets: Palestinian Terrorism and a Father's
Murder of His Too-American Daughter RC 42402
by Ellen Harris
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
True story of Palestinian Zein Isa, who moves his family to St.
Louis but forbids his daughters to act American. When daughter
Tina defies him by dating a young black man and working
part-time, Isa and his wife stab her to death. The FBI,
investigating Isa's terrorist activities, gets the murder on
tape. Strong language and violence. 1995.
Fritz Reiner: A Biography RC 42504
by Philip Hart
read by Christopher Walker
3 cassettes
A portrait of Fritz Reiner, a major-orchestra conductor who died
in 1963. Traces the irascible artist's achievements with the
baton, in teaching, and as an orchestra builder. Recognizes
Reiner's most enduring legacy, his numerous recordings with the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 1994.
Falls Memories: A Belfast Life RC 42517
by Gerry Adams
read by Michael Consoli
1 cassette
Personal reminiscences, Irish history, and local color are
interwoven in this book of Belfast memories by the president of
Sinn Féin. The author recounts events of his youth and
tells tales of faeries and in-house wakes. He also makes
observations on politics and the Irish labor movement. 1994.
Thomas Mann: A Biography RC 42565
by Ronald Hayman
read by Randy Wieck
6 cassettes
Details the life of the Nobel Prize-winning author of The
Magic Mountain (RC 22210), whom Hayman names as "the
last great European man of letters." Includes revelations
from Mann's once-sealed diaries concerning his bisexuality and
its influence on his writing. Describes Mann's works as
self-portraiture in which he used "novelistic forms and
masks" to express his inner feelings. 1995.
God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong
Xiuquan RC 42604
by Jonathan D. Spence
read by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
The Yale history professor tells how, in 1837, sickbed visions
and a missionary's Bible convince a schoolteacher that he is the
younger brother of Jesus Christ. Hong gathers followers,
establishes an increasingly bloody "Heavenly Kingdom,"
and leads an uprising that costs twenty million lives. Violence.
1996.
No Downlink: A Dramatic Narrative about the Challenger
Accident and Our Time RC 42623
by Claus Jensen
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
An overview of the American space program leading up to the
fatal launch of space shuttle Challenger in 1986. Jensen
sees the accident as a symbol of how adverse forces in
bureaucracies and corporations can undermine personal judgment
and integrity. 1996.
Internet Firewalls and Network Security RC 42630
by Karanjit Siyan and Chris Hare
read by Butch Hoover
4 cassettes
Explains how firewalls (data traffic routers) can protect
computers from unauthorized access by intruders. Provides
background on TCP/IP, security, and network policy design. Tells
how to implement a firewall. Written for advanced computer users
and system administrators. 1995.
Golden Rule: The Investment Theory of Party Competition and
the Logic of Money-Driven Political Systems RC 42631
by Thomas Ferguson
read by Butch Hoover
4 cassettes
Essays supporting the "Golden Rule" of political
analysis: "To discover who rules, follow the gold." In
other words, it is not the voters who control the political
parties and process, but wealthy business elites. Ferguson cites
extensive evidence drawn from the past two centuries to make his
case. 1995.
Takedown: The Pursuit and Capture of Kevin Mitnick, America's
Most Wanted Computer Outlaw--by the Man Who Did It RC
42637
by Tsutomu Shimomura
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
An account of the electronic manhunt of computer outlaw Kevin
Mitnick by the author and law authorities. Mitnick's invasion of
the author's computer in 1994 triggers a relentless
investigation involving the ingenious use of software and other
technologies. 1996.
Edgar Cayce: Modern Prophet RC 42701
by Mary Ellen Carter and others
read by Erik Sandvold
6 cassettes
Compilation of four books about Cayce's psychic readings,
published between 1967 and 1989. Titles are On Prophecy,
On Religion and Psychic Experience, On Mysteries of
the Mind, and On Reincarnation. Cayce's readings
diagnosed medical problems and offered advice based on Christian
faith and positive thinking. He died in 1945, promising to
return in 2100. 1989.
The Education of a Woman: The Life of Gloria Steinem RC
42747
by Carolyn G. Heilbrun
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
3 cassettes
A portrait of one of the most visible and controversial
feminists of the late twentieth century. Recounts her childhood
in a dysfunctional family, her early career in publishing, and
her later years as a public figure and symbol of women's
liberation. Relates colorful incidents involving celebrities.
Strong language. 1995.
The Scott, Foresman Robert's Rules of Order
Newly Revised RC 42755
by Henry M. Robert
read by Kerry Cundiff
5 cassettes
First published in 1876, this manual of parliamentary procedure
serves as the country's recognized guide to running and taking
effective part in meetings. Revised and modernized. 1990.
The Woman Who Ran for President: The Many Lives of Victoria
Woodhull RC 42766
by Lois Beachy Underhill
read by Janis Gray
3 cassettes
From an early age, Victoria Claflin Woodhull defied tradition.
She and her sister, Tennessee, were 1850s spiritualists. They
went to New York City, established themselves as
fortune-tellers, received the backing of Cornelius Vanderbilt,
and founded the first brokerage firm run by women. They also
established a newspaper, where in the 1870s, Victoria began a
fight for women's rights that led her to bid for the presidency.
1995.
Why Freud Was Wrong: Sin, Science, and Psychoanalysis RC
42775
by Richard Webster
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
3 cassettes
A critical portrait of Freud as a pseudoscientist who was driven
by his own messianic dreams. Likens the psychoanalytic movement
to a religious cult in its adoption of such concepts as original
sin and confession and argues that Freudian analysis was based
on flawed theories and beliefs. 1995.
We, the Jury: The Jury System and the Ideal of Democracy RC
42781
by Jeffrey Abramson
read by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
Examines the pros and cons of the jury system as a democratic
institution. Traces a sea change from the jury as an intimate,
small-town institution to one that is distant and impartial.
After citing several flaws in jury selection and trial
procedures, Abramson defends the system as our best tool for
ensuring deliberation among diverse viewpoints. 1994.
The Story of the Second World War RC 42784
by Henry Steele Commager
read by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
A collection of firsthand reports and analyses from combatants
and observers, tracing the history of World War II. Includes
accounts from mostly American writers, such as Ernie Pyle and
Eric Severeid, as well as from war correspondents and military
officers. 1945.
The Norton Book of Nature Writing RC 42789
edited by Robert Finch and John Elder
read by Ted Stoddard
9 cassettes
A comprehensive anthology of prose, essays, humor, reflections,
and other writings on encounters with nature. Selections depict
nature in all its forms--chaotic, inspiring, cruel, tragic, and
mysterious. Covers two hundred years of British and American
writers, including Charles Darwin, Henry David Thoreau, John
Muir, Gilbert White, and Sue Hubbell. 1990.
The Agency: William Morris and the Hidden History of Show
Business RC 42790
by Frank Rose
read by Rick Rohan
4 cassettes
A chatty account of the powerful talent agency. Rose tells how
the young immigrant started his vaudeville-booking office in
1898 and how the company grew as it handled stars of stage,
screen, and television. He also offers an inside view of
wheeling and dealing in show business. Strong language. 1995.
Landscape and Memory RC 42801
by Simon Schama
read by Ted Stoddard
5 cassettes
The author contends that nature becomes landscape only through
human intervention and explores how cultures mythologize natural
elements. Wood is seen as the forest home of innocence and the
redeeming cross; water becomes the river of life; and rocks are
monuments and peaks to be scaled. An academic presentation.
1995.
The Norton Book of Interviews: An Anthology from 1859 to the
Present Day RC 42802
edited by Christopher Silvester
read by Mary Kane
6 cassettes
Eighty-five interviews, chronologically arranged, conducted with
noteworthy individuals by prominent journalists and writers.
Pieces include biographical information about interviewer and
interviewee. Features such figures as Karl Marx, Mark Twain, Leo
Tolstoy, Sigmund Freud, Mahatma Gandhi, Mao Tse-tung, and Mae
West. Some strong language. 1996.
Killing the White Man's Indian: Reinventing Native Americans
at the End of the Twentieth Century RC 42864
by Fergus M. Bordewich
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Challenges stereotypes of Native Americans as noble savages and
eternal victims. The author believes that across the country,
Native Americans are asserting tribal sovereignty and property
rights, redefining Indian justice and education, and shaping
their own destinies in ways that sometimes conflict with the
expectations of others. 1996.
The Sand Dollar and the Slide Rule: Drawing Blueprints from
Nature RC 42937
by Delta Willis
read by Terence Aselford
2 cassettes
Explores the dynamics of organic forms and shows how blueprints
found in nature could improve the human condition. Explains how
human designs that mirror organic forms can often achieve the
best performance, citing the sand dollar as an example of
efficient fluid dynamics. 1995.
The Life and Legacy of Annie Oakley RC 42941
by Glenda Riley
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
A portrait of the legendary sharpshooter and archetypal western
woman. Explores the life of this complex personality who
overcame shyness and poverty to become an international star in
Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Evaluates her influence on
the development of feminism. 1994.
The Reader's Companion to Mexico RC 42953
edited by Alan Ryan
read by Peter Gil
3 cassettes
An anthology of eyewitness stories by travelers to various areas
of Mexico. This literary tour is guided by such observers as
Katherine Anne Porter, Langston Hughes, and John Steinbeck.
1995.
Piano Lessons: Music, Love, and True Adventures RC
42966
by Noah Adams
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Public radio personality Noah Adams recounts the year in which
he pursued his lifelong dream to play the piano. Each of twelve
chapters covers one month of that year, ending in December, when
he gave his wife a surprise Christmas Eve recital. Adams
includes some historical glimpses and on-air interviews. 1996.
Racial Healing: Confronting the Fear between Blacks and
Whites RC 42969
by Harlon L. Dalton
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Asserts that race and social power are linked in an American
social structure that needs to be transformed. To achieve racial
healing, the author advises confrontation and straight talk
between blacks and whites. Recommends steps both races should
take to get their respective houses in order. 1995.
Where Does a Mother Go to Resign? RC 42972
by Barbara Johnson
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Johnson, a woman well acquainted with agony and grief, saw her
husband recover from an accident that should have left him
completely disabled, and survived the death of two sons. In this
biographical sketch, she discusses her devastation at learning
her third son is homosexual. She describes their eleven-year
separation and how prayer and faith in God helped reunite the
family. Johnson is founder of Spatula Ministries. 1979.
The Richer, the Poorer: Stories, Sketches, and Reminiscences
RC 42997
by Dorothy West
read by Gail Nelson
2 cassettes
A collection of works by the last surviving member of the Harlem
Renaissance. West includes her first short story, "The
Typewriter," written when she was seventeen, along with
later stories and essays recounting everyday experiences:
needing money, relating to family members, and coping with
death. 1995.
The Brothers: The Hidden World of Japan's Richest Family RC
43035
by Lesley Downer
read by Ralph Lowenstein
4 cassettes
A biography of Japan's greatest business dynasty, the Tsutsumi
family. Between the world wars, the family patriarch grew a
business empire of real estate and railroads, which has
burgeoned since 1947. He then left the legacy to his two sons.
1994.
Worldling RC 43045
by Elizabeth Spires
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
1 cassette
Poems on profound themes such as motherhood, life, mortality,
and the passage of time. Some poems explore the tension between
a child's identity and the claims of relatedness. Others look
out into the world and face the inevitability of change. 1995.
The 1997 National Job Hotline Directory RC 43048
by Marcia P. Williams and Sue A. Cubbage
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Thousands of telephone numbers for recorded employment hotlines
accessible any time of day using a touch-tone phone. Organized
alphabetically by state and Canadian province. Includes lists
for cities, counties, state and federal offices, banks, medical
facilities, hotels, and education jobs. There are also sections
for national, international, online, and mail joblines. 1997.
A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper RC 43050
by John Allen Paulos
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Paulos tests the truth of news stories on such subjects as
politics, science, and sports using mathematical techniques.
Ordinary news reports on the economy, for instance, are
critiqued in light of statistics, game theory, and regression
analysis. Presents a mathematical worldview for understanding
numbers in the news. 1995.
Friends in High Places: The Rise and Fall of Clark Clifford
RC 43056
by Douglas Frantz and David McKean
read by Art Metzler
3 cassettes
Recounts the life, career, and fall of a consummate Washington
power broker. Chronicles Clifford's brilliant rise as
presidential confidant and cabinet secretary and his ruinous
arrest in 1992 on charges relating to his law firm's involvement
with an outlaw international bank. Some strong language. 1995.
Grandparent Power! How to Strengthen the Vital Connection
among Grandparents, Parents, and Children RC 43063
by Arthur Kornhaber
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Handbook on grandparenting. Kornhaber stresses the "vital
connection" between grandparent and grandchild and defines
the grandparent's unique role as family historian, teacher,
mentor, nurturer, crony, and "wizard." He also gives
advice on handling the challenges of nontraditional family
structures. 1994.
Reclaiming the Last Wild Places: A New Agenda for
Biodiversity RC 43075
by Roger L. DiSilvestro
read by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
An environmentalist traces the history of conservation and
federal land management since the nineteenth century. Criticizes
the historic practice of drawing boundaries around pockets of
wilderness. Proposes a practical approach to protecting wild
places and species for the sake of future human civilization.
1993.
The Gravest Show on Earth: America in the Age of AIDS RC
43077
by Elinor Burkett
read by Carol Dines
4 cassettes
A journalist's investigative analysis of AIDS in America up to
the mid 1990s. Examines the political, scientific, and social
aspects of the epidemic. Critiques the roles of certain
scientists, physicians, politicians, gay activists, and
pharmaceutical companies. Covers the complex issues of AIDS
among minorities and heterosexuals. 1995.
At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity RC
43083
by William R. Clark
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Clark explains how millions of years of evolution have honed a
powerful, highly integrated immune system in animals and humans
as a defense against foreign invaders. But the immune system can
also unravel and turn against its own body, causing great harm.
Clark devotes each chapter to a specific disease or condition.
1995.
Marching through Georgia: My Walk with Sherman RC
43085
by Jerry Ellis
read by Brian Conn
2 cassettes
The author narrates his 1989 walk through Georgia, retracing
General William Sherman's march to the sea in 1864. Ellis set
out to reconnect with his own southern roots, and he portrays
the sights and sounds of the region and a people who hold fast
to their rich heritage even in the face of a changing world.
Some descriptions of sex. 1995.
Kid-Friendly Parenting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
RC 43088
by Daria J. Medwid and Denise Chapman Weston
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
A step-by-step guide to raising deaf or hard-of-hearing children
ages three to twelve. Offers ideas and methods to help parents
set limits and foster positive behavior changes. Suggests play
activities to enhance communication, solve problems, and
strengthen relationships. 1995.
Secret Paths: Women in the New Midlife RC 43095
by Terri Apter
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Based on interviews with eighty British and American
middle-class women between the ages of forty and fifty. Apter
places them in four categories: traditional, wives and mothers;
innovative, career women; expansive, women who seek radical
changes; and protestors, women not ready to leave their youth.
1995.
Deep Politics and the Death of JFK RC 43096
by Peter Dale Scott
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
An analysis of the events and circumstances surrounding the
death of President John Kennedy. Focuses on "deep
politics" involving the Mafia, the CIA, private companies,
and others who, Scott believes, were acting to prolong the cold
war. Presses for a new investigation of the JFK assassination.
1993.
War at Sea: A Naval History of World War II RC 43097
by Nathan Miller
read by Bruce Huntey
4 cassettes
Compresses the naval history of World War II into a single
volume. Using official documents and interviews, Miller recounts
the political, strategic, and human sides of the war at sea.
1995.
Voices from Vietnam RC 43103
by Barry Denenberg
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
A chronology of diverse personal comments on the Vietnam War by
soldiers, journalists, political leaders, and Vietnamese
citizens. Soldiers discuss the fear of death, the escapist use
of drugs, and confusion about antiwar sentiment. Avoids
discussion of politics and history to tell "what it was
like to be in Vietnam." Strong language and violence. For
senior high readers. 1995.
Why Waco? Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in
America RC 43105
by James D. Tabor and Eugene V. Gallagher
read by Terence Aselford
2 cassettes
An analysis of the government siege and ultimate assault on the
Branch Davidian compound in 1993. Blames the fatal outcome at
Waco on "anticultists" who created a climate of
intolerance toward unorthodox religious groups. Urges Americans
to be more understanding of others in their exercise of
religious freedom. 1995.
Plays: Before Daybreak, The Weavers, The
Beaver Coat RC 43116
by Gerhart Hauptmann
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Early works by the Nobel Prize-winning German playwright.
Contains Before Daybreak: A Social Drama (1889), The
Weavers: A Play of the 1840s (1892), and The Beaver Coat:
A Thieves' Comedy in Four Acts (1893). The introduction
places the dramatist's controversial career in the context of
twentieth-century German history. Some violence. 1994.
Rebel Radio: The Story of El Salvador's Radio Venceremos RC
43118
by Jose Ignacio López Vigil
read by Peter Gil
2 cassettes
Chronicles the history of underground station Radio Venceremos
and its impact on El Salvador from 1979-1992 in the midst of its
civil war. López Vigil describes the difficulties faced
by the rebel broadcasters as they reported on the war, eluded
government soldiers, and thwarted attempts to jam their signal.
Strong language. 1994.
His Holiness: John Paul II and the Hidden History of Our Time
RC 43129
by Carl Bernstein and Marco Politi
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Investigative journalists argue that Pope John Paul II and
President Ronald Reagan conspired to hasten the collapse of
Soviet Communism. Evidence they cite includes the CIA's support
of the Polish Solidarity Movement and the sharing of American
military intelligence with the Pope. Bestseller 1996.
Between Two Fires: Black Soldiers in the Civil War RC
43131
by Joyce Hansen
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
History of the 180,000 black men, many from the South, who
joined the United States Colored Troops. The formation of the
unit gave the men a chance to prove themselves worthy of
emancipation and was a blow against slavery. Despite fighting
two enemies, namely the Confederate army and racial prejudice in
the Union army, the soldiers earned a record of distinction. For
junior and senior high readers. 1993.
Beyond the Double Night RC 43139
by Ken D. Thompson
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Life story of James Morrison Heady, an American novelist, poet,
inventor, philosopher, musician, and composer. Born in 1829,
Heady, who became both blind and deaf, invented the
"Talking Glove" and Diplograph embossing typewriter.
Traces Heady's advocacy of the production of books in raised
letters as a significant force behind the founding of the
American Printing House for the Blind. 1996.
Ambush at Ruby Ridge: How Government Agents Set Randy Weaver
Up and Took His Family Down RC 43148
by Alan W. Bock
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
Syndicated columnist recounts the 1992 standoff between
government agents and separatist Randy Weaver, a federal
fugitive wanted on a weapons charge. Holed up with his family in
a cabin on their Idaho property, Ruby Ridge, Weaver was not
taken into custody until after his wife and son were killed by
agents. Bock discusses what led to the siege and the highly
publicized trial that followed. 1995.
The Green Consumer RC 43149
by Joel Makower
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
A guide to products manufactured by companies that try to
preserve the environment. Covers such commodities as cars,
clothing, personal care items, and home furnishings. Includes a
bibliography and directory of environmental organizations. 1993.
Silent Dancing: A Partial Remembrance of a Puerto Rican
Childhood RC 43152
by Judith Ortiz Cofer
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette
In short narrative pieces and poetry, the author recalls her
childhood shuttling between Paterson, New Jersey, and her native
Puerto Rico. The two cultures and languages crosscut her
experiences as a girl moving into womanhood. 1990.
Getting There: The Epic Struggle between Road and Rail in the
American Century RC 43155
by Stephen B. Goddard
read by John Rayburn
3 cassettes
The Connecticut lawyer and former congressional aide details the
evolution of rail and road transportation, arguing that
government policies have favored motor transport at the expense
of a more beneficial mix of modes. He urges policymakers to
include indirect motoring expenses in their calculations and
create a system based on European models. 1994.
Travels RC 43168
by Michael Crichton
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
An author chronicles his world-travel experiences over twenty
years, describing them as adventures, lessons, and occasions for
life changes. Recounts various journeys to distant lands and
encounters with sharks, elephants, headhunters, psychics, and
other curiosities. Strong language. 1988.
The Reformation: A History of European Civilization from
Wyclif to Calvin, 1300-1564; the Story of Civilization, Volume 6
RC 43188
by Will Durant
read by Robert Blumenfeld
9 cassettes (Reissue)
Volume 6 of the Story of Civilization surveys the men and the
ideas, the beliefs and conflicts of the age of social and
religious revolution. Discusses also the personalities of the
period, such as Henry VIII, Joan of Arc, Martin Luther, and
Columbus. 1957.
Writing Home RC 43193
by Alan Bennett
read by George Holmes
4 cassettes
An eclectic collection of talks, diaries, and essays by the
British playwright known for his wry and self-effacing wit. The
selection from the 1970s to 1996 includes political and social
commentary, literary observations, and stories of eccentric
neighbors. Strong language. 1994.
Cassette Books, 1996 RC 43228
by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped
read by Kerry Cundiff
4 cassettes
A catalog of talking books produced on cassette for adult and
young adult readers during 1996. The nonfiction and fiction
sections list books by subject categories. Separate listings
identify books for young adult readers and for Spanish readers.
1996.
Fear of Math: How to Get Over It and Get On with Your Life
RC 43230
by Claudia Zaslavsky
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Explores the causes behind many people's phobia about the study
and use of mathematics. Discusses contributing social factors,
such as poor instruction and stereotypes about who can and
should do math. Presents biographies of people who overcame the
odds and succeeded in math-related fields. 1994.
Managing Your Mind: The Mental Fitness Guide RC
43234
by Gillian Butler and Tony Hope
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
Self-help guidebook on mental fitness and psychological health.
Topics include problem-solving, cognitive therapy, relaxation
techniques, overcoming phobias, building self-confidence,
dealing with depression, building relationships, breaking
habits, controlling panic, improving memory, and better decision
making. 1995.
Time Present, Time Past: A Memoir RC 43244
by Bill Bradley
read by Butch Hoover
4 cassettes
Using notes made during the 1992 presidential campaign as he
traversed the country for the Democratic Party, the U.S. senator
from New Jersey offers his observations about America, expanding
them with thoughts he says have germinated for years. Topics
include the self-indulgence and loss of values of Americans,
economic justice, race relations, campaign financing,
immigration, tax reform, political integrity, and the
environment. Bestseller 1996.
The Future of Capitalism: How Today's Economic Forces Shape
Tomorrow's World RC 43245
by Lester C. Thurow
read by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
Asserts that capitalism faces an unstable future as a result of
the end of Communism, the rise of brainpower industries, an
aging population, a global economy, and a multipolar world.
Suggests that the government offset these forces by investing in
research and development, training, and infrastructure.
Bestseller 1996.
Nightline: History in the Making and the Making of
Television RC 43246
by Ted Koppel and Kyle Gibson
read by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
Koppel, host of the television show Nightline, and
Gibson, a former Nightline producer, discuss the origins
of the show--which first aired in 1980--and examine how it
expanded the bounds of television journalism. The authors recall
some of the show's key moments and discuss how Nightline
affected world events. Some strong language. 1996.
The Enabling Garden: A Guide to Lifelong Gardening RC
43253
by Gene Rothert
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
A step-by-step guide to barrier-free gardening for people with
disabilities and older adults. Provides a checklist for
assessing one's gardening abilities, then offers advice on
selecting appropriate structures, tools, equipment, plants, and
garden designs. 1994.
Songs in the Night: Inspiring Stories behind One Hundred
Hymns Born in Trial and Suffering RC 43254
by Henry Gariepy
read by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
Recounts stories of personal trials and sorrow that inspired men
and women to compose popular Christian hymns. For example,
"Amazing Grace" was penned in the 1700s by John
Newton, a slave trader who lived a life of drunkenness and
debauchery before his conversion. 1996.
It's Nobody's Fault: New Hope and Help for Difficult Children
and Their Parents RC 43255
by Harold S. Koplewicz
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Explains brain disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, separation anxiety, depression, and autism. Suggests
treatment, including therapy or medication. 1996.
She Went to War: The Rhonda Cornum Story RC 43263
by Rhonda Cornum
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Army flight surgeon Rhonda Cornum's memoir of her ordeal in 1991
as a severely injured prisoner-of-war in the Persian Gulf.
Recounts the downing of her helicopter over enemy territory, her
harrowing captivity by Iraqi forces, and her jubilant return
home. Strong language and violence. 1992.
Rubinstein: A Life; with a Discography Compiled and Edited by
Donald Manildi RC 43267
by Harvey Sachs
read by James DeLotel
5 cassettes
A life portrait of piano virtuoso Arthur Rubinstein, whose
musical talent was recognized when he was just three years old.
But it wasn't until his fiftieth year that he achieved stature
as a great musician, having spent his early years pursuing
erotic and self-indulgent pleasures. 1995.
Thinking in Pictures: And Other Reports from My Life with
Autism RC 43272
by Temple Grandin
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
A professor of animal behavior attributes her career success to
autism. Her heightened ability to visualize allows her to
convert concepts to nonverbal images in a mental "video
library." Among other things, this ability has enabled her
to design humane handling equipment for livestock. 1995.
The Abuse Excuse: And Other Cop-outs, Sob Stories, and
Evasions of Responsibility RC 43273
by Alan M. Dershowitz
read by Randy Wieck
2 cassettes
The noted defense attorney and law professor examines the
increasingly popular defense used by Americans who admit to
committing violent crimes. Dershowitz cites specific cases, from
the Menendez brothers to Lorena Bobbitt, to argue that excusing
defendants because they were abused undermines the legal system.
Some strong language. 1994.
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and
the Opening of the American West RC 43291
by Stephen E. Ambrose
read by Ed Blake
5 cassettes
The author, who spent twenty years following and studying the
route Lewis and Clark traveled between 1803 and 1806, focuses on
Lewis. Ambrose explains why the captain was chosen to lead the
search for a western waterway and describes Lewis's life
afterward. Tells how the explorers recorded species of animals
and plants, mapped the U.S. interior, and established ties with
the Indians. Bestseller 1996.
An Easy Burden: The Civil Rights Movement and the
Transformation of America RC 43296
by Andrew Young
read by Bob Moore
5 cassettes
Young--former congressman, U.N. ambassador, and Atlanta
mayor--uses his life story to trace the history of the civil
rights movement in America. A close advisor to Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr., he recounts the movement's evolution in philosophy
from quiet accommodation to nonviolent activism. Some strong
language. Bestseller 1996.
A Good Life: Newspapering and Other Adventures RC
43308
by Ben Bradlee
read by Robert Sams
4 cassettes
Bradlee, editor of the Washington Post for twenty-six
years, believes he has had a "good life" simply
because he was often in the right place at the right time.
Bradlee's portrait of his life, including schooling, military
service, family, and career, depicts people he worked with and
the events he covered as a writer and editor. Some strong
language. Bestseller 1995.
Dogbert's Top Secret Management Handbook RC 43321
by Scott Adams
read by Christopher Hurt
1 cassette
A tongue-in-cheek guide to help new managers become
"jargon-spewing corporate zombies." Explains key
management skills, such as decision avoidance, deflecting blame,
and offering empty promises of promotion. "Abuse is a form
of recognition," Dogbert says. "And recognition is
what every employee wants." Bestseller 1996.
Forever, Erma: Best-Loved Writing from America's Favorite
Humorist RC 43322
by Erma Bombeck
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
This collection, selected from more than thirty years of
writing, presents some of the best-loved and most-requested
columns by Bombeck, including the first one and the last one she
wrote. The final section offers some of the tributes paid to
Bombeck following her death in April 1996. Bestseller 1996.
My Sergei: A Love Story RC 43324
by Ekaterina Gordeeva
read by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
The Russian Olympic gold medalist describes her life with Sergei
Grinkov, with whom she was paired when they were both adolescent
skaters. As they grew up, their partnership led to romance and
then marriage. In 1995, Sergei died of a heart attack at the age
of twenty-eight. Since then the author skates solo and raises
their young daughter. Bestseller 1996.
The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling RC
43326
by James Hillman
read by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
Psychologist Hillman propounds an "acorn theory" of
life, by which everyone is formed by an innate image or essence
that unfolds through self knowledge and perseverence to
determine the person's ultimate calling and destiny. He bolsters
this theory with examples of extraordinary people whose lives
and fates reflected self actualization. Bestseller 1996.
The Idylls RC 43330
by Theocritus
read by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
English translations of verse by Theocritus, a Greek born in
Sicily around 300 B.C. His works range from bucolic idylls
depicting the simple lives of country herdsmen to mythological
narratives to accounts of urban affairs in the city of
Alexandria. These poems helped inspire the development of later
European literature. 1988.
Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn RC 43332
by David Hajdu
read by Christopher Hurt
2 cassettes
A portrait of Billy Strayhorn, a prolific composer of American
jazz. Recounts his youth as a musical prodigy, when he joined
the Duke Ellington Orchestra and wrote the band's theme song,
"Take the 'A' Train." Strayhorn, who was openly gay,
spent his career largely in Ellington's shadow. Strayhorn died
prematurely in 1967. 1996.
The Trumpet of Conscience RC 43333
by Martin Luther King
read by Bob Moore
1 cassette (Reissue)
These five essays, delivered as radio lectures by King in
November and December 1967, portray a nightmarish America of
reality and the egalitarian America of his visions. They express
his hopes for the future of nonviolence as a means to social
revolution even in a climate of riot. 1968.
The Quest for God: A Personal Pilgrimage RC 43335
by Paul Johnson
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
A series of introspective meditations on the nature of God and
the meaning of life. Examines a range of religious issues,
including conscience, evil, death, and human stewardship of the
world. Finds rationalism and humanism limited in dealing with
these issues. Offers guidance for talking to God. 1996.
The Guide for Cadette and Senior Girl Scout Leaders RC
43336
by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
read by Nona Pipes
1 cassette
A Girl-Scouting handbook for adult leaders who work with girls
between eleven and seventeen years of age. Provides basic
information on the Girl Scout organization, its goals and
traditions, programs and activities, and the roles and
responsibilities of adult leaders. Explores topics of concern to
girls at this age level. 1995.
Safety-Wise RC 43338
by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
read by Nona Pipes
2 cassettes
A guide for adult leaders in establishing sound health and
safety standards and practices for Girl-Scouting programs. Sets
forth program standards and guidelines, activity checkpoints,
and trip-planning tips aimed at ensuring the safety and
well-being of girls involved in Scouting activities. 1993.
The Guide for Brownie Girl Scout Leaders RC 43340
by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
read by Nona Pipes
3 cassettes
The basic Girl-Scouting resource for adult leaders who work with
girls ages six to eight. Explains the organization, goals, and
program standards of Scouting. Contains a complete edition of
the Brownie Girl Scout Handbook, featuring stories and
interactive activities. 1993.
The Guide for Daisy Girl Scout Leaders RC 43345
by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
read by Nona Pipes
1 cassette
A Girl-Scouting handbook for adult leaders who work with girls
ages five and six. Provides basic information on the foundation
of Girl Scouting, its principles, beliefs, goals, membership,
and program standards. Offers advice on working with Daisy Girl
Scouts, planning meetings and events, and organizing program
activities. 1993.
Robert Frost: A Biography RC 43347
by Jeffrey Meyers
read by Gordon Gould
4 cassettes
Life of the renowned twentieth-century Pulitzer Prize-winning
American poet. Meyers examines how Frost's poetry was impacted
by personal tragedy--the death of three children, the suicide of
another, and the mental illness suffered by another. He also
discusses how Frost's secret affair with Kathleen Morrison
influenced his love poems. Some strong language and some
descriptions of sex. 1996.
Jung RC 43350
by Anthony Stevens
read by Ed Blake
1 cassette
A concise account of the life and psychological theories of Carl
Jung. Recounts his early years, his relationship with Freud, and
his development of the key concepts of "analytical
psychology." Discusses Jung's theories on psychological
types, gender differences, and the interpretation of dreams.
1994.
Member of the Club: Reflections on Life in a Racially
Polarized World RC 43374
by Lawrence Otis Graham
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Essays that address issues relating to the African American
experience. Graham examines such topics as interracial marriage,
affirmative action, campus racism, cosmetic surgery, problems in
black leadership, and the "shame" of the black middle
class. Some strong language. 1995.
Voyage of a Summer Sun: Canoeing the Columbia River RC
43394
by Robin Cody
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
A middle-aged canoeist recounts his twelve-hundred-mile solo
voyage down the Columbia River. Describes the wildlife, killer
rapids, and dams that control the river's power system. Tells of
his encounters with the local folk and their views on the river
and its environment. 1995.
A Fever in the Heart: And Other True Cases; Ann
Rule's Crime Files, Volume 3 RC 43422
by Ann Rule
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
In this sequel to You Belong to Me (RC 39614), Rule
describes a love triangle in which a woman divorces her husband
to marry his high school coach and both men end up dead. Other
true crime stories complete the collection. Some strong language
and some violence. Bestseller 1996.
Aaron Spelling: A Prime-Time Life RC 43425
by Aaron Spelling
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
Spelling describes his career, during which he produced more
than fifty television series including Mod Squad,
Dynasty, and Melrose Place. In addition
Emmy-winning Spelling acted, wrote scripts, and produced films
and television movies. He also tells of his family, including
daughter Tori, who became famous acting in Spelling's series.
Some strong language. Bestseller 1996.
The Stevensons: A Biography of an American Family RC
43435
by Jean H. Baker
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
5 cassettes
A portrait of four generations of a prominent Illinois family of
moderate liberals. Focuses on Adlai E. Stevenson II, lawyer,
diplomat, reform governor, and presidential candidate in 1952
and 1956. Recounts the triumphs, trials, and frailties of a
family whose history, the author avers, parallels that of the
nation. 1996.
The Sky Is Falling: Understanding and Coping with Phobias,
Panic, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders RC 43436
by Raeann Dumont
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Dumont employs cognitive therapy and self-help strategies to
treat those crippled by irrational fears. In the first two
sections, she defines various anxiety disorders and illustrates
them using actual case histories. In the final section, Dumont
advises affected people and their spouses on specific techniques
for treatment. 1996.
Turning Stones: My Days and Nights with Children at Risk RC
43442
by Marc Parent
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
A New York City child-welfare caseworker tells of attempts to
rescue abused children. Parent recounts cases of sex abuse,
beatings, and neglect. He traces his own transition from
idealism to burnout, though he takes comfort in having made some
lives better. Strong language, violence, and descriptions of
sex. 1996.
One Man Tango RC 43446
by Anthony Quinn
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
Memoir of the famed Academy Award-winning actor. Recounts his
rise from poverty as a Mexican farm worker and fighter, through
a variety of careers, to the pinnacle of the acting profession.
Reveals his romantic conquests and describes how he prepared for
some of his famous roles. Strong language. 1995.
I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to
Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It RC
43451
by Barbara Sher
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
This sequel to Wishcraft (RC 14031) offers practical
advice and techniques for discovering one's true likes and
aspirations and for overcoming common obstacles to finding and
living the "good life." 1994.
Growing Up Jewish in America: An Oral History RC
43468
by Myrna Katz Frommer and Harvey Frommer
read by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
Childhood memories of Jewish men and women of all ages from
across the country. They describe their urban and suburban
experiences and discuss long-held traditions and religious
rituals. Presents a kaleidoscopic view of twentieth-century life
from immigrant and minority perspectives. 1995.
Highlanders: A History of the Scottish Clans RC
43469
by Fitzroy Maclean
read by Robert Blumenfeld
2 cassettes
This companion volume to the PBS series offers an overview of
fifteen centuries of Scotland's history and its clans, beginning
with their origins in Celtic times. 1995.
A Reporter's Life RC 43473
by Walter Cronkite
read by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
Autobiography of the journalist who rose to become known as
"the nation's most trusted person." Recounts his Texas
youth, his years as a war correspondent, and his entry into
broadcasting to become television's first news anchorman. Offers
opinions about trends in broadcast news since his retirement in
1981. Bestseller 1996.
Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul: 101 Stories to Open the
Hearts and Rekindle the Spirits of Women RC 43474
compiled by Jack Canfield and others
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
The editors of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series turn their
attention to women. This volume of stories and poems covers
topics such as love, attitude and self-esteem, motherhood,
special moments, living your dreams, and aging. Contributors
include Maya Angelou, Leo Buscaglia, Oprah Winfrey, Dolly
Parton, and Linda Ellerbee. Bestseller 1996.
An Unquiet Mind RC 43477
by Kay Redfield Jamison
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Jamison, professor of psychiatry, reveals her own experiences
with manic depression, in spite of not knowing the effect
disclosure will have on her professional life. She observes
manic-depressive illness from her position as a noted authority
and describes her earlier life of inspired highs and bleak lows.
She tells of her initial reluctance to regularly take the
lithium that eventually, with love and therapy, helped her find
stability. Bestseller 1995.
Miss Manners on Painfully Proper Weddings RC 43480
by Judith Martin
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Noted etiquette expert's guide to planning a wedding. Miss
Manners covers such topics as the engagement, the invitations,
the shower, the reception, menu planning, videotaping, the
presents, communicating thanks, and even cancelling a wedding.
Checklists cite the chief duties of various wedding party
members. 1995.
What Women Want RC 43497
by Patricia Ireland
read by Manya LaBruja
2 cassettes
In this autobiography, Ireland recounts her life as a political
activist in the women's rights movement. She recalls her
experiences challenging Pan Am's employment practices,
organizing efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in
Florida, and fighting antiabortion violence for the National
Organization for Women, which elected her president in 1991.
Some strong language. 1996.
Collected Poems RC 43500
by Thom Gunn
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes
A poet's collection of his works composed over a forty-year
period. His art reflects an evolving style and focus,
progressing from the pensive early works of the 1950s to his
poignant 1990s poems about the ravages of AIDS in the gay
community. 1994.
How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel RC
43501
by Horace Clarence Boyer
read by John Stratton
2 cassettes
A history of gospel music from its origins in early spirituals
through the call-and-response hymns of the Deep South to the
height of its popularity in the 1940s and 1950s. Boyer provides
an overview of important composers and artists in gospel music,
such as Mahalia Jackson, Thomas Dorsey, Sister Rosetta Tharpe,
and the Soul Stirrers. 1995.
Even Brook Trout Get the Blues RC 43517
by John Gierach
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Sixteen outdoor essays by a devoted fly fisher about his sport.
Relates tales of fishing trips to rural farm ponds and mountain
streams, and tells of an upscale trout club, where members fish
with thousand-dollar custom rods. In "The Poacher,"
the author relates his humorous excursions to private ponds with
a wily fishing pal. 1992.
Bogart: In Search of My Father RC 43525
by Stephen Humphrey Bogart
read by Jeff Baker
2 cassettes
A son's portrait of the famous actor. Stephen Humphrey Bogart
reminisces about his childhood and his father's death when
Stephen was eight years old. The author recalls trying to escape
his father's shadow. He also draws upon interviews with his
mother, Lauren Bacall, and other Hollywood stars. Strong
language. 1995.
The Physics of Star Trek RC 43550
by Lawrence M. Krauss
read by James DeLotel
1 cassette
Krauss uses the original Star Trek television series (and its
spinoffs) to explore concepts in physics, quantum mechanics,
interstellar flight, and time travel, as he questions the
possibility of "warp drives,"
"transporters," "wormholes,"
"phasers," and "holodecks" as well as
extraterrestrial life. With a foreword by Stephen Hawking. 1995.
Joan Lunden's Healthy Cooking RC 43552
by Joan Lunden and Laura Morton
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
2 cassettes
Television hostess and mother Joan Lunden offers hints and
recipes reflecting the program she used to shed unwanted pounds
and develop a sense of total well-being. In addition to a brief
biography, Lunden offers more than one hundred low-fat recipes
for snacks, salads, main courses, and desserts. Bestseller 1996.
Science on Trial: The Clash of Medical Evidence and the Law
in the Breast Implant Case RC 43558
by Marcia Angell
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Argues that factors other than scientific evidence can unduly
influence the outcome of liability cases. Cites the silicone
breast implant story to illustrate the author's premise that
greed, regulation, a distorted tort system, an alarmist media,
and lack of public understanding led to unwarranted court
judgments and harm to the public good. 1996.
View with a Grain of Sand: Selected Poems RC 43576
by Wislawa Szymborska
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
One hundred poems, by the winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize for
Literature, many of which are tinged with irony. The focus of
"Séance" is happenstance and chance encounters
with familiar people and things in improbable places. In such
situations, "we are filled with joy, radiant and
deceptive." Bestseller 1995.
Everyone Is Entitled to My Opinion RC 43682
by David Brinkley
read by Robert Sams
1 cassette
Almost two hundred brief musings of a veteran television
reporter over odd or remarkable news events from 1981 to 1995.
His targets include arrogance and hypocrisy in government, the
ruthlessness of world despots, the foibles of humanity, and the
absurdities of modern life. Bestseller 1996.
The Basketball Diaries RC 43684
by Jim Carroll
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
Carroll kept a diary from the fall of 1963 when he was twelve
until the summer of 1966 when he was fifteen. As a rebellious
teenager in the 1960s, Carroll took to the streets of New York
City where he played basketball, hustled, stole, and got high on
dope. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1963.
Leukemia RC 43710
by Dorothy Schainman Siegel and David E. Newton
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Answers basic questions about leukemia, a form of cancer that
disrupts the normal production of blood cells in the body.
Discusses types of leukemia, causes, diagnosis, and treatments.
Tells the personal stories of some leukemia patients and offers
advice on living with the disease. For junior and senior high
readers. 1994.
The Voices of AIDS: Twelve Unforgettable People Talk about
How AIDS Has Changed Their Lives RC 43730
by Michael Thomas Ford
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Twelve intimate interviews with AIDS victims and others whose
lives have been affected by the disease. Each has become an
activist for AIDS education. Gives explicit information about
AIDS and how to avoid being infected. For junior and senior high
and older readers. 1995.
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