Alumni Authors

« November 2007 | Main | January 2008 »

December 21, 2007

Patrick L. Anderson, '82, MPP'83

Business Economics and Finance: Using Simulation Models, MATLAB and GIS, CRC Press, 2004

The book: This book provides an overview of sophisticated business and financial applications. It describes models that have been developed for analysis of retail sales, tax policy, location, economic impact, and public policy issues.

The Author: Mr. Anderson founded Anderson Economic Group in 1996, and serves as the firm's principal and CEO. In this role he has successfully directed projects for state governments, cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, and corporations in over half of the United States. Prior to founding Anderson Economic Group, Mr. Anderson served as the chief of staff of the Michigan Department of State, and deputy director of the Michigan Department of Management and Budget. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned a masters degree in public policy and a bachelor's degree in Political Science.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:55 PM | Comments (0)

Donald Yates, MA'51, MA'53, PhD'61

Casablanca and Other Stories, Michigan State University Press, 2006.

The book: Edgar Brau, a South American writer, debuts his first English-language collection with the publication of Casablanca and Other Stories. He brings a unique perspective forged in the political and social upheaval that has been modern South America. His work employs a fantasy-like aspect that goes beyond magical realism. Translated by Donald A. Yates, Andrea Labinger, and Joanne M. Yates, this collection includes stories from two of Edgar Brau's collections—El poema y otras historias and Tres cuentos—to bring to a fresh audience the new work of a major Argentinean author.

The author: Donald A. Yates is professor emeritus of Spanish-American Literature at Michigan State University and is the translator of novels and short stories by many Spanish-American authors. He has published his own fiction, poetry, articles and book reviews in The Atlantic, Holiday, The New Yorker, The New York Times Book Review and The Washington Post.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:54 PM | Comments (0)

Aaron Stander, PhD'72

Color Tour, Writers and Editors LLC, 2006

The book: It's a tranquil October morning in northwest Lower Michigan, a rural paradise of cherry orchards, blue lakes, and sandy shorelines. The serenity of the day -- and the season -- is shattered when an elderly woman walking her dogs along the beach stumbles upon the bodies of a brutally murdered couple. Sheriff Ray Elkins returns from his debut in the bestselling "Summer People" to track down the elusive killer of a vivacious and spirited young teacher. His search takes him into the dark side of an elite private school -- and into his own long-forgotten past.

The author: Aaron Stander lives in the woods of northern Michigan. He is the author of numerous stories, poems, and articles. "Color Tour" is a sequel to his bestselling first murder mystery, "Summer People."

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:53 PM | Comments (0)

Donald Rothschild, '52, PhD'66

Kiosks Keep the Devils Away, iUniverse, 2006

The book: "Kiosks Keep the Devils Away" recounts the fictional hero's descent into mental illness, much like millions of Americans today who share his circumstances. The reader uncovers how he and his family deal with the discriminatory devils created by the current "mythology of madness" and how he, his family and friends discover paradise in a Southwest Florida community.

The author: This novel arises from Don Rothschild's lifetime of teaching about disabilities.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:51 PM | Comments (0)

Jerry Prescott, '56, JD'59

Why Ann Arbor? JCarp Publications, 2006

The book: The premise of "Why Ann Arbor" is that Christ has returned to Earth and that this time, instead of the Holy Land, he's come to Ann Arbor. Indeed, he makes his initial appearance at the quintessential Ann Arbor venue, the Farmers Market. As the tale unfolds, people try to decide whether the man really is Jesus Christ and, if so, why he would choose to come to Ann Arbor.

The author: A U-M grad with degrees in business and law, Prescott has headed Ann Arbor businesses including the King Group, a distributor of candy, tobacco and sundry products.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:50 PM | Comments (0)

Claude Pearson, JD'48

Minefish: Weapons of Mass Destruction in Puget Sound, iUniverse, 2006

The book: In this novel, the U. S. Submarine Minefish is ordered from its base in San Francisco to Puget Sound to confront a Rogue Submarine, Red Dragon, that is threatening to explode dirty bombs around Puget Sound. The battle between opposing submarines rages around the coves, inlets and waterways of Puget Sound. Will the U. S. Submarines Minefish and Piratefish be able to thwart the plot and capture the conspirators?

The author: Captain Claude M. Pearson USNR (Rtd) is a retired lawyer who lives and writes in Tacoma, Washington. Pearson had parallel careers in law and as a naval reserve officer. After service in the Pacific in World War II, he continued to perform submarine duty on new postwar generations of U. S. Navy subs. He rose to the rank of Captain and during the Vietnam War he served as the Naval Reserve Group Commander at Tacoma. He is the author of two other books published by iUnivese, "Gunfish—A Fleet Submarine Goes to War," and "Piratefish—The Attempted Hijacking of a U.S. Submarine."

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:48 PM | Comments (0)

William C. (Cal) Patterson, '55

The Wayfarers: Tales of an American Family, AuthorHouse, 2006

The book: This book chronicles the experiences of individuals known as the Wayfarers, members of an extended family line. Where fragments of information are available, they are used; to the fragments of known information, figments of imagination are blended.

This text spins the experiences of a family progenitor in 900 AD, a Norwegian Viking ashore in Scotland, the Indian wars of the 1600s, the turbulence of the American Revolution and the shock of Civil War battles. Through this text, the reader sails on a whaler in the vast North Pacific in the 1850s, travels on the transcontinental railroad just two months after its completion in 1869, goes aboard steamship to Ireland and England in 1884, an automobile on the Old National Road in 1919, and to Europe again by sea in 1929.

The author: Cal Peterson writes novels during retirement, a dream he had nourished for years. His career before retirement included three years in the United States Air Force, 30 in the telephone industry and 10 as executive director of a private foundation.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:46 PM | Comments (0)

Liza Nelson, '72

Playing Botticelli, Putnam, 2000

The book: "Playing Botticelli" is the story of a mother's struggle as her daughter leaves her childhood behind, and of a daughter's move toward an unknown future and gradual awakening to the limits of her mother's power. Liza Nelson's debut maps a tale of reckless love, mindful motherhood, and the dreams that bind parent and child.

The author: Liza Nelson lives in Georgia. Her writing has appeared in Ploughshares, Glamour, and The New York Times.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:45 PM | Comments (0)

Myrna Miller, MPA'98 MA'99

The Stygian Legacy, PublishAmerica, 2006

The book: Scientists and dreamers have long imagined the possibilities of multiple dimensions beside our own. "The Stygian Legacy" suggests that beyond our own natural world lies the supernatural spiritual world, existing where we cannot see. The work suggests that some individuals serve as conduits to these other dimensions, similar to the ancient Greek myth of the river Styx, where the dead sailed across to the Elysian Fields.

The author: Myrna Miller is an alumnua of Rackam with an MA in Education and earned an MPA at UM-Dearborn. Originally from Pennsylvania, Ms Miller now lives in Dearborn, MI.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:39 PM | Comments (0)

Ira Eisenstadt, '70

The Wedding Song, Melody Hill Press, 2007

The book: Sol Bable chases his desire through Jamaica in a romance that leads to mysticism and revelation before he settles down with his wife. What evolves is a novel that breeds a love meant to confound the human spirit, until Sol discovers his universal human bond in a robust outburst of passion the illuminates right from wrong.

The author: Ira Eisenstadt holds a BA from the University of Michigan and both an MBA and MAT from the University of St. Thomas. Mr. Eisenstadt is also the recipient of a Hopwood Award.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:37 PM | Comments (0)

Catherine Dominic, '92

Amazing Disgrace, Five Star Expressions, 2006

The book: Aida Benedetto is a successful thirty-year-old food writer. She has an on-again, off-again boyfriend and an Italian-American family with endless expectations and relentless traditions. Birch McFarland, who is pushing for on-again status, was also raised by a strict Catholic father and understands Aida's sense of guilt as well as her duty to a faith she's silently questioned for years. When mutual domestic conflicts dissolve the lingering web between the couple and their families, Aida and Birch attempt to fashion new versions of faith and family.

The author: Catherine DiMercurio Dominic lives with her husband David and their children, Margaret and Grant, in Ferndale, Michigan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)

Brett Ellen Block, '95

The Lightning Rule, William Morrow, 2006

The book: In this novel, Detective Martin Emmett investigates a gruesome murder that hints at something even more sinister. During the summer of 1967 in Newark, New Jersey, the temperature is rising in the predominantly black Central Ward as racial tensions worsen. While riots rage on the streets outside his station, Emmett struggles to do his job surrounded by corruption and indifference.

The author: Brett Ellen Block is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and the University of East Anglia's Fiction Writing Program. She won the Drue Heinz Literary Prize for her debut collection of stories, "Destination Known," and is a recipient of the Michener-Copernicus Fellowship. She lives in Los Angeles.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:34 PM | Comments (0)

Mahmoud Darwish, translated by Jeffrey Sacks, '92

Why Did You Leave the Horse Alone? Archipelago Books, 2006

The book: At once an intimate autobiography and a collective memory of the Palestinian people, Mahmoud Darwish's interlinked poems are collective cries, songs, and glimpses of the human condition. The collection-widely considered his chef-d'oeuvre-is a poetry of myth and history, of exile and suspended time, of an identity bound to the Arabic language and his displaced people. Darwish's poems-specific and symbolic, simple and profound-are historical glimpses, existential queries, chants of pain and injustice of a people separated from their land.

The translator: Jeffrey Sacks is a writer, translator, and scholar living in New York City. He teaches Arabic at Columbia University, and is editing and translating a collection of essays by Elias Khoury.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:33 PM | Comments (0)

Wilfred Kaplan

Heidi and Bill: Beginning of Our Lives Together, Kolossos Printing, 2006

The book: This is a true story, told mainly through actual letters written long ago. Bill, a 20-year-old American math graduate student, goes to Zurich, Switzerland in 1936 to pursue his studies. On this first day in class he meets Heidi, a Swiss girl seeking a diploma in math. Soon thereafter a student-run ball, on a grand scale, brings them together. They discover how deeply they share a devotion to music, art and literature and find themselves bound together in love, which remains unshakable through two years of frequent painful separation, and of bitter opposition of Heidi's family. Their letters reveal their passionate attachment to each other as well as their penetrating thoughts on mathematics, music, art and other subjects. They are finally joined in marriage and sail away to America.

The author: Wilfred Kaplan is professor emeritus at U-M's College of LSA.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:31 PM | Comments (0)

Christine Brennan

Best Seat in the House: A Father, A Daughter, A Journey Through Sports, Scribner, 2006

The book: Journalist Christine Brennan unfolds her life as a sports fan and sports writer. Her father introduced her to sports at an early age and she never looked back. As a child, she grew up rooting for the Toledo Mud Hens, Detroit Tigers and U-M Wolverines. She later went on to become the first full-time woman sportswriter at the Miami Herald. Brennan moved to the Washington Post to cover the Redskins and then the Olympics, and was offered a general sports column in USA Today. Her account is not only sprinkled with amusing anecdotes about learning to maneuver through a man's, but also a tribute to her father, who encouraged her love of sports.

The author: Christine Brennan is a sports columnist for USA Today, a commentator for ABC News, ESPN, NPR and Fox Sports Radio and an author.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:30 PM | Comments (0)

Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld, MA'77

Wild Lives: A History of the People & Animals of the Bronx Zoo, Knopf Publishing, 2006

The book: "Wild Lives" takes readers through a century of zookeeping at one of the most beloved and best-known zoos in the world and explains what zoologists have learned over the years about keeping wild animals. Sometimes frustrating, sometimes humorous, but always rewarding, their experiences have helped millions of people reconnect with nature—and most importantly, helped the world understand the vital link between zookeeping and the conservation effort. No longer living museums of wild animals, "Wild Lives" shows how zoos play a crucial role in preserving our world's animals and their habitats. (Grades 4-7)

The author: Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld was a children's book editor for over 10 years before becoming a full time writer. She has published many books for young readers about animals, natural history and the sciences. Growing up on a farm in upstate New York, she often helped take care of chickens, sheep, horses and cows, and always watched wildlife in the surrounding forested mountains. Zoehfeld lives in Berkley, California, with her husband, son and two cats.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:28 PM | Comments (0)

Maryann Macdonald, '69

The Costume Copycat, Dial, 2006

The book: Just once, Angela wants to outshine her big sister, Bernadette, on Halloween. But Bernadette always has the best costume. What can Angela do? Maybe wearing Bernadette's costume from the year before will make Angela stand out . . . . But it is not until Angela decides to use her own imagination that she discovers how to really sparkle.

Full of warmth, humor, and wacky Halloween costumes, this story celebrates the inventiveness and originality that come from good-natured sibling rivalry.

The author: Maryann Macdonald lives in New York, New York. The role model for Bernadette in her book is her sister Joan, who also went to Michigan. Most of her books are rooted in her Michigan childhood.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:23 PM | Comments (0)

Randi Hacker, '73

Life as I Knew It, Simon Pulse, 2006

The book: "Life as I Knew It" is a coming-of-age story that tells of the changes that occur in the life of 16-year-old Angelina Rossini after her father suffers a stroke and the effects-both good and bad, both immediate and long term, both subtle and dramatic-this catastrophic event has on the various relationships among those closest to her. Set against the backdrop of the fictional Blodgett, a small town in Northern Vermont, the book is narrated by Angelina in her own quirky, rebellious and humorous voice.

The author: Randi Hacker is the K-12 outreach coordinator at the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Kansas. She is the mother of a daughter she adopted from China in 1996.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)

Jennifer Allison, '88

Gilda Joyce: The Ladies of the Lake, Dutton, 2006

The book: Zany Gilda Joyce leaves her wacky disguises at home but brings all of her psychic and investigative skills with her as she sets out to investigate a mysterious death at a Catholic girls' school. Is Our Lady of Sorrows really haunted by the ghost of Dolores Lambert? Or is the student body suffering from group hysteria? Solving this mystery will put Gilda in more danger than she ever imagined-and will take all of her brashness, bravery, and smarts.

The author: Jennifer Allison is a former high school English and creative writing teacher who lives in Washington, D.C.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:08 PM | Comments (0)

Mary Zimmerman, '67

Global Dimensions of Gender and Carework, Stanford University Press, 2006

The book: Why are women such prominent workers in the global marketplace? Why do so many perform jobs that involve carework? What political forces have made these women key participants in globalization? What are the consequences for the women themselves, for their families, and for societies and international relations in general?

This book offers a provocative examination of globalization, examining the lives of the women at the center of these new global dynamics. Arguing that society is facing multiple crises of care, the authors develop a new framework for understanding the interplay of globalization, gender, and carework. In four original essays, they examine gender, race, and class inequality; migration, citizenship, and the politics of social control; the evolving meanings of motherhood; and new social definitions of carework and the personal transformation of careworkers. Excerpts from the classic works in the field as well as recent cutting-edge research studies support the examination of each of these growing global crises.

The author: Mary K. Zimmerman is professor of sociology and health policy and management at the University of Kansas.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:07 PM | Comments (0)

Eric V. Youngquist, '50

A Simpler Time: Stories from a Vanished Era, Voyageur Publishing Co., 2005

The book: "A Simpler Time" is a warm, nostalgic view of life in urban America in the Midwest during the 1930s and 1940s, as seen through the eyes of an impressionable and sometimes unruly youngster.

The author: Eric Youngquist spent his early years in the US Diplomatic and Consular Service, holding posts in Thailand, Finland and the State Department. In 1967 he resigned and embarked on a career in corporate law. He currently lives in Tennessee and devotes time to volunteer efforts.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)

B. Joseph White, PhD'75

The Nature of Leadership: Reptiles, Mammals, and the Challenge of Becoming a Great Leader, AMACOM, 2006

The book: This book explores the varying characteristics of leaders and what combination has the potential for greatness. The author provides examples of leaders ranging from tough-minded Lou Gerstner at IBM to compassionate leaders like Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines and Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for America. White also describes other prerequisites for truly great leadership, including a passion to develop talented people and the ability to innovate and create change.

The author: B. Joseph White is president of the University of Illinois. He was previously interim President of the University of Michigan and dean of its top-ranked business school for 10 years. He has been a business executive and served as director or trustee of numerous large companies and several healthcare organizations.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:04 PM | Comments (0)

Craig Trebilcock, '82, JD'85

One Weekend a Month, Booklocker.com, 2006

The book: One Weekend a Month is an extremely well-written indictment of the US occupation of Iraq. The author strips the conflict of its righteous veneer and shows through the eyes of Army Reservists how the reconstruction effort in Iraq has been bungled due to incompetence and poor leadership. Craig Trebilcock uses scathing wit and satire to show how clueless US policymakers are in trying to graft democracy onto a culture that does not value the idea. Humorous, compelling, and controversial, this book shows a side of the Iraq conflict that the politicians and press don't talk about.

The author: Craig Trebilcock is a former Army officer who was involved in restoring the Iraqi legal system.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)

Margaret Gray Towne, '61, MS'62

Honest to Genesis: A Biblical and Scientific Challenge to Creationism, PublishAmerica, 2003

The book: "Honest to Genesis" integrates the biblical creation accounts with modern evolutionary theory. It targets a broad audience, covering both the scientific as well as the theological dimensions of this subject, which continues to erupt in the culture from courtroom to classroom to living room. Beginning upon foundations in critical thinking, it progresses to a historic overview of the dialogue between science and religion, especially as it pertains to evolutionary theory. Readers will learn how to examine the Bible in light of its unique cultural and geographic settings, its ancient languages, various authors, and the thousand-year time span of its composition. In addition, the foundations of evolutionary theory are delineated, incorporating the data from fields including geology, paleontology, biochemistry, and biology.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:02 PM | Comments (0)

Gale Summerfield, '75, MA'79, PhD'86

Women and Gender Equity in Development Theory and Practice: Institutions, Resources, and Mobilization, Duke University Press, 2006

The book: Seeking to catalyze innovative thinking and practice within the field of women and gender in development, editors Jane S. Jaquette and Gale Summerfield have brought together scholars, policymakers, and development workers to reflect on where the field is today and where it is headed. The contributors draw from their experiences and research in Latin America, Asia, and Africa to illuminate the connections between women's well-being and globalization, environmental conservation, land rights, access to information technology, employment, and poverty alleviation.

Highlighting key institutional issues, contributors analyze the two approaches that dominate the field: women in development (WID) and gender and development (GAD). They assess the results of gender mainstreaming, the difficulties that development agencies have translating gender rhetoric into equity in practice, and the conflicts between gender and the reassertion of indigenous cultural identities. Focusing on resource allocation, contributors explore the gendered effects of land privatization, the need to challenge cultural traditions that impede women’s ability to assert their legal rights, and women’s access to bureaucratic levers of power. Several essays consider women’s mobilizations, including a project to provide internet access and communications strategies to African NGOs run by women. In the final essay, Irene Tinker, one of the field’s founders, reflects on the interactions between policy innovation and women’s organizing over the three decades since women became a focus of development work. Together the contributors bridge theory and practice to point toward productive new strategies for women and gender in development.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:00 PM | Comments (0)

Philip Stahl '72

Parenting After Divorce: A Guide to Resolving Conflicts and Meeting Your Children's Needs, Impact Publishers, 2000

The book: Written for divorced and divorcing parents, "Parenting After Divorce" helps parents understand children's developmental needs and learn to resolve conflicts peacefully.

The author: The author, a psychologist who has worked with divorcing families for over 20 years, provides practical advice for many of the difficulties such families face, including dealing with difficult ex's, such as those who have difficult personalities. He concludes with a chapter using the words of children to inspire parents to improve their parenting.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:59 PM | Comments (0)

Medhi Setareh, PhD'90

Concrete Structures, Prentice-Hall, 2006

The book: Based on the latest ACI Code, "Concrete Structures" takes a step-by-step approach to exploring the design and analysis of reinforced concrete structures and elements. It covers concrete technology, analysis and design of reinforced concrete beams, slabs, columns, footings, and walls. It also introduces the different types of reinforced concrete floor systems and the fundamentals of pre-stressed concrete structures. Unique self-experiments, realistic problems and an accompanying CD-ROM help readers further understand concrete's structural significance and potential as a building material. Includes the most recent methods of design and analysis of reinforced concrete structures and is based on the American Concrete Institute Code (ACI 318-05). Easy to follow using a step-by-step, non-calculus approach. Includes a series of experiments readers can conduct on their own to comprehend concrete's structural significance and understand more about concrete as a building material. People interested in building design and construction also can benefit from the book as it follows a step-by-step approach in the design and analysis of concrete structures.

The author: Mehdi Setareh is a professor and member of the faculty of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). He has taught undergraduate and graduate level structures and building systems courses to architecture and engineering students since 1990. He is a member of several professional organizations and has received numerous awards for his scholarly contributions to the field of structural engineering.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:57 PM | Comments (0)

Helena Page Schrader, '75

Sisters in Arms: British and American Women Pilots During World War II, Pen and Sword Books, 2006

The book: During World War II, a few, carefully selected women in the US and the UK were briefly given the unprecedented opportunity to fly military aircraft. Yet the story of these pioneer women pilots is made even more intriguing by the fact that, despite many notable similarities in the utilization and organization of the women in their respective countries, they experienced radically different fates. Throughout the war, the contribution of the women of the British ATA to the war effort was recognized and praised both from official quarters and in the press. By contrast, the American WASPs were first glamorized and made into Hollywood stars-and then subjected to a slander campaign. What accounts for this dramatic difference in the treatment of women pilots doing essentially the same job? This book seeks to answer these questions. The women who participated in the ATA and WASP have been allowed to speak for themselves. The story these women have to tell is exciting and intriguing.

The author: Helena Schrader is a historian and novelist. The daughter of an American professor of economics, she traveled extensively as a child and as a student, living and attending school in Japan, Brazil, England, and Nigeria. As an adult she lived for many years in Europe, working in government organizations and in the private sector.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:54 PM | Comments (0)

Steven Pierce, PhD'00, and Anupama Rao, PhD'99

Discipline and the Other Body: Correction, Corporeality, Colonialism, Duke University Press, 2006

The book: "Discipline and the Other Body" reveals the intimate relationship between violence and difference underlying modern governmental power and the human rights discourses that critique it. The comparative essays brought together in this collection show how, in using physical violence to discipline and control colonial subjects, governments repeatedly found themselves enmeshed in a fundamental paradox: Colonialism was about the management of difference-the civilized ruling the uncivilized-but colonial violence seemed to many the antithesis of civility, threatening to undermine the very distinction that validated its use. Violation of the bodies of colonial subjects regularly generated scandals, and eventually led to humanitarian initiatives, ultimately changing conceptions of "the human" and helping to constitute modern forms of human rights discourse. Colonial violence and discipline also played a crucial role in hardening modern categories of difference-race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and religion.

The contributors, who include both historians and anthropologists, address instances of colonial violence from the early modern period to the twentieth century and from Asia to Africa to North America. They consider diverse topics, from the interactions of race, law, and violence in colonial Louisiana to British attempts to regulate sex and marriage in the Indian army during the early nineteenth century. They examine the political dilemmas raised by the extensive use of torture in colonial India and the ways that British colonizers flogged Nigerians based on beliefs that different ethnic and religious affiliations corresponded to different degrees of social evolution and levels of susceptibility to physical pain. An essay on how contemporary Sufi healers deploy bodily violence to maintain sexual and religious hierarchies in postcolonial northern Nigeria makes it clear that the state is not the only enforcer of disciplinary regimes based on ideas of difference.

The author: Steven Pierce is lecturer in colonial and postcolonial history at the University of Manchester. Anupama Rao is assistant professor of history at Barnard College.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:52 PM | Comments (0)

Adriana Petryna, '89

Global Pharmaceuticals: Ethics, Markets, Practice, Duke University Press, 2006

The book: In some parts of the world spending on pharmaceuticals is astronomical. In others people do not have access to basic or life-saving drugs. Individuals struggle to afford medications; whole populations are neglected, considered too poor to constitute profitable markets for the development and distribution of necessary drugs. The ethnographies brought together in this timely collection analyze both the dynamics of the burgeoning international pharmaceutical trade and the global inequalities that emerge from and are reinforced by market-driven medicine. Together they demonstrate that questions about who will be treated and who will not filter through every phase of pharmaceutical production, from pre-clinical research to human testing, marketing, distribution, prescription, and consumption.

The author: Adriana Petryna is assistant professor of anthropology at the New School for Social Research.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)

Janet P. Penley,'77

MotherStyles: Using Personality Type to Discover Your Parenting Strengths, Da Capo Press, 2006

The book: "MotherStyles" explains the innate mind-sets that make up 16 distinct mothering approaches. The book contains a self-administered quiz that helps readers identify their parenting personality type and helps them understand their strengths, struggles and needs. The author educates readers how to use that information day-to-day to gain confidence, manage stress and strengthen family relationships.

The author: Janet Penley has been conducting parenting workshops for mother groups, therapists, life coaches and corporations for more than 18 years. She is the mother of two grown children, and she lives in Texas.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)

Harold Orel, MA'49, PhD'53

William Wordsworth: Interviews and Recollections, Palgrave/Macmillan, 2006

The book: This anthology collects and reprints generous extracts from the texts that record opinions and characterizations by 22 of England's most important writers and their interactions with William Wordsworth. In the volume, readers will discover reasons why Wordsworth attracted, in varying degrees, the admiration as well as the dislike of many of his most talented contemporaries.

The author: Harold Orel is now retired, but affiliated with the University of Kansas. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and has lectured in England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, India and Japan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)

David T. Mitchell, MA'91, PhD'93

Cultural Locations of Disability, The University of Chicago Press, 2006

The book: The book's co-authors trace how disabled people came to be viewed as biologically deviant. The eugenics era pioneered techniques that managed "defectives" through the application of therapies, invasive case histories, and acute surveillance techniques, turning disabled persons into subjects for a readily available research pool. Snyder and Mitchell argue that the social production of human variation as aberrancy. From our modern obsessions with tidiness and cleanliness to our desire to attain perfect bodies, notions of disabilities as examples of human insufficiency proliferate. These disability practices infuse more general modes of social obedience at work today. Consequently, this important study explains how disabled people are instrumental in charting the passage from a disciplinary society to one based upon regulation of the self.

The author: David Mitchell is an associate professor at the University of Illinois in Chicago and is one of the founders of the Modern Language Association's Committee on Disability Issues in the Profession and a past president of the Society for Disability Studies. He has edited and authored books and a documentary video about disability cultures and the representation of disability in the arts and literature.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)

Robert Meisner, '66, JD'69

Condo Living: A Survival Guide to Buying, Owning and Selling a Condominium, Momentum Books, 2005

The book: Whether you're thinking of buying a condo or selling one, this book aims to educate readers about the advantages and disadvantages of condominium living. It covers just about everything you need to know about condo ownership--from common developer and association practices to differences between simple conflicts and real problems.

The author: Robert Meisner has spent more than 35 years practicing community association law in West Bloomfield, Michigan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:43 PM | Comments (0)

Judith Matz, MSW'80

The Diet Survivor's Handbook: 60 Lessons in Eating, Acceptance and Self-Care, Sourcebooks Inc., 2006.

The book: If you're one of the nearly 116 million Americans trying to lose weight, only to find out that every diet you've tried has failed you, you are a diet survivor. You can step off the destructive diet bandwagon and reclaim your self-esteem, positive body image and a happy, healthy life. These 60 inspiring lessons will give you the tools you need to change your relationship with food, your body and yourself.

The author: Judith Matz is a therapist specializing in eating problems and weight issues. She has more than 20 years of clinical experience in the field of eating disorders.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:39 PM | Comments (0)

Kenneth Goldstein, MA'93, PhD'96

The Election After Reform: Money, Politics and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2006

The book: This book is filled with groundbreaking studies, rich with data, including chapters on political parties, "527" committees and interest groups, television ads, the "ground war," Congressional politics and presidential campaigns. This is a must read tor its insightful and nuanced assessments of the effects of reform.

The author: Kenneth Goldstein contributed to this book.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:37 PM | Comments (0)

Jane Murbach Juska, '55

Unaccompanied Women: Late-Life Adventures in Love, Sex, and Real Estate, Villard, 2006

The book: Five years ago, Jane Juska placed a personal ad that drew tremendous response and swept the retired teacher into a whirlwind existence she barely recognized as her own. She relayed her fun and frank exploits in her first book "A Round-Heeled Woman," but she continues her astonishing story in this much anticipated new adventure.

“Unaccompanied Women� embraces not only Juska’s continuing explorations of Eros, but also a blossoming literary career that catapults her from San Francisco to New York, London, and Paris. She shares all this richness of living in a poignant and humorous exploration of emotional terrain rarely discussed in our society. This wise and warmhearted book provides vivid evidence that the pursuit of pleasure and lasting relationships is not just for the young, but also for the young at heart.

The author: Raised in rural Ohio, Jane Juska moved to California in 1955 and has lived there ever since. She has taught English for more than 40 years. With the publication of her first book, Juska has become a spokesperson for the romantically active senior set, and she appears frequently before book and women’s groups.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:35 PM | Comments (0)

Samiri Hernández Hiraldo, MA'94, PhD'00

Black Puerto Rican Identity and Religious Experience, University Press of Florida, 2006

The book: Loiza is a Puerto Rican town known for best representing the African traditions, a community of a mostly black population affected by profound racial discrimination and poverty. But many Loiza residents strongly identify themselves in religious terms, strategically managing their individual, familial, gender, generational, local, national, and racial identities through a spiritual prism that effectively helps them cope with and transform their difficult reality.

Based on twelve months of fieldwork, this study shows how believers experience their religion in its various dimensions. Writing as a native ethnographer, the author offers the personal religious histories of many of Loiza's residents, some of whom she follows northward to the United States as they re-create regional and political boundaries. Hernandez Hiraldo plays the role of participant observer, a social scientist with affection for her subjects, who shared the most important aspects of their spiritual lives with her. Her narratives reveal an unusually nuanced understanding of the role of faith in the lives of Loiza's people.

Arguing that understanding and respecting the power of religion in this community is essential to addressing and remedying its social problems, Hernandez Hiraldo contests the characterization of Puerto Rico as a culturally homogenous country with a monolithic church. She analyzes the changing nature of Catholicism on the island and the challenges it faces from the community's other denominations, especially the Pentecostal churches, many of which are struggling to preserve their congregations.

The author: Samiri Hernández Hiraldo, an anthropologist who currently conducts independent research, is affiliated with the Program for the Analysis of Religion among Latinos.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:33 PM | Comments (0)

Craig Gilden, MBA'00

Create SPACE, Lulu Press, 2006

The book: Get what you really want at work. SPACE is a decision-making process which helps you better understand your organization, enabling you to focus your energy to achieve results, success, and satisfaction. Full of actionable tools, Create SPACE is a self-improvement book which shows you how to navigate around the friction in your organization without creating heat. Your ability to successfully navigate office politics will improve and you will increase your effectiveness at work.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:32 PM | Comments (0)

Ellen Dannin, '75

Taking Back the Workers' Law: How to Fight the Assault on Labor Rights, Cornell University Press, 2006

The book: Prolabor critics often question the effectiveness of the National Labor Relations Board. Some go so far as to call the board labor's enemy number one. In a daring book that is sure to be controversial, Ellen Dannin argues that the blame actually lies with judicial decisions that have radically "rewritten" the National Labor Relations Act. But rather than simply bemoan this problem, Dannin offers concrete solutions for change.

Dannin calls for labor to borrow from the strategy mapped out by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the early 1930s to eradicate legalized racial discrimination. This book lays out a long-term litigation strategy designed to overturn the cases that have undermined the NLRA and frustrated its policies. As with the NAACP, this strategy must take place in a context of activism to promote the NLRA policies of social and industrial democracy, solidarity, justice, and worker empowerment. Dannin contends that only by promoting these core purposes of the NLRA can unions survive—and even thrive.

The author: Ellen Dannin is professor of law at The Dickinson School of Law, Penn State University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:30 PM | Comments (0)

Doreen Lichtman, MSW'86

Survival from Malice, iUniverse, 2005

The book: Twenty-one-year-old Rebecca Abrom left her one-year-old daughter and husband at home one fall day in 1935 to meet friends. She never returned the same. A victim of a drunk driver, Rebecca was dragged 75 feet, her leg crushed, and left for dead. Based on a true story, "Survival from Malice" tells of Rebecca's courageous struggle to overcome her injuries and still care for her family.

The author: Doreen Lichtman had a career as a medical social worker. She is a certified leader for the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Course. Lichtman lives in Michigan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:28 PM | Comments (0)

Terry Gamble, '77

Good Family, HarperCollins Publishers, 2005

The book: The author's second novel chronicles a prodigal daughter's fraught homecoming and reimmersion in a family history both harsh and cradling. After an 11-year absence, 40-something filmmaker Maddie Addison leaves New York and returns to her patrician family's summer place on the shores of Lake Michigan to join an odd mix of family and friends at the bedside of her dying mother. There, as she battles with the ghosts of past mistakes, she discovers family secrets and confronts her personal tragedies. She faces her sister, Dana; an old boyfriend; and a cast of eccentric cousins as they all come together for the first time in more than a decade. As her former boozehound mother's health deteriorates, Maddie recollects the decades past that account for the woman she has become, recounting her confused love for various cousins, her failed marriage, the death of her infant and her own struggles with alcohol. Hidden letters, secret loves and desperate acts all come to light as Maddie strives for peace with her relatives and within herself.

The author: Terry Gamble is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of U-M, where she sits on the English advisory board. The author of one previous novel, "The Water Dancers," she has had poems, short stories and essays published in literary journals. Gamble lives in California with her husband and children.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:27 PM | Comments (0)

Matt Forbeck, '89

Blood Bowl: Death Match, Games Workshop, 2006

The book: The last of a trilogy in the riotous Blood Bowl series. In a fantasy kingdom where violence is a way of life, the number one sport is Blood Bowl-gridiron football where anything goes. Dirk 'Dunk' Hoffnung and the rest of the Bad Bay Hackers thought they'd taken everything the game of Blood Bowl could throw at them, but now they literally have to play the game of their lives to prevent the destruction of their kingdom.

The author: Matt Forbeck has worked full-time in the adventure game industry for over 15 years. He has designed collectible card games, roleplaying games, miniatures games, and board games, and has written short fiction, comic books and novels.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:26 PM | Comments (0)

Grazia Deledda, translated by Jan Kozma, '68, MA'70, PhD'73

Marianna Sirca, Farlieigh Dickinson University Press, 20006

The book: Jan Kozma's translation of "Marianna Sirca" is the near-literal rendering of a novel written by Grazia Deledda (1871-1936), the celebrated Italian author from Sardinia who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1926. Almost all of Deledda's stories treat the lives, loves, tragedies, and triumphs of the author's native land - the remote, isolated, and often forbidding island of Sardinia.

This new translation includes an introduction that highlights the salient episodes of Grazia Deledda's life and which situates "Marianna Sirca" both literarily within the author's opera omnia and as part of the general literary trends of the early European twentieth century. Jan Kozma presents the homonymous protagonist, Marianna Sirca, as one of the great literary precursors of the liberated, independent, modern woman - an ironic twist, given the repressive culture in which Marianna lives. The translator also provides numerous explanatory foot-notes that elucidate particular arcane aspects of Sardinian life in the late nineteenth century.

The author: Jan Kozma is professor of Italian at The University of Kansas where she has taught since 1977. She has published other works and also has translated other works written by Grazia Deledda. Kozma is the recipient of the Mortar Board Award, the Cramer Award, and the Kemper Foundation Fellowship for teaching research excellence. In 1978, she was named "Cavaliere," Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in recognition of her academic contributions in the area of Italian language and literature.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)

Elizabeth Block '90

A Gesture Through Time, Spuyten Duyvil 2005

The book: At once erotic, whirling toward dying, philosophical, and comic, "A Gesture Through Time," explores an obsession with bodies lost in love and in death, and the inability to distinguish between an absent lover and an absent parent in memory. The tale's abstract and meticulous language imagines lost bodies in the wake of ruptured optics and indeterminate perceptions.

It begins in a Detroit steel factory, where a forbidden love affair ignites. Magnitude Hortense Zappa, a worker, seduces the narrator, a teenage heir to the steel factory. When the steel factory owner is killed by one of his workers, the love affair abruptly ends, leaving a wasteland of unresolved emotion. The narrator's own identity is only slowly revealed, as the lovers face "their affair" 20 years later, when they cross paths at a San Francisco film festival.

Through innovative narrative structure, the story offers multiple points of view, ambiguous sexual and romantic perspectives, cinematic scenarios, love letters, case history notes, dramatic dialogues, unusual film history, textual flipbooks, and unreliable memories. The story traces the lovers' shifting identities, and the psychological landscape where conscious and unconscious associations of loss and love intermingle. Until their eventual reunion, the lovers' compulsions unravel through their constant inability to be in the same place at the same time, whether in actual geographical space, the space of memory, or in the space of their conflicting obsessions with sight and sound.

The author: Elizabeth Block has been writing most of her life, and she also is a filmmaker. Since 1985, she has received numerous awards and grants for her writing in three genres (poetry, fiction, essay writing). Her writing has been published in a variety of journals, it has been broadcast on the radio and it has been performed on stage. Block currently lives in California.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:23 PM | Comments (0)

Brad Meltzer,'92

The Book of Fate, Warner Books, 2006

The book: "The Book of Fate" begins with an assassination attempt on President Leland Manning. The president's aide, Wes Holloway, is left disfigured but becomes wrapped up in a chase about the attempted murder that requires him to penetrate the secrets of Masonic history. Employing his mastery of presidential lore and powerful secrets, and expanding to the glittering world of Palm Beach high society and its seedy fringes, Meltzer unfolds a bold thriller.

Read Chapter 1 of "The Book of Fate"

Play the "Guess who's a Mason" online game!

The author: Brad Meltzer is the author of the New York Times bestsellers "The Tenth Justice," "Dead Even," "The First Counsel," "The Millionaires" and "The Zero Game." He also is one of the co-creators of the TV show, "Jack & Bobby" and is the number one selling author of the critically acclaimed comic book, "Identity Crisis." His books have a total of almost 6 million copies in print, have spent over eight months on the bestseller lists and have been translated into over a dozen languages. Raised in Brooklyn and Miami, Brad is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. He currently lives in Florida with his wife, who also is an attorney.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:16 PM | Comments (0)

Nicholas Delbanco

The Vagabonds, Warner Books, 2005

The book: Born and raised in Saratoga Springs, New York, the three Saperstone siblings have drifted apart and lead very separate lives. On Cape Cod, Joanna manages a B&B and a teenage daughter, feeling vulnerable and alone. In Ann Arbor, Claire flirts with becoming an interior decorator while coming to terms with a personal betrayal. And in Berkeley, David carves a niche as a Web designer-yet he yearns to be a painter.

Suddenly, these middle-class and ordinary lives will come together again in an extraordinary way.

The death of their proud, spirited mother draws the Saperstones home to the New York resort town of Saratoga Springs. Gathered again in the family's ramshackle cottage, they discover a stunning legacy from 1916. Almost a century ago, the legendary "Vagabonds"—captains of industry Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, inventor Thomas Edison, and naturalist John Burroughs—came to this town during one of their road trip adventures. Here they encountered a beautiful young woman, whom they would burden with a scandalous secret and a dazzling windfall.

Now, when decades later this inheritance comes to the three Saperstones, it will utterly transform them—not so much for the riches it brings, but for how it will reconfigure the past they share … and a future they had thought beyond their grasp.

The author: Nicholas Delbanco is a Robert Frost Collegiate Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:14 PM | Comments (0)

Peter Meinke, MA'61

The Contracted World, University of Pittsburgh Press, 2006

The book: Peter Meinke's fourteenth collect of poems is accessible to the general reader. It focuses on the personal and political problems in American society. Love, nature, cities, sports, war and peace are filtered through the imagination and verbal skills of the author. The collection includes representative work from four of Meinke's previous collections, and his new poems experiment with form. Meinke addresses life that is shrinking in specific ways: he is aging, the world is getting smaller, our post-9/112 freedoms are eroding, and our choices seem fewer and less attractive. Despite feelings of anger and loneliness, the poet speaks to the reader in a personal and often humorous voice.

The author: Peter Meinke holds the Darden Chair in Creative Writing at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. He has been a professor of literature and creative writing at Eckerd College and has served as writer-in-residence at several colleges, including University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Hawaii.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:12 PM | Comments (0)

David Gewanter, '80

The Sleep of Reason, University of Chicago Press, 2003

The book: "The Sleep of Reaso" plunges us into a macabre world where good impulses bring on evil consequences-a world not unlike our own. In David Gewanter's alternately delightful and startling poems, allegory comes alive and stalks a bookstore's musty aisles, comedians eviscerate their families for a laugh, lovers love each other for withholding affection, and theaters collapse on audiences hungry for spectacle. Amidst such surreal subjects, Gewanter's delicate musicality and keen sense of humor sparkle; his inquisition regarding a fallen world becomes a dark comedy of errors haunted by the most unexpected characters-from JFK Jr. to Tacitus, Redd Foxx to General Motors, Mariah Carey to 100 rabbits with herpes. An offbeat satire for an off-kilter age, The Sleep of Reason offers an incisive guide to moral behavior in an immoral world.

The author: David Gewanter is associate professor of English at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He has published two books and has won numerous awards.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:11 PM | Comments (0)

Sally Hanson Calhoun, '61, MA'63

Emerging from the Ranks, Twenty-first Star Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, 2005./p>

The book: A collection of poems commemorating the deeds, lives and circumstances of the American Revolutionary War foot soldiers and other patriots. The narrative poems are based on research by the Twenty-first Star Chapter's members and the lives of their ancestors. One of the poems received the State of Illinois NSDAR Award for Humanities/Literature in 2005.

The author: Dr. Sally Calhoun has devoted much of her life to her private practice in clinical psychology and teaching. Her interest in writing dates back to high school where she earned honors for her fiction writing. While attending Michigan she earned an Avery Hopwood Award. After many years of private practice, Calhoun started writing full time and has since turned out 14 full-length book manuscripts: four children's novels, two adult novels, three collections of poetry, a collection of autobiographical poems, three dramas and a number of short stories. Calhoun continues to strengthen and expand her writing skills and hopes to spend many more years writing and publishing.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:10 PM | Comments (0)

Christine Kole MacLean, '83

Mary Margaret, Center Stage, Dutton/Penguin, 2006

The book: Mary Margaret likes to do things her way. The problem is, her way isn't always perfect, but Ellie's is. When a community play of Cinderella is announced, Mary Margaret comes up with the best fundraising idea and even convinces some VIPs to help out. So she figures she's a "shoe-in" for the part of Cinderella. But the shoe goes on Ellie's foot instead. Fans of unforgettable girl characters like Junie B. Jones, Amber Brown, and Ramona will enjoy seeing how Mary Margaret gets her fifteen minutes of fame and discovers that it is sometimes better not to be perfect. (Grades 3-5)

The author: Christine Kole MacLean is the author of "Mary Margaret and the Perfect Pet Plan" and "Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms." She lives in Holland, Michigan, with her husband and two children.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:09 PM | Comments (0)

Brenda Ferber, '89

Julia's Kitchen, Farrar, Starus and Giroux, 2006

The book: Cara Segal is a born worrier. She figures her worrying works like a whisper in God's ear – if Cara's concerned about car crashes, kidnappings, or murders, she lets God know, and he always spares her. But Cara never thought to worry about a fire. And one night while she's sleeping at a friend's house, her house catches fire, and her mother and younger sister are both killed. Throughout shiva, the initial Jewish mourning period, Cara can't help wondering about God's role in the tragedy. And what is her father's role in her life now? He walks around like a ghost and refuses to talk about the fire. Cara longs for her family and her home, where sweet smells filled the house as Cara's mom filled orders for her catering business, Julia's Kitchen. Then one day a call comes in for a cookie order, and Cara gets a wild idea. Maybe by bringing back Julia's Kitchen, she can find a way to reconnect with everything she's lost.

Complete with a glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terms and a recipe for chocolate chip cookies, this debut novel is a joyous tribute to the resiliency of the human spirit.

The author: Brenda Ferber received the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award for "Julia's Kitchen." She lives in Deerfield, Illinois.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:07 PM | Comments (0)

Robert S. Weiss, MA'52, PhD'55

The Experience of Retirement, Cornell University Press, 2005

The book: Retirement brings with it the promises of leisure and freedom as well as the risks of boredom and isolation. When retirees rid their schedules of anything resembling the kinds of obligations that once had been imposed by work, they will experience a sometimes-uncomfortable absence of structure. In The Experience of Retirement, the distinguished sociologist Robert S. Weiss provides a detailed description of how some people plan their retirement, what life in retirement is like, and what makes for a fulfilling retirement. His engaging book can thus serve as a most useful guide. Weiss shows us both retirement’s benefits and its possible costs, both the relief retirees can feel once free of work’s stresses and constraints and the discomfort that can be caused by loss of the positive aspects of working life.

The book is based on extensive interviews with eighty-nine men and women before and after their retirement from middle-income careers. Weiss makes vivid their experiences by presenting, in their own words, their descriptions of leaving their careers, considering what to do with their time, confronting issues of income in retirement, dealing—sometimes—with social isolation, and reorganizing their lives. The interviews reveal the way in which retirement affects marriages and other familial relationships. Weiss concludes by presenting advice about retirement based on the actual experiences of retirees. For anyone approaching the age of retirement or already retired and looking for a more satisfying post-career life, for personnel managers, health care professionals, and all those who provide services for the retired, The Experience of Retirement will be an illuminating guidebook to this phase of life.

The author: Robert S. Weiss is a Senior Fellow in the Gerontology Institute and Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a Lecturer in Sociology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. He is the author of Marital Separation, Learning from Strangers, and Staying the Course. David J. Ekerdt is Professor of Sociology and Interim Director of the Gerontology Center at the University of Kansas.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:05 PM | Comments (0)

Sam Walker, '92

Fantasyland: A Season on Baseball's Lunatic Fringe, Viking Penguin Publishing, 2006

The book: Every spring, millions of Americans prepare to take part in one of the oddest, most obsessive and engrossing rituals in the sports pantheon: rotisserie baseball, a fantasy game where armchair fans match wits by building their own teams. Starting with a player "draft" before the Major League season, contenders spend six months scouring the box scores to see if their handpicked players can outperform the opposition. It’s a pastime that threatens to overtake traditional baseball in the passions it generates.
In 2004, Sam Walker, a sports columnist for The Wall Street Journal, decided to explore this phenomenon by talking his way into Tout Wars, a private league generally reserved for the nation’s top experts. Using his baseball contacts and access to locker rooms, Walker spent a year trying to dredge up information that might give him a competitive edge over his eccentric cast of competitors. But in his quest for victory he also endeavored to settle the great question that divides modern baseball thinkers: Can excellence be predicted by statistics alone or is the human element more important?

Together with his crack research team, Sig (a statistician) and Nando (a baseball savant), Walker finds himself possessed by the game and determined to win at any expense, spending weeks on the road interacting with his real Major League players and trying to "manage" them. We follow his descent into sleeplessness, panic, triumph (temporarily), treachery, and even consultations with an astrologer as he keeps his ever-blearier eyes on his elusive goal. The result is one of the most entertaining sports books in years and a matchless look into the heart and soul of our national pastime.

The author: Sam Walker is a senior special writer for The Wall Street Journal and appears frequently on ESPNews. He lives in New York City..

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:04 PM | Comments (0)

Marcia VanderWoude, '67, MA'78

$avvy Women, $mart Choices, self published, 2005

The book: Many women may one day face the rude reality that they are suddenly and solely responsible for their economic survival. This book is for women who want to understand the role money plays in their lives and how to manage financial matters wisely. The authors draw on their own experiences to illuminate the real-life vignettes of women struggling with money matters - some successfully, some not. In "$avvy Women, $mart Choices," these women share their hard-earned wisdom about money and investing with readers.

The author: Marcia VanderWoude is president of MLV Consulting and is a veteran financial advisor, consultant, workshop leader and author. She has given hundreds of seminars to women, covering a variety of investment topics.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)

Seymour Taffet, MD'43

Binding Up the Wounds, Leathers Publishing, 2006

The book: Some people's lives seem extraordinary - whether due to the choices they make or the changes that occur in the world around them. For Dr. Seymour Taffet, it was both. And his life story is fascinating. Born in 1918 to Jewish immigrant parents, Dr. Taffet tells of his life through medical school and the Great Depression to his incredible stories of being a frontline battalion surgeon in Europe during World War II.

The author: Now retired in Naples, Florida, Dr. Taffet was a respected family practitioner for 40 years following his heroic service in World War II. He was awarded the Silver Star for bravery in action, a "field honor" that is not usually given to non-combat officers.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:01 PM | Comments (0)

Gary Snyder, '72

Nonprofits: On the Brink, iUniverse, 2006

The book: The nonprofit sector has lost its way. In spite of pristine motives, an increasing number of leaders and agencies are tainting the sector's good name with wrongdoing that few want to acknowledge. The harm of these misdeeds is truly startling. "Nonprofits: On the Brink" is a hard-hitting expos� of the nonprofit world as few people know it � with an abstract of its shortfalls. Award-winning lecturer and consultant Gary Snyder guides you through a step-by-step, no-nonsense offering to counter the assortment of weaknesses critical to a nonprofit organization's survival.

The author: Gary Snyder is a former CEO of a hospital system and an accomplished consultant.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)

Alice Boardman Smuts, PhD'95

Science in the Service of Children: 1893-1935, Yale University Press, 2006

The book: This book is the first comprehensive history of the development of child study during the early part of the 20th century. Most 19th century scientists deemed children unsuitable subjects for study, and parents were hostile to the idea. But by 1935, the study of the child was a thriving scientific and professional field. Here, Alice Boardman Smuts shows how interrelated movements–social and scientific–combined to transform the study of the child.

Drawing on nationwide archives and extensive interviews with child study pioneers, Smuts recounts the role of social reformers, philanthropists and progressive scientists who established new institutions with new ways of studying children. Part history of science and part social history, this book describes a fascinating era when the normal child was studied for the first time, a child guidance movement emerged and the newly created federal Children’s Bureau conducted path-breaking sociological studies of children.

The author: Alice Boardman Smuts is the founding member of the Society for Research in Child Development’s History Committee, which seeks to promote research and writing in the history of the field of child development. She is retired from the faculty at the University of Michigan Bush Center for Child Development and Social Policy.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)

Mary Jane Smith, '56

Guidelines for Practice as a Nurse Expert, American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, 2003

The book: "Guidelines for Practice as a Nurse Expert Witness" is a guide for registered nurses who are, or want to be, an expert witness. The book assists in establishing business practices and providing expert testimony; includes samples of fee schedules, agreements, affidavits and declarations.

The author: Mary Jane Martin Smith is the founder and owner of RN Consulting LLC, a company that provides professional services and expert testimony regarding nursing standards of care. She also is a professor of nursing at the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh. She earned her master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and completed her PhD in exercise physiology. She is certified in medical surgical nursing by the American Nurse Association Certification Board and is active in professional nursing organizations.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:58 PM | Comments (0)

Mark Schilling, '71

The Yakuza Movie Book: A Guide to Japanese Gangster Films, Stone Bridge Press, 2003

The book: “The Yakuza Movie Book� is an authoritative look at Japan's cinematic underworld. It is an invaluable resource for fans, film buffs and researchers. The book provides director and actor profiles, film reviews, a guide for finding films on DVD and video and several images.

The author: Mark Schilling has lived in Japan since 1975. He has reviewed Japanese films for the Japan Times since 1989 and written about the Japanese film industry for Screen International since 1990.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:57 PM | Comments (0)

Patricia Roehling, '80 and Phyllis Moen

The Career Mystique: Cracks in the American Dream, Rowman and Littlefield Publishers Inc., 2005

The book: "The Career Mystique" examines taken-for-granted rules of the career game-that continuous, full-time, hard work pays off-deeply embedded in the American Dream. Possibilities of fulfilling the career mystique are dwindling, given insecurities and risks of a global economy, strains and double demands on the job and at home, uncertainties and ambiguities around retirement. This outdated myth stands in the way of fashioning innovative policies more in keeping with life in 21st-century America.

The author: Patricia Roehling is professor and chair of the psychology department at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:55 PM | Comments (0)

Deborah Robertson, '81

Cultural Programming for Libraries: Linking Libraries, Communities and Culture, American Library Association, 2005

The book: For a library to fulfill its mission to provide community engagement and cultural dialogue, then diverse, excellent cultural programming is the key. In "Cultural Programming for Libraries," the director of ALA's Public Programs Office shares time-tested strategies and practical, inspiring samples from first-rate programs across the country. Librarians, staff, and volunteers will find the practical how-to for creating comprehensive cultural program series-from planning to funding to promoting. This authoritative resource outlines all the steps to:

• Assess current community needs
• Set goals and establish measurable outcomes
• Develop winning partnerships that result in high quality, well-attended programs
• Highlight and drive the use of collections
• Gain community support and visibility through programming
• Enhance your library's role as cultural center based on successful models

Eleven "five-star" programs highlight outstanding events for varying audience sizes and price points to help customize your own library's effort. Marketing and promotional samples also inspire creativity in every chapter to help advance your library as a community cultural hub. Programming advocates in libraries of any size or type can use this authoritative resource to enhance skills, increase effectiveness and expand their creative vision for promoting winning cultural programs.

The author: Deborah A. Robertson is director, Public Programs Office of the American Library Association. She established the Public Programs Office in 1990; its audience has grown to an estimated 10 million participants. Robertson has created more than 20 nationwide programs and initiatives, including traveling exhibitions, reading and discussion program series, and literary and cultural programming. She has served as an advisor on library projects to such organizations as the Smithsonian Institution, PBS, the Poetry Foundation YMCA National Writers' Voice and Brown University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:49 PM | Comments (0)

Rick Ritter, MSW'95

Coping with Physical Loss and Disability: A Workbook, Loving Healing Press, 2006.

The book: This workbook provides more than 50 questions and exercises designed to empower those with physical loss and disability to better understand and accept their ongoing processes of loss and recovery. The exercises in Coping with Physical Loss and Disability were distilled from ten years of clinical social work experience with clients suffering from quadriplegia, paraplegia, amputation(s), cancer, severe burns, HIV/AIDs, hepatitis, lupus, sensory loss, and neuro-muscular disorders. This technique applies to any loss arising from accidents, injury, surgery or disease.

Exercises engage the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the client to increase ability and acceptance in critical areas of functioning, including self-care, support systems, coping skills, scheduling their life, identity, and dealing with past versus future, feelings, beliefs and identifying positive outcomes.

The author: Rick Ritter, a disabled veteran and social worker, has worked with more than a hundred clients who have experienced physical loss and disability. This workbook is a distillation of the very best questions and exercises to draw clients toward retaking control of their lives.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:48 PM | Comments (0)

Gerald Prokopowicz, '80, JD'83

All for the Regiment: The Army of the Ohio 1861-1862, University of North Carolina Press, 2001

The book: Despite its important role in the early years of the Civil War, the Army of the Ohio remains one of the least studied of all Union commands. With All for the Regiment, Gerald Prokopowicz deftly fills this surprising gap. He offers an engaging history of the army from its formation in 1861 to its costly triumph at Shiloh and its failure at Perryville in 1862.

Prokopowicz shows how the amateur soldiers who formed the Army of the Ohio organized themselves into individual regiments of remarkable strength and cohesion. Successive commanders Robert Anderson, William T. Sherman, and Don Carlos Buell all failed to integrate those regiments into an effective organization, however. The result was a decentralized and elastic army that was easily disrupted and difficult to command--but also nearly impossible to destroy in combat.

Exploring the army's behavior at minor engagements such as Rowlett's Station and Logan's Cross Roads, as well as major battles such as Shiloh and Perryville, Prokopowicz reveals how its regiment-oriented culture prevented the army from experiencing decisive results–either complete victory or catastrophic defeat–on the battlefield. Regimental solidarity was at once the Army of the Ohio's greatest strength, he argues, and its most dangerous vulnerability.

The author: Gerald J. Prokopowicz is assistant professor of history at East Carolina University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:47 PM | Comments (0)

William Potter, JD'64

A Bosnian Diary: A Floridian's Experience in Nation Building, The Florida Historical Society Press, 2005

The book: "A Bosnian Diary" describes William Potter's experiences to reform and restructure the legal system of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as to investigate and prosecute organized crime and corruption in the country while serving as Head of the Rule of Law Department for the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

he author: William Potter served as an International election supervisor in Bosnia-Herzegovina and as the Air Force legal advisor to the Office of the High Representative and government of Bosnia-Herzegovina. In addition, he served as the Head of the Rule of Law Department in the administration of the High Representative Paddy Ashdown.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:45 PM | Comments (0)

Joey Porcelli, '71

Rise and Dine: Breakfast in Denver and Boulder, Fulcrum Publishers, 2005

The book: This guide to the best places for breakfast in Denver and Boulder details more than 100 restaurants-covering everything from mom-and-pop diners to elegant hotel dining rooms. Each entry includes hours of operation, addresses, and specialties of the house. A chatty style and witty insights make this an entertaining read as well as a handy pocket reference.

The author: Joey Porcelli is a freelance writer and editor. She has written for Mangia, SouthwestArt, The Denver Post, Colorado Homes and Lifestyles, Mountain Living, Log and Timber Style, Colorado Expression, and Confetti magazines. Porcelli has won several awards for her writing, including three Top Hand awards from the prestigious Colorado Authors' League. She lives in Golden, Colorado.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:44 PM | Comments (0)

Janet Penley, MBA'77

MotherStyles, Lifelong Books, 2006

The book: An antidote to our stressed-out mother culture, "MotherStyles" validates the notion that good mothering comes in many styles and explains how understanding how you most often react to your child and why is the most important step toward working through areas that have long given you trouble.

Drawing on the personality type-theory popularized by the Myers-Briggs(r) Type Indicator and author Janet Penley's more than 18 years of working with mothers, "MotherStyles" explains the combinations of traits that make up 16 distinct mothering approaches. From the "Tuned-In Mother," the "Heart-to-Heart Mother," and the "Kids 'r' Fun Mother" to the "Responsibility Mother" and the "Independence Mother," Penley helps readers identify which style reflects her own strengths, struggles, and needs and, from there, offers unique and concrete ideas for ways to overcome the parenting challenges inherent to each type. Guiding mothers to an understanding of how type affects parent-child interactions and family dynamics, "MotherStyles" will help moms everywhere to recharge their batteries and find success in this most important of roles.

The author: Janet Penley has been conducting parenting workshops for groups of mothers, therapists, and life coaches and for corporations for more than eighteen years. The mother of two grown children, she lives in Texas.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:36 PM | Comments (0)

Gerald Newsom, '61, W. M. Protheroe and E.R. Capriotti

Exploring the Universe, Charles E. Merrill Co., 1989

The book: This college textbook is in its fourth edition and provides an introduction into astronomy. Intended for non-science students.

The author: Gerald Newsom is vice chair and professor of astronomy at Ohio State University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:35 PM | Comments (0)

Craig Morrison, '65

Theaters, W.W. Norton and Company, 2005

The book: A theater is a revered cultural artifact and a technological challenge. This visual sourcebook traces its colorful and varied forms as they developed in early America, on the western frontier, and in cities from coast to coast. The first comprehensive study of American theaters, it illustrates their wide range from raucous music halls to vaudeville, from circus to grand opera, from World's Fair to Coney Island, from nickelodeon to glorious picture palace. Also featured are theaters for burlesque, theaters afloat, military theaters, Shakespearean theaters, summer theaters, theaters and African Americans, and arenas (when a stage just won't do), enlivened by a cast of entrepreneurs and showmen who were the movers and shakers of our theatrical heritage. 1200 illustrations; CD-ROM included.

The author: Craig Morrison is an architect and theater historian and lives in New York City.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:33 PM | Comments (0)

Thomas McAuliffe, '63, MBA'64

The 90% Solution: A Consistent Approach to Optimal Business Decisions, AuthorHouse, 2005

The book: In The 90% Solution, Tom McAuliffe shares one of his most important business secrets, a process for making optimal decisions. His techniques are powerful but simple. Readers will quickly become expert in the use of a managerial tool that has proven effective over several decades and thousands of business decisions. The book provides new answers to a broad range of issues facing corporate decision-makers.

The book also offers a new vision of how a common approach to decision-making can create a more decisive management culture while consistently producing better results. It is a valuable tool for managers at all levels and for any company operating in a challenging business environment.

The author: Thomas McAuliffe is a consultant, writer and executive with a General Electric pedigree. During his tenure at GE, McAuliffe became the top-ranked product manager in the consumer sector during the Jack Welch era. Throughout his 15-year career with the company, he was widely known for his ability to find innovative solutions for difficult business issues.

After leaving GE for the entrepreneurial world, McAuliffe became the CEO of leading-edge companies in executive information systems and preventive medicine. In these diverse industries, he proved that a solid decision methodology can be applied successfully to any business situation.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:31 PM | Comments (0)

Amy Knight, '67

How the Cold War Began: The Gouzenko Affair and the Hunt for Soviet Spies, McClelland and Stewart, 2005

The book: Just weeks after World War II had ended, a young cipher clerk named Igor Gouzenko walked out of the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa with secret papers stuffed under his shirt and headed straight for the offices of a city newspaper. His action would change the course of the twentieth century.

Gouzenko’s defection sent shockwaves through Washington, London, Moscow, and Ottawa. It was the first from a Soviet Embassy, and the smuggled documents, which suggested that agents in North America were feeding atomic secrets to Moscow, sparked a witch-hunt for spies, including not only Americans and Canadians, but a leading British nuclear scientist, Allan Nunn May.

FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover used Gouzenko’s defection to demonize the Soviets and discredit the leftists in President Harry Truman’s White House. All he had needed to push his agenda was evidence of spying, and Gouzenko delivered the goods. The FBI and the House Un-American Activities Committee used Gouzenko’s revelations to go after Alger Hiss, Harry Dexter White, and many others. And all the while, infamous MI-5 double-agent Kim Philby kept his Soviet masters apprised. The Cold War had truly begun.

In this first book to tell the Gouzenko story, Amy Knight uses newly declassified files as well as interviews with several of the key players to examine the substance of Gouzenko’s revelations and delve into his hidden motives for defecting. She explains how Gouzenko was really a pawn in a much larger game. And she brilliantly connects these events to the hardening of relations between Moscow and the West, the practice of guilt by association, and the end of the movement for international control of the atomic bomb.

The author: Amy Knight has a PhD in Russian politics from the London School of Economics. She has been a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars in Washington, DC, and is a world expert in Soviet and Russian security services. She has written for The New York Times, The Times Literary Supplement, The Washington Post, and The New York Review of Books. Her four previous books have all received prominent international attention.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:29 PM | Comments (0)

Maro Kentros, BA'60

Greek Sapouni, instantpublisher.com, 2005

The book: Greek Sapouni is based on historical fact and the xenophobia of Greeks in America. The book explores the psychological and philosophical influences of this group's classical Greek culture on their children's lives who adapted to living in two cultures simultaneously. Delve into the magical world of the gods.

The author: Maro Kentros is a Greek-American, born in Chicago. She spoke no English until age 5 as her Father (born in Greece) thought anything American was inferior to his culture and heritage. Kentros' mother was first-generation Greek-American and saved the author and the family from the xenophobia of her father. Kentros has written three plays and has published several award-winning poems.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)

E.E. Kelley, '01

How to be an Irresistible Woman, AuthorHouse, 2006

The book: E .E. Kelley gives practical advice on how you can become the object of desire of men everywhere. Each featured chapter is supported with real-life stories from women of all walks of life, plus evidence to support the author's claims. A few of the sample chapters include Learn Proper Etiquette, Get Glamorous, Befriend His Friends and Update Your Entourage. Kelley uses the perfect mixture of wisdom, wit and humor to help you achieve your goals of being better, brighter and more beautiful.

The author: Kelley struggled to choose a major when she was in college; she didn't think of writing as a profession. It wasn't until her junior year at Michigan that she decided to tap into one of her strengths: writing. Kelley was placed in advanced creative writing classes where she earned high marks and the confidence to call herself a writer. When she is not writing, she spends time oil painting, cooking, reading and traveling. Kelley also enjoys entertaining her friends and family members, and people-watching.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:27 PM | Comments (0)

Richard Kagan, '72

Rebuilding Attachments with Traumatized Children: Healing from Losses, Violence, Abuse and Neglect, Haworth Press, 2004

The book: "Rebuilding Attachments with Traumatized Children: Healing from Losses, Violence, Abuse, and Neglect" is a therapeutic guide to helping troubled children move beyond the traumatic experiences that haunt them. The author presents comprehensive information on how to understand-and surmount-the impact of loss, neglect, separation, and violence on children's development, how to discover and foster strengths in children and their families, and how to rebuild connections and hope for children who are at risk of harm to themselves and others. This book is designed to be used in tandem with "Real Life Heroes: A Life Storybook for Children" (Haworth), a workbook that helps children develop the self-esteem they need to overcome the worries and fears of their past through a creative arts approach that fosters positive values and a sense of pride.

The author: Richard Kagan is the director of Psychological Services at Parsons Child and Family Center in Albany, New York. He also is clinical director/principal investigator for Parsons Child Trauma Study Center, a community services site for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:26 PM | Comments (0)

Ruth Hill, MA'91, PhD'94

Hierarchy, Commerce and Fraud in Bourbon Spanish America, Vanderbilt University Press, 2006

The book: Using El lazarillo de ciegos caminantes (the "Guide for Blind Rovers" by Alonso Carrio de Lavandera, the best known work of the era) as a jumping off point for a sprawling discussion of 18th-century Spanish America, Ruth Hill argues for a richer, more nuanced understanding of the relationship between Spain and its western colonies. Armed with primary sources including literature, maps, census data, letters and diaries, Hill reveals a rich world of intrigue and artifice, where identity is surprisingly fluid and always in question. More importantly, Hill crafts a complex argument for reassessing our understanding of race and class distinctions at the time, with enormous implications for how we view conceptions of race and class today.

The author: Ruth Hill is associate professor of Spanish at the University of Virginia. She is the author of "Sceptres and Sciences in the Spains: Four Humanists and the New Philosophy (c. 1680-1740)" as well as numerous articles.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:23 PM | Comments (0)

Miranda B. Hickman, MA'93, PhD'97

The Geometry of Modernism: The Vorticist Idiom in Lewis, Pound, H.D., and Yeats, University of Texas Press, 2006.

The book: Addressing both the literature and the visual arts of Anglo-American modernism, “The Geometry of Modernism� recovers a crucial development of modernism's early years that until now has received little sustained critical attention: the distinctive idiom composed of geometric forms and metaphors generated within the early modernist movement of Vorticism, formed in London in 1914. Focusing on the work of Wyndham Lewis, leader of the Vorticist movement, as well as Ezra Pound, H.D., and William Butler Yeats, Hickman examines the complex of motives out of which Lewis initially forged the geometric lexicon of Vorticism—and then how Pound, H.D., and Yeats later responded to it and the values that it encoded, enlisting both the geometric vocabulary and its attendant assumptions and ideals, in transmuted form, in their later modernist work.

Placing the genesis and appropriation of the geometric idiom in historical context, Hickman explores how despite its brevity as a movement, Vorticism in fact exerted considerable impact on modernist work of the years between the wars, in that its geometric idiom enabled modernist writers to articulate their responses to both personal and political crises of the 1930s and 1940s. Informed by extensive archival research as well as treatment of several of the least-known texts of the modernist milieu, “The Geometry of Modernism� clarifies and enriches the legacy of this vital period.

The author: Miranda Hickman is associate professor of English at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:21 PM | Comments (0)

Robert Heuer, '74

Sowin' Roses, Gridiron Publishers, 1981

The book: The book chronicles Michigan's 1980 football season, one in which the Wolverines captured the Big Ten and Rose Bowl titles.

The author: Robert Heuer is vice president of Guy Hurley Blaser and Heuer, an insurance and surety services company in Troy, Michigan. While attending U-M, he was a sports writer for The Michigan Daily.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:21 PM | Comments (0)

John Hartigan Jr., '87

Odd Tribes: Toward a Cultural Analysis of White People, Duke University Press, 2005

The book: "Odd Tribes" challenges theories of whiteness and critical race studies by examining the tangles of privilege, debasement, power and stigma that constitute white identity. Considering the relation of phantasmatic cultural forms such as the racial stereotype "white trash" to the actual social conditions of poor whites, John Hartigan Jr. generates new insights into the ways that race, class and gender are fundamentally interconnected. By tracing the historical interplay of stereotypes, popular cultural representations and the social sciences' objectifications of poverty, Hartigan demonstrates how constructions of whiteness continually depend on the vigilant maintenance of class and gender decorums.

“Odd Tribes� engages debates in history, anthropology, sociology and cultural studies over how race matters. Hartigan tracks the spread of “white trash� from an epithet used only in the South prior to the Civil War to one invoked throughout the country by the early 20th century. He also recounts how the cultural figure of “white trash� influenced academic and popular writings on the urban poor from the 1880s through the 1990s. Hartigan’s critical reading of the historical uses of degrading images of poor whites to ratify lines of color in this country culminates in an analysis of how contemporary performers such as Eminem and Roseanne Barr challenge stereotypical representations of “white trash� by claiming the identity as their own. “Odd Tribes� presents a compelling vision of what cultural studies can be when diverse research methodologies and conceptual frameworks are brought to bear on pressing social issues.

The author: John Hartigan Jr. is associate professor of Anthropology in the Américo Paredes Center for Cultural Studies at the University of Texas, Austin. He is the author of "Racial Situations: Class Predicaments of Whiteness in Detroit."

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:16 PM | Comments (0)

Gilbert Grant, '78, MD'82

Enjoy Your Labor: A New Approach to Pain Relief for Childbirth, Russell Hastings Press, 2005

The book: "Enjoy Your Labor" is an informative and easy-to-read book that contains everything an expectant mother needs to know about state-of-the-art options for pain relief for labor and delivery: epidurals and spinals. "Enjoy Your Labor" gives readers the facts about modern pain relief techniques. It is the only book that takes the fear, mystery and guilt out of epidurals and spinals. The author develops the premise that administration of medication to relieve labor pain is a sensible approach, and he explains the reasons women can, and should, get an epidural before the severe pain of labor starts-if they decide they want one. The refreshing view presented in "Enjoy Your Labor" regarding the timing of the epidural challenges the conventional wisdom, and is a radical departure from current approaches, where women typically delay getting an epidural for as long as possible-until the pain becomes unbearable. "Enjoy Your Labor" empowers women with the knowledge they need to help them make an informed choice about pain relief for childbirth. The author encourages readers to advocate for themselves, and to carefully consider and discuss the management of their labor and delivery pain with their health care providers before labor begins.

The author: Dr. Gilbert J. Grant has been director of Obstetric Anesthesia at New York University Medical Center since 1992. He is also a faculty member of New York University School of Medicine, where he is an associate professor and vice chairman for Academic Affairs in the Department of Anesthesiology. Dr. Grant has published numerous scientific papers and chapters for medical textbooks, and he lectures at educational institutions and scientific meetings in the United States and abroad.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:15 PM | Comments (0)

Gael Graham, PhD'90

Young Activists: American High School Students in the Age of Protest, Northern Illinois University Press, 2006

The book: The traumas and controversies of the 1960s—the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the pervasive antiauthoritarian spirit so evident on college campuses—infiltrated American public high schools. Students challenging their relegation to the world of children demanded the right to express their political views and to have a voice in decisions about their education. Adopting the activist tactics of the times, they organized strikes and demonstrations, initiated petitions and boycotts, and sought recourse through lawsuits and occasional violence.

As racial tensions flared across the country, high schools became a crucial arena for the civil rights movement. Drawing upon the memories of students and teachers as well as education journals, court cases, and news magazines, Young Activists provides an insider’s look at desegregation in all regions of the country, with a candid discussion of Black and Brown Power militancy and the reaction of white students. Debates about the war in Vietnam also rattled the high schools as young men and women—potential draftees and their colleagues—clashed over their judgments of American policy. In addition to these large social issues, student activists had their own specific agendas: relaxing dress codes, taking part in school governance, and initiating changes to the curriculum.

School authorities responded, warily but often positively. By the time activism waned in the mid-1970s, students had succeeded in making their high schools more open, more democratic, and more in tune with the times. Graham demonstrates that, although teenagers were indisputably influenced by the events reshaping the wider world, they were neither pawns nor mere mimics of their elders. Rather, they drew upon the rhetoric and strategies available to them in the 1960s to promote their own interests.

The author: Gael Graham is associate professor of history and the director of the History Graduate Program at Western Carolina University

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:13 PM | Comments (0)

Karen Glanz, '74, MPH'77, PhD'79

Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research and Practice, Jossey-Bass Inc., 2002

The book: This revised third edition of "Health Behavior and Health Education" provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of health behavior theories relevant to health education and includes the most current information on developments in theory, research and practice.

The author: Karen Glanz is professor and director of the Social and Behavioral Sciences program at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii at the University of Hawaii.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:12 PM | Comments (0)

George Gafner, MSW'72

Clinical Applications of Hypnosis, WW Norton and Company, 2004

The book: An EPA investigator experiences a deadly premonition while fishing in Florida. "Clinical Applications of Hypnosis" is a book for practitioners of hypnosis, but it also is helpful for the general public interested to learn how hypnosis works for clinical problems like depression anxiety disorders and irritable bower syndrome. In this book, the reader encounters the inner workings and rich interpersonal context of the clinical setting of a seasoned hypnotherapist.

The author: George Gafner is co-director of the hypnosis training program and director of the family therapy training program at the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Car System in Tucson. He is coauthor of "Handbook of Hypnotic Inductions" and "Hypnotic Techniques."

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:11 PM | Comments (0)

Avard T. Fairbanks, MA'33, PhD'36, and Eugene F. Fairbanks, '43, MD'45

Human Proportions for Artists, Fairbanks Arts and Books, 2005

The book: This book will be of interest to art students and serious amateurs. It discusses human proportions and includes profuse illustrations and tables of about 120 representative human measurements of both male and female figures in both inch and metric dimensions.

The author: Avard T. Fairbanks was a distinguished sculptor, anatomist and educator. During his career he created more than 100 public monuments to great characters and events in history (four are found in the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC). He studied in New York, Paris and Italy, and he attained his doctorate in Anatomy at U-M where he also was professor of Sculpture. He served on the faculties of five American universities, and he was the founding dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah.

Eugene, Avard's son, chose to study medicine at U-M, but he often helped his father at the University's studio and assisted with modeling and plaster casting. During his spare time from medicine and raising 10 children, Eugene also has done sculpture, composed poetry and has authored and published several other art books, including "A Sculptor's Testimony in Bronze and Stone," "A Sculpture Garden of Fantasy," Abraham Lincoln Sculpture Created by Avard Fairbanks."

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:09 PM | Comments (0)

J. Harold Ellens, MA'02

Sex in the Bible, Praeger Publishing, 2006

The book: What is the Bible's stance on such controversial issues as homosexuality and polygamy? What does it have to say about sexual behaviors that some would deem perverted or criminal? Is sex always wrong if it is not used to create life? Ellens answers these and other questions in a book that argues that our understanding of what the Bible has to say about sex is frequently misguided. He corrects our impressions with a look at the Scriptures themselves, considers what they might have meant to people in the past, and reflects on how we understand, or misunderstand, them today. Focusing on early interpretations and contemporary misconceptions, Ellens guides readers through what the Bible actually says, showing how these messages have been interpreted in different contexts, and suggesting new ways of reading and translating them for use in our own lives. Readers hoping to reach a better understanding of the Bible's views on sexual practices and sexuality in general will find their questions answered here.

The author: J. Harold Ellens is editor for the Praeger Series in psychology, religion and spirituality. He is a research scholar at the University of Michigan Department of Near Eastern Studies, a retired Presbyterian theologian, an ordained minister, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and a retired professor of philosophy, theology, and psychology. He served 15 years as executive director of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, and was founding editor and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Psychology and Christianity.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:00 PM | Comments (0)

Andrew Dietz, '84

The Last Folk Hero: A True Story of Race and Art, Power and Profit, Ellis Lane Press, 2006

The book: The lives and works of blue-collar, African American artists Thornton Dial and Lonnie Holley are documented in this true story of outsider art, ego, exploitation, and race. Following the interaction between Dial, an illiterate factory worker with creative genius, his comrade-in-arts Holley, and Bill Arnett, a wealthy, white, and infamous art patron, this account details the obsessions and exploitations found in the soap-opera world of modern art. Congressmen, business tycoons, movie stars, academics, and the cultural elite all play roles in a story where the distinction between hero and villain evaporate amid the twisted motivations of the art market.

The author: Andrew Dietz is a writer, entrepreneur and art lover based in Atlanta. He has lived in the South for the past 20 years with his wife and two daughters.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:58 PM | Comments (0)

Stephen Cohen, MDRES'77

Operative Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy, Churchill Livingstone, 1996

The book: Reference on the techniques of operative endoscopy for residents and gynecologists. Details basic procedures for practitioners new to the skill. Includes illustrations and color photographs.

The author: Stephen Cohen is the director for the Center for Women's Minimal Access Surgery at Albany Medical Center in New York and is chief of gynecology at Albany Medical College. He is also an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:57 PM | Comments (0)

Fred Busch, '96

A Clear and Definite Path: Enlightenment and Health with Yoga and Holistic Living, Magic Valley Publishers, 2006

The book: Busch discusses how diet and yoga can help you obtain a healthy perspective and lifestyle. .

The author: Fred Busch is a dedicated practitioner of Yoga and is director of the Miami Yogashala in South Beach, Florida. Fred is a graduate of the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment and sees clearly the connection between a healthy planet and healthy people. Fred is a teacher of living foods nutrition and is a personal lifestyle and weight loss coach. Fred is also a licensed massage therapist and certified Shiatsu practitioner.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:55 PM | Comments (0)

Lynn Zimmerman Bloom, '56, MA'57, PhD'63, Donald A. Daiker and Edward M. White

Composition Studies in the New Millennium: Rereading the Past, Rewriting the Future, Southern Illinois University Press, 2003

The book: A collection of 24 essays assessing and challenging the current state of writing instruction, “Composition Studies in the New Millennium: Rereading the Past, Rewriting the Future� emerges from presentations given at the national Writing Program Administrators conference held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 2001. Like its acclaimed and widely-used predecessor, “Composition in the Twenty-First Century: Crisis and Change,� this timely collection by leading scholars in composition studies responds to concerns about the evolution and future of this field of study.

To address these concerns, the essayists approach composition studies from perspectives ranging from rhetorical to cultural, political to economic, administrative to technological, and they do so with a style and organization appropriate for composition instructors, scholars and administrators at all levels--from teaching assistants to college presidents. The result is an invaluable vision of the future of composition studies in the new millennium.

The author: Lynn Z. Bloom is the board of trustees’ Distinguished Professor and Aetna Chair of Writing at the University of Connecticut.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:53 PM | Comments (0)

Tom Blake, MBA'66

Prime Rib and Boxcars: Whatever Happened to Victoria Station?, Tooter's Publishing, 2006

The book: In December 1969, three young entrepreneurs opened a prime rib restaurant in San Francisco called Victoria Station. Constructed of six train cars and located along the Embarcadero not far from Fishermen’s Wharf, Victoria Station gained instant notoriety. Within weeks, it became the most popular restaurant in the City by the Bay, and soon, the young owners started to expand their unique concept nationwide. Over the next eight years, the company grew to 100 units nationwide achieving sales in excess of $100,000,000. For a period of time, Victoria Station was the fastest-growing company in the United States and its employees were the envy of the restaurant industry. But to sustain such incredible growth, important business principles were compromised and the high-flying train started to grind to its unnecessary demise.

Author Tom Blake, a Victoria Station executive for eight years, reveals his very personal journey from landing a dream job and living a dream life until the chinks in the armor started to appear. Told with humor and brutal honesty, Blake describes the rise and fall of the highly visible chain.

The author: Tom Blake is a syndicated columnist and author living in Southern California. He has written more than 900 newspaper columns on dating and relationships, and has made multiple appearances on the Today show and Good Morning America as an expert on dating after 50.

During the 1970s, Blake was an executive with Victoria Station, a company that grew in eight years to $100,000,000 in sales. He has owned Tutor and Spunky’s Deli for 17 years, a bustling gathering-sport on Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point, California.

Lynn Zimmerman Bloom, '56, MA'57, PhD'63,Donald A. Daiker and Edward M. White

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:52 PM | Comments (0)

Laada Bilaniuk, MA'91, PhD'98

Contested Tongues: Language Politics and Cultural Correction in Ukraine, Cornell University Press, 2006

The book: During the controversial 2004 elections that led to the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine, cultural and linguistic differences threatened to break apart the country. "Contested Tongues" explains the complex linguistic and cultural politics in a bilingual country where the two main languages are closely related but their statuses are hotly contested. Laada Bilaniuk finds that the social divisions in Ukraine are historically rooted, ideologically constructed, and inseparable from linguistic practice. She does not take the labeled categories as givens but questions what "Ukrainian" and "Russian" mean to different people, and how the boundaries between these categories may be blurred in unstable times.

Bilaniuk's analysis of the contemporary situation is based on ethnographic research in Ukraine and grounded in historical research essential to understanding developments since the fall of the Soviet Union. "Mixed language" practices (surzhyk) in Ukraine have generally been either ignored or reviled, but Bilaniuk traces their history, their social implications, and their accompanying ideologies. Through a focus on mixed language and purism, the author examines the power dynamics of linguistic and cultural correction, through which people seek either to confer or to deny others social legitimacy. The author's examination of the rapid transformation of symbolic values in Ukraine challenges theories of language and social power that have as a rule been based on the experience of relatively stable societies.

The author: Laada Bilaniuk is associate professor of anthropology at the University of Washington.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:47 PM | Comments (0)

W. Scott Bauman, '53, MBA'54, Jaroslaw Komarynsky and John Siska Goytre

Investment Securities Program Guide Using the HP-12C, McGraw-Hill, 1987

The book: This guide develops and presents specific programs for use in the popular Hewlett-Packard HP-12C pocket calculator, which was designed to solve common problems faced by individual and professional investors.

The author: Bauman is professor emeritus of finance at the universities of Georgia State, Northern Illinois, Virginia, Oregon and Toledo. He was the executive director of the Institute of Chartered Financial Analyst and has been involved with a number of professional organizations, research foundations and public agencies.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)

Cathleen Baker, '67

The Pattern Papers of John DePol, Legacy Press, 2000

The book: From the 1950s, John DePol (1913-2004), the American master of wood engraving, cut small, endgrain blocks featuring subjects from nature, the heavens and the book arts, as well as fantastic abstract, geometric designs. Although many of the images were made into patterns and used as binding papers in a number of important fine press books, the full breadth of this aspect of DePol’s oeuvre appears in this book for the first time. The images–117 in all and a pattern formed from each–are reproduced as originally conceived by DePol in back and white.

In addition to the patterns, the book includes a biographical sketch written by the artist and a publication history of the images and patters.

The author: Cathleen Baker was recently appointed senior paper conservator at the University of Michigan libraries. She currently holds a Samuel H. Kress Conservation Publication fellowship to prepare a book titled, “Nineteenth-Century American Paper: Technologies, Materials, Characteristics and Conservation.� Baker also teaches classes for Hollander’s School of Book and Paper Arts in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:45 PM | Comments (0)

Gwen Arnold, '03

After the Storm: Restoring America's Gulf Coast Wetlands, Environmental Law Institute, 2006

The book: In 2005, hurricanes Katrina and Rita wrought devastation of historic proportions on the Gulf Coast’s wetlands. National Wetlands Newsletter, America’s only publication devoted to the law, science and policy that protect our wetland heritage, is pleased to assemble articles and essays from 18 distinguished authors, many of whom were on the scene in the days and weeks following the storms. “After the Storm� is a unique primary-source reflection on one of the most significant natural disasters in our nation’s history.

The editor: Gwen Arnold is the editor of the Environmental Law Institute’s National Wetlands Newsletter. The ELI publishes research reports and briefs that present the analysis and conclusions of the policy studies ELI undertakes to improve environmental law and policy. In addition, ELI publishes several journals and books, which contribute to education of the profession and disseminate diverse points of view and opinion to stimulate a robust and creative exchange of ideas.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:44 PM | Comments (0)

Marc Appleman, BGS'79

Dad, Are You Pumped? A Father-Son Baseball Odyssey, iUniverse, 2005

The book: Marc Appleman and his 12-year-old son Michael hit the highway on an awesome baseball road trip. Over two weeks, two countries, eight states and 3,000 miles, the father-son team goes to eight games in six stadiums and visits the baseball, hockey and pro football halls of fame.

On a trip filled with adventures, Michael catches balls in Montreal, Detroit and Cleveland. They have a blast sitting with the Bleacher Bums at Wrigley, and they become friends with some diehard Indians fans at Jacobs Field. A highlight of the trip is the induction ceremony of Marc’s mentor and good friend, the late sportswriter Joe Falls, at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

But their trip is about a lot more than baseball. It is hot dogs, pizzas, laughs, talks, adventures, and misadventures—the stuff that memories are made of. “Dad, Are You Pumped?� is about three generations connected by baseball and how a special game becomes intertwined with family, friendships and a career. .

The author: Marc Appleman has had a diverse career in sports media for 23 years, working for ESPN.com, AOL, Fox Sports.com, Active.com, SI For Kids, and the LA Times San Diego edition. Marc enjoys coaching his sons’ baseball and basketball teams. He lives in Westport, Connecticut, with his wife and boys.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:42 PM | Comments (0)

Gilbert Snider, MD'75, MDRES'81

Brain Warp: A Medical Thriller, iUniverse, 2003

The book: Who is poisoning the homeless men of Manhattan, and why? When a cluster of inexplicable deaths plague Dr. Peter Branstead's neurology service at St. Mark's Hospital in Greenwich Village, his investigation leads him far beyond the boundaries of the hospital, Lower Manhattan or even the United States, and into a deadly game of international intrigue and danger. Peter discovers how deeply he is involved when it threatens the life of his girlfriend, psychologist Megan Hutchins, who has unwittingly stumbled onto the plot herself.

Peter must unravel the mystery of these murders, discover the antidote and foil the plot by heading right into the conspirator's den. And if he can do all this, he must somehow escape while being tracked by a killer so ruthless and brutal that the most vicious criminals on two continents live in fear of his wrath. At stake are the future of Europe and the lives of Peter and those he holds most dear.

The author: Dr. Gil Snider is a neurologist practicing in Chesapeake, Virginia. Trained at the University of Michigan and St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City, he lives in Virginia Beach with his wife and two sons. "Brain Warp" is his first medical thriller. He is writing his second about stem cells.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:41 PM | Comments (0)

Gary Slaughter, '61

Cottonwood Fall, Fletcher House, 2005

The book: Cottonwood Fall is the sequel to Gary Slaughter's critically acclaimed Cottonwood Summer! The author has closely crafted small-town life on the WW II home front into another hilarious and heart-rending tour de force. The fall adventures of Danny and Jase, the Cottonwood Summer heroes, include run-ins with vengeful German POWs, the arrival of charismatic twin sisters, and participation in the 1944 Dewey-Roosevelt Presidential race where both candidates vie for their support.

The author: Gary Slaughter spent his early life in a small town where he carefully observed everyday life. Over the years he has lectured widely and written extensively on management of information technology. Today he creates fiction and presents his "Behind the Book" talks that highlight interactions with Germans interred in POW camps throughout the US during the 1940s.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:38 PM | Comments (0)

Claude Pearson, JD'48

Piratefish: The Attempted Hijacking of a US Submarine, iUniverse, 2005

The book: Cynthia Blair, the fourth owner of China Bank, opens her home in a tangible expression of thanks and support to members of the Pacific Submarine Fleet Force for their extraordinary service to the United States. When former shipmates reunite at Blair Mansion, they unwittingly become involved in the most brazen hijacking attempt the US Navy has ever seen.Lieutenant Commander Charley Jason and Polly Flowers' wedding is set to occur at the mansion the night before inspections will be held on the Piratefish and Minefish submarines. Also coinciding with the wedding festivities is a secret mission designed by Colonel Mark Hong, a Red Chinese officer and agent extraordinaire. Disguised as a bank interne, Hong arrives at Blair Mansion for his training in American banking. After members of his gang clandestinely slip ashore, they immediately begin terrorizing the residents of Chinatown and proceed step-by-step toward their target. Late on the night of the wedding, the gang takes hostages and seizes control of a submarine at Treasure Island. Chief Gunnersmate Carruther and Lieutenant Sylvester of the Piratefish interrupt the hijacking with their own counterattack.

The author: Claude Pearson served in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II. After extensive submarine duty, he attended law school and maintained a successful law practice for 45 years. "Piratefish" is his second novel.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:37 PM | Comments (0)

Spencer Myers, '67

Pest: An Ecological Thriller, AuthorHouse Publishing, 2006.

The book: An EPA investigator experiences a deadly premonition while fishing in Florida. A murder in Michigan causes a small toxic spill.

Derk Bryan soon discovers that these two disparate events threaten every drop of water on the planet and every important relationship in his life. His laizze faire life on the beach is now on a collision course with crippled chemical company magnate, Jack Von Lleuwan, and his bodyguard, an ex-wrestler with anger management issues.

Von Lleuwan’s newest product, PESTfreeã , will replace chemicals that are contaminating the food and water worldwide, but it contains a deadly flaw. As the body count grows, Derk Bryan races against the clock to thwart disaster.

The author: Spencer Myers is a successful business owner and author. He has been published in fields ranging from physical fitness to crime prevention and his poetry an award. During the gas shortages of the mid 1970s, Myers received the first Department of the Interior grant to solarize a multi-family residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He currently is leading the campaign to create a constitutional guarantee for control over one’s own body.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:36 PM | Comments (0)

Lynn Eastman, '70, MA'77

The Day the Music Died, AuthorHouse, 2004

The book: Set in the early 21st century, "The Day the Music Died" tells the story of greed, patriotism, revenge, and misguided loyalties. The body of Charles Townsend III, former director of the CIA, is found floating in the river. Though initially thought to be a canoeing accident, his son, Charles Townsend IV, international banker, learns that his father's death was murder. As he attempts to find out who murdered his father and why, Townsend stumbles into an international plot to steal Nazi gold hidden since May of 1945. As Charles Townsend IV investigates further, he becomes involved with the CIA, the Mossad, the PLO and the lovely Jeanne. He finds revenge, salvation, and love.

Charles' search for his father's murderers brings American interests into the intrigue, and the CIA joins the hunt for the gold, the bombs and the scientists. The quest for gold and power and a son's search for a murderer culminate on the high seas.

The author: Lynn Eastman grew up in Detroit, the home of automobiles and Motown music. These roots influenced the title of his first novel, "The Day the Music Died." Eastman and his wife were foster parents during the late 1970s, and their experience caused them to see a need for improved services in this area. As a result, he founded a therapeutic foster care program that has expanded into several states. Eastman currently serves as the executive director of the agency, and he spends much of his time traveling to the various offices. The travel time allows him the opportunity to develop plots and create his fiction. Eastman also is an avid world traveler, and he interweaves the places and experiences he has had into his novel.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:34 PM | Comments (0)

Robert Chan, '70

Axe of God, PublishAmerica, 2005

The book: Only 11 percent of those recently polled correctly identified the birthplace of the president of the United States, but more than 65 percent responded that Saul Stein hailed from Tarsus, Turkey, and was the child of freelance terrorists. Yet, in actual fact, neither he nor his parents ever set foot in the Middle East. Now, finally, the true story of the man the tabloids christened "The Axe of God" and "The Invisible MANiac." Undoubtedly the greatest book ever written about an invisible axe murderer, an unnatural blonde and a New York City psychotherapist who believes himself to be the Second Coming of Jesus, "Axe of God"explores the psychological similarities between psychopathic killers and inspired religious leaders. This fast-paced thriller is guaranteed to make you think as you alternately bite your nails and laugh.

The author: Robert Chan is an experienced litigator in New York City.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)

Robert Bartlett, MD'63

The Salem Syndrome, First Page Publications, 2005

The book: Two little girls are admitted to the ICU with burn injuries that show signs of possible child abuse. The medical, social and legal systems swing into action and the investigation soon focuses on their father, who vehemently denies the charges. Dr. Steven Crane, a pediatric resident, is both a participant in and an observer of this process. He wonders if the father might actually be telling the truth. But Crane soon learns that, where child abuse is concerned, the accused are guilty until proven innocent.

The author: Dr. Robert Bartlett is professor of surgery at U-M. In addition to running a busy surgical practice, his academic focus is on critical care and life support systems. "The Salem Syndrome" is his first novel.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:32 PM | Comments (0)

Megan Abbott, '93

Die a Little, Simon and Schuster, 2005

The book: This ingenious twist on a classic noir tale tells the story of Lora King, a schoolteacher, and her brother Bill, a junior investigator with the district attorney's office. Lora's comfortable, suburban life is jarringly disrupted when Bill falls in love with a mysterious young woman named Alice Steele, a Hollywood wardrobe assistant with a murky past.

Made sisters by marriage but not by choice, the bond between Lora and Alice is marred by envy and mistrust. Spurred on by inconsistencies in Alice's personal history and possibly jealous of Alice's hold on her brother, Lora finds herself lured into the dark alleys and mean streets of seamy Los Angeles. Assuming the role of amateur detective, she uncovers a shadowy world of drugs, prostitution, and ultimately, murder.

Lora's fascination with Alice's "sins" increases in direct proportion to the escalation of her own relationship with Mike Standish, a charmingly amoral press agent who appears to know more about his old friend Alice than he reveals. The deeper Lora digs to uncover Alice's secrets, the more her own life begins to resemble Alice's sinister past—and present.

The author: Megan Abbott has taught literature, writing and film at New York University and the State University of New York at Oswego.

Posted by tobiaslw at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)

Jennifer Allison

Did you always see yourself as a published author?
I always thought of myself as a writer, but it was an evolutionary process. I was always drawn to liberal arts and English classes at Michigan, and I loved writing and was interested in using my writing skills in some way.

What made you decide to write children’s literature?
I had an opportunity to live in Oxford, England, for a couple of years. England has a strong interest in children’s literature–it’s part of their culture, and they have some great children’s bookstores there. I would visit and browse through them, and it inspired me. I also lived in San Francisco, which has some interesting neighborhoods and quirky houses. Exploring the area sparked my imagination. Venturing through the area, I wondered what kinds of people live in those houses. It was while I was living in San Francisco that I got the idea for Gilda.

You recently returned to U-M to speak to students about your writing. What value do you think that provides students?
I went to the Residential College and talked with students about the process of putting a book together and getting published. Hearing someone’s experiences is inspirational and lets them know it can be done if they put their mind to it. However, it’s difficult to get published, especially in children’s literature. Sometimes the process can take years. I developed Gilda and worked on it off and on for about two years. The one thing I wanted to convey is that the process is an interesting and necessary journey to learn about your craft and to expand your skills. The field is very competitive and you might have to write many manuscripts before you figure out what story will get people excited enough to pick up the book and read it.

What’s Gilda’s next adventure?
There’s a sequel coming out in May titled, “Gilda Joyce: The Ladies of the Lake.� Gilda gets a scholarship to attend a private girls’ school in Michigan. She discovers a secret society among the girls and she uncovers one of their secrets. I’m not sure how many sequels there will be, but it will at least be a trilogy.

Note: “Gilda Joyce: Private Investigator� has been named one of the Best Books of 2005 by the School Library Journal.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)

Joan Nathan, MA'65

The New American Cooking, Alfred A. Knopf, 2005

The book: In this new book, Joan Nathan presents a fabulous feast of new American recipes and the stories behind them that reflect the most innovative time in our culinary history.

The huge influx of peoples from all over Asia--Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, India--and from the Middle East and Latin America in the past forty years has brought to our kitchens new exotic flavors, little-known herbs and condiments, and novel cooking techniques that make the most of every ingredient. At the same time, health and environmental concerns have dramatically affected how and what we eat. The result: American cooking has never been as exciting as it is today. And Joan Nathan proves it on every page of this wonderfully rewarding book.

Crisscrossing the country, she talks to organic farmers, artisanal bread bakers and cheese makers, a Hmong farmer in Minnesota, a mango grower in Florida, an entrepreneur of Indian frozen foods in New Jersey, home cooks, and new-wave chefs.

Among the many enticing dishes she discovers are a breakfast huevos rancheros casserole; starters such as Ecuadorean shrimp ceviche, Szechuan dumplings, and Malaysian swordfish satays; pea soup with kaffir leaves; gazpacho with sashimi; pasta dressed with pistachio pesto; Iraqi rice-stuffed Vidalia onions; and main courses of Ecuadorean casuela, chicken yasa from Gambia, and couscous from Timbuktu (with dates and lamb). And there are desserts for every taste.

Old American favorites are featured, too, but often Nathan discovers a cook who has a new way with a dish, such as an asparagus salad with blood orange mayonnaise, pancakes made with blue cornmeal and pine nuts, a seafood chowder that includes monkfish, and a chocolate bread pudding with dried cherries.

Because every recipe has a story behind it, The New American Cooking is a book that is as much fun to read as it is to cook from--a must for every kitchen today.

The author: Joan Nathan was born in Providence, Rhode Island. She has earned a master's degree from both the University of Michigan and from Harvard University. She writes for the New York Times and other publications and is the author of numerous books, including "Jewish Cooking in America,? which won both the James Beard Award and the IACP/Julia Child Cookbook of the Year Award in 1994. Drawing on her research for this book, she was the guest curator of Food Culture USA at the 2005 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. She is the mother of three grown children and lives with her husband in Washington, DC.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:55 AM | Comments (0)

Holly Burrows, '95, and Katie Walter, '95

Some Like it Hot: 50 Drinks to Warm Your Spirits, Chronicle Books, 2005

The book: As the days get shorter and the nights grow colder, a nice hot drink is the next best thing to hibernating under the covers till spring. Here are 50 drink recipes—with or sans alcohol—that offer a great alternative to the usual holiday libations and are destined to spice up any gathering. Caramel Apple Sips come complete with a gooey, caramely-covered stir stick. Or instead of dessert guests can sip into something a little more comfortable–Pumpkin Potion No. 9 topped with ginger whipped cream. Sugarplum Punch packs a good-to-the-last-drop wallop while a calming Chai Spiced Tea provides the perfect complement to a book and an overstuffed chair. With equipment and ingredient tips and super ideas for fabulous garnishes, when the weather outside is frightful, the sensational sippables in Some Like It Hot are oh-so-delightful.

The author: Holly Burrows partners with Katie Walter—whom she met at the University of Michigan. The two were regulars at Zingerman's Deli. Katie resides in Chicago and Holly in San Francisco.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:53 AM | Comments (0)

Craig Ross

The Obscene Diaries of a Michigan Fan, First Page Publications, 2005

The book: Craig Ross has written a comic gem about college sports and the sports personalities in America. Packed with fresh and funny insights, the book is the perfect mix of serious analysis, wild imagination and sports lore. The author’s obsession will all aspects of sports in our culture is contagious.

The author: Craig Ross is a fanatical sports fan. He was born in Lorain, Ohio, but now lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he is a sports writer for the Ann Arbor Observer.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:52 AM | Comments (0)

Laurence Goldstein

A Room in California, Northwestern University Press, 2005

The book: Southern California is one of two significant places in Laurence Goldstein’s fourth collection of poems. In the neighborhoods of Los Angeles, Goldstein encounters the vivid ghosts of an exotic personal landscape: Criswell the TV prophet, Madame Nhu, Mickey Cohen and Bob Hope, among others. He then takes the reader to Ethiopia, the setting of a long dramatic monologue narrated by a young American woman seeking the reincarnation of the medieval Christian potentate Prester John for help in the apocalyptic wars of the 21st century.

The author: Laurence Goldstein was born and raised in Los Angeles. He is a professor of English at the University of Michigan and editor of Michigan Quarterly Review.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:51 AM | Comments (0)

Jennifer Allison, '88

Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator, Dutton/Sleuth, 2005

The book: Every since her dad died, Gilda Joyce has been determined to communicate with spirits from the "other side." The perfect opportunity presents itself when she wangles an invitation to visit her strange relatives in San Francisco for the summer. A tortured ghost haunts their spooky Victorian mansion, and Gilda's uncle seems to have an awful lot to hide surrounding the mysterious suicide of his sister. Gilda and her cousin Juliet are working together to uncover family secrets—and each begins to heal from the loss of a loved one.

From poignant to hair-raising to hilarious, this is a tell-all account of the very first case in the illustrious career of Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator.

The author: Jennifer grew up in a small town in Michigan. One of her best friends lived on a sheep farm, and the two girls found the spooky atmosphere of the barn hayloft to be perfect for séances. As it turned out, the experience was also perfect inspiration for a novel about a 13-year-old psychic investigator.

Allison has held numerous odd jobs—piano player in a shopping mall, assembly-line worker for General Motors, waitress, preschool teacher—that have helped her generate ideas for characters and stories. In addition to developing her own craft, she is dedicated to working with young writers. This is Allison's first book. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, Michael, and their young son, Max

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:49 AM | Comments (0)

James Young, '56, MA'58, PhD'68

Henry Adams: The Historian as Political Theorist, University Press of Kansas, 2001

The book: Henry Adams has been a neglected figure in recent years. The Education of Henry Adams is widely accepted as a classic of American letters, but his other work is little read except by specialists. His brilliant journalism is out of print, while Mont Saint Michel and Chartres and the novels Democracy and Esther receive little attention. Even the monumental History of the Administrations of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, considered by some to be the greatest history written by any American, seems noticed only by scholars of that period.

James P. Young, author of the highly regarded Reconsidering American Liberalism, seeks to revive interest in the thought of Adams by extracting core ideas from his writings concerning both American political development and the course of world history and then showing their relevance to the contemporary longing for a democratic revival.

In this revisionist study, Young denies that Adams was a reactionary critic of democracy and instead contends that he was an idealistic, though often disappointed, advocate of representative government. Young focuses on Adams's belief that capitalist industrial development during the Gilded Age had debased American ideals and then turns to a careful study of Adams's famous contrast of the unity of medieval society with the fragmentation of modern technological society.

Though fully aware of Adams's concerns about technology, Young rejects the idea that Adams was bitterly opposed to twentieth century developments in that field. He shows that though a liberal democrat with inclinations toward reform, Adams is much too sophisticated to be captured by any simple label.

The author: James P. Young, currently a visiting scholar at the University of Michigan, is professor emeritus of political science at Binghamton University and the author of Reconsidering American Liberalism.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)

Herbert F. Weisberg, PhD'68

The Total Survey Error Approach, The University of Chicago Press, 2005

The book: In 1939, George Gallup's American Institute of Public Opinion published a pamphlet optimistically titled The New Science of Public Opinion Measurement. At the time, though, survey research was in its infancy, and only now, six decades later, can public opinion measurement be appropriately called a science, based in part on the development of the total survey error approach.

Herbert F. Weisberg's handbook presents a unified method for conducting good survey research centered on the various types of errors that can occur in surveys—from measurement and nonresponse error to coverage and sampling error. Each chapter is built on theoretical elements drawn from specific disciplines, such as social psychology and statistics, and follows through with detailed treatments of the specific types of error and their potential solutions. Throughout, Weisberg is attentive to survey constraints, including time and ethical considerations, as well as controversies within the field and the effects of new technology on the survey process—from Internet surveys to those completed by phone, by mail, and in person. Practitioners and students will find this comprehensive guide particularly useful now that survey research has assumed a primary place in both public and academic circles.

The author: Herbert Wiesberg is professsor of Political Science at the Ohio State University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:45 AM | Comments (0)

Howard Wial, '81

New Rules for a New Economy, ILR Press, 1998

The book: Three quarters of the American workforce is now employed in services, a substantial portion in low-paying, dead-end jobs. Can the service economy do as well by the American worker as the old manufacturing economy? Can the widely shared prosperity that accompanied steady increases in productivity and performance in manufacturing be replicated in the services? They can and they will, the authors of this timely book contend, but only if outmoded policies and practices are brought into line with the new economy. New Rules for a New Economy explains why this must be accomplished and how we can start.

The authors call for new, decentralized institutions suited to a dynamic economy in which change is constant and rapid. In particular, they see a need for job ladders and worker associations that cut across firm boundaries. These institutions would foster individual and collective learning, mark out career paths, and facilitate coordination among both individuals and organizations in a networked economy. The authors propose new rules to reshape labor market institutions and policy, improving economic performance and opportunities for workers.

Unusual in providing a comprehensive theoretical perspective that is grounded in detailed case research, this book points the way to a better future, not just for elite knowledge workers but for everyone.

The author: Howard Wial is a senior research associate at The Brookings Institution. He has published in academic journals and books on such topics as the role of social networks in job mobility, trends in job stability in the US and service sector employment. Wial has taught at Swarthmore College and Brandeis, Carleton, Brown and Penn State universities and has served as an economist and policy analyst with the US Department of Labor and directed research for nonprofit public policy analysis and consulting organizations.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:44 AM | Comments (0)

Anna Stubblefield, '92

Ethics Along the Color Line, Cornell University Press, 2005

The book: What is "race?" What role, if any, should race play in our moral obligations to others and to ourselves? Ethics along the Color Line addresses the question of whether black Americans should think of each other as members of an extended racial family and base their treatment of each other on this consideration, or eschew racial identity and envision the day when people do not think in terms of race. Anna Stubblefield suggests furthermore that white Americans should consider the same issues. She argues, finally, that for both black and white Americans, thinking of races as families is crucial in helping to combat anti-black oppression.

Stubblefield is concerned that the philosophical debate—argued notably between Kwame Anthony Appiah and Lucius Outlaw—over whether or not we should strongly identify in terms of race, and whether or not we should take race into account when we decide how to treat each other, has stalled. Drawing on black feminist scholarship about the moral importance of thinking and acting in terms of community and extended family, the author finds that strong racial identification, if based on appropriate ideals, is morally sound and even necessary to end white supremacy.

The author: Anna Stubblefield is assistant professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University-Newark.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)

Min Hyoung Song, '92

Strange Future: Pessimism and the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, Duke University Press, 2005

The book: Sometime near the start of the 1990s, the future became a place of national decline. The United States had entered a period of great anxiety fueled by the shrinking of the white middle class, the increasingly visible misery of poor urban blacks, and the mass immigration of nonwhites. Perhaps more than any other event marking the passage through these dark years, the 1992 Los Angeles riots have sparked imaginative and critical works reacting to this profound pessimism. Focusing on a wide range of these creative works, Min Hyoung Song shows how the L.A. riots have become a cultural-literary event—an important reference and resource for imagining the social problems plaguing the United States and its possible futures

Song considers works that address the riots and often the traumatic place of the Korean American community within them: the independent documentary Sa-I-Gu (Korean for April 29, the date the riots began), Chang-rae Lee's novel "Native Speaker," the commercial film "Strange Days," and the experimental drama of Anna Deavere Smith, among many others. He describes how cultural producers have used the riots to examine the narrative of national decline, manipulating language and visual elements, borrowing and refashioning familiar tropes, and, perhaps most significantly, repeatedly turning to metaphors of bodily suffering to convey a sense of an unraveling social fabric. Song argues that these aesthetic experiments offer ways of revisiting the traumas of the past in order to imagine more survivable futures

The author: Min Hyoung Song is associate professor of English at Boston College. He is a coeditor of "Asian American Studies: A Reader."

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)

Walter C. Soderlund, MA'65, PhD'70

Canadian Newspaper Ownership in the Era of Convergence, The University of Alberta Press, 2005

The book: Canadian Newspaper Ownership in the Era of Convergence investigates the current state of Canada's newspaper industry in light of recent developments—increasing concentration of ownership, multi-media convergence, and controversy over the actions of proprietors. Case studies examine how Conrad Black's acquisition of newspapers in the mid-1990s, bringing his total ownership to over half of the country's dailies, followed by the subsequent purchase of the most important of these by CanWest Global, has actually influenced the content of newspapers. Canadian Newspaper Ownership revisits "social responsibility" in the context of the changed media landscape as a means of prescribing how newspaper owners and employees might conduct themselves in the public interest.

The author: Walter C. Soderlund is a professor emeritus, Department of Political Science and associate professor of communication studies at the University of Windsor.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)

Valentina Sgro, JD'80

Organize Your Family's Schedule in No Time, Que Publishing, 2004

The book: Add three kids, two sporting events on opposite ends of town, a ballet lesson, and a scout event all in one Saturday and what do you get? An overwhelmed family struggling to just make it through the day.

If this sounds all too familiar, "Organize Your Family's Schedule In No Time" is the book that will help you get control of the calendar. Valentina Sgro, a professional organizer, shows you how to find more family time for fun and relaxation using a system that is customized to your family's unique needs. Using to-do lists and step-by-step instructions, this book helps the entire family better organize the group calendar, project list, homework schedule, and chores. In addition, Valentina helps parents to teach their kids essential organizational skills and good study and scheduling habits.

The author: In 1985, Valentina Sgro left her 12-hour-a-day position at a major law firm for a 16-hour-a-day job of childrearing and household management. In 1989, realizing that things were out of control, Val began trying to find a system which would get her organized. In 1997, with order established in her own life, Val founded SGRO Consulting, Solutions for Getting Really Organized.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)

Pamela Scully, PhD'93

Gender and Slave Emancipation in the Atlantic World, Duke University Press, 2005

The book: This groundbreaking collection provides the first comparative history of gender and emancipation in the Atlantic world. Bringing together essays on the United States, Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, West Africa and South Africa, and the Francophone and Anglophone Caribbean, it shows that emancipation was a profoundly gendered process, produced through connections between race, gender, sexuality and class. Contributors from the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, and Brazil explore how the processes of emancipation involved the re-creation of gender identities—the production of freedmen and freedwomen with different rights, responsibilities, and access to citizenship.

Offering detailed analyses of slave emancipation in specific societies, the contributors discuss all of the diverse actors in emancipation: slaves, abolitionists, free people of color, state officials, and slave owners. Whether considering the construction of a post-slavery masculine subjectivity in Jamaica, the work of two white U.S. abolitionist women with the Freedmen's Bureau after the Civil War, freedwomen's negotiations of labor rights in Puerto Rico, slave women's contributions to the slow unraveling of slavery in French West Africa, or the ways that Brazilian abolitionists deployed representations of femininity as virtuous and moral, these essays demonstrate the gains that a gendered approach offers to understanding the complex processes of emancipation. Some chapters also explore theories and methodologies that enable a gendered reading of post-slavery archives. The editors' substantial introduction traces the reasons for and patterns of women's and men's different experiences of emancipation throughout the Atlantic world.

The author: Pamela Scully has a joint appointment in the Department of Women's Studies and the Institute of African Studies at Emory University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)

David Schoem, '73

College Knowledge: 101 Tips for the College-Bound Student, University of Michigan Press, 2005

The book: Practical advice on every aspect of campus life for students headed off to college

The author: David Schoem is faculty director for the Michigan Community Scholar Programs at the University of Michigan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:36 AM | Comments (0)

Karen Roggenkamp, '91

Narrating the News, Kent State University Press, 2005

The book: Due to a burgeoning print marketplace during the late nineteenth century, urban newspapers felt pressure to create entertaining prose that appealed to readers, drawing on popular literary genres such as travel adventures, detective tales, and historical romances as a way of framing the news for readers. Using current events for their source documents, reporters fashioned their own dramas based on those that readers recognized from a broadly drawn literary culture. The desire to spin attractive, popular tales sometimes came at the expense of factual information. This novel, commercialized, and sensationalistic style of reporting, called "new journalism," was closely tied to American fiction.

In "Narrating the News" Karen Roggenkamp examines five major stories featured in three respected New York newspapers during the 1890s—the story of two antebellum hoaxes, Nellie Bly's around-the-world journey, Lizzie Borden's sensational trial, Evangelina Cisneros's rescue from her Spanish captors, and the Janet Cooke "Jimmy's World" scandal—to illustrate how new journalism man-ipulated specific segments of the literary marketplace. These case studies are complemented by broader cultural analyses that touch on vital topics in literary and cultural studies—gender, expansionism, realism, and professionalization.

Unlike previously published studies of literature and journalism, which focus only on a few canonical figures, Roggenkamp looks at part of the history of mass print communications more generally, exposing the competitive and reinforcing interplay between specific literary genres and their journalistic revisions. Narrating the News provides an original, significant contribution to the fields of literature, journalism history, and cultural studies.

The author: Karen Roggenkamp is assistant professor of English at Texas A&M University-Commerce. She has published articles in Journal of American Culture, American Periodicals and Journal of the American Studies Association of Texas.

Posted by tobiaslw at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)

Angie Morgan, '97, and Courtney Lynch

Leading from the Front: No Excuse Ledership Tactics for Women, McGraw-Hill, February 2006.

The book: As successful consultants teaching leadership to women in the workforce, Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch have seen that women face particular challenges in feeling comfortable at work—and making their environment work for them. "Leading from the Front" draws from the authors' combined 18 years of training in the Marine Corps to teach women how to take control of their environments—both professionally and personally. They reveal 10 key practices that turn women into leaders and improve their decision making, focus, and performance.

• Set an example: Everything you do reflects the type of person you are
• Think fast: Timeliness is often more important than accuracy
• No excuses: Accept responsibility before you place blame
• Be a caretaker first: Take care of and support those you lead
• Don't overreact: Learn to contemplate a situation before determining the best course of action
• Avoid drama: Aviate, navigate, and communicate to deal with crisis
• Believe you can: Courage + Perseverance + Initiative + Integrity = Success
• No tears: Don't cry over anything that can't or won't cry over you
• No apologies: Say only you're sorry when you're at fault
• Be you: Lead as you are and use your unique strengths

The author: Angie Morgan began her Marine Corps career in 1993 when she enrolled in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at U-M. After being commissioned as a Marine officer, she completed her initial Marine training in Quantico, Virginia. From there she was selected to become a public affairs officer and has held a number of positions in the public affairs arena. After leaving the Marine Corps, Angie began a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Angie continues to share her leadership skills on behalf of the USMC in extensive volunteer activities both on- and off-base. She also serves as a captain in the Marine Reserves. Angie believes that all women have something to offer as leaders and is quick to cite her experiences in the Corps as key to her successes outside of the military. She currently lives in Quantico, Virginia, with her husband, Matt, an active-duty Marine and their son.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:50 AM | Comments (0)

Eric Mogren, PhD'95

Native Soil: A History of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, Northern Illinois University Press, 2005

The book: Located in a region blessed by geology with nutrient rich, lush, black soil, DeKalb County, Illinois, is known for its agricultural prosperity. Here, in 1912, an enterprising group of successful farmers, businessmen, and bankers joined together to form an agricultural organization dedicated to improving crop production, the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association. Aided by its capable farm advisor, William G. Eckhardt, this coalition evolved into the DeKalb County Farm Bureau—a new type of organization that soon proliferated throughout the United States, offering educational and farming services to rural communities.

One of the oldest in the United States, the DeKalb County Farm Bureau is also one of the most innovative and influential. Originating as a private soil improvement association, it grew to offer a wide variety of assistance to farmers, rural families, and the community. By the 1960s, the DeKalb County Farm Bureau had become such a strong organization that its leadership effectively lobbied in the U.S. Congress for legislation supporting agricultural interests. In the 1970s, it entered into the international agricultural commodity marketing business, shipping local grain to Europe and Asia.

The history of this influential organization reflects the plight of American agriculture during the past century, from the early years of promise through two world wars and several economic crises. Historian Eric Mogren explains how one group of progressive farmers attempted to cope with the problems they faced as agriculture turned mechanized and productive farming required scientific and technological advances. Native Soil will be of interest to historians of agriculture and to those who have witnessed the positive effects of the farm bureau on the agrarian community.

The author: Eric Mogren is Associate Professor of History at Northern Illinois University and author of Warm Sand: Uranium Mill Tailings Policy in the Atomic West.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:49 AM | Comments (0)

Kathie Klarreich, '78

Madame Dread: A Tale of Love, Vodou and Civil Strife in Haiti, Nation Books, 2005

The book: Kathie Klarreich takes us on an enthralling, often deeply personal voyage through Haitian society, culture, religion and politics. Risking life and limb, being mistaken for a CIA agent, losing the man she loved to an assassin's bullet—through all this, Klarreich soldiered on in her tenacious reporting. Her unsparing eye led major news organizations like the New York Times, NBC, CNN, PBS, Time and NPR to rely on her expertise.

"Madame Dread" interweaves shattering political events with a riveting personal narrative about the Haitian musician she eventually marries and has a child with, who turns out to be as complicated and fascinating as the social upheavals she covered.

The author: Kathie Klarreich now lives in Florida. She has reported on Haiti for The Christian Science Monitor, the San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, "All Things Considered," U.S. News & World Report and the New York Times, as well as NBC, CNN and ABC.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:48 AM | Comments (0)

Lawrence Green, '85

The Dermatologist's Guide to Looking Younger, Crossing Press, 1999

The book: This book is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to improve their skin and look their best. During the past 15 years, the anti-aging market has grown tremendously. The sheer abundance of anti-aging remedies and procedures available today makes it difficult for people to sort through. "The Dermatologist's Guide To Looking Younger" answers your dermatology and plastic surgery questions simply, clearly, and concisely. Dr. Green's easy-to-use A-to-Z format lists aging problems, remedies, and procedures; discusses prevention, treatment advantages and disadvantages, aftercare and precautions; and cross references each entry for more information. Also included is a table listing whether remedies are available by prescription, over-the-counter, or as part of a procedure performed in a doctor's office.

The author: Dr. Lawrence Green is a dermatologist and author.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)

J. Harold Ellens, MA'02

Psychology and the Bible, Praeger Publishers, 2004

The book: These books provide the first comprehensive portrait of a relatively new field that combines psychological analysis with biblical studies. Thirty-four experts from seven countries gather here to show us how the various schools of psychology interpret the scriptures, from sexual laws and beliefs about shame to the personalities of Jesus, Job, and the prophet Ezekiel. A range of psychological perspectives from Freud to Kohut is chronicled, demonstrating a broad spectrum of applications from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.

The author: J. Harold Ellens is editor for the Praeger Series in Psychology, Religion and Spirituality. He is a research scholar at the University of Michigan Department of Near Eastern Studies, a retired Presbyterian theologian, an ordained minister, a retired US Army colonel and a retired professor of Philosophy, Theology and Psychology. He served 15 years as executive director of the Christian Association for Psychological Students and was founding editor and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Psychology and Christianity.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:36 AM | Comments (0)

Curt Bradley, '48

The Lakes of Greenville, Michigan, Greenville Printing Company, 2004

The book: The Lakes of Greenville, Michigan, Greenville Printing Company, 2004

The author: Curt Bradley is a longtime resident of Greenville, Michigan. He is a volunteer in the Flat River Community Library and the public schools. Curt has been the executive secretary of a 600-member MC Sailing Association since 1989. He races an MC scow at the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Yacht Club and at National regattas across the country.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:34 AM | Comments (0)

Jodi Bilinkoff, '76

Related Lives: Confessors and Their Female Penitents, 1450-1750, Cornell University Press, 2005

The book: In early modern Catholic Europe and its colonies priests frequently developed close relationships with pious women, serving as their spiritual directors during their lives, and their biographers after their deaths. In this richly illustrated book, Jodi Bilinkoff explores the ways in which clerics related to those female penitents whom they determined were spiritually gifted, and how they conveyed the live stories of these women to readers. The resulting popular literatures of hagiography and spiritual autobiography produced hundreds of texts designed to establish models of behavior for the Catholic faithful in the period between the advent of printing and the beginning of the modern age.

Bilinkoff finds that confessional relations and the texts that document them reveal much about gender and social values. She uses life narratives, primarily from Spain, but also from France, Italy, Portugal, Spanish America and French Canada, to examine the ways in which clerics presented female penitents as exemplary and how they constructed their own identities around their interactions with exceptional women. These multilayered texts, she suggests, offer compelling accounts of individuals caught up in the pursuit of holiness, and provide a key to understanding the resilience of Catholic culture in an age of religious change and conflict.

The author: Jodi Bilinkoff is associate professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is the author of "The Avila of Saint Teresa: Religious Reform in a Sixteenth-Century City," also from Cornell, and coeditor of "Colonial Saints: Discovering the Holy in the Americas, 1500-1800."

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)

Steve Bell, '82

Lean Enterprise Systems: Using IT for Continuous Improvement, Wiley Publishers, 2005

The book: Learn how Lean IT can help companies deliver better customer service and value. "Lean Enterprise Systems" effectively demonstrates how the techniques derived from Lean Manufacturing, combined with the thoughtful application of information technology, can help all enterprises improve business performance and add significant value for their customers. The author also demonstrates how the basic concepts of Lean Manufacturing can be applied to create agile and responsive Lean IT.

The book is divided into three parts that collectively explore how people, processes, and technology combine forces to facilitate continuous improvement.

Executives, managers, and improvement teams across a broad range of industries, as well as IT professionals, can apply the techniques described in this publication to improve performance, add value, and create competitive advantage. The book's clear style and practical focus also makes it an excellent textbook for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in business, operations management, and business information systems.

The author: Steve Bell is President and cofounder of Steady Improvement Inc., a management consulting firm dedicated to improving business effectiveness through the alignment of people, processes and information technology. He is a Certified Fellow in Production and Inventory Management (CFPIM) by the Association for Operations Management (APICS).

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)

Ali Behdad, MA'86, PhD'90

A Forgetful National: On Immigration and Cultural Identity in the United States, Duke University Press, 2005

The book: In A Forgetful Nation, the renowned post-colonialism scholar Ali Behdad turns his attention to the United States. Offering a timely critique of immigration and nationalism, Behdad takes on an idea central to American national mythology: that the United States is "a nation of immigrants," welcoming and generous to foreigners. He argues that Americans' treatment of immigrants and foreigners has long fluctuated between hospitality and hostility, and that this deep-seated ambivalence is fundamental to the construction of national identity. Building on the insights of Freud, Nietzsche, Foucault, and Derrida, he develops a theory of the historical amnesia that enables the United States to disavow a past and present built on the exclusion of others.

Behdad shows how political, cultural, and legal texts have articulated American anxiety about immigration from the Federalist period to the present day. He reads texts both well-known—J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur's Letters from an American Farmer, Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America, and Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass—and lesser-known—such as the writings of nineteenth-century nativists and of public health officials at Ellis Island. In the process, he highlights what is obscured by narratives and texts celebrating the United States as an open-armed haven for everyone: the country's violent beginnings, including its conquest of Native Americans, brutal exploitation of enslaved Africans, and colonialist annexation of French and Mexican territories; a recurring and fierce strand of nativism; the need for a docile labor force; and the harsh discipline meted out to immigrant "aliens" today, particularly along the Mexican border.

The author: Ali Behdad is professor of English and Comparative Writing at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:30 AM | Comments (0)

Bryan D. Jones and Frank R. Baumgartner, '80, MA'83, PhD'86

The Politics of Attention: How Government Prioritizes Problems, The University of Chicago Press, 2005

The book: On any given day, policymakers are required to address a multitude of problems and make decisions about a variety of issues, from the economy and education to health care and defense. This has been true for years, but until now no studies have been conducted on how politicians manage the flood of information from a wide range of sources. How do they interpret and respond to such inundation? Which issues do they pay attention to and why? Bryan D. Jones and Frank R. Baumgartner answer these questions on decision-making processes and prioritization in "The Politics of Attention."

Analyzing fifty years of data, Jones and Baumgartner's book is the first study of American politics based on a new information-processing perspective. The authors bring together the allocation of attention and the operation of governing institutions into a single model that traces public policies, public and media attention to them, and governmental decisions across multiple institutions.

"The Politics of Attention" offers a groundbreaking approach to American politics based on the responses of policymakers to the flow of information. It asks how the system solves, or fails to solve, problems rather than looking to how individual preferences are realized through political action.

The author: Frank R. Baumgartner is professor of Political Science at Pennsylvania State University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:28 AM | Comments (0)

Terry Axelrod, '70, MSW'71

Raising More Money to Building Lifelong Donors, Raising More Money Publications, 2004

The book: Nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers who are passionate about the mission of their organization but tired of the old model of raising funds will be inspired by this incisive and practical manual.

Fundraising veteran and Raising More Money founder Terry Axelrod shows how nonprofit organizations—regardless of size, location, or mission—can become financially self-sustaining. A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Lifelong Donors has been nominated by the Alliance for Nonprofit Management for its 11th Annual Terry McAdam Book Award for the most inspirational and useful new book published that makes a substantial contribution to nonprofit management, management consultancy, or the advancement of the nonprofit sector. The third edition of this fundraising guidebook expands on key aspects of the Raising More Money Model, including fresh material on:

• How to customize the Cultivation Superhighway for each of your donors
• How to design a cultivation/recognition system you can leave as a legacy
• How to ask naturally, with a focus on donor readiness
• How to manage relationships with existing donors online and convert newly acquired online donors to in-person donors

The author: Terry Axelrod, CEO and founder of Raising More Money, has over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit field, including founding three nonprofit organizations in healthcare and affordable housing.

Terry created the Raising More Money Model in 1996 after serving as Development Consultant to Zion Preparatory Academy, an inner city Christian Academy in Seattle, from 1992-1995. There she designed and implemented the fundraising and marketing programs which yielded $7.2 million in 2 ½ years as well as national recognition of the program including a cover story in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Terry currently serves as a director of the American Association of Fundraising Counsel, a trustee of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and life trustee of Swedish Medical Center.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:20 AM | Comments (0)

Charles F. Adams, '48

Murder by the Bay: Historic Homicide In and About the City of San Francisco, Quill Driver Books, 2005

The book: San Francisco has had more than its share of truly fascinating and historic homicides. The city and its Bay Area can stand proudly with Paris, London, and New York in the splendor of its misdeeds murders that have suspense, horror, audacity, and flair. The homicides chronicled in Murders by the Bay, have been selected because a convergence of personality, circumstance, character, and geography makes them peculiarly San Franciscan. Each of these crimes illustrates an historic importance; each has impacted its times either in the course or application of the law or in the manner in which the affair revealed a shortcoming in society. They range from the Montgomery Street killing of James King of William, editor of the Daily Evening Bulletin, in 1856 to the sensational trial of early movie comedian Fatty Arbuckle who was accused of killing a showgirl at a party in the St. Francis Hotel to the shocking "City Hall Murders" in which former city supervisor Dan White killed Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. Most were solved, some were not. They are murders that fascinated the city and frequently the country, sometimes for weeks, often for years and even decades.

The author: Charles F. Adams, a 20-year resident of San Francisco, is chairman of the Wajim Corporation and president of Adams Enterprises. He spent his work career in international marketing and was president and chief operating officer of D'Arcy, MacManus and Masius Inc., one of the world's largest advertising agencies. He also is a former owner and general partner of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. He has chaired a number of charitable and civic organizations.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:18 AM | Comments (0)

Wayne Smith, '60

The Hole of the Third Eye: A Fable of Golf, Zen and Life, Little Acorn Press, 2005

The book: Harry Morgan's life, due to his own inertia and inattention, has bottomed out. He's failed to live up to the start in life that his self-made father gave him, he's ashamed of his profession and his failed marriage, and his golf game stinks.

Then a strange old codger drifts into Harry's life. Joseph is an enigma: possibly unbalanced, perhaps not even real, he may have the secret of extraordinary golf. Harry presses him for help with his game, but Joseph insists that Harry first consider a series of other ideas: a strange mix of quantum physics, Eastern philosophy and life questions. To appease Joseph, in order to regain his golf secrets, Harry accepts a series of single-page "thought exercises." As he completes each one, Joseph randomly shows up, offers a golf idea and leaves Harry with another work sheet.

Harry's experience with Joseph finally culminates at an isolated Japanese Zen retreat: The Order of the Third Eye. There, the monks use an old-style golf course (requiring hickory shafts and gutta-percha balls) as a Zen exercise: a living koan.

Does Harry's life heal? Does his handicap drop? Who is this strange old guy, anyway?

The author: Wayne Smith is an engineer, a former DuPont manufacturing manager, an industry consultant, a seminar leader/speaker, a magician and a life-long golf searcher.

He lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with his wife Linda and his family includes two daughters and two step-daughters. Golf has provided his friendships and taken him to hallowed grounds: Scotland, Ireland and 30 years of Pinehurst.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)

Jonathan Rowe, '76

A Question of Identity, First Page Publications, 2005

The book: Tabloid reporter David Fisher, an overeducated, underachieving scofflaw, is wasting his talent and wallowing in a mid-life crisis. That is, until the day he stumbles upon the story of a fugitive radical hiding in his hometown. Fisher becomes obsessed with uncovering her true identity. At the same time, he becomes hopelessly bewitched by the sexy and mysterious Janet Fickle. Fisher desperately pursues these women and soon, the question of identity takes on a more mysterious and pressing relevance.

The author: Jonathan Rowe is a reluctant lawyer, having served as a federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C. and then as a media litigator in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He now writes fiction full time. He holds the world record for "Longest Continuous Mid-Life Crisis" and lives in Ann Arbor with his long-suffering wife, two daughters and dog.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:15 AM | Comments (0)

Spencer Myers, '67

Pest: An Ecological Thriller, Author House Publishing, 2005

The book: An EPA investigator experiences a deadly premonition while fishing in Florida. A murder in Michigan causes a small toxic spill. Derk Bryan soon discovers that these two disparate events threaten every drop of water on the planet and every important relationship in his life. His laizze faire life on the beach is now on a collision course with crippled chemical company magnate, Jack Von Lleuwan, and his bodyguard, an ex-wrestler with anger management issues. Lleuwan's newest product, PESTfreeã , will replace chemicals that are contaminating the food and water worldwide, but it contains a deadly flaw. As the body count grows, Derk Bryan races against the clock to thwart disaster.

The author: Spencer Myers had been published in fields ranging from physical fitness to crime prevention, and his poetry won an award. The first draft of "Pest" was a finalist in the Hemingway Contest for first-time authors. Myers' commitment to his environment began during the days of gas shortages in the mid-1970s when he received the first Department of the Interior grant to put solar collectors on a multi-family residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Myers is a successful business owner and is leading campaign to create a constitutional guarantee for individual control over one's own body. He currently resides in Miami, Florida.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:14 AM | Comments (0)

George A. Mathewson, LLM'92

1984 Arrives in America, Vantage Press Inc., 2005

The book: George Mathewson's chilling novel of historical fiction, readers are exposed to much more pertinent information about the United States Patriot Act than ever before. Called unconstitutional by vocal opponents, the Patriot Act has certainly been controversial.

Within that framework, the author weaves a stellar web of intrigue and espionage, engaging his readers with twists and turns in a seemingly never-ending flow of solid plotlines and vivid character portrayals. Perhaps most telling throughout is the nagging question of just how much can an ordinary citizen fight back? Timely, enjoyable, and information, "1984 Arrives in America" stands as a wake-up call for ordinary Americans everywhere.

The author: George A. Mathewson has been a member of the New York Bar for 41 years. He has worked as a general practitioner concentrating in franchise law as well as an attorney for the Federal Trade Commission. Now retired from the law office he founded, George enjoys reading, working in his yard, writing newspaper articles on legal matters and writing for the Steuben County Historical Society. He resides in New York.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:12 AM | Comments (0)

Lynn Isenberg, '81

The Funeral Planner, Red Dress Ink, 2005

The book: Business-school grad Maddy Banks lives in her office, works 24/7 and hasn't shopped in so long that her closet has official historical status. Still, she's convinced that her manic drive, propensity for risk and dogged follow-through will make her millions. Someday. They have to. Right? Maddy learns that success comes at a price. After the death of a close friend, she quickly realizes that schmoozing and spreadsheeting her way through life isn't much of a life at all. Armed with an angel investor and a hot venture capitalist, Maddy starts party planning for those who won't be attending—the deceased. Along the way she learns some hard lessons about trust, working with "friends" and mixing business with pleasure.

The author: Lynn Isenberg left the University of Michigan with ambitions to write and produce Hollywood mainstream movies. She moved to Los Angeles and racked up credits on a number of feature films. She also has written, produced and marketed programming for cable television networks, live events and the Internet. Isenberg is executive producer of the Fine Living Network series "iDesign" and, through her company Focus Media, she is working on other entertainment projects as well as a second novel. She current resides in Marina del Rey, California.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:11 AM | Comments (0)

Aaron Hamburger, '95

Faith for Beginners, Random House, 2005

The book: An acclaimed short-story writer has created a miraculous first novel about an American family on the verge of a breakdown–and an epiphany.

In the summer of 2000, Israel teeters between total war and total peace. Similarly on edge, Helen Michaelson, a respectable suburban housewife from Michigan, has brought her ailing husband and rebellious college-age son, Jeremy, to Jerusalem. She hopes the journey will inspire Jeremy to reconnect with his faith and find meaning in his life … or at least get rid of his nose ring.

It's not that Helen is concerned about Jeremy's sexual orientation (after all, her other son is gay as well). It's merely the matter of the overdose ("Just like Liza!" Jeremy had told her), the green hair, and what looks like a safety pin stuck through his face. After therapy, unconditional love, and tough love … why not try Israel?

Yet in seductive and dangerous surroundings, with the rumbling of violence and change in the air, in a part of the world where "there are no modern times," mother and son become new, old, and surprising versions of themselves.

Funny, erotic, searingly insightful, and profoundly moving, "Faith for Beginners" is a stunning debut novel from a vibrant new voice in fiction.

The author: Aaron Hamburger is the author of the short-story collection "The View from Stalin's Head," for which he was awarded the Rome Prize by The American Academy of Arts and Letters. He was awarded a fellowship from the Edward F. Albee Foundation and won first prize in the David Dornstein Memorial Creative Writing Contest for Young Adult Writers. His writing has appeared in The Village Voice, Out, Nerve, and Time Out New York. He teaches writing at Columbia University and lives in New York City.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:09 AM | Comments (0)

Jennifer Coburn, '88

Tales from the Crib, Kensington Books, January 2006

The book: A romantic comedy of errors about a couple who attempt the absurd. Lucy Klein's husband tells her he wants a divorce, just moments before she plans to tell him she's pregnant. The couple tries to live together as friends and "co-parents," all while trying to maintain somewhat "normal" lives. The book serves up a "snappy and compelling comedy" of their bizarre arrangement.

The author: Jennifer Coburn is a chick-lit novelist who also enjoys reading, playing soccer and rock climbing. She is a native New Yorker but currently resides in San Diego with her husband, William, and their daughter, Katie.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)

Doris Baker, MA'56

The Originals, Maximilian Press Publishers, 2002

The book: The story begins in the uneasy aftermath of World War II, a time of shifting, settling, and upheaval, temporary threats to world peace, the Hungarian Revolution, the Vietnam War and the murder of President John F. Kennedy. The story reflects related changes in the lives of the first soldiers who formed the 10th Special Forces Group Airborne, soldiers President Kennedy named the Green Berets.

Most of the locales and a few characters and incidents are real. Although war scenes are part of the background, it is essentially the story of Kate O'Brien, an American woman who is caught in the dangerous lives and fortunes of these extraordinary men.

The author: Doris Baker is an author, writer and poet and photographer. She was a classroom teacher, educator and principal of the U.S. Army elementary and junior high schools in Germany from 1950 to 1979. Her experience with members of the Special Forces commenced from her first overseas assignment in 1953 and provides inspiration for "The Originals."

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)

William R. Sturtz, '48, JD'51

"Froggy and the Christmas Pageant," 1998.

The play : "Froggy and the Christmas Pageant" highlights Samantha, a young girl who is excited to tryout for her school's Christmas pageant, but is afflicted with a congenitally hoarse, "froggy" voice. As a result, she is cast as a donkey and comes home disheartened. That night, Samantha is visited by an elf that has been sent on a mission by Santa to grant the wishes of 10 special children. Samantha quickly wishes for a new voice and can't wait for the pageant to arrive so that she can surprise everyone who has teased her and receive apologies from them all. But when the opportunity arises, Samantha remains mute, but she is presented at the end of the play with an award for her true Christmas spirit. That night, Samantha decides to surrender her wish so that it can be passed on to another deserving child. Through her experience, she learns her froggy voice is what makes her special and unique.

The playwright : William R. Sturtz was a practicing lawyer for 18 years and a judge for 21 before retiring in 1990. He has been active in all facets of community theater for 30 years—acting, directing and stage managing. Not particularly fond of children's plays being performed at Christmas, Sturtz decided to write one; "Froggy and the Christmas Pageant" was written and copyrighted in 1998. If interested in reading or producing the play, contact Sturtz at Box 307, Albert Lea, MN 56007, bill@sturtz.org or 507.373.2690.

Posted by tobiaslw at 10:00 AM | Comments (0)

Nancy Day, '72

Flamingo's First Christmas, Harry N. Abrams Inc., 2005

The book: This hilarious holiday book celebrates Christmas–Miami-style! It's Christmas time when a flamingo peers out of the tropical garden where he lives and notices downtown Miami; a city aglow in red and green lights and Christmas trees. Curious, he decides to investigate this strange holiday everyone seems to celebrating. The more he learns about Christmas, the more he hopes to be a part of it–but he worries. Can a clumsy pink tropical bird be a part of this perfect red and green holiday? He doesn't see any pink lights! And then he gets an idea...there just might be a spot in a nativity scene for one more animal! From the illustrator of "The Useful Moose" and author of "Double Those Wheels" comes an original, heart-warming tale just in time for the holidays.

The author: Nancy Raines Day is the author of several successful picture books, including "Double Those Wheels" and "A Kitten's Year." She lives on an island in Georgia.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:58 AM | Comments (0)

Margaret Dubay Mikus, '74

As Easy as Breathing: Reclaiming Power for Healing and Transformation, iUniverse, 2002

The book: As Easy as Breathing is the moving story of a woman's struggle and triumph over cancer told through poems, letters and conversations with Spirit. The author learned to live deeply, using everything as an opportunity for growth and clarity. Her relationships were healed, her life profoundly transformed. Sometimes funny, always graceful, honest and inspiring, this hope-filled book is particularly relevant in these troubled times.

The author: Margaret Dubay Mikus was a research scientist and teacher. Illness transformed her life. After healing from multiple sclerosis in 1995, she began a poetic journal to "sing from the heart." Dubay Mikus sings, teaches workshops, and gives poetry readings in Illinois. She is a photographer and designed her website, www.fullblooming.com.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:56 AM | Comments (0)

Barbara DuBois, '48, MA'52

Country Style Poems, Blackwelder, 2004

The book: A collection of poems about country living.

The author: Barbara R. DuBois has published two poetry chapbooks in 2004: "A Greek Suite," and "Country Style."She writes regular book review columns for the Socorro (NM) Public Library newsletter, the Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge newsletter, and the Socorro newspaper.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:56 AM | Comments (0)

Margaret Towne, '61, MS'62

Honest to Genesis: A Biblical and Scientific Challenge to Creationism, PublishAmerica, 2003

The book: "Honest to Genesis" integrates biblical creation accounts with modern evolutionary theory. It targets a broad audience, covering both the scientific as well as the theological dimensions of this subject, which continues to erupt in the culture from courtroom to classroom to living room. Beginning upon foundations in critical thinking, it progresses to a historic overview of the dialogue between science and religion, especially as it pertains to evolutionary theory. Readers will learn how to examine the Bible in light of its unique cultural and geographic settings, its ancient languages, various authors, and the thousand-year time span of its composition. In addition, the foundations of evolutionary theory are delineated, incorporating the data from fields including geology, paleontology, biochemistry and biology.

The author: Margaret Towne has been educated in biology and theology. She won the Templeton Foundation award in 1997 and has taught biology courses at Princeton, Penn State, Marywood and Montana State. Towne also has supported church adult education programs and given community lectures.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:54 AM | Comments (0)

Philip Stine, PhD'68

Let the Words be Written: The Lasting Influence of Eugene A. Nida, Society of Biblical Literature, 2004

The book: Pick up nearly any English Bible today, and you have already encountered Eugene A. Nida—his influence is that widespread. Nida's dynamic-equivalence approach to Bible translation helped to shape the Good News Bible, the Contemporary English Version, the New International Version, and the New Jerusalem Bible. In addition, Nida's longtime work with the American Bible Society and collaboration with the United Bible Societies spread his theories and methods around the world. Drawing on archival records and interviews with those who know Nida best, "Let the Words Be Written" examines and assesses the ongoing influence of this scholar of wide-ranging abilities and boundless energy. Bible translators, students and scholars of translation theory or cross-cultural studies, and general readers with an interest in the Bible will find this volume both accessible and enlightening.

The author: Philip C. Stine received his PhD in linguistics from the University of Michigan. He was recruited by Dr. Nida in 1968 to work with the translations program of the United Bible Societies where he served in various capacities for nearly 30 years, first as a translation consultant in Africa and later as the global coordinator of translation work and related research. Stine has authored and edited numerous books on Bible translation and missiology, including "Bible Translation and the Spread of the Church: The Last 200 Years" (1990). For six years he was director for publishing, marketing and translation services for UBS. He now is a marketing and publishing consultant based in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)

Robert Soderstrom, MD'72

The Big House: Fielding H. Yost and the Making of Michigan Stadium, Huron River Press, 2005

The book: University of Michigan head football Coach, Lloyd H. Carr sums it up best, "If you have an interest in the history of college football and especially University of Michigan Football, Dr. Robert Soderstrom has written a well-researched story about Fielding H. Yost, college football in the 1920s and the building of Michigan stadium. I love this book and think you will too." The book spans the years 1922-27, the period in which Yost conceived and saw through the building of Michigan stadium, while serving as a successful and inspirational coach. With consideration for historical context, Soderstrom covers all the issues facing Yost including persuading the Michigan board of regents to support a new stadium. The 368-page, hard cover, begins with the season of 1922 that laid the cornerstone and concludes with the stadium dedication game in 1927 that pit Michigan against its infamous rival, Ohio State. There are many excerpts from local newspapers, quotes from Yost's own personal files, and photos from the Bentley Historical Library.

The author: Dr. Robert M. Soderstrom is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School. He is board certified in internal medicine and dermatology and has practiced in Flint, Michigan, since 1980. He has had season tickets to Wolverine football games continuously since 1968. During that time, has never witnessed a losing season in Ann Arbor, an amazing accomplishment by those who coach and play Michigan football.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:50 AM | Comments (0)

Michael S. Skaff, '58

Craps 101: Fundamentals and Strategies for All Players, First Page Publications, 2005

The book: If you have trouble understanding the game of craps or have always wanted to learn about this exciting casino game, this is the book for you. Dr. Skaff takes the complex rules, language and mathematics of the game and makes them simple to understand. Using many color photos and the actual table layout, he explains the game’s personnel, chips, dice, how to bet and what are good bets. Whether you are a beginner or have played craps for years, you will find this book fun and educational.

The author: Michael S. Skaff, PhD is a professor of mathematics and computer science at the University of Detroit Mercy. For more than 40 years, Dr. Skaff has been a teacher, consultant, lecturer, and computer programmer for education, business, and industry. He has published at least 35 papers and has written a weekly computer column for several local newspapers.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:49 AM | Comments (0)

Robert Rapoport, '68

I Should Have Gone Home, RDR Books, 2005

The book: This hilarious book makes life on the road a joy. The fifth volume in a series that proves how easy it is to turn the trip of your dreams into an effortless nightmare, "I Should Have Just Stayed Home" is perfect bedside reading in the emergency room. In this book stories from around the globe also feature the winners of recent worst trip contests sponsored by the publisher in many states including California, Wyoming, Colorado, Michigan and Illinois. Sure to delight a wide audience, "I Should Have Just Stayed Home" takes a close look at the new high security travel environment.

The author: Robert Rapoport is an author and publisher.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:47 AM | Comments (0)

Art Regner, '82

What It Means To Be A Michigan Wolverine, Triumph Books, 2005

The book: In "What It Means to Be a Wolverine," many of Michigan's greatest players and coaches recall with vigor, honesty, and emotion the years they spent at the University of Michigan, a time in which they contributed to one of college football's most glorious traditions.

The author: Art Regner was born in Detroit and raised in Livonia, Michigan. One of Detroit's best-loved sports radio personalities, he currently co-hosts "The Big Show" on AM 1270. He is the station's "hockey guru" and host of the Red Wings pre-game, intermission and post-game shows. In 2000 Regner was named Detroit's Top TV and Radio Personality of the Year by the Ann Arbor News.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:46 AM | Comments (0)

Gary Raham, '68, MS'69

Teaching Science Fact with Science Fiction, Teacher Ideas Press, 2004

The book: The literature of science fiction packs up the facts and discoveries of science and runs off to futures filled with both wonders and warnings. Kids love to take the journeys it offers for the thrill of the ride, but they can learn as they travel, too. This book provides an overview of the past 500 years of scientific thought and the literature of science fiction, which it inspired; suggestions for finding and adapting the kind of science fiction that will work best in classrooms; detailed ideas and resources for teaching concepts in the physical, earth, space, and life sciences, as well in history and mathematics; and suggested activities for a variety of grade levels.

The author: R. Gary Raham is a freelance writer and illustrator and also is a graphic designer for Citizen Printing Co. in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:44 AM | Comments (0)

Ann Rae, '91

Changing Agency Policy: An Incremental Approach, Allyn & Bacon/Longman, 2003

The book: This text presents an action-strategy model of social change that social workers can use to impact the policy process at the agency level to benefit clients.

Social workers must learn to advocate changes in policy at the agency level in order to benefit and empower consumers of social services. The action-strategy model will be useful for all social workers whether they are intervening at the agency level or at larger social systems such as regional or state levels.

Value issues, ethical considerations, and diversity permeate every aspect of policy making, from formulation of the initial idea to implementation of a new policy. This book discusses values and diversity inherent in the agency policy change process, as well as how these relate to professional social work values.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)

Charlene M. Proctor, MS'97, PhD'00

Let Your Goddess Grow: 7 Spiritual Lessons on Female Power and Positive Thinking, The Goddess Network Press, 2005

The book: Seven spiritual lessons take you on a journey to create a positive and powerful life. This book teaches you how to recognize negative thought patterns and develop self-discipline and wisdom to consciously stay in the present moment. Affirmations are included to help you replace old, negative thought patterns with ideas that encourage you to create a balanced life. This book gently leads you to the concept of the Divine Feminine and why both men and women need more of Her. Seven self-inventory sections are included in each power lesson for individual use, for empowerment groups, or online discussion forums.

The author: Charlene M. Proctor provides guidance through everyday complexity with female imagery and positive thinking. She is the founder of The Goddess Network, Inc., an organization for women who want to discover the feminine principle within. Her lectures, workshops, and electronic programs reach a worldwide audience daily. As a former simulation architect who has researched issues on learning organizations, female leadership, the environment and corporate spirituality, Dr. Proctor empowers women by discussing topics on life balance, reclaiming the goddess within, abundance thinking, consciously creating your day, and affirmative thinking.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:41 AM | Comments (0)

Raymond Pettit, '72

Market Research in the Internet Age: Leveraging Technology for Market Measurement and Consumer Insight, John Wiley & Sons, 2002

The book: Market Research in the Internet Age takes an in-depth look at the forces that are reshaping the market research and business information industry worldwide. As the impact of the Internet and other enabling technologies take hold, many business processes and activities are being affected. This is creating an abundance of opportunities for value creation, both for new and existing players. This book offers:

A visionary discussion of the industry through the eyes of leading practitioners and thinkers in the global market research industry.

A comprehensive review of how enabling technology is being applied across the enterprise and around the world.

Numerous case studies that demonstrate how the Internet can be used as platform to understand consumers as well as customers.

Original research results and executive interviews concerning the state of global market research and the effect of the Internet.

Practical guides for evaluating, building and deploying Net-centric tools for

Multi-mode and multi-country online research management.

This groundbreaking book offers a strategic and visionary analysis of a new era in market research. Written by globally recognized leaders in the field, it puts forward a practical guide to the strategic use of Internet-based technologies and work processes for streamlined management of market research.

The author: Dr. Raymond Pettit is the president of ERP Associates and member of Barite College faculty where he lectures on Interactive Internet marketing, e-Research and e-Commerce in the MBA track in the Zicklin Business School.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:39 AM | Comments (0)

William J. Pervin, '52, MS'52

A Programmer’s Guide to Assembler, McGraw-Hill, 2005

The book: This text gives an introduction to MIPS Assembler using the PCSPIM simulator, emphasizing software development. The object is to make high-level language programmers of embedded processors aware of what their compilers must do, what actually happens inside the hardware of their computers, and how these facts may well affect their programming decisions. The MIPS processor is chosen as the example of a real processor with a significant market that is still very simply and cleanly designed.

The author: William Pervin is a professor of electrical engineering, computer science, and mathematics at The University of Texas at Dallas. He is the author of several books, journal articles and technical papers.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)

Sandra Parker, '02

The Eye of the Storm, AuthorHouse, 2005

The book: This book is a very personal account of a woman's journey through depression. In "The Eye of the Storm," Sandra Parker writes about her struggle with depression and how she fought her way back. While the book tells about this one woman's struggles, it will promote thought for many women who have fought hard to keep going even though the down times can be exhausting.

"The Eye of the Storm" gives an account on how to go about empowering oneself and finding the happiness we all deserve.

Facing the loss of a loved one along with financial difficulties, this single Mom who struggled so hard through life to keep her head above the water, succumbs to the apathy she feels. Ignoring all that is good around her, she does not want to leave her room. By the Grace of God, one day she wakes up from this dilemma and decides that she will survive. She begins by accepting responsibility for her part in the mess she is in and then she proceeds to make peace with the pains that have haunted her all along.

The subject of the book is not a happy one, but the book itself is inspiring and its words will reach many.

The author: Sandra Parker is a high school English teacher. Her fascination with writing began during her high school years. She wrote poems and kept journals during this time. Later in life, while reading the classics in her college English classes, Sandra became more interested in writing as a form of communication of one's own feelings. Her English professors at the University of Michigan awakened a desire within her to write with earnest. "The Eye of the Storm" is her first publication, and she is currently working on her second book, which is due out later this year.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)

Robert Neir, '51

A City Comes of Age, Leatherback Publishing, 2005

The book: Bob Neir presents the events that helped shape the city of Kirkland, Washington, and introduces readers to the citizens who worked to make Kirkland what is is today-a vibrant and thriving community.

The author: Bob Neir is a long-time resident of Kirkland, Washington. He served for a number of years on the Kirkland City Council, including six years as mayor.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:36 AM | Comments (0)

Sam Muller, MA'71

Making a Clock-Accurate Sundial, Naturegraph Publishers, 1997

The book: Presents step-by-step instructions for making a sundial, which will illustrate concepts regarding the interrelation of the sun, the earth's rotation, and time.

The author: Sam Muller was inspired to write the book after ordering a mass-produced sundial to demonstrate to his students. Much to his dismay, when the sundial arrived, it did not work correctly. Gathering all the knowledge he could about the earth’s tilt, rotation and changing orbital speed, Muller created a sundial that really worked.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:33 AM | Comments (0)

David Moultrup, '71, MS'75

Husbands, Wives & Lovers: The Emotional System of the Extramarital Affair, Guilford Press, 1990

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)

Jeffrey Alan Morgan, ME'91, PhD'96

Creating Lean Corporations: Reengineering from the Bottom Up to Eliminate Waste, Productivity Press, 2005

The book: Many companies applying lean [processes] use a top-down approach–a person or small group defines the business process in general terms and progressively expands it into more detailed elements. This method fails when the person or small group defining the process lacks the detailed knowledge of the tasks involved to sequence them correctly. Creating Lean Corporations, however, utilizes a bottom-up approach in which the employees who perform the tasks are empowered to create and manage their own portions of the business process. Each task is defined using a task model that indicates the input-output relationships between tasks–it dictates the sequence that the tasks should be performed within the business process. This approach is essential for creating and improving business processes that are large and complex but still efficient.

The author: Dr. Jeffrey Morgan has worked for General Motors for 16 years as a senior project engineer in the Powertrain group, developing engineering and business processes for the analysis and development of powertrain systems and components. He is an expert in the numerical substructuring techniques that are used to analyze complex mechanical systems and is a registered professional engineer.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:29 AM | Comments (0)

Kathy Merrill, '76

Tailgating Without a Hitch, Proctor Publication, 1996

The book: A fun, indispensable cookbook for all tailgaters and outdoor cooks. Book includes numerous recipes as well as helpful tips for appetizers, preparation, and step-by-step event planning–perfect for creating a variety of dishes for the entire football or summer season.

The author: By day, Kathy Merrill works with corporations and municipalities to reduce their cost structure through lean engineering. But on weekends when the Wolverines are in town, she turns into a tailgate gourmet, whipping up successful meals outdoors. Her Crushed Buckeye Chili recipe won top honors in Jim Brandstatter’s 1993 U-M Tailgate Party Cooking Contest. Merril has traveled to Europe and Asia on business and has provided inspiration for some of her recipes.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:28 AM | Comments (0)

Milton Meckler, MSE'55

Improving Indoor Air Quality Through Design, Operation and Maintenance, Fairmont Press/Prentice Hall, 1996

The book: Beginning with specific guidelines for assessing and measuring indoor air contaminants, this hands-on reference details engineering, maintenance and operational procedures which may be applied to correct problems associated with "sick bulking syndrome," and generally to assume the safety and quality of indoor air. Specific solutions detailed include retrofitting of VAV systems with IAQ sensors, use of desiccants to remove air contaminants, new ventilation efficiency techniques and more, along with guidelines for optimizing operation and maintenance in terms of their impact on indoor air quality.

The author: Milton Meckler has been involved in all aspects of consulting engineering services. He is a member of several professional organizations and has received numerous awards in his field. Meckler has published over 325 feature and technical articles, books, handbooks, videos, design and policy manuals. He also has lectured extensively, and holds in excess of 40 US and foreign patents.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:27 AM | Comments (0)

Karen Maximin, '69

The God of the Low Places: Finding God in Depression, AuthorHouse, 2004

The book: Finally a book that addresses both faith feelings and the facts of depression from a compassionate outlook. The specifics of chemical imbalance are discussed, along with the impact on those with depression and their relationships. The author shares some of her own coping mechanisms for dealing with the everyday realities of depression. It is easy at these times to feel like a sack of potatoes that’s been left in the cellar too long, but the book reminds us that we are precious in God’s eyes.

The author: The author has experienced first-hand the debilitating effects of depression. By the grace of God, she has now recovered sufficiently to work with and share the experiences of others with similar afflictions. She is a practicing Catholic, but writes with a broad faith outlook.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)

David Masello, '80

Architecture Without Rules, The Houses of Marcel Breuer, W. W. Norton & Co., 1996

The book: Internationally famous for such buildings as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York (as well as for the ubiquitous "Breuer" chair), Marcel Breuer thrived on experimentation. From the 1950s through the 1970s, he and his associate Herbert Beckhard created a radical new type of American housing.

David Masello interviewed Herbert Beckhard and many of the original clients. He introduces here twenty of Breuer and Beckhard's landmark houses, explaining how their aims are realized in the design, building materials, and use of each site.

The author: David Masello is a writer on architecture and design. He lives in New York City.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)

Carol Macnee, '73, PhD'90

Understanding Nursing Research: Reading and Using Research in Practice, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004

The book: Unique in its full-color design and reader-friendly conversational tone, this text links understanding of nursing research directly with evidence-based practice. The text begins with the results of the research and explains the steps of the research process to answer key questions about how the conclusions were reached, how the study was done, who was in the study, and why it was done that way.

Distinguished by icons, qualitative and quantitative research are integrated throughout the text. Each chapter includes clinical vignettes and highlighted key concepts and ends with an out-of-class exercise referencing the clinical vignette and stimulating critical thinking for the next chapter.

The author: Dr. Carol Macnee is the director of research and professor at the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing University of Wyoming.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)

Janice Law, '63

Sex Appealed: Was the U.S. Supreme Court Fooled?, Eakin Press, 2005

The book: When Deputy Joseph Richard Quinn and three other veteran Harris County, Texas, sheriff's deputies with guns drawn, burst into an apartment the night of September 17, 1998, searching for a black male with a gun, their shocking discovery in the back bedroom triggered a chain of events resulting in a 2003 US Supreme Court decision in Lawrence vs. Texas–that state laws criminalizing consensual, adult sodomy are unconstitutional. The landmark Lawrence ruling is the trigger event kicking away roadblocks to gay marriage. Lawrence remains in headlines today, in a larger cultural war, over adoption, employee benefits, the military's Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell policy, and related issues of judicial activism.

The author: Judge Janice Law served as a Harris County (Houston) Texas criminal court judge during the time period of Lawrence vs. Texas. She has worked as both a federal and state prosecutor and has also done indigent criminal defense. Before becoming an attorney, she worked for 14 years as a journalist. She now serves as a visiting judge.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:20 AM | Comments (0)

Janice Glimn Lacy

Botany Illustrated, Springer Publishing, 1982

The book: An important text, comprehensively illustrated, on identifying plants, plant groups, and plant families. A second edition will be published in 2005-06.

The author: Janice Glimn Lacy graduated from U-M with a degree in botany. She is an instructor of botanical art and illustration in adult education programs. Lacy’s artwork has been used for posters, brochures, scientific articles and college text books. She is currently studying for a fine arts degree at the Herron School of Art and Design, Indiana University-PurdueUniversity, Indianapolis.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:19 AM | Comments (0)

Kristin Johnson, '94

Ordinary Miracles: My Incredible Spiritual, Artistic and Scientific Journey, Publish America, 2004

The book: Dr. Rupert Perrin, affectionately referred to as "Sir Rupert," arrived in the United States from Jamaica in 1959 with courage, determination and a high sense of purpose, and was able to harness the mysteries of science for the betterment of man's fate and destiny. Dr. Perrin's boundless optimism and burning desire to succeed achieved break-throughs such as the first pregnancy test and Neopterin, which transformed our treatment of the HIV virus. As spiritually uplifting and illuminating as Dr. Perrin's beloved art collection, "Ordinary Miracles: My Incredible Spiritual, Artistic and Scientific Journey" interweaves medical history, Jamaican childhood escapades, struggles with diabetes and racism, art history, and the humorous reminiscences of a man deeply rooted in his faith and his past. Dr. Perrin's life and achievements testify to the fact that the American Dream of equality and opportunity is still realizable in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:18 AM | Comments (0)

Mary Heglar, '59

The Grand Prix Champions, Bond Parkhurst Books, 1973

The book: The Grand Prix Champions affords a rare-detailed-look into the personalities of the most celebrated drivers in grand prix racing: the world champions. The author, who is closely acquainted with these men, takes the reader beyond their public images and to the men themselves – their private fears and attitudes, their not-so-private tragedies, their pride and talent, and to an individual feel of each man. The reader is taken into living rooms as well as onto racetracks with the incredible handful of men who have earned racing's most prestigious crown: The World Championship for Drivers.

Since the world championship was conceived in 1950, there have been only 13 men who have won that title. The Grand Prix Champions is the first book to chronicle all of these elite drivers in one volume. A special section at the back of the book has historical information on every year of the championship since the beginning.

The author: A journalism graduate of The University of Michigan, Mary Heglar's interested turn to grand prix racing some six or seven years ago, and this book, she says, "is a natural result." She is one of the few women journalists to work on the grand prix circuit.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:16 AM | Comments (0)

Mark Guzdial, MS'86, PhD'93

Introduction to Computing and Programming in Python: A Multimedia Approach, Prentice Hall, 2004

The book: Guzdial introduces programming as a way of creating and manipulating media–a context familiar and intriguing to today's readers. The book starts readers with actual programming early on and puts programming in a relevant context (Computing for Communications); includes implementing Photoshop-like effects, reversing/splicing sounds, creating animations. Acknowledges that readers in this audience care about the Web; introduces HTML and covers writing programs that generate HTML. Uses the Web as a Data Source; shows readers how to read from files, but also how to write programs to directly read Web pages and distill information from there for use in other calculations, other Web pages, etc. (examples include temperature from a weather page, stock prices from a financials page). A comprehensive guide for anyone interested in learning the basics of programming with one of the best Web languages, Python.

The author: Mark Guzdial is an associate professor with the College of Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has been teaching object-oriented analysis, design, and programming in Smalltalk for over five years. He received his PhD degree in Education and Computer Science from the University of Michigan. Georgia Tech praised his teaching with an award for "Outstanding Use of Educational Technology" (1997). He has received a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award. He is on the editorial boards of IEEE Multimedia, Journal of the Learning Sciences, Journal of Interactive Learning Research and Interactive Learning Environments Journal.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:14 AM | Comments (0)

Sallie Foley, MSW'78

Sex & Love for Grownups: A No-Nonsense Guide to a Life of Passion, Sterling Publishing, 2005

The book: Timed to coincide with the release of AARP's 2004 Sexuality Survey in its lifestyle magazine, For Adults Only offers candid insights on the romance and relationship issues uppermost in the minds of grownups.

Now the most poignant and provocative questions sent to AARP The Magazine's "Modern Love" column have been collected-and answered-in a new book, For Adults Only, that reveals everything you always wanted to know about sex, love, and relationships at age 40 and beyond.

With recent behavioral surveys showing that healthy Americans stay sexually active into their 70s and up, this is the perfect forum to find out what others are thinking–and doing–about finding a new partner, making love and making love last.

The author: Sallie Foley is a marital and sex therapist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is co-author of "Sex Matters for Women: A Complete Guide to Taking Care of Your Sexual Self."

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:13 AM | Comments (0)

John Dobbertin, Jr., '64

The Window at St. Catherine's, iUniverse, 2005

The book: If the fates had been just a shade different, we might all be flying to-and-from Cullerton International instead of O'Hare International. This is the incredible story of Bill Cullerton, a leading United States Army Air Force ace in World War II. Few could have survived the harrowing ordeal he experienced.

The author: John Dobbertin, Jr. is the only living American with a stained glass window in a church in England honoring a WWII USAAF fighter group. He is a former journalist, public relations expert, businessman and friend of Bill Cullerton for four decades.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:11 AM | Comments (0)

David DeBoer, '60, MBA'63

An American Transportation Story: The Obstacles, The Challenges, The Promise, Intermodal Association of North America, 2002

The book: An American Transportation Story provides a historical overview of how government policy has shaped our transportation system. Specifically covered topics include highways, ports and waterways, railroads, and airways. "An American Transportation" then lays out the future challenges facing our transportation system and how government policy plays a key role in addressing those issues.

The author: David J. DeBoer has held positions with New York Central Railroad, Trans World Airlines, and the Office of Policy and Economics of the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington, DC, where he spent six years as director. After serving in the Rail Service Planning Office, he joined Southern Pacific Railroad, advancing to assistant vice president of intermodal operations before leaving the company to help establish Greenbrier Intermodal in 1984.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:10 AM | Comments (0)

Meghan Cleary, '93

The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoes Say About You, Chronicle Books, 2005

The book: Shoe expert Meghan Cleary wants women everywhere to forget the constellations and open up their closets, because "The Perfect Fit" is a horoscope based on footwear! After all, what says more about a woman's personality than her choice of stilettos and sneakers, mary janes and mules? Quick questionnaires help readers get in step with their true selves, while detailed shoe profiles answer every woman's burning questions: Which career will sweep me off my feet? How do I achieve my perfect look? Who is my arch supporter? And most of all, Is there any problem in life that can't be solved with a new pair of shoes? Sleek illustrations highlight 30 shoe personalities and sassy sidebars showcase fashion tips, shoe history and inspirational advice. As easy to slip into as a comfy pair of ballet flats, "The Perfect Fit" is fanciful, fabulous fun that's just plain good for the sole.

The author: Meghan Cleary is a fashion writer and shoe expert whose work has appeared in Marie Claire, Life & Style Weekly, Time Out New York, Financial Times Style Section, JCREPORT, and other fashion-industry publications. She has appeared on the "TODAY Show," "MSNBC," "Good Day LA" and "Good Day NY," "EXTRA!" and "Soaptalk," and was the recurring shoe expert on WE Network's "Savvy." Meghan lives and shops for shoes in New York City's West Village.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:09 AM | Comments (0)

Tom Carhart, JD'72

Lost Triumph: Lee's Real Plan at Gettysburg–And Why It Failed, Putnam, 2005

The book: A fascinating narrative–and a bold new thesis in the study of the Civil War–that suggests Robert E. Lee had a heretofore undiscovered strategy at Gettysburg that, if successful, could have crushed the Union forces and changed the outcome of the war.

The Battle of Gettysburg is the pivotal moment when the Union forces repelled perhaps America's greatest commander–the brilliant Robert E. Lee, who had already thrashed a long line of Federal opponents–just as he was poised at the back door of Washington, D.C. It is the moment in which the fortunes of Lee, Lincoln, the Confederacy, and the Union hung precariously in the balance.

Conventional wisdom has held to date, almost without exception, that on the third day of the battle, Lee made one profoundly wrong decision. But how do we reconcile Lee the high-risk warrior with Lee the general who launched "Pickett's Charge," employing only a fifth of his total forces, across an open field, up a hill, against the heart of the Union defenses? Most history books have reported that Lee just had one very bad day. But there is much more to the story, which Tom Carhart addresses for the first time.

With meticulous detail and startling clarity, Carhart revisits the historic battles Lee taught at West Point and believed were the essential lessons in the art of war-the victories of Napoleon at Austerlitz, Frederick the Great at Leuthen, and Hannibal at Cannae–and reveals what they can tell us about Lee's real strategy. What Carhart finds will thrill all students of history: Lee's plan for an electrifying rear assault by Jeb Stuart that, combined with the frontal assault, could have broken the Union forces in half. Only in the final hours of the battle was the attack reversed through the daring of an unproven young general-George Armstrong Custer.

Lost Triumph will be one of the most captivating and controversial history books of the season.

The author: Tom Carhart has been a lawyer and a historian for the Department of the Army in Washington, DC. He is a graduate of West Point, a decorated Vietnam veteran, and has earned a PhD in American and military history from Princeton University. He is the author of four books of military history and teaches at Mary Washington College near his home in the Washington, DC area.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:08 AM | Comments (0)

Leonard Brumm, '50

We Only Played Home Games, Brumm Enterprises LLC, 2002

The book: This book features a true account of the author's experiences while working as the Recreation Director for the Marquette State Prison, a maximum security facility in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Brumm writes with candor, honesty and openness in detailing the sports events that took place in the prison yard.

The author: Leonard Brumm is a native of Marquette, Michigan, and was a member of the 1948 NCAA Champion U-M hockey team. In 1953, Brumm was hired by the Marquette State Prison to establish the facility’s first athletic and recreation program. He organized and implemented a comprehensive sports and recreation program ranging from shuffleboard to hockey. Brumm spent four years at the prison before leaving to join the family’s construction business.

Posted by tobiaslw at 09:06 AM | Comments (0)

December 20, 2007

Alfred, '50, JD'53, and Ruth Blumrosen, '48, JD'53

Slave Nation: How Slavery United the Colonies and Sparked the American Revolution, Sourcebooks, 2005

The book: In 1772, the High Court in London brought about the conditions that would end slavery in England by freeing a black slave from Virginia named Somerset. This decision began a key facet of independence.

"Slave Nation" is a fascinating account of the role slavery played in the drawing of the United States Constitution and in shaping the United States. At the Constitutional Convention, the South feared that the Northern states would leave the Convention over the issue of slavery. In a compromise, the Southern states agreed to slavery's prohibition north of the Ohio River, resulting in the Northwest Ordinance. This early national division would continue to escalate, eventually only reaching resolution through the Civil War.

The author: Alfred W. Blumrosen is the Thomas A. Cowan Professor of Law at Rutgers University in New Jersey, specializing in labor and employment law, and has a long history in enforcement of civil rights.

The late Ruth Gerber Blumrosen was an adjunct professor of law at Rutgers Law School and also worked in civil rights compliance.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:58 PM | Comments (0)

Mary Beth Barber, '91

Acting: Advanced Techniques for the Actor, Director and Teacher, Allworth Press, 2005

The book: Actors who want to get inside the script and make it come alive now have a step-by-step guide from a Broadway director and renowned acting teacher. Honed by the authorís 35 years of teaching, this advanced book offers different warm-up exercises concentrating on the actorís sense of smell, sound, sight, and touch; sensory tools for conveying the climate and environment of the text; tips for suggesting a characterís physical conditions; and much more. Individual exercises will help actors to free the voice and body, create a character, find the action and condition of scenes, and explore the subconscious for effective emotional recall. Readers also will find meticulous guidelines for best using rehearsal time and preparing for in-class scene work. The foreword is written by two-time Academy Award nominee Edward Norton. Those who act, direct, or teach will not want to miss the acting lessons that have made T. Schreiber Studio a premier actor training program.

The author: Mary Beth Barber started her writing career as a political journalist, working for magazines and newspapers. As an actress and playwright, she has been on stages in Sacramento, San Francisco, and New York; her play "Minha Rosa" was produced at the New York International Fringe Festival in 1999; and her shorter plays have been read and shown in New York and California. Barber also is the recipient of the prestigious Hopwood Award for short story and the Dennis McIntyre award for playwriting from the University of Michigan. Most recently, she worked for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on his event-planning team and is currently the director of communications for the California Arts Council.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:56 PM | Comments (0)

Jose Armilla, PhD'61

Negotiate with Feng Shui, Llewellyn Publications, 2001

The book: We all negotiate everyday, although we might not think of many of our social interactions as negotiations. Whether you are buying a car, closing a business deal, hammering out an international treaty, or just dealing with an unruly teenager, you can use feng shui by analyze advantageous locations, select auspicious moments, and maximize compatibility between the parties.

In part two of this groundbreaking book, the author examines how feng shui works in the "real world." Discover the role feng shui has played in historic peace talks associated with the Opium War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War.

The author: Jose Armilla, a native of the Philippines, holds a PhD in social psychology from the University of Michigan. He has high-level policy advisory experience in the US government and has met with key businesspersons for win-win negotiations in Hong Kong, Saigon, Bangkok, Manila, Seoul and Tokyo.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:54 PM | Comments (0)

Laura Joh Rowland, '75

The Assassin's Touch, St. Martin's Minotaur, 2005

The book: May 1695. During a horse race at Edo Castle the chief of the shogun's intelligence service, Ejima Senzaemon, drops dead as his horse gallops across the finish line—the fourth in a recent series of sudden deaths of high-ranking officials. Sano Ichiro is ordered to investigate, despite his recent promotion to chamberlain and his new duties as the shogun's second-in-command.

Meanwhile, Sano's wife, Reiko, is invited to attend the trial of Yugao, a beautiful young woman accused of stabbing her parents and sister to death. The woman has confessed, but the magistrate believes there is more to this case than meets the eye. He delays his verdict and asks Reiko to prove Yugao's guilt or innocence.

As their investigations continue, both Sano and Reiko come to realize that the man he is trying to hunt and the woman she is desperate to save are somehow connected. A single fingerprint on Ejima's temple puts Sano on the trail of an underground movement to overthrow the regime, and in the path of an assassin with a deadly touch.

The author: Laura Joh Rowland, the granddaughter of Chinese and Korean immigrants, was educated at the University of Michigan and now lives in New Orleans with her husband. "The Assassin's Touch" is the 10th book in her widely acclaimed series featuring Sano Ichiro.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:53 PM | Comments (0)

Lucy Rosenthal, '54

The Eloquent Short Story, Persea Publishing, 2004

The book: A concise anthology of short fiction exemplifying today's rich diversity of narrative styles. This gathering of 24 short stories shows the richness and vitality of the form. Each engaging, accessible story represents one of the many modes of storytelling now in our literature. Here are short stories in the guise of memoir or confession; written as a letter, a fable, a report; or accomplishing what we usually expect of a novel, an essay, a character study, a poem.

A uniquely contemporary collection, yet with an eye on tradition, it includes long-revered as well as more recently heralded masters. An introduction provides historical background and elaborates on the idea that although there may be a limited number of stories to tell, there are countless ways to tell them. Illuminating notes on the author's life and work precede each story.

The author: Lucy Rosenthal is the author of the novel "The Ticket Out," editor of the anthologies "Great American Love Stories" and "World Treasury of Love Stories," and the recipient of a Pulitzer Fellowship in critical writing. She is on the writing faculty of Sarah Lawrence College and has taught in the creative writing programs of Columbia and New York University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:51 PM | Comments (0)

Claude Pearson, JD'48

Gunfish: A Fleet Submarine Goes to War, iUniverse, 2005

The book: "Battle Stations—Gun Action!" Ensign Charley Jason, a reserve officer faces the searing experience of submarine warfare in the Pacific. When a Fleet-type submarine went to war in the Pacific it operated mainly on the surface, attacking convoys at night, always heavily escorted as well as single vessels, rescuing downed fliers during intense air battles and shooting up enemy trawlers, junks, fishing boats and sampans. Often it had to fight to rescue downed pilots with the submarine at total risk during such daytime actions.

The author: During a 45 year civilian legal career in Tacoma, Claude M. Pearson pursued a parallel career in the U. S. Naval Reserve, rising to the rank of captain. During the Vietnam War he served as the Naval Reserve group commander and supervised the construction of the Reserve Training Center in his home town.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:49 PM | Comments (0)

Ruth Reichl, '68, MA'70

In the summer issue of Michigan Alumnus, we review Ruth Reichl's memoir "Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise." Reviewer Stephen Rosoff writes, "Reichl's many gifts as a writer and storyteller are on full display here: the lyrical and inventive prose, the eye for compelling detail, the insightful self-reflection and the even more perspicacious social commentary. This rich, warm and witty narrative is deeply satisfying, full of flavor and nuance. Reichl serves up her best dish yet."

Read an excerpt from "Garlic and Saphhires" below.

"I'm a restaurant critic," I told the woman in the wig shop, "and I need a disguise that will keep me from being recognized."

"That's a new one on me," she said. "Do you have a special restaurant you're working on at the moment?"
"Yes," I said, remembering the fragrant aroma of the soup I had eaten on my last visit to Lespinasse. When I dipped my spoon into the broth shimeji mushrooms went sliding sensuously across my tongue with the lush texture of custard. I tasted lemongrass, kaffir lime, mushroom and something else, something that hovered at the edge of my mind, familiar but elusive. I took another taste and it was there again, that sweetness, hiding just behind the citrus. It came whirling into my consciousness and then slid maddeningly away before I could identify it.

"The food was wonderful," I told her, "but I think they made me. Everything's been just a little too perfect. So I want a foolproof disguise."

"Try this," she said, opening a drawer and pulling out a cascade of hair the color of Dom Perignon. As the wig caught the light the color changed from pearl to buttercup.

The hair fell across my face as gently as silk. I squeezed my eyes tight, not wanting to look until it was seated right. I could feel it settle into place, feel the soft strands graze my shoulders just below my ears.

"Wait!" she cried as my eyes started to open, and she leaned forward and tugged at the wig, adjusting it. "Okay," she said at last, "you can open your eyes now."

The champagne blonde in the mirror did not seem to be wearing a wig. The hair looked real, as if it were growing out of the scalp. Even the dark eyebrows looked right, as if this woman had so much confidence she didn't care who knew that she dyed her hair. My mouth dropped open. "Oh!" I said stupidly, "oh my."
I don't think I would have recognized myself if we had met walking down the street, and I had yet to put on any makeup. Somehow this cut, this color, made my cheeks pink, my eyes almost violet, my lips seem redder than they had ever been. I felt new, glamorous, bursting with curiosity. What would life be like for the woman in the mirror?

"You were meant to be blonde!" cried the saleswoman, packing the wig into an old-fashioned hatbox. She looked wistfully at the hair and said, "You'll come back and tell me what happens, won't you?"

"You mean whether I'm recognized at Lespinasse?"

"Well," she said, "that too. But what I mostly want to know is—do blondes really have more fun?"

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:46 PM | Comments (0)

Christine Kole MacLean, '83

Everybody Makes Mistakes, Dutton/Penguin, 2005.

The book: Just what did Jack do that was so bad? As he sits in time-out in his room, Jack compares his one little mistake to the much bigger ones other people have made, like the time Mom made him wear his sister's bunny mittens and hat to school, or when Dad broke the Monster-Be-Gone spray, or when the waitress mistook Jack for a girl, or when the teacher accidentally sat on Jack's snack. Kids will chuckle over all these mistakes and the way they build up to the biggest one of all.

Web site: www.christinekolemaclean.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:44 PM | Comments (0)

Victoria Chang, '92

Circle, Southern Illinois University Press, 2005.

The book: Taking its concept of concentricity from the eponymous Ralph Waldo Emerson essay, "Circle," the first collection from Victoria Chang, adopts the shape as a trope for gender, family, and history. These lyrical, narrative, and hybrid poems trace the spiral trajectory of womanhood and growth and plot the progression of self as it ebbs away from and returns to its roots in an Asian American family and context. Locating human desire within the helixes of politics, society, and war, Chang skillfully draws arcs between T'ang Dynasty suicides and Alfred Hitchcock leading ladies, between the Hong Kong Flower Lounge and an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch, the Rape of Nanking and civilian casualties in Iraq.

The author: Victoria Chang’s poems have appeared in Poetry, The Nation, Virginia Quarterly Review, Kenyon Review, New England Review, Threepenny Review, Best American Poetry 2005, and other publications, and she is the editor of the anthology Asian American Poetry: The Next Generation. She has earned degrees from the University of Michigan, Harvard University, and Stanford University, and is the recipient of a Bread Loaf Scholarship, a Kenyon Writer’s Workshop Taylor Fellowship, the Hopwood Award, and the Holden Minority Fellowship from the MFA program at Warren Wilson College. She resides in Southern California.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:43 PM | Comments (0)

Carmen Bugan, '96

Crossing the Carpathians, Oxford Poets, 2005.

The book: "Crossing the Carpathians" is a collection of poems about exile, family, and the survival of love. Carmen Bugan was born in Romania, and her book has its origins in her experiences during the 1980s, as a child of political dissidents and as an exile from her country. Written in America, Ireland, and England, her poems are about crossing countries and languages, recording loss and celebration, reconciling memories with dreams.

The author: Carmen Bugan won a Hopwood Award and a Cowden Memorial Fellowship at the University of Michigan for her poetry.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:42 PM | Comments (0)

Richard Zacks, '79

The Pirate Coast: Thomas Jefferson, the First Marines, and the Secret Mission of 1805, Hyperion, 2005.

The book: During the age of Napoleon and Lord Nelson, there was an American sideshow, a "covert op" sanctioned by Thomas Jefferson, to try to help stop the Barbary Pirates of North Africa who were hijacking American ships and selling the passengers into slavery. In this compelling historical narrative, author Richard Zacks follows a fanatical American, William Eaton, on his secret mission to overthrow the government of Tripoli in 1805. For Eaton, a disgraced diplomat on the verge of financial ruin, it was a chance to defy the Barbary Pirates, end humiliating tribute payments and restore national honor. But Jefferson, at the last moment, grew wary of "intermeddling in a foreign government" and he sent Eaton off without money, troops, supplies, and letters of recommendation or even clear orders. Against insane odds, Eaton recruited a band of European mercenaries in Alexandria and led them along with some Arab cavalry and Bedouin fighters on a march across the Libyan Desert to capture the second largest city of Tripoli, only to be subverted when Jefferson arranged a negotiated peace.

The author: Richard Zacks specializes in offbeat history. He is the author of "The Pirate Hunter: The True Story of Captain Kidd," chosen by Time magazine as one of the five best nonfiction books of the year; the bestselling "History Laid Bare"; and the perennial book club favorite "An Underground Education."

Web site: www.piratecoast.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:40 PM | Comments (0)

Steven Stralser, PhD'98

MBA in a Day: What You Would Learn at Top Tier Business Schools (If You Only Had the Time!), John Wiley and Sons, 2004.

The book: Based on Steven Stralser's popular seminar series, MBA in a Day® offers concise, comprehensive coverage of the vital business topics, important concepts, and proven strategies taught at top business schools. For busy professionals, this straightforward guide offers a comprehensive business education without the time and money of graduate school.

The author: Steven Stralser received a doctorate from the University of Michigan where he taught Marketing and Marketing Strategy. He holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Arizona State University. He is currently Clinical Professor and Managing Director of The Global Entrepreneurship Center at Thunderbird: The Garvin School of International Management, and previously, was a member of the faculty at The University of Arizona where he taught Marketing and Entrepreneurship. In 1998, he was named "Faculty of the Year" for teaching excellence in the U of A's nationally-ranked Berger Entrepreneurship Program and received the Bobcat Senior Honorary Faculty Award in 1999.During fall 1999, he was a Fulbright Senior Scholar, teaching marketing management in the MBA program at The Budapest University of Economic Sciences and Entrepreneurship at The University of Miskolc. Dr. Stralser is the founder of The Center for Professional Development, a think tank and developer of training and executive education programs targeted to professionals.

Web site: www.mbainaday.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:38 PM | Comments (0)

Steven Steinberg, MS'94

Geographic Information Systems for the Social Sciences: Investigating Space and Place, Sage Publications, 2005.

The book: This book takes a cutting-edge approach to integrating spatial concepts into the social sciences. It is written for both the practitioner and the academic. Specifically, it focuses upon the incorporation of a technology called GIS, (Geographic Information Systems) with social science analysis. GIS allows the user to broaden the scope of comparisons, contrasts, and most importantly, the inclusion of space and place into the study of social issues. The integration of spatial concepts into social science research is not new; however the use of GIS provides a means to effectively incorporate space and place in the study of social issues. GIS simultaneously enhances and extends these analysis techniques into new, innovative realms within the social sciences. We examine the important role that geographic context plays in the social sciences. This book is also unique and useful to people who desire to integrate GIS with qualitative research approaches. Anyone who is interested in the application of GIS to social science fields such as public health, anthropology, geography, sociology, planning, political science, and many others, will benefit from reading this book.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:37 PM | Comments (0)

James Stark, '50, MA'64

Rebuild Your World View to be Healthy, Trafford, 2005.

The book: Our world has been maintaining a destructive path for humankind with our continued use of force to resolve human issues. We are continuing to move downhill toward greater violence. To stop violence, we must build healthier personal and social worldviews. A quest for the truth beyond the self, community, and our worldviews needs to be implemented. We will need to improve our ability to think rationally. Most of all, we will need to learn how to intelligently use God's gift of freedom.

The author: James Stark is a retired professor of mathematics from a community college. He says, "While my training and experience has been technical, I have pursued the issues of morality essentially all my life. Perceiving what is truth and what is morally right is the essence of my worldview. Building that worldview requires the selection of beliefs and values that will need to periodically change."

Web site: http://www.trafford.com/4dcgi/robots/04-2016.html#goto1

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:35 PM | Comments (0)

Kimberly Springer, '92

Living for the Revolution: Black Feminist Organizations, 1968-1980, Duke University Press, 2005.

The book: The first in-depth analysis of the black feminist movement, Living for the Revolution fills in a crucial but overlooked chapter in African American, women's, and social movement history. Through original oral history interviews with key activists and analysis of previously unexamined organizational records, Kimberly Springer traces the emergence, life, and decline of several black feminist organizations: the Third World Women's Alliance, Black Women Organized for Action, the National Black Feminist Organization, the National Alliance of Black Feminists, and the Combahee River Collective. The first of these to form was founded in 1968; all five were defunct by 1980. Springer demonstrates that these organizations led the way in articulating an activist vision formed by the intersections of race, gender, class, and sexuality.

The author: Kimberly Springer is a lecturer in American Studies at Kings College, University of London. She is the editor of Still Lifting, Still Climbing: African American Women's Contemporary Activism.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:34 PM | Comments (0)

George Ritcheske, MBA'75

True Leaders: How Exceptional CEOs and Presidents Make a Difference by Building People and Profits, Dearborn Trade, 2001.

The book: In years past, a business could measure its success by its bottom line. Today, a "profitable" company is one that balances human values along with economic ones. Managers who lead with an awareness of this union between people and profits are true leaders.

Price and Ritcheske's book, "True Leaders," provides managers of companies big and small with a blueprint for success through positive leadership. More than just theory, True Leaders describes what successful people actually "do" to reach new levels of leadership. Drawing on interviews with more than 25 CEO's and presidents, the authors outline ten leadership characteristics that anyone can adopt to build up their company's people and profits.

The author: George connects with audiences quickly with an engaging, down-to-earth style and his stories and insights about navigating change and leadership, drawn from his experiences as leadership coach, Scoutmaster, and Dad of twins. He inspires people to action with energizing, value-packed presentations and retreats.

Web site: www.true-leaders.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:32 PM | Comments (0)

Ruth Reichl, '68, MA'70

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, The Penguin Press, 2005.

The book: This delicious new volume of Ruth Reichl's acclaimed memoirs recounts her "adventures in deception," as she goes undercover in the world's finest restaurants. Reichl knows that "to be a good restaurant critic, you have to be anonymous," but when she signs up to be the most important restaurant critic in the country, at The New York Times, her picture is posted in every four-star, low-star, and no-star kitchen in town. Managers offer cash bonuses for advance notice of her visits. They roll out the red carpet whether she likes it or not. What's a critic in search of the truth to do?

The author: Ruth Reichl is the editor in chief of Gourmet and the author of the bestsellers "Tender at the Bone" and "Comfort Me with Apples." She has been the restaurant critic at The New York Times and the food editor and restaurant critic at the Los Angeles Times. Reichl lives in New York City with her husband and son.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:31 PM | Comments (0)

Lara Putnam, MA'99, PhD'00, Sueann Caulfield, Sarah C. Chambers, editors

Honor, Status, and Law in Modern Latin America, Duke University Press, 2005.

The book: This collection brings together recent scholarship that examines how understandings of honor changed in Latin America between political independence in the early nineteenth century and the rise of nationalist challenges to liberalism in the 1930s. These rich historical case studies reveal the uneven processes through which ideas of honor and status came to depend more on achievements such as education and employment and less on the birthright privileges that were the mainstays of honor during the colonial period.

The author: Lara Putnam is professor of history at the Universidad de Costa Rica and a researcher at the Centro de Investigaciones Históricas de América Central in San José, Costa Rica.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:30 PM | Comments (0)

Bart Plantenga, '77

Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling Around the World, Routledge, 2004.

The book: "Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo" is the first book to view yodeling as a global phenomenon. It answers the question: How did a centuries-old Alpine tradition make its way into American country music? Along the way, the reader discovers that yodeling is not just a Swiss thing: everyone from African Pygmies, rhinestone cow-people, avant-garde tonsil-twisters, to pop stars like Jewel and Sly & the Family Stone have been known to yodel. We encounter legends Jimmie Rodgers and Gene Autry, whistling yodelers like Ronnie Ronalde, the chicken yodeling Cackle Sisters, the campy "Australian Queen of Yodeling" Mary Schneider, and the Topp Twins, a yodeling lesbian duo. "Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo" is the definitive deep glimpse into this secret world--one the reader will explore with great delight.

The author: Bart Plantenga is currently living in the Netherlands and is the author of "Wiggling Wishbone: Stories of Pata-Sexual Speculation."

Web site: http://wfmu.org/~bart

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:28 PM | Comments (0)

Mary Sponberg Pedley, '69, MA'73

The Commerce of Cartography: Marking and Marketing Maps in Eighteenth-Century France and England, University of Chicago Press, 2005.

The book: Though the political and intellectual history of mapmaking in the eighteenth century is well established, the details of its commercial revolution have until now been widely scattered. In "The Commerce of Cartography," Mary Pedley presents a vivid picture of the costs and profits of the mapmaking industry in England and France, and reveals how the economics of map trade affected the content and appearance of the maps themselves.

The author: May Sponberg Pedley is adjunct assistant curator of maps at the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan, a Latin instructor in the Ann Arbor Public School system, and the associate editor of "Imago Mundi: The International Journal for the History of Cartography."

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:27 PM | Comments (0)

Pablo Mitchell, PhD'00

Coyote Nation: Sexuality, Race, and Conquest in Modernizing New Mexico, 1880-1920, University of Chicago Press, 2005.

The book: With the arrival of the transcontinental railroad in the 1880s came the emergence of a modern and profoundly multicultural New Mexico. Native Americans, working-class Mexicans, elite Hispanos, and black and white newcomers all commingled and interacted in the territory in ways that had not been previously possible. But what did it mean to be white in this multi-ethnic milieu? And how did ideas of sexuality and racial supremacy shape ideas of citizenry and determine who would govern the region?

"Coyote Nation" considers these questions as it explores how New Mexicans evaluated and categorized racial identities through bodily practices. Where ethnic groups were numerous and-in the wake of miscegenation-often difficult to discern, how one dressed, bathed, spoke, gestured, or even stood was largely instrumental in conveying one's race. Even such practices as cutting one's hair, shopping, consuming alcohol, or embalming a deceased loved one could inextricably link a person to a very specific racial identity. A fascinating history of a plural and polyglot region, Coyote Nation will be of enormous value to historians of race and ethnicity in American culture.

The author: Pablo Mitchell is also the author of "Accomplished Ladies and Coyotes: Marriage, Power, and Straying from the Flock in Territorial New Mexico, 1880-1920," in Martha Hodes, ed., "Sex, Love, Race: Crossing Boundaries in North American History" (NYU Press, 2000). He is the recipient of a 2003-2004 postdoctoral fellowship from the Sexuality Research Fellowship Program and the Social Science Research Council and is conducting research on sex, race, and modernity in the American West, 1850-1930. Mitchell teaches courses on Latina/o History, US-Mexico Borderlands, History of American Sexualities, Mixed Heritage in US History, the American West, and Gilded Age America at Oberlin College.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:25 PM | Comments (0)

Melissa L. Jones, MA'96

Superlatives USA: The Largest, Smallest, Longest, Shortest, and Wackiest Sites in America, Capital Books, 2005.

The book: The nation's biggest tricycle, its sunniest city, its fastest glacier, its most secure prison---the list of American superlatives is long and nowhere can travelers buy a guide to find them all. Superlatives USA provides a wealth of information and humorous stories about the sites and the curators who watch over them for more than 100 of Americ's superlatives like: the biggest T-Rex skeleton in Chicago and the largest door in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The book is organized by state, making it easy to pinpoint locations on a drive, like seeing the country's smallest church on your way to Disneyland. Also included are photos, directions to the sites, and information on fees and hours.

The author: Melissa Jones grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, got sick of the sun and moved to Portland, Oregon, where she lives with her newlywed husband and crazy dog in a pink house. She was a full-time newspaper reporter for eight years, which led to great experiences like a flight in the Goodyear Blimp in Michigan and a tractor ride through a flooded Idaho farm, and hair-pulling experiences like late night calls from the copy desk and way too many hours in school board meetings. She loves James Bond and Indiana Jones movies, especially when they're playing in the Portland theaters that serve beer and pizza.

Web site: www.superlativesusa.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:24 PM | Comments (0)

Frank Groves, '71

Drive It! A Golfer's Guide to Greater Distance and Control with the Toughest Club in the Bag, Burford Books, 2004.

The book: For 99.9 percent of average golfers, the driver remains the toughest, most infuriating club in the bag. Frank Groves proves it doesn't have to be, in this refreshing look at the fundamentals of good drives. With insightful and practical looks at choosing a driver, the essence of power, overcoming driver-phobia and much more, and with drills and tips in abundance, "Drive It" will put any golfer on the road to big drives and low scores.

The author: Frank Groves has been a championship-caliber amateur golfer for most of his 56 years, posting a 73 at age 9 and a 63 at 15. He has been paired in competition with Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer and qualified for the 1997 US Senior Open. He lives in Solvang, California.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)

Scott Glass, MS'84, contributing author

The Real Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery, Little Victories Press, 2005.

The book: Written for real people, by real people, about real stuff, this funny and easy-to-read book reveals accurate information for anyone considering weight loss surgery. This book will enable all readers to make an informed decision about whether or not weight loss surgery is right for them. Readers will get information on the hidden costs of bariatric surgery and how to deal with them, real issues about skin issues, protein diets, co-mobidites, potential complications, and emotional and psychological issues. Real experiences specifically related to men’s issues are mentioned as well. No celebrity stories or unrealistic Hollywood expectations—just real-life experiences, tips and information to help make the decision that is right.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:21 PM | Comments (0)

William Duellman, '52, MS'53, PhD'56

Cusco Amazonico: The Lives of Amphibians and Reptiles in an Amazonian Rainforest, Cornell University Press, 2005.

The book: The rainforests in the southwestern part of the Amazon Basin in southeastern Peru are home to scores of amphibians and reptiles. Cusco Amazónico is a richly illustrated and comprehensive account of the lives of 151 of these species. William E. Duellman's masterpiece of community ecology includes descriptions of the physical environment and vegetation found in this unique habitat along with syntheses of abundance, mass, feeding, reproductive guilds, and daily and seasonal patterns of activity. Identification keys in English and Spanish precede detailed and illustrated species accounts. Tadpoles of many frogs are described and illustrated.

The author: William E. Duellman is Curator Emeritus, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, and Professor Emeritus, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of many books, including Hylid Frogs of Middle America, Biology of Amphibians, Patterns of Distribution of Amphibians: A Global Perspective, and The South American Herpetofauna: Its Origin, Evolution, and Dispersal.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)

Tom Carhart, JD'72

Lost Triumph: Lee's Real Plan at Gettysburg—And Why it Failed, Putnam, 2005.

The book: The Battle of Gettysburg is the pivotal moment when the Union forces repelled perhaps America's greatest commander — the brilliant Robert E. Lee, who had already thrashed a long line of Federal opponents — just as he was poised at the back door of Washington, D.C. It is the moment in which the fortunes of Lee, Lincoln, the Confederacy, and the Union hung precariously in the balance.

Conventional wisdom has held to date, almost without exception, that on the third day of the battle, Lee made one profoundly wrong decision. But how do we reconcile Lee the high-risk warrior with Lee the general who launched "Pickett's Charge," employing only a fifth of his total forces, across an open field, up a hill, against the heart of the Union defenses? Most history books have reported that Lee just had one very bad day. But there is much more to the story, which Tom Carhart addresses for the first time.

With meticulous detail and startling clarity, Carhart revisits the historic battles Lee taught at West Point and believed were the essential lessons in the art of war — the victories of Napoleon at Austerlitz, Frederick the Great at Leuthen, and Hannibal at Cannae — and reveals what they can tell us about Lee's real strategy. What Carhart finds will thrill all students of history: Lee's plan for an electrifying rear assault by Jeb Stuart that, combined with the frontal assault, could have broken the Union forces in half. Only in the final hours of the battle was the attack reversed through the daring of an unproven young general—George Armstrong Custer.

The author: Tom Carhart has been a lawyer and historian for the Department of the Army in Washington, DC. HE is a graduate of West Point, a twice-wounded Vietname veteran, and has earned his doctorate in American and Military History from Princeton University. He is the author of four previous books of military history and is an adjunct professor of history at the University of Mary Washington near his home in the Washington, DC, area.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:19 PM | Comments (0)

Melba Joyce Boyd, AD'79

Wrestling with the Muse: Dudley Randall and the Broadside Press, Columbia University Press, 2003.

The book: In 1963, African American poet Dudley Randall (1914-2000) wrote "The Ballad of Birmingham" in response to the bombing of a church in Alabama that killed four young black girls, and "Dressed All in Pink" about the assassination of President Kennedy. When both were set to music by folk singer Jerry Moore in 1965, Randall published them as broadsides. Thus was born the Broadside Press, whose popular chapbooks opened the canon of American literature to the works of Afrigan American writers.

The author: Melba Joyce Boyd was an editor at Broadside, was Randall's friends and colleague for 28 years, and became his authorized biographer.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)

Phiroz Bhagat, MSE'71, PhD'75

Pattern Recognition in Industry, Elsevier, 2005.

The book: Two wave fronts are upon us today: we are being bombarded by an enormous amount of data, and we are confronted by continually increasing technical and business advances. Ideally, the endless stream of data should be one of our major assets. However, this potential asset often tends to overwhelm rather than enrich. Competitive advantage depends on our ability to extract and utilize nuggets of valuable knowledge and insight from this data deluge. The challenges that need to be overcome include the under-utilization of available data due to competing priorities, and the separate and somewhat disparate existing data systems that have difficulty interacting with each other.

The author: Phiroz Bhagat is often referred to as the pioneer of neural net and pattern recognition technology, and is uniquely qualified to write this book. He brings more than two decades of experience in the real-world application of cutting-edge technology for competitive advantage in industry.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:16 PM | Comments (0)

JuQuan Williams, '99

The Leopard Man, Publish America, 2005

The book: A teenage girl...A substitute teacher...And a dark secret that could destroy them both. Ashlynn is a charismatic teenager dealing with the everyday trials and tribulations of high school. Then she meets and becomes fascinated with Mr. Barter, a substitute English teacher who has something to hide. Despite her parents' reservations, Ashlynn forms a bond with Mr. Barter, but she gets too close to him-close enough to discover his disturbing secret. Ashlynn runs for her life; the man she admired wants her dead. Can she escape? Will she survive?

The author: JuQuan Williams was born in Flint, Michigan. A gifted writer and artist, he wrote his first book at the age of 10. He self-published the comic book "Mr. Prime" in high school before attending the University of Michigan to major in graphic arts. While there, he spent two years as an urban entertainment reviewer for The Michigan Daily. He took creative writing courses under the tutelage of novelists Jonis Agee and Tish O'Dowd. Since graduating, JuQuan has co-founded two briefly successful companies, Phalanx International and Eternal Tempest Games. He is now looking to establish himself in the writing community with “The Leopard Man."

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:14 PM | Comments (0)

Charles van Becelaere, '79, MBA'81

Bytes Akimbo, Grand Teuton Press, 2004.

The book: A rollicking romp around the world and out of it! Join our intrepid heroes as they attempt to save the world from a threatened invasion. Perhaps the finest book ever written on this theme using these characters--yes, quite likely the finest.

The author: A multi-talented polymath, and self-taught autodidact, Charlie van Becelaere is an odd mix of hubris and humility. You should read his writings, not just because they're there, but because they're so deliciously good--and good for you, too!

Web site: www.grandteuton.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:13 PM | Comments (0)

Rattawut Lapcharoensap, MFA'03

Sightseeing, Grove, 2005.

The book: Sightseeing is a masterful new work of fiction, a collection of stories set largely in contemporary Thailand and written with a grace and sophistication that belie the age of its young author. These are generous, tender tales of family bonds, youthful romance, generational conflicts and cultural shifts beneath the glossy surface of a warm, Edenic setting. Through his vivid assemblage of parents and children, natives and transients, ardent lovers and sworn enemies, Lapcharoensap dares us to look with new eyes at the circumstances that shape our views and the prejudices that form our blind spots. Gorgeous and lush, painful and candid, Sightseeing is an extraordinary reading experience, one that powerfully reveals that when it comes to how we respond to pain, anger, hurt, and love, no place is too far from home.

The author: Rattawut Lapcharoensap was born in 1979 in Chicago and raised in Bangkok. He was educated at Triamudomsuksa Pattanakarn, Cornell University, and the University of Michigan, where he received an MFA in creative writing. His honors include the David TK Wong Fellowship, the Avery Jules Hopwood Award, and the Andrea Beauchamp Prize. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)

Debra Borden, '78

Lucky Me, Random House, 2005.

The book: Julie Berman seems to have it all: A beautiful home in suburban New Jersey, a loving husband, a budding career as a freelance journalist, and two great kids. To the outside world, her life is perfect—little do they know that behind the facade, Julie is beginning to feel like her world is falling apart.

Among her worries is a nagging fear that she’s turning into her mother—just as neurotic, just as crazy, and just as consumed by appearances. Then there’s the handsome, charming, and quite single editor at the local newspaper who has definitely taken a liking to her . . . which wouldn’t be a problem if he wasn’t so tempting. Add to that her moody, monosyllabic teenage son, who may or may not be having sex with a new girlfriend (whom Julie’s not sure she approves of, sex or not). But the final blow to her sanity comes in the form of a phone call from her daughter, who informs Julie of her plans to run off with her boyfriend . . . who’s also her college professor.

The author: Debra (Feldman) Borden grew up in Great Neck, New York. After attending The American University she went on to The University of Michigan, where she earned a B.A. in English. Later, she received an M.S.W. from Fordham University. Though she now writes full time, the author is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey where she lives with her family. "Lucky Me" is her first novel.

Web site: www.debraborden.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:09 PM | Comments (0)

Sam Apple, '98

In the spring issue of Michigan Alumnus, we review Sam Apple's charming travelogue, "Schlepping Through the Alps: My Search for Austria's Jewish Past With Its Last Wandering Shepherd." As reviewer Jack Lessenberry puts it, "Schlepping" is likely to be Apple's "first act in a brilliant, if not easily classified, literary career."

Award-winning author and former U-M professor Charles Baxter says, "In this wonderful book, Sam Apple has written a brilliantly comic and very dark pastorale about shepherds, Nazis and Jews, modern-day Austria, love and fidelity, and he has done it with such subtlety—with bright colors at the center and darkness around the edges—that the effect is quite singular. I have never read a book quite like this, and I loved it. It's that simple."

Read a Q&A with Apple to learn how he embarked on his fascinating journey.

So how did you meet an Austrian wandering shepherd who is also a Yiddish folksinger?
I first met Hans in New York in July of 2000. A friend had forwarded me an email announcement from a small Yiddish cultural outfit called Yugntruf (A Call to Youth), which was sponsoring a concert and slide show by Hans at New York University. The email described Hans as a wandering shepherd, a folksinger, and a peripatetic philosopher. Since it's not every day I have the opportunity to meet someone with those three attributes, I immediately emailed my RSVP for the event. Hans had made it to North America thanks to a traveling Yiddish theater troupe that had discovered him in Austria and invited him to a Klezmer festival in Canada.

What made you decide to write a book about Hans?
Well, I was extremely interested in the novelty of his lifestyle, but what really convinced me to go to Austria and write a book about Hans wasn't the shepherding or the Yiddish singing but what I learned about him from our first discussion after his concert in New York. Hans spent his childhood fighting what he saw as the lingering Nazism in Austrian society. And so in telling the story of how Hans became a wandering shepherd, I realized I would also be telling the story of Austria's struggle to overcome its Nazi past. Austria's story seemed especially relevant when I met Hans in the summer of 2000. Just months before, Joerg Haider's far-right Freedom Party had experienced a real triumph at the polls, and—to the shock of Europe and much of the world—joined the Austrian government. This meant that some 55 years after World War II, a party with deep Nazi roots was suddenly in seat of power in Austria. I wanted to understand how that could happen.

Is Austria still, in any sense, a Nazi country?
It's a hard question to answer in a short space. Austria clearly still has a lot of work to do in coming to terms with its past. Unlike Germany, Austria never underwent a genuine de-Nazification program and so many of the issues that should have been addressed decades ago are only coming to the surface now. Despite the troubling election of 1999, I do think there has been progress in the last decade. It used to be that Austrians largely denied the country's role in the Holocaust, preferring to see Austria as "Hitler's first victim." Now, I'd say there's much less denial, but still not a widespread willingness to openly talk about Austria's role. I don't think a political party like Austria's Freedom Party could have risen to power in Germany in the 21st Century, and the fact that it happened in Austria reveals a great deal.

Is this book as much about you as it is about Hans and Austria?
I never intended it to turn out that way. In fact, in some of my earliest drafts, I'm not in the book at all. But it didn't take long for me to realize that I was in no position to write an objective analysis of Austrian Nazism or anti-Semitism. I was carrying far too much baggage from a childhood spent with a grandmother who, as I say in the book, was as clear on the distinction between Jew and Gentile as any self-respecting anti-Semite. Nor was I really able to write about Hans objectively. He is such an openly emotional man that I couldn't help but get drawn into his story on a personal level. In the end, I just had too much of an emotional stake in the material, and I didn't want to try and hide it.

You mention your grandmother. What else in your upbringing as a Jewish American influenced your views of Austria and anti-Semitism?
I knew very little about Austria prior to my trip. I was aware that Hitler was an Austrian and I recall hearing relatives mumble that the Austrians were "even worse than the Germans" but I had no real sense of why they said it, or what, precisely, they meant. Like many Jews who were born after the Holocaust, I grew up with the idea that anything related to Germany or the German language was tinged with evil, and Austria certainly fit into that category. But the real distinction in my mind was less between Jew and German than between Jew and Gentile. My grandmother Bashy was suspicious of almost all Gentiles and so the Germans/Austrians were, in a sense, simply the goyim at their worst. Growing up in America this was all extremely confusing because my own experience of Gentiles couldn't have been more different from the lurking villains of Bashy's childhood in Lithuania. I think that anti-Semitism can be an especially tricky phenomenon for American Jews to make sense of because doing so requires separating the historical (and, in many places, ongoing) narrative of anti-Semitism from the reality of the American Jewish success story. As an adult, I was beginning to sort through some of these nuances, but once I arrived in Austria, the Bashy part of my brain completely took over. I really felt like I was entering the lair of the enemy and it inevitably colored every experience I had in the country. On the one hand, I was without question being extremely neurotic. On the other hand, I wasn't in America anymore. I was in Austria and 27 percent of the Austrians had just voted for Joerg Haider's Freedom Party.

What was it like living with a wandering shepherd?
I enjoyed it at the time, but I also came to see how quickly the wandering life could lose its romantic luster. Hans spends most nights in a trailer that would make most mobile homes seem luxurious. I had the special privilege of being a lamb herder, meaning I walked at the back of the flock to make sure that no lamb was left behind. I quickly discovered that walking behind a flock of 625 sheep means thinking a lot about sheep shit. I also discovered that Hans's herding dogs, cute though they are, can be ferocious wolf-like creatures. A lot of my energy was devoted to staying out of their way.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)

Gloria Whelan, '45, MSW'48

Friend on Freedom River, Sleeping Bear Press, 2005.

The book: In 1850, the Detroit River was a major track along the Underground Railroad, the last step to freedom. The journey across the river was dangerous, especially in winter and especially for a 12-year old boy. When Louis's father left him in charge of the farm he offered his son this advice, "If you don't know what to do, just do what you think I would have done." Louis replies upon his father's words of wisdom when a runaway slave and her two children come looking for passage. In the second title in our "Tales of Young Americans" series Gloria Whelan, author of National Book Award winning "Homeless Bird,"beautifully creates a suspenseful coming-of-age story while illuminating a difficult time in America's past. Ms. Whelan's narrative again shows the human spirit will forever shine brightly in dark times.

The author: Gloria Whelan is the best-selling author of many novels for young readers, including "Homeless Bird," winner of the National Book Award. She lives with her husband, Joseph, in the woods of northern Michigan.

Web site: www.gloriawhelan.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:03 PM | Comments (0)

Sonya Sardon, '96

Young Warren Sings! Overcoming the Fear of Stage Fright, Vantage Press, 2004, $7.95.

The book: This is an excellent book for children on how to deal with stage frights. This story helps children learn to let go of their fears and not let those fears control their lives.

The author: Sonya Sardon was born in Detroit, Michigan. She received a bachelor of arts in English and a bachelor of music in voice performance at the University of Michigan. A trained classical singer, the author knows all about overcoming stage fright.

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:02 PM | Comments (0)

Jillian Louise Gregory, '00

Dobbs Dog Detective: Operation Fido and Fifi, Publish America, 2003, $14.95.

The book: Extra, extra read all about it! Mysterious dog and cat disappearances hit Chicago, Boston, and New York. Confused dog can't stop chasing tail. Enraged cat scratches wallpaper, mistakes it for pole. Dog food sales plummet while goldfish sales unexpectedly rise.
–The Furapolis Daily News.

Will these be the disastrous headlines in the Monday morning paper? Why are dogs and cats suddenly going crazy? What mastermind is behind this furry caper? Dobbs Dog Detective, a special agent for the Feline Canine Federation, is on the brink of retirement when he is called to solve this case. To make matters worse, Dobbs is paired with feline agent Petunia. Petunia and Dobbs have a long history of solving cases together, which Dobbs prefers to forget because trouble seems to follow Petunia. Dobbs must put his feelings aside as he realizes that the fate of dogs and cats hinges on Operation Fido and Fifi.

The author: Jillian Gregory graduated from the University of Michigan in engineering, While not writing, she loves tennis, downhill skiing, piano and dance. Jillian has always been fond of dogs, especially her Bichon Frise, Gabrielle. She resides in sunny Charleston, South Carolina.

Web site: www.dobbsdogdetective.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 05:00 PM | Comments (0)

Nancy Willard, '58, PhD'63

In the Salt Marsh, Alfred A. Knopf, 2004, $23.

The book: In this strong, appealing collection, Nancy Willard shares her passion for observing the mysteries of the natural world, particularly the flora and fauna of Cape Cod and the Hudson Valley, where many of these poems are set. We see, through her eyes, the coming of darkness to an empty orchard, the retreat of deer at dusk, and the breakup of a river with the onset of spring. Willard is also deeply engaged with the living creatures that populate her world. Her poems record her encounter with a moon snail and her celebration of the ladybugs she sends into the garden and the butterflies that alight on her shoulders like ghostly kisses.

The author: Nancy Willard grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was educated at the University of Michigan and Stanford University. She has written two novels, four books of stories and essays, and twelve books of poetry, including Water Walker, which was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award. A winner of the Devins Award and the Newbery Medal for her book A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers, she has received NEA grants in both fiction and poetry. She teaches in the English department at Vassar College and lives in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:58 PM | Comments (0)

Susan Wineberg, '67, MA'71, MA'75

Images of America: Lost Ann Arbor, Arcadia Publishing, 2004.

The book: Ann Arbor might have become just another small Michigan village had it not been for one crucial event: its designation as the home of the University of Michigan in 1837. Its subsequent development into a thriving cultural and intellectual community was marked by its extraordinary architecture, from the grand 1878 courthouse to the exquisite original university buildings and fashionable East Huron Street. The expansion of the town and university, the arrival of the automobile, and frequent fires began atransformation of Ann Arbor that led to the tragic demolition of some of its most remarkable structures. Lost Ann Arbor is a tribute to these long-lost treasures and the 19th century way of life that accompanied them.

The author: Susan Wineberg, a native of Chicago, has lived in Ann Arbor for 40 years. She holds advanced degrees in Anthropology, Near Eastern Studies, and Historic Preservation. She has served on the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission, served as president of the Washtenaw County Historical Society, and co-authored Historic Buildings: Ann Arbor, Michigan. She lives with her husband in an 1851 Greek Revival house in the Old Fourth Ward Historic District.

Web site: www.arcadiapublishing.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)

Robert Wilensky, '62, MD'66, MDres'75

Military Medicine to Win Hearts and Minds: Aid to Civilians in the Vietnam War, Texas Tech University Press, 2004.

The book: Robert J. Wilensky, using data derived from extensive archival research as well as his personal experience in Vietnam, shows how medical aid to Vietnamese civilians, at first based simply on good will, became policy. The original Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), by which unit medical teams treated civilians in their area, soon expanded to other acronymically designated programs: the Military Provincial Hospital (later Health) Assistance Program (MILPHAP), the Civilian War Casualty Program (CWCP), and the Provincial Health Assistance Program (PHAP).

The author: Robert Wilensky is a battalion medical officer in Vietnam in 1967–68, is a surgeon who also holds a Ph.D. in history. He is on the staff of the Historical Section of the Office of the Surgeon General of the Army, teaches at George Mason University and American University, and has an appointment at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:51 PM | Comments (0)

Gerald Vision, MA'63, PhD'67

Veritas: The Correspondence Theory and Its Critics, The MIT Press, 2004.

The book: In Veritas, Gerald Vision defends the correspondence theory of truth -- the theory that truth has a direct relationship to reality -- against recent attacks, and critically examines its most influential alternatives. The correspondence theory, if successful, explains one way in which we are cognitively connected to the world; thus, it is claimed, truth -- while relevant to semantics, epistemology, and other studies -- also has significant metaphysical consequences. Although the correspondence theory is widely held today, Vision points to an emerging orthodoxy in philosophy that claims that truth as such carries no significant weight in philosophical explanations. He devotes much of the book to a criticism of that outlook and to a less vulnerable formulation of the correspondence theory.

The author: Gerald Vision is Professor of Philosophy at Temple University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:50 PM | Comments (0)

Margaret Towne, '61, MS'62

Honest to Genesis: A Biblical and Scientific Challenge to Creationism

The book: Honest to Genesis integrates the biblical creation accounts with modern evolutionary theory. It targets a broad audience, covering both the scientific as well as the theological dimensions of this subject which continues to erupt in the culture from courtroom to classroom to living room.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:49 PM | Comments (0)

Karen Stabiner, '71

My Girl: Adventures with a Teen in Training, Little, Brown & Company, 2005.

The book: According to acclaimed journalist Karen Stabiner, girls have become marginalized by a caricature that only fits a small minority of genuinely troubled girls. In her engaging new book, MY GIRL: Adventures with a Teen in Training Stabiner documents her life with her adolescent daughter, Sarah, digs deeper into the research on girls, and interviews many mothers and daughters. The result is a refreshing and honest account of what adolescent girls are really like and how parents can cope with the inevitable difficulties while also enjoying this remarkable time with their daughters. A winning combination of poignant – and often funny – memoir and first-rate journalism, "My Girl" reclaims our daughters and empowers mothers to create a better relationship with them.

The author: Karen Stabiner is one of the most respected journalists writing today about health, women's and family issues. She is a frequent contributor on these topics to such major publications as Vogue, O, Redbook, The New Yorker, Los Angeles Magazine,. The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. She has also written about food for Travel & Leisure, Gourmet and Saveur. She is also the author of six books, including "All Girls: Single-Sex Education and Why It Matters."

Web site: www.karenstabiner.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:46 PM | Comments (0)

Joseph Sinclair, '64, JD'71

Building Your eBay Traffic the Smart Way: Use Froogle, Datafeeds, Cross-Selling, Advanced Listing Strategies, and More to Boost Your Sales on the Web's #1 Auction Site, American Management Association, 2005.

The book: This is a book for eBay sellers, particularly retail sellers. It covers advanced marketing and selling techniques for those with established eBay businesses.

The author: Joseph Sinclair is an eBay and Web expert. As author of the phenomenally successfully "eBay the Smart Way" series, Sinclair has been interviewed by Entrepreneur magazine as well as on more than 100 radio programs. Sinclair is based in Vallejo, California.

Web site: www.bookcenter.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:45 PM | Comments (0)

Lyn Silberman, '65

"No Turning Back: A Journey into the World of Alzheimer's with My Mother," Silberman Enterprises, Inc., 2004.

The book: "No Turning Back" is a roadmap for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer's. This book explains the choices faced at crossroads and should help in the decision making process. A portion of the book's proceeds are donated to the Alzheimer's Association.

The author: Lyn Silberman lives in Florida.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:44 PM | Comments (0)

Charlette Rolnick Schwab, '55

Sex, Lies and Rabbis: Breaking a Sacred Trust, AuthorHouse, 2002.

The book: One rabbi has been convicted and sentenced to life in prison for hiring two hitmen to murder his wife so that he could continue his sexual misconduct. Religious groups are rocked with scandal. Too many ministers, priests, and rabbis, who are expected to be virtuous and holy, are perpetrators of all kinds of sexual abuse. "Sex, Lies, and Rabbis: Breaking a Sacred Trust" affirms the pervasiveness of sexual abuse against teenaged girls and women carried out by religious leaders.

The author: Schwab is past visiting professor at HUC-JIR in Manhattan. She gave a keynote address to the graduating classes and a Senior Seminar two years. She also gave a lecture/seminar on sexual harassment to the "top 65 rabbis from North America in UAHC" on sexual harassment. She was visiting faculty at Jewish Theological Seminary in Manhattan where she gave a lecture/seminar on rabbis' sexual misconduct for the minimester on "The Rabbi as Kli Kodesh."

Web site: www.drcharlotteschwab.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:42 PM | Comments (0)

Deborah Schneider, '93

Should You Really Be a Lawyer? The Guide to Smart Career Choices Before, During and After Law School, Niche Press, 2004.

The book: The book helps prospective law students make smarter career decisions about what to do after college and whether to pursue law school. For those who decide to get a JD, the book helps readers figure out what to do with their law degrees and how to make law school, and the legal job search process, less stressful. The aim of the book, then, is to help both college students and college graduates take a better approach to post-college career choices so they will find the right jobs for them, inside or outside of the legal profession.

The author: Author and career counselor Deborah Schneider is a lecturer and consultant who speaks regularly on the subject of how to make smart career choices, and other career issues. She has delivered presentations to national organizations such as the National Association for Law Placement, International Career Development Conference, Western Association of Colleges and Employers, AmeriCorps and Idealist, as well as to colleges, law schools, bar associations, and career development organizations around the country. Schneider received her Bachelor of Arts in political science and communications from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and her law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. She lives in San Francisco.

Web site: www.shouldyoureally.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:41 PM | Comments (0)

Kapil Raina, '95

PKI Security Solutions for the Enterprise: Solving HIPAA, E-Paper Act and Other Compliance Issues, Wiley and Sons, 2003.

The book: By implementing Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technologies, you'll be able to quickly gain your customers' trust through secure transactions over the Internet. This book provides you with a clear picture on using this technology in healthcare, financial, government, consumer, and other solutions verticals. Furthermore, the book highlights how you can meet domestic and international compliance regulations for corporate- and government-level standards on security and privacy. It focuses on examples and discusses practical implementation models for each vertical discussed.

Web site: www.securitypundit.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:39 PM | Comments (0)

Philip Mirowski, MA'76

The Effortless Economy of Science?, Duke University Press, 2004.

The book: A leading scholar of the history and philosophy of economic thought, Philip Mirowski argues that there has been a top-to-bottom transformation in how scientific research is organized and funded in Western countries over the past two decades and that these changes necessitate a reexamination of the ways that science and economics interact. Mirowski insists on the need to bring together the insights of economics, science studies, and the philosophy of science in order to understand how and why particular research programs get stabilized through interdisciplinary appropriation, controlled attributions of error, and funding restrictions.

The author: Philip Mirowski is Carl Koch Professor of Economics at the University of Notre Dame. Among his books are Machine Dreams: Economics Becomes a Cyborg Science; More Heat Than Light: Economics as Social Physics, Physics as Nature's Economics; and Science Bought and Sold: Essays in the Economics of Science (coedited with Esther-Mirjam Sent).

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:38 PM | Comments (0)

David Maurrasse, '89

Leadership and Personal Missions: A Guide to Finding Your Mission and Purpose in Life, Marga Incorporated, 2004.

The book: Appropriate for everyone interested in improving one's personal focus and finding greater meaning in life, Leadership and Personal Mission outlines a unique, dynamic, and cutting-edge approach to individual development that fosters greater personal understanding. With greater clarity about one's overall direction and priorities, decision-making about critical personal and professional options becomes far easier. Those who have used the Guide found its difficult and challenging questions enlightening and moving, steering them on a path towards self-fulfillment and awareness. Leadership and Personal Mission is a perfect tool for counselors who assist others in making career choices.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:37 PM | Comments (0)

David Newton, '51, MA'61

Alan Turing, Xlibris Corporation, 2003.

The book: A biography of the Alan Turing, mathematician, philosopher, codebreaker, and founder of computer science.

The author: David Newton has written more than 400 books.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:36 PM | Comments (0)

Miriam R. Levin. '62, MA'64

Defining Women's Scientific Enterprise: Mount Holyoke Faculty and the Rise of American Science, University Press of New England, 2005.

The book: Levin's book makes a compelling case that founder Mary Lyon–who was a chemist–and the women educators she recruited were able to stake out roles for women in the scientific enterprise during the College's first century. She attributes their success to their ability to work within the dominant New England Protestant culture, and to their initiative and zeal to break new ground.

The author: Miriam Levin is an associate professor of history at Case Western Reserve University

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:34 PM | Comments (0)

Ellen Ernst Kossek, MBA'81, and Susan J. Lambert, MSW'80, PhD'87, editors

Work and Life Integration: Organizational, Cultural, and Individual Perspectives, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2005.

The book: This book enlightens the research community and informs the public debates on how workplaces can be made more family sensitive by providing contributions from psychologists, sociologists and economists who have not shied away from asserting the policy implications of their findings.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:33 PM | Comments (0)

Gillian Klucas, MA'96

Leadville: The Struggle to Revive an American Town, Island Press/Shearwater Books, 2004.

The book: When the residents of Leadville, Colorado awoke the morning of February 23, 1983, it was to the Arkansas River gushing blood red with toxic mine waste headed straight to a pump station supplying public water. The event sparked a Superfund cleanup that drew national attention at the same time the mining industry abandoned the people it had supported with employment for more than a century. That volatile formula catapulted the town into a modern-day Western standoff with a group of EPA officials and state representatives, determined to clean up the 100-year-old hazardous mess the town has been built upon. It is the true story of this standoff that journalist Gillian Klucas recounts in Leadville.

The author: Klucas is a talented journalist who has written for High Country News, On Earth, Preservation, and other magazines, became so intrigued by Leadville's multifaceted story that she moved there. She now resides in Portland, Oregon. This is her first book.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:32 PM | Comments (0)

Melvin G. Holli, '58, PhD'66, and Paul M. Green, editors

The Mayors: The Chicago Political Tradition, Southern Illinois University Press, 2005.

The book: The key to the mayor's office—power—is examined in essays about fourteen of the most important Chicago mayors of the last century. Together these essays tell the story of the attainment, dispensation, and loss of power by those individuals who have occupied the fifth floor of the city hall in Chicago. Green and Holli have tapped America's best qualified and most knowledgeable observers to help understand the byzantine labyrinth that honeycombs and undergirds Chicago politics.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:30 PM | Comments (0)

Grant Hildebrand, '57, MARCH'64, and T. William Booth

A Thriving Modernism: The Houses of Wendell Lovett and Arne Bystrom, University of Washington Press, 2004.

The book: "A Thriving Modernism" celebrates the remarkable careers of architects Wendell Lovett and Arne Bystrom and their contributions to modernism and to the architectural legacy of the Pacific Northwest.

The author: Grant Hildebrand is professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Washington. He is the author of several books on architecture, including The Wright Space: Pattern and Meaning in Frank Lloyd Wright's Houses. T. William Booth is an architect in Seattle and is a co-author of Carl F. Gould: A Life in Architecture. Hildebrand received the Governor's Writers Award in 1996 and Booth received it in 2000, each for work of literary merit and lasting value.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)

Steve Hebold, MS'81

Teach Basketball, Danmarks Idraets-Forbund, 1994.

The book: The purpose of this book is to provide practical techniques for setting measurable goals to aid in basketball skill development. The book also contains drills gathered mostly from national team coaches from around the world.

The author: Steve Hebold was the assistant coach for the Michigan women's basketball team from 1981 to 1983.

Web site: www.reoagent.com/hesold

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:25 PM | Comments (0)

Michael Harrison, PhD'72

Implementing Change in Health Systems: Market Reform in the United Kingdom, Sweden and the Netherlands, Sage, 2004.

The book: Based on interviews, documents, and published research, the book examines the development, implementation, and outcomes of market reforms in the health systems of three countries that have been leaders in this type of health system change. It provides a new framework for analyzing public policy implementation and system change, synthesizing diverse streams of academic research and thinking.

The author: Michael Harrison has also written "Diagnosing Organizations: Methods, Models and Processes." His interest in organizations and comparative studies was fed by his doctorate work in Ann Arbor.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:24 PM | Comments (0)

Janet Guthrie, '60

Janet Guthrie: A Life at Full Throttle, Sport Classic Books, 2005.

The book: In 1977, Janet Guthrie made front-page headlines across America and sent editorial writers scurrying for their typewriters when she breached the male bastion of auto racing to become the first woman competitor to run in the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500. The world had never seen a race car driver quite like her. In "Janet Guthrie: A Life at Full Throttle," Guthrie has crafted an autobiography that stands as a testament to perseverance, resilience and courage.

Web site: www.janetguthrie.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:15 PM | Comments (0)

Connie Glaser, '70

What Queen Esther Knew: Business Strategies from a Biblical Sage, Rodale, 2003.

The book: The story of Queen Esther, the orphan girl who became Queen of Persia and saved her people, has inspired millions and is the focus of a joyful celebration of thanksgiving--but there's more to Esther's story than meets the eye. Connie Glaser and Barbara Steinberg Smalley found something remarkable—Esther's tale contains the ingredients every woman needs to succeed in the business world today.

The author: Connie Glaser is one of the country's foremost authorities on women, leadership and communication. She has published several best-selling books, has appeared on The Today Show and CNN, and regularly speaks to prestigious corporations such as AOL Time Warner, Coca-Cola and Deloitte & Touche. Her "Swim with the Dolphins: How Women Can Succeed in Corporate America on Their Own Terms" was ranked among the top ten books on women and business, and her most recent work, "What Queen Esther Knew: Business Strategies from a Biblical Sage," is also making a big splash. Read a full profile on Connie Glaser in the spring 2005 issue of Michigan Alumnus magazine.

Web site: www.connieglaser.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:13 PM | Comments (0)

Cheryl Ann Dickow, '87

Raising Christian Children in a Secular World, Pleasant Word, 2004.

The book: Raising Christian Children in a Secular World encourages parents to turn to God's word as their ultimate source of guidance and wisdom. Parents learn to appreciate and embrace the opportunities for their children to grow into young men and women of Christ: opportunities in which their children learn such traits as perseverance, compassion, joy, integrity, and humility.

The author: Cheryl Dickow attended UM-Dearborn. She currently teaches at Our Lady of the Lakes grade school in Waterford, Michigan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:12 PM | Comments (0)

Sterling Coleman Jr., MA'93

Librarianship and Information Science in the Islamic World 1966-1999: An Annotated Bibliography, Scarecrow Press, 2005.

The book: This work is an annotated bibliography that consists of articles, books, conference papers, dissertations and reports published in various library and information science forums on the subject of librarianship throughout the Islamic World.

The author: Coleman's experience at the U-M Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies provided him with the background to write this book.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:10 PM | Comments (0)

Nadine Cohodas, '71

Queen: The Life and Music of Dinah Washington, Pantheon Books, 2004.

The book: "Queen" is the landmark biography of the brief, intensely lived life and soulful music of the great Dinah Washington. A gospel start at 15, she was discovered yb Lionel Hampton at 18, and for the rest of her life she was on the road, playing clubs or singing in the studio, always making music. With her impeccable diction and tart yet heartfelt voice, Dinah was a distinctive stylist, winning critical and commercial success with everything she sang—blues, rhythm and blues, gospel, jazz and even country.

The author: Nadine Cohodas spent four years working at The Michigan Daily. Her other books include "Spinning Blues Into Gold" and "The Band Played Dixie." "Spinning" was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame as a classic of Blues Literature. Cohodas resides in Washington, DC.

Web site: www.dinahthequeen.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:09 PM | Comments (0)

Shari Cohen, '72, MA'02

Legacy of Excellence: A Continuing History of Jesuit and Mercy Higher Education in Detroit, University of Detroit Mercy Press, 2003.

The book: "Legacy" is a contemporary history of the University of Detroit and Mercy College of Detroit from 1978 and 1966 respectively through their consolidation in 1990 and continuing until 2002. The book covers the two institutions' educational legacies in Detroit, based upon the mission of their sponsoring orders, and how the consolidation was planned to better fulfill the current challenges of Catholic higher education.

The author: Shari Cohen majored in journalism at the University of Michigan.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:07 PM | Comments (0)

Harriet Childress, MSPHA'77, PhD'80

Clueless at the Top, Cypress House, 2005.

The book: Are you tired of leaders who say one thing and do another, problems that never get solved, and feeling like it's you that need fixing? Our founders gave us a noble vision, but handed down a powerful obstacle: hierarchical thinking pervades our lives - in our jobs, relationships, communities, families, schools, corporations, government, business, religion, and education--not even our bedrooms are off limits. Time to transform our anger and stress into creative tools to build the lives we really want.

The author: Harriet Childress created this book with her identical twin, Charlotte Childress. They lived apart for twenty-five years, most of that time on opposite coasts of the United States. Eight years ago, both moved to the Pacific Northwest to live near one another.

Web site: www.cluelessatthetop.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:06 PM | Comments (0)

John Baldoni, MA'99

Great Motivation Secrets of Great Leaders, McGraw-Hill, 2005.

The book: "Great Motivation Secrets of Great Leaders" explores the leadership styles of many of the world's most influential leaders in business, the military, sports, and politics and extracts powerful lessons that managers can put to work in their organizations. Drawing upon his years of experience as a leadership consultant, visionary, and coach, John Baldoni, author of the highly successful "Great Communication Secrets of Great Leaders," reveals the motivational techniques of Sam Walton, Mary Kay Ash, Ronald Reagan, Colleen Barrett, Col. David Hackworth, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and other influential leaders

The author: John Baldoni is a leadership communications consultant who works with Fortune 500 companies as well as nonprofits including the University of Michigan. He is frequent keynote and workshop speaker as well as the author of 4 books on leadership.

Web site: www.johnbaldoni.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:04 PM | Comments (0)

Sam Apple, '98

Schlepping Through the Alps: My Search for Austria's Jewish Past With Its Last Wandering Shepherd, Ballantine Books, 2005.

The book: Hans Breuer, Austria's only wandering shepherd, is also a Yiddish folksinger. He walks the Alps, shepherd's stick in hand, singing lullabies to his 625 sheep. Sometimes he even gives concerts in historically anti-Semitic towns, showing slides of the flock as he belts out Yiddish ditties.

When New York-based writer Sam Apple hears about this one-of-a-kind eccentric, he flies overseas and signs on as a shepherd's apprentice. For thoroughly urban, slightly neurotic Sam, stumbling along in borrowed boots and burdened with a lot more baggage than his backpack, the task is far from a walk in Central Park. Demonstrating no immediate natural talent for shepherding, he tries to earn the respect of Breuer's sheep, while keeping a safe distance from the shepherd's fierce herding dogs.

The author: Sam Apple is our featured alumni author for spring 2005. Read our Q&A with Apple about his experiences and how he embarked on this fascinating journey.

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:01 PM | Comments (0)

Giselle Zado Wasfie, '98

So Fly, St. Martin’s Griffin, 2005.

The book: "So Fly" is a coming-of-age love story, set in the frenetic whirlwind of NYC's hip-hop community where the same rules don't always apply, you have to think fast and life is about getting grown.

The author: Wasfie was the editor-in-chief of the campus-wide feminist publication Third Wave at the University of Michigan. Her work has been published in Glamour, Us Weekly and more.

Web site: www.gisellezadowasfie.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)

Porter Shreve, MFA'98

Drives Like a Dream, Houghton Mifflin, 2005.

The book: Lydia Modine is sixty-one and about to come undone. Her three grown-up children have flown the coop. She hasn't seen them together in more than a year, and now her ex-husband is about to remarry a woman half his age. And the insults keep coming: Lydia is stuck on a book she's writing about Detroit's car industry, which uncannily parallels her own life - out with the old model, in with the new. She's poured her soul into her family, only to be abandoned in the City of Dream Machines. But then a twist of fate introduces her to Norm, an eco-car fanatic out to remake her and the world. Is he the answer to all of her problems, or does he hold the one secret that just might get her children back to Detroit, home for good?

The author: Porter Shreve is the author of the novel The Obituary Writer, which was published by Houghton Mifflin in 2000 and named a New York Times Notable Book, a Book Sense pick, and a finalist for the Great Lakes Book Award and the Society of Midland Authors Award. Shreve has coedited six anthologies, and his short stories, essays, and reviews have appeared in many publications, including Witness, Northwest Review, Salon, the Chicago Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Boston Globe and the New York Times. He has been on the English faculty at the University of Michigan, the University of Oregon, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and he currently directs the creative writing program at Purdue University. He is at work on his third novel and a collection of short stories.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:58 PM | Comments (0)

Elizabeth Kostova, MFA'04

The Historian, Little Brown and Company, 2005.

The book: Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters. The letters are all addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," and they plunge her into a world she never dreamed of—a labyrinth where the secrets of her father's past and her mother's mysterious fate connect to an inconceivable evil hidden in the depths of history.

The letters provide links to one of the darkest powers that humanity has ever known—and to a centuries-long quest to find the source of that darkness and wipe it out. It is a quest for the truth about Vlad the Impaler, the medieval ruler whose barbarous reign formed the basis of the legend of Dracula.

The author: Elizabeth Kostova graduated from Yale and holds an MFA from the University of Michigan, where she won the Hopwood Award for the Novel-in-Progress.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:57 PM | Comments (0)

Stefan Kiesbye, MFA'01

Next Door Lived a Girl, Low Fidelity Press, 2005.

The book: "Kiesbye's dark, distinctive vision of humanity, is composed with such narrative skill and verve as to render the bleakness bracing, the grimness utterly gripping. A significant and powerful debut." —Peter Ho Davies

Winner of the 2004 Novella Award

The author: Stefan Kiesbye was born on Northern Germany’s Baltic coast. In 1985 he moved to West Berlin, since it offered a wall and morbid exclusivity. He studied drama, performed on stages in Hamburg and Berlin, and hosted a morning show for a Gay and Lesbian radio station. After enrolling in American Studies, he received a German Academic Exchange Service fellowship to study at SUNY at Buffalo, and graduated in 1998. Three years later he received an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan. Stefan Kiesbye’s stories and poems have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. He currently teaches writing at Eastern Michigan University and works as a freelance writer.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:56 PM | Comments (0)

Jennifer Coburn, '88

Reinventing Mona, Kensington Books, 2005.

The book: “Reinventing Mona� is the story of a 30-year-old woman who sets out to change her life, but winds up changing everyone else’s around her. A self-described “mustard stain on a Sears tweed couch,� Mona Warren hasn’t done much with her life. When her company offers voluntary buy-outs for engineers, Mona impulsively decides she’s going to leave her job and make her new career reinventing herself.

In an effort to win the heart of Adam Ziegler, the family accountant Mona has secretly loved for seven years, Mona stages several public relations stunts designed to make her appear to be the height of fabulousness.
The author: Jennifer Coburn is an award-winning journalist who has written for magazines and newspapers in the United States, Canada, and Australia. She is a native New Yorker and a graduate of the University of Michigan. She currently lives in San Diego with her husband, William, and their daughter, Katie.

Web site: www.jennifercoburn.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:54 PM | Comments (0)

Robert Bartlett, MD'63

The Salem Syndrome, First Page Publications, 2005.

The book: Two little girls are admitted to the ICU with burn injuries that show signs of possible child abuse. The medical, social and legal systems swing into action and the investigation soon focuses on their father, who vehemently denies the charges. Dr. Steven Crane, a pediatric resident, is both a participant in and an observer of this process. He wonders if the father might actually be telling the truth. But Crane soon learns that, where child abuse is concerned, the accused are guilty until proven innocent.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:52 PM | Comments (0)

Dean Bakopoulos,'97

Please Don't Come Back from the Moon, Harcourt, 2005.

The book: What happens to the sons in a Ukrainian-Polish neighborhood in Maple Rock, Michigan, when their fathers mysteriously disappear? What becomes of the sons when they are teenagers learning to become men themselves and they need their fathers’ direction as much as their taciturnity and anger? In this observant first novel, Dean Bakopoulos focuses on the father-son relationships that go missing, the losses that follow, and the efforts the sons make to grow up.

Read a complete review in the spring 2005 issue of Michigan Alumnus magazine.

The author: Dean Bakopoulos was born in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, to immigrant parents. He grew up speaking both Ukrainian and English. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife, Amanda Okopski.

Web site: www.deanbakopoulos.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:51 PM | Comments (0)

Megan Abbott, '93

Die a Little, Simon and Schuster, 2005.

The book: Shadow-dodging through 1950s Hollywood glamor and its seedy flip-side, "Die a Little" tells the story of a femme fatale costume girl whose masquerade as the perfect housewife is clever enough to fool her detective husband, but not her suspicious sister-in-law.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:49 PM | Comments (0)

Jeff Libman, '85

In the winter 2005 issue of Michigan Alumnus, we reviewed Jeff Libman's "An Immigrant Class: Oral Histories From Chicago's Newest Immigrants." The book offers a fascinating insight into the lives of 20 immigrants who made Chicago their new home.

Libman spent four years interviewing former students from his English as a Second Language class at Harry S. Truman College in Chicago. He asked them about their lives in their native lands, why they came to the United States, how they perceive lives in their new country and more. The portrait that is painted by their stories and the accompanying photos taken by former Michigan Daily photographer Steve Kagan, '96, captures the intimate details of their lives while also revealing something about our own. Through the descriptions of how newcomers see us, Libman explains, "We're not just learning about immigrants, we're learning about ourselves." The book opens with a foreword by Phil Ponce, JD'74, an award-winning broadcast journalist from Chicago.

We interviewed Libman to learn how he created "An Immigrant Class."

What prompted you to begin this project?
This book project had to do with my experience working with immigrants and refugees and teaching adult immigrants on a daily basis. This is a group that has voices that are frequently unheard in mainstream American culture. There are language and cultural barriers. Most immigrants are tied up with the pressure of the day-to-day routine of working, trying to get educated, improve, just like all of us.

Ten percent of the American population is foreign born. Twenty-three percent of the population of Chicago is for born. Given the feeling and the ideas that have arisen after the events of 9/11, we need to understand the humanity behind the stereotypes people can make and the fears that grow out of people who speak or dress differently…They're for the most part trying to struggle, survive and improve just like all of us.

How did you choose the 20 people you featured in the book?
They were all former students of mine. On one level, it was a super advantage because there was already a level of trust. Those who agreed to talk were comfortable about sharing who they were. I don't think if that would have been possible if I'd just walked into the community.

Two, I wanted to get a cross section of the various parts of the world that peoople are coming from, the reasons people are coming to the United States—green card lottery winners, refugees, marrying an American, tourists, work visas. I wanted that to be a part of the story.

I also wanted people who could speak English well enough that they could communicate in this new language of theirs to the predominantly English reader. I thought that was powerful for the reader.

Why did you choose to feature the stories as oral histories rather than writing third person stories about each immigrant?
During my years in the documentary film business, I became fascinated with the power of the spoken word and the voices of individuals. Ultimately, I believe we are each the most genuine tellers of our own stories. Not everybody is the best storyteller, but that is part of the story. Whether it is the mundane or the magnificent, I wanted each immigrant in the book to speak directly to the reader. I wanted to take away as many filters as possible to bring the reader as close to the experience of each person as possible; creating the feeling that each person in the book is speaking directly to the reader. I believe there is a level of authenticity and democracy in oral histories that is lost in third person narratives. Reading oral histories is an exercise in focused listening, something we seem to do less and less of these days.

Two other Michigan grads, Steve Kagan, '96, and Phil Ponce, JD'74, were involved in the book. How did you end up working with them?
I didn't come to Steve because he was a Michigan grad, but his name came to me because he had done some good work. He was excited about the project. I liked his approach to making images and his commitment to the idea of making the project. We only knew about our connection to Michigan a month or two after working together.

I approached Phil—I knew a bit of his background. He's a personality in Chicago that is fairly prominent to the media. The connection became something for us all to laugh about.

What do you want readers to take from "An Immigrant Class"?
Each person will come away from "An Immigrant Class" with his or her own ideas. The book was a project in listening. We all have a story, and I believe when we take the time to listen to each other, we can build understanding and compassion and erase the stranger in each other. I spent hundreds of hours listening to stories, and I think this is one of the greatest lessons of the book. I think when we take the time to listen, we can see and hear the humanity in everyone. When we do that, we can break down our own stereotypes and prejudices about immigrants or anyone, and see the "us" in "them" and vice versa. In most ways, the people in "An Immigrant Class" are no different than anyone else. They have dreams and desires. They have faced hardship and disappointment. They have experienced success and discrimination. Immigrants and refugees have faced more difficult times in the United States after 9/11, and I think "An Immigrant Class" can be a productive addition to the conversation about immigration and the humanity behind the myths.

What's next for you?
I still teach ESL. It's more than full-time in a way, though they consider me part-time. I think I'm going to do another oral history project. I've got some ideas, but it will be a year before I start. I don't think it will deal specifically with immigrants, but with another class of unheard voices.

For more information on Libman and his work, visit his Web site at www.animmigrantclass.com.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:41 PM | Comments (0)

Christine Kole MacLean, '83

"Mary Margaret and the Perfect Pet Plan," Dutton Children’s Books/Penguin Putnam, 2004, $15.99.

The book: Mary Margaret is an almost 9-year-old who is convinced that her life would be perfect if only she could have a pet. With a dad who is highly allergic, an older mom who is unexpectedly expecting, and a teenage brother who is going through a painful separation from a life-long pal, it seems unlikely that she’ll ever get what she thinks she needs. As she struggles to understand what the changes her mom and JT are going through mean to her own life, Mary Margaret realizes a few things about friendship, family, and putting herself in other people’s shoes. A novel for 8- to 12-year-olds.

The author: Christine Kole MacLean and her five siblings grew up on a farm, where they had plenty of pets. The idea for this book came from her two persistent children, who have had to settle (so far) for ants, butterflies, a tadpole, a turtle, and overambitious goldfish. They are currently lobbying for a lizard. MacLean lives in Michigan.

Web site: http://www.christinekolemaclean.com/

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:39 PM | Comments (0)

Marcia (Miller) Muth, '49, MALS'53

"Words and Images," Sunstone Press, 2004, $16.95.

The book: "Words and Images" celebrates Muth’s 85th birthday.

The author: Marcia Muth was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. She received degrees from the University of Michigan and has lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the past 38 years. Her work is in private and public collections, including The Jewish Museum in New York, The Albuquerque Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts (Santa Fe), and the Art Museum of Southeast Texas (Beaumont). This is her fourth book of poetry.

Web site: www.sunstonepress.com/cgi-bin/bookview.cgi?_recordnum=347

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:34 PM | Comments (0)

Betty Lukas, '47

"Delirium: A Little Story About Love," Fithian Press, 2003, $8.

The book: Love’s labor is never lost when its existence surfaces in this unforgettable poetic chronicle of passion between a younger man and an older woman who find that, in those brief, searing moments of time, they are joined and nothing is ever the same again.

The author: Lukas’ career began at The Michigan Daily. She spent thirty years as a professional journalist, the last 18 as an editor for the Los Angeles Times. During 12 of those years, she also taught several journalism courses as a visiting instructor at California State University Dominguez Hills. She is the author of four short plays, all of which have been produced in Southern California. Lukas holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California.

Web site: www.danielpublishing.com/bro/lukas.html

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:32 PM | Comments (0)

John Jacob, '72

"Night of the Dolphin,"d’Cypher Press, 2004, $12.

The book: The 18th book by John Jacob. It has been nominated for the 2004 Pulitzer Prize and for the 2005 USA Poetry West Award.

The author: John Jacob was born in Chicago. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and graduate degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago. John has won the PEN Discovery Award and the Carl Sandburg Award for his first book of fiction.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:28 PM | Comments (0)

David Cope, '74

"Turn the Wheel," Humana Press, 2003, $25.

The book: Poetry written from 1997-2002; includes elegies for poet Allen Ginsberg and poems written after September 11, 2001.

The author: David Cope grew up on the banks of the Thornapple River in Western Michigan. He studied under the great African-American poet Robert Hayden at the University of Michigan.

Web site: www.poetspath.com/exhibits/cope

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:26 PM | Comments (0)

Gary Wiren, MA'60

"When Golf is a Ball: A Lifetime of Fun and Adventure in the Game," Clock Tower Press, 2004, $22.95.

The book: Golf has led Wiren to walk on the Great Wall of China, in the tulip gardens of Holland, up the Tobel in Switzerland, around the Coliseum in Italy and within the Royal Grounds in Denmark; to enjoy a sauna in Finland, eat sauerkraut and dumplings in the Czech Republic, teach to beauty pageant contestants in Curacao, chase dingoes in the Australian outback, sing in Singapore, taste a Sacher torte in Austria, gamble at the casino in Monaco, fish the lakes of New Zealand, dine with geishas in Japan, and sail the Mediterranean. In all of these exotic locales, he has found something very familiar in the eyes of his hosts: a delight in the great game of golf. Wiren's myriad encounters with that delight provide the experiences, stories, quotes, quips and observations that make up the content of When Golf is a Ball. It's an anecdote-filled mother lode of great golf lore.

The author: Gary Wiren, PhD, is currently chairman and founder of Golf Around the World Inc. and master teaching consultant at the Trump International Golf Club. Wiren was named national teacher of the year for the PGA in 1987, the second year the award was given. He has been a South Florida PGA Senior Champion, made the cut in the US Senior Open and driven a ball 381 yards in a national long drive competition.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)

Jonathan Daniel Wells, PhD'98

"The Origins of the Southern Middle Class, 1800-1861," University of North Carolina Press, 2004, $22.50.

The book: With a fresh take on social dynamics in the antebellum South, Jonathan Daniel Wells contests the popular idea that the Old South was a region of essentially two classes (planters and slaves) until after the Civil War. He argues that, in fact, the region had a burgeoning white middle class—including merchants, doctors, and teachersmdash;that had a profound impact on southern culture, the debate over slavery, and the coming of the Civil War.

The author: Jonathan Daniel Wells is associate professor of history and chair of arts and sciences at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:23 PM | Comments (0)

Martha (Merritt) Tousley, '65

"Finding Your Way Through Grief: A Guide for the First Year," Hospice of the Valley, 2000, $7.

The book: This sensitive, informative guide helps survivors understand and cope with the feelings and experiences they are likely to encounter in the first year following the death of a loved one. The book defines grief as a normal yet highly personal response to loss, explores the various physical, emotional, social and spiritual effects of grief, explains the mourning patterns among various family members, and describes the many and varied ways of managing and surviving grief.

The author: As a Bereavement Counselor with Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona, Marty Tousley helps individuals and families cope with the terminal illness and death of their loved ones. She also serves as Mental Health Consultant to the Companion Animal Association of Arizona's Pet Grief Support Service, facilitating their monthly support groups for bereaved animal lovers and providing ongoing clinical assistance to the staff of Helpline Volunteers.

Web site: www.griefhealing.com/

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:21 PM | Comments (0)

Leslie Tentler, '67, PhD'75

"Catholics and Contraception: An American History," Cornell University Press, 2004, $29.95.

The book: "Catholics and Contraception" carefully examines the intimate dilemmas of pastoral counseling in matters of sexual conduct. Tentler makes it clear that uneasy negotiations were always necessary between clerical and lay authority. As the Catholic Church found itself isolated in its strictures against contraception—and the object of damaging rhetoric in the public debate over legal birth control—support of the Church's teachings on contraception became a mark of Catholic identity, for better and for worse. Tentler draws on evidence from pastoral literature, sermons, lay writings, private correspondence, and interviews with 56 priests ordained between 1938 and 1968, concluding, "the recent history of American Catholicism … can only be understood by taking birth control into account."

The author: Leslie Woodcock Tentler is Professor of History at Catholic University of America. Her books include Seasons of Grace: A History of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit and Wage-Earning Women: Industrial Employment and Family Life in the United States, 1900–1930.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:20 PM | Comments (0)

Emanuel Tanay, MD (post-grad)

"Passport to Life: Autobiographical Reflections of a Holocaust Survivor,� Forensic Press, 2004, $19.95.

The book: This is a book about a teenager's struggle to stay alive in a culture of death. It tells the story of a young adult who, after the ordeal of the Holocaust, lived a good life. It ends with an old man who enjoys family, professional success, health and prosperity. This book reflects the lessons learned from the author's 50 years of psychiatric practice and his experiences during the Holocaust.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:18 PM | Comments (0)

Ulrich Straus, '50, MA'51

"The Anguish of Surrender: Japanese POWs of World War II," University of Washington Press, 2004, $27.50.

The book: This is the story of the 35,000 Japanese who, despite their government's edict against allowing themselves to be taken prisoners, endured a fate they never expected to survive. It deals with the POWs' indoctrination, their anguish in weighing surrender, the interrogations and factions in the camps and their ultimate return to the country and families and reintegration into their society. Their return to Japan with good impressions of their captors, in contrast to our POWs in Abu Ghraib, helped to lead to a successful occupation of Japan.

The author: Ulrich "Rick" Straus lived a total of twenty-one years in Japan, first as a child between 1933 and 1940 in Tokyo. He served as a U.S. Army language officer in Japan during the Occupation and participated in the trial of Japan’s major war criminals. He was Consul General on Okinawa from 1978 to 1982 and retired from the Foreign Service in 1987.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:17 PM | Comments (0)

Lyn Silberman, '65

"No Turning Back: A Journey into the World of Alzheimer’s with My Mother," Silberman Enterprises, Inc., 2004.

The book: "No Turning Back" is a roadmap for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer's. This book explains the choices faced at crossroads and should help in the decision making process. A portion of the book’s proceeds are donated to the Alzheimer's Association.

The author: Lyn Silberman lives in Florida.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)

Frederic M. Scherer, '54

"Quarter Notes and Bank Notes: The Economics of Music Composition in the 18th and 19th Centuries," Princeton University Press, 2005, $35.

The book: In 1700, most music composers were employed by the nobility or the church. One hundred fifty years later, a majority did much of their composing on a free-lance basis. This book examines how the transition from servile to market-oriented composition took place. It analyzes broad trends, composers' education, their economic fortunes and the reasons for economic success or failure, how changes in transportation media affected their choices of where to work, and how the emergence of musical copyright affected their publishing strategies and fortunes.

The author: F. M. Scherer is Aetna Professor Emeritus at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, Lecturer at the Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, and the author of many books.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:13 PM | Comments (0)

Millard Rogers Jr., MA'58

"John Nolen and Mariemont: Building a New Town in Ohio," Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001.

The book: This is the first book to examine the planning and building of Mariemont and one of the few books to focus on the process of American town planning in the early twentieth century. Regarded in the 1920s as an exemplar of planned communities, Mariemont remains one of America's most livable suburbs and has drawn great interest from the New Urbanism movement.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)

Derek Randel, '86

"Bittersweet Moments: Questions and Answers to Parenting and Life Issues," 1stBooks Library, 2003, $17.75.

The book: Topics covered here are written for quick learning and provide easy "How To" answers. The purpose of this book is to provide parents with simple answers to think about and to show you how much power you have over your life. The success you seek in life is within your grasp.

The author: Derek Randel shares his 12 years of experience as an educator in Illinois and Michigan. He has been nominated for a Disney American Teacher award and has coached numerous sport teams (baseball, fast pitch softball, volleyball, soccer, and both boys and girls basketball).

Web site: www.randelconsulting.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)

Gayle Pemberton, '69

"The Hottest Water in Chicago: Notes of a Native Daughter,"Wesleyan University Press, 1992, $14.95.

The book: An illuminating cultural journey through black and white America.

The author: was born in Saint Paul Minnesota. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Michigan and a doctorate in English and American literature from Harvard University. She has taught as Smith College, Columbia University, Middlebury College, Northwestern University, Reed College and Bowdin College. She was associate director of African American studies at Princeton before joining Wesleyan in 1994 as chair of the African American studies program and William R. Kenan Professor of the Humanities in the English Department. She currently is under contract with W.W. Norton for a book entitled "And the Colored Girls Go... : Black Women and American Cinema."

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)

Samuel Nakamura, '69, MSE'70

"The Folk Art Woodcarvings of Edee Carlson," self-published, 2004, $28.

The book: Produced as a tribute to the author's late wife, noted woodcarver of American folk art Edee Carlson, this 96-page landscape format book has more than 220 color photos of the artist's work. Carving subjects are primarily wildlife, Santa figures (often riding on wildlife, such as Santa on a moose), Americana, and similar subjects. Also included are images of Carlson observing animals in the wild—her favorite method of gathering inspiration for future carvings, and a few behind-the-scenes images of her at work. Carlson's carvings were sold in prestigious folk art galleries across the nation, many of which provided testimonials to her work that appear in the book.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)

Judith Matz, MSW'80

"Beyond a Shadow of a Diet," Brunner-Routledge, 2004, $34.95.

The book: "Beyond a Shadow of a Diet" is the first comprehensive book for professionals to address the dynamics and treatment of compulsive eating, and we invite readers to examine their own attitudes toward food, weight and dieting. Although written with therapists in mind, this book is accessible to anyone struggling with food and weight issues. Drawing from the mountain of research indicating that diets don't work but actually contribute to the diet-binge cycle, this powerful book presents a sound method of solving, rather than controlling, compulsive eating, enabling people to find freedom from the preoccupation with food and weight and to live more fully in the world at any size.

The author: Judith Matz has worked in the field of compulsive eating since 1986 and is the director of the Chicago Center For Overcoming Overeating, Inc. She provides workshops and seminars for the lay public in addition to therapists, dieticians and exercise physiologists interested in non-diet approaches for their clients. She has written many articles about this topic and served as co-editor for the Overcoming Overeating Newsletter. She is in private practice in Skokie, Illinois.

Web site: www.beyondashadowofadiet.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:02 PM | Comments (0)

Karen Majewski, PhD'98

"Traitors and True Poles: Narrating a Polish-American Identity, 1880-1939," Ohio University Press, 2003, “$42.95.

The book: This is the author’s first extended look at Polish language fiction written by turn-of-the-century immigrants, a forgotten body of American ethnic literature. Addressing a blind spot in our understanding of immigrant and ethnic identity culture, "Traitors and True Poles" challenges perceptions of a silent and passive Polish immigration by giving back its literary voice.

The author: Karen Majewski is an associate professor of Polish and East Central European Studies at St. Mary’s College of Ave Maria University, Orchard Lake, Michigan. She is also executive secretary of the Polish American Historical Association.

Posted by tobiaslw at 03:00 PM | Comments (0)

Andrea Learned, '86

"Don’t Think Pink: What Really Makes Women Buy and How to Increase Your Share of This Crucial Market," Andrea Learned, ’86, AMACOM, 2004, $23.

The book: A business book offering a fresh perspective on marketing to women, and introducing the concept of "transparent marketing" as opposed to "thinking pink" or condescending to women as consumers. The book discusses why "how" women buy is so much more important than worrying about "what" they buy. Transparent marketing is positioned as the future of marketing altogether, and talking with women before and during the process of product and marketing strategy development is highly encouraged.

The author: Andrea Learned is a senior contributor to marketingprofs.com and also write for a variety of international business publications. Through her writing, she covers the gamut of women's-market related topics in an informal and relatable style.

Web site: www.andrealearned.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)

Mark Katz, MA'95, PhD'99

"Capturing Sound: How Technology Has Changed Music," University of California Press, 2004, $19.95.

The book: There is more to sound recording than just recording sound. Far from being simply a tool for the preservation of music, the technology is a catalyst. This is the clear message of "Capturing Sound," a wide-ranging, deeply informative, consistently entertaining history of recording's profound impact on the musical life of the past century, from Edison to the Internet. In a series of case studies, Mark Katz explores how recording technology has encouraged new ways of listening to music, led performers to change their practices, and allowed entirely new musical genres to come into existence. An accompanying CD, featuring 13 tracks from Chopin to Public Enemy, allows readers to hear what Katz means when he discusses music as varied as King Oliver's "Dippermouth Blues," a Jascha Heifetz recording of a Brahms Hungarian Dance, and Fatboy Slim's "Praise You."

The author: Mark Katz is Chair of the Department of Musicology at the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:56 PM | Comments (0)

Isabel V. Hull, '70

"Absolute Destruction: Military Culture and the Practices of War in Imperial Germany,"
Cornell University Press, 2004.

The book: In a book that is at once a major contribution to modern European history and a cautionary tale for today, Isabel V. Hull argues that the routines and practices of the Imperial German Army, unchecked by effective civilian institutions, increasingly sought the absolute destruction of its enemies as the only guarantee of the nation’s security. So deeply embedded were the assumptions and procedures of this distinctively German military culture that the Army, in its drive to annihilate the enemy military, did not shrink from the utter destruction of civilian property and lives. Carried to its extreme, the logic of "military necessity" found real security only in extremities of destruction, in the "silence of the graveyard."

The author: Isabel V. Hull is John Stambaugh Professor of History at Cornell University. She is the author of Sexuality, State, and Civil Society in Germany, 1700–1815 (also from Cornell) and The Entourage of Kaiser Wilhelm II, 1888–1918 and the coeditor of German Nationalism and the European Response, 1890–1945.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:55 PM | Comments (0)

Eugene Fairbanks, '43, MD'45

"Abraham Lincoln Sculpture: Created by Avard T. Fairbanks (PhD’36)," Fairbanks Art and Books, 2003, $29.50.

The book: Monumental and portrait statuary of Abraham Lincoln created by world famous U-M alumnus and sculptor Avard Fairbanks.

The author: Eugene Fairbanks practiced anesthesiology and family medicine in Washington. He has five sons and five daughters.

Web site: www.fairbanksartbooks.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:53 PM | Comments (0)

Carol Dunitz, '71

"Louder than Thunder: A Contemporary Business Parable," Canterbury & Parkside, 2005, $19.95.

The book: "Louder Than Thunder" is a contemporary business parable. Traditionally, it was the king with three sons who competed with each other to see who would succeed him. This story takes an interesting 21st century twist when the corporate CEO poses a riddle that takes her three vice presidents on a journey to discover universal truths that impact on us all. Discover the mystery of personal and professional success with "Louder Than Thunder."

The author: Carol Dunitz has a bachelor's degree in theatre and English for the University of Michigan and a doctorate in speech communication and theatre from Wayne State University.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)

Jennifer Conlin, '83

"The Perfect Parents Handbook," St. Martin’s Press, 2004, $14.95.

The book: A humorous parenting book, complete with illustrations and photographs, that classifies parents into nine different categories and then follows them from conception to college. Learn the childrearing philosophies and purchasing habits of the Sporty, Classic, Hip, Power, Bohemian, Paranoid, Euro and Martyr parents and, more importantly, find out which group you fit into!

The author: Conlin was an English major at U-M, where she wrote for the yearbook and a local monthly paper called "The Alchemist." She now lives in London, England.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:49 PM | Comments (0)

David Chardavoyne, '70

"A Hanging in Detroit: Stephen Gifford Simmons and the Last Execution under Michigan Law," Wayne State University Press, 2003, $35.

The book: "A Hanging in Detroit" discusses the last execution under Michigan law in 1830 and the events that led to the passage of the state law barring capital punishment more than a decade later.

The author: David Chardavoyne is an adjunct professor of law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)

John Baldoni, MA'99

"Great Motivation Secrets of Great Leaders," McGraw-Hill, 2005, $18.95.

The book: Real stories. Real leaders. Real inspiration. Whether it’s Magic Johnson excelling in business as well as basketball, Ernest Shackleton leading men out of Antarctica, or Mary Kay Ash building a people-centric cosmetics empire, these legendary figures have redefined the meaning of a great leader. With inspiring stories of leaders in a wide variety of fields that outline their guiding principles, "Great Motivation Secrets of Great Leaders" provides life lessons that will motivate you to your greatest potential.

The author: John Baldoni is a Fortune 500 leadership communications consultant. His articles are widely published, and he is the author of five books on leadership, including "Great Communication Secrets of Great Leaders."

Web site: www.johnbaldoni.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)

Martha Bennett Stiles, '54

"Lonesome Road," Gnomon Press, 1998, $25.

The book: "Lonesome Road" is a gripping story of the sudden disappearance of a child. The book explores the effect of family tragedy on a happy marriage.

The author: Martha Bennett Stiles grew up in the Tidewater region of Virginia. She is the author of 10 books for young people. This is her first book of adult fiction. Among her awards are two Hopwoods (University of Michigan) and a fellowship from the Kentucky Arts Council.

Web site: www.bcleal.net/sites/mbstiles/default.aspx

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)

Gil Snider, MD'75, MDres'81

“Brain Warp,� iUniverse, 2003, $17.95.

The book: When Dr. Peter Branstead, a neurologist in New York City’s Greenwich Village, stumbles onto a plot of international political intrigue, he is forced into a crucial role. With the fate of Europe at stake and the lives of those he loves in jeopardy, can he foil the plot and escape with his life, while a savage killer tracks him over two continents?

The author: Gil Snider is a neurologist in Virginia for more than 20 years. In addition to establishing a thriving medical practice, Snider has brought up two fine sons.

Web site: www.brainwarp.net

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:23 PM | Comments (0)

Lois Wells Santalo, '43

“The Women of Stormland,� iUniverse, 2004, $16.95.

The book: Ashley Pennington had no idea what she might encounter when she began reading—under protest—he diaries and letters of her forebears. Of mixed race, and deeply resentful of it, Ashley felt their lives as white women couldn't possibly interest her. Yet she is soon caught up in surprising discoveries about the difficulties they faced in both their career paths and their love lives.

Ashley's own problems increase as she plunges headlong into a maelstrom of mixed-race torments with Kevin, the black man she wanted to love, and Doug, the white man she is determined not to love. The women of the past serve to steady her as she passes through a dark night of the soul and faces the hard choices about where she belongs.

A story with two time-lines, "The Women of Stormland" links past and present in an inter-racial crisis as old as America and as contemporary as an Oprah Winfrey show.

The author: Lois Santalo is a native Michiganian who now divides her time between that state and California. She drew on her own interracial family for the “Stormland� saga.

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:21 PM | Comments (0)

Mary Doria Russell, PhD'83

"A Thread of Grace," Random House, 2005, $25.95.

The book: A historical thriller about the Jewish underground near Genoa during the Nazi occupation of Italy from 1943 to 1945.

The author: Mary Doria Russell was born in suburban Chicago in 1950. She earned her doctorate in biological anthropology from the University of Michigan. She taught human gross anatomy at Case Western Reserve University in the 1980s, but left Academe to write, which turned out to be a good career move. Her novels have struck a deep chord with readers for their respectful but unblinking consideration of fundamental religious questions. "The Sparrow" and "Children of God" remain steady sellers, translated into a dozen languages. Russell's work has been recognized with nine national and international literary awards and she was a finalist for a number of others.

Web site: www.marydoriarussell.info

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:14 PM | Comments (0)

David Mazzotta, MBA'90

"Apple Pie," Llumina Press, 2004, $13.95.

The book: A comically wry journey through the silliness of college life, as seen through the eyes of a son of immigrants who wants to convince everyone that he's an American.

The author: In the grand epic tradition, David Mazzotta struggled to overcome an ordinary middle-class childhood filled with public school bullies, downscale shopping malls and awkward adolescent moments in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Michigan. While attending the University of Michigan, he worked as a bartender and a car salesman before leaving to seek glamour and excitement in northern Virginia where he did hard time as an accountant near his nation's capital. David now lives a carefree life just outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, but sometimes wishes he were nearer the ocean. "Apple Pie" is his first novel.

Web site: www.readapplepie.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)

A. Townsend Marshall, '65

"Paperless," AuthorHouse, 2004, $18.75.

The book: In "Paperless," Marshall takes us on an eerily plausible journey. A disenfranchised scientist becomes an anti-hero who, in collaboration with a consortium of corrupt CEOs, virtually controls the Internet and, by association, all who participate in it. The consortium's greedy and spiteful climb to power reeks. Personal devastation, murder and technological assault on the world's most critical systems result. Could it happen? Marshall makes us believe it can. He also offers a most improbable stabilizer. "Paperless," as well as his first novel, "Thread of Decency," draws on his extensive IT and managerial experience with the largest American corporations.

The author: A. Townsend Marshall was born in Detroit Michigan. He grew up on the far east side of the city, where he attended Catholic grade school and high school before attending the University of Michigan in the early 1960s. He received a bachelor's degree in engineering. Al was a rare engineer at the time, choosing English as his engineering curriculum elective. After graduation from Michigan, Al spent the first part of his career as a gas turbine performance engineer with a Detroit based company. He married Marina while attending the University of Detroit in evenings working toward his MBA. With an MBA in hand and a strong emerging interest in computing systems, Al moved from engineering into information systems. He has progressed in that field for more than 30 years.

Web site: www.threadofdecency.info

Posted by tobiaslw at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)

Jan Kozma, '68, MA'70, PhD'73

"Ashes" (translation by Kozma), Grazia Deledda, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2004 (1904 original).

The book: Jan Kozma's English translation of Deledda's novel represents a near-literal rendering of the novel that embodies the Nobel Prize-winning author's mature style. "Ashes" is the story of a Sardinian unwed mother who is forced by poverty to abandon her only child. In this novel, Deledda is especially trenchant on the predicament of Sardinian women living in a dangerously unforgiving, patronistic and repressive world.

The author: Her Michigan education (a doctorate in Italian literature) is the sole reason she eventually published in the field of Italian literature, language and literary criticism. She is a professor of Italian at the University of Kansas.

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:42 PM | Comments (0)

Aaron Hamburger, '95

"The View from Stalin's Head," Random House, 2004, $12.95.

The book: A debut collection of 10 lucid, haunting and darkly comic stories about Americans and Europeans in post-Cold War Prague.

The author: He has earned an M.F.A. degree at Columbia, where he was awarded a fellowship to teach composition. His fiction has been published in Nerve, The Village Voice, Poets and Writers, Publishers Weekly, Salt Hill, and Jewish Education News and has won awards from The Atlantic Monthly, the Edward Albee Foundation, and CAJE.

Web site: www.aaronhamburger.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:27 PM | Comments (0)

Erik Barmack, '95

"The Virgin," St. Martin's Griffin, 2005, $12.95.

The book: When Joseph Braun decides to lie his way onto the Network's hottest new reality show, he's sure he'll find what he's always sought: attention fame and, perhaps, love. But once he lands a spot on "The Virgin," a show in which a 26-year-old beauty named Madison offers to relinquish her virginity, he realizes that he's in way over his head. And Madison might hold secrets of her own…

The author: Erik Barmack's short stories, essays, and articles have appeared in The Sporting News and The Atlantic Monthly Online. He appears regularly on CNBC's "Squawk Box." He's received degrees from the Residential College at The University of Michigan and Stanford. He lives in Brooklyn.

Web site: www.barmack.com

Posted by tobiaslw at 01:18 PM | Comments (0)