While European civilization stagnated in the "Dark Ages," Asia flourished as the wellspring of science, philosophy and religion. Linked by a web of spiritual, commercial and intellectual connections, the distant regions of Asia's vast civilization, from Arabia to China, hummed with trade, international diplomacy and the exchange of ideas. Stewart Gordon, senior research scholar at U-M's Center for South Asian Studies and author of three books on Asia, has fashioned a compelling look at a time when Asia was the world by relating the personal journeys of Asia's many travelers.

AAUM: What do you mean by the title of your book, "When Asia Was the World"?
In the thousand years from 500 to 1500, Asia was the center of scientific innovation, sophisticated long-distance trade and elegant urban life. Family, intellectual, commercial, philosophic and ambassadorial networks tied Asia into a common world in spite of great oceans, high mountains and vast deserts. Tracing these networks shows that Europe was on the margins of this vibrant, exciting world.

In general, describe Asia during the time period you chronicle in your book.
For men (and some women) with education and skills, Asia was a world of opportunity. Literally hundreds of thousands of people moved across Spain, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Persia and India and on to Southeast Asia and China. They knew where to go to become a government official, a judge, a soldier, the leader of a mosque or a successful trader. So much information flowed across Asia that weavers in western India knew—year by year—what colors of cloth sold well in Indonesia or Egypt. A Tunisian spice trader, resident on the west coast of India, branched out into recasting broken copper and brassware shipped all the way from the Mediterranean and made good money at this 12th century outsourcing.

You base each chapter of the book on the memoir of someone who lived in Asia. Can you name two or three of the most interesting stories and why you chose them?
This is history, not fiction—stories of real people, Asians who lived in this world. I chose people who moved (rather than staying in one city their whole life) and left observant, thoughtful memoirs. We can see life around them through their eyes. I opted for rather ordinary folk who stayed in hostels, caravanserais [roadside inns] or monasteries, people who were like many others who traveled for the same reasons.

One of my favorite travelers is Ibn Sina. Late in the 10th century he was a precocious youth who studied both medicine and neo-Platonist philosophy. It says much about this Asian world that teachers and books were readily available in the Central Asian caravan city of Bukhara where he lived. Through the course of his life, Ibn Sina moved from court to court seeking patronage for his studies. Among dozens of other books, he produced the "Canon of Medicine," which circulated in Arabic from Afghanistan to Spain. It was then translated into Latin and became the most widely used medical book of medieval Europe. Centuries later it was one of Europe's first printed books.

Another favorite is Abraham bin Yiju, a Jewish spice trader who lived on the Malabar Coast of India. His story emerges from more than 150 letters found in a building next to a synagogue in Cairo. Sometimes the letters are so intimate that his feelings flow across 1,000 years and touch the heart. Christian Crusaders kidnapped Abraham's brother and sister and took them to Sicily. He frantically tried to reach them by letter to offer what money and assistance he could. "Would I write all that is in my heart, no letter could contain it."

How did you find these stories?
The accounts were written in many different languages. Fortunately, there has been much academic interest in historical travel accounts in the last 20 years, so scholars have produced translations. I selected the memoirs I used from about 40 that I considered. It took more than a year to find them.

Can we learn from Asia's past to understand its present and predict its future?
We should to keep in mind the long history of networks that cross national boundaries in Asia. We still find them today—in finance, religious institutions, friendship, family and scholarship. These ties are often at least as strong as ties to any country.

Did you write the book for scholars or a more general readership, and what can either audience take away from the book?
A journalist friend challenged me to bring this Asian world alive for a general readership. "When Asia was the World" is the result. The stories contain all the necessary background, in addition to lots of maps and illustrations. It has heartened me that the book, in its first year, is also being taught in high schools, community colleges and universities. The book has been translated into Korean, Indonesian and, most recently, Arabic.

Go online to read more about this author and book.
http://web.mac.com/stewart_gordon

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Web site: www.pkorecords.com/cds/agoldenage/jazzrevisited.htm

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Miles from Nowhere, Riverhead Books, 2008.

The book: Joon is a Korean immigrant whose parents have crumbled under the weight of her father's infidelity; he has left the family, and mental illness has rendered her mother nearly catatonic. So Joon, at the age of 13, decides she would be better off on her own; a choice that commences a harrowing and often tragic journey that exposes the painful difficulties of a life lived on the margins. Joon's adolescent years take her from a homeless shelter to an escort club, through struggles with addiction, to jobs selling newspapers and cosmetics, committing petty crimes and, finally, toward something resembling hope.

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Web site: http://milesfromnowherethenovel.wordpress.com/

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The book: Antarctica is a land of the imagination, shaping and shaped for centuries by explorers, adventurers, scientists and dreamers. This book conjures all these ideas and interweaves them with the experience and history of Antarctica, balancing the reality of the frigid outpost populated by a ragtag alliance of international researchers against the crystalline dreamscape of the continent. It pieces together tales of 19th-century exploration, interviews with scientists and the author’s personal observations. The result is a collage that evokes the beauty and the complexity, the perils and the rewards, of a lifelong engagement with the earth’s last wilderness.

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Leslie Carol Roberts was a Fulbright fellow at Gateway Antarctica, New Zealand, in 2003-04, and spent many hours in polar archives. She currently teaches in the MFA programs in writing and graduate design at the California College of the Arts, San Francisco. She has written hundreds of articles and essays for magazines, newspapers and literary journals, including the Bellevue Literary Review, the Christian Science Monitor and the Sydney Morning Herald. In this book, she describes Antarctica as a land of the imagination, shaping and shaped for centuries by explorers, adventurers, scientists and dreamers. She conjures all these ideas and interweaves them with the experience and history of Antarctica, balancing the reality of the frigid outpost populated by a ragtag alliance of international researchers against the crystalline dreamscape of the continent.

AAUM: Explain some of the work you've done in Antarctica and why you traveled there in the first place.
I traveled to Antarctica in 1988 as a reporter on a Greenpeace ship. We visited more than 30 research stations in the Ross Sea, south of New Zealand, and around the Antarctic Peninsula. I have seen more of Antarctica, thanks to Greenpeace, than most people who go. Antarctica, a continent the size of Mexico and US combined, is mainly inhabited by scientists, and they focus their work on narrow stretches of the continent. They dig in deep, but tend not to cover vast stretches like Greenpeace did. Basically, I wrote articles—for the Christian Science Monitor, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Baltimore Sun, among others—about how people lived and worked on the ice.

At that time, Greenpeace had a base in the Ross Sea and was protesting a few things. The first was the destruction of the fragile environment by scientific research stations—there were few protocols for how to handle the disposal of rubbish. So they did things like parking old trucks on the ice and then waiting for them to fall through and "disappear" when the ice melted. The second problem was an international effort to establish mining protocols. The Antarctic belongs to all of us—while there are land claims, these are held in abeyance under the Antarctic Treaty. In the late 1980s, a lot of debate centered on how to mine the sea beds when the technology became available. Greenpeace wanted Antarctica to be declared a World Park, free from all commercial activities.

Why do you find the continent so compelling?
I recall my first iceberg. We steered a course around her and got a good look. Massive green and blue, buffeted by seas and wind, its curvilinear form reminded me of the Taj Mahal. Then, three days later, we arrived in Antarctica, with the 24-hour summer sun lighting up the whole place better than the Emerald City. Penguins porpoised along with us. Orcas followed our wake, perhaps dreaming one of us would fall overboard. Imagine blue and green ice as far as you can see. Imagine tall mountains glistening against a perfect marine-blue sky. Imagine the sound of ancient air, trapped in so many pinprick-sized ice bubbles, slowly pinging open against the waves of the clear, bright sea. Imagine the feeling of being the only person to ever stand on a particular rock.

Your book includes memoirs from other travelers. Please share one or two of the most interesting stories in the book.
Well, being a "polar junkie," I find them all interesting. However, I do find some of the weirder, smaller stories to be among my favorites. Robert Falcon Scott was second to reach the South Pole, arriving on January 17, 1912, to find Roald Amundsen had been there five weeks before. Bitterly disappointed, Scott and his men turned for the coast. They never made it. The cold killed them. Fuel spent, with frostbite eating away at their feet and hands, they were unable to warm themselves or cook essential hot foods, such as hoosh, a calorie-rich mush that was a staple for Antarctic explorers.

One reason many believe they failed was their choice to shave. Yes, they chose to use fuel to melt ice and make shaving water for themselves. This complied with British Naval regulations that stipulated men had to sign a contract that they would be either clean shaven or bearded.

Then there was their choice to not use dogs to pull sledges. Instead, they man-hauled. In the Lyttelton (New Zealand) Museum, next to a calendar commemorating Scott's journey and tragic death, is the mounted head of a dog. This dog, it turned out, was Deek, one of dozens of sledge dogs brought to the Antarctic by Scott. They were used extensively to move food and fuel to the depots set up to aid the trek home from the pole. He did not take them to the pole because that would have required killing them for food on the return journey, a common practice in polar explorations. Deek returned to New Zealand after Scott's death. I found this weirdly ironic: The man wants to spare dogs from the polar walk—first they pulled your sled and then they became dinner on the return journey, which bothered Scott to no end—and then the dogs went home to lead lives of celebrity and comfort. Deek lived on as companion to the mayor of Christchurch.

What is the state of Antarctica now, what with climate change and human tourism?
More than 35,000 tourists went south last season. That's a lot of boats. The MS Explorer sank down there last November. Experienced polar hands were not surprised. Indeed, all have been waiting for this to happen because it’s a hard place to run a ship. The conditions are very dangerous, and you get into larger numbers of voyages and opportunities for disaster rise. Climate change is the number-one focus of Antarctic science. This is truly remarkable when you recall that, until very recently, Antarctica was a place for geologists, physicists and marine biologists, among others, thinking about many different ideas—from Gondwanaland theories of continental breakup and drift, to how benthic fish survive. Now, much of that work has been pushed aside while all eyes and ears focus on the Antarctic as the key lab for understanding climate change. From the ozone hole to how the ice seems to be affected—warming in the peninsula, leading to the disintegration of whole ice shelves (Larsen B and others), to colder interior temperatures.

Do you plan to travel back there?
Yes, I hope to go back in the next couple years. I am working on a book about Admiral Richard Evelyn Bird, the famed American aviator and explorer. I love that man's moxie, and he represents the best of what Antarcticans bring to the world: A taste for the unknown, a belief that exploring the unknown matters more than, say, money, and a desire to throw one's whole body at the world. The world is real to polar explorers. It's not something to be watching on the television or the Internet. This is essentially where my title comes from, the entire earth and sky—that hunger to reach out for it all, to feel it, see it, put it in your mouth. There's nothing better than a fat chunk of Antarctic ice, held in a gloved hand, then cracked into pieces and thrown into a glass of Australian rum.

The book: It is 1795, and Mary Finch sets off to meet her wealthy uncle, hoping to heal a family estrangement and perhaps avoid a dismal career teaching at Mrs. Bunbury's school for young ladies. Eager for an adventure, she is soon embroiled in one of frightening proportions. War is raging across Europe, England faces the threat of invasion and some secrets are more valuable than gold. As she uncovers a complex and deadly plot involving ruthless smugglers, secret codes and a dangerous network of spies and traitors, Mary must learn quickly whom she can trust.

The author: Rose Melikan obtained degrees in English, law and history at U-M and the University of Chicago before moving to Cambridge, England, to complete her PhD at Gonville & Caius College. Since 1993, Melikan has been a fellow of St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, and she lectures on British constitutional history. She lives in Cambridge with her husband, Quentin.

Web site: www.rosemelikan.com

The book: In 1902, William Hornaday handed a map to the famous paleontologist Barnum Brown. It was Hornaday’s hand-drawn directions to a remote area of the Montana Badlands, where he believed amazing dinosaur fossils lay buried. Following the map, Brown dug up a jawbone edged with six-inch-long teeth, the remains of a monstrous creature no one had ever seen before. But one bone wasn’t enough, and Brown soon found himself in a desperate race to discover the skeleton of the mystery carnivore.

The author: Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld's books include “Did Dinosaurs Have Feathers?� “Terrible Tyrannosaurs� and “Dinosaur Babies,� which School Library Journal said "will be welcomed with deserved delight by young dinophiles." She has also written “Dinosaur Parents, Dinosaur Young,� an ALA Notable Book. She lives in Berkeley, California.

The book: Mitzi is a city witch—she likes pizza and plays, crowded subways and noisy streets. Muffletump is a country witch—she prefers hayrides and fresh air, pumpkin picking and her pet snake. When the cousins visit each other, their differences come between them. How can they solve their problem? With a spell, of course! But finding the right one isn’t so easy. The rhyming text makes this a wonderful read-aloud, while the vibrant watercolor and colored-pencil artwork contains fantastically funny details for kids to pore over.

The author: Wendy Wax, a children’s book editor for several years, now writes and illustrates her own books. She is married to a commercial photographer and is mother of their young son, Jonah. She lives and works in New York City and Remsenburg, New York.

The book: Belle is a quarter horse who lives in a big city park. Emmy, a shy young girl who has just moved to the big city from the country, is afraid of things in the city and needs a friend. As Christmastime approaches, Emmy travels off the path in the park, but Belle helps her find their way back to the stables safe and sound. Emmy begins to feel better about the city when her parents announce that her new present is Belle. Now they can be friends forever.

The author: Elizabeth Mills was a children's book editor at Scholastic for more than seven years before she moved to Seattle to work at Cranium Inc. Now she’s striking out on her own as a freelance editor and writer. Children's books are her passion.

The book: Mary Margaret knows the true meaning of Christmas—presents!—and she is ready for her best Christmas yet. She has an ever-growing wish list and a tree with enough room at the bottom for lots of gifts. But when her teacher’s snow globe disappears from his desk and Mary Margaret becomes the prime suspect, all she really wants for Christmas is her good name back (although she wouldn’t say no to a present or two). Graduates of the Junie B. Jones and Ramona series will delight in discovering whether or not Mary Margaret makes it back onto Santa’s "nice" list.

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.

The book: When the night magic transforms statues inside the US Capitol into the famous historical personalities they represent, Capitol Cat and Watch Dog recruit them as a secret night-time Congress to lobby for the reunion of two Lady Freedoms—American symbols who have been separated for more than 200 years. This book entertains children and adults about America's history while illustrating the joys of friendship and cooperation to achieve a goal.

The author: Janice Law is a former federal and state prosecutor, defense attorney, criminal court judge and journalist. She is the author of "Yield: A Judge’s First-Year Diary" and "Sex Appealed: Was the U.S. Supreme Court Fooled?" Both books have been featured on C-SPAN2’s Book TV.

The book: Trumpet goddess Ellie Snow has made it to senior year. No drama, no dating—just keeping lock-step within the safe precision of marching band. No boy is going to ruin Ellie's shining moment—her senior solo performance. And then Connor Higgins shows up. Ellie can’t resist the trumpet player who could be a model for Abercrombie & Fitch. It's a hook-up made in band-geek heaven. But Ellie's not ready to publicize their romance. After all, Connor's just a sophomore. Then she discovers the flipside of secrets and how it feels to be shut out by the ones she loves.

The author: Josie Bloss, a third-generation band geek, was a proud member of the U-M Marching Band. After college, she tried to decide if she wanted to be a lawyer while working in several large law firms. She chose to write instead. She lives in Bloomington, Indiana, where she mines her high school journals for material and wishes there were marching band options for adults.

The book: Engineer Ari's train is coming to Jerusalem collecting goodies along the way to celebrate the Jewish New Year. During his journey across Israel, he learns an important lesson about friendship and forgiveness. A sweet and creative Rosh Hashanah story based on the first historical train ride from Jaffa to Jerusalem in 1892.

The author: Deborah Bodin Cohen serves as rabbi for lifelong education at Temple Emanuel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where she has been part of the clergy team since 2000. She is also an award-winning author of books for teens and children. She is married to David Cohen, a journalist, and they have two children, Arianna and Jesse.

The book: Cal D. Cat and his friends are working on a research assignment. The cute kitty shadows students around the media center as they follow a recommended research strategy through the alphabet. A great way to introduce basic research concepts, this engaging picture book will get children excited about working their own way through the alphabet. The corresponding library lessons contain instructions and reproducibles, as well as a resource list and the content standards covered in the lesson.

The author: A former college and high school English teacher, Toni Buzzeo was a library media specialist for 16 years and was named the 1999 Maine Library Media Specialist of the Year. She is the award-winning author of seven picture books and has also published nine professional books and many professional articles. She lives with her husband in Buxton, Maine.

The book: The images in this book depict 100 years of gridiron action and the players and coaches who competed on three historic fields. From winning the first-ever Tournament of Roses game, to back-to-back national championships, Michigan football created an unparalleled tradition during its first century. Selected from the extensive collection at the University’s Bentley Historical Library, the dramatic photos in this volume include rarities from games in the early 1900s, classic showdowns between Michigan and Ohio State, and All-American athletes such as the first Michigan Wolverine to win the Heisman Trophy.

The author: Michelle O’Brien is a contract researcher at U-M’s Bentley Historical Library and a third-generation fan of Michigan football.

The book: This book tells the story of a bunny who stops doing what he loves the most because his friends are making fun of him. He wants to belong, to fit in so desperately that he unsuccessfully tries all kinds of activities. One day, with the help of his grandfather, the bunny decides to be true to himself.

The author: Howard Binkow is the CEO of the We Do Listen Foundation and has dedicated his life to helping children learn how to listen and feel good about themselves.

The book: Join Hannah and Cody as they attend their first U-M football game at The Big House. They enjoy typical Wolverine traditions, like singing along to “The Victors,� doing the Wave and watching the band at halftime. This is a great book for U-M alumni, Michigan football fans or hopeful Wolverines.

The author: Sonja Richards is publisher of Stroll magazine, which promotes downtown Traverse City, Michigan. She has authored another children’s book, “The Comet Kid,� which was nominated for Michigan Notable Books in 2007.

The book: Fort Stanwix National Monument is a reconstructed log-and-sod Revolutionary War fort located in the center of the city of Rome, New York. Initially undertaken as part of Rome’s urban renewal effort to revive a failing economy through tourism, the fort’s reconstruction exemplifies how a regional interest successfully engaged the National Park Service in achieving its goals. This book looks at the history of Fort Stanwix and documents how the people of Rome partnered with the National Park Service to create the fort.

The author: Joan M. Zenzen is an independent scholar and the author of "Battling for Manassas: The Fifty-Year Preservation Struggle at Manassas National Battlefield Park."

The book: The Caribbean “market woman" is ingrained in the popular imagination as the archetype of black womanhood in countries throughout the region. Challenging this stereotype and other outdated images of black women, this book offers a more complex picture by documenting the history of independent international traders—known as informal commercial importers, or ICIs—who travel abroad to import and export a vast array of consumer goods sold in the public markets of Kingston, Jamaica. Both by-products of and participants in globalization, ICIs operate on multiple levels and have made significant contributions to the regional, national, and global economies.

The author: Gina Ulysse is an anthropologist, poet/performer and multimedia artist. Haiti is the main focus of her works. She is also a professor of anthropology and African American studies at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.

Web site: http://www.ginaathenaulysse.com/index.html

The book: Few issues affect the future of China—and hence all the nations that interact with China—more than the nature of its ruling party and government. This timely study assesses the strengths and weaknesses, durability, adaptability, and potential longevity of China's Communist Party. It argues that although the CCP has been in a protracted state of atrophy, it has undertaken a number of adaptive measures aimed at reinventing itself and strengthening its rule. This investigation draws on a unique set of inner-party documents and interviews and finds that the CCP is resilient and will continue to retain its grip on power.

The author: David Shambaugh is professor of political science and international affairs and director of the China Policy Program at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University. He is also a non-resident senior fellow in foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution. He has written and edited many books.

The book: Mucking around in the messy terrain of American trash, the author tells the story of the United States during the Great Depression through evocative and photo-rich portraits of four locales: Reno, Key West, Harlem and Hollywood. In investigating these Depression-era "dumps," places that she claims contained and reclaimed the cultural, ideological and material refuse of modern America, she introduces the concept of "depressive modernity."This enduring affective component of American culture exposes itself at those moments when the foundational myths of America and progressive modernity—capitalism, democracy, individualism, secularism, utopian aspiration—are thrown into question.

The author: Jani Scandura is associate professor of English and co-founder of the Space and Place Research Collective at the University of Minnesota. She is a co-editor of "Modernism, Inc.: Body, Memory, Capital."

The book: The cartoons in this book were created to help adults change mindsets and bring more laughter back to their lives. The book contains mostly adult humor, in good taste, based on adult situations. While enjoying this book, the reader is encouraged to take another look at the situations he or she faces every day, find some humor in them and laugh.

The author: After several years of cartooning for business associates, friends and family, Tom Pliner wanted to share his art and humor with a larger audience and decided to publish this book. He and his wife, Gail, live in Bonita, California and have two grown children.

Web site: www.tepeetoons.com

The book: In 1964, Carl Oglesby, a young copywriter for a Michigan-based defense contractor, was asked by a local Democratic congressman to draft a campaign paper on the Vietnam War. Oglesby's report argued that the conflict was misplaced and unwinnable. He had little idea that its subsequent publication would put him on a fast track to becoming the president of the now-legendary protest movement Students for a Democratic Society. In this book, Oglesby shares the triumphs and tribulations of an organization that burgeoned across America, only to collapse in the face of surveillance by the US government and infighting.

The author: Carl Oglesby was president of Students for a Democratic Society between 1965 and 1966. His previous books include "Containment and Change" and "The JFK Assassination." He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

The book: Introducing chemistry in its simplest terms, this six-volume set provides an overview of some fascinating areas of research, supplementing information that students may have received from classes in general science, physical science or chemistry. Current and comprehensive, it covers topics ranging from the most fundamental fields of chemistry to those with important applications to everyday life. Emphasis is on recent research and advances in each of the fields of chemistry covered in the set. These books offer students an engaging reference to a complicated science in language that is easy to understand.

The author: David E. Newton taught mathematics and physical sciences, was a professor of chemistry and physics at Salem State College, and was an adjunct professor in the College of Professional Studies at the University of San Francisco. He is the author of more than 400 textbooks, encyclopedias, resource books, research manuals, trade books and other educational materials.

The book: The musical distinctiveness of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been shaped by individuals and ensembles, record label and radio station owners, announcers and disc jockeys, club owners and sound engineers, music journalists and musicians. The area's output cannot be described by a single genre or style. Rather, its music is a kaleidoscope of country, blues, R&B, rockabilly and rock. The authors present that evolution in a collection of scholarly and popular writing that covers institutions and people who nurtured the musical life of the city and surroundings.

The author: Tracey E. W. Laird is associate professor of music at Agnes Scott College and the author of "Louisiana Hayride: Radio and Roots Music Along the Red River."

The book: We live in a world that is marked by the twin processes of economic globalization and cultural globalization. This thought-provoking book explores the impact of cultural globalization on second- and foreign-language education. Grounded in Western and non-Western perspectives, and written in an easily accessible style that combines personal narrative and academic genre, this book is indispensable for graduate students, practicing teachers, teacher educators, researchers and others who are interested in exploring the complexity of cultural globalization and language education.

The author: B. Kumaravadivelu is professor of applied linguistics and TESOL at San José State University. His previous book, "Beyond Methods: Macrostrategies for Language Teaching," was published by Yale University Press in 2002.

The book: Schnaiberg’s concept of the treadmill of production is arguably the most visible and enduring theory to emerge in three decades of environmental sociology. Building new extensions and applications of the treadmill theory, this new book shows how and why northern analysts and governments have failed to protect our environment and secure our future. Using an empirically based political-economic perspective, the authors outline the causes of environmental degradation, the limits of environmental protection policies and the failures of institutional decision-makers to protect human well-being.

The author: Kenneth A. Gould is professor and chair of sociology at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and professor of sociology and earth and environmental sciences at the CUNY Graduate Center. He is coauthor of "Environment and Society: The Enduring Conflict" and "Local Environmental Struggles: Citizen Activism in the Treadmill of Production."

The book: With 76 million baby boomers on the cusp of retirement, it's time to look beyond finances and examine how ending traditional, full-time work affects every aspect of life. Hundreds of retirees weigh in on the subjects of home, marriage, family, friends, hobbies, health and even going back to part- or full-time work. Their insights will help readers create their personalized strategy for an active and fulfilling retirement. A workbook format makes it easy to access the practical information that makes this an essential guide to this exciting new phase of life.

The author: Miriam Goodman is a public relations consultant, journalist, radio producer and Emmy-nominated television producer. She has interviewed more than 1,000 people, from celebrities to diplomats, during her career. She has served on boards of nonprofit organizations in the fields of women’s rights, children's rights and politics and is known in the San Francisco area for her work in social action causes.

Web site: http://www.reinventingretirement.info

The book: This book explores the elements of language, style, rhythm, sound and the choice of the right word. It paints an image of how language can produce a life and meaning that otherwise cannot exist in the symbols themselves. The author collects examples from writers of the past and present and uses them to illustrate how each element of our written language can be used. The volume, written with humor and clarity, is an indispensable source of creative inspiration and instruction for writers and a guide to understanding the tools and devices of great writing for literary critics.

The author: Richard Goodman is the author of “French Dirt: The Story of a Garden in the South of France" and has written for many national publications. He has taught creative writing in New York City for a number of years and is now associated with the New York Writers Workshop. He teaches writing at Spalding University’s MFA in Writing Program.

Web site: http://richardgoodman.homestead.com

The book: This book examines how efforts to provide the elite of Puerto Rico and the Philippines a practical education in self-government played out in the early years of American colonial rule, from 1898 until 1912. It is the first systematic comparative analysis of these early exercises in American imperial power. The author unravels how American authorities used "culture" as both a tool and a target of rule and how the Puerto Rican and Philippine elite received, creatively engaged and sometimes silently subverted the Americans’ ostensibly benign intentions.

The author: Julian Go is assistant professor of sociology at Boston University. He is a coeditor of "The American Colonial State in the Philippines: Global Perspectives," also published by Duke University Press.

The book: This book examines how efforts to provide the elite of Puerto Rico and the Philippines a practical education in self-government played out in the early years of American colonial rule, from 1898 until 1912. It is the first systematic comparative analysis of these early exercises in American imperial power. The author unravels how American authorities used "culture"as both a tool and a target of rule and how the Puerto Rican and Philippine elite received, creatively engaged and sometimes silently subverted the Americans’ ostensibly benign intentions.

The author: Julian Go is assistant professor of sociology at Boston University. He is a coeditor of "The American Colonial State in the Philippines: Global Perspectives," also published by Duke University Press.

The book: Showcasing diverse voices and experiences, this book explores how women respond to a breast cancer diagnosis. Drawing from interviews in which women describe their journeys from diagnosis through treatment and recovery, it explores topics ranging from women's trust in their doctors to their feelings about appearance and sexuality. What emerges is a compelling picture of how cultural messages about breast cancer shape women's ideas about their illness, how breast cancer affects their relationships with friends and family, why some of them become activists and more.

The author: Julia A. Ericksen, herself a breast cancer survivor, is a professor of sociology at Temple University and an author, with Sally Steffen, of "Kiss and Tell: Surveying Sex in the Twentieth Century."

The book: These are the stories of some 400 men and women, all profoundly affected by World War II. The book reflects the experiences of male and female veterans, civilians on the home front, conscientious objectors, survivors of the torpedoing of the USS Indianapolis and of typhoons, and participants in the Normandy Invasion, the Battle of the Bulge, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. From the first stirrings of war through its aftermath, this book captures how Americans lived, felt and believed during the 20th century's most brutal conflict.

The author: Marilyn Mayer Culpepper is the author of "Trials and Triumphs: The Women of the American Civil War" and "All Things Altered: Women in the Wake of the Civil War." She is professor emeriti at Michigan State University.

The book: Moscow’s Arbat neighborhood has been home to many of Russia's most famous artists, writers and scholars as well as several leading cultural establishments. This book explores how the neighborhood changed during the period of ideological relaxation under Khrushchev that came to be known as "the thaw." This book finds that, while the period is typically remembered as a golden age, it was instead characterized by confusion and contestation. It is a window onto the complex beginning of a process that is not yet complete: deciding what to jettison and what to retain from the pre-Soviet and Soviet pasts as Russia moves into the future.

The author: Stephen V. Bittner is associate professor of history at Sonoma State University. He is the editor of "The Kremlin’s Scholar: A Memoir of Soviet Politics Under Stalin and Khrushchev" by Dmitrii Shepilov.

The book: Among Southern sympathizers after the Civil War, Father Abram J. Ryan’s celebrity placed him in a pantheon of Confederate figures. His verses investigated faith and propagated a romanticized view of the Southern cause, and Ryan himself became a near-mythical figure. His posthumous influence extended to such writers as William Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor. This biography of the enigmatic Confederate poet examines the man behind the myth and separates Lost Cause legend from fact. Scholars of the Civil War, the Irish in America and American religious history will find this a fascinating examination of a controversial figure.

The author: Donald R. Beagle is a director of library services at Belmont Abbey College in Charlotte, North Carolina, and curator of the Father Ryan Archive. His many articles have appeared in journals such as Catholic Library World, Journal of Academic Librarianship and Libri: International Library Review.

The book: It's 1976, and while the country prepares to celebrate the bicentennial, Daniel Truitt's family is falling apart. His father, Pete, has been fired from yet another teaching job, and his mother is close to leaving for good. But when Pete lucks into a crumbling mansion in the nation's capital, he makes a bold plan to start a school under his own roof where students and teachers will be equals. Replete with the wry humor, human insight and cultural resonance, this book will resonate with anyone whose family has lived through an idealistic time and ended up in an era of compromise.

The author: In the 1970s, Porter Shreve’s family started an alternative school, and some of this book draws loosely on that experience. His first novel, "The Obituary Writer," was a New York Times Notable Book, and his second, "Drives Like a Dream," was a Chicago Tribune Book of the Year. He lives with his wife, the writer Bich Minh Nguyen, ’96, MFA’98, in Chicago and West Lafayette, Indiana, where he directs the Creative Writing Program at Purdue University.

Web site: http://www.portershreve.com/

The book: Set in Malaysia, "Evening Is the Whole Day" introduces us to the prosperous Rajasekharan family as its closely guarded secrets are slowly peeled away. It moves gracefully backward and forward in time to answer the many questions that haunt the family while it offers an unflinching look at relationships between parents and children, brothers and sisters, the wealthy and the poor, a country and its citizens. This spellbinding and acclaimed debut novel illuminates in heartbreaking detail one Indian immigrant family’s story while exposing the complex underbelly of Malaysia itself.

The author: Preeta Samarasan was born and raised in Malaysia but moved to the United States in high school. After spending several years working on a dissertation on gypsy music in France, but all the while writing fiction, she decided to switch tracks. An early version of this novel received the Hopwood Novel Award; she’s also won the Asian American Writers' Workshop short story award.

The book: Set on the shores of the Detroit River, this book creates an obsessive (and obsessively rendered) song about a man, a boat and a fish—a contemporary retelling of Moby Dick.

The author: Peter Markus is the author of three books of short fiction, "Good, Brother," "The Moon Is a Lighthouse" and "The Singing Fish." His writing has been published in a number of anthologies and journals. Markus lives in Trenton, Michigan, with his wife and two children and is the senior writer with the InsideOut Literary Arts Project of Detroit.

The book: In Berlin 1865, Eva Frank has a secret affair with a mercurial artist that has devastating consequences. Desperate to escape her situation, she marries a merchant who has returned to Germany for the first time since establishing himself in the American West. The 18-year-old bride leaves for an unfamiliar life in Sante Fe, New Mexico. This novel is a gripping and gritty portrayal of urban European immigrants struggling with New World frontier life in the mid-19th century. Vivid and emotionally compelling, it is a beautiful narrative on how far one must travel to make peace with the past.

The author: Joanna Hershon is an adjunct assistant professor at Columbia University and the author of "Swimming" and "The Outside of August." Her short fiction has been published in One Story and The Virginia Quarterly Review. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, the painter Derek Buckner, and their twin sons.

Web site: www.joannahershon.com

The book: This collection of short stories chronicles the lives of people on the margins—from a street hustler in Montreal and a priest in Burkina Faso to the mother of a bride in Boston and a blind woman in Amsterdam. These characters span the globe and are united by family and friendships that bind them (and us) together. The offbeat tales offer insight into how we deal with love and loss, and how crisis can sometimes give rise to moments of magic.

The author: Art Corriveau’s short stories have appeared in literary journals in the United States and the United Kingdom. His first novel, "Housewrights," was published in 2002. As a travel writer, Corriveau has lived throughout Europe and Southeast Asia. Descended from one of Quebec’s oldest families, he lives in New Mexico.

Web site: http://artcorriveau.com/

The book: A young woman hired to keep the books at a down-at-the-heels nightclub is taken under the wing of the infamous Gloria Denton, a mob luminary. Cunning and ruthless, Gloria shows her young protégée the ropes, ushering her into a glittering demimonde of late-night casinos, racetracks, betting parlors, inside heists and big money. Suddenly, the world is at her feet—as long as she doesn't take any chances, like falling for the wrong guy. As the roulette wheel turns, both mentor and protégée scramble to stay one step ahead of their bosses and each other.

The author: Megan Abbott has taught literature, writing and film at New York University and the State University of New York at Oswego. "Queenpin," her third novel, won the 2008 Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original. She has written two other novels and a nonfiction study of white masculinity in fiction and film noir. She lives in New York City.

Web site: www.meganabbott.com/Queenpin.htm

The book: Aslaug is an unusual young woman. Her mother has brought her up in near isolation, teaching her about plants and nature and language—but not about life, especially not how she came to have her own life and who her father might be. When Aslaug's mother dies unexpectedly, everything changes. She is a suspect in her mother's death, and the more her story unravels, the more questions unfold. Addictive, thought-provoking and shocking, this is a page-turning exploration of human nature and divine intervention.

The author: After working in grassroots development in Africa, Christina Meldrum worked for the International Commission of Jurists in Geneva, Switzerland, and as a litigator at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her family and is on the advisory board of Women of the World Investments. This is her first novel.

Web site: www.christinameldrum.com/

The book: Linda Gregerson, poet and U-M professor, writes of this book: Oh the fine, brawling, pungent observation of these poems: "the smog-brown sea, the baggies-drooping sea"; Homer would be exhilarated and appalled. Greg Rappleye revives the language and revives our powers of seeing. "Figured Dark" is shot through with light.

The author: Greg Rappleye is corporation counsel for Ottawa County in Grand Haven, Michigan. He’s the author of two poetry collections, "Holding Down the Earth" and "A Path Between Houses," and two chapbooks. A past Bread Loaf fellow in poetry, he has won a number of awards, including a Pushcart Prize, the Paumanok Poetry Award and the Brittingham Prize, and was the first runner up for the 2007 Dorset Prize.

The book: Reviewer Alicia Ostriker states the following about this chapbook: "Tornado" is a book of ravishing and precise beauty. Death, said Wallace Stevens, is the mother of beauty, and so it is here; around the loss of a beloved sister in childhood, Ted Lardner has spun a radiant web of language by which he reveals what does not and cannot die, in the scale of nature above and underground, in the movements of time, and in the ongoing reach of human tenderness that "glides through our skins like a wave, lighting it up from inside."

The author: Ted Lardner's poems have appeared in Arsenic Lobster, 5am, Rhino, Luna and Pleiades and in a previous chapbook, "Passing by a Home Place." He teaches writing at Cleveland State University.

The book: One of the lines from this chapbook is the following: "I couldn't see the far shore, but / directly before us a suspension bridge arched out over the dark waters."

The author: Joe Fletcher lives and teaches in North Carolina.

The book: Written for cooks who are younger, budget-minded, food-conscious and socially aware, this book expands your culinary education. Even experienced gourmets will learn new techniques and tips. Readers are guided through seven chapters of food preparation, starting with the simplest (no heat) to chapters on vegetarian food for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike and on one of the most popular cuisines for college-age cooks: grilling. Each chapter adds a new technique or style, culminating in recipes for themed feasts and, of course, dessert.

The author: Max Sussman has a wide range of culinary experiences, from cooking with his brother, Eli, at a summer camp, to his experience in upscale establishments. It is this range that gives him his unique attitude toward food, unpretentious and yet passionate about creativity and quality.

The book: The keys to success in work and in life are the same: self-awareness, self-mastery and being on purpose. Without these, you’ll experience the same things over and over, both personally and professionally. This book gives you the tools to banish habitual, counterproductive thinking to change your way of life and the way you conduct business so you can achieve what’s important to you. You'll learn to identify thoughts not consistent with the results you intend; identify thoughts that waste your time, energy and money; and shape your thoughts to achieve clarity of purpose and sharp focus and to overcome obstacles.

The author: Mary Lore is the founder and CEO of Managing Thought, a consultancy that works with CEOs and senior management. She is also an executive management consultant and mentor, and serves as a chair for TEC, an international organization for the personal and professional development of CEOs. She has appeared numerous times on television and radio and in magazines.

Web site: www.managingthought.com

The book: The authors cover the causes of and prognosis for spinal cord injury through case studies, review common courses of rehabilitation and answer the "what now?" questions—from daily routines to larger issues concerning sex, education and employment, childbearing and parenting with spinal cord injury. Rich in clinical information and practical advice, the book shows how real patients and their families are living full lives after spinal cord injury.

The author: Michelle J. Alpert is director of rehabilitation medicine at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center and clinical instructor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. She was the founder and first director of the Spinal Cord Injury Program at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

The book: The best companies use the creative application of research to produce big ideas with significant impact on the market and on the people, employees, partners, retailers and customers. Readers will learn how brand managers and their agencies use research to drive new brand insights, redefine problems or markets, support risk-taking ideas, and illuminate diverse audiences. This book will be an invaluable resource for business executives looking for market strategy, consumer psychologists, teachers, students, and practitioners looking for a trusted guide for study in advertising, marketing and promotion.

The author: Raymond Pettit is senior vice president of MarketShare Partners, based in Los Angeles, California. He also is an at-large member of the Alumni Leadership Council and continues to marry business and musical pursuits with his wife, Beth Hall, a professional trumpet player in the New York City metro area.

The book: This book shows how to take a conscious, systematic approach to networking. After a short quiz to measure your "networking quotient," it identifies three distinct kinds of networks: personal, professional, and virtual. The book examines their specific characteristics and offers strategies, tools and resources for building up and making the best use of each one. Stories from the author’s 20 years of experience running networks as well as interviews with executives, researchers and thought leaders, provide insights and advice about how networks function in the real world.

The author: Before acquiring Executive Networks, Mike Dulworth was vice president of learning services at The Concours Group. Before that, he was a founder and CEO of Learning Technologies Group, Inc. He is the author, co-author or a contributor to seven books and lives in San Francisco, California, with his wife, Teresa Goodwin, and son, Theo.

Web site: www.theconnecteffect.com/

With 76 million baby boomers on the cusp of retirement, it's time to look beyond finances and examine how ending traditional, full-time work affects every aspect of life. Miriam Goodman interviewed hundreds of retirees, who weigh in on the subjects of home, marriage, family, friends, hobbies, health and even going back to part- or full-time work. Their insights will help readers create their personalized strategy for an active and fulfilling retirement. Goodman is a public relations consultant, journalist, radio producer and Emmy-nominated television producer. She has interviewed more than 1,000 people, from celebrities to diplomats, during her career. She has served on boards of nonprofit organizations in the fields of women’s rights, children’s rights and politics and is known in the San Francisco area for her work in social action causes.

AAUM: Why "reinvent" retirement?
Goodman: We need to reinvent retirement because boomers say they don't want to have the same kind of retirement their parents and grandparents had. Too often in the past, retirement was followed by deterioration—physically and mentally—and boomers are more experienced, educated, healthier, wealthier and, we think, wiser than the previous generations. We reinvented so much along the way, when or whether to have kids, how often we change jobs and spouses, how to question authority—these are all reinventions of boomers. Also, retirees who are 65 today have a good chance of living 30 more years, and we want them to be exciting years, not ones filled with dread.

What are the keys to a successful retirement?
Most of all, one should be free to follow his passion, whether it is music, golf or gardening. You must find something that is meaningful for you. Next, if you are fortunate enough to have a partner, you must both communicate your feelings about your retirement years and not make assumptions about what the other person wants to do. We also must recognize what we took from our work—structure, purpose and a community—and find ways to replicate these things in our post-work lives. So finding a purpose, establishing some kind of structure and participating in your community are other keys to a "successful" retirement.

What’s your best advice to someone preparing for retirement?
We need a plan. It is not good enough to say, "Oh, when I stop working I will find plenty to do." It doesn't work that way. You should have outside interests all through life, whether it is gardening or photography or singing, and then use your retirement to pursue the things you really love. Also, talk to your children about your plans. They may assume you want to be full-time babysitters and then will be disappointed when you take off on a long trip. Communication is key.

What were some of the common problems or challenges you heard about retirement when you wrote your book?
There is a great deal of anxiety involved with retirement. Some women say, "My husband is not allowed to retire." Wives don't want their husbands invading their "space" 24 hours a day, and too many men have no plans and just assume their wives will give up their lives and careers just because he is now home. Another problem is that many people think they must move to a new location without considering the advantages of where they are now. Perhaps the home is already paid for, they know how to get around on public transportation, they like their neighbors and neighborhood. Or they move to be near grandchildren only to discover that the kids are so busy with school and other activities that there is often little time for them to be with grandparents. The biggest challenge is to be true to yourself, understand your own limits and interests, and follow those.

There’s more to retirement than financial planning. What are some of the issues that retirees will have to deal with that they might not anticipate?
Looking for another job, dealing with the loss of self-image that was connected to their work, deciding how they are going to relate to their families. People tell pollsters they want to "give back," but they don't really investigate the volunteer activities and end up in a place where they are unhappy or not needed. People need to "play" again—at sports, at other recreation—and not feel guilty about it.

Were there any interesting stories about retirement that you heard when writing your book—an unusual path someone is traveling during retirement?
I talked to a retired attorney who moved his retirement up to 62 when he realized that most of the people in his mother’s retirement home were women and he wanted to have time to do things before it was too late. He and his wife began studying Italian for a few years and then they moved to Italy for a year. They would have stayed longer had the economy not interfered, but they came back and live full-time in their "vacation" house in the mountains where they have become involved in local politics and where he works on his collection of old cars. They travel every year to some place new. I have to say that women do much better in retirement than men do, perhaps because they have always been multitaskers while many men were involved in only their careers.

The book: Harbor Hill in Roslyn, Long Island, was commissioned by the beautiful and imperious Katherine Duer Mackay, wife of one of the country's wealthiest men. The mansion and its magnificent furnishings, art and gardens—and the owners' striving, hubris and ultimate failure—are the dramatis personae of this saga. Architect Stanford White wrote that "with the exception of Biltmore, I do not think there will be an estate equal to it in the country." Harbor Hill's story includes elements of farce and tragedy; in a sense, it is an American portrait.

The author: Richard Guy Wilson is commonwealth professor at the University of Virginia.

Web site: www.wwnorton.com/npb/nparch/073216.html

The book: This book is a study of mass movements that aimed to bring the German people into closer contact with nature. In the early 20th century, organized hikers, nudists and conservationists all looked to nature for solutions to the nation's political crises. Following these movements over three political eras—the Second Empire, the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich—the book shows how manifestations of popular culture reflected the concerns and hopes of their time. Williams argues that naturists were calling for Germany to find a way to navigate the treacherous waters of contemporary life and strive toward a brighter future.

The author: John Alexander Williams is associate professor of history at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

Web site: www.sup.org/book.cgi?book_id=0015%20

The book: Reports of school shootings, gang violence, dysfunctional family life and adolescent suicide indicate that many teens live troubled lives. Even those who live a "normal" life face adult challenges while also establishing independence and finding their identity. Building from the idea that story is a powerful source of meaning, this book begins from the perspective of young adults by sharing the results of a survey of more than 1,400 teens and includes the insights of authors of young adult literature. It presents more than 120 novels that teens have identified as meaningful as well as books recommended by authors and experts in the field of young adult literature.

The author: Mary Warner teaches young adult and children's literature at San José State University, where she also works with the English credential programs and serves as associate director of the San José Area Writing Project. She has published numerous articles and is the editor (and author of two chapters) of "Winning Ways of Teaching Writing."

Web site: www.scarecrowpress.com/Catalog/SingleBook.shtml?command=Search&db=^DB/CATALOG.db&eqSKUdata=0810854309

The book: "Custer came to me and said: ‘Porter, there is a large camp of Indians ahead, and we are going to have a great killing.’"The words of army contract surgeon Henry R. Porter are chilling today in their matter-of-fact reference to the battle to come—a battle of which Porter would be one of the few white survivors. Drawing on his writings, this biography tells the story of Porter’s transformation from young easterner to ambitious frontier settler and medical practitioner in mid-19th century America. It includes details of frontier life, the Battle of Little Bighorn and Porter's travels around the world.



The author: Retired surgeon LG Walker Jr. lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a professor of clinical surgery, emeritus, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has published widely on scientific topic and articles.

Web site: www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3171-7

The book: In the highland region of Sullk'ata, located in the rural Bolivian Andes, activities such as sharing food, work and stories create a sense of relatedness among people. Through these day-to-day interactions—and more unusual events—individuals negotiate the affective bonds and hierarchies of their relationships. This book reveals the ways in which relatedness is evoked, performed and recast among the women of Sullk'ata. Portraying relationships of camaraderie and conflict, it argues that narrative illuminates power relationships, which structure differences among women and between women and men. It also contends that in the Andes gender cannot be understood without attention to kinship.

The author: Krista E. Van Vleet is associate professor at Bowdoin College. She teaches courses in anthropology, some of which are also cross-listed in Latin American studies, women's studies, and gay and lesbian studies. Her research focuses on the practices and politics of kinship and gender among Native Andeans in Bolivia. She lives in Bath, Maine.

Web site: www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/vanper.html  

The book: From crocodiles and penguins to seals and whales, this synthesis explores the function and evolution of sensory systems in animals whose ancestors lived on land. The contributors explore the transformation of smell, taste, sight, hearing, balance, mechanoreception, magnetoreception and electroreception that occurred as lineages of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals returned to aquatic environments. Each chapter integrates data from fields including sensory physiology, anatomy, paleontology and neurobiology. A one-stop source for information on the sense organs of secondarily aquatic tetrapods, this book sheds new light on both the evolution of aquatic vertebrates and the sensory biology of their transition.

The author: JGM Thewissen, professor of anatomy at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, is editor of "The Emergence of Whales: Evolutionary Patterns in the Origin of Whales" and coeditor of "The Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals."

Web site: www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/10407.php

The book: This book instructs the reader on using charitable giving strategies for loved ones with multiple sclerosis. It tells readers how they can specifically tailor charitable giving to accomplish tax and charitable goals, and to achieve vital personal and human goals like protecting a grandchild living with multiple sclerosis or leaving property to fund MS research. The book is written in easy-to-understand language and offers practical examples of charitable giving. While the concept is simple and the focus is narrow, the book is of great interest to those with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones.

The author: Martin M. Shenkman is an attorney in private practice in Teaneck, New Jersey, and New York City. The author of 32 books and more than 700 articles, he has appeared on "The Today Show," "NBC Evening News," CNBC and CNN-FM and has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Money, The New York Times and other publications.

Web site: www.demosmedpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=9781932603484

The book: This book is a wide-ranging must read for students of the game as well as a technical primer for the professional seeking an understanding of the science of golf. Much more than a technical book, it also gives the history of the sport, tells how to master the golf swing and provides practical keys to lowering your score.

The author: Leon Z. Seltzer spent 40 years as professor of aerospace engineering at Virginia Tech, West Virginia University and St. Louis University, from which he retired as dean of engineering in 1981. He used his technical knowledge of both engineering and golf to serve as a golf physicist consultant to several firms in the San Diego, California, area.

Web site: www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60247-848-0

The book: This book examines the major junctures at which the lives of gay and lesbian people intersect with the law. It looks at stereotypes, how they operate under different areas of the law and the ways in which they impede gays’ and lesbians’ basic rights and entitlements. Interweaving discussions of relevant legal cases and authorities with studies in psychology and sociology, it details areas of family, employment and constitutional law, and shows readers the adverse impact they often have on the daily lives of homosexuals.

The author: Amy D. Ronner is a tenured professor of law at St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida.  She has served as president of the Federal Bar Association (South Florida Chapter) and has been listed as a leading American attorney in Civil Appellate Law. She is married to Dr. Michael P. Pacin. 

Web site: books.apa.org/books.cfm?id=4316050

The book: This how-to book reveals lessons the author learned from almost two decades of successful vacant land investing. His strategy involves acquiring out-of-favor rural vacant land, creatively adding value to that land and selling at profit levels traditionally associated only with high-risk investments. Detailed descriptions of investment techniques illustrate the basic principles of vacant land investing. The book guides readers through a process that includes deciding whether investing in vacant land is appropriate for them and developing a strategy that is unique to their circumstances.

The author: In 1990, John Pehrson "discovered" vacant land investing, which has been his career ever since. Licensed in real estate and a real estate broker, he is a member of many associations of Realtors and has been designated an accredited land consultant by the Realtors Land Institute and an equity marketing specialist by the National Council of Exchangors.

Web site: www.investinginvacantland.com

The book: Why can teams of people find better solutions than brilliant individuals working alone? And why are the best group decisions those that draw upon the qualities that make each of us unique? The answers lie in diversity. This book moves beyond politics and shows how groups that display a range of perspectives outperform groups of like-minded experts. Diversity yields superior outcomes, as the author shows using his own research and surprising examples, from the redesign of the Chicago "El" to the truth about where we store our ketchup.

The author: Scott E. Page is professor of complex systems, political science and economics at U-M and an external faculty member at the Santa Fe Institute. He is the coauthor, with John Miller, of "Complex Adaptive Systems."

Web site: press.princeton.edu/titles/8353.html

The book: This book tells the story of Jerry and Mary Newport, who both were diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism that affects millions of Americans and makes social contact painfully unbearable. When they married, they were catapulted into the limelight and soon were known as "superstars in the world of autism," shining examples of two people who refused to give up in the face of their mutual challenge. But just when it appeared that their lives would enjoy a fairy-tale ending, their marriage fell apart. After years of soul searching, they remarried. This story chronicles their journey together and apart.

The author: Jerry Newport, who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in 1995, is the author of two books on the subject, "Asperger’s and Sexuality: Puberty and Beyond" and "Your Life Is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome." He and his wife live in northern Arizona with their birds. 

Web site: www.jerrynewport.com/

The book: This study provides an account of the highly contested process through which the Tibetan Buddhist region of Labrang became incorporated into the People's Republic of China. Drawing on 13 years of archival research and fieldwork in and around the famous Geluk sect Tibetan Buddhist monastery, this book situates the process of incorporation in the violent upheavals of Maoist socialist transformation that took place from 1950 through the 1970s and in the transition to globalization via Deng Xiaoping's capitalist market reforms of the 1980s and 1990s. Synthesizing social theory, the book finds that incorporation had different effects for Tibetan men and women, creating painful dilemmas across generations.

The author: Charlene E. Makley is associate professor of anthropology at Reed College.

Web site: www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/10818.php

The book: This book analyzes the fall of Rome and other Western civilizations and compares the phenomena with what is happening in America today. The author then calls on insight from history, religion, literature and philosophy; gifted contributors who share the truths about love, marriage, democracy and freedom; and personal accounts of his own spiritual failures and successes as he invites and motivates the readers to explore a relationship with God personified in Jesus Christ. This survivor’s manual shows the way to live in an ever-changing and faithless world with a sense of direction, purpose and peace of mind.

The author: Frederick Mahan is a retired trial attorney, an active supporter of the arts and higher education, and a lifetime advocate of philosophy and religion. He is a founder and board member of two nonprofit corporations and the former president of one. He is married, has two grown children and lives in San Francisco, California.

The book: With 2.9 million sophisticated readers, Harper’s Bazaar has an audience with an eye for style. That’s why this book—an elegant and lively guide filled with fabulous fashion and celebrity photography demonstrating the best looks—will quickly capture their attention and become the must-have accessory of the season. The book reveals the secrets of the world’s most fashionable women and how to identify the look that’s just right for you: not the here-today, gone-tomorrow fads, but practical advice on timeless style. Each chapter includes insider information and styling tips, along with quotes from top designers.

The author: Jenny Levin was the senior fashion news editor at Harper’s Bazaar from 2002 to 2007. She previously worked as the fashion editor for Us Weekly magazine. Currently, she is a freelance writer living in Hong Kong.

The book: This anthology brings together classic perspectives on violence, putting into productive conversation the thought of well-known theorists and activists. The book proceeds from the editors’ contention that violence is always historically contingent; it must be contextualized to be understood. They argue that violence is a process rather than a discrete product. It is intrinsic to the human condition, an inescapable fact of life that can be channeled and reckoned with but never completely suppressed. Above all, they seek to illuminate the relationship between action and knowledge about violence, and to examine how one might speak about violence without replicating or perpetuating it.

The author: Aisha Karim is assistant professor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages at Saint Xavier University. She is a coeditor of "Poetry and Protest: A Dennis Brutus Reader."

The book: What begins as a search for a simple upright piano becomes a grand obsession. The author’s quest leads her into an international subculture of piano aficionados—concert artists, passionate amateurs, dealers, technicians, composers, designers and builders—intriguing characters who have also been transfixed by the spell of a piano. For example, in Austria, she hikes the Alps to learn how trees are selected to build pianos and how they are grown and harvested. Along her journey, Knize finds that reason can't account for what calls us, but that heeding that call can lead to life's most profound experiences.

The author: Perri Knize is an award-winning environmental policy reporter whose articles and essays have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Audubon, Sports Illustrated, Conde Nast Traveler and Outside. She lives with her husband in Montana.

Web site: www.grandobsession.com/

The book: Part one of this book contains sociological thought from the pre-9/11 world; the theories of 20th century sociologists Robert K. Merton, David Riesman, Erving Goffman and Elise Boulding and anthropologist Margaret Mead are exemplified by anecdotes, stories and accounts drawn from educational settings. Part two continues with three of the classical social thinkers of the 19th century, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber and Karl Marx, applying their theories to schools, classrooms and higher education settings. Part three covers the extensive writings of feminist educator Peggy McIntosh and her adherents as central to education in the post-9/11 era.

The author: Edith W. King is professor of educational sociology at the University of Denver. She has been a member of the American Sociological Association for more than 40 years and has contributed to the teaching of the sociology of education throughout her career. She is the author of more than 18 books and numerous articles, monographs and multimedia in education.

Web site: mysite.du.edu/~eking

The book: This biographical work examines the factors that have shaped and formed the life and music of Paul Manz, one of the most influential organists of the latter half of the 20th century. Constructed in four parts, this book includes a full biography; an analysis of his chorale-based organ and choral works; a collection of essays by composers, theologians, musicians and family; and Web access that includes sound clips, radio interviews, manuscripts, video, articles and programs. This book will be of great interest to anyone who knows and enjoys the music of Paul Manz.

The author: Scott M. Hyslop is director of parish music for St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, Michigan. He studied with Paul Manz at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and the Paul Manz Institute of Church Music. Hyslop has published numerous compositions and served congregations in Minnesota, Illinois and Florida.

He and his family live in Birch Run, Michigan.

Web site: www.morningstarmusic.com/viewitem.cfm/item_id/90-39

The book: This book reformulates the psychoanalytic concept of the "female oedipal complex" and gives it a new name, "The Persephone Complex." The authors integrate traditional psychoanalytic theory, contemporary theories and data about female development and psychology, and clinical experience into a comprehensive theory that is not based on male models. They touch upon the ways women cope with their sexuality and feelings about their bodies; with feelings of anger, competition and jealousy; and with their ever-evolving relationships with their mothers, fathers, peers and lovers.

The authors: Nancy Kulish is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, at Wayne State University and adjunct professor of psychology at the University of Detroit. She is in private practice in Birmingham, Michigan. Deanna Hotzman is a training and supervising analyst and past president of the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. She is associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, at Wayne State University.



Web site: www.rowmanlittlefield.com/Catalog/Singlebook.shtml?command=Search&db=^DB/CATALOG.db&eqSKUdata=0765705648

The book: As young women today wrestle with decisions about work and family, they need all the support they can get. But the person whose support they crave most—their mother—often can't get on board. Why does a mother's approval matter so much? And why is it so painful for mothers when daughters choose paths different from theirs? This book answers these questions by focusing on the issues of dating/marriage, career and child rearing. Relying on interviews with nearly 100 mothers and daughters, and offering tips from more than two dozen therapists, the book explores a range of communication issues and how to resolve them.

The author: Julie Halpert is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for national publications, including The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Self, FamilyFun and Parents. She has been a contributor to public radio programs such as "The Environment Report," "Marketplace" and "Living on Earth." She lives in Michigan with her husband and three children.

Web site: www.makingupwithmom.com

The book: This collection of stories is sure to have something for every fan of mathematics. Included are two opposing views on the purpose of mathematics, "The Strong Law of Small Numbers," the treatment of calculus in the 1771 Encyclopaedia Britannica, several proofs that the number of legs on a horse is infinite, a deserved refutation of the ridiculous Euler-Diderot anecdote, the real story of Π and the Indiana Legislature, the reason Theodorus stopped proving that square roots were irrational when he got to the square root of 17, an excerpt from "Mathematics Made Difficult" and a glimpse into the mind of a calculating prodigy.

The author: Underwood Dudley is the best-selling author of several books, including "Mathematical Cranks," "Numerology (or What Pythagoras Wrought)"and "The Trisectors." He retired after teaching at DePauw University for 37 years and currently lives in Tallahassee, Florida.

Web site: www.maa.org/news/011408imi.html   

The book: This memoir describes the author’s life, beginning with his childhood during the Depression in rural Wisconsin. It then relates his family’s move to a remote farming community in Michigan, his struggles during the World War II years and his early marriage. Being drafted into the army gives him his first glimpse of personal freedom. From there, studying at U-M and teaching are his engines of growth. He eventually migrates to the North Shore of Chicago and becomes superintendent of schools in Highland Park. Along the way, Paul pushes a school bus off the railroad tracks, sees the US Office of Education name his schools as exemplary and attends the infamous 1968 Democratic National Convention.

The author: Fired at the age of 8 from his first job hoeing weeds, Paul Buchholz learned about the Depression the hard way. Using his education, he helped hundreds of children, parents and teachers identify their assets and goals. He and his wife live in the Chicago area near their children and grandchildren.

Web site: www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-35958-2

The book: Mathematical craftwork has become extremely popular, and mathematicians and crafters alike are fascinated by the relationship between their crafts. The focus of this book, written for mathematicians, needle workers and teachers of mathematics, is on the relationship between mathematics and the fiber arts (including knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch and quilting). Each chapter starts with an overview of the mathematics and the needlework at a level understandable to both mathematicians and needle workers, followed by more technical sections discussing the mathematics, how to introduce the mathematics in the classroom through needlework and how to make the needlework project, including patterns and instructions.

The author: Sarah-Marie Belcastro co-directs the Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics, a six-week intensive summer enrichment program for talented high school students. She is currently a visiting assistant professor and the associate director of the Center for Women in Mathematics at Smith College. Carolyn Yackel is associate professor of mathematics at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. She has developed a general education course in mathematics through fiber arts and regularly teaches for the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Web sites: www.toroidalsnark.net (Belcastro) and www.mercer.edu/math/faculty/yackel/yackel.htm (Yackel)

The book: What did the Romans know about their gods? Why did they perform the rituals of their religion? This book proposes simple answers to these questions: In contrast to ancient Christians, who had faith, Romans had knowledge, and their knowledge was empirical in orientation. They acquired knowledge of the gods through observation of the world, and their rituals were maintained or modified in light of what they learned. After a preface and opening chapters that lay out this argument and place it in context, the book pursues a variety of themes essential to the study of religion in history.

The author: Clifford Ando is professor of classics, history and the college at the University of Chicago and author of "Imperial Ideology and Provincial Loyalty in the Roman Empire," winner of the Charles J. Goodwin Award of Merit from the American Philological Association, among other books.

Web site: www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/10773.php

The book: By scouring genealogical sources, researching local and regional history, and exploring old family tales, the author unearthed the history of his ancestors—hardworking people who left few traces of their lives. He tells their highly personal stories, revealing the intersection of their individual paths with the continuum of national history. While tracing his roots, Amato offers a history of the American poor and vindicates ordinary men and women whose loyalty was to family and who struggled daily to find and establish a home in a changing world.

The author: Joseph A. Amato, professor emeritus of history and rural studies at Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota, is the author of "Rethinking Home: A Case for Writing Local History," "Dust: A History of the Small and the Invisible," "On Foot: A History of Walking" and 12 other books.

Web site: shop.mnhs.org/moreinfomhspress.cfm?Product_ID=1766

The book: Dr. Lili Quan, an American and a passionate idealist, takes an extraordinary trip to China filled with remarkable discoveries, including finding Dr. Ni-Fu Cheng, the grandfather Quan believed had died years ago. But Cheng has made the most remarkable discovery of all—the secret to long life. As Cheng’s only relative, Quan’s life is in jeopardy. As greedy and unscrupulous men vie for control of the most earth-shattering discovery of the century, Quan could become a pawn in a deadly and dangerous international game.

The author: Deborah and Joel Shlian have collaborated in both their vocations and avocations. They practiced medicine together before returning to UCLA to earn their MBAs. They have since balanced medical management consulting with writing, producing medical mystery/thrillers, nonfiction books, and magazine and journal articles on health care and medical management issues. Two of their novels have been optioned for Hollywood films.

Web site: http://www.shlian.com/

As young women today wrestle with decisions about work and family, they need all the support they can get. But the person whose support they crave most—their mother—often can't get on board. Why does a mother's approval matter so much? And why is it so painful for mothers when daughters choose paths different from theirs? Julie Halpert and Deborah Carr answer these questions by focusing on the issues of dating/marriage, career and child rearing. Relying on interviews with nearly 100 mothers and daughters, and offering tips from more than two dozen therapists, they explore a range of communication issues and how to resolve them.

Julie Halpert is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for national publications, including The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Self, FamilyFun and Parents. She has been a contributor to public radio programs such as "The Environment Report," "Marketplace" and "Living on Earth." She lives in Michigan with her husband and three children.

AAUM: Why is the mother-daughter relationship so intense?
Halpert: Mothers and daughters historically have had a closely knit, tight bond. And they tend to share their feelings with one another more than men do. Daughters often look up to their mothers and care about how their mothers view their choices. Mothers often see their daughters as a reflection of themselves, more than they do with their sons.

Why is the relationship between mothers and daughters more strained today than it has been in past generations?
Mothers and daughters have always squabbled. What’s unique about mothers and daughters today is that the two generations have had vastly different upbringings, opportunities and life experiences. Mothers of a generation ago faced far more limited opportunities in the areas of romance, work and childbearing. The two generations are making such fundamentally different life choices today that it inevitably spills over into how mothers and daughters treat one another.

Do you see these problems in certain types of mother-daughter relationships or are they universal?We focused on mothers and daughters who had a fundamentally solid relationship. But the common thread was there were disagreements that created stresses and got in the way of a harmonious mother/daughter bond. Problems were more pronounced when one of the two women took a "my way or the highway" approach and couldn’t understand, respect or validate the other’s choice.

Your book focuses on the core issues of dating/marriage, careers and child rearing—why?Those were the main hot-button issues among the women we interviewed. That’s because women today have so many more options in these areas than their mothers did. So we had many situations where mothers could not relate to their daughters’ choices in these areas. And that made the situation ripe for conflict.

You interviewed nearly 100 mothers and daughters in preparation for writing your book. Can you share one or two interesting or touching stories?I was particularly moved by situations where mothers and daughters rallied around each other. We had one woman who was put on bed rest when pregnant with her twins. Her mother drove three hours round-trip and stayed with her daughter half the week for several weeks to take care of her. The daughter said she instantly felt a feeling of calm once her mom walked through the door. The mother said when you have children you should "be behind them right to the bitter end, through school, going through college and afterward." It was a moving instance of how the mother-daughter bond can help you weather a crisis.

How can the two generations find common ground or at least learn to get along?
Communication is key. Think before you speak. Word your messages in ways that are empathic and understanding, without anger. Try to understand what the motivations are behind the message. Try to learn more about each other. That will pave the way for better understanding.

Did you have a personal motivation to write this book in light of your own relationship with your mother?
My mother is like so many mothers out there today. She is caring and wants what’s best for me. She sees my life as far more chaotic than hers was as a young mother. And she often feels compelled to give me advice on everything from home decorating to how my kids and I wear our hair. I tend to interpret this as criticism, so I’m quite defensive. I wanted to explore a way that other mothers and daughters could get past the sniping and improve their relationships. This book got me there.

Our main message is that two people get along best when they truly understand each other’s motivations for why they’re doing what they’re doing. We encourage mothers and daughters to learn more about one another; those insights will help both generations to be empathetic rather than judgmental.

We also recognize that emotional intimacy and a Lifetime TV mother-daughter moment can’t happen magically. And for some women it won’t happen at all. Some mothers and daughters may have to accept that a "good enough" relationship is just fine.

The book: Stress. We know it can shorten our lives, age us prematurely and make us fat—yet we can't seem to escape it. We also know that, ultimately, we're the only ones who can stop stress from taking over our lives. This book offers 10 solutions based on positive psychology, mind-body medicine and cognitive behavioral therapy that you can put into practice immediately to reduce stress. These practices and stress-rescue techniques will help you cope effectively with stressful moments throughout your day. Try them and you'll start to enjoy better health and a balanced, more fulfilling life.

The author: Claire Michaels Wheeler lives in Portland, Oregon, and is a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC, founder of Mind-Body Medicine of Portland and an assistant professor at Portland State University’s School of Community Health. Her work is guided by a fascination with the relationships between psychological processes (thought, emotion) and physiology.

Web site: www.stresshappiness.com/index.php

The book: Imagine how much easier life would be if children listened better. This book was created to help children ages 4-7 improve their listening skills and pay attention. Readers will meet Howard B. Wigglebottom, a curious rabbit who just doesn't listen. Educators, parents and children alike will laugh and learn as Howard B. Wigglebottom learns to listen.

The author: Howard Binkow has had successful careers in home building, radio, sales and being a bum. He is passionate about more effective listening because it has led him to everything he needs in life, including more than enough money, better relationships and other goodies.

Web site: www.wedolisten.com

The author: Freddy Sweet is a television/film producer and a former assistant professor of comparative literature at the University of California, Berkeley. He is co-president of Live Wire Media and Elkind+Sweet Communications, Inc.

Web site: www.livewiremedia.com

The book: Determined not to be stuck in the house where her mother died 10 years earlier, 16-year-old Julia Hamilton begs her father to take her with him on his next expedition. This book takes us along on Julia's travels across the sands of the ancient world known as the Levant. She meets a French antiques collector, a British horticulturist and a dashing young student—each harboring secrets as elusive as a mirage. As she learns more about her companions and the dangerous world she's in, Julia must decide whom she can trust and what she is willing to fight for.

The author: Gloria Whelan is the best-selling author of many novels for young readers, including "Homeless Bird," winner of the National Book Award; "Listening for Lions"; and “Summer of the War." She lives in northern Michigan.

Web site: www.gloriawhelan.com/

The author: Detroit native and Newton, Massachusetts, resident Barbara Bialick has published as a journalist and a poet in a variety of publications, with articles in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Detroit News, McCall's and Pittsburgh Magazine and withpoetry in Ibbetson Street, Istanbul Literary Review, Pemmican, Wilderness House Literary Review, The Bagel Bard Anthologies, Mid-America Poetry Review and Jewish Currents.

Web site: www.lulu.com/content/1884973  

The book: Poetry and sculpture come together and illuminate each other in this book, which speaks of keeping the word. It reaches down into the blue earth and up into the galaxy and feels the rhythm of the earth and the movement of dance.

The author: Nancy Baker Fate Heers dances, both liturgical and modern, and writes poetry. She previously co-published "Forest of Algae and Ivy Outside/in" and "Rock Rhythms." She and Wendel Ward Heers have two children and two granddaughters.

Web site: http://paupacpress.com/  

The book: Jean, a handsome, long-haired little boy, has a very famous father—the artist Pierre Auguste Renoir. But he also has a problem. Despite Jean’s many protests, his father thinks Jean's hair is too beautiful to be cut short. This artist uses his son as a model in many of his paintings, and he insists that Jean is still young enough to keep his hair long. How can he convince his dad that he’s old enough to have short hair? This gently amusing story is illustrated in a manner that resembles Renoir’s painting style and includes several illustrations of his paintings.

The author: Wendy Wax, a children’s book editor for several years, now writes and illustrates her own books. She is married to a commercial photographer and is mother of their young son, Jonah. She lives and works in New York City and Remsenburg, New York.

Web site: www.wendywax.com

The book: Join 10 animal families as they trim their Christmas trees with special light-up ornaments. Readers will smile and laugh as the mouse family decorates with hunks of cheese and the silly monkey family hangs bright yellow bananas. Count from one to 10 as a new light appears with every turn of the page.

Slipping, sliding

Penguins wish

To trim their tree with

Shiny. . . fish!

The author: Wendy Wax, a children’s book editor for several years, now writes and illustrates her own books. She is married to a commercial photographer and is mother of their young son, Jonah. She lives and works in New York City and Remsenburg, New York.

Web site: www.wendywax.com

The book: Here is your chance to go inside the huddle of the Wolverines, into their locker room, onto the sidelines, on the team plane and even into the team hotel. Go behind the scenes and get a glimpse into the private world of the players, coaches and decision makers, eavesdropping on their personal conversations. You’ll read the real reason Bo turned down a lucrative offer from Texas A&M and remained at Michigan in 1982 and the origin of his battle cry every time the team left a hotel for the game: "Do I have 11? All I need is 11!" This book was written for every sports fan that follows the Wolverines.

The author: George Cantor has been a writer for Detroit newspapers for more than 40 years. He has written more than a dozen books on sports, history and travel and appeared frequently on local radio and television programs. He was also given the honor of throwing out the first pitch in one of the last games played at historic Tiger Stadium.

The book: Whether laughing to tears reading "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great" or clamoring for more unmistakable "me too!" moments in "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret," girls all over the world have been touched by Judy Blume's poignant coming-of-age stories. In this anthology, 24 notable female authors write straight from the heart about the unforgettable novels that left an indelible mark on their childhoods and still influence them today. After growing up from "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" into "Smart Women," these writers pay tribute, through their reflections and most cherished memories, to a most beloved author.

The author: Jennifer Coburn is an award-winning journalist who has written for magazines and newspapers in the United States, Canada and Australia. A native New Yorker, she currently lives in San Diego with her husband, William, and their daughter, Katie.

Web site: www.jennifercoburn.com

The book: Boobela is a giant—a young, shy and rather lonely giant. Worm is a worm, wise and opinionated, but above all, a clever and loyal friend. They live in a world that's a lot like ours, but not quite. When Boobela meets Worm, she has the chance to overcome her fears, pursue her strange and magical powers, and have lots of funny, exciting and heart-stopping adventures with the kids at the balloon club, on her gran's magic island and at the beach.

The author: Joe Friedman was born in Chicago to deaf parents. He has written stories since he was 7 and sold his first play at 13. He currently lives in north London and divides his time between writing and working as a psychotherapist. Boobela and Worm is his first book for children.

The book: Admired for her use of metaphor and her nervy, surprising syntax, Laura Kasischke continues in this book to peel back the skins of our ordinary lives to reveal the underlying anxieties and complexities. Funny, irreverent, personal and at the same time unnerving, these poems take us to familiar places made entirely strange so that we may see them again as they really are, without the trappings and disguises we invent to remain blind to what disturbs us. Few poets write about parenthood with the combination of tenderness and steely insight that Kasischke brings to her work.

The author: Laura Kasischke is the author of six other books of poetry and four novels. Her work has received many honors, including the Alice Fay diCastagnola Award from the Poetry Society of America, the Beatrice Hawley Award, the Pushcart Prize and the Elmer Holmes Bobst Award for Emerging Writers. She teaches at the University of Michigan.

The book: Each poem in this collection is dedicated to a player in the 2005 Detroit mayoral election recount, including Governor Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Poetry styles include haiku, traditional, jazz and rap. The cacophony of rhythmic beats contrasts with unconventional freestyle. The poems encompass hope, love, grief and joy. The work salutes not only the election process, but the patriotic men and women involved in the process.

The author: Janet Anderson-Davis, who practices law in the areas of transactions and elections, has written poetry for many years. An aficionado of the espionage novel, she enjoys studying foreign languages, spinning, weightlifting and reading. She lives with her family in West Bloomfield, Michigan.

The book: Financial instability threatens the global economy. The volatility of capital movements across national borders has led many observers to argue for a reformed "global financial architecture," a body of consistent rules and institutions to prevent financial crises. Yet regulators have a decidedly mixed record in their attempts to create global standards for the financial system. David Andrew Singer seeks to explain the varying pressures on regulatory agencies to negotiate internationally acceptable rules and suggests that the variation is largely traceable to the different domestic political pressures faced by regulators.

The author: David Andrew Singer is assistant professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The book: This book helps you identify which of six work-life "patterns" you fit into and how to move toward a pattern that's more productive and comfortable. Drawing on their research insights, the authors show how to identify the personal triggers that cause you the greatest stress; make the small changes that make the biggest difference; make technology work for you; redraw the lines between work and family as your life changes; master strategies for managing yourself, your colleagues and your supervisors; and leverage emerging work options that are now available for the first time.

The author: Ellen Ernst Kossek, a professor at Michigan State University’s School of Labor & Industrial Relations, is an expert on improving relationships between work, family and personal life in organizations; new flexible ways of working; management of talent and diversity in the global multicultural firm; and workplace innovation and change. She is married with four children.

The book: Many people who remember struggling with physics in high school can now gain an appreciation of this significant area of knowledge. This book not only helps readers understand physics, but also do physics. It provides a fun-filled, entertaining and educational tour of this all-important science. Physics has an enormously ambitious goal: to understand the workings of the entire universe, from the smallest quarks to the largest galaxies. Learning and comprehending as much as we can about the inner and outer workings of the universe is what evokes the joy of physics.

The author: Arthur W. Wiggins is the co-author of the critically acclaimed "The Five Biggest Ideas in Science," "Quantum Leaps in the Wrong Direction," "The Five Biggest Unsolved Problems in Science" and "Natural Science: Bridging the Gaps." He is a distinguished professor emeritus of physics at Oakland Community College in Oakland County, Michigan.

Web site: www.TheJoyofPhysics.com.

The book: Curt Flood, former star center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, is a hero to many for selflessly sacrificing his career to challenge the legality of baseball’s reserve system. Although he lost his case before the Supreme Court, for many he became a martyr in the battle for free agency that eventually succeeded. Sportswriters and fans alike have helped to paint a picture of Flood as a larger-than-life figure—a portrait that, unhappily, cannot stand closer inspection. This book reveals the real Curt Flood—more man than myth.

The author: Stuart L. Weiss, professor emeritus of history at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is the author of "The President’s Man: Leo Crowley and Franklin Roosevelt in Peace and War." He resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The book: In this story of personal courage, Cecilia managed her insulin-dependent diabetes for 42 years while raising a family and conducting an often adventurous professional life. Before and after the onset of the disease, she interacted with royalty, US senators, ambassadors, Nobel laureates, university presidents and professors, and other notables. In her last four years, coping unobtrusively with her blindness and other debilitating complications of her disease, she confidently maintained her social and community involvements. It was all an inspirational performance, conducted with grace, winning smiles and confidence.

The author: Richard J. Ward has 30 years of academic experience as a teacher and administrative head of colleges in the United States and England. He also spent 10 years in business with small and large corporations and 10 years with the US State Department. In addition, he has consulted for the United Nations and served on boards of directors for private companies and other organizations.

The book: Each work in this collection of narratives, essays and poems relates how women have demonstrated courage by taking a risk that has changed their lives. Themes include sustenance for living, faith in the unknown, the courage of choice, the seams of our lives and crossing borders. Voices of racial and ethnic diversity speak throughout the work, underscoring both difference and unity in the female experience. Including role models for university audiences and reflections of life experiences for older readers, this work serves as a textbook in literature or women's/gender studies classes, a focus for book study groups and a source of perspective during quiet moments.

The author: Barbara Renaud Gonzales, a former monthly columnist for the San Antonio Express-News, has had her columns and essays published in several magazines and newspapers. A six-time finalist for the Katys journalism awards, she received the Inter-American Press Association Opinion prize in Santiago de Chile in 2000.

The book: The author begins with the disparate, fragmented and seemingly inconsequential experiences of everyday life to bring attention to the ordinary as an integral site of cultural politics. Ordinary affect is registered in its particularities, yet it connects people and creates common experiences that shape public feeling. Through this anecdotal history—one that ponders the extremes of the ordinary and portrays the dense network of social and personal connections that constitute a life—she asserts the necessity of attending to the fleeting and changeable aspects of existence to recognize the complex personal and social dynamics of the political world.

The author: Kathleen Stewart is associate professor of anthropology and director of the Américo Paredes Center for Cultural Studies at the University of Texas, Austin. She is the author of "A Space on the Side of the Road: Cultural Poetics in an 'Other' America."

The book: This book investigates the changes in university research over the past several decades, gauging the current state of research in higher education and examining issues crucial to its future. Scientific research increasingly dominates the aims and agendas of many American universities, and this has given rise to questions about the interrelations of higher education, funding for scientific research and government policy. The cost of doing science, the commercialization of university research, the changing composition and number of PhD students, and the effect of scientific research on other university programs are just a few of the issues explored in this volume.

The author: Paula E. Stephan is professor of economics at Georgia State University and co-editor of the two-volume "Economics of Science and Innovation."

The book: Planning a wedding can be a daunting task if you don’t know where to begin. This book assists you in planning your special day flawlessly, complete with guides and tips to keep you on the path to success. Each chapter is designed to guide you effortlessly through the planning process and then onto your magnificent wedding.

The author: Narketta Sparkman, a college instructor of event planning and event design, has planned and designed both social and corporate events. She owns and operates Special Occasions by Sparkman Event Planning, a full-service event planning agency.

The book: When does history begin? What characterizes it? This brilliant and beautifully written book dissolves the logic of a beginning based on writing, civilization or historical consciousness and offers a model for a history that escapes the continuing grip of the Judeo-Christian time frame. This book argues that the time has come for fundamentally new ways of thinking about our past. It shows how recent work in evolution and paleohistory makes it possible to join the deep past with the recent past and abandon, once and for all, the idea of prehistory.

The author: Daniel Lord Smail is professor of history at Harvard University. He is the author of "Imaginary Cartographies," which won the American Historical Association's Herbert Baxter Adams Prize and the Social Science History Association's President's Award; the author of "The Consumption of Justice," which won the Law and Society Association's James Willard Hurst Prize; and the co-editor of "Fama: The Politics of Talk and Reputation in Medieval Europe."

The book: This book contains first-person accounts collected from the men and women of Inspiration Corporation, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless back to self-sufficiency. These true stories challenge modern preconceptions of homelessness and demonstrate how this often "faceless" problem affects everyone, regardless of race, color, creed or economic status. Perfect for churches, schools, libraries, recovery groups, service volunteers or anyone with an interest in social justice, this book also includes delightful recipes from several of Chicago’s finest chefs.

The author: Karen M. Skalitzky is a former Teach for America corps member and volunteers weekly at Inspiration Café and the Living Room Café in Chicago.

The book: Growing up in the Midwest, Susan Shapiro knew that she wanted to become a writer. As soon as she graduated from college, she headed to New York City, determined to break into the business. But she learned that it takes more than being a good writer to make a living at it. The most successful professional writers, she discovered, have great mentors to support, promote, advise, admonish, inform, infuriate and sometimes supply a good kick in the pants. This is a must-read for all writers in the publishing trenches, whether you’re green or a veterans.

The author: Susan Shapiro has written for many newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times and The Nation. She is the co-editor of the anthology "Food for the Soul" and the author of the memoirs "Lighting Up" and "Five Men Who Broke My Heart." She has appeared on television programs and prime time documentaries. Shapiro lives in New York City with her husband and teaches journalism.

Web site: www.susanshapiro.net/word.html

The book: This accessible and informative survey is designed for undergraduate courses on American economic history. The book spans from 1607 to the modern age and presents a documented history of how the American economy has propelled the nation into a position of world leadership. The author covers nearly 400 years of economic history, beginning with the commercialization of agriculture in the precolonial era, through the development of banks and industrialization in the 19th century, and up to the globalization of the business economy in the present day.

The author: Economic historian Ronald E. Seavoy is professor emeritus of history at Bowling Green State University. He is the author of "The Origins and Growth of the Global Economy," "Subsistence and Economic Development," "The American Peasantry," "Famine in Peasant Societies," "Famine in East Africa" and "The Origins of the American Business Corporation, 1784-1855."

The book: Nutrients from farms in the Mississippi River Basin are the leading cause of the Gulf of Mexico's "dead zone," a 5,000- to 7,000-square-mile region where declining oxygen levels are threatening the survival of marine life. This book explores how new agricultural policy can help alleviate this problem and at the same time improve overall water quality, enhance biodiversity, improve the quality of life of people in Corn Belt communities and relieve downstream flooding.

The author: Donald Scavia is a professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at U-M, where he is also director of the Michigan Sea Grant Program and director of the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research.

The book: The world’s three largest faiths all find a common root in one man: Abraham. Breaking new ground, David Rosenberg portrays Abraham as a man whose whole life, and therefore his legacy, is informed by the Sumerian culture that produced him. "Abraham" is a literary excavation of the ancient cultures from which our modern world has grown.

The author: David Rosenberg is a poet, essayist and critic. He is the former editor of the Jewish Publication Society and was Harold Bloom’s co-author on "The Book of J." Rosenberg’s other writings include "A Poet’s Bible" and "Lost Book of Paradise." He lives in Florida.

The book: Are you searching for true love but skeptical of the world of Internet dating? This book demystifies the process, explaining why searching for love online requires more than just access to a computer and a catchy profile. The author includes techniques supported by real stories to improve your chances of finding love. You will learn how to avoid common pitfalls, ways to connect to millions of other singles in cyberspace and how to let go of previous experiences and preconceived notions.

The author: Myles Reed, Jr., has spent nearly 15 years observing, strategizing and marketing for corporate America. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and their son.

Web site: www.fishingforlove.net

The book: Intended for readers seeking insight into the day-to-day life of some of the world's most ancient peoples, this book presents brief, fascinating explorations of key aspects of the civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Asia Minor and Iran. With vignettes on agriculture, architecture, crafts and industries, literature, religion, topography and history, the author has created something refreshing: a modern guidebook to an ancient world. The book also reaches out to students of the Ancient Near Eastern World with essays on decipherments, comparative cultural developments between Egypt and Mesopotamia, and language and literature.

The author: Now professor emeritus, Louis L. Orlin taught in the department of Ancient Near Eastern History and Literature at U-M for more than 30 years. He is the author and editor of several books, including "Assyrian Colonies in Cappadocia" and "Ancient Near Eastern Literature: A Bibliography of One Thousand Items on the Cuneiform Literatures of the Ancient World."

The book: During the California Gold Rush, tens of thousands of US citizens migrated westward to California by way of Panama. Decades before the completion of the Panama Canal in 1914, this slender spit of land abruptly became the linchpin of the fastest route between New York City and San Francisco—a route that combined travel by ship to the east coast of Panama, an overland crossing to Panama City and a final voyage by ship to California. This book presents a novel understanding of the intertwined histories of the California Gold Rush, the course of US empire and anti-imperialist politics in Latin America.

The author: Aims McGuinness is assistant professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The book: This book brings together documents related to efforts to redress historical wrongs against African-Americans. These varied efforts are often grouped together under the rubric "reparations movement" and are united in their goal of "repairing" the injustices that have followed from the long history of slavery and Jim Crow. Yet there is a range of opinions as to the form that repair might take. Written by activists and scholars of law, political science, African-American studies, philosophy, economics and history, the 26 essays include both previously published articles and pieces written specifically for this volume.

The author: Marilyn Yaquinto is assistant professor of communication at Truman State University. She is the author of "Pump ’Em Full of Lead: A Look at Gangsters on Film" and a former journalist with the Los Angeles Times.

The book: The history of China in the 19th century usually features men as the dominant figures in a chronicle of warfare, rebellion and dynastic decline. This book challenges that model and provides a different account of the era, history as seen through the eyes of women. Basing her study on the poetry and memoirs of three generations of literary women of the Zhang family, the author illuminates a China that has been largely invisible. She transforms our understanding of gender relations and what it meant to be an educated woman during China's transition from empire to nation.

The author: Susan Mann is professor of history at the University of California, Davis, and was president of the Association of Asian Studies. She is the author or co-editor of other books about China, including "Precious Records: Women in China's Long Eighteenth Century," which won the Joseph Levenson Prize.

The book: Have you ever wondered about your blood relatives, "Who are these people? I have absolutely nothing in common with them?" If so, you’ll identify with this book. Dramatically tracking a card with no return address, the author stirs the ashes of a 50-year estrangement from a much older brother while trying to unravel a mystery of their heritage. With her experiences, she interweaves profiles of celebrities who reveal their family estrangements.

The author: Janice Law is a former federal and state prosecutor, defense attorney, criminal court judge and journalist. She is the author of "Yield: A Judge’s Fir$t-Year Diary" and "Sex Appealed: Was the U.S. Supreme Court Fooled?" Both books have been featured on C-SPAN2’s Book TV.

Web site: www.judgejanicelaw.com

The book: A comprehensive resource for selecting the right college for students with learning disabilities, this book includes profiles of more than 300 schools, advice from specialists in the field of learning disabilities and strategies to help students find the best match for their needs. Each school profile includes services available at each college, from tutors to special testing arrangements; admissions requirements for each program; policies and procedures about course waivers and substitutions; and contact information for program administrators. The guide also provides a reference list with program information for an additional 1,000 schools.

The author: Marybeth Kravets is a college consultant and author. She has served as vice chair of the Midwestern Region of the College Board and as president and treasurer of IACAC, and is past president of the National Association for College Admission Counselors.

The book: The Frankenstein story began as the nightmare of an unwed teenage mother in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1816. At a time when the moral universe was shifting and advances in scientific knowledge promised humans dominion over that which had been God’s alone, Mary Shelley envisioned a story of human presumption and its misbegotten consequences. Two centuries later, that story is still constantly retold and reinterpreted. The author uses film, literature, history, science and even punk music to help us understand the meaning of this monster made by man.

The author: Susan Tyler Hitchcock’s last book was "Mad Mary Lamb: Lunacy and Murder in Literary London." Married with two children, she lives near Charlottesville, Virginia.

The book: This book examines the conditions that have enabled calypso music to be valorized, contested and targeted as a field of cultural politics in Trinidad. Drawing on over a decade of ethnographic work, the author maps the musical journeys of Trinidad's most prominent musicians and arrangers and explains the distinct ways their musical sensibilities became audibly entangled with modes of governing, audience demands and market incentives. Generously illustrated and complete with an accompanying CD, this book constitutes the most comprehensive study to date of Trinidad's carnival musics.

The author: Jocelyne Guilbault is professor of ethnomusicology at the University of California, Berkeley.

The book: When a teenage girl finds herself pregnant with triplets, her boyfriend turns to Kaki and Kathryn, two white women who left the suburbs to live in a multiracial North Philadelphia community and work for peace. The young mother moves in "just until the babies come." But when the three boys do come, the state threatens to take them into custody because the parents are young, poor and without apparent adult support. But the two women accept the roles of legal guardian to the young mother and, later, caregivers of the boys. This is the story of a makeshift family of teenaged Black Muslims, middle-aged Quaker lesbians and radiant baby boys growing fast into toddlers.

Web site: http://www.walkwithus.info

The book: This illuminating study explores a central but neglected aspect of modern Jewish history: the problem of abandoned Jewish wives. These are women who could not obtain a divorce under Jewish law and of the men who deserted them. The author analyzes a range of texts at the intersection of disciplines to describe the dynamics of power between men and women within traditional communities and to elucidate the full spectrum of experiences abandoned women faced.

The author: Bluma Goldstein is professor emerita in the Department of German at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of "Reinscribing Moses: Heine, Kafka, Freud, and Schoenberg in the European Wilderness."

The book: This humorous, charming collection of stories is interspersed with cartoons, drawings, photos and quotes from the French master flutist and teacher Marcel Moyse, whose life and work have inspired many to become great teachers and performers. The stories, occurring in the Midwest, Vermont, Europe and California, flow effortlessly from the author’s first meeting with him in Oberlin, Ohio, until his death in 1984.

The author: Susan Fries, who studied extensively with Marcel Moyse, has performed with the Detroit Symphony and the Philadelphia Lyric Opera, toured with the American Ballet Theatre and New York City Opera, played numerous European concert tours and soloed on Hollywood film and television soundtracks. She resides in Orange County, California.

The book: Following World War II, northern whites began to support the principle of civil rights. So why did many of them continue to oppose racial integration in their communities? Challenging conventional wisdom about the growth, prosperity and racial exclusivity of American suburbs, the author argues that previous attempts to answer this question have overlooked a change in the racial thinking of whites and the role of suburban politics in effecting this change. He shows how federal intervention spurred a dramatic shift in the language and logic of residential exclusion.

The author: David MP Freund is visiting assistant professor of history at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.

The book: In this book the author examines how women detectives are portrayed in film, in literature and on television. Chapters examine the portrayal of female investigators in each of these four genres: the Gothic novel, the lesbian detective novel, television and film.

The author: Lisa M. Dresner is a special assistant professor in the Department of English and Freshman Composition at Hofstra University. She lives in Hempstead, New York.

The book: Founded in Detroit in 1817, U-M moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 and over the next 170 years became one of the most distinguished universities in the world. This book depicts the unfolding history of the college in Ann Arbor from its early stages in the 1850s through the late 1970s. Black and white images of the campus and surrounding area, selected from the Bentley Historical Library’s extensive collection, provide a taste of campus life while taking readers through the evolution of buildings, the beginning of an athletic legend and the historic events that united the campus with a community.

The authors: Christina Consolino lived in Ann Arbor for 12 years before moving to Dayton, Ohio, where she currently teaches anatomy and physiology at Sinclair Community College. She resides with her husband, Timothy, and their three children, two cats and one dog. This is her first nonscientific publication.

Michael Chmura is currently a school librarian and co-owns a software and Web design company with her husband, David. She has lived in Ann Arbor for 11 years.

The book: In this abridged and updated version of his definitive history, the author examines the effects of the United States' uneasy interactions with Cambodia, tracing the disruptions that climaxed during the Vietnam War when US planes bombed perceived enemy strongholds within Cambodia. The attacks led to Cambodia’s involvement in the war and to civil war, from which the Khmer Rouge emerged victorious. Nearly one-third of Cambodia’s population died under the Khmer Rouge’s genocidal rule. Clymer shows how diplomatic neglect, misperceptions, misunderstandings and poorly conceived policies contributed to these tragic events.

The author: Kenton Clymer, author of four other books and many articles on the history of American foreign relations, is Distinguished Research Professor of History at Northern Illinois University.

The book: This book details the background, history, deployment and operation of the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile. It is replete with stories of humans and their foibles, from the manager who bought 8,000 rolls of seconds in toilet paper to the technician who ate his dinner off the shelves while he shopped in a supermarket. "Cold War Confessions" pays tribute to all the individuals, whether in the military, the government or the private sector, who worked tirelessly to keep the United States safe.

The author: Jay Carp spent more than 30 years at GTE, where he worked in military electronics. For 20 years, he worked entirely on intercontinental ballistic missile systems as a field engineer, test supervisor, troubleshooter, project engineer and project manager. He currently resides in Milan, Michigan.

The Frankenstein story began as the nightmare of an unwed teenage mother in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1816. At a time when the moral universe was shifting and advances in scientific knowledge promised humans dominion over that which had been God's alone, Mary Shelley envisioned a story of human presumption and its misbegotten consequences. That story is still constantly retold and reinterpreted. Author Susan Tyler Hitchcock uses film, literature, history, science and even punk music to help us understand the meaning of this monster made by man.

Susan Tyler Hitchcock's last book was "Mad Mary Lamb: Lunacy and Murder in Literary London." Married with two children, she lives near Charlottesville, Virginia.

AAUM: How was the story of Frankenstein conceived?

Hitchcock: The version we tell today took shape in the summer of 1816 as 18-year-old Mary Godwin traveled with her stepsister, Claire Clairmont, and her lover, Percy Bysshe Shelley, to Geneva, Switzerland. They were in search of Claire's intended love, the poet Lord Byron. Godwin and company rented a cottage downhill from Byron's villa, and the group spent many a night together. To amuse themselves, they read from the German ghost story book "Phantasmagoriana," and at some point, Byron challenged his friends to write better. Of the group, three produced works that went into print. Mary Godwin (later to marry and become Mary Shelley) began "Frankenstein." The idea came to her in June 1816; she worked on it through the coming year, and the book was published early in 1818.

What was Mary Shelly's original monster like? What did he symbolize when she wrote him nearly 200 years ago?

When you read the novel for a description of the monster, you come up with very little. He stood eight feet tall, because it was easier for Victor Frankenstein, his creator, to work at that scale. His skin was dull gray, his hair black and stringy, his eyes yellow. He was horrible to look at—but not necessarily horrible inside, and that is one of the central points of the original novel. Mary Shelley uses this juxtaposition to show how society creates evil: when others see this horrible creature, they assume him to be dangerous and attack him. His violence is a response, but it is not inherent. That meaning is one of the key symbolisms in the novel. The other meaning that comes through is an exploration of the limits of human knowledge and the ethics involved in pushing those limits. Victor Frankenstein, in the eyes of many, transgressed because he ventured into realms reserved for God alone. My reading of the novel, though, suggests that the moral message is very ambiguous. We are led both to judge against Frankenstein and to admire his intellect and courage.

What is it about the monster that has captured our imagination and made him an icon?

The story captures the dilemma posed by the human condition: we can imagine far more than we are able to achieve. So are we supposed to push those limits, or are we supposed to be happy with things as they are? There is no easy answer to this question, and it poses itself over and over on the stage of life, both public and private. We ask it and rehearse our answer as we experience the story of Frankenstein again and again. We all have our monsters. In childhood, there are monsters under the bed. In adolescence, it feels like you ARE the monster. In adulthood, we try to forget these fears, but then modern science and technology present the possibilities, very real and horrifying, of monsters among us—whether we are talking about what auto accidents or weaponry can do to human bodies and minds or about the worst-case scenario coming out of the amazing developments in genetic engineering. Monsters lurk in our imaginations all the time, and reliving a story about a monster helps us to come to terms with those fears.

How ubiquitous are the story and the monster in culture?

The actual story of man making a monster has several precursors that came before Shelley's. There is a famous Jewish folktale of the golem, a man made of clay, but I have no evidence that Mary Shelley knew that story. There is the ancient Greek myth of Prometheus, clearly woven into the fabric of Shelley's novel, and in one version he is portrayed as the creator of humans, having made man out of clay and then having given him the gift of fire, for which Zeus punished him mercilessly. Shelley's novel is subtitled "The Modern Prometheus," and in many ways Victor Frankenstein's saga mirrors that ancient Greek myth. Since Shelley's telling of the story, though, "Frankenstein" has become the seminal myth for the making of human life, and it has been retold hundreds, maybe thousands, of times around the world, in specific recreations and in allusions over and over.

What are some of the most interesting, or your favorite, representations of the monster?

Over these years of considering "Frankenstein," I have come to have a deeper and deeper respect for Boris Karloff's portrayal of the monster in the first two Universal films, "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein." Although the script he was given encouraged a mindless, heartless, born-to-be monster, Karloff gave that character such a depth of soul. His version of the story did as much to keep the monster myth alive as anything else since the novel was written.

One of my favorite appearances is in a little-known 1970s-era Spanish film titled, in English, "The Spirit of the Beehive." It tells the story of a girl coming of age in Franco's Spain, and the Karloff-created monster symbolizes all the fears of adulthood, violence and sexuality that one must come to terms with as one becomes an independent adult. Putting it into words spoils the film, which is quiet and subtle and beautiful. It's definitely worth seeing.

This is going to sound very silly, but another of my favorites is a tabletop toy I bought one Halloween. He stands about a foot high and is a chunky plastic version of the Karloff monster. Push a button at his feet, and it looks like he's doing the Twist to the tune of "Monster Mash."He makes everyone happy—everyone loves to push that button and dance along.

As a collector of "Frankensteiniana," you seem to have a personal fascination with the story. What is it about Frankenstein that compels you?

I'm fascinated by the ambiguity of the monster—something we fear and love at the same time. Because there is no simple moral message, but a vibrating balance between good and bad, repulsion and attraction, the story can be told and interpreted endlessly. To me, such stories are more true to life than the ones with a simple, happy—or bluntly sad—ending. We are all bundles of contradictions, and exploring the monster and the myth, therefore, helps us sort through those complexities.

The book: Anne is a professional wedding hostess at the most beautiful of the opulent mansions along Newport’s seashore. She knows the smile she beams at her guests doesn’t have to be sincere, just present. She’s managed to maintain the illusion of pleasant composure through 10 years of rowdy guests and sobbing brides. However, tonight Anne is afraid she won’t be able to hold her tongue, let alone her smile: The wedding from hell has arrived on her beautifully manicured lawn.

The author: Arliss Ryan has worked as a freelance writer in advertising and public relations; she has written two novels, numerous short stories for literary journals, and nonfiction articles and essays for national magazines. Married to naval architect and U-M alumnus Eric Sponberg, she has a daughter, Kira, and a son, Dane.

The book: When Andrea Daniels decides to adopt a child, she is unprepared for the emotions she feels for the baby and his birth mother. Not long after her son arrives, however, Andrea realizes she still craves the challenge of her career. When she accepts a new position, she discovers that finding good childcare is a full-time job. A menagerie of inept nannies parades through her door, but help is just around the corner. Then, Andrea’s longing for a second child begins. Part memoir, part novel, this is a moving tale of discovery, heartbreak and love.

The author: Andrea Daniels began writing novels because therapy seemed expensive. She practices law in the Midwest, where she resides with her husband and two children.

The book: This book helps you have a ball with some blast-from-the-past projects, from stitching a sampler quilt to preparing sweet cherries. Here’s your chance to travel back in time, step into our remarkable foremothers’ boots and recreate wonderful homespun handicrafts and activities. Rich stories of frontier women weave their way through the guide, coupling with a range of the projects that made up the daily life of these pioneers. Peek into the past, and bring a little bit back into your future.
The author: Jennifer Worick credits her "state of mind, nimble fingers, and moxie" for making her a prairie girl. She has written more than 15 books, including the bestselling "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating and Sex," and is a frequent contributor to major magazines. Though Jennifer lives in Seattle, her heart is forever on the prairie.

Web site: www.jenniferworick.com

The book: The third novel in the Cottonwood series, this reminiscence of home front America is set during the last winter of World War II. While American forces are battling it out overseas, those at home are preparing for Christmas and coping with shortages, casualties of war and concerns about loved ones. On the Riverton, Michigan, home front, the disappearance of B. R. Santa, the threat of an elite German espionage agent, the unexplained appearances of grapevine wreaths all over town and other mysteries are to be solved by Jase and Danny, the Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn of the Cottonwood novels.

The author: Gary Slaughter grew up in a small town where he observed life on the World War II home front. Later, he served as an officer on naval destroyers. Over the years, he has written extensively and lectured widely on the management of corporate information technology. Today, Gary writes fiction and gives talks that focus on events during World War II.

Web site: http://www.cottonwoodwinter.com/

The book: In this continuing saga of the Langston/Kingsley family, Del struggles to protect her husband and children from a mother who can’t forgive Del’s earlier divorce and seems determined to break up her daughter’s marriage. Just when things seem as bad as they can be, Del's daughter makes an announcement that adds new tension to the stew-pot of problems. In recurring nightmares, Del drives but can’t see the road ahead. Someone has curtained the windshield, she moves through heavy fog or a blinding snowstorm, or her headlights won’t come on. Something has to be done about the situation—but what?

The author: Lois Santalo is a former college instructor and served for seven years at a home for women in crisis, where she observed the problems described in her books. She lives in Southern California with her daughter, son-in-law and two cats, and writes full-time, working on a four-book saga, the Stormland Quartet. This is the third volume in that series.

The book: It’s a dark time for Atlantis. Following the first Asuran clashes, Col. Sheppard is buckling under the strain of command. When his team discovers ancient technology that can defeat the Asuran menace, he is determined that Atlantis must possess it. But the involvement of Atlantis heightens local suspicions and brings two peoples to the point of war. Elizabeth Weir believes only her negotiating skills can prevent the carnage, but when her diplomatic mission is attacked, both Weir and Sheppard must question their decisions—and their abilities to command.

The author: While working on two aerospace engineering degrees, Elizabeth Christensen witnessed five seasons of stellar football at the University. Currently a civilian engineer with the US Air Force, she works on propulsion and aircraft subsystems projects at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and shares pilot-in-command time in a Grumman Tiger airplane with her husband.

Web site: www.elizabethchristensen.com

The book: It’s 1969, and Ted Bertson is in Vietnam serving as an Army chaplain's assistant. It sounds like a cushy job that will keep him behind the lines. But in Vietnam there are no lines—no person or place is completely safe. Behind every soldier in the field are 10 support troops who do the paperwork, make sure supplies are delivered, tend to the wounded, and care for spiritual and emotional needs. This is story of just one of those under-the-radar support troops and of an experience that forever changes Bertson and his love for the country he serves.

The author: JT Caldwell served as a chaplain's assistant in Vietnam in 1970, and this book is a fictionalized account of his experiences. In 1974 he joined the music faculty at Central Michigan University, where he continues to teach. He has two sons and four grandchildren and lives with his partner, Barbara Dixon, at their homes in Michigan and Missouri.

Web site: www.TheChaplainsAssistant.com

The book: A 15-year journey between the author and a seriously abused young patient takes us step-by-step through the miraculous ways children change. Terr also calls upon 33 of America’s top child and adolescent psychiatrists to share key moments of dramatic change that they witnessed in their own patients and to explain how these moments came about. The moments of change that Terr describes provide anyone who works with or cares for children valuable insights into just what can trigger a transformation. We are left with a deeper understanding of the mechanics of youthful change as well as a more confident approach to inducing turnabouts in our own children.

The author: Lenore Terr, clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and a psychiatrist in private practice, is a pioneer in the field of childhood trauma. The winner of numerous honors and awards, she is the author of "Too Scared to Cry" and "Unchained Memories." She also has been a featured expert on many television and radio programs.

The book: If you suffer from allergies, asthma, high blood pressure or cholesterol, cancer, chronic fatigue, headaches, heart disease, joint pain, skin disorders or rheumatoid arthritis, this may be the most important book you will ever read. Inspiring case histories demonstrate successful treatment and prevention of these and many other illnesses.

The author: H. Robert Silverstein is board certified in cardiology and internal medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine. His approach to medicine is holistic, patient empowering and inclusive of complementary alternative integrative medicine.

Web site: www.thepmc.org

The book: American seniors today seek to live more fulfilling lives than previous generations—whether by volunteering for political causes, sightseeing around the globe—or doling out advice in cyberspace. The Elder Wisdom Circle, via its Web site, puts advice seekers in touch with a network of "cyber-grandparents" who offer assistance on everything from love and relationships to family and work. In this book, founder Doug Meckelson with Diane Haithman shares a collection of sage wisdom on an array of life’s most universal and provocative questions.

The author: Diane Haithman is a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, covering fine arts. She has served as writer-in-residence at the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Southern California. Before joining the Times, she was West Coast bureau chief and Hollywood columnist for the Detroit Free Press, based in Los Angeles.

The book: A handy job aid or reference, this booklet explains how to combat the competing forces that destroy focus and energy at work and at home. It is designed to arm employees and family managers with simple, yet powerful strategies to defeat common distractions, labeled demons, that interrupt your flow of attention and psychic energy.

The author: Educational Psychologist Geri Markel is co-author of several books applying behavioral research to productivity. She works as a performance coach, speaker and consultant in business, industry, health care and education. Her client list includes the U-M School of Dentistry, Pfizer, Ford Motor Company and Domino’s Pizza.

Web site: www.managingyourmind.com/

The book: Can diet and exercise affect your ability to get pregnant? As described in this book, 10 changes in diet and activity can have profound effects on fertility. The Nurses' Health Study examined the effects of diet and other lifestyle changes on fertility among nearly 20,000 female nurses. In plain language, two of the study's lead researchers translate its findings into changes you can put into practice today, setting the stage for a healthy pregnancy and forming the foundation for an eating strategy that will serve you well for the rest of your life.

The author: Walter C. Willett is the Fredrick John Stare Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition and chairman of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, as well as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is one of the leaders of the Nurses' Health Study and the author of "Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy."

The book: Contemporary psychoanalysts are eclectic and believe they use the best ideas from each of numerous competing theoretic models. However, there is confusion and controversy about what constitutes "the best." Critical differences between these theories are about inferences concerning the disguised meaning of what patients tell us. There can be no meaning without context, but we have never developed a consensus about how we establish context (contextualization). This book offers a number of detailed clinical examples to illustrate how confusion about contextualization serves as the source of some of our most important disagreements.

The author: Dale Boesky is the past editor-in-chief of the Psychoanalytic Quarterly. He is a training and supervising analyst at the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute.

The book: This collection explores the nature of friendship and memory, the ways in which the attachments of the present and the images of the past reveal beliefs that have shaped our lives. The book interweaves more than three dozen new poems with the author's poems from previously published volumes and his archives.

The author: Manly Johnson has published poems, reviews and translations in a variety of anthologies, journals and small magazines. He has taught at U-M, Johns Hopkins, Williams College and the University of Tulsa. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife, Francine Leffler Ringold.

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.

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.

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."

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.

AAUM: What was Nancy's childhood like?
Gordon: Although she was born into great privilege, her mother made it clear that having a child was "the lowest thing" that could happen to a woman. Nancy, who was highly intelligent and sensitive, was raised by 40 servants and strict, punitive tutors. She spent an isolated childhood either reading and writing or observing her unfaithful mother entertain lovers during weekend parties. She was forever confused by the strict rules she was forced to obey while no one else followed any rules.

How was her life event-filled?
She was an iconic figure of the 1920s—the Cunard heiress who was both very beautiful and who set the fashion styles. Reporters followed her everywhere to describe her short cropped hair, dark eye makeup, long beads and short skirts. She also participated in the art circles that defined Modernism, and many called her the "Gioconda of the Age," while "lovely enough to seduce a saint." Her lovers—and all wrote extensively about her in their work—included Ezra Pound, Aldous Huxley, Louis Aragon, Tristan Tzara and the Nobel Prize winners T.S. Eliot, Pablo Neruda and Samuel Beckett. She also was sculpted many times by Brancusi, photographed by Man Ray and Cecil Beaton, and painted by Kokoshka, Wyndham Lewis and numerous others.

But didn't she want to be more than that?
Yes—to be a poet, and she did publish excellent poetry. But it was "reviewed" in terms of her wardrobe or rebellion against her class and its expectations. So she started the very successful Hours Press, publishing the first work of Samuel Beckett and Pound's "XXX Cantos." Then, on vacation in Venice, she met a black jazz pianist from America, Henry Crowder, and began a long love affair with him. This was the beginning of her education into American racism and it precipitated a lifetime commitment to social causes.

After an enormous amount of research and travel, she published "Negro" in 1934. This was an 855-page compendium of the history and achievement of Africans throughout the world. Her mother disinherited her, and they never spoke again. Her second greatest cause was the Spanish Civil War, when she reported for the Manchester Guardian from the fronts. After Franco's victory, Nancy was one of very few reporters to remain in Spain, and she described—and this is now entering the history books—France's complicity with Franco in opening concentration camps for the Spanish Republicans, camps later used by Vichy collaborationists during World War II. She reported the torture she witnessed and worked both to smuggle prisoners to her home in France and to find them refuge in Central and South America. She was jailed many times but continued her underground activities against Franco.

It sounds like you really came to admire Nancy.
I grew to love Nancy. The more I learned about her, the more I admired her. The book was truly a labor of love. I am convinced that she is one of the most remarkable women who ever lived. She gave so much, and I want her to gain the recognition she deserves.

The author: Lois Gordon, distinguished professor of English at Fairleigh Dickinson University, is internationally known for her work in drama and American culture. She is the author of the first book in the United States on Harold Pinter, and her most recent books include "Pinter at 70," "The World of Samuel Beckett, 1906-1946," "Reading Godot" and "American Chronicle: Year by Year Through the Twentieth Century," a classic reference on American culture.

The book: Siri is a legacy admission, rich and spoiled and destined to flunk out of her freshman year at college. Esther, her roommate, is a scholarship student from humble means, brilliant and driven to succeed. Never having been forced to work hard at anything, Siri must rely on Esther to teach her to learn and attend class. But as Siri discovers the life of the mind, Esther begins shedding her rational bonds to explore the mysteries of the soul. Funny and bittersweet, this is a portrait of two friends helping each other uncover the potential splendor of their lives.

The author: Jean McGarry is the author of six previous books of fiction: "Airs of Providence," "The Very Rich Hours," "The Courage of Girls," "Home at Last," "Gallagher's Travels" and "Dream Date." She is a professor of fiction at The Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University.

The book: To doctors, cancer means cells growing out of control; to patients, cancer means a life spinning out of control. The author offers a glimpse, through her perspective as physician and patient, of both sides of the medical divide. The medical system delivers cures, answers and relief from pain to those who seek its help, but it can also offer misinformation, shattered expectations, horrible options and inhumane consideration of the people it is supposed to serve. "Inside/Outside" is a story of one person's courage, hope and survival in the face of terrifying odds.

The author: Janet R. Gilsdorf is a professor at the University of Michigan as well as director of pediatric infectious diseases at CS Mott Children's Hospital, director of the Cell and Molecular Biology in Pediatrics Training Program, and director of the Haemophilus influenzae Research Laboratory.

The book: This book explains how extending healthy and active lives is possible thanks to scientific research and medical breakthroughs. Author Sanjay Gupta blends accounts of discoveries from around the world with advice on how you can apply them for health and longevity. For instance, did you know that the secret to living longer may not be about eating well, but about eating less? Gupta also predicts scientific advances, such as stem cell therapy, that will revolutionize our health.

The author: Sanjay Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon at Emory University Hospital and associate chief of service at Grady Memorial Hospital. A columnist for Time magazine and a chief medical correspondent at CNN, he lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

The book: In "Mine," Tung-Hui Hu makes myths out of the personal. He speaks of desire and awkwardness and of the earth that contains both. Resonant and blunt, this is writing that excavates. As history unfolds over and over the same soil, these poems become, Hu writes, "practice for the living."

The author: Tung-Hui Hu lives in San Francisco, California, where he writes on film and new media. He is also the author of "The Book of Motion," and recent poems have appeared in The New Republic, Harvard Review and Prairie Schooner.

The book: These days it's easier, cheaper and safer than ever to start an Internet business using readily available technology and turnkey opportunities. This strategy-packed guide reveals the powerful but simple methods thousands have used to strike it rich on the Internet. Exclusive interviews with "mom and pop" entrepreneurs prove how easy it is to get started and build a million-dollar enterprise. This book also features an action plan for brainstorming new business ideas and exercises to help readers determine the best moves for their particular situations.

The author: Scott Fox is an e-business consultant in Hollywood, California. He is a frequent speaker on e-business and technology at universities, including the University of Southern California and UCLA, and at conferences such as Digital Hollywood and Internet World.

The book: The first section of this book begins with genealogies of Rita's family back and continues with stories about her grandparents and parents as well as her own life until she married Eric. A good deal of this section comes from Rita's writing, particularly the letters she wrote to her parents when she was in Japan with her sister Kay. The second section covers the couple during their time at the University of Wisconsin, the University of Oslo and Cornell University, and ends when they are ready to depart for their first Foreign Service assignment at the embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.

The author: Rita and Eric Youngquist met at the University of Michigan, married and traveled overseas to Bangkok, Thailand, and Helsinki, Finland, where they had assignments with the Foreign Service. Eric currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

The book: Galeazzo Ciano, Benito Mussolini's son-in law and once Italy's foreign minister, kept a diary of every important discussion of the Axis leaders during the war. After Mussolini ordered Ciano's execution, Ciano's wife, Edda, smuggled the diary to Switzerland, where the Chicago Daily News got a microfilm copy. The microfilm was carried secretly to Chicago, where it was reported by the Daily News and syndicated around the world with great success. This is the story of how it all happened.

The author: Jim Walters, who grew up in a newspaper family that valued good writing, has traveled extensively throughout Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Recently, he has focused on Europe during World War II, with a special interest in how the people of that era dealt with their moral dilemmas.

The book: Forty years after Clark Kerr coined the term "multiversity," the American research university has continued to evolve into a complex force for social and economic good. Charles M. Vest, one of the leading advocates for autonomy for American higher education, offers a view of the university at the beginning of a new century. With a complex mission and funding structure, the university finds its international openness challenged by new security concerns and its ability to contribute to worldwide opportunity through sharing and collaboration expanded by the Internet.

The author: Charles M. Vest is president emeritus and professor of mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was the dean of engineering at U-M from 1986 to 1989 and also served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at U-M from January 1989 to August 1990.

The book: In this book, Karen Stabiner has assembled essays by a wide variety of writers who have had to face an empty nest. Parents whose children left home last week join those with grandchildren to explore the ways that life changes once the offspring leave-unless, of course, they move back in again. These 31 authors represent the full range of experience, from traditional nuclear families to single parents to gay parents, and they tell their stories with humor, grace and poignancy.

The author: Karen Stabiner is the author of seven other books and is a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times opinion section as well as other major publications. She lives in Santa Monica, California, with her husband and her daughter, Sarah, who left home for college this fall.

The book: This book is a compilation of articles from mathematics educators and historians of mathematics and science who use history in their teaching. This volume presents detailed descriptions of how to build or have students build and use historical models in the high school or collegiate mathematics classroom. Each model is either a replica of a historical device or a model depicting a historical mathematical or scientific concept.

The author: Amy Shell-Gellasch has edited two other volumes, "From Calculus to Computers" with Dick Jardine and the proceedings of a conference on the history of undergraduate mathematics in America. A native of Birmingham, Michigan, she currently is a faculty fellow at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.

The book: This book provides the personal financial planning education that today’s workers need not only to survive, but also to thrive. It shares a conversation between reader and author over the periodic interruptions of a poorly trained, commission-obsessed financial salesman. Furthermore, by tying into interactive components available at www.totalcandor.com, readers can estimate the implications of their proposed saving habits and make other critical financial calculations. Readers also can acquire a personalized toolkit, which shows that—whatever their age—the best time to start planning for the future is now.

The author: Michael B. Rubin is a certified public accountant and a certified financial planner professional. In addition to providing financial advice to clients, he speaks about and provides guidance on personal financial planning topics. He lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his wife and daughter.

The book: As a graduate student, Roy G. Phillips heeded the advice of renowned genealogist and author Alex Haley, who encouraged the researcher to record the history and wisdom of his family elders while they were still alive. Phillips describes the story of his family as it journeyed through slavery, Reconstruction, segregation, the great migration out of the south, the World Wars, the civil rights movement and the tumultuous period of the 1960s and 1970s through the dawning of the 21st century. This is the story of how he and his family survived racism through dedication, discipline, determination, study and hard work.

The author: Roy G. Phillips and his wife live in rural Webster Parish near Minden, Louisiana, on the old family homestead. Part of the proceeds of this book will be dedicated to raising the educational and economic level of the people of Cape Coast Ghana.

The book: Ten months after the Sept. 11 attacks, Benjamin Orbach left his home in Pittsburgh for Jordan. He had no place to live and no one waiting to see him. Officially, the purpose of his trip was to research a Jordanian-American trade program and expand his language skills. Unofficially, he set out on a self-appointed secret diplomatic mission to confront stereotypes, correct false perceptions and find common ground between Americans and Arabs. He returned in August 2003 with fresh insights, unexpected lessons and colorful tales from 13 months of living in and traveling throughout the region.

The author: Benjamin Orbach worked as deputy regional coordinator of the Middle East Partnership Initiative at the US Department of State from 2004 to 2007. A speaker of Arabic and Hebrew, he has lived in and traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and North Africa. He lives in Washington DC.

The book: This book investigates the role of rhetoric in shaping public perceptions about a novel technology: peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. While broadband Internet services now allow speedy transfers of complex media files, Americans face real uncertainty about whether peer-to-peer file sharing is or should be legal. Logie analyzes the public arguments growing out of more than five years of debate sparked by the advent of Napster, the first widely adopted peer-to-peer technology. He joins the ongoing effort to challenge and change copyright law so that it fulfills its purpose of fostering creativity and innovation while protecting the rights of artists in an attention economy.

The author: John Logie, an associate professor of rhetoric at the University of Minnesota, is known for his work addressing questions of authorship and textual ownership. He has written for numerous publications and is chair of the Committee on Intellectual Property of the Conference of College Composition and Communication.

The book: Did the New Deal represent the true American way, or was it an aberration that would last only until the old order could reassert itself? This study tells the story of the New Deal, explains its origins and assesses its legacy. Alan Lawson explores how the circumstances of the Great Depression and the leadership of Franklin D. Roosevelt combined to bring about unprecedented economic and policy reform. Challenging conventional wisdom, he argues that the New Deal was not an improvised response to an unexpected crisis, but the realization of an opportunity to put into practice Roosevelt's long-developed progressive thought.

The author: Alan Lawson, professor emeritus of history and honors at Boston College, has been a professor of American intellectual history at the University of California, Smith College and Boston College. His writings have stressed the importance of the arts to public life and described the ways in which the public sector has responded to the arts.

The book: This expanded edition, part of the publisher's Newcomer's Handbook city guides, contains detailed information on Boston's neighborhoods, getting settled, helpful services, child care and education, cultural life and much more. It contains nearly 500 pages of useful information to help you with your move or just get to know Boston better.

The author: Heather (Gordon) Huntington is a movie critic and entertainment writer for ReelzChannel.com. A former advertising copywriter, she has also published in The Bark magazine and placed in the 2004 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Josh, and their dog, Mr. Big.

The book: Frank Lloyd Wright's Palmer house, built in Ann Arbor in the early 1950s, is one of Wright's last residential masterpieces. The book presents the events surrounding the selection of Wright as architect; Wright's creation of the design; the challenges and craftsmanship of its construction; the evolution of its garden and teahouse; the role of the house as a setting for the Palmers' lives; and an analysis of its formal and spatial qualities. It also offers an exploration of a living work of art and a portrait of the people who treasured its presence in their lives for half a century.

The author: Ann Eaton, '76, MA'78, lives on the Oregon coast with her husband Leonard K. Eaton, a U-M professor emeritus of architecture. Together, they recorded an extensive series of interviews with Mary and Billy Palmer and their family and collected photographs. Grant Hildebrand would eventually use this extensive set of materials to write this book.

The book: All of us, at some point in our lives, will eat alone. And, thanks to Jenni Ferrari-Adler, it can be an adventure. In this collection of witty, poignant and humorous essays, 26 writers and "foodies" (including author Nora Ephron and chef Marcella Hazan) invite us not only into their kitchens, but also their lives. From Thailand to New York to Michigan to Cape Cod, this collection of essays is as diverse, moving and inspiring as the recipes they provide, making it a welcome companion for anyone who is happy, sad, even just plain hungry, and dining alone.

The author: Jenni Ferrari-Adler has a literary and culinary background, having worked as a reader for The Paris Review, an assistant at a literary agency and a creative writing teacher at U-M. She also studied cooking at the French Culinary Institute and The Natural Gourmet. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

The book: Although largely ignored by historians of both baseball in general and the Negro leagues in particular, Latinos have been a significant presence in organized baseball from the beginning. This benchmark study on Latinos and professional baseball from the 1880s to the present, tells a compelling story of the men who negotiated the color line at every turn—passing as "Spanish" in the major leagues or seeking respect and acceptance in the Negro leagues. Adrian Burgos draws on archival materials from the United States, Cuba and Puerto Rico as well as Spanish- and English-language publications and interviews with Negro league and major league players.

The author: Adrian Burgos Jr. is assistant professor of history at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He was a contributing author to "Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues and the Story of African American Baseball" and served on committees for the National Baseball Hall of Fame's 2006 special election of Negro leagues.

The book: In this engaging inquiry, Warren J. Belasco considers the rise of the "countercuisine" in the 1960s and the subsequent success of mainstream businesses in turning granola, herbal tea and other "revolutionary" foodstuffs into profitable products; the popularity of vegetarian and vegan diets; and the increasing availability of organic foods. Originally published in 1989, this book has been fully updated for the 21st century.

The author: Warren J. Belasco is a professor of American studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is the author of "Meals to Come: A History of the Future of Food" and "Americans on the Road: From Autocamp to Motel" and the coeditor of "Food Nations: Selling Taste in Consumer Societies."

The book: Regarded as one of the founders of American studies, Daniel Aaron has written a memoir that spans nearly a century of public and private life in America and abroad. In "The Americanist," he writes with unsentimental nostalgia about his childhood in Los Angeles and Chicago and his later academic career, which took him around the globe, often in the role of America's accidental yet impartial critic. He also describes his encounters with many of the 20th century's most notable figures, from Ralph Ellison and Robert Frost to Lillian Hellman and Sinclair Lewis. Aaron's frank and personal observations of these literary lights make for engaging reading.

The author: Daniel Aaron is the Victor S. Thomas Professor of English and American Literature, Emeritus at Harvard University. He taught for more than three decades each at Smith College and Harvard and has written many books, including "Men of Good Hope: A Story of American Progressives" and "Writers on the Left."

The book: "A Safe Position" tells the tale of Shannon O'Grady, a teacher and counselor who struggles in the maze of the public educational system. Parents derive insights from her opinions, and instructors and counselors sympathize with her frustrations. At the same time, she experiences life's other sorrows and joys, with an interesting cast of characters. While this story is meant to initiate dialogue regarding the causes of student failure, it's also meant to entertain. Prepare to learn, shed a few tears and have a couple of laughs.

The author: Kathleen M. Burke taught for several years in the Detroit area before moving to Texas, where she held a counseling position for 22 years. Now retired, she indulges in a variety of hobbies, including golf, music, travel, literature and writing.

The book: Bitsy has always had her life figured out: marry, have kids and move to the suburbs. At 43, things have gone exactly as planned. Then, everything changes. As her husband lies unconscious, an empty bottle of pills on the nightstand, Bitsy is forced to answer these questions and more. Why is the mail filled with bank notices and overdue bills? Where are her so-called friends? Why is her son's school principal suddenly so attractive? And for the first time, instead of wondering when things will get back to normal, Bitsy wonders if things were ever normal in the first place.

The author: Author of the novel "Lucky Me," Debra Borden grew up in Great Neck, New York. Though she now writes full time, she is a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey, where she lives with her family.

The book: Two little girls are admitted to the intensive care unit with burn injuries that indicate possible child abuse. The police investigation soon focuses on their father, and the medical, social and legal systems swing into action. Dr. Steven Crane is both a participant in and an observer of this process. He wonders if the father might actually be telling the truth. But child abuse is a horrible crime, and Crane soon learns that, where child abuse is concerned, the accused are guilty until proven innocent.

The author: Robert Bartlett is professor emeritus of surgery at U-M. His clinical career included general surgery, trauma and life-support systems. His research has been recognized with many awards, including election to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. He also has authored 12 medical monographs and texts.

The book: Neurosurgeon Donald Ingram confronts the challenges of four seriously ill patients using his untried theories of the mind-body connection. What was confined to the philosophical comes to life as he wrestles with the relationship between brain, mind and soul. A professor who can no longer recall words that begin with F, a Secret Service agent who monitors care for a top-secret patient and the unexpected appearance of a long-lost love force the highly structured doctor to reassess his priorities.

The author: Robert Bartlett is professor emeritus of surgery at U-M. His clinical career included general surgery, trauma and life-support systems. His research has been recognized with many awards, including election to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. He also has authored 12 medical monographs and texts.

The book: The Walla Walla Oliver knew when he was young was a wheat and cow town in the remote southeastern corner of a remote northwestern state. Or at least the town and the state were remote when he grew up there. Perhaps Whitman college and its Conservatory made a difference, but its campus was only a place he pedaled by on his way home from work, its museum a place to visit once or twice a year, an auditorium where his mother sometimes sang. The men who influenced Oliver were a different breed. Those were the men fatherless Oliver grew up around. Weathered men, ready to drink up their week's wages, ready for a fight, men who took off their hats in the presence of a lady, and who would do business on a hand shake, they were part of Oliver's Walla Walla. That's why he wants to tell about them and about the two Walla Wallas.

The author: John Kolars, born in Walla Walla in 1929, grew up there during the Great Depression and World War II. During those decades the town was transforming itself from a frontier settlement to the cultural center it is today. At seventeen, he enlisted in the army, and with the help of a G.E.D. diploma and the G.I. Bill, became Professor of Geography and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Michigan. He is recognized as an authority on water in the Middle East, and has received the title of Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at the United States Foreign Service Institute.

The book: Toward the end of the sixteenth century, and throughout the seventeenth, thinking in spatial terms assumed extraordinary urgency among Russia's ruling elites. The two great developments of this era in Russian history - the enserfment of the peasantry and the conquest of a vast Eastern empire - fundamentally concerned spatial control and concepts of movements across the land. Cartographies of Tsardom explores how these twin themes of fixity and mobility obliged Russians to think in spatial terms.

The author: Valerie Kivelson is a U-M faculty member and the author of "Autocracy in the Provinces: Russian Political Culture and the Gentry in the Seventeenth Century" and the coeditor of "Orthodox Russia: Studies in Belief and Practice." She currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan

The book: This is a memoir of a woman who worked for nearly 20 years as a house mother in three different sororities. She writes about many stories that reveal the hilarious, frustrating, and touching reality that was her job and her daily life.

The author: After a career in advertising, W.B. Devine became a sorority house mother at three Midwest universities, including Tridelt on Tappan at U-M. She recently retired from sorority life, and now enjoys ballroom dancing and spending time with her sons and grandchildren. She lives in southeastern Michigan.

The book: How do Uma Thurman, Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Garner manage to look so sleek and sculpted? They do it with help from today's top fitness coaches, who share their advice in this new book. Each chapter focuses on a different goal, whether you want flat abs, toned arms or a buff behind. You get the actual exercise regimens prescribed for the stars along with their diet and motivation tips. And Shaffer, herself a certified trainer, combines all the best techniques described in the book into an exclusive 12-week workout plan.

The author: As fitness director for Fitness magazine, Alyssa Shaffer has worked with dozens of celebrity exercise gurus. She is also an award-winning freelance writer and has contributed health and fitness articles to Family Circle, Ladies' Home Journal, Health, Redbook, Tennis, Men's Health, Biography and Cooking Light.

The book: In this epic cycling adventure in the tradition of "The Long Season," Eric Durak sets out to chase an obscure climbing world record and encounters surprising challenges as an athlete and as a family man on the road of life. A shot in the arm for every athlete who dreamed of accomplishing the impossible, "98 Miles High" is a story of challenge and perseverance in the face of adversity.

The author: Eric Durak's research experience is in the application of exercise for special population groups, such as those with diabetes, cancer and metabolic disorders. He is the author of monographs as well as scientific articles published in several journals and magazine articles.

The book: Join Elizabeth's midlife flight to the Holy Land as she questions her marriage and her life. See how God reaches her through people and events. Experience her walk on the Via Dolorosa, the way of the cross and her kayak trip down the Jordan River. Sit with her at an outdoor caf� and marvel at the sights and sounds of Jerusalem. Listen as she learns the names of God and hears about the matriarchs of the faith: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah. And discover, with Elizabeth, the true nature of agape love on the pilgrimage of a lifetime.

The author: Cheryl Dickow is a teacher in a Catholic middle school as well as an author and speaker. She has written two other books, "Raising Christian Children in a Secular World" and "Reclaiming Your Christian Self in a Secular World: A Woman's Worth." She and her husband have three teenage sons.

The book: Filtered through the twin lenses of human history and personal memory, and suffused with ironic appreciation, this book engages in a meditation on beauty and evil, cornucopia and loss. Drawing on the author's cross-cultural work in international health, the poems range widely and naturally across setting, personage and tongue-from Istanbul to Detroit, Mother Teresa to Gorm the Old, Swahili to Sanskrit. Variously anxious, rueful, witty, tender and worn, "A Form of Optimism" transcribes an arc of compassion and hope, embracing the mysteries of the world and the word.

The author: Roy Jacobstein's poetry appears in many literary publications and has won many awards, including the Felix Pollak Prize for his first book of poetry, "Ripe." A former official of the US Agency for International Development and a public health physician who works in Africa and Asia, he lives with his wife and daughter in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The book: Through hard work and determination, Barnett Helzberg built his family-owned business into a successful company that caught the attention of Warren Buffett, who purchased Helzberg Diamonds through his holding company. Helzberg shares his 30 years of experience in running a successful business and outlines the steps needed to prosper within a challenging business environment. The book is a road map for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to build a solid company that will stand the test of time.

The author: Barnett C. Helzberg, Jr. was president of Helzberg Diamonds, Inc., from 1962 to 1995, a period during which he expanded his family-owned business to 143 stores in 23 states.

Click here to see the winter 2007 business authors.

The book: Many of today's teens live troubled lives. Even those who live a "normal" life face the challenges adults face but lack the resources of adults for surviving those challenges. Building from the concept that story is a powerful source of meaning, this book suggests that the stories of other young adults can be a valuable resource. This book includes the insights of authors of young adult literature and lists more than 120 novels that teens have identified as meaningful and books that young adult authors and experts in the field of young adult literature have recommended.

The author: Mary Warner currently teaches young adult and children's literature at San Jos� State University, where she also works with the English Credential Program and serves as associate director of the San Jos� Area Writing Project. She has published numerous articles and is the editor and author of two chapters of "Winning Ways of Teaching Writing."

Click here to see the winter 2007 nonfiction authors.

The book: In United States v. George W. Bush et. al., the defendants are George W. Bush, Richard Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell. The crime is tricking the nation into war or, in legal terms, conspiracy to defraud the United States. The author has reviewed the evidence, researched the law, drafted an indictment and, in this lively, accessible book, presented it to a grand jury. The legal question is: Did the president and his team use false pretenses, half-truths and deliberate omissions to deceive Congress and the American public?

The author: Elizabeth de la Vega, a former federal prosecutor, was an assistant US attorney in Minneapolis as well as a member of the Organized Crime Strike Force and Branch Chief in San Jose, California. Since her 2004 retirement, she has been a regular contributor to TomDispatch.com and has written for The Nation, the Los Angeles Times, Salon and Mother Jones.

The book: The book is neither a biography of Mills nor a history of his company, BlackLight Power. Instead, the book tries to address why his work hasn't had a friendlier reception. One answer: the 1989 cold fusion fiasco, with which Mills' critics identified him. Another answer: Mills' sweeping challenge to the theoretical physicists, whom journal editors, scientists, graduate students, science writers, science managers, venture capitalists, funding agencies, Congress and the public hold in awe, even though astronomy has now shown that their theories can explain less than 5 percent of everything out there.

The author: Thomas Stolper is also the author of "China, Taiwan, and the Offshore Islands: Together With an Implication for Outer Mongolia and Sino-Soviet Relations, published in 1985 by M. E. Sharpe, Inc. He lives in New Haven, Connecticut.

Web site: http://homepage.mac.com/tstolper/FileSharing1.html

The book: This book, which dispels the misconceptions around homelessness, contains first-person accounts by some of Chicago's most diverse voices. Collected from the men and women of Inspiration Corporation, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless back to self-sufficiency, these true stories challenge modern preconceptions of homelessness and demonstrate how this often "faceless" problem affects everyone, regardless of race, color, creed or economic status.

The author: Karen M. Skalitzky is a graduate of Northwestern University and holds a master of art in literacy education from the University of Michigan. A former Teach for America corps member, she volunteers weekly at Inspiration Caf� and the Living Room Caf� in Chicago.

The book: As a captain in the US Army Dental Corps, Dr. Saul Sacks never saw combat during World War II, but he did escape injury and even death in more than a few situations, which he describes in graphic detail. However, this memoir is about love as much as it is about war. Sacks embraced his time in Europe with gusto, in spite of often bad conditions, using his brief leaves to immerse himself in local customs and culture—and affairs of the heart—all of which he recalls vividly.

The author: Born in Brooklyn, New York, Saul M. Sacks served in World War II and graduated from U-M, New York University College of Dentistry and the Columbia University School of Public Health. A retired orthodontist, he lives with his wife Lynn in Great Neck, New York. They have four children.

The book: With the close of the 20th century, Islam, the religion of the majority of Turkish citizens, burst into the public arena. Esra Özyürek analyzes the ways that Turkish citizens began to express an attachment and nostalgia for the secularist, modernist and nationalist foundations of the Turkish Republic. She describes how ordinary Turkish citizens demonstrated their affinity for Kemalism in the ways they organized their domestic space, decorated their walls, told their life stories,and interpreted political developments.

The author: Esra Özyürek is assistant professor of anthropology at the University of California, San Diego. She is the editor of "Politics of Public Memory: Production and Consumption of the Past in Turkey."

The book: Robert Hubard, an enlisted man and officer in the Army of Northern Virginia, wrote his memoir during an extended convalescence after being wounded in battle. He served under Confederate luminaries and fought with his unit at the battles of Antietam, Gettysburg and many others. The editor has fleshed out his memoir by use of Hubard's own wartime letters, making this memoir is of value to both scholars and avocational readers.

The author: Thomas P. Nanzig is an editor with ProQuest in Ann Arbor and author of four other books, including "3rd Virginia Cavalry."

The book: The phrase "memory painting" is an art term that is defined as the faculty of the mind to imagine or remember visual things. In "A World Set Apart," Marcia Muth creates detailed and colorful illustrations of the 1930s by combining imagination with her understanding of the time period.

The author: Marcia Muth has been painting since 1974. Her work is in private and public collections, including the Jewish Museum in New York and the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe. This is her 12th book but the first one on her paintings.

The book: This book presents a rigorous application of modern electromagnetic field theory to atomic theory. The historical view of quantum theory was developed before four major physical principles were known or understood: the standing energy that accompanies and encompasses electromagnetically active, electrically small volumes; the power-frequency relationships in nonlinear systems; the possible directivity of modal fields; and electron nonlocality. The inclusion of these effects yields a deterministic interpretation of quantum theory that is consistent with those of other sciences.

The author: Dale Grimes is professor emeritus of electrical engineering at Pennsylvania State University.

The book: This vacation guide provides information and recommendations on the city's shows, dining, transportation, tours and other attractions. A gambling guide provides the Vegas traveler with money management information and skills for most table games, slots and video poker.

The author: Lou Gifford is a resident of Saginaw, Michigan

The book: This collection of letters tells the story of a German boy sent to the United States in 1946 by well-meaning parents who hoped for a better life for their son. The story of Helmut's mission—to enable his family to join him in America—is marked by ironies and unexpected twists of fate. "Home Alone in America" also documents the transformation of a German schoolboy into an Americanized GI and veteran of the Korean War. This book was a finalist in the Autobiography/Memoirs category of the Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards.

The author: A native of the Chicago area, Elizabeth Arnswald Dost taught high school English and worked in journalism for about 10 years. In 1975, she married Helmut Dost, whose letters appear in "Home Alone in America."

Web site: www.homealoneinamerica.com

The book: This college textbook provides a balanced, deeply musical look at rock music from its roots to the present. Offering strong coverage of the music business, rock's visual culture and contemporary music, the text is complemented by listening guides to more than 70 major works.

The author: John Covach is professor of music at the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of Music. An active performer and studio musician, his writings on 20th century and popular music and the philosophy of music have appeared in numerous books and journals.

Web site: http://www.ibiblio.org/johncovach

The book: This book explains why midcentury American social theorists came to believe it was no longer meaningful to describe modern Western society as "capitalist." Considering the discussion today of capitalism and its global triumph, it is important to understand why a prior generation of social theorists imagined the future of advanced societies in some course of development leading beyond capitalism.

The author: Howard Brick is professor of history at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of "Age of Contradiction: American Thought and Culture in the 1960s" and "Daniel Bell and the Decline of Intellectual Radicalism: Social Theory and Political Reconciliation in the 1940s."

The book: More than just a travel guide, Watch It Made in the U.S.A. helps you experience firsthand the products, companies, technology and workers that fuel our economy. Whether you're curious about jelly beans or journalism, you can count on this book to help you and your family visit hundreds of companies across America.

The author: Bruce Brumberg and wife Karen Axelrod provide consulting services to companies and local tourist boards on factory tours, visitor centers and museums. Bruce also owns a legal and financial publishing company and is editor-in-chief of myStockOptions.com. They live with their children near Boston, Massachusetts.

Web site: http://www.factorytour.com

The book: The ancient city of Atlantis is threatened by a planet-shaping device. An international team of explorers races to save their home, which leads to a civilization that challenges many of their beliefs about life in the Pegasus Galaxy and their own heritage.

The author: In addition to writing this book and "Stargate Atlantis: The Chosen," Elizabeth Christensen works for the U.S. Air Force. She lives in London, Ohio.

The book: In this the third book in the Rockman saga, Drake and Ariel, along with their comrades, continue the battle to rid their world of the evil Dark Rider. A daring plan is in the works to end his reign of terror for good. But will it work?

The author: Mark Pickvet is the author of many books and articles related to glassware as well as books on the history of barns and related farm structures, collectible playing cards and the Rockman series of science fiction. He lives in Flint, Michigan.

Web site: http://www.authorstevehamilton.com

The book: On Valentine's Day, Sherry finds an anonymous note in her mailbox: be mine. As the notes continue, Sherry becomes more and more charged by the idea that she can inspire such feelings. When she discovers who her admirer is, she begins an affair with him. But events soon spiral out of control, threatening not only Sherry's marriage but also her son and her home.

The author: Laura Kasischke is the author of three previous novels and six collections of poetry. Her novel "The Life Before Her Eyes" has been adapted for a movie titled "In Bloom," which will premiere this fall. She lives in Chelsea, Michigan.

The book: Recipient of the LL Winship/PEN New England Fiction Award for 2007, this novel tells the story of Ted Riley, a graduate student during the Cold War. Determined to negotiate the perils of an era on the verge of dramatic changes, he encounters two people who widen his world. Andrew, a Polish refugee who works at the university library, is gay, outrageous and haunted; Dori is a smart, sexy Californian with scant patience for the compromises of a system that suppresses freedom in the name of the fight against communism. Ted comes to understand where his loyalties lie and recognizes that an America frightened into a vision of stability may still have the boldness to risk a leap into the future.

The author: K. C. Frederick is the author of three critically acclaimed novels: "Country of Memory," "The Fourteenth Day" and "Accomplices." Critics have compared his themes of ordinary people being observed by sinister government forces with those of Franz Kafka. Born and raised in Detroit, he now lives in the Boston area.

The book: In a follow-up to "Tales From the Crib," Jennifer Coburn brings readers into the wacky world of Lucy Klein and her hilariously dysfunctional family. This hip, so-funny-and-true-it-hurts novel explores the ties that bind-and sometimes strangle-between mothers and daughters.

The author: Jennifer Coburn is also the author of "The Wife of Reilly" and "Reinventing Mona." Raised in New York City, she now lives in San Diego with her husband and daughter.

The book: The Walla Walla Oliver knew when he was young was a wheat and cow town in the remote southeastern corner of a remote northwestern state. Or at least the town and the state were remote when he grew up there. Perhaps Whitman college and its Conservatory made a difference, but its campus was only a place he pedaled by on his way home from work, its museum a place to visit once or twice a year, an auditorium where his mother sometimes sang. The men who influenced Oliver were a different breed. Those were the men fatherless Oliver grew up around. Weathered men, ready to drink up their week's wages, ready for a fight, men who took off their hats in the presence of a lady, and who would do business on a hand shake, they were part of Oliver's Walla Walla. That's why he wants to tell about them and about the two Walla Wallas.

The author: John Kolars, born in Walla Walla in 1929, grew up there during the Great Depression and World War II. During those decades the town was transforming itself from a frontier settlement to the cultural center it is today. At seventeen, he enlisted in the army, and with the help of a G.E.D. diploma and the G.I. Bill, became Professor of Geography and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Michigan. He is recognized as an authority on water in the Middle East, and has received the title of Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at the United States Foreign Service Institute.

The book: Toward the end of the sixteenth century, and throughout the seventeenth, thinking in spatial terms assumed extraordinary urgency among Russia's ruling elites. The two great developments of this era in Russian history - the enserfment of the peasantry and the conquest of a vast Eastern empire - fundamentally concerned spatial control and concepts of movements across the land. Cartographies of Tsardom explores how these twin themes of fixity and mobility obliged Russians to think in spatial terms.

The author: Valerie Kivelson is a U-M faculty member and the author of "Autocracy in the Provinces: Russian Political Culture and the Gentry in the Seventeenth Century" and the coeditor of "Orthodox Russia: Studies in Belief and Practice." She currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan

The book: This story tells of how one spring day, a botanist finds an abandoned baby raccoon at the edge of her farmland. The simply-told and vividly-illustrated story accounts some of the adventures of the little raccoon as hew grows up with the companionship of the botanist and a student, and learns to live in his natural environment.

The author: Betty Jean Murray is a member of the American Society of Plant Biologists, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association. She owns the farm on which this story takes place and resides in West Bloomfield, Michigan

The book: Dance, Turn, Hop, Learn! features 38 movement lessons built around common early childhood curriculum themes, such as animals, seasons, colors, and shapes, all keyed to the Head Start early childhood learning standards. The lessons provide fun and accessible ways to encourage young children to learn the way they learn best-with their bodies! All of the exercises can be implemented as a self-contained movement curriculum or as a supplement to an existing curriculum.

The author: Connie Dow received her MFA degree in Dance from the University of Michigan. She has performed and taught dance in Michigan, New York, Venezuela, and Guatemala, as well as in Cincinnati. She currently lives in Wyoming, Ohio.

The book: For interfaith couples, finding a spiritual balance while navigating each other's religious and cultural traditions can test even the best of relationships. This book explores the author's challenges and he shares his own journey as a Christian father helping his Jewish wife raise their children in the Jewish faith.

The author: Jim Keen met his wife at U-M. They currently live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Wayne Smith, '60

What If ... What Then? Little Acorn Press, 2006

The book: According to the author, western science tells us that reality is wildly different than what our common sense tells us. Ancient Eastern philosophy, he asserts, holds the same view. "What If � What Then" explores these parallel worldviews.

The author: Wayne Smith also is the author of The Hole of the Third Eye: A Fable of Golf, Zen and Life and of Time Out: Using Visible Pull Systems. He resides in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

The book: This work is a compilation of letters, essays, poems and meditations submitted to the student athletes, coaches and librarians at Anchor Bay High over a sixteen-year period.

The author: Ronne Gleason is also the author of "A Single Eye of Light." He is a member of the American Naturopathic Medical Association and the Evangelical Philosophical Society - Biola University. He currently resides in Chesterfield Township, Michigan.

The book: Praying through Cancer is a 90-day devotional guide for women who have experienced cancer. The book uses scriptures, personal stories and practical tips to encourage the reader through a difficult time.

The author: Laura Geist is a former Michigan Daily writer. This is her first book. She currently resides in Beverly Hills, Michigan.

The book: Mchigan's brewing industry has grown from just a handful of brewers to more than 70 in the space of two years. They produce everything from pilsners to imperial stouts that are stronger than most wines. This book relates the story of the people who built the state's breweries and who brew the beer. It also provides information for readers who would like to visit Michigan breweries.

The author: Paul Ruschmann has produced seven books in the "Point/Counterpoint" series by Chelsea House Publishers, including: Legalizing Marijuana; Mandatory Military Service; The FCC and Regulating Indecency; The War on Terror; Media Bias; Tort Reform; and Miranda Rights. Another title, Private Property Rights, is due to be published in 2007. He lives in Canton, Michigan.

The book: This volume contains an overview of the Uniform Commercial Code of the United States. The code purports to deal with all the phases that may ordinarily arise in the handling of a commercial transaction, from start to finish.

The author: Bradford Stone is also the author and editor of West's Legal Forms from 1971-2001. He resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The book: Alphas - who are predominantly male - may be aggressive achievers who get things done, but, these authors say, their potential for explosive anger and ruthless competitiveness can be bad for business. Husband-and-wife consulting team Ludeman and Erlandson steer Alphas and those who work with them away from dysfunction and towards productivity.

The author: Eddie Erlandson has a background as a vascular surgeon for 25 years and is a former hospital chief of staff. He is also a founder of a respected wellness program. He resides in Austin, Texas.

The book: After years of focusing on career and family, most of us embark on the next phase of life with only a vague idea of what will make us happy. But you can guarantee yourself a long and successful retirement with "Your Retirement, Your Way!" Its revolutionary retirement planning approach combines a powerful self-assessment system based on the Birkman Method--a personality assessment system used by companies and government agencies worldwide--with sophisticated financial planning tools and step-by-step guidelines that allow you to define your ideal retirement environment, determine where you are now financially and where you want to be, and map out a solid plan for realizing your dreams in the shortest time possible.

The book: White trash. The phrase conjures up images of dirty rural folk who are poor, ignorant, violent, and incestuous. But where did this stigmatizing phrase come from? And why do these stereotypes persist? Matt Wray answers these and other questions by delving into the long history behind this term of abuse and others like it. Ranging from the early 1700s to the early 1900s, "Not Quite White" documents the origins and transformations of the multiple meanings projected on to poor rural whites in the United States. Wray draws on a wide variety of primary sources to construct a dense archive of changing collective representations of poor whites. Part historical inquiry and part sociological investigation, "Not Quite White" demonstrates the power of social categories and boundaries to shape social relationships and institutions, to invent groups where none exist, and to influence policies and legislation that end up harming the very people they aim to help. It illuminates not only the cultural significance and consequences of poor white stereotypes, but also how dominant whites exploited and expanded these stereotypes to bolster and defend their own fragile claims to whiteness.

The author: Matt Wray is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a 2006-08 Robert Wood Johnson Health and Society Scholar at Harvard University.

The book: In 1960, two high school friends were assigned to read, as part of their English class, the Herman Melville novel Moby-Dick. Neither one of them read it. Four decades later, plagued by feelings of guilt at never having read "The Great American Novel," the two friends grab for belated gusto. They vow to go in search again of the big fish and this time actually read Moby-Dick rather than just passing the test on it. Over the six months of their reading odyssey, the authors wrote a series of letters and e-mails chronicling their experience and encouraging each other's progress. This body of correspondence is now a book. Actually, the reading of Moby-Dick is just a platform. And while it is the primary substance of the book, the writers do not worry themselves much about staying within subject matter boundaries. The letters also touch on: their 50-year friendship, growing old, Alex Rodriguez, the War in Iraq, Bob Dylan, speculation on the chances of getting sick in Mexico, the true story of how Hemingway got to Sweden, the cause of nightmares, Bebe Rebozo, Vladimir Nabokov, redemption and death. As you can tell by the last two items, the authors are not afraid to tackle the "big themes," meaning, of course, there is Nobel Prize potential here. "Two Guys Read Moby-Dick" will have you laughing from start to finish, and pondering life's many mysteries, of course!

The author: Terrence N. Hill worked for more than 30 years in advertising, beginning as a copywriter and later running agencies in New York and Europe. He has published poetry, essays and short fiction and was the writer for two CBC-TV (Canada) documentary series. In 2005, Terry's first play, "Hamlet - The Sequel," won the Playhouse on the Green playwriting competition.

The book: Warm Up the Snake" is the sprawling, backstage chronicle of John Rich's legendary career as a television and film director. Written from an insider's perspective, "Warm Up the Snake" is packed with unforgettable stories of the larger-than-life personalities, Hollywood deals, and groundbreaking productions that helped define two generations of television and film. Rich offers a new angle on the entertainment industry---a fascinating tell-all into the world behind the cameras and microphones. As director and producer of dozens of radio, TV, and film hits, Rich enjoyed a career that spanned half a century and began virtually from the birth of television. Much more than simply a star-studded hit parade, "Warm Up the Snake" also reveals some amazing, rarely seen observations on the art, business, and politics of filmmaking, directing and producing. Not only was Rich an accomplished director, he also was an innovator who rightly garners credit for many of the tricks of the trade we now take for granted. "Warm Up the Snake" is a must-have for film and TV buffs, Hollywood aficionados, or anyone interested in some of the greatest decades of American television and film.

The author: John Rich directed and produced some of the most well-known and beloved shows in television history, including The Dick Van Dyke Show, All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude, Good Times, Barney Miller, Newhart, Benson, The Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island, and many more. His feature film credits include Wives and Lovers; Boeing, Boeing; and Roustabout, starring Elvis Presley; as well as the live telecast of the opening day ceremonies of Disneyland in 1955. He won an Emmy for The Dick Van Dyke Show, two Emmys for All in the Family, and two Golden Globes for All in the Family.

The book: The autobiography of Roy Smith.

The author: Roy Smith has a history of service, serving the Marine Corps 1943-45, serving on the Ypsilanti Township Board of Tax Review and the Washtenaw County Board of Supervisors, and launching a political career in the House of Representatives in 1967. He has continued to have deep involvement in local and national political arenas and is now married to the former Shirley Sanford, has three children, and is a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and the American Legion.

The book: A Recipe for Hope: Stories of Transformation by People Struggling with Homelessness dispels the misconceptions around homelessness through first-person accounts by some of Chicago's most diverse voices. This text demonstrates how this often faceless problem affects everyone, regardless of race, color, creed or economic status.

The author: Karen Skalitzky is a former Teach for America corps member and now volunteers with Inspiration Corporation, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to helping the homeless back to self-sufficiency. She resides in Chicago, Illinois.

The book: The book remains the most complete assessment of black families available in both depth and breadth of coverage. Cross-disciplinary in nature, the book features contributions from such fields as family studies, anthropology, education, psychology, social work, and public policy.

The author: Harriette Pipes McAdoo is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, Department of Family and Child Ecology. Previously, she was Professor at Howard University in the School of Social Work and Visiting Lecturer at Smith College, the University of Washington, and the University of Minnesota. She currently lives in Okemos, Michigan.

The book: This is an overview of the negative history of sexuality in this country, and the author's responses to many important questions from teenagers.

The author: Sylvia Hacker is a former recipient of the Mae Edna Doyle Teacher of the Year award and the Family Planning Service Award. She is affiliated with UMRA, AASECT, and Planned Parenthood, and is an alumna of the School of Public Health and the School of Education. She resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The book: From Many Gods to One offers the first comparative study of poetic approaches to the problem of epic divine action. Through readings of Petrarch, Vida, Ariosto, Tasso, and Milton, Tobias Gregory describes the narrative and ideological consequences of the epic's turn from pagan to Christian.

The author: Tobias Gregory is assistant professor of literature at Claremont McKenna College. He resides in Claremont, California.

The book: This vacation guidebook highlights the entertainment available in Las Vegas. It summarizes Las Vegas shows, dining, transportation, tours and other attractions. It also includes a gambling guide and provides information to help the Vegas traveler with money management and gambling skills for most table games, slots and video poker.