CASSETTE BOOKS 1993
National Library Service
for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Washington, DC  1993
Nonfiction
Adventure
Edges of the Earth: A Man, a Woman, a Child in the Alaskan
Wilderness  RC 34406
by Richard Leo
narrated by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
In 1981 the author and his friend Melissa abandon New York City
jobs and set off for Alaska. There they slowly acquire the
necessary skills for wilderness survival, have a son, Janus, and
learn the difference between isolation and loneliness. Melissa
gives up. But father and son continue their frontier life in this
account of homesteading in Alaska. Some strong language. 1991.
Means of Escape  RC 34580
by Philip Caputo
narrated by Ray Foushee
3 cassettes
Much of Caputo's life has centered around war. His memoirs detail
his youth, which ended with combat in Vietnam, and his first
reporting job with the _Chicago Tribune_, which led to his
dangerously eventful career as a foreign correspondent. Excerpts
from his work illustrate how experiences in Vietnam, Lebanon, and
Afghanistan have molded Caputo's psyche. Violence and strong
language. 1991.
The Search for the Pink-headed Duck  RC 35821
by Rory Nugent
narrated by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
The last time a pink-headed duck was sighted in India was in
1935, but nearly fifty years later, Nugent, undaunted, embarks
upon a trip to find the rare duck. He begins his search in
Calcutta, and spends weeks in New Delhi getting a travel visa.
From there he visits Sikkim, with its giant rhododendron forest,
and the Valley of Bliss. He travels down the Brahmaputra River
amid pirates, leeches, and crocodiles. Some violence. 1991.
The Sign and the Seal: The Quest for the Lost Ark of the Covenant
RC 35161
by Graham Hancock
narrated by George Holmes
4 cassettes
A British journalist and East African correspondent for the
_Economist_ is hired to write a book for the Ethiopian
government. Forbidden to photograph a group of indigenous
Jews--the Falashas--he explores an area where they live, but is
refused entrance to their sanctuary. Hancock is then convinced
that Ethiopia holds the secrets to the fate of the lost Ark of
the Covenant. 1992.
The Ark's Anniversary  RC 34252
by Gerald Durrell
narrated by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Englishman Gerald Durrell has created a zoo and a worldwide trust
for the purpose of breeding, nursing, and returning to their
habitats members of species nearing extinction. On the
twenty-fifth anniversary of Jersey Zoo, Durrell humorously
reminisces about the animals and the people who have made the zoo
a success. On a more serious note, the conservationist warns of
the problem of vanishing habitats. 1990.
Bandit: Dossier of a Dangerous Dog  RC 34255
by Vicki Hearne
narrated by Suzanne Nelson
2 cassettes
Bandit is a victim of pit bull hysteria. He is a bulldog mix who
bit two people: one to protect a friend and property and one in
self-defense. Condemned to death by the state of Connecticut,
Bandit was defended by a lawyer and by author Hearne, an animal
trainer who was an expert witness. Hearne describes the trial and
her adoption of Bandit, and she laments the lack of understanding
humans have for other species. 1991.
Close Friends  RC 34388
by Peter Jenkins
narrated by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
After just two nights on his newly acquired 135-acre Tennessee
farm, Jenkins began to think that a condominium with twenty feet
of yard might be better. But along with his wife, Barbara, who
later leaves him, Jenkins begins to adjust to the farm life among
several dogs, cows, horses, and a barn cat. His adventures with a
number of animals include trips to Alaska and Inner Mongolia, and
he conveys a deep love for all creatures. 1989.
The Dark Romance of Dian Fossey  RC 34196
by Harold T.P. Hayes
narrated by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
An author of African studies explores the private life of the
primatologist Dian Fossey, found murdered in Rwanda in 1985.
Fossey, who made the world aware of mountain gorillas, described
her sixteen years in the jungles of Africa in _Gorillas in the
Mist (RC 19930)_. But much of her personal life remained a
mystery, until Hayes researched the background of this enigmatic
woman who used radical methods to save the gorillas from
extinction. 1990.
A Dog Is Listening: The Way Some of Our Closest Friends View Us
RC 35055
by Roger A. Caras
narrated by John Stratton
2 cassettes
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals's
eighteenth president, Roger Caras, and his family have raised
many animals including over fifty dogs. Using illustrative
anecdotes, Caras describes canines' often amazing
capabilities--such as one dog's ability to sense her owner's
oncoming seizures in time to warn her and other family members.
1992.
+Every Living Thing  RC 34042
by James Herriot
narrated by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
In this sequel to _The Lord God Made Them All (RC 15864)_, Dr.
Herriot looks back at his family and his practice after World War
II, when he and his partners expanded their care of farm animals
to include more and more small animals. He introduces new
assistants and villagers, whose various livestock and pets
Herriot and his partners treat with new medical techniques,
knowledge, common sense, and love. Bestseller 1992.
Fifty Years in the Dog House  RC 34116
by Lloyd Alexander
narrated by Owen Jordan
2 cassettes (Reissue)
The biography of a special agent of the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The author describes the
workings of the organization and many animal-rescue operations.
1964.
The Guilt-free Dog-Owner's Guide: Caring for a Dog When You're
Short on Time and Space  RC 35144
by Diana Delmar
narrated by J.P. Linton
1 cassette
Geared toward urban dwellers, Delmar's guide tells how to choose
the ideal dog for each environment and life-style by considering
the dog's size, temperament, and exercise and grooming needs. The
remainder of the book describes appropriate, humane care and the
companionship requirements of the urban dog. Product and
information list included. 1990.
The Moon by Whale Light and Other Adventures among Bats,
Penguins, Crocodilians, and Whales  RC 34387
by Diane Ackerman
narrated by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Essays by _New Yorker_ nature writer Ackerman document her
experiences observing exotic animals in their habitats, under the
guidance of the experts who study them. Ackerman uses her
descriptive skills as a poet to portray the feel, smell, sound,
appearance, and customs of the often misunderstood animals
represented in this collection. 1991.
The Rites of Autumn: A Falconer's Journey across the American
West  RC 32925
by Dan O'Brien
narrated by Dick Jenkins
1 cassette
A biologist who helps save nearly extinct peregrine falcons
prepares Dolly, raised in captivity, to return to the wild.
Together they follow a common migratory route from Montana to the
Texas Gulf. And together they learn to adapt to wilderness and
survive outside of civilization. 1988.
Vet on the Wild Side  RC 34320
by David Taylor
narrated by Patrick Horgan
2 cassettes
Billed as "the world's only traveling wild-animal doctor," Taylor
continues his series of books describing his worldwide
interactions with exotic animals. The British doctor's unique,
twenty-year practice has included such diverse experiences as
stumbling on a cure for dying panda Chu-Lin and smuggling sick
dolphins out of Cairo. 1990.
The Arts
Blood Memory  RC 34105
by Martha Graham
narrated by Flo Gibson
2 cassettes
Graham muses on her life and dance, which are almost synonymous,
shortly before her death in 1991 at the age of ninety-six. She
touches on her childhood in Pennsylvania and the family's move to
California; her collaboration with many contemporary creative
artists; the inspiration that she found in her friend, Helen
Keller; and her uncompromising effort to promote "movement" in a
genre that has become known as modern dance. 1991.
Convergences: Essays on Art and Literature  RC 34571
by Octavio Paz
narrated by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Sixteen essays examine topics as diverse as speaking in tongues
and translating poetry. In "At Table and in Bed," Paz claims that
"American contradiction--a democratic universalism based on
ethnic, cultural, religious, and sexual exclusions--is reflected
in its cuisine." Artists, linguists, and writers are discussed
more seriously by the 1990 Nobel Laureate in Literature. 1987.
Holding on to the Air: An Autobiography  RC 33147
by Suzanne Farrell and Toni Bentley
narrated by Marcia Churchill
3 cassettes
Prima ballerina Suzanne Farrell tells her story, including the
details of her intense relationship with choreographer George
Balanchine. Star of the New York City Ballet for most of her
career, Farrell describes how her passion for dance took her from
the suburbs of Cincinnati to the stages of the world. 1990.
Learning to Look  RC 33477
by John Pope-Hennessy
narrated by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
A British art historian, whose area of expertise is Italian
Renaissance painting and sculpture, records his life as a
scholar, museum administrator, lecturer, and writer of more than
twenty books. Although he states that "objects mean more to me
than people," he is especially complimentary about American art
students and considers his tenure at the Metropolitan Museum of
Art among the best years of his life. 1991.
O'Keeffe and Stieglitz: An American Romance  RC 33709
by Benita Eisler
narrated by Madelyn Buzzard
5 cassettes
This dual biography chronicles the thirty-year relationship
between photographer Alfred Stieglitz and painter Georgia
O'Keeffe. Although the author concentrates primarily on the
couple's private lives, she also explores their upbringing and
their working relationship. Stieglitz admitted O'Keeffe into his
exclusive New York art circle and acted as her dealer, while she
often posed as his model. They married in 1924. 1991.
Biography
Other biographies are listed in specific subject categories, such
as literature, music, sports, stage and screen, and U.S. history.
All the Pain That Money Can Buy: The Life of Christina Onassis
RC 34230
by William Wright
narrated by Lydia Humphries
3 cassettes
The child of Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, Christina
grew up in luxury but not without unhappiness. Her parents'
divorce and remarriages and the subsequent deaths of her brother,
mother, and father devastated the heiress. Christina's own
disastrous romantic life is detailed, as well as her adoration
for her daughter Athina. Some strong language and some
descriptions of sex. 1991.
Anastasia: The Lost Princess  RC 35371
by James Blair Lovell
narrated by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
In 1972 Anna Anderson Manahan agreed to cooperate with Lovell in
telling her story--the story of Anastasia, daughter of Czar
Nicholas II. Lovell, who spent nearly twenty years researching
Manahan's tale, uses family documents, memorabilia, and photos,
as well as more than one hundred hours of tape recordings by
Manahan, to support his belief that she was really Anastasia.
Some violence. 1991.
Archibald MacLeish: An American Life  RC 35492
by Scott Donaldson
narrated by Bruce Huntey
5 cassettes
Seldom has the solitary life of a poet been combined for so long
with a public life. Donaldson documents how MacLeish's philosophy
of duty led him to careers in law, publishing, government, and
academia in addition to his lifelong dedication to the muse. The
subject of this biography won the Pulitzer Prize--twice for
poetry, and once for the verse play _J.B. (RC 11909)_. Some
strong language. 1992.
Barbara Bush: A Biography  RC 34695
by Pamela Kilian
narrated by Barbara Caruso
2 cassettes
Kilian has known Barbara Bush for more than ten years and spoke
with many of Mrs. Bush's friends and companions from her youth to
her years in the White House. Kilian discusses Mrs. Bush's
childhood in New York, education at a southern finishing school
and at a prestigious women's college, marriage to George Bush,
family setbacks, and life in politics. 1992.
The Bookmaker's Daughter: A Memory Unbound  RC 34747
by Shirley Abbott
narrated by Terry Hayes Sales
2 cassettes
Hat Abbott, a racetrack bookmaker, was the one who instilled in
the author a love of literature. She tells of growing up under
the influence of the domineering southerner, a product of a
dysfunctional family and a failure as a loving husband, who
offered conflicting advice about women's capabilities. Her
daughterly admiration faded as her aging father revealed definite
racist and sexist tendencies. 1991.
Childhood  RC 34929
by Jan Myrdal
narrated by John Horton
1 cassette
Swedish author Jan Myrdal discusses growing up as the son of
Nobel Prize recipients Alva and Gunnar Myrdal. Although Alva was
known for her work in child development, Jan felt that her own
mothering skills were lacking and describes humiliating episodes
when Alva would complain to visitors about her problem child. Jan
felt closer to his grandparents, with whom he lived for much of
his childhood. Explicit descriptions of sex. 1991.
Columbus  RC 34330
by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto
narrated by Ed Blake
2 cassettes
A historian of the late fifteenth-century period, familiar with
the primary sources on which he bases his findings, writes a
biographical account of the discoverer of America. This author
claims that he has neither embellished the facts nor included any
information that cannot be verified. In so doing, he debunks
mystifying legends, conclusions based on intuition, and even the
image that Columbus created for himself in his own writings.
1991.
Cures: A Gay Man's Odyssey  RC 35280
by Martin Duberman
narrated by Jon Beryl
2 cassettes
Duberman, noted historian, professor, activist, and playwright,
describes his life in terms of his homosexuality. For much of his
life, encouraged by therapists, he struggled to overcome what he
considered to be an unnatural condition. Eventually, Duberman
accepted his orientation and used his skills as an activist for
the gay rights cause. Some strong language and explicit
descriptions of sex. 1991.
Daughter of Persia: A Woman's Journey from Her Father's Harem
through the Islamic Revolution  RC 35176
by Sattareh Farman Farmaian
and Dona Munker
narrated by Yolande Bavan
4 cassettes
Born in 1921, the author was raised in a traditional Muslim
family compound--except that her father believed in educating all
of his children. She received an American college education and
went home to found the Tehran School of Social Work, which she
ran until 1979 when she was forced to flee Iran. Some violence.
1992.
Diana: Her True Story  RC 35267
by Andrew Morton
narrated by Jon Beryl
2 cassettes
Morton uses information from undisclosed sources and Diana's
family and friends for this portrait of the Princess of Wales,
beginning with her childhood. Morton believes that Diana is an
unhappy woman, trapped in a loveless marriage, who distrusts
everyone around her, but who is coming to terms with her
life--changing from victim to victor. Bestseller 1992.
Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows  RC 35347
by Lady Colin Campbell
narrated by Patricia Kilgarriff
3 cassettes
Lady Campbell draws on her connections with the royal houses of
Europe as well as the British royal family for her story of
Diana's private life. She discusses Diana's childhood, her
parents' divorce, her attraction to Charles, their engagement and
wedding, and the cracks that shortly appeared in their marriage.
She also covers the princess's work with children, the elderly,
and the sick. Bestseller 1992.
Edwina Mountbatten: A Life of Her Own  RC 34368
by Janet Morgan
narrated by Janis Gray
5 cassettes
At twenty, wealthy Edwina Ashly marries Lord Louis Mountbatten
(Dickie). Dickie's naval career often keeps him away, and
Edwina's life soon becomes a whirl of parties and romances.
However, World War II brings out her hardworking nature as she
throws herself into the war effort. When the Mountbattens become
the viceroy and vicereine of India, Edwina begins a lasting
friendship with Jawaharlal Nehru. 1991.
Etchings in an Hourglass  RC 34351
by Kate Simon
narrated by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
This third volume of Kate Simon's memoirs concludes the story of
a child brought to New York from Poland.
Her well-documented travel account turns now to the people,
rather than the places, with whom she shares her life. Sequel to
_Bronx Primitive (RC 20621)_ and _A Wider World (RC 24437)_.
1990.
The Five of Hearts: An Intimate Portrait of Henry Adams and His
Friends, 1880-1918  RC 34208
by Patricia O'Toole
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
The Five of Hearts was an elite coterie consisting of writer and
historian Henry Adams, his wife Clover, politician John Hay,
Hay's wife Clara, and geologist Clarence King. Using letters,
diaries, and memoirs, O'Toole chronicles the friendships that
started in 1880 at social gatherings in the Adamses' Washington,
D.C., home and lasted a lifetime despite suicide, affairs, and
deceptions. 1990.
Francis Bacon: The Temper of a Man  RC 34517
by Catherine Drinker Bowen
narrated by Guy Sorel
2 cassettes (Reissue)
A biography of the Elizabethan statesman who rose to political
prominence early in life, only to have his career destroyed by a
charge of bribery. He retired from public life to write and again
distinguished himself as a philosopher and literary figure. 1963.
From Lenin to Lennon: A Memoir of Russia in the Sixties  RC 35715
by David Gurevich
narrated by Noah Siegel
2 cassettes
When this son of educated Jewish parents applied for an exit visa
from the Soviet Union in the 1970s, he was amazed that it was
granted. Gurevich describes his relatively privileged upbringing,
during which he studied to become a diplomat. But his fondness
for Western rock music and movies created suspicion. He found
work as a tour guide and a translator. Fortunately, he got out
before "they" learned what he said! 1991.
From the Deep Woods to Civilization: Chapters in the
Autobiography of an Indian  RC 34328
by Charles A. Eastman
narrated by J.P. Linton
1 cassette
The author had a traditional Sioux upbringing. At fifteen he was
mainstreamed into white society and went on to earn a medical
degree. His autobiography documents his career as a physician and
with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. While he seeks a better life
for Native Americans, he also urges them to retain the best of
their own culture. 1944.
From the Old Marketplace  RC 34492
by Joseph Buloff
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
3 cassettes
A Jewish boy growing up in Vilnius between the Russo-Japanese War
and World War I describes how he survived persecution by
occupation forces in a city whose multiracial citizens have been
divided politically for centuries, but are united in their hatred
of Jews. Learning to act many parts in the Vilnius marketplace,
the boy turns his talent into a profession that becomes his
ticket of escape. Some strong language. 1991.
God, Country, Notre Dame  RC 33683
by Theodore M. Hesburgh and
Jerry Reedy
narrated by Andy Chappell
3 cassettes
From the age of six, Hesburgh knew he wanted to be a priest.
Forty-seven years later he is still happy with his choice and
admits that he has traveled far beyond the simple parish he
imagined as a young man. He describes the places he has been and
the people he has met in his roles as teacher, theologian,
counselor to four popes and six presidents, president of Notre
Dame, and recipient of 120 honorary degrees. 1990.
I Could Never Be So Lucky Again: An Autobiography  RC 34878
by James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle and Carroll V. Glines
narrated by John Rayburn
4 cassettes
Born in 1896, Doolittle has led a life of adventure. His love of
flying, beginning in the Army Air Service, led to a doctorate in
aeronautical sciences from MIT and fame in air shows. Although
later established in the corporate world, Doolittle returned to
the service during World War II and devised and carried out the
devastating raid against Japan for which he is best known. 1991.
In the Beginning  RC 34148
by Irina Ratushinskaya
narrated by Yolande Bavan
3 cassettes
The author, born in 1954 in Odessa, Ukrainian SSR, has previously
written an account of the years she spent in a Soviet labor camp
in _Grey Is the Color of Hope (RC 29332)_. Now she looks back on
her early years and the events that led to her imprisonment. She
describes her early education and university days, where she
learned to love poetry, and interweaves an account of her
husband's childhood. Includes twelve poems. 1990.
Interior Landscapes: Autobiographical Myths and Metaphors  RC
33818
by Gerald Vizenor
narrated by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
A half-white, half-Indian writer, born in the Midwest during the
depression, describes his tribal background in the Crane clan.
His in-between world is a reality that he learns to accept by
creating a ritual of "trickster signatures" in which he
transforms his identity and becomes comfortable with his
heritage, as well as his life in a modern world. Some strong
language. 1990.
The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles
Dickens  RC 33820
by Claire Tomalin
narrated by Jon Beryl
2 cassettes
Tomalin reconstructs the pattern of secrecy and denial
surrounding the thirteen-year relationship of Ellen Ternan and
Charles Dickens, who was at the height of his fame, married, and
the father of nine children. In 1857 Nelly was acting in a
theatrical production when she caught Dickens's eye. At eighteen
she became his mistress, and their covert affair lasted for the
rest of his life. 1990.
Listening for the Crack of Dawn  RC 34389
by Donald D. Davis
narrated by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
A minister-turned-storyteller narrates events of his youth in
rural Appalachia in the 1950s. He begins with an affectionate
tale about Aunt Laura, who always wakes at the sound of dawn
cracking. He moves then to the first day of school and continues
with the joy and pain of growing up and getting through high
school. Along the way, in fourteen stories, we meet his friends
and family in "events so ordinary that each of us [knows he or
she has] been there." 1990.
Lost Property: Memoirs and Confessions of a Bad Boy  RC 34858
by Ben Sonnenberg
narrated by Rick Foucheux
2 cassettes
The son of a fabulously wealthy public relations man, Sonnenberg
finds his upbringing a joke that can now be told. He recalls his
worldly education in politics, sex, culture, and rebellion with
humor and a tinge of bitterness. He also reveals responsibility,
as he copes with multiple sclerosis and founds _Grand Street_, a
literary magazine. Some strong language and descriptions of sex.
1991.
Malcolm: The Life of a Man Who Changed Black America  RC 34945
by Bruce Perry
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
4 cassettes
Using scores of interviews with Malcolm X's family and friends,
as well as other primary and secondary sources, Perry paints a
lively, controversial portrait of the black nationalist leader.
Perry points out the inconsistencies between Malcolm's militant
image and the actions and feelings that stemmed from the abuse,
exclusion, and ridicule he experienced as a child. 1991.
The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan  RC
34222
by Robert Kanigel
narrated by Jon Beryl
3 cassettes
The author traces the move from East to West of Ramanujan, a
young Indian whose brilliance earned him the notice of the
renowned English mathematician G.H. Hardy. Ramanujan gained
recognition and the freedom to continue his intellectual
pursuits. But he suffered isolation from the cultural and
spiritual life that had sustained him, and he died at
thirty-three. 1991.
Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter  RC 34539
by Simone de Beauvoir
narrated by Lisette Lecat
3 cassettes
In this initial volume of her autobiography, the French author
traces the first twenty-one years of her life and provides
insights into the development of her philosophy. As an adolescent
she seeks to shed her family's bourgeois values while struggling
to find acceptance for her ideas in a climate generally
unreceptive to female intellectuals. She meets Sartre at the
Sorbonne and begins their lifelong friendship. 1959.
The Middle Five: Indian Schoolboys of the Omaha Tribe  RC 35323
by Francis La Flesche
narrated by Randy Atcher
1 cassette
First published in 1900. La Flesche writes of his and his
friends' adventures in a mission school in the late 1800s. The
children, proficient in their native tongue, were allowed to
speak only English and were stripped of their real names. La
Flesche later pursued his interest in recording Omaha tribal
customs by working with the Bureau of American Ethnology. 1900.
Mothers and Daughters  RC 35355
by Elena Bonner
narrated by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
The widow of dissident Andrei Sakharov describes her life, which
closely parallels the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. She
discusses her childhood as the privileged and independent
daughter of ranking members of Stalin's regime, the breakdown of
her family life in the 1930s, and her growing defiance and
eventual exile for her fight for human rights. She draws strength
through it all from her rigorous mother and beloved grandmother.
1992.
My People, the Sioux  RC 34481
by Luther Standing Bear
narrated by Christopher Hurt
2 cassettes
First published in 1928. Standing Bear lived from 1868 to 1939.
He taught, acted, and wrote four books about his life and his
people. He writes of his youth on the reservation, his respect
for his father, his schooling, and his adult experience in the
white man's world. A champion of Native American rights and the
preservation of tribal culture, Standing Bear concludes with a
plea for citizenship for the Sioux people. 1975.
Nordi's Gift  RC 34215
by Clyde Rice
narrated by Fred Major
3 cassettes
Eighty-eight-year-old Rice began chronicling his life story in
his 1984 _A Heaven in the Eye (RC 22024)_, which won the Western
States Book Award. This sequel spans the years 1935 to 1955,
beginning as Rice, his wife Nordi, and their son return to
Oregon. Rice, running through a succession of jobs, finds himself
falling in love with Nordi's niece. Some strong language and
descriptions of sex. 1990.
Pride of Family: Four Generations of American Women of Color  RC
34556
by Carole Ione
narrated by Gail Nelson
2 cassettes
Psychotherapist and writer Ione was raised jointly by her mother,
grandmother, and grandaunt, strong, successful women who lived,
for the most part, unencumbered by men. Discovery of her
great-grandmother's diary gave Ione an understanding of the
strengths and weaknesses passed through the female side of her
family, a pattern she illustrates in the women's life stories.
1991.
Rebuilding the House  RC 31724
by Laurie Graham
narrated by Mimi Bederman
1 cassette
Laurie Graham and George McKay Schieffelin had only a short time
as husband and wife. She was in her thirties and he was in his
seventies when they married. But they were two people fortunate
enough to find fulfillment in their eight years together. After
George's death, Laurie moved to the dilapidated farmhouse they
had purchased in rural New Jersey. She recounts her misadventures
in restoring the farmhouse, as she comes to grips with her loss.
1990.
Rogue Warrior  RC 35066
by Richard Marcinko and John Weisman
narrated by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Marcinko, a high school dropout who became a commander in the
U.S. Navy, tells of his thirty-year love-hate relationship with
his employer. From basic training, through Vietnam, to his
assignment as commander of SEAL Team Six--the Navy's
counterterrorist unit--Marcinko emphasizes the survival and
leadership skills that made him a prime candidate for the SEALS.
Strong language and violence. Bestseller 1992.
Runaway to Heaven: The Story of Harriet Beecher Stowe  RC 34117
by Johanna Johnston
narrated by House Jameson
3 cassettes (Reissue)
The author regards Stowe, first, as a woman in the midst of her
family, and second, as a literary figure and the author of _Uncle
Tom's Cabin_. She also describes the turbulent age of America
that inspired Stowe to write in support of the abolitionist
movement. 1963.
The Sisters: Babe Mortimer Paley, Betsey Roosevelt Whitney,
Minnie Astor Fosburgh; The Lives and Times of the Fabulous
Cushing Sisters  RC 34673
by David Grafton
narrated by Marcia Churchill
3 cassettes
Neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing's three daughters, guided by their
calculating mother, Katherine, made names for themselves by
marrying into high society. Betsey first married Franklin
Roosevelt's son Jimmy and later wealthy Jock Whitney. Minnie
married Vincent Astor, and Babe, a _Vogue_ fashion editor, wed
CBS's William Paley. 1992.
Squandered Fortune: The Life and Times of Huntington Hartford  RC
35521
by Lisa Rebecca Gubernick
narrated by Maggie Welch
2 cassettes
Hartford, an heir to the A&P grocery fortune, ran through his
inheritance in his quest to make a cultural impact. Gubernick
describes the creation of the A&P empire; Hartford's childhood,
which was dominated by his status-seeking mother; the heir's love
life, including his four brief marriages; and his various
grandiose projects in the arts, all ultimately failures. 1991.
The Story of San Michele  RC 34139
by Axel Munthe
narrated by Noah Siegel
3 cassettes
Although this is the autobiography of a Swedish-born physician
with a fashionable practice in Paris, it is as much about the
lives of his patients and friends, his beloved animals, and the
people he meets in his travels. Those journeys often include
Italy, where he is so taken with Capri that he builds himself a
house on the island on the site of a ruined chapel--a structure
that by all accounts becomes "one of the best-loved houses in the
world." 1929.
Taxi from Hell: Confessions of a Russian Hack  RC 34918
by Vladimir Lobas
narrated by George Backman
2 cassettes
Filmmaker Vladimir Lobas left the Soviet Union for the relative
freedom of New York City and a position as a free-lance radio
commentator. In 1977, facing $4000 worth of dental work, Lobas is
lured by an offer to earn big money as a taxi driver. His
questionable language and driving skills make for a rocky start,
but eventually Lobas owns his own cab. He discusses his
adventures and those of other Russians. 1991.
Treetops: A Family Memoir  RC 32919
by Susan Cheever
narrated by Marilyn Gleason
2 cassettes
On a fifty-acre plot in New Hampshire sits a cluster of cottages
known as Treetops, summer home to generations of the author's
family--a family that has been written about and a family that
writes. Now one of these writers probes the influence of the
women in the family, her mother in particular, on the men who
have become prominent. She previously introduced her family in
_Home before Dark (RC 22719)_. 1991.
Unto the Sons  RC 34345
by Gay Talese
narrated by Christopher Hurt
5 cassettes
Hoping to explain how his father ended up in Ocean City, New
Jersey, Talese focuses on three family members who left their
wives, their children, and their Italian homes, seeking a better
life in a new land. They were his grandfather, a factory worker
in Pennsylvania; his father, a tailor in New Jersey; and a
cousin, a tailor in Paris. Talese writes of loyalties divided
between two countries, of Italian history, and of the Mafia.
Bestseller 1992.
The Way I See It: An Autobiography  RC 35174
by Patti Davis
narrated by Janet Kirker
2 cassettes
Patricia Ann Reagan describes her life as the daughter of
Hollywood parents. She exposes growing up in a dysfunctional
family, and tells her version of what went on behind the public
image. The author, who assumed a new name as an adult, sorts
through her troubled life and attempts to understand the people
and events that shaped her parents and siblings. 1992.
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China RC 34458
by Jung Chang
narrated by Catherine Byers
4 cassettes
Chang's life, contrasted with the lives of her mother and
grandmother, illustrates the political turmoil and the treatment
of women in China during the twentieth century. Her grandmother
was a concubine with bound feet and her parents were communist
officials until they were denounced in Mao's Cultural Revolution.
Chang moved to London following her own brief stint in the Red
Guards. 1991.
Blindness and
Physical Handicaps
Almost like a Song  RC 32896
by Ronnie Milsap
narrated by Ross Cass
2 cassettes
Taken in by dirt-poor but loving grandparents after his mother
rejected him, Ronnie was soon sent off to a school for the blind.
There, among other things, he learned discipline, determination,
and classical music--acquisitions that shaped his boyhood, his
career, and his success as a country music superstar. His
inspiring story reveals little-known aspects of the music
industry, where he rose to the top. 1990.
Carnal Acts  RC 32953
by Nancy Mairs
narrated by Mimi Bederman
1 cassette
Nancy Mairs, artist, writer, teacher, wife, and mother, discusses
how she copes with multiple sclerosis. Additionally, she writes
about her inner life, her relationships with family members, and
her life as a writer. She describes how she has learned to live a
rewarding life, grateful for the "gift" of physical challenge.
Some strong language. 1990.
Cassette Books, 1991  RC 34530
by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped
various narrators
3 cassettes
A catalog of talking-book cassette titles produced for adult and
young adult readers during 1991. The nonfiction and fiction
sections list books by subject categories. Separate listings
identify books for young adult readers and for foreign-language
readers. 1991.
Easy Access to National Parks: The Sierra Club Guide for People
with Disabilities  RC 35445
by Wendy Roth and Michael Tompane
narrated by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
Guide on accessibility to national parks for people who are
visually or hearing impaired, senior citizens, families with
small children, or anyone with mobility concerns. The authors
discuss preparing for park visits, offer specific advice on
fifteen parks and general information on parks in every region,
and list park recreation support groups. 1992.
The Encyclopedia of Blindness and Vision Impairment  RC 34666
by Jill Sardegna and T. Otis Paul
narrated by James DeLotel
and Mitzi Friedlander
5 cassettes
Provides brief discussions of topics relating to blindness and
visual impairment. Subjects range from medical terms, conditions,
and procedures to leaders in the blindness field and common
misconceptions about blindness. Appendixes cover companies,
databases, organizations, educational information, and
periodicals. 1991.
Falling into Life: Essays  RC 34256
by Leonard Kriegel
narrated by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
In a series of essays, writer and literature professor Kriegel
describes the emotional impact polio has had on his life and his
writing. The title essay describes the onset of the virus, when
Kriegel was eleven, and the long rehabilitation. This treatment
included a dreaded exercise, learning to fall from his crutches,
that, once mastered, gave Kriegel a feeling of "a new start, a
new life." 1991.
Financial Aid for the Disabled and Their Families, 1992-1994  RC
34749
by Gail Ann Schlachter
and R. David Weber
narrated by Patricia McDermott
5 cassettes
Comprehensive list of programs that fund grants, fellowships,
scholarships, loans, awards, and internships primarily or
exclusively for disabled persons or their families. The directory
also lists state sources of information on benefits. Includes an
annotated bibliography of directories of general financial aid
sources. 1992.
Going the Distance: Living a Full Life with Multiple Sclerosis
and Other Debilitating Diseases  RC 31839
by Moira Griffin
narrated by Ellen Frost
1 cassette
In 1983 free-lance writer Moira Griffin, training for a
triathlon, began feeling weak and falling occasionally. She was
diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis. She describes her shock,
anger, and frustration and the steps she took to come to grips
with her emotions. She discusses the changes she made in her
lifestyle and personal relationships. 1989.
More Than an Average Guy: The Story of Larry Patton  RC 32939
by Janet Kastner
narrated by Edward C. Stern
2 cassettes
Larry Patton's birth, in January of 1956, was a difficult one.
The umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around his neck, and the
doctor worked hard to get him to breathe. Lack of oxygen caused
cerebral palsy, but Larry and his family have survived and
triumphed. This is their story, from the baby's birth to his
graduation from college, employment with IBM, and marriage to his
sweetheart in 1987. 1989.
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words for Blind and Visually
Impaired Persons Too! An Introduction to Audiodescription  RC
35132
by American Foundation for the Blind
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
1 cassette
While watching television, movies, or plays equipped with
audiodescription, visually impaired persons listen to verbal
descriptions of actors' facial expressions, movements, and
costumes; of the sets; and of the action, such as car chases.
Availability and access are explained. 1991.
The Professor's Family  RC 34834
by Esther V. Taylor
narrated by Ilona Dulaski
2 cassettes
"Yes, you're blind, but you can do almost everything you want to,
if you want to badly enough." These words, spoken by the author's
father when she was only four, were to have a profound effect on
the rest of Taylor's life. She and her father were born with
cataracts. Taylor contrasts their life in the early 1900s with
that of young people in the late 1900s. She also discusses her
work to help improve life for visually impaired persons. 1989.
Savage Shadows: Eileen Ross's True Story of Blindness, Rape, and
Courage RC 34377
by Eileen Ross
narrated by Yvonne Fair Tessler
2 cassettes
Ross, who is legally blind, was attacked in her home by a serial
rapist-burglar. She describes the assault and her efforts to
placate her attacker while secretly collecting identifying clues.
After the ordeal, Ross faced a frustrating lack of cooperation
from medical personnel and police, so she turned to the media for
help. Strong language, violence, and explicit descriptions of
sex. 1992.
Shingles  RC 33969
by Thomas Carl Thomsen
narrated by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
Thomsen contracted shingles Labor Day weekend in 1986 and, four
years later, still suffers from postherpetic neuralgia--a
resulting condition. He decided to write this book because it
would provide a form of therapy and hopefully become a
distraction from the pain of the disease. Thomsen details the
causes and course of the disease and lists treatments and
complications. 1990.
Voyage to the Island  RC 34472
by Raija Nieminen
narrated by Helen Harrelson
2 cassettes
Nieminen's deafness advanced slowly during her youth, allowing
her to learn her native Finnish, perfect lipreading, and master
sign language. When her husband's career takes the family to a
Caribbean island for two years, Nieminen's self-confidence
diminishes as she struggles with the difficulties English
presents to deaf foreigners. Her search for an understanding deaf
community leads Nieminen to teach sign language to deaf children.
1990.
Alfred I. du Pont: The Man and His Family  RC 34592
by Joseph Frazier Wall
narrated by Butch Hoover
6 cassettes
Wall traces the intriguing personal lives of seven generations of
du Ponts and the effect family contentions had on their gunpowder
enterprise. Born into the dynasty, Alfred, unlike his father,
inherited a head for the business and soon, amid family
resentment, rose to the top. Eventually forced out of the family
company, Alfred continued as a successful businessman in his own
right. 1990.
America: What Went Wrong?  RC 35262
by Donald L. Barlett and
James B. Steele
narrated by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists team up for an investigative
report on the hard times of America's middle class. In this
expanded version of a newspaper series, they blame government
officials for making laws that favor the powerful and wealthy.
The authors cover such subjects as bankruptcy, deregulation, and
foreign control of corporations. Bestseller 1992.
Capital Ideas: The Improbable Origins of Modern Wall Street  RC
35514
by Peter L. Bernstein
narrated by John Rayburn
3 cassettes
An economic consultant to institutional investors and founder of
the _Journal of Portfolio Management_ chronicles developments in
the investment field in recent decades. Bernstein unearths the
stories of people with ideas that upset the financial world. He
shows how some of these ideas, such as managing risk through
diversification, have become the status quo. 1992.
+Den of Thieves  RC 33931
by James B. Stewart
narrated by Art Metzler
4 cassettes
A Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the _Wall Street Journal_
provides an account of the insider trading scandal that shook
Wall Street in the 1980s. Stewart examined court documents and
testimony and interviewed the participants to profile the four
men involved: Martin Siegel, Ivan F. Boesky, Michael R. Milken,
and Dennis B. Levine. He describes the scam they created and the
investigation that followed. Strong language. Bestseller 1991.
Edison and the Business of Innovation  RC 35511
by Andre Millard
narrated by Bob Butz
3 cassettes
Chronicles life after forty for the creator of the phonograph.
With many inventions to his credit, Edison turns to a factory for
experimentation. There he presides over the shop floor in his new
roles as industrialist, businessman, and manager of one of the
first research laboratories. Millard shows how Edison's spirit of
innovation sustains him through failures. 1990.
For the Common Good: Redirecting the Economy toward Community,
the Environment, and a Sustainable Future RC 34582
by Herman E. Daly and
John B. Cobb, Jr.
narrated by Art Metzler
4 cassettes
An economist and a theologian argue that economic theories need
to be revised to reflect environmental and community concerns,
not just the desires of individuals. One such change would limit
reproduction rights as a "scarce good in a full world." People
would be allotted tradeable shares of these rights. 1989.
Going Public: MIPS Computer and the Entrepreneurial Dream  RC
35205
by Michael S. Malone
narrated by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
A journalist who knows his way around Silicon Valley chronicles
the path of an electronics company from start-up until the day it
sells stock to the public. Granted complete access to company
records and staff, Malone provides an inside look at the ups and
downs in the daily drama of a small group of dedicated
individuals who have faith in their work. Strong language. 1991.
Head to Head: The Coming Economic Battle among Japan, Europe, and
America  RC 34816
by Lester Thurow
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
The economics professor and dean of MIT's Sloan School of
Management discusses the international struggle for economic
supremacy. Thurow believes that changes in Germany, the European
Common Market, and the former Soviet Union alter the United
States-Japan equation. He argues that economics and education
will determine a new three-way battle. Bestseller 1992.
High-Tech Ventures: The Guide for Entrepreneurial Success  RC
34414
by C. Gordon Bell
narrated by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
For someone contemplating starting a company, the author offers
practical advice based on his experience and identifies important
stages to consider: concept and seed (planning), product and
market development, and the steady state. He provides analytical
tools for success and a diagnostic checklist of areas to be
addressed at each stage. 1991.
How to Be a Successful Computer Consultant  RC 34770
by Alan R. Simon
narrated by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Practical advice on how to organize a computer consulting
business, select services to offer, earn a profit, and plan for
the future of your firm. Simon includes tips on activities that
range from naming the business to marketing and holding seminars
to developing specifications for software. Coverage extends
beyond creating and managing a successful business to planning
for expansion and specialization. 1990.
How to Have High-Dollar Garage Sales  RC 32947
by Jean Hines
narrated by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
Practical advice about planning, preparing, and operating a
garage sale. Includes information on selecting the best time of
year, combining several owners' goods, getting the family
involved, providing easy meals on the day of the sale, marking
and displaying items, pricing, making signs, keeping records, and
providing safeguards. 1989.
How to Think like a Boss and Get Ahead at Work  RC 34511
by Barry Eigen
narrated by Rick Foucheux
2 cassettes
A former corporate executive offers practical advice for
employees interested in career development. He describes how
decisions about employees are made and offers an insider's view
of what works and what doesn't. Eigen covers issues ranging from
thinking about how you can help your boss solve his problems and
achieve his goals to specific techniques for satisfying your
personal desire to get ahead. 1990.
The IRM Imperative: Strategies for Managing Information Resources
RC 34576
by James M. Kerr
narrated by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Information systems management is becoming more complex and
multifaceted. Kerr examines the new developments and explains
their best uses in the workplace. Executive information systems,
management information centers, computer-aided systems
engineering technology, and electronic data interchange are
discussed. Also includes an acronym glossary. 1991.
The Lever of Riches: Technological Creativity and Economic
Progress  RC 34198
by Joel Mokyr
narrated by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Surveys the historical background of societies changed by
technological innovation. Traces the major inventions of
innovative nations, including ancient China and Britain during
the Industrial Revolution. Examines the relationship between
inventors and their environment. Mokyr offers his analysis of how
competitors in the world market can sustain and promote their
creative potential. 1990.
Managing for the Future: The 1990s and Beyond  RC 35158
by Peter F. Drucker
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
Essays--some long, some short--on economics, corporate
organization, management, and working people by the dean of
American management. This collection brings together previously
published contributions to economic and management journals and
newspapers. Drucker focuses his views on the rapidly changing
face of international economic issues, arranging topics for the
contemplation of leaders making decisions in the 1990s. 1992.
Marketplace Medicine: The Rise of the For-Profit Hospital Chains
RC 34855
by Dave Lindorff
narrated by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
A journalist who frequently writes on the subject of healthcare
voices his alarm over the rapid growth of corporation-run
hospitals and their goal of making a profit. He contends that
only those patients with adequate insurance or sufficient
personal funds will have access to quality care. He recommends a
government-funded system as a solution to the problem. 1992.
The Money Culture  RC 34403
by Michael Lewis
narrated by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Essays by a former investment banker, economist, and financial
journalist who is the author of the bestselling _Liar's Poker (RC
30432)_. He chronicles the rise and fall of worldwide financial
markets in the 1980s. Leading characters include the likes of
Donald Trump and Leona Helmsley. Lewis claims that the
Reagan/Bush era fostered "an entire culture based on entitlement"
but stops short of blaming politicians. 1991.
More Wealth without Risk: How to Develop a Personal Fortune
without Going Out on a Limb  RC 34415
by Charles J. Givens
narrated by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
An expanded and updated version of Givens's _Wealth without Risk
(RC 29408)_. In the three broad categories of personal finance,
tax reduction, and investments, Givens offers more than 350
monetary strategies. 1991.
Napa  RC 34885
by James Conaway
narrated by Bob Askey
4 cassettes
The author relates how, in the early 1900s, winemaking in Napa
Valley, California, was devastated by a bug that destroyed the
vines, by Prohibition, and by depression prices. He traces the
survival of some estates during the days of jug wine and the
success of others who introduced new grapes and overcame
political adversity, the impact of tourism, and the big liquor
companies to rejuvenate the region and its best-known product.
1990.
The Overworked American: The Unexpected Decline of Leisure  RC
34786
by Juliet B. Schor
narrated by Maggie Welch
2 cassettes
According to Schor, economics professor at Harvard University,
U.S. workers now work more hours than at any time since World War
II, some working as much as twenty days more per year. Schor
points out that many people moonlight to make ends meet,
employers pay overtime instead of hiring additional employees,
and women have entered the work force while still putting in as
much as forty hours a week at home. 1991.
The Question of Discrimination: Racial Inequality in the U.S.
Labor Market  RC 35073
edited by Steven Shulman
and William Darity, Jr.
narrated by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
Thirteen prominent economists and public policy specialists
address and debate controversial issues concerning race relations
in the labor market. While some contend that class differences
now account for most of the inequity, others argue that race is
still the most important cause of disparity in employment and
income. 1989.
+Sam Walton, Made in America: My Story  RC 35858
by Sam Walton and John Huey
narrated by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
At the urging of family and business associates, Walton wrote the
unique tale of Wal-Mart just before his death in 1992. His
passion to compete helped his empire grow from one store in 1962
to a chain of more than 2,000 in 1992, with a profit of more than
$l billion a year. Yet Walton lived without splendor, bought his
clothes at Wal-Mart, and drove a pick-up truck. Bestseller 1992.
Time Dollars: The New Currency That Enables Americans to Turn
Their Hidden Resource--Time--into Personal Security and Community
Renewal  RC 34771
by Edgar Cahn and Jonathan Rowe
narrated by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
How to set up an economic program outside of the conventional,
money-powered system. Based on the tradition of being a good
neighbor, the concept is simple: help someone in need for an
hour, and you earn a "time dollar" credit for an hour of a
service that you need. 1992.
Under the Influence: The Unauthorized Story of the Anheuser-Busch
Dynasty  RC 34731
by Peter Hernon and Terry Ganey
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
4 cassettes
The authors, who are writers for the St. Louis _Post-Dispatch,_
have assembled a history of five generations, and almost 130
years, of the Busch family, despite a 1989 edict that prohibited
employees and members of their families from speaking with them.
It is a portrait of a corporate monarchy that lives by its own
rules. Bestseller 1991.
Within Our Means: The Struggle for Economic Recovery after a
Reckless Decade  RC 31683
by Alfred L. Malabre, Jr.
narrated by Phil Regensdorf
2 cassettes
In the 1980s Malabre alerted America to the consequences of its
free-wheeling economic policies. In the early 1990s his warnings
about the dangers of living on borrowed time and money have
proved accurate, and he reassesses the situation and offers both
hope and specific plans for regaining fiscal control and reviving
the economy. By the author of _Beyond Our Means (RC 27109)_.
1991.
The Compleat Angler  RC 35308
by Izaak Walton
narrated by David Palmer
2 cassettes
First published in 1653, this famous discourse on the fine points
of fishing is also an essay on the virtues of rural solitude and
contemplation. In the dialog between Piscator (fisherman) and
Venator (hunter), praise is given to companionship, song, and
other simple pleasures of life. 1988.
Plays, Prose Writings, and Poems  RC 34367
by Oscar Wilde
narrated by Fred Major
4 cassettes
First published in 1930, this collection includes "The Picture of
Dorian Gray," a novel about a beautiful youth whose portrait has
supernatural qualities; "The Importance of Being Earnest," a
comic, satirical play about a rakish nobleman; "Lady Windermere's
Fan," a comedy of manners; "The Ballad of Reading Gaol," an
autobiographical account of Wilde's imprisonment; and other short
works of drama, prose, and poetry. 1991.
The Ring and the Book  RC 35051
by Robert Browning
narrated by Gordon Gould
4 cassettes
In 1860 Robert Browning discovered a book in a secondhand book
stall in Florence, documenting a Roman murder trial in 1698.
Around this information he weaves a long narrative poem about
Count Guido, the accused; Pompilia, his wife and murder victim;
and Pietro and Violante Comparini, parents of Pompilia and also
victims of the murderous Guido. The poem describes events from
different points of view, varying the guilt or innocence of the
characters. 1971.
The Second Sex  RC 33612
by Simone de Beauvoir
narrated by Mitzi Friedlander
7 cassettes in 2 containers
A study of the position of women in Western culture and history.
Examines the facts and myths surrounding the physiological,
sexual, and social roles of women from the point of view of
biology, psychoanalysis, and historical materialism. Portrays de
Beauvoir's perception of women's becoming professionally
independent, with or without the roles of wife and mother. 1952.
The Computer Buyer's Handbook: How to Select and Buy Personal
Computers for Your Home or Business; Second Edition  RC 34755
by R. Wayne Parker
narrated by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Provides facts and analyses needed to make well-informed
decisions about buying personal computers. Includes information
on upgrading as an alternative to purchasing a new system;
discusses multimedia PCs, CD-ROM technology, and the laser
printer market. Focuses on user understanding of technology and
available options rather than specific models. 1992.
The Creative Mind: Myths and Mechanisms  RC 34655
by Margaret A. Boden
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Examines how computers process information and help search for
clues to how human brains operate. Boden is interested in
possible connections with the thought processes and mental
activity related to creativity. She dispels myths claiming that
creative ideas are divinely inspired or accidental, and concludes
that scientific data can be interpreted in a way that increases
creative possibilities. 1991.
How to Be a Successful Computer Consultant  RC 34770
by Alan R. Simon
narrated by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Practical advice on how to organize a computer consulting
business, select services to offer, earn a profit, and plan for
the future of your firm. Simon includes tips on activities that
range from naming the business to marketing and holding seminars
to developing specifications for software. Coverage extends
beyond creating and managing a successful business to planning
for expansion and specialization. 1990.
The IRM Imperative: Strategies for Managing Information Resources
RC 34576
by James M. Kerr
narrated by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Information systems management is becoming more complex and
multifaceted. Kerr examines the new developments and explains
their best uses in the workplace. Executive information systems,
management information centers, computer-aided systems
engineering technology, and electronic data interchange are
discussed. Also includes an acronym glossary. 1991.
Jim Seymour's PC Productivity Bible  RC 35200
by Jim Seymour
narrated by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
A computer expert, columnist, public speaker, consultant, and
business expert shares his ideas on productivity. His primary
interest is in the human element rather than in the hardware or
software: he focuses on how people use these tools to solve
business problems. He gears information, advice, and practical
solutions to readers who are neither beginners nor experts, but
who have some technical background. 1991.
Office Automation: Context, Experience, and Future  RC 35089
by Andrew Doswell
narrated by Lydia Humphries
3 cassettes
The author discusses how people and technology interact in this
overview of office automation. Drawing on the experience of users
and developers of automation, Doswell discusses the impact of
office automation and lessons for the future rather than how to
use any particular system. 1990.
Using MS-DOS 5  RC 34346
by Que Development Group
narrated by John Richardson
5 cassettes
A tutorial reference for PC users of MS-DOS and IBM DOS versions
3 to 5. Serves as an orientation to personal computers and to the
DOS system; covers the DOS commands and concepts essential to the
effective management of PC files; provides information about
special features, such as a text-file editor and keystroke
macros; contains a section with brief descriptions of DOS
commands; and includes appendixes summarizing useful information.
1991.
Virtual Reality  RC 35212
by Howard Rheingold
narrated by Richard Hauenstein
4 cassettes
Virtual reality or "cyberspace" refers to computer-generated
artificial worlds--a revolutionary technology still in its
infancy. Rheingold, who spent two years visiting virtual-reality
research laboratories, describes using goggles and DataGloves to
see, feel, and manipulate simulated environments. He explains
current and possible capabilities but also acknowledges problems
with the technology. 1991.
WordPerfect Bible  RC 35117
by Susan Baake Kelly
narrated by Roy Avers
8 cassettes in 2 containers
This comprehensive reference to WordPerfect 5.1 not only presents
basic information such as how to load the program and use the
menus, mouse, and function keys, but it also walks the reader
step by step through all the advanced WordPerfect capabilities.
These include creating tables and columns, merging files, using
the math functions, creating footnotes and endnotes, and much
more. 1991.
Consumerism
End of the Road: The World Car Crisis and How We Can Solve It  RC
35198
by Wolfgang Zuckermann
narrated by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
The author examines the economic, environmental, and social
problems caused by the automobile, and emerges from his scrutiny
with a perspective on the automobile as a means to an end. He
offers thirty-three concrete suggestions for solving
automobile-related problems, including alternate modes of
transportation. 1991.
Future Stuff  RC 34254
by Malcolm Abrams and
Harriet Bernstein
narrated by Dave Jackson
2 cassettes
The authors take a look at some useful and also some just-for-fun
products that may be available by the year 2000. These include
talking gloves that permit communication with deaf persons,
bathing suits that change color to reflect the wearer's mood,
puddle detectors that can be attached to canes used by blind
persons, no-calorie sugar, potato ice cream, biodegradable
diapers, and poison ivy vaccine. 1989.
How to Protect Your Life Savings from Catastrophic Illness and
Nursing Homes: A Handbook for Financial Survival  RC 34250
by Harley Gordon and Jane Daniel
narrated by Dave Jackson
1 cassette
A lawyer outlines ways for a family to avoid spending all of
their assets on long-term care. He prescribes making financial
plans in advance and in times of emergency, understanding
Medicaid, locating alternatives to nursing homes, dealing with
insurance, and obtaining legal help. Includes informational
charts. 1990.
It's Not My Department: How to Get the Service You Want, Exactly
the Way You Want It!  RC 33154
by Peter Glen
narrated by Ray Hagen
1 cassette
A consumer advocate presents his version of how customer service
has gone wrong. He documents his account of deteriorating quality
and service and offers advice for improvements to both the
customer and the provider. The book highlights motivation,
regaining the right to demand better service, and taking action.
1990.
Understanding Living Trusts: How to Avoid Probate, Save Taxes,
and More  RC 34202
by Vickie and Jim Schumacher
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
A family information guide explains the advantages of a living
trust over a will and probate. Designed as an overview for those
wishing to make a decision about the distribution of their
property upon death or incapacitation, it includes ideas for
dealing effectively with taxes and recommendations for selecting
an estate attorney. 1990.
Cooking and Nutrition
Betty Crocker's Low-fat, Low-cholesterol Cookbook  RC 35191
by Betty Crocker
narrated by Pat McDermott
2 cassettes
Stressing the importance of what to eat rather than how much,
this cookbook guides the reader through steps toward managing a
healthy diet. Contains advice on how to lower the amount of
cholesterol and fat in recipes that are old favorites, adds
nearly 200 new recipes featuring healthy ingredients, and
provides useful nutritional information such as calorie count and
sodium content. 1991.
Faye Levy's International Jewish Cookbook  RC 34493
by Faye Levy
narrated by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
While studying in Israel, Levy became so fascinated with the
variations of Jewish cuisine that she turned her hobby of cooking
into a career. Drawing on her own family's heritage--American,
Russian, and Polish--and her husband's--Middle Eastern, Indian,
and Moroccan--as well as on those of friends and neighbors, Levy
provides a collection of more than 250 Ashkenazic and Sephardic
recipes from around the world. 1991.
The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas  RC 34746
by Jeff Smith
narrated by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
More than just a cookbook, this collection offers a celebration
of Christmas--and for good measure Smith adds stories and recipes
for Chanukah and dishes for some European Christmas Eve feasts.
As he tells the Christmas story, Smith provides foods appropriate
for members of the manger scene--milk and honey for Jesus, honey
cake for the angels, and lamb meatballs for the three wise men.
Holiday recipes follow. 1991.
Graham Kerr's Smart Cooking  RC 34720
by Graham Kerr
narrated by Frank Coffee
3 cassettes
For twenty-six years, Kerr thought of food "only as it
contributed to our sensual pleasure." Then his wife developed a
heart condition, and he had to think of food in a new light. It
was then that he developed his concept of "MINIMAX"--minimize
risk, maximize flavor. Kerr presents 100 healthful recipes, along
with nutritional information for both the classic and his
"MINIMAX" versions and time and cost estimates for each dish.
1991.
Mexico: The Beautiful Cookbook; Authentic Recipes from the
Regions of Mexico  RC 34531
by Susanna Palazuelos and
Marilyn Tausend
narrated by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
Over 200 authentic Mexican recipes illustrate Native American
dishes with a Spanish influence. The recipes, from every Mexican
state, range from traditional favorites, such as _huevos
rancheros_, to regional dishes, such as cold chicken Guadalajara
style, and a few innovations, such as cilantro soup. Includes a
brief history of local culinary traditions. 1991.
The Mount Sinai School of Medicine Complete Book of Nutrition  RC
34668
edited by Victor Herbert and others
narrated by John Richardson
11 cassettes in 2 containers
A comprehensive guide to nutrition compiled by a team of health
professionals for use by lay readers. The book covers the basics
of a healthy diet, provides an overview of what's in food,
discusses good nutrition for all ages, deals with
nutrition-related problems and their roles in certain diseases,
and concludes with practical advice readers can use every day.
1990.
A Passion for Potatoes  RC 35153
by Lydie Marshall
narrated by Janet Kirker
2 cassettes
Marshall, a cooking-school owner, has collected a wide variety of
potato recipes for appetizers, entrees, side dishes, and
desserts. She discusses which types of potatoes are best for
various cooking methods and includes chatty supplementary
information with most of the recipes. Ten variations on mashed
potatoes accompany recipes for breads, soups, fries, salads,
dumplings, gnocchi, and more. 1992.
Quick and Easy Cook Book  RC 34752
by Editors of Sunset Books and _Sunset_ Magazine
narrated by Pat McDermott
2 cassettes
This is a collection of fresh-ingredient recipes that can be
prepared with minimal time and difficulty. Preparation and
cooking time as well as nutritional information, such as amounts
of fat and sodium, are noted for each dish. Recipes for
appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, egg and cheese
dishes, pasta, grains, fish, shellfish, poultry, meats, side
dishes, and desserts are included. 1991.
Quick Vegetarian Pleasures  RC 35304
by Jeanne Lemlin
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Grains, tofu, tempeh, and fresh vegetables are some of the
ingredients in Lemlin's recipes for the short-on-time vegetarian
cook. Dishes include eggplant caviar; tempeh heros; curried
barley and mushroom soup; broccoli calzones; baby ravioli with
cream, mushrooms, and peas; and tofu shish kebab with lemon-soy
marinade. Along with helpful kitchen tips, Lemlin provides menus
such as a vegetarian barbecue and a Thanksgiving feast. 1992.
Rice, the Amazing Grain: Great Rice Dishes for Every Day  RC
35281
by Marie Simmons
narrated by Pat McDermott
2 cassettes
Simmons's introduction includes a brief mix of history,
vocabulary, and facts about rice. The bulk of the book consists
of recipe after recipe featuring the increasingly popular grain.
More than 150 entrees, salads, soups, and desserts are included.
The recipes in the chapter entitled "Little Rice Dishes" are all
appropriate for "snacking or grazing." The book reflects
Simmons's cooking style. 1991.
Smithsonian Folklife Cookbook  RC 34710
by Katherine S. and Thomas M. Kirlin
narrated by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Collected for documentary purposes, this group of more than 275
recipes has been selected from the Smithsonian Institution's
Festival of American Folklife's annual food demonstrations. The
recipes are as varied as the ethnic heritages of the seven
regions from which they come. For example, a recipe for a Spanish
omelet is found between Ukrainian blintzes and a Japanese boxed
lunch. 1991.
The White House Family Cookbook  RC 35379
by Henry Haller and Virginia Aronson
narrated by Frank Coffee
4 cassettes
The White House executive chef presents recipes for informal
first-family gatherings and state occasions. Haller includes the
Johnsons' Texas-style barbecued ribs, the poached egg and hash
President Nixon requested for his farewell breakfast, the Fords'
chocolate angel food cake, the Carters' fried fish with hush
puppies, and President Reagan's favorite macaroni and cheese.
Personal memories embellish text. 1987.
Crime
+Boss of Bosses: The Fall of the Godfather; the FBI and Paul
Castellano  RC 33945
by Joseph F. O'Brien and Andris Kurins
narrated by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
This account of the last days of Mafia don Paul Castellano is
written by the two FBI agents who managed to infiltrate his
estate and gather the information that would bring him down.
Although Castellano was responsible for many deaths, he is
pictured as a man who kept a low profile and could be gentlemanly
and gracious. Strong language. 1991.
+Cruel Doubt  RC 33950
by Joe McGinniss
narrated by Ray Foushee
3 cassettes
It is 4:30 A.M., July 25, 1988. Bonnie Von Stein, forty-four, is
lying on the bedroom floor of her Washington, North Carolina,
home talking to a police dispatcher. She and her husband have
been repeatedly beaten and stabbed. For Von Stein this is only
the beginning of her nightmare. Before it ends, her husband is
dead and her son is accused of trying to kill his parents for
insurance money. Violence. Bestseller 1991.
Day of Fury: The Story of the Tragic Shootings That Forever
Changed the Village of Winnetka  RC 34385
by Joyce Egginton
narrated by Maggie Welch
2 cassettes
When Laurie Dann's mental health showed signs of deteriorating,
her short marriage fell apart and she turned to babysitting for
unconditional love. Her increasing instability went undetected by
the parents in her wealthy town and virtually ignored by her own
affluent parents until it exploded in a savage spree that left
Laurie and a child dead. Violence. 1991.
Double Cross: The Explosive, Inside Story of the Mobster Who
Controlled America  RC 34950
by Sam and Chuck Giancana
narrated by Christopher Hurt
3 cassettes
Sam "Mooney" Giancana ruled more than the Chicago underground.
Half-brother Chuck and Chuck's son Sam describe Mooney's link to
Joe Kennedy and the possible CIA-assisted assassinations of both
Kennedy brothers when they didn't live up to their father's
promises. The authors believe Mooney also had a role in Marilyn
Monroe's death. Violence and strong language. Bestseller 1992.
Druglord: The Life and Death of a Mexican Kingpin; A True Story
RC 35450
by Terrence E. Poppa
narrated by Gary Telles
2 cassettes
The small Mexican border town of Ojinaga was controlled by drug
smuggler Pablo Acosta until his death in 1987. El Paso journalist
Poppa details Acosta's rise and illustrates the druglord's range
of character by describing both vicious treatment of delinquent
customers and acts of generosity. Poppa interviewed Acosta
shortly before Acosta died. Violence and strong language. 1990.
Drugs in America: The Case for Victory, A Citizen's Call to
Action  RC 34423
by Vincent T. Bugliosi
narrated by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Bugliosi, prosecutor of Charles Manson, turns his attention to
the losing U.S. war against drugs. Concerned mainly with illegal
drug trafficking and the associated violence, Bugliosi advocates
sending government officials after foreign drug lords and
creating a dual U.S. currency system. He also argues that the
benefits of legalizing drugs may outweigh the problems of
addiction. 1991.
Dying to Get Married: The Courtship and Murder of Julie Miller
Bulloch  RC 34588
by Ellen Francis Harris
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Depression and other psychological problems probably caused Julie
Miller to overlook any quirks in her new boyfriend's seemingly
perfect facade. But ten weeks after their marriage, when her
corpse was found strapped to a chair in her burning garage, her
husband's proclamations of innocence rang false to those
investigating the case. Violence and explicit descriptions of
sex. 1991.
For the Color of His Skin: The Murder of Yusuf Hawkins and the
Trial of Bensonhurst  RC 34545
by John DeSantis
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
On a summer night in 1989, a group of white youths in the
Brooklyn neighborhood of Bensonhurst arm themselves with baseball
bats and await a rumored onslaught of Hispanics. Unaware of this
situation, black teenager Yusuf Hawkins and friends arrive to
look at a used car. Yusuf's murder and the following trials
incite city-wide racial dissent. Violence and some strong
language. 1991.
Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets  RC 34844
by David Simon
narrated by Bob Moore
5 cassettes
Simon, of the _Baltimore Sun_, spent 1988 observing the
day-by-day grind of a Baltimore homicide unit. The cops'
reactions to overexposure to murder are reflected in grisly humor
and angry outbursts. Simon sketches the history of the various
policemen and the chronology of both the difficult and the
open-and-shut cases they faced during that year. Strong language
and violence. 1991.
The Hot House: Life inside Leavenworth Prison  RC 35217
by Pete Earley
narrated by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
In 1987, reporter Pete Earley received permission to spend two
years observing and interviewing inmates and correctional
officers at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Earley alternates composites of some of those interviewed with
descriptions of the social hierarchy and the history of the
notorious federal prison built in 1895. Strong language,
violence, and descriptions of sex. 1992.
If You Really Loved Me: A True Story of Desire and Murder  RC
34344
by Ann Rule
narrated by Carole Jordan Stewart
4 cassettes
In 1985, David Brown, his seventeen-year-old sister-in-law, and
his fourteen-year-old daughter plotted to kill David's young
wife. Although the daughter confessed to the crime and was
convicted, investigators continued to probe until the entire
story was revealed in David's 1990 trial. Strong language,
explicit descriptions of sex, and violence. 1991.
In a Child's Name: The Legacy of a Mother's Murder  RC 34316
by Peter Maas
narrated by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Teresa Benigno Taylor was found beaten to death in 1984. She was
the wife of Dr. Kenneth Z. Taylor, a dentist, who on the surface
appeared to be a regular guy. But investigation into Teresa's
death soon led police to believe Taylor capable of unspeakable
evil. Maas recounts the events in Taylor's life that lead to his
acts of evil, the murder trial, and the child custody battle by
both sets of grandparents. Bestseller 1990.
L.A. Secret Police: Inside the LAPD Elite Spy Network  RC 35734
by Mike Rothmiller and Ivan G. Goldman
narrated by Richard Davidson
2 cassettes
Detective Mike Rothmiller left the Los Angeles Police Department
in 1983 after being attacked and seriously injured because of his
work with the Organized Crime Intelligence Division. After the
trouble surrounding the Rodney King case, Rothmiller felt he
could no longer remain quiet about the corruption and brutality
he believes are part of the OCID. Violence and strong language.
1992.
Little Man: Meyer Lansky and the Gangster Life  RC 34591
by Robert Lacey
narrated by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Lansky is alleged to have been an extremely wealthy mastermind
behind organized crime, who eluded relentless pursuit by
government officials. Lacey's biography challenges this image by
depicting a successful gambler and casino owner who lived on the
wrong side of the law but did not deserve most accusations
against him. Lansky's reputed huge fortune is disputed by the
fact that his son died destitute. Violence. 1991.
On the Trail of the Assassins  RC 34762
by Jim Garrison
narrated by James DeLotel
3 cassettes
Garrison, the New Orleans district attorney at the time of John
F. Kennedy's assassination, became involved with a subsequent
investigation because Oswald had spent the previous summer in New
Orleans. He presents long-ignored evidence that links Oswald with
the FBI, indicates the fatal shots did not come from the book
depository, and suggests that government agencies were involved
in the planning and the coverup of the assassination. Bestseller
1988.
The Onion Field  RC 34112
by Joseph Wambaugh
narrated by Donald Hotaling
3 cassettes (Reissue)
An account of the kidnapping of two Los Angeles policemen in
1963, the murder of one, and the escape of the other. Bestseller
1973.
Predator: Rape, Madness, and Injustice in Seattle  RC 34866
by Jack Olsen
narrated by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
Olsen describes the dysfunctional upbringing of a young man, "Mac
Smith," who committed over fifty rapes before his conviction.
Prior to Smith's arrest, Steve Titus was falsely convicted of his
crimes and freed only after a reporter's dogged investigation.
Distraught, Titus soon died from a massive heart attack.
Violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex.
Bestseller 1991.
Pure Cop: Cop Talk from the Street to the Specialized Units--Bomb
Squad, Arson, Hostage Negotiation, Prostitution, Major Accidents,
Crime Scene  RC 35080
by Connie Fletcher
narrated by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Devoting a chapter to each specialized unit of the Chicago police
force, journalist Fletcher presents the cops' own anonymous
recitals of incidents that have occurred during their careers.
Biographical notes conclude each chapter. Strong language,
violence, and descriptions of sex. 1991.
Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned  RC 34276
by Douglas J. Besharov
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
The author argues that laws on the reporting of child abuse have
had both positive and negative results. With more care-givers
required to report suspicions of abuse, false reports have
increased, causing increased family anguish. Besharov's guide
tells how to recognize the signs of abuse, how the reporting
process works, and what to do when accused of abuse. Violence and
explicit descriptions of sex. 1990.
Savage Shadows: Eileen Ross's True Story of Blindness, Rape, and
Courage RC 34377
by Eileen Ross
narrated by Yvonne Fair Tessler
2 cassettes
Ross, who is legally blind, was attacked in her home by a serial
rapist-burglar. She describes the assault and her efforts to
placate her attacker while secretly collecting identifying clues.
After the ordeal, Ross faced a frustrating lack of cooperation
from medical personnel and police, so she turned to the media for
help. Strong language, violence, and explicit descriptions of
sex. 1992.
Sins of the Father: The Landmark Franklin Case--a Daughter, a
Memory, and a Murder  RC 35160
by Eileen Franklin and William Wright
narrated by Catherine Byers
3 cassettes
When Eileen was seven her best friend Susan was mysteriously
murdered. Years later Eileen suddenly remembers the
long-repressed image of watching her father kill Susan.
Descriptions of George Franklin's trial accompany Eileen's
recollections of her childhood and her father's effect on his
family. Violence and explicit descriptions of sex. 1991.
Fences  RC 33614
by August Wilson
narrated by Reginald Metcalf
1 cassette
In this play, Troy Maxson, an African American, struggles to come
to terms with his past and the changing world around him. The son
of a hard-bitten, sharecropper father, from whom he learned
violence and responsibility, Troy works as a trash hauler to
support his wife, Rose, and his seventeen-year-old son, Cory. He
has survived a failed attempt to make it in the world of
big-league baseball and fifteen years in prison, but his own lust
ultimately betrays him. 1986.
Mother Earth: An Epic Drama of Emma Goldman's Life  RC 35057
by Martin Duberman
narrated by Suzanne Toren
1 cassette
A play about the early feminist and anarchist that was originally
written for the New York Public Broadcasting System station but
deemed too radical to air. Sixteen-year-old Goldman immigrated to
New York from Russia, eager to join the anarchist movement. An
orator for the cause, she was eventually deported. Her final
effort was to join the fight against Franco. 1991.
The Piano Lesson  RC 34104
by August Wilson
narrated by Reginald Metcalf
1 cassette
A piano carved with their ancestral figures is causing an uproar
in the Charles family. Boy Willie wants to sell the heirloom to
buy the farmland his ancestors worked as slaves. His sister
Berniece refuses, because their father was murdered for stealing
the piano from his old master's family. Other family members,
friends, and a ghost round out the cast of this two-act play.
Pulitzer Prize-winner. 1990.
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet  RC 34707
by William Shakespeare
narrated by George Holmes
1 cassette (Reissue)
A sixteenth-century romantic tragedy of two teenagers from rival
families who fall in love. Romeo's sentence of exile and Juliet's
impending arranged marriage threaten to separate the lovers
forever. A friar suggests a ruse to accomplish their union, but
miscommunication causes it to backfire. 1966.
The Wild Duck: A New Translation; The Writing of the Play;
Criticism  RC 34537
by Henrik Ibsen
narrated by George Backman
2 cassettes
A complex drama unified by the symbolism of the wild duck. A
satire on idealism, a poetic fantasy of illusions, and a tragedy
of human weakness. 1968.
Begin Here: The Forgotten Conditions of Teaching and Learning  RC
35173
by Jacques Barzun
narrated by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Essays and articles reflect the philosophy of this author and
teacher of nearly five decades. Barzun is especially serious
about reading, teaching reading, and instilling the love of
reading. He focuses on basic teaching and reading activities
essential to education, claiming that schools and teachers exist
to develop self-education skills. 1991.
Gender and Higher Education in the Progressive Era  RC 33819
by Lynn D. Gordon
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Gordon describes how the second generation of college women, from
1890 to 1920, differed from the first and later generations,
using research on five institutions of higher education,
including coed, female only, private, and public schools. Drawing
from student writings, such as letters and school newspapers, the
author focuses more on the dynamics of the women's campus social
life than on curriculum differences. 1990.
Under Running Laughter: Notes from a Renegade Classroom  RC 35361
by Quincy Howe, Jr.
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
A special-education teacher describes his work with troubled
inner-city high school youth who are in foster care. Howe
abandons traditional methods of teaching and discipline,
preferring to work with students individually to earn their
trust. He then concentrates on developing their self-esteem and
their confidence in their ability to learn productive skills and
become functional adults. Strong language and violence. 1991.
A Whole-Souled Woman: Prudence Crandall and the Education of
Black Women  RC 34930
by Susan Strane
narrated by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Raised a Quaker, Crandall was a budding activist when she became
a teacher in the 1830s. Her Connecticut townspeople were appalled
when she admitted a black girl to her school, and retaliated with
legal and physical attacks when she declared the school to be for
black girls only. Assisted by other abolitionists, Crandall
survived the battle and continued her life of peaceful activism.
1990.
Different and Wonderful: Raising Black Children in a
Race-Conscious Society  RC 34321
by Darlene Powell Hopson and
Derek S. Hopson
narrated by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
This guide is intended to help African-American parents foster
positive self-images in their children of all ages, equipping
them to flourish in American society. The techniques and methods
for positive parenting are applicable for parents of all races.
Includes a guide for toys and educational resources that
celebrate black culture. 1990.
Healthy Homes, Healthy Kids: Protecting Your Children from
Everyday Environmental Hazards  RC 35210
by Joyce M. Schoemaker and
Charity Y. Vitale
narrated by Carole Jordan Stewart
2 cassettes
Two biologists and mothers present information on identifying and
dealing with hazards--such as radon, asbestos, lead paint, and
food additives--that many children are exposed to on a regular
basis. The authors describe the effects these toxins have on
children and explain why children are at a greater risk than
adults. 1991.
The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours  RC
35259
by Marian Wright Edelman
narrated by Janis Gray
1 cassette
Founder of the Children's Defense Fund advises parents and young
people about caring for the less fortunate. A civil rights
lawyer, wife, and mother of three sons, Edelman speaks her mind
about lessons and values that prepare children, families, and
even the nation, for life. She defines what builds character and
measures success by "hard work, initiative, and persistence" and
"being decent and fair." Bestseller 1992.
Spare the Child: The Religious Roots of Punishment and the
Psychological Impact of Physical Abuse  RC 33692
by Philip Greven
narrated by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
A historian examines the Judeo-Christian roots of America's
religious and secular values that form the basis for physically
punishing children. Greven analyzes the psychological and
emotional effects of such punishment on both individuals and
society, advocates the abolition of corporal punishment, and
promotes nonviolent child-rearing. 1990.
Spiritual Parenting  RC 34264
by David L. Carroll
narrated by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Carroll refers to his book as "a loving guide for the new-age
parent" and presents methods of rearing children in today's
society in a spiritual or religious manner. Included are tips on
convincing children to avoid drugs, rock music, premarital sex,
and unwholesome television programs, as well as on how to talk
about death and how to communicate spiritual ideas. 1990.
Vicki Lansky's Divorce Book for Parents: Helping Your Children
Cope with Divorce and Its Aftermath  RC 34370
by Vicki Lansky
narrated by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
Feeling that the way parents approach a divorce has a great
effect on the children, Lansky offers advice that will help
alleviate some of the offspring's pain. Includes age-specific
advice on breaking the news, preparing for departure, talking
about ex-spouses and keeping them from becoming ex-parents,
custody, and holiday celebrations.
When Parents Love Too Much: What Happens When Parents Won't Let
Go  RC 32894
by Laurie Ashner and Mitch Meyerson
narrated by Randy Means
2 cassettes
A "spoiled" child is one whose parents love too much. The
authors, one a teacher and educational therapist, the other a
psychologist specializing in dysfunctional families, look at the
dilemmas faced by adult children and by parents caught in the
"overparenting" web and offer suggestions on ways to change those
destructive patterns. 1990.
General
Do Penguins Have Knees? An Imponderables Book  RC 35318
by David Feldman
narrated by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Puzzling questions about all sorts of things are compiled and
answered in a humorous but factual manner. Feldman has researched
such questions as "Why do rabbits wiggle their noses all the
time?" and "How and why did 7-Up get its name?" He concludes with
a list of "frustables"--questions he has not been able to answer
yet. 1991.
Mixed Moss: The Journal of the Arthur Ransome Society, Volume 1,
Number 3, 1992  RC 35411
edited by Roger Wardale
narrated by Patrick Horgan
1 cassette
The third issue of _Mixed Moss_ includes feature articles about a
wide variety of topics, a section titled "Events" that reports on
activities of the society and its members, and a section titled
"Little-known Ransome" that includes a 1934 autobiographical
sketch. Also contains reviews of books about Ransome and his work
and brief reports from the regions. 1992.
The Penguin Book of Lies  RC 35350
edited by Philip Kerr
narrated by Peter Johnson
4 cassettes
An anthology of lies dating back to Biblical times. From minor
deceits to monumental falsehoods, Kerr selects examples and adds
commentary from the same period. He discusses the deceitfulness
of answering machines and covers necessary, political, and
governmental lies. As an editor, he neither passes judgment nor
defines a lie. His choices favor the most amusing, celebrated,
and evil specimens. 1990.
Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses? And Other Imponderables of Everyday
Life  RC 33964
by David Feldman
narrated by Mimi Bederman
2 cassettes
The author of several books on "imponderables" offers another
collection of those "little mysteries of everyday life that drive
you nuts--until you get the answers." This time Feldman answers
such questions as Why are racquetballs blue? Where is Old
Zealand? Do submarines have anchors? Why are TV sets measured
diagonally? Why are blueprints blue? Why are peaches fuzzy? 1990.
Government, Law,
and Politics
Abu Nidal: A Gun for Hire  RC 35148
by Patrick Seale
narrated by Patrick Horgan
3 cassettes
A Middle East specialist examines the terrorist organization
headed by Abu Nidal. He traces the leader's Palestinian roots,
discusses his break with the Palestine Liberation Organization,
and describes the structure of his violent faction, now based in
Libya. Seale claims that numerous countries, perhaps even Israel,
have been party to Abu Nidal's extortion schemes and arms
trading. 1992.
Chain Reaction: The Impact of Race, Rights, and Taxes on American
Politics  RC 33823
by Thomas Byrne Edsall and
Mary D. Edsall
narrated by Art Metzler
3 cassettes
Covering the years 1964-1990, the authors explore the racial
conflicts that allowed Republicans to retain control of the White
House. Their major premise is that the chain reaction set off by
the politics of race has helped Republicans overcome their image
as the party of the rich, thus garnering the votes of
middle-class whites. Bestseller 1991.
Children of Cain: Violence and the Violent in Latin America  RC
34365
by Tina Rosenberg
narrated by Carole Jordan Stewart
3 cassettes
Journalist Rosenberg spent five years in Latin America and
illustrates the magnitude of political violence that exists by
describing the people she came to know. Except for a Colombian
judge who is murdered after indicting a major drug figure, the
profiled subjects have all committed or supported violence, which
Rosenberg believes stems from a pathological society. 1991.
Clarence Darrow for the Defense: A Biography  RC 34657
by Irving Stone
narrated by Barry Bernson
4 cassettes (Reissue)
A biography of the American defense lawyer which conveys the
intensity of his public and private life and gives the background
of some of his most famous cases. 1969.
Clinton: Young Man in a Hurry  RC 34698
by Jim Moore and Rick Ihde
narrated by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Unauthorized biography of the 1992 Democratic candidate for
United States president. Republican and former Arkansas
journalist Moore has observed Clinton since 1974, when the young
law professor first sought political office. With excerpts from
interviews and speeches, as well as the full texts of three 1991
speeches, the authors describe Clinton's life, career, and
attributes. 1992.
The Comeback Kid: The Life and Career of Bill Clinton  RC 35116
by Charles F. Allen and Jonathan Portis
narrated by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Bill Clinton has more than eighteen years' experience running for
various political offices. Allen and Portis examine Clinton's
background and the areas in which he has been
influential--especially educational reform. The authors also
discuss his lack of foreign policy experience and the outlook for
the 1992 presidential election. 1992.
Crapshoot: Rolling the Dice on the Vice Presidency; from Adams
and Jefferson to Truman and Quayle  RC 35523
by Jules Witcover
narrated by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Political columnist's perspective on the vice presidency.
Highlights the casual manner in which this office is filled and
supports the consensus that the selection is primarily to satisfy
political purposes. Proclaims the dangers of this situation, and
proposes either abolishing the office or having the delegates
make the choice. 1992.
Deterring Democracy  RC 34598
by Noam Chomsky
narrated by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
This collection of essays traces changes in the world order from
World War II through the Cold War era, emphasizing U.S. foreign
policies and their enforcement with military power. Chomsky
portrays an economically impotent United States bent on
maintaining favorable conditions for "business rule," generally
tempted to ignore diplomacy and international law, and not above
creating a sham, especially in the Third World, in the name of
democratic freedom. 1991.
Every Spy a Prince: The Complete History of Israel's Intelligence
Community  RC 34722
by Dan Raviv and Yossi Melman
narrated by Ken Kliban
4 cassettes
More than 10,000 citizens work within the Israeli intelligence
community. The authors, both correspondents in the Middle East,
provide a history of all the branches of Israeli intelligence
including the Mossad, the Aman, the Shin Bet, and two previously
unknown branches. Bestseller 1990.
The Government Racket: Washington Waste from A to Z  RC 35654
by Martin L. Gross
narrated by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Experienced author, reporter, and editor bases his criticism of
wasteful government spending on his research of federal agencies.
Gross has something to say about seventy-five subjects ranging
from agriculture to the National Zoo. He quotes statistics and
proposes solutions to national problems. Most of his suggested
reforms call for spending reductions. Bestseller 1992.
J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets  RC 33801
by Curt Gentry
narrated by Butch Hoover
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Based on more than 300 interviews and thousands of pages of
once-classified documents, Gentry portrays Hoover as a private
man who was married to the FBI and who became a hunter of men.
After describing Hoover's upbringing, Gentry discusses Hoover's
many years with the FBI, including his roles in the Kennedy
assassination investigation, the civil rights movement, and the
McCarthy period. Bestseller 1991.
The Justice from Beacon Hill: The Life and Times of Oliver
Wendell Holmes  RC 34379
by Liva Baker
narrated by Bob Butz
5 cassettes
Baker draws on new sources for this chronicle. She describes
Holmes's years at Harvard and his service in the Civil War. She
also tells of Holmes's marriage to a woman who had been his
closest friend for many years and of his fifty years on the
bench, twenty in Massachusetts and thirty on the Supreme Court.
Included are Holmes's opinions on conservation, child labor, and
copyright laws. 1991.
+The Man to See: Edward Bennett Williams; Ultimate Insider,
Legendary Trial Lawyer  RC 33946
by Evan Thomas
narrated by Randy Atcher
4 cassettes
If you were in serious trouble, Williams was your man. A devout
Catholic with a strong belief in the "majestic vengeance of God,"
he defended such clients as Joe McCarthy, Jimmy Hoffa, and Frank
Sinatra. A behind-the-scenes look at the man who exercised total
control over others but realized as he faced his own death that
he was about to witness real power. Strong language. Bestseller
1991.
The Man Who Would Be President: Dan Quayle  RC 34697
by David S. Broder and Bob Woodward
narrated by Ray Foushee
1 cassette
As vice-president of the United States, Dan Quayle has often been
ridiculed, rather than taken seriously. The authors, reporters
for the _Washington Post_, interviewed Quayle, his wife, and more
than 200 friends and colleagues to compile this evaluation of
Quayle's strengths, weaknesses, and leadership qualities. 1992.
The New World Order  RC 34218
by Pat Robertson
narrated by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
In the early 1990s, previously inconceivable changes occurred,
affecting people throughout the world. Robertson contends that
officials have a plan for creating a "new world order," and he
explores signs of this conspiracy in law, government, and
economics. He warns that leaders are trying to politically
address problems such as why evil and misery exist in the world,
whether lasting peace is possible, and what the future will be.
Bestseller 1991.
Of Prisons and Ideas  RC 34920
by Milovan Djilas
narrated by Frank Coffee
1 cassette
In this brief work, the Yugoslav revolutionary and philosopher
deals with faith, despair, pain, and joy. He describes his
experiences of prison and torture and reflects on the power of
belief, which sustained him through twelve years of prison, four
years of war, endless struggle, and painful sacrifice. 1986.
Out There: The Government's Secret Quest for Extraterrestrials
RC 34776
by Howard Blum
narrated by James DeLotel
2 cassettes
The United States government has claimed that there is not enough
evidence to warrant investigation of the possibility of
extraterrestrial life. Blum refutes this position, stating that
the government has, in fact, created a top-secret UFO Working
Group to do just that. He presents the history behind the group's
1987 formation and the methods he used to discover its existence.
1990.
Perot: An Unauthorized Biography  RC 34818
by Todd Mason
narrated by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
A _Wall Street Journal_ writer and former bureau chief for
_Business Week_ had ready access to Perot. But once Mason
informed Perot of his plans for a biography, he was forced to
proceed without the billionaire's blessing. Relying on his
research and analysis of subjects that deal with financial
matters, Mason offers his perspective on Perot's efforts in both
business and philanthropy. Bestseller 1990.
Prepare Your Own Will: The National Will Kit  RC 35531
by Daniel Sitarz
narrated by Dave Jackson
2 cassettes
A self-help guide to preparing a legally valid will without using
a lawyer. Sitarz, an attorney, cites important reasons for having
a will. He outlines step-by-step instructions for planning and
preparing a will, disposing of property, naming a beneficiary and
an executor, adding specific clauses, signing or changing the
final document, and completing a "living" will. State laws and a
glossary of legal terms are included. 1991.
Putting People First: How We Can All Change America  RC 35674
by Bill Clinton and Al Gore
narrated by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
An outline of the issues addressed by Clinton and Gore during
their 1992 campaign. Includes their views on the environment,
women's rights, health care, and the economy. For each issue they
list the specific steps they intend to take. Also included are
Clinton's and Gore's candidate announcement speeches and the
speeches they gave at the Democratic National Convention.
Bestseller 1992.
Reinventing Government: How the Entrepreneurial Spirit Is
Transforming the Public Sector  RC 34867
by David Osborne and Ted Gaebler
narrated by John Rayburn
3 cassettes
The authors believe government is in serious trouble. They also
believe government can change. They have examined successful
state and local administrations and gleaned ten lessons that can
benefit other government agencies. The lessons include "steer
rather than row," "prevent rather than cure," and "earn rather
than spend." Bestseller 1992.
Ross Perot: In His Own Words  RC 34819
by Tony Chiu
narrated by Art Metzler
1 cassette
Ross Perot is a self-made Texas billionaire who considered
running for president of the United States in 1992. Chiu uses
quotations by Perot to illustrate the aspirant's views on
business, education, the economy, drugs, and other issues. The
quotations are compiled from a variety of interviews and speeches
given over the previous two decades and are interspersed with
brief explanatory commentary by Chiu. 1992.
Scandal: The Culture of Mistrust in American Politics  RC 34688
by Suzanne Garment
narrated by Katrina Van Dyne
3 cassettes
The author finds that while there is nothing new about political
scandal, the establishment in Washington since Watergate seems to
foster a pervasive mistrust of the powerful. With the perspective
of a columnist and a teacher of government, Garment analyzes the
system that enables catastrophic problems to corrupt the nation
while investigations focus on less serious indiscretions. 1991.
Seize the Moment: America's Challenge in a One-Superpower World
RC 34754
by Richard Nixon
narrated by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
With political changes in Eastern and Western Europe, China, and
the Middle East, Nixon believes it is "imperative that the United
States seize this moment to secure peace and to advance freedom
around the world," and not turn its attention totally inward. For
emphasis, he examines recent developments in Europe, Asia, the
Muslim world, Africa, and the Pacific Triangle. Bestseller 1992.
Turning Right: The Making of the Rehnquist Supreme Court  RC
35225
by David G. Savage
narrated by Art Metzler
4 cassettes
A _Los Angeles Times_ reporter analyzes the five-year transition
period after William Rehnquist became chief justice of the
Supreme Court in 1986. Savage scans behind-the-scenes operations
for patterns of change, observing how the conservative majority
coerces justices with borderline opinions into joining them. And
he considers the effect of the retirement of liberal justices.
1992.
A Very Thin Line: The Iran-Contra Affairs  RC 34336
by Theodore Draper
narrated by Peter Johnson
6 cassettes
Historian Draper pored over 50,000 pages of testimony, private
depositions, reports, and personal notes of key figures to
compile his explanation of what really happened in the
Iran-Contra affairs. The title refers to "the thin line that
separates the legitimate from the illegitimate exercise of power
in our government." 1991.
What It Takes: The Way to the White House  RC 35150
by Richard Ben Cramer
narrated by Peter Johnson
9 cassettes in 2 containers
Pulitzer Prize-winner Cramer examines the campaigns and lives of
six of the 1988 presidential candidates--George Bush, Michael
Dukakis, Robert Dole, Richard Gephardt, Joseph Biden, and Gary
Hart. This detailed account, peppered with conversations, looks
beyond sensational media stories to illustrate the type of person
who runs for president of the United States. Strong language.
Bestseller 1992.
Who Will Tell the People: The Betrayal of American Democracy  RC
34821
by William Greider
narrated by Art Metzler
4 cassettes
Greider, an experienced political reporter, examines American
politics. Believing that government responds mainly to "interests
of major economic organizations and concentrated wealth," Greider
describes methods used to woo politicians. Optimistic that the
situation is reversible, he urges Americans to organize and begin
the restoration of democracy. Some strong language. Bestseller
1992.
Why Americans Hate Politics  RC 34292
by E.J. Dionne, Jr.
narrated by Ray Foushee
3 cassettes
_Washington Post_ journalist Dionne writes that from the 1960s to
the 1990s, "the faith of the American people in their democratic
institutions has declined and Americans have begun to doubt their
ability to improve the world through politics." Dionne claims
that Americans have lost faith in the political system because
the ideologies of the political parties have no connection to
American values. Bestseller 1991.
Hobbies
Flea Market Trader: Revised Seventh Edition  RC 34674
edited by Sharon and Bob Huxford
narrated by Mary Kane
4 cassettes
From popular milk glass to a signed color photo of Jesse Helms,
the approximate current value of flea market collectibles is
reflected in this guide. The prices are intended only as an
educated guess. Regional fluctuations, the condition of the item,
wholesale prices, and one's bargaining skill, above all,
determine the final cost to the shopper. 1991.
A Patchwork Garden: Unexpected Pleasures from a Country Garden
RC 32917
by Sydney Eddison
narrated by Dee Weber
2 cassettes
The author considers a garden a very personal creation evolving
from struggles with a particular piece of earth, in a specific
climate, and mirroring the gardener's personality and prejudices.
She shares the colors and fragrances of her own garden that, like
a patchwork quilt, is made up of bits and pieces of other lives
and gardens, each with its own story. 1990.
Second Nature: A Gardener's Education  RC 34371
by Michael Pollan
narrated by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
As Pollan meanders through a year of gardening and philosophy, he
describes his efforts to garden five acres of a rocky hillside in
Connecticut. Pollan admits he began gardening for the
satisfaction of pulling a bunch of carrots from his own ground
and to stop the advancing forest that threatened to engulf his
home. In the end he admits that in spite of all his efforts,
"nature is bound to have the last word." 1991.
Humor
Air Fair: Alice Furlaud's Dispatches from Paris  RC 35727
by Alice Furlaud
narrated by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
Allez Furlough--that's French for "to go on vacation" and sounds
suspiciously like the fictitious character featured as the
intrepid foreign reporter in these National Public Radio stories.
Allie goes shopping in a Paris outdoor market and learns about
bad tempers. She interviews a tourist at the Louvre, who finds
the pictures old and fading. And then there's Beau, the English
bulldog. 1989.
Anguished English  RC 33613
by Richard Lederer
narrated by Ray Hagen
1 cassette
Lederer--an English teacher, author of the syndicated column
"Looking at Language," and language commentator on public
radio--has assembled an anthology of accidental assaults upon our
language. He gathers bloopers from such written sources as
student papers, parents' notes, courtroom records, church
bulletins, and newspapers. And he picks up slips of the tongue of
the famous and infamous. 1987.
Archy and Mehitabel  RC 34826
by Don Marquis
narrated by Leon Janney
1 cassette (Reissue)
A witty, philosophical cockroach taps out his free-verse comments
on the boss's typewriter, along with poems dictated by the
disreputable lady cat Mehitabel. They comment on life, love, and
society. 1930.
Camels Are Easy, Comedy's Hard  RC 35119
by Roy Blount, Jr.
narrated by Barry Bernson
2 cassettes
A collection of Blount's previously published, humorous essays on
topics such as the state of the nation, getting a tan, and Gilda
Radner. He includes a self-review of his last book. Blount is the
creator of unusual crossword puzzles and provides the answers and
explanations. He also offers a sampling of his verse, such as
"It's April fifteenth! Now I'm someone who owns...A piece of a
whole lot of Savings and Loans." Some strong language. 1991.
Chicago Days/Hoboken Nights  RC 34804
by Daniel Pinkwater
narrated by David Hartley-Margolin
1 cassette
In a series of short, humorous essays, the self-proclaimed former
wimp describes various cats, women, artists, and incidents in his
colorful life. Pinkwater trained as a sculptor, but at the end of
his apprenticeship, his mentor told him to be a writer instead.
He is known both as a popular author and illustrator of
children's books and as a commentator for National Public Radio's
"All Things Considered." 1991.
Curing the Cross-Eyed Mule: Appalachian Mountain Humor  RC 32950
edited by Loyal Jones and
Billy Edd Wheeler
narrated by Don Emmick
1 cassette
Earthy humor on a variety of subjects, such as love and marriage,
schools and education, moonshine and other spirits, old age,
religion, politicians and lawyers, health and medicine, rural
life, and animals. Some strong language. 1989.
Enough's Enough: And Other Rules of Life  RC 33839
by Calvin Trillin
narrated by George Patterson
2 cassettes
A syndicated columnist and bona fide curmudgeon takes a swipe at
life's little irritations in a collection of essays that appeared
originally as columns in the _New Yorker_ under "Uncivil
Liberties." Trillin writes about everyday topics such as people,
politics, and current events, but he does it with a decidedly
American sense of humor. 1990.
Give War a Chance: Eyewitness Accounts of Mankind's Struggle
against Tyranny, Injustice, and Alcohol-free Beer  RC 34700
by P.J. O'Rourke
narrated by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
Articles by political humorist on the theme of the battle against
evil. O'Rourke covers Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, drugs in
America, famine in Africa, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall,
and the elections in Nicaragua. He also provides an enemies list
that includes Jesse Jackson, Ralph Nader, and Gore Vidal. Some
strong language. Bestseller 1992.
Laughing through the Years: A New Treasury of Jewish Humor  RC
34938
retold by David C. Gross
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
1 cassette
In spite of strictures, prejudice, and persecution through the
ages, many Jewish people have developed a wonderful sense of
humor. Jewish comedians like Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Alan King,
Jackie Mason, and Danny Kaye have made millions laugh. Here are
both old and new stories, some true, that have sprouted from
historical events. 1991.
+Lighten Up, George  RC 33927
by Art Buchwald
narrated by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
A collection of more than 150 of Buchwald's newspaper columns.
The subjects include his wife's refusal to consider being first
lady--she is afraid of what Kitty Kelly might say; the secret
benefits of smoking--nonsmokers live longer and consume valuable
resources; a eulogy for the "National Bank That Couldn't"--its
borrowers told the bank to shove it; and the high cost of
college--perhaps a lottery ticket might help. Bestseller 1991.
The Osgood Files  RC 34593
by Charles Osgood
narrated by Jack Fox
1 cassette
As a radio and television commentator for CBS and as a syndicated
columnist, Osgood is known for his humorous style. Here is a
collection of ninety-eight of his essays on a wide variety of
topics ranging from communism to a man falling asleep in a
department-store rocking chair. 1991.
Rotten Reviews: A Literary Companion  RC 35773
edited by Bill Henderson
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
1 cassette
A collection of adverse statements that have been written, said,
or reported about literary classics and their authors. For
example, Aristophanes referred to Euripides as "a cliche
anthologist ... and maker of ragamuffin manikins." The editor
includes other writers' "further thoughts on the art of
reviewing." 1986.
The Telephone Booth Indian  RC 34463
by A.J. Liebling
narrated by John Stratton
2 cassettes
First published in 1942. Most of these ten essays appeared
previously in the _New Yorker_. Liebling describes the antics of
glass-door pay-phone entrepreneurs as they conduct their business
in the lobbies of Times Square. Too poor to afford legitimate
offices, the characters that Liebling celebrates promote or
manage everyone from palm readers to sparring partners for boxers
in training--whatever brings in a dollar. 1990.
_Tough Girls Don't Knit_ and Other Tales of Stylish Subversion
RC 33745
by Freda Garmaise
narrated by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
A collection of fifty-two humorous essays in which the author
lets her audience know about things that matter to her. Her
topics include knitting an egg cozy, shopping--not buying,
growing fingernails and how long nails can change one's life,
facing the terror of fitting rooms, and deciding what to do with
one's after-death ashes. 1990.
+When You Look like Your Passport Photo, It's Time to Go Home  RC
33935
by Erma Bombeck
narrated by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
As a seasoned traveler, Bombeck offers advice on such topics as
packing, jet lag, group tours, tipping, languages, and photos.
She recounts the family's raft trip down the Colorado River, the
problems of driving a rental car, and the injustice of a system
that allows fifteen minutes to view the _Book of Kells_ and
ninety minutes to tour a sweater factory. Bestseller 1991.
The Father of Love  RC 34103
by Janette Oke
narrated by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
A collection of short readings taken from the Love Comes Softly
book series featuring Marty and Clark Davis--a young couple
living in the Canadian West. Following their lives as they move
from youth into old age, Oke has pulled inspirational passages
from her books and given them a theme, a summary thought, and an
appropriate Biblical passage. 1989.
Hope for the Troubled Heart  RC 34805
by Billy Graham
narrated by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
Graham examines the sense of helplessness that he encounters in
people all over the world. He claims that experts in every field
agree that the most vital human need is hope. Drawing upon his
experience in the ministry, he addresses loneliness, stress,
illness, depression, death, and tragedy. He offers the promise of
hope in the midst of human suffering. 1991.
One Person Can Make a Difference: Ordinary People Doing
Extraordinary Things  RC 34586
by Gerald G. Jampolsky
narrated by Randy Atcher
1 cassette
Although the nine persons profiled by Jampolsky all have very
different stories, they share the trait of devoting themselves to
"making a difference." The inspirational subjects include a woman
who learns to forgive her son's murderer; a woman who founded a
project to feed AIDS patients; and entrepreneur Ted Turner, who
campaigns for the environment. 1990.
A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of _A Course in
Miracles_  RC 34516
by Marianne Williamson
narrated by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Williamson, a lecturer in the areas of spirituality and new
thought, believes that love is an essential element in the
healing of the world. She says humans are born with love, yet as
they grow older love is replaced with fear as they learn about
competition, sickness, guilt, death, and limitations. Her book
provides a guide for a journey back to love. Bestseller 1992.
Damon Runyon  RC 34883
by Jimmy Breslin
narrated by Chuck Benson
4 cassettes
One flamboyant, popular, New York journalist and fiction writer
recreates the life of another. Breslin (adding some original
dialog) portrays the personal and professional lifestyles of
Damon Runyon, the witty, cynical protege of newspaper tycoon
William Randolph Hearst. Runyon's tales and sketches of Broadway
sports and underworld figures epitomized the Roaring Twenties and
gave rise to the term "Runyonesque." Some strong language. 1991.
Deadline: A Memoir  RC 34251
by James Reston
narrated by Bob Butz
4 cassettes
A Pulitzer Prize-winning _New York Times_ journalist looks back
on a life spent meeting deadlines. "Scotty" Reston left Glasgow
as a child and settled with his Calvinist family in America. He
recalls the beginning of his career as a sportswriter, his
progression to war correspondent in London during the blitz, his
forays into newspaper editorial and administrative positions, and
his fifty-year term as a political commentator. 1991.
I Remember  RC 33840
by Dan Rather and Peter Wyden
narrated by Art Metzler
2 cassettes
Rather, a proud Texan, fondly remembers his growing-up years in
Houston during the Depression and World War II. He affirms that
his lifelong heroes are his parents, and also tells about other
relatives, friends, coaches, and bosses who influenced his youth.
Among his recollections are tales of how he inherited the name
"Rags" from his grandfather and of his long bout with rheumatic
fever. Bestseller 1991.
I Remember Television: A Memoir  RC 33570
by Ira Skutch
narrated by David Impastato
2 cassettes
Skutch was there in the beginning as NBC switched from radio to
television in the 1940s. Involved in such live television dramas
as the "Philco Playhouse" and such game shows as "Beat the
Clock," "What's My Line," and "I've Got a Secret," Skutch, who
began as a page at NBC, recalls his rise to the position of
director and some of the friends he made along the way. 1989.
The Impossible H.L. Mencken: A Selection of His Best Newspaper
Stories  RC 35520
by H.L. Mencken
narrated by Bill Wallace
6 cassettes
Marion Elizabeth Rodgers edits a generous sampling of Mencken's
opinions, primarily from his hometown paper, the Baltimore
_Evening Sun_. Nothing's sacred! Convinced of the stupidity of
the masses, he holds forth on civil liberties, democracy,
politics, censorship, and other matters of intellectual concern.
He is equally outspoken on nuisances and bores, bald heads, and
hot dogs. 1991.
Live from Baghdad: Gathering News at Ground Zero  RC 35149
by Robert Wiener
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
3 cassettes
A Cable News Network (CNN) executive producer chronicles how his
network managed to bring live news accounts direct from the scene
of the Persian Gulf War. Wiener describes events leading to the
crisis, revealing behind-the-scenes negotiations and competition
from rivals. Tales of military exploits are mixed with anecdotes
of CNN staff relaxing. Strong language. 1992.
Now the News: The Story of Broadcast Journalism  RC 35177
by Edward Bliss, Jr.
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
5 cassettes
Former newsman reviews the history of news broadcasting. Bliss
describes how reporters from the early days of radio, working
with crude equipment, struggled to get their story out first.
Little has changed, except that transmission is now an electronic
marvel that no one could have imagined seven decades ago. He
includes profiles of the pioneers of radio and television, the
men and women who were present as news happened. 1991.
Out of Thin Air: The Brief Wonderful Life of Network News  RC
34374
by Reuven Frank
narrated by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
Frank joined NBC TV in 1950 as a writer and rose to the rank of
network president--not once, but twice. His history of television
news uses political conventions as the framework. As Frank
details how television news has changed since the networks began
on May 1, 1948, he also describes his rise to the top. He
includes stories about well-known news figures and TV shows. Some
strong language. 1991.
The Pulitzer Prize: The Inside Story of America's Most
Prestigious Award  RC 34213
by J. Douglas Bates
narrated by Art Metzler
2 cassettes
Focusing on the Pulitzer Prize for specialized news reporting,
ex-newspaperman Bates examines the three 1990 nominations for
that award and writes about the winners. Broadening his scope,
Bates also looks at the history of the prize, the methods of
judging and selection, and problems with the award system. 1991.
Three Blind Mice: How the TV Networks Lost Their Way  RC 33834
by Ken Auletta
narrated by Lou Harpenau
5 cassettes
Auletta, who has worked in television himself, describes the
crisis faced by ABC, CBS, and NBC. For six years, he was
permitted to sit in on high-level meetings and to talk with
network programmers and news anchors. In his first-hand account
of the networks' struggle for survival, he discusses the effects
of cable TV, the Fox network, and VCRs, as well as the sales of
all three major networks in 1986. 1991.
Walter Cronkite: His Life and Times  RC 35539
by Doug James
narrated by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
A communication arts professor traces the rise of the young radio
sports announcer who developed into a United Press war
correspondent and went on to shape the role of television anchor.
From the beginning of Cronkite's association with CBS until his
retirement more than three decades later, "the most trusted man
in America" was known to many by his familiar "and that's the way
it is" sign-off. 1991.
Language and Linguistics
Anguished English  RC 33613
by Richard Lederer
narrated by Ray Hagen
1 cassette
Lederer--an English teacher, author of the syndicated column
"Looking at Language," and language commentator on public
radio--has assembled an anthology of accidental assaults upon our
language. He gathers bloopers from such written sources as
student papers, parents' notes, courtroom records, church
bulletins, and newspapers. And he picks up slips of the tongue of
the famous and infamous. 1987.
Et Cetera, Et Cetera: Notes of a Word-Watcher  RC 34407
by Lewis Thomas
narrated by Jon Beryl
1 cassette
Using the _American Heritage Dictionary_, _Indogermanisches
Etymologisches Worterbuch_, and the _Oxford English Dictionary_,
Thomas has created a series of popular etymological essays on
such topics as the origin of the most taboo word in the English
language and the wide variety of word meanings originating from
one root. 1990.
Stolen Words: Forays into the Origins and Ravages of Plagiarism
RC 33951
by Thomas Mallon
narrated by James DeLotel
2 cassettes
A lecturer in English at Vassar College explores the psychology
of plagiarism, and the irregular exposure and punishment of the
perpetrator. He discusses how our first sense of the stealing of
another's words was born in the seventeenth century and cites
Charles Reade, who advocated purposeful "borrowing." He also
covers plagiarism in academia and Hollywood. 1989.
Literature
American Stories  RC 34557
by Calvin Trillin
narrated by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Twelve nonfiction stories expanded from earlier versions in the
_New Yorker_ chronicle offbeat aspects of American culture.
Profiles include those of eccentric magicians Penn and Teller and
a pair of midwestern, church-going murderers. Subjects range
through the serious problems of a logging town in Oregon, the
fate of an American student who falls ill in China, and the ice
cream war between Ben and Jerry's and Haagen-Dazs. 1991.
Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays  RC 34590
by Northrop Frye
narrated by John Richardson
3 cassettes
Frye examines a variety of techniques widely used in literary
criticism, including theories of modes, symbols, myths, and
genres. He claims, in a "polemical introduction" and a "tentative
conclusion," to be interested in demonstrating how individual
systems complement one another to form a comprehensive view.
1957.
Anne Sexton: A Biography  RC 34216
by Diane Wood Middlebrook
narrated by Janis Gray
4 cassettes
Poet Anne Sexton was forty-five when she took her own life in
1974. She had suffered a suicidal breakdown after the birth of
her second child in 1955 and began seeing a psychiatrist, who
encouraged her to write poetry. The author draws upon the tapes
of those therapy sessions, surviving family records, and
interviews with family and friends to achieve insight into
Sexton's life and work. Bestseller 1991.
Arthur Ransome  RC 35329
by Peter Hunt
narrated by George Backman
2 cassettes
The author of this biography is, like his subject, a literary
critic and an author of children's books. Hunt outlines Ransome's
evolution as a writer--from his apprenticeship as a journalist in
Edwardian London to his days in Russia as a foreign correspondent
during the revolution. Hunt believes that the origin of some of
the adventures that Ransome depicted in his Swallows and Amazons
series can be traced to his love for fishing and sailing. 1991.
Assorted Prose  RC 34738
by John Updike
narrated by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
In Updike's first collection of nonfiction prose, he assembles
pieces that were published over a ten-year period. He includes
essays, some bordering on short stories, on topics ranging from
"Why Robert Frost Should Receive the Nobel Prize" to "The Dogwood
Tree: A Boyhood" (autobiographical sketch). Also included are
parodies, book reviews, and a tribute to Ted Williams on his last
time up for the Boston Red Sox--he hit a home run. 1965.
Author and Agent: Eudora Welty and Diarmuid Russell  RC 34319
by Michael Kreyling
narrated by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
When Russell became a literary agent in 1940, Welty, an unknown
writer of short stories, became one of his first clients. Her
reliance and respect for Russell grew to match her agent's faith
in her work, in a relationship that was to last until his death
in 1973. Kreyling examines their correspondence, details the
growth of Welty's talent and reputation, and provides insights
into changes in the publishing world. 1991.
Black, French, and African: A Life of Leopold Sedar Senghor  RC
34160
by Janet G. Vaillant
narrated by Frank Coffee
3 cassettes
Biography of the African intellectual, political, and cultural
leader and first president of independent Senegal, West Africa.
Senghor is also a noted French author and poet, and the first
black African to be elected to the Academie Francaise. His theory
of negritude--a term he used in the 1930s to express black
character, civilization, and history--has become a universal link
to black identity and pride. 1990.
Books That Changed the World  RC 33153
by Robert B. Downs
narrated by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
By distilling the essential ideas of books that have had the
greatest influence, both for good and evil, and by placing such
books in the context of their time, the author explores the
effect they have had on western religious thought, culture, law,
literature, science, and virtually every aspect of civilization.
1983.
Broken Vessels  RC 34569
by Andre Dubus
narrated by John Stratton
1 cassette
Dubus describes his thirteen-year personal and domestic
rite-of-passage in these autobiographical essays. He reveals how
he challenged the faith acquired during his Catholic upbringing
in a Cajun-Creole section of Louisiana, the contradictions he
feels as an American male, how he copes with the physical
handicap that he sustained in a serious accident, and the
difficulties of being a writer and being human. 1991.
Carl Sandburg: A Biography  RC 34376
by Penelope Niven
narrated by Bruce Huntey
6 cassettes
Poet and biographer Sandburg was born to immigrant parents in
1878. Monetary needs interrupted his schooling at a young age.
After vagabond travels and military service, Sandburg entered
college and discovered the joy of writing. The unflagging support
of his wife, Paula, a suffragette, bolstered him even when
Socialist party activities put both his new marriage and his
writing on hold. Sandburg died in 1967. 1991.
Continual Lessons: The Journals of Glenway Wescott, 1937-1955  RC
34549
by Glenway Wescott
narrated by George Backman
4 cassettes
Westcott reveals his thoughts and actions in journals that he
kept from age thirty-six. The author of reviews, poems, stories,
and novels (including _Apartment in Athens (RC 11297)_) describes
meeting other writers during his extensive travels, and openly
discusses a lifelong relationship with art editor Monroe Wheeler.
Descriptions of sex. 1990.
Convergences: Essays on Art and Literature  RC 34571
by Octavio Paz
narrated by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Sixteen essays examine topics as diverse as speaking in tongues
and translating poetry. In "At Table and in Bed," Paz claims that
"American contradiction--a democratic universalism based on
ethnic, cultural, religious, and sexual exclusions--is reflected
in its cuisine." Artists, linguists, and writers are discussed
more seriously by the 1990 Nobel Laureate in Literature. 1987.
The Day Gone By: An Autobiography  RC 34326
by Richard Adams
narrated by George Holmes
3 cassettes
The author of _Watership Down (RD 9707)_ writes of growing up in
the English countryside. Adams was influenced by his father, an
amateur naturalist, and sprinkles his memoirs with references to
the flora and fauna of his youth. Military service interrupts his
studies at Oxford and alters his idyllic life as he mourns the
wartime deaths of his friends. The memoirs end as young Adams
meets his future wife. 1990.
Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance  RC 35074
by Kenneth Silverman
narrated by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Silverman presents a personal and psychological history, not a
critical biography. He expands on Poe as the precursor of
detective story writing and gives his poetry and criticism short
shrift. Silverman's approach includes a detailed account of Poe's
short life, an analysis of his place in the literary world, and
an attempt to link his work with his life. 1991.
Fates Worse than Death: An Autobiographical Collage of the 1980s
RC 35155
by Kurt Vonnegut
narrated by George Backman
2 cassettes
This collection of essays, articles, and speeches, accompanied by
commentary and peppered with tidbits from Vonnegut's life story,
illustrates the novelist's views on issues of the 1980s. Subjects
include gun control, censorship, racism, and Presidents Reagan
and Bush. The title is from a speech about nuclear weaponry
Vonnegut gave in 1983. Some strong language. 1991.
Ford Madox Ford  RC 35530
by Alan Judd
narrated by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Appreciation and biography of a turn-of-the-century English
writer. Although Ford was the author of eighty-two books, he is
perhaps best-known for _Parade's End (RC 24870)_ and _The Good
Soldier (RC 17884)_, which begins with the renowned line "This is
the saddest story I have ever heard." Judd, a novelist himself,
tells readers that "it is better to read [Ford's books]...rather
than read about [them]." 1990.
Four Decades of Polish Essays  RC 34273
edited by Jan Kott
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
3 cassettes
A collection of essays written since World War II by more than
two dozen Polish writers. Topics range from aspects of literature
and culture to science fiction and political oppression and
exile. The editor, also one of the contributors, suggests that he
"tried to avoid specifically Polish subjects in the narrow
sense," but the theme of exile and the "wound of history" run
throughout these essays. Includes Milosz's 1980 Nobel Prize
lecture. 1990.
The Godwins and the Shelleys: The Biography of a Family  RC 34459
by William St Clair
narrated by Peter Johnson
5 cassettes
Patriarch of a forward-thinking extended literary family, William
Godwin was author of _Political Justice_ and husband to Mary
Wollstonecraft, who wrote _Vindication of the Rights of Women_.
Their daughter Mary wrote _Frankenstein_. She married her
father's admirer, poet Percy Shelley, while Godwin's stepdaughter
from a second marriage lived with Lord Byron. 1989.
Hank: The Life of Charles Bukowski  RC 34465
by Neeli Cherkovski
narrated by Christopher Hurt
2 cassettes
Underground poet and novelist Bukowski, a cult figure in Germany,
became famous in America after the release of the
autobiographical movie _Barfly_. Growing up in Los Angeles,
Bukowski endured an abusive German father and was scarred by
severe acne. His work reflects his life as an outsider, working
for the post office, frequenting sleazy bars, and dedicating
himself to writing. 1991.
Henry and June: From the Unexpurgated Diary of Anais Nin  RC
34354
by Anais Nin
narrated by Barbara Caruso
2 cassettes
The novelist, who kept a diary from the age of eleven, decided to
publish parts of it, beginning with 1931-1932 when she became
involved with Henry Miller and his wife, June. These
relationships so influenced her writing that Nin completed six
journals in the space of one year. This volume contains diary
entries taken from this period. Some strong language. Bestseller
1990.
Here at Eagle Pond  RC 34441
by Donald Hall
narrated by Peter Johnson
1 cassette
An essayist and poet rejoices in his return to his ancestral New
Hampshire farm. He reflects on the habit of letter-writing
inherited from his maternal grandmother, reasons for hating
Vermont, politics and the primary season, keeping things, his
beloved satellite dish, New England weather, and the way people
talk--with fifty samples of what they talk about. Sequel to
_Seasons at Eagle Pond (RC 28160)_. 1990.
Hopes and Impediments: Selected Essays RC 34176
by Chinua Achebe
narrated by Ed Blake
1 cassette
An African writer whose work ranges from fiction to political and
social commentary reflects on his favorite subjects in a
selection of essays written over nearly twenty-five years. Achebe
opens with a lecture on Joseph Conrad's racism and closes with a
tribute to James Baldwin. He appeals to Africans to present their
own cultural history and to non-Africans to accept it with
unbiased attitudes. 1988.
A House with Four Rooms  RC 34302
by Rumer Godden
narrated by Terry Hayes Sales
3 cassettes
Godden's autobiographical account picks up in 1945 in London,
where she has returned after spending the war years in India. Her
personal life flourishes and she enjoys considerable literary
success with several bestselling novels, some of which are made
into films. This volume reflects the Indian idea that everyone
has four dimensions: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Sequel to _A Time to Dance, No Time to Weep (RC 28388)_. 1989.
Joseph Conrad: A Biography  RC 34447
by Jeffrey Meyers
narrated by Gordon Gould
4 cassettes
Conrad, whose Polish parents died in a Russian penal colony,
worked as a seaman until he was middle-aged. He then settled in
England and began to write in his adopted language. Meyers
includes excerpts from some of Conrad's works, as well as
Conrad's descriptions of his fellow writers and friends. He also
discusses Conrad's family life. 1991.
The Journals of John Cheever  RC 34366
by John Cheever
narrated by Fred Major
4 cassettes
John Cheever's family and his longtime editor, Robert Gottlieb,
have selected and assembled this portrait of the writer from
dozens of loose-leaf notebooks that Cheever used as workbooks for
his fiction. Entries document his work habits and the evolution
of his stories and novels; record his personal struggles,
confessions, and fantasies; and reveal his profound enjoyment of
nature. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1991.
Last Person Rural: Essays  RC 34399
by Noel Perrin
narrated by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
A Vermont teacher, writer, and farmer comments on aspects of
rural life and meditates on what it is that makes New England
distinctive. Perrin voices his concerns about realistic
matters--what to do with all that stuff you've grown; about less
practical issues--introducing someone to the joys of taking a
walk at dawn; and about serious worries--a four-lane highway
through the cow pasture. 1991.
The Lives of Norman Mailer: A Biography  RC 34514
by Carl Rollyson
narrated by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
An attempt to place details about Mailer's obsessively erratic
and often obnoxious behavior into the context of his equally
controversial writing. Rollyson, a professor of literature and
art history, examines Mailer's letters and manuscripts and
interviews his family and colleagues in an effort to piece
together his view of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author who
continually reinvents himself. Strong language. 1991.
Margaret Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon  RC 35290
by Leonard S. Marcus
narrated by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
Brown, who died in 1952 at the age of forty-two, was an American
author of more than seventy-five popular children's books,
including _Goodnight Moon (RC 24603)_. Marcus outlines Brown's
personal and professional life and describes people who
influenced her, such as Lucy Mitchell of Bank Street School and
Michael Strange, Brown's female companion and lover. 1992.
Mark Twain's Aquarium: The Samuel Clemens Angelfish
Correspondence, 1905-1910  RC 33970
by Mark Twain
narrated by Marilyn Gleason
2 cassettes
When Samuel Clemens grew old without any grandchildren of his
own, he recruited a dozen schoolgirls as surrogates. These
children amused him with letters, with chaperoned visits to his
homes, and with the Aquarian Club, whose members Twain referred
to as "angelfish." A selection of their correspondence documents
the joy and companionship that the girls provided the ailing
writer. 1991.
Memoirs  RC 34740
by Kingsley Amis
narrated by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
Amis, known for humor in his writing and for churlishness in real
life, confirms both aspects in his memoirs. He sketches brief
scenes from his school days, Oxford years, war service, and
academic and writing careers, while revealing his love of jazz
and strong drink. He limits his portraits of loved ones for fear
of causing pain, but few literary figures are immune to his
caustic tongue. Some strong language. 1991.
A New Christmas Treasury  RC 34232
edited by Jack Newcombe
narrated by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Eighty-seven old-fashioned and contemporary poems, stories, and
essays that celebrate the joys of the Christmas season. In
addition to many traditional tales such as Hans Christian
Andersen's "The Fir Tree," O. Henry's "Gifts of the Magi," and
Clement C. Moore's "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," there are
stories by Cleveland Amory, Willa Cather, Eugene Field, Arthur C.
Clarke, Thomas Hardy, George Plimpton, and Queen Victoria. 1991.
No Laughing Matter: The Life and Times of Flann O'Brien  RC 35168
by Anthony Cronin
narrated by Patrick Horgan
2 cassettes
Cronin, friend and biographer of this Irish writer, claims that
Flann O'Brien, one of at least a dozen pseudonyms by which Brian
O'Nolan was known, suffered when compared with James Joyce and
Samuel Beckett. In this book Cronin also points out that there
exists a new appreciation of O'Brien's (or is it Myles na
Gopaleen's?) peculiar ability to be funny. 1989.
Notes of a Native Son  RC 33260
by James Baldwin
narrated by Reginald Metcalf
2 cassettes
First published in 1955, this now classic collection of
autobiographical essays depicts the author's early life in Harlem
and his later experiences as an African American living abroad.
These essays further reflect his preoccupation with the subject
of "being a Negro ... because it was the gate I had to unlock
before I could hope to write about anything else." He was already
well known for his protest novel _Go Tell It on the Mountain (RD
6817)_. 1990.
Odd Jobs: Essays and Criticism  RC 34467
by John Updike
narrated by Peter Johnson
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Updike devotes the opening section of his fourth collection of
nonfiction to "fairly personal" essays on the media, his
environs, assigned topics, and a playlet. The "mostly literary"
core of the book contains tributes to other writers, reviews,
speeches, criticisms of biographies, and a few pieces on
scientific and technical topics. In the "literarily personal"
appendix, Updike comments on his own work. 1991.
On Poetry and Poets  RC 34111
by T.S. Eliot
narrated by Alexander Scourby
2 cassettes (Reissue)
A collection of essays, including studies of individual writers
and poets, that illuminates the author's own creative processes.
Discussion centers on such literary giants as Goethe, Samuel
Johnson, Byron, Kipling, and Yeats. 1957.
Orwell: The Authorized Biography  RC 35484
by Michael Shelden
narrated by James DeLotel
4 cassettes
In this account of the British writer, Shelden examines how
Orwell's education, occupations, political views, travels, and
reviews influenced his prolific literary efforts. Shelden
explores Orwell's penchant for the contradictory in both his life
and his art, affirming that exposes of injustice and warnings
about the corruption of power are found in the novels _Animal
Farm_ and _1984 (RC 34268)_. 1991.
The Oxford Book of Essays  RC 34781
edited by John Gross
narrated by Richard Brown
5 cassettes
This anthology of 140 essays, written over four centuries by
American and English practitioners of the art, covers topics
large and small--truth, getting up on cold mornings, wasps, the
departure of a guest, being the right size, symmetry and
repetition, Gandhi, and movies on television. And each somehow
fits Dr. Johnson's definition of an essay as a "loose sally of
the mind." 1991.
Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination  RC
35135
by Toni Morrison
narrated by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist examines American literature for
the characterization of blacks. Three extended essays, citing
specific examples, form the author's response to questions about
race and its influence on writers. Morrison reflects both on the
assumptions that went into the creation of black imagery and on
the effect the imagery has on the reader's imagination.
Bestseller 1992.
The Pushcart Prize XVI, 1991-1992: Best of the Small Presses  RC
34850
edited by Bill Henderson
narrated by Rick Foucheux
4 cassettes
This annual small-press reader includes poetry, short stories,
essays, and an index to past editions. In the initial selection
of this anthology, David Jauss depicts a boy's reaction to his
father's breakdown. Joyce Carol Oates's entry, "The Hair,"
explores the relationship between two married couples. Strong
language, violence, and explicit descriptions of sex. 1991.
Second Person Rural: More Essays of a Sometime Farmer  RC 35529
by Noel Perrin
narrated by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
Essays by a New Yorker turned weekend farmer in Vermont. Perrin
is fond of observing nature and sizing up non-Vermonters. He
writes of splitting wood, rural immigration law, pig tales, and
making cider. This sometime farmer is learning the difference
between the city and the country--especially the codes that
dictate what to say and how to behave. Sequel to _First Person
Rural (RC 12524)_. Some strong language. 1980.
Signposts in a Strange Land  RC 34241
by Walker Percy
narrated by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
Known for his fiction, Percy, who was trained in medicine, also
wrote on a variety of topics including psychiatry, religion, the
South, and bourbon. Collected here are his essays and lectures on
these and other topics as well as an interview and a
self-interview. Although some of these pieces were published
previously in various magazines, five of the entries by the late
author are presented for the first time. 1991.
Talking at the Gates: A Life of James Baldwin  RC 34943
by James Campbell
narrated by Frank Coffee
3 cassettes
Raised in a large, poor African-American family, Baldwin began
writing in high school but never went to college. The author
details the novelist-playwright-essayist's relationships and
disagreements with other black writers, including Langston Hughes
and Richard Wright. Discusses Baldwin's homosexuality, life
abroad, large FBI file, and views on civil rights. Baldwin died
in 1987. Some strong language. 1991.
Three Behaim Boys: Growing Up in Early Modern Germany; A
Chronicle of Their Lives  RC 34548
edited by Steven Ozment
narrated by Frank Coffee
3 cassettes
Boys from different generations of the same family reveal what it
is like to grow up in Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries. Michael, apprenticed to a merchant at fourteen,
asserts his rights as he forges his career. Homesick Friederich
is coached by his mother about girls and spending money. Stephan
Carl pays for his adventuresome spirit. 1990.
U and I: A True Story  RC 33984
by Nicholson Baker
narrated by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
A novelist pays homage to his mentor, John Updike, after
reflecting on Updike's work and a passing acquaintance with the
writer. Baker discusses what he values about Updike. He
concludes, tongue in cheek, that Updike teaches him how to be a
writer--of those important copyright notices, prefaces, and the
like! But the real lesson he presents is that book lovers absorb
and recall what is in books in individual ways. 1991.
Useful Knowledge  RC 34167
by Gertrude Stein
narrated by Barbara Caruso
2 cassettes
This collection of satirical pieces of Americana, composed by an
expatriate living in Paris, was first published in 1928 but
remained out of print for more than sixty years. Stein originally
selected poetry and prose pieces, which include portraits of
people and places, to reflect her native pride. A foreword
provides "useful knowledge" about the book, and an introduction
interprets Stein's legendary writing style. 1988.
Vladimir Nabokov: The American Years  RC 34550
by Brian Boyd
narrated by Noah Siegel
6 cassettes
Continuing the account of Nabokov he began in _Vladimir Nabokov:
The Russian Years (RC 33177)_, Boyd now examines Nabokov's life
from his arrival in America in 1940 to his return to Europe in
1959 and his death in 1977. Boyd discusses Nabokov's novels
_Lolita (RC 16746)_, _Pale Fire (RC 25448)_, and _Ada (RC
15190)_, as well as his careers as critic, translator, teacher
and scholar, and scientist. 1991.
Wandering Ghost: The Odyssey of Lafcadio Hearn  RC 34071
by Jonathan Cott
narrated by George Backman
4 cassettes
Cott rediscovers this "word artist," as Hearn called himself, and
describes how he got his start as a newspaper reporter in 1869.
Greek-Irish by birth, Hearn was fired for marrying a black woman.
He moved on, and his journalism reflected life in New Orleans and
the Caribbean. But a move to Japan and marriage to a Japanese
woman proved crucial to the success of his writing career. 1990.
Wartime Writings, 1939-1944  RC 34534
by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
narrated by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Posthumously collected and chronologically arranged miscellaneous
writings of the French author best known for _The Little Prince_.
Saint-Exupery, a professional aviator when World War II was
declared, describes how he wrestled with his moral objections to
war and his sense of duty to his Nazi-occupied homeland. He
decided to become a military pilot and ultimately disappeared on
a mission. 1986.
A Woman, a Man, and Two Kingdoms: The Story of Madame d'Epinay
and the Abbe Galiani  RC 34923
by Francis Steegmuller
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
2 cassettes
In a twelve-year weekly correspondence, Louise d'Epinay in Paris
and Ferdinando Galiani in Naples recorded changing times before
the French Revolution. D'Epinay also counted Diderot, Rousseau,
and other leaders of the Enlightenment among her friends. She
began corresponding with Abbe Galiani, a diplomat-priest, when he
was recalled from Paris in 1769. 1991.
+The World Is My Home: A Memoir  RC 33929
by James A. Michener
narrated by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Michener divides his book into two parts. First he shows how an
ordinary person can become an author, and then he discusses why
he writes. He describes his careers as student, teacher, editor,
naval officer, member of government commissions, and writer; and
speaks of his love for the arts and for travel, of the people he
has met, and of the headaches of writing. Bestseller 1992.
You've Had Your Time: The Second Part of the Confessions  RC
35357
by Anthony Burgess
narrated by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
In this second volume of his autobiography, Burgess has a brain
tumor and only a year to live. He determines to write novels, the
proceeds of which will secure his wife's future. But it is his
wife who dies, and years later Burgess is not only still living
but also feverishly writing scripts, novels, music, and reviews.
Sequel to _Little Wilson and Big God (RC 25651)_. Some strong
language and some descriptions of sex. 1990.
Marriage and Sex
Going the Distance: Secrets to Lifelong Love  RC 34810
by Lonnie Barbach and
David L. Geisinger
narrated by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
The authors, a couple who are both psychotherapists, draw on
their experiences to discuss the problems and joys of monogamous
relationships. Case histories illustrate advice concerning
courtship, conflict resolution, and avoiding entropy over time. A
questionnaire is included to determine compatibility between
partners. Descriptions of sex. 1991.
How to Love a Nice Guy  RC 34362
by Judy Kuriansky
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Kuriansky counsels today's successful working woman to change her
expectations when choosing a mate. She suggests reconsidering
which traits, such as education or looks, are essential in an
ideal man, and she advocates "marrying down" since financial
support may no longer be a necessity. Outlining common patterns
and "emotional traps" that lead to failed relationships,
Kuriansky offers steps to avoid them in the future. 1990.
The Kinsey Institute New Report on Sex: What You Must Know to Be
Sexually Literate  RC 35206
by June M. Reinisch and Ruth Beasley
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
5 cassettes
In the fall of 1989 the Kinsey Institute surveyed 1,974 American
adults to ascertain their "sexual literacy." Fifty-five percent
failed to answer half the questions correctly. This text, a
supplement to Dr. Kinsey's original work published in the 1940s,
provides easily understood information about human sexuality.
1990.
Medicine and Health
The "Abortion Pill": RU-486, a Woman's Choice  RC 34889
by Etienne-Emile Baulieu and
Mort Rosenblum
narrated by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
French scientist and physician Baulieu, who created RU-486,
explains that "abortion pill" is a misnomer; the pill is, in
fact, a contragestive that works by blocking progesterone's
message. Baulieu presents RU-486's history, the surrounding
controversy, the differences between it and other pregnancy
control methods, and its possible importance in curbing global
overpopulation. 1991.
Angela Lansbury's Positive Moves  RC 33952
by Angela Lansbury
narrated by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
A gentle guide to healthful living designed especially for older
women. Lansbury discusses the need for developing positive
attitudes about each day and the need to seek realistic levels of
comfort and activity. She offers stretches and movements to
enhance mobility, suggestions for weight-control, activities
designed to feed the body and spirit, and suggestions for
maintaining grace and beauty at any age. 1990.
+The Best Treatment  RC 34015
by Isadore Rosenfeld
narrated by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
Rosenfeld, private physician, clinical professor, and health
advisor on national television, offers advice on more than 100
health problems. Stating that it is not good to treat a symptom
without knowing its cause, he proposes reasons for particular
medical conditions and suggests the best treatment known to him
and the twenty-four colleagues with whom he consulted. Bestseller
1991.
Between Hello and Goodbye: A Life-Affirming Story of Courage in
the Face of Tragedy  RC 34856
by Jean Craig
narrated by K.D. Henry
3 cassettes
When Jean's husband of three years is diagnosed with cancer, he
faces his future with optimism, searching for experimental
treatments and continuing to live life to its fullest. Jean
expresses her own anger at the attitude of some medical
professionals and compares the ordeal to the terminal illness of
her first husband. 1991.
The Black Women's Health Book: Speaking for Ourselves  RC 35175
edited by Evelyn C. White
narrated by Gail Nelson
3 cassettes
The editor has compiled these essays in direct response to the
health crisis in the African-American community. A broad spectrum
of black female experiences and insights about health matters is
included. Essays range from scholarly evaluations of the politics
of black women's health to personal accounts of the management of
and recovery from a number of health problems. 1990.
Born Too Soon: The Story of Emily, Our Premature Baby  RC 34575
by Elizabeth Mehren
narrated by Lydia Humphries
2 cassettes
Newly married Mehren, a forty-year-old journalist, had finally
conceived. But in her sixth month of pregnancy, while on a
transcontinental flight, Mehren's water broke. She writes of the
panic of trying to stave off the too-early birth, the joy when
the lively baby emerged, and the stress of the following weeks as
her premature baby struggled to survive. 1991.
The Brain Has a Mind of Its Own: Insights from a Practicing
Neurologist  RC 35295
by Richard Restak
narrated by Harold Parker
2 cassettes
A neuropsychiatrist explores the relationship of the mind and the
brain. Restak's topics include temperament, moods, creativity,
violence, and dreaming. His essays draw on his own medical
practice and newspaper columns, focusing on human behavior and
how the brain affects our everyday lives. Restak is also the
author of _The Brain (RC 21235)_ and _The Mind (RC 29675)_. 1991.
+A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic-Depressive Illness  RC
34046
by Patty Duke and Gloria Hochman
narrated by Pam Ward
2 cassettes
Actress Duke has the bipolar I form of manic depression, which is
a genetic chemical imbalance of the brain. She describes her past
nightmarish highs and lows and her relief when finally diagnosed
at thirty-five and treated with lithium. Medical reporter Hochman
examines the forms, symptoms, and treatment of the disease. Some
strong language and some violence. 1992.
Death Be Not Proud: A Memoir  RC 33566
by John Gunther
narrated by Grover Gardner
1 cassette (Reissue)
A memoir to the author's seventeen-year-old son, who died after a
series of operations for a brain tumor. A tribute to a remarkable
boy and his stand against a terminal disease. 1949.
Eight Steps to a Healthy Heart: The Complete Guide to Heart
Disease Prevention and Recovery from Heart Attack and Bypass
Surgery  RC 35218
by Robert E. Kowalski
narrated by Art Metzler
4 cassettes
Veteran of a heart attack and bypass surgery details his personal
experience to promote a recovery program for fellow patients.
Some of the topics he discusses are mental health, including
dealing with stress; smoking; nutrition; physical and sexual
activity; medication; and returning to work. 1992.
Embracing the Wolf: A Lupus Victim and Her Family Learn to Live
with Chronic Disease  RC 33978
by Joanna Baumer Permut
narrated by Miriam Wagner
2 cassettes
Permut, who has published poems and short stories, writes from
personal experience about lupus and the effect the disease has
had on her family. She describes the symptoms, the problems with
diagnosis, the changes it brought about in her lifestyle, and how
she learned to cope with chronic illness. Includes a glossary and
a foreword by her physician with a description of the disease.
1989.
Epilepsy: A New Approach  RC 34259
by Adrienne Richard and Joel Reiter
narrated by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Richard has been controlling her seizures without drugs for more
than fifteen years thanks to a variety of techniques. While they
may not work for everyone, they may be useful for the 70 percent
of epileptics who experience a warning aura. These techniques
include biofeedback, nutrition, psychotherapy, stress reduction,
relaxation, exercise, and journal keeping. 1990.
Everybody's Guide to Chiropractic Health Care  RC 35416
by Nathaniel Altman
narrated by K.D. Henry
2 cassettes
The author explains the basic ideas and treatments that make up
chiropractic care. Following a history of the profession,
including its struggle for acceptance by the medical community,
Altman describes how to become an educated consumer. He discusses
obtaining proper spinal adjustment and relief from pain, and he
provides tips for maintaining the benefits enjoyed by good
chiropractic health. 1990.
Getting Back on Your Feet: How to Recover Mobility and Fitness
after Injury or Surgery to Your Foot, Leg, Hip, or Knee  RC 34219
by Sally R. Pryor
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Referring to her book as "a complete guide to using crutches and
other mobility aids," Pryor includes tips on traveling, moving
around the house, and managing stairs and doors. She also
describes exercises, appropriate clothing, and positive imaging.
The book ends with a resource guide on equipment, exercise tapes,
travel, and clothing. 1991.
The Great White Lie: How America's Hospitals Betray Our Trust and
Endanger Our Lives  RC 35519
by Walt Bogdanich
narrated by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
A Pulitzer Prize-winning _Wall Street Journal_ reporter exposes
numerous shortcomings in American hospitals. Bogdanich documents
specific institutions, medical staff, administrators, and
professional associations in his investigation. Among examples of
scandalous findings in his indictment are overworked and
unqualified employees and haphazard hospital regulation. 1991.
Healthy Homes, Healthy Kids: Protecting Your Children from
Everyday Environmental Hazards  RC 35210
by Joyce M. Schoemaker and
Charity Y. Vitale
narrated by Carole Jordan Stewart
2 cassettes
Two biologists and mothers present information on identifying and
dealing with hazards--such as radon, asbestos, lead paint, and
food additives--that many children are exposed to on a regular
basis. The authors describe the effects these toxins have on
children and explain why children are at a greater risk than
adults. 1991.
Is This Your Child? Discovering and Treating Unrecognized
Allergies  RC 34583
by Doris J. Rapp
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
4 cassettes
Rapp provides help for parents who have wondered what they did
wrong and what they should do when their child exhibits
aggression, hyperactivity, illness, or depression. In many
children, the problems are caused by allergic reactions to foods
or to the environment. Rapp offers ways that parents can discover
which allergies affect their child. Bestseller 1991.
Koop: The Memoirs of America's Family Doctor  RC 33813
by C. Everett Koop
narrated by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
Koop recalls the road he traveled from his Brooklyn boyhood,
through Dartmouth and Cornell, to chief of pediatric surgery at
Philadelphia's Children's Hospital and his appointment as surgeon
general. He discusses key issues he faced as surgeon
general--AIDS, smoking, abortion, and infant and handicapped
rights--and offers his views on major health concerns. Bestseller
1991.
Mastering Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide to Management, Second
Edition  RC 35189
by John K. Wolf and others
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
A professor of neurology discusses the medical aspects and
management of multiple sclerosis. Topics include diagnosis and
prognosis, anatomy, the nervous system, depression, exhaustion,
mobility, interpersonal relationships, and finances. 1987.
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book  RC 33500
edited by David E. Larson
narrated by various narrators
17 cassettes in 3 containers
The Mayo Clinic presents vital information on growth and
development, staying healthy, and preventing disease. Information
is divided into five major divisions: lifecycles, the world
around us, keeping fit, human disease and disorders, and modern
medical care. Subdivisions cover first aid and emergency care,
more than 1,000 diseases and disorders, a glossary of medical
terms, useful facts on aging, and advice on nutrition. 1990.
Meaning and Medicine: A Doctor's Tales of Breakthrough and
Healing  RC 35139
by Larry Dossey
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
Using a wide range of medical histories, physician Dossey
illustrates the importance of discovering the meaning behind any
disease or ailment. Emotions, environment, and visualization are
some of the factors that can either bring on medical conditions
or play a negative or positive part in the healing process. 1991.
Mothers of Psychoanalysis: Helene Deutsch, Karen Horney, Anna
Freud, Melanie Klein  RC 35442
by Janet Sayers
narrated by Jennifer Mendenhall
2 cassettes
The author, a leader in the British Psychological Society,
chronicles the lives of four women pioneers in the field. Each
one of these European-born analysts began as an advocate of
Sigmund Freud's patriarchal theories, but later independently
developed concepts that challenged Freud's neglect of the
mother's influence. 1991.
My Journey into Alzheimer's Disease  RC 33848
by Robert and Betty Davis
narrated by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
Robert Davis, a minister, was diagnosed as having Alzheimer's
disease at the age of fifty-three. He and his wife describe the
psychological and economic devastation it brings to the estimated
2.5 million Americans who have the disease and to their loved
ones. They also discuss their spiritual journey through these
"terrors by night," and share their faith in God's love. 1989.
Overcoming Bladder Disorders: Compassionate, Authoritative
Medical and Self-Help Solutions for Incontinence, Cystitis,
Interstitial Cystitis, Prostate Problems, and Bladder Cancer  RC
35072
by Rebecca Chalker
and Kristene E. Whitmore
narrated by Pat McDermott
3 cassettes
A urologist and a health journalist discuss the diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention of chronic bladder problems; suggest
ways to assess one's condition and to find the right kind of
help; and explain drugs, urological terms, and tests. 1990.
The Parkinson's Handbook  RC 33954
by Dwight C. McGoon
narrated by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
McGoon looks at the problems inherent in Parkinson's disease from
a unique vantage point--he is both a physician and a patient.
McGoon, who has passed through his first decade with Parkinson's,
offers suggestions on ways people afflicted with Parkinson's can
achieve "a new life filled with singular enjoyments and
significant little victories." He discusses what goes wrong
within the brain, available therapy, and ways a patient can fight
back. 1990.
Quest: The Life of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross  RC 34421
by Derek Gill
narrated by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
Physician and author Kubler-Ross is known for her insights into
the psychological aspects of the death process. Beginning with
Kubler-Ross's early life as a triplet born to Swiss parents,
Gill's biography outlines her medical training, work with war
victims, move to New York, and marriage to a fellow physician.
The book ends with the 1969 publication of Kubler-Ross's book _On
Death and Dying (RD 6132)_. 1980.
Shingles  RC 33969
by Thomas Carl Thomsen
narrated by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
Thomsen contracted shingles Labor Day weekend in 1986 and, four
years later, still suffers from postherpetic neuralgia--a
resulting condition. He decided to write this book because it
would provide a form of therapy and hopefully become a
distraction from the pain of the disease. Thomsen details the
causes and course of the disease and lists treatments and
complications. 1990.
The Sjogren's Syndrome Handbook: An Authoritative Guide for
Patients  RC 35108
edited by Elaine K. Harris
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
This guide for people with the autoimmune disease covers
symptoms, diagnosis, possible causes, and various treatments for
the chronic condition. Medical doctors contribute segments
devoted to their own specialties. The editor, who is herself a
patient, offers advice on daily living. 1989.
We Have AIDS  RC 34681
by Elaine Landau
narrated by Rick Foucheux
1 cassette
Karen, Allen, Jackie, Gary, Cheryl, Jason, Allison, Maria, and
Paul are all average teenagers--who have AIDS. They tell how they
got the disease and how it has altered their lives and the lives
of their families and friends. The stories are frank, poignant,
frightening, and informative. Includes facts about AIDS and a
list of resource organizations. For junior and senior high
readers. 1990.
Your Health and the Indoor Environment: A Complete Guide to
Better Health through Control of the Indoor Atmosphere  RC 34508
by Randall Earl Dunford
and Kevin G. May
narrated by Gary Telles
2 cassettes
The authors identify possible health problems caused by indoor
air pollution, devoting separate chapters to individual or
related culprits, and suggesting methods to prevent or control
contamination. They list common pollutants and recommend simple
substitutes for chemical products. 1991.
Music
Almost like a Song  RC 32896
by Ronnie Milsap
narrated by Ross Cass
2 cassettes
Taken in by dirt-poor but loving grandparents after his mother
rejected him, Ronnie was soon sent off to a school for the blind.
There, among other things, he learned discipline, determination,
and classical music--acquisitions that shaped his boyhood, his
career, and his success as a country music superstar. His
inspiring story reveals little-known aspects of the music
industry, where he rose to the top. 1990.
American Popular Music and Its Business: The First Four Hundred
Years; Volume 1, The Beginning to 1790  RC 34525
by Russell Sanjek
narrated by Gary Tipton
5 cassettes
Sanjek, who made a career of the American popular music business,
discusses its English roots and its religious, political, social,
and historical background during colonization. This volume traces
music composition and performance, the development of sacred and
secular music (especially musical theater), early
African-American music, and music publishing. 1988.
American Popular Music and Its Business: The First Four Hundred
Years; Volume 2, From 1790 to 1909  RC 34526
by Russell Sanjek
narrated by Gary Tipton
5 cassettes
Continues Sanjek's history of the popular music business, picking
up in 1790, when the first musical work was printed in America.
He chronicles the rise of sheet-music publishing and vaudeville,
the music of the Civil War and Tin Pan Alley, and the effects of
the victrola. Follows _American Popular Music ... From the
Beginning to 1790 (RC 34525)_. 1988.
American Popular Music and Its Business: The First Four Hundred
Years; Volume 3, From 1900 to 1984  RC 34527
by Russell Sanjek
narrated by Gary Tipton
7 cassettes in 2 containers
This history of the American music business concludes with a
close look at the rivalry between performing rights
organizations, the changes brought by advances in technology, the
role of Hollywood, and the rise of new styles. Sanjek includes
the seamy side of the business along with its successes. Follows
_American Popular Music...From 1790 to 1909 (RC 34526)_. 1988.
Bound for Glory  RC 34214
by Woody Guthrie
narrated by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Autobiography of a folksinger from Oklahoma, who traveled to just
about every corner of the country with little more than the
guitar on his back. Woody's mother started him out singing the
old songs and telling stories, but soon he was adding new words
and music of his own. A spokesman for the downtrodden, he also
sang of the beauty of the land he saw from the open road until
1943, when he went off to war with the merchant marine. Some
strong language. 1943.
Break on Through: The Life and Death of Jim Morrison  RC 34422
by James Riordan and Jerry Prochnicky
narrated by Ray Foushee
4 cassettes
In a series of interviews with former intimates of Jim Morrison,
lead singer of The Doors, the authors portray his brief life,
which ended with an overdose of heroin in 1971. Morrison's
notoriety as an attention-seeking performer often overshadowed
his talent as a poet and songwriter. But after his death, the
music he created attracted a cult-like following. Some strong
language. 1991.
Crosstown Traffic: Jimi Hendrix and the Postwar Rock 'n' Roll
Revolution  RC 33139
by Charles Shaar Murray
narrated by Reginald Metcalf
3 cassettes
A rock journalist explores the musical legacy of Jimi Hendrix,
focusing on his success with the electric guitar. The study
becomes an abbreviated history of several aspects of
African-American music--the blues, soul, rhythm and blues, and
jazz--and the role Hendrix played in shaping the rock culture of
the 1960s. Contains a discography. Some strong language. 1989.
Dark Horse: The Private Life of George Harrison  RC 34672
by Geoffrey Giuliano
narrated by Andrew Sofer
2 cassettes
The most elusive Beatle is still a mystery in spite of years of
media scrutiny. This biography discusses Harrison's attempts to
introduce his own music in the Lennon-McCartney dominated group
and his more recent comeback as a film and record producer, a
solo artist, and a member of The Traveling Wilburys. His
spiritual quest permeates the story. Some strong language. 1989.
Enrico Caruso: My Father and My Family  RC 35219
by Enrico Caruso, Jr., and Andrew Farkas
narrated by James DeLotel
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Caruso's second son portrays the renowned operatic tenor's
private life and professional career against a backdrop of family
history, noting the singer's influence after his death in 1921.
With the help of librarian Farkas and his older brother Rodolfo's
memoirs, Caruso's narrative documents the flamboyant star's high
performance standards and his personal joie de vivre. 1990.
I Put a Spell on You: The Autobiography of Nina Simone  RC 35338
by Nina Simone and Stephen Cleary
narrated by Gail Nelson
2 cassettes
Simone tells how her unusual musical gifts were recognized early
in childhood, and her dream of becoming the first black concert
pianist was nurtured by a caring piano teacher. Her career path
changed abruptly when she began to sing popular, jazz, and
protest songs and became involved in the civil rights movement.
The narrative also reveals aspects of Simone's wild private life.
1991.
The Ivory Trade: Music and the Business of Music at the Van
Cliburn International Piano Competition  RC 34313
by Joseph Horowitz
narrated by James DeLotel
3 cassettes
A former music critic reports on his study of piano competitions,
focusing on American-held contests in general and the Van Cliburn
in particular. For spectators, he likens the thrill to the
Olympic Games. For contestants, it's a way of life--complete with
pressure, acclaim, discouragement, and politics. Horowitz
analyzes ways to improve the process. 1990.
Jazz Anecdotes  RC 34239
by Bill Crow
narrated by Ray Foushee
3 cassettes
A collection of anecdotes in which jazz musicians recount,
usually with humor, the joys and hardships of their lives. Stage
fright, jam sessions, and racial discrimination are among the
topics discussed, and several chapters are devoted to legendary
jazz figures. 1990.
Jazz Changes  RC 34803
by Martin Williams
narrated by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
A sampling from thirty years of Williams's jazz criticism.
Includes reviews originally published in magazines such as _Down
Beat_ and _Saturday Review_, reports on recording sessions,
interviews with musicians about themselves and their music, and
liner notes for the reissue of a 1938 Library of Congress session
featuring Jelly Roll Morton, the self-proclaimed inventor of
jazz. Williams also wrote _Jazz Heritage (RC 24691)_. 1992.
Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy  RC 34847
by Harry Shapiro and Caesar Glebbeek
narrated by Bob Moore
6 cassettes
Historical biography and reference work by an author of books
about musicians and the founder and curator of the Hendrix
Information Center in England. The authors chronicle the
abbreviated life of this legendary electric guitar player and his
rock band The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The emphasis is on
Hendrix's artistry rather than on the destructive elements in his
life. Some strong language. 1990.
Lawrence Tibbett: Singing Actor  RC 35278
edited by Andrew Farkas
narrated by Jon Beryl
2 cassettes
Essays assembled to reveal Lawrence Tibbett's artistic concerns
and other writers' evaluations of his accomplishments. The essays
trace the baritone's career from instant success with the
Metropolitan Opera Company through forty years on stage and
screen. Reflecting pride in his American heritage and devotion to
his audience, the singer, actor, recording artist, and screen
star enjoyed the limelight. Includes a discography. 1989.
Letters from a Life: The Selected Letters and Diaries of Benjamin
Britten, 1913-1976  RC 34568
edited by Donald Mitchell
and Philip Reed
narrated by Dennis Rooney
11 cassettes in 2 containers
Correspondence by the English composer and his family and friends
paints a picture of the early years in Britten's life and work.
This period covers his school days, his studies at the Royal
College of Music, his homosexual liaisons, his confirmation of
pacifist views, and his stay in America at the start of World War
II. 1991.
Listen to the Music: A Self-Guided Tour through the Orchestral
Repertoire  RC 35098
by Jonathan D. Kramer
narrated by Richard Hauenstein
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Describes in nontechnical language 290 of the most frequently
heard orchestral works. Helps the reader to understand and enjoy
the music by describing the distinctive features of each piece in
the context of the composer's life and work. Arranged
alphabetically by composer. Includes a glossary of foreign and
musical terms with brief definitions. 1988.
Living in America: The Soul Saga of James Brown  RC 34500
by Cynthia Rose
narrated by Bob Moore
1 cassette
Although childhood poverty and two prison terms have colored
Brown's life, he credits gospel and jazz more than blues as
influences on his "funky" soul music. Brown's first hit was in
the 1950s. His popularity during the 1960s and beyond made him a
symbol of black pride. Interviews with members of Brown's
entourage complement Rose's description of the singer's career.
Some strong language. 1990.
Memories: The Autobiography of Ralph Emery  RC 34759
by Ralph Emery and Tom Carter
narrated by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
With the help of coauthor Tom Carter, the host of "The Ralph
Emery Show," "Nashville Now," and "The Grand Ole Opry" chronicles
his life in the country music world. During a forty-year career
from radio broadcasting to a cable TV talk-show, Emery introduced
country music to would-be fans. He includes inside stories about
some country music entertainers. Strong language. 1991.
Mozart  RC 35415
by Marcia Davenport
narrated by K.D. Henry
3 cassettes (Reissue)
First published in 1932. Revised in 1956 on the bicentenary of
the Austrian composer's birth, following the publication of
Mozart's letters and a new index to his works. This portrait of
the child prodigy, who grew up in a talented family and developed
into a musical genius, combines documented facts about his career
with imaginary conversations. 1956.
My Life and Music  RC 35424
by Artur Schnabel
narrated by Andrew Sofer
2 cassettes (Reissue)
A series of twelve informal sessions that the renowned pianist
gave to music students at the University of Chicago in 1945. Also
includes transcripts of Schnabel's spontaneous responses to
questions from the audience, including more about his life in
music and his thoughts on a wide range of topics. Concludes with
a brief essay in which he presents his musical philosophy on the
occasion of receiving an honorary degree. 1988.
The New Shostakovich  RC 35341
by Ian MacDonald
narrated by Noah Siegel
3 cassettes
"I never lie in music," said the Russian composer, who had been
thought to accept the official Communist line. His music and his
dictated "memoirs" are the basis for MacDonald's re-examination
of Shostakovich. Research leads him to the conclusion that the
composer was a _yurodivy_, or a jester, and that his apparently
innocent music exposes his true hatred of the Soviet regime.
1990.
Rock Lives: Profiles and Interviews  RC 34874
by Timothy White
narrated by Erik Sandvold
6 cassettes
White, an editor and feature writer for _Rolling Stone_, has
assembled and updated a collection of essays to create a history
of the fifty years of rock-and-roll music. He groups the
stars--performers, composers, and producers--into "Pioneers,"
"Pilgrims," and "Progeny," focuses on their musical achievements,
and lets them speak for themselves about their lives and
lifestyles. Some strong language. 1990.
Rythm Oil: A Journey through the Music of the American South  RC
35487
by Stanley Booth
narrated by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
Twenty essays, some of which first appeared in _Rolling Stone_,
portray the popular music scene in and around Memphis. The
author, a southerner himself, samples a broad range of
music-making from Beale Street (where the "Rythm Oil" potion is
sold) to the Mississippi Delta. He introduces not-so-famous
talents along with the likes of Elvis Presley and B.B. King. Some
strong language. 1991.
Singing from the Soul: An Autobiography  RC 34941
by Jose Carreras
narrated by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
His life is put on hold in 1987 while this Spanish tenor copes
with leukemia. Carreras recounts the events that forced him off
the stage, his happy discovery that his voice was not affected by
treatment, and his triumphant return to a successful operatic and
concert career. He describes his world prior to his illness and
reflects on what he learned from the experience. 1991.
Traps, the Drum Wonder: The Life of Buddy Rich  RC 34877
by Mel Torme
narrated by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
Torme sketches a biography-memoir of Rich, his fellow jazz
musician and friend of four decades. He describes how the star of
the Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey big bands and the leader of
several of his own swing-era bands got his start at age
twenty-two months in his parents' vaudeville act. The book
reveals how Rich survived an abusive father and dealt with the
brain tumor that ended his life. Some strong language. 1991.
Wouldn't It Be Nice: My Own Story  RC 34660
by Brian Wilson and Todd Gold
narrated by Ray Foushee
3 cassettes
Wilson chronicles the formation of the Beach Boys--the popular
rock band that became synonymous with the laid-back style of the
1960s. But there is a darker side to this sunny image, one in
which Wilson reveals the trauma caused by his abusive father, his
own addictive behavior, his difficulties with the band, and his
mental illness. Some descriptions of sex and strong language.
1991.
Nature and the
Environment
African Silences  RC 34462
by Peter Matthiessen
narrated by Ed Blake
2 cassettes
The first two of the three essays in nature writer Matthiessen's
ecological travel book cover a 1970 trip to western Africa and
Zaire; the third, a trip to central Africa during the mid-1980s.
The author accompanied various field researchers including an
ornithologist, a wildlife ecologist, and a primatologist, and
describes the grim results of their surveys of remaining African
fauna and flora. 1991.
After the Ice Age: The Return of Life to Glaciated North America
RC 34158
by E.C. Pielou
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
Pielou shows how vegetation, animals, and a relatively small
human population took over what is now Canada and the northern
United States more than eighteen thousand years ago, as the ice
disappeared. Gradually the barren landscape was able to support a
diverse wildlife that is now largely extinct. This ecological
history is primarily concerned with how environmental changes
affected human history. 1991.
Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit  RC 34696
by Al Gore
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
For more than twenty-five years, Senator Gore of Tennessee has
searched for an understanding of and solutions to the worldwide
ecological crisis. Among other concerns, he cites the destruction
of the ozone layer, the devastation of tropical rain forests, the
increase of water pollution, and the harmful effects of
insecticides. He recommends a global Marshall Plan to save the
environment. 1992.
Green Rage: Radical Environmentalism and the Unmaking of
Civilization  RC 34204
by Christopher Manes
narrated by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
Manes outlines the roots and defines the rationale of radical
environmentalism. He details the acts of sabotage and civil
disobedience that groups such as Earth First! commit and explains
how they defend such tactics, known as "ecotage," on the grounds
that there can be no compromise in efforts to save the earth.
1990.
Learning to Listen to the Land  RC 35078
edited by Bill Willers
narrated by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
Essays illustrating the need for humans to learn to live in an
environmentally sensitive manner. By authors such as Edward
Abbey, Wallace Stegner, and Onondaga chief Oren Lyons, the essays
are grouped in three sections. The first depicts the current
state of nature, the second describes the impact of growth-driven
economics and overpopulation, and the third offers some possible
solutions. 1991.
Our Angry Earth  RC 35211
by Isaac Asimov and Frederik Pohl
narrated by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
Two futurists and science fiction writers provide a comprehensive
analysis of the earth's problems. They outline global concerns,
ranging from acid rain to nuclear waste; survey available
scientific solutions; and confront the economic, political, and
social shifts needed to repair damage and prevent disaster.
Although some of their suggestions require technical expertise,
they include life-style changes everyone can make. 1991.
The Practice of the Wild: Essays  RC 34261
by Gary Snyder
narrated by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
A Pulitzer Prize-winning poet "meditates on the nature of
wildness and freedom" in this collection of essays. Each of the
nine selections reflects his concern for Native American
traditions, contemplative philosophies, environmental issues,
ethics, and, above all, the relationship between humans and
nature. 1990.
Trashing the Planet: How Science Can Help Us Deal with Acid Rain,
Depletion of the Ozone, and Nuclear Waste (among Other Things)
RC 35643
by Dixy Lee Ray and Lou Guzzo
narrated by Lydia Humphries
2 cassettes
The author advocates taking a scientific and technical approach
to environmental problems. She contends that Americans are
especially vulnerable to scare tactics. This book is an attempt
to clarify the issues and to seek a balance between the
environment and technological improvements. 1990.
The World Is Burning  RC 34484
by Alex Shoumatoff
narrated by Ed Blake
3 cassettes
The writer discusses the destruction of the rain forest and other
ecological issues, such as global warming, the greenhouse effect,
and the loss of biological diversity. In his analysis of the
potential disasters for humankind, he interweaves the tragic
story of the murder of Chico Mendes, leader of a small trade
union dedicated to the defense of the Amazon rain forests, whose
death has become a symbol of international outrage. 1990.
Young Men and Fire  RC 35639
by Norman Maclean
narrated by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Montana, 1949. The profession of smoke jumping--parachuting to
trench around forest fires--is less than a decade old. A crew of
young smoke jumpers lands for a routine job in Mann Gulch. Within
two hours the fire escalates into a "blowup," and thirteen men
are killed. Author Maclean spent the last years of his life
investigating the fateful fire and the accusations that the crew
leader's actions caused the deaths. Violence. Bestseller 1992.
Philosophy
The Art of Worldly Wisdom: A Pocket Oracle  RC 34734
by Baltasar Gracian
narrated by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
Written in the seventeenth century by Gracian, a Jesuit scholar,
this collection of sayings is still appropriate today, especially
for people whose day-to-day existence involves interaction with
others. The author stresses the importance of recognizing and
communicating with an individual's true self rather than with an
artificially constructed social persona. Bestseller 1992.
Being and Nothingness: A Phenomenological Essay on Ontology  RC
34599
by Jean-Paul Sartre
narrated by Jon Beryl
7 cassettes
Translator Hazel Barnes describes Sartre as "one of the very few
twentieth-century philosophers to present us with a total
system." The parts in this principal text on existentialism are
entitled the pursuit of being; the problem of nothingness;
being-for-itself; being-for-others; and having, doing, and being.
Some discussion of sex. 1956.
How Did I Get Here So Fast? Rhetorical Questions and Available
Answers from a Long and Happy Life  RC 34497
by Chalmers M. Roberts
narrated by Randy Atcher
1 cassette
A former reporter and diplomatic correspondent talks about his
attitude toward growing older, drawing on his experiences of
eighty years. His recommendations include ideas for stimulating
the mind and keeping fit--Roberts writes and swims--but it is his
insights for living life with the greatest enjoyment that set
this book apart. 1991.
+Life's Little Instruction Book  RC 33937
by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
narrated by Bob Askey
1 cassette
When his son was preparing for his new life as a college
freshman, the author jotted down a few "observations and words of
counsel" that he hoped would provide a guide for the young man.
The 511 instructions include compliment three people every day;
live beneath your means; slow dance; admit your mistakes; give
people a second chance, but not a third; have a dog; never eat
the last cookie; and call your mother. Bestseller 1991.
+Live and Learn and Pass It On: People Ages Five to Ninety-five
Share What They've Discovered about Life, Love, and Other Good
Stuff  RC 34030
by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
narrated by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
The author of _Life's Little Instruction Book (RC 33937)_ has
noted a few lessons learned during fifty years of living and has
expanded his list by gathering pearls of wisdom from friends,
students, and senior citizens. Many share secrets of happiness.
Several express the need to keep learning. Bestseller 1992.
Ludwig Wittgenstein: The Duty of Genius  RC 35062
by Ray Monk
narrated by Peter Johnson
5 cassettes
Monk portrays this controversial philosopher from several angles,
probing his eccentric life in search of the source of his radical
ideas. When Wittgenstein dispensed with an inherited fortune to
live frugally, became an intellectual professor who disdained
thinkers, and chose to live as a recluse though still vulnerable
to friendship, the relationship between man and work grew
increasingly complex. 1990.
Poetry
The American Book of the Dead: Poems  RC 34882
by Jim Barnes
narrated by Bob Askey
1 cassette
Poetry that mingles images of the past and present by an American
of Choctaw-Welsh-English descent. Four sections, "This Crazy
Land," "Death by Water," "Ishmael," and "Night Falls, Ritual and
Fast," bring together reflections and autobiographical poems
about things he wants you to notice, people he wants you to know,
feelings he wants you to share, and places he wants you to care
about. Some strong language. 1982.
April Twilights (1903): Poems  RC 35294
by Willa Cather
narrated by Janis Gray
1 cassette
First published in 1903, this revised volume of poetry is also
the first book published by Willa Cather, later known as a
novelist. From these thirty-seven poems, some lines--"I sought
the wood in winter/When every leaf was dead" and "Grandmither,
think not I forget..."-- will have a familiar ring. Many poems
reflect Cather's interest in nature. 1968.
The Best American Poetry, 1991  RC 35402
edited by Mark Strand
and David Lehman
narrated by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Mark Strand, 1990 poet laureate of the United States, served as
guest editor of a collection of the best poems published that
year. His choices range from dramatic monologues to sonnets, and
the subjects and settings are equally diverse. When he narrows
his selection to the allotted seventy-five poems, both newcomers
and established poets are represented in titles such as
"Celestial Music" and "Desire." 1991.
City of Discontent: An Interpretive Biography of Vachel Lindsay,
Being Also the Story of Springfield, Illinois, USA, and of the
Love of the Poet for That City, That State, and That Nation  RC
34597
by Mark Harris
narrated by Jon Beryl
3 cassettes
Lindsay's life from his birth in 1879, through his travels across
America and around the world, to his death in 1931. Lindsay tried
through his poetry to awaken Americans to the plight of the poor
and to his vision of a rich, peaceful life. 1980.
Collected Poems of Robert Service  RC 34257
by Robert Service
narrated by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Ballads, rhymes, and humorous and melodramatic verse written by a
Canadian prior to 1940. Contains several of his most popular
poems, including "The Spell of the Yukon," "The Cremation of Sam
McGee," "The Shooting of Dan McGrew," and the "Bar-Room Ballads."
1940.
The Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova, Volume 1  RC 33626
by Anna Akhmatova
narrated by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
Poet and translator Judith Hemschemeyer's preface and editor
Roberta Reeder's lengthy introduction place the Russian writer's
poems in their historical and biographical context. The lyric
verses, written over a period of more than sixty years, appear in
English translations. Original thematic cycles, such as
"Petersburg" and "Rosary," are retained. 1989.
The Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova, Volume 2  RC 33627
by Anna Akhmatova
narrated by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Begins with two essays by poet Anatoly Naiman and a memoir by
Isaiah Berlin, describing his 1945 and 1965 meetings with
Akhmatova. The poems, arranged essentially as Akhmatova composed
them, include a great many that, because of censorship, could not
be published previously. Her subjects reflect the terrible times
brought about by revolution and war. Sequel to _The Complete
Poems of Anna Akhmatova, Vol. 1 (RC 33626)_. 1989.
The Continuous Life  RC 32952
by Mark Strand
narrated by Graci Ragsdale
1 cassette
In this first volume issued since Mark Strand became Poet
Laureate of the United States, he has assembled a collection of
poems and prose poems. He explores the serious and the not so
serious. 1990.
Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: Poems  RC 34801
selected by Frances McCullough
narrated by Yvonne Fair Tessler
1 cassette
A collection of more than 125 poems of discovery by eighty-one
contemporary poets, including LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka), Sylvia
Plath, e.e. cummings, Vachel Lindsay, and William Carlos
Williams. For junior and senior high and older readers. 1989.
Favorite Poems of Henry W. Longfellow  RC 34113
by Henry W. Longfellow
narrated by Alexander Scourby
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Selected poems by a nineteenth-century American poet. The
collection is divided into five sections: Songs of Memory and
Other Lyrics; Story in Song; Poems of Principle; Sonnets; and
Excerpts from "Michael Angelo: A Fragment." 1967.
Gerard Manley Hopkins: A Very Private Life  RC 34677
by Robert Bernard Martin
narrated by Richard Brown
4 cassettes
Using previously unavailable papers and letters, Martin seeks
clues to Hopkins's inner life. Known for his sensual yet
spiritual poetry, Hopkins maintained a private, reserved image.
Discusses his homosexual tendencies, matriculation through
Oxford, conversion to Catholicism, and life as a Jesuit priest.
1991.
Going Back to the River: Poems  RC 35399
by Marilyn Hacker
narrated by Suzanne Toren
1 cassette
A 1975 winner of the National Book Award reflects on her life in
New York and France. In the title poem, Hacker recalls her
immigrant parents and growing up with two languages. Now she
feels at home on two continents, especially if her lesbian lover
is there to walk with her to the river. Favorite subjects include
domesticity, family relationships, parting, and the many-faceted
aspects of love. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1990.
Heaven and Earth: A Cosmology, Poems  RC 34884
by Albert Goldbarth
narrated by Bob Askey
1 cassette
Goldbarth's language covers the gamut--from history and science
to lust and comic-book expressions--and samples are gathered in
this selection of poems under the headings "Talk," "Love,"
"Others," and "Physics." Winner of the National Book Critics
Circle Award for poetry. Some strong language. 1991.
Hill Daughter: New and Selected Poems  RC 34848
by Louise McNeill
narrated by Mary Kane
1 cassette
In the title poem McNeill speaks from first-hand experience about
the role of Appalachian women. Other themes are her affection for
the land and its people and her concern for its welfare in the
face of environmental deterioration. Poems are grouped by tone
and by volume of original publication. 1991.
The Homeplace: Poems  RC 34440
by Marilyn Nelson Waniek
narrated by Gail Nelson
1 cassette
An African-American poet celebrates her family history. The first
section commemorates female relatives and dates from before
freedom. Waniek is inspired by the spirit of Diverne, her
great-great-grandmother, who accepts the son she bears her master
as her "starburst joy." The second section is devoted to proud
voices of black men like Waniek's father, a decorated World War
II airman. Some strong language. 1990.
_In Memoriam_, _Maud_, and Other Poems  RC 35367
by Alfred Tennyson
narrated by John Horton
2 cassettes
"In Memoriam" is a series of poems inspired by the changing moods
of the author's regret for his dead friend. It describes the
gradual transformation of this sorrow into a wider love of God
and humanity. "Maud" is a monodrama in which the narrator, a man
of morbid temperament, describes significant events in his life.
Also includes some of Tennyson's best-known works, such as "The
Charge of the Light Brigade." 1974.
Near Changes: Poems  RC 35335
by Mona Van Duyn
narrated by Sally Darling
1 cassette
In "The Insight Lady of St. Louis on Zoos," the poet is
surrounded by books "in her natural habitat." She writes about
simple things and a changing world. Most of her poems reveal
great devotion to her husband and to the friends and neighbors
who have taken the place of a family. This volume won the 1991
Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. In 1992 Van Duyn was the first woman
to be named poet laureate of the United States. 1990.
The Never-Ending: New Poems  RC 34600
by Andrew Hudgins
narrated by Roy Avers
1 cassette
"Crucifixion" and "The Unpromised Land" reflect the author's
close ties to Montgomery, Alabama, and his thoughts about the
Confederacy and about civil rights. "The Yellow Harvest" depicts
souls tormented by belief and skepticism while examining
paintings of Christ. "November Garden" and "Compost: An Ode"
continue Hudgins's fascination with nature. And "Prayer for an
Ex-Wife" turns to the poet's never-ending theme of love. Some
strong language. 1991.
New and Selected Poems  RC 35781
by Mary Oliver
narrated by Suzanne Toren
1 cassette
The author of the 1984 Pulitzer Prize-winning _American Primitive
(RC 21493)_ was honored with the National Book Award for this
volume containing poems written over nearly three decades.
Oliver's poems frequently question how to love this world.
Although most pay tribute to nature, some investigate human
existence, expressing the need to experience life so that one
does not "end up simply having visited this world." 1992.
Old and New Poems  RC 34487
by Donald Hall
narrated by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
The author of these poems and prose pieces has selected works
ranging over a period of more than forty years. He admits to
cutting lines and repairing segments on occasion--a right that he
cannot resist exercising. By grouping his works chronologically
he provides a retrospective look at the evolution of his style as
well as a closer look at trends that he has followed in American
poetry. 1990.
The Quarrel of the Six Beasts/Luc Suc
Tranh Cong  RC 34280
translated by Thong Huynh Sanh
narrated by Trung Tran and Mary Kane
1 cassette
In this classic narrative poem, written in
late-eighteenth-century Vietnam, each of six common domestic
animals--the water buffalo, the dog, the horse, the goat, the
rooster, and the pig--brags of the service it performs for its
master and is contemptuous of some other beast as useless or
harmful. This edition includes the original poem in Vietnamese
with a translation, introduction, and notes in English. Bilingual
title. 1987.
Rainbow Remnants in Rock Bottom Ghetto Sky  RC 34561
by Thylias Moss
narrated by Sally Darling
1 cassette
This volume was selected by Charles Simic for the National Poetry
Series in 1990, and in 1991 it won a Whiting Writers Award. Moss
focuses on the experience of African Americans. She writes:
"Truth is...a perfect nappy curl, tightly wound, spinning wildly
when I try to tamper with its nature," and "the promise that she
bear Jim no bastards, the promise to her face that it not be
mistaken as shadow." 1991.
The Ring and the Book  RC 35051
by Robert Browning
narrated by Gordon Gould
4 cassettes
In 1860 Robert Browning discovered a book in a secondhand book
stall in Florence, documenting a Roman murder trial in 1698.
Around this information he weaves a long narrative poem about
Count Guido, the accused; Pompilia, his wife and murder victim;
and Pietro and Violante Comparini, parents of Pompilia and also
victims of the murderous Guido. The poem describes events from
different points of view, varying the guilt or innocence of the
characters. 1971.
A Season of Loss: Poems  RC 35134
by Jim Barnes
narrated by John Stratton
1 cassette
Poems by an American of Choctaw-Welsh-English heritage take a
closer look at long-gone people and places. In part one, entitled
"Bone Yard," one feels the January wind, hears the moan of a
distant diesel, and regrets leaving Santa Fe. Part two, "Dog
Days," begins with a reflection on sultry August days but gives
way to songs of praise. Each season of loss is replaced with new
love and respect for life. Some strong language. 1985.
Seeing Things  RC 35398
by Seamus Heaney
narrated by John Horton
1 cassette
Heaney's translations of excerpts from _The Aeneid_ and _The
Inferno_ frame this collection. Just as Aeneas prays for one
meeting with his dear father, so Heaney records images of his
dead father. A group of twelve-line poems, assembled under the
heading "Squarings," summons up memories of precise moments in
the author's childhood. Such memories feed his imagination,
enabling him to "see things." 1991.
Selected Poems  RC 35353
by James Tate
narrated by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
Winner of the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. This volume
contains Tate's poems from collections published between 1967 and
1986--poems about childish delights, dreams, tragedy, romance,
absences, amnesia, immortals, and melancholy. He writes about
young soldiers hunched "like homeless bluebirds," about special
days ("they are not what we live for"), and about moments that
one can only experience. Some strong language. 1991.
Under 35: The New Generation of American Poets  RC 32901
edited by Nicholas Christopher
narrated by Marilyn Gleason
2 cassettes
The editor of this selection of poems concerns himself with,
aside from the obvious criteria, the "poem that sends a tingle up
the spine." Each poet shares the history of a generation that has
come of age since the Vietnam War. And each poem shares the
writer's own personal history, perhaps suggesting that individual
experience is as relevant as society's. 1989.
The World Doesn't End  RC 32955
by Charles Simic
narrated by Mimi Bederman
1 cassette
This collection of sixty-seven prose poems received the 1990
Pulitzer Prize for poetry. The author, born in Yugoslavia in
1938, is the winner of many additional awards for his poetry and
literary translations. Simic meditates on human experiences as
viewed in everyday life. In one piece he knows an owl who dreams
of being a star of country music. In another, he presents a
little kid sticking pins into the butterflies he has imprisoned.
1989.
Psychology and Self-Help
+Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your
Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Financial Destiny!  RC 33939
by Anthony Robbins
narrated by Butch Hoover
4 cassettes
Robbins turned his life around when he developed the principle of
"concentration of power," whereby he learned to focus all his
resources on mastering one aspect of life at a time. Believing
that everyone can fulfill the dreams held deep within, he
explains his strategies and offers a seven-day plan for reshaping
one's life. Bestseller 1991.
The Creative Mind: Myths and Mechanisms  RC 34655
by Margaret A. Boden
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Examines how computers process information and help search for
clues to how human brains operate. Boden is interested in
possible connections with the thought processes and mental
activity related to creativity. She dispels myths claiming that
creative ideas are divinely inspired or accidental, and concludes
that scientific data can be interpreted in a way that increases
creative possibilities. 1991.
The Cry for Myth  RC 33715
by Rollo May
narrated by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
A popular therapist describes the role myths play in our lives.
May claims that contemporary society, lacking heroes and myths of
its own, looks to the past for meaning and a sense of belonging
to a higher order. He traces myths from ancient Greek tragedies
to modern fairy tales and cites case studies and literary
references as evidence that many Americans are interested in
myths of other cultures. He believes that the missing link is
often spiritual. 1991.
The Culture of Pain  RC 34482
by David B. Morris
narrated by Philip Booth
3 cassettes
The author combines literary and medical research on the
experience of chronic pain, examining psychological,
physiological, and social influences on sufferers. He isolates
pain as a cultural product, surveying its history from the
ancient Greeks to modern medical practitioners, with particular
emphasis on the connections between mental and physical pain.
1991.
The Dancing Clock and Other Childhood Memories  RC 32247
by Helen Harris Perlman
narrated by Peg Munson
2 cassettes
The author, a clinical social worker and professor, offers her
own childhood memories as a vehicle to help others explore and
remember how they reacted to, and were marked by, events in their
youth. Her sketches illustrate rivalry, awareness of what is
"good" and "bad" and right and wrong, shocks to the self-image,
the loss of illusions, the tensions of loving and hating, and
experiences with death. 1989.
Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science  RC 34349
by L. Ron Hubbard
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
1 cassette
The controversial and bestselling author of _Dianetics: The
Modern Science of Mental Health (RD 8295)_ tells the story of his
research in understanding and using the full capabilities of the
human mind. He also explains how dianetics can be used by
individuals to better understand themselves and live happier,
more successful lives. Includes glossary, bibliography, and short
biographical sketch. 1989.
Executive in Passage: Career in Crisis--the Door to Uncommon
Fulfillment  RC 34870
by Donald Marrs
narrated by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
A middle-aged top advertising executive examines his feelings of
discomfort in his daily work, realizing that his inner values
conflict with his professional motives. In this account, he
traces the changes he has made to avoid compromising those
values. He includes internal dialogue along with his external
moves and offers guidance for those who would share his
experience. 1990.
The Culture of Pain  RC 34482
by David B. Morris
narrated by Philip Booth
3 cassettes
The author combines literary and medical research on the
experience of chronic pain, examining psychological,
physiological, and social influences on sufferers. He isolates
pain as a cultural product, surveying its history from the
ancient Greeks to modern medical practitioners, with particular
emphasis on the connections between mental and physical pain.
1991.
The Dancing Clock and Other Childhood Memories  RC 32247
by Helen Harris Perlman
narrated by Peg Munson
2 cassettes
The author, a clinical social worker and professor, offers her
own childhood memories as a vehicle to help others explore and
remember how they reacted to, and were marked by, events in their
youth. Her sketches illustrate rivalry, awareness of what is
"good" and "bad" and right and wrong, shocks to the self-image,
the loss of illusions, the tensions of loving and hating, and
experiences with death. 1989.
Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science  RC 34349
by L. Ron Hubbard
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
1 cassette
The controversial and bestselling author of _Dianetics: The
Modern Science of Mental Health (RD 8295)_ tells the story of his
research in understanding and using the full capabilities of the
human mind. He also explains how dianetics can be used by
individuals to better understand themselves and live happier,
more successful lives. Includes glossary, bibliography, and short
biographical sketch. 1989.
Executive in Passage: Career in Crisis--the Door to Uncommon
Fulfillment  RC 34870
by Donald Marrs
narrated by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
A middle-aged top advertising executive examines his feelings of
discomfort in his daily work, realizing that his inner values
conflict with his professional motives. In this account, he
traces the changes he has made to avoid compromising those
values. He includes internal dialogue along with his external
moves and offers guidance for those who would share his
experience. 1990.
I Dare You! How to Stay Young Forever  RC 34386
by Lucile Bogue
narrated by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
In her eightieth year, this author offers a prescription for
living a full, healthy, and productive life as a senior citizen.
Topics include common-sense suggestions for exercise, doing
something that you love, and conquering fear and pain. But her
focus is on creative ways to pursue later years with energy and
enthusiasm, and she provides documented ideas for travel and for
challenging the mind. 1990.
Interpersonal Perception  RC 34197
by Edward E. Jones
narrated by James DeLotel
3 cassettes
Explores how we determine what other people are "really like,"
and in turn how we impress them, and how their reactions affect
us. A social psychologist describes his research into the thought
processes and motives underlying interpersonal relationships. He
reflects on the question of understanding intentional action,
focuses on the social perception processes, and stresses how
various contexts of interaction affect perceptions. 1990.
The Left-hander Syndrome: The Causes and Consequences of
Left-handedness  RC 35526
by Stanley Coren
narrated by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
The author investigates the biological causes and social
consequences of left-handedness. Coren's extensive research shows
that one in ten people is left-handed, and that history has not
always been kind to those so identified. Claiming that what is
seen as a minor inconvenience may create greater risks of
accident, he urges this minority to organize for safety and
awareness. 1992.
Many Lives, Many Masters  RC 34974
by Brian L. Weiss
narrated by Marilyn Gleason
2 cassettes
Noted psychiatrist Brian Weiss has little respect for
nontraditional psychiatry until he treats Catherine. When her
severe anxiety and numerous phobias do not improve, Weiss
hypnotizes her, and she describes some of her eighty-six past
lives and becomes a channel for the Master Spirits. Weiss's
skepticism decreases as Catherine talks about his deceased
relatives. 1988.
Obsessive Love: When Passion Holds You Prisoner  RC 34249
by Susan Forward and Craig Buck
narrated by Suzanne Nelson
2 cassettes
The first of therapist Forward's four characteristics of
obsessive love is "a painful, all-consuming preoccupation with a
real or wished-for lover." Using stories of persons on both ends
of obsessive relationships, Forward explains why people have
developed the obsessive trait, how they can recognize it in
themselves or others, and what steps they can take to eliminate
it. 1991.
Quest: The Life of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross  RC 34421
by Derek Gill
narrated by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
Physician and author Kubler-Ross is known for her insights into
the psychological aspects of the death process. Beginning with
Kubler-Ross's early life as a triplet born to Swiss parents,
Gill's biography outlines her medical training, work with war
victims, move to New York, and marriage to a fellow physician.
The book ends with the 1969 publication of Kubler-Ross's book _On
Death and Dying (RD 6132)_. 1980.
Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem  RC 34110
by Gloria Steinem
narrated by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
A cofounder of _Ms._ magazine and outspoken feminist, Steinem
here confronts internal barriers to women's equality. She
examines the experiences of individual men and women; researches
self-help books; and, recognizing that "Good writers write to
find out about themselves--and it lasts forever," she finally
listens to herself. 1992.
They Call It Hypnosis  RC 34221
by Robert A. Baker
narrated by John Richardson
3 cassettes
Psychologist Baker examines the history, uses, abuses,
misconceptions, and future of the practice called hypnosis. He
refutes the concept that hypnosis is a unique expression of
altered consciousness. Instead, Baker and others in the field
believe that this state can be achieved by a combination of
compliance, relaxation, and suggestibility. 1990.
Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild
Woman Archetype  RC 35274
by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
narrated by Carole Jordan Stewart
4 cassettes
Estes, a Jungian analyst and storyteller, uses fairytales and
myths to illustrate the female "wild" or instinctive nature so
often repressed in society. In addition to using the medicine of
these stories, Estes suggests that women should mimic the traits
of wolves to tap their own dormant wildness. Of her ten "general
wolf rules for life," Estes emphasizes "howl often." Bestseller
1992.
Religion
Adventure in Africa: The Story of Don McClure  RC 34375
by Charles Partee
narrated by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
A portrait of Don McClure is gleaned from letters to his mother
that are pieced together by his son-in-law. For fifty years,
McClure cheerfully devoted his life as a Christian missionary to
spreading the gospel in Africa while protecting his family,
delivering babies, and fixing anything that broke--content with
doing just about anything but sitting still. 1990.
Against the Night: Living in the New Dark Ages  RC 32956
by Charles W. Colson and
Ellen Santilli Vaughn
narrated by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
Colson traces the disintegration of modern civilization to the
seventeenth-century French philosopher Descartes, whose "I think,
therefore I am" argument began a move away from a God-centered
faith. He envisions a return to the belief in the sovereignty of
God as the solution to the moral darkness and decay of the late
twentieth century. 1989.
Are You Running with Me, Jesus? A Spiritual Companion for the
1990s  RC 33847
by Malcolm Boyd
narrated by Jack Fox
1 cassette
A collection of meditations on topics of concern for the
1990s--AIDS, the homeless, the environment, and nursing homes. A
1965 version of these prayer-like fragments became an immediate
bestseller. Boyd retains some sections and adds updated material
for spiritual reflection and renewal at home, at work, and on
various occasions. 1990.
The Bestiary of Christ  RC 34900
by Louis Charbonneau-Lassay
and D.M. Dooling
narrated by Gordon Gould
3 cassettes
Abridged version of a work first published in France in 1940.
Meditations on the symbolic meaning of animals in religious
literature. The author researched artwork and documents from
sources as diverse as ancient Egypt and the Renaissance,
examining real and imagined animals from all parts of the world.
1991.
Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota  RC 33097
by Wallace H. Black Elk and
William S. Lyon
narrated by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
Born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota in 1921, Wallace
Black Elk was "called" to the sacred way of the _Chanunpa_ when
he was five years old. Eleven "grandfathers," or mentors,
prepared him to use spiritual powers, to heal, and to help
others. His collaborator on the book is a university professor
who has studied and worked with Black Elk for twelve years. 1990.
Catholicism and Politics in Communist Societies: Christianity
under Stress, Volume 2  RC 35405
edited by Pedro Ramet
narrated by Frank Coffee
4 cassettes
Discusses the relationship between the Catholic church and
socialist systems in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Examines changes within the church from historical and
contemporary perspectives. Sequel to _Eastern Christianity and
Politics in the Twentieth Century (RC 29273)_. 1990.
Deborah, Golda, and Me: Being Female and Jewish in America  RC
34944
by Letty Cottin Pogrebin
narrated by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Pogrebin's introspective autobiography focuses on her conflicting
loyalties to her religious upbringing and her feminism. She first
felt herself an outsider when, as a fifteen-year-old female, she
was not allowed to say the prayer for the dead for her mother.
For twenty years she separated herself from her religion, but now
she has found a way to be a Jew who is a woman and a woman who is
a Jew. 1991.
Good Morning, Holy Spirit  RC 35152
by Benny Hinn
narrated by Philip Booth
1 cassette
Testimony of the author's personal experience with the Holy
Spirit and how it changed his life. An Israeli immigrant from an
Eastern Orthodox family educated in Catholic schools, Hinn
describes the path that brought him to America, where he became a
born-again Christian. Using Biblical passages, he offers
suggestions for a full Christian life, including guidance to each
member of the Trinity, and ways to improve one's prayer life.
1990.
The Grace Awakening  RC 35261
by Charles R. Swindoll
narrated by Harold Parker
2 cassettes
According to Swindoll, a "new movement is on the horizon," one
which he defines as the "Grace Awakening." He asserts that there
are too many grace killers--such as pride, criticism, gossip,
fear, resentment, and guilt--loose in the world. The individual
must accept the benefits of grace and gain a greater appreciation
for God's gifts, spend less time criticizing others, become more
tolerant, and take a step toward a new maturity. 1990.
Grandmothers of the Light: A Medicine Woman's Sourcebook  RC
34434
by Paula Gunn Allen
narrated by Carole Jordan-Stewart
2 cassettes
Allen retells and explains twenty-one spiritual stories culled
from the oral histories of various Native American tribes. These
selections, which include creation legends, illustrate the
gynecocratic values held by the tribes. Also discussed are the
steps a woman passes through to become a medicine woman--the ways
of the daughter, householder, mother, gatherer, ritualist,
teacher, and wise woman. 1991.
In the Eye of the Storm  RC 35494
by Max Lucado
narrated by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
A twenty-four-hour account of a day in the life of Jesus begins
with the news that his dearest friend, John the Baptist, has been
murdered. Aside from the Crucifixion, this day--a day that is
recorded in all four Gospels--brings more stress than any other.
A church pastor reveals how Jesus coped with the pressure of
demands, the storms of doubt, and the sting of failure, relating
Jesus's responses to the urgencies of present-day life. 1991.
An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History, and Practices
RC 34538
by Peter Harvey
narrated by Edward Blake
3 cassettes
Harvey's account of the 2,500-year history of Buddhism describes
its development from origins in India, its expansion throughout
Asia, and its introduction into Europe and America. He discusses
the practices of ethics, devotion, monasticism, and meditation,
pointing out the diversity within Buddhist traditions as well as
the beliefs and rites common throughout the Buddhist world. 1990.
Jerusalem Blessed, Jerusalem Cursed: Jews, Christians, and
Muslims in the Holy City from David's Time to Our Own  RC 35169
by Thomas A. Idinopulos
narrated by Ken Kliban
3 cassettes
An examination of the city of Jerusalem, where for centuries
millions of Jews, Christians, and Muslims from around the world
have gathered to hear the word of God. The author discusses the
importance of Jerusalem to each religious tradition, the history
of Zionism and the _intifada_, and the future of Jerusalem. 1991.
My Journey into Alzheimer's Disease  RC 33848
by Robert and Betty Davis
narrated by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
Robert Davis, a minister, was diagnosed as having Alzheimer's
disease at the age of fifty-three. He and his wife describe the
psychological and economic devastation it brings to the estimated
2.5 million Americans who have the disease and to their loved
ones. They also discuss their spiritual journey through these
"terrors by night," and share their faith in God's love. 1989.
Native American Prophecies  RC 34409
by Scott Peterson
narrated by Carole Jordan-Stewart
2 cassettes
This historical examination of Native-American prophecies
culminates in interviews with two modern-day prophets. The author
suggests using Native American philosophy, prophecies, and wisdom
to save the planet from environmental destruction. 1990.
Poultry in the Pulpit  RC 34323
by Alexander Cameron
narrated by Patrick Horgan
2 cassettes
Cameron, who gave up his veterinary practice in the 1950s to
become a Presbyterian minister, continues his story of a Scottish
country vet turned clergyman. Interspersed among tales relating a
minister's duties--performing weddings and funerals, writing
sermons, consoling the sick, and caring for alcoholics and the
bereaved--are stories of his days as a vet and of life with his
wife and family. Sequel to _Vet in the Vestry (RC 34322)_. 1988.
The Power of Positive Living  RC 33609
by Norman Vincent Peale
narrated by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
Peale considers himself a happy person and is concerned about
people who are not. Now, as a sequel to _The Power of Positive
Thinking (RC 27235)_, he offers further help for those who want
to turn their lives around. Using letters, anecdotes, and
examples gleaned from his counseling experiences, Peale offers
ways in which people can conquer their fears, triumph over
adversity, and transform their lives through faith in God. 1990.
The Search for God at Harvard  RC 35138
by Ari L. Goldman
narrated by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
An Orthodox Jewish _New York Times_ reporter and religion
correspondent chronicles a sabbatical year spent at the Harvard
Divinity School. While studying the teachings of the major
religious traditions, he develops a better understanding of his
own faith. He also discovers a diversity among his fellow
theology students that clearly does not fit stereotypical images.
1991.
Souls on Fire: Portraits and Legends of Hasidic Masters  RC 35714
by Elie Wiesel
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Biographical sketches are linked to form a personal account of
the Hasidic movement, a mystical sect of Judaism of which the
author is a member. Wiesel recounts his grandfather's tales of
the Hasidic leaders and their disciples in Eastern Europe. His
role is to transmit the story. But "all experiences cannot be
transmitted by the word ... [only] by a glance, or ... through
laughter." 1972.
The Spiritual Life of Children  RC 34188
by Robert Coles
narrated by Philip Booth
3 cassettes
Coles listened to the attitudes of children and observed their
artwork and behavior for more than thirty years. He conveys the
children's thoughts and feelings about spirituality and God,
their understanding of the meaning of their lives, and the
different perceptions of children from Christian, Islamic, and
Jewish traditions. Bestseller 1990.
Spiritual Parenting  RC 34264
by David L. Carroll
narrated by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Carroll refers to his book as "a loving guide for the new-age
parent" and presents methods of rearing children in today's
society in a spiritual or religious manner. Included are tips on
convincing children to avoid drugs, rock music, premarital sex,
and unwholesome television programs, as well as on how to talk
about death and how to communicate spiritual ideas. 1990.
Teachings around the Sacred Wheel: Finding the Soul of the
Dreamtime  RC 34306
by Lynn V. Andrews
narrated by Carole Jordan Stewart
1 cassette
Andrews, a member of the Sisterhood of the Shields, provides a
workbook for people who are on a "vision quest for enlightenment
and personal power." Based on her workshops and previous books,
this volume offers visualization exercises for traveling to the
four points of the sacred wheel--a journey to help fight
ignorance and unlock the wisdom, joy, and power within the soul.
1990.
Vet in the Vestry  RC 34322
by Alexander Cameron
narrated by Patrick Horgan
2 cassettes
Cameron had been a veterinarian for some years when, in the
mid-1950s, he decided to become a clergyman. Three years later he
emerged from Trinity College as a minister in the Church of
Scotland. He was still a caretaker, he just had a different
flock. Cameron relates his adventures as a vet and describes the
transition he and his family underwent as he began his ministry.
Prequel to _Poultry in the Pulpit (RC 34323)_. 1987.
Voices of Silence: Lives of the Trappists Today  RC 34899
by Frank Bianco
narrated by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
After the death of his son left photojournalist Bianco angry with
God, an assignment about Trappist monks began an emotional
healing process for the author and grew into five years of living
with and observing the cloistered Trappist life-style. Bianco's
descriptions of the monks' personalities and histories have been
"blended" to preserve their privacy. Some strong language. 1991.
Science and Technology
Beyond Numeracy: Ruminations of a Numbers Man  RC 35112
by John Allen Paulos
narrated by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
Short independent entries on mathematics, including
dictionary-like descriptions, arranged in alphabetical order.
Somewhat longer essays include topics for the mathematically
illiterate and personal musings. The author surveys subjects
ranging from ancient formulas to current theories of chaos and
coincidence in the same style that he used in _Innumeracy (RC
30187)_. 1991.
Bully for Brontosaurus: Reflections in Natural History  RC 35090
by Stephen Jay Gould
narrated by Jon Beryl
4 cassettes
Harvard professor and curator Gould has compiled another
collection of essays from his eighteen years of monthly
contributions to _Natural History_ magazine. Included are essays
on such divergent topics as male nipples, Joe DiMaggio's
unmatched hitting streak, the kiwi birds' enormous eggs, and
Australia's unusual mammalian echidna--an egg-laying anteater
related to the duckbilled platypus. 1991.
Charles Darwin: A New Life  RC 34293
by John Bowlby
narrated by Butch Hoover
5 cassettes
British psychologist Bowlby uses his pioneering work in child
development to explore the origins of Darwin's lifelong ill
health. Believing that Darwin suffered from hyperventilation
syndrome, Bowlby explains that the illness was brought on by
Darwin's losing his mother at the age of eight and by his
resulting low self-esteem. Bowlby supports his diagnosis by
examining patterns in Darwin's illness, work, and emotional life.
1990.
Charles Darwin: The Man and His Influence  RC 35230
by Peter J. Bowler
narrated by Richard Brown
2 cassettes
Bowler provides a brief narrative of Darwin's personal life, then
concentrates on his work, taking into account scholarly material
that suggests that Darwin's role in the theory of evolution needs
to be reinterpreted. Bowler discusses the voyage of the _Beagle_
and its effect on Darwin's concept of speciation and the work
that led to the publication of _Origin of the Species (RC
15937)_. 1990.
The Dark Romance of Dian Fossey  RC 34196
by Harold T.P. Hayes
narrated by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
An author of African studies explores the private life of the
primatologist Dian Fossey, found murdered in Rwanda in 1985.
Fossey, who made the world aware of mountain gorillas, described
her sixteen years in the jungles of Africa in _Gorillas in the
Mist (RC 19930)_. But much of her personal life remained a
mystery, until Hayes researched the background of this enigmatic
woman who used radical methods to save the gorillas from
extinction. 1990.
Dinosaur Tracks  RC 34420
by Tony Thulborn
narrated by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
A paleontologist reviews the history of the study of dinosaur
footprints and trackways; describes the basic methods used in
researching dinosaur tracks; explains how they are identified;
and discusses how a dinosaur's gait, size, and speed can be
estimated. Thulborn approaches the interpretation of tracks using
terms familiar to both interested lay readers and scientists.
1990.
Dinosaurs, Spitfires, and Sea Dragons  RC 33693
by Christopher McGowan
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
A paleontologist takes a look at the three main types of
dinosaurs--those that lived on land, those that lived in the sea,
and those that lived in the air. Writing for the lay reader,
McGowan often draws analogies between large living animals and
extinct giants. Rather than try to guess the identity of dinosaur
footprints and fossils, he works out their probable design and
dimensions in a given environment. 1991.
Edison and the Business of Innovation  RC 35511
by Andre Millard
narrated by Bob Butz
3 cassettes
Chronicles life after forty for the creator of the phonograph.
With many inventions to his credit, Edison turns to a factory for
experimentation. There he presides over the shop floor in his new
roles as industrialist, businessman, and manager of one of the
first research laboratories. Millard shows how Edison's spirit of
innovation sustains him through failures. 1990.
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio  RC 34802
by Tom Lewis
narrated by John Rayburn
4 cassettes
Portrait of three American pioneers of radio--Lee de Forest,
inventor of the vacuum tube; Edwin Howard Armstrong, creator of
transmitter and amplification devices and the FM system; and
David Sarnoff, who made RCA into a corporate giant. Chronicles
the struggles among these individuals, along with the development
of radio from a primitive wireless communication system to its
golden age in the 1930s and 1940s. 1991.
Infinite in All Directions: Gifford Lectures Given at Aberdeen,
Scotland, April-November 1985  RC 34932
by Freeman J. Dyson
narrated by Peter Johnson
3 cassettes
Seventeen essays in plain language by a theoretical physicist. He
examines the nature of life, its prognosis for the future, and
the problems that the human species creates on this planet. His
subjects range from nuclear winter to butterflies, reflecting
their original appearance as lectures under the title "In Praise
of Diversity." 1988.
The Legacy of Chernobyl  RC 34333
by Zhores A. Medvedev
narrated by Frank Coffee
3 cassettes
An exiled Soviet scientist explains how ten times the amount of
radiation from the Hiroshima bomb came to be released from the
Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986. In his discussion of the
devastating results and the attempted cover-up by Soviet
officials, Medvedev claims the accident helped accelerate
glasnost. 1990.
The Lever of Riches: Technological Creativity and Economic
Progress  RC 34198
by Joel Mokyr
narrated by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Surveys the historical background of societies changed by
technological innovation. Traces the major inventions of
innovative nations, including ancient China and Britain during
the Industrial Revolution. Examines the relationship between
inventors and their environment. Mokyr offers his analysis of how
competitors in the world market can sustain and promote their
creative potential. 1990.
Out There: The Government's Secret Quest for Extraterrestrials
RC 34776
by Howard Blum
narrated by James DeLotel
2 cassettes
The United States government has claimed that there is not enough
evidence to warrant investigation of the possibility of
extraterrestrial life. Blum refutes this position, stating that
the government has, in fact, created a top-secret UFO Working
Group to do just that. He presents the history behind the group's
1987 formation and the methods he used to discover its existence.
1990.
A Path Where No Man Thought: Nuclear Winter and the End of the
Arms Race  RC 34229
by Carl Sagan and Richard Turco
narrated by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
Sagan and Turco describe their theory of a nuclear winter--the
lowering of the earth's temperature as a result of
earth-shrouding clouds thrown into the atmosphere by nuclear
explosions. The authors insist on the possibility of such a
scenario and outline action that must be taken on a global level
to eliminate such an imminent menace. 1990.
A Physicist on Madison Avenue  RC 35203
by Tony Rothman
narrated by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
A scientist-writer covers topics ranging from the physics of a
musical instrument to alternative cosmologies. While Rothman
provides insights into the scientific process, he directs his
approach to the general reader. For example, he makes light of
the editors of a popular science magazine's arguing over what
appeals to the readership. But mainly he shares his excitement
over any scientific debate that leads to discovery. 1991.
Scientific Literacy and the Myth of the Scientific Method  RC
35437
by Henry H. Bauer
narrated by K.D. Henry
2 cassettes
A scientist explains in layperson's language why he believes the
scientific method does not exist, and why and how science really
works. Bauer likens science to the human activity of piecing
together a complex jigsaw puzzle. He claims that correct science
filters out whatever is not true, but warns readers against the
misconception that "scientific" and "factual" are synonymous.
1992.
Solomon's House Revisited: The Organization and
Institutionalization of Science  RC 35340
edited by Tore Frangsmyr
narrated by Peter Johnson
3 cassettes
Several authors examine the role of contemporary science in a
forum fashioned after a tale about the study of nature by Francis
Bacon. Contributors explore the function of academies and
universities in the growth of science; the influence of the
state, the church, and secret societies; the role of the
laboratory and workshop; and the effects of competition and big
science. 1990.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A Longer View of Newton and
Halley  RC 34240
edited by Norman J.W. Thrower
narrated by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Eighteen essays by astronomers, physicists, science historians,
and philosophers presented at the conference commemorating the
tercentenary of Newton's _Principia_ and the 1985-1986 return of
Halley's Comet. Four parts treat Newton's and Halley's parallel
careers individually, portray the lesser-known Newton, depict the
many sides of Halley, and discuss comets. 1990.
Tell Me a Story: A New Look at Real and Artificial Memory  RC
33479
by Roger C. Schank
narrated by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
Explores relationships between the stories that people tell or
hear, memory, understanding, and intelligence. Schank describes
his experiments with computers designed to duplicate interesting
human storytelling experiences. He extends this effort to
educational testing, especially of the types that measure
analytic skills but ignore creative and practical aspects of
intelligence. 1990.
Too Hot to Handle: The Race for Cold Fusion  RC 34413
by Frank Close
narrated by Art Metzler
3 cassettes
A physicist and popular science writer reveals the facts behind
Martin Fleischmann's and Stanley Pons's 1989 declaration that
they had discovered cold fusion. From the press conference when
they announced their claim to the rush by other scientists to
test it experimentally, the author chronicles his investigation
into their methods and seeks to set the record straight. He also
reminds us how good science really works. 1991.
Trashing the Planet: How Science Can Help Us Deal with Acid Rain,
Depletion of the Ozone, and Nuclear Waste (among Other Things)
RC 35643
by Dixy Lee Ray and Lou Guzzo
narrated by Lydia Humphries
2 cassettes
The author advocates taking a scientific and technical approach
to environmental problems. She contends that Americans are
especially vulnerable to scare tactics. This book is an attempt
to clarify the issues and to seek a balance between the
environment and technological improvements. 1990.
Social Sciences
Acquired Tastes  RC 35344
by Peter Mayle
narrated by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
Mayle, wondering about the spending habits of the rich, received
a golden opportunity to indulge his curiosity from _GQ Magazine_.
He provides some tips from his four-year search: a second home is
not necessarily desirable, two things to avoid when shopping for
antiques are fragility and the chic auction, and caviar should
not be eaten with anything else--just spoon the black pearls into
the mouth. Bestseller 1992.
The Adventures of Amos 'n' Andy: A Social History of an American
Phenomenon  RC 34187
by Melvin Patrick Ely
narrated by John Stratton
3 cassettes
Examines the social implications of a highly successful radio and
television show depicting two southern black men who move north.
Begun in 1926, the radio show was performed by white actors, who
were later replaced by black actors for television. Although the
program's fans included both blacks and whites, many felt it
portrayed a negative black image. 1991.
The American Scene  RC 34080
by Henry James
narrated by Gordon Gould
3 cassettes
First published in England in 1907. James is disturbed by his
sense of alienation when he returns to America after an absence
of more than twenty years. At the same time he finds much that is
familiar. He embarks on a year-long journey to the major cities
of the east coast from New England to Florida. This record gives
his impressions of the turn-of-the-century scene--the people and
the society. 1987.
Before the Flames: A Quest for the History of Arab Americans  RC
34162
by Gregory Orfalea
narrated by Peter Johnson
4 cassettes
Orfalea combines personal background with more than a century of
Arab-American history in a portrait of an immigrant group
Americans once considered extremely foreign. Orfalea's research
took him from villages in Syria and Lebanon to Arab-American
communities in the United States, where he interviewed his own
family as well as other Arab-Americans. 1988.
Blood in the Face: The Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, Nazi
Skinheads, and the Rise of a New White Culture  RC 33554
by James Ridgeway
narrated by Reginald Metcalf
2 cassettes
A political correspondent details the rise of racist far-right
groups, tracing the growth of their ideology back to the myth of
a worldwide Jewish conspiracy. Ridgeway examines their political
culture and their propaganda against minorities, portrays some of
the leaders, and claims there is growing evidence that racism is
becoming a major political issue. 1990.
Broken Contract: A Memoir of Harvard Law School  RC 35297
by Richard D. Kahlenberg
narrated by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Kahlenberg, a 1989 graduate of Harvard Law School, gives a
detailed account of his grueling academic experience and his
growing uneasiness over his career choice. A self-proclaimed
liberal interested in public service, Kahlenberg believes the
legal field needs to be restructured to lessen the inevitable
appeal of big-money firms. Kahlenberg eventually takes a job on
Capitol Hill. Some strong language. 1992.
The Broken Cord  RC 33717
by Michael Dorris
narrated by Christopher Hurt
3 cassettes
In 1971, twenty-six-year-old Dorris, a doctoral candidate, a
college teacher, and a member of the Modoc tribe, decided to
become a single parent. He was offered the chance to adopt
three-year-old Adam, a Sioux who had been diagnosed as mentally
retarded. It was discovered later that Adam suffers from fetal
alcohol syndrome (FAS). Dorris, who later married, describes the
problems attendant upon raising a child with FAS. Includes Adam's
story. 1989.
Citizenship Made Simple  RC 34410
by Louise Quayle
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
For persons wishing to become U.S. citizens. Guide to
understanding the immigration laws, to learning which
preferential category is appropriate, and to choosing what forms
to file. Includes a list of immigration classifications; the
requirements for naturalization; information about entering the
United States, obtaining a green card, and preparing for the
citizenship examination; and a description of the naturalization
ceremony. 1991.
The Culture of Contentment  RC 35164
by John Kenneth Galbraith
narrated by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
Renowned economist analyzes U.S. monetary policies, domestic
social conditions, and foreign relations. Galbraith's thesis is
that America has succumbed to the desires and comfort of the
affluent--a class that tends to control political decisions. He
traces the roots of this late twentieth-century "culture,"
beginning with circumstances that led to the Great Depression and
concluding with suggestions for coping with problems. 1992.
The Culture of Pain  RC 34482
by David B. Morris
narrated by Philip Booth
3 cassettes
The author combines literary and medical research on the
experience of chronic pain, examining psychological,
physiological, and social influences on sufferers. He isolates
pain as a cultural product, surveying its history from the
ancient Greeks to modern medical practitioners, with particular
emphasis on the connections between mental and physical pain.
1991.
Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America  RC 34872
by James Davison Hunter
narrated by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
An overview of the cultural conflicts in America. Hunter analyzes
the issues that have historically divided the country along
ideological and class lines. He argues that, more than anything
else, opposing traditional positions on moral values create
religious and political boundaries and continue to polarize every
aspect of the nation. He concludes with some suggestions for
resolution of the debate. 1991.
Dancing with Daddy: A Childhood Lost and a Life Regained  RC
34263
by Betsy Petersen
narrated by Pam Ward
1 cassette
Betsy led a privileged life as the daughter of an esteemed
surgeon. When, as an adult, she experienced difficulties
mothering her two sons, Betsy sought help from a therapist. At
the age of forty-five, she realized that she had been repressing
the memory of being molested by her father from the time she was
three until she left home at eighteen. Explicit descriptions of
sex. 1991.
The Day America Told the Truth: What People _Really_ Believe
about Everything That Really Matters  RC 35197
by James Patterson and Peter Kim
narrated by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Based on research into Americans' private thoughts about subjects
such as family life, infidelity, marriage, love, and sexual
fantasies; drugs; AIDS; ethics; and sense of community. Contains
test-yourself questionnaires and lists fifty-four revelations
from the survey. Strong language and explicit descriptions of
sex. 1991.
Days of Honey, Days of Onion: The Story of a Palestinian Family
in Israel  RC 34736
by Michael Gorkin
narrated by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
Gorkin, an American Jew who emigrated to Israel in the 1980s,
spent two years closely involved with the family of Abu Ahmad to
learn about life for a Palestinian family residing in a village
in Israel. Gorkin's chronicle of this extended family shows,
through aspects of their daily existence, how the values of
families are influenced by a turbulent era. 1991.
A Disease of Society: Cultural and Institutional Responses to
AIDS  RC 35517
edited by Dorothy Nelkin and others
narrated by Maggie Welch
3 cassettes
Essays examining the response to AIDS from the perspective of ten
years' duration of the epidemic. Some essays explore the impact
of AIDS on legal and cultural issues, such as antidiscrimination
laws and the arts. Others describe the disease's effect on social
institutions, including the family, prisons, and the medical
profession. 1991.
Eighty Acres: Elegy for a Family Farm  RC 33973
by Ronald Jager
narrated by Phil Regensdorf
2 cassettes
Eighty acres is a small farm, but the author's memoirs of his
experiences in this miniature world depict a life rich with
contrasts. He details his view of rural America in the 1940s,
recovering from the depression and now deep in wartime economy;
honors his close-knit family; reflects on the never-ending
chores; and takes a knowing look at the erosion of the small
family farm. 1990.
The Elder Brothers  RC 35157
by Alan Ereira
narrated by George Backman
2 cassettes
The Kogi, or Elder Brothers, are a self-isolated tribe in the
mountains of Colombia who consider themselves to be the guardians
of the Earth. They broke tradition and allowed Ereira to film
their centuries-old, simple way of life in order to inform the
Younger Brothers that modern customs and behaviors are destroying
the Earth and must be abandoned. Violence. 1990.
The Great White Lie: How America's Hospitals Betray Our Trust and
Endanger Our Lives  RC 35519
by Walt Bogdanich
narrated by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
A Pulitzer Prize-winning _Wall Street Journal_ reporter exposes
numerous shortcomings in American hospitals. Bogdanich documents
specific institutions, medical staff, administrators, and
professional associations in his investigation. Among examples of
scandalous findings in his indictment are overworked and
unqualified employees and haphazard hospital regulation. 1991.
The Heart of the World  RC 35394
by Nik Cohn
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
3 cassettes
Cohn writes of the characters one meets while walking up New
York's Broadway. His guide is Russian taxi driver Sasha Zim, who
speaks in jumbled cliches and introduces Cohn to elderly
has-beens, skilled pickpockets (liberty boosters), and a variety
of transvestites including Lush Life. Cohn spends enough time
with these characters to tell their stories and their reasons for
frequenting the Great White Way. Strong language and some
descriptions of sex. 1992.
How to Locate Anyone Anywhere without Leaving Home  RC 31810
by Ted Gunderson and Roger McGovern
narrated by Magaret Anne Walterhouse
2 cassettes
Discusses how to organize a search; necessary expenses for
supplies, mailings, and telephone calls; profiling the subject of
the search; and types of records: city, county, state, federal,
educational, and credit institutions. Also covers safety tips and
the adoptee/birth-parent search. An extensive appendix lists
sources. 1989.
In the Absence of Angels: A Hollywood Family's Courageous Story
RC 33144
by Elizabeth Glaser and Laura Palmer
narrated by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
The author, wife of Paul Michael Glaser, star of the "Starsky and
Hutch" TV series, was infected by AIDS through a blood
transfusion and passed the virus on to her two children. After
the elder child died, Glaser sought organizations fighting
pediatric AIDS, only to find there were none. With the help of
well-connected friends, she created and sought support for the
Pediatric AIDS Foundation. 1991.
The Kinsey Institute New Report on Sex: What You Must Know to Be
Sexually Literate  RC 35206
by June M. Reinisch and Ruth Beasley
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
5 cassettes
In the fall of 1989 the Kinsey Institute surveyed 1,974 American
adults to ascertain their "sexual literacy." Fifty-five percent
failed to answer half the questions correctly. This text, a
supplement to Dr. Kinsey's original work published in the 1940s,
provides easily understood information about human sexuality.
1990.
Life Itself: Abortion in the American Mind  RC 35512
by Roger Rosenblatt
narrated by David Hartley-Margolin
1 cassette
Questions why Americans have an especially hard time dealing with
abortion. The author examines how other societies have resolved
their conflicts on this issue and speculates on certain American
characteristics--from Puritan history to politics--that cause the
volatile reactions of advocates on both sides. He reasons that
Americans tolerate diversity on other issues, and abortion should
be no exception. 1992.
Love in Black and White: The Triumph of Love over Prejudice and
Taboo  RC 34727
by Mark and Gail Mathabane
narrated by John Stratton
2 cassettes
Mark Mathabane, author of the autobiographical _Kaffir Boy (RC
24921)_ and _Kaffir Boy in America (RC 31789)_, continues his
story with the help of his wife, Gail. The interracial couple
describes the history of their relationship; the resistance they
encountered from family, friends, and strangers; their own
doubts; and the love that inspired them to surmount the problems.
1992.
The Making of Middlebrow Culture  RC 34817
by Joan Shelley Rubin
narrated by Lydia Humphries
3 cassettes
Examines the emergence of American middlebrow culture. The author
claims that efforts to study the extremes, ranging from the
avant-garde and the intelligentsia to the popular consumer, have
largely ignored the curious mix of a middle culture with
commercialism. Rubin chronicles the introduction of newspaper
book review sections, the Book-of-the-Month Club, the rise of
"outline" series, the "great books" movement, and the radio
programs about books. 1992.
Marketplace Medicine: The Rise of the For-Profit Hospital Chains
RC 34855
by Dave Lindorff
narrated by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
A journalist who frequently writes on the subject of healthcare
voices his alarm over the rapid growth of corporation-run
hospitals and their goal of making a profit. He contends that
only those patients with adequate insurance or sufficient
personal funds will have access to quality care. He recommends a
government-funded system as a solution to the problem. 1992.
The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours  RC
35259
by Marian Wright Edelman
narrated by Janis Gray
1 cassette
Founder of the Children's Defense Fund advises parents and young
people about caring for the less fortunate. A civil rights
lawyer, wife, and mother of three sons, Edelman speaks her mind
about lessons and values that prepare children, families, and
even the nation, for life. She defines what builds character and
measures success by "hard work, initiative, and persistence" and
"being decent and fair." Bestseller 1992.
Notes of a Hanging Judge: Essays and Reviews, 1979-1989  RC 35081
by Stanley Crouch
narrated by Harold Parker
3 cassettes
A writer for the _Village Voice_ and the _New Republic_ collects
his thought-provoking pieces on the state of African-American
culture. Crouch often takes dissenting positions in reviews and
reports on Louis Farrakhan, Jesse Jackson, Michael Jackson, Toni
Morrison, and the civil rights movement. Winner of a 1991 Whiting
Writers Award. Strong language. 1990.
Praying for Sheetrock  RC 33833
by Melissa Fay Greene
narrated by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
In the 1970s, when Thurnell Alston is elected commissioner in
McIntosh County, Georgia, the black community begins to see
improvements in living conditions. But Sheriff Tom Poppell is not
about to relinquish his political authority and so becomes a
major obstacle to this small civil rights movement. Injustice
eventually breaks the hero of this rural county's ongoing
struggle for equal rights. 1991.
Race: How Blacks and Whites Think and Feel about the American
Obsession  RC 35596
by Studs Terkel
narrated by Mary Kane
4 cassettes
Terkel interviews a wide range of Americans, black and white,
encouraging each to speak his or her mind about race. Among the
issues that he elicits opinions about are affirmative action and
poverty programs, changing neighborhoods, and civil rights. These
conversations reveal personal experiences, attitudes, and
prejudices, and they reflect changes in the social climate. 1992.
Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned  RC 34276
by Douglas J. Besharov
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
The author argues that laws on the reporting of child abuse have
had both positive and negative results. With more care-givers
required to report suspicions of abuse, false reports have
increased, causing increased family anguish. Besharov's guide
tells how to recognize the signs of abuse, how the reporting
process works, and what to do when accused of abuse. Violence and
explicit descriptions of sex. 1990.
Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby  RC 34683
by Stephen L. Carter
narrated by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Although he admits that he has benefited from affirmative action
programs, Carter, a black Yale law professor, is concerned that
these programs promote racial consciousness rather than eradicate
it. He defends his controversial stand with his belief that most
beneficiaries of these programs are middle-class blacks who don't
need preferential treatment and who can be judged by the same
standards as whites. 1991.
Save the Babies: American Public Health Reform and the Prevention
of Infant Mortality, 1850-1929  RC 34372
by Richard A. Meckel
narrated by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
A medical historian reviews the efforts of health professionals
and welfare reformers to reduce infant mortality, once it was
identified as a social problem in the nineteenth century. He
traces steps aimed at improving sanitary conditions, especially
the milk supply, and educating mothers about their need for
prenatal care. 1990.
A Street Is Not a Home: Solving America's Homeless Dilemma  RC
33729
by Robert C. Coates
narrated by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
A San Diego municipal court judge speaks of living on the street
from his personal experience. He identifies specific homeless
populations and details programs that have and have not worked.
Coates offers practical solutions to the problem, coupled with an
optimistic message about actions individual citizens and
political bodies can take to address the needs of society's
disadvantaged people. 1990.
Subway Lives: Twenty-four Hours in the Life of the New York City
Subway  RC 35348
by Jim Dwyer
narrated by Christopher Hurt
2 cassettes
Dwyer has compressed into a single day incidents that occurred
along the 700-plus miles of the New York City subway during the
spring of 1989. The stories of a baby's birth, a woman's
molestation, a token booth robbery, and a graffiti war are
interspersed with facts about the subway's historical background,
financial problems, and overwhelming statistics. Strong language.
1991.
Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology  RC 34860
by Neil Postman
narrated by Gary Telles
2 cassettes
Postman believes that technology is both friend and enemy to
today's society--friend because it makes life "easier, cleaner,
and longer," and enemy because the untrammelled growth of
technology "creates a culture without a moral foundation."
Postman theorizes about how technology's rise has redefined such
areas as religion, art, medicine, politics, history, and
education. 1992.
The True and Only Heaven: Progress and Its Critics  RC 34225
by Christopher Lasch
narrated by John Richardson
5 cassettes
A social critic and historian refutes the belief in progress,
productive expansion, and abundance as indefensible in the face
of stark material and human limits. Drawing on the work of such
thinkers as Emerson and Carlyle, and on the history of democratic
labor and social welfare movements, Lasch proposes that we
reclaim the populist values of responsibility, loyalty,
competency, and egalitarianism. 1991.
Two Nations: Black and White, Separate, Hostile, Unequal  RC
35087
by Andrew Hacker
narrated by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
Hacker believes organizing people into races began as a
convenience and has assumed a life of its own. Discussing such
subjects as family structure, employment, education, and income,
he demonstrates how the United States continues to be a racist
society because of the persistence of the belief in a natural
racial inequality. Bestseller 1992.
Wheel Estate: The Rise and Decline of Mobile Homes  RC 34654
by Allan D. Wallis
narrated by Lydia Humphries
2 cassettes
An environmental designer challenges the poor public image of
mobile homes and manufactured housing. Wallis's history of a
unique housing style explores the social and economic impetus
behind the mobile home's notoriety--from its beginnings in the
1920s through the 1990s, when economic conditions created a new
market for the "predominant unsubsidized type of affordable
housing." 1991.
When the Bough Breaks: The Cost of Neglecting Our Children  RC
34245
by Sylvia Ann Hewlett
narrated by Maggie Welch
3 cassettes
Hewlett is an economist, lecturer, writer, mother, and volunteer
worker with homeless children. Using statistics and the stories
of individuals, she outlines the need for "family-friendly"
workplaces and reforms in divorce, education, and prenatal and
child care. She is adamant about the changes she is fighting for
and decries insufficient public funding for children's services.
1991.
Sports and Recreation
Comeback  RC 34849
by Dave Dravecky and Tim Stafford
narrated by Rick Foucheux
2 cassettes
Baseball player Dravecky had been in the majors for six years
when a lump in his pitching arm was diagnosed as cancerous. He
describes how the religious faith he and his family had helped
him cope with the ordeal of tests, surgery, and the news that he
would never pitch again. It was termed a miracle that Dravecky
did successfully pitch again, but he retired shortly afterward
because of medical complications. 1990.
The Compleat Angler  RC 35308
by Izaak Walton
narrated by David Palmer
2 cassettes
First published in 1653, this famous discourse on the fine points
of fishing is also an essay on the virtues of rural solitude and
contemplation. In the dialog between Piscator (fisherman) and
Venator (hunter), praise is given to companionship, song, and
other simple pleasures of life. 1988.
Easy Access to National Parks: The Sierra Club Guide for People
with Disabilities  RC 35445
by Wendy Roth and Michael Tompane
narrated by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
Guide on accessibility to national parks for people who are
visually or hearing impaired, senior citizens, families with
small children, or anyone with mobility concerns. The authors
discuss preparing for park visits, offer specific advice on
fifteen parks and general information on parks in every region,
and list park recreation support groups. 1992.
+Joe Gibbs: Fourth and One  RC 34010
by Joe Gibbs and Jerry Jenkins
narrated by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
Joe Gibbs's lifelong dream came true when he was named head coach
of the Washington Redskins. But his road to success has not been
easy. Gibbs discusses his roles as coach, husband, and father;
the crises he has faced--including financial setbacks and near
tragedies; the need for the right perspective on life's issues;
and, most of all, his religious faith. Bestseller 1991.
The Jordan Rules  RC 34711
by Sam Smith
narrated by Christopher Hurt
3 cassettes
June 1991. The Chicago Bulls have just won the 1991 NBA
Championship, and there is joy all around--not only for player
Michael Jordan, but for the entire team. For the Bulls came
together as a team when it really counted. Smith looks at the
Bulls' 1990-91 season and discusses what Jordan did for the team.
He also talks about the petty jealousies, fragile egos, and
contract disputes that almost broke the team up. Bestseller 1992.
Paper Lion  RC 32938
by George Plimpton
narrated by Randy Means
2 cassettes (Reissue)
After becoming a last-string quarterback for the Detroit Lions,
writer Plimpton reveals details of their activities, styles of
individuals and coaches, in-game tensions, and off-hours
carousing. 1966.
Saint Croix Notes  RC 33816
by Noah Adams
narrated by Ray Foushee
1 cassette
This series of brief essays was first read on a National Public
Radio program in 1988, when the author was host of "Good
Evening." Adams, an anchor of NPR's "All Things Considered,"
spent that year in Minnesota, hiking along the Saint Croix River,
observing the weather, investigating nature, reflecting on life,
recalling conversations with family and friends, and reminding us
how the past lives on in our memories. 1990.
The Sweet Science  RC 34565
by A.J. Liebling
narrated by John Stratton
2 cassettes
In this collection of articles on prizefighting, a longtime
writer for the _New Yorker_ reveals his "fascination with the odd
characters who inhabit the world of boxing" as much as his love
of the sport itself. From visits to the training camps of
opponents to post-fight assessments in the bar, Liebling
interweaves sketches of people who follow "the sweet science"
with accounts of his personal involvement in the matches. 1956.
Ted Williams: A Baseball Life  RC 34501
by Michael Seidel
narrated by Gary Telles
4 cassettes
A picture of the legendary Boston Red Sox hitter, Ted Williams,
against a background of baseball history of the 1940s and 1950s.
Williams, who often stirred up as much excitement with his
temperamental behavior as he did with his prowess at bat, kept
the newspapers busy. But his running, throwing, and fielding
brought complaints from other team members. Some strong language.
1991.
A View from Above  RC 35147
by Wilt Chamberlain
narrated by J.P. Linton
2 cassettes
The basketball player shares his thoughts about life. He begins
by saying that even though he has lived a charmed life, there are
some things he would do differently, such as continuing music
lessons and learning foreign languages. His musings are about
himself, athletes, celebrities, Hollywood, love, and sex. He
sprinkles his comments with observations he calls "Wiltisms."
Some strong language. 1991.
Waiting for the Weekend  RC 35707
by Witold Rybczynski
narrated by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
An architect and cultural critic reflects on leisure time--how to
fill it, how it is different from work, and how well it
satisfies. The author traces the history of leisure, citing
Aristotle, Jane Austen, Bertrand Russell, and other observers of
human nature who comment on the need for time off. Rybczynski
ponders our preoccupation with the weekend. He suggests that
distinctive rules still govern work and play, and sacred and
secular time. 1991.
Stage and Screen
Beatrice Lillie: The Funniest Woman in the World  RC 35438
by Bruce Laffey
narrated by Jennifer Mendenhall
2 cassettes
Bea Lillie's career got its start like so many others, in a
church choir in her native Toronto. Not everyone, however, makes
it all the way to Buckingham Palace. She won countless hearts on
both sides of the Atlantic for her hilarious routines, especially
during the dark days of two world wars. Her private life, both
tragic and glamorous, failed to deter her performance in a stage
life that covered fifty years. 1989.
Bette Davis: A Biography  RC 35292
by Barbara Leaming
narrated by Lydia Humphries
3 cassettes
Known best for appearances in more than eighty films, including
_Jezebel_ and _Dark Victory_, Davis also acted on stage and in
television until her death in 1989. Leaming writes of the
actress's career and of her troubled home life--failed and
abusive marriages, alcoholism, and strained relationships with
her children. Included is a listing of Davis's acting credits.
Some strong language. 1992.
Brando: A Life in Our Times  RC 34106
by Richard Schickel
narrated by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
Biographer and _Time_ magazine film critic Schickel chronicles
Marlon Brando's beginnings on stage, his move to Hollywood, his
birth as a film idol, his series of flops, and his comeback with
_The Godfather_. While he concentrates on Brando's acting career,
he also emphasizes the influence of the actor's alcoholic
parents, his political activism, and his troubled family life.
1991.
+Childhood  RC 33925
by Bill Cosby
narrated by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
Cosby grew up in the 1940s in North Philadelphia. But unlike many
of today's kids, Cosby says he didn't find the word "bored" in
his vocabulary. Interlaced with memories of his own childhood,
which include tales of Weird Harold, Fat Albert, and his brother
Russell, are stories of his five children's growing up. He
reminisces about a frog in his father's milk, bedtime fights with
Russell, and playing stickball in the streets. Bestseller 1991.
+Dance While You Can  RC 33928
by Shirley MacLaine
narrated by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
MacLaine, who has written about finding inner peace and harmony
with God and the universe, thought she had a handle on it. Then,
at fifty-seven, she went home for Thanksgiving and suddenly
realized she was still searching for truth and tranquillity. She
contemplates her feelings as a woman and discusses how those
feelings relate to her family--Mom, Dad, brother Warren, and
daughter Sachi--and her work. Some strong language. 1991.
The Devil's Candy: _The Bonfire of the Vanities_ Goes to
Hollywood  RC 34732
by Julie Salamon
narrated by Catherine Byers
3 cassettes
Salamon, film critic for the _Wall Street Journal_, provides a
behind-the-scenes account of the making of Tom Wolfe's book _The
Bonfire of the Vanities (RC 26040)_ into a movie that became a
fifty-million-dollar disaster. The director allowed Salamon
complete access to phone calls, on-location sites, screenings,
and other aspects of a film ultimately faithless to the book.
Bestseller 1991.
The Divine Sarah: A Life of Sarah Bernhardt  RC 34238
by Arthur Gold and Robert Fizdale
narrated by Jon Beryl
3 cassettes
French actress Sarah Bernhardt was born in 1845 to a courtesan
mother. Bernhardt gained worldwide fame for her work on stage and
in silent films with such coveted roles as Lady Macbeth and even
Hamlet. She contributed to fictionalized accounts of her life to
help create her image. With the aid of newly published love
letters, the authors explore the truth behind the legend. 1991.
Evenings with Cary Grant: Recollections in His Own Words and by
Those Who Knew Him Best  RC 35522
by Nancy Nelson
narrated by Suzanne Nelson
3 cassettes
Born Archie Leach in England, Grant later changed both his name
and nationality, becoming a leading man in American romance,
suspense, and comedy films. Friends, lovers, and coworkers share
their favorite memories of the much-loved actor who died in 1986
at eighty-two. Interspersed are Grant's own words taken from
conversations the author urged him to have during the last years
of his life. 1991.
Exposing Myself  RC 35061
by Geraldo Rivera and Daniel Paisner
narrated by Christopher Hurt
4 cassettes
In 1985, Rivera had been with ABC for fifteen years. So he was at
a loss when, at mid-life, he was fired. But that day he began to
redefine his life. This son of a Jewish mother and Puerto Rican
father discusses his childhood, his work as a legal services
lawyer, his four marriages and three divorces, and his reputation
as a womanizer. He also discusses his years with ABC and his
career struggle. 1991.
Fanny Brice: The Original Funny Girl  RC 34879
by Herbert G. Goldman
narrated by Suzanne Nelson
3 cassettes
Fanny Brice's lack of traditional good looks did little to hold
her back from being a star. A spunky, funny kid with a great
singing voice, Fanny soon pushed her way into numerous stage
appearances including vaudeville and the Ziegfeld Follies. Films,
more Follies, and a long-running radio show as Baby Snooks
followed. Her personal life was somewhat rocky, especially her
relationship with crook and playboy, Nick Arnstein. 1992.
Ginger: My Story  RC 34128
by Ginger Rogers
narrated by Laura Giannarelli
3 cassettes
Rogers tells of being raised by her single Christian Scientist
mother, who later testified as a friendly witness for the House
Committee on Un-American Activities. Often remembered as Fred
Astaire's dance partner, Rogers is quick to point out that their
ten films together were only a small portion of her career of
seventy-three motion pictures. Rogers also describes her five
marriages and her friendships with celebrities. 1991.
The Great One: The Life and Legend of Jackie Gleason  RC 35490
by William A. Henry III
narrated by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
Best known as Ralph Kramden from the television sitcom "The
Honeymooners," Gleason also acted in Broadway shows and motion
pictures. Acknowledging the late actor's exaggerated tales about
himself, Henry balances Gleason's career with his off-stage life,
including his drinking, his troubled marriages, and his false
friendship with actor Art Carney. Some strong language. 1992.
Growing Up Brady: I Was a Teenage Greg  RC 34894
by Barry Williams and Chris Kreski
narrated by J.P. Linton
2 cassettes
Barry Williams, AKA Greg Brady, offers a behind-the-scenes look
at the cast of "The Brady Bunch." He interviewed the actors,
crew, and creator about their memories of the series and gives
information about whether or not Robert Reed permed his hair, the
off-stage romances between cast members, and Williams's date with
Florence Henderson. Includes synopses of the 116 episodes.
Bestseller 1992.
Hi-Ho, Steverino! My Adventures in the Wonderful Wacky World of
TV  RC 35657
by Steve Allen
narrated by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
When Allen quickly parlayed his first show business job as a disc
jockey into a show that featured his comedic talent, a star was
born. He tells anecdotes of his radio days and then of his
television career. Allen credits himself as creator of the talk
show and as a big influence on the style of Johnny Carson and
others. He also describes some problems he's had in the business.
1992.
Kovacsland: A Biography of Ernie Kovacs  RC 34134
by Diana Rico
narrated by Ray Hagen
3 cassettes
An account of the life of the irrepressible comedian whose comic
sketches broke all the rules of television broadcasting when the
media was in its infancy. Seriously ill at age twenty, Kovacs
developed an awareness of life's fragility and decided to live
each moment to the fullest. A workaholic and a gambler, he is
remembered as a generous friend. Kovacs died in an automobile
accident at age forty-two. 1990.
La Toya: Growing Up in the Jackson Family  RC 34709
by La Toya Jackson and
Patricia Romanowski
narrated by Gail Nelson
2 cassettes
Upon leaving home in her late twenties, entertainer Jackson
realized that she came from a dysfunctional family. She discusses
the emotional and physical abuse each child endured, the bonds
that made them a successful performing group, her parents'
attempts to abduct her, and her feature in _Playboy_. Bestseller
1991.
Life Wish  RC 34123
by Jill Ireland
narrated by Ilona Dulaski
2 cassettes
Ireland, who is married to actor Charles Bronson, has seven
children and a successful career as an actress, and believes she
has it all. But with one slash of a surgeon's knife, everything
changes; she learns she has breast cancer. She struggles with the
realization that she has cancer, tries various forms of healing
and treatment, and reevaluates her relationships with her family
and friends. 1987.
Lucy and Desi: The Legendary Love Story of Television's Most
Famous Couple  RC 34506
by Warren G. Harris
narrated by Katrina Van Dyne
3 cassettes
Harris draws upon interviews with family members and friends for
his portrait of TV's popular couple. Little attention is given to
the early years of either performer or to their lives after their
divorce in 1960. Instead, Harris concentrates on their
twenty-year partnership, "I Love Lucy," one-hour specials, and
Desi's womanizing and drinking, which led to divorce. 1991.
+Me: Stories of My Life  RC 33913
by Katharine Hepburn
narrated by Yvonne Fair Tessler
2 cassettes
Hepburn, who says she wrote this book to "discover the real
reason back of all the fluff," admits it does not follow any
path. She does, however, roughly portray her life from her birth
in 1907 to her withdrawal into private life. Along the way she
offers vignettes of her family; her only husband, Luddy; her
career; her affair with Howard Hughes; and finally her special
life with Spencer Tracy. Bestseller 1991.
Michael Landon: His Triumph and Tragedy  RC 34243
by Aileen Joyce
narrated by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
Born Eugene Maurice Orowitz, Michael Landon became a successful
television actor, writer, director, and producer. He is best
known for his three long-running series, "Bonanza," "Little House
on the Prairie," and "Highway to Heaven." Landon based a TV
movie, "The Loneliest Runner," on his unhappy childhood with a
disturbed mother. He died of pancreatic cancer in 1991. 1991.
Real Life Drama: The Group Theatre and America, 1931-1940  RC
32713
by Wendy Smith
narrated by Barbara Rappaport
5 cassettes
Summer 1931. Harold Clurman, Lee Strasberg, Cheryl Crawford, and
twenty-seven actors found the Group Theatre in New York. The
Group is committed to creating a character from one's own
emotional experiences. Their "method" lives on in the success of
legendary directors, playwrights, and actors, even though the
original Group is one of the biggest failures in theater history.
1990.
Samurai Widow  RC 34052
by Judith Jacklin Belushi
narrated by Mara Swanson
3 cassettes
Comic John Belushi died in 1982, after being injected with
heroin. Attempting to come to grips with his death and the
negative publicity surrounding it, his widow Judith writes of
their fifteen years together and of her grieving period following
his death. She includes letters and diary entries to depict a
John Belushi very different from the drug addict portrayed in Bob
Woodward's biographical _Wired (RC 20913)_. 1990.
Still Talking  RC 34380
by Joan Rivers and Richard Meryman
narrated by Pam Ward
2 cassettes
This irreverent star-comedienne begins her sequel to _Enter
Talking (RC 23924)_ with the suicide of her husband, Edgar, which
comes at a disastrous point in her career. Rivers chronicles
black days of working through grief to rebuild her personal and
professional lives. She realizes success with an Emmy Award and
her own talk show, exclaiming, "I have become my version of an
optimist." Strong language. 1991.
Tap! The Greatest Tap Dance Stars and Their Stories, 1900-1955
RC 33426
by Rusty E. Frank
narrated by Ray Hagen
3 cassettes
Frank sketches the history and describes the distinctive styles
of tap dancing. Her historical narrative contains some technical
descriptions of tap from its beginnings as a novelty dance to its
emergence as an accepted art form. She interviews thirty dancers
of various styles, ages, abilities, and traditions. Includes a
glossary of steps and a directory of important dancers. 1990.
Totally Uninhibited: The Life and Wild Times of Cher  RC 34398
by Lawrence J. Quirk
narrated by Suzanne Nelson
2 cassettes
Born in 1946, Cher first knew fame in the 1960s while singing
with her older boyfriend and later husband, Sonny Bono. From
their popular television show, Cher emerged as a star in her own
right with a solo singing career and growing success as an
actress. Quirk's unauthorized biography covers Cher's career and
personal life, including her penchant for tattoos, outrageous
clothes, and young men. Strong language. 1991.
Wisdom of the Nineties  RC 35004
by George Burns and Hal Goldman
narrated by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
This nonagenarian entertains with anecdotes and tales about his
record-length career on screen and stage. He reminisces about his
early days in vaudeville and about his wife and show business
partner, Gracie Allen. And he dispenses witticisms about growing
old with the same characteristic wisecracking humor, a few
favorite stories, and mild advice. Some strong language. 1991.
Travel
Around the World in Eighty Days  RC 35432
by Michael Palin
narrated by Andrew Sofer
2 cassettes
Palin suffers from a compulsive urge to travel and was fortunate
enough to be selected by the BBC to retrace the eighty-day
journey of Phileas Fogg through Italy, Greece, Egypt, Saudi
Arabia, India, and the United States. In diary form, Palin
describes his travels that began at the Reform Club in London on
September 25, 1988, and ended there exactly eighty days later
without a princess but with a lot of dirty laundry and a film for
the BBC. 1989.
Autumn across America: A Naturalist's Record of a 20,000-Mile
Journey through the North American Autumn  RC 34829
by Edwin Way Teale
narrated by Robert Sams
3 cassettes (Reissue)
First published in 1956. Teale chronicles a cross-country journey
with his wife. The two begin on a Cape Cod beach looking out over
the Atlantic and criss-cross the continent, ending on a windy
point high on a cliff above the Pacific. Along the way, they both
observe the season, and Teale describes what makes autumn the
"most reflective season." 1984.
Baghdad without a Map and Other Misadventures in Arabia  RC 34546
by Tony Horwitz
narrated by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
Horwitz, now a reporter for the _Wall Street Journal_, travelled
for two years throughout the Middle East, working as a free-lance
writer. He regales the reader with his adventures in Cairo,
Baghdad, Beirut, and Tehran; in Libya and Yemen; and in the
Persian Gulf. He watched awkward belly dancers, tracked down a
camel race, and met a man who shouted "death to America" but
longs to visit Disneyland. 1991.
Behind the Wall: A Journey through China  RC 34567
by Colin Thubron
narrated by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
An English travel writer, who learned Mandarin before he set off
alone to cover China, communicates with people from all walks of
life. He deliberately seeks out-of-the-way places, getting about
by foot, bicycle, and public transportation on his yearlong
journey. He accompanies his impressions of the country and its
citizens with observations on everyday life in China in the
1980s. 1987.
By the Ionian Sea: Notes of a Ramble in Southern Italy  RC 35373
by George Gissing
narrated by John Horton
1 cassette
First published in 1901. A nineteenth-century British novelist
records his impressions of southern Italy. As Gissing, a veteran
rambler, travels from Naples to Reggio, he describes the sights,
smells, people, sounds, and modes of transportation. He also
punctuates his travelog with references to characters from
classical literature, bringing the past into the present. 1920.
Columbus: For Gold, God, and Glory  RC 34813
by John Dyson
narrated by Frank Coffee
2 cassettes
In 1988 the author and friends set out to discover who Columbus
really was and why he made his epic voyage. They first retrace
the explorer's early sea trips. Then in July 1990, after
collaborating with Dr. Luis Coin Cuenca, a Columbus scholar, they
set forth in a replica of the _Nina_ to follow what they deduce
to be his actual route. Columbus's real goal, they discover, was
not a passage to the orient, but gold. 1991.
Crossing Antarctica  RC 34799
by Will Steger and Jon Bowermaster
narrated by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Steger is one of the six-man International Trans-Antarctica team
that made its pioneering trip in 1989 and 1990. The team
comprised scientists, explorers, dog trainers, and thirty-six
sled dogs. In journal style, Steger describes the 220-day,
3,700-mile trek across the snowy frontier, including the
traumatic death of a dog and the 13-hour disappearance of one of
the men. 1991.
The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific  RC 34815
by Paul Theroux
narrated by Frank Coffee
5 cassettes
A novelist and travel writer goes island-hopping in the South
Pacific in a collapsible kayak. Theroux's eighteen-month journey
begins in the islands of New Zealand, moves on to Australia, the
Solomons, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands,
before he eventually paddles his way into Hawaii. He explores
little-known places, looking for evidence of a common Polynesian
culture. Bestseller 1992.
Hunting Mister Heartbreak: A Discovery of America  RC 33708
by Jonathan Raban
narrated by Jon Beryl
3 cassettes
An Englishman chronicles his impressions of America, beginning
his travels with an Atlantic steamship crossing in an attempt to
recapture the spirit of the immigrant. He journeys around the
country, settling down for short periods in Manhattan, a small
Alabama town, and Seattle. Raban is as much drawn to the openness
of Americans as he is to the landscape. Some explicit
descriptions of sex. 1990.
The Intelligent Traveller's Guide to Historic Ireland  RC 35141
by Philip A. Crowl
narrated by Patrick Horgan
5 cassettes
As the author guides the reader from the east coast to the west
country of Ireland, he points out significant sites along the
way. He writes about buildings and artifacts, placing them in
historical context by weaving in the economic, political, and
social climate in which they were created. The emphasis, however,
is on experiencing the reality of what is now there. 1990.
Journey into Summer: A Naturalist's Record of a 19,000-Mile
Journey through the North American Summer  RC 34828
by Edwin Way Teale
narrated by Robert Sams
3 cassettes (Reissue)
First published in 1960. Teale recounts a leisurely trip with his
wife, beginning in Franconia Notch in the White Mountains of New
Hampshire. He describes the many summers of America--the shore,
the woods, the Great Plains, and the mountains--as the Teales
travel from New England and across the prairies into the Rocky
Mountains of Colorado. 1989.
The Lady and the Monk: Four Seasons in Kyoto  RC 34473
by Pico Iyer
narrated by George Backman
2 cassettes
In Kyoto to learn and write about old Japanese culture and Zen
Buddhism, author Iyer meets Sachiko, a curious mix of old and new
Japan, and he tells her story instead. A young, unhappy housewife
and mother, Sachiko dreams of faraway places and true love. Her
eclectic interests range from rock music to tea ceremonies to
Iyer, after whom she tries to pattern herself. 1991.
Last Train to Toronto: A Canadian Rail Odyssey  RC 35541
by Terry Pindell
narrated by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
The author of _Making Tracks: An American Rail Odyssey (RC
32611)_ recounts his year of train travel across Canada, which
ended with the _Canadian's_ final run eastward from Vancouver.
Pindell shows that the development of the railroad played an
integral role in the history of Canada, just as it did in the
United States. He includes personal observations about the
landscape, people, separatism, and nostalgia. 1992.
A Little Tour in France  RC 34444
by Henry James
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
2 cassettes
In 1882, seven years after the American novelist and critic Henry
James had moved to Paris, he set out to shake off his personal
observation that "though France might be Paris, Paris was by no
means France." Drawn by the beauty of the country and finding the
French agreeable, James published this guide to the regions for
his fellow Americans. 1987.
My Father's Island: A Galapagos Quest  RC 34748
by Johanna Angermeyer
narrated by Janis Gray
3 cassettes
Ten-year-old Johanna is fascinated by stories of her dead father,
who, with his three brothers, had sailed to the Galapagos Islands
to escape Nazi Germany. When Johanna's half-brother's inheritance
allows the family to take the first of many trips to the tiny,
wild islands, she falls in love with the exotic life style, meets
her uncles' families, and learns of her parents' tragic love
affair. 1989.
North with the Spring: A Naturalist's Record of a 17,000-Mile
Journey with the North American Spring  RC 34827
by Edwin Way Teale
narrated by Robert Sams
3 cassettes (Reissue)
First published in 1951. Teale describes a journey with his wife
along the Eastern seaboard from the Florida Everglades to the
Canadian border. The Teales follow the progress of spring--a
season that "advances up the United States at the average rate of
about fifteen miles a day." The nature writer provides bypaths
for the armchair traveler. 1979.
Off the Map: Bicycling across Siberia  RC 35136
by Mark Jenkins
narrated by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
Outdoorsman and editor Jenkins is one of the group of three
Americans and four Russians who crossed Siberia by bicycle in
1989. He describes the arduous four-month-long journey;
relationships with his teammates; an unwanted police escort for
the first leg of the trip; his sense of cultural differences
between Russians and Americans; and the Siberian landscape and
weather. Strong language. 1992.
Sons of the Moon: A Journey in the Andes  RC 35345
by Henry Shukman
narrated by George Backman
2 cassettes
A young Englishman travels by himself in the Andes mountains of
South America on a journey that begins in Argentina and takes him
north through Bolivia to Peru. He is searching for the Aymara,
whose history and culture predate and are unaffected by the
Incas, who conquered them. The author succeeds in finding
communities of Aymara and observes their primitive customs as
well as their isolated and harsh environment. 1989.
PrairyErth (a deep map)  RC 34224
by William Least Heat-Moon
narrated by Randy Atcher
5 cassettes
Chase County, Kansas, in the Flint Hills, contains America's last
surviving stand of tall, blue-stem prairie grass. Heat-Moon has
chosen this county, population about 3,000, to depict life in the
heart of the nation. He delves into history, describes the
landscape and climate minutely, and portrays the colorful
inhabitants. Bestseller 1991.
Spillville  RC 34347
by Patricia Hampl
narrated by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Hampl writes about the past and the present in a series of
meditations on the small Iowa farming community where Antonin
Dvorak was inspired to compose the _American_ string quartet in
the summer of 1893. She creates quiet impressions of this Czech
community, weaving descriptions of the solitude and open space
organized around the themes "Landscape," "Studio," and "The
Falls" to evoke the period of romanticism captured in the music.
1987.
The Strong Brown God: The Story of the Niger River  RC 35378
by Sanche de Gramont
narrated by Patrick Horgan
3 cassettes
Account of the European exploration of the mighty river
discovered by Mungo Park in 1796. Gramont traces the Niger's
2,600-mile course, recounting the history, politics, geography,
and cultural anthropology of the West African regions through
which the river flows. He draws on personal experience in
describing the problems of travel in the area, and the lasting
effects of British and French control. 1975.
Tent Life in Siberia  RC 35140
by George Kennan
narrated by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
Kennan was one of the American explorers sent to Siberia in 1864
to find a pathway for the proposed Russo-American telegraph line.
With unfailing humor he details the three-year trip near the
Arctic Circle. Ignoring the business aspect of the exploration,
Kennan instead describes the new and radically different cultural
and physical environment he experienced, including a dazzling
aurora display. 1986.
A Time for Tea: Travels through China and India in Search of Tea
RC 34266
by Jason Goodwin
narrated by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
As a child, Goodwin was introduced to the ceremony and romance of
tea by his two grandmothers. Granny Goodwin drank Darjeeling and
Assam, and Granny Eileen favored Keemun and Lapsang Souchong.
Later Goodwin journeyed through China and India to tea
plantations, ports, and auction rooms. He recounts his travels
and discusses the history of tea and the art of drinking tea.
1990.
The Wake of the Unseen Object: Among the Native Cultures of Bush
Alaska  RC 34299
by Tom Kizzia
narrated by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
As a journalist for the _Anchorage Daily News_, Kizzia traveled
to remote Eskimo villages to write a series of articles on native
Alaskan culture. His narrative evokes the characters and the
landscapes he encountered on that adventure. Kizzia notes which
old customs the people have retained, or are fighting to retain,
and which innovations they have adopted. 1991.
Wandering through Winter: A Naturalist's Record of a 20,000-Mile
Journey through the North American Winter  RC 34830
by Edwin Way Teale
narrated by Robert Sams
3 cassettes (Reissue)
A naturalist and his wife spent four winter months traveling
twenty thousand miles across the southwestern United States and
parts of the Midwest, ending in northeastern Maine. He reports on
the people, plants, animals, and birds they encountered. Pulitzer
Prize. 1965.
Act of Treason: The Role of J. Edgar Hoover in the Assassination
of President Kennedy  RC 34692
by Mark North
narrated by Rick Foucheux
5 cassettes
North claims that FBI director J. Edgar Hoover concealed
information about a Mafia plot to assassinate John F. Kennedy,
and then, with the help of Lyndon Johnson, ensured that the
Warren Commission did not uncover the Mafia's involvement. North
points to Kennedy's plans for Hoover to retire, coupled with a
hidden Johnson scandal, as impetus for the cover-up. 1991.
After Columbus: The Smithsonian Chronicle of the North American
Indians  RC 33529
by Herman J. Viola
narrated by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
The author traces the history of Native-American attempts not
just to survive, but to retain their rich culture in the five
hundred years since Europeans settled North America. He traces
the displacement of tribes from the early explorations through
the 1980s, when Native Americans struggle to maintain their
traditions, reclaim their land, and renew their pride. 1990.
America in 1857: A Nation on the Brink  RC 35312
by Kenneth M. Stampp
narrated by John Richardson
4 cassettes
An account of the social and political issues that made 1857 the
pivotal year in the mounting strife between the North and South.
The author portrays crime, unemployment, electoral fraud, the
fear of slave insurrections, a massive influx of immigrants, and
a Democratic party at odds with President Buchanan. But the focus
is on the underlying problem of slavery and the forces leading to
its ultimate resolution. 1990.
Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor  RC 34233
by Willard Sterne Randall
narrated by Art Metzler
6 cassettes
Biography of the American Revolutionary War general whose name
was once known for courage and heroism, but now is synonymous
with treason. Randall chronicles the public and private events
that may have led to the general's change of allegiance and
caused him to attempt to surrender West Point to the British.
1990.
Bloody Dawn: The Christiana Riot and Racial Violence in the
Antebellum North  RC 35288
by Thomas P. Slaughter
narrated by Art Metzler
2 cassettes
In 1851, Maryland slave owner Edward Gorsuch joined a federal
posse to reclaim four of his slaves who had escaped to
Pennsylvania. The company was met by a group of neighboring
blacks and whites banded together to prevent kidnapping of free
blacks. When Gorsuch was killed in the ensuing "riot," the
neighbors were tried for treason. 1991.
Celia: A Slave  RC 34515
by Melton A. McLaurin
narrated by Bob Moore
1 cassette
Fourteen-year-old Celia was purchased by Robert Newsom in 1850
and endured his sexual advances for the next five years, bearing
him two children. When Celia became involved with another slave
who insisted she stop sleeping with Newsom, she defended herself
against her owner, killing him with her blows. The efforts of her
appointed lawyers could not overcome the lack of provision within
the law for slaves' rights. 1991.
The Civil War in the American West  RC 34873
by Alvin M. Josephy, Jr.
narrated by Bob Butz
3 cassettes
Little attention has been focused on Civil War battles that took
place in the huge western areas of the country, from the
Mississippi Valley to the Pacific Ocean. Josephy shows that
westerners did not idly watch the conflicts in the East, but
rather took up arms for the North or the South, depending on
their loyalties. Events include the Missouri-Kansas border
disputes and the Indian uprisings in Minnesota. 1991.
Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief  RC 34429
by Edwin R. Sweeney
narrated by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Nineteenth-century warrior chief Cochise fought the oppression of
his people, who dwelled in the area that is now southeastern
Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and the Sierra Madre. His
enemies were first Spain, then Mexico, and finally the United
States after Americans executed his brother. Sweeney's research
reveals the many facets of Cochise's character--from brutal
warrior to caring patriarch. 1991.
The Commanders  RC 34756
by Bob Woodward
narrated by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Woodward looks at U.S. involvement in two military
operations--Just Cause and Desert Storm--the events leading up to
each operation, and relationships among the decision makers.
Woodward's focus for the book was influenced by Congress's
rejection of John Tower for secretary of defense, Admiral Crowe's
stepping down as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and
General Colin Powell's appointment to that post. Bestseller 1991.
Crossfire: The Plot That Killed Kennedy RC 34712
by Jim Marrs
narrated by Peter Johnson
6 cassettes
Marrs pulls together an enormous number of theories and mountains
of information about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He
provides all the data he believes relevant to allow people to
draw their own conclusions regarding the slaying. He discusses
the shooting scene and eyewitnesses to the event, as well as
major persons and organizations that may have been involved.
Bestseller 1989.
Dangerous Capabilities: Paul Nitze and the Cold War  RC 33697
by David Callahan
narrated by Art Metzler
4 cassettes
Paul Nitze was at the center of U.S. policy on the Cold War from
the beginning. A government insider for most of forty years, he
drafted the National Security Council Document 68 advocating
military containment of the Soviet Union, a policy to be
maintained by nuclear superiority. He served in a variety of
posts where he honed his bureaucratic skills dealing with a
network of good old boys. 1990.
Driven Patriot: The Life and Times of James Forrestal  RC 35525
by Townsend Hoopes and
Douglas Brinkley
narrated by John Rayburn
5 cassettes
Under Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, Forrestal served as
undersecretary and secretary of the Navy, and as secretary of
defense--the first person to hold the office. His government
service followed his rapid ascent in the New York financial
world. This somber biography details his public success, but also
reveals a dark side of this tragic figure. 1992.
Eleanor Roosevelt: Volume 1, 1884-1933  RC 34892
by Blanche Wiesen Cook
narrated by Helen Harrelson
5 cassettes
This volume covers most of the first five decades in the life of
the former first lady, leaving her at the White House steps.
Unhappy and lonely as a child, Eleanor developed into an outgoing
woman who lent more than her name to causes such as women's
rights and social justice. She formed strong friendships and
learned to cope with her position as a political wife and a
mother while enjoying an active career of her own. 1992.
Electrifying America: Social Meanings of a New Technology,
1880-1940  RC 33463
by David E. Nye
narrated by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Nye combines technological and social history in exploring how
Americans conceived of new uses for electricity and how the
phenomenon changed their lives. Beginning with a midwestern home,
he describes how the selective adoption of electrification
touched every aspect of ordinary life, including the farm,
industry, politics, speech, transportation, and culture. 1990.
France and England in North America, Volume 1: Pioneers of France
in the New World; The Jesuits in North America in the Seventeenth
Century; La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West; The Old
Regime in Canada  RC 34519
by Francis Parkman
narrated by Ed Blake
9 cassettes in 2 containers
Parkman's seven studies on the interests of England and France in
North America are compiled in two volumes, of which this is the
first. Started in 1841, the collection represents thirty years of
research and writing. 1983.
France and England in North America, Volume 2: Count Frontenac
and New France under Louis XIV; A Half-Century of Conflict;
Montcalm and Wolfe  RC 34520
by Francis Parkman
narrated by Ed Blake
10 cassettes in 2 containers
Parkman's seven studies on the interests of England and France in
North America are compiled in two volumes, of which this is the
second. Started in 1841, the collection represents thirty years
of research and writing. 1983.
Free at Last? The Civil Rights Movement and the People Who Made
It  RC 34369
by Fred Powledge
narrated by Art Metzler
3 cassettes
Powledge, a Southern white journalist who reported on the civil
rights movement, presents a brisk history of that movement from
the 1954 _Brown v. Board of Education_ Supreme Court decision to
the 1968 murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. Interviews with more
than fifty persons, from civil rights workers to avid
segregationists, are interwoven with the author's commentary.
1991.
The Great Rehearsal: The Story of the Making and Ratifying of the
Constitution of the United States  RC 35663
by Carl Van Doren
narrated by Art Metzler
3 cassettes
The history of the secret sessions of the Constitutional
Convention, which met during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia.
No formal record of the conferences was kept, but the author has
pieced together his account from personal notes, shorthand
diaries written by some of the members, and other original
sources. 1948.
Henry Clay: Statesman for the Union  RC 35106
by Robert V. Remini
narrated by Butch Hoover
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Remini's biography shows that Clay, renowned orator and Speaker
of the House during the first half of the nineteenth century, was
a master politician and architect of the Compromise of 1850,
which kept the nation intact at a critical juncture. Remini
balances Clay's legislative savvy against his misconstrual of
popular thought that ultimately defeated his presidential
ambitions. 1991.
High Treason 2: The Great Cover-Up; The Assassination of
President John F. Kennedy  RC 34864
by Harrison Edward Livingstone
narrated by Bob Butz
4 cassettes
Sequel to _High Treason (RC 32041)_. Livingstone further supports
his theory that President Kennedy was killed as a result of a
conspiracy. He details his belief in discrepancies regarding
autopsy photos and other factors, and he discusses eyewitness
accounts and the conclusion of the Warren Commission. Violence
and some strong language. Bestseller 1992.
It Happened in the Catskills: An Oral History in the Words of
Busboys, Bellhops, Guests, Proprietors, Comedians, Agents, and
Others Who Lived It  RC 33620
by Myrna Katz-Frommer and
Harvey Frommer
narrated by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
A portrait of life in the Borscht Belt, drawn from recollections
of those who worked and played there. For almost a century, the
Catskills were a haven for city dwellers and a proving ground for
young entertainers. Nostalgic anecdotes document the area's
traditionally Jewish heritage. 1991.
Jefferson Davis: The Man and His Hour  RC 35513
by William C. Davis
narrated by Bob Butz
6 cassettes
The author (unrelated to the subject) focuses on Jefferson
Davis's years as president of the Confederacy. The book includes
previously unreleased papers of Davis, his friends, and his
associates, and portrays a man who could be compassionate and
kind but also indecisive and angry. The author believes Davis
was, in spite of these traits, probably the only man who could
have kept the Confederacy alive so long. 1991.
Land of the Spotted Eagle  RC 34807
by Luther Standing Bear
narrated by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Standing Bear outlines the customs and beliefs his tribe adhered
to in the late nineteenth century. He praises the Sioux or Lakota
methods of child-rearing and education as well as their
relationship with the earth, other species, and each other. Using
his own and others' experiences, Standing Bear illustrates and
laments the forced erosion of his native culture. 1933.
Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America  RC 35368
by Garry Wills
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
American historian examines the thought behind the Gettysburg
Address. Wills traces Lincoln's use of funeral oratory to the
Greek Revival movement. He focuses on the culture of the
rural-cemetery movement, the role of Transcendentalism, and the
president's revolutionary idea that the ideals of equality in the
Declaration of Independence take precedence over the
Constitution. Bestseller 1992.
Lone Star Rising: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1908-1960  RC
34378
by Robert Dallek
narrated by Bob Butz
6 cassettes
This is the first of a two-volume biography by a historian who
researched original sources for seven years. Dallek finds much
about the former president's character to be offensive.
Nevertheless, he focuses on the importance and impact of
Johnson's achievements, such as civil rights legislation,
weighing them against his liabilities. Some strong language.
1991.
Lucius D. Clay: An American Life  RC 34772
by Jean Edward Smith
narrated by Art Metzler
6 cassettes
Son of a Southern senator, Clay devoted much of his life to the
military, lying to enter West Point early, joining the Corps of
Engineers, and retiring a brigadier general. During the
depression he was instrumental in solidifying New Deal projects.
Once World War II began he was in charge of airport construction
and then of procurement for the entire army. At war's end, Clay
was named military general of Germany. 1990.
Martin and Malcolm and America: A Dream or a Nightmare  RC 34334
by James H. Cone
narrated by Philip Booth
3 cassettes
Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X were two of the most
profoundly influential African Americans of the twentieth
century. Professor Cone examines the early lives, experiences,
philosophies, and beliefs that led King to exemplify love and
integration and Malcolm to be the principal spokesperson for
black nationalism. He also shows how their philosophies began to
converge in their last years. 1991.
Native American Testimony: A Chronicle of Indian-White Relations
from Prophecy to the Present, 1492-1992  RC 34794
edited by Peter Nabokov
narrated by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Voices of Native Americans recount U.S. history over the last
five centuries. The enormity of the white man's takeover is
chronicled from the early prophet who warned his tribe, "You
people must be careful," to the school child who sums up,
"Everything, everyone, is the white man's; all he has to do is
stake a claim." 1991.
October Surprise: America's Hostages in Iran and the Election of
Ronald Reagan  RC 34425
by Gary Sick
narrated by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Sick was the principal White House aide for Iran during the
Carter administration and has served on the National Security
Council staff under Presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan. After a
lengthy investigation, Sick has come to believe that Reagan's
team negotiated a deal with Iran to delay the release of the
American hostages until Reagan's inauguration. 1991.
On the Trail of the Assassins  RC 34762
by Jim Garrison
narrated by James DeLotel
3 cassettes
Garrison, the New Orleans district attorney at the time of John
F. Kennedy's assassination, became involved with a subsequent
investigation because Oswald had spent the previous summer in New
Orleans. He presents long-ignored evidence that links Oswald with
the FBI, indicates the fatal shots did not come from the book
depository, and suggests that government agencies were involved
in the planning and the coverup of the assassination. Bestseller
1988.
One of Us: Richard Nixon and the American Dream  RC 33600
by Tom Wicker
narrated by Art Metzler
6 cassettes
A columnist for the _New York Times_ writes about the
thirty-seventh president as a public official and a private
individual. He focuses on less familiar aspects of Nixon's
political career and covers biographical details of his life in
an effort to understand the mystery of this complex personality
and his place in history. 1991.
The People Named the Chippewa: Narrative Histories  RC 35286
by Gerald Vizenor
narrated by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
Essays discussing the last century of the Chippewa or
Anishinaabeg people from the Great Lakes area of Wisconsin and
Minnesota. Vizenor tells of the tribe's woodland trickster myth;
its oral history tradition; and its experiences with boarding
schools, the U.S. government, and alcohol. He quotes current and
past Chippewa activists and writers to illustrate his points.
1984.
Plausible Denial: Was the CIA Involved in the Assassination of
JFK?  RC 34315
by Mark Lane
narrated by Ray Foushee
3 cassettes
In 1978 a newspaper in Florida published an article stating that
E. Howard Hunt was involved in the assassination of John F.
Kennedy. Hunt was exonerated, but at a retrial in 1985, Lane,
defending the publisher, questioned Hunt and others who figure in
Lane's version of the assassination. Evidence uncovered
reinforces his belief that the CIA was involved in the killing of
the president. 1991.
The Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower  RC 34435
by Chester J. Pach, Jr.,
and Elmo Richardson
narrated by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Pach's revision of Richardson's work benefits from material
available with the opening of the Eisenhower Library. Focuses on
Eisenhower's political, domestic, and foreign policies. Pach
argues that although Eisenhower was a thoughtful and skillful
leader, his presidency was much more complex than presented by
some earlier historians. 1991.
The Texas Connection: The Assassination of President John F.
Kennedy  RC 35269
by Craig I. Zirbel
narrated by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
Having read all the information he can find on the assassination
of John F. Kennedy, Zirbel has come to the conclusion that Lyndon
Johnson was a connection people tend to ignore. Zirbel sets forth
the evidence he has collected; discusses Johnson's character,
motives, and opportunities; and invites the reader to draw his or
her own conclusion. Bestseller 1991.
The Triumph and Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson: The White House Years
RC 35114
by Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
narrated by Art Metzler
3 cassettes
An intimate portrait of the former president by one of his
closest advisers, an aide for domestic affairs. Califano depicts
Johnson in his primary position as a masterful politician
fighting one war against domestic poverty and another in Vietnam.
He pictures a man who, even in secondary roles, was larger than
life and full of contradictions. Strong language. 1991.
Truman  RC 34820
by David McCullough
narrated by Lou Harpenau
8 cassettes in 2 containers
A monumental study of the life and times of the plainspoken,
plain-looking, "ordinary" man from Missouri who became an
extraordinary president. McCullough details Truman's
accomplishments as a politician and a statesman, as well as his
failings and his lack of sophistication. And the author recreates
the famous 1948 presidential election, which he calls Truman's
finest hour. 1992.
Forty Days  RC 35181
by Bob Simon
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
2 cassettes
A CBS correspondent and his news team were taken prisoner by the
Iraqis soon after the start of the Gulf War in 1991. Simon
recounts the beatings, starvation, and lengthy interrogations
that the four men endured. He also relates what was going on in
his mind as he fought to retain his sanity, especially while he
was in solitary confinement. And in an epilogue, he describes
efforts others made to rescue the team. Some violence and strong
language. 1992.
The Hidden War: A Russian Journalist's Account of the Soviet War
in Afghanistan  RC 34426
by Artyom Borovik
narrated by Jon Beryl
2 cassettes
In 1988 Soviet journalist Borovik began publishing articles on
the nine-year Soviet involvement in the Afghanistan war. As
Gorbachev was easing the nation out of the war, Borovik was
interviewing soldiers in combat, deserters, and soldiers'
families, to provide an eyewitness account much different from
the version presented to the Soviet people during the 1980s. Some
strong language. 1990.
In the Eye of the Storm: The Life of General H. Norman
Schwarzkopf  RC 33728
by Roger Cohen and Claudio Gatti
narrated by Art Metzler
3 cassettes
The first half of this two-part book describes Schwarzkopf's life
as a general's son and later as a career military man who served
twice in Vietnam. Schwarzkopf's sister describes how opinions on
the Vietnam War caused conflict in their family. The second half
describes the Gulf War, the general's role in it, and his new
image as a hero. 1991.
It Doesn't Take a Hero: General H. Norman Schwarzkopf; The
Autobiography  RC 35557
by H. Norman Schwarzkopf
and Peter Petre
narrated by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
Until his retirement in 1991 at age fifty-seven, the army was
Schwarzkopf's life. He recounts his years at West Point; his two
tours of duty in Vietnam; his problems with the Pentagon; and
finally his command of the American, British, and French troops
during the Gulf War. Some violence and some strong language.
Bestseller 1992.
The Longest Tunnel: The True Story of World War II's Great Escape
RC 33724
by Alan Burgess
narrated by Art Metzler
2 cassettes
March 24, 1944. A moonless sky over a German prison camp provides
the cover needed for seventy-six Allied prisoners to escape. Here
is a detailed account of the scheme, the resourcefulness of their
preparations, their courage, and the tragic ending for all but
three of the POWs. Concludes with an account of postwar efforts
to bring the responsible Nazis to justice. Some strong language.
1990.
Other Losses: The Shocking Truth behind the Mass Deaths of
Disarmed German Soldiers and Civilians under General Eisenhower's
Command  RC 34324
by James Bacque
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
First published in Canada in 1989, Bacque's controversial report
claims that hundreds of thousands of German POWs died in American
camps from unnecessary starvation and exposure. Bacque believes
these deaths, categorized as "other losses" by the American
government, were planned and concealed. 1991.
Roar of the Tiger  RC 35102
by James H. Howard
narrated by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
The personal account of a Navy pilot who became an ace with the
Flying Tigers in the Pacific during World War II. Later, flying
the Mustang as a squadron commander in the European theater,
Howard earned the title of ace for a second time. His memoirs
range from his time as an aviation cadet through his service as a
fighter pilot in combat and cover the daring bravery for which he
was awarded the Medal of Honor. 1991.
The West
The Civil War in the American West  RC 34873
by Alvin M. Josephy, Jr.
narrated by Bob Butz
3 cassettes
Little attention has been focused on Civil War battles that took
place in the huge western areas of the country, from the
Mississippi Valley to the Pacific Ocean. Josephy shows that
westerners did not idly watch the conflicts in the East, but
rather took up arms for the North or the South, depending on
their loyalties. Events include the Missouri-Kansas border
disputes and the Indian uprisings in Minnesota. 1991.
Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief  RC 34429
by Edwin R. Sweeney
narrated by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Nineteenth-century warrior chief Cochise fought the oppression of
his people, who dwelled in the area that is now southeastern
Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and the Sierra Madre. His
enemies were first Spain, then Mexico, and finally the United
States after Americans executed his brother. Sweeney's research
reveals the many facets of Cochise's character--from brutal
warrior to caring patriarch. 1991.
Love and Glory: Women of the Old West  RC 34381
by Larry Underwood
narrated by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Chronicles the lives of eleven women who moved out West beginning
in the 1840s. Lured by adventure or the desire to reform, many
kept diaries and letters revealing details of pioneer life. Some,
such as dance-hall girls or prostitutes, followed job
opportunities. Others accompanied husbands and found themselves
fending off Indians or running cattle ranches. But all were
resourceful, brave, and tough. 1991.
Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs: Living and
Writing in the West  RC 34880
by Wallace Stegner
narrated by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
In a letter to his mother and autobiographical essays, Stegner
discusses growing up in the West. Other essays in this collection
explore the influence of the West on his and various writers'
work, while some selections focus on the fragile beauty of the
land and the unfortunate lack of sensitivity to the environment
in most western developments. 1992.
Women's Concerns
American Women: Their Lives in Their Words  RC 34806
edited by Doreen Rappaport
narrated by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Rappaport presents American history through firsthand accounts of
American women. These accounts are taken from diaries, letters,
essays, autobiographies, speeches, articles, and interviews of
women from Native Americans to contemporary feminists. Sections
include "Settling the West," "Race and Ethnicity," and "What's
Ahead?" For junior and senior high and older readers. 1990.
The Black Women's Health Book: Speaking for Ourselves  RC 35175
edited by Evelyn C. White
narrated by Gail Nelson
3 cassettes
The editor has compiled these essays in direct response to the
health crisis in the African-American community. A broad spectrum
of black female experiences and insights about health matters is
included. Essays range from scholarly evaluations of the politics
of black women's health to personal accounts of the management of
and recovery from a number of health problems. 1990.
Composing a Life  RC 34953
by Mary Catherine Bateson
narrated by Marilyn Gleason
2 cassettes
In her look into the creative potential of complex lives, the
author considers the lives of five women: an anthropologist and
college president; an electrical engineer and entrepreneur; a
psychiatrist and researcher; a dancer, writer, and jewelry
designer; and a writer and professor. Bateson shows that in spite
of conflicting priorities, women can still maintain rich personal
and professional lives. 1989.
Deborah, Golda, and Me: Being Female and Jewish in America  RC
34944
by Letty Cottin Pogrebin
narrated by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Pogrebin's introspective autobiography focuses on her conflicting
loyalties to her religious upbringing and her feminism. She first
felt herself an outsider when, as a fifteen-year-old female, she
was not allowed to say the prayer for the dead for her mother.
For twenty years she separated herself from her religion, but now
she has found a way to be a Jew who is a woman and a woman who is
a Jew. 1991.
Feminist Fatale: Voices from the "Twentysomething" Generation
Explore the Future of the "Women's Movement" RC 34246
by Paula Kamen
narrated by Maggie Welch
3 cassettes
When student reporter Kamen was branded a stereotypical feminist,
she became alarmed by the attitude toward the women's movement
expressed in the 1990s. Through interviewing people in their
twenties, Kamen finds that, although sisterhood is lacking,
widespread concern about women's rights still exists, including
some issues not addressed earlier. 1991.
Gender and Higher Education in the Progressive Era  RC 33819
by Lynn D. Gordon
narrated by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Gordon describes how the second generation of college women, from
1890 to 1920, differed from the first and later generations,
using research on five institutions of higher education,
including coed, female only, private, and public schools. Drawing
from student writings, such as letters and school newspapers, the
author focuses more on the dynamics of the women's campus social
life than on curriculum differences. 1990.
Letters from a War Zone: Writings 1976-1989  RC 34579
by Andrea Dworkin
narrated by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Dworkin refers to herself as a politically dissident writer who
has been both censored and maligned by the press. This collection
of essays and speeches presents her uncut views on feminist
issues, including pornography, which she adamantly opposes on the
grounds that it promotes rape, incest, and battering of women and
children. Strong language. 1989.
Love and Glory: Women of the Old West  RC 34381
by Larry Underwood
narrated by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Chronicles the lives of eleven women who moved out West beginning
in the 1840s. Lured by adventure or the desire to reform, many
kept diaries and letters revealing details of pioneer life. Some,
such as dance-hall girls or prostitutes, followed job
opportunities. Others accompanied husbands and found themselves
fending off Indians or running cattle ranches. But all were
resourceful, brave, and tough. 1991.
On Her Own: Growing Up in the Shadow of the American Dream  RC
34244
by Ruth Sidel
narrated by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Using interviews of women ranging from teenagers to
fifty-year-olds and from affluent to poverty-stricken,
sociologist Sidel outlines the dreams and realities of
twentieth-century American women. Topics include pay inequities,
parenting and work conflicts, and mixed messages from the media
aimed at women who are trying to "have it all." 1990.
Prisoners of Men's Dreams: Striking Out for a New Feminine Future
RC 34205
by Suzanne Gordon
narrated by Carole Jordan Stewart
3 cassettes
Gordon claims that it's still a man's world, twenty-five years
after the women's liberation movement began. After interviews
with more than 100 working women, she concludes that most have
abandoned the feminist ideal of a more caring society. A
"National Care Agenda" would revitalize feminism and address such
social needs as providing child-care and confronting
homelessness. 1991.
Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem  RC 34110
by Gloria Steinem
narrated by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
A cofounder of _Ms._ magazine and outspoken feminist, Steinem
here confronts internal barriers to women's equality. She
examines the experiences of individual men and women; researches
self-help books; and, recognizing that "Good writers write to
find out about themselves--and it lasts forever," she finally
listens to herself. 1992.
+The Silent Passage: Menopause  RC 34028
by Gail Sheehy
narrated by Jill Ferris
1 cassette
Expansion of a 1991 _Vanity Fair_ article. Sheehy's experience in
entering menopause was that it was treated as a taboo subject
with little information available to her. For women of the 1990s
and beyond, Sheehy interviewed pre- and post-menopausal women,
gynecologists, physiologists, gerontologists, and other experts
to help in normalizing a "proud stage of life." Some strong
language. Bestseller 1992.
Women in the Third World  RC 34509
by Maxine P. Fisher
narrated by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
Growing up female in the less developed nations of the world
means suffering discrimination in health care, education,
marriage, jobs, and all kinds of power--from domestic to
political. The author draws on individual profiles as well as
statistics and research studies in India, Ethiopia, Peru, and a
host of other countries to reveal a general global pattern of
widespread inequity. For junior and senior high and older
readers. 1989.
The Abraham Lincoln Brigade: Americans Fighting Fascism in the
Spanish Civil War  RC 32903
by Don Lawson
narrated by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
An account of the young American volunteers who fought against
fascism in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939. The author describes
the political issues of the time and integrates sketches of the
international brigades--both the leaders and the ordinary
soldiers--who fought and died for a cause they fervently
supported. For junior and senior high and older readers. 1989.
Alexander of Macedon, 356-323 B.C.: A Historical Biography  RC
35370
by Peter Green
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
4 cassettes
Philip of Macedon's practice of centralized government for his
widespread domain had a profound effect on his son, Alexander.
Green describes Alexander's education under Aristotle; his
conquest of lands for his empire, which split after his death;
his battles; his treaties, made and broken; and his
contemporaries, such as Diogenes and Darius. 1991.
America in 1492: The World of the Indian Peoples before the
Arrival of Columbus  RC 34684
edited by Alvin M. Josephy, Jr.
narrated by Gary Telles
4 cassettes
Essays by specialists portraying the diversity of life in the
Americas when Columbus sailed from Spain. The book is divided
into two sections. Part one describes tribal groups from the
Arctic to the southern tip of South America. Part two examines
Native American religions, customs, languages, intertribal
relations, science, and the arts. 1991.
+The August Coup: The Truth and the Lessons  RC 34005
by Mikhail Gorbachev
narrated by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
The Soviet Union's first democratically elected president
describes the three-day coup d'etat that occurred in August of
1991. Gorbachev defends his actions during his confrontation with
the plotters, addresses rumors concerning the incident, and
discusses events that occurred immediately after the coup, such
as the withdrawal of the Baltic States from the Union. He
outlines his hopes for the USSR. 1991.
Barcelona  RC 34343
by Robert Hughes
narrated by George Backman
4 cassettes
An art critic for _Time_ narrates an introduction to the cultural
and political development of the Spanish city called "the great
enchantress." He traces its history from its founding as a small
first-century colony to the early twentieth century, focusing on
its Catalan past and its spectacular architecture, which ranges
from medieval to modern. He further describes the events and
traditions that give Barcelona its unique character. 1992.
Baroque Times in Old Mexico: Seventeenth-Century Persons, Places,
and Practices  RC 34670
by Irving A. Leonard
narrated by Ed Blake
2 cassettes
In a history book written for the nonspecialist, Irving Leonard
portrays the life of colonial Mexico. He depicts an archbishop
from Spain, a nun-poetess, and a Creole scholar torn between
Jesuit discipline and scientific research. These profiles,
against a background of growing nationalism, create a picture of
Baroque-style Mexico. 1959.
Black, French, and African: A Life of Leopold Sedar Senghor  RC
34160
by Janet G. Vaillant
narrated by Frank Coffee
3 cassettes
Biography of the African intellectual, political, and cultural
leader and first president of independent Senegal, West Africa.
Senghor is also a noted French author and poet, and the first
black African to be elected to the Academie Francaise. His theory
of negritude--a term he used in the 1930s to express black
character, civilization, and history--has become a universal link
to black identity and pride. 1990.
Boris Yeltsin: A Political Biography  RC 34919
by Vladimir Solovyov
and Elena Klepikova
narrated by Ken Kliban
3 cassettes
The authors, husband-and-wife journalists, lived in the Soviet
Union until the late 1970s and returned to research Boris
Yeltsin's rise to power as head of the democratic nation of
Russia. They describe his youth, parallel his life with Mikhail
Gorbachev's, discuss Yeltsin's prominence as secretary of the
Moscow First Party, and examine the August 1991 coup. 1992.
The Buried Mirror: Reflections on Spain and the New World  RC
35063
by Carlos Fuentes
narrated by Frank Coffee
3 cassettes
Ancient tombs in the Mediterranean area and in the Americas
sometimes contain buried mirrors, presumably left to guide the
dead. Fuentes develops this imagery in an exploration of aspects
of Spanish culture, including religions, bullfights, and
revolutions. He finds parallels in Latin American culture and
hopes that it will eventually draw political strength from its
Hispanic heritage. 1992.
Children with a Star: Jewish Youth in Nazi Europe  RC 34182
by Deborah Dwork
narrated by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Using diaries, letters, and interviews with survivors, Dwork
presents the horror of Hitler's Jewish persecution from the
perspective of the children involved. Detailed accounts portray
the emotional nightmare of going into hiding or seeing some
family members herded into gas chambers while others endure
torture and starvation in concentration camps. Violence. 1991.
Comandos: The CIA and Nicaragua's Contra Rebels  RC 35510
by Sam Dillon
narrated by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Through the experiences of Luis Fley, Dillon tells of the rise
and fall of Nicaragua's Contra army. Disillusioned with
Sandinista rule, Fley became a Contra fighter and later an
officer. He was again disillusioned when he realized the extent
of corruption in the American-controlled Contra leadership. Fley
then turned to investigating Contra crimes. Violence and some
strong language. 1991.
A Concise History of Germany  RC 34522
by Mary Fulbrook
narrated by George Backman
2 cassettes
Fulbrook, a lecturer in German history, provides an account of
Germany from the early middle ages to 1990. She examines the home
of Luther, Bach, Goethe, Kant, and Hitler in a social, political,
and cultural context and describes how the country became
unified, divided, and united again. Other topics covered include
the Reformation, the Thirty Years' War, both world wars,
_Kristallnacht_, and the Holocaust. 1990.
Dreadnought: Britain, Germany, and the Coming of the Great War
RC 34109
by Robert K. Massie
narrated by Lou Harpenau
8 cassettes in 2 containers
By the end of the nineteenth century, Britain ruled the oceans
and owned one-fourth of the world's land. Queen Victoria's
grandson, power-hungry William II, set out to challenge British
dominance and to establish Germany as a world power. Massie
follows European politics and the battle for control, with its
large cast of characters, up to the last days before World War I.
Bestseller 1991.
Elizabeth I  RC 35083
by Anne Somerset
narrated by Janis Gray
6 cassettes
Using letters, journals, and other sources, Somerset focuses on
the politics, society, and culture that formed the
forty-five-year reign of Elizabeth I. Complex and crafty, the
"Virgin Queen" came to the throne following the removal of her
stepmothers and the death of her brother and sister. She created
a national church, sponsored explorations, and waged wars, but
she also loved dancing, clothes, and gardens. 1991.
The End of History and the Last Man  RC 34935
by Francis Fukuyama
narrated by Peter Johnson
3 cassettes
Fukuyama, a former senior official at the State Department,
maintains that liberal democracy, abetted by modern science and
humankind's natural "desire for recognition," represents the
culminating stage of world history. He discusses his theories in
relation to issues in government, society, labor, ethics,
religion, and war. He asks whether history--understood as
incessant conflict--has come to an end. Bestseller 1992.
Fourteen Ninety-Two: The Decline of Medievalism and the Rise of
the Modern Age  RC 34917
by Barnet Litvinoff
narrated by John Horton
3 cassettes
Litvinoff examines the year 1492 as a turning point in European
history. He integrates the complex political histories of
European countries at that time and shows how the discovery of
America and subsequent geographical exploration became part of
European consciousness leading to the Renaissance. 1991.
The Future Belongs to Freedom  RC 34798
by Eduard Shevardnadze
narrated by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Former Soviet foreign minister Shevardnadze dwells mostly on his
later years in politics. He describes his friendship and
subsequent break with Gorbachev and a late 1970s walk in the
woods that became pivotal in their efforts for reform within the
Soviet Union. He describes his own role in such events as the
Chernobyl catastrophe and German reunification, and he ends with
the August coup. 1991.
Germany: The Empire Within  RC 34521
by Amity Shlaes
narrated by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
Shlaes, European reporter for the _Wall Street Journal_ until
1990, looks at the newly unified Germany and the factions within
it that, while clinging to the old traditions, will help shape
its future. She analyzes the ambivalence about recent settlers
from Eastern Europe, the status of German nobility, the attempts
to resurrect Jewish culture, and the unification of once-divided
Berlin. 1991.
Holocaust Testimonies: The Ruins of Memory  RC 35346
by Lawrence L. Langer
narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
2 cassettes
Langer, using about 300 videotaped oral histories, contends that
even after relating their experiences, Holocaust victims are
still "hostages to a humiliating and painful past that their
happier future does little to curtail." He discusses the
different levels of survivors' memories, their belief that no one
will understand or believe them, and the need to deromanticize
the survival experience. Violence. 1991.
Jerusalem Blessed, Jerusalem Cursed: Jews, Christians, and
Muslims in the Holy City from David's Time to Our Own  RC 35169
by Thomas A. Idinopulos
narrated by Ken Kliban
3 cassettes
An examination of the city of Jerusalem, where for centuries
millions of Jews, Christians, and Muslims from around the world
have gathered to hear the word of God. The author discusses the
importance of Jerusalem to each religious tradition, the history
of Zionism and the _intifada_, and the future of Jerusalem. 1991.
The Last Tsar: The Life and Death of Nicholas II  RC 35380
by Edvard Radzinsky
narrated by Noah Siegel
4 cassettes
A Russian playwright and historian depicts the final days of the
three-hundred-year rule of the house of Romanov. Radzinsky
examined diaries kept by Nicholas for thirty-six years, letters,
and eyewitness accounts by the Romanovs' executioners in 1918 to
reconstruct the end of the dynasty. He presents evidence that
Lenin ordered the murders and the possibility that the entire
family was not destroyed. Violence. 1992.
Memoirs of the Crusades  RC 35746
by Geoffroi de Villehardouin and
Jean, sire de Joinville
narrated by Ed Blake
3 cassettes
A translation from the French of Geoffroi de Villehardouin's and
Jean de Joinville's memoirs of the fourth and seventh crusades.
An account of two attempts in the thirteenth century to restore
Jerusalem to the Christians. 1908.
Mexico: A History  RC 34427
by Robert Ryal Miller
narrated by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Beginning with a description of the early Indian cultures,
Miller, a scholar of Mexican and Latin American history, outlines
the Spanish takeover, the various rulers over the centuries, the
war with the United States, the Revolution, and the birth of
modern Mexico. He highlights the accompanying changes in the
shape of the country and the makeup of the population. 1985.
A Military History of the Western World: Volume 3, From the
American Civil War to the End of World War II  RC 32068
by J.F.C. Fuller
narrated by Bill Wallace
5 cassettes
Fuller's history of war continues as he outlines the age of
industrialism, the American Civil War, expansionist policies of
Japan and Russia, and the two world wars. Sequel to _A Military
History of the Western World: Volume 2, From the Defeat of the
Spanish Armada to the Battle of Waterloo (RC 32067)_. 1956.
The Mirror at Midnight: A South African Journey  RC 34181
by Adam Hochschild
narrated by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
In 1988, journalist Hochschild revisited South Africa on the
anniversary of the 1838 Battle of Blood River to document
reactions to what may have been the birth of apartheid. The
author retraces history from the lopsided battle between the
tribal Zulus and the well-armed white Voortrekkers to the
twentieth-century clashes between the descendants of that
massacre. 1990.
The New Emperors: China in the Era of Mao and Deng  RC 35170
by Harrison E. Salisbury
narrated by George Backman
4 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning former _New York Times_ investigative
reporter narrates the history of the Communist leaders who became
China's new-styled emperors. Drawing on personal travel,
research, and interviews with both friends and enemies, the
author traces the rise of Mao and his protege, Deng. The dual
biography reveals details about the reforms and disasters that
led to major revolutions under their regimes. 1992.
The Northern Dynasties: Kingship and Statecraft in Chimor  RC
34936
edited by Michael E. Moseley
and Alana Cordy-Collins
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
5 cassettes
A collection of essays gathers different perspectives on
Pre-Columbian societies on the north coast of Peru. The scholars
base their analyses on oral narratives and archaeological
sources, because Andean civilizations developed no written
records. Added essays by ethnohistorians complete the range of
views about the Hispanic and Indian culture of Chimor. 1990.
Oh Canada! Oh Quebec! Requiem for a Divided Country  RC 35180
by Mordecai Richler
narrated by Noah Siegel
2 cassettes
The author of such satirical novels as _The Apprenticeship of
Duddy Kravitz_ and _Solomon Gursky Was Here (RC 32312)_ writes
about the northern constitutional crisis. He examines the laws
that dictate the exclusive use of the French language for
official activities and public signs, and claims that racism and
anti-Semitism are at the root of French-Canadian nationalism.
1992.
The People of Nowhere: The Palestinian Vision of Home  RC 34390
by Danny Rubinstein
narrated by David Hartley-Margolin
1 cassette
Rubinstein, an Israeli journalist for more than twenty years,
examines the ongoing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis
that has affected their country for almost fifty years. Using
messages found in Palestinian poetry and prose as well as
established facts, he assesses both people's ideas of homeland,
discusses the contested issues, and suggests glimmers of hope.
1991.
Russia Transformed: Breakthrough to Hope; Moscow, August 1991  RC
34822
by James H. Billington
narrated by Ken Kliban
1 cassette
The librarian of Congress, a Soviet scholar and firsthand witness
to the events of August 1991, chronicles his personal
observations of the failed coup. Billington describes how the
people protected their democratically elected government and came
together to replace totalitarian rule with the "politics of
hope." 1992.
Saddam Hussein: A Political Biography  RC 34558
by Efraim Karsh and Inari Rautsi
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
The authors, Middle East specialists, drew on Western, Soviet,
Arab, and Israeli sources for this detailed account. Hussein's
troubled childhood taught him the cruel laws of survival, and as
a despot he rivals Hitler. The book covers his entry into
politics at age twenty, his ascent to the Presidential Palace in
1979, and his invasions of Iran and Kuwait. 1991.
Sir Francis Drake  RC 34288
by John Sugden
narrated by Richard Brown
4 cassettes
Chronicles the rise of the man regarded as the inspiration for
England's naval superiority. Sugden outlines the political,
religious, and economic climate that enabled the young Drake to
rise from humble seaman to admiral and knight. This account
includes familiar tales about the controversial hero, such as his
circumnavigation of the globe, but does not spare his darker
side, which permitted him to engage in piracy and slavery. 1990.
The Soccer War  RC 34442
by Ryszard Kapuscinski
narrated by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
A correspondent for a Polish news agency chronicles his
first-hand experiences with coups, wars, and revolutions in
Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America during the years of
the cold war. His account shifts between personal narrative and
documentary reporting as he describes how he dealt with
situations as routine as having his dispatches censored and as
upsetting as being arrested and sentenced to death. Some
violence. 1990.
Stalin: Man and Ruler  RC 34485
by Robert H. McNeal
narrated by Ken Kliban
4 cassettes
Drawing on previously unused sources, McNeal describes the life
of the powerful, violent ruler, who was a devout Christian before
becoming a Marxist. Stalin's political life is detailed,
including his arrests prior to the 1917 revolution, his role in
the Lenin regime, and his reign as Soviet dictator until his
death in 1953. 1988.
Suez  RC 34391
by Keith Kyle
narrated by Bob Butz
5 cassettes
When Egyptian President Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal
Company in 1956, British Prime Minister Eden and the Parliament
expected the worst. An account of Britain's attack--joined by
France and Israel and opposed by the United States--is the major
focus of this book. Kyle places the events of that year in
historical perspective, considering the threat of Soviet
intervention in the region and the effect of the crisis in the
Middle East. 1991.
Trafalgar: Countdown to Battle, 1803-1805  RC 34200
by Alan Schom
narrated by James DeLotel
4 cassettes
Schom, a former professor of French and European history, shows
that the Battle of Trafalgar, on October 21, 1805, was only the
culmination of the Royal Navy's two-year campaign to prevent
Napoleon's invasion of Britain. As fleet commander, Nelson
received the credit for preventing the invasion, but Schom's
historical perspective gives Sir William Cornwallis the
recognition due him as creator of that fleet. 1990.
Unearthing Atlantis: An Archaeological Odyssey  RC 35393
by Charles Pellegrino
narrated by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
In 1628 B.C. a volcanic explosion on the island of Thera buried
the town and its inhabitants under a sea of ash, perhaps
foreshadowing the end of Minoan civilization. Pellegrino
speculates that Thera, now Santorini, may have been the Atlantis
of dreams and myths. Exploring the effects of more recent
volcanic eruptions and evidence found in locations as far away as
Britain, he muses about life in the lost Minoan world. 1991.
The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I, Genius of the Golden Age  RC 34186
by Christopher Hibbert
narrated by Patrick Horgan
3 cassettes
Two-year-old Elizabeth's father had her mother executed for
failing to bear him a son. Thus began the extraordinary life that
ended when Queen Elizabeth I died at seventy. Concentrating on
her personal rather than her political life, Hibbert untangles a
complex web of half-siblings and cousins, and examines
Elizabeth's social life and her personality. Violence. 1991.
Why Gorbachev Happened: His Triumphs and His Failure  RC 35717
by Robert G. Kaiser
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
4 cassettes
A former _Washington Post_ Moscow correspondent examines the
political rise and decline of the leader of the Soviet Union.
Kaiser documents the greatest challenges to Gorbachev's
power--the Chernobyl accident, rival politicians, failed reforms,
the breakup of Eastern Europe--and the changes that ultimately
spelled the end of communism, adding his own interpretation to
Gorbachev's glasnost and perestroika. 1991.
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China  RC 34458
by Jung Chang
narrated by Catherine Byers
4 cassettes
Chang's life, contrasted with the lives of her mother and
grandmother, illustrates the political turmoil and the treatment
of women in China during the twentieth century. Her grandmother
was a concubine with bound feet and her parents were communist
officials until they were denounced in Mao's Cultural Revolution.
Chang moved to London following her own brief stint in the Red
Guards. 1991.
Yankees in the Land of the Gods: Commodore Perry and the Opening
of Japan  RC 34189
by Peter Booth Wiley
narrated by Ralph Lowenstein
4 cassettes
Before Perry's 1853 expedition, contact between the United States
and Japan occurred mainly through shipwrecked sailors, including
Americans who stranded themselves on Japan's shore to try to
enter the self-isolated country. Using newly translated Japanese
documents as well as reports from Perry and his crew, Wiley
provides both countries' perspectives on the historic encounter.
1990.
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