Cassette Books 1999
National Library Service for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped
Washington 1999
Nonfiction
Adventure
The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest RC 46857
by Anatoli Boukreev and G. Weston DeWalt
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
As lead guide of a 1996 spring expedition to climb Mt.
Everest, Boukreev offers his account of what happened on the
fateful day of May 10 when several members of the team lost
their lives. His first-person account is interwoven with
information gained by DeWalt in interviews conducted with
other members of the team. Companion to Jon Krakauer's Into
Thin Air (RC 44525). Bestseller 1997.
Confessions of an Igloo Dweller RC 46024
by James Houston 
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
The author, a Canadian artist, moved to the Arctic after
World War II. Living among the Inuit from 1948 to 1962, he
helped organize Eskimo co-ops to promote sculpture and
lithography to southern communities. Describes daily life
among the native peoples including dogsledding, hunting,
fishing, and traveling in the far north. 1995.
East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Earhart RC 45559
by Susan Butler 
read by Mary Ann Nichols
5 cassettes
Describes Earhart as an adventurous child who grew up to be
the most famous female pilot of the 1920s and 1930s. Butler
provides details about Earhart's private life and the men in
it besides her husband. She traces Earhart's role in
aviation history and discusses her disappearance in the
Pacific during her around-the-world flight in 1937. 1997.
Flight of Passage RC 45310
by Rinker Buck 
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Recounts the coast-to-coast flight of two teenage aviators
in 1966. Piloting a restored three-hundred-dollar Piper Cub,
the New Jersey brothers followed the route blazed by their
barnstorming father in the early 1940s. Chronicles the boys'
adventures aloft and during stops en route. Strong language.
1997.
The Man-Eaters of Tsavo RC 46487
by J.H. Patterson 
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes
In colonizing Africa, Lt. Col. Patterson and his comrades
traveled through desert and jungle to build roads and
bridges. In 1907 Patterson wrote of his encounters with man-
eating lions that terrorized his work crew. A film, The
Ghost and the Darkness, is based on Patterson's adventures.
1907.
A Pirate Looks at Fifty RC 46339
by Jimmy Buffett 
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
A musician and bestselling author tells of a trip he took to
celebrate his fiftieth birthday and relates stories from his
past that the trip brings to mind. A lover of both planes
and boats, Buffett recalls his adventures in Central and
South America and the Caribbean. Some strong language.
Bestseller 1998.
Scott of the Antarctic RC 45956
by Elspeth Huxley 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Recounts the arduous expedition of British naval officer
Robert Falcon Scott to the South Pole in 1911, where he
found that the Norwegian adventurer Amundsen had arrived one
month earlier. Beset by blizzards, Scott's entire party
perished during their return. Based on Scott's own journals.
1977.
Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea RC 46507
by Gary Kinder 
read by Bruce Huntey
4 cassettes
Interweaves an account of the 1857 sinking of the SS Central
America that carried a cargo of gold bullion and minted
coins with the story of the shipwreck's discovery in 1988 by
Tommy Thompson. Describes Thompson's feat of developing
technology to locate and retrieve artifacts from a
wooden-hulled ship in eight thousand feet of water.
Bestseller 1998.
Takeoff: The Pilot's Lore RC 45396
by Daniele del Giudice 
read by Peter Gil
1 cassette
Eight segments reflect on various aspects of flying--the
exhilaration and the fear. They include essays on actual
events as well as descriptions that could only be imagined;
for example, memories of the author's first solo flight and
described encounters with pilots whose planes have crashed.
He also pays homage to Antoine de Saint-Exupry by retracing
his last flight, in 1944. 1994.
Animals and Wildlife
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul: Stories about Pets as
Teachers, Healers, Heroes, and Friends RC 46429
edited by Jack Canfield and others 
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
Collection of almost one hundred stories portraying the
belief that a "loving interdependent relationship" with a
pet can be life-enhancing. Writers including Barbara Bush,
Betty White, Art Linkletter, and Jimmy Stewart describe how
pets entertain us, teach us, and sometimes bring out the
goodness in us. Bestseller 1998.
Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and
Other Animals RC 46103
by Frans de Waal 
read by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
Explores the biological basis of morality in primates and
other animals. Draws upon observations of animal behavior
and social dynamics that suggest tendencies toward altruism,
sympathy, guilt, and cooperation. Argues that evolution
favors ethical behavior. 1996.
James Herriot's Animal Stories RC 46030
by James Herriot 
read by John Horton
1 cassette
Ten of the Yorkshire veterinarian's best-loved stories with
an introduction by his son, Jim Wight, who took over the
practice after his father's death in 1995. 1997.
The Loss of a Pet RC 44007
by Wallace Sife 
read by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
Handbook on the effects of a pet's death by noted
psychotherapist and founder of the Association for Pet
Bereavement. Discusses such topics as the human-pet bond,
the grieving process, euthanasia, children and the death of
pets, getting another pet, and making use of different types
of counseling. 1993.
Love, Miracles, and Animal Healing: A Veterinarian's Journey
from Physical Medicine to Spiritual Understanding RC 44401
by Allen M. Schoen and Pam Proctor 
read by Phil Regensdorf
2 cassettes
Schoen attests to the power of the emotional and spiritual
bond between humans and their pets. He discusses how
alternative forms of treatment, such as acupuncture, herbal
remedies, and homeopathic medicine, can significantly
enhance traditional veterinary practices. 1995.
Next of Kin: What Chimpanzees Have Taught Me about Who We
Are RC 46040
by Roger Fouts 
read by Jeff Baker
3 cassettes
A research psychologist explores intellectual and emotional
parallels between chimpanzees and humans. Recounts his
revolutionary work teaching chimps to engage in complex
communication by sign language. Advocates humane treatment
of animals. Some strong language. 1997.
Puppy Preschool: Raising Your Puppy Right--Right from the
Start RC 45901
by John Ross and Barbara McKinney 
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
This manual describes steps in obedience training for
puppies and recommends beginning as early as eight weeks of
age. The authors also discuss many other aspects of
dog-owning, from choosing the right breed to "bonding" with
your new pet. 1996.
Ranch of Dreams: The Heartwarming Story of America's Most
Unusual Animal Sanctuary RC 47142
by Cleveland Amory 
read by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
A noted animal lover recounts the childhood influences that
formed his anticruelty outlook and led him to found the
Black Beauty Ranch, a refuge for abused and abandoned
animals. Tells the stories of the cats, dogs, goats, horses,
and other creatures that have found sanctuary with the
author. 1997.
So That Others May Live: Caroline Hebard and Her
Search-and-Rescue Dogs RC 40971
by Hank Whittemore and Caroline Hebard 
read by Mary Woods
2 cassettes
A pioneer in the field of canine search-and-rescue work
recounts twenty-five years spent in training herself and her
dogs to locate people at disaster sites. Offers graphic
accounts of efforts following the 1985 Mexico City
earthquake, the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, and other
catastrophes. 1995.
The Arts
The Art of Scandal: The Life and Times of Isabella Stewart
Gardner RC 45984
by Douglass Shand-Tucci 
read by Kristin Allison
3 cassettes
In this biography the author states that Italy "became the
golden thread that ran through Isabella's life." The
inspiration for characters in several novels by Henry James,
Gardner fell in love with Italian art when her parents took
her to Rome and Milan in 1858. Upon her inheritance, she
designed and built an Italian-style villa, now a museum, in
Boston. 1997.
Blake RC 44809
by Peter Ackroyd 
read by Erik Sandvold
4 cassettes
Life of the eighteenth-century English poet, painter, and
engraver who died in 1827. Ackroyd examines the influence of
William Blake's dissenting parents on his philosophical and
religious views. He also frames the complex and challenging
body of Blake's work, which went largely unnoticed in his
lifetime, within the great social and political changes of
his era. 1995.
Degas in New Orleans: Encounters in the Creole World of Kate
Chopin and George Washington Cable RC 46370
by Christopher Benfey 
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
Contends that Edgar Degas's five-month visit to the U.S. in
1872 at age thirty-eight was pivotal to his artistic
development and career as an impressionist. While staying
with his family in New Orleans, he painted their portraits
mainly indoors because the outdoor brilliance hurt his eyes
and he feared going blind. 1997.
The Elgin Affair: The Abduction of Antiquity's Greatest
Treasures and the Passions It Aroused RC 46646
by Theodore Vrettos 
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Chronicles Lord Elgin's obsession with the Greek marble
statues, friezes, and architectural elements he shipped from
Athens to London between 1800 and 1802. Explains how Elgin's
love of antiquities cost him his nose, his wife, and his
fortune; states that ownership of these treasures is still
disputed almost two hundred years later. 1997.
Biography
All Rivers Run to the Sea: Memoirs RC 45516
by Elie Wiesel 
read by Ralph Lowenstein
4 cassettes
A leading witness to the Holocaust and the fate of the
Jewish people recalls his family's suffering, the survivors'
efforts to reconstruct their lives, and his experiences as a
writer and journalist working to record the truth for
succeeding generations. 1995.
Appetite for Life: The Biography of Julia Child RC 45475
by Nol Riley Fitch 
read by Jill Ferris
5 cassettes
Portrait of the famed and colorful chef de cuisine who
popularized French cooking in America. Traces her California
youth, her wartime service in China, her culinary training
in Paris, and her writings and television shows, which
introduced many Americans to her ideas about good food.
1997.
Boyhood: Scenes from Provincial Life RC 46652
by J.M. Coetzee 
read by Graeme Malcolm
1 cassette
Portrays the author's childhood in 1940s and 1950s South
Africa from a third-person perspective. He describes his
feeling of being different from his classmates, and he
grimly recalls his teachers' canings, his parents'
arguments, and his own actions that injured his brother.
Among his few joyful memories are riding his bicycle and
visiting his grandparents' farm. 1997.
A Cab at the Door and Midnight Oil RC 46498
by V.S. Pritchett 
read by John Horton
3 cassettes
Two memoirs. A Cab at the Door covers Pritchett's childhood
in England, describing his experience of World War I and his
family's foibles and precarious finances. In Midnight Oil,
the author at age seventy recalls his bid for independence
at age twenty, when he left for France determined to become
a writer. 1971.
The Cliff Walk: A Memoir of a Job Lost and a Life Found RC
46084
by Don J. Snyder 
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
A former English professor and family man recounts the
collapse of his secure, middle-class life after he was fired
from his job. He describes his "American dream" style of
living prior to his dismissal, his descent into desperation
as he faced financial ruin, and his gradual adjustment to
manual work. 1997.
The Dark Lady from Belorusse: A Memoir RC 46458
by Jerome Charyn 
read by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
Charyn fondly remembers his mother as a beautiful woman in a
silver fox coat who captured everyone's attention in the
Bronx. He recalls accompanying her during World War II, when
she supported the family by dealing cards for a politician's
poker game and by being a "camel" for a black marketeer.
1997.
Dreaming: Hard Luck and Good Times in America RC 45098
by Carolyn See 
read by Pam Ward
2 cassettes
Author Carolyn See relates the past one hundred years of her
family's story. Throughout four generations, drink and now
drugs have played a major role. Without offering any
solution, See speculates that society condones substance
abuse in order to keep the masses tranquilized. Strong
language and some violence. 1995.
Every Secret Thing: My Family, My Country RC 45042
by Gillian Slovo 
read by Dani Carr
2 cassettes
Slovo revisits South Africa hoping to assemble the complete
story of her parents, both anti-apartheid activists, like a
jigsaw puzzle. She interweaves memories of her childhood
with information gleaned from interviews with her dying
father, Joe Slovo; other activists; and the former police
officer who killed her mother with a letter bomb. 1997.
Everybody Was So Young: Gerald and Sara Murphy, a Lost
Generation Love Story RC 46802
by Amanda Vaill 
read by Gabriella Cavallero
4 cassettes
The saga of a New York society couple, Gerald and Sara
Murphy, who moved to France in the 1920s. Gerald's interest
in painting brought them into contact with artists and
writers of the time, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest
Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso. In later years, personal
tragedy and financial setbacks struck the Murphys, but their
love endured. Bestseller 1998.
Fathers, Sons, and Brothers: The Men in My Family RC 44794
by Bret Lott 
read by Dick Jenkins
1 cassette
A memoir on the lives and relationships of men and boys
across three family generations: Lott's father and two
uncles, his own two brothers, and his two sons. Recounts
their times together at work and at play, their ties and
differences, and their triumphs and setbacks. Depicts the
sense of loyalty and kinship that sustained them through the
years. 1997.
The Fifty-Year Dash: The Feelings, Foibles, and Fears of
Being Half-a-Century Old RC 44745
by Bob Greene 
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
A journalist's humorous and nostalgic ruminations on his
life at the half-century mark. He reflects wistfully on the
youthful joys of junk food and junk music, the thrill of
anticipation of his first kiss, and the lost innocence of
the America he knew as a child. 1997.
The File: A Personal History RC 46027
by Timothy Garton Ash 
read by Terence Aselford
2 cassettes
A British historian's account of his search for his "lost
self" in the cold war files of the East German secret
police, or Stasi. After obtaining the 325-page record that
Stasi had compiled on him over a fifteen-year period, he
confronted the agents and informers who had tracked his
case. A stark depiction of a closed communist society. 1997.
Gladstone: A Biography RC 45831
by Roy Jenkins 
read by George Holmes
6 cassettes
Nineteenth-century British politician and statesman William
Gladstone is described by a leading British politician of
the twentieth century. Gladstone's four appointments as
prime minister and sixty-three years in public office
contrast with his well-known avocations, such as felling
trees and trying to reform the lives of prostitutes. Winner
of the Whitbread Prize for biography. Bestseller 1997.
The Good Life: Helen and Scott Nearing's Sixty Years of
Self-Sufficient Living RC 45293
by Helen and Scott Nearing 
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
Describes how in 1932 a married couple left New York City
for the backwoods of Vermont in search of a life of
"simplicity, serenity, utility, and harmony." This account
of their pioneering venture tells how they built a house,
worked a self-sufficient farm, and lived a satisfying life
in nature. 1982.
His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina RC 47039
by Danielle Steel 
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
Biography of Steel's son, who died at nineteen while
battling manic depression. She recounts the ordeal of
watching her intelligent, talented son become a troubled
teenager. She explains that, though it was clear to her that
something was wrong with him as a child, he was not
correctly diagnosed until he was fifteen. She presents both
a tribute to Nick and a lesson about mental illness.
Bestseller 1998.
I Love Gootie: My Grandmother's Story RC 46173
by Max Apple 
read by Arnie Warren
2 cassettes
A grandson's recollections of his grandmother, who grew up
in a Lithuanian village and preferred Yiddish to English.
Gootie is the wife of Rocky, Apple's grandfather portrayed
in Roommates (RC 41562). 1998.
In No Time at All RC 46480
by Carl Hamilton 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Portrays the experience of living on a farm in Iowa between
1910 and 1940. Describes the long days of grueling labor in
the fields, barn, and kitchen. Depicts a life of hardship,
danger, and simple pleasures. 1974.
In Search of Sugihara: The Elusive Japanese Diplomat Who
Risked His Life to Rescue 10,000 Jews from the Holocaust RC
45991
by Hillel Levine 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Portrays the life of a Japanese diplomat who in 1940, as
consul in Kovno, Lithuania, helped thousands of Jews escape
Nazi persecution. Traces his childhood in Japan, his years
as a soldier and a diplomat, and his heroic service in
Kovno. Examines his motives for taking such grave risks for
the sake of strangers. 1996.
Jackie after Jack: Portrait of the Lady RC 45845
by Christopher Andersen 
read by Barbara Caruso
3 cassettes
The life of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy after the
assassination of her husband, John F. Kennedy. In this
sequel to Jack and Jackie (RC 42809), Andersen delves into
her depression, second marriage, and romantic interests
until her death in 1994. Some strong language and some
descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1998.
James Herriot: The Life of a Country Vet RC 46439
by Graham Lord 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Offers a glimpse into the life of Alf Wight, known as James
Herriot. Moves from his childhood through his veterinary
school years and provides more fact about Wight's life as a
vet than the somewhat fictionalized pieces seen in his
books, such as All Creatures Great and Small (RC 6096).
1997.
Journey to My Father, Isaac Bashevis Singer RC 43225
by Israel Zamir 
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
Profile of Nobel laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer by his son,
Israel Zamir. Abandoned by his father in 1935, Zamir
initiates contact with Singer twenty years later in New
York. Slowly and with much difficulty, father and son forge
a relationship despite profound differences in philosophy,
spirituality, and politics. Zamir eventually agrees to
translate his father's works from Yiddish to Hebrew. 1995.
Leon's Story RC 45810
by Leon Walter Tillage 
read by Chuck Young
1 cassette
An autobiographical account of an African American
sharecropper's son growing up in rural North Carolina during
the 1940s and 1950s. Tillage recalls the racial cruelties he
experienced--the worst was seeing his father run down by a
white youth. Finally he tells how the freedom marches
affirmed his identity. Some violence. For junior and senior
high readers. 1997.
Mark Twain Made Me Do It and Other Plains Adventures RC
45583
by Bryan L. Jones 
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
A teacher reminisces about growing up in 1950s Nebraska as
the son of a preacher. Jones writes of the boyhood pranks
and adventures he and his friends enjoyed in this fond
remembrance of the way it was. Essays that evoke typical
concerns of the times include "Baseball," "Pot Roast Every
Sunday," and "Polio." 1997.
Memory Slips: A Memoir of Music and Healing RC 45441
by Linda Katherine Cutting 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
A woman portrays her life as a concert pianist with
"memories of family violence, incest, and suicide."
Describes mentally escaping from her sexually abusive father
through music. Recounts the painful process of "breaking
silence" years after her childhood traumas. Strong language
and descriptions of sex. 1997.
Miriam's Kitchen: A Memoir RC 45642
by Elizabeth Ehrlich 
read by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
Ehrlich recounts her experience recovering her spiritual and
cultural roots in the company of Miriam, a Holocaust
survivor and Ehrlich's future mother-in-law. As the two
worked together preparing traditional Jewish recipes, they
discussed many of the customs and celebrations associated
with various foods. Several recipes are included. 1997.
Monica's Story RC 47474
by Andrew Morton 
read by Lindsay Ellison
3 cassettes
An account of Monica Lewinsky's affair with President Bill
Clinton that began soon after she became a White House
intern in 1995. Portrays her as worldly and sophisticated
but, at the same time, naive and overly trusting of others.
Describes how she became the star witness in an
investigation of the president. Some descriptions of sex.
Bestseller 1999.
A Monk Swimming: A Memoir RC 46334
by Malachy McCourt 
read by John Horton
2 cassettes
McCourt picks up from his brother Frank's Angela's Ashes (RC
42805). Uneducated and unskilled, McCourt arrived in New
York City in 1952. His storytelling abilities kept him with
drinking companions and led to his meeting celebrities.
Succumbing to alcoholism, McCourt turned to gold smuggling
for an income. Strong language and some descriptions of sex.
Bestseller 1998.
My Brother RC 45639
by Jamaica Kincaid 
read by Mary Kane
1 cassette
The author returns to her childhood home in Antigua after
learning that her youngest half-brother is dying of AIDS.
Kincaid left home when her brother was three and is
surprised that she loves him, bringing him drugs from the
U.S. to slow down his dying. While in Antigua, Kincaid
reviews her life and her struggles as a poor, black bookworm
of a girl at odds with her mother. 1997.
Now and Then: From Coney Island to Here RC 46017
by Joseph Heller 
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Author of Catch-22 (RC 18132) describes his life in a series
of vignettes--his fatherless childhood on Coney Island
during the depression, his disinterest in knowing about his
father, and his ignorance of his biological relationship
with his older brother and sister. He also recalls various
jobs, his military service, and his writings. Some strong
language. Bestseller 1998.
Old Books, Rare Friends: Two Literary Sleuths and Their
Shared Passion RC 45299
by Leona Rostenberg and Madeleine Stern 
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
A joint autobiography of two lifelong friends and partners
in the antiquarian book trade. Traces their lives from
girlhood in the early 1900s, their careers as scholars and
writers, and their fifty years in the rare book business.
The authors recount their contributions to the literary
world. 1997.
The Orchard: A Memoir RC 43830
by Adele Crockett Robertson 
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
An account of one woman's struggle during the Great
Depression to make a living from apple and peach orchards
that had been her physician father's pride and joy. 1995.
Portrait of My Body RC 45241
by Phillip Lopate 
read by Richard Davidson
2 cassettes
These essays focus on the human condition and on fatherhood.
The author portrays his relationships with his father, a
former lover, and friends. He shares personal insights of
love, marriage, teaching, movies, and other aspects of life.
Strong language. 1996.
Rage for Fame: The Ascent of Clare Boothe Luce RC 45128
by Sylvia Jukes Morris 
read by Janis Gray
4 cassettes
This volume covers Luce from her birth in 1903 to her
successful congressional campaign in 1942. During this time
she achieved fame as a playwright, a war correspondent, a
magazine editor, a fiction writer, a socialite, and the wife
of Henry Luce, the publisher of Time. In the six years
before her death in 1987, Luce granted Morris numerous
interviews and access to letters and diaries. 1997.
Reflected Glory: The Life of Pamela Churchill Harriman RC
45688
by Sally Bedell Smith 
read by Jill Ferris
6 cassettes
Portrait of a woman the author describes as a
twentieth-century courtesan who, through the shrewd use of
wealth and position, lived in the brilliance of world
luminaries in politics, media, business, and theater.
Chronicles Harriman's privileged youth, her marriages to
three powerful figures, and her own political ascent to the
post of ambassador to France. 1996.
The Royals RC 44844
by Kitty Kelley 
read by Anne Flosnik
4 cassettes
This unauthorized biography covers the lives of the members
of England's House of Windsor from 1917, when the family
name was changed to conceal its German roots, to the 1990s
and the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Kelley
interviewed past and present Crown employees, royal friends
and relatives, and members of Parliament. Bestseller 1997.
See Rock City: A Story Journey through Appalachia RC 45701
by Donald Davis 
read by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
Sequel to Listening for the Crack of Dawn (RC 34389). A
storyteller reminisces about his boyhood in rural North
Carolina during the 1950s. He recounts various youthful
exploits, including a memorable visit to Rock City on a
family vacation that was beset by a series of humorous
misfortunes. 1996.
Simon Wiesenthal: A Life in Search of Justice RC 45487
by Hella Pick 
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
This account describes how Wiesenthal survived World War II
concentration camps and then devoted his life to bringing
Nazi war criminals to justice. Details his work on the
Eichmann case and many others. Since 1945 Wiesenthal has
lived in Austria and focused on its denazification. 1996.
Spider Eaters: A Memoir RC 45045
by Rae Yang 
read by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
A woman recounts her early years in China during the
Cultural Revolution, her service with the Red Guards in
Beijing, and her life on a squalid pig farm in the late
1960s. Depicts the "tremendous waste and unprecedented human
tragedy" of the era. Violence. 1997.
Tales of Two Cities: A Persian Memoir RC 45730
by Abbas Milani 
read by Lou Harpenau
1 cassette
A college professor in California reminisces about his
childhood in a strictly religious Muslim home in Iran. At
fifteen he was sent to the U.S. for a Western education. He
returned to Tehran with a Ph.D. in political science, was
imprisoned for ideological reasons, and eventually chose
exile. His reflections offer insights into two strongly
contrasting cultures. 1996.
Tessie and Pearlie: A Granddaughter's Story RC 45874
by Joy Horowitz 
read by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
Portraits of the author's two ninety-three-year-old
grandmothers, "the strongest women I know." Depicts their
immigrant origins, their struggles through hard times, their
rich and often troubled family histories, their traditional
values and ideas, and their continued active lives. 1996.
Turnaround: How America's Top Cop Reversed the Crime
Epidemic RC 46743
by William Bratton 
read by John Rayburn
3 cassettes
Memoir of the former New York City police commissioner who
is credited with reducing serious crime by a third between
1994 and 1996. Traces his working-class youth, his early
years on the Boston police force, and his rise through the
blue ranks to the top of the law enforcement profession.
Violence and some strong language. 1998.
Whistled like a Bird: The Untold Story of Dorothy Putnam,
George Putnam, and Amelia Earhart RC 45404
by Sally Putnam Chapman 
read by Dani Carr
2 cassettes
Using diaries kept over a fifty-year period, Chapman writes
of the relationship between heiress and adventurer Dorothy
Binney Putnam, publisher George Putnam, and aviator Amelia
Earhart. Putnam left his wife, Dorothy, for Earhart, but the
three remained friends. 1997.
Whittaker Chambers: A Biography RC 45141
by Sam Tanenhaus 
read by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
Chambers is best known for accusing Alger Hiss of being a
Communist in his testimony before the House Un-American
Activities Committee in 1948. Tanenhaus reexamines the
controversy and reviews the whole of Chambers' life, tracing
his progress from Communist spy to conservative pundit.
1997.
The Winged Seed: A Remembrance RC 45466
by Li-Young Lee 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
A poet's reminiscences about his background, his family, and
his wife. Dreams, incidents, and memories of family stories
intermingle in Lee's stark autobiography. His Chinese
parents endured many hardships in Indonesia before coming to
Pennsylvania when he was six. 1995.
Blindness and Physical Handicaps
Cassette Books, 1997 RC 45332
by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped 
read by various narrators
4 cassettes
A catalog of talking books produced on cassette for adult
and young adult readers during 1997. The nonfiction and
fiction sections list books by subject categories. Separate
listings identify books for young adult readers and for
Spanish readers. 1997.
Christopher Reeve: Actor and Activist RC 45904
by Margaret L. Finn 
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
From his youth, Reeve participated in several artistic
endeavors, but soon decided on an acting career. Finn
describes Reeve's childhood, early years as an actor, and
the equestrian event that changed his life dramatically. The
author also covers Reeve's role as an activist for persons
with spinal cord injuries. For senior high and older
readers. 1997.
Coping with Glaucoma RC 46691
by Edith Marks 
read by Carol Dines
3 cassettes
The author, who has glaucoma, offers practical advice for
others who also have the disease. Describes the types of
glaucoma, resources available, and medical therapies
including diet and drugs. 1997.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly RC 46844
by Jean-Dominique Bauby 
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
A series of reminiscences by a paralyzed survivor of a
massive stroke. A victim of "locked-in syndrome," he feels
as if his body were inside a diving bell, while his mind can
still "soar like a butterfly." He poignantly recalls a time
when he took good health for granted, and he describes how
hard it is to communicate when he can only blink his left
eye. Bestseller 1997.
For Younger Readers: Braille and Talking Books, 1996-1997 RC
45880
by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped 
read by various narrators
3 cassettes
Catalog of books for readers from preschool through grade
nine produced in braille and cassette formats during 1996
and 1997. Nonfiction and fiction books are arranged under
general subject headings. Also includes separate sections
for PRINT/BRAILLE, very young readers, and young adults.
1998.
Foreign Language Books 1993 RC 39961
by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped, Library of Congress 
read by various narrators
2 cassettes
A cumulative catalog of 570 braille and talking books
produced by NLS in Spanish and 214 talking books produced by
NLS in Cambodian, French, German, Italian, Laotian, Polish,
Portuguese, and Vietnamese. Includes a multilingual foreword
followed by tone-indexed sections for each language. Each
section contains an introduction and a listing of the titles
annotated in the respective language. 1994.
Gray Pancakes and Gold Horses RC 46924
edited by Kenneth Jernigan 
read by David Elias
1 cassette
Members of the National Federation of the Blind discuss
various aspects of being blind. An attorney writes about the
importance of learning about body language and others
describe how their "educated fingers" make them adept at
skills such as sewing. 1998.
Great American Vacations for Travelers with Disabilities RC
44697
by Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. 
read by Rick Rohan
9 cassettes
This handbook for travelers with physical handicaps includes
accessibility information in three categories--mobility,
hearing, and vision--as well as names and addresses of
specialized services and facilities. Destinations include
major U.S. cities, numerous national parks, Pennsylvania
Dutch country, and Walt Disney World. 1996.
Hear: Solutions, Skills, and Sources for People with Hearing
Loss RC 45557
by Anne Pope 
read by Chris Shields
1 cassette
After explaining how the ear works and what can cause
hearing loss, Pope discusses coping strategies for
individuals, their families, and their friends. She also
offers information on hearing aids, the cochlear implant,
and other devices to improve hearing. Includes interviews
with several hearing-impaired persons. For senior high and
older readers. 1997.
Helen Keller: Humanitarian RC 46249
by Lois P. Nicholson 
read by Janis Gray
1 cassette
Biography of Helen Keller, who became blind and deaf at
nineteen months as a result of illness. Covers her birth in
1880 through her death in 1968. Describes her education
under her private teacher Anne Sullivan, her formal
schooling, and her career. Includes an introduction by Jerry
Lewis. For junior and senior high readers. 1996.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: Artist RC 46563
by Jennifer Fisher Bryant 
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
Presents biographical details and the artistic development
of the French painter and poster designer. Suffering from
broken legs as a teenager, Henri was forced to limit his
physical activities, but he continued to draw. As an adult,
he enjoyed the nighttime entertainments of Paris and often
used them as the subject of his painting. For junior and
senior high readers. 1995.
Horizontal Woman: The Story of a Body in Exile RC 44995
by Suzanne E. Berger 
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
In twenty-eight autobiographical essays, a young wife and
mother lyrically articulates her pain, frustration, and
depression upon suddenly finding herself disabled. A
lower-back injury forces her to live lying down for six
years. Her limited mobility causes her to reexamine her
relationships with family, friends, and everyday contacts.
Some strong language. 1996.
Like Color to the Blind RC 45872
by Donna Williams 
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes
This sequel to Somebody Somewhere (RC 38137) continues the
life story of an autistic woman as she becomes involved with
and marries a man who is similarly challenged. She recounts
their struggles to overcome their own emotional barriers, to
strengthen their mutual affection, and to establish a life
together. Strong language. 1996.
Listening with My Heart RC 45339
by Heather Whitestone 
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
The author tells of growing up deaf after a childhood
illness and dreaming first of being a dancer and then of
being a beauty pageant winner. Crowned Miss America in 1995,
Whitestone became the first victor with a disability. She
tells of her belief that she is following God's plan and
describes the five guiding principles that helped her find
success. 1997.
Living with Low Vision: A Resource Guide for People with
Sight Loss RC 46109
by Resources for Rehabilitation 
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Offers information on organizations and assistive devices to
help people remain independent despite vision loss. Defines
basic terms, discusses rehabilitation and other services,
and lists organizations and self-help groups for adults and
children. 1996.
Locked In: A Young Woman's Battle with Stroke RC 47035
by Judy Mozersky 
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
The author describes her experiences since 1990 when, as a
nineteen-year-old Cornell undergraduate she was "locked in"
by a stroke that left her unable to move or speak but able
to communicate by eye blinks. She and others detail her
progress from hospital care to a more stimulating
environment in her own apartment, where she continues her
studies. 1996.
Meeting the Needs of Employees with Disabilities RC 46081
by Resources for Rehabilitation 
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Information for people with disabilities and employers about
measures that can be taken to promote full employment.
Covers federal laws, environmental adaptations, and
technology to help in the workplace. Includes advice for
persons with speech, vision, and hearing impairments; the
elderly; and those with chronic medical conditions. 1993.
Planet of the Blind RC 45500
by Stephen Kuusisto 
read by Arnie Warren
1 cassette
Although legally blind since birth, Kuusisto passed as
sighted for more than thirty years. He describes his
refracted visual perceptions and how pretending to see
actually interfered with his participation in the sighted
world. Then, by using a white cane and, eventually, a guide
dog, he experienced new acceptance and mobility. Some
descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1998.
Ray Charles: Voice of Soul RC 46564
by David Ritz 
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
Biography of musical genius Ray Charles, who was left
sightless by glaucoma as a child. While a student at the
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, Charles learned
to read and write music in braille. Describes his personal
and professional struggles, including drug addiction, as
well as triumphs. For junior and senior high and older
readers. 1994.
Resources for Elders with Disabilities RC 46095
by Resources for Rehabilitation 
read by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
Information to help older people with physical disabilities
maintain their independence, and advice for their family
members and caregivers. Covers hearing and vision loss,
arthritis, strokes, Parkinson's disease, and osteoporosis.
Discusses relevant legislation and organizations. 1996.
Resources for People with Disabilities and Chronic
Conditions RC 46110
by Resources for Rehabilitation 
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Designed to help individuals with disabilities and members
of their families. Includes a list of national organizations
that promote independence, summarizes relevant laws, and
describes available services and products. Covers vision,
speech, and hearing loss; diabetes; spinal cord injury;
lower back pain; and epilepsy. 1996.
Staring Back: The Disability Experience from the Inside Out
RC 46555
edited by Kenny Fries 
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
3 cassettes
An anthology of varied writings by authors with
disabilities, about their experiences. In "How Much It
Hurts," a battle-wounded Vietnam veteran recounts the anger
and anguish that he dealt with upon his return home. Strong
language, violence, and descriptions of sex. 1997.
Still Me RC 46341
by Christopher Reeve 
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
Best known for his role as Superman, actor Reeve discusses
his life and career before and after the 1995 horseback
riding accident that left him paralyzed. Reeve has faith
that his injured spinal cord can eventually be repaired and
is active in raising funds for research. Some strong
language. Bestseller 1998.
Stuttering: A Life Bound Up in Words RC 45589
by Marty Jezer 
read by Randy Wieck
2 cassettes
A lifelong stutterer, Jezer describes the physical and
psychological obstacles he encounters in trying to
communicate verbally. Neither speech therapists nor
psychotherapists have been able to ease his stuttering, but
his gregarious nature helps him persevere even in difficult
situations, such as public speaking and business
transactions by telephone. 1997.
To Touch the Untouchable Dream RC 47132
edited by Kenneth Jernigan 
read by Bob Askey
1 cassette
Eight essays by blind people who express their self-
confidence in pursuing personal goals. A couple describe
their trip to a South African game park. A social worker
explains why she left a secure job for a riskier career as a
writer. And a magazine editor relates why baking bread has
been a longtime pleasure. 1998.
A Woman's Guide to Coping with Disability RC 45924
by Resources for Rehabilitation 
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
Information to help women maintain their independence, raise
a family, and continue in a career despite physical
challenges. Strategies for living with arthritis, diabetes,
lupus, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and
spinal cord injury. Includes a list of national
organizations that provide services for women. 1997.
Business and Economics
Beer Blast: The Inside Story of the Brewing Industry's
Bizarre Battles for Your Money RC 46586
by Philip Van Munching 
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Traces the evolution of America's beer industry, from a
distributed pattern of independent regional brewers to a
centralized model of a few producers of heavily marketed
national brands. Cites the 1970 Philip Morris buyout of
Miller Brewing Company as the defining event in the
industry's transformation. Some strong language. 1997.
Ben and Jerry's Double-Dip: Lead with Your Values and Make
Money, Too RC 46867
by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield 
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Cohen and Greenfield continue their story begun by Lager in
Ben and Jerry's, the Inside Scoop (RC 39204). The two
founders of the international ice cream company explain the
idea of a value-led business and discuss how the concept can
help the company as well as the community. An example is
their free cones to persons registering to vote. 1997.
Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World RC 45502
by Mark Kurlansky 
read by Miriam Wagner
2 cassettes
A history of "a 1,000-year fishing spree" that left the
Atlantic codfish on the brink of extinction. Traces the
development of the industry and its impact on civilization,
including the Viking voyages to the New World, international
conflicts over fishing grounds, the rise of the Atlantic
slave trade, and the decline of the British Empire. 1997.
Don't Let the IRS Destroy Your Small Business: Seventy-Six
Mistakes to Avoid RC 46703
by Michael Savage 
read by Andy Chappell
1 cassette
Discusses requirements in operating a small business in
relation to the Internal Revenue Service, including those
dealing with taxes, independent contractors, fringe
benefits, retirement, S corporations, and estate planning.
1998.
Illusions of Opportunity: The American Dream in Question RC
46241
by John E. Schwarz 
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Decries the shortage of "good jobs" that can support an
adequate quality of life for American workers and their
families. Argues that all workers deserve to earn a decent
living in a booming economy. Advocates government policies
for promoting economic opportunity. 1997.
Inside Intel: Andy Grove and the Rise of the World's Most
Powerful Chip Company RC 46465
by Tim Jackson 
read by John Rayburn
3 cassettes
Traces the rise of the world's leading maker of computer
chips. Intel produces more than 80 percent of the
microprocessors used by PCs. Portrays a secretive
organization that tightly controls its own staff and that
exercises ruthlessly aggressive practices to dominate its
industry. 1997.
It Was a Very Good Year: Extraordinary Moments in Stock
Market History RC 46728
by Martin S. Fridson 
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Examines the stock market's ten best-performing years in the
twentieth century. Identifies some common conditions that
prevailed during these bull years when total returns ranged
between 36 percent and 63 percent. Includes anecdotes and
biographical sketches. 1998.
My Vast Fortune: The Money Adventures of a Quixotic
Capitalist RC 45915
by Andrew Tobias 
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Memoir of a noted entrepreneur and investment expert on
achieving financial success. Recounts his personal crusades
to reform auto insurance and to abolish smoking. Recommends
specific "good spending and saving habits" for beginning
investors. 1997.
The New Rules of Money: Eighty-eight Strategies for
Financial Success Today RC 45955
by Ric Edelman 
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
Rules to help maximize financial assets in the economic
climate of the 1990s, discussing income, expense, and debt
management; college planning; home ownership; investment
strategies, and estate preparation. Advice for singles,
parents, retirees, senior citizens, and those who are in
debt. Bestseller 1998.
The Nine Steps to Financial Freedom RC 46126
by Suze Orman 
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Orman discusses the psychological and spiritual power of
money in our lives and defines financial freedom as having
power over one's anxieties about spending and debt. Her
nine-step program encourages self-examination; she also
presents rules of money management and explores the realm of
riches beyond material wealth. Bestseller 1997.
One Hundred One Home Office Success Secrets RC 45570
by Lisa Kanarek 
read by Patricia McDermott
1 cassette
A handbook of practical tips for the home-office
entrepreneur. Garnered from interviews with thirty
home-office professionals, the advice covers such areas as
marketing, office management, work habits, and personal
development. Uses illustrative anecdotes. 1994.
The Roaring 2000s: Building the Wealth and Lifestyle You
Desire in the Greatest Boom in History RC 47081
by Harry S. Dent 
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Projects economic and lifestyle trends for the 1998-2008
decade based on the impact of the Internet and related
technology. Dent details investment strategies to take
advantage of future stock market, business, career, and real
estate opportunities. Bestseller 1998.
Sailing on Friday: The Perilous Voyage of America's Merchant
Marine RC 46693
by John A. Butler 
read by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
Chronicles the development and decline of America's merchant
marine, formerly a powerful oceangoing fleet. Traces its
colonial origins, its domination of maritime commerce during
the nineteenth century, and the subsequent ebbing of its
fortunes. 1997.
A Short History of Financial Euphoria RC 46455
by John Kenneth Galbraith 
read by John Rayburn
1 cassette
In an essay originally written for the financial community,
Galbraith humorously discusses the major financial fiascoes
of the past three hundred years beginning with Tulipomania
in Holland in 1636. He warns that history repeats itself and
outlines the conditions necessary for another stock market
crash while cautioning that human nature will never change.
1990.
The Small Business Start-up Guide RC 45744
by Robert Sullivan 
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
A practical handbook for prospective small-business owners.
Guides the reader in assessing his or her entrepreneurial
abilities, picking the "right" business, planning,
marketing, hiring employees, using available technology, and
handling other management responsibilities. 1998.
The Synergy Myth and Other Ailments of Business Today RC
45223
by Harold Geneen 
read by Michael Consoli
2 cassettes
A former head of ITT Corporation expounds on the basics of
business success: hard work, fun, risk taking, honesty, and
persistence. Critiques trendy corporate fads such as
synergy, social responsibility, and the Internet. Offers
insights into the business environment of the 1990s. 1997.
Team Rodent: How Disney Devours the World RC 46845
by Carl Hiaasen 
read by Barry Bernson
1 cassette
Novelist and Florida columnist laments the overwhelming
presence of the Walt Disney Company, especially in his
state. Strong language. Bestseller 1998.
What Losing Taught Me about Winning: The Ultimate Guide for
Success in Small and Home-Based Businesses RC 46108
by Fran Tarkenton 
read by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
A former football star and accomplished entrepreneur offers
advice on how to succeed in small business. Discusses
attitudes, ideas, skills, methods, and resources that are
common to successful small-business owners. Uses case
studies to dramatize key points. 1997.
Working Solo: The Real Guide to Freedom and Financial
Success with Your Own Business RC 45387
by Terri Lonier 
read by Rick Rohan
3 cassettes
A longtime consultant gives tips for self-employed people.
Outlines the wide variety of possible solo businesses and
details the steps necessary to becoming a success, including
creating a personal and financial support structure, making
use of technology, and obtaining clients. 1994.
Working with Emotional Intelligence RC 47192
by Daniel Goleman 
read by Anne Flosnik
3 cassettes
The author applies the principles from Emotional
Intelligence (RC 41511) to the business world. Explains what
skills are needed to succeed in business besides I.Q.
Provides guidelines for employees on developing social
skills and specific emotional traits. 1998.
The World according to Peter Drucker RC 46725
by Jack Beatty 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
An intellectual profile of the management guru who has
published twenty-nine books during his sixty-year career.
Concentrates on the ideas and concepts that influenced
Drucker's philosophy and precepts as evidenced in his
writing. Provides more of a chronological review of his
books than biographical details. 1998.
Career and Job Training
Exploring Careers in Cyberspace RC 47162
by Michael Fulton 
read by John Rayburn
1 cassette
Describes types of jobs available such as programmers,
writers, producers, designers, and sales representatives.
Explains what skills are needed and how to obtain these
through education, internships, and experimenting. For
junior and senior high and older readers. 1998.
Great Careers for People Concerned about the Environment RC
46512
by Lesley Grant 
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Profiles careers in environmental protection and related
fields, including engineering, science, enforcement, law,
and health. Describes a typical day in the lives of workers
and the educational requirements of each profession. For
junior and senior high readers. 1993.
Great Careers for People Fascinated by Government and the
Law RC 46257
by Anne Marie Males 
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Discusses careers available in government and law, including
police officer, law librarian, forensic technician, and
foreign service officer. Describes day-to-day activities,
training needed, and related fields. Includes sample
application letters and interview tips. For junior and
senior high readers. 1996.
Great Careers for People Interested in Food RC 45579
by Helen Mason 
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Profiles ten careers in the food industry, including
restauranteur, food wholesaler, baker, chef, and milk
inspector. Describes a typical workday in each occupation
and offers advice on how to plan for and enter these lines
of work. For junior and senior high readers. 1996.
Great Careers for People Interested in Travel and Tourism RC
45566
by Donna Sharon and Jo Anne Sommers 
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Profiles ten careers in the field of travel and tourism,
including festival organizer, meeting and convention
planner, travel agent, guest services manager, and travel
writer. Describes a typical workday in each occupation and
offers advice on how to plan for and enter these lines of
work. For junior and senior high readers. 1996.
Great Careers for People Interested in Communications
Technology RC 46256
by Julie Czerneda and Victoria Vincent 
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Discusses careers available in the field of communication
including mapmaker, Internet marketer, systems analyst,
microwave dish installer, and teacher. Describes typical
workdays, duties involved, getting started in the field, and
writing a resum. For junior and senior high readers. 1996.
Great Careers for People Interested in the Past RC 45590
by Victoria Vincent 
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Profiles ten careers in fields that deal with the past,
including museum coordinator, petroleum geologist, comic
store manager, history professor, and antique dealer.
Describes a typical workday in each occupation and offers
advice on how to plan for and enter these lines of work. For
junior and senior high readers. 1996.
Great Careers for People Who Want to Be Entrepreneurs RC
46550
by Jim Lang 
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Profiles of individuals who have become successful
entrepreneurs include a hot air balloonist, a jewelry
designer, tree nursery owners, and a ceiling cleaning
franchiser. Suggested activities and tips on
entrepreneurship are included. For junior and senior high
readers. 1994.
The Teenager's Guide to the Real World RC 46205
by Marshall Brain 
read by Bob Moore
3 cassettes
The author encourages teens to find an enjoyable career. He
explains why peer pressure declines after high school
graduation. Combines motivational messages with no-nonsense
advice, such as "money really matters" and "adults rule the
world," and mentions basic "facts of life." For junior and
senior high readers. 1997.
Computers
Computers and Society RC 46620
edited by Paul A. Winters 
read by Michael Consoli
2 cassettes
Discusses issues that society in the 1990s faces due to the
prevalence of computers. Presents views on censorship,
access, privacy, and education. Includes a bibliography and
a list of organizations involved in technology. For junior
and senior high and older readers. 1997.
Digital Literacy RC 45205
by Paul Gilster 
read by Michael Consoli
2 cassettes
Examines the Internet as a unique form of popular media that
requires a different mind-set, mode of thinking, and set of
user skills. Presents techniques for evaluating Internet
content, along with strategies for exploiting its resources
to best advantage. 1997.
Exploring Careers in Cyberspace RC 47162
by Michael Fulton 
read by John Rayburn
1 cassette
Describes types of jobs available such as programmers,
writers, producers, designers, and sales representatives.
Explains what skills are needed and how to obtain these
through education, internships, and experimenting. For
junior and senior high and older readers. 1998.
The Future of the Internet RC 46540
edited by Charles P. Cozic 
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Essays expressing various perspectives on the Internet and
its implications for the future. Selections discuss the
Internet relative to education, commerce, privacy, and other
key areas. Views on the global network range from the
optimistic to the highly critical. For junior and senior
high and older readers. 1997.
The Information Superhighway RC 45390
by Martin and Kathlyn Gay 
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette
Provides an overview of the services of the Internet.
Introduces issues of government control, trade and business,
education, and privacy. Also discusses electronic mail,
listservs, and personal communication. Problems such as
piracy, copyright infringement, and obscenity on the
Internet are presented briefly. For junior and senior high
readers. 1996.
The Mother of All Windows 95 Books RC 44949
by Woody Leonhard and Barry Simon 
read by John Richardson
10 cassettes in 2 containers
A chatty, humorous reference manual for the Microsoft
Windows 95 program, offering "motherly" advice and tips on
setting up the software on your computer and making it
function correctly. Includes information on all the
components of Windows 95, ranging from the basics to the
complex technical and registry programs. 1996.
Release 2.0: A Design for Living in the Digital Age RC 45757
by Esther Dyson 
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
2 cassettes
Explores the richness and potential of the modern digital
environment and presents a framework for establishing
"rights and rules of cyberspace." Predicts that the Internet
will transform social institutions but will also continue to
stir debate about such thorny issues as privacy, security,
and free speech. 1997.
Search Engines for the World Wide Web RC 47003
by Alfred and Emily Glossbrenner 
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Offers step-by-step instructions and specific examples for
using World Wide Web search engines, including Excite,
HotBot, Infoseek, Lycos, and Yahoo! Also explains the use of
keywords and basic searching operators, and describes how to
search mailing lists and news groups and how to create
complex searches. 1998.
Virtual Reality: Computers Mimic the Physical World RC 47209
by Sean M. Grady 
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Examines the concept of virtual reality--its history and
implications for the future. Discusses virtual reality's
role, as well as its drawbacks, in business, medicine,
science, the military, and the entertainment industries.
Includes a glossary. For senior high and older readers.
1998.
Consumerism
Crime Victims' Guide to Justice RC 45931
by Mary L. Boland 
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
A self-help guide to enable crime victims to understand the
criminal justice system and exercise their legal rights.
Discusses investigative techniques, trial procedures, damage
recovery, plea bargains, and privacy issues. Includes
samples of legal forms, summaries of state laws concerning
victims' rights, and tips on legal research. 1997.
Die Broke: A Radical, Four-Part Financial Plan RC 45740
by Stephen M. Pollan and Mark Levine 
read by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
The authors offer a plan designed to restore personal
confidence, increase wealth, and allow people to have their
dream lifestyles. The rules are: quit today, pay cash, don't
retire, and die broke. Includes information on careers and
financial subjects, such as accountants, insurance, taxes,
and credit cards. Bestseller 1997.
Downsized but Not Defeated: The Family Guide to Living on
Less RC 45748
by Hope Stanley Quinn and Lyn Miller-Lachmann 
read by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
A survival manual for casualties of corporate downsizing or
other setbacks that cause financial hardship. Advises how to
take stock of one's situation and offers strategies for
saving money on food, housing, transportation, insurance,
education, and other essentials. 1997.
Making the Most of Your Money: Completely Revised and
Updated for the Twenty-first Century RC 44576
by Jane Bryant Quinn 
read by Kerry Cundiff
10 cassettes
An eight-step guide to planning your financial life. Covers
basic money management, investments suitable to your age and
circumstances, and acting as your own advisor. Discusses
insurance needs, home ownership, and preparing for college
and retirement. Includes appendixes of charts, tables, and
additional information. 1997.
The New Psychiatry: The Essential Guide to State-of-the-Art
Therapy, Medication, and Emotional Health RC 46190
by Jack M., M.D. Gorman 
read by Rick Rohan
3 cassettes
A consumer's guide to the principles, diagnostic techniques,
and therapeutic methods of modern psychiatric care. Offers
advice on when to see a psychiatrist, describes major
illnesses, and explains various courses of treatment. 1996.
The Wall Street Journal Lifetime Guide to Money: Everything
You Need to Know about Managing Your Finances--for Every
Stage of Life RC 44968
edited by C. Frederic Wiegold 
read by Peter McClymer
5 cassettes
A layperson's guide to planning personal finances. Explains
basic concepts of saving and investing, insurance, credit,
taxes, estate planning, and money management. Tells people
in various age groups and circumstances how to avoid
mistakes and to make the best of opportunities. 1997.
Cooking and Food
The Art of Cooking for the Diabetic RC 45565
by Mary Abbott Hess 
read by Patricia McDermott
4 cassettes
Revised edition containing information on diabetes and its
management, based on 1994 recommendations of the American
Diabetes Association. Includes advice on exercise, alcohol,
dining out, and eating while traveling; recipes for soups,
breads, meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, cheese, yogurt,
pastas, and desserts. 1996.
The Book of Jewish Food: An Odyssey from Samarkand to New
York RC 45859
by Claudia Roden 
read by Suzanne Toren
7 cassettes in 2 containers
More than eight hundred Ashkenazic and Sephardic recipes
from around the world along with an introductory section on
Jewish history, dietary laws, and religious observances.
1996.
Eat Right for Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution to
Staying Healthy, Living Longer, and Achieving Your Ideal
Weight RC 46076
by Peter J. D'Adamo 
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
A naturopathic physician recommends diet, exercise, and
lifestyle changes based on a person's blood type. Suggests
that foods consumed produce different chemical reactions in
individuals of the four major blood types, and that
scientists have confirmed a link between blood type and the
risk of certain diseases. Bestseller 1996.
Help! My Apartment Has a Kitchen Cookbook: One-Hundred-Plus
Great Recipes with Foolproof Instructions RC 45890
by Kevin Mills and Nancy Mills 
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
Mills says he ate out a lot as a college student, until he
drained his savings and was forced into the kitchen. In a
panic, he called Mom for help. She compiled these simple
recipes, with tips and warnings for preparing them. She
provided suggestions for basic staples--spices, canned
goods, and utensils--to have on hand. 1996.
Joy of Cooking RC 45254
by Irma S. Rombauer and others 
read by Kerry Cundiff
19 cassettes in 4 containers
Ethan Becker updates his grandmother's cookbook (first
published in 1931 and revised in 1953 by Becker's mother) to
reflect the cooking and health concerns of the 1990s. He
gives detailed descriptions of ingredients with nutritional
information. Becker has expanded the recipe collection and
emphasizes convenience and freshness. Bestseller 1997.
Ladyfingers and Nun's Tummies: A Lighthearted Look at How
Foods Got Their Names RC 45628
by Martha Barnette 
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
The author offers an explanation of how many of the foods we
eat came by their names. She describes the linguistic
mistakes that gave us "peas" and "cherries," how creations
at Delmonico's became known as lobster Newberg and chicken 
la king, and how the name "lasagna" is related to "chamber
pot." 1997.
Marilu Henner's Total Health Makeover: Ten Steps to Your
B.E.S.T.* Body (*Balance, Energy, Stamina, Toxin-Free) RC
46858
by Marilu Henner 
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Sitcom actress Henner describes the methods she uses to stay
slim and healthy. They include reducing red meat, caffeine,
tobacco, sugar, and dairy products; sweating twenty minutes
a day; and learning to like yourself. Bestseller 1998.
Protein Power RC 46907
by Michael R. Eades and Mary Dan Eades 
read by Barbara Pinolini
3 cassettes
Two physicians describe the high-protein, low-carbohydrate
nutrition program they designed and explain why they believe
it is much more effective for weight loss than low-fat
diets. Includes recipes and sample menus. Bestseller 1996.
Sugar Busters! Cut Sugar to Trim Fat RC 46504
edited by H. Leighton Steward and others 
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
A Fortune 500 CEO and three Louisiana doctors argue that
sugar--by causing the production of insulin--prevents weight
loss. They provide a diet plan to reduce sugar consumption
and recommend avoiding such foods as potatoes, white bread,
corn, and carrots. Includes recipes from New Orleans
restaurants. Bestseller 1998.
Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table RC 46069
by Ruth Reichl 
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Autobiography by a New York Times restaurant critic. Growing
up in New York City with a manic-depressive mother who
always caused food poisoning with her cooking, Reichl
guarded her favorite people from extreme distress at
parties. While judging her mother's mood by what was in the
refrigerator, she enjoyed learning about food at her
grandmother's house. Bestseller 1998.
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone RC 46071
by Deborah Madison 
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
8 cassettes in 2 containers
These fourteen hundred recipes, from simple to complex and
incorporating many different cultures and flavors, include
soups, salads, sandwiches, main courses, and desserts.
Madison also uses vegetables, grains, and dairy and soy
products in her dishes. Contains information on the purchase
and storage of vegetables. 1997.
The Welcome Table: African-American Heritage Cooking RC
45197
by Jessica B. Harris 
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Presents more than two hundred recipes along with historical
information about cookery from around the country. Besides
traditional ingredients, suggests healthy substitutes to
guard against hypertension. Also includes a glossary and a
list of favorite restaurants and mail-order sources. 1995.
Crime
After the Madness: A Judge's Own Prison Memoir RC 45228
by Sol Wachtler 
read by Ray Hagen
3 cassettes
A former chief judge in New York state chronicles his
fifteen-month incarceration in a federal prison for
harassment. He depicts the harsh realities of prison life,
describes the plights of several fellow prisoners, and
offers his views on the criminal justice system. 1997.
Bitter Harvest: A Woman's Fury, a Mother's Sacrifice RC
45728
by Ann Rule 
read by Carol Dines
3 cassettes
In 1995 the house of Kansas City physician Debora Green
burned, causing the deaths of two of her three children.
Signs of arson led to the arrest of Dr. Green, who was also
suspected of trying to poison her estranged husband. Some
strong language. Bestseller 1997.
The Death of Innocents RC 45751
by Richard Firstman and Jamie Talan 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
6 cassettes
One at a time, five siblings died in their New York state
home over the course of six years. The deaths were
considered accidental and attributed to sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS) until, twenty years later, a dogged district
attorney revisited the matter and convicted the mother of
murdering her children. Strong language. 1997.
High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Case against Bill Clinton
RC 47084
by Ann H. Coulter 
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
The author examines the term "high crimes and misdemeanors"
in the context of English common law and the intentions of
the framers of the U.S. Constitution. She discusses the
Monica Lewinsky affair, the White House Travel Office,
Whitewater, Vince Foster, and fundraising issues that she
contends call for impeachment of President Bill Clinton.
1998.
Love Me to Death RC 46750
by Linda Wolfe 
read by Pam Ward
2 cassettes
Crime writer Linda Wolfe began searching for a killer after
a female acquaintance was murdered in 1983. She learned that
a private detective suspected a charming Argentine, Ricardo
Caputo, and a decade later Caputo is found and charged in
the deaths of four other women. Wolfe still seeks answers to
her friend's unsolved murder. Some violence. 1998.
The Road to Hell: The True Story of George Jackson, Stephen
Bingham, and the San Quentin Massacre RC 46285
by Paul Liberatore 
read by L.J. Ganser
2 cassettes
Chronicles the bloody 1971 San Quentin prison riot led by
Black Panther radical George Jackson, who was armed with a
gun allegedly supplied by his lawyer, Stephen Bingham. After
thirteen years in hiding, Bingham emerged to be tried and
acquitted of murder. Strong language and violence. 1996.
A Stranger in the Family: A True Story of Murder, Madness,
and Unconditional Love RC 44994
by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith 
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
Details what happened when family man Danny Starrett was
arrested for kidnapping and rape. Explains why his parents
were shocked in spite of his odd behavior, and provides
entries from Starrett's journal that show how he hid the
mental illness that had plagued him since childhood. Strong
language, violence, and descriptions of sex. 1995.
To Protect and to Serve: The LAPD's Century of War in the
City of Dreams RC 45043
by Joe Domanick 
read by Bob Moore
4 cassettes
A critical depiction of the Los Angeles Police Department as
an arrogant and oppressive force that long served the
interests of the wealthy establishment. Traces the
department's history up to the Rodney King beating incident
and the riots of the early 1990s, which triggered reforms.
Strong language and violence. 1994.
Tough Jews RC 46505
by Rich Cohen 
read by Barry Bernson
2 cassettes
The author recalls childhood tales told by his father and
his father's friends (Sid Young, Asher Dann, and Larry King)
about Jewish involvement in organized crime. Using
interviews of survivors and their relatives, as well as
police reports and court documents, he recounts the
activities of such men as Meyer Lansky, Louis Lepke, and
Bugsy Siegel. Some strong language and some violence.
Bestseller 1998.
The Trials of Maria Barbella: The True Story of a
19th-Century Crime of Passion RC 45618
by Idanna Pucci 
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Recounts the celebrated case of Maria Barbella, a young
Italian immigrant woman who was convicted of murder and
sentenced to die in New York's electric chair in 1895. The
condemned woman's cause was taken up by an Italian-American
socialite, who won her a retrial that ended in Barbella's
acquittal. Violence. 1996.
Drama
Electra and Other Plays: Ajax, Electra, Women of Trachis,
Philoctetes RC 45519
by Sophocles 
read by George Holmes
2 cassettes
Fifth-century B.C. Greek plays. Ajax, angered when the armor
of Achilles is awarded to his rival, Odysseus, becomes mad
and commits suicide. Electra and her brother slay their
mother and her lover to avenge their father's murder.
Deianeira creates disaster preparing for the return of her
husband in Women of Trachis. Philoctetes, a victim of
cruelty, possesses the power to take Troy. 1953.
The Glass Menagerie RC 45893
by Tennessee Williams 
read by David Palmer
1 cassette (Reissue)
Drama written in 1945 about a southern family with
pretensions to gentility. Centers around the crippled
daughter, Laura, who lives in a dream world so full of
illusions that she becomes like the pieces in her own glass
collection--too fragile to move from the shelf. 1972.
The Knights, Peace, Wealth, The Birds, The Assembly Women RC
44927
by Aristophanes 
read by George Holmes
3 cassettes
This prolific Greek playwright produced comedies for a
period of about forty years during the late fifth and early
fourth centuries B.C. Aristophanes was apt to include
political comments in his comedies, for which he was
occasionally taken to court. In The Knights, for example, he
satirizes the corrupt leadership of Athens during the
Spartan War. 1978.
Plays: Intrigue and Love and Don Carlos RC 45781
by Friedrich Schiller 
read by Lewis Grenville
3 cassettes
Two late-eighteenth-century dramas by a German poet,
philosopher, and historian. Intrigue and Love is an early
work (1783) of class conflict and social protest. Don Carlos
(1787) is a tragedy reflecting the dramatist's love for a
married woman. In these dramas, Schiller voices his
opposition to tyranny and appeals for more idealistic goals
and humanitarian ways. 1787.
A Raisin in the Sun: A Drama in Three Acts RC 43547
by Lorraine Hansberry 
read by Michelle Shay
1 cassette (Reissue)
A middle-class black family in Chicago, torn by tensions and
discontent, suffer further when they receive a life
insurance settlement. No one can agree on what should be
done with the money. 1966.
The Rose Tattoo RC 46398
by Tennessee Williams 
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
This play relates with a touch of humor the story of a
Sicilian widow finding love in a Gulf Coast community.
Winner of the 1951 Tony Award for Best Play. 1950.
The Seagull: A Comedy in Four Acts RC 45266
by Anton Chekhov 
read by Alexander Scourby
1 cassette (Reissue)
A nineteenth-century play that is a study of frustration and
unfulfilled ambitions associated with the deterioration of a
class of Russian society. 1986.
The Sisters Rosensweig RC 45657
by Wendy Wasserstein 
read by Kimberly Schraf
1 cassette
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author sets this play about three
middle-aged Jewish sisters in London in August 1991. The
family is celebrating the fifty-fourth birthday of the
eldest, Sara. Each sister has a successful career and is
content with the life she leads. But Sara's plans to remain
single may be changed by a guest at the party. 1993.
Something Cloudy, Something Clear RC 46436
by Tennessee Williams 
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
Autobiographical play set in 1940 dealing with Tennessee
Williams's first love--a young Canadian draft dodger who was
dying of a brain tumor. Descriptions of sex and some strong
language. 1995.
A Streetcar Named Desire RC 46212
by Tennessee Williams 
read by Kimberly Schraf
1 cassette (Reissue)
In this play, a recently widowed, faded southern belle
visits her bohemian sister and lusty brother-in-law in the
French Quarter of New Orleans. Seeking the lost gentility of
her early life, she instead faces a mental breakdown because
of the insensitivity of those around her. 1947.
Suddenly Last Summer RC 46852
by Tennessee Williams 
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
1 cassette
Catharine Holly of New Orleans witnessed her cousin
Sebastian's brutal death and constantly recounts the details
of the event. Sebastian's mother, Mrs. Violet Venable, has
already had Catharine locked up in a mental institution, but
now she plans to take further steps to end Catharine's
babbling--a lobotomy. 1958.
Summer and Smoke RC 46399
by Tennessee Williams 
read by Annie Wauters
1 cassette
A play by the twentieth-century American dramatist, telling
of the unfulfilled love of a puritanical southern woman who
is a minister's daughter. 1948.
The Tragedy of Richard III RC 46488
by William Shakespeare 
read by John Horton
3 cassettes
New edition of this historical drama first published in
1594. Richard, duke of Gloucester, is a deceitful, deformed
villain who treacherously plots to gain the throne. Includes
explanatory notes and an interpretive essay. 1996.
The Would-Be Gentleman, That Scoundrel Scapin, The Miser,
Love's the Best Doctor, Don Juan RC 45522
by Molire 
read by John Horton
2 cassettes
Seventeenth-century plays by the father of French comedy.
The Would-Be Gentleman satirizes hypocrisy. The Miser is a
romantic comedy about an old man who interferes with the
marriage of his children. Don Juan is an adaptation of the
classic Spanish social satire. Two other plays are
interspersed between these three major works. 1953.
Education
Beyond the Classroom: Why School Reform Has Failed and What
Parents Need to Do RC 45321
by Laurence Steinberg 
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
An analysis of underachievement in American schools, based
on a study of 20,000 students from nine high schools over
ten years. Concludes that poor academic performance is due
primarily to factors outside the classroom: apathetic
parents, peer influences, and overemphasis on social
activities. Suggests remedies for reform. 1996.
College Planning for Dummies RC 46561
by Pat Ordovensky 
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
A guide to preparing for college. Topics include finding the
right institution, visiting the campus, being interviewed
for admission, paying tuition and other costs, and ten
common mistakes in planning for higher education. Chapters
stand alone or can be read in sequence. For junior and
senior high and older readers. 1997.
History on Trial: Culture Wars and the Teaching of the Past
RC 46262
by Gary B. Nash and others 
read by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
An overview of the National History Standards of 1994, which
resulted from a federally sponsored effort to improve
history teaching in American schools. Examines disagreements
over method and purpose; advocates multiculturalism and
empathy in interpreting the past. 1997.
The Reading Group Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to
Start Your Own Book Club RC 46688
by Rachel W. Jacobsohn 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
A comprehensive guide to starting a book club; suggestions
range from selecting books to serving refreshments. Lists
readings on related topics, sources of reviews and
criticism, and a glossary of literary terms. 1998.
Why Johnny Can't Tell Right from Wrong RC 44779
by William Kilpatrick 
read by Miriam Wagner
3 cassettes
A jeremiad on the passing of effective moral instruction in
schools. Laments the prevailing sense of "moral ambiguity"
in society and debunks relativistic approaches to teaching
morality. Calls for a return to traditional models in
history and literature for instilling good values. 1992.
Family
Fruitful: A Real Mother in the Modern World RC 44991
by Anne Roiphe 
read by Celeste Lawson
2 cassettes
Offers her personal experiences trying to blend the roles of
mother and feminist in 1960s and 1970s America. Expresses
her concern with women's continuing struggle to balance
career and family and her disappointment with the feminist
movement for deviating from its long-term goals. 1996.
Pregnant Fathers: Entering Parenthood Together RC 44304
by Jack Heinowitz 
read by Jeff Halberstadt
1 cassette
A guidebook for expectant fathers on their journey to
fatherhood. Urges men to go beyond the traditional role of
family protector and provider in an effort to achieve deeper
emotional relationships with their wives and children. 1995.
The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents: Guiding Your Children
to Success and Fulfillment RC 45670
by Deepak Chopra 
read by Peggy Gilleland
1 cassette
Provides parents with a framework of principles and
practical steps for teaching their children "the spiritual
dimension of success," which goes beyond material wealth and
worldly prestige. Avers that the human spirit is the source
of meaningful achievement, especially in a complex modern
world. 1997.
Taming the Dragon in Your Child: Solutions for Breaking the
Cycle of Family Anger RC 46074
by Meg Eastman 
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
A child psychologist suggests ways to deal with unacceptable
displays of anger by children--from toddlers to teenagers.
Presents steps to help resolve sibling rivalry, temper
tantrums, and destructive behavior. Also includes advice on
when to seek professional help. 1994.
Working Fathers: New Strategies for Balancing Work and
Family RC 45888
by James A. Levine and Todd L. Pittinsky 
read by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
Levine and Pittinsky cite research on the role fathers play
in family life. Arguing that "good dads make good workers,"
they suggest ways that male employees and their corporate
employers can enhance men's personal lives while increasing
workplace productivity. Some examples are paternity leave
and flextime. 1997.
General
500 Terrific Ideas for Cleaning Everything RC 46612
by Don Aslett 
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
A guide to efficient housekeeping and to cleaning everything
in the home. Gives advice on avoiding clutter, cleaning
techniques, emergency stain removal, and more. 1991.
The Genealogist's Companion and Sourcebook RC 44198
by Emily Anne Croom 
read by John Richardson
4 cassettes
In this companion to Unpuzzling Your Past (RC 44197), Croom
focuses on American genealogical research material beyond
immediate family resources. She focuses on records of state
and federal censuses, courthouses, libraries, immigration
records, and state and national archives. 1994.
How Do Astronauts Scratch an Itch? An Imponderables Book RC
46618
by David Feldman 
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Collection of questions and answers exploring "the mysteries
of everyday life." Experts in wide-ranging fields comment on
topics such as why lizards don't sunburn, why onions make
you cry, why potato chips are curved, and the purpose of the
small buttons atop baseball caps. For junior and senior high
readers. 1996.
Irons in the Fire RC 45625
by John McPhee 
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Seven essays on subjects as diverse as cattle rustling,
forensic geology, and the world's largest pile of scrap
tires. The title story describes the active and dangerous
life of a Nevada cattle-brand inspector as he tracks down
rustlers and brings them to justice. 1997.
Questioning the Millennium: A Rationalist's Guide to a
Precisely Arbitrary Countdown RC 46057
by Stephen Jay Gould 
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Examines a range of astronomical, historical, and
calendrical factors that bear on the meaning and
significance of the millenium. Observes that the round
evenness of the number 2000 is the result of our arbitrary
system of decimal mathematics rather than any fact of
nature. 1997.
Where Did Christmas Come From? RC 44006
by Al Remson 
read by June Carter
1 cassette
Remson looks at various Christmas traditions such as trees,
yule logs, hanging stockings, caroling, Christmas dinners,
and gift giving, and explains how they began. 1996.
The Words We Live By: The Creeds, Mottoes, and Pledges That
Have Shaped America RC 45195
by Brian Burrell 
read by Rick Rohan
3 cassettes
In this anthology of major texts that have influenced life
in the United States, the author compiles works ranging from
the Golden Rule to the Mafia initiation oath. What began as
a family hobby evolved into this collection of essays
revolving around popular sayings. 1997.
Government and Politics
Archibald Cox: Conscience of a Nation RC 45750
by Ken Gormley 
read by John Richardson
5 cassettes
A portrait of the Watergate special prosecutor, who in 1973
was fired from that post by President Richard Nixon--an
action that incited the infamous Saturday Night Massacre and
doomed the Nixon administration. Traces Cox's New England
youth, his Harvard years, and his remarkable careers in law
and public service. 1997.
Europe Adrift RC 46411
by John Newhouse 
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
A political and diplomatic portrait of Europe in the
post-cold war period. Depicts a continent of weak
governments that lack cohesion and collective direction.
Advocates continued efforts to achieve regional unification
and to strengthen ties with the United States. 1997.
The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy and Its Geostrategic
Imperatives RC 46080
by Zbigniew Brzezinski 
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
A geopolitical perspective on the post-Cold War world, over
which America reigns as "the first truly global power."
Argues that the stability of Eurasia is critical to the
continued primacy of the United States and that America's
strategy should be to deter "international anarchy" there.
1997.
The Haunted Land: Facing Europe's Ghosts after Communism RC
45311
by Tina Rosenberg 
read by Gabriella Cavallero
4 cassettes
A survey of issues faced by new democracies of Eastern
Europe as they address the impact of crime under communist
rule. The author discusses such incidents as an East German
border guard's shooting of Berlin Wall escapees, a Czech
dissident's apparent collaboration with the Soviets, and
General Jaruzelski's use of martial law in Poland in 1981.
National Book Award. 1995.
I Write What I Like: A Selection of His Writings RC 46277
by Steve Biko 
read by Peter Jay Fernandez
2 cassettes
Essays and writings from the period 1969 through 1972 by the
South African considered the father of the Black
Consciousness Movement. Biko discusses racism, religion, and
African culture, as well as what his movement stands for.
1996.
Show Time: The American Political Circus and the Race for
the White House RC 46405
by Roger Simon 
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
A journalist demonstrates the importance of image and
stagecraft in political campaigns. Contrasts the strategies,
speeches, and media techniques used by candidates Clinton
and Dole in the 1996 presidential race to project a desired
facade. Avers that successful politicians must also be
entertainers. Strong language. 1998.
Showdown: The Struggle between the Gingrich Congress and the
Clinton White House RC 44639
by Elizabeth Drew 
read by Barbara Rappaport
4 cassettes
This sequel to On the Edge (RC 40208) chronicles the
confrontations between President Bill Clinton and the new
Republican Congress during 1995. The Washington commentator
presents an insider's view on major issues, as well as the
strategies, conflicts, and events that played out around
them. 1996.
Star-Spangled Men: America's Ten Worst Presidents RC 46576
by Nathan Miller 
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Biographical profiles of American presidents the author
judges to be the ten worst in the nation's history.
Candidates were evaluated on the basis of their personal
qualities and the extent to which they damaged the nation.
Includes Richard Nixon for his moral lapses and Jimmy Carter
for lacking purpose and direction. 1998.
This Side of Peace: A Personal Account RC 45523
by Hanan Ashrawi 
read by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
A Christian Palestinian woman born in 1946, shortly before
the establishment of modern Israel, writes about her
political activism and personal life. She describes her
intimate involvement in Palestinian politics and portrays
the difficulties of Middle East negotiations. 1995.
Twenty-Four Years of House Work--and the Place Is Still a
Mess: My Life in Politics RC 46726
by Pat Schroeder 
read by Pam Ward
2 cassettes
The congresswoman from Colorado, who was first elected to
the House of Representatives in 1972, reminisces about her
personal life as well as the political and social issues in
which she was involved. She concludes with advice to all
Americans: work toward better government. 1998.
The War against Authority: From the Crisis of Legitimacy to
a New Social Contract RC 45923
by Nicholas N. Kittrie 
read by John Richardson
3 cassettes
A scholarly inquiry into the relationship between domestic
disorder and the erosion of governmental power. Explores the
inherent tensions between state authority and personal
autonomy, using historical examples. Offers remedies for
restoring legitimacy to government in the post-Cold War
world. 1995.
Humor
Brain Droppings RC 44750
by George Carlin 
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
A veteran comic offers zany observations and opinions on
various aspects of life. Carlin cites oxymorons (mandatory
options), redundancies (added bonus), and euphemisms (body
bags equal remains pouches). He also relays his views of
pretentiousness in twentieth-century society. Strong
language. Bestseller 1997.
Creme de la Femme: A Collection of the Best Contemporary
Women Writers, Lyricists, Playwrights, and Cartoonists RC
46849
compiled by Anne Safran Dalin 
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
Humorous essays, poems, and cartoons by women arranged by
themes such as men, family, rights, and politics. Some
strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1997.
Dave Barry in Cyberspace RC 45770
by Dave Barry 
read by Gregory Gorton
1 cassette
Syndicated humor columnist Dave Barry writes about the joys
and frustrations of owning and operating a personal
computer. Travel with Barry to the world of Windows and the
World Wide Web, including a chapter on "Becoming Computer
Literate; or, Words for Nerds." 1996.
Dave Barry Is from Mars and Venus RC 46943
by Dave Barry 
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
Humorous essays from the award-winning columnist. Includes
Barry's views on laser tag, cigars, opera, and everyday
occurrences. 1997.
Municipal Bondage RC 44582
by Henry Alford 
read by Arnie Warren
1 cassette
A humor writer's "comic investigations" of urban life that
involve a series of bizarre capers, such as chauffeuring a
state governor during a political convention, hiring nude
housecleaners to see whether they do windows, and attempting
to pass a dog-grooming test using an uncooperative canine.
Strong language. 1993.
101 Classic Jewish Jokes: Jewish Humor from Groucho Marx to
Jerry Seinfeld RC 46681
by Robert Menchin 
read by Ray Hagen
1 cassette
An explanation of the origins of Jewish humor followed by
sample jokes. Includes some common Yiddish terms and birth
names of famous Jewish comedians. 1998.
The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family RC
45258
by Matt Groening 
read by Erik Sandvold
5 cassettes
Guide to the humorous animated television show The Simpsons.
Includes synopses of seven years of weekly episodes,
character descriptions, sample dialogs, and show highlights.
Bestseller. 1997.
A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again: Essays and
Arguments RC 45588
by David Foster Wallace 
read by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
Seven wry essays set forth incisive observations on popular
aspects of American society. The title piece chronicles a
one-week luxury cruise in the Caribbean, detailing the
sights and sensations of the experience with candid and
caustic insight. Strong language. 1997.
Balm in Gilead: A Baptist Minister's Personal Journey
through Drug Addiction RC 45192
by Don Jeffries 
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Chronicles the descent of a gifted Baptist minister into the
abyss of substance addiction to become "a homeless and
almost helpless derelict." After losing his family, friends,
and job, he turned to prayer, recovered, and went on to head
a rehabilitation center. 1992.
Inspiration
Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul: 101 Stories to Open the
Heart and Rekindle the Spirit RC 45709
edited by Jack Canfield and others 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Collection of 101 inspirational stories selected from 7,000
submissions. Intended to increase awareness of Christian
values at home, at work, and in the community. Contributors
include ordinary citizens from all walks of life as well as
Dick Van Dyke and Norman Vincent Peale. Bestseller 1997.
Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work: 101 Stories of Courage,
Compassion, and Creativity in the Workplace RC 45472
edited by Jack Canfield and others 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
A collection of poignant and inspiring anecdotes about
caring, commitment, and creativity in corporate America. In
an era of downsizing and unstable employment, these stories
provide a spiritual counterpoint to the sometimes harsh
realities of the work world. 1996.
The Great House of God: A Home for Your Heart RC 46460
by Max Lucado 
read by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
A meditation on the Lord's Prayer, using its words as a
model for living and a "floor plan to our spiritual house."
Using this metaphor, the author uses each room to present a
spiritual lesson for understanding and following God's
teachings. 1997.
If Life Is a Game, These Are the Rules: Ten Rules for Being
Human, as Introduced in Chicken Soup for the Soul RC 47127
by Chrie Carter-Scott 
read by Pam Ward
1 cassette
The author expands on rules originally introduced in 1974
and designed to serve as a "basic spiritual primer for what
it means to be human." She explains that life presents
lessons, that the lessons are repeated until learned, that
others are only mirrors of ourselves, and that all answers
lie within the individual. Bestseller 1998.
Joey: The True Story of One Boy's Relationship with God RC
46079
by Joseph F. Girzone 
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
The story of a young man's life and his intimate communion
with God. Traces his joyful and promising childhood, his
mastery of music, his first love, his trials in adolescence,
his spiritual awakening, and his untimely death. 1997.
Our Sacred Honor: Words of Advice from the Founders in
Stories, Letters, Poems, and Speeches RC 46472
edited by William J. Bennett 
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Selected historic writings reflecting the "founders' vision
of the virtues that they believed necessary for sustaining
the American experiment." Presents the words of George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams, and others on
such themes as justice, patriotism, love, and piety. 1997.
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's
Greatest Lesson RC 44849
by Mitch Albom 
read by Ray Hagen
1 cassette
Some twenty years after college, Mitch Albom rekindles his
relationship with a former professor who is terminally ill.
His weekly visits with his dying mentor become a colloquium
on the meaning of life, and Albom gains insight into "love,
work, community, family, aging, forgiveness, and, finally,
death." Bestseller 1997.
Upholding Mystery: An Anthology of Contemporary Christian
Poetry RC 44753
edited by David Impastato 
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Extensive collection of poetry featuring the work of fifteen
poets, such as Annie Dillard and Daniel Berrigan. Poems are
divided into the following sections: The Cross,
Transformation, Death, Injustice, Presence, God's Body,
Fools, Wayfarers, Love, The Dark, Grace, Praise, The
Mystical Body, Sacrament, The Leap, and Holy. 1997.
Wise Women: Over Two Thousand Years of Spiritual Writing by
Women RC 45412
edited by Susan Cahill 
read by Nanette Savard
3 cassettes
This anthology presents spiritual, but not necessarily
religious, writings of women from ancient to modern times.
Each entry includes a biographical sketch of the author and
the time in which she lived. Among the selections are works
by Joan of Arc, Anne Bradstreet, Emily Dickinson, and
Eleanor Roosevelt. 1996.
Words I Wish I Wrote: A Collection of Writing That Inspired
My Ideas RC 46474
by Robert Fulghum 
read by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
A popular author pays tribute to the writers whose works
inspired his life and influenced the formation of his
personal philosophy. Quotes seminal writings on such themes
as individual choice, journeys, recreation, simplicity, and
religious belief. 1997.
Journalism and the Media
All Over but the Shoutin' RC 46142
by Rick Bragg 
read by Bob Askey
3 cassettes
Autobiography of a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times
journalist. Bragg recalls how he managed to become a human
interest reporter, first in Florida and later in New York.
He and his two brothers were reared in poverty in rural
Alabama by their mother, Margaret, after their alcoholic
father left them. 1997.
Death of a Princess: The Investigation RC 45846
by Thomas Sancton and Scott MacLeod 
read by Frank Coffee
3 cassettes
Two Paris-based Time magazine staffers report on the
automobile accident that led to Princess Diana's death on
August 31, 1997. They include possible reasons for the crash
as well as delve into the lives of the personalities
involved. Bestseller 1998.
Foreign Correspondence: A Pen Pal's Journey from Down Under
to All Over RC 46642
by Geraldine Brooks 
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes
Memoir of an Australian journalist discusses how her
childhood pen pals from the USA, France, and Israel
influenced her career choice. Rediscovering their letters
twenty years later, she tracks down their whereabouts and
reflects on the changes in their circumstances. 1998.
The Great American Broadcast: A Celebration of Radio's
Golden Age RC 46002
by Leonard Maltin 
read by Ray Hagen
3 cassettes
An account of radio's early years from 1920 to the 1950s.
Draws upon interviews with radio show writers, directors,
actors, and announcers to present an "anecdotal history" of
the dominant form of home entertainment during that era.
1997.
Happy Days: My Mother, My Father, My Sister, and Me RC 44645
by Shana Alexander 
read by Barbara Rappaport
3 cassettes
Autobiography of journalist and biographer. Alexander was
born to Milton and Cecilia Ager, famed Tin Pan Alley
composer and Variety critic, respectively. Despite the
celebrity lifestyle, Alexander and her sister, Laurel,
endured a profoundly unhappy childhood and an especially
chilly life with their parents. Alexander explores the
nature of their relationship. 1995.
Made Possible By: The Death of Public Broadcasting in the
United States RC 46732
by James Ledbetter 
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
A critical overview of American public television. Traces
the development of the medium since 1967, describing its
evolving mission and programming, as well as the political
challenges and commercial influences that have affected the
public broadcasting industry. 1997.
Marshall McLuhan: Escape into Understanding RC 46378
by W. Terrence Gordon 
read by Robert Sams
4 cassettes
A portrait of the controversial media philosopher who
originated the dictum, "the medium is the message." Explores
McLuhan's ideas and their implications in the electronic
age. Traces his childhood, his conversion to Catholicism,
and his academic career. 1997.
Speaking Freely: A Memoir RC 45983
by Nat Hentoff 
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
A noted civil libertarian portrays highlights of his
forty-year career in journalism. Recounts experiences and
insights that helped to form his passionate views on free
speech, civil rights, abortion, and other controversial
issues. 1997.
Spin Cycle: Inside the Clinton Propaganda Machine RC 46183
by Howard Kurtz 
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
A Washington Post reporter explains the strategies and
techniques employed by the Clinton White House to neutralize
the media in the midst of scandals. Gives insights into the
use of stagecraft, stonewalling, controlled leaks, and other
methods of managing the news. Strong language. Bestseller
1998.
Language and Linguistics
Adventures of a Verbivore RC 44990
by Richard Lederer 
read by Phil Regensdorf
2 cassettes
The author of Anguished English (RC 33613) continues his
explorations of the English language using word games and
puns. Included are examples of Yiddish, black English, and
British uses in what purports to be the same language. 1994.
The Disheveled Dictionary: A Curious Caper through Our
Sumptuous Lexicon RC 46298
by Karen Elizabeth Gordon 
read by Suzanne Toren
1 cassette
An alphabetical list of the author's favorite words, which
she includes for their rhythm and rich sound. Some entries
are well-known words while others are obscure. 1997.
The Joys of Yiddish RC 46283
by Leo Rosten 
read by Robert Blumenfeld
4 cassettes
Rather than presenting just a dictionary of Yiddish words,
Rosten illustrates each one with stories from the Talmud,
the Bible, folklore, and everyday usage. He describes
"shmooz" (rhymes with "lose") as heart-to-heart everyday
chitchat and "oy" as an entire vocabulary depending on how
it is sighed, cried, or moaned. 1968.
Watching My Language: Adventures in the Word Trade RC 45911
by William Safire 
read by Barry Bernson
3 cassettes
A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist meditates on some of the
newer words, phrases, euphemisms, colloquialisms, and other
additions to modern language. Delves into the origin,
meaning, and usage of such expressions as "get it?,"
"politically correct," and "...not." 1997.
Legal Issues
Benchmarks: Great Constitutional Controversies in the
Supreme Court RC 45610
edited by Terry Eastland 
read by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
Scholarly essays concerning the ways Supreme Court justices
interpret the U.S. Constitution. Selections analyze the
power of judicial review of federal and state government
decisions and discuss well-known cases in American
constitutional law. 1995.
Cornered: Big Tobacco at the Bar of Justice RC 46369
by Peter Pringle 
read by Michael Consoli
3 cassettes
Chronicles events that led to the historic $368 billion
liability settlement by the tobacco industry in 1997.
Recounts the mobilization of antitobacco activists, trial
lawyers, and thirty-nine states to form a force that
assailed Big Tobacco and won. Some strong language. 1998.
Crime Victims' Guide to Justice RC 45931
by Mary L. Boland 
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
A self-help guide to enable crime victims to understand the
criminal justice system and exercise their legal rights.
Discusses investigative techniques, trial procedures, damage
recovery, plea bargains, and privacy issues. Includes
samples of legal forms, summaries of state laws concerning
victims' rights, and tips on legal research. 1997.
The Mad, the Bad, and the Innocent: The Criminal Mind on
Trial RC 46470
by Barbara R. Kirwin 
read by Mary Woods
2 cassettes
A forensic psychologist explains how she differentiates
between mentally insane and basically evil criminials.
Giving an overview of the law concerning the insanity
defense, Kirwin disputes current "designer defenses" and
gives recommendations for the legal system. Uses examples of
cases of notorious criminals. Some violence and strong
language. 1997.
Official Negligence: How Rodney King and the Riots Changed
Los Angeles and the LAPD RC 45697
by Lou Cannon 
read by John Rayburn
6 cassettes
Veteran political reporter Lou Cannon dissects the Rodney
King trial and its aftermath of riots. He concludes that the
style of government in Southern California led to many of
the problems, first within the police department and then
within the judicial system. Cannon also explores the various
myths he feels were perpetuated by the media. Bestseller
1997.
The World of Benjamin Cardozo: Personal Values and the
Judicial Process RC 45916
by Richard Polenberg 
read by John Richardson
3 cassettes
Portrait of an eminent Supreme Court justice, whose rulings
on a range of issues affected the course of American law.
Traces his early life experiences, including his father's
forced resignation from the New York Supreme Court; his own
judicial service in that state; and his term on the nation's
highest court. 1997.
Literature
African-American Voices RC 44756
edited by Michele Stepto 
read by Chuck Young
1 cassette
Excerpts from the works of Langston Hughes, Frederick
Douglass, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others selected to
illustrate the heritage and tradition of African American
literature. For high school and older readers. 1995.
The Best American Essays 1997 RC 46100
edited by Ian Frazier 
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Twenty-four essays from a wide range of publications. Many
of the essays center around the theme of family and
relationships with parents. Includes Gay Talese's journey
with Muhammad Ali to Cuba, Cynthia Ozick's remembrances of
her family's drugstore in the Bronx, and Lukie Chapman
Reilly's fear of her alcoholic father. Some strong language
and some violence. 1997.
The Blue Caterpillar and Other Essays RC 45758
by Sam Pickering 
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
In these eleven essays, the author sifts through an
accumulation of daily events, selecting insights and
anecdotes about various seasons, places, and people. Long
walks provide fodder for his writing, and he finds meaning
in the examination of all that he encounters. 1997.
Burning the Days: Recollection RC 45621
by James Salter 
read by Lewis Grenville
3 cassettes
A New York writer savors his recollections of things most
important to him: flying, beautiful women, France, and
writing. Salter's first career, in the military, began at
West Point in 1942. His experiences as an Air Force pilot in
the Korean War would later become the subject of his novels
when he began his writing career in 1956. 1997.
Byron: The Flawed Angel RC 45544
by Phyllis Grosskurth 
read by George Holmes
5 cassettes
A portrait of the celebrated nineteenth-century poet who had
a major influence on the Romantic movement. Depicts Lord
Byron's troubled youth, his unexpected entry into the realm
of English peerage at age ten, his extensive travels, his
libertine lifestyle, and his final years in exile. 1997.
Damned to Fame: The Life of Samuel Beckett RC 44278
by James Knowlson 
read by Laura Giannarelli
8 cassettes
An authorized biography of the Nobel Prize-winning Irish
playwright. Traces his childhood in Dublin, his service with
the French Resistance in World War II, and the staging of
his initial literary success, Waiting for Godot (RC 14653),
in 1953. Describes his years spent writing and directing his
plays, and his late-life marriage. 1996.
Doing Battle: The Making of a Skeptic RC 44787
by Paul Fussell 
read by Dick Jenkins
2 cassettes
Memoirs of a literary scholar describing his experience as a
young soldier in World War II. Fussell expounds on the
everlasting impact the war had on his psyche and delivers
excoriating commentary on many subjects. Some violence and
some strong language. 1996.
F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Life in Letters RC 44279
by F. Scott Fitzgerald 
read by Ted Stoddard
4 cassettes
Collection of Fitzgerald's correspondence portraying his
life and work. The chronological arrangement of letters
reflects his literary development through the years, his
friendships with Hemingway and other writers, and his tragic
marriage and personal life. 1994.
Forbidden Knowledge: From Prometheus to Pornography RC 45294
by Roger Shattuck 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
An inquiry into "dangerous knowledge"--scientific and
literary--in Western civilization, along with ethical
questions that are raised. Examines "forbidden" sources that
range from folklore and myth to the writings of Marquis de
Sade. Considers human conscience related to research such as
the development of the atomic bomb. Strong language,
violence, and descriptions of sex. 1996.
" G" Is for Grafton: The World of Kinsey Millhone RC 46261
by Natalie Hevener Kaufman and Carol McGinnis Kay 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Two professors present a "biography" of Kinsey Millhone, the
fictional private detective of Sue Grafton's popular
alphabetical mystery series. Millhone was first introduced
in A Is for Alibi (RC 35069). The authors compiled this work
using the collection and Grafton's working journals. Some
strong language and some violence. 1997.
God and the American Writer RC 45741
by Alfred Kazin 
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Explores the theme of spirituality in American literature.
Examines the expression of this theme in various works by
Hawthorne, Melville, Whitman, Faulkner, and other authors.
Evaluates "the imagination [each] brings to his tale of
religion in human affairs." 1997.
Immortelles: Memoir of a Will-o'-the-Wisp RC 45478
by Mireille Marokvia 
read by Jill Ferris
1 cassette
A French writer in her eighties reminisces about her
childhood and her favorite relatives. Remembrance gives
ancestral ghosts immortality, she suggests, like the
long-lasting flowers--the immortelles--that lined her
grandmother's walk. 1996.
Inventing Mark Twain: The Lives of Samuel Langhorne Clemens
RC 44715
by Andrew Hoffman 
read by Robert Sams
5 cassettes
Life of the beloved American writer and humorist who died in
1910 at the age of seventy-four. Hoffman explores the
persona of Clemens's alter ego Mark Twain, an idealized
public image used not only as a vehicle for self-promotion
but also to rewrite a painful past. Some strong language.
1997.
Jack London: A Life RC 46510
by Alex Kershaw 
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
A portrait of the legendary author whose extraordinary life
was as adventurous as his stories. Traces his deprived
childhood, his years at rugged maritime labor, his bold
expeditions, and his literary renown, which he regarded as
phony and unsatisfying. 1997.
Jane Austen: A Life RC 46312
by Claire Tomalin 
read by Barbara Caruso
3 cassettes
Explores the life and times of the author Jane Austen and
her close clan in Georgian England. Lacking in money and
land, the Austens lived on the edge of upper middle class
society as portrayed in Austen's fiction. Tomalin uses
family papers and local archives to support this depiction.
1997.
John Ciardi: A Biography RC 46697
by Edward M. Cifelli 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
4 cassettes
Portrait of a distinguished poet and man of letters, whose
English translation of Dante's Divine Comedy (RC 30589) is
generally regarded as exemplary. Traces his Boston
childhood, his World War II service as a B-29 gunner, his
teaching years at Rutgers and Harvard, and his renowned
writing career. 1997.
The Joy of Books: Confessions of a Lifelong Reader RC 42728
by Eric Burns 
read by John Lescault
2 cassettes
The "passivity of the moviegoer or the blind docility of the
television addict" are not for Burns. He has been a reader
of books. Burns looks at the history of books from their
inception; discusses their power to educate and entertain;
describes a book burning; and delves into the motivation of
some writers. He concludes with a list of 572 books that
have given him joy over the years. 1995.
Kafka, Love and Courage: The Life of Milena Jesensk RC
45650
by Mary Hockaday 
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Explores the life of Franz Kafka's translator and love
interest. In the 1920s, Jesensk, a Czech, lived with her
husband in Vienna. She wrote to Kafka and began to translate
his stories from German into Czech. Their letters led to an
emotional and intellectual intimacy. Jesensk outlived Kafka
by some twenty years to see the rise of Nazism. 1995.
Kora and Ka: With Mira-Mare RC 45439
by Hilda Doolittle 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Two experimental pieces written in 1930 by the imagist poet
"H.D." set in Monte Carlo. In the first, Kora is John
Helforth's companion while he recovers from a nervous
breakdown. His Ka, from the Egyptian concept of shadow-soul,
also accompanies them. In "Mira-Mare," Alex explores the
beach setting. The eleven-page introduction by Robert Spoo
provides literary commentary. 1996.
Latino Voices RC 46930
edited by Frances R. Aparicio 
read by Peter Gil
1 cassette
Hispanic Americans express their feelings about home,
family, religion, work, and their identity in poems, short
biographical pieces, and selections from novels. For junior
and senior high readers. 1994.
Life in a Day RC 45722
by Doris Grumbach 
read by Barbara Rappaport
1 cassette
An author chronicles her thoughts and activities on an
ordinary day at home on the Maine coast. She ruminates on
her youth and past travels and on good books as she battles
the writer's tendency to procrastinate. A scathing review of
her new novel brings her to acknowledge the pain of
rejection. 1996.
The Love Affair as a Work of Art RC 45282
by Dan Hofstadter 
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Hofstadter has selected French authors' correspondence from
1796 to 1834 and from 1887 to 1915 to examine their
professions of love as a literary art form unique to the
epoch. The writers include Madame de Stal, Chateaubriand,
George Sand, Alfred de Musset, Anatole France, Marcel
Proust, and others. 1996.
The Man behind the Book: Literary Profiles RC 45057
by Louis Auchincloss 
read by Jeremy Gage
2 cassettes
A consideration of twenty-three authors who have meant a
great deal to Auchincloss as a reader and as a novelist. He
writes about Henry James, Amy Lowell, and Maxwell Anderson,
among others, and examines reasons why some of these authors
have lost the popularity they enjoyed in their lifetimes.
1996.
Raymond Chandler: A Biography RC 45573
by Tom Hiney 
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
In this biography Hiney depicts Chandler as a man very
different from the suave hero of his Philip Marlowe
detective stories, many of which became movies. A devoted
husband to a woman eighteen years his senior, Chandler did
not become a womanizer until after her death. His bouts with
alcoholism were a recurring problem but did not interfere
with his writing. 1997.
Required Reading: Why Our American Classics Matter Now RC
45409
by Andrew Delbanco 
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Collection of literary essays celebrating eleven American
writers from the Civil War to the pre-World War II era:
Herman Melville, Henry David Thoreau, Harriet Beecher Stowe,
Abraham Lincoln, Henry Adams, Stephen Crane, Kate Chopin,
Theodore Dreiser, Edith Wharton, Richard Wright, and Zora
Neale Hurston. Urges renewed appreciation of their literary
merit. 1997.
Simenon: A Biography RC 45836
by Pierre Assouline 
read by Lewis Grenville
4 cassettes
Recounts the life of prolific French author Georges Simenon,
best known in English for his Inspector Maigret mystery
series, though he wrote pulp fiction under seventeen
pseudonyms. Discusses his affair with Josephine Baker and
describes him as a world traveler and bon vivant and as
completely egocentric. 1992.
Voice Lessons: On Becoming a (Woman) Writer RC 46539
by Nancy Mairs 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette
Eight autobiographical essays on Mairs's "finding" her voice
as a female author. Reflects on the ways other writers--both
men and women--have influenced her, especially Virginia
Woolf. In spite of physical illness and career problems,
Mairs confirms her sense of fulfillment through the act of
writing. 1994.
Walking in the Shade: Volume Two of My Autobiography,
1949-1962 RC 45834
by Doris Lessing 
read by Lisette Lecat
4 cassettes
Lessing starts this memoir with her arrival in London
accompanied by her young son and a book manuscript. Although
she includes details about being a single mother with a
career, she emphasizes the intellectual climate of the 1950s
when she joined the Communist Party. Sequel to Under My Skin
(RC 41062). 1997.
Wallace Stegner: His Life and Work RC 44889
by Jackson J. Benson 
read by Ted Stoddard
4 cassettes
The author argues that the twentieth-century writer,
historian, and environmentalist Wallace Stegner deserved
greater recognition than he received during his lifetime.
Describes Stegner as a man of principle as well as a social
critic who helped shape the American literary movement.
1996.
When Memory Speaks: Reflections on Autobiography RC 46438
by Jill Ker Conway 
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Examines writers of autobiography as narrators of cultural
history reflecting gender-oriented perspectives. Supports
her thesis by citing examples from the memoirs of men and
women across the centuries. Contends that the popularity of
the genre derives from the self-examination that results
from reading about the life experiences of another person.
1998.
Marriage and Sex
Before the Wedding: Look before You Leap RC 46252
by Michael E. Cavanagh 
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
A guide for couples contemplating marriage. Emphasizes the
importance of understanding the relationship, both partners'
motives and goals, and the demands their proposed union will
place on them. Discusses communication, sexuality, and the
role of in-laws and friends, citing real-life situations as
examples. 1994.
For Fidelity: How Intimacy and Commitment Enrich Our Lives
RC 46447
by Catherine M. Wallace 
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Explores a range of questions concerning sexual desire,
physical and emotional intimacy, and faithfulness in
marriage. Discusses the stresses on the marital bond in a
era of sexual freedom. Concludes that "sexual fidelity is
crucial to achieving the best that our own sexuality can
offer to each of us." 1998.
In the Meantime: Finding Yourself and the Love That You Want
RC 46360
by Iyanla Vanzant 
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
An inspirational speaker explains how to prepare for a
loving relationship while waiting for that special someone.
She describes how to do spiritual cleansing, eliminating
"the stuff" that prevents an open love experience.
Bestseller 1998.
Making Love Last Forever RC 45343
by Gary Smalley 
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
A Christian counselor's guide to achieving "forever love," a
state in which one realizes true joy in living and an
abiding devotion to one's spouse. Offers techniques for
overcoming anger, taking charge of one's life, and
bolstering both relationships and marriage. 1996.
When Men Believe in Love: A Book for Men Who Love Women and
the Women They Love RC 46037
by Susan Edwards 
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Psychologist Susan Edwards describes her experiences in
dealing with men who have had trouble in romantic
relationships. Discusses how they can grow into love. 1995.
Medicine and Health
Attention Deficit Disorder RC 46827
by Wendy Moragne 
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Case histories and interviews illustrate this former
teacher's description of attention deficit disorder. She
discusses the impact this condition has on young people and
on those around them and outlines treatment options. For
junior and senior high readers. 1996.
Beauty Lab: How Science Is Changing the Way We Look RC 45578
by Mildred Leinweber Dawson 
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
The author describes how the human body works and how to
take care of it. Discusses how good health combined with the
results of medical and cosmetic research can help maintain
the natural beauty of teeth, hair, and skin. For junior and
senior high readers. 1996.
The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet: The Powerful Foods,
Supplements, and Drugs That Can Save Your Life RC 47383
by Robert Arnot 
read by Randy Davidson
2 cassettes
Using 1990s research, Dr. Arnot, a television network
medical correspondent, outlines a program to reduce the risk
of breast cancer. Encourages consuming flax seed, soy,
turmeric, olive oil, and cruciferous vegetables. Warns
against eating many oils and substances with a high glycemic
index. Bestseller 1998.
Coping with Compulsive Eating RC 46192
by Carolyn Simpson 
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Defines compulsive eating and describes causes and available
treatments. Suggests that this disorder, often seen in
adolescents, may be caused by stress and that professional
help is needed to identify and "deflate" stress factors in
everyday life. For junior and senior high and older readers.
1997.
Coping with Glaucoma RC 46691
by Edith Marks 
read by Carol Dines
3 cassettes
The author, who has glaucoma, offers practical advice for
others who also have the disease. Describes the types of
glaucoma, resources available, and medical therapies
including diet and drugs. 1997.
Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis RC 45930
by Fred Saibil 
read by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
A medical doctor who specializes in two chronic inflammatory
bowel diseases discusses ways of coping with them. Includes
symptoms, solutions, prognoses, and practical tips. Gives
pros and cons of treatments involving drugs, diets, and
surgeries. 1997.
Dancing with Mister D: Notes on Life and Death RC 45090
by Bert Keizer 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
A Dutch physician recounts his experiences with terminally
ill patients, some of which involve assisted suicide. While
death is the central theme, the author also offers
philosophical insights into the profession of medicine with
its flaws, limitations, and paradoxes. Strong language.
1994.
Deadly Feasts: Tracking the Secrets of a Terrifying New
Plague RC 45375
by Richard Rhodes 
read by Jeff Baker
2 cassettes
Explores the origins, effects, and spread of a virulent new
class of cross-species diseases known as TSEs. A well-known
manifestation of a brain-destroying TSE virus was the
mid-1990s panic about "mad cow" disease in Britain. Tracks
the progress of medical research and considers the plague's
long-term implications. 1997.
Denial of the Soul: Spiritual and Medical Perspectives on
Euthanasia and Mortality RC 45450
by M. Scott Peck 
read by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
Explores the social, medical, and ethical dimensions of
euthanasia. At the heart of the issue, the author contends,
is the spiritual question of whether the human soul exists.
Opposes a public policy of allowing "euthanasia on demand"
while arguing for more humane handling of physical and
emotional pain. 1997.
Diabetes RC 46828
by Elizabeth Ferber 
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Illustrates the impact of Type I (insulin-dependent)
diabetes on the lives of nine young people and describes how
they cope with the illness. Suggests ways for adolescents
with diabetes to maintain physical and emotional health.
Includes a glossary and a list of interested organizations.
For senior high and older readers. 1996.
The Good Death: The New American Search to Reshape the End
of Life RC 46245
by Marilyn Webb 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
4 cassettes
Examines the modern death experience and the ethical, legal,
and medical issues surrounding the end of life. Inquires
into the process of dying through interviews with doctors,
hospice workers, and terminal patients. Describes the nature
of a "least-worst death." 1997.
Honey, Mud, Maggots, and Other Medical Marvels: The Science
behind Folk Remedies and Old Wives' Tales RC 46254
by Robert and Michle Root-Bernstein 
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
An anecdotal examination of historical medicinal remedies
from many countries that are still relevant to modern
medical practice. The authors present cases to show that
modern medicine validates the efficacy of honey on lesions,
bloodletting, bathing in mineral springs, and many other
folk remedies. 1997.
Imagining Robert: My Brother, Madness, and Survival; a
Memoir RC 44890
by Jay Neugeboren 
read by Jeff Baker
2 cassettes
A writer's poignant account of his brother Robert's
thirty-year history of severe mental illness. Traces
Robert's early years as a gentle and gifted child; his first
breakdown at nineteen; and his many frustrations dealing
with mental institutions, radical treatments, and drug
therapies. Strong language. 1997.
In the Country of Illness: Comfort and Advice for the
Journey RC 46877
by Robert Lipsyte 
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
With both himself and his late wife having had cancer,
sports columnist Lipsyte gives advice on how to obtain the
best medical care available. He explains how to manage
insurance companies and bills, doctors and nurses, and
friends and family. He offers numerous suggestions for
making one's journey into the country of illness an easier
one. 1998.
Love and Survival: The Scientific Basis for the Healing
Power of Intimacy RC 46812
by Dean Ornish 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Dr. Ornish advocates love, intimacy, and social support as
methods of improving health. Provides scientific studies to
show that emotional intimacy is crucial to health. Uses
anecdotes from his and his patients' lives to illustrate the
power of emotions. Gives examples of how to speak and act in
order to be more loving. 1998.
Making the Radiation Therapy Decision RC 45422
by David J. Brenner and Eric J. Hall 
read by Richard Hauenstein
1 cassette
Designed to aid and inform cancer patients of the various
treatment options available to them, including radiation
therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Suggests the best
treatments for some of the more common cancers and provides
a comprehensive overview of the entire regimen. 1996.
Man to Man: Surviving Prostate Cancer RC 44971
by Michael Korda 
read by Dan Bloom
2 cassettes
A frank, personal account of one man's encounter with
prostate cancer. Chronicles his ordeal from the day of
diagnosis: his decision on a course of treatment, surgery,
recuperation, recovery, and the experience of dealing with
impotence and incontinence as aftereffects. 1996.
Mind-Body Deceptions: The Psychosomatics of Everyday Life RC
45937
by Steven L. Dubovsky 
read by Kerry Cundiff
4 cassettes
Dr. Dubovsky explains how the mind and body help and also
interfere with each other. Includes a discussion of
depression, the immune system, cancer, and heart disease.
Suggests how to use the mind to heal the body. 1997.
Multiple Sclerosis: The Questions You Have; the Answers You
Need RC 46454
edited by Rosalind C. Kalb 
read by John Rayburn
4 cassettes
A guide for people with multiple sclerosis, as well as for
their families and caregivers. Uses a question-and-answer
format to inform readers about the neurology of the disease,
treatment and care, therapies, psychosocial issues,
employment, insurance, and other related areas of concern.
1996.
Sex Ed RC 46408
by Miriam Stoppard 
read by Rick Rohan
1 cassette
A medical doctor discusses puberty and the "facts of life,"
with an emphasis on the value of real friendship. Mentions
heterosexuality and homosexuality and advocates responsible
behavior. Lists support groups and other helpful
organizations. For junior and senior high readers. 1997.
Strong Women Stay Young RC 46865
by Miriam E. Nelson 
read by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes
The author discusses how weight-lifting exercises can help
prevent osteoporosis, improve balance, and increase energy--
in addition to controlling weight. Presents a program of
strength-training exercises that can be done at home with a
minimum of equipment by women of all ages. Based on a study
published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association. 1997.
Take Charge of Your Diabetes RC 45429
by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
read by Lou Harpenau
1 cassette
A guide for people with adult-onset diabetes to help prevent
complications. Describes potential problems and how to avoid
them. Stresses the need to work with a health-care team to
control the blood glucose level. 1997.
To Dance with the Devil: The New War on Breast Cancer RC
46041
by Karen Stabiner 
read by Mary Kane
4 cassettes
Stabiner presents the personal experiences of several
patients of the UCLA Breast Center as they are treated by
surgeon Dr. Susan Love. Examining the politics of research
dollars and government support, Stabiner asserts that
concern about womens' diseases was an afterthought until the
1990s. She attributes the new emphasis on finding a cure to
Love and colleagues. 1997.
Under Observation: Life inside a Psychiatric Hospital RC
45432
by Lisa Berger and Alexander Vuckovic 
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
An account of the diagnosis and treatment of patients in a
New England psychiatric hospital. Describes cases of
depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, and other disorders.
Portrays the complexities of mental-health practice in the
late twentieth century. Strong language. 1994.
The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality RC 46094
by Michael J. Basso 
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
A recognized sex educator explains human anatomy, diseases,
pregnancy, birth control, and sexuality to help young adults
make educated decisions. The author encourages teens to be
responsible and to accept the consequences of their actions,
while stressing his conviction that abstinence is the best
policy. For junior and senior high readers. 1997.
Viral Sex: The Nature of AIDS RC 45898
by Jaap Goudsmit 
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
A history of the AIDS epidemic by a leading researcher in
the field. Tracing the origins of the virus from ancient
times and its transfer from animals to humans in the
twentieth century, the author maintains that disruptions of
Africa's rain forests led to the global spread of the
disease. He also speculates about the possible development
of a vaccine against AIDS. 1997.
Virus X: Tracking the New Killer Plagues; Out of the Present
and into the Future RC 45085
by Frank Ryan 
read by John Rayburn
3 cassettes
Physician examines the emergence of epidemic infections and
their possible connection with human disruption of the
world's ecology. Propounds a theory of "aggressive
symbiosis," by which a virus attacks the invader of its
host's environment. Warns that environmental abuse could
produce future plagues. 1997.
Why People Don't Heal and How They Can RC 47079
by Caroline Myss 
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
The author, a medical intuitive, uses energy medicine to
treat both the body and the spirit. Discusses the seven
energy centers in the body, called chakras by Hindus.
Explores the concept of woundology--where some people's
focus on their wounds interferes with their healing.
Bestseller 1997.
The Wisdom of the Body RC 45536
by Sherwin B. Nuland 
read by Ed Blake
3 cassettes
Companion to How We Die (RC 37812). A surgeon explores the
mystery of life and the human body. Discerns an inherent
"spirit" in the organic structure, through which humans
maintain themselves and survive. Examines the body's major
systems, recounting case studies involving the body's
responses to diseases and treatments. 1997.
Music
The Beatles RC 45537
by Hunter Davies 
read by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes
Originally published in 1968 at the Beatles' peak in
popularity, this authorized biography of the internationally
acclaimed musical group includes a 1996 update, as well as
supplemental information from the 1985 edition. Davies was
permitted full access to the group, spending eighteen months
with them at home and in the studio. Some strong language.
1996.
Bessie RC 45244
by Chris Albertson 
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Biography of Bessie Smith from exuberant young jazz singer
in 1912 to "Empress of the Blues." Covers Smith's tumultuous
marriage and social life, her concert tours in the eastern
United States, and her untimely death in 1937. Based on
press stories and interviews with Smith's niece. Strong
language and some violence. 1972.
The Chieftains: The Authorized Biography RC 45505
by John Glatt 
read by Terry Donnelly
3 cassettes
A portrait of the popular musical group known for
reinventing traditional Irish music. Traces the band's
evolution from obscure beginnings in the 1960s to become the
internationally acclaimed, Grammy-winning performers of the
1990s. Strong language. 1997.
Doo-Dah! Stephen Foster and the Rise of American Popular
Culture RC 45379
by Ken Emerson 
read by David Elias
3 cassettes
Portrays the life and works of one of America's earliest
professional songwriters and creator of popular music.
Traces his youth in Pittsburgh, his desultory search for a
career, his later success as a composer of minstrel songs,
and his tragic final years as a bibulous pauper who strove
in vain for respectability. 1997.
First Intermissions: Twenty-One Great Operas Explored,
Explained, and Brought to Life from the Met RC 46718
by M. Owen Lee 
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Based on commentaries originally presented during the first
intermissions of Saturday afternoon Metropolitan Opera
broadcasts. Father Lee, a professor of classics, analyzes
and interprets works by Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Puccini, and
Strauss. 1995.
Glenn Gould: The Ecstasy and Tragedy of Genius RC 46295
by Peter Ostwald 
read by Gordon Gould
3 cassettes
This psychobiography examines the public and private aspects
of Glenn Gould, the reclusive Canadian pianist who died in
1982. The author, both a psychiatrist and a violinist, was
Gould's friend and uniquely positioned to provide
professional and personal insights into Gould's performances
and his psyche. 1997.
His Eye Is on the Sparrow: An Autobiography RC 45235
by Ethel Waters 
read by Connie Winston
3 cassettes
Recollections of singer, Broadway actress, and Hollywood
star Ethel Waters about her tumultuous career and personal
life. Successes such as her Oscar-nominated role in Pinky
(1949) contrast with her experience of day-to-day
discrimination and segregation. Reissue of 1951
autobiography with new preface. 1992.
The History of Jazz RC 46401
by Ted Gioia 
read by Bob Moore
4 cassettes
Covers the origins of jazz from African instruments and
rhythms of the early 1800s through the emergence of modern
jazz and the technological changes of the 1990s. Evaluates
the contributions of individual musicians; provides the
social and cultural context for the development of this art
form. 1997.
Jimmy Buffett: The Man from Margaritaville Revealed RC 45447
by Steve Eng 
read by Brian Conn
3 cassettes
Portrays the life of popular singer Jimmy Buffett, well
known for his hit song "Margaritaville." Chronicles his
childhood in Alabama, his college days, and his thirty-year
ascent in the music industry to become a top concert
performer and recording artist. Strong language. 1996.
The Lives of the Great Composers RC 44925
by Harold C. Schonberg 
read by Robert Blumenfeld
6 cassettes
The author traces the lives of more than fifty major
composers in chronological order, showing how each has
contributed to the evolution of music from Bach to the
twentieth century. Emphasizes biographical aspects of each
musician rather than musical criticism. 1997.
The Long Hard Road out of Hell RC 45881
by Marilyn Manson 
read by Randy Wieck
2 cassettes
Autobiography of rock star Marilyn Manson. Manson grew up in
Ohio, where he rejected his religious upbringing. Moving to
Florida as a teen, he studied journalism and theatre in
college while frequenting the local club scene. He describes
his band, friends, and performance art, concluding by
expressing happiness with his drug-free life. Violence,
strong language, explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller
1998.
Music, the Brain, and Ecstasy: How Music Captures Our
Imagination RC 45925
by Robert Jourdain 
read by Andy Chappell
3 cassettes
Using science, psychology, and philosophy, the author
explains the evolution of sound in humans and the meaning of
music. Uses historical anecdotes and different examples of
common musical themes to explain the way music gives
pleasure. 1997.
My Life RC 46031
by Edith Piaf 
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
During the last year of her life, the well-known singer
dictated her recollections of the past--her inability to
keep the man she loved, her drug and alcohol addictions, and
her religious convictions. She recounts her fear that by the
time she died, so much might have been said about her, no
one would really know the kind of person she was. 1990.
Notes of a Piano Tuner RC 46150
by Denele Pitts Campbell 
read by Jill Ferris
1 cassette
Tuning pianos provides the author opportunity to visit
homes, churches, and music halls where she catches glimpses
of the players' various lifestyles. Campbell describes her
experiences and also comments on the countryside of the
Arkansas Ozarks she traverses to do her work. 1997.
Ray Charles: Voice of Soul RC 46564
by David Ritz 
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
Biography of musical genius Ray Charles, who was left
sightless by glaucoma as a child. While a student at the
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, Charles learned
to read and write music in braille. Describes his personal
and professional struggles, including drug addiction, as
well as triumphs. For junior and senior high and older
readers. 1994.
The Rolling Stone Book of Women in Rock: Trouble Girls RC
46361
edited by Barbara O'Dair 
read by Barbara Pinolini
5 cassettes
Fifty-six essays profiling hundreds of female blues, jazz,
gospel, country, and rock singers. Describes each music
movement and includes discographies and a bibliography. For
senior high and older readers. 1997.
Unfinished Journey: Twenty Years Later RC 45463
by Yehudi Menuhin 
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Originally published in 1976, this revised edition adds four
new chapters, extending the author's memoir to age eighty. A
world-renowned violinist, Menuhin offers his views on a wide
range of topics, revealing his lifelong interest in musical
and humanitarian pursuits. 1996.
Virgil Thomson: Composer on the Aisle RC 46247
by Anthony Tommasini 
read by James DeLotel
5 cassettes
Biography of the composer and longtime music critic of the
New York Herald Tribune who received a Pulitzer Prize for
music. Discusses Thomson's discreet homosexuality during a
time when such a revelation could cost one a career. 1997.
Nature and the Environment
The Adirondacks: A History of America's First Wilderness RC
46197
by Paul Schneider 
read by Jeff Baker
3 cassettes
Since the 1600s Native Americans, trappers, loggers, miners,
and artists have worked and played in this six-million-acre
parkland. Schneider describes the area's social, ecological,
and scientific history and the battle for coexistence
between the public and private sectors that, in 1894, led to
a New York constitutional amendment to keep the area
"forever wild." 1997.
Another Country: Journeying toward the Cherokee Mountains RC
46135
by Christopher Camuto 
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Reflections on the history, ecology, and myths of the
southern Appalachian region. Recounts exploratory trips
through the wilderness on foot and by canoe. Describes local
Cherokee culture, which emphasizes living in harmony with
nature, and discusses the reintroduction of the red wolf
into the area. 1997.
The Appalachian Trail Reader RC 45920
edited by David Emblidge 
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
A collection of travel diaries and registers, historical
accounts, and other writings that portray the 2,140-mile
recreational footpath running from Georgia to Maine. Traces
the wilderness trail northward, depicting its history,
geology, scenery, wildlife, and lore. 1996.
The Attentive Heart: Conversations with Trees RC 45047
by Stephanie Kaza 
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Applying Zen Buddhist concepts of human interaction with
trees, Kaza works through a progression of experiences:
sensual, historical, anthropomorphic, and religious. Amid
contemplative narrative, Kaza offers rhapsodic appreciation
of trees as an environmental force. 1993.
The Bird in the Waterfall: A Natural History of Oceans,
Rivers, and Lakes RC 45907
by Jerry Dennis 
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Explores the subject of water in nature and the history of
rivers, lakes, and oceans. Delves into underground, surface,
and sky waters and their properties, dynamics, and effects.
Discusses related phenomena such as waves, tides, beaches,
and waterfalls. 1996.
The Book of Yaak RC 45338
by Rick Bass 
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
A nature writer observes the beauty and serenity of the Yaak
Valley in Montana. Bass opines that the destruction of the
Yaak and other wilderness areas by commercial endeavors is
socially and ecologically contemptible. 1996.
Endangered Mexico: An Environment on the Edge RC 45083
by Joel Simon 
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
An in-depth assessment of Mexico's environmental crisis,
considering such factors as air pollution, soil erosion,
deforestation, and depletion of the potable water supply.
Traces developments from the Spanish conquest to the 1990s.
Predicts dire political, economic, and social consequences.
1997.
From the Field: A Collection of Writings from National
Geographic RC 45973
edited by Charles McCarry 
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Seventy-five articles selected from the popular magazine's
109-year existence. Although heavily illustrated, the
periodical contains scholarly articles about the planet and
its people. Contributors include Theodore Roosevelt, Charles
Lindberg, Maya Angelou, Tad Szulc, and Shelby Foote. 1997.
The Mojave: A Portrait of the Definitive American Desert RC
46754
by David Darlington 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Depicts the vast, bleak terrain of the Mojave Desert in
southern California and Nevada. Describes the area's natural
history and ecology, its value for military planning and
operations, and its use by ranchers, gold miners, UFO
watchers, dirt bikers, and others for a variety of purposes.
1996.
One River: Explorations and Discoveries in the Amazon Rain
Forest RC 44722
by Wade Davis 
read by Ted Stoddard
5 cassettes
Ethnobotanist Richard Schultes took a leave of absence from
Harvard from 1941 to 1953 to collect specimens of
psychoactive and medicinal plants in the Amazon rain forest.
His student Tim Plowman embarked on a similar journey with
the author during 1974 and 1975. Davis recalls the
discoveries, travels, and adventures of both. 1996.
Our Fascinating Earth RC 44786
by Philip and Nancy R. Seff 
read by Marilyn Gleason
3 cassettes
A collection of almost 180 articles presenting unusual
scientific facts and information on natural wonders. Each of
the nine chapters covers a variety of topics such as wolves,
scorpions, the Kohinoor diamond, the pyramids, dinosaurs,
rivers, carnivorous plants, hurricanes, even garlic. For
junior and senior high and older readers. 1996.
Perils of a Restless Planet: Scientific Perspectives on
Natural Disasters RC 46075
by Ernest Zebrowski 
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Examines selected natural disasters through history,
including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanos, tornados, and
epidemics. Inquires into the causes and dynamics of these
catastrophes with an eye toward anticipating such future
events and mitigating their effects. 1997.
Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature RC 45361
by Linda Lear 
read by Nanette Savard
5 cassettes
Portrays the life of a pioneer environmentalist, whose 1962
book, Silent Spring (RC 20184), alerted the world to the
risks of chemical poisoning. Traces her early years studying
marine biology, her careers as government scientist and
writer, and her influence in changing peoples' attitudes and
public policy on ecology. 1997.
Rainforests RC 46885
edited by Charles P. Cozic 
read by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
Argues that the depletion of the world's tropical
rainforests has caused irreversible ecological damage.
Explores the loss of biodiversity, drastic climatic changes,
and the uprooting of indigenous populations. Describes the
debate about the severity of these problems, especially in
British Columbia and the Amazon. For senior high and older
readers. 1998.
World War III: Population and the Biosphere at the End of
the Millennium RC 45892
by Michael Tobias 
read by Butch Hoover
5 cassettes
Tobias warns that the world's burgeoning human population is
on a collision course with the biosphere--an impending
disaster the author characterizes as World War III. He
examines five regions where demographic pressures are
notably egregious and proposes a "global truce" for reducing
humankind's threat to nature. 1994.
Yamsi: A Year in the Life of a Wilderness Ranch RC 45307
by Dayton O. Hyde 
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
Hyde's love of the land and respect for its history are
evident in this journal of his family's cattle-ranching
operation in Oregon. A testament to a disappearing way of
life where the seasons and nature's rhythms set the daily
schedule. Hyde was late for his own birthday party, for
example, because he was delivering a calf. 1971.
Occult
Adventures of a Psychic: The Fascinating and Inspiring True-
Life Story of One of America's Most Successful Clairvoyants
RC 47251
by Sylvia Browne and Antoinette May 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Describes how Sylvia Browne at age five learned that she,
like many of her relatives, had psychic abilities. With the
help of her "spirit guide," an Aztec-Inca woman from the
1500s, Sylvia solves police cases, predicts future events,
and contacts ghosts. Some strong language. Bestseller 1990.
Many Happy Returns: The Lives of Edgar Cayce RC 38828
by 
W.H. Church 
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Based on actual life readings by Edgar Cayce, the book
traces the various supposed incarnations through the
centuries of the soul-entity of this Virginia Beach psychic.
1984.
The Story of Edgar Cayce: There Is a River RC 45634
by Thomas Sugrue 
read by Terence Aselford
3 cassettes
Biography of a man with little formal education who, over a
period of forty-three years, performed uncannily accurate
medical diagnoses while under hypnosis. Chronicles Cayce's
career in unorthodox healing and reviews case histories of
his "readings" and prescriptions for various ailments. 1945.
Philosophy
Denial of the Soul: Spiritual and Medical Perspectives on
Euthanasia and Mortality RC 45450
by M. Scott Peck 
read by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
Explores the social, medical, and ethical dimensions of
euthanasia. At the heart of the issue, the author contends,
is the spiritual question of whether the human soul exists.
Opposes a public policy of allowing "euthanasia on demand"
while arguing for more humane handling of physical and
emotional pain. 1997.
Genuine Reality: A Life of William James RC 46814
by Linda Simon 
read by Jake Williams
4 cassettes
Biography of the nineteenth-century American philosopher and
psychologist. Chronological presentation of his family
background, intellectual development, and career path.
Describes important people in his life--his father, Henry
James Sr.; his brother, the novelist Henry James Jr.; his
wife, Alice; and the psychic medium Leonora Piper. 1998.
A Passion for Wisdom: A Very Brief History of Philosophy RC
46514
by Robert C. Solomon and Kathleen M. Higgins 
read by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
Portrays the evolution of philosophical ideas and trends
from ancient times to postmodern thinking, which arose after
World War II. Traces the development of key ideologies and
movements, explaining their meanings, relationships, and
historical significance. 1997.
Philosophy of Right RC 45533
by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel 
read by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
Hegel expounds his social philosophy, which realizes its
ideal within a constitutional monarchy under a sovereign. He
methodically develops this system, considering such concepts
as abstract right, morality, and ethics in the contexts of
family, community, and state. 1896.
The Warrior's Honor: Ethnic War and the Modern Conscience RC
46558
by Michael Ignatieff 
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Asks whether Western nations in the post-Cold War era bear a
moral responsibility to intervene in ethnic conflicts,
especially where human atrocities are committed. Examines
such cases as Angola, Afghanistan, and Bosnia, where tribal
loyalties outweigh the notion of universal human rights.
1998.
Works of PlatoRC 41107 edited by
Irwin Edman Ralph Lowenstein 
read by 4 cassettes
Selected writings of Plato portraying the philosophy,
themes, and ethics of Socrates. Through the device of
Socratic dialogs, Plato explores essential moral and
metaphysical questions of life and reality. He limns the
vision of a perfect society in his capstone work, The
Republic (RC 14875). 1956.
Dialogs portraying the philosophy of Socrates.
Poetry
Collected Early Poems: 1950-1970 RC 46404
by Adrienne Rich 
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Rich's first six books of poetry, along with additional
entries from this time frame, are presented in chronological
order. These writings from her youth offer fresh and direct
perceptions of new experiences as she travels and encounters
people and places during the 1950s and the turmoil of the
1960s. Includes nine translations of Dutch poetry. 1993.
Eight American Poets: Theodore Roethke, Elizabeth Bishop,
Robert Lowell, John Berryman, Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath,
Allen Ginsberg, James Merrill; an Anthology RC 45780
edited by Joel Conarroe 
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Selected works by eight diverse postmodern poets. Presents a
profile of each author and describes social and literary
ties among them. Conarroe traces a pattern, mental
disturbances as well as creative genius, that he believes
these artists share to varying degrees. 1994.
The Essential Rumi RC 46499
translated by Coleman Barks 
read by Gordon Gould
2 cassettes
Contemporary translation of spiritual poetry by the Sufi
mystic Jelaluddin Rumi (1207-1273). These poems were created
during Rumi's work with a dervish learning community that
was "exploring the mystery of union with the divine." Some
descriptions of sex. 1995.
The Fields of Praise: New and Selected Poems RC 46362
by Marilyn Nelson 
read by Annie Wauters
1 cassette
Poems by an African American writer exploring motherhood,
religion, and racism. The collection is divided into four
parts: "Mama and Daddy," "Homeplace," "Hermitage," and
"Still Faith." Also includes the author's notes about her
work. National Book Award finalist. 1997.
Locusts at the Edge of Summer: New and Selected Poems RC
45905
by John Balaban 
read by Roy Avers
1 cassette
A collection of poignant poems, including several that evoke
the horror and brutality of the Vietnam War and its
aftermath. Other works portray harsh images of life in rural
America and describe the author's view of a stark "new world
order." 1997.
Loosestrife: Poems RC 46029
by Stephen Dunn 
read by Rick Rohan
1 cassette
Poems on the loneliness, angst, love, and losses that affect
lives in a changing America. The title work is a discursive
elegy on the mild 1995 "winter winter never came," offering
observations on nature, politics, hope, and ordinary life on
New Jersey's southern coast. 1996.
Love Poems RC 46502
by Nikki Giovanni 
read by Robin Miles
1 cassette
Fifty-four poems by an award-winning African American writer
celebrating love in its many manifestations: for a lover,
for a friend, for a member of the family, in the abstract,
and in the concrete. Grouped in three sections: "I Hope It's
Love," "And Yeah . . . These Are Love Poems," and "I Take
Master Card (Charge Your Love to Me)." For senior high and
older readers. 1997.
The Metaphysical Poets RC 46856
edited by Helen Gardner 
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes
Selected poems by seventeenth-century English poets,
including John Donne, George Herbert, Richard Crashaw, and
Andrew Marvell. Contains an introduction and biographical
notes. 1957.
The New Oxford Book of Children's Verse RC 45712
edited by Neil Philip 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
An anthology of some 350 children's poems by more than 200
English-language poets arranged in chronological order from
the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries. For adults
to share with children. 1996.
A Night without Armor: Poems RC 47007
by Jewel Kilcher 
read by Lindsay Ellison
1 cassette
Alaskan songwriter presents 109 poems. In these
autobiographical pieces, she expresses her feelings about
love and lovers, places visited, and lessons learned from
personal experience. Bestseller 1998.
The Odyssey RC 43541
by Homer 
read by Alexander Scourby
3 cassettes (Reissue)
A Greek epic poem attributed to Homer recounts the
adventures of Odysseus during his ten-year journey home to
Ithaca after the Trojan War. This translation by Robert
Fitzgerald won the 1961 Bollingen Award for the best
translation of a poem into English. 1961.
Selected Poems: The Centenary Edition RC 43680
by Edna St. Vincent Millay and Colin Falck 
read by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
This gathering of poems begins with "Renascence," a poem
Millay entered in a contest in 1912 and that brought her
immediate recognition. The simplicity and accessibility that
sometimes prompted critics to pass over her poems is the
very skill that also created her appeal and made her work
popular for nearly forty years. Her lyricism is discussed in
an extensive introduction. 1991.
Selected Poetry RC 44912
by William Wordsworth 
read by Gordon Gould
4 cassettes (Reissue)
Works of the English Romantic poet arranged chronologically
from 1787 to 1834. The preface to the second edition of
Lyrical Ballads, dated 1800, is also included. Contains an
introduction by Mark Van Doren. 1950.
Swimming Lessons: New and Selected Poems RC 45693
by Nancy Willard 
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette
Poetry about nature, life, and spirituality. In the title
poem, a grown daughter attends the sickbed of her parent.
She tenderly reflects on the patience and love that the
parent had shown years earlier while teaching her to swim.
1996.
Upholding Mystery: An Anthology of Contemporary Christian
Poetry RC 44753
edited by David Impastato 
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
Extensive collection of poetry featuring the work of fifteen
poets, such as Annie Dillard and Daniel Berrigan. Poems are
divided into the following sections: The Cross,
Transformation, Death, Injustice, Presence, God's Body,
Fools, Wayfarers, Love, The Dark, Grace, Praise, The
Mystical Body, Sacrament, The Leap, and Holy. 1997.
Psychology and Self Help
Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing
RC 45739
by Caroline Myss 
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Dr. Myss, a medical intuitive, motivates people to cure
their bodies through spiritual healing. Myss draws on
principles from three major religions to present her program
to patients. Bestseller 1996.
Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition RC 46747
by Stuart A. Vyse 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Vyse examines the psychology of superstition and offers ways
to teach rational thinking about paranormal phenomena,
astrology, and X-files. He contends that unscientific
thinking can be avoided. For senior high and older readers.
1997.
The Confidence Course: Seven Steps to Self-Fulfillment RC
46152
by Walter Anderson 
read by John Rayburn
1 cassette
From the editor of Parade magazine, this course on
self-confidence enables readers to learn to change their
behavior in order to gain emotional well-being. Gives
exercises and practice examples. 1997.
A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume RC 43840
by Foundation for Inner Peace 
read by Madelyn Buzzard
10 cassettes
Designed to help readers increase awareness of love in their
lives. Explains theoretical concepts on which the course is
based and includes a workbook with lessons for each day of
the year and a teacher's manual. Subject of Return to Love
(RC 34516). 1975.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and It's All Small Stuff: Simple
Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life RC
45257
by Richard Carlson 
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
A guide for achieving personal serenity by altering
perspective and practicing a more relaxed lifestyle. Offers
strategies and exercises for "letting go" of problems and
following the path of least resistance. Bestseller 1997.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff with Your Family: Simple Ways to
Keep Daily Responsibilities and Household Chaos from Taking
Over Your Life RC 46533
by Richard Carlson 
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
In this companion to Don't Sweat the Small Stuff--and It's
All Small Stuff (RC 45257), the author extends his advice to
handling family life. Explores ways of compromising and
enjoying household members. Bestseller 1998.
Happiness Is a Serious Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual
RC 45551
by Dennis Prager 
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
The author, a popular radio host in Los Angeles, addresses
the emotion of happiness. Prager contends that happiness is
a habit that people owe to themselves and others to achieve.
Gives practical suggestions to establish new attitudes and
behaviors. Bestseller 1998.
Help! My Heart Is Breaking! How to Get through the Hurt RC
46213
by Meg Schneider 
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
The author directs this book at those whose boyfriends broke
up with them and those who want to break up. She gives tips
on how to endure this event constructively and on how to
troubleshoot future relationships. For junior and senior
high readers. 1997.
I Don't Want to Talk about It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy
of Male Depression RC 45734
by Terrence Real 
read by Randy Davidson
3 cassettes
A psychotherapist analyzes male depression, a disorder he
describes as epidemic, covert, and largely untreated. Argues
that American boys are socialized to seek esteem through
competition, while they are discouraged from expressing
feelings or empathizing with others. Describes destructive
behaviors that may result. Strong language. 1997.
I'm Not as Old as I Used to Be: Reclaiming Your Life in the
Second Half RC 45663
by Frances Weaver 
read by Mimi Bederman
1 cassette
The seniors editor on NBC's Today Show encourages older
citizens to be active and to enjoy developing themselves to
the fullest. She describes how she struggled with the shock
of becoming a widow and with alcoholism before making a new
life for herself. 1997.
Imperfect Control: Our Lifelong Struggles with Power and
Surrender RC 46511
by Judith Viorst 
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Discusses issues of control that permeate nearly all facets
of human existence. In ten chapters covering different
phases of life from birth to death, Viorst examines
situations to determine what is uncontrollable and when to
exert choice. Topics include self-possession, sex, couples,
parenthood, and the workplace. Some strong language. 1998.
Mad House: Growing Up in the Shadow of Mentally Ill Siblings
RC 45196
by Clea Simon 
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
A woman recounts growing up as a "well" child with a
schizophrenic brother and sister. Portrays the guilt, fear,
and compensatory behaviors with which she and her parents
handled the family's dysfunction. Offers practical advice
for healthy persons with mentally ill siblings. 1997.
Mind-Body Deceptions: The Psychosomatics of Everyday Life RC
45937
by Steven L. Dubovsky 
read by Kerry Cundiff
4 cassettes
Dr. Dubovsky explains how the mind and body help and also
interfere with each other. Includes a discussion of
depression, the immune system, cancer, and heart disease.
Suggests how to use the mind to heal the body. 1997.
Napoleon Hill's Keys to Positive Thinking: Ten Steps to
Health, Wealth, and Success RC 46705
by Napoleon Hill and Michael J. Ritt 
read by Randy Davidson
1 cassette
Argues that achieving a positive mental attitude is possible
through practice. Presents a ten-step formula with practical
advice and affirmations by famous people. 1998.
The New Psychiatry: The Essential Guide to State-of-the-Art
Therapy, Medication, and Emotional Health RC 46190
by Jack M., M.D. Gorman 
read by Rick Rohan
3 cassettes
A consumer's guide to the principles, diagnostic techniques,
and therapeutic methods of modern psychiatric care. Offers
advice on when to see a psychiatrist, describes major
illnesses, and explains various courses of treatment. 1996.
Outsmarting IQ: The Emerging Science of Learnable
Intelligence RC 45437
by David Perkins 
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Examines the history of intelligence theory and the three
dimensions of intelligence: neural, experiential, and
reflective. Argues that mental capacity is not entirely
genetic and that "most people can learn to function in a
substantially more intelligent way." 1995.
Popularity Has Its Ups and Downs RC 46608
by Meg F. Schneider 
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
Explains the meaning of popularity and suggests ways to cope
with this issue in school and social situations. Discusses
the concept of self-confidence and how to achieve it. The
author also stresses the value of true friendship and the
importance of learning to deal with rejection and change.
For junior and senior high readers. 1991.
Prescriptions for Living: Inspirational Lessons for a
Joyful, Loving Life RC 47355
by Bernie S. Siegel 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Physician offers advice on how to face adversity and live
happily. Discusses how to achieve peace of mind, how to love
and forgive, and how to become the kind of person you want
to be. 1998.
Private Myths: Dreams and Dreaming RC 44287
by Anthony Stevens 
read by Christopher Walker
3 cassettes
A psychiatrist explores dream theories that date from
ancient times. Avers that dreams can illuminate waking lives
and offer insights into the unconscious mind. Discusses
dream language and syntax to help readers interpret their
own dreams. 1995.
The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents: Guiding Your Children
to Success and Fulfillment RC 45670
by Deepak Chopra 
read by Peggy Gilleland
1 cassette
Provides parents with a framework of principles and
practical steps for teaching their children "the spiritual
dimension of success," which goes beyond material wealth and
worldly prestige. Avers that the human spirit is the source
of meaningful achievement, especially in a complex modern
world. 1997.
Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self RC 47128
by Sarah Ban Breathnach 
read by Pam Ward
2 cassettes
Ban Breathnach asserts human beings are divided into two
groups--the resigned, who think their time on earth is
beyond their control, and the exhausted, who believe there
is "something more" to life. To the exhausted she offers
nine steps to achieving happiness: sensing, surviving,
settling, stumbling, selling out, starting over, searching,
striving, and something more. Bestseller 1998.
Twins: And What They Tell Us about Who We Are RC 46829
by Lawrence Wright 
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Seeking to resolve the heredity-versus-environment debate
about the development of human behavior, the author analyzes
research on twins, surveys the history of the science of
eugenics, and describes the results of studies of identical
twins who were raised apart. 1997.
What to Do When a Loved One Dies: A Practical and
Compassionate Guide to Dealing with Death on Life's Terms RC
46026
by Eva Shaw 
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
A guide and sourcebook for coping with the practical,
emotional, spiritual, and psychological issues and concerns
that are occasioned by a death. Provides guidance for taking
immediate action, making arrangements, dealing with grief,
and moving on with life. 1994.
When Someone You Love Is Depressed: How to Help Your Loved
One without Losing Yourself RC 45598
by Laura Epstein Rosen and Xavier Francisco Amador 
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
The authors, both clinical psychologists, explain ways to
help depressed friends and family members without being
overcome by sadness or anger. They define depression,
suggest means of communication, and recommend further
reading and related websites. 1996.
White Gloves: How We Create Ourselves through Memory RC
45182
by John Kotre 
read by Gary Telles
2 cassettes
A psychologist explores the issue of autobiographical
memory--the recollection of people, events, objects, and
feelings that make up the story of one's life. Describes
memory as dynamic, evolving, and ever-revising the history
and image of self. Examines questions of faulty, false,
photographic, and repressed memories. 1995.
Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience,
Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time RC 46517
by Michael Shermer 
read by Lindsay Ellison
3 cassettes
The author, publisher of Skeptic magazine, identifies
twenty-five fallacies that lead people to believe weird
things. Discusses his views on pseudoscience and
superstition, including creationism, Holocaust denial, alien
encounters, and the paranormal. 1997.
Working with Emotional Intelligence RC 47192
by Daniel Goleman 
read by Anne Flosnik
3 cassettes
The author applies the principles from Emotional
Intelligence (RC 41511) to the business world. Explains what
skills are needed to succeed in business besides I.Q.
Provides guidelines for employees on developing social
skills and specific emotional traits. 1998.
Worry: Controlling It and Using It Wisely RC 45699
by Edward M. Hallowell 
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
Dr. Hallowell, an expert on attention deficit disorder,
turns to a study on worry, in both its destructive and
productive forms. Hallowell analyzes the uses and benefits
of worry and discusses when to seek help if someone worries
too much. Offers recommendations on how to maintain a
healthy balance. 1997.
A Young Girl's Diary RC 45126
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
The purported diary of an Austrian girl from the age of
eleven to fourteen first published in Vienna in 1919. Gretel
writes about her school, teachers, family, friends, starting
menstruation, and trying to learn how babies are conceived.
The introduction, written in 1989, discusses the history and
authenticity of the diary. 1990.
Religion
Ask Your Angels RC 45425
by Alma Daniel and others 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
A guide to understanding and relating to angels, whom the
author perceives as celestial companions. Describes a
five-step process of exercises and meditations by which
people can link with angels, who can enable them to improve
their relationships and better control their lives. 1992.
Basic Judaism RC 46673
by Milton Steinberg 
read by Ken Kliban
1 cassette (Reissue)
The ideals, beliefs, and practices of the Jewish religion,
written for both Jews and non-Jews. Explains the
significance of the Torah, and outlines the idea of God and
the concept of the good life. 1947.
Belief in God in an Age of Science RC 46698
by John Polkinghorne 
read by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
The author, an Anglican priest and theoretical physicist,
traces the similarities of investigative methods used by
scientists and theologians. His topics include natural
theology, divine action in the physical world, and prospects
for future dialog that will include all religious
traditions, not just those of the Abrahamic faiths. 1998.
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter: A Woman's Journey from
Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine RC 46005
by Sue Monk Kidd 
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
The author writes of her conversion from a Southern Baptist
with a patriarchal view of the world to a femininist who
glories in the spiritual consciousness of womanhood. Kidd
includes research from the Bible, fairy tales, myths, and
feminist religious leaders to illustrate her beliefs. 1996.
A Gathering of Angels RC 45219
by Morris B. Margolies 
read by David Elias
2 cassettes
Margolies, a rabbi and professor of Jewish history, examines
the role of angels, including Satan, as portrayed in the
Hebrew Bible, in the Dead Sea Scrolls, and in Jewish
literature over several centuries. Considers religious,
philosophical, and literary perspectives on angelic and
demonic influences. 1994.
God and the American Writer RC 45741
by Alfred Kazin 
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Explores the theme of spirituality in American literature.
Examines the expression of this theme in various works by
Hawthorne, Melville, Whitman, Faulkner, and other authors.
Evaluates "the imagination [each] brings to his tale of
religion in human affairs." 1997.
The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart RC
46434
by Peter J. Gomes 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Peter Gomes, a minister and professor at Harvard University,
encourages people to read the Bible. He briefly explains the
Good Book and discusses twelve current topics in relation to
it including race, women, homosexuality, and wealth. 1996.
The Harlot by the Side of the Road: Forbidden Tales of the
Bible RC 45959
by Jonathan Kirsch 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Readers don't often expect to find sex, violence, and
scandal in the Bible, according to the author, and many
religious authorities have ignored such passages. Kirsch
retells several biblical tales and describes the social and
political context of their time. Included are accounts of
Lot and his family, Tamar and Judah, and Jephtha and his
daughter. Bestseller 1997.
How Good Do We Have to Be? A New Understanding of Guilt and
Forgiveness RC 45710
by Harold S. Kushner 
read by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
Kushner, who wrote When Bad Things Happen to Good People (RD
1725) asserts that individuals demand too much of themselves
in regard to sin and guilt. By offering a different approach
to the story of Adam and Eve, Kushner suggests that God
forgives our mistakes--experiences from which people learn
and grow. Bestseller 1996.
How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other
People's Religious Ceremonies, Volume 2 RC 45104
edited by Stuart M. Matlins and Arthur J. Magida 
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
This sequel to How to Be a Perfect Stranger (RC 45103)
focuses on smaller denominations within the United States,
such as Native American, Amish, Mennonite, and Pentecostal
Church of God, answering basic questions about their beliefs
and describing what to expect during the service. 1997.
How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other
People's Religious Ceremonies RC 45103
edited by Arthur J. Magida 
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
A guide to the beliefs, life-cycle events, and celebrations
of major religious denominations within the United States,
designed to help visitors feel comfortable and participate
in services. Includes Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox,
Baptist, Episcopalian, Jewish, Presbyterian, Quaker, and
Mormon practices. Followed by How to Be a Perfect Stranger,
Volume 2 (RC 45104). 1996.
Improving Your Serve: The Art of Unselfish Living RC 43537
by Charles R. Swindoll 
read by Paul Baker
2 cassettes (Reissue)
A Protestant preacher with a radio ministry reflects on the
Gospel verse Mark 10:45, which deals with Jesus' service to
others. How Christians can serve and give to others in their
daily lives is the topic under discussion. 1981.
Just as I Am: The Autobiography of Billy Graham RC 45546
by Billy Graham 
read by Don Feldheim
6 cassettes
Famed minister reminisces about his evangelical work around
the globe. The author also details Graham's close
relationships with world leaders, including U.S. presidents
Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. Graham portrays the
illuminating effect he felt his ministry made during his
more than fifty years of service. 1997.
The Meaning of the Glorious Koran RC 44913
translated by Marmaduke Pickthall 
read by Robert Blumenfeld
4 cassettes
Translated by Marmaduke Pickthall with explanatory notes,
this earliest work of classical Arabic is the sacred
scripture of Islam as revealed to the Prophet Mohammed by
the Angel Gabriel. 1992.
Nearer, My God: An Autobiography of Faith RC 45436
by William F. Buckley 
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
A memoir of the author's life as a Catholic. Includes
biographical reminiscences of religious moments in Buckley's
life: traveling to Lourdes, the ordination of a nephew, and
his mother's death. Discusses his views on Catholic
theology, particularly regarding birth control, divorce, and
women priests. Bestseller 1997.
Ruth, a Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham RC 45355
by Patricia Cornwell 
read by Ilona Dulaski
2 cassettes
Written by a popular crime novelist--a family friend--this
account of the wife of evangelist Billy Graham begins with
Ruth Bell's early life in China as a child of missionaries.
Because she wanted to follow in her parents' footsteps, it
took persuasion on Graham's part to convince her to marry
him and become his helpmate. 1997.
Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy! RC 44301
by Barbara Johnson 
read by Anne Mullen
1 cassette
Collection of five short essays regarding a person's
relationship with God. Within each essay are sayings upon
which the article hinges. Johnson's adages include "Laughter
is the sun that drives winter from the human face" and "If
there is no control, there is no responsibility." 1993.
Thoughts on the East RC 45532
by Thomas Merton 
read by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
Reflections of a noted Trappist monk and writer on major
religions of the East. Defines and describes Taoism,
Buddhism, Sufism, and Hinduism. Observes principles and
themes that these religions share with their Western
counterparts. Includes introductory materials by George
Woodcock. 1995.
Three Gospels RC 44475
by Reynolds Price 
read by David Impastato
2 cassettes
Price presents his translations of the Gospels of Mark and
John with explanatory prefaces for each. He also offers his
own "honest account" of Jesus' life based on the four
Gospels, historical and theological evidence, and scholarly
research. 1996.
Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? The Search for the Secret of
Qumran RC 45814
by Norman Golb 
read by David Elias
4 cassettes
A scholarly inquiry into the origins of the Dead Sea
Scrolls, the first of which was discovered in the Qumran
caves in 1947. The author refutes the theory that scribes
produced the scrolls in a local Essenean monastery and
asserts that the manuscripts were transferred from Jerusalem
when the city was under Roman siege. 1995.
Science and Technology
African Exodus: The Origins of Modern Humanity RC 45989
by Christopher Stringer and Robin McKie 
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
Presents a theory of common racial heritage in the
development of the human species based on fossil and genetic
evidence. Posits that Homo erectus went extinct globally
except in Africa where that form evolved into hominids, who
eventually dispersed across the world. 1996.
Becoming Human: Evolution and Human Uniqueness RC 46616
by Ian Tattersall 
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Examines the evolutionary process evident in fossils and
other archaeological records to trace human development.
Considers distinguishing characteristics of Homo sapiens--
creative ability, cognitive power, and the potential for
abstract and symbolic thought. Questions why scientists
still cannot pinpoint how, when, where, or why the
extraordinary human consciousness was acquired. 1998.
Belief in God in an Age of Science RC 46698
by John Polkinghorne 
read by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
The author, an Anglican priest and theoretical physicist,
traces the similarities of investigative methods used by
scientists and theologians. His topics include natural
theology, divine action in the physical world, and prospects
for future dialog that will include all religious
traditions, not just those of the Abrahamic faiths. 1998.
Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the
Brink of the Millennium RC 45617
by Carl Sagan 
read by Bob Kuhn
2 cassettes
This final book by the noted scientist relates scientific
and mathematical principles to abortion, AIDS, nuclear war,
global warming, and other public-policy issues. Sagan argues
that moral codes and civic responsibility are imperative to
survival in the new millennium. 1997.
Braving the Elements: The Stormy History of American Weather
RC 45451
by David Laskin 
read by Randy Atcher
2 cassettes
Presents a popular history of weather and its cultural
impact in the United States. Traces "man's experience with
the climate," including rainmaking ceremonies of Native
Americans, scientific contributions of pioneers like Thomas
Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, and twentieth-century
technology-driven meteorology. 1996.
Cheating Time: Science, Sex, and Aging RC 46371
by Roger Gosden 
read by David Cutler
3 cassettes
Explores the phenomenon of senescence, the aging of the
body. Explains the aging process and examines its close
relationship with the sex organs and reproduction. Discusses
modern discoveries in gerontology and the scientific
prospects for extending life. 1996.
The Chunnel: The Amazing Story of the Undersea Crossing of
the English Channel RC 46246
by Drew Fetherston 
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Describes the planning and construction of the railway
tunnel, the Chunnel, completed in 1993. Contrasts the
approaches of British and French workers; assesses the
financial, political, and technical resources required for
this engineering feat; and concludes with the first Chunnel
accident, in December 1996. 1997.
Clone: The Road to Dolly and the Path Ahead RC 45886
by Gina Kolata 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
A scientist discusses technological and ethical implications
of cloning--the production of a living creature from genetic
material. She describes the 1996 birth of a sheep named
Dolly--allegedly the first cloned creature--as the beginning
of a new scientific era, in which the question immediately
arises, "should humans be cloned?" 1998.
Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge RC 46359
by Edward O. Wilson 
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
A scientist proposes a renewed effort to link facts and
fact-based theory across disciplines, as originally ventured
by Enlightenment thinkers. He further posits that perceiving
the natural world as an integrated whole would better
prepare humans to treat global problems. Bestseller 1998.
Countdown: A History of Space Flight RC 46019
by T.A. Heppenheimer 
read by Steven Carpenter
4 cassettes
A chronicle of international efforts at space exploration
since the 1930s. Describes the early experiments and
breakthroughs, key personalities whose vision and work
advanced the science of space flight, the technologies that
made it possible, and the obstacles that were overcome in
conquering the frontier of space. 1997.
The Death of Distance: How the Communications Revolution
Will Change Our Lives RC 46400
by Frances Cairncross 
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes
Predicts some major economic and social implications of the
communications revolution for the early twenty-first
century. Asserts that the global ubiquity of broadband,
interactive links will revolutionize human and business
relationships in fundamental ways. 1997.
Dinosaur Lives: Unearthing an Evolutionary Saga RC 45755
by John R. Horner and Edwin Dobb 
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Companion to Digging Dinosaurs (RC 30308). A paleontologist
explores how these creatures evolved, lived, and adapted to
the environment. Draws upon extensive fieldwork to depict
the dinosaur's pattern of living and survival methods.
Ventures theories on key controversies, such as what caused
its extinction. 1997.
Fire on Earth: Doomsday, Dinosaurs, and Humankind RC 45471
by John and Mary Gribbin 
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
British science writers provide an overview on how
interstellar collisions and meteoroidal impacts have shaped
life on earth, beginning with the dinosaurs. They discuss
different technologies that could be used in the future to
prevent a calamitous collision between the Earth and an
asteroid. 1996.
The Five Biggest Ideas in Science RC 46633
by Charles M. Wynn and Arthur W. Wiggins 
read by Susan Nardone
1 cassette
The authors discuss basic principles of science and the
processes employed to develop these hypotheses, theories,
and laws. Leaving behind scientific jargon, they explain
atoms, the origin of matter, the evolution of life, and the
application of benefit/risk analysis in assessing sciential
ideas. 1997.
The Gene Wars: Science, Politics, and the Human Genome RC
45649
by Robert Cook-Deegan 
read by Michael Consoli
4 cassettes
Chronicles the history of the Human Genome Project, which
seeks to map all of the genes in human DNA. Discusses the
scientific origins of the project, the political struggles
that shaped it, and the bureaucratic organization that was
established to carry it out. Examines pertinent ethical,
social, and legal issues. 1994.
Genetic Engineering: Progress or Peril? RC 45743
by Linda Tagliaferro 
read by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
Explores the science and technology of genetic research and
its practical applications for medicine and agriculture.
Discusses transgenic engineering of plants and animals,
patenting of new life-forms, and issues of ethics and
regulatory controls. For junior and senior high readers.
1997.
Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and
Other Animals RC 46103
by Frans de Waal 
read by Randy Atcher
3 cassettes
Explores the biological basis of morality in primates and
other animals. Draws upon observations of animal behavior
and social dynamics that suggest tendencies toward altruism,
sympathy, guilt, and cooperation. Argues that evolution
favors ethical behavior. 1996.
How the Mind Works RC 46231
by Steven Pinker 
read by Kerry Cundiff
6 cassettes
Explores the mind and its cognitive processes in the context
of evolutionary theory. By "reverse engineering" modern
brain functions--including instincts, reason, memory, and
emotions--the author discerns an adaptive model of the mind
as having evolved over time to survive and reproduce. 1997.
Korolev: How One Man Masterminded the Soviet Drive to Beat
America to the Moon RC 45876
by James Harford 
read by Frank Coffee
4 cassettes
A portrait of the genius and driving force behind the Soviet
space program, who developed that nation's first ballistic
missile, Sputnik satellite, and manned space shot. Traces
his startling ascent from prisoner in a Siberian gulag in
the 1930s to mastermind of the Soviet space effort. 1997.
Life: A Natural History of the First Four Billion Years of
Life on Earth RC 46959
by Richard Fortey 
read by Gary Telles
4 cassettes
Using fossil evidence, a paleontologist traces the
development of plants and animals on Earth, from the origin
of the cosmos to the advent of humankind. Depicts the
evolution of simple organisms to complex life forms, the
symbiotic relationships among them, and the key role of
chance in the process. 1997.
Mathematical Mysteries: The Beauty and Magic of Numbers RC
45132
by Calvin C. Clawson 
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Reflects on the inherent beauty, interconnectedness, and
compelling truth of mathematics. Defines numbers, examines
their sequences and series, and explores exotic mathematical
relationships that have challenged great minds through the
ages. 1996.
The Number Sense: How the Mind Creates Mathematics RC 45759
by Stanislas Dehaene 
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
The author explains how the structure of the human brain
shapes mathematical abilities. Describes psychological
studies of the way people understand and manipulate numbers.
Reports on experiments involving animals and babies, as well
as those who have suffered brain injuries. 1997.
Perils of a Restless Planet: Scientific Perspectives on
Natural Disasters RC 46075
by Ernest Zebrowski 
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Examines selected natural disasters through history,
including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanos, tornados, and
epidemics. Inquires into the causes and dynamics of these
catastrophes with an eye toward anticipating such future
events and mitigating their effects. 1997.
Race and Human Evolution RC 46106
by Milford Wolpoff and Rachel Caspari 
read by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Two paleoanthropologists explore opposing theories of human
evolution, the origins of modern physical characteristics,
and the roots of racial variation. They compare the "Eve
theory" of recent human origin with a multiregional model
that posits a more gradual, diverse process of development.
1997.
Reading between the Bones: The Pioneers of Dinosaur
Paleontology RC 45783
by Susan Clinton 
read by Gary Telles
1 cassette
Profiles eight pioneers in the study of dinosaurs and
explains how scientific knowledge is cumulative. Clinton
notes that dinosaurs were unknown until 1824 when Georges
Cuvier identified the first dinosaur bone, describing it as
belonging to a whale-sized lizard. Now three hundred kinds
of dinosaurs are known to vertebrate paleontologists. For
junior and senior high readers. 1997.
Science and the Founding Fathers: Science in the Political
Thought of Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, and Madison RC 45480
by I. Bernard Cohen 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Explores the influence of scientific principles and
reasoning upon political thought and action in early
American government. Cites such examples as Jefferson's
reference to Newtonian elements in the Declaration of
Independence and Franklin's effective use of science in his
diplomatic and political careers. 1995.
The Science Class You Wish You Had: The Seven Greatest
Scientific Discoveries in History and the People Who Made
Them RC 46748
by David Eliot Brody and Arnold R. Brody 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Identifies seven basic scientific discoveries that gave rise
to the great technological advances of the late twentieth
century. Explains the principles and implications
surrounding gravity, the atom, relativity, the Big Bang,
DNA, evolution, and genetics. For high school and older
readers. 1997.
A Science Odyssey: One Hundred Years of Discovery RC 46834
by Charles Flowers 
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Examines scientific discoveries made during the twentieth
century that have dramatically altered daily life. Covers
both the advances and the people who accomplished them.
Explores five topics: physics and astronomy, technology,
origins, medicine, and human behavior. Companion to the PBS
series. 1998.
Smell: The Secret Seducer RC 45594
by Piet Vroon 
read by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
A psychologist explores the history, science, and myths
associated with the sense of smell, which he believes is
taken for granted in Western culture. He explains the
biology and "psychophysics" of olfaction, how the sense
varies in degree among individuals, and its links with
emotion, memory, and sex. 1997.
Stuff: The Materials the World Is Made Of RC 45604
by Ivan Amato 
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
Amato traces the use of stuff--raw materials--in the
development of products from prehistoric to modern times. He
relates the evolution of the field of materials science to
the human ability to manipulate smaller and smaller building
blocks of matter. He theorizes that "smart" materials, under
research in the 1990s, signal the beginning of a new
technological era. 1997.
The Universe Below: Discovering the Secrets of the Deep Sea
RC 45122
by William J. Broad 
read by Bruce Huntey
4 cassettes
Chronicles the exploration of the largest unexamined part of
the earth, the deep sea. Traces the human quest to
understand the sea from ancient times to the modern day,
when advanced technologies are fast pushing back the
undersea frontier. Reveals recent geologic and biological
discoveries from deep research. 1997.
Visions: How Science Will Revolutionize the Twenty-First
Century RC 46238
by Michio Kaku 
read by John Richardson
4 cassettes
Predicts that a convergence of quantum physics, computer
science, and biotechnology will revolutionize civilization
in the twenty-first century. Avers that humans will shift
from being "passive observers" to "active choreographers of
Nature" in the process. 1997.
Why Aren't Black Holes Black? RC 46702
by Robert M. Hazen 
read by Andy Chappell
3 cassettes
A survey of unanswered scientific questions on the frontiers
of chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and earth science.
Examines such unknowns as the origins and end of the earth,
the limits of available energy resources, and the existence
of extraterrestrial intelligence. 1997.
Worlds Unnumbered: The Search for Extrasolar Planets RC
45731
by Donald Goldsmith 
read by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
The author describes the search for extrasolar planets and
the discovery, in the mid-1990s, of seven planets circling
suns other than our own. Details the methods used, the
significance of these discoveries for understanding the
universe, and the prospects for future findings. 1997.
Yes, We Have No Neutrons: An Eye-Opening Tour through the
Twists and Turns of Bad Science RC 46227
by A.K. Dewdney 
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
A critique of "mistaken science"--examples of celebrated
experiments that violated accepted scientific method.
Describes eight cases of flawed work, including the claimed
discovery of cold fusion in 1989, Project Ozma's search for
extraterrestrial intelligence, and Biosphere 2. 1997.
Social Sciences
The Argument Culture: Moving from Debate to Dialogue RC
46752
by Deborah Tannen 
read by Pam Ward
3 cassettes
Asserts that public issues tend to be framed as adversarial,
yes-or-no arguments by lawyers, journalists, politicians,
and others in American society. Explains how the resulting
conflict in public dialog often obscures the truth and
hampers the constructive resolution of problems. 1998.
The Ashes of Waco: An Investigation RC 44696
by Dick J. Reavis 
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
An examination of a fifty-one-day standoff between members
of the Branch Davidian religious community and federal law
enforcement officials in Texas in 1993, and events that led
up to the crisis. The author argues for increased social
tolerance of religious movements and a decreased role for
the media in shaping public perceptions of them. 1995.
Black Intellectuals: Race and Responsibility in American
Life RC 46303
by William M. Banks 
read by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
The author traces black intellectuals in America since
colonial times. Discusses their need to balance personal
pursuits and goals with the public demand for mentors and
role models. Includes more than one hundred brief
biographical sketches. 1996.
The Children RC 45703
by David Halberstam 
read by Jake Williams
6 cassettes
As a young journalist in the early 1960s, Halberstam covered
the story of the "sit-in kids," who integrated lunch
counters in Nashville. In this book he chronicles the
actions of African American college students who were part
of the civil rights movement and traces their subsequent
careers. Some violence. 1998.
A Chosen Few: The Resurrection of European Jewry RC 46276
by Mark Kurlansky 
read by Ken Kliban
3 cassettes
A survey of European Jewry in the 1990s. Recounts interviews
with Holocaust survivors and their children about how they
recovered from World War II and why they are living in
Europe with its history of anti-Semitism. Depicts a number
of thriving Jewish communities in various cities of Europe.
1995.
The Death of Outrage: Bill Clinton and the Assault on
American Ideals RC 46905
by William J. Bennett 
read by Don Feldheim
2 cassettes
Former secretary of education analyzes the defenses that
President Bill Clinton and his lawyers used to deflect
criticism and compares the Clinton scandal with the uproar
over former president Richard M. Nixon. Bennett argues that
America's moral values have been eroded by corruption from
the top down. Bestseller 1998.
Dixie Rising: How the South Is Shaping American Values,
Politics, and Culture RC 44473
by Peter Applebome 
read by Bob Moore
3 cassettes
Applebome, a northerner who has been reporting from the
South since 1976--with no desire to return
north--interviewed blacks and whites regarding their
feelings on politics and society thirty years after the
civil rights movement. He concludes that not only is the
South becoming Americanized, but the North is becoming
southernized. 1996.
Euthanasia RC 44771
by Sunni Bloyd 
read by Ray Hagen
1 cassette
Explores facts, issues, and points of view on mercy killing.
Weighs legal and medical considerations, recounting actual
cases involving the question of euthanasia. Discusses the
effects of changing attitudes and medical technologies on
the right-to-die controversy. For junior and senior high
readers. 1995.
The Future of the Race RC 45477
by Henry Louis Gates and Cornel West 
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Two African American intellectuals reexamine W.E.B. DuBois's
theory of "the Talented Tenth," which declared that educated
black people bear a special obligation to lead and uplift
their race. The authors explore the theory's relevance in
the late 1990s and offer their own views on advancing
minority interests. 1996.
The Good Death: The New American Search to Reshape the End
of Life RC 46245
by Marilyn Webb 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
4 cassettes
Examines the modern death experience and the ethical, legal,
and medical issues surrounding the end of life. Inquires
into the process of dying through interviews with doctors,
hospice workers, and terminal patients. Describes the nature
of a "least-worst death." 1997.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies RC
46548
by Jared Diamond 
read by Butch Hoover
4 cassettes
Examines the disparate formation of human societies around
the world in terms of wealth and power. Argues that
accidents of geography and environment, rather than racial
differences, favored some civilizations over others for
developing agriculture, social institutions, and
technologies. 1997.
Hep-Cats, Narcs, and Pipe Dreams: A History of America's
Romance with Illegal Drugs RC 46515
by Jill Jonnes 
read by Kerry Cundiff
4 cassettes
A history of drug use in America, tracing three major drug
epidemics of the twentieth century. The author concludes
that analyzing supply and demand is crucial to understanding
the problem, and that a subculture of drug use permeates
American society. She also suggests ways to eradicate the
problem. For senior high and older readers. 1996.
How Rude! The Teenagers' Guide to Good Manners, Proper
Behavior, and Not Grossing People Out RC 46516
by Alex J. Packer 
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Advice on dealing with various social situations. Discusses
Internet courtesy and handling special situations such as
funerals and religious rites, family and school
expectations, and other scenarios. Question-and-answer
segments and charts summarize the counsel. For junior and
senior high readers. 1997.
The Last Plantation: Color, Conflict, and Identity;
Reflections of a New World Black RC 46278
by Itabari Njeri 
read by Robin Miles
2 cassettes
Explores the structure and dynamics of race relations in
1990s America. Examines issues of color discrimination
within the African American community and among various
minority groups. Argues that these biases promote a divisive
"last plantation" of the mind. Violence. 1997.
Life on the Line RC 46407
by Faye Wattleton 
read by Michele Schaeffer
4 cassettes
Autobiography of the first African American president of
Planned Parenthood. The daughter of a female fundamentalist
preacher, Faye Wattleton studied to be a nurse/midwife. Her
training revealed the horrors of illegal abortions. Joining
Planned Parenthood in the late 1960s, she has since worked
for women's reproductive rights. 1996.
The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a
Family RC 46336
by Dave Pelzer 
read by David Elias
2 cassettes
In this sequel to A Child Called "It" (RC 45004), Pelzer
relates his experiences living in a foster home from the age
of twelve through eighteen. Describes being socialized and
taught basic manners and values by one family and then
another. Concludes with recommendations for foster care.
Some strong language. Bestseller 1997.
Manhood in America: A Cultural History RC 45038
by Michael Kimmel 
read by Steven Carpenter
4 cassettes
Explores male role models from suave sophisticate to rugged
individualist and their changing ideals in America.
Discusses historical and contemporary standards of
masculinity, perceived threats to male esteem, and men's
reactions. Asserts that the battle to prove manhood is
ultimately futile. 1996.
One by One from the Inside Out: Essays and Reviews on Race
and Responsibility in America RC 45283
by Glenn C. Loury 
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
This collection of essays on American race relations also
includes book reviews of authors Cornel West, Andrew Hacker,
and Shelby Steele. Loury addresses such issues as
black-Jewish attitudes, hate speech on college campuses, and
the state of African American leadership. Some strong
language. 1995.
Paradise Lost: California's Experience, America's Future RC
46822
by Peter Schrag 
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
The author portrays California as the bellwether state for
the rest of the country: what happens in California
foreshadows events in other states. He describes his view of
the effects of California's initiative-driven political
system: a climate of ethnic unrest, dwindling social
services, and a crumbling school system. 1998.
Perfect Enemies: The Religious Right, the Gay Movement, and
the Politics of the 1990s RC 44082
by Chris Bull and John Gallagher 
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
Chronicles the cultural battle over gay rights in the 1990s.
Depicts the beliefs and goals of gay activists, as well as
those of conservative Christians who see homosexual behavior
as a symbol of moral decline. Discusses the major players
and the tactics that they employ in the conflict. 1996.
Signs of Life: A Memoir of Dying and Discovery RC 45605
by Tim Brookes 
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
A journalist examines questions about mortality and how
people deal with the idea of death and the reality of dying.
He recounts the process of his mother's death--the diagnosis
of terminal cancer, the hospice experience, and the grieving
of survivors. Offers insights into coping with matters at
life's end. 1997.
A Slender Thread RC 44800
by Diane Ackerman 
read by Kimberly Schraf
3 cassettes
The author recounts experiences as a telephone counselor in
a suicide prevention center. Offers insights into the plight
of callers who are variously lonely, alienated, angry, and
abused. Draws concepts and images from nature, science,
history, and literature to depict the complex world of the
crisis center. Strong language. 1997.
Social and Psychological Foundations of Rehabilitation RC
45495
by Robert A. Chubon 
read by Dave Jackson
3 cassettes
Examines the interdisciplinary process of rehabilitation
with the aim of promoting education and collaboration in the
field. Discusses the origins, philosophy, concepts, and
practice of rehabilitation. Explores issues affecting
rehabilitators and their clients. 1994.
Understanding Men's Passages: Discovering the New Map of
Men's Lives RC 46534
by Gail Sheehy 
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
This account, gleaned from interviews of about one hundred
white- and blue-collar working men, provides a candid look
at what male life is like in the 1990s. Written for men and
women, it discusses topics such as job loss, downsizing,
marriage and divorce, sexuality, and depression. Some strong
language. Bestseller 1998.
The Vanishing American Jew: In Search of Jewish Identity for
the Next Century RC 45524
by Alan M. Dershowitz 
read by Ralph Lowenstein
3 cassettes
Argues that Jewish identity is at risk of being lost, as
Jews increasingly intermarry and become absorbed into
American society. Points out that in this era, when Jews
have achieved so much as a people, it is ironic that their
cultural survival is more threatened than ever. Calls for
measures to solidify the Jewish community. 1997.
The Woven Figure: Conservatism and America's Fabric,
1994-1997 RC 45927
by George F. Will 
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Essays on the "new political landscape" of modern America.
The author observes and assesses society's diminished
standards of civility and behavior, the reduced role of
government, and how both liberals and conservatives are
adapting to these circumstances. 1997.
Sports and Recreation
Caught Inside: A Surfer's Year on the California Coast RC
45595
by Daniel Duane 
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
An account of a year spent surfing in northern California.
The author describes the natural history of the wildlife of
the area. He also delves into the art of crafting a
surfboard, the water dynamics of surfing, and the cultural
history of the sport. 1996.
Golf's Greatest Championship: The 1960 U.S. Open RC 44799
by Julian I. Graubart 
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
A recapitulation of the 1960 U.S. Open golf tournament held
in Denver, Colorado. The book celebrates the competitive
spirit of the players, culminating with the recounting of
Arnold Palmer's come-from-behind victory. 1997.
Icebreaker: The Autobiography of Rudy Galindo RC 44486
by Rudy Galindo 
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
After winning championships with his partner of six years,
Kristi Yamaguchi, figure skater Rudy Galindo was devastated
when she split with him in 1990. The openly gay
Mexican-American describes the troubled years until his
singles win in the 1996 U.S. Championships. 1997.
In the Huddle with--Steve Young RC 46226
by Matt Christopher 
read by John Polk
1 cassette
In this biography of Steve Young, quarterback of the San
Francisco 49ers, the author emphasizes that the athlete had
to struggle throughout his career to be number one. Through
hard work and determination, Young eventually became the
starting quarterback while earning a law degree in the off
season. For junior and senior high readers. 1996.
Jack Nicklaus: My Story RC 44895
by Jack Nicklaus 
read by Steven Carpenter
4 cassettes
A portrait of the legendary athlete who was named Golfer of
the Century in 1988. Traces his Ohio youth, recounts his
major golfing triumphs and career highlights, and offers
insights into the game and some of its leading
personalities. 1997.
Jackie Robinson: A Biography RC 45654
by Arnold Rampersad 
read by Bob Moore
5 cassettes
A portrait of the famed athlete who was the first African
American to play major league baseball. Traces his
California youth and college days, his military years, his
stellar baseball career, his family life, his business
ventures, and his role in advancing civil rights. 1997.
Kill the Body, the Head Will Fall: A Closer Look at Women,
Violence, and Aggression RC 44408
by Rene Denfeld 
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
A female writer recounts her experiences as an amateur boxer
and offers her views on the subject of women and aggression.
Denfeld critiques the conventional belief that women are
weaker and less aggressive than men, arguing that this
"myth" helps to perpetuate sexual inequality. Violence and
descriptions of sex. 1997.
Memories of Summer: When Baseball Was an Art and Writing
about It a Game RC 46315
by Roger Kahn 
read by Jeremy Gage
2 cassettes
A sportswriter's memoir of "the gilded era of baseball," the
postwar years before million-dollar salaries, television
networks, and player strikes. Recounts his experiences
covering the Brooklyn Dodgers and offers observations on
Willie Mays, Leo Durocher, Mickey Mantle, and other stars.
1997.
Pigskin: The Early Years of Pro Football RC 45629
by Robert W. Peterson 
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Chronicles the development of professional football from its
origins in college sports of the 1880s to its being a
nationally televised attraction in the twentieth century.
Traces the founding of the NFL in 1920 and the careers of
the game's original stars. Features interviews with former
players about the early years. 1997.
To the Hoop: The Seasons of a Basketball Life RC 46209
by Ira Berkow 
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
A respected sportswriter in his mid-fifties, Berkow has
enjoyed playing basketball since childhood. He discusses how
basketball has shaped his strategy and perspective both on
and off the court. Pickup games offer him the opportunity to
look into the soul of others as well as his own. Berkow
describes how he strives to improve his skills. 1997.
Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod RC
43280
by Gary Paulsen 
read by Michael Kramer
2 cassettes
Recounts the author's survival adventure: running the
1,180-mile Iditarod dogsled race across the Arctic
wilderness. Enduring frostbite, sleeplessness, moose
attacks, and countless trail hazards, he finishes the race
eager to run another. 1994.
Stage and Screen
Buster Keaton: Cut to the Chase RC 42720
by Marion Meade 
read by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
Born in 1895, Buster Keaton started in vaudeville as a child
in his parents' act. He went on to conceive, write, direct,
and star in ten silent feature films and nineteen short
comedies. Meade focuses on his personal life, which included
three marriages, two children, and a battle with alcoholism.
She also discusses the abuse young Keaton received from his
parents both on and off stage. Some strong language. 1995.
Christopher Reeve: Actor and Activist RC 45904
by Margaret L. Finn 
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
From his youth, Reeve participated in several artistic
endeavors, but soon decided on an acting career. Finn
describes Reeve's childhood, early years as an actor, and
the equestrian event that changed his life dramatically. The
author also covers Reeve's role as an activist for persons
with spinal cord injuries. For senior high and older
readers. 1997.
D.W. Griffith: An American Life RC 45761
by Richard Schickel 
read by Lou Harpenau
6 cassettes
A portrait of the legendary silent film director, whose
pioneering efforts set the stage for the modern movie
industry. Traces his childhood on a poor Southern farm, his
1908 entry into films, his meteoric rise to the top of his
profession, and his failures and disappointments later in
life. 1984.
Dorothy Dandridge: A Biography RC 46289
by Donald Bogle 
read by Christopher Hurt
5 cassettes
The author recounts the life of Dorothy Dandridge who, in
1954, became the first African American to receive an
Academy Award award nomination for best actress--for her
role in Carmen Jones. Depicts Dandridge as a child actor, a
wife and mother, a cabaret singer, and an African American
woman searching for acceptable roles in Hollywood. 1997.
George Burns and the Hundred-Year Dash RC 44300
by Martin Gottfried 
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes
Life of the beloved star of stage and screen who died in
1996 at the age of 100. Discusses his show-business
beginnings in vaudeville, where he later achieved
considerable fame teamed with his wife, Gracie Allen, as
"Burns and Allen." Also examines Burns's career resurgence
in 1975 with his Oscar-winning performance in "The Sunshine
Boys." Some strong language. 1996.
A Hell of a Life: An Autobiography RC 45999
by Maureen Stapleton and Jane Scovell 
read by Barbara Rappaport
2 cassettes
Memoir of a famed actress and star of stage and screen.
Traces her childhood in a troubled family, her early
discovery in the theater, and her long career of successive
award-winning roles. Stapleton speaks candidly about other
celebrities and about her own drinking problem and many
affairs. Strong language. 1995.
I Was That Masked Man RC 43897
by Clayton Moore 
read by Larry Shapiro
2 cassettes
The life story of Clayton Moore, who portrayed the Lone
Ranger on film from 1949 to 1957. Moore chronicles his days
of yesteryear as a trapeze artist, a soldier, an actor, and
an American hero. He says he tried to live up to the ideals
of honesty, justice, and patriotism that were championed by
the famed "masked man." 1996.
John Wayne: American RC 44187
by Randy Roberts and James S. Olson 
read by John Rayburn
6 cassettes
Life of one of Hollywood's most popular actors who appeared
in nearly two hundred films over his fifty-year career. The
authors detail his rise in Hollywood and his enormously
successful roles in western and war films, as well as his
three troubled marriages and criticism for his outspoken
conservative views. Some strong language. 1995.
John Wayne's America: The Politics of Celebrity RC 45616
by Garry Wills 
read by Gary Roan
3 cassettes
A portrait of a favorite movie star who came to symbolize
the virile American frontiersman. Traces Wayne's film
career, the development of his public image, and his
evolution as a model of patriotism, responsibility, and
self-reliance. Assesses the actor's impact on society. 1997.
Katharine Hepburn RC 42726
by Barbara Leaming 
read by Kimberly Schraf
4 cassettes
A look at the forces that shaped and drove the acclaimed
actress. From an accomplished but troubled New England
family, Katharine Hepburn was strongly influenced by her
strict father and her outspoken mother. From her earliest
days of acting in New York City, she is described as an
"original" and a "personage." The author sheds new light on
the relationships in Hepburn's life. Some strong language
and some descriptions of sex. 1995.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Modern-Day Romeo RC 45716
by Grace Catalano 
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Born in 1974, the actor decided to go into show business at
the age of twelve. This biography traces his television and
movie career and discusses his popularity. His movies
include This Boy's Life, William Shakespeare's Romeo and
Juliet, and Titanic. Bestseller 1998.
Man on the Flying Trapeze: The Life and Times of W.C. Fields
RC 45324
by Simon Louvish 
read by Gary Telles
4 cassettes
A portrait of comedy's bibulous curmudgeon, W.C. Fields.
Traces the career of the juggler and comic misanthrope from
burlesque and vaudeville to radio and the movies. Debunks
myths that Fields had a Dickensian childhood and that his
tombstone reads "I'd rather be in Philadelphia." 1997.
My Name Escapes Me: The Diary of a Retiring Actor RC 45867
by Alec Guinness 
read by John Horton
2 cassettes
Entries from a journal the knighted actor kept from January
of 1995 to June of 1996. In his early eighties, Guinness
wittily details his and his wife's retirement lifestyle:
socializing with friends and colleagues, attending the
theater, and coping with the deaths of friends. 1996.
Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood RC 45600
by Eileen Whitfield 
read by Terry Hayes Sales
4 cassettes
A portrait of "America's Sweetheart," the winsome star of
the silent screen who played a central role in popularizing
motion pictures. Traces Mary's troubled childhood, her youth
as a stage actor, her meteoric career in Hollywood, her
family life, and her later years as a recluse. 1997.
The Speed of Sound: Hollywood and the Talkie Revolution,
1926-1930 RC 46174
by Scott Eyman 
read by Ray Hagen
3 cassettes
An account of the motion picture industry's unsettling shift
from silent films to "talkies" in the 1920s. Describes the
race to invent a method of recording soundtracks and reveals
the far-reaching impact of these changes on the film
industry and on the art of cinema. 1997.
Stanley Kubrick: A Biography RC 45030
by John Baxter 
read by Faith Potts
4 cassettes
In-depth interviews with a wide variety of people provide
information about this reclusive filmmaker. Baxter covers
many aspects of Kubrick's life: his family origins, personal
relationships, and career as director of movies such as
Spartacus, Lolita, and The Shining. Bestseller 1997.
Tramp: The Life of Charlie Chaplin RC 44382
by Joyce Milton 
read by Michael Consoli
4 cassettes
Portrait of the first international film star. Chaplin's
movie successes--The Tramp, The Gold Rush, and City
Lights--and his founding of United Artists were often
overshadowed by controversy, including his numerous affairs,
messy divorces, tax problems, and association with leftist
political causes. Some strong language. 1996.
Travel
Anna and the King of Siam RC 46020
by Margaret Landon 
read by Faith Potts
4 cassettes
Anna Leonowens, a Welsh widow hired in 1862 to be governess
to the children and concubines of the king of Siam, found
the contrasts between the exotic Orient and Victorian Great
Britain striking. Landon recounts Leonowen's five years of
adventures and confrontations. This book inspired the
Broadway musical The King and I. 1943.
The Appalachian Trail Reader RC 45920
edited by David Emblidge 
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
A collection of travel diaries and registers, historical
accounts, and other writings that portray the 2,140-mile
recreational footpath running from Georgia to Maine. Traces
the wilderness trail northward, depicting its history,
geology, scenery, wildlife, and lore. 1996.
Demystifying Tibet: Unlocking the Secrets of the Land of the
Snows RC 46056
by Lee Feigon 
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
The author argues that culturally, linguistically, and
religiously Tibet is distinct from China. He traces the
history of Tibet, highlighting its origins and refuting
Western stereotypes about the country. He affirms that Tibet
deserves to be an independent nation. 1996.
Desert Places RC 45037
by Robyn Davidson 
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
An Australian woman recounts her travel experiences with a
nomadic population in the desert of western India. She
endures hardship and discomfort to record a disappearing way
of life. Despite being a foreigner, a woman, and ignorant of
the local language, she forges enduring friendships. 1996.
Fifty Years of Europe: An Album RC 46364
by Jan Morris 
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Morris recalls how she first saw Europe in 1946 after World
War II and reflects on the changes of the past fifty years.
Her fond reminiscences include historical details and
comments about European culture. She approves of the trend
toward economic unity but favors preserving the regional
ethnic diversity that makes travel on the continent
interesting. 1997.
Fodor's 96 Ireland RC 44488
by Fodor Staff 
read by Terry Donnelly
5 cassettes
Tips on dining, shopping, sightseeing, accommodations, and
recreational activities in Ireland. Specific chapters
highlight Dublin and environs, the Lakelands, Northern
Ireland, the Northwest, the Southwest, the West, the
Southeast, and also Ireland's legendary golf courses. 1995.
Fodor's 96 Scandinavia RC 44508
by Fodor Staff 
read by Catherine Byers
7 cassettes
Tips on dining, shopping, sightseeing, accommodations, and
recreational activities in Scandinavia. Specific chapters
highlight Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe
Islands), Finland (including Lapland), Iceland (including
the Western Fjords), Norway (including Central Fjord
Country), and Sweden. 1996.
Fodor's 97 Great Britain RC 44509
by Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. 
read by Christopher Hurt
7 cassettes
Tips on dining, shopping, sightseeing, accommodations, and
recreational activities in Great Britain. Specific chapters
highlight London, the Channel Islands, the Thames Valley,
the heart of England, Lancashire and the Peaks, Yorkshire,
East Anglia, Wales, Scotland, the South, the Southwest, the
Southeast, and the Northeast. 1996.
From the Field: A Collection of Writings from National
Geographic RC 45973
edited by Charles McCarry 
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Seventy-five articles selected from the popular magazine's
109-year existence. Although heavily illustrated, the
periodical contains scholarly articles about the planet and
its people. Contributors include Theodore Roosevelt, Charles
Lindberg, Maya Angelou, Tad Szulc, and Shelby Foote. 1997.
Frommer's 96 Caribbean RC 44487
by Darwin Porter 
read by Ralph Lowenstein
10 cassettes in 2 containers
Tips on dining, shopping, accommodations, and recreational
activities in the Caribbean: the Cayman Islands, Virgin
Islands, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Barbados, Dominican Republic,
Trinidad, Tobago, French West Indies, and the British and
Dutch Windward and Leeward Islands. 1995.
Frommer's 96 Mexico RC 44513
by Marita Adair 
read by Lewis Grenville
9 cassettes
Tips on dining, shopping, accommodations, and recreational
activities in the most popular places in Mexico: Mexico
City, Baja California, Copper Canyon, Guadalajara, Acapulco,
Veracruz, Puerto Vallarta, Tarascan country, Oaxaca,
Chiapas, Tabasco, Cancn, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Mrida, and
the Mayan cities. 1996.
Great American Vacations for Travelers with Disabilities RC
44697
by Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. 
read by Rick Rohan
9 cassettes
This handbook for travelers with physical handicaps includes
accessibility information in three categories--mobility,
hearing, and vision--as well as names and addresses of
specialized services and facilities. Destinations include
major U.S. cities, numerous national parks, Pennsylvania
Dutch country, and Walt Disney World. 1996.
A Hoosier Holiday RC 46087
by Theodore Dreiser 
read by Randy Davidson
3 cassettes
An account of a trip in 1915, when author Theodore Dreiser
and his friend, illustrator Franklin Booth, drove from New
York City to their home state of Indiana. The adventure was
heightened by the scarcity of roads, restaurants, and
lodging along the way, prompting Dreiser to write one of the
first road-trip books, complete with philosophical musings
and travel advice. 1997.
London RC 45865
by John Russell 
read by George Holmes
3 cassettes
Russell's personal tour of London. He calls on memories from
the fifty years he lived there and presents the history of
the city by way of its representation in works of art
through the centuries. 1994.
Magnetic North: A Trek across Canada RC 46965
by David Halsey 
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Recounts the adventures of a twenty-year-old inexperienced
camper who set out from Vancouver in 1977 to traverse the
wilderness to the other coast. Accompanied by a photographer
and a dog, Halsey--traveling by foot, snowshoe, cargo
toboggan, and canoe--learned to survive off the land. Forty-
seven hundred miles and two years later, he arrived at the
St. Lawrence River. 1990.
No Mercy: A Journey to the Heart of the Congo RC 45860
by Redmond O'Hanlon 
read by Graeme Malcolm
4 cassettes
British naturalist O'Hanlon and American animal behaviorist
Lary Shaffer travel to central Africa to learn the truth
about a "dinosaur" that, according to local lore, lives in
the region. Relates with humor and empathy the two men's
experience of culture shock and jungle hardships and
explores the complex beliefs of local inhabitants. Strong
language. 1996.
Notes from a Small Island RC 46281
by Bill Bryson 
read by Christopher Hurt
2 cassettes
Journalist Bill Bryson had lived in Great Britain for twenty
years when he decided to move back to the United States.
After one last trip around the island--mostly by public
transportation--to savor the uniqueness of British culture,
Bryson wrote this humorous account of the customs and
language of the people. 1995.
Pass the Butterworms: Remote Journeys Oddly Rendered RC
44584
by Tim Cahill 
read by Phil Regensdorf
2 cassettes
A collection of humorous anecdotes about travel forays in
remote lands. Recounts adventures with swarms of bees in the
Congo, kayaks off Vancouver Island, polar bears at the North
Pole, and cannibals in New Guinea. Strong language. 1997.
The Reader's Companion to Alaska RC 46207
edited by Alan Ryan 
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
Twenty-eight mostly autobiographical essays by various
authors describe Alaska. Beginning with John Muir's first
sighting of Glacier Bay in 1879, the stories move
chronologically to the 1990s. They provide glimpses of the
threat civilization poses to the forty-ninth state. For
senior high and older readers. 1997.
The Road to Ubar: Finding the Atlantis of the Sands RC 46271
by Nicholas Clapp 
read by John Stratton
2 cassettes
A day-by-day account of two expeditions to Arabia in search
of the site of the fabled city of Ubar. Inspired by a 1980
trip to return endangered Arabian oryxes to their native
habitat, Clapp became intrigued with the legend of Ubar and
obtained government radar imagery to help locate the ancient
remains. Bestseller 1998.
Roads to Santiago RC 46206
by Cees Nooteboom 
read by Lewis Grenville
3 cassettes
The Dutch author describes his journey through Spain on a
leisurely, circuitous route from Barcelona to Santiago. As
Nooteboom travels, he comments on the landscape, the history
of the area, its art and architecture, literary
associations, and local cuisine. 1992.
Talking to the Ground: One Family's Journey on Horseback
across the Sacred Land of the Navajo RC 45065
by Douglas Preston 
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Chronicles a family's adventure through the Southwestern
desert along the legendary trail of the Navajo deity
"Monster Slayer." Along the way, the author describes the
history of the territory, the Anasazi and Navajo cultures,
the harsh climate, and the rugged terrain. 1995.
To Timbuktu RC 46486
by Mark Jenkins 
read by John Stratton
2 cassettes
Jenkins recounts how he and Mike Moe, intrepid travel
buddies, explore the headwaters of the Niger River by kayak
before they become fathers. His account is interwoven with
memories of their first trip to Africa years before and with
sketches of nineteenth-century European explorers searching
for Timbuktu. Some descriptions of sex. 1997.
Trouble-Free Travel: And What to Do When Things Go Wrong RC
46237
by Stephen D. Colwell and Ann R. Shulman 
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
A guide for helping travelers understand and assert their
legal rights while on a trip. Covers travel by air, sea, and
auto; travel agents and tours; foreign travel; insurance;
and more. Offers advice on resolving disputes that arise in
planning and taking a trip. 1996.
Villages RC 45270
by Richard Critchfield 
read by Gordon Gould
3 cassettes (Reissue)
In the tradition of the traveler-storyteller-amateur
anthropologist, an award-winning American journalist
describes the Third World villages he experienced during the
1970s. Among the countries he visited were Brazil, Morocco,
Sudan, Nepal, the Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, India, Egypt,
and China. 1981.
Vodka, Tears, and Lenin's Angel: My Adventures in the Wild
and Woolly Former Soviet Union RC 45646
by Jennifer Gould 
read by Mary Kane
4 cassettes
A young female journalist writes vivid accounts of daily
events in the former Soviet Union during her three-year stay
in the early 1990s. Finding an apartment in Moscow;
interviewing the famous, the infamous, and even the
nameless; and traveling through the countryside all provide
the insights she shares about the political and social
situation. 1997.
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the
Appalachian Trail RC 46519
by Bill Bryson 
read by Michael Consoli
2 cassettes
Bryson relates the adventures and misadventures of two
totally unfit hikers as he and longtime friend Stephen Katz
traverse the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail. Returning from
more than twenty years in Britain, he set out to rediscover
his homeland, but the two men find themselves awed by the
terrain and stymied by the unfamiliar local culture. Some
strong language. Bestseller 1998.
The Ashes of Waco: An Investigation RC 44696
by Dick J. Reavis 
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
An examination of a fifty-one-day standoff between members
of the Branch Davidian religious community and federal law
enforcement officials in Texas in 1993, and events that led
up to the crisis. The author argues for increased social
tolerance of religious movements and a decreased role for
the media in shaping public perceptions of them. 1995.
Bernard Romans: Forgotten Patriot of the American
Revolution; Military Engineer and Cartographer of West Point
and the Hudson Valley RC 45994
by Lincoln Diamant 
read by John Rayburn
1 cassette
Biography of a Dutch-born surveyor, cartographer, and
engineer of the American Revolution. As a British civil
servant, Romans spent decades surveying Florida and the
southeast territories. When the war came, Romans joined the
American side and helped to defend the Hudson River. 1985.
Bombshell: The Secret Story of America's Unknown Atomic Spy
Conspiracy RC 46039
by Joseph Albright and Marcia Kunstel 
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
The authors allege that scientist Theodore Hall, a teenager
who helped develop the atomic bomb at Los Alamos in 1944,
was a Soviet spy. They present a body of evidence including
a motive, based on archives released after the Cold War and
interviews with Hall to support their accusations. 1997.
Born for Liberty: A History of Women in America RC 46824
by Sara M. Evans 
read by Gabriella Cavallero
3 cassettes
Traces the role of women in the United States, highlighting
the contributions of individuals of Native American,
African, and European ancestry. Portrays the daily life and
struggles of women, as well as their achievements, in the
context of historical developments from the earliest
continental settlements through the 1980s. For senior high
and older readers. 1989.
The Day before Yesterday: Reconsidering America's Past,
Rediscovering the Present RC 45571
by Michael Elliott 
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
The author contends that Americans whine about their
country's future because they compare everything to the
Golden Age of 1945-1970. Elliott suggests that the economic
conditions of these post-war years were an anomaly in
history. He says that the U.S. of the 1990s is more like the
U.S. of pre-World War I, a nation of immigrants. He
recommends that Americans be optimistic. 1996.
A History of the American People RC 46010
by Paul Johnson 
read by Gary Telles
10 cassettes
A social narrative and interpretation of the history of the
United States from colonial times to the Clinton era.
Includes material gleaned from diaries, letters, and
recorded conversations; character analyses of primary
achievers of each era; as well as extensive--and sometimes
critical--comments by the author, a British conservative.
Bestseller 1997.
The Irish in America RC 46280
edited by Michael Coffey 
read by Frank Coffee
3 cassettes
Essays on the Irish American experience and the
contributions of Irish immigrants to their adopted nation.
Depicts Ireland's potato famine of the 1840s and the mass
migration to the United States, the efforts of the newcomers
to establish themselves in American society, and the role of
the prominent "New Irish." Some strong language. 1997.
John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life RC 45653
by Paul C. Nagel 
read by Rick Rohan
4 cassettes
Based on Adams's diary and correspondence, this biography
depicts his family life as well as his political career.
Covers his negotiation of the Monroe Doctrine, his
successful defense of the Amistad antislavery case before
the Supreme Court, and his term as the sixth U.S. president.
1997.
The Living and the Dead: Robert McNamara and Five Lives of a
Lost War RC 45138
by Paul Hendrickson 
read by Barry Bernson
4 cassettes
Examines the career of McNamara, secretary of defense under
Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, juxtaposed
with the lives of several other people who were profoundly
affected by the Vietnam War. Includes the stories of a
Quaker who immolated himself in protest and an artist who
attempted to kill McNamara. Some violence. 1996.
Passage to Union: How the Railroads Transformed American
Life, 1829-1929 RC 46235
by Sarah H. Gordon 
read by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
Traces, from the nineteenth century, the growth of railroads
and their impact on America's evolving economy, society, and
law. Describes how the railroads helped unify a fragmented
nation, settle the West, advance trade, and centralize
wealth. Laments that the network promoted cities at the
expense of small towns. 1997.
The Petticoat Affair: Manners, Mutiny, and Sex in Andrew
Jackson's White House RC 46695
by John F. Marszalek 
read by Terry Hayes Sales
3 cassettes
1829. An account of Washington society centered around the
vivacious Margaret O'Neale Timberlake and her husband, John
Henry Eaton, Andrew Jackson's secretary of war. When the
wives of the president's cabinet members try to exclude
Margaret--a "loose woman"--Jackson fuels the scandal of the
"Eaton affair" by dismissing their husbands from office.
1997.
Philistines at the Hedgerow: Passion and Property in the
Hamptons RC 46848
by Steven Gaines 
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
Gaines offers a cultural history of the Hamptons, once the
fishing ground of a Montauk Indian named Jeorgkee. He
explains how the land was bought and sold, especially by
real estate magnate Allan Schneider. He also discusses
famous people who have inhabited the multimillion dollar
estates--including Ron Perelman, Jackson Pollock, and Martha
Stewart--and their feuds. Bestseller 1998.
Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years, 1963-65 RC 45816
by Taylor Branch 
read by Ralph Lowenstein
6 cassettes
This second volume continues the narrative history of the
civil rights movement in the United States begun in Parting
the Waters (RC 29759). Covers the pivotal years of
1963-1965, including the passage of the Civil Rights Act of
1964. Portrays Martin Luther King Jr. upholding the
nonviolent movement. Bestseller 1998.
Prohibition: Thirteen Years That Changed America RC 45687
by Edward Behr 
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
Reviews the history of drinking in America from colonial
times and chronicles the Prohibition era from 1920 to 1933.
The author contends that thirteen years of legal Prohibition
actually fueled organized crime and entrenched corruption.
He also compares the 1920s debate about alcoholism with the
1990s struggle against drug abuse. For senior high and older
readers. 1996.
Promised Land, Crusader State: The American Encounter with
the World since 1776 RC 45127
by Walter A. McDougall 
read by Lou Harpenau
2 cassettes
Explores the principles, values, and history of American
foreign policy. Examines eight distinct traditions that have
influenced the nation's diplomacy over two centuries. Argues
that the global interventionist policies of Presidents
Johnson and Clinton have harmed the United States. 1997.
Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It
Changed America RC 46388
by John M. Barry 
read by Chuck Young
4 cassettes
An account of the catastrophic flood of 1927, in which at
least one thousand Americans were killed and another million
displaced by the swollen Mississippi River. Traces early
engineering efforts at river control, which set the stage
for the disaster. Explores the flood's far-reaching social,
political, and economic implications. 1997.
Saints and Strangers: Being the Lives of the Pilgrim Fathers
and Their Families, with Their Friends and Foes; and an
Account of Their Posthumous Wanderings in Limbo, Their Final
Resurrection and Rise RC 44888
by George F. Willison 
read by Annie Wauters
4 cassettes
This account of the founding of the Plymouth Colony portrays
the Pilgrims as complex human beings. Includes a list of all
persons in the Pilgrim Company, as well as the officers of
the Old Colony and of the Pilgrim Church. 1945.
Science and the Founding Fathers: Science in the Political
Thought of Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, and Madison RC 45480
by I. Bernard Cohen 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Explores the influence of scientific principles and
reasoning upon political thought and action in early
American government. Cites such examples as Jefferson's
reference to Newtonian elements in the Declaration of
Independence and Franklin's effective use of science in his
diplomatic and political careers. 1995.
Slaves in the Family RC 46018
by Edward Ball 
read by Robert Sams
4 cassettes
A history of a South Carolina homestead from 1698 to 1865,
told through interviews with descendants of plantation
slaves. Inspired by a family reunion to learn about the
past, the author traveled across the United States and to
Africa. Among the timeworn recollections are portrayals of
slaves and slaveholders working side by side over
generations. Bestseller 1998.
The Smithsonian Book of the First Ladies: Their Lives,
Times, and Issues RC 45486
edited by Edith P. Mayo 
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Brief biographies of forty-three American first ladies,
describing their accomplishments as well as problems they
encountered. Includes historical information and social
issues that influenced women in each era, such as
temperance, suffrage, and education. For junior and senior
high and older readers. 1996.
Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's
Continuing Debate over Science and Religion RC 45497
by Edward J. Larson 
read by John Rayburn
2 cassettes
A historical account of the 1925 Scopes "monkey" trial, when
the state of Tennessee prosecuted John Scopes for teaching
evolution in a public school. The courtroom arguments
featured the famous orators William Jennings Bryan and
Clarence Darrow debating religion and the state's right to
dictate school curriculum. 1997.
That Dark and Bloody River: Chronicles of the Ohio River
Valley RC 43150
by Allan W. Eckert 
read by Jake Williams
9 cassettes
A narrative history of the bloody struggles over the Ohio
River valley in the late 1700s. Recounts the conflicts of
Indian tribes among themselves and with white settlers. Uses
source documents to reconstruct daily lives as well as the
triumphs and tragedies that marked this pivotal period.
Violence. 1995.
Ulysses S. Grant: Soldier and President RC 46098
by Geoffrey Perret 
read by Butch Hoover
4 cassettes
A portrait of the enigmatic military commander whose Civil
War strategy of attrition portended "the future of the
United States Army." Traces his frontier youth, his West
Point years, his heroism in the Mexican War, his bold
leadership of Union forces under President Lincoln, and his
service as president. 1997.
Watergate: The Corruption of American Politics and the Fall
of Richard Nixon RC 42719
by Fred Emery 
read by Ray Hagen
4 cassettes
A companion to the 1994 Discovery Channel series by the
Washington bureau chief for the Times of London from 1970 to
1977. Emery, now of the BBC, draws on twenty-years-later
interviews and tapes and documents released in the 1990s to
detail the Watergate burglary. Also examines other illegal
activities against political rivals and describes cover-up
attempts. 1994.
The Year the Dream Died: Revisiting 1968 in America RC 45763
by Jules Witcover 
read by Lou Harpenau
5 cassettes
Chronicles events of 1968, a year marked by "violence,
deception, and collective trauma." Recounts assassinations
of public figures, the deteriorating war in Vietnam, and the
urban riots that rocked the nation. Avers that this
watershed period led to the demise of liberalism and the
public's loss of faith in government. 1997.
War
A Boy's War RC 43286
by Paxton Davis 
read by Phil Regensdorf
2 cassettes
In this sequel to Being a Boy (RC 28979), Paxton Davis tells
of his own coming-of-age through the rigors of military
service in World War II. Davis recounts the indignities of
army induction, his training as a medic, and his combat
experience in Burma. Strong language. 1990.
Brass-Pounders: Young Telegraphers of the Civil War RC 45263
by Alvin Fay Harlow 
read by Robert Donley
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Activities and anecdotes of the teenage boys who worked as
telegraph operators during the Civil War, who faced all the
risks of battle even though they were civilians. 1962.
Chancellorsville RC 45938
by Stephen W. Sears 
read by Lou Harpenau
5 cassettes
Describes the Confederate victory at Chancellorsville,
Virginia, in 1863. It was during this campaign that
Stonewall Jackson was accidentally shot by his own troops
while riding night inspection. Robert E. Lee later pressed
northward toward Pennsylvania after this hollow victory
where over 30,000 men were killed, wounded, or missing.
Years later Stephen Crane immortalized the battle in the Red
Badge of Courage (RC 22405). 1996.
Endgame: The Betrayal and Fall of Srebrenica, Europe's Worst
Massacre since World War II RC 45818
by David Rohde 
read by Ed Blake
3 cassettes
Rohde examines the days leading up to the 1995 massacre of
more than seven thousand Muslims after Srebrenica, Bosnia,
fell to the Serbs while under U.N. protection. In addition
to his own eyewitness account, he provides the stories of
seven other people--Muslim residents, Serb soldiers, and
Dutch peacekeepers. Violence and some strong language. 1997.
Escape from Sobibor RC 45795
by Richard Rashke 
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
An account of the 1943 prisoner breakout at Sobibor, a Nazi
death camp in eastern Poland. Drawing mainly from
recollections of survivors, the author describes the grim
conditions in the camp, the inmates' revolt, and their
escape--the largest of its kind during World War II. Strong
language and violence. 1995.
Fields of Battle: The Wars for North America RC 45444
by John Keegan 
read by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
Examines the influence of geographic factors in North
American battles. Conducts analytical tours of forts and
battlefields of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and
others. Explains the parts waterways, terrain, and space
played in strategies and outcomes of key conflicts. 1995.
Good to Go: The Life and Times of a Decorated Member of the
U.S. Navy's Elite SEAL Team Two RC 46544
by Harry Constance and Randall Fuerst 
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Memoir of a member of the U.S. Navy SEAL corps, who served
in three hundred combat missions during the Vietnam War.
Recounts arduous training, covert operations behind enemy
lines, and brutal fighting during the Tet offensive in 1968.
Strong language and violence. 1997.
Making the Corps RC 46579
by Thomas E. Ricks 
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Examines marine boot camp at Parris Island following the
training of new recruit platoon 3086 in 1995. Observes
transition of American youths from civilian society to the
military. Also explores how the Marine Corps has recovered
from Vietnam and reestablished its reputation. 1997.
Reporting World War II: American Journalism, 1944-1946 RC
44200
by Library of America 
read by Mitzi Friedlander
6 cassettes
An anthology of news dispatches, articles, letters, and
broadcast transcripts from the beachheads and front lines of
World War II. Covers the war's final eighteen months,
recounting the Normandy invasion, the liberation of Paris,
Pacific island battles, and the bombing of Japan. Violence.
1995.
Russia's War: Blood upon the Snow RC 46481
by Richard Overy 
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Examines material from the KGB and U.S. presidential
archives to analyze Russia's role in the military victory
over Germany in World War II. Attributes much to the
strength of the Russian spirit of perseverance in the face
of adversity as evidenced in that country's history and
traditions. Companion volume to the television series
"Russia's War." 1997.
SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam RC
45641
by John L. Plaster 
read by Bob Moore
3 cassettes
Recounts covert operations by American special forces code-
named the Studies and Operations Group in the Vietnam War.
The SOG rescued downed pilots, sabotaged targeted
installations, and sapped enemy troop strength. The author
depicts the valor and sacrifices of these secret warriors.
Violence. 1997.
Tragic Years, 1860-1865: A Documentary History of the
American Civil War RC 45638
by Paul M. Angle and Earl Schenck Miers 
read by Robert Sams
9 cassettes
Using primary sources including diaries, letters, speeches,
and written recordings of conversation, two historians have
compiled a record of the Civil War. The war caused social
upheaval that tore the country apart as evidenced in
documents from the general population as well as those from
famous statesmen and military commanders. 1960.
The West
Broken Country: Mountains and Memory RC 44259
by C.L. Rawlins 
read by Michael Kramer
3 cassettes
In the summer of 1973, a young man spurned the military
draft and set out to herd sheep in the harsh and remote Salt
River Range of Wyoming. Twenty-three years later he recounts
the events of that summer, when his life was forever
changed. Strong language. 1996.
In Search of Kinship: Modern Pioneering on the Western
Landscape RC 46093
by Page Lambert 
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
A woman chronicles her family's harsh, yet fulfilling, life
on a Wyoming ranch. Celebrates their connection with the
land and nature, while lamenting the passing of family
traditions in the modern world. 1996.
Leaning into the Wind: Women Write from the Heart of the
West RC 45965
edited by Linda Hasselstrom and others 
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
An anthology of memories, reflections, and poems about the
hardships and the joys of living on the Great Plains as
experienced by 125 women from six Western states. All are
true accounts from the lives of ranchers, teachers,
journalists, truck drivers, veterinarians, and women in
other occupations. For senior high and older readers. 1997.
Wyatt Earp: The Life behind the Legend RC 45609
by Casey Tefertiller 
read by Randy Atcher
4 cassettes
A balanced portrait of a renowned frontier lawman, whose
exploits helped form the modern image of the Old West.
Traces his career as a prospector, gambler, and marshal of
Tombstone, Arizona, where he became a legend in the gunfight
at the O.K. Corral. 1997.
Women's Concerns
Born for Liberty: A History of Women in America RC 46824
by Sara M. Evans 
read by Gabriella Cavallero
3 cassettes
Traces the role of women in the United States, highlighting
the contributions of individuals of Native American,
African, and European ancestry. Portrays the daily life and
struggles of women, as well as their achievements, in the
context of historical developments from the earliest
continental settlements through the 1980s. For senior high
and older readers. 1989.
Creme de la Femme: A Collection of the Best Contemporary
Women Writers, Lyricists, Playwrights, and Cartoonists RC
46849
compiled by Anne Safran Dalin 
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
Humorous essays, poems, and cartoons by women arranged by
themes such as men, family, rights, and politics. Some
strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1997.
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter: A Woman's Journey from
Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine RC 46005
by Sue Monk Kidd 
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
The author writes of her conversion from a Southern Baptist
with a patriarchal view of the world to a femininist who
glories in the spiritual consciousness of womanhood. Kidd
includes research from the Bible, fairy tales, myths, and
feminist religious leaders to illustrate her beliefs. 1996.
Dyke Life: From Growing Up to Growing Old, a Celebration of
the Lesbian Experience RC 42725
edited by Karla Jay 
read by Celeste Lawson
3 cassettes
Gay women from all walks of life contribute twenty-five
essays and numerous sidebars on aspects of being a lesbian.
Topics include relationships with family members, aging,
health-care issues, stereotypes, coming out, gay pride, and
lesbian marriages and parenting. Strong language and some
explicit descriptions of sex. 1995.
Fruitful: A Real Mother in the Modern World RC 44991
by Anne Roiphe 
read by Celeste Lawson
2 cassettes
Offers her personal experiences trying to blend the roles of
mother and feminist in 1960s and 1970s America. Expresses
her concern with women's continuing struggle to balance
career and family and her disappointment with the feminist
movement for deviating from its long-term goals. 1996.
I'm Too Young to Be This Old! RC 46366
by Patricia (Poppy) Smith 
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
A former Bible-study lecturer looks at the lighter side of a
woman's experience of those "muddled middle years." Suddenly
her children look too old to belong to her, her friends seem
to be aging prematurely, and her husband becomes a virtual
stranger. Smith also examines the issues of caring for aging
parents and preparing for old age. 1997.
Kill the Body, the Head Will Fall: A Closer Look at Women,
Violence, and Aggression RC 44408
by Rene Denfeld 
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
A female writer recounts her experiences as an amateur boxer
and offers her views on the subject of women and aggression.
Denfeld critiques the conventional belief that women are
weaker and less aggressive than men, arguing that this
"myth" helps to perpetuate sexual inequality. Violence and
descriptions of sex. 1997.
Leaning into the Wind: Women Write from the Heart of the
West RC 45965
edited by Linda Hasselstrom and others 
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
An anthology of memories, reflections, and poems about the
hardships and the joys of living on the Great Plains as
experienced by 125 women from six Western states. All are
true accounts from the lives of ranchers, teachers,
journalists, truck drivers, veterinarians, and women in
other occupations. For senior high and older readers. 1997.
Life on the Line RC 46407
by Faye Wattleton 
read by Michele Schaeffer
4 cassettes
Autobiography of the first African American president of
Planned Parenthood. The daughter of a female fundamentalist
preacher, Faye Wattleton studied to be a nurse/midwife. Her
training revealed the horrors of illegal abortions. Joining
Planned Parenthood in the late 1960s, she has since worked
for women's reproductive rights. 1996.
Little Sister: Searching for the Shadow World of Chinese
Women RC 45048
by Julie Checkoway 
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
An American woman's memoir of her year in an industrial city
in China, where she studied the lives of women. She depicts
their arduous lot by recounting several life stories,
relating them to her own struggles and losses. 1996.
Little X: Growing Up in the Nation of Islam RC 46937
by Sonsyrea Tate 
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Autobiography of an African American woman who was raised as
a Muslim during the 1960s and 1970s. After being insulated
by the Nation of Islam as a child, Sonsyrea is shocked when
she has to transfer to a public school. She also describes
everyday life for women and children in a culture that is
outside the mainstream. For senior high and older readers.
1997.
Making Faces RC 45297
by Kevyn Aucoin 
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
Makeup artist Aucoin describes his techniques for applying
cosmetics to create a variety of looks, ranging from
minimalist to "bombshell." Bestseller 1997.
Promiscuities: The Secret Struggle for Womanhood RC 45136
by Naomi Wolf 
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
2 cassettes
Wolf examines the difficulties of adolescent girls coming of
age sexually in American society. She recalls what it was
like to grow up after the sexual revolution of the 1970s and
analyzes attitudes toward female sexuality in American
society and other cultures in the late 1990s. Explicit
descriptions of sex and strong language. 1997.
To Dance with the Devil: The New War on Breast Cancer RC
46041
by Karen Stabiner 
read by Mary Kane
4 cassettes
Stabiner presents the personal experiences of several
patients of the UCLA Breast Center as they are treated by
surgeon Dr. Susan Love. Examining the politics of research
dollars and government support, Stabiner asserts that
concern about womens' diseases was an afterthought until the
1990s. She attributes the new emphasis on finding a cure to
Love and colleagues. 1997.
Vamps and Tramps: New Essays RC 43657
by Camille Paglia 
read by Celeste Lawson
4 cassettes
Essays on feminism and American culture since the 1960s.
Paglia argues for a "revamped feminism" that removes
barriers to the advance of women but not at the price of
special protections for women. She opposes state regulation
of art, of abortion, of prostitution, and of drug use.
Strong language. 1994.
Wave-Rings in the Water: My Years with the Women of Postwar
Japan RC 45514
by Carmen Johnson 
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Memoir of an American woman who served in the Allied
occupation of Japan after World War II. Recounts her efforts
and experiences promoting democratic values and women's
rights in the traditionally authoritarian and male-dominated
culture. 1996.
We Are Our Mothers' Daughters RC 46340
by Cokie Roberts 
read by Janis Gray
1 cassette
Roberts, who works for ABC News and National Public Radio,
discusses women's roles in society in the 1990s. She
presents minibiographies of women such as her mother and her
sister--both politicians--as well as a reporter, a
civil-rights activist, and a mechanic. Roberts concludes
that for most women the role of nurturer takes precedence.
Bestseller 1998.
Wise Women: Over Two Thousand Years of Spiritual Writing by
Women RC 45412
edited by Susan Cahill 
read by Nanette Savard
3 cassettes
This anthology presents spiritual, but not necessarily
religious, writings of women from ancient to modern times.
Each entry includes a biographical sketch of the author and
the time in which she lived. Among the selections are works
by Joan of Arc, Anne Bradstreet, Emily Dickinson, and
Eleanor Roosevelt. 1996.
A Woman's Guide to Coping with Disability RC 45924
by Resources for Rehabilitation 
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
Information to help women maintain their independence, raise
a family, and continue in a career despite physical
challenges. Strategies for living with arthritis, diabetes,
lupus, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and
spinal cord injury. Includes a list of national
organizations that provide services for women. 1997.
World History
The American Encounter: The United States and the Making of
the Modern World; Essays from Seventy-five Years of Foreign
Affairs RC 46053
edited by James F. Hoge and Fareed Zakaria 
read by Mary Kane
6 cassettes
A collection of articles from the journal Foreign Affairs
that reflect the United States through the twentieth
century. Selections present chronological overviews of
distinct eras--including the two world wars, the Vietnam
war, and the collapse of Communism--with intellectual
analyses. 1997.
Anatomy of a Miracle: The End of Apartheid and the Birth of
the New South Africa RC 45035
by Patti Waldmeir 
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
A description of South Africa's laborious process of
political and social reformation, which led to the
abolishment of apartheid and the ascent to power of the
African National Congress. The author draws on personal
interviews conducted with the political figures who were
central to the country's transformation. 1997.
Cafe Europa: Life after Communism RC 45543
by Slavenka Drakulic 
read by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
A Croatian journalist reflects on postcommunist society and
life in her country between 1992 and 1996. Depicts a
deprived and marginalized people "longing for Europe and all
that it stands for" as they strive to achieve democracy and
a free-market economy for themselves. 1996.
Captured by History: One Man's Vision of Our Tumultuous
Century RC 44876
by John Toland 
read by Lewis Grenville
4 cassettes
Memoir of a historian who witnessed some of the twentieth
century's significant events and interviewed many of its
central figures. Recounts his adventures riding the rails as
a hobo during the depression and his years in uniform during
World War II. Violence. 1997.
China Live: Two Decades in the Heart of the Dragon RC 45073
by Mike Chinoy 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
A CNN bureau chief's memoir of more than twenty years
covering China. Chronicles the early days of the
prodemocracy movement and its suppression, as well as social
reactions to economic reforms. Explores the impact of global
satellite coverage of key events such as the Tiananmen
Square crisis in 1989. 1997.
City of Stone: The Hidden History of Jerusalem RC 46292
by Meron Benvenisti 
read by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
Examines the history of Jerusalem, emphasizing the twentieth
century. Asserts that the city is more than just a physical
location; it has an emotional and symbolic importance within
Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Assesses the interaction
of religion and politics in the city's past and present but
finds no facile solution to the problems of the future.
1996.
Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World RC 45502
by Mark Kurlansky 
read by Miriam Wagner
2 cassettes
A history of "a 1,000-year fishing spree" that left the
Atlantic codfish on the brink of extinction. Traces the
development of the industry and its impact on civilization,
including the Viking voyages to the New World, international
conflicts over fishing grounds, the rise of the Atlantic
slave trade, and the decline of the British Empire. 1997.
The Collapse of the Third Republic: An Inquiry into the Fall
of France in 1940 RC 43410
by William L. Shirer 
read by Peter Gil
9 cassettes in 2 containers
Recounts events that led to Hitler's victory over France in
1940. Traces the rise of the Third Republic from 1871 to its
height as the "greatest power on the continent of Europe" in
1925. Chronicles the subsequent failed leadership and
policies, corruption, and public cynicism that sapped the
French nation during its decline. 1969.
The Coming Conflict with China RC 45039
by Richard Bernstein and Ross H. Munro 
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Predicts a looming Sino-American confrontation in the early
twenty-first century when China becomes the world's second-
most-powerful nation. The authors assert that as an
ascendant and aggressive China moves to dominate Asia, the
competitive tensions between that nation and the United
States will rise. 1997.
Compaero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara RC 45980
by Jorge G. Castaeda 
read by Gabriella Cavallero
5 cassettes
A portrait of famed Latin American revolutionary leader Che
Guevara. Traces his restless youth as an upper-class
Argentine, his medical education, his critical role in Fidel
Castro's 1958 Cuban revolution, his involvement in Africa's
Congo rebellion, and his death at the hands of Bolivian
forces in 1967. 1997.
Desert Queen: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell;
Adventurer, Adviser to Kings, Ally of Lawrence of Arabia RC
45530
by Janet Wallach 
read by Suzanne Toren
3 cassettes
Depicts an exception among wealthy British women in the
early twentieth century. Describes her knowledge of Arabic,
Mesopotamian geography, and tribal politics, which made her
instrumental in the emergence of Iraq as a nation. The dream
of marriage and children eluded her, but her published books
and role in Middle East history are her legacy. 1996.
The Dream Palace of the Arabs: A Generation's Odyssey RC
46738
by Fouad Ajami 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Examines the concepts of secular nationalism and modernity
as conceived by Arab intellectuals of Beirut, Baghdad,
Damascus, and Cairo. Provides insights into the Middle East
from Arabic sources--fiction, poetry, memoirs, and political
commentaries. 1998.
Echoes of a Native Land: Two Centuries of a Russian Village
RC 46686
by Serge Schmemann 
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
An American journalist assigned to Moscow uses his
grandfather's memoirs to locate the village of his
ancestors. From villagers' recollections and private
records, Schmemann traces the history of the village into
the twentieth century, after his family had gone into exile.
1997.
Egypt, Greece, and Rome: Civilizations of the Ancient
Mediterranean RC 46107
by Charles Freeman 
read by Lou Harpenau
6 cassettes
An introduction to three major societies that sprung up on
the coast of the Mediterranean. In addition to the classical
histories, traces early Egyptian civilization from 3200 B.C.
through the fall of the Roman Empire in A.D. 600. Depicts
the ancient cultures in terms of their art, philosophies,
religions, politics, and architectures. Portrays major
historical figures. 1996.
Europe: A History RC 45817
by Norman Davies 
read by Robert Blumenfeld
13 cassettes in 3 containers
A sweeping chronicle of European history from prehistoric
times to the mid-1990s. Maps out a "basic grid of time and
space" as a framework for discussing major figures, events,
socioeconomic trends, and cultural movements. Features brief
capsule summaries of specific changes that exemplify broader
historical currents. 1996.
Finding the Lost Cities RC 46956
by Rebecca Stefoff 
read by Peter Gil
2 cassettes
Describes twelve lost cities on five continents in the order
of their rediscovery in modern times: Petra, Nineveh,
Hattusha, Copn, Chaco Canyon, Angkor, Troy, Zimbabwe,
Knossos, Gournia, Machu Picchu, and Ur. Provides the history
of each site, biographical sketches of the finders and
archaeologists who worked there, and theories about why the
city disappeared. For junior and senior high readers. 1997.
The First Moderns: Profiles in the Origins of Twentieth-
Century Thought RC 46365
by William R. Everdell 
read by Steven Carpenter
4 cassettes
An overview of the intellectual forces that precipitated
modernism, when a new "world view...gave rise to speed,
industry, [and] world markets." Surveys key thinkers in
academia, science, and the arts, describing their role in
helping to usher in the modern era between 1870 and 1914.
1997.
France under the Germans: Collaboration and Compromise RC
44807
by Philippe Burrin 
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
A historical account of how the French people adjusted to
the German occupation of their country from 1940-1944.
Examines three levels of French society: government,
citizenry, and intelligentsia. Concludes that most French
people did not actively resist the occupation. 1996.
The Fugu Plan: The Untold Story of the Japanese and the Jews
during World War II RC 45813
by Marvin Tokayer and Mary Swartz 
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
A historical account of the fugu plan--a Japanese effort in
the 1930s to recruit the financial capital and technical
skills of European Jewry for its expanding empire. Describes
the plan's inherent flaws and recounts its progression up to
the alliance of Japan and Nazi Germany in 1940. 1979.
The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed
the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels; the Hinges of History,
Volume 2 RC 46335
by Thomas Cahill 
read by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
Cahill continues his study of civilizations, begun in How
the Irish Saved Civilization (RC 41657), with an extended
look at the Torah. He shows how events therein, especially
the Jews' belief in one God and their ability to look at
reality in a whole new way, influenced civilization.
Bestseller 1998.
The Great Adventure: How the Mounties Conquered the West RC
46025
by David Cruise and Alison Griffiths 
read by Rick Rohan
3 cassettes
Recounts the origins and early years of the North West
Mounted Police (later, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police).
Chronicles the Great March of 1874, when the Mounties
trekked 900 miles to pacify Indian territory, end the
whiskey trade, patrol the border, and establish Canadian law
in the frontier. Based on diaries and first-hand accounts.
Violence. 1996.
Hungry Ghosts: Mao's Secret Famine RC 46134
by Jasper Becker 
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
An account of the massive famine that plagued China during
Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward from 1958 to 1962. Becker
examines the circumstances and causes of this human disaster
and argues the famine claimed at least thirty million lives
and went largely unreported in the West. Violence. 1996.
Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History RC 44688
by Bruce Cumings 
read by Jake Williams
5 cassettes
Traces the history and transformation of Korea, describing
its ancient heritage, its opening to commerce after 1860,
its annexation by Japan in 1910, its post-World War II
partition, its war between North and South in the early
1950s, and its emergence as an industrial power and
political force in the world. 1997.
The Last Apocalypse: Europe at the Year 1000 A.D. RC 46386
by James Reston 
read by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
A saga of Europe between A.D. 950 and A.D. 1010, when the
continent was besieged by the Vikings from the north, the
Moors from the south, and the Hungarian Magyars from the
east. Depicts the brutal conflicts, the sociopolitical
transformations, and the spread of Christianity over much of
the pagan world. Violence. 1998.
Lost and Found: The 9,000 Treasures of Troy; Heinrich
Schliemann and the Gold That Got Away RC 45496
by Caroline Moorehead 
read by Kristin Allison
3 cassettes
Portrays the life of self-made archaeologist Heinrich
Schliemann, who in 1873 discovered the ruins of ancient Troy
and the golden treasure of King Priam. Recounts the finding
and excavation of the ancient gold, its transfer to Germany,
and its seizure after World War II by Russians. 1994.
Louis the Beloved: The Life of Louis XV RC 44474
by Olivier Bernier 
read by Laura Giannarelli
3 cassettes
In 1715 at age five, Louis XV ascended the throne of France
and reigned for fifty-nine years. Bernier believes history
has been unkind to Louis XV by showing him to be the object
of scorn and hatred. But after studying all of the king's
state papers (which remain intact), Bernier sees Louis XV as
a man beloved by his subjects. 1984.
Michael Collins: A Life RC 46489
by James Mackay 
read by John Horton
3 cassettes
Biography of Ireland's hero of the civil war with Great
Britain. Collins first fought in the Easter Rising of 1916,
was arrested and, once released, joined the Sinn Fein. He
rose to become the minister of finance and director of
intelligence for the Irish Free State. Collins was
assassinated by the Irish Republican Army at the age of
thirty-one while at home in County Cork. 1996.
Nazi Gold: The Full Story of the Fifty-Year Swiss-Nazi
Conspiracy to Steal Billions from Europe's Jews and
Holocaust Survivors RC 46495
by Tom Bower 
read by Ken Kliban
3 cassettes
An expos of financial collaboration between Swiss bankers
and officials in Nazi Germany during World War II. Alleges
that in return for looted gold and other wealth, Swiss banks
helped fund the German war effort and then blocked Holocaust
survivors' efforts to claim their assets. 1997.
People of the First Crusade RC 46260
by Michael Foss 
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
An account of the First Crusade, or "holy war," which was
inspired by Pope Urban II in 1095 to wrest control of
Jerusalem from the Muslims. Traces the origins of the
Crusade, the progress of the expedition, and its outcome.
Depicts the violence and brutality of the campaign.
Violence. 1997.
A People's Tragedy: A History of the Russian Revolution RC
45238
by Orlando Figes 
read by Ken Kliban
8 cassettes
Explores the early-twentieth-century revolution in Russia
that led to the removal of Czar Nicholas II and the rise to
power of Lenin's Bolsheviks. The author places the blame for
the failure of the coup d'etat to achieve its social aims at
the feet of both the government and the people. 1996.
Philip of Spain RC 45786
by Henry Kamen 
read by Peter Gil
4 cassettes
A portrait of the controversial monarch who ruled the
Spanish empire through most of the sixteenth century. Traces
his solitary childhood, his early years as a Renaissance
prince, and his troubled reign as king during the
Inquisition and the colonization of the New World. 1997.
Plutarch: The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, Vol. 2
RC 44514
edited by Arthur Hugh Clough 
read by Gordon Gould
7 cassettes
Biographical accounts of noble Greeks and Romans from
mythological times through the early second century A.D.
This 1864 revision of Dryden's classic seventeenth-century
translation compares the character, moral conduct, and fates
of such noted figures as Demosthenes and Cicero, providing
rich descriptions of social life in the Mediterranean world.
1992.
The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II
RC 45548
by Iris Chang 
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
An account of the Japanese occupation of Nanking, China,
that began in December 1937. Describes a prolonged orgy of
rape, torture, and murder that resulted in an estimated
350,000 deaths. Also explores why this massacre has been
ignored by many historians. Descriptions of sex and
violence. Bestseller 1997.
The Serbs: History, Myth, and the Destruction of Yugoslavia
RC 45833
by Tim Judah 
read by Ken Kliban
3 cassettes
A historical account of the Serbs--their culture,
traditions, politics, wars, and migrations. Depicts Serbian
attitudes and struggles during medieval times and the
centuries of Ottoman domination, through the World Wars, and
in the brutal conflicts of the 1990s. Violence. 1997.
The Slave Trade: The Story of the Atlantic Slave Trade:
1440-1870 RC 46140
by Hugh Thomas 
read by Bill Wallace
8 cassettes in 2 containers
A history of the Atlantic slave trade, dating from the 1440s
through the nineteenth century. Traces the ancient origins
of slavery, its operation and economics, the rise of
antislavery sentiments, and its abolition. Describes the
practice of slaving and its various sponsors and
participants. Violence. 1997.
Spirits of the Passage: The Transatlantic Slave Trade in the
Seventeenth Century RC 44993
by Madeleine Burnside 
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
The author uses the recovery of the earliest known slave
ship, the Henrietta Marie--found off the Florida coast in
1972--to examine the largest forced migration in human
history. Burnside recreates the slave ship's transatlantic
journeys of the late 1690s and details the infamous and
harrowing Middle Passage. Introduction by Cornel West. 1997.
Trotsky: The Eternal Revolutionary RC 45288
by Dmitri Volkogonov 
read by Jake Williams
5 cassettes
Political portrait of a major figure in the 1917 Russian
Revolution and idealistic believer in Communism's inevitable
domination of the world. Depicts Trotsky's genius as
organizer of the Red Army, his acrimonious rivalry with
Stalin after Lenin's death, and his assassination in exile
by a Stalinist agent. 1996.
The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History RC 46537
by Don Oberdorfer 
read by Butch Hoover
4 cassettes
A political and diplomatic history of the Korean peninsula,
covering the period from 1972 to 1997. Traces the rise of
South Korea's economy, several assassinations, periods of
political turmoil, and the near-war of 1994. Depicts the
U.S. perspective on a region described by President Clinton
as "the scariest place on earth." 1997.
An Uncommon Woman: The Empress Frederick, Daughter of Queen
Victoria, Wife of the Crown Prince of Prussia, Mother of
Kaiser Wilhelm RC 45248
by Hannah Pakula 
read by Anne Hancock
6 cassettes
A portrait of Empress Frederick of Germany, eldest daughter
of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Groomed by her liberal
father in statecraft, the empress married the heir to the
Prussian throne in an ill-fated attempt to introduce British
liberalism into autocratic Germany. Her son, Kaiser Wilhelm
II, led Germany in World War I. 1995.
Uncrowned King: The Life of Prince Albert RC 45545
by Stanley Weintraub 
read by John Horton
4 cassettes
Portrays the obscured, yet influential, governing role of
Prince Albert, who married Queen Victoria in 1840. Traces
his German youth; his struggle for acceptance by the British
people; and his enduring contributions to the scientific,
economic, and cultural life of Great Britain. 1997.