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NLS: Talking Book Topics

September - October 2001

Contents

In Brief

Newsstand

The following announcements may be of interest to readers. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped reserves the right to publish announcements selectively, as space permits. Items mentioned, however, are not part of the NLS program, and their listing does not imply endorsement.

Self-Improvement Audio Books in Spanish A range of popular self-help books in Spanish on personal development, business excellence, and leadership is available on audio cassette from Spanish Audios. Authors represented in the catalog include Deepak Chopra, Og Mandino, and Louise Hay; prices range from $12.00 to $29.00, depending on the size of the book. For further information contact: Spanish Audios, a division of Taller del Éxito, Inc., 10100 W. Sample Rd., Suite 403, Coral Springs, FL 33075; telephone (954) 753-7474; fax (954) 753-3404; e-mail info@spanishaudios.com; web site www.spanishaudios.com.

Plays from L.A. Theatre Works. The new catalog from L.A. Theatre Works lists more than one hundred classic and contemporary plays, musicals, docudramas, and novels, all performed by critically acclaimed professional actors and recorded on audio cassette or CD using state-of-the-art audio technology. Prices for plays on cassette begin at $19.95. Teachers and librarians may wish to visit the L.A. Theatre Works web site for information on promotions, study guides, outreach materials, and special project packages. The nonprofit corporation, founded in 1974, is committed to producing cutting-edge work in theatre and radio. For further information, contact L.A. Theatre Works, 681 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291; telephone (310) 827-0808; fax (310) 827-4949; e-mail latw@latw.org; web site www.latw.org.

Books for Adults

Books listed in this issue of Talking Book Topics were recently sent to cooperating libraries. The complete collection contains books by many authors on fiction and nonfiction subjects, including biographies, classics, gothics, mysteries, romances, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection.

Cassette books are labeled with the code RC and play at 15/16 ips. To order books, fill out the order form and send it to your cooperating library.

Note: For the information of the reader, a notice may appear immediately following the book description to indicate occurrences of strong language, explicit descriptions of sex, or violence. The word "some" before any of these terms indicates an occasional or infrequent occurrence, as in "some strong language."

Cassettes Nonfiction

The Proudest Day: India's Long Road to Independence     RC 48049

by Anthony Read and David Fisher

read by Michele Schaeffer

5 cassettes

Traces India's transition to democratic self-rule after the British departure in 1947 and chronicles the internal struggles that followed. Examines the inability of the leaders--Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohammad Jinnah, and Lord Mountbatten--to coordinate efforts to bring the numerous ethnic and religious groups together. 1997.

The World, the World     RC 48464

by Norman Lewis

read by David Cutler

2 cassettes

Memoirs of a British travel writer emphasizing places visited and people encountered. His peripatetic lifestyle and five-decade search for unspoiled locales include trips to a remote Guatemalan coffee farm, a Welsh island fort, Havana (where he meets Hemingway), and Goa. 1996.

Hadrian: The Restless Emperor     RC 48493

by Anthony R. Birley

read by Ted Stoddard

4 cassettes

Biography of the Roman emperor Hadrian (A.D. 76-138), who traveled extensively throughout his empire and constructed massive walls to identify its boundaries. Hadrian promoted Greek cultural influences and attacked Judaea when the Jews resisted Hellenic tradition. Investigates his personal life with his lover Antinous, a Bithynian youth whose death devastated the emperor. 1997.

Hastened to the Grave: The Gypsy Murder Investigation     RC 48629

by Jack Olsen

read by Barbara Pinolini

2 cassettes

Narrative of the investigation of a band of gypsies who preyed on elderly retirees and ultimately murdered them for monetary gain. Aided by a female private detective from San Francisco, Fay "Rat Dog" Faron, the police tracked the Tene Bimbos for five years before charging them with murder. Strong language and violence. 1998.

Huxley: From Devil's Disciple to Evolution's High Priest     RC 48637

by Adrian Desmond

read by Gary Telles

7 cassettes in 2 containers

Biography of the nineteenth-century scientist who coined the term "agnostic" and stirred the working class with the theory of evolution. Thomas Huxley supported Charles Darwin in his struggles in the 1860s and shocked Victorian society with his scandalous views. Discusses the social milieu of the time and the increasing importance of scientists. 1997.

Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy     RC 48691

by Malin Dollinger and others

read by Gregory Gorton

9 cassettes in 2 containers

Synopses of common cancers and how they are treated. Discusses how appropriate therapies are chosen and offers patients coping mechanisms for dealing with the physical and emotional effects of the disease and the treatments. Explores quality-of-life issues and advances in research, diagnosis, and treatment. 1997.

Mars: Uncovering the Secrets of the Red Planet     RC 48758

by Paul Raeburn

read by Jake Williams

2 cassettes

A National Geographic chronicle of Mars exploration. Focuses on the Viking missions of the 1970s, whose primary goal was the search for life, and on the July 4, 1997, Pathfinder landing on Mars's surface. Explains the design, engineering, and results of the projects. Discusses plans for future missions. For senior high and older readers. 1998.

The Jock Doc's Body Repair Kit: The New Sports Medicine for Recovery and Increased Performance     RC 49049

by Andrew Feldman

read by Mark Ashby

1 cassette

Director of sports medicine at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York provides instructions on self-diagnosing injuries, determining if medical care or self-treatment is called for, and performing self-treatments and exercises. 1999.

American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes: The Ultimate Home Diabetes Reference     RC 49100

by American Diabetes Association

read by Michael Consoli

3 cassettes

This guide to managing diabetes explains the two types of the disorder, their causes and symptoms, and the importance of maintaining overall good health. The contributors also discuss handling emergencies, planning meals, selecting diabetic tools, controlling costs, and evaluating health care providers. 1997.

Just Jackie: Her Private Years     RC 49210

by Edward Klein

read by Jill Ferris

3 cassettes

Biography of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy from the time of her husband's assassination until her own death in 1994 at age sixty-four. Reconstructs her life with various suitors, including her second husband Aristotle Onassis and longtime friend Maurice Templesman. Describes her relationships with and hopes for her children. 1998.

Tarzan Forever: The Life of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Creator of Tarzan     RC 49341

by John Taliaferro

read by Constance Crawford

4 cassettes

Biography of the American entrepreneur and pulp-fiction writer who published Tarzan of the Apes in 1912, when he was thirty-six. Describes how he capitalized on his creation, turning Tarzan into a popular twentieth-century icon. Recalls his private life--his two marriages and his children--and his career. 1999.

Carl Sagan: A Life in the Cosmos     RC 49347

by William Poundstone

read by Ray Childs

4 cassettes

Biography of the celebrity scientist who sought evidence of extraterrestrial life. Discusses how the topic's appeal made Sagan rich and famous. Covers his scientific and media career; details his personal life and how he used his political influence to support the space program and publicize his concerns. 1999.

Girl Singer: An Autobiography     RC 49352

by Rosemary Clooney

read by Anne Hancock

3 cassettes

Seventyish Clooney discusses her singing career (which began in her teens with her sister), love affairs and famous friends, marriage and five children with philandering movie star José Ferrer, and her 1968 pill-induced breakdown. The nineties brought both marriage to an old flame and a career comeback that included multiple Grammy nominations. 1999.

Last of the Great Scouts     RC 49361

by Zane Grey and Helen Cody Wetmore

read by Don Feldheim

2 cassettes

An account of the adventurous life of Buffalo Bill Cody as narrated by the sister of the legendary Western figure. Traces his childhood in rural Iowa through his years as a mule driver on the Kansas plains, Pony Express rider, Indian fighter, and performer in the world-famous Wild West Show. 1996.

Pushkin's Button     RC 49372

by Serena Vitale

read by Mark Ashby

2 cassettes

While focusing on the 1837 duel that ended the Russian poet's life, Vitale portrays nineteenth-century St. Petersburg society. Uses research based on diaries, documents, and letters to chronicle events leading up to the combat. Profiles adventurer Georges d'Anthès, who killed Pushkin, and the woman whose charms provoked the event, Pushkin's wife, Natalya. 1999.

Finding My Voice     RC 49385

by Diane Rehm

read by Kimberly Schraf

2 cassettes

National Public Radio talk show host describes her life and career, including a somewhat troubled childhood with her Washington, D.C., Christian Arab family. Later, as her successful D.C. show went national, Rehm began a battle with a puzzling malady that causes tremors in her voice. 1999.

A Thread of Years     RC 49399

by John Lukacs

read by Rick Rohan

3 cassettes

Ordinary characters and a few notable historical figures appear in a series of vignettes portraying the decline in manners, especially in the United States; each chapter covers one year, from 1901 to 1969. A dialog following each scenario allows the author to debate his views with an alter ego. 1998.

A Million a Minute: Inside the World of Securities Trading--the Men, the Women, the Money That Make the Markets Work     RC 49403

by Hillary Davis

read by Barbara Pinolini

2 cassettes

A former equity portfolio manager takes the reader inside the world of traders in the financial markets. Describes their motivations, their ethics, and the dynamic, competitive arena in which they work. Explains how traders influence the price of everything we buy. Projects future trends in the field. 1998.

A Rage to Live: A Biography of Richard and Isabel Burton     RC 49407

by Mary S. Lovell

read by Patricia Kilgarriff

7 cassettes in 2 containers

Dual biography of Richard Burton, a nineteenth-century writer, explorer, and translator, and his wife, Isabel. Traces their youth in Europe, his translation of the erotic literature The Arabian Nights and Kama Sutra into English, and expeditions in East Africa, India, and Egypt. Discusses the supportive relationship between the couple. 1998.

The Seasons of Rome: A Journal     RC 49488

by Paul Hofmann

read by Bill Wallace

2 cassettes

A former New York Times bureau chief who lived in Rome off and on for over five decades portrays events of one year in the mid-1990s. Vignettes depict city residents' nonchalant attitude toward the pope, the erratic mail service, the growing number of young pensioners, and a local opera company. 1997.

Secrets of the Flesh: A Life of Colette     RC 49547

by Judith Thurman

read by Gabriella Cavallero

5 cassettes

A biography of the provocative early-twentieth-century French author. Provides psychological insights into Colette's marriages, music hall career, affairs with women and younger men, and literary works, such as Gigi (RC 12794) and Sido (RC 32504). Bestseller 1999.

Playing Indian     RC 49554

by Philip J. Deloria

read by Bill Wallace

2 cassettes

Explores Anglo Americans' penchant for emulating Native Americans--adopting their attire, traditions, and images. Traces this pattern from the Boston Tea Party to the formation of various cultural organizations throughout U.S. history. Avers that such "Indian play" was essential to the development of a national identity. 1998.

Carnival Evening: New and Selected Poems, 1968-1998     RC 49588

by Linda Pastan

read by Gabriella Cavallero

1 cassette

A collection of short poems that probe the experiences, thoughts, and feelings of everyday life. The title poem is a deft work on the theme of Henri Rousseau's painting by that name. 1998.

Dreaming with His Eyes Open: A Life of Diego Rivera     RC 49684

by Patrick Marnham

read by Peter Gil

3 cassettes

Biography of the early twentieth-century Mexican muralist. Describes his friendship with Picasso in Paris, his communist leanings, and his series of love affairs, including his tumultuous relationship with Frida Kahlo. Discusses his devotion to his art and his tendency to embellish his past. 1998.

Rockne of Notre Dame: The Making of a Football Legend     RC 49690

by Ray Robinson

read by Michael Scherer

2 cassettes

Robinson briefly touches on Knute Rockne's childhood and playing years, then focuses on the Norwegian-born football coach's career at Notre Dame from 1918 to 1930. Describes Rockne as a "complicated, (and) enormously ambitious man," who was a master of player motivation. 1999.

The Genteel Tradition: Nine Essays     RC 49700

by George Santayana

read by David Elias

2 cassettes

Essays by a Spanish-born philosopher on the culture of his adopted homeland, the United States. Santayana coins the term "genteel tradition" to describe a divided American mentality--progressive in practical affairs but conservative in religion, literature, and "the higher things of the mind." 1967.

The Kamikazes     RC 49713

by Edwin P. Hoyt

read by Robert Sams

2 cassettes

An account of Japan's kamikaze special attack forces that were formed to defend their homeland against the approaching Allies in October 1944. Explains how the belief that their self-sacrifice would ensure an eternal reward enabled the young aviators to inflict damage on three hundred warships and to kill or wound fifteen thousand troops. 1983.

The Travellers' Guide to Mars: Don't Leave Earth without It     RC 49723

by Michael Pauls and Dana Facaros

read by Gary Telles

1 cassette

Since more families are considering Mars for their vacations, the authors have developed a humorous yet factual guide to educate tourists (and others) about the Red Planet. Describes Martian geography, the history of Mars in myth and popular culture, and its space-age exploration. For senior high and older readers. 1997.

Living When a Young Friend Commits Suicide: Or Even Starts Talking about It     RC 49770

by Earl A. Grollman and Max Malikow

read by Candy Shannon

1 cassette

Grief counselors present a thorough discussion of suicide specifically for teenagers. Examines survivors' feelings and how to cope with those reactions, why people commit suicide and how to help someone suicidal, religious issues, and popular misconceptions. Lists additional resources. For junior and senior high readers. 1999.

First across the Continent: Sir Alexander Mackenzie     RC 49781

by Barry Gough

read by Bill Wallace

2 cassettes

portrait of the intrepid Scottish explorer who ventured across North America in 1793, driven by dreams of wealth from the fur trade. His efforts to establish British control over northwestern trade routes inspired both the 1803 Louisiana Purchase and the 1805 Lewis and Clark expedition. 1997.

Seductive Journey: American Tourists in France from Jefferson to the Jazz Age     RC 49797

by Harvey Levenstein

read by Bill Wallace

3 cassettes

Examines the changes in the types of American travelers and their motives for touring France during the first 150 years of U.S. history. Initially an experience reserved for the wealthy, tourism becomes increasingly open to the middle class as cultural interests are gradually supplanted by recreational travel. 1998.

Suits Me: The Double Life of Billy Tipton     RC 49817

by Diane Wood Middlebrook

read by Catherine Byers

2 cassettes

Describes the life and career of jazz musician Billy Tipton, who passed as a man during her entire career, fooling friends, numerous wives, and adopted sons. Born Dorothy in 1914, Tipton used her Billy identity from age nineteen until her death in 1989. Some strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1998.

Conversations with Wilder     RC 49823

by Cameron Crowe

read by Gary Telles

3 cassettes

Crowe, himself a movie director, recounts the interviews he conducted with Billy Wilder over a period of more than a year, when Wilder was already in his nineties. Topics include movie stars, screenwriting, set designs, studios, behind-the-scenes stories, and films of the late twentieth century. Bestseller 1999.

Appointment at the Ends of the World: Memoirs of a Wildlife Veterinarian     RC 49831

by William B. Karesh

read by Michael Russotto

2 cassettes

Autobiography of a veterinarian for the Wildlife Conservation Society who travels throughout the world for the association and for other government agencies. He describes the animals he treats as well as the occupational hazards of disease, attack--both human and animal--and deadly predators. 1999.

Outsider, Insider: An Unlikely Success Story; the Memoirs of Andrew Heiskell     RC 49849

by Andrew Heiskell

read by Michael Scherer

2 cassettes

A media tycoon recounts his path from obscurity to the chairmanship of Time Inc. Traces his nomadic youth in Europe, his arrival in America during the depression, and his meteoric ascent in the publishing industry. Offers candid insights into the risky and intensely competitive magazine business. 1998.

The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood     RC 49945

by Tom King

read by Michael Scherer

4 cassettes

Discusses the show business mogul's career, which began in the William Morris mail room and grew to include pivotal roles in the record industry, Broadway, and the movies. Also examines the billionaire's personal life, including a 1970s relationship with Cher and the public announcement of his homosexuality in 1992. Strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War, 1941-1945     RC 49964

by Leo Marks

read by George Holmes

4 cassettes

Witty memoir of a British cryptographer's exploits during World War II. Describes how, as a brash youth, he revitalized the Special Operations Executive--a unit for secret agents parachuting into Europe--by devising a code issued on lightweight silk. Discusses other inhouse efforts to simplify and expedite messages from those in the field. 1998.

Mozart: A Cultural Biography     RC 49965

by Robert W. Gutman

read by Dennis Rooney

8 cassettes in 2 containers

Presents the Austrian composer's life and music within the political and social context of eighteenth-century Europe. Describes his early tours as a child prodigy and his evolution as a performer and composer. Analyzes Mozart's work and its reception by his contemporaries. 1999.

Tempting Fate     RC 49978

by Bob Rahn

read by Rick Rohan

2 cassettes

Memoir of an experimental test pilot who flew attack and fighter aircraft for twenty-two years before joining the aerospace program. Rahn's lifetime interest in aviation began in 1927 when Charles Lindbergh visited his hometown. Recounts numerous inspiring and hair-raising experiences aloft. 1997.

Traitors among Us: Inside the Spy Catcher's World     RC 49979

by Stuart A. Herrington

read by Steven Carpenter

3 cassettes

A U.S. Army colonel recounts his real-life espionage investigations during the Cold War. His counterintelligence duties in West Berlin resulted in two major cases: the exposure and capture of Soviet spies Clyde Conrad and James Hall. 1999.

Monty Python Speaks! John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin (and a Few of Their Friends and Collaborators) Recount an Amazing--and Silly--Thirty-Year Spree in Television and Film--in Their Own Words, Squire!     RC 49984

by David Morgan

read by David Cutler

2 cassettes

Thirty years after the comedy group was formed, its members look back on their collaborations. Strong language. 1999.

Beyond the Influence: Understanding and Defeating Alcoholism     RC 49986

by Katherine Ketcham and William F. Asbury

read by Gregory Gorton

3 cassettes

Using scientific research, the authors make the case that alcoholism is a medical disease resulting from abnormalities in brain chemistry. Explains how to diagnose the condition and proposes that treatment programs include psychological and spiritual elements. Investigates fallacies promoted by the liquor industry. Foreword by former Senator George McGovern. 2000.

A Private Life of Henry James: Two Women and His Art     RC 49987

by Lyndall Gordon

read by Faith Potts

4 cassettes

portraits of two women--both meeting untimely deaths--who exerted lasting influence on James's literary work. One is his free-spirited cousin Mary (Minny) Temple, who died of tuberculosis at age twenty-four in 1870. The second is Constance Fenimore Woolson, an American writer James knew from 1879 to her death in 1894 in Venice. 1998.

AIDS: An All-About Guide for Young Adults     RC 49988

by Alvin Silverstein and others

read by Rick Rohan

1 cassette

A concise account of the AIDS virus, similar to the authors' previous title, AIDS: Deadly Threat (RC 25945). Includes a definition and research update on the disease, as well as information about the history, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the illness. For senior high and older readers. 1999.

The Substance of Civilization: Materials and Human History from the Stone Age to the Age of Silicon     RC 49991

by Stephen L. Sass

read by Mark Ashby

2 cassettes

Chronicles the role of physical substances in the evolution of human civilization, asserting that "materials not only affect the destinies of nations but define the periods within which they rise and fall." Traces developments from the military use of iron during biblical times to the reliance on silicon in the information age. 1998.

We Die Alone     RC 49996

by David Howarth

read by Ted Stoddard

2 cassettes

Chronicles a daring covert landing of Allied commandos in German-occupied Norway in 1943. The small force of invaders was soon betrayed and, except for one, Jan Baalsrud, killed by the Nazis. Recounts Baalsrud's his harrowing escape, aided by courageous Norwegian villagers, to neutral Sweden. Violence. 1955.

Journey among Warriors: The Memoirs of a Marine     RC 49997

by Victor Croizat

read by Michael Scherer

2 cassettes

Memoir of a Marine Corps officer who served his country in war and diplomacy for twenty-six years. Recounts the Pacific island assaults in World War II using amphibious craft that he helped develop, his years in diplomatic liaison around the world, and his time in Vietnam before retiring in 1966. 1997.

God's Perfect Child: Living and Dying in the Christian Science Church     RC 50001

by Caroline Fraser

read by Mary Kane

4 cassettes

Fraser, a former Christian Scientist, offers a history of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Following a biographical account of founder Mary Baker Eddy, whose doctrine states that "man is a perfect manifestation of a perfect God," Fraser traces the church's development from a small, peculiar sect to a politically powerful religion, now in decline. 1999.

My Turn at Bat: The Story of My Life     RC 50016

by Ted Williams

read by Rick Rohan

2 cassettes (Reissue)

Autobiography of top-hitting baseball player Ted Williams, beginning with his childhood in San Diego and his first contract--at age seventeen--with the minor-league Padres in 1936 for $150 per month. Reminisces about his career with the Boston Red Sox, his military service, and his years as a manager. 1969.

Wagner without Fear: Learning to Love--and Even Enjoy--Opera's Most Demanding Genius     RC 50021

by William Berger

read by Gordon Gould

3 cassettes

After a summary of Richard Wagner's life, the author examines his mature operas. Provides a guide to performances of such works as The Flying Dutchman, Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde, and Der Ring des Nibelungen. Concludes with commentary on Wagner's influence on everyday culture. 1998.

Wonders of the African World     RC 50022

by Henry Louis Gates

read by Ken Kliban

2 cassettes

A Harvard professor's travels on the African continent, exploring ideas about archaeology, ancient civilizations, history, and cultural identity. Discusses the heritage of Nubia, Ethiopia, and Timbuktu and the impact of Swahili as a unifying factor in East Africa. Concludes his travelog in South Africa and Zimbabwe. 1999.

No Go the Bogeyman: Scaring, Lulling, and Making Mock     RC 50024

by Marina Warner

read by Frank Coffee

3 cassettes

Examines art, folktales, and myths for themes of terror usually manifest in male figures such as bogeys, giants, ogres, and cannibals. Develops into "a cultural exploration of fear, its vehicles, and its ambiguous charge of pleasure and pain." Spans material dating from ancient Greece to modern Hollywood. 1998.

The Death of Innocence: The Untold Story of JonBenét's Murder and How Its Exploitation Compromised the Pursuit of Truth     RC 50029

by John Ramsey and Patsy Ramsey

read by Kristin Allison

3 cassettes

John and Patsy Ramsey describe their ordeal following the murder of their daughter, JonBenét, on Christmas Day 1996. They discuss the events following the discovery of a ransom note, the police investigation, and the accusations made by the media condemning them, and they offer possible theories about what actually happened. Bestseller 2000.

The Cowboy Way: Seasons of a Montana Ranch     RC 50045

by David McCumber

read by Chuck Benson

3 cassettes

A journalist's memoir of his year spent working as a hired hand on a central Montana ranch. At forty-four the author quit his job, divorced, and returned to the land of his grandfather to experience the life of a cowboy. 1999.

Aias [Ajax]     RC 50085

by Sophocles

read by John Horton

1 cassette

Modern translation by Herbert Golder and Richard Pevear of a lesser-known Sophocles tragedy in which the valiant hero Aias is betrayed by his comrades, who secretly confer the dead Achilles' armor on Aias's rival, Odysseus. The shamed Aias sees no honorable course but suicide. 1999.

The Best Alternative Medicine: What Works? What Does Not?     RC 50092

by Kenneth R. Pelletier

read by Butch Hoover

4 cassettes

Director of Stanford's complementary and alternative medicine program discusses pros and cons of various therapies including traditional Chinese medicine, Western herbal medicine, naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, dietary supplements, Ayurvedic medicine, yoga, spirituality, and more. Advises which therapies work best for specific conditions. 2000.

Reversing Hypertension: A Vital New Program to Prevent, Treat, and Reduce High Blood Pressure     RC 50159

by Julian Whitaker

read by Butch Hoover

2 cassettes

Outlines a program designed to reduce high blood pressure without medication or with less medication. Components include reducing body fat, taking supplements, stopping smoking and drinking, eating low-glycemic foods, drinking more water, exercising, and trying alternative therapies, including acupuncture. Includes recipes. 2000.

Overcoming Male Infertility     RC 50160

by Leslie R. Schover and Anthony J. Thomas

read by John Richardson

3 cassettes

A clinical psychologist and a urologist, both specializing in infertility, describe the male reproductive system and the workup of tests for those experiencing infertility. Discusses various diagnoses and their treatments, assisted reproductive technology, donor sperm, adoption, living without children, and coping with infertility. 2000.

The Complete Book of Fishing: Tackle, Techniques, Species, Bait     RC 50161

by John Wilson and others

read by Madelyn Buzzard

2 cassettes

Five expert fishermen present a guide to many aspects of their sport--types of tackle and bait, various techniques, popular species, and how to "read the water." Emphasizes English approaches but notes comparisons with North American waters. Includes tips on finding good spots. 1997.

The Best American Sports Writing of the Century     RC 50162

edited by David Halberstam

read by Bruce Huntey

6 cassettes

A selection of more than fifty articles describing twentieth-century sporting events. Includes authors Gay Talese, Tom Wolfe, Mike Royko, Ring Lardner, Jimmy Breslin, John Updike, and George Plimpton. Profiles athletes such as Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Mohammad Ali, Joe DiMaggio, and Jackie Robinson. Some strong language. 1999.

Which Lie Did I Tell? More Adventures in the Screen Trade     RC 50163

by William Goldman

read by Ray Hagen

3 cassettes

Screenwriter Goldman continues his revelations about Hollywood moviemaking begun in Adventures in the Screen Trade (RC 21633). Critically analyzes films and discusses the pros and cons of the screenwriter's life. Some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

The Heart of a Family: Searching America for New Traditions That Fulfill Us      RC 50169

by Meg Cox

read by Laura Giannarelli

3 cassettes

When starting her family, the author researched rituals of kinship, which she presents here in three sections covering: the psychology, history, and sociology of rituals and how they benefit children; the wide variety of family traditions that exist; and the creation and change of such practices. 1998.

Lost and Found: Dogs, Cats, and Everyday Heroes at a Country Animal Shelter      RC 50170

by Elizabeth Hess

read by Nanette Savard

2 cassettes

Explores behind the scenes in an animal shelter in upstate New York. Discusses the interaction between animals and humans and evaluates the interworking between those who discard and those who care for these creatures. Observes that families with infants and people with limited time should not adopt pets. 1998.

The Lion's Pride: Theodore Roosevelt and His Family in Peace and War     RC 50173

by Edward J. Renehan

read by Peter Gil

2 cassettes

portrait of a privileged and patriotic leading family whose men served and sacrificed in America's conflicts. Chronicles Theodore Roosevelt's derring-do in the Spanish-American War and the valiant service of his four sons in World War I, resulting in the death of one and serious injury to two others. 1998.

Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold     RC 50177

by Tom Shachtman

read by Mark Ashby

2 cassettes

Historical survey of Western scientists' efforts to control cold. Discusses Boyle's experiments in the seventeenth century, the invention of the sealed glass thermometer, the work of Fahrenheit and Celsius, the discovery of refrigeration, twentieth-century research on attaining absolute zero, and related topics of superconductivity and superfluidity. 1999.

Three by Tennessee: Sweet Bird of Youth, The Rose Tattoo, The Night of the Iguana     RC 50178

by Tennessee Williams

read by Kimberly Schraf

3 cassettes

Three classic plays by the Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist. In Sweet Bird of Youth, a gigolo returns to his southern hometown. The Night of the Iguana is set in a run-down Mexican tourist hotel. In The Rose Tattoo, a Sicilian widow finds love. Some violence and some strong language. 1961.

Return to Midway     RC 50181

by Robert D. Ballard and Rick Archbold

read by Ted Stoddard

2 cassettes

Fifty-six years after the fateful World War II sea and air conflict, underwater explorer Ballard returns in search of the lost ships. Describes the events of June 4, 1942, and the author's discovery of sunken remains. 1999.

Social Security: The Phony Crisis     RC 50184

by Dean Baker and Mark Weisbrot

read by Bob Moore

2 cassettes

Challenges the widespread belief that the Social Security system is a demographic "time bomb" that will become insolvent by 2034. Assuming continued economic growth at the 1998 rate, the authors argue, the fund will never run short of money. They suggest that some "reformers" have ulterior motives. 1999.

King Hussein: A Life on the Edge     RC 50188

by Roland Dallas

read by David Elias

2 cassettes

Biography of the late king of Jordan, including his family origins, his four marriages, and the major events of his forty-six-year reign up to his death from cancer in 1999. Describes Hussein's achievements--which include a stable economy, strong public institutions, and peace--along with his failures. 1999.

The Healing Circle: Authors Writing of Recovery     RC 50192

edited by Patricia Foster and Mary Swander

read by Kimberly Schraf

2 cassettes

Explores strategies of recovery for people with chronic illnesses or long-term injuries from accidents. The writers, including such literary artists as Jane Smiley, Dennis Covington, and Andrew Sullivan, discuss disability and recovery in the context of personal experience. Examines the notion that healing through imagination is an act of courage. 1998.

Fraud! How to Protect Yourself from Schemes, Scams, and Swindles     RC 50194

by Marsha Bertrand

read by Gregory Gorton

2 cassettes

Examines economic fraud, a billion-dollar business that victimizes more people than violent crime. Describes Ponzi and pyramid schemes, affinity fraud, and scams involving technology, stocks, commodities, and franchises. Discusses con artists' techniques, how to prevent being duped, and how to react if targeted. 2000.

A Season on the Reservation: My Sojourn with the White Mountain Apache     RC 50198

by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

read by Bob Moore

2 cassettes

Inspired by General Colin Powell, ex-basketball star Abdul-Jabbar volunteers to assist in coaching a high school team on the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Arizona. Over time he learns about the Native American culture and the problems facing many of the young people he encounters. For senior high and older readers. 2000.

The Return of Depression Economics     RC 50206

by Paul Krugman

read by Ted Stoddard

2 cassettes

A nontechnical analysis of the late-1990s recessions that rocked various Asian and Latin American economies. Argues that the crisis countries were initially victimized by the flight of panicked foreign investors, then further harmed by IMF-imposed restrictions. Prescribes guidelines for restraining capital in a global marketplace. 1999.

Boggs: A Comedy of Values     RC 50224

by Lawrence Weschler

read by Michael Scherer

1 cassette

portrait of artist J.S.G. Boggs, who was known in the 1980s and 1990s for sketching banknotes and attempting to exchange his handiwork at face value for goods and services. Recounts Boggs's clashes with U.S., British, and other treasury officials. Provides a brief history of money and private citizens' efforts at replication. 1999.

A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush     RC 50235

by Eric Newby

read by Graeme Malcolm

2 cassettes

The wry account of an Englishman who leaves the London fashion industry for the adventure of hiking into Nuristan, a remote corner of Afghanistan. Accompanied by a Foreign Service friend, he takes a four-day beginner's course in mountain climbing in Wales before departing on their expedition. 1958.

The Scalpel and the Silver Bear     RC 50241

by Lori Arviso Alvord and Elizabeth Cohen Van Pelt

read by Catherine Byers

2 cassettes

Raised on the reservation near Gallup, New Mexico, half-Navajo Alvord graduated from Dartmouth and then went to Stanford for her medical degree. She describes her career as the first Navajo woman surgeon and her belief that integrating tribal ways into orthodox Western medicine improves healing. 1999.

Wild Fruits: Thoreau's Rediscovered Last Manuscript     RC 50242

by Henry David Thoreau

read by Peter Johnson

4 cassettes

Botanical observations and reflections by the author of Walden (RC 15949). Describes the plants, fruits, and nuts of the New England woodlands that Thoreau was examining at the time of his death in 1862. Long unpublished because of editorial difficulties. 2000.

In a Sunburned Country     RC 50276

by Bill Bryson

read by John Stratton

3 cassettes

The author of A Walk in the Woods (RC 46519) now chronicles his exploration of Australia. This good-humored traveler relates his outback adventures with anecdotes about the history and local inhabitants. Describes the harsh terrain and hostile wildlife, including crocodiles, poisonous snakes, and attacking seashells. Some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Time, Love, Memory: A Great Biologist and His Quest for the Origins of Behavior      RC 50356

by Jonathan Weiner

read by Ken Kliban

2 cassettes

Biography of biologist Seymour Benzer, whose groundbreaking work revolutionized the study of genetics. Experimenting on fruit flies at the California Institute of Technology, Benzer and his students developed ideas about the relation between genes and behavior that had far-reaching implications for ethical and social thought as well as biology. 1999.

Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival     RC 50357

by T.S. Wiley

read by Bill Wallace

2 cassettes

Diabetes researcher, anthropologist, and medical theorist contends that lack of sleep causes obesity, illness, and, ultimately, death. He recommends that, for at least the colder seven months of the year, people follow nature's cycles by sleeping more than nine hours a night and eating a nutritious, low-carbohydrate diet. 2000.

The Scoutmaster Handbook     RC 50372

by Boy Scouts of America

read by Ralph Lowenstein

2 cassettes

This official guide for leaders of Boy Scout troops describes the qualifications and training required for the job as well as the methods, values, and aims of the organization. Explains leadership techniques, program features, awards, uniforms, finances, community service, and other elements of the Scouting program. 1998.

Only the Eyes Say Yes: A Love Story     RC 50373

by Philippe Vigand and Stéphane Vigand

read by Nick Sullivan

1 cassette

Chronicles the struggles of a young French couple after Philippe develops a condition known as locked-in syndrome as a result of a ruptured brain artery. Describes their rehabilitation efforts, including the use of a blinking alphabet and a computer. Stéphane reflects on her decision to remain married and on the birth of their child. 1999.

Mighty like a River: The Black Church and Social Reform     RC 50405

by Andrew Billingsley

read by Bob Moore

2 cassettes

Account of the socially and politically active role of churches in the black community. Asserts that these churches have been a major force in advancing equality and justice for African Americans. Evaluates their effectiveness in relation to family issues, youth development, the elderly, and health care. 1999.

Fledgling Days     RC 50425

by Emma Ford

read by Vanessa Maroney

2 cassettes

Memoir of an English childhood spent in the country, where the author adored animals and became interested in the training of birds of prey. Ford describes how she learned the ancient sport of falconry in Kent and, along with her husband, opened the British School of Falconry while still a teenager. 1996.

Dancing Naked in the Mind Field     RC 50458

by Kary Mullis

read by Roy Avers

2 cassettes

Reminiscences of the maverick Nobel laureate who invented the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a procedure that revolutionized research on genetic material. Recounts his precocious youth, his involvement in the O.J. Simpson murder trial, and his encounter with aliens. Refutes some widely held theories, including global warming. Some strong language. 1998.

Remember When...? Family, Friends, and Recipes     RC 50461

by Clara Belle Hooks Eschmann

read by Janis Gray

2 cassettes

Eschmann, who has lived in Georgia all her life, reminisces and shares favorite recipes. Beginning with the reopening of school in the fall, she carries the reader through a year of activities such as making pull candy, waiting for Santa, having Valentine's Day parties, choosing Easter dresses, picking wildflowers, and attending church picnics. 1998.

Feeding Your Child for Lifelong Health: Birth through Age Six     RC 50465

by Susan B. Roberts and Melvin B. Heyman

read by Kerry Cundiff

3 cassettes

Authors explain how foods eaten in childhood can have lasting effects on the body's growth and functions--a science called metabolic programming. Avers that a proper youthful diet influences physical and intellectual development, prevents allergies and obesity, teaches children to enjoy healthy foods, and protects against other health problems. 1999.

Gene Kelly: A Life of Dance and Dreams     RC 50466

by Alvin Yudkoff

read by Gary Tipton

3 cassettes

Chronicles the personal life and career of Gene Kelly, beginning with his childhood as part of a family dance troupe in Pittsburgh. Follows his move to Broadway in the 1930s, his first marriage, and his transition to work in films in Hollywood, where he became a sought-after choreographer, actor, and director. 1999.

Outlaw Machine: Harley-Davidson and the Search for the American Soul     RC 50469

by Brock Yates

read by Ray Foushee

2 cassettes

An editor of Car and Driver magazine examines the myth and reality behind Harley-Davidson motorcycles, beginning with the company's first machine in 1903. Traces the evolution of bikers' clubs, their image in film, and their eventual revival. Also examines the competition from Japan that almost destroyed the company. Some strong language. 1999.

The Green Guide to Herb Gardening: Featuring the Ten Most Popular Herbs RC 50470

by Deborah C. Harding

read by Patricia McDermott

1 cassette

Provides the description, history, magical qualities, and folklore for the herbs basil, calendula, chamomile, chives, garlic, lemon balm, mint, oregano, parsley, and thyme. Offers tips on growing, harvesting, and storing them. Lists remedial, culinary, cosmetic, aromatic, ornamental, and other uses for each plant. Includes recipes. 2000.

Faster: The Acceleration of Just About Everything     RC 50472

by James Gleick

read by Barry Bernson

2 cassettes

Examination of why people always seem to be in such a rush, and a look at the technology that has put us in this position. In brief chapters, Gleick explores such topics as the "close" button on an elevator, the television remote-control, the computer, the cell phone, and multitasking. 1999.

Book of Shadows: A Modern Woman's Journey into the Wisdom of Witchcraft and the Magic of the Goddess     RC 50473

by Phyllis Curott

read by Sharon Murray

3 cassettes

Explores the concept, history, and contemporary practice of witchcraft, or Wicca, through a personal encounter with "goddess spirituality"--an ancient belief system that seeks to enhance life through divine empowerment. Chronicles the author's ascent to high priestess; asserts that world harmony is the overriding goal. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1998.

Am I Old Yet? The Story of Two Women, Generations Apart, Growing Up and Growing Young in a Timeless Friendship     RC 50477

by Leah Komaiko

read by Ann Hodapp

1 cassette

An author of children's books recalls her decision, at forty-four, to conquer her fear of aging by volunteering to help an elderly person. Describes being paired with a ninety-four-year-old blind woman in a nursing home. Conversations from the hundreds of hours they spent together illustrate their deepening friendship. 1999.

So, You Want to Join the Peace Corps: What to Know before You Go     RC 50478

by Dillon Banerjee

read by Carol Dines

2 cassettes

Returned Peace Corps volunteer answers questions he had when he joined in the 1990s. Topics include assessing program requirements, packing for the two-year stint, training, living among the locals, managing money, handling medical and safety concerns, maintaining contact with home, and socializing. Appendixes include restrictions related to medical conditions. 2000.

From Mind to Market: Reinventing the Retail Supply Chain     RC 50479

by Roger D. Blackwell

read by Jack Fox

2 cassettes

Details 1990s trends in retail industry and advises merchants to initiate consumer-driven policies in the twenty-first century. Explores customers' knowledge and improved access to information about merchandise availability and competitive prices. Avers that the author's strategies have helped maximize profits for such companies as Wal-Mart, Kinko's, and The Gap. 1997.

Beyond Viagra: A Commonsense Guide to Building a Healthy Sexual Relationship for Both Men and Women     RC 50480

by Gerald A. Melchiode

read by Jack Fox

2 cassettes

A psychiatrist involved with early Viagra studies describes the medication as being of "vast indisputable importance." However, he emphasizes the advisability of exploring the underlying causes of sexual dysfunction, rather than stopping at the temporary fix of Viagra. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

Suicide: Tragic Choice     RC 50486

by Karen Zeinert

read by Carol Dines

1 cassette

Surveys the issue of suicide, including its history, causes, and psychology. Includes information about the right-to-die debate, assisted suicide, and survivors of the deceased. For junior and senior high readers. 1999.

The Best American Sports Writing, 1999     RC 50491

edited by Richard Ford

read by Randy Atcher

2 cassettes

Seventeen sports stories of the year highlighting different aspects of athletics including a female perspective on shooting hoops, the rivalry between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, Canadian junior league hockey, and Michael Jordan's last game. Includes writers David Halberstam, the late Shirley Povich, John McPhee, and David Mamet. 1999.

The Greenspan Effect: Words That Move the World's Markets     RC 50492

by David B. Sicilia and Jeffrey L. Cruikshank

read by Butch Hoover

2 cassettes

Analyzes the writings and speeches of Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve System since 1987; assesses the impact of his words on American and global financial markets. Probes his philosophy on economic and social issues; provides tips for investors, policymakers, and the public on how to anticipate the effects of his pronouncements. 2000.

Celebration, U.S.A.: Living in Disney's Brave New Town     RC 50494

by Douglas Frantz and Catherine Collins

read by Jack Fox

3 cassettes

portrays the authors' experiences after moving their family to the Florida town created by the Walt Disney Company. Celebration was built on the five cornerstones of education, wellness, technology, the sense of place, and community; its first residents arrived in 1996. Assesses its successes and failures, including problems in construction and schooling. 1999.

One Man's Chorus: The Uncollected Writings     RC 50495

by Anthony Burgess

read by Fred Major

3 cassettes

Essays from the 1980s and early 1990s offer a look into Burgess's life from his childhood in Manchester through his expatriate years in France. Includes reflections on the British Royals, a comical account of a trip to Puerto Rico, a piece about Wagner's "Ring," and comments on first novels. 1998.

Dialogues and Discoveries: James Levine; His Life and His Music     RC 50498

by Robert C. Marsh

read by Roy Avers

3 cassettes

Music critic Marsh presents a biography of the American conductor along with reports of conversations between them over a period of nearly twenty-five years. Levine expresses his opinions on composers, favorite pieces, live performances, and other musical topics. Contains a Levine discography from 1970 to 1998. 1998.

Deliberate Intent: A Lawyer Tells the True Story of Murder by the Book     RC 50533

by Rod Smolla

read by Gregory Gorton

2 cassettes

Account of prosecuting the publishers of a how-to book, Hit Man, after its instructions were followed in a triple homicide. Recalls that Lawrence Horn's ex-wife, brain-damaged son, and the boy's nurse were killed by Horn's hit man in 1993. Smolla represented the victims' families to prove the publisher criminally exploited First Amendment freedoms. Some strong language. 1999.

Scattered: How Attention Deficit Disorder Originates and What You Can Do about It     RC 50537

by Gabor Maté

read by Jim Leary

3 cassettes

Canadian doctor advises parents of children with attention deficit disorder to address issues of psychological security, family relationships, lifestyle, and self-esteem, rather than to rely on medication for controlling the child's behavior. Posits that ADD is a problem of society and human development, rather than a medical ailment. 1999.

Maximize the Moment: God's Action Plan for Your Life     RC 50544

by T.D. Jakes

read by Bill Wallace

2 cassettes

A Christian minister and author of The Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord (RC 50543) offers advice on realizing one's full potential by setting goals and jettisoning toxic relationships. Encourages readers to take control of their futures by minimizing their load and developing a winning life plan. 1999.

A Stranger in the Village: Two Centuries of African American Travel Writing      RC 50560

edited by Farah J. Griffin and Cheryl J. Fish

read by Jeremy Gage

3 cassettes

A collection of nineteenth- and twentieth-century travel writings by African American writers who have journeyed abroad in search of opportunity, insight, pleasure, and adventure. Includes excerpts from nurse Mary Seacole's Crimean War memoir and W.E.B. DuBois's reflections on Ghana. With contributions by Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, June Jordan, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Ntozake Shange. 1998.

Before His Time: The Untold Story of Harry T. Moore--America's First Civil Rights Martyr     RC 50596

by Ben Green

read by Jake Williams

3 cassettes

Traces the life of Harry T. Moore as a Florida schoolteacher, NAACP coordinator, Progressive Voter's League executive secretary, and educator of African Americans concerning their constitutional rights. Recalls his murder in 1951 when a bomb was planted in his home. Violence. 1999.

The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood among Ghosts     RC 50624

by Maxine Hong Kingston

read by Catherine Byers

2 cassettes (Reissue)

Girlhood recollections of a Chinese American in California, where her parents had settled and operated a laundry. Her mother's "talk-stories" filled the girl's head with mythic Chinese figures and traditions as she coped with daily life in America. Some strong language. National Book Critics Circle Award. 1976.

Actual Innocence: Five Days to Execution, and Other Dispatches from the Wrongly Convicted     RC 50636

by Barry Scheck and others

read by Jake Williams

2 cassettes

Civil rights attorneys Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld team up with columnist Jim Dwyer to give detailed accounts of innocent people imprisoned for years. The two lawyers draw on their experiences with the Innocence Project, which seeks the release of the wrongly convicted through DNA testing. Includes a list of proposed reforms. 2000.

Coping with Teen Suicide     RC 50643

by James M. Murphy

read by Carol Dines

1 cassette

A psychiatrist and minister offers a teen suicide-prevention guide for teenagers, parents, and teachers. The author explains some of the causes and consequences, and suggests ways of dealing with problems such as stress, depression, and "mistaken thinking." For senior high and older readers. 1999.

The Greedy Hand: How Taxes Drive Americans Crazy and What to Do about It RC 50644

by Amity Shlaes

read by Janis Gray

2 cassettes

An antitax polemic decrying laws that enabled government to take nearly 40 percent of a two-income family's earnings in 1998. Examines various bases for taxation, such as income, marriage, home ownership, birth, and death. Calls for fundamental reforms, constitutional limits on federal taxes, and reducing the burden on the rich. 1999.

Dream's End: Two Iowa Brothers in the Civil War     RC 50648

by Orr Kelly and Mary Davies Kelly

read by Roy Avers

2 cassettes

A genealogist and her historian husband chronicle the military service of two teenage brothers--his great uncles--in the Civil War. Traces their Union regiments' battle histories, depicting the valor and arduous existence of the common soldier, the horrific conditions in hospitals and POW camps, and the often incompetent leadership. Violence. 1998.

Modular Instruction for Independent Travel for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired: Preschool through High School     RC 50652

by Doris M. Willoughby and Sharon L. Monthei

read by Lou Harpenau

4 cassettes

In this companion to Handbook for Itinerant and Resource Teachers of Blind and Visually Impaired Students (RC 30434), the authors provide sample exercises for teaching cane travel to students from preschool through high school. Covers general techniques as well as specifics for outdoor travel and use of public transportation. 1998.

Glass: From the First Mirror to Fiber Optics, the Story of the Substance That Changed the World     RC 50653

by William S. Ellis

read by Butch Hoover

2 cassettes

Explores the history of glass, its technology and manufacture, and its creative use as an art form. Traces the origins of glass from Mesopotamia to Murano, Italy, and into the modern age. Discusses how the scientific development of the material's versatile properties has expanded its uses. 1998.

Spinal Cord Injury: A Guide for Living     RC 50655

by Sara Palmer and others

read by Patricia McDermott

3 cassettes

Three professionals in rehabilitation medicine and psychology describe the trauma of spinal cord injury; what to expect during the therapeutic process; and how to meet the psychological, medical, and social challenges of living with the disability. Patients' stories are used to illustrate each aspect. Some descriptions of sex. 2000.

Night Errands: How Poets Use Dreams     RC 50661

edited by Roderick Townley

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

Twenty-six poets reflect on the "generative relationship" between dreams and poetry. Most quote complete works or fragments of poems in their essays. Writers include Laurel Blossom, Edward Hirsch, David Ignatow, Maxine Kumin, Denise Levertov, Paul Mariani, Joyce Carol Oates, and Richard Wilbur, among others. 1998.

Shadows in the Sun: Travels to Landscapes of Spirit and Desire     RC 50662

by Wade Davis

read by Butch Hoover

2 cassettes

Anthropologist and ethnobotanist Davis describes the pleasures of living among indigenous peoples who preserve their traditional ways. He meets the Penan in the forests of Borneo, the Vodoun acolytes in Haiti, and wandering holy men in the Sahara among others who demonstrate different approaches to interacting with the Earth. 1998.

Cyber Crimes     RC 50668

by Gina De Angelis

read by Randy Davidson

1 cassette

Discusses high-tech crimes by hackers, crackers, and phone phreaks using computers to engage in fraud, embezzlement, espionage, cybersex, and child pornography. Explains how to minimize one's vulnerability to such offenses and how to maximize personal privacy and security. For junior and senior high readers. 2000.

Castaway in Paradise: The Incredible Adventures of True-Life Robinson Crusoes      RC 50673

by James C. Simmons

read by Roy Avers

2 cassettes

Eight true tales about the experiences of people who were stranded in remote locations because of shipwreck, treacherous companions, or personal choice. Describes their survival strategies and their lives after rescue. Includes Alexander Selkirk, the model for Defoe's Crusoe, and Herman Melville, who sojourned in the Marquesas in the South Pacific. 1993.

There's Still a Person in There: The Complete Guide to Treating and Coping with Alzheimer's     RC 50722

by Michael Castleman and others

read by Kerry Cundiff

3 cassettes

Presents research on the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for Alzheimer's disease, as well as how to reduce the risks. Also deals extensively with the caretaker's role, the medicine and support systems that are available, and how to select and pay for residential care. 1999.

The Bonehunters' Revenge: Dinosaurs, Greed, and the Greatest Scientific Feud of the Gilded Age     RC 50723

by David Rains Wallace

read by Roy Avers

3 cassettes

Account of the historical feud between two nineteenth-century American paleontologists--Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope. After the Civil War both men amassed large collections of dinosaur bones discovered in the West, but their intense rivalry led to muckraking and scandal rather than scientific cooperation. 1999.

A Short History of Rudeness: Manners, Morals, and Misbehavior in Modern America      RC 50725

by Mark Caldwell

read by Richard Hauenstein

2 cassettes

An inquiry into the generally perceived deterioration of etiquette and civility in daily life. Discusses proper conduct for various situations including weddings, funerals, the workplace, and the Internet. Argues that manners evolve continuously and have been doing so for centuries. 1999.

Strike Able-Peter: The Stranding and Salvage of the USS Missouri RC 50726

by John A. Butler

read by Lou Harpenau

2 cassettes

An account of the January 1950 grounding of the USS Missouri, the ship aboard which the Japanese surrendered in World War II. At the time the mishap was a major news event--and naval embarrassment. Reconstructs the cause of the Chesapeake Bay stranding and the subsequent salvaging effort. 1995.

Sole Influence: Basketball, Corporate Greed, and the Corruption of America's Youth     RC 50731

by Dan Wetzel and Don Yaeger

read by Barry Bernson

2 cassettes

Outspoken report on the questionable practices of sneaker companies Nike and adidas in their search for athletes to promote their products. Describes how, after basketball superstar Michael Jordan made millions for Nike, both companies began reaching out to schools, coaches, and young players, offering equipment and money in return for loyalty. 2000.

Tammy Wynette: A Daughter Recalls Her Mother's Tragic Life and Death     RC 50734

by Jackie Daly

read by Sharon Murray

2 cassettes

One of Tammy Wynette's four daughters recounts her mother's career in country-western music, her five marriages, her addictions, and her untimely and mysterious death. 2000.

The Night Gardener     RC 50738

by Marjorie Sandor

read by Ann Hodapp

1 cassette

In twenty linked stories, Sandor creates a memory picture of her life from childhood to motherhood. She writes of receiving her first book, being the youngest of four children, going fly-fishing, gardening, and becoming a wife and then a single mother. 1999.

First Person: An Astonishingly Frank Self-Portrait by Russia's President Vladimir Putin     RC 50742

by Vladimir Putin

read by Fred Major

1 cassette

A portrait of the Russian president that includes transcripts of interviews with three journalists, who also talked with Putin's wife and teenage daughters and his friends. Recalls his working-class childhood, legal training, career as a KGB officer, and dramatic rise to prominence in the post-Communist era. 2000.

Careers for Crafty People and Other Dexterous Types     RC 50798

by Mark Rowh

read by Jill Ferris

1 cassette

Explores the world of craftsmen and artisans whose livelihoods involve creating hand-forged objects from wood, metal, glass, fabrics, or in the graphic arts. Offers suggestions on pursuing a career outside of the mainstream. For junior and senior high and older readers. 1994.

Ghosts of Everest: The Search for Mallory and Irvine     RC 50812

by Jochen Hemmleb and others

read by Graeme Malcolm

2 cassettes

Presents research and findings from the 1999 Mount Everest expedition in search of remains from the ill-fated 1924 climb by George Mallory and Sandy Irvine. Discusses the latter-day group's reconstruction of Mallory's route, the dramatic discovery of his body, and the conclusions reached from forensic examination. 1999.

Where's Harry? Steve Stone Remembers His Years with Harry Caray     RC 50813

by Steve Stone

read by Jim Zeiger

2 cassettes

Wacky anecdotes about the late legendary baseball broadcaster Harry Caray by his partner and fellow announcer of fifteen years. Recalls Caray's life as the Chicago Cubs' biggest fan, who enjoyed life in the fast lane. Foreword by Bob Costas. 1999.

What Really Matters: What Is Truly Essential to the Authentic Christian Life      RC 50841

by Eugenia Price

read by Madelyn Buzzard

1 cassette (Reissue)

Drawing on personal experience and her thorough knowledge of the Bible, Eugenia Price searches for what she considers to be the core of Christianity. She explores faith, prayer, spiritual growth, service, and giving, and concludes that the real bedrock is God's eternal love. 1983.

Plato's The Republic     RC 50843

by Plato

read by Ralph Lowenstein

3 cassettes (Reissue)

Classic dialogues between Socrates and his friends concerning justice in man and the state, the Platonic theory of ideas, and concepts of nature, poetry, and philosophy. 1980.

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly     RC 50845

by Anthony Bourdain

read by Christopher Walker

2 cassettes

An executive chef, who recognized his passion for food as a nine-year-old on a family trip to France, discusses his love affair with cooking. He also describes the less glamorous side, where heavy drinking, drugs, sex, and crime among the cooks go hand-in-hand with pots and pans. Strong language. Bestseller 2000.

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom     RC 50851

by Miguel Ruiz

read by Jim Johnston

1 cassette

These four agreements, or steps, are based on the wisdom of the Toltec, a pre-Colombian society that embraced the spiritual knowledge and practices of their ancestors. Ruiz asserts that these four beliefs can guide one in developing a code of conduct that leads to personal freedom. Bestseller 1997.

I Can Feel Blue on Monday     RC 50888

edited by Marc Maurer

read by Nanette Savard

1 cassette

This collection of vignettes "tells what blindness is and, perhaps equally important, what it is not." In the title article math professor Abraham Nemeth, the originator of the braille code for mathematics and sciences, describes his English teacher's frustration because Nemeth could not feel the color of a piece of paper. 2000.

In Praise of Public Life     RC 50893

by Joseph I. Lieberman

read by Ted Stoddard

1 cassette

U.S. senator from Connecticut encourages qualified, intelligent, dedicated people to enter public service or run for political office as an opportunity to make a difference in how government performs. Draws on his own experiences to demonstrate "the nature, complexities, possibilities, and satisfactions of public life." 2000.

Duty: A Father, His Son, and the Man Who Won the War     RC 50894

by Bob Greene

read by Terence Aselford

2 cassettes

Based on interviews with his father's hero--the B-29 pilot who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, in August 1945--a syndicated columnist delivers a tribute to a passing generation. Explores the values of World War II veterans and their commitment to patriotism, courage, and a sense of duty. Bestseller 2000.

Oh, Wow!     RC 50895

edited by Marc Maurer

read by Nanette Savard

1 cassette

In this collection of personal accounts, members of the National Federation of the Blind discuss the importance of being given the opportunity to try, as well as the value of training and belief. In the title article Maurer discusses how key it is to recognize the significance of small triumphs and successes. 2000.

Braille: Into the Next Millennium     RC 50969

by Blind and Physically Handicapped National Library Service for the

read by Annie Wauters

3 cassettes

Essays examining the history and future of braille include such topics as the development of the literary, Nemeth, and music codes; braille production; legal issues; library service; and literacy and computer access concerns. Edited by Judith Dixon, with a foreword by Frank Kurt Cylke and a preface by Kenneth Jernigan. 2000.

Cassettes Fiction

November 1916: The Red Wheel, Knot II     RC 47867

by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

read by Steven Carpenter

9 cassettes in 2 containers

Using historical and fictional characters, this second volume of the Russian epic depicts the oppressive atmosphere pervading the country in the months before the revolution. Flashbacks illuminate key events between August 1914 and November 1916, depicting the rise of dissent and providing background information on the militant Kadets who spurred the unrest. 1999.

Alone with the Horrors: The Great Short Fiction of Ramsey Campbell, 1961-1991     RC 48171

by Ramsey Campbell

read by Anne Flosnik

4 cassettes

Thirty-nine short stories covering thirty years of the British author's tales of the supernatural. In "Call First," a library worker becomes curious about a patron and enters his house uninvited. In "Boiled Alive," a man finds himself the subject of a short video. Some violence. 1993.

Complete Stories 1884-1891     RC 48594

by Henry James

read by Ted Stoddard

7 cassettes in 2 containers

Seventeen short stories first published in periodicals. Chronicling events in the stratified Victorian society James observed, they depict conflict between classes and cultures and restrictions on women's behavior. In "The Chaperon" a young girl, whose father has died, tries to help her divorced and shunned mother reenter society. 1999.

After Dunkirk     RC 48627

by Milena McGraw

read by David Cutler

4 cassettes

England, 1939. Young Wayne Luthie leads a squadron of pilots, known as the Wonders, as they learn to fly Spitfires. Luthie reminisces about his childhood in India, his uncles who died in World War I, his capture after Dunkirk, and falling in love with a WAAF. Then the Germans attack Britain. Some violence. 1998.

A Wizard in Mind: The Rogue Wizard, Book 1     RC 48800

by Christopher Stasheff

read by Michael Scherer

2 cassettes

Magnus D'Armand, son of the Warlock of Gramarye, is a secret wizard wanting to outshine his father. After consulting with the brain of his spaceship, Magnus, disguised as Gar Pike, travels to Petrarch where the civilization needs help in fighting off a group of warring princes. Prequel to A Wizard in Bedlam (RC 48801). 1995.

A Wizard in Bedlam: The Rogue Wizard, Book 2     RC 48801

by Christopher Stasheff

read by Michael Scherer

2 cassettes

Over five centuries ago a revolt by the churls on Planet Melange failed. Now they are planning another revolt, and this time they will be led by churl Dirk Dulain, who, upon returning to the planet, gains the aid of the Giant Gar. Sequel to A Wizard in Mind (RC 48800). Some strong language. 1979.

A Wizard in War: The Rogue Wizard, Book 3     RC 48802

by Christopher Stasheff

read by Michael Scherer

2 cassettes

As Magnus D'Armand, known as Gar, continues his quest to help people living under oppressive governments, he travels to Planet Maltroit with his new friend Dirk Dulaine. Here they come upon Coll, a serf being pursued by nobles because he dared to defend his sister's honor. Sequel to A Wizard in Bedlam (RC 48801). 1994.

The Greengage Summer     RC 49067

by Rumer Godden

read by Anne Flosnik

2 cassettes

Thirteen-year-old Cecil, sixteen-year-old Joss, their younger siblings, and their mother arrive in France for a summer holiday. When their mother is hospitalized, the children are left on their own. Eliot, a mysterious Englishman, takes them under his wing, and the girls fall in love--until the police arrive. For senior high and older readers. 1958.

The Demon Awakens: DemonWars, Volume 1     RC 49337

by R.A. Salvatore

read by Michael Scherer

4 cassettes

In Corona the demon dactyl awakens after years of slumber and begins destroying the people. The only survivors, Elbryan and Pony, are separated in the attack. Reunited years later and aided by an ex-monk who has collected magical gemstones, they begin hunting down the demon. Prequel to The Demon Spirit (RC 49338). 1996.

The Demon Spirit: DemonWars, Volume 2     RC 49338

by R.A. Salvatore

read by Michael Scherer

4 cassettes

In this sequel to The Demon Awakens (RC 49337), Elbryan and Pony realize that although Avelyn sacrificed his life to destroy the demon dactyl, the demon's powers have not completely vanished. The demon's spirit now dwells within Father Abbot Markwart. Some violence. 1998.

What the Heart Knows     RC 49348

by Kathleen Eagle

read by Lindsay Ellison

3 cassettes

Helen Ketterling left the Bad River Sioux Reservation thirteen years ago when she learned she was carrying Reese Blue Sky's son. She did not want to ruin her lover's promising basketball career. Now returned, both are hiding secrets that jeopardize a relationship. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1999.

Haunting Rachel     RC 49355

by Kay Hooper

read by Anne Hancock

2 cassettes

When Rachel was nineteen her fiancé, Tom, was presumed killed while flying his plane to South America. Now, ten years later, after her parents have also died in a plane crash, Rachel is shocked to meet a mysterious man who is Tom's double. Some strong language, some violence, and some descriptions of sex. 1998.

White Rose: Una Rosa Blanca     RC 49362

by Amy Ephron

read by Constance Crawford

1 cassette

In 1897 newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst sends reporter Karl Decker to Havana to interview and somehow rescue Evangelina, the imprisoned daughter of a revolutionary. Although Decker is married, the two fall in love as they plan the escape. Based on a true story. Some violence. 1999.

Washington, D.C.     RC 49368

by Gore Vidal

read by Dan Bloom

3 cassettes

Senator James Burden Day has ambitions of replacing Franklin Roosevelt as president in 1940. Clay Overbury, Day's congressional aide, has his own political plans. Newspaper tycoon Blaise Sanford has personal thoughts on Washington politics. The aspirations of these men and their children become intertwined from the New Deal to the McCarthy era. 1967.

East into Upper East: Plain Tales from New York and New Delhi     RC 49401

by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

read by Annie Wauters

3 cassettes

Collection of stories about urban life, six set in India and eight in New York City. In "Expiation," the eldest brother in a large East Indian family tells of his unconditional affection for the youngest brother, who becomes a criminal. In "The Temptress," a transplanted Indian matron finds a niche in New York. 1998.

Heat and Dust     RC 49404

by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

read by Corrie James

2 cassettes

An English girl in India recounts the story of Olivia, her grandfather's first wife, who was seduced by the Nawab, an Indian prince, in 1923. The parallels between the two women's experiences explore the English attraction to the exotic Indian culture. Booker Prize winner. 1975.

The Complete Short Stories of Robert Louis Stevenson with a Selection of the Best Short Novels     RC 49498

by Robert Louis Stevenson

read by John Horton

4 cassettes

Short stories and other fiction that encompass the brief life of the author. Includes his well-known "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." The ghost story "Trawn Janet" is set in Scotland. A romantic tale of chivalry, "The Sire de Malétroit's Door," takes place in medieval England. 1997.

Anna Karenina     RC 49499

by Leo Tolstoy

read by Suzanne Toren

7 cassettes in 2 containers (Reissue)

In the 1870s in Russia, Anna flaunts convention by having an adulterous affair with Count Vronsky. Preferring the allure of romance to her stifling marriage with Alexis Karenin, Anna's happiness disintegrates as she loses her peace of mind. Originally published in 1877. Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude. 1999.

A Gesture Life     RC 49558

by Chang-rae Lee

read by David Hartley-Margolin

3 cassettes

Now in his seventies and retired, Doc Hata still resides in his large home of thirty years in Bedley Run, New York. A polite and unassuming man, he harbors secrets of his past as a medic in the Japanese Army during World War II. Some strong language. 1999.

A Journey to the End of the Millennium     RC 49597

by A.B. Yehoshua

read by Bill Wallace

3 cassettes

In the year 999 Jewish merchant Ben Attar, his nephew Abulafia, and his Muslim partner manage a thriving commerce between Africa and Europe. When Abulafia's wife denounces Ben Attar's bigamy, their business becomes imperiled. Ben Attar sails into the heart of Europe, aiming to vindicate himself and rescue his livelihood. Descriptions of sex. 1999.

Treasures of the Sun: A South-Western Story     RC 49674

by T.V. Olsen

read by Michael Skinner

2 cassettes

Christopher Fallon is engaged as a field guide by Sir Wilbur Tennington to travel to Peru in search of secret Incan treasure. Accompanying them are professor Luis Valera and his beautiful student, Marcelina O'Day. There they are plagued by bad weather, headhunters, and rival claimants. Some violence. 1998.

East of Eden     RC 49676

by John Steinbeck

read by Steven Carpenter

4 cassettes (Reissue)

This saga of two California families spans from the post-Civil War era to the end of World War I. The Trasks, a mixture of gentleness and brutality, contrast with the Hamiltons, the author's own forebears, a well-adjusted, more tranquil family. 1952.

Wake of the Perdido Star     RC 49698

by Gene Hackman and Daniel Lenihan

read by Timothy Lynch

3 cassettes

1805. A swashbuckling tale about seventeen-year-old Jack O'Reilly, whose parents are murdered in Cuba where the family had planned to settle. Jack escapes the island on a ship, vowing someday to wreak vengeance. Three years later Jack, now a leader of pirates, returns to Cuba to make good on his pledge. Violence. 1999.

Loves That Bind     RC 49712

by Julián Ríos

read by Ted Stoddard

2 cassettes

Abandoned by his lover, the protagonist writes to her recounting his past romances with a series of women, set forth in alphabetical order. Using wordplay and multilingual puns, he describes each partner as a particular storied heroine, leaving the reader to determine the literary source. Translated from Spanish. 1998.

Midshipman Bolitho: Richard Bolitho Novels, Volume 1     RC 49764

by Alexander Kent

read by Jim Zeiger

2 cassettes

Only sixteen but already a veteran of four years in the king's navy, Richard Bolitho joins his second ship in 1771. Its mission--to investigate the brutal slave trade on Africa's west coast--proves much more perilous than he expected. Prequel to Stand into Danger (RC 49765). Some violence. 1978.

Nightmare Town: Stories     RC 49771

by Dashiell Hammett

read by Robert Sams

4 cassettes

Twenty short crime stories from the 1920s and 1930s written by the former Pinkerton detective who became famous for his characters Continental Op and Sam Spade. Among these works, written originally for magazines, is the prototype for the novel The Thin Man (RC 16349). Some violence. 1999.

Mr. Darwin's Shooter     RC 49778

by Roger McDonald

read by Jim Zeiger

2 cassettes

In 1828 thirteen-year-old Syms Covington leaves his Bedford, England, home for the sea. Two years later he ships aboard the HMS Beagle to assist Charles Darwin in collecting animal specimens. Toward life's end, Covington comes to regret his complicity with the evolutionist. Violence and some descriptions of sex. 1998.

Monsoon     RC 49786

by Wilbur Smith

read by David Hartley-Margolin

6 cassettes

In this sequel to Birds of Prey (RC 48319) Hal Courtney takes three of his four sons on a voyage to deter a pirate from looting ships off the coast of Africa. The Courtneys meet disaster when the youngest is kidnapped by Arabs. Violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

The Interior     RC 49804

by Lisa See

read by Gabriella Cavallero

3 cassettes

In this sequel to Flower Net (RC 45063) Chinese inspector Liu Hulan helps a childhood friend whose daughter died suspiciously. Coincidentally, Hulan's lover, American attorney David Stark, has taken a job in China and is involved with the factory where the daughter worked. Some violence and some strong language. 1999.

Secret Passages     RC 49808

by Paul Preuss

read by Richard Davidson

3 cassettes

Cretan physicist and archaeologist Dimitris Minakis, who has invented a secret time-reversing device, lures scientist Peter Slater and his wife, Anne-Marie, to the island in order to convince Peter to work with him. Anne-Marie, in turn, uses Dimitris to regain custody of her young son. Some descriptions of sex. 1997.

Star Wars: The New Jedi Order; Vector Prime     RC 49820

by R.A. Salvatore

read by Chuck Benson

3 cassettes

Twenty-one years after the destruction of the Death Star by the Rebel Alliance, tension is mounting in the Republic. Leia pursues diplomatic negotiations, Luke deals with rogue Jedi Knights, and Han Solo again engages in battle; and a new generation of characters and creatures appears. A Star Wars novel. 1999.

The White Hunter: The House of Winslow, Book 22     RC 49919

by Gilbert Morris

read by Mitzi Friedlander

3 cassettes

In this sequel to The Shadow Portrait (RC 49918), Annie Rogers goes to New York hoping to become a missionary in Africa. Instead she is the secretary to the flamboyant Jeanine Quintana. John Winslow remains in Africa, visiting relatives. Eventually Annie and John meet, but not before they almost perish on the Titanic. 1999.

Strawberries in the Sea: Lovers Trilogy, Volume 3     RC 49923

by Elisabeth Ogilvie

read by Mitzi Friedlander

2 cassettes (Reissue)

After Rosa Fleming's husband deserts her, she returns to the isolated fishing village of Bennett's Island, Maine, to run the family's lobster business and, she hopes, to restore her self-confidence. Once there, she reconnects with friends from her past--including Edwin, a deaf artist. Sequel to The Seasons Hereafter (RC 49922). 1973.

The Dragon Hunt: Five Stories     RC 49934

by Vu Trân

read by Annie Wauters

1 cassette

Five stories depicting the history of strife in Vietnam and the suffering of its emigrants. "The Coral Reef" is based on the author's own harrowing escape from his homeland when an overcrowded boat runs aground. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1999.

The Face of Apollo: Book of the Gods, Volume 1     RC 49937

by Fred Saberhagen

read by Erik Sandvold

3 cassettes

In a battle between ancient classical gods, Apollo is killed and a young woman, Sal, carries off his face. Just before she dies, Sal entrusts her treasure to fifteen-year-old Jeremy Redthorn, a farm laborer. Soon Jeremy's life is transformed. Prequel to Ariadne's Web (RC 49938). For senior high and older readers. 1998.

The Arabian Nights' Entertainments; or, The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night     RC 49951

read by John Horton

6 cassettes

Centuries-old tales that circulated in Arabic long before they were translated into English by Victorian-era explorer Richard Burton in the 1880s. This Modern Library edition was compiled by Bennett Cerf as a representative selection of adventures that so enthralled King Shahryar he let his wife, Shahrazad, live to complete them, one by one. 1932.

A Quiet Strength: A Prairie Legacy, Volume 3     RC 49959

by Janette Oke

read by Laura Giannarelli

2 cassettes

In this sequel to A Searching Heart (RC 47433) Virginia and Jonathan marry, and Virginia looks forward to a quiet wedded life. But trials and disappointments await the couple as first Jonathan's grandmother moves in, then the troubled daughter of Virginia's dear friend Jenny. For senior high and older readers. 1999.

Welding with Children     RC 49990

by Tim Gautreaux

read by Kimberly Schraf

2 cassettes

Eleven stories about life in rural Louisiana depicting a bibulous priest, a Creole princess, and a one-armed feminist hitchhiker, among others. In the title piece, an aging welder baby-sits for his unmarried daughters' four young children. During the day the befuddled granddad learns all about modern amoral lifestyles. Some strong language. 1999.

Earthly Joys     RC 50010

by Philippa Gregory

read by Barbara Caruso

4 cassettes

England, 1603. John Tradescant is gardener and confidant to Sir Robert Cecil and, later, to Lord Buckingham. Because he is a trusted employee of men close to James I and then Charles I, Tradescant is able to help safeguard the realm. Prequel to Virgin Earth (RC 50011). 1998.

Beyond the Limbo Silence     RC 50043

by Elizabeth Nunez

read by Pam Ward

2 cassettes

Sara is one of three young women from the West Indies integrating a white college in Wisconsin in 1963. Her love for Sam, an African American involved in the civil rights movement, causes her to examine her beliefs and attitudes during that historic year. 1998.

Cabbage and Bones: An Anthology of Irish American Women's Fiction     RC 50046

edited by Caledonia Kearns

read by Terry Donnelly

3 cassettes

A collection of twenty-four short stories and excerpts from novels by twentieth-century writers of Irish American heritage. Includes several new authors and some already well-known ones such as Mary McCarthy, Maureen Howard, Tess Gallagher, Alice McDermott, Anna Quindlen, and Mary Gordon. 1997.

Charlotte Gray     RC 50047

by Sebastian Faulks

read by Graeme Malcolm

3 cassettes

1942. Scotswoman Charlotte Gray travels to London to assist in the war effort. There she falls in love with Peter Gregory, a pilot, before being sent to France to join the underground, where she experiences deprivation and tragedy. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 1998.

Loot     RC 50059

by Aaron Elkins

read by L.J. Ganser

2 cassettes

Austria, 1945. A lone truck carrying artworks stolen by Nazis disappears in the snow. Fifty-odd years later, one of the paintings appears in a Boston pawn shop. Art historian Ben Revere joins in an investigation that leads to Europe and the Mafia. Some violence and some strong language. 1999.

Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life among the Lowly     RC 50070

by Harriet Beecher Stowe

read by L.J. Ganser

4 cassettes (Reissue)

First published in 1852, abolitionist Stowe depicts the moral injustice of slavery and the evils of materialism. Tom saves little Eva's life, and years later she tries to help him gain his freedom. Eventually, Tom's protection of runaway Eliza costs him his life at the hands of the brutal ex-Yankee Simon Legree. 1965.

The Martians     RC 50076

by Kim Stanley Robinson

read by John Stratton

3 cassettes

Collection of stories set in the universe of the Mars trilogy--Red Mars (RC 36318), Green Mars (RC 42050), and Blue Mars (RC 43603); also several poems and a copy of the Constitution of Mars. Some selections offer new perspectives on an old narrative; others expand on events in the trilogy. Some descriptions of sex. 1999.

Island of the Innocent: Cheney Duvall, M.D., Volume 7     RC 50077

by Lynn Morris and Gilbert Morris

read by Suzanne Toren

2 cassettes

Late 1800s. Doctors Cheney Duvall and Walker Baird have come to Hawaii from San Francisco to warn Shiloh Irons to stop trying to prove he is part of the Winslow family. Instead, the two visitors provide the catalyst for uncovering secrets from the past. Sequel to In the Twilight, In the Evening (RC 45835). 1998.

The Last of the Just     RC 50079

by André Schwarz-Bart

read by Robert Blumenfeld

3 cassettes

The author's friend, Ernie Levy, and his predecessors have borne the burden of religious persecution since Rabbi Yom Tov Levy was killed in York, England, in 1185. Generations later, Ernie is the last of thirty-six Jews known as the "just men" when he faces death in Auschwitz during World War II. 1960.

The Year's Best Science Fiction: Sixteenth Annual Collection     RC 50117

edited by Gardner Dozois

read by Richard Hauenstein

7 cassettes in 2 containers

Following a survey of the science fiction market in 1998, Dozois offers twenty-five stories by such authors as Tanith Lee, Bruce Sterling, Ursula K. LeGuin, Ian McDonald, Michael Swanwick, Stephen Baxter, Gwyneth Jones, and Ian R. MacLeod. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1999.

Household Gods     RC 50146

by Judith Tarr and Harry Turtledove

read by Madelyn Buzzard

5 cassettes

Nicole, a harried lawyer and single mother, wishes on a plaque of Roman gods that she could live in a simpler time. The gods comply by sending her back to second-century Roman-controlled Austria to assume the life of a tavern keeper. After pestilence, starvation, invasion, and filth, Nicole is overwhelmed. 1999.

Crime and Punishment     RC 50147

by Fyodor Dostoevsky

read by Fred Major

5 cassettes

An impoverished student, Raskolnikov, convinces himself that he is above the law and murders an elderly pawnbroker. But his subsequent guilt is overwhelming. Acclaimed 1992 translation into English by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky from the 1866 Russian original. Some violence. 1993.

Welcome to Temptation     RC 50154

by Jennifer Crusie

read by Jill Fox

3 cassettes

Taking a break from taping weddings, sisters Sophie and Amy Dempsey travel to Temptation, Ohio, to film an audition video for an actress acquaintance. As Sophie falls for the mayor and Amy for the police chief, the video threatens to turn pornographic. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 2000.

The Cornell Woolrich Omnibus: Rear Window and other Stories; I Married a Dead Man; Waltz into Darkness     RC 50156

by Cornell Woolrich

read by Fred Major

4 cassettes

Seven classic mystery stories from the 1940s, including "Rear Window," on which Alfred Hitchcock's film was based. In "Post-Mortem," a widow looking for a winning lottery ticket has her first husband's body exhumed. In "Three O'Clock," a man sneaks home to murder his wife but ends up a victim instead. Some violence. 1984.

The Invention of Morel and Other Stories (from La Trama Celeste)     RC 50167

by Adolfo Bioy Casares

read by Peter Gil

2 cassettes

In the title novella, first published in 1940, a fugitive from justice escapes to a remote island, where he enters into a dreamlike existence along with other "intruders." He falls in love and gradually uncovers the eerie secret of his strange new world. Also includes six short stories first published in 1948. 1964.

Fire and Ice: A Liam Campbell Mystery     RC 50187

by Dana Stabenow

read by Nanette Savard

2 cassettes

Recently demoted Alaska state trooper Liam Campbell deplanes at his new post and finds a dead body on the tarmac; his former lover, pilot Wy Chouinard, is bent over the corpse. Strong language, violence, and explicit descriptions of sex. 1998.

The Ne'er-Do-Well     RC 50197

by Rex Beach

read by Nanette Savard

3 cassettes

The spoiled son of a wealthy father, Kirk Anthony finished college but still has no profession. While out carousing with other young men, he is drugged, robbed, and substituted for a criminal on a ship headed for Panama. Arriving without funds, he must fend for himself for the first time in his life. 1911.

South of the Border, West of the Sun     RC 50202

by Haruki Murakami

read by Robert Sams

2 cassettes

When Hajime is thirty-seven, moderately successful, and married with two daughters, his childhood sweetheart, Shimamoto, reappears in his life. She tantalizes him and disrupts his equanimity while remaining mysteriously uncommunicative about details of her daily existence. Hajime's longing for her becomes obsessive. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1998.

Who Goes There!     RC 50210

by Robert W. Chambers

read by Peter Gil

2 cassettes

An American of Belgian descent, Kervyn Guild is captured by the Germans while visiting his family's homeland. Guild is informed he can free himself and the other hostages if he travels to England to bring back the daughter of General von Reiter, who is unable to get her out. Some violence. 1915.

The Ghost with Blue Eyes     RC 50226

by Robert J. Randisi

read by Rick Rohan

1 cassette

Kansas, 1883. Lancaster, a gunfighter, is confronted by a man who mistakenly believes himself to be Lancaster's target. In the showdown, a girl is accidentally killed. The guilt-ridden Lancaster gives up on life and loses himself in the bottle, until another child in distress presents him with an opportunity for personal redemption. 1999.

Don Careless and Birds of Prey     RC 50227

by Rex Beach

read by Nanette Savard

2 cassettes

Two novellas from an early-twentieth-century author. In Don Careless, a Bolivian playboy pays court to a beautiful heiress on a bet. In Birds of Prey, scandalous behavior on a wealthy country estate causes local tongues to wag. 1928.

No Longer at Ease     RC 50240

by Chinua Achebe

read by Peter Jay Fernandez

1 cassette

The bribery trial of Obi Okonkwo, a young Nigerian civil servant of "education and brilliant promise," is cause for consternation among the Umuofians who sent him to England on scholarship. Obi recounts his struggles with conscience and the circumstances that led to his arrest. 1960.

Beneath the Skin     RC 50267

by Nicci French

read by Anne Flosnik

2 cassettes

London teacher Zoe is the first to receive the anonymous messages--almost love letters, but the writer threatens to kill her. The police don't take them seriously until Jenny receives some, too. Then Nadia, the last target, realizes that local officials are no help at all. Some violence and some strong language. 2000.

The Running Mate     RC 50269

by Joe Klein

read by Margaret Strom

4 cassettes

As Senator Charlie Martin's reelection is being challenged by a wealthy, unscrupulous opponent, Charlie falls in love with a beautiful woman who abhors politics. The senator discovers a secret from his Vietnam days, which causes him to question his career. Companion to Primary Colors (RC 41822). Strong language. 2000.

The Heavenly Village     RC 50299

by Cynthia Rylant

read by Phil Regensdorf

1 cassette

Seven tales of recently deceased persons who are not quite ready to give up Earth and enter Heaven. God places these embodied spirits in the Heavenly Village, a wayside where they can "finish their stories" before ascending to perfect happiness. For junior and senior high and older readers. 1999.

Black Friday     RC 50311

by James Patterson

read by Bob Moore

2 cassettes

When terrorists target Wall Street, federal agent Arch Carroll joins SEC chief of enforcement Caitlin Dillon to determine who is behind the mayhem. But their investigation endangers the motherless Carroll children. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1986.

The Cowboy     RC 50316

by Joan Johnston

read by Barbara Pinolini

2 cassettes

Two Texas ranching families, the Blackthornes and the Creeds, have feuded for generations. Away at college, Trace Blackthorne and Callie Creed became secret lovers, until an accident sent Callie back home and out of Trace's life. Eleven years later he returns. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 2000.

The Mistress of Shenstone     RC 50323

by Florence L. Barclay

read by Vanessa Maroney

2 cassettes

When Lady Ingleby collapses after learning of her husband's death, her doctor suggests she recuperate in the country. Using the name "Mrs. O'Mara" to hide her identity, she meets and falls in love with Jim Airth, who is also using a pseudonym. But love falters when their true identities are revealed. 1910.

Burger Wuss     RC 50325

by M.T. Anderson

read by Rick Rohan

1 cassette

Anthony, nice guy and doormat, seeks revenge after he sees his girlfriend, Diana, kissing cool guy Turner at a party. Anthony takes a job at the fast food restaurant where Turner is a supervisor and concocts a scheme involving rivalry with their competitor, Burger Queen. For senior high readers. 1999.

Laidlaw     RC 50347

by William McIlvanney

read by Tom Martin

2 cassettes

Glasgow detective Jack Laidlaw investigates the murder of eighteen-year-old Jennifer Lawson--apparently by a confused bisexual boy named Tommy Bryson. Other people are soon after Tommy for revenge; meanwhile, Laidlaw's marriage is slowly disintegrating. Some violence and some strong language. 1977.

The Heir     RC 50350

by Johanna Lindsey

read by Barbara Caruso

2 cassettes

Duncan MacTavish, twenty-one, grew up in Scotland believing he would become laird of his family's lands. Now he learns he will also inherit his English grandfather's title and be married to an English lady who has been chosen for him. But another woman catches Duncan's attention. Some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 2000.

The Survival of Juan Oro     RC 50377

by Max Brand

read by Bob Askey

2 cassettes

Raised by Yaqui Indians, Juan Oro is taken prisoner in battle by Spaniard Don Fontana, who soon discovers that his captive is actually a white youth. Juan is then apprenticed to an outlaw, whom Fontana wants killed. Will Juan be the assassin? Violence. 1925.

The Proposition     RC 50381

by Judith Ivory

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

London, 1898. On a bet, linguist Edwina Bollash has six weeks to transform a Cornish rat catcher into a proper gentleman who can pass as a viscount at her cousin's annual ball. But the tall and handsome Mick Tremore charms his way into her heart. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

Strange Loyalties     RC 50389

by William McIlvanney

read by Tom Martin

2 cassettes

Scotland's Detective Inspector Jack Laidlaw takes a busman's holiday to investigate his brother Scott's "accidental" death. Through a blur of grief and excessive drinking, Jack begins to sort out clues from Scott's wife, his colleagues and chums, his lover, and his eerie paintings. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1991.

Blood Money     RC 50396

by Thomas Perry

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

3 cassettes

Once again, Jane Whitefield is called away from her life as a doctor's wife to help someone disappear. This time it is the young housekeeper for Bernie the Elephant, a Mafia money launderer. Thinking Bernie dead, the mobsters believe the girl can lead them to their missing loot. Some violence. 1999.

This Alien Shore     RC 50398

by C.S. Friedman

read by Kristin Allison

3 cassettes

Human mutants, disowned long ago by earthlings, remain on various abandoned colonies. The Guerans, one such group, can travel faster than light--but now a virus is taking over their minds. Jamisia, a teenaged girl raised in a laboratory and troubled by multiple personalities, holds the key to their survival. Some violence and some strong language. 1998.

Forever Peace     RC 50404

by Joe Haldeman

read by Michael Skinner

2 cassettes

2043. The Ngumi War has been going on for over eight years, when burned-out "soldierboy" Julian Class and his older lover, Dr. Amelia Harding, make a scientific discovery that could set the universe back to square one. Violence, some descriptions of sex, and some strong language. Nebula Award. 1997.

Darkness, Take My Hand     RC 50409

by Dennis Lehane

read by Gregory Gorton

2 cassettes

Boston private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro stumble upon a decades-long string of horrifying murders committed by a pair of serial killers. Worse, the crimes originated in the sleuths' old neighborhood and involve people they've known all their lives. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1996.

The Mummers' Curse: An Amanda Pepper Mystery     RC 50420

by Gillian Roberts

read by Annie Wauters

2 cassettes

Schoolteacher-sleuth Amanda Pepper and her niece hope to see Amanda's colleague Vincent Devaney marching in the annual Mummers' parade in Philadelphia. When Vincent becomes a suspect after one of the revelers is shot, he tells the cops he was with Amanda. But he's not telling the truth. 1996.

The Ewe Lamb     RC 50433

by Margaret Bacon

read by Anne Flosnik

2 cassettes

Describes the lives of childhood friends Judith and Alice from England's Yorkshire Dales. After Judith's mother abandons her family, the girls separate but are buoyed by their occasional meetings. Judith becomes a London barrister, while Alice turns her family farm into a bed and breakfast. Some violence. 1999.

Mountain Time     RC 50449

by Ivan Doig

read by Roy Avers

2 cassettes

Environmental reporter Mitch Rozier and caterer Lexa McCaskill, both Montana natives, are living together frugally but happily in Seattle when Mitch's dying father summons them home. Along with Lexa's photographer sister, Mariah, they must confront their memories, their disappointments, and the wilderness. Sequel to Ride with Me, Mariah Montana (RC 32683). 1999.

The Wonders of the Invisible World: Stories     RC 50451

by David Gates

read by John Polk

2 cassettes

Ten tales about transient relationships and defining moments. In the title story a tête-à-tête between a divorced father and his much younger, married lover about her possible pregnancy becomes the pivotal exchange for the future of their intimacy. Some strong language. 1999.

The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction: The Fiftieth Anniversary Anthology     RC 50452

edited by Edward L. Ferman and Gordon Van Gelder

read by John Polk

3 cassettes

Twenty-one selections published between 1993 and 1998 in the magazine known as F&SF. Ranging from speculative science fiction to fairy tales, from alternate histories to supernatural horror tales, they include award winners by Esther Friesner, Maureen McHugh, Bruce Holland Rogers, Ursula Le Guin, and Elizabeth Hand. 1999.

The Vision of Emma Blau     RC 50453

by Ursula Hegi

read by Mitzi Friedlander

3 cassettes

Multigenerational family saga follows Stefan Blau, who at thirteen comes to America from Germany to fulfill a dream. His development of an opulent apartment building on the shore of a New Hampshire lake dominates his family life. His granddaughter, Emma, shares his obsession. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2000.

Muse of Art: Geodyssey, Volume 4     RC 50454

by Piers Anthony

read by Madelyn Buzzard

4 cassettes

The story of humanity is told through the experiences of a single family reincarnated throughout history. Focuses on aspects of the arts--healing, drama, storytelling, and seduction, among others. Cautions that the same gifts and instincts that developed civilization could also cause its destruction. Sequel to Hope of Earth (RC 45123). Descriptions of sex. 1999.

Doc Holliday's Gone: A Western Duo     RC 50457

by Jane Candia Coleman

read by Terry Hayes Sales

2 cassettes

The first of these two fictionalized accounts describes Mary Katherine Horony, Doc Holliday's companion. The second introduces young Viola Howell, who pleads with New Mexico's governor to dismiss the cattle rustling charges against her father and John Slaughter, the man she loves. Some violence and some strong language. 1999.

The Untamed     RC 50459

by Max Brand

read by Roy Avers

2 cassettes

Saddle bum Whistling Dan lives off the land with his wolf Black Bart and stallion Satan, even though he was raised on a ranch alongside Kate Cumberland. As they share many adventures, Kate falls in love with Dan but wonders if he will ever settle down. Some violence. 1919.

Backflash     RC 50460

by Richard Stark

read by John Polk

2 cassettes

Although Parker is suspicious of the motives of a retired New York civil servant who wants him to rob a riverboat casino on the Hudson, he rounds up three partners to commit the crime. Afterwards, Parker and his gang realize that they have been set up. Violence and strong language. 1998.

All or Nothing     RC 50462

by Elizabeth Adler

read by Madelyn Buzzard

2 cassettes

Lawyer/professor Marla Cwitowitz is looking for excitement. She gets plenty by teaming up with her private-investigator boyfriend, Al Giraud, who is hired to prove the innocence of a faithful husband accused of murdering a real-estate agent. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1999.

Dinoverse     RC 50463

by Scott Ciencin

read by Jack Fox

2 cassettes

Thirteen-year-