NLS/BPH: Talking Book Topics, November through December, 2006

Teen People discontinued NLS has been notified that Teen People magazine ceased publication in September 2006. A replacement will be selected in the near future.

The following information is reprinted from two issues of NLS Flash, a newsletter created to bring current information on NLS progress in digital technology to patrons, library staff, and other interested individuals.

Flash, August 2006, volume 2, issue 9

Digital project contracts require a coordinator to monitor
all angles

UA challenging project such as the digital transition undertaken by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, requires multiple levels of expertise in order to succeed. NLS has assembled top talent across technical specialties in addition to its own digital team. With the number of contractors involved in a project of this magnitude, NLS relies on its digital contracts coordinator, Alice Baker, to keep the lines of communication open.

"Building a digital talking-book system requires specific technical and engineering expertise. For that reason, we have contracted various experts in the field of accessible technology to assist in transitioning to a digital collection," says Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director. "It's important that NLS work closely with contractors to ensure that projects proceed on schedule and meet goals."

Battelle, a leading technology innovation firm, has been contracted to manage the design and development of the digital talking-book player and media. Battelle has subcontracted with HumanWare, innovators in digital talking-book technology, to support them in designing the DTB player's software as well as coordinating usability tests associated with the digital project. Battelle also turned to the University of Wisconsin's Trace Research and Development Center for their expertise in accessibility issues specific to physically handicapped people. The National Federation of the Blind is another subcontractor involved in user needs and product usability testing. Their expertise in the field of assistive-technology product development has proven very useful in the design process.

ManTech Advanced Systems International, another member of the NLS contractor team, has focused on the development of strategic plans related to distributing DTBs. The company conducted a distribution system study examining the best means of circulating digital talking books. The study concluded that a hybrid system of mass production and duplication on demand would work best gradually implemented.

To complement NLS's talented engineering department, NLS summoned Dr. Donald L. Pieper out of retirement. As the research and development director at the global, broad-based healthcare company Abbott Laboratories, Pieper oversaw the development and production of an innovative glucose monitoring system known as FreeStyle and FreeStyle Flash. Now NLS is relying on his expertise for a variety of technical issues, including how to transition the DTB player from design to mass production.

While each contractor and subcontractor works on separate pieces of the digital project, their work is of equal importance to the overall goal of developing a top-quality digital talking-book system.

Keeping the trains running

With so much work compressed into a short period of time, it is important to keep projects running on schedule so that NLS meets its 2008 goal. Baker oversees and coordinates contractor assignments. Her job is to ensure that they plan adequately, deliver high-quality work, and meet deadlines. Often, she facilitates the flow of information between various project teams enabling projects to move smoothly, dovetailing where necessary.

"I get contractors the information they need and I help them prioritize. But much of my work involves coordinating decisions and ensuring that things get done," notes Baker. "It's gratifying work because it's helping to build a digital talking-book system that will satisfy the information and recreational needs of many thousands of blind and physically handicapped readers for many years."

Keeping track of the various activities assigned to contractors and subcontractors and monitoring their workflow requires multitasking and organizational skill. It also involves a strategic understanding of the digital project's various, interrelated pieces and what is needed to move them forward. With a law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law, advanced courses in information sciences, and a wealth of contract management experience, Baker has the skill and determination to bring the project to fruition.

The successful completion of the digital talking-book system ultimately comes down to teamwork between NLS and its contractors. The digital contract coordinator works hard to maintain strong working relationships between NLS and its outside experts.

Laying the groundwork

In addition to coordinating current efforts, the digital contracts coordinator must also lay the groundwork for future work. Currently, Baker and her colleagues are in the process of coordinating the writing of two requests for proposals (RFPs) to obtain contractors to manufacture the digital talking-book player and the cartridge.

The process involves identifying the right skills for the job and requires considerations from major concepts to minute details in constructing the RFP. Various teams are working together to write the draft, including staff from Battelle, the NLS digital team, the Library of Congress's contracting office, and the Office of General Counsel. Battelle must ensure that its designs for the player and cartridge are conveyed fully and exactly, and that all the issues involved in manufacturing the design are factored into the request.

"As we think about a new technology and moving toward the future, we need to exercise caution and do plenty of research to make sure that we find good craftsmen to build the digital system, " says Baker.

Flash, September 2006, volume 2, issue 10

NLS completes preliminary design review of player, cartridge, and mailing containers

Good design is often the result of good planning and evaluation. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, has gone to great lengths to ensure its designs for the digital talking-book player and cartridge and their mailing containers are fully functional when built. One major component of this ongoing effort is the preliminary design review, during which NLS evaluates all design components to be sure that they meet the requirements for usability, portability, and durability. This review is necessary before the testing and analysis of functional prototypes can begin. During the June 2006 review, NLS approved all system designs and granted permission to move forward with functional prototypes.

"NLS is pleased to have successfully completed the preliminary design review," says NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke. "This is an exciting development that indicates the design process is on target and that we are prepared to develop functional prototypes, advancing NLS closer to realizing a fully digitized talking-book program in 2008."

Design review

The review team included NLS staff and representatives from Battelle and HumanWare. Throughout the review process, all worked to ensure that designs translate into functional prototypes that operate correctly and are user-friendly.

To that end, NLS examined a variety of issues during the review, such as usability. The team evaluated cartridge design for ease of handling and insertion and they assessed the adequacy of the print/braille labeling. Tactility and shape of the player's buttons, and other markings were also examined.

When analyzing designs for the mailing containers, the team demanded plans that would allow for the production of prototypes capable of withstanding extreme temperature and other adverse conditions caused by shipping, weather, and other uncontrolled situations.

The preliminary design review follows multiple rounds of user needs testing, patron usability testing, and refinements to the DTB system.

NLS digital contracts coordinator Alice Baker is pleased that the review was successful and that the designs were satisfactory and on target. "All the hard work and months of effort have yielded a design that can be built and tested with confidence."

Moving forward

With the design review complete, NLS moves forward with the next stage of the process: production of functional prototypes. Battelle is currently charged with the task of manufacturing prototypes for 50 players, 90 cartridges, and 150 cartridge containers.

During this multiple-phase process, engineers will finalize the design drawings and build the prototypes. At the same time, they will test player circuit boards, USB connectors, and speaker components to determine which will work best.

To assess durability, prototypes will be tested in simulated real-world scenarios. They will be dropped from varying heights onto a range of surfaces, scratched, spilled on, and subjected to temperature extremes—all to ensure that the equipment will be able to withstand daily wear and tear when they come off the production line. Other prototypes will be treated more gently, tested in the less extreme conditions of patrons' homes.

NLS expects to receive the first prototypes in September, but the pre-production stage of the design process does not commence until November, when—after more usability testing—NLS will be fully prepared to conduct the critical final design review. This is the last review prior to building preproduction prototypes.

Roadmap to functional prototypes

Contractor’s checklist

NLS progress review

Following a review of ongoing digital efforts the inspector general, Library of Congress, issued the remarks below on August 23, 2006.

. . .[O]ur survey revealed that NLS is effectively managing its plans to:

develop a digital playback machine and related equipment,
test and validate the new playback machine throughout its evolution from design to full production, and
produce 20,000 talking-book titles in digital format by the time the new playback machine becomes available in FY 2008 . . .

Digital Talking Book (DTB) Milestones

Completed

Start 1/12/04—Finish 10/1/08

The The following ongoing projects, set to conclude in 2008,
are shown with start dates in parentheses.

Milestone	Start Date
Web-Magazine Pilot	(1/12/2004)
Digital data management system development	(11/1/2004)
Design DTB containers and labels	(6/1/2005)
Web-Book pilot	(6/1/2005)
Distribution system implementation	(10/1/2006)
Flash cartridge production	(3/1/2007)
Flash cartridge duplication	(5/1/2007)
Manufacture initial lot of DTB containers and labels	(8/1/2007)
Full player production	(9/1/2007)

To view the Strategic Business Plan on the Web visit:
www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan/2006.html

To view the Flash newsletters on the Web visit:
www.loc.gov/nls/newsletters/flash/archive.html

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.

Internet access by telephone

InternetSpeech, Inc., offers a subscription service to access the Internet by phone, without a computer. Users may surf and browse web sites, search by key words, send and receive e-mail, and conduct e-commerce through the use of an interactive voice technology. Rates vary from $14 to $23 per month according to the program selected, with a one-time $20 set-up fee. To learn more, call 877-312-4638 or (408) 532-8460, or visit www.internetspeech.com.

Books for Adults

Adult: Cassettes Nonfiction

Lost Discoveries: The Ancient Roots of Modern Science from
the Babylonians to the Maya RC 57784
by Dick Teresi
read by Ray Childs
4 cassettes
Science and technology writer explores long-disregarded achievements of ancient non-Western cultures that "equaled and often surpassed ancient Greek learning." Reviews discoveries over a span of four thousand years—from 2000 B.C.—in seven fields of science, including astronomy, mathematics, and chemistry. 2002.

The Georgetown Ladies' Social Club: Power, Passion, and
Politics in the Nation's Capital
RC 58840
by C. David Heymann
read by Barbara Rappaport
4 cassettes
Biographer's account of wealthy, well-connected women who ruled the political scene in Washington, D.C., during the second half of the twentieth century. Primary-source research and personal interviews document the roles and influential social gatherings of Katharine Graham, Lorraine Cooper, Evangeline Bruce, Pamela Harriman, and Sally Quinn. Some strong language. 2003.

Satirical Sketches RC 59767
by Lucian
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Twenty-three pieces by Greek orator Lucian (A.D. 115–200) take aim at love, prostitution, and philosophy. From "The Dream" to "Alexander," the satires display Lucian's skepticism about conflicting creeds and all forms of belief in the supernatural. Translated from the Greek and introduced by Paul Turner. 1961.

Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever RC 59967
by Ray Kurzweil and Terry Grossman
read by Jake Williams
5 cassettes
Authors explain ways to extend one's life until technologies are developed to enable humans to live longer. They discuss nutrition, genomics, inflammation, toxins, cancer, heart disease, and hormones and offer advice on diet, exercise, supplements, and antistress techniques to slow aging. 2004.

Columbus Was Chinese: Discoveries and Inventions of the Far East RC 59984
by Hans Breuer
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Professor chronicles Chinese achievements commonly regarded as Western. Highlights include the crossbow, first raincoat, the decimal system, the sewing machine, the wheelbarrow, the earliest dated map, and porcelain. From evidence of an ancient transpacific voyage, suggests that China may have had its own "Columbus." 1970.

Comm Check . . . The Final Flight of Shuttle Columbia RC 60047
by Michael Cabbage and William Harwood
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Journalists chronicle the last mission of the space shuttle Columbia that disintegrated upon re-entry on February 1, 2003, killing seven astronauts. This behind-the-scenes account details the accident, believed to be caused by wing damage from foam insulation debris. Covers the subsequent investigation and the tragedy's repercussions for the shuttle program. 2004.

Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation RC 60082
by Debbie Stoller
read by Barbara Pinolini
3 cassettes
This sequel to Stitch 'n' Bitch (RC 58586) contains fifty hip, even funkier patterns for scarves, hats, mittens, sweaters, ponchos, and sexy summer knits. Also includes knitting ideas for baby and pet clothing, bags, and gifts. Highlights project tips, profiles of groups, and yarn stores listed by state. 2004.

The Best Home Businesses for People Fifty Plus: Opportunities for People Who Believe the Best Is Yet to Be! RC 60158
by Paul Edwards and Sarah Edwards
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Features seventy enterprises that baby boomers can operate out of their homes. Analyzes each activity's suitability for the over-fifty generation by assessing its costs, potential earnings, required skills, stress factors, and flexibility. Covers selecting, starting, running, and building a business. 2004.

Discover America: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Our Country's Greatest Destinations RC 60160
by Reader's Digest
read by Roy Avers
8 cassettes in 2 containers
Travel guide arranged by geographical region describes cities, towns, national parks, and monuments in all fifty states. Outlines each state's history, culture, and economic features. Covers introductory information and useful web sites in a "See America" section. Discusses day trips and vacation planning. 2003.

Eight Preposterous Propositions: From the Genetics of Homosexuality to the Benefits of Global Warming RC 60168
by Robert Ehrlich
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Physics professor and author of The Cosmological Milk Shake (RC 47893) assesses the credibility of eight controversial scientific claims. Topics include the dangers of cholesterol, the effectiveness of placebos, and the existence of complex extraterrestrial life. Evaluates each assertion and discusses how evidence can be skewed. 2003.

Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith RC 60194
by Anne Lamott
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
1 cassette
Companion to Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith (RC 47831). Christian writer's candid, often humorous reflections on everything from menopause to her adolescent son to the war in Iraq. Offers lessons on forgiveness, compassion, and faith. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Living with Polio: The Epidemic and Its Survivors RC 60231
by Daniel J. Wilson
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
History professor and polio survivor relates accounts of polio patients during the mid-twentieth-century epidemics. Chronicles their experiences from diagnosis to rehabilitation and recovery—including, in some cases, dealing with post-polio syndrome. Highlights the emotional and physical struggles of living with a disability. 2005.

Mother-Daughter Wisdom: Creating a Legacy of Physical and Emotional Health RC 60245
by Christiane Northrup
read by Anne Hancock
6 cassettes
Physician and author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom (RC 48380) uses anecdotes to illustrate ways mothers can guide their daughters' emotion-al and physical growth. Offers tips on pregnancy and birth, self-esteem, holistic medicine, sexuality, self-care, and becoming closer to one's own mother. 2005.

Tears for Water: Songbook of Poems and Lyrics RC 60251
by Alicia Keys
read by Melissa Maxwell
1 cassette
A compilation of songs and poems from multiple award-winning, classically trained singer and pianist Alicia Keys. Includes lyrics from her two albums Songs in A Minor and The Diary of Alicia Keys and autobiographical reminiscences. For senior high and older readers. 2004.

Too Late to Die Young: Nearly True Tales from a Life RC 60254
by Harriet McBryde Johnson
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
A lawyer specializing in disability issues protests Jerry Lewis's telethon and media heroes like Christopher Reeve. Born with a neuromuscular disease, the wheelchair user relates anecdotes from her life of advocacy including involvement in Charleston, South Carolina, politics. Some strong language. 2005.

V.S. Pritchett: A Working Life RC 60255
by Jeremy Treglown
read by George Holmes
3 cassettes
Concise biography of the British writer Victor Sawdon Pritchett (1900–1997). Recounts his upbringing, two marriages, and travels and assesses their influence on his literary output. Pritchett's autobiographical works A Cab at the Door and Midnight Oil (RC 46498) focus on his youth and his decision to become a writer. 2004.

Major Conflict: One Gay Man's Life in the Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell Military RC 60257
by Jeffrey McGowan
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Memoir of former U.S. army major and Gulf War veteran who served under the policy whereby homosexual soldiers could be dismissed regardless of tenure or military record. Recounts his decision to resign after a decade of hiding his sexual identity. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

Living Well with Parkinson's RC 60258
by Glenna Atwood
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
This update of the 1991 edition (RC 38067) reviews medication, surgery, nutrition, and physical therapy that improve the lives of those with Parkinson's disease. Includes information on social services, support groups, and other resources available to patients and their families. 2005.

Carolyn 101: Business Lessons from The Apprentice's Straight Shooter RC 60273
by Carolyn Kepcher
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Executive vice president of the Trump Organization and costar of the reality television show The Apprentice shares secrets of her success. Using anecdotes from her professional experiences, Kepcher provides practical workplace strategies for acing interviews, requesting raises, balancing work and home life, and handling difficult bosses. Foreword by Donald Trump. 2004.

It's Not about Me: Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy RC 60285
by Max Lucado
read by Erik Synnestvedt
1 cassette
Minister and author of Just like Jesus (RC 48578) explains how to find happiness by shifting from a self-centered to a"God-centered" life. Guides followers through the change by applying scripture lessons to career, love and family, and health and body issues. Foreword by former professional basketball player David Robinson. 2004.

Knowing God Intimately: Being as Close to Him as You Want to Be RC 60294
by Joyce Meyer
read by Mary Beth Wise
2 cassettes
Author and host of the radio and television program Life in the Word defines four levels of commitment for achieving intimacy with God: God's manifest presence, God's transforming power, God's reflective glory, and God's everlasting fruit. Meyer examines Old and New Testament parallels to these four levels of intimacy. 2003.

Beyond Tears: Living after Losing a Child RC 60304
compiled by Ellen Mitchell
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Nine women who lost their teenage or young adult children provide perspective, comfort, and support for newly bereaved parents by sharing their own experiences. Candid discussion of what to expect the first year, how mothers and fathers cope differently, the impact on family dynamics, and getting through holidays. 2004.

Ready or Not, Here Life Comes RC 60306
by Mel Levine
read by Mark Delgado
2 cassettes
Pediatrician and bestselling author of A Mind at a Time (RC 54305) discusses why some teenagers fail to make successful transitions to adulthood. Attributes unreadiness to societal factors, including overly structured childhoods, and offers parents and educators advice on helping to prepare adolescents for the challenges of growing up. 2005.

Don't Stop Laughing Now! Stories to Tickle Your Funny Bone and Strengthen Your Faith RC 60314
compiled by Ann Spangler and Shari MacDonald
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Seventy-eight stories, poems, jokes, and real-life anecdotes composed by women and men of faith, among them Martha Bolton, Patsy Clairmont, Ken Davis, Shari MacDonald, Barbara Johnson, Mark Lowry, and Dave Barry. Topics include kids, marriage, money, eating, vacationing, illness, and shopping. 2002.

Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally RC 60315
by Marcus J. Borg
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Religion professor reveals his insights about the Bible. He examines two dissimilar methods of reading the Bible, the"literal-factual" and the "historical-metaphorical." Analyzes the differences between these systems and suggests a way of understanding scripture that "takes the Bible seriously without taking it literally." 2001.

Winning RC 60338
by Jack Welch
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Former CEO of General Electric and author of Jack: Straight from the Gut (RC 53044) focuses on successful management techniques. Describes an organization's crucial cultural values and highlights business topics such as crisis management, differentiation, competition, budgeting, quality control, and mergers. Also offers advice on individual career development. Bestseller. 2005.

Blood Struggle: The Rise of Modern Indian Nations RC 60349
by Charles Wilkinson
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Lawyer and author of Eagle Bird (RC 37582) chronicles the Native American tribal sovereignty movement beginning in the second half of the twentieth century. Describes how American Indians utilized the judicial system to reestablish the rights over their land, reinforce treaties, and improve conditions on the reservations. 2005.

Coping with Kidney Disease: A Twelve-Step Treatment Program to Help You Avoid Dialysis RC 60364
by Mackenzie Walser
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Physician from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine offers advice on living with kidney disease. Discusses symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, medications, dialysis, transplants, and control of related problems such as cholesterol, gout, anemia, and acidosis. The main emphasis is on a very-low-protein diet and lifestyle changes. 2004.

America's Battlegrounds: Walk in the Footsteps of America's Bravest RC 60376
by Richard Sauers
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Civil War historian's tour of more than forty U.S. war sites and monuments within the national park system that commemorate the American Revolution, the War of 1812, expansion, the Civil War, and foreign wars. Each entry includes an account of the battle, key players, and detailed visitor information. 2005.

American Cancer Society's Complete Guide to Prostate Cancer RC 60377
edited by David G. Bostwick and Celestia S. Higano
read by Butch Hoover
4 cassettes
Comprehensive guide for those concerned with or facing prostate cancer, the second most common form of cancer among men. Explains risk factors, prevention, early detection, and various treatment options after diagnosis. Discusses insurance, financial concerns, and working during treatment, as well as emotional, physical, and sexual side effects. 2005.

Marv Levy: Where Else Would You Rather Be? RC 60379
by Marv Levy
read by Jack Fox
4 cassettes
Autobiography of Hall of Fame football coach. Levy recalls working in colleges, in the Canadian Football League, and as a National Football League special teams coach before heading to the Buffalo Bills in 1987. Describes the agony of losing four Super Bowls. Foreword by Jim Kelly. Some strong language. 2004.

Hiding the Elephant: How Magicians Invented the Impossible and Learned to Disappear RC 60380
by Jim Steinmeyer
read by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
Illusion designer profiles the lives of famous European and American stage magicians and reveals their secrets. Chronicles innovations in magic from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. Demystifies floating ghosts, disembodied heads, and Houdini's hidden elephant trick by explaining the use of lighting, mirrors, and mechanical contraptions. 2003.

Conquering Diabetes: A Cutting-Edge, Comprehensive Program for Prevention and Treatment RC 60385
by Anne L. Peters
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Diabetologist urges patients to take charge of their disease by developing a lifestyle plan that includes finding a team of professionals to assist in nutrition, exercise, and medications. Explains type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Discusses pre-diabetes, the importance of knowing family history, and prevention of complications. 2005.

The Doctor's Guide to Gastrointestinal Health: Preventing and Treating Acid Reflux, Ulcers, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diverticulitis, Celiac Disease, Colon Cancer, Pancreatitis, Cirrhosis, Hernias, and More RC 60419
by Paul Miskovitz and Marian Betancourt
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Comprehensive guide to maintaining healthy digestion. Discusses causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments for ailments involving the stomach, esophagus, intestine, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and colon. 2005.

A Hundred and One Days: A Baghdad Journal RC 60421
by Åsne Seierstad
read by Megan Burnett
2 cassettes
Record of daily struggles in war-torn Baghdad from January to April 2003 by a Norwegian journalist and author of The Bookseller of Kabul (RC 57814). Articles she calls snapshots or glimpses from the war demonstrate individuals' survival strategies, reactions to new freedoms, and her own impressions of the city. 2003.

Don't Throw Away Tomorrow: Living God's Dream for Your Life RC 60422
by Robert H. Schuller
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Host of several religious television shows and author of If It's Going to Be, It's up to Me (RC 45111) urges readers to"get faith, and let go of . . . doubt," adopting not only positive thinking but "possibility thinking." Offers a plan to overcome pessimism and focus on the future. 2005.

Isn't It Romantic: One Hundred Love Poems by Younger American Poets RC 60429
edited by Brett Fletcher Lauer and Aimee Kelley
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
Poets born after 1960 express themselves in short poems and prose poems about love, love from afar, love spurned, love resumed, lust, passion, romance, and personal and universal themes. Titles run from "Bicycle Poem" to "Me in Paradise" and "Vertigo." Some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2004.

Corpse: Nature, Forensics, and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death RC 60437
by Jessica Snyder Sachs
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Explores the role of the expanding field of forensic pathology in accurately determining when death occurred, a crucial detail for law enforcement. Using case histories, Sachs explains how traditional indicators of human decay, like rigor mortis, can be misleading and how forensic ecology—blending anthropology, entomology, and botany—can provide greater precision. Some violence. 2001.

The Children's Blizzard RC 60440
by David Laskin
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
The author of Braving the Elements (RC 45451) chronicles an unexpected 1888 blizzard that engulfed the upper Great Plains and killed hundreds, mostly youngsters on the way home from school. Using archives and memoirs, Laskin portrays the immigrant European homesteaders and the storm's emotional devastation. 2004.

The Last Ridge: The Epic Story of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division and the Assault on Hitler's Europe RC 60441
by McKay Jenkins
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Author of The White Death (RC 51455) documents the origins, training, and combat experiences of a unique band of skiers and mountaineers recruited in 1941 to target key Axis positions in Europe's Apennine Mountains. Recounts the 1945 battles for German-held Mount Belvedere and Riva Ridge. 2003.

Protecting Your Children from Sexual Predators RC 60443
by Leigh Baker
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
A psychologist presents case studies to help parents identify sexual predators and pedophiles and teach their family to avoid them. Includes information about potential dangers to children from both male and female offenders, other juveniles and siblings, and the Internet. Explains how to use a state's Sex Offender Registry. 2002.

Heaven RC 60445
by Randy Alcorn
read by Jack Fox
4 cassettes
Pastor, noted Christian speaker, and founder of a nonprofit ministry presents his vision of the afterlife based on biblical scripture. Depicts heaven as a "new earth" free from suffering and filled with God's presence. Theological discussions offer answers to questions about the realm's structure, atmosphere, daily happenings, and more. 2004.

Humboldt's Cosmos: Alexander von Humboldt and the Latin American Journey That Changed the Way We See the World RC 60446
by Gerard Helferich
read by Bruce Huntey
3 cassettes
Retraces Prussian scientist Alexander von Humboldt's 1799–1804 journey of exploration through Central and South America. Helferich discusses Humboldt's resulting contributions in the fields of anthropology, botany, climatology, geography, geology, geophysics, oceanography, physiology, and zoology. 2004.

Big Cotton: How a Humble Fiber Created Fortunes, Wrecked Civilizations, and Put America on the Map RC 60447
by Stephen Yafa
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Chronicles the cultural, economic, and social history of cotton from its domestication more than 5,500 years ago to the twenty-first-century U.S. export of gene-altered seed to developing nations. Discusses the fiber's roles in triggering wars and revolutions, in motivating colonization and slavery, and in inspiring mechanical inventions. 2005.

Hunting Eric Rudolph RC 60452
by Henry Schuster
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
Reconstructs the five-year hunt for Eric Rudolph, the prime suspect in the 1996 Summer Olympics bombing. Follows the police investigation as Rudolph hides in the North Carolina mountains and continues his crime spree by attacking two abortion clinics and a gay nightclub. Violence and strong language. 2005.

The Secret Epidemic: The Story of AIDS and Black America RC 60453
by Jacob Levenson
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Patients, social workers, medical personnel, and activists give anecdotal accounts of the lives of African Americans who are infected with HIV. Addresses the social and political aspects of the epidemic. Strong language and some violence. 2004.

Rabbi Paul: An Intellectual Biography RC 60454
by Bruce Chilton
read by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
Religion professor and priest examines the life of the apostle Paul. Explores Paul's theology within the context of first-century Judaism, examines his debates on the significance of Jesus's resurrection, and looks at his ambition to speak as an apostle for Christianity. 2004.

Queer Crips: Disabled Gay Men and Their Stories RC 60455
edited by Bob Guter and John R. Killacky
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
Anthology of writings by gay men with spinal cord injuries, mobility and neuromuscular disorders, deafness, blindness, spina bifida, AIDS, and other afflictions. Thirty-five poems, essays, performance pieces, and interviews explore social, physical, and emotional aspects of homosexuality and disability. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2004.

Back in Action: An American Soldier's Story of Courage, Faith, and Fortitude RC 60456
by David Rozelle
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Autobiography of the first amputee recertified for active duty in the Iraqi war. Captain Rozelle describes his missions with the Third Armored Cavalry, the loss of his right foot, painful rehabilitation, and his clearance to rejoin his men. Strong language and some violence. 2005.

Able! How One Company's Disabled Workforce Became the Key to Extraordinary Success RC 60457
by Nancy Henderson Wurst
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
Outlines business practices of Habitat International, Inc.—a Tennessee rug manufacturer with mentally and/or physically challenged employees. Relates father and son Saul and David Morris's initial reluctance to hire such workers, the challenges they faced, and the success they and their employees now enjoy. Includes testimonials from professionals and relatives. 2005.

Jacquard's Web: How a Hand-Loom Led to the Birth of the Information Age RC 60460
by James Essinger
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Links a nineteenth-century invention by Frenchman Joseph-Marie Jacquard (1752–1834) to modern-day computers. Identifies Jacquard's loom, which used perforated cards to store instructions and control weaving, as one of the world's first automated programs. Profiles other pioneers, including English mathematician Charles Babbage, who helped transform programming concepts into information-age prototypes. 2004.

The First Year—HIV: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed RC 60461
by Brett Grodeck
read by Dan Willems
3 cassettes
A month-by-month guide for people learning to live with an HIV-positive diagnosis. Includes information on nutrition and exercise, medications and their side effects, and dating and sex. Also deals with the psychological aspects of the disease and lists available resources. 2003.

Kids and Health Care: Using Insurance, Cash, and Government Programs to Make Sure Your Children Get the Best Doctors, Hospitals, and Treatments Possible RC 60462
edited by Silver Lake Editors
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
Advice to parents on obtaining medical care for their children. Discusses the medical industry and identifies and compares insurance, government, school, and job-related programs. Also examines filing claims, choosing doctors, preventive medicine, kids' diets, and special-needs children. 2004.

In the Rose Garden of the Martyrs: A Memoir of Iran RC 60463
by Christopher de Bellaigue
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
British journalist stationed in Tehran and married to a Persian portrays Iran through interviews with former revolutionaries, veterans of the Iran-Iraq war, and citizens. Reviews the country's history from the prerevolutionary 1980s to the devastating war with Iraq and waning of religious fervor in the early 2000s. Some violence. 2004.

Dressing Tips and Clothing Resources for Making Life Easier RC 60466
by Shelley Peterman Schwarz
read by Carol Dines
1 cassette
The author, who has multiple sclerosis, discusses finding, making, or altering clothes that are fashionable and easy for people with physical challenges to wear. Includes shopping advice; tips on selecting garments, sizes, and materials; and techniques for making dressing less difficult. Includes resources. 2000.

Storytelling for Young Adults: A Guide to Tales for Teens RC 60478
by Gail de Vos
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Techniques and tips for presenting stories to a teen audience or for teen performers to use. Offers criteria for story selection and theme recommendations, including fantasy, folk, myth, romance, literature, and humor. Includes twenty complete stories. 2003.

Under and Alone: The True Story of the Undercover Agent Who Infiltrated America's Most Violent Outlaw Motorcycle Gang RC 60481
by William Queen
read by L.J. Ganser
2 cassettes
A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) agent, who's also a Vietnam vet, describes how he went undercover in 1998 to join Southern California's vicious Mongols Motorcycle Club. Reconstructs his twenty-eight-month experience as a member of the gang. Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Caring for Your Parents: The Complete AARP Guide RC 60482
by Hugh Delehanty and Elinor Ginzler
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
AARP's advice for middle-aged people on assisting one's aging parents. Subjects include communicating about issues, advocating on health and legal care, determining financial status, finding caregivers and suitable living arrangements, and, eventually, letting go and grieving. Includes resources. Foreword by Mary Pipher. 2005.

Daily Life in the United States, 1920–1940: How Americans Lived through the "Roaring Twenties" and the Great Depression RC 60528
by David E. Kyvig
read by Lindsay Ellison
3 cassettes
Historian examines the daily experiences of ordinary Americans in the 1920s and 1930s, the decades between the two world wars. Describes the evolving modern society characterized by the rise of automobiles, electricity, radio, and cinema, as well as an increase in population and crime. 2002.

The Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal RC 60529
by Desmond Morris
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Ethological study comparing human and simian behavior. Using direct observation, behavioral studies, and fossil remains, Morris identifies similarities and differences in feeding, grooming, sleeping, fighting, mating, and rearing young. Concludes that man is "a risen ape . . . of remarkable resilience, energy and imagination" but still an animal. Explicit descriptions of sex. 1967.

Tallulah! The Life and Times of a Leading Lady RC 60534
by Joel Lobenthal
read by Constance Crawford
5 cassettes
Biography of Tallulah Bankhead, based on the author's twenty-five years of research through interviews with the actress's friends, enemies, lovers, and employees, and information from FBI and Scotland Yard files. Discusses the emotional, sexual, and intellectual dimensions of the actress, along with her fifty-year career on stage and screen. 2004.

Fallen Astronauts: Heroes Who Died Reaching for the Moon RC 60535
by Colin Burgess and Kate Doolan
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Profiles the eight American astronauts who lost their lives before the 1969 lunar landing of Apollo 11: three who died in a well-publicized launch pad fire, four in aircraft accidents, and another in an automobile crash. Also commemorates their counterparts, the Russian cosmonauts who perished during the superpowers' space race. 2003.

Margot Fonteyn RC 60536
by Meredith Daneman
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
Biography of Great Britain's Prima Ballerina Assoluta. Chronicles Fonteyn's life (1919–1991) and career from her birth as Peggy Hookham and her training at the Royal Ballet to her adventures in bohemian London and marriage to Tito Arias. Recounts her triumphs and her dance partners, including Russian defector Rudolf Nureyev. 2004.

Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving RC 60538
by Michael Downing
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Chronicles the history of seasonal one-hour clock changes first signed into U.S. law in 1918 to maximize daylight hours and save energy during World War I. Draws on congressional minutes and newspaper reports to trace decades of debate, controversy, and confusion persisting into the twenty-first century. 2005.

The ABC's of Getting out of Debt: Turn Bad Debt into Good Debt and Bad Credit into Good Credit RC 60539
by Garrett Sutton
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Advice on using debt wisely. Author describes the difference between good debt and bad debt, explains credit scores and reports, and suggests ways to repair one's finances and avoid scams. Includes case studies, sample letters and credit reports, and resources. 2004.

The Light and the Glory RC 60541
by Peter Marshall and David Manuel
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Authors offer a view of U.S. history from God's perspective. They contend America's discovery, colonization, and independence were part of a divine plan to create a new land as a bastion of hope and freedom. Examines the role of Christian faith in formative events of the nation's past. 1977.

The Botanist and the Vintner: How Wine Was Saved for the World RC 60550
by Christy Campbell
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Journalist chronicles the search for a remedy for a devastating 1860s–1870s infestation striking European grapevines. Profiles botanist Jules-Émile Planchon and English-born entomologist Charles Riley who identified American root-dwelling aphids as the culprits. Traces their efforts to convince winemakers, scientists, and politicians that the answer lay within resistant American varieties. 2004.

Sea of Sharks: A Sailor's World War II Survival Story RC 60551
by Elmer Renner and Kenneth Birks
read by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Veteran Elmer Renner recounts the sinking of his U.S. Navy minesweeper YMS-472 during a Pacific typhoon in September 1945. Describes how he and eight crewmembers drifted aboard a raft for five days without food or water, battling shark attacks, panic, and madness until only four were left to be rescued. 2004.

Friends and Lovers: Gay Men Write about the Families They Create RC 60555
edited by John Preston
read by Ken Kliban
3 cassettes
Anthology of essays by gay men who share emotional, sometimes humorous accounts of relationships with friends and lovers who constitute their diverse families. Contributors include Steven Saylor, writing about his enduring marriage, and Nikolaus Merrell, about raising an adopted child. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1995.

Approval Addiction: Overcoming the Need to Please Everyone RC 60556
by Joyce Meyer
read by Judith Ann Gantly
2 cassettes
Radio and TV host and full-time minister presents three steps to conquering insecurity and learning to feel good about yourself: accepting your faults and knowing you are worthy of love; addressing the desire for approval and tackling needy behavior; and depending on God and planning for the future. 2005.

Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot RC 60563
by Starr Smith
read by Lewis Grenville
2 cassettes
Former Eighth Air Force intelligence officer chronicles Academy Award-winning actor Jimmy Stewart's World War II service as squadron commander of a combat bombardment group. Recounts Stewart's volunteering for service before the United States entered the war and later leading his men across Nazi Germany. Foreword by Walter Cronkite. 2005.

Surviving Myself RC 60564
by Jennifer O'Neill
read by Gabra Zackman
2 cassettes
Autobiography of model/actress Jennifer O'Neill (born 1949), star of the film Summer of '42. O'Neill describes her tumultuous life including her childhood suicide attempt, her rise in modeling, and her first marriage at seventeen. Discusses subsequent relationships, children, miscarriages, and religious conversion. Some descriptions of sex. 1999.

Lucky Child: A Daughter of Cambodia Reunites with the Sister She Left Behind RC 60577
by Loung Ung
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
Genocide survivor follows up her memoir First They Killed My Father (RC 51298) with a dual account of her life in America and her older sister Chou's life in Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge. Describes their disparate experiences and their 1995 reunion fifteen years after her departure. Some violence. 2005.

Beyond Jabez RC 60579
by Bruce Wilkinson
read by Bob Moore
1 cassette
This companion to Prayer of Jabez (RC 52284) discusses in greater detail the steps to take in making Jabez's petition to God a part of daily life. Also includes readers' accounts of the ways their lives have been enriched by the prayer. 2005.

It's Her Wedding but I'll Cry if I Want To: A Survival Guide for the Mother of the Bride RC 60585
by Leslie Milk
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Advice for mothers of the bride on planning a wedding without alienating one's daughter. Sage instructions cover hiring caterers, florists, and photographers; meeting future relatives; and locating the perfect dress while remaining on a budget. Includes anecdotes and modern etiquette tips. 2005.

Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth about the First Year of Mommyhood RC 60589
by Jenny McCarthy
read by Victoria Gordon
1 cassette
The author of Belly Laughs (RC 58301) portrays the first year of motherhood. While obsessing about losing weight, McCarthy deals with dueling grandmothers, postpartum depression, diaper changing, babysitters, and competitive moms. Strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

This I Believe: An A to Z of a Life RC 60592
by Carlos Fuentes
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Mexican-born novelist, author of The Old Gringo (RC 32879), records his memories and opinions in themed, alphabetically ordered vignettes. He recalls personal experiences with his wife and children; discusses literary works, theatre, and film; and reflects on love, jealousy, sex, God, politics, and globalization. 2005.

The Art of Intrusion: The Real Stories behind the Exploits of Hackers, Intruders, and Deceivers RC 60593
by Kevin D. Mitnick and William L. Simon
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
The authors of The Art of Deception (RC 56450) continue their tales of computer crime and suggest possible countermeasures. They describe cases that involve hacking into casinos, gaining access to bank accounts, entering government high security files, "phreaking," and "dumpster diving." Some strong language. 2005.

A Great and Noble Scheme: The Tragic Story of the Expulsion of the French Acadians from Their American Homeland RC 60603
by John Mack Faragher
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Author of Daniel Boone (RC 38055) chronicles the 1755–1763 dispersal or "ethnic cleansing" of the Acadians, French- speaking Catholics who lived along Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy, from lands they had inhabited for 150 years. Discusses the reasons for the British action and relates its cost in human lives. 2005.

The Sword of Lincoln: The Army of the Potomac RC 60605
by Jeffry D. Wert
read by Robert Sams
4 cassettes
Civil War historian chronicles the experiences of the Union Army of the Potomac, formed to defend Washington, D.C., against Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Reexamines the army's leadership and the soldiers' morale and attitudes from the battles of Bull Run and Gettysburg to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. 2005.

The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House RC 60608
by John F. Harris
read by Gregory Gorton
4 cassettes
Washington Post reporter assesses former president Clinton's strengths and weaknesses during his two terms in office (1993–2001). Relates anecdotes that capture the politician's nature and White House operations. Portrays Clinton as a centrist whose personal recklessness prevented him from accomplishing all of his goals. Bestseller. 2005.

The Truth about Hillary: What She Knew, When She Knew It, and How Far She'll Go to Become President RC 60609
by Edward Klein
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Author of The Kennedy Curse (RC 56880) assesses the New York senator and her aspirations for the presidency. Comments on Mrs. Clinton's successes and failures as First Lady and her ambitions for the 2008 Democratic nomination. Covers the Lewinsky scandal. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

The Uncrowned King of Swing: Fletcher Henderson and Big Band Jazz RC 60620
by Jeffrey Magee
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
Music professor's biography of the African American musician credits Henderson with devising the arranging formula that made Benny Goodman the King of Swing. Portrays Henderson as a pianist and bandleader who "profoundly shaped American jazz . . . during the 1920s and 1930s." Describes Henderson's work with Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and others. 2005.

Translation Nation: Defining a New American Identity in the Spanish-Speaking United States RC 60626
by Héctor Tobar
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist travels across the country to chronicle the Latino experience in America and discusses its influence. Describes the cultural identity called "americanismo," in which Latinos keep their traditions. Relates accounts of his own parents' immigration and those of others he meets. 2005.

Patton's Panthers: The African-American 761st Tank Battalion in World War II RC 60630
by Charles W. Sasser
read by David Toney
3 cassettes
A history of the African American tank battalion the "Black Panthers" led by General George Patton, which was the first black armored unit allowed in combat. Follows individuals from recruitment to heavy fighting in Europe, including at the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Violence and strong language. 2004.

My Friend Leonard RC 60636
by James Frey
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Continues the memoir begun in A Million Little Pieces (RC 56290). Author Frey describes his emotional instability after being released from prison at age twenty-three. Relates seeking help from Leonard, his closest friend, a mobster who calls Frey "my son." Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken: The Smart Girl's Breakup Buddy RC 60660
by Greg Behrendt and Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt
read by various narrators
2 cassettes
In this companion to He's Just Not That Into You (RC 59020) the author and his wife delve into the problems inherent in leaving a boyfriend. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2005.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Sleep Well, Feel Better RC 60691
by Ralph A. Pascualy and Sally Warren Soest
read by Butch Hoover
2 cassettes
A sleep-disorder specialist and the wife of a sleep apnea patient collaborate on a family and physician guide to the condition's diagnosis and treatment. They discuss sleep apnea's symptoms, solutions, and health concerns if left untreated in infants, children, adults, and seniors. Includes resource list for products and services. 2000.

Twisted Tales from Shakespeare RC 60701
by Richard Armour
read by Mitzi Friedlander
1 cassette (Reissue)
Tongue-in-cheek retellings of William Shakespeare's (1564–1616) best-known plays: Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, and Othello. Includes introduction, questions, appendices, and footnotes intended to contribute to a clearer misunderstanding of the subject. 1957.

Three Hundred Tips for Making Life with Multiple Sclerosis Easier RC 60702
by Shelley Peterman Schwarz
read by Kate Sanders
1 cassette
Labor- and time-saving techniques for those with multiple sclerosis and other chronic medical conditions. Schwarz, who was diagnosed with MS in 1979, offers advice on home safety and accessibility, dressing and grooming, utilizing new technology, preparing meals, travel and recreation, health care issues, personal empowerment, and more. Includes resources. 1999.

The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat RC 60705
by Bob Woodward
read by Dan Bloom
2 cassettes
One of the journalists who uncovered the 1972 Watergate scandal, as described in All the President's Men (RC 50574), chronicles his long relationship with the scandal's secret informant. Details Woodward's early dealings with the man as a mentor, their covert meetings during Watergate, decades of concealment, and W. Mark Felt's public admission in 2005. Bestseller. 2005.

Toasts for All Occasions RC 60706
by Jeff Herman and Deborah Herman
read by Ray Childs
1 cassette
Hundreds of toasts, from conservative, sentimental, or inspirational to humorous, designed to be modified for any situation. Sayings are organized according to occasion, including farewells, holidays, romantic get-togethers, business events, social gatherings, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and more. 2004.

Feel Better Fast: Overcoming the Emotional Fallout of Your Illness or Injury RC 60707
by Charles Foster
read by Ralph Lowenstein
2 cassettes
Psychotherapist examines the emotional component of illness and suggests ways to prevent negative feelings from hindering a full recovery. Offers advice to patients and their families for dealing holistically with health issues. Uses examples from his practice to outline principles for making good medical decisions. 2004.

Things No Longer There: A Memoir of Losing Sight and Finding Vision RC 60711
by Susan Krieger
read by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
Author writes "about things no longer there in the outer world that are still very present in the mind" and describes her experience of losing eyesight. Krieger also shares insights about lesbian social realities. Includes a novella about a special relationship. Some descriptions of sex. 2005.

A Guide to Survivorship for Women with Ovarian Cancer RC 60721
by F.J. Montz and Robert E. Bristow
read by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
Gynecological oncologists offer a comprehensive guide to coping with the physical and emotional aspects of ovarian cancer. Discusses the latest developments in diagnosis and treatments including surgery, hemotherapy, radiation, pain management, and alternative therapies while addressing the psychological impact of the disease and stressing quality of life and self-determination. 2005.

Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity, and the Exploration of the Red Planet RC 60732
by Steven Squyres
read by Michael Prichard
3 cassettes
The author, a geologist and lead scientist for NASA's 2004 mission to Mars, describes his team's frantic two-year preparation for the launch. Discusses efforts to design rovers Spirit and Opportunity to fit aboard the spacecraft. Some strong language. 2005.

American Wits: Ogden Nash, Dorothy Parker, Phyllis McGinley; Voice of the Poet RC 60756
by Ogden Nash,
read by Ogden Nash, Dorothy Parker, and Phyllis McGinley
1 cassette
Ogden Nash (1902–1971), Dorothy Parker (1893–1967), and Pulitzer Prize-winner Phyllis McGinley (1905–1978)—all contributors to the New Yorker—read from their own light verse collections. 2003.

Langston Hughes: Voice of the Poet RC 60761
by Langston Hughes
read by Langston Hughes
1 cassette
A recording of poems and remarks by Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes (1902–1967). Discusses each selection's theme and context. Also available by Hughes: The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes (RC 41265) and I Wonder as I Wander: An Autobiographical Journey (RC 40144). 2002.

Mystery of the Nile: The Epic Story of the First Descent of the World's Deadliest River RC 60794
by Richard Bangs and Pasquale Scaturro
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
Chronicles a perilous 114-day, 3,523-mile descent of the Blue Nile and Nile rivers by kayak and raft in 2004. Describes Pasquale Scaturro and partner Gordon Brown's adventure battling the rapids from the Blue Nile's source in Ethiopia through Sudan and Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. 2005.

Against All Odds: My Story RC 60819
by Chuck Norris
read by Ray Foushee
2 cassettes
Autobiography of international karate champion and star of television's Walker, Texas Ranger. Norris (born 1940) describes his Irish and Native American heritage, tumultuous childhood, military service in Korea, martial arts career, acting roles, charity work, faith, and family. 2004.

Tragedy at Honda RC 60823
by Charles A. Lockwood and Hans Christian Adamson
read by Ted Stoddard
2 cassettes
Retired navy vice admiral Lockwood and retired air force colonel Adam-son chronicle the September 8, 1923, wreck of seven U.S. naval destroyers, along a treacherous region of the California coast known as Honda, that killed twenty-three men. Hour-by-hour account details heroic rescue efforts and attributes the tragedy to navigational errors. 1986.

Only a Mother Could Love Him: My Life with and Triumph over ADD RC 60824
by Ben Polis
read by Mark Delgado
1 cassette
Autobiography of an Australian with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The nineteen-year-old describes the difficulties he encountered growing up at home and school. Offers advice to parents about selecting schools, teachers, and medication; handling homework, discipline, and relationships; and other issues. Preface by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell. 2001.

Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight RC 60826
by Lylas G. Mogk and Marja Mogk
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Describes age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Revised edition includes scientific research, natural and medical treatments, and prevention therapies not yet available in 1999. Presents a five-star program designed to stop macular degeneration. Also provides nutritional recipes and information about online AMD communities, assistive computers and software, and optical aids. 2003.

When Religion Becomes Evil RC 60830
by Charles Kimball
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Professor explores the nature and importance of religion. Identifies five warning signs of religious corruption: claims of absolute truth, blind obedience to authority, apocalyptic activism, belief that the end justifies any means, and declarations of holy war. Focuses on Christianity and Islam but contends all religious traditions are susceptible. 2002.

Cinderella Man: James J. Braddock, Max Baer, and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History RC 60831
by Jeremy Schaap
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Biography of James Braddock (1906–1974), a boxer during the Great Depression who won a championship after being an underdog for years, and Max Baer, his opponent. Describes both men's careers and struggles that culminated with Braddock's victory over Baer in the historic 1935 heavyweight title match. 2005.

Impressionist Quartet: The Intimate Genius of Manet and Morisot, Degas and Cassatt RC 60835
by Jeffrey Meyers
read by Vanessa Maroney
3 cassettes
Prolific biographer details the intertwined lives of four Parisian Impressionist painters of the nineteenth century. Describes their complex relationships and rivalry and reexamines their art. Portrays bohemian Edouard Manet and his intimate friend, Berthe Morisot, as well as visually impaired Edgar Degas and his close companion, American-born Mary Cassatt. 2005.

Camp RC 60841
by Michael D. Eisner
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
Disney CEO relates his childhood camping experiences at Camp Keewaydin in Salisbury, Vermont. He explains how summer camp prepares youngsters for adulthood by helping them acquire the tools to fend off life's hard times and disappointments—for example, his own ability to stay calm when shareholders demanded his ouster. 2005.

Standing Alone in Mecca: An American Woman's Struggle for the Soul of Islam RC 60842
by Asra Q. Nomani
read by Marybeth Wise
3 cassettes
Journalist recounts her 2003 pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, on a quest to under-stand her religion and the role of Muslim women in the modern world. Chronicles her journey and return home to West Virginia, where she confronted her own mosque's sexism and intolerance. 2005.

The United States of Wal-Mart RC 60849
by John Dicker
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Journalist profiles the world's largest corporation, retailer, and grocer and biggest private employer in the United States. Examines how Wal-Mart's "imperial might" has altered the way Americans work, shop, and live; considers socioeconomic implications for consumers and capitalism; and analyzes the debate between economic progress and quality of life. 2005.

A Treasury of Miracles for Teens: True Stories of God's Presence Today RC 60851
by Karen Kingsbury
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Christian author compiles accounts from teens who have described their personal relationship with God during a crisis. In "Save a Place for Me ..., " sixteen-year-old Julie's twin brother suffers from cystic fibrosis and may die. In "Miracle on Two Battlefields," Ben is captured in Kuwait. For senior high readers. 2003.

Paths of Desire: The Passions of a Suburban Gardener RC 60852
by Dominique Browning
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
House and Garden editor in chief documents the fifteen-year restoration of her suburban New York garden after a violent storm destroyed a retaining wall. Chronicles with good humor the much-needed renovations and offers helpful advice for enthusiasts and novices cultivating land in idiosyncratic neighborhood environments. 2004.

The Beliefnet Guide to Kabbalah RC 60855
by Arthur Goldwag
read by Erin Jones
1 cassette
Introduces the ancient tradition of Kabbalah, a mystical way of interpreting primary Jewish scriptures, of understanding creation, and of attempting to experience God. Describes Kabbalah's origins, history, practices, meditations, and non-Jewish adaptations. Introduction by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. 2005.

Grimms' Tales for Young and Old RC 60872
by Jakob Ludwig Karl Grimm and Wilhelm Karl Grimm
read by Anne Flosnik
6 cassettes
The entire collection of folk and fairy tales written by the brothers Grimm, as faithfully translated from the original German in 1977 by Ralph Manheim. 1819.

Don't Know Much about Mythology: Everything You Need to Know about the Greatest Stories in Human History but Never Learned RC 60906
by Kenneth C. Davis
read by various narrators
4 cassettes
The author of Don't Know Much about History (RC 56126) describes the great myths of the world from Egypt, Greece, and Rome to Africa, India, and the Americas. Discusses myths common to various cultures, such as the flood story of Noah. Descriptions of sex and some violence. 2005.

The Rise and Fall of North American Indians: From Prehistory through Geronimo RC 60920
by William Brandon
read by Ralph Lowenstein
5 cassettes
Author of The Last Americans (RC 15432) uses primary sources to narrate the history of the natives of North America from ancient times to European contact and subjugation. Discusses the people of Mesoamerica and South America and tales of Puritans, the Trail of Tears, buffalo soldiers, and massacres. 2003.

Mao's Last Dancer RC 60921
by Li Cunxin
read by Gordon Gould
3 cassettes
Memoir of a Chinese ballet dancer who was chosen from a poor commune at age eleven to join Madame Mao's dance school in Beijing. The author describes his childhood, rigorous training, cultural exchange with the Houston Ballet, and defection to the West in 1981. 2003.

Plants from the Edge of the World: New Explorations in the Far East RC 60923
by Mark Flanagan and Tony Kirkham
read by John Horton
2 cassettes
Horticulturists recount their mission to restore the flora collections of southeastern England's Royal Botanic Gardens after a 1987 storm devastated the region's woodland, plantation, and specimen trees. They describe their plant-hunting expedition throughout South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and eastern Russia to collect representative temperate climate species. 2005.

The Tender Bar: A Memoir RC 61119
by J.R. Moehringer
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist recalls finding male role models at the local bar in Manhasset, Long Island, where his uncle worked. Describes the education he received from the tavern patrons as he struggled to cope with abandonment by his father and life with his mother's dysfunctional family. Strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

My FBI: Bringing Down the Mafia, Investigating Bill Clinton, and Fighting the War on Terror RC 61122
by Louis J. Freeh
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Former FBI director (1993–2001) describes his career as an FBI agent, federal prosecutor, and judge. Criticizes the Clinton administration's policies and response to the 1996 terrorist bombing at Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. Asserts that President Clinton's numerous personal scandals distracted the Bureau from other investigations. Bestseller. 2005.

Ginny: A Love Remembered RC 61123
by Bob Artley
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Editorial cartoonist reminisces about his nearly fifty-year marriage to his wife, Ginny, whom he met when they both were in the service during World War II. Describes their family and careers running small-town newspapers in the Midwest and Ginny's gradual deterioration from Alzheimer's disease in the 1980s. 1993.

A Man without a Country RC 61197
by Kurt Vonnegut
read by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
Eighty-two-year-old writer comments on life, art, politics, America's soul, war, music, and the destruction of the planet, among other topics. Reminisces about personal experiences. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Shooter: The Autobiography of the Top-Ranked Marine Sniper RC 61199
by Jack Coughlin and Casey Kuhlman
read by L.J. Ganser
2 cassettes
Retired gunnery sergeant Jack Cough-lin recalls his twenty- year career as a marine sniper in battles in many of the world's hot spots. Describes his experience working alongside engineer captain Casey Kuhlman on a strike team participating in the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis RC 61249
by Jimmy Carter
read by Dan Bloom
1 cassette
Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter shares his views on terrorism, religious and political fundamentalism, the death penalty, abortion, women, and the environment. Criticizes the partisan divisions within the country and calls for a return to traditional American values. Bestseller. 2005.

The Journey: How to Live by Faith in an Uncertain World RC 61602
by Billy Graham
read by John H. Mayer
3 cassettes
The Reverend Billy Graham explains his understanding of the meaning and purpose of God, Jesus, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit and their role in daily life. Describes ways to deal with challenges and temptations and offers practical advice on living joyously. Some descriptions of sex. 2006.

Laura Bush: An Intimate Portrait of the First Lady RC 61603
by Ronald Kessler
read by Susan Denaker
2 cassettes
This first authorized biography of Laura Bush is based on interviews with friends, family members, and administration officials. Provides a glimpse into the first lady's private life and discusses her adherence to American values as she moved from shy librarian to world figure. 2006.

A Writer's Life RC 61607
by Gay Talese
read by Arthur Morey
4 cassettes
Journalist and bestselling author of Honor Thy Father (RC 35832) writes about himself and his craft. Discusses his New York Times articles of the 1960s that placed him at the forefront of the movement called New journalism. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2006.

Adults: Cassette Fiction

Collected Stories RC 58806
by Raymond Chandler
read by Conrad Feininger
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Twenty-five short stories by the creator of private detective Philip Marlowe—many originally written in the 1930s for pulp magazines. Introduction by John Bayley. Some strong language. 2002.

The Distant Echo RC 59401
by Val McDermid
read by Ray Childs
4 cassettes
Scotland. Twenty-five years ago, Alex Gilbey and three friends were suspects in nineteen-year-old Rosie Duff's murder. Now, with her case reopened, someone is killing off the quartet one by one. Alex races to identify the killer before becoming the next victim. Violence and strong language. 2003.

Gardens of the Moon: Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 1 RC 59405
by Steven Erikson
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
5 cassettes
The Malazan Empire's advance across the Genabackis continent stalled, crippled by guerrilla attacks. Empress Laseen, consolidating her power after a bloody coup, orders legendary Sergeant Whiskeyjack and a small group of soldiers and mages on a suicide mission to conquer Darujhistan, the last remaining free city. Violence. 1999.

The Exile
RC 59532 by Allan Folsom
read by David Hartley-Margolin
5 cassettes
LAPD detective John Barron takes his emotionally disturbed sister Rebecca and moves to England under a false identity after a shootout with a serial killer. Nevertheless, the murderer, Raymond Thorne, escapes custody and comes after Barron. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

Home to Harmony: A Harmony Novel RC 59650
by Philip Gulley
read by Derald Breneman
2 cassettes
Quaker minister Sam Gardner and his family move back to Sam's small midwestern hometown. There Sam relives his childhood in a series of vignettes and introduces town residents including a narrow-minded church elder and Dr. Neely, who was Harmony's only doctor for fifty years. 2002.

Midnight Pass: A Lew Fonesca Mystery RC 59830
by Stuart M. Kaminsky read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
New widower Lew Fonesca, a Sarasota private investigator, becomes involved in politics. His seemingly simple task of finding a missing council member complicates his life: people begin dying amidst a myriad of intrigues that Lew must negotiate. Sequel to Retribution (RC 55004). 2003.

21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey, including Facsimile of the Manuscript; the Aubrey-Maturin Novels RC 59838
by Patrick O'Brian
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
Following Blue at the Mizzen (RC 49105), Jack Aubrey, now a rear admiral, is ordered to South America. Trouble brews when Catholic inhabitants along the coast resent the Protestant crew and the nations they represent. Manuscript unfinished at the author's death in 2000. Afterword by Richard Snow. Strong language. 2004.

Sharpe's Escape: Richard Sharpe and the Bussaco Campaign, 1810 RC 59840
by Bernard Cornwell
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
Portugal. As the French army marches into Spain, English captain Richard Sharpe readies for battle. Complicating his preparations are an incompetent officer and two corrupt Portuguese brothers, Major Ferreira and Ferragus, who have ingratiated themselves with the French and intend to kill Sharpe. Violence and some strong language. 2004.

Dark Dreams: A Collection of Horror and Suspense by Black Writers RC 59878
edited by Brandon Massey
read by Gabra Zackman
3 cassettes
Twenty tales featuring African American characters. Includes erotica author Zane's "Resident Evil," Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due's collaboration "Danger Word," and Robert Fleming's "But Beautiful and Terrifying," a WWII-era story of a black soldier investigating strange Tokyo deaths. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2004.

Just Shy of Harmony: A Harmony Novel RC 59880
by Philip Gulley
read by Derald Breneman
2 cassettes
At the Harmony Friends annual "goal-setting Sunday" meeting, congregation members devise a number of uninspiring ideas including putting a vanity in the women's restroom. Over the next year, Quaker minister Sam Gardner, depressed by his quirky flock's growing apathy and pointless bickering, begins to question his calling. 2002.

Call the Devil by His Oldest Name: A Mary Crow Mystery RC 59888
by Sallie Bissell
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
North Carolina. Presumed dead, former Pisgah County sheriff Stump Logan resurfaces to eliminate his nemesis, Cherokee Mary Crow, the Deckard County, Georgia, assistant district attorney. His bait is Mary's goddaughter. As Stump stalks Mary, their past secrets come to light. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2004.

Ireland RC 59924
by Frank Delaney
read by David Cutler
4 cassettes
In 1951, at nine-year-old Ronan O'Mara's rural Irish home, an itinerant storyteller enthralled the boy and the villagers with tales of the country's past. Over the years Ronan, now a historian, absorbs all the land's myths and tragedies while he tries to find the old man again. Bestseller. 2005.

The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come and Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners RC 59950
by John Bunyan
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
Two classic works by English Puritan John Bunyan (1628–1688). In the allegorical tale Pilgrim's Progress, the protagonist, burdened by sin, leaves the City of Destruction to find Zion, the city of God. His journey embodies Christian teachings. In Grace Abounding, Bunyan recounts his conversion and spiritual growth. 2004.

Evan's Gate: A Constable Evans Mystery RC 59970
by Rhys Bowen
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes
Wales. Constable Evan Evans, renovating a mountain cottage for his upcoming marriage, uncovers the buried skeleton of a child. The discovery rekindles memories of an old unsolved abduction of a friend and coincides with a current missing-child case. He strongly suspects the two incidents are connected. 2004.

Wind River: Skye's West RC 59982
by Richard S. Wheeler
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
Frustrated with their husband's melancholy, Barnaby Skye's wives return to their tribes. Skye guides Indian Bureau officials planning a peace conference, but his horse kills a corporal. Skye must choose between duty and the steed's life—and maybe his own. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1993.

My Pleasure: The Rose Hunters, Book 2 RC 60021
by Connie Brockway
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes
London, 1805. Impoverished Helena Nash meets Ramsey Munro, a noted Scottish swordsman, while acting as an intermediary for two separated lovers. Helena and Ramsey fall madly in love, but he must fight for her honor. Sequel to My Seduction (RC 59634). Descriptions of sex. 2004.

Deadhouse Gates: Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 2 RC 60034
by Steven Erikson
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Seer Sha'ik, leader of the rebellion against Seven Cities' Malazan occupiers, awaits the long-prophesied uprising known as the Whirlwind. Meanwhile an Imperial assassin plots to kill both Sha'ik and Empress Laseen. Sequel to Gardens of the Moon (RC 59405). Violence, some descriptions of sex, and some strong language. 2000.

Blood Memory RC 60044
by Greg Iles
read by Lindsay Ellison
4 cassettes
Cat Ferry, an alcoholic New Orleans forensic specialist, has panic attacks while investigating a serial killer. Returning to her childhood home in Natchez, Cat reexperiences long-buried memories of her father's death and of childhood sexual abuse—while she searches for a murderer. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2005.

Exultant: Destiny's Children Trilogy, Book 2 RC 60076
by Stephen Baxter
read by David Cutler
4 cassettes
During an interstellar battle, nineteen-year-old Pirius defies orders and uses faster-than-light technology to travel through time and capture an enemy fighter. Returning to the present, both Pirius and his younger self are court-martialed. Sequel to Coalescent (RC 59780). Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2004.

Mother of Kings RC 60096
by Poul Anderson
read by Corrie James
4 cassettes
Gunnhild, daughter of a Norse chieftain, uses her witchcraft to summon and marry future king Eirik Blood-ax. When Eirik succumbs to vicious rivals, Gunnhild works to ensure his heirs' rightful destiny. Based on the life of a legendary Viking woman. Violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2001.

Nothing Lost
RC 60114
by John Gregory Dunne
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Recounts a midwestern town's high-profile, racially charged murder trial of two white men accused of killing an African American. Key players are gay Jewish lawyer Max Cline, prosecutor J.J. McClure and his congresswoman wife, and secretive defense attorney Teresa Kean. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

Birds without Wings RC 60215
by Louis De Bernières
read by Robert Blumenfeld
4 cassettes
1900. Christians, Muslims, Greeks, Turks, and Armenians live together peacefully in the Mediterranean village of Eskibahçe during the waning days of the Ottoman Empire. But religious fanaticism and nationalism tear apart the community as the nation of Turkey is born and innocence, freedom, and love are lost to war. Violence. 2004.

The Stone That the Builder Refused RC 60216
by Madison Smartt Bell
read by Frank Coffee
7 cassettes in 2 containers
This sequel to Master of the Crossroads (RC 52156) depicts the final years of Toussaint Louverture, leader of the 1790s Haitian slave revolt. Toussaint's efforts to govern the war-ravaged territory concern future French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who dispatches troops to regain control. Violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

How Green Was My Valley RC 60225
by Richard Llewellyn
read by George Holmes
4 cassettes (Reissue)
Before leaving his childhood home, Huw Morgan reminisces about his youth in South Wales. He remembers when the coal mines still flourished and family members and friends fought, loved, laughed, and cried as they struggled to survive labor troubles and hard times in the valley. National Book Award. 1939.

Five Complete Novels of Murder and Detection RC 60232
by Agatha Christie
read by Jim Zeiger
6 cassettes (Reissue)
Collection includes Peril at End House, The Murder at Hazelmoor, Easy to Kill, Ten Little Indians, and Evil under the Sun, in which famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot vacations on Smugglers' Island and investigates the murder of a glamorous, thoroughly unlikable hotel guest. 1986.

Folly and Glory: The Berrybender Narratives, Book 4 RC 60239
by Larry McMurtry
read by Derald Breneman
2 cassettes
Tasmin and the Berrybender brood flee south from Santa Fe, facing hardship and death along the way. After Tasmin's husband, mountain man Jim Snow, rescues them, he avenges the murder of his Indian family. Sequel to By Sorrow's River (RC 57968). Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

Simply Unforgettable: Miss Martin's School for Girls, Book 1 RC 60240
by Mary Balogh
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Regency England. Music teacher Frances Allard is returning to Miss Martin's School for Girls in Bath after Christmas when her carriage overturns in a snowstorm. She and Lucius Marshall, the viscount Sinclair, who caused the accident, take refuge together in a nearly deserted inn. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories RC 60241
by Leo Tolstoy
read by Constance Crawford
2 cassettes
Four short stories by the nineteenth-century Russian author. In the title piece, a husband confesses to being so consumed by sexual jealousy that he feels compelled to murder his wife. The public outcry against the story, published in 1890, caused Tolstoy to write the postface included here. 1985.

The Invitation RC 60242
by Catherine Cookson
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Maggie Gallacher is thrilled when she and her husband Rod receive an invitation to the duke of Moorshire's musical soirée. But Maggie's behavior at the event causes her family's downfall. Sam's hatred for his mother surfaces, as does an unexpected divorce and shocking affairs. 1970.

The Violent Land RC 60244
by Wayne D. Overholser
read by Derald Breneman
2 cassettes (Reissue)
To help support his struggling family, eighteen-year-old Daniel Nathan finds work with mighty Oregon cattle boss Jim Perrin. But as time passes, Dan finds his loyalties divided between his land-hungry employer and the settlers who are losing their spreads. 1954.

Once upon a Blind Date RC 60247
by Wendy Markham
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
New York City ad executive Maggie O'Mulligan is determined to find a wife for her buddy Dominic. Columnist Charlie Kennelly seeks a husband for his neighbor Julie. When their friends go on a date, Maggie and Charlie tag along and fall in love instead. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

Too Much of a Good Thing RC 60253
by Kimberla Lawson Roby
read by Gail Nelson
2 cassettes
Four years ago, African American pastor Curtis Black's greed cost him his family and his job. He now has a new church and a new wife. But his old ways may be too ingrained for him to change. Sequel to Casting the First Stone (RC 60028). Some descriptions of sex. 2004.

Convenient Disposal: A Posadas County Mystery RC 60289
by Steven F. Havill
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
New Mexico. Following a fight with another girl at school, teenager Carmen Acosta is found brutally beaten in her home. Posadas County Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman wants to question the Carmen's next-door neighbor, county manager Kevin Zeigler, but he has mysteriously, or perhaps conveniently, disappeared. Some violence. 2004.

Edge of Honor RC 60296
by Gilbert Morris
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
New York, 1865. Quent Larribee, studying to be a doctor, is conscripted into the army. Unable to find peace after accidentally killing a Confederate soldier, Quent moves to Arkansas where he plans to help the widow and her children. Yet in solving one problem he creates another. Christy Award. 2000.

The Last Goodbye RC 60298
by Reed Arvin
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Atlanta attorney Jack Hammond doubts his friend Doug Townsend died from a drug overdose. Jack suspects murder after he discovers Doug's obsession with Michele Sonnier, an opera star with a troubled past who is married to a pharmaceutical mogul. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2004.

The Professional RC 60300
by W.C. Heinz
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
Classic boxing tale of aspiring New York City prize fighter Eddie Brown and his quest for the middleweight championship of the world. Eddie's story and those of his crusty manager, Doc, and other assorted hangers-on unfold through the eyes of sports writer Frank Hughes. 2001 foreword by Elmore Leonard. 1958.

The Knight: The Wizard Knight, Book 1 RC 60301
by Gene Wolfe
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
An American boy wanders from a forest cabin and is transported to a magical realm where he finds himself in the body of a grown man. Renamed Able of the High Heart, he undertakes a quest to obtain a dragon's special sword that will help him become a knight. 2004.

Sunday You Learn How to Box RC 60310
by Bil Wright
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
1960s. Louis, an African American teenager, recalls the destructive combination of elements that shaped his life, including his mother's ambitions to leave the housing projects, her drinking problem, his own homosexual inclinations, and his stepfather's so-called boxing lessons. Some violence and some strong language. For senior high readers. 2000.

Pretty Woman RC 60322
by Fern Michaels
read by Victoria Gordon
2 cassettes
Three years ago Rosie married Kent Bliss and ruined a lifelong friendship and business partnership with Vickie Winters. But Rosie has come to her senses, dumped Kent, restored her friendship with Vickie, hired a personal trainer, and won the lottery. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2005.

The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 1 RC 60345
by Stephen R. Donaldson
read by Gary Tipton
5 cassettes
Ten years have passed since the death of Thomas Covenant, and as the Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant begin, Dr. Linden Avery is caring for Thomas's ex-wife, Joan. But Roger Covenant shows up claiming custody of his mother. When Linden refuses, Roger kidnaps Joan—and Linden's autistic son. 2004.

The Silmarillion RC 60367
by J.R.R. Tolkien
read by Erin Jones
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Posthumous collection of imaginative tales by the author of The Hobbit (RC 48978) and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Stories depict the First Age of the World when Dark Lord Morgoth dwelled in Middle Earth and the High Elves made war upon him to recover the Silmarils. 1977.

The Book of Joe RC 60383
by Jonathan Tropper
read by Brian Conn
2 cassettes
When his estranged father suffers a stroke, thirty-four-year-old Manhattan author Joe Goffman returns home to Bush Falls, Connecticut—the setting of his scandalous autobiographical novel-turned-movie. Joe arrives to angry residents, his high school sweetheart, and memories of the tragic events of his senior year. Descriptions of sex and strong language. 2004.

Broken Prey RC 60410
by John Sandford
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Gruesome murders that mimic the crimes of the "Big Three"—serial murderers presently incarcerated—bring Lucas Davenport to investigate. The prime suspect is Charlie Pope, newly released from a Minnesota mental hospital. But the killer is too smart to be Pope. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Angel-Seeker: Samaria, Book 5 RC 60411
by Sharon Shinn
read by Roy Avers
4 cassettes
Poverty-stricken Elizabeth hopes to meet an angel to improve her life. Meanwhile Rebekah, raised in the angel-hating Jansai tribe, secretly nurses the injured angel Obadiah back to health. The two women find love in unexpected places. Sequel to Angelica (RC 60384). For senior high and older readers. 2004.

Beneath the Ashes: An Alaska Mystery RC 60417
by Sue Henry
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
Alaskan dog-sled racer Jessie Arnold confronts deadly arson at a local pub. The blaze coincides with the return of Jessie's friend Anne and the occurrence of more fires—including one destroying Jessie's own cabin. Jessie wonders if Anne is a victim or a killer. Some violence and some strong language. 2000.

Nobody Runs Forever: A Parker Novel RC 60433
by Richard Stark
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Parker joins a crew planning to rob an armored truck that is transferring money from a merged bank. The rest of the gang—including the wife of one of the bankers—turn out to be misfits that lead them into all kinds of trouble. Strong language and some violence. 2004.

Miss Julia's School of Beauty RC 60434
by Ann B. Ross
read by Terry Hayes Sales
2 cassettes
Miss Julia and Sam are finally married—or are they? Their marriage may not have been legal. While Sam investigates, Miss Julia helps Hazel Marie instruct beauty pageant contestants on poise and etiquette. Sequel to Miss Julia Meets Her Match (RC 58135). 2005.

Valley of Bones RC 60450
by Michael Gruber
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
Miami cop Tito Morales sees a Sudanese oilman plunge to his death. In the victim's hotel room, Morales and detective Jimmy Paz, of Tropic of Night (RC 55874), find a religious fanatic whose delusional confession reveals abuse, drugs, and terrorism. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2005.

A Love Woven True: Lights of Lowell, Book 2 RC 60451
by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller
read by Mitzi Friedlander
3 cassettes
Widow Jasmine Houston wants to remain in Lowell with her son Spencer, but news of her ailing mother lures her back to Mississippi in the company of her brother-in-law Nolan. Once there, a deathbed promise puts Jasmine's life on an unexpected path. Sequel to A Tapestry of Hope (RC 59585). 2005.

Fresh Men: New Voices in Gay Fiction RC 60469
edited by Donald Weise
read by Alec Volz
2 cassettes
Anthology of twenty short stories by gay writers. In"Teamwork," a newly hired proofreader learns about office politics. In "His Five-Year Sentence," a young Latino man has a problem with shoplifting. Introduction by Edmund White. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 2004.

Nightcrawlers: A "Nameless Detective" Novel RC 60471
by Bill Pronzini
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
"Nameless" private detective Bill, anticipating semiretirement, promotes Tamara Corbin to partner and hires field agent Jake Runyon. When homosexuals are attacked in San Francisco, among them Jake's estranged son's lover, and Tamara disappears after discovering a disturbing scene, Bill decides to investigate. Violence and strong language. 2005.

Renno: The White Indian Series, Book 5 RC 60473
by Donald Clayton Porter
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
France and its Indian allies provoke war among the Iroquois League, threatening white Seneca sachem Renno and his family. While attempting to foil a plot against the American colonies, Renno faces his daughter's betrayal, son's exile, and father's murder. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 1981.

Tomahawk: The White Indian Series, Book 6 RC 60476
by Donald Clayton Porter
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Renno's son, Ja-gonh, sets out to kill Huron brave Gray Fox, who murdered Renno's father. But Gray Fox kidnaps Ja-gonh's betrothed and offers her to the French king, Louis XV, as mistress. While Ja-gonh pursues them, Renno battles illness at home. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 1982.

First Light: The A.D. Chronicles, Book 1 RC 60485
by Bodie Thoene and Brock Thoene
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Continues events in Jerusalem's Hope (RC 56603). In 2002 Moshe Sachar tells his son Shimon about the ancient sacred scrolls. Shimon reads about life after the Passover riots in first-century Jerusalem, where Peniel the beggar, Zadok the Chief Shepherd of Israel, and others await the Messiah. 2003.

Unnatural Death (The Dawson Pedigree): A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery RC 60488
by Dorothy L. Sayers
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes (Reissue)
A chance remark overheard in a London restaurant leads to the revelation that a wealthy elderly woman did not die of natural causes three years before but was murdered. Lord Peter Wimsey and his friends, Detective-Inspector Parker and garrulous Miss Climpson, have a difficult time catching the killer. 1927.

Sunstorm: A Time Odyssey, Book 2 RC 60492
by Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter
read by John Horton
2 cassettes
London, 2037. UN peacekeeper Bisesa Dutt, newly returned from an alternate Earth, faces catastrophe: within five years a massive solar flare will annihilate earthly life. Scientists race to construct a shield but discover the sun-storm is no natural disaster. Sequel to Time's Eye (RC 58073). Some descriptions of sex. 2005.

Christmas Knight: Draycott Abbey RC 60499
by Christina Skye
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Hope O'Hara is restoring Glenbrae House in the Scottish highlands when a knight from seven hundred years past appears. Ronan MacLeod returns from the Crusades to reclaim his home but finds a stranger there. With help from the Draycott Abbey ghost they fall in love. Explicit descriptions of sex. 1998.

Star Wars: The New Jedi Order; the Final Prophecy RC 60505
by Greg Keyes
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
In the war with the Galactic Alliance, the Yuuzhan Vong capture an organic ship from the living planet Zonama Sekot that holds secrets to their people. Meanwhile, General Wedge Antilles becomes stranded in hostile space. Sequel to Force Heretic III: Reunion (RC 60496). Some violence. 2003.

Second Touch: The A.D. Chronicles, Book 2 RC 60507
by Bodie Thoene and Brock Thoene
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Lepers in the Valley of Mak'ob are hearing rumors of a healer who's walking the earth. As Lily, her husband Cantor, Deborah, Jekuthiel, Rabbi Ahava, and their fellow outcasts await the Messiah, they each take risks that could change their lives forever. Sequel to First Light (RC 60485). 2004.

A Long Way Down RC 60521
by Nick Hornby
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
One New Year's Eve in London, four strangers' lives intertwine on a rooftop where each has gone to commit suicide. A middle-aged mother of a disabled son, a former celebrity, a wound-up teen, and a failed musician recount the reasons death seemed the best option. Strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

True Courage: Uncommon Heroes, Book 4 RC 60523
by Dee Henderson
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
A year after teacher Caroline Lane begins dating FBI agent Luke Falcon, her sister Sharon, brother-in-law Mark (also Luke's cousin), and nine-year-old nephew are kidnapped. Racing to save them, Luke and Caroline pray that their own relationship and their families will survive the crisis. Sequel to True Honor (RC 57785). 2004.

Oathblood: Vows and Honor, Book 3 RC 60525
by Mercedes Lackey
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
This sequel to Oathbreakers (RC 60027) relates how swordswoman Tarma and sorceress Kethry became bound together by sword-spell. Contains ten other tales about Tarma and Kethry, including their establishment of a training school for warriors and wizards and their rescue of two kidnapped students. 1998.

Killing Time RC 60532
by Linda Howard
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Kentucky, 2005. A time capsule buried in 1985 for opening in 2085 has been stolen. Furthermore, a lawyer and others have been murdered. Chief investigator Knox Davis and Nikita Stover, a federal agent from the future, track the killer. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2005.

The Meq RC 60544
by Steve Cash
read by L.J. Ganser
3 cassettes
1881. After being orphaned in a train wreck, twelve-year- old Zianno "Z" Zezen discovers he is no ordinary boy but a Meq—a being who heals quickly and stops aging at age twelve. Z searches for the mysterious "Sailor" and vows revenge on an assassin. Some violence and some strong language. 2002.

Lie by Moonlight RC 60546
by Amanda Quick
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Victorian England. Orphans' school headmistress Concordia Glade believes something sinister is afoot because her predecessor has mysteriously disappeared. Concordia and her pupils escape, aided by thief-turned-private investigator Ambrose Wells, who unravels a conspiracy involving crime lord Alexander Larkin. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2005.

The Year My Life Went down the Loo: Emily Williams, Book 1 RC 60548
by Katie Maxwell
read by Lindsay Ellison
2 cassettes
Sixteen-year-old Emily leaves Seattle, Washington, and settles in an English village with her family for a year abroad. She e-mails her best friend back home about her encounters, including a ghost in her bedroom and a sleazy boyfriend. For senior high readers. 2003.

Larceny and Old Lace: A Den of Antiquity Mystery RC 60561
by Tamar Myers
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Abigail Timberlake, the owner of a Charlotte, North Carolina, antiques shop, is puzzled when her aunt is murdered. Abigail's son Charlie thinks his aunt's valuable antique lace was the motive. As Abigail falls for investigating policeman Greg Washburn, Charlie receives threats. Some strong language. 1996.

The Heart of Redness RC 60566
by Zakes Mda
read by Lisette Lecat
3 cassettes
Seeking a beautiful woman he glimpsed after returning to Johannesburg from America, Camagu goes to Qolorha, a village divided by a hundred-year-old tribal feud that threatens to derail its casino development plans. He is drawn into the old cultural dispute—and into a bizarre love triangle. Some violence and some strong language. 2000.

McKettrick's Choice: The McKettrick Brothers, Book 4 RC 60571
by Linda Lael Miller
read by Laura Giannarelli
3 cassettes
San Antonio, 1888. Holt Cavanagh McKettrick deserts his mail-order bride in Arizona to save his friend Gabe from hanging in Texas. While investigating the case, Holt falls in love with the judge's feisty daughter Lorelei. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2005.

Scavengers: A Posadas County Mystery RC 60574
by Steven F. Havill
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Posadas County, New Mexico. Sheriff Bill Gastner has retired, leaving the department to new sheriff Robert Torrez and undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman. While Robert attends a Virginia FBI seminar, Estelle deals with family problems and two murders in the nearby desert. Bill assists in the investigation. Some violence. 2002.

The Vanished Hands RC 60575
by Robert Wilson
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Spanish detective Javier Falcón, from The Blind Man of Seville (RC 57899), investigates the deaths of construction magnate Rafael Vega and his wife. The case reveals child abuse, the international sex-slave trade, and Vega's ties to the Russian mafia. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2004.

Destroyer: Foreigner Universe, Book 7 RC 60576
by C.J. Cherryh
read by Kimberly Schraf
3 cassettes
After a successful two-year mission to rescue Reunion Station refugees, human diplomat Bren Cameron and the spaceship Phoenix return home to a world in upheaval. Civil war has broken out among the indigenous atevi, and the powerful ruler Tabini is missing. Sequel to Explorer (RC 55347). Some strong language. 2005.

Zorro RC 60590
by Isabel Allende
read by Laura Giannarelli
3 cassettes
Retelling of the legend of Zorro. In the early 1800s, Diego de la Vega leaves Southern California and travels to Napoleonic Spain for his formal education. There he joins an underground resistance movement and, disguised as Zorro, fights for the oppressed. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. Bestseller. 2005.

Black Rose: In the Garden, Book 2 RC 60606
by Nora Roberts
read by Faith Potts
2 cassettes
Rosalind Harper is delighted with the growth of her nursery, a symbol of hope for herself, Stella, and Hayley from Blue Dahlia (RC 59460). But future success depends on identifying the ghost of her ancestor. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2005.

As an Earl Desires RC 60611
by Lorraine Heath
read by Vanessa Maroney
2 cassettes
Widowed countess Camilla Warner is tutoring Archibald Warner, a former schoolteacher and now the new earl of Sachse, in the ways of the aristocracy. She also searches for an ideal mate for the earl. But Archibald thinks Camilla is the perfect woman for him. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

Return of the Warrior: The Brotherhood of the Sword RC 60612
by Kinley MacGregor
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
When a usurper threatens to steal her throne, Queen Adara seeks out her wayward husband, Christian, who owes allegiance only to the Brotherhood of the Sword. Adara must convince Christian to return to their kingdom or provide her with an heir. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2005.

Gin and Daggers: A Murder, She Wrote Mystery RC 60616
by Donald Bain
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Jessica Fletcher heads to London to deliver the keynote address at the International Society of Mystery Writers meeting. She pays a visit to her friend and fellow mystery writer Marjorie Ainsworth. But unfortunately, while Jessica is at Ainsworth Manor, Marjorie is murdered—and Jessica becomes the main suspect. 2000.

Specimen Days RC 60622
by Michael Cunningham
read by Faith Potts
2 cassettes
Author of The Hours (RC 47310) uses Walt Whitman as the guiding light in three interrelated tales. In "In the Machine," Lucas tries to take his dead brother's place. In"The Children's Crusade," a psychologist investigates a gang. In "Like Beauty," an android seeks his maker. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

A Discount for Death: A Posadas County Mystery RC 60623
by Steven F. Havill
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
New Mexico. Posadas County undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman's workload increases when patrolman Perry Kenderman causes a female motorcyclist's death. Perry claims the biker ran a stop sign, but his story doesn't add up. Meanwhile, a local insurance broker, under indictment for fraud, disappears. Some violence and some strong language. 2003.

Superstition RC 60624
by Karen Robards
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
With her TV show on the brink of disaster, Nicole Sullivan returns to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, to broadcast a story about a haunted house where three teens died. Her mother, a renowned psychic, conducts a live séance. Then more killings occur. Descriptions of sex, strong language, and some violence. 2005.

St. Dale RC 60629
by Sharyn McCrumb
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Onetime stock car driver Harley Claymore leads a Dale Earnhardt memorial bus tour of the NASCAR circuit. Among the travelers are a minister with a dying boy, a young couple, and three middle-aged l

NLS: Talking Book Topics

November and December, 2006

In Brief

Flash, August 2006, volume 2, issue 9

Digital project contracts require a coordinator to monitor
all angles

Keeping the trains running

Laying the groundwork

Flash, September 2006, volume 2, issue 10

NLS completes preliminary design review of player, cartridge, and mailing containers

Design review

Moving forward

Roadmap to functional prototypes

Contractor’s checklist

Digital Talking Book (DTB) Milestones

Completed

Start 1/12/04—Finish 10/1/08

Newsstand

Internet access by telephone

Books for Adults

Adult: Cassettes Nonfiction

Adults: Cassette Fiction

NLS: Talking Book Topics

November and December, 2006

In Brief

Flash, August 2006, volume 2, issue 9

Digital project contracts require a coordinator to monitor all angles

Keeping the trains running

Laying the groundwork

Flash, September 2006, volume 2, issue 10

NLS completes preliminary design review of player, cartridge, and mailing containers

Design review

Moving forward

Roadmap to functional prototypes

Contractor’s checklist

Digital Talking Book (DTB) Milestones

Completed

Start 1/12/04—Finish 10/1/08

Newsstand

Internet access by telephone

Books for Adults

Adult: Cassettes Nonfiction

Adults: Cassette Fiction

Digital project contracts require a coordinator to monitor
all angles