NLS: Talking Book Topics

by Stanley Karnow

read by Robert Blumenfeld

3 cassettes

An American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist reminisces about the decade he spent in France beginning in 1947. Based on voluminous reports written for Time, Karnow recalls the atmosphere of post-war Paris and provides insights into French cultural life of the 1950s. Some descriptions of sex. 1997.

edited by Liz Rosenberg

read by Peggy Gilleland

1 cassette

An international selection of more than forty poets presented in chronological order. Includes Sappho of ancient Greece, Charles Baudelaire of France, Pablo Neruda of Chile, and J.E. Wei of Taiwan. Editor chose poems that "shook" her. For junior and senior high readers. 1998.

by Edwin G. Burrows and Mike Wallace

read by Annie Wauters

16 cassettes in 3 containers

A comprehensive history of New York City from the Ice Age to 1898. Focuses on the area as a center for commerce. Discusses inhabitants, including Native Americans, businessmen, politicians, African Americans, and immigrants. Describes impact of war and financial concerns and the city's emergence as a world-class powerhouse. 1999.

by Joan Sutherland

read by Faith Potts

5 cassettes

Memoir of her performing career and family life by the Australian soprano. Briefly covers her early years and musical training in Australia before moving to London, where she married Richard Bonynge, her coach and conductor. Provides details of her international career as a dramatic coloratura soprano specializing in Italian and French opera. 1997.

by Judith Tick

read by Catherine Byers

4 cassettes

Biography of Ruth Crawford, who was already a successful classical musician when she met fellow composer Charles Seeger. Marrying in 1932, the two became involved in radical politics. Moving to Washington, D.C., in 1936, Charles worked on the Federal Music Project, where they both became involved in the folk music movement. Ruth became a noted transcriber of folk anthologies. 1997.

by Frank McLynn

read by Dennis Rooney

5 cassettes

Examines the early days of Sigmund Freud's protege and rival, Carl Gustav Jung, and the influence of his Swiss upbringing on his theories. Details Jung's contributions to alchemy, astrology, psychotherapy, religion, the study of myth, and the theory known as synchronicity. 1996.

by Pat Shipman

read by Mary Woods

3 cassettes

Anthropologist discusses the evolution of birds' ability to fly and attempts to answer the question, "are birds living relatives of dinosaurs?" Begins with the 1861 discovery of a fossil with wings and feathers. Delves into the process of scientific inquiry and the detective work it entails. 1998.

by Robert McCrum

read by Phil Regensdorf

2 cassettes

Recalls the stroke suffered in 1995 by the forty-two-year-old editor-in-chief of the British publishing firm Faber and Faber. Describes the impact on many aspects of his life, including his two-month-old marriage to journalist Sarah Lyall. Includes day-to-day observations by both spouses during the following year. 1998.

by Marie Winn

read by Miriam Wagner

2 cassettes

Winn tells about joining a band of bird-watchers and nature lovers in New York City. She records stories about Central Park and its wildlife--especially a pair of captivating hawks--during a six-year period. 1998.

by Patricia Weenolsen

read by Cyn Delafield

2 cassettes

A guide to help people facing death make the best of their remaining days and cope with practical and psychological concerns. Includes advice on preparation and planning, retaining and relinquishing control, and making the gradual transformation from a physical to a spiritual existence. 1996.

by Phyllis Lieber and others

read by Miriam Wagner

2 cassettes

Discusses methods of cultivating a healthy relationship with one's grown children while pursuing personal interests. Proposes ways to prevent co-dependence and to accept changing lifestyles for both generations. 1994.

by Gwendolyn Brooks

read by Gail Nelson

2 cassettes

Autobiographical writings and interviews with the poet laureate born in 1917. Contains a brief account of her childhood, marriage, family, and career. Describes her increasing awareness of her racial heritage and her role as an African American poet. Includes an appendix of personal entries entitled "Collage." 1972.

by Lorna Luft

read by Barbara Rappaport

3 cassettes

Autobiography of singer Lorna Luft that encompasses life with her family, including mother Judy Garland, half-sister Liza Minnelli, and father Sid Luft. The performer recounts her musical career after her mother's early death, her marriages, and her struggle with drug addiction. Some strong language. 1998.

by Vernon J. Baker

read by Chuck Young

2 cassettes

African American winner of the country's highest decoration for battlefield valor, Vernon Baker recalls his childhood in Wyoming after being orphaned at age four, his career in the army, his leadership of a platoon in Italy in World War II, and his retirement years in Idaho. President Clinton awarded him the Medal of Honor in 1997. Some violence. 1997.

by Roy A. Rosenberg

read by David Elias

2 cassettes

Rabbi Rosenberg portrays Jewish life in America from colonial times to the 1990s. Using a question-and-answer format, he discusses the roles of Jews during the Civil War and World Wars I and II; in movements for social equality and rights for women; and in the areas of medicine, law, education, and film. 1997.

by Ed Rothfarb

read by Mary Kane

2 cassettes

Traces the history of the three-hundred-year Mughal dynasty in northern India. Describes the Mughals' arrival in the fifteenth century led by Babur, who conquered and remained to rule. Examines the development of Islam during the interchange of cultures, as the Mughals interacted with the local Hindu traditions. For junior and senior high readers. 1998.

by Robert Greskovic

read by Bill Wallace

5 cassettes

A primer on the history of ballet and the training of dancers, with an analysis of thirteen popular ballets. Includes a glossary and videography. Foreword by Mikhail Baryshnikov. 1998.

by Abraham Verghese

read by Bruce Nelson

3 cassettes

A medical professor and avid tennis player recounts the story of his friendship with a gifted medical student who shared the same interests. Describes how their deepening relationship was corrupted when the young man became a drug addict. 1998.

by George Plimpton

read by Ray Hagen

4 cassettes

An "oral biography" consisting of interviews with people who recall Capote's work and personality, beginning with his childhood in Monroeville, Alabama. Discussions of his nonfiction "novel" In Cold Blood (RC 22726), the social event dubbed the "black-and-white ball," and his whirl on the celebrity circuit. Some strong language. 1997.

by Shawn Levy

read by Gary Telles

3 cassettes

Levy discusses the rise and fall of the group originally named by Lauren Bacall. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop became some of the most popular entertainers in the early 1960s. Strong language. 1998.

by Edward Baron Turk

read by John Stratton

3 cassettes

Presents the career and personal life of one of America's top musical film stars of the 1930s and 1940s. Describes her performances, from the comedies with Maurice Chevalier and romantic roles with Nelson Eddy to her later recital hall concerts. Includes listings of her stage and film credits and her principal recording sessions. 1998.

by Daniel Patrick Moynihan

read by Phil Regensdorf

2 cassettes

Traces the growth of secrecy in American government as a "mode of regulation" from World War I through the end of the Cold War and beyond. Attributes several major policy errors to the penchant for classifying and restricting access to information. Advocates a culture of openness in decision making. 1998.

by Alice Outwater

read by Marilyn Gleason

2 cassettes

An environmental engineer advocates returning to water's natural cleansing cycle. She describes the historical symbiosis between water and the land and discusses how native animals such as buffalo, prairie dogs, and beaver can help restore water quality. 1996.

by Gary Paulsen

read by Michael Kramer

1 cassette

In contemplating the facts of his life on his fifty-seventh birthday, Paulsen decides that having heart disease is no reason to stop having adventures. He fulfills a longtime dream to own a Harley and take to the road. He describes his reflections on his round-trip from New Mexico to Alaska. Some strong language. 1997.

by David Gress

read by Ralph Lowenstein

6 cassettes

Explores "the logic of world history and the changing identities of Western civilization." Traces the evolution of political liberty, not just as an abstract concept, but as a positive practice that inexorably "grew because it served the interests of power." 1998.

by Sarah Lindsay

read by Gabriella Cavallero

1 cassette

Poet/musician explores musical and natural history themes in sixty-eight poems. Circus animals and Joseph Merk's cello études inspire her flights of imagination in the fourteen-poem group titled "Circus Merk." In "Primate Behavior," Lindsay notes similarities in the actions of apes and humans. 1997.

by William Dalrymple

read by Roy Avers

4 cassettes

Inspired by the journey of Orthodox monk John Moschos in A.D. 578, the author recreates his itinerary, visiting Christian monasteries and churches at the eastern end of the Mediterranean. Describes his travels and his conversations with religious figures and laypeople to gain insight into a vanishing culture within the Muslim world. 1997.

by Barbara Fischkin

read by Ilona Dulaski

3 cassettes

In the 1980s, Javier Almonte travels from his village in the Dominican Republic to New York. When he sends for his family, Immigration will not allow his wife Roselia to bring all of their children. She reluctantly leaves behind the two youngest children for the good of the family. 1997.

by Ariel Dorfman

read by Jeff Baker

2 cassettes

Memoir of a Latin American exile who has faced a series of identity crises. Born in Argentina to Russian Jewish parents who moved to New York, he recalls frequent shifts in political and linguistic allegiance. Living in Chile in 1973, he viewed the military coup against president Allende as a turning point in his own development. Some strong language. 1998.

by Gwendolyn Brooks

read by Gail Nelson

1 cassette

A selection of essays and poems about events, people, and travel that were important to Brooks. In "Keziah," she pays loving tribute to her mother. These writings are a continuation of themes found in Report from Part One (RC 47475). 1996.

by Leon F. Litwack

read by Rick Foucheux

6 cassettes (Reissue)

Describes the complex changes that occurred in the southern United States after the Civil War and explains the significance of emancipation to four million slaves. Relies on private papers, records of the Freedman's Bureau, and interviews with ex-slaves compiled by the Federal Writers' Project. Prequel to Trouble in Mind (RC 48090). Pulitzer Prize. 1979.

by Leon F. Litwack

read by Rick Foucheux

5 cassettes

This sequel to Been in the Storm So Long (RC 48089) continues the history of African Americans in the south from Reconstruction until World War I. Explores the development of social and cultural institutions. First-person narratives illustrate the hardships under which the "freedmen" lived. Violence. 1998.

by Herbert S. Parmet

read by Jake Williams

5 cassettes

Depicts George Bush as the president who led the U.S. through the end of the cold war. Traces his youth in New England; service in the navy; years at Yale; and careers as oilman, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, C.I.A. director, vice president, and forty-first president. 1997.

edited by Kathleen Ragan

read by Catherine Byers

4 cassettes

Multicultural anthology of one hundred folktales featuring women. Resurrects neglected female protagonists--courageous mothers, clever young girls, women warriors--who rescue male relatives, rule over kingdoms, solve riddles, and outwit the opposition. Arranged by geographical areas: Europe, North and South America, Asia, the Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa, and North Africa and the Middle East. 1998.

by Donald Rayfield

read by Ken Kliban

5 cassettes

Depicts the life of Anton Chekhov from his youth, years as a medical doctor, and achievement as one of Europe's leading prose-writers and dramatists in the nineteenth century. Examines his relationships with family and friends and describes the disease that altered his life. 1997.

by Anna-Lisa Björling and Andrew Farkas

read by Robert Blumenfeld

4 cassettes

Jussi Björling's wife and singing partner presents a portrait of the Swedish opera star, who began his musical career singing in a quartet with his father and brothers. She describes him as a gifted performer and a kind and loving man, who was caught up in a lifelong struggle with alcoholism. 1996.

by Sara Wheeler

read by Jill Ferris

3 cassettes

Detailed account of seven-month sojourn spent physically and metaphorically exploring Antarctica. While recounting her own experiences and perceptions, Wheeler includes commentaries on famous earlier explorers of the frozen expanse. Describes the landscape, people she encounters, and personal changes. 1996.

by Bob Ortega

read by Jake Williams

4 cassettes

Account of Sam Walton and the business strategy he developed to create Wal-Mart and maintain its growth. Observes that the store continues to maximize profits because of discount prices and efficient information and distribution systems. Examines the company's impact on its employees, local communities, and other corporations in the U.S. 1998.

by Charles Johnson and Patricia Smith

read by Bob Moore

3 cassettes

This companion to a PBS documentary series traces the development of slavery in the U.S. Details the economic forces that prompted kidnappings in Africa, language of the Declaration of Independence that motivated the enslaved to pursue freedom, and the issue of slavery that moved the nation toward civil war. 1998.

by Gerald Posner

read by Jeff Baker

4 cassettes

Reexamination of King's murder in Memphis in 1968, the background of convicted killer James Earl Ray, and some conspiracy theories about the case. The lawyer-author's analysis of the murder scene and of Ray's character, criminal record, and probable motivation leads to the conclusion that Ray was the shooter and killer. 1998.

by Peter Marsden

read by Bob Moore

2 cassettes

Examines the beliefs and policies of the Taliban and their rise to power. Traces the history of other radical movements in the area. Discusses the gender issue and how it affects the interactions of the Taliban with the international community. Considers foreign support and opposition to the group. 1998.

by Carlamaria Casanova

read by Laura Giannarelli

2 cassettes

Authorized biography pays tribute to the Italian soprano opera star. Traces her childhood (at three she contracted polio) and her musical education. Follows her career, her feud with Maria Callas, and her personal relationships. Includes a chronology of performances from 1944 to 1976 and a list of her recordings. 1995.

by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

read by Laura Giannarelli

3 cassettes

Bastianich presents more than 200 recipes infused with memories of her childhood in northern Italy and then her years in America. This companion to the PBS series offers a discussion of basic ingredients and includes sections on appetizers, soups, pastas, vegetables, poultry, and seafood. 1998.

by Martin Gilbert

read by Bruce Huntey

6 cassettes

Traces the history of Israel from the nineteenth century to the 1990s. Describes the Balfour Declaration of 1917, the United Nations partition resolution of 1947, and statehood in 1948. Examines the society, economy, and political events. Surveys personalities from David Ben-Gurion to Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, and Binyamin Netanyahu. 1998.

by Gary Giddins

read by Brian Conn

6 cassettes

Jazz critic presents seventy-nine essays about American performers, including some of the "big names" as well as lesser-known artists whose distinct musical expression contributed to the "magic of the jazz phenomenon." Eight chapters, roughly chronological, trace the art form's evolution. 1998.

by Carolly Erickson

read by Gabriella Cavallero

3 cassettes

Biography of the German princess Sophia, who became Catherine II, Empress of Russia, in the eighteenth century. Emphasizes her intelligence, political insight, and accomplishments in modernizing her country. Discusses her relationships with her mother, her husband, lovers, and children. Based on Catherine's memoirs and letters, and on documents written by her contemporaries. 1994.

edited by Katharine Whittemore and Gerald Marzorati

read by Jake Williams

2 cassettes

Twenty articles concerning race relations in America culled from Harper's Magazine, which was founded in 1850. Includes Mark Twain's observations regarding his mother and her slaves and William Styron's research for Confessions of Nat Turner. Traces the role of race among numerous interracial families. Introduction by Henry Louis Gates Jr. Some strong language. 1993.

by Daniel S. Levy

read by Ken Kliban

4 cassettes

Biography of Morris Cohen, who, after a life of petty crime, became influential in Nationalist China. Born an Orthodox Jew in Poland at the end of the nineteenth century, Cohen relocated to England, then to Canada, and finally to China, where he became the bodyguard of Sun Yat-sen. Some violence. 1997.

by O. Richard Norton

read by Kerry Cundiff

3 cassettes

Introduction to meteorites, asteroids, comets, and impact craters. Discusses their physical characteristics, composition, interrelationships, and origins. Provides biographical sketches of Harvey Harlow Nininger and Robert A. Haag. 1998.

by Simon Singh

read by Bruce Huntey

2 cassettes

Chronicles historical developments in mathematics from the work of Pythagoras in ancient Greece to that of Pierre de Fermat in seventeenth-century France. Describes Fermat's arrival at a profound riddle in his discipline and others' efforts to explain his hypothesis. Details Andrew Wiles's eight-year ordeal and his history-making success in 1995. 1997.

by John Follain

read by Randy Wieck

3 cassettes

Biography of the international terrorist who eluded intelligence agencies and police for twenty years before his capture in Sudan in 1994. Describes the "Jackal" as more bon vivant than committed ideologue and as a self-proclaimed "professional revolutionary" responsible for twenty-four deaths and 257 wounded during his career of violence. 1998.

by William Sheehan

read by Butch Hoover

2 cassettes

Chronological history of astronomers' fascination with Mars from Kepler's discovery of its elliptical orbit in 1604 through the Viking missions of 1975-76. Includes a chapter on Percival Lowell and his controversial theory about canals on the planet's surface. 1996.

by John Shields

read by John Richardson

3 cassettes

Nearly two hundred recipes for foods of the Chesapeake Bay area. In addition to the usual seafoods--blue crabs, oysters, and clams--Shields includes recipes using many of the region's other bounties such as Silver Queen corn, vine-ripened tomatoes, country hams, and Maryland fried chicken. 1998.

by Tim McCarver

read by Jack Fox

3 cassettes

Veteran ballplayer-turned-sportscaster Tim McCarver explains the game of baseball. Details aspects of the sport from the pregame warmup to stealing bases. Describes what goes on during a game, including pitching, hitting, defense, and strategy. 1998.

by Lani Guinier

read by Nanette Savard

3 cassettes

After being nominated by President Bill Clinton to be assistant attorney general for civil rights in 1993 and having her name withdrawn following widespread criticism of her beliefs, Guinier describes her reaction to the whole affair. She explains her views on civil rights and calls for new dialog between racial groups. 1998.

by Mario Vargas Llosa

read by Michael Scherer

3 cassettes

Forty-six essays on literature and politics by the Peruvian author. Discusses many facets of his work and his interests as an art critic, football commentator, film buff, polemicist, autobiographer, and short-story writer. Includes opinions on Sartre, Hemingway, Camus, Faulkner, and Bellow and perspectives on socialism and the Cuban revolution. 1996.

by Hugh Gregory Gallagher

read by Timothy Hayes Lynch

2 cassettes

The author presents journal entries, essays, and speeches. Gallagher was a college student of twenty when he almost died of polio. As an influential Senate aide and lobbyist in Washington, D.C., he was instrumental in passing the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968. 1998.

by Paul Theroux

read by Terence Aselford

3 cassettes

Theroux's memoir of his thirty-year literary relationship with V.S. Naipaul. Recalls details of their conversations and their influence on each other, beginning in 1960s Uganda and ending with a terse exchange on a London street. Describes Theroux's shifting perceptions of the older writer from mentor to former friend. Some strong language. 1998.

by Mark Sanborne

read by Jeremy Gage

1 cassette

Describes the history, culture, and future of the eastern European country. Explains the relationship of its geographical location as a crossroads for trade to its long history of invasions. Analyzes the coup against the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989 and the mass adoption of orphans. For junior and senior high and older readers. 1998.

by Jeffrey Meyers

read by Terence Aselford

3 cassettes

Gary Cooper, raised in Montana by straight-laced British parents, describes how he discovered that money could be made as a movie extra and how his good looks and riding ability made him prime "star material." Recalls his numerous love affairs, his films, and his conservative convictions during the blacklist years. 1998.

edited by Scott Dikkers

read by Barry Bernson

4 cassettes

The editors offer headline articles from the satirical newspaper the Onion. Includes tongue-in-cheek commentaries on both world wars, movie stars, television, and presidents. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Mary McHugh

read by Lindsay Ellison

2 cassettes

The author describes her own and others' childhood experiences as siblings of someone with mental retardation, mental illness, or a physical disability. Offers suggestions to families on improving the emotional atmosphere in the home for all the children. Includes a list of resources including support groups and web sites. 1999.

by Susan Orlean

read by Nanette Savard

2 cassettes

Orlean describes traveling to Florida to meet accused orchid thief John Laroche after she became intrigued by a news item on his arrest. She relates how she began to share his obsession, researching the history of orchids and exploring the subculture of collectors. Also discusses his involvement with local Seminoles. Some strong language. 1998.

by William G. Hyland

read by Terence Aselford

3 cassettes

An account of Rodgers's life and many of the musicals he wrote. Born in 1902 to an affluent Russian-Jewish family, he began developing his talent at an early age. Describes the evolution of his work, which included more than forty shows produced over sixty years, first with Lorenz Hart and later with Oscar Hammerstein II. 1998.

by Lisa Endlich

read by Mary Kane

3 cassettes

Presents the history and describes the success of Goldman Sachs, a privately owned investment bank on Wall Street. Asserts that the company made a three-billion-dollar profit in 1997 because of the vision and abilities of its leaders and employees. Discusses the firm's long-standing culture of loyalty, teamwork, and service to clients. 1999.

by Jeanne Cavelos

read by Margaret Strom

3 cassettes

Describes episodes from the television show and movie The X-Files and explains the science behind the script. Includes phenomena like UFOs and aliens, technology including robots and implants, and unusual disorders such as a contaminated tattoo that causes the wearer to kill. For senior high and older readers. 1998.

by John F. Stover

read by Robert Sams

2 cassettes

Portrays the vital role of railroads in the economy and development of the nation. Includes the immeasurable service trains performed in the Civil War and both world wars. Recounts the emergence of trucks and airplanes during the 1950s until the establishment of Amtrak and renewed freight traffic. Foreword by Daniel J. Boorstin. 1997.

by Tracy Kidder

read by Arnie Warren

3 cassettes

Kidder portrays life in the small town of Northampton, Massachusetts, recalling its history and chronicling events of the 1980s and 1990s. Focusing on police sergeant Tommy O'Connor, Kidder describes O'Connor's relationships with area residents, including a longtime friend who is accused of child abuse. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Blanche Wiesen Cook

read by Barbara Caruso

6 cassettes

Portrait of ER during her first six years as first lady. Discusses what made her controversial--the social issues she championed and her influence on FDR. Reveals the private woman behind the public image and the difficult choices she faced. Sequel to Eleanor Roosevelt: Volume 1, 1884-1933 (RC 34892). Bestseller 1999.

by Bob Woodward

read by Gregory Gorton

4 cassettes

Traces the effects of the Watergate scandal on the American presidency through five administrations. Contends that one legacy is the tendency to view political leaders with suspicion and doubt; argues that all chief executives since Richard Nixon have underestimated the importance of intense public scrutiny. Bestseller 1999.

by Michael Korda

read by Roy Avers

4 cassettes

Korda offers a brief portrait of his early life and then shares his experiences in the book publishing industry. As he chronicles the evolution that has taken place in the trade, he offers portraits of the many authors with whom he has worked. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

edited by Cynthia Ozick

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

This year's editor writes in her introduction, "Portrait of the Essay as a Warm Body," that in its genuine form an essay "is the movement of a free mind at play." She selects twenty-five works by Saul Bellow, Sven Birkerts, John McPhee, Oliver Sachs, John Updike, and others. 1998.

by Judith Lynn Nichols

read by Jill Ferris

2 cassettes

More than twenty diverse women living with multiple sclerosis (MS) share their experiences via the Internet. The participants offer support and tips for daily coping with symptoms and inconveniences of the disease. Includes discussions on sex, fatigue, spirituality, and the insensitivity of others. Contains a list of resources. Some strong language. 1999.

by Athena Andreadis

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

Uses the original Star Trek television series, spinoffs, and movies to explain concepts in bioscience. Investigates the probability of other life-forms in the universe. Discusses human immortality, the transporter, and the universal translator as well as cloning, robots, and virtual reality. 1998.

by Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee

read by Jake Williams

4 cassettes

Autobiographical account of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, told in alternating voices. The book discusses their lives before they met, their courtship, and their marriage. The discourse provides a social history of the black experience in American theater and an account of the couple's behind-the-scenes roles in "the Struggle." Some strong language. Bestseller 1998.

by Alice Taylor

read by Anne Flosnik

1 cassette

Taylor recalls the work and the celebration of a Christmas that "glowed like a warm fire in the middle of a long, cold winter," when she was nine years old. She describes preparing the Christmas goose, cleaning the chimney, gathering the holly and ivy, and having a parcel arrive on Christmas Eve. 1994.

by David Breashears

read by Peter Jay Fernandez

2 cassettes

Autobiography of American mountaineer and cinematographer who made the IMAX film Everest in 1996. Discusses his motivation and recounts many of his hazardous exploits climbing vertical cliffs and scaling the world's highest peaks. Provides details about his filmmaking expedition on Everest during the notorious blizzard that took nine lives. Bestseller 1999.

by Gerald Durrell

read by Graeme Malcolm

1 cassette

Recounts the adventures of Durrell's team on the island of Madagascar as they attempt to capture an elusive and almost extinct magic-fingered aye-aye to build up a breeding colony. Includes encounters with giant jumping rats, flat-tailed tortoises, and gentle lemurs from the reed beds of a vanishing lake. 1992.

by Elinor Burkett

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

Examines the status and impact of feminism in the United States. For two years Burkett traveled across the country conducting interviews outside the mainstream women's movement. She finds that many who reject official feminist dogma are, nonetheless, able to make nontraditional choices about their own lives. Strong language. 1998.

by Jim Wickwire and Dorothy Bullitt

read by L.J. Ganser

2 cassettes

At fifty-six, Wickwire reflects on his mountain climbing experiences on major peaks, examining the successes and failures to achieve personal growth. In his accounts, he appreciates the beauty, physical exertion, and close friendships this sport offers but also admits an attraction to the dangers involved. 1998.

by R.A. Hoover

read by Jake Williams

3 cassettes

Autobiography by a pilot who has been described by Jimmy Doolittle as "the greatest stick-and-rudder man who ever lived." Hoover reminisces about flying as a teenager, fighting in World War II, and working as a test pilot and air show star. Foreword by Chuck Yeager. 1996.

by John Keegan

read by Bill Wallace

4 cassettes

British military historian examines the chain of events that led to the conflict that began in August 1914. He analyzes major battles and the role of mechanized warfare, and discusses the political outcome of World War I, its long-term implications, and impacts still felt at the end of the century. Bestseller 1998.

by Suzanne Somers

read by Sharon Murray

2 cassettes

Television star advises eating a balanced diet for weight loss and health. Advocates enjoying food and adding fat to the diet. Includes recipes and testimonials to success. Bestseller 1999.

by Frank McCourt

read by Graeme Malcolm

3 cassettes

This sequel to Angela's Ashes (RC 42805) continues McCourt's reminiscences from October 1949, when he arrives in New York City at age nineteen, until his father's funeral in 1985. Describes his adjustments to America--gaining an education, finding a career, marrying, and raising a family--interwoven with childhood memories. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Susan Faludi

read by Annie Wauters

6 cassettes

Prize-winning journalist reassesses the masculine role in U.S. society. Focuses on men born after World War II who feel angry at the discrepancy between perceived promises and the reality of their existence. Begins at a domestic violence meeting and progresses to numerous interviews with individuals in a wide range of occupations. Bestseller 1999.

by Jesse Ventura

read by Phil Regensdorf

2 cassettes

The former professional wrestler who was elected mayor of Brooklyn Park and then governor of Minnesota describes his politics and his life. With his background as a Navy SEAL, radio host, and movie actor, Ventura was not the typical candidate for public office. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Jack Canfield and others

read by Bill Wallace

2 cassettes

Professionals, amateurs, and caddies relate how they were transformed by the game of golf. They describe making the impossible shot, getting out of a sand trap, overcoming obstacles, forging new friendships, and other memories. Bestseller 1999.

by Paula Mitchell Marks

read by Bill Wallace

4 cassettes

A historian chronicles European settlers' conquest of Native American lands from their initial contacts in 1607 up to the 1990s. Describes the indigenous inhabitants' struggle to maintain their traditional cultures despite forced relocations, the elimination of customs, and their own diminishing numbers. 1998.

by Earl A. Grollman

read by Bill Wallace

1 cassette

Discusses ways to cope after the death of a loved one. Examines the different stages of grieving and how to resume one's own life. Includes samples of exercises to assist in expressing emotions. For senior high and older readers. 1993.

by Monty Roberts

read by Bob Askey

1 cassette

In this sequel to The Man Who Listens to Horses (RC 45002), horse trainer Monty Roberts captures a wild mustang and gently tames it to saddle. Eleven months later, he gives the mustang, Shy Boy, a choice of staying with him or returning to his original herd. Bestseller 1999.

by Edwin P. Hoyt

read by Jake Williams

2 cassettes

Account of the spring 1942 battle between American and Japanese aircraft carriers that marked a new era in warfare and was considered a turning point in World War II. The unfolding drama is based on action reports of the U.S. and Japanese navies and participants' diaries and narratives. 1975.

by Vickie L. Bane

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

A correspondent for People magazine uses interviews and quotes from Laura Schlesinger's coworkers and acquaintances to illustrate the woman behind the radio show. Discusses Dr. Laura's childhood and education, husbands, career, and conversion to Orthodox Judaism. Highlights the apparent discrepancy between the morality she preaches and the behavior she practices. 1999.

by Dennis Smith

read by Jim Zeiger

3 cassettes

The author recalls his impoverished Irish Catholic childhood in New York City without a father. Although he had a strong support system, Smith was constantly in trouble. A court-ordered stint in the air force gave him a second chance, and he returned home to become a firefighter. Some strong language. 1999.

by Suzanne Somers

read by Sharon Murray

2 cassettes

Actress Somers advocates controlling one's weight without deprivation by properly combining foods. Proposes lifestyle changes with a few simple rules, while still enjoying meals. Includes menus. Bestseller 1996.

by Maureen D. Mayes

read by Gary Tipton

1 cassette

Physician recognized for specializing in scleroderma explains this autoimmune system breakdown that affects connective tissues, blood vessels, and collagen. Describes various forms of the disease, its symptoms, and available treatments. She also offers advice on coping with this puzzling condition that has no known cause and no established cure. 1999.

by Elizabeth Hiser

read by Patricia McDermott

2 cassettes

Describes the condition of adult-onset diabetes, how the body works, and what goes wrong to cause the illness. Explains optimum lifestyle practices needed to deal with the disease and how to incorporate such changes into daily living. Offers sample meals, recipes, and a resource guide. 1999.

by Theresa Foy DiGeronimo

read by Butch Hoover

1 cassette

Advice on potential causes of insomnia and techniques to improve and maintain healthy rest. Considers different life stages of children, women, and the elderly. Includes a section on homeopathic treatments, including massage, herbs, foods, and acupuncture. Suggestions on keeping up to date with the latest information. 1997.

by Kenneth Jernigan

read by Rick Rohan

2 cassettes

Collection of Dr. Jernigan's writings composed mostly during the 1990s. Includes numerous speeches and excerpts from the Kernel Books. In an introduction, Marc Maurer, of the National Federation of the Blind, describes Jernigan as a man who "changed the lives of blind people through his example and inspiration." 1999.

by Esther Williams

read by Nanette Savard

3 cassettes

Williams describes the movie spectaculars she made for MGM Studios and the physical injuries she sustained. She also discusses her traumatic childhood (the death of her oldest brother and being raped at thirteen), her place on the cancelled 1940 Olympic team, her use of LSD, and her four marriages. Bestseller 1999.

by Andrew Kaplan

read by Rick Foucheux

1 cassette

Profiles fourteen individuals whose jobs involve working outdoors, including a naturalist, a recreation director, a rancher, and others employed in agriculture. Discusses how to get started, what the work entails, and the pros and cons of each career. For junior and senior high readers. 1991.

by Robert Timberg

read by Butch Hoover

2 cassettes

Biography of the Arizona senator, written as he sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2000; expands on excerpts from Timberg's The Nightingale's Song (RC 42316). Attributes McCain's reputation to his P.O.W. years in Vietnam, his association with the Keating Five scandal, and his naval family background. Some strong language. 1999.

by Misty Bernall

read by Jill Fox

1 cassette

Woman whose daughter was murdered at Columbine High School reminisces about Cassie's life and the problems she experienced as a troubled teenager. The anguished mother describes how she and her husband sacrificed to save their daughter from evil influences and how Cassie reclaimed her faith in God. Bestseller 1999.

by Sylvia Rimm

read by Madelyn Buzzard

3 cassettes

Summary and conclusions of research by the author and her two daughters, who surveyed successful women about their achievements. The report formulates twenty suggestions on how to raise competent daughters; includes anecdotal and statistical data. Also offers inspiration and guidance. Bestseller 1999.

by John Gray

read by Bill Wallace

2 cassettes

The author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus (RC 35918) describes a method for raising children in which punishment and demands are replaced by making requests, listening, and offering rewards. If necessary, these techniques can be followed with commands and time outs for asserting parental leadership. Bestseller 1999.

by Janette Oke

read by Laura Giannarelli

2 cassettes

High school senior Virginia Simpson draws on all her faith as she deals with her sister's difficult pregnancy, decides to remain home instead of leaving for college, and comes to grips with the loss of her longtime boyfriend. Then her friend is involved in a near-fatal auto accident. Sequel to The Tender Years (RC 47432). 1998.

by Cathleen Schine

read by Mimi Bederman

2 cassettes

A trip to the Galapagos Islands becomes an opportunity for self-discovery. Following the end of her six-month marriage, Jane Barlow Schwartz seeks the solace of nature. But when the travel guide turns out to be Martha Barlow, her cousin and ex-best friend, Jane determines to find out why Martha ended their closeness. Some strong language. 1998.

by Lurlene McDaniel

read by June Carter

1 cassette

High school juniors Julie and Luke have known each other for years and are in love. Luke is the star football player and Julie's father is his coach. Julie is waiting to see where Luke gets a football scholarship so she can apply to the same school. Then Luke is diagnosed with cancer. For junior and senior high readers. 1995.

compiled by Joe Wheeler

read by Grace Ragsdale

1 cassette

Heartfelt Christmas stories chosen for their Christ-centered messages. In "A Gift from the Heart" by Norman Vincent Peale, a foreign girl, unable to buy presents for her employers, has a unique solution for gift giving. In "The Candle in the Forest" by Temple Bailey, a rich boy learns the meaning of love from the impoverished family next door. 1996.

by J.R.R. Tolkien

read by David Palmer

3 cassettes (Reissue)

In this sequel to The Fellowship of the Ring (RC 47486), the now-separated companions of the Ring meet Saruman the wizard, cross the Dead Marshes, and prepare for the Great War, in which the power of the Ring will be undone. 1954.

by Danzy Senna

read by Kristin Allison

3 cassettes

1970s. Cole and Birdie Lee, daughters of a black professor and a white revolutionary, live in Boston. Their father takes the darker daughter, Cole, to Brazil. Birdie, left with her radical mother, is soon on the run from the FBI. Living as a white person and confused about race and identity, she desperately misses her sister. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1998.

by Raymond Chandler

read by Conrad Feininger

1 cassette

From the minute he meets a well-endowed redhead at the Los Angeles train station, detective Philip Marlowe's curiosity is aroused. With a nice retainer to keep his interest alive, he is soon flitting along the California coast with his nose stuck into other people's business, and death snapping at his heels. 1958.

by Harry Turtledove

read by Roy Avers

5 cassettes

Sequel to Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance (RC 47688). Humans stop fighting one another during World War II and unite to battle the Lizards, aliens seeking a new home. The invaders, having scouted the planet centuries before, are surprised by the level of weaponry the humans use. But their colonization fleet is on the way. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 1996.

by Kathryn Lasky

read by Tracy Mickens-Hundley

1 cassette

Narrative alternating between Bostonian Lucy Bradford and Afrika, a Virginia slave, tells how the lives of the two fourteen-year-olds were affected by the Underground Railroad. Lucy recounts her family's preparation for a wedding and her special relationship with her grandfather, while Afrika describes her difficult journey north. For junior and senior high readers. 1996.

by Stephen Marlowe

read by Peter Gil

4 cassettes

A mock autobiography of the author of Don Quixote (RC 24290). Cervantes relates the picaresque adventures of his life, revealing much about Spain in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. 1991.

by Lurlene McDaniel

read by Cyn Delafield

1 cassette

Three short stories taking place at Christmas time. In "Christmas Child" a teenager confronts the death of her newborn sister. In "Last Dance" Brenda is confused by a cancer patient's love for her. In "Kathy's Life" Ellie learns to reject high school pettiness. For senior high and older readers. 1998.

by Caroline B. Cooney

read by June Carter

1 cassette

In this sequel to Whatever Happened to Janie? (RC 38978), Janie's boyfriend, Reeve, becomes a campus radio disc jockey in Boston. In a moment of weakness, he broadcasts the story of her kidnapping. Old wounds reopen when Janie and her family learn of his betrayal. For junior and senior high readers. 1996.

by Gerald Hammond

read by Phil Regensdorf

2 cassettes

On an ordinary day at a quarantine kennel in Scotland, something unusual occurs: an old car containing a briefcase, a shotgun, and Jove, a black Labrador, disappears. John Cunningham, owner of the kennel and car, is perturbed, while Noel Cochrane, owner of the briefcase and dog, is visibly upset. Then Noel disappears. Some strong language. 1995.

by F. Scott Fitzgerald

read by Liz Solar

2 cassettes

Eight short stories about young people at the beginning of the twentieth century. In "The Cut-Glass Bowl," a woman receives an impressive wedding gift from a former beau. In "Bernice Bobs Her Hair," some words of advice on gaining self-confidence and attracting men have unexpected repercussions. 1920.

by Charles Dickens

read by George Holmes

7 cassettes in 2 containers (Reissue)

First published in installments from 1836 to 1837, this classic features Samuel Pickwick, general chairman of the Pickwick Club, and three other members who constitute a corresponding society in order to report their journeys, adventures, and observation of character and manners. 1837.

by Kim Stanley Robinson

read by Dan Bloom

4 cassettes

In the near future, when corporations exploit Antarctica's mineral resources, ecological terrorists fight to preserve the wilderness environment. A U.S. senator sends his assistant Wade Norton on a fact-finding mission, but Norton is distracted by the terrorists' cause. Some strong language. 1998.

by Mary Jo Putney

read by Barbara Caruso

3 cassettes

Rosalind Fitzgerald, who was adopted as a child by members of a traveling theater troupe, meets Stephen Kenyon, duke of Ashburton, when he rescues her brother from a raging river. They are attracted to one another, but the duke has been told he has only three months to live. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1997.

by Robert Daley

read by John Stratton

3 cassettes

Ex-detective Jack Dilger flees New York City for the French Riviera, where he meets investigator Madeleine Leclerq, who was also fired for stepping on toes among the powerful. They embark on a love affair in spite of the danger from their revenge-seeking enemies. Strong language, violence, and some descriptions of sex. 1996.

by Dana Stabenow

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

Kate Shugak is salmon fishing with her Aleut relatives when she hauls in a dead man in her net. Calvin Meany was the most hated man in the area, and no one grieves over his death. But two additional murders motivate Kate to investigate. Some violence, some strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 1998.

by E. Lynn Harris

read by Peter Jay Fernandez

2 cassettes

Raymond and Trent live together in Seattle where Ray is being considered for a judgeship. Nicole and Jared are in New York, where she will star in a stage production. Basil is finally getting therapy. But each runs into roadblocks on the way to happiness. Sequel to Just As I Am (RC 48093). Strong language. 1999.

by Manning Coles

read by David Cutler

2 cassettes

Tommy Hambledon, a British spy from World War I, wakes up from amnesia to discover he is living in 1933 Germany as a friend of Hermann Goering's. Newly appointed as the deputy chief of police in Berlin, Hambledon continues his masquerade while enlisting the help of an elderly wireless operator. Some violence. 1940.

by Yasunari Kawabata

read by David Hartley-Margolin

1 cassette (Reissue)

Shimamura, a man of leisure, meets a geisha at a snowy lodge in the western mountains of Japan. They know their love is futile, but he returns each year to spend time with her. The author is the winner of the Nobel Prize in literature in 1968. 1947.

by Pauline Melville

read by Christopher Walker

2 cassettes

When Chofy McKinnon, a Wapisiana Indian, moves to Georgetown, Guyana, he feels alienated by city life. He meets Rosa Mendelson, an English scholar who is studying novelist Evelyn Waugh. The two become lovers but approach the world through the disparate views of their respective cultures, hers materialistic and his mystical. Strong language and descriptions of sex. 1997.

by C.S. Godshalk

read by Vanessa Maroney

3 cassettes

In the mid-1800s Englishman Gideon Barr sails to the South Seas and founds a private raj on the coast of Borneo. He brings out a strong young wife, Amelia, who encounters a culture and way of life on the island very different from Victorian England. 1998.

by Margie Walker

read by Bob Moore

2 cassettes

Marcellus Cavanaugh can't believe that his partner Don Wellsing hired his ex-girlfriend, Pauline Sinclair, to be the company nurse. When Don is poisoned and another man killed, Pauline becomes the chief suspect. Marcellus and Pauline find their love rekindling just at the wrong moment. Some violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1997.

by Helen Argers

read by Janis Gray

3 cassettes

1870s. Wealthy Nina De Bonnard is used to being the belle of the ball and breaking hearts. Jordan Windsor returns from years abroad to find his brother among her neglected suitors. Out of spite, Jordan agrees to trick Nina into falling for him--just so he can jilt her--but instead he, too, finds himself in love. 1998.

by Annie Proulx

read by Mimi Bederman

2 cassettes

Eleven short stories depict the harshness of making a living in the twentieth-century West--herding animals, riding the rodeo circuit, or getting by in a small town. "Brokeback Mountain" describes complex feelings between two ranch hands in a land where homosexuality is not tolerated. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1999.

by Salman Rushdie

read by Richard Davidson

5 cassettes

On St. Valentine's Day, 1989, forty-four-year-old singer Vina Apsara dies in an earthquake in Mexico. Her childhood chum from Bombay, the photographer Rai, tells of the music career Apsara shared with her great love, Ormus Cama. Rai reveals that he also loved her. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Robin Pilcher

read by David Hartley-Margolin

3 cassettes

When David Corstorphine's wife dies, he is unable to cope with his life, his children, or the family-owned company. He retreats to his ancestral home in Scotland and spends his days gardening. But a forced trip to America brings him new hope. Some strong language. 1999.

by Van Reid

read by Mitzi Friedlander

4 cassettes

Portland, Maine; July 1896. Inspired by a rumor, Cordelia Underwood, twenty-three, searches for buried treasure on land she inherits. When she is betrayed, she receives help from various sources including a group who call themselves the Moosepath League and two young men with romantic intentions. 1998.

by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

read by David Palmer

4 cassettes

In the mid 1600s, the vampire Conde de San Germanno (Count Saint-Germain) travels to Peru to study the Inca civilization, which is being destroyed by the arrival of Europeans. He befriends Acanna Tupac, a shunned member of the royal family, and finds his hands full when she is attacked because of her royal status. 1996.

by Karen Joy Fowler

read by Carole Jordan Stewart

2 cassettes

Fifteen satirical stories and fantasies based on unusual premises. In "The Faithful Companion at Forty," a Native American sidekick is annoyed when his masked companion forgets his fortieth birthday. In "The View From Venus: A Case Study," a human named Linda and her courtship rituals are observed from another planet. Some strong language. 1998.

by Lawrence Block

read by Ray Foushee

2 cassettes

A serial killer is eliminating people who are even worse than he is, making him a hero to New York City residents. Private investigator Matt Scudder is hired by a lawyer who is on the murderer's hit list. Eventually, Scudder, like everyone else, is surprised at the killer's identity. Strong language and violence. 1997.

edited by Gardner Dozois

read by Richard Hauenstein

7 cassettes in 2 containers

Following an introduction on the status of the science fiction market, Dozois offers twenty-eight short stories published in 1997. Includes works by Robert Silverberg, Nancy Kress, Stephen Baxter, David Marusek, Gwyneth Jones, Brian Stableford, and Ian McDonald. 1998.

by Timothy Zahn

read by Roy Avers

3 cassettes

As the Zhirrzh and humans prepare for a final showdown, which could mean extinction for both races, a small group of Zhirrzh and humans make a discovery that could save everyone. But there are forces at work that may prevent them from averting disaster. Sequel to Conquerors' Heritage (RC 44617). 1996.

by Anne O. Faulk

read by Carol Dines

3 cassettes

When Congress refuses to impeach Supreme Court chief justice Underwood after the suicide of his abused wife, feminists across America are outraged. Divorcée Lauren Fontaine leads a national women's movement to withhold sex from men, but the repercussions for Lauren are great. Strong language and explicit descriptions of sex. 1998.

by John J. Nance

read by Jack Fox

3 cassettes

Pilot Ken Wolfe hijacks his own plane when he learns that judge Rudy Bostich is aboard his flight. Bostich lied during the murder trial of Wolfe's eleven-year-old daughter, and the killer went free. FBI negotiator Kat Bronsky boards during a stop and soon believes Wolfe. Strong language and violence. 1998.

by Chester Himes

read by Richard Hauenstein

3 cassettes

Autobiographical novel first written in 1937, released in 1953 as Cast the First Stone, and now returned to its original form and title. Himes, who spent seven years in prison, relates the story of a poor white man, Jimmy Monroe, and his journey through the criminal justice system. Some strong language and some violence. 1937.

by Ralph Peters

read by Faith Potts

3 cassettes

A powerful senator's daughter is kidnapped in the Muslim country of Azerbaijan. Lieutenant Colonel Evan Burton from the American embassy tracks her down while native factions, Russians, Iranians, Turks, and Israelis all vie for an oil pipeline. Burton is alone, betrayed by everyone. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 1998.

by Charles Pellegrino

read by Gregory Gorton

3 cassettes

The demise of the world's insects creates an environmental nightmare--dust mites begin eating everyone in their path. Paleobiologist Richard Sinclair and his young daughter Tam are among the few to escape. At Brookhaven Laboratory surviving scientists battle starvation and nuclear strikes as they frantically create new insects from amber fossils. Some violence. 1998.

by Barbara Delinsky

read by Michele Schaeffer

2 cassettes

Two novels previously published in the 1980s. In Flip Side of Yesterday, Chloe MacDaniel runs into a former lover, Ross Stephenson, whom she hasn't seen in eleven years. In Lilac Awakening, lovers Anne Boulton and Mitchell Anderson meet only for vacations in Vermont. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1983.

by William Golding

read by Christopher Walker

2 cassettes (Reissue)

With horrifying implications, a group of English boys are wrecked on a desert island and have to establish their own system of government. For senior high and older readers. 1954.

by Robert MacNeil

read by Gregory Gorton

3 cassettes

Veteran news anchor Grant Munro is appalled that the "bottom line" is causing tabloid journalism to take over the serious business of reporting. Munro is also threatened by his stalled contract negotiations and by competition from two younger colleagues, celebrity interviewer Ann Murrow and ambitious and ethically questionable Bill Donovan. 1998.

by Max Brand

read by Jeff Baker

2 cassettes

When Long Islander Anthony Woodbury attends a Wild West show in Madison Square Garden, he can't resist a challenge to ride an unbroken horse. That brings him to the attention of William Drew. Soon Anthony's world is turned upside down, and he finds himself looking for a murderer and the identity of his real parents. 1920.

by Catherine Coulter

read by Corrie James

2 cassettes

1811. Winifrede Bascombe begs her aunts Mathilda and Maude to save her from an arranged marriage. They flee to their nephew Grayson St. Cyre with Winifrede disguised as their valet, "Mad Jack." When Grayson finds out that Jack is a young lady, he is intrigued. Companion to the Sherbrooke Brides trilogy. Some descriptions of sex. 1999.

by Janet Fitch

read by Lindsay Ellison

3 cassettes

Astrid Magnusson is twelve when her poet mother is jailed for killing a former lover. As Astrid moves through a series of foster homes in Los Angeles, she deals with difficult family relations. She also learns about sex and how to be a survivor. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1999.

edited by John Updike and Katrina Kenison

read by Kimberly Schraf

7 cassettes in 2 containers

The editors announce two principles for selecting these fifty-five stories: to reflect the century, giving each decade equal weight, and to "take place on this continent or deal with characters from the United States." Includes representative works by distinguished authors. Bestseller 1999.

by Ralph Ellison

read by Bob Moore

3 cassettes

Senator Sunraider lies in the hospital struggling to survive a gunshot wound. The apparently white politician asks to see Reverend Hickman, the African American minister who raised him. In the course of their conversations, the senator recalls his childhood and begins to understand his own complex racial identity. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Janet Evanovich

read by Annie Wauters

2 cassettes

In this sequel to Four to Score (RC 46927), Stephanie Plum takes a break from bounty hunting to look for her missing uncle, who left behind photos of a dismembered body. Meanwhile, she's being stalked by a recently released sociopath. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Angela Thirkell

read by Anne Flosnik

2 cassettes (Reissue)

In Barsetshire, Margot Phelps, the selfless, overworked, middle-aged daughter of Admiral Phelps, has given her whole life to taking care of her aging parents. Then one day the beautiful and blundering Rose Fairweather introduces Margot to Mr. Macfadyen, who discovers her attractions. Sequel to Happy Returns (RC 48374). 1953.

by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown

read by Laura Giannarelli

2 cassettes

Shortly after school begins at the exclusively private St. Elizabeth's in Crozet, Virginia, obituaries appear in the paper for Headmaster Roscoe Fletcher and film director Maury McKinchie. Yet both are still alive. But before long, deaths do begin occurring. Of course Mrs. Murphy, the tiger cat, with the aid of her human, investigates. 1998.

by Max Brand

read by Michael Scherer

2 cassettes

Garry Donnegan is hired by an invalid, Colonel Macon, to reclaim the gold mine that his ward, Jack Landis, has swindled from him and also lure the boy back to his daughter Lou's arms. Landis is protected by the outlaw of the gold camp, "Lord Nick," and his crew. Strong language and violence. 1921.

by Katherine Hall Page

read by Annie Wauters

2 cassettes

Faith Fairchild is kept busy running a catering company--currently contending with a demanding bride and her blue-blooded mother. Faith also investigates shady dealings in the New England antique business after an elderly member of her husband's parish dies during a robbery. Then Faith's house is ransacked, and family heirlooms are stolen. 1998.

by V.S. Naipaul

read by Ted Stoddard

2 cassettes

In a recently independent central African nation, Salim, a Muslim of Indian origin, purchases a defunct store in a town at a bend in the river. Hoping to prosper but feeling trapped, Salim describes the people, political climate, and needs of a society in upheaval. 1979.

by Paul Auster

read by Kimberly Schraf

1 cassette

Told from the dog's point of view, a story of boon companions: Mr. Bones, a devoted mutt, and Willy G. Christmas, a self-named, homeless, terminally ill writer. Willy's final wishes are to bequeath his literary endeavors to a former teacher and to find a new owner for Mr. Bones. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Valerie Martin

read by Barbara Pinolini

2 cassettes

Lucy Stark is an assistant to novelist DV, who dies suddenly while writing a book in Italy. Lucy travels to Italy for his funeral, to retrieve his things, and to discover why he died. She is met by Massimo, an interpreter, who comes to care for her in many ways. Some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1999.

by Kathy Reichs

read by Anne Hancock

3 cassettes

Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan examines the remains of a nun who is a candidate for sainthood. Meanwhile, she learns that a multiple murder in the Laurentian Mountains is tied to a cult with branches in South Carolina and Texas--a group her sister recently joined. Strong language, violence, and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1999.

by Steve Kluger

read by John Polk

2 cassettes

1940. Twelve-year-old wise guy Joey Margolis, the only Jewish boy in his Brooklyn neighborhood, begins writing letters to the Giants' third baseman, Charlie Banks. Charlie replies, and they correspond about everything from politicians to girlfriends. The two meet and continue their adventures until World War II intervenes. Some strong language. 1998.

by Larry McMurtry

read by Roy Avers

3 cassettes

Now sixty-two, Duane Moore realizes he has spent too much time in the cab of his pickup truck. He parks it and starts walking--in Thalia, where no one walks much. His wife, Karla, suspects that his decision signals a more serious problem. Sequel to Texasville (RC 25975). Some strong language. 1999.

by James Patterson

read by Chuck Benson

2 cassettes

NYPD detective John Stefanovitch was shot trying to bring down drug lord Alexandre St.-Germain. Now Stefanovitch is in a wheelchair working homicide, and a killer is targeting drug dealers, including St.-Germain. Stefanovitch and a female journalist want to solve the murders. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1989.

by Jennifer Crusie

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

Art teacher Quinn is bored, but her live-in boyfriend Bill, the high school coach, is happy and wants to marry. After Quinn adopts a stray dog against Bill's wishes, she moves out, buys a house, and tries to seduce her ex-brother-in-law. Bill, however, can't let go. Strong language and explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

by Nathalie Sarraute

read by Gabriella Cavallero

1 cassette

An introspective dialog on the themes of self-love and self-hatred. Discusses the process of self-reflection and numerous aspects of identity that help form the composite "I." Explores differences between someone who loves himself as a matter of course and the person who must resolve conflicting feelings. 1990.

by Johanna Lindsey

read by Gabriella Cavallero

2 cassettes

France, 1667. Bettina Verlaine is sailing to the Caribbean island of Saint Martin to be married to a man she has never met, when her ship is captured by pirates. The renegade leader, Tristan, decides to have Bettina for himself and soon falls in love with her. Explicit descriptions of sex. 1978.

by Barbara Delinsky

read by Annie Wauters

3 cassettes

Cabaret pianist-singer and part-time teacher Lily Blake is shocked by the outcome of her dinner conversation with newspaper reporter Terry Sullivan about her long-term acquaintance with newly named Cardinal Rossetti. The resulting scandal sends Lily fleeing to her hometown of Lake Henry, New Hampshire, where reporter John Kipling offers help. Bestseller 1999.

by Michael McGarrity

read by Gregory Gorton

2 cassettes

Kevin Kerney, now a New Mexico State Police deputy chief, investigates the murder of a small-town policeman where the chief witness is a schizophrenic. Kerney is also assigned to solve the theft of priceless artwork from the governor's office--a crime that involves Kerney's old enemy Enrique DeLeon. Strong language and violence. 1998.

by Sebastian Barry

read by Jim Zeiger

2 cassettes

An Irishman from Sligo chooses a career at odds with his friends' commitment to a free Ireland. Joining the Royal Constabulary brings Eneas a death sentence with exile his best option. Lonely abroad, he yearns for his homeland. Some strong language. 1998.

by Patricia Anthony

read by Erik Sandvold

3 cassettes

Collection of twenty-eight science fiction short stories. In the title piece, George Hatterly, a human ambassador to Karee, goes to Besseh Yo, an elderly alien, to buy magic. But regaining memories of his dead wife, Lauren, is a different experience from what he had expected. Some strong language and some violence. 1997.

by Neil Gordon

read by David Hartley-Margolin

3 cassettes

In July 1994, third-year law student Allison (Esther) Rosenthal learns of her father's arrest on the charge of illegally selling military supplies to Bosnian Muslims. The prosecutor turns out to be her intimate friend from Martha's Vineyard, and Allison applies her own brand of justice to save her father. Some strong language. 1998.

by Peter Dickinson

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

Ninety years old and bedridden with a degenerative disease, Rachel Matson nonetheless uses her keen mind to resolve a long-standing mystery concerning her late husband. Her background as a photographer helps her conduct her search, which focuses on antique dueling pistols. She relies on her nurse and daughter to do the legwork. 1999.

by Elizabeth Adler

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

California restaurateur Ellie was raised by her wealthy grandmother after her parents died. She doesn't know about an older half-brother who was committed after he tried to kill their grandmother. It's lucky that Ellie's friend is an ex-cop, because the brother's out--and he's after Ellie. Strong language, violence, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1998.

by Fern Michaels

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

3 cassettes

After her parents' deaths, Kristine married her boyfriend, Logan, and followed him around the world during his military career. Now she and their three children have returned to her Virginia family home, where Logan will soon join them. Then he disappears--with the millions Kristine inherited. Some strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

by Faye Kellerman

read by Richard Davidson

3 cassettes

Detective Peter Decker investigates the death of a cult leader, Father Jupiter, who was once a prominent astrophysicist. Jupiter had disappeared for ten years until emerging as the founder of a group of misfits, but he had many enemies in both lives--including his daughter. Strong language and violence. Bestseller 1999.

by Jackie Collins

read by Madelyn Buzzard

3 cassettes

Lucky Santangelo seeks revenge when her husband and sister-in-law are victims of a violent carjacking. Lucky tries to keep the family together as old flame Alex Woods appears to offer his support. She also discovers secrets about her husband. Strong language, some violence, and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1999.

by Richard North Patterson

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

3 cassettes

Stella Marz, assistant county prosecutor in the city of Steelton, hopes to become prosecutor if her boss, Arthur Bright, wins the mayoral election. But two confusing and high-profile murder cases, both assigned to Stella, threaten to blow the election wide open. Strong language, violence, and explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1999.

by Stuart Woods

read by Chuck Benson

2 cassettes

People are dying all around Stone Barrington, an ex-cop-turned-lawyer, including his secretary and a young woman he just met. With the aid of longtime friend Dino Bacchetti, Stone searches for the killer, whom he believes is a man he and Dino put behind bars years ago. Strong language and violence. Bestseller 1999.

by V.C. Andrews

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

1 cassette

Collectively they consider themselves members of OWP, Orphans with Parents. Californians Misty, Star, Jade, and Cathy (Cat) are meeting with Dr. Marlowe, their therapist. At their first meeting, Misty relates how her parents' divorce affects her. Prequel to Star (RC 48795). For senior high and older readers. Bestseller 1999.

by V.C. Andrews

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

1 cassette

In their second therapy session, Star, another OWP (Orphans with Parents), reveals to Dr. Marlowe her troubled childhood involving a mother who is constantly drunk and a father who left home shortly after her baby brother was born. Sequel to Misty (RC 48794). For senior high and older readers. Bestseller 1999.

by Claire Delacroix

read by Gabriella Cavallero

3 cassettes

Ireland, 1171. When King Henry II captures Castle Tullymullagh, he gives the land to Gavin Fitzgerald. He promises Princess Brianna to one of Gavin's sons. But Brianna, scheming to regain her family's land, sends the young men on a quest. Prequel to The Damsel (RC 48797). Some descriptions of sex. 1998.

by Sara Paretsky

read by Mitzi Friedlander

3 cassettes

Chicago private detective V.I. Warshawski finds a fatally injured female escaped convict in the road. Police want to charge V.I. with murder, and the victim's powerful former employer is less than helpful. The relentless sleuth is burglarized, beaten, and imprisoned before she learns the truth. Violence and some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by John Darnton

read by Robert Sams

4 cassettes

Reporter Jude Harley stumbles across a cloning experiment being used for immoral purposes. Meanwhile one of the clones has escaped from the isolated island lab. With the help of Dr. Tizzie Tierney, a biological medical researcher doing studies on twins, Harley uncovers the reason behind the scientific conspiracy. Some violence. Bestseller 1999.

by Sue Grafton

read by Mitzi Friedlander

2 cassettes

When P.I. Kinsey Millhone buys items from a storage salvager, she is surprised to find an old letter exonerating her ex-husband, vice cop Mickey Magruder, of murder. Now Mickey has been shot and lies in a coma. Kinsey investigates the shooting and becomes the next target. Some violence. Bestseller 1999.

by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

read by Bob Askey

2 cassettes

Thirty-eight months have passed since the Rapture, and the Tribulation Force continue their resistance against Nicolae Carpathia, the Antichrist. As they await the sixth judgment, in which they expect two hundred million horsemen to slay a third of the world's population, Rayford plots to assassinate the Antichrist. Sequel to Apollyon (RC 48151). Bestseller 1999.

by Peter Straub

read by David Hartley-Margolin

4 cassettes

Even in childhood, Ned Dunstan felt a connection to something he could not describe. Now as his mother is dying, she tells Ned he has a twin brother from whom he is in grave danger. And to add to his problems, Ned becomes a suspect in three violent deaths. Violence. Bestseller 1999.

by Scott Turow

read by Jack Fox

3 cassettes

Greedy personal-injury attorney Robbie Feaver is caught bribing judges in corrupt Kindle County. The FBI assigns agent Evon Miller to pose as his paralegal in the ensuing sting operation. Feaver's lawyer, George Mason, recounts events preceding the trial that leads to the eventual cleanup of the bench. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Dick Francis

read by Jim Zeiger

2 cassettes

British television meteorologist Perry Stuart and a coworker find a sponsor to fund their lifelong dream of flying into the eye of a hurricane. They crash off Trox Island, where they wash ashore and encounter mysterious men in antiradiation suits, who harbor a dread conspiracy. Some violence. Bestseller 1999.

by Sena Jeter Naslund

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

5 cassettes

Una recounts her life story in mid-nineteenth-century America when whaling and slavery were prevalent. She has firsthand adventures at sea disguised as a boy before her second marriage to Ahab, captain of the whaler Pequod. And as a widow, she finds a new role for herself in New England. Bestseller 1999.

by James Patterson

read by Chuck Benson

2 cassettes

British Embassy employee Geoffrey Shafer, posted in Washington, D.C., is a player in a dangerous fantasy game. Detective Alex Cross, from Cat and Mouse (RC 45155), unknowingly puts himself in the game and endangers his fiancée by noting the pattern of Shafer's killings. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1999.

by Isabel Allende

read by Gabriella Cavallero

3 cassettes

In 1849 Eliza Sommers follows her fiancé to California, where he has gone in search of gold. Her experiences in the harsh land gripped by gold fever transform her into an exceptional woman. She is befriended by a Chinese doctor who teaches her about the human condition. 1999.

by Sandra Brown

read by David Hartley-Margolin

3 cassettes

The day a wealthy businessman is murdered, Charleston assistant D.A. Hammond Cross is having sex with a woman he just met. When she becomes a murder suspect, Cross realizes their meeting may have been planned. But why isn't she using him as her alibi? Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

by Agatha Christie

read by Tom Martin

2 cassettes (Reissue)

Glamorous Arlena Marshall, vacationing with her husband and stepdaughter on Smugglers Island, is found strangled to death. The famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, finds that at least six of the other hotel guests had motives for the murder, but his usual faultless reasoning eventually uncovers the murderer, along with some surprises. 1940.

by Katherine Hall Page

read by Barbara Caruso

2 cassettes

Faith Fairchild, former caterer, takes a temporary job in the kitchen of a retirement home so she can investigate the mysterious death of a resident. When a blinding snowstorm forces her to spend the night, another corpse turns up in her bed. Some violence. 1991.

by Joyce Carol Oates

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

4 cassettes

In the small town of Willowsville, New York, a sixteen-year-old newcomer, John Reddy Heart, becomes the center of attention when he is tried for the shooting death of his mother's lover. He unintentionally attains a mythic status that still persists at a class reunion thirty years later. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Leon Uris

read by Jim Zeiger

3 cassettes

Colorado governor Quinn Patrick O'Connell, an Irish Catholic adopted at age three, is running for president of the United States, and it looks as if he will win. Then a week before the election, O'Connell's past suddenly rushes forth to reveal long-hidden secrets that could cost him the election. Strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Elizabeth Lowell

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

England, 1867. To escape an arranged marriage, Lady Jessica Charteris hopes to convince longtime friend Wolfe Lonetree, the son of a Cheyenne woman and an English lord, to marry her in name only. But she is little prepared for what it means to be an American frontier wife. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1992.

by Patricia Moyes

read by George Holmes

2 cassettes (Reissue)

While on holiday in Dorset, Scotland Yard Inspector Henry Tibbett and his wife, Emmy, investigate skulduggery in greyhound racing that leads to a murder. 1973.

by Iain Pears

read by Patricia Kilgarriff

2 cassettes

Flavia di Stefan, of the art theft squad, learns that infamous English art thief Mary Verney is returning to Italy. Flavia enlists the help of her fiancé, lecturer Jonathan Argyll, to keep Mary from plundering any more items. They soon realize that the target is an obscure madonna icon of little obvious value. 1996.

by Katherine Stone

read by Mary Woods

2 cassettes

Dr. Caitlin Taylor is a well-known heart surgeon. Her mentor and "honorary brother," trauma surgeon Dr. Patrick Falconer, is also highly respected. Now he is dying, and Caitlin will do all she can to save him--even contacting his estranged twin brother, Jesse, at the risk of exposing potentially deadly secrets. 1999.

by Tami Hoag

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

3 cassettes

Elizabeth Stuart flees to a small Amish town after a sensational divorce from her media mogul husband. When Elizabeth and her troubled teenaged son become murder suspects, sheriff Dane Jantzen both attracts and antagonizes her. Explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. Bestseller 1992.

by Malcolm Macdonald

read by Jill Ferris

3 cassettes

In 1914 American John Carrington returns to his ancestral home in Cornwall with his young adult children, Leah and William, to refurbish the family estate. They also unknowingly walk into an old feud with the neighboring Liddicoats. Soon, however, all three find love in the most unlikely places. 1997.

by Margaret Maron

read by Nona Pipes

2 cassettes

North Carolina judge Deborah Knott investigates after her nephew's friends are blamed for a series of racist acts. The young men have admitted to vandalizing a cemetery, but it looks like they've moved on to burning churches, and now someone is dead. Some strong language. 1998.

by Elizabeth Strout

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

In a small mill town Isabelle, a single mother, works hard raising her teenage daughter, Amy. But when Amy attracts the attentions of her math teacher, Mr. Robertson, and their afternoon trysts are discovered, the delicate balance between mother and daughter is disrupted. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1998.

by Dorothy Garlock

read by Gabriella Cavallero

2 cassettes

As the Civil War ends, Addie Hyde, who is pregnant, learns that her husband is dead. She also discovers that the two orphans and young black woman she's been caring for are in danger. Desperate, Addie accepts help from a stranger, John Tallman. Strong language, some violence, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1995.

by Tamar Myers

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

Amish-Mennonite innkeeper Magdalena Yoder finds the body of a young woman missing for twenty years in one of her wedding presents--a barrel of sauerkraut. The gift-giver is her future father-in-law, and the corpse is his niece. Magdalena races to expose the killer before the vows are spoken. 1997.

by Temple Bailey

read by Jill Ferris

2 cassettes

Peg Pierce, beautiful and impetuous, has just returned from a trip to London where she had hoped to become known as a dancer. On the return trip aboard ship, she falls in love with Gerry Mitchell. In the meantime, her sister Pam finds herself developing an attraction to their neighbor Fergus MacHugh. 1937.

by Bodie Thoene and Brock Thoene

read by Jill Ferris

2 cassettes

Joseph Connor Burke returns to Ballynockanor to claim his land and is asked to join the Repeal Movement against England. Although he supports the movement, he prefers to help the people on his estate. He also hopes to reclaim the heart of Kate Donovan Garrity. Sequel to Only the River Runs Free (RC 46729). 1998.

by Orson Scott Card

read by Bob Askey

3 cassettes

Card returns to the beginning of his Ender Quartet with a companion to Ender's Game (RC 22934). Bean, a precocious child resulting from an illegal genetic experiment, is recruited from the streets of Rotterdam and sent to Battle School where he becomes an ally of Ender Wiggin. Some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Elizabeth Lowell

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

Matt Moran never goes looking for a gunfight, but he finds one after a card game in which the dealer, Evening Star, bets herself. She hopes to win back the treasure map stolen from her murdered parents. Soon Moran and Evening Star are searching for hidden gold. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1992.

by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

read by Jack Fox

3 cassettes

Lady Emma Wells-Finch, a proper English headmistress, believes the only polite way to discourage an unwanted marriage proposal is to prove she is unfit by ruining her own reputation. She heads to Texas and meets pro golfer Kenny Traveler. Their personalities clash so completely she risks having her plan foiled. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

by Daniel Defoe

read by Randy Davidson

3 cassettes

After the death of his wife, Crusoe and his man, Friday, set sail from London to return to his beloved island. This 1719 sequel to Robinson Crusoe (RC 27138) contains an introduction and editorial notes by Joe Wheeler for Tyndale House Publishers. 1999.

by W.E.B. Griffin

read by Roy Avers

3 cassettes

In November 1942 as the invasion of North Africa begins, young OSS officer Eric Fulmar is assigned a mission in Morocco. Later he is involved in smuggling a Jewish scientist and his daughter out of Germany. Companion to The Secret Warriors (RC 47414). Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1986.

by Rosamunde Pilcher

read by Mitzi Friedlander

1 cassette

Twenty-one-year-old Jane Marsh returns to her grandmother's house in Scotland after seven vagabond years in America with her father. Once home, she becomes reacquainted with her cousin, Sinclair, and discovers some unsavory family secrets. 1971.

by Dorothy Allison

read by Madelyn Buzzard

3 cassettes

Years ago Randall Pritchard helped Delia Byrd flee from an abusive husband in Georgia. Now Pritchard is dead, so Delia takes her child, Cissy, and returns to claim the two daughters she left behind, Amanda and Dede. But Delia isn't prepared for the bargain she'll have to make. Some strong language. 1998.

by Ben Bova

read by Brian Conn

3 cassettes

In the sequel to Moonrise (RC 45918), U.N. Peacekeeper forces land at Moonbase to ban nanotechnology, vital to the outpost's survival. Doug Stavenger, without weapons, organizes a tactical opposition that hinges on his ability to outsmart the deranged U.N. leader. Each side is committed to fulfilling its mission. Some strong language. 1998.

by Ellen Gilchrist

read by Jill Fox

2 cassettes

Eighteen stories, set mainly in the South, in which Gilchrist uses some characters from previous collections. Several stories involve Aurora Harris, a precocious sixteen-year-old who goes to France with her parents and gets pregnant. In "A Lady with Pearls," a woman suddenly realizes she no longer loves her husband. 1998.

by P.T. Deutermann

read by Jack Fox

3 cassettes

An unscrupulous army-surplus manager obtains a cylinder of nerve gas and plans to make a fortune on the black market. A psychic teenager reads his mind. Meanwhile, Pentagon criminal investigator David Stafford's new assignment to Atlanta puts him right in the middle of the possible disaster. Strong language and violence. 1998.

by Trevanian

read by Randy Davidson

3 cassettes

In 1898 Matthew, an enigmatic young man, walks into Twenty-Mile, a railway stop of fifteen residents. He cons his way into odd jobs and lives in the marshal's empty office. When three escaped convicts--all sadistic lunatics--occupy the town, Matthew rises to the occasion. Some violence, some strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 1998.

by Max Brand

read by Randy Atcher

2 cassettes

Four western stories by the late author. In the title piece, hard-riding Lew Carney sees eight dead men and a wagon coming out of the desert. He learns later that the phantoms include Mary Hamilton, a pretty girl, and Jack Doyle, a gambler. Some violence. 1996.

by Bartholomew Gill

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

Dublin detective Peter McGarr has been trying for years to put away drug dealer Des Bacon. Biddy Nevins, an illiterate, itinerant artist, witnesses a murder by Bacon and flees after he also kills her lover. Twelve years later she returns, seeking revenge. Strong language and violence. 1997.

by William Faulkner

read by Michael Scherer

2 cassettes (Reissue)

Mississippi lawyer Horace Benbow becomes involved with young coed Temple Drake, who is then brutally raped. The investigation reveals human evil amidst poor white moonshiners, half-wits, and prostitutes. First published in 1931; contains 1985 changes made by Noel Polk based on the author's notes. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1931.

by Vladimir Nabokov

read by Robert Blumenfeld

2 cassettes

Middle-aged Professor Krug and his young son, David, encounter arbitrary policies in an unnamed tyrannical police state. Krug gradually disintegrates under the duress of maintaining personal standards in a totalitarian society. First novel by the Russian author after arriving in the United States. 1947.

by Kent Haruf

read by Jim Zeiger

2 cassettes

Life in the small town of Holt, Colorado, includes a high school teacher caring for his two young sons as his wife leaves him. His coworker, later his lover, convinces two old rancher brothers to take in an outcast pregnant student. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1999.

by Karen Romano Young

read by Nanette Savard

1 cassette

At fifteen, Daisy, who is as obsessed with cars as the rest of her family, convinces her reluctant father to let her try to restore his purple 1957 Volkswagen Beetle. While she struggles to work on the car, Daisy experiences her first relationships with boys. For junior and senior high readers. 1999.

by Elizabeth George

read by Mitzi Friedlander

5 cassettes

Inspector Thomas Lynley's search for clues to connect a suicide and several murders provides him with multiple suspects. Lynley's longtime partner, Barbara Havers, works extra hard in hopes of redeeming her reputation lost in Deception on His Mind (RC 44764). Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Danielle Steel

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

When New York investment banker Meredith Whitman accepts a job in California, her physician husband, Steven, agrees to join her soon. But a long-distance marriage is hard to maintain, and Meredith eventually has an affair with her boss, while Steven becomes involved with a coworker. Some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1999.

by Martha Grimes

read by Bob Askey

2 cassettes

Melrose Plant retreats to Cornwall for a vacation. Unfortunately, he gets little peace when an innkeeper disappears, two locals are murdered, and he learns his rented house was the drowning site for two children. Somehow these events are all connected. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller 1999.

by Janette Oke

read by Jill Ferris

2 cassettes

Ariana Benson, a religious young schoolteacher, never knew her birth mother but treasures the wedding dress she inherited. She falls in love with Laramie Lawrence, the adopted son of an outlaw boss. They plan to marry but when Laramie sees the gown of Spanish lace, they realize they may be siblings. 1995.

by John Updike

read by David Hartley-Margolin

2 cassettes (Reissue)

Lighthearted novel of well-to-do suburbia and adultery in the 1960s. Jerry and Sally are in love, though married to others. Jerry's nice wife, Ruth, is having an affair with Sally's quirky husband, Richard. Strong language. 1976.

by Ernest Hemingway

read by Jim Zeiger

2 cassettes (Reissue)

Twenty-four of Hemingway's stories featuring Nick Adams. Arranged to depict segments of Adams's life in chronological order, they portray his childhood and adolescence, followed by his years as a soldier, veteran, writer, and parent. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1972.

by Mary Higgins Clark

read by Jill Fox

2 cassettes

Just as Nell MacDermott has decided to run for her grandfather's New York congressional seat, her architect husband's yacht blows up with him on board. When a medium claims to be in touch with the dead man, Nell, psychically gifted herself, is drawn into an investigation of conspiracy and murder. Bestseller 2000.

by Kathleen Krull

read by Ray Dizefalo

1 cassette

Unusual biographical facts about the personal lives of the presidents of the United States. Discusses the presidents as fathers, husbands, pet owners, and neighbors. Provides information on hairstyles, favorite foods, and sports and also some bad habits and fears. For grades 3-6. 1998.

by Sid Fleischman

read by Phil Regensdorf

1 cassette

Autobiography of the Newbery Award-winning author. Fleischman recalls wanting to be a magician since the fifth grade and teaching himself tricks from library books. He describes growing up in the Depression, becoming a traveling showman, and finally embarking on a career as a writer. For grades 5-8. 1996.

by Anne E. Neimark

read by John Horton

1 cassette

A brief biography of the creator of The Hobbit (RC 11497). Presents in narrative form Tolkien's early childhood in South Africa, his move to England, becoming an orphan, and the importance of religion and education in his development. Discusses his marriage, his career as a professor, and the mythological world he created. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1996.

by Barbara Nichol

read by Terence Aselford

1 cassette

Collection of poems and rhymes introducing a group of dogs and their canine wishes. Some love to romp in the grass or to jump up and down on the bed; others just want something to eat. A few beg for "no fleas, please." For grades K-3. 1997.

compiled by Catherine Clinton

read by Bob Moore

1 cassette

Thirty-five selections by twenty-five prominent poets spanning American history from colonial days through modern times. A brief biography and explanatory notes precede each work. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1998.

by Louisa Campbell

read by Margaret Strom

1 cassette

Explains five celebrations in different nations: the New Year in Japan, Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr in Pakistan, national independence day in Namibia, Thanksgiving in Canada, and Christmas in Mexico. Each description is followed by a short story about a child enjoying that holiday. For grades 3-6. 1993.

by Ted Cox

read by Bob Moore

1 cassette

Biography of the pop singer Whitney Houston. Describes her childhood growing up in New Jersey influenced by her cousin Dionne Warwick and her mother, Cissy, who was involved in church and gospel music. Traces her rise to fame and her tumultuous marriage to hip-hop star Bobby Brown. For grades 5-8. 1997.

by Elaine Landau

read by Gregory Gorton

1 cassette

Describes the medical condition called albinism, including the causes and complications. Provides suggestions for healthy living. Includes a glossary and list of related organizations. For grades 5-8. 1998.

by Tomi Ungerer

read by Robert Blumenfeld

1 cassette

The writer's reminiscences of scenes he witnessed as an eight-year-old boy in a Protestant family in 1940, when the German army marched into Alsace. Records the reactions of the French-speaking population to the deprivations of wartime and to the Nazi occupation. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1998.

by Anita Lobel

read by Gabriella Cavallero

1 cassette

Memoir of her Jewish childhood in Nazi-occupied Poland. Reminiscences include being separated from her parents, living with her Christian nanny, and trying to protect her younger brother by disguising him as a girl. Covers hardships of the war years, a stay in a Swedish refugee center, and her eventual reunion with her parents. For grades 5-8. 1998.

by Walter Dean Myers

read by Kristin Allison

1 cassette

The life of an African princess who was about to be killed in a ritual sacrifice in 1850 when she was rescued by Commander Forbes, taken to England, and presented to Queen Victoria as Sarah Forbes Bonetta. The queen became Sarah's protector and godmother to her first child. For grades 5-8. 1999.

by Ted Gottfried

read by Gary Tipton

1 cassette

Describes Fleming's early years in Scotland, his schooling in England, and his work with the British Army Medical Services. Also discusses his discovery of penicillin and his difficulties in getting others to believe in his breakthrough. Includes a glossary of medical terms and a chronology. For grades 6-9. 1997.

by Lawrence S. Ritter

read by Randy Atcher

1 cassette

In this new edition of his 1990 work, Ritter traces the history of baseball, assesses the elements of the game, and describes later developments such as players' strikes and trades. Includes batting records of Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire; discusses card collecting and commonly used signals. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1999.

by Elaine Landau

read by Terence Aselford

1 cassette

Discusses the term "wild children" in general and relates four case histories of children found living outdoors or without adult guidance. Describes Victor, a French boy captured in 1799; Kaspar, a German youth found in 1828; two jungle girls in India in the 1920s; and an American girl in 1970. For grades 4-7. 1998.

by Larry Dane Brimner

read by Gregory Gorton

1 cassette

Describes the history of the sport of mountain biking, the construction of a bike, and the etiquette and ecology of the pastime. Includes safety instructions and a list of associations and magazines. For grades 4-7. 1997.

by Tom Stacey

read by Kerry Cundiff

1 cassette

Discusses Germany's invention of dirigibles, examining them from a historical, scientific, and human perspective. The main focus is on the Hindenburg, especially its final journey to Lakehurst, New Jersey, where, during the landing, it burst into flame and burned in thirty-four seconds. For grades 5-8. 1990.

by Carol Haas

read by Lou Harpenau

1 cassette

In 1959 five families from New York state filed a lawsuit regarding prayer in public schools. The case eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court as Engel v. Vitale. Haas, an attorney, examines the course the case took and the debate that revolved around the relationship between religion and government. For grades 6-9. 1994.

by Roger A. Bruns

read by Bill Wallace

1 cassette

Briefly describes Powell's early years, marriage, and Civil War service, followed by a more detailed portrait of his life as an explorer. Recalls his contributions as an adventurer, conservationist, geologist, and anthropologist. For grades 6-9. 1997.

by Barbara Ford

read by Bill Wallace

1 cassette

Biography of the hero of the American Revolution who, in 1775, rode to spread the word that the British were leaving Boston on a military mission. Describes his early life, including his involvement in the French and Indian War, his career as a silversmith, his later court-martial, and his business success. For grades 6-9. 1997.

by Horacio Cardo

read by Gordon Gould

1 cassette

Long ago a man named Sissa devises a game in tribute to a war. Beginning with the squares on the board and the king as the key figure, Sissa explains the basic movements of each chess piece and the overall strategy of the game. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 1998.

by Barbara Nichol

read by Marilyn Gleason

1 cassette

In an old letter found in the Toronto Archives, Margaret describes the summer of 1912, when she was seven. Her sister was very ill, and Margaret saw her father for the first time; but what she remembers best are the timid, winged, dog-like animals that were flying around her river neighborhood. For grades 4-7. 1997.

by Paul Fleischman

read by Larry Shapiro

1 cassette

A Vietnamese girl plants lima beans and begins the transformation of a trash-filled vacant lot into a community garden. People of many nationalities join in and friendships develop among the gardeners. For grades 5-8. 1997.

by Peg Kehret

read by Ray Dizefalo

1 cassette

Minnesota, 1940. Janis Huff worries that her father may put down her blind horse. She and her family are unaware that they will soon be fighting for their lives in a huge blizzard. Meanwhile, two teens from the future plan a school research project about the storm and try to teleport themselves back to that day on the Huff farm. For grades 4-7. 1998.

by Gloria Hatrick

read by Phil Regensdorf

1 cassette

Will Chisholm wakes up one morning and cannot move. A few hours later, he is in the hospital, paralyzed by Guillain-Barre syndrome. His younger brother, Pete, stays by his side trying to communicate with Will. Then Pete remembers his father's animal mask collection he and Will used to play with. When Pete puts a mask on Will's face, he gets some response. But when Pete also dons a mask, a dramatic event occurs. For grades 5-8. 1992.

by Edith Pattou

read by Mary Kane

2 cassettes

Brie, the young archer who accompanied Collun to rescue his sister in Hero's Song (RC 47822), takes her own journey to avenge her father's murder. Her nurse's last words lead Brie to a magic arrow and other omens and thence to Dungal, where danger awaits. For grades 5-8. 1998.

by Clemence McLaren

read by Celeste Lawson

1 cassette

Queen Helen of Sparta, the most beautiful woman in the world, and Prince Paris fall in love and flee to Troy. Paris's sister, Cassandra, is a prophetess who foresees the doom their impetuous act will bring, even before Helen arrives and the Greeks lay siege to Troy. Helen and Cassandra, along with other women, helplessly watch the battles from the city's walls. For grades 6-9. 1996.

by Lucy Jane Bledsoe

read by Cyn Delafield

1 cassette

Erin is sure something has happened to her babysitter Amy when she doesn't show up one evening. Her parents and even the police refuse to help, pointing out that Amy and her mother had planned to move to Arizona by now. Knowing how much Amy didn't want to move, Erin begins searching for Amy and faces survival in a raging snowstorm. For grades 3-6. 1997.

by Ellie Gellman

read by David Elias

1 cassette

Jeremy's art class at the Jewish center is making dreidels for Hanukkah. Each child can design one. Jeremy plans to use a special design for his father, who is blind. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 1992.

by Marissa Moss

read by Laura Giannarelli

1 cassette

Ten-year-old Rachel's account of her family's journey from their home in Illinois to California in 1850. She describes crossing the muddy Missouri River and the swollen Platte River, the scorching deserts, and the snow-covered Sierra Nevada and the birth of her baby sister, who is named Sierra Nevada. For grades 3-6. 1998.

retold by Sam McBratney

read by Mary Kane

1 cassette

Fifteen tales from the British Isles. Includes "The Green Man," a version of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In "Little Fawn," a woman transformed into a fawn raises a boy on a mountain for several years until his human father takes over. For grades 4-7. 1997.

by Nina Bawden

read by Rick Rohan

1 cassette

2040. Eleven-year-old Tom chases after his grandfather when the "old one" escapes from inside the wall. Tom has been taught that the wild outside is full of killer trees, demons, and trolls, but instead he discovers a rural agrarian society--where his grandfather lived long ago. Tom also discovers families. For grades 5-8. 1998.

by Elizabeth Hall

read by Cyn Delafield

1 cassette

A Siberian husky puppy named Granite runs away while being sold to a dog-team trainer. Although he escapes into the Alaskan wilderness, he has trouble surviving until a mother wolf adopts him. But Granite still has to win his own place in the pack. For grades 4-7. 1996.

by Cynthia Rylant

read by Mimi Bederman

1 cassette

Stumpy the squirrel leaves to find help after a storm knocks down her tree, leaving her three babies homeless. Her friends Murray the bat and Kona, a dog, rescue Stumpy's babies while she is gone. Then Kona's problem is how to find Stumpy. For grades 3-6. 1995.

by Joan Aiken

read by Patricia Kilgarriff

2 cassettes

Dido Twite has been ordered to find Lord Herodsfoot, King James III's roving ambassador who looks for new games for the king. She is headed to Aratu, but she must be careful, because the area is inhabited by dangerous creatures. Sequel to Wolves of Willoughby Chase (RC 30653). For grades 5-8. 1999.

by Rodman Philbrick

read by Bruce Huntey

1 cassette

In this sequel to Freak the Mighty (RC 38800), fourteen-year-old Maxwell Kane helps a young girl--nicknamed "Worm" because she loves to read--escape from her abusive stepfather. Max runs away with Worm to the distant town of Chivalry, Montana, searching for her biological father. For grades 6-9. 1998.

by Gloria Houston

read by Andy Chappell

1 cassette

In 1920 fourteen-year-old Littlejim dreams of continuing his education and becoming an aviator. But when his mother becomes seriously ill and his logger father, Bigjim, has problems with a timber thief, Littlejim makes helping his family his top priority. For grades 4-7. 1997.

by Harriette Gillem Robinet

read by Jack Fox

1 cassette

Pascal, who is about twelve, is excited when his brother Gideon returns home in 1865 saying that all black men are free, and they can have forty acres of land and maybe a mule. Along with Nelly, a young slave girl, they set out to claim their land. For grades 4-7. 1998.

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

read by Kerry Cundiff

1 cassette

Now in the eighth grade, Alice of Achingly Alice (RC 46549) has a lot of questions about sex and, since her mother is dead, turns to her grown cousin for answers. Meanwhile, a classmate secretly admits she's a lesbian and Alice's schoolmates learn about prejudice. For grades 6-9. 1999.

by Louise Erdrich

read by Michele Schaeffer

1 cassette

1840s. In Omakayas's seventh spring, she helps her Ojibwa family build a summer home on an island in Lake Superior. That winter during a smallpox outbreak, Omakayas shows her devotion to her family and learns about her heritage. For grades 4-7. 1999.

by Aliki

read by Terence Aselford

1 cassette

When Robert's best friend Peter moves away, Robert feels sad and lonely. The boys miss each other but learn that they can make new friends while still being best friends to each other. For grades K-3. 1982.

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

read by Barbara Pinolini

1 cassette

Recently orphaned, Josh Vardy is hitchhiking from Boston to Dallas to live with an aunt. After being beaten and robbed in the Appalachians, Josh is rescued by a community of ginseng gatherers who live without twentieth-century conveniences. Once in Melungeon territory, no one will help him leave. For grades 6-9. 1998.

by R.L. Stine

read by Ilona Dulaski

1 cassette

When Lindy Powell finds a ventriloquist's dummy in a dumpster, she names him Slappy and works on an act to perform at children's birthday parties. Her twin sister, Kris, is jealous until she has a dummy too, but then some weird things start happening. For grades 4-7. 1993.

by Gordon Korman

read by Jill Fox

1 cassette

Best friends Jeff and Wiley enjoy picking nicknames that stick, but occasionally their game backfires. Their new teacher may be fired because class Six B, the "dim bulbs," failed their practice reading test. To prove they aren't so dim, they need to pass the test and save their teacher. For grades 3-6. 1998.

by Barbara Park

read by Carol Dines

1 cassette

Earl Wilber, a new fifth grader, has trouble reading aloud in class. Rosie Swanson has a habit of writing tattletale notes to her teacher. And Maxie Zuckerman is just too smart for his own good. When they all get sent to the principal's office, they bond together to save themselves. For grades 4-7. 1990.

by Susan Bartlett

read by Kristin Allison

1 cassette

There are only forty-nine residents on Seal Island, and just six students in school. The students have a new teacher every year because teachers find the island too lonely. But Pru, who celebrates her ninth birthday with a big surprise, hopes she can persuade Miss Sparling to stay. For grades 2-4. 1999.

by Mavis Jukes

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

1 cassette

Twelve-year-old River is dismayed when the detailed lectures by Nurse Furley in their Human Interaction class make her suspect that someone she knows is secretly pregnant. Meanwhile, she and her classmates try to win best class even as they play daily pranks on their teacher. For grades 6-9. 1996.

por Alina Fernández

leído por Maria Pino

2 cassettes

La autora nació en 1956, engendrada de una relación muy breve entre Fidel Castro y su madre, Naty Revuelta. Fernández narra la historia de su vida en la Cuba castrista, acentuando la singular relación que tenía con su poderoso padre. Cuenta sus experiencias hasta 1994, el momento en que pudo dejar la isla. (The author was born in 1956, the product of a brief union between Fidel Castro and her mother, Naty Revuelta. Fernández recounts the story of her life in Castro's Cuba focusing on the unusual relationship she had with her powerful father up to the time she managed to leave the island in 1994.) 1997.

por Miguel Méndez

leído por Juan Ramirez

2 cassettes

Novela del autor chicano que pinta la vida de Loreto Maldonado, un pobre campesino que quiere ganarse la vida lavando coches. Loreto anda por las calles de una ciudad norteamericana fronteriza, mezclándose con los otros campesinos pobres y abatidos que forman la clase baja de la sociedad mexicano-americano. Lenguaje injurioso. (Novel by the Chicano author depicts Loreto Maldonado, a poor Mexican campesino who wanders the streets of an American border town trying to earn a living by washing cars. He and those he encounters embody the downtrodden underclass of Mexican-American society. Strong language.) 1974.

por José Sánchez-Boudy

leído por Juan Ramirez

1 cassette

El autor cubano-americano presenta más de cuarenta viñetas de humor y color local que pintan el carácter y la cultura cubanos. En el relato de fulastrones Sánchez-Boudy describe a aquellos tipos comunes y sin escrúpulos que siempre se aprovechan de sus amigos para salirse con la suya. (The Cuban American author presents more than forty colorful and humorous vignettes describing Cuban character and culture. The title piece examines those unprincipled but familiar types who seek advantages over their friends through fast talking and opportunism.) 1987.

por Lionel Sosa

leído por Juan Ramirez

2 cassettes

Un hombre de negocios latino de mucha influencia describe las características esenciales para llegar a ser un empresario latino de éxito en los Estados Unidos. Basándose en su propia experiencia, así como la experiencia de otros latinos famosos, Sosa ofrece consejos sobre planificación, actitud positiva, autoconfianza, la negociación, y sobre todo, la transformación de la herencia cultural en una ventaja. (An influential Hispanic businessman outlines the essential characteristics of the successful Hispanic entrepreneur in the United States. Drawing upon his own experience and that of other famous Hispanics, Sosa offers advice on planning, attitude, self-assurance, investment, marketing, and, above all, using one's cultural heritage to advantage.) 1998.

por John C. Wilcox

leído por Juan Ramirez

2 cassettes

Un médico norteamericano presenta trece cuentos sobre Nicaragua que reflejan sus experiencias y sentimientos con el pueblo nicaragüense. En el cuento "Aliento de la Vida," un nino enfermizo cría un gallo valiente que va a ser el campeón de la riña de gallos. (A doctor from the United States presents thirteen stories based on his experiences in Nicaragua and his close relationships with the people of that country. The title story, "El Aliento de la Vida" ("The Breath of Life"), describes a frail young boy who raises a rooster to be a champion cock fighter.) 1980.

por Rafael Humberto Moreno-Durán

leído por Maria Pino

3 cassettes

Novela del autor colombiano que tiene por centro el universo femenino. Empleando un estilo particular de imágenes míticas y clásicas, Moreno-Durán pinta un cuadro de las complicadas relaciones entre mujeres bellas y artisticas y los hombres que las entronizan. Lenguaje injurioso y descripciones de índole sexual. (Novel by a Colombian author who delves into the universe of the feminine psyche. Moreno-Durán employs mythological imagery and classical references in describing complicated relationships between beautiful, artistic women and the men who love them. Strong language and descriptions of sex.) 1983.

por Mario Vargas Llosa

leído por Juan Ramirez

3 cassettes

Alfonso quiere que su padre, Don Rigoberto, se reuna con su madrastra, Lucrecia, a pesar de que fue Alfonso que hizo fallar el matrimoni. A través de sus intrigas, cada uno de ellos se entregan a sus fantasías eróticas acerca del otro. Don Rigoberto, en sus minuciosos escritos, va elaborando un excepcional tratado de la imaginación sensual que llega a ser un verdadero eligio del amor y placer. (Alfonso schemes to reunite his father, Don Rigoberto, with his stepmother, Lucrecia--despite having orchestrated their breakup. Throughout these machinations, each of the three indulge their erotic fantasies about the others. Don Rigoberto records his in notebooks, creating a testimonial of the psychology of love and desire.) 1997.

por Elena Poniatowska

leído por Juan Ramirez

1 cassette

Al sufrir un accidente, el joven Ashby Egbert de la alta burguesía mexicana pasa un rato en un hospital público donde descubre el otro México, el de los parias y el de los obreros. Mientras aprende más sobre las divisiones económicas y sociales de su país, algo empieza a cambiar en su interior, y cuando conoce a una mujer indomable y de la militancia de izquierda, su vida cambia profundamente. (An accident lands wealthy young Ashby Egbert in a worker's hospital. There he learns of the vast economic and social divisions of his native Mexico for the first time. When he falls for a young woman who is a leftist intellectual and social activist, his life takes new and unexpected directions.) 1996.

por José Luis González

leído por Juan Ramirez

3 cassettes

El autor puertorriqueño contemporáneo presenta una recopilación de sus cuentos y otros escritos ques abarcan cuatro décadas de su obra literaria. En el cuento "Cuando Volvimos a Ser Gente," un obrero puertorriqueño que vive en Nueva york narra una historia del gran apagón de electricidad. (The contemporary Puerto Rican author presents a collection of his short stories and other writings produced over four decades. Includes "Cuando Volvimos a Ser Gente" ("When We Became Human Again"), relating the experiences of a Puerto Rican factory worker during a blackout in New York City.) 1990.

por Ramón Hernández

leído por Juan Ramirez

1 cassette

El joven Cristóbal Colón, ciudadano de la República de Genova, encuentra aventuras y peligro viajando por el mundo mediterráneo del siglo quince. Sus aventuras, sirviéndole de un prólogo formativo ante su destino histórico, culminan en una terrible

batalla de mar contra pirates en 1476. (Young Christopher Columbus, citizen of the Republic of Genoa, encounters adventure and danger as he travels around the fifteenth-century Mediterranean. His adventures, serving as a formative prelude to his historic destiny, culminate in a desperate sea battle against pirates in 1476.) 1995.

por Medardo Mejía

leído por Juan Ramirez

3 cassettes

Colección de más de cuarenta relatos acerca de las leyandas, las tradiciones y la historia de Honduras. El relato sobre Comizahual es una presentación dramática que se trata de la diosa tolteca que enseño economía y agricultura a las tribus matriacales y que se enamoró de un hombre mortal. (Collection of more than forty narratives about the legends, traditions, and history of Honduras. The title piece presents a dramatic retelling of the myth of Comizahual, the Toltec goddess who taught economy and agriculture to the matriarchal tribes and who fell in love with a human.) 1981.

por Isabel Allende

leído por Maria Pino

3 cassettes

En 1849 la joven Eliza Sommers sigue a su amante quien parte hacia California en busca de oro. Sus experiencias en una tierra dura, marcada por la fiebre de oro, transforman a la joven inocente en una mujer fuera de lo común. Recibe ayuda y afecto de un médico chino quien le enseña mucho de la condición humana. (Eliza Sommers follows her fiancé in 1849 to California, where he has gone in search of gold. Her experiences in a harsh land gripped by gold fever transform her into an exceptional woman. She is befriended by a Chinese doctor who teaches her about the human condition.) 1999.

por José López Heredia

leído por Juan Ramirez

2 cassettes

El author, puertorriqueño de Nueva York, presenta cuatro relatos en que se recogen las vidas de varios personajes de ilusiones tronchadas. El primer relato se trata de la grandeza y la decadencia de un joven boxeador, ídolo de la juventud hispana de Nueva York. (A collection of four stories by a Puerto Rican author that deal with the lives of persons whose dreams have been shattered. The title story is about the rise and fall of a young Puerto Rican boxer idolized by the Hispanic youth of New York.) 1989.