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NLS: Talking Book Topics

March-April 2002

Contents

In Brief

Magazines in Braille

For the information of readers who may be interested in NLS-produced magazines in alternative media other than audiocassette, a list of NLS-produced braille magazines is reprinted here. Like the recorded magazines listed in each issue of Talking Book Topics following the descriptive listings of new books, the braille periodicals are available at no charge to eligible readers. For free subscriptions, contact your cooperating library.

Boys' Life (for children and teens, monthly)

Braille Book Review (bimonthly)

Braille Chess Magazine (British quarterly)

Braille Music Magazine (British monthly)

Conundrum (British monthly)

Cooking Light (10 issues)

ESPN: The Magazine (biweekly)

Harper's (literary; monthly)

Health Newsletters (includes Harvard Health Letter, Mayo Clinic Health Letter, and University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter; monthly)

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine (monthly)

Ladies' Home Journal (monthly)

Martha Stewart Living (home and entertaining; 10 issues)

Muse (for children; 10 issues)

The Musical Mainstream (quarterly)

National Geographic (monthly)

The New York Times Large Type Weekly (weekly)

News (NLS quarterly)

Parenting (monthly except January and July)

PC World (personal computing; monthly)

Playboy (monthly)

Poetry (11 issues)

Popular Communications (monthly)

Popular Mechanics (monthly)

Popular Music Lead Sheets (irregular)

Rolling Stone (popular culture; 24 issues)

Science News (weekly)

Seventeen (for teens, monthly)

Short Stories (British monthly)

Spider: The Magazine for Children (monthly)

Stone Soup (children's writings; 5 issues)

Update (NLS quarterly)

The Washington Post Book World (weekly)

The following sports schedules are also available:

American Baseball League Schedule

National Baseball League Schedule

National Basketball Association Schedule

National Football League Schedule

National Hockey League Schedule

Women's National Basketball Association Schedule

For a descriptive listing of periodicals in many alternative formats (braille, audiocassette, computer diskette, audio disc, Moon type, large print, electronic braille, and electronic access) readers may wish to consult Magazines in Special Media, a directory produced by the NLS Reference Section. In addition to the magazines in braille and on audiocassette produced by NLS as part of its free reading program, the publication also lists magazines in alternative media from sources other than NLS and its cooperating libraries. Magazines in Special Media is available in large print on request from the Reference Section and online at the NLS web site <www.loc.gov/pub/nls/reference/directories/magazines.txt>.

Newsstand

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

Talking Dictionary. Talking Dictionary for Windows is a 250,000-word speech-enabled dictionary/thesaurus designed for visually impaired users. Features include pronunciation, spelling, keyboard assistance, word definitions, synonyms, and a complex phonetic spell-checking system. It can be used with all screen readers, but doesn't require one as it has its own built-in speech engine. The talking dictionary runs on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE, Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows 2000. A sound card with speakers is required. The complete downloaded dictionary, including backup CD and one year of upgrades, costs $39.95 and is available from RWF Talking Software. Further information and a free demonstration download may be found at <http://www.talkingsoftware.gothere.uk.com/ html/talking_dictionary.html>.

Books for Adults

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

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

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

Cassettes Nonfiction

On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio RC 48459

by John Dunning

read by Ray Hagen

16 cassettes in 3 containers

An alphabetical presentation of more than 1,500 radio shows from the 1920s to the 1960s. Each listing describes the type of program, provides a history with starting and ending dates, and includes the persons involved. Includes Amos 'n' Andy, Fibber McGee and Molly, One Man's Family, The Lone Ranger, and Jack Armstrong, the All American Boy. 1998.

Radclyffe Hall: A Woman Called John RC 49759

by Sally Cline

read by MaryBeth Wise

4 cassettes

Using material from the diaries and memoirs of Hall's lovers, Cline shows Hall's importance as a poet and novelist in lesbian cultural history. She discusses Hall's youth and her family relationships, describes her romances with women such as Una Troubridge, and shows how the three names Hall used formed her public and private personae. 1997.

Evolutionism and Creationism      RC 50252

by Ben Sonder

read by Don Emmick

1 cassette

Chronicles the teaching of evolution versus biblical creationism, tracing the roots of the controversy to the nineteenth-century writings of Charles Darwin and the 1920s Scopes trial. Presents religious objections to the scientific theory of man's origins and summarizes the debate through the 1990s. For junior and senior high readers. 1999.

Relax--You May Only Have a Few Minutes Left: Using the Power of Humor to Overcome Stress in Your Life and Work      RC 50306

by Loretta LaRoche

read by Miriam Wagner

1 cassette

Motivational speaker and stress management consultant featured on PBS outlines how to achieve peace and harmony by bringing laughter into every situation. Offers tips on eliminating stress and turning it into an opportunity for resiliency and humor. 1998.

Mary Baker Eddy      RC 50434

by Gillian Gill

read by Jacinda Bronaugh

7 cassettes in 2 containers

Historical biography of the nineteenth-century founder of Christian Science, emphasizing the roots of the movement. Explores Eddy's work, the legal challenges she faced, and her three marriages and other relationships. Using materials from church archives, the author places Eddy in the context of Victorian life and its stifling effect on women. 1998.

Nicholas and Alexandra      RC 50621

by Robert K. Massie

read by Bill Wallace

5 cassettes (Reissue)

Evokes the final years of the Romanov dynasty in Imperial Russia. Discusses the hemophilia of the Tsarevich Alexis as a pivotal factor in the personal and political lives of his parents, the influence of the Siberian mystagogue Rasputin, the subsequent revolution, and the courage of the Tsar's family. 1967.

Bear Flag Rising: The Conquest of California, 1846      RC 50629

by Dale L. Walker

read by Jake Williams

2 cassettes

History of California from its colonization by Spain to its annexation by the United States. Relates how the concept of Manifest Destiny applied to the West Coast and how three men--John Charles Frémont, Robert Field Stockton, and Stephen Watts Kearny--led the takeover of the Bear Flag state. 1999.

India: A History      RC 50705

by John Keay

read by Gordon Gould

5 cassettes

A five-thousand-year overview of the subcontinent from the Harappan people in the Indus Valley around 3000 B.C. to the nineteenth-century takeover by the British Raj. Presents a chronology of cultural and political developments that shaped the twentieth-century nations of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. 2000.

As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl      RC 50754

by John Colapinto

read by Bruce Nelson

2 cassettes

Describes the traumatic life of Canadian David Reimer, who was born an identical twin in 1965. After a botched circumcision left him without a penis, he was castrated, raised as a girl, given hormones, and falsely publicized as a great success. Miserable at fourteen, David reverted to being male. Some strong language. 2000.

Groovin' High: The Life of Dizzy Gillespie      RC 50792

by Alyn Shipton

read by Jake Williams

4 cassettes

Biography of gifted trumpeter, jazz great, and musical ambassador John Birks Gillespie (1917-1993). Discusses his rise from poverty to become an outstanding entertainer, bandleader, and master of bebop, Afro-Cuban jazz, and bossanova. Includes details about his offstage life and the complexities of his character. 1999.

Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945 RC 50809

by David M. Kennedy

read by Bill Wallace

8 cassettes in 2 containers

Surveys a period of crises, fears, and insecurities in American history. Includes the post-World War I years of poverty, the Great Depression and its subsequent social unrest, Herbert Hoover's attempts at economic reform, Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, isolationism, and the United States' entry into World War II. Pulitzer Prize. 1999.

Kinship: A Family's Journey in Africa and America      RC 50833

by Philippe Wamba

read by Ralph Lowenstein

4 cassettes

A Harvard graduate and journalist, born to an American mother and a Congolese father, examines his roots and explores the centuries of shared history, common interests, and mutual goals of African Americans and Africans. He recalls challenges his parents faced, explains misconceptions between the two cultures, and advocates unity between them. 1999.

The Greatest Success in the World      RC 50865

by Og Mandino

read by Janet Daley

1 cassette (Reissue)

Fictionalized biblical story of Zacchaeus, who--despite humble beginnings and physical handicaps--became the epitome of the successful man. During the narrative, Zacchaeus develops his philosophy for achieving life goals and lays down his ten commandments to guide the individual along the way. 1981.

The Beatles Anthology      RC 50874

read by Ray Hagen

5 cassettes

Chronicle of the innovative English rock group comprising Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon, from their childhoods in Liverpool until their split in 1970. Based largely on a 1994 television documentary series, the book features interviews with the four musicians and their close associates. Some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Teresa of Avila: The Progress of a Soul      RC 50964

by Cathleen Medwick

read by Lisette Lecat

3 cassettes

Biography of Saint Teresa of Avila, the sixteenth-century Spanish mystic and reformer of the Carmelite order. Offers a twentieth-century perspective on her writings and reputation; chronicles the life of the dedicated nun whose canonization in 1622 has sparked controversy ever since. 1999.

Greetings, Carbon-Based Bipeds! Collected Essays, 1934-1998      RC 51039

by Arthur C. Clarke

read by Roy Avers

4 cassettes

Over one hundred essays and reviews covering six decades by the author of 2001: A Space Odyssey (RC 19164). Includes pieces about rockets, flying saucers, visits to the Moon, and working with director Stanley Kubrick, along with predictions and prophecies for the twenty-first century. An annotation precedes each article. 1999.

The House of Rothschild: Money's Prophets, 1798-1848      RC 51082

by Niall Ferguson

read by Anne Flosnik

7 cassettes in 2 containers

Traces the family's ascent from Frankfurt's inner-city poverty to unprecedented economic success by the mid-nineteenth century. Recalls household strategies for maintaining unity and spirituality; chronicles the Rothschilds' role in designing the international bond market and in improving communications among financial institutions. Prequel to The House of Rothschild: The World's Banker, 1849-1999 (RC 51093). 1998.

Ancient Mysteries      RC 51088

by Peter James and Nick Thorpe

read by Bob Moore

5 cassettes

A writer on ancient history and an archaeologist present thirty-six historical enigmas, including the Star of Bethlehem, the lost continent of Atlantis, Robin Hood, and the legend of Dracula. The authors analyze the mystery surrounding these people, places, and events, and use scientific data to help explain them. 1999.

Mother Nature: A History of Mothers, Infants, and Natural Selection      RC 51099

by Sarah Blaffer Hrdy

read by Mary Kane

6 cassettes

A mother, wife, and anthropology professor at the University of California, Davis, draws from her own discipline, as well as history, literature, psychology, and primatology, to examine the distinct biological and genetic elements that constitute maternal instincts. Discusses such issues as infanticide, a mother's attachment and associated guilt, and the father-figure role. 1999.

The Battle for God      RC 51131

by Karen Armstrong

read by Robert Blumenfeld

4 cassettes

Armstrong, from A History of God (RC 38536), looks into how and why religious fundamentalist groups have come into existence. She concentrates on Protestants in the United States, Jews in Israel, and Muslims in Egypt and concludes that fear of modernity has stimulated the growth of fundamentalism. 2000.

Angels along the Way: My Life with Help from Above      RC 51138

by Della Reese

read by Saidah Arrika Ekulona

3 cassettes

Autobiography by the singer, television actress, and devout lifelong Christian. Born Deloreese Patricia Early in a Detroit ghetto, she describes her childhood and early career as a gospel singer and offers gratitude to the "angels" who helped her throughout her life, both professionally and personally. Some strong language. 1997.

Jew vs. Jew: The Struggle for the Soul of American Jewry      RC 51145

by Samuel G. Freedman

read by Jake Williams

3 cassettes

Covering the years from 1960 to 2000, Freedman explores differences among American Jews concerning their own identity and attitudes toward Israel. Compares and contrasts answers to the question "Who is a Jew?" within Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform communities. Discusses conflicts between modernism and traditionalism on gender-related issues. 2000.

Nat King Cole      RC 51157

by Daniel Mark Epstein

read by Jake Williams

4 cassettes

Biography of the popular singer and jazz pianist. Covers the background, upbringing, and lifestyle of the inventive musician whose career started in Chicago in the 1930s. An entertainer and not a political activist, he nonetheless broke the color line in Las Vegas in the 1950s. 1999.

Fire in the Sky: The Air War in the South Pacific      RC 51168

by Eric M. Bergerud

read by Peter Johnson

7 cassettes in 2 containers

In this companion to Touched with Fire: The Land War in the South Pacific (RC 43849), the author analyzes the air war between Japan and the Allies during the pivotal years from 1942 to 1944. Discusses the unique characteristics of aerial combat and the weaknesses inherent in the Japanese military complex. 2000.

MacArthur's War: Korea and the Undoing of an American Hero      RC 51177

by Stanley Weintraub

read by Ralph Lowenstein

4 cassettes

Historian, veteran, and author--The Last Great Victory (RC 42696) among others--relates the tactics and mistakes of General Douglas MacArthur's command in the early months of the Korean War. Describes events that led up to his dismissal for insubordination by President Harry Truman in April 1951. 2000.

Words and Rules: The Ingredients of Language      RC 51199

by Steven Pinker

read by Dennis Rooney

3 cassettes

A cognitive scientist illuminates the nature of language by exploring the formation of tenses. Pinker maintains verbs are processed in two distinct ways: either by the strict application of rules or by less predictable associative means. He discusses the acquisition and operation of these processes and which parts of the brain govern them. 1999.

Piano Roles: Three Hundred Years of Life with the Piano      RC 51200

by James Parakilas

read by Robert O'Keefe

3 cassettes

Essays by editor Parakilas and fourteen other scholars and musicians on aspects of the social and cultural history of the piano, from its invention by Bartolomeo Cristofori in the 1700s to its key role in the modern entertainment industry. 1999.

Nathan Bedford Forrest: A Biography      RC 51225

by Jack Hurst

read by Randy Atcher

4 cassettes

Biography of a Confederate officer renowned for his skill as a cavalryman. Describes Forrest's transitions from frontiersman and slave trader to military leader and, later, to founder of the Ku Klux Klan. Continues into the years when he ordered the dissolution of the organization. Some violence. 1993.

Edward Albee: A Singular Journey; a Biography      RC 51226

by Mel Gussow

read by Fred Major

4 cassettes

A portrait of the award-winning twentieth-century American playwright. Examines his personal life--as an adopted child, a homosexual, and an alcoholic--and his professional career in the theater. Discusses his major works, including Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (RC 22921) and Three Tall Women (RC 44679), and the actors in these productions. 1999.

Opposing Viewpoints in Social Issues      RC 51234

edited by William Dudley

read by Jack Fox

3 cassettes

Presents debates on gun control, abortion, affirmative action, alcohol, the death penalty, assisted suicide, genetic engineering, and smoking. Each section includes six essays--three supporting and three opposing the topic. For senior high readers. 2000.

Polk's Folly: An American Family History      RC 51247

by William R. Polk

read by John Polk

4 cassettes

The author traces his family history in America beginning with the first colonist in 1680. Follows his ancestors through the Revolution, the Polk presidency, both sides of the Civil War, and into the twentieth century. Includes anecdotes of soldiers, Indian hostages, land speculators, cattle barons, socialites, and a murdered journalist. 2000.

Primo Levi: Tragedy of an Optimist      RC 51303

by Myriam Anissimov

read by Peter Gil

4 cassettes

Biography of the Italian chemist and writer Primo Levi (1919-1987). Recalls his sense of duty as a survivor of a Nazi extermination camp to bear witness to the horror of the Holocaust. Describes his Jewish childhood under fascism, his lifelong devotion to family, and his eventual suicide. 1998.

A Cursing Brain? The Histories of Tourette Syndrome      RC 51317

by Howard I. Kushner

read by Gregory Gorton

3 cassettes

Traces the categorization and treatment of the medical syndrome since it was first described by Gilles de la Tourette in 1885. Discusses the involuntary motor movements and vocal tics exhibited by patients, and explains why the condition is now classified as an organic disorder. Strong language. 1999.

The End of the Peace Process: Oslo and After      RC 51319

by Edward W. Said

read by Rick Foucheux

3 cassettes

Fifty essays examining the effects of the peace process on the Middle East by a leading spokesman for the Palestinians, previously published in journals and newspapers between 1995 and 1999. In "On Visiting Wadie," Said describes a visit to his American son, who was working in the West Bank. 2000.

The Shameful Life of Salvador Dalí      RC 51320

by Ian Gibson

read by Mark Ashby

6 cassettes

Biography of the twentieth-century surrealist Spanish painter. Gibson describes Dalí's escapades in Europe, New York, and Hollywood. Explores his confused sexual relationships with poet García Lorca and others, and the role of the painter's superstitious wife, Gala. Examines Dalí's major accomplishments, all achieved before age forty; summarizes events preceding his death in 1989. 1997.

We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families: Stories from Rwanda      RC 51323

by Philip Gourevitch

read by Anne Hancock

3 cassettes

An American journalist's attempt to fathom the 1994 ethnic slaughter in Rwanda. Explains how the Hutu majority's pursuit of a new order led to the massacre of more than 800,000 people of the Tutsi minority, and explores the political and psychological consequences of these atrocities. Some violence. National Book Critics Circle Award. 1998.

America's Queen: The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis      RC 51344

by Sarah Bradford

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

5 cassettes

British author of Princess Grace (RC 21082) and Elizabeth (RC 51345) describes the life of the former first lady. Assesses her relationships with the various men in her life, her role in the White House, her chronic obsession with money, and her later days in New York. Bestseller 2000.

Where She Came From: A Daughter's Search for Her Mother's History      RC 51363

by Helen Epstein

read by Suzanne Toren

3 cassettes

After the death of her mother, who had survived Nazi concentration camps, the author traveled to central Europe to do research on her maternal family forebears in Vienna and Prague. Describes the lives of Czech Jewish women in the nineteenth century, the German invasion in 1939, and being displaced after liberation. 1997.

The Messenger: The Rise and Fall of Elijah Muhammad      RC 51366

by Karl Evanzz

read by Robert O'Keefe

4 cassettes

Recalls Muhammad's Georgia childhood, when he was traumatized by racism; his move to Detroit, where he was anointed "messenger of God"; his rise to power as the Nation of Islam's co-founder; and his downfall--allegedly from corruption and womanizing. Attributes the sect's growth to lynchings, segregation, and poverty; explores its impact among African Americans. 1999.

I'll Be Right Back: Memories of TV's Greatest Talk Show      RC 51370

by Mike Douglas

read by L.J. Ganser

2 cassettes

The host of the former long-running Mike Douglas Show considers himself "the world's luckiest fan." He provides highlights from over two decades of chatting with celebrities, including Ray Charles, Princess Grace, John Wayne, Fred Astaire, and John Lennon. His only bitter note is how Westinghouse replaced him in 1981. 2000.

The Social History of the Third Reich: 1933-1945      RC 51372

by Pierre Ayçoberry

read by Ken Kliban

3 cassettes

Examines the actions of German individuals, groups, businesses, and other organizations under Nazism; explores the varied responses to Hitler's regime. Strasbourg professor argues that from 1933 to 1945 Germans were either victims or accomplices of the Third Reich and its corruption, oppression, and atrocities. 1999.

The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father      RC 51378

by Jim Wight

read by George Holmes

3 cassettes

Biography of Yorkshire veterinarian and author James Alfred Wight, better known as James Herriot, by his son and colleague. Recounts Herriot's childhood and the career upon which his popular stories were based. Wight portrays his father as a modest family man who was determined not to let celebrity interfere with his life. 1999.

Chronicles      RC 51386

by Jean Froissart

read by Frank Coffee

3 cassettes

Fifteenth-century writer chronicles military developments in the first seven decades of the Hundred Years' War between France and England. Describes social trends and political background, as well as the pageantry and outcomes of major battles. Modern translation by Geoffrey Brereton. 1968.

Great Dames: What I Learned from Older Women      RC 51390

by Marie Brenner

read by Catherine Byers

2 cassettes

Highlights ten women of the twentieth century who were determined to "move up in the world" despite many obstacles. Includes Kitty Carlisle Hart, Constance Baker Motley, Marietta Tree, Diana Trilling, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Kay Thompson, Clare Boothe Luce, Luise Rainer, Pamela Harriman, and the author's mother. Some strong language. 2000.

The Predictors      RC 51411

by Thomas A. Bass

read by John Richardson

3 cassettes

Asserts that the Prediction Company, established by two physicists, used chaos theory to analyze trends in foreign exchange and interest rates and to invest in stock and commodity markets. Explores the basic hypothesis that order can be found in disorder; examines its implications for predicting the future based on patterns in the past. 1999.

Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Future of America      RC 51416

by Thomas Fleming

read by Butch Hoover

3 cassettes

Chronicles the political and personal rivalry between Burr, Thomas Jefferson's vice president (and political enemy), and Hamilton, the Federalist lawyer from New York, culminating in their duel on July 11, 1804. Uses first-person accounts to trace the course of the feud and to document the personal qualities of the two men. 1999.

King of Hearts: The True Story of the Maverick Who Pioneered Open Heart Surgery      RC 51422

by G. Wayne Miller

read by Randy Davidson

2 cassettes

Discusses the life and work of Dr. C. Walton Lillehei, who helped develop open-heart surgery while working for the University Hospital in Minneapolis. For his initial attempts during the 1950s, Lillehei devised a cross-circulation technique--hooking the patient up to another human's circulatory system. Describes many of his early cases. 2000.

Passionate Minds: Women Rewriting the World      RC 51424

by Claudia Roth Pierpont

read by Mitzi Friedlander

3 cassettes

portraits of literary women combine biography, history, and criticism. Essays on Olive Schreiner, Gertrude Stein, Anaïs Nin, and Mae West focus on the theme of sexual freedom; essays on Margaret Mitchell, Zora Neale Hurston, and Eudora Welty focus on race; and essays on Marina Tsvetaeva, Ayn Rand, Doris Lessing, Hannah Arendt, and Mary McCarthy focus on politics. 2000.

The Scientific American Book of the Cosmos      RC 51426

edited by David H. Levy

read by Butch Hoover

4 cassettes

Leading scientists discuss the size, origin, and age of the universe in articles commissioned by Scientific American. Includes, among others, Albert Einstein on gravitation, David Levy and Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker on the comet named for them, and Stephen Jay Gould on evolution. 2000.

The Battle of New Orleans      RC 51431

by Robert V. Remini

read by Mitzi Friedlander

2 cassettes

Chronicles America's first great military victory, at the close of the War of 1812. On January 8, 1815, Andrew Jackson and his army of frontiersmen, freedmen, Indians, pirates, and townspeople defeated Wellington's army, unifying the country. Remini is the author of a three-volume biography of Jackson (RC 12557, RC 22359, RC 22360). 1999.

The Goose Is Loose      RC 51443

by Richard "Goose" Gossage

read by Jack Fox

2 cassettes

Humorous autobiography of a professional relief pitcher who played with the 1978 world-champion Yankees as well as the San Diego Padres and several other teams over the course of twenty-two seasons. Shares anecdotes about his life in the major leagues, including antics with other players. Some strong language. 2000.

The Mysteries Within: A Surgeon Reflects on Medical Myths      RC 51444

by Sherwin B. Nuland

read by Barry Bernson

2 cassettes

Explores the roles of superstition, religion, and medicine through western history in advancing the understanding of human internal organs, specifically the stomach, liver, spleen, heart, and uterus. Includes case studies from the author's own experiences as a surgeon. 2000.

After the Thunder: Fourteen Men Who Shaped Post-Civil War America      RC 51450

by Wilmer L. Jones

read by Kerry Cundiff

3 cassettes

Biographies of seven men from each side of the Civil War, highlighting their lives after the conflict. Also provides information on the fall of Richmond, the surrender at Appomattox, and Reconstruction. Includes, among others, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, Nathan Bedford Forrest, George Custer, George McClellan, Ulysses Grant, and Andrew Johnson. 2000.

Father Courage: What Happens When Men Put Family First      RC 51451

by Suzanne Braun Levine

read by Kerry Cundiff

2 cassettes

A journalist relies on interviews with a cross section of fathers in the United States to explore the rewards and challenges facing men as parents in the twenty-first century--the combined pursuit of success on the job, intimacy with close relatives, and time for friends. Views the workplace as more family-friendly for women. 2000.

Orangutans: Wizards of the Rain Forest      RC 51452

by Anne E. Russon

read by Janis Gray

2 cassettes

Scientific observations gathered over a ten-year period in Borneo provide insights into orangutan behavior and intelligence. The author examines the great ape's solitary lifestyle, eating habits, tool use, maternal instincts, and mimicry of humans. Discusses the diminishing natural habitat of orangutans living in the wild. 2000.

The White Death: Tragedy and Heroism in an Avalanche Zone      RC 51455

by McKay Jenkins

read by Brian Conn

2 cassettes

Relates how five young mountaineers died in an avalanche while attempting a winter ascent on Mount Cleveland in Glacier National Park in 1969. Their story is interspersed with facts about the history and causes of avalanches. 2000.

The Presidency of George Bush      RC 51457

by John Robert Greene

read by John Richardson

2 cassettes

An account of the president from 1988 to 1992, presenting both his strengths and weaknesses. Considers the administration's inheritance of Ronald Reagan's "voodoo economics," domestic agenda, and foreign policy. Discusses the success of the Persian Gulf War and Bush's lost bid for reelection. 2000.

The Debt: What America Owes to Blacks      RC 51465

by Randall Robinson

read by Bob Moore

2 cassettes

The founder and president of TransAfrica argues for reparations for African Americans and Africans because of slavery and racial injustice in the United States. Illustrates the impact of discrimination and reveals slavery's legacy in the social and economic conditions of minorities. Suggests educational reforms and development in black communities. Bestseller 2000.

A History of Britain: At the Edge of the World? 3000 BC-AD 1603      RC 51466

by Simon Schama

read by George Holmes

3 cassettes

A history of the island nation from prehistoric times to the death of Queen Elizabeth I, highlighting technological and social change. Describes the early tribes, the Roman occupation, the Norman conquest, the Wars of the Roses, and the Reformation. Accompanies the History Channel television series. Bestseller 2000.

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation      RC 51469

by Joseph J. Ellis

read by Annie Wauters

3 cassettes

Author of American Sphinx (RC 44729) explains the importance of a few prominent leaders in the development of democracy after the American Revolution. Describes significant contributions to the new nation made by John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. Bestseller 2000.

Political Will and Personal Belief: The Decline and Fall of Soviet Communism      RC 51479

by Paul Hollander

read by Steven Carpenter

3 cassettes

To examine the human factor in the failure of communism, the sociologist-author analyzed autobiographical writings and conducted fifty interviews in Russia, Slovenia, Romania, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary with former party functionaries and intellectuals, as well as dissidents. He focuses on twenty-two important political figures across different generations. 1999.

In Siberia      RC 51481

by Colin Thubron

read by Michael Scherer

2 cassettes

As a British traveler crosses the vast territory of Siberia on a shoestring budget, he portrays the natural beauty of the land and characteristics of the people he encounters. Describes cultural variations from the village of Pokrovskoe, where Rasputin was born, to Yakutsk, a town of ice and twilight. 1999.

The Doctor and the Detective: A Biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle      RC 51482

by Martin Booth

read by Corrie James

3 cassettes

Biography of the Scottish author best known for his fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. Discusses various aspects of this Victorian gentleman's life and interests. Knighted for patriotism, Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a medical doctor, war correspondent, cricket player, political activist, family man, and a devout spiritualist. 1997.

Life Stories: Profiles from the New Yorker      RC 51487

edited by David Remnick

read by Kimberly Schraf

6 cassettes

The editor has selected twenty-five biographical pieces representative of the form's development over the seventy-five-year history of the magazine. The first is Joseph Mitchell's "Mr. Hunter's Grave" from 1956, Remnick's personal favorite. Others include portraits of Mikhail Baryshnikov, Floyd Patterson, Marlon Brando, Richard Pryor, and Roseanne Barr. Some strong language. 2000.

A Clearing in the Distance: Frederick Law Olmsted and America in the Nineteenth Century      RC 51498

by Witold Rybczynski

read by Gary Telles

4 cassettes

Landscape architect Olmsted (1822-1903) was responsible for such creations as New York's Central Park and the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., and Asheville's Biltmore estate. Rybczynski discusses Olmsted's various roles as world traveler, cofounder of the Nation, gold-mine manager in California, abolitionist, and landscaper. 1999.

To the Marianas: War in the Central Pacific, 1944      RC 51499

by Edwin P. Hoyt

read by Michael Consoli

2 cassettes

Examines the first successful U.S. amphibious operations in World War II, as American forces moved through the Pacific arena toward Japan, capturing the Mariana and Marshall Islands. Portrays the commanding officers and describes the battle perspectives of both the Americans and the Japanese. 1980.

Much Ado about Nothing      RC 51553

by William Shakespeare

read by Fred Major

3 cassettes (Reissue)

First performed in 1598, this comedy in five acts concerns two pairs of lovers. Before Hero and Claudio can find happiness together, they must sort out the complications of Don John's false accusations. Meanwhile, Beatrice and Benedick match wits and fall in love. Includes notes and explanatory essays. 1995.

Knitting for Fun and Profit      RC 51554

by Shirley MacNulty

read by Patricia McDermott

2 cassettes

Half the book covers the basics of knitting--selecting yarn and tools and reviewing stitches, techniques, and tips--and the instructions for four projects. The second part discusses how to sell finished products and includes a mini-course in crafts-business basics. Contains personal anecdotes about knitters who profit from their hobby. 1999.

Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole      RC 51560

by Jerri Nielsen

read by Jill Fox

3 cassettes

Former emergency room doctor records her ordeal with breast cancer during an eleven-month stay in Antarctica. Describes the dilemma she faced as the only medical officer for the forty-one members of the research team. Recalls the camaraderie that developed amid the extreme conditions of the 1999 polar winter. Bestseller 2001.

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal      RC 51561

by Eric Schlosser

read by Randy Atcher

3 cassettes

An exposé of the fast-food industry, revealing its dubious production techniques, marketing strategies, and exploitation of workers. Deplores the industry's indifference to health problems it has fostered (obesity, food-borne disease) and criticizes its role in the spread of global corporate culture. Suggests solutions to the "McDonaldization of America." Bestseller 2001.

Life Strategies for Teens      RC 51563

by Jay McGraw

read by Gary Tipton

1 cassette

The author, a college student and son of the author of bestselling Life Strategies (RC 47962), advises teens on how to achieve personal goals and avoid behavior that blocks pathways to success. Presents ten "life laws" and tips for implementing them. For senior high and older readers. Bestseller 2000.

An Hour before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood      RC 51566

by Jimmy Carter

read by Ted Stoddard

2 cassettes

The thirty-ninth president of the United States reminisces about growing up in rural Georgia during the depression. Traces his family genealogy; examines social mores of the segregated South. Describes his experience of daily life in a small, close-knit farming community until his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Bestseller 2001.

The Boxer Rebellion: The Dramatic Story of China's War on Foreigners That Shook the World in the Summer of 1900      RC 51569

by Diana Preston

read by Peter Johnson

3 cassettes

Reconstruction of the 1900 uprising in which a Chinese cult, supported by the Empress Dowager, killed many thousands of Christian converts and laid siege to the foreign legations in Peking and Tientsin. The insurrection and its aftermath permanently altered the dynamics of China's foreign relations. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 1999.

Here First: Autobiographical Essays by Native American Writers      RC 51572

edited by Arnold Krupat and Brian Swann

read by Catherine Byers

3 cassettes

In this follow-up to I Tell You Now (RC 28155), twenty-six authors reflect on their ethnicity and how it relates to their writing. Presented in alphabetical order--from Sherman Alexie to Ofelia Zepeda--each writer explores personal experiences, self-identity, and artistic development. Some strong language. 2000.

Failure Is Not an Option: Mission Control from Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond      RC 51600

by Gene Kranz

read by Steven Carpenter

3 cassettes

Memoir of a flight director for NASA's mission control, providing an insider's perspective on the space program from the 1960s Mercury days to the final Apollo mission. Kranz recalls the highlights of his career and explains his role in bringing the three Apollo 13 astronauts back safely to Earth. 2000.

Amish Society      RC 51601

by John A. Hostetler

read by Mark Ashby

3 cassettes

In this revised and updated classic ethnography, the author recalls the history of the Amish in America since their arrival from Germany in the eighteenth century. Surveys social customs, mores, and relationships to the outside world; assesses trends in population, land use, and attitudes toward government. 1993.

Truth at Any Cost: Ken Starr and the Unmaking of Bill Clinton      RC 51607

by Susan Schmidt and Michael Weisskopf

read by Ted Stoddard

2 cassettes

Account of independent counsel Ken Starr's impeachment prosecution of U.S. president Bill Clinton in the late 1990s. Explores the hostile relations between Starr and the Justice Department and the role of prosecution witness Linda Tripp. Some strong language. 2000.

All Roads Lead to October: Boss Steinbrenner's Twenty-Five-Year Reign over the New York Yankees      RC 51608

by Maury Allen

read by Robert Sams

3 cassettes

Sportswriter reminisces about the New York Yankee baseball organization under the ownership of Cleveland industrialist George Steinbrenner. Includes anecdotes of notable players such as Reggie Jackson, Donnie Mattingly, and Darryl Strawberry as well as managers Joe Torre and Billy Martin (who was fired five times). Some strong language. 2000.

Something New under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth-Century World      RC 51610

by J.R. McNeill

read by Michael Scherer

4 cassettes

Highlights the ecological course of the twentieth century, asserting that our fossil-fuel-based civilization disrupts the stability of the earth. Considers how human population growth has affected the planet's atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere and how politics and economics influence the state of the natural world. 2000.

Dreambirds: The Strange History of the Ostrich in Fashion, Food, and Fortune      RC 51611

by Rob Nixon

read by Rick Foucheux

2 cassettes

The ostrich is the constant in these memories of growing up in South Africa and later of commercial farming in Arizona. Besides recounting the role of the ostrich in his personal life, Nixon traces how society's whims influenced the raising of these unusual birds. 1999.

Rescuing Jeffrey      RC 51612

by Richard Galli

read by Rick Foucheux

1 cassette

Chronicles eleven days in 1998 that began on the fourth of July, when the author's seventeen-year-old son, Jeffrey, suffered a broken neck after diving into a backyard pool. Describes reviving Jeffrey, learning he is a quadriplegic, and struggling with the question of ending his life support. 2000.

High-Flying Adventures in the Stock Market      RC 51618

by Molly Baker

read by Margaret Strom

3 cassettes

Illustrates how decisions are made in allocating mutual funds; cites examples from a year spent observing the day-to-day activities of one investment manager in a successful firm. Describes buying and selling initial public offerings, technology stocks, and shares of rapidly expanding organizations. 2000.

How to Read and Why      RC 51628

by Harold Bloom

read by Steven Carpenter

2 cassettes

Literary critic Bloom presents "samplings" and interpretations of his favorite literary works to affirm the value of engaged reading. Among the authors discussed are short-story masters Turgenev, Hemingway, Borges, and Calvino; poets Whitman, Dickinson, Wordsworth, and Keats; novelists Cervantes, Stendhal, Austen, Proust, Melville, and Pynchon; and playwrights Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Wilde. 2000.

Leaving the Bench: Supreme Court Justices at the End      RC 51629

by David N. Atkinson

read by Bob Moore

2 cassettes

Using biographies, judicial papers, and interviews, a law professor provides a historical treatment of U.S. Supreme Court justices' deaths, resignations, and retirements. Explains that judges, who have lifetime tenure, sometimes hold their posts longer than physically or mentally capable. Argues pros and cons of mandating retirement age for jurists. 1999.

Hidden Treasures: Searching for Masterpieces of American Furniture      RC 51655

by Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno

read by Steven Carpenter

2 cassettes

In alternating voices, Leigh, a New York antiques dealer, and Leslie, a director at Sotheby's in New York, relate stories about their passion for American antique furniture. The twin brothers, perhaps best known for their appearances on television's Antiques Roadshow, discuss the thrill of the hunt, from flea markets to auction houses. Bestseller 2000.

Until Today! Daily Devotions for Spiritual Growth and Peace of Mind      RC 51659

by Iyanla Vanzant

read by Margaret Strom

3 cassettes

Daily words, thoughts, and actions for those seeking spiritual development and a more fulfilling sense of self. Asserts that meditation and service to God will create positive changes in life's circumstances. Presents three elements of commitment: openness, willingness, and readiness. Encourages readers to practice acts of love, forgiveness, and faith. Bestseller 2000.

The Legacy of Luna: The Story of a Tree, a Woman, and the Struggle to Save the Redwoods      RC 51664

by Julia Butterfly Hill

read by Jacinda Bronaugh

2 cassettes

The author writes of the more than two years she spent living high in a thousand-year-old California redwood tree called Luna. Her "treesit" was to protest Luna's slated destruction in an environmentally destructive clear-cutting. In December 1999 Hill, age twenty-five, descended after an agreement was reached to preserve Luna and surrounding trees. 2000.

Owls Aren't Wise and Bats Aren't Blind: A Naturalist Debunks Our Favorite Fallacies about Wildlife      RC 51666

by Warner Shedd

read by Gary Telles

3 cassettes

Distinguishes myths and misconceptions from authentic animal traits and behaviors for thirty familiar North American species. Presents facts and anecdotes about the beaver, muskrat, flying squirrel, porcupine, opossum, armadillo, crow and raven, raccoon, coyote, wolf, black bear, bison, and others, collected during the author's career as a naturalist. 2000.

Why We Hurt: The Natural History of Pain      RC 51670

by Frank T. Vertosick

read by Christopher Walker

2 cassettes

A neurosurgeon uses case studies to describe various pain syndromes, their physiology, and current and historical treatment options. Case studies include patients suffering with pain from arthritis, cancer, childbirth, migraines, disc rupture, leprosy, trigeminal neuralgia, and phantom limb and carpal tunnel syndromes. Explores pain as a necessary defense mechanism. 2000.

The Only Living Witness: The True Story of Serial Sex Killer Ted Bundy      RC 51671

by Stephen G. Michaud and Hugh Aynesworth

read by Steven Carpenter

3 cassettes

Using interviews of convicted psychopathic serial killer Ted Bundy--executed in 1989 for the heinous murders of more than twenty women--investigative reporters demystify his aberrant and ritual criminal behavior. Revised edition features an introduction by former FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood. Violence and strong language. 1999.

The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA; Text, Commentary, Reviews, Original Papers      RC 51672

by James D. Watson

read by Mark Ashby

2 cassettes

The 1962 Nobel Prize winner for medicine and physiology relates how he, cowinner Francis Crick, and their collaborators hit upon the "double helix" model of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecule, the fundamental genetic material. Critical edition includes overview of the scientific and historical setting, perspectives of collaborators, reviews, and original papers. 1980.

Hungry for the World: A Memoir      RC 51676

by Kim Barnes

read by Kimberly Schraf

2 cassettes

A poet from Idaho frankly recounts her sexual experimentation and her rebellion against her Pentecostal parents. Briefly covers her early childhood, her leaving home at the end of high school, and her disillusionment with early lovers. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2000.

Hollywood the Hard Way: A Cowboy's Journey      RC 51699

by Patti Dickinson

read by Chuck Benson

2 cassettes

In 1945, Oklahoma rancher Rolla Goodnight bet his friend Jimmy Wakely, a singing cowboy star, that Rolla's grandson could ride 1,500 miles in less than fifty days to Hollywood, California. The author recounts twenty-year-old Jerry Van Meter's grueling trek on horseback across mountains and deserts to his destination. 1999.

Capital Moves: RCA's Seventy-Year Quest for Cheap Labor      RC 51700

by Jefferson Cowie

read by Ralph Lowenstein

3 cassettes

Asserts that America's continued loss of high-paying industrial jobs to lower-wage areas is a long-occurring phenomenon. Describes how RCA shifted its electronics operation several times over a seventy-year period. Pursuing management control, cheap labor, and maximized profit, the company made three moves, starting at Camden, New Jersey, and ending in Juarez, Mexico. 1999.

Constantine's Sword: The Church and the Jews; a History      RC 51712

by James Carroll

read by Robert O'Keefe

6 cassettes

Former Catholic priest offers an investigative review of the Catholic Church's hostility to Judaism. Carroll places anti-Semitism at the core of Christianity and observes the dire consequences of anti-Jewish sentiment at the service of political interests, from Constantine to Hitler. Carroll also relates his personal crisis of faith, provoked by the Church's doctrines. Bestseller 2001.

The Devil and Sonny Liston      RC 51714

by Nick Tosches

read by Jake Williams

2 cassettes

Traces the life and mysterious death of boxer Sonny Liston, the former world heavyweight champion who defeated Floyd Patterson but was later beaten by Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali). Investigates Liston's family in Arkansas, his introduction to the sport in prison, and his career ties to the mob. Strong language and some violence. 2000.

Romantic Breakup: It's Not the End of the World      RC 51772

by Jennifer Rozines Roy

read by Gary Tipton

1 cassette

Discusses the social and psychological aspects of dating and breaking up, as well as the elements of a healthy romantic relationship. Offers advice on surviving emotionally and obtaining help from others. For junior and senior high readers. 2000.

Abandon Ship! The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, the Navy's Greatest Sea Disaster      RC 51773

by Richard F. Newcomb

read by Butch Hoover

2 cassettes

Originally published in 1958. Newcomb describes the ordeal faced by survivors of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, which was sunk by a Japanese torpedo in 1945. He also recounts the court-martial of the ship's captain, Charles McVay. In an afterword, journalist Peter Maas describes later research that cleared McVay of all charges. Bestseller 2001.

Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found      RC 51774

by Jennifer Lauck

read by Jill Fox

3 cassettes

Lauck recalls her childhood determination to survive despite the tragedies she endured. While very young, she cared for her chronically ill mother. Then she faced being uprooted from her extended family, her mother's death, shocking news about her ancestral heritage, and an emotionally abusive stepmother. Strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership; Nixon to Clinton      RC 51775

by David Gergen

read by Gary Tipton

3 cassettes

An advisor to U.S. presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton assesses their leadership styles and their triumphs and failures. Outlines seven qualities he deems essential for a successful commander-in-chief. Bestseller 2000.

Adaptive Technology for the Internet: Making Electronic Resources Accessible to All      RC 51780

by Barbara T. Mates

read by Kerry Cundiff

2 cassettes

Advice for librarians and others on ways to improve disabled persons' access to electronic resources, including computers and the Internet. Provides information about screen readers, braille displays, voice-recognition systems, and hearing-assistance devices. Lists web sites, vendors, manufacturers, consultants, and libraries with special programs. 2000.

Joy in Mudville: A Little League Memoir      RC 51781

by Greg Mitchell

read by Randy Davidson

2 cassettes

The author chronicles the highs and lows of coaching his preteen's baseball team during two diverse seasons in Nyack, New York. Explores the father/son relationship and the phenomenon of "Little League Rage," in which competitive parents physically and verbally assault players and officials. 2000.

Compassionate Conservatism: What It Is, What It Does, and How It Can Transform America      RC 51789

by Marvin Olasky

read by Randy Atcher

2 cassettes

The author summarizes the principles of compassionate conservatism as he observes how faith-based organizations work among the poor. Also describes the tools needed by these antipoverty programs to succeed and gives suggestions for implementing them. Foreword by President George W. Bush. 2000.

Now This: Radio, Television...and the Real World      RC 51790

by Judy Muller

read by Sharon Murray

1 cassette

A veteran radio and television correspondent describes her career as a journalist and single mother, juggling schedules to raise two daughters. Recalls starting out as one of the few women in the business and discusses some of the stories she covered, including the O.J. Simpson trial and the Columbine High School shootings. 2000.

It's Never Too Late to Love a Computer: A Friendly First Guide      RC 51791

by Abby Stokes

read by Madelyn Buzzard

2 cassettes

Advises novice computer users on the basics. Covers the parts of a computer (software and hardware), purchasing tips, choosing between the Apple Macintosh and IBM-compatible personal computers (PCs), and experimenting with using e-mail and word processing. Provides a glossary, and lists recommended web sites and other resources. 2000.

Dario Fo: Revolutionary Theatre      RC 51793

by Tom Behan

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

Biography of the Italian actor and playwright who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1997. Three chapters follow a generally chronological order to form a political biography. Other chapters focus on three of Fo's most famous plays. 2000.

Amazon.com: Get Big Fast      RC 51814

by Robert Spector

read by John Richardson

2 cassettes

Overview of Amazon.com's development and unique business practices, drawn from interviews with investors and early employees. Explores the career and organizational objectives of the founder and chief executive, Jeff Bezos. Explains how the online bookseller became a model for Internet commerce and expanded into other product lines. 2000.

The Best American Essays, 2000      RC 51818

edited by Alan Lightman

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

Twenty-one pieces of nonfiction exploring an issue or theme important to each writer. In "The Singer Solution to World Poverty," ethicist Peter Singer appeals to the altruistic spirit, while in "Heroin/e," Cheryl Strayed intermingles thoughts about a death eased by morphine and a life altered by heroin addiction. 2000.

Windows ME Clear and Simple      RC 51843

by P.K. McBride

read by Jill Fox

1 cassette

Gives a new computer owner easy instructions on using Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, including information on video and multimedia use. Also teaches how to organize disks, customize the system, network, and cope with crashes. 2001.

Chyna: If They Only Knew      RC 51876

by Joanie Laurer

read by Nanette Savard

1 cassette

Autobiography of woman wrestler Joanie Laurer, known in the ring as Chyna. Relates her upbringing and education and describes the various jobs she held until she decided to become a pro wrestler. Details her training before she was hired by Vince McMahon of the World Wrestling Federation. Strong language. Bestseller 2000.

A Charge to Keep: My Journey to the White House      RC 51903

by George W. Bush

read by Bill Wallace

2 cassettes

Autobiography of George W. Bush written during his campaign for president. Recalls his childhood in Texas, education, military service, business career, and political life. Describes his philosophy of "compassionate conservatism" and his hopes for the future. Bestseller 1999.

Roads: Driving America's Great Highways      RC 51953

by Larry McMurtry

read by Bob Askey

2 cassettes

Motivated solely by the urge to be on the move, the author of Lonesome Dove (RC 22959) describes his solitary drives down the interstates. Along the way he reminisces about his life, acquaintances, books, likes and dislikes, and the many images of the roads he travels. 2000.

American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace      RC 52088

by John C. Culver and John Hyde

read by Robert Sams

6 cassettes

Biography of 1948 Progressive Party presidential candidate Henry A. Wallace (1888-1965) of Iowa, who was a noted agriculturalist, economist, author, and businessman. Before his unsuccessful third-party bid for the presidency, Wallace served as secretary of agriculture, secretary of commerce, and one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's vice presidents. 2000.

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Travel      RC 52103

by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht

read by Christopher Walker

1 cassette

Guide to safety skills for dealing with anything from minor mishaps to dangerous situations. Explains how to control a runaway camel; escape from a car trunk; navigate a minefield; and survive a scorpion sting, a fall onto subway tracks, and a volcanic eruption. Includes strategies for planning ahead. Bestseller 2001.

Cassettes Fiction

Where the Sea Used to Be RC 49254

by Rick Bass

read by Michael Kramer

4 cassettes

Recounts the struggle between Old Dudley, a veteran oil driller, his daughter Mel, a naturalist, and two geologists whom Dudley has hired to drill for oil in Montana's Swan Valley. Both men are Dudley's protégés, and each will become Mel's lover. Some strong language and some violence. 1998.

To Glory We Steer: Richard Bolitho Novels, Volume 5 RC 49768

by Alexander Kent

read by Jim Zeiger

3 cassettes (Reissue)

Richard Bolitho takes command of the frigate Phalarope, whose crew is discredited by a near mutiny and suspected cowardice, and sails to the West Indies during the final years of the American Revolution. The crew is welded into an effective cadre during a battle with French forces. Sequel to Sloop of War (RC 49767). 1968.

Passage to Mutiny: Richard Bolitho Novels, Volume 7 RC 49924

by Alexander Kent

read by Jim Zeiger

2 cassettes (Reissue)

In 1789 Captain Richard Bolitho is aboard the frigate Tempest in the South Pacific, where he is to protect English shipping lanes from seagoing enemies. At the same time he must contain a growing mutiny aboard his own ship. Sequel to Command a King's Ship (RC 49769). 1976.

Form Line of Battle! Richard Bolitho Novels, Volume 9 RC 49925

by Alexander Kent

read by Jim Zeiger

3 cassettes (Reissue)

1793. Richard Bolitho, who now commands the ship Hyperion, proceeds from Gibraltar to join Lord Hood's British naval operation against Revolutionary France at Toulon. But the mission goes awry and Hyperion becomes trapped by enemy forces. Sequel to With All Dispatch (RC 37864). 1969.

Enemy in Sight! Richard Bolitho Novels, Volume 10 RC 49926

by Alexander Kent

read by Jim Zeiger

3 cassettes (Reissue)

1794. England is at war with Revolutionary France when Richard Bolitho sets sail aboard the Hyperion with his untrained and undermanned crew for blockade duty off the enemy coast. His egotistical superior, Commodore Pelham-Martin, jeopardizes the operations of the entire fleet. Sequel to Form Line of Battle! (RC 49925). 1970.

The Flag Captain: Richard Bolitho Novels, Volume 11 RC 49927

by Alexander Kent

read by Jim Zeiger

3 cassettes (Reissue)

Richard Bolitho is now serving as flag captain to a hard, stubborn admiral during the English offensive in the Mediterranean against buccaneers and Napoleon-directed French domination. Sequel to Enemy in Sight! (RC 49926). 1971.

Who Are You?      RC 50248

by Joan Lowery Nixon

read by Marilyn Gleason

1 cassette

When wealthy Douglas Merson is shot and seriously injured, detectives discover he's been keeping a file for years on high school student Kristi Evans. Intrigued that Merson, like herself, is an artist, Kristi is determined to find out why this stranger is watching her. For junior and senior high readers. 1999.

Harm Done      RC 50401

by Ruth Rendell

read by Graeme Malcolm

3 cassettes

Inspector Reginald Wexford investigates the disappearance of two teenage girls, the abduction of a three-year-old, and the release of a pedophile into a tough neighborhood. Wexford's daughter Sylvia, a social worker, soon educates him about the world of abused women and their children. Strong language and some violence. 1999.

Pride and Prejudice      RC 50549

by Jane Austen

read by Jennifer Mendenhall

3 cassettes (Reissue)

A classic novel of social customs in late eighteenth-century England. Depicts the personality clash between Elizabeth Bennet, one of five daughters of a country gentleman, and prosperous, aristocratic landowner Fitzwilliam Darcy, which eventually develops into courtship. 1813.

Heavy Water and Other Stories      RC 50660

by Martin Amis

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

In these nine stories Amis often views life with an inverted or unusual vision. In "Career Move," poems, rather than prose, have become the subject matter of films. And in "Straight Fiction," homosexuality, rather than heterosexuality, has become the norm. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1999.

The Falcon at the Portal: An Amelia Peabody Mystery      RC 50749

by Elizabeth Peters

read by Barbara Rappaport

3 cassettes

Amelia Peabody and her extended family, including her niece Lia and Lia's new husband, David, are headed to Egypt for the 1911 archaeological season. But their expedition is overshadowed by the accusation that David has been selling forged antiquities. Amelia's son, Ramses, strives to clear David as numerous bodies turn up. 1999.

The Literary West: An Anthology of Western American Literature      RC 50784

edited by Thomas J. Lyon

read by Erik Sandvold

4 cassettes

More than forty selections, most written by twentieth-century authors such as Robinson Jeffers, John Steinbeck, Jack Schaefer, N. Scott Momaday, Edward Abbey, Wallace Stegner, Gary Snyder, Louis L'Amour, Rick Bass, William Kittredge, Denise Chávez, Amy Tan, and Sam Shepard. Includes chronology of events and suggested reading. Strong language and some violence. 1999.

Ingenious Pain      RC 50803

by Andrew Miller

read by David Hartley-Margolin

2 cassettes

An eighteenth-century English surgeon is renowned for his medical prowess, but his inability to feel pain or empathy brands him as a man without a soul. He undergoes an excruciating transformation before coming to experience human emotions. Impac Dublin Literary Award. 1997.

Losing Nelson      RC 50819

by Barry Unsworth

read by David Hartley-Margolin

2 cassettes

London, 1997. Young Charles Cleasby loves playing chess, but his father redirects him on a path that leads the boy to become obsessed with Lord Nelson. Believing his life parallels Nelson's, Charles reenacts his battles, starts to write his biography, and gradually comes to regard his hero as a flawed human being. 1999.

World of Pies      RC 50867

by Karen Stolz

read by Peg Gilleland

1 cassette

Vignettes of growing up in small-town Texas, with regional recipes included. In 1962 Roxanne, a baseball-playing tomboy, learns how to bake for the pie contest and encounters racial prejudice for the first time. In high school she is embarrassed by her mother's pregnancy. And tragedy strikes the family. 2000.

Merrick      RC 50880

by Anne Rice

read by David Hartley-Margolin

3 cassettes

One of the most dangerous yet trusted vampires, David Talbot, recounts his involvement with Merrick, an octoroon descendent of the Mayfair Witches, and tells what happens when he asks her to call up the ghost of a monster child. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Krondor: The Assassins; the Riftwar Legacy, Book 2      RC 50913

by Raymond E. Feist

read by Gary Tipton

2 cassettes

In this sequel to Krondor: The Betrayal (RC 50912), Prince Arutha asks Squire James to investigate the many assassinations plaguing Midkemia's capital city of Krondor. James uncovers a nightmare of corruption and deceit that threatens to destroy Krondor if he cannot prevent one last murder. 1999.

Starfire      RC 50924

by Charles Sheffield

read by Richard Hauenstein

3 cassettes

Sky City space colony, 2053. As an international team constructs a protective shield for Earth against an impending particle storm, a series of mysterious murders disrupts the project. Dr. Oliver Guest--the convicted serial killer from Aftermath (RC 50923)--is blackmailed into tracking the killer. But personal ambition also threatens the enterprise. 1999.

West Side Story      RC 50927

by Irving Shulman

read by Celeste Lawson

1 cassette

A novelization of the Broadway musical. Sweet and innocent Maria, whose brother Bernardo is leader of the Puerto Rican gang the Sharks, falls in love with Tony, former head of the rival Jets. Inevitably, tragedy occurs. Some violence and some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 1961.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay      RC 50950

by Michael Chabon

read by Jim Zeiger

5 cassettes

1939. An eighteen-year-old artist and magician flees Czechoslovakia for his cousin's New York home. With their love of legend and fantasy, the boys launch a superhero comic book series. The golden age of comic art is at hand, but so are the horrors of global war. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

The Black Raven: The Dragon Mage, Book 2      RC 50968

by Katharine Kerr

read by Kristin Allison

3 cassettes

In this sequel to The Red Wyvern (RC 48144) centuries have passed since the Civil Wars. Now the evil sorceress Raena is plotting to destroy Rhodry Maelwaedd, her enemy through many lifetimes. As Rhodry struggles to save his land and loved ones, he is aided by his guardian dragon, Arzosah. 1999.

Into the Darkness: The Darkness Novels, Volume 1      RC 51005

by Harry Turtledove

read by John Polk

5 cassettes

When Alardo, Duke of Bari, dies leaving no sons, his nation is absorbed by the kingdom of Algarve, which lost the territory in the Six Years' War. But this move violates a treaty, and because of numerous alliances among surrounding countries, conflict erupts. Prequel to Darkness Descending (RC 51006). Some violence. 1999.

The One-Armed Queen      RC 51042

by Jane Yolen

read by Madelyn Buzzard

2 cassettes

In this companion to White Jenna (RC 35256) the warrior queen's adoptive daughter, the one-armed Scillia, is heir to the realm of the Dales. But Jemson, Jenna's firstborn son, who was raised in the enemy kingdom, covets the throne for himself, and bloodshed ensues. Some violence. 1998.

Mr. Spaceman      RC 51058

by Robert Olen Butler

read by Bruce Nelson

2 cassettes

A friendly extraterrestrial, whose English is laced with TV slogans, has a mission to complete on New Year's Eve 1999. Searching for the best way to present a message to humankind, he consults with twelve people on a bus he beams up to his spaceship. Some strong language. 2000.

He Shall Thunder in the Sky      RC 51073

by Elizabeth Peters

read by Barbara Rappaport

4 cassettes

In the winter of 1914-15, the extended Peabody Emerson family returns to Egypt for further archaeological excavation, even as World War I reaches the Middle East. Amid the turmoil, Sethos, the master criminal and Amelia's nemesis, reappears. Bestseller 2000.

The Mallen Girl      RC 51110

by Catherine Cookson

read by Anne Mullen

2 cassettes (Reissue)

Barbara, the hering-impaired ward of Miss Anna Brigmore, may not have the Mallen streak in her hair, but she is still willful and hot-tempered. When jealousy causes Barbara to push her rival, Sarah, into a pit full of sharp, rusted machinery, the consequences alter both girls' lives. 1973.

Red Gold      RC 51127

by Alan Furst

read by Chuck Benson

2 cassettes

France, 1941. Inept spy Jean Casson returns to a desolate Paris after an unsuccessful love affair. But he is once again recruited to work for the Resistance and falls in love with a Jewish woman. Sequel to The World at Night (RC 46730). Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1999.

The Deer's Cry: A Book of the Keltiad      RC 51130

by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison

read by George Holmes

3 cassettes

The story of Brendan of Fanad, whose father was a lord of the Gael and his mother a lady of the magic High Danaan race. Brendan weds Etain of the Sidhe, a Danaan, and fulfills his destiny to lead her people on the Great Voyage to the stars. 1998.

On Blue's Waters: Book of the Short Sun, Volume 1      RC 51139

by Gene Wolfe

read by John Horton

3 cassettes

In this sequel to the series the Book of the Long Sun, mill owner Horn agrees that the inhabitants of the Planet Blue are sinking into savagery. He sets off with others to find Patera Silk aboard the interstellar ship Whorl and convince him to become their leader. Some violence. 1999.

Moll Flanders      RC 51146

by Daniel Defoe

read by Barbara Caruso

3 cassettes (Reissue)

Moral tale set in seventeenth-century England and Virginia recounts the crimes and misfortunes of a lusty and strong-willed woman. Among Moll's five marriages was one, unwitting, to her own brother. After years as a thief and a prostitute, she attains great wealth, and spends her old age comfortably repenting her youthful excesses. 1722.

The Thorn Birds      RC 51148

by Colleen McCullough

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

4 cassettes (Reissue)

Saga of the Australian Cleary family set in a vast sheep station. Central characters are Meggie and the one man she truly loves--priest Ralph de Bricassart. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1977.

Giant      RC 51155

by Edna Ferber

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

3 cassettes (Reissue)

Following a whirlwind romance, bookish bluestocking Leslie Lynnton of Virginia marries Texas cattle baron Bick Benedict and moves to his ranch. There she has trouble adapting to the strange customs of the wealthy westerners, as well as to the exploitation of their Mexican help. Bestseller 1952.

The Remorseful Day      RC 51164

by Colin Dexter

read by Graeme Malcolm

2 cassettes

Although Chief Inspector Morse is suffering from complications of diabetes, his supervisor assigns him to the year-old murder case of a promiscuous, middle-aged nurse. His assistant Sergeant Lewis soon becomes suspicious of Morse's handling of the case and begins to mistrust him. Subtitled "The Final Inspector Morse Novel." 1999.

The Countess      RC 51166

by Claire Delacroix

read by Gabriella Cavallero

2 cassettes

Twice widowed, her estate lost, and her daughter dreading an arranged marriage, Eglantine flees to the wilds of Scotland in hopes of finding love matches for her girls. But she must also deal with a clan chieftain who wants her land--and her. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2000.

Song of Eagles: Eagle Series, Book 6      RC 51173

by William W. Johnstone

read by Jack Fox

2 cassettes

Falcon MacCallister is in New Mexico territory visiting a family friend and meets Billy Bonney, aka Billy the Kid. When a cattle dispute erupts, pitting rancher against rancher, Falcon and Billy become involved in the Lincoln County War. Sequel to Rage of Eagles (RC 51172). Violence and strong language. 1999.

When Memory Dies      RC 51176

by A. Sivanandan

read by Yolande Bavan

4 cassettes

Narrative of oppression endured by three generations of Sri Lankan men, from the 1920s to the 1980s, set against the backdrop of colonial rule followed by ethnic fighting. Teacher Rajan tells of his civil-servant father and then of his own life and that of his activist stepson. Some violence. 1997.

Quincas Borba      RC 51180

by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis

read by Robert Blumenfeld

2 cassettes

In this companion to The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas (RC 47272), eccentric philosopher Quincas Borba dies, leaving his vast fortune and his dog--perhaps his reincarnation--to an unsophisticated young man who cared for him. But danger and madness lurk within the gift of sudden wealth. First published in Brazil in 1891. 1998.

Chronicle of the Seven Sorrows      RC 51181

by Patrick Chamoiseau

read by Frank Coffee

2 cassettes

Recounts the life and times of Pipi Soleil, down-and-out king of the wheelbarrow market porters in Fort-de-France, Martinique. Tells of his supernatural conception, his loves, his longings, his coworkers and friends, and the vibrant everyday life of the central marketplace. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1999.

The Accidental Bride: A Romantic Comedy      RC 51193

by Janice Harayda

read by Celeste Lawson

2 cassettes

Lily left her New York journalism career when recruited by her Ohio hometown paper and is engaged to marry wealthy attorney Mark. When Lily suddenly realizes she'd rather be single in New York, she must wait for Mark to finish a trial in California before breaking up with him. 1999.

Murder@maggody.com: An Arly Hanks/Maggody Mystery      RC 51249

by Joan Hess

read by Madelyn Buzzard

2 cassettes

The natives fear the encroachment of pornography when a computer lab is established at the Maggody, Arkansas, high school. Sure enough, police chief Arly Hanks finds herself battling smut, and then an unwed teenage mother is murdered. Some violence. 2000.

The Gospel according to the Son      RC 51268

by Norman Mailer

read by Dick Jenkins

1 cassette

First-person account of the story of Jesus and the gospels from his own point of view. Reveals his human side, including his doubts and his passions. Recounts his life and times, his ministry, and his conflict with the devil. 1997.

Roses Are Red      RC 51270

by James Patterson

read by Chuck Benson

2 cassettes

Picking up where Pop Goes the Weasel (RC 48868) left off, detective Alex Cross tries to convince girlfriend Christine to marry him. Meanwhile he becomes involved in a complex case with a perfectionist bank robber and terrorist called "Mastermind." Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Glory and the Lightning      RC 51310

by Taylor Caldwell

read by Nanette Savard

5 cassettes (Reissue)

Even in her childhood, people close to Aspasia recognized her intelligence and her chances for becoming a magnificent courtesan. Aspasia pursues her destiny to Athens, where she encourages her lover, statesman and orator Pericles, to establish a true democracy there. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 1974.

A Conspiracy of Paper      RC 51312

by David Liss

read by David Cutler

3 cassettes

London, 1719. Benjamin Weaver, a Jewish ex-boxer who makes his living as a detective, investigates the death of a businessman. Weaver's father, who had been a stockjobber, was also recently murdered. Eventually, Weaver uncovers a violent cabal of financiers whose actions lead to a stock market crash. Some violence. 2000.

The Dangerous Years      RC 51321

by Max Hennessy

read by David Cutler

2 cassettes (Reissue)

This sequel to Lion at Sea (RC 51322) pursues the adventures of three former classmates in their careers with the Royal Navy following World War I. Marriage to his lifelong sweetheart still eludes Kelly Maguire, but exciting assignments in Constantinople, Russia, and China lead to other amorous encounters. Some strong language. 1978.

The Papers of Tony Veitch      RC 51350

by William McIlvanney

read by Graeme Malcolm

2 cassettes

Scottish police detective Jack Laidlaw investigates the mysterious death of a vagrant. An aristocrat's daughter and a mysterious young college student are implicated in the crime; Laidlaw's search leads him through the Glasgow underworld, where a mob war is brewing. Some violence and some strong language. 1983.

No More Dying Then      RC 51356

by Ruth Rendell

read by Graeme Malcolm

1 cassette

Chief Inspector Wexford and his assistant, Mike Burden, are called in to investigate the disappearance of a second child from the village. Burden, recently widowed, complicates the case by falling in love with the missing youth's mother. Soon after, the first child's body is discovered. Some violence. 1971.

ravenShadow      RC 51358

by Win Blevins

read by Jim Zeiger

3 cassettes

After Joseph Blue Crow plunges into a destructive midlife crisis, he rediscovers his Lakota roots through a vision quest. As his spirit journeys back one hundred years to 1890 and the massacre of his people at Wounded Knee, he regains his spiritual orientation. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

Ten and Me      RC 51359

by Johnny D. Boggs

read by David Hartley-Margolin

1 cassette

New Mexico Territory, 1886. Jack Mackinnon spends his wedding day reflecting on his adventurous past. Along with fellow South Carolinian Dr. Ten Keough, Jack had joined the Texas Rangers. Their daring exploits were to become immortalized in the dime novels of Miss Robin Hunter. Some violence. 1999.

Arms and the Women      RC 51362

by Reginald Hill

read by George Holmes

3 cassettes

After Chief Inspector Peter Pascoe's wife, Ellie, is almost abducted, Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel suspects the attempt is linked with an active police case. But Detective Constable Shirley Novello, who is guarding Ellie, traces the cause to Ellie's membership in a radical feminist group. Some violence. 1999.

The Master of All Desires      RC 51365

by Judith Merkle Riley

read by Barbara Caruso

3 cassettes

France, 1556. A tale of politics, intrigue, and prophecy. The Queen of France, a dabbler in sorcery, wants to get rid of her husband's mistress. The head of the Master of All Desires may help her, but it could also unleash disaster for France. Some descriptions of sex. 1999.

Evanly Choirs      RC 51371

by Rhys Bowen

read by Graeme Malcolm

2 cassettes

Constable Evan Evans and the village of Llanfair, Wales, welcome the summer stay of world-renowned opera star Ifor Llewellyn--until his drinking and argumentative behavior become evident. When Llewellyn is discovered murdered, Evans delves into the singer's past while local ladies vie for the constable's attention. Some violence. 1999.

The Shining      RC 51373

by Stephen King

read by Chuck Benson

3 cassettes (Reissue)

Jack and Wendy Torrance come face-to-face with terror when they become caretakers of a haunted old hotel in the snowy mountains of Colorado. Their five-year-old son Danny, who appears to have psychic powers, is the first to sense the evil in the building. Violence and strong language. Bestseller 1977.

A Century of Great Western Stories      RC 51381

edited by John Jakes

read by Bob Askey

5 cassettes

Thirty western short stories from the twentieth century. Includes work by Louis L'Amour, Jack London, Elmer Kelton, Luke Short, Max Brand, and Zane Grey. Introduction by John Jakes. Some violence. 2000.

The Red Magician      RC 51383

by Lisa Goldstein

read by Suzanne Toren

1 cassette

Tale of confrontation between tradition and change in an East European village on the edge of World War II. Kicsi, a young girl, witnesses the duel of beliefs and wills between the local rabbi and Vörös, the red-haired stranger who warns of approaching evil. For senior high and older readers. American Book Award. 1982.

Dead Reckoning      RC 51385

by Clive Egleton

read by Graeme Malcolm

2 cassettes

London. A murdered woman is discovered to be impersonating SIS agent Peter Ashton's wife, Harriet, an ex-operative. The intelligence agency then discovers that their personnel files have been compromised. As Ashton investigates, he uncovers a sinister Pakistan/Indian plot involving anthrax. Some violence and some strong language. 1999.

Starless Night      RC 51393

by R.A. Salvatore

read by Erik Sandvold

2 cassettes

Elf Drizzt Do'Urden has no desire to leave his companions at Mithril Hall, where they mourn the death of a dear comrade. But Drizzt knows he must return to the Underdark, for only there can he learn what perils threaten his friends. Prequel to Siege of Darkness (RC 40730). 1993.

Tom Clancy's Power Plays: Bio-Strike      RC 51394

by Jerome Preisler

read by Bob Askey

3 cassettes

2001. Roger Gordian, UpLink International, finds his life on the line and the fate of the world in his hands. Gordian comes down with a lethal virus, which Harlan DeVane, a criminal mastermind, has developed and is spreading around the world. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Evan and Elle      RC 51395

by Rhys Bowen

read by Graeme Malcolm

1 cassette

An arsonist strikes in the northern Welsh village of Llanfair, attacking properties owned by foreigners. Madame Yvette's newly opened French restaurant is the latest target, but this time a man dies. Constable Evan Evans becomes saddled with outside police interference in his investigation. Some violence. 2000.

Tom Clancy's Net Force: Breaking Point      RC 51396

by Steve Perry

read by Chuck Benson

2 cassettes

June 2011. Net Force commander Alex Michaels's personal life is in turmoil. Yet he must turn his attention to stopping someone from illegally accessing information on an atmospheric weapon that can drive people mad. Sequel to Tom Clancy's Net Force: Night Moves (RC 50399). Strong language and some violence. Bestseller 2000.

A Storm of Swords: A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 3      RC 51406

by George R.R. Martin

read by Roy Avers

8 cassettes in 2 containers

King Joffrey of House Lannister now sits on the Iron Throne in the land of Seven Kingdoms. But there are still others who vie for power in a tale of treachery, greed, and ambition. Sequel to A Clash of Kings (RC 49913). Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

The Indian Sign      RC 51421

by Les Roberts

read by John Polk

2 cassettes

As Cleveland private investigator Milan Jacovich is being hired by a toy manufacturer to uncover an industrial spy, he notices an elderly Native American--who is later murdered. Curiosity leads Jacovich to become involved in a pro bono case of infant kidnapping--and additional murders. Strong language and some violence. 2000.

The Martian Race      RC 51423

by Gregory Benford

read by Erin Jones

2 cassettes

A commercial firm sponsors humanity's first expedition to the Red Planet. On January 11, 2018, astronaut Julia spots a filmy white mist issuing from a thermal vent. Excitement over the possibility of Martian life is countered by a series of accidents. And there is no NASA backup. Strong language. 1999.

No Defense      RC 51425

by Kate Wilhelm

read by Madelyn Buzzard

3 cassettes

While defending Lara Jessup--now accused of murdering her much older husband--Oregon attorney Barbara Holloway unearths clues about the disappearance of the victim's son many years ago. Other new evidence in several unsolved murders implicates a local judge who is being considered for a Supreme Court appointment. Some strong language. 2000.

The Quiet Invasion      RC 51427

by Sarah Zettel

read by Erin Jones

3 cassettes

At the crucial juncture when Dr. Helen Failia learns that funding is being withdrawn for Venera, her permanent research colony for Venus, an alien artifact is found on the planet's surface. The ensuing human contact with extraterrestrial life forms yields repercussions that are far from benign. 2000.

The Light of Other Days      RC 51432

by Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter

read by Roy Avers

2 cassettes

Industrialist Hiram Patterson develops the WormCam, a new technology capable of vision-spectrum imaging that ends personal privacy. But the WormCam can do more; harnessing the power of wormholes, it can see into the past. This is the story of the creators of this machinery and what humans decide to do with it. 2000.

Lying with the Enemy      RC 51434

by Tim Binding

read by Richard Hauenstein

3 cassettes

1943. Major Lentsch heads the German occupation force on the British Channel island of Guernsey. Lentsch is in love with Isobel, the ex-girlfriend of Inspector Ned Luscombe. When Isobel is murdered the men form an uneasy alliance to investigate the crime. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1998.

Drumm's War      RC 51439

by Bill Bragg and R.C. House

read by Jack Fox

2 cassettes

Fictionalized account of Captain "Toy" Drumm and his platoon's 1845 assignment to report on Mexican strength in the newly annexed Texas. Drumm's attempt to avoid confrontation fails and his troops are soon surrounded. Strong language and some violence. 1992.

The Deep Field      RC 51445

by James Bradley

read by Ann Hodapp

2 cassettes

Having searched in vain for her twin brother in Hong Kong, photographer Anna Frasier returns to Sydney. She enters a love affair with Seth LaMarque, a blind paleontologist, who comforts and guides her as she confronts her past. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1999.

Between the Rivers      RC 51446

by Harry Turtledove

read by Richard Hauenstein

3 cassettes

Although the gods and their priests still rule, men are beginning to forge metal and to trade between their cities. When merchant's son Sharur and thief Habbazu capture a cup that holds the gods' power, Sharur bargains for more commerce and freedom. 1998.

Broken Wings      RC 51447

by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

FBI profiler Jake Donovan, recently fired for political reasons, is recalled to investigate the suicide of the director. Along with other ex-agents--including sexy Katie McManus--Donovan assembles a special team that uncovers blackmail, deceit, and treachery within the bureau. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 1999.

Farnham's Freehold      RC 51448

by Robert A. Heinlein

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

A futuristic story involving race issues. When Hugh Farnham's bomb shelter is catapulted two thousand years into the future, he encounters a new world order. Farnham and the white race, who are blamed for a disastrous war, are expected to be slaves. Some strong language. 1964.

Porch Swings and Picket Fences: Love in a Small Town      RC 51453

by Lisa Tawn Bergren and others

read by Janis Gray

2 cassettes

Four romantic tales in which loyalty and faith lead to love. In "Tarnished Silver" a New Yorker falls for a rural preacher. In "Twice in a Blue Moon" a widow and widower rekindle their relationship. "Texas Two-Step" reconciles a divorcing young couple. And "The Boy Next Door" depicts neighborly romance. 1999.

Loves Me, Loves Me Not      RC 51456

by Barbara Jean Hicks

read by Suzanne Weintraub

2 cassettes

Thirty-five-year-old Bonny is still anguished five years after her husband, Timothy, left her. Shocked when her ex returns to their small town to win her back, Bonny begins dating men from a personal ad placed by her nieces. Her faith finally convinces her to listen to Timothy's story. 2000.

Soul Mountain      RC 51463

by Xingjian Gao

read by David Hartley-Margolin

4 cassettes

A semi-autobiographical, philosophical novel by the Chinese Nobel laureate. The protagonist, in reprieve from death, wanders through the Chinese landscape in search of Lingshan (Soul Mountain), describing his spiritual and physical quests. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

A Darkness More than Night      RC 51468

by Michael Connelly

read by Roy Avers

2 cassettes

Retired FBI agent Terry McCaleb, from Blood Work (RC 45883), is recovering from a heart transplant, when the LAPD requests his assistance in a torture-murder case. His main suspect becomes detective Harry Bosch, from Angels Flight (RC 47526), who is in court testifying against a deranged movie director. Violence and strong language. Bestseller 2001.

The First Counsel      RC 51470

by Brad Meltzer

read by Gregory Gorton

3 cassettes

When young White House attorney Michael Garrick takes the president's daredevil daughter Nora on a first date, they see Michael's married boss leave a gay bar and make a money drop. Michael endures nightmarish consequences--including becoming a murder suspect. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller 2001.

Stealing Shadows      RC 51473

by Kay Hooper

read by Laura Giannarelli

2 cassettes

Psychic Cassie Neill fails to prevent a murder in Los Angeles and flees to North Carolina. Once there, however, a stalker invades her mind. No one believes her until a body is found. Then she becomes a suspect. Companion to Hiding in the Shadows (RC 51472). Violence and strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Afterburn      RC 51478

by Colin Harrison

read by Gregory Gorton

3 cassettes

Ruthless millionaire businessman and ex-Vietnam POW Charlie Ravich is fighting to save his company, while he advertises for someone to have his baby. He meets con artist Christina Welles--just out of jail and hiding from the mob. Soon all the players converge. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2000.

Black Widow's Wardrobe      RC 51485

by Lucha Corpi

read by Barbara Pinolini

2 cassettes

Detective Gloria Damasco witnesses the attempted murder of the Black Widow, a woman who had served time for killing her husband. Damasco's investigation of the incident leads her to Mexico, where she learns of the widow's connection with Doña Marina from the time of the conquistador Cortés. 1999.

Voyage to the North Star      RC 51488

by Peter Nichols

read by Christopher Walker

2 cassettes

Schenck, a wealthy industrialist and aspiring big-game hunter, and Boden, a seaman who has lost his boat, wife, job, and reputation, launch an Arctic hunting expedition that no experienced seaman would undertake. Their depression-era adventures include a perilous voyage and a clash of cultures. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1999.

Smoke Eaters      RC 51491

by Christine Andreae

read by Margaret Strom

3 cassettes

When the Forest Service assigns Mattie McCulloch to direct her first fire operation, her son Jim is one of the troops. A member of her command secretly commits arson to kill a female firefighter; then Mattie finds Jim's name on the fatality list. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2000.

Murphy's Herd      RC 51494

by Gary Paulsen

read by Rick Rohan

1 cassette

After giving up his career as a lawman, Al Murphy starts a new life as a rancher with his lover, Midge. But when he returns from a trip to town to find Midge murdered and his herd gone, grief-stricken Murphy once again becomes a manhunter. Violence and strong language. 1989.

Storm Riders      RC 51497

by Craig Lesley

read by Michael Russotto

3 cassettes

College instructor Clark Woods is a foster parent to Wade, a young native Alaskan boy with fetal alcohol syndrome, who is a relative of Clark's ex-wife. As the years pass and Wade exhibits increasingly troubling behavior, Clark realizes his love is not enough. Strong language and some violence. 2000.

Wicked Widow      RC 51555

by Amanda Quick

read by Corrie James

2 cassettes

Madeline Deveridge, known as the Wicked Widow, is thought by many to have killed her husband and to also be mad. But Madeline and her aunt are being haunted, so the widow calls upon the only person who can help--Artemis Hunt, a master of Vanza. Some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 2000.

The Persia Café      RC 51556

by Melany Neilson

read by Nanette Savard

2 cassettes

Fannie has grown up in segregated Mississippi, runs the Persia Café, and is married to her high school sweetheart, Will Leary. In the summer of 1962, her perceptions of her hometown and her husband are altered when she discovers the body of a murdered African American youth, Earnest March. Some strong language. 2001.

The Bonesetter's Daughter      RC 51557

by Amy Tan

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

San Francisco writer Ruth Young discovers a memoir by her Chinese mother, LuLing, while she is dealing with LuLing's failing memory. After deciphering the Chinese calligraphy, Ruth gains insight into her family heritage, which improves her relationship with her mother. Some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

A Day Late and a Dollar Short      RC 51558

by Terry McMillan

read by Myra Luevetia Taylor

3 cassettes

Driven apart by infidelity and addiction, the Price family resolves to reunite through love and forgiveness. When Viola survives a severe asthma attack, her husband and four adult children rally around to support her recovery. But problems arise as their basic philosophical differences emerge. Strong language. Bestseller 2001.

Edge of Danger      RC 51559

by Jack Higgins

read by Chuck Benson

2 cassettes

Wealthy Arab-English earl Paul Rashid and his family declare revenge on U.S. president Jake Cazalet after their mother is accidentally killed by a double agent. But counterterrorist and ex-IRA gunman Sean Dillon stands in the way. Companion to The White House Connection (RC 48434). Some violence. Bestseller 2001.

The Death of Vishnu      RC 51564

by Manil Suri

read by Yolande Bavan

2 cassettes

Lowly servant Vishnu lies dying on the landing that has been his space in a Bombay apartment building, drifting through memories and thoughts of immortality. Meanwhile the everyday dramas of the residents swirl around him: wives' squabbles, religious misunderstandings, and an ill-conceived elopement. Bestseller 2001.

Speaking in Tongues      RC 51565

by Jeffery Deaver

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

A charismatic psychiatrist cleverly manipulates teenager Megan McCall and her divorced parents, kidnapping Megan and hiding her in an abandoned mental hospital. Her disappearance brings her parents together, but the doctor continues to wreak vengeance on her father. Strong language and some violence. 2000.

A Small Death in Lisbon      RC 51567

by Robert Wilson

read by Robert Blumenfeld

3 cassettes

Prize-winning British mystery traces the murder of a promiscuous teenager in 1990s Portugal to a Nazi officer's smuggling activities during World War II. Inspector José Coelho is assigned the case that leads him to an unusual conclusion. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. Golden Dagger/Best Crime Novel. 1999.

The Tale of Murasaki      RC 51570

by Liza Dalby

read by Catherine Byers

3 cassettes

A fictional reminiscence by the eleventh-century Japanese female author of The Tale of Genji (RC 14167), Murasaki Shikibu. She records her love of beauty and poetry, her arranged marriage, service at court--its ceremonies and traditions--and why she wrote her novel. Some descriptions of sex. 2000.

The Carousel      RC 51599

by Richard Paul Evans

read by Terence Aselford

1 cassette

Ogden, Utah; 1989. In this sequel to The Locket (RC 47309), Michael Keddington and Faye Murrow decide to elope before Faye leaves for medical school in Maryland. But they are deluged with troubles--disapproving parents, work demands, deaths, and more--that try their marriage. Bestseller 2000.

Blood Rain: An Aurelio Zen Mystery      RC 51604

by Michael Dibdin

read by Peter Gil

2 cassettes

Italian detective Aurelio Zen is sent to Sicily to spy on the anti-Mafia operations of the state police for which his adopted daughter Carla is installing a computer system. Zen is totally demoralized after two sudden deaths in his family. Some violence and some strong language. 1999.

Strange Travelers      RC 51605

by Gene Wolfe

read by Gary Telles

3 cassettes

Fifteen stories of science fiction, fantasy, and horror first published between 1990 and 1997. In "Bed and Breakfast" a traveler warns an unexpected woman guest to be careful of the demons who frequent the inn near Hell, not realizing that she herself might be a fiend. 2000.

Anonymous Rex: A Detective Story      RC 51606

by Eric Garcia

read by Robert Sams

3 cassettes

L.A. shamus Vincent Rubio is a loser--few clients, his car repossessed, and basil addiction. He's also a dinosaur--literally--one of thousands who still inhabit the earth disguised as humans. Investigating arson at a dino nightclub, Vincent stumbles on an interspecies breeding conspiracy. Strong language and some violence. 2000.

The Fantasies of Robert A. Heinlein      RC 51609

by Robert A. Heinlein

read by Michael Scherer

3 cassettes

Eight fantasy stories from the 1940s and 1950s. Real-world characters are challenged by inexplicable events in "Magic, Inc.," "And He Built a Crooked House," "They," "Waldo," "The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag," "Our Fair City," "The Man Who Traveled in Elephants," and "All You Zombies." 1999.

Henry Plummer      RC 51616

by Frank Bird Linderman

read by Robert Sams

2 cassettes

Henry Plummer arrives in the Montana territories and is eventually elected sheriff. But the Masons organize a vigilante group to investigate the murders and robberies of miners in the region and soon suspect the lawman. Based on a true story. Foreword by the author's granddaughter. Some violence and some strong language. 1920.

A Chance Encounter      RC 51617

by Mary Balogh

read by Vanessa Maroney

2 cassettes

Governess Elizabeth Rossiter is shocked to discover that a guest at a nearby manor house is none other than her secret ex-husband Robert Denning, the current marquess of Hetherington. The two had eloped six years before but separated after two days. Now Elizabeth both loves and hates him. 1985.

On Secret Service      RC 51622

by John Jakes

read by Annie Wauters

4 cassettes

During the Civil War, as Lon Price is gathering military intelligence for the Pinkerton agency, he arrests Confederate sympathizer Margaret Miller. Meanwhile, actress Hanna Siegel, disguised as a Union soldier, is captured by Confederate major Fred Dasher. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2000.

Blood on the Saddle: A Western Story      RC 51625

by Dan Cushman

read by Gregory Gorton

2 cassettes

Montana Territory, 1880s. Billy Buttons is accused of murdering a slick businessman who wants his family's land. But instead of fleeing, Billy and his brother Clyde ride into town to surrender. Billy hires T.F. Boe, the best criminal attorney in the West. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1998.

The Judas Judge: A Kevin Kerney Novel      RC 51627

by Michael McGarrity

read by Gregory Gorton

2 cassettes

New Mexico state cop Kevin Kerney returns to his boyhood neighborhood to investigate a murderous rampage along a stretch of highway. The sixth victim is wealthy judge Vernon Langsford, whose family had previously lost two other members. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2000.

Eye of the Storm: The Hudson Family Series      RC 51648

by V.C. Andrews

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

When Rain returns to America for Grandmother Hudson's funeral, she learns she has inherited most of her grandparent's estate. Then Rain is badly injured in an accident and her relatives attempt to take over the estate. Sequel to Lightning Strikes (RC 50929). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

The End of the Rainbow: The Hudson Family Series      RC 51649

by V.C. Andrews

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

This sequel to Eye of the Storm (RC 51648) focuses on Summer, sixteen-year-old daughter of Rain and Austin. Summer thinks of Uncle Roy's stepson, Harley, as a brother, but after she is date-raped--and she and Harley search for his real father--their relationship changes. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

Desert Kiss/Besos en el Desierto      RC 51652

by Gloria Alvarez

read by María Pino

2 cassettes

por fin, el geólogo Patricia Martínez tiene la oportunidad de irse en una expedición al Desierto Solitario en una parte remota de Texas. Pero su guía va a ser Daniel Rivera el hombre a quien Patricia años atras le robó el corazón y luego se lo rompió sin ninguna explicación. Y ahora los dos van a estar solos en el desierto. Descripciones de índole sexual y de lenguaje injurioso. Edición bilingüe en inglés y español.(Archaeologist Patricia Martínez is finally getting the chance to go on an expedition into Texas's Solitario Desert. But her guide is Daniel Rivera, a man whose heart she broke years ago. Neither is prepared for what they discover in the desert. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bilingual book in English and in Spanish.) 1999.

Summer Dreams/Sueños de Verano      RC 51653

by Hebby Roman

read by María Pino

2 cassettes

Natalia y Rafael eran buenos amigos en su juventud debido a la abuela de Natalia. Como adultos, tomaron distintos caminos y se despidieron. Ahora Natalia regresa a visitar a su abuela en Nueva México, terminando un noviazgo de mucho tiempo. Al llegar, Natalia se pregunta si Rafael todavía estaría interesado en una maestra de escuela amante de los libros como ella. Algunas descripciones de índole sexual. Edición bilingüe en inglés y español.(As children Natalia and Rafael were close friends because of her grandmother. As adults, they went separate ways. Now Natalia has broken a longtime engagement and has returned to visit her grandmother in New Mexico, wondering if Rafael will be interested in a bookish schoolteacher. Some explicit descriptions of sex. Bilingual edition in English and in Spanish.) 1999.

The Situe Stories      RC 51654

by Frances Khirallah Noble

read by Nanette Savard

1 cassette

Eleven short stories involving "situes," the Arabic word for grandmothers. In "The American Way," a henpecked Syrian husband in an extended household solves his gambling problem by becoming a bookie. His larger income pleases his family, and the situe is happy and proud of his enterprise. Some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Lying Awake      RC 51657

by Mark Salzman

read by Kimberly Schraf

1 cassette

Sister John of the Cross is a longtime resident of a Carmelite monastery. For years she has experienced spiritual visions, after which she composes poetry. But lately she has also suffered severe headaches. She learns that surgery can cure her, but she fears it will entail the loss of her visions. Bestseller 2000.

Lost and Found      RC 51658

by Jayne Ann Krentz

read by Margaret Strom

2 cassettes

Art appraiser Cady Briggs assists Internet artifact-recovery specialist Mack Easton with his appraisals. They finally meet and fall in love. When her great-aunt Vesta dies suspiciously, the two investigate. Suspects include Cady's cousin and her aunt's gallery cohorts and rivals. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

Suspicion of Malice      RC 51661

by Barbara Parker

read by Colleen Delany

3 cassettes

Miami attorney Gail Connor, secretly pregnant, agrees to defend ballet student Bobby Gonzalez against a charge of murder. But Bobby's girlfriend is the daughter of Anthony Quintana, Gail's ex-fiancé. And Bobby's alibi involves smoking pot with a judge. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2000.

On Parole      RC 51669

by Akira Yoshimura

read by Robert Sams

2 cassettes

Former teacher Shiro Kikutani is paroled after sixteen years for murdering his wife and her lover's mother. With the help of his parole officers, Shiro adjusts to a life of constant supervision. But when he remarries, his new spouse becomes obsessed with obtaining him a pardon. Some violence. 1999.

Liar's Moon: A Long Story      RC 51679

by Philip Kimball

read by Michael Russotto

2 cassettes

Settlers and cowboys present their perceptions of the Western frontier in the post-Civil War years. An itinerant preacher depicts a gruesome version of God's plan and man's follies. Others describe the region as gritty, vulgar, desperate, and boring--but filled with vitality and hope. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1999.

The Mammy      RC 51680

by Brendan O'Carroll

read by Terry Donnelly

1 cassette

In 1960s working-class Dublin newly widowed Agnes Browne--called Mammy by her seven children--goes directly to Social Welfare on the day of her husband's death. She meets challenges head-on with plucky courage, great wit, and as much good humor as she can muster. Prequel to The Chisellers (RC 51681). Strong language. 1994.

The Scottish Bride      RC 51685

by Catherine Coulter

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

England, 1815. Tysen Sherbrooke, thirty-one, has been informed that he is now Baron Barthwick of Kildrummy Castle. Feeling a responsibility to visit his new property, he travels to Scotland, where he finds himself in a world of unexpected complications. Sequel to The Heiress Bride (RC 35913). Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 2001.

Some Lie and Some Die      RC 51688

by Ruth Rendell

read by Graeme Malcolm

1 cassette (Reissue)

Inspector Wexford investigates the murder of a girl during a huge music festival starring Zeno Vedast, a local boy who has become a megalomaniacal rock star. But the town has been invaded by 80,000 hippie concert attendees and all are considered suspects. Some violence. 1973.

White Fang      RC 51689

by Jack London

read by L.J. Ganser

2 cassettes (Reissue)

A wolf-dog, rescued from danger and tamed by a kind master, redeems his brute nature by defending his master's family against an escaped convict. Companion to The Call of the Wild (RC 49486). For junior and senior high and older readers. 1906.

Blood Lure      RC 51690

by Nevada Barr

read by Suzanne Toren

2 cassettes

Park ranger Anna Pigeon travels to Montana's Glacier National Park to study the DNA of grizzly bears. A bear attacks Anna's tent on her first night out camping. On the way back to the base camp, she discovers a woman's mutilated body. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

Judgment in Death      RC 51691

by J.D. Robb

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

New York City, 2059. Policewoman Eve Dallas investigates the murder of a crooked cop in one of her husband's nightclubs. When another officer with dubious connections is later killed, Eve suspects a vigilante. She also then becomes a target. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. Bestseller 2000.

The Tall Pine Polka      RC 51693

by Lorna Landvik

read by Kristin Allison

3 cassettes

Runaway heiress Lee O'Leary runs the cafe in Tall Pine, Minnesota, where eccentric neighbors gather. A Hollywood B movie puts the town on the map and makes twenty-two-year-old local beauty Fenny Ness an instant celebrity. Fenny and Lee also find themselves parties in a romantic rivalry. Some strong language. 1999.

The Gate to Women's Country      RC 51702

by Sheri S. Tepper

read by Gabriella Cavallero

2 cassettes

Events in the life of Stavia, from age ten to womanhood, at a time when human civilization has evolved into a social system divided along gender lines. Women have taken over running the country, while the men live in closed military garrisons--with a gate to the outside world. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1988.

Spindle's End      RC 51708

by Robin McKinley

read by Jill Ferris

3 cassettes

An infant princess is cursed on her name day by Pernicia, an evil fairy. Katriona, a young fairy, whisks the baby away to raise as her own, hoping to avoid Pernicia's vengeful powers. Based on the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. For junior and senior high and older readers. 2000.

True North      RC 51713

by Kimberly Kafka

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

Thirty-five-year-old nurse Bailey fled Maine years ago to become a bush pilot in Alaska. When two young white people arrive for a wilderness vacation, the Ingalik tribe leader arranges for Bailey to assist them. But grizzlies, greed, and prejudice complicate matters. Some violence and some strong language. 2000.

Out of the Blue      RC 51716

by Sally Mandel

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

Teacher Anna Bolles has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair the day she visits a photography exhibit in New York City. There she meets exhibitor Joe Malone, who, she later declares, "swept me off my feet...and I wasn't even on my feet." Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2000.

Fool's Gold      RC 51717

by Jane S. Smith

read by Gabriella Cavallero

2 cassettes

A New York Review of Books listing for a rental house in the south of France offers the perfect vacation for an artist couple needing a respite. Naturally, not everything lives up to their expectations, but that doesn't matter to their two children, who find a treasury of Celtic gold. 2000.

The Fifth Elephant: A Novel of Discworld      RC 51726

by Terry Pratchett

read by Kristin Allison

2 cassettes

Features Sam Vimes, the commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, who is sent as ambassador to Uberwald to negotiate a trade deal. Gold, iron, and fat--but never silver--are mined in Uberwald. Vimes must also solve the mystery of the missing Scone of Stone for the dwarves. Some strong language. 2000.

Birds of Prey      RC 51757

by J.A. Jance

read by Jack Fox

2 cassettes

Retired Seattle homicide detective J.P. Beaumont accompanies his newly wed grandmother on her honeymoon on a cruise ship to Alaska. When one of the passengers disappears, Beaumont becomes part of an FBI operation involving a religious group that is targeting doctors--some of whom are aboard. Some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

Mystic River      RC 51758

by Dennis Lehane

read by Fred Major

3 cassettes

Sean, Jimmy, and Dave were eleven years old when Dave was briefly abducted from a Boston slum. Twenty-five years later, ex-con Jimmy's daughter is murdered, and Dave becomes a suspect. Sean, now a homicide detective, is assigned to the case. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. Bestseller 2001.

Scarlet Feather      RC 51764

by Maeve Binchy

read by Anne Flosnik

4 cassettes

Cooking-school friends Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather have created the Scarlet Feather catering company in Dublin. During their first year, as they get off to a good start professionally, they struggle in their personal lives with troubled family members. Then they must recover from a devastating break-in. Bestseller 2000.

Slightly Shady      RC 51767

by Amanda Quick

read by Gabriella Cavallero

2 cassettes

Regency romance in which Lavinia Lake and her niece, Emeline, return to England after a run-in with despicable private investigator Tobias March in Italy. But Lavinia needs March's services to give Emeline a successful London season. And March proves irresistible. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

The Biographer's Tale      RC 51771

by A.S. Byatt

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

A 1990s graduate student, Phineas G. Nanson, renounces postmodernist literary theory in favor of a "life full of things...full of facts." Then, while doing research for a biography of a biographer, Phineas discovers the pleasures of having not one but two real-world loves. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Riley in the Morning      RC 51779

by Sandra Brown

read by Jill Fox

1 cassette

Preparing for a party, media producer Brin Cassidy is shocked to see her estranged husband, television personality Jon Riley, appear on her doorstep after seven months. During the long, eventful evening, flashbacks trace their passionate relationship and reveal the reason she left. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 1985.

Blue Hole      RC 51782

by G.D. Gearino

read by Richard Hauenstein

2 cassettes

Georgia, 1969. In a single day Charley is expelled from school, loses his girlfriend, and is ostracized for injuring the school's star quarterback. But he is hired by a beautiful photographer searching for a boy missing from a hippie commune. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 1999.

A Little Love      RC 51785

by C.C. Medina

read by Erin Jones

3 cassettes

In alternating chapters of the book, four Latina women in Miami discuss their romantic lives in English and in Spanish. Divorced Cuban Isabel feels like a failure, Mercy concentrates on selling real estate while waiting for "señor right," Lucinda's husband betrays her, and Julia resists marrying her lover. Some descriptions of sex. 2000.

The Naked Detective      RC 51794

by Laurence Shames

read by Bruce Huntey

2 cassettes

Key West retiree Pete Amsterdam is a private detective only for tax write-off purposes. So when a cross-dressing bartender wants protection from the local mob, Pete rejects the case--until the guy is murdered and his friend, a lithe yoga instructor, pleads for help. Strong language and some violence. 2000.

DogBreath Victorious      RC 51802

by Chad Henry

read by Chris Parente

1 cassette

Tim Threlfall is the lead of an alternative Seattle rock group named DogBreath. With Phoebe, a singer, they join a battle-of-the-bands contest hoping to clinch a record contract. Tim is humiliated, however, when his mom's secret band, The Angry Housewives, wins instead. For junior and senior high readers. 1999.

Veronika Decides to Die      RC 51803

by Paulo Coelho

read by Jill Fox

2 cassettes

When Veronika, a young Slovene, attempts suicide, she considerately chooses an overdose of tranquilizers to leave less mess and is dismayed to wake up at an infamous lunatic asylum. Her doctor administers an unorthodox treatment to provoke her desire to live. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1998.

The Feast of Love      RC 51804

by Charles Baxter

read by Fred Major

2 cassettes

Bradley Smith helps his friend Charlie Baxter solve his book-writing woes by suggesting Charlie get Bradley's coffee shop customers to talk about their delights and distractions. Baxter weaves these stories into a series of vignettes covering many aspects of life. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2000.

The Lost Band      RC 51807

by Don Coldsmith

read by Jack Fox

2 cassettes

At the annual gathering of the People to celebrate the Sun Dance, a warrior claims the empty space at the Council circle for the Lost Band. Story Keeper relates the saga of his people, the Forest Band, who were almost annihilated by another tribe generations ago. 2000.

Sweet Sixteen      RC 51813

by Allison Raine

read by Jill Fox

1 cassette

Laurel is miserable over being the new girl in town--especially when her sixteenth birthday is coming up. Dylan is also unhappy living with his father. When the two eventually meet at school, they form a plan that might just work. For senior high readers. 2000.

Washington Avalanche, 1910      RC 51825

by Cameron Dokey

read by Mitzi Friedlander

1 cassette

Fleeing her conniving guardian stepbrother, seventeen-year-old Ginny Nolan boards a Seattle-bound train and meets young Virginia, who is apprehensive over her imminent arranged marriage to a stranger. The girls temporarily trade identities, giving Virginia a chance to assess the fiancé. But unexpected love and an avalanche intervene. For junior and senior high readers. 2000.

The Vendetta Defense      RC 51883

by Lisa Scottoline

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

3 cassettes

Philadelphia lawyer Judy Carrier represents seventy-nine-year-old Tony Lucia, who killed his rival, Angelo Coluzzi, for murdering his wife sixty years ago in Italy. While preparing his defense, Judy is drawn into a deadly vendetta and also falls in love with Tony's grandson, Frank. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

Ship of Fools      RC 51885

by Richard Paul Russo

read by Richard Hauenstein

2 cassettes

The spaceship Argonos has been wandering aimlessly in space for decades and has not made landfall in fourteen years. The crew is growing restless. Then a faint signal lures them to an unknown planet where they make a gruesome discovery. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

First to Die      RC 51887

by James Patterson

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

A serial killer of newlyweds prompts an investigation by Lindsay Boxer, a San Francisco homicide detective recently diagnosed with a potentially fatal blood disease. She recruits a medical examiner, a journalist, and a district attorney (all women) to help find the murderer. Violence, some descriptions of sex, and some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

Claws and Effect      RC 51888

by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown

read by Laura Giannarelli

2 cassettes

Everyone in Crozet, Virginia, is suffering from the winter doldrums. The hottest topic in town is a chain letter promising good luck to those who contribute to Crozet Hospital. Then medical staff begin turning up dead. Naturally, feline Mrs. Murphy and her associates must investigate. Some violence. Bestseller 2001.

Chosen Prey      RC 51896

by John Sandford

read by Christopher Walker

2 cassettes

Minneapolis Deputy Chief Lucas Davenport is searching for a serial killer. The unknown perpetrator is actually James Qatar, a fastidious art history teacher. His other hobby is combining Internet porn shots with faces of women he secretly photographs, and then sketching the results. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2001.

The Third Victim      RC 51904

by Lisa Gardner

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

2 cassettes

The tiny sheriff's office of Bakersville, Oregon, appears ill-equipped to handle a school shooting by the sheriff's son. Officer Rainie Conner deals with state and federal authorities and revisits the long-ago charges of shooting her mother while she searches for what set the boy off. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 2001.

My Dream of You      RC 51906

by Nuala O'Faolain

read by Terry Donnelly

3 cassettes

Kathleen de Burca, an expatriate travel writer in London, is propelled into a midlife crisis by the sudden death of a friend and coworker. Returning to her native Ireland to conduct research for a novel, she finds her historical consciousness awakened along with long-dormant emotions. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2001.

Speaking with the Angel: Original Stories      RC 51907

edited by Nick Hornby

read by Jim Zeiger

2 cassettes

Twelve first-person narratives by British and American writers. New short stories by Zadie Smith, Dave Eggers, Helen Fielding, Roddy Doyle, and Irvine Welsh. In Nick Hornby's "NippleJesus," a museum security guard recounts what happened to a controversial artwork. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

Star Wars: Darth Maul, Shadow Hunter      RC 51911

by Michael Reaves

read by Chuck Benson

2 cassettes

In events preceding Episode I, the Phantom Menace (RC 50064), Darth Sidious launches his plan to destroy the Republic. When Sidious learns he is being double-crossed, he sends Darth Maul to find the traitor. But Maul may be too late. Some violence. For senior high and older readers. Bestseller 2001.

Considering Kate      RC 51947

by Nora Roberts

read by Kristin Allison

1 cassette

Natasha's daughter Kate knows she made the right decision to abandon her ballet career and return home to open a ballet school in the old building she always loved. But the building needs renovation, and Kate's mother knows just the man to do it. Some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller 2001.

Stella in Heaven: Almost a Novel      RC 51994

by Art Buchwald

read by John Polk

1 cassette

In alternating chapters, Roger Folger, now sixty-one, and Stella, his wife of thirty-eight years who died two years earlier, communicate between Earth and Heaven via the Divine Telephone Service. Stella, concerned about Roger's being alone, sets out to find him a new wife--with unexpected results. 2000.

Nell      RC 52069

by Jeanette Baker

read by Anne Flosnik

3 cassettes

Two women, Nell Fitzgerald from the sixteenth century and Jillian Fitzgerald from the twentieth century, are united across time in their search for love. But for both, the conflicts between between England and Ireland, Catholics and Protestants, lead to tragedies that tear each from her beloved. Some descriptions of sex. 1999.

Books for Children

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

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

Cassettes Nonfiction

When I Was Your Age: Original Stories about Growing Up RC 48845

edited by Amy Ehrlich

read by Ray DiZefalo

1 cassette

Ten "grown-up writers who were once children" present stories based on their own childhood experiences. Authors are: Mary Pope Osborne, Laurence Yep, James Howe, Katherine Paterson, Walter Dean Myers, Susan Cooper, Nicholasa Mohr, Reeve Lindbergh, Avi, and Francesca Lia Block. For grades 5-8. 1996.

Indian School: Teaching the White Man's Way RC 49789

by Michael L. Cooper

read by Erik Sandvold

1 cassette

Focusing on the Carlisle, Pennsylvania, school founded in 1879, the author describes the institutions that were created to teach Native American children to fit into white society and to shed their own culture. Relates their suffering and some deaths from homesickness and contagious diseases. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1999.

Living with Deafness      RC 50300

by Emma Haughton

read by Cyn Delafield

1 cassette

Explains the condition of deafness and its possible causes. Discusses its effects on the everyday lives of four individuals with different hearing problems. For grades 3-6. 2000.

Living with Blindness      RC 50301

by Patsy Westcott

read by Cyn Delafield

1 cassette

Explains the condition of blindness and its possible causes. Describes some aspects of everyday life for a ten-year-old boy who is gradually losing his vision, for a teenager who has been blind since birth, and for a partially sighted adult. Lists sources for further information. For grades 3-6. 2000.

The World according to Horses: How They Run, See, and Think      RC 50864

by Stephen Budiansky

read by Ray DiZefalo

1 cassette

Discusses the science of horses: their evolution, communication skills, social life, intelligence, and relations with humans. Describes the animal as the ultimate running machine and explains how we know so much about the species. For grades 4-7. 2000.

Everything You Need to Know about Down Syndrome      RC 51253

by Mary Bowman-Kruhm

read by Miriam Wagner

1 cassette

Explains the genetic origins of Down syndrome (DS) and the characteristics of someone born with this condition. Describes the health and physical development challenges facing people with the disorder and discusses coping skills. Suggests how family and friends can help those with DS grow into valuable community members. For grades 4-7. 2000.

Living with Diabetes      RC 51254

by Jenny Bryan

read by Cyn Delafield

1 cassette

Discusses the causes and symptoms of diabetes and the effects of diet and medicine. Prresents three children and an adult as examples of how people handle this disease while continuing their activities and routines. Explains what to do in an emergency. For grades 3-6. 2000.

In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers      RC 51324

read by Rick Rohan

1 cassette

Thirteen poems in praise of fathers. Contains short biographical notes about the poets. For grades K-3 and older readers. Coretta Scott King Award. 1997.

Sitting Bull and His World      RC 51384

by Albert Marrin

read by Bill Wallace

2 cassettes

Discusses the life of the Lakota chief who is remembered for his defeat of General Custer at the Little Bighorn. Describes changes in the U.S. government's treatment of Native Americans during Sitting Bull's lifetime. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2000.

Democratic Republic of the Congo      RC 51483

by Jay Heale

read by Jacinda Bronaugh

1 cassette

Covers the culture, history, economy, and government. A former colony of Belgium, the Congo was once called Zaire. Discusses the country's struggle for stability after surviving civil war in the mid 1990s. Also examines its fight against poverty and starvation. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1999.

The Complete Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh      RC 51545

by A.A. Milne

read by Laura Giannarelli

1 cassette

Originally written to entertain the author's son, Christopher Robin, some of the verses are about the boy's stuffed animals. This volume contains both the first collection, When We Were Very Young, published in 1924, and the second, Now We Are Six, published in 1927. For grades K-3. 1927.

Sweet Victory: Lance Armstrong's Incredible Journey; the Amazing Story of the Greatest Comeback in Sports      RC 51575

by Mark Stewart

read by Michael Russotto

1 cassette

Presents the saga of a bicyclist who won his battle against cancer and then went on to win one of the world's most grueling races, the Tour de France. For grades 4-7. 2000.

North Korea      RC 51602

by Amy K. Nash

read by Mary Kane

1 cassette

Explores the geography, history, government, society, economy, and transportation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. For grades 5-8. 1999.

People's Republic of China      RC 51615

by Kim Dramer

read by Mary Kane

1 cassette

Describes the geography, plants and animals, history, economy, language, religions, culture, and people of the home of one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. For grades 5-8. 1999.

Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Maya      RC 51626

by Leonard Everett Fisher

read by Mary Kane

1 cassette

Introduces the twelve principal gods and goddesses of the ancient Mayan civilization, which extended through the area that became the Yucatan peninsula, Belize, Guatemala, and part of Honduras. Deities include the god of rain, Chac; the god of corn, Yum Kaax; and the god of death, Ah Puch. For grades 4-7. 1999.

Hamsters      RC 51634

by Zuza Vrbova

read by Gary Telles

1 cassette

A complete guide to keeping a pet hamster. Explains that hamsters sleep by day and are active at night. Advises how to select and care for the rodent, including feeding it and furnishing the cage--with toys and a water bottle. For grades 2-4. 1998.

Guinea Pigs      RC 51635

by Zuza Vrbova

read by Gary Telles

1 cassette

A complete guide to keeping a guinea pig for a pet. Discusses how to choose and buy the right one. Then explains how to care for it, including housing, feeding, cleaning, and handling. For grades 2-4. 1997.

Budgerigars      RC 51636

by Zuza Vrbova

read by Gary Telles

1 cassette

A guide for keeping a pet budgerigar (or parakeet)--a bird that can be trained to talk and lives seven to eight years. Discusses choosing a budgie and whether to have an indoor or outdoor home. Explains the budgie's special food and water needs and how to tame it. For grades 2-4. 1998.

Turtles      RC 51637

by Zuza Vrbova

read by Gary Telles

1 cassette

Describes these reptiles as lovable, quiet pets with their own personalities and unusually long life spans. Provides information on how to choose either land or water turtles and how to feed and take care of them. For grades 2-4. 1997.

Kittens      RC 51638

by Zuza Vrbova

read by Gary Telles

1 cassette

Describes the process of selecting a kitten as a house pet and the responsibility of training, feeding, and grooming it. Explains why the training of a kitten to behave properly is time consuming but necessary. For grades 2-4. 1997.

Ferrets Today: A Complete and Up-to-Date Guide      RC 51639

by Mary Field

read by Jill Fox

1 cassette

Asserts that while ferrets are clean and easy to care for and need only a small living space, they are not good pets for households with children under age six. Advises budgeting for upkeep expenses and explains everyday care, from housing and nutrition to litter training and veterinary care. For grades 5-8. 1997.

Iguanas in Your Home: A Complete and Up-to-Date Guide      RC 51640

by R.M. Smith

read by Kerry Cundiff

1 cassette

Experienced iguana-keeper recommends captivity-bred Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) for household pets because they are easy to tame and inexpensive to feed. Provides tips on selection, housing, mainly vegetarian diet, reproduction, health problems, and handling. For grades 5-8. 1997.

Pot-Bellied Pigs: A Complete and Up-to-Date Guide      RC 51641

by Dennis Kelsey-Wood

read by Jill Fox

1 cassette

While praising the good qualities of pot-bellies, the author warns they are not ideal pets for everyone. He explains how to choose a pet pig and how to house and feed it and provides tips on training and health care. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1997.

Amphibians Today: A Complete and Up-to-Date Guide      RC 51642

by John Coborn

read by Jill Fox

1 cassette

Information on the selection, care, and breeding of frogs, newts, salamanders, and toads. Reminds potential owners that amphibians generally aren't the type of pets to caress and should be handled only when necessary. For grades 5-8. 1997.

Parakeets Today: A Complete and Up-to-Date Guide      RC 51645

by Elaine Radford

read by Jill Fox

1 cassette

Parakeets, the smallest member of the parrot family, are also known as "budgerigars" or "budgies." Discusses how to select a bird, create the proper home for it, feed it, and train it. Includes information on health and breeding. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1997.

Aquarium Beautiful: A Complete and Up-to-Date Guide      RC 51646

by A. van den Nieuwenhuizen

read by Gary Tipton

1 cassette

Discusses creating Dutch aquariums, which emphasize plants more than fish. Presents various types of these aquariums and the necessary equipment and proper locations for each. Also explains how to select and arrange plants and the kinds of fish that can be added. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1997.

The Children's Book of Faith      RC 51656

edited by William J. Bennett

read by Rick Foucheux

1 cassette

A collection of poems, prayers, and stories in the Judeo-Christian tradition presented to inspire all young Americans. Contains the biblical story of "Daniel in the Lions' Den," "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde, and a biographical sketch of Louis Braille. For grades 2-4 and older readers. Bestseller 2000.

Côte d'Ivoire      RC 51686

by Patricia Sheehan

read by Lisette Lecat

1 cassette

A summary of the geography, history, government, economy, and people of the western African country that was once a French colony called the Ivory Coast. Discusses its many indigenous ethnic groups, their languages, and cultures. For grades 5-8. 2000.

Mongolia      RC 51696

by Guek-Cheng Pang

read by Dennis Rooney

1 cassette

Describes the culture, history, and government of the Asian country of Mongolia, which is located between Russia and China. Past leaders include Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan, whose fighting ability led to the construction of the Great Wall of China as a bulwark against invasion. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1999.

Too Old for This, Too Young for That! Your Survival Guide for the Middle-School Years      RC 51705

by Harriet S. Mosatche and Karen Unger

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

1 cassette

Information, advice, and support for middle schoolers on issues such as communicating with family and friends, setting goals, handling peer pressure, and dealing with physical and emotional changes including bodily functions and stress. Suitable for parents to read in order to understand their preteens. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2000.

Diabetes      RC 51777

by Judith Peacock

read by Patricia McDermott

1 cassette

Introductory overview of different types of diabetes, covering symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, control, and complications of the disease. Assesses some of the serious effects of the body's inability to use glucose properly because of a lack of insulin. For grades 6-9. 2000.

Living with Leukemia      RC 51778

by Patsy Westcott

read by Patricia McDermott

1 cassette

An introduction to leukemia as a type of cancer that needs special treatment. Explains some reasons why people get the disease, how it affects their lives, and how they cope with it. Discusses common medicines, support from friends and family, and the possibility of remission. For grades 2-4. 2000.

Elections      RC 51811

by Janet Majure

read by Mitzi Friedlander

1 cassette

Describes the history of the election process in the United States. Discusses the influence of the media and big money, political parties, voting practices, and proposals for change. For grades 6-9. 1996.

The History of NASCAR      RC 52001

by Ann McGuire

read by Brian Conn

1 cassette

Traces the history of the American sport of stock car racing from its informal beginnings in the South to the 1948 incorporation of the National Association for Stock Car Automobile Racing (NASCAR). Describes subsequent racing competitions through the 1990s and some of the sport's famous drivers. For grades 4-7. 2000.

Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays      RC 52181

by Peg Kehret

read by Renee Dutton-O'Hara

1 cassette

Features eight stray dogs that were adopted from shelters and went on to become service animals, actors, and heroes. "Zorro, the Champion That Nobody Wanted" relates how a large, lively canine became a star on a flyball team. For grades 3-6. 1999.

Cassettes Fiction

The Quicksand Pony RC 48419

by Alison Lester

read by June Carter

1 cassette

Australia. Biddy is excited to join her parents on their annual cattle drive. But when her beloved pony, Bella, gets stuck in quicksand, Biddy is forced to leave her behind. Hoping that the tide has freed Bella, Biddy returns--only to find mysterious footprints leading the pony away. For grades 4-7. 1997.

One Thing I'm Good At      RC 50292

by Karen Lynn Williams

read by Gillian Green

1 cassette

Fourth-grader Julie is having a terrible year--she is failing school, her father is sick, and her teenage sister is moody and mean. Julie can think of nothing she is good at. It takes her preschool brother, Bean, to prove her wrong. For grades 3-6. 1999.

Mean, Mean Maureen Green      RC 50293

by Judy Cox

read by Grace Ragsdale

1 cassette

When Lilley begins third grade, she is horrified to learn that bully Maureen Green is on her bus route. Lilley's new friend, Adam, tells her to stop being a wimp. Either she must stand up to Maureen or learn to ride her bike to school. For grades 2-4. 1999.

A Blizzard Year: Timmy's Almanac of the Seasons      RC 50296

by Gretel Ehrlich

read by Marilyn Gleason

1 cassette

The year she turns thirteen, Timmy and her parents experience a terrible blizzard on their Wyoming ranch. In her journal Timmy tells of the storm's impact during the following months as her family struggles to avoid foreclosure. Desperate, Timmy sends out an e-mail plea for help. For grades 4-7. 1999.

Jade Green: A Ghost Story      RC 50297

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

read by Cyn Delafield

1 cassette

South Carolina, 1880s. Orphaned Judith Sparrow is welcomed at her uncle's house to start a new life. Unbeknownst to her, the house is haunted by a young girl, Jade Green, who died there years ago. But Judith soon sees her ghost. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 1999.

A Long Way from Chicago: A Novel in Stories      RC 50305

by Richard Peck

read by Gary Roan

1 cassette

In eight short stories an old man reminisces about the week each summer he and his little sister spent with his grandmother. Joey likes the train ride and his feisty, independent grandmother, who tells "whoppers," fishes, and shoots a shotgun. For grades 6-9. 1998.

Why Leopard Has Spots: Dan Stories from Liberia      RC 50438

by Won-Ldy Paye and Margaret H. Lippert

read by Chuck Young

1 cassette

Six West African folktales traditionally told for entertainment and instruction. When the title piece begins, leopard's coat is one solid color. The story not only explains why leopard now has spots, but also why leopards chase deer and why friends should not lie to each other. For grades 3-6. 1998.

Lightning Time      RC 50550

by Douglas Rees

read by Michael Kramer

1 cassette

Theodore's father wants him to put aside his hobby of telegraphy and concentrate on getting into Harvard to become a publisher. But the boy is inspired by abolitionist John Brown, and, after witnessing the death of a black man, Theodore joins Brown's insurrection. For grades 6-9. 1997.

Wemberly Worried      RC 50855

by Kevin Henkes

read by Laura Giannarelli

1 cassette

Wemberly worries about everything--big things, little things, and even in-between things. She worries all day long. Her biggest worry is about going to school for the first time. But Wemberly gets a surprise when she arrives for the first day. For preschool-grade 2. 2000.

A Treasury of Pirate Stories      RC 50863

compiled by Tony Bradman

read by Russ Weinstein

1 cassette

Thirteen stories about pirates by authors such as Ruth Ainsworth, Colin McNaughton, Pat Hutchins, Joan Aiken, Tony Robinson, Geoffrey Hayes, Emily Arnold McCully, Sara Conkey, and Margaret Mahy. Includes selections from Barrie's Peter Pan (RC 23643), Ransome's Swallows and Amazons (RC 22220), and Stevenson's Treasure Island (RC 18121). For grades 3-6. 1999.

Kneeknock Rise      RC 50866

by Natalie Babbitt

read by Maxine Wasserman

1 cassette (Reissue)

The village of Instep is famous for Megrimum, the mysterious monster that lives atop Kneeknock Rise and moans when it's raining. When Egan's cousin Ada goads him into climbing the Rise to look for the creature, Egan discovers a mystery of human nature. For grades 3-6. Newbery Honor. 1970.

The Wide Window: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 3      RC 50909

by Lemony Snicket

read by Laura Giannarelli

1 cassette

In this sequel to The Reptile Room (RC 50908) the Baudelaire orphans are sent to live with Aunt Josephine, who worries about everything, especially Lake Lachrymose and its loathsome leeches. The unhappy youngsters encounter cold soup on a rainy day, a hurricane, and a villain with a peg leg. For grades 4-7. Bestseller 2000.

The Miserable Mill: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 4      RC 50910

by Lemony Snicket

read by Laura Giannarelli

1 cassette

In this sequel to The Wide Window (RC 50909) the saga of the Baudelaire orphans continues as they are sent to work at a grimy lumber mill in exchange for dormitory bunks. In due course their nemesis, Count Olaf, appears in yet another disguise. For grades 4-7. 2000.

The Austere Academy: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 5      RC 50911

by Lemony Snicket

read by Laura Giannarelli

1 cassette

Once again, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny encounter adversity--which here means trouble--when they attend the Prufrock Preparatory School with its horrid violin-playing Vice Principal Nero. New friends help, but dreadful Count Olaf reappears in this sequel to The Miserable Mill (RC 50910). For grades 4-7. 2000.

Kite      RC 51192

by Melvin Burgess

read by John Lescault

1 cassette

England, 1960s. Story of a boy's courage to act on moral principle and his love for wildlife. Although the landowner for whom his father works as a gamekeeper hates all birds of prey, Taylor and his friend Alan raise an endangered red kite in secret. For grades 4-7. 1997.

Bonjour, Babar! The Six Unabridged Classics by the Creator of Babar      RC 51368

by Jean de Brunhoff

read by Barbara Caruso

1 cassette

Contains the six stories written by Brunhoff between 1931 and 1937. These tales, chronicling the life and adventures of Babar the elephant, include The Story of Babar, The Travels of Babar, Babar the King, Babar and Zephir, Babar and His Children, and Babar and Father Christmas. For grades K-3 and older readers. 2000.

Wild Blood      RC 51402

by Kate Thompson

read by Ann Hodapp

1 cassette

In this sequel to Midnight's Choice (RC 51401) Tess spends the summer before her decisive fifteenth birthday in Ireland with her cousins. She enjoys "switching" into different animal shapes, but when her cousins disappear in the woods, she must face her fears to save them. For grades 5-8. 1999.

Miracle's Boys      RC 51471

by Jacqueline Woodson

read by Bob Moore

1 cassette

Three orphaned African American brothers confront the challenges of growing up in New York City. The eldest, Ty'ree, works to support the boys; hostile and sullen Charlie returns from two years in detention; and Lafayette, the youngest, longs for family closeness. Some strong language. For grades 6-9. Coretta Scott King Award. Bestseller 2000.

Rugrats in Paris: The Movie      RC 51475

by Cathy East Dubowski and Mark Dubowski

read by Terence Aselford

1 cassette

The Rugrats crew arrives in the City of Light so that Stu Pickles can repair his mechanical Reptar. It looks like Reptarland head Coco LaBouche is the answer to Chuckie's wish for a new mom. But LaBouche is hiding something. A novelization of the feature film. For grades 3-6. Bestseller 2000.

Waiting for Odysseus      RC 51614

by Clemence McLaren

read by Annie Wauters

1 cassette

Presents the story of Odysseus's epic journey from the feminine viewpoint: through the eyes of his faithful wife, Penelope, the sorceress Circe, the goddess Athena, and the old family servant Eurycleia. Penelope begins the tale with her meeting Odysseus when cousin Helen's father invited suitors. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2000.

Shiva's Fire      RC 51704

by Suzanne Fisher Staples

read by Yolande Bavan

2 cassettes

Parvati feels destined to dance. At eleven, she is invited by a Guru to study sacred forms of the art, and she must leave her family. But the most difficult decision comes later, when she must choose between her heart's desire and her devotion to dance. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2000.

The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf      RC 51729

by Gerald Morris

read by Jim Zeiger

1 cassette

Feisty young Lynet journeys to King Arthur's court seeking a champion to rescue her older sister Lyonesse from the Red Knight. Lynet is joined by a dwarf and a kitchen knave, neither of whom is what he seems. Sequel to The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady (RC 49598). For grades 5-8. 2000.

The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure, The House on the Cliff, The Secret of the Old Mill      RC 51783

by Franklin W. Dixon

read by Brian Conn

2 cassettes

Three classic mysteries featuring brothers Frank and Joe Hardy. In the The Tower Treasure, the boys investigate the theft of a friend's jalopy; in The House on the Cliff, they become involved with smugglers; and in The Secret of the Old Mill, they search for a counterfeiter. For grades 3-6. 1927.

The Folk Keeper      RC 51788

by Franny Billingsley

read by Ann Hodapp

1 cassette

The orphan Corinna transforms herself into Corin because only boys are Folk Keepers, appeasers of the evil Folk. Her identity is further challenged at her new post near the sea when she discovers her heritage as a Sealmaiden, and she must draw upon all her gifts to stay alive. For grades 5-8. Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. 1999.

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman      RC 51900

by Brian Jacques

read by Erik Sandvold

2 cassettes

One night in Copenhagen in 1620, a mute boy stows away on the Flying Dutchman as it sets sail. He and his dog are rescued from the doomed ship by an angel who imbues them with special gifts to aid others--beginning with a village in 1896 England. For grades 5-8. Bestseller 2001.

In the Shade of the Níspero Tree      RC 51919

by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

read by Gabriella Cavallero

1 cassette

Puerto Rico, 1961. Blonde-haired Teresa learns lessons about racism, poverty, and friendship when she leaves her neighborhood school to attend a private academy. After hurting her dark-haired, longtime friend, Ana, Teresa realizes her mistake and tries to make amends. For grades 4-7. 1999.

The Boxer      RC 51930

by Kathleen Karr

read by Erik Sandvold

1 cassette

New York City, 1880s. Fifteen-year-old Johnny Woods learns how to box professionally in prison while serving time for an illegal match. After his release, Johnny continues to box in order to support his mother and five younger siblings. For grades 6-9. 2000.

Parachuting Hamsters and Andy Russell      RC 51938

by David A. Adler

read by L.J. Ganser

1 cassette

Spending the weekend in the city with his friend Tamika and her aunt and uncle, Andy sees four hamsters wearing "parachutes" drift to the ground. He decides to find out who is mistreating the animals. Beginning chapter book. Sequel to School Trouble for Andy Russell (RC 49524). For grades 2-4. 2000.

The Secret of Shadow Ranch      RC 51939

by Carolyn Keene

read by Kristin Allison

1 cassette (Reissue)

Nancy Drew arrives in Arizona for a fun-filled vacation and immediately finds herself involved in the search for a phantom horse and a hidden treasure. For grades 3-6. 1931.

Aunt Morbelia and the Screaming Skulls      RC 51946

by Joan Carris

read by Martha Harmon Pardee

1 cassette

When Todd learns his great aunt, Morbelia, is coming to live with his family, he tells his best friend, Jeff, the situation is "horribulous." But Aunt Morbelia proves to be a very good teacher and teller of tales. Prequel to Beware the Ravens, Aunt Morbelia (RC 43423). For grades 4-7. 1990.

Foreign Language Books

The following cassette titles are available in the languages designated.

Spanish

El Comando Tribulación: El Drama Continuo de los Dejados Atrás (Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind)      RC 50983

por Tim LaHaye y Jerry B. Jenkins

leído por Juan Ramírez

3 cassettes

Millones de habitantes de la Tierra ascendieron al Cielo, pero los dejados atras tienen que enfrentarse con los siete años de la Tribulación. Mucha gente no sobrevivirá la devastación que viene. Los miembros del Comando Tribulación--Raimundo Steele, Cloé Steele, Bruno Barnes y Camilo Williams--hacen lo que pueden, pero aún uno de ellos va a morirse. Sigue a Dejados Atrás (RC 50980). [Many of Earth's inhabitants have been taken to Heaven, but those left behind face seven years of tribulation. Some will not survive the coming devastation. The Tribulation Force members do what they can, but even one of them will soon be dead. Sequel to Dejados Atrás (RC 50980).] 1998.

¡Yo!      RC 50984

por Julia Alvarez

leído por María Pino

2 cassettes

Las amigas de Yolanda y la familia García quieren vengarse de ella. Yolanda ha escrito un libro chismoso de gran acogida revelando las vidas y los secretos de sus amigas. Ahora, ellas van a charlar acerca de ella. Languaje injurioso y descripciones de índole sexual. (Yolanda's friends and the Garcia family want revenge. Yolanda has written about their lives and secrets in her popular novel. Now it is their turn to speak their minds about her. Descriptions of sex and strong language.) 1999.

Lo Es: Una Memoria ('Tis: A Memoir)      RC 50985

por Frank McCourt

leído por Juan Ramírez

4 cassettes

En esta secuela a Las Cenizas de Angela (RC46999), McCourt continua su autobiografía abarcando el período de 1949, cuando llega en Nueva York a la edad de diecinueve años, hasta la muerte de su padre en 1985. Recuerda sus experiencias acostumbrándose a la vida en los Estados Unidos donde logra una educación, una carrera, un matrimonio y una familia. Entre la narrativa, McCourt mezcla las memorias de su propia niñez irlandesa. Lenguaje injurioso. (This sequel to Las Cenizas de Angela (RC 46999) 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.) 1999.

Besos en el Desierto/Desert Kiss      RC 51652

por Gloria Alvarez

leído por María Pino

2 cassettes

por fin, el geólogo Patricia Martínez tiene la oportunidad de irse en una expedición al Desierto Solitario en una parte remota de Texas. Pero su guía va a ser Daniel Rivera el hombre a quien Patricia años atras le robó el corazón y luego se lo rompió sin ninguna explicación. Y ahora los dos van a estar solos en el desierto. Descripciones de índole sexual y de lenguaje injurioso. Edición bilingüe en inglés y español. (Archaeologist Patricia Martínez is finally getting the chance to go on an expedition into Texas's Solitario Desert. But her guide is Daniel Rivera, a man whose heart she broke years ago. Neither is prepared for what they discover in the desert. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bilingual book in English and in Spanish.) 1999.

Sueños de Verano/Summer Dreams      RC 51653

por Hebby Roman

leído por María Pino

2 cassettes

Natalia y Rafael eran buenos amigos en su juventud debido a la abuela de Natalia. Como adultos, tomaron distintos caminos y se despidieron. Ahora Natalia regresa a visitar a su abuela en Nueva México, terminando un noviazgo de mucho tiempo. Al llegar, Natalia se pregunta si Rafael todavía estaría interesado en una maestra de escuela amante de los libros como ella. Algunas descripciones de índole sexual. Edición bilingüe en inglés y español.(As children, Natalia and Rafael were close friends because of her grandmother. As adults, they went separate ways. Now Natalia has broken a longtime engagement and returned to visit her grandmother in New Mexico, wondering if Rafael will be interested in a bookish schoolteacher. Some explicit descriptions of sex. Bilingual edition in English and in Spanish.) 1999.

Talking Book Magazines

Talking Book Magazines

Cassette

For a free subscription to these magazines, contact your cooperating library.

American Heritage (8 issues)

Analog Science Fiction and Fact (11 issues)

Asimov's Science Fiction (11 issues)

The Atlantic Monthly (11 issues; combined issue July-August)

Das Beste aus Reader's Digest (German; 12 issues)

Bon Appétit (monthly)

Buenhogar (Spanish; monthly)

Choice Magazine Listening (on loan from cooperating libraries, bimonthly)

Consumer Reports (monthly)

Contemporary Sound Track: A Review of Pop, Jazz, Rock, and Country (bimonthly)

Cricket (for children, on one cassette with National Geographic World, monthly)

Diabetes Forecast (monthly)

Discover (monthly)

Ebony (monthly)

Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine (11 issues)

Foreign Affairs (6 issues)

Good Housekeeping (monthly plus special issues)

Health and Nutrition Newsletters (includes Dr. Andrew

Weil's Self Healing, Healthline, The Johns Hopkins

Medical Letter--Health after Fifty, Mayo Clinic Health Letter, and Nutrition Action Healthletter, monthly)

Journal Français (French; monthly)

Magazine of the Month (monthly)

Money (monthly plus special issues)

The Musical Mainstream (quarterly)

The Nation (47 issues)

National Geographic (monthly)

National Geographic World (for children and teens, on one cassette with Cricket, monthly)

National Review (25 issues)

New Choices: The Magazine for Your Health, Money & Travel (6 issues)

The New York Times Book Review (weekly)

Outdoor Life (10 issues; combined issues June-July, December- January)

People Weekly (weekly plus special issues)

QST (monthly)

Quarterly Music Magazine (quarterly)

Selecciones del Reader's Digest (Spanish; monthly)

Sélections du Reader's Digest (French; monthly)

Smart Computing (monthly)

Sound & Vision (10 issues)

Spider: The Magazine for Children (monthly)

Sports Illustrated (weekly plus special issues)

Sports Illustrated for Kids (monthly)

Talking Book Topics (bimonthly, also contains selections from NLS News irregularly)

Teen People (10 issues)

Travel Holiday (10 issues)

True West (monthly)

U.S. News and World Report (weekly)

The Writer (12 issues)

Young Adult Magazine of the Month (monthly)


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Posted on 2006-02-24