Nonfiction

New Biographies – March/April 2010

Lynne

All of Me Anne Murray with Michael Posner, B MURRAY – The story of the popular singer’s life from her humble beginnings through the career that now spans forty years.

All Things At Once Mika Brzezinski, B BRZEZINSKI – The cohost of Morning Joe relates her struggles as a working mother and her early years as the daughter of President Carter’s national security advisor.

American Original: The Life and Constitution of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Joan Biskupic, B SCALIA – The author presents a detailed portrait of the life and long career of the complicated and outspoken jurist.

The Bag Lady Papers: The Priceless Experience of Losing It All Alexandra Penney, B PENNEY – The author invested nearly all of her life savings with Bernie Madoff and was faced with her greatest fear when she lost it all.

Churchill Paul Johnson, B CHURCHILL – A look at one of the most complex and fascinating personalities in history by a noted historian.

Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat, and Obsession Julie Powell, B POWELL – The author of Julie and Julia returns with further life adventures and her foray into butchery.

Comeback 2.0: Up Close and Personal—Lance Armstrong Lance Armstrong, B ARMSTRONG – Photographs and personal commentary by the iconic biker.

Confections of a Closet Master Baker: One Woman’s Sweet Journey from Unhappy Hollywood Executive to Contented Country Baker Gesine Bullock-Prado, B BULLOCK-PRADO – The subtitles says it all: unhappy as the head of her celebrity sister’s production company, the author and her husband move to Vermont and a small bakery.  Recipes included!

Enemies of the People: My Family’s Journey to America Kati Marton, B MARTON – The author discovers the terrifying truth about her family’s past in Hungary during the Cold War.

Finding It: And Satisfying My Hunger for Life Without Opening the Fridge Valerie Bertinelli, B BERTINELLI – More entertaining stories from the author of Losing It.

A Gambling Man:  Charles II’s Restoration Game Jenny Uglow, B CHARLES – Charles II was thirty years old when he crossed the English Channel in 1660.  A spirited look at turbulent time.

Going Rogue: An American Life Sarah Palin, B PALIN – The story of her life from the vice-presidential candidate.

Here’s the Deal, Don’t Touch Me Howie Mandel, B MANDEL – A memoir from the host of Deal or No Deal and his ongoing struggle with OCD and ADHD and how it affected his life and career.

High Society: The Life of Grace Kelly Donald Spoto, B KELLY – A new look at the glamorous actress who retired at the age of twenty-six to become the Princess of Monaco.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Rebecca Skloot, B LACKS – The story of an African American woman who died in the 1950s, but whose cells have been grown over the years for a multitude of medical experiments and advances.

The Journal Keeper: A Memoir Phyllis Theroux, B THEROUX – An insightful stroll through the life of a gifted writer as she discusses universal issues: love, loneliness, growing old, financial worries and spiritual growth.

The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn Alison Weir, B BOLEYN – A look at one of the world’s most fascinating and controversial women by a great biographer of British royalty.

Last Word George Carlin with Tony Hendra, B CARLIN – Indeed, the last words from the comedian/commentator.

Living Oprah: My One-Year Experiment to Walk the Walk of the Queen of Talk Robyn Okrant, B OKRANT – The author kicked off a year-long experiment to find out what would happen if she decided to follow all of Oprah’s advice.

Louisa May Alcott: the Woman Behind Little Women Harriet Reisen, B ALCOTT – A lively account of an exceptional woman and writer of the 19th century.

Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes Elizabeth Bard, B BARD – In Paris for a weekend visit, Elizabeth Bard sat down to lunch with a handsome Frenchman — and never went home again.

Marriage and Other Acts of Charity: A Memoir Kate Braestrup, B BRAESTRUP – The author of Here If You Need Me turns her attention to the subjects of love and commitment.

A Mountain of Crumbs Elena Gorkhova, B GOROKHOVA – Coming of age in the Soviet Union of the 1960s, the author’s passion for learning English bordered on the subversive in a land of political deception.

Mrs. Adams in Winter: A Journey in the Last Days of Napoleon Michael O’Brien, B ADAMS – Early in 1815, Louisa Catherine Adams, with her young son, left St. Petersburg in a Russian carriage and set out on a difficult journey to meet her husband, John Quincy Adams, in Paris.

Open: An Autobiography Andre Agassi, B AGASSI – A very revealing look inside the life of the tennis star.

Peter the Great Derek Wilson, B PETER I – The  life and reign of the extraordinary Russian leader.

Princess Noire: The Tumultuous Reign of Nina Simone Nadine Cohodas, B SIMONE – The triumphs and trials of the brilliant singer and musician.

The Queen Mother: The Official Biography William Shawcross, B ELIZABETH – A definitive biography of the mother of Queen Elizabeth II and grandmother of Prince Charles and one of the most beloved members of the British Royal Family.

Staying True Jenny Sanford, B SANFORD – A look at the private ordeal of the first lady of South Carolina after her very public betrayal.

Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges Byron Pitts, B PITTS – The 60 Minutes correspondent relates the challenges of his life, including stuttering and being functionally illiterate. He also tells of the people who “stepped out on nothing” to make a difference for him.

New Non-Fiction Books – March 2010

Lynne

Americans in Paris: Life and Death Under Nazi Occupation Charles Glass, 944.0816 GLA 2010 – Life under the Nazis as experienced by the Americans who lived in Paris from the spring of 1940 to liberation in the summer of 1944.

Bluebird: Women and the New Psychology of Happiness Ariel Gore, 305.42 GOR 2010 – Can a woman be smart, empowered and happy?

The Checklist Manifesto:  How to Get Things Right Atul Gawande, 610.28 GAW 2009 – A noted writer and surgeon states that we can do better and find solutions to complex situations through the lowly checklist.

Danger to Self: On the Front Line with an ER Psychiatrist Paul R. Linde, 616.89 LIN 2010 – A look behind the scenes at an urban psychiatric emergency room with all its chaos and pathos.

Daring Young Men: The Heroism and Triumph of the Berlin Airlift, June 1948-May 1949 Richard Reeves, 943.155 REE 2010 – The airmen of World War II returned to emergency active duty to save the desperate people of western Berlin.

Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr Ken Gormley, 973.929 GOR 2010 – An extensive history of the polarizing scandal that almost terminated the Clinton presidency.

Diabetes Rising: How a Rare Disease Became a Modern Pandemic, and What To Do About It Dan Hurley, 616.462 HUR 2010 – A penetrating look at a disease that now affects hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us Daniel H. Pink, 153.1534 PIN 2009 – What really motivates us?  Is it an external reward such as money?

Eternity Soup: Inside the Quest to End Aging Greg Critser, 613.2 CRI 2010 – An intriguing look at the multibillion dollar anti-aging industry.

Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near Death Experiences Jeffrey Long with Paul Perry, 133.9013 LON 2010 – Dr. Long presents firsthand accounts of people who have died and lived to tell about it. The author has recorded hundreds of stories and examined remarkable similarities.

A Good Talk: The Story and Skill of Conversation Daniel Menaker, 302.346 MEN 2010 – An entertaining examination of how to enjoy the fine art of social conversation.

The History of the Medieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade Susan Wise Bauer, 909.07 BAU 2010 – A comprehensive look at world history, and the new importance of religion, between the fourth and twelfth centuries.

If God Is Good: Faith In the Midst of Suffering and Evil Randy Alcorn, 231.8 ALC 2009 – A penetrating discussion of a fundamental human question:  “How can we reconcile a good and all-powerful God with the terrible evil and suffering we see in this world?”

Inside the Teenage Brain: Parenting a Work in Progress Sheryl Feinstein, 649.125 FEI 2009 – A look at teenagers through the recent discoveries of the evolving adolescent brain.

Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Mystery Eric Ives, 942.053 IVE 2009 – A penetrating look at the mysteries surrounding the “nine days queen.”

The Mom & Pop Store: How the Unsung Heroes of the American Economy Are Surviving and Thriving Robert Spector, 381.14 SPE 2009 – A moving celebration of independent neighborhood shops, and of the vision, passion and persistence of their owners.

My Prison, My Home: One Woman’s Story of Captivity in Iran Haleh Esfandiari, 955.0544 ISF 2009 – As she was returning home to the United States, an Iranian-American woman was arrested for being part of an “American conspiracy.”

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea Barbara Demick, 306.095 DEM 2009 – A view into North Korea, as seen through the eyes of six ordinary citizens over the span of fifteen chaotic years.

The Power of Half: One Family’s Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back Kevin Salwen and Hannah Salwen, 174 SAL 2010 – A family from Atlanta decided to sell their mansion and buy a house half its size, and give half of the sale price to a worthy charity. Could half be even more?

The Quants: How a New Breed of Math Whizzes Conquered Wall Street and Nearly Destroyed It Scott Patterson, 322.645 PAT 2010 – The story of four men whose “digitized money-trading machine that could shift billions around the globe with the click of a mouse” sowed the seeds for the unprecedented financial disaster.

The Routes of Man: How Roads Are Changing the World and the Way We Live ToDay Ted Conover, 388.1 CON 2010 – An enthusiastic exploration of six key roadways worldwide.  A look at the costs and benefits of being connected — from ancient Rome to the present.

The Science of Liberty Timothy Ferris, 303.483 FER 2010 – The author argues that the progress of science was the inspiration behind the rise of democracy and liberalism.

Sonic Boom: Globalization at Mach Speed Gregg Easterbrook, 330.9 EAS 2009 – The author looks at the sonic boom economy: an explosive time of unprecedented growth and change that will also create anxiety and stress.

The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century  Ian Mortimer, 942.03 MOR 2010 – Important facets of everyday life are shown in this down-to-earth study of the 1300’s.

The Twilight Years: The Paradox of Britain Between the Wars Richard Overy, 941.083 OVE 2009 – During the years between the wars, Britain, although intellectually vibrant, faced “a creeping fear that the West was staring down the end of civilization.”

An Uncommon Passage:  Traveling Through History on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail Edited by Edward K. Muller, 974.87 UNC 2009 – An uncommon book about an important feature of Western Pennsylvania history.

Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That’s Leaving Them Behind Richard Whitmire, 370.154 WHI 2010 – A penetrating and insightful look at a misunderstood and ignored problem. The author looks at the issues and then addresses what actually works for boys.

You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up: A Love Story Annabelle Gurwitch and Jeff Kahn, 306.81 GUR 2010 – After thirteen years of being married, the authors found that “we’re just not that into us.”  Instead of giving up, they’ve held their relationship together by ignoring conventional wisdom.

New Nonfiction Books – August 2009

Lynne

The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal Ben Mezrich, 338.761 MEZ 2009 – Two Harvard undergraduates looking for a way to win social success, hacked into the university’s computer system.  The framework for Facebook was born in a Harvard dorm room.

The Age of the Unthinkable: Why the New World Disorder Constantly Surprises Us and What We Can Do About It Joshua Cooper Ramo, 973.931 RAM 2009 – How to thrive in a world of unpredictability.

American Passage: The History of Ellis Island Vincent J. Cannato, 325.7 CAN 2009 – Between 1892 to 1924 over twelve million immigrants passed through the gates at Ellis Island.

And Then the Roof Caved In: How Wall Street’s Greed and Stupidity Brought Capitalism to Its Knees David Faber, 332.63 FAB 2009 – The author relates the story behind the economic crisis: the defining theme of which has been greed, coupled with the regulatory failure of the government.

Busted: Life Inside the Great Mortgage Meltdown Edmund L. Andrews, 332.722 AND 2009 – Even as a New York Times economics reporter, the author succumbed to the temptation of subprime lending and became part of the economic catastrophe.

Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle Chris Hedges, 302.23 HED 2009 – The author asserts that a culture that cannot distinguish between reality and illusion dies; the society that retreats into fantasy will eventually turn to demagogues and charlatans.

Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur Pamela Slim,658.11 SLI 2009 – How to make a getaway from the corporate grind.

The Evolution of God Robert Wright, 200.9 WRI 2009 – The author presents a sweeping journey through history and the development of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

A Failure of Capitalism: The Crisis of ‘08 and the Descent Into Depression Richard A. Posner, 330.973 POS 2009 – The author presents a non-technical examination of the current financial disaster and the efforts to cope with it.

Halfway to Heaven: My White-knuckled and Knuckleheaded Quest for the Rocky Mountain High Mark Obmascik, 796.522 OMB  2009 – A look inside the culture of the mountaineering obsessives who try scaling all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains in one year, to become part of an elite group known as the  Fourteneers.

Holy Roller: Finding Redemption and the Holy Ghost in a Forgotten Texas Church Julie Lyons, 289.9 LYO 2009 – An inspiring story of a journalists firsthand investigation into the results of faith and prayer in the lives of society’s overlooked people.

Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of U.S. Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan Doug Stanton, 958.1047 STA 2009 – The dramatic account of a small band of Special Forces soldiers who secretly entered Afghanistan following 9/11 and rode to war on horses against the Taliban.

How the Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In Jim Collins, 338.7 COL 2009 – Every institution is vulnerable to decline, but it can be avoided. By the author of Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t.

How Rome Fell Adrian Goldsworthy, 937.09 GOL 2009 – During the second century, the Roman Empire controlled most of the known world.  By the end of the fifth century, the empire had disintegrated, a shadow of its former might.

The Language of Things: Understanding the World of Desirable Objects Dyan Sudjic, 745.401 SUD 2009 – An informative look at the intersection between art, design, and commerce.

The Last Best Hope: Restoring Conservatism and America’s Promise Joe Scarborough, 320.52 SCA 2009 – A new take on the nation’s political and economic situation.

Packing the Court: The Rise of Judicial Power and the Coming Crisis of the Supreme Court James MacGregor Burns, 347.7326 BUR 2009 – A penetrating look at the nation’s top court by a noted author.

Portfolios of the Poor: How the World’s Poor Live on $2 a Day Daryl Collins, et.al., 339.46 POR 2009 – About 40% of the world’s people live on incomes of $2.00 a day or less. How do the poor find solutions to living on such an amount? A thoughtful report on the “bottom billion.”

Renegade: The Making of a President Richard Wolffe, 324.973 WOL 2009 – The story of how a political newcomer with no money became the world’s most powerful leader.

Rocket Men: The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon Craig Nelson, 629.45 NEL 2009 – The dramatic story of the first trip to the moon aboard the 30-story-high Apollo II-Saturn V spaceship.

Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work Matthew B. Crawford, 331 CRA 2009 – The author discusses the experience that was once quite common: the activity of making and fixing things with our hands.

Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot Bruce and Andrea Leininger, 133.90135 LEI 2009 – The parents of James Leininger were puzzled and disturbed by the nightmares their two-year-old son was having.  They set out on a journey of discovery that led to one conclusion.

Stay Close: A Mother’s Story of Her Son’s Addiction Libby Cataldi, 362.29 CAT 2009 – The poignant story of a mother’s love and her struggles with her son’s drug addiction.

Strokes of Genius: Federer, Nadal, and the Greatest Match Ever Played L. Jon Wertheim, 796.342 WER 2009 – All the details of the classic tennis match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on July 6, 2008.

The Third Reich at War Richard J. Evans, 940.53 EVA 2009 – A narrative of the war along with the personal stories from a wide range of people during the rise and demise of German military might.

The Whole Five Feet: What the Great Books Taught Me About Life, Death, and Pretty Much Everything Else Christopher R. Beha, 011.73 BEH 2009 – The Harvard Classics were compiled a century ago by Charles Eliot.  The author decides to revisit these classic books over the course of a year.

You Are Here: Why We Can Find Our Way to the Moon, but Get Lost in the Mall Colin Ellard, 153.752 ELL 2009 – How has modern culture become so directionally challenged?

New Biographies – August 2009

Lynne

Age is Just a Number: Achieve Your Dreams at Any Stage in Your Life Dara Torres with Elizabeth Weil, B TORRES – From the Olympic medalist who competed at the age 41, comes a memoir about aging gracefully and pursuing your dreams.

Bad Girls Go Everywhere: The Life of Helen Gurley Brown Jennifer Scanlon, B BROWN – The life of the longtime editor of Cosmopolitan and an influential feminist.

The Big Rewind: A Memoir Brought to You by Pop Culture Nathan Rabin, B RABIN – As a child and teenager, pop culture was the author’s means of escape.  Today, pop culture is his life.

Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs: The Making of a Surgeon Michael J. Collins, B COLLINS – The story of a construction worker who decided to become a doctor and his path to becoming a surgeon.

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story C. David Heymann, B KENNEDY – The complex relationship between RFK and Jackie Kennedy is depicted by a Kennedy biographer.

The Bolter Frances Osborne, B SACKVILLE – The author relates the story of her great-grandmother, Idina Sackville, and her adventurous and scandal filled life as the “high priestess” of the “Happy Valley Set” in Kenya.

Closing Time: A Memoir Joe Queenan, B QUEENAN – The humorist turns his sights on his own coming-of-age in Philadelphia during the 1960s.

Crazy for the Storm: A Memoir of Survival Norman Ollestad, B OLLESTAD – Trained by he father from the age of three to become a “Boy Wonder,” the skills he learned saved his life at age eleven when he and his father were victims of an airplane crash during a blizzard.

Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie Richard Hack, B CHRISTIE – The romance, scandal and betrayal that marked the life of the  popular novelist is presented in an intimate biography.

Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure: The True Story of a Great American Road Trip Matthew Algeo, B TRUMAN – After his term as president, Mr. and Mrs. Truman decided to hit the road.

Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood Michael Lewis, B LEWIS – The author explores the difference between the idea of fatherhood and his actual experiences.

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts: A Memoir Neil White, B WHITE – Following conviction for bank fraud, the author spent a year in a prison in Carville, Louisiana, housed in the last leper colony in mainland America.

The Lady in Red: An Eighteenth-Century Tale of Sex, Scandal and Divorce  Hallie Rubenhold, B WORSLEY – The marriage of Lady Seymour Dorothy Fleming and Sir Richard Worsley might have been a fairy tale marriage, but ended in one of the most scandalous and publicized divorces in history.

Lance: The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion John Wilcockson, B LANCE – The remarkable and controversial life of the seven time winner of the Tour de France.

Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon Buzz Aldrin with Ken Abraham, B ALDRIN – The flight of Apollo 11 made Aldrin one of the most famous persons on the planet; here is the rest of his story.

My Remarkable Journey Larry King, B KING – The life of the iconic interviewer as he looks back over 50 years in broadcasting.

Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal Julie Metz, B METZ – Julie Metz’s life changes forever when her husband suddenly collapses and dies.  She soon learns that he had another life that he had kept hidden from her.

Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress Lee Woodruff, B WOODRUFF – The author of In an Instant, the chronicle of her husband’s recovery from an injury sustained in Iraq, now looks at her life in terms both personal and universal.

Prairie Tale: A Memoir Melissa Gilbert, B GILBERT – The child star of Little House on the Prairie tells the story of her life and her recovery from self-destructive behavior.

Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend Bill Russell, B RUSSELL – The great basketball player discusses his relationship with one of the best coaches in all of sports.

Right Time, Right Place: Coming of Age with William F. Buckley Jr. and the Conservative Movement Richard Brookhiser, B BROOKHISER – The author became a National Review senior editor at age 23.  He tells the story of his relationship with the conservative icon throughout their tumultuous friendship.

Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend Larry Tye, B PAIGE – The great story of athlete, showman, and philosopher, Leroy “Satchel” Paige.

A Son of the Game: A Story of Golf, Going Home, and Sharing Life’s Lessons James Dodson, B DODSON – The author of Final Rounds, returns to the world of golf and to the famous courses at Pinehurst, North Carolina to recover a lost passion and to share that passion with his son.

Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne James Gavin, B HORNE – A portrait of the celebrated singer and actress.

We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals Gillian Gill, B VICTORIA – An enduring love story and the most influential marriage of the 19th century is related in this personal history by a noted author.

The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America Douglas Brinkley, B ROOSEVELT – The “naturalist president” set aside more than 230 million acres of wild America for posterity between 1901 and 1909, making conservation a universal endeavor.

Wildflower: An Extraordinary Life and Untimely Death in Africa Mark Seal, B ROOT – In January 2006, Joan Root, a sixty-nine-year-old naturalist and filmmaker was murdered in her home on the shore of a beautiful Kenyan lake.  The author explores this real-life mystery and the remarkable life of a noted conservationist.

New Non-Fiction – June and July 2009

Lynne

The Addict: One Patient, One Doctor, One Year Michael Stein, 362.293 STE 2009 – The world of prescription drug addiction seen through the  story of a woman whose life was taken over by her desire for the next pill.

The American Future: A History Simon Schama, 973 SCH 2009 – The noted historian looks at the multiple crises facing the United States with references to America’s past history.

Are You Kidding Me? The True Story of Rocco Mediate’s Extraordinary Battle with Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open Rocco Mediate and John Feinstein, 796.352 MED 2009 – The dramatic showdown at the 2008 U.S. Open.

The Armchair Birder: Discovering the Secret Lives of Familiar Birds John Yow, 598 YOW 2009 – Interesting facts about the lives of birds outside your window. Columbine Dave Cullen, 371.782 CUL 2009 – A recounting of the horrific events at Columbine High School.

Complexity: A Guided Tour Melanie Mitchell, 501 MIT 2009 – Fascinating and elusive questions are presented that the science of complexity is attempting to answer.

The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite David E. Kessle, r613.2 KES 2009 – Why is it so difficult to resist certain foods and so easy to overindulge?

Essential Pleasures: A New Anthology of Poems to Read Aloud Robert Pinsky, ed., 808.81 ESS 2009 – A wide range of poetry for speaking and listening enjoyment.

Faith Under Fire: An Army Chaplain’s Memoir Roger Benimoff, 956.7044 BEN 2009 – The author’s time as an Army chaplain in Iraq created a crisis of faith and a turning point in his life.

The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found Mary Beard, 937.7 BEA 2008 – A penetrating look at the world famous archaeological site.

The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women & a Forty-Year Friendship Jeffrey Zaslow, 302.34 ZAS 2009 – Eleven childhood friends formed a special bond growing up in Ames, Iowa.  A bond that has lasted through the years.

Go Down Together: The True Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde Jeff Guin, 364.1552 GUI 2009 – The real story of Bonnie and Clyde is different from the myths that have grown up around them. Fascinating.

The Horse Boy: A Father’s Quest to Heal His Son Rupert Isaacson, 618.92 ISA 2009 – The author was devastated with his son’s diagnosis of autism. Discovering his son’s connection with animals, they went to Mongolia.

House of Cards: A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street William D. Cohan, 332.66 COH 2009 – With the collapse of Bear Stearns in March 2008, the meltdown on Wall Street officially began. How and why?

K Blows Top: A Cold War Comic Interlude Starring Nikita Khrushchev, America’s Most Unlikely Tourist Peter Carlson, 947.085 CAR 2009 – The true story of a stranger in a strange land: Khrushchev’s tour across America in 1959.

Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto Mark R. Levin, 320.52 LEV 2009 – The talk radio host discusses a conservative approach to government that includes greater freedom for individual Americans.

A Lion Called Christian Anthony Bourke and John Rendall, 599.757 BOU 2009 – The heartwarming story of he reunion of two young men and their pet lion, Christian.

Old World Daughter, New World Mother: An Education in Love and Freedom Maria Laurino, 306.874 LAU 2009 – The author of Were You Always an Italian? returns with a spirited look at life as a second-generation American.

One Hundred Essential Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know: Math Explains Your World John D. Barrow, 510 BAR 2009 – The uses of mathematics in explaining many of life’s most intriguing questions are entertainingly presented.

One Square Inch of Silence Gordon Hempton and John Grossmann, 333.78 HEM 2009 – Silence is our nation’s fastest-disappearing resource. The author is recording the natural terrestrial soundscapes before they vanish.

Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World’s Holy Dead Peter Manseau, 203.7 MAN 2009 – The author traces the trail of religious relics over the centuries.

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg, 232.9 SPA 2009 – An inspirational tour of Jewish culture during the time of Jesus.

Soldiers Once: My Brother and the Lost Dreams of America’s Veterans Catherine Whitney, 305.90697 WHI 2009 – When the author’s brother, a Vietnam veteran, died, he was 53 years old and living in poverty and had not seen his family in 16 years.

Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be Chris Gardner, 158.1 GAR 2009 – The author of The Pursuit of Happyness presents a look at  beginning anew.

The Towering World of Jimmy Choo: A Glamorous Story of Power, Profits, and the Pursuit of the Perfect Shoe Lauren Goldstein Crowe and Sagra Maceira de Rosen, 338.76 CRO 2009 – The behind-the-scenes story of the one of the most talked-about brands. “A smart, sexy business book.”

Unfinished Business: What the Dead Can Teach Us About Life James Van Praagh, 133.91 VAN 2009 – Emotional stories from a well-known medium.

The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier’s Education Craig M. Mullaney, 958.104 MUL 2009 – The author had been graduated from West Point, attended Oxford as a Rhodes scholar, but was he prepared for war in Afghanistan?

Valkyrie: The Story of the Plot to Kill Hitler, By Its Last Member Philipp Freiherr von Boeselager, 943.086 BOE 2009 – The author’s patriotism turned to disgust as he learned of the atrocities of the SS. He and his brother joined a conspiracy to kill Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler.

Weather’s Greatest Mysteries Solved! Randy Cerveny, 304.2 CER 2009 – Sample mystery: Why did T. Rex become extinct? And there’s many more weather conundrums in this fascinating book.

Why Don’t Students Like School? A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What it Means for the Classroom Daniel T. Willingham, 370.1523 WIL 2009 – Why can kids remember the smallest details from their favorite television program, yet miss the most obvious questions on theiw history test?

New Biographies – May 2009

Lynne

A. Lincoln Ronald C. White Jr., B LINCOLN – A well-reviewed, expansive biography of the president whose moral compass holds the key to understanding his life.

Abigail & John: Portrait of a Marriage Edith B. Gelles, B ADAMS – The romantic story of two important figures of early American history.

Abraham Lincoln James M. McPherson, B LINCOLN – A very concise, illuminating portrait of the 16th president.

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist Michael J. Fox, B FOX – The actor recounts his years with Parkinson’s Disease and learning to live a new life when he was happy with his old one.

The Art of the Heist: Confessions of a Master Art Thief, Rock-and-Roller, and Prodigal Son Myles J. Connor and Jenny Siler, B CONNOR – The story of legendary art thief, Myles Connor.

The Black Girl Next Door Jennifer Baszile, B BASZILE – The author relates her coming-of-age experiences in an exclusive California white suburb in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Charles Darwin: The Concise Story of an Extraordinary Man Tim M. Berra, B DARWIN – The fascinating story of the man and the idea.

Crazy Love: A Memoir Leslie Morgan Steiner, B STEINER – Even though she seemed to have the perfect life, at 22-years-of-age, the author fell in love with the wrong person.

Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes Mary Tyler Moore, B MOORE – The well-known actress recounts her life with diabetes over the course of the past 40 years.

Hands of My Father: A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents, and the Language of Love Myron Uhlberg, B UHLBERG – The author’s first language was American Sign Language. His second language was English and as he learned it, he became his father’s ears and mouth in his Brooklyn neighborhood.

Happens Every Day: An All-Too-True Story Isabel Gillies, B GILLIES – Happily married, or so she thought, the author’s marriage dissolved and a friend told her that it “happens every day.”

Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran Azadeh Moaveni, B MOAVENI – Reporting for Time magazine, the author married an Iranian man and learned about life on the inside of this tumultuous country.

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti: A Memoir Giulia Melucci, B MELUCCI – Fizzled romances and steamy recipes!

Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy Peter S. Canellos, ed., B KENNEDY – The tumultuous life of the youngest of the Kennedy brothers.

A Little Bit Wicked (Life, Love, and Faith in Stages) Kristin Chenoweth, B CHENOWETH – The story of a talented gal from Kansas who takes Broadway by storm.

Losing Mum and Pup: A Memoir Christopher Buckley, B BUCKLEY – The well-known author and only child of famous parents recounts the year in which both of them died.

Love Child: A Memoir of Family Lost and Found Allegra Huston, B HUSTON – The author was four years old when her mother was killed and she was introduced to the film director John Huston with the words, “This is your father.”  Later, at age twelve, she was introduced to her real father, British historian John Julius Norwich.

Mistress of the Monarchy: The Life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster Alison Weir, B KATHERINE – The story of the royal mistress who became one of the most crucial figures in the history of the British royal dynasties.

Mrs. Lincoln: A Life Catherine Clinton, B LINCOLN – The author illuminates the remarkable, enigmatic life of the First Lady.

Not Now, Voyager: A Memoir Lynne Sharon Schwartz, B SCHWARTZ – A memoir, both serious and amusing, about the world of travel with a personal look at the author’s experiences.

Paul Newman: A Life Shawn Levy, B NEWMAN – The fascinating life of the legendary superstar.

Pretty in Plaid: A Memoir Jen Lancaster, B LANCASTER – Think “David Sedaris with pearls and a supercute handbag.”

Red Princess: A Revolutionary Life B DOLGOROUKY, Sofka Zinovieff – Born in St. Petersburg in 1907, Princess Sophy Dolgorouky’s early life was one of privilege, but ten years later, her family fled to England and then to Paris.

Seeking Peace: Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World Mary Pipher, B PIPHER – The author of Reviving Ophelia explores her own life story and the lessons she has learned.

Somewhere Towards the End Diana Athill, B ATHILL – The 91-year-old author relates candidly the condition of being old — both the losses and gains.

Through It All: Reflections on My Life, My Family, and My Faith Christine King Farris, B FARRIS – The only sister of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. relates her memories of growing up, family life and her revered brother.

The Ties That Bind: A Memoir of Race, Memory and Redemption Bertice Berry, B BERRY – The author presents a reflective history of her family that encompasses both pain and hope.

Trailblazer: An Intimate Biography of Sarah Palin Lorenzo Benet, B PALIN – An up-close view of the vice-presidential nominee from an assistant-editor of People magazine.

The Urban Hermit Sam MacDonald, B MACDONALD – Faced with the truth that both his debts and waistline were out of control, the author devised a plan to change his life.

The Yankee Years Joe Torre and Tom Verducci, B TORRE – The noted manager took the Yankees, once again, to the playoffs and the World Series. What did it take to keep the Yankees on the top of the baseball world?

New Books on CD – May 2009

Richelle

Abraham Lincoln: The American Presidents George S. McGovern, CD B LINCOLN – The U.S. senator and presidential candidate presents an inspiring view of the 16th president.

Acing the Interview Tony Beshara, CD 650.144 BES – Candid advice on dealing with the stressful job interview.

Agincourt Bernard Cornwell, CD F COR – During the Hundred Years War, on October 25, 1415, 6,000 English troops defeated a French brigade of 36,000 men.

The Book of Unholy Mischief Elle Newmark, CD F NEW – In Venice, 1498, rumors abound about an ancient book that holds the secrets to unimaginable power.

The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama Gwen Ifill, CD 973.932 IFI – A look at contemporary politics and the impact of Barack Obama’s rise to political power.

Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy Martin Lindstrom, CD 658.831 LIN – A look at the persuasive strategies that work in regard to branding, marketing, advertising and packaging.

A Darker Place Jack Higgins, CD F HIG – Famous Russian writer Alexander Kurbsky decides he wants to “disappear” into the West.

Enough Already: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You Peter Walsh, CD 646.7 WAL 2009 – How to deal with the overwhelming “stuff” in our lives.

The Forever War Dexter Filkins, CD 956.7044 FIL – A portrait of the Taliban, the 9/11 events, and the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Heart and Soul Maeve Binchy, CD F BIN – The stories of family, friends, patients and staff from a community heart clinic caught between the old and the new Ireland.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Jamie Ford, CD F FOR – Henry Lee recalls his coming-of-age during World War II and his Japanese girlfriend who was sent to the internment camps.

Intuitive Eating Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole, CD 613,25 RES – Get off the roller coaster of chronic dieting and heal your relationship with food.

The Invention of Air: A Story of Science, Faith, Revolution, and the Birth of America Steven Johnson, CD B PRIESTLY – A look at the contributions of Joseph Priestly and his influence on the American founding fathers.

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon David Grann, CD 918.1 GRA 2009 – A mystery that reaches back centuries and an explorer’s sensational disappearance are featured in this tale of death and madness.

The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter, and the Town That Raised Them Amy Dickinson, CD B DICKINSON – The syndicated advice columnist shares her mistakes and the remarkable story of the wonderful influence of the women from her hometown.

Mounting Fears Stuart Woods, CD F WOO – President Will Lee’s vice president just died in surgery and the new nominee may not be as innocent as once believed.

Nathan Hale: The Life and Death of America’s First Spy M. William Phelps, CD B HALE – The life of the famous patriot whose last words were: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

No Limits: The Will to Succeed Michael Phelps, CD B PHELPS – The swimmer talks about his remarkable success at the Olympic Games.

The Num3rati Stephen Baker, CD 303.483 BAK – Each individual’s digital and electronic transactions are being used by corporations and politicians to transform everyday experiences.

The School of Essential Ingredients Erica Bauermeister, CD F BAU – Once a month, eight students gather in Lillian’s restaurant for a cooking class. Each wants to learn the art of cooking, but each one is looking for a recipe for something beyond the kitchen.

The Silent Man Alex Berenson, CD F BER – CIA agent John Wells thought he had reached his limit, but he is not at all prepared for what is about to happen.

Still Alice Lisa Genova, CD F GEN – Alice, in the prime of her life, finds herself in a desperate battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing, and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon Nick Trout, CD 636.089 TRO – The humor and heartache that animals bring to their owners.

Terminal Freeze Lincoln Child, CD F CHI – Scientists unearth an enormous ancient animal in the upper reaches of Alaska, but is it really dead?

Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief James M. McPherson, CD B LINCOLN – The Civil War Scholar discusses how the current responsibilities of the American President were outlined by Abraham Lincoln.

Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Signficance Tony Dungy, CD 170.44 DUN – The noted football coach discusses what is really important in each person’s life.

Very Valentine Adriana Trigiani, CD F TRI – The beginning of a new trilogy by the popular author, features the dynamics of the Roncalli and Angelini families in Manhattan and Italy.

What I Did for Love Susan Elizabeth Phillips, CD F PHI – A crazy night in Vegas leads to an all-for-show marriage for down-on-her-luck Georgie York.

The White Tiger Aravind Adiga, CD F ADI – Servant, philosopher, entrepreneur, and murderer, Balram Halwai is a very complex individual.

The Yankee Years Joe Torre and Tom Verducci, CD B TORRE – What did it take to keep the Yankees on the top of the baseball world?

New Nonfiction – May 2009

Lynne

13 Things That Don’t Make Sense: The Most Baffling Scientific Mysteries of Our Time Michael Brooks, 502 BRO 2008 – A look at the frontiers of science where there may be breakthroughs in the near future.

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith Barbara Brown Taylor, 248.4 TAY 2009 – A noted author and Episcopal priest discovers the sacred in the small things we do and see.

A Comrade Lost and Found: A Beijing Story Jan Wong, 951 WON 2009 – As a foreign student in Beijing during the Cultural Revolution, the author was asked by a young woman about getting into the United States. To her lasting regret, Wong turned her into the authorities.

Confessions of an Alien Hunter: A Scientist’s Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Seth Shotak, 576.8 SHO 2009 – The senior astronomer at the SETI Institute pits scientific truth against speculation and delivers some important news on the current state of our knowledge.

The Gamble: General David Petraeus and the American Military Adventure in Iraq, 2006-2008 Thomas E. Ricks, 956.7044 RIC 2009 – The author of Fiasco recounts the inside story of the Iraq war since late 2005 and the launching of the surge strategy.

The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World Largest Unsolved Art Theft Ulrich Boser, 364.162 BOS 2008 – Shortly after midnight on March 18, 1990, two men broke into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and committed the largest art heist in history. The mystery is still unsolved.

The Great Decision: Jefferson, Adams, Marshall, and the Battle for the Supreme Court Cliff Sloan and David McKean, 347.73 SLO 2009 – The power of the Supreme Court was established as John Marshall laid the cornerstone of the distinctive American rule of law in the case of Marbury v. Madison.

How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman, 612.8 NEW 2009 – Based on evidence culled from brain-scan studies, and other research, the authors have concluded that positive spiritual belief changes the human brain for the better.

How We Decide Jonah Lehrer, 153.83 LEH 2009 – How does the human mind make decisions? How can we make those decisions better?

Lucy’s Legacy: The Quest for Human Origins Donald C. Johanson, 569.9 JOH 2009 – Groundbreaking discoveries that are transforming our understanding of how humans have evolved.

The Madness of March: Bonding and Betting with the Boys in Las Vegas Alan Jay Zaremba, 796.323 ZAR 2009 – And you thought the madness was on the basketball court.

Madness Under the Royal Palms: Love and Death Behind the Gates of Palm Beach Laurence Leamer, 305.5234 LEA 2009 – An inside look at an exclusive enclave of wealth and privilege.

No Angel: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels Jay Dobyns and Nils Johnson-Shelton, 364.106 DOB 2009 – The author was the first federal agent to infiltrate the inner circle of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue: The Untold History of English John McWhorter, 420.9 MCW 2009 – Hundreds of years of fascinating language lore is found in this lively history of the English language.

Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell and Tom Howes, 986.1 GON 2009 – Three American contractors crash-landed in the jungle of Colombia and became prisoners of the terrorist group, FARC, for over five years.

Passing Strange: A Gilded Age Tale of Love and Deception Across the Color Line Martha A. Sandweiss, 305.896 SAN 2009 – The noted 19th century scientist, Clarence King, led a double life: as a white explorer and geologist and as a black Pullman porter and steelworker named James Todd.

The Persian Night: Iran Under the Khomeinist Revolution Amir Taheri, 955.054 TAH 2009 – Who really rules Iran? A look at one of the most secretive regimes in the world traces the historical, religious, cultural, and political roots of the current power structure.

Plain, Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution Richard Beeman, 973.313 BEE 2009 – The title comes from a quote by Pennsylvania delegate Robert Morris as he describes the summer of 1787 and their work to form a radically new form of government.

Practicing Catholic James Carroll, 282 CAR 2009 – The author recounts his own personal story as a young priest and discusses the transformation of the Catholic Church.

A Saint on Death Row: The Story of Dominique Green Thomas Cahill, 364.66 CAH 2009 – Imprisoned on death row for his role in a fatal shooting during a robbery, 18-year-old Green was transformed by the time of his execution at the age of 30.

Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance Tony Dungy, 170.44 DUN 2009 – The noted football coach discusses what is really important in each person’s life.

Vanished Smile: The Mysterious Theft of Mona Lisa R.A. Scotti, 759.5 SCO 2009 – On August 21, 1911, the unthinkable happened — the Mona Lisa vanished from the Louvre. The theft captured the imagination of the world. Here’s the story.

Vicksburg 1863 Winston Groom, 973.7 GRO 2009 – The important Battle of Vicksburg permanently turned the tide of the Civil War. An engrossing narrative.

Where Our Food Comes From: Retracing Nikolay Vavilov’s Quest to End Famine Gary Paul Nabhan, 581.632 NAB 2009 – A pioneer in the effort to buffer humankind against widespread famine was imprisoned by Stalin. The author tells this extraordinary story along with his own efforts to ensure that the seeds which are the future of our food are preserved.

Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the Twenty-First Century P. W. Singer, 355.020112 SIN 2009 – What happens when science fiction starts to become reality on the battlefield?

You Are Here: A Portable History of the Universe Christopher Potter, 523.1 LYO 2009 – The life of the universe, now 13.7 billion years old.

New Nonfiction – March 2009

Lynne

A Jury of Her Peers: American Women Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie Proulx Elaine Showalter, 810.9 SHO 2009 – A comprehensive history of American women writers from 1650 to 2000. Well known writers as well as more obscure authors are highlighted.

Blank Spots on the Map: The Dark Geography of the Pentagon’s Secret World Trevor Paglen, 355.3432 PAG 2009 – The author undertakes a road trip to investigate the U.S. military and CIA “black ops” sites.

A Case for the Existence of God Dean L. Overman, 212 OVE 2009 -Why is there something rather than nothing?

The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even the Toughest Times Jean Chatzky, 332.024 CHA 2009 FIN – The financial coach shares her research into the similarities among the self-made wealthy.

Einstein’s Telescope: The Hunt for Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe Evalyn Gates, 523.1126 GAT 2009 – Astronomers are using the theory of Einstein in ways that allow them to view the invisible aspects of the universe. Exciting research that is pursuing one of science’s great mysteries.

Embracing the Wide Sky: A Tour Across the Horizons of the Mind Daniel Tammet, 612.82 TAM 2009 – The author of Born on a Blue Day who has autistic savant syndrome, discusses the similarities between his thinking abilities and the kind that we all do.

Enough Already: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You Peter Walsh, 646.7 WAL 2009 – How to deal with the overwhelming “stuff” in our lives.

Expect to Win: Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet Carla A. Harris, 650.1 HAR 2009 – The Wall Street superstar relates her “key survival tools” to those who are advancing their careers.

Eyes on the Horizon: Serving on the Front Lines of National Security Richard B. Myers, 355.0092 MYE 2009 – With an insider’s view of the war on terror, the author presents a  plan to prepare the United States for challenges in the 21st century.

The Face on Your Plate: The Truth About Food Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, 641.306 MAS 2009 – The prolific author provides insight into the psychological factors that influence decisions about what we eat and why.

Fight for Your Money: How to Stop Getting Ripped Off and Save a Fortune David Bach, 332.024 BAC 2009 FIN – The author of the Automatic Millionaire explains how to take on the “corporate machines.”

Freedom in My Heart: Voices from the United States National Slavery Museum 306.362 FRE 2008 – Never-before-seen artifacts, images and documents that trace the history of slavery in North America are presented.

In Search of Our Roots: How 19 Extraordinary African Americans Reclaimed Their Past Henry Louis Gates, Jr., 973.0496 GAT 2009 -In tracing their family’s past, most African Americans face a series of daunting, but not insurmountable, obstacles.

The Inheritance: The World Obama Confronts and the Challenges to American Power David E. Sanger, 327.73 SAN 2009 – An intelligence briefing on the world America faces from a noted Washington journalist.

Is God a Mathematician? Mario Livio, 510 LIV 2009 – How can mathematics accurately describe and even predict the world around us?

Legacy of Secrecy: The Long Shadow of the JFK Assassination Lamar Waldron, 973.922 WAL 2008 – An extensive look at the cover-ups and conspiracies surrounding the Kennedy assassination.

Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World Liaquat Ahamed, 332.1092 AHA 2009 – Four men, four banks and the economic collapse of the 1920’s.

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon David Grann, 918.1 GRA 2009 – A mystery that reaches back centuries and a sensational disappearance are featured in this tale of death and madness.

Meltdown: A Free-Market Look at Why the Stock Market Collapsed, the Economy Tanked, and Government Bailouts Will Make things Worse Thomas E. Woods, 332.4 WOO 2009 – Are the culprits in the collapse of housing values and stocks located on Wall Street or in Washington?

Moments of Clarity: Voices from the Front Lines of Addiction and Recovery Christopher Kenney Lawford, 606.86 LAW 2009 – What finally forces any person to choose life over death?  The author of Symptoms of Withdrawal presents the stories of others who have confronted and triumphed over addiction.

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century George Friedman, 303.49 FRI 2009 – What are the changes we can expect during the twenty-first century?

The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet Neil DeGrasse Tyson, 523.49 TYS 2009 – The story of the extraterrestrial underdog.

Problem Solving 101: A Simple Book for Smart People Ken Watanabe, 153.43 WAT 2009 – How good are you at solving real-world problems?

The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008 Paul Krugman, 330.9 KRU 2009 -Is a replay of the 1930’s possible? A Nobel prize winner presents his informed opinion.

Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else Geoff Colvin, 153.9 COL 2008 – What is the solution to the mystery of high performance?

A Tolerable Anarchy: Rebels, Reactionaries, and the Making of American Freedom Jedidiah Purdy, 320.973 PUR 2009 -An examination of the nature and concept of freedom that is at the heart of American identity.

The Triple Bind: Saving Our Teenage Girls from Today’s Pressures Stephen Hinshaw with Rachel Kranz, 155.533 HIN 2009 – The opportunities available to today’s young women are accompanied by stresses from conflicting messages.

Why Evolution Is True Jerry A. Coyne, 576.8 COY 2009 – An accessible summary of the facts supporting the Darwinian concept of evolution.

Why We Make Mistakes: How We Look Without Seeing, Forget things in Seconds, and Are All Pretty Sure We Are Way Above Average Joseph T. Hallinan, 153 HAL 2009 – Why do we make mistakes? Could we do a little better?

New Nonfiction – February 2009

Lynne

Angels and Ages: A Short Book about Darwin, Lincoln, and Modern Life Adam Gopnik – Two babies were born on February 12, 1809 an ocean apart. One in a log cabin. The other on an English country estate.

Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson – The animal scientist and autism advocate looks at the way animals are treated and explains what animals want and need.

Banquet at Delmonico’s: Great Minds, the Gilded Age, and the Triumph of Evolution in America Barry Werth – An inside look at the circle of philosophers, scientists, politicians and businessmen who brought Darwin’s ideas to America in the years after the Civil War.

The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama Gwen Ifill – The veteran journalist provides an introduction to emerging African American politicians and the impact of the election of Barack Obama.

The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997 Piers Brendon – A sweeping chronicle of the far-reaching British Empire following the American Revolution.

Disquiet, Please! More Humor Writing from The New Yorker David Remnick and Henry Finder, eds. – Amusing essays from the pages of the noted magazine. Every Living Thing: Man’s Obsessive Quest to Catalog Life, from Nanobacteria to New Monkeys Rob Dunn – A look at the exhilarating quest to study the natural world.

Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People William L. Iġġiaġruk Hensley – This memoir of a native Alaskan recounts his upbringing and the formation of the Northwest Alaska Native Association and its work to protect the rights of the people who have called Alaska home for thousands of years.

God in the Foxhole: Inspiring True Stories of Miracles on the Battlefield Charles W. Sasser – A collection of true personal accounts from generations of American soldiers whose faith has been born or transformed under fire.

History’s Greatest Heist: The Looting of Russia by the Bolsheviks Sean McMeekin – How did the Bolsheviks manage to stay in power? During the early years the Russian Revolution was financed largely through artistic thievery.

How to Live: A Search for Wisdom from Old People (While They Are Still on This Earth) Henry Alford – The author interviews famous and/or accomplished people over seventy in this witty search for enlightenment.

The Little Book of Bull Moves in Bear Markets: How to Keep Your Portfolio Up When the Market Is Down Peter D. Schiff – How to protect your assets and invest your money.

Living Rich for Less: Create the Lifestyle You Want by Giving, Saving, and Spending Smart: How You Can Save $30,000 This Year Ellie Kay – New tips for saving during tough times.

The Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life Joseph Maroon – The noted Pittsburgh neuroscientist explains the recent scientific advances that have identified the natural substances that will promote health and longevity.

Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and the Business of Life David Allen – Following up on his previous book, Getting Things Done, the author explains how to figure out where you are in life and how to get where you want to be going.

Note To Self: 30 Women on Hardship, Humiliation, Heartbreak and Overcoming It All Lessons learned from defining moments form the basis of these inspirational stories.

Nothing to Fear: FDR’s Inner Circle and the Hundred Days that Created Modern America Adam Cohen – An account of the critical first days of FDR’s presidency during the worst time of the Great Depression.

Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions, Overcome Negativity, and Thrive Barbara L. Fredrickson – What is positivity? Can it transform our lives?

The Power of Less: the Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential…in Business and in Life Leo Babauta – Simple steps to help individuals increase productivity and efficiency and learn to work simply.

Racing Odysseus: A College President Becomes a Freshman Again Roger H. Martin – After surviving cancer, the author in enrolled in St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland as a 61-year-old freshman.

Rich Like Them: My Door-to-Door Search for the Secrets of Wealth in America’s Richest Neighborhoods Ryan D’Agostino – The author knocked on 500 doors in nearly two dozen of the most affluent towns in America to discover insights into what it means to have money and how to get it.

So Damn Much Money: The Triumph of Lobbying and the Corrosion of American Government Robert G. Kaiser – The author discusses how the increased growth of lobbying has had negative effects on politics and government.

Split: A Memoir of Divorce Suzanne Finnamore – On a list for one of a “best books of 2008,” this title captures the reality of one woman’s life after those four words: “I want a divorce.”

Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street Michael Davis – The saga of the influential and long-lasting children’s program.

The Third Chapter: Passion, Risk, and Adventure in the 25 Years After 50 Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot – A new look at a time of potential change, growth and new learning for older individuals.

The Time Paradox: The New Psychology of Time That Will Change Your Life Philip Zimbardo and John Boyd – There are seven common ways that people relate to time, each of which create benefits and pitfalls. The authors relate a plan for optimizing your time perspectives.

The World is Curved: Hidden Dangers to the Global Economy David M Smick – The author contends that the mortgage mess is a symptom of potentially more devastating trouble.