Publisher: Sourcebooks
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/01/2009
ISBN-13: 9781402219436
ISBN-10: 1402219431

In 1518 in Strasbourg, ordinary citizens were struck with an illness that made them suddenly and spontaneously dance themselves to death. Waller has some interesting conclusions as to which religious and socio-economic factors might result in such a bizarre manifestation of mass hysteria in this brief and readable account of a society on the brink of great change.

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Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/2009
ISBN-13: 9781556527777
ISBN-10: 1556527772

Impossible to imagine in this day and age! An ex-President takes a road trip with his wife in his beloved Chrysler. Imagining that they will be able to mingle with the people incognito, the trip turns into a media event as the Trumans drive from Independence, Missouri to the east coast and back, with many adventures and hear-adventures along the way.

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Publisher: PublicAffairs
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/01/2009
ISBN-13: 9781586484972
ISBN-10: 1586484974

A lighthearted look at the Cold War and Soviet-American relations in 1959 as Carlson follows Khrushchev, his Soviet handlers, and his nervous American hosts on the Soviet Premier’s trip across the U.S. Provocative and irascible, Khrushchev comes off as brilliantly irritating in this highly entertaining look at Cold War threats and diplomacy at a unique point in time. One can’t help but think the world would have been a much more peaceful place if it could have just had the Soviet Premier take a couple of timeouts!

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Publisher: Doubleday
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/02/2009
ISBN-13: 9780767926140
ISBN-10: 0767926145

The title pretty much says it all in this biting look at much of America’s willful ignorance regarding science and politics in the post-modern age. Dinosaurs with saddles at the Creation Museum in Kentucky, and a local pastor who laments that “we’ve been attacked by the intelligent, educated segment of our culture” as he defends the concept of intelligent design in the Kitzmer v. Dover Area School Board case in Pennsylvania in 2005, are but two of the many examples the author gives to make his point.

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Publisher: Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt and Co.
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/26/2009
ISBN-13: 9780805079654
ISBN-10: 0805079653

All the horror of Idi Amin’s iron rule over Uganda in the 70’s is captured in this account of one family’s search for their missing father. Making the political very personal, this account gives a detailed history of Uganda in that era while following Eliphaz Laki’s quest for justice and the truth of what happened to his father, who disappeared when he was a boy.

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Publisher: Signet Classic
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 04/01/1996
ISBN-13: 9780451526342
ISBN-10: 0451526341

“Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. And remember also that in fighting against Man, we must not come to resemble him…” These are the words of Old Major, “the prized Middle white boar,” spoken just before the animals decide to revolt against Farmer Jones and take over Manor Farm to create a utopian world free from the presence of humans. In essence, the animals on Manor Farm want freedom, to rule themselves, and to live among one another equally and work only toward the betterment of their own. Once the animals achieve this, they set up their own commandments and rename the farm Animal Farm. Slowly, however, the pigs take over and the other animals grow wary of their leadership as they don’t necessarily work, but supervise and act intellectually superior to the rest of the animals. They also begin to bend the established commandments until their power grows to the point where their new rules are only questioned upon pain of death. Therefore, the other animals’ vision of freedom and equality is crushed by the totalitarian regime the pigs have created which very much resembles that of their former human masters which they once had hated so much.  

Unchecked power can never be a good thing. To this day, Animal Farm captures the consequences of too much power regardless of one’s political leanings.  

I’ve enjoyed this book tremendously. It was the first time I got to read it even though it is considered a must-read classic. The ultimate conclusion is chilling and the whole story leaves you pondering long after you’ve turned the final page.

Publisher: Penguin Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 01/01/1980
ISBN-13: 9780140053203
ISBN-10: 0140053204

With his poodle Charley, John Steinbeck set out in his truck to explore and experience America in the 1960s. I like this book very much and have traced Steinbeck’s route on a road atlas of the United States. I’m a big fan of traveling and have taken most of the same route by Amtrak train. There were many laugh-out-loud moments for me as well, especially when Steinbeck decided to spontaneously cross the border into Canada and back. Not much seems to have changed from today’s security rules at border crossings. I’ve had my share of experiences with crossing the same border and back via car. I was also fascinated by the historical aspect of the book. I came to better understand and appreciate the regional differences (the weather, the geography, the food, the customs, beliefs and dialects), which Steinbeck describes so vividly. “Travels With Charley” was written during a time of tremendous social tumult, largely related to the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. Steinbeck’s travels through the Southern states reflect and capture some of that moment in time. Another great aspect of the book is technology. Steinbeck talks about cars, trucks and the superhighway that make cross country traveling possible. He describes vending machines, truck stops, mobile homes, and his personal love for Rocinante, which is the truck that took him across the country. Today Rocinante can be viewed at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, CA. I highly recommend this book as a reading group book. Many of the issues that Steinbeck described are still relevant today.

Publisher: Warner Home Video
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 01/01/1996
UPC: 00727994750475

Copyrighted in 1996 when Bill Clinton was still president, this National Geographic documentary takes you on a historic tour of the White House. I’ll be taking a trip next year to Washington D.C. and wanted to get an idea what the White House is like. The DVD is narrated by Morgan Freeman and provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at many aspects of daily life at the White House from hosting a state dinner to visiting the rarely-viewed rooms of the First Family’s private quarters. While certain things have changed - today one can no longer simply stop by and visit the White House without first a written request to your Congressman – perhaps the most interesting thing to watch were the little fun facts, old reel footage of presidents and their families of a long gone by era, and the various tasks of chefs, butlers and the chief usher – all of whom play key roles in making the White House a success.

Publisher: Tapeworm Video Dist Inc
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/08/1998
UPC: 00072254650225

Tasha Tudor died June 18, 2008 but her legacy as a renowned illustrator and author of children’s books lives on. I’ve always had a personal love for all things Tasha and with the holiday season approaching, I wanted to get lost in her little world of an old fashioned Christmas and the preparations that come with it. Tasha reads from her book “A Night Before Christmas”, she fashions an advent wreaths, bakes gingerbread cookies, decorates a Christmas tree and prepares a hearth roasted turkey dinner. She also takes us through the woods of Vermont during December when it’s covered in a blanket of white snow. So grab a cup of tea or hot chocolate, pull up a chair, and spend some time with Tasha Tudor as she takes you on a magical tour of a Corgi Cottage Christmas.

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/13/2009
ISBN-13: 9780547237961
ISBN-10: 0547237960

Romance, relationships, regret and Venice are a winning combination in this parallel narrative of two wives set 100 years apart. Author, George Eliot (aka Mary Anne Evans) is on her honeymoon with a man 20 years her junior. As she shows him her special places, memories of previous visits with her soulmate take precedence.  Modern day Caroline, a sculptress, married to a man 20 years her elder, also has a Venetian history which helps clarify her mixed feelings about her wealthy husband. Both women struggle to admit to themselves the truth of their current relationships.

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/21/2008
ISBN-13: 9780399155314
ISBN-10: 0399155317

A brutal murder, a son seeking revenge; these typical plot lines are upended in this edgy thriller. Junior has suffered abuse from his Dad, but when Dad is murdered, he rages against the world and vows to find his killer. His anger complicates his fragile relationships with friends and family. The setting in blue-collar bars on Staten Island is strong and the psychological struggle to get on with life is powerful.

Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/01/2007
ISBN-13: 9781741146585
ISBN-10: 1741146585

Allie, along with her mother and brother Bethan move into a new house.  Strange writings keep appearing on the wall of her brother’s room.  Allie investigates, especially after her brother refuses to stay in his room and moves in with her.

Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/01/2007
ISBN-13: 9781741146608
ISBN-10: 1741146607

Allie goes on a school field trip to Hill End and discovers two more ghosts.  One ghost seems to live in the museum, while another ghost is making a mess in a neighbor’s cottage.  Once again, Allie investigates.

Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/01/2007
ISBN-13: 9781741146592
ISBN-10: 1741146593

Allie’s friend Bettina wants Allie to help her aunt contact a dead relative, so Allie joins the Exorcists’ Club. Rather than contacting the relative, Allie meets the ghost of Eloise.

Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/01/2007
ISBN-13: 9781741140811
ISBN-10: 1741140811

Allie is spending the weekend with her father, whom she hasn’t seen in a long time since her parents divorced.  While on vacation, she goes on the Jenolan Caves ghost tour.  Rather than meeting the usual ghosts, this mysterious creature can only be smelled rather than seen!

Publisher: Scholastic
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 01/01/2009
ISBN-13: 9780545034296
ISBN-10: 0545034299

Derek is travelling on a train with his father and brother when they are involved in a violent train wreck.  Presumably, only 14 year old Derek survives.  Then, several weeks after the accident, his brother suddenly shows up.  Derek’s brother has changed and no longer seems like the same person.  Derek uncovers a mystery that involved a similar train accident 70 years ago that killed a trainload of prisoners.  Have the prisoners returned in the bodies of the latest train crash victims?  If you like this book, read Bayou Dogs next, then read Red House, and then read Ghost Road. There will most likely be more books coming in this scary new series!