Compiled
by Carol Schaal '91M.A.
Life on the Tenure Track: Lessons from the First Year,
James M. Lang '91 (Johns Hopkins University Press). Are
the students even listening to me? Will this departmental meeting
ever end? And how do I decide what grades to give? Through light-hearted
stories and thoughtful analysis, the author takes the reader along
on his spirited, nerve-racking trip as a new faculty member. This
is not a guidebook, he writes, "though I hope you will find some
guidance here." Lang is an assistant professor at Assumption College
in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a regular contributor to the
Chronicle of Higher Education.
Back to Earth: A Backpacker's Journey into Self and Spirit,
Kerry Temple '74 (Rowman & Littlefield). A memoir
of a man at midlife, as he ponders what has happened to the ideals
of his youth and searches for belief and a renewed spirituality
following the disintegration of his marriage. As one caught in
the "currents of 21st century living," he writes, "it was time
to find redemption, time to go outside and fish." The author is
the editor of Notre Dame Magazine and an award-winning
essayist. Read an excerpt from the
book.
Squirt, Stacy A. Nyikos '90, illustrated
by Shawn Sisneros (Stonehorse). A children's picture book
featuring a cartoon-loving squid and his colorful adventures.
The metered text follows Squirt, who at first is so captivated
by a show on his "holocam" that he doesn't want to play. "I do
not want to! Can't you see? I want to sit and watch TV!" Squirt
tells his mother, who has brighter plans for him. Two pages of
squid facts end the book. Part of the proceeds from the sale will
be donated to the Oklahoma Aquarium.
A Brief History of Saints, Lawrence S. Cunningham
(Blackwell Publishing). The Notre Dame professor of theology offers
up a concise and readable guide to the roots, meaning and significance
of the saints, particularly in the Roman Catholic tradition. He
examines the complex tradition of sainthood, mixed with stories
of saints from the "odd, outrageous or eccentric" to the luminous.
The role of saints in other religious traditions and the relevance
of sainthood today rounds out this historical view of those with
a "capacity to do the ordinary in an extraordinary fashion."
Corporate Catalysts: How to Make Your Company More Successful,
Whatever Your Title, Income, or Authority, Dan Coughlin
'85 (Career Press). This book is written, the author notes,
for those who want to "cut through the corporate cacophony and
be part of the solution, not the problem." The book debunks corporate
myths and offers practical advice on developing leadership skills
and building teams, using real-world examples. Coughlin leads
executive coaching sessions at major corporations and teaches
managerial leadership in the MBA program at Webster University,
Saint Louis, Missouri.
Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and the Socratic
Way, edited by Tom Morris and Matt Morris (Open
Court). What's the meaning behind those comic-book heroes and
their bright spandex? Tom Morris, a former ND philosophy professor,
and his son Matt put together several essays exploring how these
pop culture icons "treat in vivid ways some of the most interesting
and important questions facing all human beings." Contributors
include Jeff Brenzel '92M.A., '01Ph.D., and Jerry Walls '89Ph.D.
Book briefs
In Darkness, Death, Dorothy Hoobler, Thomas
Hoobler '64 (Philomel Books). Winner of the 2005 Edgar Award
for Best Young Adult novel. In this third book of the mystery
series set in 18th century Japan, Judge Ooka and his adopted son
Seikei investigate the murder of a warlord.
Legend, Barry Maher '70
(Lindisfarne Books). A new edition of the 1987 fantasy novel.
This allegory of mental bondage is set in a future where a crumbling
city is run by a bureaucracy headed by the "Big Eaters" and the
general population barely functions.
100 Seasons of Basketball: A Celebration of Irish Players
and History (Notre Dame and Professional Sports Publications).
A full-color magazine with lists, a time line and information
about classic games. Includes essays by Austin Carr '71 and Chris
Thomas '05. Available only through the Hammes Notre Dame bookstore,
800-647-4641.
Delaying the Real World: A Twentysomething's Guide to
Seeking Adventure, Colleen Kinder (Running Press).
A roadmap to unique post-college jobs, internships and travel
opportunities. Some 15 ND alums, from Molly Kinder '01 to Roger
Loughney '01, share their nontraditional experiences.
A Time of Predators, Joe Gores '53
(Forge Books). A reprint of the author's 1969 noir thriller, published
as part of the Otto Penzler series of vintage Edgar-winning novels.
Parched, Heather King (Chamberlain
Bros.). The author, a frequent contributor to Notre Dame Magazine
and a commentator for NPR, talks of her alcoholism and spiritual
thirst in this tragicomic memoir.
The Great Brain Book: An Inside Look at the Inside of
Your Head, H.P. Newquist '80 (Scholastic Reference).
The lavishly illustrated science book takes young readers on a
tour of the body's most complex organ.
True Believer, Nicholas Sparks '88 (Warner).
The best-selling novelist returns with the story of a skeptical
science writer from New York who falls for a librarian in North
Carolina.
50 Weapons that Changed Warfare, William
Weir '50 (NewPage Books). As weapons evolved, so did tactics
of warfare. From spears to nuclear bombs, most of the hardware
described here is illustrated by historical photography.
Overcoming Night Eating Syndrome: A Step-by-Step Guide
to Breaking the Cycle, Kelly C. Allison '95, Albert
J. Stunkard, M.D., with Sara L. Thier (New Harbinger Publications).
Offers an overview of the eating disorder and tips on how to overcome
the destructive pattern.
Essentials of Strategic Project Management,
Kevin Callahan '05MBA and Lynne Brooks (Wiley & Sons).
Tips, techniques and examples geared to achieving the desired
business results through the proper handling of company projects.
Patriotic Leaders of the Church, John F.
Fink '53 (Our Sunday Visitor). Profiles of civic-minded men
who were, as the author writes, both good Catholics and good Americans.
Civil War chaplains William Corby, CSC, and Paul Gillen, CSC,
are included.
Celtic Fire, Joy Nash '84 (Dorchester
Publishing). A mass-market paperback of mystery, intrigue and
romance set in second century Roman Britain.
John Paul II in the Holy Land: In His Own Words,
edited by Lawrence Boadt, CSP, and Kevin di Camillo '95M.A.
(Stimulus Books/Paulist Press). A historical record of Pope John
Paul II's stunning March 2000 trip to the Middle East, with Jewish
and Christian perspectives by Yehezkel Landau of Hartford Seminary
and Michael McGarry, CSP, of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute.
The Heart Set Free: Sin and Redemption in the Gospels,
Augustine, Dante, and Flannery O'Connor, Kim Paffenroth
'95Ph.D. (Continuum). An accessible analysis of the theological
and literary works of the Christian tradition.
Music in Christian Worship: At the Service of the Liturgy,
edited by Charlotte Kroeker (Liturgical Press). This
look at music as sung prayer includes essays by Father Michael
S. Driscoll, who teaches theology at Notre Dame, Father Michael
Joncas '78M.A. and John Witvliet '97Ph.D.
Interpreting Data: A Guide to Understanding Research,
Peter M. Nardi '69 (Allyn & Bacon). Practical help
on how to interpret tables, graphs and figures found in both popular
and scholarly publications.
Fair Game: Open Season on Baseball, Bob
McKenty '56 (Doggerel Daze). Cartoon illustrations complement
this gathering of poetry about the nation's pasttime.
Negotiating for Georgia: British-Creek Relations in the
Trustee Era 1733-1752, Julie Ann Sweet '92 (University
of Georgia Press). An examination of the relationship between
Native Americans and the British settlers, with its collaboration
and conflict.
We Are a Family, Bob Traley (Xlibris).
Traley is the pen name of Bob Straley '53, who showcases the history
of a family from Germany and a family from Ireland.
Millions Saved: Proven Successes in Global Health,
Ruth Levine, What Works Working Group, Molly Kinder '01
(Center for Global Development). Case studies of 17 life-saving
health initiatives in developing countries, with a review of what
it takes for such programs to succeed.
The Soul of Wit: Some Poems, Ralph McInerny
(St. Augustine's Press). Memory, distant and near, is the catalyst
for these poems, as the writer tries his hand at a variety of
forms.
(July 2005)
