Good Reads - Nonfiction

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Good nonfiction you might have missed.

2008 Archives

December

636.73 SHE
Dog Man: An Uncommon Life on a Faraway Mountain by Martha Sherrill
This book chronicles the remarkable story of Morie Sawataishi, his wife Kitako, and their devotion to the Akita breed of dogs. Trained as an engineer in pre-World War II Japan, Sawataishi resided with his family in the snow country of Japan, then a 22-hour train ride from Tokyo. Valued for their pelts during the war, Akitas, a 4000-year-old breed, numbered only 16 in 1945 and were on the verge of extinction when Sawataishi was drawn to raising them. The description of how this unconventional man resurrected the breed into one popular the world over will be enjoyed by animal lovers as well as those interested in Japanese culture. Carole Zoeller

970.01 HOR
A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World by Tony Horwitz
Retracing the journeys of the early North American explorers, the author examines a part of history that is often overlooked. He begins with a visit to the Viking Trail in Newfoundland and ends at Plymouth Rock, in between describing the forays into the New World of several lesser known figures such as Francisco Coronado, Ferdinand DeSoto, and Sir Walter Raleigh. Part history and part travelogue, the stories are told in fascinating detail, weaving quotes from primary sources, interviews with local residents and historians, and Horwitz's own firsthand impressions from along the routes he traveled. The absorbing narrative will inform the reader and shed new light on the beginnings of American history. Carole Zoeller

Biography, Greenlaw, L.
The Importance of Music to Girls by Lavinia Greenlaw
This memoir, revealed in short chapters that have the feel of a diary, is a coming-of-age story with a theme, reflected aptly in the title. Greenlaw, born in 1962, grew up in England, the second of four children. While relating her life story in vignettes, she follows the evolution of her musical tastes from West Side Story and Bob Dylan to punk, new wave, and disco. Readers will find the poignant descriptions of events in her life to be evocative of their own growing up, no matter what their taste in music. Carole Zoeller

November

306.89 FIN
Split: A Memoir of Divorce by Suzanne Finnamore
Misery loves company, and that alone should guarantee the popularity of this book. It is the memoir of one divorce and its aftermath in the life of an upwardly mobile, talented writer. Finnamore is adept at description and views the proceedings with astute eyes. While it is true that all divorces are unique, there are unfortunately many aspects all have in common. The author analyzes the process using the five stages of grief as touchstones. She is supported in her recovery by several colorful supporting characters. This is a vivid, impressionistic account of an all-too-frequent event that rewards the reader with wry observations and dry humor. Marty Krause

636.8 MYR
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron
The author was the head librarian of the Spencer Public Library located in northwest Iowa. On opening the library one bitterly cold winter morning she found a surprise in the book drop: a small, dirty kitten. With a special personality that charmed all he met, the kitten became the library's permanent resident and was christened Dewey Readmore Books. His story is also the one of a farm community threatened by big business and dogged by unemployment. Dewey's friendly manner with all library patrons made him an attraction in the town, and patrons vied with one another to be the lap Dewey chose. He helped make the library a gathering place where optimism took hold and rallied the flagging spirits of community members. Readers also learn about the author's life and how Dewey worked his magic for her. See how one small cat made a big difference. Marty Krause

Biography HOWITT, F
The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life through the Pages of a Lost Journal by Lily Koppel
Koppel was a rookie reporter for the New York Times when she came across a collection of old trunks set out by the dumpster near her apartment. Ever curious, she began opening them and examining the contents. She secured several articles of clothing from the 1920s as well as a red leather diary. Reading the entries of a teenager in the early '30s struck a chord with the author, as both she and the unknown writer were exploring who they were and what the future might hold. With the help of an investigator she was able to identify the diarist, Florence Howitt, and discovered that she was still alive. Koppel made contact and was welcomed for a visit. Find out if the writer of the diary realized the hopes and ambitions she had as a young woman. The book offers a glimpse of a long-ago New York City and the life of a teenager coming of age there. Marty Krause

October

271.9 JAC
Forever and Ever, Amen: Becoming a Nun in the Sixties by Karol Jackowski
With verve, wit, and humor, Sister Karol recounts her days as a rebellious young postulant of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Quirky and poignant characters abound in the convent where Jackowski orchestrates hilarious schemes to sustain her gregarious personality. She shares moments of joy, frustration, fear, and inspiration with fellow novitiates; and moving in rhythm with the complex times, she ultimately finds her place in the world and within the community of sisters. This book presents nuns in a whole new light and is a joy to read, even if you've never considered the convent life. Gloria Walsh-Rock

910.91649 SIL
Black Wave: A Family's Adventure at Sea and the Disaster That Saved Them by John Silverwood
When John and Jean Silverwood decided to spend much of their life savings to begin a life at sea with their four children, ages 5 through 16, they tried to plan for everything. After two years of adventures in their catamaran, dodging modern pirates, mastering homework on the internet, and watching their children become open to the wonders of life on the water, disaster struck – they hit a hidden reef in the Pacific Ocean, their boat was destroyed and John critically injured. The story of their survival is told first from Jean's perspective and then from John's, who miraculously lived to tell their tale and that of an historical shipwreck on that same reef. A must read for anyone who loves a good sailing story, a gritty disaster tale, or a great family adventure. Gloria Walsh-Rock

962.4043 HAR
The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari
Some books can change a reader's world – this is such a book. Hari, a Darfur native who studied abroad, returned to his home as a translator for journalists immediately after his and other villages were obliterated by rebel guerrillas. His work in Darfur is grueling, and even as the memories of his youth are beautiful and moving, the heart-rending stories of current Darfuri villagers and refugees haunt both Hari and the reader. Hari's own life is constantly in danger, and he tells the harrowing ordeal of his own capture and imprisonment with two colleagues. Hari's narrative is honest and simply written, without malice but rather with a hope that some good can come from the telling. This quick but compelling read captures the heart and will not let go. Gloria Walsh-Rock

September

342.73 STE
The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution by David O. Stewart
When jurists today talk about the "original intent" of the framers of the Constitution, what do they mean? One's answer may change after reading Stewart's book, which details not only the process of writing the document, but more importantly the people involved, their characters and motivations, and the squabbles and compromises that fueled the historic event. Although the outcome is known, the story remains suspenseful, with the passions and disagreements among the participants continuing to resonate. In the end, the necessity of providing a working structure for the newly free country required a balance to be struck among the states, and between the people and their government. The theories and debates behind this balance are as fresh now as they were then, and with distinct personalities attached to the various positions, the story makes for fascinating reading. Chris Portman

597.9 JAM
The Snake Charmer: A Life and Death in Pursuit of Knowledge by Jamie James
From his childhood in Kansas City to his adult explorations in the jungles of Burma, Joe Slowinski was fascinated by animals, particularly reptiles. Through a combination of passion, intelligence, and a sense of adventure bordering on recklessness, Slowinski became one of the world's leading herpetologists (the Greek word "herpetos" means "creeping"), specializing in venomous snakes. Part biography, part animal story, part true adventure, James presents a thoroughly researched, engaging story of this unique, charismatic man. Though the book focuses on one person's study of snakes, it is more broadly the story of the indomitable human spirit, and should have wide appeal. Chris Portman

796.357 MUR
Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History by Cait Murphy
Even the most casual Chicago sports fan knows that it has been a long, long time – one hundred years, in fact – since the Cubs captured the World Series. But did you know that in 1908 the Cubs were the team, the first true dynasty of the new century? It was a year that featured exciting pennant races among hated rivals in both the National and the upstart American Leagues, strange occurrences both on and off the field, and a wide array of star players and oddball characters. Murphy presents the whole drama in a light-hearted, easy-to-read style, and intersperses several "time-outs" that wander afield to help provide the social and political context of the time. In many ways, 1908 was the year that baseball grew up and truly became America's pastime. Crazy '08 is destined to become a fall classic. Chris Portman

August

796.323 COL
Counting Coup: A True Story of Basketball and Honor on the Little Big Horn by Larry Colton
Journalist Larry Colton spent one year living in the small town of Hardin, Montana which is located just outside the boundaries of the Crow reservation Little Big Horn. The book covers an entire season of the Hardin High School girls' basketball team. Senior Sharon LaForge, a talented Crow Indian basketball player, is the main character. Counting Coup is much more than a "basketball book." It delves into the sociological aspects of living on an Indian reservation. The reader learns how high rates of unemployment and alcoholism affect the lives of Sharon and other Crow Indians. Karen Neal

910.45 KEN
Mr. Ding's Chicken Feet: On a Slow Boat from Shanghai to Texas by Gillian Kendall
Freelance writer Gillian Kendall recalls an unusual English as a Second Language teaching assignment. As a graduate student, Kendall is hired to teach English to Chinese crew members of a small engineering ship which is traveling from Shanghai to Texas. The story includes her preparation for the trip, arrival (by plane) to Shanghai, and the six-week ocean journey. Kendall was not only the lone female onboard, but also only one of two Americans. She describes the tight quarters of the ship, long days and nights at sea, storms, and differences in language, customs, and food. Karen Neal

Biography Delany
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years by Sarah and A. Elizabeth Delany
Bessie and Sadie Delany, who consider themselves negroes, recall incidents that occurred during their 100-year lifetime. The sisters were born to well educated mixed race parents, which was unusual at the time. The large and loving family lived on St. Aug's campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. Papa and Mama expected the children to be well behaved, study and work hard, but also to be kind and helpful to others. Bessie and Sadie lived together almost their entire lifetime. Bessie received a Doctor of Dentistry from Columbia University and Sadie earned a Master in Education. Readers will feel like they are having a conversation with the Delany sisters. Karen Neal

July

289.73 MAC
Plain Secrets: An Outsider among the Amish by Joe Mackall
In this thoughtful memoir Ohio-based writer and professor, Mackall, writes of his 16 year friendship with his neighbors the Shetlers, an Amish family from the most traditional and orthodox Swartzentruber sect. Over the years they showed up at each others homes to help with chores, shared meals and supported each other through good and bad times. While the author admires much about their lifestyle, he also finds their restrictive ways disturbing, at times even offensive. Plain Secrets is a fascinating glimpse into the Amish world and a testament to friendship between individuals from vastly different backgrounds. Janet Cole

919.4 SMI
Cold Beer and Crocodiles: A Bicycle Journey into Australia by Roff Martin Smith
American Roff Smith had been living in Australia for 15 years when he quit his job, pared down his possessions to what he could carry in his panniers, and pedaled off on a 10,000 mile circuit of the continent. By trips end nine months later, he had discovered an Australia that eludes most travelers. He met wonderful people along the way, but also experienced the challenges and rewards of days of solitude. The book chronicles an amazing journey filled with narrow escapes, wild storms, a grisly crash and many unexpected scenes that capture the many faces of Australia. Janet Cole

977.311 ABB
Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott
In 1900, Ada and Minna Everleigh, opened the grandest whorehouse in America, Chicago's fabled Everleigh Club in the near south side district of vice known as the Levee District. The Everleighs dressed their girls in elegant gowns and tutored them in the literature of Balzac. They welcomed politicians, actors and royalty through mahogany doors and into gilded parlors. Much attention was drawn to the club for its alleged involvement in the shooting of department store heir Marshall Field Jr. The district inevitably became the target of zealous religious and political reformers. With many colorful characters, this book is an entertaining well-researched slice of Chicago history. Janet Cole

June

306.362 DEW
Inheriting the Trade: A Northern Family Confronts Its Legacy as the Largest Slave-Trading Dynasty in U.S. History by Thomas Norman DeWolf
After discovering that his ancestors included the most successful slave-trading family in American history, Thomas DeWolf became interested in finding out more about the lives of this branch of his family. Then, his cousin Katrina Browne decided to produce and direct a documentary on today's family members confronting this slave-owning history. DeWolf was one of ten family members who traveled the route of the Triangle Trade—from New England to West Africa to Cuba—and confronted the horrors of slavery first hand. A combination of family and social history, Inheriting the Trade is a short, interesting look at how history becomes personal for one family. Bonnie Reid

306.8742 JAM
Father Knows Less, Or, "Can I Cook My Sister?": One Dad's Quest to Answer His Son's Most Baffling Questions by Wendell Jamieson
New York Times editor Wendell Jamieson's son Dean has always asked his parents unusual questions, such as "What would hurt more: getting run over by a car or getting stung by a jellyfish?" and "Why do policemen like donuts?" Jamieson quickly realized that he didn't know the answers for many of the questions. True to his journalistic background, he decides to get the "correct" answer by contacting an expert who will know what it is. One of the fun aspects of the book is seeing, for each question, which expert he contacts and what answer he receives. Interspersed among the questions and answers, Jamieson muses about children, parenting and the wonder of curiosity. Readers will enjoy this lighthearted look at the answers to some of life's most interesting questions. Bonnie Reid

Biography CAMPBELL, L.
A Charmed Life: Growing Up in Macbeth's Castle by Liza Campbell
What would it be like to grow up in Macbeths Castle? Liza Campbell, the daughter of the twenty-fifth Thane of Cawdor, tells us in this memoir of living in Cawdor Castle, the ancestral home of the Campbells. It was not all fairy tale, however; her father retreated into drink, drugs and extramarital affairs to handle the pressure of being the "laird," and his children had to deal with the fallout from domestic violence and their parents' emotional problems. While sad, readers will also find this a touching and memorable story of a dysfunctional family. Bonnie Reid

April

759.06 WOL
The Painted Word by Tom Wolfe
You're standing in front of a "masterpiece" of modern art and you can't for the life of you understand what youre looking at. Can it be that you just don't understand modern art? A multitude of museum patrons and general art enthusiasts have had these very same thoughts when they encounter what the art world christened non-representational art or abstract art (including Minimalism, Dadaism, Neo-Plasticism, Abstract Expressionism). In this short treatise, Tom Wolfe exudes his usual cutting wit, poking fun at the haughty, self-important cliques of the New York art world of the post-WWII, especially the art critics who spearheaded the major art movements of the time. A clear and accessible critique that has one questioning whether the theory attached to art is more important than the art created.

781.63092 WIL
Catch a Wave: The Rise, Fall and Redemption of the Beach Boy's Brian Wilson by Peter Ames Carlin
There's the genius of surfin' rock singles and ornate, orchestrated masterpieces and there is the eccentric recluse gone mad due to late-60s' excess and emotional instability. Both of these assessments about Brian Wilson are well-documented in rock 'n' roll history's annals, and Carlin is wise not to gloss over these vital threads in Wilson's life. Yet, there was a lot more to the complicated life of Brian Wilson than genius, drugs and madness, as life in one of the world's premier rock bands (with brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine) certainly heightened the highs and lows experienced by Brian. The biography succeeds in developing the Wilson brothers' relationship with their abusive father, the departure of Brian from touring, and years later, from the group itself, when they would become something of a nostalgia act. What's particularly interesting is the inclusion of material up until Brian's triumphant resurrection of the lost Beach Boy's album, Smile, in 2004. This is not simply an entertaining read for Beach Boy's fans, as it also satisfies those interested in music, familial conflict and friendship, and eccentric genius.

530.1 HEI
Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science by Werner Heisenberg
Neither physics nor philosophy typically makes for a compelling read for those of us outside of the academic disciplines. Despite this possible deterrent, Heisenberg makes the subject clear for the reader so that they are able to appreciate how the history and progress of physics, specifically during the early 20th century, has fundamentally changed the way we think about life and the world we live in. Heisenberg has an expertise few can claim, being a Nobel Prize winner of physics and one of the founders of quantum mechanics, therefore his perspective is unique and enlightening throughout this work. The book interweaves key ideas and events in the history of physics and philosophy and discusses the interchange of ideas back and forth, simultaneously engaging some of humanity's most important and lively questions. Admittedly, Heisenberg is dealing with a difficult subject for most, and occasionally one might need to read over a passage a couple of times to get a coherent idea of what he is saying. This should not sway readers from working through this thoughtful and important work that allows a glimpse into a time when the men of physics were turning the world on its head.

March

636.7 KER
Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote
Kelly, Wyoming is in Grand Teton National Park, bordering the National Elk Refuge. Writer and outdoorsman Ted Kerasote lived a solitary life there until a stray Labrador-mix approached him on a camping trip and all but announced, "Hi, I'm your dog." Ted's kinship with his new best friend led him to examine the social behavior of Merle and his ancestors. Are dogs self-aware? Can they "lie?" Most importantly, if you don't always insist that your dog be submissive, who will he become? After Kerasote provided Merle with the freedom of a dog door, he blossomed into a roving ambassador and the unofficial "mayor" of Kelly. The story of their life together and of the keen understanding that developed between them is lovingly portrayed in this most intimate of dog stories.

917.3 GEI
Way Off the Road: Discovering the Peculiar Charms of Small-Town America by Bill Geist
Just how small is "small-town America?" Consider Monowi, Nebraska, population: 1. In Bill Geist's latest book of humorous travel essays, we meet Elsie Eiler, Monowi's sole resident, mayor, police chief, librarian, and bartender. The award-winning CBS correspondent shares over two dozen more quirky stories of people he'd like us to get to know. There's Charlie Chamberlain, who delivers mail 2500 feet straight down the sheer walls of the Grand Canyon to the Havasupai Indian tribe residing on the Canyon's floor. In "geographically challenged" Whalen, Minnesota, (population: 62) local businessman David Harrenstein organized a standstill parade where the "crowd" strolls around, admiring the stationary participants. Geist engagingly chronicles life in what he calls "fly-over America," the places most travelers never set foot in, as he celebrates the uncelebrated among us.

976.85 JOU
Heart in the Right Place by Carolyn Jourdan
Tennessee native Carolyn Jourdan was living a high-powered life as a U.S. Senate lawyer. She felt she was doing important work in the nation's capital and making a difference. Then she got an urgent call – her mom was sick and she was desperately needed to fill in "for a few days" as a receptionist at her dad's rural medical practice. She quickly learned to minister to a parade of colorful Southern characters, but yearned to return to the fast track. As days turned into months, Carolyn's father and their down-home Smoky Mountain neighbors taught her patience, humility, introspection, and the real meaning of making a difference – one person at a time. This heartwarming, funny, and restorative memoir is a life lesson and a reading pleasure.

February

381.141 HAR
Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart
"Do you remember the best summer of your life?" This question introduces us to the story of a magical summer in the author's life, vividly recalled sixty years later. In 1945 Marjorie (Jacobson) Hart and her sorority sister from the University of Iowa traveled to New York City in search of summer employment and were hired to work as pages at Tiffany and Company, becoming the first female employees ever to work on the sales floor. Readers share their emotions at being in this sophisticated environment, meeting Tiffany's famous customers, and seeing history against the backdrop of World War II-era New York. This book will appeal to those who enjoy lighthearted nostalgic memoirs.

598.93 GES
Soaring with Fidel: An Osprey Odyssey from Cape Cod to Cuba and Beyond by David Gessner
The author has written a fascinating account of his attempt to follow the migration of ospreys on their 7000-mile annual journey. Taking a hiatus from his position as a college professor, he begins on Cape Cod in September and ends in Venezuela, stopping at numerous locations to monitor the ospreys' progress. Suspense is created by a friendly rivalry with a BBC crew, simultaneously filming a documentary. Renaming his favorite bird Fidel, he is able to reach Cuba's La Gran Piedra, a massive rock in the Santiago Mountains, observing hundreds of ospreys in flight. Nature lovers and those who enjoy books about adventure travel will become involved with the author's quest.

916.2 MAH
Down the Nile: Alone in a Fisherman's Skiff by Rosemary Mahoney
The adventure in this book is more in overcoming cultural barriers than natural ones as the author, a resident of Rhode Island, pursues her ambition of rowing a boat by herself down the Nile River. What is considered a form of exercise in the United States is unheard of and dangerous for a woman tourist in Egypt, but Ms. Mahoney succeeds in securing a boat and embarking on her journey. Her encounters with Egyptians and observations of their everyday life are described, along with impressions of the culture written by famous Nile tourists of the 1800's such as Florence Nightingale and Gustave Flaubert. All of these elements turn the author's simple idea into an absorbing personal saga.

January

362.41 KUR
Crashing Through: A True Story of Risk, Adventure, and the Man Who Dared to See by Robert Kurson
"Amazing" is a word that that has been trivialized by overuse, but this is the account of a life for which the word is truly apt. It is the story of Mike May, whose early-onset blindness did not hinder his pioneer spirit. He embraced challenges at every turn and was content to crash through life to satisfy his curiosity about the world. He became an award-winning speed skier, an inventor and an entrepreneur, and lived a full life as a blind man. When he was told that there was a procedure that could restore his eyesight he wondered if the risk of the surgery was worth the reward. Eventually his need to know tilted the scales, he submitted to the procedure, and the real adventure began. He regained his vision, but with unexpected results. This is an edge-of-your seat story, written by the author of the bestselling Shadow Divers. Don't miss it.

364.1523 DRE
Death in a Prairie House: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Murders by William R, Drennan
Frank Lloyd Wright was a magnet for controversy. Raised by the ultimate stage mother, his ego knew no bounds. This book offers a good introduction to his life and the Arts and Crafts movement that influenced his creation of the Prairie style of architecture. The narrative focuses on the period of time when the young architect's reputation was growing and he lived in Oak Park with his wife and six children. One local commission was for the Cheney family. In the process of planning a new home, Wright and Mamah Cheney fell in love and ran off together. Later, Wright had Taliesen built for her in Spring Green, Wisconsin, where they lived happily for several years. One summer day Mrs. Cheney, her children and four others living at the house became victims of a gruesome mass murder. The story is told within the context of the times and the author has taken pains to extensively document his work. However, his style is conversational and engaging. Anyone interested in Wright, architecture or true crime should be captivated by this short book.

781.66092 ZEV
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon by Crystal Zevon
Readers of a certain age will remember Warren Zevon as the singer/songwriter of such rock classics as "Werewolves of London" and "Lawyers, Guns and Money." His life is worthy of its own musical saga. Zevon lived in southern California during the early 1970s and was part of the group of music hopefuls that included Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne. Zevon's recording sessions included almost everyone of note on the music scene at that time. He wrote his most memorable hits under the influence of an excess of drugs and alcohol. The book is an oral history with contributions by people who knew or worked with him, most names familiar to any rock fan. This treatment offers a vivid picture of a life that was often out-of-control, and the book is a roller-coaster ride with a not always admirable companion. As he said himself, "I got to be Jim Morrison longer than Jim Morrison." Often outrageous, this account captures a time and reveals the life of an idiosyncratic rock musician.