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Seen Read Heard
Books
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The Politics of Cocaine
Drawing on declassified documents and extensive firsthand research, “The Politics of Cocaine” is an examination of the U.S. narcotics policy in South America and Central America from 1972 to 2008. The book explores why the U.S. remains unable to control the flow of cocaine into the U.S. and why the “war on drugs” appears to be spiraling out of control. (Lawrence Hill Books, 2010)
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The Happy Book
“The Happy Book” shows how to practice and celebrate happiness so you can find it when you really need it. Packed with creative prompts, wacky ideas, and hip activities, this is the ultimate pick–me–up. Packaged to encourage doodling and drawing, “The Happy Book” has space to scribble thoughts, make lists, fill in the blanks, and paste pictures. This book is about creating a record of what makes you glad, whether that means ’80s hair bands or hot chocolate with churros. (Sourcebooks, 2009)
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Called Back: My Reply to Cancer, My Return to Life
In her intensely personal and insightful memoir, Mary Cappello wonders aloud what breast cancer awareness really makes us aware of, and responds as if for the first time to the deceivingly simple command, “tell me what you’re feeling.” “Called Back” looks through the lens of cancer to discover—often with humor–new truths about intimacy and essential solitude, eroticism, the fact of the body, and the impossibility of turning away. (Alyson Books, 2009)
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The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship
“The Recipe Club” is a “novel cookbook,” a deliciously funny, touching story of friendship, loss and the ties that bind–with more than 80 recipes that keep the plot cooking. This heartfelt story celebrates the resilience and power of women’s friendships. It’s a charming pastiche of e–mails, handwritten childhood letters, third–person narration, photographs and illustrations. (Polhemus Press, 2009)
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Runaway Dream
“Runaway Dream” is a rich history of Bruce Springsteen’s greatest album, “Born to Run,” celebrating its themes of youth, escape and possibility, just in time for the Boss’ recent 60th birthday. Louis Masur chronicles the making of the album that launched Springsteen and his E Street Band into the firmament of American art, deftly sketching the ambition, history and personalities that combined to create the enduring “Born to Run.” (Bloomsbury Press, 2009)
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Buffalo: Architecture in the American Forgotten Land
In a black and white photographic homage to Buffalo, Chicago architect David Steele captures the amazing facades and essential architectural high points that make Buffalo unique. From his personal photographic collection of Buffalo spanning two decades, this 160–page photo journal assembles Buffalo’s past and current architectural treasures. Available at http://www.buffbuildings.com. (Blurb, 2009)
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Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict
Part comedy, part love story, part time–bending social commentary, “Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict” is the story of Jane Mansfield, a gentleman’s daughter from Regency England who inexplicably awakens in the body and life of a 21st–century Los Angeles woman. (Dutton Adult, 2009)
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Gibbons v. Ogden, Law, and Society in the Early Republic
This is the first book–length treatment of the landmark 1824 Supreme Court decision that gave Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states. “Gibbons v. Ogden” provides the historical context for one of the Supreme Court’s most significant decisions–a decision that is still taught in constitutional law courses and continues to influence cases involving interstate trade. (Ohio University Press, 2009)
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Office 2008 for Mac for Dummies
Co-written by James Gordon, lead programmer/analyst in the Office of the Associate Vice President for University Libraries at UB, this book provides a user-friendly guide on how to master all the programs: Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Entourage. With this all-in-one reference, anyone can become an expert on sharing files with Windows users, integrating Office 2008 with iLife and other Mac applications, and working with Office and Web 2.0, as well as other common business tasks. (Wiley Publishing, 2009)
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The Womanless Collection in the Buffalo Public Libraries
The author uses erotic memories to explain the construction of a woman collection in the public library. Reality is disappointing, however, because of failed attempts at love. Fantasy, meanwhile, is uplifting in creating a universe for being accepted. The collection becomes the object of desire. The library building becomes the environment to ensure that love between the collection and the author never fades. Technology gives and desires life. The women's collection becomes digital property for the purpose of interaction with the author. (RoseDog Books, 2009)
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The Librarian’s Book of Quotes
“The Librarian’s Book of Quotes” is a compendium of nearly 300 insightful, thought provoking and inspiring aphorisms from writers from Shakespeare to Ray Bradbury that sing the praises of librarians’ skills, values and the institutions they support. (American Library Association, 2009)
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Regreening the Earth in the 21st Century
Author Michael Richards explores the paradigm shift that needs to occur between the relationship of architecture and nature in the new century. In the past, he argues, the two have frequently been treated as separate entities. One designs a building, a road or a parking lot and then places it on the land. This book examines a different approach that would first examine the land and surrounding environment, and then formulate a design solution. Such an approach would minimize destruction to habitat and open space, while aesthetically fusing the structure with the surroundings. It would also shift our preconceptions of how we define space, structure and nature. (LULU, 2009)
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Grandma and the Katsel
The second in a three-book series about Sande Zirlin’s grandmother, “Grandma and the Katsel” is a delightful story about a stray cat that takes up residency in Grandma’s backyard and the burst of feline chutzpah needed to convince Grandma to make the cat her own. The book contains a number of Yiddish words and phrases remembered from Zirlin’s childhood, and offers a glossary and a pronunciation guide to help the reader. (RoseDog Books, 2009)
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Us & Them: Bridging the Chasm of Faith
Bill Scheurer was the first student at UB to graduate with a special major in religious studies. His book of essays explores the common experience of faith that believers of all religions share, despite their differences in specific practices and beliefs. He unfolds the ethical reach of this premise with 20 brief chapters on such topics as humility, conscience, compassion, idolatry and skepticism. (Hourglass Books, 2004)
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Yes, We Are Related
“Yes, We Are Related” is a genealogy and history of the author’s four great-grandfathers and other relatives who made contributions to the Civil War. The book also references colonial Pennsylvania and contains lineages from as early as the 1600s. Included are descriptions of family members who immigrated to the United States from Europe, along with poetry and narratives of family life. (The Roberts Group, 2008)
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The Warded Man
This debut fantasy novel—book one of the author’s Demon trilogy—is a captivating and thrilling adventure, pulling the reader into a world of demons, darkness and heroes. (Del Rey, 2009)
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Lessons for Myself: Getting Out of the Hood Box
This book teaches basic lessons for young people to acquire the critical understanding and mindset to take direct control of their mental faculties and defend themselves against the manipulation of peer pressure. (Createspace, 2008)
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Vesuvius
This CD compilation from guitarist Chris Vasi and his quartet brings together original work alongside musical compositions by Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and the Beatles. The result is smooth jazz music infused with Latin, West African and funk elements. “Vesuvius” is available at CD Baby and iTunes. (Fortuitous Records, 2009)
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House of a Thousand Guitars
“House of a Thousand Guitars” is the sixth studio album by singer/songwriter Willie Nile. Here Nile demonstrates the diversity of his songwriting and performing abilities with an equal mix of classic guitar rock and his deep and sensitive piano ballads. (GB Music/River House, 2009)
Music
Attention Alumni Authors
UB Today publishes notices on recent books, films and CDs by alumni. Send brief, factual descriptions of the book or CD, along with copies of the publisher's or producer's blurb and critical reviews, if desired. Include the full name of the publishing house or recording company, year of publication or production and the author's UB degree(s) and the year(s) received. Indicate where the author now lives and any current credentials that relate to the subject matter of the book, or the content of the CD or film.
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