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Seen Read Heard
Books
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Come from Nowhere
Seven female characters share the same New York City subway platform in the early morning hours of July 13, 1977. They range from a nine-year-old girl and her Greek immigrant mother to a young chef who is losing her vision. During the next 24 hours, they will struggle to find their way home, both literally and metaphorically, after New York suffers its historic blackout. (3Ring Press, 2012)
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The Official Book of Mob Humor
“The Official Book of Mob Humor” marks the first time mobster wit, gaffes and goof-ups have been collected in a single volume. The book is packed with hilarious, hard-to-believe-but-true stories of mobster activities, and includes a foreword by the late Henry Hill, former Lucchese crime family associate made famous in “Goodfellas.” (Robert D. Reed Publishers, 2012)
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Murder Over the Border
“Murder Over the Border,” in addition to being a gripping thriller with a surprise ending, presupposes that Jews and Arabs are, above all else, human beings and very similar in nature. A longtime resident of Israel who spent more than 20 years in the Israeli army (reserves), Richard Steinitz wrote this book in part to rectify errors of fact and translation he’d found in fiction depicting the Israeli-Arab conflict. “Murder Over the Border” is available as a Kindle book through Amazon. (LPA Group, 2011)
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Abstract Painting: A Practical Approach
This volume offers a complete university art course in painting with fun and innovative approaches leading to highly creative, abstract images, along with instruction in color theory, tonal values and design structure. (CreateSpace, 2011)
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The Lady of the Wheel
“The Lady of the Wheel” is the story of foundlings and sulfur mine workers and their communities in 19th-century Sicily. Interspersed in the tale are episodes derived from the real-life experiences of Angelo F. Coniglio’s family, who originated in a small Sicilian town. (Legas Publishing, 2012)
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Images of America: West Seneca
Using historic and vintage photographs, James Pace, West Seneca, N.Y., town historian, illustrates the various and diverse peoples who made the area their home, including the Seneca Indians and members of the Ebenezer Society of Germany. (Arcadia Publishing, 2011)
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Belfast in My Colours: A Synaesthetic Exploration of My Temporary Home
“Belfast in My Colours” explores synaesthetic connections that author Carrie C. Firman established while in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Firman drew symbols of the surrounding atmosphere, attitudes and history. She applied the coloring most suited to each item’s “reputation, history and character by matching the personalities that I synaesthetically perceive when describing different hues.” (lulu.com, 2011)
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Steps of Courage: My Parents’ Journey from Nazi Germany to America
Bettina Hoerlin shares her parents’ love story from the rise of Nazism to the height of the Cold War. Kate Tietz Schmid, a Jew, and Hermann Hoerlin, an Aryan, begin their courtship in Germany in 1934 but must flee the country because of the Nuremberg Laws. The couple escapes amid formidable odds and settles in the U.S. only to face adversity during McCarthyism because of Hermann’s left-wing associations. (AuthorHouse, 2011)
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Niagara Digressions
Seasoned storyteller E.R. Baxter III combines history and naturalist memoir in a book that “is filled with dry wit, but is also suffused with real love for his lifelong home,” says author Ginger Strand. Baxter presents the Niagara landscape as historical palimpsest, from ancient cave paintings and 1960 mimeographed poetry to the massacre of the buffalo and manufacture of shredded wheat cereal. (Starcherone Books, 2012)
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Bernie and I
The author’s first novel, “Bernie and I” is about a man’s experiences with dogs from childhood to old age, fondly recollecting times with the dog of his dreams, Bernie. (Xlibris, 2011)
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Lulu
Soprano Laura Aikin has the title role of the femme fatale Lulu who destroys her lovers in this production of Alban Berg’s unfinished opera, recorded with the Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House, Franz Welser-Möst, conductor. Asked to name her favorite operatic role in a 2008 UB Today profile, Aikin said it was “Lulu,” adding that Berg “has this ability to touch the depths of the human spirit.” (Arthaus Musik, 2011)
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Hidden Treasures
Enjoy this eclectic mix of mainstream jazz, arranged standards and original cutting-edge compositions from the Dave Schiavone/ Joe Brancato Quartet in their debut recording of 2002. More information about the combo is available at www.dcssax.com. (CD Baby, 2002)
DVD
Music
What UB is Reading
“Start Something that Matters” by Blake Mycoskie is the 2012 UB Reads selection—an opportunity for the campus community to enjoy a shared reading experience. Mycoskie created TOMS, one of the fastest-growing footwear companies in the world, by giving shoes away. He offers readers stories, ideas and practical tips for finding profit, passion and meaning all at once. (Spiegel & Grau, 2012)
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.
To accompany each listing, camera–ready book jacket or CD cover art, or the book or CD itself, may be sent to UB Today, 330 Crofts Bldg., Buffalo, NY 14260, and will be returned if requested. High–resolution digital book cover art (scanned at 300 dpi) is preferred for the print edition and may be sent, along with a description of the book, film or CD, to whitcher@buffalo.edu. Preference is given to titles of wide general interest.
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