Tartuffe ( L.A. Theatre Works Audio Theatre Collections )

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"This is an audio recording of a live stage performance of Pulitzer Prize winner Wilbur's celebrated translation of one of Molière's most popular plays, a 1664 social satire exposing hypocrisy in the Catholic Church. Timing proves to be the cornerstone of this successful production as Brian Bedford, John de Lancie, Martin Jarvis, Alex Kingston, and seven other talented actors keep a steady and believable rhythm throughout their performances, responding to one another with just the right comedic timing. A fantastic listen recommended for those who enjoy full-cast productions, audio dramas, and classic satire"  (Library Journal)

Death of a Salesman ( L.A. Theatre Works Audio Theatre Collections )

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"This L.A. Theatre Works full-cast production of Millers classic play about the crashing of the American Dream is an especially poignant listen during the current financial crisis. As the Loman familys aspirations come crashing down, patriarch Willy battles his ego and his slow decline into old age, while his two boys continue to fail as men. But with money dwindling, they must make one last attempt to find financial stability. Stacy Keach offers up an admirable rendition of Willy, for whom listeners will easily feel empathy as he swings from mood to mood. Keachs emotional range and energy dominates what is already an impressive production in terms of acting, sound effects, and sound clarity. Jane Kaczmarek provides a winning performance as Linda Loman, battling against the dominating and condescending males within the family. This audio drama proves so enjoyable that a second listening will definitely be necessary."  (Publishers WEekly)

Clybourne Park : A Play

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""Clybourne Park" spans two generations fifty years apart. In 1959, Russ and Bev are selling their desirable two-bedroom at a bargain price, unknowingly bringing the first black family into the neighborhood (borrowing a plot line from Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun") and creating ripples of discontent among the cozy white residents of Clybourne Park. In 2009, the same property is being bought by a young white couple, whose plan to raze the house and start again is met with equal disapproval by the black residents of the soon-to-be-gentrified area. Are the issues festering beneath the floorboards actually the same, fifty years on? Bruce Norris's excruciatingly funny and squirm-inducing satire explores the fault line between race and property."

The Jane Austen Guide to Happily Ever After

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"Kantor reveals how the examples of such Jane Austen heroines as Elizabeth Bennett, Elinor Dashwood, and Anne Elliot can help women navigate the modern-day minefields of dating, love, relationships, and sex."

Horseshoe Crabs and Velvet Worms: The Story of the Animals and Plants That Time Has Left Behind

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"Award-winning paleontologist Fortey, a longtime Fellow of the Royal Society formerly associated with London's Natural History Museum, is one of those rare and wonderful science writers who can make even fossils come alive. That's not just a cliché; remember "Trilobite"? Here, Fortey travels far and wide to show us the organisms and ecosystems (like the horseshoe crabs of the title) that did not get wiped out as evolution moved things along. Essential for the science-minded and delightful for the rest."  (Library Journal)

Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 (Anniversary) (40TH ed.)

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"Forty years after its original publication, "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 "remains a cornerstone of American political journalism and one of the bestselling campaign books of all time. Hunter S. Thompson's searing account of the battle for the 1972 presidency--from the Democratic primaries to the eventual showdown between George McGovern and Richard Nixon--is infused with the characteristic wit, intensity, and emotional engagement that made Thompson "the flamboyant apostle and avatar of gonzo journalism" ("The New York Times"). Hilarious, terrifying, insightful, and compulsively readable, "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 "is an epic political adventure that captures the feel of the American democratic process better than any other book ever writte"

Alger Hiss: Why He Chose Treason

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"The definitive biography of infamous Soviet spy Alger Hiss by a former U.S. Intelligence analyst who confirms both Hiss' guilt and how deeply the Soviets had infiltrated the government." 

The Kissing Sailor: The Mystery Behind the Photo That Ended World War II

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"It's an iconic image, a sailor kissing a nurse in New York City's Times Square. Photographed on August 14, 1945, by legendary photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt and published in Life, it captures a historic moment, the end of WWII. It's a safe bet that most of the book's potential readers have seen the photograph, but who are the people in it? That's the mystery Verria and Galdorisi attempt to solve in this fascinating piece of detective work. Over the years, there have been numerous theories, and numerous people have come forward saying they are the sailor or the nurse. Verria and Galdorisi offer what they hope is undeniable proof of the unnamed couple's true identities. They make a persuasive case, assessing the validity of some of the claimants' stories, using various investigative techniques, including some very clever photographic comparisons, to zoom in on two specific persons who seem to fit the bill. Ultimately, you either accept the authors' conclusions or you don't, but you can't deny that the book provides an intriguing and unique perspective on one of the twentieth century's most memorable moments"  (Booklist)

Island Practice: Cobblestone Rash, Underground Tom, and Other Adventures of a Nantucket Doctor

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"Belluck's (health & science reporter, "New York Times") account of Tim Lepore--the only full-time surgeon in Nantucket, MA, who also plays many other roles--begins by describing boatloads of local characters. Though this device feels a bit disorienting, it mirrors Lepore's highly unpredictable life. Grim descriptions of serious medical trauma follow, but Belluck renders Lepore's humour, compassion, and pragmatism in such a way that infuses the narrative with balance and humanity. For readers who have never been to Nantucket, Belluck's writing may dissuade them from making the trip, what with the tick diseases and sporting injuries--fish-hook through the eyeball, anyone? On the other hand, her descriptions of life in the close-knit community will make readers feel as if they've summered on Nantucket for years, all under the watchful medical eye of Lepore. VERDICT This is a riveting portrait of a dynamic, headstrong physician. Medical nonfiction fans will find much to enjoy. Lepore may remind readers of Dr. Paul Farmer."  (Library Journal)

Selecting a President ( Fundamentals of American Government )

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"Clift (contributing editor, "Newsweek") and Spieler (political writer, Voterpunch.org) present the first offering in a new series on how American government works, aimed primarily at high school seniors and college freshmen. The authors concisely and objectively explain the basic structure of America's electoral system and skillfully use anecdotes from past campaigns to explore how the process has changed from the election of George Washington to that of Barack Obama. The entire chain of events from primaries to election and taking office is covered, but the authors do not get overly technical. The book does a great job of bringing election history to life through stories and examples (e.g., the down-to-the-last-ballot Bush-Gore race of 2004 and the 2008 Democratic primary race), rather than sticking with a textbook formula found in more advanced academic tomes such as Nelson W. Polsby and others' "Presidential Elections: Strategies and Structures of American Politics". VERDICT In our hot election year, this one is valuable for both high school students and adults looking for a simple explanation of the often complicated election process. Its focus makes it most appealing for current collections.-" (Booklist)

The Tea Party: A Brief History

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" Some 40 to 45 percent of Republican primary voters are Tea Party members seeking to direct the course of this year's presidential election. Yet the group that has been at the center of politics since 2009 is still not clearly defined in terms of objectives and message. Is it more concerned about shrinking the government or prodding the nation toward more conservative social values? The Tea Party has clearly pushed the political agendas of both major parties to the right, but will it have an enduring effect on American politics? Formisano offers a historical perspective, comparing the Tea Party to similar populist movements, both progressive and reactionary, of the past, from the original Boston Tea Party to the People's Party of the 1890s, from the Progressive Party of the 1920s to the Dixiecrats of the 1940s and, more recently, the parties of George Wallace and Ross Perot. He examines the conditions that gave birth to the Tea Party and whether it is genuinely grassroots or directed by corporate interests and billionaires. A helpful primer on a movement that is changing the American political landscape."  (Publishers Weekly)

Where Did the Jobs Go--And How Do We Get Them Back?: Your Guided Tour to America's Employment Crisis

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"An evenhanded discussion and study guide on unemployment. Bittle and Johnson draw on solid statistical sources including the National Association of Manufacturers, trade-union organizations, the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute and the Economic Policy Institute, and they also rely on expertise from, among others, Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman of Princeton, Nouriel Roubini of NYU's Stern School and Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. The authors provide a scrupulous analysis of the many problems caused by the unemployment crisis, as well as possible solutions. Bittle and Johnson rightly place a great deal of responsibility on the backs of readers: "If you've been reading along carefully, you probably have your own checklist of criteria for judging what's likely to hurt or help on jobs." Just in case, though, they provide a list of "considerations [they] think are vital." The authors encourage readers to review past mistakes and successes in order to be better prepared to assimilate what is to come. In that vein, they provide a useful historical discussion of the 1930s Depression and FDR's WPA program, as well as estimates of the financial costs of possible solutions and the ramifications for other sectors of American society. Joblessness affects consumer spending, government programs and citizens' ability to purchase homes, write the authors. Fortunately they provide a helpful series of options to ensure that "the greatest number of people have the greatest possible chance to get ahead." The authors intended to "help voters sift through the political rhetoric" to better understand and face the unemployment crisis. Mission accomplished."(Kirkus)

The Great Northern Express: A Writer's Journey Home

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" An acclaimed novelist's cross-country, "Great American Book Tour," woven with quaint recollections of teaching in northern Vermont as well as enthusiasm for trout fishing. Following radiation treatment for cancer, the then-65-year-old Mosher (Walking to Gatlinburg, 2010, etc.) embarked on a road trip inspired by a childhood promise that also coincided with the publication of a new novel. Forays in cities included stops at notable independent bookshops, from Prairie Lights to Powell's; near-escapes with wildlife; anecdotal encounters with Oliver Sacks as well as Harry Potter fans; musings on landscapes; and conversations with locals characterized by humorous, occasionally larger-than-life traits. In three sections ("Faith," "Hope" and "Love"), Mosher threads the uncertainty of his pre-novelist days with the foibles of now being an accomplished yet realistic, humble author. Rather than presenting a linear career story, he refreshingly alternates chapters between past and present. With equal aplomb, Mosher also looks back at challenges such as moving a piano, raucous motel patrons, rest-stop brawlers, limited audiences that included only the staff that organized the event and being mistaken for homeless. He also skillfully highlights memories that emphasize neighborly relationships. Chapters on Vermont are noteworthy for the recurrent theme of discovering simpler pleasures and searching for stories amid colorful lives. Fleeting conversations with imaginary characters may strike some readers as overly whimsical, and the digressive story about an inheritance is distracting. Still, Mosher provides a genial reminder that adventures are possible at any age. One man's appreciation for curious experiences, portrayed with self-effacing wit; best suited for fans of the author's work."  (Kirkus)

Who Gets What: Fair Compensation After Tragedy and Financial Upheaval

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"Agent Orange, the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, the Virginia Tech massacre, the 2008 financial crisis, and the Deep Horizon gulf oil spill: each was a disaster in its own right. What they had in common was their aftermath--each required compensation for lives lost, bodies maimed, livelihoods wrecked, economies and ecosystems upended. In each instance, an objective third party had to step up and dole out allocated funds: in each instance, Presidents, Attorneys General, and other public officials have asked Kenneth R. Feinberg to get the job done.
In "Who Gets What?," Feinberg reveals the deep thought that must go into each decision, not to mention the most important question that arises after a tragedy: why compensate at all? The result is a remarkably accessible discussion of the practical and philosophical problems of using money as a way to address wrongs and reflect individual worth."  (Publisher Description)