Bookshelf

(Toronto: Sutherland House Books, 2023)
Miracles are possible. That’s the first line in the description of this book. According to the publisher, “An accomplished storyteller with a refreshing, humorous voice, Rabbi Zedek draws on a range of materials including biblical tales, Indian and Japanese folklore, the works of St. Augustine, Einstein, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and Groucho Marx to take readers on a truly original search for spiritual sustenance in everyday life. Readers will learn how to identify and appreciate the miraculous in an often-mundane world; how to take God seriously when much of the intellectual world doesn’t; and how to make the most out of underutilized spiritual resources such as poetry and prayer. Heartfelt and amusing, Taking Miracles Seriously is a master course on how to craft an enriched and enriching spiritual life.”

(Bloomfield, Conn.: Antrim House, 2019).
One reviewer described the author’s debut collection of poetry this way: “Doug Hyde, with his wide lens and clear eye, draws us in through his meticulous observation of both nature and human nature. He shows us what it feels like to climb a mountain, to note bird songs or a returning nesting squirrel, or to feel the poignancy of intimate engagement with those he loves. The love poems seem lit from within. There is puckish humor here too, as when he manages to get a granddaughter to behave at table or to wear clothes while helping to build a wall. There is also loss in the lived experience recounted, as when love is temporarily lost until a bridge can be rebuilt. In the face of life’s inevitable losses, Hyde’s poems offer solace: ‘And so we persevere . . . measuring our days.’ He tells ‘heart’s truth,’ and our souls are nourished as if we’d spent time with an especially wise and observant friend.”

(Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2023).
A history of public private growth and antipoverty partnerships since the New Deal, this book centers the perspectives and mobilization of local business elites — e.g., chambers of commerce and regional development organizations — to trace deep continuities and change between the New Deal, mid century liberalism, and neoliberal modes of governance. The author is an assistant professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania.

(Great Goal Books, 2023).
From Pelé to Raí, Ruy Ramos, and Zico, Brazil has produced an incredible number of dazzling soccer players and champions. Having lived in the country for almost two decades and attended 10 consecutive World Cups, the author offers his inside take on the secrets of samba soccer culture. This book includes dozens of full-color photos showing Brazil’s star players in action, plus highlights of Beebe’s global travels to watch high-profile soccer matches on six continents.

(Brentwood, Tenn.: Permuted Press, 2023).
This book tells of the relentless advocacy of Vietnam War-era POW/MIA wives, whose persistence outlasted repeated admonitions from the U.S. government to “keep quiet.” These women waged their battle against the backdrop of cultural, social, and economic upheaval, at a time when women could not obtain a credit card without a husband’s signature. Despite the stonewalling they encountered, the women took their case to the Paris Peace Accords and the world leaders there. They testified before Congress to demand an accounting for their men. Moving from the sidelines to the front lines of diplomacy, the women made the POW/MIA issue central to the peace negotiations, ultimately changing policy so “no man is left behind.”

(Mineral Point, Wis.: Little Creek Press, 2022).
In this, the author’s third novel, he weaves the plot-twisting tale of what happens following the brutal murder of a local city councilwoman. According to the publisher, “Detective Lincoln Barnes and her cerebral partner, Warren, lead an investigation that focuses on the charismatic mayor and the victim’s chief aide. Barnes’ romantic encounter with a judge turns into an obsession after she discovers startling facts about his past. As she and Warren close in on the killer, events occur that make her question her future as a Minneapolis cop and contemplate a new life with a man who's either the answer to her prayers or the personification of evil.”

(Why Not Books, 2023).
This work of historical fiction focuses on Jack Morgan, who returns home from World War II desolate from the trauma of the battlefield and the unexpected departure of his wife, who left with their young son. He moves to West Virginia with his sister Nellie to take a job as a high school teacher and football coach. The two soon find themselves opening their home to community members in need and are eventually lauded for their compassion. Rich with historical facts and anecdotes, the novel also offers a snapshot of post-war America and West Virginia’s prominent role in it — from race relations, to politics, to baseball.

(Philadelphia: Temple University Press: 2023).
The author, who has worked as a reform-oriented government official and political insider, tells the story of a city’s confrontation with a history that threatens its future. His account of the corruption investigation of John Dougherty, labor leader and one of Philadelphia’s most prominent political figures, examines the costs of corruption, both financial and nonpecuniary, and considers the opportunity cost that corruption imposes. According to the publisher, “Mandel explores the nature and development of Philadelphia’s unique culture of corruption, emphasizing how machine politics and self-dealing are entwined with city history, creating a culture that allows corruption to thrive. In addition, he provides practical, achievable policies and actions that can produce positive change in Philadelphia and elsewhere.” As Philadelphia magazine noted: “Civic activist and author Mandel tallies up the long-term toll corruption has had on this city while offering a glimpse at a better future, if we’re willing to work for it.”

(San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2023).
Filled with heartfelt personal stories, techniques for mindfulness, and engaging journaling prompts, this book grounds the abstract concept of empathy with an actionable and intersectional framework. By weaving together scholarly research with his personal journey of loss, substance use, anxiety, and depression, the author explores how empathy can benefit both our inner lives and our larger community. Tennant is creator of Actually Curious, a conversation card game that helps people create safe spaces to be vulnerable and share their views on personal issues and current events.

(iUniverse, 2021)
The author, who has spent his career as a physician and scientist, considers big scientific questions in a fanciful format. According to the book cover, “The story is told through a Socratic dialogue between a sea lion named Socrates, representing the spirit of nature, and a surfer named Moses, representing the spirit of humanity. The two consider what science can and can't tell us about nature, life, and humanity. They consider questions such as: What is science capable of telling us about the reality of the world we live in? Does science merely create empirical models of reality that are useful, or does it reveal deeper truths about the nature of reality? Does science necessarily conflict with religion, or can they be synergistically reconciled to teach us how to live better lives? What do evolutionary biology and early human history tell us about the prospects for humanity achieving harmony on a global scale and avoiding irreversible damage to the biosphere?”