Virginia Tech Magazine
Book Notes -|- Spring 2006


Books by VT Alumni, Faculty, and Staff



If you have published a general-interest book in the past six months, please let us know. Review copies should be mailed to Virginia Tech Magazine, 105 Media Building (0109), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

Books submitted to Virginia Tech Magazine for review will be donated to the library in The Grove, home of President and Mrs. Charles W. Steger, unless authors specifically request their return. Faculty, staff, and alumni wanting to contribute other books they have written should mail the books directly to The Grove (0446), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061.


History


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In Moral Leadership and the American Presidency by Robert E. Denton Jr., the W. Thomas Rice Chair of Leadership Studies and director of Virginia Tech's Center for Leader Development, explores presidential leadership and the decline in trust of the government.

The publisher is Rowman & Littlefield (4501 Forbes Blvd., Ste. 200, Lanham, MD 20706); www.rowmanlittlefield.com.

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Featuring more than 400 digitally restored photographs and 70 newspaper clippings, Christiansburg, Virginia--Small Town America at Its Finest by Roy Wyete Kanode (electrical engineering '65; M.S. '67) discusses the town's buildings, schools, churches, railroad, civic leaders, and key families.

To purchase the book, contact the author by mail at 110 Cedar Bluff Dr., Christiansburg, VA 24072; www.roykanode.com.


Music Therapy


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The Music Effect: Music Physiology and Clinical Application by Professor Emeritus of Engineering Science and Mechanics Daniel J. Schneck and musical therapist Dorita S. Berger focuses on the use of music as a clinical treatment tool for diagnosed illnesses.

The publisher is Jessica Kingsley Publishers (116 Pentonville Rd., London N1 9JB); www.jkp.com.


Horticulture


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In The Nature-Friendly Garden: Creating a Haven for Plants, Wildlife, and People, Too, Marlene A. Condon (physics '79) offers up the best techniques to sustain an environmentally balanced garden that keeps wildlife damage and invasive plant growth to a minimum.

The publisher is Stackpole Books (5067 Ritter Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055); www.stackpolebooks.com.


Fiction


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Madison House, the debut novel of Peter Donahue (M.A. English '90), chronicles turn-of-the-century Seattle's explosive transformation from frontier outpost to major metropolis.

The publisher is Hawthorne Books (1410 N.W. Kearney St., Ste. 909, Portland, OR 97209); www.hawthornebooks.com.

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A Funeral, a Wedding, and the Journey Between by Charles N. Smith (Ed.D. educational administration '93) follows a young man's journey toward inner peace.

The publisher is Ivy House Publishing Group (5122 Bur Oak Circle, Raleigh, NC 27612); www.ivyhousebooks.com.


Children


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For third- to fifth-grade readers, Rosa by University Distinguished Professor of English Nikki Giovanni tells the story of Rosa Parks and her watershed act of civil disobedience. Illustrations are by Bryan Collier.

The publisher is Henry Holt and Co. (175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010); www.henryholtchildrensbooks.com.

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In Watching the Hokies with Daddy by Joe West, a youngster dreams about playing for his favorite football team and in the process learns about team loyalty, good sportsmanship, and family values.

The publisher is Titan Publishing (P.O. Box 3156, Roanoke, VA 24015); www.titan-media.com.


Advice


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In What Were You Thinking?? $600-per-hour Legal Advice on Relationships, Marriage & Divorce, attorney Mark Barondess (political science '81) dispenses invaluable advice for those considering marriage or divorce.

The publisher is Phoenix Books (9465 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 315, Beverly Hills, CA 90212); www.phoenixbooksandaudio.com.

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Power Plant Construction Management: A Survival Guide by Peter G. Hessler (mechanical engineering '70) outlines the management and financial skills necessary to supervise the construction or retrofitting of power generation plants.

The publisher is PennWell Corporation (1421 S. Sheridan Rd., Tulsa, OK 74112); www.pennwellbooks.com.


Sports


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In The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It, communication Instructor Roland Lazenby presents the team's definitive oral history in more than 500 interviews with players, coaches, broadcasters, and other key figures.

The publisher is McGraw-Hall (2 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121); http://books.mcgraw-hill.com/.


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