NEW BOOKS FOR LLI COURSES

Know-It-All: One Man’s Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World, by A.J. Jacobs. Part memoir and part education (or lack thereof), this book chronicles NPR contributor, A.J. Jacobs’s hilarious, enlightening & seemingly impossible quest to read the Encyclopaedia Britannica from A to Z.

Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour, by Joseph E. Persico. On November 11, 1918 at 10:59 a.m. war raged in Europe. One minute later, the guns went silent. This book, more than a historical account of events or an examination of high strategy, is the story of that moment and that war.

His Excellency: George Washington, by Joseph J. Ellis. A highly readable, often provocative, human-scale book that is intended to be a fresh portrait that focuses tightly on Washington’s character. The author succeeds by dipping judiciously into an ocean of new scholarship on the American Revolution, the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, slavery and colonial and early American history in general.

Lee & Grant: Profiles in Leadership from the Battlefields of Virginia, by Maj. Charles R. Bowery Jr., U.S. Army. Bowery’s book is a remarkably interesting and useful analysis of the challenges Grant and Lee faced as leaders. Bowery identifies the qualities, skills and methods that enabled them to succeed and he skillfully translates their experiences into “Leadership Lessons,” readily transferable to the modern world.

Native Universe: Voices of Indian America (National Geographic, $40, 320 pages) is the inaugural book of the new National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. The book provides a fascinating overview of Native American history and traditions and presents perspectives on the role of Native people in current society by Indian tribal leaders, writers, scholars, poets and storytellers.

Interpreters with Lewis and Clark: The Story of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau, by W. Dale Nelson is the first family biography of Sacagawea, Toussaint and their son, Jean Baptiste. An insightful, honestly presented, superbly written study that offers the truth behind the myths.

A New History of German Literature (Harvard University Press) edited by David E. Wellbert. Leading scholars capture the spirit of this culture in some 200 original essays on events in German literary history, inviting readers to investigate for themselves its disparate and unifying themes.

Religions of the Ancient World, edited by Sarah Iles Johnston, and published by Harvard University Press, is sweeping in scope and groundbreaking in format. This book eschews the usual encyclopedic approach, presenting materials from 10 traditions side-by-side and revealing the diversity and interconnections of religion in the ancient world.
Race to the Pole, by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. This meticulously researched and detailed book tells the story of Captain Robert Scott, the second man to reach the South Pole. The book details Scott’s two journeys into the frozen unknown.

Prisoner of the Vatican, by David I. Kertzer. Based on a wealth of documents long buried in the Vatican archives, this book tells the story of the Church’s secret attempt to seize control of Italy in the late 19th century.

The Georgetown Ladies’ Social Club, by C. David Heyman. This best-selling biographer chronicles the dinner parties, correspondence and intersections of some of the most powerful women behind American politics.

Rights from Wrongs, by Alan Dershowitz. Rights, argues legal scholar, Dershowitz, do not come from God, nature, logic or law alone, but out of particular experiences with injustice.

His Excellency, by Joseph Ellis. Ellis has crafted a landmark biography that brings to life the most important and perhaps least understood figure in American history, George Washington.

The Bedford Boys, by Alex Kershaw. A New York Times bestseller, this thoroughly researched narrative is a gripping account of the historical events that inspired the movie Saving Private Ryan.

Under God, by Toby Mac and Michael Tait. Unflinching and inspiring, Under God looks at the triumphs and tragedies of our spiritual legacy and asks “What Part Will You Play?’ in shaping our national future. With our nation at a crossroads, your answer has never been more important.

Free World, by Timothy Garton Ash. Despite America’s recent differences with France and Germany, Garton Ash emphasizes that the U.S. and the European Union do agree on basic issues.

Exploring Antarctica, by Walter Dean Myers. A testament to human courage, persistence and daring, this book is an in-depth look at this frozen land.

The Men Who Stare at Goats, by Jon Ronson. Ronson weaves a true tale, one that often sounds like fiction, about largely unpublished military dabblings in the paranormal.

Acts of Faith, by Philip Caputo. This literary journey is a cautionary tale about a modern-day group of well-intentioned pilots, missionaries and dreamers who attempt to alleviate the suffering in war-torn Sudan

NEW WEB SITES FOR LLI COURSES

WRITERS IN PRISON - http://www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/
This Web site features writers who have been imprisoned for what they write or for their peaceful political activities. In addition to extensive information about jailed writers worldwide, find information about a rapid action network, and background about writers in exile. Includes a "Prisoner of the Month." From the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN, a writers' organization.

THE FREDERICK A. COOK SOCIETY - http://www.cookpolar.org/
The nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to the life and work of the controversial polar explorer Frederick Albert Cook. This site includes a brief biography of Cook, current polar research, a review of polar literature, and links to other polar Web sites.

JAZZ AGE CHICAGO - http://www.jazzagechicago.com/
This site concerns the everyday social and cultural experiences of Chicagoans during the early 20th century. It presents illustrated essays on topics such as Chicago hotels, department stores, theaters, public transportation, and dance halls, as well as information about some specific events. Also includes a research guide and links to related sites.

ATTITUDES ABOUT AGING - http://research.aarp.org/general/images_aging.html
A new AARP/University of Southern California survey looks at attitudes between generations and examines Americans’ knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes about aging.

KANSAS CITY: PARIS OF THE PLAINS: THE JAZZ AGE IN KANSAS CITY, 1920-1940 - http://www.umkc.edu/lib/spec-col/parisoftheplains/webexhibit/
This site presents an online exhibit about the cultural history of Kansas City in the 1920s and 1930s. It features information and images on topics such as city planning and buildings, famous people, music and musicians, politics, and technology. From the Miller Nichols Library of the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

SOME ENCHANTED EVENINGS: AMERICAN PICTURE PALACES - http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PALACE/
This site features illustrated essays about the architectural development of movie theaters, from nickelodeons to grand palaces during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, in light of the rise of mass consumer entertainment. Also includes a bibliography.

ALL ABOUT POETRY -
http://www.usedbooksearch.co.uk/links/poetry.html and www.poetrykit.org
For links to more poetry web sites than you could shake a sonnet at, and for complete works of Kipling, Poe, Stevenson and a huge collection of the best. Thanks to U3A Signpost number 41 - March 2004 at signpost@worldu3a.org for this information.

WILLIAM STILL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FOUNDATION, INC. - http://www.undergroundrr.com/
This site focuses "on protecting and insuring the accurate depiction of the historical events pertaining to the UGRR [Underground Railroad] and Anti-Slavery Society." Contains a biography of abolitionist William Still (author of "Underground Railroad"), an article about the Still family history, information about programs at the foundation, current events, biographies of other abolitionists, and links to other Web sites.

AFRICAN STUDIES INTERNET RESOURCES – http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/africa/
This site presents "an on-going compilation of electronic bibliographic resources and research materials on Africa." Materials are arranged by region and country, by organization, or by topic (such as climate and environment, health, and human rights). Also provides links to Africa studies programs; a directory of African studies scholars; a list of libraries, book publishers, and book dealers specializing in Africa; and links to electronic journals and newspapers.

ALBERT EINSTEIN AND THE WORLD YEAR OF PHYSICS 2005 - http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/exhibits/einstein/
This site commemorates 2005 as the "the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein's 'miraculous year.' In 1905 he published three seminal papers describing ideas that have since influenced all of modern physics." It provides links to Web sites about Einstein, his theories, and related material. Also includes a brief bibliography. From the Arts and Sciences Libraries of the State University of New York at Buffalo.

ALBERT EINSTEIN ARCHIVES - http://www.albert-einstein.org/
This site provides information regarding Einstein's contributions as a scientist, humanist, and Jew. It includes a timeline of key events during his life, a bibliography of primary and secondary literature, links to other sites, and a description of the archive's text and multimedia resources. The "Einstein for Kids" section reproduces some of Einstein's letters to and from children as well as other correspondence.

PI DAY RESOURCES - http://www.mobot.org/education/megsl/pi.html
Pi Day is celebrated on March 14 (3-14 representing the beginning digits of the infinite, nonrepeating decimal expansion of the number pi). March 14 is also Albert Einstein's birthday. This site provides a compilation of Pi Day resources and links to information about the number pi and this holiday celebrating it and mathematics in general.

KOREA: THE UNFINISHED WAR - http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/korea/
To fully grasp the ongoing tensions between the United States and North Korea, it is important to understand the war that ended fifty years ago. This companion to an American RadioWorks program from July 2003 includes audio clips and transcripts, oral histories, maps, related links, and commentary from reporters, historians, and scholars. Also features illustrated essays about the effect of the Korean War on the Cold War and integration in the armed forces.

NORTH KOREA SPECIAL COLLECTION - http://cns.miis.edu/research/korea/
Articles, analyses of issues, background information, fact sheets, maps and other images, and selected links to related resources on nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons in North Korea. Includes discussions of relations and talks between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) concerning nuclear arms in the DPRK. From the Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies, California.

PORTALS TO THE WORLD: NORTH KOREA - http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/asian/northkorea/northkorea.html
Selected Internet resources on North Korea, organized by such topics as business, geography, government, media, science, and tourism. Each category provides a list of annotated links. From the Library of Congress.

TIMELINE: NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR CRISIS -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2604437.stm
This concise chronology charts the build-up of tension since North Korea's reported disclosure of a secret nuclear weapons program. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

THE CHURCHILL CENTRE - http://www.winstonchurchill.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
This organization "fosters leadership, statesmanship, vision and courage among democratic and freedom-loving peoples worldwide, through the thoughts, words, works and deeds of Winston Spencer Churchill." The site includes a calendar of events and conferences, and lists publications and resources. For the user seeking background information, it offers facts about Churchill, a selection of quotes (as well as quotes incorrectly attributed to Churchill), myths and debates, and trivia.

HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH DALAI LAMA OF TIBET - http://dalailama.com/
"Dedicated to creating awareness of the life and work of His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet," this Web site describes the Dalai Lama's early life, escape to India, and formation of his government-in-exile in India. Includes a summary of Tibet's history, images of the Dalai Lama, and text of his Nobel Peace Prize speech and other teachings. From the Office of Tibet and Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

THE LIFE AND WORK OF FRANCES PERKINS - http://www.dol.gov/opa/frances/frances.htm
This brief biography focuses on the social reform activities and on her work as Secretary of Labor under Franklin Delano Roosevelt of "the first woman ever to serve as a Cabinet member." The site describes legislation passed during her tenure, including The Social Security Act of 1935 and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Includes photographs.

THE AMERICAN DIALECT SOCIETY - http://www.americandialect.org/
"Founded more than a century ago, the American Dialect Society is dedicated to the study of the English language in North America, and of other languages, or dialects of other languages, influencing it or influenced by it." Site features a list of "words which most colored the nation's lexicon, or otherwise dominated the national discourse" back to 1990, discussion lists, and links to related sites.

THE BARD - http://www.rabbie-burns.com/
This site is devoted to poet Robert Burns, "Scotland's best-loved bard. ... This site gives you the complete guide to Robert Burns the man, his poems, his travels, haggis, whisky and much more." It features a brief biography, timeline, examples of his poetry, and a guide to the rituals and recipes for holding a traditional "Burns Supper" to commemorate the poet.

EHISTORY – WWW.EHISTORY.COM
This "site for history fans, enthusiasts and students ... consists of over 130,000 pages of historical content; 5,300 timeline events; 800 battle outlines; 350 biographies; and thousands of images and maps." Also includes a glossary. A major emphasis of the site is United States military activities. Searchable, or browsable by time period or subject area. Maintained by the Department of History, Ohio State University.

THE NORTON ANTHOLOGY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE - http://www.wwnorton.com/nael/
This companion to the print resource of the same name features "annotated texts and contexts grouped by topic, over 1000 illustrations, ... hundreds of annotated links to related sites [and] The Norton Online Archive, a searchable electronic library of over 150 literary texts and downloadable audio files, annotated by the editors." Also includes quizzes and essay topic ideas. Searchable or browsable by time period from the Middle Ages through the 20th century.

TERRITORIAL KANSAS ONLINE: 1854 - 1861 - http://www.territorialkansasonline.org/
"Explore the turbulent times of 'Bleeding Kansas.' Hundreds of personal letters, diaries, photos, and maps bring to life the settling of Kansas during the fierce debate over slavery." Features topics such as territorial politics, border warfare, immigration, and biographies of historical figures. Document archives are accompanied by a timeline, bibliography, lesson plans, images of "The Annals of Kansas," and related links. Browsable and searchable. From the Kansas State Historical Society and the University of Kansas.