Staff Recommendation - W.A.R. The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose

W.A.R.: The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose
by Mick Wall [Biography Rose]

A new biography on Axl Rose, lead singer for Guns 'N' Roses, dissects the public and private personas of one of the most front mans of one of the most controversial rock bands. Although the author, Mick Wall, has conducted many face to face interviews in the past with the lead singer, he eventually topped Axl Rose's personal list of sworn "enemies" for reasons unknown long before penning this biography. The author compiles past interviews from Axl, his family members, and childhood friends as well as people in and out of the Guns 'N' Roses camp. The book is also based on past magazine and newspaper articles as well as MTV news reports. I found the more recent interviews conducted with ex-band members to be very enlightening in regards to learning about what ultimately led to the break-up of the original band. The author also delves into the Axl Rose's early childhood in Lafayette, Indiana and explores his tumultuous life and relationships up to the present. This biography includes speculations and facts regarding numerous problems and false starts in the release of new Guns 'N' Roses band's fifteen years in the making album, Chinese Democracy. Although there is very little new or shocking information in this just released biography, it is a great walk down memory lane on one of the most controversial rock bands of music's history. This book will appeal to long time fans of the band as well people who know little about Guns 'N' Roses. -- recommended by Jessica H. - Walt Branch Library

[ Publisher's official W.A.R. web site ] [ official Mick Wall web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Losing You

Losing You

by Nicci French

This is the first person account of Nina Landry who realizes her daughter is missing on the morning of the day that her family plans to catch a plane for a Christmas vacation. Frustrated by the delays of the police, and instinct telling her that time is very limited, Nina strikes out on her own, guided by the fierce determination of a mother to endure anything so that her daughter is rescued. This is a book that keeps you reading into the small hours. -- recommended by Dianne E. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Technical Processes Department

[ Publisher's Nicci French web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - The Rough Guide to Blogging

The Rough Guide to Blogging

by Jonathan Yang

Excellent general overview on how to become a blogger and what the world of blogging is all about. Short, concise entries on the history of blogging, how to find blogs, how to subscribe to blogs and how and where to begin your own blog. This Rough Guide volume, like others in the RG series, features tons of side bars and a massive appendix, all listing further resources to explore, or cool sites to visit for blogospheric inspiration. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Reference

[ official Rough Guide page for this book ] [ Author's companion blog to accompany this book ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Nightshade

Nightshade

by Susan Wittig Albert

With this book, Wittig Albert brings us another suspenseful installment in the China Bayles series. Herb store owner, China Bayles, continues reluctantly to investigate her late father's suspected murder. This time her husband, affectionally known as McQuaid, takes a more active role in the investigation - even getting some chapters told from his point of view. This book brings to a conclusion the story of China's father begun three books back in Bleeding Hearts. A must read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery, books set in Texas, or cooking or gardening-themed stories. -- recommended by Jodene G. - Walt Branch Libary

[ official China Bayles page on the official Susan Wittig Albert web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Small Favor

Small Favor

by Jim Butcher

The tenth volume in the popular on-going Dresden Files series finds Chicago wizard Harry Dresden enjoying some down time between crises. Quiet times never last, and Harry soon finds himself under attack from mystical assailants, while also having to repay a favor to Mab, the Queen of the Winter Court of the Sidhe. Allies and enemies keep popping up to make things even more complicated, including a group of Fallen Angels who may be trying to bring John Marcone, Chicago's biggest mob leader, into their midst. With his friends, the Knights of the Cross, Sgt. Karrin Murphy, mercenary bodyguard Kincaid, and his vampiric half-brother Thomas backing him, Dresden finds himself opposing a mystical power play that could have permanent global repercussions. All while Chicago endures one of the worst white-out blizzards its ever faced! The Dresden Files books will be a hit with anyone who is a fan of the hip, pop-culture sensibility of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or who doesn't mind a hefty dose of spell slinging with their noirish detectives. One caveat: If you've never read any of the Dresden Files books before, don't start with Small Favor -- there's way too many returning characters to enjoy without knowing how they fit into Harry's world from previous adventures. The series starts with Storm Front. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Reference

[Also available in unabridged book-on-cd format -- read by James Marsters (who played Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer][ official Small Favor web page on the official Jim Butcher web site ]

Have you read (or listened to) this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Discovering Hamlet

Discovering Hamlet

by Mark Olshaker [Video 792.02 Ols]

For anyone interested in Shakespeare or in theater, this is a wonderful video that shows an all-star cast rehearsing for a production of "Hamlet." Sir Derek Jacobi directs Kenneth Branagh in this marvelous production, narrated by Patrick Stewart. -- recommended by Kim J. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Reference

[Note: Not released on DVD, this is only available in VHS format.][ unofficial Notes on this production ] [ Internet Movie Database page for this production ]

Have you seen this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Ragtime in Simla

Ragtime in Simla
by Barbara Cleverly

Simla, a city in the Himalayan foothills, is the summer capital of the British Raj is the setting for this book. It bustles with activity when the British aristocrats escape the sweltering heat of Bombay and Calcutta by moving to Simla. Scotland Yard Commander Joe Sandilands has been on assignment in India and will soon head back to England. Governor Sir George Jardine invited Joe to vacation at his at his home in Simla before he leaves India. When Joe's, traveling companion, a Russian opera singer is shot before his eyes, Joe plunges into the murder investigation. The clues lead Joe on a twisted path that leads to a murderer as deadly as a cobra. -- recommended by Donna G. - Eiseley and Walt Branch Libraries.

[ Publisher's Ragtime in Simla web page ] [ Publisher's Barbara Cleverly web page ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - The Big Over Easy

The Big Over Easy

by Jaspar Fforde

If some of you are so practical and down to earth that you can't suspend reality for a time, then The Big Over Easy is not for you. Jasper Fforde (pronounced like the car) has created a mystery so rich in literary references, that you are completely drawn into his silliness and whimsy. Never fear, the mystery is quite satisfying. Detective Jack Sprat is the head of the Nursery Crimes Division in the town of Reading, England. This division deals with the sordid and sometimes violent doings of the Mother Hubbards, The Three Bears and The Gingerbread Men. Mother Goose had a very dysfunctional family indeed. As you are aware, Mr. Dumpty (only his close friends call him Humpty) had a famous fall. Or was he pushed? Is this a crime scene or a shattering accident? Was Mr. Dumpty a true egg or a "hard-boiled" victim?

[ official Nursery Crimes page on the official Jasper Fforde web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Many Bloody Returns

Many Bloody Returns

edited by Charlaine Harris

Looking for a new paranormal author? Want to start reading vampire or wizard books but not sure you can commit to an entire 240 page novel? Many Bloody Returns is for you! This anthology of new works by 14 authors will introduce you to the new as well as the tried and true of the genre. This series of short stories combines two seemingly unrelated, or very closely related, topics - life (birthdays) and death (vampires). Each story combines the living dead with a birthday celebration of some kind. To name just a few, you can read about Katherine's life-changing event at her 55th birthday, Sookie's invitiation to Vlad Tepes' birthday celebration at Fangtasia, or a fake medium in Victorian days who gets his just reward. Bwa-ha-ha!

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Just Desserts titles selected for June to September

Mystery fans are encouraged to join us for the Just Desserts Mystery Fiction Discussion group from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the final Thursday of every month, from January through October. We meet at Bennett Martin Public Library, 14th & "N" Sts. downtown, in the 1st floor Reference Reading Room. Attendees should try to read the assigned book, so that the group can all discuss it together...although time will be set aside for general mystery fiction discussion as well. Coffee and juice will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring a small dessert offering to share with fellow readers (cookies, cupcakes, etc.), in keeping with our theme of "Just Desserts."

The group will be reading and discussing Holmes on the Range, by Steve Hockensmith, at our May 29th meeting.

NEW: The titles for our June, July, August and September meetings have now been selected:

• Parker Pyne Investigates, by Agatha Christie - June 26th
• St. Alban's Fire, by Archer Mayor - July 31st
• Champagne for One - by Rex Stout - August 28th
• Death at Victoria Dock - Kerry Greenwood - September 25th

Our final month's selection (October) for 2008 is still...you guessed it!...a mystery at this point in time!

'Casting About -- new weekly podcast

BookGuide is proud to introduce the new 'Casting About -- a weekly podcast featuring reviews and commentaries by Lincoln City Libraries staff about new and classic books, recorded books, DVDs, online databases and other materials in the library collection or via the library web site.


We'll also be using 'Casting About to spread word about special upcoming library events. Our first episode is now online -- check out the conversation between Lisa, Pat, Vicki and Marcy about our Summer Reading Program...now featuring online registration!

Staff Recommendation - Bleak House

Bleak House

by Charles Dickens [DVD Dickens]

This 2006 BBC production of Dickens' novel of lost wills and family secrets has become an instant classic. Don't let the title keep you from watching this brilliant film. One of the its greatest strengths is a perfectly chosen cast and terrific performances. There are no "throw-away" roles or poorly conceived characters to be found. Former X-Files star Gillian Anderson dominates the production, however, with her tour-de-force portrayal of the icily regal Lady Dedlock. This movie has it all -- lost love, new love, legal intrigue, lots of death-bed scenes and, of course, Dickens' biting social commentary and masterful storytelling. If you put any stock in ratings, Internet Movie Database has this one rated at almost a ten (and so do I)! -- recommended by Lisa V. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Reference

[ IMDb page for this production ] [ PBS Masterpiece Theatre site for this production ]

Have you watched this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Crocodile on the Sandbank

Crocodile on the Sandbank
by Elizabeth Peters

Crocodile on the Sandbank is the story of Ameilia Peabody and Radcliffe Emerson who meet, fall in love, and fight criminals against a backdrop of an archeological dig in the the ruins of ancietn Egypt. If you like historical mysteries and dry, British wit you will enjoy this first novel in a very popular series. -- recommended by Rayma S. - South Branch Library

[ official Amelia Peabody web site for Elizabeth Peters ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography

Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography

by David Michaelis [Biography Schulz]

I grew up with Charles M. Schulz. His Peanuts strip had already been in newspapers for over a dozen years by the time I was born, and some of the earliest books I can ever remember reading on my own were the paperback comic strip compilations and Happiness is a Warm Puppy, which were so popular in the late 1960s. Schulz, who died in 2000 less than a day from the publication of the very last original Peanuts strip, provided an environment that was a mixture of "cute and safe" and "bitingly satirical" at the same time. Thus, it was with some trepidation that I read this new Schulz biography, having seen reviews that indicated the Schulz family was shocked at the portrait of Schulz that this book painted. Overall, I'd have to say this is an excellent biography, that goes a long way towards explaining Schulz' psychology and how he created such a lasting cultural contribution. At the same time however, it is somewhat disheartening to learn of Schulz' personal failings (affairs, distance from his children), and emotional problems (to his dying day he believed people didn't love him). Still, despite the shattering of his "kindly grandfather" image, I found this to be an engrossing read. If you can handle the unvarnished truth about an American icon, this book will help you understand Schulz, the brilliant but flawed man, and Peanuts, the timeless comic strip. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Reference

[ official Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography web site ] [ official Peanuts web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - The Wolves of Savernake

The Wolves of Savernake

by Edward Marston

The Normans conquered England but they had a lot of mopping up to do afterwards. Land ownership disputes as well as murders needed to be dealt with. Edward Marston has written a series of historical mysteries called the Domesday book series in which a former knight, Ralph Delchard, and a medieval lawyer, Gervase Bret, travel across Norman England as the King's representatives. The first mystery in the series, The Wolves of Savernake, involves a land dispute with an abbey and a wolf attack on the local miller. Or was it murder? I find mysteries full of historical details very interesting and it is always fun to see how a mystery can be solved without any modern detective work. The writing in this series improves as it goes along. -- recommended by Cindy C. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Technical Processes (retired)

[ Domesday Books page on the official Edward Marston web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Out of Order

Out of Order

by Betty Hicks

One of the 2008-2009 Golden Sower Nominees is Out of Order, by Betty Hicks. Told from the very different viewpoints of four stepsiblings, this quick but memorable read begins at the low point of the new mixed-family dynamics and works through deliberately dead tomato plants, a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament, cicada snacks, Hemingway and soccer balls for Iraq to an imperfect but satisfactory ending. Ages nine to fifteen, the main characters Lily, Parker, V, and Eric share equally in the telling of this tale about how birth order gets Out of Order when two families blend. Other titles by Betty Hicks include I Smell Like Ham, Get Real, Animal House and Iz, and Busted!, all owned by Lincoln City Libraries (click author link to see the full list)! -- recommended by Kay V. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Youth Services

[ official Golden Sower Award web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Mystery Scene Magazine

Mystery Scene Magazine

Carrying on the tradition of The Armchair Detective and many other mystery-themed magazines before it, Mystery Scene is a wonderful read for fans of the mystery genre who want to take a break from actual mystery novels and instead read up on the mystery publishing field and the authors who populate it. Each issue features in-depth interviews with both contemporary and classic mystery authors, looks at thematic topics associated with the mystery field (research methods, historical "true crimes", unearthing forgotten classics, etc.), numerous reviews of mystery fiction, and breaking news about literary awards and the world of mystery writing. This is a true treasure-trove of news and information for mystery fans! Published approximately 5 times per year, back issues of Mystery Scene Magazine are available for checkout from the Gere Branch Library. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Reference

[ official Mystery Scene web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - The Bagthorpes Abroad

The Bagthorpes Abroad

by Helen Cresswell

The Bagthorpe bunch is at it again!! In the fifth book of the Bagthorpe saga, those zany, loony characters and their madcap exploits deliver enough laugns to fill a Bag(thorpes). For those of you unfamiliar with this eccentric enclave, the family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Bagthorpe, four children, and Grandma and Grandpa. In this very British family, each member is wholly devoted to their own special talents and gifts, which are referred to as "strings to their bow." As one might imagine, these gigantic egos do tend to clash and cause interpersonal conflict (or, as the politically correct would describe it, [they are] relationship-challenged). Mrs. Fosdyke, the "daily help" at the Bagthorpe home, describes the family quite succinctly to her friends down at the local pub: "The goins on at that house is unbelievable. Mad as hatters, the lot of them." Mr. Bagthorpe is the main thorn in her side. Their perpetual feud is carred out by Mrs. Fosdyke's noisy and relentless vacuuming outside Mr. Bagthorpe's study. For Mr. Bagthorpe, who writes scripts for television and considers himself to be sensitive and creative, this is too much to bear. "There are no other carpets in England that have to take the kind of stressing she gives mine with that everlasting Hoover. Hedgehogging about from morning till night, sucking up invisible fluff and destroying the vibrations in my study." Sounds as if a vacation is in order?

Sure enough, Mr. Bagthorpe arranges a 6-week family vacation in a very old, haunted house in Wales. Here he will be able to do firsthand research on ghosts, the subject of his next television script. The rest of the Bagthorpes are stunned to hear the news that they are going "abroad" to Wales. They well knew "Mr. Bagthorpe did not care for 'abroad'...he dismissed the entire world outside his own native country as if it were the lowest circle of Dante's Hell. He did not care for everlasting sunshine, believing it to be weakening for the character. He had no wish to lie on a beach all day oiled like a sardine and with approximately as much turning space." Ghostly research is the least of their worries when they arrive in Wales. The very old house is also very dilapidated. This is most distressing to the entire family because one must have the modern conveniences when one is giving one's total energy and complete focus to their individual pursuits. Great minds simply cannot be expected to worry about everyday, boring tasks. To make matters worse, Uncle Parker, Aunt Celia and cousin Daisy are vacationing in the same area and their accomodation is a very well-appointed castle down the road. While this is definitely salt rubbed in the wound, the most frightening aspect is the dreaded presence of cousin Daisy. This 5-year-old is a walking disaster area as she calmly leaves every household she visits in utter chaos and ruin. Not to mention her pet goat, Billy Goat Gruff, who is allowed to roam freely, and does other things freely since he is not house-broken. As you can tell, the stage is set for a calamity of truly Bagthorpian proportions. I won't spoil it, but I will give a few hints -- a hungry goat, police cars, butane cylinder and "driving couins Daisy"!! -- recommended by Evelyn D. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Technical Processes

[ Bagthorpe saga and Helen Cresswell on Wikipedia ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Stick to Drawing Comics, Monkey Boy

Stick to Drawing Comics, Monkey Brain! or Cartoonist Ignores Helpful Advice

by Scott Adams [817 Ada]

The creator of the "Dilbert" comic strip about cubicle adventures passes along his observations of life at large. Although I really enjoy his sense of humor for the most part, I was surprised to find out the intensity of his anti-religious attitude. There is also a bit of R- and X- rated language here and there. If you appreciate a wry, intellectual, satirical style of humor and don't mind what, to some, might be rather offensive content, this is an entertaining read. The subtitle is a good clue to what you will discover: "...cartoonist ignores helpful advice". -- recommended by Becky W.C. - Walt Branch Library

[ The Dilbert Blog ] [ official Dilbert web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - The Mark of Zorro

The Mark of Zorro
by Johnston McCulley

Published in 1919, The Mark of Zorro was originally titled "The Curse of Capistrano;" the title was changed the following year to match the title of Douglas Fairbanks' film version. While hardly great literature, the book is a quick and easy read, and it nonetheless has an appeal stemming in part from its humorous touches. It is interesting to note the differences between the story as originally written and the later adaptations of it. -- recommended by Peter J. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Virtual Services

[ History page on "The Curse of Capistrano" ] [ http://www.zorrolegend.com/ ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Silverfin

Silverfin

by Charlie Higson

First in what is expected to be a 5-book series called Young Bond, looking at the life and adventures of future spy James Bond, when he was 13 and slightly older (2 are out in the U.S. and four in the U.K.). Teenaged Bond series have been done before, but with awful results. I was expecting more of the same, and thus was surprised to discover that this book was quite good. Instead of trying to modernize Bond as a contemporary teen, Higson sets his stories during the 1930s, and tries very hard to fit them into the continuity established in Fleming's adult Bond novels. The adventure in this first novel takes place as Bond is a first-year student at Britain's Eton boarding school (according to Fleming's story's, Bond will later be expelled), and continues as he visits relatives in the Scottish highlands over "the holidays". The characters are all sharply drawn, and the typical types of scenes common to adult Bond novels appear in modified form here -- the villain holding Bond at his mercy and explaining his whole scheme, exotic women (in this case a teenager), laughably bizarre character names, etc. This is an unexpectedly enjoyable series, aimed at teens, but as an adult I also liked it. My only complaint is that James acts and sounds like he's in his late teens instead of 13, but that's only a minor quibble. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Reference

[ official Young Bond web site ] [ Charlie Higson page on Wikipedia ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

New BookGuide Reviewer Profile Available - Jodene G.

We've posted another new Reviewer Profile on the BookGuide site -- this time for Jodene G., the Branch Supervisor at the Walt Branch in Southwest Lincoln. You can see her profile responses at:

http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts/bookguide/profiles/jg-profile.htm

and view previous Reviewer Profiles -- look for the bold link after individual reviewers' names -- at :

http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts/bookguide/srec/staffrec-indexbyname.htm

Staff Recommendation - A Flaw in the Blood

A Flaw in the Blood

by Stephanie Barron

Barron is the author of the famed Jane Austen mysteries. In this departure set in Victorian England, Patrick Fitzgerald has been called before Queen Victoria on the night her beloved husband, Albert, lays dying. On his way home, he and his ward, Dr. Georgiana Armistead, are involved in a horrible carriage accident which leads to a chase that has them fearing for their lives. The mystery revolves around the horrible bleeding sickness of Prince Leopold, Victoria's youngest son. Is the Queen behind it all and if so, why? -- recommended by Rayma S. - South Branch Library

[ official Stephanie Barron web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - An American Cycling Odyssey, 1887

An American Cycling Odyssey, 1887

by Kevin I. Hayes [973.85 Hay]

A trip across the U.S. by bicycle is sure to be an adventure--meeting characters and overcoming obstacles. In 1887, on a high-wheeler, it was unbelievable! But George Nellis did it in record time. His personal best was in Nebraska, where he made 88 miles in a day! 25 pages are devoted to his crossing the state, complete with a race in Omaha, an encounter with a rattlesnake, and cowboys rescuing him from a bull. Hayes provides extensive background information to Nellis's interesting account. -- recommended by Bob B. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Reference

[ Publisher's page for this book ] [ George Nellis bio at thewheelmen.org ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.

Staff Recommendation - Don't Touch That Dial

Don't Touch That Dial
by Bill Kelly [DVD 791.45 Kel]
Here is another notable documentary produced by our very own, Nebraska Educational Television. Don't Touch That Dial, explores the advent of television in Nebraska. Many firsts in television happened in the state of Nebraska and it is fun to watch the evolution of the stations, in terms of locally produced programming, to the current, almost all network programming. In this DVD you'll see and hear interviews with many notable Nebraskans involved with television, and see the early days of Johnny Carson and Tom Brokaw. This documentary is an excellent chronicle of Nebraska's first experiences with television. -- recommended by Patty L. - Walt Branch Library
Have you seen this one? What did you think?
Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.