Thea’s Song: The Life of Thea Bowman, Charlene Smith and John Feister (Orbis Books). This biography explores the life of Sister Thea Bowman, an African American who used her childhood experiences in the civil-rights era to help construct interracial relations throughout the 1980s. She was also the recipient posthumously of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal in 1990.
Ultimate Catholic Trivia: 1001 Fun and Fascinating Facts, Scott Paul Frush ’99MBA (Marshall Rand Publishing). Educational and entertaining insights into the Catholic faith. Frush is also the author of seven other trivia books, including Ultimate Italian Trivia and Ultimate Republican Trivia.
A Quilter’s Holiday, Jennifer Chiaverini ’92 (Simon & Schuster). The newest addition to the Elm Creek Quilts novel series, A Quilter’s Holiday weaves together various family stories and traditions of Master Quilter, Sylvia Bergstrom, throughout the holiday season.
In Envy Country, Joan Frank (University of Notre Dame Press). This collection of stories deals with the triumphs and tribulations between women and men both in and out of marriage. Frank was most recently named the winner of the 2010 Richard Sullivan Prize in Short Fiction.
What Happened to Notre Dame? Charles E. Rice (St. Augustine’s Press). Rice, a Notre Dame professor emeritus of law, discusses his objections to Notre Dame’s decision to invite President Obama to speak at 2009’s commencement and award him an honorary doctor of laws degree. The book offers a viewpoint on the Catholic identity of Notre Dame, as well as where the University is headed.
Assumed the Watch. Moored as Before: An Alternative Naval Officer’s Guide, Terence Fitzgibbons ’04 (Xlibris Publishing). Providing a first-hand account of a junior naval officer, the author describes his experiences aboard the USS Pelican and life confined to a ship at sea.
Sin: A History, Gary A. Anderson (Yale University Press). Attempting to answer the age-old question, “What is sin?” Anderson explores the history of sin and how it has shaped the Christian church. The author is a professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible studies at Notre Dame.
A Beginners Book of Prayer, William G. Storey 54M.A., ’59Ph.D. (Loyola Press). Containing nearly 200 prayers of the Catholic Church, this book offers an introduction to traditional Catholic prayer. The author is professor emeritus of Liturgy and Church History at Notre Dame.
Intractable Disputes about the Natural Law: Alasdair MacIntyre and Critics, edited by Lawrence S. Cunningham (University of Notre Dame Press). Several scholars react to MacIntyre’s essay “Intractable Moral Disagreements.” Essayists here include Notre Dame professors David A. Clairmont, John J. Coughlin, OFM, Gerald McKenny, Jean Porter, M. Cathleen Kaveny and Daniel Philpott. MacIntyre, a ND professor of philosophy, ends the book with a response to the essayists. The editor is a professor of theology at ND.
Remaking the Presidency: Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson, 1901-1916, Peri E. Arnold (University Press of Kansas). The Notre Dame professor of political science “shows how the Progressive Era presidents marked a transition from 19th century’s checks and balances to the 20th’s expansive presidential role.”
Remembering United States District Judge Robert L. Taylor: A Collection of Memories, edited by Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr. ’58 (Tennessee Valley Publishing). Almost 100 people, most of them either lawyers or judges, offers stories and comments about the judge who served for 35 years on the federal trial bench.
Born to Love: Gay-Lesbian Identity, Relationships, and Marriage — Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Battle for Chaste Love, Father John R. Waiss ’79 (Outskirts Press). Using the form of dialogue, the book presents Catholic teaching on homosexuality and offers a pastoral approach for those who may struggle with same-sex-attraction or who have homosexual friends and relatives.
Warren Buffet on Business — Principles from the Sage of Omaha, Rich Connors ’63BBA (John Wiley & Sons). The author draws from Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ letters written over four decades (1977-2008) to present Buffett’s own words on such topics as corporate culture, communication, risk management, time management, crisis management, executive compensation and capital allocation.
Despite Lupus: How To Live Well with a Chronic Illness, Sara Gretter Gorman ’96 (Four Legged Press). A story of hope for those diagnosed with a chronic illness, as the author shares her personal journey and offers ideas and strategies for dealing with the struggles of living a chronic disease.