What Though the Odds: Haley Scott’s Journey of Faith and Triumph, Haley Scott DeMaria ’95 with Bob Schaller (Cross Training Publisher). Haley Scott shares the emotional and physical details of a life that has a before and an after: the January 1992 bus crash that killed two of her Notre Dame swim teammates and almost paralyzed her, followed by her months of surgeries, depression, grief and, finally, spiritual awakening. See www.HaleyBook.com for more information.
The Winding Ways Quilt: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel, Jennifer Chiaverini ’91 (Simon & Schuster). The author continues her popular series detailing the experiences of a group of friends and business partners called the Elm Creek Quilters, with a look at how friends support each other as they navigate life’s unexpected pathways. Chiaverini also has published two volumes of quilt projects inspired by the series.
Seeds of Faith: Practices to Grow a Healthy Spiritual Life, Jeremy Langford ’92 (Paraclete Press). This book, the author says, is “about the practice of ‘soul gardening.’” He presents a series of ancient, new and innovative practices for Christians who wish to better recognize God at work in their lives.
Deep Rhythm and the Riddle of Eternal Life, John S. Dunne, CSC, ’51 (University of Notre Dame Press). In his 20th book, the Notre Dame professor of theology returns to a question he asked in his first book: “If I must die someday, what can I do to satisfy my desire to live?” The book comes with the CD Symphony of Songs, with vocals by soprano Quinn Smith Pillari ’03 accompanied by Father Dunne on the piano.
Counterfeit Amateurs: An Athlete’s Journey Through the Sixties to the Age of Academic Capitalism, Allen L. Sack ’67 (Pennsylvania State University Press). The author, a member of Notre Dame’s 1966 national championship team and long-time college professor and sports activist, presents his take on how to repair what he sees as the creeping professionalism of college sports. Ara Parseghian, former ND head football coach, wrote the foreword. Read an excerpt.
Santiago’s Children: What I Learned about Life at an Orphanage in Chile, Steve Reifenberg ’81 (University of Texas Press). Idealism took the author to Chile, but in his two years working with underprivileged children there, he writes, “I learned to believe in the idea that maybe it was not a bad thing to have big dreams, even if sometimes they fell short.” His memoir also traces the political situation of a country in upheaval in the early 1980s.
Football Weekends at Notre Dame: Snapshots and Traditions, Bill Schmitt, photography by Lou Sabo (University of Notre Dame Press). Multiple views, including more than 100 photographs, help bring the experience of football on campus alive with perspectives from students, athletes, business owners and alumni.
On Course: A Week-by-Week Guide to Your First Semester of College Teaching, James M. Lang ’91 (Harvard University Press). Incorporating both traditional and innovative teaching strategies, these practical suggestions include specific hints on how to keep students involved and intrigued. With both anecdotal and research-based examples, the Assumption College English professor also offers guidance about grading, dealing with common problems and constructing a teaching persona.
No Higher Calling, No Greater Responsibility: A Prosecutor Makes His Case, John W. Suthers ’74 (Fulcrum). Based on his experiences as a local, state and federal prosecutor, the author presents an in-depth analysis and critique of the justice system, mixed with personal anecdotes and ideas for reform. In an introduction, he also talks about how he was influenced by two Notre Dame professors, Paul Bartholomew and Gerhart Niemeyer.
Variations on a Natural Theme: A Loon Year, Hugh Hennedy ’51 (Hobblebush Books). The author dedicates this book to the memory of Frank O’Malley, who inspired him as an undergraduate English student at Notre Dame. Many of the lyric poems here, which illuminate the endless variations of the natural world, are illustrated by Jan Mercuri Grossman.
Carol Schaal is managing editor/web editor of this magazine..
For more, see Choices in brief.