Saturday, March 1, 6 p.m.
SUSAN GREGG GILMORE
LOOKING FOR SALVATION AT THE DAIRY QUEEN
(Shaye Areheart, $23)
Set in the one-traffi c-light town of Ringgold,
Georgia in the 1970s, this witty coming-of-age
novel tests truisms about both leaving home and
going back. Catherine Grace, daughter of the
town’s Baptist preacher, longs to escape to Atlanta—but once her
dream has come true, events compel her to return to Ringgold.
Sunday, March 2, 1 p.m.
STEVEN ROY GOODMAN
and ANDREA LEIMAN
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TOGETHER
(Capital Books, $17.95)
Goodman, an educational consultant, and Leiman, a
licensed clinical psychologist specializing in children
and families, combine their expertise to advise
parents about what to expect when sending a child
to college. Recognizing the impact of the experience on the entire
family, the authors discuss how to select the right college and address
questions of independence, changes in family power dynamics, peer
and social pressure, and moving on.
Sunday, March 2, 5 p.m.
AMY SULLIVAN
THE PARTY FAITHFUL (Scribner, $25)
Amy Sullivan is the nation editor for Time Magazine,
where she directs political coverage and the
magazine’s polling. Her timely book documents
how in the past Democrats chose secular voters
over faith-based voters and failed to understand
religious Americans
Monday, March 3, 7 p.m.
E. J. DIONNE, JR.
SOULED OUT (Princeton Univ., $24.95)
E.J. Dionne, our longtime friend and the author of
many insightful and prize-winning analyses of politics
and/or religion, is a columnist for the Washington
Post and an academic at Georgetown and Brookings.
When politics and religion intersect, multiple outcomes—
some desirable and some exploitative—are possible. Don’t
miss this opportunity to witness E.J.’s brainstorming.
Tuesday, March 4, 10:30 a.m.
YSAYE BARNWELL
WE ARE ONE (Harcourt, $17.95)
At this joyous musical event, Ysaye
Barnwell, a founding member of Sweet
Honey in the Rock, will sing with us and
share her new book and song, We are One.
The cheerful and lively illustrations are by
Caldecott Honor-winner Brian Pinkney.
An audio CD of the music is included. Ages 3-7.
Tuesday, March 4, 7 p.m.
JEROME CHARYN
JOHNNY ONE-EYE (W.W. Norton, $25.95)
In conversation with Michael Dirda
A prolifi c and widely-praised historical novelist and
fi nalist for the Pen/Faulkner Award, Charyn has
penned a novel of the American Revolution that tells
the story differently than David McCullough did
in 1776. This one is full of broads, bordellos, and colorful double
agents. We’ll have a rich evening thinking about historical fi ction in
contrast to the offi cial versions of events.
Wednesday, March 5, 7 p.m.
ADRIAN TOMINE
SHORTCOMINGS (Drawn & Quarterly, $19.95)
Well known for his illustrations in The New
Yorker and the New York Times Magazine, Tomine
has drawn the tale of Ben, a man in his
late twenties, whose search for the perfect girl
fi nds him confronting issues of race relations
and sexual identity
Thursday, March 6, 6 p.m.
New America Foundation
1630 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 7th Floor
ERIC LIU and NICK HANAUER
THE TRUE PATRIOT (Sasquatch Books, $10.95)
The core principles of true patriotism are
inherently progressive: country above self,
contribution above consumption, stewardship
over exploitation, and freedom with responsibility.
These qualities are laid out in this concise, slim volume as a
blueprint for what it will take to return to American patriotic
values. Reserve a seat at communications@newamerica.net
or call Liz Wu at 202-969-2700
Thursday, March 6, 7 p.m.
JOHN MARKS and CRAIG DETWEILER
REASONS TO BELIEVE (Ecco, $26.95)
A former 60 Minutes producer, Marks has written
a closely-observed depiction of evangelicals
as well as a personal story of faith found,
lost, and found again. While interviewing followers
of the Left Behind series for an assignment,
Marks was asked about his own beliefs. His search for
an answer led him to talk with a wide range of theologians,
activists, missionaries, and fi lmmakers. The talk will include a
screening from Purple State of Mind, the documentary fi lm on
the same subject, made by Marks and Craig Detweiler.
Friday, March 7, 7 p.m.
LIONEL SHRIVER
THE POST-BIRTHDAY WORLD
(Harper Perennial, $14.95)
Shriver’s richly enjoyable novel is now in
paperback. The story is cleverly based on
alternative scenarios for Irina’s love life: the
children’s book illustrator could stay with her
somewhat stodgy partner of ten years, or she could leave and
start again with a somewhat dodgy snooker champion. This is
the accomplished Shriver’s eighth novel.
Saturday, March 8, 6 p.m.
ROBIN WRIGHT
DREAMS AND SHADOWS
(Penguin Press, $26.95)
Subtitled “The Future of the Middle East,”
Wright’s new book draws on her extensive
reporting in the region. She assesses the major
currents in Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon,
Morocco, Turkey, the Gulf States, and the Palestinian territories
and offers a vision of what lies ahead.
Sunday, March 9, 1 p.m.
LEE C. WHITE
GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE
(Hamilton, $29.95)
After a career of distinguished service in government,
Lee White has written a memoir recounting
his life and work in Washington from
the ‘60s on. He served in the White House as
an advisor to President Kennedy and was appointed by Lyndon
Johnson as Chair of the Federal Power Commission.
Sunday, March 9, 5 p.m.
PETER SCHMIDT - SWARTHMORE BOOK GROUP LECTURE
Swarthmore College English professor Peter Schmidt will
deliver his lecture, “The ‘Extended’ Family and Nation in
20th- and 21st- Century U.S. Fiction,” to the alumni book
group. One of the most important roles for literature in the
21st century will be to break the old story of assimilation and
teach us to be informed and virtuous global citizens. All are
welcome.
Monday, March 10, 7 p.m.
CHRIS HEDGES
I DON’T BELIEVE IN ATHEISTS
(Free Press, $25)
Hedges recasts the arguments with several
parties to the debate over religion in America.
While he objects to religious fundamentalists
who take faith as their prerogative, he is
equally skeptical of “new atheists” like Richard Dawkins,
Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris, who brand all religious
belief as dangerous and put their faith in the morally
neutral disciplines of reason and science.
Tuesday, March 11, 10:30 a.m.
JAMES GURNEY
DINOTOPIA: JOURNEY TO CHANDARA
(Andrews McMeel, $29.95)
In this newest book in the Dinotopia series,
a missing journal tells the story of the
ancient forbidden empire of Chandara.
Professor Denison and his saurian companion
attempt to fi nd this missing world. Gurney’s illustrations
portray dinosaurs according to the latest scientifi c research.
Ages 8-12.
Tuesday, March 11, 7 p.m.
JAN EGELAND
A BILLION LIVES (Simon & Schuster, $27)
In his new book, the former U.N. Under-
Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs
remembers his journeys to areas plagued by
war, famine, and natural disasters. Despite
the horrendous suffering he has witnessed,
Egeland remains hopeful, maintaining that we lack only the
will, not the power, to end global suffering.
Wednesday, March 12, 7 p.m.
JOSEPH HOROWITZ
ARTISTS IN EXILE (HarperCollins, $27.50)
Horowitz (Understanding Toscanini) presents a
lively overview of the importance of European
refugees in transforming the performing arts
in the U.S. From Balanchine to Bartók, Fritz
Lang to Billy Wilder, Lee Strasberg to Bertolt
Brecht—dance, music, movies, theater—their impact cannot
be overstated.
Thursday, March 13, 7 p.m.
SCOTT SIMON
WINDY CITY (Random House, $25)
Scott Simon, the host of NPR’s Weekend
Edition, returns to read from and talk about
his new novel. Set in Chicago, “the best place
to set a political novel,” according to Simon,
who began his journalism career there in
1977, this narrative dramatizes the high-stakes circus that follows
the death of the mayor.
Friday, March 14, 7 p.m.
DAN FESPERMAN
THE AMATEUR SPY (Knopf, $24.95)
A novel of intrigue and deception set in the
Middle East and suburban Washington, D.C.,
this is the story of an American aid worker
blackmailed into participating in a covert operation
in Jordan. Fesperman draws on his extensive
journalistic experience to develop his fi ctional events.
Saturday, March 15, 1 p.m.
MORLEY WINOGRAD and MICHAEL D. HAIS
MILLENNIAL MAKEOVER
(Rutgers Univ., $24.95)
A political realignment is in the making, resulting
from the coming-of-age of the Millennial
Generation and the emergence of Internetbased
communications. Winograd and Hais
describe how “idealist” and “civic” political alignments have
alternated in American history. The new realignment will be
very different from the last one, which occurred in 1968.
Saturday, March 15, 6 p.m.
SUSAN DEBORAH KING
ONE-BREASTED WOMAN
(Holy Cow! Press, $15.95)
A former Presbyterian minister and psychotherapist,
King now teaches writing and leads
retreats on creativity and spirituality. An earlier
book of her poetry was a fi nalist for the Minnesota
Book Award; her new collection draws on Carl Jung’s
studies of alchemy as she explores the psychic response to a
diagnosis of breast cancer.
Sunday, March 16, 5 p.m.
IRVIN D. YALOM
STARING AT THE SUN (Jossey-Bass, $24.95)
In his latest book, the well-known psychiatrist
and author applies his existential approach to
one of life’s greatest challenges: facing mortality.
Combining insightful case studies with his
own feelings and thoughts on death, Dr. Yalom
shows that the fear of life’s end doesn’t have to paralyze us.
Rather, by looking death in the face, we can learn to live to
the fullest.
Monday, March 17, 7 p.m.
STEVEN GOLDMAN AND CONTRIBUTORS
BASEBALL PROSPECTUS 2008 (Plume, $21.95)
For the Prospectus writers, baseball is a game
of statistical wealth. Using averages and
statistics they evaluate every player and team.
They project, predict, and combine the
numbers with well-written assessments that
include their own instincts and opinions. Spring training is
under way—so join us for our annual look at the upcoming
season. Beer and pizza provided.
Tuesday, March 18, 7 p.m.
PARAG KHANNA
THE SECOND WORLD (Random House, $29)
In his provocative book, Khanna forcefully argues
that the U.S. is entering a new world—one
no longer unipolar, revolving around U.S. military
and economic supremacy. Rather, Europe
and China will share leadership, and many of
the rising countries, including Brazil, Malaysia, and Iran, will
not necessarily ally themselves with the U.S.
Wednesday, March 19, 7 p.m.
ERIC ALTERMAN
WHY WE’RE LIBERALS (Viking, $24.95)
The media columnist for The Nation wishes
to restore liberalism to its rightful honored
place in our political life. He disposes of such
canards as “Liberals Hate God” and “Liberals
Are Soft on Terrorism,” reclaiming liberalism
from the false defi nitions foisted upon it by the right.
Thursday, March 20, 7 p.m.
JEFFREY D. SACHS
COMMON WEALTH
(Penguin Press, $27.95)
Columbia University Professor Sachs lays out
a new scenario for our increasingly crowded
planet. He calls for more cooperative processes—
those relying on public policy as well
as on market forces—to spread technology, address the needs
of the poor, and husband resources such as water, air, energy,
land, and biodiversity.
Friday, March 21, 7 p.m.
JONATHAN STEELE
DEFEAT (Counterpoint, $26)
An acclaimed reporter for the Guardian, Steele
contends that George Bush and Tony Blair, by
failing to balance military strategy with cultural
sensitivities, were fi ghting an unwinnable battle
from the day they invaded Iraq. With an intimate
knowledge of all sides and a thorough grasp of Iraq’s
history, Steele delivers a fresh critique.
Saturday, March 22, 6 p.m.
ROGER ROSENBLATT
BEET (Ecco, $23.95)
Journalist, playwright, humorist, and novelist,
Rosenblatt here chronicles Professor Peace
Porterfi eld’s efforts to save the fi ctional Beet
College from faculty and students who wish
to destroy it. Rife with political correctness,
trendy courses, and faculty infi ghting, Beet is
nonetheless dear to Porterfi eld’s heart.
Monday, March 24, 7 p.m.
MARY DORIA RUSSELL
DREAMERS OF THE DAY (Random House, $25)
Through the eyes of an Ohio teacher traveling
in Egypt, this historical novel describes the
decisions made at the 1921 Cairo Peace Conference.
Imagining the behind-the-scenes meetings
of Winston Churchill, T.E. Lawrence, and
Gertrude Bell as they invented Iraq, Syria, Israel, and Jordan,
the narrative glimpses the personalities behind the formation
of the modern Middle East.
Tuesday, March 25, 7 p.m.
FRED KRUPP
EARTH: THE SEQUEL (W.W. Norton, $24.95)
These stories of everyday innovators and
infl uential investors prove that solutions to
global warming and energy effi ciency are not
only possible—they’re under way. The future
depends on initiative, inspiration and, above
all, coherent policies, rules, and economic advantages. With
Krupp as its President, the Environmental Defense Fund has
long worked for this.
Wednesday, March 26, 7 p.m.
LAURA LIPPMAN
ANOTHER THING TO FALL
(William Morrow, $24.95)
The tenth in the series featuring Baltimore
private investigator Tess Monahan, this mystery
focuses on a new television show being fi lmed
in the city. When Tess falls into the job of
bodyguard for the party-girl star, she’s perfectly placed to
investigate a series of “accidents” on the set that threaten to
shut down the project—and worse.
Thursday, March 27, 7 p.m.
JONATHAN ROSEN
THE LIFE OF THE SKIES
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $24)
In this charming, unusual book, Rosen (Talmud
and the Internet, Joy in the Morning) writes about
birding. The title comes from D.H. Lawrence,
“birds are the life of the skies...” And so Rosen,
through poetry, history, and travels, details his love of birds
and what they represent to humankind.
Friday, March 28, 7 p.m.
CHRISTOPHER CERF and VICTOR NAVASKY
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
(Simon & Schuster, $16.95)
From the folks at the Institute of Expertology
comes Mission Accomplished! Or How We Won the
War in Iraq, the defi nitive, footnoted, hilarious
but depressing compilation of opinions from
the experts who were in error about the Iraq War.
Saturday, March 29, 1 p.m.
CHARLES LANE
THE DAY FREEDOM DIED (Henry Holt, $27)
Lane, a writer for the Washington Post, revives
a little-known, hugely explosive piece of
post-Civil War U.S. history. In 1873 in Colfax,
Louisiana, a massacre of sixty former slaves set
the tone for the uneasy Reconstruction period.
The events that followed—from small-town politics to the
Supreme Court—would influence legal and political decisions
for decades to come.
Saturday, March 29, 6 p.m.
STEVEN WALDMAN
FOUNDING FAITH
(Random House, $26)
Waldman, founder of BeliefNet, narrates the
story of how the founders of our country
forged a new approach to religious liberty, a
formula that promoted faith—by leaving it
alone. He studies the origins of the First Amendment in the
debates among the towering fi gures who wrote the Constitution.
Sunday, March 30, 1 p.m.
ADAM MANSBACH
THE END OF THE JEWS
(Spiegel & Grau, $23.95)
This young author (Angry Black White Boy) has
written a family novel focusing on three central
characters: a major fi gure, Tristan Brodsky; a
Czech photographer, Nina Hricek; and Tris
Freedman, a graffi ti artist and Brodsky’s grandson.
Sunday, March 30, 5 p.m.
AARON DAVID MILLER
THE MUCH TOO PROMISED LAND
(Bantam, $26)
Miller, who served in the State Department
during many of the recent efforts to negotiate
peace between the Israelis and Palestinians,
presents a lucid, hard-headed analysis of what
went right and what went wrong during each of these (at
best) partially realized efforts. He rates Kissinger and Baker as
the Secretaries who made the most signifi cant progress.
Monday, March 31, 7 p.m.
DAVID BOREN
A LETTER TO AMERICA
(Univ. of Oklahoma, $14.95)
David Boren, President of the University of
Oklahoma, has had a long public-service career
as state legislator, governor, and three-term
U.S. Senator. In this urgent and succinct message,
he describes our country’s leadership as self-destructing
in bipartisan bickering. Meanwhile, neglect of education and
healthcare escalates, and the electorate is increasingly turned
off. Yes, there is a solution, Boren says; come be part of the
debate.
