Bookshelf

What's Been Happening

Sex in Advertising: Perspectives on the Erotic Appeal edited by Tom Reichert, assistant professor of advertising at the University of Alabama, and Jacqueline Lambiase, UNT assistant professor of journalism (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates). Chapters by well-respected scholars and popular writers explain how advertising that uses sex appeal to sell a product is successful and why this approach is so prevalent in advertising. Topics addressed include gender differences and representation, unintended social effects of sex in advertising and appeals to the homosexual community.

School Choice Tradeoffs: Liberty, Equity and Diversity by R. Kenneth Godwin, the Marshall A. Rauch Professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Frank R. Kemerer, UNT Regents Professor of education law and director of the Center for the Study of Education Reform (University of Texas Press). The authors demonstrate that while school choice represents an opportunity to improve the way we educate children, it also presents serious risks. By relating current policy conflicts to the philosophies of theorists from John Locke to John Dewey, they help readers think through arguments concerning the proper goals for education in a democratic society.

Eduardo Mendoza: A New Look edited by Jeffrey Oxford, UNT associate professor of foreign languages and literatures, and David Knutson, associate professor of Spanish at Xavier University in Cincinnati (Peter Lang Publishers). This critical anthology is the first collection of scholarly essays to be published solely on the work of Spanish novelist Eduardo Mendoza. With contributions by academics from Spain and the United States, the book touches upon each of Mendoza's major publications since 1975. The essayists represent a variety of critical positions and practices and often reach strikingly different conclusions about the same texts.

Speak With Confidence: Powerful Presentations That Inform, Inspire and Persuade by Dianna Booher ('70) of Grapevine (McGraw-Hill). In this guide, Booher covers the basics of public speaking and advanced techniques. She includes tips for establishing rapport with an audience, organizing ideas and handling tough questions. Booher is CEO of Booher Consultants Inc. in Grapevine, an international communications training and consulting firm. She has written 40 books, including 17 dealing with communication skills.

5 Pillars, 7 Sins by Paul McDonnold ('96 M.S.) of Dallas (Infinity Publishing Co.). McDonnold's novel is the travel journal of Kyle Linwood, a disillusioned young American who walks out of a well-paying white-collar job and travels to the Middle East on a quest to locate an international terrorist. Linwood's search across the North African Sahara, a pursuit for a meaningful life in a technology-shrunken world, brings him more than he bargained for.

Acts by E-Mail by Martha B. Hook ('57) of Dallas (Xulon Press). Hook's Christian novel is told through Pastor Wayne Latimer, who writes e-mails to his medical missionary brother relating the issues faced by his church members, ranging from addiction to divorce to satanic rituals. Hook, who is trained as a lay counselor, has previously published a children's book and Bible study guides through Zondervan. This is her first novel.

.

When Dieting Becomes Dangerous: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Anorexia and Bulimia by Deborah Marcontell Michel ('90 M.S., '93 Ph.D.) of New Orleans and Susan G. Willard (Yale University Press). This book on anorexia and bulimia is aimed directly at patients and the people who care about them. Written in straightforward language, it describes the symptoms and warning signs of eating disorders, their presumed causes and suggested treatments. It covers what to expect in the treatment process and the role of psychotherapy in recovery, among other topics. Michel is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at the Tulane University School of Medicine. Willard, director of the Eating Disorders Treatment Center at River Oaks Hospital in New Orleans, is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology and the Department of Pediatrics at Tulane.

Consciology by Charles F. Liddell ('57) of Fort Worth (1st Books Library). Representing the next generation of the Ayn Rand mindset, the book organizes consciousness with the individual as sovereign. Liddell identifies paths that lead to a greater awareness of consciousness and the addictive behaviors that complicate the journey.

Other media

This Was A Giant by Luke Holder ('97) of Amarillo (Pirate Services). The third album for singer/songwriter/guitarist Holder, recorded in Amarillo, is filled with his intricate tunes and lyrics. Holder received his bachelor's degree here in accounting control systems and says he is now "using it to the fullest by pursuing a career in music."

The Dragon by Dan DeGrado ('98) of Carrollton (Burnt Twinkee Music). DeGrado, who plays guitar, sings and writes music, performs extensively in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This solo CD was produced by Tom Morrell of country music fame. By day, DeGrado is director of operations for Vinson Process Controls.

Slippage by Slobberbone (New West Records), whose members include Brent Best ('93) of Denton, acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica, vocals; Tony Harper ('95) of Dallas, drums; and Brian Lane ('94) of Dallas, bass. Best wrote all but one of the songs for the album, which is the group's fourth. It was produced by Don Smith, who has also produced records for Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and the Rolling Stones. The band's 2003 tour dates have included a Jan. 17 appearance on the Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn where they performed "Sweetness, That's Your Cue," a track off the album.