UMKC Alumni Association - Alumni Authors

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UMKC's Alumni Authors hold various degrees and represent wide-ranging
fields of employment and life experiences.
But one thing they each have in common is a passion to write.
From fiction to non, how-to's, guides and plays,
take a look at what Roo Authors have to offer.

Are you a Roo Author? See below to submit your book!

		Gloria Thomas Anderson, MSW ’06 College of Arts & Sciences Passion For Your Purpose: Discovering Peace, Direction and Balance in your Life This motivational nonfiction reveals those things in your life that help or hinder you from fulfilling your purpose and experiencing God's best. Because of belief systems, perceived realities and other’s expectations, many people find themselves sacrificing who they are and what they were created to do, settling for a boring, routine life and missing out on the greatness intended for their lives. The author asserts that everyone was created for a purpose and when your purpose is uncovered or discovered and you know who you really are, you can actually change the course of your destiny. Published June 2002, Heart Tones Press Available at: www.amazon.com
		Patricia (Pat) Antonopoulos, BA ’74, MA ’82 School of Education Four Ordinary Women: A Gathering at the Cedar Roe Library "Just as there are no normal families, so there are no ordinary women, and, despite its engaging title, this book proves that. Each of the four women who participated in this intriguing project is unique and each, thus, resists being labeled as ordinary or labeled as anything other than endlessly interesting. What these women show is that we all have our stories to tell because we all have been blessed and battered by life. Readers will find countless points of intersection with their thoughts and experiences because we all share a common humanity. But readers will not simply be looking in a mirror here at their own lives played out by another. Rather, they will find new insights into common experiences.”Bill Tammeus, Faith Columnist, The Kansas City Star Published June 2009, Seven Locks Press Available at: www.fourordianrywomen.com
		Scott Alan Ast, BA ’97, MPA ’91 Henry W. Bloch School of Management, College of Arts & Sciences Managing Security Overseas: Protecting Employees and Assets in Volatile Regions Threats to multinational corporations come in two forms: natural and man-made. This book illustrates the types of risks that confront corporations when working outside of North America. It provides key tools and understanding that are required to do business in a safe and secure manner, no matter the level of risk. It walks through a logical framework for safety and security program development from Day One. Using real-world case studies and examples, the book is a useful reference to security managers, security consultants, contractors, frequent global business travelers, and for those who are presently or soon-to-be assigned in overseas positions. Published August 18, 2009, Auerbach Publications Available at: www.routledgelaw.com
		Brian Birdwell, MPA ’96 Henry W. Bloch School of Management Refined by Fire: A Family’s Triumph of Love and Faith On September 11, 2001, Brian was walking down the hall, a mere 20 yards away from his office at the Pentagon, when American Airlines Flight 77, under the control of terrorists, exploded into the building. His entire body was immediately awash in flames. He staggering down a debris laden hall but collapsed. Just as he thought death was imminent, he felt cool water from an overhead sprinkler putting out the fire that consumed him. He was the closest person to the plane’s point of impact to survive. Burned over 60 percent of his body, his life would be forever changed. Refined by Fire, cowritten by his wife Mel, tells the story not only of his struggle to survive, but also of the power of love and faith during the darkest moments of life. Published June 7, 2004, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Available at: www.amazon.com
		Robert L. Bloch, BA ’79 College of Arts & Sciences My Best Friend, Abe Lincoln: A Tale of Two Boys from Indiana My Best Friend, Abe Lincoln is a children's book told from the unique perspective of Abraham Lincoln's fictional best friend, Sam Harding. In 1820, Sam and Abe forge a strong friendship based on their love of learning and of the outdoors. With very little historical information on Lincoln during the years 1820 - 1823, the author has created a wonderful, close imaginary relationship between the two boys, the experiences they shared growing up in early America and how one of the boys eventually became the sixteenth president of the United States. Published June 1, 2011, Castlebridge Available at: www.amazon.com
		F. Travis Boley, BA ’95 College of Arts & Sciences The Little Book of Bowling From the satisfying smack of a solid strike to the good-natured competition of a local bowling league, this once-kitschy sport is now getting the attention it deserves and this fun and fact-filled Miniature Edition^TM features fascinating bowling trivia and photographs of bowling memorabilia, is here to celebrate. Published March 6, 2002, Running Press Miniature Editions Available at: www.amazon.com
		B.K. Bradshaw, BA ’91, MA ’94, PhD ’00 School of Education, School of Graduate Studies Crystal Brave: Earthquake at the Taum Sauk The day before Crystal Brave’s thirteenth birthday celebration, her parents leave for the Taum Sauk Mountain to study petroglyphs, planning to return the next day. All plans are disrupted by the long-predicted New Madrid earthquake. The devastation in Southeast Missouri cuts off all communication, leaving Crystal desperate to find out if her parents are safe. True to Brave family tradition, Crystal takes the courageous step of going to find them herself. With the special relationship between her and a horse and a dog, the generous mentorship of those she meets along her journey, and strength from the love for her family, Crystal faces some of her worst fears, earning passage into her teen years and learning the meaning of her family name. Coming September 1, 2011, Goldminds Publications Available at: http://www.goldmindspub.com/
		Benton Brockliss, BS ’86 School of Computing and Engineering Jolly Nice Angriness In the worst economy of the last 80 years, one man is about to lose his life's savings, his house and put his family at risk. As he considers his limited options, he takes the only job available to him... in a war zone where his life will be at risk on a daily basis. Death, carnage and intrigue surround him. Another man, also surrounded by death and intrigue, must fight his own battles for survival. In the high stakes world of international espionage, this man learns that the only people you can trust, are the ones you can't. These two different lives will be saved and redeemed by courage, chivalry and tenacity. Published August 2011, Badger and Canary Press Available at: www.amazon.com
		B.J. Burton, BA ’73 College of Arts & Sciences Lobelia Lodge In Burton’s dramatic play it is early summer when Elsie and her friends meet at their cabin in the woods. As Elsie struggles to repair the dilapidated retreat, the other women become too distracted by their own problems to get involved. Their women-only weekend is interrupted by the presence of two mysterious men who emerge from the woods. The next day as Elsie tries to deal with her unmistakable attraction to one of the men, she is forced to face the real reason for the gathering. As old and new wounds resurface, conflicts erupt between the hold of the past and the need to let go. Elsie discovers the fate of the lodge as she discovers the importance of friendship in her life. Published 2007, Samuel French Available at: www.samuelfrench.com/store
		Steven J. Byers, MPA ’84 Henry W. Bloch School of Management What was Lost: The Chronicles of Japheth Noah's prediction that the world is about to end poses a terrible dilemma for Japheth: either his father is a madman, or he is the prophet of a future that is too awful to conemplate. What was Lost is the epic story of Japheth's adventures as he faces the worst catastrophe in the history of the world - a time when taking a stand means risking everything and failure could spell the doom of mankind. Published June 30, 2005, Infinity Publishing Available at: www.buybooksontheweb.com
		Cathy Cartwright, MS ’79 School of Nursing Nursing Care of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Patient Nursing Care serves as a detailed reference for all nurses caring for children with neurosurgical problems. The target audience for this book includes staff nurses (and student nurses) working in clinics, PICU, pediatrics, operating rooms, post-anesthesia care units, emergency departments and radiology. Cartwright, along with Donna Wallace, presents explanations of pathophysiology, anatomy, radiodiagnostic testing and treatment options for each neurosurgical diagnosis, helping the reader understand the rationale behind the nursing care. Also included are symptoms and findings on neurological examination and history that will enable nurses to identify normal signs, plus guidelines on patient and family education. Published 2007, Springer (Softcover reprint November 23, 2010) Available at: www.amazon.com
		Shelley Cochran, BA ’76 College of Arts & Sciences The Pastor’s Underground Guide to the Revised Common Lectionary Awarded with the Anderson Prize (given by the Presbyterian Writers Guild) for best Presbyterian book, Pastor’s Underground Guide is a three volume reference work for pastors that details issues of social justice in the decisions behind the Revised Common Lectionary, which gives Bible readings for each Sunday and holy day and is used by mainline Protestant denominations. Published August 1995, Chalice Press Available at: www.amazon.com
		Patrick W. Emmett, BS ’69 College of Arts & Sciences A Second Chance, Surviving Sudden Cardiac Death On a cold January morning in an airplane 30,000 miles above Minnesota, Patrick Emmett felt a discomfort in his chest, numbness in his hands and pain in his right shoulder. Collapsing due to sudden cardiac arrest, he died on the spot. Through the quick thinking of airline personnel and two passengers on the plane he was administered CPR, and eventually delivered a shock from an Automatic External Defibrillator. A Second Chance looks at that dramatic event and encourages lifestyle chances for readers in addition to public awareness, testing, and placement of AEDs in all public places. Published June 15, 2008, Bascom Hill Publishing Group Available at: www.asecondchancebook.com
		Maria Finn, BA ’91 College of Arts & Sciences Hold Me Tight & Tango Me Home Recently optioned by Fox Studios for a television series, Hold Me Tight is an insightful, personal story about how to get on with life when you've lost in love. Maria Finn's husband was cheating. First she threw him out. Then she cried. Then she signed up for tango lessons. It turns out that tango has a lot to teach about understanding love and loss, about learning how to follow and how to lead, how to live with style and flair, take risks and sort out what it is you really want. As Maria's world begins to revolve around the friendships she makes in dance class and the milongas (social dances) she attends regularly in New York City, we discover with her the fascinating culture, history, music, moves and beauty of the Argentine tango. With each new dance step she learns - the embrace, the walk, the sweep, the exit - she is one step closer to returning to the world of the living. Eventually Maria travels to Buenos Aires, the birthplace of tango, and finds the confidence to try romance again. Published February 9, 2010, Algonquin Books Available at: www.amazon.com
		Kitty (Price) Hanson, BA ’76, JD ’79 College of Arts & Sciences, School of Law Gay Fad: Fran Taylor's Extraordinary Legacy Volume I and II Fran Taylor (1915-1996) was a woman well ahead of her time. A talented artist, designer, and early female entrepreneur, she founded Gay Fad Studios, Inc., the premier glass decorating company of the mid-20th century, and single handedly built it into a million dollar enterprise. This two-volume “encyclopedia” chronicles Fran’s fascinating life and documents over 900 designs, ranging from the whimsical to the exquisite, via 1,549 full-color photographs of Gay Fad glassware from co-author Donna McGrady’s personal collection. Additional chapters on Gay Fad catalogs, price lists, advertisements, invoices, period newspaper and magazine articles, Gay Fad identification and what's not Gay Fad, provide a complete reference guide for researchers and collectors alike. Photography by Rick Hanson, JD '79, School of Law. Published August, 2011, Santa Fe Trading Post Available at www.santafetradingpost.com
		Sue L. Hall, M.D. ’83 School of Medicine For the Love of Babies: One Doctor's Stories about Life in the Neonatal ICU For the Love of Babies: One Doctor's Stories about Life in the Neonatal ICU invites readers into the NICU—an area in the hospital that’s unfamiliar and frightening to most people—and demystifies this place where extraordinary things transpire. The reader accompanies a number of babies with a range of medical concerns as they journey through the NICU, seeing the challenges each one must surmount, all the while getting a sense of life-and-death urgency that permeates NICU care. The all-important needs for parents to maintain hope, and for healthcare professionals to support them, are the transcendent messages. This is the book for anyone who’s ever wondered how parents whose babies are critically ill cope with the enormous emotional pressures facing them, and what the daily rhythms of life are like in a NICU. Published June 1, 2011, WorldMaker Media Available at: www.amazon.com
		Thomas Hubbell, M.D. ’75 School of Medicine Sailboat Racing with Greg Fisher Greg Fisher knows one-design boat racing. He has won over 34 National, North American, or Midwinter Championships in nine different one-design classes. How does he consistently achieve superior boat speed? What’s the fuss about boat balance? Why do conservative racing tactics work? Greg’s lessons apply to virtually every kind of sailboat. Learn strategies for enjoyment of the regatta experience. Published December 1, 2000, Hathaway-Jones Publishing Available at: www.ussailing.org
		Vicki Landes, BA ’99 Conservatory of Music and Dance Europe for the Senses: A Photographic Journal Europe for the Senses is a collection of photography and creative writing meant to transport the reader to each respective destination with stimulating sensory imagery. Experience the sights, smells, sounds, and touch that make Europe so remarkable. Whether you've traveled to Europe many times or hope to visit there someday, this wonderful gift book will invoke a craving for these far-away countries and all the small and remarkable details waiting to be discovered. Published January 17, 2006, BookSurge Publishing Available at: www.amazon.com
		Shawn P. Lang, BLA ’04 College of Arts & Sciences Heart Condition: From Religiosity to Relationship with the Creator Described as her journey and personal experience in developing intimacy with the Lord, Shawn P. Lang's Heart Condition: From Religiosity to Relationship with the Creator is a collection of journal entries inspired by the Holy Spirit during a time of deep reflection, introspection, and quest for certainty. Through her book, Lang encourages a closer, more intimate relationship with the Creator and to break the bonds of religion, traditions of men, and self-righteousness in the Christian community. Heart Condition suggests that the church has come between God and his people (unwittingly), and that now is a great time for self-examination to see whether or not we are truly of faith. Published by WestBow Press, an affiliate of Thomas Nelson Publishing Available at: www.amazon.com
		The Honorable Robert Larsen, JD ’73 School of Law Navigating the Federal Trial This comprehensive practice guide offers practical advice from a federal judge. It's an ideal guide for any attorney who wants to practice in federal court, but does not have extensive trial experience. With a focus on skill building, it covers each of the relevant phases of trial practice including: voir dire, opening statements, direct and cross-examination, evidentiary foundations for exhibits, expert and lay opinion testimony, and closing statements. Hypotheticals explain the points made in the text and each one carries a story line throughout the book. Published (2010 ed.) June 16, 2010, Thomson West Available at: west.thomson.com
		Steven Law, BBA ’92 Henry W. Bloch School of Management Yuma Gold Named “best breakout author” by Amazon.com, Steven Law presents his latest work. After serving an eight year sentence, for a crime he didn't commit, Ben Ruby is paroled from Yuma Territorial Prison. Along with detailed knowledge of a 300 year-old Spanish Galleon buried in the dunes of Imperial Valley, Ben uses a treasure map, in the form of trinkets, to set out to find the ship. If following up on an old tale wasn't difficult enough, Ben has to outrun the man that put him in prison, as well as a breach in a Colorado River dam that threatens to flood the entire valley. Coming November 1, 2011, Published by Berkley Available at: www.amazon.com
		Lee Levin, MA ’78 College of Arts & Sciences The Messiah of Septimania At the flickering dawn of the Middle Ages a Jewish Kingdom emerged in southern France, ruled by Jewish kings for 150 years. This is the virtually unknown tale of the first of these Jewish kings, whose astounding accomplishments and intellectual brilliance led him to be fervently hailed by his subjects, as the long-awaited Messiah. He was uncle to Charlemagne himself; consequently, his blood-line was intermingled with that of the Carolingian kings of France. He fought alongside Charlemagne, expanding his realm manifold, to the fury of the Pope, who regarded the existence of any Jewish kingdom in Europe to be an abomination. Published November 15, 2010, Today's Young Grandparent Available at: www.amazon.com
		Sunie Levin, BA ’51, MA ’68 College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education Make New Friends, Live Longer: A Guide for Seniors If you want to live longer and better, friends are essential. For everyone. But particularly for seniors. Old friends die, seniors move to be near children, or to find better climate, and it is exceptionally hard to break into new social circles which can already be set in concrete and rarely welcoming. Sunie Levin, a lifelong educator and author, found herself facing this exact problem. How do you make new friends from scratch, especially when everyone else is comfortable in their own tight circles? Her new breezy, warm-hearted book tackles this exact problem, with specific ideas for seniors, boomers - and everyone else, for that matter - regarding how to develop meaningful new friendships, whether you are active or home bound. Published September 27, 2010, Today's Young Grandparent Available at: www.amazon.com
		Vera Sonja Maass, PhD ’78 School of Education Coping with Control and Manipulation: Making the Difference Between Being a Target and Becoming a Victim Who is pushing your buttons - and what can you do about it? Coping with Control and Manipulation examines the various spheres in which people encounter control and manipulation and shows how avoiding such victimization is absolutely possible. Knowing the players, understanding what motivates them, identifying their goals, and learning the techniques they use can help potential victims avoid, or at least survive, control and manipulation attempts. Published September 16, 2010, Praeger Publishers Available at: www.amazon.com
		Kristin McKee, BA ’04 College of Arts & Sciences Be CentsAble: How to Cut Your Household Budget in Half Now more than ever, people are desperate to save money. Kristin McKee along with co-author Chrissy Pate, developed a system that allowed them to drop their household expenses by more than half - from spending $800 each per month to less than $350. Only a few years after developing their "be centsable" system, McKee and Pate have helped thousands of subscribers save money without spending hours finding and cutting coupons, or giving up "extras" like travel and entertainment. In this prescriptive guide, these authors show how anyone can save thousands of dollars on cleaning supplies, pet care, toys, travel, and most importantly - groceries, without giving up healthy foods, favorite products, or the occasional splurge. Published March 29, 2010 by Plume (a division of Penguin Group) Available at: www.amazon.com
		Dora Nadolski, PhD ’00 College of Arts & Sciences, School of Graduate Studies The Etatist Turkish Republic and Its Political and Socio-Economic Performance from 1980-1999: A Developing State Impacted by International Organizations and Interdependence Providing the reader with an understanding of the theoretical perspective of interdependence among nations, Nadolski applies the requisites imposed by external organizations to Turkey's internal infrastructures. This book discerns how a nation transformed itself from a Muslim state into a republic, is a major contribution to scholarship, and discusses the current context of Turkey's geographical proximity to surrounding Islamic nations. Published May 20, 2008, University Press of America Available at: www.amazon.com
		Dennis Okerstrom, MA ’79, PhD ’03 College of Arts & Sciences The Final Mission of Bottoms Up: A World War II Pilot's Story On November 18, 1944, American co-pilot Lieutenant Lee Lamar struggled alongside Pilot Randall Darden to keep Bottoms Up, their B-24J Liberator, in the air. On their 21st and final mission, Bottoms Up was staggered by an anti-aircraft shell that sent it plunging three miles earthward. With two engines out, and hit by more German fire, the focus quickly became getting out of the doomed bomber. Unable to extricate himself, Lamar all but surrendered to death before fortuitously bailing out. He was captured and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner in horrific conditions at a Stalag on the Baltic Sea. In 2006, more than sixty years after these life-changing experiences, Lamar received an email from Croatian archaeologist Luka Bekic who had discovered the wreckage of Bottoms Up. Lamar visited the site, hoping to gain closure, and met the Croatian Partisans who had helped some members of his crew escape. Published October 1, 2011, University of Missouri Press Available at: www.amazon.com
		JoAnn Oppenheimer, BA ’58 School of Education Potpourri For and About Women JoAnn Oppenheimer has worn many hats during her life including widow, mother, grandmother, realtor and 'Single Again' coach. While she is now living her life to the fullest, she admits to making poor choices throughout her life. Hoping to help other womenas they deal with life's twists and turns, Oppenheimer collected the stories of 41 women age 50+ and compiled them in the anthology Potpourri For and About Women. While all 41 women have experienced tragedy in some way - from divorce, death of children and/or husbands, cancer, crime or financial devastation - they all share one thing in common: they survived and are living productive lives today. Published May 27, 2010, Authorhouse Available at: http://authorjoannoppenheimer.com/
		Patrick R. Osborn, BA ’93, MA ’94 College of Arts & Sciences Operation Pike: Britain Versus the Soviet Union, 1939-1941 “Operation Pike is a thoughtful, provocative look at what could have become a decisive turning point in the war. Not only does the author offer fresh information about the exact nature of the military plans and how they evolved, he points out how the Soviet attitude toward the West during and after the war was shaped in good part by Stalin's knowledge of these plans. Osborne provides the most thorough investigation ever undertaken of this shadowy aspect of the Second World War.” Review by: Stone & Stone Second World War Books Published March 30, 2000, Greenwood Press Available at: www.amazon.com
		Steve Paul, BA ’74 College of Arts & Sciences Architecture A to Z: An Elemental, Alphabetical Guide to Kansas City's Built Environment Architecture A-Z began life as a magazine feature based on a simple concept: what can we learn and share about Kansas City's history and contemporary scene if we take a simple walk through the alphabet? This simple idea became one of the best kinds of journeys: a random wandering through the city, primed for discovery at every turn. With a keen and creative eye, the author takes readers into scores of nooks and crannies and beneath the surface of well-known buildings, places and spaces. Through more than 200 photographs and detailed descriptions, he invites readers to look at our surroundings with a new awareness of history, detail and the endless variety and place-making influences of architecture. Published October 2011, Kansas City Star Books Available at: The Kansas City Store
		Verla Lacy Powers, PhD ’91 School of Education Child of Desire As a child, Amanda always knew that she wanted to be a mother. Growing up through the twenties and into the Great Depression, Amanda is a headstrong woman in a world that doesn’t want to accept her. Now she is trapped in a loveless marriage far away from the family who cares about her. While her husband, Sam, is paying more attention than Amanda likes to another woman, his brother, Luke, is the only one who makes Amanda feel like she’s loved. Dreaming of a way to bring joy into her life, Amanda dares to enter into a conspiracy that sinks her and Sam even further into deceit and lies. Will Amanda be able to make something out of her life and find true happiness? Or is she already too far down a path that will lead to nothing but destruction for her and her family? Published November 8, 2011, Tate Publishing Available at: www.amazon.com
		Linda Rodriguez, BA ’88, MA ’92 College of Arts & Sciences Every Last Secret Half-Cherokee Marquitta “Skeet” Bannion fled a city police force and family entanglements for a Missouri college town as chief of campus police. Now, the on-campus murder of the student newspaper editor puts Skeet on the trail of a killer who will do anything to keep a dangerous secret from being exposed, and everywhere she turns she uncovers hidden sins. Time is running out as Skeet struggles to catch the murderer and prevent more deaths by unraveling every last secret. “Every Last Secret” is the winner of the 2011 St. Martin’s/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition. Published April 24, 2012, St. Martin's/Minotaur Books Available at: www.amazon.com
		Bambi Nancy Shen, MA '76 College of Arts & Sciences The Uncrushable Rose The Uncrushable Rose is a moving and heart-rending memoir - the story of a girl born in 1939 to a Chinese diplomat in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam. Shen offers vivid memories of the concentration camps she lived in during the five-year Japanese occupation of then Indochina, in World War II. Her memoir also paints a clear picture of the mother/daughter conflict predictable in a culturally patriarchal society and male-dominated family system. It is a story of challenge and survival, and of the struggle to be freed from the limitations of centuries-old tradition and cultural boundaries. (Manouchehr "Manny" Pedram, Ph.D.) Published 2011, How High The Moon Publishing Available at: http://www.uncrushablerose.com/
		Dennis Stauffer, BA ’75 College of Arts & Sciences Thinking Clockwise: A Field Guide for the Innovative Leader Winner of the 2006 Fresh Voices Award, Thinking Clockwise is about innovation - what fuels it, what drains it and how to inspire it. Stauffer provides a unique and powerful strategy for changing the way employees think and managers lead. In this book he offers an imaginative yet brutally pragmatic approach to doing business, exploring innovation as a business necessity, not an option, and presenting solutions in an easy-to-implement field guide format. Published July 2004, MinneApplePress Available at: www.insightfusion.com
		Lauren Taylor, MA ’03 College of Arts & Sciences Stricken Ramsey Wolfe just met the man of her dreams. Her brother just found a mutilated dead body. Could the poor murdered girl have anything to do with that random physical attack on Ramsey - years ago? Or is the increasing string of murders the work of someone - or something - more sinister? Published June 15, 2010, lulu.com Available at: www.lulu.com
		Nancy Thayer, BA ’66, MA ’69 College of Arts & Sciences Heat Wave Bestselling author Nancy Thayer's latest was featured on "Good Morning America" as a "blazing hot summer read"! Heat Wave tells the moving story of a woman who, after her seemingly perfect life unravels, must find the strength to live and love again. After her husband’s sudden death from a heart attack, Carley Winsted makes the startling discovery that her family finances are in dire straits. Resisting her in-laws’ well-meaning overtures to take in Carley and her two daughters, the young widow instead devises a plan to keep her family in their beloved home, a grand historic house on the island of Nantucket, by transforming her house into a bed-and-breakfast. Not everyone thinks this plan is quite respectable and further complicating a myriad of challenges, including unexpected visits from her husband’s former law partner, a friend forces Carley to keep a secret that, if revealed, will undo families and friendships. Published June 21, 2011, Ballatine Books Available at: www.amazon.com
		Lori Lee Triplett, MA ’88, JD ’95 College of Arts & Sciences, School of Law Sermon Warm-Ups Created to provide an attention-getting introduction to set up a talk or sermon, the brief sketches in this collection create living illustrations of scriptural themes that will stick in an audience's memory. Triplett sites the example that Jesus explained concepts about God's kingdom through parables utilizing elements familiar to his listeners; likewise, the modern storytelling in these short, easy-to-prepare scenes helps worshipers understand the gospel by depicting the biblical message in the context of our daily lives. Published January 1, 2003, CSS Publishing Company Available at: www.amazon.com
		Hans “Tom” Tuch, BA ’47 College of Arts & Sciences Arias, Cabalettas, and Foreign Affairs: A Public Diplomat’s Quasi-Musical Memoir Arias is a memoir of Tuch’s 35 years in the United States Foreign Service. This book recalls his devoted engagement with music, especially opera, in the context of that career. It spans from his Cold War service in Moscow, including Vice President Nixon’s 1959 visit to the Soviet Union, the U-2 disaster, and the U.S. – Soviet crisis, to his time as an assistant to the U.S. Information Agency Director Edward R. Murrow and as deputy director of the Voice of America, ending his Foreign Service career in Germany. Published September 8, 2008, Vellum Available at: www.amazon.com
		Janet Vaughan, MA ’81 College of Arts & Sciences The Kansas City Monarchs: Champions of Black Baseball Charter members of the Negro National League, stepping stone for Jackie Robinson, home base for Satchel Paige, and training ground for more than twenty blacks sent to the major leagues, the Kansas City Monarchs survived the entire thirty-five-year span of black baseball (from 1920 to mid 1950) and were widely regarded as the dominant black professional team, "the New York Yankees of the Negro leagues." Rich in anecdote and illustrated with more than ninety photographs of Monarchs players and scenes, this book is both a tribute to and a celebration of the top all-black team of all time. Published August 1987, University Press of Kansas Available at: www.amazon.com
		Phil Watlington, BBA ’68, MBA ’70 Henry W. Bloch School of Management The Rise of Powerful Influential & Caring Women "The Age of Women is here!" As women move into higher levels of leadership, influence and power, they also continue as loving mothers and nurturing caregivers. Their collaborative and inclusive relationship styles are redefining orgnaizational leadership and communications. In this, the great age of globalization and communications, where relationships seem more impersonal and distant than ever before, who better can we turn to for leadership than caring, influential, and powerful women? This book is the first to focus on the trend and analyze its impact. Published December 31, 2009, Infinity Publishing Available at: www.bbotw.com
		Gwendolyn Woods, BA ’89 College of Arts & Sciences Everyone is Gifted!: Allow the Gifts Within You to be Released - Despite Yourself Who am I? Where am I going? Why am I here? Have you found yourself asking any of these questions at some point in your life? Are you still unsure about your purpose for being here? The author's goal is to help you discover your life's calling, your gifts and your potential. In this book, you will learn how to break through fears and other barriers that stifle your gifts, and focus on often overlooked details that put the use of your gifts into perspective. Published December 13, 2010, Xlibris Available at: www.amazon.com