Books by Alums

Fearless Change and Social Action In Difficult Times

Keeley Haynes — Fri, 29 May 2026 16:50:43 +0000

Fearless Change and Social Action In Difficult Times Keeley Haynes Fri, 05/29/2026 - 10:50

By Paula Donnelly Roark (PhD'79)

(Routledge; 280 pages; 2025)

Our divided politics, unable to solve the challenges we face concerning society’s hierarchies of injustice, poverty, endless war, and climate change, are now backtracking to even more division. But the reality goes far deeper than the simple politics of left and right. For true change, we need something more profound: a culture shift, a collective change of consciousness.

Fearless Change and Social Action in Difficult Times argues that culture shifts don’t just happen, they require a strong focus on social and cultural human connection which neither political nor economic power can provide alone. It is only deep participation and social integrative power which have the capacity to create these necessary cultural and societal transformations. Developing awareness in participatory groups of thought-worlds which remain out-of-sight but give cover to the implicit rules of culture and society is the first step to creating shared awareness of constructs and negative thought-worlds that subconsciously support inequality. Consciously putting aside those that are negative allows for the emergence of new positive realities and social movements. Thus, the real revolution is of the mind. It does take courage, but this is the process by which better futures are created.

Offering significant contributions to sociology and social theory, this book promotes an understanding that societal change is rooted in social power and cultural shifts. Inclusive in its presentation, students, professors, NGO professionals, volunteers, activists, and interested observers will find this book of high interest.

Our divided politics, unable to solve the challenges we face concerning society’s hierarchies of injustice, poverty, endless war, and climate change, are now backtracking to even more division.

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Common Sense Seamanship: Tips, Advice, and Best Practices for Cruising Sailors

Keeley Haynes — Wed, 27 May 2026 20:27:52 +0000

Common Sense Seamanship: Tips, Advice, and Best Practices for Cruising Sailors Keeley Haynes Wed, 05/27/2026 - 14:27

By Henry Gannon (MBA’87)

(Seaworthy Publications; 158 pages; 2025)

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Tired of cryptic sailing manuals? Common Sense Seamanship cuts through the jargon and delivers practical, easy-to-digest wisdom straight from the heart of the cruising routes. This isn't just a book; it's your personal mentor, guiding you through every aspect of seamanship with over 100 vividly illustrated articles.

Discover how to transform your boat into a comfortable, efficient home, and learn to anticipate and avoid the unique hazards of small craft and remote destinations. Master essential skills like understanding tides, trim, and downwind sailing, all explained in clear, accessible language.

Finally, unravel the mysteries of celestial navigation! This book breaks down the ancient art into simple, understandable steps, making it accessible to all. Plus, effortlessly grasp the complexities of time systems with straightforward explanations.

Common Sense Seamanship delivers exactly what its title promises: practical, actionable knowledge that empowers you to sail with confidence. It's time to elevate your seagoing competence and embrace the cruising life like never before.

Tired of cryptic sailing manuals? Common Sense Seamanship cuts through the jargon and delivers practical, easy-to-digest wisdom straight from the heart of the cruising routes.

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One Life: A Father’s Observations, Perspectives and Anecdotes

Keeley Haynes — Wed, 27 May 2026 20:17:59 +0000

One Life: A Father’s Observations, Perspectives and Anecdotes Keeley Haynes Wed, 05/27/2026 - 14:17

By Andrew Ernemann (Psych’00)

(Independent; 427 pages; 2026)

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A promising ski racer’s career is shattered by a near-fatal crash, forcing a young man to reinvent himself. From the slopes of the Italian Alps to the cutthroat worlds of corporate consulting and high-stakes real estate, this is a father’s candid account of navigating failure, finding love, and building a life. Framed as a collection of lessons for his sons, it’s a story of resilience, purpose and discovering one’s true path.

One Life unfolds across several distinct and contrasting settings that mirror the author's life stages. It begins in the adrenaline-fueled world of international ski racing. This contrasts sharply with the quiet, privileged atmosphere of Ernemann's boarding school experience in New Hampshire and the idyllic, small-town mountain environment of his childhood in Aspen, Colorado. As he transitions to adulthood, the settings shift to reflect his professional journey: the corporate landscapes of Denver, Los Angeles, and the academic hub of Palo Alto (Stanford University), before ultimately returning to Aspen, where the worlds of luxury real estate and family life converge against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

A promising ski racer’s career is shattered by a near-fatal crash, forcing a young man to reinvent himself.

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The Boys from the South Side

Keeley Haynes — Wed, 27 May 2026 19:10:40 +0000

The Boys from the South Side Keeley Haynes Wed, 05/27/2026 - 13:10

By Bradley K. Ross (PolSci’75)

(Independent; 365 pages; 2025)

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In his third book, Bradley K. Ross pivots away from the legal thrillers that formed the basis of his first two books, The Unconventional Lawyer and Justice in Our Hearts. In The Boys from the South Side, he tries his hand at historical fiction. The story is about two young men, raised miles apart on the South Side of Chicago, who answered the call to fight for America when World War II erupted. In both cases, the heroes volunteered to fly bombers for the Allies. Ross details the hard work those young men went through to become bomber pilots. While the book is fictional, many elements of the story are based on fact, including the bomber being shot down and the men becoming prisoners of war.

The novel also chronicles how the heroes matured personally: how they were not friends at first (in fact, almost enemies) until the circumstances they were forced to endure, as well as their strong characters, made them friends forever. They were dedicated to surviving the horrible war, at great cost and peril, including their capture.

This novel is an attempt by Ross to pay tribute to members of his parents' generation and to his mother's family in particular for their sacrifice. The popularity of historical books about the Second World War -- both fiction and non-fiction -- speak to the strong attention to this story. Even after 80 years, the struggle and triumph that the Allied Forces went through rightfully resonates today in the 21st century. And yet so many of these heroes were just children, really -- children who by answering the call of duty became heroes. This novel is a tribute to them.

The Boys from the South Side is about two young men, raised miles apart on the South Side of Chicago, who answered the call to fight for America when World War II erupted.

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Diddly Duggins and the Great Memory Misplacement

Julia Maclean — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:21:41 +0000

Diddly Duggins and the Great Memory Misplacement Julia Maclean Wed, 04/22/2026 - 13:21

By Daniel Robert Long (MEngl'11)

(Trophy Ears Press; 290 pages; 2026)

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Twelve-year-old Diddly Duggins would rather draw than learn about the B-O-R-I-N-G Great Memory Misplacement. No memories of dead loved ones, no grief: who cares?

But that changes when the woman who raised him suddenly dies and he can't remember anything about her but her face and name.

Diddly wants his memories back, and that means figuring out where they went. So when a tree-traveling stumpjumper named Runduncklety Snippet shows up and reveals that he too is on the hunt for lost memories, Diddly decides to go with him to the Spinney, the stumpjumpers' home, where books can walk and sunshine tastes like honey and maple syrup.

Yet Diddly quickly discovers that the Spinney is anything but safe, and he and Runduncklety are soon forced to flee into the wider world: a world of marching trees, feisty fairy-tale creatures, a musical raccoon, and a colossal prison for millions upon millions of forgotten souls...

...souls who will never be remembered unless Diddly can find a way to set them free.

Twelve-year-old Diddly Duggins would rather draw than learn about the B-O-R-I-N-G Great Memory Misplacement. No memories of dead loved ones, no grief: who cares?

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SOME VOID: New and Selected Poems 1996-2026

Julia Maclean — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:14:32 +0000

SOME VOID: New and Selected Poems 1996-2026 Julia Maclean Wed, 04/22/2026 - 13:14

By Albert Flynn DeSilver (Art'91)

(Self-published; 220 pages; 2026)

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SOME VOID: New and Selected Poems 1996-2026—by celebrated poet Albert Flynn DeSilver is a sweeping, intimate, and fiercely imaginative collection spanning thirty years of poetic inquiry. In SOME VOID, DeSilver brings together his strongest and most resonant poems—some previously published in literary journals worldwide—alongside a powerful body of new work. Known for his luminous, contemplative voice and his ability to fuse the mystical with the deeply personal, DeSilver invites readers into a visionary landscape where language becomes both sanctuary and catalyst.

A sweeping, intimate, and fiercely imaginative collection spanning thirty years of poetic inquiry.

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Given No Choice: A History of Abortion Rights

Julia Maclean — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:10:29 +0000

Given No Choice: A History of Abortion Rights Julia Maclean Wed, 04/22/2026 - 13:10

By Cody McDevitt (Jour'07)

(Self-published; 416 pages; 2026

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A sweeping narrative history of abortion rights in America — from whispered remedies and underground networks to the legal battles, activists, and political forces that shaped modern reproductive freedom.

For more than a century, the fight for abortion access has been told in fragments — court cases, headlines, protests, and political battles that rarely capture the human story underneath. Given No Choice brings those pieces together. Drawing on archival research, rare interviews, oral histories, legislative transcripts, and firsthand accounts, Cody McDevitt weaves an urgent, intimate, and deeply human history of how abortion rights were won, lost, and defended across generations.

From midwives and discreet physicians operating in the shadows, to the women forced into dangerous decisions, to the organizers and attorneys who risked livelihoods to challenge the law, this book lays bare the truth: abortion in America has never been just a medical issue — it has always been a struggle for autonomy, dignity, and power.

Inside this groundbreaking book, readers will discover:

The hidden networks that allowed women to access abortions long before Roe v. Wade
How politicians, judges, and religious movements reshaped reproductive law
The real stories of women harmed — and sometimes saved — by the choices available to them
The rise of the anti-abortion movement and the strategies it still uses today
Exclusive interviews with doctors, activists, and legal experts who witnessed the fight firsthand
What the post-Roe landscape reveals about the future of reproductive freedom

Blending investigative journalism with narrative nonfiction, Given No Choice offers a definitive, unflinching account of one of the most consequential civil rights battles of our time.

A vital book for anyone who wants to understand how we got here — and what comes next.

Perfect for readers of Reproductive Rights Today, The Family Roe, After Roe, and The New Handbook for a Post-Roe America, this book is both a historical document and a call to remain vigilant as the future of bodily autonomy hangs in the balance.

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Confessions of a Mango

Julia Maclean — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:40:04 +0000

Confessions of a Mango Julia Maclean Mon, 04/20/2026 - 09:40

By Kate Lumsden (MCDBio'04) and Nate Pieplow (CU 91��Ҹ� Program for Writing and Rhetoric)

(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 224 pages; 2026)

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A heartfelt novel about a neurodivergent girl that challenges us to reexamine what makes someone “gifted,” perfect for fans of Fish in a Tree and Frindle.

Ruby Emmerson has always felt like the “dumb” twin. Struggling with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, she feels out of place at her competitive charter school, especially as her twin brother Bryce excels both academically and socially. When she fails a math test despite getting extra help, she fears she'll flunk out of Benton Academy and drag her brother back to their old school.

In a moment of frustration, Ruby vents anonymously online, describing herself as an imposter—a mango among lovebirds. But to her surprise, she’s far from alone.

As her account gains a following, tensions rise with her brother and her posts draw the unwanted attention of the school administration. Now, Ruby must find the courage to challenge Benton’s high-pressure environment and advocate for herself and all the other “Mangoes” out there.

A heartfelt novel about a neurodivergent girl that challenges us to reexamine what makes someone “gifted,” perfect for fans of Fish in a Tree and Frindle.

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Carried

Julia Maclean — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:02:22 +0000

Carried Julia Maclean Mon, 04/06/2026 - 12:02

By Jacy Rabold (Comm'10)

(Self-Published; 272 pages; 2026)

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This 100 day interactive journal is for moms who have gone through a complicated birth. It helps them process the past, find joy in the present and dream again about their future.

Carried will help you survive the day-to-day, begin to heal, and even start to thrive again. It gently guides you through 100 intentional, reflective, therapist-approved prompts. It also includes coloring pages, wish lists and recipes.

This journal would also make a fantastic gift for the healing loved ones in your life.

Wait no longer and start your journey today.

This 100 day interactive journal is for moms who have gone through a complicated birth.

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Humanizing Pedagogies with Multilingual Learners

Julia Maclean — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:19:50 +0000

Humanizing Pedagogies with Multilingual Learners Julia Maclean Mon, 02/09/2026 - 11:19

By Nancy L. Commins (Fren'74; PhDEdu'86) and Kara Mitchell Viesca

(‎Routledge; 264 pages; 2025)

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Help ensure your multilingual students have access to equitable, humanizing teaching and learning in all the content areas. This comprehensive resource bridges theory into practice with applicable, easy-to-understand instructional methods for K-12 teachers who may not have a background in TESOL, ESL, or bilingual education.

Each chapter uses a three-part learning cycle to help you translate theory into practice: Explore, Make It Work, and Share. In Explore, the authors provide research, ideas, and resources to support your work with multilingual students. In Make It Work, you are given options to take the ideas from Explore and apply them to your practice. And in Share, you’re encouraged to think about the ways to share your knowledge in informal or formal professional learning spaces. As you work through the learning cycle for each module, you’ll gain important takeaways on topics such as the larger social context, a positive orientation to your students, humanizing assessments, grouping students, uncovering and addressing language demand, developing conceptual understandings, developing literacy, and fostering authentic talk.

The book’s hands-on approach to pedagogy will leave you feeling ready and empowered to reach each of your multilingual students more effectively as you strive for equity and justice in the classroom and beyond.

Help ensure your multilingual students have access to equitable, humanizing teaching and learning in all the content areas.

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