The Enigma Woman: The Death Sentence of Nellie May Madison by Kathleen A. Cairns €œNellie was pegged by the media as a femme fatale, a character out of a noir tale. The author has done considerable research in this well-written true crime chronicle, but what happened in Nellie’€™s bedroom in 1934 still remains an enigma. –€”Publishers Weekly “A new book out this month finally tells us the entire tale of Nellie Madison for the first time, and it is so terrifically researched, so well put together, you might forget the story took place in 1934. . . . [I]t’s a … Continue reading Praise for The Enigma Woman

Ethnicity and Equality: France in the Balance by Azouz Begag “The political and ideological challenges of reconciling republicanism with the demands of diversity are well illustrated by Azouz Begag’s fine study, Ethnicity and Equality: France in the Balance.”—Richard Wolin, The Nation Continue reading Praise for Ethnicity and Equality

Bigger than Life: A Murder, a Memoir by Dinah Lenney “Before his murder, Dinah Lenney’s father was Bigger than Life but looms larger in death.”—Elissa Schappell, Vanity Fair Read More praise for Bigger than Life Continue reading More Praise for Bigger than Life

The Big Empty: Contemporary Nebraska Nonfiction Writersedited by Ladette Randolph and Nina Shevchuk-Murray “A wise friend once recommended learning about an unfamiliar place by reading the works of authors who live there. That theory proves true with this collection of 27 previously published essays and excerpts by Nebraskan nonfiction  writers. . . . This diverse collection enables the reader to experience life in Nebraska. An excellent selection for regional libraries and academic literature collections.”—Library Journal “The Big Empty isn’t about nothing. It’s about Nebraska, its writers and its potential.” —Rick Brown, Kearney Hub “These essays are springs from which flows … Continue reading Praise for The Big Empty

nto That Silent Sea: Trailblazers of the Space Era, 1961-1965 by Francis French and Colin Burgess is coming out this month and I can barely contain myself.  It isn’t science fiction, but it science and lots of sf is based in space.  I don’t need to justify mentioning it to you all just because I am obsessed with space travel and astronauts.  Honest, I don’t.  I just wanted to point it out in case anyone else is as geeky as I am.  So I did.  I am sooooo excited. Continue reading This is Coming Out!!

his is a strange book.  I bought it about the same time I got Like a Hole in the Head by Jen Banbury and The Beach by Alex Garland in the late nineties.  I read the other two, but in between moving to and from South America and then to Nebraska and finally getting married, the end of the century was a little busy for me and I forgot it.  Until the recent move when I collected all my stuff, at least the books, from my mother. It is a short book, only 212 pages of spacious print.  Still a … Continue reading As She Climbed Across the Table by Jonathan Lethem

Actress and professor Dinah Lenney’s memoir Bigger than Life: A Murder, a Memoir made the LA Times‘ Top Ten list this week!  Congratulations, Dinah! Continue reading Lenney Makes the LA Times Top Ten

Authors Michael Forsberg (On Ancient Wings) and Paul A. Johnsgard (eight titles with UNP, including Crane Music) are featured in the documentary Crane Song. From Forsberg’s webpage on the documentary: "Crane Song weaves together striking visuals and majestic sounds of the birds’ journey with the stories and insights of the individuals who observe these creatures, as well as landowners endeavoring to ensure a habitat that is welcoming to the cranes." Crane Song aired on PBS Nebraska station NET on March 18, March 19, March 24, and March 25.  If you missed it, you can purchase the DVD on NET’s website.  … Continue reading Crane Song Documentary