State Services for the Blind

Radio News

Radio Talking Book Radio News February 2007

Current Edition: January 2008

Previous News Editions: January 2007, February 2007, March 2007, April 2007, May 2007, June 2007, July 2007, August 2007, September 2007, October 2007, November 2007, December 2007

January 2006, February 2006, March 2006, April 2006, May 2006, June 2006, July 2006, August 2006, September 2006, October 2006, November 2006, December 2006

An important book
The Minnesota Radio Talking Book has a wide array of books in which we attempt to include books of regional interest, books that are getting national attention, books that appeal to popular taste, and books about disabilities and blindness. This month, we have a biography that should be read by many people, a biography of a blind man who was well known in his time, but whose name has fallen into obscurity.

Beginning February 12 on “Potpourri,” our book hour that begins at 2 p.m., we will broadcast A Sense of the World, by Jason Roberts. Roberts writes very skillfully about the life of James Holman (1786-1857), a British naval officer mysteriously blinded at 25, who nevertheless became the greatest traveler of his time. Wandering the world (without assistance) from Paris to Canton, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh; hunted slavers off the coast of Africa; got arrested by one of the czar’s elite bodyguards in Siberia; and published several bestselling memoirs.

Those who are dedicated readers often think along the lines of “so many books, so little time!” But this is a book for which I would recommend people make the time.   
- Stuart Holland, Manager, Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network.
 
Books Available Through Faribault
All books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network are available through the Minnesota  Library  for  the  Blind  and Physically Handicapped in Faribault. Their phone is 800-722-0550 and hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Their catalog is also online, and you can access it at www.klas.com/mnbph. If you live outside of Minnesota, you may obtain copies of books by contacting your own state's Network Library for the National Library Service.  
 
Review old issues of Radio News on the Internet at www.mnssb.org/radionews .

Chautauqua
Tuesday - Saturday 4 a.m.

Jung and the Human Psyche
Nonfiction by Mary Ann Mattoon, 2005.
Though Jung had a gift for getting his readers to examine the foundations of their lives, he was often elusive in his meanings.
Read by Aletta Jervey.
9 broadcasts. Began January 23.

Condor: To the Brink and Back
Nonfiction by Tom Reiss, 2006.
Once doomed to extinction, the California condor is a success story for captive breeding. The huge bird soars again over the Grand Canyon and parts of California.
Read by June Prange.
8 broadcasts. Begins February 5.
 
Why Do I Love These People?
Nonfiction by Po Bronson, 2005.
Some people rise above their circumstances and build extraordinary relationships and lives, no matter how difficult their challenges.
Read by Carolyn Light Bell.
12 broadcasts. Begins February 15.

Past is Prologue
Monday - Friday 9 a.m.

Spalding’s World Tour
Nonfiction by Mark Lamster, 2006.
In 1888, baseball star and sporting goods magnate Albert Spalding took twenty of baseball’s greatest players around the world. It was to bring baseball and American values to the rest of the world.
Read by Ray Christensen.
11 broadcasts. Began January 22.

Five Days in Philadelphia
Nonfiction by Charles Peters, 2005.
The days of the 1940 Republican convention and their outcome were as important as the Battle of Britain in defeating the Nazis. There were four strong contenders.
Read by Donald Meisel.
9 broadcasts. Begins February 6.

Sons of Providence
Nonfiction by Charles Rappleye, 2006.
John and Moses Brown, who fought in the Revolution and founded Brown University, were divided over slavery. John ran slave galleys, Moses was a Quaker abolitionist.
Read by Charlie Boone.
18 Broadcasts. Begins February 19.

Bookworm
Monday - Friday 11 a.m.

The Madonnas of Leningrad
Fiction by Debra Dean, 2006.
In 1941, as the German army neared Leningrad, Marina was instructed to remove the paintings from the walls of the Hermitage. Before she did that, she burned their images into her memory. S -
Read by Eleanor Berg.
8 broadcasts. Began January 24.
 
Blue Shoes and Happiness
Fiction by Alexander McCall Smith, 2006.
Precious Ramotswe tries to solve Botswana’s puzzles at the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.
Read by Joy Fogarty.
8 broadcasts. Begins February 5.
  
Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven
Fiction by Fannie Flagg, 2006.
When octogenarian Elner Shimfissle fell from the tree and ended up in the hospital, it started her off on an adventure she never dreamed of.
Read by Eleanor Berg.
11 broadcasts. Begins February 15.

Potpourri
Monday - Friday 2 p.m.

The Caliph’s House
Nonfiction by Tahir Shah, 2006.
Shah tried to make a dream come true, moving to Casablanca to remodel an old mansion as his home. Reality was more complicated. L -
Read by David Tofteland.
12 broadcasts. Began January 25.

A Sense of the World
Nonfiction by Jason Roberts, 2006.
Known as “the Blind Traveler,” James Holman became one of the wonders of the world. Explorer, abolitionist, and author, he outlived his fame.
Read by John Hagman.
13 broadcasts. Begins February 12.

Choice Reading
Monday - Friday 4 p.m.

Labyrinth
Fiction by Kate Mosse, 2006.
Alice finds a cave at an archaeological dig in the Pyrenees. It sets off a terrifying sequence of events linking her with heretics of 800 years before. L -
Read by Judith Johannessen.
22 broadcasts. Began January 8.
 
Suite Française
Fiction by Irène Némirovsky, 2006.
The first two sections of a five-part novel, Némirovsky’s book was never completed because of her death at Auschwitz in 1942.
Read by Sherri Afryl.
14 broadcasts. Begins February 7.
 
Rash
Fiction by Pete Hautman, 2006.
In the late 21st century, Bo is unjustly accused of causing a rash at his high school. He is sentenced to work on the Canadian tundra at a pizza factory. V,L,S -
Read by John Marsicano.
6 broadcasts. Begins February 27.

PM Report
Monday - Friday 8 p.m.

Crunchy Cons
Nonfiction by Rod Dreher, 2006.
A growing number of conservatives believe in reclaiming what’s best in conservatism. That may not look the same as the picture most people have of Republicans.
Read by Wally Vavrosky.
10 broadcasts. Began Jan. 29.

Self-Made Man
Nonfiction by Norah Vincent, 2006.
Many women believe men have it better in every way. Norah Vincent decided to find out if it was true, so she lived as a man for eighteen months, infiltrating the world women never see. L -
Read by Ann Reed.
10 broadcasts. Begins February 12.

The White Man’s Burden
Nonfiction by William Easterly, 2006.
Twin tragedies of global poverty are that so many seem fated to live miserable lives, and that, after 50 years and $2.3 trillion spent for its alleviation, there is little progress.
Read by Leila Poullada.
15 broadcasts. Begins February 26.

Night Journey
Monday - Friday 9 p.m.

Hope Haven
Fiction by M. Laurel Walsh, 2006.
On the anniversary of her family’s death, Terry discovers a neighbor’s body. It shakes her out of her slump, but she ends up being a suspect in the neighbor’s death. L -
Read by Laura Rohlik.
8 broadcasts. Began January 29.

Dead Watch
Fiction by John Sandford, 2006.
A former U.S. Senator disappears, and Army Intelligence veteran Jacob Winter is told all hell will break loose if he isn’t found. But all hell will break loose anyway. V,L -
Read by Neil Bright.
12 broadcasts. Begins February 8.

End of Story
Fiction by Peter Abrahams, 2006.
Ivy Seidel dreams of becoming a great novelist. Teaching writing at a prison, she meets and becomes too attached to Vance Harrow, brilliant, talented, rageful and brutal.
Read by Steve Rosenthal.
10 broadcasts. Begins February 26.

Off the Shelf
Monday - Friday 10 p.m.

The Thrall’s Tale
Fiction by Judith Lindbergh, 2006.
Katla sailed to Greenland in 985 A.D. and moved into the household of Thorbjorg, the seeress. There she bore Bibrau, who grew up playing the two women off each other. V -
Read by Mary Davies.
17 broadcasts. Began January 22.

Lost and Found
Fiction by Carolyn Parkhurst, 2006.
In a new reality show, teams race across the globe battling for a million-dollar prize. As they search for clues, they change their relationships with each other. L,S -
Read by Martha Wigmore and William Stout.
12 broadcasts. Begins February 15.

Evening Odyssey
Monday - Friday 11 p.m.

The Man of My Dreams
Fiction by Curtis Sittenfeld, 2006.
At age fourteen, Hannah saw the extremes of love: celebrity magazines v. her parents’ marriage. Fifteen years later, her questions about love are even more complicated. L,S -
Read by Carol Lewis.
9 broadcasts. Begins February 1.

Cirkus
Fiction by Patti Frazee, 2006.
In a European circus in turn-of-the-century America, there is an uneasy balance between sideshow misfits. This balance is destroyed by Shanghai, the fire-breathing dwarf, who falls in love with one of a set of conjoined twins. L,S -
Read by Laura Rohlik.
13 broadcasts. Begins February 14.

Good Night Owl
Monday - Friday midnight

The Lighthouse
Fiction by P. D. James, 2005.
Combe Island is the site of a retreat for high-profile visitors. When one of them is found hanged, Commander Dalgleish is brought in.
Read by Madeline Hamermesh.
14 broadcasts. Began January 23.
 
L’America
Fiction by Martha McPhee, 2006.
Italian Cesare and American Beth meet on a Greek island and begin a love affair. Their passion struggles against the pull of culture and country. L,S -
Read by Judy Woodward.
11 broadcasts. Begins February 12.
  
The Return of the Player
Fiction by Michael Tolkin, 2006.
On the way down the success ladder, Griffin’s desperate plan is to convince Phil Ginsberg, Hollywood’s most frightening man, to become his partner. L,S -
Read by Dan Sadoff.
9 broadcasts. Begins Feb. 27.

After Midnight
Tuesday - Saturday 1 a.m.

What Price Love?
Fiction by Stephanie Laurens, 2006.
Lady Priscilla’s twin brother Russell has disappeared, and clues to his location are in the Register of England’s racing horses. But the registrar is rigidly honest. S -
Read by Licia Swanson.
17 broadcasts. Began January 23.
 
A Spot of Bother
Fiction by Mark Haddon, 2006.
George Hall has retired, and he quietly begins to lose his mind as his family falls apart around him. L - Read by John Schmidt.
12 broadcasts. Begins February 15.

Abbreviations: V  - violence, L - rough language, S - sexual situations