Interfaith Author to Speak at Lee Institute 9-17

Brian D. McLaren will present a free lecture/media presentation Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road?  Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World Sept. 17 at 7:30 pm at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, 9450 Clayton Rd. St. Louis. McLaren is a former pastor and author of more than a dozen books on Christianity. The Lee Institute was established in 1994 by St. Louis Philanthropist E. Desmond Lee, in order to foster spiritual and religious growth, and create public awareness of critical issues .

4 New Books ID Diverse Dimensions of Modern Life

• Screening the Los Angeles "Riots": Race, Seeing and Resistance by Darnell M. Hunt, examines how television portrayals shaped individual perceptions of events that took place after the Rodney King verdict was announced.



• Unnatural Selection: Choosing Boys Over Girls and the Consequences of a World Full of Men by Mara Hvistendahl, engagingly examines the implications for a future with fewer girls, already a reality in many parts of the world.



• Sharing Mary; Bible and Qur'an Side by Side by Marlies ter Borg, is a complete anthology of all the stories the Bible and Qur'an share, from Adam to the last day of reckoning, showing similarities and differences verse by verse.



• Marriage Confidential: The Post-Romantic Age of Workhorse Wives, Royal Children, Undersexed Spouses and Rebel Couples who are Rewriting the Rules by Pamela Haag. The title pretty much describes topics covered in this report on modern marital discontent.

Unusual Book Reports on Dying, Not Death

The Study of Dying: From Autonomy to Transformation from Cambridge University Press is a fairly thin (284 pp), elegantly organized volume that summarizes studies of the social and psychological aspects of the dying process from the perspectives of behavorial psychology, veterinary medicine, biomedical and palliative medicine, history, philosophy, art, literature, cinema, Judaeo-christian tradition, and near-death experiences/deathbed visions. Editor Allan Kellehear skillfully guides the reader who wants to learn "about living with dying" Not meant for the grieving, IMHO, this book contributes to our understanding of the inevitable by taking a step back from the personal and is now available from our shelves.

Peace Corps: Past & Present

In this 5oth year since the founding of the Peace Corps, readers might be interested in two new books on our social sciences shelves:

• When the World Calls, the Inside Story of the Peace Corps and Its First 50 Years by Stanley Meisler, 361.6, is not an institutional history but a balanced look at the political struggles of this volunteer organization


• Complete Guide to Joining the Peace Corps: What You Need to Know Explained Simply by Sharlee DiMenicki, 361.602373, lives up to its title with detailed, practical advice.

Just request either one from a branch near you!

New King James Bible Dramatized on CDs

The elements of voice, sound and music are densely woven together in The Word of Promise Audio Bible (New King James Version) which is now available for check-out from our department upon request. The text of Genesis through Revelation is recorded on 79 cds in 15 different "volumes," any one of which provides hours of listening. Actor Michael York narrates and some 600 other actors portray the voices of Biblical figures-- including Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Richard Dreyfuss as Moses, Gary Sinise and David, Marisa Tomei as Mary Magdalen, Marcia Gay Harden as Esther. A Bonus Features DVD includes actor interviews, worship resources and a look at how dramatic audio theater is produced. Ask staff to help you find and request the particular Biblical books/volume you want to listen to first.

HU/SS Research Databases Now at Regional Branches

Users of MLA International Bibliography, Public Affairs Information Service, Library Literature or the Play Index databases formerly available only in the St. Louis Public Library's Humanities/Social Sciences room at Central Library may now come and use them at the Buder, Carpenter, Julia Davis and Schlafly branches. Ask staff for help if you need it.

Many Department Resources Available

Despite the temporary closing of Central Library for renovation and restoration, you can still request any circulating books the catalog lists as "HU" or "Central Stacks" and they will be forwarded to you for pick-up at any branch you designate.

Also -- special availability offer to psychology and mythology fans -- two of our HU reference books have been library-loaned out to the Schlafly branch, 225 N. Euclid:

• The Red Book by Carl Jung, and
• Genealogy of Greek Mythology, an Illustrated Family Tree of Greek Myth from the First Gods to the Founders of Rome, a 17-foot long foldout volume by Vanessa James.

Neither of these may be checked out but you are invited to examine them at your leisure here in the branch, 9-9 M-Th or 9-6 Fri & Sat. -- just present id at the desk in the Grants & Foundation Center corner of the library.