Preview Shelf -- Fall Party in Youth Services

By popular demand, the Crawfordsville District Public Library's youth services department is sponsoring its second annual "Fall Party" October 28th at 6:45 p.m. for all ages. There will be stories, and games, and snacks. Costumes are welcome but not required. No registration is needed. The invitation shows a row of jack-o-lanterns smiling broadly, so it's sure to be fun. If you have a question, just call extension 115 at 362-2242. Newest political books are "Promises to Keep", the acclaimed memoir of the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate by Joe Biden, and "Sarah" by Kaylene Johnson telling how Sarah Palin turned the political establishment upside down. Other new books are Thomas Friedman's "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" telling why we need a green revolution - and how it can renew America. A secret White House history 2006-2008 is Bob Woodward's "The War Within". Dr. Phil (McGraw) offers "Real Life" preparing for the seven most challenging days of life."Unembedded" is the work of four independent photojournalists on the war in Iraq, issued by Chelsea Green Publishing. "Chosen Soldier" is information about unique warriors by Dick Couch, explaining that now that we are fighting guerrilla wars against insurgents hidden in remote places, we need men like the Army Special Forces - the legendary Green Berets. "Dreams and Shadows" is experienced war reporter Robin Wright's document about the future of the Middle East. "Opium Season" by Joel Hafvenstein depicts a year on the Afghan frontier in Helmand Province, the heart of this trade area where he ran an American-funded aid program to help poppy farmers make a legal living and to win people away from the former Taliban government. "The Suicide of Reason" by Lee Harris talks about radical Islam's threat to the West; he says we must change our understanding of the conflict and he offers strategies by which liberal internationalism can defend itself without becoming a mirror of the tribal forces it is trying to defeat. A savvy, streetwise primer on dozens of individual countries that adds up to a coherent theory of global politics is "The Second World" by Parag Khanna who has traveled in a hundred countries. The dark side of the new global economy and modern American slave labor is the subject of "Nobodies" by John Bowe who "exposes the outsourcing, corporate chicanery, immigration fraud, and sleights of hand that allow forced labor to continue in the United States". "2000 Years of Amazing Grace" is Paul Zahl's "Christianity Primer, the story and meaning of the Christian faith." "Fallen Founder" is the life of Aaron Burr by Nancy Isenberg. "Summers with Lincoln" is James Percoco's study of the "Abe" in the 200 monuments erected in his memory across our country; he was the most widely commemorated President. The author selects seven emblematic sculptures, including Fort Wayne's "Lincoln the Hoosier Youth" by Paul Manship, Henry Hering's sculpture in University Park, Indianapolis, and the "Lincoln" in Wabash, Indiana.The lost trail of the underground railroad called "I've Got a Home in Glory Land" by Karolyn Frost highlights Thornton Blackburn, whom Canada defended to set the tone for all future diplomatic relations with the U.S. over the thorny issue of the fugitive slave. He settled in Toronto where his home was finally excavated to show Thornton and his wife Lucie's heroism offering a haven to runaways. Andy Rathbone's "Windows Vista for Dummies" shows "how to make Vista behave and work for you".