People worldwide
were captivated by the ordeal of Jerri Cahill Nielsen, BS ’74,
a doctor serving at a South Pole station in 1998 and ’99 when
she found a lump in her breast.
“Ice
Bound” by Nielsen and Maryanne Vollers ($23.95, hardback,
Talk Miramax Books) is Nielsen’s first-hand account of her
experiences.
The physician consulted by e-mail with doctors in the States, performed
a biopsy on herself and underwent chemotherapy at the Pole —
where temperatures reach 100 degrees below zero — before a
daring rescue in October 1999 by the Air National Guard. Nielsen,
who today is cancer-free, was featured on “Primetime Live,”
“Oprah” and other programs.
“The
Language of the Land: Living Among the Hadzabe in Africa”
by James Stephenson, BA ’93, ($24.95, hardback, St. Martin’s
Press). While working in Africa, this New York author had a dream
that inspired him to seek out the Hadzabe tribe, one of the last
communities of hunter-gatherers in Africa. He decided to spend a
year with the tribe, chronicling his journey as he hunted for food
with them, participated in their ceremonies, consulted with their
medicine man and learned their myths. “My search to find the
Hadzabe was a journey greater than myself. I was chosen to follow
this path,” Stephenson says.
“Sticks”
by William McMillen, MA ’72, PHD ’76, ($22.95, hardback,
Sleeping Bear Press). Set in a fictional small town about 40 miles
northwest of Athens, this humorous novel revolves around a famous
75-year-old golf course called The Candlesticks. The owners of the
course want to redesign it to accommodate a housing development,
but historical interests in the town prefer to preserve it. “The
title not only is a slang term for golf clubs and an abbreviation
for The Candlesticks, but it is the nickname of the main character,
Sticks Bergman,” McMillen says.
“Out
of Grace” by Toni Wilbarger, BSJ ’84, ($14.99, paperback,
ACW Press). This Christian fiction novel tells the story of a young
woman during World War II who carries the burden of a teen-age pregnancy,
a disparaging preacher father and an abusive, alcoholic husband.
Madelene Quaid eventually finds friends at a boardinghouse who show
her the true qualities of family and God’s love. “I want
my readers to come away feeling educated, entertained and touched,”
Wilbarger says.
“Blue
Spots! Yellow Spots!” by Jenean Atwood, MFA ’96, and
John Atwood ($7.99, paperback, Milligan Books). This father-daughter
team’s first foray into the world of children’s literature
teaches a gentle lesson in respect for diversity. The book’s
characters, called Frazzies, realize that what’s on the inside
is far more important than physical appearance. “It is important
that parents read to their children, so the joy of reading is passed
on to future generations,” Jenean Atwood says.
“New
Fields and Other Stones: On a Child’s Death” by Saul
Bennett, BSJ ’57, ($19.95, hardback, Archer Books). When Bennett
came to college, his goal was to become a newspaper reporter to
support his true love, creative writing. Armed with a degree, he
worked in journalism and later moved into public relations, rising
to president of a national public relations group. It wasn’t
until 1994, however, after his daughter died from a brain aneurysm,
that Bennett returned to his passion and began to write poems upon
the advice of OU Professor of Journalism Michael Bugeja. This book
emerged from his boundless grief.
“Ice
Bound” by Nielsen and Maryanne Vollers ($23.95, hardback,
Talk Miramax Books) is Nielsen’s first-hand account of her
experiences.
“The
Language of the Land: Living Among the Hadzabe in Africa”
by James Stephenson, BA ’93, ($24.95, hardback, St. Martin’s
Press). While working in Africa, this New York author had a dream
that inspired him to seek out the Hadzabe tribe, one of the last
communities of hunter-gatherers in Africa. He decided to spend a
year with the tribe, chronicling his journey as he hunted for food
with them, participated in their ceremonies, consulted with their
medicine man and learned their myths. “My search to find the
Hadzabe was a journey greater than myself. I was chosen to follow
this path,” Stephenson says. 
“Sticks”
by William McMillen, MA ’72, PHD ’76, ($22.95, hardback,
Sleeping Bear Press). Set in a fictional small town about 40 miles
northwest of Athens, this humorous novel revolves around a famous
75-year-old golf course called The Candlesticks. The owners of the
course want to redesign it to accommodate a housing development,
but historical interests in the town prefer to preserve it. “The
title not only is a slang term for golf clubs and an abbreviation
for The Candlesticks, but it is the nickname of the main character,
Sticks Bergman,” McMillen says.
“Out
of Grace” by Toni Wilbarger, BSJ ’84, ($14.99, paperback,
ACW Press). This Christian fiction novel tells the story of a young
woman during World War II who carries the burden of a teen-age pregnancy,
a disparaging preacher father and an abusive, alcoholic husband.
Madelene Quaid eventually finds friends at a boardinghouse who show
her the true qualities of family and God’s love. “I want
my readers to come away feeling educated, entertained and touched,”
Wilbarger says.
“Blue
Spots! Yellow Spots!” by Jenean Atwood, MFA ’96, and
John Atwood ($7.99, paperback, Milligan Books). This father-daughter
team’s first foray into the world of children’s literature
teaches a gentle lesson in respect for diversity. The book’s
characters, called Frazzies, realize that what’s on the inside
is far more important than physical appearance. “It is important
that parents read to their children, so the joy of reading is passed
on to future generations,” Jenean Atwood says.
“New
Fields and Other Stones: On a Child’s Death” by Saul
Bennett, BSJ ’57, ($19.95, hardback, Archer Books). When Bennett
came to college, his goal was to become a newspaper reporter to
support his true love, creative writing. Armed with a degree, he
worked in journalism and later moved into public relations, rising
to president of a national public relations group. It wasn’t
until 1994, however, after his daughter died from a brain aneurysm,
that Bennett returned to his passion and began to write poems upon
the advice of OU Professor of Journalism Michael Bugeja. This book
emerged from his boundless grief.