THE MEDIA
Adventures in Medialand $2.00
by Jeff Cohen and Norman Soloman
A collection of the authors' syndicated columns, this book is an easy-to-read but thoughtful analysis of current media bias from a progressive point of view. Both authors are associated with Fairness and Accuracy in Media (FAIR).
Through the Media Looking Glass: Decoding Bias and Blather in the News $2.00
by Jeff Cohen and Norman Solomon
Essays from the authors' "Mediabeat" column that look at topics such as talk radio (the fantasy world of Rush Limbaugh, white hate radio), violence on television, what the conventional media covers up or fails to report, the influence of big media money.
Are You Politically Correct? Debating America's Cultural Standards $2.00
edited by Francis J. Beckwith & Michael E. Bauman
Articles on both sides of topics that include "The Media and Political Correctness," "Freedom of Expression on Campus," "Cultural Diversity," "Quotas and Diversity." Writers include Allan Bloom, Dinesh D'Souza, Stanley Fish, Irving Howe, Diane Ravitch, George Reisman, Catherine Stimpson.
SENSIBLE PSYCHOLOGY
Authoritative Guide to Self-Help Books $2.50
by John W. Santrock, Ph.D., Ann M. Minnett, Ph.D., and Barbara D. Campbell.
Popular psychology books are a thriving business. Some are good; some are bad. They can be very helpful if you pick the right ones, but knowing what to look for and what to avoid is the key. This book, though a bit dated, still provides good guidelines about how to judge self-help books. They rake some popular authors over the coals, including
The Power of Optimism $2.00
by Alan Loy McGinnis, Ph.D.
This down-to earth book is not a Pollyanna, "power of positive thinking" approach! Rather than telling you to be positive no matter what, it suggests realistic ways to face difficulties squarely and at the same time keep an optimistic frame of mind. Easy to read but based on sound principles, it offers a sensible and highly effective action plan.
CRITICAL THINKING BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
Maybe Yes, Maybe No $2.00
by Dan Barker
(ages 8 and up)
Teaches the essentials of skepticism in plain yet engaging language: “Check it out,” “Try to prove it wrong,” “It has to make sense.” Barker assures young readers that they are fully capable of figuring out what to believe, and of knowing when there is not enough information to decide.
Maybe Right Maybe Wrong $2.00
By Dan Barker
(ages 7-12)
Affirming a child’s ability to think, to seek information, and to question “why?”, this book offers tools for critical thought while teaching situation ethics.
How Do You Know It’s True $2.00
By Hy Ruchlis
(ages 11-15)
Provides an understanding of the basic nature of science as a way of thinking; describes the nature of superstition, warns of the dangers of magical thinking, and shows how astonishing events can be analyzed and explained .
What About Gods? $3.00
by Chris Brockman
Illustrated by Anna Cammisotto
Prometheus Books
(Ages 5 & up) Pb. 32 pp.
“Mythical characters, that’s what gods are. They’re not real. People made them up.
You can unmake them just by thinking.” A skeptical treatment of religion in a book designed to be
read by or to children. Emphasizes using evidence and the scientific method to understand things, examines biblical contradictions, cross-cultural religions.
OTHER
What to Do When You Don't Want to Call the Cops: A Non-Adversarial Approach to Sexual Harassment (hd.) $4.00
By Joan Kennedy Taylor
A tool for addressing sexual harassment using common sense and targeted skills rather than rhetoric and legal threats. Backed up with careful research. Taylor was the former National Coordinator of the Association of Libertarian Feminists.
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