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Hosts from some of your favorite WGBH Radio shows recommend some of their favorite books and recordings.
WGBH members receive a special discount at bookstores around New England. See the list of bookstores.
Doug Briscoe from Classical Weekend recommends:
 The Pentagon's New Map, by Thomas P.M. Barnett, Hardcover, Putnam 2004
"Barnett, an instructor at the Naval War College in Newport, presents an exciting new worldview with recommendations for US foreign policy. Although the book has its longueurs and Mr. Barnett repeats himself a lot, there are plenty of remarkable insights and, in my opinion, a few truly visionary, far-reaching, and thrilling ideas, some of which changed my mind on matters on which I thought I had already had a fixed opinion."
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Steve Schwartz from Jazz from Studio Four recommends:
Jazz Dialogues, James Williams, Finas Sound Records, 2000
"For a 50th birthday present to himself, pianist James Williams — who died this past summer at age 53 — called some of his closest musical associates and asked them to record a series of duets with him. People like Joe Lovano, Houston Person, Russell Malone, Jon Faddis, Etta Jones, and dozens of others showed up. Four CDs called Jazz Dialogues is the result. They are available through his Web site at www.finasmusic.com.
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 Live in St. Lucia, DVD, Randy Weston, Image Entertainment, 2003
"Live in St. Lucia is a DVD capturing the great pianist and his group performing in concert in the Caribbean. Not only do we get to hear Randy's music (African Cookbook, Little Niles, and Blue Moses), but we get an extended interview with him telling us about his history, music, and its connection to Africa, his family homeland. Very moving words and music."
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 Complete Prestige Recordings, CD Box Set, Dexter Gordon, Prestige Records, 2004
"This box set includes the 15 Prestige albums he recorded 1965–1973 as well as 17 previously unissued tracks. The set also includes a 1950 live jam session with Wardell Grey plus the 1960 Jazzland LP, The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon. A must have."
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Marco Werman from The World recommends:
 In Brazil, Gilles Peterson, Ether Records, 2004
"Peterson is one of the UK's best-known DJs, and he's done that by amassing a huge record collection of atypical club music: everything from obscure Nigerian afrobeat, Japanese jazz, and Brazilian soul. In Brazil culls choice cuts from Peterson's own collection."
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 Grown Backwards, David Byrne, Nonesuch Records, 2004
"Byrne continues his eclectic journey through music with this poetic album. Listeners have shown great fondness for the former Talking Head's take on two operatic arias he wheels out on this session. But overall, it is a compelling and mature set."
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 Hot Women: Women Singers from the Torrid Regions of the World, Various Artists, EFA, 2003
"This compilation was put together by cartoonist Robert Crumb and is culled from his own collection of 78s from the '20s and '30s. It's a wild romp through the music of the planet at the time and feels like you're being transported back in time."
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Jordan Weinstein from Morning Edition recommends:
 American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune and the Politics of Deceit in the
House of Bush, by Kevin Phillips, Hardcover, Viking Penguin, 2004
"A spellbinding journey into the origins of the Bush family's wealth and
political power in the United States. Reads like a novel. An eye-opening must-read for political junkies of all persuasions."
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Lisa Mullins from The World recommends:
 Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna, by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton, Hardcover, Simon & Schuster, 2003
"It was a thrill to interview Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and a treat to read his book. He tailors it to a young adult audience, but he'll captivate anyone with his childhood adventures as part of the nomadic Maasai tribe in Kenya and his awkward and courageous introduction to the US, including eating his first American meal at McDonald's, learning how to use a fork and spoon, and earning his master's degree at Harvard."
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 Live: A Fortnight in France, Patricia Barber, Blue Note Records, 2004
"Patricia Barber is a triple threat: a unique composer with a great lyrical wit, intellect, and poetic flair — a first-rate jazz pianist and improviser with unusual rhythmic sense and a wonderful singer with a cool and seductive approach. France has long welcomed American jazz artists, so it's no wonder Patricia Barber chose to record her new, live CD there. By all means, catch her on tour here in the US. It's a totally entrancing evening."
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Naomi Arenberg from All Things Considered on WCAI and WNAN, recommends:
Windmills of New England: Their Genius, Madness, History & Future, by Daniel Lombardo, Hardcover, On Cape Publications, 2003
"As the debate over a wind farm on Nantucket Sound builds, this collection of photos, stories, and historical data offers a break from the arguments. It's a coffee-table book whose chapter titles include 'New England's Lost Windmills,' 'A Compendium of Windmill Sayings, Aphorisms, and Terms,' and 'The Struggle for Clean Energy.' That last section outlines 120 years of controversy over the value of wind-generated power, right up to the current projects proposed for our region."
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 The Women Gather, Sweet Honey in the Rock, EarthBeat Records, 2003
"Sweet Honey's 30th anniversary recording is expected to be the last with founder Bernice Johnson Reagon. The five group members lift their powerful voices in song to relate history, point their collective finger at injustice, and praise love."
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Shake Sugaree, Elizabeth Cotten, Smithsonian Folkways, 2004
"Singer and finger-style guitarist and banjo player Elizabeth Cotten is well known for her classic Freight Train and for her influence on the Seeger family. In fact, she influenced many musicians. Ten previously released tracks are included on this 2004 release."
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Ron Della Chiesa from Classics in the Morning, and The Jazz Songbook recommends:
 Ideale: Songs of Paolo Tosti, Ben Heppner, Deutsche Grammophon, 2004
"The Italian composer Paolo Tosti was known as the 'Prince of Melody.' Tenor Ben Heppner has recorded a marvelous collection of his songs called Ideale. The recital includes 19 of the best including: 'A vuchella,' 'In the Hush of the Night,' 'Goodbye,' and the title song, 'Ideale.' Heppner reminds one of the late tenor Jussi Bjoerling in his lovely interpretations of these classic songs accompanied by members of the London Symphony Orchestra."
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 Aces Back to Back, Bobby Darin, Hyena Records, 2004
"Bobby Darin was one of the greatest singers and entertainers of the 20th century who died in his late 30s. Aces Back to Back is a combination CD/DVD that captures this dynamic performer at the height of his powers in live performances and long-lost studio gems. This collection proves that Darin was ahead of his time, not only as a great singer of the American songbook, but someone who could also cross over into the world of gospel, country, and rock!"
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Brendan Hogan from Blues on WGBH recommends:
 Moanin' at Midnight: The Life & Times of Howlin' Wolf, by Mark Hoffman and James Segrest, Hardcover, Pantheon, 2004
"This book offers a very detailed look into the life of this enigma of postwar blues, taking great strides to portray Wolf as a musician, a personality, and as a human being."
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 The World Don't Owe Me Nothing: The Life and Times of Delta Bluesman Honeyboy Edwards, by David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Paperback, Chicago Review Press, 2000
"89-year bluesman Honeyboy Edwards's memoirs as told verbatim, in his own words. Honeyboy has somehow situated himself at every important crossroad in the development of blues music during the last century. And, unlike other musicians who may boast similar claims, the sincerity of his storytelling leaves little doubt of his role in each recalled memory."
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 Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding, CD Box Set, Otis Redding, Rhino Records, 1993
"Otis Redding defined soul music before being taken from us at the age of 26. This box set documents the rapid development he underwent as a singer and arranger recording for Stax Records 1960–1967. Disc 4 includes a 'fantasy' collection of live Otis Redding performances, while the other three offer all the hits, the unreleased material, a public service announcement, and an advertisement for Coca-Cola!"
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Margot Stage, from All Things Considered recommends:
 The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, Paperback, Penguin Books, 2002
"This 'honey' of a novel visits the realms of family relationships and social relationships during the civil rights movement in South Carolina. I wanted to reread the book from the beginning, even before I'd gotten halfway through, simply to savor the delicious flavor of Kidd's writing. Full of a child's innocence and wisdom."
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See a recommended winter holiday book list for kids.
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