In this article, the author describes ten nonfiction books she recommends for adults: (1) "My Reading Life" (Pat Conroy); (2) "Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea" (Barbara Demick); (3) "Learning to Die in Miami: Confessions of a Refuge Boy" (Carlos Eire); (4) "The Perfect Shape + The Perfect Sauce =…

Claiming to have developed a new conceptualization of creative phenomena, Howard Gardner has rounded up the usual biographical suspects in his new book "Creating Minds: An Anatomy of Creativity Seen Through the Lives of Freud, Einstein, Picasso, Stravinsky, Eliot, Graham, and Gandhi" (Basic Books, 1993). Gardner doesn't successfully…

This biography explores the many scientific interests and contributions of Francis Galton and outlines his psychological studies as a "detour" from his major works that lasted from 1877 to 1885. Galton's interest in heredity was a focus of the second half of his life, the first having concentrated on geography and exploration. (SLD)

Recommends leisurely reading for teachers: biographies on St. Augustine and Charles Lindbergh; novels by Edwidge Danticat, Kate Chopin, and Velma Allis; Edward Tufte's three volumes on the visual presentation of information; Jean Vanier's "Becoming Human;" the Harry Potter series, and Michael Tolkin's novel "The Player." (MLH)

For educators' summer reading enjoyment, "Kappan" editors recommend three books on nature (Robert Richardson's biography "Emerson: The Mind on Fire, William Cronin's edited book "Uncommon Ground: Rethinking the Human Place in Nature," and Gary Snyder's poetry volume "Mountain and Rivers Without End"). Also…

Reviews Martin Duberman's Paul Robeson (Knopf, 1988). Commends its quality and coverage, but questions whether the book meets the challenges of Robeson's opponents. Concludes that Robeson is an American hero. (DM)

Lang's biography of William Heard Kilpatrick, based largely on Kilpatrick's own previously sealed diaries, provide the opportunity to explore the nature and purpose of biography, especially educational biography. Because the sources are Kilpatrick's own works and diaries, the biography lacks the context that would explain more about Kilpatrick's…

Notes that Weber's book provides many elements of a model for what a reflective teacher might be. Asserts that some of the ideas do not seem fully formed; maintains that the editor of the book failed to organize Weber's articles in a way that reflected Weber's vision for education. (JS)

Reviews several children's biographies of Columbus and challenges the image of Columbus portrayed in these books. Calls upon educators to be more critical when having elementary school students read about Columbus. (MG)

This combination of intellectual, spiritual, cultural, and social biography reveals connections between the religious life, theory of religion, and intellect of J. Dewey, a major figure in educational history. In his rejection of traditional religion, Dewey turned to public human good and human service. (SLD)

Reviews 15 recent books on Shakespeare appropriate for secondary school teachers and students, including books on films of Shakespeare's plays, a teacher's guide, companions for the plays, acting editions, narrative versions of several plays, a biography, a study of Elizabethan England, and a book of trivia. An elementary-level video is also…

Two biographies of Sir Cyril Burt argue the case of Britain's most famous psychologist, accused of academic fraud relating to his studies of IQ and heredity. The verdict is unclear, but lessons abound for social science researchers, students, universities, and investigators of research fraud. Contains 62 references. (SV)

Reviews and suggests three professional resources for integrating biography and poetry into the curriculum as interesting literary genres at any grade level. (MG)

Reviews two books: (1) "The Nursery World of Dr. Blatz," by Jocelyn Matcher Raymond, describing W. E. Blatz's accomplishments in early childhood education (ECE); and (2) "Early Education: The Current Debate," by Joyce Watt, examining the purpose and effectiveness of ECE with respect to children, parents, communities, services, and curricula. (AC)

"Kappan" editors recommend Michael Ignatieff's biography of Isaiah Berlin and insightful novels by Barbara Kingsolver, Pat Conroy, Wally Lamb, Edwidge Danticat, and Doris Lessing. Neil Postman's "The End of Education" (1995) advocates exploiting diversity to define standards. Ernest House's "Schools for Sale" (1998)…