Authors & Editors

Gerry Holzman, B.A.’54, has published The Empire State Carousel, a compelling story of a 25-year labor of love by nearly 1,000 gifted artisans from all across New York State. This tantalizing tale is told by its head carver and is illustrated by contemporary and archival photographs. In it, the reader will also find some fascinating behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the carousel and its creators. Holzman is the carver/historian who originated, designed and directed the carousel project.

Richard Londraville, B.A.’58, Ph.D.’70, has co-authored Corbino: From Rubens to Ringling, a biography of Jon Corbino. A Sicilian immigrant who trained at the Art Students League in New York, Corbino (1905-1964) was one of the most influential members of the Sarasota School of art, a group of painters and artists, many of them expatriate New Yorkers, who came to the west coast of Florida for its natural beauty, the quality of its light, and the open-aired freedom to explore their art. Londraville also has co-authored The Most Beautiful Man in the World: Paul Swan, from Wilde to Warhol; John Quinn: Selected Irish Writers from His Library; and Dear Yeats, Dear Ford, Dear Pound: Jeanne Robert Foster and Her Circle of Friends. Richard is a professor emeritus of literature at the State University of New York at Potsdam.

I Am Sea Glass, A Collection of Poetic Pieces by Richard Morgan

Richard Morgan, B.S.’69, has published his first book, I AM SEA GLASS, A Collection of Poetic Pieces combining his poetry with watercolors by his artist wife, Pat. They live on Long Beach Island, N.J., where the wind and the waves fight for their attention. Morgan is a member of the LBI Writers’ Group. His poetry has appeared in the 15th anniversary issue of Poetry Ink 2011 and the latest editions of Echoes of LBI. Morgan has read his poetry at Robin’s Bookstore in Philadelphia, Tuckerton Seaport’s “PoeTrio” and the LBI Writers’ Open Mic.

The Expendable Man by Peter G. Pollak

Mary Fremont Schonecker, M.S.’70, has released the third book of her Maine Shore Chronicles series, Promise Keeper. Her previous novels from the series are Finding Fiona and Moonglade. She retired as associate professor of education at SUNY Oneonta and began writing in 2003.

Peter Pollak, M.A.’70, Ph.D.’78, has published his debut novel, The Expendable Man. Hero Nick Grocchi is thankful for the experimental treatment he receives in a fictitious Albany medical center, but recovering from a near-fatal case of melanoma is not the only obstacle he faces. A political thriller, The Expendable Man is the story of one man’s efforts to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Pollak retired from readMedia (formerly Empire Information Services), the company he founded, and currently splits his time among Hamilton County in the Adirondacks, Maryland and Arizona. Details: www.expendable-man.com.

Books, Not Bombs: Teaching Peace Since the Dawn of the Republic by Charles F. Howlett and Ian M. Harris

Charles Howlett, Ph.D.’74, is co-author of Books, Not Bombs: Teaching Peace Since the Dawn of the Republic. This is the first comprehensive study of the evolution of peace education from the creation of the new nation to the beginning of the 21st century. Howlett says that while so many scholarly studies tell the story of our nation’s past through the lens of war, Books, Not Bombs uncovers the many attempts made on behalf of world peace. Among the intellectuals and activists covered in this book are Elihu Burritt, Jane Addams, John Dewey, Fannie Fern Andrews, Andrew Carnegie, Nicholas Murray Butler, the student workers at Brookwood Labor College, the World Peace Foundation, and Elise Boulding. Howlett teaches at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, N.Y.

The latest book by Michelle Edwards, B.A.’76, is A Knitter’s Home Companion, an illustrated collection of stories, patterns and recipes.

Edward Moser, B.A.’77, has written A Patriot’s A to Z of America: 76 Things Every Good American Should Know. The book features 76 heroic events and creative individuals who surmounted great difficulties to achieve great things: going to the moon, wiring the planet, defeating the Nazis, setting up the first large democratic republic, and largely banishing starvation overseas. Moser has served as a speechwriter to President George H. W. Bush and a writer for Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show. The author of the Politically Correct Guide to … series, Moser has co-written seven other books, and his articles have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Triathlon Life and the Boston Globe.

The Perfect Answer by Andrew Brezak

David Van Slyke, M.S.’93, Ph.D.’99, and Soonhee Kim, M.P.A.’95, Ph.D.’99, have co-edited The Future of Public Administration around the World: The Minnowbrook Perspective, along with Rosemary O’Leary. A once-in-a-generation event held every 20 years, the Minnowbrook conference brings together the top scholars in public administration and public management to reflect on the state of the field and its future. This unique volume brings together a group of distinguished authors — both seasoned and new — for a rare critical examination of the field of public administration yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Andrew Brezak, B.A.’95, has written a novel, The Perfect Answer, which depicts the story of a teacher and his fight against cancer. At the same time, the book follows his student, Derrick, and his stint in the Marines. The story demonstrates that you don’t have to leave the classroom to become an American hero, after all.

Once Upon a Sign: Using American Sign Language to Engage, Entertain, and Teach All Children by Kim Taylor-DiLeva

Kim Taylor-DiLeva, M.L.S.’02, has written Once Upon a Sign: Using American Sign Language to Engage, Entertain, and Teach All Children. This book shows how integrating American Sign Language into story time and other educational programs can benefit and entertain all children by improving communication, enhancing verbal skills and increasing interest in learning. Taylor-DiLeva is an educational trainer, teacher, and owner of Kim’s Signing Solutions and www.babysignlanguageonline.com. She also conducts workshops for parents, teachers and librarians throughout the United States.

Second Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia by Walter Ellison

Walter Ellison, Ph.D.’01, has published Second Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia. Despite their small sizes, Maryland and Washington, D.C., possess a vast range of environments – from the high peaks of the Allegheny Ridges to the low marshes of the Chesapeake Bay. Home to 200 nesting bird species, these habitats are under constant threat from urban sprawl, changing farming practices and the degradation of coastal wetlands. The book documents the impact of these environmental changes on the region’s bird population and discusses the recovery of the endangered Bald Eagle and the new confirmation of breeding by three species – the Common Merganser, the Ruddy Duck and the Double-crested Cormorant.