New Non-Fiction Arrivals at MPL
February 2025
 
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Here are our new arrivals, click the title to view in our catalog:
Band of Sisters
by Philippe Maynial

"Band of Sisters tells the dramatic story of Madeleine Pauliac, a French army doctor, and a band of women known as the Blue Squadron in the final days of World War II operating in the most dangerous of circumstances to rescue and repatriate as many of the half million or so of their countrymen as possible"--
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids
by Birnbaum Guides

A special kids' edition travel guide geared towards middle grade readers provides kid-friendly information and descriptions of Walt Disney World's shows and attractions, including Hidden Mickey alerts, Tiana's Bayou Adventure and the TRON Lightcycle Run.
Booster Shots
by Adam Ratner

A professor of pediatrics examines the resurgence of measles and the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that distrust in vaccines and weakened public health systems have led to preventable tragedies and urges restoration in confidence in science to protect future generations.
Catholicism at a Crossroads
by Maureen K. Day

"Examining survey and interview data through the themes of church, authority, race, citizenship, sex and family, and trends, this book uncovers the challenges and possibilities facing Catholicism, exploring thoughts on both the flourishing or demise of the largest religious body in the United States."
Compassion in the Court
by Frank Caprio

A beloved municipal judge shares transformative stories from nearly four decades on the bench, highlighting the power of compassion, dignity and second chances while offering life lessons on truth, empathy and the importance of believing in others.
The Fast Track
by Jane McManus

This book looks at the business of women's sports, including broadcasting, pay, unions, merchandising, leagues, investments, and endorsements, to document ways that it has been undervalued relative to its potential and identify areas for improvement. 
Fearless and Free
by Josephine Baker

This memoir chronicles the life of Josephine Baker, the groundbreaking dancer, singer, spy, and Civil Rights activist, from her rise to fame in 1920s Paris to her daring role in World War II and her activism during the U.S. Civil Rights movement.
Food for Thought
by Alton Brown

A collection of personal essays blends humorous and insightful anecdotes from the renowned culinary figure's diverse career, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on food culture and memorable experiences from his work on television and in the kitchen. 
The Grieving Body
by Mary-Frances O'Connor

Discusses how grief and other major stressors impact physical health, combining scientific research and personal stories to reveal the effects on the cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems, while addressing common questions about grief's cognitive impact and its relationship to overall well-being.

also available in audio
Looking at Women Looking at War
by Viktoriëiìa Amelina

A novelist and mother when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the author became a war crimes researcher, chronicling the women of the resistance, documenting the war until dying at 37 in the Donetsk region from a Russian cruise missile. 
Lorne
by Susan Morrison

New Yorker editor Morrison (editor of Thirty Ways of Looking at Hillary) provides an entertaining account of Lorne Michaels's nearly half-century reign over Saturday Night Live. 
The Lost and the Found
by Kevin Fagan

An empathetic exploration of homelessness in San Francisco through the stories of Rita and Tyson, two individuals battling addiction and striving to escape their circumstances, as well as a commentary on the broader societal issues of housing inequality and addiction, shaped by the author's personal experiences and journalistic background.

also available in audio

 
Mainline Mama
by Keeonna Harris

Is a devastating, triumphant memoir about creating self-love and community—crucial acts of radical resistance against a prison industrial complex that is designed to dehumanize and to separate and shut away incarcerated individuals and their loved ones from the world.

also available in audio
Leonardo Da Vinci
by Stephen J. Campbell

"An examination of the modern cultural mythology of Leonardo da Vinci that sheds light on the intersections of the academy, the commercial art world, and ideas about attribution and authorship."
A Matter of Complexion
by Tess Chakkalakal

This biography explores the life of Charles Chesnutt, a pioneering African-American writer who, despite his mixed-race heritage, identified as Black and navigated racial divides to become the first Black author published in major American literary outlets during Reconstruction.
Memorial Days
by Geraldine Brooks

Having no time to grieve when her husband suddenly died, the author after three years flew to a remote Australian island and stayed in a shack on a pristine coast, going days without seeing another person, and pondered the ways cultures grieve and what rituals might help her rebuild her life.
Presidents at War
by Steven M. Gillon

A New York Times bestselling author examines what John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush learned from World War II and how they applied it to Cold War policy that changed America, and the world, forever.
Pretend We're Dead
by Tanya Pearson

The founder of the Women of Rock Oral History Project explores women in the‘90s rock scene, and features original interviews with Liz Phair, Shirley Manson, Kristin Hersh, Donita Sparks, Tanya Donelly, members of Hole, Luscious Jackson and more. 
Pretty Delicious
by Alia Elkaffas

The debut cookbook from social media sensations The Food Dolls, with more than 110 simply sophisticated, fresh, and vibrant dishes with a Mediterranean twist.
Source Code
by Bill Gates

The software giant explores his personal journey, recounting his early influences, friendships, family and first steps in computing that paved the way for his revolutionary career and later philanthropic focus, offering an intimate look at the experiences that shaped him
The Stained Glass Window
by David Levering Lewis

The historian embarks on a personal journey to uncover his ancestry, revealing the intertwined narratives of his family's history, which includes both slaveholding white families and an up-from-slavery Black lineage, illuminating the complexities of race, equity and legacy in America.
The Traitor of Arnhem
by Robert Verkaik

Explores the role of the Cambridge Spies during Operation Market Garden, the failed airborne operation that sought a decisive Allied victory in the wake of D-Day, revealing how insiders working for the Soviet Union undermined the effort, resulting in a catastrophic defeat for the Allies and setting the stage for the Cold War.
Waste Wars
by Alexander Clapp

An investigative account that exposes the hidden realities of the multibillion-dollar global garbage trade, revealing how waste is smuggled and sold across continents, often with dire consequences for vulnerable communities.
We the Pizza
by Muhammad Abdul-hadi

Showcases the mission-driven approach of Down North Pizza, with recipes for a variety of square-cut pizzas, including vegetarian options and popular meat varieties, as well as wings and shakes, all presented with colorful photography that highlights both the food and the journey of the team of formerly incarcerated staff members behind it.
What If You Are the Answer?
by Rachel Hollis

Life isn't always easy. We get tripped up, knocked down, and start to question ourselves. But as #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hollis learned, sometimes it's not answers you need - what helps most are questions. And the best questions can change everything.
 
When the Earth Was Green
by Riley Black

Explores the critical role prehistoric plants played in shaping life on Earth, from oxygenating the atmosphere to supporting the evolution of animals and humans, highlighting key moments in plant evolution and their interactions with species that formed the world we know today.
Woody Allen
by Patrick McGilligan

A thorough examination of Woody Allen's career and life, tracing his journey from a Brooklyn upbringing to a celebrated filmmaker, while exploring his personal controversies, relationships and lasting cultural impact through a balanced presentation of his complex legacy.

also available in audio
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