Books Published by Valpo Alumni
The Summoned King: Book One of The Kalymbrian Chronicles
By Dave Neuendorf ’72
“The Summoned King: Book One of The Kalymbrian Chronicles,” published in February 2016, is the first book in a series of fantasy novels. This book follows James Madison Young, a well-educated, passionate Indiana high school senior, who finds himself transported into another world, filled with magic, danger, and romance. He has been summoned by court wizard Maynard to be the king of Kalymbria. Forced into marriage with the beautiful and magically powerful yet untrained Julia Roper, he is tasked with restoring the lapsed constitution in the face of opposition from a hostile council of advisors and defending his new country from the evil machinations of the wizard Ruinga and her allied kingdom of Venicka. Rediscovering the lost art of enchantment may provide him with a powerful edge in his quest if he can survive the assassins and conspiracies arrayed against him.
The Music in George’s Head: George Gershwin Creates Rhapsody in Blue
By Suzanne Slade ’86
Suzanne Slade ’86, award-winning author of dozens of children’s nonfiction books, teams up with illustrator Stacy Innerst for this picture book biography of composer George Gershwin. Through rhythmic swirls of words and pictures, this book reveals just how brilliantly Gershwin combined various kinds of music to create his masterpiece, “Rhapsody in Blue,” a surprising and whirlwind composition of notes, sounds, and one long wail of a clarinet.
Lassoing the Sun: A Year in America’s National Parks
By Mark Woods ’83
A love of national parks was instilled in Mark Woods ’83 by his parents at a young age. On the eve of turning 50, he decided to reconnect with the great outdoors by embarking on a yearlong journey across the national parks. “Lassoing the Sun: A Year in America’s National Parks” is a
book about family, the parks, the legacies we inherit, and the ones we leave behind.
Calorie Accounting: The Foolproof Diet-by-Numbers Plan for a Skinnier New You
Illustrated by Betsy Sisson Levy ’69
“Calorie Accounting: The Foolproof Diet-by-Numbers Plan for a Skinnier New You” is a humorous book about weight loss. Written by Mandy Levy, this diet book provides the reader with a diet plan developed, followed, and documented by Mandy. Betsy Sisson Levy ’69, Mandy’s mother, created the fun and funny illustrations that fill the book.
Inside the Equal Access to Justice Act: Environmental Litigation and the Crippling Battle over America’s Lands, Endangered Species, and Critical Habitats
By Lowell E. Baier ’61
“Inside the Equal Access to Justice Act: Environmental Litigation and the Crippling Battle over America’s Lands, Endangered Species, and Critical Habitats” was selected a Grand Prize Winner in over 70 categories from over 2,000 books submitted as well as the Winner in the Science/Nature/Environment category of the 2017 Next Generation INDIE Book Awards.Lowell’s book was also chosen as a 2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award finalist in the two categories of Ecology/Environment and History, as well as a finalist for the Forest History Society’s Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Book Award. As a legal and environmental historian and one of America’s preeminent experts on environmental litigation, Lowell chronicles the century-long story of America’s resources management, focusing on litigation, citizen suit provisions, and attorneys’ fees. He provides the first book-length comprehensive examination of the little-known Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) and its role in environmental litigation, focusing on its effect on wildlife and especially endangered species.
Writing Against War: Literature, Activism, and the British Peace Movement
By Charles Andrews ’01
“Writing Against War: Literature, Activism, and the British Peace Movement” was published as part of the series “Cultural Expressions of World War II.” This book combines peace studies and literary analysis to discuss British novelists of the 1930s who were active members of the peace movement. Author Charles Andrews ’01 is currently an associate professor of English at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. His wife, Liv Larson Andrews ’02, painted the central image on the book’s cover and serves as the pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Spokane, Wash.
Introduction to Creativity and Innovation for Engineers
By Stuart Walesh ’63
Unique in the world of engineering texts, “Introduction to Creativity and Innovation for Engineers” provides engineering students and practitioners with neuroscience-based knowledge and methods that enable them to be much more creative and innovative as individuals and team members. After constructing a brain basics foundation, the text is organized so readers learn about 20 stimulating and collaborative methods to help them and their teams work smarter. Readers will strengthen their organizations, provide more effective products and services, advance their careers, and experience the thrill of doing what has never been done.
