This column was submitted by Evangeline Cessna, Local History Librarian at the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library. 

This week the library is featuring new titles in our Adult Nonfiction collection.

“Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space,” by Adam Higginbotham examines the space shuttle Challenger disaster that took place on January 28, 1986. The author follows a handful of players in this saga, including all seven of the doomed crew members, from the years leading up to the shuttle break-up through the actual tragedy and the investigation that followed. Higginbotham details the ambition and ingenuity undermined by political cynicism and the cost-cutting done to bolster national esteem. The investigation was driven by the leakers and whistleblowers determined to bring the truth to light. There were ominous warning signs that were recognized but then ignored and later hidden from the public. This is a history of the shuttle program and the lives of men and women whose stories were overshadowed by the disaster, as well as the designers, engineers and test pilots who struggled against all odds to get the first shuttle into space.

“The Master Plan,” is by Chris Wilson. The author grew up in Washington, D.C. surrounded by violence and despair and watched his family suffer trauma causing him to lose his faith. One night, when he was seventeen, Wilson killed a man while defending himself and was sentenced to life in prison with no hope of parole. He could have given into despair, but instead, he embarked on a journey of self-improvement—reading, working out, learning languages and even starting a business. He started his journey by sitting down and writing a list of all the things he intended to accomplish as well as all the steps he’d have to take to get to his goals. This became his “Master Plan.” Wilson revised his plan regularly and followed it consistently. Sixteen years later, he received an unlikely opportunity and a promise that he has kept every day since. Sometimes harrowing and heartbreaking, but ultimately triumphant, The Master Plan is a memoir that proves each person can do great things.

Eugene L. Rogan tells the story of an ancient city’s descent into communal violence in, “The Damascus Events.” On July 9, 1860, a violent mob swept through the Christian quarters of Damascus. The violence raged for eight days leaving five thousand Christians dead, thousands of shops looted and churches, houses and monasteries were razed. This sudden and terrible rioting shocked the world and it left Syrian Christians vulnerable and fearful of more violence. Using never-before-seen eyewitness accounts, Rogan tells the story of how this once peaceful, multi-cultural city became engulfed in death and destruction. He traces how rising tensions between Muslim and Christian communities led some to regard extermination as the best solution. Though the Ottoman government moved quickly to retake control of the city, end the violence and reintegrate Christians back into the community, these events eventually led to the fall of the Ottomans in Syria.

Nathaniel Philbrick chronicles his attempt to recapture a national sailing championship he’d won at twenty-two in his book, “Second Wind.” In the summer of 1992, Nat Philbrick was in his late thirties and living with his family on Nantucket, but he felt stranded and longing for the thrill he felt after winning a national sailing championship in his youth. Was it a midlife crisis? This ] reporter turned stay-at-home dad felt it was his watershed moment and decided to hit the water again. With the bemused approval of his wife and children, Philbrick used the off-season on the island as his training ground, sailing his tin vessel to the remote corners of Nantucket. He took in the beauty of its tidal creeks, inlets and the wave-battered beaches. He sailed on ponds, bays, rivers and finally at the championship on a lake in the heartland of America. By sailing through storms and racing for the prize, Philbrick found memories and learned something unexpected about himself.

Alan C. Fox has written a series of books that help people build better relationships; whether it’s romantic, familial, work or everyday encounters. The first book is called, “People Tools: 54 Strategies for Building Relationships, Creating Joy and Embracing Prosperity.” This book provides time-proven strategies that can help build better, happier and more successful lives. The principles for getting along well with others help to develop self-confidence, improve communication skills and to find constructive ways to resolve conflict.

The second book in Fox’s series is called, “People Tools for Love and Relationships.” He offers time-proven techniques to help us enhance our connection with our partner, family, friends and everyone who is important to us. He teaches how to talk about money, how and when to apologize and to increase trust and intimacy. To build a successful life partnership, it’s more important to learn to be the right person than to find the right person. Fox explains why being defensive in your relationships can cause serious problems and how accepting your partner as they are, including their faults, is necessary. He also advocates for complimenting your partner for what you appreciate about them rather than criticizing for qualities you may not like.

“In People Tools for Business,” Fox offers insights for running your business with insights like those for personal relationships. The free and easy to use tools to develop self-confidence, make healthier life decisions and even be a better manager and get more effective results. Again, the time-tested tools outlined in this book are useful shortcuts that you can use to solve everyday problems and the advice is applicable not only to business but to all aspects of your personal life.