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Alumni Book Collection

EpsilonMarlow Anderson ’72 is co-author of “Who Gave you the Epsilon? & Other Mathematical Mysteries,” a collection of articles on the history of mathematics from the journals of the Mathematical Association of America. A sequel to an earlier collection, “Sherlock Holmes in Babylon,” this edition continues the story into the 19th and 20th centuries. Anderson is a professor of mathematics at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. (Mathematical Association of America, 2009)

Savvy CatKelly Toy Dittmar ’82 translates books for her cat. “The Savvy Cat’s Guide to Old Fashioned Money Sense and New Fangled Cyber-Savings” (Create Space, March 2009) details ways to live better for less. Amazon.com said: “Turn to a cat for thrifty tips and common sense, monetary advice? Are you nuts? Not if it’s the Savvy Cat. ... He reveals the secret of spending money twice, the thrill of paying as little as possible for everyday expenses, and the ecstasy of free cash and goodies.” Dittmar writes, “My husband and I will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2010. We’re planning a long road trip. Our son, GW, just turned 21 and will graduate from UW-Tacoma next year, too.”

Big noseJungle CrossingSydney Salter ’90 has authored two books for young readers. She describes “My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Graphia, April 2009), as a humorous, coming-of-age novel for teens. In the story, Jory Michaels has “a curvy, honky, bumpy problem in the form of her Super Schnozz,” Salter writes. It is the one thing standing between Jory and her happiness, and she’s determined to make it disappear. Another book by Salter, “Jungle Crossing” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), is due out in September 2009. A contemporary/historical novel for middle-grade readers, the book intertwines the stories of two girls, one who reluctantly travels to Mexico over summer vacation, the other “an ancient Mayan royal stolen from her town and forced to make the treacherous journey back home.”

MotionJanna Cawrse Esarey ’94 wrote a travel memoir, “The Motion of the Ocean: 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman’s Search for the Meaning of Wife” (Touchstone, Simon & Schuster 2009). It’s the true story of a two-year, 17,000-mile journey Janna and her husband, Graeme Esarey ’92, took around the Pacific Ocean in their sailboat. They discovered difficult truths about love, or as Janna describes it in the book, “Choosing a mate is like picking house paint from one of those tiny color squares. You never know how it will look across a large expanse, or how it will change in different light.” The couple lives in Seattle with daughters Talia, 3, and Savai, 9 months. Graeme started a company that makes camera accessories (www.CameraArmor.com), and he races sailboats. Janna writes a blog called “Happily Even After” for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about work-life-love balance.

questJoni Sensel ’84 has written her third novel for young readers. “The Farwalker’s Quest” was released in February (Bloomsbury USA). Kirkus Reviews called it an “absorbing fantasy” with “crisp dialogue, an exciting plot and strong secondary characters.” Sensel writes, “I see fellow Whittie writer Royce Buckingham ’89 frequently and also recently ran into Sydney Salter ’90, a third Whittie writing for young readers.”

AtwillDavid Atwill ’89 and his wife, Jurong, co-authored “Sources in Chinese History: Diverse Perspectives from 1644 to the Present” (Prentice Hall). The description from pearsoned.com notes, “The authors have selected perspectives that help to orient the student to the issues, trends and challenges of each particular period.” Atwill is assistant professor of history at Pennsylvania State University in State College.

matthewsJ. Greg Matthews ’91 is the author of “Literary Research and Irish Literature: Strategies and Sources” (Scarecrow Press, December 2008). The book “explores primary and secondary research resources relevant to the study of Irish literary authors, works, genres and history.” Matthews is a cataloging librarian at the Washington State University Libraries; he lives in Clarkston, Wash.

SmithTom Smith ’91 has written a book on short and long form improvisation. “The Other Blocking: Teaching and Performing Improvisation” includes information about his days as a founding member of TheatreSports at Whitman. (Kendall Hunt, January 2009)

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