Books: "Off The Record"

This is where you can get information about many of the books featured on The Early Show in June.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

"Off the Record: The Press, the Government, and the War over Anonymous Sources," by Norman Pearlstine

Vice President Cheney's former chief of staff, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, is due to go to prison in the next few weeks for lying under oath in the CIA leak case.

Norman Pearlstine knows a lot about the Libby case.

As editor in chief of Time, Inc., he agreed to give a reporter's notes on the story to investigators, causing a storm of controversy.

He explains why he did it in his new book, "Off the Record: The Press, the Government, and the War over Anonymous Sources."

Pearlstine stopped by The Early Show to discuss it.

He said that, in waging the year-long battle with the special prosecutor that resulted in his turning over the notes, he learned all the things about journalism he thought he already knew! He said he realized that, despite a 35-year career, he'd never truly understood the relationship between journalists and their sources, and what the law requires and the ways in which journalists tell the public about their sources. If hedidn't know the difference between not for attribution, deep background, background, confidential and anonymous, then chances were most other journalists don't know the difference, either.

Pearlstine said he came away from all that believing that journalists misuse anonymous sources, and are far too casual in the ways in which we grant confidentiality.

But at the same time, the press needs confidential sources to do some of its best public service journalism.

Pearlstine argues that a federal shield law is needed to protect journalists and their sources.

To see the Pearlstine segment, click here.

To read an excerpt of "Off the Record,", click here.

"The Book of David"

David Steinberg has been a big name in comedy for over 40 years.

He made his reputation as a performer, second only, for instance, to Bob Hope in the number of appearances on "The Tonight Show" when Johnny Carson hosted. Eventually, he turned to directing episodes of comedies such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Seingeld" and "Mad About You."

Now, Steinberg tells his life story in "The Book of David," which he discussed on The Early Show.

To see the segment,

The book's publisher, Simon & Schuster, says its "outrageous humor intersects with autobiography, as Steinberg imagines his life as a play on the Old Testament. Owing to the nature of the narrative, it is difficult at times to decipher fiction from nonfiction; footnotes often provide the only insight to the true story. Groucho Marx, Lenny Bruce, and other notables make brief appearances, but the main characters are God and a frequently sexually preoccupied Steinberg. While this is not a book for readers who enjoy standard autobiographies or those seeking the details of Steinberg's life, fans may expect -- and even desire -- such an unusual and clever creation."

To read an excerpt of "The Book of David," click here.

Simon and Schuster is owned by the CBS Corporation, as is CBSNews.com.

"The Best of Friends: Two Women, Two Continents, and One Enduring Friendship," by Sara James and Ginger Mauney

Sometimes, the most unlikely people become best friends.

Sara James is a network news correspondent in New York City, while Ginger Mauney is a wildlife filmmaker who lives 6,000 miles away.

They explain their unshakeable 30-year connection in a new book, "The Best of Friends: Two Women, Two Continents, and One Enduring Friendship."

Both appeared on The Early Show to discuss the book, and their bond. To watch the segment,

To read an excerpt of "The Best of Friends," click here. The excerpt is Copyright 2007 by Sara James and Ginger Mauney, All Rights Reserved.

"The Probiotics Revolution: The Definitive Guide to Safe, Natural Health Solutions Using Probiotic and Prebiotic Foods and Supplements," by Gary B. Huffnagle and Sarah Wernick

There are good and bad bacteria inside everyone, and the good ones are called probiotics.

They protect our health, and you can help them by eating the right foods.

Gary Huffnagle, Ph.D., a professor of pulmonary medicine at the University of Michigan, co-authored "The Probiotics Revolution," which spells out how you can give them a hand.

He stopped by The Early Show to offer some insight.

Huffnagle says a staggering amount of research has been done in the past few years confirming that probiotics are essential for our health. Probiotics occur naturally in our intestines and in foods such as yogurt, aged cheese, and fermented foods. They're also in supplements.

He also talked about the importance of eating foods with "prebiotics," which promote the growth of probiotics. Such foods include oatmeal, flaxseeds, whole grains, berries, beans, teas and red wine.

To watch the Early Show segment,

To read an excerpt of "The Probiotics Revolution," click here.

"The Sleeping Doll: A Novel," by Jeffery Deaver

Master thriller writer Jeffery Deaver is taking a break from his most popular character, quadriplegic forensics expert Lincoln Rhyme.

Deaver's new psychological thriller, "The Sleeping Doll," features a new lead character, body language and interrogation expert Kathryn Dance, tracking down a brilliant, Charles Manson-like escaped convict.

Deaver discussed the book on The Early Show. He talked about the reasons he created a new series, how he did research, and what he thinks his fans will think of his new character.

To watch the segment,

To read an excerpt of "The Sleeping Doll," click here.

"The Sleeping Doll" is published by Simon & Schuster, which is owned by CBS, as is CBSNews.com.

"The Journey to Parenthood: Myths, Reality and What Really Matters," by Diana Lynn Barnes and Leigh Balber

Parenthood is a little different for everyone so, if you're having a baby, there's no one way you're supposed to feel, according to psychotherapist Diana Barnes.

She's co-author of "The Journey to Parenthood: Myths, Reality, and What Really Matters," a guide for new parents.

Everyone's feelings are completely normal, the book says, whether or not parents feel free to admit them. It's even OK to resent the big change, the book adds.

"Journey to Parenthood" gives the lowdown on how many new parents really feel about the "blessed" event.

Many simply aren't as happy as they've been led to believe they should be, Barnes said on The Early Show.

If you'd like to see the segment,

To read an excerpt of "The Journey to Parenthood,"click here.

For more on the book, go to this address: www.radcliffe-oxford.com/Books/bookdetail.aspx?ISBN=1+84619+014+2

"Hate Mail From Cheerleaders And Other Adventures From The Life of Reilly," by Rick Reilly

"Hate Mail" is a collection of columns from award-winning Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly.

He discussed it on The Early Show. To see the segment,

To read an excerpt of "Hate Mail from Cheerleaders," click here and here.

"Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze? And 114 Other Questions"

Want to know why onions make you cry, or why bananas go brown in the fridge?

Then grab "Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze? And 114 Other Questions," a collection of questions sent to New Scientist magazine (www.newscientist.com), and their answers.

Ivan Semeniuk, the magazine's USA bureau chief, went over several on The Early Show. To watch the segment,

Other everyday events that often go unnoticed but are explored in the book include why cereal gravitates to the side of the bowl, why cookies get soft and bread gets hard when left out, why eggs harden when heated, what causes foam when you pour a beer, and why light bulbs burn out when you turn on the switch!

To read an excerpt of "Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze," click here.