League of Women Voters Nonfiction Book Discussion Group
Mentioned in the newsletter of January, 2013 on page 3 in Discussing Book Discussions:
"The branch also provides meeting space for discussion groups led by community members...
the League of Women Voters discusses books on important public issues"
The non-fiction book club of the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh meets the third Friday of the month from 10:45 AM to noon at the Squirrel Hill Library. All are welcome, whether a League member or not, although we will encourage you to become a member. For more information about the book club, contact Phyllis Dreyfuss at 412-802-6028 or LPDREY@verizon.net.
The League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh is located at 436 Seventh Ave., Suite 350,
Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Margaret McGrath and Eileen Olmsted are co-presidents. The League is a
nonpartisan organization whose purpose is to encourage the informed participation of citizens
in government and to influence public policy through education and advocacy.
For more information, see http://pittsburgh.palwv.org or contact the office at 412-261-4284
or info@pgh.lwv.org.
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Books Discussed
OCTOBER, 2012: The Big Thirst: the secret life and turbulent future of water
by Charles Fishman
For anyone concerned about the future of drinkable water for the planet and
the issues associated with the availability of this vital resource, this book is an essential read.
Fishman writes well, has documented his research, and provides a great deal of information about the
actions various communities (Las Vegas, Atlanta, Galveston) and countries have or have not taken to
promote rational and responsible management of water supplies. His description of Las Vegas is an eye-opener
of hard fought responsible management, thanks to Patricia Mulroy. His narrative changed my negative perception
of all those water features at the Belagio and other casinos. Fishbein also takes you to Australia and India.
In Australia, he talks about the use of water resources there for sheep and wool cleaning, rice growing,
rationing water in Melbourne, and desalinization plants in Perth. The water issues in India are nearly
incomprehensible for those of us who simply turn a faucet for abundant, clean water 24/7 in our homes.
I believe anyone who reads this book will be hard pressed not to seriously think about their own use of water.
by Barb Grover
NOVEMBER, 2012: Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade
by Andrew Feinstein
The Shadow World raises the level of awareness about the enormity of the arms industry.
Feinstein, a politician in post-apartheid South Africa, writes chapter after chapter about a
worldwide industry of bribery, threats, payoffs, corruption, death, and deals.
Billions and billions of dollars are spent on arms sales. The arms industry operates by its own rules,
bringing enormous profits to a few, while millions of people suffer. Arms trade accounts for over 40%
of corruption in all world trade. The tentacles reach out to a myriad of countries:
Great Britain, France, Italy, Russia, United States, Liberia, Angola, Sweden, Australia, Afghanistan,
Israel, Guatemala, China, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, etc. The list goes on and on.
The reason arms dealers are not prosecuted is because there is a very weak international
regulatory and legal framework. Arms dealers operate from many locations around the world,
transfer money, weapons and other commodities across multiple jurisdictions. Arms brokers are seldom
physically present when arms are delivered; therefore the courts rule that the offences fall
outside their authority.
The Shadow World is a powerful study that analyzes the international arms trade made up of
larger than life characters who make enormous profits while having enormous power.
by Judy Schryer
>DECEMBER, 2012: How Children Succeed
by Paul Tough
by Barbara Jones
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last revised: 3/8/13