Recently released books

The following is a list of some recently released books that have crossed our desks.

HARDBACKS

"HELLO, EVERYBODY: THE DAWN OF AMERICAN RADIO," by Anthony Rudel, Harcourt, 416 pages, $26

Anthony Rudel spent years as a radio broadcaster and still lectures on radio and consults for some of the biggest names in business. In "Hello, Everybody," he shows how radio changed the fact of religion, sports, politics, news, entertainment — and America itself. His opinion is that everything the media does today was conceived between 1920 and 1932 on American radio. The reality shows, "shock jocks," infomercials, negative politics and televangelists of today have as their forebears a group of snake-oil salesmen, opportunists, holy men and patriots.

"DESIRE: WHERE SEX MEETS ADDICTION," by Susan Cheever, Simon & Schuster, $23

Cheever explores how an addiction to other people is different than — yet the same — as other addictions. In her research, Cheever found diverse and often conflicting theories about the cause of addiction. Part one of "Desire" defines what addiction is and how it works; part two explores the possible causes of addiction; and part three considers what we can do about it.

"A RIVER APART: THE POTTERY OF COCHITI & SANTO DOMINGO PUEBLOS," edited by Valerie K. Verzuh, Museum of New Mexico Press, 192 pages, $45

The two pueblos shared a ceramic tradition for centuries until increasing contact with outsiders ushered in major changes, setting the pueblos on divergent paths. "A River Apart" bring together anthropologists, artists and art historians to examine the pottery tradition of the two pueblos. The book would be a good addition to the libraries of those interested in Pueblo Indian pottery, Native American arts and culture and southwestern history and anthropology. It was published in association with the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, New Mexico.

"AN AMERICAN HISTORY ALBUM: THE STORY OF THE UNITED STATES TOLD THROUGH STAMPS," by Michael Worek and Jordan Worek, with an essay, "The Art of the Stamp," by Terrence W. McCaffrey, Firefly Books, 208 pages, $39.95

The U.S. Post Office Department issued its first stamp in 1847. Since then, more than 4,000 stamps have celebrated achievements, honored heroes and proclaimed values Americans hold most dear. These miniature works of art constitute a visual portrait of the United States. Stamp collecting is one of the world's most popular hobbies, and this book will help those not addicted understand why others have the collection bug.