Innovation: Leadership Strategies for the Competitive Edge
by Thomas D. Kuczmarski ’73

Innovation: Leadership Strategies for the Competitive Edge (NTC Publishing Group, 1996) by Thomas D. Kuczmarski ’73 is a guide to "a way of thinking that drives every aspect of a successful, dynamic operation, from the boardroom to the mail room."T

he book offers the latest techniques on how to link innovation to corporate strategies and allocate resources to gain the best possible return on the innovation investment. According to Brian D. Chadbourne, president and chief executive officer of Keebler Company, the book "should be compulsory (reading) for any general manager in the business."

Kuczmarski is the president of Kuczmarski & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm that was recently named one of "North America’s 100 Leading Management Consulting Firms." An adjunct professor at Northwestern University’s Kellog School of Management, he is also the author of Managing New Products and Values-Based Leadership.

The American Heritage Battle Maps of the Civil War
by Richard M. O’Shea ’59

Richard M. O’Shea ’59 is the author of The American Heritage Battle Maps of the Civil War (SMITHMARK Publishers, 1992), a collection of instructive maps relating to seventeen major Civil War battles. Each map is accompanied by text setting the context of the battle and giving a chronological account of the conflicts.

The maps are supplemented by aerial photographs from the U.S. High Altitude Photography Program, which give new perspectives of battlefield topography, as well as full-color illustrations by artist Don Troiani.

O’Shea resides in Garden City, NY.

Five Kids & A Monkey
by Nina Riccio ’78

Nina Riccio ’78 is the author of the Five Kids & A Monkey series of "learning adventure" books. The series was born out of a desire to create lively, child-friendly books to complement health and safety lessons being taught in school. The illustrated 32-page books feature titles such as Five Kids & A Monkey Solve the Great Cupcake Caper, a narrative about healthful eating and exercise. Aimed at students in grades K - 6, the books contain a unit study guide packed with activity ideas and reproducible handouts.

Writer Dottie Bengoian says, "The ‘Five Kids & A Monkey’ learning adventures are a fun way for young readers to learn serious information. Not only is the lighthearted approach appealing, the humor helps them retain the content longer."

Riccio is a certified health education specialist who has spent the past 10 years writing for children. Her most recent venture (with illustrator Beth L. Blair) was a health and substance abuse prevention cirriculum which is currently being used in hundreds of school systems across the U.S. Riccio lives in Fairfield, Conn.

These books are available from the Holy Cross Bookstore. Phone: (508)-793-3609. E-mail: erice@holycross.edu. If you mention that you read about these titles in Holy Cross Magazine, the bookstore will offer free shipping!