College of the Holy Cross | Holy Cross Magazine



		Ten Things I Wish I’d Known—Before I Went Out into the Real World by Maria Shriver When NBC news anchor Maria Shriver spoke at the Holy Cross commencement in 1998, she did not expect that her remarks would develop into a book. To her surprise, however, her address, which offered advice and personal anecdotes about career, marriage and parenting, received national attention. Inspired by the response, Shriver decided to expand her ideas into a book; the result was Ten Things I Wish I’d Known—Before I Went Out into the Real World (Warner Books, 2000). Drawing on fresh insight and a sense of humor, she tackles issues such as handling failure, taking responsibility for one’s actions and balancing work and family—topics of interest to both the new graduate and anyone navigating the bumpy road of life. The recipient of the Peabody Award for broadcast journalism, Shriver lives with her husband and four children in Santa Monica, Calif.

		Only the Nails Remain: Scenes From the Balkan Wars by Christopher Merrill Poet and critic Christopher Merrill captures the essence of a culture at war in his personal narrative, Only the Nails Remain: Scenes From the Balkan Wars (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 1999). In an attempt to shed new light on the recent events of the war-infested former Yugoslavia, Merrill portrays not only the political and economic upheaval of a people at war but also the art, poetry and culture that define their lives. Chronicling Merrill’s 10 wartime journeys to the Balkans, the book combines biography, war reportage and reflection, creating an intimate account of the cultural dynamics of a war-torn land and its inhabitants during a historical moment in time. As the first non-native literary work on the Balkan conflict, the book attempts to give the events of the Balkan war a human dimension. Merrill, who holds the William H. Jenks Chair in Contemporary Letters at Holy Cross, lives in Connecticut.

		Masterpieces of American Furniture Anna Tobin D’Ambrosio ’87 Anna Tobin D’Ambrosio ’87 is the editor of Masterpieces of American Furniture From the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute (Syracuse University Press), a collection of photographs and essays that celebrate 19th-century American furniture and explore artistic influences on the makers and designers of these important pieces. D’Ambrosio’s collection offers new research by some of the foremost scholars in the decorative arts field into stylistic influences, manufacturing techniques and the complex nature of the furniture trade. The pieces photographed and discussed in the text were selected for both their artistic and historical importance. Over 100 photographs and 65 essays explore the careers of America’s preeminent cabinetmakers and shops, including Charles Baudouine, the Herter Brothers and Anthony Quervelle. Gerald W.R. Ward, the Carolyn & Peter Lynch Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts & Sculpture at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, collaborated with Anna in reviewing the essays. Anna Tobin D’Ambrosio has been the curator of decorative arts at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute Museum of Art, in Utica, N.Y., since 1989. She resides in Utica with her husband, Paul, and daughter, Julia.

		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!