Frances V. Moulder ’65: Exiting the Extraordinary: Returning to the Ordinary World from War, Prison, and Other Extraordinary Experiences (Lexington Books, 2015)
One of the first “extraordinary experiences” sociologist Frances Moulder learned about was that of her Wagner sociology professor, the late Frederick Henssler, who had participated in a leftist political movement in 1930s Germany before fleeing the Nazi regime. Since then, Moulder has analyzed many case studies, both historical and contemporary, of people who were imprisoned or enslaved, served in wars, survived natural disasters, participated in social movements or unusual religious groups, and more. The book describes the commonalities among extraordinary experiences and the challenges that people face upon returning to the ordinary world.
Bob Beckel ’70: I Should Be Dead: My Life Surviving Politics, TV, and Addiction (Hachette Books, 2015)
TV personality Bob Beckel presents a redemptive memoir about his struggle with alcohol and drugs while pursuing a successful career in politics and diplomacy, and his unlikely journey to finding faith and sobriety. Beckel’s political career began when, as a Wagner student, he worked for Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 presidential campaign. He was a deputy assistant secretary of state in the Carter administration and campaign manager for Walter Mondale’s 1984 presidential campaign. He went on to be an analyst for Fox News and CNN.
