Book Notes: Part two of SPD’s ‘Badge’ available

The second volume of the history of the Spokane Police Department, titled “Life Behind the Badge: The Spokane Police Department’s Turbulent Years, 1903-1923,” has been published.

It’s a sequel to 2008’s “Life Behind the Badge: The Spokane Police Department’s Founding Years, 1881-1903,” which detailed the beginnings of the department.

These books have been produced by the Spokane Police Department History Book Committee, sponsored by the Spokane Law Enforcement Museum.

This latest 205-page offering covers some of the most colorful – and most controversial – years in the department’s history.

Just to give you a taste: In 1911 Police Chief John T. Sullivan was assassinated while sitting in front of a window of his home. The crime was never solved.

The books are endorsed by the Spokane Police Guild and the Spokane Police Department, according to Sue Walker, the chairman of the committee.

The new volume is available for $26.95 by calling (509) 477-6449; at the Spokane Law Enforcement Credit Union, 924 W. Sinto Ave.; or at the museum, 1201 W. First Ave. (open Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

And yes, the committee is already hard at work on volume three, which will cover 1923 to 1944.

The Rossi-Gregoire drama

Here’s a dramatic, tension-filled subject for a nonfiction book: the cliffhanger Washington state gubernational election of 2004 between Dino Rossi and Christine Gregoire.

The suspense dragged on for months and Gregoire was finally declared the winner by 133 votes (out of 2.8 million).

Author Trova Heffernan has published “An Election for the Ages: Rossi vs. Gregoire, 2004” (WSU Press, $19.95 paperback).

Heffernan certainly had a front-row seat for this drama. At the time, she was the communications director for Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed, who was one of the key players in the election. She had access to office records, trial transcripts and other resources.

The book doesn’t stop with the final court decision. The case resulted in numerous election reforms in the state.

Look for it in local bookstores or through online booksellers.

Spokane’s body language expert

Spokane’s David Givens, a nationally known expert on body language and nonverbal communications, has a new book out, “Your Body at Work” (St. Martin’s Griffin, $16.99 paperback).

This book will teach you how to read many of the involuntary gestures made by your co-workers and boss. Then you can learn what they are really thinking (or feeling), as opposed to what they may be saying.

To take just one random example: If your boss purses his lips when you ask for a raise, you’re in trouble. That almost always means, “I disagree,” or something even more negative.

Givens runs the Center for Nonverbal Studies from his Spokane office. He’s the author of several previous books, including “Love Signals” and “Crime Signals.”

He has consulted with many major corporations and has taught at Gonzaga University.

Jan Brett alert

Here’s an exciting event coming to Auntie’s Bookstore: children’s author/illustrator Jan Brett on Oct. 20, 5 to 7 p.m.

Brett is one of the nation’s top children’s book producers, famous for her Christmas books (“The Night Before Christmas,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas”) and her “Mittens” books. She sells about 1 million books a year.

She’ll be discussing her soon-to-be-released “The 3 Little Dassies,” about some cute Namibian creatures.

The event will be at the main Auntie’s store, 402 W. Main Ave.