FICTION His memoir, Rocket Boys, was the inspiration for last year's critically acclaimed movie, October Sky. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., recently named a rocket launch pad after this retired NASA engineer. Now, Homer H. Hickam Jr. (industrial engineering '64) offers his debut novel, Back to the Moon, a thriller about a group of 21st-century scientists who hijack the space shuttle Columbia to rendezvous with the moon. Their joyride soon becomes more than they bargained for; dark forces threaten, and the fate of the earth depends on the success of their mission. The book is published by Delacorte Press, Random House Inc., 1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036.

POETRY Last May, William Morrow & Co. sponsored "New York Celebrates 30 Years of Nikki Giovanni," an event to mark the 30th anniversary of Nikki Giovanni's writing career. Now a university distinguished professor of English at Virginia Tech, Giovanni published her first book of poetry, the seminal Black Feeling, Black Talk, in 1969. Her newest collection of poetry, Blues: For All the Changes, shows that the writer is as "outspoken, prolific, and energetic as ever," says the New York Times. The book's 51 poems include "Stealing Home," a tribute to Jackie Robinson; "And How Could I Live On," a wrenching meditation on the death of Betty Shabazz; and "For Just One Moment," a tender poem about the grand delicacy of love. The book is published by William Morrow & Co., 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019.

TECH HISTORY Col. Harry Temple (industrial engineering '34) has written The Bugle's Echo - Volume III (1912-1920), the third of a planned series of six comprehensive books about cadet life at Virginia Tech. The book includes descriptions of campus events such as the Fancy Dress Ball, documentation of sports seasons, and an account of the cadets' involvement in fighting World War I. A wide array of vintage photographs, including many from the wartime battlefields of Europe, complements this detailed history. The book is published by the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Alumni, V.T.C.C.A.- The Bugle's Echo, 143 Brodie Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, (540) 231-7431.

GEOLOGY Geology along Skyline Drive: A Self-Guided Tour for Motorists by Robert L. Badger (geology Ph.D. '89) is a richly illustrated guide to geological formations along Skyline Drive in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. The tour begins with Signal Knob Overlook at mile 5.7 and ends with Sawmill Ridge Overlook at mile 95.9. For each stop, the book's vivid photographs show you what to look for as you enjoy the ancient beauty of the rocks and hills. A map and a layman's glossary of terms make this guide user-friendly; all you'll need is a car and a brown-bag lunch. The book is published by Falcon Publishing, 2100 Bay Dr. #4, P.O. Box 3174, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, (800) 582-2665, ext. 1237.

OUTDOOR SPORTS Hunter Irvine (political science '89) chronicles his thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in One Pair of Boots. Irvine, who never bothered to adopt a trail name because his given name of "Hunter" seemed appropriate enough, hiked the 2,145-mile trail from Georgia to Maine in 164 days. His book tells of the fellowship he found with the people he met, his unpredictable encounters with wildlife, and the magic of the places he experienced. The book is published by Golden Stone Press, P.O. Box 1424, Wheat Ridge, CO 80034.

If you are an alum, faculty member, or staff member and have written or edited a book that you would like to have considered for review in the Virginia Tech Magazine, send e-mail to gcmoody@vt.edu. Please include your name, the book title and publisher, and the name and phone number of the person who can get us a review copy.