Peter Laufer is the author of several well-reviewed books dealing with critical social issues. In addition, he has taken a relatively light-hearted look at mobile telephones, and has written a children's book about guitar making in Mexico. Please peruse the titles and abstracts below:

Calexico: Hope and Hysteria in the California Borderlands
PoliPoint is the publisher of Calexico: Hope and Hysteria in the California Borderlands (2009), also co-authored by Peter Laufer and Markos Kounalakis. The style of Calexico is that of an informed experiential news gathering travelogue. Laufer and Kounalakis make their way from San Diego on the Pacific along the Mexican border to Winterhaven in the desert at the Arizona line. The lush scenes of the borderlands punctuate the text. The authors – veteran foreign correspondents – approach the assignment with the caustic and penetrating eyes and ears of seasoned and prize-winning journalists combined with the love and concern of California natives. Their observations mix with intimate interviews of the people immediately affected by the border: those who live and work on the line.

A narrative of the fluidity of life along the border, Calexico: Hope and Hysteria in the California Borderlands is a celebration of cultures, languages, and people.

The work is a synthesis of the nationalities and loyalties that define the border and the new century, and the contemporary political reality told through the people and places of the border region. The work contextualizes the region as emblematic of the immigration crises facing California and the nation even as it spotlights the little-known unique individuality of the Borderlands.

A companion Calexico radio series is supported by a production grant from the California Council for the Humanities as part of its California Stories initiative, described by the Council as "designed to connect Californians and foster understanding by uncovering personal and community stories that tell the story of today's California."

Hope Is a Tattered Flag: Voices of Reason and Change for the Post-Bush Era,
co-authored with Markos Kounalakis. Kounalakis and Laufer, hosts of the nationally syndicated radio program "Washington Monthly on the Radio" (www.washingtonmonthly.net) and authors of a regular feature in Washington Monthly magazine, present conversations with a diverse selection of leading policy and opinion leaders. These well-known personalities from across the ideological spectrum propose solutions to problems and conflicts vexing America as it heads into the 2008 election.

The forward to Hope Is a Tattered Flag is written by satirist Will Durst who says about the book, "Laufer and Kounalakis have pulled down the "Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here" sign from the portal of the future via their causal yet cutting conversations with a cross section of American political and cultural figures. Time after time they blast through the usual ten-second sound bite, interacting with names that are familiar, allowing us to see them in unfamiliar candor. They also mirror the country with a cast of fascinating little-known personalities – such as the fellow whose personal crusade is to legalize ferret pet ownership in California. You can't make stuff up like this. And if you could, why bother? Laufer and Kounaliakis have already done all the hard work. And they make it seem like play."

To learn more about this book, please see: www.p3books.com

Radio Cultures: The Sound Medium in American Life
edited by Michael C. Keith. Peter Laufer wrote the talk radio chapter in this 2008 collection of essays by scholars analyzing how radio has influenced America's social and cultural environment. In his chapter Laufer writes, "Talk radio is pornographic. Dislike it as I seem to, I keep returning to it." His essay explains why talk radio skews right wing and in it he deconstructs a sample talk radio show to point how the demagogues who abuse the medium manipulate it masterfully to pursue their selfish goals, with the amoral cavalier dismissal, "Hey, it's only show biz!" In the chapter Laufer excerpts a letter from a
listener to his 2007 KPFA talk show, a note typifying the mentality of too many of the vox populi in the talk radio audience, which reads in part: "Hey dipshit, heard your ridiculous, typical leftist nonsense on the radio regarding illegal invasion. Bravo dork, thank you for standing up for the corrupt American business climate that profits off
their illegal slaves . . ."

To learn more about this book, please see:
http://www.peterlang.com/Index.cfm?vID=68648&vHR=1&vUR=2&vUUR=1&vLang=E

Mission Rejected: U.S. Soldiers Who Say No to Iraq
Disillusioned, outraged, and betrayed, American soldiers are taking a stand against the war in Iraq.

A shattering journey of revelation, pain, and betrayal, Mission Rejected takes the reader deep into the turmoil of U.S. troops confronting the Iraq War. Some of these soldiers have decided not to fight in Iraq. Others, who have served in the “Sand Box” only to return so appalled by their experience and by what that experience has done to them, choose to declare, in the words of the old Phil Ochs song, “I’m not marchin’ anymore!”

Praise for this timely and important book by Peter Laufer comes from Cindy Sheehan, Norman Solomon, and Jim Hightower along with this poignant appraisal from Ann Wright, retired US Army Reserves Colonel and former US diplomat. "In the military, real courage is taking a stand against orders one believes are unlawful and accepting the consequences. Moral cowardice is taking the easy way by accepting unlawful orders and committing illegal actions. Ultimately, one must live with oneself. These women and men have chosen the hard short path to freedom from the long-term emotional, spiritual and physical consequences of conducting state sponsored murder in a conflict that has nothing to do with our national security."

After testifying at the invitation of Representative Lynn Woolsey to Congress on U.S. soldiers who say no to Iraq, Peter Laufer received a note from her saying, ". . . your thoughtful testimony and remarks were insightful and invaluable to the forum and to this Congress as a whole. Through your radio show, books, and presentations you have given voice to the unheard. I commend you. Thank you for your voice and for your words!"

To learn more about this book, visit http://www.chelseagreen.com/2006/items/missionrejectedpa

To read Peter Laufer's Huffington Post op-eds about this book, go here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-laufer/

To see and hear Peter Laufer talking about this book with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now click here.

To read Sara Peyton's story about Peter Laufer click here.

To read an excerpt of the book on Alternet.org click here.

Read an excerpt from Mission Rejected in the London Sunday Times
magazine.

Watch Peter Laufer talk about Mission Rejected at Village Books in
Bellingham, Washington, broadcast on CSPAN's BookTV

Wetback Nation
The border between the U.S. and Mexico has long been a separation of cultures, a sign of frustration between two countries, and a symbol of illegal entry. Peter Laufer's Wetback Nation: The Case For Opening The Mexican-American Border offers a surprisingly different viewpoint, arguing for the free movement of Mexicans back and forth across the border rather than increased border restrictions. Published by Ivan R. Dee; Luís Urrea says about Wetback Nation, "Fearlessly, Peter Laufer steps into the middle of the debate ... making points that will leave people shaking their heads .... A primary text." Read more about this title.

*The paperback edition of Wetback Nation was made available from Ivan R. Dee in August 2006.

Watch Peter Laufer discuss his book Wetback Nation with Fox TV's Bill O'Reilly.

Listen to Peter Laufer discuss Wetback Nation on Air America with Rachel Maddow.

Read the New York Sun review of Wetback Nation

Editorial Diana in Mexico City published the Spanish-language edition, read more about it here.

Exodus to Berlin
When the Berlin Wall fell, the German government invited Soviet-bloc
Jews to come make a new life in prosperous and democratic Germany.
Exodus to Berlin tells the story of that migration. Since 1989 more
than 100,000 Jews have accepted Germany's invitation, filling Berlin
and the rest of the country with a vibrant subculture. But almost simultaneous with the first flow of Jewish immigrants, and stimulated
by the failure of German unification to deliver promised prosperity to
the former East Germany, neo-Nazis have been on the march in Germany,
vowing to reclaim "Germany for the Germans!" Peter Laufer brings this
current history to life through vivid narratives of events he experienced in Germany and dozens of highly personal interviews he conducted with the participants. Published by Ivan R. Dee; Marc Fisher writes in the Washington Post, "Laufer has done a splendid service .... Laufer's journey to Berlin is a ride full of revelations." Read more about this title.

Inside Talk Radio
"Talk radio is pornographic," charges talk show host and radio programmer Laufer, "but I love it." He takes us on a trip through the potent, powerful, and often distressing world of talk radio. Inside Talk Radio traces the evolution of today's talk shows back to the earliest days of radio as the author explains how talk show hosts with no credentials other than their ability to entertain developed into powerful political pundits and arbiters of popular culture. Publishers Weekly writes, "After reading Laufer's inside account of the industry, readers will wonder: If secondary stupidity is catching, America is in for an epidemic." Read more about this title.

A Question of Consent
In 1993, a fascinating courtroom drama unfolded in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, as defense attorneys portrayed a mentally retarded rape victim as a seductress and her four rapists as regular all-American boys. The lawyers went on to explain how the teenagers had made an excusable mistake in sexually assaulting the young woman with a succession of foreign objects. The Glen Ridge case is symptomatic of ills that plague our society. By exposing the ways mainstream mentality enables rationalization of sex crimes, A Question of Consent raises chilling questions about the sexual mores of late twentieth-century America. Published by Mercury House; former NBC law correspondent Bonnie Erbe wrote, “Journalist Peter Laufer captivates and engages the reader, giving the book the feel of a fast-paced movie ... he produces a can't-put-it-down account of this heinous crime. He also sums up what this crime says about where we as a society are heading in a way that gives the most steely-eyed among us pause.” Read more about this title.

Nightmare Abroad
The outgrowth of Laufer's NBC radio documentary on U.S. citizens held in foreign prisons, this eye-opening survey should be read by any one traveling abroad. Laufer, who visited Americans jailed in 21 countries, emphasizes three major points: that most nations adhere to the Napoleonic code, which presumes the accused to be guilty until proven innocent; that few nations grant bail between arrest and trial; and that the State department will rarely intervene to aid an accused or convicted American for fear of upsetting relations with the host country. NBC Today show producer Rich Minner, producer says, “Any American traveling outside the United States should read Nightmare Abroad.” Read more about this title.

Iron Curtain Rising
Peter Laufer was on the first plane to Berlin when the wall that divided the city opened in 1989. Iron Curtain Rising is his eye-witness report of that spectacular event and the revolutions and elections throughout Eastern Europe that followed. Kirkus Reviews wrote, "Veteran international correspondent Laufer, who covered the Eastern bloc revolution for ABC and CBS, here offers images, anecdotes, and conversations with ordinary citizens that give a fuller flavor of how the prospect of freedom affects individuals." Read more about this title.

Neon Nevada
The glow of Nevada and neon is more than an advertising call. Since the invention of the neon sign the flashing colors documented the development of the Silver State. Sheila Swan and Peter Laufer criss-cross Nevada to bring both the frivolity and the reality of Nevada neon to life. Read more about this title.

Made in Mexico
Illustrated by Laufer's sister Susan L. Roth, Made in Mexico touches on some of the wider social and economic issues of Mexico, showing “there’s more than mariachi music in Mexico.” The book combines beautiful art with an opportunity to learn a few Spanish words as well as an appreciation for the lives and culture of people elsewhere in the world. With collages that include cut paper, festival confetti, shopping bags and wood shavings, the text gives children and their families a window into the culture and economy of a Mexican mountain village world-famous for its guitars. Published by National Geographic, the book won the Gold Award from National Parenting Publications and was cited on the notable social studies trade books list of the Children's Book Council and the Nation Council for the Social Studies. Read more about this title.

Safety and Security for Women Who Travel
Personal safety is a prime concern for women on the road, and this collection of tips and wisdom gives women the tools they need to be secure, confident travelers. Authors Sheila Swan and Peter Laufer help lay to rest fears and provide guidance for women to travel securely anywhere in the world. Published by Traveler's Tales; The Christian Science Monitor writes, "A cache of valuable advice." Read more about this title.

Wireless Etiquette
A specific guide to help users with the mobile electronic communications networks of our present age, Peter Laufer wrote this book in conjunction with the mobile phone company Omnipoint. Wireless Etiquette draws attention to our wireless behaviors and explores the social ramifications that technology brings to society. In the book Laufer makes clear that the most egregious, most inappropriate and foul thing we're all guilty of is reaching for a ringing phone in the middle of an in-person encounter. The Economist writes approvingly, "An excellent little book." Read more about this title.

Highlights of a Lowlife
This book is the autobiography of Milan Melvin, edited and completed by Peter Laufer. A limited edition was published by Swan Isle Books. The book can be ordered from Milan's sister Janelle at paracho@ap.net. Rolling Stone and KSAN survivor author Ben Fong-Torres wrote of the work, “Milan Melvin was one of the most fascinating figures out of the sixties. In
fact, a case could be made that he helped to shape that time of our lives. Peter Laufer is one of the sharpest journalists out of the sixties. In one of his last major decisions, Milan asked Peter to help him tell his story. Together they do, and it is one for the ages. Light up, buckle up, and enjoy the flight.” Read more about this title.

When Hollywood Was Fun
Written in collaboration with Hollywood photographer Gene Lester, this book, subtitled "Snapshots of an Era" reveals intriguing, behind-the-scene stories of the Hollywood of the 30's, 40 's and 50's. Read more about this title. Read more about this title.

Shock and Awe
Spring 2003, President Bush launched his pre-emptive war on Iraq as mililons of citizens worldwide protested the invasion and occupation. Journalist Peter Laufer responded by filling a time capsule marking those three weeks from the first "shock and awe" bombs over Baghdad to the made-for-TV US-orchestrated toppling of Saddam Hussein's statue in the conquered capital.
Read more about this title.