Usually Wayne & Tamara profile one book from an author, but in Tracy Kidder's case there are so many books it's hard to know which one to suggest. Many readers won't be interested in all of his books, but it's difficult to find a reader who won't be fascinated by at least one of them.

   The Soul of a New Machine begins in the late 1970s as a team of engineers at Data General works to exhaustion to bring a new computer to life. The book beautifully profiles their passion and their naiveté. It is a riveting story about the sublime human quest for something greater and the practical mechanics of how it's done. (One tip: hire dropouts from MIT. They are just as smart as the graduates and work for a lot less money.)

 

   In Old Friends Tracy Kidder profiles the end of life. With a sharp eye for detail and a warm compassion for his subjects, Kidder tells the story of a group of nursing home residents as they reminisce about the past while facing life in "their last place on earth." New bonds form for some, even as life ends for others. The cast of characters in unforgettable.

   Some people should teach. It is their calling. Among Schoolchildren tells the story of one of these people, Chris Zajac, a fifth grade teacher. For most of us, it is rare to be able to see into an elementary school classroom with our now adult perspective. Among Schoolchildren offers a glimpse into that world and shows the difference a good teacher can make in the life of a child.

   House traces a new home from architectural consultation to construction to final result. The architect has a vision. The craftsmen have a skill they want to be paid fairly for. The couple buying the house want to pay as little as they can, and presumably, sell it one day for a million dollars more than it is worth. The interaction among the parties is fascinating, and one wonders if Judith Souweine, the psychologist co-owner of the house, realizes how badly she comes off.

   Mountains Beyond Mountains profiles Paul Farmer, who confronted the huge inequality in world medical care by starting a one-man clinic in Haiti. From that small beginning Paul Farmer has enlisted the aid of foundations, drug companies, and individuals in what once seemed like a quixotic quest to make the world a better place.

   Home Town examines the structure of a small town from the lowest rungs to the highest levels, much of it seen through the eyes of Tommy O'Connor, a 33-year-old police sergeant. The warmth and limits of small town life are portrayed, and as usual in Kidder's work, the characters are fascinating.