private static void writeListBackward2(Node nextNode) {
// ----------------------------------------------------
// Writes a list of objects backwards.
// Precondition: The linked list is referenced by 
// nextNode.
// Postcondition: The list is displayed backwards. The 
// linked list and nextNode are unchanged.
// ----------------------------------------------------
  if (nextNode != null) {
    // write the list minus its first node backward
    writeListBackward2(nextNode.getNext());
    // write the data object in the first node
    System.out.println(nextNode.getItem());
  } // end if
}   // end writeListBackward2