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March 17, 2008
Wendy Wax, '85
Renoir and the Boy with Long Hair, Barrons Educational Series, 2007.
The book: Jean, a handsome, long-haired little boy, has a very famous father—the artist Pierre Auguste Renoir. But he also has a problem. Despite Jean’s many protests, his father thinks Jean's hair is too beautiful to be cut short. This artist uses his son as a model in many of his paintings, and he insists that Jean is still young enough to keep his hair long. How can he convince his dad that he’s old enough to have short hair? This gently amusing story is illustrated in a manner that resembles Renoir’s painting style and includes several illustrations of his paintings.
The author: Wendy Wax, a children’s book editor for several years, now writes and illustrates her own books. She is married to a commercial photographer and is mother of their young son, Jonah. She lives and works in New York City and Remsenburg, New York.
Web site: www.wendywax.com
Posted by lingjiex at 07:36 PM | Comments (0)
Wendy Wax, '85
Animal Family Christmas, Piggy Toes Press, 2007.
The book: Join 10 animal families as they trim their Christmas trees with special light-up ornaments. Readers will smile and laugh as the mouse family decorates with hunks of cheese and the silly monkey family hangs bright yellow bananas. Count from one to 10 as a new light appears with every turn of the page.
Slipping, sliding
Penguins wish
To trim their tree with
Shiny. . . fish!
The author: Wendy Wax, a children’s book editor for several years, now writes and illustrates her own books. She is married to a commercial photographer and is mother of their young son, Jonah. She lives and works in New York City and Remsenburg, New York.
Web site: www.wendywax.com
Posted by lingjiex at 07:33 PM | Comments (0)
George Cantor
I Remember Bo: Memories of Michigan’s Legendary Coach, Triumph Books, 2007.
The book: Here is your chance to go inside the huddle of the Wolverines, into their locker room, onto the sidelines, on the team plane and even into the team hotel. Go behind the scenes and get a glimpse into the private world of the players, coaches and decision makers, eavesdropping on their personal conversations. You’ll read the real reason Bo turned down a lucrative offer from Texas A&M and remained at Michigan in 1982 and the origin of his battle cry every time the team left a hotel for the game: "Do I have 11? All I need is 11!" This book was written for every sports fan that follows the Wolverines.
The author: George Cantor has been a writer for Detroit newspapers for more than 40 years. He has written more than a dozen books on sports, history and travel and appeared frequently on local radio and television programs. He was also given the honor of throwing out the first pitch in one of the last games played at historic Tiger Stadium.
Posted by lingjiex at 07:19 PM | Comments (0)
Jennifer Coburn, '88
"Guilty's House" in Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned From Judy Blume, edited by Jennifer O’Connell, Pocket, 2007.
The book: Whether laughing to tears reading "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great" or clamoring for more unmistakable "me too!" moments in "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret," girls all over the world have been touched by Judy Blume's poignant coming-of-age stories. In this anthology, 24 notable female authors write straight from the heart about the unforgettable novels that left an indelible mark on their childhoods and still influence them today. After growing up from "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" into "Smart Women," these writers pay tribute, through their reflections and most cherished memories, to a most beloved author.
The author: Jennifer Coburn is an award-winning journalist who has written for magazines and newspapers in the United States, Canada and Australia. A native New Yorker, she currently lives in San Diego with her husband, William, and their daughter, Katie.
Web site: www.jennifercoburn.com
Posted by lingjiex at 07:13 PM | Comments (0)
Joe Friedman, '72
Boobela and Worm, Orion, 2007.
The book: Boobela is a giant—a young, shy and rather lonely giant. Worm is a worm, wise and opinionated, but above all, a clever and loyal friend. They live in a world that's a lot like ours, but not quite. When Boobela meets Worm, she has the chance to overcome her fears, pursue her strange and magical powers, and have lots of funny, exciting and heart-stopping adventures with the kids at the balloon club, on her gran's magic island and at the beach.
The author: Joe Friedman was born in Chicago to deaf parents. He has written stories since he was 7 and sold his first play at 13. He currently lives in north London and divides his time between writing and working as a psychotherapist. Boobela and Worm is his first book for children.
Posted by lingjiex at 07:11 PM | Comments (0)
Laura Kasischke, '84, MFA'87
Lilies Without, Ausable Press, 2007.
The book: Admired for her use of metaphor and her nervy, surprising syntax, Laura Kasischke continues in this book to peel back the skins of our ordinary lives to reveal the underlying anxieties and complexities. Funny, irreverent, personal and at the same time unnerving, these poems take us to familiar places made entirely strange so that we may see them again as they really are, without the trappings and disguises we invent to remain blind to what disturbs us. Few poets write about parenthood with the combination of tenderness and steely insight that Kasischke brings to her work.
The author: Laura Kasischke is the author of six other books of poetry and four novels. Her work has received many honors, including the Alice Fay diCastagnola Award from the Poetry Society of America, the Beatrice Hawley Award, the Pushcart Prize and the Elmer Holmes Bobst Award for Emerging Writers. She teaches at the University of Michigan.
Posted by lingjiex at 07:08 PM | Comments (0)
Janet Anderson-Davis, JD'78
Dance of the Warriors, 2007.
The book: Each poem in this collection is dedicated to a player in the 2005 Detroit mayoral election recount, including Governor Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Poetry styles include haiku, traditional, jazz and rap. The cacophony of rhythmic beats contrasts with unconventional freestyle. The poems encompass hope, love, grief and joy. The work salutes not only the election process, but the patriotic men and women involved in the process.
The author: Janet Anderson-Davis, who practices law in the areas of transactions and elections, has written poetry for many years. An aficionado of the espionage novel, she enjoys studying foreign languages, spinning, weightlifting and reading. She lives with her family in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
Posted by lingjiex at 07:07 PM | Comments (0)
David Andrew Singer, '94
Regulating Capital: Setting Standards for the International Financial System, Cornell University Press, 2007.
The book: Financial instability threatens the global economy. The volatility of capital movements across national borders has led many observers to argue for a reformed "global financial architecture," a body of consistent rules and institutions to prevent financial crises. Yet regulators have a decidedly mixed record in their attempts to create global standards for the financial system. David Andrew Singer seeks to explain the varying pressures on regulatory agencies to negotiate internationally acceptable rules and suggests that the variation is largely traceable to the different domestic political pressures faced by regulators.
The author: David Andrew Singer is assistant professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Posted by lingjiex at 07:05 PM | Comments (0)
Ellen Ernst Kossek, MBA'81, and Brenda A. Lautsch
CEO of Me: Creating a Life That Works in the Flexible Job Age, Wharton School Publishing, 2007.
The book: This book helps you identify which of six work-life "patterns" you fit into and how to move toward a pattern that's more productive and comfortable. Drawing on their research insights, the authors show how to identify the personal triggers that cause you the greatest stress; make the small changes that make the biggest difference; make technology work for you; redraw the lines between work and family as your life changes; master strategies for managing yourself, your colleagues and your supervisors; and leverage emerging work options that are now available for the first time.
The author: Ellen Ernst Kossek, a professor at Michigan State University’s School of Labor & Industrial Relations, is an expert on improving relationships between work, family and personal life in organizations; new flexible ways of working; management of talent and diversity in the global multicultural firm; and workplace innovation and change. She is married with four children.
Posted by lingjiex at 07:04 PM | Comments (0)
Arthur W. Wiggins, MS'64
The Joy of Physics, Prometheus Books, 2007.
The book: Many people who remember struggling with physics in high school can now gain an appreciation of this significant area of knowledge. This book not only helps readers understand physics, but also do physics. It provides a fun-filled, entertaining and educational tour of this all-important science. Physics has an enormously ambitious goal: to understand the workings of the entire universe, from the smallest quarks to the largest galaxies. Learning and comprehending as much as we can about the inner and outer workings of the universe is what evokes the joy of physics.
The author: Arthur W. Wiggins is the co-author of the critically acclaimed "The Five Biggest Ideas in Science," "Quantum Leaps in the Wrong Direction," "The Five Biggest Unsolved Problems in Science" and "Natural Science: Bridging the Gaps." He is a distinguished professor emeritus of physics at Oakland Community College in Oakland County, Michigan.
Web site: www.TheJoyofPhysics.com.
Posted by lingjiex at 06:59 PM | Comments (0)
Stuart L. Weiss, '55, MA'56
The Curt Flood Story: The Man Behind the Myth, University of Missouri Press, 2007.
The book: Curt Flood, former star center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, is a hero to many for selflessly sacrificing his career to challenge the legality of baseball’s reserve system. Although he lost his case before the Supreme Court, for many he became a martyr in the battle for free agency that eventually succeeded. Sportswriters and fans alike have helped to paint a picture of Flood as a larger-than-life figure—a portrait that, unhappily, cannot stand closer inspection. This book reveals the real Curt Flood—more man than myth.
The author: Stuart L. Weiss, professor emeritus of history at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is the author of "The President’s Man: Leo Crowley and Franklin Roosevelt in Peace and War." He resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Posted by lingjiex at 06:58 PM | Comments (0)
Richard J. Ward, MA'48, PhD'58
The Fragrance of Heliotrope: The Presence of Cecilia, AuthorHouse, 2007.
The book: In this story of personal courage, Cecilia managed her insulin-dependent diabetes for 42 years while raising a family and conducting an often adventurous professional life. Before and after the onset of the disease, she interacted with royalty, US senators, ambassadors, Nobel laureates, university presidents and professors, and other notables. In her last four years, coping unobtrusively with her blindness and other debilitating complications of her disease, she confidently maintained her social and community involvements. It was all an inspirational performance, conducted with grace, winning smiles and confidence.
The author: Richard J. Ward has 30 years of academic experience as a teacher and administrative head of colleges in the United States and England. He also spent 10 years in business with small and large corporations and 10 years with the US State Department. In addition, he has consulted for the United Nations and served on boards of directors for private companies and other organizations.
Posted by lingjiex at 06:49 PM | Comments (0)
Barbara Renaud Gonzales, MSW'77
"La Diosa" in Risk, Courage, and Women: Contemporary Voices in Prose and Poetry, edited by Karen A. Waldron, Janice H. Brazil and Laura M. Labatt, University of North Texas Press, 2007.
The book: Each work in this collection of narratives, essays and poems relates how women have demonstrated courage by taking a risk that has changed their lives. Themes include sustenance for living, faith in the unknown, the courage of choice, the seams of our lives and crossing borders. Voices of racial and ethnic diversity speak throughout the work, underscoring both difference and unity in the female experience. Including role models for university audiences and reflections of life experiences for older readers, this work serves as a textbook in literature or women's/gender studies classes, a focus for book study groups and a source of perspective during quiet moments.
The author: Barbara Renaud Gonzales, a former monthly columnist for the San Antonio Express-News, has had her columns and essays published in several magazines and newspapers. A six-time finalist for the Katys journalism awards, she received the Inter-American Press Association Opinion prize in Santiago de Chile in 2000.
Posted by lingjiex at 06:48 PM | Comments (0)
Kathleen Stewart, MA'78, PhD'87
Ordinary Affects, Duke University Press, 2007.
The book: The author begins with the disparate, fragmented and seemingly inconsequential experiences of everyday life to bring attention to the ordinary as an integral site of cultural politics. Ordinary affect is registered in its particularities, yet it connects people and creates common experiences that shape public feeling. Through this anecdotal history—one that ponders the extremes of the ordinary and portrays the dense network of social and personal connections that constitute a life—she asserts the necessity of attending to the fleeting and changeable aspects of existence to recognize the complex personal and social dynamics of the political world.
The author: Kathleen Stewart is associate professor of anthropology and director of the Américo Paredes Center for Cultural Studies at the University of Texas, Austin. She is the author of "A Space on the Side of the Road: Cultural Poetics in an 'Other' America."
Posted by lingjiex at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)
Paula E. Stephan, MA'68, PhD'71, and Ronald G. Ehrenberg, editors
Science and the University, University of Wisconsin Press, 2007.
The book: This book investigates the changes in university research over the past several decades, gauging the current state of research in higher education and examining issues crucial to its future. Scientific research increasingly dominates the aims and agendas of many American universities, and this has given rise to questions about the interrelations of higher education, funding for scientific research and government policy. The cost of doing science, the commercialization of university research, the changing composition and number of PhD students, and the effect of scientific research on other university programs are just a few of the issues explored in this volume.
The author: Paula E. Stephan is professor of economics at Georgia State University and co-editor of the two-volume "Economics of Science and Innovation."
Posted by lingjiex at 06:45 PM | Comments (0)
Narketta M. Sparkman, MALS'04
Dream Big, Plan Smart: A Guide to Planning Your Dream Wedding, AuthorHouse, 2007.
The book: Planning a wedding can be a daunting task if you don’t know where to begin. This book assists you in planning your special day flawlessly, complete with guides and tips to keep you on the path to success. Each chapter is designed to guide you effortlessly through the planning process and then onto your magnificent wedding.
The author: Narketta Sparkman, a college instructor of event planning and event design, has planned and designed both social and corporate events. She owns and operates Special Occasions by Sparkman Event Planning, a full-service event planning agency.
Posted by lingjiex at 06:43 PM | Comments (0)
Daniel Lord Smail, PhD'94
On Deep History and the Brain, University of California Press, 2008.
The book: When does history begin? What characterizes it? This brilliant and beautifully written book dissolves the logic of a beginning based on writing, civilization or historical consciousness and offers a model for a history that escapes the continuing grip of the Judeo-Christian time frame. This book argues that the time has come for fundamentally new ways of thinking about our past. It shows how recent work in evolution and paleohistory makes it possible to join the deep past with the recent past and abandon, once and for all, the idea of prehistory.
The author: Daniel Lord Smail is professor of history at Harvard University. He is the author of "Imaginary Cartographies," which won the American Historical Association's Herbert Baxter Adams Prize and the Social Science History Association's President's Award; the author of "The Consumption of Justice," which won the Law and Society Association's James Willard Hurst Prize; and the co-editor of "Fama: The Politics of Talk and Reputation in Medieval Europe."
Posted by lingjiex at 06:42 PM | Comments (0)
Karen M. Skalitzky, MA'96
A Recipe for Hope: Stories of Transformation by People Struggling with Homelessness, ACTA Publications, 2007.
The book: This book contains first-person accounts collected from the men and women of Inspiration Corporation, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless back to self-sufficiency. These true stories challenge modern preconceptions of homelessness and demonstrate how this often "faceless" problem affects everyone, regardless of race, color, creed or economic status. Perfect for churches, schools, libraries, recovery groups, service volunteers or anyone with an interest in social justice, this book also includes delightful recipes from several of Chicago’s finest chefs.
The author: Karen M. Skalitzky is a former Teach for America corps member and volunteers weekly at Inspiration Café and the Living Room Café in Chicago.
Posted by lingjiex at 06:39 PM | Comments (0)
Susan Shapiro, '81
Only As Good As Your Word: Writing Lessons From My Favorite Literary Gurus, Seal Press, 2007.
The book: Growing up in the Midwest, Susan Shapiro knew that she wanted to become a writer. As soon as she graduated from college, she headed to New York City, determined to break into the business. But she learned that it takes more than being a good writer to make a living at it. The most successful professional writers, she discovered, have great mentors to support, promote, advise, admonish, inform, infuriate and sometimes supply a good kick in the pants. This is a must-read for all writers in the publishing trenches, whether you’re green or a veterans.
The author: Susan Shapiro has written for many newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times and The Nation. She is the co-editor of the anthology "Food for the Soul" and the author of the memoirs "Lighting Up" and "Five Men Who Broke My Heart." She has appeared on television programs and prime time documentaries. Shapiro lives in New York City with her husband and teaches journalism.
Web site: www.susanshapiro.net/word.html
Posted by lingjiex at 06:37 PM | Comments (0)
Ronald E. Seavoy, '53, MA'63, PhD'69
An Economic History of the United States: From 1607 to the Present, Routledge, 2006.
The book: This accessible and informative survey is designed for undergraduate courses on American economic history. The book spans from 1607 to the modern age and presents a documented history of how the American economy has propelled the nation into a position of world leadership. The author covers nearly 400 years of economic history, beginning with the commercialization of agriculture in the precolonial era, through the development of banks and industrialization in the 19th century, and up to the globalization of the business economy in the present day.
The author: Economic historian Ronald E. Seavoy is professor emeritus of history at Bowling Green State University. He is the author of "The Origins and Growth of the Global Economy," "Subsistence and Economic Development," "The American Peasantry," "Famine in Peasant Societies," "Famine in East Africa" and "The Origins of the American Business Corporation, 1784-1855."
Posted by lingjiex at 06:36 PM | Comments (0)
Joan Iverson Nassauer, Mary V. Santelmann and Donald Scavia, PhD'80, editors
From the Corn Belt to the Gulf: Societal and Environmental Implications of Alternative Agricultural Futures, Resources for the Future, 2007.
The book: Nutrients from farms in the Mississippi River Basin are the leading cause of the Gulf of Mexico's "dead zone," a 5,000- to 7,000-square-mile region where declining oxygen levels are threatening the survival of marine life. This book explores how new agricultural policy can help alleviate this problem and at the same time improve overall water quality, enhance biodiversity, improve the quality of life of people in Corn Belt communities and relieve downstream flooding.
The author: Donald Scavia is a professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at U-M, where he is also director of the Michigan Sea Grant Program and director of the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research.
Posted by lingjiex at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
David Rosenberg, '64
Abraham: The First Historical Biography, Basic Books, 2007.
The book: The world’s three largest faiths all find a common root in one man: Abraham. Breaking new ground, David Rosenberg portrays Abraham as a man whose whole life, and therefore his legacy, is informed by the Sumerian culture that produced him. "Abraham" is a literary excavation of the ancient cultures from which our modern world has grown.
The author: David Rosenberg is a poet, essayist and critic. He is the former editor of the Jewish Publication Society and was Harold Bloom’s co-author on "The Book of J." Rosenberg’s other writings include "A Poet’s Bible" and "Lost Book of Paradise." He lives in Florida.
Posted by lingjiex at 09:44 AM | Comments (0)
Myles Reed Jr., '91
Fishing for Love on the Net: A Guide to Those Searching for Love, iUniverse, 2007.
The book: Are you searching for true love but skeptical of the world of Internet dating? This book demystifies the process, explaining why searching for love online requires more than just access to a computer and a catchy profile. The author includes techniques supported by real stories to improve your chances of finding love. You will learn how to avoid common pitfalls, ways to connect to millions of other singles in cyberspace and how to let go of previous experiences and preconceived notions.
The author: Myles Reed, Jr., has spent nearly 15 years observing, strategizing and marketing for corporate America. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and their son.
Web site: www.fishingforlove.net
Posted by lingjiex at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
Louis L. Orlin, MA'49, MA'50, PhD'60
Life and Thought in the Ancient Near East, University of Michigan Press, 2007.
The book: Intended for readers seeking insight into the day-to-day life of some of the world's most ancient peoples, this book presents brief, fascinating explorations of key aspects of the civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Asia Minor and Iran. With vignettes on agriculture, architecture, crafts and industries, literature, religion, topography and history, the author has created something refreshing: a modern guidebook to an ancient world. The book also reaches out to students of the Ancient Near Eastern World with essays on decipherments, comparative cultural developments between Egypt and Mesopotamia, and language and literature.
The author: Now professor emeritus, Louis L. Orlin taught in the department of Ancient Near Eastern History and Literature at U-M for more than 30 years. He is the author and editor of several books, including "Assyrian Colonies in Cappadocia" and "Ancient Near Eastern Literature: A Bibliography of One Thousand Items on the Cuneiform Literatures of the Ancient World."
Posted by lingjiex at 09:34 AM | Comments (0)
Aims McGuinness, MA'99, PhD'01
Path of Empire: Panama and the California Gold Rush, Cornell University Press, 2007.
The book: During the California Gold Rush, tens of thousands of US citizens migrated westward to California by way of Panama. Decades before the completion of the Panama Canal in 1914, this slender spit of land abruptly became the linchpin of the fastest route between New York City and San Francisco—a route that combined travel by ship to the east coast of Panama, an overland crossing to Panama City and a final voyage by ship to California. This book presents a novel understanding of the intertwined histories of the California Gold Rush, the course of US empire and anti-imperialist politics in Latin America.
The author: Aims McGuinness is assistant professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Posted by lingjiex at 09:32 AM | Comments (0)
Michael T. Martin and Marilyn Yaquinto, '90, MA'91, editors
Redress for Historical Injustices in the United States: On Reparations for Slavery, Jim Crow, and Their Legacies, Duke University Press, 2007.
The book: This book brings together documents related to efforts to redress historical wrongs against African-Americans. These varied efforts are often grouped together under the rubric "reparations movement" and are united in their goal of "repairing" the injustices that have followed from the long history of slavery and Jim Crow. Yet there is a range of opinions as to the form that repair might take. Written by activists and scholars of law, political science, African-American studies, philosophy, economics and history, the 26 essays include both previously published articles and pieces written specifically for this volume.
The author: Marilyn Yaquinto is assistant professor of communication at Truman State University. She is the author of "Pump ’Em Full of Lead: A Look at Gangsters on Film" and a former journalist with the Los Angeles Times.
Posted by lingjiex at 09:32 AM | Comments (0)
Susan Mann, '64
The Talented Women of the Zhang Family, University of California Press, 2007.
The book: The history of China in the 19th century usually features men as the dominant figures in a chronicle of warfare, rebellion and dynastic decline. This book challenges that model and provides a different account of the era, history as seen through the eyes of women. Basing her study on the poetry and memoirs of three generations of literary women of the Zhang family, the author illuminates a China that has been largely invisible. She transforms our understanding of gender relations and what it meant to be an educated woman during China's transition from empire to nation.
The author: Susan Mann is professor of history at the University of California, Davis, and was president of the Association of Asian Studies. She is the author or co-editor of other books about China, including "Precious Records: Women in China's Long Eighteenth Century," which won the Joseph Levenson Prize.
Posted by lingjiex at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)
Janice Law, '63
Strangers in Blood: Distanced Lives, Eakin Press, 2007.
The book: Have you ever wondered about your blood relatives, "Who are these people? I have absolutely nothing in common with them?" If so, you’ll identify with this book. Dramatically tracking a card with no return address, the author stirs the ashes of a 50-year estrangement from a much older brother while trying to unravel a mystery of their heritage. With her experiences, she interweaves profiles of celebrities who reveal their family estrangements.
The author: Janice Law is a former federal and state prosecutor, defense attorney, criminal court judge and journalist. She is the author of "Yield: A Judge’s Fir$t-Year Diary" and "Sex Appealed: Was the U.S. Supreme Court Fooled?" Both books have been featured on C-SPAN2’s Book TV.
Web site: www.judgejanicelaw.com
Posted by lingjiex at 09:28 AM | Comments (0)
Marybeth Kravets, '63, and Imy F. Wax
The book: A comprehensive resource for selecting the right college for students with learning disabilities, this book includes profiles of more than 300 schools, advice from specialists in the field of learning disabilities and strategies to help students find the best match for their needs. Each school profile includes services available at each college, from tutors to special testing arrangements; admissions requirements for each program; policies and procedures about course waivers and substitutions; and contact information for program administrators. The guide also provides a reference list with program information for an additional 1,000 schools.
The author: Marybeth Kravets is a college consultant and author. She has served as vice chair of the Midwestern Region of the College Board and as president and treasurer of IACAC, and is past president of the National Association for College Admission Counselors.
Posted by lingjiex at 09:27 AM | Comments (0)
Susan Tyler Hitchcock, '70, MA'71
Frankenstein: A Cultural History, WW Norton & Company, 2007.
The book: The Frankenstein story began as the nightmare of an unwed teenage mother in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1816. At a time when the moral universe was shifting and advances in scientific knowledge promised humans dominion over that which had been God’s alone, Mary Shelley envisioned a story of human presumption and its misbegotten consequences. Two centuries later, that story is still constantly retold and reinterpreted. The author uses film, literature, history, science and even punk music to help us understand the meaning of this monster made by man.
The author: Susan Tyler Hitchcock’s last book was "Mad Mary Lamb: Lunacy and Murder in Literary London." Married with two children, she lives near Charlottesville, Virginia.
Posted by lingjiex at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)
Jocelyne Guilbault, PhD'84
Governing Sound: The Cultural Politics of Trinidad's Carnival Musics, University of Chicago Press, 2007.
The book: This book examines the conditions that have enabled calypso music to be valorized, contested and targeted as a field of cultural politics in Trinidad. Drawing on over a decade of ethnographic work, the author maps the musical journeys of Trinidad's most prominent musicians and arrangers and explains the distinct ways their musical sensibilities became audibly entangled with modes of governing, audience demands and market incentives. Generously illustrated and complete with an accompanying CD, this book constitutes the most comprehensive study to date of Trinidad's carnival musics.
The author: Jocelyne Guilbault is professor of ethnomusicology at the University of California, Berkeley.
Posted by lingjiex at 09:24 AM | Comments (0)
Elizabeth (Kathryn) Gordon, '80
Walk With Us: Triplet Boys, Their Teen Parents & Two White Women Who Tagged Along, Crandall, Dostie & Douglass Books, 2007.
The book: When a teenage girl finds herself pregnant with triplets, her boyfriend turns to Kaki and Kathryn, two white women who left the suburbs to live in a multiracial North Philadelphia community and work for peace. The young mother moves in "just until the babies come." But when the three boys do come, the state threatens to take them into custody because the parents are young, poor and without apparent adult support. But the two women accept the roles of legal guardian to the young mother and, later, caregivers of the boys. This is the story of a makeshift family of teenaged Black Muslims, middle-aged Quaker lesbians and radiant baby boys growing fast into toddlers.
Web site: http://www.walkwithus.info
Posted by lingjiex at 09:18 AM | Comments (0)
Bluma Goldstein, MA'52
Enforced Marginality: Jewish Narratives on Abandoned Wives, University of California Press, 2007.
The book: This illuminating study explores a central but neglected aspect of modern Jewish history: the problem of abandoned Jewish wives. These are women who could not obtain a divorce under Jewish law and of the men who deserted them. The author analyzes a range of texts at the intersection of disciplines to describe the dynamics of power between men and women within traditional communities and to elucidate the full spectrum of experiences abandoned women faced.
The author: Bluma Goldstein is professor emerita in the Department of German at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of "Reinscribing Moses: Heine, Kafka, Freud, and Schoenberg in the European Wilderness."
Posted by lingjiex at 08:33 AM | Comments (0)
Susan S. Fries, 58
My Teacher: Remembering Marcel Moyse, AuthorHouse, 2007.
The book: This humorous, charming collection of stories is interspersed with cartoons, drawings, photos and quotes from the French master flutist and teacher Marcel Moyse, whose life and work have inspired many to become great teachers and performers. The stories, occurring in the Midwest, Vermont, Europe and California, flow effortlessly from the author’s first meeting with him in Oberlin, Ohio, until his death in 1984.
The author: Susan Fries, who studied extensively with Marcel Moyse, has performed with the Detroit Symphony and the Philadelphia Lyric Opera, toured with the American Ballet Theatre and New York City Opera, played numerous European concert tours and soloed on Hollywood film and television soundtracks. She resides in Orange County, California.
Posted by lingjiex at 08:32 AM | Comments (0)
David MP Freund, PhD'99
Colored Property: State Policy and White Racial Politics in Suburban America, University of Chicago Press, 2007.
The book: Following World War II, northern whites began to support the principle of civil rights. So why did many of them continue to oppose racial integration in their communities? Challenging conventional wisdom about the growth, prosperity and racial exclusivity of American suburbs, the author argues that previous attempts to answer this question have overlooked a change in the racial thinking of whites and the role of suburban politics in effecting this change. He shows how federal intervention spurred a dramatic shift in the language and logic of residential exclusion.
The author: David MP Freund is visiting assistant professor of history at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.
Posted by lingjiex at 08:31 AM | Comments (0)
Lisa M. Dresner, '89, JD'98
The Female Investigator in Literature, Film, and Popular Culture, McFarland, 2007.
The book: In this book the author examines how women detectives are portrayed in film, in literature and on television. Chapters examine the portrayal of female investigators in each of these four genres: the Gothic novel, the lesbian detective novel, television and film.
The author: Lisa M. Dresner is a special assistant professor in the Department of English and Freshman Composition at Hofstra University. She lives in Hempstead, New York.
Posted by lingjiex at 08:29 AM | Comments (0)
Michael Chmura, MSI'02, and Christina Consolino, '95, PhD'03
Historic Photos of the University of Michigan, Turner Publishing Company, 2007.
The book: Founded in Detroit in 1817, U-M moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 and over the next 170 years became one of the most distinguished universities in the world. This book depicts the unfolding history of the college in Ann Arbor from its early stages in the 1850s through the late 1970s. Black and white images of the campus and surrounding area, selected from the Bentley Historical Library’s extensive collection, provide a taste of campus life while taking readers through the evolution of buildings, the beginning of an athletic legend and the historic events that united the campus with a community.
The authors: Christina Consolino lived in Ann Arbor for 12 years before moving to Dayton, Ohio, where she currently teaches anatomy and physiology at Sinclair Community College. She resides with her husband, Timothy, and their three children, two cats and one dog. This is her first nonscientific publication.
Michael Chmura is currently a school librarian and co-owns a software and Web design company with her husband, David. She has lived in Ann Arbor for 11 years.
Posted by lingjiex at 08:27 AM | Comments (0)
Kenton Clymer, MA'66, PhD'70
Troubled Relations: The United States and Cambodia Since 1870, Northern Illinois University Press, 2007.
The book: In this abridged and updated version of his definitive history, the author examines the effects of the United States' uneasy interactions with Cambodia, tracing the disruptions that climaxed during the Vietnam War when US planes bombed perceived enemy strongholds within Cambodia. The attacks led to Cambodia’s involvement in the war and to civil war, from which the Khmer Rouge emerged victorious. Nearly one-third of Cambodia’s population died under the Khmer Rouge’s genocidal rule. Clymer shows how diplomatic neglect, misperceptions, misunderstandings and poorly conceived policies contributed to these tragic events.
The author: Kenton Clymer, author of four other books and many articles on the history of American foreign relations, is Distinguished Research Professor of History at Northern Illinois University.
Posted by lingjiex at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
Jay Carp, '50
Cold War Confessions: Inside Our Classified Defense Programs, River Pointe Publications, 2007
The book: This book details the background, history, deployment and operation of the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile. It is replete with stories of humans and their foibles, from the manager who bought 8,000 rolls of seconds in toilet paper to the technician who ate his dinner off the shelves while he shopped in a supermarket. "Cold War Confessions" pays tribute to all the individuals, whether in the military, the government or the private sector, who worked tirelessly to keep the United States safe.
The author: Jay Carp spent more than 30 years at GTE, where he worked in military electronics. For 20 years, he worked entirely on intercontinental ballistic missile systems as a field engineer, test supervisor, troubleshooter, project engineer and project manager. He currently resides in Milan, Michigan.
Posted by lingjiex at 08:19 AM | Comments (0)
Susan Tyler Hitchcock, '70, MA'71
Frankenstein: A Cultural History, WW Norton & Company, 2007, $25.95
The Frankenstein story began as the nightmare of an unwed teenage mother in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1816. At a time when the moral universe was shifting and advances in scientific knowledge promised humans dominion over that which had been God's alone, Mary Shelley envisioned a story of human presumption and its misbegotten consequences. That story is still constantly retold and reinterpreted. Author Susan Tyler Hitchcock uses film, literature, history, science and even punk music to help us understand the meaning of this monster made by man.
Susan Tyler Hitchcock's last book was "Mad Mary Lamb: Lunacy and Murder in Literary London." Married with two children, she lives near Charlottesville, Virginia.
AAUM: How was the story of Frankenstein conceived?
Hitchcock: The version we tell today took shape in the summer of 1816 as 18-year-old Mary Godwin traveled with her stepsister, Claire Clairmont, and her lover, Percy Bysshe Shelley, to Geneva, Switzerland. They were in search of Claire's intended love, the poet Lord Byron. Godwin and company rented a cottage downhill from Byron's villa, and the group spent many a night together. To amuse themselves, they read from the German ghost story book "Phantasmagoriana," and at some point, Byron challenged his friends to write better. Of the group, three produced works that went into print. Mary Godwin (later to marry and become Mary Shelley) began "Frankenstein." The idea came to her in June 1816; she worked on it through the coming year, and the book was published early in 1818.
What was Mary Shelly's original monster like? What did he symbolize when she wrote him nearly 200 years ago?
When you read the novel for a description of the monster, you come up with very little. He stood eight feet tall, because it was easier for Victor Frankenstein, his creator, to work at that scale. His skin was dull gray, his hair black and stringy, his eyes yellow. He was horrible to look at—but not necessarily horrible inside, and that is one of the central points of the original novel. Mary Shelley uses this juxtaposition to show how society creates evil: when others see this horrible creature, they assume him to be dangerous and attack him. His violence is a response, but it is not inherent. That meaning is one of the key symbolisms in the novel. The other meaning that comes through is an exploration of the limits of human knowledge and the ethics involved in pushing those limits. Victor Frankenstein, in the eyes of many, transgressed because he ventured into realms reserved for God alone. My reading of the novel, though, suggests that the moral message is very ambiguous. We are led both to judge against Frankenstein and to admire his intellect and courage.
What is it about the monster that has captured our imagination and made him an icon?
The story captures the dilemma posed by the human condition: we can imagine far more than we are able to achieve. So are we supposed to push those limits, or are we supposed to be happy with things as they are? There is no easy answer to this question, and it poses itself over and over on the stage of life, both public and private. We ask it and rehearse our answer as we experience the story of Frankenstein again and again. We all have our monsters. In childhood, there are monsters under the bed. In adolescence, it feels like you ARE the monster. In adulthood, we try to forget these fears, but then modern science and technology present the possibilities, very real and horrifying, of monsters among us—whether we are talking about what auto accidents or weaponry can do to human bodies and minds or about the worst-case scenario coming out of the amazing developments in genetic engineering. Monsters lurk in our imaginations all the time, and reliving a story about a monster helps us to come to terms with those fears.
How ubiquitous are the story and the monster in culture?
The actual story of man making a monster has several precursors that came before Shelley's. There is a famous Jewish folktale of the golem, a man made of clay, but I have no evidence that Mary Shelley knew that story. There is the ancient Greek myth of Prometheus, clearly woven into the fabric of Shelley's novel, and in one version he is portrayed as the creator of humans, having made man out of clay and then having given him the gift of fire, for which Zeus punished him mercilessly. Shelley's novel is subtitled "The Modern Prometheus," and in many ways Victor Frankenstein's saga mirrors that ancient Greek myth. Since Shelley's telling of the story, though, "Frankenstein" has become the seminal myth for the making of human life, and it has been retold hundreds, maybe thousands, of times around the world, in specific recreations and in allusions over and over.
What are some of the most interesting, or your favorite, representations of the monster?
Over these years of considering "Frankenstein," I have come to have a deeper and deeper respect for Boris Karloff's portrayal of the monster in the first two Universal films, "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein." Although the script he was given encouraged a mindless, heartless, born-to-be monster, Karloff gave that character such a depth of soul. His version of the story did as much to keep the monster myth alive as anything else since the novel was written.
One of my favorite appearances is in a little-known 1970s-era Spanish film titled, in English, "The Spirit of the Beehive." It tells the story of a girl coming of age in Franco's Spain, and the Karloff-created monster symbolizes all the fears of adulthood, violence and sexuality that one must come to terms with as one becomes an independent adult. Putting it into words spoils the film, which is quiet and subtle and beautiful. It's definitely worth seeing.
This is going to sound very silly, but another of my favorites is a tabletop toy I bought one Halloween. He stands about a foot high and is a chunky plastic version of the Karloff monster. Push a button at his feet, and it looks like he's doing the Twist to the tune of "Monster Mash."He makes everyone happy—everyone loves to push that button and dance along.
As a collector of "Frankensteiniana," you seem to have a personal fascination with the story. What is it about Frankenstein that compels you?
I'm fascinated by the ambiguity of the monster—something we fear and love at the same time. Because there is no simple moral message, but a vibrating balance between good and bad, repulsion and attraction, the story can be told and interpreted endlessly. To me, such stories are more true to life than the ones with a simple, happy—or bluntly sad—ending. We are all bundles of contradictions, and exploring the monster and the myth, therefore, helps us sort through those complexities.
Posted by lingjiex at 07:58 AM | Comments (0)
Arliss Ryan, '71
How (Not) to Have a Perfect Wedding, Sourcebooks, 2007.
The book: Anne is a professional wedding hostess at the most beautiful of the opulent mansions along Newport’s seashore. She knows the smile she beams at her guests doesn’t have to be sincere, just present. She’s managed to maintain the illusion of pleasant composure through 10 years of rowdy guests and sobbing brides. However, tonight Anne is afraid she won’t be able to hold her tongue, let alone her smile: The wedding from hell has arrived on her beautifully manicured lawn.
The author: Arliss Ryan has worked as a freelance writer in advertising and public relations; she has written two novels, numerous short stories for literary journals, and nonfiction articles and essays for national magazines. Married to naval architect and U-M alumnus Eric Sponberg, she has a daughter, Kira, and a son, Dane.
Posted by lingjiex at 06:50 AM | Comments (0)
Andrea Daniels, '90, JD'93
It Could Happen, iUniverse, 2007
The book: When Andrea Daniels decides to adopt a child, she is unprepared for the emotions she feels for the baby and his birth mother. Not long after her son arrives, however, Andrea realizes she still craves the challenge of her career. When she accepts a new position, she discovers that finding good childcare is a full-time job. A menagerie of inept nannies parades through her door, but help is just around the corner. Then, Andrea’s longing for a second child begins. Part memoir, part novel, this is a moving tale of discovery, heartbreak and love.
The author: Andrea Daniels began writing novels because therapy seemed expensive. She practices law in the Midwest, where she resides with her husband and two children.
Posted by lingjiex at 06:47 AM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2008
Jennifer Worick, '90
The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life: How to Sew a Sampler Quilt & 49 Other Pioneer Projects for the Modern Girl, Taunton Press, 2007.
The book: This book helps you have a ball with some blast-from-the-past projects, from stitching a sampler quilt to preparing sweet cherries. Here’s your chance to travel back in time, step into our remarkable foremothers’ boots and recreate wonderful homespun handicrafts and activities. Rich stories of frontier women weave their way through the guide, coupling with a range of the projects that made up the daily life of these pioneers. Peek into the past, and bring a little bit back into your future.
The author: Jennifer Worick credits her "state of mind, nimble fingers, and moxie" for making her a prairie girl. She has written more than 15 books, including the bestselling "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating and Sex," and is a frequent contributor to major magazines. Though Jennifer lives in Seattle, her heart is forever on the prairie.
Web site: www.jenniferworick.com
Posted by lingjiex at 03:32 PM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2008
Gary Slaughter, '61
Cottonwood Winter: A Christmas Story, Fletcher House, 2007.
The book: The third novel in the Cottonwood series, this reminiscence of home front America is set during the last winter of World War II. While American forces are battling it out overseas, those at home are preparing for Christmas and coping with shortages, casualties of war and concerns about loved ones. On the Riverton, Michigan, home front, the disappearance of B. R. Santa, the threat of an elite German espionage agent, the unexplained appearances of grapevine wreaths all over town and other mysteries are to be solved by Jase and Danny, the Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn of the Cottonwood novels.
The author: Gary Slaughter grew up in a small town where he observed life on the World War II home front. Later, he served as an officer on naval destroyers. Over the years, he has written extensively and lectured widely on the management of corporate information technology. Today, Gary writes fiction and gives talks that focus on events during World War II.
Web site: http://www.cottonwoodwinter.com/
Posted by lingjiex at 07:25 PM | Comments (0)
Lois Wells Santalo, '43
I’ll Meet You in Syracuse: Ongoing Saga of the Langston/Kingsley Family, iUniverse, 2007.
The book: In this continuing saga of the Langston/Kingsley family, Del struggles to protect her husband and children from a mother who can’t forgive Del’s earlier divorce and seems determined to break up her daughter’s marriage. Just when things seem as bad as they can be, Del's daughter makes an announcement that adds new tension to the stew-pot of problems. In recurring nightmares, Del drives but can’t see the road ahead. Someone has curtained the windshield, she moves through heavy fog or a blinding snowstorm, or her headlights won’t come on. Something has to be done about the situation—but what?
The author: Lois Santalo is a former college instructor and served for seven years at a home for women in crisis, where she observed the problems described in her books. She lives in Southern California with her daughter, son-in-law and two cats, and writes full-time, working on a four-book saga, the Stormland Quartet. This is the third volume in that series.
Posted by lingjiex at 07:23 PM | Comments (0)
Elizabeth Christensen, '00, MSE'02
Stargate Atlantis: Casualties of War, Fandemonium Books, 2007.
The book: It’s a dark time for Atlantis. Following the first Asuran clashes, Col. Sheppard is buckling under the strain of command. When his team discovers ancient technology that can defeat the Asuran menace, he is determined that Atlantis must possess it. But the involvement of Atlantis heightens local suspicions and brings two peoples to the point of war. Elizabeth Weir believes only her negotiating skills can prevent the carnage, but when her diplomatic mission is attacked, both Weir and Sheppard must question their decisions—and their abilities to command.
The author: While working on two aerospace engineering degrees, Elizabeth Christensen witnessed five seasons of stellar football at the University. Currently a civilian engineer with the US Air Force, she works on propulsion and aircraft subsystems projects at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and shares pilot-in-command time in a Grumman Tiger airplane with her husband.
Web site: www.elizabethchristensen.com
Posted by lingjiex at 07:20 PM | Comments (0)
JT Caldwell, '67, MMUS'69
The Chaplain’s Assistant: God, Country, and Vietnam, iUniverse, 2007.
The book: It’s 1969, and Ted Bertson is in Vietnam serving as an Army chaplain's assistant. It sounds like a cushy job that will keep him behind the lines. But in Vietnam there are no lines—no person or place is completely safe. Behind every soldier in the field are 10 support troops who do the paperwork, make sure supplies are delivered, tend to the wounded, and care for spiritual and emotional needs. This is story of just one of those under-the-radar support troops and of an experience that forever changes Bertson and his love for the country he serves.
The author: JT Caldwell served as a chaplain's assistant in Vietnam in 1970, and this book is a fictionalized account of his experiences. In 1974 he joined the music faculty at Central Michigan University, where he continues to teach. He has two sons and four grandchildren and lives with his partner, Barbara Dixon, at their homes in Michigan and Missouri.
Web site: www.TheChaplainsAssistant.com
Posted by lingjiex at 07:18 PM | Comments (0)
Lenore Terr, MD'61, MDRES'66
Magical Moments of Change: How Psychotherapy Turns Kids Around, WW Norton & Co., 2007.
The book: A 15-year journey between the author and a seriously abused young patient takes us step-by-step through the miraculous ways children change. Terr also calls upon 33 of America’s top child and adolescent psychiatrists to share key moments of dramatic change that they witnessed in their own patients and to explain how these moments came about. The moments of change that Terr describes provide anyone who works with or cares for children valuable insights into just what can trigger a transformation. We are left with a deeper understanding of the mechanics of youthful change as well as a more confident approach to inducing turnabouts in our own children.
The author: Lenore Terr, clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and a psychiatrist in private practice, is a pioneer in the field of childhood trauma. The winner of numerous honors and awards, she is the author of "Too Scared to Cry" and "Unchained Memories." She also has been a featured expert on many television and radio programs.
Posted by lingjiex at 06:27 PM | Comments (0)
H. Robert Silverstein, '61 with Tom Monte
Maximum Healing: Improve Your Immune System and Optimize Your Natural Ability to Heal, iUniverse, 2007.
The book: If you suffer from allergies, asthma, high blood pressure or cholesterol, cancer, chronic fatigue, headaches, heart disease, joint pain, skin disorders or rheumatoid arthritis, this may be the most important book you will ever read. Inspiring case histories demonstrate successful treatment and prevention of these and many other illnesses.
The author: H. Robert Silverstein is board certified in cardiology and internal medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine. His approach to medicine is holistic, patient empowering and inclusive of complementary alternative integrative medicine.
Web site: www.thepmc.org
Posted by lingjiex at 06:26 PM | Comments (0)
Doug Meckelson and Diane Haithman, '79
The Elder Wisdom Circle Guide for a Meaningful Life: Seniors Across America Offer Advice to the Next Generations, Plume, 2007.
The book: American seniors today seek to live more fulfilling lives than previous generations—whether by volunteering for political causes, sightseeing around the globe—or doling out advice in cyberspace. The Elder Wisdom Circle, via its Web site, puts advice seekers in touch with a network of "cyber-grandparents" who offer assistance on everything from love and relationships to family and work. In this book, founder Doug Meckelson with Diane Haithman shares a collection of sage wisdom on an array of life’s most universal and provocative questions.
The author: Diane Haithman is a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, covering fine arts. She has served as writer-in-residence at the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Southern California. Before joining the Times, she was West Coast bureau chief and Hollywood columnist for the Detroit Free Press, based in Los Angeles.
Posted by lingjiex at 06:22 PM | Comments (0)
Geraldine Markel, '59, MA'65, PhD'74
Defeating the 8 Demons of Distraction: Proven Strategies to Increase Productivity and Decrease Stress, Managing Your Mind, 2007.
The book: A handy job aid or reference, this booklet explains how to combat the competing forces that destroy focus and energy at work and at home. It is designed to arm employees and family managers with simple, yet powerful strategies to defeat common distractions, labeled demons, that interrupt your flow of attention and psychic energy.
The author: Educational Psychologist Geri Markel is co-author of several books applying behavioral research to productivity. She works as a performance coach, speaker and consultant in business, industry, health care and education. Her client list includes the U-M School of Dentistry, Pfizer, Ford Motor Company and Domino’s Pizza.
Web site: www.managingyourmind.com/
Posted by lingjiex at 06:19 PM | Comments (0)
Jorge E. Chavarro, Walter C. Willet, MD'70, and Patrick J. Skerrett
The Fertility Diet: Groundbreaking Research Reveals Natural Ways to Boost Ovulation & Improve Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, McGraw-Hill, 2008.
The book: Can diet and exercise affect your ability to get pregnant? As described in this book, 10 changes in diet and activity can have profound effects on fertility. The Nurses' Health Study examined the effects of diet and other lifestyle changes on fertility among nearly 20,000 female nurses. In plain language, two of the study's lead researchers translate its findings into changes you can put into practice today, setting the stage for a healthy pregnancy and forming the foundation for an eating strategy that will serve you well for the rest of your life.
The author: Walter C. Willett is the Fredrick John Stare Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition and chairman of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, as well as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is one of the leaders of the Nurses' Health Study and the author of "Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy."
Posted by lingjiex at 06:18 PM | Comments (0)
Dale Boesky, '51, MD'54, MDRES'60
Psychoanalytic Disagreements in Context, Jason Aronson, 2008.
The book: Contemporary psychoanalysts are eclectic and believe they use the best ideas from each of numerous competing theoretic models. However, there is confusion and controversy about what constitutes "the best." Critical differences between these theories are about inferences concerning the disguised meaning of what patients tell us. There can be no meaning without context, but we have never developed a consensus about how we establish context (contextualization). This book offers a number of detailed clinical examples to illustrate how confusion about contextualization serves as the source of some of our most important disagreements.
The author: Dale Boesky is the past editor-in-chief of the Psychoanalytic Quarterly. He is a training and supervising analyst at the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute.
Posted by lingjiex at 05:03 PM | Comments (0)