“Can We All Get Along?”:
Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics
by Paula McClain and Joseph Stewart
E184 .A1 M347 2010
New Book Island, 2nd floor
It’s the time of year when many people decide to change their lifestyle in some way, whether it be actually using the gym membership that they purchased or not going back for thirds at the all-you-can-eat buffet – things of that nature. Some may even pledge to nicer to those around them. For that reason, I chose to highlight this week’s featured title, given that politics can ignite some serious emotion and heated arguments between individuals.
McClain and Stewart, professors at Duke and Clemson Universities, respectively, have put out an updated edition of their popular book, which analyzes the role of race and ethnic relations in political dealings in the United States, to include the momentous 2008 presidential election. The authors cover the historical events that have shaped the current state of minority involvement in politics, as well as topics like voting behavior, party affiliations and minority coalitions. This update provides an excellent foundation for researching an interesting and contentious topic.
Can’t we all just get along?
Packaging Boyhood:
Saving Our Sons from Superheroes,
Slackers and Other Media Stereotypes
by Brown, Lamb and Tappan
HD9970.5 .C483 U635 2009
New Book Island, 2nd floor
Growing up has never been easy, for some, harder than others. One could argue that the rise of television and the Internet has made it even harder to get through childhood emotionally unscathed. This week’s featured title tackles how the media influences being a kid in this day and age.
Brown, Lamb and Tappan have compiled their research from surveying over six hundred boys from across the country about what it’s like to be a young male. They examine the messages that the media sends these budding adolescents and how these seemingly positive portrayals contain dark undertones. The authors try to figure out what they wear, watch, hear, read and do in order to examine the effects of the external forces on the lives of these boys. They contend that parents and adults should help boys to process these images and encourage them to be themselves and not conform to media stereotypes.
And don’t worry – you won’t have to wait for the study of the girls, as they were the subject of the 2006 book by the same researchers (minus Tappan), Packaging Girlhood, HD9970.5.C483 U655 2006 (Main Collection, 3rd floor).
Thirteen Persistent Economic Fallacies:
by EJ Mishan
HB171 .M545 2009
New Book Island, 2nd floor
The drive for starting this column way back in 2007 was to highlight books that I selected for purchase – I wanted to share the fact that there were great things being published and acquired for the library’s collection. This week’s featured title is an example of one that I thought was interesting.
Mishan, professor at the London School of Economics, is out to shake things up. Specifically, the long-time economist is challenging popular notions to current issues, such as immigration, globalization and gender discrimination. You know those things that you just assume are common knowledge? The author takes thirteen statements, such as “The national debt is a burden on future generations,” and provides new arguments for the debate. Prepare to view these topics in a different light after reading this book.
American Fantastic Tales:
Terror and the Uncanny
by Peter Straub
volume 1 – PS648 .F3 A57 2009
volume 2 – PS648 .F3 A572 2009
New Book Island, 2nd floor
We’re now entering the last month of 2009 and winter seems to be making its first appearance for what hopefully will be a mild season (hey, I can dream, right?). The temperatures outside may cause you to stay inside and potentially curl up with a good book. This week’s featured title will have you having you on the edge of your seat or screaming – or both.
Straub, the editor of the two-volume set, has compiled a collection of short stores from the some of the most well-known authors in the history of our country. Of course, there’s a twist to the literary selections – they are representative of the horror and fantasy writing present from the 1800s to the present. Revolving around themes of the mysterious and suspenseful, the editor takes the reader into the world of the fantastical with writers from Poe to King, Melville to Cheever. The best part – most of the stories are ten to twenty pages and make it easy to jump around. On the other hand, you might not be able to put the books down…
The World Is Blue:
How Our Fate and the Ocean’s Are One
by Sylvia Earle
GC21 .E28 2009
New Book Island, 2nd floor
It seems to me that much of the focus in the environmental debate has been on climate change and plastics and recycling. This week’s featured title looks at the major ‘benefactor’ (if you can say that) of the effects of those factors, the world’s oceans.
Earle, Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society and well-respected researcher, presents the case for protecting and preserving the oceanic landscape. In her opening paragraph, she states that “many seem unaware that without the ‘blue’, there could be no green” (both literally and figuratively). The author goes into great detail about the living organisms that are sustained by the water, and the challenges that these lifeforms face from the human practices that are detrimental to their ecosystems. Fortunately, Earle offers her vast knowledge of the oceans to educate people, but also to describe solutions in which we can save not only our water-based friends, but also ourselves.
No Impact Man:
The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process
by Colin Beaven
HD62.27 .S64 2009
New Book Island, 2nd floor
Can you imagine a year without take-out food (I would flat out die from starvation), driving (I don’t really need a job) or Tide in your laundry (smelling nice is overrated)? Well, Beaven, author and electronic engineer, not only puts himself to the test of zero environmental impact, but also his family. Surprisingly, they all made it out alive and were able to write about their experiences. The author describes the trials and tribulations of the modern conveniences, such as air conditioning and toilet paper (you’ll have to read it to find out about that side of things). If you can’t get enough of him, you can check out his No Impact Project.
(The real reason that I chose to feature this book is because of its appearance and construction. The publishers printed the book on 100% postconsumer recycled paper and utilized unbleached cardboard covers. It definitely catches your eye on the shelf.)
The Mom & Pop Store:
How the Unsung Heroes of the American
Economy Are Surviving & Thriving
By Robert Spector
HD62.27 .S64 2009
New Book Island, 2nd floor
The economic turbulence that our country is facing has put pressure on every corner of society, from the large corporations to the municipalities to the small businesses. Over the last several years, there has been a push to shop local, with organizations marketing to their fellow neighbors about the virtues of supporting communities. This week’s featured title puts the heart of the local economy in the spotlight in these difficult times.
Spector, business journalist and bestselling author, travels down America’s Main Streets to take the pulse of the nation’s economy and (surprisingly) finds it alive and beating quickly. The author provides snapshots of small business and localism movement around the country, from a bookstore on the West Coast to a deli on the East Coast and everywhere in between. While the present day is the main theme of the work, Spector brings in the history of independent merchants and their economic contributions to the growth of the colonial era. He also integrates his own stories of growing up with the family business.
Spent:
Sex, Evolution and Consumer Behavior
By Geoffrey Miller
HB801 .M493 2009
New Book Island, 2nd floor
It seems that we’re on a Darwin kick here (next week, a book about the Darwin Awards?), but this week’s featured title also deals with evolution in a different context. Besides, with the Black Friday ads already starting to pop up here and there, dropping loads of cash is on everyone’s mind.
Miller, a professor at the University of New Mexico, applies the world of evolutionary psychology to the field of marketing with intriguing results. He seeks to prove that there is a connection between buyer behavior and our biological potential as friends and mates. The author examines the Central Six, the major dimensions of variations for human behavior, and what the purchases we make, from cars to music to video games, reveal about them. If you’d like to learn what compels you to buy those suicidal high heels or the ginormous truck, this book’s for you.
Galápagos at the Crossroads:
Pirates, Biologists, Tourists and Creationists
Battle for Darwin’s Cradle of Evolution
By Carol Ann Bassett
F3741 .G2 B38 2009
New Book Island, 2nd floor
Back in grade school, I remember learning about the islands off the coast of Ecuador where thousands of species of plants and animals could be found only there. The islands also provided Darwin with the scientific evidence to support his theory of natural selection. This week’s featured book alerts readers that the birthplace of The Origin of Species is at risk due to economic exploitation.
Bassett, writing instructor at the University of Oregon, presents the case that the Galápagos Islands, known for their natural and unique beauty, could (or more accurately, will) be lost forever if something doesn’t change. She tells the history of the islands and their exploration by Spanish conquistadors and adventurous scientists and naturalists. The author then takes a chapter to discuss each stakeholder in the current situation, from the tour companies to fishermen to the pirates. If you are looking for an example of the battle between the natural environment and human encroachment, this book provides the perfect case.
One more thing, which I (as a librarian) thought was cool: Bassett not only includes a bibliography, but breaks up the sources by type, with books, magazines/journals, etc. – makes your life easy when trying to figure out citations!
Our Lot:
How Real Estate Came to Own Us
By Alyssa Katz
HD1375 .K348 2009
New Book Island, 2nd floor
The housing market these days has a lot of people worried and waiting for an economic recovery to make the next move. The real estate bubble and subsequent implosion put individuals and corporations in dire situations. This week’s featured title looks at the factors that contributed to the crash of the American dream of home ownership.
Katz, journalism instructor at New York University, examines the housing market and how we got to where we are now. The author focuses on all of the players involved, from the government to the bankers to community activists, that created the crisis that we’re currently experiencing. She writes about a somewhat complicated subject in a very accessible style and even includes a glossary of real estate terms just in case. Furthermore, she does provide notes and sources for further research.
