New & Notable
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge: The Book of Mnemonic Devices
Rod L. Evans (Grad ’81, ’87)
The Penguin Group
For those in search of memory aids, this books helps one remember a huge body of facts, from the five tenets of Calvinism to Henry VIII’s wives in chronological order. Some people scoff at mnemonics, but these devices can be extremely effective in remembering information, according to the author, who shares anagrams, clever rhymes and word games that bring instant recall.
Shanghai Art Deco
Tess Johnston (Educ ’61, Grad ’63) and Deke Erh
Old China Hand Press
Shanghai historian and retired U.S. Foreign Service officer Tess Johnston teamed up with Chinese photographer Deke Erh on this latest book in their series about Western architecture in old China (they’ve collaborated on 15 books). Lavishly photographed, this volume covers the best of Shanghai’s myriad Art Deco treasures, from its buildings to furniture and objects.
You Gave Me a Wide Place: Holy Places of Our Lives
Paul E. Stroble (Grad ’91)
Upper Room Books
Have you ever been in a place where you felt deeply moved, unexpectedly inspired or profoundly comforted? Many people have special places that they associate with God’s grace. Stroble reflects on the spiritual meaning of common places in everyday life, sharing stories and Biblical passages. Included in the book are guides for reflection. Strobe also recently authored What About Religion and Science? A Study of Reason and Faith.
Shakespeare and Technology: Dramatizing Early Technological Revolutions
Adam Cohen (Grad ’99, ’01)
Palgrave
McMillan
Reading the plays in technological contexts, Cohen offers new insights into some of Shakespeare’s key metaphors, his methods of character development and plot development, his ideas about genre, his concept of theatrical space and his views on the theatre’s role in society.
Missouri in Flight
Mundy Hackett (Col ’92)
University of Missouri Press
Photographer and wildlife biologist Mundy Hackett offers more than 100 color images of birds, along with interesting facts about Missouri’s native bird population and thoughts on the subtleties of their behavior. The book includes practical tips to help birders and photographers better capture these elusive creatures.
The Art of Woo: Using Strategic Persuasion to Sell Your Ideas
G. Richard Shell (Law ’81) and Mario Moussa
Portfolio
Winning people over, according to the authors, who are directors of the Wharton School’s Strategic Persuasion Workshop, is a mysterious skill: an admixture of emotional intelligence, politics, rhetoric and psychology. The authors share stories of their own experiences and offer a self-assessment to help one determine the best method of selling ideas and capitalizing on natural strengths.
Practically Perfect in Every Way: My Misadventures Through the World of Self-Help—and Back
Jennifer Niesslein (Col ’94)
G.P. Putnam’s Sons
A wife, mother and editor of the magazine Brain: Child, the author turned herself into a guinea pig for two years, attempting to follow the advice of self-help experts in an effort to become a better and happier person. Seeking perfection in all areas of her life—from housework and financial management to child-rearing and faith—she learned that the road to self-help nirvana is fraught with peril.
Worries of the Heart: Widows, Family and Community in Kenya
Kenda Mutongi (Grad ’93, ’96)
University of Chicago Press
A native of Kenya, the author explores how the challenges and contradictions of colonial rule and the frustrations and failures of independence shaped the lives of widows in the Kenyan community of Maragoli. Rates of widowhood are remarkably high in this East African country, yet widows and their families exist at the margins of society, and their lives can been seen as a barometer for the harsh realities of rural Kenya.
The Elizabeth River
Amy Waters Yarsinski (Arch ’88)
The History Press
This volume traces several centuries of history of the Elizabeth River in eastern Virginia, discovered and mapped in 1619. The author explores its geographical and geological context and its rich biodiversity. Often characterized as one of the most polluted waterways, the Elizabeth offers relatively untrammeled sections in its headwaters where boating, fishing and crabbing remain popular.