From the Treaty of Paris to Dick Cheney’s lousy shot, this certainly was an interesting week in history. Who knew that Oregon was inducted into the Union on Valentine’s Day? How fitting that my lovely fiancé hails from “The Beaver State.” You learn something new every day. So, in this spirit of erudition, let’s take a look at what happened… This Week in History February 10, 1763: Under the Treaty of Paris, France ceded Canada to England, ending the French and Indian War.Read of the dramatic events that took place prior to the Treaty of Paris around the colonial fortified … Continue reading This Week in History: February 10-15, 2008

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, This Post is our Valentine’s Day Gift to You Who needs heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, long-stemmed red roses, and cuddly stuffed teddy bears? Our gift to you this Valentine’s Day is much more creative! For your viewing pleasure, we offer you a selection of movie clips featuring Ted Kooser reading selections from his new poetry book, Valentines. Forward the link to this posting to your sweetheart as a truly poetic way to say "I love you" this Valentine’s Day. Download for_you_friend.mov Download pocket_poem.mov Download song_of_the_ironing_board.mov Continue reading Happy Valentine’s Day, Bloggers!

The Poetics of Golf by Andy Brumer “If you’re a golfer and have an undeniable passion for golf literature, get your hands on Brumer’s The Poetics of Golf. It will whet your appetite for the mystical side of golf using the game itself as a looking glass.”—Eye on Golf Blog Read the full review at http://eyeongolf.blogspot.com/. Read earlier praise for The Poetics of Golf at http://nebraskapress.typepad.com/university_of_nebraska_pr/2007/12/praise-for-the.html. Continue reading More Praise for The Poetics of Golf

To a Distant Day: The Rocket Pioneers by Chris Gainor, foreword by Alfred Worden “A detailed, deftly written history that should appeal to all would-be rocketeers, whether launching from fields on weekend afternoons or just dreaming of space in a comfortable chair.”—Publishers Weekly “Let us hope for as good a companion volume taking the story to the shuttle and space-station era and the emergence of space powers other than Russia and the U.S.”—Roland Green, Booklist Continue reading Praise for To a Distant Day

Endgame 1758: The Promise, the Glory, and the Despair of Louisbourg’s Last Decade by A.J.B. Johnston “Johnston takes an important date in 18th century Louisbourg and gives the reader a satisfyingly detailed look at the fortress town’s final year under French rule. . . . [A]n intricate, behind-the-scenes look at what happened during that fateful last year.”—The Chronicle-Herald (Canada) Go to http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Search/1035908.html to read the full article online. Continue reading Praise for Endgame 1758

                                            “Cold War Tuesday” New this month from the University of Nebraska Press, Between Panic and Desire  by Dinty W. Moore is the “Insouciant” and “hilarious” tale of coming to terms with the events of the postmodern world. For Moore, those dealings happen to be the Kennedy assassination, the Cold War and all it’s intricacies, and of course standing on top of the world trade center and dropping acid. So for today’s Tuesday Trivia we are going to take a nod from Dinty Moore and explore our … Continue reading “Tuesday Trivia: February 12, 2008”

Branch Rickey: Baseball’s Ferocious Gentleman by Lee Lowenfish “Readers quickly come to trust the author as a biographer who will concede his subject’s nerve and sense of the moment, as well as his bottom-line regard for business.”—Brian Burnes, The Kansas City Star To view earlier praise for Branch Rickey, please visit http://nebraskapress.typepad.com/university_of_nebraska_pr/2007/02/praise_for_bran.html. Continue reading More Praise for Branch Rickey

Under the Boards: The Cultural Revolution in Basketball by Jeffrey Lane “Lane’s first book comes at you like a tenacious defender—grabbing, pushing, and decimating your comfort zone [with] penetrating and often startling insight. . . . This book will force you to buckle down and confront your weaknesses. And in this case, it’s your mind that ends up stronger.” —Jesse Washington, Bounce Magazine Read more praise for Under the Boards at http://nebraskapress.typepad.com/university_of_nebraska_pr/2007/06/praise-for-unde.html. Continue reading More Praise for Under the Boards