Books The Black Bruins James M. Johnson Starred review from Kirkus: “Johnson engagingly captures the lives, struggles, and triumphs of five men whose greatness transcended American sports.” Black Jesus and Other Superheroes Venita Blackburn Highlighted in Ms. blog: “Blackburn’s remarkably short … Continue reading News and Reviews
Books American English, Italian Chocolate Rick Bailey Starred review from Publishers Weekly: “The essays read like the best of short stories: their significance extends beyond what is on the page.” The Blind Man and the Loon Craig Mishler Praise from Cultural … Continue reading News and Reviews
Books Stolen Words by Mark Glickman Praise from Kirkus Reviews: “Glickman has produced a provocative history that preserves this important yet often overlooked aspect of the Holocaust, and readers will come away with a valuable perspective on how the written word can be abused for the sake of cultural genocide.” “The text is approachable and the material is invaluable. The written word prevails.” Return to Zion by Eric Gartman Recommendation from Library Journal: “It can often be difficult to understand how precarious Jewish life was in a world without a Jewish state. Focusing on the strong personalities involved in Israel’s … Continue reading NEWS AND REVIEWS
Books Falafel Nation by Yael Raviv Praise from the Jewish Book Council: “. . . a detailed, meticulously researched, academic assessment of the ways in which Zionist political goals, local demographics and economics, Labor Zionism’s emphasis on the revival of Jewish agriculture on biblical soil, and more all combined to create modern Israeli identity on both national and individual levels . . . a thought-provoking read for someone interested in a detailed, intellectual exploration of the origins of Israeli identity from a new perspective.” So, How Long Have You Been Native? by Alexis C. Bunten Recommendation from Alaska Dispatch News: “Bunten wanders over … Continue reading NEWS AND REVIEWS
Books Washington Merry-Go-Round by Drew Pearson Edited by Peter Hannaford Review from the New Yorker: “This new installment shows even more convincingly the extent of Pearson’s direct involvement in politics, often at the Presidential level, and the degree to which it derived not just from standard elements of ego and competitiveness but also from an emotionally committed world view.” You Will Never See Any God by Ervin D. Krause Edited by Timothy Schaffert Attention from the Chicago Tribune: “Schaffert later reached out to Loretta, who’d saved all of her husband’s work. In 2014, Bison Books, the trade imprint of the University … Continue reading NEWS AND REVIEWS
Books Cora Du Bois by Susan C. Seymour Praise from the Los Angeles Book Review: “Seymour’s book reads like a detective novel in parts, a history in others, as she follows the adventurous life of a ‘distant observer of mankind.’ . . . Susan Seymour makes clear the irony of a woman with principle—a patriotic American who attempted to see beyond the present — being first rewarded by her country and then defamed by its intelligence agencies for doing so. There are important contemporary lessons here. If we don’t know where we have come from, we can’t see where our country … Continue reading NEWS AND REVIEWS
Books Falafel Nation By Yael Raviv Applause from the Kirkus Reviews: “What’s in a falafel? By the lights of food-studies and nutrition adjunct professor Raviv, it’s not just chickpeas and pita bread, but also identity . . . The author is particularly good on pressing the point that such cuisines are seldom fixed but instead constantly adapt as new groups enter and as time changes.” The Heart of the Matter By Arthur Green Recommendation from CHOICE: “The why rather than the how of practicing Judaism is the central focus that draws together this collection of literary essays . . . Green engages with the intricacies of Kabbalah, Hasidic masters, classical … Continue reading NEWS AND REVIEWS
BOOKS Return to Zion by Eric Gartman Thumbs-up from the Kirkus Reviews: “A thorough, proficient overview that quietly hums a pro-Jewish tune.” Cheated by Jay M. Smith and Mary Willingham A review from CHOICE: “…the authors meticulously lay out the patterns of systemic corruption and lack of institutional control. This book should be required reading for everyone, both those on campus and fans in the stands or in front of their flat-screens.” Sharing Our Knowledge Edited by Sergei Kan with Steve Henrikson Recommendation from CHOICE: “Typically, the more interesting a book is, the more tangents are available to readers. This book sent this … Continue reading NEWS AND REVIEWS
Little Free Library Take Over in Lincoln, Nebraska Shout out from Book Riot: “After six of the city’s fifty Little Free Libraries were ‘robbed,’ the community stepped up to refill them. Even the University of Nebraska Press donated books to the cause.” Media mention from Channel 8, ABC KLKN-TV: ” ‘You can’t steal a free book, but you can steal the experience from the next person,’ says Ockander. The University of Nebraska Press wants to help bring the experience back.” UNP quoted in the Omaha World-Herald: “The donations aren’t in response to the theft, just a nice coincidence. ‘It was incredibly … Continue reading NEWS AND REVIEWS
Books Micah Goodman, Maimonides and the Book that Changed Judaism Praise from Publishers Weekly: “suitable for both spiritual seekers and intellectually curious laypeople . . . Goodman’s explanation of Maimonides’s Guide concentrates on the most fundamental question of the Guide: what constitutes a life well-lived? Goodman considers the aim of the Guide in its original context and its impact on Judaism in previous ages, as well as its continued relevance, particularly its value to people living in a post-modernist, skeptical age.” Ross Coen, Fu-Go Recommendation from Military Review: “Coen, a historian of the American West, weaves thorough research into a well-written narrative. His description . … Continue reading NEWS AND REVIEWS
