Fall Semester 2008 - Welcome Back!

Welcome back Humanities faculty!

It's a new fiscal year, which means we have money budgeted to spend on library materials that support your classes. I'll be posting reviews of books and other media on this blog throughout the upcoming academic year. Please let us know if there's anything you think we should add to the library or instructional media collections.

This semester we've started using a new feature of our online catalog called "Featured Lists." We've been able to pull a group of catalog records into a live list that connects directly to the individual cataloging records. You can check out our first six featured lists on the Alpine Campus Library page of the CMC Virtual Library. The Make a Purchase Suggestion link is located directly above the featured lists.

Please notice the New Instructional Media featured list. These items were purchased to support your classroom instruction. They are sorted by locally assigned call number and general subject area.

The Eco Focused Resources are titles we selected this year to support the greening of our curriculum. This Featured List is sorted first by item type (books before DVDs) and then by Library of Congress call number so similar subject areas are listed together.

Kristin Weber

February 2008 - Titles and Links

David, Ronald L. Mary Martin, Broadway Legend "Highly recommended for theater and biography collections." Library Journal 2/15/08

Louvish, Simon. Cecil B. DeMille: A Life in Art Louvish's biography will stand as an invaluable contribution to the understanding of DeMille and his place in film history." Library Journal 2/15/08

Marcus Aureluis. The Essential Marcus Aurelius tr. from Latin by Jacob Needleman & John P. Piazza "In general and historical introductions, they give some background knowledge of Marcus, his philosophical influences, and the historical time period, also announcing their intention with this simplified translation: to enable Marcus's work to reach a greater number of readers." Library Journal 2/1/08

Stanislavski, Konstantin. An Actor's Work: A Student's Diary tr. from Russian by Jean Benedetti "For decades, the translations by Elizabeth Hapgood have been the standard text for actors interested in the Stanislavski system. Benedetti, the author of several previous books on Stanislavski, has both improved and expanded upon the Hapgood editions, and the result is a longer yet much more readable text. Essential for all theater collections..." Library Journal 2/1/08

Thurkill. Mary F. Chosen Among Women: Mary and Fatima in Medieval Christianity and Shi'ite Islam "Doing substantial comparative work in rhetoric, gender, and religion, Thurlkill is outwardly interested in holy women. Her study provides a side-by-side examination of the ways in which men in medieval Christianity and Shiite Islam constructed and enshrined feminine images "without seriously compromising conservative gender designations...Extensively footnoted and with a rich bibliography, this is recommended for academic gender and religion collections." Library Journal 2/1/08

Wladman, Steven. Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America "Waldman describes the dramatic birth of religious freedom in the founding of our nation by letting five Founding Fathers—Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson—highlight through original material their efforts in, disagreements and battles over, and approaches to dealing with the place of religion in daily life." Library Journal 2/15/08

Please contact Kristin Weber or David Willis if you'd like us to purchase any of these books!

Humanities Book Titles - What Should We Order?

Here are some well reviewed book titles. If you think we should add any of these or any other titles to the library collection, please contact David Willis or Kristin Weber.


Doherty, Thomas. Hollywood's Censor: Joseph I. Breen and the Production Code Administration "Compelling, colorful, insightful, and nearly encyclopedic in detail, this book seems destined to become the definitive scholarly biography of Breen." Library Journal 10/15/07

How it Is: The Native American Philosophy of V.F. Cordova "While certainly erudite, these thoughtful essays are accessible and topical in light of growing awareness of human-generated threats to the biosphere" Booklist 11/1/07

Kraybill, Donald B. & others. Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy "Explain[s] the Amish community's reaction to the Nickel Mines, PA, murder of five of its schoolchildren, especially its forgiveness of the killer and expressions of grace toward his family." Library Journal 10/15/07

Newman, Sharan The Real History Behind the Templars "...A meticulously referenced account of the documentary history of the Knights of the Temple of Solomon (i.e., the Knights Templar) from their inauguration circa 1120 - 25 C.E. until their dissolution in 1312 C.E." Library Journal 11/15/07

Robinson, Daniel N. Consciousness and Mental Life "In the end, through detailed critiques of current philosophy of mind theories, Robinson succeeds in showing the complexity of consciousnesses and also presents a possible framework for advancing our understanding of the mind/body relationship. Highly recommended for academic libraries." Library Journal 12/1/07

Vick, Tom Asian Cinema: A Field Guide "This useful guide to a rapidly expanding world of filmmaking is highly recommended for all academic and public libraries." Library Journal 1/1/08

Humanities Video Titles

Happy Finals Week!! Here are some Humanities video titles. If you think we should add any of these to the instructional media collection, please contact Sandy Kent, David Willis or Kristin Weber.



The American Transcendentalists: Concord, Massachusetts Divided into five sections, this program traces the origins and defines the concept of Transcendentalism; spotlights key landmarks in and around Concord, where the Transcendental movement got its start; and profiles Emerson, Thoreau, and Fuller in depth.

The BBC Acting Series: The Complete Set "The Acting Series is a jolly good show that is highly recommended, if not essential, for all library performing arts collections." Library Journal 10/15/07

The Dialogue: Learning from the Masters; An Interview with Paul Haggis "Recommended for all public and academic libraries." Library Journal 10/15/07

Film School This IFC Original Series follows three NYU film students as they try to direct an award-winning film and launch their careers.

Romanticism: Imagining Freedom This program vividly conveys how new ways of thinking and seeing reshaped the humanities in the 18th and 19th centuries. Check out the preview clip!

The Story of God This three-part series filmed around the world takes a fresh look at God to see how belief in a supreme being came about and whether religion and science contradict or complement each other. Preview clip available.

What is True? An Introduction to Secular Humanism “Offers a solid introduction to the basic principles of secular humanism. Recommended.” —Video Librarian

New Humanities Titles

Here are some Humanities titles that received favorable reviews. You can send any requests for purchases to Kristin or David in the library.

Goodman, Martin. Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilizations "...the effects of the clash between Romans and Jews had far-reaching consequences for the wider Western world as this outstanding comprehensive history of the conflict illustrates." Booklist 10/15/07

Lax, Eric. Conversations with Woody Allen: His Films, the Movies, and Moviemaking "The conversations in this absorbing study, which is clearly must reading for Allen admirers and fans of contemporary cinema, are grouped thematically in sections on writing, acting, shooting, directing, editing and scoring, and at the end of each chapter, Allen reflects on his career." Booklist 10/15/07

Norman, Marc. What Happens Next: A History of American Screenwriting "With American cinema as the backdrop, Norman relates a deft commentary on the correlation of art, culture, and society that is highly readable yet no less academic or well researched. Highly recommended for all film collections." Library Journal 10/01/07

Ross, Alex. The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century "Ross, the New Yorker's music critic, successfully blends biography, musical analysis, history and commentary from each area of the arts into a taut exposition of the evolution and devolution of music in the twentieth century, a complex fabric woven from all the elements that went into modern music." Booklist 10/15/07

Rumi. Rumi: Bridge to the Soul; Journeys into the Music and Silence of the Heart "[This] book, issued in celebration of Rumi's 800th birthday, presents 90 new translations of Rumi's ecstatic insights, most never before published." Library Journal 10/1/07

Stark, Rodney. Discovering God: A New Look at the Origins of the Great Religions "Written in an engaging style yet retaining scholarly integrity through an elaborate system of endnotes, charts, time lines, and a glossary, this work would serve well as an introduction to the history/sociology of religion" Library Journal 10/1/07

Wilson, Emily. The Death of Socrates "...Wilson resists the seduction of mythology, compelling the reader to wrestle with doubts that have plagued writers and artists contemplating the demise of a man who was both a legendary philosopher and a self-described gadfly. Probing and provocative." Booklist 10/15/07

October 2007 Humanities Titles

Greetings! Here are some recently released titles that received strong reviews in Library Journal and Booklist. Please let us know if you'd like us to purchase any of these, or any other titles.
Kristin Weber or David Willis

Chiesa, Lorenzo. Subjectivity and Otherness: A Philosophical Reading of Lacan "...Readers of this excellent book will be in a good position to tackle Lacan's Écrits as well as his seminars." Library Journal 9/15/07

Gray, John. Black Mass: Apocalyptic Religion and the Death of Utopia "...Gray traces the course of apocalyptic-utopian politics from early Christianity through its secular variant in the Enlightenment and into modern political thought from Marx to Francis Fukuyama, the French Revolution to radical Islamism." Publisher's Weekly

Lipton, James. Inside Inside "...An unqualified hit among this season's theatrical offerings and a necessary purchase for all performing arts collections." Library Journal 9/1/07

O'Kane, Bernard. Treasures of Islam: Artistic Glories of the Muslim World "...O'Kane provides one of the most welcoming, informative, and exciting overviews of Islamic art yet produced." Booklist 10/01/07

Qazwini, Iman Hassan. American Crescent: A Muslim Cleric on the Power of His Faith, the Struggle against Prejudice, and the Future of Islam in America "...this is the book with which Americans should start ot learn about Islam and Muslims." Booklist 10/1/07

Snyder, Blake. Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told "...Snyder teaches screenwriting by closely parsing screenplays that have been successful in the past. He argues that there are only ten stories out there and that every movie is a variation on one of them." Library Journal 9/15/07

Truby, John. The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller "...highly recommended for academic libraries..." Library Journal 9/15/07

Zeruneith, Keld. The Wooden Horse: The Liberation of the Western Mind from Odysseus to Socrates "... Overall, Zeruneith successfully combines historical analysis and philosophical reflection to show how the ancient Greeks' emphasis on intellect and rationality influenced our understanding of history and philosophy." Library Journal 9/1/07

Welcome to the Humanities Collection Development Blog!

What materials would you like the library to purchase to support instruction in the humanities? This blog exists to facilitate sharing reviews and suggestions for the humanities collection of the Alpine Campus Library. As your Humanities faculty liason, I will post regular entries of reviews I have read with links to the more colorful entries on Amazon. You can email me (kweber@coloradomtn.edu) or use the comments feature of this blog to let me know what you'd like for us to order, or even what kinds off reviews you'd like to see. Let's get started! Kristin



Book Reviews from July & August 2007 Library Journal



Armstrong, Karen. The Bible: A Biography. Atlantic Monthly. (Books That Changed the World). Nov. 2007. c.288p. ISBN 978-0-87113-969-6. $21.95. REL
Once again, Armstrong (The Great Transformation) has written a groundbreaking history. This one, a well-reasoned and inspired biography about the most influential book of all time (at least in the West), comes complete with the interesting circumstances, people, and places that made the Bible what it is: so important, controversial, and misunderstood a text. Whether writing on Jewish oral history, providing an unobstructed summary of kabbalistic teachings, or conveying the impact of the Christian Right on American politics, Armstrong shows a depth of insight and transparent understanding of complex theological issues. In her closing, she insists that "this short biography makes it clear that many modern assumptions about the Bible are incorrect"; she is not being presumptuous. She argues persuasively for a more compassionate hermeneutics and a more charitable exegesis—a theme common to many of her books in their exhortations toward a kinder and more tolerant world of faith. This book is a miqra, or a "call to action" for all Jews, Christians, and Muslims. And Armstrong is Armstrong—simply one of the best writers ever on religion. Recommended for all libraries.—Gary P. Gillum, Brigham Young Univ., Provo, UT



Fantasy and Faith: The Art of Gustave Doré. Yale Univ. in assoc. with the Dahesh Museum of Art. 2007. 224p. ed. by Eric Zafran with R. Rosenblum & L. Small. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-300-10737-1. $65. FINE ARTS
Images of fantasy and horror, melancholy and memory are intrinsic to French artist Gustave Doré's (1832–83) work, but as this first English study in 25 years points out, his illustrations are only one element of his oeuvre. Doré's paintings and sculpture reveal a strong Romantic vision of the 19th century as well as a taste for political and mythological images, and though they have never had the same appeal as his graphic works, they are well worth considering. Based on holdings in American collections, this fascinating work examines the artist in the context of his own time and assesses his impact on visual media to the present day. Rosenblum (modern European Art, NYU) draws interesting parallels between Doré and Édouard Manet and points out their differences. Political statements and sardonic caricature are the topic of Dahesh Museum of Art curator Small's essay, while Zafran (curator, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art) examines Doré's work by theme. His inclusion of criticism from contemporary publications offers insight into the tastes and sensibilities of an earlier generation. Highly recommended for all art and academic libraries as well as large public collections.—Paula Frosch, Metropolitan Museum of Art Lib., New York



Houston, Joe. Optic Nerve: Perceptual Art of the 1960s. Merrell, dist. by CDS. 2007. 208p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-8589-4389-3. $49.95. FINE ARTS
Curator Houston recently mounted an exhibit of op art, an optical-illusion art form popular in the 1960s, at the Columbus Museum of Art, OH. This catalog, the only recently published work on the subject, accompanies that exhibit, yet it could easily stand alone. Following an introduction by art critic Dave Hickey are 11 well-written chapters describing op art within its historical context. This text is interspersed with images of archival material and high-quality photographs of installation pieces and paintings. Readers will find additional depth and understanding of this movement in the "Manifestos" section, which contains ten short essays by artists working in the op art genre. The catalog also provides short biographies of the more than 55 international artists it features—including Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, and Victor Vasarely—and a bibliography of criticism primarily from the 1960s. Recommended for public and academic libraries with art and 1960s history collections.—Valerie Nye, Coll. of Santa Fe Lib., NM



Dromgoole, Dominic. Will & Me: How Shakespeare Took Over My Life. Pegasus. Sept. 2007. c.320p. ISBN 978-1-933648-46-0. pap. $14.95. THEATER
This passionate memoir by the artistic director of the Globe Theatre serves to introduce readers to Shakespeare and offers new insights into the plays and characters. Dromgoole ties his personal history to Shakespeare's work, illustrating how his own life and the contemporary world have been enriched, explained, and illuminated by the plays and poems. Through such topics as love, death, family, friendship, and war, readers come to know both Dromgoole and Shakespeare. Dromgoole posits that Shakespeare is "hard wired" into the British psyche in part from World War II: e.g., after losing their theater during the Blitz, the Old Vic company produced "nation-defining performances" with greats like Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud. Writing that "no one could ban Shakespeare," Dromgoole illustrates how the plays could work covertly in politically repressive countries to provoke thought for new solutions. This is a marvelous text in which Shakespeare (and Dromgoole) spring to life in unexpected and delightful ways. Recommended for theater, academic, and large public library collections.—Susan L. Peters, Univ. of Texas, Galveston



Flori, Jean. Richard the Lionheart: King and Knight. Praeger. 2007. 462p. tr. from French by Jean Birrell. maps. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-275-99397-9. $49.95. BIOG
Flori (director, Centre D'Études Supérieres de Civilisation Médiévale, Poitiers) offers more than just a fascinating portrait of Richard the Lionheart. Through the personality and actions of this tempestuous 12th-century character, Flori delves into the origins and meaning of the medieval code of conduct commonly known as chivalry. King Richard was the product of a profoundly violent culture that led to the dominance of the knight on horseback. Flori emphasizes that, at the heart of his being, Richard I exemplified a conflict that permeated all of 12th-century Christendom: unabated violence vs. Christian ethics. From this conflict evolved the chivalric code that became institutionalized largely through the efforts of Richard as Roi-Chevalier (King-Warrior). The rituals of knighthood mandated a code of conduct that put limitations on the murderous behavior of the ruling elite of Europe and brought order to an increasingly chaotic sociopolitical environment. Flori's critical familiarity with the chroniclers of Richard the Lionheart's era lends an authenticity to this work that even the distinguished medievalist John Gillingham cannot match in his impressive Richard I. Birrell has done a superb job of translating Flori's Richard Coeur de Lion, which makes this distinguished work an essential selection for all medieval history collections.—Jim Doyle, Rome, GA



Green, Bill & others. I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski, and What-Have-You. Bloomsbury, dist. by Holtzbrinck. Sept. 2007. c.256p. illus. ISBN 978-1-59691-246-5. pap. $15.95. FILM
In 1998, the Coen brothers followed up their Oscar-winning film, Fargo, with The Big Lebowski. Although it initially failed to make a big splash commercially, it has generated a cult following strong enough to support an annual Lebowski Fest. This book by four such devoted fans and founders of the Lebowski Fest—Green, Ben Peskoe, Will Russell, and Scott Shuffitt—includes enough behind-the-scenes trivia and inside information to impress even the most hard-core Little Lebowski Urban Achiever (as dedicated Lebowski savants dub themselves). The authors managed to score interviews with every major actor (and many of the minor ones), and they all have interesting stories to tell. Also interviewed are some of the real-life inspirations behind the outlandish characters of the film, such as Peter Exline, whose rug really tied the room together, and Jeff Dowd, who first called himself "The Dude." Notably absent, however, are the Coen brothers, who "neither bless nor curse" the book. Sure to be of interest to anyone who enjoys the film, this is recommended for all libraries.—John Helling, NYPL



The Inner Journey: Views from the Islamic Tradition. Morning Light. (Parabola Anthology). 2007. 318p. ed. by William C. Chittick. illus. ISBN 978-1-59675-017-3. pap. $22.95. REL
Parabola, a journal about myth, tradition, and the search for meaning, has for 30 years been publishing essays from ancient and modern students of the mystical religious traditions. In 2005, Morning Light Press debuted its series compiling the journal's best essays on each tradition; volumes on Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism have already appeared, and a volume on Judaism also appeared this year. This volume's editor is one of the foremost Western authorities on Islamic thought and Sufism. He brings together interviews with Iranian Muslim philosopher Seyyed Hossein Nasr delineating the profound mystical and symbolic meanings of the Islamic spiritual experience; essays by French philosopher and theologian Henry Corbin, sympathetic academics, and prominent Western converts to Islam; and translations of the works of Rumi, Attar, and other great mystics of the Muslim world. Because of its comfortable and positive presentation of the inner core of Islamic teaching—removed from the modern politicization of the Muslim community—and its concomitant overemphasis on Islam as a legal system, this collection may serve as a partial antidote to the Western public's prejudices against Islam. Highly recommended for public, religious, and university libraries.—William P. Collins, Library of Congress



Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. The Garden of Truth: The Vision and Promise of Sufism, Islam's Mystical Tradition. HarperSanFrancisco: HarperCollins. Sept. 2007. c.256p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-06-079722-5. $24.95. REL
This volume continues the prolific intellectual output of Nasr (Islamic studies, George Washington Univ.; The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity), one of Islam's most respected thinkers. The Sufi mystical heart of Islam is one of the few antidotes to fundamentalism in the Muslim world, and here Nasr looks at the human spiritual quest for Ridwan—the paradisiacal divine garden—from an orthodox Sufi perspective. Life is a journey from the heavenly primordial covenant through a physical experience to the pinnacle of choosing to become nothing and to experience God as the only true existence. To reach the truth, the disciple must follow divine law and walk a spiritual path guided by a master. While non-Muslims may borrow Sufi ideas, truly being a Sufi requires that one also be a Muslim. Nasr structures the journey to Ridwan in terms of what it means to be human, the nature of truth in essence and manifestation, love, beauty, goodness, the disciple's path, and what Sufism offers. He ends with a history and description of various Sufi orders and a glossary of terms. Eloquent, elegant, and lucid, this work should be on the shelves of university, public, and religious libraries.—William P. Collins, Library of Congress



Some publishers I like:



Oxford University Press

Shambhala Press

Which publishers do you like?