Before you feast over the holiday break, learn about the customs of Food in the Ancient World. John M Wilkins, a Professor of Greek Culture at the University of Exeter, teams up with Shaun Hill, a Honorary Research Fellow and chef, to explore the role of food in ancient Greece, Rome and other cultures. Just as it does today, food touched almost every aspect of life from religion and medicine to ancient thought and literature. Maybe some of the exotic foods and recipes in this book will whet your appetite for more information on ancient life.
(Vairo Library TX353.W535 2006)
Dr. Robyn Arianrhod, a writer and mathematician, could inspire anyone to appreciate math. Her book, Einstein's Heroes: Imagining the World Through the Language of Mathematics, is an engaging blend of history, science and biography that reads like fiction. Arianrhod presents mathematics as a magical language used by physicists to create "some of their most bizarre concepts about nature." (pg 3) Airanrhod's main scientific hero is James Clerk Maxwell, who came up with the theory of electromagnetism and was an inspiration to other scientists such as Einstein. If you are weary of math and the sciences, give Einstein's Heroes a chance to work its magic on you.
(Vairo Library QC15.A75 2003)
Sports media scholars confront athletic gender stereotypes in Playing Unfair: The Media Image of the Female Athlete. The video discusses male-dominated sports media coverage and the representation of female athletes as either feminine ladies (think floral dresses/stuffed animals) or sexual beings (i.e. barely covered centerfolds). This half hour film features interviews of scholars and female athletes who argue for a more accurate portrayal of women in sports that emphasizes female strength and competence. After watching this film, you'll easily grasp the difference next time you turn on ESPN.
(Vairo Library GV709.P54 2002 DVD)
Rekindle your love for classic films with American Cinema of the 1940s and American Cinema of the 1950s. Each book is a volume in the Screen Decades: American Culture/American Cinema series. Film scholars and historians discuss how the war effort and national identity were portrayed in the 40s while films from the 50s reflected the nation's anticommunist sentiment, new suburban lifestyle, and the influence of television. Both books have decade timelines, lists of Academy Awards winners, and comprehensive bibliographies.
(Vairo Library PN1993.5.U6A8574 2006 for the 1940s)
(Vairo Library PN1993.5.U6A8575 2005 for the 1950s)
Desperately need math help? Turn to MathWorld if you need help with definitions, theories or equations in Algebra, Geometry, Calculus and other math disciplines. Many entries offer recommended books or websites for additional information. MathWorld can even help you understand chess and poker.
MathWorld is one of the many resources listed on Vairo Library's Online Reference Tools webpage, the first place you should look for reference resources on the web. Click on "Dictionaries, Encyclopedias and Handbooks" to find MathWorld and other reference materials. See the whole list of resources at http://www.de2.psu.edu/faculty/saw4/reference/DictionariesEtc.html or go straight to MathWorld at http://mathworld.wolfram.com/
After the chaos of finals, unwind with a great book of poetry. The Owl in the Mask of the Dreamer: Collected Poems by John Haines highlights some of the poet's best works written over the past three decades. Since he has lived in Alaska for almost fifty years, many of his poems are inspired by the Alaskan wilderness.
(Vairo Library PS3558.A33A6 1993b)
Phil Lesh offers readers a behind-the-scenes look inside one of the greatest American bands in Searching for the Sound: My Life with The Grateful Dead. Lesh, the bass player of The Grateful Dead, shares intimate details of his life and the band's success. Also, the book has a bunch of black and white photos of Lesh, his family, Jerry Garcia and the rest of the band. This is a must-read for any music fan (or Dead Head).
(Vairo Library ML419.L43A3 2005)
Attention bloggers! Blogs are great communication tools, but some content can cause trouble. Blog Rules: A Business Guide to Managing Policy, Public Relations, and Legal Issues not only offers advice about managing business blogs, but discusses what employees should not write in their own blogs. Author Nancy Flynn, the Executive Director of The ePolicy Institute, explains that workers could get fired or sued from the content of their blogs. For example, an instructor from Boston University "was fired for blogging about a 'distractingly attractive student'." (p. 113) Pick up Flynn's book to learn more about blog etiquette.
(Vairo Library HD30.37.F59 2006)
Worried about an upcoming internship or job interview? Susan Morem, a career and workplace expert, can help you through it. The second edition of her book How to Gain the Professional Edge: Achieve the Personal & Professional Image You Want features great advice on how to make the good first impression needed to land your desired position. From body language and appearance to telephone and office etiquette, Morem's book is a must-read for anyone who wants to advance in the workplace.
(Vairo Library HF5386.M755 2005)
How do students feel about diversity and race on college campuses? A group of diverse students from U. C. Berkeley talk about their experiences in What's Race Got to Do with It? Social Disparities and Student Success. Students realize that the campus life experience of their peers differ through honest conversation and exercises. This film would benefit any student and, hopefully, it would open lines of communication here on campus.
Check out California Newreel's website for more about the film, critical comments and additional resources. California Newsreel: What's Race Got to Do with It?
(Vairo Library LC1099.3.W45 2006 DVD)