Interested in classical civilizations? Learn more about events and leaders from Ancient Rome and Greece. Try searching the CAT with keywords classical civilization for more titles.
Women's Influence on Classical Civilization examines women's roles in traditionally male areas of culture (such as politics, science and law) in Ancient Greece and Rome. Researchers "suggest that women may have been more powerful than we think" (pg 1).
(Vairo Library HQ1127.W6526 2004)
The Olympic Games Explained: A Student Guide to the Evolution of the Modern Olympic Games introduces the history and meaning of the Olympic Games from its origin in Olympia in 776 BCE to the evolution of the contemporary games, including its impact on the environment, economy, and the media (pg 19).
(Vairo Library GV721.5.G575 2005)
"Art always impacts a society. If you can get the opportunity to do something creative, your life is enriched. That is enormous power."
- Moe Brooker (featured artist, pg 27)
The Chemistry of Color: African-American Artists in Philadelphia, 1970-1990 beautifully displays paintings, works on paper, and scultpture that were gifts from Harold and Ann Sorgenti to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Chemistry describes how contemporary African American art transformed into the vibrant art scene it is today in Philadelphia. Featuring over forty pieces, the book offers insight about each work and artist. History buffs will appreciate the timeline that integrates artistic achievements with local and national events. Art lovers will appreciate the quality of these images the were featured in the exhibition of the same title showcased from January 11, 2005-April 10, 2005 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
(Vairo Library N6538.N5C53 2005)
Penn State professors Alan Walker and Pat Shipman discuss a key link to human evolution in The Ape in the Tree: An Intellectual and Natural History of Proconsul. Proconsul is the "best-known fossil ape in the world" that was named after Consul, a sensational performing chimpanzee who entertained audiences across Europe and the US in 1903. Readers join Walker on fossil expeditions in Africa as his team of researchers analyzed thousands of new Proconsul specimens that "provides revealing glimpses of the life of this last common ancestor between apes and humans" (book jacket). The book features several pages of fascinating color photos, including an original Proconsul skull, the excavation site and an artist's reconstruction of the animal.
(Vairo Library QE882.P7W35 2005)
On a recent train ride to DC, Dr. Laura Guertin took her laptop and decided to view the HBO Docudrama "Hacking Democracy." The video details how one ordinary citizen, a reporter for a newspaper, asked the simple question on how votes are counted in America during elections. The elusive and incomplete responses she was receiving led her and a group of other citizens to investigate what goes on at polling centers and to question the accuracy of computerized voting machines. Dr. Guertin was amazed to see what they uncovered and what really happens to votes. Unfortunately,Dr. Guertin doesn't think this video will encourage people to go out and vote, but it will open your eyes to the voting process. This video is recommended to anyone with an interest in computers and democracy; see it at:
http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/hackingdemocracy/
Do you update your MySpace page more often than you check your email? If you do, you're not alone. As of May 2006, MySpace had nearly 80 million accounts and is one of the largest "social networking" sites on the web (pg 1). Whether you're obsessed with MySpace, want to join, or a concerned parent, MySpace Safety: 51 Tips for Teens and Parents is the guide for you. Authors Kevin and Dale Farnham explain the site, how to join, set up an account, edit your profile, and describes safe and abusive practices. The authors also include a bibliography of online safety websites. This companion will answer all your MySpace questions.
(Vairo Library HQ799.2.I5F37 2006)
Express yourself in verse during National Poetry Month! Stop by the Vairo Library to see the poetry display that includes some great books (like the ones listed below) and two poetry guides that will help you find resources in the library, on the web, and even links for audio and video/podcast poetry.
Want poetry resources now? The link below will also take to you straight to these online resources.
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/delaware/assignments/poetryEresources.html
The Cambridge Companion to Sylvia Plath "offers a critical overview of Plath's writing (predominantly the poetry, but also fiction, letters and journals) and of its place in twentieth-century literature and culture" (pg xi).
(Vairo Library PS3566.L27Z595 2006)
The Oxford Anthology of African-American Poetry illuminates "different, defining aspects of African American life and culture" through poetry (pg xix). This great volume also includes poet biographies and a bibliography.
(Vairo Library PS591.N4O97 2006)
The Notebooks of Robert Frost, edited by Robert Faggen, reveals Frost's thoughts and observations on poetics, politics, psychology, religion and other topics covering a period from the 1890s through the 1960s.
(Vairo Library PS3511.R94A6 2006)