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Books
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The Civil War: A Concise History
“The Civil War: A Concise History” surveys “with keen insight, the slippery slope to war’s outbreak, which was paved with increasingly bitter opposing views on slavery and states’ rights and territorial expansion,” according to Booklist. The author holds the William R. Kenan Jr. Professorship in American Institutions and Values at Trinity College. (Oxford University Press, 2011)
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Sustainability Management: Lessons from and for New York City, America and the Planet
Using examples from New York City, Steven Cohen explains how everything from construction to waste management can be designed to facilitate a sustainable environment, not just for New York but also for the world. Cohen is executive director of the Earth Institute at Columbia. (Columbia University Press, 2011)
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Just Perfect
In this delightful children’s book written and illustrated by Jane Marinsky, a family of three search the animal kingdom for an ideal pet to become part of their family. Marinsky’s editorial illustrations have appeared in major publications. (David R. Godine, 2012)
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The Philosophy of Charlie Kaufman
In this collection of essays edited by David LaRocca, a diverse group of scholars delves into the heart of Charlie Kaufman’s innovative screenplays (“Adaptation,” “Being John Malkovich”), offering not only original philosophical analyses, but also extended reflections on the nature of film and film criticism. LaRocca is coordinating producer and consulting editor of the documentary film project “The Intellectual Portrait Series.” (The University Press of Kentucky, 2011)
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Riding with Destiny
This collection of poetry flirts with the boundaries between sacred and profane, self and other, the erotic and transcendent in ways that are fresh and continually surprise. Jayne Lyn Stahl is a widely published poet, essayist, playwright and screenwriter. (NYQ Books, 2010)
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The Diffusion of Innovations: A Communication Science Perspective
This book brings together noted scholars and presents a communication perspective for the study of the diffusion of innovations—“the process whereby a new product, service, or idea spreads through a population,” according to the Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology. Arun Vishwanath is associate professor of communication at UB; his coeditor teaches at UC Davis and is a former UB faculty member. (Peter Lang Publishing, 2011)
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Breast Cancer Recurrence and Advanced Disease
Barbara Gordon’s diagnosis of breast cancer prompted this book offering expert advice to those concerned with recurrence of the disease or late-stage cancer. Her coauthors are two oncologists and a pharmacologist. Gordon is associate professor of English at Elon University. (Duke University Press, 2010)
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The Mentor’s Guide: Facilitating Effective Learning Relationships
“The Mentor’s Guide” explores the process of mentoring and presents practical tools for facilitating the experience from beginning to end. Managers, teachers and leaders from any career, profession or educational setting can successfully navigate the mentoring journey by using the book’s hands-on worksheets and exercises. This second edition presents expanded coverage of the differences between coaching and mentoring, of diversity and cultural difference in a mentoring relationship, and how to mentor from a distance, especially online. Lois J. Zachary is president of Leadership Development Services LLC in Phoenix, Ariz. (Jossey-Bass, 2011)
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Office 2011 for Mac All-in-One for Dummies
This book brings Mac users up to speed with the 2011 version of the Microsoft Office productivity suite for Mac, thoroughly covering the Templates Gallery, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Readers will learn how the new Microsoft Office integrates with the Windows version, how to use and customize the Ribbon interface, and more. This is the second Microsoft Office reference book co-authored by Geetesh Bajaj and James Gordon, who is a lead programmer/analyst with the UB Libraries. Both are experts in Microsoft Office technologies and have been recognized by Microsoft as “Most Valuable Professionals.” The book is available in paperback, Kindle, NookBook and SONY eBook. (Wiley Press, 2011)
Doing My Duty: Corporal Elmer Dewey
Stephen A. Banks, a retired military commander and member of the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps who now lives in Springfield, Va., recounts the experiences of his grandfather, Cpl. Elmer Dewey of Buffalo, as a National Guard doughboy during the Pancho Villa Expedition into Mexico in 1916 and during World War I. In addition to the personal portrait of his grandfather, the book, which contains many period photos, offers a comprehensive history of Dewey’s artillery regiment during these years, including the bloody Meuse-Argonne Offensive in 1918, which resulted in the Armistice on Nov. 11 of that year. (Stephen A. Banks, 2011)
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Of Immortalized Warriors
“Of Immortalized Warriors,” William Mueller’s fourth novel, is a modern-day story of blood and treasure, and the memories of an American hero during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As with Mueller’s three previous novels, “Of Immortalized Warriors” is a study of man and freedom in the world; each book examines a fundamental aspect of the American experience. Mueller, who received his UB degree in chemical engineering, resides in Alexandria, Va. (AuthorHouse, 2011)
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Making Faces: Metal Type in the 21st Century
This fascinating design documentary by Richard Kegler, founder of the P22 type foundry and the Western New York Book Arts Center, captures the personality and work process of the late Canadian graphic artist and type designer Jim Rimmer (1931-2010). More information is available at makingfacesfilm.blogspot.com.
Film
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