Indiana University Press blog

Book wins Heldt Prize

Congratulations to Olga Shevchenko, who was awarded the Heldt Prize by the Association for Women in Slavic Studies for her book Crisis and the Everyday in Postsocialist Moscow. Shevchenko won in the category of "Best book by a woman in any area of Slavic/East European/Eurasian studies." For more information on the Heldt Prize, visit the Association for Women in Slavic Studies' website.

Give thanks for books during Thankfully Reading Weekend

A tweet from Jenn at Jenn's Bookshelves about her reading plans for Thanksgiving weekend has inspired others to join her for Thankfully Reading Weekend. I can't think of a better way to spend the time after my self-induced Thanksgiving food coma! There are no rules—just pick up a book and read! You can show your support for Thankfully Reading Weekend by signing up on the Book Blog Social Club site.

150 years of The Origin of Species #darwin150

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species (and in our evolving online world, you now can become a fan of the book on Facebook). In honor of this occasion, we offer the following suggested reading on Darwin and evolution:

Darwin's Ark
Now in a new paperback edition, this book is a collection of Philip Appleman's poems on Darwinian themes, stunningly illustrated by internationally known printmaker Rudy Pozzatti.

Owen's Ape and Darwin's Bulldog
With the debate between Richard Owen and Thomas Huxley on the differences between the ape and human brains as its focus, this book explores several ways in which philosophical ideas and scientific practice influenced the discussion of evolution in the years before and after Darwin's publication of The Origin of Species.

Islands in the Cosmos
This book traces a path from the dawn of the universe to speculations about our future on this planet. It focuses on the physical and biological processes in evolution, which interact to favor more successful, and eliminate less successful, forms of life.

Podcast: Leigh Edwards (Johnny Cash and the Paradox of American Identity)

Leigh Edwards discusses her latest book, Johnny Cash and the Paradox of American Identity, with The Southeast Review. Listen to the podcast here.

Book review: Censorship in South Asia

"Censorship in South Asia traces the genealogy of censorship through time to reveal its ever-contested presence in Indian cinema and beyond." —Maria Khan, Feminist Review

Thanksgiving recipe: Autumn Squash Risotto

Looking for a dish to add to your holiday menu? Here’s a quick and scrumptious crowd-pleaser, courtesy of Chef Daniel Orr:

Autumn Squash Risotto

Serves: 6–8

1 lb. arborio rice
2 T olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 c. white wine
7 c. chicken stock, hot
1 c. butternut squash, diced and cooked, al dente
1 c. butternut squash puree
2⁄3 c. butter
2⁄3 c. Parmesan
3 T pumpkin seeds, toasted
2 T amaretti cookies, crushed
salt and pepper
additional Parmesan for grating

In a heavy-bottomed pot, sweat onions in olive oil until they are translucent, but not colored, over medium heat. Next add arborio rice and toast (the most important step in making risotto, toasting the rice allows the starches to release slowly), stir, with a wooden spoon, so all the rice gets toasted. Add the white wine and a little salt and pepper, cook until wine is absorbed, stirring frequently to prevent the rice from sticking. Add 3 1/2 cups of chicken stock or enough to just cover the rice. Let the rice completely absorb the liquid, stirring often as the rice cooks. Add 3 1/2 cups more chicken stock or until it just covers the rice. When the rice has absorbed the liquid, it will almost be ready. At this point add the diced squash and Butternut Squash Puree (see recipe below). Cook for 5 more minutes, adding more stock if needed. Remove from heat and mount butter (slowly stir in until absorbed), Parmesan, salt, and pepper; stir until butter and cheese are emulsified into the rice. Serve rice immediately, garnish with the toasted pumpkin seeds and crushed amaretti cookies, and pass freshly grated Parmesan at the table.

Butternut Squash Puree
Yield: 1 1/2 cups

1 piece small butternut squash
1 tsp olive oil

Cut butternut squash in half; scoop out seeds with a large kitchen spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Bake in a 375° oven, cut side down on a non-stick sheet tray or glass baking dish. When squash is tender, remove from oven and let cool. When cool enough to handle, remove meat from the skin, then puree in a food processor or blender. This puree can be done in advance and refrigerated or frozen.

Download a printable version of the recipe: Download Autumn_Squash_Risotto

You can find this recipe and others from Daniel Orr in his latest book, FARMfood.

Weekend sale: free shipping + free gift

Receive free U.S. ground or international surface shipping on any online order now through November 22. With your purchase, you’ll receive a free hardback copy of Brewster’s Millions*—a $27.95 value! Shop now!

*Free gift available while supplies last. This book will not appear in your online shopping cart during checkout, but will be inserted in your order at time of shipment. Sale begins November 20 at 12:00 a.m. and ends November 22 at 11:59 p.m. (all times EDT). Free shipping offer does not apply to any orders placed via telephone or mail.

Book reviews: FARMfood

"FARMfood is a cheerful blend of haute- and down-to-earth cuisine." —Utne Reader

"Orr ... served as executive chef at some of the world’s finest restaurants. These experiences inform his recipes, which put a gourmet edge to everyday ingredients. ...He shares his secret spices and offers tips guaranteed to earn the home cook praise." —Indiana Living Green

Choice reviews - November 2009

The following books were reviewed in the November issue of Choice magazine (requires subscription):

Habits of Whiteness
"In his autobiography, Malcolm X issued a challenge to 'well-meaning' whites to work within their own communities to solve the problem of racism. A growing body of scholarship by white theorists on white privilege reflects an effort to do just this. In Habits of Whiteness, MacMullan (Eastern Washington Univ.) brings a fresh perspective to this ongoing discussion. ...Recommended."

Surfaces
"Geared toward the serious student of African art, Surfaces provides insight into many humanistic and scientific issues, understood (remarkably) through the surfaces of art objects, e.g., the relationship between function and aesthetics, and the material basis of African art. ...Highly recommended."

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945 - Volume I
"This important reference work belongs on every library bookshelf. ...Essential."

When Kafka Says We
"[T]his is a collection of—for the most part—previously published work dealing with exemplary 20th-century Jewish authors, poets, and thinkers who wrote, or are still writing, in German—including (in addition to Kafka) Theodor Herzl, Else Lasker-Schüler, Paul Celan, Nelly Sachs, Ilse Aichinger, Robert Menasse, Doron Rabinovici, Robert Schindel, and Hannah Arendt. ...Liska (Univ. of Antwerp, Belgium) proffers nuanced, insightful, often provocative interpretations of selected works of interest to scholars of these particular writers. ...Recommended."

Academic dude takes "the ivory tower through a bowling alley" in new Lebowski book

UofL Today interviewed co-editor Aaron Jaffe about his latest book, The Year's Work in Lebowski Studies. Read more about how the Coen brothers' cult classic became the focus of an academy study here.