Indiana University Press blog

Book review: Defeating Lee

"[T]he author is to be commended for staying focused on the organization rather than its most famous commander, [although] Hancock understandably occupies center stage at key moments." —Civil War Book Review

Book review: Tirpitz and the Imperial German Navy

"Kelly’s book is a great achievement. Well written and based on new sources, his biography of Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz allows the reader deep insights into the life of a man who played a very important role at the turn of the last century and who shaped German policy in a way few others did." —German History Journal

Book review: Defeating Lee

"The author has an easy to read informative style that made the pages fly. His word portraits make lesser-known names into real people. The battles descriptions are excellent... This is a well-written book with all the items that are expected in a serious history." —TOCWOC - A Civil War Blog

Six IU Press books recommended for public and secondary libraries

We are pleased to announce that six of our books were selected for this year's University Press Books for Public and Secondary School Libraries. A popular and trusted acquisitions resource, the university press bibliography is the product of a longstanding and successful collaboration between the Association of American University Presses (AAUP), the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), and the Public Library Association (PLA). The IUP titles are among 350 books by AAUP members included in this bibliography. Featuring many diverse subjects, the bibliography provides librarians with valuable scholarship to match any interest. Three of the IUP titles featured were given an "outstanding" rating, including:

Conversations with Great Teachers

“[A]n important reminder that all people have something to teach and everyone still has something to learn.” —Hilary Albert (PLA)

“This wonderful title is full of surprises for any reader interested in education in the broadest sense of the term.” —Judith Repman (AASL)

Life Lessons Through Storytelling

“I found [this book] very engaging. The basic idea of drawing children’s ideas out through storytelling may not be new, but discussing their ethics, getting them to think about right and wrong in the context of stories and their own communities can have such a lasting impact on how they grow as citizens.”—Hilary Albert (PLA)

Extraordinary Circumstances

“This was not only thoroughly researched but it was well written. The text actually reads more like a story than the chronicle of a war. ... This book is a great asset to any collection.”—Elizabeth Willoughby (AASL)

Other books listed in the bibliography are Wreck of the Carl D., Guard Wars, and Bush on the Home Front.

Book review: Defeating Lee

"Hopefully, other corps histories will be told with the attention to detail, argument, and context that Kreisler has given to the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac." —Civil War Librarian

Book review: Intrepid Women

"Thomas Cardoza is to be congratulated on his attempt to shed some light on the role of the cantinière in both war and peace. The role of women in war has been overlooked for far too long." —H-War

Book Review: The Battle of the Otranto Straits

"In this work, Prof. Halpern, long a thoughtful specialist in World War I in the Mediterranean, not only gives the reader a rattling good account of the actual battle, but fits it firmly within the overall framework of the Great War, takes a look at the opposing navies, and providing useful profiles of the respective commanders, among them the formidable Miklos Horthy), and much more. An excellent book for anyone interested in World War I or in war at sea." —A.A. Nofi, Strategy Page

Choice reviews - October 2009

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

Catholic Women of Congo-Brazzaville
"Martin, ...an authority on the history of west-central Africa, has written a highly readable history of Catholic women in Congo-Brazzaville. ...A thoughtful and thought-provoking book."

Considering Transcendence: Elements of a Physiological Genealogy
"De Nys offers an ambitious, timely work on philosophical theology dealing with the fundamental religious concept of transcendence. ...All students and scholars of religion will find this book beneficial and rewarding. Copious notes, a fine bibliography, and a useful index enhance the value of the work."

Indian Secularism: A Social and Intellectual History, 1890-1950
"What comes through in Tejani's study is that despite claims to the contrary, India was (and is) dominated by one ethnic group, variously orthodox but homogeneously Hindu."

Orthodox Jews in America
"Discussions of the 'open' orthodoxy of Edah and Yeshiva Chovevei Torah, women's status, and the place of modern scientific education illuminate today's deep tensions... "

Sound Targets: American Soldiers and Music in the War in Iraq
"Pieslak provides a nimble examination of the influence and life of music in the Iraq war."

The Great American Symphony: Music, the Depression, and War
"The author's excellent vignettes on these composers encompass factual and anecdotal material along with his own informed evaluation of the oeuvre of each. ...Highly recommended."

The New Black Gods
"The editors of this fine collection of essays have resurrected the influence and importance of Arthur Fauset's classic study..."

IU Press author discusses book in Guardian blog

Jonathan Pieslak discusses the findings of his book Sound Targets in The Guardian's Science Blog, describing "how the iPod became a tool of war." Click here to read the article.

You can also listen to a discussion of Pieslak's research on the Guardian's Science Weekly podcast here.

Two IU Press books make top 25 ranking

Congratulations to authors H.P. Willmott and Allan Evans, whose books were both named in the top 25 books from public university presses! The ranking is a new, weekly list created by the Nonprofit Bookstore Supporting Education.

In the first week of the rankings, Willmott's book The Last Century of Sea Power: From Port Arthur to Chanak, 1894-1922 earned the number six spot on the list. Evans's study of legendary romantic pianist Ignaz Friedman was number twenty-four.

Willmott's book remains on this week's list at number eleven. To view the updated list, click here. 

And look out for the second volume of Willmott's history of naval power in the 20th century, which will be available later this year!