Indiana University Press blog

Book review: Mercury, Mining, and Empire

“In Mercury, Mining and Empire, Nicholas Robins provides a superbly researched piece of interdisciplinary history that argues that the post-Conquest genocide of the indigenous population of what is now Bolivia and Peru occurred as a result of a highly exploitative system of silver and mercury mining. Thus Robins analyzes a ‘double genocide’ that initially entailed the death of up to ninety percent of the indigenous peoples due to illnesses brought to the Americas by the Spanish, and continued with the subsequent genocidal destruction wrought by the toxic effects of the emerging mining industry.” —Journal of Genocide Research

Three books reviewed in The American Historical Review

Three of our books were reviewed in The American Historical Review:

War of Words, War of Stones

"This book is painstakingly researched, providing a compelling portrait of the intricacies of Zanzibari politics in the post-independence period and the historical legacies that shaped those politics. ... [I]t will stimulate the sorts of discussions about race, nationalism, and memory that can help to reshape and move scholarship forward." 

The Question of Gender

"[The editors] provide fresh analyses of the state of gender studies and the dynamic theories of 'sexual difference' as proposed, tested, and critiqued by Joan Wallach Scott." 

Mercury, Mining, and Empire

"With meticulous research and vivid prose, Nicholas A. Robins examines silver mining's human cost in the royal mercury mines of Huancavelica, Peru, and the silver mines of Potosi."

Book review: Starting from Quirpini

"This is an important book that should be widely read by scholars of the Andes and of migration, as well as those interested in the construction of places and borders." —American Anthropologist

Choice reviews - December 2012

The following books were reviewed in the December 2012 issue of Choice (requires subscription):

Carlos Aldama's Life in Bata

"Vaughan and Aldama examine the evolution of the batį drum ensemble, covering playing techniques, cultural context, and the link between the drumming and religion (Santerķa). . . . Of particular interest are 30 audio tracks of batį drumming (recorded by Aldama, Vaughan, and others), which can be downloaded from an online site. . . . Recommended."

Earth before the Dinosaurs

"Steyer provides a rather detailed and diverse introduction to vertebrates preceding the
dinosaurs as well as some contemporaneous with them, showing how the multiple types of aquatic and terrestrial forms originated and diverged. . . . Highly
recommended."

University of North Carolina to host reading for 'Buenas Noches, American Culture'

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will host a reading and booksiging with Maria DeGuzmán for her book Buenas Noches, American Culture. The event takes place October 1 at 10 a.m. in the Wilson Library Pleasants Family Room.

Book review: Carlos Aldama's Life in Batá

"Carlos Aldama's Life in Batá: Cuba, Diaspora, and the Drum covers incredible history and tradition in its slender 150 pages. Vaughan captures everything the subtitle proclaims, but the heart comes directly from Aldama's own still-feisty voice, whether he's detailing the traditional toques—ritual-musical gatherings at which batá drumming takes place to call down the oricha (deities), to ask the santos (saints) for help, and to confirm new initiates into the community—or telling tales about Havana/Matanzas rivals showing off their skills." —East Bay Express

Enjoy a five-course Caribbean dinner with Daniel Orr

FARMbloomington chef and owner Daniel Orr will present a special five-course dinner at the Brown Hotel in Louisville this Thursday, January 26 at 7 p.m. The menu will feature traditional Caribbean recipes from Orr's cookbook Paradise Kitchen, copies of which will be available for signing.

The price to attend is $55 per person, plus tax and gratuity, or $65 including wine. Seating is limited, so please call (502) 736-2996 to make a reservation.

Book review: Made in Mexico

"In Made in Mexico, W. Warner Wood takes the reader on a tour of Zapotec textiles unlike any other Oaxacan tour. ...His tour is one that challenges the reader to rethink what Zapotec textiles are and who weaves them." —Museum Anthropology Review

Reading selections for Hispanic Heritage Month

Today marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. Originally conceived as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, the observance was lengthened to a month-long celebration in 1988. Every year from September 15 through October 15, people across the United States celebrate the culture and traditions of those citizens whose ancestors are from Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

In honor of this month, we're featuring two reading selections on Scribd to further your understanding of Hispanic heritage in the United States. The first selection, from the second edition of Manuel G. Gonzales's book Mexicanos, focuses on Cesar Chavez and the Chicano movement. In the second selection, Latinas in the United States editors Vicki L. Ruiz and Virginia Sánchez Korrol provide a historical and regional overview of Latinas in the Southwest and Northeast.

Two IU Press books named bestsellers in African history

Yankee Book Peddler named the The Atlantic World (#2) and India in Africa, Africa in India (#14) among the top 20 bestsellers for African history. See Wednesday's article in Library Journal.