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Other Publications by And Quiet Flows the Vodka; or, When Pushkin Comes to Shove: The Curmudgeon's
Guide to Russian Literature and Culture with the Devil's Dictionary of
Received Ideas: Alphabetical Reflections on the Loathsomeness of Russia,
American Academia, and Humanity in General The "author" of this silly, esoterically entertaining volume
— Northwestern professor and literary critic Gary Saul Morson —
rolls his scholarly sleeves up and takes endless potshots (with a wink
of an eye, mind you) at all things Russian. In a fashion similar to 1066
and All That, Morson takes particular joy in lampooning
Russian literature, offering bogus scenes from Chekhov plays, "historical"
Russian military strategy, phony Gogol short stories and an "unfinished"
Dostoevsky novel called Torture. There's also a fractured glossary
of important terms and a selection of humorous historical Russian "classifieds"
among the precious, literate shenanigans. (Even the footnotes are a delightful
put-on.) Special laughs for a special audience.
Jack C. Doppelt, associate professor, Medill School of Journalism, and Ellen Shearer, professor, Medill School of Journalism (Sage Publications, 1999) "Nonvoters are alienated, less affluent, less educated, younger
and more likely to be members of minority groups than their voting counterparts."
The truth in this statement is borne out by the 30 accompanying profiles
of American citizens, who, despite their disparate lives, are all linked
by their collective disregard for, and mistrust of, the elective process.
Through their interviewees, Medill School of Journalism professors Doppelt
and Shearer shed light on and insightfully categorize this "voiceless,
invisible, and forgotten" majority, the reasons for their disenfranchisement
and the reasonable (or less so) expectations for their involvement in
local and national politics. Faithful Dissenters: Stories of Men and Women Who Loved and Changed the Church Robert McClory, associate professor of journalism (Orbis Books, 2000) A worthy volume of religious history that offers 11 extended essays profiling
18 different courageous individuals who — often against popular opinion
or in the face of pressure from superiors — continued to promote
important social or doctrinal ideas for the betterment of the Church.
These portraits are as varied as the eras in which the subjects lived
and the issues they strove to defend, from the remarkable Hildegard of
Bingen's trailblazing accomplishments that were centuries ahead of their
time to Galileo's scientific testimony to Yves Congar's dogged Vatican
II–era espousal of ecumenism. McClory's stories of incredible faith
and conviction are both inspiring and intellectually captivating. Other
vital saints and teachers covered include John Henry Newman, Catherine
of Siena, Thomas Aquinas and Mother Guerin. The Postmodern Military: Armed Forces after the Cold War Charles C. Moskos, professor of sociology; John Allen Williams; and David R. Segal, eds. (Oxford University Press, 2000) Esteemed military sociologist Moskos heads up this worthy project, which
gathers essays from an international corps of military observers, who
describe and otherwise evaluate the current state of the modern military.
In defining contemporary trends in military methods, motivations, purpose
and personnel, the authors view this so-called postmodern era as one where
"the dominant trend is a blurring of the lines between the military
and civilian entities, both in structure and in culture." Contributors
constitute a veritable United Nations of opinion, with expert voices heard
from Great Britain, France, Israel, South Africa, Canada, Holland, Denmark,
Italy and New Zealand. The Hidden War: Crime and the Tragedy of Public Housing in Chicago Lynn M. Olson, visiting scholar, Institute for Policy Research; Susan J. Popkin; Victoria E. Gwiasda; Dennis P. Rosenbaum; Larry F. Buron (Rutgers University Press, 2000) Rockwell Gardens, Henry Horner Homes, Harold Ickes Homes — three notorious names in the world of Chicago public housing. This study does conclude with reflective thoughts on how life can be improved for Chicago Housing Authority residents, but the majority of the text offers commentary on the nightmare in which they live, even in the face of an ongoing official effort costing millions of dollars to alleviate a bleak situation. Even recent well-intentioned initiatives, including demolition, have had little impact. Gangs, guns, drugs, physical abuse, vandalism, poor building maintenance, bureaucratic scandal and incompetence, and ineffectual law enforcement are the familiar realities that a forgotten population endures, especially the women. Tough reportage on a sobering topic. What Government Can Do: Dealing with Poverty and Inequality Benjamin I. Page, Gordon Scott Fulcher Professor of Decision Making, political science department, and James R. Simmons (University of Chicago Press, 2000) A fascinating exploration of American governmental programs that are designed to alleviate poverty and inequality. Page and Simmons provide background and contemporary analysis of formal initiatives in areas such as taxes, insurance, education and "safety-net" funding, offering salient conclusions about their long-lasting value for the less advantaged. They respond to the political right's critiques of such programs, arguing that much good has been done in the name of government. The authors also suggest policy changes that will make government more responsive, efficient and fiscally responsible. Black Picket Fences: Privilege and Peril among the Black Middle Class Mary Pattillo-McCoy, associate professor of sociology and African American studies, faculty fellow at the Institute for Policy Research (University of Chicago Press, 1999) Pattillo-McCoy's cogent ethnographic study focuses on her three years of living in and studying "Groveland," a black middle-class enclave on Chicago's South Side. With an eye toward addressing various racial, economic and sociopolitical questions, the text focuses on the "ecological context of black middle-class neighborhoods, which are characterized by more poverty, higher crime, worse schools and fewer services than white middle-class neighborhoods." Fuzzy-Set Social Science Charles C. Ragin, professor of sociology and political science (University of Chicago Press, 2000) The term "fuzzy sets" is appropriate to relevant objects that can hold different degrees of membership in a set. This concept has heretofore been most commonly related to "smart machines" and their use in addressing a variety of technical problems concerned with control. Ragin's specialized text in social science methodology argues that researchers must "relinquish many of the 'homogenizing assumptions' that undergird conventional quantitative analysis"; that fuzzy sets can be used to "extend and deepen diversity-oriented research strategies"; and that "the link between theory and data analysis ... can be greatly improved using fuzzy sets ... that ... can be carefully tailored to fit theoretical concepts." Would You Convict? Seventeen Cases That Challenged the Law Paul H. Robinson, Edna B. and Ednyfed H. Williams Memorial Professor of Law (New York University Press, 1999) Those who enjoy a slightly more analytical approach to cops-and-robbers will revel in this interesting assortment of true-crime stories. Robinson poses cogent and provocative questions about the application of the law in each case, inviting readers to make their own assessments as to culpability and punishment, then offering evaluations of the actual final courtroom determinations. The cases involve a wide range of real or potential criminality or misconduct, including armed robbery, abuse and neglect, murder, possession of firearms and property ownership, with Robinson placing each individual episode and its aftermath in its broader legal context. Urban Recycling and the Search for Sustainable Community Development Allan Schnaiberg, professor of sociology; Adam S. Weinberg; and David N. Pellow (Princeton University Press, 2000) Using urban recycling programs as their specific target of inquiry, three sociologists examine the broader issue of sustainable community development. Recent programs in the Chicago area are evaluated for their methodology, efficacy, practicality, usefulness, financial impact and political accountability, while the authors reflect, in general, on the "many ways of combining the positive efficiencies of market-based organizations with the social and ecological goals of communities." Still, they conclude that as major businesses come to dominate, community development grows more difficult. The Mind and Heart of the Negotiator, Second Edition Leigh L. Thompson, J.L. and Helen Kellogg Distinguished Professor of Management and Organizations, Kellogg Graduate School of Management (Prentice-Hall, 2001) This revised edition of a business text first published in 1998 features new material designed to extend the book's focus on the lessons of social psychology and behavioral decision making for negotiation. More case studies have been added, in addition to more practical advice; new chapters on negotiating style, power and persuasion, and creativity and problem solving; and recent research. The appendixes include self-checklists as well as tips on negotiating a job offer. Athena Unbound: The Advancement of Women in Science and Technology Brian Uzzi, associate professor of management and organization, Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and of sociology; Henry Etzkowitz; and Carol Kemelgor (Cambridge University Press, 2000) While women have made many societal gains, this volume makes a stern case for the lack of comparable gain for females in science and technology. The reasons for this state of affairs are many, according to the authors, and, in truth, they are mind-boggling, especially given the "liberated" atmosphere of the contemporary world. Even today, adolescent women are generally discouraged from pursuing science careers, and family and childbearing issues often disrupt the opportunity for advancement in the university tenure track. A harsh, male-dominated social environment typifies the sci-tech community, to the detriment of women; affirmative action measures have proven insufficient and/or carry a stigma along with their enforcement. The eye-opening text draws upon various studies and surveys and hundreds of interviews with science students and faculty and presents recommendations for reform, especially in academia. I Closed My Eyes: Revelations of a Battered Woman Michele Weldon, adjunct lecturer, Medill School of Journalism (Hazelden, 1999) The sad, harrowing and bizarre true-life tale of a professional woman and mother who realizes she has married an abusive and physically violent man. This story is even more frightening in its revelations that Weldon — a gifted journalist with a strong and healthy family background — missed the signals that her lawyer husband, a prominent professional in his own right, was plagued by power and control issues that exhibited themselves in the most disturbing way possible. Along the way Weldon superficially explored astrology and other unconventional sources for answers but ultimately found her solace through religious belief and professional help. A nightmarish personal account that sheds light on an important social issue.
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