Midwestern Strange

Midwestern Strange is a series of case studies of the weird/paranormal by essayist B.J. Hollars. Due out 1st Sept. 2019 from the University of Nebraska press, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

I really enjoy expository writing and I also enjoy essays.  This book is what happens when an academic writer turns to unusual, somewhat outré subject matter. This is a study of the author's personal study of Midwestern, generally rural stories of sightings of UFOs, monsters, wolfmen, gigantic turtles, aliens and the like. 

I've been impressed with other titles from the University of Nebraska press and this one was so odd and at the same time well written that it was quite refreshing to read. The author does a remarkable job of remaining unbiased whilst recounting his road trips across the rural American heartland talking to the descendants of the original witnesses and researching newspaper files and photographs. 

I don't honestly know how to solidly classify these stories. The author draws no specific conclusions, nor does he attempt to lead the reader, so it's not really technically expository writing.  It is, however, quirky and charming and I read it cover to cover in one sitting.The author is adept and the writing is crisp. 

Four stars. Five for fans of Roswell, X-Files and the like. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Lee Lawrie's Prairie Deco: History in Stone at the Nebraska State Capitol

Lee Lawrie's Prairie Deco is a meticulously researched and annotated study of Lee Lawrie, a phenomenally prolific and admirably talented designer and architectural sculptor and one of the leading lights of the art deco movement in the USA. Released in 2018, this is an impressive study of a massively talented designer and architect.

Millions of people have visited the massive landmark statue of Atlas at Rockefeller Center. It's an instantly recognizable iconic image. I was unfamiliar with the artist behind Atlas, though I'd visited it on more than one occasion, and this volume is full of images of this and other extremely well known sculptures, friezes, building, and facades from Lawrie's genius and passion.

The book is split into three sections: early biographical detail from his birth and details from his life, collaborations and commissions, and a comprehensive survey of the art deco movement and Lawrie's place in its history. The book includes well collated and annotated references, bibliography, a cross referenced index, and many many photos and facsimiles of historical documents.

I found it an interesting and enlightening read which kept my interest and never descended into pedantry.

Five stars. Really well done.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

One Size Fits None

One Size Fits None is an exposition on agriculture and specifically what we as a society can do to change our systems and to what degree we can reverse the damage we've wrought to our biome. Author Stephanie Anderson grew up on a traditional midwest farm and began to question the agricultural production models during and after her college education. She makes a compelling case for the idea that not only is a sustainable paradigm necessary, we absolutely must also make changes to repair and compensate for previous damage by farming regeneratively.

Released 1st January 2019 by the University of Nebraska press, it's 312 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

The book is split into four main sections. The first section describes and provides insights into the traditional large-scale agricultural model. Farms are 'factories' producing generally one or two specialized crops at maximum speed and volume. The farms are run on such a huge scale that mechanized production is a necessity and sowing, weeding, maintenance and harvesting rely on large industrial machinery. Soil fertility and crop production are dependent on artificially applied chemical fertilizers which leads to decreased soil function which in turn increases reliance on more inorganic fertilizers.  The author makes a compelling argument for the unsustainability of the treadmill that is the current system of agriculture. The question, then, is how to make a change.

The second section deals with a shift in paradigm to a regenerative holistic system. The model she discusses in the book is based on buffalo and other large herbivores grazing grassland in the midwest USA. The studies she cites showed an increase of soil health and plant diversity when organic methods are utilized which allows for a more complete cycle, since the insects and birds aren't killed off by using pesticides. I enjoyed reading about the farmer documenting the insect activity of the poop left by the buffalo (dung beetles process and drag the nutrients from the poo into the soil where it continues the cycle).

The third section of the book covers plant based organic methods of food production. I enjoyed the way the author writes about the farmers she profiles in the book. There is an emphasis on their methods, true, but she manages to emphasize their creativity, problem solving, and humanity at the same time.

The fourth section of the book brings the second and third together with a balanced smallholding model which incorporates both animals and plants in a cohesive whole.  There is a common catchphrase in agriculture today 'Get big or get out'! This book makes a very compelling case why that is absolutely the wrong model if we want to repair the catastrophic damage we've done to the planet we all call home.

Even for people who aren't directly interested in engaging directly in food production, educating ourselves about food security and diversity is critically important now, before it's too late.

This book provides a wealth of further reading in the bibliography.

I remember reading Silent Spring decades ago and being absolutely electrified. This book gives me the same feeling. This is a very important book.

Five stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Modern Sudanese Poetry

Modern Sudanese Poetry is an anthology of post-independence (1964-present) poetry from Sudanese poets. This book is in the African Poetry Book Series. Anticipated release date is 1st Sept 2019 from the University of Nebraska press. It's 186 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

This volume is impressive in several ways. This is obviously poetry in translation, the translation work by editor Adil Babikir seemed seamless and quite a number of the poems moved me despite being translated to English (and despite being read through the lens of my experiences as a western white woman). The included poetry is appealingly wide ranging. There are both male and female poets represented here. The poetry encompasses both the Arab and African experiences (sometimes both at once). There is a lot of poignant counterpoint in the culture of the region and it is reflected in the poetry.

I also really liked the supporting materials. There is a very well written, accessible, scholarly forward by  Matthew Shinoda which provides background information, some concise history and some interesting observations on the language and culture of the region. There is also an introduction, presumably by the editor, which gives a broad background with poetic and literary influences. The intro is accessible and also well documented, with a wealth of possibilities for further reading beyond the scope of the book.

The introductory materials represent roughly 20% of the page content.  There are poems from (by my count) 31 poets, many of them have more than one poem included.  I felt glimpses, reading them, of the common bonds which everyone shares across cultures and throughout time. We all experience love and loss and regret and confusion and anger.

There's an included notes section with some footnote info, a bibliography and reference section after the poetry, along with short contributor biographies.

I have done quick searches online and through the interlibrary catalogue at my university library. There is very little Sudanese poetry in translation available. None of these poets were familiar to me, and I found a number to follow up. This anthology was needed. Very well done (academic, true, but accessible and appealing to the layperson).

Five stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Midwest Gardener's Handbook, 2nd Edition:

 

Midwest Gardener's Handbook is a reformatted and updated 2nd edition of the midwest gardening guide by Melinda Myers. Originally released in 2013, this edition is due out in March 2022 from Quarto on their Cool Springs imprint. It's 256 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

This is an accessibly written information dense regional gardening guide specifically aimed at gardeners in the midwest USA: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas , Michigan, Minnesota , Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and environs. The information is arranged in a sensible manner with chapters arranged thematically. An introduction about the benefits and challenges midwestern gardeners experience, followed by: annuals, bulbs, groundcovers, perennials, shrubs (& trees), and vegetables & herbs. The chapters are thorough and contain specific recommendations with both specific cultivars as well as general seasonal task lists for each chapter. Cultivars are referred to by botanical (Latin) nomenclature as well as common name to facilitate sourcing and reduce confusion. 

The book is -full- of full color photographs for inspiration and clarity. One of the high points for me with this volume were the useful and specific appendices - pruning, building up beds, winter protection, raised beds, zone maps, and other resource information.

Four and a half stars. This would be a good choice for public and school libraries, gardening groups, community/allotment gardens, suburban gardeners, homeowners, etc.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.