PSU Magazine Fall 1998

F F T H E The Julian Mystique: Her Life and Teachings by Frodo Okulam '76 . Twenty-Third Publications, 1998. How can the insights of a 14th– century female theolog ian be relevant to Christian renewa l today? Author Frodo Okulam shows that life in the Middle Ages held some similarities to the changing, violent, times today. Julian of Norwich's pos itive teachings of oneness, spiritual renewa l, and femi – nine imagery hold meaning now as then. Eas ily understood by laypersons, each chapter ends with discuss ion questions des igned to relate Julian's experiences and teaching to life today. The Stars Who Created Kabuki: Their Lives, Loves and Legacy by Laurence Kominz (language faculty). Kodansha International, 1997. Seventeenth -century kabuki actors Danjuro, Tojuro, and Ayame took kabuki from bu rlesque and vaudevi lle into a new era of serious, full -length theater. Kominz uses diaries, wri tten accounts by fri ends and colleagues, theater critiques, and texts of plays in telling about thei r professional and private live . These kabuki greats are influential and inspirational even today as contemporary actors try to emulate their energy, style, spiritual qualities, and commitment to innovation. Pillar of Salt: Gender, Memory, and the Perils of Looking Back by Janice Haaken (psychology faculty). Rutgers University Press, 1998. There is much controversy over whether the recollections of childhood sexual abuse are of actual events or are fiction. But even false accounts may contain some truth. Haaken points out that the psychological and social mean– ing of the accounts themselves may be more important than determining whether the memory is true or false. The question is not did the abuse occur, but rather what do the symbols of the recollection mean ?This book is an in– depth study of memory, storytelling, and the psychology of women. 2 PSU MAGAZINE FALL 1998 S H E L F The Focus Group Kit by David Morgan (urban studies faculty) and Richard Krueger. 6 vols. Sage Publications, 1998. The purpose of this kit is to provide more than just the basics of foc us group interviewing. Each volume represents a separate theme. The first volume, The Focus Group Guidebook, offers an introd ucti on to those new to this research method. The kit contin– ues with fi ve more vo lumes dea ling with initial planning, preparing and asking questions, effectively moderat– ing foc us groups, teaching focus group techniques to community members, and analyz ing the results. 200 Tips for Growing Beautiful Roses, 200 Tips for Growing Beautiful Perennials by Barbara Blossom Ashmun MSW '74 . Chicago Review Press, 1998. Combat black spot on roses with a spray of baking soda (one tablespoon to a ga llon of water) and a few drops of soap to help it stick. Want to plant perennials before amending your clay soil ? Put in daylilies, Siberian iris, and sedums. It would be hard to find a question that these two books don't answer. From bed design, to soil preparation, to tools, these little books te ll it all. Each book ends with a suggested read ing list, addresses of nurseries and mail-order sources, and a helpful, detailed index. Like There's No Tomorrow: Meditations for Women Leaving Patriarchy by Carolyn Gage '82, M .A. '84 . Common Courage Press, 1997. This book contains more than 100, two-page meditations on topics such a fighting, ridicule, wonder women, promotion, loneliness, passion, integrity, and control. Gage writes each med itation centered on a quota– tion from a woman she admires. Using this method, she tells of Donaldina Cameron's daring rescue of prostituted Asian girls, Fannie Lou Hamer's coura– geous resistance to police brutality, and Lillian Hellman 's defiant stand at the McCarthy hearings. As Gage discusses each quotation and its author, she is prov iding a pep talk for radical feminists, while giving a les on in women' history. Understanding Cultural Identity in Intervention and Assessment by Richard Dana (research faculty) . Sage Publications, 1998. Counselors, psychotherap ists, clinical psychologists, and soc ial workers should understand the cultural and racial identity of their clients when making an assess– ment and diagnosis, says the author. Unfortunately they are often blocked from this info rma– tion . Dana offers positive and practi– cal strategies for overcoming cu ltural biases in the mental health fie ld and within one's own self. The book provides a model for culture-specific services as applied to fo ur cultures: African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asians and Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans/Latinos. D Reviews of faculty and alumni books and recordings are written by Mary Ellen Kenreich, PSU Library faculty. To have a published work considered for this page, please submit pertinent information to Kenreich via e-mail kenreichm@pdx.edu , by fax at (503) 725-5799, or mail to Portland State 1 I u"'"'";'y, PO"'" llSI , Ponl, nd, 7207-1151. ~----'