PSU Magazine Winter 1998

F F T Return to Spirit Lake: Journey Through a Lost Landscape by Christine Colasurdo '84. Sasquatch Books, 1997. The author's family-owned cabin near the Toutle River was destroyed by the Mount St. Helen's eruption in 1980. Colasurdo had spent childhood summers there camping, hiking, and exploring. After staying away for many years, she returned in 1993 to deal with her grief over the tremendous change to the landscape-the lo s of trees and lush terrain. Providing hi tory, folklore, and facts about the area, Cola urdo also offer her impres– sions and thoughts of the mountain a it lowly comes back to life. The Young Child as Scientist: A Constructivist Approach to Early Childhood Science Education by Christine Chaille (education faculty) and Lory Britain. 2nd ed. Longman, 1997. Chaille and Britain sugge t that as children learn about science, they are like scientists, making use of the same traits-experimentation, curiosity, creativity, and the testing of ideas. If teachers approach science education with this in mind, they can be facilita– tors of children's scientific explo– rations. The book is of intere t to anyone curious about how children learn and how knowledge in children i con tructed. Affinity by Hamilton Cheifetz, cello, and Bryan Johanson, guitar (both music faculty). Gagliano Recordings , 1997. A delightful and soothing collection of music composed by Johanson, William Schuman, Ravel, de Falla, Debussy, and hostakovich. Whether melan– choly and poignant, or lively and exciting, the combination of cello and guitar in these newly composed and arranged pieces is a pleasure to listen to. S H E L F The Dazzle of Day by Molly Gloss '66. TOR Books, 1997. A work of science fiction, the story begins in a time when the Earth has become nearly uninhab- itable. A community of Quakers make the momentus decision to travel in space in search of a new home. Dealing with the moral and social di lemma of such a trip, the book tells of the generations of people who have grown up on this ship, the crew responsible for finding a new habitat, and the battles they face both with outside elements and with each other. Take Stage! How to Direct and Produce a Lesbian Play by Carolyn Gage '82, M.A. '84. Scarecrow Press , 199 7. The author has been involved in every aspect of le bian theater as teacher, playwright, actor, director, and producer. She provides insight into the frustrations and rewards of working in this medium. In addition, she gives practical advice and fi lls in details on where to begin, decisions to make, publicity, auditioning, hiring, rehears– ing, opening the how, touring, and more. The book concludes with an index and many helpful appendixes, including a bibliography of gay and lesbian play anthologies, resources on homophobia, and sample of contracts, budgets, rehear al schedu les, tickets, programs, and press re leases. The Reformation of Ritual: An Interpretation of Early Modern Germany by Susan C. Karant-Nunn (history faculty) . Routledge , 199 7. Karant-Nunn has taken on the study of religious rituals such as baptism, marriage, the Eucharist, and funera ls, and the significance of ritua l change in the German Reformation. During the Reformation, religious leaders took advantage of the break with the Catholic Church to change those rituals considered archaic and to create new ones. Rituals may be a means for church leaders to impose disci– pline on the popu lace, but they also bind people together. This study provides an in– depth view of how and why rituals changed during that time period. Communication, Technology, and Politics in the Information Age by Gerald Sussman (urban studies faculty) . Sage Publications, 199 7. New communication and information tools surround the inhabitants of today's world. We may be using these tools, perhaps a suming they are avail– able to everyone, without considering the oc ial co ts involved and the effect of technology on society as a who le. Human forces control the direction of new communication techno logies. Politics determine who these human forces are, who makes the decisions, and who creates the rules. The author provides a critical understanding of the politics and social effect of communication technology. Review 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 tare University, PO Box 1151, Portland, OR 97207-1151. WINTER I998 PSU MAGAZINE 15