Portland State University Magazine Fall 1991

Warfare of a kind PERSPECTIVES ON TERRORISM, by Harold]. Vetter and Gary R. Perlstein , PSU professors of Administration of Justice (Brooks/Cole Publishing, 1991) International terrorism is a novel kind of warfare, and its danger to the United States may exceed the threat of conventional or even nuclear war– fare, according to professors Haro ld Vetter and Gary Perlstein, authors of Pers/)ectives on Terrorism. Their book provides an introd uc– tion to terrorism, one that draws on perspectives from history, psychology, law, political sc ience, and sociology. Unique chapters on fema le terrorists and narcote rrorism give an added dimension to the tex tbook, as do examples of actual terrorist events that have taken place around the world and throughout histo ry . With frequent references to other works on terrorism, the book becomes a complete source on the subj ect, and the real life examples make for fascinat ing read ing. In concluding Perspectives on Terrorism, the authors suggest the risks are great, and the United States must develop the doctrines and o.rganizationa l structu re for a preemp– tive defense aga inst internationalt errorism. KK The artist's other side NEW TOTEMS AND OLD GODS by James Lee Hansen , PSU professor ' emeritus of art (Surgo Publication , 1990) One of the Northwest's most accla imed sculptors, James Lee Hansen's works l~ave been coll ected by museums and private collectors alike and adorn public buildings throughout Washington, O regon , Ca lifornia, and Montana. New Totems and Old Gods is illustrated 28 PSU with photographs of these award -win– ning bronze and sta inless steel pieces, but it is more an autob iographical collective of Hansen's poetry. The book is not tentative; the poetry is strong, the messages clear. Yet the work never strays from Hansen 's belief that "we all stand to be victims of our own ethos, when initi ally noble convictions become afflicted with hubris and become synonymous with prejudice." His sculptures may be abstract; the impetus behind them is not. The rhyming stanzas revea l Hansen 's observations on love and war, art, and civilizat ion. Controver– sial subjects such as racism, abort ion, religion, and women's rights are presented with the same dignity and certitude with which Hansen creates his sculptures. New Totems and Old Gods is a fitting tribute to James Lee Hansen 's sculpted images and revea ls to his admirers yet another side of this imaginative and thoughtful artist. SS A Chinese folk tale THE FOURTH QUESTION , retold by Rosalind C. Wang, PSU associate professor of library sciences, illustrated by Ju-Hong Chen (Holiday House, 199 1) C hildren of all nationalities will enj oy this moral ta le of good deeds bringing happ iness and reward . The Fourth Question is told by education librarian Rosa lind Wang and richly illustrated by Portland artist Ju -Hong C hen. Wang, who was born in C hina but grew up in T aiwan, heard this tale from her mother. "When we were young, I remember the interesting stories my mother wou ld tell us. Now I want to share them with other children in the United States ," says Wang. The book is the story of Yee-Lee, a poor boy on his way to ask a wise man why, despite all his hard work, he remains poor. Along the way he meets others with quest ions: an old woman whose daughter never talked an old man whose orange tree never ' blossomed, and a dragon who couldn't rise to heaven after hav ing behaved we ll for 1,000 years. Yee-Lee se lflessly gives up his own question, but the answers given to the others bring the poor boy riches and happiness. KK Caring for children PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO PRACTICALLY EVERY PROBLEM: THE EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER'S MANUAL, by Steffen Saifer, PSU early childhood education specialist (Toys 'n Things Press , 1990) Yes, it's a teacher's manual, but parents who interact with their own preschoo lers, send the kids off to day care, or take other children into their home, can benefit from Practical Solutions to Practically Every Problem. Reade rs can learn valuable info r– mation on the proper env ironment for learning, eating, playing, and napp ing, and methods for handling temper tantrums. The book provides a strong emphas is on the role of preven– tion in problem solving. Saifer, who teaches through the University's School of Extended Studi es, uses sound child develop– ment theory behind the book's quick– reference fo rmat. Part I on "Daily Dilemmas" contains sections on start– ing the day off right, circle time, mea l– times, art, and nap times to name a few areas. The book also includes sections on children with difficult behav ior, working with parents, and working with other staff. (KK editor's note: I bought the book for the day care center that nurtures my two-year-old every weekday. ) O