Plus: The Soul Of Public Education And A Path To Library Amnesty
Over the transom.
1. “Larry Howe is counting the days until he returns to Quarry Farm,” writes the Star-Gazette of Elmira, New York.
“The American literature professor and Mark Twain scholar at Roosevelt University in Chicago stayed for five days in October at Twain’s summer residence, and he’s coming back for the month of July so he can research and finish his second book on Twain, tentatively titled Mark Twain in America’s Ownership Society.”
2. Fighting for the Soul of Public Education.
“The Public Square and Hull-House Museum present Fighting for the Soul of Public Education: A Conversation with Barbara Miner.
Join us for the launch of Miner’s new book which chronicles the last 50 years of public schooling in Milwaukee. Lessons from the Heartland: A Turbulent Half Century explores the pernicious effects of the city’s hypersegregation and joblessness on public schooling. With a sweeping portrait of the city’s educational ‘reforms,’ Miner explores the intricate connections between race, housing, jobs, and education.
“Illuminating the local nuances of public schooling, members of the Chicago community will punctuate the conversation with Miner, offering insight into the possibilities and promise of our city’s beleaguered public school system.
“What do these two midwestern cities, fraught will similar challenges of segregation and unemployment suggest for the future of the American public education and democracy? What can the arts community, public health, business and other stakeholders bring to bear on the future of urban public education?
“Dave Stovall, Laura Ramirez and Xian Barrett will participate as community respondents.”
3. Graveyard of Empires.
“Peter Eichstaedt, veteran journalist and author of Above the Din of War: Afghans Speak About Their Lives, Their Country, and Their Future – and Why America Should Listen (Lawrence Hill Books, an imprint of Chicago Review Press, April 2013), will be in Chicago in April promoting his newest book.
“Eichstaedt spent a year traveling throughout Afghanistan drawing commentary and insight from a former warlord, a Taliban judge, victims of self-immolation, women parliamentarians, would-be suicide bombers, besieged small business owners and desperate archaeologists.
“With 2014 and the U.S. withdrawal looming, Eichstaedt’s exploration of Afghans’ common wants and desires – and fears – impacts his proposals for American and NATO exit strategies that could avoid leaving Afghanistan mired in chaos and war.
“Digging beneath the surface and adding a vital human component to an international issue, Eichstaedt illuminates Afghanistan’s past and future potential – offering Americans the reality of a situation that is often shielded.”
Preview:
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“After spending 2004 in Afghanistan working for the non-profit Institute for War and Peace Reporting and helping build Afghanistan’s first independent news agency, Eichstaedt returned to Kabul in 2010.
“As he worked with Afghan journalists to document their history and collective struggles, he realized that although Kabul itself appeared cleaned up, with freshly paved roads, the optimism of the freshly liberated capital had faded under the rise of insurgency.
“The war in Afghanistan is often examined from the perspective of a foreign correspondent, political analyst or U.S. soldier. In Above the Din of War Eichstaedt provides a forum for the everyday people of Afghanistan to be heard.
“Eichstaedt experienced the reality of Afghanistan – the reality that goes beyond the reportage of troop surges and withdrawals and special operations.
“In Above the Din of War he reveals the truth behind the calculated quotes of generals, diplomats, presidents and policy-makers and shares personal stories of survival, tenacity and inner strength that allow Afghans to carry on through the calamity.
“As a journalist, Eichstaedt is dedicated to revealing the stories behind human rights abuses. Having lived and worked in Uganda, the Congo and Somalia and written about Kony’s LRA and Somali pirates, he draws upon years of experience culled from time spent in high-octane situations.
“After 10 years of Americans fighting in Afghanistan, Above the Din of War shatters carefully constructed headlines to reveal the path to a sustainable future for a country called the ‘graveyard of empires.'”
4. A path to library amnesty.
“In celebration of its first anniversary, Printers Row, the Chicago Tribune’s literary member program, announces the kickoff of an annual Library Amnesty Contest.
“Printers Row will pay up to $100 in library fines on behalf of five entrants who provide the most convincing arguments as to why they should be granted amnesty.
“Winners also will receive a one-year digital subscription to Printers Row Journal for themselves or to give as a gift.
“Entries are due by Monday, April 1. Winners will be published in the Journal on Sunday, April 21.
“To enter, candidates should email their explanation of 50 words or less to printersrow@tribune.com, including the phrase ‘Library Amnesty’ in the subject line. Entries must state the total amount of fines, the libraries owed and the entrant’s contact information. Fines of additional runners-up will also be paid, budget permitting. Printers Row will pay the libraries directly.”
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Comments welcome.
Posted on March 12, 2013