Pacific University Books

Land art was a controversial movement that came out of the 1960's and 1970's. Artists like Robert Smithson, Nancy Holt and Walter DeMaria tore apart the concept of art being individual works displayed in a gallery or sculpture garden independent of surroundings and time. They went to the most remote corners of the American west and southwest and created huge installations that are wedded to the landscape with an expectation that time and elements, as well as the viewers' physical perspective, can change their work and statement.

A generation later, an urbanite armed with a doctorate in art history, who was well read on the debate about land art realized that since its entire point is about where it is, she ought to go out and see these icons for herself. Erin Hogan may have been intellectually equipped, but going to land art is nothing like donning heels and a black dress and going to a gallery opening in Chicago. Thus her book is an amalgam of art history, art criticism and a frequently funny travelogue of an innocent who had never traveled solo before. The title of the book incorporates this range: the first earthwork she visits is Smithson's "Spiral Jetty" on Salt Lake, and the car she drives to remote, off-road locations requiring high-riding all-wheel drive vehicles is a VW Jetta.

This book works on many accounts: Hogan is a natural storyteller and she is an accessible interpreter of art history and criticism. Due to very poor directions, not to mention a scary evening in a bar called the Saddle Sore, she does not find Holt's "Sun Tunnels" and later, a conversation with a Navajo ranger convinces her that it would be foolhardy in gun country to seek James Turrell's "Roden Crater." Although that's disappointing, she achieves some major experiences, especially a transformative overnight at De Maria's "Lightening Field." However inauspicious their start on the trip, she and the Jetta survive, and she provides revised travel directions for those who would like to make their own pilgrimages without the slapstick.

As a woman who also took a road trip (well, OK, it was in a converted bus with my husband, pets, 200 pairs of shoes - and I still had to be dragged kicking and screaming), and lived to write about it, I had high expectations for this book. I was not disappointed. Even though I've never been that interested in "land art," Hogan nevertheless manages to bring it to life with humor and grace. I could also relate to her many misadventures as well as her growth during the trip, and I'm certain other readers will love going along for this ride.

Many art historians have written about the great modern earthworks of the American West and Southwest, but this is the first travel book to do so. What sets this book apart from others of its kind is the quality of the writing and the personality of the author, Erin Hogan. Hogan, an avowed urbanista from Chicago, writes with real comedic flair about the road trip she took in her trusty VW Jetta to visit the legendary Spiral Jetty, Lightning Field, Double Negative, Rodencrater, and Donald Judd's Chinati Foundation in Marfa (almost all of them funded by the Dia Foundation). Writing in a picaresque mode, along the way she encounters some pretty hairy and scary characters straight out of the old Wild West, but gone wrong, terribly wron. While her discussions of the formidable works of Judd, Smithson et al are excellent and accessible for general readers, the account of her accidental discovery of a folk-art site known as Hole 'n' the Rock is absolutely transcendent, right up there on a par with Perelman, Benchley, Woody Allen. A fabulous read. I hope we'll be seeing more from this talented writer--and soon.

Its good to see that the rural studios work is not unique but rather part of a movement, with other brilliant examples such as the work documented in this book. Beautifully illustrated. Probably the most in depth discussion I've read on the methods and challenges of work among the poor and underserved.
A great contribution to architectures claim to relevance.

This is a great book for both those people who are interested in learning about or those people who are already familiar with environmentally friendly "green" building pratices used in sustainable architecture. Studio at Large specifically chronicles the achievements of the UW BASIC Initiative program that Sergio Palleroni and his colleagues created in 1995. It is fascinating and moving to see the impact this work has on the local and global levels in society.

Prof. Sergio Palleroni teaches the "art-and-science" of "architecture" the old fashion way--with leadership and passion! He's not affraid of rolling up his sleeves, soiling his boot and spending his summer vacations whith his students (the future leaders): teachong design, scheduling and building sustainable communities in the "developing countries."

Yes, this is an ideological piece written to glamorise the Soviet revolution etc etc, but in reality, it's a great book that can be enjoyed by anyone from children that are old enough to appreciate the idea of justice (quite early).

Set in a fictional, magical Italian-type world, the tale tells of a revolution in a country that is ruled by a greedy and immoral aristocracy (that indulges opulently while the populace starves) headed by the Three Fat Men. The men have a young boy Tutti who they are raising as their heir. To make him cruel they forbid contact with children allowing him only a doll for a companion and they build a zoo with wild animals so that he learns cruelty.

The book begins with the capture and encagement of the revolutionary Prospero and the breaking of Tutti's doll. Enter the elderly Dr Gaspar and a bunch of ordinary extraordinary people whose lives are brought together in this crucial moment in the life of the country.

An absurd and story with elements of the tragic, feels timeless and is a great read for all.

Many praise Olesha's "Envy", but I prefer "The Three Fat Men" to it, firstly, because it is better written and, secondly, because "Envy" deals with the reality of post-Revolution Russia, which is as rough as a piece of emery paper, whereas "The Three Fat Men" is a fairy tail describing a magical world. There is little magical, however, in "The Three Fat Men", the fairy tail is basically a revolutionary pathos about destruction of the old and creation of the new. It is written in a very cheerful spirit, mostly imitating old French and Italian tale-tellers. It is not for no reason that settings, names of characters seem French and Italian. Even though "The Three Fat Men" was written under the author's impression of the Soviet revolt of 1917, it bears no mark of pro-communism or any other political orientation. Therefore, it should be enjoyed by children of all countries.

this is the most fantastic book i have ever read. i had read this book when i was just 10 and i used to read this book twice a month. the most important feaure of this book is that the reader is completely absorbed in this book from beginnin to end. dr. gasper is very interesting character. he can do anything. suok is so beatiful and adventurous. the struggle against three fat men is described in the best possible interesting manner.

this book is responsible for making me so adventurous. after reading this book i tried to walk on rope ( as suok does this with perfection) .

i recommend this book as the best birthday gift for any child.

The creation of high technology firms and industries is increasingly an important source of national industrial competitiveness. Harnessing and diffusing new technologies, leveraging knowledge and developing new collaborative mechanisms demand new corporate strategies and arrangements between business and government. Tiger Technology by John Mathews and Dong-Sung Cho provides new insights into these issues. In explaining how late comer firms establish themselves in one of the most technologically demanding industries, their book sheds light on the process by which East Asian countries - Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan have developed technology leveraging strategies and capabilities that enable them to compete in high technology industries. Furthermore they argue the East Asian countries have developed institutional systems for rapid technology transmission and diffusion.

Part two of the book draws this argument out by examining in detail the various national case studies. However, it is in Part three of the book that the authors draw together the comparative detail of the national case studies.Here they identify three models of high technology industrialisation that the East Asian economies have pioneered.The book raises interesting issues for managers, public administrators and scholars - focusing on the need to develop strategies for learning at the firm level and developing institutions that can foster cooperative relations between business and the public sector.

In sum, Tiger Technology, is a well researched, well written and topical book that demonstrates the continued potency of the East Asian 'miracle'.For those studying or working in the fields of strategy, international management and public policy the book is a 'must have' that will become an important benchmark in the study of high technology industrialisation. The book is therefore highly recommended.

I approached this book thinking that it might give a few ideas as to how countries today might get themselves started in high technology industries. I was surprised to find that Mathews' and Cho's story is as relevant to developing countries today as it is to the East Asian tiger economies with which they are concerned. In particular, their story of how Korea, Taiwan and Singapore all used different leverage vehicles for the creation of knowledge intensive industries in their countries, seems to be applicable very much to the case of China today, or India, or any other country with a serious state looking seriously to become a player in industries where technology is a prime factor. Countries don't have to reinvent everything from zero!

Congratulations to these authors for stating this as clearly as I've seen in recent years. The book stands comparison with Amsden, Wade and other contributors to the industrial upgrading literature.

The creation of high technology firms and industries is increasingly an important source of national industrial competitiveness. Harnessing and diffusing new technologies, leveraging knowledge and developing new collaborative mechanisms demand new corporate strategies and arrangements between business and government. Tiger Technology by John Mathews and Dong-Sung Cho provides new insights into these issues. In explaining how late comer firms establish themselves in one of the most technologically demanding industries, their book sheds light on the process by which East Asian countries - Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan have developed technology leveraging strategies and capabilities that enable them to compete in high technology industries. Furthermore they argue the East Asian countries have developed institutional systems for rapid technology transmission and diffusion.

Part two of the book draws this argument out by examining in detail the various national case studies. However, it is in Part three of the book that the authors draw together the comparative detail of the national case studies.Here they identify three models of high technology industrialisation that the East Asian economies have pioneered.The book raises interesting issues for managers, public administrators and scholars - focusing on the need to develop strategies for learning at the firm level and developing institutions that can foster cooperative relations between business and the public sector.

In sum, Tiger Technology, is a well researched, well written and topical book that demonstrates the continued potency of the East Asian 'miracle'.For those studying or working in the fields of strategy, international management and public policy the book is a 'must have' that will become an important benchmark in the study of high technology industrialisation. The book is therefore highly recommended.

Pour l'Occident, la Chine qui a constitué depuis plusieurs siècles à la fois un spectacle et un spectre. Alors que pour la Chine, c'est l'Occident qui l'a menacée, envahie, et contrainte à changer ses modes de vie. Pendant plus d'un siècle la société et la culture chinoises ont dû faire face aux pratiques et aux mentalités de la modernité occidentale et le métissage socioculturel y a été imposé par le colonialisme. En Occident, en choisissant d'oublier cette histoire, on exige aussi que la Chine reste « authentique » et « exotique », source de philosophies apaisantes et passives pour assouvir nos âmes troublées.

Que cet ouvrage cible les pratiques lyriques n'est pas un choix aléatoire, car si c'est le roman qui a narré et négocié notre modernité, c'est bien la poésie, quand ses pratiquants ne se sont pas laissés séduire par les politiciens, qui l'a contesté.

Dans ce livre, des contestataires lyriques célèbres, tels que Benjamin Péret côtoient des poètes chinois « dissidents » tels que Duoduo et Bei Dao, et des penseurs d'avant-garde tels Guy Debord et Raoul Vaneigem, sont associes à des chanteurs d'Occitanie, à des troubadours des Chinatowns, ou encore aux pionniers du rock et roll pékinois. La mobilisation de ces diverses formes de pensée exprime toute la puissance que représente l'arme de la critique intellectuelle et poétique.

Dans les combats de civilisation qui se jouent aujourd'hui autours des formes de la mondialisation n'oublions pas le monde rêvé par les penseurs poétiques qui en imaginent aussi l'avenir.
PS Ce livre est disponible en français : La Chine et le spectre de l'Occident : Contestation poétique, modernité et métissage.
Editions Syllepse, Paris, 2002

This book attempts to promote a non-authentic, non ethnocentric, and more complex perspective on certain aspects of Chinese poetic and political culture. Its concerns, as the title suggests, are not just with the culture of making and consuming lyrics, poems and songs, but also with questions to which such practices give rise. As the sub-title ( Lyricism, Nationalism and Hybridity in China and Its Others) suggests the interest is also in `inauthentic' hybrid practices and communities - the book talks not just about mainland China, but about peripheral communities like Chinatowns and Hong Kong. Since this is a comprative work it looks at other non-national communities and cultures like that of southern France, or Occitania. Nor is the book an orthodox British or Western sinological statement on modern Chinese culture. Rather it attempts to shed light on those lyrical works that are either marginalized and occulted, or considered by conventional scholars to be literally beneath consideration. The chapters on contemporary poetry and the chapter on Chinese popular music, are attempts to do just that. Similarly the chapter on the representation of the Chinese American and the descendants of Chinese immigrants to Britain is there to tell a story of Chinese people who in a sense are no longer Chinese, and yet will always be seen and represented as such, and so at a certain level will always remain so.

Louise Edwards writing in The China Journal (July 1999) says: "This innovative volume furthers a dialogue between China studies and postcolonial and cultural studies. Using literary debate as its primary focus (popular music is also discussed in Chapter 6), the book raises questions for all disciplines of China studies, Gregory Lee also makes a timely contribution to the field of postcolonial studies...Troubadours, Trumpeters, Troubled Makers makes a valuable contribution in resisting the "mixophobia" that is so prevalent in academic scholarship."

Compiled and organized by Mary Houser Caditz, "Wandering & Feasting: A Washington Cookbook" offers more than two hundred tempting and tasty dishes reflecting the culinary heritage of Washington State. Spiral bound so as to lay flat upon the kitchen table or counter, "Wandering & Feasting is a regional collection organizing dishes from the Olympic Peninsula (Halibut with Macadamia Nut Crust; Whole Baked Salmon with Medley of Three Dill Sauces; Filet of Sole Turbans with Shrimp Sauce), Southwest Washington (Individual Salmon Wellingtons with Dijon Cream Sauce; Cream of Carrot Soup with Marsala; Chocolate Hazelnut Decadence with Rum Cream), North Puget Sound and San Juan Islands (Dungeness Crab Stuffed Mushroom Caps; Strawberries in Raspberry Sauce with Orange Cream; Easy Apple Raisin Chutney), Puget Sound (Fried Calamari in Beer Batter; Cheese Puffs with Smoked Salmon Filling; Steamed Clams with Tomatoes and Herbs), Cascades (Flank Steak with Blue Cheese, Mushroom and Sun-dried Tomato Stuffing; Baked Pears in Apple cider and Cinnamon; Trout with Chive Cream Sauce), Central Washington (Beef on Skewers with Peanut Sauce; Spinach Salad with Apples and Ginger Vinaigrette; Minted Cantaloupe Soup), and the Inland Empire (Venison with Juniper Berry Sauce; Bulgar Wheat Pilaf with Mushrooms; Asparagus napoleons with Orange Hollandaise Sauce). Occasionally illustrated with historical photography, and featuring appendices that include 'Basic Recipes', 'Low-Fat Suggestions', Glossary, 'Selected Bibliography', and an Index, "Wandering & Feasting" is an ideal and strongly recommended addition to any personal and family cookbook collection.

Well written book with fascinating information about Washington State. The book includes recipes which highlight different regions in Washington. Ms. Caditz, a Washington native, weaves interesting stories and features throughout the book. A must have if you enjoy cooking and enjoy Northwest cuisine

This cook book is informative, useful, and inspiring. The recipes are yummy and well worth the effort. Be sure to try the Walnut Torte with Chocolate Glaze!

The book is divided into regions of Washington State, with an interesting narrative about each region in each section. There are historic photos, too, so Wandering and Feasting is a book to read, in addition to cook book as reference.

The presentation is crisp and appealing.

A great gift for gourmets, people who cook, NWophiles, and those who like to eat others' good cooking!

As a student of the Overland experience and a resident near the original trail in Nevada County I was just fascinated by this wonderful account. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and have given it as a gift to other early West enthusiasts.

Edwin Bryant's work is a classic not only of overland travel in 1846 but also of life in early California during the same time period.
The Kentucky newspaperman's writing style approaches poetic composition. He was a keen observer of every minute detail on the trail and when in California:
Geography; Indians; weather; describing the many people along the route; river fordings; acting the part of doctor to the many ailing emigrants; traveling with the Donner party; he and a handful of men separating from the main wagon train in Fort Laramie to go it alone; the perils, mishaps, hazards and beauty of the trail; meeting several celebrated individuals including Joseph Walker, Fremont, Sublette, Hastings, Hudspeth and Kearney to mention a few.
When in California, Bryant walked right into the United States' conquest of California from Mexico. He was a volunteer in Fremont's army to thwart insurgents. These and other timely events are well depicted. Bryant's description of what happened in the horrific Donner party expedition are piercing.
This is an exceptional book and highly recommended for enthusiasts of the early west.

In his own words Bryant describes his life on a wagon train going to California from the East Coast. If Bryant had a fault, it was that he too descriptive of the trail and events on the trail! If this wasn't enough, he was a doctor of the day, well, in his words, "Almost a Doctor." He was going to California to complete his studies. Like any good intern, he kept notes of who he treated on the trail and how he treated them. Also, being a bachelor, he was invited by the father of an eligible daughter to travel with them, "to let nature run it's course." This book should be a text book on the high school or the collegiate level.

There's a great photo of the author holding the first flying model of the M2F1 he built and tested, standing next to the M2F1! That's just one of many. The paperback edition has an update from 2005; what a treat that a program from the 1960s has such an up to date publication. If you're a junky for experimental aircraft you have to have this one.

I've studied these vehicles for years and thought I knew a lot about them. But Dale Reed was there and does a masterful job of melding the history time line with the results of the program. There are probably only a handful of people who could have written this book which is as rich in detail and "colorful" stories as any reader could want. If you've read the story of the X-15, this is the next logical step. If you haven't, you need to to really grasp what was going on at Edwards during this time. Fascinating!

A well written book from the engineer that was at the center of this small group of specialized aerospace vehicles. While detailed and somewhat technical, the author still manages to convey the sense of personal excitement, accomplishment and, at times, frustration experienced by everyone supporting these vehicles. A must-read for anyone interested in these vehicles.

With debates about energy at the political forefront in most countries, everybody should read this book before they open their mouth so that they know what they are talking about.

Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) had a brilliant career as a scientist, teacher, and writer. Best known for his science fiction novels and stories, he also wrote poetry and nonfiction, and prepared guides to several important literary works

Dr. Asimov has taken a difficult subject and made it interesting and easy to read. Even those who aren't science students will find this book about the universe around us dramatic and entertaining. I just wish there were a way to give this book 10 stars instead of only 5.

There is a widespread perception in Japan and the west that the Imperial Japanese Army fought to the last man, often making suicidal banzai charges when all was clearly lost. John Dower argued that this was a manifestation of the race war fought between Japan and the West. Allison B. Gilmore shows in this short study that such was hardly the case.

After a series of failures that often foundered on a lack of knowledge about Japanese culture and language, psychological warfare units under the command of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur developed an approach that emphasized despair. The most effective leaflets and radio broadcasts stressed issues that individual Japanese soldiers could confirm as being true and that did not offend cultural sensitivities. Drawing upon captured Japanese documents, Gilmore argues that U.S. psychological warfare operations were becoming an issue of concern to Imperial Army officers. There was a cumulative effective to the distribution of leaflets in the Philippines campaign. Between October-December 1944, the ratio of POWs to Japanese dead was 1:100 by July of 1945 the ratio was 1:7. MacArthur's command ended up taking 10,000 POWs. At the same time on Iwo Jima and Okinawa where Nimitz's command made only tepid efforts at psychological warfare, the Japanese did fight to the very end. There were few POWs taken on these islands.

Despite its dense topic, Gilmore writes well and easily--far better than your average academic. The book is less than 200 pages of text, so it is a quick read.

As a former US Psychological Operations (PSYOP) specialist, I found Allison Gilmore's study of the US PSYWAR efforts against the Imperial Japanese Army during the Pacific War not only historically interesting but also invaluable. Psychological Operations is often misunderstood as "mind-control" and evoke a dark image of disseminating lies through Tokyo Rose and Bagdad Betty. Although such kinds of "grey" or "black" PSYOP is practiced, it represents a small aspect of PSYOP. Especially in the US PSYOP, truth is held to be the most important weapon in persuading and convincing enemies to give-up resistence. A prime example is the Gulf War, in which the US PSYOP campaign was credited with contributing to the massive surrender of the Iraqi troops: US PSYOPers provided essential news and battle situations information to convince the Iraqi's of their inevitable defeat. Gilmore describes the evolution of Allied PSYOP efforts from the beginning to the end. Contrary to the widely-held view during the war in the US that the Japanese soldiers were impervious to any kind of persuation to give-up their fight because of their dedication to their Emporer, superiors, and their nation, Gilmore delineates, step-by-step, how the Allied PSYOPers analysed impact of battle conditions on the average Japanese soldiers, sorted-out psychological "weaknesses," and formulated proper messages to exploit those weaknesses and evetually defeat the Japanese "psychologically." In a sense, this book provides "how-to" knowledge and dispels myths surrounding PSYOP. As the saying goes, "honesty is the best policy," in PSYOP, verifiable truths, rather than lies, will win-over your enemies. Anyone interested in learning more about PSYOP or Pacific War, "You Can't Fight Tanks with Bayonets" should be an essential part of their reading.

The book follows the development of psychological warfare, at first with a little history and then getting into details about its use against the Japanese. The author points out that the use of propaganda was not very effective till the Japanese started to lose and till the Allies learned what did and did not work. Getting to know the enemy and finding his weak points is as important as selecting the right words to use and finding out if it's working. Truth is VERY important as you want the reader to trust you as a source of REAL information, information he/she can see as observable facts or can be checked on later.
The author breaks down the basics of GOOD psywar operations with a number of general conclusions near the end. A must for anybody interested in military history or the Pacific Theater during World War Two.