Community News & Press Releases

Congratulations to Gillian Evans, the editor of the book "Post-Industrial Precarity: New Ethnographies of Urban Lives in Uncertain Times," for receiving a review from Tom Parkinson, appearing on the 'Exertions' ('Society for the Anthropology of Work''s website.): [...] an invaluable contribution to the anthropology of precarity and post-industrial urban life. The volume features eight outstanding chapters for readers interested in these key debates and amounts to a much-needed new wave of ethnographic studies with which scholars of the city can engage. [Extract from book review on 'Exertions' ('Society for the Anthropology of Work''s website.) Jan 17, 2024. Reviewer: Tom Parkinson. https://saw.americananthro.org/pub/1xgciqkk/release/3 ] Find more about the book here: "Post-Industrial Precarity: New Ethnographies of Urban Lives in Uncertain Times" The United Nations predicts that by the year 2050 almost 70% of the planet’s population will be living in cities. The onus on social scientists is to explain the contemporary challenges posed by the urbanization of the world. A growing body of literature raises the alarm about the precarity of human existence in the uncertain conditions of rapidly transforming contemporary cities. This volume brings together a diverse collection of new ethnographies of precarious lives in various cities of the world. The specific focus on post-industrial cities in the UK allows for a wider consideration of the urban conditions and the political and economic climates which combine to produce extremely precarious living conditions for urban populations elsewhere in the world.The productive consequence of the comparisons and contrasts of various urban contexts, made possible by the volume, is an analytical focus on what it means for humans to live and occupy different subject positions under the advancing conditions of contemporary global capitalism. The volume’s chapters are also united by the shared commitment of early career social science scholars to ethnography as a research method. This gives a common methodological focus to diverse topics of substantive concern located in various cities of the world from Manchester, Newcastle and Salford in the north of England, to Detroit in the USA, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Turin in Italy and Beirut in Lebanon. Ethnography, relying as it does on long-term participant observation and in-depth open-ended interviewing, is uniquely valuable as a resource for bringing to life the unpredictable ways in which humans survive and develop forms of resilience among, for example, the ruins of dying cities. Ethnography also enables social scientists to understand and add depth to the surprising stories and apparent contradictions of everyday protest in the face of the increasing privatization of the public good and extreme inequalities of wealth. Ethnographically grounded analyses of urban life are therefore uniquely positioned to explain and critically analyse the new politics of popular resistance as the people who feel ‘left behind’ by society, or expelled from what might be described as the ‘exclusification’ of urban environments, push back against an economy and politics that appears to exist only for the private benefit of an indifferent elite population.

Congratulations to Janis Bell, Stefano Bruzzese, Silvio Leydi, Elisa Ruiz Garcia, the authors of the book "Designed to Impress. Guido Mazenta’s Plans for the Entry of Gregoria Maximiliana of Austria into Milan (1597)," for receiving a review from Giovanni Mazzaferro, appearing in the 'Letteratura artistica': La Biblioteca Nazionale di Spagna a Madrid conserva un manoscritto (segnato MS 2908) che fino a oggi è stato oggetto di scarsa attenzione. Si tratta del programma iconografico che nel 1597 il nobile milanese Guido Mazenta (1561? – 1613) presentò al governatore spagnolo della città meneghina per l’imminente passaggio in città (e conseguente entrata trionfale) di Gregoria Massimiliana (1581-1597), cugina dell’imperatore Rodolfo II (appartenente al ramo austriaco degli Asburgo). [...] , il punto forte del libro è quello di partire da un documento per sviluppare un contesto, indagando in più direzioni. [...] [Extract from book review (Italian) at 'Letteratura artistica.' Reviewer: Giovanni Mazzaferro. January 2024. https://letteraturaartistica.blogspot.com/2024/01/guido-mazenta.html] Find more about the book here: "Designed to Impress: Guido Mazenta’s Plans for the Entry of Gregoria Maximiliana of Austria into Milan (1597)" Soon after celebrating the appointment of Federico Borromeo to Archbishop, the city of Milan began planning elaborate festivities to celebrate the betrothal of Prince Philip, future King of Spain, to the niece of the Holy Roman Emperor, Gregoria Maximiliana. She was scheduled to travel through Milan in 1597 on her journey to Spain. Guido Mazenta, a private citizen, planned for the erection of five triumphal arches in strategic locations throughout the city. This volume includes studies of the author and his previously unrecognized importance in turn-of-the-century Milan, presents an analysis and transcription of his illustrated manuscript for the program (Biblioteca Nacional Ms. 2908), and fully examines the scope and expenses of the festivities in honor of royal visitors in the second half of the sixteenth century. Although Gregoria died before the planned celebration, many of its features were transferred to the entry in 1598 of her sister, Margherita, who married Philip soon after he ascended to the throne as Philip III of Spain. This celebration left a permanent mark on the city of Milan through the construction of the Porta Romana. Scholars of early modern European art and history will find a richness of new archival documentation, particularly those interested in the history of book and art collecting and in economic history. The essays in this volume bring to light the important role of a private citizen whose reputation was later deliberately obscured to cover the ignominy that led to his exile from Milan. Janis Bell and Stefano Bruzzese discuss the author and his activities, Silvio Leydi discusses the many elaborate festivities conducted for royal visitors to the city of Milan during the Hapsburg reign and the expenses involved in hosting their courts, and Elisa Ruiz Garcia presents a detailed examination of the program and the sources used by the author.

Congratulations to Andrew Klobucar, the editor of the book "The Community and the Algorithm: A Digital Interactive Poetics," for receiving a review from Daniel Punday, appearing in the 'Electronic Book Review,' January 7, 2024: Current debates about the coming impact of generative artificial intelligence have focused primarily on the role of these algorithmic systems in individual creative and professional activities. […] By shifting attention towards the potential for algorithmic activities in creative communities, this collection makes clear how limited the terms of the debate have been. Klobucar’s collection intervenes into this widespread mixture of panic and celebration about algorithms by challenging three fundamental assumptions we see in popular conversations: the unstated premise that the algorithm is uniquely contemporary, a technology-driven phenomenon; the focus on individual professional or creative activity; and the assumption that algorithms ultimately are in conflict with human agency. […] Klobucar offers a corrective to our current ChatGPT panic. But any collection like this is also making a claim to define a field or area of inquiry, and so I hope that this collection prompts us to pay more attention to the stakes of this kind of disciplinary reorientation, even if it doesn’t quite provide an answer. What happens when we frame a bunch of analog creative practices as algorithmic? [Extract from book review appearing on 'Electronic Book Review': Punday, Daniel. “Expanding the Algorithm”, Electronic Book Review, January 7, 2024, https://electronicbookreview.com/essay/expanding-the-algorithm/]

Congratulations to Kimberly Karshner, the editor of the book "Voices from the Wreckage," for receiving a review from Laura D'Amore, appearing in the 'The International Journal of Young Adult Literature,' 2023, Volume: 4, Issue: 1. Page/Article: 1-5: […] Karshner gathers fourteen authors who, across twelve chapters, analyze how trauma is presented in literature for young adult audiences, engaging with diverse representations in both characterization and culture in terms of identity, geography, and genre. […] Rather than just making a general argument about the healing potential of these narratives, this book provides a road map for educators, exploring the practicalities and mechanics of introducing this content in schools. […] At a contemporary moment during which many forces are converging to ban books, or otherwise curtail access to books that discuss sexuality, this compilation of essays is a timely and inspirational tool for those of us who wish to engage in these ‘controversial’ conversations. [Extract from book review appearing at the 'The International Journal of Young Adult Literature,' 2023, Volume: 4, Issue: 1. Page/Article: 1-5. Reviewer: Laura D'Amore. DOI: 10.24877/IJYAL.126] The book is available to order here: "Voices from the Wreckage"

Our recently published book, "Concepción Gimeno de Flaquer (1850-1919): Cartas, cuentos cortos y artículos periodísticos" by Ana Isabel Simón Alegre will be presented next week in two events: Monday, December 11th in "La Sala Cabildos del Palacio Municipal" at 6.00 pm in Santiago Tuxtla, Mexico Friday, December 15th in the bookstore "Mar Adentro" in Veracruz, Mexico

Congratulations to Roberto Echavarren, the author of the book "Russian Nights Autocracy and Testimony: Life in Russia during the Soviet Period as Told by Those Who Lived it," for his interview on the online magazine 'No Country Magazine.' [...] Only a poet like Roberto Echavarren, with a unique voice and an absolute ear for the voice of others, could have conceived this project to rescue and preserve these personal stories, allowing us to experience firsthand the real impact that politics can have on the personal. 'Russian Nights' can be read as an intimate encyclopedia of injustice, pain, and redemption; and yet, it manages to granularly trace the entire historical arc underpinning these testimonies. [...] [Extract from interview with the author appearing on 'No Country Magazine'. 11/27/2023. Interviewer: Pablo Baler. https://nocountrymagazine.com/the-silence-barrier-a-conversation-with-roberto-echavarren-about-russian-nights-autocracy-and-testimony-2023/ ] - The Silence Barrier: A Conversation with Roberto Echavarren about ‘Russian Nights: Autocracy and Testimony’ (2023) - Interview with the author appearing on the online magazine 'No Country Magazine.' 11/27/2023. Interviewer: Pablo Baler

Congratulations to Emily Strand and Amy H. Sturgis, the editors of the book "Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away," for receiving a comment through the 'Journals of the Whills' account on Instagram (hosted by Jonny, host of the Star Wars Book Community podcast): "Star Wars: Essays from a Galaxy Far, Far Away" is a multi-course festive feast, with some fantastic academics and authors round the table. Editors Emily Strand and Amy H. Sturgis present a collection of fascinating essays; the history of alien language creation in Star Wars, parallels between the mirror encounters of Rey and Harry Potter, the complex morality of Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, the impact that an art house short film called 2187 had on George Lucas, and much more. [Extract appearing on 'Journals of the Whills' (Instagram.) Hosted by Jonny, host of the Star Wars Book Community podcast. https://www.instagram.com/p/C0P8nIqqdTm/ ] The book is available to order here: "Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away"

Congratulations to Patrick James Dunagan, Marina Lazzara, and Nicholas James Whittington, the editors of the book "Roots and Routes: Poetics at New College of California," for receiving a review from Joseph Donahue, appearing in the 'Pacific Coast Philology', Volume 57, Issue 1, 2022, pp. 83-86: "Roots and Routes: Poetics at New College of California" is an invaluable contribution to our understanding of a vital time and place in the development of American poetry in the last decades of the last century. [...] a much-needed and major contribution to the history of American experimental poetry at the end of the last millennium, and it provides evidence for hope as the next takes hold. [...] The intelligence and care and high seriousness of the students at the New College, the imaginative range of what instructors there presented as fundamental to the art of making, well, is flat-out inspiring. "Roots and Routes" shows what language art is about. It is a high example of how the teaching of literature, and yes, even of creative writing, can offer a true and vital initiation into the Imagination, which, as Blake reminds us, is life itself. [Extract from book review appearing in the journal 'Pacific Coast Philology', Volume 57, Issue 1, 2022, pp. 83-86 (Article). Reviewer: Joseph Donahue] https://doi.org/10.5325/pacicoasphil.57.1.0083 The book is available to order here: "Roots and Routes: Poetics at New College of California"

Vernon Press invites you to the book presentation of "Cesare Pavese Mythographer, Translator, Modernist" edited by Iuri Moscardi. The event will take place at Fordham University in The Bronx at 3.30 pm at Faber Hall 568. Iuri Moscardi will be in conversation with prof. Francesca Parmeggiani. Find out more about the book here: Cesare Pavese Mythographer, Translator, Modernist

We invite you to attend the book reading of "Concepción Gimeno de Flaquer (1850-1919): Her Personal Letters, Short Stories, and Journalism". The event will take place on Wednesday, November 15th. The reception starts at 3 pm and the reading is from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the North Lobby, Swirbul Library, Adelphi University.

Vernon Press invites you to the celebration of Feria Libre Libro en Ecuador 2023, where one of our books, "Escenas Diversas: Drama, Humor y Música", will be presented. The event will take place on the digital platforms of Universidad de las Artes (Ecuador) this Thursday, November 9th, 2023, 11:30 am CST. You can find more information on the event's website: https://www.uartes.edu.ec/sitio/librelibro/ The book will have a presence as well in V Coloquio Internacional de Investigación de la Escuela Superior de Música de la Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (V International Research Colloquium of the School of Music at the Juárez University of the State of Durango). On the last day of the event, November 17th, the book "Escenas Diversas" will be presented (Vernon Press, 2023).

Vernon Press invites you to the celebration of V Feria del Libro, where one of our authors, Ana Isabel Simón-Alegre, will present her book, published both in English and Spanish, "Concepción Gimeno de Flaquer (1850-1919): Her Personal Letters, Short Stories, and Journalism". The event will take place on Friday, November 10th, 3-4:30 pm, Eastern Time (USA)/ 21-22:30 CET. To register for the event, please follow the link: https://butleru.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMtdO-pqj8vEtRExLVgGiZt8DtWu_27KWgG#/registration **The event will be in Spanish**