New Books Network

Margaretha Geertsema-Sligh, a professor of journalism and author specializing in gender and media sociology, discusses her new textbook, which offers a global perspective on journalism and gender. They explore how gender influences news production and representation, particularly in the Global South. She highlights the persistent sexism in newsrooms, the 'triple threat' faced by women journalists, and the barriers of leadership. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of feminist frameworks in transforming journalism through education and activism.

Philip Janzen, an assistant professor of history at the University of Florida, discusses his book exploring Caribbean administrators in Africa from 1890 to 1930. He highlights their double marginalization, caught between European disdain and African distrust, which shaped their identities. Janzen also examines how these individuals redefined their views through language and relationships with African intellectuals. He emphasizes the importance of unconventional sources, like poetry, in understanding their fragmented experiences and the broader implications for diaspora studies.

Join Ayoush Lazikani, a lecturer at Oxford and expert in medieval literature, as she takes listeners on a captivating journey through the moon's multifaceted role in the medieval world. She explores enchanting themes, from Old English riddles that see the moon as a cosmic enigma to its personifications as deities like Selene. Delve into tales of lunar adventures, the moon's influence on medicine and popular beliefs, and the poignant ways the moon symbolizes love and loss in poetry across cultures. Discover why this celestial body still resonates today.

Chad Córdova, Assistant Professor at Cornell University, delves into the connections between aesthetics and ecology in his work, *Toward a Premodern Posthumanism*. He argues that aesthetics can challenge anthropocentrism and reveals how beings are interrelated, independent of reason. Córdova explores the influences of Aristotle, Kant, and Heidegger, and reinterprets Montaigne's essays as non-teleological reflections. He emphasizes a mycorrhizal approach, linking plant-fungal relationships to contemporary posthumanist thought, revealing nature's intricate interconnectedness.

Join journalist and medieval history PhD Melanie McDonagh as she unravels the phenomenon of 20th-century British converts to Catholicism, from Oscar Wilde's poignant deathbed conversion to the artistic allure of the faith. Discussing over 600,000 conversions by Vatican II, she highlights the appeal of stability and authority amid an era of secular chaos. Explore the controversies, the social influences driving these choices, and how figures like John Henry Newman shaped their spiritual journeys—unveiling a captivating layer of cultural history.

In this engaging conversation, Andrew Fadyen-Ketchum, an author and editor known for his poetry collection, Fight or Flight, delves into his journey through grief post-divorce. He candidly shares how camping in nature ignited his creativity and provided solace during tough times. Andrew discusses the importance of humor and activism while grappling with personal pain. Listeners will be fascinated by his reflections on finding family through his indigenous wife and the emotional depth in his poetry, showcasing a compelling intersection of life experiences and art.

Éléna Choquette, an associate professor at the Université du Québec en Outaouais, delves into Canada's tumultuous expansion in the 19th century. She discusses how colonial liberalism rationalized Indigenous dispossession and the use of force against resistance. Choquette explores the pivotal years of 1857 to 1885, highlighting the role of constitutional frameworks and scientific expeditions in justifying land appropriation. She also critiques the implications of residential schools as 'improvement' and advocates for recognizing Indigenous claims to sovereignty. Her insights challenge the narrative of gentle nation-building.

Sarah Hanley-Cousins, an Assistant Teaching Professor of History at the University at Buffalo and executive editor of Nursing Clio, joins Ayah Nuriddin, an Assistant Professor at Yale specializing in the history of medicine, to explore the transformative power of collective scholarship. They discuss the importance of creating a feminist community that supports junior scholars and how Nursing Clio adapts blog essays into accessible academic resources. The conversation also highlights the politics of credit in historical research and the ongoing relevance of reproductive rights.

This discussion delves into how the white southern press manipulated journalism standards to uphold Jim Crow laws. Gwyneth Mellinger reveals the hypocrisy behind the concept of objectivity, showing how it was weaponized to dismiss the Black press. The talk uncovers attempts to silence Black voices and highlights the influential roles of specific journalists. Archival revelations expose the complicity of these editors in segregation while they publicly claimed neutrality, urging a reevaluation of press histories and overlooked contributions.

Henry Rausch, a former U.S. Navy submarine officer, shares enthralling stories from his time aboard nuclear submarines during the Cold War. He discusses the unforgiving reality of underwater missions, where minor mistakes could lead to catastrophe. Rausch reflects on the emotional toll of long deployments, including personal challenges like his wife’s struggles at home. He offers insights into submarine operations, navigation under ice, and the critical importance of crew morale. His experiences highlight the unique blend of danger and camaraderie in submarine service.