What-I'm-Reading-Wednesday: How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

If you are looking for something hilarious to read this summer, look no further than Caitlin Moran's How To Be a Woman. This spunky English comedienne writes poignantly about the ups and downs of womanhood, using humor to accentuate the social injustices wrought upon the female sex. There is no topic too taboo. She questions everything from the unnecessary yet culturally-expected removal of body hair ("All the wildlife has gone. The bulldozers have moved in.") to the media's need to "humanize" and "feminize" strong women in powerful positions ("Let her keep her work face on. Let her seem a little indomitable and distant.").

Moran shares funny personal anecdotes, stories from her childhood, and conversations with friends. The style of the book itself is conversational and lends itself to her message. She is insightful and comical without belaboring her points. Moran expertly delves into sexism that is so socially and culturally ingrained in our societies that we fail to notice that there might be something wrong. If you're after something wickedly funny yet engaging and thoughtful, give Caitlin Moran a try.

Request How To Be a Woman now from the Library catalog. Click on the "Availability" link on the catalog record, then click on the yellow "Request" button. Log in using your 14-digit Library barcode number (located on your University ID), and your last name. You will then be able to select your pick-up location. The Library will notify you via email when your book has arrived for pick-up. If you need assistance with this process, please contact the Circulation Desk at 301-687-4395.

What-I'm-Reading-Wednesday: Front Yard Gardens by Liz Primeau

Liz Primeau’s Front Yard Gardens is a gorgeously photographed and inspiring read.  Whether you are a master level gardener or a beginner, this book has something for you.  The books starts off with the premise that the long ignored front lawn is actually a perfect area for a true garden.  In fact, a garden in the front yard is the eco-friendly choice.   Grass takes an enormous amount of care and watering to keep it looking perfect.  Why not pitch the grass and go for something more exotic and eye-catching like stands of bee balm or, my personal favorite, loads of daylilies?

Primeau takes you through numerous examples of what your Front Yard Gardens could be.  She has examples of a Minimalist Garden (lots of stonework and perennials), Small City Gardens (lots of colorful plants – great inspiration), and an Opulent Garden (flowers, flowers, and more flowers).  She has several more types of gardens listed as well.  The author has interspersed her garden examples with helpful tips on types of flowers, laying a groundwork plan, and different groundcovers to replace grass with minimal effort.  The book is loaded with lots of useful information and background history regarding gardens.

Front Yard Gardens is a great choice for all plant enthusiasts, people interested in sustainability for their homes, and people looking to daydream about what their outdoor spaces could be.  It is sure to inspire!

If you are interested in checking out this great book for yourself, you can request this volume from the Ort Library catalog here: http://catalog.umd.edu/docno=003769188

Click on "Availability", then click on the yellow "Request" button, and log in using your last name and 14-digit Library barcode number on your ID. If you need assistance, please contact the Circulation Desk at 301-687-4395.  We hope to see you soon!

Written by Amber Harrison

New Library Online Resources

The Ort Library recently activated the following new electronic resources, available to FSU students, faculty and staff:

BioOne Complete:  An aggregation of more than full text 180 scholarly journals focused in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences.

 

IPA Source:  A collection of literal translations and International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions. The goal of IPA Source is to promote the comprehension and accurate pronunciation of foreign language texts in art song and opera in order that the singer may imbue each syllable with the appropriate emotional content.  As a specialized database, full text content is not available through OneSearch or linked via the Find It service.

JSTOR Life Sciences Collection:  A full text collection of more than 160 journals in the field sciences and health sciences.  All of the library’s JSTOR collections are bundled together under the heading JSTOR in the Databases A-Z list and Research Port.

Ulrichsweb:  Detailed information on more than 300,000 periodicals (also called serials) of all types: academic and scholarly journals, e-journals, peer-reviewed titles, popular magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and more.  As a specialized database, full text content is not available through OneSearch or linked via the Find It service.

These e-resources are available from the library’s Databases A-Z list, Research Port, and integrated into the Library’s OneSearch system (the search box on the library’s website). Full text content is also linked through the library’s Find It service, effectively connecting it to relevant citations in all of the library’s databases as well as Google Scholar. 

Please contact the Ort Library Reference Desk at 301-687-4424, libref@frostburg.edu, or chat with a librarian if you have any questions or wish to know more about these e-resources.

What-I'm-Reading-Wednesday: Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott

If your country went to war, would you be able to sacrifice your life, your money, your reputation, or your young daughter for victory?  Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War is the story of two Confederate women and two Union women who became spies for their respective nations during the Civil War (1861-1865).  They put their lives and those of their families, friends, servants/slaves, soldiers, and politicians at risk, often pulling individuals into their spy rings to obtain any and all information they could to pass on to those in command.

Rose Greenbow lived in Richmond, Virginia with her young daughter and provided information to the Confederate commanders about troop strength, morale, battle plans, and equipment.  She and her daughter not only went to prison; but were also envoys for the Confederacy in Europe.

Belle Boyd lived in Martinsburg, Virginia (West Virginia after 1863).  She was an ardent supporter of the Southern way of life and spent time as a spy.  She gained information by using any ruse she could and often charmed the men to learn what they knew.  Her information proved vital to the Confederacy and changed the course of early events.

Emma Edmonds of Michigan cut her hair, donned men's clothing and enlisted in a Michigan infantry unit as a male -- the only way to avoid an arranged marriage and to fight for the Union cause.  While in uniform, she worked with the medical men, served as a courier, and a spy.  She saw the war through battles, the wounded and dying and those living in the region of the battles.

Elizabeth Van Lew grew up in the North; however, her father owned a business in Richmond, Virginia.  The wealth of her family helped provide the money and status to become a spy for the Union.  She was suspected by her neighbors; however, she was never caught with any evidence verifying that she was a spy or that she hid escaping Union soldiers in her house.  Elizabeth planted her personal slave in the Confederate White House where Jefferson and Varina Davis lived.  The slave remembered anything she read or heard, providing  pertinent information to the North.

Abbott brings these four women together through a seamless writing of the Civil War, their exploits, and how their efforts made a difference to both sides.  There are books written by Greenbow, Boyd, and Edmonds  about their lives,  Liar, temptress, Soldier, Spy  allows the reader to read about the soldiers, commanders, politicians, women and children left at home, and Lincoln and Davis.  This book gives the viewpoint of war through its participants, their devotion and dedication, suffering, and desire for victory.

Abbott provides historic information about the Civil War along with fascinating lives little known to many.

This volume is available to request from the Ort Library catalog here: http://catalog.umd.edu/docno=004450843 Click on "Availability", then click on the yellow "Request" button, and log in using your last name and 14-digit Library barcode number on your ID. If you need assistance, please contact the Circulation Desk at 301-687-4395.

Written by MaryJo Price

What-I’m-Reading-Wednesday: How to Think Like a Neandertal by Thomas Wynn and Frederick L. Coolidge

How to Think Like a Neandertal by Thomas Wynn and Frederick L. Coolidge digs deep into the past to look at one of our closest ancestors, Homo neanderthalensis. Neandertals died out in Europe about 30,000 years ago. There has been speculation in the news and confirmed with DNA evidence that some modern populations have some neandertal genes. This book looks at the biological evidence for neandertals, some actually had the gene for red hair.

Additionally, the book looks to reconstruct what life might have been like for the neandertals in Europe during the last ice age and during the time when modern humans were moving into their territory. The book looks at the possibility that neandertals had the gene for speech. Additionally, they discuss if a neandertal was living today, just how different they would look from us, if we saw them out in 21st century clothes.

This volume is available to request from the Ort Library catalog here: http://catalog.umd.edu/docno=004066942  Click on “Availability,” the click on the yellow “Request” button.  Log in using your first name and 14 digit library barcode from your ID.  If you need assistance, please contact the Circulation Desk at 301-687-4395.

The Soldier's Words/ Kenn Woods

 

Kenn Woods presented a copy of his new book, The Soldier's Words: First-hand accounts of what the Confederate soldiers actually wore & interesting anecdotes of the Civil War years, to Pam Williams, Associate Director for Library User Services. Woods utilized research materials from several libraries including the Ort Library to compile the book of personal reflections from soldiers about daily life. Woods acknowledged the help of staff and archivists at Frostburg State University with an inscription of thanks. 

A Civil War reenactor since 1988, he studied historical records and primary sources to learn exact details about the uniforms of Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. In the Introduction he states, "I wanted to present the soldiers/civilians observations through diaries, letters and memoirs." (p. 7)

During his years of research, he has unearthed facts previously overlooked in many historical accounts. For example, he discovered exactly what the crewmen of the CSS Virginia wore at the historical battle at Hampton Roads on March 8, 1862, and the answer is in his book.