Relax, take a break. These new books will get you through exams and into the summer.
Magical Moments of Change: How Psychotherapy Turns Kids Around by Lenore Terr (W.W. Norton, 2008)
RJ504 .T47 2008
“Collecting the best 'stories of change and transformation' from her colleagues around the world, internationally acclaimed researcher on child trauma Lenore Terr explores diagnoses from PTSD to self-mutilation to tackle a fundamental question facing child therapists: Just how and when does therapy work, and what happens to make it work?” --Amazon.com
Peasants, Farmers and Scientists: A Chronicle of Tropical Agricultural Science in the Twentieth Century by J.W. Mutsaers. (Springer, 2007)
S604.37 .M88 2007
“This book is a critical account of tropical agricultural science and agricultural development in the twentieth century, in particular in Africa. It describes successes as well as fads and failures, from the perspective of a practitioner of more than 40 years. The emphasis is on the second half of the century, but the story frequently reaches deep into the first half of the century as well.
The book’s premise is that the story of tropical agricultural science and agricultural development can be told in a single volume at a more than trivial level, understandable for people of normal intelligence. It tries to uncover what real value there has been in the major areas of study (Farming Systems Research, Natural Resource Management, crop modeling, etc.) after peeling off the multiple protective layers applied by the profession. It also takes a critical look at agricultural and general development which has become inflated with hot air to the point of blowing itself apart in the early twenty-first century.” --Amazon.com
Philosophy and Design: From Engineering to Architecture edited by Pieter E. Vermaas (Springer, 2008)
TA174 .P4975 2008
“Philosophy and Design: From Engineering to Architecture is a significant contribution to the expanding field of design studies. It brings questions of design into philosophy and thereby brings diverse philosophical perspectives to bear on conceptual, methodological, epistemological, metaphysical, and ethical issues of design. It is also the first collection of philosophical papers to bridge the divide between critical reflections on design in engineering and in architecture. After the publication of this well edited collection, it will be difficult for philosophy to ignore design as a theme as worthy of attention as such phenomena as scientific theory, aesthetic creativity, or political law. Indeed, as a phenomenon design may well span theory, creativity, and law in ways that can contribute to a deeper understanding of each and to their mutual relations. In addition, this collection is to be commended for the interdisciplinary character of many of its contributions and the multinational perspectives provided by its diverse contributors from Europe, North America, and Japan.” --Amazon.com
Design for Inclusivity: A Practical Guide to Accessible, Innovative and User-centered Design by Roger Coleman (Ashgate Pub., 2007)
TS171 .D4638 2007
“Inclusive design not only ensures that products, services, interfaces and environments are easier to use for those with special needs or limitations, but in doing so also makes them better for everyone. ”Design for Inclusivity", written by a team that has pioneered inclusive design practice internationally, reviews the recent social trends and pressures that have pushed this subject to the fore, and assesses design responses to date in an international context. The authors make the business case for inclusive design and explain the formalization of the approach in standards and legislation. The text includes case studies which describe transport; product development, IT, housing and service projects, as well as industry-university collaborative projects, and highlights lessons that have been learned. This is very much a practical book. It offers tools, techniques, guidelines and signposts for the reader to key resources, as well as including advice on research methods, and working with users and industry partners.” --Amazon.co.uk
Autism Heroes: Portraits of Families Meeting the Challenge by Barbara Firestone (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2008)
RJ506.A9 F57 2008
“Few have the combination of compassion, rigorous knowledge, passion for the field, and accomplishments in helping literally thousands of children with autism spectrum disorders as does Barbara Firestone. She is also an extraordinary listener, and a great observer of people, making her perspectives and collection of family stories coupled with Joe Buissink's photography extremely rich, inspiring, and instructive.” --Amazon.com