Month: December 2009

In the News: 2009 Book Award Winners & Critics’ Picks

Week of December 14, 2009

Seasons Greetings! “In the News” will be on holiday for three weeks. We’ll return with a new list of titles on January 11, 2010. – Maris

News Item: Need something to read during Intersession? Pick up one of these award-winning titles and top-picks by New York Times, NPR, and Publishers Weekly critics.

The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science – (Publishers Weekly Top 10; New York Times Notable Book, Non Fiction)
By Richard Holmes. Pantheon Books, 2008
Call Number: Q127 .G4 H65 2008

All Souls – (Pulitzer Finalist, Fiction)
By Christine Schutt. Harcourt, 2008
Call Number: PS3569 .C55555 A45 2008

Amateur Barbarians: A Novel – (New York Times Notable Book, Fiction)
By Robert Cohen. Scribner, 2009
Call Number: PS3553 .O4273 A8 2009

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In the News: The “Cost” of War in the Middle East

Week of December 7, 2009

News Item: This past week President Obama announced his decision to deploy 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan which will eventually bring levels close to 98,000. Public opinion polls indicate Americans are losing confidence in the administration’s handling of the war, but military experts believe more troops are needed to succeed in the region. Since 2002, U.S. efforts in the Middle East have put an even larger strain on the federal deficit and on the very soldiers who have now spent repeated tours of duty in the region.

Air Power Against Terror: America’s Conduct of Operation Enduring Freedom
By Benjamin S. Lambeth. RAND Corp., 2005
Call Number: DS371.412 .L36 2005

Blood Money: Wasted Billions, Lost Lives, and Corporate Greed in Iraq (DVD)
Directed by Leo Telling. Films for the Humanities & Sciences, 2008
Call Number: DS79.76 .M47 2006

Breaking the Silence: Truth and Lies in the War on Terror (DVD)
Directed by Steve Connelly and John Pilger. Bullfrog Films, 2004
Call Number: E183.8 .A3 B732 2004 (Boca Raton Media Center)

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Find the Map You Need!

There are many interesting and useful maps available at the S.E. Wimberly Library. The Government Documents Department facilitates access to numerous map collections which are housed on First Floor East.  These maps can be checked out with your Owl Card at the Documents Office (LY 109) or Reference Desk.

To discover the collections, take a look at the descriptions of Map Resources on the Government Resources web site. Among the multitudes of maps are USGS topographic maps, world political maps, National Geographic maps, National Park maps, and geologic maps. There are also detailed Census Bureau maps of Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade counties.

One of our newest collections contains International Travel Maps. Here you’ll find maps of most of the world’s nations, along with regional and notable city maps (Paris, London, Barcelona, and Rome to name a few). Also, maps of U.S. states and many Caribbean islands are available.

Looking for digital maps? Florida’s PALMM Project features the World Map Collections which includes extensive Florida historical, aerial, and Sanborn Fire Insurance maps. Browse other digital map collections on the GODART Maps & Geography links page.