The opinions
expressed below are those of intern Victoria Hittner and not necessarily those
of OSU Press.
I despised
the phrase “look it up in the dictionary” as a child. We’ve all seen it happen:
intrepid young student asks teacher for spelling advice, only to be sent toward
the giant tome on the shelf. A tome that’s alphabetized. With a student who’s
questioning the letter arrangement of a word.
While the
illogical practice may have infuriated the obstinate younger me, it also
fulfilled the purpose my teachers had intended. Each time I shuffled to the
shelf, I 
became lost in the cadence and mystery of words I didn’t know.
Flipping pages was no longer such a chore because I fell in love with the
intricate English lexicon. The written word quickly became a personal
fascination, one that has followed me into adulthood.
And so, to
appease my inner logophile (and offer silent salute to my elementary school
teachers), below is a brief list of words, inspired by our Spring 2015 new
releases.* Each new title has been assigned a single descriptor. It’s like our
very own Merriam-Webster, OSU Press special edition. Alphabetized and all.
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con•nec•tiv•i•ty (n): the quality, state, or capability of being connective or
connected
For the Love of Rivers by Kurt Fausch
In his latest publication,
Fausch explores more than just the ecology of stream environments. Expounding
upon the beauty and mystery so entangled with our world’s water systems, Fausch
uses his own field experience to link fact with emotion. For the Love of Rivers explores how science connects aquatic
ecosystems to their streamside forests and the organisms found there—including
humans.
con•scious•ness
(n.): the normal
state of being awake and able to understand what is happening around you
Silviculture and Ecology of Western U.S. Forests,
Second Edition by John C. Tappeiner,
et al.
The modern concept of
silviculture has grown to encompass a multitude of important topics, adding
forest health and aesthetics to traditional ideas of reforestation and timber
harvest. Four esteemed forestry professors combined research and passion to
create an updated edition of this comprehensive reference—the only text that
focuses on silviculture in western U.S. forests. Silviculture and Ecology adds a new dimension to conservation and
consumerism, showing how contemporary silvicultural practices help prevent the
two concerns from becoming mutually exclusive.
con•ti•nu•i•ty (n.): something that is the same or similar
in two or more things and provides a connection between them
Environment and Society in the Japanese Islands, edited by
Bruce L. Batten and Philip C. Brown
Brilliant thinkers from
fields like history, geography, and climatology lend their knowledge to this
compilation, exploring the historical connection between environment and the
Japanese people. Through these essays, Batten and Brown introduce readers to
the idea of continuity, challenging previous notions that pre-modern and modern
environmental history cannot be compared in tandem.
drive
(n.): an impelling
culturally acquired concern, interest, or longing
Money Trees by Emily K. Brock
What fostered the modern
American conception of forests and their value? Emily Brock explores this
question in Money Trees, following
traditional political debates to the current wilderness movement. Using the
forests of the Pacific Northwest as a guide, Brock provides an
interdisciplinary history of industrial and public views of American forests,
adding provocative commentary on the driving forces behind political currents
and forest management practices.
es•sence (n.): the basic nature of a thing; the quality or qualities
that make a thing what it is
Honey in the Horn by H. L. Davis
Beloved Oregon author H.
L. Davis’s award-winning work returns to print in this new edition, containing
an introduction by historian Richard W. Etulain. Honey in the Horn chronicles the adventures of Clay Calvert, a
young ranch hand who journeys across Oregon in search of a new start. Along the way, he
meets a score of fascinating characters from a variety of ethnicities and
backgrounds. Perhaps even more poignant than when it was first released,
Davis’s work captures the true essence of Oregon’s pioneer spirit in a way that
avoids melodrama but smacks of veracity.
mold (v.):
to give shape to; to
determine or influence the quality or nature of
Toward a Natural Forest by Jim Furnish
The verb, not the kind
that grows in old, damp apartments! Jim Furnish’s memoir follows his rapid
career rise through the ranks of the U.S. Forest Service at the turn of the
century. Working in a field mired in controversy, Furnish struggled balancing
his growing passion for conservationism with loyalty to his employer. As the
department as a whole was being shaped by changing public interests, so, too,
was a man molded by his environment. Offering a unique inside view to the
industry, Furnish explores the pitfalls—and important potential—of the Forest
Service in global conservation efforts.
per•se•ver•ance (n.): the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do
something even though it is difficult
American Dreamers by Ken Austin, with Kerry Tymchuk
How did a kid from rural
Oregon turn a tiny kitchen-based operation into a global manufacturer? Ken
Austin and his wife, Joan, founders of dental equipment company A-dec, reflect
on the journey of perseverance and dedication that led to their current
business and philanthropic success. Following the renowned “A-dec way,” the
Austins prove that good ol’ hard work and compassion truly do pay off.
pur•pose (n.): the aim or goal of a person; what a person is trying to
do, become, etc.
Naked in the Woods by Margaret Grundstein
Utopia or dystopia? Or
somewhere in between? Margaret Grundstein reflects upon her time in a hippie
commune in the backwoods of Oregon, living off the land in harmony with the
environment and other people—at least initially. Disillusionment, rifts, and
reality eventually invaded the small community, tearing apart a settlement
founded on unity. Naked in the Woods explores
the interrelated ideas of human nature and social change, leaving readers with
much to think about beyond the final page.
stew•ard•ship (n.):
the conducting,
supervising, or managing of something, especially: the careful and responsible
management of something entrusted to one’s care
Building a Better Nest by Evelyn Searle Hess
Evelyn Searle Hess’s
latest book explores sustainable living on a personal and detailed level,
following the construction of Hess’s cabin in the foothills of the Oregon Coast
Range. Throughout the process, Hess determined that a sustainable life involves
more than just recycled products; it requires cooperative and healthy human
relationships, too. Building a Better
Nest asks readers to think outside the box to ponder whether the quality of
the local watershed and quality of human life are truly separate issues at all.
syn•cre•tism (n.):
the combination of
different forms of belief or practice
At the Hearth of the Crossed Races by Melinda Marie Jette
Melinde Jette delves into
the syncretic explosion that occurred within the French Prairie area of the
Willamette Valley during westward expansion. Far from undeveloped during the
1850s, the French Prairie area teemed with a complex culture all its own: the
Ahantchuyuk Kalapuyan people and French settlers who lived in comfortable mingled
communities. This synthesis of cultures fostered a hale and happy valley, which
was later disrupted by the Anglo-American pioneers’ institution of settler
colonialism and racial exclusion. At the
Hearth of the Crossed Races provides a glimpse of oft-unseen Oregon history
and underlines the complexity of differing social values and traditions.
trail•blaz•ing
(adj.): making or
pointing a new way
A Man for All Seasons by William G. Robbins
Go Blazers! And while we
do root for the red-and-black adorned basketball team, we’re talking about
political trailblazers here. In A Man for
All Seasons, William G. Robbins documents the incredible career of
politician Monroe Sweetland. A prominent Oregonian during the twentieth
century, Sweetland left a lasting legacy upon the region through his
involvement with the modern Oregon Democratic Party and National Education
Association. A champion of those whose voices were often marginalized,
Sweetland pushed for the Bilingual Education Act of 1968 and successfully
propelled the ratification of the twenty-sixth amendment in 1971. Robbins’s
portrait shows a compassionate, yet conflicted, man whose passion helped shape
the modern American political landscape.
uni•ver•sal
(adj.): existent or
operative everywhere or under all conditions
State of Giving by Greg Chaille and Kristin Anderson
Compassionate people and
projects exist around every corner, yet very rarely receive adequate
recognition. State of Giving follows
the stories of numerous civic leaders, grassroots organizations, and volunteers
who make a difference every day, all across Oregon. Covering topics like hunger
and homelessness, the urban/rural divide, and education inequity, State of Giving demonstrates there are
ways in which anyone, regardless of background, can give back to the community.
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Want to
learn more about our upcoming titles? You can browse our online Spring 2015
catalog or request a print copy here.
*All
definitions taken from www.merriam-webster.com.