Yale Books in Brief

The following is a list of books recently or soon to be published by members of the Yale community. Descriptions are based on material provided by the publishers. Authors of new books can forward publishers’ book descriptions to susan.gonzalez@yale.edu.

Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals and Presentations

Angelika H. Hofmann, associate writer, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Office of Development

(Oxford University Press)

“Scientific Writing and Communication” covers all the areas of scientific communication that a scientist needs to know and to master to successfully promote his or her research and career. This “all-in-one” handbook begins with a discussion of the basics of scientific writing style and composition, and then applies these principles to writing research papers, review articles, grant proposals, research statements and résumés as well as to preparing academic presentations and posters. Included in Angelika Hofmann’s book are examples taken from actual research papers and grant proposals from a broad range of scientific disciplines; end-of-chapter exercise sets; writing guidelines and revision checklists; and annotated text passages that bring principles and guidelines to life by applying them to real-world, multidiscipline examples.

The Cambridge History of Chinese Literature, volumes 1 and 2

Co-edited by Kang-i Sun Chang, the Malcolm G. Chase ‘56 Professor of East Asian Languages and Literatures, and Stephen Owen

(Cambridge University Press)

“The Cambridge History of Chinese Literature” gives account of 3,000 years of Chinese literature accessible to non-specialist readers as well as scholars and students of Chinese. From the beginnings of the Chinese written language to the world of Internet literature, these two volumes tell the story of Chinese writing, both as an instrument of the state and as a medium for culture outside the state. The volumes treat not only poetry, drama and fiction, but early works of history and the informal prose of later eras. The first volume begins with the question of the Chinese written language and the earliest inscriptions, dating from the later second millennium B.C. The second volume begins with the Ming culture that emerged around the year 1400 and continues through the Qing (the Manchu dynasty) to the present day.

A Very Brief History of Eternity

Carlos Eire, the Riggs Professor of History and Religious Studies

(Princeton University Press)

In “A Very Brief History of Eternity,” Carlos Eire traces the idea of eternity from ancient times to the present, examining the rise and fall of five different conceptions of eternity, how they developed and how they have shaped individual and collective self-understanding. His history of eternity in Western culture explores the relationship between lived beliefs and social and political realities, as well as the relationship between faith and reason. He asks: What is eternity? Is it anything other than a purely abstract concept, totally unrelated to our lives? A mere hope? A frightfully uncertain horizon? Or is eternity a certainty - shared by priest and scientist alike - and an essential element in all human relations?

Alibis of Empire: Henry Maine and the Ends of Liberal Imperialism

Karuna Mantena, assistant professor of political science

(Princeton University Press)

“Alibis of Empire” presents a novel account of the origins, substance and afterlife of late imperial ideology. Karuna Mantena challenges the idea that Victorian empire was primarily legitimated by liberal notions of progress and civilization. In fact, she maintains, as the British Empire gained its farthest reach, its ideology was being dramatically transformed by a self-conscious rejection of the liberal model. The collapse of liberal imperialism enabled a new culturalism that stressed the dangers and difficulties of trying to “civilize” native peoples, she points out. Mantena portrays the work of Victorian legal scholar Henry Maine as the center of these changes and examines how his sociotheoretic model of “traditional” society laid the groundwork for the culturalist logic of late empire.

Health and Social Justice

Jennifer Prah Ruger, associate professor of epidemiology and public health, associate professor (adjunct) at the Law School and lecturer in political science

(Clarendon Press of Oxford University Press)

In “Health and Social Justice,” Jennifer Prah Ruger addresses how societies make decisions and take actions that impact the distribution of health. She elucidates principles to guide these decisions, the evidence that should inform them and the policies necessary to build equitable and efficient health systems worldwide. The book weaves together her own insights and disparate constructs to produce a foundational new theory, the health capability paradigm. Ruger advocates for “shared health governance” that emphasizes responsibility and choice.

Latin Alive: The Survival of Latin in English & the Romance Languages

Joseph B. Solodow, lecturer in classics

(Cambridge University Press)

To many, Latin is a dead langauge that goes unnoticed save for a few uses in today’s legal and medical professions and popular culture. But Latin has had a profound influence not only on the creation of the modern Romantic languages, but on English as well, notes Joseph Solodow. In “Latin Alive,” he charts Latin’s evolution from classical times to the modern era, with focus on the first millennium of the Common Era and the Romantic languages of French, Spanish and Italian, along with English. His story includes scores of etymologies, along with concrete examples of texts, studies, scholars, anecdotes and historical events, together with observations on language. These are complemented with maps and historical background that help detail how the language of Latin has survived.

Netter’s Gastroenterology

Edited by Dr. Martin H. Floch, clinical professor of medicine in the Digestive Disease Section, School of Medicine

(Elsevier)

This second edition of the textbook “Netter’s Gastroenterology” again features over 300 of Netter’s renowned illustrations. Each illustration is accompanied by an updated narrative by six authors who provide a review of the field covering the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, gall bladder, infectious and parasitic diseases, abdominal wall and nutrition. Where needed in new topics - such as probiotics, autoimmune pancreatitis and bariatric surgery - there are contemporary illustrations and narratives. “Netter’s Gastroenterology” offers complete guidance on all major gastrointestinal diseases. The publisher has made the text available in both hard copy and on disc.

Creating Modern Neuroscience: The Revolutionary 1950s

Gordon M. Shepherd, professor of neurobiology

(Oxford University Press)

In his new book, Gordon Shepherd makes the case that, measured by major advances, the greatest decade in the history of brain studies was mid-20th century, especially the 1950s. The first to focus on worldwide contributions in this period, the book ranges through dozens of discoveries at all levels of the brain, from DNA through growth, excitability, synapses, dopamine and Parkinson’s disease, visual processing, the cortical column, reticiular activating system and REM sleep, to stress, learning and memory. The material has been the basis for an advanced undergraduate and graduate course at Yale, with the classic papers organized and accessible on the Web. Shepherd also focuses on the creative process itself, on understanding how the combination of unique personalities, innovative hypotheses and new methods led to the advances. Insight is given into this process through describing the struggles between student and mentor, academic and private sector, obstacles for women and the roles of persistance and chance.

The Works of Jonathan Edwards

Ken Minkema, executive editor of The Works of Jonathan Edwards and director of the Jonathan Edwards Center

(Yale University Press)

This reprint of Volumes 1, 2 and 4 of “The Works of Jonathan Edwards” in paperback form contains many of the theologian’s most important and enduring treatises and revival tracts, including “Inquiry on the Freedom of the Will,” “A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections,” “A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God,” “Distinguishing Marks of the Work of the Spirit of God” and “Some Thoughts Concerning the Revival.” The paperback also features classic introductions by Paul Ramsey, John E. Smith and C.C. Goen.

Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Children and Adolescents

Edited by Alan E. Kazdin, the John M. Musser Professor of Psychology and Child Psychiatry and director of the Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic, and John R. Weisz

(Guilford Publications)

This second edition of what is widely regarded as a premier text and clinical resource presents treatment approaches for a broad range of social, emotional and behavioral problems in children and youth. Concise chapters from leading authorities describe the conceptual underpinnings of each therapy, how interventions are delivered on a session-by-session basis, and what the research shows about treatment effectiveness. Contributors also discuss recommended manuals and other clinical and training resources and provide details on how to obtain them.

Single-Case Research Designs: Methods for Clinical and Applied Settings

Alan E. Kazdin, the John M. Musser Professor of Psychology and Child Psychiatry and director of the Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic

(Oxford University Press)

In this updated second edition, Alan Kaz­din provides a contrast to the qualitative methodology approach that pervades the biological and social sciences. While focusing on widely applicable methodologies for evaluating interventions - such as treatment, education, and psychotherapy using applied behavior analysis - this revised edition also encompasses a broader range of research areas that utilize single-case designs, demonstrating the pertinence of this methodology in various disciplines, from psychology and medicine to business and industry.

The World’s Oldest Literature: Studies in Sumerian Belles-Lettres

William W. Hallo, professor emeritus of Near Eastern languages and civilizations

(Brill)

Published as part of the series “Culture and History of the Ancient Near East,” this book draws together in one volume studies that have been published by William Hallo over nearly 50 years. “The World’s Oldest Literature” reveals how Sumer produced not only bronze and the entire Bronze Age, but also the first system of record-keeping and the technique of writing. Scribal schools served to propogate the new technique and their curriculum grew to create, preserve and transmit all manner of creative poetry, according to Hallo. In a lifetime of research, the author has studied multiple aspects of this most ancient literary oeuvre, including such questions as chronology and bilingualism, as well as contributing insights into specific genres such as proverbs, letter-prayers and lamentations. In addition, he has drawn conclusions form the comparative or contextual approach to biblical literature.

Media and Identity in Africa

Edited by John Middleton, professor emeritus of anthropology and religious studies, and Kimani Njogu

(Indiana University Press)

“Media and Identity in Africa” demonstrates how media outlets are used to perpetuate, question or modify the unequal power relations between Africa and the rest of the world. Discussions about the construction of old and new social entities which are defined by class, gender, ethnicity, political and economic differences, wealth, poverty, cultural behavior, language and religion dominate these new assessments of communications media in Africa. This volume addresses the tensions between the global and the local that have inspired creative control and use of traditional and modern forms of media.