Shakespeare wrote more plays about Italy than any other place in his own world. In this memoir, author John Glavin returns to Italy after decades away to teach Shakespeare’s Italian plays to contemporary American students. As Glavin notes, “There’s Italy, and there’s Shakespeare, and there’s the Villa. The Villa gets you to a place where you can see yourself in a way that you couldn’t if you didn’t have Shakespeare as the optic.” In the process they all come to understand themselves and their own lives in deep and revealing ways.
Glavin is trying to come to terms with his wife’s recent battle with cancer, only to discover that one of his Italian relations has been kidnapped and murdered by the mafia. Suddenly the betrayals of Merchant of Venice and the murders of Othello are no longer matters of the past. At the same time his students, who only want a Shakespeare relevant to themselves, learn that they may gain more by making themselves relevant to Shakespeare.
Written primarily as a first-person travel diary, The New Good is divided into three roughly equal parts from September to November. The entries vary, but Mondays and Wednesdays always focus on the two class meetings. Mondays generally discuss the Shakespeare play under scrutiny. Wednesdays cover the students’ usually comic but sometimes quite moving attempts to perform short scenes or speeches from that play. By no means limited to its academic background, The New Good often travels beyond Fiesole, including the author’s reluctant investigation–at his cousin’s request–into her young son’s suspicious “suicide.”
This is a book for anyone who loves literature, or who loves Italy. But it is also a book for any reader who is alert to, and alarmed by, one of the pressing issues of our time. As a writer for The New York Times put it recently “What’s the point of college?” Everywhere you turn, you see books that ask this question in academic and theoretical ways. They have titles like Is College Worth It or College Unbound, or College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be. There are even articles like Verlyn Klinkenborg’s elegiac “The Decline and Fall of the English Major.” This book responds to that crisis and these questions, not with theory or data, but with experience. Through their Tuscan autumn the Villa students discover, and their often bewildered instructor re-discovers, the purpose of literature for English majors and everyone else who reads: to help us as individuals to recognize, tolerate and, where possible, relieve our species’ troubling --and winning-- imperfections. No one who reads The New Good will finish it with any lingering doubt whether College is indeed worth it.

The Good New: A Tuscan Villa, Shakespeare, and Death

Literature & Fiction

Glavin, John

Dramas & Plays

New Academia Publishing/VELLUM

This book recounts in detail the negotiations, internal and external struggles, and the outcome of an attempt by HUD, the City of Washington, and several developers to acquire a Washington, D.C. apartment complex known as Sursum Corda. The book begins with an account of a particularly horrific murder that took place in Sursum Corda in 2004, and shows how it was used, in the press and elsewhere, to attack the Community as a whole, and to use it as a reason that the Community should be disbanded, and the land on which it stood be dedicated to other purposes.
It proceeds as a journal, kept intermittently between 2005 and 2017, by Professor John C. Hirsh of Georgetown University, who during that period directed an undergraduate tutorial program there in which Georgetown undergraduates travelled twice a week to instruct the K-6 children who live at Sursum Corda in the Language Arts, primarily in reading and writing. Because of his long association with the community he was appointed a non-voting (because non-resident) member of the Board that directs the Community affairs, as was his former student and friend Shiv Newaldass, a Georgetown graduate, whose family has long lived there.
Such take-overs as the one described here have become common across the country in recent years, and part of the interest of the book lies not only the story of what happened to Sursum Corda, but also in the implications it exposes as to how such negotiations are actually carried on, and the relative power of those who are involved.

Power and Probity in a DC Cooperative: The Life and Death of Sursum Corda

Politics & Social Sciences

Hirsh, John C.

Social Sciences

A Broken Propeller is the story of America’s first transcontinental air race. Pilots in this dangerous adventure flew WWI planes with open cockpits and no parachutes.In October 1919 fifty-nine pilots competed in a round trip race that began simultaneously on Long Island and in San Francisco with predetermined stops 150 miles apart at airfields across the United States. Newspapers gave it front-page press: who was ahead, who was missing, who made an unexpected emergency landing, who crashed, and who was felled by blinding snowstorms.The race was conceived by Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell to promote the future of flight in the United States, but all did not go as planned. There were 54 crashes and seven deaths. Pilots landed on rooftops, in Lake Eire, and the front-runner had his dog with him. The predominant plane in the race, the DH-4, had life-threatening flaws. Pilots faced heavy rain, gale winds, snow, ice, and treacherous landing fields. As a result they lost their way, and made courageous and foolhardy decisions. There were comic moments, and poignant ones. The future head of the Air Force, Gen. Carl A. Spaatz was a feisty participant. The heroes were the ranchers and farmers who helped downed airmen with food, lodging and fuel.There has never been a book about this extraordinary moment in American history. The author is fortunate to have what earlier reports lacked: memoirs of pilots, plus the charming and humorous letters and log of a participant in the race, her father, one of only eight who completed the race. 1st Lt. Ralph (Baz) Bagby was a former professional baseball player and an MIT graduate.

A Broken Propeller: Baz Bagby and America's First Transcontinental Air Race

History

Goerke, Betty

Military

Swampoodle Lily: The Jesuit Church of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Reflections on Some of Its Times, Its Growth and Survival to the Present

The Jesuit Saint Aloysius Church was built in 1859 on North Capitol Street in Washington, D.C. The lily represents the structure itself that rose up in a swampy area of the Federal City near the Capitol. This book has been referred to as a boutique book containing scholarly text recalling selections of history, reflections, commentary, personal verse and archival materials, all graced with original photographs, fine illustrations and sketches. It also recalls interesting details about the location and times of the building of Saint Aloysius Church just prior to the Civil War. 
As a key player in the planning and working committees of renovation of the Church, the author feels it necessary to continue the care and preservation of St. Aloysius in the future because of the cultural value it brings to the City, the Nation and the World. The book underlines the importance of the structure’s architect, Benedict Sestini, S.J., and Costantino Brumidi, the “Michelangelo” of the U.S. Captiol, who donated his fine oils on canvas to grace the interior. Their combined creativity and artistry made Saint Aloysius Church a landmark of great value in Washington. The Swampoodle Lily is planted and thrives on the campus of Gonzaga College High School.

Arts & Photography

Murray, Robert Francis

Architecture

The Jesuit Saint Aloysius Church was built in 1859 on North Capitol Street in Washington, D.C. The lily represents the structure itself that rose up in a swampy area of the Federal City near the Capitol. This book has been referred to as a boutique book containing scholarly text recalling selections of history, reflections, commentary, personal verse and archival materials, all graced with original photographs, fine illustrations and sketches. It also recalls interesting details about the location and times of the building of Saint Aloysius Church just prior to the Civil War.
As a key player in the planning and working committees of renovation of the Church, the author feels it necessary to continue the care and preservation of St. Aloysius in the future because of the cultural value it brings to the City, the Nation and the World. The book underlines the importance of the structure’s architect, Benedict Sestini, S.J., and Costantino Brumidi, the “Michelangelo” of the U.S. Captiol, who donated his fine oils on canvas to grace the interior. Their combined creativity and artistry made Saint Aloysius Church a landmark of great value in Washington. The Swampoodle Lily is planted and thrives on the campus of Gonzaga College High School.

This well-researched work is built around the first diary written by Pvt. William J. McLean, 34th New York Infantry, beginning with his enlistment. William records his wanderings, adventures, and thoughts from the time he leaves Fairfield, NY, through his traveling to Washington, DC, his adventures there, and while picketing along the C&O canal in the Great Falls and Seneca areas. He writes of the first death of a soldier in his regiment, the excitement over Bull Run, and an incursion into rebel-infested Virginia. Much more than a simple diary transcription, the work describes the early family history of a young man, a brother, and a father; all who answered Lincoln's call for volunteers. Researched over many years, this work adds significant new information to the history of the storied 34th New York Infantry. The opening chapter is the intriguing search to identify the diarist. Another early chapter describes antebellum Herkimer County, NY, the town of Fairfield, and the academy in which William was a student and teacher. The diary chapters are the entries between May and early October 1861. William mentions many of his regimental friends and back home acquaintances. Chapter notes provide specifics of each individual which lend context to the reader. His detailed descriptions of camp life, adventures in camp and on picket duty, paint a clear picture of everyday life for a young volunteer soldier in Montgomery County, MD. Additional annotated information includes never before published first person accounts of several startling incidents of war. The concluding chapters review the actions of the 34th at Edward's Ferry (part of the Balls Bluff debacle), McLean's effort to correct his military and pension records, and finally the post-war years of William, his brother, and his father. A must read for Civil War enthusiasts.

The Making of a Civilian Soldier in the Civil War: The First Diary of Private William J. McLean Along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and the Affair at Edwards Ferry

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

"I Hereby Resign": Job Transitioning: How Individuals Properly Prepare, Resign and Move to the Competition, and How Companies Best Manage That Process

The fundamental purpose of this book is to provide a practical and useful “how to guide” for people who are deciding whether to leave their current employer and join a direct competitor, and for companies involved in the hiring and recruiting process. Many employees are subject to so-called Non-Competition Agreements and, consequently, already understand that there are significant risks, legal and business, when transitioning jobs. However, what most do not appreciate is that there are a host of laws and protocols, having nothing to do with whether an employment contract exists, that govern the way one may properly prepare to leave and the manner in which the hiring company can bring the new hire on board.
Every year millions of people voluntarily leave the company for which they work to join a direct competitor. Additionally, over the course of a typical working career, a person is likely to change jobs upwards of seven times, and of those moves at least four or five will involve joining a direct competitor. Millions more every year consider, perhaps explore, the notion of quitting their jobs in order to join the competition. All such undertakings, even if the decision ultimately is made not to leave, bring great legal and litigation and business risks; risks that can result in large damage awards, injunction orders and general corporate disruption and turmoil. This book offers important guidance and practical tips on how to avoid or minimize those risks.

Business & Money

Manchel, Steven L.

Business Culture

The fundamental purpose of this book is to provide a practical and useful “how to guide” for people who are deciding whether to leave their current employer and join a direct competitor, and for companies involved in the hiring and recruiting process. Many employees are subject to so-called Non-Competition Agreements and, consequently, already understand that there are significant risks, legal and business, when transitioning jobs. However, what most do not appreciate is that there are a host of laws and protocols, having nothing to do with whether an employment contract exists, that govern the way one may properly prepare to leave and the manner in which the hiring company can bring the new hire on board. 
Every year millions of people voluntarily leave the company for which they work to join a direct competitor. Additionally, over the course of a typical working career, a person is likely to change jobs upwards of seven times, and of those moves at least four or five will involve joining a direct competitor. Millions more every year consider, perhaps explore, the notion of quitting their jobs in order to join the competition. All such undertakings, even if the decision ultimately is made not to leave, bring great legal and litigation and business risks; risks that can result in large damage awards, injunction orders and general corporate disruption and turmoil. This book offers important guidance and practical tips on how to avoid or minimize those risks.

In Search of Beauty: Memoir of an Art Collector

The author's Search for Beauty began when he was a student of art history at Wesleyan University where he discovered Robert Henri, an art teacher and artist. Jay dreamed of owning paintings someday by students of Henri. He later did, with paintings by George Bellows, Guy Penne du Bois, and George Glackens. They, together with the likes of Marsden Hartley, Emil Nolde, and others make up the first chapter. As a young lawyer, Jay began collecting Chinese ceramics, starting with Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties Blue-and-whites, and Qing furniture. He then turned to the wares of the Song (960-1279) and Tang (618-907) dynasties. At this point, he changed direction when he discovered rare and beautiful 18th-century English and Dutch glass. For the next 41 years, he put together a world renowned collection, which is described in Chapter 2. His love of glass led Jay Kaplan to also became a collector of contemporary glass, starting with Dale Chihuly and "the father of studio glass," Harvey Littleton, found in Chapter 4. The author also collected miniature "fantasy" Hanukkah menorahs; Indian miniature paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries; Gandara stupa art of the 2nd century CE; rare martini glasses and their Renaissance antecedents; Victorian and Edwardian silver menu holders; and finally, beautiful Dorwin-Furst stemware made for the Libby Company's pavilion at the 1939 World's Fair in New York.

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Kaplan, Julius

Antiques & Collectibles

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the New Academia Publishing/VELLUM publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by New Academia Publishing/VELLUM

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the New Academia Publishing/VELLUM publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Good New: A Tuscan Villa, Shakespeare, and Death

Power and Probity in a DC Cooperative: The Life and Death of Sursum Corda

A Broken Propeller: Baz Bagby and America's First Transcontinental Air Race

Swampoodle Lily: The Jesuit Church of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Reflections on Some of Its Times, Its Growth and Survival to the Present

Swampoodle Lily: The Jesuit Church of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Reflections on Some of Its Times, Its Growth and Survival to the Present

The Making of a Civilian Soldier in the Civil War: The First Diary of Private William J. McLean Along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and the Affair at Edwards Ferry

"I Hereby Resign": Job Transitioning: How Individuals Properly Prepare, Resign and Move to the Competition, and How Companies Best Manage That Process

"I Hereby Resign": Job Transitioning: How Individuals Properly Prepare, Resign and Move to the Competition, and How Companies Best Manage That Process

In Search of Beauty: Memoir of an Art Collector

In Search of Beauty: Memoir of an Art Collector