Book talks

“The Fate of Food: A Call for Research and Social Action” by Amanda Little
4- 6 p.m. Feb. 7, Wyndham Hotel

Environmental journalist Amanda Little will discuss her new book, which addresses how will we feed humanity in the climate change era. Little has investigated "the race to reinvent food" with the world’s most creative and controversial innovators in food science, agriculture, and climate change. Hear about the struggles we'll face as a global community, and how (and why) we're working to address it — including work right here at Pitt. Free copies of her book, “The Fate of Food,” will be available while supplies last. RSVP: pi.tt/fate-of-food

Pitt Cyber welcomes Preet Bharara, author of “Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law”
4:30-6 p.m. Feb. 13, William Pitt Union ballroom

Former U.S. Attorney and New York Times best-selling author Preet Bharara will discuss his book in conversation with David Hickton, founding director of Pitt Cyber. In his book, Bharara provides an important overview of the way our justice system works, and why the rule of law is essential to our society. Using case histories, personal experiences and his own inviting writing and teaching style, Bharara shows the thought process we need to best achieve truth and justice in our daily lives and within our society. 

Book Launch: “Contested Nation” by Pilar Herr, Pitt–Greensburg assistant professor of History
Noon, Feb. 13, Pitt-Greensburg, Powers Hall 118

The Pitt-Greensburg community will celebrate the publication of “Contested Nation: The Mapuche, Bandits, and State Formation in Nineteenth-Century Chile” with a reception and presentation by author Pilar Herr, assistant professor of history. Eric Kimball, associate professor of history will serve as emcee. Part of the Pitt-Greensburg Book Launch Series is sponsored by the Pitt-Greensburg Creative and Professional Writing Program.  For further information, please contact Steve Murabito. 

“Customs and Culture in Poland under the Last Saxon King: The major texts of Opis obyczajów za panowania Augusta III by father Jędrzej Kitowicz, 1728-1804” by Oscar E. Swan
4:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 19, Hillman Library, Thornburgh Room, part of the University Library System faculty book talks

Jędrzej Kitowicz was a parish priest in central Poland with a military and worldly past. In his later years, after putting the affairs of his parish in order, he composed a colorful chronicle of all aspects and walks of life under King August III. He seems to have written mostly from memory, creating in the process the most complete record that exists of society in 18th-century Poland. The present book consists of 51 chapters, including all of the most celebrated ones, from Father Kitowicz’s Opis, complete with a comprehensive introduction. Topics include religious beliefs, customs and institutions, child-rearing, education, the judiciary and the military. Particularly vivid are the descriptions of the lives of the nobility, ranging from cooking through men’s and women’s wear to household entertainments and drinking habits. A commentary by the editor introduces each chapter.

New books

“Making Industrial Pittsburgh Modern: Environment, Landscape, Transportation, Energy, and Planning” (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2019), co-authored by Edward Muller, Pitt emeritus professor of History, and Joel Tarr, professor of History at Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh's explosive industrial and population growth between the mid-nineteenth century and the Great Depression required constant attention to city-building. The city and region constantly needed improved transportation, energy resources, and suitable industrial and residential sites. Meeting these requirements in the region's challenging topographical and riverine environment resulted in the dramatic reshaping of the natural landscape. This book examines important aspects of the modernizing efforts to make Pittsburgh a successful metropolitan region.