University of Texas at Austin

Friday, February 5, 2010

If You Understand Them, They Won’t Win: A Q&A with Terrorism Expert Ami Pedahzur

Jewish Terrorism in Israel

In his latest book, “Jewish Terrorism in Israel,” author Ami Pedahzur tells a story which has never been told and in doing so helps alleviate the fear of the unknown. He and co-author Arie Perlinger present a historical overview of political violence in Jewish history, post-1967 terrorist groups, and Jewish terrorism in the 1990’s, including the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, former prime minister of Israel and Noble Peace Prize winner. They also provide analysis of more recent times and the hilltop youth who
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Feb. 4, UT Michener Center for Writers Presents Pulitzer Prize-winner Richard Ford

Richard Ford

Richard Ford

Richard Ford, the 2010 Michener Residency Award author, will speak at 7:30 p.m., Thurs, Feb. 4, in the Avaya Auditorium, ACES 2.302.

He is the author of six novels—including “A Piece of My Heart,”  “The Sportswriter,”  “Independence Day,” “Wildlife,” and “The Lay of the Land”—and three story collections: “Rock Springs,” “Women with Men,” and  “A Multitude of Sins.”

He received the Pulitzer Prize in fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award for “Independence Day” in 1995. In 2001, he was honored with
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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Events Rule Supreme at The University of Texas School of Law

2010-justice-clark-book-cover

The University of Texas School of Law and the Tarlton Law Library will host an author’s reading and book signing featuring Mimi Clark Gronlund, daughter of United States Supreme Court Justice Tom C. Clark, ’22. It will be held in the Law School’s Sheffield Room (TNH 2.111) at 3:30 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 28. The event is free and open to the public.

“Supreme Court Justice Tom C. Clark,” (University of Texas Press) is the first biography of this important American jurist whose landmark ruling in Brown
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Monday, January 25, 2010

Linguist Chronicles the Life and Death of Texas German

Hans Boas, associate professor of Germanic studies, founded the Texas German Dialect Project, an archive of recordings, transcripts and translations of the dwindling Texas German dialect.

Hans Boas, author of "The Life and Death of Texas German"

In the Hill Country towns of Fredericksburg, New Braunfels or Boerne, Texas’ German heritage is visibly alive and well. While strolling along the old western storefronts or wandering down rolling country roads dotted with historic limestone churches and homesteads, you’re likely to see a group of old cowboys telling stories of “der cowboy” (cowboy) and “die stinkkatze” (skunk or stinky cat) in a dying dialect known as Texas German.

According to
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010

THEN CAME THE NOVEL

Brian Hart, author of "Then Came the Evening"

UT alumnus Brian Hart likes to work against the grain. Maybe that explains why he was able to sell his first novel in the aftermath of Black Wednesday—December 3, 2008—when many of publishing top names announced layoffs, firings, suspended acquisitions, salary freezes, or major restructurings. A week later, Hart signed a deal with Bloomsbury for his debut work “Then Came the Evening.” The book released in December 2009 with a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly and advance
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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Author Elizabeth McCracken Joins UT Faculty

This spring, author Elizabeth McCracken assumes the Michener Endowed Chair in Creative Writing with UT’s Department of English and the Michener Center for Writers, the latest distinguished joint hire by the two programs.

McCracken is the author of a 1993 collection of stories, “Here’s Your Hat What’s Your Hurry,” a debut the New York Times called “elegantly written.” Her first novel, “The Giant’s House” was a finalist for the 1996 National Book Award, and Granta magazine named McCracken one of the Twenty Best Young American Novelists that year.
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

“Alcestis” explores unknown story of character in Greek mythology

Cover of "Alcestis"Katharine Beutner, a doctoral candidate in the Department of English and a former graduate intern at the Harry Ransom Center, has just published her first novel, “Alcestis” (SoHo, 2010).

In Greek myth, Alcestis is known as the ideal good wife; she loved her husband so much that she died to save his life and was sent to the underworld in his place. In this poetic and vividly-imagined debut, Beutner gives voice to the woman behind the ideal, bringing to life the
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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Barbecue, Football and Regional Pride

barbecue1

Elizabeth Engelhardt, associate professor of American studies and author of Republic of Barbecue

For many carnivorous Texas Longhorn fans, celebrating a big win just wouldn’t be complete without a mouthwatering cascade of brisket, sausage and ribs. Recognizing just how important barbecue is to football culture, the presidents of The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Alabama have wagered it on the outcome of the national title football game on Thursday, Jan. 7.

University of Texas at Austin President
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Hamilton Book Awards Call for Submissions

637320_books_booksThe University of Texas at Austin and The University Co-operative Society have announced call for submissions for the Professor Robert W. Hamilton Book Author Awards. First prize is $10,000 and four additional prizes will be awarded of $3,000 each. The awards recognize faculty and staff members who have published the best book-length publications as determined by a multi-disciplinary committee appointed by the Vice President for Research.

Current University of Texas at Austin faculty and staff are eligible to compete.  Nominated books
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Thursday, December 10, 2009

Oscar Casares’ “Amigoland” Selected As 2010 Mayor’s Book Club Pick

thumbamigoCasares, Oscar 2009Oscar Casares’ novel, “Amigoland,” (2009, Little, Brown) is the ninth annual official selection of the Mayor’s Book Club. The selection was announced at a press conference held by Mayor Lee Leffingwell on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at City Hall in downtown Austin.

Casares was in attendance during the announcement. His novel, set on the South Texas-Mexico border, is the story of estranged brothers Don Fidencio Rosales, nearly 92 years old, and Don Celestino, 20 years his junior. Celestino finds himself involved with
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