July 31, 2009

Wired to Care

Patnaik asserts that companies who care about their people and about the world around them reap both economic benefits and personal rewards. Using research gathered by examining companies from large to small, Patnaik shows how widespread empathy helps individuals connect with other people, feel comfortable taking risks, and have the courage to stick with ideas that they feel passionate about even if they don't take off right away. Patnaik also believes that an empathetic approach just might help you to have a better day at work.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Wired to Care: How Companies Prosper when they Create Widespread Empathy
Dev Patnaik with Peter Mortensen
HD 58.9 .P38 2009

July 30, 2009

Never Eat Alone

In this book, Ferrazzi shares his secrets to "power networking." He discusses the mind-set that is required to build a network, believing that it is not about collecting business cards or keeping score, but rather about doing research before meeting someone and creating a win-win situation by developing a relationship with them. He lists some of the skills, behaviors, and personality traits that effective connectors cultivate, and shows how to turn informal connections into friendships and long-term business associations. Finally, he explains the give and take involved in networking. While most of the book is devoted to reaching out, several chapters focus on building your brand. Finally, he advocates using the relationships that you have developed to find a mentor and to mentor others. This book is full of common sense, powerful techniques to get to know people and help yourself get professionally connected.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Never Eat Alone and Other Secrets to Success One Relationship at a Time: How to Build a Lifelong Community of Colleagues, Contacts, Friends, and Mentors
Keith Ferrazzi with Tahl Raz
HF 5386 .F4117 2005

July 29, 2009

On the Origins of War

War has been a fact of life for centuries. Kagan tries to uncover the causes of war and the reasons for peace. He analyzes major international conflicts from a variety of time periods--the Peloponnesian War which pitted Athens against Sparta, the Second Punic War in which Greece fought against Rome, World War I, World War II, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. In each conflict, he identifies the change in the opponents that increases instability between the two countries, resulting in conflict. He examines the peace and shows how it is tested. Finally, he identifies the critical elements that caused the war, as well as those that kept peace. This is a fascinating study that will be relevant to international relations in any era.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

On the Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace
Donald Kagan
D25.5 .K27 1996

July 27, 2009

Creating Vibrant Public Spaces

Where have all the pedestrian zones gone? Showing examples from numerous communities around the United States, Crankshaw illustrates how automobiles gradually infringed on urban areas, all but eliminating the "walkability" of many of them. He offers that in many places, planners are fighting to take back the pedestrian zones, creating commercial, residential, and historic districts meant for people, not for cars. He offers urban planners strategies for reclaiming buildings, sidewalks, and street areas from vehicles, and suggests ways that modern advertising, art, and other aestethiclly sensitivities contribute to a sense of welcoming and distinctiveness that bring people back to urban areas.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Creating Vibrant Public Spaces: Streetscape Design in Commercial and Historic Districts
Ned Crankshaw
HT 169 .U5 C73 2009

July 26, 2009

Understandinng the Process of Economic Change

North argues that an economic change depends primarily on, "adaptive efficiency," a societies ability to effectively create institutions that are productive, stable, fair, broadly accepted by its population, and flexible enough to change or be replaced in response to economic or political feedback. These institutions are created by formal and informal rules that govern human behavior. This book explores the reasons why these institutions and the rules that govern them evolve and change. He points to human intentions as the biggest factor. He states that people learn as societies and their intentions change. They use this learning to change their institutions and the economies that are based on them. This very analytical work is an interesting mixture of psychology and social thought with economics. It can help us to understand our changing economy today as well as to give direction to economically developing nations.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Understanding the Process of Economic Change
Douglass C. North
HB 97.3 .N67 2005

July 24, 2009

Historic Preservation

This book is a survey of historic preservation issues and concerns presented in non-technical terms. It begins with the history and philosophy of the preservation movement and discusses how that has now shifted to a focus on "green" architecture and sustainability. It includes material on the role of the government in preservation efforts and describes the documentation and designation of historic properties. Some discussion is also given to historical and heritage tourism and to discussion of a wide variety of architectural styles. This is an interesting book that can inform a hobby historian, architect, or serve as a basic textbook for preservation students.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Historic Preservation: An Introduction to its Historic Principles, and Practice
2nd ed
Norman Tyler, Ted J. Ligibel, and Ilene R. Tyler
E 159 .T95 2009

July 23, 2009

The Engineering Guide to LEED--New Construction

This reference book provides a solid background to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED--New Construction rating system, and includes step-by-step instructions on how to apply this scheme to real-world construction projects. The book discusses the main concepts of sustainability as they are related to the design and construction industries. It provides mathematical examples and exercises that can help engineers apply the calculations outlined in the LEED standards. It offers sources for finding sustainable materials and resources, information about low-impact development, design innovations, and engineering efficiencies that lead to water and energy savings.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Engineering Guide to LEED--New Construction: Sustainable Construction for Engineers
Liv Hasselbach
TH 880 .H37 2008

July 22, 2009

Writing with a Purpose

This writing guide addresses planning, drafting, and editing effective writing. It discusses grammatical ways to effectively develop arguments, including structuring sentences and paragraphs. It discusses writing style, including the tone of writing and word choices. Sections focus on planning and writing of research papers, writing narration and description, writing comparative pieces, definitions, analysis, and pursuasive pieces. Finally, a section on grammar provides references on sentence elements and structure, mechanics, and punctuation. This practical writing guide is useful as a textbook to teach writing skills as well as a reference book to answer quick questions for experienced writers.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Writing with a Purpose
Joseph F. Trimmer
14th ed
PE 1408 .T695 2004

Dilemmas of Statebuilding

This collection of essays addresses the challenges and conflicts that are inherent in peacekeeping and statebuilding efforts. The first section begins by addressing the conflicts between domestic needs and international interests. Subsequent sections discuss the security conditions, and political and economic climate. Statebuilding is addressed specifically in discussions about political institutions such as constitutions and electoral processes. The authors also explore the challenges of finding an appropriate balance between independence of the newly formed state and dependence on external nations. This book is particularly relevant because of its case studies which focus on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Dilemmas of Statebuilding: Confronting the Contradictions of Postwar Peace Operations
ed. by Roland Paris and Timothy D. Sisk
JZ 6300 .D55 2009

July 20, 2009

Moral Markets

Most of us believe that the capitalist economy is driven by competition and greed. But is it? Zak and his colleages argue that the modern market-driven economy works because most people, most of the time, act virtuously. They assert that modern market behavior has evolved a set of rules that promote moral behavior and that participating in the market may even make us better stewards of it. This collection of essays is a convergence of neuroscience, biology, law, economics, and philosophy that examines the biology behind morality and the connection to economic behaviors. This new approach may surprise us with its findings. These authors are reconnecting the field of economics to Adam Smith, who asserted that morality has a biological basis. This book takes a unique collaborative approach blending seemingly unrelated academic disciplines and is interesting because of what it has to say about human behavior.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Moral Markets: The Critical Role of Values in the Economy
ed. by Paul J. Zak
HB 72 .M558 2008

July 19, 2009

The World's Water 2008-2009

This biennial report assesses the state of water resources around the world. Compiled by the Pacific Institue for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security, the report hopes to give an understanding of the water challenges and solutions that face us and to raise awareness of the rapidly dwindling fresh water resources. In this 6th edition, focus is given to the Millenium Development Goals for water, which include the ability to provide safe water and adequate sanitation to even the poorest regions of the world by 2015. This edition also addresses developing water crises resulting from water resource overuse, diversions, and pollution facing the western United States and China. Finally, water is considered because of its role in climate change. This report which is full of data and resource references will be of interest to planners, but should also interest everyone because of our daily reliance on this resource.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The World's Water 2009-2009: The Biennial Report on Freshwater Resources
Peter H. Gleick and others
TD 345 .G633 2008-2009

July 17, 2009

Dynamic Behavior of Concrete and Seismic Engineering

Under load-bearing conditions, concrete behaves dynamically. This book presents the most frequently used experimental techniques to study the dynamic behavior of concrete. It goes on to study seismic ground motion and the resulting behaviors of both soil and concrete during earthquake conditions. The book describes experiments that can be set up to test large structures, as well as models that can be used to simulate the behavior of roads, bridges, and other concrete structures during an earthquake. This book fills a cholarly gap and is an important supplement to existing anti-seismic construction standards and designs.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Dynamic Behavior of Concrete and Seismic Engineering
ed. by Jacky Mazars and Alain Millard
TA 658.44 .C653 2009

July 16, 2009

Another City

Shortly after the American Revolution, the nation's largest cities--Philadelphia, New Orleans, and New York--were growing quickly. Because of this, they were placing increasing demands on the space around them--markets, waterfronts, and parks--as well as overwhelming the infrastructure resulting in noisy, crowded streets and stagnant, smelly water. Upton uses diaries, letters, travel accounts, and urban paintings and drawings of this time to uncover not only how cities were built, but why they were built this way. He suggests that social, cultural and biological factors influenced urban design, city planning, and even how spaces were used. This is an interesting book full of historical pictures and picturesque descriptions of life in 18th and early 19th century America.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Another City: Urban Life and Urban Spaces in the New American Republic
Dell Upton
HT 123 .U68 2008

July 15, 2009

Green Urbanism Down Under

This book sets out to answer a simple question: What can Americans learn from Australians about creating more green urban lifestyles? This book answers that question by drawing on the similarities between the two contries, not only in people and culture, but also in the national landscape. What results are practical suggestions about urban planning, attitudes toward space and communities, sustainable urban transportation, offsetting the carbon footprint of individuals and groups, preserving biodiversity and wildlands, and many other ways that Australia has been experimenting with sustainable and green practices.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Green Urbanism Down Under: Learning from Sustainable Communities in Australia
Timothy Beatley with Peter Newman
HT 243 .A8 B43 2009

July 13, 2009

People Factor

Blimes and Gould assert that the public service sector is facing a crisis and is ripe for change. On one hand, the age of many civil servants suggests that in the near future, the large numbers of retirements will decimate the civil service workforce. On the other hand, recent advances in technology offer opportunities to change workflows and develop new processes to make more effective use of civil service employees. The authors argue that the convergence of these two factors offers the perfect opportunity for government agencies to take a fresh look at their workforce, to invest in developing their employees, to encourage and reward innovation, and to become flexible enough to get the greatest engagement and work benefit from each individual employees rather than continuing with rigid, hierarchical, and often ineffective organizational systems. This book provides thoughtful and well researched suggestions that will be of interest to government employees at all levels.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The People Factor: Strengthening America by Investing in Public Service
Linda J. Blimes & W. Scott Gould
JK 681 .B55 2009

July 10, 2009

Honor Bright

Developed and refined for over 200 years, the Cadet Honor Code at the United States Military Academy at West Point serves as an ethical foundation for the United States Army. This book chronicles the history of the code's development as well as the impact that it has had on some of our most well known military and political leaders. Sorley argues that the Cadet Honor Code serves as a central document defining the character of the Army and the Nation

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Honor Bright: History and Origins of the West Point Honor Code and System
Lewis Sorley
U 410 .L1 S67 2009

July 9, 2009

Causes of War

Sobek asserts that there is no single cause for war. What causes war in one case may prompt a peaceful solution in another. Instead, he asserts that scholars must look to multi-factor explanations to understand the causes of war. Using many examples from the 19th through the 21st century, Sobek demonstrates how both domestic causes and international factors push nation states toward conflict. Considering them in a separate category, Sobek also analyzes civil war and terrorism, as well as other examples of asymmetric warfare.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Causes of War
David Sobek
U 21.2. S6475 2009

Lives per Gallon

Tamminen reveals much of the hidden cost of America's dependence on oil. He states that billions of dollars each year are spent to secure the supply that we need. Crops are ruined because of petroleum pollution. Car exhaust caused by burning fossil fuels causes cancer, asthma, emphasema, birth defects, and other health problems. Tamminen offers real world solutions, but ultimately asserts that America must release itself from its oil addiction unless it is willing to continue paying the price, not only in exhorbitant monetary costs, but also in lives per gallon.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Lives per Gallon: The True Cost of Our Oil Addiction
Terry Tamminen
HD 9502 .A2 T34 2009

July 6, 2009

Bold Endeavors

This is the story of ten large, transformational events in the building of America. From the Louisiana Purchase to the construction of the interstate highway system, Rohatyn highlights formative decisions by American presidents that were not always popular at the time, but have had lasting effects on shaping our country to be what it has become today. Rohatyn uses these examples as a call to arms to the current administration, asking them to also make visionary decisions to rebuild our nation's crumbling infrastructure. Not only is such a bold move necessary to preserve the roads and bridges, schools and hospitals, plumbing and utilities that are overtaxed and crumbling, he believes, but at this time of economic crisis, it would provide work for thousands of unemployed and help to create a secure and prosperous future for the entire nation.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Bold Endeavors: How Our Govermnent Built America and Why it Must Rebuild it Now
Felix Rohatyn
HC 110 .C3 R67 2009

July 3, 2009

Wildlife Law

This book provides a clear and accessible understanding of current wildlife laws in the United States. Written for non-legal professionals, it provides an historical background to laws concerning common lands, land ownership, and capture of wildlife. Chapters specifically discuss tribal rights of Native Americans, hunting and game laws, and key federal statues such as the Endangered Species Act. This book will be useful to those with interests in the environment, real estate law, and wildlife preservation.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Wildlife Law: A Primer
Eric T. Freyfogle and Dale D. Goble
KF 5640 .F74 2009

July 2, 2009

Sherman

Sherman has been portrayed by many as a cold and calculating tactician. Woodworth, however, shows that his ability to craft unique battlefield tactics, his vision that the South must feel the pain of the war before they would be willing to surrender, and the compassion that he showed for the Southern civilians that he encountered during his march to the sea made him a successful leader. He sought the quickest end to the war possible, pursuing that end with tenacity, purpose, thoughtfulness. Woodworth praises Sherman's humanity, showing him to be a a reserved man who shied away from the spotlight and sought only to accomplish his task.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Sherman: Lessons in Leadership
Steven E. Woodworth
E 467.1 .S65 W83 2009

Personal Development for Smart People

Pavlina asserts that smart people are conscious and deliberate in their desire to grow as human beings. He focuses on seven principles behind successful growth, and offers practical methods for improving relationships, your career, your finances, your health, and other aspects of your life. This easily readable book is filled with personal anecdotes, and many, many tips and suggestions about how to start making small or large changes in your life today.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth
Steve Pavlina
BF 637 .S4 P385 2008

July 1, 2009

Urban Sustainability through Environmental Design

In recent years, there has been considerable success at repopulating urban centers. However, scholars have questioned whether these upscale environments and often isolated cultural developments are sustainable. This collection intends to provide analytical tools and practical methods that can be used to develop sustainable, long-term solutions for the management of responsive, lively, and safe urban environments. This book brings together views and approaches to urban development from across Europe, focusing on practical, sustainable solutions rather than quick-fix interventions.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Urban Sustainability through Environmental Design: Approaches to Time-People-Place Responsive Urban Spaces
ed by Kevin Thwaites, Sergio Porta, Ombretta Romice, and Mark Greaves
HT 166 .U7453 2007

The Search for Al Qaeda

If the first rule in war is to know your enemy, the United States is failing. Al Qaeda is the most complex enemy this country has ever faced. It is a network whose mission is to drive Americans out of the Muslim world, destroy Israel, and to create a jihadist superstate. Riedel illuminates how Al Qaeda is accomplishing this mission by profiling many of its senior leaders--notably Osama bin Ladin, Ayman Zawahiri, and Abu Musaib al Zarqawi. He also analyzes the origins, ideology, strategies, tactics, and vulnerabilities of Al Qaeda, demonstrating how these were used to attack the World Trade Center on 9/11, and how they continue to be adapted to fight the war in Afghanistan and Iraq today.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Search for Al Qaeda: Its Leadership, Ideology, and Future
Bruce Riedel
HV 6432.5 .Q2 R54 2008