Illinois Press Book Blog

The launch celebration for David Zalaznik’s new book of photography, Life along the Illinois River, will take place November 7, 4:00-7:00 PM, at the Peoria Art Guild.  Today’s edition of the Peoria Journal Star features a story by David about the inspiration for the book, plus a gallery of photos and a list of upcoming signing events.

“At times, no humans were in sight, such as a Christmas morning when a great blue heron stood sentinel in a line of trees enveloped in fog that kept most of the river hidden from sight. Hours of exploration of the river were the challenge and discovery of these moments was the reward. I hope by sharing these photographs you will see this river, which forms a backbone in our state, in a way you have not seen it before. Then when seen, an understanding forms that this river belongs to us, that its survival depends on us and stewardship truly rests in our hands.”

An announcement received today from the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association reads:

“The Herbert Hoover Book Award has been discontinued due to a restructuring of priorities. Please do not mail any books for consideration.”

Professor “John Smith” expresses frustration with today’s college students in Inside Higher Ed:

“After too many years at this job (I am in my mid-40s), I have grown to question higher education in ways that cannot be rectified by a new syllabus, or a sabbatical, or, heaven forbid, a conference roundtable. No, my troubles with this treasured profession are both broad and deep, and they begin with a fervent belief that most of today’s college students, especially those that come to college straight from high school, are unnecessarily coddled. Professors and administrators seek to “nurture” and “engage” and they are doing so at the expense of teaching. The result: a discernable and precipitous decline in the quality of college students. More of them come to campus with dreadful study habits. Too few of them read for pleasure. Too many drink and smoke excessively. They are terribly ill-prepared for four years of hard work, and most dangerously, they do not think that college should be arduous. Instead they perceive college as an overnight recreation center in which they exercise, eat, and in between playing extracurricular sports, they carry books around. If a professor is lucky, the books are being skimmed hours before class.”

Stephane Dunn, author of ‘Baad Bitches’ and Sassy Supermamas: Black Power Action Films, will be a guest on NPR’s News & Notes today at 12:40PM Central Time.  Stephane will discuss blacks in horror films with Clive Barker.

West Point. Hancock. Village (1893) eleven miles south of Carthage. Formerly known as Pumpkinville and then as Wigletown, named for early settler David Wigle. Renamed in 1856 for their former home, West Point, N.Y., by Wigle’s wife, who felt this was a more dignified name than Wigletown (Historic Sites, 320). Post office established March 31, 1858.

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From Place Names of Illinois by Edward Callary

Sneak Out. Franklin. Former community. Supposedly named for the otherwise respectable citizens who would sneak out of their houses, get drunk, and sneak back home. According to Sneed (Ghost Towns of Southern Illinois, 30), Sneak Out had one jail in the 1870s as well as one sawmill, two stores, and six saloons. Now part of Parrish.

*****

From Place Names of Illinois by Edward Callary

Loyal Jones, author of the new book Country Music Humorists and Comedians, is featured in an interview on the Music Tomes site.

“MT: During a time when there was great political and social upheaval, Hee-Haw appeared on the scene. It was given bad reviews by many in the press on either coast, but caught on with viewers and ran for 24 years. During that time of change, why do you think many middle Americans took to the show?

LJ: I think that many were harking backward to a simpler time when people had fun together and didn’t take themselves too seriously. Everybody knew it was a make-believe world, but once a week, they willingly and joyfully entered that world and refreshed themselves, just like beleaguered people in the Great Depression rejuvenated themselves in the old country music and comedy shows. Most people are too serious-minded or sophisticated to dress up in funny clothing and act silly, but they enjoy watching others do it.”

-PSU Press has a snack controversy.
-NYU Press has a new blog.
-Duke University Press’s blog touts a new edition available as a free download.
-University of Washington Press celebrates its one year anniversary of not blogging.
-University of California Press offers some new book trailers.

Update: The University of Washington Press just launched a new website.
Update update: Princeton University Press also has a new blog.

Ipava [eye PAY vuh]. Fulton. Village (1853, 1872) nine miles west-southwest of Lewistown. Platted for John Easley as Easleyburg in 1846 and apparently replatted as Pleasantville later that same year. A post office was established, also as Pleasantville, on Sept. 13, 1847, and renamed Ipava on Dec. 1, 1852. Beyond these few facts, little is certain; the namer of Ipava, the source of the name, and the circumstances surrounding the naming are unknown, although there has been no dearth of speculation. Wayne Azbell, in his History of Ipava, has the most complete account of the suggestions that have been offered to explain the name. First, that it is an adaptation of the name of Henry Pavey, who operated a hardware store in Ipava (this story persists even though Pavey did not arrive until 1869, at least seventeen years after the name had become established). Second, that it is derived from the name of the proprietor of a junkyard near the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy tracks that was announced by a sign reading “Isaac Pava.” Railroad employees supposedly said they were going to “I. Pava.” (more…)