On this page we highlight books or other media that Branch members recommend to complement on-going discussions in various study and interest groups.
“Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity” by Katherine Boo. The author highlights the vast economic inequalities that exist in contemporary India as she documents the lives of residents of a Mumbai shanty town over a period of 3 years. The book was the winner of the 2012 National Book Award and makes for compulsive reading. There is a very good website which provides a short video about those featured in the book, as well as reviews and a discussion guide: http://www.behindthebeautifulforevers.com/. This book was recommended by Diana McMeeking. This book will be reviewed by Great Decisions in October 2013.
“Starbuck”, a French Canadian movie. According to Diane Steen “it was excellent—-funny, touching, just great.” It won top movie in Canada. It is in French, with subtitles. According to Netflix, it is about “a fortysomething slacker whose life is turned upside down when he learns that his many sperm donations have resulted in more than 500 children — 100 of whom are now suing to meet their father, who’s desperate to keep his identity a secret.” Spielberg is currently making an American version.
PBS Independent Lens video entitled “Wonder Woman! The Untold Story of American Superheroines“. This PBS show is recommended by Marilyn Hansen. It traces the evolution and legacy of Wonder Woman from the birth of the comic book in the 1940s to the blockbuster of today. It is available via on-line video through June 14 and can be accessed via the following link: http://video.pbs.org/video/2331042879.
Another book recommended by the Great Decisions Group is as follows:
- “The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People, Nations, and Business” by Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen (To be reviewed by Great Decisions in November, 2013)
“The Invisible War” – Available from Netflix streaming, The Invisible War is a documentary that addresses the way sexual assault is handled by the military. According to Netflix, “as ranks of women in the American military swell, so do incidents of rape. The Invisible War exposes a rape epidemic in the armed forces, investigating the institutions that perpetuate it as well as its profound personal and social consequences”. The film features plaintiffs from two class-action lawsuits that AAUW is supporting through the Legal Advocacy Fund case-support program. The plaintiffs are accusing U.S. military officials of creating a culture in which sexual assault and rape are tolerated and in which people who report it face retaliation.
“Women in Community Colleges – Access to Success” – More than ever before, women are relying on community colleges for higher education and workforce preparation. This AAUW research report recommends policies and practices to help women succeed in community colleges. In particular, AAUW found that child care is a critical issue for student mothers. Women also need more support for pursuing opportunities in STEM and other male-dominated fields. With increased attention and improved outreach to women students, the nation’s community colleges can build on their legacy of providing educational opportunity to all. The issues this report addresses are of particular concern to women at community colleges, but improving outcomes for women will benefit everyone. To download the report go to https://www.aauw.org/research/women-in-community-colleges/.
“AAUW’s ¡Adelante! Book of the Month Club Selection” – In 1996 AAUW launched this component of its diversity outreach program to seek out books written from diverse perspectives and to support a forum to address issues of social justice based on the month’s selection. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the September 2013 selection is Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros. For more information on this club and the reading list for 2013-2014 go to https://www.aauw.org/resource/adelante-book-of-the-month-club/.