The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point, subtitled "How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference" could be sub-subtitled, "a paradigm-changing experience." I'm having my first-year seminar read large selections from this book for several reasons. One, as Deirdre Donahue says in USA Today, "it reaffirms that human beings are profoundly social beings influenced by and influencing other human beings, no matter how much technology we introduce into our lives." Two, while Gladwell posits that ideas are viral, I also believe that information is viral in how it gets spread. There's no better way to understand the global information environment and the Internet than via Gladwell's metaphors. Third, Gladwell is able to synthesize phenomena from epidemiology, psychology, sociology and group dynamics, bringing, as Paula Geyh says in the Chicago Tribune, "insights gleaned from these disparate fields together and applying them to an impressive array of contemporary social behaviors and cultural trends. Such knowledge, properly applied, could have enormous potential." I hope that all readers of Gladwell's work will be able to make further connections after they read this book.

Marker by Robin Cook

Physician Robin Cook is a writer of medical thrillers that focus on current technological and/or ethical issues.



Genetic tests for a variety of medical conditions are available to individuals who are at increased risk based on family history or ethnic background. With the completion of the human genome project, Cook explores medical insurance issues related to genetic markers--hence the title.


In this instance an intelligent pathologist notices a pattern of unexpected cases of healthy young adults in the hospital morgue to be autopsied. Soon she has amassed a cohort of cases.



Health insurance is based on pooling risk within specified groups. Since markers have been mapped throughout the human genome, risk can now be determined. "Marker" deals with the negative impact of the ability to predict illness. When confidentiality is breached and the information is obtained or otherwise falls into the wrong hands, patient care could be compromised.

Cook provides an exciting read and thought-provoking content.

Meet the Author: David Downing Wednesday, October 17th at 7pm at the High Library

Professor David C. Downing from Elizabethtown College’s Department of English, has written a popular history of dissent in the South during the Civil War, titled A South Divided. Documenting the numerous examples of exceptions to the “myth of the Solid South,” Downing shows that there were regions as well as individuals in the South that did not agree with the Confederate stance of separation from the Union. One region seceded from Virginia to form an entirely new state, West Virginia. Other examples discussed are of individuals or groups leaving the South to fight for the Union side. Downing states that roughly 200,000 black and 100,000 whites crossed the battle lines to fight for the North. This latter category of dissidents included a regiment of cavalry, the “First Alabama, USA.”

In a very readable prose style, this is an engaging book that helped clarify for me the context and meaning behind the first stanza of Robbie Robertson’s classic song about the Civil War, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down:

Virgil Caine is the name and I served on the Danville train

‘Til Stoneman’s cavalry came and tore up the tracks again

In the winter of ’65, we were hungry, just barely alive

By May the tenth, Richmond had fell,

it’s a time I remember oh so well.

One of the little written about causes regarding the Confederacy’s collapse, and the accuracy behind the lyrics above, can be found in A South Divided.

Peter DePuydt

Meet the authors of Amish Grace

Amish Grace: How forgiveness transcended tragedy

Donald B. Kraybill, Senior Fellow, Young Center, Elizabethtown College
Steven M. Nolt, Associate Professor, History, Goshen College
David L. Weaver-Zercher, Associate Professor, American Religious History, Messiah College

Tuesday, September 25, 2007
4:00-5:00pm
The High Library , Elizabethtown College

Amish Grace explores the questions raised in the wake of the October 2006 Nickle Mines shooting about the religious beliefs that led the Amish to forgive so quickly. In response to the intense demand for information about Amish ways, the authors got together to create this book. Please join the authors as they discuss the challenges of collaborating on the writing of this book.

From Publisher's Weekly: "the authors establish that forgiveness is embedded in Amish society through five centuries of Anabaptist tradition, and grounded in the firm belief that forgiveness is required by the New Testament. The community's acts of forgiveness were not isolated decisions by saintly individuals but hard-won countercultural practices supported by all aspects of Amish life. Common objections to Amish forgiveness are addressed in a chapter entitled, What About Shunning? The authors carefully distinguish between forgiveness, pardon and reconciliation, as well as analyze the complexities of mainstream America's response and the extent to which the Amish example can be applied elsewhere. This intelligent, compassionate and hopeful book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on forgiveness."

Signed copies of Amish Grace will be available for purchase.

Contact the High Library at 717-361-1451 or hyderl@etown.edu for more information.

Isabel Allende's House of Spirits

The Friends Book Club meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the High Library Conference Room. Join them on Sept. 26th at 7pm as they discuss Isabel Allende's "House of the Spirits."

Here's a quick book review from Amazon. "In it, she chronicles the life of a family, as the patriarch grows from a child to an elder, with the world changing all around him while he tries to keep it the same. Through the lenses of the Trueba family, we follow the portion of Chilean history that eventually leads to the 1973 coup. Of course, the author is niece of Salvador Allende, the socialist president democratically elected that was removed from power and killed by Pinochet."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? Discuss ...

Louise: So I decided to read the seventh and final installment of the Harry Potter series on my recent summer vacation. Everyone, and I mean everyone was reading this book. In airports, young and old were sprawled on floors, drapping lines of terminal seating and stuffed in congested coffee shops. Harry Potterites were not only on planes, but on trains, cabs, boats, and cars. The "book" was everywhere. Having spied the give-away candy-corn/hazard cone orange cover under my arm (a brilliantly intentional color choice by Rowling to aid those in league with Potter to identify others in the Order ... ) I was approached by complete strangers and asked my thoughts on whether Harry should seek the Horcruxes or focus on the Hallows. So while some many prefer to argue whether Rowling's books indeed elevate witchcraft as an artform - I prefer to marvel in the shear enjoyment I got over the past two weeks watching people of all languages, cultures, economic status and occupation reading a book together - all reading and racing to get to the final outcome together! For a brief moment in time - mesmerized by the same story and cast of characters - we were on the same global olympic team and heading for gold.

So, forget my adding one more individual review to the pile. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, as with all the Potter books, was written for discussion. Rowling's books are as simple or as complex as the reader wishes to make them. This final book was no different and I found it to be the most complex of the series.

At this point, I believe it would be appropriate for me to make clear that this discussion may prove to be a SPOILER. I am in awe of the secrecy and respect Potter readers show to one another - no one ever attempted to give away the ending to the book - except my son, who tried to get out of mowing the lawn one night - "Mom, I'll tell you if Potter lives or dies if I have to mow the lawn again." - The ending remained a secret ... and he mowed the lawn.

So, I welcome all to the discussion. Proceed knowing that SPOILING may appear at any time.

Question/Discussion point: I believe Snape was Rowling's best character creation. Yes, Harry was the focal point - but the entire good/evil argument was great fun and I was relieved when Rowling reserved the final acknowledgement for Snape at the end of the book. That was the page that made me cry - much like I believe that Tolkien's Sam Wise is one of the greatest characters of the trilogy. I think it in the relationship of Potter, Dumbledore and Snape - it is Snape who is the most pivotal - not Dumbledore ... what do you think? Also, does anyone understand the reason that Draco Malfoy is the true owner of the Elder Wand? I still do not understand that connection at all.

Louise

A Science Read for the Summer

Walking Zero: Discovering Cosmic Space and Time along the Prime Meridian by Chet Raymo (526.6 R267w)

The review from Science Books and Films states: "Though short, this work is an thought-provoking, highly enlightening discussion of some of the most fascinating concepts in physics, astronomy, and geology, among other subjects. Raymo's actual walk, starting from the chalk cliffs bordering southern England and proceeding northward into the English countryside, occupies little of the story, although points of interest along the way serve as references to the well-written essays contained in the book. The real strength of the volume lies in its wonderful portrayal of science's efforts to understand the vastness of cosmic space and time in such an interesting fashion."