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"The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Codices: Selected Papers from the Conference 'The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Codices' in Berlin, 20–22 July 2018" is an edited volume that explores the similarities and differences between the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) and the Nag Hammadi Codices (NHC). The book is divided into five parts, with each part focusing on a different aspect of the two corpora. The chapters cover topics such as the reception of the DSS and the NHC in modern culture, the material context of the texts, the portrayal of patriarchs, and the use of pseudepigraphy. The volume aims to encourage further comparative scholarship and offers new insights into these ancient texts. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Media and the mind: art, science, and notebooks as paper machines, 1700–1830" by Matthew Daniel Eddy explores the cognitive challenges faced by Scottish children and students during the eighteenth century. The book examines how these individuals used notebooks as paper machines to learn various skills, such as writing, drawing, and understanding anatomy. Eddy's research highlights the different notekeeping practices and cognitive habits that emerged in different educational environments. The book also delves into the material aspects of notebooks and their impact on cognitive processes. Overall, the book offers valuable insights into the historical development of cognitive faculties and the interactions between individuals, their environments, and technology. [Extracted from the article]

Perry Meisel's book, "Criticism After Theory from Shakespeare to Virginia Woolf," challenges the notion that theory is dead and instead argues for the continued relevance and importance of theoretical inquiries in literary criticism. Meisel explores the influence of Saussure's structuralism on various approaches such as new historicism, postcolonialism, gender studies, environmental studies, and archival studies. The book is divided into three sections, with the first focusing on theoretical exploration, the second on practical studies in literature, and the third on psychoanalytic studies. Meisel uses examples from canonical figures like Shakespeare, Milton, Lawrence, and Woolf to support his arguments. Overall, the book offers a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between theory and literary criticism, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of the legacy of theory. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the current focus within the field of psychoanalysis on social and political issues, such as systemic racism, colonialism, and diversity. It highlights an anthology edited by Jon Mills and Daniel Burston that challenges this worldview by examining the contributions of the Frankfurt School to understanding the social and political through psychoanalysis. The Frankfurt School utilized Freud's theories to analyze the psychology of authoritarianism and the domination of inner nature. The article argues that the current focus on language and identity erases unconscious forces and fails to address larger social and environmental issues. It suggests that critical theory provides a valuable corrective to this narrow understanding and encourages a deeper analysis of global authoritarianism, economic inequality, and the exploitation of the planet. [Extracted from the article]

"Cogs and Monsters: What Economics Is, and What It Should Be" by Diane Coyle is a book that argues for a return to the discipline of political economy in order to yield realistic and useful analyses and recommendations. Coyle criticizes the prevailing standard economic theory, which assumes rational actors with autonomy and fixed needs, as a narrative or ideological story. She highlights the need for economists to acknowledge the realities of an economy that is increasingly complex and difficult to simplify theoretically or quantitatively, particularly in the face of the new digital economy and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Coyle also addresses the changing dynamics of the economy, such as the growing importance of the service sector and the casualization of the labor market, and the political implications of economists' inability to grasp these changes. The book concludes by emphasizing the need for a modern approach to the public provision and regulation of information goods and the importance of putting the social, rather than the individual, at the heart of the study of economics. [Extracted from the article]

The book review discusses "Labour Revolt in Britain 1910-1914" by Ralph Darlington, which examines the labor movement during that time period. It emphasizes the success of the labor revolt and its impact on the Labour Party, as well as the role of the Independent Labour Party (ILP) and its support for strikes and syndicalist ideas. The review suggests that the ILP played a significant role in grassroots activism and electoral strategies. It also explores the influence of syndicalism in the labor movement, particularly in South Wales. The text provides a comprehensive analysis of the labor revolt and its political implications, calling for further research on the subject. [Extracted from the article]

In "Broadway Bodies: A Critical History of Conformity," Ryan Donovan explores the discriminatory casting practices in Broadway musicals. The book examines how the casting process perpetuates the ideal body in terms of size, sexuality, and ability. Donovan uses disability studies, Deaf studies, fat studies, and LGBTQ+ studies to analyze the intersectional issues embedded in Broadway body politics. The book highlights the scarcity of performance opportunities for non-normative bodies and the limitations of casting directors who prioritize economic and artistic pressures. It also discusses the historical overview and case studies related to size, sexuality, and disability in Broadway musicals. The author argues for more inclusive casting that goes beyond race and gender, advocating for a broader acceptance of diverse body types, sexualities, and abilities in the industry. [Extracted from the article]

"Moving Through Conflict: Dance and Politics in Israel" is a book that explores the intersection of dance and politics in Israel and Palestine. The anthology includes translations of articles from Hebrew to English and highlights the ongoing violence between the two regions. It examines the political significance of dance, even if the artists themselves deny it, and includes Palestinian dances and the work of Arab Israeli and Palestinian artists. The book is divided into two parts, focusing on community relations and representational relations, and acknowledges the lack of recognition and research on Palestinian and Arab dance. The editors and authors provide a valuable analysis of the politics embedded in dance in the region and call for more diverse voices to be included in the discussion. [Extracted from the article]

"Friction, Fusion, and Fire: Heat and Alterity in Contemporary Dance: South-South Choreographies" by Ananya Chatterjea is a book that explores the intersection of contemporary dance and cultural diversity. Chatterjea, a renowned dance artist and scholar, examines the experiences and artistic desires of Global South artists, challenging the dominant Western ideologies that define contemporary dance. The book delves into topics such as experimentation, innovation, and the rift between conceptual dance and more traditional forms. Chatterjea analyzes the work of specific artists, highlighting their unique voices and contributions to the dance world. Overall, the book calls for a reevaluation of colonial structures and a recognition of the diverse perspectives and practices within the global dance community. [Extracted from the article]

"Dancing Indigenous Worlds: Choreographies of Relation" by Jacqueline Shea Murphy is a comprehensive exploration of contemporary Indigenous dance. The book emphasizes the importance of relationality in Indigenous dance works and challenges Westernized approaches to scholarship. Shea Murphy, a settler scholar, aims to conduct ethical, community-based research that is generative rather than exploitative. The book includes personal narratives, conversations with Indigenous choreographers, and place-based experiential learning practices. It offers valuable insights into Indigenous dance practices and invites readers to consider their own relationships to the performances they witness. [Extracted from the article]

"Times of Change: Artistic Perspectives and Cultural Crossings in Nineteenth-Century Dance" is a book that explores the intersection of art, culture, and migration in nineteenth-century ballet. The book, which resulted from an international conference held in Salzburg, Austria, brings together renowned scholars who provide new insights and perspectives through deep primary-source investigations. Divided into four sections, the book covers topics such as the histories of dance families, evolving conceptions of ballet, the role of technology in ballet's transnational scope, and the construction of national dances. The volume offers a wealth of information and is a valuable resource for scholars interested in nineteenth-century European ballet. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a book review of "Participant observers: Anthropology, colonial development, and the reinvention of society in Britain" by Freddy Foks. The book provides a comprehensive history of British social anthropology from 1912 to 1960, based on diverse archival and published sources. It explores the development of a professional culture in anthropology and the adoption of anthropological ideas and methods by anthropologists, historians, and sociologists. The review highlights the book's insights and surprises, while also acknowledging that the early history of anthropology is better addressed by other authors. It concludes by discussing the impact of funding, the division between applied and pure research, and the influence of economics and history on anthropology. [Extracted from the article]

This article is a book review of "Sergio Leone: Cinema as Political Fable" by Christian Uva, translated by Fabio Battista. The book explores the work of Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone and argues for his significance in Italian and American cinema. Uva analyzes Leone's entire body of work, including his westerns and the "Once Upon a Time..." series, and unpacks the political themes and influences in his films. The review praises Uva's meticulous analysis and contextualization of Leone's work, positioning him as a politically and culturally motivated director. [Extracted from the article]

"Filming History from Below: Microhistorical Documentaries" by Efrén Cuevas is a comprehensive and groundbreaking exploration of the aesthetics, mechanisms, and effects of history conveyed through the moving image. Cuevas introduces the concept of the "microhistorical documentary" and argues that documentaries can complement the work of written history by focusing on the lives of regular people. He analyzes fourteen films, providing rich historiographical information and a close theoretical and textual analysis. The book covers transnational histories, including the Second World War, the Holocaust, and the Israel-Palestine conflict, and offers a neutral political lens. It is aimed at historians and documentary scholars and is accessible to upper-level undergraduate and graduate students. [Extracted from the article]

"Nazis All The Way Down: The Myth of the Moral Modern Germany" by Zachary Gallant and Katharina F. Gallant is a critical examination of Germany's denazification process and its portrayal as a morally redeemed nation. The authors argue that denazification was not as comprehensive as commonly believed, with many Nazi financiers and profiteers escaping punishment. They also highlight the ongoing influence of Nazi wealth in German society and the limited restitution of stolen Jewish assets. The book calls for a more honest and thorough denazification process to address systemic structures burdened by Nazism. [Extracted from the article]

Adam Lowenstein's book, "Horror, Film and Otherness," explores the connections between horror films and societal issues. Lowenstein examines the works of various filmmakers, including George Romero, Tobe Hooper, and Jordan Peele, and analyzes how they depict themes of otherness and social difference. He challenges traditional interpretations of horror films, such as viewer identification and binary oppositions, and instead proposes the concept of "transformative otherness," where normality and monstrosity coexist. Lowenstein also discusses the role of horror in addressing real-life traumas and promoting social awareness. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the genre and includes a bibliography, illustrations, and an index. [Extracted from the article]