Editors’ Picks for November 2023

10 reviews handpicked from the latest issue of Choice.

Posted on November 9, 2023 in Editors' Picks

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This first-rate comparative study concludes by examining African states’ capacity to deal with violent religious extremism.

—C. E. Welch, emeritus, University at Buffalo, SUNY

Babatunde, ​Abosede Omowumi. Managing violent religious extremism in fragile states: building institutional capacity in Nigeria and Kenya, by Abosede Omowumi Babatunde et al. Routledge, 2021 (c2022). 298p bibl index ISBN 9780367342395, $160.00; ISBN 9781003004745 ebook, $48.95.

This well-edited volume focuses on Nigeria’s and Kenya’s counterterrorism measures. The economic cost to Africa of suppressing violent religious extremism rose to at least $119 billion between 2007 and 2016, 89 percent of which was attributed to Nigeria. This is because state structures remain fragile, lacking the capacity to effectively resolve conflict. The military’s involvement and endemic corruption undermine resolution. The authors draw on scores of interviews with government and civil society workers, combining securitization theory with qualitative analysis of the interviewees’ “speech acts.” The introduction sets forth the theoretical framework, and chapter 1 summarizes violent extremism in Africa. Chapter 2 clarifies crucial terms, explaining how extremists are “determin[ed] to achieve an extreme belief at all costs,” exploiting weak governance. Chapter 3 contrasts Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram, chapter 4 delves into Boko Haram’s resilience and adaptability in Nigeria, and chapter 5 considers Al-Shabaab’s violent actions against Kenya’s militarized attempts to suppress them. Chapter 6 centers on the two states’ institutional strategies to counter extremism, chapter 7 concentrates on terrorism throughout the continent, chapter 8 treats religious ideology, and chapter 9 addresses youth radicalism. This first-rate comparative study concludes by examining African states’ capacity to deal with violent religious extremism. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty. —C. E. Welch, emeritus, University at Buffalo, SUNY

Chion’s interests in history, production, perception, aesthetics, narrative, and musical denotation and connotation are evident across the text, and he devotes considerable space to showing that cinema’s frame appropriates all kinds of music—classical and popular—from around the world.

—S. C. Pelkey, University of Kentucky

Chion, Michel. Music in cinema, ed. and tr. by Claudia Gorbman. Columbia, 2021. 400p bibl index ISBN 9780231198882, $130.00; ISBN 9780231198899 pbk, $32.00; ISBN 9780231552851 ebook, $31.99.

Music in Cinema is a new edition and translation of the 2019 version of Chion’s seminal La musique au cinéma (first published in French in 1995). Editor/translator Claudia Gorbman (emer., Univ. of Washington, Tacoma) has written extensively about music and film and has translated other books by Chion. In the book’s first half, Chion explores music within the history of film, from the late 19th through the early 21st century. In the second half, “The Three Faces of Music in Cinema,” he progresses topically, with themes such as “music as world” and “music as subject, metaphor, and model.” The topical chapters unfold less as arguments and more like series of related, insightful observations, with Chion repeatedly pushing back against established ways of thinking about film music in order to offer more nuanced explanations of music in film as part of a composite art. Chion’s interests in history, production, perception, aesthetics, narrative, and musical denotation and connotation are evident across the text, and he devotes considerable space to showing that cinema’s frame appropriates all kinds of music—classical and popular—from around the world. As he returns regularly to his fundamental emphasis on music “in cinema” rather than “and cinema,” Chion demonstrates knowledge of a prodigious body of films from many countries, though American and French traditions receive special attention. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers. —S. C. Pelkey, University of Kentucky

Chapters, each coauthored by an educator and a mental health professional, are uniform and accessible and include in-depth descriptions and educational activities, such as book clubs, debates, and analytical and artistic exercises, that consider various mental health issues and focus on characters from adolescent literature who experience these issues personally and in relationship to others.

—A. L. Hsu, State University of New York College at Old Westbury

Fostering mental health literacy through adolescent literature, ed. by Brooke Eisenbach and Jason Scott Frydman. Rowman & Littlefield, 2022. 220p bibl index ISBN 9781475858792, $90.00; ISBN 9781475858808 pbk, $35.00; ISBN 9781475858815 ebook, $33.50.

This thoughtful compilation focuses on a critical current topic in secondary education: mental health. As overwhelming numbers of adolescents struggle with mental health challenges, this book addresses how adolescent literature can help generate awareness of, reduce the stigma associated with, and normalize experiences with mental health issues. Aimed at middle- and high-school English language arts (ELA) teachers, this volume provides background information and insight into various mental health needs while maintaining a clear focus on using the suggested books to introduce, teach, and reinforce specific concepts within the ELA curriculum. The editors and contributors include tips for selecting texts that promote positive exploration of mental health and contain multidimensional characters who are not defined by their mental illness. Chapters, each coauthored by an educator and a mental health professional, are uniform and accessible and include in-depth descriptions and educational activities, such as book clubs, debates, and analytical and artistic exercises, that consider various mental health issues and focus on characters from adolescent literature who experience these issues personally and in relationship to others. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals. —A. L. Hsu, State University of New York College at Old Westbury

This work’s great strength is Greble’s approach to the topic from a Muslim perspective, instead of viewing Muslims as Europe’s Other, which is, unfortunately, the norm.

—R. W. Zens, Le Moyne College

Greble, Emily. Muslims and the making of modern Europe. Oxford, 2021. 376p bibl index ISBN 9780197538807, $35.00; ISBN 9780197538821 ebook, contact publisher for price.

Despite having a significant presence in Europe since the eighth century CE, Muslims continue to be seen above all else as Muslims rather than citizens of the nation-state they inhabit. Greble (Vanderbilt Univ.), author of Sarajevo, 1941–1945 (CH, Jan’12, 49-2851), addresses how Muslims in the Balkans, specifically former Yugoslavia, were viewed by the state and how they interacted with it. Beginning in 1878, the author examines how Muslims, rather than being brought into Serbia’s secular society, were tied more closely to religion through the state’s maintenance of Islamic socioreligious law. The Muslim community’s distinct legal structure left it struggling to negotiate its political belonging until the post–WW II period. As with Muslim communities throughout the world, WW II offered Yugoslav Muslims options: support the European radical right’s rejection of the secular liberal state or join the resistance (sizable numbers were found on both sides). Ultimately, under Tito, the Shariʽa legal order was eliminated, transforming Islam from a legal issue into a cultural idea. This work’s great strength is Greble’s approach to the topic from a Muslim perspective, instead of viewing Muslims as Europe’s Other, which is, unfortunately, the norm. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty. —R. W. Zens, Le Moyne College

This engaging book is well worth reading.

—C. S. Johnson, Middle Tennessee State University

Johnson, Devon. Black nihilism and antiblack racism. Rowman & Littlefield, 2021. 248p bibl index ISBN 9781538153499, $100.00; ISBN 9781538153505 ebook, $45.00.

This book by Johnson (Univ. of Tampa) explores how people who are the targets of anti-Black racism create value affirmations in response to the nihilistic threat white supremacy poses. The volume’s central question considers what it means to affirm and value Black humanity in a society whose systems and structures fundamentally deny Black humanity. Driving the author’s discussion are the concepts of white nihilism and Black nihilism. Since modernity, white nihilism has constructed a value system that affirms white supremacy, aimed at overcoming white existential fears about life’s meaninglessness. White nihilism accomplishes this goal by denying the possibility of any other value system and by negating Black humanity. Black nihilism is thus a counternarrative through which Black people posit a value system that affirms their humanity within the very value systems and structures that deny Black humanity. Johnson encapsulates this paradoxical quest using the existential concept of the absurd. Addressing the issue, he posits the concept vulgarity, which he considers a highly informed epistemic tool that ranges from the crude to a theoretical dimension. This engaging book is well worth reading. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty. —C. S. Johnson, Middle Tennessee State University

As a renowned scholar, scientist, historian, and teacher, Lang knows about English literacy challenges among young deaf learners and underscores the benefits of captioning for providing access to information and incidental learning, enabling Deaf signing persons to become culturally and linguistically literate while supporting the acquisition of reading comprehension and vocabulary skills.

—J. F. Andrews, emerita, Lamar University

Lang, Harry G. Turn on the words: deaf audiences, captions and the long struggle for access. Gallaudet, 2021. 328p bibl index ISBN 9781944838843 pbk, $34.95; ISBN 9781944838850 ebook, $34.95.

That captions enrich everyone—deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing persons as well as people with disabilities—is the kernel of this book. Lang (emer., National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology) turns dry details into vivid prose while chronicling the more than 70-year, Deaf-led movement for access to what hearing people take for granted: access to films/movies, television, videotapes/CD-ROMs, and internet videos/streaming media. Readers learn about Deaf persons from the 1950s to the present who not only provided technical expertise and program management but were savvy warriors flexing political muscle for protective federal legislation in support of captioning. Lang recounts personal stories, providing photos of Deaf scientists, community leaders, lawyers, parents, and teachers persistently pushing for captioning—a fight that goes on today for access to open captioning in public movie theaters. As a renowned scholar, scientist, historian, and teacher, Lang knows about English literacy challenges among young deaf learners and underscores the benefits of captioning for providing access to information and incidental learning, enabling Deaf signing persons to become culturally and linguistically literate while supporting the acquisition of reading comprehension and vocabulary skills. For background to this issue, readers may also consult Lang’s companion book—A Phone of Our Own: The Deaf Insurrection against Ma Bell (CH, Nov’00, 38-1534). Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. —J. F. Andrews, emerita, Lamar University

If the authors are correct, then the result is that the media reflects a skewed sense of how polarized the country as a whole truly is.

—D. Schultz, Hamline University

The Other divide: polarization and disengagement in American politics, by Yanna Krupnikov and John Barry Ryan. Cambridge, 2022. 291p bibl index ISBN 9781108831123, $84.99; ISBN 9781108926362 pbk, contact publisher for price; ISBN 9781108912433 ebook, contact publisher for price.

Across many dimensions, the US is more politically divided now than in past decades. This book focuses on a specific political divide—those deeply involved in politics versus those who are not. Krupnikov and Ryan (both, Stony Brook Univ.) define the deeply involved as those who closely follow and are interested in politics. They compare them to two other groups: those not interested and knowledgeable about politics and those somewhat knowledgeable but not overly interested. Drawing on their own surveys, the authors find the deeply involved are generally better educated and more affluent, have more free time, and post more about politics on social media. They are the political elites and are often more extreme in their positions. The media focuses on this particular group—different from the rest of the population—to paint its picture about political polarization in the US. If the authors are correct, then the result is that the media reflects a skewed sense of how polarized the country as a whole truly is. Though one wishes the authors had spent more time explaining the implications of their research, this is an excellent book for collections on American politics and public opinion. Summing Up: Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty and professionals. —D. Schultz, Hamline University

This text shares the careful decision-making that eventually led to senior care in an assisted living arrangement for both longtime partners.

—L. R. Barley, York College, CUNY

Reed, William G. Lessons from a disabled caregiver: thriving together and maintaining independence with physical disability and dementia. McFarland, 2021. 261p bibl index ISBN 9781476687391 pbk, $29.95; ISBN 9781476645216 ebook, contact publisher for price.

This book is a unique read. Although wheelchair bound, Reed cares for his spouse, who has Alzheimer’s. The author does not claim to be an expert nor does he suggest that his book is exhaustive. His intent is to assist others: in the course of the narrative, he advocates planning, optimism, perseverance, and ingenuity. In part 1, Reed describes a personally life-changing diagnosis (progressive muscular weakness). Although diagnosis came in time to adjust, he experienced grief. Describing this process, Reed recommends sharing even minute physical changes with one’s doctor and emphasizes planning. In part 2, Reed advises accepting support from family and friends and maintaining spiritual affiliations. Affectionately, the author reflects on his golf game, noting that he continued to play while adjusting to his physical limitations. Parts 3–6 address the details of ensuring personal mobility, obtaining a modified vehicle, and maintaining independence. Reed admonishes readers not to forget the insurance implications of modifying a home and vehicle. In part 7, Reed at last addresses providing care for another person. Alzheimer’s caregiving is complicated, and supporting the instrumental activities of daily life is demanding. This text shares the careful decision-making that eventually led to senior care in an assisted living arrangement for both longtime partners. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students and professionals. General readers. —L. R. Barley, York College, CUNY

Even so, the book is well researched and lucid and includes thoughtful commentary on the nexus between colonial institutions, contemporary political and economic pressures, and the underinvestment in India’s current legal infrastructure.

—A. A. Batabyal, Rochester Institute of Technology

Roy, Tirthankar. Law and the economy in a young democracy: India 1947 and beyond, by Anand V. Swamy. Chicago, 2022. 272p bibl index ISBN 9780226799001, $45.00; ISBN 9780226799148 pbk, $44.99; ISBN 9780226799148 ebook, contact publisher for price.

Doing business in India is not easy. Instead of correcting this difficult state of affairs, existing laws appear to have done the opposite. Hence, studying the origins, the properties, and the impacts that law has had and continues to have in the young democracy of India is a worthy goal. Roy (London School of Economics, UK) and Swamy (Williams College) hope to achieve this by shedding light on five questions. First, how did existing laws emerge? Second, have laws attained their claimed egalitarian goals? Third, which laws have constrained economic growth and development and how? Fourth, why are laws that constrain economic development still on the books? Finally, to what extent have case law and the notion of stare decisis (respect for precedence)—as opposed to legislation—influenced the evolution of law in post-independence India? This book does not build models nor does it contain any econometric analysis. Even so, the book is well researched and lucid and includes thoughtful commentary on the nexus between colonial institutions, contemporary political and economic pressures, and the underinvestment in India’s current legal infrastructure. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduates through faculty, general readers, and professionals. —A. A. Batabyal, Rochester Institute of Technology

Each chapter begins by introducing major topics and reviewing previous material, supporting its main discussion with real code snippets (full source code is available in a GitHub repository), screenshots, and a list of online references.

—R. J. Ge, Stockton University

Tyagi, Priyanka. Pragmatic Flutter: building cross-platform mobile apps for Android, IOS, web & desktop. CRC Press, 2021. 353p bibl index ISBN 9780367612092, $130.00; ISBN 9781003104636 ebook, contact publisher for price.

Tyagi (Willow Innovations, Inc.) provides a complete handbook for learning application development with Flutter in 23 chapters. Chapters 1–2 offer a quick reference guide to the Flutter programming language (Dart 2) and an introduction to the open source software development kit (SDK) used in creating cross-platform applications for mobile, web, and desktop environments in the rest of the book. Following chapters provide detail on setting up the development environment and creating a Flutter project, both from the command line and through the particular integrated development environment (IDE) in use. Chapters 5–9 offer deep dives into essential Flutter widgets for layouts, responsive dialogues, and user interfaces. Chapter 10 addresses Flutter themes. Chapters 11–13 cover data storage (local databases), retrieval (RESTful APIs), and access (parsing JSON code). Navigation between the app’s home page and secondary pages, various solutions to state management, and approaches to testing follow. Tyagi’s final chapter addresses releasing a Flutter application to its respective distribution platforms. Each chapter begins by introducing major topics and reviewing previous material, supporting its main discussion with real code snippets (full source code is available in a GitHub repository), screenshots, and a list of online references. Readers should have some experience with one of the object-oriented programming languages (JAVA or Python). Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and professionals. General readers. —R. J. Ge, Stockton University

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