Books & Beyond

Since the rise of Ukraine’s nationhood in the 19th century, literature has played a vital role in cultural identity. Associate Professor of English Anastasia Ulanowicz explores the breadth of Ukrainian children’s literature, from the 19th century to today, within Ukraine and its diaspora. Her latest book examines writing’s influence on national culture, Soviet-era resilience and global significance. This collection highlights the importance of Ukraine’s literary history for both Ukrainian and international students and scholars of children’s literature.

Alumna Felicia Feaster (Film and Eastern European Studies, ’90), explores the mysterious beauty of gothic gardening through 50 dark and unusual plants. As a content creator, editor and lifestyle journalist, Feaster specializes in garden writing and cultivates an extensive plant encyclopedia. From the “Queen of the Night” tulip to the “Black Magic” petunia, her book uncovers myths, histories and legends that bring eerie charm to any space. From experienced gardeners to beginners, this illustrated plant encyclopedia will inspire a striking, enchanting gothic retreat.

Featuring translations of biographical collections from the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou and Sui dynasties, this book explores the often-overlooked lives of diviners, physicians and craftsmen in mid-medieval North China. Stephan N. Kory, assistant professor of Chinese literature and culture, examines their roles in imperial courts, through comparative and literary analysis, giving vivid insights into medieval Chinese society and culture. Kory lends a comprehensive eye looking towards the culture of the past to offer context that can help understand the history as we know it today.

In this new edition of “Kojiki,” Matthieu Felt, assistant professor of premodern Japanese, breathes new life into Japan’s oldest surviving text. Through a combination of myth, history and spiritual origins, the book recounts the birth of the gods, the creation of the Japanese islands and the rise of the imperial line. Felt’s revision helps make this hallmark of Japanese identity accessible to today’s generation, emphasizing its timeless influence on literature, politics and faith. This edition offers modern readers a deeper appreciation of a text that continues to define Japan’s cultural identity.

Nancy Rose Hunt, professor of history and African studies, explores how ideas of psychiatry and madness developed in colonial and postcolonial Africa. Her book looks at how people, institutions and societies experienced and defined madness, often beyond medical views. Using historical records and personal stories, it examines asylums, missions and colonial settings to show how power and creativity shaped mental health. Covering regions once under British and French rule, the book highlights both patients and doctors, offering new ways to understand African and global histories of psychiatry.

Building off the writing of one of modern South Asia’s foremost Muslim theologians and Sufis, Maulānā Ashraf ‘ Alī Thānavī (1863–1943), this book gives new life to old texts, giving insight into Islamic traditions and languages. Written by Assistant Professor of Religion Ali Altaf Mian, the book reveals how shifts in genre, language and embodiment have historically shaped the ethical thought and spiritual resilience leading to today. Mian reminds readers that tradition still has the power to shape who we are and how we live, even amid constant change.

Winner of the 2024 Best First Book Award from Phi Alpha Theta, alumnus F. Evan Nooe (History, ’06 and Psychology, ’16) explores how settler expansion and narratives of victimhood, honor and revenge drove the end of the Native South and led to an uprising of white southern identity. This reconceptualization takes what is known about the history of the confederate culture and explains how it aided in the prevalence of interpersonal violence between settlers and Native peoples, specifically focusing on events in South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.

The second edition of this textbook, co-authored by Sociology and Criminology & Law Professor Abigail A. Fagan, along with Del Elliott, offers a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to reducing crime. Drawing on multiple theoretical frameworks, it integrates research on effective strategies ranging from situational and developmental prevention to law enforcement and correctional practices. The book also exposes common but ineffective models, challenging long-held myths. Finally, it addresses the practical challenges of implementing prevention programs and offers clear guidance for communities worldwide.

Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology & Law Christine Overdevest’s encyclopedia explores the complex intersections of ecological, social and material progress. Featuring 99 entries by leading scholars and practitioners worldwide, it examines pressing topics such as climate adaptation, degrowth, the carbon intensity of well-being and the Rights of Nature. Designed to inspire critical reflection, the encyclopedia serves as an essential resource for students, researchers and all who seek deeper insight into this evolving field.

Alexander Grass Chair in Jewish Studies Raanan Rein welcomes a 19th volume of his book series, Jewish Latin America: Issues and Methods. This contribution from Laura Rachel Felleman Fattal highlights Jewish visual artists who shaped Latin American art in the 20th and 21st centuries. Offering fresh insight into an often-overlooked presence in the global south, it showcases dynamic works including prints, sculptures, paintings and photographs that help fill a notable scholarly gap.

Featured alongside leading scholars in the field of feminist international relations, alumna and Adjunct Lecturer of Political Science Stephanie Denardo, and Associate Professor of Political Science Aida A. Hozić’s chapter “Exile” is a critical addition to this anthology, which explores the history of women’s contributions to global political thought and affairs across borders. Packed with case studies, field research, interviews and essays by trailblazing feminist thinkers, this volume combines deep conceptual debates in the field with contemporary and historical examples.

This documentary follows Robert Hatfield, professor of geology, two UF graduate students and an international crew on a 34-day 2023 expedition off Greenland. It showcases the team’s sediment-core sampling and seafloor mapping, while personal reflections highlight the human urgency behind efforts to understand and respond to a rapidly changing climate.