Books and authors

Q&A with MIT philosopher Sally HaslangerWhat is ‘natural’ and what is ‘social’?

Why are Japanese cartoons a global hit?MIT scholar’s new book heralds ‘creative collaboration’ with the masses as the key to anime’s worldwide popularity.

Preserving cultureMIT historian Lerna Ekmekcioglu explores how women preserve Armenian cultural identity.

Hard times in ChicagoMIT anthropologist’s new book recounts the painful aftermath when steel plants suddenly closed in the American heartland.

The right’s resistance to regulationBook details how conservatives have changed the terms of the environmental debate in recent decades.

AIAA honors David Mindell for ‘Digital Apollo’MIT professor’s book earns Gardner-Lasser Aerospace History Literature Award.

Life in BASICNick Montfort and colleagues examine cultural significance of computer code in new book.

Historian/physicist David Kaiser wins Physics World’s 'Book of the Year Award'Kaiser is the head of MIT's Program in Science, Technology, and Society, and a senior lecturer in the Department of Physics.

Said and Done for November/December 2012Digest of humanities, arts and social sciences

What can logistics do for you?In a new book, an MIT professor argues that investment in global transportation hubs can spur a ‘feedback loop’ of regional growth.

Three awards for MIT research in anthropology, economics and political scienceMikusheva receives Elaine Bennett Research Prize; Petersen wins Distinguished Book Award; Helmreich wins Rachel Carson Prize.

Clearing the airAtmospheric chemist Susan Solomon finds hope in past environmental challenges.

How civil wars evolveMIT political scientist’s book shows how even the bloodiest conflicts feature pragmatic alliances — not just ancient sectarian divisions.

How to communicate science visuallyIn a new book, MIT’s Felice Frankel aims to help scientists and engineers improve the way they portray their research through photos, diagrams and graphs.

New books on the shelf from SA+PRecent publishing news from School of Architecture + Planning faculty and alumni

Junot Díaz named finalist for the 2012 National Book Award

Junot Díaz wins MacArthur ‘genius grant’Pulitzer Prize-winning author and writing professor receives unrestricted $500,000 prize.

Said and Done for September 2012Digest of MIT humanities, arts, and social sciences.

Q&A: Junot Díaz on his new bookThe MIT professor and Pulitzer-winning writer talks about the people and ideas in his newest work, This Is How You Lose Her — and explains why women form a big part of his core audience.

Understanding gambling addictionFor machine gamblers, it’s not whether they win or lose — it’s how much they play the game.

Seth Mnookin wins 2012 Science in Society AwardNational Association of Science Writers honors his book The Panic Virus.

Better product design through a simple square chartHow Design Structure Matrix analysis has helped heavyweight companies improve their products, production lines and organizations.

Said and Done for June/July 2012Digest of MIT humanities, arts and social sciences

Book details a new model for sharing waterSure, water is in great demand — but that doesn’t mean supply is a zero-sum game among neighboring countries, an MIT professor says in a new book.

3 Questions: Hanna Rose Shell on the hidden history of camouflageHistorian of technology’s new book traces the surprisingly recent invention of a standard military practice.