Böcker utgivna av UNIV PR OF MISSISSIPPI

"Watershed tells the story of a young boy raised on the bank of the Pascagoula River. His was a family whose livelihood hinged on the bounty of the river and swamp. His experiences while growing up in this natural wonderland taught young Herman Murrah to appreciate and develop a passion for this unique piece of paradise. As a young adult, Herman worked as a game warden in the Pascagoula River Swamp. His appreciation of the uniqueness of one of the last natural ecosystems in the US continued to grow. Herman became determined to preserve and protect this natural wonder. When the current owners of the swamp (the Pascagoula Hardwood Company) decide to sell the vast expanse of hardwood to be clear cut and destroyed forever, Herman teamed with several other visionaries to save this ecological anomaly for future generations by persuading the State of Mississippi to purchase the swamp and preserve it perpetually. Once the State purchased the swamp and it became the Pascagoula River Wildlife Management Area, Herman was appointed area manager for the upper portion. He dedicated the remainder of his life to preserving, protecting, and improving the swamp for the good people of South Mississippi. Herman's love affair with the Pascagoula River Swamp lasted a lifetime and beyond. His story continues to inspire young conservationists as we strive to protect some of our last remaining natural ecosystems"--

"Raised in a public housing project in New Haven, Connecticut, James E. Lyons Sr. overcame the difficult circumstances of his childhood to flourish academically, eventually becoming president of six universities-Bowie State University, Jackson State University, California State University Dominguez Hills, Dillard University, the University of the District of Columbia, and Concordia College Alabama. From the Projects to the Presidencies: My Journey to Higher Education Leadership charts Lyons's personal and educational journey, from saving money for college by shining shoes in front of Yale University at fifteen to returning to the same building thirty-seven years later as president of Jackson State. Though his mother never graduated high school, she worked hard to provide opportunities for him. Championing his desire to escape what experts considered one of the worst areas of Connecticut, she helped him dodge pitfalls, change course when necessary, and reach his goal of achieving a successful career in higher education. Throughout his journey, there were as many friends supporting him as there were adversaries attempting to hold him back. He successfully navigated both the positive and negative influences in his life. A Jewish mother took him to college and wrote a personal check for his registration. Yet neighborhood "friends" stole all of his clothes so that he could not return to the university after the Thanksgiving recess. Classmates laughed at him because he could not afford to be on the university meal plan. But a track coach invited him over for dinner whenever he was in the neighborhood. Mistaken for a student by the board chair at one presidential interview, he was later embraced by a different board chair who told him, "We know you did a great job at that university, and we would like you to come and do the same for us." Overcoming his difficult socioeconomic background and the institutional racism that denied educational opportunities to many young Black men, Lyons prevailed despite the odds. His inspiring story illuminates the success and hard work that lead him to dedicate his life to education and bettering the lives of students across the country"--

A celebration of the Magnolia State's exceptional waterways

One writer's odyssey through Louisiana folklore and history as he searches for the true meaning of home

A riveting true story of a Texas murder that captivated a nation and the evangelical voices who fought for Karla Faye Tucker's clemency

A clear-eyed account of white southern womanhood

An inspiring, deeply personal story about a tumultuous period in civil rights history

"In their third and final screen teaming, Judy Garland and Gene Kelly starred together in the MGM musical Summer Stock. Despite its riveting production history, charismatic lead actors, and classic musical moments, the movie has not received the same attention as other musicals from MGM's storied dream factory. In C'mon, Get Happy: The Making of "Summer Stock," authors David Fantle and Tom Johnson present a comprehensive study of this 1950 motion picture, from start to finish and after its release. The production coincided at a critical point in the careers of Kelly and an emotionally spent Garland. Kelly, who starred in An American in Paris just one year later, was at the peak of his abilities. On the other hand, Summer Stock was Garland's final film at MGM, and she gamely completed it despite her own personal struggles. Summer Stock includes Kelly's favorite solo dance routine and Garland's signature number "Get Happy." The authors discuss in rich detail the contributions of the cast (which included Gloria DeHaven, Eddie Bracken, Phil Silvers, and Marjorie Main); the director (Charles Walters); the producer (Joe Pasternak); the script writers (George Wells and Sy Gomberg); the songwriters (which included Harry Warren and Mack Gordon); and top MGM executives (Louis B. Mayer and Dore Schary). The volume features extensive interviews, conducted by the authors, with Kelly, Walters, Warren, and others, who shared their recollections of making the movie. Deeply researched, C'mon, Get Happy reveals the studio system at work during Hollywood's Golden Era. Additionally, the authors have written a special section called "Taking Stock" that buttonholes numerous contemporary dancers, singers, choreographers, musicians, and even Garland impersonators for their take on Summer Stock, its stars, and any enduring legacy they think the film might have. Artists from Mikhail Baryshnikov, Ben Vereen, and Tommy Tune to Garland's and Kelly's daughters, Lorna Luft and Kerry Kelly Novick, respectively, offer their unique perspective on the film and its stars."--

A behind-the-scenes history of Disney's greatest creative legends as told by an industry insider

The first critical exploration of the work of a great comics creator

Interviews with the queer Jamaican-born Canadian speculative fiction writer and editor known for her novels Brown Girl in the Ring, Midnight Robber, The Salt Roads, The New Moon's Arms, The Chaos, and Sister Mine