Philosopher Maurice Blondel

A biography of French Catholic philosopher Maurice Blondel, authored by Boston College Professor of Philosophy Oliva Blanchette, has been honored with a first place 2011 Catholic Book Award in the category of biography by the Catholic Press Association (CPA) of the US and Canada.  The CPA called Maurice Blondel: A Philosophical Life “the first-ever, finest comprehensive, critical examination of the life and thought of Maurice Blondel. It recounts both his biographical history and philosophy, noting how this committed Catholic and critical philosopher engaged the thinkers of his era and had a tremendous impact on twentieth century theology and philosophy.” Blanchette has been on the BC faculty since 1964 and considers Blondel his “intellectual hero.” More
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After the diagnosis

In the spirit of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BC Bookmarks highlights a book by Ann Murray Paige, a member of the BC Class of 1987 who was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38. Paige is the author of pink tips. breast cancer advice from someone who’s been there. It contains Paige’s best breast cancer advice condensed into 50 top tips to help anyone diagnosed with breast cancer–and all those who want to know how they can help. Paige, who has worked as a local television reporter, brings her trademark storyteller’s eye and humor to her projects, which also include the book Words to Live By: Whatever You’re Up Against, This Book’s for You and the documentary “The Breast Cancer Diaries.”
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Will There Be Faith?

These are enormously challenging times for faith on earth, according to Boston College School of Theology and Ministry Professor Thomas H. Groome, an internationally renowned authority on religious education and author of the new book Will There Be Faith? A New Vision for Educating and Growing Disciples. Groome, a BC faculty member since 1976, draws upon his 35 years as a religious educator, a teacher of religious educators, and a parent to outline a 360-degree total community approach to religious education that emphasizes the shared responsibilities of parents, the parish and the Catholic school or religious education program. Read more in the Boston College Chronicle.
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Building a world-class university

How do you build a world-class research university from scratch? A new book The Road to Academic Excellence: The Making of World-Class Research Universities examines the recent experience of 11 universities in 9 countries on 4 continents that have grappled with the challenges of building successful research institutions under difficult circumstances. The book, co-edited by Boston College Lynch School of Education Monan Professor Philip G. Altbach, will be officially launched at a Washington DC event on Oct. 5.  According to the publisher, this book will be essential reading for governments, tertiary education leaders, employers, and citizens considering reforms and innovations to improve their country’s position in the global scene. The book launch — which will feature Professor Altbach and his co-editor Jamil Salmi, Tertiary Education Coordinator, Human Development Network-Education, World Bank — will take place from 12:30-2:00 pm at the World Bank ‘I’ Building (1850 Eye St. N.W.). Check out the live webcast: www.worldbank.org/education
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The Warmth of Other Suns

Isabel Wilkerson, the first black woman to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize in journalism and the first black American to win for individual reporting, is the author of The Warmth of Other Suns, an epic account of the Great Migration. Wilkerson devoted 15 years to the research and writing of the book and interviewed more than 1,200 people. She will speak on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. in Gasson Hall, room 100, as part of the University’s Lowell Humanities Lecture Series.
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Accidental band geek

There will be a release party Oct. 2 for Notes from an Accidental Band Geek by Erin Dionne, BC Class of 1997. The event, which will feature a book sale, will be held at 2 p.m. in Gasson Hall, room 100. The book, geared for middle school readers, is about thirteen-year-old Elsie Wyatt, a French horn player who must lower her orchestral standards by joining a marching band in order to qualify for the prestigious summer music camp of her dreams. Sponsor: Boston College Arts Council
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Girls in White Dresses

Girls in White Dresses — a new book by Boston College alumna Jennifer Close —  tells the story of a group of twentysomething friends navigating life, careers and relationships, all while attending a slew of weddings and bridal showers. Close has been interviewed about her book by Washington Life Magazine and Canada’s National Post.
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Finding home

In his forthcoming memoir, A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home, alumnus Steve Pemberton (Class of 1989) writes about growing up in a foster home with no knowledge of his biological family. Against all odds, he graduates from BC and becomes a successful corporate executive, marries and has a family. Throughout it, he digs through records and files to find his history, his birth family. Some family members embrace him, but others — in the ultimate disappointment — reject him. It’s a powerful story. Read an excerpt.
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Aftermath

Author T.M. Murphy, a member of the BC Class 0f 1993 best known for his Belltown Mysteries children’s series, has teamed with his brother Seton for the adult novel  The Running Waves. According to the authors, The Running Waves touches upon the themes of unresolved grief, baseball, brotherly relationships and redemption in the story of 19-year-old Colin Brennan who is haunted by the memory of a tragic accident that took the lives of his two best friends. The Murphy brothers released the book on Kindle this month in the hopes it can reach and help young people who may be dealing with the death of a loved one.

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Alan Wolfe faces his critics

The new book Political Evil: What It Is and How to Combat It by acclaimed Boston College political scientist Alan Wolfe is a provocative challenge to widely held beliefs about genocide, intervention and the use of force to combat evil in the world. Wolfe argues that in an age of partisan blame-assigning, therapeutic excuse-making, and theological question-dodging, we need to get serious about the problem of evil once again. He will face critic response from Martha Minow, dean of Harvard Law School and author of two important books on justice, genocide and international justice, and James Traub of New York Times in a panel discussion on Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. in Higgins Hall, room 300. Sponsor: Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life
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