Inside the Gate
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New Releases
A recap on Columbia College staff and faculty books By jeff branscom
Last year saw two members of the Columbia College family get their work published. Dr. Steve Wiegenstein, associate dean for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies, released Slant of Light, while Dr. Brad Lookingbill, professor of history, authored his third book, The American Military: A Narrative History. Slant of Light, which is Wiegenstein’s debut novel, tells the story of a fictional group of utopians who establish a settlement in southern Missouri during the years before the Civil War. It draws on his academic research involving utopian communes of the 19th century and his upbringing as a fifth-generation Ozarks native. “This novel is close to my heart, as much of it is based in the region where I grew up,” Wiegenstein says. Wiegenstein’s novel received acclaim, as it was named runnerup for the Langum Prize in American Historical Fiction. In its award announcement, the Langum Trust praised the novel as “a lovely book on a neglected border state.” Wiegenstein also received praise from the Southern Literary Review, which described Slant of Light as “an exciting and original take on the history of America becoming America, full of complex characters and rich, realistic dialogue.” Published by Wiley, Lookingbill’s The American Military: A Narrative History explores four centuries of military history, ranging from battles between militias and Native Americans to current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The book also looks at the patterns of military service within the U.S., as well as the broader impact of war on American society. “This book really covers the breadth of my research and teaching, and I’m very excited to see it in print,” Lookingbill says. “I hope that by reading the book, people will gain a deeper understanding of our country’s armed forces and how men and women in uniform have shaped our world.” Columbia College’s incoming president, Dr. Scott Dalrymple, has three English degrees and has published several works of fiction. To find out more, go to 26.