ASU Authors
The ASU Authors collection features publications by ASU faculty and other academic personnel, supporting curricula and highlighting research and creative works.
Browse selections written or edited by Arizona State University faculty, staff, alumni and students online at Sun Devil Shelf Life.
David William Foster Collection
David William Foster (1940-2020) was born in Seattle, Washington. From 1958 to 1964, he attended the University of Washington, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, a Master of Arts in Spanish and romance linguistics, and a doctoral degree in romance languages and literature. In 1991, Arizona State University appointed Foster as Regents’ Professor of Spanish and Women and Gender Studies. Foster’s publications examine the theater, violence, masculinity, gender, and sexuality in Argentina and Brazil. Foster was a pioneer in gender studies during the 1980s and 1990s, and his approach led to the development of new undergraduate courses at ASU. Foster’s advocacy for the Spanish language included popularizing Latin-American literature through translations of Néstor Perlongher, José Pablo Feinmann, Lucía Puenzo, and Ana María Shua, among others. He also wrote extensively on Argentine literature and theater. Gathered here are works by Foster along with a variety of works demonstrating Foster’s transdisciplinary impact. Foster’s works are cited widely by scholars working on subjects such as the evolution of languages, gender studies, LGBTQ studies, medicine and the body, urban studies, and photography.
Scholars Enclave
Includes multivolume works required for academic research that are most useful when consulted in print formats.
Agave
Collecting Collections
To a library, the word ‘collections’ describes the many, many books on our shelves and the process that goes into selecting them. Outside of libraries, however, it may describe the interesting objects that people collect as a hobby. Comic books, rubber ducks, postcards, and snowglobes are just some of the things that we treasure. This book display features books about the unique and sometimes bizarre things that people collect — from Star Wars action figures to Beanie Babies. It also highlights the collections of several art and history museums to show how this hobby can also be a career. Both in libraries and out of libraries, we hope that visitors will be able to engage with this topic to reflect on their own collecting practices.
Graphic Novels
Graphic novels and comic books use illustrations, panels, and speech bubbles to tell a story. They can cover a number of genres from fantasy to superhero fiction, from memoir to mystery. Pictures and cartoons tend to be more prominent than text, creating a truly visual reading experience appropriate for both younger and more mature audiences. Through illustrative panels and speech bubbles, graphic novels also provide visual representations of historical events and figures, cultures, and other educational topics. These materials address the history and role of comics, graphic novels, and cartoons in both the classroom and society.
Library of America
The multi-genre works in this section represent a canonical collection of American textual traditions, as curated by the nonprofit publisher Library of America. This historic publishing project, started in 1982, was inspired by the Pleiades Library in France (1930s) and had a similar goal: to create definitive, scholar-annotated versions of the literary canon, including classic novels and poetry, significant memoirs and journalistic works, and masterly crime and science fiction.
Library of Liberty
Library of Liberty books, published by the private, independent foundation Liberty Fund, focus on libertarian political philosophy. The books in this collection highlight concepts related to individual liberty, such as free markets, freedom of speech, and limited constitutional government, and include classical and current writings on free market economics.
Chuparosa
Black Sparrow
Black Sparrow Press, founded in 1966, features the works of literary changemakers such as Charles Bukowski and Diane Wakoski. Through its numerous unique and intricately-designed cover art in different colors, textures, and typographies, this selection of books fosters an appreciation for the art of printmaking and innovative literature. Almost all of the colorful and rhythmic cover designs found on these books were the work of artist Barbara Martin and are still an inspiration to contemporary book designers and publishers.
Hyphen
The books in this collection open a window into the cultural diversity of hyphenated Americans, spanning multiple dimensions of ethnic, linguistic, racial, ancestral, gender, religious, and migrant identities. Living in the "in-between" — amongst these simultaneous selves rather than exclusively committing to any of them — is explored in Pardis Mahdavi's book, "Hyphen," through personal journeys and reflections on the political history of this tiny but mighty typographic mark. This collection is inspired by Mahdavi's quest for the genuine identity of hyphenated Americans and her call to "embrace the hyphen" as a cultural bridge.
What is a Book?
What makes a book a book? When you think of a physical book, what shape does it have? We each have our own expectations of what a physical book should look like and how it should be used. Whether we recognize it or not, books have a material nature that influences how we interact with them. The values we assign to books — utilitarian, sentimental, monetary or historic — vary widely among people, between cultures and throughout one's lifetime. Take a moment to browse these books. We invite you to challenge your expectations of what a book is — its uses, meanings and forms.
Saguaro
BIPOC Playwrights
The BIPOC Playwrights Collection is dedicated to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) playwrights of the 20th and 21st centuries, whose works are in English or with English translations widely available. The collection is intended to serve as a resource for the performing arts community at ASU and to amplify the work of historically marginalized artists. There was an identified gap in our collection holdings, particularly for audition resources that authentically represent our BIPOC students. We aim to disrupt the pattern of white actors and narratives being centered onstage. This collection is a testament to the rich, powerful storytelling amongst BIPOC playwrights. We will continue to update the collection to make visible the intersectionality of race, identity, and nationality of these playwrights.
This particular project is inspired by the upcoming production of Detroit ‘67 directed by ASU graduate student and MFA candidate in Directing, Crestencia (CeCe) Ortiz-Barnett, at ASU. Alongside ASU faculty member Rachel Finley, Associate Professor in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre (MDT), CeCe Ortiz-Barnett (‘24), ASU Performing Arts Librarian, Caelin Ross collaborated to create original play list and for people interested in learning more about this topic.
This collection is dedicated to the ASU students, faculty and artists whose stories deserve to be uplifted, both on and offstage. To support our theatre community, please visit: https://musicdancetheatre.asu.edu/events
Handmade Bindings
This collection of books showcases what the "average book" looks like prior to the invention of new bookbinding technologies in the 19th and 20th centuries. Every book was made by hand because there wasn't any other option! Technically, each book is unique (even if the text inside isn't) because each is a work done one-at-a-time.
Publisher’s Bindings
This collection of books features decorative publisher's bindings from the mid-19th to the early 20th century that serve as great examples of early book design.
Verso Publishing
The independent publisher Verso Books specializes in progressive politics. Its long book list, published since the 1970s, has contributed to the development of several academic fields in the humanities and social sciences, such as cultural studies, literary theory, historical sociology, history of slavery, economic theory, and social and political theory. Verso Books is known for translating works of prominent European intellectuals, most notably from the Frankfurt School of thought, and issuing definitive works on whiteness studies, Latinx/ Latine history and culture, Black politics, and feminist analysis.
Virago Publishing
Virago is a British publisher that has applied itself to women writers and feminist theory since the 1970s. Its long list includes both original and previously-published works by notable and marginalized authors, in genres ranging from poetry and fiction to memoir and theoretical writings. Virago gives voice to writers of underrepresented genders, too. This collection features a sample of Virago books.
Yucca
Asian Stories
This idea started with our now former student archivist Myra Khan reaching out to Community-Driven Archives (CDA) Initiative leaders, Nancy Godoy and Jessica Salow, stating she wanted to support her community after the increase in Asian and Asian American violence in March of 2021. Here is a snippet of the email Myra sent to Nancy and Jessica on March 18, 2021: "I would be interested in compiling a list of diverse Asian stories to put together a book display at Hayden to celebrate Asian-Americans in light of the growing violence against us. These books would vary from fiction to non-fiction, historical to contemporary, serious to light-hearted, and more but would center Asian-American voices. I hope something like this would help to not only make Asian ASU students feel more welcomed and supported but to also help educate non-Asian students who may wish to learn more." Myra worked with the Asian and Asian American community through CDA social media by creating an Instagram poll, as well as reviewing Asian-American book club lists, and her own personal contacts to curate this list. This list contains Fiction and Non-Fiction titles that highlight the diversity within the Asian and Asian American community. As Myra stated, we hope this book display will help Asian students at Arizona State University (ASU) to feel like they belong and are supported by the ASU Community, including the ASU Library. Additionally, we hope this display will also provide support to non-Asian and Asian American students who would like to learn how to support our Asian and Asian American students here at ASU.
At Home with the Aztecs
Through archaeological excavations and personal experience, Dr. Michael E. Smith provides insight into the daily lives of people living in ancient Aztec societies. Written in a lively, accessible style, "At Home with the Aztecs: An Archaeologist Uncovers Their Daily Life" focuses on the domestic activities, food, clothing, and architecture that led to successful and sustainable communities. This book is the winner of the Society of American Archaeology 2017 Popular Book Award. All books, articles, and maps included in this collection were used to research and write this book.
Cultural Expressions of Grief and Death
Encountering death and experiencing grief is universal, and responses to these experiences can be deeply informed by one’s cultural context. Developing an understanding of these cultural differences allows us to respond to grief with more empathy and compassion. Curated in collaboration with Professor Kelly J. Knudson from the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, this collection draws from the disciplines of anthropology, sociology and psychology to provide an introductory cross-cultural exploration of expressions of death and grief.
Herbert Marcuse
Herbert Marcuse (1989-1979) was one of the most influential philosophers and social and political theorists of the 20th century. A prominent member of the Institute for Social Research (the Frankhurt School), Marcuse emigrated to the United States in 1934 as the Nazis ascended to power and the threat of anti-Semitism spread. He became professor of political theory at Columbia before taking positions at Harvard, Brandeis, and finally the University of California, San Diego. ASU offers courses across disciplines that recognize Herbert Marcuse's contributions, and hosted the International Herbert Marcuse Conference in October 2021. We encourage you to explore Marcuse's thought and impact he has had through the works in this collections.
Southwest Before the United States
What do you know about the Southwest before it became part of the United States of America? Most of the knowledge held by the cultures that lived there, including the Pimería Alta, was not written down in books. The records we do have are primarily written accounts from missionaries and other Western explorers. Comparing maps, engravings, paintings, and writings of the past to modern maps, photos, and documentaries, helps us to expand our understanding of this time and place. How did outsiders record their perceptions of the Pimería Alta peoples already living in the area? Could you find locations today following their maps and descriptions? Dr. Juan Gil-Osle, Associate Professor of Spanish has extensively researched and written about the Southwest, and guided the development of the “Southwest Before the United States Collection.” Many of the works he has consulted for his research are included in this rich group of writings. The collection was co-curated by ASU librarians and Dr. Gil-Osle in support of the ENG/SGS/SLC/SPA 194 course.
That's What They Used to Say
Dr. Donald Fixico describes cultural and historical importance that storytelling has for American Indian communities. Oral traditions are passed down from generation to generation, connecting the living to the past. In his book, "That's What They Used to Say" Reflections on American Indian Oral Traditions, Dr. Fixico shares creation myths, ghost stories, old legends, and prophecy to show how Native communities create and preserve meaningful traditions. Explore the books, articles, oral histories, and speeches used to research and write this book.
Unrequited Toil
Dr. Calvin Schermerhorn has consulted numerous texts and archival materials to provide a narrative account of slavery in the United States. Unrequited Toil: A History of United States Slavery examines the impact that slavery had on the American economy and slavery's lasting effects on African American culture. Included in this collection are the many books used to research this account as well as reproductions of local newspapers, bills of sale, and other primary sources that Dr. Schermerhorn consulted.
Unsung Heroes
Over the course of Humanities Week 2022, the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies is celebrating unsung heroes: extraordinary people whose actions created changes within their communities and around the world. These selected works aim to acknowledge those who have often been left out of the widely-known narratives of their times. Discover how studying the humanities can lead to a fulfilling life and a more just world by picking up one of the books in the collection, or by attending one of the many events during Humanities Week.
Untold Stories
The books in this collection are comprised of individuals who have shared their testimonios, or testimonials, and encourages students to share and preserve their own stories. Books included were selected by ASU Library student employees and cover many different backgrounds, cultures, and storytelling techniques of lived experiences promoting critical thinking about representation and identity. This project is supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Virtues of Exit
What drives a person to resign from a position of power? What are the moral implications of withdrawing from a political office that is high-status or very influential? Dr. Jennet Kirkpatrick uses books and journal articles, among other sources, to answer these questions and shares findings in her book, The Virtues of Exit: On Resistance and Quitting Politics. This collection features materials that informed both the research and writing of this book.