Books on Self-Defense

It is a tremendous shock to find a punch coming toward your face or find yourself immobilized by a bear-hug from behind. This element of surprise serves criminal assailants well, whether they attack men or women. Mental preparation coupled with physical training gives the advantage or edge that avoids, escapes or wins the fight.

If that isn't a good answer to "why do I need to learn self-defense?" I don't know what is.

The above quote came from a new book at MPTC's Fond du Lac campus, Personal Defense for Women by Gila Hayes. This book not only advises you on the use of pepper sprays, Tasers, firearms, and physical defense techniques, but, perhaps more importantly, it provides common-sense practival advice on avoiding conflict in the first place.

Call number: GV 1111.5 .M39 2009


We also have a self-defense book for a more general audience (men, women, and adolescents) at the Beaver Dam campus library. Personal Safety and Self Defence was written by Robert G. Ross, a self defense coach with ten years experience as a police officer. This book will help you improve your personal security, learn essential self defense techniques and learn how to manage dangerous situations.

Call number GV 1111 .R67 2007

Coinflation

It isn't necessarily a political statement to predict that a period of high inflation is coming. The economics behind that prediction are complex and not what I want this post to be about. Instead, my point is that the result of inflation is that the "melt value" of some of our coins is now worth more than the value they are denominated.

Thanks to coinflation.com, the metal value of coins can be tracked on a daily basis. As of today, not only is the 1909-1982 Lincoln head cent worth more melted than it is as a currency, but also the nickels coming out of the mint as I write this are made of metal that is worth 5.57 cents per coin.

But there's more to coinflation. You'll also find similar statistics for the coins of other countries, as well as articles covering coin, currency and inflation news.

Check out Coinflation.com today!

More New Books: Brazilian and Middle Eastern Cuisine

Middle Eastern Cookery, regarded by many as the "seminal work" on its subject and out of print for more than twenty years, was reissued in 2008. A copy of that 2008 edition is now available at Moraine Park Technical College's Fond du Lac campus library. The book's author, Arto der Hartoutunian, believed that the rich culinary tradition of the Middle East is the main source of many of our Western cuisines.

Call number TX 725 .M628 .D47 2008


From the cover flap: Recipes in The Brazilian Table adeptly blend native ingredients, such as manioc, cachaca, pequi, hearts of palm, and dende palm oil, with traditional foods of Portugal, Africa, Japan and the Middle East to create complex tastes that define this area of the world. This book features stunning photos of food as well as Brazil's cultural and natural environments.

Fond du Lac campus library
Call number: TX 716 .B6 R62 2009

The Afghanistan Conflict Monitor is an initiative of the Human Security Report Project at the School for International Studies at British Columbia's Simon Fraser University.

The Monitor provides summaries of academic articles and reports, and links to key documents, publications, organizations, and data about what is going on in Afganistan.

Offbeat Movie Pick: Harold and Maude

Self-discovery is defined as “discovering your own individuality.” That theme, the theme to the movie Harold and Maude, greatly reminds me of a quotation by the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900). “The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it you will be lonely often and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high for the privilege of owning yourself.”

Harold and Maude, originally released in 1971, did not fare well with critics when it first came out, probably because of some disturbing elements i.e. Harold likes to stage mock suicides to gain attention from his distant but controlling mother. The movie did go on to develop a following among college-age students. It is a black comedy that follows a young man’s obsession with death into the arms of a much older, life-affirming woman. Through Harold’s relationship with Maude, he is given the greatest gift, his own individuality.

Music from Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens provides an uplifting score which complements the movie’s soundtrack.

Today, currently it has received an 84% fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes. If you would like to read a few more detailed reviews on this film here are a couple of links that may be of interest.


Here is one from Ross Anthony's Hollywood Report Card.

Here is one from Goat Dog's Movies.

Here is one by John Nesbit in Old School Reviews.

Available at Fond du Lac Campus Library, Call Number: PN 1997.A23 H375 2000

New Book: Exceptional Customer Service

Customers today have more choices and less brand-name loyalty. As a result, cutomer service is more important that ever. If you can give a customer a great experience, they won't forget you.

In this recently updated edition, authors Ford, McNair, and Perry show you how to go from so-so service to what they call "amazing service" (their emphasis). Whether you are management or a frontline employee, this book can help you meet your goals.

Fond du Lac campus library,
Call number HF 5415.5 .F66 2009

More New Books: Ethnic Food

We have more new books for Culinary Arts students - or anybody who is looking for some recipes, looking to improve their kitchen skills, or just looking for some pictures of food to salivate over (don't drool into our new books!). All these books are kept at the Fond du Lac campus library.

Taiwanese food is a balance of flavors say Jade and Muriel Chen, proprietors of a restaurant and authors of
Blue-Eye Dragon: Taiwanese Cooking.


Call number: TX 724.5 .A1 .C54 2008



There's a lot of good food on the multi-cultural island of Singapore. Now we have a book that brings you their beloved local classics as well as less common, but equally delightful, dishes. Singapore Cooking: Fabulous Recipes from Asia's Food Capital by Terry Tan and Christopher Tan boasts well-written and easy-to-follow recipes.

Call number TX 724.5 .S55 T36 2009



One of a small handful of restaurants to get the highest rating from AAA and Mobil, the Kai Restaurant on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona is redefining Native American cuisine. Two of Kai's top chefs put their recipes into The New Native American Cuisine by Marian Betancourt.

Call number: E 98 .F7 B54 2009



Make It Moroccan: Modern Cuisine from the Place Where the Sun Sets is one of those food books from which you can learn a lot about a country. The author, Hassan M'Souli has owned and operated three restaurants specializing in Moroccan cuisine.

Call number: TX 725 .M8 M759 2008