From its origins in the Midwest in the early nineteenth century, the technique of light timber framing—also known at the time as “Chicago construction”—quickly came to underwrite the territorial and ideological expansion of the United States. Softwood construction was inherently practical, as its materials were readily available and required little skill to assemble. The result was a built environment that erased typological and class distinctions: no amount of money can buy you a better 2 x 4. This fundamental sameness paradoxically underlies the American culture of individuality, unifying all superficial differences. It has been both a cause and effect of the country’s high regard for novelty, in contrast with the stability that is often assumed to be essential to architecture. American Framing is a visual and textual exploration of the social, environmental, and architectural conditions and consequences of this ubiquitous form of construction. For architecture, it offers a story of an American project that is bored with tradition, eager to choose economy over technical skill, and accepting of a relaxed idea of craft in the pursuit of something useful and new—the forming of an architecture that enables architecture.

While some laud Ronald Reagan as the president who won the Cold War, restored morale, and encouraged economic growth, others criticize him for record national debt and label him as a detached chief executive. Since he left office in 1989, both scholars and the public have intensely debated what the Reagan years meant for the United States and the world. In this important new volume, editors Paul Kengor and Peter Schweizer bring together original essays from leading scholars who examine topics as varied as Iran Contra, abortion, the Cold War, governmental management, and economic policy. Through critical analysis, these essays seek a better understanding of Ronald Reagan, his policies, and his lasting legacy. This balanced and accessible book is ideal for everyone interested in the American presidency, American Government, and U.S. political theory.

In an age of online education and educational philosophies like "flipping the classroom," does the lecture have any role in today's university? Drawing from the humanities and social sciences and from a range of different types of schools, The College Lecture Today makes the affirmative case for the lecture in the humanities and social and political sciences. These essays explore how to lecture without sacrificing theoretical knowledge.

Kelley Paul, wife of Senator Rand Paul, celebrates lifelong friendships in a beautifully illustrated book about the female bond. When Kelley Paul arrived on the Rhodes College campus in 1981, she immediately bonded with six women. Three decades of intimate friendship later, Kelley celebrates these relationships and the women who inspired them all. The extraordinary lives of Kelley's and her friends' role models--from the Southern matriarch to the poor Irish immigrant--are chronicled in this lovely book which offers oral history along with classic poetry, art, and photography. Throughout, Kelley explores the universal themes of hardship, determination, commitment, family, independence, optimism, friendship and love--and illuminates the power of the female bond that enriches all our lives.

This volume brings together contributions from world renowned researchers on molecular nonlinear optics. It takes as its impetus work done over the last five years in which newly developed optoelectronic devices havedeepened our understanding of the fundamental physics and chemistry underlying these materials. Organic materials involving thin films, polymers, and resulting devices will be emphasized.