Malaysian author wins Asia's top literary prize

Hong Kong, Mar 14 - Author Tan Twang Eng became the first Malaysian author to win Asia's top literary prize on today for his novel set during the aftermath of the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Tan won the USD 30,000 Man Asian Literary Prize with ÒThe Garden of Evening MistsÓ, beating four other shortlisted books. Literary critic and journalist Maya Jaggi led the judging panel and said Tan's novel Òrevisits the traumatic aftermath of the Japanese occupation of Malaya, and the post-war insurgency against British rule, with stylistic poise and probing intelligenceÓ. ÒThe Garden of Evening Mists,Ó which was also shortlisted for the 2012 Booker prize, follows a young law graduate who discovers the only Japanese garden in Malaya and its secretive owner and creator. ÒThe novel becomes a profound exploration of personal and national honour; guilt and complicity; what it means to atone; and what it takes to forgive,Ó said the judging panel that also included Vietnamese-American novelist Monique Truong and novelist Vikram Chandra. It is the second time the prize has been won by a novel originally written in English. All previous winners, except Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco (2008), won as English translations. Tan, born in 1972 in Penang, worked as lawyer in Kuala Lumpur and also has a first-dan ranking in aikido. His first novel, ÒThe Gift of RainÓ, was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2007. The Asian literary prize, which is looking for a new sponsor with London-based Man Group ending its funding after this edition of the event, began in 2007 and is given to the best novel by an Asian writer, either written in English or translated into English. Last year's winner was South Korean author Kyung-Sook Shin for her novel ÒPlease Look After MomÓ, a story about a family's guilty soul-searching after the disappearance of their elderly mother that has gone on to sell more than two million copies.

Exploring Human Rights Mobilizations in Global Politics

Average people have helped to shape the human rights movement, Jean Quataert says in a new book about the development and impact of rights after World War II. "Advocating Dignity: Human Rights Mobilizations in Global Politics," the latest book by the Binghamton University history professor, was released by the University of Pennsylvania Press.

“One of the book’s major contributions is that it is a global study of the human rights machinery done essentially from the grass roots and through people’s movements,” Quataert said. “I wanted to show what a difference average people make in global politics.”

The book takes the reader from the mid-20th century into the early 21st century, from the emergence of the human rights system in 1945 to the replacement of the United Nations’ Human Rights Commission with the Human Rights Council in 2005. In between, Quataert embarks on an ambitious and thematic journey in which she establishes global contexts for the work of human rights advocates.

Case studies range from the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa to the dissidents of the Soviet Union to advocacy for gender, citizenship and socio-economic rights.

“To me, human rights is not about states taking on human rights,” she said. “It’s about people devising the tools to influence the decision-makers.”

Quataert emphasized a quote from environmentalist/activist Patsy Ruth Oliver that opens the book’s concluding chapter: “So many people don’t think that one person can make a difference. But really, it has to start somewhere, so let it start with me.”

The reader is introduced to heroes who could have easily spoken the words of Oliver. There are Hebe de Bonafini and the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, middle-aged and working-class women who entered the square in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1977 to protest the disappearance of family members during the Argentine government’s Dirty War. The Mothers’ principles and passion eventually made disappearance “a matter of international urgency,” while becoming a “symbol of defiance and truth,” Quataert writes.

There is Gladys Tsolo, a South African activist who not only gave the world details of the nation’s inhumane system, but also discussed gender injustices there. “She was an indispensible part of making the women’s human rights movement truly global, by forcing a different perspective than the Western feminists’ into the global debate,” Quataert writes.

Non-governmental organizations and people’s movements eventually affected decisions made by entities such as the United Nations, Quataert said.

“While not every person and every movement can affect a decision, collectively it is an impressive record,” she said.

Quataert began the book shortly after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
“It was a form of catharsis for me,” she said. “It was a personal thing I felt I needed to do under trying and difficult times.”

Quataert, a pioneer in the field of women’s studies, admits that the book took her outside of her “comfort zone.”

“I thought, ‘Why not take some chances? Why not push the borders of knowledge? Why not see what a new perspective can bring to this subject?’”
The book, which also examines U.N. humanitarian interventions and criminal courts during the 1990s, makes the case that universal accountability is vital for the future of human rights.

“If international law is going to mean anything, you need universal accountability — accountability of the U.S. as a superpower as well as Sudan as a poor country,” she said. “What happens when a state as powerful as the U.S. egregiously breaks the law?”

Quataert, who contributed the various photos on the book’s cover, said it is likely that Advocating Dignity will be released in paperback this fall. She hopes academic readers will appreciate the historian’s perspective that is being brought to the human rights debate and would like lay readers to recognize how complex and important human rights are.

“The hope for human rights is people’s mobilizations,” she said. “You can make a difference. There are many ways to get involved – writing letters, joining organizations, giving money, speaking out. This does make a difference.”

The Miracle of Me: A Memoir

EUGENE, Ore., Feb. 26, 2010 — Living with a brain tumor for over fifteen years, Alice Snow has been at death’s door many times. In spite of the fact that her doctors told her she would not survive, Snow refused to accept their prognosis. Now Alice Snow tells her funny, romantic, and, at times, heartbreaking story in her memoir, “The Miracle of Me” from iUniverse.

Snow held fast to the belief that her life was meant to serve a higher purpose, which was why she didn’t believe that the tumor was going to prematurely end her life. Instead, she focused on her purpose to inspire others to lead their best lives through service, spirituality, and recognition of life’s precious gifts. Snow believes that her faith has been the key to her miraculous survival, and she has taken this unique position to impart a powerful, positive message to her readers in a story that is a mix of “Six Feet Under” and “Eat Pray Love.”

“The Miracle of Me” shares Snow’s journey of growing up in an eccentric family of undertakers, which helped teach the author firsthand about death and its impact on the living. As a young woman, she traveled the world, which included boarding with Dutch nuns and witnessing the crushing poverty of Bolivia. It was these experiences that taught Snow that no oppression, grief or suffering could permanently destroy the human spirit. Eventually, love swept in and a lifelong romance sustained her through tremendous difficulties, including the challenge of facing her own mortality. However, Snow was determined not to let a brain tumor distract her from her personal mission and is still enjoying life to its fullest today, believing she is one of life’s miracles.

About the Author

Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Alice Snow is a former teacher and a certified music practitioner who played harp for the critically ill. The author’s life has been dedicated to selfless service to humanity, and her humanitarian efforts have impacted lives around the globe. Snow currently volunteers for the Eugene Symphony and for the United Methodist Women’s Organization. She resides in Eugene, Oregon, and wishes her story to be a source of hope and inspiration to others. She is available for interview.

“The Miracle of Me”

Available from: http://www.iUniverse.com, http://www.bn.com, and http://www.amazon.com

ISBN: 978-1450201193 - 6 x 9 - Paperback - 236 pages - $18.95

The Journey to Truth : Physical and Spiritual Realities of Our World

RICHLAND, Wash., Feb. 3 - Recognized physicist and successful entrepreneur, George F. Garlick, PhD, reveals what he believes to be new insights into the physical and spiritual realities of our world in his debut book, The Journey to Truth (VMI Publishing, 2009). Part memoir, part scientific primer the book -- released December 2009 -- hit online retailers and book stores this month.


The book chronicles Garlick's personal passion to reconcile what he believes as biblical truths with his own scientific knowledge and credits his success with strong faith. From childhood, Garlick's profound interest in the world around him put him at odds with his family's strong faith beliefs. Captivating readers with frank narrative, Garlick poignantly draws parallels between scriptural references and modern scientific discoveries that until now have yet to be revealed.


His story is one of success and failure, but his profound connection between scientific discoveries -- from the Big Bang to the 5th dimension -- and theology is both overwhelming and humbling. As readers delve into Garlick's story, they can't help but "walk the path" toward a better understanding of the truth that exists about our spiritual and physical existence. According to Garlick, "By using our mind to explore the mysteries of the universe, we can achieve a better understanding of our relationship with God."


In the book, Garlick refers to the "mountain of truth," a metaphor for what he believes to be the relationship between science and faith. The mountain's terrain relates to the scientific and biblical ascent to the truth that Garlick believes exists at the summit and is central to the book. As Garlick himself writes, "To achieve a richer life, we need to keep pursuing, keep climbing the mountain of truth, because all those that seek shall find."


All proceeds from the book will benefit charitable organizations in the Tri-Cities.


George Garlick was born and raised in Frontier County, Nebraska. He earned a doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering and Solid State Physics from Iowa State University. He has received wide recognition for his work in pioneering acoustical holography for medical imaging and other applications.

Like Father Like Daughter? Young Artist Becomes Finalist in Science Fiction Contest Her Father Won 20 Years Ago

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 29 - What are the odds? Two decades after her father won what has since become one of the longest running amateur writing contests worldwide, April Aldridge of Fort Walton Beach, Florida has been named a finalist for its companion, the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future contest.

"She wasn't even born yet when I won," said Ray Aldridge, a winner of the 1986 Writers of the Future Contest for his winning short story.

"The odds are probably 10,000 to 1 that April was even chosen," said Joni Labaqui, Contest Director. "Since entries are anonymous, we have no idea who the artist is when selecting finalists."

What follows will be a month of suspense in the Aldridge household while the final judges cast their votes and the results come in to see if April, like her father, will be named a winner.

"If April wins, she will be our first 'second generation' winner," Labaqui said.

Winning artists will be published in the upcoming L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, an annual anthology that sells in all major book stores.

Judges of the years' finalists include multiple award-winning artists Frank Frazetta, Bob Eggleton, Vincent DiFate, Ron Lindahn, Val Lakey Lindahn, Stephen Hickman, Cliff Nielsen, Stephan Martiniere and Laura Brodian Freas.

www.writersofthefuture.com

Brain Drain: Relationship Between Physical and Mental Health

Brain Drain (ISBN: 0984196307; 978-0984196302) authored by Charles F. Glassman, M.D., FACP, is a powerful new book that teaches people how to break free of their brains' automatic responses through understanding and controlling their mind/body connections.

Brain Drain was patient driven. Five years ago, Dr. Glassman founded the New York Center for Longevity and Wellness - its goal to take a comprehensive approach to medicine and to balance mind/body concepts with conventional medicine. Two years later, he began distributing a weekly, motivational e-mail message to patients and friends; its popularity quickly grew. As a result, he was prompted to turn his practical advice into a book.

The book offers a groundbreaking revelation that provides readers with the necessary tools to stop personal brain drain while helping them to find the things in life that are right for them. It explores many areas that include: how to get out of an unhappy relationship; how to improve overall physical health; how to increase energy; how to break free of bad habits; and much more.

Broken down into 19 chapters and three parts: The Automatic Brain; The Power of Our Mind; and Seven Days to Belief, Brain Drain connects the dots between mind, body, spirit and wellness.

Brain Drain recently won honorable mention at the prestigious New England Book Festival in the non-fiction category. It's 240 pages and available in hard cover for $29.95 on Amazon.com and at: www.CharlesGlassmanMD.com.

About the Author:

Dr. Charles Glassman's internal medicine practice in Pomona, NY emphasizes wellness and prevention. He is patient focused rather than problem focused; and driven to provide health care rather than sick care.

A Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, and the Life Extension Foundation, his approach to medicine is integrative - using traditionally-approved methods while recognizing the power of unconventional therapies. He is consistently voted a "Top Doctor" in Hudson Valley Magazine and New York Metro.

Dr. Glassman has appeared on ABC News, Bloomberg Radio, National Public Radio and The Wall Street Journal Radio. He has had numerous health care articles appear in The New York Times and other publications, and is quickly becoming a leading medical community expert on mind/body/spirit concerning the physician-patient relationship.

He lives in Rockland County, New York with his wife Melanie and their four children (and dog, Ginger).

Children's Books to Share the Gift of Reading Through Annual Season's Readings Campaign

Public Invited to Take Part in Annual Campaign to Provide Books to Children in Need

Verizon Teams With First Book and Random House

NEW YORK, Nov. 25 - Holiday shoppers will have the opportunity to give the gift of reading through the Verizon Foundation's annual Season's Readings campaign.

The public is invited to take part in the campaign, from Nov. 25 through Dec. 31, by logging on to http://www.firstbook.org/verizon and making a donation to First Book, a nonprofit organization that provides new books to children in need by distributing the books through local schools, libraries and other nonprofit children's organizations throughout the country. A contribution of just $2 buys a new book.

For every donation to First Book through the Web site, Random House Children's Books will make a matching donation of new, free books to First Book (up to 300,000 books). Also, the first 300 people who make a $20 donation or more through the Web site will receive a complimentary copy of Dr. Seuss's beloved classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" "Thousands of children miss out on the joy and magic of reading simply because they don't have books," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "This campaign will help bring a smile to the faces of many children throughout the country and give them a gift that will help ensure a brighter future through literacy."

Season's Readings began in 2001 as a Verizon employees' campaign to advance the cause of children's literacy. Since then, more than 2 million children's books have been donated to children across the country.

This year, Verizon employees at hundreds of company locations will participate in the annual giving campaign by donating new or gently used children's books. Items collected at Verizon work locations will be donated to nonprofit and educational organizations in the local area. In addition, donations made through the First Book Web site will result in additional books being made available to schools and children's programs across the country registered with First Book.

"Literacy is the first building block of the strong education needed to help all children reach their full potential," said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston. "We invite everyone to become part of our efforts to get books into the hands of children and help them become lifelong learners."

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000.

First Book is an award-winning nonprofit that provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy - access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 65 million free and low cost books to schools and programs serving children in low-income communities. For more information, please visit www.firstbook.org.

Verizon Communications Inc.headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 89 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 230,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $97 billion.

Random House Children's Books is the world's largest English-language children's trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books and novels, the imprints of Random House Children's Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company's award-winning website, kids@random (www.randomhouse.com/kids) offers an array of materials and activities free of charge for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children's Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

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