The Dynamic and Volatile World of Commercial Fishing
The Dynamic and Volatile World of Commercial Fishing
It is said that George Moskovita bought, repaired, traded, and sank more boats than most fishermen would work on in a lifetime. Moskovita spent his adult life out on the Pacific Ocean. When he first started fishing at the age of 16, he thought to himself, “Boy, this is not for me!” but he couldn’t have been more wrong. “But of course it was for me!” he later said. There is nothing like being out on the open ocean, surrendering yourself to the dangers of the waves and witnessing the beauty around you.
Calling all citizen scientists!
“ … the power of citizen science is not going to be kept in a tidy box. The potential of citizen science will still surprise us.”
-Sharman Apt Russell
Power and surprise: two intriguing elements of any person’s life. There are reasons why people revel in the unexpected and yearn for power; such heady feelings offer welcome interruptions to the repetition of daily life. And according to OSU Press author Sharman Apt Russell, the field of citizen science offers both.
A synthesis of culture and history
Cultural traditions and customs permeate nearly every aspect of our lives. Whether at 
home, in the workplace, or parked in front of the television, we all prescribe in some way to the social guidelines and expectations tied to our cultural identities. But what does “culture” mean and where does it originate? Dr. Melinda Jetté, associate professor of history at Franklin Pierce University, tackles this complex issue in her latest book, At the Hearth of the Crossed Races: A French-Indian Community in Nineteenth-Century Oregon, 1812-1859.
Yearning for a utopia
Utopia (n.): a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions.
The definition of utopia itself is simple to comprehend. It’s the description of a perfect place to live, a locality where everyone coexists and acts in pursuit of collective security and benefit. It’s a worthy goal to strive for, something we as humans would all arguably enjoy. Yet no such utopia has ever existed for an extended period of time. Why? Because the implementation of such an idea is far from effortless.
Find a field guide
Summer is nigh upon us, and do you know what that means? It’s time to hike—and walk, and run, and bike, and paddle—your way through the beautiful Pacific Northwest! But before you embark on any adventures, browse the books below to see which field guides and handbooks might serve as helpful companions.
By Tim Palmer 
Our most popular field guide profiles 120 Oregon rivers, offering a bevy of color photographs, history, and tips for all manner of outdoor enthusiasts. Described by WaterWatch of Oregon Executive Director John Devoe as “an essential tool for anyone who paddles, fishes, explores, and wants to understand the natural history of our rivers,” Palmer’s work serves as an unprecedented reference for Oregonians and visitors alike.
Monroe Sweetland: A lingering force in Oregon politics
Citizens and the media regularly subject American politicians’ lives to public scrutiny. We hear about scandals. We hear about philanthropic visits and awards. We hear about financial troubles and financial successes. Yet rarely do we receive a holistic portrait of such political leaders, one that covers their lives unflinchingly and honestly, yet with tact. Author and historian William G. Robbins manages to do just that. He joins us today to discuss the impetus behind his latest work, A Man for All Seasons: Monroe Sweetland and the Liberal Paradox.
Former governor, OSU Press author to serve as Rose Festival marshal
History may be made in a variety of ways. But when Oregon’s only two female governors join forces, it’s bound to be memorable.
Former governor Barbara Roberts, who held the seat from 1991 – 1995, will join current Governor Kate Brown in leading the 2015 Portland Rose Festival’s Grand Floral Parade. The two politicians have been named grand marshals and will march at the forefront of the parade, scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 6.
Seeking better
How does one define “better”? It’s a question redolent of philosophy, but one that applies to nearly every aspect of our lives. In her forthcoming book, Building a Better Nest, Evelyn Searle Hess tackles this all-encompassing question. Hess joins us today to discuss the very essence of her work and share what we as a global community may do to live fulfilled, harmonious lives.
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A land of milk and honey
Some books must be read more than once. Some books appeal to multiple generations. And some books fit into both categories. Historian Richard W. Etulain joins us today to discuss the powerful prose of one of Oregon’s greatest literary legacies.
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Ask an Oregonian to identify the only novelist from the state to win a Pulitzer Prize. The frequent—and wrong—answers are Ken Kesey, Ursula LeGuin, or, for the younger set, Chuck Palahniuk.
Chasing utopia
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: words that promise the potential of personal agency and bliss. It’s human nature to search for the fulfillment of such a promise, yet individuals chase after it in a multitude of ways. Author Margaret Grundstein visits us today to talk about her own search for happiness, chronicled in recently-released Naked in the Woods.
Grundstein’s memoir follows her journey from college student to utopian resident and beyond, capturing the reader’s heart along the way with the raw emotion and frank contemplation so characteristic of her writing. So, did Grundstein ever find that contentment? Are happy endings possible in the chaos that is life? I think we’ll let her post speak for her …