Chicago Tribune, 10 Best Books of 2024
A Hyperallergic Best Book of the Year

The award-winning art historian and founder of Vision & Justice uncovers a pivotal era in the story of race in the United States when Americans came to ignore the truth about the false foundations of the nation's racial regime.

In a masterpiece of historical detective work, Sarah Lewis exposes one of the most damaging lies in American history. There was a time when Americans were confronted with the fictions shoring up the nation's racial regime and learned to disregard them. The true significance of this hidden history has gone unseen--until now.

The surprising catalyst occurred in the nineteenth century when the Caucasian War--the fight for independence in the Caucasus that coincided with the end of the US Civil War--revealed the instability of the entire regime of racial domination. Images of the Caucasus region and peoples captivated the American public but also showed that the place from which we derive Caucasian for whiteness was not white at all. Cultural and political figures ranging from P. T. Barnum to Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. Du Bois to Woodrow Wilson recognized these fictions and more, exploiting, unmasking, critiquing, or burying them.

To acknowledge the falsehood at the core of racial order proved unthinkable, especially as Jim Crow and segregation took hold. Sight became a form of racial sculpture, vision a knife excising what no longer served the stability of racial hierarchy. That stability was shaped, crucially, by what was left out, what we have been conditioned not to see. Groundbreaking and profoundly resonant, The Unseen Truth shows how visual tactics have long secured our regime of racial hierarchy in spite of its false foundations--and offers a way to begin to dismantle it.

From celebrated art historian, curator, and teacher Sarah Lewis, a fascinating examination of how our most iconic creative endeavors--from innovation to the arts--are not achievements but conversions, corrections after failed attempts.The gift of failure is a riddle: it will always be both the void and the start of infinite possibility. The Rise--part investigation into a psychological mystery, part an argument about creativity and art, and part a soulful celebration of the determination and courage of the human spirit--makes the case that many of the world's greatest achievements have come from understanding the central importance of failure. Written over the course of four years, this exquisite biography of an idea is about the improbable foundations of a creative human endeavor. Each chapter focuses on the inestimable value of often ignored ideas--the power of surrender, how play is essential for innovation, the near win can help propel you on the road to mastery, the importance of grit and creative practice. The Rise shares narratives about figures past and present that range from choreographers, writers, painters, inventors, and entrepreneurs; Frederick Douglass, Samuel F.B. Morse, Diane Arbus, and J.K. Rowling, for example, feature alongside choreographer Paul Taylor, Nobel Prize-winning physicists Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, and Arctic explorer Ben Saunders. With valuable lessons for pedagogy and parenting, for innovation and discovery, and for self-direction and creativity, The Rise gives the old chestnut 'If at first you don't succeed...' a jolt of adrenaline (Elle).

Celia Benge was born in 1888 in the hills of Kentucky when women were expected to tend to the children, take care of the farm, and feed their families. They were not expected to paint or be entrepreneurs. Celia defied that expectation by making room for her ingenuity and creativity which ended up improving the lives of countless young girls in Appalachia. Celia made room for her wings and in doing so, taught countless others to fly, including my dad and myself. For this gift, I am forever grateful.

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a widely recognised process for engaging people in organizational development and change management. Based on conversational practice, it is a particular way of asking questions, fostering relationships and increasing an organization's capacity for collaboration and change. It focuses on building organizations around what works, rather than trying to fix what doesn't, and acknowledges the contribution of individuals in increasing trust and organizational alignment and effectiveness. Appreciative Inquiry for Change Management studies AI in depth, identifying what makes it work and how to implement it to improve performance within the business.

Appreciative Inquiry for Change Management explains the skills, perspectives and approaches needed for successful AI, and demonstrates how a practical conversational approach can be applied to organizational challenges in times of change. Case studies from organizations that have already integrated AI into their change management practice, including Nokia and BP, reveal why the processes are valuable and how to promote, create and generate such conversations in other organizations. Written in jargon-free language, this second edition now includes chapters on how positive psychology can enhance appreciative practice and appreciative coaching, making it an essential resource for anyone looking to implement AI in their organization.

This accessible book draws together key ideas and techniques for applying concepts drawn from positive psychology and strengths-based management in workplace settings. It illuminates the application of various positive psychology approaches in a wide range of different workplace settings and cultures, so most readers will find examples that resonate with their own workplace and its challenges. In a series of concise articles, originally written for her Appreciating Change website, Sarah Lewis shows how any leader, manager, organization or employee can learn from positive and appreciative concepts like playing to strengths, creating a feel-good workplace, building social capital, encouraging positive deviation, leading authentically, creating conditions for change, having courageous conversations and building happy teams. - A unique collection of short, practical, to-the-point articles on the application of positive psychology concepts and principles to business and the workplace - Shows how individual, team and organizational effectiveness can be enhanced by recognising the value of social capital and promoting the wellbeing of staff - Links positive psychology with strengths-based management and appreciative inquiry, and with dialogue-based tools for organizational leadership and change - Topics covered include strengths-based development, creating a positive culture, leadership gratitude, appreciative listening, creating hope, resilience, and flow

Sometimes life doesn't start how it should and for Michael this was the case. Neglect is something that is hard to swallow but understanding that there is a way to cope and to see the world from an unfamiliar perspective can help us understand how we too can carry on through difficult times.
Finding the love of family and understanding the world through imagination and the magic of nature helped Michael. Mo provides that most important of things, friendship, and companionship when things don't always turn out as they should. Mo has been sent to guide Michael through and to let him know that life can be full of love and caring. It's funny how our paths are written and how they turn out. Luckily for Michael, his path will be set by the friendship of Mo the Muskrat and the love of his Grandparents.

Positive Psychology at Work brings the fields of positive psychology and appreciative inquiry together for the first time to provide leaders and change agents with a powerful new approach to achieving organizational excellence.

• Draws together positive psychology and appreciative inquiry in the context of leadership organizational challenges for the first time
• Presents academically rigorous and referenced material in a jargon-free, accessible manner
• Arranged with chapters focused on specific organizational challenges to allow readers to quickly find ideas relevant to their unique situation
• Features short contributions from experienced practitioners of positive psychology and Appreciative Inquiry, and includes case studies from the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is one of the most exciting and increasingly recognized concepts in facilitating organizational change. This book studies AI in depth, illustrating the method of asking particular questions and envisioning the future, encouraging staff to consider both the positive and negative systems in place and to recognize the need to implement change. It demonstrates how AI can be practically applied through positive psychology, understanding various perspectives and trialling tested approaches to create change through conversation. Case studies from organizations that have already integrated conversational methods into their change management practice show the value and effectiveness of the processes and how to promote, create and generate such conversations yourself. Written in jargon-free language, this is an excellent resource for you to discover the benefits that conversational techniques can bring to your organization and its performance. Appreciative Inquiry for Change Management explains the theory and practice of AI, World Cafe, Open Space and other conversational approaches for facilitating organizational development (OD).

Essays and interviews explore the work of Carrie Mae Weems and its place in the history of photography, African American art, and contemporary art.

In this October Files volume, essays and interviews explore the work of the influential American artist Carrie Mae Weems--her invention and originality, the formal dimensions of her practice, and her importance to the history of photography and contemporary art. Since the 1980s, Weems (b. 1953) has challenged the status of the black female body within the complex social fabric of American society. Her photographic work, film, and performance investigate spaces that range from the American kitchen table to the nineteenth-century world of historically black Hampton University to the ancient landscapes of Rome.

These texts consider the underpinnings of photographic history in Weems's work, focusing on such early works as The Kitchen Table series; Weems's engagement with photographic archives, historical spaces, and the conceptual legacy of art history; and the relationship between her work and its institutional venues. The book makes clear not only the importance of Weems's work but also the necessity for an expanded set of concerns in contemporary art--one in which race does not restrict a discussion of aesthetics, as it has in the past, robbing black artists of a full consideration of their work.

Contributors

Dawoud Bey, Jennifer Blessing, Kimberly Juanita Brown, Huey Copeland, Erina Duganne, Kimberly Drew, Coco Fusco, Thelma Golden, Katori Hall, Robin Kelsey, Thomas J. Lax, Sarah Lewis, Jeremy McCarter, Yxta Maya Murray, Jos Rivera, Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, Salamishah Tillet, Deborah Willis

Celia Benge was born in 1888 in the hills of Kentucky when women were expected to tend to the children, take care of the farm, and feed their families. They were not expected to paint or be entrepreneurs. Celia defied that expectation by making room for her ingenuity and creativity which ended up improving the lives of countless young girls in Appalachia. Celia made room for her wings and in doing so, taught countless others to fly, including my dad and myself. For this gift, I am forever grateful.

As the My 80s radio show celebrates its first anniversary at Mad Wasp Radio, we take a look back at our past year on the station with a sting in its tail. Including track lists from all the shows, My 80s Fun & Facts details regular features Back On Track, Word Up, and Favourite Five, in which guests from the world of music and entertainment choose their best-loved songs from the decade. Our Choon scripts, crosswords, puzzles and quizzes all add to this delightful book's celebration of music, memories and popular culture.

A must read for all those who remember and loved the music on the airwaves during the Eighties, the golden age of radio for many.

Following on from its hugely successful predecessor, The 80s Annual Vol. II offers more fun and photos, news and nostalgia, interviews and insights with some of the decade's favourite faces. Featuring interviews with Jason Donovan, Nik Kershaw, Soft Cell's David Ball, Cutting Crew's Nick van Eede, and Brian Nash from Frankie Goes To Hollywood, the annual includes crosswords, puzzles, and quizzes such as Lyrically Challenged, Quizzing Times and Pop Quiz. Your 80's problems are solved in the agony aunt pages Dear Prudence, excerpts from Jamie Days' Diaries reveal what it was like growing up in the era, a special length feature on Radio 1 takes a look at the station as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, and there are interviews with Bucks Fizz, Johnny Logan and Bardo's Sally-Ann Triplett in the Eurovision special.

In full-colour and packed with photographs, The 80s Annual Vol. II is a great read for every adult 80's child. Returning to the 80s has never been so much fun

The relationship between offender and criminal justice practitioner has shifted throughout rehabilitative history, whether situated within psychological interventions, prison or probation. This relationship has evolved and adapted over time, but interpersonal processes remain central to offender work. However, little work has critically focused upon the challenging task of developing and sustaining positive relationships with offenders.

This book addresses this gap, providing an in-depth exploration of the processes which underpin correctional relationships within probation. Through an innovative methodology, it examines how practitioners can enhance their practice by understanding how relationships form, deepen and end effectively. For the first time, it draws on the experiences of offenders and practitioners to uncover the darker side to relationships, identifying how they can rupture and break down. From this exploration, it presents alternative ways in which relationships can be repaired and safeguarded within correctional practice. In essence, this book assists practitioners in becoming successful supporters of change.

In an increasingly competitive and politicised climate, this book outlines how political and organisational tensions can impact upon the flow of relationships across the criminal justice system. Uniquely, this book examines how these tensions can be overcome to produce transformative changes. Lewis suggests that therapeutic correctional relationships can thrive within a number of correctional settings and presents the core principles of relational practice and dynamic model of therapeutic correctional relationships to assist in achieving quality and sustainable practice. This book will appeal to criminological and psychological scholars as well as students studying probation and prison practice, offender rehabilitation and desistance.

Positive Psychology and Change explores how areas of positive psychology such as strengths, flow, and psychological capital can be applied to the everyday challenges of leading a dynamic and adaptive work community, and how collaborative group approaches to transformational change can be combined with a positive mindset to maintain optimism and motivation in an unpredictable working environment.

• Articulates a unique vision for organizational leadership in the 21st century that combines positive psychology, Appreciative Inquiry (AI), and collaborative group technologies
• Focuses on four specific co-creative approaches (Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space, World Caf and SimuReal) and the ways in which they surpass traditional methods for organizational change
• Explains the latest theory, research, and practice, and translates it into concrete, actionable ideas for meeting the day-to-day challenges of effective and adaptive leadership and management
• Includes learning features such as boxed text, short case studies, stories, and cartoons

The relationship between offender and criminal justice practitioner has shifted throughout rehabilitative history, whether situated within psychological interventions, prison or probation. This relationship has evolved and adapted over time, but interpersonal processes remain central to offender work. However, little work has critically focused upon the challenging task of developing and sustaining positive relationships with offenders.

This book addresses this gap, providing an in-depth exploration of the processes which underpin correctional relationships within probation. Through an innovative methodology, it examines how practitioners can enhance their practice by understanding how relationships form, deepen and end effectively. For the first time, it draws on the experiences of offenders and practitioners to uncover the darker side to relationships, identifying how they can rupture and break down. From this exploration, it presents alternative ways in which relationships can be repaired and safeguarded within correctional practice. In essence, this book assists practitioners in becoming successful supporters of change.

In an increasingly competitive and politicised climate, this book outlines how political and organisational tensions can impact upon the flow of relationships across the criminal justice system. Uniquely, this book examines how these tensions can be overcome to produce transformative changes. Lewis suggests that therapeutic correctional relationships can thrive within a number of correctional settings and presents the core principles of relational practice and dynamic model of therapeutic correctional relationships to assist in achieving quality and sustainable practice. This book will appeal to criminological and psychological scholars as well as students studying probation and prison practice, offender rehabilitation and desistance.

Equips leaders with a revolutionary approach to achieving positive organizational change

Practical Appreciative Inquiry: A Toolkit for Applying Appreciative Inquiry to Organisational Challenges, Opportunities, and Aspirations helps experienced practitioners and newcomers alike harness the versatility and flexibility of appreciative inquiry to improve any organization. An invaluable how to guide, it contains a wealth of ideas and activities that readers can use to put appreciative inquiry into practice in many different organisational scenarios. It demonstrates how to achieve change while fostering positive relationships, promoting collective learning, and utilizing the best features of the organization's culture to make rapid improvements.

Sarah Lewis, a specialist organizational consultant and facilitator, provides step-by-step advice for developing the leadership mindset required for practising appreciative leadership, building resilience within an organization, motivating performance, boosting team creativity, supporting planned change processes, and much more.

Covering all key aspects of appreciative inquiry from a practice-oriented perspective, Practical Appreciative Inquiry:

• Guides readers on applying appreciative inquiry theory in a wide range of real-world management scenarios
• Integrates numerous case studies and examples of appreciative inquiry in action, including many from the author's own practice
• Introduces the 5D model of appreciative inquiry and the SOAR model of strategy development
• Explains how to develop, deliver, and follow up an appreciative inquiry event, summit, and commission
• Discusses appreciative inquiry approaches to specific organizational issues, such as fostering team member diversity, reducing silo mentality, virtual working challenges, and health interventions
• Contains learning points, discussion questions, additional readings, teaching exercises, and links to online resources in each chapter

Practical Appreciative Inquiry: A Toolkit for Applying Appreciative Inquiry to Organisational Challenges, Opportunities, and Aspirations is a must-read for all leaders, managers, and team members wanting to improve their organization, as well as consultants and organizational development experts interested in using appreciative inquiry in their practice.

Rachel is a young Amish woman who is determined not to become like her parents who married each other out of obligation rather than love. She has a crush on a young man in town and she thinks he feels the same way until he inexplicably announces that he is to marry one of her rivals. As if that wasn't an insult enough, the bishop wants her to plan the wedding! Will the two realize they are meant for each other before it is too late?

Contemporary work by artists of color from the Center for Photography at Woodstock.

Race, Love, and Labor includes work by twenty artists, including LaToya Ruby Frazier, William Cordova, Deana Lawson, Tommy Kha, Tim Portlock, Endia Beal, and others, who have participated in a unique residency program for artists of color at the Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW), New York. Culling from CPW's collection, Lewis selected photographs, artist books, and video by artists who understand the needs of labor in the fullest sense of the word: a means through which we birth ourselves anew. The catalogue includes a curatorial statement by Sarah Lewis, a history of the Woodstock Artist-in Residency program by CPW director Ariel Shanberg, and an overview of the twenty year collaboration of CPW and the Samuel Dorsky Museum at SUNY New Paltz by Dorsky director Sara J. Pasti.

We are all familiar with the school bully. This short story introduces us to a boy named William who causes havoc wherever he goes. His classmates have had enough of his bad behaviour but what can they do? Will William ever change? After the class is assigned a letter writing task. William begins to receive some strange letters in the mail. How will he react?