Books and Beyond

Rosemary Keevil, Artsci’77, is the author of The Art of Losing It: A Memoir of Grief and Addiction. When her brother dies of AIDS and her husband dies of cancer in the same year, Rosemary is left on her own with two young daughters and antsy addiction demons dancing in her head. This is the nucleus of The Art of Losing It: a young mother jerking from emergency to emergency as the men in her life drop dead around her; a high-functioning radio show host waging war with her addictions while trying to raise her two little girls who just lost their daddy; and finally, a stint in rehab and sobriety that ushers in a fresh brand of chaos instead of the tranquility her family so desperately needs. 

Robert Popple, Sc’63, has published his fourth book: Born in Huronia: Recollections of a Kid from Penetanguishene. This memoir includes his early childhood in Huronia and highlights from four years at Queen’s in Engineering Physics. His 32-year career in nuclear power at Ontario Hydro included functioning as the corporate spokesperson for five years after the Three Mile Island accident, a mission to Moscow in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident, and a two-year assignment in Romania for startup of a CANDU nuclear power station. Go to robertpopple.com for further information.

Michael Minifie, Com’82, has written his first novel: The Brave Ones. Set in the American West of the 1870s, this adventure/romance novel follows the search for Maggie Brandt, who disappears when her family is attacked by renegade Sioux following the defeat of General Custer at the Little Big Horn. Rescued by a young ranch hand, her sister Emma will not rest easy until she is reunited with Maggie. A sequel is in the works.

Deni Melim, Artsci’93, MEd’14, is co-author of Belonging: A Relationship-Based Approach for Trauma-Informed Education. The call for trauma-informed education is growing as educators and parents increasingly recognize the profound impact trauma has on children’s daily ability to learn in traditional classrooms. This book outlines how Dyadic Developmental Practice can be used as a model for developing the relationships and felt sense of safety children with developmental trauma need. Integrating what is known from attachment theory, intersubjectivity theory, and interpersonal neurobiology, this work helps readers to understand both why children behave in the challenging ways they do and how to invite traumatized children into more successful relationships and learning.

Christopher McCreery, MA’99, PhD’03, has written Government House Halifax: A Place of History and Gathering. The book, which has a foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales, tells the story of this historic building beginning with its construction in 1800 and continuing through its extensive renovations in 2009. Learn about the building’s royal residents, the household staff, and the momentous – and occasionally amusing – events that have transpired within its walls. Dr. McCreery guides readers through the building, including the state room and its hidden secrets, and introduces important works of art held at Government House as part of the Crown Collection. The text is complemented by historical drawings and modern photographs.

Tom Mawhinney, Arts’73, MA’81, PhD’87 (Psychology), has published a choir songbook, We’ll Sing for Pleasure, We’ll Sing to Please. The book contains 15 original songs, 10 with piano accompaniment and five a capella. In addition to being a psychologist, Dr. Mawhinney is a noted folk musician, composer, and choir director. With the help of Professor Stephanie Lind of the Dan School of Drama and Music, Dr. Mawhinney created videos of some of the original songs being performed. You can view them on his Youtube channel.

Ken Cuthbertson, Artsci’74, Law’83 (and former Review editor), is the author of 1945: The Year That Made Modern Canada, which chronicles the events and personalities in a critical year for Canada. The author profiles an eclectic group of Canadians, including eccentric prime minister Mackenzie King, iconic hockey superstar Rocket Richard, business tycoon E. P. Taylor, Soviet defector Igor Gouzenko, the bandits of the Polka Dot Gang, crusading MP Agnes Macphail, and authors Gabrielle Roy and Hugh MacLennan, among many others. The book also covers topics like the Halifax riots, war brides, the birth of Canada’s beloved social safety net, and the remarkable events that sparked the Cold War.

Miller Adams, Artsci’75, who graduated as Sylvia Adams (and who wrote a novel, two poetry collections, and a children’s book under that name), has two new poetry collections, Instructions for Lies and Flowers and Folding Laundry on Judgment Day. Ms. Adams lives in Ottawa, where she leads writing workshops and, as ADAR Press, has published chapbook anthologies by workshop participants. She is a founding member of Ottawa’s Field Stone Poets and has taught writing in Canada and Chile.

Aran MacKinnon, Artsci’88 (PhD, African Studies, University of London) is the author of Nelson Mandela: A Reference Guide to His Life and Works. The work seeks to illuminate the various
dimensions of Mandela’s life from his rural roots to his embrace and eventual leadership of African National Congress, the oldest political liberation organization on the continent. It covers his clandestine work for the liberation struggle, his trial for treason, his long imprisonment, his eventual release, and his triumphant ascent to the presidency of the new South Africa in a fully democratic election. This book is part of a biography series from Rowman & Littlefield Publishers geared to young adults. Dr. MacKinnon is Professor of African History and Chair of the Department of History and Geography at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA. He is the author of The Making of South Africa: Culture and Politics.

Carolyn Allard, Artsci’91(MA, Carleton University; PhD, University of Oregon), has a new book out: Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction Therapy: Treating Guilt and Shame Resulting from Trauma and Moral Injury. This book provides mental health professionals with tools for assessing and treating guilt and shame resulting from trauma and moral injury. Guilt and shame are common features in many of the problems trauma survivors experience including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance use, and suicidality. This book presents Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction Therapy, a brief, transdiagnostic psychotherapy designed to reduce guilt and shame. Dr. Allard is the PhD program director at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University and an associate professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego. She is also the president of the American Psychological Association trauma division (56) for 2020. She would love to hear from other alumni working in trauma psychology: Carolyn.allard@alliant.edu.

Thomas Harrison, Artsci’89, Ed’92, Law’01, PhD’16 (Law), is the co-author, with Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich, of Negotiation and Conflict Resolution in Criminal Practice. Lawyers, Crown counsels,district attorneys, and paralegals are often tasked with managing negotiation and conflict resolution in the courtroom; however, very little theory or literature surrounding this specialization exists. This handbook effectively closes these gaps and extensively discusses theories of negotiation and conflict resolution in criminal practice. Dr. Harrison has taught legal ethics at Queen's; he currently teaches critical thinking and animal law at Durham College.

Bill Glover, Sc’72, is the author of Gold for a Mad Miner. The book is a tribute to the gold-mining town of Kirkland Lake, Ont., (Mr. Glover’s birthplace) on its centennial anniversary. Stories and photos span 100 years of booms and busts, triumphs and tragedies, heroes and villains. The book includes anecdotes from four generations of Glovers who worked in the local mines. Gold for a Mad Miner is Mr. Glover’s fifth book.

Pascal Lé​vesque, PhD’16 (Law), has written Frontline Justice: The Evolution and Reform of Summary Trials in the Canadian Armed Forces (McGill-Queen’s University Press). Compared with its civilian counterpart – which struggles with delays and uncertain results – summary military justice is efficient. From offence until outcome, 90 per cent of cases are dealt with in under 90 days. The other side of the coin is that there is no right to representation by defence counsel, no transcript produced, and no appeal to a judge. Nine times out of ten, individuals are found guilty. For service members, consequences can include fines, reductions in rank, confinement, and sentences of up to 30 days in military jail, sometimes with a criminal conviction.

Addressing important gaps in legal literature, this work sets out to examine summary justice in Canada's military and to advocate for reform. Pascal Lévesque describes the origins, purposes, and features of the summary trial system in the Canadian Armed Forces. He then analyzes the system's benefits and flaws and the challenges it faces in maintaining discipline while respecting the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He determines that troubling aspects of the system, including the fact that lower and higher ranks are dealt with and punished differently, are clear indicators of a need for change. Criticizing current legislation, the book takes into account the latest developments in military law and jurisprudence to make concrete recommendations for an alternative model of military justice.

Brian Lenahan, Com’86, followed up his career in banking with a “left turn” into the field of AI. His latest book is Artificial Intelligence: Transitions – Successfully Prepare for a Career in the World of Artificial Intelligence. This book is recommended for students, people new to the workforce, or those looking to make a career change. Mr. Lenahan’s other books are Digital Coach: Coaching in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence: Foundations for Business Leaders and Consultants. Mr. Lenahan is the CEO of Aquitaine Innovation Advisors. This year, he will also teach a number of courses on artificial intelligence at McMaster University. He will also be a speaker at the 2020 McMaster World Congress.

Learn more about Brian's book

Jennifer McKendry, MA’84(Art History), has a new book out: Architects Working in the Kingston Region 1820–1920. Major players in the region were William Coverdale(Kingston Penitentiary in the 1840s), George Browne(Kingston City Hall in the early 1840s), Power & Son (McIntosh Castle, 1852, and rebuilding St George’s Cathedral in the 1890s), William Newlands (Victoria School, now Goodes Hall, home to Smith School of Business, 1892) and Edward Horsey (Frontenac County Court House, 1856). Architects from Toronto and other areas are included if they designed at least one project in or near Kingston, for example, the contributions to Queen’s University (Ontario Hall, Grant Hall, Kingston Hall) by Symons & Rae around 1900. Also included are a list of selected builders, contractors and craftsmen; architectural pattern books available in Kingston; and a bibliography of Kingston architecture. This work builds upon Dr. McKendry’s other books focusing on buildings of brick and wood in the Kingston area, as well as considering the impact of styles from 19th and 20th centuries.

Mary Jane Edwards, MA’63(English), is the editor of Richard Bentley and the British Empire: Imperial and Colonial Publishing Connections. Richard Bentley was the leading publisher of fiction in three-volume form for much of the 19th century. From 1832 until it was sold to Macmillan in 1898,his London-based firm developed networks to distribute its books throughout the British Empire. It also issued works of fiction and non-fiction about Great Britain’s various colonies in what are now Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and South Africa. Contributors to the volume analyze fundamental aspects of the structure, history, and functioning of the international book trade. They explore the many roles that Bentley played in disseminating information about these far-flung possessions and in helping to develop – and modify – British cultural values in them. Dr. Edwards is the director of the Centre for Editing Early Canadian Texts.