2011-13 Books of the Year announces books and theme, 'Money and Morality'

The University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University are pleased to announce our 2011-13 Books of the Year. This year's theme is "Money and Morality." Together the 2011-13 books capture people in the economic extremes of our society - the rich and the poor. In America where "everything has its price," money and morality define our incomes, lifestyles and personal responsibilities. These Books of the Year help us understand our assumptions, and the role money plays in the decisions each of us make.

"The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine" by Michael Lewis offers an engaging explanation of the inner workings of the financial crisis of 2008 and the people who actually made money from the disaster. This story of the crash of the U.S. financial markets is told with piercing candor, revealing the lives and decisions of those responsible for the crisis, exposing the business climate the decisions were made in and the devastating consequences to unknowing individuals and communities. It challenges us to think about the moral dilemmas associated with "playing the markets."

"The Working Poor: Invisible in America," by David K. Shipler tells of the challenges low-income workers face as they struggle to support themselves and their families. America has developed an economic system with: government programs intended to help the poor but that often create barriers to financial stability; industries built to make money from economically disadvantaged people; and individuals who struggle to make responsible choices with very few resources. Through personal interviews and careful analysis of individual, corporate and governmental responsibilities, Shipler offers insights and recommendations that challenge prevailing beliefs.

The UAA/APU Books of the Year program is a powerful partnership that brings faculty, staff and community members together to understand common themes. The books serve as the catalyst for discussions of larger issues of local and international significance. The UAA/APU Books of the Year has expanded to a 2-year program to allow time to support faculty in incorporating the theme and books into their curriculum, to seek supplemental funding for additional materials and programming and to foster campus and community partnerships in support of discussion and learning.

For more information, contact Christina Gheen at (907) 786-6374, anccw@uaa.alaska.edu or visit the Books of the Year website at www.uaa.alaska.edu/books-of-the-year.