In Iowa’s Changing Wildlife: Three Decades of Gain and Loss (University of Iowa Press), the authors survey 60 species of birds and mammals, providing brief histories of their existence in Iowa, a look at their population fluctuations over time and summaries of their current status, making this book a valuable resource for wildlife enthusiasts and […]
Diane DeBok
Posted inFood & Drink
The ubiquitous ham balls of Iowa
It’s impossible to say when the first ham ball was formed in Iowa or who formed it. Some link ham balls to their Swedish heritage, others to their Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors, but everyone who loves this undeniably Iowa dish would agree it’s reliably present on the buffet table at most every church potluck, funeral luncheon, […]
Posted inBook Reviews
Book Review: ‘The Beckoning World’ by Douglas Bauer
Though the all-star game of July 11 has passed, baseball fans still looking for a summer read might consider Douglas Bauer’s most recent novel: The Beckoning World (University of Iowa Press, 2022). This Iowa-set novel tells the story of Earl Dunham, a protagonist facing a crossroad — to chase the dream of baseball, or to […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
ESPN sportscaster Jesse Rogers to bring ‘The Franchise: Chicago Cubs’ book tour to Iowa City
Jesse Rogers and Bruce Miles want to cut to the heart of what makes the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Cubs. In their new book, The Franchise: Chicago Cubs, the season reporters go beyond well-known narratives to uncover the team’s unique identity. Rogers, an ESPN sportscaster, defined that identity while speaking with Little Village in advance […]
