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This recording is presented by Princeton Public Library. The author discusses her book "The Last Human Job" with Princeton faculty member Shamus Khan at this book brunch event.

About the Book (from the publisher):
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and labor-saving technologies like self-checkouts and automated factories, the future of work has never been more uncertain, and even jobs requiring high levels of human interaction are no longer safe. "The Last Human Job" explores the human connections that underlie our work, arguing that what people do for each other in these settings is valuable and worth preserving.

Vividly illustrating how connective labor enriches the lives of individuals and binds our communities together, "The Last Human Job" is a compelling argument for us to recognize, value, and protect humane work in an increasingly automated and disconnected world.

Allison Pugh is professor of sociology and chair of the Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality at the University of Virginia. She is the author of "The Tumbleweed Society: Working and Caring in an Age of Insecurity and Longing" and "Belonging: Parents, Children, and Consumer Culture." Her writing has appeared in leading publications such as The New Yorker, the New York Times, and the New Republic.

Shamus Khan is Willard Thorp professor of sociology and American studies at Princeton University, where he also serves as the Director of Gender & Sexuality Studies. He is the author of over 120 articles, books, and essays, including "Privilege: The Making of an Adolescent Elite at St. Paul’s School," and "Sexual Citizens: Sex, Power, and Assault on Campus" (with Jennifer Hirsch).

Presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This event was recorded on November 3, 2024.

This recording is presented in partnership by Princeton Public Library and Blue Ear Books. The author discusses the updated edition of "Rivonia's Children: Nelson Mandela's White Comrades and Their Legacy," first published in 1999 and republished in 2024, with Andrew Russell.

About the Book (from the publisher):
"Rivonia’s Children" recounts the little-known story of three white, Jewish families and their remarkable struggle alongside Nelson Mandela against apartheid, in the era when South Africa’s white-minority regime descended into a brutal police state. Imprisoned, exiled and in some cases murdered, these activists paid a terrible price for their courage, but their sacrifices helped pave the way for a multi-racial democracy. The new Blue Ear Books edition of Glenn Frankel’s classic account of the cost of freedom is as relevant to today’s struggles for justice and equality as when it was first published a quarter-century ago.

Glenn Frankel worked for many years for "The Washington Post," serving as bureau chief in London, Southern Africa and Jerusalem, where he won the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. He has taught journalism at Stanford University and the University of Texas at Austin, where he directed the School of Journalism. He is the author of five books, has won a National Jewish Book Award, and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. He has been a Motion Picture Academy Film Scholar and a research fellow at the Leon Levy Center for Biography at the City University of New York. "Rivonia’s Children," first published in 1999 and republished in 2024 by Blue Ear Books, was a finalist for the Alan Paton Prize, South Africa’s highest honor for nonfiction.

Andrew Russell was born in Cape Town in 1964, the year Nelson Mandela was sent to Robben Island. He attended Bishops College, completing his schooling in 1982 – the same year Mandela was moved off Robben Island to Pollsmoor Prison. He completed his studies at the University of Cape Town before doing his two years of National Service as was compulsory for all white males at the time. In July 2018 Christo Brand, one of Nelson Mandela’s former prison guards, asked Andrew to become his Business Manager and they set out on an exciting adventure into the unknown to introduce the world to Christo and share his story. Andrew is the editor of the second edition of Christo Brand’s book called "Doing Life with Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend." In October 2023 Andrew published his book, "The Leadership We Need: Lessons for Today from Nelson Mandela." Andrew is a passionate South African, mad keen on sport and the proud dad of two children.

This event was recorded on October 28, 2024.

This recording is presented in partnership by Princeton Public Library, the Historical Society of Princeton, the Princeton Historic Preservation Commission, and the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society. The library and local historical groups discuss various ways to learn about the history of your home, from its foundations to its former residents, using both physical clues and historical records.

This event was recorded on October 22, 2024.

This recording is presented by Princeton Public Library and Princeton University Concerts. Deborah Amos and Dalia Sofer discuss Sofer's novel "The Septembers of Shiraz" in advance of the Feb 12. "Healing with Music" performance featuring Iranian musician Kayhan Kalhor.

Deborah Amos is an award-winning international correspondent for National Public Radio whose reporting on the Middle East and refugees in the U.S. is regularly featured on NPR. Dalia Sofer is the award-winning "The Septembers of Shiraz."

This event was recorded on October 24, 2024.

Radio host and music journalist Ross Amico discusses the role of music in film, sharing personal interactions with some of his favorite film scores and observations on the evolution of movie music. Presented in partnership with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. This event was recorded at the Princeton Public Library on October 8, 2024. Portions of this program have been edited for copyright.

This event is presented in partnership by Princeton Public Library, Princeton Environmental Commission and Sustainable Princeton. Three videos featuring sustainable homes on Princeton’s 2024 Green House Tour will be screened, followed by a panel discussion with the homeowners and several experts in green building.

Learn how your neighbors are creating healthier and more energy-efficient homes and environments with green building practices such as solar panels with energy storage, rain gardens, superior insulation, radiant heating and cooling, additional dwelling units (ADUs), and more!

About the homes:
LEEDin’ on Linden
Built to and awarded LEED-Platinum status (highest-level), this 2013 home was one of the first residences in NJ to achieve that level and was designed by local architect Kirsten Thoft for her family. The primary environmental characteristics of the home are a
39-panel near-optimally sited solar array
Ground-source heat-pump (& loop) commonly referred to as 'geothermal'
High insulation and thoughtful site-design
The result of the design is that the house generates 90-95% of all energy used for heating, cooling & plug-load. Despite being a very advanced green building, it sits contextually within the neighborhood fabric and many might not know that it was new construction.

Bloomin’ on Birch
A recently built modern home that meets the most stringent environmental standards:
Geothermal heating and cooling driven by solar panels, heat-pump water heater, two-layer insulation (cellulose and soy-foam) providing 2x the insulation requirements, Swiss-made FSC-certified tropical hardwood triple-pane windows/doors with custom glazings for solar heat gain/loss on different exposures.
Minimal utilities...sun-powered A/C!
All wood is FSC-certified: cedar siding, solid wood lumber and plywood construction, cumaru sills and deck, hard maple trim, beech flooring, etc.
All coatings are water-based low-VOC.
Custom FSC-certified maple cabinetry.
Every fixture is LED.
Extra measures installed for drainage onsite, elevation + piping & extensive underground dry-well.
Custom steel-work by local sculptor/welder for front-trellis and stairs.
Separate, fully-outfitted apartment perfect for family/rentals.
In-wall large gauge wiring for audiophiles.
Elevated terrace deck with gas, water, electric, and audio.
Open floor plan with well-designed spaces, lofts in all bedrooms, nooks, and storage.
Not a cubic-foot wasted. A responsibly-sized, super-livable green home, lovingly and locally created by architect-couple (Burton & D'Avila) and Pinneo Construction.

SustainAbeLeigh Historic
A whole-house renovation in the Witherspoon-Jackson district. The design employs optimal, sustainable building techniques while remaining sympathetic to the neighborhood’s Historic District designation.
Gas utility disconnect
Air-Source heat pump HVAC systems
Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) system
Induction cook-top
Heat pump hot water heater with ‘home-run’ style hot water supply
Old building product re-purpose (floors and siding).
High insulation values throughout thermal envelope
High usage of native wood species for interior details and decking.
A rain garden and solar array are included in the next phase but will not be completed by the 2024 tour date.