Math Power book -- get 'em before they're gone!

[jenn_unplugged]

Pat Kenschaft, a mathematician retired from Montclair State University, wrote a book for parents called Math Power: How to Help Your Child Love Math Even If You Don't. It's about to go out of print, despite being well-received in the mathematical community. Pat wants to get as many copies of it out in the world as possible and is organizing one last order with her publisher.

Here is Pat's email:

"Math Power: How to Help Your Child Love Math Even If You Don't," the only
book by a mathematician written for parents of children aged 1-10, is about
to go out of print for the second time. Both times the publisher sold its
trade books to another publisher just as it was published, so none of the
four publishers made any effort to publicize it. This time, however, I
have a good offer to buy the remaining copies. I really want it to get
into as many libraries as possible -- and many hands. There are many
copies left.

If you can get a library to offer me a thank you note and give me the
address, I will send that library an autographed copy free for the tax
deduction. If you want an autographed copy, I will be glad to send you a
copy for $10. The price on the cover is $19.95, and it's fine to resell
them at this time. If you can find an outlet or use them yourself, I can
send a box of 18 books for $140. (No autographs on those books because
they will be inside the box.) There are MANY boxes available.

"Math Power" had excellent reviews from both sides of the "Math Wars" when
it first appeared in 1997, and another from "The Library Journal," but
without some publisher publicity, books don't sell. It may be that math is
not a popular subject in this culture; there is other evidence.

Anyway, I would appreciate any help you can give me in disseminating the
remaining copies. The publisher wants a reply as to how many I will buy
WITHIN TWO WEEKS!

Pat Kenschaft
kenschaft@pegasus.montclair.edu

I thought I'd pass this on so you can get one if you want. If you work in a school or a library, note that she will be happy to send a free autographed copy for the library. Send her an email at the address under the cut if you're interested, and feel free to pass this on.

As an aside, Pat used to have a call-in show on public radio called Math Medley, which I was a guest on several years ago (show # 196, if you scroll down) back when I was a grad student. That episode doesn't seem to be available for download, which is just as well -- IIRC it was sort of hijacked by a caller who railed on about something completely off-topic for ten minutes. :-P

Anyway, read a book! Fight evil! ;-)

Comments

[callie-.livejournal.com]

I debated whether or not I should post this because I don't want you to think I'm a weird cyberstalker. I saw your post in Natural birth about a Hypnobirthing friendly OB and it made me wonder if that OB was Dr Sebeystan in Austin. Based on your recent journal post I think it might be.

Thought you might be interested to know that Dr S delivered my daughter in April. I had been risked out by my midwife for low platelets and referred to Dr S. She was pretty amazing for an OB. My water broke before labor started and Dr S pushed me REALLY hard into taking pitocin. I held out for 12 hours and tried everything before I caved in and let them give it to me. She had them start it at 1 and raise it every half hour, from my understanding that is a very mild dosing schedule. Natural birth with pitocin is not as easy but I won't go into that.

I delivered in the position I wanted and she put my daughter on me as soon as she was delivered. Everything went pretty much exactly as I had outlined in my birthplan except being able to eat in labor. She only okayed clear fluids in my chart but I never requested she change it because I just went down to the food court when I got hungry. Some nurses are more natural birth friendly than others. Anita was very nice even after the rest of the nursing staff had labeled me a 'problem patient' because I kept leaving the L&D floor to walk and try to get labor started. The charge nurse came in after my daughter was born and tried to take her to weigh and measure her but Anita stopped her and referred to my birthplan. Postpartum care was great but they refused to discharge my daughter until she was 36 hours old and only then if I agreed to take her to the pediatrician the next day. Overall I liked my experience with Dr S and NAMC.

I took this hypnobirthing class http://www.hypnobirthingtexas.com/ I HIGHLY recommend it. The class helped me get over any fear I had regarding birth. I used the hypnobirthing techniques with success until the final stages of labor. All hell broke loose when my nurse walked in and heard me making involuntary pushy sounds. It broke me out of my zone. I used Heather the instructor from Hypnobirthing as my doula. She was a fabulous resource to have at the hospital.

I hope I haven't over-stepped the cyber weirdo bounds. Feel free to email me if you want any more info. callie7871 at hotmail . com.

[jenn-unplugged.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info! I am a patient at that practice, but my doctor is Dr Thompson. I'm thinking Dr. Sebastian is no longer with that group -- at least, I haven't had an appointment with her, and I've been told that Dr. Thompson will definitely be the one delivering my baby.

That's good to know about the NAMC. I'll keep your experience in mind when I put my birth plan together. If it weren't my first, I'd prefer to go to the AABC. I know several people who had great experiences there. MDH is uncomfortable with not being in a hospital, though, so that will have to wait for next time.

Dr. Thompson really supports hynobirthing, and so I'm thinking I will take a class after Christmas. Thanks for the recommendation!