From the classroom to the bookshelf, University of Mary Washington faculty authors are making their mark. This year’s titles span disciplines from mathematics to religion, offering thought-provoking takes on history, culture and the world around us. Whether looking to explore a new field of study or simply enjoy a compelling read, these faculty-authored selections offer fresh perspectives for curious minds this summer.

The Importance of Being Different: Disability in Oscar Wilde’s Fairy Tales
By Professor of English Chris Foss
Published by University of Virginia Press, 2025

Best known for his plays and clever wit, Oscar Wilde also wrote fairy tales full of emotion, struggle and characters who don’t quite fit in. Foss’s book examines these often-overlooked stories through the lens of disability studies. He shows how Wilde’s characters – marked by physical (as well as, often, social) difference – invite readers to embrace compassion and imagine a more inclusive world. Foss highlights a lesser known but more utopian side of Wilde.

German Memorials, Motifs and Meanings: A Cultural History in Bronze, Wood and Stone
By Associate Professor of German Jennifer Hansen-Glucklich
Published by University of Massachusetts Press, 2025

Hansen-Glucklich explores Germany’s hidden landscape of mysterious stones, magical trees and symbolic monuments tucked away in small towns and villages. Rather than focusing on famous sites, her book uncovers the colorful and often surprising stories behind lesser-known markers that have survived for centuries through wars, political upheavals and changing national identities. This cultural study of German memorialization reveals how symbols of death, rebirth, sacrifice and community have endured from medieval times to today.

Quadratic Ideal Numbers: A Computational Method for Binary Quadratic Forms
By Professor of Mathematics Larry Lehman
Published by De Gruyter, 2025

Lehman’s newest book builds on his earlier work in number theory, introducing quadratic ideal numbers as a subject of study in their own right, with applications to binary quadratic forms and related topics. Written for readers with minimal background in number theory – much of which is reviewed in the text – it emphasizes computational methods throughout, making it well-suited for independent study or undergraduate-level research.

Contentious Unions: Black Baptist Schools and White Money in the Jim Crow South
By Professor of Religious Studies Mary Beth Mathews
Published by University of Tennessee Press, 2025

Mathews explores the intertwined histories of three historically Black institutions: Richmond Theological Seminary in Virginia, Central City College in Georgia and American Baptist Theological Seminary in Tennessee. She examines how these schools, supported in part by white Baptist donors, navigated the complexities of financial dependence while striving for autonomy and advancing civil rights. Mathews reveals how, what she calls “oppositional spaces,” became essential platforms for Black educators and students, with ties to such leaders as John R. Lewis and Jo Ann Gibson Robinson.

Gender Violence in Late Antiquity
By Associate Professor of Religious Studies Jennifer Barry
Published by University of California Press, expected on Sept. 23, 2025

Barry’s book investigates how early Christian texts shaped ideas of gender and violence. By analyzing stories of saints and theological writings, she reveals how male authors used portrayals of female suffering, including martyrdom and abuse, to define ideals of holiness and power. Drawing on trauma studies and womanist theory, Barry challenges traditional readings and sheds new light on how ancient narratives still influence modern views about gender and faith.

Human Geography: A Connected Approach
By Associate Professor of Geography Caitie Finlayson
Independently Published, 2024

This open-access textbook by Finlayson introduces readers to the ways humans relate to place, space and one another. Designed to be engaging and accessible, the book connects global systems with personal decisions, encouraging readers to see geography as a living, evolving story. It builds on Finlayson’s earlier open textbooks while inviting reflections on how our environment shapes us – and is shaped by us.

Proximity to Power: Rethinking Race and Place in Alexandria, Virginia
By Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon
Published by University of North Carolina Press, 2025

Alexandria, Virginia – located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. – has long held a unique position due to its closeness to the nation’s capital. This relationship profoundly impacted the everyday lives of African American residents, including access to schools, transportation and other resources compared to other southern communities. Moon examines the experiences of Alexandria’s Black residents from the mid-19th century to today, highlighting their long-standing advocacy and resilience and adding nuance to our understanding of how geography shapes racial experience.

University of Mary Washington faculty members who have authored books are encouraged to share their publications with University Communications for inclusion in future features. Alumni-authored publications can be found in Class Notes.