Book Review: Camouflage by Joe Haldeman

Book Title: Camouflage | Author: Joe Haldeman | Genre: Science Fiction | Call Number: PS3558.A353 C36 2004 (Shelved in the Recent Fiction Collection in Briggs Library)

Millions of years ago, the Changeling came to Earth from a group of stars 10,000 light years distant. It had the ability to change itself into any species of life and imitate not only the appearance but also the physiology of the species. It spent thousands of years as microscopic organisms in the sea where it landed and left its ship. It spent thousands of years as other sea creatures including killer sharks and whales. In 1931 it crawled out of the sea near San Quillermo California and encountered a human, who it killed and assumed his identity. It was fascinated by humans and learned quickly about them, and over the years, it lived as both men and women. It served in the Army and was good at killing, but it also earned several college degrees including several PhDs. It lost track of its ship and forgot about where it was from. However, it knew it was different and sought information about its origin. Meanwhile in 2019 a salvage company discovers a strange artifact that had been buried deep beneath the ocean floor. Although not large, its mass was inexplicable. A team of scientists is assembled to study the artifact, but it proves to be impenetrable. The Chameleon was another alien (a different species) who had lived on Earth for millions of years. It could also imitate the appearance of other species but not as easily as the Changeling. The two creatures did not know of the existence of each other, but they were constantly searching for other beings like them. The Chameleon was not really interested in humans, except to exploit them and kill them. Both the Changeling and the Chameleon were drawn to the site where the unknown artifact is being examined. The Changeling in the guise of a woman scientist lands a job with the project and develops a relationship with one of the lead scientists. The inevitable confrontation between the Changeling and the Chameleon, along with the love affair between the Changeling and the scientist, creates a very exciting and satisfying ending. This well-deserved Nebula Award winner is another very interesting novel by Joe Haldeman. – Reviewed by: Newt 

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Schedule Library Instruction Sessions

The librarians in the Information Services Department of H. M. Briggs Library want to remind faculty that they are available to teach course-integrated sessions.  Sessions addressing students’ research and information needs can be designed for specific courses or specific assignments.

 

Members of the instruction team have experience teaching classes at all levels—from basic orientation to the library to graduate-level research.  Instruction sessions can be scheduled in the library or librarians can come to your classroom.  Librarians also deliver instruction sessions to SDSU distance students in-person and online. 

 

Requests for instruction sessions can be made using an online form or by calling 688-5570.   Also, faculty may contact an Information Services Librarian if they have questions about this service.

 

·         Laura Wight

   Phone: 688-5955 E-mail: Laura.Wight@sdstate.edu

·         Nancy Marshall

   Phone 688-5093 E-mail Nancy.Marshal@sdstate.edu

·         Linda Kott

   Phone: 688-5957 E-mail: Linda.Kott@sdstate.edu

·         Elizabeth Fox

   Phone: 688-5569 E-mail: Elizabeth.Fox @sdstate.edu

 

Linda Kott

Information Services Librarian

Studying in Briggs Library

Sure, you can go anywhere from here, but while you’re here, where do you study?  The Collegian, SDSU’s student newspaper, has reported that, as a result of increased enrollment at SDSU, some residence hall dayrooms have been converted to dorm rooms.  The Collegian article notes that student affairs staff members believe other spaces in the university can compensate for the lost dayrooms.  They urge students to think of the library when looking for study space (Poppinga A1+).  The library staff agrees!  Please, feel free to come and study in the library.  We have many different options to offer.

 

·        Individual study space, including carrel-type desks

·        Tables for group work

·        Study rooms for group work

·        Sofa area on the upper level

·        Lounge chairs

·        Quiet area on the upper level

 

Four of our group study rooms can be reserved in advance at the Circulation Desk.  Ten group study rooms are available on a first-come, first serve basis.

 

The library has wireless access and laptops you can check out.

 

You may be surprised how many of your friends and classmates you’ll run into in the library.  Our sofa area with its famous blue couches is an excellent area for conversation and also a popular place for naps.

 

The library’s regular hours are:

 

Monday-Thursday 7:45 a.m.-midnight

Friday 7:45 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday 1 p.m.-9 p.m.

Sunday 1 p.m.-midnight

 

We’re open over holidays, but our hours vary.  Click here for a complete listing of our hours for the semester.

 

See you soon!

 

Linda Kott

Information Services Librarian

 

Works Cited

Poppinga, Amy,  “Dayrooms Converted to Dorm Rooms.”  Collegian 3 Sept. 2008: A1+.