BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! (Well, one or two people did ask about it.) Apparently, AMAZON sold out of all copies of the First Printing (2013). So, in case you missed it, here is the (2016) Second Printing of “21 Yesterdays”. For what it’s worth, the two stories I like best in this collection are the […]
My Thanks to the Writers’ League of Texas for Posting This Interview
Scribe: In what genre(s) do you write? Joe Pluta: Now — historical fiction, especially short stories. In the past — nonfiction in the areas of history and economics. Scribe: What authors would you like to have coffee or a beer with and which beverage? JP: Living authors — Doris Kearns Goodwin, Naomi Klein, Philip Roth, […]
New Collection of Short Stories Published!
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OUR DREAMS? by Joseph E. Pluta Distant Echo Press 2015 Available at Amazon.com and CreateSpace eStore (click on photo to enlarge) Meet a man who in 1976 offers a compelling claim that he knows who really killed JFK, an African American janitor who in 1954 becomes the most beloved mentor at a […]
New Collection of Short Stories Coming This Fall!
“WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OUR DREAMS?” will be published shortly! A sneak preview: over 20 stories on topics ranging from youthful innocence to the mismanagement of dying universities. Set within various locations in the U. S. and in other countries. The stories are fictional…….. or maybe not so fictional. A touch of mystery, humor, and unique […]
Summertime in Michigan
There’s nothing like a Michigan summer! Today I wanted to showcase some seasonal fun from the state that has inspired many of my creative works. If you’ve never traveled to Michigan, this is a beautiful time of the year to visit. In addition to the warm weather, there are festivals and other events that make […]
Retirement Party
The best colleagues I have ever had. What an outstanding Economics Department! It was an honor for me to be part of such a wonderful and accomplished group of friends. My sincere thanks to all of you: Jack Bucco, Leslie Blanke, Hilal Yilmaz, Bin Wang, Matt Clements. (Click on photo to see a closeup)
Hamilton Book Awards at UT Austin
Way to go, Des!! Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a gathering that honored my long time friend, Des Lawler. His book, WATER QUALITY ENGINEERING, was named one of the top four books published this past year by faculty in all departments at the University of Texas at Austin. Des holds an endowed chair in […]
My Official Retirement Begins April 30!
Phased retirement (1/2 time) is pretty good; full retirement should be even better. It happens in 51 days but who’s counting? After 46 years of university teaching, it’s time. I am ready to begin a new life of having fun with family and friends as well as becoming a part of Mitt Romney’s 47%.
WPA Posters
In my research on American life during the Great Depression, I stumbled on a number of websites containing hundreds of posters produced by artists under Works Progress Administration (WPA) sponsorship. I am posting some of the more interesting of these here. Do notice the various causes advocated and the points of view expressed. Such posters […]
Recently Found Blasts from the Past!
In 1947, my Dad’s eight-year-old Packard broke down in a blizzard just outside the gas station and café in the first old photo below. I grew up nearby because, by a unique stroke of fate, the owner was selling a farm that my parents would buy. Years later, I learned that John Dillinger had frequented […]