College and University Books

Garrett uses his relationship with his fellow Southern writer, the late Peter Taylor, as a basis to explore issues of personal and regional identity and the demands of a writer's vocation. The way both the real-life originals AND the fictional alter egos are present in the text interrogates the wall between reality and imagination in a way that is provocative, mind-stretching, and always great fun. Garrett is a kind of stealth innovator in American fiction. He does not get the avant-garde headlines, but he has consistently been trying to ramify the creative potential of fictional narrative.

The book is a detailed study of the university examination systems in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. As Zeng astutely notes, "The history of exams is a history of an institution, a system. On the other hand, this system is not an empty shell, but a structural order governing human behavior and consciousness. In that sense, what we have been studying is a key behavioral pattern, the history of the pattern, and the power behind that power". This book is an excellent introduction to what can be called the "culture of exams" in the Far East. It is a badly needed sourcebook and rare history of a topic which encompasses such diverse subjects as history, education, politics, and religion. Zeng is quite good at delineating the precise influence of Japan on the exam systems, general historical trends in the development of these systems, and the social roles that the exams serve.

There are, however, several drawbacks to the book. Zeng's writing style is often quite dry and sometimes awkward, and in certain sections the book is not very well organized. Finally, at $... US, quite pricey. But these faults do not ultimately detract from the importance and novelty of this study.

I just bought this wonderful book when I went back to Hampton University for Homecoming 2003. I was glad to see such an undertaking written on Dr. Harvey. I found it very interesting and I am now in trouble with my wife because I kept my night-stand light on all night reading the book from cover to cover. I have only one criticism so I will dispense with that first: Dr. Benjamin is very repetitious of certain facts and accounts including them in one chapter to illustrate one aspect of Harvey's leadership and then in another to illustrate a similar leadership trait, while this is the only weakness of the book it is a common thread throughout, chapter after chapter,and therefore does lend itself to no small amount of irritation. Other than that, it is an absolutely fabulous book about a man who has been a true inspiration to more than a generation of Hamptonians. As an approach to the work, it should be noted for the true students of the genre that the book neither is nor pretends to be a work of autobiography, instead it is a chronicle of how one man's value based leadership transformed an institution of higher learning. In the pages of this book one finds a man steady at the ship in steering Hampton toward new horizons while keeping her true to her most noblest traditions and aspirations. One finds a man of vision unafraid to do what is right for that grand institution while in the process demonstrating and exemplifying dignity and decency. As an alum of Hampton University who was inspired by Harvey's leadership as a student, the work came as a refresher and a capsulization of all that I learned while quietly observing this man from a distance. Thank You, Dr. Benjamin for capturing one of Hampton's finest moments...Dr Harvey, Hampton University is your destiny... what a blessing to be so clear...and she still needs you!!!

(...)

Dry Rot in the Ivory Tower is described in the foreward as a "angry call to arms". It is that, and much more. Through a series of vignettes describing life at the fictional "Omnibus University", John Campbell (former professor, dean and university president) describes the light and the dark that exists at universities throughout the country. The stories, though fictional, have a ring of truth to them that makes one suspect that the only fiction is the names, which have been changed to protect the guilty (and the occasional innocent as well; see the vignette about the Heisman Trophy winner which seems to be a barely disguised story about Barry Sanders). Nobody in the university, from governing boards, to administrators, faculty, alumni, and even a few greedy students, escapes unscathed. Thoughout the book, the author's love for the university comes through loudly and clearly, even as that love is challenged by the unending bureaucracy, personal agendas and political vendettas that, unfortunately, exist in universities. If you also love the ideal of the university, this book will make you angry. Your anger will be aimed at those who, by their actions and attitudes, prevent universities from accomplishing as much as they should. Additionally, some of your anger will be with yourself, for failing to do more to help.

This is an important book because it critiques a glaring problem in higher education in general, and specifically in the massive University of California system. Ever since proposition 209 was passed in California, effectively outlawing affirmative action, the black student population in the UC system has dropped to absurdly small numbers. In schools like UC Berkeley, which were once centers of the Black and Civil Rights movements, Blacks are now almost invisible outside of a few courageous and well-executed protests. Along with the drop in the student population comes a hollowing-out of Black Studies departments. These departments were formed in the '60's with a mission of community outreach and action. The idea was to have at least one department in the academy that reflected and worked with the communities that the universities were geographically close to, instead of keeping the Ivory Tower locked and isolated. But since then, Black Studies departments have lost that mission; they have become much more focused on the global African Diaspora than on African Americans. Although the African Diaspora is certainly worth studying, it should not overshadow the importance of African Americans in our own society and culture. Brown discusses the cultural import of Hip-Hop and its impact on the academy.

Cecil Brown discusses all this with the voice of experience: he has been in and out of the UC system for much of his life, and experienced shocking racism and exclusion from the system.

This is a book that the right people need to read. Anybody who is in higher education (especially administrators) should spend time with this book, and think about these issues. In a time when racial diversity has become a catch-phrase, what are we doing to create a truly more equitable society?

Written by Michelle C. Muratori, Ph.D., an experienced counselor for gifted young adults who enter college early, Early Entrance to College: A Guide to Success is a straightforward guide for young people and their families to the many challenges and rewards of embarking on a part-time or full-time college career one, two, or even three or more years sooner than usual. Chapters address factors affecting academic, social, and emotional adjustment to college, as well as expert views and opinions on early college entrance. Of especial importance are the chapters that stress why some who gain early entrance to college succeed and some do not, and the do's and don'ts to prepare for the transition and keep one's momentum once enrolled. An absolute "must-have" for anyone considering early college entrance, and packed with valuable information for anyone considering college regardless of age.

This course, taught by Professor Philip Daileader, is an excellent introduction into the Early Middle Ages. It encompasses a period of European history that is sometimes overlooked, but, to me, is key in understanding the rest of European, and Western history, and the religious conflicts that arose during the time.
The course is divided into 2 sections, the first half covers the period from about 300 to 650 AD, and the second half deals with the period from 650 to 1000.
Studying the Middle, or Dark Ages, is crucial in understanding the structure of today's Catholicism and Protestanism.
I recommend it to any serious bible student, although it is NOT a bible lecture series, it's secular.

This book rocks!....if you can find it.

This book has a great listing of everyday foods and beverages that is easy for the average person to read. The portions are realistic and easy to plan from. Many foods are listed in several forms with calories, vitamins and minerals listed clearly.

I recommend this for any average person that doesnt have the time or energy to research their diet, but desires to be clearly informed.

I received the book after taking a course in nutrition through Washington State University Co-op Ext.

No doubt about it. This book is a winner. Easy to read. I think its part of a series of college football teams. If you are an OU fan, I suggest you buy it. If you have a fan in the family of Bob Stoops or Barry Switzer, then you really need to buy it. I also suggest purchasing UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports (Sports By the Numbers)as well. Both books will make any OU fan excited about Sooner Magic.