College and University Books

Enjoyed the read with its easy format and quotes, and practical points that we must take some steps to enhance the US university education process to stay competitive and refocus on the student education side versus such research only focus. Crucial to keeping the US competitive over the next decade plus.

highly recommend reading this.

Silverman's book gives a clear and well organized overview of the process of writing for academia. He covers a wide range of relevant aspects of publishing scholarly work, from setting up a writing schedule to preparing a portfolio for tenure. He explains the difference between peer-review journals and other print and electronic venues. I was interested in his thoughts about why it helps to know the editor of a journal, how one should think about finding a publisher for a book and ways of managing relationships with collaborators. He does a good job of explaining how one can begin to develop a national reputation and the importance of developing a research niche. He even gives suggestions about writing grants and describes different types of funding sources. Perhaps my favorite part of the book is his final chapter about how to handle rejections. He acknowledges that being turned down by funding agencies and journals is inevitable and frequent even for the most talented scholars. He believes (as do I) that rebounding from the disappointment of a rejected paper or grant is one of the most important skills that a successful academic can develop.

Silverman himself is an established Professor of Speech Pathology at Marquette University. Yet, unlike some advice books about academia, he has not based his book solely on personal experience. He quotes many other writers and academics and has clearly read widely on the topic. The quotes with which he begins chapters are delightful. He has also interviewed colleagues and quotes them when relevant. When he does share his own experience it is inspiring. For example, he is a strong proponent of short stints of regular daily writing and can back up his claim that such habits work. He writes every morning for a half hour and describes the results of this habit:

"I have used this strategy for the past 30 years. It has enabled me to produce approximately 125 journal articles and 12 books while carrying a full faculty load. I write every morning (immediately after waking and having a cup or two of coffee)for 30 minutes to an hour. By doing so, I have been able to draft manuscripts for 300- to 500-page books in approximately 18 months." (p. 64)

Silverman's advice is sage and although much of what he covers is basic, there are tips and ideas that even a seasoned academic may find interesting. This book is best suited for a novice tenure-track assistant professor in any field. It will also be useful to adjuncts attempting to get tenure track jobs and to grad students and post-docs preparing for a university career.

I am a clinical psychologist who counsels, teaches and coaches junior faculty trying to get tenure and graduate students working on their dissertations. I will definitely be recommending this helpful manual to my clients.

"Pure Gold" is a collection of experiences with Bobby Bowden shared by former players, associates, 3 of his sons, and rivals.

Charlie Ward's Introduction gave insights into both a great coach and a man of integrity.

I was struck by some of the names of former assistants on Bill Peterson's FSU staff. Not only Bobby Bowden but future successful coaches in the NFL and Super bowl champions.

A recurring theme throughout the book is Coach Bowden's work ethic and character that he instilled in his players and the assistant coaches that worked for him.

The turnaround that he was able to instigate with a dying football program is monumental. From a one-win season to an undefeated season four years later!

A lot of the contributors praised the coach for teaching goal setting and for his skill as a motivator.

Any Seminole fan will remember some of the legendary trick plays or unexpected plays that are discussed in the book by some of the players that participated. Bobby Bowden had a knack for play-calling and he's been an innovator with his offense over the years.

His concept of player discipline has been criticized in the past. It was interesting to read what the guys on his staff and Tom Osborne have said in his defense. That gives another perspective on why Bobby Bowden punishes the individual player and not the entire team.

"Pure Gold" is an entertaining read for any Bowden/Seminole fan.

I love this book about my many times great grandfather. It is very well written (although deep) and tells the story of one who is never really appreciated outside of CT (and Dorcester, MA)

Pursuing A Promise: A History Of African Americans At Georgia Southern University by F. Erik Brooks (Assistant Professor of Political Science, Georgia Southern University) is an impressively researched and presented study of the struggles and hardships faced by African Americans when integrating the schooling systems of the South in general, and Georgia Southern University in particular. Delving deeply into a thorough study of the first district A&M school, Pursuing A Promise guides its readers through the history of the school's eventual conversion into a regional university. An impressive work of original scholarship, Pursing A Promise is a seminal addition to academic library Black Studies and American Education History reference collections.

Jay Rochlin has turned his PH.D Dissertation into a thoughtful book about the "Arizona Experience"..an insight into the experiences of Minority students at a large public university. This is a "must read" for students of the sociology of higher education. It personalizes the theoretical frameworks of graduate school and puts a face on "the minority student"...too often viewed as a problem to be solved, rather than a person to be valued. Jay is a friend, and an excellent writer..I look forward to more books!.

We had Dr. Shaw as our government teacher at UT Austin. He put this book on the syllabus. His book is amazing, the mans a genius. His political insight is unparalleled. I wish everybody could have the pleasure of meeting him.

Riley Wallace, the long-time head basketbal coach at the University of Hawai'i, is one of college basketball's best. What's more, Wallace is one of the true class acts in sports.

This book is a reflection of all that Wallace is, what he stands for and how he coaches. It is a very valuable tool for communicating to the young ballplayer (middle school and high school players should read this over and over), as well as provides insight for the basketball fan.

Highly recommended.

"Reading The Media: Media Literacy In High School English" by national media education expert Renee Hobbs (Associate Professor of Communication at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) chronicles the successful practice of highschool English teachers who developed an innovative curriculum for their students that incorporates popular media, television, journalism, film, and 'new media' information sources, as well as the specific, measurable impact that this curriculum supplementation had on the students' academic performance. "Reading The Media" documents how a media literacy course significantly improved reading comprehension, writing, critical analysis, and other academic skills. Teachers are also provided with practical information on how to revise their lessons plans and activities to take advantage of media literacy strategies to increase student motivation and equip basic citizenship skills. Superbly organized and presented, "Reading The Media" is a welcome and very highly recommended addition to high-school and home-school Media Literacy and English Language Studies curriculums.

This is a must read. It really tells it like it is and we need this kind of information to get the job done. I wish every parent and teacher could read this book. It is now a handbook that I keep close.