American University

By Jacques Barzun

Book Overview

When it was published in 1968, a year noted for historic student protests on campuses across the country, The American University spoke in Jacques Barzun's characteristically wise and lucid voice about what colleges and universities were really meant to do--and how they actually worked. Drawing on a lifetime of extraordinary accomplishment as a teacher, administrator, and scholar, Barzun here describes the immense demands placed on the university by its competing constituencies--students, faculty, administrators, alumni, trustees, and the political world around it all.

"American higher education is fortunate to have had a scholar and intellectual of Jacques Barzun's stature give so many years of service to the daily bread-and-butter details of running a great university and then share his reflections with us in a literate, humane, and engaging book."--Charles Donovan, America

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226038459
• ISBN13: 9780226038452
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 356 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A must read for anyone in higher education

This book, which I would term as modern classic in the field, is a perennial read for higher educators, coming up regularly in the Chronicle of Higher Education book lists. Despite being written decades ago this book brings to light some of the most important issues facing the university today. Barzun is as erudite as he is qualified, having served as Provost at Columbia University and as a Professor for many years. If you are interested in higher education this book is highly recommended, if you are a member of the Faculty, Administration or Staff of a College or University and you have not read this book, shame on you.