The Pleasures of Academe: A Celebration & Defense of Higher Education

Today's critics of the academy charge that the barbarians are at the Western gates, the ""feminazis,"" thought police, tenured radicals and PC totalitarians are attacking the noble traditions of our colleges and universities. Not only is the diverse student population (of ethnics and women) forcing changes in the ""canon,"" but professors have become research scholars rather than classroom teachers, overpaid, underworked and with guaranteed employment. Such is the indictment, but Axtell, professor of humanities at William and Mary, believes the charges are false and attempts to prove it. His book is meant not only as a refutation of the criticisms but as a celebration of American higher education, its worth and its enjoyments. According to Axtell, the curriculum has always been in flux, faculty are still industrious, working at multifarious tasks, and research and teaching are false dichotomies. While he does mention genuine problems such as rising tuition costs, deficiencies in student writing, and excessive vocationalism, Axtell is nothing if not an optimist. He can spot the silver lining in most any dark cloud. The tone here is that of an avuncular club man who informs us (repeatedly) that he has been part of the professoriat at several elite institutions and knows that all is well with the academic world. Pangloss is expected momentarily. (Sept.)