It completely changes the way we view science, fields of study and “knowledge.”  It focuses on how our understanding of things changes over time, and how we resist those changes at first.  It is an amazingly revealing book, even for people who don’t think they’re interested in science.

 

Professor Shaughnessy was at the forefront of teaching writing to developmental writers.  This book is a classic text on how to reach writers who don’t have the typical background for college (ESL, 1^st generation college, etc.)  She points out how giving people ownership of standard academic English allows them to have a sense of power in their academic work, and an authority in their writing.

 

When I read this book in college, it completely blew my mind.  I could picture the people and places she described and yet she was writing about 11^th century Japan!  I ended up majoring in Japanese studies and going to Kyoto, Japan, for my junior year -- all because I wanted to know more about the culture she described in her book.  If you love nature, poetry, and think a lot about human relations, this is a great book for you, even if it was written almost a thousand years ago.
 

I really enjoyed reading about his life, and the people and places which shaped his character.  I think he has a unique perspective and yet there is a universal message in his story.


 

Chronicles the difficulties of one student at Brown University who came from the inner city neighborhood of Anacostia (the toughest section of Washington, D.C.)  I like the compassionate and detailed way he shows the challenges this young man faced in going from being the top student and yet under-prepared at a tough urban high school to the Ivy League.  Raises tough issues of race, class, and fairness in education.