No comments about Lessons from the Big Guys: What I Learned from Servant Leaders Jack Eckerd, Bill Lee, Hugh McColl, and Adolph Rupp (Education Titles).

5 comments about The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice.

1. This is not a book that you will speed through. It is an honest, well-written book about the prejudice against Catholics that seems to be everywhere these days.



2. I would have been fascinated to read a comparison of how Protestants are treated in, say, Italy, Spain, Portugal or France. What's that you say? There Are no Protestants in those countries!? They were tortured, murdered, driven out of their homelands or forced to convert to Catholicism many centuries ago!? Wow. I guess in comparison, American Catholics should consider themselves extremely lucky to be allowed to immigrate to a land founded by Protestants, to practice their faith, to get rich if they work hard, and to share every freedom that people of other denominations enjoy. And, being so grateful for this freedom, I have no doubt that they all work hard to ensure that Protestants in Catholic countries have the same rights and privileges, right? uh... Right?



3. This book should be mandatory reading for all the politicians, activists, reporters and countless others that criticize the Catholic Church. The Church is certainly not above criticism, but the critics should at least make an attempt to get their facts straight. This book will help them do so, and puts many of the alleged offenses of the Catholic Church in a proper historical perspective, uses research and empirical evidence to debunk many of the alleged failings of the Catholic Church that are accepted as fact in our culture, and clearly explains the difference between legitimate criticism and illegitimate prejudice with respect to the Catholic Church. The author demonstrates (supported with research, unlike many of the critics of the Church) that many political organizations, members of the media and others, usually careful not to offend anybody because of race, religion or gender, seem to ignore these courtesies when it comes to Catholics.
   
   The author gives numerous examples of the attacks on the Catholic Church by gay activists and writers, including vandalizing Churches, shutting down masses and the desecration of the communion wafer, and rightfully calls these acts bigoted. The book certainly make you wonder what would happen if these activists and writers attacked Muslims or some other religion in the same vicious and consistent manner? Given the Muslim view of homosexuality, one would think that the same gay activists and writers that savage the Catholic Church would do at least the same to Islam. All major Islamic sects disapprove of homosexuality and it is considered punishable by execution in six Muslim nations (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Mauritania, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen) and with prison, fines, or corporal punishment in other Muslim nations, such as Bahrain, Qatar, Algeria, Pakistan the Maldives, and Malaysia. The Catholic Church does not approve of acting on homosexual desires, but the Roman Catholic Catechism specifically states that homosexuals "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition".
   
   The book is at its best in debunking the many alleged evils of the Catholic Church that are simply accepted as true by many uninformed Americans, such as the conduct of Pope Pius XII during WWII (an excellent discussion of what actually happened), the Crusades (given that Christian Syria and Palestine were seized by the Muslim sword in the seventh century and that is viewed as acceptable, the author points out that it cannot be argued that it was wrong for Christians to reclaim those lands in the crusades, and he points out that ignoring such historical perspective would be like saying D-Day was an Anglo-American aggression against a peaceful continent) and the Inquisitions (clearly wrong, but claims of hundred of thousands of deaths are ludicrous - the best estimates for the Spanish Inquisition range between 3,000 to 5,000 deaths over a period of three hundred years).
   
   This books may soften even the most diehard Catholic bigot. If after reading this book, you still think think that there is no such thing as a bias against Catholicism and this book is off base, I would point to a recent incident - the New York Times refused to publish the Danish Muslim cartoons, saying that such refusal "seems a reasonable choice for news organizations that usually refrain from gratuitous assaults on religious symbols." The NYT is certainly entitled to take this position, but then why did they publish an image of a work of "art" portraying the Virgin Mary adorned with elephant dung and cutouts from pornographic magazines, and why had they earlier published an image of "Piss Christ," a photograph by artist Andres Serrano showing Christ on a crucifix submerged in a vat of urine, both of which they knew were extremely offensive to Catholics. Apparently, for the New York Times, respect for religion and religious symbols does not extend to Catholics.



4. I recommend this book to those who are open to the possibility of anti-Catholic prejudice. Those who might be characterised as anti-Catholic themselves might dislike its contents. However even the latter group may enjoy reading it to afford the opportunity to rationalise their position much as an intellectual who harboured strong negativity toward another race would never accept the possibility that their society was racist but would enjoy the challenge of rationalising away clear evidence.
   
   That said this is certainly a scholarly review with a wealth of examples both recent and historical that show clear anti-Catholicism and its continuity from past to present. Bigotry is plainly distinguished from fair criticism. Where necessary he expands on historical incidents that are a forgotten part of our past subject to soundbyte rumours. The author is not Catholic and not anti-Catholic and writes accordingly.
   
   As a Catholic I appreciated his objectivity but struggled with the 'warts and all' approach of a non-Catholic putting the issue under the microscope and not missing the opportunity to cite examples where he considered Catholics contributed to the prejudice. I would probably feel more comfortable reading a similar book from a Catholic author who accepts Catholic beliefs. However, as difficult as it might be in places, I do not shrink from recommending it to Catholics as it is useful to see the issue viewed from a different perspective not coloured by prejudice but not viewed through rose coloured glasses either.
   
   It is clear that Mr Jenkins considers our religion to be overly extreme in respect of contraception and a tad sexist. Not that he joins the bigots even when discussing those issues. Indeed he even condemns anti-Catholicism demonstrated by improper actions based on views which he apparently shares and seeks to tone down misrepresentations relating to such issues. Such objectivity even in the face of his own biases is valuable in this type of discussion and should widen its appeal.
   
   He takes pains to carefully document the internal issues within the Church and its implications. This is a wise approach as it confronts the Church with the fact that Catholics themselves exacerbate the problem and make it easier for bigots to make excuses. At the same time it sends a clear message that simply because some Catholics abandon large parts of the religion citing that is an excuse not a reason to be prejudiced against Catholicism.



5. In the very first sentence of text, Jenkins well describes the situation: "Catholics and Catholicism are at the receiving end of a great deal of startling vituperation in contemporary America, although generally those responsible never think of themselves as bigots" (p.1).
   
   While this is not a great book, it is peppered with some insightful gems: "Through the centuries, defectors from particular religions have distinguished themselves by their fanatical zeal against their former friends and colleagues....[In the 1970s,] many arguments that would have once seemed nakedly anti-Catholic now gained an audience among Catholics themselves....Catholic divisions contributed to opening the Church to attacks by the mass media that would have hitherto been unthinkable....[1968's] Humanae Vitae spawned intense public criticism of the Catholic hierarchy, especially - and this was a vital development - from Catholics themselves" (pp. 12, 48, 49). While Jenkins does not thoroughly connect the dots, widespread rejection of Pope Paul VI's prophetic Humanae Vitae did indeed spawn incredible difficulties in the past four decades (A more detailed history of what happenned may be found in "Catholics And Contraception: An American History."). As evidenced by "Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology Of The Body," Pope John Paul II dedicated enormous energy to correcting basic errors.

5 comments about The Lady Cornaro: Pride and Prodigy of Venice.

1. This book is a must-read for anyone who has studied under the Cornaro Window in Thompson Library at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. As you may know, the stunning Cornaro Window at Vassar celebrates Lady Elena Cornaro, the first woman to be awarded a Ph.D (University of Padua in 1678). This book describes Elena's life in 17th century Venice, including her relationships with her parents, teachers, and friends. It was refreshing to read a biography about a humble and formidable person. I highly recommend The Lady Cornaro - Pride and Prodigy of Venice.



2. Although it is unlikely to happen, Elena Cornaro really should be nominated one of the hundred most important people of the last thousand years. In this carefully researched and highly readable book, Jane Howard Guernsey has successfully reconstructed the story of the Lady Cornaro's astonishing achievements and raised the questions they invite. The author has added to the recoverable information about the life of "The Cornaro," as she was affectionately known to her fellow Venetians, valuable contextual details about the life and milieu of Venice and Padua and about her tutors and contemporaries. These details elucidate both the uniqueness of the opportunities granted her and the enormous stress under which she lived as she labored to do the will of her earthly and her heavenly fathers. (Professor Rizzo's more extensive review of "The Lady Cornaro: Pride and Prodigy of Venice" may be found in "Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature," Vol. 19, No. 1, Spring 2000.)



3. I recently noticed that the popular "Book Lover's Page-a-Day Calendar" chose to include THE LADY CORNARO as its featured "star" for December 11, 2002.
   

   "You've probably never heard of Elena Cornaro," observes the calendar entry, "yet she holds a unique place in history. In 1678, she became the first woman in Europe to receive a Ph.D. Jane Howard Guernsey's book is the first full-length biography of this remarkably accomplished woman . . . an inspiring story."
   

   I believe that it is highly appropriate for THE LADY CORNARO to be included in a book lover's daily calendar described as "365 days of good authors, good books and good reading . . . the calendar of passionate recommendations." Truly, THE LADY CORNARO is an outstanding book, worthy of a passionate recommendation!




4. "This well-researched biography of the first woman to earn a university degree...conveys the majesty of the Italian baroque period and [the Lady Cornaro's] astonishing scholarship." (Donald Miller, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Senior Editor)



5. Here is a typical book that was written with a preconceived opinion. Biased. The author decided that Lady Cornaro was a prodigy and a genius and sure, she wanted to prove her point. However, after struggling with the text what I feel borders on disgust.
   
   First of all, Lady Cornaro was no prodigy. She was nothing but a poor, used child, an instrument in her ambitious father's hands. Thus the title of the book is wrong. It should have been dedicated to Gianbattista and life in the 17th century Venice.
   
   Among all the information, the least is said about Elena herself. I doubt her immense intelligence. We are said that she spoke a foreign language like a native. In a very short time and with no accent ? That is not possible if the person has never spent some time in the country where that language is spoken. That was true then just as it is true today. Having a native speaker as a teacher means nothing. And being able to translate works in early twenties from a language she started learning at the age of eight does her image of a genius more harm than good. Then "Elena's ability to foretell things was widely discussed, and there were numerous testimonies to the public's admiration for her." (p.193). Something is very wrong with this sentence. Now, suddenly, she is not just a scholar but also a clairvoyant!!!! The author did not mention this anywhere else in the book so it was not an important comment. But again, I have a feeling that she needed more proof for Elena's alleged superiority.
   Not one of her achievements (that we know of - we shouldn't forget that, unfortunately, she destroyed a large number of her writings) is unusual and grand. The fact that she was the first woman to get a university degree (funny how it immediately translates to a Phd!!!) means only that she had the CHANCE to defend her knowledge - something that was, as we saw, denied to other female scholars. The author says (exclamation marks!!) that the next woman to be awarded the degree got it more than 50 years later!!! That is no reason to applaud Elena. It is rather a sad information on the treatment and negligence of women. Who knows what potential was there in her siblings? Maybe they too would have become "geniuses" had Gianbattista invested equal time and money in their education. We should also be careful not to forget that he was a patron of several academies - of course they would love to see his daughter well educated as long as his coffers were available to them! Gianbatista's striving to get his sons in Libro d'Oro, his immense enthusiasm and political goals, propaganda tool that Elena was in his hands, finally costed her her life. But that propaganda made her famous.

No comments about Bush Teacher In B.c..

5 comments about On a Wave.

1. Excellent.This book will stay with you long after you read it. As a 50ish surfer from the Texas gulf coast this book reminds me of why I consider myself lucky.



2. Thad hits the nail on the head! Having grown up in Melbourne Beach during the time period described I feel qualified to speak on the authenticity of the scene depicted: perfect, took me back in time! Anyone who grew up in the space coast area during the 70's will be able to identify some of the characters described. This is an execellent book for the non-surfer as well as the surfer. This book will remain on my annual reading list along with Caught Inside, Lighting out and West of Jesus. Thanks Thad for an execellent read!



3. thanks for the prompt delivery! I will definitely look for you again when ordering



4. I loved this story of a young boy's passion for the ocean easing his growing pains. Very well-written.



5. This should give you a general idea of how good this book is: After reading the last page, I turned to page 1 and started reading it all over again.
   
   When was the last time you read a book twice?
   
   Ziolkowski's style is like a perfect wave--clean, gorgeous, and unique. It's not just about a surfer searching for perfection, but a boy searching for himself in post-Vietnam era of sunny Florida, where everyone is tan and bleachy-haired, Led Zeppelin is on every radio, and pot is as prevalent as palm trees.
   
   The story begins with the author at ten, still reeling from his parents' divorce and craving diversion like any normal kid. But it is surfing that becomes his ultimate grace, giving him confidence and the room to dream outside the troubles at home. When his family begins to unravel, his heartbreak at dreams realized and lost will strike a sympathetic chord in anyone who is connected to the sea, to family, and to one's true self. The author's search for his identity comes full circle--beginning, ending, and beginning again--on a wave.

1 comments about Iconoclast: Abraham Flexner and a Life in Learning.

1. Professor Thomas Neville Bonner who is a distinguished historian and has authored several books about medical education has produced a real literary gem in "Iconoclast-Abraham Flexner and a life in learning". Abraham Flexner and his brother Simon were true giants in reforming medical education and introducing scientific medical research respectively in the USA at the beginning of 20th century. Abraham Flexner's life story is traced with marked clarity and precision of details in this remarkable book. Professor Bonner informs us about his fascination with Abraham Flexner's work in the Introduction by reading his first book "The American College" followed by the famous "Flexner Report- Medical Education in the US and Canada" published in 1910. He then takes us through Abraham's early years growing up as the youngest son of poor Jewish immigrant parents in late 19th century in Reconstruction Louisville, Kentucky, his graduation from high school, attendance at the newly opened Johns Hopkins University and coming back to Louisville at age 19 to become a teacher at his alma mater, Louisville Male High School. Thereafter he becomes principal of his own highly successful preparatory school. At age 42, he " breaks free" from Louisville and enrolls at Harvard and subsequently at Oxford in Britain and then at Berlin University in Germany. On his return back to the U.S.A, he is commissioned by Henry Pritchett of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to survey 155 medical schools in North America. Flexner Report was a scathing critique of the deplorable conditions of the then extant medical schools and catapulted him into an education specialist status overnite.After being hired by the Rockefeller Foundation, Abraham Flexner was in a unique position to implement medical education reforms, start full-time plan and improve university-hospital affiliations by being able to disburse huge sums of Rockefeller largesse.Bonner points out the immense influence Abraham Flexner enjoyed being at the helm of an epochal reform movement in medical education. He was an author, a negotiator, a highly effective fund-raiser and a philanthropist. He established the Instiute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ which became an intellectual powerhouse , through the philanthropy of Louis Bamberger and was solely responsible for Albert Einstein's immigration to the USA. Abraham Flexner's long life was a multi-faceted and highly eventful one. Professor Bonner has done an admirable job in writing this thoroughly researched and definitive biography which will serve as a highly dependable reference work for future researchers. He writes with great clarity and conviction. The book reads like a novel with tremendous intrigue and drama. I recommend this book as a required reading for medical students, physicians and medical educators.General public will also find this book extremely enjoyable and informative

5 comments about The Teacher Who Couldn't Read: The True Story of a High School Instructor Who Triumphed over His Illiteracy.

1. John Corcoran deserves some applause for overcoming his illiteracy and he should be congratulated on giving the public the story of his struggle. The autobiography of a man who came from an hard-working, Catholic family will probably endear him to his readers. Corcoran will definitely make you think about what illiteracy does to someone on a personal level. He gives surprising detail about how torturous it was for him to live a life with this burning secret welling inside of him. It's hard not to pity Corcoran, but also, it's not easy to swallow his whole story. Some may call him a saint, and some may call him a hypocrite. Read his book and decide for yourself.



2. basically, the book is about how John Corcoran got jerked around by everyone : his parents, teachers, everybody....he finds all these people and things to blame, but never blames himself. but there are some good points on illiteracy that he mentions. he talks about things like teaching methods, programs available for the illiterate, and exactly how many illiterates there are in california. i personally liked reading about corcoran's life, but i didn't like all the complaining and blaming he does. and i didn't really like what he had to say on illliteracy because it got kinda boring, and he drifts a lot....the book was alright ....i guess



3. A shocking true story of a man's struggle with illiteracy. An immediate feeling of compassion for the author in the first few chapters of the book. Thereafter a feeling of moral disappointment and cowardness for his continues actions to himself and others.

   The bibliography is defintley an attention grabber and captures that same attention throughout the book. It is a book that I feel that took the author alot of courage to write about. His life story is displayed publicy for criticism of good and bad nature. Yet, I feel this book was more of a release of consciousness and to show who was to blame for his illiteracy problems. It is a book that can not be encouraging for many people. In the sense that the author seemed to go for help until he hit rock bottom in his life. If he continued on with his life being successful I believe he would have never went in for help for his illiteracy. Although I feel this way about the author's attempt to show the world about his struggles he has built awareness about illiteracy. A problem that is extreme in our country.




4. Although John Corcoran does deserve credit for working towards his goal of becoming literate, it is appalling that he concealed this secret for so many years and no one knew it. Furthermore, the book was not that good of a read. The part about his life was interesting, but towards the end, it just kept repeating over and over again 'don't be illiterate.' Don't rush out to buy this one.



5. Because I currently work as a literacy tutor, I decided to order this book. On my own, I found only parts of the book captured my interest. However, as my students listen to selected passages during each class session, they feel moved to share similar experiences verbally and in writing. Thus, this book has proven a wonderful resource for me; One of my students asked me to order it for her. All of the students feel inspired by John Corcoran's story.

5 comments about Crossing the Water: Eighteen Months on an Island Working with Troubled Boys-a Teacher's Memoir.

1. In this wonderful book, Dan Robb has managed to write about his experience teaching troubled boys with soul and without sentimentality. The rawness of his experience teaching on an isolated island off of Cape Cod, and the soul searching it prompted, makes for compelling reading no matter how much time you spend thinking about or working with kids. As the mother of a small boy, I also felt that reading this book was a way of learning about how to be a good parent to my child. I recommend this book with all my heart, and hope that it touches you as deeply as it did me.



2. Dan Robb's memoir criss-crosses the worlds of the Pennikese bad boys--his students; of his own memories of a sometimes tempest-tossed adolescence; of his adult role of teacher in uncharted territory; and of an island--sere and beautiful, immutably changing with the seasons and with the boys who come and go--a place isolated yet self-contained, severe and yet secure, once "home" to lepers, now a prison-home for boys perched on the brink of social leprosy.
   Robb's beautifully descriptive book carries the reader back and forth among these intersecting worlds while limning sharp yet fleshy portraits of the boys, each of whose stories grabs and engrosses. This is a book--yes, for teachers who know, or are learning, that the best kind of pedagogy is through memory, storytelling and the imaging of new worlds; for those concerned about how to treat and heal our outcast and abandoned children; and for those who, along with their interest in a critical and wrenching problem, can also take pleasure in the work of a gifted teacher/writer/artist.



3. Dan Robb's memoir criss-crosses the worlds of the Pennikese bad boys--his students; of his own memories of a sometimes tempest-tossed adolescence; of his adult role of teacher in uncharted territory; and of an island--sere and beautiful, immutably changing with the seasons and with the boys who come and go--a place isolated yet self-contained, severe and yet secure, once "home" to lepers, now a prison-home for boys perched on the brink of social leprosy.
   Robb's beautifully descriptive book carries the reader back and forth among these intersecting worlds while limning sharp yet fleshy portraits of the boys, each of whose stories grabs and engrosses. This is a book--yes, for teachers who know, or are learning, that the best kind of pedagogy is through memory, storytelling and the imaging of new worlds; for those concerned about how to treat and heal our outcast and abandoned children; and for those who, along with their interest in a critical and wrenching problem, also take pleasure in the work of a gifted teacher/writer/artist.



4. As my title states, I just couldn't get into this book, even though I work with kids. I didn't finish it. I thought it was sad that the school's success rate with the kids wasn't much better than the prison system's success rate. It seemed that the school administration was proud of the fact that they didn't have any professional counselling for the kids, and I'm not so sure that's something to be proud of.



5. As I read this wonderful book by Robb, I mused that I wish I had been able to teach it at the University where I taught Young Adult literature teachers of young adults. So much of the YA literature offers "insider" stories, but never seems to give the idea that there is a way out, often leaving readers feeling hopeless and helpless in our modern world. This remarkable book offers us a true glimpse into a modern young person's problematic life, and yet shows us that there are always choices, always people like Dan to offer a better way.
   One thing that truly impressed me was the subtle, never over-wrought literary allusions to such writers as Henry David Thoreau and Mark Twain. Daniel Robb went to the Island to live deliberately, to simplify, to get in touch with himself, the core of his being, and to reach out to some of the troubled young men of our current world. Furthermore, the entire story is built on a the extended metaphor of the story of Beowulf. Robb informs his readers at the end of his book just how the ancient story of Beowulf is anything but dead literature--it still resonates in our modern world. The readers of this excellent memoir will be given as much as the subjects of the story, and this reader is indeed grateful to Daniel Robb for his insight and his fine writing. Dr. Janice E. Patten

1 comments about A Hard Journey: The Life of Don West.

1. 
   James J. Lorence (professor emeritus of history, University of Wisconsin-Marathon County) presents A Hard Journey: The Life of Don West is the biography of poet, ordained Congregationalist minister, labor organizer, educator, leftist activist, and political figure Don West, a twentieth-century American advocate for traditional religious values who dedicated himself to building a nonracist, egalitarian south. Chapters meticulously scrutinize West's adolescence, the passion with which he threw himself into his life's work, the ethical and religious roots of his dogged antifascism, and his lifelong determination to defend mountain culture and his advocacy for the rural poor. Extensive notes, a bibliography and an index round out this heavily researched account of a life well and dutifully lived.

5 comments about Walking Out on the Boys.

1. Sadly, any woman who's achieved a doctorate (& not just in medicine) will relate wholeheartedly to this book. I greatly admire Dr. Conley's unbelievable courage in standing up to the Boys' Club & trying to make things better for women in academia. Hopefully this book will encourage ALL women to stand up to the misogyny & be heard.



2. Frances Conley offers a compelling indictment of gender discrimination at Stanford Medical School, past and present, focussing on her own recent experience. I started this book at midnight and could not put it down until finishing it at 4 a.m. Conley provides case after case of medical school professors given virtually absolute and unchecked power over their subordinates and their subordinates' careers, abusing that power, and the medical school administration covering up that abuse. While she never addresses the issues of solidarity in the face of sexual harassment, her cases all indicate that when one woman protests, she loses, and only a pattern of abuse reported by multiple women leads to any punishment of the harassers at all. Conley was fortunate and grateful that 37 others came forward to support her claim that Gerald Silverberg engaged in inappropriate sexual contact and other activities counterindicating his capability for leadership. I'll be passing this book onto many women who have had the choice to be treated at Stanford Hospital and may well now rethink that choice.



3. I'm not an MD or a PhD; I don't work in a hospital or academia. Yet I too have experienced sexual harassment, and I too have consulted the EEO department that is supposed to get involved in handling these issues, and I found that they were disinterested, that they gave subtle and obvious messages that the problem was "my" problem and not the corporation's, and that they relied on my being too timid or unmotivated to initiate a lawsuit so the whole thing could be, well, ignored. Sexual harassment exists because the society permits men (even encourages men) to expect that it is their right to harass women. Not all men harass, and not all men admire harassers. In fact, it is quite the opposite, but those who possess the attitude that women who dare to compete must be put down through sexual threat or debasement will harass (they also enjoy and even need it, since these men have very real problems). Through her description of her own experiences, the author illuminates the social mechanism of harassment. She also brings to light the story that all we women know -- what it feels like to be the victim not just of a troubled person but of an organization that insists she accept the role of victim. When we are harassed, we women discover the battle we are in, not against one man but against all those societies which are founded on (this does sound harsh, I know) the hatred of women. This is a marvelous book -- hard to read at times if you've been there -- but it is important that women know what we are facing (especially our daughters, who like us may have been programmed to think that all men will be nice to us, will treat us fairly, and that if someone is abusive, it is our own fault, there is something wrong with me, etc.). Important too is having the author detail the steps she took to handle the harassment. This is a very supportive book for anyone enduring just such a situation (harassment as well as gender discrimination, which is a lot more rife and a lot less obvious). I'd recommend this to any woman who is willing to step outside of the traditional role, because we all need to know what we are up against, how the system is going to fail us, and especially all the steps we are entitled to take to combat this problem so that we change society's viewpoint and not just our own. I'd also recommend this to men, because there are many who are supportive of women in the workplace. Our husbands and boyfriends need to read this book to know how difficult it is for women, because in the end we can only effect a change if we all stand together.



4. As a minority faculty in the academics Frances Conley's book vividly portrays the reality of the ivory tower that, though pretentiously progressive in ideas, is way behind the iota of gender equality that exists outside the academe. I, sometimes, feel I am living in the medieval period when entering the academe.

   When I first came across this book I thought this must have been written in the seventies and I could share it with my students as a historical autobiography of sexism in an academic institution. I was horrified to find that it was written in the nineties about one of the most prestigious institution in California.

   I have always felt alone, alienated in the academe and of course disconnected from other women who were struggling too much to bother with the problems of their women peers. This book validated my experience and helped me understand where my alienation was coming from.

   I wish this book could be a standard read for all freshman students in all universities. Only when women who appear to be in power tell their stories of powerlessness and abuse can we act collectively to stop the misogyny that exists among our men and more particularly among our elite men.




5. Men groping women. Men coming on to women, and making incredible jackasses of themselves in the process. Men getting drunk and acting like barbarians. Men with one thing in mind. Men whose compulsion to talk about sex is so strong that they do it at highly inappropriate times in public. Men who think that pressuring women is their God-given right. If you think that what I just described is a high school football team on an overdose of steroids, you're wrong. These sexual antics weren't perpetrated by adolescents with testosterone bubbling out their ears, they were committed by male doctors at Stanford University. Not being stupid, these demigods put two and two together and realized that they could use their power to pressure women. One of these men made a fatal mistake, though: he pressured Dr. Frances Conley, a topnotch neurosurgeon and renowned researcher at Stanford. Bad move, fella. I suppose that guy never learned that if you're going to pick a fight, you don't provoke someone who can whack you back so hard you just might rethink whether it's wise to be a bully.

   As publicity spread about Dr. Conley's fight, more and more women came forward to reveal their stories. This was certainly an eye-opening book. Before reading it, I'd never given much thought about the sexual harassment of women in medicine and allied healthcare fields. Perhaps we're more civilized here in Michigan, because I've never seen or heard of any such hanky-panky. Well, let me revise that last statement: I have witnessed a lot of sexual inducement, but what I saw was women chasing men not the other way around. But everyone knows that those California folks are trendsetters.

   Dr. Conley never envisioned herself as a trendsetter, though. For years, she passively participated in the abuse until a concatenation of events convinced her that it was time to draw a line in the sand. To make a long story short, the men didn't believe she'd put up much of a fight, but she did, and they lost. Big time.

   (...) Perhaps the most chilling message in this book is that some men in positions of power are willing to use that power to stifle the careers of women. So what is an attractive woman to assume? That if she goes into medicine her pulchritude will serve as a magnet for sexual harassment? Perhaps this abuse is, unbeknownst to me, more pervasive than I think. I suppose because most of my friends are women, I can't understand men who view women as being somehow inferior. However, you shouldn't necessarily construe from that statement that I think women physicians are as competent, on average, as male physicians. There's no doubt that some are, and there's no doubt that Dr. Conley is a superior physician, not just competent. (...) My only major criticism of the book is that it is too focused upon abuse of women by men. Since the core of this book is hinged upon some of the depredations that ensue when power is abused, I think she could have achieved a more balanced perspective by pointing out that powerful people often use their power against men, too � not just women. I've seen male docs fight one another with such a vehemence that it made the stories in Dr. Conley's book seem as pleasant as afternoon tea and cookies with a neighbor. Consequently, while I don't intend to trivialize the unfortunate reality of the abuse Dr. Conley documents, it's important to keep in mind that this abuse is but one aspect of a much larger problem. In defense of Dr. Conley, broadening the scope of this book to include other aspects of hospital politics would have diluted the message she wished to inculcate, and it would have made for a very unwieldy book. With that in mind, I suppose I'm on shaky ground by wishing that her book had a wider focus. Her book, her demeanor, her dedication, her resolve, and her competence are commendable. Dr. Conley is a great doctor and I am happy to have met her, however indirectly, by reading this book.

   Review by Kevin Pezzi, M.D.