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cmloia's review against another edition
Disclaimer: I definitely dozed off a few times while trying to get through this before my Libby checkout period ended today, so I'm not gonna give it an official star rating, but my unofficial hovers between a 2 and 3.
Most of the book didn't feel like anything I didn't already know, though I suppose if you think our elite universities in the U.S. are a meritocracy and equalizer, you may benefit from a listen.
There were some good points made throughout, such as the transition to a customer service model in education and the way that graduation rates affect school rankings, which in turn disincentives real grading.
However, Deresiewicz also attempts to make the argument that universities used to do a better job of creating class equality...back when access to universities for anyone who wasn't a white male was not easily accessible.
***quotes***
"True self-esteem means not caring whether you get an A in the first place. It means recognizing, despite all you've been trained to believe, that the grades you get do not define your value as a human being. It means deciding for yourself what constitutes your success." (3:05:29)
Most of the book didn't feel like anything I didn't already know, though I suppose if you think our elite universities in the U.S. are a meritocracy and equalizer, you may benefit from a listen.
There were some good points made throughout, such as the transition to a customer service model in education and the way that graduation rates affect school rankings, which in turn disincentives real grading.
However, Deresiewicz also attempts to make the argument that universities used to do a better job of creating class equality...back when access to universities for anyone who wasn't a white male was not easily accessible.
***quotes***
"True self-esteem means not caring whether you get an A in the first place. It means recognizing, despite all you've been trained to believe, that the grades you get do not define your value as a human being. It means deciding for yourself what constitutes your success." (3:05:29)
justkeepswimming24's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
kelseferr's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Possibly the most accurate and undeniable condemnation of American education that I’ve encountered. Thoughtful and without any hesitation to cut through the bullshit, Deresiewicz wrote a total mic drop of a book. It left me impassioned and disillusioned at the same time. I’m left disgusted by the ridiculous theatrics of elite eduction, yet it’s not because he opened my eyes to something I had no ideas about already. In a sense so much of what he said I already knew, but he gave me a stern talking to finally stop and stare it in the face. I appreciate how thoroughly he described all dimensions of this stupid system because through this you cannot deny how absurdist education has become. I always thought I rolled my eyes at Harvard grads, but now I roll my eyes even more. Literally thank you to this author for smacking all vestiges of “meritocracy” out of my head. One of the most important books I’ve read recently. A non narrative nonfiction book that kept me up late reading as if it were a thriller. I genuinely feel like this book by this author is my first experience with a fully honest person.
hhh_111's review against another edition
4.0
Too relatable at times. See book for favourite passages and meaning.
mooreaarose's review against another edition
4.0
Deeply insightful. Excellent points about parenting and childhood in American society today as it relates to the world of academia. Supported with solid data, but not overwhelmingly so. I thought this book nicely synthesized observations and the experiences of the people familiar (intimately or not) with this world. I would definitely recommend this to anyone at any point on their academic journey, as well as those guiding someone else through it.
withlovejeans's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
this book was an incredible insight into the elite college system at america and all of the truthfully difficult horrors that have resulted from it historically and will result from it unless there is change. deresiewicz proposes very practical reasons and arguments that make the book very convincing, and i find it incredibly enlightening for pondering what can be improved of the system nowadays. it’s shocking that the book which is nearly a decade old is still more relevant than ever. absolutely would recommend!