Impostors in the Temple: The Decline of the American University

Although he seems to be afflicted with a chronic sneer and often sounds as if he is addressing high school students, Anderson, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, scores points as he takes on the administrations of American universities. He implies that there is a conspiracy afoot amongst faculty and trustees to grab power, prestige and tax dollars. His discussion is interesting and convincing when he talks about how many professors scorn teaching and pass on the responsibility to their graduate students, as well as making them do uncredited research. He also sensibly calls for shortening the time students take to earn Ph.Ds. For readers who want to take a position on higher education, Anderson provides the names and phone numbers of the governing board members of Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford and six other universities. Conservative Book Club main selection. (Aug.)