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spitzig's review against another edition
3.0
Eh. It was well written. I agree with the idea. a broad education is important.
I don't use my BS degree at work, but the electives like philosophy and religion I took will probably stay with me. Of course, I wasn't forced to take those specifically and I've continued to expand my knowledge of them.
Learning to express oneself, learning about the world, and improving how one thinks are all important in most jobs and in generally in life. A technical degree shouldn't be totally focused on a job. Liberal arts degrees should be broad enough to include some science classes-science is kind of basic to how the world works.
I don't use my BS degree at work, but the electives like philosophy and religion I took will probably stay with me. Of course, I wasn't forced to take those specifically and I've continued to expand my knowledge of them.
Learning to express oneself, learning about the world, and improving how one thinks are all important in most jobs and in generally in life. A technical degree shouldn't be totally focused on a job. Liberal arts degrees should be broad enough to include some science classes-science is kind of basic to how the world works.
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
3.0
A small, efficient book that I think does a great job of explaining why a liberal education is far from an impractical luxury today. Goes a little off the rails near the end as Zakaria jumps from topic to topic.
jrobles76's review against another edition
5.0
I remember watching Jon Stewart interview Marco Rubio and Rubio was arguing for sensible education. Words to the effect of, "Do we need more Greek History majors?" The argument is that people shouldn't go to college for knowledge, but to acquire a marketable skill. The insistence is on learning a trade of some sort. I come from a poor family, but I went to college primarily to learn something. All my life I dreamed of learning for learning sake. Not taking classes where I had to fill out some stupid worksheet, or regurgitate some information, but discuss big ideas. I eventually received my BA in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, the biggest school that I could afford (with student loans paying for everything). I didn't get a job in psychology, I work for a family-owned retail chain. I'm really good at my job, because of the reasons that Fareed Zakaria lays out in this book. I was taught how to study, learn, interpret data, conduct experiments, and love learning. I wanted to make films, but I felt getting a degree in film would be like learning a trade. I wanted to expand my mind and learn things I never knew before, which is why psychology was so fascinating. I minored in English, again, a discipline that requires you to make compelling arguments in written form. To defend a thesis by supporting it with research. Why would you ever need that in business?
To the opening question of Marco Rubio, "Do we need more Greek History majors?" I say, yes. If we do not help people learn about Greek History, or American History, then only the elite will have access to this knowledge. Essentially what Rubio and other politicians, both Republican and Democrat, are saying is that if you're poor, you don't deserve to learn anything that would enrich your life. You don't deserve to have your mind expanded. You should have been born to a rich family if you wanted to study art, what were you thinking? Turns out this idea I had of everyone having access to the education they want is not new, Thomas Jefferson had it first. He, too, was afraid of only elites having access to education and forming an unnatural aristocracy of birth, wealth, and privilege.
I believe Mr. Zakaria makes a compelling case for the need for a well-rounded liberal arts education. I know I've benefitted well from mine, and so have my bosses, and the many employees who benefit from the revenue I've helped generate. But most importantly my life is much enriched by the knowledge I gained at U.T. and the love of learning it left me with.
To the opening question of Marco Rubio, "Do we need more Greek History majors?" I say, yes. If we do not help people learn about Greek History, or American History, then only the elite will have access to this knowledge. Essentially what Rubio and other politicians, both Republican and Democrat, are saying is that if you're poor, you don't deserve to learn anything that would enrich your life. You don't deserve to have your mind expanded. You should have been born to a rich family if you wanted to study art, what were you thinking? Turns out this idea I had of everyone having access to the education they want is not new, Thomas Jefferson had it first. He, too, was afraid of only elites having access to education and forming an unnatural aristocracy of birth, wealth, and privilege.
I believe Mr. Zakaria makes a compelling case for the need for a well-rounded liberal arts education. I know I've benefitted well from mine, and so have my bosses, and the many employees who benefit from the revenue I've helped generate. But most importantly my life is much enriched by the knowledge I gained at U.T. and the love of learning it left me with.
colinhdempsey's review against another edition
2.0
the reviews here are all better than this book because every negative one starts with "Now i LIKE liberal arts..." which is equivalent to saying "not to be racist BUT..."
finishing this I didn't feel it defended liberal arts well because none of the arguments addressed how post-grad job opportunities are frighteningly limited. maybe that wasn't the point. my dad used to nap while Zakaria's show was on every sunday so I thought this book would be better thought out
finishing this I didn't feel it defended liberal arts well because none of the arguments addressed how post-grad job opportunities are frighteningly limited. maybe that wasn't the point. my dad used to nap while Zakaria's show was on every sunday so I thought this book would be better thought out
maxstone98's review against another edition
3.0
So one problem with the Goodreads Challenge is that it makes one more drawn to short books, because of course one wants to meet or exceed a challenge. And my current pet theory is that many books in the 150-200 page range are really meant to be 50 page essays, but there's no market for 50 pages essays. Too long for a magazine, and too short to charge $10-20 for as a book. So they end up as 150-200 page books with kinda small pages and big fonts and quite a few more digressions or histories than would be ideal.
In Defense of a Liberal Education is such a book.
But that is too negative. On the positive side:
Fareed Zakaria is always a very thoughtful, reasonable, and engaging writer.
The topic of what makes a good education is an interesting one
I specifically agree that many of the attributes of a liberal education are currently undervalued and so I was happy to see someone making a forceful and well written argument in that direction.
The book does a nice job of offering supportive data and stories about the ways in which it is valuable and some of the forces that have moved it somewhat to the sidelines
On the negative side:
Would have been a better 50 page essay. I really felt like some sections were just filler.
A lot of it struck me as "true but not new". e.g. extolling the value of learning how to learn and think better.
Even more generally, I felt I was reading an argument I already agree with and getting a little more data to support my pre-existing view, but not really getting many new concepts from (this obviously might not be the case for other readers who start with a different viewpoint, but it was a negative for me).
In Defense of a Liberal Education is such a book.
But that is too negative. On the positive side:
Fareed Zakaria is always a very thoughtful, reasonable, and engaging writer.
The topic of what makes a good education is an interesting one
I specifically agree that many of the attributes of a liberal education are currently undervalued and so I was happy to see someone making a forceful and well written argument in that direction.
The book does a nice job of offering supportive data and stories about the ways in which it is valuable and some of the forces that have moved it somewhat to the sidelines
On the negative side:
Would have been a better 50 page essay. I really felt like some sections were just filler.
A lot of it struck me as "true but not new". e.g. extolling the value of learning how to learn and think better.
Even more generally, I felt I was reading an argument I already agree with and getting a little more data to support my pre-existing view, but not really getting many new concepts from (this obviously might not be the case for other readers who start with a different viewpoint, but it was a negative for me).
vedlovesreading's review against another edition
5.0
A solid read. Beautifully written and a fascinating overview of the liberal arts. Especially salient given that I’m currently a student; it was a good perspective check and motivator going into my final year.
trekbicycles's review against another edition
4.0
A concise map of liberal education in America and around the world. Makes you think!