Frank Rhodes was a distinguished leader of higher education when he led Cornell. He set standards of excellence for institutions but equally he set standards that other presidents should follow - without personal agrandizement.

He argues that this book is addressed to the AAU (American Association of Universities - the 50 top research universities) members - but that is not accurate. What he does in a concise and readable text is explain two things. First, he explains several issues that higher education rarely is able to explain in clear terms. Yet, he does it with grace and elegance. Second he offers a list of changes that would make higher education an even more important resource.

If you are interested in higher education governance or finances or the contributions of research from universities - this is a good book for you. If you want to understand the role of the faculty, again this is a good resource.

Steve Sample's book on Contrarian Leadership - is also excellent but focussed more on the leader. This covers, both leaders and institutions, without flinching from the tradition of shared governance. Compared to the post presidential books like Derek Bok's book on Affirmative Action or Jim Duderstadt's book on leadership - Rhodes book is much more useful and much more concise.

Frank Rhodes' book should be purchased by every educator concerned about the future of higher education in this nation. This book cuts through 200 hundred years of ivory tower mentality and reminds educators that if higher education is not revolutionized soon, it will be replaced. Rhodes quotes noneother than the prescient Peter Drucker, who believes that, "Thirty years from now the big university campuses will be relics...Universities won't survive. It's as large a change as when we first got the printed book...Already we are beginning to deliver more lectures and classes off-campus via satellite or two-way video as a fraction of the cost. The college won't survive as a residential institution. Today's buidlings are hopelessly unsuited and totally unneeded...I consider the American research university of the last 40 years to be a failure. The great educational needs of tomorrow are not on the research side, but on the learning side." To back up what he believes, Rhodes examined 125 major research universities and offers a blueprint for a future where learning is truly universal and useable. This is a profound book that is a must replacement to the 40 year-old, The American College and University: A History, a tome that has been used to train higher education administrators. Rhodes' views, while controversial, are refreshingly presented in a fast-paced and delightful book.

I can remember pouring over the pictures in this book,using my book light,long after the final lights out call from my parents. I traveled back in time, imagining dinosaur growls and prehistoric seashells. By day, I would wander the acreage on my Grandma's farm, scouring the weedy earth for the slightest hint of ancient rock or dinosaur footprint. I wanted my school-age children to enjoy the imaginative art of archeology and paleantology and immediately remembered my favorite book, Fossils: A Guide to Prehistoric Life. I was delighted to see that it was still in print with the same exciting drawings. I immediatley ordered my copy! I then decided to order a copy for my kids! This is a great book that will encourage your children to look beyond the video games and satellite channels and into the fascinating world of the ancient past.

This little guide is the best choice for beginners and children. Book gives the reader an idea about what a fossil is, where and how they can be found, and some information about major fossils. All the pictures are hand drawn illustrations, so that they are not very detailed but still OK for kids and beginers. (I liked it when I was young!)