Why Read? - by Mark Edmundson (Paperback)

About the Book

Edmundson's many-faceted argument is forthright, rigorous, and inspiring as he convincingly links literature with hope, and humanism with democracy.-Booklist

Book Synopsis

-A PSLA Young Adult Top 40 (or so) non-fiction title 2004
In this important book, acclaimed author Mark Edmundson reconceives the value and promise of reading. He enjoins educators to stop offering up literature as facile entertainment and instead teach students to read in a way that can change their lives for the better. At once controversial and inspiring, this is a groundbreaking book written with the elegance and power to change the way we teach and read.
Praise for Why Read?:
"Edmundson is dead on target."-Washington Post Book World "Edmundson's an engaging teacher, earnest, knowledgeable, witty."-Boston Globe "Why Read? makes passionate arguments for literature's soul-making potential."-Raleigh News and Observer "An engaging blend of social criticism, self-improvement wisdom, and appeal to fellow humanities professors...Edmundson writes with a rare combination of force and humility."-Willamette Weekly
Mark Edmundson is NEH/Daniels Family Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Virginia. A prizewinning scholar, he is the author of Literature Against Philosophy, Plato to Derrida, and the widely praised memoir, Teacher: The One Who Made the Difference. He has written for the New Republic, the New York Times Magazine, the Nation, and Harper's, where he is a contributing editor. Featured on Brian Lamb's final Booknotes
Also available: HC 1-58234-425-6 ISBN 13: 978-158234-425- $21.95

Review Quotes

"An engaging blend of social criticism, self-improvement wisdom, and appeal to fellow humanities professors.Edmundson writes with a rare combination of force and humility."

"Edmundson's an engaging teacher, earnest, knowledgeable, witty."

"Edmundson's many-faceted argument is forthright, rigorous, and inspiring as he convincingly links literature with hope, and humanism with democracy."

"Why Read? is an encomium to literature and reading, a passionate argument.Edmundson is dead on target."

"Why Read? makes passionate arguments for literature's soul-making potential."

""Why Read? "makes passionate arguments for literature's soul-making potential."


""Why Read?" is an encomium to literature and reading, a passionate argument...Edmundson is dead on target."


"Thoughtful...striking...Edmundson lobbies for demonstrating literature's importance by teaching it through asking big, risk-taking philosophical questions."


"Thoughtful.striking.Edmundson lobbies for demonstrating literature's importance by teaching it through asking big, risk-taking philosophical questions."

About the Author

Mark Edmundson is NEH/Daniels Family Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Virginia. A prizewinning scholar, he is the author of several book, including the widely praised memoir, Teacher: The One Who Made the Difference.. He has written for the New Republic, the New York Times Magazine, the Nation, and Harper's, where he is a contributing editor.