How to Build a Life in the Humanities: Meditations on the Academic Work-Life Balance

by Anthony Grafton, Garrett A. Sullivan, Jr, G. Semenza (Editor)

A follow-up to the popular Graduate Study for the 21st Century , this book seeks to expand professional development to include the personal aspects of daily lives in the humanities. How to Build a Life in the Humanities delves into pressing work-life issues such as post-tenure depression, academic life with children, aging, and adjuncting.

Genres: Nonfiction, Academia, Grad School

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 16, 2015

About the author

Anthony Thomas Grafton is an American historian of early modern Europe and the Henry Putnam University Professor of History at Princeton University, where he is also the Director the Program in European Cultural Studies. He is also a corresponding fellow of the British Academy and a recipient of the Balzan Prize. From January 2011 to January 2012, he served as the President of the American Historical Association. From 2006 to 2020, Grafton was co-executive editor of the Journal of the History of Ideas.

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved many of the essays (on Teaching, Grading, Dept. Citizenship), and many on personal issues, but others bugged me. The sole contributor on "Life in a Community College" described a life that only a semi disengaged senior professor might lead at a cc with little resemblance to the two I've taught in for over 20 years. But, clearly, the editors chose folks with some name recognition who write for IHE or the Chronicle, or other places to represent "life in the humanities". 3.5 stars.

[ػᶈᶏϾӗ]

Pretty good follow-up to Semenza's previous book. Lots of informative stuff on diverse lives in the Humanities. It manages to not all be depressing, either. We identified many sections we would like to see added: Politics, Sex, Substance Abuse, Conferences, Friendships. Something on unionizing for graduate students would be nice too. I would love to see this expanded into another edition.

[Liz De Coster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recommend browsing; some essays just weren't relevant to me, and I assume other people. Still a good resource overall for perspectives on lives in the humanities in and around the academy.