The Poor Old Liberal Arts

by Robert I. Gannon, James V. Schall

In this engaging memoir that covers fifty years of a lifetime spent in education as student, teacher, dean, and college president, the author presents a theme of profound importance for society in general, and for the future of education in particular - the loss of the liberal arts in our time, and how to regain them.

When young Robert Gannon was a college freshman in the early twentieth century, it was unthinkable that there would ever be a time when Greek and Latin would not be an essential part of the college curriculum. But over the next several decades, in a world radically altered by two world wars, he saw the liberal arts retreat before the New Materialism.

With wit and charm Gannon recounts along the way colorful episodes and amusing experiences of his many years involved with education and the liberal arts. He reflects on the great impact for good that the liberal arts have had in forming generations of students, and why their loss is such a tragedy. His trenchant remarks on the state of modern education in America and its future prospects make The Poor Old Liberal Arts a spirited, enjoyable and insightful work.

"It is well, in these days of multiculturalism and relativism, that a book like this one is republished. It contains many things most students or faculty never heard of or dare speak in public. The liberal arts are almost nowhere to be found in existing colleges anywhere. . . . The pleas for 'multi-cultural' education to replace liberal arts are really a form of relativism, a refusal to take the issue of standards, truth, and human nobility seriously. In the name of 'culture', we bypass the one culture that grounded what it is to be human itself, what it is to be open to what is, to the divine."
-- Fr. James Schall, S.J., from the Introduction

Genres: Education

185 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 1961

Reviews

[Elkaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to waffle on with this review. As, already I have rewritten this review many times. Thus, whatever comes out now, I will now write down. So, let’s begin with a little story, I was trying to read this on-line, but the copy I got was hard to read. Anyway, found this book at the local catholic bookshop I went too, on my trip away this weekend, and even better, it was almost half-price. And, so I blast through it. Thus, seeing the book was a great read, that I read it twice, over the last few days, as it was full of so many significant thoughts and memoirs of a Man and Jesuit priest to whom taught the Liberal Arts over 50 years, in a modern world that was facing huge changes. Sadly, the author Fr Gannon, did not approve of many of these changes, and would indeed be in real despair if around today. Since, everything he wrote about, is even more shattered and in tatters, as our Modern World, wants nothing to do with our intellectual tradition today.

Since, I am always questioned about why I wanted to attain a liberal – arts degree, when I suffered from dyslexia. But I have always had an intellectual heart, and I have no problem reading, with it being my strength, and can read very quickly. One needs to ask God, the Father why I what to read about philosophy, history and the other areas of Liberal Arts. Thus, I wonder, how Fr Gannon, would have liked me has a student, not able to speak another language, as I would have struggled with Latin and Greek.

Anyway, I am waffling on, yet this book is a must read, for anything that was to restore the Liberal – Arts in their purest form, and the great intellectual tradition that came down to us from the past. Since, its now about gaining knowledge, and preparing you for a career. But it should be, how this wisdom can change the individual and society for the better. Since, its about placing the Holy Trinity, and its loving source at the centre of Man’s lives, not Man’s ego.

[Sarah Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really insightful work, providing useful context to how our educational institutions in America came to be as they are now, and even what the "Liberal Arts" were before that became a slur used to describe those who had Women's Studies as their major. The second half was especially helpful, wherein it explained the tragic impact of WW2 on not just academia, but the priorities of the culture.

[Michael King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I am an Alumni of Fordham University, and Robert Gannon was a former president of this University. This work details the life and career of the author. I also enjoy history, so this book is for me. It is very well written and delivers a clear message on the importance of a liberal arts education and how the events of the 20th century impacted education and society at large. I highly recommend this book.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charmingly-written and fascinating biographical history of the liberal arts in America (and briefly, the UK) at the beginning and middle of the 20th century, their decline, and the good fight to bring them back. Told through the eyes of Fr. Gannon, SJ, who served in the thick of things as president of Fordham and elsewhere.