The Borzoi College Reader

by Charles Muscatine, Marlene Griffith

This highly regarded, thematic reader for freshman composition offers students an introduction to issues in the arts and sciences. It includes a good balance of classic and contemporary selections from mixed genres and provides a wide range of viewpoints and voices. The readings are supported by introductions to each theme and individual headnotes.

Genres: Literature, Textbooks

846 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Ci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to pick up this book from a local library sale, and what a find! I wish that I was a freshman college student again, facing the world with the urgency to be armed with wise guidance about one's self, other people, society's culture, the most importantly to learn about how to observe and ask questions. Even so, a few essays stand out -- William Golding's funny little "Thinking as a Hobby" (am I the culprit in that fashion!), Susanne K. Langer's essays on language, art, and symbol (2 essays), Tillich's echoing piece on Symbols of Faith, and most interestingly Aldous Huxley's essay relating to his Perennial Philosophy.

Granted that some materials are dated or superseded by later works, the essential quality of this textbook is to remind readers of critical thinking in a broad scope.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those English curriculum treasures that can usually be found at library used book sales

[mono · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essays on the death penalty changed my mind for and against at least twice. The essays on segregation remind me that doing the right thing is an eternal struggle. The pieces on art have shown a higher irrational purpose or maybe wonton desire to understand the bigger picture.

Orwell is a great writer. So is MLK.

[Pamela]

My long lost Freshman reader. I've just ordered it again to think of Charles' early influence on me all these years later. I hope it's as great a revelation as Hayakawa was when Corynn led me back through his work.

[Xio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays on all sorts of things. Lots of fun. I got mine out of the trash so it may be an earlier edition than this.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good variety of subjects an authors; lots of African American writers

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich text that encourages critical thinking through many wonderfully told multicultural stories.