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Handing One Another Along: Literature and Social Reflection
In this book on shaping a meaningful and ethical life, the renowned, Pulitzer Prize–winning author explores how character, courage, and human and moral understanding can be fostered by reflecting on the lives of others, through stories. Based on Robert Coles’ legendary course at Harvard, this provocative book addresses such questions as, “Who are we? Where do we come from?...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
August 31st 2010
by Random House
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This is a collection of Professor Robert Coles' lectures for a course he teaches at (ahem) Hah-vahd. Being a little public university kid, I wondered what all the ivy was about and so read this book, more a "dipper" than a "cover-to-cover" deal.
Coles is concerned with the same terrain as early man (OK, early, on-time, and late man, for that matter): Where did we come from? Who are we? And where the hell are we going? Hell, I could answer the last one for him, but I might get my ass kicked into...more
Coles is concerned with the same terrain as early man (OK, early, on-time, and late man, for that matter): Where did we come from? Who are we? And where the hell are we going? Hell, I could answer the last one for him, but I might get my ass kicked into...more
Highlights: narrative-driven chapters/lectures plus deeply human/e insights on William Carlos Williams, Raymond Carver, Flannery O'Connor, Ruby Bridges. First half of the book was stronger, more insightful and interesting, better written than the second half. Have to hand it to him though: Robert Coles' insights, reflections, and thoughts on William Carlos Williams and Raymond Carver made me want to read their entire body of work and teach from his prescribed pieces.
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Robert Coles is a great academic, but more importantly, a great storyteller. He writes well, of course, but more importantly, he's able to take the personal narratives and writing lives of those featured in this book and craft them into exampled about how we live together in community and what that might mean. Poetic, academic, and inspiring; not a bad combo.
My three star rating does not mean I did not like it. Like it I did! But, at time it seemed to ramble a bit. Still, his insights in many areas are excellent and really make one thing. Some of the ideas from this book will stay with me for a long time. Not as good as All Things Shining, but certainly worth the read.
A nonfiction book companion to Coles' Harvard class. Discusses different authors and how they help readers interrogate life and how to live it.
The subtitle says it all: On character, courage, and compassion
Harvard's Gen Ed 105 in a book! I LOVED loved loved.
This is such a great book. Coles writes passionately about both literature and social reflection. His sense of social responsibility is high and he conveys that sense of importance to the reader. I especially enjoyed his stories about William Carlos Williams, Flannery O'Connor, and Ruby Bridges. This book is a must read for any educator or anyone interested in education.
Please support independent bookstores, if you order this book please use Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978081...
Please support independent bookstores, if you order this book please use Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978081...
A refresher course in re-reading and the training in empathy and depth that literature, and especially, a wide spectrum of voices provides. Robert Coles continues to be a wise guide.
My reading list has grown greatly from this great book.
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Child psychiatrist, author, Harvard professor.
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