A Yale Album: The Third Century

by Richard Benson

This engaging photograph album of Yale’s third century contains a rich and surprising assortment of pictures selected by the photographer Richard Benson. Punctuated with essays by past and present notables of the Yale community and by Benson’s own commentary, the album moves from Old Yale at the turn of the century to challenges facing the university in the new millennium. The people, events, objects, and settings encountered along the way have contributed to the making of the Yale experience in the twentieth century.

Published on the occasion of Yale University’s tercentennial celebration, the album opens with the bicentennial years and a charming evocation of college life before World War I. The next section chronicles the great building boom on campus—including the transition to a residential college system—prompted by the generous bequests of John Hay Whitney, John Sterling, and Edward S. Harkness. A campus transformed by world events is depicted in sections on Yale between the wars and during World War II. About midway through the volume and the century, the focus turns to campus life, including athletics, the growth of the arts, the political turmoil of the sixties and seventies, and the advent of coeducation. Following a photo essay on life at Yale today, the album concludes, as does Yale each academic year, with the ebullient rituals and regalia of commencement.

For all those who are, were, or hope to be part of the Yale community, Benson has created an exceptional memento from the bounty of Yale’s archives.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 11, 2000

Reviews

[Laila]

A Yale Album was a very good read. As a current Yale student, I sought to find a book to make my experience at the university even more meaningful. I really enjoyed the photos, stories, and interesting facts.


Was this book entirely a waste of time? No. I really enjoyed reading about Yale and the university's history.
Would you re-read this book? Very unlikely.
Did you like the premise? Yes. I enjoy learning about the history of cities and universities, especially those that are personally meaningful.
Did you like the way the concepts were presented? Yes. The book includes speeches, facts, stories, and photos of Yale through the ages.
If part of a series, do you feel the need to start the next book soon? N/A
Would you recommend this book to readers in general? Unlikely.
Who would you recommend this book to? I would recommend this book to Yale affiliates or those generally interested in the university's history.

OVERALL RATING: 5/5

5/5 I loved this book. It was either incredibly entertaining, useful, or life altering in some capacity. This is a book I will reread and highly recommend
4/5 I liked this book. It was solid and enjoyable. For fiction, I enjoyed it but I wasn't captivated and didn't get too attached. For nonfiction, it was mostly good or helpful, although it didn't change my life. These books are somewhat recommended to others. Also, I would reread if necessary or time permits.
3/5 the book was okay. I liked the book enough, but I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2/5 I didn't like the book. Period.
1/5 I would use this book in a bonfire (and not for lack of fuel)

[Tasha]

This book was surprisingly interesting and fun to read! I feel like I learned a lot.