What are Universities For?

An eloquent and impassioned book Economist Collini is astute, analytical, and often killingly funny -- Bevis Hillier Daily Telegraph Collini is that rare bird, a don who can be read with pleasure -- Michael Barber Tablet, Books of the Year One of Britain's finest essayists and writers -- Ronan McDonald The Times Higher Education Supplement [A] timely lecture for the coalition of dunces ... this is a closely argued defence Independent on Sunday The book is a bit like some university courses. It is erudite, well argued, carefully researched, a fine addition to the debate about the purpose of university education Scotsman [Collini is] stern and splendid in his brief history of the hot debate on useful versus useless knowledge -- Fred Inglis Times Higher Education It is extremely well written: Collini's prose is lively, well-reasoned and persuasive. The book is a refreshing example of a faculty member engaging with the wider issues of higher education rather than perceiving them through the narrow prism of his own discipline ... a valuable, timely contribution to the discourse -- Gerry Wrixon Irish Examiner A critique both pointed and witty -- Howard Newby Independent Collini writes beautifully -- Chris Patten Financial Times Collini puts his finger on the nub of the problem facing universities. Collini's book is a must-read -- Ac Grayling Literary Review