Stand, Columbia: A History of Columbia University in the City of New York, 1754-2004

Rating:
Summary: Too Many Details with No Focus
Review: I read "Stand, Columbia" with much eagerness, but I discovered that the book is hardly reader friendly. The writer's talent as a historian is strong, and his research into the university's history is excellent. But what's lacking is a sense of cohesiveness and character. What makes Columbia unique? Where do all these facts and details lead us? "Stand, Columbia" ultimately appears as if it were commissioned by Columbia University Press to be little more than a sugar-coated celebration of the institution's 250th birthday.

Rating:
Summary: Heavy and lackluster
Review: Like the previous reviewer, I too, a newcomer to Columbia faculty, was curious about the history of this great ivy league university -- how President Butler dominated Columbia for 50 years, the difficult Eisenhower presidency, and the student riots of the late 1960s -- and bought McCaughey's massive history sight unseen. Big mistake. Talk about a boring pedantic tome. Fortunately, I've found a better book written by a far superior writer: "Eisenhower at Columbia," by Travis Beal Jacobs. Now there's a page turner, with much background and history of Columbia in living color. Now if only Jacobs will write a sequel.....