Book Review

The Women's Freedom Network Newsletter July/August, 2000, Vol. 7, Number 4. Ms. Mentor's Impeccable Advice for Women in Academia (University of Pennsylvania Press: Philadelphia) 1997, 240 pp. by Emily Toth Reviewed by Claire Morgan

T here is much wisdom in this book. While not having the benefit of spending "nearly quarter of a century" in academia like Professor Toth, I have spent enough time within the Ivory Tower, and talked to enough people similarly employed, to recognize good sense when I see it. For instance, " The motivation to think, research, and write must come from within -- not from the hope for more good grades or strokes. An academic needs a strong, independent drive; intellectual curiosity; and an unconquerable urge to write and publish." And, "Pursuing one's own intellectual interests is the only valid reason to be in graduate school." Today, many students enter graduate studies for the wrong reasons-- as a way of procrastinating, or for professional development purposes, to enhance their resumes. But these are the wrong reasons, particularly if one is interested in a career in the liberal arts, where the training is long, jobs are in short supply, and the remuneration is decent, once one makes full professor, but not outstanding. Even, and perhaps especially today, academics must approach their work as a vocation and a profession rather than as a cushy job if they are to satisfy their expectations. This is why so few make it all the way through course work, comprehensive examinations, and dissertation writing to complete the PhD. Still, as Ms. Toth reminds us, the academic life can be a good one, so long as expectations are realistic.

This book is a collection of "Dear Abby"- type questions and answers on matter ranging from entering graduate school to getting tenure. The chapters take us on a journey through graduate school, job hunting, beg inning a job, tenure and post-tenure. Indeed, the book is arranged so that one can plot an entire career from graduate training to retirement. It is high-minded, human, and humorous. Ms. Mentor reminds sage readers of the traditional reasons for going into any academic conference: to learn stuff, to present a paper, to seek a job, or to pursue revenge for past slights.

All matters directly pertaining to an academic career are discussed within a broadly feminist perspective, but this is a reasonable and pragmatic feminism. For Toth, being a feminist means being a smart, decent human being and helping other women whenever one is in a position to do so. It means searching out allies not making enemies. Consequently, it is of the sort of feminism that shapes the behavior that many professional women already engage in without identifying it as such.

Toth is quite acute when it comes to dealing with the various pitfalls of academia and she uses a humorous approach to do this. At times, both the humor and advice complement each other so well that the point, while amusing, is also a dead-on assessment of a situation that for many of us, is only too familiar.

For instance: "Cock of the Walk"

"Q: I've noticed that whenever there's a public lecture at our university, the first to speak in the question period is always a man. But what, is fascinating, is that his question hardly ever has anything to do with the subject, yet its very long and swollen with self-important jargon.

Last week, for instance, a visiting scholar (a woman) gave a fine talk about Jane Austen, and the first question was from a man who droned and harangued about Ethel Mertz and neocolonial literature for fully five minutes. Finally, the woman said, "What is your question?" whereupon the man said, "I've made my point," and sat down.

I was almost the only person who laughed. What does all this mean?

A: You are describing a phenomenon for which there is a proper technical term: it is called "Peacocking." Also known as "Hello! I have a Penis! It arises primarily in public areas, and especially when a woman is speaking." Ms. Mentor thinks that the best strategy is to interrupt, politely, and then ignore the peacocker. He should not be encouraged in his tedious and silly demonstration."(pp. 66-7)

Secondly, when I first picked up the book I was rather put off by some of the exaggerated attempts at hilarity. But this is probably just a personal preference and others may not find it as irritating and distracting as I did. Humor is a powerful tool when used subtly and in moderation. When exaggerated and used excessively it is silly and annoying. Certainly it should not stop readers from enjoying the benefits of the rest of Toth's advice. But both of these points are small and largely a matter of personal taste.

Overall, this is a wise and knowledgeable book. Academia is home to many self-proclaimed revolutionaries and dissidents. Yet, if one talks to any individual-- male or female-- one thing that is certainly clear, is that it is not a place for anyone who is in a hurry to change the world. The pace of change within academia itself is slow, but it does happen. it is easy to become cynical and disenchanted, and in reading this book I am grateful to Emily Toth for her chastened, but sincere optimism. Women are faced with many challenges in the University, but such challenges may be treated as opportunities for remaking oneself and (in some small way) the world one lives within.