In Defense of a Liberal Education

June 29, 2015
Zakaria provides a profound and well-argued defense of a traditional liberal-arts education, in the face of a large push in the United States to devalue and defund it. He does this in part by examining his own education, in both India and the U.S., while also addressing the assumptions, misinformation, and misunderstandings about the liberal-arts education in general. Zakaria provides a strong, energetic reading for the audio version of his book. His narration also benefits from his sense of emphasis and pacing. The weight of the subject is evident in his voice, and he navigates the complex issues deliberately, helping listeners better understand the text. His light Indian accent also makes the narration feel all the more personal and connected to Zakaria’s experience and knowledge. A Norton hardcover.

Narrating his own work, the CNN host and WASHINGTON POST columnist warns about the impending death of liberal arts education in the United States. Zakaria's informative, direct message on the necessity of this type of education provides the listeners with a personal connection to the topic as well as factual reports defending the liberal arts. The author's tone is unafraid as he expresses great concern about the changes currently taking place in American education. An intellectual urgency comes across in his detailed account of coming to the United States from India and his discussion of American youth and how they respond to education. This listening experience is both thought provoking and bold. T.E.C. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine