Professor at Large: The Cornell Years

Professor at Large: The Cornell Years is a collection of vignettes showcasing a series of talks, lectures, and workshops delivered by John Cleese during his more than decade long association with Cornell University as a visiting professor.  The subjects are wide ranging, always witty, often profound and a joy to read. 

In the current culture of anti-intellectualism it's all too easy to become disillusioned and exhausted by all of the backlash against well spoken prose, language, literature, intelligence...  This book (and Professor Cleese) are erudite and unapologetically intelligent.  Additionally, the people who join him in his talks are also intelligent (often brilliant), well spoken, and profound.  His back-and-forth with William Goldman alone is worth the price of the book.  The other chapters include neurologists, psychologists, discussions on religion, culture and the meaning of life.

There's a lot of material here for fans of Monty Python and Cleese the Actor, but there's also a lot to love here for anyone who loves to read intelligent well spoken people talking about interesting topics. 

I enjoyed it hugely and recommend it to everyone.

248 pages, available in ebook and hardcover formats.
Anticipated release date: October 15, 2018 from Cornell University Press.

Five stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.