Review
Sometimes the deepest truths are most accessible through humor. Dr. Grobman demonstrates this in literary triumph. Doctoral training has drifted far from its lofty origins and Grobman s book illustrates poignantly, as only humor can capture, the rotten fruits of unaccountable elitism. Despite the humorous vein, however, there is also a serious side to Grobman s message. There are countless individuals who have been scarred by the abusive ordeals perpetrated upon them by the faculty of doctoral programs. Persons contemplating a pursuit of doctoral study should read this to better understand what they re in for, and what manner of self defense is probably needed to survive with their personhood intact. For many, I would suggest they look into a practitioner doctoral program, rather than a Ph.D., such as a D.S.W., D.P.A., D.B.A., Psy.D., Dr.P.H., and many other degree programs that are aimed at practitioners. These tend to be a bit more competency based, rational, and humane. --Barry L. Nazar, D.P.A. , Senior Research Associate, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Temple University
Having learned about Gary Grobman's Just Don't Do It: A Fractured and Irreverent Look at the Ph.D. Culture at a recent academic conference, I ordered one for a doctoral student who had just completed a very painful dissertation defense and then bought one for myself for good measure. I opened it up and soon found myself reading aloud to my wife. Intrigued, she grabbed the book to scope out the biting cartoons, and we soon found ourselves committing an entire evening, quite unexpectedly, to reading back and forth to each other from its witticisms, mini-treatises, stories, and humor. It s safe to predict that Grobman s book will find a readership among those currently slogging their way through doctoral programs and those disgruntled individuals with little more than painful memories from their past doctoral studies. But we can also hope that the book winds up among the ranks of faculty who have some propensity to change the ways that doctoral studies are conducted. I m afraid I was all too familiar with many of the unjust pitfalls that Grobman outlines; the book was, in places, a bit too close for comfort. Fortunately, Grobman adroitly wraps the presentation in just enough humor to make the bitter pills easier to swallow. Sadly, those with the most up-close view of ego-driven faculty posturing, assistantship servitude, and the processes that breed injustice in graduate education are those with the least leverage for summoning change in the system the students. And those with greatest potential to change the system faculty -- have the least incentive to do so. Although Grobman doesn t invoke the metaphor, it is clear that the injustices in doctoral programs that he illuminates are perpetuated in much the same way that child abuse is handed down inter-generationally. So readers should be prepared that Grobman has a message to deliver: it is about injustice and insensitivity in doctoral programs in higher education. And, as with his other books, Grobman again reveals his propensity for doing his homework a thorough job of digging up voices, accounts, and research about his subject matter. This book is not light and easy reading, although the well-spaced cartoons might suggest otherwise, but it is must reading for anybody contemplating doctoral study. We can only hope that it also finds its way into the hands of a small critical mass of those who can make a difference in the subject matter it reports. --Ralph S. Brower, Associate Professor and Director, Center for Civic and Nonprofit Leadership, Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, Florida State University
Having learned about Gary Grobman's Just Don't Do It: A Fractured and Irreverent Look at the Ph.D. Culture at a recent academic conference, I ordered one for a doctoral student who had just completed a very painful dissertation defense and then bought one for myself for good measure. I opened it up and soon found myself reading aloud to my wife. Intrigued, she grabbed the book to scope out the biting cartoons, and we soon found ourselves committing an entire evening, quite unexpectedly, to reading back and forth to each other from its witticisms, mini-treatises, stories, and humor. It s safe to predict that Grobman s book will find a readership among those currently slogging their way through doctoral programs and those disgruntled individuals with little more than painful memories from their past doctoral studies. But we can also hope that the book winds up among the ranks of faculty who have some propensity to change the ways that doctoral studies are conducted. I m afraid I was all too familiar with many of the unjust pitfalls that Grobman outlines; the book was, in places, a bit too close for comfort. Fortunately, Grobman adroitly wraps the presentation in just enough humor to make the bitter pills easier to swallow. Sadly, those with the most up-close view of ego-driven faculty posturing, assistantship servitude, and the processes that breed injustice in graduate education are those with the least leverage for summoning change in the system the students. And those with greatest potential to change the system faculty -- have the least incentive to do so. Although Grobman doesn t invoke the metaphor, it is clear that the injustices in doctoral programs that he illuminates are perpetuated in much the same way that child abuse is handed down inter-generationally. So readers should be prepared that Grobman has a message to deliver: it is about injustice and insensitivity in doctoral programs in higher education. And, as with his other books, Grobman again reveals his propensity for doing his homework a thorough job of digging up voices, accounts, and research about his subject matter. This book is not light and easy reading, although the well-spaced cartoons might suggest otherwise, but it is must reading for anybody contemplating doctoral study. We can only hope that it also finds its way into the hands of a small critical mass of those who can make a difference in the subject matter it reports. --Ralph S. Brower, Associate Professor and Director, Center for Civic and Nonprofit Leadership, Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, Florida State University
Product Description
With devastatingly caustic tongue-in-cheek humor and probing insights, Dr. Grobman gives readers ample reasons not to get a Ph.D.—from the excessive time invested (45 years, in one case) and callousness of professors and dissertation committees, to vision of students wandering around campus in a “catatonic state” known as ABD ( “All But Dissertation”). He presents numerous anecdotes—some sad, some hilarious—about what happens when people succeed at getting a doctorate—and when they don’t.
Most Ph.D. dropouts feel an “almost universal bitterness” at a perceived personal failure, Grobman writes. Since people accepted into a doctoral program have been screened for having the ability to succeed, he argues that the high attrition rate in these programs “lies principally with the system and culture,” not with the students themselves. His biting satire will leave permanent teeth marks on this academic culture.
No aspect of the academic culture is sacrosanct and Grobman’s arrows hit their mark with his satirical look at online degrees, diploma mills, honorary degrees, the treatment of female students, and the history of the Ph.D. degree. He provides citations in this meticulously-researched book and a Webography of online Ph.D. humor. And, in case you insist on subjecting yourself to the grueling and “masochistic” process to obtain the coveted degree, Grobman includes a chapter of advice to guide you to accomplish your goal in the least amount of time and with the least stress possible.
Just Don’t Do It! is a sidesplitter, page after page. A dozen original cartoons illustrate this book, which will have you laughing out loud or crying. Or both at the same time.
Most Ph.D. dropouts feel an “almost universal bitterness” at a perceived personal failure, Grobman writes. Since people accepted into a doctoral program have been screened for having the ability to succeed, he argues that the high attrition rate in these programs “lies principally with the system and culture,” not with the students themselves. His biting satire will leave permanent teeth marks on this academic culture.
No aspect of the academic culture is sacrosanct and Grobman’s arrows hit their mark with his satirical look at online degrees, diploma mills, honorary degrees, the treatment of female students, and the history of the Ph.D. degree. He provides citations in this meticulously-researched book and a Webography of online Ph.D. humor. And, in case you insist on subjecting yourself to the grueling and “masochistic” process to obtain the coveted degree, Grobman includes a chapter of advice to guide you to accomplish your goal in the least amount of time and with the least stress possible.
Just Don’t Do It! is a sidesplitter, page after page. A dozen original cartoons illustrate this book, which will have you laughing out loud or crying. Or both at the same time.
