Teaching Amidst the Neon Palm Trees [Paperback]

Lee Ryan Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 2004

The funny and moving story of a young professor in Las Vegas who inadvertently gets caught up in a whirlwind of intrigue and corruption. A fast-moving true story featuring bizarre characters reminiscent of Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... a terrific job.... I learned a lot from [this] book." -- Natalie Patton, former education reporter, Las Vegas Review-Journal

"...a fascinating look at the maelstrom in which money, influence, and education collide." -- Turlock Journal, July 31, 2004

"...an intriguing tale..." -- Las Vegas City Life, June 24, 2004

"...racism, whistle-blowing, a federal probe into lobbying and hiring practices ... at Controversy College." -- Las Vegas Weekly, August 12, 2004

"...the story of one professor’s struggle ... will enlighten readers..." -- LewRockwell.com, May 5, 2004

"A SHOCKING INDICTMENT OF OUR SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE POLITICS THAT PERMEATE IT." -- Raymond Shaffer, Nevada State Senator

"A fascinating book." -- Bill Lockyer, Attorney General of California

"This is an important book. It should serve to prevent such madness from occurring at other colleges." -- Alexander Greenfeld, former professor, University of California at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism

THIS BOOK IS EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING AND VERY ACCURATE. IT IS A VERY GOOD READ." -- Steve Sisolak, Regent, University and Community College System of Nevada

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: 1st Book Library (March 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403331863
• ISBN-13: 978-1403331861
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,446,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "Teaching Amidst the Neon Palm Trees", July 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Teaching Amidst the Neon Palm Trees (Paperback)

An interesting, on-the-mark read, especially for those in higher ed, and even more especially for those of us who still teach at CCSN. My comment on this book is quite simple: Some things never change. Except, of course, when they get even worse.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sad but True, August 8, 2004

By 

Pierre J. Mejlak "Pierre J. Mejlak" (Europe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teaching Amidst the Neon Palm Trees (Paperback)

Albert Einstein once said that great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. This may very well be the case of Lee Ryan Miller.

While reading "Teaching Amidst the Neon Palm Trees" I found myself turning page after page, willing to discover more. It was as if I was reading an exciting thriller. Yet this is no fiction. This is what an innovative and enthusiastic young lecturer had to go through just because he was honoring his profession and giving the country the best possible service.

Lee Miller is not that important in this story. People could have been named A, B and C. Dr Miller could have been a clerk in an office, a postman, a school librarian, a storekeeper or a handyman. Anyone doing anything can be innovative and energetic. Anyone can give his very best and, yes, by doing so stands out. And the nail that stands out gets pounded down. It's a true and sad story indeed. Yet the publication of such a book is extremely positive.

This is an experience that Lee Miller is sharing with the world. He is offering a story of courage that should help all those who are willing to honor their profession and inject a dose of new life into their workplace.

I recommend Lee Miller's book to those who stand out or to those who are willing to do so.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Political infighting at its best (or worst!) at CCSN, April 24, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Teaching Amidst the Neon Palm Trees (Paperback)

As a student, you don't really know what goes on amongst the faculty when they decide which instructor gets what course in the next term. Sometimes the best instructors for a certain class or subject get overlooked for no rhyme or reason. Lee Miller shares about his experience working with students that wanted to learn and faculty that could care less about the dynamic programs Miller offered. Tales of backstabbing, misuse of funds, unprofessional behavior and frustration fill the pages of this book. Read it and ask yourself if you would stand up for yourself and do the morally right thing. Miller went through a lot of grief from the faculty. He found that the rigors of being a professor extended beyond the classroom but with his bosses. Let's hope that fellow instructors and educational institutions do not fall into the pit that Miller went through at CCSN.