In today’s IHT Caleb Crain reviews “In the Basement of the Ivory Tower – Confessions of an accidental Academic’ by professor X: ‘Even in positive evaluations of X’s courses, though, his students offer revelations like: “Before this I would never voluntarily read a book. But now I almost have a desire to pick one up and read.” From their personal essays, X learns the sometimes heartbreaking details of his students’ lives. “This may or not be my best work,” one writes, on a final exam. “I got laid off this morning and had a brutal day.”’

I’m going to buy this book.