Andrew Delbanco

Andrew Delbanco is an American cultural critic, professor, and author known for his writings on literature, education, and American society. As the Alexander Hamilton Professor of American Studies at Columbia University, he has taught there since 1985 and served as director of American Studies. His notable works include "The Death of Satan: How Americans Have Lost the Sense of Evil" (1995), "Required Reading: Why Our American Classics Matter Now" (1997), and "College: What it Was, Is, and Should Be" (2012). The latter earned significant attention for its examination of the role and future of higher education in America. Delbanco has received numerous awards including the National Humanities Medal in 2012, presented by President Barack Obama. His more recent work "The War Before the War: Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for America's Soul from the Revolution to the Civil War" (2018) won the Lionel Trilling Award and the Anisfield-Wolf Award. His writing regularly appears in publications such as The New York Review of Books and The New Republic, where he contributes essays on American culture, literature, and education. Delbanco's scholarship focuses particularly on American literary and religious history, exploring themes of morality, democracy, and cultural transformation in American society.

Readers value Delbanco's clear analysis of complex cultural and educational issues. His works on higher education and American history draw particular praise for balancing academic rigor with accessible writing. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of difficult concepts - Well-researched historical perspectives - Balanced treatment of controversial topics - Integration of literary and cultural analysis What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style in some sections - Repetitive arguments in longer works - Limited practical solutions in education-focused books Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "College: What it Was, Is, and Should Be" - 3.7/5 (300+ ratings) - "The War Before the War" - 4.1/5 (400+ ratings) Amazon: - "College" - 4.2/5 (80+ reviews) - "The War Before the War" - 4.4/5 (90+ reviews) One reader noted: "Delbanco presents complex historical arguments without oversimplifying or losing nuance." Another commented: "The academic tone can make some chapters feel like required reading rather than engaging narrative."

College: What it Was, Is, and Should Be (2012) An examination of the role and evolution of higher education in America, discussing its history, current challenges, and potential future directions.

The War Before the War: Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for America's Soul from the Revolution to the Civil War (2018) A historical analysis of how the issue of fugitive slaves shaped political discourse and deepened divisions between North and South in pre-Civil War America.

Melville: His World and Work (2005) A biography of Herman Melville that contextualizes his life and literary works within the social and cultural landscape of 19th-century America.

The Death of Satan: How Americans Have Lost the Sense of Evil (1995) A cultural history exploring how American society's conception of evil has evolved from colonial times to the modern era.

The Real American Dream: A Meditation on Hope (1999) An analysis of how the concept of hope has been understood and expressed in American culture through three distinct historical phases.

The Puritan Ordeal (1989) A study of how Puritan settlers in New England struggled with their religious identity and adapted their beliefs to life in the New World.

Required Reading: Why Our American Classics Matter Now (1997) An examination of significant American literary works and their continued relevance to contemporary readers and society.

David Brooks writes about American society, education, and moral philosophy from a contemporary perspective. His work examines cultural shifts and institutional changes in ways that parallel Delbanco's analysis of higher education and American values.

Martha Nussbaum focuses on liberal education and its role in democracy. Her writing combines philosophical inquiry with practical concerns about educational institutions and civic life.

William Deresiewicz examines elite education and its impact on American society. His critiques of higher education and analysis of cultural transformation align with Delbanco's perspectives on college's evolving purpose.

Louis Menand explores intellectual history and the development of American higher education. His work connects cultural movements to institutional changes in academia, similar to Delbanco's historical approach.

Mark Edmundson writes about liberal education and its personal and social significance. His analysis of teaching, learning, and the humanities reflects themes found in Delbanco's work on education's moral dimensions.