The Story of Emerson College

I imagine that quite a few readers will be familiar with Emerson College in Forest Row. The Network used to hold its Wider Horizons courses there for many years, partly because of the association with John Davy, a science correspondent and leading figure at Emerson as well as a member of the Network. The author was closely involved with the College over a long period and is uniquely placed to write such an account. The book quotes from key documents including the foundation statement dating back to 1961, referring to Emerson himself as upholding the moral stature and potential greatness of Man. The narrative covers the foundation and development of the College and the significance of the foundation year for many students from around the world. A key question formulated is: 'how may we help the true will to awaken, so that resolves made before birth may be realised in life?' Crafts were integrated into the curriculum, along with movement, sculpture and painting. There are extensive descriptions of life at the college and of many of the characters involved, including the founders Francis and Elizabeth Edmunds. Michael Spence has done a real service with this sympathetic and informative account.