Spring Break
'Lend me your ears'
Former student and author discusses William Shakespeare
By: Megan Ryan
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: Features
"To be, or not to be" in the school of liberal arts at Texas A&M University? That is the question many students ask when enrolling in an institution known for engineering, veterinarians and scientists.
However, Herman Gollob, a former student and writer, said the University is good for more than teaching, solving, fixing and healing.
Gollob graduated from A&M in 1951 and spends his time studying and writing about William Shakespeare.
"He's had a highly successful career in publishing, and after he retired, he started to study the works of Shakespeare intensively, which lead him to write his book, 'Me and Shakespeare: Adventures with the Bard,'" said Sarah Gaskamp, a junior English major.
He wrote the book as a memoir about the effect Shakespeare's writing had on his life.
"Honestly, it's almost like an autobiography," said Joy Mannan, a senior English major. "Mr. Gollob shares happy, sad, funny and awkward moments from all parts of his life- but, with Mr. Gollob crediting Shakespeare and his creations for changing his life, it's a memoir."
Gollob has more than 35 years of experience in the publishing industry, which he also included in his book.
Gollob's experience includes being editor-in-chief at New York's "Athenuem," vice president and editorial director of the Literary Guild, vice president of the Editorial Board at Simon & Schuster and senior vice president and later editor-at-large at Doubleday.
Before entering the publishing industry, Gollob worked as a literary agent with MCA in Beverly Hills and with William Morris in New York City.
His diverse professional experience helped captivate readers studying English at A&M, Mannan said.
"Biographies or memoirs aren't among my favorite books to read, but Mr. Gollob's memoir managed to pull me in," she said. "He writes about his experiences in an honest way that is easy to relate to. Once you get into it, his story really grabs you."
However, Gollob did not spend all of his time at A&M studying English literature. He had a list of various activities he said made him into the man he is.
However, Herman Gollob, a former student and writer, said the University is good for more than teaching, solving, fixing and healing.
Gollob graduated from A&M in 1951 and spends his time studying and writing about William Shakespeare.
"He's had a highly successful career in publishing, and after he retired, he started to study the works of Shakespeare intensively, which lead him to write his book, 'Me and Shakespeare: Adventures with the Bard,'" said Sarah Gaskamp, a junior English major.
He wrote the book as a memoir about the effect Shakespeare's writing had on his life.
"Honestly, it's almost like an autobiography," said Joy Mannan, a senior English major. "Mr. Gollob shares happy, sad, funny and awkward moments from all parts of his life- but, with Mr. Gollob crediting Shakespeare and his creations for changing his life, it's a memoir."
Gollob has more than 35 years of experience in the publishing industry, which he also included in his book.
Gollob's experience includes being editor-in-chief at New York's "Athenuem," vice president and editorial director of the Literary Guild, vice president of the Editorial Board at Simon & Schuster and senior vice president and later editor-at-large at Doubleday.
Before entering the publishing industry, Gollob worked as a literary agent with MCA in Beverly Hills and with William Morris in New York City.
His diverse professional experience helped captivate readers studying English at A&M, Mannan said.
"Biographies or memoirs aren't among my favorite books to read, but Mr. Gollob's memoir managed to pull me in," she said. "He writes about his experiences in an honest way that is easy to relate to. Once you get into it, his story really grabs you."
However, Gollob did not spend all of his time at A&M studying English literature. He had a list of various activities he said made him into the man he is.
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