Rice University

"This book takes the reader on a journal from Rice University's first steps at the turn of the twentieth century to its current standing as a world-renowned institution in the twenty-first century...This book would make a beautiful addition to coffee tables for current students, academics, and alumni but also for those interested in the development of Houston as a city."--Rachael L. Pasierowska, The Journal of Southern History

"The cover portrait of Rice University landmark Lovett Hall beneath a rising full moon beckons the reader inside. And the abundant high quality photographs and illustrations within do not disappoint. The authors have captured all dimensions of Rice architecture, sports, academics and college life from the founding of the institution in 1912 until the present time...The balance between serious academic accomplishment and whimsical campus life is also well balanced...The production value of this work is of the first order...Texas A&M University Press spared no expensive in the quality of the photographs, paper and binding of this oversized edition...Rice University: One Hundred Years in Pictures is recommended to anyone with a general interest in higher education, Texas or the history of Houston."--Laurence J. Yadon, The Journal of South Texas

"An excellent pictorial account... beautifully illustrated... The final product is organized by a color combination of Crayola yellow inserts used for photo illustrations and brief vignettes, and more traditional black and white text for the narrative. Though never clearly articulated, this ingenious feature guides the reader to differentiate between photo illustrations, documents and delimited narrative in yellow pages, and the broader contextual narrative and photographs that connect the "chapters" of the text...
This is a book that is meant to be seen and experienced. At a time when the public often prefers visual images to a narrative, this work illustrates modern notions of historical presentation. The reader will find material that is both interesting and internally sufficient. While typical modern historical accounts of institutions of higher education often struggle to illustrate a brief narrative, this unabashed pictorial account combines superb illustrations with a sparse, self-sufficient discussion of topics that will interest even those unfamiliar with Rice and its distinctive story.
Time spent with Rice is comparable to a museum or archives visit. In this "coffee table book" the casual observer can learn something interesting about Rice. The work will provoke and unexpected smile or maybe even a chuckle, but it will only whet a broader curiosity about the institution that has become one of Texas's academic treasures. This book is meant to be enjoyed. It is neither pretentious nor prejudiced... This book is a must-buy for Rice alumni and friends and an appropriate addition to Texas libraries." --Ronald C. Brown, Texas State University-San Marcos