University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

My selection of Craig Wright's The Maze and the Warrior was motivated by two primary factors, both of which had a strong and direct influence on the early development of my career. First of all, as my Yale University doctoral dissertation advisor, Craig Wright served as an effective mentor, guiding me at all stages of my evolution from a graduate student to a young faculty member. Secondly, The Maze and the Warrior is an example of what I consider to be some of the most exciting recent scholarship. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the book examines the spiritual and symbolic meanings of the labyrinth. Specifically, it traces the theological implications of the maze and investigates their significance in architecture, music, dance, and the visual arts. Although written by a musicologist, The Maze and the Warrior is an exciting example of the type of work that goes well beyond strict disciplinary boundaries.

As a firm believer in the importance of student mentorship and in the value of interdisciplinary studies, The Maze and the Warrior was an obvious choice when asked to select a book that has had some special meaning. It serves as a reminder of how the excellent example set by a mentor - both as a scholar and as a dedicated teacher - can have a powerful and lasting influence.