"Part epistolary memoir, part handbook, Teaching Life reflects on more than three decades of teaching literature and touching the lives of students. Both a reflection on life in literature and a primer on teaching as a vocation, this soul-stirring work also provides behind-the-scene stories of many of the authors who have influenced Dale Salwak's career." "Written in response to the sudden death of one of his students, who died tragically in an automobile accident on her way to Salwak's office to talk over her career plans, Teaching Life is an effort to impart lessons to the next generation of teachers." "By turns analytical, reflective, and exhortatory, Teaching Life unselfconsciously captures the fascination, enlightenment, and sheer joy that literary studies can offer professors and students. It also implicitly speaks to society's prevailing - and disturbing - prejudice against the profession."--Jacket.