Mentor, Laurent Daloz - Summarized

For those readers interested in reading Mentor for themselves, I think it is best for me to write a brief summary of the text itself.

Daloz writes the book in an informal dialogue that is inviting to anyone who has advised someone else or gone through any real change themselves. The book initially provides a synopsis of what a mentor is historically through the use of biblical, mythological and personal references. He proceeds to bring current theories of adult education to life through personal accounts of his experiences mentoring students. Daloz demonstrates a remarkable ability to understand the needs of his students that I imagine is the result of years worth of practice.

The book is presented in such a way that it guides the reader along a journey similar to one his clients taken as it is broken into an introduction, an investigation of all paths (theories of adult education) and a resolution of sorts.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about change. I do not feel it matters whether the reader is the mentor or protege. It illustrates changes that we undergo and may be completely unaware of and helps to make sense of the necessary journeys that we all go through as we pursue our own personal educational and professional goals.