Stephen D Senturia is a former Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As an author he has written textbooks and scientific papers and co-edited two journals and two book series. His first novel, “One Man’s Purpose,” is about a Professor at the fictional Cambridge Technology Institute and is based on his own experiences as a professor and educator.

In “One Man’s Purpose,” Martin Quint is a Professor at the Cambridge Technology Institute and at the top of his academic career. The story chronicles an academic year in his life that includes being a tenured professor, lecturing in his Circuits and Electronics course, rumors of a plagiarism scandal, competing against the rise of online courses and the politics behind tenure appeals. On top of that, he has to juggle his personal life of a sick father and a second marriage with a baby on the way. It is divided into four parts: Part I: Spring Term, 2013, Part II: Summer, 2013, Part III: Fall Term, 2013 and Part IV: Thereafter.

The author’s debut novel is a detailed account about what life in academia is like while trying to balance a personal life. Martin has his hands full with being a teacher, a researcher, a father with another child on the way and as a mentor dealing with a junior female colleague’s critical tenure case. This makes him believable and relatable because in today’s fast paced world most people have to juggle a work and family life. The story is easy to follow and understand but sometimes the academic terms and vocabulary can get confusing. Overall there is sufficient balance between the academic and the personal to appeal to most readers. The subplot dealing with the theft of confidential information that is posted online is of particular interest given modern news headlines about hackings. “One Man’s Purpose” by Stephen D Senturia is a rare look into the inner workings of a university and the average professor’s struggles to remain relevant. It is recommended for readers interested in learning more about these subjects.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.