"Why We Write" provides a forum for scholars, activists, and novelists to reflect on the ways in which they use their writing and academic work to create social change. This volume uncovers the political agendas, social missions, and personal and professional experiences that compel writers to bring their stories to the page. "Why We Write" examines the dual commitment of writing articles and books that are committed to high scholarly standards as well as social justice. These essays will be of great interest to college and graduate students who currently lack a model of social justice scholarship.

Introduction: When and Why We Enter JIM DOWNSSection I Why I Write: Personal ReflectionsChapter 1. Why I Write JOHN D'EMILIOChapter 2. Why I Write CATHERINE CLINTONChapter 3. Why I Write TIMOTHY PATRICK MCCARTHYChapter 4. Why I Write JENNIFER MORGANSection II The Process of WritingChapter 5. Disoriented in the Orient:A U.S. Historian Goes TransnationalJUNG H. PAKChapter 6. Narratives of Sexual Conquest:A Historical Perspective on Date Rape JENNIFER FRONCChapter 7. Her Heart, My Hands:Writing an Intimate Life CAITLIN LOVE CROWELLChapter 8. Writing for History:Journalism, History, and theRevival of Narrative JILL LEPOREChapter 9. We Should Grow Too Fond of It'Why We Love the Civil War DREW GILPIN FAUSTSection III The Politics of WritingChapter 10. Our Silences Will Hurt Us: JournalisticWriting in a Women's Prison ELEANOR M. NOVEK AND REBECCA SANFORDChapter 11. To Keep My Body Clean, To Breathe,To Give My Mind Rest SASHA KAMINI PARMASADChapter 12. Diary of a Mad Law Student JODI BROMBERGChapter 13. A Drawbridge to the Ivory Tower: Brokeringthe Politics of Environmental Studies DANIEL J. SHERMANChapter 14. Why I Don't Write ERME C. MAULANotes Contributors Index