“Diana Chapman Walsh's clear-sighted self-awareness gives us both a compelling personal memoir and an insightful guide to leadership. It is a pleasure to read.”
Drew Gilpin Faust, Arthur Kingsley Porter University Professor and President Emerita, Harvard University
“This book offers a window into a remarkable woman's journey to becoming her full self—in relationships, in work, and in life. Diana is always learning, and how fortunate we are to have a chance to learn with her.”
Mariko Silver, President & CEO, Henry Luce Foundation
“At once practical and poetic, inquisitive and deeply personal, Diana Walsh's memoir invites us into the life of one of America's great educators—and offers a field manual for effective leadership in an era of social division and institutional mistrust.”
Cullen Murphy, editor at large, The Atlantic
“A remarkably thoughtful and moving account of a life, a marriage, and a college presidency that identifies the ability to 'lead oneself' as a key to the trustworthy leadership of others. Walsh's story demonstrates curiosity in the face of difference and conflict, courage in the face of opportunity and change, and joy in the success of others.”
Biddy Martin, President Emerita, Amherst College
“In her uplifting memoir, Walsh reveals the authenticity of heart that allowed her to pioneer her profound notions of trustworthy leadership. Her insights are inspiring for anyone finding their way and affirming for anyone already on their path.”
Mark Nepo, author of Falling Down and Getting Up and The Book of Awakening
“The Claims of Life is a rich investigation of what goes into a life of leadership, from cultivating confidence about one's management style to the fear and resolve involved in moments of crisis, all underscored by love, purpose, and spirituality.”
Britt Wray, Director of the Chair's Special Initiative on Climate and Mental Health, Stanford Medicine; author of Generation Dread
"Diana Chapman-Walsh, President Emerita of Wellesley College, has written an uplifting memoir, entitled The Claims of Life. Warm, tender, and honest, it's a book as much about living a meaningful live as it is being an effective college president. Walsh, who was Wellesley's president from 1993 to 2007, enjoyed a very successful career at her alma mater (a 1966 graduate, majoring in English), after several earlier positions, including academic posts at Boston University, where she earned her MS and PhD, and Harvard. From beginning at Wellesley with the “belief that I wasn't smart enough, that I had to work especially hard to hold my own,” through a series of leadership opportunities and challenges, all shared with Chris, her (recently deceased) husband of 57 years, Walsh learned five lessons for being a trustworthy leader - question yourself, establish partnerships, resist the use of force when in power, value differences, and cultivate communities of self-support."
Forbes
“As someone who thinks deeply about lessons, Walsh believes self-discovery is an essential outgrowth of leadership. This memoir reveals her authenticity. Consider her book cover—she is pictured against a Wellesley blue background in her alumnae parade whites, walking across campus, turning to smile at whoever has called to her. This is a leader who values human connections, and it shows. No wonder she produced such a beautiful book.”
The Wellesly Magazine
“Diana has become an icon in educational leadership, and advocates that education can be both an intellectual and a spiritual journey.”
Mind & Life podcast
Included in Forbes's "Best Higher Education Books for 2023" list.
