A Life Beyond Boundaries: A Memoir

This autobiography was one of Anderson's (Imagined Communities) final projects before his death in 2015, but those in search of personal details will be disappointed. Anderson, who was an expert on nationalism, provides only a bare outline of his childhood and school years in Eire (Republic of Ireland) and England before plunging into the development of his discipline-spanning academic career. He stresses the interdisciplinarity of his work, drawing from history, anthropology, political science, sociology, and other fields to make up his oeuvre. Anderson avoids the temptation to fight old battles or settle scores; he speaks generously and kindly of almost everyone he mentions. Throughout, he emphasizes the good luck he has had to be in the right department at the right time with the right teachers. Alert readers will notice that this narrative of good fortune betrays unexamined social privilege, particularly in terms of Anderson's early education. Though Anderson closes with an unfortunate "kids these days"-style complaint, the memoir still makes for fascinating reading.