Phillip Jones relates his life experiences beginning with his growing up on the South Side of Chicago (Bronzeville). He went to Tilden Technical High School during a period when there were a limited number of African American students that were admitted to this school. His university education resulted in a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana. Jones was awarded a Master’s degree and a PhD from the University of Iowa. His work at the University of Iowa began in 1968 and the book tells that story. Jones began his career as an adjunct teacher in the College of Education and rose to become Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Services.

The struggle to increase the minority population among the student body at the University of Iowa was difficult and required persistence and ingenuity. His successes and failures are interesting and provide valuable lessons for educators. Nothing Beats a Failure But a Try is a must read for anyone who is an educator and for all students who are college-bound. Those parents that plan to assist their children in the difficult and rocky of education can benefit from this important literary work.