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46 the philadelphia lawyer Fall 2015 BOOK REVIEW L oyal readers of this publication will recognize the author of this self-published work as our own intrepid, long-time Philadelphia Lawyer editorial board member and frequent contributor on technology and ethical issues. Despite its overly ambitious subtitle, Dan Siegel's collection of fond memories of 41 students, friends and colleagues of the late Charles A. Dana Professor of Government at Franklin & Marshall College, Sidney Wise, is a delight. In academic parlance, it should be "required reading" for any F&M; graduate and "recommended reading" for any others interested in education and/or government. While contributing his own perspective and insights in a brief introduction, Dan lets those who best knew Wise speak of this remarkable and inspirational educator who touched the lives of so many. The cast of contributors includes an impressive array of prominent leaders in law, government, business and academia. Local judges, including Hon. Ronald Buckwalter, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Hon. D. Brooks Smith, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; Hon. Lawrence Stengel, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and Hon. Douglas Arpert, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey; tell poignant and moving stories of how Wise inspired them unlike any other teacher before or since. A careful reader cannot help but come away with the thought, "I wish I had known him." Not only does the professor come alive as a powerful teacher, but also as a maker of men (and women). Unlike many in the academe, he went out of his way to care about and assist his students even after they left F&M;, ensuring that any wisdom he may have imparted in the sterile halls of learning would actually be put to good use in the real world. The success and impact of even this small number of the many students he taught over 37 years is his true legacy. Wise's students universally praise him as both the best mentor and the "ultimate networker." "Wise men" as diverse as former Democratic Congressman William H. Gray III (Pa.) and Republican former chief of staff under President Ronald Reagan, Ken Duberstein, not only agree on Wise's substantial impact, but also actually worked together in large part to the honest brokership of their former government professor. Duberstein says Wise was the "safety net he could always rely on" when in the White House. By Dan's count, at least 145 of Wise's former students inhabit the corridors of power in Washington and scores of others contribute to the public good at the local and state levels. Wise taught by historical, personal and current world example that politics truly is the art of compromise. Those who knew him best seem to think only The Great Compromiser himself, Henry Clay, was better. Wise taught with the enthusiasm and passion of one who knew he could, and often did, make a difference in the lives of his students and, through them, the lives of many more in the body politic. We have all had one or two special teachers who stood out and made us love to learn and think critically. Reading of this one will make you remember yours and perhaps remind you that our teachers at all levels are the underpaid, underappreciated foundation of our future. In short, a charming little volume that will both inspire and entertain. M. Kelly Tillery (tilleryk@pepperlaw.com), a partner with Pepper Hamilton LLP, is a member of the editorial board of The Philadelphia Lawyer. By M. KELLY TILLERY The Wise Legacy – How One Professor Transformed the Nation Written by Daniel J. Siegel 245 pages $24.99, Amazon.com, 2013 Words to the Wise Franklin & Marshall Professor Continues to Inspire and Teach Through his Legacy of Mentorship