Reviews (3)

I've seen better
The tenth edition is not very well organized. Overall, a very boring book.

Okay, but other books are out there.
Like I said in a precious review, I like National University, but they could have chosen a different book.I am Caucasian, white, Christian, heterosexual, male, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and let me tell you, this book will make it seem that the whit people in this country are racist bigots.And that we are trying to indoctrinate every single child that comes to America while keeping all the other people in lower classes.That is how I felt. Okay, for a Textbook
This book wasn't too bad, considering it is a textbook.If you're forced to read it for class, take heart!It's not too boring--once you get started, it actually moves pretty quickly, and you will learn a lot.If this isn't required for a class, I would not suggest curling up in front of the fireplace with this book, or, really, reading it at all, unless you're really into learning more about the basics of American Education. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education (General)    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational sociology    5. History    6. Philosophy & Social Aspects    7. Professional Development    8. Study and teaching    9. Teaching    10. Theory Of Education    11. United States    12. Education / Professional Development    13. USA   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (23)

A good history of education in America
This book does a good job of covering the last hundred years of the debate about education in America. A seemly simple question has been at the root of this debate: "What is the purpose of education?"
Read This Short Thought
I just finished reading THE MOST AMAZING BOOK in the Excellent on telling us what's wrong, short on solutions
Diane Ravitch has done an excellent job of researching the roots of the current malaise in public schools. I once heard that early educational theorists actually wrote in terms of school being a means of social control, but I couldn't believe that people supposedly interested in educating the country's youth could be so insidious. Much to my dismay, Ms. Ravitch dispelled my skepticism.

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Policy & Reform    5. Educational Reform    6. Educational change    7. History    8. Public schools    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Education / General   

Subjects:  1. Comparative    2. Comparative Education    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. General    6. History    7. Social aspects   

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. History    4. United States    5. Education / History   

Reviews (1)

Not prepared yet but......
It is not possible for me to over emphasize how important this book is and I believe will increase to be. The fact this book has not been reviewed yet slams my jaw into the ground below me. I want to write something genuinely representative but in the meantime, READ THIS BOOK!!!! And post your thoughts. If after reading this book you feel you didn't learn something profound I will buy your copy from you.Read more

Subjects:  1. Decision Making & Problem Solving    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. History    5. Philosophy & Social Aspects    6. Decision theory: general    7. Education / General    8. Educational psychology    9. Organization & management of education   

Reviews (6)

View from Inside a Cocoon
After a twenty year career as a college professor, I continue to read books that challenge the academic world.
Big surprise
My best friend from first grade went to Harvard College in 1971. Since the Ivy League at that time was still all-male, I went to Mount Holyoke College. We met again at Tufts, him in the Medical School and myself in the Dental School. Don said the hardest part of Harvard was getting in; no course he took in the pre-med department could hold a candle to the AP Chemistry course he took at our public high school.I feel he sold out his considerable abilities as a paper-pusher for an HMO, but he may disagree.But the fact remains that although he has an MD he doesn't see many patients.Classmates of mine who spent semesters at the Ivy League schools also commented on the easy courses and high grades.Granted, at MHC some students took the easy way out; our class valedictorian was a French major who was from France!And for that you paid what?This book doesn't tell other college grads anything they didn't already suspect.My daughter graduated from Quinnipiac, and my son is a sophomore at Centenary College in New Jersey.The only parents I met who wanted their son to go to Harvard weren't interested in what he wanted or if he belonged there.That's the trouble with being Harvard: so many people just want the name.Both my kids had interests and looked for the schools that had the programs they wanted.The book is well-written and a good read, and it will make you glad your kids didn't want to go to Harvard!

of course
Of course, we all know Harvard sucks. Take the entering first-year class, from the highest income brackets in the world, and still them in any situation, and they'll be fine. Harvard doesn't add any educational value - it just isn't messing the students up. Besides, the college exists to serve the needs of the professors, not the students. This book is a biting indictment of a meaningless and benign institution that does little to help the students who walk through its doors and adds little, if any, value to society. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Academic achievement    2. Aims & Objectives    3. Aims And Objectives Of Education    4. Aims and objectives    5. College And University Administration    6. Education    7. Education / Teaching    8. Education, Higher    9. Higher    10. History    11. Philosophy & Social Aspects    12. United States    13. Universities and colleges    14. Higher & further education    15. Philosophy of education   

Reviews (17)

First read the book and then...
I read the three most recent reviews about the Delos book. All three "reviewers" seem determined to convince us that the book is worthles--without giving any reasons to support their judgement. They probably never bought or read the book."Quantum" invokes St.Paul who condemns "false apostles, deceitful workers" who like "Satan disguise themselves as angels of light." Apparently "Quantum" wants to tell us that Delos is one of them! "James" finds the book "intriguing but erroneous." Not one word as to how or why it is "erroneous." G.Glenn" speaks of "sloopy (sic) scholarship" and goes one step further saying that "actually there isn't any scolarship to be seen." What about the 640 endnotes, most of them from the books of the New Testamentand other sources. What about the copious notes at the end of each Chapter? Apparently Mr. Gless never saw them.
Absolute Waist of Time
Who ever Andrew C. Delos actually is, he/she has nothing to say. This is without a doubt the most poignant example of sloopy scholarship. Actually there isn't any scholarship to be seen.

a Myth yes
i found this book to be rather intriguing yet erroneous
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Biography - General    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. History    5. Religious    6. Biography & Autobiography / Religious    7. Religion, Jesus, Christ, Paul, Christianity,   

Reviews (1)

A Classic on its Subject
This is a very good, probably the best textbook available in the U.S. regarding the topic of history and philosophy of education, intended for undergraduate students. The authors did minor updateds to the previous edition.Since there has been little change as to history and philosophy of education in the last few years, you do not have to buy the last edition unless your instructor requires so.
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Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. General    4. History    5. Study and teaching    6. United States   

Reviews (90)

A mandatory reading for educators!!
Gatto has written the most sincere book on education. It takes lots courage to confront the reality of mass education that is designed to create obedient automatons instead of creative individuals. Automatons don't think, and if they don't think they do not rebel.
very good
Gatto's diagnosis of the ills of education are generally valid.It is amazing, in fact, how the educational traditions he describes continue to persist.Gatto possesses an abundant faith in man's capacity to achieve enlightenment era goals of slef-improvement.He must thus explain away why our school do not produce bevies of Renaissance thinkers and self-actualizing individuals.The fault, dear reader, lies not in ourselves but in capitalism.Thus, at every point in the book Gatto reminds the reader that the historical roots of the present system are to be found in the emergence of industrial capitalism and every ail he illuminates (which are real) can be tied back to the soul-sapping, denial of individual fulfillment and development that are the necessary by-products of such a system.His line is not, of course, orthodox 1930's Marxism.If it were, it would be laughable.Thus, he emphasizes more the "dehumanizing" aspects of the "system", but this is actually the current Marxist orthodoxy.Further, it has been Marxist orthodoxy in the past.
Gato Preaches the Gospel of Education, not Schooling
All of the other reviewers have stated how excellent this book is. Ireally don't have anything to add, except for you should either purchase here or go down to your local library post-haste and read it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. General    4. History    5. Philosophy & Social Aspects    6. Education / General    7. Philosophy of education   

Reviews (3)

The American School
This book was used in my masters class -- it is not your typical textbook -- in that it includes the author's opinions about educational history in America. It is well written and Spring has some opinions that can incite the reader to action and others that the reader will "just go along with". For lovers of history -- it is a good read. For those interested in the educational foundations of America, it is a good read.

humorously biased
I found this book to be so insanely biased that I was laughing at his conclusions!I'm no conservative but its hard to take this book seriously, especially since he leaves Maria Montessori completely out of it(I know she was Italian but she had a significant impact on American education). Perhaps the most confusing thing he said was that there is no correct or right interpretation of history therefore implying that his is wrong by default. Also, how can a person think that a person's race determines their values? But this kind of attitude is prevelant through out the book! Prescribing values to a certain race is racism, I'm sorry.Is this how modern educators really view education??I can't say enough bad things philosophically speaking about this book.All of the problems that he has with politics in education would be eradicated if he supported private schools, then he could have his precious little multicutural prep schools.I'm sorry but school is supposed to teach you HOW TO THINK not WHAT TO THINK. Let your own mind be the judge of what to think, please god don't let public schools(or Dr. Spring) be the judge!

An excellent historical overview
I have only read chapter 9 of this book.That said, I found it to be extremely helpful, providing a chronological overview of the economic, social and political forces shaping and reshaping American schools in the 19th & 20th centuries. The author presents the perspectives of numerous intellectuals in the field.His writing style is clear and concise.Much easier to read than many other texts I have run across in the domain. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. History    4. Social aspects    5. United States    6. Education / History    7. Philosophy of education   

Reviews (8)

What about WTC 7
300 Feet from the other towers and it burns down from ashes from the other towers ? You would have to be a complete idiot to believe this bs. And fuel in the building, get real, there are pictures of steel beams that have been cut with linear shaped charges and thermite linear burn charges. And what about the 100's of eyewitness reports that document explosions ? Here is the typical sentiment of the scared sheep : I dont want to believe anything other than the pablum the major medias feed me because I fear that I may loose everything I own if they find outthat I disagree with them. This country is in bad shape.

STUCK ON STUPID (revised)
Update 10/18/06After receiving a number of private emails concerning this review from people who are sure that 9-11 was an inside job I thoughtthis might help those with an open mind.
"No one should be under any illusion that the threat ended with the recent arrests."- 8/13/06 AP
I have to disagree with some of the reviews of this book.
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Subjects:  1. Education    2. History    3. United States - General    4. Current Events / Government    5. Eric D. Williams   

Reviews (2)

The other side of American history
Spring's thesis is that white Anglo-Saxon Protestants have systematically denied educational access to ethnic minorities in order to establish and perpetuate their own system of privilege. This powerful, concise book covers historical injustices against many groups. The book falls short only when the author attempts to extend his analysis to the present day. In his understandable indignation at historical wrongs, Spring fails to acknowledge the extent to which most Americans' beliefs thankfully have changed.

Deculturalization and the Struggle for Equality
This book gives us a lot of examples of how the minorities in this country have had their cultures altered to fit the American version. There are examples of most of the major minority groups and how the education systemhas played a major part in the pattern of deculturalization.This book is amust have for any student who wants to know the real history, the stuffthey leave out of the text books, for any parent or teacher who wants togive their children the truth instead of white washed history, and anyperson who is interested in the truth. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Discrimination in education    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. History    6. Minorities    7. Multicultural Education    8. Philosophy & Social Aspects    9. Segregation in education    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. United States    13. Education / History    14. Multicultural studies    15. Organization & management of education    16. Teaching of ethnic minorities    17. USA   

Reviews (2)

History of Education
I thought this book was an excellent combination of information and facts.Not only was it easy to find the information you wanted but it was also very interesting, unlike many of these kinds of books.I think it is an excellent rescource for any teacher or person wanting to know about education and how we got where we are.

Comprehensive Textbook
This book is about the basic history of American Education, from the Revolution to Modern Times. Chapters are broken down into time periods, many charts, graphs, timelines available. Critical Analysis sections, end-of chapter questions, and bibliographies for each chapter are veryhelpful! this book is great for a Foundations of Education course. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. History    4. Leadership    5. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    6. United States    7. Education / Leadership    8. Organization & management of education   

Reviews (13)

Well researched look into admissions, selections, and exclusion at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.
Karabel has created a massive tome of information surrounding the history of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton since the early 1900s. His account is very well researched and provides ample documentation to support his arguments and findings.
6 stars, absolutely stellar!
I was absolutely riveted to this book for 3 weeks.I read every single one of those footnotes that was more than a bibliographical entry, as well.Why?Because Jerome Karabel has taken a fairly esoteric subject and made it interesting, important, revealing, "juicy" and downright enjoyable.
A good editor would make this book even better
A skilled editor could have turned this good book into a great one.Given its narrow topic, it could easily be cut in half and as a result, be more effective in conveying its message.
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Subjects:  1. Admission    2. Atlantic States    3. College And University Guidance And Counseling    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Education, Higher    7. Entrance requirements    8. Higher    9. History    10. Philosophy & Social Aspects    11. Princeton University    12. United States    13. Universities    14. Universities and colleges    15. Education / History   

Reviews (79)

Wonderful history book!
This is a "living book" for history at its best!Naturally it cannot contain EVERYTHING one might want in an ancient times history text, it does a WONDERFUL job of bringing history to life for children ages 6-12!I was unsure about this series at first, but once we got into the 1st book, we were hooked!We added some other resources into our study (to fill-in some gaps) and also used the activities book that is available.All-in-all, this is a nice, solid anicient history book for children and while it won't fit all families, it was exactly what we were looking for.:o)

I really, really wanted to love this book!
I really wanted to love this book.I was seeking an engaging survey of ancient history told in an accessible manner for young children.While it partially accomplished that goal, the book had a number of flaws.
Great History Curriculum
This curriculum has wonderful craft and activity ideas to go along with each chapter.The lessons are short and interesting.It is simple enough for very young children to enjoy, but plenty of material is provided for older students to dig deeper and do work on their own. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Elementary    5. History    6. Home Schooling    7. Parent Participation    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Social Science    9. Ancient history    10. Christian education    11. History - Ancient    12. Religious education    13. World history   

Subjects:  1. Education / Teaching    2. History   

Reviews (4)

3.5 Stars - decent introduction as long as other texts are consulted as well.
"A History of American Higher Education" is a nice introduction into the topic of college history. However, it is most definately not definitive. Any reader would benefit from consulting other texts (which I will list at the end of this review). The book does focus heavily on the ivy league schools; but, for good reason because much of the early developing history of higher education happens at these schools (since they were the first schools).
definitive study
No question, this study will rank with Frederick Rudolph's The American College and University and Laurence Veysey's The Emergence of the American University as a classic in its field. The scholarship is profound and the narrative lively and original.

Appreciate
I can appreciate the work put into the book.I took the book for it's writing style to give me a how to guide and what not to do.The book is so dense that it could not cover everything.The author was left to decide what was important and the information that is important to him is not important to me.The book was a requirement for a course so we could get background information of higher ed and I can definitely appreciate it's purpose. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Education, Higher    4. Higher    5. History    6. United States    7. Universities and colleges    8. Higher & further education    9. History of specific subjects    10. USA   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Aims And Objectives Of Education    3. Aims and objectives    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Educational Policy & Reform    7. Educational change    8. History    9. United States    10. Education / General    11. Organization & management of education   

Reviews