I've had this book for more than my allotted 3 weeks from the library. It is one that I have enjoyed from the very beginning but have read it slow because it has made me think. I like to think. To summarize, it is an examination of 12 great Americans from Benjamin Franklin to Elvis and how they were educated. In between are interesting people like Abigail Adams (I just mentioned last post how I like her) W.E.B Du Bois, Abraham Lincoln, Henry Ford, Helen Keller, Rachel Carson and JFK. Obviously a very varied list of individuals but all with fascinating stories. I'm not sure if the author has a specific bent on where education in America should be going forward, but a look backward tells us some very interesting things. Mainly, in all the cases he looked at, the traditional education of the time did not meet the needs of each individual. This is not to say that traditional education did not make an impact or was not of import to each person, but more (to me at least) saying that these individuals had to forge their own way through the educational maze. It makes me ponder whether Henry Ford was right like the author said in the epilogue, that "great men are born and that most people don't want to think". I personally don't think that is true, though I do believe we need more of Rachel Carson's philosophy that "If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder,...he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in." I have always felt that as a parent it is my duty/privilege (depending on my mood and how much sleep I've had) :) to make sure my kids received the education I feel they need. Interestingly, it is often shown in this book that some of the most important education received by these Americans was also from their mothers.
I give this book 5 stars ***** and a hearty go out and read recommendation. As I said I checked it out of the library, and must take it back before the overdue fines overtake me, but I do think I will go and buy this one anyway.
6 comments:
Sounds like a very interesting book. I'll have to remember to look for it the next time I go to the library.
Hey, I'll ask the author what he really thinks! Seriously, it's great to have smart readers like you. Thanks,
Daniel Wolff
Hey Mr Wolff, or can I call you Daniel? What a pleasure to have you stop by. What DO you really think about our current educational system? And, will you be having any book talks/signings in Utah?
Oooohh...now I'm curious! I'll have to read it now. :)
You can call me Daniel, and I've been doing a number of interviews that maybe help with your question. A home-schooling Mom asked me a bunch of questions, for example:
http://stoneagetechie.blogspot.com/2009/06/interview-with-daniel-wolff-author-of.html
Let me know what you think.
DW
Daniel- Stone Age Techie was actually the one that turned me on to your book. I had read your interview before but it was even more interesting to read it again after the book.
Quoting you here:
"As to whether these kinds of educational questions are currently being discussed, I have two reactions. The first is that with No Child Left Behind and the current emphasis on testing and on product, nothing much is being discussed. Part of why our group of activists faded out, I believe, is because the current slant of education doesn’t leave room for this kind of debate. I believe in measuring how we’re doing, but too often “outcome driven” schools seem to me to be driving out all discussion and questioning. Everybody ends up handcuffed: teacher, student, administrator, parent."
I think you are absolutely right here. I often try to engage a good friend who is a teacher in this type of discussion and it always comes down to the regulations she is handcuffed with on her side and my 'grand dreams' of a parent on how education 'should be'.
I very much agree with this statement as well " I’m not at all convinced that nationwide change would be helpful – unless it’s the sort of nationwide change that allows for this kind of one-on-one decision making. A nationwide policy, that is, that allows us to act locally."
The more local the better.
And as an aside on the format of the book. I honestly was taken aback by the description when I first heard of how it covered educations from Ben Franklin to Elvis. Elvis I wondered...why Elvis. I'm too young to be an actual Elvis fan, and I never could understand the hype. But, after reading the book I see the genius of including him. It's a great hook when I tell people about the book. You should see their eyes refocus on what I'm saying when they try to figure out how a book could progress from Ben to Elvis. And I really enjoyed that chapter too.
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