Rating: 
Summary: Profound Education Theory
Review: As a person who is concerned about the fate of the world, this book was of considerable interest to me. Neil Postman discusses the ramifications of various education theories, and of what benefit they may be to future generations.He explains his theories carefully and in the friendly style I have come to expect. He draws many of his lessons from our greatest teacher, History. However, this is not a book for classroom teachers, because it addresses the underpinnings, not the practices of teaching. To fully implement his ideas would require the power of an administrator or a superintendant, not a teacher. Nevertheless, it is an ambitious and noteworthy book for anyone interested in the way we shape future generations.
Rating: 
Summary: The End of Postman
Review: Especially good was the book's beginning discussion of gods, myths or "narratives" as motivating forces. This topic was well presented. As to schooling there is nothing wrong with the concept of the public schools turning out "Americans", though this is hardly a novel concept. All in all my overall impression is that the book presents a utopian fantasy -- imagine a world in which students and teachers alike are never bored, but are always infused with enthusiasm over the overarching goals of education. Postman's utopia, pertaining to schooling, seems to be a scaled down version of a full-blown societal utopia (Marxism). Like Marx, Postman gives no means or method as to how to actually run such a system. In fact, right from the start Postman seems proud to declare that the discussion of the method(s) of schooling is beneath his dignity. Because, in his vision, the enthusiasm generated by his proposed educational "narrative" will be so invigorating that the students will necessarily become chock filled with learning regardless of what method is inflicted upon them. This seems overly optimistic. Postman's proposition that his 5 pet topics will generate such enthusiasm is arrogant and delusional. Everyone knows that different topics interest different people. You may be enthused about gardening though it may bore other people to tears. The same is true about every topic, including "spaceship earth", the fallen angel, etc. There are any number of minor errors that can be nitpicked over. Postman declares that he can conceive of no god that would destroy people or cities -- has he forgotten the biblical stories of Noah and the Flood, or Sodom & Gomorrah? He states that the non-public schools are divisive -- but the motto of the Catholic schools is "for God & Country". This is hardly divisive. But I think Postman's most central error concerns critical thinking. Critical thinking is a subject unto itself. If it is to be taught, then it itself is likely to be as boring or not-boring as any other subject matter. Yes it may be fun for students to engage in a bull session once in a while to expose them to the possibility of critical thinking. But critical thinking is hard work; it entails doing the ordinary work, which is hard enough, and then going further. And it requires a large fund of knowledge, something Postman surprisingly eschews (on the flimsy ground that it's too hard or arbitrary to determine which facts should be included in the fund). But without a solid grasp of the facts, it's impossible to form and to evaluate opinions in a critical way. So, Postman's proposal that students could be critical thinkers without having to be bothered with a fund of knowledge, goes hand in hand with his confused idea that serious learning at school could take place on the basis of pure enthusiasm without due attention to the means needed to achieve the desired end -- it's a fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: The End of Postman
Review: Especially good was the book's beginning discussion of gods, myths or "narratives" as motivating forces. This topic was well presented. As to schooling there is nothing wrong with the concept of the public schools turning out "Americans", though this is hardly a novel concept. All in all my overall impression is that the book presents a utopian fantasy -- imagine a world in which students and teachers alike are never bored, but are always infused with enthusiasm over the overarching goals of education. Postman's utopia, pertaining to schooling, seems to be a scaled down version of a full-blown societal utopia (Marxism). Like Marx, Postman gives no means or method as to how to actually run such a system. In fact, right from the start Postman seems proud to declare that the discussion of the method(s) of schooling is beneath his dignity. Because, in his vision, the enthusiasm generated by his proposed educational "narrative" will be so invigorating that the students will necessarily become chock filled with learning regardless of what method is inflicted upon them. This seems overly optimistic. Postman's proposition that his 5 pet topics will generate such enthusiasm is arrogant and delusional. Everyone knows that different topics interest different people. You may be enthused about gardening though it may bore other people to tears. The same is true about every topic, including "spaceship earth", the fallen angel, etc. There are any number of minor errors that can be nitpicked over. Postman declares that he can conceive of no god that would destroy people or cities -- has he forgotten the biblical stories of Noah and the Flood, or Sodom & Gomorrah? He states that the non-public schools are divisive -- but the motto of the Catholic schools is "for God & Country". This is hardly divisive. But I think Postman's most central error concerns critical thinking. Critical thinking is a subject unto itself. If it is to be taught, then it itself is likely to be as boring or not-boring as any other subject matter. Yes it may be fun for students to engage in a bull session once in a while to expose them to the possibility of critical thinking. But critical thinking is hard work; it entails doing the ordinary work, which is hard enough, and then going further. And it requires a large fund of knowledge, something Postman surprisingly eschews (on the flimsy ground that it's too hard or arbitrary to determine which facts should be included in the fund). But without a solid grasp of the facts, it's impossible to form and to evaluate opinions in a critical way. So, Postman's proposal that students could be critical thinkers without having to be bothered with a fund of knowledge, goes hand in hand with his confused idea that serious learning at school could take place on the basis of pure enthusiasm without due attention to the means needed to achieve the desired end -- it's a fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: College students, read this book!
Review: I have assigned this book to my freshman college students rather than the usual overpriced college anthologies that the publishing companies pawn off on teachers who march in lockstep to their curriculum, not necessarily because they are mean-spirited; rather they've become technocrats focused more on how to structure a paragraph than how to mold a life. My students, time after time, have come up to me, and have said, "I always knew there was something wrong with my education, but I never could put a finger on what it was. This book has finally put into words what I couldn't explain myself." It just might have the same effect on you. It is interesting that some of the subjects Postman believes are essential to any curriculum are those subjects which have been honored in traditional, autocthnonous cultures such as "spaceship earth" and ecology (Native Americans); the origins of meaning and values (All cultures); rhetoric (The Greeks, the Middle Ages)--expanded to include media literacy, not just the nature of written language. Some may call his ideas "utopian" or "impractical." However, I believe his point is that such topics would not be considered as such if we lived in a society that still had some common "ground of being," was not fanatically materialistic or increasingly jingoistic, and addressed the complexities of values and religion in a competent and thorough rather than in the current vacuous "soundbite" modality that permeates all public discourse including that of people who should know better. When Oprah has six Christian theologians on her show and ends it by saying, "In 30 seconds, I'd like each of you to provide your definition of faith," and then see them actually try to fulfill the task, it's pretty scary. Why didn't at least one of them say, "I cannot provide you with a definition of faith in 30 seconds"? Could it be "The End of Education"?
Rating:
Summary: Tips to teachers?
Review: I read this book when I was doing research before I wrote a course on leadership and training. My initial question dealt with how to create meaningful goals for/with people (students, employees etc.) I found Postmans book both refreshing and somewhat conservative. It's actually filled with interesting ideas and even the occassional tip for teachers. Given the brevity of the book I found it very good. He actually accomplishes to present a quite coherent vision of the future of education in less than 200 pages.
Rating:
Summary: Professor, student, teacher, parent, citizent: a must-read!
Review: If one is a Postman reader to write that this is a great book is almost irreverent. I don't mean to say that anyone -including Professor Postman- is beyond criticism. I am trying to say that stating that "Postman is a fascinating writer, incisive in his commentary, original in his thinking" is very much obvious. Aside of all the "banalities" what I may add for this book is that although its intended audience is American is very appropriate for other countries, at least of the western world (certainly very fitting for Greece), and I suspect for the majority of the countries, where policymakers, teachers, parents and students are struggling with the meaning of education. I suspect that the problems of education are universal and the questions that Postman poses are universal too. I know, actually I have learned from Postman, that there are great and established scholars in the field of education - and I must admit that I am not familiar with their writings, but I will dare saying that you cannot afford NOT to read this book. By the way, having read other Postman's books I might suggest that this one probably is one of his better ones, bringing many intended and unintended gifts, such as lessons on language as a tool of understanding the world, the issue of multiculturalism, of patriotism, or religion, and how all these concepts pertain to today's world. Buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: Professor, student, teacher, parent, citizent: a must-read!
Review: If one is a Postman reader to write that this is a great book is almost irreverent. I don't mean to say that anyone -including Professor Postman- is beyond criticism. I am trying to say that stating that "Postman is a fascinating writer, incisive in his commentary, original in his thinking" is very much obvious. Aside of all the "banalities" what I may add for this book is that although its intended audience is American is very appropriate for other countries, at least of the western world (certainly very fitting for Greece), and I suspect for the majority of the countries, where policymakers, teachers, parents and students are struggling with the meaning of education. I suspect that the problems of education are universal and the questions that Postman poses are universal too. I know, actually I have learned from Postman, that there are great and established scholars in the field of education - and I must admit that I am not familiar with their writings, but I will dare saying that you cannot afford NOT to read this book. By the way, having read other Postman's books I might suggest that this one probably is one of his better ones, bringing many intended and unintended gifts, such as lessons on language as a tool of understanding the world, the issue of multiculturalism, of patriotism, or religion, and how all these concepts pertain to today's world. Buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: Fresh Perspective: 5 Goals for Education
Review: Most of the current debate in education involves 'means': teaching methodologies, national testing, privatization, etc. This book focuses on a different, less frequently discussed aspect of the crisis in education: what should we be teaching in the first place? Inherent in all cultures and activities are purposes that drive actions. For schools, its most common objectives (such as technological competence, consumership, acquisition of practical skills, and multiculturalism) have failed to inspire spiritual and intellectual learning. Postman proposes five concepts (humanity's place in the universe, independent thinking, America's form of government, diversity, understanding technology's impact) to focus education around that in a number of ways grapple with the most significant issues the world faces today. Given the significance of education, and the fact that everyone is both directly and indirectly affected by its results, readers will find this an important and insightful book. It is especially excellent for educators seeking meaningful content and context for their lessons. Like all of Postman's writing, it is a concise, witty, and interesting read.
Rating:
Summary: Fresh Perspective: 5 Goals for Education
Review: Most of the current debate in education involves `means': teaching methodologies, national testing, privatization, etc. This book focuses on a different, less frequently discussed aspect of the crisis in education: what should we be teaching in the first place? Inherent in all cultures and activities are purposes that drive actions. For schools, its most common objectives (such as technological competence, consumership, acquisition of practical skills, and multiculturalism) have failed to inspire spiritual and intellectual learning. Postman proposes five concepts (humanity's place in the universe, independent thinking, America's form of government, diversity, understanding technology's impact) to focus education around that in a number of ways grapple with the most significant issues the world faces today. Given the significance of education, and the fact that everyone is both directly and indirectly affected by its results, readers will find this an important and insightful book. It is especially excellent for educators seeking meaningful content and context for their lessons. Like all of Postman's writing, it is a concise, witty, and interesting read.
Rating:
Summary: A courageous, radical book
Review: Neil Postman says out loud what many informed observers, both inside and outside the education establishment have been whispering to one another for sometime now. He takes on sacred cows, and ingrained assumptions about the purpose of education. This book develops a cogent theory of how we can educate human beings, humanely and successfully. The book is extremely well-written; the prose does not get in the way of the ideas, which is refreshing in a book about education issues. His arguments are carefully laid out, well-supported, and documented. Whether you agree with him or not, he provokes clear thought. If you agree with him, this book will force you to examine the consequences of your positions. Should you happen to disagree with him, the process of working out how and why you disagree with him will make your positions stronger. A very fine book, highly recommended to anyone who cares about the future of education in the USA.
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