by Neil Postman
First published 1995
Acclaimed critic Neil Postman examines the crisis in American education. He argues that we've lost sight of why we educate, replacing meaningful learning with narrow agendas like job training and consumerism. Postman outlines the "new gods" underlying modern schooling - economic utility, materialism, and tribalism - and how they undermine a coherent, tolerant culture. To restore education's purpose, he proposes unifying narratives like "Spaceship Earth" and "The American Experiment." Ultimately, Postman's clarion call challenges us to reconsider the fundamental aims of schooling in a divided nation.
Genres: philosophy, politics, social-issues, education, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: critical, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: call-to-action, social-commentary
Setting: United States
209 pages · Paperback · Vintage