American Reader: Words That Moved a Nation [Paperback]

Diane Ravitch (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1991

The American Reader is a uniquely readable anthology of writings and thoughts that are important in American history. The approximately 200 chronologically arranged selections, while all historically and culturally important, were chosen primarily for their literary quality and their interest to readers today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Far more than a marvelous collection of text and images, Ravitch's anthology is also a journey through the American democratic experience." -- -- Albert Shanker, former president, American Federation of Teachers

"Patriotic in the best and broadest, nonpartisan, and large-spirited sense." -- -- Booklist

"The American Reader is a splendid collection of the words and sentiments that have shaped our nation." -- -- E. D. Hirsch, author of Cultural Literacy

"This unique multicultural patchwork of political and literary American writ-ings-some famous, some virtually unknown-is a treasure." -- -- USA Today --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Diane Ravitch, a historian of education, is Research Professor at New York University, holds Brown Chair in Education Studies at the Brookings Institution, and is a Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. A former Guggenheim Fellow and recipient of many awards, she is also the author of the recent book Left Back: A Century of Failed School Reforms. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: HarperResource; First Edition edition (July 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062720163
• ISBN-13: 978-0062720160
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diane Ravitch

I was born in Houston, Texas, in 1938. I am third of eight children. I attended the public schools in Houston from kindergarten through high school (San Jacinto High School, 1956, yay!). I then went to Wellesley College, where I graduated in 1960.

Within weeks after graduation from Wellesley, I married. The early years of my marriage were devoted to raising my children. I had three sons: Joseph, Steven, and Michael. Steven died of leukemia in 1966. I now have three grandsons, Nico, Aidan, and Elijah.

I began working on my first book in the late 1960s. I also began graduate studies at Columbia University. My mentor was Lawrence A. Cremin, a great historian of education. The resulting book was a history of the New York City public schools, called "The Great School Wars," published in 1974. I received my Ph.D. in the history of American education in 1975. In 1977, I wrote "The Revisionists Revised." In 1983 came "The Troubled Crusade." In 1985, "The Schools We Deserve." In 1987, with my friend Checker Finn, "What Do Our 17-Year-Olds Know?" In 1991, "The American Reader." In 1995, "National Standards in American Education." In 2000, "Left Back." In 2003, "The Language Police." In 2006, "The English Reader," with my son Michael Ravitch. Also in 2006, "Edspeak." I have also edited several books with Joseph Viteritti.

I am very excited about my latest book: "The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education." It has received wide attention because it speaks to the most important education issues of our time. I hope it will change the national conversation about school reform and encourage people to recognize how difficult it is to build and sustain good schools. Those who read the book should be inspired to thank a teacher for the hard and important work they do every day.

To learn more about my speaking events and to see reviews of "The Death and Life of the Great American School System," visit my webpage at www.dianeravitch.com. The webpage also contains a choice selection from the hundreds of letters I have received from readers.

Diane Ravitch

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE THIS BOOK!, February 6, 2001

By 

"edu20" (Greenport, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American Reader: Words That Moved a Nation (Paperback)

The American Reader is an anthology of wonderful poems and speeches from critical figures in American history. It is not only perfect for the classroom, but a great bedside companion. I like to read a different selection every night. It is a good tool for self-education, for those of us who had too much "social studies" and not enough real history. And it is fun to read. I love it.

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What We've Lost Is Found Again, February 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The American Reader: Words That Moved a Nation (Paperback)

With the politicization of the schools and the increasing emphasis on race, gender and enthnicity as guides to the "multicultural" curriculum, we have lost the emphasis on our common heritage that should bind us together as a nation and a society. The sad proof of this is how little American kids know about the past that is their cultural patrimony. National Assessment of Educational Progress tests have revealed that three quarters of high school juniors tested did not know when Abraham Lincoln was president; one third did not know what the Brown Decision was about, and 70% could not identify the Magna Carta. One third did not know that the phrase "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" is from the Declaration of Independence; many were unfamiliar with the Getysburg Address. The American Reader is the best corrective to this situation that there is. Between its covers it presents those words that define our country's past and have expressed its goals and its dreams, its efforts and its achievements. This is what American children should be reading in school. Since many of them are not doing so, this book should be in every home, ready at hand to every parent and teacher.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, outstanding read for home or school!, January 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: American Reader: Words That Moved a Nation (Paperback)

This book is fun to read and an excellent source of classic Americana. Ravitch's selections reflect the pulse of the nation. It contains a rich selection of poetry, essays, speeches, folk songs that map the American experience. It offers insight into who we are as Americans and how we got there.