Freedom and Beyond (Innovators in Education) [Paperback]

John Holt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0867093676 | ISBN-13: 978-0867093674 | Publication Date: November 6, 1995

Freedom and Beyond represents a significant turning point in Holt's work. This is the first book in which he looked beyond schooling as the sole problem of education or as the sole solution. No longer would Holt argue that if we could only make schools better, the problems that he and other critics outlined would be solved.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Holt has what so many writers on education lack-an easy and readable style. [It] is a splendid book about fifty years ahead of its time.”–A. S. Neill, Author of Summerhill

About the Author

John Holt (1923-1985) writer, teacher, lecturer, and amateur musician, wrote ten books, including What Do I Do Monday?, How Children Learn, and How Children Fail. His work has been translated into fourteen languages and has become standards in the field of education. For years a leading figure in school reform, John Holt became increasingly interested in how children learn outside of school. The magazine he founded, Growing Without Schooling, continues to reflect his philosophy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Boynton/Cook (November 6, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867093676
• ISBN-13: 978-0867093674
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,761,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A progressive and liberating read....., November 23, 2003

By 

Nadia555 (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freedom and Beyond (Paperback)

John Holt's book "Freedom and Beyond" throws light on the contradictions, brutality, racism, inequality, and unfairness that are present in most standard schools today. Though this book was published in the early 70's and all of the statistics in this book would have changed since then, it's depressing to read that so little has changed regarding the teacher/student dynamic. This book is genuinely revolutionary, and realistic in it's approach. The author writes with great understanding and insight, and presents several anecdotes and observations about the cross-section of school's he has visited. All of the suggestions here are logical and positive. The only flaw I found in the book was that it presented such an unrelentingly bleak and cynical overview of school-life, and yet it provided no direct advice for what the average reader could do to mend these problems. John Holt certainly presents the issues very clearly, and harbours great contempt for what children are made to endure throughout their school years, but unless you're a teacher, principal, or are about to erect a school from scratch anytime soon, the book does tend to frustrate you and leave you feeling rather helpless. The book does cover a wide range of social issues, from poverty to employment, all of which, as John illustrates, are relevant to the getting of a good education. It helped me gain a greater understanding of the nature of children and their needs. I urge parents to read this book (particularly if their children are struggling within the conventional school system), and I'd also recommend it to teachers, as this book promotes learning that is inspired and varied, and suggests new ways to teach the young that prevent boredom.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Attitude Building, March 10, 2001

By 

Ammar Asghar Agha (Pakistan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freedom and Beyond (Innovators in Education) (Paperback)

This is a book which has helped me develop an attitude for perceiving children. It and "The Continuum Concept" by Jean Leidloff, have both helped convince me how little of our unsolicited instructions children really need.

John Holt is one who takes 'freedom' to its limits, at least as far as children are concerned.

The change it brought in me: When I have the baby sitter's role with my kids, I try to do that which is of mutual interest to us (myself and the kids), or do something which I like while they're doing their stuff. However, I have an open door policy, and allow them to come up to me for any of their queries. Doing something which just interests my kid is defeating, as my frustration and resentment gets transferred through my tone or through my way of looking at them.

It would enable a person who always finds children to be messy, annoying, revolting and disobedient to see them as friendly, interesting, and transparent.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holt deserves a much wider audience, October 9, 2010

By 

David D. Derauf (honolulu, hawaii United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Freedom and Beyond (Hardcover)

What a wonderful mind he had. An author I truly wish I cold have known. Seems he somehow rather naturally saw the world from a Gothean perspective, and as such his observations and writing style are so illuminating, so gentle, so filled with compassion.