The McGuffey Readers: Selections from the 1879 Edition (The Bedford Series in History and Culture) [Hardcover]

Elliott J. Gorn (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0312177666 | ISBN-13: 978-0312177669

The most influential books in the history of American education, The McGuffey Readers not only taught reading skills and classic literature but also imparted idealized middle class virtues to millions of schoolchildren. This anthology organizes more than eighty selections from all six volumes of the 1879 edition into twelve thematic chapters, making it possible for readers to examine the cultural assumptions that permeated middle America in the nineteenth century. A general introduction places the books in their historical context and provides background information on the life and career of their compiler, William Holmes McGuffey. Helpful editorial features include chapter introductions, a chronology, questions for consideration, a bibliography, illustrations from the 1879 edition, and an index.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Elliot J. Gorn is professor of history and American studies at Miami University (Ohio). He is author of Mother Jones: An American Life (2000); coauthor, with Warren Goldstein, of A Brief History of American Sports (1993); coeditor, with Peter Williams and Mary Cayton, of The Encyclopedia of American Social History (1993); and coeditor, with Randy Roberts and Terry D. Bilharts, of Constructing the American Past: A Source Book of a People's History, Second Edition (1995), a reader for the American history survey course.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 218 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (March 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312177666
• ISBN-13: 978-0312177669
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,754,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DEFINITELY 1879, April 3, 2011

By 

Joseph H. Race "Jose Mango" (SAIPAN, MP United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The McGuffey Readers: Selections from the 1879 Edition (Selections McGuffy Readers) (Paperback)

This fine little reader was definitely 1879 with the values of the educated, hard-working Protestant class of people. William Holmes McGuffey was rightfully called America's Schoolmaster, and his learning guides could be found in the majority of American classrooms. He was a somber, stern, serious fellow who reflected the early lessons of childhood, the importance of education, the value of family and hard work, good character, and the avoidance of vices. There were also good lessons on history and literature, with a strong emphasis on Christianity. It was an excellent book for its time, and I'm sure that many a young person left school with a strong sense of virtues and values. This is very historical (where we came from)tome, and many of the lessons would be much appreciated and needed in our Century.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great view into bourgeois protestantism!, June 24, 2010

By 

Andrew J. Brinkhaus "Existential_Entropy" (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The McGuffey Readers: Selections from the 1879 Edition (Selections McGuffy Readers) (Paperback)

Great book, interesting perspectives, and ultimately a sociological analysis of bourgeois protestantism. This popular book was well received in the 19th century because it pandered to the ruling ideology. However, it also subtly reveals the flaws of non-secular education. I recommend this book to everyone.