Wolcott's characteristic 'left-to-the-jaw' style of humor enlivens this important and pessimistic account of the unbelievable stressful things that educators do to educators in the process of innovation and development. This book surely must be read by every educator, whether teacher or technocrat, whether of higher education or common school sort, now under siege by quality-eschewing, quantifying, input-output budgeting systems, and their legislator proponents.

Jacquetta Hill, American Anthropologist

Educational administrators from budding principals up should read this book, as should anyone interested in the sociology of schools, the way schools operate, and the ways changes can or cannot be made in schools.

R. A. McDonald, Interchange

Rich in ethnographic detail, the book provides an incredible array of insights. Wolcott's systematic analysis of teacher and technocrats is fascinating, as well as critical to an understanding and appreciation of the world of the school.

Arnold J. Keller & Maribeth Durst, The Elementary School Principal

The descriptive narrative is lively, fast paced, and sprinkled with fine irony. It is, in brief, a masterful piece of ethnography.

Paul A. Pohland & Carolyn J. Wood, Educational Researcher