There is much to admire in Locke's Education for Liberty. Tarcov's command of the relevant literature is impressive, his reading of Locke is both sensitive and sensible, and his views are expressed clearly throughout the book. . . . For an appreciation of the moral and political implications of Locke's writings on education and the family, and of what they reveal about his views on 'the art of governing men in society,' we can ask for no better guide than Nathan Tarcov.

American Political Science Review

Having read the Thoughts at least dozen times in recent years and taught classes and seminars on it, I must conclude that no analysis comes close to the depth and power of Tarcov's. We have here, I am convinced, the definitive analysis of the Thoughts, and I believe that this book will come to be recognized as such by any serious student of Locke.

The Review of Politics

In recent years there have been a number of very good works in political philosophy on the family and education. Thoughtfully argued, comprehensive in scope, rich in detail, and far-reaching in implication, Tarcov's book is the best of them.

Journal of Politics