Reading Bailey's fine book brought alive again for me my own sympathies with the philosophy of A.S. Neill, and respect for him as a practitioner as well as theorist, as well as a recognition of his shortcomings. Bailey has given us an excellent frame through which to view the life and ideas of this education colossus.

From the foreword by James Tooley, Professor of Education Policy, Newcastle University, UK

A fascinating study that should convince even the most sceptical that A. S. Neill was an educator of some significance. Richard Bailey persuasively, and with a wealth of illuminating personal detail, argues that while Neill routinely shrugged off his credentials as a theorist he was nonetheless much more of a thinking man than he has been given credit for. This account of his life and work is as engaging, entertaining and serious as the man himself.

Robin Barrow, Professor of Philosophy of Education, Simon Fraser University, Canada