Its greatest success is in bringing the lens of Dewey's philosophy to current educational problems. Through Pring's studied lens we see two images clearly: the piteous one a society that neither respects nor even particularly likes children and a hopeful one of a pair of educational philosophers, Pring and Dewey, who do.

Theory and Research in Education

It is difficult to underestimate the importance of this book. Professor Pring has illuminated the character and complex structure of John Dewey's thought within a clear, sophisticated and comprehensive framework of analysis. Pring's sympathy with Dewey's different accounts, especially on the nature of inquiry and what Dewey meant by interests, gives teachers and students access to a thinker whose work sometimes seems impenetrable. Pring's great advantage here is that he writes from a different tradition, giving the book exceptional balance. The description of how Dewey might assess 21st century education should give every politician, administrator and parent reason to pause and reflect on how the education ideal has been corrupted. This book is therefore of immense value for any student who needs to, indeed should, master the work of one of the most penetrating and imaginative educators and philosophers of modern times.

Hugh Sockett, Professor of Education, George Mason University, USA