Troublemaker: A Personal History of School Reform Since Sputnik

This is a remarkable book, not only for it's history of educational reform, but for it's insider perspective of the interplay of politics and culture on education. As an educator who attended school through the '50's and '60's and taught school beginning in the 70's, this book represents a "living history" that parallels what I, and many others, were doing "in the trenches."

Checker Finn's memoir, Troublemaker, takes us through the last 50 years of American schooling and is a fascinating coming together of his life's work. Its commentary addresses the numerous school reform initiatives Checker has been involved in (and often led), and many of us -- like me -- will recognize our own history in his wonderful and witty prose. It is both a droll and dead serious book, an easy read that makes powerful points. When are we going to wake up to the fact that our way of life is just one generation away from extinction and dependent on the quality of education the youngest of our citizenry receive? Our public schools are getting worse, not better. Checker is talking about some pretty scary stuff here, and our nation owes him a debt of gratitude for drawing our attention to it (if only more of us were paying attention). The Worst Call Ever!: The Most Infamous Calls Ever Blown by Referees, Umpires, and Other Blind Officials

Troublemaker, by Chester E. Finn Checker Finn made trouble using his fine prose, as well as other ways; the the book is a delight to read. You get the history of education policy initiatives, and failures, since Sputnik was launched, as well as an account of his efforts to affect things in the key positions he has held. Of course, you are not going to agree with troublemakers all the time. Paul E. Barton

This is much the best education book I've read in ages, a delightful blend of history, autobiography, humor and policy talk. Though often called a conservative, the author turns out to be more of a radical, a family man, a goodhearted (and sometimes frustrated) father and grandfather, and a genuine human being. He has penned a balanced, thoroughly readable (and sometimes laugh-out-loud amusing)account of major developments in American primary-secondary education over the past half century or so, intertwined with his own life and work in this field. You won't encounter a clearer recounting of U.S. school reform efforts--or a more enjoyable book on the subject.