Hits the nail on the head for a brief consideration of the relationship between the American project and liberal education.

What a wonderful book. I cannot recommend it more highly to people interested in higher education in America.

A dense, incisive analysis of the mores of education in the United States, focused on how the principles of its founders have shaped schools to the modern day. Although it was written 30 years ago, there's not much to quibble with in her assessment. Perhaps that's proof that things don't change as much as we'd like to convince ourselves. The goal is a demonstrable proof of the suitability of a classical (though not nostalgic), reflectively-oriented program of education, particular for undergraduate education. I think there's a lot here that applies to high schools as well. Deserves to be read slowly and engaged with; trying to do too much as once may induce skimming.

Fascinating evaluation of the tensions and paradoxes inherent in our republic. Thoughtful analysis of how to maintain the tradition of liberal education in contemporary society.