Book Description
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

Book Description
Most famous for his harrowing 'Sermon of the Wolf to the English', Archbishop Wulfstan II of York (1002-23) has emerged in recent decades as one of the most important and influential figures in the late Anglo-Saxon church and state. This volume, which arises from a conference held in 2002 to mark the millennial anniversary of Wulfstan's appointment as archbishop, is the first collection of essays to be devoted to this crucial figure. Its twenty contributors address the whole range of Wulfstan's activities and writings, and supply not only an up-to-date survey of Wulfstan studies but also many new directions, discoveries, and insights. The studies within this volume variously explore Wulfstan's preaching and law-making; his position in the late Anglo-Saxon church; the places and contexts in which he lived and worked; and, more generally, his learning, concerns, and ideas. The contributors, drawn from a variety of disciplines, bring together literary, historical, and art historical approaches to the study of Wulfstan, and a recurrent focus is on the extant manuscripts associated with him. Altogether, therefore, this volume provides a thorough and wide-ranging exploration of the life, works, and contexts of one of the most important of all Anglo-Saxons. ... Read more

Book Description
Court culture has been the subject of increasing interest, reflecting the importance of the role of the court in the ruling of the state, not only as its political nerve center but also as its moral and cultural heart. The court acted as a magnet for the ambitious and disseminated courtly norms throughout society. Court culture was political culture articulated in ideological, religious and artistic forms. For the early Middle Ages, the scholarly and artistic achievements of Charlemagne's court have tended to overshadow other aspects of Carolingian court life, its role as a moral center for the kingdom, for example, while other early medieval European courts have been neglected by comparison. This volume sets the study of early medieval political culture upon a new footing by its wide-ranging and interdisciplinary examination of the place of the court in the kingdom and its role as a centre of intellectual and religious debate. It brings together sixteen studies by historians, literary scholars, art historians and an archaeologist, and includes the new exciting works of younger scholars as well as that of the internationally renown. The volume focuses upon France, England, Lombard and papal Italy, and Byzantium in the eighth and ninth centuries. ... Read more

Book Description
American education is in crisis. Although reform advocates have repeated this obvious truth for several decades, their proposed remedies have varied widely, indicating their wide disagreements concerning both the causes and the cures. In this book, York presents some of these past and present ideas for reform and suggests a primary reason for the failure of their acceptance: potential reformers have focused too little on American societal values. He argues in a penetrating and persuasive manner the importance of those values in setting the foundational goals that education should seek to attain, and which the public must be willing to embrace. His own suggestions, at once pragmatic and progressive, suggest the need for a fresh start, rather than a revolution. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Every Child Left Behind?
If what the author says is true, the future is bleak indeed! Unfortunately, he presents his case logically, and the results of the NCLB program in Texas are disturbing. The outcomes I have witnessed and read about elsewhere also confirm his views. It reminds me of the global-warming issue. The evidence of a problem is overwhelming, but the inertia of our habits holds us to the same old course, with occasional tiny (too tiny, in my opinion) readjustments in our course. The author's suggestions seem a bit extreme at first glance, but on skimming over them a second time, I had to ask myself: Are they really? They actually seem quite logical, though getting them enacted would require a sea change in attitudes. Very thought provoking.

I feel like a born-again teacher!
As a science teacher, I've been bothered by student's lack of interest in science, and even in education. I mean, they do work hard to get good grades, but only for the grade, and not for an interest in the science itself. Some kind of reform is needed, but what kind? I shake my head at the few wild ideas I've heard, but I was enticed by the idea that cultural values might be involved. I got much more from this book! Although it discusses the cultural aspect, I was much more impressed by what turned out to be an exciting discussion of why our kids are so disinterested in the course content. I must admit, that includes my class too. This book explains why many students feel an irrelevance exists between their class subjects and their lives. I find myself energized to present my subject in a different context, and I now have an idea how to structure that context.
Hats off to Alcuin York!

Thank heaven! A book free of ideology!
I have read a number of books on education - what is wrong or right with it, what needs to be done to improve it, and what the future holds for our school systems. Some of these books have asserted nothing more than ideological doctrines (i.e., propaganda). Others have been so wrapped up in theory that the authors apparently forgot to come back down to earth and advocate specific proposals. What I liked so very much about this book was its commonsensical approach to pedagogical issues. Further, it was quite unlike the current propaganda wars. In the end, I cannot decide whether the author's leanings are conservative or liberal, despite so many specific proposals and criticisms in his book. I do have one criticism: His proposals lack the detail they would require for actual implementation. These would probably involve more writing than could be contained in a single volume. ... Read more