© Columbia University Press
Tough Liberal: Albert Shanker and the Battles Over Schools, Unions, Race, and Democracy
September, 2007
Cloth, 552 pages, 70 illus.
ISBN: 978-0-231-13496-5
$29.95
/ £17.95
"A thoroughly researched and engaging biography." — Arch Puddington, The Wall Street Journal
"[A] fascinating biography." — Sol Stern, City Journal
"At once exquisitely complex and grandly contextual. " — Martin Peretz, The SpineEditor-in-Chief, The New Republic
"A well-drawn portrait." — Scott McLemee, Newsday
"Judicious and engaging." — Fred Siegel, Weekly Standard
"[A] timely new biography." — Sara Mosle, Slate
"An engaging book, and essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Cold War liberalism and its complicated legacy." — Scott McLemee, Inside Higher Ed
"An excellent new biography." — Jal Mehta, American Prospect
"A must read for unionists, educators, politicians and democracy internationalists trying to make sense of the persistent failings of U.S. education." — Eugenia Kemble, Democratiya
"A spirited and readable biography." — Adam Fairclough, Washington Post
"Named one of the American School Board Journal’s must-reads of the year." — American School Board Journal
"[This book] is an important contribution to the history of American education reform." — Nathan Glazer, Education Next
"An important new biography." — The Politico
"This book does a masterful job of explaining Albert Shanker's fundamental political perspective and of showing how it changed in concordance the realities around him." — Ruth Wattenberg, editor of American Educator
"An insightful, brilliant analysis of the life and times of one of the most influential figures in American education in the twentieth century. It should be read by everyone who cares about the future of public education and our democratic institutions." — Diane Ravitch, Historian, New York University
"Richard D. Kahlenberg has captured the political essence of Albert Shanker as a democracy advocate, unionist, and teacher. Shanker built teacher unionism, paved the way for professional unionism that went beyond teachers, and effectively made the case for a labor foreign policy that opposed dictatorship and totalitarianism. He was one of our history's best advocates of universal public education. This book brings to life his core values and underscores the enormous contribution he made." — Edward J. McElroy, President, American Federation of Teachers
"Albert Shanker was a titan of the American labor movement and of the world of public education—a tough, idealistic, controversial man who was reviled by some, revered by others, but rarely treated with indifference. Richard D. Kahlenberg's extraordinary biography reveals the complexity of Shanker's life and career and also makes a persuasive case for his greatness." — Alan Brinkley, Allan Nevins Professor of History, Columbia University
"This volume compellingly captures the life and times of Albert Shanker, a remarkable visionary leader who may well have been the most influential educator of our era. I was privileged to work closely with Al on state and national reform issues and the success of the standards-based accountability movement is in no small way attributable to his courageous leadership. I was proud to consider Al Shanker a good friend and highly recommend this truly excellent biography which captures the essence of an inspiring individual who did what he thought was right despite the opposition he often confronted from friends as well as foes." — James B. Hunt, Jr., former governor of North Carolina and Chairman, The Hunt Institute
"Albert Shanker was a unique figure in American education annals, and Richard D. Kahlenberg's book captures that brilliantly. No one better articulated the rationale for public education as a force for economic opportunity, national security, and equity and democracy in America like Shanker. He was both a tough unionist and a flexible, reflective thinker. An educational reformer capable of championing effective strategies to help children learn years before anyone else, and at the same time, an advocate with the uncanny ability to convey the unintended consequences of the 'education fads of the moment' in a manner that would cause liberal and conservative alike to think about what he said. This is a must read for anyone who believes a nation has an obligation to its youth and the teachers that teach them." — Randi Weingarten, President, United Federation of Teachers