An overview and synthesis of John Holt’s influential educational thought in one volume, including coverage of the reception and influence of his work and its relevance today.

John Holt, the American educator, was passionate about the need for alternatives to traditional institutional schooling, seeing schools as often hindering children from learning rather than helping them; he became an important proponent of homeschooling or ‘unschooling’, was a pioneer in youth rights theory and had a profound influence on school reform in particular and educational philosophy in general. Here, Roland Meighan challenges the often held notion that Holt's work was 'romantic' and impractical within the context of compulsory schooling. He brings together the work and thinking of John Holt into applicable theory for education students, enabling readers to appreciate the view that individuals outside the education system can influence and change what is happening within it.

"A superb account of the educational writings of John Holt; a 'wonderful exposition' of his work, to quote from Patrick Farenga's Foreword. It is comprehensive and thorough, without 'penguinizing' (see page 130!), and it is as lucid, accessible and compelling as Holt's work itself... This is a powerful book, beautifully written, and we owe Roland Meighan a debt of gratitude for delivering John Holt to us in little more thhat 150 pages." - Journal of Personalised Education

"Meighan has done us the great service -- though it will have been a labour of love -- of distilling the contents of all of Holt's ten books into this mort readable volume of his own...Roland Meighan's eloquent tribute...ought to be essential reading for everyone who has the welfare of our children at heart." - Journal of Personalised Education